Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 3 (section)

=== II ===
Count Elman made maximum use of his own connections, Ariabert’s displays of power, and the financial strength of Tytania. Whether directed outwards or inwards, political manoeuvring relied upon the abundance and accuracy of information. Elman approached one of the executives of the Blaze Flag Army who had been struck with terror by Ariabert’s reprimands, and further brought key figures of the Bargash government into his fold, ensnaring them like strands of a spider’s web to wring out information.

“Your Grace, they are lurking on the seabed. Of course, the Bargash government is aware of it.”

With that report, Ariabert understood.

“No wonder we found nothing in outer space, no matter how much we searched. To think they were hiding in the ocean depths. So they were not rats but bottom-feeders?”

Had he possessed just a little more time, Ariabert would have located the enemy’s position without the assistance of Count Elman. Refraining from saying so aloud, Ariabert expressed his profound gratitude for the Count Elman’s efforts and immediately entered the count’s achievement into the official records. Elman was satisfied, his confidence in his own choice deepening.

Ariabert immediately summoned the Bargash government authorities. Corvin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs—a man who appeared as if fashioned from cotton—faced Ariabert with a darkened expression, but his facial muscles twitched upon hearing Ariabert’s demand. He managed, barely, to maintain a mask of concealment.

“Are you asking me to release the Navigation Bureau’s data? I believe all of that has already been provided to your army.”

“Not the Navigation Bureau; I am speaking of the Hydrographic Bureau’s data. I want it processed so that we may use it freely within fifteen minutes.”

Ariabert had not merely offered a polite greeting. His true purpose was to gauge the reaction to this demand. If the Bargash government showed any sign of agitation or refusal, it would, paradoxically, serve to reinforce the accuracy of the information brought by Count Elman.

“Fifteen minutes is impossible. We must take this to the cabinet, relay it to the Hydrographic Bureau, and obtain authorisation from the person in charge. Since our nation is a democracy, we must follow the proper procedures…”

“That leaves you with fourteen minutes and thirty seconds.”

Ariabert shattered Corvin’s defences with a merciless blow. “We are requesting the data necessary to determine the whereabouts of Fan Hyulick and his clique. We shall treat any refusal as an act of hostility and take appropriate measures; are you prepared for that?”

Corvin’s face turned pale, pierced by the sharpness of Ariabert’s gaze. It was the expression of a man who realised his doom was impending. For Ariabert, this confirmed the accuracy of the information provided by Count Elman.

“Do not forget, Minister. We are here to execute these rogue deserters on behalf of your Bargash government. You have every reason to be grateful to us and have no reason to find fault with us.”

Ariabert was a gentleman, but more than that, he was a man who represented the “military” might of Tytania. The high-ranking officials of the Bargash government had likely been reminded of that truth once again.

All was at a standstill. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Corvin, stood dazed before the communication screen in his office, his secretary posed a question that carried a hint of reproach:

“Are you truly going to hand over the data, Minister?”

“What choice do I have? What more can we possibly do? Even if I refuse, Tytania will find a way to obtain the Hydrographic Bureau’s data. Mustering a futile resistance would be utterly meaningless.”

“That may be true. But after this, no one will fight for Bargash anymore. We will lose both our credibility and our authority to vet locators, and we shall dwindle from a frontier capital into a lonely, destitute planet.”

“It is not yet a settled matter.”

Corvin shook his head, beads of sweat forming across his broad forehead.

“All is not yet decided. And even if it were, we must survive nevertheless. We have no need for elegies or dirges. I would rather live as a beggar than die a poet.”

Corvin repeated those words, this time, back towards himself.

“To survive and bear witness to the deaths of others.”

Ariabert was in no position to acknowledge Corvin’s philosophy. He was far too occupied with matters far removed from philosophy, such as having his staff officers analyse data from the Hydrographic Bureau, repositioning troops, and sending reports to Uraniborg.

Jouslain remained at Uraniborg. Because he assisted the Clanner with the practicalities of domestic administration and diplomacy, and acted as Ariabert’s voice, Ariabert was able to remain almost entirely free from the anxieties regarding his rear that generals on foreign campaigns so often harboured. While Ariabert did not believe he had been born solely to fight, it was certainly true that he found far more fulfilment in competing with military prowess against vast armies on the great battlefields of the cosmos than he did in engaging in political manoeuvring back at Uraniborg.

Unlike Zarlisch, he never took pleasure in grandiloquence. On the contrary, his voice was likely quiet in proportion to his achievements. He had always carried out his expeditionary duties with a dispassionate composure, and he had never sought to leverage them for political advantage. Yet, he too was of the Tytania clan. Should a situation arise where his military exploits became an object of resentment for the Clanner, or the next Clanner, leading to an unjust purge, he would openly and honourably raise his banner and establish his independence with the forces under his command.

The patience and obedience of those of Tytania were not those of a slave. Those with capability and will deserved to be evaluated fairly. And now, having rediscovered the target he was meant to strike, Ariabert was working vigorously, gathering his staff officers together.

It was a well-known fact that the environments of outer space and the deep sea shared many similarities, yet navigation and combat underwater still required specific equipment. Not every vessel was equipped with it. For example, the WG<ref name="ftn9">WG is pronounced “Water Gauze”.</ref> system generated a thin film of water currents to shroud the fleet, enabling high speeds under intense water pressure; the presence or absence of this equipment resulted in a speed difference of over forty kilometres per hour. Since those currents also served to shield<ref name="ftn10">“Shield” (遮蔽) is pronounced “shield”.</ref> against low and high frequencies, they were utilised in various weaponry, meaning that differences in equipment could decide life and death, victory and defeat.

Captain Lagusa, a staff officer well-versed in underwater warfare, explained while projecting topographical maps onto the wall.

“In this area, basins with depths of 5,000 to 6,000&nbsp;metres extend across eight million square kilometres. To the north and west lie mid-ocean ridges, and to the south and east, oceanic trenches…”

The unit of measurement, metres, gave Ariabert and his staff officers a slight sense of incongruity. In their usual perception, distance was expressed in “light-seconds, light-hours, light-days, and light-years.” Whether one was a soldier or an elementary school student, a trivial difference in perception could sometimes lead to consequences that were far too grave.

“Every vessel equipped for underwater operations shall be engaged in this operational manoeuvre. The ocean of a single planet may be far too small for you gentlemen, but it might do you good to try walking instead of running for a change.”

A laugh almost broke out at Ariabert’s words, but the room fell silent at his very next remark, as if a wind had suddenly died down.

“However, should you stumble during this stroll, you shall face even greater ridicule. Do not underestimate this. You can laugh at it any time in the future.”

After tightening the discipline of his staff officers, Ariabert gave meticulous instructions for the deployment of the military forces.

The entire fleet did not plunge directly into the sea; instead, positioned one hundred metres above the ocean surface, two hundred and sixty cruisers, three hundred and thirty-eight destroyers, eight hundred and ninety fast patrol boats, and forty-one space carriers held station hovering<ref name="ftn11">“Hovering” (停止) is pronounced “hovering”.</ref>, prepared for the enemy fleet’s ascent. Furthermore, a force five times that size was deployed in orbit, intending to bury the insolent anti-Tytania insurgents on the seabed of planet Bargash, ensuring they had no escape into space.

Ariabert seemed to possess the nature of a lion. Even when facing a minor foe, he ensured he was in a perfect position to strike. The reason Zarlisch had not held him in high regard during his lifetime was that his great stature relied too heavily on personal valour, which caused his military command to lack steadiness. That flaw had been compensated for by the very life of Zarlisch. As for what might reward Ariabert’s steadfastness, it remained a matter beyond the reach of human understanding. His headquarters continued to issue orders one after another.

“Very well. Eighth Fleet, proceed with the ocean currents to point N006, W072. Ninth Fleet, to point N006, W073…”

Ariabert himself boarded the flagship, leading a fleet of six thousand vessels, and successfully executed the descent into the ocean directly beneath the equator of planet Bargash.

Thus, the first act of the “Phoney War” drew to a long conclusion, and the second act was set to begin beneath the waves.