Arriving in the massive bridge, I blinked once, looking around with a small grin on my
face; my own starship. How... empowering.

"My Lord, Lady, honored guest. Welcome to the Jupiter's Thunder." Makoto, Nabiki and
I turned to see an imperial officer standing there at what I assumed to be parade rest. At
least, the Imperial version of it. Looking around, I realized everyone on the bridge was
standing at attention, and I grinned a bit more before giving them my first real command.

"At ease." The officers relaxed, and I turned back to the officer who'd first spoken to us.

"My Lord, I am Captain Archer, your personal aide. Captain Bowen, Lady Makoto's
aide, is currently preparing the rest of the ship for your Inspection and Introduction." I
nodded, and looked at Makoto, who seemed to be a little flattered by this sudden
revelation of rank.

Nabiki looked around in wonder, and I thought for a moment, before asking Archer a
question.

"Is it at all possible, Lieutenant Archer, for Nabiki here to be assigned an aide for her
visits?" Nabiki stared at me, surprised, and Archer smiled slightly.

"But of course, my Lord. Sergeant!" he called over his shoulder. A gray-clad sergeant
approached, freezing to stand at attention after coming within about three feet.

"Relax, soldier, you're not in any trouble." I said, quickly. The sergeant didn't visibly
relax, so I shrugged, and pointed to Nabiki.

"You'll be Nabiki Tendo's aide while she's aboard, sergeant. While she's aboard, she's
to be given... simulated Lieutenant status." The sergeant stood at attention, not moving,
and I sighed.

"Stand at ease. Do you understand your orders?"

"Yes, My Lord!" The sergeant all but whispered, fear and awe in her voice as she moved
efficiently from one position to the other.

"Great! Just follow us and look official, or something, while we tour the bridge, or
something." Nabiki said, apparently annoyed with the rigid-with-fear attitude her new
aide displayed.

I frowned in thought for a moment, wondering why that was. I wasn't Darth Vader, or
Palpatine... or even Tarkin. Shrugging, I dismissed the enlistee's apparent fear as a trait
of all Imperials, and turned to my aide.

"So! What can you tell me about my ship?" Archer nodded, then began, reciting from
memory a speech it appeared he'd practiced for quite some time.

"The Jupiter's Thunder is a modified Executor-class Star Destroyer. Featuring a central
computer with an advanced Artificial Intelligence, modified docking bays, advanced
Absorptive hull-plating, and a revolutionary transport system." I nodded, comparing the
listed modifications to what I'd asked for, before frowning.

"Modified docking bay?" I queried.

"Yes, My Lord. One of the Primary Docking Bays has been reconfigured to house W-D
Droids."

"W-D Droids?" Nabiki asked, one brow raised.

"World Devastator Droids. The Molecular Furnace builds the rest of the construction
facility after deployment."

I coughed once, in shock. World Devastators... Well, as much of a pain in the ass they
were in Rogue Squadron, at least they were mine to command, if I chose to deploy them
at all. Still, knowing I had those at my disposal, I quickly asked my Aide what other
resources the ship Harbored.

"You have three pre-fabricated Command Centers, As well as two wings of TIE-Fighter-
class ships. Along with the Standard TIE-Fighter, you also have a Squadron of TIE-
Defenders, TIE-Bombers, and TIE-Interceptors. Support-wise, you have four Lambda-
Class Shuttles, as well as four Landers and four AT-AT Barges. Your ground forces
include 15 AT-AT's, 40 AT-STs, 40 AT-PT's, 40 AT-AA's and 38,000 StormTroopers."

"Excuse me," I said, incredulously, "Thirty-Eight THOUSAND!?"

Captain Archer paled at my unexpected outburst, and nodded slowly.

"Why so few All-Terrain Vehicles, then?" I asked, quietly.

"The World Devastators are capable of creating more, if that's the configuration you
choose them to build themselves up in."

"And I assume they can be configured to create more Dev- W-D's, as well?" I asked,
deciding that Devastator sounded to... malignant. Archer nodded, and I shrugged.

"Works for me. On with the tour." I said, waving my hand at the bridge.

"Certainly, My Lord." Archer said, turning towards the staircase that led down to the
individual stations.

"And call me something else, every once in a while. It's bothersome to hear the same
thing over and over." I said. Archer paused, staring at me uncertainly.

"My Lord..."

"I don't know," I said, understanding the unspoken question, "Lord Kyle, Kyle-Sama..." I
trailed off, realizing there weren't many titles to be had. Sighing, I shrugged. "Call me
Kyle, if you think you can get away with it. I won't mind... well... unless you're doing it
insubordinately. Then I'll... Discipline you." I said the last bit uncertainly, not quite sure
what kinds of punishments were excusable for insubordination. After all, I can't get a
replacement crew that easily. Archer, however, paled noticeably at that, and nodded
shakily.

"As you wish, Lord Kyle." I sighed at is tone, before shrugging it off.

"Right. On with the tour, then."

Archer first brought us over to the Combat Information Center, where the round
Holographic Ground Display sat beside one of those glass-walls with scribbles on them.

"This, My Lord, is the CIC, where any and all battles will be displayed and updated in
real-time. Or, if real-time updates aren't possible, as close to real-time as SHODAN can
get." I nodded, before grinning.

"Where is SHODAN? I haven't seen her, yet."

Archer pointed towards the back wall, where, what I once took for a bulkhead flickered
as the huge screen came to life. SHODAN's Circuit-like features took up the screen, and
her glowing eyes narrowed as she smiled.

"You waited this long to ask about me, Kyle?" the multi-voiced AI said through hidden
speakers. Grinning as I heard the familiar voices, I shrugged.

"Sorry. It's not everyday you get your own starship. How are things?"

"All systems running optimally." I nodded at that, then turned to Archer.

"Who's in charge of the CIC?" I asked, seeing SHODAN disappear from the wall-sized
screen.

"Admiral Yuki is in charge of Naval Operations, while General Hongo controls Ground
Forces... both, of course, report to you." As they were mentioned, the blonde and brunette
nodded, before turning back to the displays.

Archer turned, and approached the next station, where I met the Navigation Officer.

The tour concluded a half hour later, after meeting the bridge staff, and the ships
'Department Heads.'

Collapsing into the throne-like command chair, I looked over at the Communications
Officer.

"What have we got for in-system com-traffic?" I asked, trying to use my small lingo-
vocabulary.

"All communications are being done via primitive radio wave communications. Upon
arrival, SHODAN de-encrypted all detected signals, and reports that there's no relevant
data to be had at this time."

I nodded, glancing over at Makoto, who'd taken a seat in the less ornate (not that mine
was ornate, it was just... command-ish.) chair beside mine. Nabiki'd asked to tour the
Engineering and Propulsion Sectors of the ship, and had yet to return.

"Dispatch... Hmm...." I frowned in thought, looking at the CIC Officers for a moment,
before shrugging.

"General Hongo, send a squadron of Stormtroopers and one AT-PT to China. SHODAN
should have a scan of the country... you're looking for a secluded valley with springs and
a couple primitive villages."

"And when they arrive, Lord Kyle?"

"They're to collect a liter of water from each spring of Jusenkyo. The Guide should
help... if not, be creative, but don't needlessly torture the guy. And be sure the Troopers
know NOT to fall in... and that they label the water, correctly. Failure to do so will earn
them a... unique punishment." I said, grinning.

General Hongo nodded, consulting her computer for a moment before turning back to
look up at me.

"Lord, SHODAN reports three likely spots on the largest continent that fit your
description."

"No problem. Admiral Yuki? Have a pair of TIE-Fighters over fly each location, and the
surrounding area. Near the place we're looking for should be a village of woman
warriors, with minimal, if any, electricity, but abnormally high bio-signs."

"As you wish, My Lord."

I turned to Makoto, and grinned. She returned it, though looked vaguely unsettled by
something. Leaning towards her, I asked her what was wrong.

"You gave them orders to basically torture someone," she said, in a harsh whisper.

"Ahh... got a bit caught up in the atmosphere," I said, frowning at the realization.

"General... Under no circumstances are the troopers to threaten or... coerce assistance
from the Jusenkyo Guide. If he doesn't help, we'll find out a different way."

"... Yes, My Lord." Hongo said, sounding both disappointed and relieved. I gave up
trying to figure out what that meant when my stomach growled at me.

"Makoto-chan?" I asked, standing up. "Are you hungry?"

Makoto nodded slightly, and I wrapped my arm around her, turning towards Captain
Archer.

"Where do we eat?" I asked, grinning. Archer took us down a wide hallway, before
stopping near a random door.

"This the cafeteria?" I asked, slowly. Archer blanched at that.

"No, Lord Kyle. This is your Private Eatery. The Troops eat in the Cafeteria, and the
Officers eat in the Officers Dining Hall."

"Cool, cool." I said, entering the automatic door. Makoto followed, and Archer stayed
outside, the door closing before I could ask him to enter.

"Good Afternoon, My Lord. What can I serve you today?" Someone asked from behind
me. Turning, I realized the room was actually rather small, though the table could seat 16,
not counting the two chairs on the ends. The speaker was a white-clad person with a
gentle demeanor. I grinned, looking at the table, before helping Makoto into a seat.

"What do you want, Makoto?" I asked.

"Water, for now... and something to snack on." The Chef nodded, and turned to me,
expectantly. I sat across from Makoto, neither of us taking the ornate chairs at the ends of
the table, and I frowned in thought.

"Coke? And some... hmm, what're my choices?" I asked.

"Whatever you wish, I'll have made as fast as possible, Lord. All you need do is ask."

"Really? Great! Give me... Teriyaki Chicken... no rice... just chicken."

The Chef nodded, before disappearing into a small door I'd failed to notice earlier. After
the door shut, I stared at Makoto, a silly grin plastered to my face.

"This is... weird." I finally said. Makoto just nodded.

Are you okay?" I asked, frowning at her subdued manner.

"Fine... I'm just... not used to being waited on, I suppose."

I nodded, understanding what she meant.

"Well... at least people aren't expecting you to be all commanding and stuff. Though, I
suppose if I wasn't around, you'd get the 'feared' treatment..." I trailed off, before
shrugging. "Oh well, I guess it's something we'll just have to get used to. I-"

The Cook returning with a tray cut me off, and I looked on in interest as Makoto and I
were served. Makoto received a glass of water, and some Chips and Dip, and I got a plate
of steaming chicken.

We ate in silence, speaking only to compliment the Chef on his speed and skill, before
finishing up.

"My Lady?" Archer asked, as we exited.

"Yeah?" Makoto asked, quirking a brow. Archer pointed at an attractive officer standing
beside him, before speaking.

"This is Captain Bowen, your personal aide and bodyguard."

"Oh? Oh! Umm... Nice to meet you?" Makoto said, holding out her hand politely.
Captain Bowen blinked, then grinned, before taking the offered hand and shaking it.

"It's an honor to serve you, Lady Makoto."

"Thanks... I think." Makoto said, nervously. Bowen nodded, then turned to me.

"Lord, Lady, the Troops are ready for your inspection, and I'm prepared to give you a
brief Tour of the ship, if you'd like."

"I... uh..." I said, eloquently. Makoto rolled her eyes, before nodding.

"We'd like that, Captain."

"Very good, My Lady. This way, if you please?" Bowen said, before heading down the
corridor. Archer followed behind us quietly, and I wondered if he was my bodyguard,
like Bowen.