Chapter 428: Seven-Day Ceasefire With Orison

"She can service multiple escorts while underway, once her repairs are complete, and carry enough emergency components for a small task force," Aurelian explained.

Neris considered the possibilities before nodding. "That could reduce the number of separate supply runs we need during extended operations."

"That’s what I was thinking."

"Then she’s useful," Neris concluded, adding Caelira to her future logistics plans.

Aurelian raised an eyebrow. "That was easier than expected."

"I never said she wasn’t useful. I said supplying her missiles would be expensive."

"Fair enough."

Neris continued updating the logistics plan, making it clear that Caelira would not replace the two cargo vessels, fuel carrier, or repair tender already approved.

Those ships were still necessary, while Caelira would serve as an armed support vessel that could accompany the fleet during dangerous operations.

Her repairs would also have to fit around the existing schedule. Neris refused to let the new cruiser consume materials assigned to her own refit, and Aurelian agreed.

There was no reason to improve one ship by delaying another.

Later that afternoon, Aurelian visited Seraphiel’s dock, where her secondary relay repairs were progressing well.

Meridian expected her to begin limited deployment on schedule, and Seraphiel had already started reviewing the tactical records from Crownward’s recent battles.

"I heard you recovered another ship," she said, looking up as he approached.

"Caelira. An arsenal-support cruiser."

Seraphiel nodded with recognition. "My original fleet operated with one."

That caught Aurelian’s interest. "How did the combination work?"

"Very well, provided the arsenal vessel had sufficient ammunition."

Aurelian sighed. "Everyone keeps mentioning that."

Seraphiel looked slightly confused. "It is an important requirement."

"I know."

She brought up an old fleet formation, showing her frigate positioned near the center and surrounded by escorts and heavier warships.

The arsenal cruiser remained farther back, using information from the coordination network to launch missiles against distant targets.

Aurelian studied the arrangement with interest. It was exactly the kind of support structure Crownward had been missing.

"Can you adapt this to our fleet?" he asked.

"Yes, but I need current performance data from the other ships."

"Eirenne can provide it."

"She already has," Seraphiel replied calmly. "We started discussing it this morning."

Aurelian stared at her for a moment, then shook his head. Apparently, the fleet was becoming organized without waiting for him to approve every conversation. That was probably a good thing.

Vaelith, however, was considerably less interested in the new formation.

When Aurelian visited her dock, she was standing beside the open accelerator assembly while several engineers inspected its damaged focusing rails.

"Caelira arrived," she said, glancing toward him.

"Yes."

"She carries heavy missiles?"

"Yes."

"Good." Vaelith nodded, then pointed toward her accelerator. "Now repair this."

Aurelian sighed. "Meridian is already doing that."

"I know."

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because I want it finished," she answered, looking back at the damaged assembly.

Aurelian left before she found another reason to complain.

Over the next several days, repairs and testing continued across Helion’s docks. Caelira’s engine stabilizer was repaired first, allowing her to move safely between the facilities.

Her fuel-transfer system needed more work, but the engineers confirmed they could restore it without replacing the entire assembly.

Seraphiel completed her initial relay repairs and began controlled testing with several Helion patrol ships.

Her coordination system performed well, reducing communication delays and improving the patrol group’s response to simulated attacks from multiple directions.

The shield-support network was less successful during its first test, however.

Two older patrol vessels could not handle the transfer demands without modifications, forcing Seraphiel to adjust her plans.

Aurelian preferred that approach to forcing the system to work before the ships were ready.

Meanwhile, Vaelith’s accelerator repairs continued, and Neris’s refit remained on schedule.

Annex Seven’s long-range relay also established a stable connection with Helion, allowing Eirenne to exchange more information without relying on the old, slower communication chain.

Route coordination became easier, although Meridian made it clear that the relay was still far from fully repaired.

The improved connection also did not mean the Adaptive Strategic Cognition Matrix was ready for permanent integration.

Meridian still needed to inspect it physically, and Aurelian had no intention of rushing.

Outside the docks, the seven-day ceasefire with Orison continued without further incidents. Rhoswen reported no new attacks, while Valeris Reach began discussing formal recovery boundaries with Orison’s representatives.

Crownward provided military observation and technical support, but Aurelian made no offer of protection. That question remained separate.

Mara Venn also sent a message thanking Crownward for helping secure Kestrel’s release.

Her people were gradually returning home, although their station still needed repairs and several replacement ships before mining could resume properly.

Aurelian forwarded the civilian recovery requests to Neris, who complained about the additional workload before arranging the deliveries anyway. By now, he was getting used to that pattern.

On the fourth day after Caelira’s arrival, Eirenne contacted Aurelian while he was reviewing a charter implementation report.

"The reconnaissance destroyer’s command core inspection is complete," she announced.

Aurelian looked up from his report. "What did Meridian find?"

"The personality structure is intact. The hull requires moderate repairs, but awakening can proceed safely once the core receives stable power."

That was good news. Another recoverable ship meant another potential addition to Crownward’s growing fleet.

"How much work are we looking at?" he asked, opening the repair schedule.

"Approximately twelve days for full restoration. The command core can be awakened sooner."

Aurelian leaned back and considered the situation. They already had enough unfinished ships, but awakening the destroyer’s shipgirl would allow her to assist with repairs and identify which systems needed attention first.

That approach had worked well with Seraphiel and Caelira.

"Schedule the awakening after Meridian finishes today’s tests."

"Understood," Eirenne replied with a nod.

Aurelian closed the report and stood, drawing Astra’s attention.

"Another one?" she asked, looking at him with a small smile.

"Apparently."

"Rhoswen will want to know."

"She can wait."

Astra’s smile grew slightly, but she made no further comment.

Aurelian turned toward the dock map, beginning to suspect that Helion’s old sealed docks would keep surprising him for some time.

He had recovered three shipgirls in only a few days, with two still undergoing major repairs while the third was only beginning to test her systems.

The fleet was growing, but more importantly, it was becoming better organized. Caelira would provide ammunition and mobile repair support, Seraphiel would improve coordination and defense, and Vaelith would eventually add another heavy attacker.

Now, a reconnaissance destroyer was waiting to be awakened.

Looking over the repair schedules, Aurelian hoped the next shipgirl would be a little less demanding about her equipment.

Considering his recent luck, he doubted it.