"Thobias?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"Where is Malcolm's fleet?"
King Franciss of Ulima and margrave Thobias of Hesuna were standing on the bridge of their flagship, KSS Unending Fury. It was the third time Franciss asked this question since the scheduled return of prince Malcolm of Ulima.
"He may have been delayed. Maybe he sent his ships to chase fleeing enemy? You can't suggest that this threat was big enough to defeat him." Said margrave with a hint of concern. "We should wait three more days before we raise alarm."
"No Thobias." Replied Franciss. "My son would send a messenger to apologize for arriving late. We must assume that he is dead."
The king stared out of a glass panel at Evyra, a beautiful, yellow planet with two big oceans, the capital of his nation.
"Gather all fleets here." He ordered.
"It will be done." Thobias said, forming the salute of the flame with his four hands. Which he had, like any Rav living in the kingdom of Ulima.
Margrave left the bridge and went to his office, sending messengers to all five colonies. The king would never show it, but Thobias knew, that he was scared. Thobias was scared too. What could have destroyed the entire fleet of the prince? Even if he clashed with aliens, at least one vessel should have escaped and sent a warning.
He shook his hand and put these thoughts aside. Franciss ordered the entire Ulima navy to gather above Evyra. Such a move was never considered before, space fleets were spread around the kingdom to protect its entirety.
So it meant a lot of paperwork.
After a month, before any ship could arrive, a scout report from Igu system arrived. Igu was located only two jumps away from Evyra. The report was unnerving. Scout reported seeing seven vessels, the size of Edward-class battleships, the biggest ships in Ulima navy.
A week later, fleet from Coven, the closest colony arrived. Combined with the fleet stationed abovs Evyra it gave 3 battleships, eight cruisers, seventeen destroyers and fifty seven escort ships.
Thobias was put in the direct command of KSS Gehe's Flame, one of the battleships and had a portion of the fleet put under him. He received the most honourable task: to stop the first strike.
The next day, when the first strike arrived, he couldn't care less about honor. Seven ships mentioned by the scouts arrived with the company of two ships, almost twice the size of them. He moved his ships to cover Gehe's Flame, concentrating all fire on the closest of the seven smaller ships.
"Fire in the 3rd hangar bay."
"KSS Flaming Bullhound reports total destruction of their torpedo bays."
"Enemy missiles destroyed five... Six of our frontal cannons."
"KSS Dorotha has exploded."
These, and similar reports filled the bridge. Until one caught his attention.
"KSS Unending Fury has disappeared."
King Franciss has just engaged with his part of the fleet, relieving Thobias's, quickly shrinking, force from most of the enemy fire.
"What?" Margrave asked, shocked.
"It has been hit with some kind of a beam from the enemy ship, A-01." Explained the officer. "No signature of KSS Unending Fure can be detected."
A-01, as they called one of the bigger ships. Completely obliterated the pride of Ulima fleet and killed its ruler.
Few more explosions shook KSS Gehe's Flame's frame.
"Helen, contact the enemy fleet. We're surrendering." Thobias ordered his communication officer.
"Sir? Don't we need king's premission to-" Helen of Iias tried to object, but Thobias interrupted her.
"I am the highest ranking Rav in the system. Order all ships to hold fire and annouce our surrender."
"Yes sir."
Thobias met invaders aboard Olive Shield, as the invaders called A-02. His shuttle landed in one of the hangar bays. He left it, accompanied by his bodyguards. Two lines of soldiers awaited on the sides of the hangar, with shields and spears, ready to kill him, if he showed any sign of aggression.
In front of him, three more aliens stood. They were quite similar to Ravs, but shorter, only had two arms and had small heads. All of them wore armor the color of polished bronze. Their helmets were adorned with red plumes. The one in front could be distinguished thanks to his red cale. He also didn't hold any weapon, although two handles of exotic weapons awaited ready at his belt.
"I am counteradmiral Patrokl Hyssel of the First Great Fleet of the Gaian Federation. Are you the king of Ulima?" Asked the alien in the front, seemingly their leader, in a robotic voice. Probably some kind of translation tech, thought Thobias.
"Our beloved king Franciss of Ulima has been killed by your forces during the battle. I am margrave Thobias of Hesuna. Until a new king is crowned, I hold the highest rank in this system." Said Thobias, forming the salute of the flame. "I came here to beg for mercy."
"I can guarantee the survival of your species. Us, humans, are very merciful. But I have a few conditions. I will choose the new king. I will station my forces on all your planets and you will tell me all you know about the Monsters." Counteradmiral explained calmly.
"The monsters?" Asked margrave.
"We're on a hunt." Said Counteradmiral. "And your race will help us. I hope you will do so willingly."