Cold rain is pouring outside. It's the worst weather for pursuing an enemy fleet. The visibility is almost at zero, and even the work for the acoustics is difficult. But right now, there is a Disith fleet in front of us, and we cannot miss it. Because things are different - the fleet is not moving toward Minagith. At this rate, it will soon reach either Rothfu or Orisberg. And then it will begin to approach closer to Otranto. So the task at hand is complicated and problematic.<
"First Officer."
A sharp voice pierced through the silence of the bridge. Possibly, the captain had some sort of idea.
"Yes! I'm listening, Captain."
A pleasant voice responded to the deep baritone of the captain's. The voice of the commander, Alex Rowe. This ship was an independent combat unit and flagship of the Anatoray military, "Silvana." Our home. On the other hand, this ship is the only one of its kind out of the entire fleet. After enough persuasions, Prime Minister Marius still agreed to my selfish requests, and allowed us to fly aboard this ship. Since its basic mission consists of searching for the Exile as well as the interception of Disith ships, both of which are carried out in secret.
The appointed captain was Richard Percival, an honored veteran colonel. Where many young people cannot handle it, confidently managing a warship needed those professionals, despite their ages. This is particularly important when it comes to the leadership of this new of this ship, the Silvana. For this job, you need very carefully selected people. In truth, the captain should have been Rear Admiral Hamilcar, a confidant of Prime Minister Marius. But... his memories of Hamilcar must still fill his heart with pain. Even if part of his heart will always remain in the Grand Stream.
The grey rainy sky looks like the Grand Stream right now. Commander Alex must feel the same way, looking at the heavy clouds. With a decisive step he comes into the cabin and sits on a low chair, waiting for the captain to speak. Seeing him, Captain Percival picks up an envelope with a letter.
"Before our departure, the Prime Minister gave me instructions."
"The Prime Minister?" Alex asks with a shadow of doubt in his voice.
"Marius appointed a specific time to give you this envelope."
"Me?"
"Yes. I advise you to read it."
After saying this, the captain handed the envelope to Alex. Despite the stiffness in his voice, a smile was readable in his voice. There could be no mistake. Breaking the seal, Alex began to read and after a few moments, he looked at Percival in surprise.
"Captain, this is..."
The news was surprising but true, according to the contents of the letter, as of this moment the captain of the Silvana is Commander Alex. Hearing Alex's words, the now former captain Percival smiled wider.
"Based on this letter, this is now your ship, Captain Alex."
"But, captain..."<
Without having the time to finish, be receives an immediate reprimand:
"The ship has only one captain!"
Alex immediately stands and salutes Percival.
"Yes! Excuse me, commander."
"All right. You can now start to see to your duties."
"Start... right now?"<br
I've never seen Alex in a state of confusion. Usually, he doesn't show his emotions. Actually, no. I've seen joy on his face, but only when he flew in a vanship with her. I would very much like to see him smile again. Therefore, I will help him carry out his revenge. After preparing the Silvana and getting him appointed captain, I will be his assistant. Of course, Marius' feelings for him are that of a father's feelings. Now I have a role to play. Largely because of the circumstances of the transfer of command of the ship.
Alex still looks taken aback, and probably can't completely grasp what's happening. With a stern voice "Brigadier General" Percival pulls him out of his thoughts.
"Do you have something to say? Possibly ask 'will my knowledge be enough to take this position'?"
Whatever it was, overtaking the Disith fleet is now our primary objective. That's right... last night, thanks to the rain birds, we learned of the Disith ships' approach. After revealing the presence of the enemy fleet in Anatoray territory, we went after them. We don't have time to think about irrelevant things right now.
Additionally, and unlike the previous cases, this time the fleet appeared in southeast Norkia (2), and clearly weren't serving as reinforcements for the attack on Minagith (3). Now the fleet is moving in the opposite direction of Minagith. Despite the fact that there are many large cities located south of Minagith, the fleet keeps its direction toward Orisberg (5). But Orisberg is a well protected area - a veritable fortress, so Disith cannot afford to try and seize it. So that isn't their goal. Where are they going? If the fleet continues to move east, it will soon draw close to Rothfu (6). And then, if they break through Otranto's corridor, they will open the way to the Imperial capital (7). In the case of a simultaneous invasion from the Minagith area and from the side of the desert, the fortress of defense will be of no use, and the Imperial fleet's army will be powerless. Indeed, it's a good plan. Such a stab in the back is difficult to predict. Especially if one knows that the enemy is not aware of the situation in Otranto. Right now, there are only 10 ships and only a few people that I know of. But despite this, the enemy deliberately chose the target and is acting decisively. This suggests that it is possible that one of the ships slipped by as a spy.
At this point, Percival's voice sounded:
"Yes, Alex Row, if we continue to pursue Disith, we will certainly win the battle. Excellent. Thus, from this point on, I remove myself from control of this ship. Show me what you can do, Alex."
Alex was now the captain. With a smile, Commander Percival pulls out another envelope.
"Sophia, this is for you."
At last, my name was called. Marius' plan was completed, with this. I take the envelope from the hands of the commander and look inside. As expected, inside were instructions. I'm being assigned as first assistant to Alex. After reading the letter, I smile broadly.
"First assistant?"
"Yes. The Prime Minister has appointed you as Alex's assistant."
"I see. Captain, shall I inform the crew about these appointments?"
When the crew of the ship is informed of the appointment of Alex as captain, as well as my appointment as his first assistant, there will be a kind of ritual, marking the end of the previous era. Alex did not seem to notice that I spoke to him? In a low voice, I said the word "captain" again. This time he heard me, answering with a bit of an agitated voice:
"Yes. Yes, of course, tell them."
"Roger."
After obtaining permission, I approached the intercom device installed on the bridge, and flipped the switch to alert the entire ship.
"Attention to the entire crew, this is First Assistant Sophia. Along with the appointment of now Commander Brigadier General Percival, leadership of this ship has now been assigned to Captain Alex."
Hearing this, the former captain and now brigadier general looked noticeably concerned.
"Sophia, that appointment..."
"It's okay. I have a letter of appointment from Marius. He would like you to take part in carrying out this mission."
While saying this, I pull out his copy of the letter. This is thanks to Marius.
"So this is how ... well, if that's the case, then I have no reason to refuse."
"Yes, please accept this appointment as a sign of our gratitude to you."
In the military academy, when Alex was appointed first lieutenant and commander of the crew, I came to the Silvana as a second lieutenant. Since then, I've really learned a lot from Percival. From the principles of work on the warship as well as how best to organize the work of the crew, to strategy of air combat to the purchases of food stocks. Pretty much everything. And as we moved up in promotions, the colonel continued to teach us. And for that, we had to thank him. Perhaps Alex was also thought that. He politely turned to Percival:
"Commander, I instruct you to develop a strategy."
"Roger. As I said earlier, we should keep pursuing the Disith fleet. So from here on, you give all of the orders, Alex."
Still holding onto the communication tube, I get stuck in their conversion:
"Isn't it wonderful, Captain Alex?"
"Hm. With you having such a zeal to work, I don't think I have much to do here."
"What are you complaining about? This is only the beginning."
"I suppose. So, Silvana, full speed! Continue to pursue the enemy fleet!"
Alex gives the order with some joy in his voice. Without needing to say anything, I know that he always wanted to be captain of this ship. So I just as happily answer him:
"Roger!"