When Overlord entered the Tiamant system after a short 12-hour trip, he was hailed by automated border control systems. But after fulfilling IFF protocol they were welcomed by Lady Naella D'astra MacArthur.

Johan was very surprised to see his stepmom here and they chatted for a while when they all moved to their respective ships. Elisabeth and Johan can leave their dreadnoughts if their crews wish to return to Sol since she had ready Ra'volta class dreadnoughts for them.

However, after survey, both Retribution crews turned out they would sooner mutiny than allow to be taken from such an interesting and very prestigious assignment, from frontiers of the Commonwealth with the perspective of combat and not simple, boring patrol duty and contacts with only two truly friendly alien races that humanity ever meet.

Tiamant was big and reach system completely opposite to the one where they found Cions. They reached Tua'va after 24 hours and started disembarking Overlord. Most Cions were moved planet side where Naell's construction teams were already building small cities for them. Buildings were made in a mixed style of Fa'enni and Human styles.

Naella was supervising constructions from Wraths bridge so this could mean Admiral Robert MacArthur should be somewhere around. Thuel was standing in front of his ship with both of his friends saying goodbye to Admiral Felix Strong.

"Thank you for your guidance Admiral during the last few years. We wanted to present you this small gift," said Thuel giving him a small box.

Surprised Admiral opened it. Inside it he found three items, first one was one of the almost legendary items of Fa'enni make- a copy of ancient Human most utilitarian and common items- a common, ink fountain pen. But Fa'enni loved it form and beauty of the pen and used their own technology and talents to make it as always work of art. The smoothness of its work and perfect form made it a very desired item on Terra due to its scarcity. And since it was considered a piece of functional art every single Fa'enni Pen was hand made, and absolutely pricy good to poses.

Pen in Admiral's hand was even more exceptional, made from black power steel, a material used to make power swords, with veins made of platinum and gold. The core of the pen nib was made of an alloy of steel and titanium fused at the atomic level with a perfectly cut sapphire that made up the rest of it.

That pen alone was worth more than his six-month salary.

The second item was an ancient case watch with a flap, bearing the magnificent emblem of the Fa'enni Royal Family made of precious materials. It was made of eternal silver and platinum alloys. Its hands were made of gold, the dial of an unfamiliar material that shimmered like opal, and the numbers were studded with emerald. Its mechanism requires regular winding to work, and the watch itself was accompanied by a chain made of the same platinum and silver alloys as its case.

The last rather insignificant-looking item might be considered worthless compared to the first two. But it was much more precious to him. It was a traditional photo encased in a simple wooden frame. Behind a piece of glass he saw himself standing with Thuel, Elisabeth and Johan. All four of them were smiling to not the existing photographer. That picture was taken two days ago on the bridge of Ra'volta when he used opurtinity to take a tour over this magnificent dreadnought. He picked a picture and took it out from the box.

"Thank you all. I will treasure it as one of my most precious possessions."

They respected Admiral and smiled to him thankful for his guidance. Admiral smiled back and said:

"It look's like I don't have any fancy gift for you. But I as well prepared something."

He took three small packets from his first officer and gave them.

They all smiled when they found photos of them with Admiral framed into elegant stainless steel frames. Thel was standing with Admiral in the star map room and was listening to Admiral talking about the effective use of solar systems natural elements during battle.

In Johan's photo, he was shaking hands with Admiral Felix on the parade deck of Overlord when he was awarded for solving a particularly hard problem. Elisabeth smiled when she saw herself walking alongside Admiral in the Academy corridor while he helped her with way too many real paper books she borrowed from the library. All photos had dedications signed by their mentor. They all thanked and wished themselves the best of luck.

Six hours later all Cion ships were docked at the orbital station built just ten hours before and their crews left them forever. Later they will be transformed and used as a memorial and museum of the Great Cion Escape. But for now, they had to wait. Overlord was already en route to point Epsilon of the Tiamant system to meet with Raven Rock. Thuel was sitting onboard of dropship slowly coming to the realisation of a very unpleasant truth.

"What the fuck now?"

Ra'volta manifested near him.

"If you refer to Cions I advise giving them some time to get used to the new environment. Even a few weeks might be not a bad idea."

"I don't think it's a good idea. One or two weeks and we have to start enhancing programs. And before that, I had to think of the government. And the education system. Oh, stars... What i have done?!"

A few kilometres below Murrnal Bram was sitting at the table with his foster doughter eating some delicious food. Niora looked around and still couldn't believe how spacious and splendid a home they have received. But she would trade all of this for the opportunity to be closer to her Lord. She sighed.

This chamber was called the 'living room' it was furnished with a large wooden table, quite comfortable chairs and two big pieces of furniture called a 'sofa' she sat on it before and that was absolutly fantastic. Soft and comfortable like nothing she had before. From the living room, you could access kitchen furnitured again with pieces of technology looking familiar to her but once again absolutly alien.

She couldn't find any way to operate it but in the tall fridge, she found some ready-to-eat food. But the best part was their personal rooms. Her room was twice as big as the room she lived her entire life on Cion Fang. Her bed was so big and soft that she hoped for a few days off so she could just lay on it. However beside it, a desk with an extremely comfy armchair, a few wooden bookshelves, one full-size mirror and a wooden wardrobe, her room was quite empty.

The next door opened to some big empty room full of hangers, shelves and a pair of mannequins and an armoured cabinet that's probably her personal armoury. Few clothes in her size were hanging there so this must be the wardrobe. She couldn't comprehend how many clothes Commonwealth women have if a such big room is normally built in every home. After a brief while she decided it may come in handy.

The last room was a small personal toilet with real shower, small but comfortable bath, and some bizarre chair which must be the toilet.

Her father's room on other hand was smaller but he had his own office instead, his wardrobe was the half size of her's but the second half was his personal armoury. His personal toilet was also smaller than hers. However, they had a bigger bathroom accessed from the hall. In it, they had a big bathtub and something called a steam room. She couldn't wait to try it all.

Their home was located in the Governmental part of the planet very close to where Lord Thuel will most probably build his home. She looked distracted at the dark cylinder that was standing on the table. It was a communication device given to them by their Lord.

Suddenly she heard the voice of Ra'volta:

"Murrnal Bram and Niora For'rtiassa?"

She responded immediately:

"We can hear you."

"Prince Thuel will be waiting for you and your father in his office at the main government building. Can you join us there in one hour?"

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She already knows the way there. It was very close just 15 minutes away.

"Of course Lord Ra'volta. We will be there soon."

She was visibly happy now. Her Lord is coming and she will see him soon. She knew she was fatally in love with the man who loves another woman, but if Lady Elisabeth is in the same situation she at least doesn't feel that awkward.

Thuel with closed eyes was sitting behind a large desk. He received a few metric kilometres of reports, studies and proposed solutions that he will probably read the headlines for three hours alone. Thanks to the direct neural learning tool built into his implants all that knowledge will be absorbed by his mind overnight but for now if he wants any information he must learn it manually. Pick a headline and fast-read report.

He sighed.

Elisabeth was already on her way here. She got access to all personal management systems and when Freya will finish her transfer to her new Ra'volta class dreadnought body she will help Elisabeth with organising the entire haha human resources.

Johan was already transferring himself alone to his Ra'volta and promoted his former first officer on board of Longbow - his Retribution class dreadnought, for its new Captain. Thuel exhaled in resignation.

"I will need more personnel."

"We will be glad to provide it, my Lord!"

Thuel eyes opened quickly. Before his desk was kneeling in their manner Murrnal and Niora. They are so silent? Even his enhanced ears didn't pick up a single sound made by them while they entered his office. He wanted to straight up refuse but he bit his tongue and looked at them with much more focus.

"Hmmmmm... Ra'volta?"

"Their loyalty for you is absolute my Lord. This two can be useful for you."

Niora's heart started racing. She will be useful to her Lord. She...

"Very well. MEDICS!"

'Wait. What?' Crossed her mind when doors to Lord's office popped open and two marines in field medic armour entered. Both Cions stand up and looked at each other didn't know what was going on.

"My Lord?"

"Take these two to Wrath. I want them enhanced for yesterday. Full service."

"Yes Sir. We will throw them to the slaughterhouse at once."

Niora was terrified. Her Lord just ordered her to die?

"Slaughterhouse? My Lord..."

Thuel started laughing.

"Don't worry Niora For'rtiassa. It's just how some of us are calling it. It's a specialized medbay on board of biggest ships where we install implants."

She was instantly at ease and ashamed:

"I'm so sorry my Master I doubted you."

"No Niora. That was not doubt or even if you doubted me you were fully right to do so in this matter. It was a simple question about a rather quite bloody thing. If someone here had to be sorry that would be sergeant Smiths who used an unofficial name for upgrading centre."

Marine grinned at Niora without a single trace of guilt in his eyes but apologized:

"I'm sorry Miss Niora For'rtiassa for startling you. It's just we always use that name. It's not a bad place I promise."

She smiled at the big marine.

"I accept your apology."

When four of them left his office Elisabeth with eight officers entered it.

"So we have about ten hours until Raven Rock should enter point Epsilon of Tiamant. However, Guardian already informed Freya that we will have at least seven to even twenty days for preparations. It turned out Queen and King will have to make a quick trip to Ethosh Shipyards. They dropped us 50 corvettes, 40 destroyers, 20 frigates and 10 Dashu'uns. Seems like King wants this system fortified asap."

Thuel nodded. He checks the data of patrols and raises one brow. He immediately contacted Johan, out loud so Elisabeth can hear them.

"Johan, where is your father?"

"In command centre at Alinti."

"Fuck!"

"What's going on Thuel?!"

"Help your mom with her fleet. You are better at it than she ever will be. Let her focus on her work."

Elisabeth looked at Thuel concerned. But he just stretched his arm to silence her before she could ask anything. Notification of highest priority popped inside her communication implant. Ra'volta's voice informed her without any emotion.

"Warning to all Commonwealth forces in the Tiamant system. All combat readiness is increased to Amber alert by order of Lord Admiral Thuel Raven."

Imidietly after she heard his calm voice:

"Lady Naell MacArthur I ask you for continuing your job of establishing a functional colony on the planet. Vice Admiral Johan MacArthur you will take control over close orbit protection. All Forces move to the inner system and begin patrol routes in the pattern Vigilante. Dashu'uns are to launch 75% of combat drone complement on auto into the outer system. Drones in outer systems should use standard defensive sub-routines. Ra'volta dreadnoughts send all Vrita drones to act like sensor nets in the middle sphere of the outer system. You have your orders, people. Let's get back to work."

Elisabeth was looking at him surprised.

"Why?"

"Let me respond to you with a question. Why do my Parents who are one of the most 'to the plan' persons I know have 3 sudden plan changes?"

She paused. And nodded her head. Thuel continued.

"Then uncle Robert is sending here his Wife as she was probably the only ranking officer he could send without weakening too much his own resources. Naella is sending me the message that we don't know if the system is safe. And she was sent here on Wrath."

"But I don't think that's the reason to be worried..."

"Luna and Anna didn't get permission to join me and Johan on the planet."

She opened and closed her mouth having nothing intelligent to say. Deep down she knows Thuel might be right. She started analysing all data she had access to. In recent weeks many incidents happened in the area. She was convinced now and started preparing her ship for battle but Freya was in the middle of the transfer. She will need at least one more hour.

Thuel was sending precise orders using his neural link. She checked them using her authorisation and was impressed. On the surface what he was ordering was much more convenient for crews but in reality, anyone attacking this system would have to bleed out fighting drones in the outer system and face fresh and deadly Commonwealth Forces concentrated near Tua'va.

"I don't really expect serious battles here. Besides we have Wrath in orbit."

"So why all changes?"

"Because I want to be prepared just in case."

She nodded in agreement. He was responsible for this system and taking Terran doctrine under consideration he was right. It was one of the most basic rules in the Commonwealth military: 'Always be prepared for war' derived from ancient 'Si vis pacem, para bellum'.

Captain Naella was a very good adjutant and support officer but she was fully aware of her limits. Her Navy school was not as extensive as theirs and she never wanted to be a line officer- she did everything to be closer to the man she at first admired and then she fell in love with.

Also, she was not acting commander of Wrath which was surprising. So most probably a tactical officer of Wrath is taking care of the initial system defence. Elisabeth checked logs and smiled, exactly as she thought. Commander Ericsson's defence plan was quite good but he spread their forces a bit too much over the system.

"Ok. Point taken. So I assume we don't have to rush back to Thunderbirds and man back our dreadnoughts in near panic so allow me to introduce you, unlucky officers delegated to help make things work here."

He looked at eight officers standing at attention right behind Elisabeth. All of them saluted him the moment he focused his gaze on them.

Thuel responded bemused after saluting them back:

"At ease. No one told you at the academy to always look overworked?"

Elisabeth chuckled and tried to mask it with a cough. His own communication officer Lieutenant Rinn Frisá responded with a pale smile:

"Sir we were all caught off-guard. We have never stood a chance!"

Everyone laughed. It was a good thing they can all laugh naturally and not nervously.

"It happens that I already know Lieutenant Rinn Frisá one of my own bridge officers, Ensign David Láknal from damage control and Ensign Daniel Kwiatkowski from life support. Who else you sentenced for this forced labour?"

Two ensigns made big eyes when they realized Prince is not supporting himself with implants but actually know not only their names but also where they are assigned. Somehow it made them both happy and anxious at the same time. Elisabeth pointed to the second officer.

"This is Lieutenant Sara Harper. She is my sensor officer."

"Sir!" Thuel nodded to the short brunette with big brown eyes. His implant displayed all her data he should know, she is very talented so no wonder Liss picked her. Much shorter than average at 170 cm she looked like a child near the next officer at who Elisabeth pointed next.

"Here stands my chief of security Captain Alex Campbell."

Thuel watched a massive Human Marine who was easily 210 cm tall saluting him. He looked like he was able to punch through reinforced plasteel panels with bare hands. He sported short brown hair, a perfectly modelled beard, moustaches and facial features of a classical young Avalonian Lord. He spoke in a deep and melodious baritone.

"Your Highness."

Thuel smiled to gigant and saluted back. He bet that man is a terrifying monster in his power armour. Elisabeth pointed at her, next victim:

"Lieutenant Patricia Powell is my chief of medical staff."

"Sir... Prince." She saluted while gradually becoming red on her cute face dotted with a few freckles. Patricia is a non-combat member of the Navy personnel and a very talented doctor. She has curly ginger-red hair reaching to half of her back. And by look at her behaviour massive crush on me- Thuel sighed internally. Smiled and saluted her back. Elisabeth quickly pointed at the next officer.

"Ensign Anna Powell. She is Patricia's subordinate."

"And judging from look her twin sister. Am I right?" asked Thuel. Anna smiled and responded:

"Yes, my Lord. It will be my pleasure to work with you. Sir!"

Last Elisabeth's victim was a short dark-haired woman with Asian facial features.

"Commander Li Yu Tian is a former Johan first officer and currently Captain of Longbow."

Thuel nodded. He saw Johan's report about why he wanted to give her Retribution class dreadnought. According to him, even the sun is set according to her plan.

"Good to have you on board," said Thuel.

"Pleasure is mine Admiral"