Inside the bridge.
"Stay sharp, all of you! Those two enemy ships are still chasing us. We can't let our guard down now. Radar, keep a close watch for anything unusual!" Alsace's adjutant was diligently overseeing the bridge in place of the resting captain.
"Yes, sir!" the operators answered in unison.
Normally, when the captain rested, the adjutant took over his duties. He was effectively the "reserve captain" in an emergency, a "captain-in-training" in the officer development system, and the warship's second-in-command.
This adjutant had served under Alsace for years and was a trusted subordinate whom Alsace had personally promoted through the ranks. Originally, after their mission to the Solar System, Alsace would have earned enough military merit to secure a promotion. His adjutant would naturally have risen with him, putting a captaincy within reach.
Unfortunately, the Sea Race's sudden attack had thrown everything into uncertainty.
Even with his limited political savvy, he realized this was no ordinary incident. It involved a power struggle between the upper echelons of both races. An insignificant nobody like him had been dragged into it through no fault of his own, and he had no idea whether that was a blessing or a curse.
Just as he frowned in worry, the personal terminal on his wrist suddenly vibrated. He raised his wrist, glanced at it, and froze.
"Keep a close watch. I'm stepping out for a moment!" After leaving those instructions, the adjutant hurried off the bridge.
A short while later, he arrived at the captain's quarters. Once he received clearance, the door opened for him...
"Captain, you wanted to see me?" The adjutant looked at Captain "Alsace," seated across from him, and spoke even more respectfully than before.
He had already made up his mind. If he wanted to emerge from this incident