Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 286: Rear Admiral Shedd

Chapter 286: Rear Admiral Shedd

When Lyra said, "That day is coming soon," no one could have guessed how quickly it would arrive.

For three relentless years, she had been the sharpest blade on the battlefield. Wherever she went, destruction followed—a trail of shattered Stellar Devourers and defeated Empire soldiers.

Now, her military journey reached a turning point.

"Rear Admiral Lyra, for your three exceptional service medals, nine first-class commendations, and numerous second-class awards in the past year alone, we hereby promote you to the rank of Rear Admiral."

The announcement aired live, and the world watched as Lyra, her tranquil catlike eyes revealing nothing, accepted the honor with unshaken composure.

Her lips, as delicate as flower petals, remained still, and her straight, refined nose only added to her serene elegance. Her waist-length black braid, sleek and scorpion-like, paired flawlessly with the crisp lines of her white uniform.

She stood like a tender flower blooming on a cliffside, enduring icy winds with quiet strength.

As the insignia of her new rank was pinned onto her shoulders, Lyra saluted sharply. The watching crowd erupted into a roar of cheers.

"Congratulations, Rear Admiral Shedd!"

"Finally! My idol Lyra has the recognition she deserves!"

"Even the military council couldn’t mess this one up!"

For years, ordinary Alliance citizens had seen the injustice. Her accomplishments had demanded this promotion long ago, but bureaucratic red tape had held her back for a year.

Frederick had once been the Alliance’s greatest war hero, but now, in the public eye, no one rivaled Lyra.

On the battlefield, her name alone shattered enemy morale. Empire soldiers, from high-ranking admirals to foot soldiers, fled at the mere sight of her.

As the Alliance celebrated, the Military Council gathered to deliberate on her latest request.

"She’s petitioned to form an independent unit. Thoughts?" Frederick tossed the application onto the meeting table.

By regulation, granting autonomy to a commanding officer required a majority vote from the council.

"I’m in favor," Admiral Raphel said without hesitation. Dessel added his agreement immediately after.

Valeria leaned forward. "Critical times like now call for heroes. This young woman is unstoppable. I vote yes."

With three of five Admirals on board, only Dale and Conners remained.

Dale grumbled, "Fine, I’ll approve."

Valeria smirked. "What’s this? Has she saving your ass twice softened you up?"

Dale’s face turned crimson. "I was being cautious before! Thought she might flip to the Empire. Now? They’d never take her, even if she wanted to join."

Lyra’s reputation had grown so fearsome that even Empire children were hushed with her name. For families mourning the war’s losses, she was the nightmare haunting their stories.

All eyes landed on Conners. The round, jovial Admiral exhaled deeply, a faint smile touching his lips.

"At this point, why hold her back? Between the Empire’s advance and the rising threat of the Evernight Gang, we need someone like her to lead."

Though his words were measured, their sincerity was uncertain. Still, they hung heavily in the room, especially for commanders like Lynn.

The Evernight Gang had plagued the stars for over two decades. Exploiting the war between the Alliance and the Empire, these pirates had grown into a sprawling network—arming the Empire, spreading terror, and seizing control of entire star systems.

No longer mere criminals, they were now a rogue state in their own right.

The vote was unanimous.

"With that settled, we need to determine her garrison location."

Newly promoted Rear Admirals were typically stationed near senior commanders or tasked with guarding space stations—a routine, low-risk role befitting their presumed inexperience. But handling Lyra this way felt absurd, almost wasteful, given her unmatched record on the battlefield.

"For someone like Lyra, the border regions would make the most sense," Raphel suggested. As a staunch supporter of combat-ready officers, he added, "Honestly, we could even build a base just for her."

"Agreed. It’d be a shame to sideline her talent," Valeria concurred.

The council debated potential postings, but none seemed worthy of her skillset. Finally, Norman broke the impasse.

"Why not assign her to Voidstar No. 1?"

The room went silent. Faces darkened, and the tension grew thick.

"Voidstar No. 1?" Dale spat, incredulous. "Are you insane? Even we can’t secure that hellhole!"

Voidstar No. 1 was infamous—a lawless, desolate garbage planet. Once dismissed as worthless due to its lack of resources and uninhabitable surface, it had evolved into the galaxy’s largest pirate haven.

Its remote location allowed criminals to operate undisturbed for years. By the time the Alliance realized the threat, the planet had become a fortress for outlaws.

Repeated military campaigns to retake Voidstar No. 1 ended in failure. The pirates, led by three powerful factions commanded by level-nine Peculiars, used hit-and-run tactics to thwart the Alliance.

After years of effort and heavy losses, the Alliance abandoned the planet entirely, viewing it as more trouble than it was worth.

Norman’s suggestion seemed deliberately cruel.

But he pressed on, his voice measured. "Lyra is the strongest officer we have under Supreme Peculiar rank. Those level-nine Peculiars are dangerous, but for her? Manageable. With someone of her caliber stationed there, we wouldn’t expect a total clean-up, but holding a garrison should be achievable."

He leaned forward, driving his point home. "In these times of war, leaving Voidstar No. 1 unguarded is a liability. Snowfall is within striking distance, and without a garrison, the pirates could cripple us there."

The room sat in uneasy silence. As much as the council despised the idea, Norman’s reasoning was undeniable. While Voidstar No. 1 was a death trap for most officers, Lyra could turn the tide.

Frederick, unwilling to force the assignment without her input, summoned Lyra to hear her thoughts.

Without hesitation, she accepted. "It suits me perfectly."

Her tone was genuine. Voidstar No. 1 offered exactly what she wanted: freedom to act without interference, far from bureaucratic oversight.

Frederick tapped the table thoughtfully. "If you successfully establish a garrison and hold it for three years, you’ll qualify for promotion to Vice Admiral."

No objections followed. Reclaiming such a strategically critical planet would easily justify the rank.

"Understood." Lyra saluted, accepted her orders, and left the room.

Outside the base, Thierry waited in his sleek Lev, the soft hum of its engine breaking the stillness.

"They’re waiting for us for too long. Let’s go," he said as Lyra slid into the passenger seat.

The years had been relentless—one battle after another—leaving little time for friendships or reflection. But the commendation ceremony brought a rare opportunity: a reunion with her peers from NMA.

Lyra, despite being the group’s fastest-rising star, seemed the least changed.

By the time she arrived, the others were already gathered, drinks in hand.

"My goddess Lyra, as cold and beautiful as ever!" Helion teased with a flourish, his playful charm still intact despite the years.

The group laughed and bantered, their camaraderie warm but tinged with the weight of experience.

The war had shaped them all, making them sharper, more restrained. Everyone except Zinnia—her bold, unfiltered energy remained as fierce as ever.