You might see a familiar face from one of my fav films here. See if you can find him. I don't own him by the way.

THE RISE OF MERIDIAN

Carlos sighed as he stepped onto the dock of Esperanza, tugging at the large plate on his right shoulder as he did so.

Alfonso had made good on his threat. Now thirteen and newly graduated from the Academy, Carlos and Belleza had been split up. Although, it did pay to be friends of relatives of the Royal Family.

Thanks to Gregorio, instead of being promoted to Lt. Commander and sent to work on a ship, he was instead promoted to Commander, and sent to Esperanza, to take control of the outposts defences. Belleza meanwhile had been sent to a ship under Admiral Aubrey's fleet.

In the three years since he began the Academy, Carlos had grown into a fine looking young man, his jet black hair now shoulder length, tucked mostly behind his ears, a couple of locks framing his face.

His armour was the same as Ramirez's had been, the same metal chest plate and armoured boots that went up to his calves, along with the large metal plate on his right shoulder, baring the crest of two intertwined dragons, standing out gold against silver.

The dockyard was packed with people, ranging from Valuan soldiers off duty, to Mid and North Ocean traders and fishermen. From heavily armoured soldiers on patrol, to scathingly clad street dancers, hoping to earn some money for a meal that night.

Carlos sighed and shook his head in disgust. People shouldn't have to live like that. Most likely the reason for this was the reason he had come with his orders, speaking of which, he looked over for the twelfth time that day:

From: Armada Command.

To: Commander Carlos N. Meridian.

Your orders: It has come to our attention that the current commander of Valuan forces on Cape Victory, One Captain Tomas Alexander Vigoro, is abusing his power. It is believed that, while loyal to the Empire, the man is not fit to hold such a position of authority. Therefore, your orders stand as follows:

You are to make best speed to Esperanza at once. Once there you shall be greeted by Dr. Stephen Maturin, the Doctor of the Flagship of the Esperanza Defence fleet and Captain Vigoro's own Vessel, the Surprise, who will then take you to Vigoro and relieve him of his command and reduce his rank to what you see fit, as ordered by the Admiralty. Further more, once this is complete, you are to step up as Commander in chief of Valuan Forces in the Cape Victory Area, to do with as you see fit.

Good luck to you.

Carlos sighed again as he looked around, his eyes travelling up to the murky orange sky, before heading over to the Dark Rift, swirling and roaring in the distance. Many stories surrounded the Dark Rift. Some said it was where the world ended, others said that monsters lived within it's confines, a few even speculated that the mythic Black Gigas, Aidacra, resided in its centre, sleeping until it would be reawakened.

As his eyes travelled, they finally fell on the Defence Fleet as it patrolled the nearby skies. From what he could make out. It comprised of two cruisers, three destroyers, five scout vessels, ten patrol ships, and oddly enough, one of the old spectre class vessels.

Carlos had heard about these. They were supposed to be use the prototype hulls for the new Delphinus class vessels Deloco had been talking about building before war had broken out with Nasr. Since then plans for that ship had been put on hold and Spectre class vessels were put into mass production. This one seemed slightly different however, for where there was red on the ones he had seen around Valua, this one had a sort of light blue. A slightly darker shade then sky blue was the only way he could describe it. As the ship turned to head into dock, he noticed the words inscribed on the prow:

H.M.S. SURPRISE.

"Commander Meridian? Commander Meridian!"

at the sound of his name, Carlos turned towards the gateway, to see a man trying to push his way towards him.

He seemed an average build on first sight, around a head taller then he was, with short light brown hair and watery blue eyes. He wore a long brown overcoat over his normal clothes, which flurried around as he tried to get to the young commander.

"Dr. Maturin I presume?" Carlos said with a smile as the man arrived, panting for breath.

"That would be me," he sighed as he took Carlos Armoured hand, "Am I right to assume you are Commander Carlos Meridian?"

"Yep,"

The Doctor eyed him for a moment, "Somehow I thought you'd be taller."

Carlos smirked, "I'm only thirteen…and a half,"

Dr. Maturin looked at him for a moment more, before glancing down warily at the dockland where the Surprise was landing, Carlos followed his gaze down to the ship, before looking back at the doctor, "Is he onboard?"

Stephen blinked, "is who on board?"

"Captain Vigoro,"

The Doctor nodded, "Yes, he just came back from a "Business trip" in Ixa'taka," he screwed up his face in disgust which only led Carlos's imagination to think what kind of Business trip the man was talking about.

"Are you aware of my orders Doctor?"

the man shook his head, "I was told in my communication from Valua you would tell me when you got here,"

Carlos smiled faintly, "Well Stephen…may I call you Stephen? I am here to relieve Captain Vigoro of his post, demote him to a rank I see fit, and ship him back to Valua, post haste, before taking over his position as chief of operations in this area and doing leading the Valuan forces that defend this city as I see fit. Any questions?"

Stephen's mouth hung open in shock.

"You must truly be as good as Admiral Gregorio says you are if hope to do all that," he said finally, "Captain Vigoro has most of his crew behind him, he made sure of it. The entire crew, save for myself, was appointed by Vigoro himself. I'm only onboard because he couldn't find a doctor he liked and I was the only he could find."

Carlos's smile grew wider, "Then I'll just replace those who oppose me with people I trust. If people don't give me a hard time, then I will treat them like family, if they disrespect me, I will to them what I did to Admiral Alfonso."

Maturin smirked, "I read about that, but all the same, we must prepare. Vigoro likes to head to the bar after one of his "Business Trips" and you must be tired after your long journey. I'll rally the other Captains of the Fleet and We shall finally be rid of Vigoro once and for all."

Carlos nodded in agreement, "Yes that sounds like a fine idea. Incidentally Doctor, do you by any chance play the cello?"

"And then I said, look pal, She's mine ya here?" Vigoro roared as he took another swig of Liquoa,

"What did he say after that Cap'n?" a sailor asked, clearly drunk.

"Nuffin'! he took one look at my Cannon and Ran!"

The bar erupted into laughter as Vigoro downed another pint, slamming it down, yelling at the poor barmaid for a refill.

BANG!

At that moment the doors banged open, a highly hacked off looking Carlos Meridian on the other side.

"CAPTAIN TOMAS VIGORO!" he bellowed, "I'VE COME FOR YOU!"

Tomas looked over drunkenly at the door.

Carlos stood framed in the doorway, Dr. Maturin just behind him. Rallying behind the two were the Captains of every ship in the entire Defence fleet. All eyes were on Vigoro, and you could slice the tension with a sword.

Vigoro finally grunted and set his half drank tankard on the bar.

"Just who the hell do you think you are?" he sneered, "You can't just barge into my bar and interrupt me and the boys," a murmur of approval went around the room as Vigoro picked up his glass, "Go home kid and cry to your ma ma. I don't have time to waste with the likes of you."

BANG!

Vigoro gave a cry of surprise as the tankard suddenly exploded in a flash of white light, spraying his ruddy face with shards of glass and alcohol.

Carlos smirked as he holstered his pistol, before turning grave again.

"Captain Tomas Alexander Vigoro," he began, "It is the judgement of the Admiralty that you are unfit to command the forces of Cape Victory. Therefore I, Commander Carlos Nathaniel Meridian, have been ordered to strip you of your command of the Surprise, reduce you to the rank of Lieutenant and ship you and anyone who opposes me back to Valua. Once that is completed, I shall assume your duties. I shall take command of the Surprise, and use the Valuan forces in this area as I see fit."

A short pause followed this speech, before the room erupted into laughter again.

"You crack me up kid you know that don't ya?" Vigoro dried his eyes, "In case you haven't noticed, I've got my whole crew behind me, a woman in every port, five in this one, you couldn't throw me out if you tried.

"Oh please," Carlos folded his arms impatiently, "You're a pompous, self centred idiot who wouldn't know a women if she slapped you round the face,"

A gasp echoed around the tavern, save for the Barmaid who just looked at Carlos with the deepest respect.

"What did you say punk?" Vigoro growled as he unsheathed his sword.

Carlos smirked as he unsheathed his Serpent Strike, "I said you're a pompous, self centred idiot who wouldn't know a women if she slapped him round the face!"

That made him snap. With a mighty roar, Vigoro lunged at Carlos, beating down blow after blow, each swiftly and easily defected by the smaller and faster young man.

With expert ease the fight took to the streets, attracting a crowd as the sparring two continued down to the docks.

Blow after blow was exchanged, first Vigoro, then Carlos, then Vigoro again.

By the time they reached where the Surprise was docked, both we're beginning to tire (that didn't stop Carlos from expertly back flipping onto the deck however) yet still the battle continued, continuing through the corridors of the vessel, sailors jeering at Carlos and cheering on Vigoro as the fight continued down to the galley.

With nowhere else to run too, the two fighters circled round each other.

"YOU CAN'T WIN BOY!" Vigoro spat as he was pushed off yet again by his would be superior.

Carlos just smiled, "Just try and stop me. FOUR SLASH STAR!"

Going up Diagonally right, straight down, going up diagonally left, before delivering the final left to right blow.

Vigoro doubled up in pain as Carlos's signature move was emblazed on his bare chest. It was then that he noticed the pistol lying on the table next to him.

"Ah HAH!" he cried, aiming the pistol directly for his opponents chest, "You thought you could beat didn't you? On my own ship!"

Carlos simply smiled as he held up his sword, "I don't think," he murmured, "I know,"

With the reflexes of a cat, Carlos threw the Serpent Strike in a boomerang like way, severing the rope that held a shelf to the roof, causing the barrels of Liquoa to tumble and fall.

In a blind panic, Vigoro emptied the pistol in Carlos's general direction, before his was promptly buried under a mountain of barrels.

Carlos simply watched with a raised eyebrow, as the Serpent Strike landed with a thud on the wooden floor, creating a deep notch in the boards.

"Hm," Carlos mused to himself as he picked up his weapon, ignoring the groan that emitted from under the pile of barrels, "It appears Surprise was on my side."

He smiled as he turned to the doorway, to see a shocked group of Captains and one wide eyed doctor.

"Dr. Maturin?" he frowned, "is something wrong?"

"Vigoro just emptied an entire content of a pistol into you and your standing as though he shot feathers," the Doctor said faintly, "Care to explain?"

Carlos smiled, "Yes I would. Velorium armour. Very light, yet practically indestructible. Very convenient for someone my age. Gregorio…I mean Admiral Vadeck gave it to me upon my graduation."

"Oh," Stephen smiled slightly, "That makes sense,"

"Yes it does," Carlos said with a smile, "But now to business. As my first order as head of operations, I am giving myself Command of the Surprise, and having its former Captain her crew, save for the Doctor and anyone who he trusts, removed from the ship and sent to the Brig until they can be shipped back to Valua. Once that is completed, I want to have a meeting of the Captain's of the Fleet, Marines and commanders of any armed forces in the Meeting room, to discuss various things, such as the recrewing of my ship. HAIL VALUA!"

"VALUA RULE THE SKIES!"