At the border.
An enormous armada lay stationed at the entrance to a Hyperlane. The spacing between the ships clearly marked out three large fleets.
All the Empire's main fleets had assembled. Three full-strength, mixed-composition cruiser fleets were in position, and the combat communications network buzzed with activity as the ships eagerly contacted one another, sharing their excitement.
The classified command network, however, remained silent. Only the most secret operational orders would be issued there.
Xi Yan sat upright in the command center of the Ring World's Stellar Base, his expression solemn.
"All units, report your status."
"First Fleet, Commander Ning Zhiyuan ready."
"Second Fleet, Commander Ningdi Lingling ready."
"Third Fleet, advanced Combat Computer network ready. (Synthesized electronic voice.)"
"Overall Commander Cybrex Beta online. All fleets, conduct a final self-check."
"Advanced Combat Computers aboard all ships acknowledge. Running self-checks... Antimatter Reactors ready, Plasma Thrusters ready, Hyperdrives ready, all weapons in all ship slots ready, shields and armor ready... Complete. Standing by."
"Overall Commander reporting: all preparations complete. Awaiting the Marshal's orders."
"Check the progress of the Goddess of the Night's blessing."
Bubble, a Space Amoeba the size of a cruiser, swayed her plump body, her flagella gently brushing each ship as she bestowed the Goddess of the Night's blessing upon them.
Whatever the future held, Bubble would always watch over every ship that ventured far from home. She had grown alongside the Empire. Whenever children born within the Empire looked up at the countless stars, they could often see her beautiful green glow.
The sight of Bubble also accompanied those children as they grew up, and when they set off for the battlefield to fight for their beliefs and their homeland, she blessed the departing soldiers.
The enormous Space Amoeba withdrew her flagella and gently flew back to the border