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The DST Agent, Star Command Bravo It had been a long trip to get here, Stephanie sat back now cuddled in Tops arms, feeling his strength and love as he held her. They'd watched the rest of her command as they filed past two days ago. Some saying they were going to retire, others asking her blessing to go sign on with the Slammers, and following Major Jinx Hammer's squad. She still had no clear idea what she wanted to do though. She kept telling herself she was retired, or going to retire, soon! "Steph, it's in your blood," Top said. That got me thinking about everthing yet again. Why had I accepted the Command of Bravo? It certainly hadn't been any desire to lead a Multinational Force. But there I was, right in the thick of it. Sure my decision to lead everyone to the actions I'd just completed would be easy to lay off on the Wanderer and everyone else who had had an influence on me. But deep down inside I knew the real answer was in my own heart. I'd become tired of the politics, lost too many good troops keeping the world safe from itself. Not an easy thing to do with human nature bent on its own destruction. I was reminded of the saying, "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely." So many of those who were in a position to issue our missions had been in power for decades. And while they couldn't order me to strike out against another member of the multinational group, they had tried to do so in secret. I'd always managed to step in and stop it before it got anywhere though. My first thoughts were, 'I ran away, I retreated rather than charging forward. What kind of leader have I become?' I knew that Vet and his entire team had stayed on with Erika Tyler. Torque was married to Spider Silk now. Those two deserved their new found happiness. Even Melody had settled down with Mike. I didn't need to worry about the rest anymore, so why was I so sure now that I'd made the wrong decision in leaving? And why were the rest of the original Bravo teams still hanging around waiting for answers? The thing that kept bothering me though was, why had Major Jinx Hammer suddenly resigned when she reached Omega? And why was I so sure that it might somehow be a sign to myself? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Dropout Ma'am," came the call over the intercom. "Noxi's on course for the fifth planet." Captain Alice Dalton was instantly awake now. "On my way. Thank you Patricia." She stood up and stepped toward the door from her ready room. "Captain on the Bridge," announced the Equinox as her Captain took a seat in her command chair. "Status Check," she called out. "Noxi get me some Coffee, please." she listened as the Bridge crew called out the system status. "Someone please inform our guest that we will be in orbit soon," she said. She still couldn't understand why Col Alois Hammer had decided he wanted to come all this way to meet the Human Commander who had escorted the Earth convoy. Hadn't his pleasure ship the Hammers Den already picked up the pleasure troops at Omega? "Captain Dalton, thank you," he glided onto the bridge, two cups of strong coffee in his hands. He handed one to her, and took a sip of his own watching her blush. "Thank you Colonel," she took a drink. "You're up early," she commented. "Felt the ship as she prepared for dropout," he said. "Not something I could possibly sleep through. Besides I wanted to watch you in action in a different setting." She blushed again remembering the past two days with him. She felt that she had certainly been a conquest for him. But then he'd not acted like any other man she'd ever slept with in the past. Still she was curious why he was here, why come all this way just to talk to one person? Who is this Stephanie Zimmer that he is so bent on talking to? She felt almost jealous. Her com screen lit up suddenly. "Momma, you're here," exclaimed Calista. "Allie, look it's," "Gramma," Allie squealed with joy. Suddenly the space in front of her command chair was filled by the little girl as she jumped into Alice's lap. "I missed you so much." Colonel Hammer grinned feeling himself just a bit jealous of Captain Dalton. "If only Jinx would settle down with someone, before it's too late," he mumbled to himself. Still he was proud of his only child. Jinx hadn't been planned on, he hadn't even been married to her mother. She was a Captain, an Armored Car Company Commander, and it had been a very brief affair. Then fourteen years later Jinx turned up at the Academy on Friesland. Since he'd instituted DNA Identification to identify the remains of his deceased troopers it was only natural that the recruiters would run hers, they ran everyone's to make sure they weren't harboring criminals. He remembered it was Danny and Margaret who had brought her to his attention. Of course it was pure luck they were there, otherwise Joachim would have been notified and god only knew what he might have done. Someone was asking him a question and pulled him out of his thoughts. "Excuse me I'm sorry," he apologized. "You look like Jinxy, are you her daddy?" asked Allie. "Umm, yes I am. Where did you meet Major Jinx?" "On the star train. She's really pretty, she has your eyes though." There was a hint of a frown and he hoped she couldn't see everything that his eyes had seen. He knew some Kaidren' could read a person's mind by looking into their eyes. "So sad, you must cry a lot too." "Allie," gasped Alice. "No it's ok," he said. "Yes I cry for the men and women I've lost in combat. But more so for the ones lost in accidents like, like Barbara." He remembered Jinx's mother. She'd taken a one year leave to think about their relationship, and died in a freak accident. Her family never told him that she'd come home to have their child. "Are you going to make Jinxy stay home when she has the baby?" the question was like a bolt of lightning. "Baby? What baby?" he asked, now confused. Sure he'd heard about Capt. Jarrell, but nothing more. "Captain Jerrell's baby, I don't think she knows it yet though." Could that be why she'd tendered her resignation? His mind raced trying to figure out which of his troops was Captain Jerrell. He'd never heard of him before this last mission to Earth. Could it be someone she'd gone through the Earth Academy with and had reunited with on the Journey? All he knew was that at Omega she'd signed over the flirts and turned over her command of her detail to Gessie and Twyla, then sent in her resignation. He intended to ask Colonel Zimmer if she knew anything. But also he was going to reassure the Colonel that distancing herself from her home world, would make her decision to leave it easier. "Approaching I-5 Ma'am. There are three Bio-Ships and Three Military Craft, plus a Large Freighter already in orbit," reported Com. "I didn't realize they had a Space Station," commented the Colonel. "That is the First Ship, Hub, sir," stated Patricia. "Oh, I've never seen him before," he admitted. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Stephanie, Captain Jarrell and Jinx are here to see you," interrupted Top. She got up to greet them and noticed a worried look in Jinx's eyes before she spoke. "My father is here, how did he know I was here?" began Jinx. "Your father, Col Hammer?" now Stephanie was curious. "You mean he's come looking for you?" images of Joachim Stubben searching for her ran through Stephanie's mind. That would be enough to freak out anyone, given his reputation. "I don't know, only that he's here, he's on the Equinox that just dropped out near I-7." "Maybe he's just coming to visit the Military Academy. Didn't he send you there before you were commissioned?" asked Stephanie. Top tapped on the door. "Stephanie, Col Hammer has requested permission to visit with you in about an hour, once they establish orbit." "Did he give any indication what it's about?" "He said he wishes to assure you that you did the right thing by removing your people from Earth. And he wants to know if you can give him any information about his daughter and Captain Jarrell." "Oh god we have to leave," Jinx said. Stephanie realized that for the first time since meeting Jinx, she was actually seeing real fear in the girls eyes. Jerrell gathered her in his arms gently. "I am not going to run from your father. What kind of father would I be if I did that?" "But, what if he shoots you?" she asked. "Jinxy, from what I know of the Man, he is not going to shoot me. He might despise me, or hate me. But he will not shoot me, and he will not force me to join his Military." "I'll be here," Stephanie assured them. "And if I think you might be in danger, I will transport you both out," assured the Howl. Stephanie wasn't sure who was more nervous about the meeting, her or Jinx Hammer. Jarrell certainly seemed confident. Jinx and Jarrell were waiting in the den when he finally arrived. "Col Hammer," she greeted him warmly with a hand shake. "Come in please." He smiled approvingly. "Had I not seen pictures beforehand I would have been expecting someone, taller," he said to ease the tension. "So how goes your retirement?" "Still trying to get settled in, and still worried about the troops that have gone off seeking a new unit. But it is good so far." "You are worried that you did the wrong thing aren't you?" he cut to the chase. "Yes, yes I am. All those people who needed us there, we abandoned our mission." "If I'm not mistaken, your mission was to deter war, and to take actions to prevent mass bloodshed was it not?" "Yes, that was the mission statement," I told him. "I had the same dilemma on Friesland. I agreed to not take any contracts against my home world, and to keep my active troops off planet." "From what I understand your Military is the reason there is peace in that section of the universe." I said. "Actually it's the threat of my forces, but it's worked out well enough. We started out just like your own Bravo Command. Highly specialized and loyal to our supporters. But they kept trying to get us to take sides against each other," he looked at me as if he knew the ordeals I'd been plagued with over the last few years. One supporting country trying to coerce me to take action against another. Constantly having to step in and remove threats my supporters had tried to develop in secret. "Believe me, the only people who would have suffered are your troops and the innocents who were caught in the middle. You are better off retiring now while you can enjoy it." "Have you ever thought about retiring?" I asked him. "I had hopes. Well I was planning to turn it over to Lt Col Pritchard when I discovered that I had a daughter in my ranks. I was going to hand it over to her next year, but she seems to have disappeared on me. Did you know she resigned her commission at Omega?" "Yes, I'm aware of it." I answered. "Have you met this Captain Jarrell? Is he the kind of person I could be proud to have as a son inlaw? Will he be good to Jinxy and my grandchild?" he asked. He'd been informed while still between the drop out and reaching orbit at I-5, that his son inlaw was a Lycan Chief Tracker as well as more information about the man who was trusted by those who employed his Regiment from behind the scenes. "Would you like to meet him? Talk to both of them at the same time?" I asked him. "You know how to get in touch,,,,, They're here aren't they?" "Yes but Jinx was worried about your reaction," I told him honestly. "Why would she be," he stopped himself. "I only want her to be happy. And if Jarrell makes her happy then how can I object?" "Daddy," she rushed into his arms. "Do you really mean that?" "As long as he isn't one of Barth's Regiment. But I could probably accept him even then." Seeing the two together reminded me of myself and my own girls. "Sir," Jarrell stepped through the door. He looked from one to the other then smiled. "You're a Lycan. And my daughter loves you. Do you love her just as much?" "I do," Jarrell said. "And I will lay down my life for her if the need comes." "Will you convince her to come and visit me, to let me see my grandchildren when they are born?" his hand covered Jinx' stomach. There was a look that passed between the two that Jinx hadn't seen before in her father. He respected Jarrell. "When my duties permit. But at the moment I am not committed to any assignments." "Major Gessie and Captain Twyla said you were an important person in your own universe. But they refused to say anything more." "Daddy you didn't have them interrogated did you?" she was now afraid for the pair. "Jinx, you forget, I retired Joachim. He was unstable, but I know those two well enough to know that no amount of torture would get them to break a promise to you." he let that sink in. "I gave Gessie the Hammers Den, Twyla now has your old position as security. You look surprised." "Well yes, but I'm happy for them too. I'm just trying to figure out why you aren't trying to talk Jarrell into signing on." She finally said. "Because Captain Jarrell is the Chief Tracker in his system. And trusted by the Bio-Ships." He had just been updated through the computer link implanted behind his left ear. "And his ship the Howl has become Self- Aware." We sat and visited for a long time. Col Hammer really did seem to know my own doubts and helped me to realize that I had made the right decision. I was now in a place separate from those governments who wanted to use me. Most importantly I was in a position to sit back and take action when it was needed. My own troops who had not retired were busy monitoring the situation on Earth. More they could move in and remove the larger threats before they became a huge problem. Those left behind were working with the Free Alpha Alliance now. When the Col had left with Jinx and Jarrell, it was to the Howl, they were going to show him around. And Jinx was going to have a word with the ship about how her father had found out she was pregnant before she did. He had mentioned another Mercenary Regiment, 'Barth's'. It was one that Jerome had warned people to stay clear of. That Hammer himself had singled it out got my own curiosity up. Of the other units out there for hire the two most ruthless were the Slammer's and Barth's. I began comparing them to each other and then after a while sitting back from my position as a unit commander but not ever being freelance like them, I began to see a pattern. Sure the Slammer's were the most expensive, had a reputation of bloody killing machines. But they went out of their way to avoid innocent bloodshed if at all possible. Then the first time the two had come up against each other popped up. They were supposed to be allies, with Hammer out front while Barth held the supplies and covered security for the planetary government. But once Hammer had pounded the rebels into surrender, Barth cut a deal. He was offered half of the slammers contract pay to destroy them. He controlled most of Hammers supplies, and cut him off. But the Col had retaliated with a vengeance. Then turned the planet over to the rebels. The message was clear, you don't double cross Col Hammer. The next incident was when Barth had his troop carriers perform a maneuver known as Atmospheric Bombing. A technique outlawed throughout all the known universes because if the bombing ship is off by so much as one point of vector, well the loss of innocent lives could be staggering. Also troops on the ground had no defense against it. What made this incident so famous was that Hammer's Artillery which was the target actually shot down the ship on its second pass. He was told that if he didn't abandon them to Barth for the cost of the Space craft, he would never get his troops off the ground. Hammer had told his Lieutenant he was on his own until he got within range of the rest of the unit. But had constantly kept him updated. That was how he came by the Forlorn Hope. A civilian Ore Carrier that the local government had grounded, but was making its way cross country under minimal power and trying to avoid capture. Hammers troops had united with the crew and armed it with their Artillery guns, then fought off tanks and everything imaginable as they made their way to the spaceport. His unit had simply held off attacks until the Forlorn Hope was repaired and then left with the ship in one mass Airlift, instead of leveling the capital city. After that hammer had taken contracts from underdogs who couldn't really afford him, but yet his expenses were met and he never said how. There were other incidents where he had refused to kill prisoners of war, and even defended them to keep them alive. Yes he was ruthless, but he was fair and avoided killing if possible. And he had some very powerful backers to be able to afford that. And his contracts were always paid in full. He reminded her of someone else she knew. Someone she strove to emulate, Tawny Rivers and Jerome Powers. She realized she was holding there last picture together. "You have that same quality," said someone behind her. Someone she hadn't heard or felt as they came up behind her. "We sent him here to talk to you for us," said another voice. A voice she recognized from the Ceremony at the Military Academy. Slowly she turned in her chair to face them. "Why, what am I to you?" she finally found her voice. "A shining star, the hand of discipline, and the voice of reason," answered the Unicorn. "Our chosen successor to coordinate those we send to end conflicts when peaceful discussion fails." Said the Dragon. "I won't allow my Troops to fight for a side that I believe to be in the wrong. No matter who is paying the bills," she said. "Which is why he recommended you. Often he went in and held things in check until he could ferret out the real culprits. That is why he is so valuable to us. But he wishes to retire, and wants you to take the reins of Star Command," the Spider Queen said. "Give us ten years and then you will be free to choose your own successor as he has." "Why don't you do it yourselves?" I asked. "Probably the wisest question so far," commented someone unseen. "We have lived too close to the situations to be truly objective. Besides you have us to help you, you have a connection to those with much shorter lives than we do. You can understand them much better. We tend to be too patient at times and then more drastic measures are required." "What is Star Command?" I finally asked. "Ah, now that's the Big Question. Star Command determines which units that have no vested interest, to send in and ferret out the truth, and then use the necessary force to bring about peace." "But, there are so many wars going on, how do you decide which ones to get involved in?" I asked. "And why let any of them continue?" "We tried that in the beginning. But it only created more problems, cultural wars, religious wars, racial wars. And the constant overpopulating of planets and complete systems. Lessor beings seem to only keep their populations in check when they have wars to do it for them. The purpose of Star Command is to keep those petty wars from threatening the rest of the Peaceful Citizens. The Military force is but one half of the Command." "You will decide who you send where, and when. We cover the cost to contain the situations." Said Ariella. "And Drew Correll?" I asked knowing he handled financial details for these oldest of all living beings. "Knows nothing about Star Command. He pays the bills and doesn't ask questions. "You mentioned another half," I said. "Yes your Sister, The Arbitrator of Differences, the voice of reason. She and her followers are of course the first half. When it fails, then your half is needed. You will coordinate with each other of course, and with us to let us know what and why you are taking action." "Can I think about this and give you my answer later?" "Take as long as you need. Then send us an Email through Mr Correll." "A simple yes or no will be enough, as long as we know it is from you." "Does Stephanie know about me?" "She knows about the position, but not who will occupy it once Colonel Hammer retires." Of the four most powerful beings, I knew that only one had armies of her own at her disposal. The Arachnid First Queen had even led those armies into battle herself. "You have questions for me I believe," stated Astrid. "Concerning the Arachnid Armies. But let me answer a few if I may. Then if there are any others you can ask," she said. "No you will not have Command of the Arachnid's, Quadrant Armies. They are a last resort, and held in reserve for all but one enemy, the Loki. They once held a seat on this very council, and are the reason why very few races attempt to jump through a Black Hole." She said. "The Loki are our responsibility, but if you encounter them you will have the support of not only the Arachnids but the rest of this council." "Thank you, I'll give you my answer by morning," I assured them. After they left I sat in quiet thought until Top interrupted me. Gathering me up in his arms he asked, "What are you going to do?" "Let you distract me, fuck your brains out until I'm too exhausted to move." He grinned, "You know you've made some of your soundest decisions using that technique." He squeezed my ass before lifting me over his shoulder. Six hours later we were awakened by Toni and Mina. "Momma, you've gotta come quick," Mina urged. "Yes I'm there now. We'll meet you at the command center." She said to someone else. "What's going on?" I demanded as I slipped my clothes on. "The Tolnep's landed a force on a Ferranti mining planet. And they are sending more troop ships to the other four nearby planets," answered Toni. My cell phone was ringing and I answered it after looking to see who the caller was. "Yes," I spoke my answer to Hub, the First Ship. "Who do we have in that area?" "Simon's Brigade, and there is a Battalion of Hammers Tanks." Was the reply. I was getting into the car with my daughters as I said, "We can't send Tanks in to pacify an invasion on mining planets. What about infantry units?" I was aware now that my daughters were looking at me strangely. "We have the Chargers, but they don't have a Commander at present," answered the Dragon. "Alert Simon's Mobile Brigade, he can drop and form the beach head on the first planet. Find out if we can get Hammers Air Defense Brigade to divide between the two farthest planets. I think I have a commander for the Chargers. I'll have to get back with you as soon as I get to Bravo Command and get a better picture of the situation." I hung up. "Momma who was that?" asked Toni. "Yeah Momma what's going on?" asked Mina "Toni, we have a priority one message for the Colonel from Colonel Hammer," said the Com chief. "Send it through," I said. "Colonel, no doubt you are aware of the situation?" "Yes Colonel Hammer. Do you have any units close by that I could send besides your tanks?" His grin told me that he did. "I have two Battalions of Mobile Infantry cruising in formation with the Hammers Den. They're about three hours out from a jump point that will drop them out right in the middle that system." "You were expecting this weren't you? And you didn't say anything yesterday," I said. "Yesterday you weren't the Commander of Star Command. I've dispatched the Humming Bird to you so we can begin the changeover of Command. I'm informing Danny that he is to meet us at Bravo Command after he sends the deployment orders to the Majors." "Thank you Colonel," I said. "Momma, what is going on?" demanded Toni as she drove as fast as possible toward our command center. "I'll tell you as soon as we get to the Center," I promised. "Colonel in the com center," called Major Fields. "Carry on, Fields get the coffee hot. Mina I want copies of all communications intercepts. And the moment Colonel Hammer arrives I want to see him." Major Fields rushed over with a steaming cup of coffee. "We're having trouble translating some of the messages Ma'am. But this unit at least is speaking English." Skimming over the intercepted messages, using the new personal program provided by Astrid to my personal computer only moments before I said, "Raise the Humming Bird. Tell Pritchard to heat up his tanks, they might get to see some action after all." "Ma'am?" "All Right everyone listen up," I waited for silence. "As of now this is known as Star Command, Bravo. You wanted to work with the Slammers as well as a few other units out there, you're getting your wish." The message I'd read made reference to several other planets in another system. Planets rich in Iridium. The unit that was being sent in was Barth's Regiment. The other invasions were in fact a diversion. "Someone get me the Drider Emissary, be gentle. I just need to talk to his Queen." I spent a good twenty minutes pouring over the information and studying the local systems star charts. "Ma'am, Col Hammer is here, and the Drider Emissary as well." Fields informed me. "Come in gentlemen. Col, Yarish, you two know each other?" "Yes we met at the Academy, what is happening?" asked Yarish. "Yar, how big are the colonies on Iridani Nine and Ten?" "Not very large, they're just Mining Preparation groups, surveying and selecting the places to mine that will not cause harm to the planets, why?" "Col., if Queen Tilliani agrees I am about to send your tanks to I-9 and 10. Barth is headed there as we speak. He is to occupy those planets for the Tolneps." I handed them copies of the intercepts, watching their eyes. A commotion near the main door caught our attention though. "My husband is here, either let me in or I will just jump to him," I heard the voice of Crystal. I pressed a button on my desk. "Escort her to my office please." "Yes Ma'am," came the answer. "Yar, why are you here? Why did they come for you in the middle of the night?" she was looking from myself to col Hammer with suspicion. "Crystal, I sent for him. I needed some information, and now I need to talk with his Queen. I'm sorry but we are trying to save a lot of innocent lives here." I told her. "Why, what's going on?" "Love, two of our mining exploration planets are about to be attacked. I need to get a message to Mother," he said. "It would be better if she were here to see everything for herself." "Then I will go," they hugged each other quickly before she stepped back and disappeared in a shimmer. Stepping to the open door I decided to make a serious announcement. "Listen up everyone," I got there attention. "We are about to have a royal Visitor, she is to be given every courtesy. Further if you encounter a Phase Spider or one of the Terrellian Goth's you are not to be hostile. You are to be courteous and direct them to Me." I knew how precious the Goth's were to Terrellian society. It took them decades to attain full growth. And only those bonded with someone would venture into contact with people of any race. And Phase Spiders were peaceful unless coerced. We began making plans for the movement of the Slammers tanks to I-9 and 10. All we needed now was permission from Tilliani. "Col, we have someone here who needs to speak with you," called a guard from the outer doors. "On my way," I said. Col Hammer following close behind. "Stephanie," Crystal began. "Her Majesty Tilliani." I greeted her, "If you need anything while you are here, just ask." "Yarish?" "Mother, you're safe here," he said. "But there is an urgent matter, and they want to help us before it is too late." "With their armies? Living on our planet?" "Tilliani, allow me to show you what we know. But I assure you we do not want anything more than to ensure your people are safe. And our forces will leave any time that you say so." I said. "And how do I know that your word is good?" she asked. "Because if it is not she wouldn't be in the position she is in," stated Astrid as she made her presence known. "I know of one other way to assure myself of her intentions," her eyes drilled into mine searching for fear. "Perhaps a bit of privacy," I suggested. I knew how she intended to assure herself. I also knew every memory of mine would be laid open to her. "Stephanie?" "I have nothing to hide from her. Just like me she is only interested in assuring her peoples safety," I said as I bared my neck. "No one has ever been Allies with the Drider's," he said. "It didn't work when I tried the same thing twelve years ago." "And you tried to hide things from me," she said. "Please," I interrupted them. "Allies should not hide things from one another." A shiver went through me as she moved her fangs toward my neck. I closed my eyes at the sting of the initial bite. Then warmth spread through me as she drank a small amount of my blood. In that moment I knew that she knew everything about me. Things no one else in the room knew." Stepping back she smiled at me. "You have come far from your past. And you are a person of honor." She turned to Yarish, "Tell your brothers that they will have company soon." "Mother?" "The Col has shown me the truth of her words. She is to be trusted." "Thank you your Majesty," I said. "Would you like to be kept up to date? I would like to have advisors to help us coordinate peacefully," I told her. "Morrow will be pleased. I will leave Yarish here until he arrives with his staff." She assured me. Then she trailed her fingers along my arm, "You will not be taxed while your people are there. You have already paid it for all of them." "Ma'am, we have a situation at the gate," Maj Fields interrupted. "Stephanie Wolf is here to see you." "Why haven't you brought her to me?" I asked. "She refuses to surrender her swords," he answered. "And if she wasn't here on a peaceful mission none of you would be able to stop here. You do not take the swords away from anyone who is a 'Follower of the Way', they are peace keepers," I said. "Tilliani, Astrid," she greeted them. "I came to meet with the Commander of Star Command." She turned to Col Hammer. "Col Zimmer has just assumed Command," he said. "Then I know we can work together." Turning now to me she asked, "You requested to meet with me?" "Yes, we have a situation with the Tolneps and several Mercenary units they've hired. I want to give you a chance to change their minds before it's too late," I told her. "Then I should hurry and send my emissaries," we hugged before she hurried off to meet with her own people. "The followers of the way already have clear passage," said Tilliani. "As do unclaimed Kittens, and Students of the Academies here." then after a moment of silence she added "Unless you need me, I think I would like to visit my grandchild while I am here. Yarish can speak for me, he knows my wishes. Crystal, shall we?" as she took Crystal's hand the two shimmered and were gone. It was hectic for several days as we coordinated our efforts. Then once everything was in place. And the Followers of the way had gone in to barter for peace, things suddenly changed. The Tolneps had been holding hostages to ensure the cooperation of all the other Mercenaries except for Barth's Regiment. Bart had insisted on landing his first wave of tanks on I-10. The Forlorn Hope was given permission to eliminate them before the breached the atmosphere. Barth was using one of his favorite Maneuvers. He was going to bring the ship in just inside the atmosphere and air drop bombs followed by his tanks using jet boosters. The Julius Caesar was caught as they started their run, by the Hope as she emerged from behind the moon. "I demand to speak with Col Hammer," fumed Barth. His message had been relayed to me. "Barth how nice to finally meet you," I began. "Who the bloody hell are you? Where's Hammer?" "Colonel, I gather you have a problem with the way my Regiment dealt with your invasion?" "Your Regiment?" "Yes, the Slammers are one of my Assets. And I assure you that their new Commander, Col Pritchard was acting on my orders when he downed your Ship in the midst of an Atmospheric Invasion." "You have no proof," he started to say. "I have all the proof I need Colonel Barth. Plus I have records of your previous invasions of other planets using the same illegal maneuver. Your units, ships, and equipment in the Iridani system are forthwith impounded by Star Command and will be turned over to Col Pritchard and the Slammers." "You can't do this Lady, my men will fight and I'll turn your little Star Command into a Slag Heap." "You don't understand, I'm not giving you an option. You have one hour to surrender every unit in the system. After that you will be branded as a Rogue Unit, fair game for anyone who wants the Ten Billion Galactic Credit Bounty that will be placed on your unit." "All Barth Units head for the jump points now!" he said. The Chargers, and Hammers Mobile Infantry had already closed the jump points. They had nowhere to run. The next three months were busy as we processed everything through the proper channels. While the Drider's accepted the Ships as restitution for the failed invasion they had no use for the other equipment. The troops were released to go their own way. The equipment was transported to Omega, to be auctioned off to other units. Col Barth was to be tried for his war crimes that had been sanctioned by other world governments. Upon my return to I-5 after his trial Mina presented me with a new problem over breakfast. "Have you ever heard of Earta Prime? It's like in a parallel Universe." "No should I have heard of it?" I asked now curious. "Not really, but I did some checking after I heard the place was involved in a planetary war," she began. "It was cut off from the Intergalactic Freeway over a century ago because they were spreading their wars out into the rest of the universe." "And how did you hear about?" I asked. "I ran into Gramma Dotty in the Diner. Only it wasn't her. it was a lady that looked just like her and she said that's where she'd come from." "And why is that so interesting?" "They were invaded by a race of war like Droids. I did some asking and they fit the description of a race called Skecksies." The name hit me like a sledge hammer. "Momma?" "How old is this information?" I asked. "And where is this woman now?" "She's staying in the guest house at your sisters Academy, her daughter who looks like Aunt Missy is going to school there." "Get on the horn, initiate a full recall, Bravo command, the Slammers, Chargers, and the Grievers." I pushed back from table. "I have to talk to the Firsts. Until I get back have Jade take command. I think we're going to Earta Prime."