At this time a system window sprang up.
It was, of all things, a new quarterly mission; the quarterly missions this while past had all been late, and there had even been the case of two standing at once.
That one should come punctually now was more than Zhao Chen had looked for.
【Quarterly mission
Mission content: seek out and destroy the seven starship production bases hidden by the Mechanical Divine Church】
Seven?
The Mechanical Divine Church?
By the look of it, it is much as Zhao Chen guessed before: that the Demon Race could of a sudden burst out with so many warships in so short a time.
Is because of the technology the Mechanical Divine Church furnished, and hence these seven starship production bases.
"A cunning hare has three burrows; and this lump of iron has seven." Zhao Chen's brows drew a little together. "Only it is a pity the system gives no fix upon them.
"……
"Very well; it truly does not.
"If I cannot lean upon the system, then I must lean upon myself.
"One was found before, which is to say six remain.
"But to the present, the stealth scouts Charlotte scattered out have sent back no word whatever.
Though it is known already that these starship production bases do not lie within the main space, and stand hidden besides.
That does not mean the difficulty of the search is lessened.
"This quarterly mission's term is three months; Charlotte's searching must make some progress." Zhao Chen stretched himself; he took up the coat laid over the chair beside him, put it on, and walked out of the office.
And came by the way to the Dragon Emperor's bridge.
"Hear my order: every fighting unit under the Owl Dragon Legion is to enter a state of battle," Zhao Chen ordered.
Within the bridge, in one instant, it was as though dry grass had been lit by a torch.
Bridge officer after officer began to be busy.
And this vast beast, that had been resting, woke once more.
"The Owl Dragon First Legion, whole fleet, has entered a state of battle readiness. Commander Charlotte. Your instruction, Commander."
A shape of holographic light appeared before Zhao Chen.
"The Owl Dragon Third Legion, whole fleet, has entered a state of battle readiness. Commander Shen Bing. Your instruction, Commander."
Holographic image after image appeared.
Chitong, Su Lan, Chu Xuan, Medusa, Wei Shishi, Qingman, Ye Xiaotong, Pei Shengnan, the wolf-girl Baixue, Zhao Wan'er;
And the newly raised body of Owl Dragon legions besides.
"The Owl Dragon Eleventh Legion, whole fleet, has entered a state of battle readiness. Commander Zhao Ruyue. Your instruction, Commander."
And with her there appeared two figures besides.
"The Owl Dragon Twelfth Legion… Commander Leona…"
"The Owl Dragon Thirteenth Legion… Commander Midai'er…"
"The Owl Dragon Fourteenth Legion… Commander Hu Xin'er…"
The moment Hu Xin'er appeared in uniform was something particular.
Being of the Black Fox clan, she ought properly to have held rather such a post as secretary officer; and before this she was indeed the Eleventh Legion's secretary officer.
But she resolved upon it, and upon her own strength passed the examinations, changed her calling to become a ship's captain, and so became the Fourteenth Legion's commander.
It is said she wished only to be somewhat nearer her idol, General Charlotte.
And for some cause, every time this little black fox looks at him, it is for all the world as though she were looking at a rival.
"The Owl Dragon Fifteenth Legion… Commander Huang Xiaoting…"
"The Owl Dragon Sixteenth Legion… Commander Zhong Xiaoxia…"
The last two to appear are the commanders of the two Owl Dragon legions built up most recently, of the Owl Dragon's third generation of reserve talent, and among the Owl Dragon's founding figures.
They have not such outstanding gifts as the others, and can lean only upon study without cease, upon the gathering of real experience in the fighting, and upon working hard without complaint, having followed the Owl Dragon Legion the whole way to now.
They may not be the Owl Dragon Legion's most gifted or most excellent commanders, but they are beyond doubt among the best Owl Dragon commanders in Zhao Chen's mind!
They are worthy of the legion commander's badge upon their breasts.
"The Demon Race declared war upon the Machine Race three months ago.
"In these three months, I know you have all been stifled with holding it in.
"Now we hold it in no longer.
"I declare it.
"The Owl Dragon properly declares total war upon the Demon Race."
Zhao Chen paused; he raised a hand, and a data panel appeared before him — the plan of battle Charlotte had drafted long since.
He sent these plans down to them all, and said besides.
"The Owl Dragon First, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Legions, under Commander Charlotte's command; task of battle: support the mechanical royal court, and beat back the Demon Race fleets," said Zhao Chen.
"Yes." Four commanders took the order.
"The Owl Dragon Second, Ninth and Tenth Legions, under Commander Chitong's command; attack Demon Race territory direct. There is no particular requirement of the task; you need only follow Commander Chitong's arrangements."
"Yes." Three commanders took the order.
"The Owl Dragon Third and Tenth Legions,[1] under Commander Shen Bing's command; take or wreck the Iron Guard star gate outside the mechanical royal court, which the Demon Race governs."
"Yes." Two commanders took the order.
"The Owl Dragon Fourth, Eleventh and Twelfth Legions, under Commander Su Lan's command; take the fallen Baku star gate at the meeting of Demon Race and Machine Race territory.
"And cut the channel by which the Demon Race throws fleets into the Machine Race's inward parts!"
"Yes!" Three commanders took the order.
"The Owl Dragon Fifth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Legions, under Commander Chu Xuan's command; go to the Angel Race's front-line field, and press forward into Demon Race territory alongside the Angel Race fleets.
"And put the greatest pressure upon the Demon Race!" said Zhao Chen.
"Yes!" Three commanders took the order.
"The Owl Dragon Fifteenth and Sixteenth Legions stand as the reserve strength, to be moved at my word at any time."
"Yes." The remaining two commanders answered.
Zhao Chen looked round upon the sixteen Owl Dragon commanders present. "This battle may very well determine the order of this universe hereafter.
"For our homeland and our future!
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
……
Within the map of the three empires under the Owl Dragon Galactic Interstellar Group's governance, the several Owl Dragon legions were moving at a startling speed.
For it had been agreed with the Machine Race long since that the Owl Dragon Legion might use the star gates within Machine Race territory.
And so, even without using T4 Lucent-class Interstellar Jump Ships, the Owl Dragon's warships could be thrown to the fields at the greatest speed.
The only part with some difficulty is that task of striking Demon Race territory direct, which Commander Chitong leads.
But that was foreseen; her task of battle would of itself be slower than the other tasks and local fields.
Which is for the convenience besides of the task of battle that comes after.
The Owl Dragon Second Legion · flagship
Chitong used a secret channel and said, her voice low, "The Black Dragon plan begins.
"You should understand what you are to do.
"And should you spoil the business, the Commander may forgive you — my ship's guns will not."
"Set your mind at rest, my lady; for our race's glory and its restoration!"