On the first day of May, 832 C.C., the officers and crew of the Thirteenth Fleet had just finished breakfast. They had returned to their posts, waiting for the next orders from headquarters.
In fact, the fleet's scheduled live-fire exercise should have ended yesterday. By now, they ought to have been able to return to New Lushun for repairs and resupply.
But for some reason, everyone aboard had a feeling that there was still some major task left to complete. Perhaps the officers' attitude had rubbed off on them; quite a few had naturally started letting their imaginations run wild.
What could be more important than a live-fire exercise? Why, just remove the last two words.
Brigadier General Eleanor Bonaparte, currently aboard the Aurora, had just finished breakfast as well. She had returned to the bridge to take command and now asked, "Any new word from the Throne?"
"During their last communication, they had reached Cold Mountain System 217. Everything is going smoothly so far," her adjutant replied.
She gave a menacing grin, picked up the microphone, and began addressing the fleet. Her first words were, "Excellent! My soldiers, are you ready to kick some cat and bird ass?"
The entire fleet fell silent. Even the officers at every level who had already been notified and put on combat alert felt their blood surge, but didn't know what to say just yet.
"A month ago, we fought a major battle against the Raiders. We were exhausted, weary, and worn out. But a month later, every one of us is ready to do our duty! Now it's time to teach those lackeys of certain countries, who brazenly trespassed on our territory, a little manners!" Eleanor boomed. "When 'Fairy of the Star Dust' holds her first concert in the New World, right