Crescendo of the Black Drake Navy

The nature of empire is expansion. Not the expansion of land, but rather the expansion of peoples conquered. It requires it; for without the expansion of conquered nations and the resources they bring, stagnation begins to grow. Inertia requires stagnation to mature into decay. Thus, the once bright flame of empire inevitably destroys itself in the winds of civil war, the individual parts collapsing beneath the weight of the whole.

The Operatic Empire is fulfilling this mandate by visiting aggressive prejudice upon whichever system catches its attention. The latest system conquered is the Medusean Gambit. Commandant Rieven and the rest of the Fourth Imperial Navy are returning from the battle, leaving behind an army of administrators, accountants, and tax collectors who will make good on the inherent requirements of empire. 

Then things go wrong. When the survival of the suddenly crumbling navy rests upon commandant Rieven's shoulders, he has a choice: he can either bind the broken shards together through force of will as they attempt to limp home, or he can compose them into a new navy, one born from the ashes of two empires colliding. 

But is that second option possible? Is it possible for an already broken navy to be reborn and survive such a conflict? Commandant Rieven thinks it is, and the Universe is not going to appreciate his decision by the time he is done, but they will respect it; for the nature of empire is expansion. In fact, it demands it.