Inside the Blue Star Commonwealth headquarters in Unity Fortress.
Michiel Kent began his report. "The surprise attack just now was a great success. The 4th and 16th Regiments of the Varangian Division have routed the Imperial defenders directly ahead and captured Districts D-15 and E-18. They're now less than four kilometers in a straight line from the central station."
"And now they can't push any farther, right?" Yang Xiyi warmed his hands around a cup of black tea.
Kent acted as though he hadn't heard and continued in his steady, methodical voice. "The Imperial forces reacted quickly and have already sent in reinforcements. In addition, the 11th Regiment of the 8th Marine Division was counterattacked by the 'Direwolf Regiment' in the southwestern corridor and fell back to its original line. The Imperial Direwolf Regiment is in high spirits and has charged onto our positions, engaging in close-quarters combat. I've already sent the Highland Regiment of the Hell Paratrooper Division to support them."
"Good. But make sure Colonel Sakob knows when to quit while he's ahead."
"Rest assured. Colonel Sakob is one of your old subordinates. He follows the principle that you only need to put in thirty percent effort to fight a battle; the other seventy percent is for covering the retreat and making a strategic withdrawal."
Yang Xiyi burned his hand on the tea. He couldn't help feeling that the man was mocking him. Annoyed, he set down his cup, patted the terminal tucked against his chest, and opened a call.
"Lieutenant Colonel Akina, how are things on your end?"
"Order at the spaceport is excellent. Major General Orwell is personally overseeing it, and two divisions are ensuring that all the key junctions remain operational. Every passage is clear, and everyone is ready." Akina Hachiman pushed up his glasses