Under Yu Lian's impassive gaze, Feifei's long eyelashes fluttered once. Her outstretched finger drifted unconsciously over the three-dimensional schematic of the Silent.
The model had been completed after Banner came aboard with a technical crew numbering two thousand after their reunion. They had spent a full month conducting a "comprehensive" survey of the entire ship. Even the most intricate pipes and passageways had been clearly marked.
And yet, plenty of areas on the detailed schematic were still blank.
Feifei tapped a region on the three-dimensional map, and projections of the compartment and its equipment appeared, along with a full digital description.
"The Silent has a subspace listening array, so we can pick up nearby signals, monitor communications, and hack into the Imperial military's intranet. But so far, I haven't found any transmitting equipment of the same caliber. I'm sorry—that's a failure on Dr. Eddington and Banner's part. I'll apologize to you on their behalf, too. Should I bring you their heads?"
"Hey, hey, hey! That sort of thing is from a bygone age. Even the Imperials would think you were too barbaric!"
"How is it barbaric? The Empire still hangs the heads of serious offenders on the highest gates in the Celestial Domain for public display. They even project them in high definition." Feifei put her hands on her hips. "Let's be honest: if the Empire really cornered us and took us prisoner, I doubt any of the senior officers aboard this ship would keep their heads. There'd be enough to nail a whole row to the walls of Dragon's Landing Palace."
"Oh, so mine could go on the flagpole in the middle?"
"No, you'd still be the Emperor's honored guest. You'd chat and laugh with the current Emperor and the next one, drinking to the sight of your former