The next day, TFS Proxima, the SCIF.

Fleet Admiral Bianchi had decided to gather a debriefing question list, considering Joon-ho was incapable of remaining in a mana void for any length of time, lest he risk collapse and death. Laifu had explained his situation the night before during their conversation before returning control of Ayakas body to her. It had been quite a surreal experience for the admiral, and he was still contemplating the ramifications of Ayakas new mana attunement. It wasnt every day that you met one of the beings that governed all of existence, after all.

As you were, he said to the rest of the people in the room, who had stood to attention as hed entered. Since Warrant Officer Lee is... otherwise occupied, my chief of staff will be collecting the questions your sections have for him.

Everyone at the table was silent.

None of you have any questions? he asked.

No. We simply dont know enough to know what we dont know, Admiral, Dr. Standing Bear finally replied. Theres no baseline reference we can use to determine what we need to know, so asking anything at this juncture is likely to be a waste of time at best, and send us haring off after wild geese at worst.

Very well. Then thisll be a short meeting. Last night, I spoke with the being that... borrowed, shall we say, Commander Takahashis body, and.... The admiral went on to explain what had happened to Joon-ho, as well as sum up what hed learned in the conversation with Laifu.

So does that mean... Dr. Standing Bear began, but trailed off as she realized her thoughts were beginning to circle. Ayaka had awakened completely outside the age range that would allow for awakening, and in such a short time at that. And not only that, she had awakened an affinity to one of the five fundamental forces that governed all of creationand it was SAPIENT!

She had so many questions they were all jammed up in her head and stuck there, unable to fit through the gate that was her mouth. It was a classic case of analysis paralysis, something she rarely suffered.

Commander Takahashi, would you mind

No, Admiral Bianchi interrupted.

But Admiral, we could learn so much

No, Dr. Standing Bear. Laifu made it perfectly clear that it would not allow Commander Takahashi to become a lab rat, Im sorry to say.

Dr. Standing Bears shoulders slumped and she seemed to collapse in on herself in her chair.

Are there any other things we need to discuss? the admiral asked.

There was no response from anyone around the table, save for a few who shook their heads.

Very well, then. Commander Takahashi!

Yes, Admiral! Ayaka perked up in her seat and sat at attention, head turned in Admiral Bianchis direction and eyes focused on him.

You are hereby promoted to full Captain, and will be assigned as the head of the xenodiplomacy task force. Warrant Officer Second Class Lee Joon-ho will be seconded to your command. Your primary duty is to act as the connection between the... treefolk... and the empire, and you are to investigate their intentions as well as put together a full dossier on them. This is a discretionary assignment, but the promotion is contingent upon your acceptance of the mission. Do you accept?

All eyes in the room focused on Ayaka as she pondered the ramifications. On the one hand, she would be promoted out of schedule to full captain... but on the other hand, she wouldnt get a ship. Instead, her career would pivot to a dirtside billet, likely in intelligence. However, her sacrifice would greatly benefit the Terran Empire and her name would be in history books; she would come home covered in glory, as all Takahashis should strive to do.

After another minute or so of internal debate, she stood and saluted the admiral. I accept the mission, Admiral, she snapped in her best Academy Yap.

Very well. Proxima, make a note in the ships log: at this time and date, Commander Takahashi Ayaka is promoted to Captain and will be taking over the xenodiplomacy department of the fleet. She is to be immediately transferred from the TES Farsight to the TFS Proxima. End note.

[Yes, Admiral.]

Also, he continued, assign her a steward from the pool. Do a full personality matching scan, you know the drill.

[Yes, Admiral.]

Very good. He turned his attention back to the people around the conference table. Are there any other orders of business?

Everyone shook their heads again.

Very well. Return to your duty stations and prepare for diplomatic support. Captain Takahashi, meet me in my ready room at 1500 hours. And bring Warrant Officer Lee with you.

Aye aye, Admiral, Ayaka replied.

Dismissed.

Everyone filed out of the SCIF, still digesting the bombshell that Fleet Admiral Bianchi had dropped on them.

......

Admirals ready room, TFS Proxima.

Ayaka, with Joon-ho at her side, was just about to palm the door to request entry when it slide aside with a hydraulic swoosh. Enter, the admiral said from inside.

The pair walked through the door and Ayaka came to attention and saluted. Captain Takahashi and Warrant Officer Lee reporting as ordered, Admiral! she crisply said.

Sit down, Ayaka, Admiral Bianchi chuckled. Youre a captain now, no need for formalities in private.

She sat in the chair on the other side of the admirals desk and looked around at the room. It was decorated in the style of an old tallship from the Age of Sail, all wood paneling with brass accents and a large window to the rear of the room. The desk was to the left as she entered, and opposite the desk on the right side was a table, upon which rested the map of the Proxima Centauri system in the style of an old naval chart. On the bulkhead by the door, the admirals coat and beret hung from a peg, and behind his desk was an assortment of crystal decanters filled with various colored liquors.

The admirals steward entered from a camouflaged door beside the bar. What would the captain and warrant officer like to drink? he asked, setting a mug of steaming coffee on the desk in front of the admiral.

Nothing for me, thank you, Ayaka said.

Ill have a mango juice please, Joon-ho added.

Very good. The steward bowed at a precise angle and, like any good steward, seemed to vanish, his presence no longer required in the room.

Alright, Admiral Bianchi said. We have much to do and little time in which to do it. You two will be headed to the surface tonight at midnight, ship time. So use the next few hours to come up with an initial action plan.

He threw Ayaka a data file and continued, Your official orders and requirements are in that file. Read it and ask anything you need to ask for clarification.