The plunder of the heavens begins with the Spirit Cage.

This was no longer just an icon in his command simulator, but a real, massive steel ship with hundreds of crew members, carrying the hopes of the consortium's deep space power.

The boarding process was efficient and solemn.

Through the airtight hatch, a unique "starship scent" mixed with new metal, lubricating oil, and recirculated air wafts out.

The passageway is spacious and bright, with clear signage, and various pipelines are neatly wrapped inside the bulkhead.

The crew members, dressed in the uniforms of the Combined Deep Space Fleet, hurried along, but when they saw their new captain, they immediately stopped, gave a standard military salute, and looked at him with scrutiny and expectation.

"Captain Liu, welcome aboard."

"I am your first mate, Zhang Hai."

A tall, middle-aged officer with a resolute face came forward, gave the same standard military salute, and extended his hand, saying, "I have seen your resume and assessment results, and they are excellent."

The entire crew of the Rinpuku looks forward to fighting alongside you.

Liu Peiqiang returned the greeting and firmly grasped Zhang Hai's hand: "Hehehe, Deputy Captain Zhang, you're too kind."

I've just boarded the ship, and I'll need your help to familiarize me with the bridge and the rest of the vessel.

Zhang Haimo nodded silently, then stepped aside and gestured for them to come this way: "Captain Liu, this way please."

The bridge is located on the top deck at the front of the ship, offering excellent visibility.

A huge curved main screen occupies most of the space in front, below which is a layered control panel with navigation, weapons, shields, power, communication, sensors and other combat positions arranged in an orderly manner.

Officers in different uniforms are conducting final checks and adjustments before departure at their respective posts.

When Liu Peiqiang, accompanied by Zhang Hai, stepped onto the bridge, all the officers on board who had received the news assembled and saluted.

Zhang Hai introduced everyone one by one, and Liu Peiqiang nodded to each other. After getting to know each other and encouraging each other, everyone went about their respective duties.

Liu Peiqiang suppressed the turmoil in his heart and walked to the captain's seat in the center.

The seats are large and comfortable, and the control panel in front of them integrates the status display and command authority of the ship's main systems.

"Report ship status."

"Yes, Captain!" the navigator responded immediately. "The Rinfeng has completed all pre-departure self-checks. The main engine, auxiliary engine, and attitude thrusters are in good condition, and the fuel reserve is 100%. The warp engine is warming up and is expected to reach the critical point in 15 minutes."

"Weapon systems: Phased artillery array fully charged, missile silos ready, close-in weapon systems online."

"The shield generator is functioning normally, with energy output stable at 98%," the weapons officer reported immediately.

"The sensor array is fully scanning across the entire frequency band, covering a radius of 0.5 optical units, with no abnormal signals detected."

"The communication system is working properly and has been connected to the 463rd Fleet command network," the communications officer reported.

"The life support system, gravity simulator, and life support cycle are all in optimal condition," the chief engineer added.

"..."

"Very good." Listening to the clear and professional reports from each station and feeling the efficient atmosphere inside the bridge, Liu Peiqiang's last trace of unease dissipated.

"Vice Captain Zhang, inform the entire ship that we will be departing port in half an hour to conduct our first adaptive navigation and formation exercise."

Familiarity with ship performance and teamwork are essential requirements for every captain upon taking office.

"Understood, Captain!"

Over the next few days, the Rinpu conducted a series of high-intensity, multi-subject adaptive training and formation exercises within the designated exercise airspace.

Liu Peiqiang practically lived on the bridge.

He eagerly familiarized himself with each system.

From the Seraph-class's proud "Phase Dance" maneuvering and evasion system to its powerful mid-to-long-range firepower projection capabilities.

From the overload limits and recovery rate of the energy shield to the precise positioning and rapid start-up of the warp drive.

He personally tested the warship's response under various extreme conditions, simulating emergency procedures such as engine failure, shield overload, and hull damage.

All departments are required to conduct cross-training to ensure that key positions have backups.

With the assistance of Zhang Hai and the heads of various departments, Liu Peiqiang quickly developed a tacit understanding with the bridge officer team.

Exercise day, deep space range.

As the core of the "Blue Force" mobile strike group, the Rinpu is conducting a simulated confrontation with the "Fudoyama" and its escort fleet, which are playing the role of the "Red Force".

The exercise was set against the backdrop of a struggle for a key asteroid belt resource point.

"Report to the captain! The Red Army's main ship and its escort formation have entered area C-7 and are advancing in standard defensive formation."

Two Blazing Fire-class destroyers advanced for reconnaissance, coming within 0.3 light-minutes of our ship!

On the main screen, the red dots representing the enemy are clearly visible.

"Order: This ship and its escorting Night Watchers-class destroyers, activate the jamming field to reduce radar signature!"

"Reducing engine power to 70%, maintaining silent maneuvering, and maneuvering behind the D-4 asteroid cluster!" Li Peiqiang said calmly.

"Phantom Field activated! Engine power reduced to 70%!" the operator executed swiftly.

The massive hull of the Rinfeng seemed to blend into the background noise of deep space, silently creeping towards the Red Army's flank under the cover of the asteroid.

"Captain, the Red Army destroyer's scanning beam is sweeping across area D-4!"

"Keep quiet and trust our interference!" Liu Peiqiang stared intently at the screen.

A few seconds later, the fan-shaped area representing the scanning beam swept across the location of the Rinfeng. The signal feedback on the screen only fluctuated slightly and did not trigger an alarm.

"Alright! Let's continue the detour!"

When the Linfeng successfully circled around to the flank and rear of the Red Army formation, Liu Peiqiang gave a sharp order: "Attention, all ships!"

"Target: The Red Army's right wing Seraphim-class 'Flame'!"

Phase-guided cannon array, lock onto its engine and shield generator nodes!

"Missile silos, prepare swarms of anti-ship missiles for a saturation attack on their escorting Night Watchers!"

Engine power 100%, maximum speed! Attack!

"Phase Cannon Lock-On!"

"Missile loading complete!"

"Full engine power!"

"Attack!"

The moment the words were spoken, the Rinfeng, which had been like a ghost just a second ago, instantly transformed into a roaring thunderbolt.

The main engine nozzles burst forth with dazzling blue flames, and the ship shot out of the asteroid belt like an arrow!

The phase cannon array was fully charged in an instant, and several blinding high-energy beams tore through the void, accurately striking the side shields of the "Blazing Flame" cruiser and causing violent energy ripples.

At the same time, dozens of missiles, trailing plumes of flame, swarmed towards the Night Watcher-class corvette attempting to intercept them, like a deadly swarm of wasps.

"Damn it, it's a surprise attack from the Blue Team!"

"Watch out for the flanks!" The Red Army's command channel was in complete chaos.

"Blazing Flame's shields are overloaded! Starboard engine damaged! Maneuverability reduced!" The Red Army's battle damage report came through.

"The 'Aegis' was hit by multiple missiles!"

"Determined to be severely damaged, withdraw from the exercise!"

"Well done!" A low shout rang out from inside the bridge of the Night Watch-class warship as its lights went out.

Liu Peiqiang's precise flanking attack and firepower allocation directly disrupted the Red Army's formation.

However, the exercise was not over.

Ivan, playing the role of the Red Army commander, reacted extremely quickly, turning the bow of the Rock-class battleship around, and the massive railguns began to charge, emitting a heart-stopping energy fluctuation.

At the same time, a dense swarm of unmanned interceptors emerged from the Red Army fleet and rushed toward the Rinfeng.

"Captain! Rock-class main gun locked! Charge reading over 80%! Large number of interceptors approaching!" The voices of the weapons officer and sensor officer rang out simultaneously.

The pressure increased sharply! Liu Pei forced himself to calm down: "Concentrate shield energy at the bow first! Deploy our interceptors and engage the enemy!"

"Switch the phase-detection cannon to close-in defense mode to intercept incoming missiles and drones!"

"Engine emergency steering, maximum overload!"

"Execute the 'Z' evasive maneuver! Request backup from our team!"

"Shift the shield energy forward!"

"Release the interceptor!"

"Switch to Phase Cannon mode!"

"Engine overload!"

The order to "evade and execute maneuvers!" was carried out efficiently.

The Rinkaze exhibited agility disproportionate to its size, tracing a thrilling Z-shaped trajectory in the air as a dense network of phased-effect fire destroyed incoming missiles and most drones in mid-air.

But the threat posed by the Rock-class main gun is like a sword hanging over our heads!

At this critical moment, the bridge AI suddenly switched in: "The Red Army flagship 'Immovable Mountain' is under attack from 'Elemental Energy' interference!"

Main gun charging interrupted! Fire control system crashed for 10 seconds!

“Energy interference?! Isn’t that the dimensional weapon installed on the command ship?” Liu Peiqiang and Zhang Hai exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

Since the command ship could not participate in the exercise, the only possibility is that this device has been secretly deployed to certain special flagships as a trump card.

"An opportunity!" The group seized the chance instantly.

"Attention all ships! Target: Bridge area of ​​the 'Fudoyama'!"

"Fire the phase-guided cannons in salvo! Missiles follow up! Destroy its command node!"

Taking advantage of the brief period of paralysis of the Red Army flagship, the Rinfeng unleashed its full firepower.

Although the simulation determined that it failed to directly "destroy" the heavy Rock-class ships, it was determined that the "effective strike" on its bridge area was successful, which seriously interfered with the Red Army's command.

Ultimately, this fierce confrontation ended with the Blue Army's mobile strike group successfully "severely damaging" the Red Army's main warship, forcing the Red Army to withdraw from the battle for resource points.

After the exercise, the commanders of the main ships of both the red and blue sides exchanged a few sarcastic remarks on the communication channel, but more than anything, they acknowledged each other's tactics.

Liu Peiqiang looked at the victory declaration on the main screen and breathed a long sigh of relief.