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[Khyron Overmind]

The skies above Kuat were filled with several Fleets that had arrived in the last days. Preparations for major war exercises were in place, for what was going to become the most important war games in the last years. The war games had been planned several months in advance, so no one took a second guess at the presence of those Fleets. The fact that there was a certain degree of instability across the Galaxy was indeed considered as a contributing factor to the presence of more Fleets than usual, but that thought was left behind as the preparations were final.

A big ceremony was to take place in the Naval Headquarters and the Minister of Defense was supposed to take part if the ceremony. Nevertheless, due to his recent trip to Corellia, he would be participating in the ceremony by means of a hologram transmission.

As the time grew closer, several thousands of Naval officers and enlisted personnel arrived to the parade yard of the Naval Headquarters. They quickly filled the explanade and formed into ranks, as previously established. Some minutes before the schedule start of the ceremony, everything was ready to begin. And so it happened.

Several ranking officers of the Imperial Navy exited the main building and walked towards the VIP area, where they were supposed to attend the ceremony. The clocks finally indicated that the time had come and the band started playing the Naval March. As the last notes were heard, the demonstration squadron of the Navy made a low-level pass, using smoke markers of different colors, which contrasted with the blue ceiling of the sunny day.

As the eyes of the multitude was focused upwards in the demonstration team, also known as acrobatic team, a holoprojector had come online. The image that was visible now was the one of Fleet Admiral OVERMIND, Minister of Defense and Commander in Chief of the Military Forces.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Navy. I am here today to inaugurate this year's wargames, Operation Thunderstrike. It has been a very short time since I arrived to this era, and little time that I have held the position of Minister of Defense, but there are things that do not change despite of times. Training is very important for our forces, almost as important as breathing. Training is what makes us ready for the real thing. In another place and in another time, I used to say: It is better to sweat in training than to bleed in battle."

"Some of you already know me, but some of you still do not. I am man of action rather than a man that does too much talking. Therefore, let's go to what really matters here today. As of this moment, I declare Operation Thunderstrike started. Several challenges lie ahead of you. I wish you all good luck."

Applause started inmediately among the ranks assembled in the Naval Headquarters. Several challenges indeed waited ahead in the three weeks that the wargames would last. Several opportunities for a fighter pilot to show his peers how good he really was. Or for that matter, for any member of the Navy.

When the applause was over, the Admiral continued.

"But before you can climb into cockpits, load weapons, charge shields and other activities that will be repeated along the following three weeks, there is something that needs to be taken care of first. Vice Admiral Locke Firecam, please come up front."

Admiral Firecam was surprised by this request, but being a good Naval officer, he obeyed inmediately. He approached the podium where the holographic projection of the Minister of Defense was and saluted. Fleet Admiral OVERMIND returned the salute and continued.

"In my term as a Minister of Defense, I have been watching your activities very closely, without you realizing it. After analizing very carefully your situation so far, I do not like what I see. You no longer deserve to carry those insignias. Commodore Stonehead, please remove them."

Commodore Stonehead approached Vice Admiral Firecam and removed his insignias, remaining at his side.

"Locke Firecam, as of this moment, I am giving you the rank you really deserve, thus I am promoting you to the rank of full Admiral and appointing you as the Chief of Naval Operations. During your term as Acting Chief of Naval Operations, you have showed that you are a good leader and have earned the respect and admiration of those that you have commanded so far. Therefore, I am ratifying you in that position, moving you from Acting to Permanent."

For a second time, the crowd exploded in applauses for the newly promoted Admiral Firecam.

"Admiral Firecam, I now give you your Navy back for it is yours to command. I apologize, but I will not be able to attend the rest of the ceremony because urgent matters require my attention in Corellia. But rest asssured that I will be keeping a close eye in the wargames."

The holoprojector was desactivated while Admiral Firecam took his position in the podium to give the guidelines for the starting wargames.