* Date: January 23, 2183

* Time: 8:00 AM

* Location: Lumina Capital of Eden

In the capital of Eden, Lumina, the surviving sailors, officers, and pilots of Battlegroup Yorktown stood proudly, presenting themselves to the public. Following the battle several hours ago, it was time to honor the bravery of those who had followed under Vice Admiral Gaft. The majority of the ships present in the battlegroup were destroyed, and only thirteen remained in the end.

''We take great pride in honoring the many men, women, and A.I. who demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of the overwhelming enemy force. The bravery and courage were exhibited by so many that I could not honor them all.''

Spoke the Fleet Admiral of the Second Fleet in front of the masses of civilians and military personnel watching from a distance. Behind her stood her Vice Admiral, and one in particular was waiting for his name to be said out loud.

''However, that is the case; it is my great privilege to acknowledge the individual whose actions merit special recognition...''

''...Vice Admiral, Armed Forces of Earth Navy, Abraham Gaft.''

Hearing the name of the genius behind Operation Trojan, the crowd cheered as the admiral stepped forward and approached the Fleet Admiral.

''The President and Vice President of the Unified Government of Earth takes great pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross for creating Operation Trojan, devising its workings, and causing the Kaynian 'fleet' to be defeated.''

Abraham stood tall and faced his superior with pride. He was aware that things could have become hopeless without his ingenuity. The Fleet Admiral would add the Navy Cross to his uniform before nodding at each other. Afterward, Gaft stepped aside and waited for the second person to receive their medal.

''It wasn't just the Vice Admiral that allowed us to see the light of Eden today. Executive Officer, Armed Forces of Earth Navy, Luck Gaft.''

Advancing, the humanoid skin of Yorktown's executive officer was visible to all as she approached her husband and the Fleet Admiral. Facing Admiral Sasha, Luck stood firm beside her husband before she received the Navy Cross. Seeing as they already have their medals in place. The husband and wife duo would move away, but only for the Fleet Admiral to say something that would stop them dead in their tracks.

''Stand fast, Mr and Mrs Gaft.''

''Huh?''

Abraham blurted out in confusion, wondering what his superior meant by that. However, he did not question it and followed as he and his wife approached the Fleet Admiral. The duo would await as Sasha Zveroboy would bring two more medals to commemorate their achievements.

''It is my great pleasure to present to you two the Medal of Honor. To your leadership in Operation Trojan and the amount of trouble you had to make due. Both of you exceeded our expectations and went beyond our imagination...''

''...Without the sacrifice of those in your battlegroup and your unorthodox planning. The Second Fleet wouldn't have managed to save the lives of billions on this planet. For that, I thank both of you.''

Immediately, the crowd gave a round of applause to the husband and wife. The crews of the Yorktown cheered the hardest as they fully respected their admiral with all honors. Looking at arms, Abraham and Luck stared at the praise given to them by everyone. But they couldn't help but feel dread crawling on their backs as they knew this was temporary.

[My dear, this moment we are enjoying...]

[...It wouldn't last long.]

''I know.''

[I'm scared, Gaft. What if we wouldn't be able to hold them back?]

''I- I don't know. I'm scared too, but with us together. I think we can manage.''

Clasping his hand tightly, the A.I. hoped fervently that this was the case, for among the faces before them were individuals she recognized, individuals who might not survive this war. And that made her virtual heartache, knowing that not everyone was destined to live through this.

''That's our admiral!''

''Congrats, sir!''

''Woohoo!''

Shouted the countless sailors as they celebrated for their Vice Admiral. Pictures flared the married couple as cameras took the opportunity to take images. Meanwhile, the Fleet Admiral leaned over to Gaft's ear and whispered.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

'A meeting is scheduled in the War Room at ten hundred hours.'

Hearing his superior, Gaft nodded in acknowledgment. He knew that things were only getting started as they had so little time until the rest of the Kaynian forces reached Eden and made a mess out of it. Given that they just defeated the first Kaynian flotilla headed to Eden, the Kaynians probably knew of the planet's existence in the first place, and they wanted something from it. Afterward, the Vice Admiral and his wife would return to their respective seats as the Fleet Admiral still had something to disclose. Not all would return alive because thousands of personnel had perished during Operation Trojan. To remember them as who they were and grant a moment of silence in honor of their sacrifice.

''Ahem, please let us give a moment of silence for those that perished. For without their sacrifice, we wouldn't stand where we are now. So, please, let us grant those who died the moment that they rightfully deserve.''

Immediately, the crowd quieted down as they gave their respects to those who had fallen in the protection of Earth and her people. The thousands of participants wouldn't say a word as they stared at the holographic screen ahead that displayed the names and portraits of each sailor who died. Of course, some cried seeing how their loved one was on the holographic screen. Families, lovers, and friends mourned silently.

"Let us not forget them, for we must remain alive and face the challenges that lie ahead. Without them laying their lives, the alien menace would have gotten ahead and destroyed another colony of the U.G.E., but luckily, because of them, that never occurred. And for that, we thank them."

* Date: January 23, 2183

* Time: 8:05 AM

* Location: Venture Starliner Cruise Ship

In the opulent V.I.P. area of the Venture Starliner cruise ship, Doctor Hyle Schwarz busied himself with the recordings of Sarroth's teachings and demonstration of magic. Meanwhile, his colleague, Doctor Lilith Lie, observed the happenings on the holovision, the ceremony held at the capital of Eden, Lumina.

"Let us not forget them, for we must remain alive and face the challenges that lie ahead. Without them laying their lives, the alien menace would have gotten ahead and destroyed another colony of the U.G.E., but luckily, because of them, that never occurred. And for that, we thank them."

''Hmm, it looks like the A.F.E. has earned itself a victory over the Kaynians~...''

''...Say, Hyle, aren't you interested~?''

Teasing her superior, Lilith turned to see Doctor Hyle juggling multiple programs and holograms. Never had she seen him this dedicated to his work since after the end of the First Contact War, but it is to be expected from those like him.

''I am in the process of creating a breakthrough, Lilith. I have no time for such celebrations.''

The doctor responded dryly as his mechanical limbs produced a running sound from their motors. His eyes didn't even move as he was to focus on his work at hand. This would cause a dissatisfied colleague to pout about his response.

''Is that all you could muster as a response, Hyle? The Second Fleet managed to gain itself a victory, and I suspect that our Ghost Operatives may have been the ones to create such a conclusion. Yet, you don't see it worthy of at least a minute of your time~?''

''No...''

''...The A.F.E. could celebrate all by themselves. While I devise a way for the U.G.E. to survive.''

''Hmpf. Always, the cold one are you, Hyle~.''

Turning her attention to the holovision, Lilith held out a remote and turned it off. It would be time for her to retire to her room and rest before they reach Earth. Standing up, she walked past her colleague and headed straight to the hallway leading to her room.

''I'll be retiring to my room. Don't overwork yourself, Hyle~.''

She said as she left the premises of the lounge area. Passing through room after room, Lilith would reach her room and swiped a card for it to open. A clicking sound signified the access to her room as the door opened automatically. Entering, she placed her white coat on the coatstand before lying on the bed.

'Well, things have been productive lately. At least from where I see it~.'

The doctor thought as she made herself comfortable on the bed. Looking at the time, she saw it was eight in the morning. She and Hyle never even got any sleep as they were too busy working on transferring most of the equipment on board the cruise ship.

'Well, time flies fast. It's a bit too late for me to rest. However, it's not like I'm going to do anything. Eh, it's best if I take the day off and relax before we reach Earth~...'

'...Although, I am a bit interested in how Tale is faring. After all, I.C.E. didn't inform us of their mission, and seeing as to how urgent it was that Sarroth had to be retrieved by Tale. Spoke levels on how important their task was~.'

Activating her holo-phone from her wrist, she searched for Tale's contact. However, Ghost Operatives mustn't disclose their contacts to any personnel other than their handlers and fellow Ghosts. Unlike most people, Lilith had access to Tale's contact simply by asking him. After all, he regarded her as his figurative mother.

'Let's see how you are fairing, Tale~?'

Tapping the call button, the doctor waited as the familiar ring of her holo-phone erupted. While waiting for the Ghost to pick up, she took the time and took out a bottle of champagne from a compartment behind the cushions. Taking the cap off the bottle, Lilith poured a glass before taking a drink. The doctor sighed as she missed the aroma of champagne. She would pour another glass and proceed to drink. Unbeknownst to her, a connection would be set up between her and the returned Ghosts, Tale. The first thing that greeted the Ghost's Operative was the scene of a sleep-deprived Lilith drinking champagne like there was no tomorrow.

''Doctor Lilith?''

Tale said with a hint of confusion upon seeing the doctor. Lilith, for her part, hastily put down the glass and champagne before turning her attention to the Ghost.

''Hello, my dear Tale. Apologies for my sudden call, I just wanted to see how you are doing~.''

She explained as she smiled at the confused Ghost. Taking out a napkin, she placed it over her lips to clean the stain from the champagne.

''I'm doing well, doctor. We have just completed our mission, which led to the Second Fleet's victory.''

''Ah, so it was you and your brethren that allowed the fleet to accomplish such a task. Pray tell, can you tell me how you did it~?''

''Unfortunately, no.''

''I see. Well, you aren't hurt by any chance, are you? It would be unfortunate if you were. Doctor Hyle would be most disappointed if that's the case~.''

''Negative, ma'am. I did not sustain any form of damage or physical trauma.''

The Ghost explained plainfully, gaining a smile from the doctor. She may not know what I.C.E. had them do, but at least she trusts that whatever it was, her Ghost managed to accomplish them without trouble. Suffice it to say, she was proud of that but refrained from expressing her emotions to her Ghost.

''That's good~...''

''...Is I.C.E. perhaps preparing you for another mission~?''

She asked, and a pause occurred between her and Tale. The doctor wondered what would have caused this pause: maybe he was ordered not to respond to any question regarding his next mission. Or was it due to I.C.E. still issuing said mission?

''Tale~?''

''Apologies, ma'am. I had to check for any info regarding any next mission.''

''I see. Well, are there any~?''

''Negative, I.C.E. and the A.F.E. high command merely ordered all Ghost Operatives to restock on weapons and rearm their stealth ships. Other than that, there is no directive where we would be sent on a mission.''

Tale answered, and Lilith might have pouted, disappointed that there was no juicy information regarding her Ghost's next mission. She hoped she would learn something and use that to tease Hyle on their arrival on Earth. However, that wasn't the case, but it at least informed her that I.C.E. was taking its time with its Ghost Operatives.

''Hmm, I was hoping to learn something to tease Hyle, but oh well~.''

She admitted as she poured a glass of champagne and drank it while on the call. The Ghost immediately recognized that the dimly lit room signified that the doctor wasn't in Gilgamesh. Deducing that she must be off-world by now, he wanted to clarify his deduction.

''Ma'am, I assume that the rest of the scientists on Gilgamesh are en route to a safe location?''

''Why, yes, my dear Tale~...''

''...Doctor Hyle and I have the honor of going to Earth~.''

To Be Continued.