Chapter 8

638 Days later (1.75 years)

On "The Space Hammer "

Kolten got word that in three months they were heading home. He had lost track of time with all of the traveling. Finally he could go home a hero and marry Tara. Maybe they could start their own family He thought. He had saved up enough salary to buy them a nice starter home in the middle upper level.

Kolten had gotten good at being a leader. He successfully under Admiral Thompson's supervision guided his ship to many victories. Defeating Space pirates and other enemy fleets from the deep outer rim.

When he got home. After the wedding he thought. I'll go into politics like my grandfather. Maybe even be a governor of a level someday.

"All officers to the flight deck" Admiral Thompson shouted on the intercom.

Is this it? Was this the meeting he longed for? The one where Admiral Thompson would tell them they were headed home?

Once on the flight deck. Kolten was in company with his seven comrades that he went to academy with and had the pleasure of serving with. Admiral Thompson standing in front by the strategy board.

"Gentlemen. I hate to inform you this when we were so close. War has broken out on Earth's moon. We've been instructed to transport ground troops and supplies. We're landing on Mars tomorrow to pick them up and refuel. Any questions?"

The ship's main navigator officer Fowler curiously stated and asked.

"Admiral Thompson. Hasn't Earth been abandoned and destroyed for over three hundred years? What could anyone want with that trash heap? Also Admiral David twenty years ago destroyed the last enemy base on Earth's moon."

"Young man.. Life was detected from Space on Earth. Some of our greatest enemies have banded together to take back the Earth and its moon. We cannot let that happen. The resources that Earth naturally produces and its gravity could prove costly to the rest of the galaxy if in the wrong hands." the Admiral explained.

Kolten remembered. Tara always wanted to go back to Earth. She felt it calling her. Maybe this sign of life there after hundreds of years could mean something special.