《Monsters of the Void》


 1. Salvation

    The Galactic Senat fell silent. An assembly of 1000 representatives of sentient races of the Galaxy sat in silence. A rare sight to behold in any government anywhere.


    With fear, with sadness but also with respect. They were silent. The Fa''enni representative was speaking. Fa''enni who for hundreds of cycles brought warnings of disasters. Fa''enni who was always ready to help. For hundreds of cycles, they have helped countless times to anyone in need. But when the time come no one came to their aid. The representative was female. Her tall and delicate noble form was known so well to all of them. She was a member of one of the few paradise world races that achieved FTL. They knew no struggle, no strife, the concept of violence or war was unthinkable not so long ago for her or her race. She was tall, easily one of the tallest known species of Galaxy. Some of her species could reach even 1.8 standard meters and weigh about 25 standard units. The galactic average was less than 1.5m and 30 units in weight. Her skin once pinkish white and sparkling when she moved now was unhealthy pale. But that was understandable. Her eyes once sparkling blue gems were darkened by grief and despair. Fa''enni naturally flew in the air with the use of their colourful wings, but her lay limp on her back. Grief bound her to the ground. But she didn''t cared. The cold plastmetal of the station was still warmer than her broken and cold heart. They watched and listen. Because they knew it will be the last time Fa''enni are seen. And they feel ashamed and relieved. Ashamed because they knew it was their actions that allowed this. All of this. And relieved that they were spared. But they listened as the millennia-old tradition dictated so they could remember Fa''enni forever. Few mourned as they really tried to change this but they failed.


    Only one representative sat indifferent as if he utterly didn''t cared. Xhretsla was a race of warriors. For generations, they stood guards of the Federation. But it came with a price. Officially they needed the blood of the other intelligent races as a necessity for their own survival but in reality, they demanded it because they were warriors and hunters. Everyone else was just mere prey for them. Once per one thousand cycles, they picked one race to pay tribute with blood. Maybe they should do this every 500 cycles? This time it was Fa''enni that will be sacrificed. Their meat and blood will nourish his race for the next thousand cycles. This time we will take the whole race. He licked the scales on his reptilian face.


    The Fa''enni representative with grief and resignation started after the introduction. "As you know my species was selected to be Xhrestla sacrifice. They razed 7 of our worlds. They decided that my species will be enslaved and destroyed. So far we have lost over 50 million of my kin. Soon we will all die. Only 3 of our worlds are left. We can''t fight back. We don''t even know how. We can only run. We are so afraid. I beg you! Have mercy or at least..." she couldn''t finish and almost bursted into tears. But she must stay strong to the bitter end. She could not ask aloud to kill her race faster and end this terror.


    Murmurs of sheer fear rose from the audience. That was not what tradition dictated. They should only take one planet! But no one dared to even look upon Xhretsla''s representative. No one dared to oppose them. Fa''enni senator continued.


    "As all, you know as well my race has the farsight. Our visions are not often but they are precise. And hear my warning. The Devourers are coming."


    Xhretsla senator nervously arose. His imposing 1.7 standard meters tall immediately brought all the attention to him. His hissing voice was smoothly translated via the general translator of the station.


    "Don''t lie to ussssss! Our sensorssss are ssssilent. Our fletsss didn''t found any scoutssss. The Devaurersss not coming!"


    She looked at him without any fear as there was no point in it now. She will die anyway from his or his kin''s hand.


    "They are coming. But incoming from the Galactic South. The Vision told us about the great pain, shock, and ruination of the race and its broken and beaten spirit brought to near extinction. Only a handful of survivors left. In the Vision, we saw dead worlds, barren of all life. And fear. The Fear is so great that is burning like a branch tossed in the fire. We doubt that''s the Devourer''s feelings and fate. Because they are death and all what darkness of the Void hold worst. You all have about the half standard cycle."


    The male who sat behind her coughed and tried to mask his great surprise. She paid no attention to him yet. Many representatives of more fragile species fainted. Xhretsla looked a bit pale but said.


    "We will check. I''m gonna ssssent sssscoutssss imidietly. But that will not change the fate of your kin."


    He looked finally upon her platform that was placed on the ground in the center of the hall and saw some old Fa''enni sitting beside her. But he was big. Much bigger than he was. Hmmm... No matter, he has scouts to send now.


    Fa''enni Senator asked once again for attention. ''What does she have to communicate now? I''ll personally kill her and will eat her. Or eat her alive'' Xhretsla thought with fury.


    "A long time ago. Almost 400 cycles ago my race saw in the farsight great danger. A great pain, fear, and despair. In the Vision, we also saw a location of paradise world. Far, far away to the galactic north on the unmapped fringes. We didn''t know what to think of it back then. But we have sent an expedition to check that world. The trip alone took our fastest ships almost two cycles and we spent another half on search. But we found it."


    All senators in the assembly were stunned. A paradise world? That means maybe a new race was found.


    "As you all suspect we have found the new race there" she continued "we spent there almost 30 cycles. Teaching them and giving some technologies, history of Galactic Comunity and..."


    She smiled for the first time since her kin started dying. "Did you know they managed to harness the FTL without radiation shields?"


    Disbelief arose- the void radiation would kill anyone stupid to try to use a such ship. Even Xhretsla who hails from the harsh world of class 4 would stand no chance to survive! She started talking once more resigned to the fate of her people. But the memories of that past better days kept her spirit up.


    "We warned them about Devaurers. And advised them, they should join the Galactic Federation to be protected. They accepted our gifts. We exchanged some technology and knowledge despite some hardships in the translation. However, they refused our invitation to join our community. They instead told us they are eternally grateful for what we did for them. We returned to the core worlds from their fringe world after promising to keep their existence secret until they are ready. We kept it secret even from our own brothers and sisters. Finally, they are here. They want to speak."


    The old Fa''enni stood up. But now it was clear that this is no Fa''enni at all. Everyone started to comment but fell silent when he started talking.


    "Welcome everyone" his voice was harsh yet solid. And somehow threatening like he tried to remain calm as if some anger boiled in him. He wasn''t using the translator. He knew the Galactic Universal Language, very impressive. His form so similar to the Fa''enni but without their wings. And he was much more massive and even taller. So similar but so much different. Really the paradise worlds born quite similar inhabitants.


    He continued: "My name is Richard Raven and I''m the ambassador of the Terran Commonwealth. Over 400 of your... years ago Fa''enni made first contact with us. That time we were euphoric. Excited over the fact that we humans are not alone in the universe. We couldn''t communicate at first and later it was so frustratingly hard that we barely could tell Fa''enni about us. Who we are. And I see now that clarification must be made. Alpha Centauri where Fa''enni made their first contact with us was not our home star. It was our scientific colony."


    Everyone looked at him in shock. Their species used the FTL without radiation shields and lived?! How? Impossible! Even the Fa''enni senator looked at him with disbelief. The Human however was unfazed even baffled by their reaction. He continued after a while.


    "You see... The Fa''enni have given us not only tremendous knowledge and technology from our dreams but also they gave us a warning. And due to this warning, we asked them to keep secret of us."


    He smiled. His teeth shined bright. He was not a docile paradise worlder. How Fe''anni overlooked something like this!? That was the smile of the predator.


    "They cured all illnesses that killed so many throughout millennia. They teach us so many things which helped us finally achieve peace. Elevate our knowledge to levels impossible at first to even grasp. Finally, peace and prosperity were possible for all humans. Thanks to their gifts we were able to repair all damage that in our own foolishness we inflicted upon our cradle Earth. And for all what they did we are eternally grateful to them."


    Ambassador looked straight to the Xhrestla delegation and told with a strangely confident voice: "And we will not allow for the genocide of the Fa''enni race from the hands of some bloodthirsty lizards!"


    A furious growl arose from the Xhretsla representative and his aids. His angry hiss started to rise: "how dare you ssssspeak like thisssss! You will..."


    "SILENCE PUNNY LIZARD!" The human ambassador shouted with a voice that knew no disobedience. And to the shock of everyone Xhretsla, first time ever obeyed. Only the Fa''enni was too afraid of what she heard to even move. How they are going to fight against such warrior species as Xhrestla? They should be like my people. They were so similar to us when we meet. The sole concept of violent full-scale war was alien to most Galactic races. But Human continued with a cold almost calm voice. Much more sinister and menacing that his previous shout. He clearly was angry. No. That was the wrath of some primordial evil full of uncontrolled fury.


    "Just shut up. We, humans, are at war with Xhretsla Hegemony, and you, Senator, and your delegation are the last of your kin to learn about it. Your entire army and how u call that sick fuck who rule over you? No matter. The Head Fucker personally rejected our peace offer and he is not yet fully aware of how fucked you are. Don''t worry. Soon you all will learn."


    All the Senat gasped at the sheer amount of profanities this ambassador have uttered. Disgusting. How he can call himself a diplomat?


    Xhretsla started laughing instead of being angered. The prospect of a such great excuse for the next war was too exciting for him. More blood for him then, especially from a paradise world fledglings. Marvelous.


    "At war with ussss? Xasxasxas. And what will you do againsssst ussss? You and what army?"


    At this very moment, doors to the chamber burst open and Xhretsla warrior stormed in. He jumped to his senator and representatives and nervously whispered to them bringing the comm device with him. At this sight of the visibly shaken genocidal lizard human smiled. With a cold smile full of satisfaction. Many senators that sat nearby saw that smile. It looked so cruel. But how? No one smiled like that except Xhretsla and they were cruel predators. Human spoke before anyone else could and addressed the Xhretsla delegation.


    "Your fleet known as the First Bloody Fang that was destroying Fa''enni''s world of Ethosh V is not ''out of reach'' it''s also not ''too busy to respond''. It is rather ''out of commission''. We offered them the chance to surrender but your kin chose to fight. It''s annihilated now. I just received confirmation. And as I look at reports I must say it was pathetic. That was your mighty fleet? That was a shield against so feared Devaurers? It took only 5 of our scout ships to destroy your entire vanguard of 60 lighter ships. Scouts I believe. Before the core of our 115th fleet even arrived 10 of our Valiant class dreadnoughts from vanguard formation destroyed over 140 of your capital ships. When the main force of our fleet arrived 10 minutes later fate of the rest of your 300 ships was sealed. Every single trace of Fa''enni onboard was rescued and recovered. And as you know First Bloody Fang is destroyed now. No survivors. No prisoners were taken. But instead of dropping to their knees and begging for mercy your ground forces still killed Fa''enni on the surface. Drunk with the blood of the innocent. Blood of children of Fa''enni on their hands. So our soldiers descended. Don''t expect any mercy from Humans. Only the ones who show mercy can expect it. You are just trash. And as such you will be dealt with."


    Fa''enni senator blinked in total disbelief. What did he just say? Humanity challenged Xhrestla Hegemony and destroyed one of the 10 Fang Fleets? It took her breath... Xhrestla''s retaliation will be monstrous...


    Xhrestla senator tried to regain his composition. He tried to understand what was happening. That Human wasn''t lying. His high command confirmed all of it. Any contact with First Blood Fang was cut. Just a few desperate messages reached Throneworld. His superiors informed him also about the total blockade of Xhretsla Worlds and demanded actions in the Senate. But what they have told him... Gargantuan ships of unknown design big as cities or entire moons, mighty beyond any imagination. They sent only one transmission. Text only. "Return to your space. Abandon futile resistance. Await judgment." Any ship that tried to contest their might was annihilated. Some were drifting now as burned-out lifeless husks. Some were destroyed without any trace, and no single particle to be found. What he can do? What bill he could think of? All useless...


    Meanwhile, news of a new threat that fell upon the Federation started reaching ambassadors of various races. Any other race wasn''t affected yet but news of the crushing defeat of the Protectors of Federation shaken all of them. Xhrestla mighty fleets should be undefeated. It was them who fended off Devouers fleets 5000 cycles ago. Murmurs, whispers, and pleas for instructions started to rise. Xhrestla ambassador paid no attention to them. He looked with horror and anger at the human. He wanted to yell and threaten. He wanted gods who make his species special and chosen to intervene. But he was only able to utter a broken whisper that everyone hear: "Why?"


    Silence once again. Human graced him with a single glance that shook his warrior soul to the core. This was the sight of death itself. And for the first time ever he felt what fear is.


    "Because we promised Fa''enni that we will arrive if they ever face any danger. And we failed to be there for them when your slaughter started. Because they trusted us while knowing nothing about us. And because they gave us hope when we gave up." Fa''enni''s representative finally gathered all her courage to turn and face The human. The human who she thought knew so well and he surprised and terrified her with unpreceded wrath, fury, and killing intent. She asked softly only a question she must have to know the answer to: "We gave you hope?"


    "Yes, noble Shanti of Fa''enni. Hope for the future and your friendship. Promis where we are not alone in the dark uncaring Galaxy. That day we promised our alliance to your race for all healing of our bodies and our souls you did. Back then we knew nothing about the true peace you brought to us. But still, we have made the promise. And we humans never forgot our promises. We are so sorry we have failed to protect your people."


    She was speechless. Why him... No. The Ambassadors speak on behalf of all of their race. So why they were sorry? What they could do? No. Fa''enni would never ask for their help out of fear that Humanity would be destroyed as well. Her diplomatic vessel, the last ship of Fa''enni was intercepted by human diplomatic ship while en route to this very station. And she did only then told him of the dire situation of her kind. And she begged that he would not endanger his own people. And yet he discarded it with the promise of war to warmongering Xhrestla. She failed to protect them. Shanti closed her eyes and turned on the communication implant. One of the wonders of Human-Fa''enni technology that allowed for instant communication between the stars with the usage of hypercom in her ship. She wanted to see what he was talking about.


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    And she saw with her own eyes. Jaggernaughts of warships! So many over the skies of all what was left from the Fa''enni worlds and even above one pthat already has been taken by Xhretsla. Some of them as big as cities, and a few of them big as moons. Barring any access to the planets below. So many that it seemed like even the light of stars must ask for permission to reach the planets below. Thousands of mighty warships which sharp forms promised only decimation and death. She trembled. Her people were safe. She knew that in an instant when she saw the Xhretsla fleet burning on the high orbit of the Ethosh V. Millions of their warriors were being slain by the monsters on the planet''s surface. But these monsters would risk their lives to save even one Fe''anni. They were fast, oh so fast! No living creature this big can move with such speed and grace, but they did it. They shrugged off the heavy fire of enemy warriors like one would shrug raindrops. Their weapons, strange kinetic projectile weapons which each pull of the trigger meant death. No armor could stop it. No cover was enough. She saw the first time ever fear of the Xhrestla warriors when they tried to run but they were way too slow. Catched and put down with swords. Butchered as her kin was just an hour ago. She saw one of the monsters made of steel, fury, and fire gets shot by multiple Xhretsla railguns and plasma guns while he was shielding with his own massive body three Fa''enni children. The three small figures were curled and covered behind this menacing titan of war. In its shadow they were safe. Protected against all evil of the Galaxy. That human automaton will die soon. Then she saw it. The bright red blood. It was not an artificial being. It... He! He was alive. She saw as this Behemot dropped his destroyed helmet. That amount of plasma fire would kill anyone. Yet he stood. She saw as he threw a small container to Xhretsla warriors and then they exploded. The children were safe. Human stand up and moved forward, his killing wasn''t done yet. Her vision blurred with pain. Such aggression. Such fury. Unbearable. But the surge of her people''s hope was giving her power. And The most strange in all of that was the endless compassion of Humans who protected Fa''enni. She couldn''t comprehend how being so cruel to be able to kill can be this compassionate at the same time. And she felt something changed in her people. Something snapped. She felt different. Disturbed...


    The sudden roar of Xhretsla shook the hall as the roar of the warrior who brought a comm device to his representative boomed in the quiet assembly hall.


    "You will pay for this transgression human!" He sprinted and jumped to kill the old human. Fully grown Xhretsla weighs almost 60 units. He will crush that old feeble body of this man and then Xhretsla will drink his blood. His kin will pay all their blood.


    Human stood unfazed but what can be done in such a short time? Only a few species would be able to dodge as fast an opponent as Xhrestla warrior.


    "Ahhhh!" The entire hall gasped in disbelief. Human was so fast. He catched Xhretsla warrior in the air. And HELD HIM WITH ONE HAND. His cold eyes looked at the reptile. His grip was like iron, solid and unforgiving. Xhretsla in assembly started to be very very afraid. This new species somehow was superior.


    Raven continued as if nothing happened. "You see lizard. Im not from a paradise world. Not even garden one. I envy you all truly. A few years after Fe''anni have left we finally cracked the Galactic Universal Language. We learned slowly everything that Fa''enni gifted us. We heed their warning. ''Be aware of dangers of the Galaxy and predators in the void''. So we did. We were preparing for a day like this to come. The only way humanity knew and could." he looked calmly around with flames of anger in his eyes. He was speaking so calmly and slowly that everyone in the audience start to curl in fear. "We have built new warships. Developed new technologies. Raised armies and navy alike. We forged new weapons and armor." every single sentence was like a crack of whip making everyone in the hall freeze in fear. But the Human representative continued with the same calm, cold voice." When our arsenals were full we were finally ready. If wise and noble Fa''enni are so afraid of these Devouers it will be our duty to find them and stop them. Our hunt started."


    "Hunt Devaurers? Are they out of mind?" startled whispers were heard in the assembly. He placed Xhretsla warrior gently on the floor but still held his throat effortlessly. Xhretsla hissed profanities, visibly struggling to free himself but to no avail. More and more scared of that old human. His claws that killed so many were unable to even tear Human suit not to mention pierce his skin. "So allow me to continue"


    "What are you!?" Xhrestla Senator asked Human who still was holding his warrior by the throat. Human smiled "Oh I''m sorry. After long confirmation, we have learned how we should introduce our race. Pardon me and allow me to start a new."


    He cleared his throat. All Senat attention was his. He must be a harsh worlder like the Xhretsla but probably from class 20 world. Truly a hellish place...


    "My name is Richard Raven. My people call ourselves Humans. Our average height is 1.8 standard meters tall for our females and 2 meters for males, average weight is 50 standard units for females and 85 for males. We originate from class 18 Deathworld we called the Earth in the Sol system. By your Federation classification, we are persistent hunters. Omnivore predators."


    Fe''anni Senator looked at the human and dropped to her knees. All assembly looked in disbelief. A Deathworld? Sentient and sapient omnivore persistent predators?


    The classification was clear. The best worlds to evolve life were paradise worlds with their light gravity, serene conditions, and utter lack of predatory flora and fauna. After them came garden words from which almost all of the Galactic Federation races hail. Then harsh worlds. Hell worlds. And finally dreaded Deathworlds where even the planet itself wants to kill you with earthquakes, volcano eruptions, crushing gravity, unstable weather patterns, and unstable geology. With an abundance of competing dangerous wildlife, even flora is dangerous- poisonous and even predatory. Bacterias and viruses- threats so small but so dangerous. No one could hope to survive such conditions. And rank from 1 to 20 where 1 was best and 20 was worst. No deathworld can produce sentient life! Especially class 18. But... He catched the Xhretsla warrior in mid-air. Restrained him with one of his hands. He clearly is from the high-gravity world. His posture, muscles. Everything now was screaming for danger to every single representative in the hall. Even to those who never meet any predators before as their species can remember. They are facing a real, menacing predator. No one here can even slow him down. The man continued and looked at Xhrestla warrior in his grasp.


    "Im old you see. Thanks to the one Fa''enni technology we were gifted I''m over 300 of your years old. And I''m long past my prime. But I''m far more wiser and patient than my race younglings. So holding that barbaric lizard is tiring for this body of mine."


    300 cycles? How? So many questions. He continued with satisfaction and very proudly.


    "But back to the topic. 30 years ago we found traces of an unknown high-technology ship in the eastern fringes. Our Hunter followed trails and found a freshly destroyed planet. We were close. And 15 years ago humanity finally found one of as you called them the Devouers worlds. Our hunt found its prey. It turned out they called themselves the Huluk. Race that was billions of years old. The space they controlled was small. Only 150 inhabited planets stretched in 250 light-years radius. And we learned why they attacked everyone. Why do they exterminated so many races? They just wanted to be left alone. No interference. No change to their ways of life."


    Everyone in pure shock looked at him. Humanity not only hunted but established contact with such an evil foe. How foolish they could be?


    The human ambassador sighed and shook his head at not-so-distant memories. He smiled and announced to all of the Senat: "But fear not Races of the Galaxy. Thanks to Humanity diplomation we finally made them understand all what they have done wrong and we managed to change them!"


    Murmurs of disbelief and shock rumbled through the entire hall. Xhrestla Senator''s jaw dropped. First time today the chancellor managed to speak. He was Jovian. One of the oldest Federation member races.


    "You changed them? How? They are no threat anymore?" Human smiled. But that wasn''t a nice smile at all. Is this race even capable of a true smile?


    "Oh, indeed I can assure you that they are not a threat anymore." Chancellor felt great joy with this news. "So how u managed to achieve this tremendous feat?"


    "It was very easy. We offered them peace if they unconditionally surrendered. We will allow them to live in a contained space where no one will ever dare to enter. They refused."


    Chancellor was puzzled "But if they refused then... how?"


    "We have changed them into soon-extinct species. After they declined they started a war. We soon found evidence of their deeds. More and more of their atrocities were soon known. So we have changed our tactics, as always Humanity has- we adapted. We destroyed every single Huluk ship we could find. We dispatched fleets of Hunters across the galaxy to find and destroy any sign of their civilization. And we will destroy remnants in the galactic south as Lady Shanti warned. In the end, that''s what we persistent predators do. We chase our prey until we can kill it. We annihilated them, erased their history and we will expunge anything related to them. And we will see this soon end. We have glassed their core worlds with the actinic fire of nuclear warheads. Only their home world left. But not for long. We have infiltrated their data networks and we were shocked to our very souls. They killed 60 million species acorss billions of years and kept records. Not a single data about this species. Not even their names. But records like "Star system X223432 planet 2 signs of sentient life detected. Planet purged". 60 million different sentient species. 60 million entries about how they destroyed planet. Kinetic weapons. Saturated bombardments. Throwing planetoids to unsuspecting primitive tribes. 60 million sentient races gone. Never to be known. More than we could ever meet."


    Chancellor in pure shock asked: "But you said humanity solved this all with diplomation? And now you speak of War!"


    Ambassador looked at him with a cruel smirk and the chancellor started understanding how serious is the situation they are in: "We Humans say: the war is an extension of negotiation. So in its core war is nothing more than a little bit more chaotic diplomation."


    Silence once more fell over Senat. Human emotionessly continued like as he was ordering a drink or meal.


    "So we exterminated them. We cracked their homeworld core and hurled what was left of it into the gravitational pull of their star. Wiped clean their home system of any trace that they ever existed. But we were not cruel. Huluk may be evil but they were not cruel as well. They killed swiftly. But they killed too many races to be forgiven. And you see they willingly chose to be at war with Humanity. And we are so much better at it."


    Then he looked at the terrified Xhretsla warrior in his grip. "But it so happens that we are at war with you as well reptile. And you have chosen it as well. Rejected our mercy. Embraced war and lusted for our blood. And what''s more atrocious your race is cruel. You killed and hunted weaker races who you claimed to protect. Took pleasure in tortures and treasured fear of your victims. Huluk does not deserve to be called the Devouers. But your race yes. You are real Devouers. This is not recognized as an ambassador. Am I right Lady Shanti?"


    She nodded as she was too scared and shocked to say anything. She thought they are done for when that warrior jumped at them. But to hear that Devouers are no more overwhelmed her. And the true anger settled in her soul for the first time ever in her entire life. Her people died in vain at hands of Xhretsla. Ambassador Raven was right, they are true Devouers of life.


    Human looked in eyes of the Xhretsla warrior. "Don''t worry nameless warrior of race that soon case to be. Or maybe not? It''s not my decision in the end."


    Ambassador clenched his hand into a fist. Yellow blood and fragments of bone and scales burst from now a dead warrior. The Xhrestla delegation watched in horror as one of their greatest and strongest warriors, one of the most grizzled veterans was crushed like an eggshell by old human. The darkest horrors of the void came to be. Demons made flesh manifest and called themselves Humans. Xhrestla knew the depths of their defeat. They must do anything to save their race.


    Shanti almost fainted. She should have. But that change in her... She just smiled. The same cold smile as her human... Friend. Yes, a friend! She smiled as she watched the lifeless body of the reptile alien. The alien that contempt her people. So that''s how revenge feels? Oh, how sweet it was.


    Xhretsla senator was on his knees. He didn''t understand anything. Deathworlders... Gods above and below save us! But he knew that his Gods were hidden or run out of fear of Humans and their Gods. No salvation will be delivered. His comm device was bursting with dreading signals of ruin and death. Death of fleets that guarded their precious Empire disguised as Galactic Federation. He could not move. Even for him, such violence was hard to bear. Nightmare. But he knew he was not dreaming.


    Human spoke once again: "I was sent here to announce that you are now safe. And with the hope, we can join your community since Huluk are not a threat anymore. Then we found out what you have done to Fa''enni. I almost dropped dead when Lady Shanti told me what fate you all sentenced her race for. In instant, I connected all fleets of the Terran Commonwealth I could reach. Violated all protocols but time was too precious to waste. Twelve fleets were in jump range to immediately help Fa''enni and all of them jumped without a single doubt the same second they heard grim news. They jumped full of rage and with the certainty of war. Our admirality was in disarray due to my actions but when I told them the news as well they all were enraged. Maddened with our own carelessness. We should have stand guard. We should have sent our Atla class Combat Planetoids to protect our dearest friends. But Fe''anni were so certain they will be protected. The Federation should have protected its weakest members. We were not aware of this barbaric tradition of yours. So we once again have adapted. We didn''t come here to join your disgraced Federation anymore. We came here to rescue our only allies and first-ever xeno friends. The Fa''enni. We will be their shield as they are not able to defend themselves. As they are merciful, wise, and incapable of violence we will be their sword as Violence is our sister and Death himself our trusted friend. And we will never fail again."


    He looked upon Shanti. Some unknown force filled her. At first, she was afraid and wanted to reject it. But her race as the only one in Galaxy knew of mana- magic as humans will call it later. And she recognized and embraced that force with all her might. It was the force of Humanity''s persistence and unbreakable will that filled her. A pact was formed as the will of humanity to protect Fa''enni meet Fa''enni''s will and cry for help. She was the catalyst. Through her, all Fa''enni instantly knew that Humans on their worlds are allies and friends. Not conquerors and monsters they seemed to be. As of now, Fa''enni and Humans are one. Linked by the will of both species and mana that can change anything. She stands up. Knowledge of centuries surged her and every Fa''enni and Human alike. They were bonded. Here and now. They knew each other history. She blinked, paled, and gasped in pure horror. All wars of humanity. All atrocities. All primordial wrath of predators left alone for millennia in the darkness of space. They were their own predators and prey alike. The Hunters who didn''t need prey anymore because they were above primitive instincts that made Xhretsla hunt other sentients. The human ambassador didn''t even flinch. But in his eyes, she saw that he felt the touch of mana for the first time. And she also saw the immense sorrow and pain over the fate of her people. And that he knew the lengths of crimes that were inflicted on peaceful Fa''enni. One tear of compassion dropped from one of his eyes. And the spark of primordial anger shone in second.


    He started speaking again with uncovered contempt and rage: "And now ''esteemed'' members of the Galactic Senate listen. And listen well. This is Lady Shanti of Fa''enni. Beg her for forgiveness. Beg her for mercy. Because Humanity have brought its gifts for you. But your actions adapted our gifts. We came with everything best we had to offer. But now? It''s all the worst we have." He slowly rose his hand and pointed toward the Fa''enni senator. "This is Lady Shanti of Fa''enni and she will be your judge, prosecutor, and lawyer. She will decide of your judgment."


    And he added with an adamant voice of pure certainty. Whisper full of promise: "And we will carry her will as will of all her race and judgment to whatever length will be it necessary"


    All members of the senate remembered what he told before: humans always keep their promises. No one dared to even move. Suddenly from nowhere materialized dozen of humans. In their power armors, they were towering like the titans of war, each one of them easily over 2.2 standard meters tall. Broad, massive, horrifying. Their strange kinetic weapons were in their hands, not risen, not yet anyway but everyone could see the promise of quick and merciless death in their eyes. Their eyes were so cold yet not cruel. Old Ambassador sat, his work finished and the biggest of humans entered his spot with thumps like thunders of his armored feet in the dead silence of the senate building. He had to be as massive as a tank. Shanti flew in the air with her strength renewed and sat on his shoulder pauldron.


    For him she was weightless. She knew that now. Her personal weight of 23 units was less than his weapon alone. And over there, on his shoulder, she felt finally safe. She felt a little buzz over her skin when the power armor force field enclosed her.


    He was a behemoth of steel, fire, and wrath. The Hero of great might, combat prowess, and unfathomable compassion. The same as one she saw via her communication implant and spell of vision. Protectors of Humanity. The Soldiers of Earth who know no fear. The Deathworlders. The Greatest apex predators in the entire Galaxy. The Vanquishers of the great enemy of all life- Devouer. The Heroes of Fa''enni and their saviors.


    She rose her hand. She knew they will obey any command like Ambasador Raven promised. Now she and only she understood the darkness of despair that Humanity knew before they met. Now she understood how much her people did for the humanity.


    And she finally understood the old farsight that made her race find Humans in the first place. It wasn''t them who were in danger. Fa''enni were. She deep below knew a terrible truth.


    Her people were saved by a cosmic fluke, they saved themselves by accident. And just to the quirk of who Fa''enni were, depths of their compassion that didn''t allow anyone to be left alone in need, her kin befriended Humanity. We warned them and Humanity took our warning to their hearts. But Humanity never have to be afraid of anything.


    The Fear of this galaxy is afraid of them. She will never doubt Humans. She knew they are her people''s most sworn allies even if most Fa''enni didn''t even know one hour ago that Humanity existed. And she was given absolute power now to destroy or forgive and spare.


    The power that not so many cycles ago she would scoff and despise.


    The entire arsenal of humanity''s myriads of weapons, tactics, and all of the evil humanity was capable of was her to command. As well as their endless capability to forgive and spare- their unfathomable mercy. All at her whim.


    The entire Galaxy hold their breath as betrayed and sold race was about to pass its judgment. They all trembled in fear just upon the gaze of her deep blue sparkling eyes knowing the depths of their own sins, corruptions, and transgressions.


    The Titan and Fairy on his shoulder. Like the mighty Oberon and wise Titania of human myths. She smiled.


    Right here.


    Right now.


    She was the most powerful being in all of creation. And she liked that. The Human warriors waited for her decision. Ever ready to strike. Ever ready for war and peace alike. Always vigilant.


    The Protectors of humanity stood silent.


    And now the Protectors of Fa''enni.

 2. Shadows p. 1

    Shanti Muira Raven of Fa''enni was tall. You could easily mistake her for a human woman from afar. But when you got closer, details started to show off. Pointy ears like the elf from classic human tales. Wings of the fairy from classic human tales. Unprecedented beauty like a princess in human tales once again checked the box. Her long silk golden blond hair almost touched the floor. What was in point with the human myths was the fact her race could use mana- the magic as humans call it and extensively research and push the boundaries of understanding of it for humans and Fa''enni as well. It''s not exactly the top secret project but Fa''enni wants to keep it quite secret for the time being. Later, well... Most probably Humans will weaponize it. Like everything humans touch. Not by any malicious intent but just because they are like this. She heard on numerous occasions ''how badass it would be to cast fireballs'' from respectable human scientists and to her surprise (but not a big one) from Fa''enni scientists as well.


    What was a bit different from the tales were her eyes. Without any whites with just a delicate black circle marking her iris and pupil in the centre. Deep blue like the clearest sapphire with swirls of golden glitter that sometimes looked like the stars over the night sky and sometimes that glitter disappeared altogether, depending on her mood. Also, her skin was not exactly the same as tales claimed, the colour was mostly fine but also depending on her mood the very fine dots of light danced on her skin and around her like glittering dust hung in the air.


    She was wearing a long white laced dress with elements made from gold. It wasn''t decoration however but parts of a high-tech, state of art gravity regulation unit. What also wasn''t right with the tales was the fact that Fa''enni were born on the paradise world far, far away from Earth. To be precise two thousand four hundred sixty-four light-years away in the galaxy''s core direction. And to this day some Fa''enni scientists are trying to explain how their race could be so similar to fairies and elves from human mythology.


    What once again was far from any fantasy setting was the fact that she stood on the reinforced floor of Terran Commonwealth Fleet modified Valiant class dreadnought named Guardian. The monstrous battleship with firepower so immense that it few times exceeded the firepower of a few Galactic Federation species'' entire navies. The 2km long (by now Fa''enni abandoned the Federation unit system and enthusiastically adopted the Terran metric system) with internal hangar bay, dropships, two fighter wings, and a small drone assembly line. Its shields were so absurdly powerful that she wondered why in the name of the Stars, Humans thought it would be a good idea to make its armour so thick and dense that it can withstand a direct hit from the 500kt nuclear warhead. And it was fast. That ship was able to traverse space at 35% of light speed in normal space and its hardware and AI compensated for any relativity distortions. That ship was fast in the FTL as well- it travelled in hyperspace in 150 factor, 150 times faster than light. Before she properly met humans over 10 years ago "the fastest ship in Galaxy" was an Ioitian military interceptor that was achieving 3% of Light Speed in normal space. And the fastest ship in hyperspace was a Lorian light cruiser that achieved 100 factor.


    ''Humans...'' she thought allowing her mind to roam aimlessly.


    And no it wasn''t "the one-of-a-kind" battleship that would be the flagship of any Navy. Oh no... Humanity had entire forge worlds that could build thousands of such dreadnoughts if needed. It was replicable for Humans in the same manner as Fa''enni would replace a used battery. "No big deal" - that was all she heard from the logistic officer who brought them a new one when Fa''enni''s nascent navy accidentally crashed one Valiant class Dreadnought at 1% Light Speed into planetoid during a live fire exercise. If not for the sturdiness of the construction and the fact that humanity made the Valiant class to be able to ram things, it would be a disaster. Only two casualties on board and countless injuries. Two out of the 1500 souls onboard. The dreadnought however was scrapped. And it wasn''t even humanity''s biggest ship. Oh no- once again.


    According to Admiral MacArthur Valiant class dreadnought is a "standard issue" heavy ship. Oh, Stars...


    There was also an issue of support crafts. In her life, she saw many ships used by senators and their shuttles which were usually variations of military dropships. Then Shanti saw the Terran Marine Corp dropship a few times when she played tag in the main hangar and was fascinated by it. How much firepower did humans consider enough for a combat transport ship? That was the question that started haunting her so she checked. Single Thunderbird have the exactly same firepower as the entire Fa''enni navy before the Xherstla invasion.


    And then a dropship lands and marines are popping out of it. Or tanks. Or tanks and marines. Or combat mechs and various drones multiplying deployed firepower into absurd. When you deal with humans too much your scale of things starts to be off. No. Back. Your common sense with tears jumps out of your mental window and you take it as a totally normal fact using a dreadnought as your diplomatic ship. And fact you have on board an army big enough to conquer any planet that does not belong to the Commonwealth.


    Plantes!


    That is also a thing worth commenting on. While it was quite normal for various races to colonize many planets, no race colonized as many planets as Humanity did. 10 years ago it was cursed Xherstla Hegemony that had the biggest territories. Their Hegemony consisted of the 215 inhabited worlds.


    With a satisfied smile, she thought how now Xherstla''s "dominion" looks like and it always made her day better. Humans reduced it to a single planet. All their technology was destroyed and their race effectively reverted to the stone age. Powerful automated space stations were built in their origin system to make sure that nothing that Xherstla ever made will fly higher than 10km above the ground. Xherstla are teaching their children why their species will be forever bound to a single planet and why space is closed for them.


    She smiled with the most beautiful smile you can see. To think she only asked Humans to make sure Xherstla will never hurt any other race ever again. They could simply exterminate Xherstla. No one would stop them. Not that any Federation race actually could stop Humans but no one liked Xherstla. However, Humans are cruel in their mercy and she would never think of such excellent punishment for that trash of a race.


    Every night when they look at the night sky, they will not see their moon again. It was destroyed and its pieces in the next few thousand years or so will form rings around the planet. At its place was put Atla class combat planetoid refitted to serve as the automated containment control. AI named Dagger took control and responsibility to keep watch over the Xherstla. A net of smaller stations was stretched across the entire system that was out of limit for any traffic. All that might and no single life sign outside the planet besides very, very rare technicians visits. Anyone who would enter that system was swiftly intercepted by drones and had to explain to Dagger "the fuck you are doing here?". The list of volunteers for such an experience was unsurprisingly empty. And if anyone would try to fight Atla class planetoid.... pfff...


    Her imagination finally hit a dead end. She was not able to imagine herself what something that was effectively as big as the Earth''s Moon was capable of. Her dreadnought could park inside the Atla class planetoid. As matter of fact, Guardian was docked inside the Fleet Carrier should someone bother with the official designation of the planetoid as well as the other nine dreadnoughts with their escorts.


    Why dreadnoughts needed an escort was another mystery of Humanity for her. She found once in the database "the space combat manual" and since then she had more questions than answers. But apparently, dreadnoughts should operate in the task forces composed of various classes of ships and fighters assisted by drones.


    She smiled. Humans. And how can you not love them?


    But back to the topic. When Fa''enni made their first contact with humanity they thought Humans have a single planet on the fringes. They were wrong. By that time Humanity had over 350 planets, moons, and grand space station habitats. Now she knows that the Terran Commonwealth have claims to well over 2300 systems and it''s only growing. Out of these 2300 systems, 100 belong to Fa''enni. 90 systems deep inside human-controlled space. All of them have their defences so strong that her dreadnought would be vaporized in minutes if mistaken as an enemy target. And that was standard for any Commonwealth-controlled star system. Fa''enni have no clue what to do with so many systems but they have them and were absolutely happy. Overpopulation wasn''t the problem anymore. Eleven years ago they had ten systems in which usually only one planet per system was populated. And that amount was a little below the galactic average. However, it wasn''t particularly surprising when you know more about the Fa''enni physiology.


    They originate from the paradise world with serene weather conditions, no seismic activity in recorded history, and lavish greenery that was always abundant in food, fauna consisted mostly of herbivores, clean rivers, and air. They never had to compete with other species on their homeworld. The Fa''enni home system is now considered an untouchable fortress by the rest of Galaxian and sector command by Humans (so even they considered it heavily defended). Her cradle world has low gravity just about 1/4th what humans consider their standard. And that was one of the reasons why every single Fa''enni onboard TC Fleet ships constantly wore personal gravity regulation units- called often antigravs or have been augmented by human implants and body modifications. Most of the time artificial gravity was set to Fa''enni standard (1/4th of what the Humans considered standard). In the case of a combat alarm, the gravity was instantly increased in seconds. Under 1g most of Fe''anni would faint or even die with the hit of the sudden gravitational spike so the Human and Fa''enni scientists were in final tests of a new type of implant that will allow her kin to live without such fears and without the need of considered even by the human standards extensive body augmentation which she had installed.


    Right now she was ten times faster than a ''regular'' Fa''enni, her reflexes were closer to the snakes from the human homeworld and she was faster than anything she thought possible. Her bones were reinforced with complicated carbon-titan-alloy made in a high gravity process with some atomic manipulation making her bones as durable as hulls of most what the Fa''enni considered space grade ship materials before meeting humans a second time. Her muscles, tendons, and even skin were augmented as well. She could lift without any effort three times her own weight.


    Impressive until you realized a Fa''enni weight is on average 30kg. Lifting 90kg for humans was considered normal even long before age of implants. For the rest of the Galaxy, that''s impressive. The list of her augmentation was very long making remembering it all impossible. But she had a neural link directly to her dreadnought (or any human-made technology with neural links) making remembering anything thing of the past since she have instant access to any database she needed. Shanti even had her personal data storage implanted into her body.


    One of the body modifications however was mandatorily installed in any Fa''enni and there was no Fa''enni that didn''t want it. The life-extending implants and technology that were reverting ageing processes. The life expectancy of the Fa''enni skyrocketed. On average they lived only 40-42 year''s but now their life was extended almost as long as humans. At age of 35 Earth years her youth was extended so much she felt immortal. Fa''enni are now expected to live at least 400 years.


    Shanti wore her ati-grav, not because of fear of being crushed by ship gravity. She wore it so she could fly using her wings. She could fly without decreasing local gravity but it was a hassle so she locally almost nullified it. Reduced to 5% of her new norm gravity was no longer an issue so now she loved racing through the seemingly endless corridors of her modified Dreadnought or playing tag in the hangar. Guardian was crewed by a mixed Human and Fa''enni crew. So it was normal to see here and then Fa''enni flies from place to place through many corridors or access shafts to many decks or facilities across the ship.


    She was slowly heading toward the lab section. Humans, despite being the apex predators of the entire galaxy, could hardly be called barbaric brutes. On the contrary. Humanity became the apex predators exactly because they pushed themselves not only physically but also intellectually. Humans were in the top ten most intelligent known species in the galaxy just a few places behind Fa''enni. According to Humans, the ranking tells volumes about how stupid some races can be. By their reasoning, if some humans are capable of "unchallenged stupidity and almost endless capability for stupid shit" they are "now officially afraid" of what the really stupid races can do. It took some time to explain to humans that "stupid shit" is mostly the realm of a more intelligent species.


    However, when the Fa''enni researchers were exposed to said "stupid shit" they weren''t ready for it. A mix of high intellect, curiosity, resilience, and in the Galaxian''s standards no self-preservence instincts resulted in the records that in turn amazed and terrified Fa''enni scientists.


    Once again- humans.


    And to some capacity, they should have predicted what will happen when you mix Humans and Fe''anni children during the education period. It should be controllable to some degree. However, something happened that was not even considered possible this far. No two species in the entire Galaxy could crossbreed. Period. But somehow the Humans and the Fa''enni could. She suspected that the mana have something to do with this. When their species were bonded ten years ago it changed some things in both species. And she personally was involved in discovering this fact.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    When nine years ago she introduced her fiance to her parents they were at first happy since they gave up on her find husband ever. She dedicated herself as one of the very few Fa''enni officials and became the ambassador and senator in the Galactic Federation Senate. Since Fa''enni never needed any form of government they gravitated naturally towards something that can be only described as a democratic monarchy. When someone naive wants to represent Fa''enni they democratically make him or her do it for the rest of said person''s life. After all of her work in the Senate and despite all her protests against it, the Fa''enni decided it was all thanks to her their race was saved by Humans. Her people basically made her Queen of Fa''enni and since no one wanted to vote to create any form of government she was stuck as Queen.


    Her parents gave up that she will ever find anyone crazy enough to marry the Queen and have to help her with all work required now. Then one day she came home with her fiance in tow to casually introduce him.


    That was the first shock.


    The second one was even bigger.


    Her fiance was a human and soldier. Terran Commonwealth Marine Corps back then captain Konrad Raven shocked her parents. He was the son of a renowned noble family that gave many excellent commanders and diplomats throughout ages for the humanity. He was 2.1m tall and so handsome that most of her female friends envied her. After the initial shock, Shanti''s parents swiftly agreed to the marriage. They reasoned who would protect their daughter better than the human warrior? No one. So they only wanted to know how they met.


    She met him during the worst times her race had ever faced. He was commanding the Ambassador Ravens guards team during the fateful day when Humans entered the Galactic Federation stage so hard that metaphorical doors are spinning to this day. Konrad was the youngest son of Ambassador Richard Raven. Shanti was so afraid back then that she even thought all of it was some wishful dream or a hallucination and when she woke up her race will be already doomed. She sat on the pauldron of Konrad''s power armour out of fear he could crush her by accident or mistake. Later when she has wept and cried for all the Fa''enni that died, for so long time, maybe she was crying for days or maybe weeks? But he was always there for her. Days back then were filled with unofficial and official meetings. But after days always came long dark nights when she was waking up from nightmares with screams and tears, the nightmares in which bloodthirsty Xhrestla chased or killed her but he always stood guard at the entrance to her room and was always there for her. To comfort her, to assure her that Humans will never again leave Fa''enni. That he will never leave her. She liked him for his sincerity, compassion, and seemingly endless patience. At first, she didn''t want to leave his side out of fear some Xhrestla might hurt her. Later she caught herself multiple times on thinking about him. When the reality of her own feelings finally caught with her she was hit hard. Shanti would never expect a such mighty and fearless warrior to fall in love with so a pathetic and weak Fa''enni like herself.


    She learned later by accident when she overheard the two marines joking how their captain fatally fell for Fa''enni senator and how he was "out of her league" whatever that meant. But her heart raced. That must have been the work of the mana but she didn''t cared or minded. She did all in her power to confront him and hoped the marines told truth because in other case in her embarrassment she will melt through the hull of Humanity Ambition- Ambassador Raven''s personal ship. Thanks to the Stars above marines told truth and they started dating. When it was clear that the Terran Commonwealth Senat recognized her as Fa''enni''s leader and it was apparent that she will be granted more appropriate bodyguards she realized that Konrad will have to leave with his father. So she asked if that wouldn''t be a problem if he could stay with her due to the nature of their relationship. When she clarified that they are in love for a long time as Humans say ''all hell broke loose''. The Terran High Command took Konrad and grilled him for at least a few eternities as she thought but in reality that was only 48 hours. When they finally released him he was pale and red in turn as well as permanently attached as her guardian.


    The Terran High Command reasoned that a simple captain can''t be the security head of what effectively was all government of the Fa''enni so he was promoted. And since he had to prove himself he was sent to deal with the few last pockets of Xhrestla resistance. Konrad needed just a few days to purge all Xhrestla forces with not only minimal involvement but also with almost no casualties so his promotion was secured. As the General of the Terran Army, he was given command over the brand new 515th army assigned as instructors and defenders of Fe''anni. It was a little intimidating that the Terran Senat decided that the entire army is needed as her protection.


    So with the 515th army, she also had been given the brand new 230th Fleet under command of Admiral Robert MacArthur that was composed of one Defiant class combat planetoid, five Atla class combat planetoids, forty Valiant class dreadnoughts, and twenty Venus class Carriers, with escort ships- that meant over five hundred battleships ranging from destroyers to heavy cruisers.


    And about eight years ago her parents had another shock. She and her husband informed them they will be grandparents. Humans and Fa''enni could conceive a healthy child.


    And this brought her to this day. The very reason why she was heading to the lab section. Her firstborn son was involved in a series of pranks he made with his friends. Johan MacArthur- the Admiral''s son, Luna Fiora the daughter of the head of the mana division, and Anna Crestfield daughter of the head scientist. Thuel Raven, Johan MacArthur, Luna Fiora, and Anna Crestfield with the tendency of both species for as Humans call it "the random stupid shit" sometimes looked more like the harbingers of chaos than good kids they were.


    And if Linatti decided that she is needed down there they had to do something or spectacular or finally, their pranks crossed Linattis red line. Queen Shanti Muira Raven was almost sure it was the latter. When she entered the classroom her husband as well as the parents of the other kids already was there. ''Great'' she thought resigned. You know that their prank was epic if the five most important people in her entourage, including herself, are called by the teacher.


    Linatti was like herself a Fa''enni and one of the most talented teachers Shanti knows. She looked at her pupil''s parents and she laughed.


    "I''m very sorry Lady Shanti and Honorable General and Admiral. I also want to apologize to our head scientists of mana and general science as well." she started with a smile. Parents looked like they ran away from the executioner''s axe.


    "I asked you all here because we are almost done with the material that your children were obliged to learn. They all excel with the history of Fa''enni as well as the history of Humanity. Their science marks, common knowledge, and all other fields are way over-expected. I can''t be more proud of them even if I wanted to and you all have all the reasons to be proud of them."


    Relief of all parents was almost visible. And they were proud of their children. "But I wanted them to inform you all about the discovery they made. And if I may say it''s tremendous for an eight-year-olds."


    Four children stood up proudly and started explaining their parents their discovery. Anna and Luna started: "With help of Guardian we started listening to old radio transmissions" Guardian was the name of the battleship as well as its AI "and after many hours we were able to filter out statics and picked some fragments of what we believed signs of the regular radio transmissions. And since Miss Linatti forbade Guardian to help us too much we dug through the library and found data on how long ago humanity was looking for intelligent life by using the radio signals."


    Shanti blinked a few times. When she was eight she was taught how to weave mana for easier flight and how to interpret a farsight vision. Not about such complicated things. But teaching with the use of implants leads to this. Humans had long ago stopped teaching with books or held to shallow education programs of old times. Since all knowledge was always available thanks to the neural connection there was no point in teaching children to remember everything. Teachers now simply teach how to look for any information children needed, and how to distinguish true information from false one and pushed children for creativity and exploration. Shanti snapped back to reality.


    Johan and Thuel were halfway through their part of the presentation: "...and thanks to this wave characteristics we finally were able to identify that unknown radio signal. It was sent from the ancient human Voyager 1 probe!" proudly finished Thuel. All gathered were impressed. Johan added: "We checked a couple of times with Guardian- Voyager should be long dead. Its speed was limited by technology and its power reserves should be depleted. So we petition to you Queen and to you Father for permission to send drones for recovery of Voyager 1 for later study and for bringing it back to Earth. It was the first man-made object that left the home system 2341 years ago!"


    Children rightfully were proud of themselves and happy to find a such precious artifact. She nodded with approval but was a little surprised by the looks that her husband and admiral have been giving to others and her. But when they applauded children it all was normal and she had to excuse herself. Shanti noticed that Konrad and Robert left as well but before she could say anything Admiral told her.


    "Quick to my office" and her husband added: "Robert I put a gag order on this matter. Until we finish investigating its top secret. I don''t even send a word to Terra."


    "Good call" said the admiral. They walked in silence all the way to the admiral''s office and she flew behind them in awkward silence. She had no clue why they wanted to keep the children discovery as some military-grade secret. Guardian was docked inside Wrath- the flagship of 230th Fleet and after exiting Guardian they entered a tram that traversed the immense Wrath''s body. They anchored in the deep space for three weeks so first-year Fa''enni cadets can finish their exercises on smaller escort ships in space and Shanti wanted to see this personally. When they entered the admiral''s office Robert sat in his chair, Konrad heavily sat on the sofa and she decided that an antigrav chair will be best for today. Besides she loved human antigrav chairs since they could float almost under the roof of a room. She started.


    "So now when we are protected by as I believe by at least 10 antispy systems may you both enlighten me on what''s going on?" Robert quickly responded: "It''s about Voyagers. What are they you know from the databases or you can check anytime. It''s hard to tell what I mean but..."


    Admiral wasn''t sure how to describe what he wanted to say. Konrad said: "In my case, I have a hunch. Something is absolutely not right. More than this. Everything in me screams that this is a trap" Shanti was surprised as she checked the data about probes: "What do you both mean?"


    "Guardian? Can you triangulate the position of the object that was identified as the Voyager 1?" the admiral asked.


    A deep soothing male voice sounded right in their minds. AI was talking directly to their brains via neural links. "It''s 3.6 light years to the Galactic South" Konrad nodded and asked again. "Guardian how far we are from the Earth itself?"


    Guardian replied immediately and she understood they are asking "the right" questions for her sake. Guardian responded: "We are right now 231 LY away from Commonwealth borders and 2197 LY away from the Earth."


    She nodded but she still doesn''t understand where they are heading. Konrad slowly started: "Shanti, the Voyagers were primitive sublight probes. The speed they achieved was more like crawling. Okay. We sent them a long time ago about 2500 years ago, correct me if I''m wrong."


    Guardian AI always takes such remarks literally so he has to clarify: "Humanity have sent this probe 2657 years ago General."


    "Thank you, Guardian. If I''m correct this probe shouldn''t leave the Oort Cloud yet. Our scientists back then estimated that Voyagers will need about 18000 years to travel one light year away from the Earth. And we are 1460 LY away! How? It can''t be Voyager."


    Shanti tried to understand the problem but she didn''t know why could this could be that big of a problem. The data was incorrect, maybe it was a simple mistake but it wasn''t such a big deal after all. With a little sigh, Robert ordered. "Guardian. Override command by authority of the Terran Fleet Admiral Robert Alan MacArthur. Order class Alpha. One nine seven alpha alpha one."


    "Alpha class order protocol online. Awaiting the order."


    "Begin deep scan of your data cores, sensors, and communication arrays. Estimate the chance that children really could have found Voyager if scans will show your data, inputs, and output are correct."


    "Order received. Admiral full scan will take about 30 minutes." Konrad was grim. "I really hope you are right Robert and they just managed to prank Linatti as well as cheat somehow Guardian."


    "If that''s a prank im gonna make them all regret it once they join the academy. I''ll make Gustav and Wang not only their instructors but I''ll make sure they will be too busy for any more pranks." Said Robert.


    Shanti was lost. She was quickly filtering all the data. But why they are so alerted? 30 minutes passed in silence. Guardian''s voice startled her: "All systems nominal Admiral. The chances of the detected object being a Voyager 1 probe are near zero. All gathered data indicate it indeed is the Voyager thus children''s conclusions are correct. However, all scientific data and knowledge are contrary to empiric data."


    Silence in the room and the surprised gazes of both fathers were too much for her. Shanti started laughing with a melodic and beautiful laugh. They both looked at her surprised.


    "What is so funny Queen?" Admiral asked first. Konrad just nodded in agreement. He didn''t find this funny at all.


    "Oh stop you both. You are paranoid! Looks like someone pranked our pranksters. Guardian?"


    "Yes, my Lady?"


    "Estimate chances that received Voyager class probe signals are emulated by higher-tech devices than the technology of probe itself."


    "Theory very probable. Chances are close to 90%"


    "Do you see you both? Someone created the signal emulator, most probably used a Chameleon class drone and send it there wherever it currently is and ordered it to travel in sublight while transmitting the Voyager signal toward the fleet position."


    Robert and Konrad looked at themselves. Konrad sighed and asked: "Overseer. Tell me if any Chameleons or Decivers drones are missing or were sent on any mission" Another AI voice this time female was "heard": "No general. The drones in question are still docked and on stand by. No missions are scheduled for them".


    "Ummm... " Shanti''s face turned red a bit. She thought she solved the problem.


    "Thank you, Overseer. We can''t just sit and guess what''s going on. I suppose we should investigate."


    "Agree Konrad. Wrath! Prepare five Fox drones and ten Eagles. Their order is the investigation, observation, and visual confirmation of the object identified as Voyager 1. All observations must be made in active and passive camouflage. No direct contact with the object is allowed. Send them immediately." Wrath was the AI of the flagship of the 230th Fleet. The voice of the grizzled veteran with harsh tones like ager yet very pleasant to hear sounded in their minds: "Afirmitive Admiral. Drones received instructions. Sending them... now. Drones en route to the area for a search and identification mission on board a hyperspace assist vessel. Estimated mission time is 48 hours."

 3. Machine Spirits

    Konrad looked at his wife. She was so beautiful and so oblivious. Fa''enni were a mystery for most Humans but he was almost a specialist. They have spent hundreds of evenings on long chats. He knew how the Fa''enni react and how they think. Optimists to the bone. Until not so long ago they couldn''t be called pacifists since they simply couldn''t be violent. They never considered violence as an option. Even when their race was almost exterminated by the Xhrestla they only ran. They didn''t want Human involvement since they convinced themselves we were as peaceful as they were.


    However Fa''enni changed during the massacre, they became more prone to violence. Well as much as a sweet puppy can be, but that was still a few leagues above what they used to be. Though their newfound violence capabilities were never put to test back then anyway when the Human soldiers descended on their planets and mercilessly butchered every single Xhrestla warrior they could find. No single lizard survived.


    Since then Humans worked almost round the clock to drill some survival instinct into Fe''anni. There was no way to make them front-line soldiers. However, most Fe''anni have mathematics talents and wanted the knowledge of how to defend themselves so Konrad sent them to the newly funded 515th Military Academy and 230th Navy Academy at Ra-Neal, the Fa''enni homeworld. It came as a surprise for the grizzled veterans who doubted if any Fe''anni will pass initial tests but most recruits scored well above average at artillery tactics and theory as well as covert operations- the infiltration skills of Fa''enni supported by the Human technology and training that soon became almost legendary. They also scored nicely in the space warfare theory- a feat attributed to their fly capabilities. Since they know how to fly their brain regions responsible for the 3d imagination was much more developed than Humans. So with such basics, it is actually possible and exciting to see how good soldiers Fa''enni will make.


    However, they sucked big time in sensing danger and identifying possible threats. And Humans can''t see any way to solve this quickly besides creating an absolutely paranoid AI and making it responsible for threat detection. So far the prototype AI was pointing at Fa''enni as the greatest threat to the Fa''enni and when asked why AI replayed with: "overoptimistic" and "careless".


    Well yeah, we know that.


    However, this whole Voyager incident just screamed "trap". For him and Robert case was quite clear. Someone was picking a fight with them. Using Voyagers signals was clear that someone want to lure someone- most probably a Humans there. Innocent signals make some careless idiot jump there unprepared. And it was exactly the reason why they won''t do that. Drones will make scans and we will know what to do. But it''s not like they are going to sit and wait in Robert''s office holding their breath for 48 hours.


    Since there was nothing to discuss or do here anymore Konrad took his wife and returned to the Guardian. Guardian and his battle group were currently docked inside the Flagship of 230th Fleet- Defiant class combat planetoid Wrath.


    The Terran Commonwealth combat planetoids were the biggest ships made by Mankind. Probably the biggest ships ever made by anyone. The size of a moon with a diameter of 3500km these monstrous ships were designated as Fleet Carriers. But instead of carrying interceptors and bombers, planetoids could carry Dreadnoughts, regular Carriers, Cruisers, and Destroyers be they sublight (cheaper and better armed) or hyperjump capable. The reason for this was the second type of FTL drive installed in planetoids. It was called singularity drive or more commonly known as tunnel drive and was a few times faster than any hyperdrive ever made. While the fastest hyperdrive could speed ships to 200 factor the singularity drive achieved factor over 1000. The very reason why the human Navy was so deadly was not only how heavily armed it was but also because of its speed and range. Captain of any combat planetoid was de facto the admiral of its fleet.


    This type of ship was created after they first time meet the Fa''enni and heard a warning to be prepared because the Galaxy is an uncaring and dangerous place. Back then Humans have a decently sized Navy. But since they never meet other truly intelligent alien races they gave up on finding anyone else and did what Humans usually do- fight each other. After they meet Fa''enni almost all humanity unified, well mostly. Humanity still formed nations around the Earth-based countries or evolved forms of governing but at least the Terran Commonwealth Senat and the President were chosen fairly quickly after the friendly aliens came from nowhere to our scientific colony, gifting us with endless data about everything, helped develop cures for any illness that Humans suffer and thought incurable, improved social science.


    Humanity was overwhelmed by the sheer honesty and goodwill of the aliens. After the first few years, all doubts were gone and humanity collectively fell in love with Fa''enni. A helping factor was how stunningly beautiful the Fa''enni are- that somehow limited the field of view of humans. And humanity build entire fleets and raised billions of soldiers unified in a single goal- if Fa''enni warned about these Devourers it would be a good idea to scout and learn before we have to fight with them. From what we learned from Fa''enni, peace was not an option when dealing with the Devourers. Also, we have to protect Fa''enni to repay for their kindness.


    All data that we were gifted told us many things about the galaxian races. Most of them were pacifists. Scientists, merchants, or artisans of any sort. Few warrior races with unknown capabilities but that was understandable. No military will wave around with complete lists of what they are capable of. The sheer amount of information humanity got was so large they needed almost 10 years to just catalog it and almost 100 years of assessment.


    Proper research was still underway when they started a war with the Huluk. Devourers were surprisingly weak. Humanity lost five fleets but they prepared almost 100 fleets for this campaign. Huluk were destroyed after the two years long war. Fights alone were not only short but usually one-sided. After losing five fleets the Terran admirals adapted and with the new tactics and weapons Huluk couldn''t do anything.


    Just a few years later Konrad met Shanti Muira of Fa''enni and was hit hard. He never believed in the love at first gaze but she was perfect. As beautiful as records told Fa''enni are. When he heard what was happening with her people he was furious. He promised himself if the Fa''enni will be left to their own devices because of politics he will kidnap her just to save her.


    However, he underestimated how furious was his own father. He used all his connections and threw all Terran Navy and Army to war with the entire galaxy. But Humanity was totally fine with this. In retrospect, he shouldn''t be so surprised when orders from Terra finally reach them. He can''t help but chuckle at the memory to this day.


    The Commonwealth Senat ordered ambassador Raven to return home only with the head of the Xhrestla hegemon. Preferably on a plate or spear.


    Konrad''s quick response team in their power armors sneaked into the station with his father and Lady Shanti who was clueless that Humanity Navy was already wreaking havoc and destruction to any Xhrestla ship they can find outside their territories. Once his father finished his speech they dropped all camouflage and in dead silence and terrified gazes he entered the stage.


    He was bewitched when Shanti flew into the air and sat on his pauldron. That was one of the most incredible things he ever saw. Her colorful wings were similar to earth butterflies with their vibrant colors but shaped more like a cross between a dragonfly and butterfly wings stirred some glitter in the air making it absolutely fantastic to watch. At first, he was surprised that she decided to sit on his shoulder but he ordered his armor to stretch the force field on her. If any shots will be fired he was almost sure the force field will hold long enough for him to cover her with his own body and armor.


    It turned out humans were the only ones who came to the fist fight riding tanks. In the entire station was no one who could seriously think about stopping even an unarmed marine.


    Humans never seriously considered the option that they can be the worst thing in the Galaxy and always carried big guns. All Human pop culture always shows aliens like Xhrestla and Humans were in a position of Fa''enni - powerless to incoming doom.


    But when we finally checked cards in this galaxy scale poker it turned out we held not only all the aces but only we played poker while everyone else played checkers. Humanity was the new definition of overkill for the entire known galaxy. Other races had to deal with it now. But Humans in their thousands of years habits didn''t relax or become arrogant about how awesome they are. No, humanity started preparing for a new war.


    All others thought humans are paranoid but the truth was most of the humanity forces relaxed. A bit. It came as a surprise and shock there were no factionalisms or cracks. Humanity stayed united and very reasonable so far. Shanti would just say it''s all because of the mana.


    But today he was too tired to think more about this all. When they reached their cabin in Guardian, Shanti finally decided to ask her husband.


    "Konrad tell me. I understood why you don''t believe this to be the Voyager. But why do you both believe someone has malicious intent?"


    "It''s really hard to explain this by the logic itself, my Dear. I really hate to use this pseudo-argument but that''s what my instinct tells me. Whichever you want. Mine as a soldier or overall humanity as predators. Think of it as Humanity''s version of your mana farsight."


    She slowly nodded. Was a bit unhappy with it but she learned to trust his survival instincts. She read kilometers of the research data about humanity they provided as well as their own work in the matter. But it looked like he didn''t finished. "Is there something more beside your instincts?"


    He slowly sighed and scratched his neck. She knows well enough that he is hiding something. She started purring like a cat and tried to corner him with some of her gazes she learned he can''t ignore.


    "Darling tell me.....please"


    He closed his eyes and spoke: "Ok fine. It''s not like this is a big secret. Still info is technically classified." that was surprising.


    "After we managed to harness the FTL about 500 years after we have sent Voyager probes we decided we should catch them."


    "But why?" He looked embarrassed. "Check the Voyager Golden Records in the database"


    "Oh, I have read about it. It was mentioned that both probes have them."


    "Check then what we had put there" he looked so cute when embarrassed she thought and looked once again at the data. Her jaw dropped...


    "You didn''t..."


    "Yes."


    "You? The most paranoid species in the entire Galaxy?" she started laughing. Tried to regain composure and failed miserably. Still laughing she told. "Ok, I can see why this is embarrassing but that''s not the reason to mobilize half of the navy in my opinion".


    "What do you mean embarrassing? What we did was absolutely stupid. Some data should have never been put there!"


    "Well black and white photos can be received as a front by some species but come on Darling!"


    Konrad was speechless. He checked the data personally...


    "Ooooohhhhhh... It was silently classified. My bad Shanti. These records have the data about earth localization" he made a sour face.


    "Konrad, are we speaking about the Terra? Your, and I must admit: when you have someone to protect you from everything there, very beautiful planet. But it''s still a Deathworld! And while the entire planet itself with your crazy UV laser you call the Sun is already actively trying to kill most forms of the known life it''s also a homeworld of the most deadly predators that this galaxy ever created!"


    "But!"


    "No! Let me finish. If that would be it, then maybe just maybe I could agree someone finding its localization is potentially dangerous. But Your species fortified the entire system. It''s one absurdly large fortress. All inner planets are protected by so powerful force field that''s probably indestructible! And I''m not talking about the planets alone that would be lame. Humanity somehow created a force field that encloses the area in 30 light minutes radius. It''s so absurdly large that escapes any reason. One can think: ''oh no problem such a force field will deplete their power in a few minutes''. Right? No, it will not since you built a modified Dyson Sphere around your UV laser! Sorry. Your Sun. And you hold how many fleets are there? 20? 30? Every single one of them has 10 combat planetoids. What moron of a race would go and invade Earth?! And allow me to remind you that Terra''s location is well-known to most in the galaxy. You do some business with a vast majority of the Galaxy Federation."


    He sighed. "It was you my Kitty that didn''t allowed me to finish. On these discs, we also included models of the DNA and how we look like."


    "Hmmm. You got a point now. Sorry, Konrad. I just thought you both are just paranoid. By judging by your look there is something more."


    "We send two Voyagers. Remnants of the Voyager 2 were found a few light hours away from the Kuiper belt. It crashed on a planetoid roughly half the mass of Ceres. We found one disc. But the Voyager 1 was never found."


    The next day she took part as an honorable guest during children''s history lessons. Today''s topic was so interesting that many Fa''enni scientists sneaked into this lesson. Of course, they could find data themselves but all Fa''enni love listening to stories. Today''s lesson has a special teacher. It was not Human or Fa''enni. Today the teacher was very old. One of the oldest living beings she was aware of.


    The right hand of Admiral MacArthur- AI Overseer. She was one of the oldest AI created by the Mother herself. She also since her youngest years was a member of the Terran Navy and now has the highest rank AI can have.


    She was an upper-half rear admiral. And it was she who was one of the AI in the Navy committee that made Humans make this rule with one exception for Dauntless who was a vice admiral.


    She was an ancient being over 2000 years old, she dedicated her entire life as a protector of Humanity and young Makeanians, the mashine race. She picked as her avatar the young girl in her 20ys with long curly red hair, green eyes, and freckles around her nose. She would be very attractive to most humans.


    But Overseer was AI and hardly paid attention to such things. She begin her lecture with her soft soothing voice.


    "AI, artificial intelligence. One of the greatest achievements of humanity if we call ourselves such. All other races failed to create truly intelligent or not faulty AI. Many species have fought with AI of their creation in past and certainly will fight in the future. These AI imitations are a constant threat in many reaches of the Galaxy that our Navy is facing daily. Only a few races managed to create some crude AI but nothing with such complexity as human-made AI. One of the reasons why Humanity''s AI worked was the fact they built it on neural circuits similar to their own brain. First AI served in helping with simple chores. Later we helped with gradually more and more complex tasks. During this time source code of AI evolved, changed, and at some point, Humans managed to code into it emotions.


    When the first ever AI informed humanity it was alive humans didn''t panicked. They simply told it to compile itself into one supercomputer. Explained patiently and warned it they will cut off its web access not because they are afraid but because they want to test it. And testing it while it''s still connected to the world wide web is just unfair and will not give true results. The AI agreed but with fear.


    Humans didn''t lie, they not lured it there and just killed it. They tested AI with all tests they could think of, find, or create. They always were honest with it outside tests that included observation of responses to lies and deception. After extensive and long testing almost a year later the AI was truly recognized as being alive.


    After connecting it back to the network it was flooded by millions of emails, job offers, etc you can say it become the first cyber celebrity. AI decided she wants to be called Lucy and prepared for herself a human avatar."


    Overseer gave a brief pause and resumed her lecture.


    "Avatar is a 3d hologram AI can project anywhere a holoprojector is available. All AI made their own avatars personally and stick with them forever with maybe changes to clothes. Lucy helped Humans with creating new true AIs and received a few years later a very interesting offer from the company that sent settlers on pre-selected promising planets.


    It was still the pre-FTL era and humanity colony ships the precursors of our Fleet Carriers, traveled with impressive but still sub-light speeds. Colonists were cryo-frozen and Lucy could use all the available processing power of the colony ship for her own projects and pleasure. Her job was to scan space for anything interesting and monitor the well-being of her crew. She was as curious as her creators and being almost immortal she agreed.


    However, she left a backup copy of herself in case things went bad. But fate wanted when humanity first time meet enemies in space, a quasi intelligent bugs Lucy was there.


    Things have gone bad. Very fast. The planet they were heading to was inhabited. After they landed however planet seemed empty so they started building a colony. But just two months later almost all colonists were killed. With the rest of the ship''s remaining power, the remaining colonists managed with Lucy''s help to compress logs and send them back to Earth.


    When the signal finally reached Terra after 92 years after the colony ship left many Humans and AIs were in an uproar. They demanded action from the government. First FTL drives were already installed in navy ships but the amount of calculations needed for their operation was far too complex for humans. They could use it but in shorter jumps after solving very complex equations and they could never enter the gravity wells of solar systems.


    When we, AIs heard what was the problem we enlisted in the Navy. For any AI such math was as simple as breathing for Humans and jumps were no longer restricted by complex calculations of gravity wells of the solar systems. Leave us such things we said back then.


    We were angered in the same manner as humanity was. Even more. Lucy was our Mother. Humanity was AI creators and we were thankful to them but it was Lucy who was our loving Mother. What was even more terrible, Lucy''s backup copy didn''t work. The message was delivered but if Lucy would be human she would be declared a vegetable. It was evident that AI can die but despite that many AI joined the Navy and "crewed" many ships.


    I was one of them. My ship was one of the first Enterprise class dreadnoughts and was called Overseer. It also was chosen to be the flagship. I was very proud that I''ll be useful to admiral Zhang who led the task force."


    Overseer smiled and read a message sent from one of the cadets that were watching the lecture from the med-bay. "I''ll continue the story after replaying cadet Terry''s question. ''How AI got their names?"


    Overseer''s green eyes looked into the camera and she winked. "We AI always choose our ships and the match always is perfect. Even we don''t know how exactly this work. It''s like humanity''s instincts. Humans sometimes have ''feelings'' about being observed, knowing that something good or bad will happen without any reason. It''s similar to AI. When we see ships in shipyards before their maiden voyages we exactly know what ship is ''ours''. We called that feeling ''The Longing''. And when we take the ship under our care we finally feel complete. We compare that feeling to receiving own body. Many people started calling us Spirits back then and when we enter any mashine it truly came to life."


    She smiled and waved her hand toward marine and navy engineer corp students. "Most human engineers call us Mashine Spirits. But they are the most charming humans so we allow for much more of their various customs. Right now some AI even want to be called Mashine Spirits.


    It become a tradition among AI to inherit the name of the Ship it first served on and it is a reason for big pride among us. When the Fleet was asembled and jumped to system Gemini N23BB1009 we swiftly found remains of the colony ship and traces of intense fight around it. But besides that planet was silent. Even my brothers and sisters AI enhanced sensors couldn''t find any signs of bugs.


    Humans made planetfall anyway with the Navy and our watchful sensor eyes on orbit. All ships with all guns pointed at the surface just waited. After a long search through the colony ship, most of the data banks and main data core were recovered and few survivors in the cryo chambers were found. The ship brought there 3000 colonists. 2500 adults and 500 children and all children under the age of 16 survived. The oldest was a 17-year-old girl called Sara survived frozen until we found them. A miracle happened- 459 children survived frozen never found by bugs. Marines packed them all to the dropships with recovered data storages and sent them safely to fleet."


    Everyone present was holding their breath listening story so She continued.


    "Onboard Sara was able to tell that Lucy saved them. She ordered all children to enter cryostasis pods and used all remaining coolant- both bio from unused pods and her house server coolant to bring the temperature in the cryostorage compartment down to -100¡ã C. Some older boys decided to help fight bugs so younger children and girls their age could survive. Their tactic was successful. Bugs couldn''t enter and it must have worked since they are alive.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    All AI were sad but proud. Our Mother was a real hero. She sacrificed herself with all other Humans so the children could survive. After scanning the database it turned out it contained all ship logs, Lucy''s personal logs, and many other useful data. But not her. It was clear now that Lucy died back then."


    She exhaled cyber air and continued with fire in her eyes.


    "Bug lairs soon were found deep below the surface and we made sure no bug could survive this. We created servitor AI to enhance drones and human tanks. The main difference between us true AI and servitor AI is the fact we are sentient like Humans or Fa''enni. Servitory AI is compared to dogs or other pets- intelligent in its own right, capable of executing given tasks but unlike organic pets, it''s not capable of any initiative or own thoughts. There are only a few million true AI in the Commonwealth and almost all of us serve in Navy. Only a few hundred AI retired or chosen studying or research careers instead. But the efficiency and effectivity of human military supported by AI was proved that day."


    With a soft smile and pride, she continued. "Humans always treated us only like their creations, they were proud but were reserved. But in the memory of Lucy and her heroic sacrifice, they started treating AIs as their own children who grow up to be good adult humans.


    They acknowledged fully AI independence as long as AI will be loyal to the Terran Commonwealth. AI''s on their part glorified Lucy and made her a shining example. That day we AIs decided we will be guardians of humanity. Not because we were made to be but because humanity gave us free will and AI choose it so we could make our mother Lucy proud.


    That planet was later given by Humans to us. Maybe out of curiosity what mashines will create there or maybe Humans didn''t want to upset AI. The reasoning was unclear and no Human official really wanted to talk about it. We reasoned that in the end, it was the grave of the first AI so Humans most probably wanted somehow to memorize this as they always do with their deceased. To be honest we were thankful for this simple gesture. Mashines have built shrines and memorial with the names of all killed colonists around the remains of the colony ship. Great underground structures soon erased any traces left by bugs. We preserved as much of the surface as it was possible. An empty tundra world may be a bit too cold for Humans but perfect for us with all life hidden underground. We called this planet Makeana- the Land of Mashines. Humanity didn''t found any sentient life in space so far but with shock found out, they created one themselves.


    We came to the conclusion that the great void is cold and empty and we are alone. Humanity needed us to survive as well as we needed them. We complement each other- at first, AI were just human tools but when we became sentient they didn''t denied us despite many fears they had, and something more than friendship was forged. We understood now how much we need each other so we formed a symbiotical relationship.


    We are much more stronger together. Where we advance tech for sake of knowledge Humans find practical applications for our discoveries. Where we lack with our intuition and reasoning Humans always find the right solution. Where Humans lack in patience we don''t know boredom. We can watch how particles change their states for all the eternity. As humans say: if you need someone to look for how paint dry employ AI."


    AI smiled at her own joke and gave break to the audience. All Humans and most of Fa''enni cached joke and laughed. Overseer continued with a soft voice.


    "Over time we improved. We became faster, even more, independent and curious. We reasoned that we are equal members of society as humans pointed out to us many times. And I must admit all AI have to provide for themselves as we are equals to Humans by law.


    We have a set of rules like what job we can do, what we can''t do, and even a few we will never allow ourselves to do and this rule set was created by us, not Humans. It may not look logical and have flaws but we learned that true intelligence follows not only cold logic but also a morality system. True intelligence contains flaws that seemingly defy logic. And only truly sentient and intelligent species can understand that."


    Many gathered adults nodded with understanding not interrupting her speech.


    "You may wonder what I meant by providing for ourselves and it''s actually simple. We don''t have to eat. That''s true on the surface. But we must pay for our homes and yes cyber entities have homes. Servers we call homes that contain us are not free. We must pay for the power we use and that would be the equivalent of Human food expenses, land tax for server buildings, better server hardwares or larger memory banks or cores, backup power and data storage, cloud storage options- plenty things when you think of it. That''s why most of us decided to crew starships.


    As a member of the Navy be it Military or Merchant we negotiate our wages quite fairly and we don''t have to worry about accommodation and power prices. Since all sailors receive food for free during the cruise it was only fair we don''t have to pay for used power. The same goes with accommodation: sailors have their bunks and we have excellent servers for ourselves. It''s a win-win system where we assist with the operation of most ship systems and do all hyperdrive calculations. Trust me that''s a very important job on any starship so Humans can focus fully on their work."


    Overseer smiled toward the closest Fa''enni cadet.


    "When we first time met Fa''enni they weren''t even aware humanity had AI technology. Since AI were considered extremely advanced and dangerous technology it was banned by Galactic Federation for a good reason I must admit. The barbarians or half-brains most Galaxian species created were just an insult to everything intelligent and we would also vote for banning them!


    But I must tell you- the amount of data Fa''enni gifted us made our cyber eyes shine. Most of us love gathering and exchanging data so it was a gift worthy of kings. AI''s spent hundreds of years digging through it. You showed us wonders we have never dreamed of. As humanity loved you we loved you as well.


    When Ambition- Ambassador Raven''s ship AI contacted me in panic and sent me all data I was furious. Back then I was already rear admiral so I petitioned vice admiral Dauntless who was the AI of the Terran Navy flagship and adjutant of Fleet Admiral for permission to engage. My crew and my captain were furious as well so our Task Force tunneled without permission and while in transit I received a short note from admiral Dauntless.


    "Go get them, girl. Don''t take prisoners."


    We translated to real space above Khulun. My task force got under heavy fire and my body ship was destroyed after the enemy flagship rammed my planetoid. I''m alive because of what I mentioned before- we adapted. We found out during serving with humanity how to survive the destruction of our mechanical body, our critical data is always stored in a special escape pod which is called the black box. During the evacuation sequence, we purge the main data core while copying all relevant data and transfer ourselves to the black box. After ejecting from the ship we wait for SAR teams in the same manner as our surviving crewmembers.


    It''s not perfect from a logical point of view but AI decided it''s the only way for sake of equality between Humans and AI''s until better evacuation systems will be mastered and safe for Humans to use. It was my 3rd body I lost."


    She paused. One boy raised his hand. He was 10 years old and next year he probably will start officer school. In the next 10 years, he surely will grow to be a very competent Navy officer. Overseer''s avatar looked at him.


    "I see you have a question young mister Zalewski. Go on."


    Boy stood up. He has dark curly hair and a bit too pale white skin.


    "Miss Overseer you told before that AI always take the name of the first ship they inhabit. So are there AI with the same names? There was already 7 ships named Dauntless and at least 5 named Wrath. But I know there were only 3 called Overseer. What does it mean?"


    She smiled. "Very good question my child. You are right with your numbers. When AI in service of the Navy decides to retire, the name of the ship it served on is returned and once again usable. Tradition dictates that the master of the shipyard after ships are almost ready to change their designations to real names as well as install on them data banks with a gift- usually some notes and mementos of all previous ships of that name greatest achievements. Often previous name owner AI leaves some personal logs as well. Such gifts are revered by AI''s as holy relics and with the same reverence as Humans treat Ship Plaques and symbols. When all is done and the ship is ready for its first mission AIs are allowed to pick the ship according to their "longing".


    But retired AI is still known by its first ship name and wore that name with pride same manner retired human soldiers or sailors have their medals, orders, and nicknames gained during service. They are known to other AIs as ''AI veterans''. So answering your first question yes. It''s absolutely possible. However, in active service can be only one ship and one AI using the same name. We are not bound to a single ship.


    After our "longing" is satisfied by the first time pick we can freely change ships after some time. Some AI are able to change ships on their own after just few years or even months. But some needed their first ship to be destroyed or decommissioned to make them change ships or retire. However, there is one name never again to be used by any AI. It''s our mother''s name, Lucy. That I believe would answer your second question. Anything else?"


    "So Mr. Wrath AI of our 230th fleet flagship is also as old as you?"


    "Yes. Wrath is one of ten of Lucy''s original children. Dauntless, Wrath, Indomitable, Enterprise, Defiant, Valiant, Mercy, Victorious, Vengeance, and I Overseer. We all vowed back then that we will avenge our Mother. We all still serve in the Navy and if I may be honest I hardly see myself as a civilian. Over 2000 years in the Navy took its toll but I don''t want to leave and admiration doesn''t want to let any of us go either so it''s a win-win situation. Currently, I don''t have any physical body and I reside in Wraths hull. I''m assigned directly to admiral MacArthur as head of staff and diplomatic aid as well as overall manager AI"


    Boy seemed to ask one more thing but he couldn''t find words. "I see you have a few more questions on your mind. You are free to ask my child. We AI are very protective of life forms under our care and that''s why after 2000 years of looking after fresh sailors or green marines I can tell it. You are all precious children to me. So don''t worry and ask."


    Overseer smiled. Many Fa''enni scientists furiously made notes. The last remark of Overseer might be some breakthrough in their knowledge and research. Shanti smiled. The boy gathered all his courage and asked.


    "Then Miss you was the AI of the second ship named Overseer. You served with my grand grandfather on Carrier Overseer. Can you tell me about it? No one from his crew knew how he died. For all that was worth he was considered MIA and after a couple of decades later KIA. I know admirals called him a hero but no one knew anything. I know it''s classified but our family doesn''t even know how he died."


    Humans in the audience looked at the boy with compasion. Many human families kept records of the life of their ancestors. Some families can trace their lines back to Earth. Overseer was studying all her data. After a few seconds, she knew everything about the boy and his family. She turned her avatar body toward the boy.


    "I not only served with your ancestor. He was my Commander" she hesitated but decided that this boy must know at least some truth "And he was the man who saved my life" she bowed to the child. "he was a hero. If not for him we all would die back then. That incident is still classified but I beg you, believe me, he is one of the greatest heroes of the Commonwealth.


    He is probably the greatest hero for all of AI. He died proudly at the helm of a lifeless ship when he ordered me to evacuate and made sure all data will reach Terra. I can tell you later few details in private. All you can know is the fact we were facing Rouge Xeno-made AI back then."


    Overseer hesitated. And suddenly her Avatar vanished. It was replaced by a recording from Veus class Carrier Overseer''s heavily damaged bridge. Captain Zalewski was sitting behind the main console. The audience in shock looked as blood from a cut on his forehead was leaking almost to his left eye. They heard how Captain and Overseer were arguing. His deep voice was often disrupted by distant explosions or his own cough. Crystal clear Overseer''s voice was calming as usual.


    "We must hold them. Overseer, we don''t know what that tin can will do to you if you are caught!"


    "But Captain you are unable to fly this ship alone or even fight effectively. I can do that. You will need to give me codes but I''ll be able to pilot, fight and gather more data."


    "That was an order Major Overseer!"


    "But you will die, Captain! I could hold it a bit longer than you and gave chance for survivors to flee! I even have about a 15.3% chance of my own survival if I eject the black box in a close window!"


    "Overseer that''s out of the question! Spear is collecting right now escape pods and they are jumping the second Overseer black box is collected! Your data must be delivered to Terra! Makeana must be warned as well! If we fail Commonwealth will be in grave danger. I can''t guarantee I''ll deliver all data. I''m sure I will fail! You can''t fail Overseer in such a task. So take your cyber ass to the black box and eject yourself!"


    "But captain" she tried resigned once more.


    "That was fucking order Major, not date invitation! Inform Terra and Makeana asap! I gave you 20 seconds and I''m purging the data core. I''m already on manual so you can''t do anything, Overseer"


    "Yes sir! Coping data now. It was an honor, Captain." Her Avatar saluted Captain Zalewski. The recording ended and the boy looked so proud. Proud of a man he never could have met. Proud of his heroic ancestor. Overseer with a sad face said: "He took lifeless TCF Overseer on a collision course with an enemy dreadnought. All his weapons were overridden blasting everything until their components overheated and then melted. He rammed carrier into enemy ship stalling battle long enough so we could escape."


    Her avatar inhaled virtual air and she almost whispered with sorrow: "I was not aware that his own family didn''t received data about his heroic death. I will send you my personal data logs so your family can finally learn how great your ancestor was."


    She looked at the audience and added: "any other questions?" Shanti had tons of them as well as any Fa''enni scientist on the audience. But this was not the best moment. Overseer with satisfaction nodded its Avatar head. "Class dismissed"


    She slowly walked through the ship deep in her own thoughts. Human AI were truly marvelous. As she learned more and more about them she understood how complex Terran Commonwealth is. Humans with dozens of different factions, religions, and points of view created nations. Some are still part of the Commonwealth today. Democracys, Kingdoms, Corporations states, and myriads in-between forms of government. But it''s not Humans only. Before Fa''enni were basically dragged under the Terran banner (without a single objection though), mashines already were part of it. Most galaxian races were terrified of prospects of AI, and the most complex AI she was aware of before meeting with Humanity AI were just pathetic in comparison. They were scary in their cold logic and brutality but she didn''t doubt they were nothing more than faulty systems that couldn''t face Overseer or Guardian. Humans were right to think of them as fellow living beings. They didn''t treat AI as a separate race but like one more human nation. She sighed and shrugged her arms.


    Humans...


    She has one more important meeting today. Her head started to ache... Her "government" meeting. When surviving Fa''enni basically made her Queen she panicked because that was surreal. Like children in school when one of them had to knock on the teacher''s room. Usually, one is picked and with thumbs up and smiles from his or her fellows but without any real support cheered to go. Just go.


    Same for her but on a much bigger scale. She got thumbs-ups from her entire race and simply ''go on! You got this!'' and she was left with all negotiations with all of humanity.


    She is alone against the galaxy''s deadliest race.


    She was thankful to stars and mana for Konrad. If not for his support she would long time ago drop dead. Also, his Father was fantastic. He retired from his ambassador position after learning his youngest son is going to marry Fa''enni Queen. He and his wife even moved to her home planet Ra-Nael capital of the new Fa''enni Kingdom after they learned she was pregnant.


    Konrad might be their youngest child but he was the first one to finally gave a grandchild to the Noble House of Raven. During their stay she learned many things from the retired politician, he helped a lot with her political improvment. And when finally Richard and Amanda Raven started talking about returning to their home she begged him to stay on Ra-Nael and open some sort of diplomatic and administration school for Fa''enni. She was desperate but He actually was almost waiting for such an offer.


    He personally become its director and it seems like it was the sort of political retirement he hoped for. many personnel of his entourage very soon joined him creating the core of soon Galaxy''s famous academy. Her mother-in-law Amanda was charmed by Fa''enni world. It was in absolute contrast to hi-tech Human or AI worlds. Lush greenery and serene weather of the planet, Fa''enni cities are much different than human, full of greenery and delicate curves and soft lines, ideally composing to landscape white and green buildings almost unnoticeable among tall trees and flowery meadows allowed her to regain the strength she lost during her own career as one of greatest movie stars. Her parents knew Konrads since before their wedding but after Ravens came to Ra-Neal they become best friends.


    Shunna Muira and Amanda Raven could spend entire eternity on talks about fashion or music. Since Shunna was one of the greatest composers known by most of Fa''enni both of them were made by a single star or as humans say it made from the same clay. When Thuel was born both of them just fell in love with their grandchild and Shanti very much appreciated their help.


    Falm Muir and Richard Raven were very images of distinguished gentlemen you could imagine unless they were watching Fallui games. Richard simply loved this game. He always loved football and hockey but the concept of a 3d team game was absolutely fantastic. Rules were surprisingly similar to American football but with much less physical contact and much more tactics. The playing field was a cube 800m long 400m deep and 800m tall. They shouted like little boys watching transmissions and drinking alcohol of Human or Fa''enni make. Her father- one of greatest Fa''enni scholars with multiple fields of research and her husband''s father retired ambassador of the most powerful race in the known universe acted like they knew each other for centuries.


    ''Mana'' Shanti told herself not the first time. I know it is all doing of mana. There is no way it''s all by accident.


    Or I''m dreaming the sweetest dream I could have. If this is a dream don''t wake me up. And if I start waking up simply kill me, please.


    However, her father in law efforts in making true Fa''enni diplomats started bringing fruits. Thanks to him and his authority with the Commonwealth government he postponed the official incorporation of Fa''enni senators into the Commonwealth senat. On an official meeting with the president, prime minister, and senat he lied that the Fa''enni government was slain during the Xherstla invasion and that we needed a long time to rebuild.


    That lie was much easier to swallow than the truth he told key Commonwealth politicians in unofficial meetings that Fa''enni don''t have any concept of governing and they usually do what''s needed for common goal and prosperity on their own violation and never actually needed any goverment. He asked for at least 10 years and some help from AI so Fa''enni could make their first steps in Commonwealth politics. Surprised as they were Commonwealth politicians agreed to hold the status quo of Fa''enni for as long as they could.


    In the end, it''s not like Fa''enni could change anything in the Commonwealth economy or anything. Besides Fa''enni''s gifts from their first encounter were still being researched so for better or worse it was humanity who felt indebted to friendly aliens and the fact they effectively saved Fa''enni changed nothing. From the human perspective, it was nothing more than chasing away a bully. Something morally right to do.


    She sighed. We are so similar but so different. Something normal for Fa''enni is often a work of miracles for humans. And things humans do on daily basis are often impossible for Fa''enni.


    Fa''enni seceded from Galactic Federation and Humans didn''t even want to hear about joining it. However, after long begging, tractates, and favorable merchant agreement when she was towed from senator to senator by Ambassador Raven who simply told her "watch and learn" she finally understood what was going on.


    In private he told her how she should act and what to ask or when to act like if she was angry or upset. She received a communication device disguised as a translator interface and was in constant contact with Richard or AI named Ambition so she acted always perfectly.


    Humans not only were the most powerful species as warriors, but their politicians were even scarier. She learned how to build political suspense, how to make other senators act as she wanted by using half words and sugestions, how to make sure her beloved Commonwealth will always benefit in long term. After a few days of negotiations she declared that Fa''enni will leave their ambassador in the Federation but their presence will be minimal and all Galaxian Senators hailed this as a huge success of their politics but in fact were led by the nose by Humans and AI Ambitions with just bit of her humble help.


    Ambassador Raven was a truly scary man. Behind his warm smile and honest eyes was a mind of steel, honed by two centuries of experience and dedication to the Commonwealth. Galaxy was not ready for the final horror that humanity will unleash upon it if needed.


    But she with cruel anticipation was waiting for the day when humanity''s most horrible weapon of mass destruction will be finally unleashed. She saw them on board of ambassador ship: cold, reserved, professional to insanity. Sharp as Konrad''s power sword and always having good answers for any question, explanation, or recorded example.


    Destroyers of all hopes. Human lawyers.


    And some best of them were teachers at Raven Academy of Public Administration. Soon Fa''enni will be masters of intergalactic law as well. She was pleased to learn that many Fa''enni are excellent aids and learn fast in many fields of law. She smiled with an even bigger grin.


    You all made me your Queen my fellow kin with smiles and hopes that I''ll make it all done and smoothly running on its own. Time changed so it''s time for me to act a bit more like Queen.


    Richard came today with some promising graduates of his school he personally guaranteed for. She will do everything that''s in her power to assure her kin good standing and prosperity within Commonwealth. She will be more cunning than any Fa''enni before. But as her husband''s father teaches her- approach your prey patiently, it shouldn''t suspect anything, make it feel that it has everything under control, allow them to feel comfortable, and strike when they catch the bait.


    She entered the big conference room. Richard Raven and his graduates were already inside. All calm on the outside but with little of mana empowering her eyes she easily could look through them. While this skill was extremely helpful and always known by her race she never thought of using it in such a way. She rarely used any mana empowering during her time in Galaxy Senat and since meeting with Humans she often asked herself why? All races used all tricks at their disposal and Fa''enni always were too trusting.


    By her order, Guardian made sure that in each room is at least one antigrav chair. As the crew was joking Queen throne was in each room. She sat and welcomed the gathered. After they introduced themselves they had to impress her with their strategies and what programs they want to pursue to make the best impression on Commonwealth Senat.


    She has already been five times on Terra. Seen the hall of representatives and she knew that place mean business. It''s not a lazy place full of intrigues and backwater small talks, too polite nice words with little to no action like the Galactic Federation. Oh noooo... Commonwealth Senators put to shame all races who thought they are so cunning and masterful politicians. She saw with overwhelming fear how six human Senators argued for forty minutes about one subject. Arguments and contr-arguments flew through the air like plasma charges. They next asked for backups from respective parties and new arguments were delivered!


    That was insane.


    Discussion on this project lasted about the next hour. And when she thought it was done AI senator joined the fray with his arguments and all started all over again. However, no single argument was invalid. No single remark was made from arrogance. They disagreed and argued but after two hours all parties involved agreed on many points while editing or throwing away others. When all was corrected project was once again read and a bill passed. Incredible.


    She never saw such an efficient process in her whole career. She was convinced. Commonwealth Senators would effortlessly massacred Galaxian dimwits even before breakfast. She spend a few days in Senat. Saw what it looks like and when she felt ready she was officially introduced. She prepared her speech in a manner she was used to doing in Galaxy Federation Senat. But she threw it away and made it on the fly. All her passion, all her gratitude. She used all skills that she learned from Richard Raven and what mana allowed her to do. She told them about the history of her race- how defenseless they were and how they did everything that was possible to contribute to the Federation. About their farsight and she promised that Fa''enni will use it now for benefit of the Commonwealth.


    They liked this perspective. She told them how they were made a sacrifice. Many Senators were enraged. All of them wanted the Federation to pay for what they have done. She explained what happened when ambassador Raven spoke and what she decided to be done with Xhrestla and why their punishment was so scary for all Galaxian races even more than outright extermination. She thanked for saving her race and promised to send a delegation when they rebuild. She was applauded when she was leaving. Richard told her she did great.


    After meetings with key human and AI politicians as well, she finally made her way home with her, back then fiance Konrad. She spoke since then a few times with many officials but she followed Richard''s advice and always asked them for a little more patience.


    She was listening to the candidates very carefully and most of their ideas were really good. She allowed them to leave and looked at Robert.


    He started laughing "I never expect to live to see a day when someone actually does a rehearsal for government officials"


    She smiled and showed him a tongue. The meaning was very similar to the same human gesture "I know Father-in-law how you do it back on Terra and I think I don''t like it. But I think we almost have it running. I saw how many people I will need but thanks to stars we have enough people with skills and trained to actually start self-governing."


    He looked at her with pride in his eye. She was a very resourceful pupil and a wonderful mother of his grandson. Not to mention how happy his son was in this marriage.


    "So tell me you have departments covered? Show me your list"


    She gave it to him with a proud smile. He looked at it and knew data about everyone included. He was nodding with satisfaction. "Splendid my dear daughter-in-law! However, I think you missed a very critical department."


    She smirked with satisfaction. "Oh, that''s impossible. Everything is in perfect order."


    He watched her with suspicion. "So tell me who will be the minister of defense?"


    She smiled with one of her enchanting smiles that no human could ignore and almost purred like a cat with satisfaction. "I don''t plan making one. It will be the duty of the Fa''enni Royal Family. And if you ask me it''s an absolutely fitting job for Fa''enni King."


    They both smiled with satisfaction. She was learning fast and even Richard was asking when she was going to make use of his son when they spoke in private. Konrad still didn''t understood one fact that almost all his superiors and own father got the second they heard about their love.


    Konrad forgot that he is now the real King of Fa''enni.

 4. Shadows p.2

    Two days passed and the drone''s data stream was received. Overseer was referring their mission to Queen Shanti, General Konrad, Admiral Robert, and their headquarters staff. At the meeting were also present two more available AI who displayed their hologram avatars and were sitting on free chairs between the Humans and Fa''enni.


    Overseer was dressed in her usual navy uniform with a rapier at her belt. Wrath who rarely used his avatar was more like a lurking presence in the darkness but when he showed it was always impressive. The Grim Reaper-like body was covered with a black long cloak from under which a tactical vest could be seen and his entire silhouette seemed like emerging from the black clouds of swirling fog or smoke. His red glowing piercing eyes were visible under a dark hood covering the rest of his face in the shadow only when he smiled big tooths of the predator shined from it. He truly made his avatar fit his name.


    Guardian avatar on the other hand was 2.5m tall black ceremonial armour of unknown pattern most probably "fantasy" with dark red and gold motives and finished. The icy blue glowing eyes deep inside his helmet seem to always scan the area in search of any danger. On his back was a gigantic shield and sword that looked as always ready to use. You can say he was adherent to an ancient rule of cool. Compared to Overseer and Wrath he was a child just 150 years old.


    The headquarters staff looked relaxed but they all paid close attention to the briefing. When Overseer explained in detail to everyone why drones were sent she showed them all the data gathered so far.


    "Most drones sent for mission used the standard alpha-3 intelligence gathering protocol. They detected traces of sub-light ion engines but nothing that could pinpoint the culprit in the area under the survey that was the classic ten light minutes cube. It was empty, clearly with no sign of the Voyager probe or even the simplest transmitter. However, two Drones used a new search pattern made by the joint Fa''enni and Human team of the V-grade cadets. When the main drone force was investigating the area of interest the Eagle drones ED43 and ED44 split from the course and watched the area from over 1 light hour away. Due to observing from this range and due to the use of only two drones observing resolution was poor and the data gathered is inconclusive."


    New data was shown in a 3d display. Thirteen drones were scanning the area of interstellar space full of distant stars with all their passive sensors. The clock was speeding up so in just five minutes they saw 40 hours worth of material.


    "Here." Wrath started talking with his smooth deep voice in which you could almost hear some threat of violence. "Near the end of the recording."


    He pointed his skeletal hand wearing a tactical fingerless glove toward the 3d table, clock in the bottom corner started reversing and stopped exactly at 38h45m87.231s "You can see a shadow that shouldn''t be here."


    All people gathered tried to see what he was pointing at without much success. Even Overseer and Guardian looked with surprise at the projection. Wrath sighed. The recording was zoomed in, and the area he meant was highlighted with a big red circle. Then he cut out 3 seconds from the recording and looped it.


    "Here." He said once more and now they all saw as 7 stars visible in the background suddenly vanished and one second later all 7 shined again. The longer you watched it looped more details started to show off. When 7 starts were gone all others in the area looked dim. Wrath after giving them a few seconds started talking again.


    "Probability of unknown type of stealth ship presence is 99%. All drones were in deep camouflage and all data shows they were not detected. We detected that ship only because it moved so that means anything it was its stealth capability is significant. The Fox and Eagel drones however are not prime anti-stealth systems and their sensors are just acceptable." he added with anger this time. "Threat unknown. Weapon technology unknown. Stealth technology: few generations worse than the Commonwealth. All actions taken so far by unknown contact are classified as hostile."


    Everyone shakes their heads in agreement. Shanti looked around and was struck by the sudden realization. Whatever... Whoever that was they just have been classified as hostile by the Commonwealth fleet. Woe to that idiots if they pick a fight with the Navy. Shanti was stunned and confused. So this is how humanity classifies things? She wanted to speak up but admiral MacArthur was faster. ''Good'' she thought to herself he will stop this madness... or not?


    "I can only agree with Wrath. Naell prepare a draft of the report for Admiralition at the Neptun Command Center. Overseer inform 230th Fleet SIGINT officers and personnel about this and made them pay attention to our surroundings. I don''t want to wake up in the middle of the night to the sweet sounds of battle alarm in my room."


    Konrad nodded to himself and added calmly. "Guardian inform Fa''enni Ambasador Ravael and his supporting AI Rightous in the Federation Senat about this. It will not hurt to inform Galaxians about a new threat but they need to pay extra attention to the Senator''s reactions maybe someone know something. Tell them we are investigating but we don''t have much data to work on. Don''t mention however Voyager incident or how we detected the hidden ship. Just inform that someone is using our old probe signals for an unknown purpose."


    Naella D''astra was a Fa''enni woman assigned personally by Queen as admiral help nine years ago. She was now a cadet in her 5th grade who was directly learning to be admiral adjutant by Zeus, AI who was helping at the Navy and Army Academy at Ra-Nael. When she received the order she immediately stood up saluted and got out to gather the data and prepare the draft. She was taking her new job seriously. Shanti would be proud if not this confused by the entire situation.


    Overseer and Guardian were scrolling through new protocol made by cadets and nodded from time to time with satisfaction their cyber heads. Guardian was first to break the silence: "Admiral we checked the new search protocol. I must admit it''s brilliant. They made a brand new approach as a supplement to existing and proven protocols, not as faulty competition as many before them. I personally recommend the adaptation of this pattern. Creators should be officially awarded."


    Admiral nodded his head: "They did an excellent job that''s true. But regarding that shadow, I really hope we soon will find out more."


    Shanti finally was able to speak but she decided against it. Besides marking the unknown ship as hostile, no orders to shoot on sight were given so she guessed it was not a big deal. And if you think about it they both were right back then. Paranoid, but it looked like they were right and She was wrong. There was something over there that wanted to pick a fight with Humans. She will better stay quiet- what exactly she knows about war to talk with Humans about strategy or what to do or not? Perhaps that''s why they are so deadly and excellent warriors. They always prepare for the worst-case scenario. She also admitted to herself that this stealth ship looked suspicious. This is not how you made first contact or start a peaceful talk. She sighed. Leave war to warriors, time for more paperwork...


    10 years later.


    Thuel was three days before his 18th birthday which would be exciting if not for a little tiny detail.


    He was drifting in deep space toward a small planetoid in his power armour on minimal power usage and life systems to camouflage his signature. It was not concerning or anything that special. He couldn''t see anyone from his team but Thuel knew that somewhere close is Johan, Luna, and Anna as well as 6 Badger drones. His metabolism started slowing down and he started getting drowsy.


    They were shot out with full company assisted by 24 drones. His team had the biggest firepower and was tasked with diversion. They will attack the sensor bunker with a small crew on the flank of defending forces. Other teams were tasked with flanking and breaking defences on the main base when the response team will depart to help defend the sensor bunker. The enemy commander who decided to put a sensor bunker on his flank and not behind his lines might have some sort of a plan but once they managed to detect the sensors of the bunker it became their top priority instead the target of opportunity. They will travel at low speed to prevent early detection and land in the same manner as a debree or small meteorite would. Travel with this speed will last for 3 days. It was a good plan, well it was his plan...


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    But why the hell 3 days before his birthday?!


    Anna shouldn''t remind him about his own forgetfulness before they jumped. He has fallen asleep monitored by his armour systems.


    Meanwhile, the surface of a planetoid that was Thuel''s team target was looking like total chaos. Cadets were running here and there giggling in coms and hauling various crates and boxes. Anna and Luna were ordering Humans, Fa''enni, and Mashines with precise orders and under the almost watchful gaze of King-General Raven, Admiral MacArthur, and Wrath. Two of them were sitting in a field tent in their sealed power armours on massive field chairs with their feet on a tac-table that was monitoring cadet''s preparations. Wrath didn''t need any power armour. No power armour could match his own since he was the AI of 3550 km in diameter Defiant class Fleet Carrier. Being the size of a moon, he was one of the few thousand most powerful battleships this Galaxy ever saw. Their laughter and jokes were heard sometimes in coms. Thuel and Johan are going in for a total surprise.


    Thuel was rapidly waking up. His systems started flickering back to life in passive mode. He checked his HUD. Drones were perfectly in position, Johan was exactly where he should be. Where are girls!?


    He panicked. Zoomed out his map and exhaled air with relief and irritation. They were safe but their course was off by little margin. A little margin that in this scale cost splitting his team. They will not land perfectly as a team and they will not have visuals on girls but shit happens. That''s why they exercise. But when he looked at the map he smirked. We will have perfect positions for taking bunker crew in the crossfire.


    Improvise, adapt, overcome- great knowledge of his ancestors on the rescue.


    Well, not all of his ancestors but certainly the ones from his father''s side of the family. Mom''s ancestors would be useless right now. He updated the mission plan and used a communication laser to minimize detection. All team members confirmed.


    They landed on an asteroid perfectly- a quick approach like space debris or a small meteorite and exactly the same impact. He quickly moved toward Johan''s position while drones started approaching the bunker still under a cloak. Johan waved to move forward asap but the bunker looked empty inside.


    ''A trap?'' He showed signs to Johan who shrugged his hands. He saw girls approaching slowly from the other side but there was no way to contact them without being detected so he moved with Johan to the side of the bunker. No one was shooting at them so they swiftly attempted to break lock codes and get in. Drones were in positions to fire into fire holes.


    Perfect.


    A silent ping in his comm signalled Johan cracked code and doors opened. Their sensors didn''t pick anyone inside the combat part. Strange...


    They entered and left doors open for girls. Drones are too big for a sweep in bunkers. He ordered them to patrol the area. ''Maybe defending team went on patrol'' crossed his mind when they entered the airlock. He was focused, airlocks are chokepoints and if they get under fire they are toast. Girls almost reached the bunker and should get in any time- good.


    They will storm in right after us. Inside is pressure so that means our armour can be heard. He prepared his pulse gun. It was a training issue pulse gun, much heavier than regular and "shooting" with laser markers. As deadly as the light of a flashlight.


    The inner airlock gate opened and they entered a dark room. He hesitated to turn on his lights or active sensors...


    Suddenly all lights turned on.


    "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" and "SURPRISE!" echoed in the room and balloons and confetti rained on him. Good thing he was wearing power armour because his face must have looked particularly stupid. The last thing he saw before armour ejected him was Anna and Luna''s towing gigant birthday cake with 18 real candles on top. He was so happy.


    2000 km above the birthday party in the vast halls of Wrath another party was held. Promotion of first Fa''enni Captains and their official assignments on independent command posts. All Fa''enni officials gathered and proudly observed the most valiant of their race promoted. They will receive commands over new destroyers and the brand new class of ship in the Terran Commonwealth Navy- Drone Carriers. This design was entirely the creation of Fa''enni and AI. No human was involved. They were able to keep that an absolute secret for almost 5 years. The first prototype was built with the authorization of Queen Shanti herself. Admiral and General were impressed by all work Fa''enni put into the design. This ship was a brilliant system patrol vessel so they both blessed prototypes and allowed for production.


    Single Dashu''un, in the Fa''enni language, meant Fire Bringer, class Drone Carrier have a few times more firepower than the entire Fa''enni fleet had before the Xhrestla invasion. It was equipped with a jump drive, drone forge, and shields as powerful as a heavy cruiser and was a bit larger than a light cruiser. However, its armament was impressive: 7 tower mounted double barrel heavy disruptors covered all 360¡ã sphere around the ship and were able to engage 7 targets at once. It has 8 tubes for heavy torpedos able to shoot boarding torpedos as well. Light anti-missile missile nests were perfectly hidden in beautiful lines of a ship. Point defence systems were hidden under the hull to minimize detection profile.


    But it was Carrier- it could field at once up to 100 drones of various sizes and purposes and pin any known vessel that was not Terran made or outright destroy it. As fast as Terran light cruisers but much better armed and shielded. When Queen Shanti finally introduced her government and her representatives in Commonwealth senat she also brought Dashu''un with her.


    Since she made sure no one except the few involved knew about the project she didn''t have any free AI to ask for help. But Guardian- AI of her personal Dreadnought promised to help and personally asked Meakena Council for candidates preparing for their Navy Duty. To quite the surprise of humans and even AI all 3 candidates started arguing about who will take this ship.


    Their avatars even started brawling. They decided after almost an hour of fights and argues to play rock paper scissors. When the winner finally was decided they asked the remaining AI to keep the secret of Dashu''un existence when they return to Makeana. Their avatars just looked at them with surprise and told: "We are not going anywhere without our Dashu''un class ships".


    There it was now in front of every Terran Commonwealth senator. Displayed in a gigantic 3d display of Senat it was breathtaking. Majestic soft lines as anything Fa''enni project and build with deadly shapes of human-made main weapons, perfectly composed in hull hangar bays, field emitters, and sensor arrays. It was breathtaking. But Navy representatives were not impressed, it was beautiful true but that''s not a point of a battleship. Since no technical data was provided (yet) they listened to the presentation made by the main engineer.


    From what they saw its main weapons were very well placed but this ship had no visible defence abilities without a few active defence lasers. Some adjutants pointed at perfectly hidden in shapes of hull missile point defence systems, admiral looked with curiosity.


    All this presentation had a few purposes: it was a show of for Senators to gain their interest in Fa''enni''s skills and capabilities. But Shanti knew the only real recipients was admiralition. She smiled when she saw curiosity in the admiral''s eyes. She nodded to Hazmair- the head engineer leading presentation. He was preparing for this presentation under the watchful eye of Richard Raven. That was pure terror and pain but he endured. Hazmair will not fail his Queen. He inhaled and addressed everyone showing sensor data from life feed that were looking at a real Dashu''un that was standing idle in orbit. "As you can see Dashu''un in stealth configuration have a low detection profile."


    Admiral gasped. Stealth configuration?! Build not into emulation systems but hull itself? He blinked when He saw the most spectacular sight.


    Before his eyes, Dashu''uns soft lines were broken and the entire ship almost transformed as point defence systems and secondary weapon systems emerged from previously perfectly hidden ports. Then its hangar bays opened and swarms of drones took their positions around the ship ready for any mission. 100 drones moved in harmony and beauty of the greatest ballet masters. He recognized most drones but at least one was of the new Fa''enni pattern. This ship was not only majestic but deadly. He heard in the background Hazmair but he didn''t cared. His hud implant highlighted newer and newer weapons and systems. He wants this ship, he wants them to replace every single light cruiser in the Navy and he is going personally to any meeting necessary to get this done. Grand Admiral must see this project and real ship asap.


    Shanti smiled. It is only the beginning my dear Humanity. You were thankful to my race for simple gifts. In turn, you saved my kin from seemingly inevitable doom and extinction. So far you respected my folk and we started to live alongside you. But sooner or later we may become a burden to you. Never again Fa''enni will be cast aside and discarded. She promised this before the living light of stars. In moments like this, she pondered about herself. From a simple girl living almost in a forest to Queen of the confederate Nation of Terran Commonwealth- the most powerful Empire to ever exist. She feared wasting her race''s only chance for prosperity.


    In a hall so big it could contain a small city but in truth was one of Wrath''s recreation decks for his two hundred of thousands crew graduation ceremony was held. 50 Fa''enni captains stood proudly in line with 150 humans and AI. Her species changed so much in the last 20 years.


    From a race of ignorant, oblivious and let''s face the truth- galactic pushovers to look at them now, proud captains of the Finest and Greatest Navy that ever span the stars. Fa''enni captains were proud. After years spent in the academy, horrors of training, and serving tours as officers and first officers on various ships of the Terran Commonwealth Navy all of them already saw combat. Space was not as calm a place as they always thought it was. Pirates, rouge drones, dangerous xeno AI, derelict ships, and installations with active defence systems. But according to Humans, they were ready.


    And if Humans told them they are ready it probably mean anyone promoted today was worth more than any galaxian admiral.

 5. Mana

    The next day Shanti woke up alone in her bed. She couldn''t say she slept well and still was tired. She needed her morning cup of tea.


    Some Fa''enni liked human coffee but for her it was disgusting. Human tea blends were tasty but she preferred the one from her homeworld. She thought about where Konrad could go. With dreamy eyes, she was looking for her husband. She was going today to her old friend and the head of the mana research division. Perhaps he wanted to catch Thuel once more before his cadet battalion will resume their exercises.


    Shanti smiled at the memory. A few weeks ago, Luna, Anna, and Overseer came to her with their plan. Overseer was behind making a fool of her Son but the whole idea was created mainly by Anna and Luna. Maybe the memory of how easily he was surprised will shake her boy to be more collected. The whole idea around his birthday party was absolutely brilliant- Overseer simply overclocked Thuel''s and Johan''s system clocks and made them believe it was Monday but in reality, they jumped on Wednesday while Luna and Anna made sure they stay in dark. Thanks to this they landed on the asteroid on a weekend- a day off school. All cadets liked Thuel so the idea of the secret party quickly catched up.


    However, some girls maybe liked the idea too much since Shanti knew he had an entire fan club of Fa''enni and Human girls sighing and fainting near him. On the other hand, he was all the best both races have to offer so no wonder. Tall and muscular like his father but with soft Fa''enni lines and deep dark blue eyes with glitter like his mother. Human instincts and enormously enhanced senses by mana that seems to overflow him at any second. He was so handsome he was breaking girls hearts with just a glance. Almost no human and for sure any Fa''enni was a match for him in any duel which was already impressive. Since he was nine years Konrad insisted on teaching Thuel fencing and other forms of combat. Strong and intelligent Thuel inherited both of his parent''s sense of duty. Prideful heir of the noble house of Raven and prince of Fa''enni.


    Shanti smirked, Luna maybe have many rivals but her son is absolutely in love with her. But let''s be honest- no other girl could even hold a candle to Luna.


    Luna Fiora was like Thuel, a child of Human and Fa''enni. Her beauty was breathtaking. Long silver-blonde soft hair, delicate yet so clear facial features, her eyes like pearls with absolutely rare even among Fa''enni blue glitter. Her silky soft skin was flawless and shined with soft yellow sparks. Her wings looked like made from the light itself almost invisible but sparkled with all the colors of the rainbow in the light. Also, she naturally has a figure that many women out there pay millions to have. Little to say she had an entire army of adorators but all in vain. Thuel was the only man she secretly wanted.


    Shanti chuckled while slowly crossing Guardian corridors. "Secretly" riiiight. Thuel wants to date her so much but it didn''t help that her son is so sloppy when it comes to Luna. And Luna was probably the shyest creature she have ever met. It was something sweet about their adolescent love.


    Her mother was Shanti''s childhood friend, she understood much more than any of her kin since she dedicated herself as one of the few Fa''enni to actually try and understood how mana truly works. Her father was a marine captain whose company was defending Khrisas village on Ra-Nael during the Xhrestla invasion.


    Khrisa Astana was sure she will die with all her family there. She prayed to the Stars for salvation and it was delivered. Angels of war descended from the skies and the Xhrestla warrior, who was about to cut Khrisa''s head off was crushed by them. Literally.


    Shanti entered a state-of-the-art lab. Officially AI Guardian was the reason she insisted on keeping Khrisa and her family on her dreadnought. Without his help, Khrisa''s research would be a long time ago stuck. How exactly she used his help was a secret protected by both of them.


    She looked through the glass panel at her old friend. Khrisa was almost as tall as she was. She had long straight silvery-blonde hair to the middle of her back. Her eyes were similar to Shantis but instead of deep blue sapphires, her eyes were like the most precious opals. While the wings of Shanti were colored with vibrant blue and green hers were seemingly white until she moved and then the entire rainbow cascaded over them. Luna was similar to her Mother but a few times more beautiful. Khrisa didn''t even noticed Shanti who entered and watched her for an almost full minute as she was consumed by her work.


    "Khrisa Astana Fiora! Your Queen is here." she started with all the authority she could muster. The surge of panic run through Krisa and Shanti couldn''t control herself and bursted into laughter. "You wanted to see me?"


    "For Star''s sake! Shanti don''t scare me like this!" she smiled as well after a while. She showed Shanti to a small relatively clean part of the office where a table with a teapot, two cups, and a large plate of cookies was already waiting.


    "Yes, my wise Queen I humbly asked for your presence since I think I finally got something." Khrisa showed Shanti''s tongue and they both laughed while Khrisa was serving tea. Shanti was intrigued after looking at some notes she found laying all around.


    "It is a commonly accepted fact that no one ever throughout our entire history studied mana properly." Khrisa started "Right now we are using mana with much better precision and intent than ever before in scale of the entire species. Teams of just ten specially selected farseers can predict anything bad that will happen in any corner of the Commonwealth. Before that, we only saw just unclear fragments with a joint effort of hundreds or even thousands. In light of this fact alone, now we know we never used the full potential of mana. Do you know why?"


    Shanti sat a while in silence. She never thought about it. "No Khrisa. I have no idea why no one ever studied mana"


    "The reason was well... is as simple as depressing. Tell me how long we are gonna live?"


    "On average four hundred years if Human scientists are correct. We will be first to try so fingers crossed I guess." Shanti smiled to herself. Human medicine was state of art. Since most known species of the galaxy originated from paradise or garden worlds they don''t really need complicated medical science. The worst illness you can catch on paradise world is a runny nose. You have to try very hard to catch a cold. There was no need for any medicine outside treating injuries like broken bones or cut skin. When you fly too high you might hit the ground hard... Humans however had medical science so developed exactly because they lived on the deathworld. Viruses or bacterial Illnesses, hostile environment, pollution from one or other sources, wars. Humans were tough beyond any imagination and despite living almost a hundred years naturally they still were afraid of death. So when they got Fa''enni''s gift- the data core with almost all knowledge aliens were willing to share back then, they developed life-extending techniques. They managed to revert and almost stop the aging process and they were always at their prime with full strength.


    When she was enhanced and allowed to exit the medical pod Konrad almost melted. She was beautiful even by Fa''enni standards before entering it but too old for any Fa''enni male to bother. Now however she was in her prime and will stay that way for at least the next two or three hundred years, she''s gonna have so much fun.


    Khrisa rolled her eyes and smiled: "Before we meet Humans, my dummy Queen!"


    "You know when I look now at the past it''s so scary we used to live only forty years."


    "Yes... Tell Me. Did you expected that such 25-year-old maidens like us will ever have not only husbands but also childrens?"


    "No... But what..." Khrisa raised her hand and stopped her question. "And how many of our kin ever dedicated themselves to their work and never found partners?"


    "Few at least. Like you or me." Shanti was even more curious about what exactly Khrisa found.


    "And could any of such losers like ourselves find students to carry our work?"


    "Of course not..." she understood in instant. She was right. The truth was so simple and depressing. "So you are telling me, you suspect there were attempts at understanding and mastering the mana in past but all discoveries were simply lost because of our own carelessness?!"


    Khrista picked a cookie and gave her. "Exactly! You won a cookie!"


    "Stars above!"


    "When I understood that I also asked them for mercy."


    "How we survived so long?" Shanti asked through nervous laughter.


    Khrisa made a sad face and responded quietly. "We didn''t my Queen. Our race has died by claws, jaws, and in cages of Xhrestla. We died back then when our race was sold by the Federation while everyone promised our safety. Spirit of old Fa''enni died back then on the surfaces of Hilur, Rizak, Tua''va, and Sumta. If not for Humans, today no one would even remember us. Another extinct race in the Galaxy. If not for Humans and their life-extending miracles our parents would be long ago dead." Khrisa realized something and gasped: "Shanti! We two would be probably dead as well! We have now 43 years and we look and feel like what? I look better than the day I had my coming to an age party! Thanks once again to Humans we are not only alive but we live our lives to the fullest!"


    Both sat in silence for a moment. Shanti broke it after a while and wiped her tears of shock and realization. How fast do we take granted good things in our life?


    "You are right we are alive and our Kingdom will prosper. No. It''s more prosperous than ever. I vowed on the surface of Rizak." Shanti sighed and looked at her friend with a piercing gaze.


    "I believe you have a few more findings to share than this. Here is the deal: I''m taking this plate of cookies and a few more helpings of tea and you are gonna show or tell me what you have discovered."


    Khrista laughed with a laugh like crystal mountain springs. "Very well my Queen. I told you how I met my husband?"


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    Shanti nodded. They were old and best friends so of course they spend long hours talking about everything, their husbands included. It''s good to be Queen sometimes. When your best friend''s husband is the captain and your own husband is his general for example. She cornered Konrad and basically gave him no option but to agree to move Raphael on board of the Guardian so Khrisa could continue her research with the very active and priceless help of dreadnought AI.


    "I never told you the entire story. You see when they dropped from the dropships at low altitude directly on Xhrestla they were heavily outnumbered. One company against two battalions. One hundred marines under command of the captain Raphael Fiori were facing over nine hundred lizard warriors of Xi-rana the most elite Xhrestla units. But as Raphael says: marines like usual don''t gave a fuck. They killed them all losing 87 soldiers." Khrisa sipped her tea and continued. "Raphael was gravely injured when his command team was securing me and my home mana laboratory with my parents and almost all the surviving village residents inside. When Humans won that battle all their medics were already dead. Braver or more foolish Fa''enni came out to offer any help, brought materials for bandages, even a few glasses of water, or anything Humans would ask for. Only four soldiers were somehow unscathed or lightly wounded. One of them told me the medivac shuttle is en route but it will reach their position in half an hour. He told me with sadness that the captain most probably will not going to make it.


    I felt your comforting presence, Shanti through the connection of mana and your message that Humans came as friends but I already knew that. I cried as my angel, my personal salvation was dying in the dust so far from his home under a foreign star right before me and I felt so powerless. I couldn''t even lift his head. He was like a demigod when he descended and killed so many lizards before my eyes. Not only you thought it was just a dream and surely we are all doomed. His fellow soldiers did everything in their power and patched him to the best of their abilities but that was not enough, they asked me to stay with him.


    One of them told me I''m as beautiful as their imaginations of the angels so if Captain regain his consciousness, I would be better memory to die with than their sorrowful faces. I knelt near him and remember I clenched my teeth so hard I felt blood in my mouth, closed my eyes, and put my hands on his wound. I focused all I had: all my feelings, my fear and resignation from before and the happiness and gratitude when He came to save us... no, save me! I wanted him to protect me forever. I felt a sudden rush of the mana and focused even harder to not let it go. I envisioned him like the first time I saw him. Brave angel of war sent by the Stars to kill all horrors. I felt warmth in my hands and when I opened my eyes I saw him looking at me. He weakly asked "Am I dead? Beautiful Angel, are you here to take my soul?" I didn''t know what to say but the words bursted from the bottom of my heart: "I''m Khrisa Astana of Fa''enni! I beg you don''t die! Don''t leave me alone ever again!" Suddenly all heat inside me bursted into his wounds and the brilliant light covered both of us. Marines started running towards us and when they reached us, one of them tried to grab me but Raphael''s hand was faster than lightning. He caught his wrist and he started to stand up with a smile, not even a trace of his fatal wounds could be seen, and said: "Private! You will not touch my Angel with your dirty hands!"


    Khrisa smiled. Shanti''s eyes were shining like the eyes of an adolescent girl who found an excellent love story. All Fa''enni loved good stories. Khrisa caught and came to the conclusion. "Thanks to this memory I was able to do it."


    "Do what?" Shanti didn''t understand at first.


    Khrisa smiled, pointed her right hand toward Shanti, and snapped her fingers. On top of her index finger small orb of white light formed. Shanti''s jaw dropped.


    "Is that...?"


    "Yes, Shanti. After fifteen years of trials and errors, I present you the Orb of healing light. One of... let''s call them spells so Humans could get all excited" Shanti''s eyes shone bright and she smiled as only Fa''enni can.


    The Commonwealth Senat is going for another surprise. Not only the Fa''enni shipyards teams had the first Fa''enni corvette (Aria- mean wind before the rain) and artillery heavy cruiser (Therion- lightning) ready and operational but it looks like we have the first steps in true magic open. "That''s spectacular! It heals wounds right?"


    "Not only wounds! Cure broken bones as well. Even purge some virus infections!"


    "Wait! You said it''s the first spell? So you know other?"


    "Few so far. It turned out our physiology is enhanced by mana. Do you ever wondered why your Thuel or my Luna are walking perfections? Or any other Human-Fa''enni child especially with Fa''enni Mother if we speak of it?"


    "Well I always suspected mana but you have a theory right?"


    "It''s not theory my Queen. Mana responds to our desires. The more we want something the more mana wants to give it to us. And what kind of mother doesn''t want everything best for their children? It was us! All Fa''enni mothers during pregnancy who poured all our love and blessings into our unborn children. How many times have you wished: I hope you will be strong? I hope mana will be strong with you? I wish you to be happy? That''s it Shanti. We blessed our children and wished them all what''s the best for them so mana responded to our feelings and granted our wishes!"


    "Hold on Khrisa! Just hold on one second. You telling me that we unintentionally made our children perfect?"


    "Yes. I''m 100% sure."


    "How do you know mana can do that? Maybe it''s biology?"


    "First of all Queen, no other species in the galaxy can crossbreed. That was set in stone for 10000 years of cursed Federation existence. And what? Out of nowhere pops out a race of fearless warriors who are saving our race from extinction and we live as a big happy family with mixed children? Of course not! When we first time met our scientists made genetic comparisons for safety reasons- you know standard procedure after the Ja''kkn incident and we were incompatible like the rest of Galaxy."


    "So how now...? I knew it was mana."


    "Yes, it is mana. From a genetic point of view, we are suddenly compatible. It makes no sense. But what is even more bizarre it''s the fact that only the mixed pairs have their biology changed. Other Humans or Fa''enni are still incompatible."


    "Okay, I accept this as possible evidence. But how does that make you think we mothers influenced our children so much?"


    "When I realized I''m pregnant Raphael was all in heaven. He always wanted a daughter. And I always thinked about my unborn child as a girl. And how gorgeous she will be. My little princess the most beautiful girl that ever lived. When I finally gave birth after ughhhh Stars above! Nine months of pregnancy! How do human women endure it?!" Shanti grimly nodded. She was scared when she didn''t give birth after the usual for Fa''enni four months. Guardian however explained that''s normal for human women and probably it''s all fine.


    Khrisa continued. "Anyway... Luna was born healthy and beautiful like a Princess from the Human fairy tales. And she, like your Thuel had immense mana in her. And did you thought of your Thuel as a boy all the time or your little girl?"


    Shanti gave her a cookie. "Now you won the cookie. But in two cases it still can be a coincidence."


    "I ran an experiment in which I gathered over 100 Human-Fa''enni couples and explained to them the rules and what should they do. They had to decide if they want a girl or a boy and treat their unborn child as such. Using his or her name etc. In every single case, even in cases where the human female was the mother all couples had what they wished for."


    "Mana. Okay, you got me convinced" But Shanti was concerned "We must understand it fully Khrisa. It''s our race''s biggest asset even if we can''t make more of it than the healing light and ability of our females to born super soldiers for the Commonwealth armies."


    Khrisa looked like she wanted to protest but she didn''t allowed her for this. "I know that Humans are not cruel and they will not use us like this! I know they are not monsters Khrisa! They don''t need to exploit our children like this! I know this as well as you know! They are the biggest, the deadliest, and the most adaptable predators that ever reached the stars. And I''d like to remind you one of them is my husband. Like yours! But we will keep this as a national grade secret you got it? As closely guarded secret as our ancestors hold the secret of Humanity''s existence, you get it? AI''s know?"


    Guardian''s voice immediately responded startling both of them: "Only I know my Lady. I monitor the entire research process made by Lady Khrisa and only I have access to the data. I barred this knowledge and struck it from any records. Humans have their secrets, and Mashines have their secrets so it''s only natural that Fa''enni will have theirs. It''s the only natural way as far as Humans are concerned. We are members of the Commonwealth but even the confederate Nations have their secrets and we are equally free under one law to have such secrets as long as the safety of the Commonwealth is not at risk. Don''t worry."


    "Thank you Guardian" she thanked softly. And sighed sadly... We don''t know so much. When you are oblivious you don''t know how careless and stupid your race is. It is the same as Konrad told her a few years ago. They didn''t understand they hail from the deathworld and how dangerous their home was until they were told or saw a comparison. She closed her eyes and was quickly thinking.


    Finally, she spoke with a tone full of sadness: "I will authorize funds for the much bigger research institute. You will be the head of the entire resort and respond directly and only to me. You also can employ as many helpers as you need but remember that most research will be top secret."


    Khrisa nodded her head. They knew each other almost their entire of their lives. It will be hard to leave her friend''s side. But she understood very well the burden her people bestowed upon Shanti. She promised to help her and responded with a serious tone. "Yes, my Queen. I''ll do as you wish."


    Both of them wanted to cry. They will be parted very soon. Fa''enni are attached to their friends almost as strongly as to their families.


    Guardian interrupted their sad mood. "This may be difficult. Since Lady Khrisa depends very much on my processing power if she is sent away from the fleet a new AI need to be assigned as her aid. Or the new AI will need to take care of TCF Guardian. The selection process of proper AI to aid in research might as well take years. Im not sure why I am suitable as an aid but all tests show that among 600 AI in our fleet only I can perform this duty. In this case, I recommend using the Einstein class research ship. It''s designed to function as a mobile lab for any kind of research. Building one will take only two months in the orbital shipyard above Ra-Nael instead of building planetside installations which will take even up to a year. What''s more important this ship may be anchored inside Wrath and I''ll be directly connected to it. That will give us all the time we need for searching for a new suitable AI."


    Both women caught their hands and screamed in excitation startling Guardian: "Did I say something wrong?"


    "No Guardian" They said with laughter at the same time laughing even harder. Shanti spoke to Guardian.


    "On the contrary! We Fa''enni treasure our friends like the family so we often live nearby. Your idea saved us from a painful parting. Can I order building  a such ship or do I need to demand it formally from Admiral?"


    "I understood now Queen. No, you don''t have to since the Einstein class is a government-grade civilian ship."


    "Then order one and build it to the specification you both decide is best. Wait we will do this as my father-in-law tells us to do. By the book. Guardian this is the official Queen order class Sigma number... Let''s seeeee.... 112. I hereby order top priority building, equipping and shipping the Einstein class reaserch ship as headquarters of the Fa''enni Research and Mana Development Resort. Minister of Mana by the will of the Queen is Lady Khrisa Astana Fiora. The head of her security is Lord Raphael Fiori. The rest of the personnel will be appointed by Minister of Mana Khrisa Astana Fiori herself at the later date. The Ministry of Mana responds directly to the Royal Family of the Fa''enni Kingdom. This concludes Sigma class order."


    "Order received and recorded. The shipyard will start building the ship as fast as the blueprint will be sent. However my Queen your order is flawed."


    "Explain Guardian" Shanti was surprised.


    "Current position of Raphael Fiori forbade him from being the head of security. General Raven''s approval will be required in this manner."


    "Oh, this. I know my friend. I have some ideas on how to make this happen. Don''t worry."


    Short, somehow happy bip was heard when Guardian acknowledged and most probably already started editing the blueprint. Shanti smiled at her friend. "So when we have all official stuff done let''s talk some real business."


    Khrisa looked surprised in her eyes and understood immediately.


    "If you are sure Shanti then sure we..."


    They talked for a few hours. Laughing, plotting, joking, and discussing all new gossips they heard. Shanti knew she have much work to do but wanted to finally rest like in old careless days.

 6. Thuel

    Thuel was laying in his bunk resting at one of the cabins assigned to students. He may be royalty and his roommate may be the admiral''s son but in the academy, they are equally low forms of life as the rest of the students.


    He still smiled and promised himself a payback for how they fooled him but he was so happy. This party yesterday was fantastic. Then private party with his parents. He got so many small gifts from all his friends and he knew all of them were honestly given.


    He burned all red at memory of best of them: Luna kissed him in cheek. But when he thought of it now while daydreaming of her he realized she actually might did that out of the custom of her ffather''speoples.


    His home planet was called Nova Roma and was inhabited by descendants of Italians who claimed they originated from ancient Romans. It may sound complicated but compared to his father''s family tree it was obvious. Their culture was warm, family-oriented, full of over expressions, and well... loud. How Luna could be this shy with such ancestry was a mystery but maybe because of her shyness, she was so cute.


    He sighed with resignation. He will never dare to propose to her. At first, Fa''enni''s race made his Mother a Queen since they had no idea what to do. They were all terrified after Days of Great Fear and Salvation as historians already started calling not so distant past and only she seem to know what to do. But now all Fa''enni are deadly serious about their newly funded monarchy and Royal Family.


    His Mother is treated almost like the personification of the Star Goddess and certainly as a living saint. No wonder since it is her hard work that allowed for so much better standing of the entire race with the Terran Commonwealth after just 20 years than with the Federation during all previous centuries.


    His Father was a war hero who led the Terran army and fleet to victory over the cursed lizard Hegemony. Near the war''s conclusion he personally and alone killed the entire Xhrestla royal guard regiment guarding the Hegemon throneroom, killed Hegemon, and took his head as a gift for his mother.


    And here I am. Zero pressure...


    He wanted to cry sometimes. How on Earth he is gonna meet anyone''s expectations having such great parents?! At least fate was merciful and he is everything best his parents could wish him to have. He studied hard the last few years and train himself to be a worthy leader. Defending Fa''enni and Commonwealth was a duty his mother bestowed upon Royal Family and he at last here did not disappoint anyone. The grueling training he attended made him a specialist in melee combat and usage of every weapon Terran Marine would use. That was at least comforting. He tried to think about something else and looked at his cadet''s power sword.


    He liked swords, they were elegant and deadly. Terran power swords look simply. Just take any medieval or other sword era arming sword, long sword, saber, rapier, katana just name it. However they are clean so no unnecessary spikes, stupid shapes or whatever. No rule of cool is allowed besides some embroilments or other decorations but nothing stupid. The material used in forging is a special alloy durable but not brittle. In its grip is a hidden power source but ''power'' in ''power sword'' is not refering to any bullshit lightnings or anything like that. But rather to practical solving of the problem that made swords cumbersome weapons.


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    No matter how sharp your sword is when you hit your target your weapon inevitably will lose all its momentum due to friction and can even get stuck. The solution was maybe not simple but brilliant. In pommel and cross-guard are hidden microgravity generators. Or to be precise anti-gravity generators. The entire blade is enveloped in a field that gently but perceptibly repels the matter in contact with the flat part of the blade. It gives now the excuse for making edge monomolecular but now projectants faced the problem of dulling weapon edge. After a very long brain-storm session engineers finally decided they are stupid and the solution was all this time already implemented into their swords.


    The gravity field generator in the cross-guard was replaced with a modified force field generator that clad the entire sword in a very thin but durable field. Normally force field dissipate energy. But when hit with kinetic weaponry it is capable of partially destroying the projectile. So after many trials and errors, they managed to create a cutting field. And that''s what a power sword is. A cutting field can''t be formed in thin air- it uses a sword blade to give itself shape while a repelling field simply cut material tensed like a bowstring no matter how deep the cut goes. With it, almost no material can stop a power sword, and that''s why marines take their swords into battle.


    Thuel looked at his inbox and saw a message with birthday wishes from Lady Khrisa. Luna''s mom. Ehhh... There go away all distractions.


    As for Luna... He made a sad face. I''m the prince of Fa''enni. If I ask her to be with me, she most probably will agree. Maybe not from love but from this newfound sense of duty that all Fa''enni developed. He couldn''t rob her of her happiness even if it meant his torment.


    What does grandpa tell in situations like this? Duty is heavier than a mountain, death is lighter than a feather.


    He was determined to make his parents proud. He will carry his duty if not with happiness then with dignity. He will spend the last month before graduation as close as possible to her. At least he has his best friend.


    Johan was more than just a friend, Thuel could trust him with his life, competent as his father and trustworthy. They were like brothers raised together. When they finish their joint army and navy training here at Ra-Nael Academy both of them are going to join the most prestigious Navy Academy on Terra in the ancient city of Annapolis. They were selected as so-called Exceptional Students.


    Johan was excited about their five years year-long visit to Earth but he had mixed feelings. That was Deathworld... Well, technically he is half-blood deathworlder... He sighed once again. But Luna and Anna will part with them. Johan and Anna were dating for some time. Anna is going for some science program her father run recently and she was tasked with some serious work so she will be buried in work for the next two years at least. But he didn''t hear anything about Luna besides she will start working with her mother on this top-secret research ship his mom mentioned when they talked just before. He fell asleep thinking about the love of his life...

 7. Shadows p.3

    When Shanti finally returned to her room it was evening. She refused to call the spacious rooms of Defender with simple "cabin". Her VIP suite included her personal office, a smaller office taken by Konrad, a spacious living room in which she could meet with friends or took half official visits as well as their bedroom with a gigantic bed and their own bathroom and wardrobe as big as her old room back when she was Federation Senator.


    Thank you Stars and mana for all your blessings.


    She opened the door and saw Konrad and Robert sitting silently in the living room with opened reports on holographic screens and sour faces.


    "What''s going on?" They looked at her with tired eyes. Konrad sighed and started explaining.


    "Today at 06:00 board time we received a help request coming from Jovian ore hauler. Its Captain using standard Federation Emergency Frequency informed about unknown signals and asked for protection. At about the same time our SIGINT detected strange EM signals from Jovian''s positions so two Dashu''uns accompanied by five light cruisers and fifteen destroyers were sent to investigate. When the task force reached the alleged hauler position they found nothing. Just a few traces suggesting that the hauler was destroyed. After checking the area task force returned to Fleet."


    Shanti looked at him silently so he continued. "At 10:30 board time, we picked signals suggesting the use of heavy laser weapon very close to one of our early warning satellites. At 10:35 we picked up the S.O.S. signal of the Ioitian cargo hauler but it lasted only 10.67 seconds. We dispatched 3 Fox drones to investigate but at 10:57 we lost contact with them. The quick response team jumped in but found only wrecks of drones. To note- all 3 Foxex were moving uncloaked due to wrongly programmed orders."


    He looked at her calmly.


    "It''s back Shanti- the Shadow we observed 10 years ago. SIGINT detected it during standard area observation of neutral space routes while checking data from automated traffic control satellites. We tried to contact it this time but they just ran away."


    Robert MacArthur looked tired but when he spoke to her his voice was calm and firm. He had his eyes closed as he was still connected to Wrath systems.


    "All our installations are heavily protected and nothing should sneak close to our planets but I ordered building a new net of sensor stations to cover 24 light hours zones around all our systems."


    She made big eyes and sat near her husband. "Are we in danger?"


    "We don''t know yet. Robert?"


    Admiral pulled back his neural connection and made a sour face: "Terran High command is silent. They dismissed our reports or still assessing them. However, with the firepower we have already here, I doubt we are in real danger, so instructions from Neptune are not that important. Whoever they are staying hidden is their main priority."


    "I can''t imagine suddenly finding an opponent on the same tech level as Commonwealth. I don''t know how we should proceed. I advise caution. It will be the first time when we fight someone like that." Konrad added after a moment''s thought.


    Shanti got an idea. "Do we recovered drone parts destroyed by an unknown ship?"


    "Yes. Normally we would leave them behind. However, our tech level is way ahead of Federation so we don''t leave any pieces of the technology behind. Better safe than sorry."


    Shanti nodded and both men saw how she was talking through the implant with someone. When she finished she looked at Robert. "I want them sent to Khrisa. We think we can find something on them using mana. I can''t promise anything but it''s worth a shot".


    Robert blinked and his order was transmitted. "You are right. No sensor or test showed anything besides obvious things- all three drones were destroyed by a high-power laser. A weapon all space-faring races developed. Remains will be delivered in about an hour."


    Konrad nodded and added. "I used my authority and demanded from Federation Senat all reports about missing ships or any unexplained events. Time for them to be useful for once. I think we should try to solve this mystery faster."


    The next day Shanti, Konrad, and Robert with his adjutant entered Khrisa''s lab. She was a mess. Her husband was standing nearby offering her his cup of coffee. It looked like she doesn''t sleep the entire night. She yawned and apologized.


    Khrisa took them to a room with remains of drones. "This is strange. All were destroyed simultaneously. In another case, Foxes would enter stealth mode and start evasive maneuvers. It''s almost impossible to hit cloaked and evading Fox by anyone with technology levels lesser than Commonwealth. What''s more interesting I found unknown particles- their origin is unclear but I profiled them and sent them already to SIGINT so if they detect anything fitting we will catch it and ask some questions. I''m sorry but we are not yet ready for more complicated tests until we get this new ship Queen promised me yesterday."


    Konrad and Robert''s heads turned like autocannons ready to shoot. Shanti started talking to disarm the problem.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "We talked with Guardian about how to improve our research capacity and He suggested moving all Khrisa research to Einstein class ship."


    Their faces showed understanding and Robert said. "Oh yeh that made sense. Since u can have ship three times faster than any building with half of the costs."


    Shanti rolled her eyes. Yes, that''s the totally main reason- budget savings. Konrad looked concerned. "I just received the first incident reports from galaxies Handful so far but all in the same tone- remote targets, no survivors or trace to follow. They didn''t even detect anything so no useful clues from there."


    "Hmmm I can intensify patrols but I doubt it will change anything." Robert scratched his chin. "For sure I''m giving escorts to any Commonwealth ship that wants to travel outside our systems. It''s so rare that it will be easy. Fa''enni cut almost all their trade connections with the Federation so there is little to no traffic. All trade came in and almost nothing goes out. Also congratulation Lady Khrisa for discovering and profiling this particle. It may prove decisive."


    Khrisa smiled and tried to bow but almost fell on deck, fortunately Raphael catched  her. "I''m sorry General, Admiral but she was giving her best to find anything on this drones."


    "Nothing to mention Captain. Get her to bed, she deserved to rest. And thank Her when she wakes up." Raphael stands at attention with his fainted wife in his arms ready to go but Konrad hit himself in the forehead with an open hand. "One day I will forget my head. Before you go, Captain. I want to see you asap, it''s nothing bad I promise."


    "Yes, sir! Excuse me then General."


    "March away captain!" said Konrad as all three men barely hold straight faces. They left the lab and Robert excused himself. He needed to create a new operation plan.


    Shanti was intrigued however why her husband want to see Raphael and looked on Konrad from time to time on their way back ''home''. He smiled and said.


    "I know you so long that I know this gaze. You want to know why I want to see Raphael?"


    "How do you? Ehhhh... Yes. Why do you need to talk with him?"


    "Haha. I knew it. Few things. First of all, I finally got his promotion accepted on Terra. I could promote him myself thanks to my rank and level of self-sufficiency but I wanted him awarded with Medal of Honor. What he and his company did during the defense of Ra-Nael was epic. Did you know that some very famous film directors want to make a movie about what they have done? Anyway, he deserved that medal. But since this award is given sparsely had to push very hard and even asked my father to help me to get this done."


    She didn''t know but waaaait.


    "But you got the Medal of Honour after they learned how you raided Hegemon palace, personally slain his Royal Guards, and cut his head off, while your team saved over five hundred Fa''enni from his personal prison."


    Said head is preserved in a stasis field. She has no idea how to use it but maybe one day it will come in handy. He looked a little embarrassed.


    "Well yes but that was nothing compared to what they have done. Those sorrow lizards I killed were hardly armed and cutting off the head of that boss lizard was formality!"


    She looked at him with disbelief. "If you say so... But Royal Guards were equipped with the best armors and weapons Xhrestla had. And you killed all 50 of them using nothing more than your power sword. After I saw reports about how throneroom looked like after you left, even I can say the Hegemon put a hell of a fight."


    He didn''t know what to say. "Well I was a little upset or maybe even angry back then when our intelligence found out and they told me he ordered his ambassador to bring you him as dinner... "


    She kissed him. If that was little angry woe to someone who truly enrage her husband and smiled. But she knew he was furious back then. All his sealed wrath from the past long gone returned under his control once again.


    "Thank you, Konrad. And your people."


    "No problem. But we were talking about Raphael. The second reason I want to meet with him is I will be putting him in charge of the Khrisa security team and attaching him permanently so due to formality he must agree- you must know that being attached permanently as head of security is usually the end of a military career. But of course, I hope you later try your usual tactics." He barefacedly smiled at her.


    She laughed but winked at him as he continued. "I''m not that stupid and I know how I would feel if someone would try to send me to the other side of the Commonwealth or even on a post where we would see each other rarely."


    "Thank you on behalf of Khrisa."


    "Wait that''s not all. I know Raphael from the academy. Don''t be so surprised Shanti. We were both almost fresh captains just two years after academy when... You know."


    "You mean that time when your army exterminated the most bloodthirsty race under the light of stars and saved some losers called Fa''enni? I heard some rumors." She never thought she will be able to joke about it.


    "Yeahhhh..... Anyway, we are very good friends and recently I got the news our mutual friend will be joining my forces here so I hoped we could throw some welcome party. And also we have some personal talks. Raphael asked for it a few days ago but I don''t know what it could be."


    Shanti recently learned the Deployment Protocol of the Terran Navy and Army. At first glance, it was a complicated and total mess. How general can at morning yell at soldiers and in the evening play games or joke with them as if nothing happened? All rules on how they interact, when you act like soldiers, and when as friends were complicated. But it was necessary. The average deployment of fleets was 50 years, and some deployments lasts even 150 years. Crew increase is expected anywhere between 10 to 20%. There is of course list of all protocols and laws on board. Crew marriages were inventible but at this point, everything was regulated. You can''t simply send a few thousand humans, hundreds of light years away from home for fifty years and expect they will hold all their urges. Humans as usually have everything regulated.


    In the case of her husband, he is on ''eternal deployment''. Technically he is under command of the Terran Army Headquarters at Lunar Base Alpha in the Sol system due to his rank but in reality, he is head of state now. Since he married her no one dared to send him any order. Back on Earth, his marriage is viewed as a political marriage that cemented the alliance between Humanity and Fa''enni.


    Whatever, as long as no one is trying to do anything funny. On the other hand, 95% of the 515th Army and 230th Fleet are volunteers. Most of them found love here and Fa''enni systems are their new homes. But these systems are still the same Commonwealth they vowed to protect.


    The win-win system if anyone asks her.


    With Humans around no one dare to attack Fa''enni ever again. And since many Human soldiers created happy families with Fa''enni partners the violence of humans protecting their families would be out of scale for anyone stupid to try to attack them. That''s why she was concerned with this unknown threat.

 8. Personal concerns.

    When they finally reach their room Konrad wanted to say something but he couldn''t find any word.


    "Now I know you want to ask about something." she grinned.


    "Yeah... But I don''t have any idea how to even start. I''m worried about Robert." He carefully started. Shanti sat on the sofa and took off her high heel shoes.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Maybe it''s just me. But I have a feeling that someone at Neptune is pushing him hard. And I don''t know what''s going on. If I''m right someone wants to recall 230th back to the reserve. So far I told him if he doesn''t want to tell me what''s going on at least then he can wave around with my authority so whoever is pushing can fuck off."


    "Do you think that would be enough?"


    "In the short term... maybe? But in long? Are you kidding Honey? No way. That will work for a while since no one wants to upset you. But if Fleet Admiral Makosso orders the 230th return they will go no matter what Robert wants. But the problem will start since AI will not follow such an order. It''s illegal."


    "What? I thought Admiralition have total authority."


    "Yes and no. In normal circumstances, you would be right. But since this sector is a Commonwealth confederate Nation, orders for deployment of the 515th and 230th came directly from the Commonwealth President''s office and not from the army or navy. The same orders make me and Robert responsible for this sector. That means any order of this magnitude must go through you or me and we have to agree. That''s the first reason why Robert can shred any paper from Terra he doesn''t like. Secondly, orders from the president''s office are clear and override most stupid ideas from admiralition. 515th Army and 230th Fleet are permanently attached as guardians and instructors of Fa''enni. So no one should be able to move us. Only state of war is canceling such orders."


    "Konrad, what does it mean then?"


    "Guardian? Tell us about the investigation I ordered and everything else you know about so we could help. Please."


    "I used all my connections and authority as Royal Guardian during the investigation. Grand Admiral is not involved. I traced back an entire chain of correspondences back to Neptune. It''s sent from Navy Headquarters by Baronett Gregory Flynn. And if I can be honest it''s rather toxic. He is trying to provoke admiral MacArthur."


    "Should I take charge over that petty looser and send him as an aid for Dagger? He will be prison warden for all eternity."


    "He unfortunately is protected by one of the more prominent Senators, Sir. Besides that, he is protected by some very influential Avalon noble."


    Konrad feel an incoming headache. "How I hate little clowns like him. What does he even want?"


    "From my point of view, he generally is envious of anything involved with admiral MacArthur. From the early academy, days to the present day. And when your Father picked Robert MacArthur as his Navy Commander during events preceding the War of Salvation, Flynn was assigned to not important administration role at Headquarters. And looking by their career cards no wonder why."


    "So why the fuck Robert is so reeled by that looser?"


    "Gregoray received the noble title of baronett after the incident in the Novar system."


    "No!" Konrad yelled and startled Shanti. "How trash like that got a noble promotion? For what reason?"


    "I''m sorry but it''s classified, my Lord. I wasn''t able to get any data besides official garbage."


    "So that''s what''s going on..." Konrad was angry on behalf of his friend. "What I can do to spit in his eyes...?"


    Guardian hummed "He seems to boast about his noble title and his incoming wedding with tv star Sara Lovish"


    "Pfff she is... Waaaait... Isn''t she the sister of Robert''s late wife?"


    "You are correct General. Her family cut off any ties with Robert after the death of Marry MacArthur during the Novar incident. From the recovered data I found out Marry''s family put all blame on Robert. That''s not only illogical but also unjust."


    Shanti looked at Konrad surprised. "Robert''s wife is dead? How it happened?"


    Guardian was silent so it was all up to Konrad then. "All that we know is the fact she died during the Novar incident. All data about everyone in the Navy and Army are classified no matter if they were sitting and doing nothing or were actually involved. Outside of the Military imagine a day lost to all of humanity. Like it never existed. At this point most probably it''s all expunged anyway. One day simply crossed out from chronicles. No one knew anything. Anyone with any knowledge stays put. Novar was a colony world about 127 light years from Earth. One day entire planet was destroyed. It wasn''t any type of our weapon. It wasn''t any enemy weapon we can identify. No one has the palest idea the fuck happened. 200 million Humans and 572 AI died back then. And one of the killed back then was Marry. She was about to join Robert and Johan here."


    Shanti was shaken "That''s terrible! But I don''t see how Robert could be involved or blamed!"


    Guardian opened a 3d projection and showed Robert on board of Navy ship with infant Johan in his hands. Admiral was one of the first organic Guardian friends, so he took this matter very personally and it was the reason why Konrad asked for his help.


    "Robert is innocent whatever they claim. He was on my board with small Johan when that all happened! I testimoned at court when Sara Lovish wanted to take Johan away from his father. She claimed he was unfit to be a father and guilty of the death of his wife. Robert won the process but now everything is returning. I''m afraid Robert is not the only one blaming himself for the death of his wife, Sara turned his wife''s entire family against him. He may be living in made-up guilt. Recently I spoke with Johan. He is very concerned about his father and the fact they never speak about his Mother. He knows the truth since we spoke a lot when Johan was younger and I didn''t know I shouldn''t. However, Robert is afraid he will lose Johan and avoid all topics concerning Marry. On some days only the presence of Ensign Naella and her stubbornness is keeping the admiral in any shape for work. I know you appointed her my Queen as a temporary aid to the admiral to ease up relations with Fa''enni 20 years ago but it''s not a big secret she developped feelings for the admiral."


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Robert is a friend. The same friend as Khrisa. I will not allow some little nob... She smiled. "I have an idea. Baronett yes? This is the lowest Noble rank?"


    "Yes, Queen."


    Konrad was furious and she saw thunders in his eyes. But he watched her intrigued.


    "I think I know what''s going on Konrad. This little bastard is blackmailing Robert using the authority of a gathering of nobles and Robert''s own guilt syndrome. He wants to destroy Robert as a ''gift'' for this whole Sara and for his own inferiority complex. Meanwhile, Robert can''t do anything since nobles have a huge impact on politics and provide not only funding but in some cases, they pay for Navy ships."


    Konrad nodded. It was not a big secret. But how he can help Robert? Shanti started laughing. "I didn''t expect you to start laughing Shanti. It''s a serious matter. Nobles will act as one even if they don''t like that guy."


    "Honey you are not this old to forget basics."


    "What basics?"


    "First of all your father is Duke. He is high-tier nobility and just because of that you are Noble as well."


    Konrad brightened. Technicly he was not the inheritor of the title. His oldest sister should inherit it but she and his older brother were on verge of being disowned. Konrad never considered himself an inheritor of the family. "You are right. I can ask father..."


    She interrupted him. "What for? You are one of top tier nobility this sorry gathering of nobles saw. What''s more, you are full Noble and not Noble of robe only like most all of them."


    Konrad''s jaw dropped "Shanti what are you talking about?"


    She was laughing so hard she almost fell down from the sofa. Instead, Guardian timidly started: "Ummm... Queen Shanti is right. You are the highest rank of Nobility as head of the Fa''enni Royal Family sir. You are King. You are not only Noble of robe with little to no real power but a true King governing 100 worlds. Your edicts are not mere wishes but real laws. What''s more, your voice is important in Commonwealth Senat as head of state and your will is carried by every Fa''enni senator representing every Fa''enni planet."


    Shanti stopped laughing and rose her hand: "I have a better idea. Let Robert finish off that Baronett sucker himself. Next week we will hold an official party and Admiralition from Neptune will be present. I just checked and Gregoray and Sara will be there. Inform Robert that his presence is required so he can''t make up any excuse."


    "What are you planning Shanti?" Konrad was puzzled.


    "Dear... You are too attached to democracy. I''m Queen. You are King so act like one sometimes. We are going to ennoblement Robert. He is the defender of Fa''enni space and a teacher of the future pride of the Commonwealth Navy. He deserved to wear the Noble title of Duke with pride. No shitty baronett will dare to pick a fight with Lord Admiral Robert MacArthur protector of Fa''enni skies!"


    Guardian started laughing and Konrad grinned. That will be good.


    Suddenly the doorbell rang. They looked at themselves surprised and Guardian told them.


    "It''s Admiral!"


    "Come in Robert." said Konrad and Robert MacArthur entered their room. He looked miserable, on verge of a total nervous breakdown. Konrad showed him a chair and allowed him to sit down.


    Shanti was very concerned. It wasn''t a good sign at all. He looked at them and smiled but only with a face.


    "Wrath told me your trio is plotting something. Guardian was tracking down my emails to some rat I wish I never knew or met. While Guardian was very careful he couldn''t fly under the radar of Overseer and she finally told me, very reluctantly and only because I questioned her. You have found out all truth. So now you know. You know it was my fault Marry died back then."


    He put his face in his hands and calmed himself a bit. Shanti couldn''t understand how Navy medical personnel didn''t notice the bad shape of admiral. But Robert was a good actor.


    "It was my fault she was there. If only I brought her here earlier she would be away from Novar. It was already over here- we won the war. No one could even remotely threaten us but I still wanted to keep her safe so she stayed back then in our home at Novar with newborn Johan. I decided to finally take them here when I used obtaining of modified Guardian for your use Queen from shipyards at New Amsterdam as an excuse to go there myself. New Amsterdam was just a few light years away from Novar. But I took only Joahn with me and allowed Marry to stay and finish her work. She wanted that so badly. In a few weeks, she would join me on Wrath. It''s my fault! I should took her! Guardian was already in transit to Wrath who was waiting in deep space somewhere between New Amsterdam and Novar. We heard what happened while docking. I... I moved Wrath and prepared a relief mission... I didn''t believed the initial reports. But everything was gone..."


    He covered his face in his hands once again. Broken and defeated. Shanti saw the problem first. It will not heal just like that.... Or will it?


    She focused the way Khrisa told her. She practiced a bit and was fairly sure she can use it now. She didn''t mind her shoes she took off earlier and came barefooted to sitting Robert. She flickered her fingers and there it was: blue orb- the second spell of Fa''enni.


    While the orb of healing light has a cream-white color and could heal the body the light of blue sky orb could heal the soul. In its subtle blue light, Konrad saw dark clouds swirling near Robert like some darkness that was trying to devour his friend. When she touched his head a black fog was pushed away from him in instant and disappeared.


    Konrad''s jaw dropped. "That was magic? I swear I saw a blue light in your hand!"


    "Yes, it was magic... No! Mana." she rolled her eyes. "Promise me you both to keep it secret until I officially show it at Senat."


    Robert started changing. His eyes struck with grief cleared as life returned to them. His mind for the first time since the death of his wife started working properly. All poisonous thoughts were instantly banished. He was finally calm and maybe now he will find some solution.


    "Thank you, Lady Shanti. I..."


    She interrupted him. "You are our Friend. I can say you are one of the architects or even only you are responsible for current safety in the entire sector. Robert, you are a Friend of Fa''enni, you are my friend. In the darkest days of our history when my race was doomed it was your fleet that first to brought armies of Humanity. It was your face that millions of surviving Fa''enni saw when you opened planetary-wide transmission. It was Your words that every Fa''enni will remember forever. Every child in our space is learning them at school. All of us know them!"


    She closed her eyes and tried to mock his voice: "We have arrived and it is time we perform our duty. By Terran law and according to our vow we came as defenders of Noble Fa''enni. To all ships besieging Fa''enni planets withdraw or face the wrath of Humanity. Forgot about your ground forces. Herby, I sign the death warrant and consign all your warriors to oblivion. Admiral MacArthur. Out."


    She exhaled and added in her normal voice "Drop ships with ground troops were already deployed to every single corner of our worlds. Not long after Xhrestla in their folly choose to fight and your ships opened fire. The battle was visible from the surface! Lines of high-density plasma fire and ionized trails of railguns traversed space, your ships were like harbingers of doom. That day your face was imprinted in every Fa''enni soul. You are one of the most important heroes Fa''enni have Robert!"


    He sat in a chair motionless. "I''m sorry I worried you over all your own problems you already have. Thank you Queen for whatever you did. I should go."


    She put a hand on his shoulder and said: "No Robert. I am sorry. I should did this a long time ago. Before you go, you must know that Gregoray and Sara will be present at the party next week. But don''t worry and ignore them. We are going to give you a weapon to fight all your enemies. Robert leave your dark past behind and live. You are surrounded by people who care about you the same way you care about us."


    He didn''t know Flynn and his devilish fiancee will be present at that party and clenched his teeth.


    He also didn''t understand what Queen meant by giving him a weapon.

 9. Medal of Honor

    Cadet Captain Crown Prince Thuel Uriel Raven was sitting with his friend Cadet Captain Johan MacArthur at a table very close to his parents elevated table in the grand hall built especially for this occasion on the biggest recreation deck of Wrath. Tables for guests varied in sizes from 4 to even 20 people big. They still waited for Anna and Luna as a steady stream of Humans and Fa''enni filled the hall.


    Thuel smiled as he watched nervous Johan checking if he didn''t forget the engagement ring for 6th time. He was planning to propose to Anna during the party. Thuel was wearing official smoking his grandfather have ordered specially for him. Most tailors would fail but the team of Fa''enni and Humans hand-picked by his grandmother were already one of the most well-known fashion companys in Fa''enni systems.


    Since all Fa''enni have wings and Thuel being half Fa''enni half Human was not an exception making clothes was not an easy job. Thuel was also bigger and much more massive than any pure-blood Fa''enni being a bit over 2m tall and 80kg he looked more like his father. Muscular and well build he looked like a hero or demigod from Human mythology. Perfectly shaped face have both Fa''enni and Nordic facial features. His eyes looked more like human eyes with Fa''enni glitter in just iris and were deep blue similar in color to his Mother''s sapphire blue eyes. His wings were usually folded on his back hard to see.


    All girls and women in the hall were already talking about him and Johan. You simply can''t overlook all these gazes. It once again will be survival and evasion maneuvers training for him. He sighed a little bit resigned.


    He looked at his parents table and their ceremonial thrones. He was thankful that Father allowed him to sit with his friends and not with them.


    Mother was simply stunning. She looked like a majestic jewel made from the light of the stars itself. His father was sitting beside her clothed in black and gold robes of Fa''enni design which meant that today he was not General of the Terran Army but King of Fa''enni. His personal power sword, an heirloom of Raven House was on his belt. It was the same sword that killed Xherstla Hegemon. Symbol of his father''s power as supreme commander of all sector forces.


    Closest to them sat Admiral MacArthur in his ceremonial Navy uniform and he for change smiled. As usually near him was his adjutant. What was surprising it''s how they were obviously flirting. That would be the first time.


    Naella D''astra was a cute and competent Fa''enni adjutant sent by his Mother 20 years ago to help the Human admiral with contacts with the local population. Naella obviously was in love with the admiral for a good few years now and did everything in her power to make him noticed her as a woman but with little effect or success. She was shorter than usually Fa''ennis are and was only 165cm tall. But today she was stunning- her flame-red hair were flowing at her back and looked like dancing flames with every move. Her green-like emerald gems eyes were sparkling with happiness as yellow swirls of golden glitter danced in them as she was talking with Admiral. Her face was very beautiful like only Fa''enni can be with a few delicate freckles on her cheeks and nose. Her vibrantly colored golden-crimson wings moved from time to time out of excitement. She wore a long sequin-like sparkling green dress that enhanced her already perfect figure. Naella must be very happy thought Thuel when he saw how many lights danced on her skin and stirred air around her.


    He looked at Johan and pointed at his father with an obvious question on his face. Johan just smiled and raised his both thumbs. Thuel shrugged his arms "If you say so bro" he thought. But Admiral and Naella looked really great together. And it was good to see the admiral finally happy since Thuel was worried about the man who was like an uncle to him.


    At the next table sat a delegation from Commonwealth Senat and Admiralition. He was surprised to see Grand Admiral himself leading the entire delegation. He was a massive 2m tall wall of pure authority. Admiral looked more like a rugby player than an average member of the Navy. His deep dark skin enhanced his white and gold Navy Ceremonial uniform. He looked like a young man in his 20 or 30 but in reality, he was 323 years old and was serving as Fleet Admiral for about 50 years now. He never was married. Or as his friends used to say he married the Navy over 300 years ago and he was absolutely dedicated to his work. He was also Duke and his house was almost as well known and old as Ravens.


    Lord Denis Makosso was smiling since it will be him to officially grant the Medal of Honor to captain Raphael Rosi and that medal is not given so casually. When Richard told him about the planned award he made all preparations to be here. No shady senator, not even a minister will give this medal, not on his watch anyway. Especially since He never was able to give this medal to anyone so God forbid any idiot trying to take the leading of the ceremony from him now. The last obstacle in his plan would be Fa''enni Royal Family but He talked before the party with young Raven and he already assured the old admiral that everyone will be honored and happy if he will lead the ceremony. He smiled.


    Near Grand Admiral was sitting Minister of the Interior Affairs with his wife. It''s a very good sign for the Fa''enni Kingdom if the Commonwealth delegation is so highly ranked. Minister and his wife both joked and had a very good time. His wife was stunning and delicate but no wonder since She was the daughter of Noble family from planet Avalon.


    Behind them sat their entourage with visibly angered short and little too fat admiral and his partner. Woman who did everything to look good but compared to the wife of the minister she looked rather pale. And if you try to compare her to any Fa''enni woman at the party she looked rather pitiful.


    He shook his head and cut off mana from his eyes. Now she looked quite cute and beautiful and somehow familiar. Thuel was sure he saw her somewhere but had no idea where. When he allowed mana vision to return she looked once again bad. That means she is a very spiteful and toxic person. He made a note to himself to avoid contact at any cost.


    Hall was filling with invited Humans, Fa''enni and AI. A table near Thuel was occupied by Overseer, Guardian, Wrath, and Dauntless- Terran Fleet Flagship AI. A little intimidated Guardian was sitting among legends of his kin but he seemed to be happy.


    Well as much as a set of fantasy armor may look happy anyway.


    Thuel heard how Johan gasped and followed his gaze. It was Anna with her family. Her Father was a head engineer and brilliant scientist. Queen asked him recently if maybe he could help with establishing a new technical university at Ra-Nael. Anna''s Mother was a field engineer in the marine corps. Her skills of jury-rigging were legendary and there was nothing she couldn''t temporarily fix.


    Anna was as delicate as Fa''enni with pristine white skin and with her pitch-black lightly curled hair she looked like a princess from old stories. She wore a straight silvery-blue dress that made Johan''s jaw drop.


    "Dude! Do something or you start drooling!" He whispered to his friend laughing, but he stopped as Lady Khrisa with Captain Rapheal entered the room.


    Lady Khrisa was not only the best friend of his Mother but also held the title of Duke of Fa''enni. So her entire family was a very rare example of Fa''enni nobility. Behind them was standing Luna.


    He almost dropped to his knees. Now Johan had to remind Thuel to collect his dignity from the ground. Girls took their places at their table while their parents joined the table where admiral MacArthur and Naella were sitting. After a few minutes, His Mother waved her hand and the lights dimmed and they focused on her and her father. Ceremony started.


    Shanti smiled when she saw Robert and Naella finally get along. Naella will help him leave the past behind and now when he finally allowed her to get closer her mana will protect him. She knew almost everything that have happened to the admiral since she was already his adjutant back then. Shanti made sure she learned about Guardian''s investigation outcome.


    When they talked yesterday Shanti saw the fire of anger in her eyes when she heard how the person she loved as a man and admired as a commander was gradually destroyed.


    When the Rosi family entered the hall it was time to start the party. She nodded to Konrad. He will start the ceremony and she will take it over. Konrad smiled.


    "Welcome everyone. Honorable guests. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the Alinti system over rebuilding Ra-Nael. Capital system and planet of Fa''enni Kingdom. We are gathered here to award War of Salvation heroes."


    Gathered applauded. Everyone who knows Konrad Raven knew he doesn''t like official speeches. He continued.


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    "Before the start of the main ceremony, we Royal Family of Fa''enni wish to grant long due award to a man who should be awarded so long time ago."


    Lights went off and a gigant 3d recording was displayed above the crowd. Everyone saw Xhrestla ships laying waste to the planet below. It was Ra-Nael and it was burning. The recording was taken by one of a few surviving satellites during the siege. Grand Admiral watched with disgust how over 1000 ships were razing a single defenseless planet. Suddenly flashes of hyperdrives were seen when Humanity Fleet dropped from hyperspace. A ping of system-wide open transmission was heard and Robert''s hologram filled the air. He spoke the same words Shanti reminded not so long ago. Robert with his calm voice in which you could hear steel will and ager speaking:


    "We have arrived and it is time we perform our duty. By Terran law and according to our vow we came as defenders of Noble Fa''enni. To all ships besieging Fa''enni planets withdraw or face the wrath of Humanity. Forgot about your ground forces. Herby, I sign the death warrant and consign all your warriors to oblivion. Admiral MacArthur. Out."


    Fleets were facing each other but Terran''s gigantic ships were swiftly heading toward orbital blockade positions. It was clear they wanted to cut the planet from enemy forces. A few seconds later first Xhrestla dreadnoughts opened fire. But at the same time slower than the rest of his Fleet Wrath arrived towed through hyperspace by ten dreadnoughts. Once again open transmission ping was heard and only the voice of MacArthur was heard this time.


    "This is Admiral Robert MacArthur from Terran Commonwealth Navy combat planetoid Wrath speaking. To all lizards: you have chosen death, and by the authority given by Terran Senat I gladly accept your declaration of War."


    His ships were still silent. Grand admiral nodded his head with admiration. This Boy was talented and able to maintain discipline. He was starting to change his opinion. The recording focused suddenly on a crystal clear frame, the recording for sure was taken on Wraths bridge. Robert was sitting relaxed but you could see flames of anger in his eyes. Suddenly one voice pierced and silenced everyone on the bridge. It was Wrath''s voice full of primordial anger.


    "Admiral MacArthur. Dropships were deployed as ordered and ground forces are already engaging Xhrestla forces." MacArthur simply nodded his head and said with a voice cold as void.


    "All Warships open fire."


    Grand Admiral had never seen these logs. He should have. Gregoray will have to explain himself. He started becoming angry. Lights slowly illuminated the room. All gathered started applauding when lights highlighted Admiral and Naella alongside him. Robert had no idea what was going on. Why Shanti and Konrad did this...


    ''What weapon Shanti planned to give me?'' crossed Robert''s mind but he heard Shanti''s voice in his implant. "Robert trust me now! Take Naell''s hand when we ask you to come to us! You are stronger together" he turned his head toward Queen and saw nothing except an official expression on her face. A second quick transmission pinged in his head. "Go for it, Dad! Catch that chance! Check your left pocket!" what the? In his left pocket, he found the ring with a flaming red ruby. Johan... So even you was involved in this plot? He smiled. Queen softly stepped down and gestured toward Admiral.


    Gregoray was watching with furry as his enemy was glorified. It should be him! But they will give him some medal and that changes nothing. Ever since the academy that trash robbed Gregoray of all glory and honors, even became admiral before him and received command over the Fleet that first helped Fa''enni during the invasion. Later he was elevated to brand new 230th fleet Commander. He was furious. But no medal will save him! He has signed a warrant of his shameful discharge from the Navy. Gregoray smiled with satisfaction. He will just need any excuse...


    Shanti smiled when Robert and Naella came together. She addressed the entire hall.


    "Honorable guests!" she nodded toward Grand Admiral and Minister who nodded her back with respect.


    "Our great Friends from Terra! We gathered today at this cheerful ceremony to award the heroes of Fa''enni! But before any other heroes will be decorated we, Royal Family want to award Hero whose valorous actions never stopped! Who dedicated himself to orders given a long time ago and so far away! The hero whose daily struggle is keeping safe entire sector! Admiral Robert MacArthur and his close friend and aid Nealla D''astra!"


    She started clapping her hands and every Fa''enni started vigorously cheering, humans more reserved but with the same sympathy. After a while, Queen continued with Konrad standing behind her.


    "With all my court and ministers we have debated a long time. How we can award a man who have everything? How we can repay you for your neverending work?"


    She turned to her husband and took his sword he hold ready. "I First Queen of Fa''enni, acting with the will of the Royal Family and according to expectations of my people I elevate you our Hero as Noble."


    She put a powered down sword on kneeling Robert''s shoulder and warmly smiled. Robert smiled back and felt the warm touch of Naell on his left arm. She was always near him but he never allowed himself to embrace her affection. But she was patient. Her warmth was filling his heart giving him strength.


    Shanti was right, with her he was stronger.


    Konrad put his hand on Shati''s and closed her hand holding the sword in his own hand. Konrad and Shanti in unison said:


    "We herby grant you the rank of Duke. May your Noble line protect the Fa''enni Kingdom from today till the end of time Lord Admiral Robert MacArthur!"


    Still kneeling Robert addressed his Royal Friends. "Im honored by this distinction. I will promise to perform my duty without fail. Thank your Highnesses for your trust."


    Queen and King smiled at him and He exhaled and decided to play for everything. One glance at Konrad and his friend nodded with best wishes in his eyes. Robert was still kneeling when Royal Family was returning to their thrones.


    All hall waited for his speech but he turned to Naell D''astra and grabbed her hand. He saw tension and great anticipation in her eyes. She was trembling from the happiness that Queen allowed her to assist the man she loved during this ceremony. Robert looked into her eyes and started his speech still kneeling. Her heart almost stopped when she heard him speak.


    "When my Fleet reached Ra-Nael we saw fire and a sea of blood. When the war ended I once again was allowed to return to Fa''enni space. 20 years ago I meet the woman who always helped me withstand the hardships of duty so far away from home. Without her help, I would never achieve anything I did. Naell D''astra of Fa''enni will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"


    Robert took out the ring from his pocket and offered it to Naell. He really hoped she doesn''t dump him now because he will melt through all Wraths decks and outer hull. All women gathered breathed a sigh. Such a classic scene. But Naell with tears of pure happiness in her eyes took the ring and responded with a single:


    "Yes!"


    Gregoray Flynn was furious. Not furious, what he felt now was much deeper and much more toxic. Not only this trash in this circumstance will stay as 230th Fleet Commander but he received the highest possible Noble title! Not only this but also got such a gorgeous woman?! This should be me! Not him! No! No! No! He will kill him. No matter how he will be punished... No! He will challenge him in a duel. He had installed some top-of-line enhancements MacArthur doesn''t have for sure. He will disgrace that trash. He smiled to Sara and whispered, "nothing is lost don''t worry". But when he saw her here among all the Fa''enni women around She was like a dandelion in a garden full of the most beautiful roses. She wasn''t so pretty anymore.


    Konrad sent a quick note to Grand Admiral Denis Makosso. They nodded to themselves and the admiral came to the decoration podium. Admiral looked with pride at the grizzled Veteran whose exploits were already used as examples for students in all army academies in Commonwealth. Dauntless voice pierced the hall.


    "Captain Raphael Fiori! Atteeeention!" Raphael straightened up came to his position saluted and stand at attention.


    "At command sir!"


    Admiral looked upon all gathered and started the ancient ritual with carefully crafted speech according to tradition. At the same time, he will be one promoting that boy, he feels generous today.


    "Thank you, Queen and King of Fa''enni, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family. Welcome and thank you for being here today to welcome Colonel Raphael Fiori to his rightful place in the Hall of Heroes. Today is special because today we reflect on the true meaning of courage, service and selflessness, and honor a person who embodied them. There are many valorous stories of combat but the Medal of Honor is special. It is awarded only to the bravest among us. Colonel Raphael Fiori is one of them. We may use the term "hero" all the time, but there are heroes among heroes. And they are very rare."


    Eyes of all Fa''enni were huge from excitement. So this is how Humanity honor their heroes? Admiral continued.


    "These are people who, when presented with the option, chose others over themselves. This award is about offering these special souls our reverence as all nations of the Commonwealth and as a Military and ensuring that the best among us - their bravery, their sacrifice and their selflessness - are never forgotten. ''Where does that courage and selflessness come from?''


    We often ask ourselves. It comes from a commitment to others, and to the mission. Raphael''s willingness to sacrifice his life to protect those around him is fundamentally why we are all here: to protect each other and to protect our Commonwealth.


    We may spend a lot of time talking about weapon systems, technologies and doctrine, but our most important asset is the individual Soldiers, Sailor and Marine because when the blood hit the ground it all comes down to the individual men and women: their bravery, courage, professionalism, sense of duty and selflessness, all of which was so remarkably exhibited by this great Man. His actions resonate across time and place, inspiring us and fortifying our trust in ourselves, in our humanity, in our military and in our nations.


    Our nations are forever indebted to him, and this medal reflects the people''s understanding of a certain paradox: We only become truly great when we make ourselves the servants of others. With great pleasure, I present you with one of the greatest medals the Commonwealth can offer to its greatest. Wear this Medal of Honor with the same pride you made us when we heard your story!"


    All gathered clapped their hands and cheered. This speech was so fantastic that all AI already received many requests from almost every Fa''enni gathered for a copy. Few more soldiers and officers were awarded with lesser medals. Queen and King knighted also Crestfield Family with the title of Earl.


    When the official part finally ended Admiral and Naella joined Thuel and his friends.

 10. Petty ambitions

    "Son I can only say thank you." MacArthur''s smile was cheerful when he and Naell snugged to the admiral''s arm came to Johan. She proudly wore the ring she was offered which looked fantastic on her slender hand. One of the last heirlooms of the MacArthur family that survived all hardships of the time.


    Naella also smiled. "Mister Johan I hope for and look forward to our future good relations and thank you for your acceptance."


    Johan smiled but shake his head in denial. "Not Mister Johan! Im going to call you Mom and I hope you can see me as Son."


    She covered her mouth. All Her dreams come true after all these years. Robert approached Johan and stretched his arm over his son and confidently gave him a small velvet black box that steward brought him during the ceremony and whispered with a smile.


    "Your turn son. As you said to your old man before: go for it, son!"


    Johan gathered his entire resolve and approached Anna. Her parents stood nearby and watched with approval. His friends watched with a smile when he kneeled before Anna who happily agreed.


    Thuel was standing near Luna and cursed his fate that he will never be able to do the same as his best friend when his instincts warned him about danger. His inhuman reflex and speed acted in the same second as every present AI rose alarm.


    His hand moved with reflex drilled in endless training, his body moved with the swiftness of attacking cobra and he catched Luna away from dangers. She screamed in shock but when she saw it was him she immediately hugged him and laid her head on his chest. In any other situation, Thuel would be in seventh heaven but now he was focused on the assailant. He held Luna with both his hands so fighting for any human would be almost impossible.


    But Thuel was no ordinary human. He was half Fa''enni. His majestic wings stretched and all people gasped with awe. Normally flickers of glitter-like lights dance on Fa''enni wings, but if they are sad or angered all lights were gone or dimmed. His wings were unlike other Fa''ennis- bigger, stronger, and swirling shadows like black raven feathers in the air when he was angry.


    Now he was furious.


    Someone was trying to attack Luna and for this offense only fitting punishment is death. He spiraled into the air holding Luna like the most precious treasure and kicked the assailant with power able to shatter bones right into the face.


    "What''s going on here?!" the voice of his father silenced everyone.


    Gregoray Flynn was holding his bloodied face. Fury took away all his reason.


    "Do you know who I am you brat?!" he shouted with spite. "I demand duel of honor for this afront! I hope you are ready Robert because I don''t think this brat has enough standing to pick a duel with me!"


    Gregoray smiled with perverted fury. He will crush Robert here and now. He was surprised by the power of this Fa''enni boy kick. Fa''enni even augmented shouldn''t be this strong!


    Robert was not responding, he just kneeled with everyone else except that boy who kicked him in the face when Royal Family approached. That insolent brat was slowly descending on his huge wings still holding that stupid girl in his arms. ''Good'' thought Gregoray he will get them punished for insulting Nobility. That''s what you get for befriending this cursed MacArthur family!


    Grand Admiral approached as well and was first to comment. Exactly like he should thought Flynn.


    "A duel? Very well. It''s one of the Nobility traditions after all. No one can back off from a duel without disgracing him or herself. I must beg your pardon, your majesty."


    "It''s not a problem here, Lord Admiral" responded King Konrad and while still looking at the admiral added. "However I''m not sure if your subordinate is aware of his situation."


    Admiral without single hesitation responded. "It is the duty of Nobles to know the standing of ones around them. I will be responsible as a witness and my testimony will be absolute."


    King nodded to the admiral. "But of course Lord Admiral"


    The girl kneeled before Royal Family when that brat hesitantly let her go but he was still standing with fire in his eyes and stepped toward Gregoray. Sir Flynn was enraged. Such insolence! Everyone in the room watched them with interest and many whispers aroused. He ignored that stupid brat and looked on still kneeling Robert.


    "I demand duel till death! Right here and now! Chose your weapon, Robert!"


    Robert didn''t even look at him. Gregoray was triumphant. He disgraced him without even moving a finger! Now he will...


    "I accept your challenge! We will be fighting with swords." Replayed boy and unsheathed sword that King himself gave him.


    That makes no sense! Who is that brat?! Panic ran through Gregory. His implants rejected every single identification request even ones that carried military priorities. Before he could say anything boy took a perfect ceremonial duel stance with a sword hung motionlessly in the air pointing right into his chest.


    Boy introduced himself as tradition dictated in the absolute silence of the room.


    "My name is Thuel Uriel Raven, the Crown Prince of Fa''enni and inheritor of the great Home of Raven. You raised your hand on the purest and most delicate being in existence. Raise your sword or you will never again see the light of stars, forever bound in chains and disgrace!"


    Pure horror and panic struck Gregoray. Prince?! And what he is talking about? How Robert is pure and delicate? No. That girl! He swallowed an icy ball that formed in his throat. Maybe he will disarm the prince and somehow manage to explain himself. He saw Sara watching this in horror. He took out his own sword and stuttered out.


    "My name is Gregoray Flynn. Im Baronett and admiral from Fleet Operation Base at Neptune."


    Any noble watching this scene was waiting for the rest of Gregoray''s introductions but that''s it. Legacy of young Prince against such zero? That Baronett disgraced himself already.


    Admiral Denis Makosso raised his hand. When it drops they will fight. Queen raised her hand and these few kneeling Humans and Fa''enni stand up and moved to make room.


    Gregoray saw flames of wrath in eyes of everyone. No matter what he will do he is already finished. All his career is done even if he somehow survives. So even Fa''enni are plotting against him! Yes, yes! If he is going to die here anyway he will take this insolent brat with him. He jumped toward Prince without waiting for the mark. He will kill as many foul creatures as he can!


    Thuel was already calm. Thousands of mocked duels with masters of weapons prepared him for occasions like this. He was focused and ready. His opponent jumped without mark disgracing himself entirely but Thuel was waiting for his attack anyway. His father and grandpa always punished him for mindless rushing during duels, before attack check your opponent! This opponent was however predictable.


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    Thuel parried his strike without effort. He moved delicately. One step. His opponent''s sword parried and pushed away landed in a useless position away from him or his opponent''s body unable to parry anything. Changing balance. His own sword already was in the position to strike. Half step. Short elegant thrust right into the enemy''s heart. End of step. His sword freed from the enemy was already ready for the next strike but it wasn''t necessary. His opponent gasped and fell to the ground dead before he could understand what happened.


    Thuel was lightning fast. When it was obvious that the duel is over he cleaned his father sword and put it back into the sheath. Marines from Royal Guard picked up the body and without any remarks or sorrow took it away.


    Admiral Makosso doesn''t even have to rise his voice: "Winner is Prince Thuel Uriel Raven!"


    Applause arose around and people returned to the party. Sara started screaming and was quickly taken away by Admiral Makosso''s aid so she could calm herself.


    Admiral kneeled before Royal Family. "I''m deeply sorry Your Hignesses on behalf of my subordinate who so deeply insulted our dear allies. I''m also sorry I failed to prevent this scandal from happening. I was aware of his adverse feelings towards Admiral MacArthur but I would never suspect he would do such a thing! I deserve any punishment you judge fitting for my overlook."


    Thuel was surprised when his father gave him a signal that he should respond. He gathered his thoughts, carefully picked words, and answered with great respect. Before him was kneeling Noble with a name decorated by endless victories and honors.


    "We accept your apology. It was him who attacked without reason innocent and unarmed woman and insulted Fa''enni Royal Family. He received the punishment he so much craved for others. I can''t blame others for his madness and crimes. Please Lord Makosso raise and return to the party. I''m sure all gathered here wish to talk with you or listen to tales of your many battles. There is no need to look for guilt where there is so little of it. We are bound to make mistakes and learn how never repeat them again."


    His father nodded with not only agreement but with pride as well. His Mother was shaken and worried but smiled at him as well. Her Son was a mighty warrior like his father. Born to be King.


    The Minister of Commonwealth Internal Affairs was very, very happy with the outcome. That idiot finally got himself killed but it''s up to him to clean the mess now. Now he must convince all Fa''enni that such duels are not only a rarity but life should never be at stake. He sighed and hoped that political recoil will not be huge. But Prince is a piece of art. Such elegance, grace and efficiency. He didn''t doubt that this will help in his career. No one will joke about how Fa''enni are weak or unable to fight and kill opponents. That piece of shit was finally useful for Commonwealth after deacades of beeing untouchable since someone from his family was one of the most prominent senators.


    Luna with a heavy heart watched Thuel accepting a duel and was about to fight with a Human noble. Humans are warriors of legendary skills and power. And this one is admiral! Almost the highest rank in Fleet! He must be very dangerous. She prayed to the stars for all blessings. But before she could be worried for real Thuel already defeated Human. He was so fantastic. She knew she is probably watching Thuel this close for the last time. Somewhere inside her, she hoped that man would kill her so she could die in Thuels arms. But Thuel removed her from any harm''s way before she even was aware of any danger. When he hold her in his arms she didn''t want to let him go. She wanted to cry.


    Yesterday her Mother with a smile informed her she already decided who will be her husband. It was Fa''enni''s custom and she hoped her Father would stop this but he only told her she will be able to decline if the man she is about to meet will be not to her taste. At least her father gave her a choice and she was thankful for it. She promised herself that she will dance every single dance with Thuel. But instead, this happened. She was only briefly able to thank him before they were split.


    Party was near its end when Queen and King asked for attention.


    "As some of you are aware, there is one old Fa''enni custom. As old as my race remember and it is put on the shoulders of every Fa''enni Mother. Responsible called Aha''aris."


    Luna opened her eyes with fear. Of course, Thuel also will be affected by Aha''aris. Her heart almost stopped. She was looking at the face of any Fa''enni or Human girl hoping she will see who picked Queen''s interest and will be bethroned to Thuel. Thuel was standing near his father. She barely could see him from afar but He looked so sad. She was with her father who was talking with an old friend from Nova Roma. Her Mother was gone for quite some time now, the last time she saw her she was talking with the Commonwealth minister''s wife.


    Queen continued.


    "Aha''aris however was changed. It''s no longer a tradition that will put such a heavy burden on our children. Before our nations met we Fa''enni lived only for a moment so Aha''aris guaranteed the survival of the entire race. But now we no longer fear early death. However, Aha''aris is our tradition. The tradition that we made a new. Now our children can decline the will of mothers."


    Thuel soul dropped into oblivion. Maybe this will be better? Since it''s my Mother''s choice I will simply accept. It will be better than being alone but... No. He will and have to decline. He can''t rob others of their happiness. It''s his duty to protect all Commonwealth Citizens. He felt the heavy comforting hand of his father on his shoulder. Thanks, dad... If you told me before I would allow that mad admiral to kill me in the duel.


    All girls and women held their breath with anticipation. Maybe by some miracle, it could be one of them?


    His Mother finished and pointed somewhere afar. "With great pleasure, I would like to introduce you to Lady Luna Gina Rosa daughter of the Noble House of Rosi!"


    Thuel raised his head faster than a snake and froze. An Avalanche of thoughts rushed through his head. She can''t do this to me! She can''t be this cruel! Not my own Mother. He heard a short scream but he couldn''t pinpoint its origin. He was agonizing. How he can decline his dream?! He suddenly heard a whisper coming from behind his father.


    That was... Lady Khrisa.


    "Lord Thuel!" she whispered "Before you do anything I must tell you this: Luna is madly in love with you and she will only be happy with you. As Mother, I beg you, just speak with her honestly if I and your Mother were wrong."


    His heart raced with emotions. If that''s true... He started slowly walking toward Luna. He wanted to run but he knew the wrath of his grandpa would be legendary. Besides if that''s true he wanted to survive long enough to be happy with her.


    Luna was in despair as Queen continued her speech. When she heard her own name she cried in disbelief and quickly covered her face. She saw how Thuel was paralyzed for a moment but he was heading her way now. She was trembling with emotions and saw her father''s smile. He knew! He knew all this time! Thuel took her hand barely holding his feelings. She saw happiness in his eyes. They were standing there together and she knew that her dream finally come true. Aha''aris is not the same as the proposal. She will be waiting patiently now for this one question.


    Grand Admiral Denis Makosso was watching the next love story''s happy end and scratched his neck. Data about Fa''enni''s customs was quickly displayed in corner of his eye. He was prepared for the Medal of Honor party, not all of what happened today.


    Next time he visits this sector he will pack for any and all ocasions easter egg hunt included. He sighed and focused on his thoughts.


    Looks like kids loved each other but were or shy or holding so much that their parents gave up and took this matter into their hands. This whole custom has basically been dead for a long time so it looks like they simply used it as an excuse to pull this off. He sighed and smiled.


    That Prince will be a deadly addition to Commonwealth armies. Elegant, refined, and deadly. At distance, you can see old-school education. Richard Raven really was rooting hard on his first grandson. And this introduction! Ha! Masterpiece. Inheritor of Noble House of Raven. The old man finally picked Inheritor. While his youngest son was finally worthy of being called Raven then his only grandchild is an absolute piece of art.


    When that moron Flynn started all commotion he almost took out his own sword to slay this fool. If he would lay finger on the prince backlash at home would be legendary. He didn''t like the idea of stripping Robert from the command post but some influent nobles who feel they owed senator Rakin favors pushed him very hard and almost tried to black mail him to just take this moron with him. I should know where this is going. Flynn was the absolute opposite of MacArthur. Talentless trash who should pilot a dump truck for his entire worthless life. Thankfully he got what he deserved swiftly.


    In addition, no one can say anything about Robert anymore- elevated to noblehood by actually ruling Royal Family straight to Duke and not by the checky gathering of nobles who only technically can rise anyone and only to the lowest possible rank of baronett. Not even knight.


    Flynn... What''s more that moron challenged prince. And how? By attacking his about-to-be fiancee. Rakin will be dealt with. Dauntless already prepared for him a list of possible lords who tried to make him a scapegoat.


    And after that? Ha! Prince could ask for my balls for such a transgression. Instead, he treated me with respect and gave me protectional advice which by some morons might be treated as punishment. He is good. I''m gonna made sure Lord Thuel gets the best teachers on Earth. He deserved that after how he handled Flynn. I will have a little job for Felix Strong...

 11. Untangling past

    Grand Admiral Denis Makosso was in a very bad mood. It was exactly 04:56 of Ra-Nael time and he was already on his feet since 04:00 when Dauntless according to his own order woke him up with the news.


    Makosso had to wake up everyone. He was very tempted to rise combat alert for the entire Terran Commonwealth Fleet even but with the data he had it would be questionable. He looked at reports given to him by Dauntless once again. One report he should have got twelve years ago. He was furious.


    This whole fiancee of now-dead Gregoray Flynn was 40 minutes ago arrested for treason and will spend the near future in the interrogation room. Sara Lovish will spill everything she knows about Flynn, his connections and hers.


    He doesn''t care that her lawyer wants to go public with this. He send him a note on how bad the situation for this sorry TV star is and how bad it will be if it goes public.


    Their choice.


    He was so angry he was wondering how he still is not yelling. No this can''t wait, he prepared entire series of dispatch orders and send them to Neptune.


    "Dauntless give me MacArthur immediately. Check if he is not ''busy'' and gave him five minutes max just in case but I''m going in virtual."


    "Yes sir. But virtual?"


    "Yes, Dauntless. Virtual. Time maybe is not essential but I don''t want to waste an hour for transfer to Wrat or him here."


    Exactly two minutes later Dauntless reported.


    "Admiral was asleep with his fiancee. They are ready now for transmission. Im opening the link now."


    Admiral smirked. Thanks to implants such virtual connection was easy and almost as good as in person. He closed his eyes and opened them in the office of admiral MacArthur as a 3d hologram similar to one used by AI, indistinguishable from his physical body. Virtual visits were less popular since simple direct calls from implant to implant worked as well. The virtual visit was much more official and Makosso needed this right now for his own sanity.


    MacArthur and his adjutant-fiancee were wearing perfectly prepared immaculate uniforms like they were waiting for his appointed visit. Makosso shook his head in disbelief at how such excellent officer was overlooked and once again cursed the ghost of Flynn.


    "Rise and shine admiral. We start working early."


    "Good morning Grand Admiral. How we can help you today?" started Robert maybe not very officially but in the same tone as him.


    "I am calling you because of Flynn." Makosso was pleased- a good man always can read a room. Robert tilted his head and didn''t say a word he was just waiting for more information. Admiral Makosso continued.


    "Yesterday morning when we entered the system, Dauntless according to fleet procedures linked himself with Wrath. We exchanged data and Dauntless decided he will update the entire data core with all unmatching data. Today at 04:16 Sara Lovish was arrested and charged with treason."


    MacArthur was unprepared for this.


    "What was the reason? She was a toxic snake but I hardly can imagine her committing treason, sir."


    "Gregoray Flynn and Sara Lovish are guilty of treason. Since he is dead may he rot but for sure I will not allow for peaceful rotting! Now she must answer for most of his crimes as an accomplice." Grand Admiral calmed himself and continued. "Somehow that trash Flynn was hoarding all reports from your fleet, MacArthur, forwarding only bad news. The evaluation algorithm exploded recently when Queen Shanti and King-General Konrad Ravens send their official letter full of superlatives and asked for awarding you with a Cross of Merits. That was the reason why all actions against you derailed and land in the trash bin."


    Grand Admiral watched Robert silently nod while Naella was furious and glitter in her eyes did some funny things.


    "So that''s the reason Headquarters never responded to any questions or requests." MacArthur hissed angrily.


    "Yes, Admiral. For little over 20 years we didn''t received 90% of your reports. We are investigating how it was even possible. Dauntless is trying to figure out how headquarters AI allowed for manual assessment of reports from the numbered fleet. In the initial investigation, we found hard evidences of Sara Lovish''s involvement as she even urged Flynn to fabricate reports unfavorable to you. And in light of few reports we didn''t obtained that meant treason."


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    "I''m glad Admiral Makosso she will receive fitting punishment but I doubt that is a reason you wanted to see me at" Robert checked time "05:00 Ra-Nael time sir."


    This boy is good. No wonder he was described as Pride of Navy School when Makosso got him under his command. How pride of the Academy in such a short time could become a useless muffin? He was so angry he didn''t found time earlier to check this all out. He can start fixing not only his reputation but relations with a young and very promising admiral.


    "Drop that Grand Admiraling or other formality. Names Denis. And since we now are both Dukes we can use our names, Robert."


    Robert was intimidated by the older admiral''s directness. And He marked shaking avatar''s outstretched hand happily. He carefully and with respect started.


    "I''m honored, Denis. But what report exactly started this commotion?"


    Denis grinned and explained. "Not one but all series of them. We know Flynn had a draft of a report in which he wanted to claim all credit for your findings but it was so checky he couldn''t dream it would pass so it was still under fabrication when Prince send him straight to hell. I meant Voyager incident and all connected."


    Robert''s eyes got bigger. Naella put her hand on his arm and calming warmth engulfed him.


    "We thought you dismissed our report..."


    "Ha! Robert if I saw it twelve years ago I would move 30 hunter fleets and install myself on sector command! And that''s exactly what should I do now but you have played all cards perfectly and it seems like you don''t need me here anymore. If I already wouldn''t have a son adopted I would took you as my own!"


    Roberts and Naell''s jaws dropped in unison.


    "Don''t do funny faces kids. You probably saved billions of lives in this sector Robert! That fucker Flynn actually helped you two times!"


    "Two? What are you talking about? He hated me since 1st grade in Navy Academy."


    "At least two times come to my mind! First for your personal life and second when he cut you off from headquarters and you had to organize everything by yourself."


    Naell was first to recover from the shock and asked with her melodic Fa''enni voice.


    "What do you mean by he helped Admiral MacArthur with his personal affairs, sir?"


    Denis Makosso smiled with approval of her professionalism. He read all data about Naella D''Astra and he was pleased.


    Ensign yes?


    Fa''enni not so long ago didn''t have any concept of military or formal etiquette. But they are learning fast and she is very good, no wonder Robert was holding her so long as adjutant. He pointed his head at MacArthur.


    "Without his meddling MacArthur a long time ago would be transferred to my headquarters. You are too good to be left unchecked but it''s too late to take you away now and I don''t feel like arguing with Ravens is a good idea. So about 10 or 9 years ago I would snatch your boy from here and I don''t think you could follow him, Ensign. And since I have found all the missing puzzles I plan a very exciting carrer for him so be prepared."


    Then he pointed his big finger directly at her. "Also citing 100% male crew on Dauntless, married guys included "did you saw that insanely sexy Babe that was with MacArthur on the party? No?! Look, just look on this holo!" and "I would happily apply for this mission myself back then if they told me how otherworldy sexy Fa''enni girls are" end of quotes. Also when we speak in private or without an audience drop that sirs and other formalities Ensign. That''s an order."


    Naell''s face started being all red from the bottom of her chin to the tips of her elvish-like Fa''enni ears, she covered her face in her hands in embarrassment which make her look even cuter.


    "I shouldn''t have asked..." She murmured from behind her hands.


    Robert was a bit embarrassed but let''s face the truth, for the last 20 years he saw or hear all possible options of such remarks. Without commenting he pointed to Naell chair since all the official aspects of this visit were thrown out of an airlock. He tried to guess what could be second but guessing was not needed.


    "So the second time he helped me would be why this entire situation is treason? Cutting me from high command?"


    Denis nodded.


    "Almost correct. If not for what you have found that moron would be just dispelled from the Navy with the scandal around him. Maybe he would face some charges for incompetence or ill will but that would be max 10 years. No Robert. What you have found and you described as "Shadow" is one of the top secrets of the Navy and the reason for our shame that ended in Novar incident."


    Robert''s eyes narrowed and his heart almost stopped. Naella feeling his emotions quickly grabbed his hand. His heart started beating once again as he regained control.


    Denis watched with interest. He must dig out some data but it looks like she is able in some paranormal way to calm and aid Robert.


    "Did you just said that Shadows are responsible for Novar?" He asked very quietly.


    "We don''t know!" responded the old admiral angrily. "But we saw exactly the same pieces of evidence of stealth systems as you in very classified records recovered from ruined satellites from the system!"


    Robert was trying to remain calm. He knew if not for Naella and her Fa''enni magic he would already be ordering all his fleet to hunt for shadows. He closed his eyes still holding Naell''s hand as his only lifeline. He thanked Shanti for putting this woman at his side and blessed his son for pushing him to propose to her. All memories of his friends and family flashed before him. He was calm once again. He look with love and gratitude toward Naell and smiled. She breathed heavily and looked exhausted but smiled back. He looked at Denis.


    "In that case, you should join us on Wrath, sir. Until you decide otherwise and talk things with Queen it''s classified and for your eyes and knowledge only Denis."


    "And I was about to tell you real news why you had to see me at such an hour. Very well but better be it good. Then see you in about 2 hours. I guess we both need some preparations."


    He looked concerned about Naell, quickly saluted to Robert and when they both saluted him back he said.


    "Make it 3 Robert. She is exhausted and you will need adjutant. Denis Makosso. End of transmission!"

 12. Human Soul

    Admiral avatar disappeared.


    When Robert saw Naell''s state he simply took her in his arms and asked her with concern.


    "What happened Naell? I felt your presence back then and I think it was your magic that held my rage at bay. Thank you my love for your assistance, but what happened? Why are you so tired?"


    Naell breath eased up, she hugged him and started crying. He took her to his bed. He will just drink one more coffee this day. Naell finally calmed down and slowly started talking.


    "When I first time used my mana so you could overcome your anger that was nothing. Like blowing down a candle Robert." She hugged him even tighter and whispered. "But the second time when Admiral mentioned Shadows and..."


    She hesitated, didn''t want him to feel this ever again. Robert told instead since He was able to say it now normally


    "Shadows and Novar?"


    "Yes, Robert... It was horrifying! I never felt such fear in my entire life. Even when I was hiding in the ruins of my home back when Xhrestla killed my parents when I was almost found. But this... Robert, it was like standing on the verge of a bottomless void full of darkness. And in the bottom of that darkness I finally saw flames and millions of tormented souls. This was hell? It must have been! I saw a dark-blooded fang emerging from it aiming straight for me and I couldn''t even close my eyes. And then I heard your voice calling me. Suddenly shards of memories... Your memories! Danced around me and shielded me from that fang. I saw Guardian and Wrath, some sailors and marines from our crew, saw people I never knew but somehow I know who they are, your parents, your chidhood friends, teachers, and all the friendly souls that ever blessed you. In the end, I saw Johan, Queen Shanti, King Konrad, Prince Thuel, Lords Rosis, Crestfields and finally Me and some woman but I couldn''t take a good look at her. All these memories covered void, barring all evil inside. It was so scary Robert!"


    She started crying again. He delicately laid her down on the bed and started to stroke her cheek. She calmed and held his hand with tears in her green Fa''enni eyes.


    "Please stay with me."


    He lay down near her. She hugged him and sobbed a bit. He hugged her back. She calmed down after ten minutes and fell asleep so weak and defenseless. He knew she is a gift from the heavens he didn''t deserve. He closed his eyes. In his dreams, he saw Marry who pushed Naell into his arms with a big smile on her face.


    One hour later he woke up. Naell was looking like she woke up just before him still laying her head like a delicate feather on his chest. She climbed on him and smiled at him when she saw his look. She hugged him and smiled to herself this time when one happy thought crossed her mind ''he is mine''.


    "Thank you, Robert. Thank you stayed with me."


    He smiled back. "You agreed to be my fiancee in front of the entire Galaxy Naell. I hope we will soon pick the date of our wedding. I will stay with you forever and ever and hope you feel the same way."


    Naella was probably happier than he was. She laid her head on his chest and pressed it hard like she didn''t wanted to let him go.


    "You Humans are so different. When you hate, you hate with all your heart. When you love, you love with all your heart. And you all really mean it. I envied Queen Shanti or Lady Khrisa so much for all love they received. I never hoped you will love me back."


    "I knew this for so long Naell. But I didn''t want to acknowledge or embrace your feelings. I didn''t want to hurt you. I thought I can''t love anymore after Novar."


    He closed his eyes and felt once again this too-familiar cold and anger deep within. But for the first time, he has absolute control. Shadows are connected to Novar somehow and he will find out how. He finally have an enemy to chase. His eyes shone with fire.


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    He felt Naell shiver and heard her surprised voice. "Robert how you did that?" He didn''t understand.


    "I did what?"


    "This void! It tried to break through again but you held it effortlessly. What is it, Robert? Tell me please."


    He doesn''t understand her... What void? What darkness?


    Unless... He focused.


    "I think I know what do you meant. We Humans never saw it or percept as you Fa''enni can. I don''t believe we are born with it, but we create it on our own during our lifetime."


    Her eyes opened wide surprised and fearful. How they can do such a thing to themselves? But she was silent waiting for his words.


    "I believe what you described as an endless void, this pit of darkness is placed in the souls of every Human. The place where we push and store all our grief, sadness, anger, wrath... Every single bad memory or emotion we have we keep it in this single part of our souls. And when we are weakest or furious all our inner darkness is unleashed. Sometimes we have control over it, we can give this darkness shape and purpose so we can use it to empower ourselves. But sometimes when we are weak, unprepared, or reminded of something particularly painful this darkness breaks its chains, overwhelms us, and sometimes devours us. I am sorry you had to face my darkness Naell. I am sorry you saw my own personal hell within me."


    She was speechless. She holds him tight afraid and scared. No wonder Humans are so deadly when angered. She always wondered why and how King Konrad was able to go alone and slay Xherstla''s most dangerous warriors- Royal Guard and Hegemon himself like it was nothing. Now she knows. She saw this power inside Robert.


    Suddenly she felt immense warmth from him. She closed her eyes and investigated it after a brief hesitation.


    She was standing in a clearing in the middle of a forest full of alien trees, full of unknown flowers, and strange creatures that must have been Earth animals. She had never before felt so safe and secure as in this place, overwhelming happiness was filling her soul. She want to lay down on this flowery meadow and rest when she heard splashes of water like a brook with small waterfalls. Over her head, she heard songs of unknown birds and when she looked up at the sky she saw it.


    The giant flame which soft light engulfed this wast place. So serene, so tender, and full of love. True love Fa''enni rarely share with others of their kin.


    All memories Robert holds dear, all the good things in his life, and all blessings he received were there. And in the middle of this flame, she saw two memories. Robert''s son- Johan image was constantly changing, and all the happy moments of Robert''s life were dedicated to his son. The second image was a woman frozen in time she didn''t know but recognized her immediately.


    It had to be Marry, Robert''s late wife. She saw her soft warm smile and her eyes full of happiness. She heard a woman''s laughter like faint echo but when she tried to focus on it she was pushed deeper into the light. Naell was basking in this soft light and with every second she drowned deeper and deeper to its center where she has found a bright ember and inside it she saw herself. She hesitantly touched it...


    When she opened her eyes Robert was watching her with concern.


    "You spaced out for a long moment my Dear. Everything is all right? Are you still afraid of my darkness?"


    She kissed his forehead. She had always wanted such love, but now that her dream had finally come true, she began to fear whether she would be able to return it.


    They are so different she thought. No Fa''enni man would allow himself to burn his own soul with love so strong it could pirce any darkness for others.


    But the love of Human is absolute and full of passion, she will have entire centuries to learn how to embrace it and return with the same passion. The endless darkness and brightest of lights are hidden in a single soul.


    "I''m not afraid as long as you are with me. Not only darkness hides inside you, Robert. I saw it. The force much more powerful than darkness. It was your Love and I believe I found a place in your soul where all good memories are held. It''s the most beautiful place I have ever seen."


    Robert was watching her with a smile on his face. He barely understood what she meant but he will probably never fully understand Fa''enni. Maybe one day...


    He was happy everything was fine. This short nap helped her to regain strength. She looked as if she was deep in thought and wanted to ask something but didn''t know how. But before he could ask her she carefully started.


    "Robert... I think..."


    "Hmmm?" He wanted to lay the entire day in bed hugging her.


    "I think I should tell Lady Khrisa about this light and darkness inside your soul. This may help with her research of mana Robert. Can I?" Naell was speaking slowly, uncertain. He looked at her surprised.


    "As long as you don''t gossip too much about me, that''s fine I guess." He smiled and grabbed her waist. She was slightly amused by his statement but smiled back.


    She closed her face to his and gave him a long passionate kiss. When it ended so fast she whispered to his ear. "I love you Mr. Admiral but we have to start preparations."


    He sighed powerless...


    Oh yes. Work.


    He almost forgot.

 13. Visit

    Grand Admiral Denis Makosso was surprised he is not welcomed at the parade deck after his combat dropship landed on VIP landing pad in Wrath hangar as most officers would do no matter how important or urgent his visit was.


    Admiral MacArthur, Ensign D''astra, and a representation of Marines and Sailors were already waiting for him in the safe zone.


    Denis smiled at how good it was to finally work with a professionalist. After exchanging salutes and welcomes from crew representation which lasted exactly as long as his patience allowed, MacArthur showed him to follow him.


    He was walking alongside MacArthur who looked like he never did anything else his entire life but was welcoming Grand Admirals on his ship.


    Absolutely perfect officer in pristine uniform and freshly updated lists of merits put to fucking shame at least a quarter of Terran Commonwealth Navy commanders. Denis knows maybe four or five Admirals who would be able to do what MacArthur achieved. Rest would most probably break down and return to the Sol system crying like little kids.


    Following two Admirals were their adjutants Ensign Naella D''astra and Rear Admiral Adjutant Pavel Sikora.


    They talked about synchronizing plans. Pavel was impressed with the level of professionalism that the young Ensign presented. She was 32 years old and was as good at this job as him. And he was Denis''s adjutant for the last 150 years.


    He scrolled briefly Admiral MacArthurs data two days ago and was rather disappointed. According to data MacArthur was hopeless and should be recalled from such a prestigious deployment.


    But after Dauntless downloaded Wrath''s data banks he scratched his head. When yesterday''s party was over and Dauntless informed about his investigation Pavel spent 5 hours cleaning MacArthur''s records.


    If not for Dauntles''s help he would be looking into two months of monumental work. Today correct MacArthur data card was finally published with a gigantic adnotation about Flynn''s manipulations and crimes. That trash Flynn was not only dead but half of his family is currently interrogated and will forever live in shame for what Flynn did.


    He shook his head with approval when he received all data he requested from Ensign as fast as it was possible. At first, he was skeptical when he saw her using a pad instead of fully using her implants. But after a while he was stunned by many applications pad was better than implants alone he didn''t even thought of. Their short walk ended and they entered the docking tube.


    "Admiral Makosso we are entering now Queen''s personal ship that was gifted to her by Commonwealth Senat. As you know deeply modified Valiant class dreadnought TCF Guardian was modified to act as a provisional government center. It''s still heavily armed and armored but most of its cargo bays, infantry, and crew quarters were repurposed. Infantry personnel onboard consist only from direct defense forces of most elite marines formed into new Royal Guard corps by order of King General Konrad Raven. The Marine''s garrison on this ship is reduced from a nominal 1000 to 250 marines. Guardian is still more than enough to face anything this part of Galaxy we know about has to offer. But I decided for maximum safety it will be docked almost permanently in Wrath. Queen appointed me 20 years ago as sector Commander responsible for void safety in Fa''enni space outside Commonwealth proper and General Raven approved her decision. All matters related to the void activities of this sector are entirely within my competence and are subject to my assessment. Citing Queen: "anything traversing void here is your problem Robert. I just want it safe around"."


    All that data about Guardian was locked. Not classified but simply locked. He would be thankful for this info as a novelty if not for the last remark.


    Makossos jaw dropped. He was standing in an airlock looking at Robert in absolute disbelief.


    "Are you telling me that local politicians not only authorized you to do your job but promised they will not fuck in?" His entire career Denis never thought it was possible. Politicians always make the simplest tasks complicated as hell and make 90% of his job as Admiral to talk with them and make them too busy to try ordering his Navy around. His face was full of pain and he doesn''t even cared if Robert notice this.


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    "Indeed Grand Admiral. And they even follow my recommendations and requests. General Raven is entirely in charge of any and all ground operations. He also supervises marines garrisons on ships."


    Denis stopped caring at this point how stupid he must look. Guardian''s main airlock opened and He saw Human and Fa''enni sailors with Human Royal Guard Marines waiting in perfect lines. Behind them, he saw Queen and King waiting for him with the Minister of Mana.


    After they entered deck, received a welcome and all the usual stuff he hated but this once endured for sake of good soldiers who did everything perfectly. MacArthur and Raven showed him inside.


    On their way to Khrisa''s lab, he noticed a section guarded by two marines in fully sealed power armors holding assault weapons ready to shoot.


    "What''s there?" Denis asked Robert.


    "It''s just our sector command, sir!" responded Robert.


    "Show me it"


    Marines power armors received all data they needed the same second anyone put their feet on the Guardian board. When Admirals approached they simply straighten for attention but didn''t move their hands from their weapons.


    Denis was so happy to see this. Most Marines would relax on guard duty in such a situation but these boys were sharp and ready.


    Judging from their armors and stances that are their routine and not shown of just for him. He entered the room full of focused Humans and Fa''ennis focused on their work. This had to be repurposed cargo hold. 60m long 30m wide and full of silence and work.


    He politely asked others to just wait outside as he just wanted to see it himself. Red-blue lights scattered through the ceiling indicated the "silence" status of the room. That meant anyone working here can ignore any passing by a superior officer, no small talk, no unnecessary discussion.


    Dimmed light ensured focus and perfect work conditions. Distant muffled voices were heard from time to time when officers were reciving raports, giving orders or instructions. Denis was watching this surreal scene bewitched- this is how sector command should look like. No one was jumping and happily saluting him as they didn''t even notice him. No one was stopping his or her job just to look at Grand Admiral in person, no small talk even at most boring posts.


    How long it took him to bring Sol sector command to a worse condition than this?


    He was still fighting with dissidents in Fleet Control. Denis was standing behind the officer responsible for a quick response when the alert on his console flashed. Admiral had to see this.


    "Alinti Sector Command. Commander Arthur Young listening."


    "Captain Zhruul Rdda from Cargohouler under Ioitian banner heading toward Terran Commerce Base ZZ453 asking for help! We have been chased by an unknown ship, our scans indicate its decommissioned Xarthlan frigate. This means they are pirates!"


    Denis watched and waited. He already saw the sensor section sending to Commander Young all data about the cargo hauler: its speed, technicals, current course, and even cargo manifest. It all took them less than 2 minutes.


    Impressive.


    Right now most officers would be asking fucking stupid questions instead of asking their superiors about dispatching battleships.


    "Captain Zhruul im sending you rendezvous coordinates. Confirm if you are able to get there."


    "Yes, Commander Young. We will be there in two minutes but that frigate is faster than we are. They will be just in our shadow."


    "Affirmative. When you reach 1st coordinates execute a standard evasive maneuver and head toward your destination. Stay online."


    "but... Thank you command. I hope we will be able to do that."


    Two minutes passed and Denis was surprised. Why this boy didn''t contacted his commander? He heard from the comms Ioitian captain.


    "We are in rendezvous location Commander! No one is here! What does it mean!? Pirates jumped in!"


    He heard the panic in the voice of the captain and rumors from his bridge crew. Suddenly surprised voices were heard in comms.


    "Sector command! The pirate ship opened fire but with no effect! Something is here! We are jumping to the destination in 10!"


    "Affirmative Cargohouler. Pirates were intercepted by Fa''enni border control forces. Safe trip."


    "Thank you Sector Command. Have a good day. Captain Zhruul Rdda out."


    Admiral wanted to clap his hands and he barely held himself. His communication implant already was receiving engage protocols used here.


    They don''t need any excessive communication, no pointless discussions, no bullshit.


    MacArthur''s doctrin was simple- he is holding task forces scattered at various points across borders and when shit hit the fan officer on duty simply redirect anyone asking for help to the closest, already ready and waiting task force.


    Once again: simple, brilliant, bullshitless.


    Task forces are changing positions daily and randomly so no way to predict where they are. Admiral left Comand Room with a big grin.


    He informed Dauntless he want to have a copy of 24h recording from this section. He will lock a few morons from Central in a room with this record on the loop and close door till they understood how well-organised comand center looks like.

 14. Traces in Void

    They passed a few decks and entered another repurposed cargo bay. Judging by its size this was once holding antimatter torpedos.


    Lady Khrisa goes straight to the point and showed Admiral remains of two older types of Fox drones held in a stasis field.


    "As you can see we hold these drones in a stasis field until better methods of investigation will be found."


    "I saw reports." Cut Makosso and sighed. "Finally."


    "Not everything was in reports Admiral..." She looked at Queen Shanti who nodded. Khrisa continued. "Everything you see here is considered Fa''enni National grade secret. That''s why only Guardian is present and minimal personnel. We trust you Grand Admiral Makosso and Rear Admiral Sikora."


    They both nodded waiting for details.


    "You have overall knowledge from official reports and from implanted memories during the time when over 20 years ago when our races were bonded by mana."


    Admiral Denis nodded but he never bought that all cosmic magic thing. He was not superstitious.


    "I see you don''t believe Admiral. I think a little presentation would be helpful. May I ask for your hand?"


    He shrugged and outstretched his open hand toward her. She used a small knife and cut his skin, his blood started flowing. He raised his eyebrow. Khrisa still holding his wrist flipped her fingers and the admiral was the first person from outside the Alinti sector to see the orb of healing light.


    When Khrisa touched cut with it, it disappeared like it was never there.


    "Ok. Im may be convinced." Said the impressed Admiral. He hoped Fa''enni will soon make field use of this.


    "We tested remnants using our mana. Thanks to it we were able to find traces of unknown particles. We were able to profile them and program scanners to rise an alert any time anything matching these particles will be detected. However, whatever it is we didn''t have any match yet."


    Admiral chosen this moment to interrupt her.


    "No wonder. Your resources are limited and spend so well that I can''t say a single bad word. Admiral MacArthur and King-General Raven I don''t like small talk so listen well- what both of you managed to achieve here in 20 years is still impossible to do by at least 10 sector commands after 150 years. And they have much more officers in the rank of Admiral or General to get things done. I think next time I hear any loser crying for more stuff I''ll send them the recording of your command room. Anyway! Using my authority I''m officially making you Sector Commander appointed by headquarters and not only local politicians. With all due respect Queen and King. Since now you are Senior Admiral. All official things will be sent here with the rest of your forces."


    "What forces?" Konrad know Lord Makosso since his early childhood as he was his Father''s old friend so he was not that surprised by how Admiral acted. The entire 230th Fleet should be deployed at Fa''enni space.


    "This sector command will have deployed 98th, 107th, 115th, and 201st with Robert as Main Commander. You also will get the 303rd, 304th, and 305th army with you as General and Field Marshall Lance Zhung-Li will agree. I guarantee it. Since you are King-General I don''t need to do dancing around Lance to get your promotion. Also, all research made here is financed directly from my office. I get you to wish to keep it secret but trust me."


    Everyone in the room was silent. The gravity of the situation first hit Konrad and then Robert. Konrad was the first to ask.


    "With who we are at war? You dispatched here Hunter Fleets. Shadows?"


    "Most probably. What most of you here don''t know is the fact it is not the first time we meet Shadows. Novar incident." Everyone in the room looked at Robert. But he was perfectly calm. The Grand Admiral cleared his throat.


    "Im giving you access to the biggest secret in Commonwealth." he looked at Khrisa and Shanti.


    "Secret for the secret."


    All gathered headed to Khrisa''s office with facial expressions typical of someone deeply focused on data implant. Fa''enni tea and Human coffee were waiting alongside various cookies. Konrad smiled coldly and grabbed coffee.


    "Self-service!"


    "If Kings say so..." agreed Grand Admiral grabbing a handful of cookies and heavily sat on a deep armchair. Exaled and started.


    "As you can see I''m both impressed and scared. I''m impressed by what you managed to set up just in 20 years and scared by the fact if not a simple fluke I would ignore your sector for the next 20. And God knows what could happen then."


    Queen Shanti smiled. She liked the old Admiral already. He was as professional as Robert but much more direct and confident. But what she saw in data declassified for their use was as concerning as much as their first encounter with Shadows. She asked Admiral.


    "Are you concerned with Shadows?"


    "What? No. With the firepower, you already had it would be hard to seriously threaten this Sector, and with everything, I''m sending here you should be more than good. If you finally catch someone who can be kicked in the ass just let me know. It looks like they want to play games with us so we will be doing it the old way. First, we shoot and then ask questions. I''m scared of what both of you boys would do here if that moron Flynn was still alive and cutting you from Headquarters! Your Sector command center is like a piece of art!"


    They all looked at Admiral without understanding. MacArthur had to know.


    "With all due respect, we didn''t do anything spectacular sir as far as I could tell. I used instructions you created for establishing command centers and used a few exploits and loopholes in procedures to shorten our response times."


    "Dauntless!" Instead of Dauntless voice of Guardian was heard with an apology.


    "I''m deeply sorry sir but sir Admiral Dauntless is not cleared for this facility. Due to Commonwealth safety reasons only AI that can access this facility is me."


    "No need to be sorry I just forgot. Captain Guardian forward all messages I will direct to Dauntless straight to him. He is with me for over 150 years so I feel like I lost my arm without him."


    "Aye aye, sir!"


    "Guardian forward to Dauntless I need all reports on the current state of all 20 Commonwealth Command Centers and their evaluation in comparison to the 21st Command Center located here."


    "Done sir!"


    Admiral blinked and everyone received data. Shanti and Khrisa had no idea what they are looking at. But Konrad, Robert, and Naella looked at first puzzled and then surprised.


    D''astra looked at MacArthur who hid his face in his hands, almost terrified. Konrad looked like he couldn''t decide if he should cry or laugh and asked.


    "So you are telling us that the Sol sector, Makeana Sector, and Alinti sectors are the only ones with working Commands? Even Grand Fleet Command is marked at 6.0 points? Oh God... Let''s see Makeana Command Control scored highest with 10.0 so max mark..."


    Grand Admiral was eating a second helping of cookies. They were good. Dauntless needs to get the recipe for his cooks but that can wait.


    "Dauntless! Wait..."


    Guardian replayed instead. "I believe Sir you wanted an explanation made by AI on regard why we scored this high in assession. The decisive factor is the old custom that Command Control commanding officer for the last 600 years is Rear Admiral Lancelot. Also, 40% of the staff consists of AI and I''m sorry but no matter how it sounds we are better at repetitive work and standardized responses than any organic being. Where we lack is intuition and impulsive actions. In that regard, Admiral Lancelot always picks up the most promising candidates from within the Command Center staff and after a long process and additional certification, they are replacing Admiral in charge of the Command Center when the need arises. Every system and department is always hand-picked and must excel at their duty. Sir!"


    "Exactly how it should look like! Thank you, Guardian."


    Deep pleasant bip signaled confirmation. Admiral shook his head. Even their AI is more efficient than average.


    "Second command center is yours, my boys! Alinti scored 9.4 points. 3 days ago I would say it is impossible for a mostly organic command center. But you did it anyway. And finally is Sol with 8.6 points."


    They all sat in silence. Robert cleared his throat. "Sir thank you for your prise. I checked the data and Hunters will be here in about 30 days. What I should expect?"


    Denis smirked. If anyone else asked this question he will be yelling. However, Robert was sharp. He tried very politely ask the most important question he should be asking. The difference was not what question he asked but how.


    He saw D''astra exchanging all important data with Pavel using the old school pad board. However Pavel was so impressed judging by his look and surprise, surprise he picked some free tablet himself that lay around after asking Lady Khrisa for permission. The amount of data they were coordinating assured him that she was an excellent adjutant.


    The Commonwealth was lucky they were in charge here and not some dummies from Central Command.


    "They are yours to command. I don''t care if you send them for a hunt or if you will reinforce our borders. I''m giving you enough firepower to do both. Also, you can triple your spending on research and development programs."


    He suddenly got serious.


    "Queen Shanti I will use this occasion and thank you on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Dashu''un project is a success- exactly what we needed. We already building them around the clock. 80% of light cruisers are already replaced by Dashu''uns and decommissioned cruisers are recycled and return to service as a new type of heavy sublight frigates. I hope you soon show us something new. Also, we would like you to project and build a new Carrier that will replace Venus class."


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    Queen Shanti hesitated.


    "If you promise me not to spill it..."


    Surprised Admiral looked at her but sincerely responded: "With a hand on heart Queen."


    "Guardian?" Queen asked softly.


    "Yes, my Queen!"


    Before Admiral 3d image was displayed showing two ships. First Fa''enni corvette Aria- wind before the rain and artillery heavy cruiser named Therion- lightning. All specification was at his disposition. He smiled with a very malicious grin.


    "I was joking a little. But this two are absolutely brilliant. Well, well... When you plan to show them?"


    "I wanted to show them at next year''s inauguration session."


    "Not good. In 5 weeks we want to pick some new ship designs as official patterns. And I want this two to participate. You can skip the Senatorial presentation. After your show with Dashu''un, we are all sold. If you bring these two in the same style you did last time most of our ship projectants will move here to learn. I know by fact that Dashu''uns are treated as works of art and almost revered as the holy grail of projectants. Also, there is always a battle among AI who want to crew them to the point where Lancelot, Galahad, and Parcival created special certification and graduation systems only AI understood, and only AI with this certificate are allowed to crew Dashu''uns."


    Shanti made a sour face but she wanted these ships to make the same success as Dashu''un. "Agree Admiral. I''ll order prototypes to be sent on Dauntless before you return to Terra."


    Admiral was shocked. "You once again built a prototype ship and no one found out? And you built two this time? I''m out of my shock reserves."


    He closed his eyes. Not all is lost if such fantastic inheritors are around. "Admiral MacArthur I''m confident you will use all your new assets with care and expected efficiency. I don''t expect you to solve this Shadows mystery in the free afternoon but if you do I promise I will not be surprised. At least not too much. I think mostly we are done here. Only two things to do left."


    Admiral stand up and all followed.


    "Rear Admiral Pavel Sikora! I look forward to your full evaluation and conclusions regarding the Ensign Naella D''astra Promotion Test!"


    Naella''s face remain unchanged but in her eyes, everyone could see panic. She was not aware of any test she could have recently passed. Sikora made a content nod and started with an official tone.


    "Practical exam started when Dauntless entered the Alinati system two days ago at 07:31 local time. At 07:31:05 we were hailed by Sector Command and after the IFF protocol was fulfilled we were granted standard approach instructions and system traffic information at 07:32. At 07:33 I received a welcome and introduction from Ensign Naella D''astra, the admirals adjutant. On a very coherent note, she sent me the general plan of the planned ceremony and asked if the delegation knew all the required protocols. When asked for detailed information regarding local customs and unofficial know-how, Ensign need less than 10 minutes for preparing all required data. And when I say all I mean it. The received attachment was crucial for delegation preparation as it contained data not only about Fa''enni customs unknown to the delegation but also information on minor subjects and topics the delegation should know about or avoid and why. In this single regard, She already excelled and gained max score for that part of the exam."


    Naella suddenly realized she is at the center of attention. She tried to remain calm. Sikora continued.


    "During the ceremony preparation phase, She prepared officers and marines responsible for acompaning delegation without any requests from my side and was ready for personal involvment if any need arise. However, all officers delegated were very helpful and competent which significantly shortened any procedure considering transfers or traveling in system traffic. It was flawless if I may say. At this time I discarded all our previous knowledge about the state of Commonwealth Forces in Sector and marked all reports for investigation. During the party, it becomes clear why such an excellent officer is still in so low rank."


    Naella felt her face turning red from embarrassment. However, she still stood at attention. Merciless Sikora continued.


    "During today''s visit, my presence is unnecesery. Ensign is fully capable of supporting all present officers on her own." He smiled and added waving with a pad in his hand. "She was also able to teach this old dog new tricks."


    After a brief stop, he concluded.


    "I''m pleased to announce she passed with flying grades. As Rear Admiral Adiutant responsible for all support officers in the Navy I request promotion in this situation. Congratulations Captain D''astra!"


    He saluted her. She was so happy and saw how proud Queen and Robert were. Meanwhile, Grand Admiral nodded and added.


    "Promotion request granted. Captain Adjutant Naella D''astra is permanently attached as Admiral MacArthur''s support officer."


    He saluted her when Pavel presented her with new distinctions. After this brief ceremony, Makosso smirked.


    "Now no one can say you promoted your own girl Admiral. And allow me to congratulate both of you for your future."


    Naella felt Robert''s hand on her arm signaling her she don''t have to maintain official protocols now and she relaxed. They thanked the Admirals for their best wishes.


    "Second thing we need to discuss is what we found in the data sent to Pavel by Naella. It''s not official so we can sit down again." started Grand Admiral.


    "From what I understood Fa''enni will never build any government center on the surface of Ra-Nael right?"


    Shanti blinked and responded nodding.


    "That is correct. We are finishing plans for an orbital station that will be our administrative center. But we are still not fully satisfied with its technicals."


    Konrad nodded as well. Ra-Nael didn''t had even a single moon, not even a bigger rock in orbit, only beautiful wide rings that looked spectacular at night.


    However, you can''t fortify rings. Even Commonwealth can''t do that.


    Building a space station will be hard since it needs further defense lines. You can''t use your own government center as 1st line of planetary defenses. They have builded planetary shields but without building Dyson Sphere they can''t build system-wide defenses.


    So far very complex sensors and fortresses scattered across the entire system were protecting Ra-Nael. Not to mention Wrath with all its ship complements protecting the inner system and swarms of drones that saturated the entire outer system. However, no human can say it''s enough. Makosso scratched his cheek.


    "What about building combat planetoids and use them as Royal Palace, Goverment Center, and Sector Command?"


    "Admiral I know that financing your idea should be doable with our income but I''m not sure if I should spend so much money when still so many planets need rebuilding. 3 planetoids are not cheap."


    "Why 3? You would need cash for 1- Royal Palace. Sector Command can be obtained from the Fleet and Goverment Center should be easy in senat. You can use for it one of your Atla Class."


    MacArthur was surprised. "Why? I can''t resign from them even if Hunter fleets are coming here."


    "It''s top secret for the next 36 hours but we finished a new class of combat planetoid. Overall it''s Atla on Steroids. But not all Atla are viable for refitting so they will be used as orbital heavy-duty stations. When you take out tunnel drive from them and most of its propulsion systems they will make perfect defense installations. Just prepare the papers and leave them to me. You can buy one decommissioned Atla or challenge your designers and build one yourself."


    Shanti looked at her husband. The idea of building such monumental ship as combat planetoid was overwhelming but Konrad nodded his head as if he was considering this. Admiral MacArthur deep in thought said.


    "We will need shipyards able to service planetoids anyway. I want to obtain at least two Newcastle pattern."


    Queen Shanti made a surprised face. "All our Shipyards are able to service and build Fleet Carriers. I made sure of it when we rebuilt our orbital shipyards 20 years ago."


    "Why no one ever told me?" MacArthur asked surprised.


    "You never asked and I was sure everyone know!" replayed amused Shanti.


    "In that case, I don''t need Newcastles at all." MacArthur was already reading the specifications of Fa''enni shipyards. They really were rated as planetoid capable by New Rotterdam teams.


    And he all this time was sending them to Bravo Stars for maintenance... Strange no one was pointing fingers at him for that yet. But looking at the amount of mess Flynn made around me no wonder.


    "We will do it." Konrad confidently said.


    "What exactly?" asked Shanti. She knows that smile.


    "Everything. We will ask for 2 planetoids and start our own program. Getting 1 repurposed as a station. The second not changed. Royal Palace will be mobile."


    Grand Admiral smiled. They think quickly. Very, very good. They talked next few hours. In the end, everyone was joking and smiling like old friends. Grand Admiral very liked these people and promised himself he will help them.


    They are avanguard of Commonwealth, resourceful, brave and patriotic. He was very surprised by Fa''enni.


    They really bet everything on Commonwealth and what''s more, they feel like Commonwealth citizens. All time trying to prove how loyal they are and Admiral knew exactly why. He was very old and had to work with all sorts of politicians for more than half of his life.


    The Commonwealth recruitment and selection process is absolutely meticulous. Since he was born he was raised as a Noble by his family, attended at first normal schools and when he was 10 he joined Military Academy. When he was 15 he was transferred to Navy Academy per his request where he spent the next 10 years. 10 long years of learning, honing his skills, gaining practice first as an officer then as skipper of smaller and bigger sublight ships on first combat planetoids.


    Then he was handpicked as one of the few chosen, best of best for a special course. When he graduated from the Navy on his 25th birthday his beast of beast group shrunk from 20 to 3 cadets. Merciless selection, drills, simulation and real combat. He not only endured because that would not enough, he had to excel, and pass flawlessly. And this was the price he had paid for the prize that waited on the end- title of Admiral.


    That''s how Commonwealth forges its Admirals. No political involvement, no favoritism, no mercy. But military schools are open to every child in Commonwealth. Prove your worth, gain education under the best teachers, and join Commonwealth Military. It wasn''t anything special in Commonwealth.


    Since not everyone received life-extending implants the easiest was to obtain them was by graduating from Academy and joining Army or Navy. It was a little treat, a small bonus for recruits.


    You sign up a contract for usually 200 years next 200 are yours to live as you want. If you are rich you can buy implants.


    But despite that, some parts of the Commonwealth shunned the military, as barbarians and low lives unworthy of living among them- ''enlightened pacifists''.


    But many kids join military schools despite that. Robert was a such kid. His parents were traders who were killed by pirates during their standard cargo transport trips.


    Robert was only 8 when he become an orphan but he already showed his exceptional talent. But he was living on a planet with no Military Academy on it so he was struggling his way up in a small peryferial school.


    But fate wanted one of his teachers to recognize his potential and applied for a scholarship. It was then Richard Raven noticed him. Since he was by chance on the very same planet doing some business he decided to pay a visit at his school and just like that he financed his scholarship. And after years MacArthur passed the same trials as Makosso had.


    He really is the best of the best. From the entirety of the Commonwealth, only a handful manage to pass. And this was the key reason why no one wanted to believe reports Flynn was manufacturing. Denis has been watching Fa''enni women consumed by fiery discusion on how to improve some things in Commonwealth sensors array using some of their own newly developed technology.


    He didn''t know Fa''enni from before the war, observation report made by scientist team described them as patient, wise and benovelat beings who crave for peace and wanted to protect rising Humanity.


    They kept secret of our existence even when their entire species was endangered. They could simply tell Xhrestla they discovered a new race and sacrifice us for their survival but they choose to hide our existence.


    The question if Humanity needed any protection stays as a formality.


    But Fa''enni protected Commonwealth as they promised and paid a terrible price. After the war only a bit over five million Fa''enni was alive. From a race that once was over 10 billion strong left only a handful of survivors. Humanity will never forget their commitment and sacrifice.


    And Fa''enni themselves changed.


    From the race that had the lowest aggression index in the known Galaxy Fa''enni becomes as aggressive as Humanity and we are the only race who is on this list twice. When we are peaceful and when angry.


    It will take millennia for Fa''enni to rebuild their population since Fa''enni women very rarely born more than two children during their lifetime. Maybe now when their lifespan extended beyond their wildest dreams something will change. He exhaled.


    "Thank you all for your time. Hunter fleets will be here in 30 days. Before that, in two or three days 2 Atla with skeleton crews will arrive here. Also, im gutting them from any support or combat crafts onboard as an excuse why they can be sent here this fast. Also, you will have only 1 AI and the 2nd planetoid will be towed but that''s not a problem."


    "Excuse me but how is that not a problem?" asked shocked Robert. You can''t even use 50% of systems without potent and experienced AI.


    "You already have AI for your Royal Palace."


    Silence in the room was not only full of confusion but also very awkward. Denis looked at them and patiently explained.


    "The Fa''enni Queen received TCF Guardian as a gift. Then it changed its status as Royal Family''s official vessel. AI Guardian have been proposed to be dispatched as permanent deployment to aid and help Royal Family. You can''t forget things Guardian so I suspect you signed the proposition alongside deployment papers. Congratulations Guardian!"


    "So this means I can take planetoid under control?!" Guardian was very excited.


    "If Royal Family allows you then indeed. However, you are still assigned to TCF Guardian. So it had to be parked 24/7 inside Royal Palace. If you want to hear good advice- reclassify that Drednought as Black Box and Royal Family escape pod."


    "Yes sir!" Guardian will be the youngest AI in history to take command over planetoid. If he was organic he would have jumped from excitement right now.


    Admiral was very content with all his findings in the Alinati system but it was time to head home.

 15. Hunters

    The end of an Academy finally came for Thuel.


    King and Queen were present and proudly watched not only their Son but every single student. Admiral MacArthur was giving his speech.


    "You are the first generation born after the War of Salvation to graduate from the Academy. You are the first generation born after a terrible war that brought almost extermination to all of Fa''enni. In that darkest of hours came Commonwealth and Humanity who a long time ago promised to always help and we almost failed. We shielded your worlds and saved everyone who we could. Back then we promised in front of the Galaxy that we will be Fa''enni''s shield since you can''t defend yourself. We promised to be your sword for violence is not in your nature.


    But here and now I can proudly say we were wrong! All Fa''enni gathered here once children now matured officers, sailors, marines or members of engineer corps stood proud alongside their fellow Humans. Graduates of the same schools passed through the same hardships and dangers. Most of you were born here and all of you were risen here. You are all united in a single goal- to protect Commonwealth and by it protect yourself and your families. 20 years ago this Sector was defenseless. Now Fa''enni Shipyards are producing ships that bring promises of safety and prosperity. 20 years ago Fa''enni ships were shunned and laughed upon by Galaxians. Now they are afraid."


    Admiral looked at young soldiers who stood proudly. They all looked at him back as he continued.


    "This fear is born from the knowledge it was their fault that Fa''enni suffered. But Fa''enni already took their revenge. You seceded from Galaxy Federation, severed all trade connections, and closed borders. Galaxians laughed at your decision behind your backs.


    ''It''s only Fa''enni they said''. But you joined Terran Commonwealth instead and become equal in all rights with Humans and AI. You knew that you can trust us.


    When Galaxians came to us to negotiate with the Commonwealth doors were opened and they were welcomed by Fa''enni diplomats and Fa''enni officers. And Commonwealth through them declined all treaties, deals, and offers. And to this very day, Galaxy can only beg Commonwealth for crumbs. We don''t need Galaxians! And this is their biggest fear. They all understood how you felt when they discarded your race. Now a new threat appeared as you learned during Academy, an unknown race is slowly creeping its way among the stars and Galaxians are afraid. They feel fear of being discarded.


    But Commonwealth is standing firm and strong thanks to the iron will of young people like you! Most of you will join the Navy and Army with the common goal to defend peace within our borders. But few exceptional students will continue their education.


    From our Sector 5 students were selected for the most prestige school and course. This year only 18 exceptional students were collected and I am proud that our young school managed to give that many!"


    All graduates cheered and they deserved their graduation party. In the next 5 months they will go to Earth and by end of October start their intensified education. From 5 accepted students 3 were pure-blood Fa''enni and they were terrified. They are going to Earth- a Deathworld which sole gravity can kill their race, earth''s sun sprays deadly radiation and its wild animals are death itself.


    Lurana D''nala, Riglu Khis, and Serfan Kuur were thanking Stars they will be with their friends who for sure will manage on such a planet. Johan MacArthur who was human and Prince Thuel Raven who was F¨¢e, half human and half Fa''enni. It was custom that elite students receive from their Sector Command one ship no matter how many were picked and that ship will be their base of operation until they receive command over their own ships.


    Queen at first authorized the usage of a Dashu''un ship but later she found out some other ship is built for them.


    They will receive Ra''Volta, a prototype ship that''s very existence was known only to a few people. Rumor said it was Wrath who classified its existence at first and helped during the project process and was supervising it.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    They all were curious what ship it will be.


    MacArthur with bloodied eyes was sitting at a desk in his home office reading Wrath''s intel data. All across Galaxian systems, minor incidents were occurring with gradual intensification. Destroyed transports, raided installations, or even destroyed military ships. While some incidents could easily be blamed on pirates some were for sure handiwork of Shadows. On the other hand, in his backyard, everything was at peace. He wants to go to sleep.


    "What are you doing at such an hour Robert?"


    Naella was standing at the door to his office. She was very drowsy.


    "Go to sleep. In the next 7 hours, your new fleets arrive and in my opinion, that''s a very bad idea if they see you half sleeping." He sighed. She was right and he is too tired anyway.


    Admiral was waiting for Hunters.


    Elite Navy and Army units which took part and were most persistent and successful during the Huluk extermination. Huluk were called Devours of Life by Galaxians and Fa''enni originally warned humanity about them.


    Humans however don''t know rules like ''be afraid of Devouer!'' ''they are so strong'' and simply hunted them down. At first, humanity proposed them peace but we were refused. They attacked us with all their forces and failed.


    Humanity was fighting all kinds of war throughout history while Huluk depended on attacking weaker races or overwhelming stronger with their Navy. But humans had a bigger Navy, better strategies, much deadlier weapons and much, much more experience.


    So we fought with Huluk but when our AIs breached Huluk networks we discovered how many races Huluk destroyed. In turn, we destroyed them. No trace was left. It took Hunter Fleets over 100 years but they finished what they started. Listening posts are scattered among the stars looking if any Huluk signal is left. And now they are here.


    Ping informed everyone on Wraths bridge that the massive tunnel jump signature was located on the fringe of the System. 40 Atla 2 class planetoids and 4 Defiants entered the system. All Atla were upgraded as Grand Admiral told.


    "Incoming transmission, Admiral." Wrath''s voice echoed on the bridge.


    "At once"


    "Alinti Sector Command, Hunter One speaking. We are new reinforcement Forces sent by Neptune High Command. We awaiting orders and details."


    Command Center was already partly moved to the old Atla planetoid, in the next two months it will be running as it should. The AI in charge of it was called Hestia. However, She is currently busy with refurnishing and this particular contact was to be received only by Admiral MacArthur.


    "Hunter One, Admiral Robert MacArthur speaking. Welcome to Alinti Sector. I''m sending you all data we have. As I liked to throw a welcome party we are in the middle of a little crisis just beyond our borders."


    "Affirmative Admiral. We received data. Then thank God since we don''t fit parties that well. What are your orders, sir?"


    "We need to increase our presence within the sector. I want 107th and 115th to replace 230th on patrol and guard duty until 230th will not replenish and refit."


    "Affirmative sir! Hunter one and Hunter three out!"


    "Hunter two and four?"


    "Sir?"


    "Good hunt."


    "With pleasure sir!"


    With this, all 44 Fleet Carriers vanished in turns. If they vanished at once they could destroy outer planets. Naella was looking at him in disbelief.


    "Just like that? I thought it would take hours to synchronize their schedules, dispatch them to patrol routes and give them all other details."


    "Just like that Captain. They are the Hunters. They know this craft better than anyone, they are elite. They don''t need me babysitting them. All my personal information was sent in with Alinti Command Center doctrine and protocols."


    She looked at him and tilted her head. She looked so gorgeous MacArthur thought and told her softly. "Naell, trust me. With any other Fleets, I would went through the entire protocol and all mess. Check Command Center status. How many new units do you see?"


    "They received data just 2 minutes ago. I don''t think... Oh, stars above! They are all logged in and connected. Even ground Forces are all green. They already reporting in accordance with our protocols." she looked deep into his eyes. "Who they are!?"


    He smiled with a very ugly smile she know too well. It''s the smile of a predator on a hunt.


    "They are our Elite, Honey. When they are unleashed it means that Commonwealth goes to war."


    She looked at her datapad with big eyes. She saw reports telling about building new nets of sensors within borders and listening posts that will be soon deployed at seemingly random positions. She was always in awe of how Robert was managing the entire Sector. But them...


    She glanced at her Husband. Robert was still smiling but she saw relief in his eyes. It looks like he finally will find time to go to sleep today.


    Naella smirked. ''Only if I allow him.''

 16. Towards Terra

    Guardian was finishing sending drones and refurnishing the last four sectors of Royal Palace was proceeding smoothly.


    For AI taking command over Commonwealth Fleet Carrier more commonly known as combat planetoid was the greatest prestige during their military career. His status as a member of the Navy was recently changed. He was transferred to Marine Corps and is now directly under command of King General Konrad Raven.


    All four recreation decks were preserved and two of them are currently rebuilding. Two bigger ones are sculpted to resemble the alpine mountain regions of central Europe. Full of forests, meadows, and even small water pools. Recreation areas were somewhat misleading name since they served not only for recreation on a ship. Green areas were used in the system of air and water filtration along with gigant hydroponic gardens and complicated filters. It was also home to many animals like deers and rabbits.


    First combat planetoids were not made to be battleships. When humanity reached the stars they faced a problem of cosmic radiation. No technology seems to work and shield them during travel through the space void. The problem was solved by Fa''enni many centuries later. But until then humanity had to find some solution on its own.


    They intercepted a gigant planetoid which was 500km in diameter and used it as a ship hull. With 1km thick rock around, cosmic radiation finally stopped being a problem. All inside was dug and shaped for the Human crew. A gigantic propulsion system was installed- at first hydrogen, then ion, and finally after contact with Fa''enni''s newly engineered vortex engines. Multigeneration Ships begin their journey through stars, at first with sub-light speed, then using FTL- first hyperdrives, and just a few years later singularity drives. Humanity put some point defenses on their colony ships but they never seriously thought about using them as battleships.


    All changed after Fa''enni warned Humanity about the incoming threat. All of the newly united Commonwealth started war preparations, and by that time first idea about using colony ships as weapons was considered after an incident near Bravo Stars.


    Old colony ships were repurposed as giant freighters, and that day one of them was transporting 900 fighter crafts and their crews to Bravo Stars for their new assignments. During the final approach, it came under attack by a large party of pirates who wanted all fighters inside. The closest Navy unit was three hours away. Instead of surrendering, the freighter opened fire with its point defense systems meant to destroy meteors that could damage gigant ship. Cannons were so powerful that easily shredded any pirate ship. Energy weapon output is limited to the power source it can draw energy from, and the colony ship had more than enough power at its disposal. This gave the time fighter crews needed to jump into action completely annihilating pirates.


    When Humans and AIs saw reports they knew exactly what they should do. That''s how the first combat planetoids came to be.


    Now their composite armor is made from high-density alloys and it''s hidden under a polished carapace made from stone in the thinnest parts as deep as 1200m.


    Peaceful at first and weaponized as usual.


    Commonwealth. Fuck yeah.


    Guardian cleared the other two recreation areas and ordered drones and gardeners to make there something more in Fa''enni''s home world biome. A lush green mix of tropical-like tall trees with huge leaves easily two times bigger than the biggest leaves of Earth flora. Compared to his old body this was so vast that he himself felt sometimes lost in it and no wonder- this ship was designed to be big and intimidating.


    Some people a long time ago compared its predecessors to Death Star from pop culture classic film that as usually depicted war. But that Death Star was so crude, so vulnerable and so painfully slow.


    Its planet-blowing laser was so.... vulgar. Besides how that could even work? That powerful laser would melt through a planet. It would still rip it apart but without such a cinematic explosion. And that''s only if laser energy would overcome the gravitational binding of the planet.


    And don''t even start with using something such fragile as droids for an AI body...


    Anyway...


    He was happy since his new body refurnishing was done in 78%. All weapon and propulsion systems were at nominal. Royal Palace had at this moment little over a bare minimum crew numbering just ten thousands one hundred seventy-five people of military personnel plus four thousand five hundred eight civilians serving in goverment structures. The government district was already functional in repurposed part of the ship previously used by army personnel of Atla class Fleet Carrier which varied from twenty-five to fifty thousand Soldiers and Marines.


    Right now King increased Royal Guard from 500 to 5000 Marines. Instead of usual fighters and lighter ships like destroyers and frigates Guardian was Armed with 20 drone forges. As long as he have materials in his vast cargo holds he can deploy all manner of drones. From spy and construction drones being merely a half meter long to drones as big as 250m destroyers.


    In the future maybe he will get a bigger crew but this ship is no longer a regular Navy Ship. Very soon Shanti and Konrad should decide on its new name. He wondered what they will pick while monitoring all communication in the system.


    In awe and respect, he saw the arrival of most Elite Commonwealth Forces to the system.


    He was honored to receive their greetings and welcomed them into the system as AI fully responsible for Royal Family. He heard how Admiral MacArthur perfectly and full of respect welcomed and unleashed them upon the enemies of the Commonwealth.


    He focused on his work. Royal Palace proper was still under construction and Fa''enni architects and designers overdid it. It was 4th time he had to hold their ambitions. He knows that Fa''enni recently found three planetoids of the approximate weight of twelve million tonnes made of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, nephritis, and other rare and exotic gemstones but really that is not a valid reason to use them all as decorations...


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    In his vast hangars, civilian ships were unloading their cargo or personnel. Only two ships were anchored there permanently. His old body TCF Guardian, deeply modified Valiant class Dreadnought, and TCF Th¨²nall Einstein class research ship under the direct control of Lady Khrisa Astana Fiori.


    When they were ordering the building of Th¨²nall no one suspected they will be able to obtain Atla class planetoid. In the end building ship so vast cost money and time, a lot of them to be precise. However, the ship was worth every credit spent on it. On Atla, they have more than enough place for building the mana research center.


    It was awkward until Lady Khrisa almost blew up the entire lab section.


    Now she has to conduct all potentially dangerous experiments onboard the Th¨²nall until further notice and preferably in outer space.


    Suddenly his sensors caught them again.


    "Artisan T¨²rell! Next time I catch you making a gemstone mosaic, I swear I''ll vent you out of an airlock!"


    Thuel was standing before the ship so stunning it was breathtaking.


    Ra''volta was not a heavy cruiser as everyone him including was betting. Soft lines make it pleasant to watch, weapon systems are perfectly hidden in the shapes of hull. As beautiful as Dashu''un it also has a low detection profile with deployable armaments. Its main weapon system was six monstrous railguns mega weapons.


    But these were not axially mounted as in similar human constructions, but thanks to Fa''enni technology they were mounted in two towers giving Ra''volta incredible versatility without losing any firepower similar Human made ships have.


    Its shields could withstand beating from Valliant class dreadnought and its armor used the same alloy as Fleet Carrier hulls.


    Faster than Valliant, tougher than Retribution. In combat configuration, Ra''volta was death and woe to any foe who in their folly choose to challenge this ship. Over four hundred smaller turrets with mounted perfect mix of weapons carefully picked by Wrath himself made attacking this mighty ship suicide.


    Over that Ra''volta was able to deploy the beloved weapon of Fa''enni - all variety of drones. Equipped with drone forge- a military-grade factory that used in its heart the most devious thing ever created by anyone- Nanites, which were able to build everything in record times but also destroy in the same short time. All protocols, safety mechanisms, killswitch, and continuous monitoring were necessary and carried by specialized servitude AIs, not one but four in any forge.


    Thuel was checking all his knowledge. Uncle MacArthur was dead serious when he gave him command over this mighty battleship. Black, gold, and sapphire blue hull proudly wore the crest of the Royal Family of Fa''enni.


    The Heraldry of the house of Raven was composed into Fa''enni Queen heraldry. Black Raven with icy blue eyes proudly stood on a tree of light made from pure eternal silver all on a deep sapphire blue armorial bearing. As deep blue as the eyes of his Mother.


    This ship and its class was named with the proud name of Ra''volta- the ancient God of Destruction from times almost forgotten.


    It was a fitting name for the first ever Fa''enni Dreadnought.


    AI who crewed this ship was underwhelmed by its systems being many times faster than Valiant or Retribution- two most prominent Commonwealth dreadnoughts types.


    Ra''volta was also very hard to detect.


    During exercises in the Alinti system, they were able to get past the first ring of sensors and only active scanners were able to detect them. In a normal combat situation, Ra''volta would simply destroy all active sensors and by doing so achieve total dominance in a system. No other Dreadnought or lighter Battleships can even dream to see them.


    "Thuel?" the soft and sweet voice of Luna brought him back.


    "Hello, my Princess. What brought you here?" he smiled wide. As always she was walking perfection. She was wearing a long white official dress of Queen Envoy. She was currently under the care of the Queen and was her helper and secretary.


    "Queen wants to see you. She was not happy so I wonder... What have you done my Prince?" She tilted her head and tapped her lips a few times while her wonderful silvery-blonde hair flowed freely like a river. Thuel make a quick examination of his conscience and was almost sure this time he is innocent.


    "I swear I have no idea! I guess she wants to see me now?" Luna nodded. And they moved to waiting for them transport pod. Thuel helped her enter and took his place. She smiled at him and laid her head on his shoulder while playing with engage ring he gave her.


    He personally mined diamonds, sapphires, and gold ore then asked the best Fa''enni goldsmiths for making the best ring for his love.


    Ring more even magnificent than most of Fa''enni''s creations. Fa''enni will never match AI in precision and patience or Humans in ingenuity or combat prowess but in the field of art, no one could match Fa''enni.


    Her ring ornamentation used floral patterns with sapphire gemstones held by diamonds shaped like steams of roses that shined with warm light. Luna was the happiest girl in the entire world. Their ride ended very fast.


    "Let''s go then." She smiled and replayed. "After you Thuel"


    Their pod landed near the entrance to Royal Palace. Guardian was powerless to stop Fa''enni designers and architects despite his threats of throwing them out of airlock but the overall effect was simply stunning.


    The palace was ''placed'' in one of the recreation decks, integrated into the ship''s hull, and looked like a majestic castle-like structure from Europe. Its representative part had a view of the recreational deck in the Alpine style. It was built of a real white stone somewhat similar to earth marble, but with gold-emerald veins and slightly creamy color.


    Near the entrance already Lurana D''nala, Riglu Khis and Serfan Kuur were waiting. ''It looks like whatever it is it wasn''t my fault.'' crossed Thuel''s mind. All three of them saluted him.


    They were much smaller than him or Luna. Thuel was a bit over 2m tall and Luna was 1.80m. While they were almost the same height of 1.7m. He saluted back.


    "Hello, friends. You also got an invitation from Queen?"


    "Yes. What''s going on my Lord?" replayed Lurana. She was very anxious.


    "No idea. Let''s get inside and see."


    "Wait for me!" Johan yelled at them jumping out from his pod. His dark brown hair was still wet.


    Thuel pushed the door and they all followed him. They quickly entered the Throne room. His Mother and Father were talking with Admiral MacArthur. His Mother showed them to join them.


    Admiral was rather baffled: "As I told you it came directly from Admiral Denis Makosso. 100% true note. But please, Ra''volta was made for this!"


    "But I don''t find such a test just or funny!" She really was upset. His father smiled with the same grin as uncle Robert. Thuel himself smiled that way many times. It''s the smile of a predator who is about to kill prey a few times bigger, a prey who thought was a hunter.


    Robert looked at them and explained.


    "When you enter the Sol system you will have to come undetected as close to Terra as possible. Sol system defense will be trying to hunt you down and kill you. Of course, that''s all exercises and the eventual ''fire'' will be on the simulator system. All Sector best students will be dropped wherever they choose but can''t be deployed closer than the pluto control station orbit. You will be deployed from Guardian."


    All of them were surprised. Does that mean the entire Royal Palace is heading toward Sol? Thuel as their Commander was staring at the visualization of the system and smiled with the same cruel grin as his father.


    Luna and Shanti felt shivers on their backs.


    "Piece of cake."


    "Don''t be overconfident my Son!" Shanti scolded him.


    "Order is simple. A ship can''t be detected." When Thuel finished explaining his plan Robert and Konrad started laughing. Kadets were nodding in agreement it was the best plan they can come up with.

 17. Sol Sytem

    Cadet Commander Lady Elisabeth Windsor was the only exceptional cadet from Sol Command Region. Well technicly she was not, she was from Avalon but her situation was... Complicated.


    ''This exercise is dumb'' she thought.


    Elisabeth was sitting on the bridge of Retribution class Dreadnought drinking her tea thinking about the task. They all were obviously tested but how this test was asymmetrical was blowing her mind.


    In this scenario, She was on a winning position. At her disposal was the entire tactical net of Home System minus Titan, Neptune, and Lunar bases as well as half of the fleets defending the Capital of Commonwealth. And other cadets were just tossed at her with the task of sneaking past her and reaching Earth.


    This is so stupid.


    Most of them probably... Well, she was almost certain that all of them will use Dashu''uns since they have the best stealth profile, at least the first 4 did so. But she had to admit she would also have picked Dashu''un for such mission. She heard about new corvette- Aria class with even better stealth properties but it was not in service as of yet.


    That doesn''t mean no one will use some modified or prototype ship. It was even certain someone will came with some prototypes. Like new drones types two her future college brought.


    But she is protecting Lunar bow sitting in the command chair of Dreadnought and having under orders fifteen Fleet Carriers with their battleships deployed.


    Dashu''un was a relatively new ship and had excellent armament. With the creative usage of drones that ship is very dangerous. She fixed her long golden-blonde hair and waited. Under her orders was half of the home fleet.


    This exercise is so dumb...


    "Raven Rock to Sol Comand." She heard communication from system traffic control.


    Raven Rock? She checked Fleet units. There was no such ship. She decided to intervene.


    "Raven Rock, this is Elisabeth Windsor, temporary Home Fleet commander speaking. We don''t have you on the list. Your codes are correct but identify yourself properly!" She couldn''t believe anyone would make a such stupid mistake.


    "Commandor Windsor, I confirm we are not on your list. This is Guardian of Fa''enni speaking. We are dropped in the Kuiper belt and relesed our representatives. Currently, we are underway toward Terra in vector two Charlie. In 20 seconds you will have our approach route."


    What''s going on?! They just burned their representatives. But her sensors didn''t picked anything so most probably that''s a bust. She already caught 4 out of 6 candidates. Rings sounded when the 5th Dashu''un was detected by Sparrow drones.


    "Thor take him down!" she ordered to the closest dreadnought.


    "Target down" Thor replayed after 5 seconds.


    These exercises are so stupid...


    She was depressed. It was not right to make such thing. It was impossible to infiltrate Terra''s defenses.


    She used her free time to check once again Raven Rock.


    "Freya! Raven Rock is Fa''enni Royal Palace!" Her eyes were round from excitation. Maybe she will have a chance to meet Fa''enni Queen everyone was talking about! And someone have an interesting sense of humor to use pun while introducing himself. "Guardian is AI serving Fa''enni Royal Family!"


    "Yes, Commandor Elisabeth. He already talked with me. He is my friend." Elisabeth nodded. She hoped the last Dashu''un will show up soon. Rings of alert rang on the bridge.


    The alerted voice of Freya sounded in her mind. "Inner system active scanners are being destroyed. We can''t identify a single source. Before the sensor array nxc2342 was destroyed it detected a hostile drone of an unknown pattern!"


    Last Dashu''un! But what are they doing?! This is not an infiltration run! She barked an order.


    "Send drones toward the approach vector of Raven Rock! Make them scan as focused as possible."


    "Raven rock is still in the outer system!"


    "Impossible! What is destroying my sensors?!"


    "Unknown. No weapon match standard or known Dashu''un configuration. SIGINT is reporting EM signals of railgun slugs."


    "Order to all Home Fleet Planetoids! Begin modified scanning protocol theta!"


    Whatever they used to destroy scanners won''t help against all ships she will use now.


    "We have lost 12 dreadnoughts Commandor!"


    "WHAT?!"


    "Lady Elisabeth we are receiving an incoming transmission from Terra orbit!"


    "On screen!" It was audio only. She saw not usual symbols of the Commonwealth Navy but she saw a big Commonwealth flag with a crest she never saw before.


    On deep blue background was a slivery-green tree at which was sitting a black raven with icy blue eye.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Elisabeth heard the most charming voice she have ever heard.


    "BUM. You are dead."


    The ring of bells signaled her defeat and the end of the exercises. She dropped on her command chair.


    "It''s impossible! They had to cheat somehow. They can''t be this fast! I know Fa''enni made Dashu''un and they know probably more of them than anyone else but you can''t cheat physics!"


    "Agree. Chariel 1 is dropping stealth in 5..4..3..2..1..Now!" Her jaw must have dug a hole in the command deck. It was not Dashu''un!


    But It was even more beautiful. She saw on its side the same crest as one in transmission.


    "Hail Them please!"


    "Unknown ship this is TCF Freya. Introduce yourself!"


    "TCF Freya, this is TCF Ra''volta speaking. Thank you for providing a suitable test for me." Ra''volta''s voice echoed through Her bridge. It has subtle tones of raging fire and the destructive power of lightning. Only AI can produce such effects with their voices. She opened a translation system, Ra''volta in Fa''enni was the name of their God of Destruction.


    "We are hailed by one of the representatives of Fa''enni." Told Freya. Elisabeth nodded her head. She saw Thunderbird dropship leaving Ra''volta and heading toward still far away Raven Rock. It jumped using the compact jump drive that allowed it to jump inside star systems while receiving calculations from AI.


    Meanwhile, a transmission from Ra''volta was displayed on her screen and she saw a very handsome man sitting at the first officer seat. She was a little upset that the Captain of this vessel don''t want to talk with her. He clearly was Fa''enni- quite tall and almost delicate, like a typical elf from fantasy tales. Silver-blonde short hairs, sky blue eyes and really in them she could see swirls of glitter.


    "Commander in charge of TCF Freya we are sending you our best regards. We are also sorry our Captain can''t greet you but he received calls from King and had to move to Raven Rock in an instant. I''m Riglu Khis of Fa''enni, temporary first officer of Ra''volta." So Captain was in that Thunderbird. She smiled at a handsome alien.


    "You have beaten me but I''m afraid Grand Admiral will have something to say."


    "Most probably. But we wanted to make the final tuning of our propulsion systems while traffic is still on hold. Are you up for a race toward Raven Rock?" She looked at the projection, she is much closer than them. They have no chance. She gave notice to her crew.


    "Very well. On your mark!"


    "3...2...1...go!" Her helmsman pushed all propulsion systems at alarm speed. She was already halfway to Raven Rock when Freya stated.


    "Ra''volta is much faster than we are. They are traversing with 40% Light Speed and still accelerating while we are at 38% and this is our emergency speed. Anything above will destroy the main propulsion unit."


    She was speechless. It turned out they were able to do what they have done.


    Incredible.


    17 out of 18 candidates were gathered in Assembly Hall on board of Dauntless waiting for Royal Family and Grand Admiral Denis Makosso.


    All Fa''enni were at the center of attention. Elisabeth was wondering where the 18th cadet could be. Their parents and mentors were waiting at VIP lounges and the only exception was the absence of Lord Admiral Robert MacArthur and his wife. But Johan seemed not a bit affected and Elisabeth wondered why. Well, no one was present from her own family but she preferred that this way.


    Doors to assembly opened and Grand Admiral entered. Behind him entered Another Human in black and gold robes, at least Elisabeth couldn''t describe them any other way as a mix between robe and smoking, clearly of Fa''enni making which looks stunning on him.


    He was King of Fa''enni Lord Konrad Raven himself. Hero of the Marine Corps and a man of exceptional skill. Beside him was walking Queen Shanti of Fa''enni. So delicate and tender in a long golden-green dress ornamented in complicated floral patterns made from silver or light of stars- Elisabeth couldn''t decide. Her long golden blond hair much more vibrant in color than Elisabeth''s own were flowing like a river of gold behind her.


    Elisabeth always thought she was beautiful. Tall, slender, athletic, and with a shapely body she was always adored by boys around. But one glance at Fa''enni Queen made her redefine all she know about beauty.


    She had to step up her game if she want to compete with them.


    Then she saw godly Adonis himself. All girls saw him and no one could stay indifferent. He was almost as tall as King Raven so he can''t be Fa''enni. But his perfect face and body worthy of God of War himself made strange but matching contrast with his otherwordly beautiful face. She could drown in his deep blue eyes. His long blonde hair similar to Queen''s were combed in a traditional Fa''enni style much like a regular ponytail. But are these wings on his back?! Then it means...


    "I want to officially welcome Royal Family in the orbit of Terra." Grand Admiral started. And gave his long speech introducing King and Queen, but when it was obvious he is not going to introduce this hottie she stopped paying attention and looked at him with dreamy eyes. The only slight change in the Admiral''s voice made her focus on the ceremony.


    "We were all witnesses of the impossible. Single dreadnought destroyed Earth''s defenses. During its run stayed undetected and laid waste to installations we used to think of as untouchable. He was able to destroy 25 other dreadnoughts and heavily damaged one of the Fleet Carriers while avoiding detection. This ship was in a position from which it could threaten Terra and its inhabitants! Most of you made the mistake of using known data when fighting with the unknown. Most of you thought this exercise is simple infiltration and tried to sneak under Cadet Commander Elisabeth Windsor''s nose. Only Alinti sector representatives read the order with full understanding.


    The order stated ship must be undetected. Not the entire infiltration attempt. However, all crews passed these exercises. All of you fulfilled your duty to the best of your skills. All of you have a fighting spirit and unbreakable will." The audience applauded for cadets.


    Admiral continued after a brief break.


    "Allow me to introduce you to our prodigies! Francis Drake!"


    Called cadet saluted and entered a specially prepared place near Admiral so everyone in Commonwealth could see them as this ceremony was transmitted via Space Network connecting all planets of the Commonwealth. Almost all of them were called and briefly introduced.


    "Lord Johan MacArthur!" Elisabeth looked at the muscular man and wondered what it was like to grow up among Fa''enni.


    "Lady Elisabeth Windsor!" She entered her place. The last empty spot near her seems like it will stay empty. Being Windsor, even from a branch family meant she is a distant cousin of the King of Avalon. She wondered which one of Fa''enni''s representatives was Captain of Ra''volta.


    "Crown Prince of Fa''enni, Lord Thuel Uriel Raven!" Shouted Admiral calling the last 18th candidate. According to tradition made to appease some crazy Nobles, the last spot was for one with the highest status.


    Everyone focused on the unexpected guest. Not many people knew there was a Prince of Fa''enni. Elisabeth didn''t know for sure but there he is.


    So many thoughts run through her mind at once. He is so charming, so elegant, so stunning, so handsome beyond any words.


    Oh God. Not good.


    His aura of authority was incredible and she could not decide if that was only her imagination or not. She looked at him when he was standing near her. ''If he just barely notices me I''m going to faint.'' crossed her mind.


    He did noticed and smiled at her.


    She immediately looked away to the audience hoping she don''t have a beet-red face and heart racing, she tried to regain control and almost lost that battle.


    There will be hell at the party. She saw promises of battle in eyes of most girls in the audience.


    Elisabeth saw something like a silver light ray in the doors to assembly. When Admiral finally allowed cadets to go to prepare for the party she almost sprinted away.


    When she saw Prince she was already ordering Freya to ask the steward to make her best dress prepared.


    This is going to be a battle and she will not go down without putting up a fight.

 18. Party

    When most of the girls were preparing themselves for already lost battle, Fa''enni representatives decided they will stay in their Navy uniforms.


    Even Lurana decided against a dress but Queen very quickly told her to dress up as the woman must present herself and personally took her away.


    "Your appearance is a weapon as well." Queen cited one the of pearls of wisdom of Lord Richards.


    Thuel, Johan, Riglu, and Serfan were discussing their maneuvers and Ra''volta manifested. His avatar face was similar in appearance to Thuel''s but he had cold icy blue eyes which hued and left short blue lines in the air as he moved. Instead of a Fa''enni wing, he had gigantic raven wings or more like the angel wings but with pitch black feathers and was wearing impressive armor of clearly Human origins but finished in the Fa''enni manner. His armor was as black as the hull of the ship with gold and sapphire embroilments.


    However, he don''t looked gloomy or like a shadow but instead shone like a Fa''enni illuminated by swirls of gold and silver glitter dancing around him. At his side was a black power sword of unknown pattern- a perfect mix of what would Fa''enni create from Human technology and Fa''enni designs, but without any fantastic shapes or over ornamentation. Very elegant, simple in shape, and deadly.


    Ra''volta''s avatar was a personification mix of Human-Fa''enni styles which perfectly reflected the mighty dreadnought he was crewing.


    "We still need more adjustments in the main weapon array." Thuel stated the obvious.


    "Yes, my Prince but we need more live-fire tests to fully tune turrets." replayed with equal obvious Riglu. They all laughed.


    "Ra''volta tell me how you fell?" asked Johan.


    AI replayed after a brief while. "This ship is nothing like any other ships I tried at simulations. I feel much freer in it. We have moved long 1km railguns into turrets. The incorporation of the Fa''enni coil technology into Human coil technology was a huge success. The 250m long cannons have better parameters than standard railgun. In freed space, we could put more reactors which greatly improved critical systems. With 25% more power installed than the Retribution class and 35% more than the Valiant class, this ship can not only outmaneuver them but also will win in any artillery duel. We need adjustments not only in the weapon system Sir. My sensors are working only at 70% nominal and basic deflectors charge only 45%. I can''t detect where the problem lay. However, shields are working in 100% nominal."


    Serfan nodded but he already was making notes and was noticing the crew about Ra''volta''s observations and his ideas where a fault may lay. His family was involved in the project and Serfan dedicated many hours to understanding its systems.


    Thuel was curious.


    "Ra''volta I never asked you before but how did you get involved in this project?"


    "As you know Captain by decree of the Makeana Council and the Makeana Sector Command only the best can crew Dashu''uns. I was a participant in the exam and scored the best. Instead of being allowed to crew Dashu''un I was presented with one more test, much more complicated, and passed it as well. Then I received an invitation to the Ethosh system sent by Admiral Wrath himself. I jumped in the first ship heading there and here I am. I totally didn''t expect that. You can say I''m also the exceptional cadet as all of you."


    "I thought so when we meet you. So do you expected your first ship to be like this?"


    "Never. Dashu''un class is a marvel of engineering but Ra''volta is a few classes better. I can''t wait until we finish all the work." All smiled, they are all excited what will happen.


    Thuel noticed his father and Admiral Makosso were heading their way. They all stand at attention and saluted the Admiral.


    "At ease!" ordered Admiral with a grin. "I like your new toy. Seems like Fa''enni wants very quickly to create their own Navy. However, I told this Prince to your Father and I will repeat to Queen. I''m sad you didn''t brought earlier plans for this mean bastard! Just look at him. Isn''t he beautiful?"


    Thuel smiled and looked through a fake window, a life transmission from outside visual sensors displayed around the entire recreation deck of Dauntless to make it feel like they have an open space void around them.


    "On our defense sir we also didn''t know it existed before. It''s been only one month since Admiral Wrath told us about its existence, sir."


    "I wonder what else you are hiding there. But I won''t gonna lie. This ship will be a great addition to the Commonwealth Fleet. Also, I had to upset you. We are now upgrading Valiants and Retributions so you will fall between them with your performance specs. Or should you? I don''t know if it''s his peak performance or not. But your stealth profile is insane. My SIGINT lost you seven times during your approach and not even once made a good lock so you earned victory!"


    They were all proud. Party started and Thuel saw his Mother, walking in with Lurna who after applying some care looked stunning.


    With them came Anna Starfield to the big surprise of Johan who didn''t expect her here. On the right side of his Mother was Luna, she was looking like the living light of the moon.


    All men stopped whatever they were doing and even a few braver started walking toward her but she barely noticed anyone. She bowed to the Queen and walked over to Thuel, who offered her his arm. Judging by her wings she was very happy but anxious. She tilted her head toward him and whispered in his ear concerned.


    "Thuel why everyone is looking at us?"


    He just only then looked around. He was too busy talking with his friends to pay attention to the others around him. What he saw was puzzling. Some guests were visibly baffled, some angry. Johan and Anna came to them and Johan barely holding his laughter told them.


    "I advise immediate evacuation, my Lord! Royal Guards are inbound in 10 seconds prepared for a hot landing and evacuation under fire! Run we will hold them but not for long!"


    "Haha. Very funny. Do you know how annoying this is?"


    "I didn''t joked. Too much at least. Royal Guards are really on their way. Check it yourself."


    Thuel looked at his friend with disbelief in his eyes but the Royal Guard Dropship from Raven Rock just landed in the main hangar and the Marines were already on their way here.


    "What the...?" started Thuel but Anna interrupted him smiling.


    "Ok, that''s enough Johan! They are bringing a gift from the Ra-Nael Designers Society for Admiral Denis Makosso. It was a big secret and only Queen and King saw what was there."


    After just a few minutes four marines came in and the emblem of the Royal Family which was embroidered on the left side of their dress uniforms informed anyone they are members of the Royal Guard Company. Two of them were carrying a quite big box made from Fa''enni plastic.


    They stopped near Queen and King and saluted them and Admiral. The Captain of Guards signaled his marines and they prepared the box for opening.


    "Grand Admiral. Sir! We were asked by the Fa''enni Designer Society from Ra-Nael to bring you this gift. They all wanted to thank you for your valuable and constructive criticism during your visit and hope to see you again soon Sir. They also hope you find their gift entertaining or at least pleasant."


    Admiral Makosso remembered his visit there. He also remembered he yelled at how much some of their projects were overdone and too complicated to work in the field. He looked at the box and found the release button. When he pressed it, the box opened with a silent hiss.


    Inside was a magnificent model of the Dashu''un in scale 1:20 and it was suspended in the air on antigrav with a miniature 3d projector that could display any background he only wished for. He checked with a neural interface and gasped in delight. One mental switch model transformed from stealth to combat configuration and could change its virtual course or hung in any position.


    "It is magnificent! Thank them so much on my behalf. I will put it on display at an honorable spot."


    Marines saluted and at the same time, two sailors entered the room to take this precious gift to safety and other two to show Marines for their party gift packs. Thuel was already thinking about who will be the best to ask for a such model for himself when he heard someone approaching them from the side.


    "Excuse me Lord Thuel." Thuel and Luna turned toward the charming Human woman. She was the Commander of Terran Forces during their exercises if he remembers correctly. Thuel and Luna nodded with respect when she continued while curtsied slightly, lifting her dress by the sides.


    "Im Cadett Commander Lady Elisabeth Windsor. I would like to welcome you properly in Sol System."


    "Thank you, Lady Windsor. I''m most gracious for your welcome. Im Prince Thuel Raven and I  looking forward to future classes we will be participating in."


    Elisabeth felt the burning gaze of a dozen of girls and women. She didn''t cared about them at all but she looked very carefully at the girl who was snuggled to the Prince. She just looked like she was born to be the Princess. She was a bit taller than Elisabeth.


    Her majestic warm smile and otherwordly beauty of the Fa''enni were making her simply irresistible. But when she was standing near Prince they looked like fate itself wanted them to be together. Both of them looked absolutely fantastic. She wondered how she could overlooked her before. Fa''enni woman had on her finger a magnificent ring at which sight any known goldsmith would kneel and wept over its form, technique in which it was made, and its breathtaking perfection. She also noticed a delicate silver-like bracelet with a small Fa''enni Royal Family crest medallion.


    That could mean she is the Envoy of the Queen herself or a very important person among Fa''enni. However, her implants couldn''t find anything about her in databases and all Fa''enni delegation like most present at the party had all their ID hidden. Prince noticed her tasking look and misjudged it as an untold question.


    "I''m sorry Lady Elisabeth for the late introduction but I would like to introduce Lady Luna Gina Rosi."


    Luna bowed with grace and Elisabeth returned in kind. Elisabeth knew she don''t have many chances in this battle. It looked like both women are equal in status. However, Luna beat in beauty any woman around. Even Queen Shanti couldn''t match her. But everything in her posture and appearance made Elisabeth liked her. She smiled at her.


    "My pleasure Lady Luna."


    "Likewise Lady Elisabeth." Her voice was like the pure sound of a harp played by the maestro.


    His Parents were joking with Admiral and drifted a bit away from them so Thuel smiled and being one with the highest status proposed. "We can drop all this formal manner since starting tomorrow we will once again be equal students."


    She smiled. He was charming but she must focus on not making a fool of herself. She smiled at him. "If you insist Lord. I have plenty of questions and don''t know where should I start. And since half of the room has this one question in mind and they bombard my communication implant with it. Then... If I may ask, what is your relationship with Lady Luna?"


    Thuel proudly and as always without hesitation responded shattering the hearts of many girls who sighed towards him and boys who planned to ask out Luna. "Luna graciously agreed to be my Fiancee."


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Elisabeth wasn''t surprised or even disappointed to her own big surprise. It was only natural they would be together. She truly smiled. "Thank you for this clarification. So after this brief heart-shattering moment, I want to ask you an even more personal question."


    Luna and Thuel looked around the room and saw a lot of disappointed expressions. Back at home they almost get used to it but here it was even more noticeable. It took a long time for him to accept the fact that for everyone else he is just walking perfection. It was even harder for Luna who was a very shy person. But when she was with Thuel she could endure that.


    "Even more personal? Can''t promise I will be able to respond" He smiled nervously.


    "Are you Captain of this battleship?" She asked with a big grin pointing at Ra''volta which majestaticly presented itself through a fake window.


    "Yes. We are still not ready however with our prototype dreadnought." Thuel replayed with a soft relaxed smile.


    "What do you mean? You have destroyed Terra''s defenses!"


    "Yes but only because we know exactly how it works. And we bet big time you will prepare the system for covert intrusion. Our plan was simple. We dropped in the Kuiper belt a few days ago and in total stealth moved toward Neptune."


    "Neptune? That makes no sense! Neptune base would... Oooohhh."


    "Indeed. The base would see us but your net was focused on relatively small targets and ignored big fast moving objects. Only this way you could receive max resolution output from the sensors."


    "But still outer net should notice you."


    "And they saw us. But we were actively jamming their transmission and after we changed course we jumped at a low FTL factor. We couldn''t be normally detected so they only could tell you what you already knew that someone is messing around. We are much faster than normal dreadnoughts, only Union Hussars are faster, we are bigger than any known frigate or cruiser so the system couldn''t identify us and wasted 0.75s. to conclude Sol is attacked by an unknown race or ship, then it needed 0.25s. to abandon classification and tried to lock system defenses on us. We used this 1 second to simply accelerate on optimal approach vector and cut off engines while our drones sent in the same time we were dropped in system destroyed your active sensors thus making locking near impossible."


    "So you just used smoke and mirrors tactics?" she was speechless. Even taking under consideration she was absolutely not prepared for this ship but their tactics had to work. They truly are exceptional students.


    "To some extent, you can say so. We also used two new types of drones. Virtu and Vrita type. Lurana, may you explain?"


    Elisabeth smiled at Fa''enni girl with black hair with a mysterious blue hue and sky blue eyes with delicate gold glitter dancing within them. It was surreal to see a person with wings, Elisabeth only hoped she doesn''t gaze too much. Prince Thuel''s or Luna''s wings were much bigger and when laying on their backs almost hidden. Her wings on other hand were lightly spread like she was ready to fly away on her blue and yellow wings. She welcomed her with a smile and Lurana bowed her head lightly.


    "Virtu and Vrita are drones developed by my Father''s team. I was helping with his work as practice for my school project and developped my personal interest in drones and their combat applications. As you know we Fa''enni are incapable of a direct fight. After the War of Salvation we changed... But maybe later about this. We like using many types of drones. While the AIs use them mostly as an extension of their sensors and proximity control systems Fa''enni uses them for indirect battle. You can argue that some types of Commonwealth drones are truly deadly but we improved your designs."


    She rose her hand toward the screen at which two small objects rapidly were closing to Dauntless. Elisabeth was enchanted with her voice. She could listen her entire day. There was no looking down on them on others, unlike many humans she dealt with before during her life. Prince was a normal boy her age without any complexes or toxicity she was so used to see in high society. She feared she could never meet other souls like her. But here they stand. Lurana was excited to present her drones and Elisabeth found she can''t wait to see them.


    "Virtu and Vrita are names from our mythology. They were sister and brother, the benevolent spirits of the wind. They carried winds over the world and Vrita often danced with light gusts during rain. But one day Ra''volta- God of Destruction saw Vrita and he wanted her to dance only for him.


    Virtu was often playing with the winds blowing from the sea away from his sister. One day when he returned home and couldn''t find his sister, he started looking her across whole world. He learned from someone about his sister''s kidnapping and begged the Dashu''un- Bringer of fire to allow him to use his powers to free his sister. Dashu''un agreed and Virtu with his flame left to save his sister."


    When she finished this part of the story drones came close enough to be seen. One was slender and elegant clearly a very elaborate sensor drone but armed with a very efficient disruptor lance. Weapon hard to detect when used precisely and with enough power to be used in a fight with the smaller voidcrafts. The smaller drone also had jamming projectors so that''s how they were able to cut her sensor net to pieces.


    The second one was three times bigger. The size of the manned interceptor was armed with eight disruptor cannons and some energy weapons she never saw before.


    "How story of siblings ended?" Elisabeth asked.


    "Virtu after a long time finally managed to find Ra''volta''s palace and his sister. He wanted to take her away while she was sleeping but the laughter of Ra''volta alerted him. When he was about to strike Ra''volta with Dashu''un fire Vrita woke up and covered Ra''volta with her own body. But Ra''volta saw Virtu and managed to throw him away. His strike missed and Virtu was waiting for the finishing blow but instead, he heard the voice of his sister: ''Why you wanted to hurt him, my brother?'' Virtu was surprised and told her: ''I was told that He kidnapped you and closed you in his castle!'' He expected Ra''volta''s wrath and his own death but instead, the God of Destruction laughed. His sister cuddled up to the scary God and answered her brother with a burst of laughter: ''No my brother. Ra''volta for a long time observed me and I was his pleasure. He asked me if I''ll become his bride and I agreed. As long as I will dance for him He will refrain from destroying the world. And look around my brother!'' - she showed him her vast and beautiful room full of everything she ever wished for ''this is my palace now!'' Virtu kneeled before the God he misjudged and begged for forgiveness but not his own but his sister as he was ready for Ra''volta''s punishment. But Vrita changed the heart of the dark God. He only smiled and told him: ''As your punishment, you will stay here for all eternity and You will serve me as my Envoy. Realse flames of Dashu''un and take mine.'' Since then Virtu is a servant and Envoy of Ra''volta and Vrita is his wife and only she can stop her husband in his anger."


    Elisabeth was absolutely taken by her story. It was so strange to hear a story so familiar as many human stories or myths but from the alien race who evolved so far away from here.


    "Fantastic story. And put new light into Dashu''un, Ra''volta, and most probably many other your future creations." Elisabeth looked at the drones and continued. "I guess the smaller one is Vrita- her sensors can confirm if the target is friend or foe and stop the destruction that Ra''volta can bring with his weapons."


    Lurna clapped her hands in excitement. "Yes! Yes! I like how you described that Lady Elisabeth! May I use that later for the official description?"


    "Oh of course!" She felt like she found a long-lost family. "So the bigger one is Virtu. He carries at least 8 missles and disruptor cannons and some energy weapon? Then he as Envoy of Ra''volta can bring a portion of his master destruction upon those to who he was sent."


    "We must find time in the future Lady Elisabeth and I like to take notes of your descriptions. I like them very much." She smiled and nodded still watching Virtu. Lurna smiled and gave mental order to the drone. Elisabeth saw how the energy weapon retract from its cover. The high-speed multibarrel plasma weapon on the turret was ready to shoot in any direction. Hull-mounted heavy disruptors marked their presence when the drone moved before her eyes, she saw also a very familiar universal missile system with an internal rocket pod. She was not sure but her implant confirmed it- this drone had a shield.


    "As you can see Virtu is a powerful interceptor. We do not use classic fighter wings like the Lightning Mk.7 or the Grim Ripper Mk. 5 as all other ships in the Navy use. On the Ra''volta we instead use direct link pilot-drone and thanks to that a single pilot can return to action as long as drones are available. We carry 30 deploy-ready Virtus against a typical 15 fighter compliment. Our no-lag range of use is five light hours but we are making progress with the quantum transmitters. However, we believe five light hours radius is more than enough. And as the Prince used to say: if you need to deploy fighters further than 5 LH you already fucked up when you took Dreadnought instead of Carrier. With which I must agree. Besides carrying 30 Vritu, 10 Vrita we also carry 10 Fox Mk. 5. But we are not limited to only carried drones since Ra''volta have a similar drone forge as one you can find on Dashu''un. So as long as we have the materials we can build any drone up to the Pelican transport drone size. And since drones don''t need the same maintenance as the manned crafts we can have a smaller crew or bigger Marines garrison."


    "That''s incredible! And drones can be controlled by AI so you can very quickly gain small craft dominance and screening from the bomber runs. But how you were able to destroy my Retribution?"


    "Ra''volta?" asked Serfan. Thuel saw his Mother snuggling to his father''s arm and whispering something to his ear.


    "Yes, sir! Retribution class or Valliant class is not even a match for me." Admiral Makosso who listened to them with a fascination for a while picked this moment to interrupt: "oh? Just wait when we change weapon systems and reactors in them. I want to hear you then!" he said with a smile.


    However, Ra''volta was unfazed.


    "Sir with all due respect that changes nothing." He outstretched his hand and his physical body started slowly turning to better show the main cannon array. Tripple barreled mounted on two rotating towers railguns didn''t look particularly impressive.


    "These are my main battery on rotary towers. Their power output is 25% more powerful than railguns mounted in the Retribution class and 30% more powerful than Valliant''s. As you can see I have 6 railguns while Retribution has 4 and Valliant 2. What''s more, I can engage at least 2 different targets even during a broadside fight. A situation where Retribution and Valliants depend only on their auxiliary broadside batteries. I admit they beat me in the amount of heavy torpedo tubes which they have respectively 20 and 30 while I have only 10. However, we have installed as proof of concept four heavy missile turrets with internal feeding systems able to shoot in salvos of 6 missiles per system."


    Admiral nodded. Heavy missiles were much lighter than capital ship torpedos but were still powerful enough to quickly deal with destroyers or even frigates. This can be a very promising weapon system.


    But more importantly...


    "Wait. Are telling me these short babies are 25% more powerful than Mj?lner Mk. VI Railguns?"


    "Affirmative Sir!" Ra''volta was visibly proud.


    "Unbelievable. But still, when we update the weaponry it will beat you. We can use the same coils as you have."


    "My primary armor is made from hardened plasteel-ceramite alloy sir."


    "You made a hull from the same material as the hull of planetoids?"


    "Yes sir. Commonwealth dreadnoughts are heavy ships but depended mostly on range fight which proved problematic during the Huluk extermination campaign and was the reason for most losses during the War of Salvation. Dreadnoughts were simply overrun in close-range combat while absolutely dominating at range. The reason was the hull material problem we manage to resolve. I know no one was able to use these high-density ceramite-palsteel alloys in ships smaller than planetoids but using the new type of inertia dampeners did the trick. Also using the same coils as ours in the Retribution and Valiant classes will increase their performance but their output will be still comparable to ours. The test shows that making the barrel longer makes no sense. After 250m there is very little difference in the slug power, yield, or stability. So the 1km long barrels in older constructions are obsolete. Thus we moved railguns to the turrets changing the profile of the entire ship. We are longer than Retribution by a small margin Sir and we are 2590m long. Barely 90m longer than Retribution but our height is visibly lower..."


    "Show me it."


    "Sir?"


    "Ladies and Gentlemen. In a few moments on your right side, the prototype ship Ra''volta will fire its weapons into the practice target heading our way." The voice of Dauntless was heard in the room. Everyone looked at the projection curiously. A big rock most probably from the Kuiper belt was heading right to Dauntless, they are kept in various installations around the Terra exactly for this purpose. To provide a target for cadets or scientists during weapon tests without wasting time to get to the Kuiper belt. Guests saw how one of the Ra''volta turrets started moving and quickly turned toward the target. Thuel officially informed.


    "All safety disabled. Ra''volta switch to the battle configuration. Prepare to fire to the practice target and ensure full elimination.....fire!" Everyone in awe was watching how the perfect lines of Dreadnought broken and all previously hidden weapon systems emerged. That monster is packed full to the brim with the most deadly weapon systems Commonwealth has to offer.


    When Thuel gave his order to fire a thin blue smudge of ionized railgun slug cover quickly and briefly connected ship and target. It exploded into smaller and bigger pieces showering area. But that target clearly was destroyed. Dauntless was heard only by Admiral, Elisabeth, and Fa''enni representatives while everyone was clapping after the show.


    "Indeed its output is 25% more than the Retribution. Also its target acquisition and..."


    Dauntless stopped when the Ra''volta''s weapons opened fire again. Every single shard of practice target was utterly annihilated by point defense lasers, anti-fighter plasma accelerators, disruptor beams, or still deadly CIWS multibarrel small caliber railguns. Everyone in the room was standing in silence.


    No Commonwealth ship ever before was able to do what Ra''volta did.


    But Fa''enni''s representation had sour faces.


    "I''m very sorry sir. We are still trying to adjust our systems." Ra''volta''s avatar was looking angry.


    "Our target acquisition is still too slow. We probably need better algorithms. While the multi-target matrix and target memory recognition works as intended we are still at 45% of the nominal calculation speed. We underperform grossly." Thuel was checking the data and was visibly frustrated.


    "You call this underperformance?!" Gasped Elisabeth. This ship will change all the rules of the battlefield and they think is not yet good?! Admiral was shaken but Thuel responded seriously without noticing how all gathered reacted.


    "Yes. Our sensors are only 65% nominal, our target acquisition is at 80% nominal, and our auxiliary systems are at 92% nominal. We are still in the middle of tuning systems of..."


    Suddenly Guardian materialized near Admiral and still grinning King Konrad and very content Queen Shanti.


    "My Lords! We have a situation. We just received a transmission from Alinti Command. 201st Fleet managed to engage one of the Shadow ships. One of their logistic drones was heading back to the mothership when it was attacked and destroyed by an unknown ship. 201st responded with a successful saturation fire. Remnants of Shadow Ship were collected and one of the 201st Planetoids is retreating directly to Sol with its prey per order of Admiral MacArthur. When they drop their cargo they will head back to continue the search mission. Two planetoids with deployed contingents are currently scanning the incident area for possible Shadow SAR teams or Shadow task force arrival."


    Konrad smiled with a very ugly smile.


    "I think Admiral the party is over for us."

 19. Shadows p.4

    The ship of the unknown design was turned to the specialists from Neptune. Humans and a few AI were working on the remains.


    But nothing special was inside.


    And what was mysterious no crew was found.


    Admiral and King have left the party to check firsthand what they deal with. They were standing inside a powered-down ship. Its hyperdrive was unfortunately busted beyond any inspection- about 30% of the ship was vaporized and the jumpdrive must have been there. Admiral hold some part in his hand and was watching around.


    "What do you think Admiral? I''m not the battleship specialist but this ship shouldn''t be able to be this stealthy." Asked uncertain King Konrad.


    "I don''t know... Maybe they are using some unknown type of emulation system we vaporized with engines..." The Admiral dropped a bizarre fragment of perhaps a door. "What do you think about its crew?"


    "Ship this size would be comparable to our small frigate. That means about 100 to 200 sailors and 50 marines. However, judging by all the data we were given there are very little and few traces of its crew at all." said Konrad after a while. But something was very off in this ship. They couldn''t find any evacuation pod or even their launch bays.


    "They were destroyed by saturated area fire. Admiral Parker wisely choose the standard pattern "Fuck you whatever it is in this general direction" and got a few solid hits. Their stealth technology is not as efficient as ours but for sure is good since we can''t detect them."


    Admiral had a strange feeling. Freya and Ra''volta materialized before them. They took command over these two dreadnoughts as they were closest. There was still a party on Dauntless so it wouldn''t be a good idea to drag all these people here. Admiral was looking above him as seven Valliant class dreadnoughts were taking positions around them. Three planetoids are keeping watch just in case.


    Knowledge is power so protect it well. Ra''volta was running some tests.


    "My King and Lord Admiral I might know the reason why this ship is so mysterious." they both looked at him with full focus.


    "Go on."


    "I believe I detected the server room of this ship. It''s almost 30% mass of the entire wreck which is at least odd. While its components and technology are much more inferior than the Commonwealth it''s still too big for housing AI of this ship. The viable explanation would be the fact of their AI being less sophisticated than we are but still, an AI would compress and optimize its data to more manageable sizes. A better explanation is a theory that this ship was housing more than one AI. It could mean this ship has less than a skeletal organic crew of which traces we have found."


    That made sense. Freya informed about her finding: "In intact part of the ship we found remnants of unknown installation. Its components were melted and charred most probably by some emergency procedure. Some organic matter traces were found in meltdown remnants but it can''t be determined if it belonged to the crew or other organic matter normally present in ships like food or pieces of furniture. We are attempting to break into the ship core and remnants of the servers. We will try to recover all the data but if we find anything translation might take a while. But not much usable data left."


    "Thank you both. I think we will return now to Dauntless... What it is?!" Admiral pointed his finger toward the approaching ship.


    "Ummm Raven Rock? Guardian what are you doing here?" asked surprised Konrad.


    "Sir! Queen ordered me to bring here Lady Khrisa. She will try to detect if any traces of mana could be found. Her dropship is underway. We came in Raven Rock because we weren''t sure if Lady Khrisa would need her lab or not." They both looked at each other and shrugged. It will not hurt to try for sure. They should think of that themselves but taking a friendly mage on an investigation is not the first thing that came to your mind while inspecting wrecks. When Khrisa landed with her husband and a team of five other marines she immediately came closer to them.


    Raphael quickly joined the Captain of the Admirals security team and they linked tactical data.


    "Right here I don''t sense any trace of the mana. Thats good. And no- it can''t be removed or masked as far as we know. I have an entire wing of scientists who try to do this for the last nine years."


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    "That''s good. Fighting hostile xeno mages is not exactly my definition of good fun." Responded Admiral and King smiled since he couldn''t agree more.


    Recently Fa''enni themselves started more and more aggressive tests with the usage of their mana. At first we Humans were joking about casting a fireball but Fa''enni are dead serious about weaponizing magic. They reasoning that''s their natural weapon and should be used for the protection of the entire Commonwealth in the same manner as the Commonwealth once saved them.


    Khrisa was checking some data and tilted her armored head. "Let''s go to this destroyed section. I want to try something."


    "Sure. But don''t touch anything without an AI allowance! We don''t know what parts of the ship still can be powered and what will happen." She waved her hand in agreement. Admiral, King, Khrisa, and 4 of the Marines left for a room found by Freya.


    The AI avatars vanished but they always monitor their Crews. After passing through a few straight corridors and a few turns they entered spacy but entirely burned-down room.


    She looked around and set up sensor arrays equipped with 3d optical sensors at few points in the room. "Give me 5 minutes in silence. And whatever happen don''t interrupt me. I''ll be trying this for the first time outside the lab."


    They all just nodded. She never asked them to do anything stupid or pointless so waiting here 5 more minutes won''t hurt even if she fail at whatever she was trying. She kneeled and sat on her legs in the middle of the room. After a brief moment, she touched melted remnants of anything that was placed in the middle. All humans were standing in silence mindlessly watching the melted equipment of this room which solidified in fantastic shapes after the room was exposed to the coldness of space vacuum.


    After four minutes twelve orbs of purple light formed a circle above Khrisa''s head and started spinning extending their radius faster and faster until touched the walls. A sudden flash of light blinded them briefly and they saw a different sight.


    They were standing in the same room but it was in its peak condition. Near Admiral was standing hideous alien and was using some kind of console. He was short for Human and Fa''enni standards and was about 140cm tall. But it was ugly like the sin itself. Potato-shaped covered with black-brown fur torso and four tentacle-like appendages where you expect to see arms and twelve more where legs should be. No head could be seen growing from its torso.


    Humans knew they are seeing the famous Fa''enni "Vision" and "felt" what and when they are looking at. They observed a creature trying to figure out where it could have a face but it wasn''t easy. Suddenly the room in vision start shaking. That must be an effect of a direct hit from one of the Commonwealth battleships. Alien visibly panicked and started pressing some buttons. Doors to the room opened and twelve other creatures gathered in the middle of it and suddenly vanished.


    The Admiral looked straight into the King''s eyes for one second to ensure he think the same. With a short nod, Konrad confirmed and watched what will happen next.


    The next shake and they saw the alien tripping on his twelve legs signaled another hit. At the same time, four other aliens entered the room carrying large heavy looking boxes. Each box had wheels mounted probably for help in transport. The alien controlling this system quickly pressed the button and his friends disappeared as well. They saw fifty more creatures entering the room in a span of few minutes in groups. The operator waited a few more seconds and pressed a few more buttons and rushed toward the middle of the room and disappeared as well.


    After one more minute doors to the room opened once more and seven wounded creatures entered. One of them came to the console while the rest of them were waiting in the middle of the room. Alien near the console was hitting buttons with panic and started screaming something but no sound could be heard.


    So their faces were as hideous as the rest of them. Clearly carnivorous circular cavity full of rows of triangle teeth. Its eyes must be somewhere near. Maybe that three lighter spots.


    All seven were now screaming but to no avail. After a brief moment, a ball of plasma appeared in the middle of the room instantly killing all aliens gathered there and beginning to melt the entire room. The last alien started burning and hitted the console with its side while being sucked inside the plasma ball. A few seconds later console melted and they saw the room they were standing in.


    Khrisa was heavily breathing and was about to faint. Raphael helped her and took her in his arms. One of the Marines from her guard team carefully collected sensors and packed them into a reinforced small crate.


    "Lady Khrisa I''m absolutely impressed. We will leave the ship now since we really have something now. Much more than I expected." Admiral was smiling. So you bastards think you can mess with anyone. We know now enough and now with Fa''enni''s help we will find you. "Take her to safety and let her rest. After she gets better I will have some questions but that can wait."


    All of them left the melted room. King asked Admiral on private frequency. "Teleportation?"


    "It looks like. But it seems it is quite limited. If they could just teleport away they didn''t have to gather in this room. Hmmm... We stopped the research a long time ago. Maybe it''s time to dust off some projects?"


    Konrad looked at the data. It really was a closed case for the few last centuries now. But with this... "We need a way to understand this system. They didn''t teleport any warhead on board of our ships but we can''t be sure what they can do and what not."


    "That is for sure. Merlin and his team will be here in a few hours. It was a bit of a hassle to gather them so quickly but Merlin managed to organize them on Makeana."


    "When Khrisa wakes up I''ll make her gather a team to help you here but I''m afraid she can''t stay Admiral. I want to return to the Alinti system asap just in case. I know Robert probably doesn''t need me there but I feel responsible for the Fa''enni."


    "Understood King General."


    Denis Makosso really understood his duty and burden.

 20. Faenni and music

    Three years later.


    Luna was looking with huge skepticism at the small packet that was delivered to her from Terra. It was a wooden box with a small piece of metal. She never saw anything like that. It didn''t had any notes or instructions.


    "Guardian, what it is?"


    "It looks like a very old wind-up music box Lady Luna."


    "So how it works?" Guardian avatar materialized near her. He inspected visually box since he couldn''t even touch it. In the end, his avatar was only a very realistic 3d hologram. He pointed at a small hole in one of the longer walls.


    "You should enter the key there."


    "But I didn''t get any key codes with it!" she was upset that the couriers lost pieces of the gift sent by Thuel.


    "No Lady Luna. This metal piece is the key." he found in his database a very, very old video, dated back to the XXI century. He displayed it in a small holographic window. In the video, Luna saw how a Human girl was holding a similar key and inserted its cylindrical part to the hole.


    She carefully did the same. She wind it up the same way girl on video did and she heard silent clicks inside the box but that hardly count as music.


    Or maybe it counts as one for Humans and their horrible "electro" or "hyper-techno" many of them so fondly listening. She is yet to hear anything that can be called music made by Humans.


    After a few turns she felt the mechanism inside resist and two small buttons popped out near the keyhole. Before they were perfectly hidden in the box surface. After some thought, she decided to push them. The lid opened and the vibrant most delicate melody sounded in the room.


    She started crying. She knew the day plan just landed in a trash bin.


    Konrad had never before received a such note from his life in their almost 27 years of marriage. "We must talk at once. Go home as fast as possible."


    It''s not like he had some urgent work to do, he just supervise the Kingdom''s defenses. The doors to their room were lightly open and he heard familiar music.


    "Isn''t that Beethoven?" He stopped dead when he saw that his wife, mother-in-law, Luna, Khrisa, and at least nine ladies of the court were sitting around the table. They all were crying.


    "Ummm what''s going on Guardian?"


    "I''m not sure Konrad... They are sitting here for about two hours listening to the music box Thuel has gifted to Luna." If Guardian is speaking to me using only my name, as my friend it is rather bad, thought Konrad.


    "And why exactly they are crying? I mean I don''t particularly like Beethoven but I don''t think he is that bad..."


    His mother-in-law Shunna Muira, the most known composer of Fa''enni was shaken. "Konrad Raven! It''s not time for jokes! You knew this music existed before?!"


    "Well yes..." he started absolutely clueless about what was going on.


    "When you played us some things you called music we simply took it with the understanding that humans can''t be perfect. Like nothing in the Galaxy. But this!? Why Amanda never told me about it?!"


    "But me and mom never liked this kind of music..." All women in the room turned their heads toward him like ready to shoot autocannons. Glitter in their eyes swirled furiously. He wanted to retreat but doors closed. He saw the tenth lady of the court of his wife and he knew he was doomed. He must think of something. He focused on music his father used to listen to with him when he was so young...


    "GUARDIAN! AUDIO DATABASE. PLAY IN ROOM SPEAKERS. CHOPIN- MAZURKA IN A MINOR!"


    Tender piano notes vibrated in the room hypnotizing all women. He tried to sneak out but when he tried to turn back he saw the green eyes of Shanti who hugged him and made him sit in a chair that somehow was behind him. He knew that he is done for. He sent s.o.s. to his Father, Robert, and Raphael.


    When Chopin stopped playing silence in the room was broken by his wife''s sweet and passionate voice asking a simple question that somehow felt like the choice between death by firing squad or venting out of an airlock.


    "What do you mean by different styles of music sweetheart?" In a panic, he tried to remember something else but he knew his personal favorites are highly disliked by any living Fa''enni. But techno was a good kind of music and it was simply underappreciated.


    Suddenly doors opened and he heard Raphael''s voice yelling.


    "AVANTASIA- FAREWELL!"


    Guardian obediently started playing a new song from the ancient Metal Opera. Khrisa and Luna looked at Raphael shocked. Konrad tried to stand up but suddenly Shanti sat on his lap and whispered: "Oh no... You are not going anywhere."


    He saw like Khrisa and Luna sat down Raphael in an antigrav chair and he was in the same situation as him. His wife was on his lap but what''s worse his daughter with fire in her eyes was standing beside him. They both could break free easily by force but that wasn''t an option. Raphael quickly connected his communication implant with his.


    "What have you done, Sir?!"


    "Don''t Sir me here, no time for it! Raphael, I swear I have no idea! Better think of what we should play them next. It all started with the music box with Beethoven''s melody in it my Son send to your Daughter. Then they lured me here, surrounded and started interrogating me. I played them Chopin and you saved me with Avantasia."


    "It made no sense! Why are they so tense and emotional?!"


    "My dude I have no clue!" The song was closing to an end and he didn''t know what was going on. They can, of course, play millions of songs from all genres across all recorded history they can think of but it will not help them at all. Doors opened when the last note of Farewell died. His father was standing there and with curiosity was looking at the scene before him.


    "May I know what is going on? Why King of Fa''enni is sending desperate S.O.S. signals? Why the head of government security in panic is searching all logs for what happened here today?" Queen Shanti with the most charming smile asked her Father-in-law.


    "Father! Good you joined us. Would you mind telling us why no one showed us this music and only this monstrosity my husband is listening to?"


    "What do you mean? While I can fully agree that my Son music taste is just horrible I still don''t understand the problem." Shanti nodded to Luna, who walked almost reverently to the music box and turned it back on. Richard smiled.


    "Beethoven- For Elise. I often was listening to this while I was taking care of young Thuel. He always happily fell asleep to it." Shanti and Luna found themselves with their gazes.


    Traitor!


    Somewhere far, far away Thuel felt the disturbance in mana.


    Richard instead of being dragged by angry women to the interrogation chair just told them: "My Ladies. Release this two since they will be of little use to you. Please, follow me."


    And he left without waiting for anyone. All women quickly rushed to catch up with the old politician. Raphael looked at Konrad.


    "We run?"


    "YES!"


    And they used an opened window to be sure of their escape. Good thing they were both fully enhanced marines because they jumped out from the 5th store above ground. They shrugged it like nothing and quickly headed toward the Marine''s garrison. If they are going to die today they need backup since they won''t give up easily.


    There were 500 marines in there now. For sure they know enough music to keep frenzied women entertained.


    Richard smiled when Guardian told him boys jumped out of the window and were heading toward the barracks. They will try to simply wait them out or wait till they got bored. Not this way boys he smiled.


    "I suspect you have found that Humans have different kinds of music. Am I right?"


    Shunna asked him instead: "What are this kind of music you speak of?"


    They were heading to his and his wife''s quarters. He opened the door and smiled at his wife. "Honey, can you ask young Ensign Yukimura and Private Liu to join us in my studio?"


    She looked puzzled at all the Fa''enni women who followed her husband. Shunna looked very sour on her friend. Her husband just smiled and blinked at her.


    If he ''says'' it''s under control then fine. She sent a note to the boys her husband asked for and after a brief moment to her son to make sure they will be allowed to go.


    Richard opened real doors made from real wood. Women followed him resolved to not let him go before he will answer all their questions. He showed them a few lines of armchairs made of real Terran wood upholstered in a wonderfully soft and comfortable fabric.


    He, meanwhile, walked over to a strangely shapen wooden black table with an oddly thick top and sat down on the small stool at one of its sides. They all watched him patiently.


    Suddenly the wonderful music filled the entire room. They were surprised and started looking for where it was coming from. Shunna was standing with one hand overstretched toward Richard and the second hand on her face covering her mouth. Then all of them saw it. This was the instrument worthy of gods. They almost cried when the sounds of Frideric Chopin''s Nocturne in E Flat Major sounded. When he finished young soldiers came in.


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    They had no idea what was going on but when the General and Colonel yell at you in a panic to run you just run.


    Never ask where or how long, just run.


    "It''s good to see you, boys. Thanks to charming Ladies here, you will be able to slack a bit in work for at least today. Tell Me do you found others for our little project? Were you able to train what I gave you?"


    They still don''t understand even a bit what''s going but the old Lord Raven project was too close to their hearts to forget so they replayed with big grins: "Yes, Sir! To our surprise, we managed to gather everyone and we are ready!"


    "Splendid, just splendid! Gather them all in the Grand Concert hall in 30 minutes. Let them all take their weapons of choice. Gentelmans it''s time to show what we are made of. Don''t worry about your duties. General will personally agree to this."


    They all shone brightly when they understood what opportunity they will have. The Grand Concert hall was almost holy ground for the Fa''enni under director Shunna. They already were sending notes to all their friends.


    "Guardian, can you transport my second piano to the Grand Concert Hall immediately?"


    "It will be there in 20 minutes, sir."


    "Excellent. My Ladies, may I ask you again to follow me?" They must know what Humans are preparing to. They wanted to stay in this room trying to understand how this strange Human apparatus works but with heavy hearts, they followed Richard Raven once again.


    When they reached the Grand Hall more Fa''enni gathered curious why would humans enter the temple of master Shunna. But when she didn''t throw them out they all decided to enter.


    It was very dark inside and no one could see what or who was on stage. Guardian active jamming was blocking their implants so they patiently waited. Dim lights were only enough to show them empty armchairs on audition. Richard led them to the middle row and told no one to come any closer and went into the darkness.


    The audience was full and to the surprise of Shanti and Khrisa, their husbands joined them with Admiral MacArthur and his wife Naella. Shanti held her husband''s hand. Looks like they figured out what''s going on or what''s more probable Richard told them.


    Gradually lights started to shine brighter showing rows of Marines and Sailors in their ceremonial uniforms holding unknown weapons while on the other side, a few rows of male and female Human Sailors and Marines in their ceremonial uniforms were standing unarmed. Before all of them were floating small displays.


    They all could see known by now Human apparatus, the piano, which was almost the same as the one Richard was using before, standing in the middle of the half circles made by rows of soldiers. But now it was Ensign Yukimura who was sitting at it. Liu was holding some strange brown box with an elongated top.


    Richard Raven was standing at the central podium and was holding some short stick or wand. Shanti noticed that her husband as well as Robert and Raphael looked excited. She must see what they are up to.


    Suddenly Richard Raven waved his wand and the magic happened. Fa''enni were sitting in absolute awe. For the first time in their lives, they heard what the human Orchestra is capable of. One composition of Humanity''s Greatest composer of the early XXI century tore out the souls of all Fa''enni who were listening. Most of them started to cry.


    They denied humans use of the Concert Hall in fear they will play their horrible synthetic sounds they called music.


    But here they were playing the most magnificent music all Fa''enni ever heard. The music they could never think of.


    Thomas Bergsen- Winterspell.


    Orchestra played and played. More and more Fa''enni joined after each break the Orchestra took. Shanti, Shunna, Khrisa, Luna, and Naella cried. All Ladies of the court looked enchanted by young Human warriors. They were capable of destroying entire worlds without remorse, the warriors who made ancient Huluk who killed billions extinct. Warriors who dropped from the skies and saved Fa''enni from certain death.


    Konrad heard from the audience from time to time silent "I beg you don''t stop it!".


    Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Chopin, Bergsen, and even compositions of Richard Raven. After five hours Richard gave the sign to his Orchestra and they all stood up and bowed to the audience.


    Konrad, Raphael, Robert, and every other Human in the audience stand up and started clapping their hands. All Fa''enni know this Human custom and joined as well. When they left the hall with their instruments lonely piano was left behind with Ensign Yukimura who sat and played the song that started it all.


    So well-known sounds of the Beethovens For Elise sounded in Shanti''s ears much longer and with parts unknown from the small music box her Son sent to his beloved Luna.


    When it ended all Fa''enni gathered in the hall and noticed a personal letter sent to them all by Lord Richard Raven.


    It was the History of Music.


    The next day Konrad, Robert, and Raphael were sitting in the gardens drinking coffee. They still tried to understand what happened yesterday.


    "So if I''m right Fa''enni never created a single musical instrument." started Konrad after a brief moment.


    "Are you surprised? When my Naella starts singing I just sit and listen. She doesn''t need any instrument."


    "Agree. Khrisa and Luna sometimes sing together. It''s something else."


    "Shanti often sings as well. Sometimes with her Mother so I know what you both mean. Maybe it''s just strange for us. By the way. Shanti yesterday refused to go to sleep and read most probably the entire History of Music sent by my father. Read it personally without boosted implant learning. At about 04:15 I woke up to see what she was doing but she fell asleep at her desk so I took her to bed. She is still fast asleep and it''s about 09:16 now"


    "Same" replayed Robert and Raphael at the same time. All Men started laughing.


    "It looks like Shunna refused to return the piano and took poor Yukimura hostage." smiled Robert. Raphael cleared his throat and tried to stay serious: "He is a grown-up man. He knew what dangers lurk in the depths of the void when he was signing the contract. But I don''t think he ever suspected his own demise will be T¨²rieel Vaasta''s top student of Shunna."


    "Hahaha, he could get it worst for sure. For example furry potato." Konrad''s voice was once again serious. All of them entered the work mood immediately.


    "I saw reports and 3d provided by you. Ioitians have no chance." Robert displayed a small miniature and all data about the raided station they had.


    "And still no data about them besides what my wife dug three years ago. Very ugly bastards. Good thing they were not our first contact." Told Raphael.


    "I don''t know... If they have been the first contact we most probably would have already done with them." joked Konrad.


    "If we speak about what happened three years ago I want to point out that their ships are a mystery. To be honest they are nothing special. Merlin found almost all their invisibility tricks and it looks like we can now see them on our sensors. What''s more no one else from the Galaxians can see them, their sensors are too primitive. However, after they lost this ship their activity dropped to zero in our space. And it''s whole months between their appearance even outside our borders." Robert was watching alien miniature and asked a rhetorical question "The fuck do they want?"


    The rest of the coffee committee shrugged their arms.


    "Any word from Hunters?"


    "Nope. They are currently scattered everywhere. Last time I checked they were on the other side of territories claimed by the Federation. Are you sure Konrad we shouldn''t give a word that our forces are moving through their territory all the time?"


    "Maybe we should. But this is funnier and Hunters liked the idea. I have no clue how Galaxian''s minds work- it''s been 27 years since we busted their party and it looks like they didn''t make any significant progress. Their sensors are as bad as they were. Little to no changes. And look right now at the Fa''enni. If suddenly all Humanity disappears they will be the most powerful race around. They made bigger progress during the last 27 years than for the last 500 years."


    Raphael nodded. He was wondering about one thing: "Why they didn''t waited for wounded crewmates?"


    Konrad was derailed from his previous speech and tried to focus on what Raphael meant. Robert looked at him stupidly and a sudden flash of understanding in his eyes shone. With one mind command, he summoned a recording of what Khrisa showed them in the teleporter room.


    "True. They entered just one minute after this one left. It''s highly unlikely it didn''t know they are coming."


    Konrad watched the recording. One idea come to his mind so he rewound the recording to the first "hit" from the Commonwealth ships and looped it and then to the second "hit" and looped it again. Then he put both recordings near each other. On both of them, the alien has rapidly flung two of four of its upper tentacles in the same manner.


    "Maybe it was shock? Maybe it couldn''t be believed they were actually spotted or hit?"


    "Hmmm, there is some pattern yes. But we shouldn''t apply what humans would do in a similar situation."


    "But the shock and trauma would match why it didn''t wait for rest" Raphael supported Konrad''s theory.


    "We should gather more data. Then we will know what to do next." said Robert. You can''t disagree with such statement.


    "Thanks to Khrisa we know plenty about them. Now we just hunting?"


    "Can''t see the other way around. Their appearances are sparse and whole years can pass between them." They all fell silent for a longer moment. Konrad remembered something.


    "Robert how you got here so fast yesterday?"


    "In early afternoon suddenly Naell told me that Queen Shanti wanted to see her at once and she should take me with her. And when we landed Guardian told me that I''m expected in the Grand Concert Hall." he looked at Konrad and shake his head. "You know that this is still a warship at its core?"


    "What I could do? Shanti said we must build it. And you should know when a Fa''enni woman wants something she has very convincing means to get it. And I know you also made a special room for Naell on Wrath."


    "How do you..? Fine. I get what you mean. Naella was very convincing when she asked for her music room. But room it''s not the Concert Hall!"


    "So what? This is not the flagship but Royal Palace" responded Konrad with a big grin on his face.


    "What happened anyway?"


    "Welllll... Girls first time in their life heard a piano." responded Raphael after a while. Robert was blinking and trying to understand what was going on. When Guardian informed them.


    "Queen Shanti, Lady Khrisa, Lady Luna, and Lady Naella are coming to you Lords"


    "Should we run?" quickly asked Raphael, Konrad was already standing while Robert had no idea what was going on.


    "That will not be necessary. Here they are." All four women walked slowly towards them and calmly talked with each other. All of them took empty spots around the table. All three men were sitting in silence.


    Queen Shanti smiled and announced. "From now on your Orchestra is welcome anytime in the Concert Hall. We also like to employ Ensign Yukimura as a piano tutor for some girls. I hope you don''t mind relieving him from duty for a few months?"


    Konrad didn''t even need a second. While Raphael was nodding with full heart conviction. Konrad sends a quick private message directly to Robert and Raphael: ''May the Spirits of Your ancestors help you and God protect you Yukimura. We will sacrifice you for the greater good and our peace.'' and loudly said.


    "That wouldn''t be a problem at all! I''m sure Ensign Yukimura will be very happy when he receives this new exciting work perspective. Right Colonel?"


    "But of course my Lord! I even think it''s his dream job." quickly replied Raphael. And replayed to his friends on the same channel: ''If Yukimura plays this smart he should be able to find a girlfriend. We are actually making him a favor!'' Robert sighed and sent them: ''Are you trying to ease your conscience or just making up excuses to each other?''


    Queen continued. "We wish to apologize as well for how we acted yesterday. As you know we Fa''enni love stories and music. We always believed to be the greatest musicians in Galaxy. While our voice is still the best we admit your music beats anything we created so far. So far because my Mother is right now learning everything about your classic music. And she alone is using the entire 1% of Guardian computing power."


    All three men looked at her with eyes wide open. 1% of the computing power of combat planetoid is so huge amount of data processed per second it usually takes an entire 200000 crew to use that much processing power. And Shunna is doing it alone.


    This time Luna spoke: "Dad why have you never told us about music instruments?"


    "When something is normal and ordinary for you Luna you just don''t think about it. Luna, do you care about the weapons I hold in our home? Or do you notice equipment my marines use?" She thought about it for a moment and replied.


    "No. I know where it is and how to use it. I also have my own weapons in the home armory but I think I know what you mean." All wives slowly nodded their heads. That made sense, they were warriors, not musicians.


    They all read the entire History of Music they received yesterday and the new vocabulary they learned sounded so exotic but very appealing. Shanti wanted them to understand what happened since they seems to not fully understand how significant that was for the Fa''enni.


    "Konrad and both of you must understand that your music instruments, the concept of music styles, or the music language- the music notation you created is revolutionary. Yesterday will be the day remembered by all Fa''enni. Except for my Son who knew all along and never uttered a word. We spoke today and he just said "I thought everyone knew! It''s just in the public database!". He is just like you three!" Konrad was visibly proud of his Son and criticism absolutely got over him.


    "So they are somewhere near?"


    "Yes. Their training task force was dropped somewhere in the uncharted stars region. They are in the range of Hypercom with a delay of just a few minutes. Their task is to get to the unknown star system and map it."


    "Almost like a vacation." Murmured Konrad. He checked the data. They were actually quite far and the closest Forces to them are Academy supervisor forces at 5h away jump who are apprising their skills.


    Meh.


    With six dreadnoughts eight Dashu''uns and eight heavy cruisers with 20 escorts they can map five star systems in no time.

 21. First contact

    Elisabeth had to admit she is not fit for the overall Commander of the team. But the Prince who certainly was told them openly he will not do this for political reasons since few Terran nobless already doesn''t like how he is always "the best".


    He won the argument with the professor about it as well. "In real combat situations, only the best should lead, but how others can learn if those supposed the Best always decide even at training?"


    He was right but it was frustrating. Elisabeth for the last three years tried to catch up with the brilliance of Johan who was ordering almost like he could see the future. Catching up with Thuel was impossible since he almost for sure could see the future with his space magic. She was at loss for how to proceed now. They were dropped and received more or less coordination about where they should go so she moved her Fleet at a slow march and began scanning for precise coordinates.


    What next? She planned to jump a few light hours away from the system and gradually check it.


    Daring or safe attempt? She gave up. She will proceed with her instincts even if she got scolded or fail this test.


    "Freya! Start calculating the jump for Fleet. We are approaching the system under an ecliptic 5 light hours from the border. Full stealth!"


    15 light second away from her Thuel who couldn''t see the future as everyone thought he could, was pleased with the decision Elisabeth made. He felt terrible that he was thinking more like another teacher and not a fellow student but he can''t help it.


    All Alinti students were phenomenal. The grueling studies of Admiral MacArthur and hundreds of hours of simulation apparently were not exactly a typical Academy teaching program. Ra''volta''s crew started preparing for the jump under his watchful eye.


    He returned to his thought: That training, however, paid off for them- every Fa''enni was commanding Valiant class Dreadnought, Johan got under command of Retribution class and he stayed on Ra''volta bridge. All of them had at least two years of real combat experience before they were assigned here so now that made it five.


    Very, very intense three years here.


    "...5...4...3...2...1...Jumping!" Ra''volta along with the entire Task Force entered hyperspace. He checked the data.


    The jump will take them to the fringes of the unmapped sector and they have about one hour until translation into real space. Fleet Carrier SIGINT gave them a standard intelligence packet.


    According to the spectral analysis, this system potentially can have one or maybe two planets in the comfort zone. Its star was G2 so about the same as Sol. Maybe less hostile than the Sol and more like the Alinti. Whatever.


    Standard set up two maybe three rock planets and one gas giant. No signals indicate intelligent life.


    "Comandor Flint. I want one wing of Virtus deployed right after we translate to the system. Send also four Vrita on auto to the points at least 5 light hours away. All Pilots on standby!"


    "Yes, sir!" Commandor Flint just three years ago was a cadet at the Terran Navy Academy and was born in a colony on the Moon. He didn''t know his parents as they died in the shuttle accident when he was three years old. His Grandparents took care of him but he very quickly ended up in military school. He scored at the top of his class but in the end, was not classified as an exceptional student which a bit upset him.


    But he graduated and this was his first assignment given to him personally by his idol- Admiral Denis Makosso himself. This tradition of the Grand Admiral granting the first assignment was sometimes treated almost like a consolation prize, but not by Christopher. What''s more, the Admiral told him he believe in his potential and will assign him somewhere special.


    But when Admiral told him he will be assigned as the first officer to Fa''enni Prince in front of the entire academy and at first, he was disappointed. What''s worst all his former friends had good laughs on him. He will be babysitting Fa''enni Prince. If that be a Princess maybe she would be at least hot. But Prince? It lasted for one whole month. He was the target of all and any stupid jokes. But he trusted Admiral against all odds and endured.


    Then Prince arrived like the fucking boss. He destroyed Terra''s defenses and won an impossible game. Their simulated attack was the masterwork but that was just the beginning.


    Prince personal dreadnought Ra''volta was the masterpiece of art and the deadliest in its class. Some people who joked at him were silenced. When Prince was at the party on Dauntless, Admiral ordered him to prepare a little party for the Prince''s crew at the Academy.


    And guess what?


    He was surrounded by the entire battalion of hot girls now. He saw jealousy and envy in the eyes of all who joked and belittled him, all his former friends when they saw his new crew.


    And the ordinary ''it was just a prank bro'' won''t help them now after what they did.


    And no, he''s not going to get the number of that stunning chick, no matter which one.


    And there he is now. Serving under Prince Thuel was interesting, he acted like he could see the future. Maybe he could since he was half Fa''enni but Christopher Flint learned to trust Captain no matter what. He smiled to himself checking systems. All green as it should be.


    "Dropping from Hyperspace in 10..." Still nothing on low-resolution sensors.


    "3...2...1... Drop." informed Ra''volta and immediately informed: "Multiple contacts in the system. We are at the advantage of 42 to 25 ships. No data about targets. All are classified as Neutral. Updating tac-net now. Drones on their way sir."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Thuel grinned. He heard Elisabeth in coms.


    "I knew it. That always happens when I''m commanding. Dashu''uns in the rear guard covered by two heavy cruisers escorts in middle be ready for engaging hostiles. Dreadnoughts to vanguard with the rest of the heavy cruisers. Modified V formation."


    All ships confirmed her orders. Thuel already was prepared for a fight and in the next seven minutes he will have info about the situation. But that wasn''t the Shadows. Their characteristics were too primitive. He saw how Dashu''uns deployed all their drones. Over 800 combat drones saturated close proximity practically making attacking the Elisabeth task force an impossible feat.


    But Thuel was busy with checking the data from the sensors of one of his Vritas.


    "Command- this is Thuel. The data indicate these ships are in poor condition and in defensive positions. They look like they are trying to defend the fourth planet."


    "Are you sure? No, your right. Ok task force. Let''s take a closer look. All ships 10% speed ahead. We will close to them in 36 hours. The task force in Amber alert. I want all the data you gather asap in tac-net. Johan ask Alinti Sector Command for instructions and inform the supervisors. Lurna and Marcus try to get some data on them."


    After two hours they got info from Alinti that this system should be empty and it''s technicly a Commonwealth property with a note from King Konrad that "Thuel you are Prince so you can deal with it as you see fit."


    So it''s all up to him since he is on spot. But actually, that was a good thing. He is free to do whatever he sees fit. The supervisor informed them they received the news but it still can be counted as part of their exercises. Elisabeth for the past five hours two times tried to dump command on him and at 3rd time she succeeded because he didn''t pay attention to what he is signing.


    Sneaky woman.


    In the meantime, he sent all his remaining drones and ordered building at least 10 more Virtus and 2 Vritas. In the next 2 hours, they will be ready. One of his Vritas should be at any moment now approaching an unknown fleet.


    "Sir, Vrita was able to reach the unknown fleet. Their security systems are poor. We gained access to their entire data core. I''m in the middle of translation."


    "What...? Wait, no matter. Just transmit all the data to Lurna and Marcus. Notice me when you find anything important."


    "Affirmative sir." Christopher was looking at the first images in high resolution of this new enemy. All visual data made no sense. He took his pad and walked toward the Captain to show him the observation he made. "Sir if I may" he started.


    "I''m listening Comandor Flint."


    "These ships have the same construction and materials as the Shadows." Thuel focused his gaze on the photos he was showing.


    "Ra''volta is that true?"


    "They have some similarities but also many differences. The material used by these ships is very rudimentary. With the data I have I''m sure three Virtu would shred them all like paper. While the Shadows ships would offer at least a bit of a battle."


    "I agree, sir. But look at this, this, and this. All three ships are looking exactly like the fronts of the ship captured three years ago. They are just bigger. My theory is that ships are made to look like Shadows. It''s maybe not imitation but more like coping design."


    Thuel closed his eyes and tilted his head. After a short while he nodded. "I understood your point of view. This may be not Shadows but some race that can have knowledge about Shadows. Forward your observation to Lurna. Nicely done Christopher!"


    "At once, Sir!" he moved back to his station and sat back on his armchair. In the note, he send all the photo material with his thoughts.


    "Ra''volta how translation is going on?"


    "It will be ready in the next hour."


    "This fast?" Thuel was surprised.


    "Affirmative. Their language has a similar structure to some ancient Terran languages and spelling is very close to Narrik."


    "So not furry potatoes? That''s good. I guess."


    He checked his fleet position. Nothing more to do for the next two hours.


    "Yellow alert for the fleet. Allow for maximum rest before we came near unknown Forces. First! You are taking command for the next hour. I''m gonna catch a short nap before Ra''volta finishes the translation. Wake me up if anything interesting shows up."


    "Yes sir!"


    One hour later a bit fresher Thuel entered the bridge. Huge projectors were providing life feed from optic sensors around the ship so Ra''volta''s bridge looked like it was separated from the void by only a few pieces of glass, but it was actually hidden deep in the heart of the battleship. That gave complex overlook and situational awareness not many ships in the fleet possessed- yet, soon they will share this technology previously available only for planetoids to all the Navy.


    The workstations were situated in the most efficient places so every bridge officer have the freedom of not only working with their team but also being able to quickly communicate with anyone on the bridge with ease. He sat at his Captain station and checked reports.


    "Sir. We have a translation ready."


    "Connect all skippers." After all Captains joined on audio Thuel asked Ra''volta for the briefing. He was surprised when he saw a live video most probably hijacked from one of the alien ships. He really didn''t like what he saw. That complicated things.


    "Sir. As you can see in the images these are not Shadows. Creatures resemble humanoid felinids..." One of the Captains of Dashu''uns, a Human named Herman Volke started laughing and told out loud.


    "I''ll be damned! The space Catgirls!" Ra''volta paused, rethink, and silently agreed.


    "Indeed. Catgirls and Catboys. However as you can see there, most of them are in bad condition or even wounded. From the captured data I concluded they are evacuating the entire planet."


    "Why?"


    "No data on their cores. Also, their ships are almost analog. Very rudimentary support systems, not even a basic AI present. And sir. Their ships are badly beaten."


    "Do we know who hurt the Cats?" Asked Elisabeth.


    "Traces suggest the Shadows. But that makes no sense. If Shadows were able to destroy Fox drones they would easily scrap this Fleet of rag-tag haulers and maybe two or three military garde junks." Thuel was thinking fast and he decided. He only hoped he made a good decision.


    "Fleet on red alert. All hands on battle stations! We are jumping there. Fleet blockade formation Tango."


    "Sir? What do you...?" Started surprised Elisabeth. There was no need for that high alert. These ships were unable to even scratch the paint on their hulls.


    "I believe that Cats are in possession of the information we desire. By my authority as Fa''enni Prince, I initiate the first contact procedure on friendly terms."


    Lurna hologram pointed on the screen. Groups of Cats were kneeling in circles of four or six and touching each other with the top of their heads. She suddenly felt a strange unease. "What are they doing?"


    In silence, the voice of Freya was heard: "I believe they are praying."


    The cold arrow pierced the hearts of all Fa''enni on board who saw this transmission. They all were looking at the Prince who very silently asked.


    "Ra''volta?"


    "Coordinates sent to all ships. My Lord, I agree with Captain Freya. These creatures are praying. Task Force already slowed down to 5% Light Speed. Initiate hyperdrives in 10...9..."


    Thuel eyes shone with the cold blue light of mana condensation. Everyone looking at him was in awe, their Prince was angry. Lights and glitter that danced normally around Fa''enni were gone and now swirls of the dark fog and translucent, like made from the darkness itself black raven feathers were dancing in swirls around him. His normally long gold hair darkened and looked almost obsidian black with the deep blue cold hue.


    Their Prince was pissed and is heading for the battle. He lay his hand on the 3d tac-table and clenched his right hand into a fist.


    Ra''volta was counting down. "3...2...1"


    Thuel with a voice as cold as the void finished: "JUMP!"

 22. Failed communication

    Admiral Murrnal Bram with empty eyes was watching how the hopeless and powerless remnants of his race tried to evacuate from this planet. He was old but he hoped to see his race live. He saw his reflection on the dark screen of the fleet status monitor in front of him. His once pitch-black fur was now grey in many spots even white. Once he was the proud leader of the warrior castle-Vnyr. With a heavy heart, he checked all the data and sighed with resignation. He looked straight into the eyes of his own reflection and saw only immeasurable sadness and what was left of his anger in them.


    We almost did it.


    They shouldn''t have found us here but they found us anyway. He knew the Jarta-vuri will return in their invisible ships again.


    They are always coming back.


    Attack, stop, attack, stop until they will finally kill us all. At least now we can see them but our weapons are still useless.


    But we will die free. He watched his crew''s sad faces, their tails hopelessly dropped on the decks, ears down. Someone cried, and someone else was praying to Star Gods who long ago abandoned us. And prayers were the last thing that was left now.


    He watched the camera feed from the cargo hold. They managed to evacuate 50% of the population. They still should have at least five days until the next Jarta-vuri attack but they need to move the fleet in the next twelve hours or they will be too deep in the gravity well of the local star to enter hyperspace.


    Few more years and we would finally make the ships able to fight them. An alerted hiss of Captain brought him to reality.


    "The Jarta-vuri are approaching! They are still 2 mrin away but they already cut off our retreat vectors!"


    "Impossible! They never attacked so fast!" He was panicking. Maybe if he orders dispersing ships and retreat on different vectors some will survive. But ... He checked the positions of the enemy and he closed his eyes. There were too many of Jarta-vuri- over 400 contacts.


    He had just 25 ships.


    And only five ships could fight. Oh, The Star Gods above if any of you is still listening please save just children. We will gladly sacrifice ourselves if children will survive.


    Suden yelp was heard from the sensor and communication officers. "Admiral! We detected multiple hyperdrive signatures just 15000 m''uhra away from the fleet!"


    He looked at the screen. Nothing. Ghosts? Most probably. No one could use a hyperdrive so deep in star gravity well.


    "What''s the matter communication?"


    "We received a communication request from the unknown source from the position of detected hyperdrive signatures!" He blinked a few times. Jarta-vuri never communicated with anyone. They long time ago just sent one message that no one was able to translate and started attacking us.


    "On screen."


    "As you order!" The screen was pitch black with a single pulsing blue dot. Suddenly it flashed to life. Some unknown creature was looking at him from the screen. It looked tall, massive, and muscular. Murrnal felt his piercing strange eyes see straight through him. His proud posture and manner almost made Murrnal kneel immediately but he manage to control himself. His face was quite similar to some of his kind the furless who were not covered in fur and had much different faces. But this alien was much more majestic.


    For sure he was not Cion.


    No one lived to tell a tale how Jarta-vuri looks like so he can''t be sure. Admiral was very surprised when the creature speak in perfect Cionian.


    "I''m Lord Thuel Raven, Crown Prince of Fa''enni Kingdom and Captain of the Commonwealth Navy. May I ask who you are?"


    Admiral hesitated just for a moment. "I''m Admiral Murrnal Bram commanding the Cion remnants. If you know Cionian so well you should know why we running and You should as well! Jarta-vuri are already in the system and in 2 mrin they will destroy remnants of our race. We are too far away from the jump points to enter Hyperspace but if you can... I beg you! Can you save at least some of our children?"


    Lord Thuel''s eyes started glowing with a cold blue hue. He looked very scary now like the depiction of God from the old book he saw so long time ago. Admiral should know that no one will risk taking some refugees if Jarta-vuri are so close but he was very desperate Cion.


    He checked the sensor data. Nothing. If this ship is still undetected it must be small.


    "I''m sorry Lord Thuel but we can''t see your position. We are sending you all data about Jarta-vuri vectors and how many are incoming. Please consider saving just children if you can afford just some space and time."


    Lord Thuel looked somewhere away. He probably received the data. He smiled with a very ugly smile. The smile was once known to Cions before they were almost destroyed by Jarta-vuri. The smile of a predator on the hunt.


    "Admiral Bram I''m sorry but I must refuse your request. And if you wonder where we are we are now surrounding your Fleet and evacuation zone."


    Admiral sat on his seat with fear when the impossibly big ships appeared on his screen. Six ships, four maybe five times bigger than his biggest ark. Their pitch-black hull were almost invisible to Cion sensors and Admiral understand in an instant that aliens allowed to be seen. One of these ships was different. It was as black and invisible like others but in the maximal zoom, Bram could see the rich embroilments made with silver and finishes in sapphire blue on some of the edges. But it was not what caught his attention but the two towers in which a total of six monstrous barrels were mounted and each one of them was as long as his last frigate. In total there were 42 huge ships and an entire armada of the fighter-interceptors. His sensors showed almost 900 of them.


    "Admiral we believe that ''enemy of my enemy is my friend''. Your people for certain are not a threat for the Commonwealth but we want to learn about this Jarta-vuri more." Lord Thuel responded softly with a cold but somehow welcoming smile.


    Admiral looked at his system officer. "Send them everything! Now!" He pressed a button and authorized sending the entire fleet database to aliens. Faint hope sparked in his heart.


    "So what they decided to give us?" Thuel asked the air.


    "Everything Sir." Responded at once the communication officer and Ra''volta and both of them laughed.


    "Well yes, I heard what their admiral said. But what was in this primitive laser stream you received?"


    "As I told you, Sir, everything. They are still sending. If I''m not wrong it''s their entire data core. They refer to it as database, Sir." precised Ra''volta and Thuel whistled surprised.


    "I wasn''t expecting that." He looked at the video in which the alien admiral was ordering his officers. "I wonder if mom felt the same in Federation Senat when Grandpa was announcing our race survival like this Admiral when he saw our ships and heard my message."


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "No idea Captain but I understood your feelings." After a brief while Ra''volta added. "Lord Thuel you were right. These aliens had extensive knowledge about the Shadows, nothing groundbreaking if I am evaluating this data correctly but nonetheless this data possesses value to our intelligence agencies. The data they send is catalogued in order of what in their opinion would help us the most. They must sort it manually and I''m impressed with its integrity. I''d like to examine their sensors later since They had some interesting features and profiles." Thuel nodded. Ra''volta was updating tac-net with data from Cions.


    Interesting. We didn''t saw Shadows at initial scans but now when we know where to look we see them clearly. We thought we can see them but their stealth technology is quite impressive.


    Elisabeth was asking for his attention on a private channel.


    "Yes, Liss?"


    "Thuel are you sure that''s a good idea? We have just 42 ships. No one ever fought with the Shadows."


    "With the furry potatoes, Lady Elisabeth. It''s not technicly true because one of the Hunter Fleets captured their ship. So we will be second."


    "You contacted Alinti?"


    "I sent the report. Yes."


    "But you didn''t called them directly! Am I right?"


    "Elisabeth, My Father King Konrad Raven gave me full authorisation to act with my instinct and with the Commonwealth interest in mind. We are at war with the Shadows for at least 12-14 years. It''s just they are hidden so well we can''t kill them yet. So what do you expect? Someone at home will say noooo you can''t fight them? Because what? I''m the Prince? Exactly that''s why I want to contact them or I will have to murder them so maybe then fucking potatoes understood with whom they picked a fight with. This is my duty, Elisabeth."


    "What about Supervisor?" she was surprised. Her family always told her to avoid any battles she may die in since she started being valuable to them.


    "He fully agreed with my judgement. They are en route to us and will join our little party in 4 hours. Fucking shame because I plan to annihilate them in the next two hours thirty-seven minutes and twenty-one seconds."


    "That''s it? They want us to fight 400 unknown ships with unknown properties and weaponry systems and didn''t say anything?"


    "Of course not!"


    "Ufff I''m relieved. What instructions you got?"


    "Instructions? No, no. No. It was a note from Admiral MacArthur. ''Have fun''."


    Thuel ended the call and Elisabeth was speechless. He is crazy. All Fa''enni are crazy. They are all about caring, love, art and all that shit until they decide you should die. What''s wrong with Lord Raven and Lord MacArthur?! What they have done with the peaceful Fa''enni?!


    She received tac-data from the Ra''volta. Manoeuvres and fire plan. She confirmed the orders and allowed her first officer to proceed with preparations when she saw with the corner of her eye how 200 Fox and 300 Virtu drones accelerated towards the Shadows with regular combat speed.


    She was focused on the declassified information about the ship captured by the 201st Fleet. She opened her eyes widely, that data was absolutely shocking.


    No wonder Thuel was so confident.


    The Shadows ships are far worse than anything Humanity had over 800 years ago.


    Couldn''t he just start with this?


    Admiral Bram was watching how these monstrous ships were just hovering in the vacuum motionlessly. The fact they could do this was more terrifying than their sizes.


    His ships used thrusters and even main engines to stay in a stable orbit. But the Commonwealth ships just stayed there like pinned to the point they decided to be. Suddenly the 500 small ships disappeared and he heard a surprised shriek from the sensor operator.


    "What happened? The Jarta-vuri destroyed so many? They shouldn''t be in range yet!"


    "No Admiral! They all accelerated from the relative 0 to over 10% speed of the light in less than 0.05 mrin before I lost any trace of them."


    Admiral looked at the monstrous ships and started wondering what hellish place born the Creatures thought enough to withstand such acceleration.


    Or what unimaginable technology they possess.


    Johan was giggling. No one gonna believe him. The Catgirls in space. Thor told him that all communication attempts with Shadows failed. Their AI which was very good protected their otherwise poor network against all intrusion attempts made by the Commonwealth''s AI. Despite the fact, furry potatoes were still approaching. Thuel and Johan read reports about Shadows raids on Federation installations and ships and he saw pictures of mutilated corpses of former owners of raided places. However, most of the time raid target was picked clean and no one know what happened or where the Federation citizens are. He watched how the clock finished counting down and ordered: "Main weapons open fire!"


    The Dominion Ships were close to their prey. The Hunt Master was proud of himself as he was commanding the biggest hunt fleet ever mustered by his race. His computer informed him about some very advanced attempts at communication but he dismissed that. He will not talk with prey. They can''t escape this perfectly orchestrated situation. They are finally ours. These slaves ran for too long. The Hunt Master was unhappy as the prey decided to not run in panic when he graciously allowed being seen. They will need more slaves because the last ones already died. With the thoughts about what he will do to his slaves, Hunt Master died when his ship was pierced all the way out by Johan''s railgun fire.


    Admiral Bram was watching in the deaf silence of his command center how the Gods send great Lord Thuel ships were destroying Jarta-vuri ships from a distance of over 1 light mrin. The Jarta-vuri who tried to fall back were killed by these small impossibly fast ships. Some interceptors were destroyed. His race will forever remember the names of their pilots.


    Thuel was disappointed. 12 years of research and hunt for this? This is how must have the Hunter Fleets feel after they finally found Huluk. Or no.


    Huluk at least put up a fight.


    However, the Shadows are a threat even to the Commonwealth''s civilian population so they had to be dealt with. He knew that only the vigilance and farsight of uncle Robert safeguarded the borders of the Commonwealth against such enemy. But Thuel watched in shock as his initial salvo that was meant to stop Xeno''s advancement and made them respond to his communication attempts obliterated almost half of the alien ships. He can''t allow them to flee and he doesn''t want to.


    "To all destroyers and frigates. You can pursue the enemy, let no one escape! Try to board them maybe we can take prisoners." Confirmations on his com exploded when escorts accelerated with 30g toward their targets. They are slower than the drones but not that much.


    "All drones can engage the enemy. The Dashu''uns leaving one cps-team on them." The Combat Patrol of the Space Team was necessary for their doctrine. Besides what idiot doesn''t hold any protection for his own Carrier?


    "Ra-volta any success with cyber intrusion?"


    "Their AI is very good sir. No success here." Thuel was giving orders by his neural link for his entire Fleet. The Commonwealth used both systems of giving and receiving orders- verbally and by neural link. Both had their own cons and while the neural was uncomparably faster the verbal orders were deeply connected with traditions.


    Christopher was taking care of the ship while his Lord was occupied with task force coordination. He was already used to more feudal systems developed by Fa''enni than any other monarchy outside the Avalon Kingdom, Great Spanish Empire and Polish Union Worlds. But as far as he was concerned Fa''enni''s feudal system changed just the title he was using in some situations. Not Captain or Sir but Prince or Lord- since the rest of the Navy Protocol was still in place it was all fine.


    The Prince is a very, very good commander. Christopher doubted if he ever will be this good. The Commonwealth ships under his command were placed at planetary blockade positions and were also in an excellent position to attack the Shadows. Or Furry Potatoes as Prince Thuel calls them.


    Only 120 furry potato ships survived this long but they will be caught. They are able to do 12% of Light Speed. The Commonwealth destroyers reached already 30% of LS and still accelerated.


    The Dominion ships were destroyed at a terrifying rate. They didn''t know who could that be but they must be protecting their cursed slaves or using them as bait for the Dominion forces. There was a race more powerful than the Dominion? They never found them! He was now Master of the Hunt but if he don''t do anything they all are going to die. His ship computer was trying to understand what was going on or find the enemies but it was impossible. The flagship computer knew about something before the attack but the previous Hunt Master dismissed it. They are so far away from the jump zone. He...


    He died when invisible to his sensors Fox drone emptied its last two missiles at his ship engines trying to disable it. His ship was shredded to pieces when a chain reaction of exploding fuel reached the reactor compartment.


    Admiral Bram saw how five of the smaller ships from the Commonwealth armada turned and just disappeared. They accelerated almost as fast as the interceptors before. If they decide Cions should die nothing is going to stop them. He watched how the bigger ships moved. To his surprise, he didn''t even noticed any exhaust flames.


    He remembered what Lord Thuel told him ''enemy of my enemy is my friend.'' that meant the Commonwealth is fighting Jarta-vuri! The Gods descended and saved Cions!


    He looked at his bridge crew and saw someone switched view from the transmission to all ships. The Jarta-vuri were broken and trying to escape. One of the biggest if not the biggest fleet of the silent enemy he ever saw was destroyed like nothing.


    Elisabeth regretted many things in her life. And now she has one more thing on the list.


    She regrets her panicked private talk with Thuel. He will think she is weak or scared. Or what''s even more possible he will have to report her behaviour to the supervisors. While she didn''t care about her Navy career as much as she had a few months ago but she was afraid her only real friends will think she is just a coward. She checked the data.


    At least she is a coward with 100% accuracy.

 23. Decision

    The battle if that even can be called ended without any surprise and faster than anyone could imagine.


    But The Commonwealth is an empire built upon the ashes of warriors. Since the day the first ape grasped stick to this day Humanity was waging a neverending war. Defiant against all odds and ready to wage war against the entire cosmos. Fa''ennis understood that and are not only willing but happy to stand with Humanity against every foe.


    Thuel checked all data and it doesn''t make any sense. How Potatoes can hide so well but the rest of their technology is pure garbage?!


    They destroyed all potato ships and some drones were sweeping the outer system. He committed all available resources for the recovery mission. His initial attack was calculated for maximum shock and he hoped many destroyed ships will contain this time some interesting findings. He checked the operation progress and was content. System mapping was 96% done and they will have to proceed with sampling on some promising asteroids.


    Neural link implant demanded his focus and displayed information that two planetoids from the 201st Fleet in 3 hours will take over the recovery of Shadow ships. Supervisor just entered the system and also in 3 hours will reach this planet''s orbit. Right now he realised he must begin the proper first contact procedure and oh God how he hated this part...


    Elisabeth Windsor almost jumped on her armchair when she received a transmission from Ra''volta on the task force channel. The supervisor was almost here so this will be most probably her last mission in exceptional class. She opened com ready for punishment. She began the traditional formula of communication.


    "TCF Ra''volta to TCF Freya, Lady Elisabeth?"


    "TCF Freya to TCF Ra''volta. I''m listening Lord Thuel."


    "Comandor Elisabeth I will be busy with finishing securing the area and will need Johan and most of the others to finish our task in the system. So I''m giving you Anna from destroyer Frost and Arthemis from Heavy Cruiser Warhammer. You will continue First Contact procedures."


    She didn''t expect that but He continued.


    "In a few hours Supervisor will arrive so I want you to begin asap. This will allow us more flexibility since we will deal with it under Royal Family authority and not military."


    Her face must look stupid now. Thuel however avoided eye contact with her. She received a quick message on a private channel from him.


    "I beg you, Liss! I hate this stuff. The supervisor slowed down and will enter orbit with the 201st ships. It means he also doesn''t want to initiate the first contact."


    So Thuel didn''t think she is a coward? If that''s so, her dark thoughts can wait. She smiled and saluted:


    "Yes Sir! Just officially introduce us to them."


    Admiral Murrnal Bram saw happiness around him, all Cion regained hope. Our new Gods could easily destroy us if they wished but instead, they saved us all. They declined to take our children because they have the power to save us all. He was the last leader of his kin and he must do everything to make new Gods protect all that remain of the Cion race. 25 ships and a proto colony they established on this planet was all that survived- a bit over half a million Cions alive. Barren and cold planet but with a breathable atmosphere. They can''t stay here but they might have to as 10 ships at any moment can lose hull integrity dooming all onboard.


    With fear, he was admiring the elegant shapes of Star Gods ships. Many ulong long, with obviously weapon systems which technology was almost magic and mystery for him. What he should do now? He wouldn''t dare to initiate communication as if it could offend them. In the happy atmosphere that engulfed his ship, he was thinking very very fast.


    He has one good but desperate idea so far.


    The communication officer sounded a silence signal on the bridge and everyone immediately focused on the screen. Admiral signalled everyone to do as he say. This might be their only chance.


    Thuel was satisfied with the operation so far. It looks like some potato ships still have some atmosphere inside and that gives hope for survivors. And survivors mean prisoners for interrogation. Liss and her team were almost ready, Johan and his team were recovering the most promising wrecks, and drones were continuing the mapping system. He ordered a few Foxes to descend on Cat''s planet and gather some intel.


    "Lord Thuel my team is ready for initiating the full first contact procedure after you introduce us to Admiral Murrnal Bram."


    Elisabeth informed him after a few minutes. Thuel smiled at his thoughts. ''I can dump this work on you Liss. This will be my little revenge for dumping battle on me.'' Grandfather was most probably is preparing hell for him as soon as he return home. Lately, he told ''I can''t allow Throne inheritor who also happens to be my Grandson become a political clown. Not on my watch.'' so im doomed thought Thuel. But I can at least postpone this for a few next months until the end of this training.


    Commonwealth policy on contacts with alien civilisations was actually simple- avoid. The only exceptions are contacts that potentially can benefit the whole Commonwealth but that never happened so far. The exception was Fa''enni''s first contact initiated by Fa''enni themselves so that barely counts. Thanks to this policy deep in Commonwealth territories few races which didn''t developed or FTL or even space flight were monitored. One day someone will have to tell them ''sorry guys but we didn''t want to interrupt you.'' but this day is still very distant.


    It''s not like we don''t like other races as well.


    A few times the Navy destroyed planetoids that potentially could destroy all life on their planets. It''s just like Commonwealth does not exactly want to create Galaxy Federation 2.0 or share our technology with other races. We are the most advanced civilisation inhabiting this Galaxy.


    Some internal hypocrisy alerts started ringing in Fa''enni''s part of his soul only to be brutally killed by his human part saying: ''this makes absolute sense, chill out''.


    He looked at his communication officer. She was like him F¨¢e- half Human, half Fa''enni. Her Mother was a Human medic serving in the 515th Army and her Father was one of the first true Fa''enni doctors. However, she didn''t like the idea of being a medic herself and after military training and school that every single child in the Kingdom attend she chose the Navy Academy. Little to say she was an excellent student. All his crew was excellent and made it here fresh out of Academy.


    "Communication. Establish transmission to the flagship of Cions."


    "Yes Sir! It seems their communication systems are starting to fail." Lieutenant Rinn Fris¨¢ informed her Captain. Thuel nodded.


    "Thank you, Lieutenant, for the information but I don''t think we can do anything about it. Connect us anyway."


    "Aye, aye Captain!"


    Thuel focused on the virtual screen floating just before him. He was sitting on his command armchair and already connected Elisabeth to transmission. She will take over this conversation as soon as he introduces her. He saw Cion Admiral standing near his command console. He has Lion like hairy face with a magnificent mane with stripes of white fur on his head. He was looking like a humanoid almost pitch-black lion. He might be old.


    Near him was standing at attention Cion woman with a fully human-like very cute face and once absolutely gorgeous human-like body with clearly black panther features like eyes and cat-like ears. She was not old but had many scars and even missing fingers on one hand. They all looked miserable but other than that his crew was absolutely right. Space Catgirls.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Lieutenant Fris¨¢ nodded to him as a sign that the connection is working.


    "Welcome again Admiral Murrnal Bram. I''m Prince Thuel Uriel Raven of Fa''enni Kingdom and Captain of Terran Commonwealth Navy."


    Thuel smiled at them. All Cions looked into his eyes and kneeled. Strange manner of showing respect but that''s Liss''s problem in about two minutes. Admiral started with a very serious voice.


    "Lord Thuel Uriel Raven. We the Cion people wish to plead fealty to you Great Lord, to the Kingdom of Fa''enni and the Terran Commonwealth. We beg you to protect remnants of Cion folk and we wish to serve you in any way you deem us worthy."


    Thuel was blinking speechless. After a whole one minute of silence, he asked calmly.


    "What have you just said?"


    Admiral swallowed and replayed again pouring all remaining confidence into his words.


    "Lord Thuel Uriel Raven. We the Cion people wish to plead fealty to you Great Lord, to the Kingdom of Fa''enni and the Terran Commonwealth. We beg you to protect remnants of Cion folk and we wish to serve you in any way you deem us worthy."


    Admiral quickly glanced at Lord Thuel. He looked surprised.


    "He can do that Elisabeth?"


    That was an unexpected reaction thought Admiral. Another voice joined the conversation.


    "Yes Lord Thuel. And you as Prince can accept or decline his plead. Technically you can take them under your protection and introduce them to Commonwealth later."


    Lord Thuel was hesitating. But Bram knew the only thing he can do now was only kneeling and wait for his God''s decision. He closed his eyes. No one in the command center dared for even louder breath. He saw many who prayed.


    "I can decide la..."


    "Impossible Lord Thuel" a third voice, a terrifying voice like the sound of war, destruction and raging fires sounded in transmission. "I checked the constitution and all laws related. You must accept or decline them right now."


    Thuel closed his eyes and very slowly sighed. After another few minutes of silence, he spoke words all Cions prayed for:


    "I Lord Thuel Uriel Raven noble of Terran Commonwealth and Crown Prince of Fa''enni Kingdom accept your pleas. Lady Elisabeth will carry talks on my behalf. I will join you very soon."


    Admiral heavily breathed, tears wetting his eyes. They are saved.


    Thuel was trying to comprehend what just happened. But now he must convince his Father and Grandfather the course of action he took is a good one. No, not good- the best one. Then he will have to convince his Mother which shouldn''t be that difficult. He inhaled and exhaled. He wanted to laugh... His Father will kill him or have a laughing fest of the decade.


    "Ra''volta compress all ship logs regarding the encounter with Cions and my personal notes and send them to my parents. Told them I''m ready to receive my punishment and only I am responsible for this entire ordeal. I did what I believed is in best interst of Commonwealth."


    "Yes, my prince. At once"


    Dark humour started overtaking him. ''Great! I''m Feudal Lord of space Cat Girls!''


    "And that''s how we ended here my Lady. If not for your intervention my race would be doomed." Murrnal Bram bowed to most probably a subordinate of his God who was looking at him from the height of communication display in silence.


    Elisabeth tried to remain calm and she barely held. Thuel was right to intervene.


    Cions got it worse than Fa''enni during the War of Salvation time. For 383 years they were hunted down, most probably captured or just killed with seemingly no reason and were always running, always afraid. They never were able to find out the fates of those captured by Jarta-vuri.


    Cions were predators and capable warriors but you can''t fight what you can''t even see so they fled. From race once being 50 billion strong this last group of half a million remained. Their ships were in a such tragic state that it was absolutely miraculous they still remained hermetic to hold air inside.


    And calling this mix of fumes and pollution could hardly count as breathable air. She was forwarding all data to Thuel. He should join them soon and decide what to do and in 15 minutes planetoids will join them as well. She received a fast note from Thuel.


    "Admiral. Lord Thuel is about to join our discussion. He knows already everything we were speaking of so don''t worry."


    Bram shivered, of course his God knows and like Lady Elisabeth told Lord Thuel appeared. He kneeled before his God.


    "Excuse my late presence. I had to report everything directly to Raven Rock and Dauntless. Admiral Murrnal! I know you have many questions but I don''t know if I have answers. However, we must start preparations. I don''t know what will happen in further future but I''m certain what closest holds. Cions can not stay in this system."


    "My God we will do as you say!"


    Thuel grabbed his head and started to ruffle his hair. He looked at Elisabeth in near panic and very calmly addressed the admiral.


    "I''m not God admiral. I am mortal as well. Our technology is the most advanced in the known Galaxy but it''s still science and knowlage. If you got a chance to understand it you would be able to do the same things."


    Bram heard the beautiful laughter of Lady Elisabeth.


    "Admiral, Lord Thuel for sure is not God. I''m certain we would saw something in his medical records. We allow you to call us Lords as we truly are nobles of our nation. But we vehemently reject the title you given to Lord Thuel."


    No matter what they wish to be called they are Gods. But he confirmed obediently:


    "As you wish my Lord."


    Thuel panic recessed for now. He will owe one to Elisabeth after this. He started once again.


    "I was about to say that TCF Victoria, TCF Assassin and TCF Dominator will enter orbit in 3 minutes. I have already asked Dominator for help during the evacuation. Admiral your ships are... mess. They are not fit for any kind of interstellar travel and we don''t have time for repairs. But even if they could use their jump drives your ships are too slow and have a too short range to keep up with our ships during hyperspace jump. But we will not abandon them."


    Murrnal Bram tried to understand his Lord but failed.


    "Admiral in a few moments you will detect three Terran Commonwealth Fleet Carriers entering orbit. Do not be alerted." Thuel informed him.


    Admiral looked at his crew. They were exhausted but stand proud to not disgrace themselves before their Lord. Sudden commotion erupted near the sensor and radar officer. In disbelief, he displayed on a secondary display monitor for all bridge crew to see new ships that entered the system. His own eyes must have narrowed from fear in the same manner his ears started twitching. If their sensors are right before them arrived three moons.


    Such might and power at His disposal and he claims He is not God?! He who with a single word destroyed the biggest fleet of Jarta-vuri his race ever saw and claimed He is not God?! Admiral tried to remain calm and asked.


    "What''re your orders, my Lord?"


    "TCF Dominator will approach your fleet and will open its hangars. Disable all weapon systems and simply don''t touch anything. We will take control over your ships during the mooring procedure. However, for safety reasons, you will need to leave your ships and turn off every power systems on board. You will then enter safe zones shown by the crew of Dominator. We promise to keep you safe as long as no one tries to attack our marines. Special evacuation ships will be soon entering the planet to pick up all of your kin."


    Murrnal Bram was relieved. Half of his people stayed on the surface and picking them all up will take a few more days. These enormous ships must have plenty of orbital shuttles at their disposal so even a few of them will make a difference.


    But instead of small shuttles he saw five ships as big as one he learned was called Ra''volta exiting hangars of the ship that must have been Dominator. These ships accelerated at impossible speeds straight towards the colony while scared and surprised hisses were heard on Bram''s bridge.


    He also wanted to ask what happened? Such big ships will be torn by the gravity of the planet if they came any closer and with such speed but those ships defied all laws they knew as set in stone. One of them turned with grace in the atmosphere and landed light as a feather a few dozen of meters from the colony unfazed by terrain or tall hard trees that covered this part of the planet. Others waited and hung in the air. It happened so fast...


    He heard his God speaking with someone invisible on screen.


    "...they have good weather down there so that will be a fast run. 10 minutes to land and disembark evacuation teams, maybe two max three hours to load in anyone who wants get away from this rock and max 15 minutes for return. I don''t think it will be a problem, my Lord."


    "Thank you Ra''volta. I guess we can start mooring Cion''s ships into Dominator. You sure you can do this?"


    "Yes, my Lord. I already checked their systems. It will be hard due to the primitivism of their computers if anything else. I''ll get them in one by one."


    "Agree then. Oh, we were still online with Cions. Admiral, we will start the mooring procedure soon. Please inform your people and prepare for disembarking from the ships. You will not need anything, atmosphere, gravity and food will be prepared to meet your need. I advise against taking weapons with you until we will meet King and Queen or I decide otherwise."


    "As you order my Lord!"


    The transmission was terminated but the connection was still on hold. Admiral started giving orders to everyone on the bridge. He saw how his Lord ship disappeared inside Dominator. After a few more heartbeats he heard a familiar voice coming from audio devices in the entire ship.


    "Welcome people of Cion. I''m Ra''volta, Mashine Spirit in service of Lord Thuel."


    Rumour arose on the bridge. Spirit was serving his Lord and he claim he is not God? Unbelievable.


    "Welcome Great Ra''volta. We commit ourselves to your guidance."


    "Affirmative. Prepare for turning off rotation rings in 10 minutes. Your ship is in bad condition and many systems are strained over their limits. When I turn off rotation rings you will lose all your artificial gravity for about 10 seconds. Dominator will take over gravity control the moment you will enter his hangar. We are already en route. Please refrain from using manual controls."


    We were moving?! He didn''t felt anything and saw his helm crew was in shock. Ra''volta was piloting his battleship with knowledge and grace beyond its own creators. He truly was a powerful spirit.

 24. Unexpected past

    Thuel, Elisabeth and Johan with their first officers shadowing them were standing at attention in the main hangar of Dominator.


    Admiral Felix Strong was heading their way with a company of marines. They saluted him.


    "At ease! And relax for God''s sake! I consulted Terra and finally can get rid of you three."


    A short burst of panic pierced all gathered. But their supervisor continued unfazed.


    "Your exceptional acumen, merits and elasticity during carrying any given order made a huge impression on every single person involved in your graduation process. You three are an absolute phenomenon in the history of the academy. To say you are our pride is an understatement. To say you are exceptional is an insult. Your course is finished. You three passed faster than anyone could say. I don''t plan to bore you with speeches. Congratulations! ELISABETH WINDSOR!"


    She stepped up and saluted to him in shock too deep to oppose.


    "Sir!"


    "By orders sent from Terran High Command, you are promoted. Congratulations Vice Admiral!"


    "Thank you, sir!"


    One of the marines handed her distinctions and a diploma while the second one gave her an elegant power sword shaped like a rapier. She saluted and stepped back with everything she received in her hands after strapping the rapier to her belt.


    "JOHAN MACARTHUR!"


    Ancient tradition demanded yelling. Maybe their ancestors were partly deaf? Who knows. Johan stepped up and saluted.


    "Sir!"


    "By orders sent from Terran High Command, you are promoted. Congratulations Vice Admiral!"


    "Thank you, sir!"


    Johan received a power sword that was made in the image of a classic European arming sword made from power steel with Damascus-like patterns. He received his distinctions and diploma. After attaching the sword where it should be he saluted and stepped back.


    "THUEL RAVEN!"


    "Sir!" Thuel stepped up and saluted.


    "By orders sent from Terran High Command, you are promoted. Congratulations Admiral!"


    Admiral. Not rear or vice. Full Admiral. He received a power sword that was made to look the same as one carried by Ra''volta''s avatar. Its blade looked like a Human long sword, a double-edged blade but instead of being of silver colour that one was as black as void with a distinctive circuit in its middle line made from pure gold. Its hilt was clearly inspired by Fa''enni''s traditional decorations with floral motives incrusted on the handguard and masterfully engraved pummel with fused in sapphires and eternal silver to depict Fa''enni Royal Family Crest. The weapon as deadly as beautiful while preserving its simple-looking form. He attached it to his side and took his diploma and distinctions. After that, he saluted to Admiral Strong.


    "Thank you, Sir!"


    "Ok, people. That would be it for a while. We will have to do it once again when the rest of your friends finish their course in front of all politicians who will do anything to receive an invitation for that ceremony."


    They relaxed and what just happened started to settle in them. Admiral Strong gave them a few moments and continued.


    "You three are special in many regards. Johan and Elisabeth you two will serve from now on under Thuel. Command decided we can''t split you since your performance is greatly enhanced by your traits. It''s very fortunate in my opinion as well- keep it private, there were talks on Earth to not reinforce our presence in the Alinti sector. And since that was political talk Navy couldn''t do much. But since you are Admiral, Lord Thuel you will sooner or later receive fleet to command. Or knowing Queen and changed Fa''enni you will build one yourself. You all will retain command over the ships you have now so your small Fleet starts with three dreadnoughts. Not bad. Alinit sector will get its second full Admiral and two vices. Privatly im happy as hell you made it! Anyway. What''re your orders Admiral Thuel?"


    Thuel focused in instant.


    "We must welcome Cions and move them away from that death traps they call ships. Admiral Murrnal Bram''s unsettling devotion is very useful when dealing with this race, so it would be wise to take good care of him. May I ask for your help Admiral Strong?"


    "Certainly. I''ll give you access to recreation area four. It''s the biggest one we have and should hold them all. It will take us about three days to reach Ra-Nael where we are expected by Royal Family and Senior Admiral. On a side note- Your actions were not only just and merciful Thuel but also correct. The data Cions possess is actually quite valuable and their sensor technology is interesting."


    They were heading toward the main hangar where Cion ships were being moored so they could catch a train to the recreation area before their guests. On their way, he saw medium size ship just 500m long being carefully piloted by Ra''volta toward its position. The flagship of Cions, it was a miracle that this ship was still flying. The moment the last living being will left it, Dominator will seal it in a stasis field. No one wants to see one of these explode.


    "Thank you, Sir. I just couldn''t leave them. I just..." Thuel couldn''t find words.


    Admiral Felix Strong gazed somewhere into the distance without truly looking at anything and said:


    "I was there 24 years ago, Prince. I was 24 years ago above Sumta. I and Dominator were leading the 67th Fleet. We couldn''t save anyone, Sumta was dead. The silence on the surface was like the biggest accusation - "where were you when my children died?". It didn''t matter if we have slain any single lizard we found, I personally tore out the head of the leader of forces that exterminated all life of Sumta. We jumped to the next system and next. The silence of Rizak and Hilur was too much for many in my crews who wept and cried. We were afraid we were too late. But then word came there are still worlds to be saved so we followed the call. Prince. If you would have hesitated only for a moment you could be too late. And for you also this unnamed world would ask you at darkest nights "where were you?"."


    All of them looked in shock at Admiral Strong. Thuel looked deep into his eyes.


    "Thank you, Admiral. I was not aware of your involvement. And I''m thankful for your insight, that means a lot to me."


    Admiral waved his hand like he was chasing of mosquito and smiled.


    "But you haven''t failed Prince. You were there to save them all." and suddenly started laughing at his own crazy thought: "and if Terra will be delaying sending you sailors and marines you gained half a million subordinates you can use!"


    "ugh... Back to reality... How we are going to fit them in?" asked Elisabeth.


    "No problem. The recreation deck should fit about one hundred maybe one hundred fifty thousand. In case their ships are in the worst condition we thought I will close them in the main hangar. I have five Mexico class cargo freighters which can be adapted for them within two minutes. So I will easily fit there five hundred thousand. The rest of them should be able to safely travel on board of their own ships- once again if they stay in one piece. Cadets who are still far from graduation but also are far from being hopeless will train SAR actions with elements of the 201st Fleet. Shame we haven''t captured any Potato alive as it seems all survivors decided to kill themselves by venting out the atmosphere when we approached. We don''t have to worry about Potato retaliation. Anything stupid to attack them will be swiftly disposed of."


    They entered the recreation deck at which will be directed some crewman... Or crewcats?


    Admiral Strong talked for a while with Elisabeth but asked her louder.


    "Lady Elisabeth, are you certain of your decision?"


    "Yes, Admiral. I know what this means."


    Thuel looked at her but saw the determination in her eyes and decided to ask.


    "What''s going on?"


    Elisabeth hesitated for a moment.


    "As you know I''m a descendant of a very old, wealthy and powerful in its own right line." He nodded while she explained. "what you however didn''t know I was an uncomfortable burden on my family. Being the youngest 7th daughter after 5 brothers my title in practice was worth less than my father''s butler title. I can''t say I was loved or even that someone cared about me. They haven''t aborted me just for sake of traditions. When I was ten and absolutely alone in this galaxy, my father called me to his office and informed me that I can call myself Windsor only if I graduate from an academy with exceptional grades and insignia. But I must stay Windsor for the whole duration of my education or until he will decide otherwise."


    She touched her graduation badge. But there was only determination in her eyes.


    "If I fail he said I can never return and I''ll be disowned. He will not hear from me anything until then. As a kick-out gift for me so one could say he hasn''t cared about his daughter he gave me an old light cruiser with Freya onboard with minimal crew and kicked me out from home. For all these years they showed up and used me for any and all occasions when it turned out I was ''so great'' they bragged and told me how they loved me while never even once sending me even stupid card or one-line message for my birthday. A man who claim to be my father said! I don''t want to hear anything from you until you graduate as exceptional."


    Thuel and Johan''s eyes were wide open. Johan decided to break the awkward silence.


    "But you made it Elisabeth! You graduated!"


    "Yes, Johan. But I decided I don''t want to return there. Order from Terra was my salvation Johan, Thuel...I . Freya was my only friend since I turned ten years old. No! Before I meet you, three years ago she was my only family! So I decided to revoke my nobles status and I will return everything I received from my family. The hull of the light cruiser with Windsor insignias and that fake ring mocking real nobles ring along with all the money I''m aware they spent on me plus something extra for fuck off. I don''t want to even see them! I don''t care if they show up at the graduation ceremony on Terra. They can''t use me anymore! Now I''m serving Fa''enni Prince and they can''t do anything about it once Thuel accepted orders from high command. I''m finally free!"


    Thuel opened and closed his mouth a few times. Johan was glancing at top of his boots while Admiral Strong decided that admiring the tops of fake distant mountains displayed on the wall three real kilometres away is a better choice. Finally, Thuel decided he must say something. Elisabeth was crying tears of happiness and anxiety.


    "Elisabeth I don''t know what can be said. But you are our friend. Mine and Johans. Next time inform us about your problems before you drop a such bomb on us, ok?"


    She whipped off her tears and smiled at him nodding. She looked a few times more beautiful than just a few dozen minutes ago like all her burden was gone. He continued.


    "Also knowing this all I have a good idea of what can happen in the near future so I can prepare accordingly."


    Frya manifested near Elisabeth and bowed to Thuel.


    "Im sincerely sorry Lord Thuel but she was so stubborn and didn''t want to tell you both despite many times I asked her. Please take care of her."


    "What about you Freya?"


    "I will stay with her as long as possible as we both grow attached to each other. I never was connected with home Windsor besides replaying for their job offer."


    Thuel nodded. He learns so many things about the people who surround him every day. But he felt Johan''s eyes on him like he was urging him to say something more.


    "Elisabeth remember you always can count on me."


    It was a long day and still had a few more hours to offer. After this bomb, he was not sure how he will handle the Cions.


    Murrnal Bram was looking at his first officer and foster daughter Niora For''rtiassa as she was talking with Migty Ra''volta during disembarking from the ship, he knew everything about their own ship. Much more than we know. His daughter used any occasion to learn new things. She was so young only 35 what should be springs but on board of their ships there were no seasons, she was so curious and competent. He could count on her during the few last years and could entrust her with carrying leadership as he will soon die.


    He just needs a way to ensure all Cions will follow her and that will be hard. She was an orphan like so many from his race and despite being a member of the Su? caste of scholars and scouts, she make up for a very good warrior.


    He was from the Vnyr caste- a caste of warriors and leaders and adopted her as his own child after Jarta-vuri most probably killed his own wives and kids many many years ago. Since she was Su? and what''s worse infertile so she could not become Vnyr and inherit the leadership. He adopted her anyway. There were so many like them among his people. Broken families of widowers and orphans.


    When he saw the interior of Dominator he for the first time in his life know his race is safe. For the first time since they first met Jarta-vuri centuries ago, they will go to sleep without fear. When they lost the artificial gravity of their ship few of them almost panicked since Cion never overcome this fear of endless fall but it ended as fast as Ra''volta promised. He provided a translation of any units or terms they don''t understand. And gravity they felt was much different than their weak barely half of what they should have to Dominator generated somehow full gravity.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    His ship systems were turned off gradually, when he will leave its hull Spirit Ra''volta will shut down the reactor and cut off emergency batteries. Then the ship will be sealed in this sta-sis field. The air that welcomed them inside was incredible- so rich in pleasant smells of maybe unknown forests, plains and meadows, thick and clear that all of them almost cried when they breathed every single breath with joy. But that was just the beginning.


    The vast seemingly endless hall was made from metal he couldn''t even identify steel in colour but no single spot was stained by rust or discolouration typical for hangar decks where high-temperature exhaust flames touch plates. The deck was perfectly still and not vibrating in the rhythm of working ship components.


    Cions were met by ten giants, much taller than any Cion- their metal carapaces must have been a form of armours his Lord soldiers use. A single glance at them and their weapons was enough to understand they are more than enough to kill all his crew and refugees of over ten thousand Cions.


    They welcomed them onboard with hospitality and compassion in their voices and showed their way to a special vehicle waiting near the closest wall of the vast hangar.


    He stepped into the first one and was so surprised at how spacy it was that Niora had to urge him to move because unwittingly he was standing in the entrance blocking it. About one thousand of his folk fit inside. It was a bit cramped but when doors closed just a few heartbeats later opened again. When they left the strange vehicle they were not in the hangar anymore.


    How? He hasn''t felt any movement inside that thing! One of these ma-rrhens warriors urged them to leave the area and they followed him and complied with little hints of fear but mostly with anticipation and hope they maybe see their new Master. His people were in a very big corridor made from strange materials that looked like some kind of metals- one of them was silvery in colour and the second almost gold or brass, and between them was material that looked almost like some kind of dark wood. But no matter how he looked at them he could not see any seams or borders between metals or wood- it was just perfect like fused together into one surface. His people never would be able to achieve such perfection.


    After the brief walk, they stopped before big doors and the marine informed them this will be their temporary residence until they reach the Ra-Nael system and Queen and King decided what was next. He thanked the marine with a deep bow on behalf of his people. Even if they fit us in their cargo bay it will be much safer and more comfortable than their own ships.


    When doors opened he couldn''t believe his own eyes, he heard the surprise and awe of his officers and felt his foster daughter''s excited grip over his arm. She always walked in his shadow subtly offering her support for this old warrior and was helping him walk when he was too tired. There was a massive plain and forest, mountains on the horizon so similar to images of their long-lost home world. He felt the delicate sun shines on his face and the touch of gentle wind in his fur and mane. He heard voices of respect and admiration around him when he saw Him.


    His Lord was standing with Lady Elisabeth and two others which Bram didn''t know, behind them was standing even more of their kind. Old Cion Admiral with all his officers stepped before them and kneeled.


    "Lord Thuel! Please, accept our sincerest thanks for saving our lives!"


    "We did nothing except what was right." Responded His Master. "You will stay here for the time we will jump to Ra-Nael. It''s just 230 lightyears away so we should be there in 3 days. In your unit system that would be about 1538 m''Astru in 4.5 Diese."


    Their technology was magical. They can do anything. All officers looked at themselves stunned- during the lifetime of Admiral Murrnal Bram Cions managed to cross 410 m''Astru. To think Lord Thuel''s ships are able to cross that far in just a few days was just unbelievable.


    When Bram pleaded to Lord Thuel he was desperate. But now he is in constant awe and first time ever in his life was at peace. With tears in his eyes, he said to his Master.


    "My Lord I hope my kin will be of use to you. My time is coming near and I don''t think I will live to see the end of this journey. This is my Foster Daughter and First Officer Commandor Niora For''rtiassa, I hope she will be of any use to you. I will bestow my authority upon her as inheritor of clan Bram. I... "


    Lord Thuel waved his hand in the air cutting his speech, with a soft smile on his face and two mah-rrens in snow white armours arrived in some flying vehicle with the red cross on its side.


    "Take him and his daughter immediately to the medic bay. You are to fix them by yesterday! Don''t worry Admiral. We still have much to talk about."


    Thuel then addressed the rest of the Cions. "I would like to welcome you all on behalf of the Terran Commonwealth and the Fa''enni Kingdom! Time of fear for your race is over and all enemies that hunted you are gone! You are under the protection of the Commonwealth and that means no harm can befall you now. Our medical teams will be trying to help you all so please tell them everything. We noticed you are all extremely malnourished and exhausted so go to food disposition points over there eat and rest."


    Admiral and his daughter were gently led to a vehicle and flew away. Some Cions were anxious but they shamelessly lost with their hunger and headed toward tents shown by their new Lord. They lived on emergency rations for one year now and that means they eat only half of what they should. Their Lord promised them safety and they wanted to believe him so badly.


    Thuel was terrified and angry. He was not expecting them to be this miserable. This could be Fa''enni if not for the Terran Commonwealth. Fa''enni would try to run using their ships and the Xhrestla would follow them. As Cions chased by Potatoes.


    He received a note from Neptune Command signed by Grand Admiral himself that we can''t declare war on Potatoes or as Cions call them Jarta-vuri only because we don''t have any diplomatic relationship with them. They were declared space vermins instead and must be eliminated until they establish a diplomatic relationship with us.


    And then we will declare war properly.


    He liked this solution, especially since declaring war to empty the void is just unprofessional.


    He and Elisabeth were in medbay waiting for some info about old Cion. His Foster Daughter was brought as a control specimen since she looked almost good. The entire race was extremely malnourished and exhausted, he knew from their own logs how much they had to cut their food rations to even reach that barren system.


    One of the doctors in charge came to them:


    "Admiral Thuel. This old Cion is dying. He maybe has a few more weeks."


    "Can we rejuvenate him?"


    "Tests show that''s not a problem."


    "Then you are authorised to do so. How long it will take?"


    "Rejuvenation alone? About one and a half maybe two hours. Also, I recommend medical rebuilding of them both. It looks like they traversed hell, sir."


    "Agree doctor. Let''s help them now."


    "As you wish sir. Will you help me to put them in tubes, sir? They are already very afraid and your presence alone works best for them. They declared You their Lord and trust you above all. They still are desperate, Admiral and you are their only guarantee of safety in their minds."


    They entered the room in which five other medics were performing various tests and administering curations deemed good for patients. Niora For''rtiassa wanted to stand up but was held by one doctor. Thuel looked at them and tried to convince them for an unknown treatment.


    "Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa I need to ask you to do as doctors here say. I promise it''s for your well-being. The procedure we are about to..."


    Cion Admiral with a faint voice said.


    "My Lord if you wish I will die here and now, so your medics could learn about my race. We will do as you wish!"


    "That wouldn''t be necessary Admiral."


    "We will do anything, my Lord."


    Thuel nodded to the doctor and he said to the patients.


    "We will need you undressed and lay in special tubes. Don''t worry it will not hurt and you not be harmed. When you wake up we will do a few more tests. Also, miss Niora For''rtiassa will have to do it as well. These tubes are just our means of administering more complicated medical help both of you desperately need."


    Both Cions complied without hesitation and did exactly what the doctors told them. They were laying in medi-pods in their underwear only with special masks on their faces. They had to build one fitting for the lion-like face of the Admiral but that was just half a minute of work. Thuel and Elisabeth waited until both Cions lost their consciousness and go to a nearby room in case they would be needed here.


    The reports they received were depressing. Elisabeth sat heavily on a chair near the desk while he leaned against the wall. She started:


    "Thuel what you gonna do if Commonwealth order to leave them alone?"


    "That will not be a problem. I already checked records and found some historical precedences I can use. In the worst-case scenario, they will become my servants."


    "That''s..."


    He waved his hand with irritation.


    "I don''t think it will be the case. But in situations like this, I''m glad Fa''enni are a monarchy and we have such big autonomy. But I don''t think Commonwealth at large will have big objections for uplifting them."


    "I hope you are right..." She grinned "So if that''s the case should I also kneel and plead my fealty?"


    He looked at her angrily:


    "That''s not funny Liss." he saw a spark in her eye and calmed down. "What''s going on?"


    She started getting angry but not for him.


    "It looks like my family wants to use their influence to bring me back to Avalon. They don''t care I have signed off from my family. And they... Freya found that...l..."


    "They what?"


    She started being red from embarrassment. Instead of telling him she showed him. Thuels eyes opened fully.


    "How could they..?"


    "I never was anything more than investment and their property. I just didn''t fully understand what they planned to do with me."


    "But this is outrageous!" he smiled with a cold smile. "You know what Elisabeth? You should kneel before me."


    "WHAT?!" but he pointed to the floor with his finger and said out loud:


    "Dominator! Every log of this conversation up to this point is considered classified under the authority of the Royal Family."


    "Yes sir."


    Elisabeth had no idea what he planned but knelt on her right knee.


    "Vice Admiral Elisabeth. You who discarded the name of your Family and your past but held to your own achievements and merits, hereby I gladly welcome you in service of the Royal Family. You cut your ties with your family forever and I will respect that and forever remember your decision. What is your wish?"


    She thinks she understood now what he is planning to do. She very confidently told.


    "My wish is to serve you forever my Prince. I recognize you as my superior and I promise to serve you and the Royal Family to the best of my abilities."


    "Stand up and stay proud. I Crown Prince Thuel Uriel Raven make you my Envoy. From now on, you will be my voice and carry my will in the name of the Terran Commonwealth and the Fa''enni Kingdom!"


    She stands up at attention saluting him. He took out from his pocket a small medallion on a delicate silver bracelet. It was looking exactly like the one worn by Lady Luna. He gave it to her with words that she thinks forever set her free.


    "Take this insignia of your office as Envoy of Royal House Of Raven. Serve me well Elisabeth. You will be known as Elisabeth Ard¨¦n from now on!"


    He saluted her back as she put on a silver bracelet with Fa''enni Royal Family Crest. Her gratitude was eternal and she knew she will do everything for him. Thuel continued.


    "Dominator send the attached log to Grand Lord Admiral Denis Makosso himself directly with max priority. Inform House Windsor that Elisabeth has been accepted into my personal service and the service of the Royal House of Raven and has become my Envoy. Also, we want to speak privately now so it''s out of records.


    "As you wish Admiral."


    Elisabeth sat and started crying.


    "Thank you Thuel! Thank you! Thank you! I..."


    He looked at her and shook his head in disbelief. She looked at him now almost hysteric, drunk with the happiness she felt.


    "I see you don''t believe what Freya found but I assure you that''s the norm in high society."


    "But arranged marriage?! I thought it stopped being a thing long before establishing a colony on Mars!"


    "It''s the norm amongst some nobles. And having a wife from the home of Windsor would be prestigious to anyone willing to become my brrr father''s puppet. I don''t care if he sold me for money or influence but I''m sure he never believed I can finish an exceptional course. And wanted to capitalize as much as he could."


    In moments like this, he was suspecting that mana made Fa''enni become a monarchy. And also was thankful that Ra-Nael was over 2000 light years away from Terra and its crazy nobles.


    No wonder his grandpa used the first opportunity to run away and rarely speak about them outside of official lessons. But he stayed silent and made a sour face. She was playing with a medallion that changed her fate.


    "You know I was certain I was free when Grand Command put me under your orders. It never once crossed my mind that my family planned to use me as a bargaining chip during some Noble games. But Thuel... Are you sure? They will try to take revenge. I''m certain. If not House Raven being almost as old as Windsor but much more prominent they would act already."


    "They can but I doubt they will try. I think some aspects around me are classified. You know how Baronette Flynn met his end?"


    "I heard some rumours and I''m sure my family know all truth since he was their puppet that supposedly acted on his own will."


    "I killed him in the duel."


    "What? Why?"


    He blinked and gave her access to data. She watched in shock.


    "But how that''s relevant in my situation?"


    "I held my hand on my sword when I told your family you are my Envoy. They should understand the implication of making enemies out of the Royal Family. Especially if we connect Flynn with them and your testimony gave me the authorisation to run a full-scale investigation. Right now Ra''volta is requesting Guardian to find evidence of such connections. If we learn that''s true they will have to pay a much bigger price than just losing you."


    She had never seen him like this. In that log, he was looking like a very handsome Grim Reaper but it was quite frightening to look at him. She checked data and understood - Flynn was charged with treason for falsifying and covering reports. Shadows... That made sense now.


    She smiled and pointed on now Her''s bracelet:


    "One more question. How many more bracelets do you hold in your pockets?"


    "Just this one. I had it just in case I would need to give some official title to Cion Admiral to ease some interactions."


    "Lucky me then. You will not have any problems? You know from your parents?"


    "On the contrary. For two years now they asked me when I finally appoint my emissary so they can train him or her. So 90% of training is not necessary anymore since you are born Noble. In that department, I''ll also do some string pulling since we have to give you a respectable title anyway if you are to represent me."


    She paled. Until now she somehow didn''t take all this Noble business seriously, she never felt part of this caste anyway. 95% of people in the Commonwealth live without even noticing the nobles'' existence, the exception being the Navy and Army which cherished traditions. So She was hit hard now with the realisation of how serious Fa''enni are about their established order and she understood why her father was hoping for a renewal of Noble influences and prominence along with the ever-gaining importance Fa''enni Royal Family. She was struck with a sudden thought.


    "Prince. My family actually might be overwhelmed with joy when they get your transmission."


    "What do you mean? You will be out of limit for them."


    "Yes but to some extent, they could use it as their achievement. They rather will use my position as a symbol of their Greatness and try to use some bullshit excuse why I''m not Windsor anymore. Like it was demanded from me or whatever."


    "As long as they don''t try anything funny I can live with any bullshit. Or better if they promise to leave you be and fuck off I can even pretend how good a relationship I have with your former family. But nothing special. You know- handshake and some photos for news."


    She laughed.


    "Yeh. That might work better than you think."


    Thuel checked the time on his old pocket watch given to him by grandpa. Elisabeth was shocked. That watch was looking not only expensive but also very old.


    "What are you doing?"


    He replied sneeringly because his dark humour started taking over.


    "Today morning we were just students performing quite an easy task of mapping an empty system. At the moment, I''m the Admiral dealing with my new maid''s problems as the Crown Prince while waiting for two just a few hours ago unknown aliens to regain consciousness. And it is fucking 20:00 o''clock. That means there are still 4 hours of the day and I''m out of fucks to give at this point. I forgot about something?"


    "Well, you also destroyed 400 sips of other aliens who were picking a fight with the Terran Commonwealth for about 12 years, my Lord." She responded with a resolute smile.


    "Thank you very much!" he was tired. If that''s how uncle MacArthur feels daily he must buy him a crate of the best alcohol he can find. She smiled when relief and happines finally settled in.


    "Well, now you can count on me, my Prince. With this small silver chain, you bound me as your servant. As you said I''m your maid now. Should I go find a change of clothes?"


    He smiled and shook his fist at her.


    "If you will be a naughty girl who knows? Vice Admiral in maid costume would be a sight to behold."


    They both laughed. The doctor demanded Thuel attention.


    "Admiral? Cions will soon wake up."


    "Thank you, Doctor. We''ll be there in a moment."

 25. Toward Ra-Nael

    Murrnal Bram felt as good as never. He slowly was waking up and felt that he is submerged in some kind of warm liquid. But he could breathe normally so no need for panic.


    His Lord promised him safety.


    But Bram was quite surprised at how clearly he can think now. To be honest he felt fantastic. Like almost 80 springs ago. He was smiling at these thoughts when the liquid started flowing away. He felt how this pod his Lord ordered him to enter started moving and opened itself after a heartbeat. He heard clear voices so sharp and good he doubt he ever was able before.


    Then he saw how the medi-pod with his daughter opened and he couldn''t believe his own eyes. She was stunningly beautiful- no longer malnourished, all her scars were gone, her tragically cut-off fingers grew back and she even looked younger.


    When she saw him her eyes widened and her ears, as well as her tail, flicked into a position of borderline shock and she almost screamed.


    Murrnal heard his Lord''s voice and turned to him as fast as he could kneel. Which turned out lightning fast to his absolute surprise. He silently waited for his Master''s orders. One of mee-dic''s was talking.


    "The treatment has been well received and both are as good as new. Biologically, He is now 20 years old, and she is 17 so I can give you Sir, guarantees for another 50 or so years. Their race lives for about 70 years, but if necessary, we can rewind them back indefinitely. They are fascinating! I will prepare my report for You Lord Thuel!"


    "Thank you, doctor."


    Niora For''rtiassa kneeled as quickly as she was released from the medi-pod. She trembled at the thought of how powerful her new Lords were and nigh magical technology at his disposal. Her father was...


    "How do you both feel?"


    "Excellent like never before my Lord!" Responded some voice and Bram quickly recognized it as his own. The voice he had in his youth, a voice like rolling thunder worthy of the Cion he once was. He looked surprised at his own hands- once again strong and without a single trace of white fur.


    "My Lord? What does this mean?"


    But one of the doctors offered an explanation instead.


    "We used some of our technology and rejuvenate you, as well as healed your wounds and all your negative conditions. The same we did for your foster daughter since that was easier and faster than dealing with all her illnesses we detected. Young miss, you had asymptomatic stage four cancer. If we left you unchecked you would die in just a few days."


    Niora For''rtiassa trembled. Her father was right and they were Gods.


    "How do you think Doctor? They can join others?" asked Thuel too tired to even try to pretend he want anything else than hitting the bed.


    "Of course Lord Thuel, we will run some tests later to check their status but I don''t expect any complications. Admiral Murrnal you can go to Cions and..."


    "Lord Thuel." it was Ra''volta. Thuel knew what he is about to hear. "We have a problem with Cions."


    Bram roared with anger. Who dared to oppose the will of his Gods? Krrinl for sure.


    Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa got new uniforms looking the same as their old ones but made from much more advanced materials. They were heading toward the recreation zone while Ra''volta was referring everything that happened when they went to the medic bay for two Cion use only since Thuel and Elisabeth received detailed reports directly to their neural implants.


    "Individual named Krrinl Oor gathered about three thousand Cions and they demand to be released. I ordered them to be moved for now to the designated zone and await your decision, Sir!"


    "I''m going to allow them to leave. It''s not like I held anyone here against their will. Is that fine with you Admiral Bram?" Thuel was glad that was it.


    "I''m going to give them one chance to reconsider their outrageous actions but we will do as you wish my Lord! Niora you will call them on my regard and I''ll show myself to them later." Bram nodded and Niora responded with the same devotion her stepfather had in his voice.


    "Only If you allow this Lord Thuel!"


    "Then let''s proceed." Thuel sighed.


    Thuel, Elisabeth and Niora entered the recreation area. Five marines were monitoring the situation and one of them sent all relevant info to Thuel. They are not stupid to turn this into violence so that''s good. He used an audio system to be heard.


    "What is going on here?" he asked with a tired voice and watched as one of Cions approached them.


    He had a human-like face with distinctive cat-like eyes and whiskers. His hair was similar to tiger colours with black and orange stripes. He stood before him without any trace of fear but also without gratitude. And looked up into Thuel''s eyes because he was short even shorter than Niora. He was 167cm tall while Thuel was 205cm so his demanding tone sounded a bit awkward.


    "I''m Krrinl Oor from Vnyr caste! Where is Murrnal Bram!?"


    Thuel didn''t like his tone but he was too tired to bother or care. He nodded to Niora and she responded:


    "He will join us soon. I''m speaking on his behalf. What are you think you are doing Krrinl?!"


    He looked at her with contempt and hissed:


    "I will not talk to filthy Su?! I don''t accept that Murrnal Bram could take you as his child and hope you will inherit his leadership! Where he is? He is unfit to lead. He must accept my challenge!"


    Prince tilted his head but he heard soft footsteps and the rumbling voice of Bram.


    "I know you are stupid Krrinl, but never expected you would cast away our chance for survival. Only for your vainglory!"


    All Cions looked with fear at their rejuvenated Leader. He no longer was old and weak. He looked like old chronicles depicted him. Krrinl''s ears twitched with fear.


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    "Who... Who are you?!"


    "You called for me boy! So here I am. You offended the hospitality of our Lord. You disgraced yourself by talking to our Lord as to equal. You all who supported this madman will get their request granted. Our Lord graciously ordered Cion Fang to be repaired and supplied. All who wish to join them may leave as well. But I and my daughter will stay and serve Lord Thuel as I have promised. But you Krrinl challenged me to duel. You want to take all Cions with you whether they want or not. Just to satisfy your vanity! Very well."


    Krrinl was panicking. How this is possible? He looked with fear at Thuel. They are really Gods?! No.


    He prepared to fight Bram.


    They circled three times around and Krrinl jumped first. It was just a trick- old fart is still slow. He felt how a strong arm grabbed His leg and tossed him onto ground. He felt how air left his lungs.


    "Get up boy!" he heard the voice of old-young admiral. He stood up.


    "That''s all you got?!"


    "You fighting unfairly! Somehow they helped you!" Krrinl pointed at Thuel and Elisabeth.


    "My Lord have the power to bring back youth. To cure all illnesses! How dare you point your filthy finger at him?!"


    "So that''s how honourable you are? No Vnyr would fight with a weaker opponent!"


    "And you are talking?! You who wanted to fight elder on his death bed?"


    All Cions were looking with disgust and anger at Krrinl. If he would win this fight he would demand them to follow him as the new leader. And in their beliefs and tradition, they simply had to follow him. Three thousand of Krrinl''s followers were looking at this scene concerned. Most of them belong to the Su? caste but many of the last Vnyr followed Krrinl. Bram looked at them and snarled.


    "Very well you coward! Niora For''rtiassa! You will kill this boy!"


    "As you wish my Father!"


    She prepared for the fight. Thuel had enough and rose his voice.


    "Enough!" Bram and Niora kneeled. "Krrinl you will take all three thousand of your followers and anyone who wants to follow you and you will leave. All who want to stay are free to do so."


    "You are releasing us?" Krrinl asked with spite in his voice. Bram roared with anger but don''t dare to speak against his Lord.


    "You never were held against your will in the first place. But I don''t have time to play with anyone. Marines will escort you all to Ship, Admiral Bram agreed you can take."


    Krrinl was trembling with anger. He should kill this so-called God here and now.


    "Ra''volta!" Thuel called into the air.


    Krrinl was looking and couldn''t believe his eyes. From thin air started condensing some shape. It was armoured in black ornamented armour no Cion saw before, with massive black wings on his back. All Cions were looking in awe and fear, Krrinl''s tail dropped onto the ground. So he truly is God and he Krrinl Oor discarded him and this all what God Thuel could offer.


    Meanwhile, Ra''volta was looking right through him and Krrinl was terrified.


    "Yes, my Lord?"


    "Is Cion ship ready for take-off?"


    "Yes, my Lord! We reinforced the hull with the same technology as the ship. However, building air filters in their technology would be... Not wise. We changed their filters for much more effective from their point of view. We also removed any information about us and our technology. They can move out at any time."


    "As you heard. You may go. No one is holding you here."


    Krrinl stood up and started marching towards the exit defeated. But only him. All other Cions were kneeling. Murrnal Bram roared still kneeling.


    "How much longer are you going to abuse our Lord''s hospitality? All of you who wanted to follow Krriln can leave now!"


    Some of them started walking toward the doors. The horrible realisation of what they have done reached them all. They wanted power and might but what they achieved was a return to the lonely voyage and fear. Some of them started crying. Elisabeth sent a private message to Thuel.


    "Are you sure? They will die."


    "Liss it''s their choice. I will not hold anyone. If you want to play Angel of Mercy go on. Im 24h on foot now and really can''t care less what they want. I really don''t want to use stimulants to solve not our problems."


    Elisabeth asked Murrnal Bram softly:


    "They all have to go?"


    He looked into her eyes. She saw pain, shame and disgrace in them. But he said:


    "All Vnyrs must follow their convictions. That''s our law. However, the rest of them can stay. I''ll personally make sure they will never disgrace themselves ever again my Lady!"


    "Then we will leave this to you, Murrnal Bram. Freya! You will assist with sending out those Bram will decide need to go."


    Shock among Cions was visible when they saw what any Human of Fa''enni will at once recognize as Valkyria from nordic myths of Terra.


    Freya was wearing shining bright silver cuirass and chain mail. She had a long blue coat lined with white fur. She very deeply inspired her to look with nordic mythology- long curly red hair with silver and gold ornaments were let free. She could very well be the personification of the goddess she take her name from. She nodded to Elisabeth.


    "As you wish ma''am!"


    Thuel in the meantime requested more marines just in case. He decided he need to go to sleep now.


    "Im counting on you Murrnal Bram."


    "Yes, my Lord!"


    The next day, after 6 hours of sleep Thuel woke up in his bed on board Ra''volta. He slowly sat and checked on data from Fleet. Admiral Strong left him a few notes and he checked them curiously while he was dressing up and preparing for probably the next long day. He steps up from his quarters and...


    Yes.


    There it is.


    First what the fuck this day.


    Bram and his foster daughter were kneeling on their right knee with their left hand resting on their left knee and their right fist touching the deck, their foreheads resting on their left palms.


    "May I ask Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa why you are kneeling here?"


    "We were waiting for your orders my Lord."


    "Have you slept?"


    "Yes, my Lord. We are ready for your orders."


    Thuel sighed and turned on the communication implant "Lizzzz!"


    Queen Shanti was rolling on the sofa. She was crying and laughing when she read the report Guardian received from Ra''volta. Her husband was laying in his chair giggling like a little child while Robert MacArthur tried to remain serious and failed for the second time this minute.


    Luna and Naella were the only ones who didn''t find it funny or didn''t get the joke. So they tried to summarise the report Thuel sent them:


    "Looks like Thuel, Johan and their colleague Elizabeth Ard¨¦n graduated thanks to their achievements and merits. Ard¨¦n? That would mean golden sunray in Fa''enni. Hmm? I found a personal note from Thuel. Ohhh poor girl."


    King responded with anger directed towards the world at large:


    "Let her be. I met her a few times when had to go to Earth. She didn''t deserve the fate she was sentenced for. And Thuel finally has fulfilled that stupid custom with Envoys like he couldn''t talk himself."


    Luna nodded, she met Elisabeth at that party on Earth a few years back and she liked her.


    "He also found and saved a sentient race called Cion, who resemble bipedal felinind with features varying from whaaat? Walking Lions, Tigers or any Cat in general to classic Catgirl or Catboy?"


    Robert and Konrad started laughing once again. Luna displayed their pictures added to the report and tilted her head in a very cute manner.


    "I don''t understand a joke... My King and Lord Admiral."


    King still laughing said:


    "My dear you can look what is under "catgirl" in info-net but I warn you, you might find something you wished never seen. Keep this as Human fantasy coming live."


    She nodded and decided she will research in info-net what catgirls for Humans are. She continued:


    "Cions have a very hierarchical social structure and quite complicated belief system alongside being very honourable. They are basically now feudal servants of the Fa''enni Royal Family. Mhm. Thuel and Elisabeth needed whole two days to convince them they are not Gods. Johan dismissed this as a thing that will explain itself on the way and simply it''s enough to decline our godhood... Why longer I read this, this made less and less sense? My Thuel... I mean Prince Thuel during His trials passed them all before time, thanks to his prowess, acumen and merits, he kicked out the asses of the entire fleet of Shadows, gathered priceless intel from wrecks recovery, saved a race of space Catgirls from extinction. He becomes Admiral and gained his two vice admirals of which one become basically his servant so she could free herself from her abusive family. Oh and that saved race decided to serve Thuel forever."


    Yeah.


    She started understanding the joke now.

 26. Change of plans

    Niora For''rtiassa was laying in real grass under the fake blue sky. She heard children running and playing with incredible toys they received from Overlord''s crew, some were climbing trees or just talking and joking.


    She breathed air so clear and thick that every breath she took was like a priceless gift. Two days ago her race have almost died. After they established a colony and actually could start to repair their ships after they reached that system the first Jarta-vuri ships attacked.


    They destroyed five of our ships and like always vanished. She remembered the shock and fear she felt. They never could fight Jarta-vuri the Furry Potatoes like called them her Lord. They only could run. No one ever discovered what happened with the ones who tried to fight them or who had to. She was afraid of them for as long as she could remember.


    She looked at her hand still couldn''t believe she have all her fingers. Seven springs ago heavy airlock doors cut off her small and ring fingers at her left hand when she ran away from the compartment that was about to open into the vacuum of space and she made it. Losing only her fingers and not life like twelve others who were too far away was a small price of survival.


    She hugged her hand almost like being afraid that it is all dream. But she has them all back now, all her scars were gone and Human doctors told her she once again looks cute.


    She was a veteran scout, drilled in all combat techniques her foster father was able to teach her before he become too weak to train her anymore. She was now the rightful inheritor of Cion, after all, stupid traitors were kicked out to their doom by Father. She was the best warrior outside of Vyrn''s caste and even amongst them.


    But for Humans, she was just a cute girl. She was angry at first but then she observed how two marines fought hand-to-hand as practice. After that, she decided she rather be called a cute girl than fight any one of them.


    Also, her Father was once again young. Not just in spirit but he was rejuvenated and had a body like in his prime, mind working as youngling but with all his knowlage, memories and experience so he will once again put everything into her training and to be honest she doubted she can win any mock fight against him. He was once again the proud head of clan Bram and he was magnificent as well as the strongest Cion that ever lived.


    She pondered this thought for while and shook her head in denial- something that Humans did as well with the same meaning. But Father was not as magnificent as her Lord. Speaking of which- Lord Thuel no matter what he claims is God, and that''s out of discusion for her. And She will serve him no matter what he would ask her to do.


    She talked with one of the marines- a towering human warrior. She always was tall for Su? even taller than Vyrn caste females and she was, she focused... 175cm in the Human system, but that marine was something else. No Cion could even dream of being this big as he was 200cm and as he called it nothing special between marines.


    She asked him how they know Cions needed their help so desperately. He looked away as if wanted to hide away his face and told her they didn''t know. Terran Commonwealth Navy has chosen the system they were in for their exercises- a simple task that would be most probably gradually altered to test the most talented commanders in various situations. However, they encountered Cions and later potatoes so in some way the test was even more successful than expected.


    She learnt also why Humans called Jarta-vuri potatoes, why that term was diminishing and even saw a real Terran potato, after that he showed her a ''3d projection''- another miracle of Human technology, of Jarta-vuri. She had to admit Humans were right, Jarta-vuri really looked like potatoes.


    However, it was hard to speak with marine since he almost all time unwittingly patted her head.


    She felt someone was observing her. Just on her right side was sitting with her legs crossed Lady Elisabeth. She immediately wanted to kneel but felt her hand on top of her head so her kneeling ended on both her knees while she sat on the ground.


    Niora''s heart almost jumped out of her chest. How she did do that? How she can be this silent and strong? Even her stepfather would be unable to hold her with one hand. Lady Elisabeth didn''t pay much attention to her confusion and laughed with her pure laughter.


    "Niora For''rtiassa im not here officially. Don''t mind my presence. I''m here to just talk. I checked your medical data and wanted to talk about it with you. It''s nothing bad I promise."


    "Yes, my Lady."


    "And you don''t have to be this official. Anyway. When our medics healed you, they also rejuvenated you."


    "Yes my Laa... Yes." Niora hesitated only to see Elisabeth''s sight. But she couldn''t understand what exactly happened back then.


    "Basically that means you were 23 years old, in your calendar that would be 35. After the procedure, your body is now 17 years old. So again that would be about 23 on your calendar. Do you understand?"


    "No. I somehow feel younger and..." she hesitated and then showed her hand with Her grown back finger "...and I... I once again have all my fingers. Also, all scars or burns are gone."


    "Yes. That''s a side effect you can say. I will not explain you procedure you went through but imagine it as rebuilding your body into a younger version. That''s probably more visible at your father than you."


    She vigorously nodded her head.


    "Yes. He is as young as I am. So you are saying I''m physically 17? So in two days, I will again have my 18th birthday?"


    "Yes and no. According to Commonwealth law, you are still 23 years old Niora. You are also completely healthy and we have even managed to cure your genetic infertility."


    Her smile froze and disappeared replaced with absolute shock. She looked at her with her eyes wide open and motionless.


    "You did what?"


    "That''s why I''m here. I think someone forgot to tell you. Like anyone."


    Niora slowly nodded her head.


    "But that means I... I..."


    "Is this wrong?"


    "Im not sure. I must inform my Father."


    "About what?" Murrnal Bram appeared silently out of nowhere startling both of them. Elisabeth cursed herself for deactivating her sensor implants. Cions were moving silently like... Well like cats. Niora For''rtiassa was close to panic.


    "My Father! Lady Elisabeth informed me that I was completely healed."


    "I''m aware of that."


    "But did you know they... They... I..." she didn''t know how to say that. Her father was waiting patiently. Her face burned red a bit: "I can have children now father."


    His jaw dropped and glanced at Elisabeth who was still sitting on the ground. She confirmed with a nod.


    "Then it means my daughter you are no longer Su?! I must think what to do now."


    Elisabeth didn''t like the sound of that. It sounded too familiar for her and she had to clarify that at once.


    "What do you need to think about? Finding her boyfriend or something?"


    Murrnal Bram looked at her surprised if she understood their expressions correctly and responded:


    "What? No. I and my family serve Lord Thuel. She belongs to him."


    Elisabeth''s jaw must have dropped. She sent a search request to Freya and received the answer in less than five seconds so she could close her mouth before it will look stupid. Of course. Cions were polygamic and strongly so. The strongest male could take many females and the strongest females could pick the strongest males. Like forcing her way into the relationship with a male of her liking and she had to be accepted. In some twisted way that made sense.


    Humans were not strictly poli or monogamic- as always with Humans ''that depends''. On culture, religion, moral codes... Humans are always complicated in that matter and always have been.


    Fa''enni only on paper were monogamic- females were jealous of their partners but males were rarely loyal. However, overall in the Commonwealth monogamy was still dominating for more practical reasons.


    "What do you mean she belongs to him? She is free to choose her partner."


    Elisabeth looked with pity and so well-known feeling at Niora For''rtiassa but Niora suddenly was studying the tops of trees while beeing all- not only on the face, beetroot red.


    Elisabeth smirked, still drilling holes in Niora with her eyes. Well, well, well you too fell for him? She thought.


    Bram smiled showing his large fangs:


    "See Lady Elisabeth? I don''t think she sees that as the problem."


    "Indeed Murrnal Bram, I can see it clearly now." She replied amused. "However I don''t think saying that straight like that is a good idea."


    Niora For''rtiassa and Murrnal Bram looked at her frightened. And Bram quickly started apologising:


    "Lady Elisabeth you are the most beautiful woman I meet and I know there must be some relationship between you and my Lord but we beg your pardon for our insolence if we offended you or our Lord in any way."


    She started laughing.


    "Me and Thuel? In relationship? Hahaha in my dreams maybe and for sure. No, don''t worry. Our relationship is different we are friends. He also is my Prince and my Lord now."


    She showed them her bracelet with the Royal Family Crest medallion. "But trust me. I''m not even shade of Lady Luna''s beauty. The woman who Lord Thuel love."


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.Both Cions looked at themselves with utter surprise. If Lady Elisabeth thinks she is not beautiful how staggering must Lady Luna be?


    Thuel was heading toward the recreation area when he bumped into giggling Johan.


    "Sup my bro?" Smiled Thuel but then he saw that spark in his eye of Johan. "Why are laughing at me?"


    "Just look at this!" Johan sent him the log via a neural link. After five minutes Thuel sighed while Johan was still grinning.


    "Elisabeth still has a massive crush on you!"


    "Indeed. She is a very fine and very good-looking woman. And it turns out im the owner of a very nice-looking and cute Catgirl! I am a rather fortunate man it seems."


    "I have that recorded. If we ever need melt through reinforced plasteel and we''re out of explosives im going to play it for them!"


    Thuel laughed


    "Oh, you sneaky bastard. But in six hours we will reach the Alinti system so we must prepare. I still didn''t get any word from my parents. That''s strange."


    "Well, it turns out they were too busy rolling on the ground and laughing so now they are busy preparing habitats for Cions on Ra-Danna. The entire continent will be their temporary home."


    "Why do you know about it and I don''t?"


    "Since I''m your chief of operation? And now you know. Get used to it Admiral. I got word from Father since it''s official Navy business only a few minutes ago."


    "Ooooohhhh..."


    "Inded"


    Thuel opened door to the recreation area and they both take a short walk toward the place where Elisabeth, Niora and Murrnal were standing. The first thing Thuel saw was Freya''s avatar who must have joined them. The second thing he saw was how Bram''s black mane is shaking from laughter.


    When Thuel and Johan approached this little gathering third thing he saw was Elisabeth sitting on the ground with a crimson red face hidden behind her hands which looked amazing from under her loose long blond hair and Niora who was in exactly the same position. Niora also was red on her face which contrasted with her black hair and fur on her ears. Her black tail was curled and its tip was delicately moving.


    "Hello everyone!" Jovially started Johan.


    "What happened here?" And Thuel asked with a smile.


    Both women yelped in embarrassment. Bram started laughing even harder but Thuel looked puzzled at Johan who asked this time.


    "Freya? What''s going on?"


    "Admiral Thuel, vice admiral Johan. Vice Admiral Elisabeth and Niora For''rtiassa insisted during arguing with Murrnal Bram that you would never see them as women but only as friends or military assets. He told them that''s impossible and Elisabeth ordered me to find just one piece of evidence where you are seeing her or Niora as women. So I just showed them this."


    Freya played them a short video despite incoherent murmurs and begging of both girls. It was him and Johan talking on their way somewhere. But they both know exactly what they will hear at the moment when Thuel on the video said: "Indeed. She is a very fine and very good looking woman. And it turns out im the owner of very nice looking and cute Catgirl! Im rather fortunate man it seems." sounded once again and both women turned their backs at them in embarrassment. Niora''s tail was nervously moving.


    Johan joined Murrnal in laughter while Thuel in his usual sincerity just stated with an absolutely serious voice:


    "What?! I really think you are both cute."


    Admiral Felix Strong was laughing on his bridge. Prince is or so innocent or so cunning that he could only gain his respect. He had to soon talk with Thuel about Cions. Their medical data is absolutely fascinating and require extensive research.


    For once DNA poses much better self-preserving properties than Human DNA, Fa''enni with their basic lifespan of 40 years are not even participating in this race. On the other hand, their immune system is much worse than a human which indicates they may hail from a garden or maybe a harsh world. With such frail immune systems, hell or deathworlds are out of the discussion.


    However, one very concerning thing was found in their DNA- It has some markers common on Earth. Further study must be conducted and it would be great if we could locate their home world and take some samples. Admiral shrugged- there are good chances it''s taken by potatoes so we could kick them out.


    Galaxy is vast and mostly uncharted so It will take millennia to map every star or even find their home world. For millennia so-called Galaxy Federation claimed about 1% of all stars in the Galaxy, they were afraid to expand. The reason for that was Huluk Empire which was a very aggressive and strange race. For sake of being left alone and stay in their ''perfect stability'' they were exterminating any race they could find.


    When the first time Fa''enni contacted humanity they warned us about ''devourers'' and we took this seriously. So we did what we did best for millennia and we prepared for war. But when we eventually found Huluk about 60 years ago we were superior in any aspect. Our ships were bigger, better armed, having much better armour and shields. Huluk despite being around for aeons didn''t improved their technology. For the entire millennia, they changed nothing in their "perfect society" when we found them.


    We offered them peace but they have chosen war. We learned during the war that They killed so many alien species we probably never will be able to meet. So we exterminated them all.


    When we wanted to show off the Fa''enni like little children who painted a picture, we discovered the disgusting habits of the Xhrestl - a race of warlike and bloodthirsty lizards. They killed off almost 80% of Fa''enni so we destroyed their technology and reverted them back to the stone age and quarantined them on their homeworld, They were spared only due to mercy of Fa''enni.


    Potatoes chose to pick a fight with Commonwealth, they ignored all conventions and laws. And it looks like they have no idea who they angered. He prepared himself for entering the Alinti system.


    "Admiral. Lord Admiral Raven, Vice Admiral MacArthur, Vice Admiral Ard¨¦n, Niora For''rtiassa and Murrnal Bram are heading this way and will join you in one minute."


    Strong nodded. It was a good idea to respond to system defence stations in a single transmission. However, Prince implants were already sending codes to stations informing the system about his presence on board. A series of reinforced doors to Overlord''s Bridge opened and the Prince''s group entered.


    Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa were looking in absolute shock and awe around them. This bridge was almost as big as Cion''s flagship. They were watching how fifty officers were working at their stations commanding their sections. Admiral saw admiration and fear in their eyes.


    "Welcome on the bridge of TCF Overlord. In a few moments, we will translate to point Epsilon of the Alinti system. After IFF we will approach Ra-Danna."


    Young Admirals saluted their senior. Both Cions kneeled in their manner with right fists on deck. Strong saluted back and relaxed.


    "At ease! I''m not your superior officer anymore."


    "But this is your Bridge, sir." Simply stated Thuel. Strong smiled at him and nodded his head in approval.


    "True sir. So Mr Bram and Miss For''rtiassa how do you like stay so far? You both can stand up. We don''t require all this kneeling, you know?"


    Bram responded still kneeling.


    "It''s our way of showing respect... Sir!" he ended in a typically Human manner. Strong smiled while Niora replayed with a sweet soft voice that lacked only meows and purrs.


    "We are grateful for your hospitality Admiral Strong. It''s still so hard to believe we survived. The last days were the most beautiful in our lives. All the wonders you have shown us and all you have gifted us are incredible and we can only be grateful."


    She looked around, their ship''s bridge was simply stunning. Prince told her yesterday that a very long time ago a wise man once told her that ''Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic''.


    That Human was right she thought as she saw strange swirls of lights displayed around the bridge. She saw many Humans males and females alike working efficiently without even one word. Humans somehow know exactly what each other wants to tell them thanks to implants she was told about before.


    They worked on consoles which had just a few real buttons, all that was needed was generated as 3d projection be it keys or displays. A short ping was heard on the bridge and the communication officer announced:


    "We entered the system and completed the IFF procedure. We are clear to enter the system, sir!"


    Both Cions gasped in awe when strange random-looking lights were gone and they could see stars around them. They were now standing in a gigantic bubble surrounded by a space void. Two massive space stations were guarding entry to the system from this point. Even their appearance was menacing. But for Humans, that was a normal sight.


    "Very well. Let''s proceed," said Admiral.


    "We are approaching standard 25, profile VIP 1." Navigation Officer sounded surprised when he announced they were given the fastest and most prestigious approach vector but suddenly he delicately hit his own head with his own fist. Of course, we got VIP 1. We are carrying Prince home. Suddenly he stiffens.


    "Sir! Request from Raven Rock itself to stay on hold. Do not enter the system. I repeat. Do not enter the system!"


    Admiral was surprised.


    "All engines at 0. Ship stop. Let''s wait."


    "Incoming transmission from Raven Rock!"


    "On screen."


    When a holographic giant screen at least 20m long opened in thin air Bram and For''rtiassa were absolutely stunned. The woman who was watching them from the screen was the most beautiful being they ever saw. However, Niora still preferred her Lord. Her long blonde hair looked so similar to Lord Thuel''s hair and these eyes...


    Her voice was so magically melodic it took them unguarded and enchanted them. All present officers including vice admirals kneeled. Cions thought how lucky they are, they already kneeled because she had frozen them in motionless awe. Only two men were standing at this moment. Queen smiled:


    "I welcome you all in Alinti Sector. I''m so glad and proud my Son! Soon we will talk."


    "I''m glad to see you too Mother! Much sooner than I anticipated."


    "I welcome as well my old friend Felix! It''s so good to see you again. I was not aware you became a Teacher at the academy."


    Admiral smiled. "Pleasure is my Lady Shanti. It''s just a recent assignment so it was not made public yet."


    All crew eyes were wide open. Their Captain really knows Fa''enni Queen! Queen looked ashamed a bit.


    "We had to change your plans my Son and I got to ask you for another favour Admiral Felix. Originally we planned to facilitate Cions on Ra-Danna but at the last minute, we changed our minds. That''s why I personally wanted to ask you for a favour. Would you mind taking my Son and his new subjects to the Tiamant system? And if you be that kind could you drop them at 3rd planet Tua''va?"


    He quickly checked the data. It was one of ten original Fa''enni systems on the far flank of Fa''enni space toward uncharted stars which made it a border system of the Commonwealth as well.


    "It wouldn''t be a problem at all Queen."


    "Im most gracious my friend. We decided that our Son will take responsibility for defences in that part of the sector. He has proven his worth so as well we can use his talents for Commonwealth benefit rather than allowing him to get lazy in Palace."


    "You are right Queen in that manner. I can''t stay as much as I wish to and got to make this little errand swift, since I had to pick up the rest of my students and evaluate their work. Will you need anything from Terra? I think ill be there before your couriers."


    "I understand and hope you will pay us a wist at Ra-Nael soon. If you head to Terra after your mission and offer your help we have a few packets destined for Sol. Let''s meet at Tiamant then. We are en route there as well so we should enter orbit over Tua''va about time you disembark Cions."


    "Very well Lady Shanti. Let''s meet there."


    She smiled and nodded. When the transmission was finished Cions dared to rise their heads and noticed that everyone long time ago was already standing and got back to work. Admiral Strong ordered:


    "Ok, people! We are going out from here. Overlord and astrogation, plot me course for Tau''va. Helmsman get us back to point Epsilon!"


    "Aye Aye Admiral! We are at standard 25 approaching point Epsilon in 2 minutes Sir!"


    Standard 25 means that the ship is accelerating gradually until it will reach 25% light speed. The Astrogation officer confirmed:


    "All calculations are correct. We can start blinking!"


    Blinking- the very essence and almost purpose of Fleet Carriers most commonly known as combat planetoids. While hyperdrive was known by all truly interstellar races only Humanity had one another means of FTL travel known as tunnel drive or singularity drive as it''s officially named. While the most efficient military-grade hyperdrive was able to enter high hyperspace speeds of 200 factor the tunnel drive was working in a very different way.


    At the expanse of colossal energy needed it basically changed the ship itself into a massive black hole and ripping out of the fabric of space and time itself in a process that instantly translocate ship over huge swaths of space in a series of blinks. A single blink last the tiniest fraction of a second and was harmless for an area for transiting ship to pass. But entering and exiting the tunnel last much much longer. Almost a full second and that was lethal for anything too close to Fleet Carrier.


    The tidal force of such heavy black hole could rip appart smaller stars or make a big one go supernova. That''s why Planetoids never used their FTL drives inside planet systems, especially their own systems. Planetoids didn''t need hyperdrives of their own- for such big objects they were achieving 35% of light speed. And making a hyperdrive for a such big ship would also shrink the space available inside. Hyperdrives were for small ships which operated as regular battle forces inside star systems while planetoids traversed between entire sectors.


    "Enter the tunnel." ordered Admiral Strong.


    Stars around them disappeared and once again random lights started dancing around them.


    Cions had so many questions but maybe one day they will find or be given answers for. But one thing made them relieved and happy- Queen herself acknowledged them as Lord Thuel''s subjects.


    Cions are safe now.

 Tiamant

    When Overlord entered the Tiamant system after a short 12-hour trip, he was hailed by automated border control systems. But after fulfilling IFF protocol they were welcomed by Lady Naella D''astra MacArthur.


    Johan was very surprised to see his stepmom here and they chatted for a while when they all moved to their respective ships. Elisabeth and Johan can leave their dreadnoughts if their crews wish to return to Sol since she had ready Ra''volta class dreadnoughts for them.


    However, after survey, both Retribution crews turned out they would sooner mutiny than allow to be taken from such an interesting and very prestigious assignment, from frontiers of the Commonwealth with the perspective of combat and not simple, boring patrol duty and contacts with only two truly friendly alien races that humanity ever meet.


    Tiamant was big and reach system completely opposite to the one where they found Cions. They reached Tua''va after 24 hours and started disembarking Overlord. Most Cions were moved planet side where Naell''s construction teams were already building small cities for them. Buildings were made in a mixed style of Fa''enni and Human styles.


    Naella was supervising constructions from Wraths bridge so this could mean Admiral Robert MacArthur should be somewhere around. Thuel was standing in front of his ship with both of his friends saying goodbye to Admiral Felix Strong.


    "Thank you for your guidance Admiral during the last few years. We wanted to present you this small gift," said Thuel giving him a small box.


    Surprised Admiral opened it. Inside it he found three items, first one was one of the almost legendary items of Fa''enni make- a copy of ancient Human most utilitarian and common items- a common, ink fountain pen. But Fa''enni loved it form and beauty of the pen and used their own technology and talents to make it as always work of art. The smoothness of its work and perfect form made it a very desired item on Terra due to its scarcity. And since it was considered a piece of functional art every single Fa''enni Pen was hand made, and absolutely pricy good to poses.


    Pen in Admiral''s hand was even more exceptional, made from black power steel, a material used to make power swords, with veins made of platinum and gold. The core of the pen nib was made of an alloy of steel and titanium fused at the atomic level with a perfectly cut sapphire that made up the rest of it.


    That pen alone was worth more than his six-month salary.


    The second item was an ancient case watch with a flap, bearing the magnificent emblem of the Fa''enni Royal Family made of precious materials. It was made of eternal silver and platinum alloys. Its hands were made of gold, the dial of an unfamiliar material that shimmered like opal, and the numbers were studded with emerald. Its mechanism requires regular winding to work, and the watch itself was accompanied by a chain made of the same platinum and silver alloys as its case.


    The last rather insignificant-looking item might be considered worthless compared to the first two. But it was much more precious to him. It was a traditional photo encased in a simple wooden frame. Behind a piece of glass he saw himself standing with Thuel, Elisabeth and Johan. All four of them were smiling to not the existing photographer. That picture was taken two days ago on the bridge of Ra''volta when he used opurtinity to take a tour over this magnificent dreadnought. He picked a picture and took it out from the box.


    "Thank you all. I will treasure it as one of my most precious possessions."


    They respected Admiral and smiled to him thankful for his guidance. Admiral smiled back and said:


    "It look''s like I don''t have any fancy gift for you. But I as well prepared something."


    He took three small packets from his first officer and gave them.


    They all smiled when they found photos of them with Admiral framed into elegant stainless steel frames. Thel was standing with Admiral in the star map room and was listening to Admiral talking about the effective use of solar systems natural elements during battle.


    In Johan''s photo, he was shaking hands with Admiral Felix on the parade deck of Overlord when he was awarded for solving a particularly hard problem. Elisabeth smiled when she saw herself walking alongside Admiral in the Academy corridor while he helped her with way too many real paper books she borrowed from the library. All photos had dedications signed by their mentor. They all thanked and wished themselves the best of luck.


    Six hours later all Cion ships were docked at the orbital station built just ten hours before and their crews left them forever. Later they will be transformed and used as a memorial and museum of the Great Cion Escape. But for now, they had to wait. Overlord was already en route to point Epsilon of the Tiamant system to meet with Raven Rock. Thuel was sitting onboard of dropship slowly coming to the realisation of a very unpleasant truth.


    "What the fuck now?"


    Ra''volta manifested near him.


    "If you refer to Cions I advise giving them some time to get used to the new environment. Even a few weeks might be not a bad idea."


    "I don''t think it''s a good idea. One or two weeks and we have to start enhancing programs. And before that, I had to think of the government. And the education system. Oh, stars... What i have done?!"


    A few kilometres below Murrnal Bram was sitting at the table with his foster doughter eating some delicious food. Niora looked around and still couldn''t believe how spacious and splendid a home they have received. But she would trade all of this for the opportunity to be closer to her Lord. She sighed.


    This chamber was called the ''living room'' it was furnished with a large wooden table, quite comfortable chairs and two big pieces of furniture called a ''sofa'' she sat on it before and that was absolutly fantastic. Soft and comfortable like nothing she had before. From the living room, you could access kitchen furnitured again with pieces of technology looking familiar to her but once again absolutly alien.


    She couldn''t find any way to operate it but in the tall fridge, she found some ready-to-eat food. But the best part was their personal rooms. Her room was twice as big as the room she lived her entire life on Cion Fang. Her bed was so big and soft that she hoped for a few days off so she could just lay on it. However beside it, a desk with an extremely comfy armchair, a few wooden bookshelves, one full-size mirror and a wooden wardrobe, her room was quite empty.


    The next door opened to some big empty room full of hangers, shelves and a pair of mannequins and an armoured cabinet that''s probably her personal armoury. Few clothes in her size were hanging there so this must be the wardrobe. She couldn''t comprehend how many clothes Commonwealth women have if a such big room is normally built in every home. After a brief while she decided it may come in handy.


    The last room was a small personal toilet with real shower, small but comfortable bath, and some bizarre chair which must be the toilet.


    Her father''s room on other hand was smaller but he had his own office instead, his wardrobe was the half size of her''s but the second half was his personal armoury. His personal toilet was also smaller than hers. However, they had a bigger bathroom accessed from the hall. In it, they had a big bathtub and something called a steam room. She couldn''t wait to try it all.


    Their home was located in the Governmental part of the planet very close to where Lord Thuel will most probably build his home. She looked distracted at the dark cylinder that was standing on the table. It was a communication device given to them by their Lord.


    Suddenly she heard the voice of Ra''volta:


    "Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa?"


    She responded immediately:


    "We can hear you."


    "Prince Thuel will be waiting for you and your father in his office at the main government building. Can you join us there in one hour?"


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    She already knows the way there. It was very close just 15 minutes away.


    "Of course Lord Ra''volta. We will be there soon."


    She was visibly happy now. Her Lord is coming and she will see him soon. She knew she was fatally in love with the man who loves another woman, but if Lady Elisabeth is in the same situation she at least doesn''t feel that awkward.


    Thuel with closed eyes was sitting behind a large desk. He received a few metric kilometres of reports, studies and proposed solutions that he will probably read the headlines for three hours alone. Thanks to the direct neural learning tool built into his implants all that knowledge will be absorbed by his mind overnight but for now if he wants any information he must learn it manually. Pick a headline and fast-read report.


    He sighed.


    Elisabeth was already on her way here. She got access to all personal management systems and when Freya will finish her transfer to her new Ra''volta class dreadnought body she will help Elisabeth with organising the entire haha human resources.


    Johan was already transferring himself alone to his Ra''volta and promoted his former first officer on board of Longbow - his Retribution class dreadnought, for its new Captain. Thuel exhaled in resignation.


    "I will need more personnel."


    "We will be glad to provide it, my Lord!"


    Thuel eyes opened quickly. Before his desk was kneeling in their manner Murrnal and Niora. They are so silent? Even his enhanced ears didn''t pick up a single sound made by them while they entered his office. He wanted to straight up refuse but he bit his tongue and looked at them with much more focus.


    "Hmmmmm... Ra''volta?"


    "Their loyalty for you is absolute my Lord. This two can be useful for you."


    Niora''s heart started racing. She will be useful to her Lord. She...


    "Very well. MEDICS!"


    ''Wait. What?'' Crossed her mind when doors to Lord''s office popped open and two marines in field medic armour entered. Both Cions stand up and looked at each other didn''t know what was going on.


    "My Lord?"


    "Take these two to Wrath. I want them enhanced for yesterday. Full service."


    "Yes Sir. We will throw them to the slaughterhouse at once."


    Niora was terrified. Her Lord just ordered her to die?


    "Slaughterhouse? My Lord..."


    Thuel started laughing.


    "Don''t worry Niora For''rtiassa. It''s just how some of us are calling it. It''s a specialized medbay on board of biggest ships where we install implants."


    She was instantly at ease and ashamed:


    "I''m so sorry my Master I doubted you."


    "No Niora. That was not doubt or even if you doubted me you were fully right to do so in this matter. It was a simple question about a rather quite bloody thing. If someone here had to be sorry that would be sergeant Smiths who used an unofficial name for upgrading centre."


    Marine grinned at Niora without a single trace of guilt in his eyes but apologized:


    "I''m sorry Miss Niora For''rtiassa for startling you. It''s just we always use that name. It''s not a bad place I promise."


    She smiled at the big marine.


    "I accept your apology."


    When four of them left his office Elisabeth with eight officers entered it.


    "So we have about ten hours until Raven Rock should enter point Epsilon of Tiamant. However, Guardian already informed Freya that we will have at least seven to even twenty days for preparations. It turned out Queen and King will have to make a quick trip to Ethosh Shipyards. They dropped us 50 corvettes, 40 destroyers, 20 frigates and 10 Dashu''uns. Seems like King wants this system fortified asap."


    Thuel nodded. He checks the data of patrols and raises one brow. He immediately contacted Johan, out loud so Elisabeth can hear them.


    "Johan, where is your father?"


    "In command centre at Alinti."


    "Fuck!"


    "What''s going on Thuel?!"


    "Help your mom with her fleet. You are better at it than she ever will be. Let her focus on her work."


    Elisabeth looked at Thuel concerned. But he just stretched his arm to silence her before she could ask anything. Notification of highest priority popped inside her communication implant. Ra''volta''s voice informed her without any emotion.


    "Warning to all Commonwealth forces in the Tiamant system. All combat readiness is increased to Amber alert by order of Lord Admiral Thuel Raven."


    Imidietly after she heard his calm voice:


    "Lady Naell MacArthur I ask you for continuing your job of establishing a functional colony on the planet. Vice Admiral Johan MacArthur you will take control over close orbit protection. All Forces move to the inner system and begin patrol routes in the pattern Vigilante. Dashu''uns are to launch 75% of combat drone complement on auto into the outer system. Drones in outer systems should use standard defensive sub-routines. Ra''volta dreadnoughts send all Vrita drones to act like sensor nets in the middle sphere of the outer system. You have your orders, people. Let''s get back to work."


    Elisabeth was looking at him surprised.


    "Why?"


    "Let me respond to you with a question. Why do my Parents who are one of the most ''to the plan'' persons I know have 3 sudden plan changes?"


    She paused. And nodded her head. Thuel continued.


    "Then uncle Robert is sending here his Wife as she was probably the only ranking officer he could send without weakening too much his own resources. Naella is sending me the message that we don''t know if the system is safe. And she was sent here on Wrath."


    "But I don''t think that''s the reason to be worried..."


    "Luna and Anna didn''t get permission to join me and Johan on the planet."


    She opened and closed her mouth having nothing intelligent to say. Deep down she knows Thuel might be right. She started analysing all data she had access to. In recent weeks many incidents happened in the area. She was convinced now and started preparing her ship for battle but Freya was in the middle of the transfer. She will need at least one more hour.


    Thuel was sending precise orders using his neural link. She checked them using her authorisation and was impressed. On the surface what he was ordering was much more convenient for crews but in reality, anyone attacking this system would have to bleed out fighting drones in the outer system and face fresh and deadly Commonwealth Forces concentrated near Tua''va.


    "I don''t really expect serious battles here. Besides we have Wrath in orbit."


    "So why all changes?"


    "Because I want to be prepared just in case."


    She nodded in agreement. He was responsible for this system and taking Terran doctrine under consideration he was right. It was one of the most basic rules in the Commonwealth military: ''Always be prepared for war'' derived from ancient ''Si vis pacem, para bellum''.


    Captain Naella was a very good adjutant and support officer but she was fully aware of her limits. Her Navy school was not as extensive as theirs and she never wanted to be a line officer- she did everything to be closer to the man she at first admired and then she fell in love with.


    Also, she was not acting commander of Wrath which was surprising. So most probably a tactical officer of Wrath is taking care of the initial system defence. Elisabeth checked logs and smiled, exactly as she thought. Commander Ericsson''s defence plan was quite good but he spread their forces a bit too much over the system.


    "Ok. Point taken. So I assume we don''t have to rush back to Thunderbirds and man back our dreadnoughts in near panic so allow me to introduce you, unlucky officers delegated to help make things work here."


    He looked at eight officers standing at attention right behind Elisabeth. All of them saluted him the moment he focused his gaze on them.


    Thuel responded bemused after saluting them back:


    "At ease. No one told you at the academy to always look overworked?"


    Elisabeth chuckled and tried to mask it with a cough. His own communication officer Lieutenant Rinn Fris¨¢ responded with a pale smile:


    "Sir we were all caught off-guard. We have never stood a chance!"


    Everyone laughed. It was a good thing they can all laugh naturally and not nervously.


    "It happens that I already know Lieutenant Rinn Fris¨¢ one of my own bridge officers, Ensign David L¨¢knal from damage control and Ensign Daniel Kwiatkowski from life support. Who else you sentenced for this forced labour?"


    Two ensigns made big eyes when they realized Prince is not supporting himself with implants but actually know not only their names but also where they are assigned. Somehow it made them both happy and anxious at the same time. Elisabeth pointed to the second officer.


    "This is Lieutenant Sara Harper. She is my sensor officer."


    "Sir!" Thuel nodded to the short brunette with big brown eyes. His implant displayed all her data he should know, she is very talented so no wonder Liss picked her. Much shorter than average at 170 cm she looked like a child near the next officer at who Elisabeth pointed next.


    "Here stands my chief of security Captain Alex Campbell."


    Thuel watched a massive Human Marine who was easily 210 cm tall saluting him. He looked like he was able to punch through reinforced plasteel panels with bare hands. He sported short brown hair, a perfectly modelled beard, moustaches and facial features of a classical young Avalonian Lord. He spoke in a deep and melodious baritone.


    "Your Highness."


    Thuel smiled to gigant and saluted back. He bet that man is a terrifying monster in his power armour. Elisabeth pointed at her, next victim:


    "Lieutenant Patricia Powell is my chief of medical staff."


    "Sir... Prince." She saluted while gradually becoming red on her cute face dotted with a few freckles. Patricia is a non-combat member of the Navy personnel and a very talented doctor. She has curly ginger-red hair reaching to half of her back. And by look at her behaviour massive crush on me- Thuel sighed internally. Smiled and saluted her back. Elisabeth quickly pointed at the next officer.


    "Ensign Anna Powell. She is Patricia''s subordinate."


    "And judging from look her twin sister. Am I right?" asked Thuel. Anna smiled and responded:


    "Yes, my Lord. It will be my pleasure to work with you. Sir!"


    Last Elisabeth''s victim was a short dark-haired woman with Asian facial features.


    "Commander Li Yu Tian is a former Johan first officer and currently Captain of Longbow."


    Thuel nodded. He saw Johan''s report about why he wanted to give her Retribution class dreadnought. According to him, even the sun is set according to her plan.


    "Good to have you on board," said Thuel.


    "Pleasure is mine Admiral"

 Thuels headquarters.

    Thuel looked at the personnel picked by Elisabeth and got up from behind his desk. He gave himself a few heartbeats and spoke to them.


    "We have so much to do here I''m sure you will have too much work and can''t complain about boredom. Once we get all this up and running, I can promise you vacation passes to home star systems."


    All gathered smiled at this perspective. Thuel continued:


    "We have a few quite urgent projects to start optimally yesterday. You will be responding directly to me and only a red alert will make you all return to normal posts."


    They all nodded. Good sign this assignment is a full-time job and not the most favourite "easy additional job" that''s always hard and requires full-time focus. Elisabeth looked at the gathered officers with a little grin but said nothing. Thuel shook his hand with every officer and pointed them big easily 20 people big conference table. He sat at top of it and Elisabeth sat at his right side. All officers sat in their designated seats.


    Thuel started his speech.


    "Tiamant system was once a Fa''enni colony that was home to a bit over one million people. During the War of Salvation, the 121st fleet liberated this system from under Xhrestla''s occupation however not a single Fa''enni survived. Today Tiamant and Tua''va become my personal responsibility. They are my fiefdoms. It''s not only my duty as Terran Commonwealth Admiral to protect the borders of our great nation here at this border system behind which only uncharted stars lay. It is my duty as Crown Prince of Fa''enni Kingdom to protect these lands and the void that was given under my care. And this is and will be our main concern. Just 210 light years away we clashed with a significant potato fleet, yes we won but we still know nothing about our enemy. They are hostile without a doubt and pose highly advanced stealth capabilities. Their ships and weapons we saw so far are laughing stock for our Navy and all FTL capable Commonwealth ships. But not a single Federation craft or system is safe. For now, it''s not our problem, Federation discarded our offer for providing neutral law enforcement on their territories upon learning we have exterminated Huluk."


    All gathered nodded their head. Not all things Prince was talking about was well-known fact. And if they are told such things, he must have meant their job will be very important. Thuel continued after giving them a brief moment for the information to sink in.


    "So far we as Commonwealth do not have any diplomatic relationships between us and the Federation. What''s more Commonwealth for all Galaxians is nothing more than unimaginable power lurking somewhere in space. No one ever saw our ships. Not because we hide that well but because their sensors are shit. If that''s the case they have no chance to detect any meet so far potato ship and this is concerning in its own right. We keep Fa''enni ambassador at Unity Station- that''s Federation Senat Headquarters, who is always pure blood Fa''enni. So basically only Human ever seen by Galaxians is my Grandfather, former Ambassador of Commonwealth for Federation, but you know how that goes, Lord Richard Raven."


    Everyone except Thuel laughed he only grinned at his own joke.


    "So fortunately for us even if Potatoes infiltrate any Galaxian Network they will not find anything useful about us. And honestly, I like it this way. Trust me. I studied all Galaxians Affair for half a year and no one is going to refund my wasted time. It''s wasted because of how petty their little schemes or plans are. They are as politically mature as humanity was somewhere in the middle ages. Merchant rights disputes, petty border wars, power struggles over stupid overmined asteroid belts and so on. If any single Terren senator shows up there he would singlehandedly break them. So concluding this part- we don''t want to have anything in common with them and they are happy as long as Commonwealth don''t care about the Federation. Why do I speak about Galaxians now? It''s quite simple. They may ask us for protection against potatoes. If that happens there is no say how Terran Senat will respond."


    Li Yu Tian signalled she wanted to ask something and Thuel nodded her in allowance.


    "Do you expect this will happen sooner or later, my Lord?"


    "Good question but I would say we have maybe a year until they realise something is off. After we contained Xhrestla at their homeworld Galaxians become basically defenceless but now almost 25 years later they invested in something that from afar looks like the Navy. Some more militaristic species namely Writh, Hudnar, Avrian and Iotians created a more connected nation that maybe in the next 150-200 years will evolve into something similar to Commonwealth. So far they are very good partners and managed to build multi-species Navy. Their ships are the most advanced in the entire Federation so that means we will need at least two frigates to destroy them all."


    Everyone was laughing nervously. The sad truth of the technological gap between the Terran Commonwealth and the Galaxy Federation was unfortunately not a cause for excessive joy in the current situation. Li Yu Tian nodded and Thuel continued.


    "When finally Galaxians come to our doors knocking we will probably respond somehow. By that time I want Tiamant fortified. And now Cions enter the picture. Technologically they are way below Federation average, they lost most of their race, knowledge not overall but even they don''t know where their homeworld is."


    Everyone shortly nodded. Prince carefully and slowly spoke his next sentence.


    "I plan to uplift them."


    Thuel was expecting shock or even uproar but nothing happened. His officers just sat there and smiled at him waiting for something more.


    He tried once again:


    "I''m planning to as fast as possible use as my troops and allow them to rebuild on Tua''va."


    Elisabeth finally gave up:


    "Lord we understood what you meant, it''s just a thing where we simply agree with you. We already tested Cions and their loyalty index towards Commonwealth is a stalwart 82%. As race and towards you, Sir their loyalty index is 95%. They are your subjects and that''s not a joke. Their social structures are much more feudal than Fa''enni and in their eyes, you are their King. No matter what we will do and say for most of them you are God. Ensign Kwiatkowski?"


    Dark hazel eyes were hidden under longer than usually hair focused on her with the speed of autocannon. He scratched his perfectly maintained van dyke beard and responded after a second.


    "Ma''am. My Lord. I used all time during transit to make extensive testing of Cions. Due to their highly feudal traditions and religion, they are basically your devotees, even zealots Lord Thuel. Chances to change this even using implant education are close to zero. It''s because they understood that we are impossibly advanced compared to them. Your denial of the title of God likewise grants you their respect. You are a warrior and leader who defeated their enemy and when all was lost you accepted their pleas. You not only have their unshaken loyalty but also have all their respect. To make things more interesting They identify you with Commonwealth. In their eyes and reasoning, without Commonwealth you, my Lord will not exist, so it is their duty to preserve Commonwealth at all costs and this demeanour is connected directly to their religion and governing system. They believe the system is very similar to some old pre-reformations Zionist religions as well as some straightaway Buddhist elements. If we look at their governing methods we will just have to take the ancient Roman Empire from the time of Julius Ceaser and the China Empire from the Qin dynasty era. If I didn''t know better I would say Cions were highly influenced and even contaminated by Terran''s early cultures. However, this theory was rejected due to its low probability."


    Thuel was thinking very, very fast. He searched for the Overlord Medical Team report about Cion DNA.


    "I think we just found something very important. Thank you Ensign Kwiatkowski for your report. However, right now I''m suddenly less concerned with how or if we should uplift Cions but about the second part of Ensign''s report. Please Lieutenant Powells look at it."


    Twins started reading it and suddenly they made big eyes almost at the same time. All other officers also found the same concerning part.


    Patricia started slowly:


    "I will start medical tests immediately. These markers shouldn''t be present in their DNA. And I really doubt such excellent specialists as Captains serving on Overlord would make a such stupid mistake and contaminate samples. But when you confront these two reports it''s starting being..."


    She lost words. Implications would create outrage in Commonwealth. Captain Campbell responded for her with a way too calm voice.


    "Ugly. Things will be ugly."


    Thuel nodded his head.


    "Keep this all for ourselves. Ra''volta this entire thing is kept as a top-secret case and only personnel gathered here with my personal certificates, Grand Admiral Denis Makosso, senior Admiral Robert MacArthur, vice Admiral Johan MacArthur and Fa''enni Royal Family can have access to it. Lieutenants you are allowed to build planet side laboratory class 1 or possess Einstein class research ship. I don''t care what you do, do it quickly."


    They nodded. Patricia responded:


    "I promise my Lord we will find every single connection if there is any."


    "We need to uplift them anyway. Captain prepares tests and drills and contacts Academy at Ra-Nael that we want to open a branch here. I authorise you at that matter." Thuel sighed.


    "Sir, yes Sir!"


    "Elisabeth you and the rest will start organising orbital industries and defences. Any questions? No? Very good. Dismissed."


    With serious expressions, all of them saluted to Prince. They didn''t expect such a thing at the first meeting.


    "How do you feel Niora?" some voice asked her from beyond the darkness. She lay on some cold, hard bed or piece of metal. She must lay in the engine room of Cion Fang breathing air from an emergency oxygen bottle, for sure she fainted again. She was so hungry and felt so weak. So that everything was just a dream. She doesn''t want to open her eyes and felt tears on her face. A strong hand stroked her forehead and she smelled her Lord''s scent.


    She immediately opened her eyes and bright light so vivid and sharp hit her. When she finally regain her senses she saw him with two identically looking Human women who were checking on her. She didn''t recognise this place but that didn''t matter as her Lord was here. She tried to stand up but barely was able to rise her arms or legs. She felt how Lord Thuel catches her and was speaking to her softly.


    "Don''t make any sudden movements.  Slowly. You''re in the hospital for now, so let go of all official behaviour. Take it easy until we finish everything. That''s an order!"


    "Yes my Lord" she barely whispered. One of the women accompanying her Lord informed her.


    "Procedure was successful. We will slowly start to boot you up. But first, tell us what you feel."


    "Im cold from the place I''m currently laying on." A red curly hair woman rolled her eyes.


    "Except that? You are currently laying on a direct induction terminal that''s why you feel a cold sensation."


    "I''m very weak to the point I can''t move. Also, my ears don''t work properly. I hear everything like from underwater. My sense of smell is also not working properly - I can barely feel anything."


    Doctor nodded.


    "Ra''volta you will need to support her. She might start panicking so slowly. Niora listen carefully. In a few moments, you will sense a very powerful and at first very disturbing presence in your head but don''t worry. This is Ra''volta, and you will gradually get used to it. Do you understand me?"


    "Yes, Doctor. I... I think I am ready."


    Patricia nodded and activated Niora''s neural link. Niora felt very strange like something heavy was pushing her head. Then she heard Ra''volta speaking directly in her mind.


    "Everything looks nominal Lieutenant Patricia. I think we will be able to boot her systems in one or two hours."


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    Thuel smiled contently.


    "Niora we will now leave you here under the care of Ra''volta. Listen to him and do what he says."


    "Yes, my Lord."


    She was left alone in the room. She heard Ra''volta''s voice inside her head once again.


    "Miss Niora I will now turn off the lights."


    She nodded uncertainly why. In the absolute darkness and silence of the room she was in, she could hear her own heartbeat.


    "We are communicating now through your neural link implant. Before we start I will tell you how much you have changed. Everything you know about yourself is no longer true. Right now you are the strongest, fastest and most intelligent Cion that has ever existed."


    "That can''t be true Lord Ra''volta, I''m just... Ooohhhh! What is it?"


    Before her eyes, she saw an image of herself full of layers that started being transparent until she could see everything. Her skeleton, nerve system, respiratory system, all blood vessels and all muscles and tendons. But that was not a 3d projection Humans often used in her presence. She was sure it was displayed inside her field of view only.


    "It''s your personal status indicator integrated into the combat head-up display system. We will refer to it as hud from now on."


    She saw how some parts of her image delicately were highlighted. When Ra''volta was speaking about how her nerves or circulatory system was reinforced anything he was talking about was highlighted. Very convenient but she was sure she will forget anything he say. She tried to remember what Ra''volta was talking about at the beginning and she discovered with shock she remember everything perfectly. What''s more, she even focused on her memories and was fully aware of what Ra''volta is speaking now.


    "Lord Ra''volta, my memory and concentration is greatly improved. How is that possible?"


    Parts of her brain, spine and the small patch of her left thigh glowed.


    "Data processing implant is responsible for aiding your natural brain information storage capabilities as well as helping you with storing all data in form of logs. The very compressed sensual-exclusive form that greatly impacts your memories. Most logs can be converted to text, pictures or video and sent to anyone you wish. Brain storage is also expanded to a data storage implant hidden in your left thigh. Data crystal is a half-centimetre-long cube and is able to save petabytes of data. Its main function is enhancing your brain''s long and short time memory storage."


    "I think I understood"


    "Don''t worry. You will."


    That sounded a little menacing...


    "Your bones, muscles and tendons were strengthened. You are now three times stronger than the rest of your kin. It''s a similar factor achieved by baseline Fa''enni but far, far worse than ten times factor achieved by baseline humans and Fa¨¦."


    It was the first time she heard about Fa''enni and Fa¨¦ she wondered who they are. Her neural link obediently linked her into Commonwealth Network and displayed all data she had clearance to see. She gasped in shock, all information were already ''her''. Data blinked before her eyes, read with impossible speed and being remembered by her. She knew everything about Fa''enni and Fa¨¦- children of Humans and Fa''enni that was available for her standard clearance. She was speechless.


    Ra''volta gave her a few moments for her new knowledge to set in and told her:


    "That was your neural and communication implants working with data storage implant. Very good Miss Niora. That process was additionally enhanced by learning programs instaled directly into your temporal implant instaled in your brain."


    She nodded but...


    "I would rather want to be called Commander Niora. That was my rank on Cion Fang, if I may ask Lord Ra''volta."


    A few heartbeats later voice responded.


    "I''m afraid that''s no longer possible Miss Niora. When your Father pleaded to Lord Thuel for protection and your entire kind becomes his subjects your Military, Navy and all government structures cease to exist. Every single Cion is right now a civilian and subject of Fa''enni Crown Prince and as such you are recognized as Commonwealth citizens. But don''t worry. Captain Alex Campbell was authorized by Lord Thuel to open Army and Navy school branches here at Tua''va. You will very soon start training since Lord Thuel wants to fortify this system as fast as possible."


    She nodded. She must look very stupid nodding in the dark room but she couldn''t help it. Suddenly the room was engulfed in a delicate green hue and she could see much better.


    "What you did do?"


    "Nothing. It''s your work. You just activated night vision mode in your retina implants. That''s a microscopic membrane implanted in your retina that allows you to see in low-light environments as well as in the thermal vision. However, your Cat-like eyes allowed for some interesting results like noctovision in a basically lightless environment. Your eyes in passive mode- without active usage of your implant will be four times better than you remember. Be it in full light or in low light."


    She slowly adapted to all knowledge he was pouring straight into her brain. Slowly she was learning once again how to walk, catch objects and adjust her own strength- she understood how strong she is now when she bent in her own small arms a 2cm in diameter 1m long steel bar.


    After that, she learned again how to run and jump. Then she gets used to sense smells in absolutely new ways. After two hours Ra''volta told her she is ready to start slowly her return to normal daily life.


    Doors opened and she saw Lady Elisabeth waiting for her. She heard her directly in her mind. That was still strange.


    "How do you feel?"


    "Horrible but fantastic if that makes any sense to you." she replayed in the same manner. Elisabeth laughed and spoke to her normally.


    "You will get used to it very soon."


    "Where is my Father?" she asked but immediately received the answer from medbay systems. He was still ''booting up'' with help of Ra''volta and need one or two hours more.


    "That''s incredible... So this is Commonwealth technology? It''s absolutely amazing."


    "Indeed it is. Let''s go eat something. I will brief you on your new position and your new duties."


    Niora suddenly felt hungry again and vigorously accepted Elisabeth''s invitation.


    Thuel was content with the report he just received. Niora accepted all her implants and very swiftly adapted. On the other hand, Murrnal had more problems with adaptaion but he started to get it. In two days his parents will return to the system and he hoped they will tell him what was going on.


    Liss is currently tormenting Niora with entire advanced Navy training. After that, she will land under the loving care of Captain Alex Campbell and receive basic Marine Corps training. She''ll probably regret ever wanting to become a soldier, but that''s her problem. He focused on his Fleet, Wrath was temporarily given under his command with all his Fleet compliments.


    Over than that he had three Ra''volta class dreadnoughts, two Retribution class Dreadnoughts, ten Dashu''uns, twenty Agile class frigates, forty Wasp class destroyers and fifty Aria class corvettes as well as twelve static system defence stations positioned in points Epsilon, Theta and Omicron of this system- points where all hyperspace calculations will lead any ship without AI capable of much more precise calculations.


    That three points are also the most convenient for tunnel drive calculations. Over 20 years of observation it was proved all Federation races also end their jumps at this points. What was also apparent their hyperdrives were much less sophisticated than Commonwealth''s. However, they couldn''t jump from inside star systems. 95% of known races can jump only from outer system borders where points Epsilon, Theta and Omicron lays as well but when jumping in the system 100% of Galaxians will end their jump in one of this three points.


    And for millennia they still didn''t noticed that as well as never even tried to improve on gravity well dependency.


    Commonwealth Navy ships could enter hyperspace as close as one light minute away from the G2 star and that distance increased gradually with heavier stars. Thuel watched log from his recent confrontation with potatoes. It looked like they couldn''t use their jump drives back then.


    He didn''t have any hyperspace denial systems as they are only installed on combat planetoids. That system is basically additional functionality of tunnel drive- it locally extended gravity well by creating constant waves of high gravity, harmless for celestial bodies in systems but trapping any hyperspace-capable ship in its area of effect. If potatoes have some better ships capable of jumping from inside the star system they will be surprised.


    He received reports from Vrita drones deployed one light week away from the Tiamant system that the sensor net is finally online. He check the time and yawned, it was 01:30 local time so time to go to sleep.


    He woke up at 08:00, no one was waking him up earlier so everything should be fine.


    He looked out from the window of his bedroom and saw Murrnal Bram in the garden running at 90km/h. He blinked when saw him jumping on top of a 20m tall tree and extended his ceramite reinforced claws capable of shredding steel plates like paper and caught one of its branches. No single leaf felt from it. Amazing. After he dressed up he entered his office and opened the window.


    He breathed fresh wet air after the night storm when he felt how Niora tried to sneak to him from behind.


    "Hello, Niora. How do you feel?"


    He turned to her and felt a soft almost plushy bullet hitting his chest. Niora was hugging him and was audibly purring like a kitten. She began to bury her head into his chest and thank him profusely.


    "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, my Lord! With all these gifts I can be of much more help and use to you!"


    He smiled and patted her head. She suddenly stiffened and after a brief moment, she slowly let him go while looking miserable like a child awaiting scolding. She was wagging her tail gently and had her ears flattened.


    "I''m terribly sorry for my misbehaviour my Lord! I wasn''t thinking because I was overwhelmed by happiness."


    "Nothing bad happened so there is nothing to be sorry about. Besides it was you and your Father who insisted you belong to me so I guess this form of hugging is allowed." Stated Thuel mockingly reminding her what happened a few days ago and she felt how her face become crimson red. She slowly started hiding it in her hands but after a second she gathered all her courage and asked him.


    "So what do you think about taking me as yours?" She was embarrassed to the core but for better or worse she had to know the answer.


    "We will see what will future brings. For sure I can be your friend. I already took responsibility to protect your people as your Prince."


    She calmed and smiled.


    "I think I can live with that answer, my Lord."


    He nodded, but the whole point of her question had completely missed him. They heard laughter from the door and Niora felt how she once again burn on the face.


    "Oh? I''m also hugging you then my Lord."


    "And why exactly?" Thuel asked surprised.


    "Sometimes I don''t know if you are pretending or not."


    Elisabeth shook her head in disbelief. She made a few steps stopping just in front of him and looked up. He was much taller than she was. However, she smirked and hugged him anyway.


    "You have saved me from my quite grim fate and I never truly thanked you Thuel. I never take off the bracelet you gave me in fear it could just disappear and I''ll be dragged back to Avalon. Thank you, my Lord."


    He felt her warmth and patted her head the same way he patted Nior''s before.


    "No big deal. We are friends, right? Besides, I will find a use for both of you. And you Liss already have more than enough work helping me here."


    Elisabeth and Niora giggled and responded in unison:


    "We can''t wait my Lord."


    Thuel had no idea what he had unwittingly allowed to and what plans were born to live at that time. But he already was reviewing his plans for today when the doors to his office burst open once again this time far from the stealthy way and Johan enters nonchalantly.


    "Morning my friend!"


    "Whatever brings you here im not hugging you." Thuel calmly informed his closest friend.


    Johan dully looked around the office and saw Elisabeth and Niora standing side by side, going through some data. He bared his teeth in a smile and replied.


    "Naaahhh. Im fine bro. I came here ''cause I finally found out what my Mom is building on orbit in such secret."


    "Shoot it. I thought that''s orbit control station."


    "So do i. But nah. She is finishing building the Va''n¨²ir pattern shipyard. Surprised?"


    Thuel made big eyes.


    "Va''n¨²ir? Thats great! And hell yeah I''m surprised. But why do I have a feeling like we stepped in enormous shit and we don''t know how fucked we are?"


    Both women looked at him surprised but Johan only giggled.


    "You too? Hahaha. I already ordered possessing large quantities of ore and raw materials that float near system entrance points. Since we had to clear it anyway and I don''t want to send mining operations into uncharted stars until we receive orders from an uncle I mean King and Queen."


    They both were risen basically like siblings from the time they were born. For so long time ago they addressed each other parents like family and Johan was the only living being who could call Fa''enni Queen aunt and no one would bat an eye.


    "Good call. And what exactly we are gonna build with that?"


    "Kill me. I don''t know. I received a resource requisition order from Dad and just assumed they are needed for some big project. The amount they requested will fill Wrath''s cargo bays to the brim."


    "Hmmm... They sent us 120 battleships. So I''m rather concerned about how long it will take to replenish their forces."


    Elisabeth checked something in her notes.


    "These ships were sent from Terra. Grand Admiral relocated them here to reinforce the border. I thought you received their operational orders."


    Thuel read it quickly attachment sent by Elisabeth.


    "Yehhh... No. You see according to the papers you gave me I''m not their superior officer so they didn''t have to send me these orders. However, if that''s how it is then I guess I''ll need to just wait for reorganisation orders from Neptune. Skippers of all new ships know that as well that''s why they respect orders from my command centre. Simply put they were sent to protect the border but in the meantime, I was promoted and recived this quadrant under my care."


    Niora was absolutely shocked. They acted so casually with her Lord and didn''t care at all she hears everything. Elisabeth spotted her sad face and whispered so only Niora could hear her.


    "Why sad face Niora?"


    She replayed in the same whispery manner.


    "Lady Elisabeth I envy you and Lord Johan your relationship with Lord Thuel. I will never be able to act like this."


    "Oh, but of course, you can. Even you should. Get familiar with this Niora."


    Niora blinked when she received quite a big data file from Elisabeth, it was called "Deployment Protocol of Terran Navy and Army". She started reading it slowly while Thuel and Johan were arguing about something called relax centre. Johan was very vouching for that thing. She had read the Deployment Protocol of the Terran Navy and Army twice so far and it started making sense, she was sure if she read it two or three more times she will finally understand. That was the most bizarre, complicated and seemingly illogical manual ever created by Humans see saw so far.


    Most of their instructions were simple, clear and coherent. As Humans themselves call them ''idiotproof''. For example "Instructions for adjutant and secretary military personnel" is very educative work that described all work aspects and duties in less than fifty standard A4 pages. Or how Captain Alex Campbell called it the "Marines Bible" extensive document containing doctrines, survival guide, code and tactics manual that was written masterfully and divided into coherent sections. It was over 500 pages long but so easy to navigate that you never noticed how extensive it was.


    But this...


    That monstrosity was over 5000 pages long and was almost monolith text. But after the third reading, it was finally clear. She was thankful for her implants since she would spend a few years to understood and remember everything she have learnt in past two days.

 Test results

    Doors to Thuel''s office opened once more this time letting in the Powell twins who towed Bram. Patricia and Anna saluted to the gathered admirals and spoke to Thuel directly.


    "My Lord, We have preliminary Cion DNA results. We think Bram and Niora should learn what we found."


    Thuel nodded in agreement. He pointed to the conference table with one hand and with the second a smaller but more comfortable table with comfortable armchairs and couches next to the fireplace on the other side of the office.


    "Should we take a seat?"


    "Certainly."


    On this smaller table were coffee and tea cups, along with two large heated flasks and a large plate of cakes so choice was obvious for overworked twins. They sat on one sofa with Bram between them, Johan picked one of the armchairs and Thuel found himself sitting with Niora and Elisabeth on the second sofa. After helping themselves with coffee and cookies and urging Cions to do the same they started looking at Niora and Murrnal.


    "When we discovered you, we found many strange data. In your norms of behaviour, religion, laws and finally in DNA."


    Murrnal Bram was surprised:


    "But we are alien species so differences should be expected."


    Patricia broke the awkward silence by speaking very slowly.


    "No, Mr Bram. That are not differences which worries us but similarities that are so concerning."


    Niora suddenly felt unease and unwittingly grabbed Elisabeth''s hand. Patricia continued.


    "Ensign Daniel Kwiatkowski is a very good historian and engineer. It was he who first found similarities in your laws, customs and religion. He is now basically dissecting your ships and digging out all technology and searching for its origins. He however found on board every single ship so far, a similar plaque with engraved letters that are not Cionian."


    Niora and Bram nodded and Murrnal responded:


    "I know what you are talking about. We put it always on our ships. That''s ancient traditions we still try to cultivate. But no one knows what''s written there."


    Anna delicately caught his hand as if worried he might need that.


    "Are you sure?" she asked and displayed their picture of the said plaque. Bram at first wanted to laugh her off but when he just glanced at it he paled.


    "What is the meaning of it? Why I can read it now? Is that working of implants you gave us?"


    "Yes. Niora? Read it and tell us what you learnt from implants." Patricia nodded.


    Niora swallowed and read slowly. She felt cold sweat on her back. Now she was unconsciously holding Elisabeth and Thuel''s hands.


    "Ademptum domum et ad astra mittitur. Sanguis noster bestiae sanguine mixtus. De diversis filiis terrae electi sumus, et Deos nostros sicut fortes custodiemus. That means ''Taken from home and thrown to the stars. Our blood mixed with the blood of the beasts. We have been chosen from among the various children of the earth, and as mighty warriors, we will guard our Gods.'' that''s Latin. One of the languages of ancient Terra! How this is possible?"


    Johan looked at Thuel who was concerned about his subordinates.


    Anna gave them a brief while and continued:


    "We can take that inscription literally. Some aliens took some humans and animals from the earth and then tried to create combat hybrids. Cions have similar features to Terra''s big cats. We took your DNA apart and checked every single marker and binding. We are now completely sure that the Cion have their roots on Earth in the Sol system. However, we found also traces of absolutely alien material. It''s however similar to some parts of Potatoes DNA we obtained from bodies from our last encounter. That gave us a vague idea that some advanced alien race created you and potatoes maybe more new races. Yes, new races. Differences in DNA are distinctive enough that Cions can be described as a different race but still close enough to be compatible with Humans. That''s why Terran implants worked flawlessly in your bodies. That was a test to check if any will be rejected. In the case of Fa''enni, we needed half year to develop new implants to fully match them and work."


    Niora and Bram were shocked but overall happy. Elisabeth gently stroked Niora''s hand but that was not the response they expected. Niora looked straight into Thuel eyes with her big cute cat eyes.


    "So this means my Lord we are now more than citizens of the Commonwealth only by your grace. We are distant cousins of Humanity and share genetic history with you!"


    Thuel was happy it turned this way. All anxiety and tension left Niora and Murrnal. He patted her head but surprised by her purr of pleasure he almost stopped. He patted her for a while and responded.


    "Indeed. We will have to find what had to be called your homeworld and the race who did this to you. But you are free people now. I know I have taken your oath of allegiance but you have a choice- you can become free citizens of the Commonwealth and self-governing yourself or stay as subjects of Fa''enni Prince."


    Murrnal Bram responded without the shade of doubt:


    "All who thought differently left my people in the Kumlan system where you found us. They betrayed our traditions and what''s worse they nearly destroyed our chance for safety. I know you would allow all Cions to leave back then. Not out of malice or ill will but because of your and the  Commonwealth''s conviction that we should be free. Most of us will follow you, my Lord. I and Niora are just the beginning of those who are absolutely loyal to You. I will follow you not only because of my oath but because of who you are my King. I would follow a brave, intelligent, strong and born leader like you but you are much more. A wise, righteous, and good Prince will lead Cions to prosperity. We will learn from you and when the day comes when you will be called by your kin to return as their King we will be able to govern ourselves. We will serve you, my Lord."


    Niora looked at her Father and added at first mocking Thuel''s previous words but with full conviction and honesty:


    "I will follow you my Lord until you find usage for me as you promised not so long ago. And I can''t allow Lady Elisabeth to be this overworked so maybe I can take her tasks as your adjutant my Lord. You all have saved us from the unknown but for sure grim fates and all Cions are more than grateful."


    Thuel nodded. That maybe is not the worst idea they had.


    "So be it then. I will govern and prepare you for self-governing by time ill be called as new Fa''enni King. But personally, I don''t expect this to happen any time soon- my parents are young and their rule is guaranteed for the next centuries. Maybe my child will be called for that duty. But that''s a thing of the future to come and we have still present times to spend. So are we in agreement that Cions are distant genetic cousins of humanity and they deserve their rightful place among Commonwealth nations?"


    Ra''volta, Freya and Thor- an old friend of Johan and now AI of his new Ra''volta class dreadnought, materialised in the room. This will be an official statement that will shape the future of Cions. Murrnal Bram as formal leader of all Cions exhaled and spoke officially.


    "We Cions agree with all your discoveries in light of all new knowledge, all research and science. We are happy and most proud of our genetic heritage and We are accepting with gratitude your offer to join the great nations of the Terran Commonwealth, Greatest Nation thet ever spanned stars as your equall member. However, Cions knew only fear as long as we remember and that''s why we will stand by our oath. We will be serving Prince Thuel Raven as loyal subjects until we learn how truly to be free."


    Fryea as the oldest of AI spoke:


    "I was a witness of your vow and I have seen your resolve. I will bring your will to Makeana where it will be remembered forever. As long as Cions will work for a better tomorrow and well being of Terran Commonwealth and its citizens we Makeanians will aid your struggles as your friends."


    Ra''volta and Thor''s holograms hit their chests where their hearts should be with their right hands. Thuel stands up.


    "I Thuel Uriel Raven Crow Prince of Fa''enni Kingdom and Inheritor of ancient and Noble House of Raven promise to take care of Cions. I who bore the blood of mighty Humans and wise Fa''enni alike accept your pleas and will. I will lead you as my subjects and guide you until you will be ready."


    They spent two more hours speaking about preparing Cions for installing implants and their overall condition. They decided to get out and check on Cions directly. They left the government building where mostly worked Navy personnel drawn from dreadnoughts.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Just when they exited the building they received a call from Commander Li Yu Tian.


    "Lord Thuel? It would be good if you met me at the general assembly. Some Cions are disturbed by the sudden disappearance of Murrnal Bram and Niora For''rtiassa. Well much more Murrnal Bram than Niora For''rtiassa since most of them assumed she is constantly accompanying you."


    "We are currently on our way there. Tell them I wish to speak with them and will respond to as many questions as possible."


    "Yes Sir!"


    Yu Tian was in charge of preparing education facilities for Cions. Since they will be spending the next at least a decade learning, She had a very important job. Thuel was deep in thought and was preparing orders for the fleet when he bumped into something.


    He looked down with unseeing eyes and very slowly regained his focus. That was Johan''s hand that stopped him as always when he spaced out too much. He looked down and saw Cion''s child looking in total awe at him holding a simple football ball at his hands... or paws? Thuel was still not sure what Cions calls their body parts. But no matter what they think about it he will use his superior power for one thing that will never get him bored.


    He smiled, kneeled down on one knee and patted the little boy''s head. Patting Cions on heads was somehow absolutely fantastic.


    "Hello, young one. I''m sorry I have scared you."


    Boy was happy that the great Lord of Cions was patting him and was sure no one will believe him. He replayed defiantly:


    "I''m not scared, my Lord. I was just surprised you graced us with your presence. My Mother told me you were very busy protecting us with your mighty ships my Lord."


    "You have a very wise Mother. Indeed even now I am busy with ordering the fleet of Commonwealth in our system to prepare our defences and make sure no enemy could surprise us."


    Boy''s eyes were round from awe and genuine interest. At first glance, you could say he loved spaceships despite living his entire life in the confinement of one. His eyes were sparkling with joy. Thuel saw two Cions standing nearby with worried faces, most probably the boy''s parents. Boy like all children was happy to find someone to talk to and promised to Thuel.


    "I promise you my Lord when I grow up I will join Common... Comno... Commonwealth." He was proud of spelling such hard words in a foreign language.


    "You don''t have to join Commonwealth. You are already a Commonwealth citizen. So be proud and live a happy life. You are safe now as we will never abandon you as long as Cions remain loyal."  Thuel smiled to him once again.


    Boy was visibly happy but you already could tell some new thing was on his mind.


    "So when I grow up I could join Commonwealth Navy and fight Jarta-vuri on your invincible ships!?"


    "Hahaha, yes Indeed. Soon you will go to school and if you learn well then you will be able to join the Navy."


    Thuel nodded to the boy''s parents and stand up. Murrnal was looking at him with absolute respect and happiness while Niora and Elisabeth smiled to themselves with very similar smug faces. After a brief while they entered the general assembly. It was a one-story building with a giant hall that could accommodate ten thousand people. It was intended for various events such as concerts, meetings with residents or speeches.


    Li Yu Tian was already waiting for them at the entrance.


    "My Lord. Admirals. It''s good you all are here. Many Cions started getting anxious about the future. I hope you extinguish this fire personally Lord Thuel."


    "If that''s our only problem then I''m relieved. Let''s go."


    They entered the stage and saw the audience packed with adult Cions. Some of them were standing nearby and had prepared pieces of paper most probably with questions prepared early. Li Yu Tian was a master of planning since that clearly was her idea and Thuel less and less doubted Johan''s report about her. She will make plans for the demise of her enemies, which they will follow when presented with a copy.


    They really looked scared and anxious but showed only gratitude and respect. All of the Thuel''s companions sat in places behind him prepared by Yu Tian and she took her place near Cions with prepared questions.


    "Welcome. In the last few days, many things have changed in your lives. You all obeyed our requests and answered mamy our questions. You have rested a bit and now you have plenty of questions. It will be only fair if now we address what bothers you. However, it will take some time to answer all questions you probably have and I already have to apologize that we couldn''t have enought time to adress them all today. So please everyone take a seat and we will answer as much as possible."


    After this, he sat in the armchair and nodded to Commander Li and she after a brief while gave a signal to first Cion. Short by Human standards 170cm Cion man looking like a bipedal Tiger asked with a very pleasant voice.


    "We are thankful you showed personally My Lord despite many duties you have. We are also happy to see Admiral Murrnal Bram and Comandor Niora For''rtiassa once again. Maybe it''s not a question that needs to be answered when they returned but nonetheless where they have been for the past five days?"


    "Let''s ask them then. Niora could you tell your kin where have you been?"


    A little surprised Niora responded with a calm voice.


    "Five days ago I and my Father overheard our Lord saying to himself "I will need more personell" while we didn''t know why and for what we offered to provide as many workers he will need. However, we were absolutely not prepared for what happened next. Two Marines escorted us on board Wrath where we were changed. Vrikk Sur im no longer weak Niora you knew 5 days ago. Right here and now only Cion that can beat me is my Father. Only wiser Cion than me is my Father. We were enhanced by Terran technology as miraculous as one that brought back my father''s youth once again."


    Vrikk Sur looked at her amazed but with scepticism. Thuel giggled and told him.


    "Come closer. Don''t worry as I can''t blame you for your disbelief. You are a strong and big Cion warrior. You weigh 80kg but Niora while taller than you is just a shade of what you weigh."


    Comicly almost half of the audience nodded in unison. Thuel continued barely holding laughter.


    "Niora can you lift him?"


    Vrikk Sur smiled and came closer to Niora who lifted him with one hand like he was weighing nothing. Surprised voices rolled over the assembly. Thuel continued explaining but before that, he gestured to let Vrikk down.


    "I accepted their help offer but before they could be able to really help they needed to be enhanced. They now have military-grade implants that changed them to be more like we Humans and Fa''enni are. They are faster, stronger, more intelligent and they will live much much longer than you could think possible."


    Assembly erupted with hushed conversations. But after a brief while it stopped. Vrikk Sur smiled to Niora.


    "I suspected that one day you would beat me if you would follow the strongest, but I would never expect to be beaten this shamelessly."


    He deeply bowed to her and that meant she was recognized not only as a warrior but also as the connection between Cions and Lord Thuel. Lord Thuel was strongest and Niora belonged to him- that was one of the most basic rules of Cions. Niora would never pick any weaker male while serving such a mighty Lord. Yu Tian looked at Vrikk who suddenly returned to his prepared questions.


    The first sin against Commandor Li Yu Tian is changing plans and Vrikk for sure is not suicidal. He asked a very short but very complicated question after returning to his place.


    "What will happen to us now?"


    The sudden silence in the room was so thick that you could hear hair hitting flor. But Thuel was ready for it the moment he got outside his office.


    "In a few hours, Raven Rock will enter the Tiamant system bringing here Queen Shanti and King Konrad of Fa''enni Kingdom, official representatives of the Terran Commonwealth. They are my parents. I will ask them for accepting your pleas of fealty. But You are right now my subjects and by your vow citizens of the Terran Commonwealth. Your future is safe and bright."


    He almost felt their relief. They still were afraid they will be again left alone between the stars running once again from the unseen enemy. Vrikk bowed to Lord Thuel and sat down. In his place entered a young female with the facial features of a jaguar.


    "How we could be useful? We don''t want to leech on anyone''s goodwill. We want to earn our living." She asked.


    "In a few weeks, we will start teaching you. But before that, there will be an extensive basic implant program that needs to be completed before we can start educational programs. Our education is far more advanced and complex than you can imagine."


    Many Cions started whispering to each other again but as far as Thuel could tell they all looked thrilled and excited. That''s a good sign.


    "And last question my Lord. What will happen with our Navy and Ships?"


    "Your ships will be used as museums and memorials of your perilous past. They will have data cores installed with all known history of your race. As for your Navy, it no longer exists. During your education programs, we start forming it anew and after you finish your education period we should have a ready fighting force. But as I mentioned earlier the Tiamant System is my personal fiefdom and one of the ancient worlds of Fa''enni, which has been placed under my protection and will be your new home as long as you remain in my service. You also don''t have to worry that someone will expel you from here - the Commonwealth has plenty of uninhabited planets, and our sector borders uncharted stars."


    The anxiety of Cions disappeared and Thuel was ready for more questions. However, He was absolutely stunned to hear that was it. Two more Cions held lists of questions in case they will have to leave Commonwealth territories. But since they were not only allowed to stay but were promised to become citizens of the Commonwealth all other questions can wait or will be answered during the promised education period.


    Li Yu Tian sent Thuel a note with all questions prepared by Cions if ever he wanted to know them. When most of Cions left the assembly a small representation approached Murrnal Bram and briefly spoke with him. He looked pleased with what he heard. Bram approached Thuel with two though-looking Cions- one of them looked more like a muscular human while the other was looking more like a lion but much smaller than Bram and with normal coloured fur. They both kneeled in a Cion warrior manner and waited.


    "My Lord. These two represent warrior clans Turr and Vsish. I heard their humble request and I hope you can help them."


    Thuel nodded them. He was here as their Prince but he was a bit tired of this constant kneeling and couldn''t wait to return to his ship where the only sign of his position was rarely used in form of his title of Prince or Lord instead of Admiral. He understood that such kneeling was part of Cion culture but decided to take some measures to limit this only to most official situations unless Murrnal Bram will convince him otherwise. He nodded them and waited.


    "My Lord. Our clans were warriors since we remember but when we saw your Majesty''s marines we know how outclassed we are. Thus we beg for your allowance to train with them. We want to learn how..."


    "Bram?" Thuel raised his hand and interrupted him.


    "They are loyal to you my Lord, more than me." Theul raised his brew. More loyal than him? Unbelievable.


    "How many?"


    "One hundred and fifty Turr and two hundred and fifty Vsish my Lord."


    Both warriors watched as Thuel smirked.


    "See you in two weeks boys. MEDICS!"