Grand Admiral Denis Makosso was surprised he is not welcomed at the parade deck after his combat dropship landed on VIP landing pad in Wrath hangar as most officers would do no matter how important or urgent his visit was.

Admiral MacArthur, Ensign D'astra, and a representation of Marines and Sailors were already waiting for him in the safe zone.

Denis smiled at how good it was to finally work with a professionalist. After exchanging salutes and welcomes from crew representation which lasted exactly as long as his patience allowed, MacArthur showed him to follow him.

He was walking alongside MacArthur who looked like he never did anything else his entire life but was welcoming Grand Admirals on his ship.

Absolutely perfect officer in pristine uniform and freshly updated lists of merits put to fucking shame at least a quarter of Terran Commonwealth Navy commanders. Denis knows maybe four or five Admirals who would be able to do what MacArthur achieved. Rest would most probably break down and return to the Sol system crying like little kids.

Following two Admirals were their adjutants Ensign Naella D'astra and Rear Admiral Adjutant Pavel Sikora.

They talked about synchronizing plans. Pavel was impressed with the level of professionalism that the young Ensign presented. She was 32 years old and was as good at this job as him. And he was Denis's adjutant for the last 150 years.

He scrolled briefly Admiral MacArthurs data two days ago and was rather disappointed. According to data MacArthur was hopeless and should be recalled from such a prestigious deployment.

But after Dauntless downloaded Wrath's data banks he scratched his head. When yesterday's party was over and Dauntless informed about his investigation Pavel spent 5 hours cleaning MacArthur's records.

If not for Dauntles's help he would be looking into two months of monumental work. Today correct MacArthur data card was finally published with a gigantic adnotation about Flynn's manipulations and crimes. That trash Flynn was not only dead but half of his family is currently interrogated and will forever live in shame for what Flynn did.

He shook his head with approval when he received all data he requested from Ensign as fast as it was possible. At first, he was skeptical when he saw her using a pad instead of fully using her implants. But after a while he was stunned by many applications pad was better than implants alone he didn't even thought of. Their short walk ended and they entered the docking tube.

"Admiral Makosso we are entering now Queen's personal ship that was gifted to her by Commonwealth Senat. As you know deeply modified Valiant class dreadnought TCF Guardian was modified to act as a provisional government center. It's still heavily armed and armored but most of its cargo bays, infantry, and crew quarters were repurposed. Infantry personnel onboard consist only from direct defense forces of most elite marines formed into new Royal Guard corps by order of King General Konrad Raven. The Marine's garrison on this ship is reduced from a nominal 1000 to 250 marines. Guardian is still more than enough to face anything this part of Galaxy we know about has to offer. But I decided for maximum safety it will be docked almost permanently in Wrath. Queen appointed me 20 years ago as sector Commander responsible for void safety in Fa'enni space outside Commonwealth proper and General Raven approved her decision. All matters related to the void activities of this sector are entirely within my competence and are subject to my assessment. Citing Queen: "anything traversing void here is your problem Robert. I just want it safe around"."

All that data about Guardian was locked. Not classified but simply locked. He would be thankful for this info as a novelty if not for the last remark.

Makossos jaw dropped. He was standing in an airlock looking at Robert in absolute disbelief.

"Are you telling me that local politicians not only authorized you to do your job but promised they will not fuck in?" His entire career Denis never thought it was possible. Politicians always make the simplest tasks complicated as hell and make 90% of his job as Admiral to talk with them and make them too busy to try ordering his Navy around. His face was full of pain and he doesn't even cared if Robert notice this.

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"Indeed Grand Admiral. And they even follow my recommendations and requests. General Raven is entirely in charge of any and all ground operations. He also supervises marines garrisons on ships."

Denis stopped caring at this point how stupid he must look. Guardian's main airlock opened and He saw Human and Fa'enni sailors with Human Royal Guard Marines waiting in perfect lines. Behind them, he saw Queen and King waiting for him with the Minister of Mana.

After they entered deck, received a welcome and all the usual stuff he hated but this once endured for sake of good soldiers who did everything perfectly. MacArthur and Raven showed him inside.

On their way to Khrisa's lab, he noticed a section guarded by two marines in fully sealed power armors holding assault weapons ready to shoot.

"What's there?" Denis asked Robert.

"It's just our sector command, sir!" responded Robert.

"Show me it"

Marines power armors received all data they needed the same second anyone put their feet on the Guardian board. When Admirals approached they simply straighten for attention but didn't move their hands from their weapons.

Denis was so happy to see this. Most Marines would relax on guard duty in such a situation but these boys were sharp and ready.

Judging from their armors and stances that are their routine and not shown of just for him. He entered the room full of focused Humans and Fa'ennis focused on their work. This had to be repurposed cargo hold. 60m long 30m wide and full of silence and work.

He politely asked others to just wait outside as he just wanted to see it himself. Red-blue lights scattered through the ceiling indicated the "silence" status of the room. That meant anyone working here can ignore any passing by a superior officer, no small talk, no unnecessary discussion.

Dimmed light ensured focus and perfect work conditions. Distant muffled voices were heard from time to time when officers were reciving raports, giving orders or instructions. Denis was watching this surreal scene bewitched- this is how sector command should look like. No one was jumping and happily saluting him as they didn't even notice him. No one was stopping his or her job just to look at Grand Admiral in person, no small talk even at most boring posts.

How long it took him to bring Sol sector command to a worse condition than this?

He was still fighting with dissidents in Fleet Control. Denis was standing behind the officer responsible for a quick response when the alert on his console flashed. Admiral had to see this.

"Alinti Sector Command. Commander Arthur Young listening."

"Captain Zhruul Rdda from Cargohouler under Ioitian banner heading toward Terran Commerce Base ZZ453 asking for help! We have been chased by an unknown ship, our scans indicate its decommissioned Xarthlan frigate. This means they are pirates!"

Denis watched and waited. He already saw the sensor section sending to Commander Young all data about the cargo hauler: its speed, technicals, current course, and even cargo manifest. It all took them less than 2 minutes.

Impressive.

Right now most officers would be asking fucking stupid questions instead of asking their superiors about dispatching battleships.

"Captain Zhruul im sending you rendezvous coordinates. Confirm if you are able to get there."

"Yes, Commander Young. We will be there in two minutes but that frigate is faster than we are. They will be just in our shadow."

"Affirmative. When you reach 1st coordinates execute a standard evasive maneuver and head toward your destination. Stay online."

"but... Thank you command. I hope we will be able to do that."

Two minutes passed and Denis was surprised. Why this boy didn't contacted his commander? He heard from the comms Ioitian captain.

"We are in rendezvous location Commander! No one is here! What does it mean!? Pirates jumped in!"

He heard the panic in the voice of the captain and rumors from his bridge crew. Suddenly surprised voices were heard in comms.

"Sector command! The pirate ship opened fire but with no effect! Something is here! We are jumping to the destination in 10!"

"Affirmative Cargohouler. Pirates were intercepted by Fa'enni border control forces. Safe trip."

"Thank you Sector Command. Have a good day. Captain Zhruul Rdda out."

Admiral wanted to clap his hands and he barely held himself. His communication implant already was receiving engage protocols used here.

They don't need any excessive communication, no pointless discussions, no bullshit.

MacArthur's doctrin was simple- he is holding task forces scattered at various points across borders and when shit hit the fan officer on duty simply redirect anyone asking for help to the closest, already ready and waiting task force.

Once again: simple, brilliant, bullshitless.

Task forces are changing positions daily and randomly so no way to predict where they are. Admiral left Comand Room with a big grin.

He informed Dauntless he want to have a copy of 24h recording from this section. He will lock a few morons from Central in a room with this record on the loop and close door till they understood how well-organised comand center looks like.