Things had gone exactly as Yu Lian had expected. The enemy coalition fleet in the I Count 12 system was thoroughly bewildered.
The Bakwei arsenal ships that had been waiting at the gravity well had, of course, received word that the enemy had broken through the center of their vanguard and flagship. They could also guess that the battle had descended into utter chaos, forming the kind of tangled melee that so many typical Imperial commanders loved.
But Imperial commanders loved that formation because it was ideal for boarding actions—and they were valiant Imperial knights. These weak, delicate, helpless Bakwei had a condition where boarding actions meant certain death.
Besides, even the most valiant Imperial lord wouldn't send an arsenal ship—a big, juicy target with paper-thin armor—into a melee.
The problem was that Marshal Yikou, aboard the Bakwei, had already ordered them to set out at once. Their crews were even lined up, ready to emerge from the spatial passage in perfect formation and unleash a glorious, deadly broadside. Just imagining it made them feel incredibly cool.
But now, they couldn't just decide not to go. That would amount to disobeying their commanding officer, which went against the Bakwei's defining traits of obedience and discipline.
Fortunately, Marquis Laste, who had followed behind them, sent a message recommending that they temporarily halt their advance.
Though he called it a "recommendation," his condescending, imperious manner was even more domineering than Marshal Yikou's. He acted as if he were the real commander.
The Bakwei captains of the arsenal fleet were disgruntled, but secretly relieved. With an Imperial marquis backing them, surely this wouldn't count as disobeying orders in battle? Respecting authority and obeying authority—weren't those the Bakwei's strengths? Back home, they might not only avoid a court-martial, but even get praised.
As for