‘Here I am.’ He thought to himself as he boarded the Battleship Archangel. Walking through the endless metal corridors, the only noise he could hear was the metal clanging following his each step on the surface.
Travelling through a Confederation Battleship often felt like an eternity. With a length of half a kilometer, getting from one side through another, through each compartment and level, was a long endeavor.
“It will take some time getting used to.”
Walking beside him was Commodore Webster.
“I’d have thought that with the Navy’s budget, these ships would allow easier movement from one side to another.”
“Well, Officer Stanfield, I’m sure that the Bureau’s R&D department will be interested to hear about any possible improvements to their designs.”
Stanfield chuckled, shooting a quick glance in Webster’s direction. Webster himself was smirking.
“
Always wanted to give the department a few tips and pointers. I just don’t think they’d listen you know?”
“Well, I’m sure you can try.” Webster shrugged lightly.
“I’m sure they’ll ignore you, but you can try.”
After a while the two of them reached their destination. On the highest floor of the Archangel, the communications deck oversaw all traffic in and out of the Battleship.
Outfitted with top of the line systems, Archangel was one of the few Confederation flagships to possess such high quality equipment.
Over the communication engineer’s stations, one platform stool tall. Atop of it, the Commander’s Chair oversaw the rest of the deck, and, by extension, the control of the battleship.
Admiral Aderawa was seated into his chair. Furrowing his eyebrows, he browsed through the contents of his datapad, unaware of the arrival of Commodore Webster and Officer Stanfield. After a brief pause, Commodore Webster, noticing no change in Admiral Aderawa’s actions, coughed into his fist and reluctantly announced himself and Officer Stanfield.
“Commodore Webster, present on deck, sir. I’ve brought Officer Stanfield, as you’ve instructed.”
Aderawa shuddered slightly, snapping out of his focused state. Staring down the two youths, his lips formed a small smile. With a huff, he stood up from his chair, towering above the two individuals by at least a head. Silently, he approached the two before bringing his hand up towards his face, saluting them. Webster and Stanfield returned the gesture immediately.
“Welcome, Officer Stanfield. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve first met at the academy ball. How are you doing?”
Stanfield briefly returned a smile.
“I’m doing fine, sir. I’m uh, adjusting.”
Aderawa moved in closer, placing both of his arms on Stanfield’s shoulders.
“I’m sure you will adjust just fine, Officer. Has the Commodore shown you to your quarters yet?”
Stanfield awkwardly looked at Aderawa before nodding approvingly. Aderawa’s careful attention towards Stanfield felt odd to say the least, given that he was only a fresh graduate, and was far from an established and known figure within the Confederation. Arguably, Admiral Aderawa’s treatment of Stanfield was... unorthodox.
“Very well. As I’m sure you’ve been made aware, you will be stationed on this deck, along side Commodore Webster. You’ll be under his direct supervision. Any issues you have, any questions, take it up to him. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
Aderawa shook his head in satisfaction. He maintained his grip on Stanfield’s shoulders, staring down at him, causing Stanfield to shoot a glance in Commodore Webster’s direction.
Sighing, Webster intervened.
“Admiral?” he asked.
“Would that be all?”
Aderawa paused for a second.
“Officer Stanfield, if I recall correctly, you were one of the highest rated in fleet combat simulations, hmm?”
Stanfield nodded slowly, curiously looking up at him.
“Great. I hope to play a game with you in our spare times, and I will be relying on your advice moving forward.”
Aderawa pat him on the shoulders and then released him. Stanfield staggered slightly before regaining his composure. He didn’t realize it until now, but the Admiral firmly planted him into the ground. He could barely move.
“I believe this is your first time on a fully outfitted combat vessel, isn’t it, Officer Stanfield?”
Aderawa shot a glance over his shoulder towards Stanfield as he walked over to his seat. Slowly, he sat down and crossed his legs. Bringing his palms together and interlocking his fingers, he looked at the youth. Stanfield nodded affirmatively.
“Very well. Soak it in.” Aderawa looked towards Webster.
“Commodore, are we ready for departure?”
“All vessels are accounted for and ready to move, Admiral. Awaiting your order.”
Webster straightened out his back, nodding to him.
“Very well.” He responded as he pressed on the button attached to his seat. Slowly, a holographic image of himself was projected in front of him and on the many panels through-out the vessel and rest of the fleet.
“All ships! Lift off. Ignite your hyperdrives and enter coordinates for the Alinaendlor System.”
Alinaendlor, initially a solar system dedicated to the research of it’s native Neutron Star, has been recently repurposed to serve as a defensive strategic point following the ongoing pirate crisis in the Confederation’s SE Quadrant. As such, efforts have been made by the Navy’s Central Command to fortify positions and deter any potential incursion by the Corsairs in the Human Core Worlds.
“Admiral Aderawa, as I am sure you are aware, a representative of the D.I.D stationed on Alinaendlor Station has requested an audience with you once we arrive. We’ve been instructed by Central Command to cooperate with the representative, so long as his demands are... reasonable.”
Aderawa sighed, resting his temple into his balled first.
“What does the D.I.D want now? If my memory does not fail me, part of this crisis is a direct consequence of them misjudging the situation.”
Aderawa shifted his gaze towards Stanfield. After a few moments of silence, he returned his gaze towards Commodore Webster.
“Very well. I’ll entertain. While I am entertaining the ‘esteemed’ representative of the D.I.D, I want you and Officer Stanfield to coordinate with the fleet groups and iron out any issues in regard to our plan of action.”
“Understood.” Webster nodded.
“Until then, we’ve a couple of hours. Officer Stanfield, you’re excused. Familiarize yourself with your quarters, crew, what not. Webster, remain here.”
“Very well, sir.” Stanfield kicked his feet together, saluting the two.
Laggardly, Stanfield made his way off the platform and through the communications deck. Looking around, everything seemed to be in order. All stations were occupied and everyone seemed to be hard at work. Leaving the deck and one of the battleship’s main halls, auxiliary staff as well as maintenance crews were ensuring that the interior of the ship was in pristine condition.
As he made his way through the corridor, Stanfield noticed the increasing attention from his fellow shipmates. While he wasn’t the only officer stationed on the Archangel, he was the only officer that was directly stationed on the communications deck, under the direct guidance of Commodore Webster and supervision of Admiral Aderawa himself.
Words spread quickly of his feats during the naval academy. A top graduate, on par with Lockhart Weiss, heir of the Weiss conglomerate. Touted as one of the two ‘Diamonds’ of the Rarillic Naval Academy by the instructors and alma matter, Stanfield was one of the main sources of admiration for the academy, coming with no less intrigue given his family’s status; or rather, non-status.
While meritocratic in nature, the Confederation Navy’s higher echelons were more or less elitist. Most of the Admirals, including Admiral Lana Oldham, who selected Officer Weiss for her fleet, and excluding Admiral Barau Aderawa who chose to select Officer Stanfield were in stark contrast. Admiral Aderawa, a veteran of the Nashrivanni Wars that plagued the planet of Horizon and its satellites for half a decade. Admiral Oldham, a political appointment backed by the Confederation’s industrialist conglomerates, as well as a proponent for the war with the Nashrivanni Empire.
So, one could easily argue that these latest ‘Diamonds’ are a part of a greater ideological clash that stretches back hundreds of years, never truly allowing the Confederation, and by extension, humanity, to reach its potential.
Nashrivann, otherwise known as Horizon to the Human Confederation, was the home of a sentient bipedal lizard civilization living in an extensive cave network located on the planet of Nashrivann/Horizon. During the initial expansion of the Confederation and establishment of the colony of Horizon, contact was made between human settlers and a scouting party belonging to the Nashrivanni Empire.
While relations were initially cordial, with extensive trading between the two civilizations, different events led to the souring of relationships. Ultimately, due to the influence of the industrialist conglomerates within the Confederation, the Nashrivanni Empire was framed into attacking the human city-outpost of Freiberg, giving the Confederation casus belli to attack.
Contrary to all expectations, the Nashrivanni fought tooth-and-nail, resisting most Confederation attempts at pushing into their territory. After years of grueling conflict, the Nashrivanni succeeded sacking the settlements of Horizon City, Freiberg, Ironwood and Talmberg City, spurring the Confederation into pooling more resources into the conflict.
While initially the Confederation believed it would easily obtain the resources they sought from the native population, the Central Army and Naval Commands suffered blow after blow to their prestige, resulting into extensive bombardment of the planet’s surface. All accounts of human casualties have been censored and/or disposed of, but are estimated to be close a million, combatant and non-combatant. On the other hands, Nashrivanni reported casualties stand close to three million, although unofficial sources estimate them to be closer to six million, with the majority being non-combatant.
‘I ought to get some sleep.’ Stanfield thought to himself as he continued to make his way to his quarters.
‘Atleast while I still can.’
Back on the communications deck
“So what do you think of him, Commodore?” Aderawa inquired.
“He’s interesting, to say the least. We’ve had a few chats, I could see why Rear-Admiral Okina thinks so highly of him. But...”
Webster shrugged his shoulders, looking at the man.
“But he’s not a fit for the Confederation, hmm?” Aderawa closed his eyes, shaking his head lightly.
“It’s too early to say whether he is a fit or not, but I can probably already name a few individuals that will take issues to his beliefs.”
“Like Lana?” Aderawa snickered.
“Like Admiral Oldham, indeed. From what I’ve seen and read about Officer Stanfield, he’s her polar opposite.” Webster sighed.
“Just like you.”
For a brief moment, the duo’s gazes locked onto one another, before the both of them cackled.
“Irrespectively, it is our duty to guide the new generation. I’ve never seen Okina so passionate about a student before. I owed it to her. With the recent events, who knows what’s next to come? We ought to prepare our youngsters for the future.”
Aderawa squinted his eyes, staring down at the datapad in his left hand.
“I’ve read through the files we’ve received several times, and I cannot shake off the feeling that there is more to it. Something happened for the Corsairs to suddenly become hostile and occupy Confederation territory.”
Webster furrowed his eyebrows, looking down at him.
“With all due respect, they are a pirate civilization, are they not? It’s not outside the realm of possibility for them to seek to loot and plunder.”
“I don’t disagree, Webster, but is that all they do? Having read the reports, they’re not just looting and plundering, they’ve occupied human territories, expanding their own outposts and fortifying their positions.”
Aderawa sighed, resting the datapad on his chair’s armrest.
“I don’t think they’re seeking riches. I think there’s something more at stake here.”