The beautiful crescent-shaped beach of the lone island had long faded into the memories of those who had seen it. What replaced the gorgeous beach was the smooth concrete ground of a massive yet empty port.
Standing inside the entrance of the Port of Dawn, Abraham glanced forward with curiosity evident on his face. He stood in the middle of the road leading deeper to the port.
However, the road didn't lead anywhere on the island. It merely resided in the port.
The Port of Dawn was gargantuan in size as it consumed the entirety of the crescent-shaped beach, yet it was mostly empty. Only a quarter of its land was filled to the brim with various structures and facilities.
"I didn't think the port would be this huge," Abraham muttered in amazement.
There was a single five-story concrete building with several antennas on its roof. Beside it were three giant warehouses followed by a crane. A yard for containers also dwelled, but it was desolated as the port had no cargo ships to operate.
Before Abraham could continue observing the modern buildings of the port, an engine roared. It sounded like a car, making him raise an eyebrow.
It got louder in seconds, giving him the realization that a car was heading towards him. Unconsciously, he felt anxious. It was like he intruded on a place he shouldn't be in.
'Ah, sh*t! What do I do?' Abraham nervously thought since he was about to meet humans that might come from the same world as him.
Despite being their superior, it was hard for him to feel like one. After all, it was like the rank of Fleet Admiral was casually handed to him.
He was a trash-talking guy behind the screen of a monitor, but the same couldn't be said in real life. He wasn't pompous and would act like a typical introvert.
"Systema, I need your backup." Abraham decided to ask his companion for assistance. Immediately, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind.
*Ding!*
| Fleet Admiral, the personnel wouldn't care how you act before them. Even if the Fleet Admiral behaves like a child, they would still conduct themselves like a son would act to their respectable father. |
Systema's words made him a bit delighted, but he furrowed his eyebrows after thinking about it. He didn't desire to act like his former self. He wanted to change for the better.
And to change, he must leave his comfort zone and become one with the world.
"I want to be the Fleet Admiral they deserve, Systema," Abraham uttered with unrivaled determination.
It was unfortunate for him to not see Systema in her humanoid form. Otherwise, he would be able to see the satisfied and proud smile of a mother.
*Ding!*
| If that is what the Fleet Admiral desires, Systema will assist. |
| First, calm yourself and stand straight. |
Without any hesitation, Abraham followed her words. He calmed his heart down to its normal level by breathing in and out deeply. Afterward, he straightened his back.
| When your subordinates arrive. Look at them calmly in the eye. You must never avoid their gaze and must meet them on the same terms. |
"Understood…" He nodded while the feminine monotone voice continued.
| When they speak to you. Talk to them slowly and coolly. No need to be fast, or talk like an overbearing man. |
| After all, there's no need to dominate those who are already following you with unparalleled loyalty. Their respect has no need to be demanded for they already respect the Fleet Admiral. |
Other than being snarky, Systema was great at giving advice. Her words made sense to Abraham and made him easily understand it.
However, understanding and doing something was different from one another.
"Do you think I'll be able to do it, Systema?" Abraham questioned with uncertainty. Inferiority and doubts would always affect one's mind regardless of their age.
It wasn't something that could be avoided. However, one could move forward regardless of their doubts.
*Ding!*
| The first step is the hardest and heaviest, Fleet Admiral. |
| Take a step forward and become who you want to be. |
"I see…" Systema's words echoed deeply inside his mind. He wanted to push himself out of his cocoon. He wished to become something other than a loser or an ordinary office worker.
So, he must take the first step.
The vehicle soon arrived near the port's entrance. Abraham's eyes observed it and noticed that it was a Humvee in its desert camouflage. Inside were probably soldiers or officers.
As the Humvee stopped before Abraham, the ones inside it stepped out with serious faces. He could feel his heart wildly beating after seeing them.
But he took a deep breath and calmed himself once again.
There were four infantry soldiers and a single officer heading towards him. He didn't know their ranks, but he was confident that the Fleet Admiral was the highest in the navy.
When the entourage of navy personnel stood in front of him. They saluted at the same time and the officer introduced himself to his highest commander.
"Lieutenant Commander Morgen, Fleet Admiral Shepherd."
The lieutenant commander wore a calf-length wool bridge coat woven in navy blue. A dark blue suit-trousers and a pair of black boots. Above his head was the typical ivory officer peak hat clad in golden-colored ornaments.
Compared to the breathtaking clothes of the lieutenant commander, the Fleet Admiral wore casual clothing, making him look like he came from a vacation.
'I want to wear such drippy clothes.' Abraham silently thought to himself before responding to the lieutenant commander with a nod.
"At ease, Lieutenant Commander Morgen."
He said as slowly and coolly as possible while gazing at the lieutenant commander's eyes. He wondered to himself if he was doing things right.
"It's an honor to be in your presence, Fleet Admiral. The Port of Dawn is privileged for being chosen as the Fleet Admiral's first port."
Morgen said with respect emanating from his eyes. Abraham felt confused and wondered if it was the effect of eternal loyalty. Fortunately, Systema gave him his answer.
*Ding!*
| Requesting Perspective Change… |
| Target (Fleet Admiral Shepherd), Receiver (Lieutenant Commander Morgen). |
Abraham raised an eyebrow but accepted the request. He also wondered what he looked like from the perspective of others.
| Request Validated! |
| Changing Perspective… |
His perspective slowly changed and transferred to the sight of the lieutenant commander. For the first time in his life, he saw himself in the eyes of others.
'Damn, why do I look so cold and authoritarian? Shouldn't I be sweating like a bastard? I didn't think I would look so good.' Abraham commented in his mind upon unveiling his appearance.
He stood silently in casual clothing with sharp eyes and an aloof face. He seemed a bit revitalized compared to his former self.
*Ding!*
| What your mind considers as your appearance doesn't mean that it's your true appearance. It all depends on mindset. If you portray yourself positively, your appearance will change in the eyes of others and yourself. |
| And even though the Administrative Host is always anxious in front of others. In reality, they would only see this appearance of you. A cold middle-aged man. |
The words of the feminine and monotone Systema gave Abraham tons of confidence. He wouldn't have believed others if they had said the same thing. But Systema was different.
The snarky one would speak the truth. It utters nothing but facts. It doesn't intend to praise him or pretend that he was better than anyone else. It was merely stating its logic.
"Thank you for welcoming me, Lieutenant Morgen. How about you introduce this port of yours?"
Abraham said with a slight smile on his face as the other nodded in acceptance.
"Affirmative! Follow me, Fleet Admiral." Morgen walked towards the Humvee while the infantry soldiers stayed back to guard the entrance.
'I'm doing better than expected. I should have gone through an acting career.' Abraham felt pride in his acting skills. However, a mechanical bell rang unexpectedly.
*Ding!*
| The Fleet Admiral might win an award for his acting skills. |
'I know right.' Abraham felt pride after hearing the praise of Systema. But after thinking about it, he felt strange.
'Hey, did you reply to my thoughts? And was that sarcasm?' He questioned, though he was met with silence. However, after a second, Systema responded with one word.
| Yes |
'What is that answer responding to? The first or second one?' Abraham felt confused but decided to give up asking the cranky Systema. Nevertheless, he was sure of one thing.
Systema might be able to hear his thoughts. This possibility had always been floating inside his head. After all, Systema had always been prepared to answer his questions.
It perfectly responded to what he wanted to know instead of expositing information that he didn't desire to understand.
Abraham wasn't really bothered by it. His thoughts weren't shrouded in deep secrets. But, Systema would be in for an horrific adventure in the future. Especially when his thoughts sometimes bear interesting ideas.
While he kept thinking about how he would torment Systema with his devious thoughts, Morgen began introducing the various parts of the Port of Dawn.
"The Port of Dawn is divided into several sectors. From the manufacturing, transportation, and defense sector."
Abraham could see factories through the windows of the Humvee. There were dozens of trucks, making the sector appear busy.
There was also a residential area for utility personnel of the port while there were barracks for military personnel. Despite appearing small on the outside, the Port of Dawn resembled a tiny town on the inside.
This made him hopeful about his future as the Fleet Admiral. It also made him want to become someone who deserved it all.