The Qronha system had a sparse population, a pair of habitable but insignificant planets. Its main importance derived from a very old ekti-harvesting city that floated in the clouds of the system’s gas giant, one of the few remaining skymines still run by Ildirans, rather than human Roamers.

To Adar Kori’nh, this seemed a good place to engage in instructive space military maneuvers.

He divided the two cohorts into opposing teams and ordered hundreds of ships to become artificial antagonists. Following the human tradition, Kori’nh designated the two groups “red team” and “blue team.” Earth strategists had developed this process during centuries of combat simulations, and the Adar thought the exercise would be interesting. More than just a game.

Tal Aro’nh, an old-school professional, led the blue cohort. The Tal adequately performed all his assigned duties and exercises. But even so, he concerned Kori’nh the most. Innovation seemed a foreign concept to the old commander, who complained most bitterly about “wasting time” on unorthodox exercises.

Tal Lorie’nh commanded the red team. The Adar did not consider him a better commander, but Lorie’nh had the good sense to do as little as possible, allowing his Quls, the maniple subcommanders, to perform their duties. And since Tal Lorie’nh chose talented underlings, in the final summary the cohort leader usually looked very good.

Kori’nh sat in the command nucleus of a small observation platform, where he could watch the engagement of his two opposing teams. He activated the short-range transchannel and spoke to the two Tals. “Aro’nh, Lorie’nh—you may commence the engagement.”

Tal Lorie’nh acknowledged brusquely, while Aro’nh transmitted a final stiff-sounding objection. “Adar, I must again ask you to cease this divisive activity. The Solar Navy is a single unit, operating together to complete the missions that the Mage-Imperator gives us. Never has maniple fought against maniple, except in the terrible civil war long ago. These exercises can only disrupt military discipline and lead to confusion, make our soldier kithmen feel as if members of their own race are the enemy—”

Kori’nh had no sympathy for the rigid old commander. “Tal Aro’nh, I find it more divisive to hear you publicly challenging my orders. I am your Adar, blessed by the Mage-Imperator. Do as I say, or stand relieved of command.”

“Yes, Adar,” the Tal said, and switched off the channel.

Kori’nh sat back to observe the ship movements. The two cohort commanders had not been allowed to discuss their respective strategy choices. The objective of the exercise was to have one team capture and occupy a misshapen lump of asteroid, a minor planet that orbited at an extreme angle around the two Qronha suns.