Two months passed in a flash while we flew from planet to planet, picking up refugees and supplies. Of course, Sue and I took a detour to a small moon where the system communication array is set and threw a couple of wrenches inside. Just enough to keep the techies busy for a few months to possibly a year, depending on their expertise. It wouldn't do for the authorities to catch on too fast, although they would have to be blind not to notice nearly two hundred million people vanishing from their homes and businesses.

At our last stop, we arrogantly landed right in the capital and took in the youngest princess. Somehow I accidentally sent Jarlen on an errand and forgot to wait for him to come back before taking off again and heading out system.

"Captain Slate, I'm picking up a large number of ships coming our way. I think it's the royal fleet." Said my new Dark elf navigations guy.

Nodding at the man, I say. "Keep an eye on them, Sheen. -- Wait, isn't keeping track of the sensors the communications guys job?"

Sheen glanced back at me for a second before returning his gaze to the holographic projection showing the entire system and a slew of red, green, and blue dots. "Since we're heading out system, we want to work in shifts. It happens to be my shift on the bridge."

I raised an eyebrow and looked around. "But we're still in the system, so tell him to get his ass up here and operate his post we got unfriendlies heading our way. -- Oh right, Sue sound the general alert. Have all noncom's stay in their rooms for now." Tapping the arm of my chair, I remember Gregory. Tapping the com on my seat, I call him. "Greg, I'm gonna close into communication range with the royal fleet warm up the cannons. If they don't play nice, fire a warning shot." After thinking for a second longer, I tap the communicator again. "General Thomas, since you took over my security team, have them use this opportunity to run drills, split them into two teams and have one side play as boarders." After receiving both of their affirmative, I turned back to Sheen. "You heard me take us in closer. However, they cant damage this ship if they fire on us practice evasive maneuvers.

Grinning, Sheen replied. " Yessir"

Turning my head, I notice Zentha standing ramrod straight with her hands clasped behind her back. "Well, princess, how would you like to lead the team of boarders against Thomas's defense?"

Almost immediately, she saluted by slamming her fist into her chest. "If that is your order Captain, I shall crush his defense immediately."

-- After an awkward few moments of silence, I let slip. "Ah, they bounced." To which her only response was to turn around and rush off the bridge.

Sue popped up as soon as the door closed, bent over, giggling. "Oh my gosh, did you see how red her ears were?"

Charily arrived panting. "Sorry, Captain, won't happen again."

"No problem. This isn't the military more like a trade or exploration ship, but I do expect a certain amount of professionalism in the future, at least where we may run across enemies."

"Captain A Admiral Barnabie wants to speak with you. -- well, no, he actually is spouting demands. Shall I put it on the main screen?" Said Charily while holding the mike on his headset.

"Well, first of all, you are aware that holding a hand over the mike doesn't actually stop sound from reaching the recipient, and yea go ahead, 'put him onscreen.'" I say with a grin that only Sue understood. "I always wanted to say that," I whispered to Sue.

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A second later, a balding elf with a scar running from his right eye down to his shoulder appeared on the main holo screen. "Well, I was half expecting a shoulder parrot and a tri pointed hat with that name, but this works too," I say with a solemn expression. I was barely stopping myself from smirking at my wit.

"I am Admiral Barnabus of the third royal fleet. By order of the council, you are to power down your shields and prepare to be boarded." Said the very irritated looking man on the screen.

Blinking, I turn my head to Sue. "Do we even have shields?"

Sue just stood there looking indignant for a second before replying. "Why would I lower myself to shielding if they have a weapon that could scratch my hull? Then it would tear through any shielding like a missile through wet toilet paper."

Turning back, I see the Admiral in a hushed conversation with one of his men, so I turned to Sheen. "Sheen, how are the calculations for entering the subspace gateway going? If you need help, don't hesitate to ask Sue she did design this system after all."

"No, not yet anyway I have been practicing with this system for a month now. I will, of course, have Lady Sue check it before I confirm anything." Sheen said, not taking his gaze off his screen for a second.

A tone from my armrest let me know someone is trying to contact me. Clicking the flashing icon, A one-foot holo image of Zentha appeared on my armrest, staring at me. "Yes, did you need something, Zentha?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. Causing the Admiral to gasp in surprise.

Zentha didn't even spare the Admiral more than a glance before turning back to me. " Captain Slate, my team has infiltrated the engine room. I believe this is enough to complete the mission you gave me."

Folding my hands in from of myself, I stared into Zentha's eyes for a long time until she began squirming slightly and started to blush. "Did your team complete the mission, or did you ditch them and bulldoze your way solo?"

Confused, Zentha said. "I don't see what the difference is. A victory is a victory."

With a long sigh, I stared at the ceiling for a moment. "Zentha, you sweet naive child, do you think you can hold that position alone against a veteran soldier like General Thomas? It is obviously a trap that you walked right into. He didn't even have to try in this round."

Sure enough, a moment later, I heard Thomas's voice, "Zentha, you are surrounded. Drop your weapon and place your hands on your head."

Giving Zentha a playful wink, I ended her call and contacted Thomas on a private channel. "Tom, I want you to switch and take the side of the boarders we have nearly a month to the first stop. I want Zentha ready to take command of our ground troops by then. When she can halt your progress into the ship, begin taking turns, and don't be soft on her."

Ending that call, I turn back to Barnabus. "Sorry for that; where were we?"

Surprisingly the Admiral just stared at me like I am a retard. "You do know the Princess is going to kill you for talking to her like that? Seriously I watched her strangle a Major for not bowing deeply enough when she passed."

"It's not like she didn't try when she first came aboard, so I made a bet with her. If she can land a single damaging blow on my body, I would be her assistant, but she will be mine if she fails. Guess what? she still hasn't even managed to muss up my hair." Of course, even if she managed to land a hit on me, she cants damage me anyway, but I won't tell her that.

Okay, that's weird; the Admiral has gone rigid, and all the little soldiers around him stopped working and are staring at me now.

Finally, the Admiral cleared his throat. "I am sorry to have detained you here, highness. Have a nice day." With that, Admiral Barnabus cut the communication, and his fleet turned around and left.

"Okay, can someone explain what the heck just happened?"

Strangely everyone else didn't seem shocked at all. Sheen snorted while Charily was shaking. I assume he is trying really hard not to laugh right now either that or he is terrified. Turning to my last hope for an explanation, I look to Sue.

"What didn't you know when a man defeats a royal princess, they are automatically engaged. It was in a report on the political structure I gave you six weeks ago."