Aquila stirs as he wakes slowly. What happened to me? How did I survive? Where am I? Opening his eyes, all he sees is an off-white blur that slowly resolves into an array of ceiling lights softly lighting the clinically pastel blue walls. A medical bay. Makes sense, but something feels… wrong. Slowly, Aquila pulls himself up into a seated position. That blanket looks too flat… Aquila lifts the blanket, revealing… nothing.

The memories come flooding back.

Aquila's cry of rage and despair echoes down the corridor.

"You were lucky to have survived," the doctor finishes.

"I don't feel lucky," Aquila sighs. "I lost my ship, my crew, my father, and my legs."

"You have proven to be suitable for augmentation though," the doctor informs. "So you'll get new legs."

"That's the first piece of good news I've heard," Aquila replies.

"There's another bit of good news," the doctor adds. "Your lieutenant survived too. In fact, you owe him your life."

"So I didn't hallucinate that… How is he?"

"He's fine," the doctor answers. "Unfortunately, the rest of the crew perished before we could rescue them."

"May they be shown mercy in the afterlife," Aquila prays.

The commander and the doctor share a moment's silence in respect to the deceased crew.

"Commodore Maki will be along in a few hours to debrief you and discuss your augmetics requirements," the doctor informs. "Until then, I advise you rest."

"Sure," Aquila agrees. "One more thing before you go though: how long was I out?"

"Four days," the doctor informs.

Aquila simply nods.

A few hours later, as promised, Commodore Maki meets with Aquila.

"I know you've been through the wringer, but the admiral is on my case," Maki explains. "Thank you for meeting with me."

"May as well get it over with," Aquila states flatly.

"Don't worry, I won't take long with the boring bits," Maki assures. "I just want to confirm the items that were stolen when Genso No Seishin was raided, and who stole them."

"The ship is Dreadnought, the bastard is Lord Arktivus Brevon, and the stolen items are the Fire and Wood Crystals," Aquila explains quickly.

"Of all the things he could steal…" Maki sighs in exasperation. "The admiral will want to send out a ship to recover them, of course."

"One ship won't be enough to defeat Brevon," Aquila advises.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Maki instructs. "Until then, we focus on getting the Metal, Earth, and Water Crystals. Now, onto more immediate matters: your new augmentations. Obviously new legs, and if you agree, we'll replace your hips too. Are there any other upgrades you want to receive?"

"A few," Aquila admits. "In fact, I've made a list."

Maki takes the list Aquila hands him. "Well, I can't guarantee you'll get all of these, but we'll see what we can do."

"Who's going to captain the new mission?" Aquila asks.

"You are," Maki reveals.

"But I'm not a captain," Aquila reminds.

"Not according to your new uniform and insignia," Maki corrects.

"But-"

"You're by far the best qualified to captain this new mission," Maki assures. "And be honest, you want to get back out there and finish what your father was unfortunately denied completing."

"I cannot deny that, sir," Aquila agrees.