Arya stood before the vast tactical panel of the Martian Military Academy's simulation command warehouse. Holographic asteroids glimmered in all directions; her hands hovered above the controls, mind connected to the Commander System. Opposing her was the legendary Fleet Commander Liang Xingchen—a figure both respected and feared throughout the Interstellar Federation.
This was Arya's final graduation test. Success meant earning her place among the fleet's elite, but failure would haunt her memory as both Arya and the soul of Divya Rehn.
The simulation's challenge: defend her convoy from a surprise assault while navigating the perilous asteroid field. Her fleet of 100 warships was well positioned, decoys and drones deployed, careful tactics inspired by hard-won experience and flashes of Lin Fan's bold innovation. Arya knew the risks—her memories recalled Lin Fan's trick with thousands of mechas hidden among asteroids, and the danger of overextending.
Across the map, Liang Xingchen's fleet seemed to shift and reform, almost as if trying to lure her into a trap.
Arya hesitated only a moment before sending her decoy formation—a mix of drone-simulated warships and real attack ships—outward. Her plan was flawless; or so she believed.
The Commander System hummed:
> "Enemy fleet approaching attack range; caution advised. Unusual formation detected."
Arya pressed forward. Her decoys advanced with precision, and enemy fire opened—but from an unexpected angle. First, direct laser fire tore through her right flank. She scanned the radar: suddenly, three new enemy fleets appeared where she had calculated only one.
Her mind raced. "Impossible—he has deployed a hidden force."
The Commander System supplied a rapid analysis:
> "Decoy analysis: multiple radar contacts decomposing. Enemy fleet disguises mecha swarms as warship clusters."
Arya's chest tightened. "He's taken Lin Fan's strategy and amplified it," she realized.
Her defense line collapsed; her own overconfidence led her main fleet into exposure. Worse, as she shifted her ships to counterattack, the real enemy warships accelerated forward—baiting Arya into an arc behind Liang Xingchen's force.
Suddenly, warning alarms resounded. Behind her fleet, thousands of enemy mechas emerged from asteroid cover, closing in rapidly. Arya's mechas and drones were deployed too far to return quickly; her capital ships' guns were powerful but slow—ineffective against close-range mechas.
She felt the weight of Divya's past failures—a hint, a warning from the soul within.
The battle moved too fast. Arya barked urgent orders, attempting to shift her formation, but the enemy mecha swarm cut through her rear ranks. Her system reported casualties in rapid sequence.
> "Mecha units breached rear guard. Fleet integrity compromised."
Arya clenched her fist, forcing herself to adapt. "All ships, break off and target enemy mechas with secondary batteries—execute evasive loop Omega!"
Her fleet tried, but the movement came too late. Ten minutes—an eternity—passed in simulated warfare, and Arya watched her fleet dissolve. The final tally: 100 warships destroyed, tens of thousands of drones lost, and defeat at the hands of a legendary tactician.
She exhaled, humbled but not hopeless.
A message blinked on the Commander System:
> "Defeat registered. Tactical learning increased. Commander rating: B+."
***
After the test ended, Arya stood at attention before Liang Xingchen and Dean Li Fulai in the virtual observation hall.
Li Fulai announced, "Commander Arya, despite the simulation defeat, you demonstrated unrivaled creativity, perseverance, and adaptive command. You passed your final assessment and earned the right to join the Mars base as Field Commander."
The hall broke into applause. Arya, like Lin Fan before her, saluted with the formality and pride expected of a Federation officer. Emma and other cadets watched, amazed and respectful. The rumors of Arya's brilliance—and her dual-souled nature—echoed through the crowd.
Liang Xingchen stepped closer. "No shame in loss, Arya. You forced me to reveal tactics I reserve for war, not training. You need only real battle to mature as a fleet commander."
Arya replied, "Thank you, Commander. I am ready to serve and learn."
He smiled, handing her the official transfer order. "Prepare your fleet. Mars base awaits."
Arya glanced at Li Fulai. He nodded, eyes crinkling with pride.
"Welcome to the real front lines."
***
Later that afternoon, the Academy gathered for the formal graduation ceremony. Arya stood on the stage as the flags of the Interstellar Federation unfurled and music thundered through the auditorium.
Li Fulai raised his voice: "Now I announce—Cadet Arya Vex, former Nova Dominion officer and survivor of the Epsilon siege, has passed all requirements. From this moment, you are promoted to Fleet Commander, and granted immediate transfer to Mars base."
Students cheered. Arya accepted her badge, the electronic pendant of rank glowing in her palm. She glanced at Emma, who smiled shyly—rivalry softened into respect.
Liang Xingchen looked on, nodding. "You fought well, Arya. On Mars, you will temper theory with real danger. Are you ready for that?"
Arya's eyes burned with unyielding resolve. "I have lived, died, and been reborn for it."
Liang Xingchen laughed, impressed. "Very good. Follow me."
***
As the ceremony concluded, Arya stood before her assembled team—pilots, tacticians, engineers. Her system pinged with updates:
> Fleet integrity: 85%
> Tactical rating: B+
> System advancement: Next stage unlocked—Project Phoenix Alpha link established.
> Mars base transfer: one hour until departure.
She gathered her officers. "We head to Mars in one hour. Prepare all ships, run diagnostics, and upload command codes. This is our first true test."
Her second-in-command, a young officer named Deryn, nodded. "Ready, Commander."
Arya spent the final hour reviewing defense protocols, old battle logs—memories from both her lives, blending desperation with inspiration.
She pinged the system: "Open Project Phoenix files."
> "Commander access granted. Warning: classified material ahead. Revealing data in stages."
Arya scrolled through encrypted logs—references to failed experiments, lost souls, and a mysterious AI named Helios. The urge to uncover her own rebirth's secret grew stronger.
***
At sunset, Arya boarded her cruiser at the academy launch bay. Under the violet Martian sky, the fleet lifted off, engines roaring.
Her system pulsed:
> "Mars base transfer logged. Command integration complete. Project Phoenix, Cycle 1, begins."
Arya leaned forward in the captain's chair.
*This time,* she vowed, *I will not repeat the mistakes of the past. I will forge a legacy worthy of both Divya and Arya.*
The stars waited—a new battlefield, a new beginning.