The remote Privy Council meeting continued until even the primordial-wave relay instrument was nearing its limits, and only then did it finally adjourn. The order appointing Brunhild, King of Suluca and the youngest member of this Privy Council, as governor of the Dawnstar Sector and commander of the expeditionary fleet would spread throughout the universe within days.
But even before that, some positive developments that seemed likely to ease tensions were already underway.
On March 13, 833, Commonwealth Calendar, at 18:24 Galactic Standard Time, aboard the Indomitable, the flagship of the Blue Star Commonwealth Expeditionary Fleet in the star system provisionally named the Ring of Miracles, Admiral Connelis, commander of the expeditionary force, received some good news while having dinner with his two right-hand men.
"So the Empire's Third Imperial Guard Fleet has definitely left the Dawnstar Sector?"
"Yes. The scout fleet reports that all 897 warships of the Empire's Third Imperial Guard Fleet left the Dawnstar Sector on March 2 at 14:15, after completing maintenance at Unity Fortress. They're heading along the New World Highway toward the Empire's Glory Colony," the intelligence officer replied.
Admiral Connelis glanced instinctively at the time on the clock beside him. Nearly two weeks had passed already, and he suddenly felt as if he'd been thrown back into primitive times.
But there was no helping it. This was the New World, beyond the reach of primordial-wave terminals. Communications basically relied on shouting through gravitational-wave beacons, so getting the message through intact was already pretty good.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Empire's Third Imperial Guard Fleet should reach Glory Gate within three days. Our intelligence personnel will naturally find out," said Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Tiventon.
"The Empire's vassal fleets and sector fleets stationed throughout the Dawnstar Sector have also been withdrawing in succession