“If I may?” Shannon asks the new captain of the growing Flamme-de-Gloire Fiammetta. He nods in approval at her, and she continues, “Riadh’s acid is very powerful. I suggest putting us somewhat lower and moving Fiammetta forwards. This way, her flames won’t scorch anyone else, and Riadh has some protection, while keeping everyone out of the way of her acid.”

“Very good.”

After explaining the changes to her fellow captains, Shannon explains her changes to the rest of the dragons, including Fiammetta and Riadh, “This way, you can set the ships on fire, Fia, and Riadh can still squirt acid.”

“Will the acid interfere with the fire, like water does?” Fia asks.

“I do not believe it will, and if it does, we can make another pass, and the acid will have weakened things up.”

---

They all know how rare it is for their beloved Navy and Aerial Service to win against the Royal Navy and their British aerial counterparts. They’d never thought that they’d have caught an entire British fleet at anchor, and been able to get in close in the darkness. Due to it being dark out, they’d modified the plan to be “wait until the British know that we’re here to have Fiammetta start lighting every British ship she can on fire”.

They come out of that raid with flecks of ash all over, and some blood. But it’s not nearly as much as in most raids, and within a few days, they receive an Imperial Summons.

---

They’re all in awe of the Imperial Palace, even before they’d been introduced to Lien.

A large white dragon wearing a ruby headdress, who’d introduced herself as Lien, asks, “Which one of you suggested the tactics on Captain Moreau’s report?” Despite her mildly Asian inspired decorations, she speaks fluent, minimally accented French.

The small group of officers look at Shannon. She nervously says, “It was me, Marshall Lien.”

“Very good, Captain Foraker. I will be reporting this news to the Emperor, so he can find you a more appropriate posting for an officer of your talents.” Lien uses a talon to carefully cut a ribbon on a box and withdraws a sword. While it is reminiscent of an officer’s dress sword, it has more decoration.

Lien motions the group back with a claw, while pulling out a red silk pad.

“Come forward, Captain Foraker.” Shannon steps forwards, before Lien motions her to kneel.

“In the name of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte himself,” she taps Shannon’s left shoulder with the sword, “I make you, Shannon Foraker, a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.” She taps Shannon’s right shoulder, before sheathing the sword, and saying,”Rise, Lady Foraker.” She hands Shannon the box with the sword, as well as a similarly decorated box, and tells Shannon, “The other box is our gifts for your dragon, Riadh.”

“Thank you, milady.” Shannon says respectfully, while curtsying.

“Wear the sword with honor, Lady Foraker. France is grateful to you.”