The Fleet Read Free

away from the microphone. “Our commander is obviously
under a lot of stress, I apologize,” he added. “We'll release an
official statement later today.”
    The crowd
seemed in disarray, as if a wrestling match had broken loose.
Though the marines would see them to the hangar bay exits, one way
or another.
     
    “Are you
trying to start a revolt among the people?” Arness asked loudly,
following Dalton through a narrow hallway which led to the
commander's quarters.
    “Officer,”
Dalton said, pointing to one of the guards which stood by his
doorway. “Get this gentleman out of my face.”
    The marine was
quick about it. Pointing his rifle into the general direction of
the doctor in order to march him away.
    “You cannot
stop the inevitable Commander James. Sooner or later there will be
a struggle for power among this fleet!” the doctor yelled with
anger.
    “You best hope
there ain't. You might just wind up on the wrong end of the
whipping stick.” Dalton said with a scowl.“This is as far as we go
Phantom One. Don't forget about us.” one of the swordfish pilots
jested as both fighter jets turned sharply. Hitting full-burn to
return back to the God of War.
    “Oh they're
hilarious.” Anna commented, though she did so only to her
partner.
    “Yea.” Craig
replied as he continued to run schematics. Mapping the area around
them.
    “You're awful
quiet, what's up?” Anna asked.
    He wanted to
just spill it out. How he'd been madly in love with Anna since
their trip through the academy together. How so many nights he'd
lay awake, thinking of her every detail
    Brilliant eyes
with seemed to sparkle as diamonds. Her smile. Her damn infectious
smile. She was the perfect example of beautiful, in his opinion,
with the cutest dimples he'd ever seen and sandy blonde hair that
demanded his attention. Though, for the sake of travel, he kept his
thoughts private.
    “Ah, you know.
Just trying to grasp that we are the first ones to explore beyond
this area. Ever.”
    “Pretty
exciting, huh?” Anna asked.
    “Yea. I guess
so.” Craig replied.
    “Wow. You seem
REALLY excited.”
    “Na, it's just
that I'm hoping for a quick find so we can get back home.” he
replied.
    “We don't have
a home to go back to.” Anna commented.
    “This much is
true.” he replied with a grin.
    “I mean, is my
company really that bad? I'll try to make it as painless as
possible.” she said with a giggle.
    “No it isn't,”
Craig said. “Anyone who says otherwise will have to answer to
me.”
    His reply
brought a warm smile to Anna's face.
    In fact, his
quick wit usually did. She'd been completely and madly in love with
Craig since their very first encounter. Before he even spoke a
word. Anna had caught a mere glance of him and been immediately
struck with that lightning bolt. The one that so many spend a
lifetime chasing, but never find. She'd found it long ago, though
she dared not act on it for fear of rejection.
    Her excitement
soon faded, however, as reality set it a bit. They were in a tin
can of a ship surrounded by floating planets and rocks as far as
the eye could see. Even farther when it came to their digital
mapping equipment. It was as if they were in a small lifeboat
floating through an endless see of peril in search for hope.
    To this point,
no others had seen the clusters of planets which surrounded them.
Truly a first in flight for the humans among the Skyla System. For
all of their firepower and technology, the unknown of deep black
space presented most among their race with fear.
    If zombies
existed in the outskirts of their star system and vampires on the
home planet of Ronica, what perils could possibly await them in
uncharted space?
    With plenty of
resources and terrain to expand, there had never been a need to
continue to explore. Some had suggested it over the years, but it
made absolutely no sense when it came to the financial aspect of
things.
    In its prime,
the Skyla System took nearly a full week to fly through.