As the empire fell

"Sir, are we really going to attack Earth?"

"These orders came from above. Are you refusing to obey?"

The acting captain eyed the noncommissioned officer with open hostility.

The officer immediately stood straight. "No, sir. It's just that I've heard some troubling rumors."

"What rumors?"

"They say the empire's leadership is already planning to flee. All our senior technical personnel have been gathered up and taken away. Even our captain..."

"Bullshit!"

The acting captain cut him off. "The Kree Empire is growing rapidly right now. Why would its leaders leave at a time like this?"

"But I heard that Earth, the very place we're going to attack, leaked our secrets. Now a lot of empires are watching us like predators, ready to launch an all-out assault at any moment. Besides, don't you think this is strange?"

"Pulling so many warships off the defensive line without warning is bound to leave enormous gaps. And a fleet this large doesn't have a single high-ranking imperial official qualified to command it!"

The more the officer spoke, the more agitated he became, leaving even the acting captain wavering.

After all, he had a fairly good relationship with the regular captain to have been given this position.

Before leaving, the captain had hinted at a few things, but he had not given them much thought. Looking back now, he realized something was wrong.

Just then, a transmission connected directly.

"Captain Layton!"

"Present!"

The acting captain saluted, staring at the Supreme Intelligence on the screen. He had no idea why the most exalted being in the Kree Empire would contact him directly.

"Our monitoring has detected personnel aboard your ship who fear battle. Under Kree imperial military law, anyone who shows cowardice before battle and spreads rumors deserves execution! Do you understand?"

At those words, the