Ann Junlie didn't communicate with Redhair via the voice system, but directly sent her a hyper-message: "Are you afraid others don't know I'm here?"

Military achievements for frontline personnel were determined by two factors: one was the number of enemy warships destroyed, and the other was obtaining heads from enemy commanders. Commanders' heads were valued by rank—capturing an Angel Legion CEO-level head could guarantee three career advancements.

Redhair's actions had drawn the attention of observant enemies who now surged toward him, increasing pressure significantly.

Redhair laughed heartily and sent a fleet join application: "Sis is almost dead, help me out for a while."

Ann Junlie sighed, terminated the hyper-message, and signaled the captain to approve her request.

Ziye heard Redhair's arrival and hurriedly ran backward, shouting as she went: "Open the gangway, I need to meet Redhair!"

Reaching the gangway entrance, Ziye summoned a hovercraft but hadn't boarded when another vehicle shot through like thunder, coming to an abrupt stop before her.

The hovercraft shield disengaged. Redhair removed her battle armor stealthily, tossed her hair back, and grinned at Ziye: "Hi little stinker, long time no see!"

Redhair always exuded an unyielding charisma, her commanding presence causing a collective gasp from nearby teenage boys even before she exited the hovercraft.

As she stepped out, the youths' eyes went wide with shock.

Few could wear battle armor to accentuate curves naturally; fewer still could make it resemble a runway model's sensuous, translucent designer gown.

No doubt, only Redhair could pull that off. The boys' noses began bleeding as they clutched their faces in awe.

"So beautiful! Even more attractive than the handsome guy who just passed by!"

"Of course—handsome guy is male while she's female!"

"I'll die happy if I've seen such a goddess with my own eyes..."

Ziye glared at the corner where boys were peeking, suddenly wanting to flip them over her shoulder. "Be quiet or get lost!"

Redhair shrugged it off, winking at them before approaching Ziye: "Little stinker—are you mad at me?"

Ziye firmly denied any such feelings.

Redhair embraced her shoulder and exaggeratedly gasped: "Oh my! Little stinker's bones are digging into my chest so painfully!"

Ziye stared blankly, "That's enough."

Redhair rubbed her chest, "Don't be angry little sis—I've recovered your silver-hyper neural interface. Data is intact—hurry up and allocate more warships for me, these ones aren't selling well."

Ziye sidelong glared at her: "You only care about warships. I die tomorrow and you wouldn't even notice?"

Redhair grinned slyly, "I already sent Ann Junlie to find you!"

Without another word Ziye turned back.

Redhair never read others' expressions well, so she became angry when Ziye ignored her: "Do we look easy? Angel Interstellar Federation is bombing our doorstep daily—over one-third of our clone backups are already activated."

Ziye sighed, "...Okay I was wrong for vanishing."

Perceiving the change in tone Redhair wanted to say something but stopped as Ziye turned away.

She rubbed her nose and shook her head at the boys' concern before making an innocent expression: "Guess I forgot how moody young women can be when facing the opposite sex."

Ziye had no energy to mock her anymore.

The fleet first returned to Angel Territory where Ann Junlie found Ziye, asking, "Do you want back to Wolf Den or join me?"

Ziye didn't answer and instead asked: "What's your preference?"

Ann Junlie softly replied, "Of course I'd rather have you stay by my side."

Annoyed at Redhair, Ziye turned her anger on Ann Junlie, "Why aren't you staying with me?"

Unbothered, Ann Junlie smiled cheerfully, "Alright then. After these two days, I'll accompany you anywhere."

Ziye requested, "Give me a battleship and wait until you're free to find me."

Ann Junlie's face showed slight distress before he pulled her into his embrace with long arms—his tall frame completely engulfing the recently slimmed Ziye.

Though she secretly cherished his warmth and sense of security, Ziye refused to stay by him permanently. Remaining would only brand her as Ann Junlie's wife, making her an eternal appendage wherever they went.

She couldn't accept that!

Ziye firmly believed no one—man or woman—should rely on others unless truly disabled. Having finally mastered ship knowledge why waste it? So she chose to temporarily distance herself and pursue her own path.

Ann Junlie buried his face in her neck, warm breath tickling her skin as he pleaded softly, "Little sister, don't leave me..."

Ziye almost relented at this rare moment of vulnerability... until noticing the hyperspace currents through the viewport which immediately hardened her resolve again. They weren't even close to marriage discussions yet—staying with him now would be unwise.

Better retreat now.

Ziye closed and reopened her eyes, finally pushing him away with a smile: "No, I'll wait for you at Kole."

Ann Junlie sighed but still ruffled her hair affectionately, "Alright then—I'll find you when I'm done."

Lifting her gaze Ziye saw his melancholic expression and impulsively hugged his waist before requesting, "First take me back to Wolf Den."

Though annoyed with Redhair, Ziye had vanished for a month and needed to check in on the legion. Since Redhair's battlecruiser was destroyed during combat they returned together to Wolf Den aboard separate vessels.

Ziye spent the journey checking interstellar news about war progress while remaining silent toward Redhair. Every conflict carried its hypocritical justification—she didn't care for reasons but focused solely on current developments.

After Angel Interstellar Federation and Fia's alliance, their joint offensive was proceeding aggressively from the Hope Legion bordering both territories. Currently half of Hope's star systems had fallen. After Hope's collapse Wolf Den would be next.

If Hope and Wolf Den fell, half of Angel Territory would become vulnerable to enemies.

The situation wasn't optimistic at all.

Logging into Wolf Den's internal network she found Old Dog commanding operations while Redhair operated behind enemy lines disrupting supply chains. Recalling their battlefield encounter Ziye felt sympathy for Redhair's bravery though still refused to apologize.

Maintaining a stern expression she ignored Redhair and continued analyzing Wolf Den's status. Currently allied with Angel Territory and Tangmen, warships mainly sourced from Tangmen showed heavy losses but could hold up thanks to Angel Territory's support—things weren't desperate yet.

Still long-term prospects remained grim.

To survive Wolf Den first needed to defend Hope. Investigating Hope's situation Ziye felt her resolve wavering. Though the legion fought hard, prolonged isolation had dulled their fighting spirit. When Federation-Fia forces arrived the deputy commander fled immediately with unknown whereabouts while the 100-year-old commander chose passive defense despite his age no longer being an issue—his mentality was equally outdated.

More crucially Hope relied entirely on Angel Territory for weapons and lacked both research capabilities and economic stability. Experts predicted their complete collapse within a month as two major profit-making corporations—one already bankrupt, another nearing failure—would soon be gone.

Considering Wolf Den's position Ziye realized they'd face similar challenges under dual pressure from Federation-Fia forces. How to handle this?

She massaged her temples in frustration.

Noticing she was being ignored Redhair sulked and dragged a bottle of wine over for attention. Though the war details were already clear to her, Ziye continued ignoring while Redhair played music, sang, and performed provocative dances teasingly removing each piece gradually. Ziye immediately looked away upon glancing up—truly speechless.

The crew members and ten boys on the battleship became stimulated! What free show! Equivalent to professional performances! Especially for these boys from garbage stars who'd never seen such spectacle before!

After finishing her dance Redhair was swarmed by admirers with Greenie being most brazen, rushing forward to hug her thighs and declaring: "My goddess—have a child with me!"

Redhair kicked him down coldly, "Get lost."

Undeterred Greenie crawled back begging.

Wiping sweat from her forehead Redhair grabbed his collar dragging him up while scowling, "Are you even an Angel Territory citizen? What kind of manners is this? During wartime your only thought is procreation? Do you know how many soldiers die daily?"

Greenie stood there stunned. After a long pause he muttered defiantly: "Aren't you just playing around too?"

Seizing his collar Redhair shoved him backward until he stumbled and fell. Towering over him she declared, "I capture at least five warships daily—can you do that?" Greenie's eyes widened silently.

"If you can capture one ship per day," she continued, "even if you strip naked here nobody would complain!"