Chapter 9

638 days (1.75 years)

On the moon base Aquatis

Tara awoke from her sleep with a knock on the door to her room. She looked at her alarm clock. It was only two a.m. Who could be knocking at this hour? Maybe it was an officer telling her it was time to go home. Then she thought. If I went home. What would my life be like? She knew she'd have to marry Kolten. She wandered how he was and possibly how he could have changed since they last saw each other. Would she even want that life? As a woman she could only serve one term of two years in the military. What if Kolten renewed his contract and stayed in the military. After all. He is on his father's old ship. She had heard the news of all "The Space Hammer's " victories. Tara had a few accomplishments of her own. She was now the squadron leader for her 11 man team.

"Shark leader! Your presence is required immediately by the Grand General. Get dressed! You must see him at once!" spouted Grand General Davenport's secretary Ronald Diaz.

She got dressed and followed Ronald to Grand General Davenport's office.

"You require my presence Grand General?" she asked curiously.

Looking up from his computer at her with tired eyes.

"Tara. You are the best pilot on this damn base. You lead the best squadron we have. The galaxy needs you. Unfortunately instead of sending you home. Over the next couple months we're going to War. I set up arrangements for your squadron and the ships to be transported to Mars. There your squadron will meet up with "The Space Hammer " and attack enemy forces on Earth's moon. Your team will secure a safe landing on the moon for "The Space Hammer ". That ship will have ground troops and supplies from our allies on Mars base. Once the job is done we'll need your team to report back to Mars. Your ships will be left there and you'll return on "The Space Hammer."

OMG! She thought to herself. Finally a chance to get close to Earth! Most of the Grand General's briefing she let go through one ear and out the other. She heard Earth and ",The Space Hammer." She would see Kolten again and see Earth. Her heart was full.

"Sir.. When do we leave?" she asked all giddy like.

"At 0400 shark leader." he replied.

"Sir.. That's in two hours. It's not enough time to load our ships and equipment." she responded with concern.

" We received the news shortly after dinner. While you and your squad were asleep we loaded everything up. All you'll need is to wake your crew up and wear your jumpsuit. Everything Else has been handled." the Grand General explained.

"Yes sir.. Thank you sir." She responded.

Finally some real action she thought to herself as she went back to the dorms to inform her team.