Praefexis Sacaris sat at a desk scrolling through a tablet as he read current action reports. A chime sounded in the room as a hologram, activated on his desk, projecting the image of a young man in front of it.

“Sir!” He called as he balled his right hand in a fist and placed it over his heart, “Praefexis Trayick is requesting to contact you.”

“Put him through Tribis.” Sacaris replied as he put down his tablet to take a sip of his tea.

The young man's image was quickly replaced by one of Trayick. The Admiral gave a nod of greeting to Sacaris, “I wanted to discuss our battle plan.”

“Ah.” Sacaris replied.

“I assume you have something in mind already. I also have no doubt the remnants of Nonanae’s resistance group will try something.”

“I plan for it,” Sacaris stated in agreement. “As for our plan, yes, I do have one. I want you to position your fleet to enter the system from the far side of the planet and wait for me to give the signal for you to enter.”

Trayick’s face went slack for a moment and his lips twisted into a frown. “That will extend our deployment time by a couple of hours.”

“I am aware, Praefexis”

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“But the Emperor wants a swift punishment dealt out to these traitors.”

Sacaris raised an eyebrow. “Does he? He told us to leave at once and gave us full discretion in how we deal out the punishment. He asked only that we reduce the planet and everyone on it to ash. As you stated, I expect the Nonanae rebels to try to evacuate people from the planet. Catching them in a pincer maneuver will ensure that we catch both the rebels and the people they’ve rescued in an inescapable trap.”

Trayick nodded, “Thus achieving our aim, and pleasing the Emperor, with an added benefit of killing some rebels.”

“As for the opening move, I will send in a forward group of three frigates and one cruiser, once I’ve deemed it appropriate I will signal your fleet and we will enter the system from both sides and move in to engage the enemy.”

“What is the purpose of this? Wouldn’t it be better to just hit them from both sides from the start?”

Sacaris shook his head, “There are only two naval leaders in the Nonanae group, Praefexis Larnic and Navaris Gilkes. Larnic is more cautious, if he is leading their forces they’ll hang back and make us engage them in a traditional battle.” Then Sacaris’ mouth stretched into a smile, “Gilkes is a glory hound, if we present him with a weak target he will charge ahead to wipe it out.”

“Thus catching his forces out in a trap,” Trayick murmured thoughtfully, “Yes, I see the merits in this plan. I’d still prefer swift action, but I will defer to your judgment in this.”

“Thank you, Praefexis. I’ll see you at the final rendezvous point.”

Trayick nodded and his holo shut off. Sacaris sat in silence for a few moments as a chime rang out from the door to his office. “You may enter,” he called out.

The door slid open, and a man clad in completely black armor strode into the room. He stopped near the center and knelt down before Sacaris.

“I assume you have a report?” Sacaris asked the man.

“Yes sir. It is as you suspected.”

Sacaris face remained neutral, but a slight fire lit within his eyes. “Very well. Continue our infiltration of the Imperis Pallus. I want every Inquisates plant in Zekor’s fleet tagged and monitored.”

“It will be done sir.” the man replied and swiftly exited the room.

Sacaris stood from his desk and walked over to the large window behind him to stare out at the stars beyond. He stood for several long moments in silence before he whispered, “You’re more important than you realize, my friend.”