Crowds shouted and cheered, standing on catwalks or in viewports. It was a major celebration, a monumental victory; For the first Confederate Dreadnought was operational.
It cruised slowly through the dockyard and viewports, allowing onlookers to bask in its unrivaled glory... Surely, such a gem means total victory.
At least, that's what the civilians believed...
Inside the command bridge of the behemoth, however, was another story completely...
_________________________
Computers and consoles whirred to life, commandeered far too easily. A woman stood over them, somewhat short, with dark brown hair hanging loose, a messy uniform hastily put together. She worked with efficiency, even while talking to the man behind her.
"...We're all set, Captain. Systems are online. Er, well... Except for Emplacements A114, 459d, and... Well, we have the big ones!"
She whirled around, her usual grin on her face. "Your call, Captain. We could get outta here now..." The woman didn't sound too eager for that course of action. "Or! Or-"
Her now excited words were cut off by the man. He was a bit under the average height too, though you wouldn't notice it. Messy black hair defined his face, and, instead of the woman's sloppy uniform, wore the over dignified clothes of a noble- A gold lined black overcoat, over a vest and silk white shirt.
Usually, the boy was the very face of dignity- Now, though, he was clutching onto the command seat like a child would with their stuffed toy.
He spoke, the anxiety obvious in his voice; "Sari, this is not the time. Get us out of here, now!"
His anxiety, while warranted, opened him up to Sari's teasing very easily.
"Oh, c'mon..." She played up a pout, sounding disappointed. "We got the galaxy's greatest toy, and you just wanna put it up on a shelf? Boo..."
The radar pinged, picking up the signal of a friendly fleet. Friendly to the ship, sure... But the passengers?
Another ping. One of the Cruisers was hailing them.
"Eh..." For once, Sari seemed at a loss. "...Well. Guess we were gonna get found out sooner rather than later..." She turned back to the man, away from the consoles. "Well, Captain? You wanna talk first? Or maybe we could-"
"No! We are not shooting them yet!" His answer, once more, cut her off. "...Open up a line, I suppose." He sounded resigned now, not as nervous.
The woman nodded in acknowledgement, and quickly accepted the transmission. Instantly, a life sized holographic figure was projected onto the bridge. The man was short and stout, a perfect uniform, and an even better mustache.
"Ahem. We have received word that there are pirates aboard... Now, dock this ship immediately, and I assure you'll face minimum-... Wait." The man cuts himself off, his eyes widening slightly in recognition of the boy sitting in the command chair. "You wouldn't happen to be..."
The boy just sighs in response, running a hand through his messy hair. "...Yep. That's me..." With a sarcastic flourish, the boy imitates a bow from where he's seated. "...Scion of Tessalia, Prince Percival, at your service."
Holding the bowed position, Percival looks up at the other man, either bored with the conversation already, or just plain disappointed that the Confederation didn't send anyone of higher status. "You're... Um. Actually, I'm afraid I don't know you... That's odd. I know every Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Overseer in the Confederation..." With a half grin, he adds; "...But I don't know you. Odd."
This tactic proved very effective.
"You-!" The man was practically shaking with anger. Noting this, Percival motioned discretely to Sari, who responded with a grin, before turning to the console. However, she needed just a bit more time...
"Ah, sorry. Was that offensive?" Percy cocked his head, playing up an innocent apology. "I'm sure you must have gone through many difficult courses at the Academy..."
"Arno Krantz! My name is Colonel Arno Krantz, you miscreant!" Krantz was practically shouting. Both men there knew he hadn't gone to the Academy- Percival was only rubbing it in.
"Colonel Krantz, huh..." The boy glanced over at Sari, who gave him a thumbs up and a wide grin. The sound of the fearsome warship's systems coming online rang out through the command deck. Finally, Percy sighed, dropping the innocent act altogether. "...Well, Colonel. Right now, I have..." The boy looked to a screen at his side, then back at the projected hologram. "...Around 1,300 laser emplacements pointed at your little battlegroup." It was a lie. While the dreadnought had easily that many, only a tiny fraction were online, and even fewer were able to fire; Due to the limited crew aboard, only about three dozen people.
But, Krantz didn't know that. And Percival fully intended to take advantage of the fact.
Playing up the confident act, the boy tapped aimlessly on the screen to his side, seemingly aiming the guns, when in reality, he was repeatedly opening and closing the door to the command deck. "...Your call, Colonel. You got two cruisers and some fighters... Against my dreadnought."
The sheer numbers, even though played up heavily by Percy, intimidated Krantz quite easily. Though, he wasn't a particularly brave man, anyway...
The Colonel cleared his throat nervously, suddenly not as angry. "W-well... When you put it like that... I suppose... Urgh." He was in a very bad position here.
Luckily, that moment of Krantz's hesitation allowed a window- A window of time where he couldn't order interdiction.
"...Now, Sari. Aim for the Nemadi Asteroid Belt." Percival spoke quickly, quietly, with a sense of urgency. He knew very well this opportunity wouldn't last forever.
Sari nods, and immediately straps herself into one of the seats. "Yessir. Just, ah... Hold on tight. This thing's stabilization isn't quite done yet..." With those encouraging words, the dreadnought rapidly accelerates, barreling straight towards Krantz's flotilla, until...
Whirrrr, THOOM
With a resounding sound, the warship disappears. In its wake, leaving only a seething Colonel.
_____________________________
"...Phew. That was exhausting..." The moment the warship disappeared, Percival slumped in his seat and breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Haha! That was Fun!" Sari, the moment they were all safe, couldn't resist spinning in circles in the chair at the command console. Somehow, she doesn't seem to get motion sick at all... Something many pilots envy her for. "Really, Percy! Stealing a Dreadnought... I honestly didn't think you could do it! And with just thirty people, no less- Ahh, this'll be a great gift for the Coalition, dontcha think?! I mean, no wayyy they can turn us down now!"
Percival sighed, rubbing his temples. "...Yeah, only, our target was a Destroyer... Don't you think this draws a bit too much attention...?" Before she can answer, Percy just sighs again, sounding exasperated. "Nevermind that. It's already done, I suppose... We'll just have to make sure they know we're friendly once we get to the meeting spot..."
For a moment, Sari looks like she's about to make another joke. But then, her grin fades a bit, looking at the boy with a scrutinizing gaze. "...Yeah, I got that covered, Captain. Why don't you go for a walk? Y'know, scout out our new toy."
With an absentminded nod, Percival stood from his seat in the center of the room, and wandered off into the winding corridors of the warship.
After a beat of silence, Sari sighs, and goes back to working on the systems.
...
It took her nearly three hours to complete her task. When she did, Sari stood, and made her way out of the command deck, into the corridors, looking for her captain. It was a large ship- The third largest ever built- But Sari had an inkling of an idea where Percy would be.
She walked through the warship, taking in the sights. It truly was impressive, a hulking juggernaut of armor 13 kilometers in length. However... The truth is, as it was at the moment, it was massively undergunned. Sure, it does have the guns listed in its measurements... Only, many were not operational.
Sliding the door open, Sari walked into the observation deck, seeing Percival standing, looking out into the asteroid belt.
"...Hey, Captain. Prep work's all complete. You wanna wait for the Coalition in the hangar, or...?" She spoke uncharacteristically quietly at first, not wanting to startle the boy.
Luckily, Percy didn't startle easily. He shook his head, and turned about crisply, looking composed and cocky once more. "No, no, that's alright. Let's go." Behind him, in the viewport, the planet of Nemadi- Or, at least, what used to be Nemadi. It used to be a bustling city world, but now... It's fractured, as if split at one point by a particularly large spike, forming the asteroids around it.
"You got a plan for gettin' us outta this one, then?" Sari smiled, seeing the boy back to normal. "Cuz I know those guys're a buncha uptight losers."
"Of course I do." The two began a brisk walk through the corridors, heading towards one of the many hangar bays aboard the great warship. "Who do you think I am, Sari?" Percy added, with a slight grin, "I got us a Dreadnought in 3 minutes of planning. I've had three hours now."
The woman grinned back. "Ha! Ya got a point there, Princeling! Just make sure ya get us a conscription with one o' the good admirals." She nudged him a bit, teasingly.
"Of course. I have standards." Percival sounded almost offended, as if he couldn't imagine agreeing to work under someone incompetent.
However, the duo's ideas of a 'Good Admiral' were perhaps the exact opposite of each other.
"...Well." Sari had one more thought, apparently, "If anyone insults you, I'm biting someone."
Percy, with a sigh, could only say; "Please don't..."
________________________________
VVVVV, FOOM
The sound of the shuttle docking washed over the small group waiting. Beside Percy and Sari, a young and nervous looking Engineer stood by them. The poor boy thought he was there as a punishment... But, as usual, it was just part of the Captain's plan.
"...Hmph. So, ah... Remind me why we have to do this, Percy?" Sari was already bored. As usual.
Percival seemed in no mood to indulge her, shooting her a glare. "Shut up. We've already made enemies of the Confederation, Kr'ith, and Criminal Guild. Do you want to add the Coalition to that list, too?"
There was no need to answer that. The woman sighs in resignation, knowing he's right.
"...Thompson. You have the numbers?" The young engineer, Thompson, jumped at his Captain's voice. Quickly, he looked down at his datapad, then back up at Percival, nodding. "Yes- Yes sir! I have them right here!" Thompson was practically shaking with anxiety. It was no wonder- He, an entry level Engineer, was about to meet the famed Board of Admiralty, the only form of government in the growing Coalition of Free Planets.
The Coalition, itself, was nearly a myth. Many dismissed them as a particularly large band of pirates- No threat at all to the Confederate war machine. But, in secret, dignitaries met with Governors. Slowly, one planet at a time, the Coalition went from a roving fleet, to a faction capable of open warfare with the Confederation.
And now, that Board of Admiralty was walking down the boarding ramp, into Percival's own starship.
Percy knew the big faces- Admiral Ardfelt, and his lieutenant, Biinta- Officers of the old, fractured democracy. General Yaraven- A pirate turned freedom fighter, when his wife was killed during a Confederate raid. Admiral Keira Talvos and Admiral Jalen Vorren- Younger officers, often called reckless. General Garrick Thorne- Famous for his unyielding tactics.
Many other faces were present, some Percival did not know, around 16 in total.
Finally, the last down the ramp... Grand Admiral Brooche Sy'lvik. Known as the stern Kaeli woman, commander of the mighty Arcadia dreadnought, and one of the founding members of the Coalition. It was her, in particular, Percy needed to impress...
"Welcome!" He put on his best smile as he spoke. "First of all, thank you ever so much for meeting with me! I understand how busy you all must be, so to go out of your way like this-" Percival was cut off by one of the younger admirals; Jalen, wearing a neat, but not overly so, uniform, with combed hair and sharp eyes.
"You stole the gem of the Confederate Navy." His voice sounded annoyed, annoyed, Percy assumed, at him. "Of course we'd meet you."
Another man stepped forward, resting his hand on Jalen's shoulder. "Now, now, Jalen. Let the boy speak." This was Captain Ryn Calder, who, while not exactly an Admiral or General, had been allowed on the board through sheer talent. He was a middle aged man, maybe forty or so, with an altogether different uniform from Jalen's.
"...Thank you, Captain Calder. As I was saying, this little stunt was intentional..." That much was a lie. It was their intention to procure something smaller- Not this. "...To gain your trust! Because, I would like to enlist as a naval officer in the Coalition." Percy, looking quite proud of himself, finished his little speech.
And... Everyone there was silent. Staring at him. Before, near the back of the group, one man let out a laugh. This was Admiral Orin Strath, known as the Siegehound. He spoke with ridicule, loudly, "Ha! Boy, if you thought we'd let you in just cause you brought us some fancy new toy, you'd best leave now." Strath points an accusatory finger at Percy, continuing, "I'm not sure if you've forgotten, but your father-"
"My father is dead." Percival practically spat the words out, anger quickly rising. Sari, on the other hand, was looking between the two men quickly, realizing this could very well devolve into a fistfight.
Which earned an undignified grin from her.
"...Enough. Both of you immature fools." A woman's voice cut across the two, stern and cold. Immediately, Strath snaps to attention. Through the group of Officers, she walks... The Grand Admiral.
Brooche looks at Strath for a moment, then turns her stern glare to Percy. She wore a crisp uniform, her hands neatly folded behind her back. She walks with purpose, and a slightly upturned face- Not in arrogance, but disdain. Most notably, though, was her slightly feline facial features- The mark of a Kaeli.
"...Greetings, Scion of Tessalia." Even her voice, as she spoke, was filled with annoyance. "You have one minute. Explain yourself." There was something so commanding about her presence, even Percival couldn't help but flinch.
Yet, he retained his pride. "...That won't be necessary, Grand Admiral." Percy straightened, then motioned to Thompson, the nervous Engineer, beside him. "This man can convince you in ten seconds."
...Now. Poor Thompson had no idea what his Captain was talking about. He would most certainly have fainted by now, if he wasn't so scared of embarrassing himself. And, since he had no idea what to do, as 16 of the most skilled tacticians in the galaxy looked at him... He simply began rattling of number on his datapad.
"Um... Th-this ship has... O-over 1,300 heavy weapon emplacements... 2,600 flak cannons... A-and eight Octuple Magnestar Pulse cannons... Four on the port, four on the starboard..." Thompson had no idea what he was doing, but Percy was giving him an eager thumbs-up, so... "A-armor plating... N-nearly eight meters thick... And... In- in total, it's length is... Over 13 kilometers..."
Wordlessly, he handed the datapad to Sari, and ran off. Presumably to cry.
"...Well!" After letting the silence drag on for a moment, Percival turned back to the officers with his signature grin. "You heard it from him first! This behemoth could probably take on even the Arcadia!" He glanced at Brooche, then reiterated, "Er, well... Maybe. But that's not the point!"
Beside him, Sari let out a laugh, "Haha! Sounds like I'm gonna need to bite-"
Her words are quickly cut off by Percy, who slaps a hand on her mouth, while doing his best to keep up a composed smile.
"...Please excuse her. She's a foster."
Sari, the woman in question, is now attempting to bite the inside of Percival's hand.
Silence, for a few more moments. Then, Captain Calder let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! I like this kid! Mind if I sign him, Grand Admiral?" In response, Brooche shoots him a glare. "...You have no authority to do so, Captain, because you keep refusing promotion." She sounded frustrated with him, probably wanting him to be in a more responsible position.
"Ah... Right, right. I keep forgetting." With a sheepish smile, Calder retreats back into the group, talking with Admiral Jalen.
"...Anyway." Grand Admiral Brooche turns back to Percy, just in time to see him jump in pain, from Sari succeeding at biting his hand.
"...Anyway." Her voice becomes much sharper, demanding their attention. The two looked up, just as they were about to start fighting. Percival immediately snaps to attention, though Sari stays slouched, not one for manners.
"...While your tactics were reckless, I cannot look past the value of this ship." She grudgingly admitted it, finally, earning a grin from Percy. However, she continued... "However. You are too reckless. Hence... Taking your achievements into account, and your attendance to the Confederate Royal Academy... You will serve under me. Effective immediately." With that, she spun on her heel, marching back to the shuttle. "Report to the Arcadia for more info. Good day."
That left everyone there stunned for a moment. Sari, in particular, was devastated. She had been hoping to get one of the 'funner' Admirals, like Keira, Jalen, or even Calder... But now, she was stuck with the Grand Admiral herself?! It was a nightmare.
The group of admirals and generals began to disperse, with a few hanging back. Captain Calder was talking to Jalen, who obviously looked up to the man. General Thorne was speaking with Admiral Ardfelt like old war buddies, and Admiral Keira was just admiring the ship- As though wondering how it would fit in her famed ambushes.
Percival is jolted out of his thoughts by a sharp bite on his shoulder. Sari had felt insulted.
She grins up at him, saying only, "Told ya so."
Percy responded as any fine dignitary should- He punched her in the jaw.
"Owww..." Sari was obviously playing up the injury. "Why would you do that, Percy...?" She tried to look as pitiful as possible, which was made exceptionally difficult because of her gleeful laughter.
"...I ought to hit you again, you little shit..." Percival grumbled, but he eventually grinned too, finally allowing himself to get caught in the fact that they get to keep the dreadnought. "...But, then again, I probably shouldn't put off checking on Thyra any more, huh." He and Sari began to walk back towards the door, laughing all the way, as they headed for the engine room.
____________________________
"Grand Admiral! Grand Admiral..." The envoy was out of breath, as he rushed onto the bridge of the Hand of Order. "...Grand Admiral. Look at this."
Without another word, the young man handed a report to a man. He was looking out of the viewport, 'appreciating' the sight of another world burning on his order. The man turned around at the sound of the envoy, uniform neat but relaxed, hair combed yet stubbornly messy. This was, without a doubt, an attractive man- To an average onlooker, he'd seem even friendly.
But that is not who Grand Admiral Kaelen Dravik is.
As he takes the report, Dravik's mouth curls into a grin. He turns, looking back out of the viewport, now in an even better mood... Despite being handed the news of a crushing defeat.
"So..." He spoke to himself softly, a nigh sadistic grin painted in the reflection of the viewport. "...You've finally begun to play your cards, young Scion..." Dravik let out a slight chuckle, as he looked down onto the report- A report detailing how an experimental dreadnought was stolen from the construction yards...But, that wasn't what caught his attention.
He was looking, in particular, at the report made by one Colonel Arno Krantz, detailing how a young, arrogant boy fooled his flotilla into a retreat...
What caught Dravik's eye was the name attached. Not 'Percival', no... Florelle. For that name was the name worn by Tessalian royalty... Or, it was. Before Tessalia was destroyed.
What caught Dravik's eye was not the familiarity of the name, no-
It was the fact he had left a job undone.