"Subaltern Kirk, I will fulfill my duties as an adjutant and uphold the name of the Imperial Navy." Farida likewise saluted Horatio with a straight face, even a bit sternly.
[This little girl really has two faces, one in front of people and one behind. In front of her superior, she immediately transforms into a capable female soldier.]
Looking at Farida, Horatio recalled her aloof demeanor when he first met her as a Female Hunter-Duke.
[One can only say that she truly lives up to being a student brought up by Shawei Arbitrator; her business-like attitude has a rigid, carved-from-the-same-mold feel.]
Horatio teased in his heart and returned Farida's salute.
"By the way, Subaltern Kirk, this is a gift from Thei. She really liked the specimen you sent her." Rear Admiral Edward smiled, motioning Lieutenant Sterling to present a gift box.
"Open it?" Rear Admiral Edward said.
Since the Captain said so, it would be impolite not to open it in front of him.
Under Farida's disdainful and resentful gaze towards the gift, Horatio opened the gift box.
Inside was an exquisite terra time pocket watch, made of gold, very beautiful, with the Imperial Navy's emblem on its surface.
"Thank you very much. After we return, I will personally visit Miss Thei to express my gratitude." Horatio smiled as he thanked Rear Admiral Edward.
Farida pouted. She knew Horatio had to say that; after all, it was the Captain in front of him.
After the duties were assigned, Horatio immediately took Farida and hurried down the elevator.
After the blonde girl left, some officers who had been affected by the Untouchable finally relaxed their brows.
"Lieutenant, report on the readiness of officers at all levels."
"Personnel are all present and accounted for. We can set sail."
"Engine Officer, activate the plasma engines. Full speed ahead. We cannot let the Angel outrun us by too much."
"As you wish, Captain!" the Lieutenant in charge of plasma engines in the power department responded, and then the ship began to move.
A violent tremor suddenly came from the officer's elevator.
Farida was just about to step out of the elevator; as she took one leg out, the violent acceleration tremor caused her to lose balance and fall backward.
Horatio grabbed her arm, steadying her.
"Thank you…" Farida recovered from her shock and looked into his eyes as she spoke.
"Stay close to me. If you have any questions, ask me directly." Horatio adjusted his bicorne hat, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and strode forward.
"Yes." Farida regained her stern soldierly demeanor.
Aside from the soft armor worn under their uniforms, Horatio and all Naval Officers on the ship wore only their uniforms, without hard armor.
Even so, at his request, the Spotless Angels Scourge was delivered by a Ministry of Internal Affairs attendant on the ship to his destination, in case it was needed for future combat.
Horatio led Farida through the narrow passage guarded by Voidsmen-at-Arms. The crew members were very busy, hurrying along the corridors.
But when they saw Horatio and Farida, both Midshipmen, they had to slow down, stand on either side, and bow in salute until the two had passed before they could continue on their way.
According to Imperial Navy regulations, any crew member who bumps into an officer must receive at least 13 lashes. The same applies to not saluting an officer.
Neither Horatio nor Farida returned the salute. This was not because they disrespected the crew members, but because, according to Navy regulations, on a warship, only officers salute each other. When Sailors or crew members salute an officer, the officer must not return the salute to maintain authority.
The Imperial Navy has a strict hierarchy, and supporting these systems are brutal punishments.
On board, the Captain is the king with all rights, the Naval Commissar is the 'Archbishop' sent by God Emperor, the Lieutenant is the Prime Minister, the commissioned officers are nobles, and the Midshipmen are Knight Lords.
If there were also a General, then the General would be the Emperor, and even the King would have to obey him.
At the same time, those who set the rules believed that crew members were sloppy and messy, vulgar and wild, and could not be treated like Gentlemen with courtesy; they could only be governed by punishment.
To maintain the crew's awe, the Navy Department required officers not to return salutes or indulge crew members, but to maintain their authority.
The only people on the entire ship with the authority to punish Naval Officers were the Naval Commissar, the Captain, and the General, but such situations were extremely rare.
Most of the regulations in the Naval Disciplinary Code restrained crew members, not Imperial officials. Unless there was serious dereliction of duty, officers were almost never disciplined, but crew members could easily be subjected to flogging, confinement, or death.
This sufficiently demonstrates the Navy's strict hierarchy, intricate rules, and that 'relative fairness'—fairness within the official establishment.
The two boarded the ship's internal vehicle for officers. This large vehicle was very spacious, enough to seat several officers and their escorts.
The seats inside were made of mahogany with leather cushions, very elegant, and came with high-end alcoholic beverages, food, and cigarettes for officers to enjoy.
There were also some Midshipmen on board, some of whom were very young, just like Triske, still tender children.
These Midshipmen were generally the children of Captains, sent to the ship at a young age, in their teens, to become Midshipmen and inherit the lineage. But they would not become officers faster than Horatio, who was a Childer of Loyalty Midshipman.
These children, who did not rise from the Naval Academy, could only take the Lieutenant exam at 18. Horatio, however, only needed to serve on a ship for 6 months to get a letter of recommendation from Captain Edward Pellew to take the exam.
There were also some in their twenties, who presumably had failed the exam several times. The Naval Lieutenant exam should be one of the most difficult exams in the entire empire, with a pass rate of only 13% on the first try. Many people had to take it several times to pass and receive their commission.
These young people looked at the blonde ice beauty beside Horatio.
Someone recognized her as General Hood's daughter and began to whisper.
"That's the Hood Family's young lady," a Midshipman said to the person next to him.
"She's even nobler and more beautiful than rumored, but I always feel her aura is strange, though I can't quite pinpoint why," someone said, frowning.
"Although she's beautiful, I really can't feel any interest in her, it's so strange," another Midshipman sighed and shook his head.
"I don't know what's going on, but I feel a little nauseous after she got in the car…" a young Midshipman covered his mouth and lowered his head.
Farida's face was expressionless, her brows tightly furrowed, perfectly displaying the aura of an ice beauty. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa to rest.
She was already used to people whispering about her. The characteristic of being an Untouchable had caused her to be disliked since childhood; no matter how beautiful and charming her appearance, everyone would keep their distance upon seeing her.
"Who is that Midshipman next to her? I haven't seen him before."
"God Emperor, you don't know him? Horatio Cochrane, a descendant of Admiral Spire, and his father is the Chief Lord Captain Thomas Cochrane."
"Ah?! He's even younger than I imagined. I thought he was already in his twenties. Truly young and promising."
Farida heard the Midshipmen's whispers, opened her eyes, and raised an eyebrow at Horatio beside her, her eyes seeming to say, 'Look how they're praising you.'
Horatio looked at her playful and slightly resentful gaze, shrugging helplessly: "I merely completed the tasks assigned to me with all my heart. That's all."
Farida snorted lightly and closed her eyes again to rest.
"Port Macro cannon array has been reached."
Horatio could tell how low Farida's spirits were at that moment.
He smiled and stood up, gracefully and gentlemanly extending his hand to Farida.
"We've reached the battery. Please, Midshipman Hood." His tone was gentle.
Farida, with a gloomy face, looked up at the black-haired youth's warm and radiant smile, bit her lip lightly, and placed her hand on his.