Shadows of the Deep Space

The Norton Fortress and the Sunshine flew to the left edge of the defense line, sneaking in like mice trying to slip in silently.

Upon seeing the Norton relay signal fortress for a moment, all of Soraya's worries were immediately solved, and her face turned ashen. She gritted her teeth and said.

"Connect me to Mia!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Rui immediately took action.

Before long, the communication was successfully established, and Mia's virtual image appeared. She looked at Soraya with a smile and asked.

"Commander Soraya, what's the matter?"

"Where are you sneaking off to?"

"Nowhere, back to headquarters."

"Come to me!"

"No need, you're so busy, I won't disturb you."

"Get over here right now!"

Soraya was so furious that she almost exploded, shouting angrily.

"Yes."

Mia replied, her neck shrinking.

Soraya then cut off the video, storming out of the operations room and towards the access tunnel.

Many generals present also followed.

...

Within the central control of Norton Fortress.

Mia, upon seeing the communication cut off, furiously cursed.

"I'm so angry, that old woman, what keen eyes, to notice even that."

"Mia, a fortress this size crossing the border—Commander Soraya's eyes may be blind, but she surely wouldn't miss that."

Su Ming replied helplessly.

"Forget it, whether they chop my head or lock it off, I don't believe that old woman can do anything to me!"

Mia had decided to go all out, leaving the central control with Umtu and others, heading towards the entrance.

Su Ming then whispered a few words into Rhein's ear.

"Understood!"

Rhein nodded immediately in response.

After giving instructions, Su Ming hurriedly left the central control room, chasing after Mia and the others.

...

Shortly afterwards.

The Norton Fortress successfully docked with the Black Thorn Shield.

Several isolating gates opened.

Mia, accompanied by Su Ming and others, boarded the Black Thorn Shield. From afar, they saw Commander Soraya standing with a stern face, waiting with the others in the waiting area.

"Teacher, Commander Soraya's face doesn't look too good."

Su Ming quietly reminded Mia.

"Who cares."

Mia replied stubbornly.

Soon, they approached Commander Soraya and her group. Before Mia could speak,

Commander Soraya angrily spoke out.

"Mia! Didn't I tell you to stay at headquarters? Who allowed you to privately lead a team to the Abyss of Descent? Who gave you the guts to go deep into enemy territory? And you even attacked their relay signal fortress? Do you know how risky this behavior is? Failing would mean getting trapped by the enemy, and everyone would die inside."

"Ah! No way, my students are quite capable, aren't they? And we captured such a big fortress."

Mia awkwardly defended herself.

Everyone was stunned to hear this and began to discuss.

"How did they do it? This Norton relay signal fortress, though only a small fortress, has incredibly strong firepower? They managed to capture it without losses."

"No idea, it's simply unbelievable."

...

"No big deal."

Mia replied with a grin as everyone praised them.

Commander Soraya's old face twitched, and she yelled angrily.

"Mia, do you think this is something to be proud of?"

Mia immediately retracted her head and shook it when she saw Soraya's outburst.

"Did you ever think about how many lives you're responsible for when you take such risks...?"

Soraya berated Mia angrily.

Mia squeezed out a smile and awkwardly explained.

"Commander Soraya, please calm down. This matter isn't entirely my fault! I was just carrying out your orders to familiarize them with the Abyss of Descent. But I never expected we'd get lost, and while we were walking, we ended up deep in enemy territory, bumping into their relay point, and even got discovered by them. We had no choice but to fight."

Su Yao and the other generals looked at Mia with strange expressions, wondering how she could spout such nonsense. Only a fool would believe that.

After hearing Mia's explanation, Soraya's whole face turned red, as if her intelligence was being trampled.

Seeing Commander Soraya about to lose her temper, Su Ming quickly stepped forward and spoke.

"Commander Soraya, Mia indeed acted wrongly, but she was also concerned for the Federation, wanting to contribute her part to ease the burden on fighting soldiers."

"Is that so?"

Soraya's expression immediately softened upon hearing Su Ming, which was more reasonable.

"Yes, that's exactly it!"

Mia quickly chimed in with a smile.

Commander Soraya, seeing Mia's fearless attitude, her murky eyes subtly flickered, and she suddenly changed her tone, saying.

"Alright, although you defied military orders, you also inadvertently achieved merit. For being able to secure victory so smoothly this time, your efforts are indeed noteworthy."

Mia, seeing Soraya's unusual behavior, immediately became alert. She couldn't believe the old woman would be so kind.

In fact, Mia was ready for punishment, not that she cared about it—having at least dozens, if not hundreds, on her record.

Su Yao and the others were just as surprised that Commander Soraya let Mia off so easily.

Su Ming furrowed his brows slightly, feeling something was off.

At this moment, Commander Soraya patted Mia's shoulder, saying to her.

"Mia, thanks for your hard work. With so many spoils of war captured, precisely when the front line is short on supplies, they will all be confiscated, including the fortress."