King Sorein looked toward the star chart and saw that the shipboard AI had already projected the predicted course of the Earthling fleet onto the screen. At a glance, he could tell that if both fleets maintained their current trajectories, his ships would be easily flanked and exposed to the enemy's superior firepower.
Even if his own ships managed to turn and fight under the desperate cover of their escort ships, they would suffer heavy losses.
More importantly...
"The enemy fleet is maintaining its charge speed. Are they preparing to board us?" The chief of staff spoke quietly, but clearly, conveying his concern perfectly. He was an experienced elite officer, of course, but he had always served alongside equally experienced generals. This was his first time assisting a young Grand Elector, and he was genuinely afraid the prince might prove as moody as a dragon.
Fortunately, the young Elector once again showed a composure and courage far beyond his years. "All crew, suit up. And bring me my heraldry mech. We..."
As a professionally trained Grand Elector, he naturally believed that the strongest battleship should cover the retreat. That meant he would have to stay behind himself.
The Xiaolong carried more than seventy thousand crew, including three brigades of elite armored grenadiers and a new model of garrison robots. Counting him and the navigator, there were also six psions aboard. Even if the enemy boarded, they could fight a retreat and hold out until reinforcements arrived.
Besides, the rest of the fleet was already moving to join them. The nearest, Sobek's fleet, was less than half an hour away.
But the chief of staff offered a different opinion. "Your Highness, the Fuxi has sortied in person. I believe that man is aboard."
"So?"
"I was reminded of the Metamorphosis Project.