Eight days later, the newly-augmented Captain Aquila Kawaguchi arrives in the hangar to await the shuttle that will take him to his new craft. Aside from his new legs and hips, Aquila's augmentations include enhanced arm musculature, ribcage armour, and flexi-steel hair whips, and his blood has been infused with an army of nanomachines that allow him to maintain full alertness without the need for sleep. Holstered within his new right thigh is a semi-automatic pistol, and in the left, a long-range taser capable of hitting a target from forty feet away.

Aquila halts in front of Commodore Maki. "Comman… Captain Aquila Kawaguchi, reporting as instructed sir," he salutes.

"At ease, captain," Maki salutes in return. "I see your augs are functioning well. Any issues so far?"

"I'm still getting used to them, sir, but so far, it's been good," Aquila answers. "Although regulating my enhanced strength is proving trickier than expected… I'm afraid there's a few broken door handles."

"Door handles are cheap," Maki assures. "You'll get used to it soon enough. Ready to see your new command?"

"Aye-aye, sir!" Aquila replies enthusiastically.

Maki leads Aquila onto the shuttle that landed beside them as they talked. Once aboard and seated, the shuttle takes off and leaves the hangar, heading to the docking bay.

"Based on the information from the black box recovered from Genso No Seishin, the information you provided, and information liberated from the Coalition of Planets, RAS-1864 has been modified to make it much easier to avoid detection by hostile forces," Maki explains. "Unlike most Ryusekai ships, RAS-1864 is painted matt black instead of gunmetal grey, and it is fitted with a sophisticated electromagnetic shield that attenuates and randomises the ship's electromagnetic signature. These two factors should make you invisible to most scanners and telescopes, but as with anything, it's not perfect, so be cautious. The ship is also fitted with a new version of our hyperdrive that is quicker to engage, and its compact size compared to Genso No Seishin makes it more manœuvrable under impulse power. In short, RAS-1864 is one of the most advanced starships we've ever built. It's fitting that it is being captained by a dragon fitted with one of our most advanced augmetics technologies."

"I can't wait to see it," Aquila admits.

"Then look out the window," Maki smiles.

Aquila turns to face the window. "Wow," he breathes as his eyes play over the hull of RAS-1864. "She's certainly something to behold."

"She is a fine vessel," Maki agrees. "There is one thing she lacks though: a name."

"I know what to call her," Aquila states.

"Then you have the honour of naming her," Maki decides. "What shall it be?"

"There is only one name a ship of mine could ever have," Aquila answers. "Genso No Fukushu."

"An apt name," Maki agrees. "I shall inform the admiral of your decision immediately."

Six hours later, with preparations complete and the ship officially named, Aquila enters the bridge and takes his seat in the centre. "Lieutenant, report."

"All systems fully operational, sir," the lieutenant reports. "And if I may, sir, it's good to be working with you again."

"It's favourable to have my loyal lieutenant at my side," Aquila replies. "I trust that you will show the same loyalty you showed to my father, may he rest in peace?"

"Aye, sir," the lieutenant agrees.

"Glad to hear it. Now, take us out."

The lieutenant engages the impulse engines. Slowly, RAS-1864 Genso No Fukushu slides out of the dock and into open space.

Aquila activates the ship's tannoy. "Attention all crew: Welcome aboard Genso No Fukushu. As you know, our mission is to search for and retrieve the Elemental Crystals from wherever they may be within the galaxy. However, instead of bringing them straight back to Ryusekai, we will instead use them to build a fleet, and cleanse the galaxy of Lord Arktivus Brevon and his forces. Once that task is done, we will return home. Anyone who is not comfortable with this change, make yourselves known."

Not one of the crew replies.

"Good to know I have the support of my whole crew," Aquila smiles.