[i]Cousin Slade glanced back, somehow gauging Kaiden's approach before he even announced himself. He was sure he could see a small smile on his face, but it disappeared before Kaiden could be sure that was exactly what he had spotted. Slade turned to regard him, wearing the ostentatious uniform of an accomplished astronavigator. Kaiden felt... not inadequate, necessarily, but the 2nd class grey uniform of the cinnibar navy with black piping was not necessarily an outfit meant to inspire command, even if he had the emblem of fire lieutenant pinned at his breast. 

"A fine assignment you have, from what my sources tell me. You'll do well, cousin." Slade congratulated him, placing a hand on Kaiden's shoulder. The prince gave him a handsome smile, but his heart was not in it. It had been too long since he had seen a member of his family, and even though Slade was his closest contact of the clan, he still felt his father's presence even here, hovering above them as if he could hear their every word. 

"Thanks, but I've got a long way to go before I'm fit to brag." Kaiden remarked, the two standing side by side now, watching as the crew of the Destroyer dubbed the Troy was being re-outfitted with the latest armor plating. She floated on water, as the destroyer itself floated on a vast inland sea, water being the usual place for ships of the line to land and finish repairs. The plasma thrusters stripped atoms and voided them as ions to give thrust, and water was a perfect reaction mass to help the ships lift and settle down with minimum incident. 

"Word of advice, cousin." Slade remarked, leaning in as if to speak some hushed conspiracy. "I know you're the type to want to prove yourself, but the military has no place for heroes. Particularly not when peace is so fragile. If you want to rise up the ranks quickly, keep your head down and do as you're told as quickly and efficiently as possible. They'll take note of good work, not audacity. The world is no longer a place for men of action, like those generals you're so fond of reading about. Trust me."[/i] 

Kaiden thought back to that moment, a mere week before he was shipped off to the assignment that brought him back into contact with Sabatine Hickoring, the last person in the galaxy he had wanted to see. Life was full of ironies, he supposed. Kaiden stood up from his chair, turning to exit the chamber without engaging in any preamble with Sabatine, or Lieutenant Ratchet. The entire trial had soured his mood for the moment, and for a brief second he felt as he had then when he had met his cousin. Unsure of himself, defensive. He knew it would pass, but he couldn't shake it at the moment. 

"First Lieutenant?" Sabatine asked, rising behind him. 

"You've done well, Lieutenant. Get some rest. In 0600 hours we'll disembark, but for now, try and sleep." He said, not deigning to look at her. He stepped off the platform and out into the hall, indicating midshipman Otis, who was awaiting Kaiden at the designated spot. He saluted, but Kaiden waved it down. "Have you got the orders?" 

"Aye, sir. They've been told to every crewman set to serve on the Nestor." Otis replied, an honest man if there ever was one. "We're all loyal to you, Lieutenant. Don't worry about us." 

Kiaden smiled wanly, appreciative despite the situation. Micha was being given command, but the men were to follow him only so far as to get back to base with speed. Any action that could be deemed insubordination to what the small council of Lieutenants decided today, or any dishonesty on Micha's part, and the men would rally and protest. It was not much, and even with that caveat, it was a risky gamble. But thirty eye witnesses, or at least character witnesses, would be hard to dispute even without Kaiden there to see it through. 

"You're a good man, and so are they. When this is all over, I'll buy everyone a round." 

"The war or this engagement sir?" He asked. 

"Let's find out together."