In the early hours of September 2, 833 Commonwealth Era, more than a thousand warships of all sizes in the Outer Ring Fleet had already assembled in their assigned formations according to the battle plan. Their jump engines were undergoing their final charge, while the shield generators and the capacitors for all the main guns were receiving their final checks.
At the same time, on the bridge of the flagship Republic, Admiral Bonaparte had personally lit a huge brazier, offered three incense sticks with studied solemnity, and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
Since the commander had displayed such piety, the senior officers lined up behind her naturally had no choice but to do the same.
Admiral Bonaparte straightened up and brushed off her sleeves, once again assuming that stern, unflappable air of someone who would remain calm even as Mount Tai crumbled before her. Still, she couldn't help glancing at Yu Lian, whose face was a picture of exasperation.
"Your turn," the commander said.
Well, since this wasn't some so-called chance encounter, there was no way they could skip the full victory-prayer ritual. Even if he himself didn't believe in it, so long as most of the soldiers did, it still had practical value.
Besides, Yu Lian was now the most powerful psyker in the entire fleet. So he was the only one who could lead the ritual.
Yu Lian bared his teeth and began by offering up a whole assortment of exquisitely crafted weapons—knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks, one by one. Once they had gradually vanished into the air currents from the bridge's ventilation system, he picked up an exquisite victory-prayer doll and carefully tossed it into the brazier.
Watching the delicate doll—one that could easily fetch four figures at a doll shop—get devoured by