[Present day, two years after the Brevon Crisis]

"How close are we to Shang Mu?"

"About t‑t‑two hours."

"Excellent. Alert me when we're thirty minutes away. And stick to the plan, unless you want to find out what it's like to be a kebab."

"Aye‑aye, b‑b‑boss!"

Satisfied everything is going smoothly and that her assistant has everything under control, the captain shuts off the radio. This is it, Corazon. No turning back now. Victory is all that matters.

If only Coraline could see how far I've come…

[Six years before the Brevon Crisis]

"You must be very proud of your sister, Corazon," Leader Lillith Song compliments.

"I am, ma'am," Corazon confirms. "She's a fine example of what the Tea clan can produce, and worthy of bearing the name."

"And to have passed Basic in just six weeks, that must be a new record," Lillith continues. "If I'm not mistaken, it beats your own record."

"By one week, ma'am," Corazon confirms. "I'm not afraid to admit it: I'm a little jealous."

"Understandable," Lillith smiles. "Others would say not to be jealous at all, but I think that would only be dishonest. The important thing is to ensure it doesn't influence your actions."

"Of course," Corazon agrees. "I have one more question."

"Yes, you can go celebrate with your sister," Lillith smiles.

"Thanks!" Corazon beams, forgetting her formalities as she dashes out of Lillith's sanctum to find her sister. But Lillith doesn't mind: she simply shakes her head in amusement and returns to her regular duties.

[Present day]

Corazon snaps out of her musing. Everything was so much simpler then. I was the elder Tea, and the better Tea. Coraline looked up to me, followed me in everything.

But… things changed.

[Five years before the Brevon Crisis]

"What‽ Already‽" Corazon blurts. "It's only been a year!"

"True," Lillith agrees. "But Coraline's showed such incredible talent that we felt it was only right to recognise it."

"But I had to wait the whole two years!" Corazon protests. "Isn't that the standard?"

"It is," Lillith confirms, "but this is an exceptional circumstance."

"We're both Teas," Corazon reminds. "If Coral can get fast‑tracked to veteran status, why did I have to wait two years?"

"You're good, there's no doubting that," Lillith assures. "But sometimes, your discipline leaves something to be desired. Coraline, on the other hand, is the most disciplined operative I've ever seen. Both of you will achieve greatness, that much is your destiny, but you'll just have to live with the fact that your younger sister will likely outshine you."

"This isn't fair," Corazon growls, although her anger isn't directed at Lillith.

"Life isn't fair," Lillith asserts. "I had my own share of issues when I was your age. However, I overcame them, and now I'm a Red Scarf Leader. You make your own luck in this world."

"Better get started then," Corazon growls to herself as she leaves the sanctum, again forgetting formalities.

When Corazon is out of earshot, Lillith picks up her phone and contacts Leader Tracy Metharom.

"What's up, Lil?" Tracy asks before Lillith can speak.

"Corazon," Lillith replies.

Tracy is silent for a moment. "I'll come over."

Five minutes later, Tracy joins Lillith in her sanctum.

"Let me guess: Cory was unhappy at Coral's promotion," Tracy guesses as Lillith welcomes her.

"In one," Lillith confirms. "She left in quite a foul mood, and I fear I may have planted a seed we don't want to see germinate."

"I know she's a wild one, but is she really that bad?" Tracy asks, taking a seat on one of the sofas. "After all, we're planning on promoting Hanna Skarlett a year early too. Who, by the way, has come along massively in the last year: those two friends of hers are keeping her tame."

"That's the difference: Hanna's gaining self‑control, but I think Corazon's starting to go the other way," Lillith explains, sitting beside Tracy.

"And I think you're worrying too much about it," Tracy assures. "Don't get me wrong, we'll keep an eye on her, but I have confidence that Coral's influence will prevent Cory going too far."

Lillith sighs. "I hope you're right."

"Have I ever steered you wrong before?"

"Yes."

"On anything that matters?"

"Yes."

"Teenage pranks don't count."

Lillith can't resist a little smile. "In that case, no, you've never steered me wrong."

"I'll make a deal with you," Tracy offers. "I'll keep watch on Corazon, and you keep watch on Hanna."

"Deal," Lillith accepts.

[Present day]

Corazon is broken from her musings by an unexpected alert on her console. Curious, she flicks on the radio. "Greasemonkey. Explain."

"A‑Already on it," the greasemonkey replies.

"Explain," Corazon repeats forcefully.

"It's n‑nothing m‑major," the greasemonkey assures. "J‑Just a s‑small g‑glitch in th‑the s‑starboard engine's f‑fuel p‑pump. I'll h‑have it f‑fixed in m‑moments."

Satisfied, Corazon shuts of the radio. He may annoy and frustrate me, but he's too damn useful to kill. How he cracked the Sigwada's systems, I'll never know. And he's able to keep this entire ship running solo, even though officially it needs a crew of eight just to stop it falling from the sky. Not to mention how he's able to create and maintain a whole battalion of armed robots. Corazon allows herself a wicked smile. He has all the makings of a mad tyrant, yet he submits to my will without question or a hint of defiance. And that's what I like best about him.

Corazon checks the time, then settles down to snooze for the next hour and a half.

[Five years before the Brevon Crisis]

Corazon lays on her bed in her room in the barracks, trying to work out just how Coral could achieve Veteran status a year ahead of schedule. It's impossible. I'm two years older: that makes me two years better by default. Yet she gets promoted a year early. If this continues, this time next year she'll be commanding me! That is unacceptable. I am older; therefore, I am better.

A sudden knock breaks Corazon out of her thoughts. "Cory?" a familiar voice asks. "I know you're in there."

Great. Coral. With a sigh, Corazon rolls off the bed, takes a deep breath, and masks her true feelings with a pleasant smile before opening the door. "Hey, sis. Congratulations on the promotion."

"Thanks," Coral nods. "Mind if we have a chat?"

Yes. "Not at all." Damn. "Come on in."

Coral enters the room and perches herself on the end on the bed. "I bet you weren't expecting this news," she begins.

"It is a surprise," Corazon admits, closing the door and joining her sister on the bed. "Normally, it takes two years to get to Veteran status."

"That's how long it took you, isn't it?" Coral asks.

Thanks for the reminder. "Yeah," Corazon confirms.

"I hope you're not jealous."

"You know our clan doesn't do jealousy."

"I know. Still, I just wanted to be sure."

"I'm not jealous." Liar.

"Good," Coral smiles. "I still have a lot to learn, after all. Just because I got promoted early, doesn't mean I can sit back and relax. Now, I must train harder than ever, and prove the decision was the right one."

"You already train so hard," Corazon reminds. "If you train any harder, you'll burn yourself out."

"Don't worry about me," Coral assures. "I know how hard I can push myself. Speaking of training, do you want to help me?"

No. "Of course!" Damn.

"How about now? I want to work on sword technique."

Corazon looks at the clock beside her bed. Think of an excuse. "Sure, sounds like fun." Pathetic.

"Thanks sis," Coral smiles.

Corazon watches as Coral heads back out into the corridor. I'm not going to allow her to best me. Ever.

[Present day]

Corazon jerks awake. So much for sleeping. Stretching, the dark viridian wildcat stands and walks up to the main window. In less than two hours, I begin my greatest plan yet. Within a week, I will rule Qǐyuán Wángguó. And within a month, all the kingdoms and republics will bow to me and me alone. Only then will the true destiny of the Tea clan be fulfilled.

And I will prove my dearly departed sister wrong.