“You got a pretty tight ship here Boy...Sir. All your people seem to know what they need to do and when they need to do it. More like a tightly ran ship than a settlement.”

I nodded at him, we were making a small tour around the innermost portion of Bastion while we waited for the Battle Cruiser that would become the Norad II to land for him to take the helm. “I have good people under me. The crew of your ship will be needed to train more crew, later on, I intend to give us a proper fleet when resources allow.”

Duke nodded, looking around himself with some interest. Trenton was to my left, a little behind us both, and I could almost feel the waves of displeasure rolling off of him, but he continued doing his job. He really hated that someone who had tried to kill me was given free reign to wander about. Well, that or the Assassin had done something to him that pissed him off. Maybe both?

Nova...I had been informed Nova was around, keeping with her job of keeping me safe, but would not be making herself visible for a time. Trenton’s exact words, as well as Nova’s own previous statement being ‘I need time away from you.’ I didn’t blame her, but it still hurt like a bitch.

“Sir! Lieutenant Fernando sent me to request your presence at the Barracks. Dr. Green seems to have made a kind of breakthrough with her own research.” I stared at the soldier blankly, trying to recall who the hell they were but more concerned about this research. What the actual hell had that Demonic woman been researching exactly?

I told the soldier I’d head that way momentarily, Duke seemed interested as well and joined me rather than wait around with his thumb up his ass on the Battle Cruiser.

Arriving at the medical wing of the Barracks I was quickly assaulted by imagery and then words. The image was simple, Fernando was standing stock still, though it looked like his eyes had glassed over and he did so through sheer stubborn force of will. The words were another matter entirely. “Damian! About time, look I completed my research to assist our Marines! Those Stimpacks that Nova managed to acquire from your trip a bit ago, awful little addictive things, I improved and altered them to be FAR more beneficial to the Human anatomy.” I felt a sudden sharp sting and I jumped back while shouting out before I realized I felt energized.

“Now they have no negative side effects and will even improve motor function, focus, and even adds a little bonus to natural healing. I call it Stim Pack 2.0!”

She continued on from there, taking notice of Duke and assaulting him with both questions and the promise or threat, take your pick, of a physical. I left the sputtering elderly man to his own defense while I checked this out. It seemed like it was going to help us, but I was fairly certain didn’t remember anything about getting these things, Nova never even mentioned it.

Stim Pack 2.0 - An improved version of the drug concoction used by Terran Marines

Effects - Improved reaction time, improved natural regeneration, improved focus

Side effects - addictive (Less than original)

I frowned at the final sentence, the addictive side effect still remained but at least it didn’t cause more harm to anyone using it. “Green, stop pestering Duke a moment and come here. I have questions.”

“Oh? OH! Of course Damian! Alright, well as you can see by my notes it is far and above the single greatest advancement we could hope for with Stimpacks, normally the drug concoction is detrimental and can cause anything from mild paranoia to death. This only has the addictive quality left, haven’t figured that out though, yet.”

I stared at her, my mouth open. Apparently, I didn’t need to ask the woman a bloody thing. “Right, um...well you answered my question. How addictive is it?” she held a hand up and did a little waggle.

“Still fairly addictive, but if we monitor the amount anyone uses in a month, no more than two, we should be able to control the problem until I fix the issue entirely.” I nodded, handing her the item back and looked at Fernando, his eyes were actually pleading. I sighed a bit, I really should save him I suppose.

“Keep up the good work Green, I’ll have Fernando increase your budget when we can. I need to steal him away for a time though.” I held my hand up before she could start talking, only just making it. “No, you can’t have Duke yet. Later.” She...dear god she was fucking pouting. TIme to leave, time to leave fast.

Turning tail and running may not seem very manly, but I highly doubt anyone has had to deal with such a woman before. I felt better realizing that Fernando was hot on my heels, as was Duke who looked mildly concerned after only a brief encounter. I did make one mistake though I looked back after hearing a yelp of despair and saw Trenton, trapped in her clutches. He had a single arm raised in my direction, clearly beseeching me for aid. I saluted the man and ran faster while I ignored the guilt that assaulted me. The woman was a demon, and I would do damn near anything to avoid being in her care for an extended period again.

When we escaped the Barracks I turned to Fernando and said without preamble. “Trenton needs a raise after this.”

“I agree, Sir, I’ll see it gets done. I will also have Andy speak with him. She has taken on the role of therapist to those of us forced into Greens company for too long.” I nodded, thankful for that.

Duke looked at us both, horror at just what had happened dawning. “What in tarnation is that woman?” I looked at him, then Fernando shared a look with me and we both nodded. He took over the first part of the explanation.

“She is Dr. Green, by far the single brightest mind in the field of Medicine, as well as the single reason most of the Marines, myself included, are alive today.” Duke seemed impressed by that. The horror leaving his face briefly, then I burst his bubble by taking over.

“She is also the single most frightening individual I believe is under my command. You’ll understand after your physical just why...may God have mercy on your soul.” At that he actually seemed to think I was insane, no doubt believing a pretty woman like Green, while a bit talkative, could be that bad. Oh, the poor fool had no idea. I truly did pity him, as did Fernando judging by his own look.

“Regardless! Fernando, this is Duke.” - “I’m aware of the circumstances, Sir. Nova informed me, we shall keep it quiet for now.” - “Letting me actually finish a sentence sometime might be pleasant, Fernando.” I was feeling a little pissy at that but continued on.

“At any rate, Duke will be taking control of our standing Fleet, and all the future additions. He will be working with you closely so get to know him. Ah, The Orion remains a separate portion and will be under my direct control. Nova will also be taking command of The Orion again in the near future as well.”

That part seemed to irk Fernando but he stayed silent on the matter, no doubt taking into account the fact Nova stayed even after what I’d done, though I had no fucking clue what she saw in place of the damn card, and was still loyal by all accounts.

“You had plans in regards to Ryles settlement though, Fernando?” I asked, moving forward with our conversation and wishing to quickly bring Duke into the equation when making military decisions.

“Yes, Sir. I plan to move two of our newly minted Marauders, twenty Marines, five Medics, and one Condor personally in an attempt to occupy and claim the area while they are still confused. I’ll need to find a way to increase our standing forces there during that time, those loyal at least before we can move on others. I’d rather not be hit from the rear of a ‘believed’ to be pacified area.”

I nodded in agreement, though I felt we could do better on the numbers. “Up the Marine count to twenty and the Medics to ten. I know you’re concerned about Bastion, but that much will ensure your success. Make the additions new recruits from our populace and get the experience in the field. By all accounts, I doubt Ryles settlement even has forces left, a few Militia at most.”

Duke weighed in at this point, having simply listened while getting a feel for the conversation. “You know, once I have command of the Battle Cruiser coming down to land I can ensure that we won’t be hit from behind by simply being present if we need the foothold to stabilize further. Your ground forces are optimal and well trained from what I was shown during my little tour of this place, the air forces need building up before we can really be made use of so having me placed as a policing force would be optimal.”

I quirked a brow at that. By all accounts, Duke was a go-getter, or so I thought. Fernando seemed to like and hate the idea all at once. I knew why he hated it, he didn’t trust Duke. I also knew why he liked it, it would provide a buffer for his more raw recruits stationed in the conquered areas.

“ Alright Duke, but be prepared to join The Orion when the Confederate Fleet arrives. Hopefully, we will have a few more Battlecruisers prepared for that eventuality.” We would as well if this fucking Building Upgrade Card improved The Orion's own building assets as well as its offensive capabilities.

Another hour went by where Duke and Fernando mostly discussed tactics and theoretical battles with the odd interruption for reports on the incoming enemy forces current position in relation to Bastion. I let them talk, missing Nova a bit more than I thought I should. She was around, I knew that, but it was depressing without actually seeing her.

Thankfully my melancholy was broken when The Orion and the Battlecruiser finally landed within the walls of Bastion. First thing was Duke entering the Battlecruiser and a notification and very drastic change to the appearance of the damn thing. The hammerhead like appearance of the Battlecruiser changed drastically to more represent my own Chimera house symbol, each head represented along the front portion of the ship, each one sporting an open maw with what looked like a fucking Yamato Cannon in each.

Congratulations Player! Hero Unit: Edmund Duke has turned a Battlecruiser into his personal ship, Norad II.

Attention Player, due to drastic changes in the ship's appearance The System has upgraded the Norad II into the Special Unique Unit Chimera’s Rampage!

Norad II bonuses have changed to Chimera’s Rampage bonuses.

Chimera’s Rampage - A Special Unique Battlecruiser sporting three active Yamato Cannons with the ability to fire three rapid shots each before entering a cool down mode.

Type - Royal Capital Ship

Attack: 350

Defense: 350

Kills: 0

Crew: 2,500/2,500

Abilities - Rapid Fire Cannons, Missile Barrage, Point Defense Sphere, Orbital Deployment.

Rapid Fire Cannons - Allows each cannon to take advantage of Edmund Dukes unique ability, lowers the cooldown time by ten minutes.

Missile Barrage - Once every five minutes capable of destroying all incoming missiles or small fighters within a set range from the location.

Point Defense Sphere - Capable of enacting a powerful energy shield around the CHimera’s Rage -WARNING- Causes extreme strain on the power core.

Orbital Deployment - Capable of sending ground teams to specific locations for planet assaults.

Sweet Mary Mother of God...What in the actual fuck did I just obtain? How...It...Nevermind, fuck it. I’ll take it for the sweet fucking relief it is on my forces and move on. I couldn’t dwell on that right now. I raised the Building Upgrade Card as I looked at The Orion. What will you become now?