But then again, if the order to withdraw according to a set schedule had come from the Defense Committee, why did it need Congress's seal of approval? Under certain special circumstances, the more solemn the procedure, the more sinister it could seem.
Besides, Colonel Singh's reaction was a little strange, too. While everyone else was merely in the depths of despair, this guy looked as if he'd just raided Yu Lian's doghouse. Even when he handed the documents to the latter, he was trembling, as though he feared the commander might fly into a rage and flatten him like a pancake.
Yu Lian eyed him suspiciously, but the fellow had already ducked his head and shrunk behind the crowd, apparently trying to pass himself off as an unnoticed dog.
Was this guy really worried I'd use his head to rally the troops?
A flicker of sympathy crossed Yu Lian's mind. He lowered his eyes to scan the document in his hand. Its explanatory language was indeed exceedingly tactful, showing him every courtesy, but while wording could be dressed up, time was a hard fact. Yu Lian skipped the empty pleasantries at the beginning and turned to the schedule on the third page, where the requirements were laid out in no uncertain terms. It was practically a direct order for the Fuxi and the "bandit suppression" fleet under its command to return to the Alliance's Turanka system before July 10, rendezvous with three Main God-class dreadnoughts undergoing their final tests, and form a combined task force before heading home at maximum speed.
Then came the itinerary for the journey home from the Alliance. Someone had even thoughtfully marked out the shortest route, requiring the entire fleet to reach the Solar System before September 20.
Great. The second half of the trip