Abandoning the Planet

Oscar and his friends quickly arrived to the auditorium, sat down and waited quietly. Everyone there also found a seat quickly and quietly waited.

After a few minutes, Head instructor Lee walked up to the podium at the front of the auditorium. He looked at everyone before speaking.

"Listen up everyone. As you might already know, the Federation fleet that was engage over Caldari has been defeated, and we have received reports that the surviving Federation forces are gonna jump into our system in a matter of hours."

Panic and worried expressions could be seen from everyone in the room. There were only two reasons why the Federation fleet were finding its way to Tiham. One was to gather reinforcements from Tiham as well as use the system as a staging area to resupply and make repairs to fight off the Icillian forces.

However that was very unlikely because not only was Tiham not the closes planet to Caldari, but it also did not have the most resources or enough ships to make a difference in fighting against the Icillians. This left only one other reason why the Federation fleet was coming to Tiham. It was because other then being a farming planet, TIham also stored a significant amount of the federations military resources, such as fighters, weapons, ammo, heavy artillery, etc. This means with Tiham being a sort of warehouse, the Federatino had to take the supplies before they retreated further away. In other words, the Federation was planning on abandoning the planet.

A grim expression showed on Oscars face as he though about his family being stuck here. The chances of his family escaping were minimal at best.

"I will now let Commander Harris explain what is going to happend and what is expected of you all."

An older gentleman wearing the fleet officer uniform walked up to where instructor Lee was standing a moment ago.

"Good afternoon cadets. As you already know my name is Commander Harris and I am the commander of the Tiham defence fleet, stationed above the planet."

Whispers of excitments circulated around the room as everyone listened to the commander. Oscar was supprised to find the commander of the defence fleet standing right in front of everyone. He was considered the most important person in Tiham, since he oversaw everything from the defence of the planet as well as making sure that the space port and the station over Tiham ran smoothly.

Commander Harris waited a few seconds for the crowed to quiet down then began talking again. "I will not lie to you and let you know the truth. The federation is going to abandon the planet."

Everyone was shocked. Abandoning the planet. This ment abandoning their familes, neighbores, friends, everyone who could not get onto a transport ship and leave the system. The Federation was not even going to try and defend the planet.

"I know that you must all be worried about your family. But in a few minutes, the government will release an announcemnet asking all residents to pack their belongings and head to the nearest space port. There will be plenty of time for everyone to evacuate."

Oscar knew better then to believe the words of the commander. There where several million people on Tiham. Even though it was a rural planet with no huge cities, there were still large towns with millions of familes. There would not be enough transport ships, not everyone would be able to escape.

"Our priority is to get all the military supplies loaded up onto our transports and ready to leave at a momments notice. Various missions will be given to you all to ensure that everything runs smoothly. I am sorry cadets but under emergency law you will now be under direct command of Tihams defence fleet and be placed where you are needed."

After Commander Harris finished talking, he left the room from a door located at the side of the auditorium. To his right he could see Raylens face. The normally cheery and go happy energetic person was replaced by a face with worry and doubt. To his left, he saw his other friend Leo also looking worried.

Instructor Lee gave out orders on what to do next and where to go.

Oscar was ordred to pilot a medium sized dropship and transport troops or supplies where needed.

His friends were all sent to different areas. They wished each other good luck and made a promise to see each other again when this was all over.

The academy had a hanger where various ships were docked at. It was where every cadet would learn to fly anywhere from the basic atmospheric fighter to a medium sized dropship. Every cadet was expect to know how to fly these basic ships. Cadets could then choose to specialize in flying a particular aircraft.

Oscar had chosen to specialize in flying medium dropships since they were generally used for transporting supplies from ships in space to the planets surface and vis versa. While they were also used for transporting soldiers to battlefields, Oscar had planed to be placed in an outpost where he was unlikely to be sent into a warzone.

Well his plans are all meaningless. Everything he wanted to avoid, is finding its way into his life and sticking to himself like a bad itch after wearing a wool sweater. Oscar now finds himself in a warzone, preparing for an incoming invasion from an enemy force ten times greater then what the Federation is currently able to muster, with little hope of his family escaping the impending doom that is looming over the planet.

When he arrived to the hanger, he found a group of cadets all lined up near a senior instructor. He walked up and patiently waited for directions on which dropship he was going to pilot. Once he stood in front of the instructor, he was given a ship and directions where to find it. Oscar then ran off to find his dropship.

Once he found his aircraft, he saw that it was an old FD 347 class troopship. This dropship was a heavier and much less agile dropship then the standard MD 43 Dropships. His Troopship was designed for carrieng a whole squad of twenty troops, all their gear, and a light support modile vehical.

The FD 347 or Fatlady as the cadets called them was Oscars favorite transport ship. While it was heavier and slower then the newer dropships, the Fatlady could withstand serious fire and was much easier to handle. It was also a ship designed to be a mobile base for long field deployments, with basic accomidations such as sleeping five small sleeping quarters with four bunkbeds in each room, a small eating area with basic appliances and a bathroom with shower.

The bird was 60 meters long and 10 meters wide. While it was a big troopship, it was nothing in comparison to the heavy duty armor dropships that could carry a whole company of soldiers. Thats over 150 soldiers as well as all their gear, supplies and even vehicals and armor that they might need. The cadets gave the heavy duty armor dropship the name of Big Mama.

Smiling at himself, Oscar looked over the ship. The enginering crew working on his ship were all busy making sure that the ship was in good condition and ready to fly at any time.

Seeing that Oscar was standing gawking at the ship, the cheif walked up to him and introduced himself as Hans. Hans gave him the rundown of the condition of the ship and left him to ready himself.

Oscar walked up the ramp of the open cargo bay and made his way into the ship. He found his way to the cockpit and re-familiarized himself with the controls of the ship. His heart could not stop beating heavily and a smile came across his face.