Silence shrouded the lengthy hallway of the branch office building covered with ornaments of all kinds. Walking through it were the two commanding officers belonging to the newly-summoned warships. They have been sent to the fleet admiral's office to personally meet him.
"Captain Himmel, do you believe the words they have uttered to us?" A white-bearded middle-aged man questioned a young man beside him. It has been a while since they were summoned into the foreign world, and many of their questions had been answered by nearby intelligence officers.
The young man, also known as Captain Himmel, glanced at the middle-aged man and coolly answered. "We have no choice but to believe them, Captain Tief. Besides, they have already explained it clearly to us. We have no choice but to trust them. Otherwise..."
"Are you suggesting to doubt the United Navy?" Captain Himmel raised an eyebrow, while the white-bearded middle-aged man calmly shook his head. "I don't desire to doubt the United Navy, Captain Himmel. I just find our circumstance strange."
"If we think carefully about it, it isn't as strange as you imply, Captain Tief. A golden light enveloped us and sent us into a location unknown to our navigational systems. It's clear that we have been summoned into a foreign world. By our fleet admiral, nonetheless." Captain Himmel stated.
"Apologies if I have offended you in some way, Captain Himmel." Captain Tief wondered if he had pissed the young captain in some way. Captain Himmel rejected his apologies and clarified. "You have not offended me in anyway, Captain Tief."
"I merely wish to remind you that we are about to meet the highest of authority in the United Navy. These type of discussions isn't something we should be conversing in our situation." Captain Himmel understood that things were strange.
But this wasn't the time to doubt the United Navy. Especially when they were about to meet the fleet admiral. Doubting the authority of the United Navy might as well be treason, and Captain Himmel didn't want to be disloyal to the highest authority.
"I see... Nonetheless, it is surprising to arrive in a world brimming with magic and fantastical creatures. It is evident that our fleet admiral is working hard to maintain our existence in this foreign world. It also seems that many of our comrades are adapting well."
Captain Tief expressed his thoughts about the matter before him. It was hard to not feel left out, but it was understandable. Compared to others, they were practically latecomers. They needed the fleet admiral's orders to find their duties in the foreign world.
On the other hand, Captain Himmel merely raised an eyebrow and didn't reply. The forces of the United Navy had grown ever larger according to the intelligence officers and they have become quite adapted to their circumstance.
New allies have even joined them in their endeavors, generally known as the beastfolks. Through the intelligence officers, Himmel understood that these creatures were bipedal anthropomorphic creatures with intelligence rivalling that of humans.
With this in mind, he concluded that things were far from simple. Perhaps there was a sociopolitical climate he was unaware of that prompted these new species to ally with the United Navy. Though, it doesn't much to him. The only thing he needed to do was follow orders.
It didn't take long before the two arrived at the front double door of the fleet admiral's office. It was strange that there were no guards around. As the highest authority of the United Navy, he should be heavily protected by several teams of guards.
Though, Captain Himmel didn't take this peculiarity into mind and knocked the door. He didn't dare to open it without the fleet admiral's permission.
*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*
Captain Tief stood idly beside him while his knocks resounded throughout the lengthy hallway. It didn't take a moment before a voice was heard from the other side.
"Come in."
Hearing such words, Himmel opened the door and the two entered the fleet admiral's office. They gaze onward and saw a luxurious chair pointing towards the window where the scenic view of a city resided. On it was the fleet admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.
From the words of the intelligence officers, they have heard legends and epics about him. During the first days of the United Navy, he led a small fleet to map the seas surrounding the home island and fought against a sea monster over 100 meters tall.
During that moment, he met with a dragon and tamed her with his unrivalled charisma. That dragon had become the feared sword of the United Navy. Only the fleet admiral could order her, and her breath could bring out a blast comparable to a nuclear explosion.
There was also a time where he was almost assassinated by enemy magicians. He managed to kill most of them, and a so-called Sovereign emerged, but he survived unscathed against the gods of Humanity.
In just a few months, the Port of Dawn that started out as a small port compound turned into a city of its own. This signified the accelerated growth, and the ability of the fleet admiral to guide it.
The words of the intelligence officers couldn't be considered as lies. After all, Captain Himmel was confident that they would have records about what they had spoken to him.
So, all in all, he felt profound admiration towards the highest of authority in the United Navy.
Before the young captain could continue thinking, a calm voice escaped the confines of the luxurious chair. It was nonchalant, yet demanded authority and respect to those that heard of it.
"You must be the commanding officers of the UNS Orion Deep and UNS Ceaseless Skies, correct?" It was a mere question, but it felt like a command. They must answer it, or else. Who knows what could happen.
"We are the commanding officers of the spoken vessels, Fleet Admiral." Captain Himmel saluted, and Captain Tief followed suite. The atmosphere in the office was tense as the two captains felt as though they had been sent into a tiger's den.
The chair of the fleet admiral slowly turned, revealing a handsome middle-aged man sitting on it. His hair was jet-black, his eyes as black as the night before. His shoulders was broad, his skin pale. It was as if they were looking at a handsome young king.
"Oh, I see... Quite impressive vessels, you have there. I believe I have no need to introduce myself, or should I?" It was a simple question, but the two of them didn't wish to entertain such a dangerous preposition.
"We will simply introduce ourselves, Fleet Admiral. We already know of your admirable stature." Captain Tief smoothly stated, which made the young captain somewhat surprised. It looks like the one beside him was also someone that he couldn't underestimate.
"If you say so, I guess. I'm interested of your names, so tell me." The one before them spoke in such a nonchalant manner. Yet, authority seems to follow his words and voice. No matter how uncaring and easygoing he acted. Things were always different on the outside.
"Affirmative, Sir." Captain Tief nodded and glanced at Captain Himmel to start their introduction. The young captain raised his eyebrows, but decided to go first as it wasn't respectful to push their introductions into one another.
He didn't want to appear foolish before the fleet admiral.
"I am Captain Himmel of the UNS Ceaseless Skies. I am the commanding officer of the Advanced Hindenburg-Class Airship, awaiting for command, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd." Himmel introduced while straightened his back.
"I am Captain Tief of the UNS Orion Deep. Commanding officer of the Virginia-Class Nuclear Attack Submarine, also awaiting for command, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd." Tief straightened his back and followed the introduction of the young captain.
"A spectacular introduction. I'm sure the two of you have questions about our current circumstances. And I'm confident that the intelligence officers have already answered those questions. So, I'll get straight to the point." The fleet admiral smiled at them.
Though, the two didn't feel delighted at all with that smile. It felt like a guillotine was being pointed at their necks, threatening to chop it off.
"I will be giving you your orders. Your first assignment after your summoning. Quite early, yes. But, I'm confident of your capabilities to tread in unknown waters." Abraham looked at the two without breaking eye contact with them.
In his eyes, they were skilled captains. After all, they were the commanding officers of such impressive warships. As such, they should be capable in their expertise, which meant that Abraham had no need to baby them.
"Which begs the question, are the two of you ready?" The fleet admiral asked the two commanding officers a question that would change their lives. Would they immediately go on a mission after the summoning. Or will they take their time and adapt like everyone else.
Unlike the others, they didn't have the luxury of time. It was clear that there was a time limit for the United Navy before the beginning of the final operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. So, only one option emerged in their mind.
"UNS Ceaseless Skies is ready, Sir!"
"UNS Orion Deep is ready to submerge, Fleet Admiral."
The two commanding officers saluted and stated their decision. Abraham proudly smiled at the two since the mission they would be sent to participate wasn't a particularly hard one. They didn't need to participate in a battle or two, but they will be extremely close too the enemy.
"Alright, since the two of you have made your decisions. I'll start with your briefing."