After ten hours the majority of the ships were repaired enough for safe transit through the rough rapids of slip space.
"Its time" said Otto to his brother, Sam nodded to him they made their way back to their transport back to their own ships. By the time there shuttles landed another slip portal opened to reveal three ships of Nietzschean design, two prowlers, they were ugly ships designed like scaled up Garuda class with oversized cannons for their ship class, the other ship was what looked to be a transport of some sort, not big enough to be a troop transport or a cargo ship,
"It seems that they arrived faster than I thought" said Sam as he locked his weapons onto the ships firing three salvos he destroyed first the transport then the escorts that attempted to flee. Scanning the wreckage thoroughly they found a large probe, further scanning revealed it to be the eraser they decided to taking to keep the working device out of enemy hands.
They sent a currier in advance of their departure to update the Commodore of their status, before activating there slip drives opening a massive blue portal they exited the system leaving nothing but wreckage in their wake.
(Tarazed orbit)
Dylan was sitting in his office going over status reports from section leaders, this was one of the things he didn't miss about command was the paper work, he had run six simulated alert statuses and was pleased with the results, the new crew was trying hard to impress him and he was dam well impressed, they were fast and efficient, there was room for improvement of course but that would come with practical experience. Putting down Andromeda's crew report he paused before he picked up and began reading another.
"Commodore" came the voice of Andromeda's holographic avatar
"Yes Andromeda" he said not looking up from the reports
"Admiral Rhade is here to see you" she said Dylan looked up and nodded putting down the Sands report
"Send him in" he said as he leaned back in his chair before standing, the doors opened and in walked the Admiral, "something I can do for you admiral" he asked
Rhade looked at him then razed a pad to began to read
"in accordance with section 9 subsection theta of the high guard uniform code of conduct, I Admiral Talemachus Rhade in accordance with the Conclave and Triumvir are proud to announce that you Cap... excuse me Commodore Dylan Hunt are being promoted to the rank of Admiral, with all rights and privileges there off" Rhade he then lowered the pad with a sly smirk "congratulations" he said pulling out a black hard wood box "here"
Dylan took the box and opened it, inside where two new rank insignia both a silver star Rhade took out one after unpinning the commodore cluster and attached it then the other, Rhade shook the hand of the still stunned Dylan squeezing a little harder than necessary seemed to brake the new Admiral out of his shock
"You bumped me three ranks" said Dylan noticing the red ruby at the centre of the stars
"The triumvir and conclave feel with your experience you can be an effective command officer here whilst I command the home defence fleet"
"Makes sense" said he said still feeling a little shaky he sat down in his chair Rhade joining him as well "have you picked a ship yet" Rhade nodded
"No I've yet to look over the fleet documentation"
Dylan opened a draw and pulled out a pad and handed it over, Rhade looked over the names and specifications on each ship, and they sat together in silence, the only sound being the beeping of the pad as Rhade scrolled down
"Yes I believe I will take the Wrath of Achilles" he said looking over the specs "if he will have me" he said remembering the new law that was passed by the Conclave and Triumvir for AI rights "if not I'll take the Von Blucher" Dylan nodded the Von Blucher was a Siege Perilous class attack cruiser and had a loyal mostly Nietzscheans who fought to the last against the traitors.
