7th July 2025, Highguard Commander Ezecheon has been woken from his bed at the Imperial Headquarters on the planet 'Ebon' and has been ordered to report to Supreme Commander Harkones and Highguard Commander Bashir, who was Supreme Commander Bashir's son. They had been put in charge of the planet's evacuation of all civilians, and the militarization of the colony as a point from which to hold back the enemy from advancing towards Earth.

Since May Ezecheon's fleet had lost another 3 frigates, one of his destroyers with another one so badly damaged that it could no longer enter combat, and was being used to evacuate civilans. His medical vessel was completly wiped out, and his communations vessel had been militarised. All in all it was great losses, but relatively small for his first mission in command of an entire fleet. Those who had survived up until now, had began to respect Ezecheon and no longer consider him as a rookie, and they now saw him as a great leader and also a great friend. The main difference between Ezecheon and other Imperial Commanders is that while they all attacked the enemy to win at all costs, Ezecheon fought in a way to keep as many of his men alive as possible.

It was to be 5 days until the entire planet of 'Ebon' was to be evacuated, and within that time 6 Imperial fleets were to arrive to set up a new frontline of operations, even though it was in territory they already owned. Ezecheon still did not know where he would be sent next, or whether the Imperium Highcommand still saw him fit enough to run his own fleet. Supreme Commander Al'dera had asked Ezecheon to meet him on the sixth planet in the 'Oranile System'. It was a planet deep within Imperial space but still quite some distance from Earth, which Ezecheon had been ordered to return to for immediate debriefing by Highcommand itself. What could Al'dera possibly have to tell Ezecheon that it was important enough to delay returning to Earth. But it was after all Al'dera that was responsible for his promotion, so he was not going to question his previous mentor.