Perhaps Miss Su Liuka had spoken with such absolute confidence, a bright, frank smile even on her face, like the warm, unclouded sun on a summer morning. Maybe everyone was dazzled by the sight. For a full half minute, they all seemed to freeze.
Then Yu Lian saw Jia Feier cover her face with one hand and sigh. Austana's smile had also turned somewhat stiff, and she gave General Farrell a meaningful look.
Indeed, General Farrell was the only other admiral aboard besides Queen Su Liuka. He was also a rising star who had just earned enough prestige in Honor's Mission to be hailed as a "great general." Naturally, he carried the most authority. If anyone could persuade Her Majesty, it had to be him.
General Farrell pondered for a moment. "Your Highness, based on the intelligence we received just five minutes ago, the Marauder fleet's total strength should be two to three times ours."
"Yes, and there's no guarantee they won't bring in more forces." Brunhild pondered. "I'd certainly like to hope that the unstable route to Lion's Den Fortress is collapsing. But we can't count on the Spirit of the Universe always taking our side."
"Indeed. We can't treat the enemy like fools. The Marauders we've dealt with in the past were savage and cruel, but they were also adaptable tacticians. They wouldn't base their operations on a gamble." General Farrell nodded. "We should consider the possibility that the Marauders have already figured out how those dotted lines expand."
The dotted lines, of course, referred to the unstable jump routes on the star chart.
"Admiral, are you saying that the Marauders have mastered navigational technology that even surpasses the Empire's?" asked Vice Admiral Lorian, the fleet's chief navigator, looking incredulous. Judging by his expression, if anyone else had