Chapter 11

8 years later.

10 days after the attack on Quall.

156 days before Forza encounters Kiara on Tier.

Okay, but that was almost ten Amber Krowen years ago now since Bethany had been freed from the Systems Alliance occupation, and some of the organizations that were part of Kaisara's plan to create the Sun Jin Empire paid for it. They spent so much on Bethany’s battle that the Alliance managed to take down several of the rebelling strongholds around the region. They were either unguarded or under-armed stations and planets. This just encouraged more groups to join Kaisara in the war effort, creating that old vicious cycle. More and more of the scattered political entities saw the counter attacks from the Systems Alliance as too aggressive and rallied to Sun Jin Kaisara's cause.

Now the game is starting anew. For years the Sun Jin Empire was way behind in military might, but they've been quietly creating powerful weapons while the Systems Alliance wasn't taking the threat seriously enough. We were just another uprising with a protracted battle, nothing to commit large amounts of resources to, right? When the time was right the Sun Jin Empire added their newest piece to the board: the fleet. Built completely in hiding for years.

SJE's fleet rapidly became more and more advanced with remarkable breakthroughs in stealth, armor, firepower, and navigation tech. Some of these creations have never been seen before! The scientists behind them declared that these technologies the key to our counter offensive; even I didn't know about their origins. Still, any military buff could tell this advancement in naval tech was too rapid and suspicious.

Then there's me. I exist, all by myself, in this dimly lit beach house. It stands alone on miles of untouched coastline, on the outskirts of a sprawling metropolis known as Kovaru on the planet Bethany. The city's enormity often overwhelms me, but not here, not in my haven. Bethany’s solitary moon bathes the night in a peaceful soft blue light that dances on the ocean surface and seeps into my very soul.

This modest house isn't large - it doesn’t need to be. I’ve always been unnerved by too much empty space; it reminds me of hollow promises whispered in the night. The essential rooms – bedroom, living area, bathroom, and kitchen – hold a comforting intimacy. My bedroom is always a mess with clothes strewn on the floor and an unmade bed that echoes an uncaring day’s end. But then again, that room is simply for sleep and half the time, sleep overtakes me on the couch anyway.

Like now - I’m awake but still lying on that old couch, eyes tracing the trails of cracks on the ceiling. The alcohol from last night lingers in my system as I turn my head to gaze out at the night. It’s quiet - so quiet that I can hear the thoughts whispering in my mind. The rhythmic sound of waves kissing the shore and nocturnal birds singing from nearby trees are my only companions.

Sometimes this quietness feels like an old friend, and sometimes like an adversary - a reminder of solitudes yet unshared. A tear escapes from my eye and trickles down my cheek - not one of sadness per se but one born out of an ache for something... more? Different? Maybe it's just the dance of moonlight over the water igniting dormant longings.

The pulsing beat still ringing in my ears, I reflect on the night just past. The music was electric and it felt like I was truly alive, yet when it ended I stumbled back home alone. My eyes draw to the empty wine bottle that lay abandoned on the table; a few stray drops left behind from a near miss -- another attempt to drown out the void with alcohol. Maybe I wasn't so alone after all.

This is me – in seclusion but never lonely, seeking refuge in loneliness while silently battling an ongoing struggle of my own. This is my life. Every night under a Bethany moon. Every morning with a Kovaru sunrise. In the familiar chaos of my room and amidst the faint murmurs of the sea. Me.

In the bowels of my dreams, the war came alive again. My time in service on Bethany and Caisteal was a dance with death, a lurking shadow never more than a step behind. Yet, one memory loomed larger than the rest. The day I stood before Kaisara, a warrior sculpted from legends and whispered fears, and found my life intertwined with hers forever.

That battle, it set itself apart, burned into my memory more sharply than any other. Never again during the war did I witness such mastery of skill or marvels of technology. She didn't just save my life. She unveiled a symphony of weapons and abilities that I'd only heard of in hushed murmurs amongst soldiers. Elements that forged her into an invincible force on the battlefield.

It was her might that won us Bethany and we fell into step behind her, our faith blind but unwavering. Gratitude for our goddess of battle spilled from like water from an overflowing cup; yet it was tarnished by a gnawing wish. A wish that this Sun Jin Empire I had bled for wasn't borne solely out of military power's cold embrace. Another drink.

I wished for a people brought together not by mutual foes but by the beating hearts of its people; a unity that made us interdependent threads woven into a resilient tapestry rather than solitary soldiers standing against the System Alliance's grip. Despite everything, I swallowed back my disillusionment for perhaps that is what war does - it burying what I wanted beneath layers of cold realities. Another drink and another night attempting to bury my feelings in the chest fur of another.

That's why I fought. My home planet, Caisteal, was the neighbor of Bethany and I went to war here to stop the Systems Alliance from invading my home. Fortunately for me and my friends back home, Caisteal had negligible military value so they never attempted to move against it while occupying Bethany. They were having a hard time trying to control this planet.

At any rate, here I am: retired but a little bored. My years as a soldier earned me numerous medals that I displayed over my mantelpiece. With retirement, I got promoted to colonel - if I still served in the Army today with that rank, I would be commanding a regiment comprising thousands of soldiers. If stationed on a ship, I'd have my own air group. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I liked being a captain - the small team and fighting alongside my pals became a new family to me. It felt like I wouldn't experience as much action as a colonel. Instead, all the credit for what others did would go to me and that just isn't for me.

With a heaving sigh I reluctantly dragged myself up to a sitting position on the couch. Exhausted and head swimming from the night's debauchery. I wanted to lay there forever, anything was better than facing what I knew lay ahead of me. As I stared blankly ahead, my thoughts slowly drifted away. The loud hum of a vehicle in the distance reeled me back in with a sudden jolt. Aircrafts were always flying by at this hour, so why did it feel different?

My cell phone vibrated on the table and I clenched my eyes shut with a loud ugly moan from my mouth, wishing it would stop. No one ever calls me, let alone at this time of night--or morning--whatever it was called now. I hesitantly opened my eyes and checked who was calling; an unknown number. Seems I had missed several of these according to the screen. I answered it.

“Hello?”

A voice that could freeze the sun on its axis replied, “This is Commander Trill from the Office of Orbital Defense.”

My eyes widened and I let out an internal groan. Of all the times for military personnel to come knocking on my door, why now? I hadn't spoken to anyone in the military for almost a year, not since they called me in for some project work. I tried my best to keep up a brave face as I asked, “I am trying to contact Colonel Rio Narro. Is she there?"

"Uh… no?" I said it with a stupid questioning tone like an idiot, something only I could manage in moments of panic.

“With whom am I speaking with?”

Trying my best to put on a poker face and roll with his punches, I answered with a casual shrug-like tone, "Her roommate."

The voice on the other side was silent for what seemed like eternity before he continued, “Do you know of any way we can get in immediate emergency contact with her?”

Without missing a beat I retorted, “Uh… no. Not really.” However deep down within me was a battle between putting my foot down and shutting him off or just cooperating and getting it over with… Whatever it may be.

He remained silent again so I took it upon myself to break the silence as I fell backward onto the couch again. “Am I under arrest, Commander?"

He chuckled at my question before answering, “You are being summoned to an emergency conference aboard the Esther. Please ready yourself to be away for at least a day or two.”

Pulling away from the receiver I rolled my eyes but still maintained that silly half-smile of mine and muttered under my breath – who needs sleep anyway right? - as I quickly changed into something more presentable and tied my hair back. Meanwhile outside my window the humming sound I noted earlier was growing louder by the second.

“The Esther,” I whispered to myself. Never having been aboard the vessel, it was hard to imagine a ship with such power and prestige. Being the flagship of the Sun Jin Navy and Kaisara's personal vessel, the Esther was built in secrecy prior to Bethany's liberation. Design and construction of the colossal vessel had begun years before the war even began so that it could be ready to stand as a symbol of victory over the Systems Alliance after saving Bethany. Nevertheless, not everyone knows where the ships technology came from; many of its systems and capabilities are truly cutting-edge. If I ever got aboard, I might have an easier time recognizing its origins, but I'd heard that no specific joining member of the Empire had donated it to the cause. No, they described it as far too alien. It's hard to believe something of that magnitude was created in less than ten years--it's a mystery.

Ten minutes later I had boarded the bulky orbital transport shuttle. It was designed to easily reenter the atmosphere and then return to space on its own. There were many ships like this one around Bethany, and all of them were different sizes and shapes. This one seemed especially aged; it resembled those I regularly rode during the war.

The starry night sky glimmered outside of the window as I strapped myself into one of the two rows of chairs lining each side of the vessel. We steadily rose higher and higher in altitude. I guessed that this ride would lead me to the Esther, yet I was surprised that they had reached out to me for assistance in such direct fashion—if I had declined their offer, they might have taken me involuntarily.

I glanced across the aisle at the three feline-like soldiers, who were gazing over at me. One of them—the youngest—was blushing and looking away shyly. “What?” I asked in the direction of the shy one.

“Nothing!” One of them hastily answered.

One soldier seemed more confident than the rest as he said, “Colonel Narro—I’ve heard a lot about you. I hear you’re really fast with your hands and an incredible marksman with plenty of awards to show for it. Retired a war hero, right?”

I gave him a bemused smile and replied, “That’s what they say.” Then I asked, “Hey—what were your orders regarding me?”

The same soldier answered, “To escort you to the Esther and make sure you attend a special session. If you tried refusing, we’d still take you by force; that’s our orders straight from Sun Jin Kaisara herself. It’s beyond normal rank or procedure at this point.”

I smirked playfully and said, “Oh yeah? Looks like I don't have much of a choice then. So what is this," I asked gesturing their way with my snout, "Special task force?”

He shrugged with a chuckle. “We're just glad we didn't have to chase you down, ma'am.”

My expression shifted to one of concern as I watched the stars out the window. What did Kaisara want with me? I was almost certain that there would be no way of refusal if this mission was important enough to require her direct orders. The last time I had seen her was years ago… did she even remember saving my life or was it merely part of just another battle for her? I had a flashback of her dropping from the sky and tearing through the SA soldiers in those city streets. The Savior of Bethany.

I could make out the faint buzz of the inertial dampeners kick in throughout the shuttle. They created a low-pitched humming sound that was barely audible, but my sharp ears picked it up easily. The system enabled self-sustaining gravity within the craft even if the main gravity systems were disabled. This way I wouldn't be thrown about or experience any changes in speed and direction when I floated inside. Otherwise, if these systems were disabled and we suddenly jumped to slipspace, everyone and everything inside would be instantly splattered against the back wall at a speed greater than the speed of light. Enough said? Yeah, suck on that imagery for a moment.

I undid my seatbelt and floated up a little when I pushed off the armrests. With a gentle kick against the back of the chair, I drifted forward to the door that led to the flight deck. Once there, I grabbed onto the railing outside and knocked on the door. When it slid open, my eyes widened as I saw the sheer size of The Esther. It was hovering near one of Bethany's command stations with an aircraft carrier nearby. I had seen other carriers before but this one put them all to shame. I'd heard that other models were no longer than two kilometers in length, yet this one seemed to stretch at least twenty kilometers. It was breathtaking to behold.

I'd heard of plans to bring new capital ship types into service for the war against the Systems Alliance. They had unique roles, and some of them were almost as powerful as a full fleet. These plans all led up to Kaisara's next phase—a counterattack on the System Alliance's home planet, Amber Krowe.

The design of the Esther was rather simple: long, with two distinct halves. Its upper half resembled an egg—smooth, armored alloy that glinted in light. Beneath this "shell" was the largest single sensor array ever built: its scans could detect vessels within thousands of light years unless they were protected from it. The range of accuracy varied depending on the size and distance of the vessel—a large capital ship was easier to spot than a small shuttle. Don't tell anyone, though. That's all classified.

The lower half of the vessel was built for battle. Docking stations, weapons systems, and other important components were scattered along the sides of the craft. The command area was located near the front of the ship, on top of the protection superstructure. Four gargantuan thrusters were attached to the back, each powered by an unknown energy source even I wasn't aware of.

I couldn't comprehend why a vessel like this was necessary; they could have built a space station to do most of what this does at much less expense. Perhaps it was just Sun Jin's way of displaying their military power - inspiring fear in enemies. Maybe it wasn't meant to be cost effective - maybe it was just supposed to be a big dick. Regardless, it was scary, and if ships like this kept getting bigger and badder, warfare in space could take a very dark turn. A bigger ship holds bigger guns. Bigger guns mean more unnecessary collateral damage.

Sometime later, I left the troop transport with my bag and took in the immense docking bay. There were peculiar looking fighters secured into the walls and ceiling.

The weapons of Sun Jin, exotic handhelds, and space-faring technology appeared so much more sophisticated than what I remember seeing on Bethany during battle. Could this be the result of the collaboration of hundreds of races and cultures? Doubt filled me: any group possessing such advanced tech wouldn't have needed to join an Empire to begin with. They would have been running it.0

And all these gadgets had to be for warfare rather than healing or saving lives, didn’t they? Hopefully, after the war, these resources could be focused on those causes instead. Without these weapons, the Systems Alliance wouldn't be devoting so much effort to defeating us. That's probably why I need a drink every night before bed...

I preceded from the shuttle to the command deck, and noticed on my way that this vessel was more than just a massive sensor system. It dawned on me: this was the empire's mobile command. Everything required for its control was kept here. As I contemplated these matters, I passed numerous majestic spaces - stories tall with grand marble columns, crimson carpets, and other elements of royalty. It seemed almost peculiar to witness such palatial design within an advanced interstellar ship; but if you have the space, might as well make use of it in creating an impression. I stumbled into what almost looked like a royal court with tables scattered around that could be made up to be brimming with food and seating areas suitable for large groups, thousands.

I scrutinized my surroundings as I navigated through the bowels of the vessel. Directive placards were displayed in various locations, each displaying a different designation; be it a sleeping quarter, medical ward, or factory dedicated to arms fabrication and small craft engineering. This ship had it all.

Finally, after walking through a lengthy passageway illuminated by bright lights and guarded by two heavy blast doors, we reached the command bridge. I was certain that this was where we were headed because of the armed guards stationed on either side. The room was spacious with numerous officers manning their stations, talking on headsets, scanning astrometry readings, or looking at ship systems. At the front of the room sat an expansive screen that curved around the entire wall. Numerical data filled the display, along with jargon that I couldn't decipher. It seemed cluttered to me, but during battle it would likely be useful. The rest of the walls featured panoramic windows that curved from one side to the other.

I did recognize someone though. It was her. Sun Jin Kaisara was standing with her back to me clear across the room near the front looking at the massive display next to some man. She was dressed much differently then I remembered her. Of course I didn’t expect to see her in that strange battle armor I saw years ago. She was wearing black and gold trim robes made of a very rich and soft material patterned to be very formal and exalted. From her turned direction I could see some of her face. She was the same soft-green and white Amber Krowen I remembered. The Amber Krowens were a beautiful species. I’d only seen a few of them in my life because most of them were on the enemy’s side. Makes sense as their native planet is the Systems Alliance capital. There are plenty of Amber Krowen around besides the Systems Alliance though.

As I got closer to the pair, I looked at the man beside Kaisara. He was slightly taller than her, around my height. It seemed he was a white furred wolf species. His neat white hair was tied back behind him and it matched Kaisara’s robe. At first glance, I thought he was possibly another member of Kaisara's entourage, but this assumption was quickly pushed aside when our eyes met. His bright blue eyes were too strange for comfort. Later on, I would learn his name: Atomis Silverwolf.

I gave a brief nod in response to Kaisara's turning her head a bit towards my side, watching me approach. I was so underdressed for this reunion. Just my khaki cargo pants and a sweatshirt, but let's be fair. I didn't know I was going to be standing on the command bridge of the Esther when I was woken up.

“Colonel Narro,” she spoke. Her voice was as familiar to me as I remembered it. It felt good to hear her again; sure, I'd heard her through broadcasts, interviews, and such, but this time she was talking directly to me—an immense honor.

I bowed my head in respect as I acknowledged her with a simple “Lady Kaisara.” She nodded her head at her tall male wolf companion and began to slowly walked away towards the back door that I had just came from, gesturing me to follow her. Without saying a word, I caught up and walked beside her, matching her pace and stride.

“It’s good to see you again, old friend.” She smiled and gave my back one gentle pat in passing.