Over an hour passes as I continue to educate the stripey elf on how the Eternal Kingdom isn't shit. I show pictures of industry, cities, military training planets, defensive star stations, artificial planetary rings, dumbed-down versions of our FTL concepts, and the total recruitable population of the USA alone. I made sure she understood the USA was one of three major human powers, the dominant one of course, but there are twenty human nations, and all but the two single system nations field a navy and army that easily doubles the Eternal Kingdom, at minimum. Her face drops the whole time, her stripes growing darker as each revelation hits her. I guess that is her species version of the blood draining from her face.

When finished with what I wanted to show I ask her,

"So what do you think?"

She shudders and responds,

"Without magic... such capabilities...I fear what wars would warrant military power such as you have displayed, such insane mobilization potentials...and you aren't a unified species.

What wars... what tragedies would cause such a military and such a people to exist."

I smirk and then answer,

"I pray you never find out."

She simply nods understanding my explanation is done. She then meekly asks,

"So what is it you want to do with me?"

I respond in a jolly tone,

"Well, as the commanding officer of this whole operation, I plan to bring you onto my crew as you were a gift to me. Then again you'd have to go through training and things like that. I won't force you to accept my offer of course but that is a whole can of worms that you really do not want to open."

She nods and asks,

"So for clarification, because I was your gift you want me to work on this ship as a sailor?"

I nod and respond,

"As an enemy of the state you come from, I cannot free you and then send you away. So the only option I see is to make you a citizen of the USA. Foreign auxiliary is the easiest path to reach citizenship as it doesn't require you to go through that whole process. Since you have some form of martial background I find this option easier for you as well.

Basically, this means you will join my crew and will be granted all rights and perks of being a US citizen and after 1 tour of duty you can be a full citizen if you choose to do so."

She stares at me confused before saying,

"Well... what can I do on your crew? I mean... the idea of having a foreign person as a soldier seems insane. Why would you even offer this?"

I shrug and explain,

"The foreign auxiliary program came about during the earlier days of stellar conflict after we as humans fragmented into multiple nations once more. Basically everyone made claims to different solar systems and sectors of space but not all of those living within the areas really agreed with the government that claimed them, but most of the time couldn't do much about it. The foreign auxiliary program works in two ways, one it offers US citizenship and an escape from whatever nation that claimed them, two it is a foundation for rebel groups who go against an enemy we are working against to receive proper gear, training, and coordination with US forces. So it's just a way to bolster frontline forces or remove garrison work from actual US forces. Yeah its a risk, but rarely are foreign auxiliaries in positions where they could cause anything more than a headache.

As for you, well tell me, your name and what skills do you have so I can start you on some training and indoctrination?"

She cringes at the last word but nods and begins listing what she can do,

"Well... My name is Arch... no... My name is, Phillia Hektos I have no more titles, I am a top-tier mage, generally focused on defensive and healing magics as I wished to support my father in combat and he is a purely offensive mage..."

She trails off remembering who is technically responsible for her father's demise but she continues,

"I am also a very skilled swordswoman. I am of noble birth so I have some administrative and leadership capabilities... that's about it."

I lean forward and lace my fingers once more and rest my chin on them. I then burst her bubble,

"Magic is toxic to humans, so I will have to ask you not to use it in any major capacity. We no longer use swords as anything other than decoration or for athletic competitions they are useless as actual weapons now. Finally, as a foreign auxiliary you cannot hold any administrative or leadership roles because you not only do not know anything about my nation, nor can you read our language. That is an unfortunate thing you have no other skills like cooking, sewing, or generally being strong..."

She frowns and answers,

"As a noble, I never was required to do any of that."

I nod and think for a moment before I give a solution,

"How about this? You will be my cultural assistant. You will follow me around and give me context on certain cultural things about the Eternal Kingdom that I do not yet understand. I will also have you pursue basic literacy courses so that you may write reports for me about individuals I may meet or combat.

How does that sound?"

She nods without saying a word and says almost dejectedly,

"Yeah... That sounds fine if that is my only option."

I nod give her a winning smile and respond,

"Don't worry, I'll treat you well and you can make a good career of this job.

Now let me begin your primer on US Navy code."

The AI finished translating the basic sailor handbook and I began the briefing...

Hours later Shariah walks into the briefing room to the table shoved to one side as I continue drilling proper etiquette into the woman. Correct faces, proper salute form, and other such important formalities. I only started doing this after she nearly fell asleep thanks to the very detailed nature of the handbook. She does them with a completely flat expression after I had a nearby marine sergeant patrolling the vessel come in and give her a twenty-minute long boot camp session. The modified man was somehow capable of using the autotranslation software while screaming. I was honestly impressed but Phillia really picked up proper parade etiquette quickly as it was far easier to handle than the handbook which was almost entirely composed of legal stuff and expectations of sailors.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Shariah asks me,

"Commodore, what is going on here?"

I tell the Diplo-colonel,

"A few hour-long basic training course. I plan to put her to work quickly before educating her on certain aspects that are important to her job."

Shariah nods and looks at the girl saying apologetically,

"Let me know if he gets out of hand and you need to be rescued. "

With that, she leaves and Phillia stands there awaiting more orders. I tell her,

"Put the table and chair back into place. I believe you are disciplined enough and smart enough to learn the handbook during your free time moving forward. You are not expected to be a perfect sailor, just expected not to break laws and regulation. I will now begin educating you for your role."

She nods and I have to help her move the table as she comments under her breath,

"Why is everything so much heavier here?"

I take mental note that most Kingdom races are from slightly lower gravity worlds than Earth. When the table is reset, the translated history lesson I had been formulating while training her is in a complete enough state. We sit down and I say to her flatly,

"Your role will be as a cultural advisior for me and everyone under me. This means you will explain to me context about situations I do not understand based on cultural norms. You will also fulfil this role in reverse for our foes or friends. This role is important because I dont want a mass casualty event if conflict breaks out. I understand some cultures may do actions that seem hostile, but are actually gestures of kindness and friendship. I lost my hand this way.

Do you understand."

She nods, staring at my right hand as I remove my glove revealing the steel underneath. I flick my fingers causing the sound of scraping of metal to fill the room. I then continue,

"To understand the disconnect of our cultures I will give you a very short history of our nation, and humanity in the more recent centuries."

She nods and actually looks somewhat curious and excited. I then start,

"Alright, first off, the United States of America in its current state is known as something called a ressurected nation. This means the nation existed once, disappeared, and then was remade in a near identical image. While there are arguments we arent the old USA, I would argue we are better in some ways, maybe worse in others.

Anyway, the original USA was a continental sized country back when humanity was locked to one world. It was formed in response to an oppressive king and a republic was formed."

Her brows furrow at the word so I clear it up,

"A republic is a governing system where representatives are elected by locals to run a country. It usually has a head in one way or another who is in charge for a limited time."

She nods and asks,

"So it is somewhat like a royal court..."

I nod and explain further,

"Yes, a bunch of officials, like nobles are put in charge, but they are elected and only serve for set time limits. Dynasties are rare in this system as it requires an entire region to vote in majoirty for them to get this position."

She nods and I continue,

"This republic lasted for three hundred years which is very impressive for humans. After those three hundred years it more or less fell apart as due to the stagnating nature of time and security it became an antethesis to its inital ideals. It once was a paragon of freedom, but became only that on paper, not reality so it was time for it to fall. This was also the catalyst for the massive war we call World War 3 as the American Civil war saw massive destabilization world wide.

This war was a mass casualty event. Due to the nature of human conflict our technology lept forward relentlessly and eventually we found our way to the stars, usually as a way to get resources or more effectively kill one another. Eventually the killing stopped after sixty percent of the human population was killed. All world governments were devastated and a new world order took power. It was known at first as the UN or United Nations and humanity prospered for a time. We actually expanded from our home star and began populating new planets.

During this time the UN was a pretty good republic based off of a European and American standard. As we expanded to the stars further and further, there were more wars and due to this decentralization of humanity due to distance things got difficult. More and more wars, too many to count, this time was known as the Century of Slaughter where mankind couldn't get its act together. Then it happened.

It was voted by those who still respected the authority of the UN to trade freedom for safety and all of the independent planets and solar systems lost their autonomy through another horrifying, apocolyptic war. This war was over forty years in length due to the slow speed of our interstellar travel at the time. The newly founded United Nations Central Authority began as nothing more than a strong federalized government, but as the war continued they felt more resentful toward those they had to fight in order to subdue and collar. Slowly the government was granted more power over the average person, slowly those who had to be forced into the fold lost more rights, and slowly those in charge stopped losing elections.

This created a very bad system. Those with all the rights on top, those who willingly put collars onto their necks or those who lived in the worlds who were compliant immediately after the federalization. As the power centralized more, as those who willingly did this to themselved continued to support thier masters, those who resisted no longer were seen as human. Then began the two hundred and fifty year reign of the United Nations Central Authority, right after the last human world was made compliant, a superpower never seen by human eyes before then. This time did see great technological leaps as we had access to an entire galaxy of resources. We expanded and grew until eventually the UNCA started getting too top heavy and inefficent due to institutional bloat and stagnation. The advances slowed because no one had the ability, the right, or the will to advance humanity.

There was a big war when a group of humans, who had fled during the initial compliance war began into deep unexplored space on century-long journies. These people advanced equally and came back for vengace. Even though they couldn't win in an outright fight, their actions spurred those under the yoke to rebel and melt their chains into swords. Then war, war, and more war happen until the UNCA was defeated and any reminants were sent running into unexplored space. I'll explain this conflict, the UNCA, and their consequences more later.

From the shattering of the big government entity lots of people wished to find a new system. A large number of planets agreed to unify under a single banner, yet wanted to keep their own cultural identities. They looked into history and found a nation that was composed of unified, but entirely independent states. Thus the USA, the United States of America was born once more.

There are diffrences in our system from the old one. Mostly it's that the inital documentation was written to be taken literally and have little room for interpertation. This made sure certain rights are not to be infringed under any circumstance. This is things like, no slavery, universal right to vote for citizens, freedom of speech, and universal legal equality. There are more but they mean nothing out here on a naval vessel for you, but just know the USA is built on a foundation of liberty and justice.

While we are technically more free than the old version, the issues arise with our independent state system at times as every solar system is its own state. This means proper representation gets tricky whith constantly changing borders and populations, so I'll admit we need some work there.

But yeah, that's a quick history of the nation you now swear to. "

Phillia stares at me for a moment as she tries to understand everything I just said. She then asks,

"So you're telling me it is normal for nations to last that short of a time, and you consider it a bad thing for a government to exist for longer than three centuries?"

I nod and she continues asking,

"And your people are so against slavery and unequal rights that it is written into your most sacred documents."

I respond,

"I don't know about sacred but yes."

She goes through multiple expressions before she asks,

"So there are other systems than the one I know... there is no need for a king...right?"

I answer,

"We are against kings."

She thinks for a moment longer before telling me,

"This history... it completely challenges what is considered fact in my mind.

While I fought for freedom and better legal equality I never knew there were such things as alternative governing systems...my father was to be the next king when we overthrew the old one.

Please answer me this...."

We talk for hours about alternative government systems, what it means to be free, and what is means to be equal under law. Slowly I manage to have her understand our government system and she is absolutely ravenous for more information about it. From what I get from her is that she truly had no other concept of alternative governments. Since she is an open and zealous rebel she really likes the idea of our American government, even after explaining some of the other current human nations governing systems. Eventually the conversation winds down and she stands up suddenly before dropping into a deep bow on one knee. I lean back in suprise for a moment before she says, just as serious as a heart attack,

"I from here on out, swear on my soul, as my name no longer has any meaning, to follow in the teachings of the United States of America. I promise to uphold the consitituion in order to protect the people from tyrants within and without. I swear undying loyalty to my mentor, my leader, and my savior, you Shipmaster Commodore, so please help me understand this new idea of freedom, and allow it to spread throughout the stars."

I don't want to laugh because she really was heartfelt with that vow, but my eyes water slightly as I hold in a deep belly laugh. I stand up and turn away clasping my hands behind y back hiding my smile and I somehow manage to say without cracking up,

"My dear Phillia, freedom doesn't spread. Freedom Rings..."