"General, should we retreat?"
A Boulder-class battleship stood at the very front of the fleet like a massive shield. Inside it, the adjutant was asking in a low voice.
In such a dangerous situation, the real big shots would never show up here.
For instance, Mr. Stuart, who had spoken earlier, was currently standing somewhere amid the glaciers of Heaven Bear Star, silently watching them.
General Ke En, bearing the will of the higher-ups, wore a conflicted expression. He looked to be in his forties, powerfully built, with a salt-and-pepper beard that made him appear exceptionally rugged.
His title of general had been self-bestowed within the mercenary group. It was not an official Federation military rank at all.
"How dare you retreat? Why don't you take a ship out and try it yourself?"
The adjutant cowered and did not dare speak again.
Under that immense pressure, Ke En stared at the ultralong rail cannon formed by four sleek Assault Ships. He took a deep breath, finally picked up the communicator, and slowly spoke.
"Esteemed Commander, I..."
"But!"
"It is Deputy Commander."
That icy voice interrupted Ke En without the slightest courtesy. Black could not make mistakes on matters of principle; after all, the Commander-in-Chief was the great Host.
The rugged, white-bearded man nearly crushed the communicator in his hand.
An unnatural flush rose to Ke En's face. He struggled to suppress the resentment in his chest, his palm squeezing the communicator until it creaked.
"Esteemed... Alpha... Deputy Commander!"
That sentence took no small amount of effort from Ke En. This time, he finally heard no rebuttal from the other end.
Are these Gador Empire Navy people fucking insane!?
Ke En stared at the light screen, cursing furiously in his heart.
"We are sincerely willing to resolve our dispute with you.