"The spawn of Shaitan have eyes of gold. Eyes of Gold conceal hearts of darkness"

  - .

  Year: 498 PHR (post human restoration)

  Location: Gandharva system, feifdom of Baron Remiel.

  The

  hum of the engines reverberated through the titanium frame, the

  oscillating shields creating a harmony that soothed the hearts of

  officers and crew alike. There is nothing to worry about, the veterans

  would tell the new set of recruits, she sings you to sleep.

  Vyncent

  stood at the viewport of his private quarters, observing the silent

  geometry of the fleet beyond. Ten thousand warships — five thousand

  under his direct command — arrayed in perfect formation. The flagship Hercules

  was the finest of them all, 400 meters of cold steel and focused death.

  Its guns had the longest range ever designed; its shields could outlast

  any known bombardment.

  He considered removing his mask, to see the fleet with his own eyes — but it was not yet time.

  The

  hydraulic doors of the chamber opened with a hiss, "Sir; Commodore

  Johann LeCoult, reporting for duty!" Seventeen. Wearing the navy's

  standard Prussian-blue uniform with the black overcoat and silver trim.

  But Vyncent's gaze lingered on the embroidered sigil on his chest.

  "Son of that Marquis... Walhen-or-whatever-his-name-is?" Vyncent's tone was dry.

  Johann stiffened. "Yes, sire. His youngest son."

  "I

  can see how you made commodore at 17, your mother's family keeps a

  tight hold over imperial shipyards after all, Lady Sharyn if I am not

  mistaken."

  "Were she my mother." Johann's tone sharpened.

  Ah. A bastard. Interesting.

  "How many hours until enemy contact, Commodore?"

  "Ten hours, sir. The bridge requests your presence."

  Vyncent

  turned toward the door, his mask catching the pale light. As he passed

  Johann, his gloved hand settled briefly on the young man's shoulder,

  "Wearing the Emperor's colors means you give your whole self to him.

  Tell me something, Commodore, how can you give yourself to him when your

  heart is covered by the banners of House LeCoult?" He took out his

  knife and pressed its point against the symbol embroidered on his

  uniform, "Will you take care of this, or should I?"

  Johann

  looked at him with uncertain eyes, how can you tell what a person is

  thinking when his face is hidden behind a mask, he took Vyncent's blade

  from him.

  "Your command is my action sire".

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Vyncent smiled beneath the mask. "Perhaps you aren't as useless as the others."

  Johann's eyes darkened. "With respect, sire... I am not like them."

  Vyncent's smile deepened. "We'll see."

  The bridge

  was a cavernous expanse of reinforced titanium and precision lighting.

  The lower level held the navigation crew and tactical officers; above

  them, the Commander's platform loomed, supported by two massive pillars.

  The viewscreens wrapped the walls in a sweeping arc of pale light. To

  stand here was to hold dominion over the void itself. Though embedded in

  the heart of the ship, the viewscreens were so large it was as if the

  Bridge were a dome of glass looking out at the top of the ship. Giant

  pillars held up the Commanders platform, two staircases led up to it.

  There was no other seat anywhere on the Commander's platform, showing

  the status of anyone who commanded it.

  One by one, they appeared on the viewscreens:

  Sub-Admiral Yosef Garner — 1,000 ships under his command.Sub-Admiral Vladimir D'Larsen — 1,000 ships.Vice-Admiral Gunther von Konitz — 3,000 ships.

  With Vyncent's 5,000, the fleet's total strength stood at 10,000.

  "Begin the briefing," Vyncent ordered.

  Vyncent ordered Johann to begin the briefing.

  "We

  are currently in the Gandharva system, en-route to intercept the forces

  of the Baron Ramiel. A few months ago, information was received that

  the Baron had assumed control of multiple Imperial owned mining stations

  on the 6th planet Minerva. Despite multiple warnings, he has not

  vacated them, therefore the might of the Emperor stands to smite his

  ambition. Our orders are to destroy any resistance organised by the

  Baron and regain control of the mining station using ground forces.",

  Johann said.

  "Orbital bombardment is forbidden," Vyncent added, his tone bored. "The Emperor does not wish to complicate the War Accords."

  "Only you would even consider such a lowly strategy, my lord." Konitz's voice curled with disdain.

  Johann's hand twitched toward his sidearm. An officer does not speak to his Fleet Admiral that way.

  Vyncent's head turned slightly toward the screen. "Perhaps if you'd considered strategy

  during your years licking the boots of superior men, you'd be leading

  this fleet." The Vice-admiral had shame enough to blush, he had been out

  of line, and he knew he deserved it.

  Yosef cut in, his tone sharp. "Do we have intelligence on enemy fleet strength?"

  D'Larsen's

  voice came through next — low and measured. "Probes made visual contact

  two hours ago. The Baron's fleet is likely positioned behind dense

  asteroid cover in sector 14-C-Delta." D'Larsen spoke in an unsettling

  monotone, although what was most curious, and the reason Vyncent was

  fond of him, was how efficiently he spoke. It seemed any word wasted was

  a source of sadness for the newly gazetted Sub admiral.

  "Likely?" Yosef's tone sharpened.

  D'Larsen's tone remained flat. "We confirmed the flagship Jin-Wa. The others are concealed."

  Vyncent raised a hand, the ring finger bent — a signal for final orders.

  "This

  is a trap," Vyncent said. "They allowed us to see the flagship to draw

  us in. After we pass the second asteroid, they will deploy a smaller

  fleet to engage us. Once we're committed, the larger force will emerge

  and strike from the rear."

  Johann's breath quickened. "You're certain?"

  "It's what I would do."

  Vyncent

  adjusted the battle display, marking two large asteroids and the

  surrounding debris field. "We have an advantage. We destroyed their

  probes. They don't know our exact numbers. We will divide the fleet and

  conceal our ships in the abandoned mining rigs. While I will remain here

  and draw the fire of the Baron's fleet. Maintain radio silence.

  Communicate using shuttlecraft only."

  Konitz's face darkened on the screen. "What kind of cowardly strategy—"

  The channel went dead as Vyncent severed the connection.

  Johann's voice was low. "Sire... how can you be sure?"

  Vyncent's mask caught the pale light.

  "Because it's the only move that makes sense.".