"Commander, good news! I have done as requested. Three AA sites are dead. Can we expect supplies?" Vez asked.

  "Hmmm. Yes. A phantom will be sent iminantly. When resupplied, you are to clear your building. When that is complete, head to the next and repeat. Then the next."

  Vez wanted to sigh, but instead injected cheer into her voice. "Yes commander! Please send medical supplies, we run low!" Vez said, smile visible in her voice.

  She left before the inevitable irritation and perhaps calls of cowardice came over her communicator. She never got Senghili and their incessant need to prove how tough and honorable they were. They were idiots.

  Sure, her clan had an honor system. It was simple. Clan first, heed the matron if you like life, and follow orders. Her clan, for example, had stayed away from piracy, and instead had a preference for mining, building, and salvaging.

  Not to say they didn't engage in the occasional spot of privateering mind. That was just good business. But her clan focused on slower gains with safer margins. It had worked well, as evidenced by the profitable businesses and 4 ships.

  She hoped she could contribute one day, but time would tell. As they waited, they played games, and ate a bit. Once, she had to rush to a window to engage hostiles in another building

  When the call came that a phantom was approaching, everyone got much happier. They landed safely, and the sides opened. A Senghili in ornate white armor emerged and observed the area.

  He spotted us, and walked over. Vez wanted to rub her eyes, but restrained herself for many reasons. An ultra. Why was a damned ultra here? She almost hissed, but again, refrained.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Her group lowered their heads in acknowledgement and deference. The ultra nodded, and we raised our heads.

  "I am Xephix Xerikek. I will be leading you in this battle now." He said. Vez tilted her head back and forth. Could she detect a touch of age? Hmmm.

  "We are glad for your guidance, honored Ultra. May we continue with extracting the supplies?" Vez asked.

  Xephix nodded, and we rushed up and into the phantom. In less then 2 minutes, we had everything out and down into our secured floor. When she finished directing her troop, Xephix approached her.

  "Major, what is the general situation?" He asked.

  "This floor was infested with humans, and we cleared them out. From the weapons they had, they were one of the AA groups. We killed 3 more in other buildings, and I have been waiting for supplies so we could advance properly." Vez said.

  "A sound strategy. Your name?"

  "Vez Tek of Clan Tek." She said.

  "Tek... I've heard of that name before... hmmm. I believe I have served with one of your kin. She was a champion, I believe. I know not what happened to her though." He said idly.

  "Ah. I know of who you speak." She said, feathers ruffling happily.

  "Oh?"

  "Yes. Matron Pel Jek Tek is my matron mother. She is shipmistriss now, in command of a Frigate!" I smile.

  "That is interesting. And you follow her path, then? He asked. "She was a vicious fighter. Why did she become a shipmistriss?"

  "Clan politics." I said. Mother had become shipmistriss because she had to. She needed kids to solidify her rule, and thus transferred. A difficult process, but in the end, she commanded an Ester class Frigate, leaving no room for doubt on her status.

  Hell, from what Vez had heard, the only reason she had a frigate was due to numerous connections in multiple places.

  "Hmmm. Disappointing. And you? What are your goals? To battle on the ground, or in the void?"

  "I wish to become a shipmistriss one day, honored ultra. I would have started in the navy, but mother requires all of her blood to be blooded in battle before they get a chance in the navy."

  "Oh? That's wise. How many battles have you fought?"

  "5. I could have stopped a while ago, but I tend to say "one more couldn't hurt!" She warbled, amused. She pointed at her eye. "Turns out it can hurt. That might teach me. Heh."

  Xephix rumbled in amusement. "A fine scar, worthy of a warrior, I think. You do your clan proud. So, your sixth battle? Good. Good." He said.

  "In an hour, we will continue downwards. You will take the skirmishers and lead ahead. Scout, and battle." He said.

  Vez hesitated, and replied. "Honored Ultra, it might be best for me in the rear. My eye is gone, and with it my awareness around me. Already, until it's fixed, I can't move as fast and while minor, my balance is worse. I can continue, but I will do poorly in the lead right now." She said bitterly.

  "Hm. Fine then. Are you still accurate?" He asked.

  "Yes, I am perfectly accurate. Wrong eye for that." Vez hisses a laugh.

  "Stay behind then, and pick off targets of import. Now, get everything prepared, Major. We have a victory to grasp."