The Battle for Europa

By David Donaghe

When Shawn Gallagher, second shift lead man at mining site A on Europa launches his bid for independence, little does he know that it will pit him against his little brother David. A Fleet Marine in the Federal Defense Forces. When Cyrus Bonelli, President of the Council of Economic Unions on Earth, hears of the rebellion on Europa he sends the federal main battle fleet to stop the rebellion. With rebels on Mars wrecking havoc,and the new deep space fleet heading out of the solar system to explore the galaxy, this rebellion on Europa couldn't have come at a worse time, but Cyrus has little choice. The federal fleet needs the Helium-3 and the colonies on Earth's moon as well as the colonies on Mars need the water ice that they mine on Europa, so Cyrus launches an attack, later known as The Battle for Europa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Donaghe
• Release date: Mar 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301085699

David Donaghe

Hello. My name is David Donaghe and I write short stories and novels. I live in the high desert of Southern California with my wife and family. When I am not writing, I enjoy riding motorcycles with my brothers and sisters in The American Cruisers MC. This is where I get some of my ideas for my writing. I also enjoy practicing martial arts. I have several eBooks published so far. Please feel free to browse my profile page and check out my other places on the internet. Please click the link to sign up for my author alerts. Also, I love to hear from my readers. Click this link to my author web page, click on contact the author and sign up to my email list to get my author news letters. If you download any of my books please post a review. I would love to hear what you think. to email me directly mail to: [e-mail] you are in the US military shoot me an email and I will send you a coupon code for 50 percent off on all my eBooks priced over .99 cents. If you want one of my short stories I will send you a coupon so that you can get it free. I enjoy hearing from all of my readers so send me an email and sign up for my Newsletter so I can give you updates on my new releases. If you'd like to review any of my books send me an email and I will send you a coupon code so you can download one of my book for free. Thanks a bunch. I look forward to hearing from you.

Book preview

The Battle for Europa

BY

David Donaghe

The Battle for Europa

David Donaghe

Published by David Donaghe at smashwords.com

New 2022 Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013

This eBook is for your enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please buy another copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not buy it, please go to your eBook retailer and buy another copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author. You may not distribute it to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download additional copies. Thank you for your support.

Disclaimer

All characters in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

The Battle for Mars Sample Chapters

About the Author

Other Books by David Donaghe

Chapter 1

Shawn Gallagher and John Wilson sat in an atmospherically contained tracked vehicle looking out at the icy planes of Europa. They breathed in the sterile smell of recycled air. Did you tell him about the guns? Wilson asked rubbing the scruffy whiskers on his chin.

Shawn laughed, looking out the windshield with a pair of night-vision goggles. It’s kind of hard to start a war without guns.

John yawned. Does he know about the vehicles? We’ll need armored main battle tanks.

Shawn shrugged brushing a strand of dark brown hair from his eyes. He knows about the vehicles. You saw the list before I encrypted and transmitted it. I don’t think we forgot anything. With this, plus the equipment we have on Titan, we should be fine.

John nodded. How can he have that much equipment available? Who is this guy anyway?

He’s the best. I did some research on the VID-net. Most smugglers have a legit freighting business covering their illegal activities. You have to dig deeper for certain things.

Yeah, but how can he come up with so much equipment with such little notice? John asked.

Shawn laughed. It's surprising what you can get with a suitcase full of gold. Let alone five of them.

True. Those hidden mining sites on Mars have been a Godsend for the movement.

Tell me about it. We wouldn’t have been able to finance our operations on Earth without the gold. You can trace a credit transaction, but when you hand a guy a bag of gold, no one knows but you and him, Shawn said.

Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?

You tell me. Do you still want to live under the thumb of the council? After our guys found those documents in the forbidden zone? Not to mention those old history books.

John let out a sigh. No. Some of our people died to retrieve those documents and they captured two others. Reading those documents only strengthened my resolve. Once we embark on this course of action, there’s no turning back.

Do you think they worried about that, six hundred years ago when they dumped all that tea into the Boston harbor? The council would throw us in a penal colony on the dark side of the moon if they knew we had those documents, Shawn said.

It is shocking, how much freedom those people had once they won their independence. They didn’t have to deal with a GI rating or implanted biochips. It said in their declaration, all men are, created equal.

They had their problems, but they were the freest nation on Earth for over three hundred years. If not for the Third World War, there would be no Council of Economic Unions. The United States still would be the freest nation on Earth.

The Forbidden Zone. That’s another crock of Shit. They claim it’s hot with radiation, but that’s a lie. DC may be in ruins, but it’s not hot. Our people found that out, John said.

The council doesn’t want people digging in the ruins. They’re afraid of what they might find.

This guy’s not gonna show.

Shawn noticed a light in the sky descending toward the surface. You worry too much. He has a reputation as being a straight shooter. Just don’t cross the son of a bitch. Here he is now.

***

Ludwig Von Wolf’s luxury yacht broke orbit with Jupiter, descending toward the icy moon. At the same time, Shawn looked across the driver’s compartment at his friend, John. His mind flashed back to when they served together in the Federal Defense Forces. He took Shawn under his wing and helped him fit into the unit when he first arrived, fresh out of boot camp. At that time, Shawn was only eighteen years old. John was four years older and he took an instant liking to the young man. A bond of friendship formed and Shawn began to look upon John as an older brother. It was John, who first approached him about joining the resistance. Even now, ten years later, I still think of John as an older brother.

An instant of doubt and indecision passed through Shawn’s brain. I hope I’m doing the right thing. I hope I’m not setting the wheels in motion that will lead to my best friend’s death. They watched the lights in the sky grow larger. Ludwig's yacht descended toward the surface. Shawn smiled looking into John’s dark brown eyes. Let's step outside and meet our guest?

Let’s do it, John said rubbing his hand through his short blond hair.

Shawn pressed the com button on the dashboard of the Land Rover. He spoke to the men in the vehicles parked behind him. Attention people. Suit up. I want this equipment moved to site D as soon as it’s unloaded. If Consolidated security catches us out here we’re screwed. He climbed out of the driver’s seat and stood in an aisle way between the two seats in the driver’s compartment. He turned and stepped through a doorway into the cargo area of the Land Rover. On his left and right were two small gray doors that led to the airlocks. Shawn turned to a storage cabinet lining the bulkhead and took out an EVA suit plus a pair of gravity boots. John opened an adjacent locker. He took out another EVA suit and another pair of gravity boots. They sat down on an aluminum bench setting next to the lockers and suited up.

Shawn put on his suit’s helmet. Check my seals.

John stepped up behind him. He placed his hands over the vents that allowed carbon monoxide to vent from the suit. Take a breath. Shawn took in a deep breath. Now exhale. Shawn breathed out. Your seals are fine. Turn around and I’ll check your oxygen tanks. Shawn turned around. Your tanks are full. Do, me. John put on his helmet.

Shawn checked his seals and his oxygen tanks. Let’s do a com check. He turned a small black dial on the neck of his suit, and the com-link came to life.

I’m reading you five by five.

You’re coming in clear as well. Shawn pressed a button next to the door on his right. The door receded into the wall and they stepped into the airlock. The inner door closed, they heard a slight hiss of air and he pressed the red button next to the door in front of him. The exterior door slid open and they stepped out onto the surface.

The miners, who had been riding in the vehicle’s cargo bay, exited the rear airlock. Ten men labored carrying five bulky aluminum storage containers. It took two men, one on each end of each container, to carry them. Shawn stepped away from the Land Rover and began to shout orders over his com-link. Set those down here. He pointed to an area well away from the vehicles while other men exited the vehicles behind them. As soon as we do this deal, I want everything moved to site D before Consolidated Security makes a flyby. Let’s step lively. Shawn activated the night vision feature on his suit’s helmet. His eyes turned skyward. He watched, Ludwig’s luxury yacht and three large cargo vessels descending to the surface. They stepped away from the vehicles waiting for the small fleet to land. The off-duty miners gathered around them, watching Ludwig’s yacht touchdown. A loud whine, came from the cargo vessel’s engines when they powered down. Bits and pieces of ice flew up off the ground forming a white cloud. They dissipated when the three cargo vessels touched down. They set behind a smaller, sleek-looking black space cruiser.

The men standing on the surface heard a slight hissing sound and a ramp extended, lowering to the ground. An airlock opened. Three men wearing black EVA suits carrying shoulder-fired weapons lumbered down the gangplank. They headed over to where Gallagher and Wilson stood. The three men stopped with three feet of space separating the two groups of men. The taller man standing in the center seemed nonchalant. The other two held their rifles at the ready position.

Which one of you swinging dicks is Shawn Gallagher? the man standing in the middle asked using a heavy German accent.

That would be me, Shawn said.

Did you bring the gold?

Did you bring the guns?

Ya, I brought the guns, plus all the other items on your list.

Then I brought the gold.

Have your men bring the gold on board my ship. After I check the gold, you may check the guns. If everything is good, we make the deal.

Shawn motioned to the men who had unloaded the gold from his Land Cruiser. They picked up the aluminum containers. They followed Ludwig and his employees up the boarding ramp. Ludwig opened the outer airlock and they stepped in. The men carrying the gold crammed into the airlock with them. They set the aluminum containers holding the gold down on the deck. The ship’s oxygen tanks filled the airlock with breathable air. The needle of the gage on the wall near the ceiling went from red to green.

You may remove your helmets, Ludwig said, taking off his black helmet to reveal a baldhead. Shawn noticed a jagged scar running across Ludwig’s forehead. They removed their helmets. After your men deliver the gold to my study, have them leave the vessel. Three others besides yourself may stay.

Shawn hung his helmet on a hook inside the airlock. That’s fine.

This way gentlemen, Ludwig said, stepping up to the interior door of the airlock. The door slid open and Ludwig stepped into a hallway covered with plush blue carpet. Shawn followed. He glanced to his left, noticing a narrow hallway that ended at a set of steps. The steps descended to a lower circular deck comprising the ship’s bridge. This way if you will. Ludwig led them to their right and down the corridor. He stopped at a doorway on his left. Shawn admired the thick oak door with its brass fixtures. It must be nice to live in the lap of luxury. He followed Ludwig into his study. John stepped in behind them. The men carrying the gold, struggling with the weight, entered the room.

Here is fine, Ludwig said, motioning to a place in the center of the floor and the men set down their burdens.

John you stay, Shawn said, motioning to two other men. You two stay, the rest of you can leave. Shawn looked about taking in the interior of Ludwig’s study. Like the hallway, plush blue carpeting covered the deck. A black leather couch set against a bulkhead in front of them. Two black leather chairs were set facing the couch. A large video screen occupied the entire wall to their rear. Behind the black leather chairs, a long mahogany bar set against the bulkhead to their left. What fascinated Shawn the most was the books. Bookshelves, with old leather-bound books, took up the bulkhead to their right.

Let's have a look at that gold, Ludwig said.

Shawn turned, motioning to one of the miners that had stayed behind. Open ’em up. Let’s get this done before Consolidated Security makes a flyby.

Not to worry. I paid them off. We’ve all the time in the world, Ludwig said. The two miners, who had helped carry the gold, went to work unlatching and removing the container’s lids. They watched them remove the lid of the first container. Several stacks of shiny, solid gold bars set neatly stacked inside the container. Ludwig let out a low whistle, looked into each container, and then picked up a gold bar from one. Taking a penknife from his pocket, he shaved a flake from the gold bar.

It is good. If they weren’t, you wouldn’t be leaving this vessel alive, Ludwig said.

I’m not out to screw anybody, Shawn said.

They do look pretty, John said, trying to lighten the mood, and stared down at the gold bars.

My friend, we have a deal, Ludwig said motioning to his two guards. Show these three to the galley. We still have some cold cuts and beer in the refrigerator. Mr. Gallagher and I are going to have a drink while we talk business.

John stays with me, Shawn said.

As you wish. Have a seat. I’ll have my frau fetch us a bottle of Vodka. They sat down in two patented leather chairs facing the leather couch. Ludwig pressed a small button on the arm of the couch and a chime rang. A young oriental woman wearing a short leather dress stepped through a black door next to the bar carrying a tray with a bottle and three shot glasses. She smiled and handed them each a shot glass. Shawn caught a glance into a deep valley of cleavage when the woman bent over to pour the Vodka. She caught him looking, and gave him another smile causing him to blush.

Thank you, Shawn said, taking in her pretty face. He couldn’t help but admire her high cheekbones and her exotic look. The woman turned to fill John’s glass. Shawn’s eyes dropped to the tight fit of the rubber-like dress stretched across the woman’s bottom. I still want to see the guns, he said after the oriental woman filled Ludwig’s glass.

That will be all for now, Yoko. Leave the bottle, Ludwig said. Turning his attention to Shawn, Ludwig continued. I can assure you, everything is satisfactory. I brought everything you asked for. Let’s have a drink first and talk business. To a long and prosperous relationship. Ludwig held up his glass for a toast and they downed the shot. Shawn watched the oriental woman retreat through the door from where she came in. He sputtered.

That has to be some of the best Vodka I’ve ever tasted. It must be a black market bottle.

Ludwig smiled, nodded, and looked at Shawn’s face with his piercing blue eyes. When I make a sale, I don’t ask the customer any questions. What a customer does with the merchandise is his business. With an order this large, and with you paying in gold, it makes me curious.

Shawn smiled. I researched you on the VID-net and then contacted a few people that did business with you. One thing they told me was that you never Welch on a deal and that you keep your mouth shut, so I’ll tell you.

Ludwig nodded. Did they also say that if you burn me, I kill you?

That too, but that will never happen.

Good. Now tell me.

Shawn leaned back in his chair. Twenty-four hours from now, we are going to call a miner’s strike. Both here in the Jovian system and on all our mining facilities on the moons revolving Saturn.

Interesting. Not too bright, but interesting. You don’t need this much armament for a strike.

The strike is a ruse to keep the Consolidated Security personnel busy. While they deal with a bunch of rowdy miners, we are going to seize the colonies on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. We are going to declare independence from the Council of Economic Unions. We plan to form a new nation.

Ludwig’s bottom jaw dropped. Now I know you’re crazy. What is it you say in the North American Union? You have iron balls. How can I help? This time Shawn’s jaw dropped in surprise and when he glanced at John, he saw a big smile spread across his face.

We could pull this thing off after all, John said.

Why would you want to help us? Shawn asked.

It is obvious that you people are part of the resistance. Your movement sometimes receives anonymous credit donations. I have donated some sizable amounts. I support anyone or anything thing that causes problems for the Council of Economic Unions. If it weren’t for their high tax rates and their rules and regulations, I would not have to hide out in the asteroid belt. I would have a legitimate freighting business on Earth. They have reduced me to running guns and smuggling contraband. I resort to other illegal activities as well just to make some real money. So again, I ask, how can I help?

Shawn paused for a moment. We could use some ships. When we announce our independence, they’ll send federal forces.

Ludwig laughed. They’ll squish you like a bug.

By denying them the helium-3 and the hydrogen they might show some restraint, John said. Then there is the deuterium crystals that we mine.

There’s also the methane gas on Triton and the water ice that we mine here, Shawn said.

That’s exactly why they’ll try to squash you like a bug. Ships I can get. They’re old battlecruisers and old PPF fast reaction vessels, but we can repair them. What else?

Half of our miners have served in the Federal Defense Forces, but their skills are rusty. We could use people to help train them. We could use people to help get the ships ready to confront the federal forces, Shawn said.

That I can do. I have a sizeable mercenary force available to me. They can help with your defense until you get your people and vessels up to speed. There are only three things I would ask, Ludwig said spreading his arms apart.

What would that be? Shawn said.

One is that you will make all payments in gold. I will be taking a sizable risk. Number two if you pull this thing off you allow me to move my base of operations here. Number three if you do succeed that you set the taxes at a low enough rate that an honest man can make a living.

Shawn grinned. All three of those terms are acceptable. There’s a lot more gold where this came from.

This calls for another toast, Ludwig said, standing to his feet. He poured them each another shot of Vodka. They stood to their feet and Ludwig stuck out his hand. Do we have a deal? Shawn took his hand and Ludwig’s grip hardened. If you betray me, I will kill you.

Their eyes locked. That won’t happen. I’m a straight shooter. I don’t promise things that I can’t deliver.

I believe you. Let’s have another shot and then go see your new equipment.

Ludwig called his guards into his study to guard the gold. Ludwig led them, down the main corridor, and took the turbo lift down to the cargo bay. Inside the cargo bay set several metal containers. Ludwig unfastened the latches on the first container and opened it. Shawn looked down at the black, wicked-looking weapons.

Ludwig handed Shawn an M-23 Blaster. We’ve got M-23 Blasters, P-38 hand-held Blasters, grenades, and rocket launchers. We have atmospherically contained body armor, ammo, and energy packs for the blasters. Plus we have some K-Bar knives. We have field dressings plus an assortment of other medical supplies. Everything on your list is here, except for the vehicles. They are in the cargo ships outside. You’ve got what you need to start a small war.

Sweet, Shawn said, examining one of the shoulder-fired weapons.

The M-23 fires your standard 223 round, plus explosive rounds. It sets off an explosive charge when the round penetrates a body. It also fires a laser beam powered by the energy packs. There is a selector switch on the right side of the handgrip.

I know, I used to have one of these when I was with the Federal Defense Forces, Shawn said, handing him back the weapon. Ludwig opened the rest of the containers and showed them the rest of the equipment. After examining the rest of the merchandise, he closed up the containers.

I’ll have my people unload this stuff. Let’s go see the vehicles.

Ludwig led them back to the turbo lift. They rode up to the main deck, entered the airlock, and put on their helmets. Dressed in their EVA gear, they went to the cargo ship setting behind Ludwig’s yacht. They made their way up the entrance ramp through the airlock and onboard the cargo vessel. Ludwig took them to the cargo bay. Along the way, they passed several crewmen and women. They dressed in black uniforms as they went about their business. Shawn let out a low whistle. They viewed the long line of military vehicles occupying the cargo bay.

We have your basic armored, atmospherically contained main battle tanks. They're old, but they’re in good shape. I’ve added extra armor. The other vessels are your basic fast attack tracked armored personnel carriers. They are all-purpose atmospherically contained vehicles. Is everything satisfactory?

Very much so, Shawn said.

How soon will you want the ships?

As soon as you can get them to us. We still have some gold stockpiled here on Europa. We’re expecting another shipment in a week or two, Shawn said.

Ludwig smiled. I give you six months after you make your declaration before the federals attack. The schedule will be tight, but I’m sure we can get it together. I’ll contact my mercenary forces as soon as we’re in space. I’ll get a security force in place as soon as possible. When I secure the ships, I’ll contact you on a secure com-net. I’d like you to come to see my base of operations in the belt. I’ll even cook you dinner.

I’d enjoy that, Shawn said.

I’ll send you the coordinates once I have secured the ships. Then you can come to view your new fleet. We’ll mix business with pleasure.

Great. Let’s get this stuff unloaded, Shawn said. They shook hands and went to work. For the next hour and a half, the miners helped Ludwig’s people unload the cargo. Once they unloaded the vessels, the miners gathered around. They watched the ships lift off the surface of Europa. A cloud of ice particles flew into the atmosphere.

We did it, John said through the com-link of his EVA suit.

That was the easy part. After tomorrow it gets dangerous.

Yeah. We’d best get this stuff up to site D, John said.

Let’s move people! Let’s get this equipment loaded and get these vehicles out of here ASAP! Shawn yelled. The off-duty miners scrambled to load the equipment into the vehicles. They headed to an old abandoned mining site in a remote area to the southwest of the main colony. A half-hour later, a Consolidated Security shuttle flew over. The pilot noticed the indentations on the surface where the ships had landed. He saw the tracks in the ice where several vehicles had headed southwest. The pilot shrugged and told the co-pilot to make a notation in the logbook.

***

Chapter 2

Fireworks lit up the night sky over the harbor in San Diego California. Loud music emanated from a floating barge a quarter-mile offshore. The class of 2358 of Woodrow Wilson high school celebrated their graduation on the barge. Smoke drifted across the water. A neo-pop band had their guitars and symphonizes cranked up high doing a rendition of an old hip-hop song. Neo-pop was the latest craze in music. It was a mixture of older styles. It combed rock and roll, new wave, and hip-hop. It also mixed in a bit of rap, and country with modern computer-generated sounds.

David Gallagher looked out at the large naval vessels looming in the darkness. They lay at anchor on the other side of the harbor. He zipped up his coat. Fireworks lit up the night; David glanced up and smiled. He thought he would remember this night forever: June 15th, 2358. His mind drifted to his brother Shawn and wondered how he was doing. He hadn’t seen Shawn in eight years. He'd only had a few video transmissions and text messages on the VID-net. He had not been in his brother’s presence since Shawn graduated high school.

After high school, Shawn, like most young men with low GI ratings, received his draft notice. He entered the Federal Defense Forces. Shawn served on a Planetary Patrol Force vessel. He spent a few years chasing smugglers, gunrunners, and pirates. When they weren’t involved in either one of those endeavors, the PPF patrolled the solar system. They responded to any emergency that might arise. The PPF was a fast reaction force. It had smaller and faster vessels than the Federal Defense Force's main battle fleet.

David felt a soft hand run down his back. He caught a whiff of perfume and felt the soft caress of a female breast against his arm.

I bet you thought this day would never come? Annie Dupree said, having to yell over the loud music. David breathed in the smell of the sea. He looked over at the beautiful young woman standing next to him. He couldn’t figure out how he had managed to land the best-looking girl in high school. One time he asked her why she hung out with him, but Annie laughed and said, It beats the hell out of me.

He glanced at her red dress, made from a rubber-like material that form-fitted to her body. It accented her curves. David felt a stirring sensation in his loins when he noticed the amount of cleavage the dress revealed. The hem of the dress stopped three inches below her crotch. It revealed her long tanned shapely legs. Her long red hair hung down below her ass. He finally managed to get it together and looked into her emerald green eyes.

It seems like I’ve been at that place forever. I can still remember when my mom and dad dropped me off at the gate. I stood there on the sidewalk with my bags shaking like a leaf and watched them drive away.

That’s when I showed up.

Yep. Good old Annie Dupree to the rescue. You took me under your wing, showed me the way to the administration building, and helped me get settled.

Alonzo Garcia stepped up and grabbed David’s other arm. Hey bro! Have another beer! Alonzo yelled, handing them each a bottle. Annie. How did you do on your GI test? Did you get into AI school?

Anne beamed, letting out a wild whoop. You better believe it. I scored an eight on the test. I received a message from the Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research and Development College! I got in! I’m going to New York City! What about you guys? You wanted to go to trade school didn’t you Alonzo? I know David wants into the robotics school in New Chicago. He’ll work on the bodies and I’ll work on the brains.

I haven’t heard anything yet. I applied to a holographic tech school in Denver but I only scored a six on the test. I guess you know where I’m headed, Alonzo said, sounding dejected.

You never know. They still may let you in. What about you David? Annie asked.

I scored a six-point five. Why even make us take that stupid one hundred-question written test? Why does everything hinge on your genetics? Why not take a hair sample and let it go at that? It’s a shame that the council puts such an emphasis on the GI ratings. It shouldn’t keep you from getting into the school that you want to go to! David said.

I’m sure the council knows what’s best! Annie said.

Two young girls stepped up to Annie’s side and one took her arm. Let’s dance Annie! There are a lot of cute boys here, one of the girls yelled and let out a gaggle. Annie joined her friends. They headed to the center of the barge where a crowd of teen-aged young people danced. David and Alonzo turned watching the girls leave. Their eyes roved the crowd taking in all the good-looking females. Most of them wore rubberized dresses of various colors. Most of the dresses form-fitted to their bodies. Others wore loose-fitting gowns made of a thin fabric that clung to every crack and crevice. One girl wore a silver metallic suit that looked like body armor.

There sure are some good-looking ladies here tonight. I hope they get liquored up and we get lucky, Alonzo said.

Stranger things have happened, David said. They had been friends from grade school. Alonzo stood five feet six inches tall and weighed two hundred pounds. He had coal dark eyes, chubby cheeks, and a potbelly, but what David liked most about Alonzo was his sense of humor. David stood two inches taller than his friend and weighed thirty-five pounds less. Turning from the crowd, they strolled out to the edge of the barge looking out into the ocean.

You know they won’t let us into any good school with low ratings, Alonzo said.

David brushed a strand of reddish-blond hair out of his eyes. He took a drink from his beer and turned his piercing blue eyes to his friend. I know. It’s the Federal Defense Forces for us.

I hope they put us into the same unit. Where do you think we’ll do boot camp?

It depends upon which branch we go into. If we’re with the Fleet Marines, we’ll do boot camp on the moon. If they assign us to the surface Navy, it could be here in San Diego, San Francisco, New Chicago, or somewhere in Europe. If we go into the Army, it could be Texas or Kentucky.

At least we’re out of this shit hole. Being in the Federal Defense Forces won’t be so bad, Alonzo said.

Yeah, like that recruiting commercial. Join the fleet and see the solar system. It’s not a job, it’s a grand adventure.

The graduation party wound down and small robotic ferryboats approached from the shore. They docked with the floating barge, rocking with the waves and the spray from the waves hit David in the face. A cold sea breeze caused goosebumps to form up, on his arms and he felt a chill run through his body. The students formed up into a line to board the small ferryboats that would take them back to the mainland. The first three boats filled up with half-drunken graduates. It pulled away from the barge and headed toward the docks. David jumped into the fourth boat, but then turned around and helped Annie down to join him.

Thank you, kind sir, Annie said. Alonzo and one of Annie's girlfriends jumped down behind them and they found seats at the front. David took off his jacket and draped it over Annie’s shoulders. I was freezing.

Don’t mention it. That sea breeze gets a bit chilly at night.

Enjoy it while you can. It might be a long time before we see Diego again after tonight, Alonzo said.

I know I’m gonna miss San Diego. I love going to the beach, Annie said.

I’m gonna miss all the California girls, Alonzo said. Annie’s girlfriend elbowed him in the side.

Speaking of California girls, David said bumping Annie in the arm with his elbow, "I’m going to miss this one. Why don’t you come with me to my room and make my last night at Woodrow Wilson High a memorable