Launching an attack with the intent of mutual destruction is clearly disadvantageous to the Feiyang Fleet, which is already at a numerical disadvantage. If the opponent withdraws, even with Hanfrey captive, Fatty would not be able to obtain his battleship. To ultimately exchange Hanfrey for a battleship, he must ensure Hanfrey continues to use the current Binart Fleet as his negotiating trump card and remains here.

The Hanfrey Fleet assuredly has an emergency plan for the capture of its commander. And the overarching principle of this plan is undoubtedly Hanfrey's safety. This presents an opportunity for Fatty.

As long as Hanfrey sees hope, he won't give up. Similarly, to gain negotiating leverage, he must keep the Hanfrey Fleet exerting pressure on the Fei Alliance Fleet. In this way, the initial problem of the bandit army delaying time, which could easily alert Hanfrey to imminent danger, becomes naturally resolved.

This stalemate is akin to cooking a frog in warm water. The moment the Russell Fleet appears behind the Hanfrey Fleet is when the water reaches its boiling point.

At that moment, Hanfrey will have no choice but to use all his battleships to exchange for his life and that of his entire fleet's personnel.

Two Elephant-class Royal Fleets.

Margaret's heartbeat quickens at the thought of this victory. It will be the Fei Alliance's greatest triumph since the beginning of the war, immeasurably boosting morale among the nations in the alliance.

"Three hours." Fatty scratches his neck, then his belly, and back, busy as ever. While cursing under his breath, "I still have to play dumb in front of that bastard twice. Let that bastard laugh at me in his gut! Damn it, it's so frustrating!"

Frustrating?!

The bandit army officers exchange glances and burst into laughter. If Hanfrey knew he originally had three chances to either signal his fleet to risk everything for one last attempt or simply leave, making Fatty get nothing but an empty basket, he'd probably faint from anger, unaware who really is frustrated here. Playing mind games with Fatty is not something many in the universe can easily handle.

Will die rather than suffer losses; relentlessly takes advantage.

Fatty is just like an iron rooster wrapped entirely in sugar, never losing a feather, yet always seeking to gain!

"Commander, General Douglas is requesting communication... It's Admiral Bernadotte from the Fei Alliance Joint Command!"

The report from a lieutenant at the communications desk surprises all the officers.

"Put it through."

Fatty hurriedly tidies his attire, wipes his face with his hand. As his hand drops, he's transformed into a soldier with a rigid expression, an upright stance, and resolute gaze. The epitome of a steel-hearted military image.

"Major General Tian Xingjian..." As Bernadotte's figure flashes on the communication screen, he immediately gets to the point, "The Joint Command orders you to immediately hand over Hanfrey to the Feiyang 19th Group Fleet, escort Colonel Margaret back to Chuckna, and lead your troops into Canglang Star for an enemy territory rescue mission."

"What?!" Fatty's iron-hearted military image dissipates instantly as he jumps up three feet.

"This is the Resk War Report, take a look..." Bernadotte sends the war report over and speaks with a cold expression.

Opening the war report, seeing the densely marked enemy notations and troop identifications, and observing the enemy situation diagram, all bandit army personnel inhale sharply, their eyes widening in shock.

Seeing through the war report in an instant, Margaret immediately becomes anxious.

"I'm not going back." Margaret stands beside Fatty, showing no hesitation, "Such a task cannot be assigned to Major General Tian Xingjian. The entire Canglang Star has been occupied by Jiepeng. With two super fleets and Suss's fleet, this kind of mission is a suicide task. Who issued such an order?!"

"It was me!" From among the generals, Leefer steps forward slowly on the screen and coldly says, "Colonel Margaret, mind your words. This is the command center's decision. Now, the only Level 1 Forces able to rescue Marshal Li Cunxin are the fleets under General Tian Xingjian's command. Of course, they can refuse, but..."

Leefer snorted coldly, leaving his sentence unfinished, fully aware everyone present knew the consequences of refusing the command center's orders.

"Who's that guy?" Fatty asks Margaret quietly.

"Alk Long Leefer." Margaret turns her head, watching Fatty with concern, "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

As a Feiyang soldier, defending Feiyang's interests is instinctive for Margaret. However, even with all the clashes between her and Fatty, it didn't mean she wanted to see this army buried before her eyes.

Moreover, everything Fatty had displayed proved this army's importance. Using such a force for that kind of mission is outright criminal! Yet, there are certain things that cannot be explained in such occasions.

Fatty lookered with sarcasm at Leefer on the screen.

"Have you made your decision?" Leefer, annoyed by Fatty's near-taunting gaze, semi-closed his eyes, his gaze sharp as knives.

"Are you stupid?!" Fatty raises his eyebrows, his words stunning everyone to silence. Some generals even rubbed their ears hard, doubting they had heard wrong.

"What did you say?!"

"Outrageous!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Two brigadier generals beside Leefer stepped forth, sternly rebuking. Leefer himself turned ashen-faced.

"Aren't you supposed to be an admiral? Dumb to this extent." Fatty continues his rant unabashedly.

This time, everyone understood clearly.

For a moment, all the generals were rendered speechless.