Leave is Cancelled.

After packing up his belongings, his friends and him went to the dining room to grab lunch. After grabing a plate of mashed potatos, chicken and some assortment of steamed veggetables, they found and empty table, sat down and began to eat. While eating, the television screens around the dining hall were show todays military news reports.

"Reports are coming in that the Federation Third fleet has engaged and enemy fleet ouside the Caldari system. Our forces face an enemy twice thier size but are fighting bravely."

Oscar looked up from his plate and started at the screen closest to him, listening to what the gentleman was saying.

"Currently our forces are being pushed back. However, reinforcements from the Valinor system are said to arrive in a few days."

Everyone in the hall became quiet and looked at the screens. Caldari was only 20 light years away from Tiham, a few hours away. If the Federation third fleet could not fight off the Icillians, the next planet to be attacked would be theirs.

Oscar got up from the table and went to find a quiet area to call his family. Before heading to the academy, his family gave him a new phone, mind you it was an old model since his family was not so rich that they could afford one of those top of the line wrist communicators.

Many of his classmates carried one of those communicators on their wrists, simply having to speak into the communicator and it would pull up a three dimensional holographic screen where they could access any of the numerous options available.

Oscar on the other hand had a basic cell phone, with buttons to dial and only allowed for calling. He wasn't upset about not having a new phone or anything, because he knew that his family was poor and couldn't afford the newest items, but he thanked his mother and father when they gave it to him.

Finding a quiet corridor, Oscar called his house, and his sister Annabelle picked up.

"Hey big brother!" His younger sisters excited voice could be heard over the speakers on the phone.

"Hey belle, wheres mom and dad?"

"They are in the kitchen, preparing lunch for today. I will let them know you are calling." Over the speaker you could hear Annabelle yelling into another room calling for mom and dad.

A few moments later an older sounding women came on the phone, it was Oscars mother. "Hey sweety, whats the matter? Shouldnt you have finished your ceremony and be all packed for vacation?"

His moms sweet and gental voice gave Oscar a whirl of emotions. He could picture his mom, wearing her apreon, in the kitchen preparing food. In his opinion his mother made the best food in the entire galaxy, always so fragrent and the taste never disappointed.

It took Oscar a second to calm his emotions before responding.

"Hey mom, everything is fine. The ceremony has finished and I have already packed everything."

There was a slight hesitation before Oscar continued to speak.

"Mom have you turned on the news lately, there is a battle going on and its near Tiham." Concern could be herd from his voice as he struggled to continue speaking.

"They say that the Federation fleet is loosing the battle and we are not sure if the fleet reinforcements will arrive in time to stop the Icillian fleet from pushing through."

He could hear his mother telling his dad to turn on the news.

"Thanks for telling us sweetie. No need to be worried though, im sure the reinforcements will arrive in time. and even if the Icillians manage to push through and make their way here, they will have to fight the defense fleet stationed here which will but the planet enough time to evacuate."

After talking with his mother for a few more minutes, he hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

Walking back into the cafateria, the familiar noise of chatting cadets was missing. Everywhere he looked he saw the cadets staring at the screens, listening intently to the reports of the battle.

"The battle seems to have reached a stalemate as neither forces are able to push through. While the Federation fleet has lost a third of thier forces, they have stopped the Icillian forces for now."

Cheers rang out from everyone in the cafeteria.

"With the reinforcements arriving in an estimated 12 hours, it seems like the Federation has won this battle."

Another round of cheers came from everyone in the cafeteria and even Oscar joined in.

"Wait a minute, we are reading heavy spacial distortions on the Icillian side. Hold on while we try to get a better reading."

The screen focused on the Iscallian side where small ripples in space could be seen.

Suddenly, one ship appeared as if out of nowhere, then another, and another, until hundreds of new ships appeared on the screen. Everyone was silent, even the reporter.

With a look of concern in his eyes, the reporter continue talking.

"Reinforcements have arrived on the Icillian side, an approximate 8000 ships have just jumpped into the battlefield. Federation forces are starting to get overwhelmed and are slowly retreating."

No one in the cafeteria made a noise. Everyone start at the screens with shocked expression on their faces. With the reinforcements, the Icaillian now had a fleet size of over 10000 ships. This was by far the biggest fleet the Icillians have every mustard so far.

"We have just been told by the Federation fleet to retreat from the battlefield and to jump to a safe location. We will be complying."

Suddenly, the alarms rang out throughout the academy. A voice came over the speakers all througout the academy as head instructor Lees voice came through.

"Attention all cadets, this is not an exercise, leave is cancelled. All active personal and recently graduated cadets are to report to the auditorium immediately. All non-active and cadets are to report to the main training field immediatly. Leave is cancelled."

Everyone hurrily got ready and headed to their designated areas.

Oscar could not shake the feeling of dread and worry and his friends and him quickly made their way through to the auditorium.