Mike was excited by the technological advancement and development of the Sol System and the rapid expansion of humanity into their home system. For decades human beings had looked up at the stars and pondered what it would be like to visit other worlds. Early pioneers and visionaries like NASA and, more recently, Elon Musk and SpaceX had initiated baby steps into the wider Galaxy. Now humanity had taken a giant leap!

Sitting enjoying his morning coffee delivered to him in his stateroom by his blonde android companion Tracy, he couldn't help but wonder about the alien' bugs' that they had discovered on Mars. They still needed to find out where they had originated or how long they had been observing the Sol System, which made him uneasy.

Humanity was in its infancy with interplanetary expansion and space travel and still somewhat naïve about other galactic species and threats. Mike felt a great responsibility for the defense and protection of humanity.

"Sam, I want to build a Terran United Space Navy Fleet. This 'TUSN' Fleet will explore and provide a defense against possible threats to the Sol System, Mike said with a concerned expression. I am concerned that we will not always be in the Sol System, and I would hate to rely on the SSSN to be the sole defender of the human race."

"That would be a sound strategy, Captain, Sam replied. What ships would you prefer in your fleet? I would suggest a tactic similar to your 'American Football sport where you would have a 'Defense' and 'Offense she continued.

Based on my knowledge base of the Old Empire and previous fleet compositions, I could propose a few options for you to consider. Please refer to the viewing screen," Sam directed.

The viewing screen provided two composition fleets, namely 'Defensive' and 'Offensive.'

Defensive Fleet Composition Offensive Fleet Composition

1 x Battlecruiser – Flagship 1 x Battleship - Flagship

10 x Cruisers 5 x Battlecruisers

15 x Destroyers 15 x Cruisers

25 x Corvettes 5 x Fleet Carriers

"The 'Defensive' fleet would be for a rapid response to a direct threat to an installation or settlement and be created for rapid deployment and patrols. The Battlecruiser would house an entire battalion of 1 500 of our Battle Droids and Specialist Marines together with 500 combat fighter craft. This should be more than sufficient to defend a system, Sam continued.

On the other hand, an 'Offensive' fleet would be created for aggressive fleet engagements, primarily in the conquest or liberation of planets or the destruction of other enemy fleets. The Battleship and Battlecruisers would house six battalions of 1 500 of our Battle Droids and Specialist Marines, with the Fleet Carriers capable of housing 10 000 fighter craft and bombers.

The Battleship would house 10 Corvette and five Destroyer-class vessels for fleet surveillance and protection. This fleet would be less mobile but pack an enormous punch. These were the typical fleet compositions utilized by the Empire during their expansion drive.

The Battleships were later replaced with this Thera-class capital ship during the final years of expansion," Sam concluded. Mike spent the next few hours studying the ship class specifications for each of the proposed fleet compositions and decided that any 'Offensive' fleet encounters would include the Dark Phoenix as the Flagship, and therefore the construction of a Battleship class vessel was not required.

He liked the idea of a 'rapid deployment fleet' for defense but decided that several smaller fleets could be combined to form an 'Offensive' fleet.

Mike ordered the construction and formation of TUSN Fleets as follows:

Defensive Fleets Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Composition

Primary Function – Solar System Defense, Colony Defense, and Rapid Deployment

1 x Battlecruiser – Flagship

5 x Cruisers

10 x Destroyers

15 x Corvettes

General Deployment Fleets Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot Composition

Primary Function – Combat Patrol, Enemy Fleet Engagements and Exploration

1 x Battlecruiser – Flagship

2 x Support Battlecruisers

10 x Cruisers

15 x Destroyers

25 x Corvettes

Each of the Battlecruisers would house an entire battalion of 1 500 Battle Droids and Specialist Marines together with 500 combat fighter craft.

The orders were submitted to the Deimos Shipyards, and construction commenced under Sam's watchful supervision. Mike enlisted five thousand humans in the TUSN Fleet through stringent vetting. These recruits were put through a rigorous training program before being enrolled. A total of one thousand five hundred officers and three thousand five hundred specialist crew were integrated into the fleet.

The Dark Phoenix was provided with her full complement of five hundred fighter craft, one hundred torpedo bombers, five destroyers, twenty corvettes, combat drop ships, and shuttlecraft, together with a battalion of battle droids. Five thousand human command crew, five hundred human Specialist Marines, two hundred scientists, service personnel, medical personnel, technicians, and engineers now called her home.

The fleet officers' selection course, prepared by Sam, was the most stringent of the classes, requiring both physical endurance and mental and psychological adaptation to the rigors of operations in deep space. A fleet officer would command a combat vessel or a starship with the junior ranks working in command and control sections of the ship.

The basic ranks assigned to the TUSN Fleet consisted of the following:

Cadet Recruit was a newly enlisted person in the fleet before undergoing basic training.

Warrant Officer (CW02, CW03, CW04, and CW05) - These are the leadership of the technical and skills onboard the various fleet vessels. They supervise the maintenance and repair of all types of equipment during extended deployments. They provide support in communications at all levels within the chain of command.

Ensign (ENS) - The initial commissioned officer rank held by graduates of the Naval Academy (NA), Officer Candidate School (OCS), and other commissioning programs. Most ensigns train for their respective warfare or staff specialties in various schools. Others who serve in the fleet are division officers.

Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) - Promotion generally occurs two years after commissioning as an ensign, with officers in schools training for their warfare or staff specialties.

Lieutenant (LT) - Generally a division officer on some smaller vessels, aircraft squadrons, and ships. In some instances, senior lieutenants are department heads. For example, LT, LTJGs, and ENS serve as platoon leaders in SEAL teams.

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) - A department head or executive officer on a ship or aircraft squadron. On SEAL teams, LCDR serves as executive officers. Some officers serve as commanding officers of a Corvette craft.

Commander (CDR) - A senior officer, a CDR may command a Frigate, Destroyer, Fast-attack craft, aviation squadron, SEAL team, or shore installation.

Captain (CAPT) - Serve as commanding officers of significant commands such as Carriers, Assault ships, Cruisers, Destroyer squadrons, Carrier air wings, SEAL groups, and considerable shore installations.

Rear Admiral Lower (RDML) - A one-star rank, the first of the flag ranks. At-sea commands include commanding Carrier-Cruiser battlegroups, Carrier, or combat strike groups. Flag officers may be assigned as deputies to larger commands.

Rear Admiral Upper (RADM) - A two-star rank. At-sea commands include commanding Carrier-Cruiser battlegroups, Carrier, or combat strike groups. Flag officers may be assigned as deputies to larger commands.

Vice Admiral (VADM) - A three-star rank. Commands numbers of fleets and holds positions as deputies for regional commands.

Admiral (ADM) – A four-star rank. This is the most senior flag rank. Assignments include commanders of Regional commands, Joint commands, etc.

Fleet Admiral (FADM) – A five-star rank. Generally, a wartime designation, Mike would be assigned this role once several Admirals had been appointed in the fleet.

Emily Wright sat in her officer's cabin aboard the Dark Phoenix, staring out the viewing panel at the beautiful twinkling stars and enjoying coffee. Three years ago, she would never have been able even to imagine that she would be sitting on a starship awaiting a flagship commission. Emily had joined the British Navy on Earth as a junior career officer, dreaming of someday having a naval commission.

Achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the British Navy at the age of 26, considered young for a senior naval officer, the tall, intelligent brunette with sparkling green eyes resigned herself to waiting at least 2 to 3 years for a commission and a maritime vessel command of her own. That all changed when Michael James Andersen spoke at the UN and announced that he was recruiting personnel for a space fleet!

"Layla, what do you think about this new alien stuff and this new guy, Mike Andersen?" Emily asked her friend, Layla Thomas, over their video comms link after the UN special broadcast.

"I think he's hot! Layla replied quickly, he can put his shoes under my bed anytime! Layla added with a naughty giggle as she shared a picture taken from the UN broadcast with Mike dressed in his Dark Phoenix naval uniform. I wonder if he has a girlfriend?" she added with a dreamy smile.

"Damn, Layla, he probably has hundreds by now! Emily replied with a laugh, but I do agree he is sexy as all hell, better than most of the old seadogs hounding after me at the moment. Everyone here thinks I will sleep my way to a commission!"

"Yeah, I know what you mean Layla replied. I have the same problem here. The rank officers in the British and US Navy both have the same idea. If you are a female officer working towards a command commission, you are willing to sleep with anyone suggesting they could help your career," she said with a scowl.

Lieutenant Commander Emily Wright of the British Royal Navy and Lieutenant Commander Layla Thomas of the US Navy met and became friends during joint NATO exercises and training six months earlier. Both young women had experienced the same sexism and prejudice in what was still primarily deemed to be a 'Men's Only Navy' when it came to command of a naval vessel.

Emily had taken an instant liking to the sexy 26-year-old blonde American US Naval officer. She had remained good friends ever since, sharing a common goal of attaining a naval commission and command of their own despite the obstacles constantly being placed in their path.

"What do you think of his offer to recruit naval personnel for his proposed Dark Phoenix Space Navy?" Emily asked with a smile and a naughty giggle.

"Well, if I get to put my shoes under his bed.... I'm in! Layla replied with a laugh. No, seriously, I must admit I am considering it. We both know that our careers are going to be stifled at every turn by our sexist leadership. I also hear that his current crew is all female... can you believe that? she said with a laugh.

"Would you join me if I decided to apply?" Emily suddenly asked with a grin.

"EMILY! Are you serious? Layla asked with a nervous laugh. Mmm...you know I probably would, she said with a giggle. Imagine our commanding officer's faces if we both resign and join the TUSN Fleet. I think just for that look. I will join you! She said with a laugh.

"Let's do it then, Layla, Damn I would rather sail in a sea of stars in command of my own than be stuck here having these old seadogs chasing me around to try and get me to sleep my way into a command," Emily said with a look of disgust.

"Agreed, I will put in my resignation tomorrow and apply. Let's go and sail the stars, Gal, Layla said with a broad smile and giggle.

Lieutenant Commander Layla Thomas of the US Navy and Lieutenant Emily Wright of the British Royal Navy resigned their commissions the following week, applied, and were provisionally accepted into the TUSN Fleet Academy training program for ex-Navy personnel, seeking a career in the stars of the Galaxy rather than on the seas of Earth.

Their interviews and selection process with the AI called 'Sam' were intimidating and fascinating. They were sold on the idea of a career in the TUSN Fleet 10 minutes after being introduced to 'Sam,' who was extremely intelligent and non-sexist, which had not been their experience at any other Naval Academy. Sam asked probing questions and provided graphic in-depth answers to their questions without any sarcasm or sexism.

All recruits were treated equally in the TUSN Fleet, and the rumors were true as far as they could tell. A female crew operated the Dark Phoenix starship. They immediately volunteered for the TUSN Flag Officer Training Program and were informed of their acceptance by Sam 24 hours later, without any delay, which they both greatly admired and appreciated.

A thorough physical examination was conducted aboard the Dark Phoenix on the pair by an 'Auto-Doc,' giving them a clean bill of health. They looked stunning in their new TUSN Fleet uniforms with their mini-skirts and boots as an attractive Asian command female crew member gave them a guided tour of the Dark Phoenix.

They were joined in the Flag Officer Training Program by Lieutenant Commanders Alex Richards, formerly of the British Royal Navy, and James Perry, previously of the US Navy, Commander Viktor Popov, and Lieutenant Commander Ivana Zhukov, formerly of the Russian Navy, along with 44 other candidates, some of which were previously civilians with little or no military experience, predominately from the corporate sector where they were previously CEO's and senior managers of large international corporations.

The candidates were instructed to report to the Training Centre aboard the Dark Phoenix, which to their surprise, did not involve any lectures or study materials, but merely sitting in a chair, wearing a VR headset, selecting a VR program, and having the program 'activated' once it had been downloaded.

To their amazement, after 'activation,' they were provided with an entire course in military strategy, command, fleet operations, and combat tactics, some of which they were familiar with. The civilian candidates were provided additional modules for military structures, discipline, and reporting. Once a candidate achieved an acceptable grade for a module, the following module was automatically loaded. The module grade level achieved determined the rank of the candidate. Of the original 50 candidates, 20 attained the rank of 'Commander' and a further 24 qualified for the position of 'Captain,' with the remaining six candidates, which consisted of Emily, Layla, Alex, James, Ivana, and Viktor, completing the 'Captain Module' and proceeding to the advanced 'Flag Officer Training Modules.'

The 'Flag Officer Training Modules' were divided into various theoretical modules and practical simulations requiring 22 4-hour VR academic training sessions and eight 12-hour fleet simulation and training scenarios on which they were graded. The course was challenging and demanding, testing theoretical knowledge and strategic thinking. A week later, all the candidates had completed the training modules, with Emily, Layla, Ivana, and Viktor qualifying with distinction.

The candidates had spent much time together and bonded as a superb team that would form the core of the TUSN Fleet Command. Mike and Tracy personally congratulated each of the commanding officers at the graduation cocktail function held in their honor.

"Good evening, Ladies. You all look stunning this evening," Mike said as Emily, Layla, and Ivana arrived at the cocktail party, dressed in their formal cocktail evening wear. Mike was impressed with the formal cocktail evening wear that Sam and Tracy had designed for fleet functions. The black ankle-length, form-hugging dresses were open at the back with modest necklines and a long slit open to mid-thigh.

The outfits were completed with high-heel shoes and a diamond and platinum Dark Phoenix necklace choker. The overall effect was of sexy sophistication with a hint of daring.

"Good evening, Admiral," the three ladies responded, almost in chorus, smiling at the handsome, tall blonde Admiral in his formal white dress uniform, complete with a golden sash and gold sword at his side, noticing the appreciative looks they were being given.

"I appreciate your hard work and congratulations on the completion of your courses, We tried to make them as interesting and informative as possible," Mike said as a welcome drink was served to each of them by the waitresses for the evening.

"Thank you, Admiral. The courses were both interesting and informative, the tall blonde Ivana said with a grin. We are all very proud to have completed our courses and look forward to serving the TUSN Fleet," she said with a broad smile as she sipped her drink.

Mike and the three lady graduates enjoyed small talk until Alex, James, and Viktor joined them, looking dashing in their formal fleet dress uniforms similar to Mike's but without the sash and sword at their sides. These would be presented to all graduates during the awards ceremony, after which the ladies would wear the formal white dress uniform to fleet and ceremonial functions.

Eventually, all of the graduates arrived in the VIP Dining Hall aboard the Dark Phoenix, joined by a number of the senior crew aboard the Dark Phoenix, and the cocktail party seemed to get into full swing. Tracy joined Mike and the graduates, and they spent an entertaining evening reliving their courses and experiences and toasting the success of the TUSN Fleet. Mike made a formal 'congratulatory' speech to the graduates, and Layla gave a speech thanking Mike, the TUSN Fleet, and Sam on behalf of the graduates.

The toasts and speeches were followed by dancing and small talk, enjoying each other's company. Mike spent the evening dancing with the lady graduates, who all seemed to want to monopolize the handsome Admiral's attention, many of whom were flirting with him the entire evening. They all seemed to sense that his blonde companion Tracy was more of a companion than a 'girlfriend,' which seemed to paint a giant target when it came to human female attention and flirting.

Tracy was happy with this apparent display of human sexual invitation and attraction. Sam found it fascinating to observe and document for future Android programming and manufacturing integration. Both of his AI friends were happy for Mike and pleased that he had finally found and received human companionship.

Mike and Tracy eventually left the cocktail party in the early morning, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Simulated from the observation of Mike and the human female crew members. As he collapsed into the soft, comfortable sofa in his stateroom,

The sultry young blonde android held the back of his chair and gracefully swung her shapely leg over his thighs before carefully lowering herself to sit facing him. It was a move Mike had seen exotic dancers perform before, and Tracy executed it perfectly.

She cupped his face and then pressed her full lips against his. They shared several tender kisses before the girl's mouth parted, and she delicately licked his lips with the tip of her tongue. Her tongue brushed over his lips as it darted into his mouth, as she began to intensify their passionate embrace. She kissed him fiercely before he responded and began to duel her darting tongue with his own.

Mike's body responded accordingly, and his manhood grew thick and hard as she kissed him eagerly. Her breasts grazed over his chest, her pink nipples excited and erect. He moved his hands to hold her firm ass, causing the girl to moan into his mouth. He lifted her slightly, then repositioned her so her wet core was centered over his stiff shaft.

"Ooohhhhh!" she gasped as he rocked her body along his length, her lubrication easing t the way.

Tracy opened her eyes and stared intently into his matching gaze. Her mouth was slightly parted, her lips glistening after their kiss. Mike's strong hands held her firmly, and he stroked her body along the underside of his shaft, the warm wet velvety touch feeling amazing. She moaned breathily, her face mere inches from his own as he rocked her in his lap.

The girl's clit was in constant contact with the firm heat of his shaft, and her thighs began to tremble as her body reveled in the stimulation. Tracy threw her head back, her hair billowing out behind her as she rode him to climax.

"Oh! I'm coming!" she wailed as her body reacted to the overwhelming sensations from her clit. She arched her back, her tummy pressed against him as she came hard, her hips making tiny rocking movements as she thrust against him. She rode out her orgasm before collapsing forward to rest on his chest.

He stroked her back comfortingly as her panting breath tickled his neck. Eventually, her breathing returned normal as she sat up and thanked him with a soft, tender kiss. He lifted herself off his lap, smoothly dismounting and standing at his side. He'd already begun to miss the silky smoothness of her body where she had straddled him. She turned towards the doorway, looking over her shoulder with a lust-filled, heavy-lidded glance, and held her hand for him to take.

Mike rose behind her and reached to take her small hand in his larger one. The beautiful young woman turned to face the door and led him back to his cabin. He could only follow mutely, transfixed by the hypnotic movement of her hips and how her perfectly rounded ass cheeks seemed to sway enticingly.

They entered his bedroom, and Tracy let her hand slip from his. She turned to look at him coyly over her shoulder as she climbed onto the bed, arching her back suggestively. She waited patiently as his roaming eyes drank in the delicious curves of her body before he locked eyes with her again. he

Never dropping eye contact, she smoothly rotated her body to lie down on her back, her head towards him. Tracy let her eyes drift closed, then moved back just enough so that her shoulders rested near the end of the bed, her head tilted slightly backward. Her mouth slowly opened, her full succulent lips forming a welcoming oval. Her pink tongue darted to lick her top lip suggestively before waiting for him invitingly.

Mike realized he'd been holding his breath, transfixed by the erotic and sensual display. He took a deep breath to steady himself before walking towards the prostrate girl before him. She was offering him her body to use for his pleasure, and after feeling her spasming along his length only a short while back, he was desperate for his release.

He lifted his stiff shaft, bringing the swollen head to rest on Tracy's soft lips. Her tongue licked daintily at the tip, leaving him glistening. She opened her mouth and engulfed the throbbing head of his stiff shaft.

The urge to thrust was irresistible, and his hips pushed forward. His mighty stiff shaft slid smoothly to the back of Tracy's mouth before finding the entrance to her throat. He stopped to savor the warmth of her mouth surrounding him as she sucked eagerly, beckoning him more profoundly. Taking the hint, he thrust forward, impaling the blonde's welcoming body until he was buried in the root. Watching her slim neck bulge was fascinating as his invading shaft forced her slender throat to accommodate his girth.

"Ahh!" he gasped in relief, feeling the warm, snug grip as his entire length was embedded.

"Mmm!" she moaned contentedly, the vibrations feeling incredible as she sucked him, with him resting deep in her gullet. He ached for release, and he could feel himself trembling with anticipation. He slowly and cautiously withdrew his stiff shaft until the head cleared the wanton blonde's lips. He paused momentarily, his shaft throbbing forebodingly above the sexy blonde's head as she leaned forward to plant sensuous soft kisses along his shaft.

Her mouth opened into that inviting oval for him again, and he took up that invitation, gliding into her proffered throat with one long, satisfying thrust. He began to drive his cock into her encouraging and welcoming mouth, face fucking the beautiful girl for the first time. She reveled in being pinned to the bed under him as he pounded her mouth and throat.

She used her lips to maintain a tight seal around him and sucked harder whenever he paused in his smooth thrusting action. She looked up at his swollen orbs as they swayed over her face. Soon their contents would be blasting into her slim belly. She could hardly wait.

Mike drove forward repeatedly, breathing labored as he approached closer to his peak. He pulled out completely so she could breathe, momentarily forgetting that she was his sexy android companion. She reminded him as she grabbed his ass and pulled him back into her enticing throat.

Her excitement and lust triggered his climax, and his body spasmed powerfully as his balls raised to deliver their cargo. He bellowed with relief as his orgasm crashed over him, thick heavy cum blasting out of his stiff shaft to fill the waiting girl below him. He could only stare starry-eyed at her rapidly moving throat as she sucked eagerly to get every last drop of his cum. Surge after surge of semen filled the sexy blonde android's stomach as her tummy began to accept his thick warm seed.

"Mmmph!" she moaned out her orgasm as her thighs trembled in time with Mike's.

The powerful pulses of cum eventually subsided, and Mike pulled his spent shaft from the sexy android's lovely lips. He pitched forward and collapsed on the bed to her side breathing deeply. Tracy bathed in the afterglow of her orgasm and stroked Mike's chest contentedly, loving the incredibly full feeling.

"That was amazing...I needed that!" Mike said with a tired appreciative grin.

Tracy smiled broadly. "My pleasure Admiral. I thought you might need that after having all those sexy young graduates flirting and chasing after you all evening," she said with a giggle. She covered Mike with the sheet where he lay unconscious on the bed and snuggled sexily in behind him, hugging the broad expanse of his back and allowing him to fall soundly asleep.

At a prestigious awards ceremony at the Deimos Shipyards the next day, Mike bestowed the rank of Rear Admiral (1-star) to the first 'Flag Officers' of the TUSN Fleet, who would then take command of the various fleets being constructed.

The ranks of 'Captain' and 'Commander' were awarded to the qualifying candidates with the announcement of the Fleet placements to be announced in the following two weeks once all vessels had completed their trials and commissioned into service in the Dark Phoenix Naval Fleet.

A week later, Sam informed Mike that TUSN Fleets Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot were complete and completed their commissioning trials. The announcement was broadcast fleet-wide with an undertaking to issue command positions and fleet allocations to each of the new TUSN Fleets within 24 hours.

Mike and Sam spent the following 24 hours discussing and assigning various commands and fleet posts to the recent graduates, posted on the Fleet Communications channel 24 hours later.

The TUSN Flagship Fleet Assignments posted on the Comms channel were announced as follows:

TUSN FLEET ANNOUNCEMENT – TUSN FLEET FLAGSHIP COMMAND POSTS

Admiral Emily Wright – Assigned commanding officer Flagship BC Warlock (Alpha Fleet)

Admiral Alex Richards – Assigned commanding officer Flagship BC Trident (Bravo Fleet)

Admiral Layla Thomas – Assigned commanding officer Flagship BC Aquilla (Charlie Fleet)

Admiral James Perry – Assigned Flagship commanding officer BC Conqueror (Delta Fleet)

Admiral Viktor Popov – Assigned Flagship commanding officer BC Ace of Spades (Echo Fleet)

Admiral Ivana Zhukov – Assigned Flagship commanding officer BC Black Viper (Foxtrot Fleet)

All Flag Officers are to immediately report to the Deimos Shipyards to take command of their fleet assignments and commence recruitment and placement of Dark Phoenix Crew. That is all.

BY ORDER

TUSN Fleet Command

The much-anticipated fleet command post had been made, and the excited commanding offices assembled at the entrance to the Deimos Shipyards. Today they were to inspect their new command ships.

"Can you believe it...our very own COMMANDS!" Layla squealed excitedly at her friend as they entered the massive Deimos Shipyard hanger bay doors. All six new flag officers wore white TUSN Fleet uniforms with rank insignia on the sleeves, gold epaulets, and flag-officer hats.

They were met outside the entrance by a formal guard of honor, the CEO of the Shipyards, Commodore Jack Devlin, and the Chief Engineer, Alain Gray. "Pinch me! I think I'm still dreaming," Emily said as she looked at the excited expression on her blonde friend's face.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, or should I rather say 'Admirals,' Commodore Jack Devlin, the CEO announced, greeting the group of flag offices as they arrived at the entrance.

"The six flagships have completed their shipyard trials and are ready for commissioning, Jack announced with a smile. You have all been informed of your assignments and will be escorted to the various ships within the shipyard via our shuttlecraft. Jack continued, your appointed Executive Officers and Chief Engineers have been assigned and await your arrival and the formal handing over of your commands.

Once again, congratulations on being selected to command the first capital starships constructed by this shipyard!" Jack concluded with a smile. The six friends exchanged farewells and shook the hands of the CEO and Chief Engineer before excitedly boarding their shuttles to their new homes amongst the stars.

As the distances between human settlements in the solar system grew, so did trade and commerce, and, unfortunately, crime. Incidents of piracy, not seen since the early 19th century, began to increase, particularly on the trade routes between the outer rim worlds and the inner planets, with pirates intercepting precious cargo from the asteroid belt destined for Earth and Mars. The SSSN dealt with criminal elements and smugglers preying on cargo transports and mining vessels.

"Sam, I think we have spent enough time in this system. Let's explore and see what is out there and perhaps get some answers to our mysterious 'Bug Aliens,' Mike suggested with a frown.

"Where would you like to go, Fleet Admiral?" she chuckled.

"Fleet Admiral?" Mike queried with a confused expression on his face noting the new title.

"Yes Admiral, we that we have a 'Fleet,' your designation is no longer 'Captain,' but 'Fleet Admiral,'" she said with a giggle at his confused expression.

"You are quite correct, Sam, he laughed. I had forgotten about that," he said with a grin. Let's explore the 'Proxima Centauri' system for now and decide from there.

"Let's take all TUSN Fleets with us and explore Proxima Centauri, Mike suggested. It would be a great shake-down trip for them, and they will gain some valuable fleet operational experience. Advise me when Foxtrot Fleet is complete, and we will schedule the trip," he said thoughtfully.

A week later, Sam informed Mike that Foxtrot Fleet was completed, and all TUSN fleets were fully commissioned.

"Sam, please advise all TUSN fleets to prepare for a hyper jump to the Proxima Centauri System within 24 hours. This will be a formal training exercise in fleet operations and maneuvers. A stealth jump will be required," Mike instructed, excited to be leaving the solar system for the first time.

"Orders acknowledged and understood, Admiral. All Fleets have been informed of your orders. Course plotted to the Proxima Centauri System – destination Proxima Centauri outer asteroid belt. The TUSN Fleet is prepared for hyperjump, Admiral," Sam advised 24 hours later.

"TUSN Fleet, proceed to the Deimos shipyard outer markers for a coordinated hyperjump. All vessels are to remain cloaked," Mike ordered over the TUSN Fleet communications. The TUSN Fleet assembled, cloaked, at the outer markers and slipped into hyperspace to the Proxima Centauri System with a pale blue flash and a ripple in the fabric of spacetime.