The turbo lift hummed with a low-frequency vibration as it carried Admiral Kaala and Commodore Luthien upward through the ISS Valiant’s towering internal structure. The elevator compartment was silent, save for the faint, rhythmic whir of the magnetic rails and the steady, synchronized breathing of its occupants. Kaala stood with her hands clasped firmly behind her back. Her gaze fixed on the digital status display as deck numbers scrolled past in a blur of amber light.

  Her mind was still churning from the conversation in the galley. Two hundred Republic taskforces. A hidden armada. Isaiah Kaelen’s carefully orchestrated Silence. The pieces of the puzzle didn't fit together with the clean, clinical precision she preferred. They were jagged, covered in the grime of political maneuvering and industrial secrets. The scale of the Republic’s potential military growth was staggering; if Luthien’s intelligence was even half-accurate, they weren't walking into a search-and-rescue mission. They were walking into a powder keg.

  The lift slowed, its deceleration gentle but perceptible, the inertial dampeners whining softly as they adjusted to the change in velocity. A soft, melodic chime announced their arrival at the ship’s inner sanctum.

  "Flag deck," the automated voice intoned, its synthetic tone devoid of the tension that permeated the rest of the ship.

  The doors hissed open, revealing a wide, vaulted corridor lined with reinforced durasteel bulkheads and high-resolution status panels. Marines in full Mark-VII combat armor stood at rigid attention on either side of the corridor, their heavy railguns held across their chests in a parade rest. Their visors were polarized to a mirror finish, reflecting the sterile white light of the deck. Their presence was a stark reminder that this section of the battleship was restricted—only senior officers and those with the highest level of Imperial clearance were permitted access to the flag bridge and its tactical meeting rooms.

  Kaala stepped out, her boots striking the deck with a sharp, authoritative click. Luthien followed a half-pace behind, his expression unreadable, his eyes scanning the security detail with a practiced, diplomat's eye. Kaala nodded to the marine sergeant standing nearest the lift, a veteran whose chest was adorned with service ribbons from the border skirmishes.

  "Sergeant," Kaala said.

  "Admiral," the sergeant replied, his voice muffled slightly by his helmet’s external speakers but still sounding crisp. "The meeting room is ready. Everything is secured for holographic relay. But ma’am…"

  Kaala stopped mid-stride, her eyes narrowing. "But?"

  The sergeant’s expression remained neutral behind his visor, but there was a flicker of something in his posture—a slight shift of weight, a subtle tension in his grip. "You have a… visitor, ma’am. She arrived approximately ten minutes ago via an unscheduled shuttle from the Oblivion Spear. She presented Grade-Alpha Imperial credentials and requested an immediate escort to your meeting room."

  Kaala’s jaw tightened. A visitor. From Valcius’s flagship. There was only one person in Taskforce 6 who would dare an unscheduled shuttle transit between flagships during a system-wide high-alert status.

  "Sister EVE," Kaala said flatly, her voice like grinding stone.

  "Yes, ma’am. She is waiting inside with her escort. She was quite… insistent."

  Kaala exhaled slowly through her nose, feeling the familiar prickle of irritation. Of course. Of course Sister EVE would pull something like this. As a secret member of the Dark Sisters or openly the Imperial Divine Delegation, she had been assigned to Taskforce 6 as the Emperor’s personal observer—a role that granted her extraordinary latitude to move, question, and interfere wherever she perceived a lack of "Imperial Will." But transferring between flagships mid-mission, without prior coordination or even a courtesy hail to the ship's master, the Captain, was a breach of naval protocol that bordered on professional insult.

  Except, as Kaala reminded herself, Sister EVE didn't answer to the Admiralty’s blue-book of protocols. She answered to the Emperor’s divine mandate. And that made her untouchable.

  Luthien’s voice was a soft, melodic whisper beside her. "Interesting timing. One might almost call it opportunistic."

  Kaala shot him a sidelong glance. "Your definition of ‘interesting’ is far more generous than mine, Commodore."

  Luthien’s lips twitched in the ghost of a smile. "I prefer to think of it as… educational. The Dark Sisters rarely act without a specific, often chilling, purpose. Her presence here suggests she has something to say—or something to observe—that requires proximity to you specifically, Admiral. You are, after all, the Admiral of a Taskforce who saw the Voryn first. The first alien contact in our history"

  "Lucky me," Kaala muttered.

  She straightened her uniform tunic, smoothing the fabric with brisk, deliberate movements. Whatever Sister EVE’s reasons for being here, Kaala would not give her the satisfaction of seeing frustration or confusion. She would be the model of an Imperial Admiral: calm, professional, and stoic. Even if the part of her that remembered the Arqan binary star system battles was currently screaming for a drink and a quiet room.

  "Come on," Kaala said, her voice regaining its command edge. "Let's see what the Emperor’s shadow wants today."

  The flag meeting room was located directly adjacent to the Valiant’s flag bridge—a reinforced, vacuum-sealed compartment designed to accommodate the most sensitive holographic conferences and tactical deliberations. Its walls were not just metal, but layers of composite shielding designed to baffle even the most advanced eavesdropping sensors. A massive, oval table made of dark, polished synth-stone dominated the center of the room. Above the table, a sophisticated holographic projector hummed softly, its emitters currently cycling through a low-power standby mode.

  Two more marines stood flanking the door. As Kaala approached, they saluted with a synchronization that was almost robotic.

  "Admiral on deck!"

  Kaala returned the salute with a brief nod. "At ease. Open the door."

  One of the marines keyed the access panel. The heavy, armored door slid open with a pneumatic hiss, revealing the dim, blue-tinted room beyond.

  Sister EVE sat at the far end of the table, her posture perfectly relaxed, yet radiating a sense of coiled energy. She wore the matte-black field uniform of the Dark Sisters—an ensemble that was functional, austere, and woven with stealth polymers that seemed to drink the room’s light. Her hands rested on the table’s surface, fingers interlaced, and her pale, sharp gaze tracked Kaala and Luthien from the moment the door began to move.

  Behind her, two more marines stood at attention. They were not Valiant marines; their armor bore the distinctive obsidian-and-gold insignia of Taskforce 6 and the Battleship ISS Oblivion Spear. Sister EVE had not only come unannounced; she had brought her own Praetorian guard.

  Kaala felt a fresh wave of heat rise in her chest, a mixture of professional indignation and tactical wariness. She forced it down, her expression settling into a mask of careful neutrality as she walked toward the head of the table.

  "Sister EVE," Kaala said, her tone professional and cool. "I wasn't aware you’d be joining our local council today."

  Sister EVE inclined her head just a fraction of an inch. "Admiral Kaala. Commodore Luthien. I apologize for the unannounced visit, but circumstances in the void are rarely kind to schedules. I hope my presence is not an… inconvenience."

  An inconvenience? Kaala thought, her mind racing. You commandeered an Imperial shuttle, crossed the vacuum between two moving taskforces without a flight plan, and inserted yourself into a secure command briefing. ‘Inconvenience’ doesn't begin to cover the paperwork, let alone the security breach.

  But she was a veteran of the Imperial Fleet as much as the stars. She gestured toward the marines flanking Sister EVE. "Your escort can wait in the corridor. This is a command briefing—highest-level restricted access."

  Sister EVE’s gaze didn't waver. "These marines are under my direct, sanctified authority. They are my eyes and hands. They remain with me."

  Kaala’s jaw tightened until it ached. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down—this was not a battle of rank she could win. Sister EVE’s authority flowed directly from the Emperor’s throne, a stream of power that superseded even an Admiral’s command within her own hull.

  Luthien stepped forward smoothly, his voice acting like oil on troubled waters. "Sister, perhaps a compromise of form. Your escort may remain directly outside the door, ensuring your security while respecting the internal operational protocols of this vessel. It would ensure that the Admiral’s security net remains untangled. After all, we are all on the same side, serving the same throne."

  Sister EVE regarded the Commodore for a long moment, her eyes searching his for any hint of mockery. Finding none, she nodded. "Very well. A reasonable suggestion, Commodore. Your reputation for diplomacy is well-earned."

  She turned to the marines behind her. "Wait outside. Do not allow anyone to interrupt this meeting unless the ship itself is breaking apart."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  The marines saluted and filed out, their heavy boots echoing against the deck plating. The door hissed shut behind them, sealing the room with a definitive thud.

  Kaala released a breath she hadn't realized she’d been holding. She moved to her chair at the head of the table, her hands gripping the back of it for a moment before she sat. She regarded the Dark Sister with a look of controlled composure.

  "Thank you," Kaala said. "Now, Sister—with all due respect—why are you here? Your assigned station, as per the Admiralty’s orders, is aboard the Oblivion Spear with Admiral Valcius."

  Sister EVE’s expression remained as smooth as glass. "Admiral Valcius is… predictable. His strategies are rooted in doctrine, his decisions in the safety of the known. You, Admiral Kaala, are an anomaly. Your actions at Arqan, your encounter with the Alliance Polity, and your ability to adapt—these are the variables the Emperor wishes to understand. I prefer to observe value firsthand, rather than through the filter of Valcius’s reports."

  Kaala’s eyes narrowed. "So this is surveillance."

  "This is observation," Sister EVE corrected softly, the words carrying a subtle chill. "There is a vital difference. I am here to see how you lead, and how you respond to the revelations we are about to receive. My presence should not concern you—unless, of course, you have something to hide from the Emperor’s eyes."

  The implication hung in the air like a poisoned blade.

  Luthien cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Sister, I’m certain the Admiral has nothing but the Emperor’s interests at heart. But your sudden arrival does raise questions regarding the chain of command. For the sake of clarity, will you be remaining aboard the Valiant for the duration of the jump space travel to Argonauts?"

  Sister EVE’s lips curved into the faintest, most unsettling suggestion of a smile. "That depends entirely on what we learn today. For now, yes. I find the atmosphere of this ship… enlightening."

  Kaala exhaled slowly, forcing her frustration into a locked compartment in her mind. There was no point in arguing with a force of nature. "Very well. But understand this, Sister—aboard the ISS Valiant, operational decisions are mine. You may observe, you may report, but you do not interfere with the running of my taskforce. And the marines you brought will return to their ship on the next available shuttle. My own marines will protect the ‘Emperor’s Eyes’ while you are under my roof. Are we clear?"

  Sister EVE watched her for a long minute, her silence heavy. Finally, she inclined her head. "Very well, Admiral. I agree to your terms. Your protective spirit is… noted."

  The tension in the room didn't vanish, but it shifted into something more manageable—a cold peace. Kaala glanced at Luthien, who offered her a faint, sympathetic nod. Then she turned her attention to the holographic projector.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Let's get started," Kaala said. She moved to the console at the table’s head and keyed the activation sequence with a series of rapid taps. "Establish secure laser communication links with Taskforces 6 and 13. Priority channel. Engage holographic relay."

  The projector hummed to life, its emitters glowing with a soft blue light. Within seconds, the air above the table shimmered, and two figures materialized in flickering, life-sized holographic form.

  Admiral Toren Valcius appeared first. His image was sharp, high-definition, reflecting the proximity of the Oblivion Spear. He stood on his own bridge, his dark uniform immaculate, his expression a mask of stern authority. Valcius was a man who looked like he had been forged in a shipyard—all hard edges and unyielding metal.

  "Admiral Kaala," Valcius said, his voice sounding slightly distorted through the relay. "I see Sister EVE has decided to grace your ship with her presence. I trust you’ve made her feel… welcome."

  Kaala resisted the urge to grimace. "She arrived unannounced, Admiral. We are accommodating her as befits her station."

  Valcius’s expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of sardonic amusement in his eyes. "Of course you are. The Emperor’s will is absolute, even when it’s inconvenient."

  Before Kaala could respond, the second hologram materialized.

  Admiral Soren Halvek appeared beside Valcius. His image was slightly less crisp, showing the minute lag of the greater distance between Taskforce 13 and the Valiant. Halvek was the elder of the group, his silver hair cropped short in the old style, his face a roadmap of a long career spent guarding the Empire’s northern and western frontier borders.

  "Admirals," Halvek said, nodding to each of them. "Commodore Luthien. And Sister EVE. It seems the high commanders of this mission has finally gathered."

  Luthien inclined his head. "Indeed, Admiral. The gravity of the silence from the south demands nothing less."

  Valcius crossed his arms, his stance impatient. "Let's dispense with the protocol. Alpha One has transmitted the primary briefing. I assume we are all here to review the data together."

  "We are," Kaala confirmed. She gestured toward the display. "Relaying the transmission now. Stand by for decrypted playback."

  She keyed the final command, and the holographic space above the table shifted. The images of Valcius and Halvek were shunted to the periphery, making room for a new figure—a broad-shouldered man in the dark, heavy-duty uniform of an Imperial General.

  General Ryn Volaris, Overall Commander of the Haven System and Governor of Alpha One Headquarters, stared out at them. His face was weathered, his jaw squared, and his bearing carried the weight of a man who commanded a fortress-world.

  Kaala frowned. This was the second message they had received from the General. She had expected a senior Admiral or perhaps a High Admiral from the Naval Command hierarchy to brief them. But a General? It was highly irregular. Generals commanded planetary garrisons, surface fortifications, and ground-based defense networks. They were masters of dirt and gravity, not the fluid, three-dimensional theater of fleet operations.

  Luthien leaned forward, his voice a quiet observation. "Interesting. Volaris is a General, not an Admiral. That is unconventional for a post like Alpha One."

  Valcius’s holographic image scowled. "Unconventional is a polite word for it. Politically convenient is the reality."

  Halvek’s voice carried a note of weary curiosity. "Commodore, you don't seem surprised. Do you have insight into the General’s… unique appointment?"

  Luthien nodded slowly. "I do. From my research into the Haven system’s recent history, I learned that Volaris has a direct blood connection to Duke Varrin Lorne of the Core Sectors—one of the twenty great Dukes who hold the Emperor's ear. His promotion to Overall Commander was expedited through several powerful political channels. The Duke needed an ally in the Southern Frontier, a man who understands how to hold territory, and Volaris was the choice."

  Kaala’s eyes narrowed. "So he’s a political appointee with a garrison mindset."

  "Aren't we all at this level?" Valcius said dryly.

  Halvek chuckled softly, a sound of dry leaves. "Politics. The one constant in an expanding universe."

  The word hung in the air for a moment, and then—unexpectedly—all three admirals, despite their vastly different backgrounds and temperaments, spoke in perfect, weary unison.

  "Politics."

  The synchronization was so perfect that it startled them. For a brief second, the thick tension in the meeting room broke, replaced by a shared, wry acknowledgment of the absurdity they all faced. Even Sister EVE’s lips twitched, though she remained silent as a shadow.

  Kaala allowed herself a faint, genuine smile. "At least we can agree on the nature of our cage. Now, let’s see what the General has to say."

  She keyed the console, and the holographic image of General Volaris began to speak.

  "Admirals Valcius, Halvek, and Kaala. This is General Ryn Volaris of Alpha One Command. I speak to you again because the situation has evolved."

  Volaris’s tone was formal, his voice carrying the gravelly rasp of a career soldier. He stood before a detailed holographic star chart, his hands clasped firmly behind his back.

  "Your arrival has been noted by the planetary government, and your mission parameters have been fully acknowledged. The Emperor’s directive is absolute: you are to investigate the total disconnection of the Southern Frontier M-Gates and determine the status of the Angelic Republic’s corporate assets in the Argonauts System."

  The star chart shifted, zooming in on the Haven System and its surrounding sectors.

  "To support your mission into the dark, Alpha One places the following assets under your provisional command: four destroyer squadrons—forty ships total. We are also detaching four light cruiser squadrons—another forty vessels. Additionally, we are granting you command of Taskforce HavenAlpha01. This is a reinforced light taskforce consisting of a battlecruiser command ship, twenty-five destroyers, ten light cruisers, and five heavy cruisers. They are currently fueled and stationed for rapid-response operations."

  Kaala’s eyes tracked the icons appearing on the chart. HavenAlpha01 was a respectable force, certainly enough to provide a screening element or to handle pirate incursions. But against a Voryn taskforce? It was light. She knew from experience that Voryn stealth technology was a nightmare to track. Ironically, it was the Angelic Republic’s own Anti-Stealth software—installed on all Imperial ships—that gave them any fighting chance at all.

  Volaris continued, his expression hardening. "I must also inform you of a significant change in the local theater. Taskforce 22, which was previously stationed here at Haven, has been redeployed to the Dorban System on the Western Frontier."

  "Intelligence reports indicate a Voryn taskforce incursion via Jump space at Dorban. Fleet Command has deemed this threat significant enough to warrant an immediate redeployment of our heavy hitters. This remains the case even with the Emperor’s current trade embargo against the Mayoral Coalition of the northern and western frontiers. The Voryn incursion was deemed too dangerous to ignore by the Admiralty, regardless of the political friction."

  Kaala’s breath hitched in her throat. A Voryn incursion on the Western Frontier? That was deeply troubling. The Voryn were supposed to be contained thousands of light-years away. The Empire had fifty taskforces stationed beyond the northern frontier specifically to monitor any movement in that region of space. If they were now launching raids deep into the West, it meant the entire defensive perimeter of the Empire was being tested.

  Halvek’s holographic image leaned forward, his face etched with concern. "A Voryn incursion? In the West? That’s thousands of light-years from their known location. Should we detach a taskforce to reinforce them?"

  Valcius’s voice cut in, sharp and uncompromising. "No. Our mission is the South. Taskforce 22 is a seasoned unit; they can handle themselves. And if they need more support, the Mayoral Coalition has eleven Angelic Republic sub-organization taskforces under the command of Selene Kaelen available in that sector. Fleet Command can request their assistance if the Voryn prove too numerous."

  Kaala frowned. "Admiral, with respect, both Admiral Halvek and I served on the northern frontiers. A Voryn incursion is never a localized event. If they’ve adapted their stealth tactics to hit the Western Frontier, our current sensor net might be obsolete."

  "Then Taskforce 22 will be the first to find out," Valcius interrupted, his tone final. "We have our orders, Admiral Kaala. The Emperor has directed us to the Southern Frontier. That is our priority. We do not deviate for rumors of war in other sectors."

  Kaala’s jaw tightened. She glanced at Halvek, whose expression mirrored her own. They were on the southern edge of the Empire. The fastest way to the north was the M-Gate network—they could be at Coorbash in an instant if the Haven Gate was used. But Jump Drives? That would take years. They were, for all intents and purposes, in a different world.

  Before she could press the issue, Sister EVE spoke. Her voice was calm, measured, and utterly unyielding.

  "Admirals."

  The room fell into an immediate, heavy silence.

  Sister EVE rose from her chair, her hands resting lightly on the synth-stone table as she regarded each of them. "The Emperor’s command is not a suggestion for debate. It is a divine imperative. We are here to investigate the Southern Frontier M-Gates and the silence of Isaiah Kaelen. Taskforce 22’s situation is the concern of the Admiralty and the local governors. Our focus remains the Argonauts star system. Is that understood?"

  Her gaze fixed on Kaala and Halvek, lingering for a second too long.

  Kaala’s fists clenched beneath the table. She wanted to point out that ignoring a Voryn surge was strategically catastrophic, that the Empire was being pulled in two directions at once. But she looked into the black-clad Sister’s eyes and saw the absolute absence of doubt.

  "Understood, Sister," Kaala said, the words feeling like ash.

  Halvek nodded reluctantly. "As you say."

  Sister EVE returned to her seat, her gaze returning to the star chart. "Good. Then let us see the path forward."

  Kaala forced her attention back to the holographic projection. Volaris’s briefing continued, his voice steady.

  The star chart shifted again, displaying a broader, more desolate view of the Southern Frontier. Red markers pulsated over the twenty-one disconnected systems. Blue lines traced a potential route from Haven star system to Argonauts star system, winding through uncharted star clusters and natural Jump Point nodes into Jump Space.

  "The Haven star system contains twelve stable Jump Points," Volaris said. "Of these, three provide viable routes toward the Argonauts System. I recommend Jump Point Three as your primary departure vector. It offers the shortest path with the highest fuel efficiency through medium-range jumps."

  A detailed trajectory appeared, overlaying the chart. Numbers scrolled beside it—distressingly large numbers.

  Kaala studied the data. Argonauts was approximately 900 light-years from Haven. The route suggested by Alpha One involved nine medium-range jumps through Jump Space reality, with brief exits into normal space or normal reality at intermediate systems to recalibrate and cool the drives. Each Jump Space travel would cover roughly 100 light-years.

  Valcius’s voice cut through the silence. "Nine medium jumps. Each one will take approximately seven days in Jump Space. That’s sixty-three days of transit, minimum."

  Halvek nodded slowly. "Add in the time needed to survey each intermediate system, handle the acceleration and deceleration phases, and maintain fleet cohesion… we are looking at seventy to ninety days of travel time. Perhaps longer."

  Kaala’s mind raced through the logistics. Three months. Three months of travel through star systems that hadn't seen an Imperial patrol in decades. Each one was a potential ambush site. And all of it would be conducted without the support of the ancient M-Gate network. They were relying entirely on their own Jump Drives and the massive Titan auxiliary ships each taskforce carried for fuel and repairs.

  Luthien leaned back, his expression grim. "That is a long time to be cut off from the Imperial Core. If we encounter a hostile force of significant size—or discover that the Republic has indeed turned—there will be no reinforcements. No resupply. No FTL communication. We will be effectively alone in the dark."

  "We have always been alone," Valcius said flatly. "That is the reality of the Frontier space. We carry the Empire with us."

  "True," Luthien conceded. "But we are investigating a disappearance that involved a billion people and twenty-one M-Gates. Whatever caused that isn't likely to be scared off by three taskforces, no matter how many warships we have."

  Kaala kept her eyes on the trajectory. Nine jumps. Nine star systems. Seventy days.

  "We will use the medium-jump route," Kaala said, making it a statement rather than a suggestion. "It’s the most efficient path. Long jumps are too taxing on the crews—nobody wants half the fleet going through Jump-psychosis before we even see Argonauts star system. Short jumps would take more than half a year."

  Halvek nodded. "Agreed. Medium jumps are the standard for a reason. We keep the fleet together, we keep the crews sane."

  Valcius’s holographic image crossed its arms. "Then it is settled. We depart Haven star system in twelve hours. All three taskforces will form up at Jump Point Three. We will enter Jump Space from Jump Point 3 in a coordinated sequence. Taskforce 6 will lead, Taskforce 9 in the center, Taskforce 13 at the rear. Standard screening formations."

  Kaala frowned. "Why Taskforce 6 in the lead, Toren? My sensors are more sensitive to Voryn stealth signatures."

  Valcius’s gaze was steady and unyielding. "Because the Oblivion Spear carries the heaviest firepower. If we jump into a hornets' nest, I want the biggest guns firing first. Taskforce 6 sets the pace."

  It was a valid tactical argument, but Kaala knew it was also about control. Valcius wanted to be the one who broke the tape at Argonauts. He wanted the glory of being the "first responder."

  But she didn't argue. Not now. There would be enough to fight about in the next seventy days.

  "Understood," Kaala said. "Taskforce 9 will maintain the center and coordinate our sensor data with your lead."

  Halvek nodded. "Taskforce 13 will cover the rear. We’ll keep the Titans protected."

  "Good." Valcius’s expression softened by the smallest fraction. "Then we are agreed. Let’s hope we reach Argonauts in seventy days. And let's hope Isaiah Kaelen is still there to answer our questions."

  The holographic projections flickered and died. General Volaris’s image dissolved into a cloud of blue pixels, leaving only the star chart glowing in the center of the room.

  For a long moment, the room was silent.

  Kaala leaned back, her fingers drumming a restless rhythm on the armrest. "Seventy days. Seventy days to find out what happened to a billion people."

  Luthien’s voice was barely a whisper. "And to discover whether the Angelic Republic is a friend we are saving, or a foe we are about to execute."

  Sister EVE rose from her seat, her black uniform rustling like dry wings. She looked at the star chart, her eyes reflecting the glowing trajectory. "The Emperor expects answers, Admiral. He does not care for the difficulty of the road. He only cares for the result."

  Kaala met her gaze, her own eyes hardening. "We will give him his answers, Sister. But answers often come with a high price. I suggest we all start preparing to pay it."

  Outside the armored hull, the Haven System continued its silent, indifferent orbit. The patrol destroyers moved like clockwork, and the massive ancient M-Gate hung in the void, a silent gateway to a home they were about to leave behind for a long, long time.

  Ahead, in the deep black of the Southern Frontier, the silence waited to be broken.