Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

Chen Ming frowned as he carefully studied the analysis report provided by the Mechanical Queen.

The Mechanical Queen decisively dismissed his idea through analysis, but the final decision still rested with him,

yet he also felt that the Mechanical Queen’s analysis was quite reasonable.

The Mechanical Race clearly knew a war was coming, but judging from the defense map previously leaked by the Mechanical Queen, they hadn’t made any obvious preparations yet.

Moreover, Chen Ming had even learned from Bai Quan a couple of days ago that small and medium-scale skirmishes had already started at the Galor front line.

The Mechanical Race at the front line was retreating continually due to the large-scale dispatch of military ships and the inability to organize an effective resistance.

By today, they have been forced to relinquish control over several Border Star Systems, continuously contracting.

Although this did have some impact from Chen Ming leaking the earlier defense map of the Mechanical Race, it was also apparent that the Mechanical Race was not focusing on the front line at this time.

And the reason the Mechanical Race is not paying attention to the front line despite knowing the situation,

is most likely because there is a Chen Ming lurking here in their rear, always ready to strike them harshly from behind.

Although Chen Ming’s fleet strength is average, his abilities coupled with his position behind the Mechanical Race pose a threat no less than that of the Empire.

Failure at the front line might just result in the loss of ships and territory.

But if Chen Ming encountered their rear,

it’s highly possible that not only ships and territory would be directly annexed, but a massive amount of intelligence would be stolen, logistics destroyed, and the front line would be similarly plagued by various huge issues.

Putting himself in the Mechanical Race’s position, if he were in their shoes, he’d probably also decide to first take care of the troublesome enemy behind him.

Just now, the Mechanical Race’s reinforcements are about to arrive from other directions.

Having previously attacked Chen Ming’s fleet, knowing roughly which Star Realm Chen Ming is in, the pincer movement could very likely trap Chen Ming here.

As long as Chen Ming’s position is discovered, there’s a high probability of dealing Chen Ming a heavy blow, or even pinning him down here.

So, all these factors combined,

The Mechanical Queen judged that Chen Ming was currently incapable of violently seizing the Mechanical Race’s conversion equipment, and instead would face attacks from the Mechanical Race itself.

Thus, it dismissed Chen Ming’s idea, prompting him to consider new plans,

defense or retreat.

Since the Mechanical Queen had already laid everything out clearly in front of Chen Ming, he obviously couldn’t turn a blind eye; he had to respond and prepare.

Originally, Chen Ming was thinking about causing trouble for the Mechanical Race and then seeing what lay within the Shimmering Civilization’s ruins, but now he had to wait until the Mechanical Race finished causing him trouble before he could proceed.

First, ensure his Pioneer Fleet has no issues, then consider future plans.

Moreover, Chen Ming’s Dusk Fleet had only been engaged in exploration without much expansion, and it couldn’t possibly be a contender for direct confrontation with the Mechanical Race.

A bit of opportunistic skirmishing is fine, but once targeted and faced with a pincer attack from two Mechanical Race units, it could be deadly for Chen Ming.

He indeed had to retreat.

But he couldn’t just run away directly,

The Mechanical Race intended to target him, and although he couldn’t confront them head-on, he at least had to bite back and tear a piece from the Mechanical Race.

He could entirely plan for a counterattack while on the run.

Previously, due to the Mechanical Race lying in ambush around his fleet and the imminent war, he had the idea of shortening the scouting range during exploration to speed up progress and expedite relocation.

As long as he continued to distance himself from the Mechanical Race Star Realm, the war wouldn’t spread to his fleet.

Having thoughts and preparations in advance meant that evacuations wouldn’t be too hasty.

Being unhurried in evacuation gave Chen Ming the opportunity and time to counterattack.

Moreover, the war had already started, and the Mechanical Race’s first target was not to defend against the Empire’s initial probing attack but to deal with the most troublesome Chen Ming first.

That indicated that he indeed possessed the ability to command the Mechanical Race’s attention.

These capabilities were not just for escaping from the hands of the Mechanical Race.

But since the Mechanical Queen provided the plan for Chen Ming to defend or retreat, it meant that the conditions he just provided the Mechanical Queen with were still insufficient.

Chen Ming pondered for a bit and provided the Mechanical Queen with some new conditions.

He had his bases already prepped for relocation at any time.

All his ships possessed unlimited firepower, armor, shields, and radiation energy, as long as the logistics could support it.

Additionally, his Cruiser Level and above ships came with limitless teleportation systems, and those below Cruiser Level had the ability to teleport infinitely within Superspace.

In crucial moments, he could even produce a large number of Armor-Piercing Levels, pure cost-effective artillery mounts, all outfitted with powerful weapons like Speed Particle Spears, all of which could be dismantled at any time to ensure no loss.

And, the Insect Queen and its Insect Race, soon to awaken from evolution.

These were the conditions Chen Ming hadn’t previously provided to the Mechanical Queen.

With these new conditions, the Mechanical Queen immediately began analyzing a new plan.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Everything on Chen Ming’s side proceeded normally.

This included the projects of the two labs, research tasks on the main body, and measures to counterattack the Mechanical Race.

Although advancing on three fronts made him feel pressured, it also filled him with a tense sense of excitement.