The Martian Military Academy hummed with quiet tension. Arya stood on the observation deck, eyes scanning the vast holographic projection before her. The simulated battlefield was an asteroid belt—a chaotic, treacherous arena of floating rock clusters and shadowed debris, perfect for ambushes but impossible for traditional fleet tactics.
Her breath was steady, but inside, her thoughts raced. This was no typical training exercise.
The holographic command bay activated around her. The Commander System's interface thrummed with data streams, synchronizing her mind with every inch of the simulation.
> **Simulation Level: 7**
> **Battlefield: Dense asteroid belt**
> **Opponents: Federation elite fleet**
> **Opponent Commander: Liang Xingchen, top graduate of the Academy**
> **Objective: Defend the convoy, outmaneuver and outlast enemy fleet**
Liang Xingchen—the very name hammered respect and fear into every cadet's heart. His reputation as a tactician and fleet commander went beyond the Academy's walls into the Federation's hardened military ranks. Arya had learned of him in briefings, and even glimpsed his strategic mastery from her interactions with the system.
But now, she would face him on the battlefield, even if simulated. Her heart pulsed—not with fear, but with the fierce hunger born of two commanders' souls intertwined.
The virtual bay simulated the cockpit cameras snapping closed behind her, the decks shaking as countdowns began.
> **5…**
> **4…**
> **3…**
> **2…**
> **1… Engage.**
Her fleet materialized among the rocky spires of the asteroid belt—ten warships with sleek hulls adapted for maneuvering tight corridors.
The fleet sensors buzzed, scanning alternate routes and blind spots amid the asteroids. She knew that in such terrain, fleet laser barrages and heavy artillery were often compromised by line-of-sight limitations, but speed and drone reconnaissance were priceless.
Arya extended her hand, and from it, hundreds of micro-mechas and drones erupted, deploying like swarms of mechanical fireflies to scout and shield her fleet. These were her secret weapons.
The observation deck filled with the murmurs of her fellow cadets. Emma and Li Fulai stood close by, eyes riveted.
"She's trusted drones and mechas for reconnaissance and deception…" Emma whispered, awe touching her voice.
"Unorthodox, but effective," Li Fulai conceded, clearly impressed.
***
Meanwhile, inside the virtual command bay, Arya's connected mind processed data swiftly.
*Liang Xingchen's fleet is numerically equal, possibly stronger in standard ship-to-ship combat,* her System informed—*But his formation is textbook. He respects the environment but underestimates drone and mech deployment.*
She initiated her plan swiftly:
"Deploy mecha units in dispersed formations! Use asteroids as cover and send drone detachments to create decoy signatures on radar!"
Her command linked through the neural uplink, and the drones scattered into a hundred tiny formations—each mimicking warships on scanners, generating false readings for the enemy.
On the holographic main screen, her fleet's radar blip fragmented into hundreds of false targets—a phantom armada guarding the true fleet's position.
Liang Xingchen's eyes narrowed as his scouts reported multiple hidden fleets—100 on the radar—a mirage of metal and light.
"Impossible," he muttered incredulously. "Where is the real fleet?"
***
Back on the observation deck, Li Fulai clapped slowly, a smile cracking his stern face.
"This is unprecedented. Lin Fan's—no, Arya's—is using mechas and drones not just as support, but as a primary formation."
Emma's brow furrowed. "Isn't this deceptive? It's one thing to scout with drones; it's another to fool the entire fleet radar."
Li Fulai nodded, eyes fixed on the projection swirling with asteroid debris.
"It's genius... and risky. If her fleet gets caught without backup, it's over."
***
Inside the simulation, Arya's fleet moved deliberately. The true warships were tightly clustered within asteroid shadows, while the drone-mecha formations created multiple false fronts.
Liang Xingchen made his move. His fleet separated into three columns, fast and stealthy, seeking to flank what he believed were the false fleets.
Arya predicted this.
"Prepare ambush protocols," she said to the system. "Initiate plasma pulse traps along predicted paths."
Her drones formed electromagnetic nets between asteroids, ready to disable enemy propulsion units the moment they crossed.
The trap snapped shut—a wave of disrupted engines and blinded sensors crippled the flanking columns and broke their formation.
The real fleet fired as one, capitalizing with laser volleys from behind asteroid cover.
***
In the observation hall, the crowd gasped. Emma whispered, "I didn't expect such control... even from the cadet everyone feared."
Li Fulai's gaze was sharper than ever.
"This is what the system called 'curvature engine tactics'—using environment, deception, and synchronized fleet components beyond textbook strategy."
***
The battle raged further—fleets weaving between asteroids, drones swarming, laser fire bouncing off ice and rock.
Though outnumbered in direct firepower, Arya's strategy forced Liang Xingchen to scatter his forces repeatedly and retreat.
With precision, Arya issued final orders.
"Concentrate drone mass as offensive swarm. Evasive columns break enemy formation! Fire full attack!"
The drones merged into a kinetic storm—a living, humming tempest racing toward Liang Xingchen's vulnerable command warship.
Unable to evade, his flagship was pummeled by the onslaught and crippled.
Simulation status update appeared:
> **Battle status: Victory.**
> **Survivor fleet integrity: 64%.**
> **Tactical rating: S+.**
Arya exhaled, her mind tingling with the thrill of success.
***
After the simulation, Arya stepped out into the academy's courtyard. Students gathered around, some whispering in disbelief—this cadet had rewritten the rules.
The system pulsed in her neural HUD:
> **Commander status upgraded. New abilities unlocked.**
> **Formation command mastery increased to S-tier.**
> **Advanced drone-mecha fusion unlocked.**
> **Project Phoenix data: new leads available.**
Arya's lips curved into a reserved smile.
The path ahead was just beginning—and she now held weapons and skills beyond mortal commanders.
***
This test was not just a trial of skill—it was the dawn of a legend, the rise of the commander who straddled two souls and one destiny.
Arya's rebirth was no accident. The Commander System had chosen its wielder. The stars would remember her name.