As Henry entered the bridge, he almost had to stop his jaw from falling off. Rows upon rows of stations, the room was lit with a soft hue of blue that came from the forward windows. Which must have been purely cosmetic. Considering having a window there seemed detrimental to the crew. To which to his commoner credit saw as it flickered a series of orders from above. Then he quickened his step as he followed Foley up a winding set of stairs. Upon reaching the last step he again stopped in shock. It was almost like the court on his home planet. A single seat near the end of the room facing towards the myriads of screens. Near the stairs were two guards of marines. However, something about them brought a chill down Henry’s spine. Past them was a group of officers and a single figure facing away from them. His back shrouded with a cape of violet. A single golden eagle emblazoned as a sigil in the center.
Henry stared as the two marines slammed the butt of their rifles into the metallic ground drawing the attention of the group towards them. One marine shouted out their names. A woman with short reddish hair walked closer towards the pair with opened arms. “Foley, how are you? It has been what two years since we last met. I hope my little sister is doing well.” Foley took a wide stance as he picked the woman up from the ground. “It has been a while, Vivian. You were much shorter the last time I saw you and heavier.” He said shortly with a hint of humor. Vivian simply slugged his shoulder “damn, you old man.” She then stopped looking at Henry. “I am curious, how would you feel, showing fealty to house Windsord?” Henry almost leapt back with confusion. Looking down, as per the etiquette when a commoner talks with a noble. “My lady, I am unworthy of such attention.” Vivian simply gave a small chuckle before the figure facing away from the group chuckled. Causing everyone brings their attention to the man.
“I am afraid Vivian, that I will not let you take the man that saved my sisters away from me.” Vivian gave a placid smile as she bowed before walking back to the ensemble. Henry looked towards the figure, realizing that he was the crown prince. His golden hair, his sleek figure, and the uniform itself. All sat with regal elegance upon the crown prince. “Warrant Officer Third Class Henry Lane. We, George William Alistra, wish to reward you for your endeavor in saving both Commander Foley, my two sisters, and Duchess Windsord’s sister on the Princess’ delight.” Oh, shit. They really were his sisters. Well, damn. But I do not like the sound of this. I hope he doesn’t do anything that might get me killed. Henry thought as he took a knee, keeping his head down.
Henry heard as the footsteps of the prince, light but with authority, clicked against the metal floor got closer to him. A hand gripped his chin forcing him to look into the violet eyes of the prince. “As per my rights we grant you the rank of first lieutenant within the Royal navy, thusly you will be added as such within this very battleship, the Prince’s Fervor. We pray that you do not squander such gains and that you remain loyal to the empire and my family.” Lieutenant! An officer ranks. Dear emperor, what am I to tell my mother. Warrant officer is the highest rank a commoner can attain. I am an exception to that rule now. Henry nodded slowly as his face was still gripped by the prince. However, this moment was muted as a couple of voices erupted in disproval, approval, confusion to Henry’s promotion.
A heavy-set man in a uniform one size too tight looked disapprovingly at Henry. “My highness, you cannot promote a commoner like that.” The prince letting go of Henry turned his cape flowing inches past Henry’s face. “Commander Franklin Keyes, is it not my right to give a reward kin to the duty of said commoner? Who went above the call of duty?” Commander Keyes swallowed a bit, some of which pushed a button uncomfortably out. “My highness, I am just saying that any commoner who does their duty, one poorly at that, would expect similar rewards...” This time Vivian cut him off. “Damn you Keyes, are you saying that saving both princess and my sister is not a cut above the call of duty?” This time Keyes withered away giving a satisfying no.
From there the prince dismissed the group of commanders specifically ordering Foley and Henry to remain. To which in surprise saw one commander take up a seat in front of the throne. Henry’s following gaze prompted the prince to give a response. “That is Admiral Horatio Thomas. He commands the ship when I am away. Do not mind him. Foley.” An admiral, I have only seen one in my entire three years since the academy. Foley took a step forward to hear the words from the prince. “You are to enter Henry’s name into the logbook of the ship. I assume you would take the new lieutenant within your service?” Foley nodded and began to take Henry before the prince raised a hand. “Leave the lieutenant for a moment.” Foley nodded and left. Oh emperor, what am I to do in the company of royalty.
Henry stepped forward avoiding the gaze of the prince. To the prince’s credit he called Henry to look at him eye to eye. “For the man who saved my sisters, I will not let such things be unfamiliar. You may call me by my name, as a friend should.” Henry looked submissively with a confused glance. “My prin...” the prince stopped him “George, and I will address you as Henry.” Henry swallowed, “George, how may I serve?” The prince smiled “it is not me you are to serve” looking into the shadows. Five people appeared out of nowhere, the stealth field that had hidden them materializing them. The figure that brought Henry’s attention first was a blonde-haired woman, a picture of regal power. She wore a fitting gown and had a simple adorned eagle ornament within her blonde hair.
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The shorter girl next to her had similarly colored hair, but it was her eyes that drew Henry’s attention. Violet, deep to say the least. It was as vibrant as a nebula. It drew Henry into which the girl in kind blushed embarrassed. She hid behind the first woman. Before he noted a resemblance to Commander Windsord from the woman who stood steady in armor. Her black hair sliding naturally down past her shoulder. Her blue eyes looked at Henry as if he were a vase to be reviewed. He looked away from her almost immediately. However, it was the last two that brought his attention. They looked identical to the last detail. Wearing the uniform of a royal maid. Their eyes were heterochromatic which were flipped for each sister. One was a silver then gold, while the other the opposite order.
The younger sister of the prince spoke first. “Lieutenant Lane, I wish to give my most ardent support for your promotion. If I were given the right, I would ennoble you right away. However, I am displeased that I did not get the right to let you speak to me informally first.” The young princess said pouting towards her brother. Which elicited a chuckle from the prince. Me a noble, screw that. I envy them, but I do not want to be them. Give me my simple life and I... he couldn’t finish the thought as the youngest princess spoke up. “Elara do not tease the man. He saved our lives. He has the soul of a knight. A noble being that came in our hour of need.” Henry almost looked up before bowing his head slightly deeper. Princess Elara gave a dainty laugh. “Liz, I just did so in jest.” She turned towards Henry “raise your head, Henry. As per my brother’s stolen gift. I allow you to address myself and my sister just as informally.”
Henry looked a head and noted how similar the royal siblings carried themselves. Their violet eyes contrasting their pale features. Their golden hair like that of the shining sun. However, it was the way they carried themselves that drew his mind towards them. The regal but soft power they hold over a room. Drew many eyes to them. However, Henry hated that some of those eyes watched him. I want to return to my ship and finally go to sleep. The prince after having a hushed conversation looked at Henry. Pressing a series of buttons on his data pad. “Henry you are to be given a room in section C, aisle thirty. There you will find your quarters.” Henry taking the data pad noted that the section in question sat closely to the bridge. “I thank you, your high...” he stopped when the prince looked at Henry with hidden wander. “Thank you, George.”
After leaving the bridge he walked towards the elevator passing a couple of crewmen who, looked at Henry with bits of wonder and confusion. “Must have gotten yelled at by some noble” one snorted while the other laughed. Henry was going to bite back but faltered and quickened his pace to the elevator. Pressing some buttons the elevator took him to his section. Leaving he went about finding his room. Upon arriving he marveled at the accommodations. By noble standards this must have been tiny, but to a commoner, especially one in the military this was luxury to say the least. A desk, a bed, and private restrooms. He only knew his ships general quarters, the bunks, and the communal showers. To say the least, he enjoyed the perks.
As Henry disrobed and went for a shower a single thought went through his mind. Lieutenant Henry Lane. Lieutenant. By emperor, mom and dad would be elated to hear about my promotion. Speaking about them. It's been two years since I had seen them. Maybe I can finally afford a moment or two through a video call. Hopefully my pay and benefits increase with rank. Maybe I’ll ask commander Foley? Nah, he would be too busy. I got to ask someone eventually. As Henry pondered his newfound boon. The intercom connected to his room chimed in “Lieutenant Lane report to the bridge. I repeat Lieutenant Lane report to the bridge immediately.
Allowing the shower to suck up any remaining water. He quickly dried himself off and met the new uniform that held the studs of a lieutenant. Putting it on he examined himself for a short while. A pitch-black tunic with blueish trimming and his greyish pants ending in his knee-high boots. He clicked them together as if wishing this was real life. He opened his door to find two commoner crewmen walking past stopping to salute Henry. However, he noted they saluted the rank more than they did him. They probably assume that I am some noble blue blood. Well, at least they respect the rank. He rushed his way back to the bridge having several people, even nobles of lesser rank saluted him in kind. Damn, even the noble bastards only see his rank and consider him noble. He overheard a female ensign whisper to another “what house do you think he’s from?” While the other shrugged.
Upon entering the bridge an ensign assigned to him, a Wyoming Carter, looked at Henry with a bit of awe struck. “You must be lieutenant Lane; I heard about your daring rescue of the princess. Let me just say.” Henry drowned out the ensign. Dear emperor, what had he heard. I hope he isn’t too disappointed in serving under a commoner. He continued to walk as the ensign passed along a data pad that housed most of the information needed before climbing the stairs. The ensign remained giving a pensive good luck. Looking through the data Henry was able to surmise that the prince and commanders are looking for a route of unknown or least travel considering they are in the third fleet’s territory.
