New Command

UEN Command - Jupiter Station - Sol System

A few months earlier...

"... I am not accepting any more delays" fleet Admiral Lucy Ling said over the phone

"I don't care what the issue is this time, we are launching in a week, so get it done by then. Am I understood?"

"Ma'am, Commander Rina Ramoor reporting as ordered" I snapped a sharp salute.

This Woman sitting here behind that lovely old oak desk was perhaps one of the biggest people in the UEN fleet.

"As you may know commander, the Infinite Stratus is finishing its construction, in fact, that was the dock master I was speaking to"

"It's an impressive vessel ma'am, however, I am unsure as to why we would need such a ship?"

"Commander take a look at the news from time to time" Fleet Admiral Ling slid a newspaper across the table and motioned for me to read it.

I picked up the paper 'EXPANSION OR WAR' was pasted as the headline with a picture of the Infinite Stratus still in spacedock, the article read;

'Today the elected council have announced that the new warship 'Infinite Stratus' will be used to secure the outer colonies and push the next phase of UEN expansion, the outer colonies will become the middle colonies as we build the nation bigger"

"This ship is the most advanced long-range warship we have ever constructed," Fleet Admiral Ling said looking at me the whole time "I want you to command this,"

"Ma'am" I stood straighter "Thank you ma'am"

"It will be a shakedown cruise to start, work out the kinks, all the systems have been thoroughly tested and I am not expecting an issue, you will take the Infinite Stratus to the Esitio system and test the new active cloaking tech we have installed"

"Yes ma'am" very advanced indeed I thought to myself, a smile showed on my face.

"You will pick your crew, but run it past me first, all your reports will come to me and only me Commander."

She motioned to leave so I turned to head for the door.

"Oh and try to bring it back in one piece Commander"

I looked back and returned the Fleet Admirals smile,

One day I will have that job I thought, one day.