It was a salvo of sublight missiles that suddenly surged from the deep void where no one was present—more than ten thousand of them. Like a swarm of enraged wasps suddenly emerging from a completely invisible hive, they swept toward the flank of the Imperial fleet in a dense, overwhelming wave.
More than ten thousand missiles—at least nine thousand of them were aimed at the Dawn Angel.
Thus, the new First Minister of the Privy Council of the Holy Galactic Empire was attacked in his own territory while returning home to serve the king.
...Though they were currently within the territory of the Katai Kingdom, who said a satellite state didn't count as part of the homeland?
This was, of course, an outcome that had taken everyone by surprise.
Even so, not one of the seasoned veterans throughout the fleet showed any sign of panic. Without waiting for orders from above, they immediately sprang into action.
Moments later, the ear-piercing tactical alarm rang throughout the entire ship, replacing the relatively gentle high-energy reaction alarm from before. Red battle lights spun and flashed wildly in the corridors and on the bridge.
"Missile attack! Repeat, missile attack! Estimated quantity between ten and twelve thousand, classified as sublight penetration missiles! Terminal assessment: over ninety percent have this vessel as their primary target!" The tactical intelligence officer's voice was powerful and exceptionally clear.
"Navigator confirms the quantity is between eleven and eleven-point-five thousand. Ninety-two percent!" The navigator, whose name and five rings were unimportant, conducted a further analysis. His voice was not loud, but it carried astonishing force.
"All personnel, enter First Battle Configuration! Concentrate the shields three zones forward and maximize deflection power!" Before the navigator had even finished speaking, the captain issued the first order, his voice as steady as a mountain.