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Five years had been spent fighting a war that meant their very survival. Those five years felt more than a lifetime for many soldiers, like Tiriaq Dewitt. Even the original mission that he trained Yukiomaru Alexander for was directly linked to the events that led to the war. Tiriaq could hardly remember his life before he dedicated it to the training and development of Yukiomaru, and then fighting for the arctic fox kit. The young ermine that once hoped to raise a family with someone he loved now felt like it was a complete stranger that he had read about once before.

For a week, he woke up on Drach'n Fury with no clear direction in his mind. Waking up for the sixth time since the fleets have turned back from the battlefield, Tiriaq stared at the dark ceiling. There was no alarm, no schedule, and no urgency in the soldiers anymore. They were all waiting to return home.

The war was over. Tiriaq Dewitt had no more orders for the infantry on the ship. Yukiomaru Alexander had no orders for the soldiers.

The only orders were for the ships to repair and rearm, but that only took two days. Since then General Vale had not issued any orders; or any orders that'd require for infantry and the soldiers to partake in.

Waking up with no sense of urgency, Tiriaq lazily sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes. With a sigh he stood up from the bed and gathered the garments of his casual uniform before heading toward the showers. The showers weren't busy with only a couple other soldiers and maintenance crewmembers bathing in the hot water. It was different from the rush of the soldiers that would be normal during the beginning of a shift, or preparation of a battle.

After a casual shower, Tiriaq dressed and wandered toward the bridge. Yelena Cassander had been overseeing the ship's functions since the battle where they defeated the Creepers. Yukiomaru Alexander had rarely been seen since then.

Closing in on the bridge, Tiriaq noticed how empty it was near it. Entering the bridge, he saw only the meerkat Yelena Cassander. It did not surprise him that Yukiomaru Alexander was not there.

"Captain Dewitt," she greeted him when she turned toward him.

"Admiral Cassander," he saluted her. "Any orders today?"

She looked at him for a moment before she sighed and returned her gaze to the screen of reports that she had been reading. "No, not today," she answered. "We're not home for another two days. Euno's word has held true and there have been no signs of aggressive Creeper behavior across the entire sector."

"Yukiomaru Alexander still has no orders?" asked Dewitt.

Yelena Cassander returned her gaze to the ermine, who had walked closer to her. "He saved us all, and he was near the breaking point. He's still just an immature kit, and he's done more for us than we could have ever expected of him. Yukiomaru hated this war, and never wanted to fight it but he still did. So he deserves to rest; his military career is over."

"My apologies, Admiral," replied Tiriaq. "I'm an old soldier with old habits. Without orders, I have no tasks for my soldiers or myself while we're stuck on this ship."

Yelena pondered over that for a moment. "No apology is necessary," she said. "This truce was never predicted. We're all surprised by it. I have to keep myself busy reading maintenance reports of our fleet, because we're all just waiting to return home now. That's when the negotiations will begin."

"I wander how us old soldiers, who have dedicated our lives to Alexander's original mission, will adjust," Tiriaq thought out loud. "Most of us don't have lives to go back to. The Creepers destroyed it for my soldiers. Several of them are finding it difficult to accept that we'll be entering a peace treaty with them."

"We could not continue the war even if we had the power to defeat them," Yelena remarked. "This galaxy would become barren."

"None of us desire for war," Tiriaq defended himself and his soldiers. "It's just...difficult."

"I understand, Tiriaq," she replied. "I have something that we can look forward to, that I have been negotiating with Lead General Vale about. Go eat some breakfast. We'll talk again later about what your soldiers can do to keep themselves busy for the next couple days."

"Yes sir!" Tiriaq replied, and saluted Yelena Cassander. He spun on his pads, and turned for the exit of the bridge. He went for the mess hall, with the corridors still vacant. Once arriving at the mess hall, he noticed that it was nearly vacant except for Jun and Euno who were sharing a table. They didn't notice Tiriaq until he approached them.

"Captain Dewitt," Jun greeted him, in a similar fashion that Yelena Cassander had. "Care to join us?"

Tiriaq glanced at the Creeper that he had attacked less than a week ago, but Euno had a blank expression. The ermine wondered if he even knew it was he that attacked him back on that planet.

"I'm finished with my meal if you want to have some," Jun said, passing the food over to the empty spot on the bench for Tiriaq to sit. The ermine complied, and sat down next to Jun, still wary of being so casual toward the powerful enemy that they had fought so recently.

"Welcome Tiriaq Dewitt," Euno said. The ermine was surprised that he knew his name. "It is far more pleasant to see your race without being armored, and attacking with one of those swords you all like to wield."

"You know that I attacked you then," Tiriaq stated.

"Yes, and you attacked my ally," Euno replied, strangely kind. "I hope you can forgive him for shattering your armor. He was still waiting for my move but I did instruct him not to kill any of you."

"Where's Yukiomaru?" Tiriaq asked, turning his attention to Jun.

"Sleeping still," Jun answered with a smile. "He's exhausted and has been sleeping a lot lately."

"I still wish to apologize to him for the distress I placed on him," Euno responded.

"It's not a wise idea," Jun replied firmly. "Yukiomaru shouldn't be disturbed."

Yelena and Jun are protecting him now, Tiriaq realized.

"I'll wait longer then," Euno replied. "Yukiomaru Alexander should have his rest now. I've tested him enough."

"Is that what you were doing the whole time, testing him?" Jun asked.

"All of you," answered Euno. "I met Yukiomaru Alexander on the planet I regrew for him, and I was certain you'd all destroy it. That one I was certain you'd fail, but the planet still lives."

"Yuki!" June exclaimed. Tiriaq and Euno followed his gaze to see the arctic fox standing at the entrance of the cafeteria. His expression remained neutral. Slowly and casually the fox walked toward the booth that they all sat at, with his expression remaining neutral.

"We never destroyed any planet, infested or not, lightly, Euno," Yukiomaru said to Euno. He sat down close to Jun. "Each one was evaluated to see if it could be saved."

"Are you all right, Yuki?" Jun asked the arctic fox.

"I am fine," he replied, glancing at Jun with an almost smile. "And you?"

"We're okay, Yuki," Jun answered, smiling for the arctic fox. "I'm just trying to understand if Euno ever had the intent to really fight us."

"He fought with plenty of intent on defeating me every time," Yukiomaru said, glaring at Euno.

"Yes, I wanted to test your resolve," Euno replied. "I am sorry for putting you in such stress. Jun informs me of how young you really are."

Yukiomaru's glare deepened and Euno sensed that he said something wrong.

"Yukiomaru Alexander is fine soldier," Tiriaq implemented. "I've trained him since he was first adopted by the military. He's the best soldier I've ever trained."

"There is no doubt about his military prowess," Euno said, trying to settle the conversation.

Yukiomaru reacted though by standing up and walking off.

"Yuki," Jun said and followed him.

"Yukiomaru is young, but he hates being reminded of it," Tiriaq said, once the arctic fox and pine marten were out of the cafeteria room. "He always has."

"I did not mean to offend," Euno apologized.

"The Creepers have destroyed our home, our families," Tiriaq directly told him. "Yukiomaru Alexander took all that responsibility on himself. You will be difficult for him to accept, for all of us to accept."

Euno remained silent at that.

"We never wished for this war," Tiriaq continued. "But we had prepared for it when we discovered some alien artifacts. I only wish this war had ended before it began."

"All aggressive forms will be ordered to remain passive and wither," Euno said. "My only request it to attempt to regrow those worlds that have been burned."

"I am not invited to participate in the negotiations," Tiriaq replied. "I'll refuse participation. We're still not ready for any other threats out there, and while you negotiate peace, I will train new recruits for war."

"Creepers are under my control so they won't be a threat," Euno promised.

"We have learned that the Creepers have spread to more than just this galaxy," Tiriaq replied. "We do not look for war, but we will stay prepared to defend ourselves."

"Wise," Euno said. "Your race is probably the smartest in the alliance. Let me teach you about the wars we have fought. This will better help you defend your home."

Tiriaq thought on it for a second. He knew how long the Perfected Creepers could live, and Euno must have a lot of knowledge of all different types of aliens that he had fought before. It's a valuable opportunity but it'd be difficult to hear about all the races that perished under his orders.

"Very well," Tiriaq said. "I'll listen to your advice."