She wasn't a soldier. She had never received command training.
But she had spent several years at Chen Siyao's side. She had watched what she needed to watch and learned what she needed to learn.
"Third formation, return for resupply. Fourth formation, take over the interception line. Black Tortoise Squadron, fall back within Zhenyuan's escort perimeter and await orders. Leave Sector Seven to the lunar fire positions and mech units."
The orders went out. The units began carrying them out.
Yang Wanqing exhaled. Her palms were slick with sweat.
She touched the half-piece of compressed biscuit in her pocket but didn't take it out to eat.
"Xi He, any news from Chen Siyao?"
"Chen Siyao has entered Blue Star's atmosphere. Estimated arrival at the Antarctic Base in seven minutes."
Seven minutes.
Yang Wanqing nodded once and kept watching the holographic console.
The white mass on the heat map kept closing in. The Lunar Defense Line's first orbital interception net had already been overrun.
Against the Gold-Eater Clan's sheer numbers, the attack craft formations were like a handful of sand scattered into the ocean.
"General Fang." Yang Wanqing opened a channel to lunar command. "The first interception net is about to collapse. I recommend abandoning the outer interception zone, pulling all attack craft back, and concentrating them above the crater fire positions to form a second defensive layer."
Fang Yuanzheng's face appeared in the projection. He studied Yang Wanqing for two seconds, probably judging whether this young woman was qualified to make that recommendation.
Two seconds later, he nodded. "Agreed. Notify all attack craft formations to withdraw above the craters.
Form a second interception line. Clear the space so the lunar heavy guns can sweep the area."
Yang Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood."
The channel closed.
She stood at