Starsea Fleet: Age of the Lord

In the Reef Star System, a desolate star system on the brink of collapse, few fleets dared to linger. At its center was a dying resource planet, where a dimly lit underground room housed three shadowy figures, gathered in secret.

"The Starsea Human Federation is teetering on the edge of collapse. While the Northern War Zone has temporarily repelled the Interstellar Insectoids, it's only a matter of time before the queen retaliates after advancing to T6. The Eastern War Zone is stable for now since the Beastmen are hesitant to engage in open war with humans. However, the Southern War Zone is bogged down by the Interstellar Mechanized Forces, sapping the Federation's resources," rasped an elderly voice, hoarse and weathered by centuries.

"This is the perfect opportunity for independence," he continued. "The three great empires have amassed considerable resources over the years. If we recall the T5 fleets stationed on the southern front, we can field seven T5 fleets. With that, we can declare independence and establish a new alliance."

The second figure, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, nodded in agreement. His robust silhouette suggested a lifetime in the military.

"Elder Ruan is correct. If we pull back the T5 fleets from the southern front, the Interstellar Mechanized Forces will seize the opportunity to advance. The Federation will be too preoccupied to deal with us. The new alliance, armed with seven T5 fleets, will become a third power. We could even turn the Chaos Starsea into our private backyard."

The third figure, a hunched man, spoke with venom in his voice:

"Hmph. If it weren't for the Yunshan Empire's repeated meddling, would that scoundrel Feng Mo have risen to power? When the Snowhawk Empire was oppressed, neither of you spoke out to help. I have only one condition: I will support the alliance and independence on the condition that we send a T5 fleet to crush the Storm Kingdom.

"I want Feng Mo's skin peeled and his tendons pulled—only then will my grudge be settled!"

The identity of the hunched figure was evident—it was none other than the Speaker of the Snowhawk Empire. With this revelation, the larger picture became clear. The Western War Zone, bordering the Chaos Starsea, was home to three empires: the Snowhawk Empire, the Moon Frost Empire, and the Cloud Dream Empire.

Each controlled three star systems, including one large and two medium systems. Among them, the Snowhawk Empire was the weakest, with only one T5 fleet. The Moon Frost Empire was the strongest, boasting three T5 fleets, including the elite Moon Frost Fleet, which rivaled the famed Yunshan Fleet.

Though the three empires often cooperated, this act of plotting independence could trigger the first major schism in the Federation.

"Feng Mo's Storm Kingdom is a threat to our new alliance's future. It should have been destroyed long ago. Since the Snowhawk Empire harbors a grudge, we'll let you handle it," said the elderly figure, his tone calculated.

"Once the new alliance is established and we've weathered the Federation's retaliation, the Moon Frost Empire will deploy a T5 fleet to assist in a full-scale assault on the Storm Kingdom. Once Chaos Starsea's nine star systems are conquered, each empire will be granted three systems as a token of the alliance's unity."

The three conspirators laughed, imagining the spoils of victory, convinced that their plan would succeed.

---

Meanwhile, Feng Mo was listening to a report from Han Peipei. Over the past few years, the Storm Kingdom's population had surged dramatically.

"Your Highness, the Storm Kingdom currently controls six star systems: Hurricane, Storm, Crystal Sky, Beast Roar, Gale, and North Wind.

The Hurricane System has a population of 14 billion.

The Gale System has 17 billion.

The Storm System has 4 billion.

The Crystal Sky System has 1.2 billion.

The remaining two systems have negligible populations and are not yet developed.

"The Kingdom's total population is nearly 37 billion.

"The Hurricane, Gale, and Storm systems are well-developed, making them ideal for civilian habitation. The Crystal Sky System is under construction, the Beast Roar System serves as an experimental hub, and the North Wind System remains undeveloped.

"Our five fleets each have an average of 500 T4 starships and 1,500 T3 starships. Flagships are equipped with quasi-T5 starships, making our fleets comparable to most of the Federation's medium-sized fleets."

Feng Mo nodded, satisfied with the Kingdom's progress. The Beast Roar System's bio-research labs, in particular, were advancing rapidly, thanks to the T5-level serpentine star beast under their control.

If the beast could speak, it would likely curse Feng Mo and his researchers for their relentless extractions of blood and scales. While these procedures weren't painful, they were certainly humiliating. After each session, the beast would vent its frustration by devouring one of the local wildlife specimens on Beast Roar.

Feng Mo's recent conquest of the North Wind System had completed a temporary task from the Spark System, earning him 3,000 points. His total now stood at 7,660 points, just one task away from redeeming another T5 starship design.

However, the lack of tasks from the Spark System and his inability to confront the Snowhawk Empire left him frustrated.

Just then, his long-dormant communications terminal buzzed to life. Feng Mo raised his left arm, and a holographic screen appeared, revealing a video call from Uncle Gu Jun.

"Feng Mo," Gu Jun said, his tone urgent. "This morning, the three empires of the Western War Zone submitted their declaration of independence to the Starsea Human Federation. They've formed a new alliance, naming it the Frost Snow Federation, and have recalled all T5 fleets from the southern front."

"The Federation Council is enraged. A major conflict is inevitable. With these three empires leading the way, the Federation is on the brink of disintegration. The Eastern War Zone's stance is already ambiguous, and the two empires in the Central War Zone remain silent. The Federation's collapse may be closer than we think."

Gu Jun's tone was filled with regret. He knew that even within the Yunshan Empire, voices advocating for independence in the Northern War Zone were growing louder. For now, he and Nori had managed to suppress them, but for how long?

Feng Mo's expression darkened. He realized the gravity of the situation. If not handled properly, the Starsea Human Federation would shatter, leading to internecine conflict that would weaken humanity.

Such chaos would only benefit the surrounding interstellar species

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Happy New Year Everyone! May this year bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Cheers to new beginnings! 🎉🍻🎊