The Empire's main fleet in the Lion's Den system had yet to receive news of the battle in the Modan system. But when Queen Suluka learned that the fleet commanded by Major General Bifi had successfully made the jump to the battlefield and launched the first charge, she had already decided she no longer needed to keep an eye on the fighting there.
In any case, Miss Suluka, in an excellent mood, paid no attention to the reinforcements assembling nearby. She was now walking briskly down to Level 5 of the Dawn Angel's residential section—the living and recreation area for ordinary soldiers.
The august Emperor-Select had brought neither guards nor maids with her. The only things following behind were two robots the size of Chihuahuas, which moved almost silently. That was the entirety of her retinue.
As she put it, "If someone wants to kill me even aboard my own flagship, just how badly must I have failed at life? A life that worthless might as well come to an end."
That was surely the grand and magnanimous bearing of a ruler. Of course, it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she was covered in all sorts of protective treasures and was herself a gifted, top-tier psionic. Absolutely nothing at all.
Miss Suluka remembered that today, Cafeteria No. 77 on Level 5 was serving mixed vegetables and meat stew, fried beef patties, sweet bread, honey cake, and chicken-and-mushroom noodles in cream sauce. The last dish in particular was said to be a specialty the flagship's head chef had learned by spying on the Second Guard Fleet's cooks. Brunhilde had wanted to try it for ages.
All in all, the Empire never skimped on its soldiers' meals. The portions were generous and filling, with plenty of oil, sugar,