The simulation cabin hummed with energy as Admiral Marcus Sterling surveyed his fleet on the tactical display. His ships had maneuvered into the optimal attack formation, while Adrian Vale's fleet appeared to remain eerily stationary. Something about the scenario didn't sit right with Sterling, but he couldn't immediately place what it was. This was the first time in his decades of experience that an opponent had left him genuinely unsettled.
Despite the unease, there was no hesitation. The enemy was directly ahead—ready for engagement—and Marcus Sterling had no intention of letting an opportunity slip. With the flick of his wrist, he issued orders for the fleet to advance, weapons primed and targeting systems locked.
But then, the unexpected happened. A burst of firepower erupted from the right flank, catching Sterling's attention. Through the radar, he saw what appeared to be three additional squadrons, totaling a hundred ships, materializing alongside the enemy. His eyebrows shot upward. *Two hundred ships? How is this possible?* he thought, his mind racing.
The radar revealed something stranger still. The enemy fleet formations that had initially appeared as singular warships were now subtly breaking apart. Each seemingly massive ship was actually composed of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of smaller, highly mobile light clusters.
"So this is how he's been planning it all along," Sterling muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Adrian Vale has orchestrated a trap from the very beginning."
Nevertheless, he did not alter his fleet's trajectory. Instead, he accelerated forward, maintaining a straight course at maximum velocity. Even with the apparent ambush, Sterling was determined to confront the situation head-on. He trusted his experience and instincts, confident that victory remained within reach.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent simulation cabin, Adrian Vale's brow furrowed. His calculations had anticipated a different reaction: that Sterling would attempt to turn and confront the newly deployed fleet, exposing a portion of his forces to concentrated fire. That maneuver would have allowed Adrian to engage with a tactical advantage—one hundred warships against seventy—but Sterling had defied expectation entirely.
Adrian's mind worked at lightning speed. His neural interface from STRICOM-X allowed him to project multiple tactical outcomes simultaneously, each branching into dozens of possibilities. He quickly calculated the consequences of Sterling's direct advance: the straight-line escape could cost the Admiral approximately forty percent of his ships to side attacks, leaving the remainder vulnerable for a pursuit battle. This would still allow Adrian to engage with a significant numerical advantage, but the margin for error had narrowed.
Then, his radar flashed. Hundreds of light points materialized behind his fleet—three thousand in total—closing in fast. His eyes widened as recognition struck.
"*Of course… this was the setup all along!*" Adrian muttered under his breath, a mix of admiration and frustration flooding his mind. Sterling's brilliance was undeniable. The maneuver wasn't reckless; it was calculated, designed to lure Adrian into a vulnerable position.
Even with STRICOM-X's predictive calculations and countless prior simulations in asteroid-field combat, the introduction of these advanced mechs was an unpredictable variable. The mechs' mobility and the density of the asteroid belt made them a lethal force. Any misstep would result in catastrophic losses.
Adrian's hands danced across the console. Commands were issued with precision: evasive maneuvers, recalibrated formations, and selective deployment of his own drone swarms to slow the enemy advance. The virtual battlefield responded instantly, executing his tactical directives in real time.
But it wasn't enough. The Admiral's forces, guided by decades of real-world experience and enhanced reflexes, methodically dismantled Adrian's fleet. Ships erupted in fireballs across the holographic starfield. Explosions flared against the jagged backdrop of asteroids, lighting up the tactical displays with vivid destruction.
Adrian's voice was calm, almost clinical, as he analyzed each developing scenario. "STRICOM-X, project losses and calculate survival probability for pursuit engagement."
"Host," the system replied instantly, "projected fleet loss: 65% if engagement continues without tactical adjustment. Recommended: withdraw, redeploy drones to intercept, or use stealth vectoring to minimize casualties."
Adrian clenched his jaw. He had prepared for every conceivable tactic, yet Sterling had forced him into a position where theoretical perfection met real-world chaos. *This is… incredible,* he thought, allowing himself a brief grin despite the losses. "This is the first real defeat since I arrived in this world."
The simulated battle concluded ten minutes later. Adrian's hundred ships had been decimated, leaving him with minimal forces. Sterling's fleet, though damaged, maintained numerical superiority and tactical advantage. Yet, for Adrian, the experience was invaluable.
As the holographic displays dissipated, Sterling stepped out of his cabin, his expression one of rare, measured approval. "Adrian Vale, you have performed admirably. This is the first time anyone has forced me to concede such a tactical disadvantage. Your ingenuity and adaptive thinking are remarkable."
Adrian immediately snapped to attention, saluting. "Thank you, Admiral. Your final maneuver was brilliant; I've learned far more than I could have imagined. The execution of your feints and ambush tactics… it's clear why you are the Federation's God of War."
Sterling nodded. "What you lack is direct, life-and-death experience. Theory and simulation only take you so far. Come to the Ares Strategic Base—there, you will face reality. You'll refine your command instincts, your fleet coordination, and your strategic improvisation in live engagements."
"I understand, Admiral. I will not disappoint you."
Behind them, Dean Malcolm Reid's expression mixed mischief with pride. "So, Marcus, are you satisfied with your assessment today?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
Sterling allowed a small smile. "Yes, Dean. Adrian Vale has exceeded expectations. This afternoon, I will confer his official rank, and he will accompany me to Ares. His future in the Human Federation Armada will begin there."
Dean Reid chuckled softly. "You always play your cards straight, Marcus, but perhaps I underestimated your subtlety. I suppose that's why you are a legend."
Adrian and Adeline Hart, standing to the side, exchanged astonished glances. The revelation that the Admiral was also a former academy student—a senior of Dean Reid—added yet another layer of awe to the proceedings.
Dean Reid cleared his throat, regaining composure. "By the authority of the Human Federation Armada and the Interstellar Command Academy, I hereby declare that Adrian Vale, 55th-class student of the Fleet Command Department, has passed his graduation assessment with distinction. All honors and commendations are duly recorded. Adrian, you are officially approved for active duty and special deployment."
Adrian Vale's chest swelled with pride. Though STRICOM-X had simulated countless scenarios, nothing could compare to the exhilaration of real acknowledgment from legends like Marcus Sterling. Today marked the end of his academic chapter—but the real journey, the true test of his command abilities, was only beginning.
And somewhere deep inside, Adrian could feel STRICOM-X pulsing with readiness. The system had guided him through simulations, taught him fleet management, honed his tactical intuition—but the coming battles at Ares Strategic Base would test both his mind and his heart, in ways no simulation ever could.