Henry wasn’t too sure what to expect when he entered the command bridge. When he entered the room, he was once again announced by an armored marine. This time the prince wasn’t alone. His sisters, both of the Windsords, Commander Foley, and the other commanders of divisions. They all looked at Henry as he entered. He stopped about a couple meters away and saluted in kind. Commander Keyes snorted when he saw Henry “at least the mongrel could keep with etiquette.” Elara and Liz shot him an angered glare. While Vivian stood to say something. Though the prince mainly raised a hand gaining control of the room before even uttering a word. “Commander. We called on Henry here for a favor. Do not antagonize the man that saved my sister.” Commander Keyes shrunk before the prince and simply coughed.

  Henry being prompted by the prince stepped forward observing the table. Elara stepped forward looking at Henry “do you understand what you are looking at, lieutenant?” Henry stared at the table noting the blues, red, green, and silver that highlighted regions of the entire empire. He nodded towards the ensemble “a map of the empire, my princess.” Elara gave a nod, “not just that lieutenant, a map that divided the empire in those loyal, those against, those neutral, and those of the House of Alistra. Henry stared at the table and noted three main things. Dear emperor, we are outnumbered to say the least. However, there is a lot of neutral houses and systems. He also noted how deep in rebel territory the prince was. The prince placed a hand and looked at Henry in the eye. One they made Henry shrink inside mentally. “Now, Henry, you have something that none of my commanders have.” To which Henry silently nodded along. “Knowledge of the region. I am sure you are aware, but our fleet is small to say the least. I know for a fact that the third fleet does not have any capital ships, but they do have a series of corvettes, frigates, and destroyers.

  The prince’s information is wrong. Henry thought and he conveyed the ideas aloud. Much to the gasps and sighs from the noble ensemble. Commander Keyes leapt into a shouting tirade towards Henry before the prince simply told Keyes to shut up. “Enlighten me, Henry” the prince said his grip on his shoulder tightening. Henry leapt into explaining the third fleets status. “I am to assume that Admiral Ulysses had turned traitor?” Which brought another bout of sighing from the ensemble and a whisper from Liz “it wasn’t hard to figure out.” Henry continued “I am afraid the third fleet’s current readiness is not what is reported. In this sector the fleet is simply listed as the Ghost Fleet. Not because we have no capital ship or that any posting here is basically a dead end. It is because we were undermanned and house outdated ships. Sure, the fleet carries over four hundred ships, still small on the fleet side, but also because most are moth balled due to a lack of personal. In fact, I would assume only a hundred or less are fully manned and ready for action.” Henry stopped letting the information sink into the commanders and prince’s heads.

  The prince had removed his hand and basically face palmed. “Commander Keyes, how come you were not aware of the current state of readiness of the third fleet?” Commander Keyes shrunk beneath the fiery gaze of the prince. That’s right you cocky bastard. If you cannot do your job right, even if you are a noble. What the hell is the point. Henry thought as he drowned out whatever excuse Commander Keyes gave. Sighing heavily the prince excused the commanders to their divisions but kept Foley, Vivian, and her sister along with his sisters sitting at the table. Henry stood to leave but the prince’s hand stopped him from leaving. Sighing a little louder the prince spoke to Henry. “Henry, my sisters wish to have lunch with you. Thus, you are to join them.” He turned to Foley and Vivian as the sisters ordered Henry to follow them to their quarters.

  Henry followed the group of women as they left the bridge. Ensign Carter seeing them wanted to leave, but Henry stopped looking towards Elara and Liz for a moment. “If you would be so kind my princesses could my assistant join us?” The sisters stopped mid step and looked at Henry with muted disappointment. Did I do something wrong? I mean I am pretty sure what I just did was rude, but can’t I bring another person. The princesses sort of frighten me. They looked at each other pondering his question. Wyoming on the other hand put a hand on Henry’s shoulder. He whispered his protest “sir, I beg your pardon, but it might be rude for me a low ranking noble, and one that is low on the line of ascension to join such noble company.” Henry almost chuckled, just stopping himself from laughing. I wonder how the ensign would feel if he realized my rank.

  The ensign realizing that Henry was not going to say anything spoke up. “My princesses. I would like to thank Lieutenant Lane for his kind attempts, but I am needed elsewhere.” The sisters were about to say something but watched as Ensign Carter began to sprint away. Liz spoke first “Henry, it appears your subordinate was too busy. Please think of their job” she scolded. Your right, he must have been too busy. I sort of feel bad for trying to push Carter to join. He pushed the thought away as he followed them to the elevator. Upon entering Elara turned to face him. “So, Henry we would like to learn more about you. Let me start first.” Before she could speak Liz jumped up putting her hands on her older sister’s arm. “I thought I would be the one to ask first El?” She pouted and Henry smiled slightly. How cute. I know the younger princess was to be around fourteen this year, but Elara that was a mystery and I know better than to ask her age.

  The group rode the elevator several decks down before stopping and exiting the elevator. This time Henry was surprised with how earthly this sector was. He particularly noted the garden that sat down a corridor and the group walked towards it. He smelt the fresh flowers that bloomed and the sound of a water fountain. How luxurious of the sisters to have a running water fountain. He paused and noted that the sister of Vivian leaned over. “This is a hologram lieutenant” she whispered the fact to Henry and when he looked at her. He noticed that she shrank under his view. Even though she wore a thick set of armor. What was the sister’s name again. Chrisanthi, Cynthia, Clary, oh that's right. Celestine.

  He felt a pair of hand touch Henry on his back and turning saw Liz pressing against him “Do mind Celestine. She is not that sociable.” Celestine shrank beneath the attention that Henry had brought. He turned to see Elara consoling Celestine. I should be the one that is shrinking. I feel intimidated by the armor. As if hearing his thoughts he made eye contact with Celestine, and it seemed more like a glare then a glance. He watched as Celestine whispered something to Elara, and to which solicited a giggle from the princess. Celestine playfully balled her hands and pressed them against Elara.

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  Not wanting to wander in the garden for too long. Elara and Liz led the group towards another corridor. Upon entering they arrived at the main room of the princess’ area. Letting the doors open with a graceful slide. Henry saw the table set for lunch. The three women went and took their place at the table. Liz sitting on one side, Elara and Celestine on another. Henry stood at the entrance unsure on what to do. Liz rose from her chair and pulled at Henry to sit with her and with a slight stumble sat into place across from Celestine. Then he heard the notable sound of a dolly coming in. Its wheels squeaking against the floor. The twin with her silver eyes on the left came and brought in a pot of soup. She spoke with a soft kindness that soothed Henry’s worries. “This is a simple potato soup. A solid start to lunch.”

  What the hell is this? Henry thought as he stared at the multiple spoons, fork, and knives. He also wondered what the hell a potato was, when he saw the almost translucent soup. He picked the largest spoon, which seemed to surprise Liz the most. Leaning over he whispered, “why are you surprised?” To which Liz gave a graceful smile “I am surprised that you selected the correct spoon.” Henry stared dumbfounded of course the biggest spoon is used for soup. I think. I hope. He looked at Celestine who smiled as she tasted a hearty spoonful of the soup. Upon seeing that Henry took a spoonful and almost gulped the substance.

  Eating, more like drinking, the mysterious soup. Henry found it to be quite creamy, soft, and rather enjoyable. He likened it to the root plant native to his planet. “This tastes like annum” Elara and Liz looked at Henry with puzzlement. “Annum?” Both women said an inquisitive look. Henry elaborated “it's a common root plant, that grows in the ground. Apparently the first colonist on the planet tried to eat the leaves of the plant having a series of digestive issues. However, when ingesting the roots noted its earthy and hardy taste. We mostly roast the thing in foil but in winter we would make them into a creamy soup with milk.” Elara graceful took a spoonful of soup before asking Henry a question. “What was your life like Henry?” Liz shot a look of disappointment and turned to Henry. “What my sister meant was what was lifelike on your planet?”

  Henry smiled as he gave an image of his planet near sunrise. “It is breathtaking to say the least. We lived on a farm like many citizens on the planet. However, seeing the light hues of blue fade away to the fiery red of the star as it scattered its light through the many acres of our food crops.” Henry paused as he remembered the day he left for the academy. It was morning and he remembered the cool air as he walked towards the edge of his family’s property. Liz seemed to picture the scene and looked at Henry with eyes of excitement “that sounds wonderful.” Henry smiled but noticed that Celestine looked at Henry with a bit of longing. He turned “lady Celestine, would you like me to continue?” She nodded but stopped and whispered an answer “you can call me by my first name.” Henry had to strain his ears to hear that. “I’m sorry what was that?” Celestine repeated the words. Much to Henry’s delight. “Very well, Celestine.”

  Elara coughed drawing Henry’s attention. “What about your family?” Henry smile widened as he thought of his family. “Right, my father and youngest brother are farmers. While my second brother became a hunter. While my mother works as a social worker or a midwife.” Liz almost jumped at the words. “I know about a midwife.” Henry grinned at the interruption, but Elara shot a glance that caused Liz to sit immediately. “May you please continue Henry, you or your family has not gone hungry on your planet?” Ah, there it is. Henry thought, “no Elara, we rarely did. However, during times of high taxation we struggled, but none to say the least. In fact, my father had given us a solid education on our planet. “

  Elara almost beamed at the words. “I was just worried; I had read some reports about nobles who enact high taxes for extended periods of time.” Ah, right. I know that house Grimes would raise taxes during periods where they had to go to the imperial capital, thankfully it was rare. Henry thought to himself. “They only enacted high taxes every six years and only then for a couple of months.” Liz looked at Celestine and Elara with concern. “Isn’t that when the Council of Nobles are called to vote on policy?” Henry pondered what Liz said. Are you telling me that the only reason some families starved was because our lord needed spending money?

  Liz coughed upon seeing the frustrated look that bled through Henry’s facade of calm serenity. “Henry, I understand you went through the academy as a pilot. I am curious as a simple helmsman or a single seat pilot?” Liz said which seemed to peak Henry’s attention. Elara and Celestine seemed to also lean in curious if the transport barge pilot had experience in more versatile crafts. Henry sighed “yes Liz. I am particularly experienced in the FM-V “Star Hawk.” Henry remembered the excitement and trepidation he had when he first sat into the complex cockpit of the craft. A single seat multi-fighter armed with a myriad of weapons. Anywhere from a dual pod of hummingbird rockets, a series of mag-mines, gun pods, and so on. However, it was the maneuverability and rather exceptional speed of the aircraft that made Henry’s heartbeat with excitement.

  Elara seemed to jump with happiness having to be held to her chair by Celestine. “Oh, Henry, I never knew you flew such a daring chevalier?” Henry seemed confused by the word. A cavalry man? What is cavalry? Is it some kind of noble position?” Elara saw the confusion on Henry’s face. “A knight” she said tilting her head and laughed daintily into her hand. Celestine shook her head in disappointment. “Elara. Do not tease him.” Henry frowned “I flew the craft on a series of patrols, a pirate raid, and simple escort duty. Nothing crazy, however, I enjoy the diversity of the craft versus specialized use of the AM-X “Corthell” which only is used for bombing runs and ship assaults.” Liz seemed to nod in agreement. “A one trick pony” Henry was even more confused. What the hell is a pony? Celestine almost telepathically told Henry what a pony was much to his dismay.

  Elara after sipping from a drink gave a content sigh. “That means you must have a massive amount of time in the simulators?” Henry looked at Elara pondering his answer. Nope. Since I am a poor commoner. The academy and even my station did not want a series of common rabble to show them up. He had to settle on an answer and politely responded “no Elara. I did not. At best I had maybe a week’s worth of time within the simulators.” This time it was Celestine that was confused. “Don’t most pilots need at least a year or so within the simulators before getting to fly a fighter craft?” Henry shook his head. “In most cases yes, but I aced my practical's, so I barely had a chance or even a need to use such things. Not like I wanted too.”

  The three women looked at each other with worry before the AI of the ship chimed in. “Lieutnenant Lane, report to hangar bay six. I repeat lieutenant Lane, report to hangar bay six.” The group looked at each other and Henry sighed. “If you will excuse me ladies. I am afraid duty calls. The women gave their fell well and Henry made his way out the door. Upon leaving he realized that two marines stood guard at the door and both eyed Henry with a bit of weariness. Picking up his pace he reached the elevator to see Ensign Carter pacing in front. Upon seeing Henry, he hailed the elevator and waited till he entered. Watching Carter input the hangar bay. They stood in silence as they went down.