"This isn't a showdown. It's to let the United Army know they aren't the only ones who can park ships at Orb's doorstep."
Forty-eight hours later, Lin Yuan's words became reality on the Pacific Ocean.
The East Asian Navy's Kunlun carrier group deployed four hundred kilometers off Orb's coast. Six accompanying frigates formed an arcing screen, while four Black Iron Armor Type Ones bearing exercise markings sat on the carrier's Mobile Suit catapults.
He Changying's Space Force reconnaissance satellite relayed real-time footage to the tactical screens at the 811 Institute.
Sheng Lan stood before the screen, the corners of the report in her hand already curled from being flipped through so often.
"Director, Brigadier General Blake, commander of the United Army's Pacific Front, has issued a statement over the international public channel."
"Read it."
"Original text: The East Asian Republic's military activities in the waters around Orb have severely undermined stability and security in the Pacific region. We demand that East Asia immediately cease its provocative display of force and return to the path of dialogue and negotiation."
Lin Yuan rose from his chair and walked to the communications terminal.
"Put the public channel through."
The communications officer switched frequencies.
Lin Yuan pressed the transmit button, his steady voice cutting into the international public frequency covering the Pacific.
"Brigadier General Blake, this is Lin Yuan. The East Asian Navy is conducting its routine quarterly anti-submarine exercise. The exercise area lies in international waters and does not involve any nation's territorial sea. My question is this: why do seventeen United Army vessels include three landing ships fully loaded with troops? Anti-submarine operations do not require landing ships."
The public channel fell silent for eleven seconds.
Brigadier General Blake's voice returned, carrying less confidence than the statement had.
"The United Army's fleet