-On your feet, Corporal.
General Taylor's voice boomed as soon as he entered the crew quarters where his former subordinate rested.
The sleeping woman immediately got up and stood at attention before her mind even comprehended what was going on.
-At ease.
The general said much quieter when he saw that she reacted as she was trained to do.
-How are you feeling, Dot?
He asked, when the woman loosened up a bit, her mind finally caught up to what was going on.
-I'm fine, Sir.
She answered.
-That's great to hear, especially since we have a bit of a problem and need your skills to solve it.
The general said and quickly briefed her on the situation.
-Sir, I would need a bit more data than this even to try to find the enemy's main target.
Dot said once the general finished speaking.
-You will have all the information available to you as soon as you are ready and come with me to the command center.
The general said and left the room to allow her to get ready.
-Your majesty, let me introduce Corporal Dorothy "Dot" Stevens.
The general said the moment they entered the command center, around 20 minutes later.
The woman accompanying him immediately stood at attention and saluted when she heard the general call the young handsome man in front of her Your Highness.
-It's a pleasure, Corporal.
Andrew turned to them.
-General Taylor recommended you to me as a genius data analyst, and right now we need your skills to find out what our enemies are up to.
-I'm at your service, your majesty.
The woman said, a bit nervously.
She would have never guessed that it was the general who recommended her, but since he did, she would do her best to prove that his trust in her was not misplaced.
Seeing her agree to help, Andrew nodded.
-Vulcan, prepare anything she needs and give her full access to the database.
-Yes, my Lord.
The AI answered, surprising the data analyst once again.
-This is most likely a dumb question, but since you have AI, what do you need me for?
Dorothy asked, impressed, as this was her first time interacting with any AI.
-The answer is simple.
Andrew turned to her once again.
-As powerful and advanced as the AI is.
They have a bit of a problem when it comes to figuring out the motives of those they have never interacted with.
Additionally, I always welcome a second opinion if it is available.
The emperor smiled.
-Anyway, if you need anything, just ask Vulcan, and he will provide everything you need.
He added and turned back to the map of the Empire, commanding the battle.
Seeing this, Dorothy informed the AI about what she would need to do her work.
-My Lord, I think that it would be a good Idea to allow temporary access and use of your office to the Corporal, while her work module is being produced.
Vulcan said, once she finished listing, what she would need to do her work.
-Granted.
Andrew confirmed, without hesitation.
Hearing that, Dorothy was once again surprised, but she was also thankful, since despite being a soldier, she preferred to work alone whenever she could.
-Thank you, your majesty.
-No problem, the droids will escort you there.
Andrew said, not even turning around this time.
A few minutes later, she was already in the office and got to work.
Her first order of business was to familiarize herself with the situation and the history between the Empire and its enemies.
While she was doing that, the situation was escalating with every moment as more and more enemy vessels rushed through the portals and the traitor forcess, reinforced by the federation fleets, clashed with the main imperial fleet.
The enemies thought that with such a numerical advantage, they would force Runir's forces to retreat or, in the best-case scenario, destroy the fleet outright.
However, during the first clash, they found out that it won't be that easy, and some fleet commanders started to doubt if it was even possible.
As soon as they entered her range, Runir ordered fire at will, and her battleship tore through ship after ship, and the moment the rest of her fleet got into range, they joined her, unleashing a storm of destruction upon the traitors.
This, however, was not surprising, as the enemy commanders expected this exact scenario, which was more or less a repeat of their previous skirmish.
What they didn't expect was a swarm of drone fighters, which rushed at their fleet, launching rockets, bombs, and torpedoes, aimed at their biggest ships.
Another blow to their strategy was the arrival of two imperial patrol fleets, which took positions on the flanks of the main fleet and rained fire on their enemies with a fury of angry gods.
At this moment, the enemy fleets started doubting if they could take this fleet on and survive, seeing as their fleet was being torn to shreds, while the imperial fleet barely had any casualties on their side, thanks to all the technologies they got from the ships found in the ship graveyard.
Just as the enemy commanders were about to give the orders to retreat, a massive fleet jumped in and reinforced them, giving them hope at victory once again.
-Runir, what is your status?
Andrew asked, seeing the changes on the holo-map.
-My status is fine, the fleet performs better than I ever expected, and we have only suffered some minor casualties to the drone and AI ships so far.
However, these reinforcements are messing with my plans.
The empress answered.
-Alright, in that case, prepare to board the enemy fleet in a moment and then rush to take over their territories as soon as possible.
Andrew said with a smile.
-Are you finally going to use it?
The admiral asked.
-Yes, and you have only about two minutes to prepare.
-I'll be ready.
Runir said with a happy smile, and Andrew nodded with a smile.
-Ghost fleet, are you all in position?
The emperor changed the channel and asked his small stealth fleet.
-Ready and waiting, your majesty.
Just say the word, and we will be on the move.
Fleet commander Verio said, with anticipation on his face.
Ever since he became the first ghost, he has become addicted to these high-risk missions, and he was not the only one, as every captain in his fleet was the same.
-Very well, ninety seconds to activation.
-Yes, your majesty.
The fleet commander said and started giving out orders to his crew and his whole fleet.
It looked like their wait was coming to an end, and no ghost captain was not excited at the prospect of finally getting to rush into action.