Chapter 76: • Remote Fleet Command Part Two

"What?"

The Iron Angels around her exchanged glances.

One of them tilted her head.

"Vice Commander, are you alright?"

Octoria didn’t answer immediately.

She looked around the training room, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity.

That voice...

There was no mistaking it.

She knew that voice.

It belonged to the Commander.

But why was she hearing him now?

And more importantly...

How?

"Commander?"

Octoria instinctively lowered her voice.

Several of the Iron Angels immediately looked at one another.

"Did she just say Commander?"

"I think she did."

"Why is she calling out to him? Is she daydreaming?"

"I mean, the Commander is hot... Like, really hot. Can’t blame her if she’s daydreaming about him. I know I would."

"But didn’t that seem more like she was responding than daydreaming?"

"How? I mean, he isn’t even here."

"Maybe she’s exhausted."

"She just lifted six hundred kilograms without even transforming. She might be a little dizzy."

"That doesn’t explain why she’s talking to the air."

Octoria ignored them.

Her attention remained focused on the voice only she could hear.

"Commander, is that you?"

?Octoria, can you hear me??

Her eyes widened slightly.

She then smiled.

It really was him.

"Yes."

She glanced around the room again.

"How are you speaking to me?"

The Iron Angels grew even more confused.

"She’s actually answering him?"

"Wait, she can hear him?"

"I don’t hear anything."

"Neither do I."

Octoria raised a hand, silencing them without taking her attention away from the invisible connection.

"Commander, how are you making this transmission?"

?I’m speaking to you through a secure communication channel.?

Octoria’s eyebrows rose.

"A secure communication channel?"

?Yes.?

Octoria glanced around the room again.

The other personnel were now openly staring at her.

A secure communication channel from the Central Empire?

That sounded absurd.

Not impossible, but absurd.

Long-distance interstellar communication was usually reserved for important transmissions between star systems. Even then, such communication was generally handled through specialized networks and command channels, often connecting Star Lords or high-ranking officials.

It was difficult to imagine a cadet being allowed access to something like that.

Much less being able to use it to contact her directly.

What made this even more absurd was that such messages naturally required a massive receiver, and what would be sent would either be a live call, a prerecorded holographic or voice message, not the ability to communicate telepathically across light-years like this.

No known technology existed to make this possible.

Unless...

Octoria’s expression became slightly more serious.

Had the Commander somehow obtained this technology through less-than-official means?

Or had something happened at the academy?

"Commander, did something happen?"

?I’ll explain later. For now, calm down.?

Octoria remained silent for a moment.

Her curiosity only grew.

There was something strange about this entire situation.

But if Arthur was contacting her directly, there had to be a reason.

"Understood."

One of the Iron Angels leaned toward another and whispered.

"She really is talking to the Commander."

"I told you."

"But how is that possible?"

"I don’t know."

"Should we be worried?"

"Probably."

Octoria’s eyes shifted toward them with a sharp glare.

"Can you two stop whispering?"

The two Iron Angels immediately straightened.

"Y-yes, Vice Commander!"

Octoria shook her head before turning her attention back to the invisible communication channel.

"Commander?"

?Yes??

"Why did you contact me specifically?"

There was a brief silence.

Then Arthur’s voice came through.

?Because I need you to do something for me.?

Octoria’s expression became serious.

"Of course. What do you need?"

?Round up all the officers and have them gather in the main hall.?

Octoria’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"The main hall?"

?Yes. I have an announcement for all of you.?

A brief pause followed.

Then Arthur added:

?It’s time for your first deployment.?

Octoria’s expression immediately changed.

Her eyes widened.

Then a wide smile spread across her face.

"Our first deployment?"

?Yes.?

Octoria clenched her fist in excitement.

"Understood, Commander."

She grabbed her coat and began hurrying out of the training facility.

The Iron Angels around her immediately reacted.

"Wait, what did he say?"

Octoria paused, turning to glance at them.

"The Commander said we should prepare. He wishes to address us regarding our first deployment."

"Our first deployment?!"

"Did the Commander just give us a mission?"

Octoria turned away from them.

"He hasn’t given specifics yet. He first instructed that you all arrive at the central hall."

The Iron Angels blinked.

"Understood, Vice Commander."

Some of them seemed a bit confused.

"But... Are you sure it’s the Commander? We didn’t hear him. I hope it’s not some sort of fake transmission."

"I mean... How can the Commander contact us all the way from the Central Empire with no visible receiver?"

"It sounds absurd."

Octoria’s smile widened.

"Then you’ll just have to trust me."

There was a pause, then they began to smile.

The excitement in the training room immediately began to spread.

Their first deployment.

Finally.

Several Iron Angels began talking over one another.

"Does this mean we’re finally leaving the Ashbourne System?"

"Are we going to fight?"

"Do we get to go on an actual combat mission, or is it some small scouting mission?"

"Calm down!"

"How can I calm down? We’re getting deployed!"

Octoria laughed softly.

She looked toward the empty space in front of her.

"Commander."

?Yes??

"We’ll be ready."

Arthur’s voice responded.

?Good. I’ll see you in the main hall.?

The connection went silent.

Then she grinned.

"Alright, ladies."

She clapped her hands together.

"Let’s move."

The Iron Angels immediately slammed their fists against their chests.

"Yes, Vice Commander!"

....

Octoria could be seen walking through row upon row of Iron Angels standing at attention in the main hall.

She adjusted her cap as she walked, her boots echoing against the metallic floor. Hundreds of Iron Angels stood in perfect formation, their eyes following her as she made her way toward the front of the hall.

When she finally reached the front, Octoria stopped and turned to face the assembled personnel.

She stood at attention.

"Commander, we’re ready."

Arthur’s voice immediately echoed through her mind.

?Good.?