The end of an Academy finally came for Thuel.

King and Queen were present and proudly watched not only their Son but every single student. Admiral MacArthur was giving his speech.

"You are the first generation born after the War of Salvation to graduate from the Academy. You are the first generation born after a terrible war that brought almost extermination to all of Fa'enni. In that darkest of hours came Commonwealth and Humanity who a long time ago promised to always help and we almost failed. We shielded your worlds and saved everyone who we could. Back then we promised in front of the Galaxy that we will be Fa'enni's shield since you can't defend yourself. We promised to be your sword for violence is not in your nature.

But here and now I can proudly say we were wrong! All Fa'enni gathered here once children now matured officers, sailors, marines or members of engineer corps stood proud alongside their fellow Humans. Graduates of the same schools passed through the same hardships and dangers. Most of you were born here and all of you were risen here. You are all united in a single goal- to protect Commonwealth and by it protect yourself and your families. 20 years ago this Sector was defenseless. Now Fa'enni Shipyards are producing ships that bring promises of safety and prosperity. 20 years ago Fa'enni ships were shunned and laughed upon by Galaxians. Now they are afraid."

Admiral looked at young soldiers who stood proudly. They all looked at him back as he continued.

"This fear is born from the knowledge it was their fault that Fa'enni suffered. But Fa'enni already took their revenge. You seceded from Galaxy Federation, severed all trade connections, and closed borders. Galaxians laughed at your decision behind your backs.

'It's only Fa'enni they said'. But you joined Terran Commonwealth instead and become equal in all rights with Humans and AI. You knew that you can trust us.

When Galaxians came to us to negotiate with the Commonwealth doors were opened and they were welcomed by Fa'enni diplomats and Fa'enni officers. And Commonwealth through them declined all treaties, deals, and offers. And to this very day, Galaxy can only beg Commonwealth for crumbs. We don't need Galaxians! And this is their biggest fear. They all understood how you felt when they discarded your race. Now a new threat appeared as you learned during Academy, an unknown race is slowly creeping its way among the stars and Galaxians are afraid. They feel fear of being discarded.

But Commonwealth is standing firm and strong thanks to the iron will of young people like you! Most of you will join the Navy and Army with the common goal to defend peace within our borders. But few exceptional students will continue their education.

From our Sector 5 students were selected for the most prestige school and course. This year only 18 exceptional students were collected and I am proud that our young school managed to give that many!"

All graduates cheered and they deserved their graduation party. In the next 5 months they will go to Earth and by end of October start their intensified education. From 5 accepted students 3 were pure-blood Fa'enni and they were terrified. They are going to Earth- a Deathworld which sole gravity can kill their race, earth's sun sprays deadly radiation and its wild animals are death itself.

Lurana D'nala, Riglu Khis, and Serfan Kuur were thanking Stars they will be with their friends who for sure will manage on such a planet. Johan MacArthur who was human and Prince Thuel Raven who was Fáe, half human and half Fa'enni. It was custom that elite students receive from their Sector Command one ship no matter how many were picked and that ship will be their base of operation until they receive command over their own ships.

Queen at first authorized the usage of a Dashu'un ship but later she found out some other ship is built for them.

They will receive Ra'Volta, a prototype ship that's very existence was known only to a few people. Rumor said it was Wrath who classified its existence at first and helped during the project process and was supervising it.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

They all were curious what ship it will be.

MacArthur with bloodied eyes was sitting at a desk in his home office reading Wrath's intel data. All across Galaxian systems, minor incidents were occurring with gradual intensification. Destroyed transports, raided installations, or even destroyed military ships. While some incidents could easily be blamed on pirates some were for sure handiwork of Shadows. On the other hand, in his backyard, everything was at peace. He wants to go to sleep.

"What are you doing at such an hour Robert?"

Naella was standing at the door to his office. She was very drowsy.

"Go to sleep. In the next 7 hours, your new fleets arrive and in my opinion, that's a very bad idea if they see you half sleeping." He sighed. She was right and he is too tired anyway.

Admiral was waiting for Hunters.

Elite Navy and Army units which took part and were most persistent and successful during the Huluk extermination. Huluk were called Devours of Life by Galaxians and Fa'enni originally warned humanity about them.

Humans however don't know rules like 'be afraid of Devouer!' 'they are so strong' and simply hunted them down. At first, humanity proposed them peace but we were refused. They attacked us with all their forces and failed.

Humanity was fighting all kinds of war throughout history while Huluk depended on attacking weaker races or overwhelming stronger with their Navy. But humans had a bigger Navy, better strategies, much deadlier weapons and much, much more experience.

So we fought with Huluk but when our AIs breached Huluk networks we discovered how many races Huluk destroyed. In turn, we destroyed them. No trace was left. It took Hunter Fleets over 100 years but they finished what they started. Listening posts are scattered among the stars looking if any Huluk signal is left. And now they are here.

Ping informed everyone on Wraths bridge that the massive tunnel jump signature was located on the fringe of the System. 40 Atla 2 class planetoids and 4 Defiants entered the system. All Atla were upgraded as Grand Admiral told.

"Incoming transmission, Admiral." Wrath's voice echoed on the bridge.

"At once"

"Alinti Sector Command, Hunter One speaking. We are new reinforcement Forces sent by Neptune High Command. We awaiting orders and details."

Command Center was already partly moved to the old Atla planetoid, in the next two months it will be running as it should. The AI in charge of it was called Hestia. However, She is currently busy with refurnishing and this particular contact was to be received only by Admiral MacArthur.

"Hunter One, Admiral Robert MacArthur speaking. Welcome to Alinti Sector. I'm sending you all data we have. As I liked to throw a welcome party we are in the middle of a little crisis just beyond our borders."

"Affirmative Admiral. We received data. Then thank God since we don't fit parties that well. What are your orders, sir?"

"We need to increase our presence within the sector. I want 107th and 115th to replace 230th on patrol and guard duty until 230th will not replenish and refit."

"Affirmative sir! Hunter one and Hunter three out!"

"Hunter two and four?"

"Sir?"

"Good hunt."

"With pleasure sir!"

With this, all 44 Fleet Carriers vanished in turns. If they vanished at once they could destroy outer planets. Naella was looking at him in disbelief.

"Just like that? I thought it would take hours to synchronize their schedules, dispatch them to patrol routes and give them all other details."

"Just like that Captain. They are the Hunters. They know this craft better than anyone, they are elite. They don't need me babysitting them. All my personal information was sent in with Alinti Command Center doctrine and protocols."

She looked at him and tilted her head. She looked so gorgeous MacArthur thought and told her softly. "Naell, trust me. With any other Fleets, I would went through the entire protocol and all mess. Check Command Center status. How many new units do you see?"

"They received data just 2 minutes ago. I don't think... Oh, stars above! They are all logged in and connected. Even ground Forces are all green. They already reporting in accordance with our protocols." she looked deep into his eyes. "Who they are!?"

He smiled with a very ugly smile she know too well. It's the smile of a predator on a hunt.

"They are our Elite, Honey. When they are unleashed it means that Commonwealth goes to war."

She looked at her datapad with big eyes. She saw reports telling about building new nets of sensors within borders and listening posts that will be soon deployed at seemingly random positions. She was always in awe of how Robert was managing the entire Sector. But them...

She glanced at her Husband. Robert was still smiling but she saw relief in his eyes. It looks like he finally will find time to go to sleep today.

Naella smirked. 'Only if I allow him.'