The harbor was blockaded. Without air superiority, this experimental cargo ship had nowhere to run.
Not long after the Flying Fire Fleet finished broadcasting its warning, the Yun Jia Hao sent back a reply.
"We will never surrender. There are tens of thousands of hostages aboard. If you've got the nerve, open fire and sink us. If you don't want them buried with us, withdraw immediately."
The Yun Jia Hao's threat had no effect. Since North Star had deployed the Flying Fire Fleet, it intended to settle this once and for all.
Compromising and abandoning the operation had never been an option.
"You have no right to negotiate. Surrender immediately!"
"Do you think I'm bluffing?"
A cold, sinister voice came through the communicator.
Before long, the scouting post sent over the latest report.
"Report! The enemy has just pushed dozens of people off the deck and into the sea!"
The captain's expression darkened.
The enemy was demonstrating their resolve through actions.
"This is only the beginning. If you haven't withdrawn in five minutes, far more than this will be going overboard next time."
That sinister voice came through the communicator again.
After considering it for a moment, the captain summoned Silver Fox and the others and explained the situation.
"If you have no solution, I'll immediately order a forceful assault," the captain said. "Some uninvolved people will be injured or killed, but even more people will be saved."
Guan Tong thought the captain was right.
If they gave up retreating because of those hostages, they would not be saving people—they would be harming them. Those hostages would eventually become experimental subjects and suffer persecution anyway.
A direct attack would result in some casualties, but more people would be saved.
Silver Fox looked at Guan Tong. "Do you have a way?"