Arya blinked against the medical pod's sterile glare. The hum of unfamiliar machines faded, replaced by the distant rumble of landing shuttles and academy bells.
Outside, Epsilon Prime's dawn painted the endless glass corridors of the Interstellar Military Academy in orange and blue, like old memories replayed in a new life.
The system's interface pulsed in her mind, still echoing Divya's last thought: If there's life beyond this… let me keep fighting.She stretched, fingers slender and uncalloused—unlike Divya's from years at a starship helm. The woman in the mirror was Arya, yes, but somewhere in the light behind her eyes was the soul of an old commander.
"System, status report," Arya whispered as the digital HUD swam into focus.
Commander System online
Synchronization: 66%Vital signs: StablePhysical integrity: First-class cadet, Nova Dominion AcademyNeural link: UnlockedArya stepped out from the pod, dressed in plain blue academy robes; rank insignia gleamed on her left shoulder, as if daring the world to challenge her. Outside, the academy's central square saw students rushing—some nervous, some eager, few as utterly alone as she felt.A pair of cadets whispered as she approached.
"Is that the transfer student, Arya Vex? I thought she was on medical leave after the siege."
"She looks different. It's like she's—older, or something."Arya ignored them, striding purposefully toward the simulation wing. Today was the day of her "awakening assessment"—a rite every cadet endured to earn commander status.She remembered flashes from Divya's life: briefing rooms, tense diplomatic nights, the feel of a ship's engines beneath her feet. But the academy was another world—a place where everyone watched, waiting for a leader to rise.At the assessment gate, an instructor greeted her.
"Cadet Arya, you're expected.
The simulation begins in ten minutes. Are you ready?"She nodded, eyes hard. "Always."The doors slid open, and Arya stepped into the virtual warfare bay. Panels shimmered, forming a simulated bridge in cold white light. Her tactical bracelet beeped, synchronizing with the Commander System, which now seemed more alive than ever.
"Commander, graduation simulation is Level 5: Fleet encounter. Opponent: Lore Commander Senka, Federation ace. Assessment parameters: fleet command, tactical adaptability, formation change, neural synchronization."
Arya recalled fragments of Lin Fan's training from the StarCraft's Strongest Commander episode—repeated battles, each with a higher difficulty, and the pressure to stand as more than human.
She steeled herself, clasping her hands over the virtual console."Virtual battlefield will initiate in 10 seconds.
Be prepared."Her fleet materialized: ten Nova warships, lightly armored but maneuverable. Enemy signals registered fifty million kilometers away—Senka's formation, dense and aggressive, known for crushing cadet lines within minutes.Arya breathed deeply. Memories flickered—Divya's instincts, Arya's raw skill, the commander spirit now doubly fierce within her.The countdown pulsed.
3…
2…
1…
The battle commenced.Arya's hands danced over the virtual controls, directing scouts forward and cycling formation codes. Her neural link buzzed, relaying tactical data at machine speed. The system pressed for decisions—expecting her to use the full array of skills buried within both lifetimes."Deploy skirmish screen, Delta pattern!" she ordered.
Three ships surged ahead, absorbing the first wave of enemy plasma fire. Arya anticipated the attack—ordering evasive maneuvers moments before Senka's formation tried to envelop her fleet."Switch Alpha column, reinforce sector three!" she called.Her warships pivoted seamlessly, streaming defense drones behind them. The enemy's formation split under pressure, unable to respond faster than her hybrid intuition.The academy's simulation panel recorded everything. Arya lost two ships but retaliated, knocking out five of Senka's front line.
Every tactical shift echoed a strength Lin Fan had discovered through relentless virtual assaults: the ability to adapt, endure abuse, and grow sharper after each loss.She remembered: Level 5 meant all opponents had "A-grade" command abilities, nigh unbeatable. But Arya's mind was different—she carried Divya's cosmic memory, the lessons of survival when no one should have survived."System—activate predictive formation matrix," Arya instructed."Predictive module engaged. Tactical enhancement: +12%. Fleet formation command: A-level achieved."She saw the next enemy feint a split second early. Her counter command was precise.
"Flood pattern, left sector! Fire—now!"As her fleet rotated, adaptive guns tracked the enemy advance, and plasma fire consumed the lead battleship. Arya smiled—her consciousness merging past and present, old scars forging perfect focus.The battle raged on, hour after hour. In simulated time, it felt like days—a dance of loss and recovery, every defeat bringing some strategic gain. Arya's hands never shook; she watched formations, mapped reactions, balanced risk as if her soul was threaded through every ship."Simulation complete. Fleet survival: 47%. Enemy losses: 35%. Combat efficiency: 89%."When Arya emerged, drenched in sweat and shivering from adrenaline, the instructor was silent for a moment."Cadet… Arya, that was remarkable. You absorbed, adapted, and countered tactics we haven't seen since the Nova War."She met his eyes, letting him see both the past and the future burning inside."Loss is the best teacher," Arya said quietly.
"You learn faster when there's no option except victory."Outside, the academy's central square teemed with students. Arya passed by, head high, as holographic screens displayed her results: "A-Level Command—First Rank."Some gossiped.
"So she really is a genius? Or maybe… a monster."
"Did you see how she shifted formation? There were no gaps at all!"But Arya paid no attention. She was here to reclaim her destiny—not for applause, but to rebuild everything lost in the starfields.At midday, she was summoned to the Fleet Instructor's office. The man behind the desk was old, sharp-eyed—someone who'd seen centuries of commanders rise and fall."Cadet Arya," he said, "I studied your results. Your neural synchronization is off the charts, even compared to Lin Fan's record last year."
Arya nodded, not surprised. "The system's interface adapts. I suppose I adapt faster."He leaned forward. "You're different. Memories overlap. You process data like a Grand Admiral, and you make decisions like a survivor. Half the academy fears you'll break the simulation limits."Arya shrugged. "Limits only matter if you accept them."
The instructor tapped his console, activating a mission log."I have a proposition. The Mars base fleet lost its main tactical AI—Helios. If you can restore and synchronize it, you'll gain instant Field Commander status. More important, you'll have access to restricted Project Phoenix data—the key to both your past and this new future. Interested?"Arya's breath caught. Project Phoenix—the reason for her rebirth, the answer to what tied Divya's soul to Arya's body."I accept," she said. "Prepare transfer protocols. I'll launch in one hour."He smiled faintly. "Then prepare yourself for what the Nova Dominion never wanted you to see."
Arya returned to her quarters to review the Commander System's new upgrades."Commander AI module advancing. Formation command: A-level. Fleet specialization: unlocked.Auxiliary function: brain development (3%). Nutrient solution required.Side tasks:Become fleet commander. Command at least ten warships.
Reward: curvature engine technology.Raise rank to colonel.
Reward: gene enhancement, unlock body function panel."She remembered Lin Fan's attribute panel—how every victory in simulation increased brain development, tactical foresight, and base stats.
Arya drank a can of nutrient solution, feeling a surge of cold energy stabilize her thoughts.Her panel updated:
Host: Arya Vex (formerly Divya Rehn)
IQ: 370
Brain Development: 3%
Command Abilities: Formation (A), Evasion (B), Fleet Coordination (A), Mecha (C)Task Progress: 1/2 complete
She packed her essentials, donned the full blue-embroidered fleet uniform, and walked out into the landing bay.Waiting for her at the ramp was a familiar face—a young instructor, surely surprised by her transformation."Ready for Mars base?" he asked.Arya nodded, steely-eyed. "Ready for anything."The shuttle departed, Epsilon Prime's academy shrinking into a distant point below. Arya stared into the stars, mind working furiously.The Commander System's prompt appeared in her neural HUD."Commander, you exhibit abnormal brainwave patterns. Previous-life echoes detected. Would you like to synchronize further?"Arya hesitated. "No. Keep the memories as they are. I am Arya, but Divya is not gone.
She may be needed.""Confirmed. Dual personality retained. Tactical reinforcement enabled."Arya closed her eyes as the stars passed by—memories swirling of Divya's lost crew, dreams of the Artemis Voyager, and the promise of Project Phoenix.This time, I will find the truth.The Mars base greeted Arya with cold, metallic halls, bustling officers, and high-level security. The Commander System guided her through biometric scans, alliance dossiers, and endless tactical briefings.Inside the central AI hub, she found the Helios core—an ancient tactical machine, its lights flickering, waiting for a worthy commander.Arya placed her palm upon the helm. The System pulse matched her heartbeat; neural links locked, and Helios awoke for the first time in years."Welcome, Commander Arya. The fleet awaits your orders."On the main screen, mission logs appeared—enemy fleet simulations, strategic deployments, and the first whisper of a message only she could understand…