Chapter 348: Trepidation Beyond the Solar System

Song Yuanting shuddered at the sound, a slight awkwardness clouding his face. “Boss, these kids are all talented, but sometimes they tend to say things a bit too far out…”

Du Qiu glared at Song Yuanting. “That’s no excuse for keeping me in the dark. As my deputy and the head of the Defense Department commanding our armed forces, I expect this kind of secrecy never to happen again!”

Immediately, Song Yuanting bowed his head in apology. “Boss, I was wrong. It won’t happen again.”

After his reprimand, Du Qiu asked, “Have all the Wyvern Fighters patrolling beyond the Kuiper Belt been deployed?”

“Yes, as of yesterday they’re all in position. So far, no irregularities have been reported.”

Du Qiu nodded. “Then expedite the deployment of the detectors. The larger we expand this sensor network, the better.”

“Also, integrate the long-range quantum radar stationed on that newly discovered ninth planet beyond the Kuiper Belt with the patrolling Wyvern Fighters to form a warning net—at the first sign of trouble, trigger an enemy strike alert!”

Song Yuanting nodded and then added, “Boss, regarding the Heaven Realm II on Mars’s orbit—do you think we should evacuate it in advance?”

He explained that Heaven Realm II isn’t just housing families of our extensive space fleet; a group of tech personnel stayed behind with you to complete three key tech projects.

Du Qiu looked at Song Yuanting and said, “Speak plainly. As a soldier, don’t beat around the bush.”

With an awkward chuckle, Song Yuanting replied, “Madam asked me to remind you—now that the three tech projects are complete and the fleet is fully assembled, maybe it’s time to evacuate?”

“Boss, have no doubt. I’ve run through every scenario using the space warfare theories you taught me. I guarantee I’ll lead the fleet in a brilliant counter-ambush.”

Du Qiu smirked, “Oh? So you’ve started following your madam’s advice now?”

Panicking, Song Yuanting quickly waved his hand. “Boss, I… it isn’t like that… It was my wife—she mentioned how your mother-in-law complained about you, so she thought I should remind you.”

Song Yuanting’s wife is an obstetrician, a subordinate of your future mother-in-law, Zheng Hailan.

Boss had just reprimanded him, and if they think he’s taking after his madam, there’s no way he can hold the position of Defense Department head and Space Fleet deputy commander.

Thus, Song Yuanting’s words became somewhat disjointed.

“Look, I know your intentions are good, but this battle marks Dream Technology’s first foray beyond the Solar System, and I must command it personally.”

Still worried, Song Yuanting said, “Boss, as long as you’re at the core, the company remains strong.”

“But we can hardly predict the scale of the alien invasion fleet. Do you think we should retreat first to a safe haven?”

“If their warship count is under a thousand, you can commandeer the flagship and lead a swift counterattack to dismantle them.”

“If it exceeds a thousand—or even more—then you should leave immediately. That way, it could serve as our vengeance, don’t you think?”

In Song Yuanting’s view, after adopting the latest nuclear fusion energy and advanced materials, the performance of Heaven Realm II far surpasses that of Heaven Realm I. Its speed reaches 15,000 kilometers per second, double that of a simply upgraded Heaven Realm I.

If Du Qiu retreats to the safe haven now and the alien fleet proves overwhelming for Dream Technology’s defenses, he will undoubtedly secure his escape.

Even if the enemy boasts faster-than-light capabilities, with Dream Technology’s stealth system camouflaging him in the dark expanse of space, his chances of evasion remain high.

Song Yuanting held firm to the belief that as long as Du Qiu survives, a comeback is only a matter of time.

“Old Song, I get your point. But judging by how cautiously the alien fleet entered the Solar System with their Meteor Warships, I believe their numbers aren’t that large.”

Song Yuanting continued, “Boss, it’s better to be safe than sorry. What if their caution stems from another reason? Didn’t you say that our Solar System is shielded by the ancient defenses of the Pleiadians?”

“You mentioned that the Pleiadians are a fifth-level civilization. Their shielding measures would surely terrify the alien fleet, yet their curiosity compels them to probe further.”

“Perhaps that’s why the aliens are stalling at White Spot, waiting for data from the Meteor Warship inside the Solar System.”

“That must be why they haven’t yet entered the Solar System.”

“Boss, only when you withdraw can we soldiers fight with peace of mind. With the families safely relocated, our men can fully commit to clashing with the aliens!”

Song Yuanting’s earnest words stirred something deep within Du Qiu.

“Indeed, the alien fleet has yet to show any trace—they were likely intimidated by the Pleiadians’ shielding.”

“Moreover, with our Meteor Warship destroyed and no signals transmitted beyond the Solar System, perhaps the aliens are still deliberating at the light spot.”

“Boss, this aligns with the board’s previous strategy. You should also consider everyone’s morale.”

Seeing Du Qiu silent, Song Yuanting shifted his approach in a final attempt to persuade him.

At that moment, a voice from Stardust suddenly rang out.

“Sir, the Ark spaceship on Earth’s orbit has launched. Its trajectory shows it moving along the ecliptic, away from White Spot!”

Song Yuanting was taken aback. He knew the Ark spaceship—it was developed by the major financial groups backing the United States, originally intended for Mars colonization.

But now it was clear: they were fleeing the Solar System. Can a spaceship’s life-support systems really endure for centuries?

Previously, Heaven Realm I’s speed required a century to escape the Sun’s Oort Cloud.

The Ark spaceship’s pace is less than a third of that, barely reaching 800 kilometers per second.

At that speed, it would take over 300 years to leave the Solar System. But can its energy supplies support such a journey? Will its life-support systems function for more than 300 years?

And 300 years only takes it out of the Solar System. The nearest star system is still at least 3.2 light years away, demanding another 1,000 years of travel.

Du Qiu shook his head. “Impressive resolve. Deploy a detector to follow it as soon as it exits the Kuiper Belt!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Boss, these guys are scrambling under dire conditions. Shouldn’t you also take cover? If Heaven Realm II is destroyed, our fleet’s morale could suffer a fatal blow.”

Song Yuanting earnestly cautioned,

“Enough talk. Heaven Realm II sets off immediately to catch up with Heaven Realm I, which will be docked temporarily at the safe haven for an engine upgrade.”

Du Qiu decisively issued the order.

“And what about your flagship and the warship factory?”

“I’ll hold the fort here while you lead the fleet to the Kuiper Belt. At the first sign of the enemy, intercept immediately!”

Seeing Song Yuanting attempting to add more, Du Qiu coldly commanded, “Follow orders!”

“Yes, Boss!”

“Hurry up and depart! And call Lin Feng—gather the Earth Fleet’s crews and get moving immediately!”

Realizing he couldn’t sway Du Qiu further, Song Yuanting saluted crisply and hurried away.

“Report: Commander Lin Feng of the Defense Department Space Fleet’s First Unit is here!”

“Oh, you’re here? Do you know why you were summoned?”

Lin Feng shook his head. “No, Commander Song didn’t say.”

“I heard that before you can take on aliens, you must secure your own home front. Even if we never fight them, we first have to eliminate the opposition here on Earth!”

It was Lin Feng’s first encounter with Du Qiu. Although Du Qiu was young, seeing someone close to his own age earned Lin Feng genuine admiration.

Here was a brilliant engineering PhD who single-handedly built Dream Technology—a legendary interstellar company, and the mastermind behind the entire combat theory and system of our Space Fleet.

As a senior commander and top player of Dream World’s space warships, Lin Feng fully understood the monumental effort behind establishing such a framework.