Just then, an unusually shrill shout suddenly rang out over the Joint Theater channel.
"This is Dauntless One! Requesting access to Empire Second Princess Direct Communications! I have an emergency to report!"
Cornelia was checking the newly designated Joint Artillery Control Zone. At the sudden sound of that voice, she raised her head and looked at the communications list.
"Dauntless One? What unit is that? I don't remember the Empire deploying a unit with that designation in this area."
Lin Cuo had been reviewing Rear-Area Military Industry Documents beside her. When he heard the call sign, his fingers suddenly stopped.
The voice on the public channel continued.
"Your Highness! I'm Kururugi-"
The transmission cut off abruptly. Cornelia frowned. "Who did that person just say he was?"
"A Theater Experimental Unit." Lin Cuo closed the anomalous communications record with perfect naturalness. "A newly established Heavy Mobile Firepower Detachment from Great Han. The equipment is still being tested, so the communications protocols occasionally have compatibility issues."
"He seemed to mention a name just now."
"Frontline call signs are quite complicated, especially with so many different countries' forces participating in Common Defense this time. You've only just connected to the system. It's perfectly normal to mishear a few names."
Cornelia clearly was not particularly satisfied with that explanation, but just then, Gilford brought over a new Withdrawal Request.
Two more stretches of road had collapsed northwest of the Third Transportation Corridor. The Empire's casualty train had to change its rendezvous point, and two Garrison Battalions were waiting for new artillery cover.
She had no choice but to lower her head again.
"Send that Experimental Unit's Official Unit Designation to Dalton for me first. Also, let me remind you: Joint Theater communications are not for your engineers to test their private equipment!"
"I agree