A piercing air-raid siren blared, and red warning lights began flashing across the gleaming brass control console.
The duty officer in the First Naval Harbor dispatch center was deeply puzzled, but he still reacted swiftly.
Had the system malfunctioned somehow? This was a high-level alarm, one that had never been used except during drills.
Or was this another sudden exercise?
The officer considered it briefly, then pressed a button to obtain detailed information.
A line of flashing green text appeared on the glass screen. It could directly connect to the sentry post that had issued the warning and receive its message.
But this time, the message contained only one short sentence.
[Massive enemy air raid incoming]
That was impossible!
The officer shook his head. Even the nearest Ork airfield was over a thousand miles away, and radar sentry posts guarded the land routes. There was no way the enemy could have approached without a sound.
It had to be an accident, or perhaps an impromptu drill mistaken for an air raid by some recruit.
Fortunately, the duty officer did not allow his assumptions to completely control him. He was well-trained and disciplined, and understood that any answers, corrections, and explanations were secondary matters. None of them were urgent.
Even notifying headquarters was not the first priority.
He knew the procedures well and responded according to his training.
"Battle stations!"
Even if it was a drill, they had to put on a proper show.
He activated the communications system and the defenses for Harbor District One, his hands flying deftly across the keys as the other technicians also sprang into action.
Saffi Port had not only forged itself a sturdy shell and sharp weapons, but also refined its neural network—with the Civic Temple's assistance, the port had reached a