Cleo stood tall at the center of the command bridge, surrounded by a cascade of holographic data flowing around her like falling light. Her expression remained calm.. almost amused.
"Negative," she answered without hesitation. "Let them go."
She stepped forward slowly, watching the retreating ships blink in and out of space.
"They don't know our weapons are offline. Let them believe we're fully armed and ready to destroy them. The pressure is already working. Fear is a powerful weapon, especially against organics. Keep the assault going with our destroyers and fighters; don't let them breathe. Chase them out."
[Yes, Creator] the AI replied with a small bow.
After several minutes of sustained pressure from Cleo's relentless forces, the musician captain's defensive fleet finally began their first coordinated warp jump. One by one, their ships vanished in streaks of blue light, jumping several kilometers away from Cleopatra Fortress.
