The Battle for Earth

By David Donaghe

In the twenty fourth century, the Council of Economic Unions struggles to maintain power on Earth. The colonies on Europa and Mars have rebelled and are now independent nations. Eddie Falcon, leader of the People's Fist, a resistance organisation launches planet wide protest patterned after the Occupy Los Angeles movement of the twentieth Century. When the federal forces of the CEU use deadly force against civilians Eddie Falcon wages all out war across the planet. With the help of their brothers from the New Republic on Europa and the People's Republic of Mars, Falcon hopes to win their final battle, the Battle for Planet Earth, not knowing that an even larger threat is looming, threatening to draw Earth into a galactic war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Donaghe
• Release date: May 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463523506

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 Earth

By

David Donaghe

The Battle forEarth

David Donaghe

Published by David Donaghe at Smashwords.Com

2021 Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020

This ebook is licensed 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 purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase 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, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Disclaimer

All characters in this work are fictitious. All references to any motorcycle club are also fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely 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

Thunder Road Sample Chapters

About the Author

Other Books by David Donaghe

Chapter 1

Eddie Falcon stepped down the exit ramp of his shuttle and trudged across the snow to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Redness formed in his cheeks and his hands felt numb from the cold. The morning air smelled fresh and clean Tommy Muldoon, his second in command trudged along beside him. Falcon’s handpicked security team, all with cover identities as security personnel employed by Consolidated Mining, fanned out providing security.

Looking down on the Colorado River, Eddie said, I can’t get over how majestic this canyon looks in the wintertime when there is snow on the rim.

It looks majestic no matter what time of year it is, Muldoon replied.

The canyons on Mars make this look like a little ditch, but the sheer wonder and beauty of the Grand Canyon puts them all to shame.

Now that the war is over on Mars, maybe they can start terraforming. It won’t happen in our lifetime but eventually, Mars could be as beautiful as Earth.

Yeah, but we’ve got one more war to fight. The colonies will never be safe as long as the Council of Economic Unions is still in control on Earth, Eddie replied.

Three years prior, Eddie Falcon the leader of the rebellion, left Mars after the war for Martian independence that formed the People’s Republic of Mars. Being number one on the Council of Economic Union’s terrorist watch list, Eddie had to receive extensive facial reconstruction surgery and he had the rebel computer techs on Mars create him a new identity. Using their contact in Consolidated Mining, Eddie now held a job as a traveling inspector. This gave him a reason to travel the planet under the guise of, mining business. His mission was to bring the splinter groups together rebelling against the government and launch the final battle, the battle for Planet Earth.

Tell me again why we need these Indians? Tommy asked.

It’s not just these Hopis that live in the bottom of the canyon. We are meeting with the elders of all the Western tribes. When this war starts, I want massive protests and riots across the continent. If we supply the Indians with guns and ammunition, they’ll spread unrest across their Western lands, Eddie said.

Why would they join the rebel alliance? To them were just white men occupying their ancestral homeland? Muldoon asked.

They have suffered just as much as we have under the council’s rule. Why wouldn’t they?

I’m just saying, those old red skins don’t have much love for us white boys, Muldoon said.

The sound of a donkey braying echoed from the canyon. Our hosts have arrived, Eddie said. A hawk took flight above the canyon heading north it let out a screech and a tiny feather floated down from the sky. A donkey, ridden by the oldest Indians that Eddie had ever seen topped out the rim leading a string of donkeys ridden by other tribal members. At the rear of the train, they led two donkeys carrying pack saddles as well as several animals without riders for their guest to use.

I still don’t see why we couldn’t have flown down into the bottom of the canyon, Muldoon said.

Eddie chuckled. And mar the scenic beauty of this amazing place? I don’t think our host would like that. A grin spread across Eddie’s face when he stepped up to meet their hosts.

Hello, Mr. Falcon. My name is Concho. James Concho. I am the leader of the Hopi band that lives in the canyon, the old Indian said. A cool breeze blew across the rim of the canyon.

It’s good to meet you, Mr. Concho. I’m Eddie Falcon and this is my good friend, Tommy Muldoon.

As if I wouldn’t recognize two of the CEU’s most wanted terrorists? Concho said.

Even with my new face? Eddie said and smiled.

Concho shrugged. If we plan to make the halfway point by dark, we’d best get you and your people saddled up.

To Eddie, it seemed as if they had dropped off the face of the earth, as the donkey he was riding stepped off the trailhead and entered the Grand Canyon. The trail descended rapidly snaking its way down the side of the canyon. A chill ran down Eddie’s back and he shivered from the cold. Two hundred yards down the trail, the canyon’s walls blocked out the sunlight and they entered a shadowy world. Only by looking directly up, could Eddie see the sun. He glanced up and saw a bald eagle soaring on the thermals. The deeper they went into the regal wonder of the canyon, the chillier the air became. A cold breeze blew down the canyon. The sound reminded Eddie of some, forlorn spirit crying out in pain.

The day wore on, and Eddie thought the donkey’s sharp backbone was going to cut him in two. He breathed in the smell of sweat but had a hard time determining whether it was from man or beast. He saw a rabbit dart up the sidewall of the canyon. Their Indian host seemed to take the journey in stride, talking and joking as they headed deeper into the canyon. The weather warmed up a bit.

I think my ass is numb, Muldoon said calling to him from behind him.

I think if I have to ride another step I’m going to kill this donkey and eat it. I feel like I’m split from belly to brisket, Eddie replied. James Concho chuckled. By the time they reached the halfway point and pulled into a flat turnout, the sun had gone down and darkness filled the canyon.

We’ll camp here tonight, Concho said.

Some of the younger men of the tribe unloaded the gear from the pack animals while another lit a fire. One of the young men brought over an ice chest and set it down. Falcon and Muldoon joined Concho by the fire while Eddie’s security team fanned out watching everything that moved. Concho reached into the ice chest and said, Would you care for a beer?

I don’t mind if I do, Falcon replied. Eddie took a beer from Concho, passed it to Muldoon, and then popped the top on his own when Concho handed it to him. He enjoyed the refreshing taste.

Don’t your men ever relax? Concho asked, referring to Eddie’s security team.

They’re the best at what they do. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be alive, Eddie said.

But we’re down here halfway to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There’s no one out there unless it’s us that they guard you against, Concho said.

Don’t take it personally, but they trust no one, Muldoon said.

They take an oath to always be vigilant, Eddie said. They take their job very seriously.

Concho nodded. Good men like that are hard to find.

They talked and drank around the campfire for the next few hours. Eddie held his hands out over the fire, trying to absorb some of its warmth. He tried to keep the conversation away from politics. The wind picked up and Eddie shivered from the cold. Tommy added a few more logs to the fire. Tiny embers floated into the air. Eddie stumbled off to his tent in the wee hours of the morning glancing up at the stars shining in the night sky and wondered if he would have any help in this battle from his friends off-planet.

***

Shivering from the cold, Eddie rolled from his blankets at four Am that morning. Hearing the men from the tribe, stirring, Eddie noticed one adding wood to the fire while another set a pot of water down next to the fire to boil for coffee. The smell of wood smoke filled the air.

God I hope that coffee’s strong and hot. I froze my ass off last night, Eddie said when he stumbled up next to the fire.

The young Indian laughed. That’s the only way I drink it. It gets damned cold in this canyon at night.

Muldoon stepped up to the fire. I’ll say it gets cold. I think my nuts are hiding underneath my spleen to stay warm.

Concho joined them at the fire. Good morning Mr. Concho. What’s on the agenda this morning? Falcon asked.

Concho stretched his hands toward the fire. As soon as everyone is up, we’ll have breakfast. Once everyone eats, we’ll break camp and then hit the trail. We’ll arrive at the village just after sundown tonight.

I look forward to it. I’ve heard about the village, but I’ve never seen it, Eddie said.

With the underground rebel base so close, why have you never ventured into the canyon? Concho asked.

Our agreement for one. I told your people when we built the base that we would not fly shuttles or fighters in and out of the canyon. I would never do anything to disrupt the scenic beauty of this place. Most of our entrances are in the mountains to the north of the canyon, but I hear there are a few hidden entrances in the canyon that you can access the base, Eddie replied.

Concho nodded. If our meeting with the elders goes well, we will use one of those entrances to check out the guns you promised.

I’m sure you will find everything to your liking. We can get anything that the federal boys play with, Eddie said.

I’m sure it will beat the single shot, shotguns, and rifles that the feds let us use for hunting, Concho replied.

You’re lucky they still let you hunt. The sport has been banned in the rest of the country, Muldoon said.

We hunt for food. Not for sport, Concho said.

Speaking of food, I’m about starved, Falcon said.

Everyone standing around the fire chuckled. Easy white man. The eggs and bacon are almost done, but the coffee is ready, the young Indian cooking the food said.

Finished with breakfast, Falcon and Muldoon helped tear down the camp and get the donkeys ready for the trail. The sun came up, the weather warmed up a bit and they headed down the trail. Eddie glanced about at the rocky features of the canyon’s walls noticing various colors of rock that had been ravaged by the force of nature. It’s hard to believe that a river did all this, Eddie said to himself. He reached up to wipe a bead of sweat from his brow and noticed several bald eagles soaring above. A sense of wonder shot through him. God, I wonder what it would be like to be so free?

***

The day wore on, the hot sun caused both man and beast to sweat and Eddie struggled to stay awake. The donkey in front of him shit. The smell floated the breeze. Eventually, Concho pulled the donkey train into a wide turnout in the trail for lunch. After everyone dismounted, three of the young men helping Concho loosened the saddles and packs on the animals so they could take a breather while two other young men made cold sandwiches and passed out the beer.

God I swear that donkey’s back is as thin as a rail. It felt like he was trying to cut me in two, Eddie said waddling up to the ice chest. A bead of sweat tracked down the side of his face.

How can it be so hot, when it was so cold this morning? Eddie asked.

Welcome to Arizona, Concho said.

I got me a bad case of swamp ass, Muldoon said.

Concho chuckled. It should start cooling down after we leave here. Darkness comes to the bottom of the canyon earlier than it does to the land above and with it comes cold weather. I’ve got salve in my pack that you city boys can use on your tender parts if you need to.

I’ll take you up on that, Eddie replied.

Me too. Call me city boy if you want, but I ain’t used to this shit. Give me a warm bed and a comfortable ride any day, Tommy said.

This is the only life I know. I’d be lost in the city, Concho said.

Finished with their lunch, the young men of the tribe tightened the cinches on the saddles and packed up all of the gear. Once everyone was mounted up, Concho led them down the trail. After a couple of hours, the shadows lengthened and the weather cooled off. Falcon saw three deer, a buck, and two does, dart down the trail in front of them. The sun went down, and darkness filled the canyon. Eddie thought he was going to fall off of his donkey from sheer exhaustion when he heard the sound of water dancing over the rocks. He felt the donkey pick up his pace.

Take heart, Mr. Falcon. We’re almost home, Concho said.

Thank God, Falcon replied.

After another half hour, Eddie saw the lights of the village. When they reached the bottom of the canyon, Concho reined up in front of a large hunting lodge. The members of the tribe gathered near a bonfire to greet the train. Swinging to the ground, Concho said, This is what you white men might call our town hall. The women have prepared food and there is a bunkhouse in the back where you and your people can sleep after we hold the meeting with the elders. In the morning, we will go to your base.

Thank you for your hospitality. I’m glad to get off this donkey, Eddie said and swung to the ground. Muldoon swung down beside him. The men and women of the tribe gathered around to greet him. After saying their hellos, Concho, Falcon, and Muldoon, along with Eddie’s security team, went inside while the young men of the tribe took care of the donkeys. Glancing about the room, Eddie took in the long wooden tables at the front of the room made from rough-hewn logs. Pots of hot fresh cooked food set on one of the tables. The smell of the food caused his stomach to rumble. Other tables were set throughout the room and four rows of chairs were set near the back of the building.

A young woman stepped up to Eddie and said, Mr. Falcon if you will follow me, I will show you to your seat. At the back of the room, a fire blazed in a fireplace. Eddie enjoyed the warmth wafting through the building.

Thank you, Eddie replied and followed the beautiful young woman to his chair.

Eddie and his people sat at one of the tables at the front of the room near a raised platform, while the tribal elders took seats around them. The rest of the people from the village took seats at the tables near the back of the room while the tribe’s young women served food. The same young woman that showed Eddie to his chair set a plate loaded down with roast venison, fresh vegetables, and fried potatoes down in front of him. Eddie thought that the food smelled delicious. What may I get you to drink? the woman asked shooting Eddie a smile.

I think I’ll have a cup of black coffee if you have it, Eddie replied.

And for you sir? the woman asked Muldoon.

Coffee for me as well.

The woman came back a few minutes later, handing them each a cup of scalding hot coffee, and said, Enjoy.

Damn, Muldoon said. That one is easy on the eyes.

That she is, but right now I’m more interested in this food. I’m so hungry I’m afraid I might dry up and blow away, Eddie said.

Tommy chuckled. I know how you feel. It smells great.

Finished eating, Concho stepped up on the stage. Welcome my brothers. We have a special guest with us tonight and I think it would be good to hear what he has to say, but before he speaks, we will pass the pipe as is our custom. He fired up a peace pipe, offering it up to the sacred directions and then down to Mother Earth. Finished with that, he stepped off the podium and handed it to the person sitting at the end of the nearest table. When the pipe reached him, Eddie took his turn and then passed it to Muldoon. Tobacco smoke drifted through the room. Once everyone had smoked the pipe, Concho climbed back up on stage and said, This man has traveled far to speak with us. He’s not bad for a pale face. A chuckle crossed the room. I find him to be a brave man with a pure heart. I would like to welcome, Mr. Eddie Falcon.

Eddie jumped to his feet, climbed up onto the stage, and stepped up to the microphone. First I would like to thank you for allowing me to come here to your wonderful village to visit you, Eddie said.

An elder from one of the tribes rose to his feet. It is getting late and an old man like me needs his rest. Why don’t you just tell us why you are here?

That’s what I like: straight to the point. I am the leader of the resistance movement fighting against the Council of Economic Unions known as the People’s Fist. We are about to launch an all-out war here on Earth against the CEU, and I am asking for your help, Eddie said.

Another tribal elder stood to his feet. How can we help you? We barely have enough weapons to hunt for our food.

We will give you weapons. The first phase of the war will be planet-wide protests similar to the anarchist of the twenty-first century when they chose to occupy Los Angeles, but this time instead of occupying just one major city, we will launch protests in every major city across the planet.

Another elder rose to his feet. More important than what we can do to help is why? Why should we help you?

Because life for you under a free America will be better than the poverty you live under now. When we are free of these oppressors, we can reach an agreement on governing, your tribal lands. I would like for your people to come off your reservations and launch protests in every city or town near you, Eddie said.

The resistance has been fighting the government for several years now. Even with our help, it is not enough. How do you expect to win? an Elder from the Navaho tribe said.

Eddie paused looking out at the crowd and said, Because we will have help. Our brothers from the New Republic on Europa as well as the forces from the People’s Republic of Mars will come to our aid in this battle for Planet Earth.

An elder from the Lakota Sioux stood to his feet. You said that the first phase of the operation is planet-wide protests. What is the second phase?

All out war, Eddie said.

Concho stepped up next to Eddie and took his arm. We will speak of this again in the morning. Our guests are tired from their journey. Let us rest and then we will decide in the morning. The tribal elders nodded their agreement and the meeting was adjourned.

Concho showed Eddie and Tommy along with their security team to a bunkhouse where they would sleep. While Eddie and Tommy retired for the evening, the head of the security team set up a watch schedule and posted a guard outside the door.

What do you think the elders will decide? Tommy asked.

Falcon shrugged. Who knows, but I think they’ll sign on with us. What other choice do they have?

I guess we’ll find out in the morning, Tommy replied and crawled under the blankets.

***

Eddie Falcon woke up early the next morning. Outside, the village came to life as the Indians woke up and went about their daily chores. He sat up and put his feet on the floor. Rise and shine, old friend. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us, Eddie said.

Muldoon groaned. What the sun hasn’t even come up yet?

Yeah, but we don’t want our guests to think that we’re a bunch of lazy pale faces. Besides, I’m about as hungry as a bulimic Lobo wolf, Eddie said.

Tommy laughed. Then I guess we’d best go see what’s on the breakfast menu.

While they ate breakfast outside on a picnic table, along with the rest of the people from the village, Falcon noticed the tribal elders gathering in the main meeting hall.

I guess we’re not invited, Eddie said, motioning to one of the elders as he entered the hall.

I think you’re the main topic of discussion, Tommy replied.

Eddie shrugged. I guess I’m a popular man.

Not in all circles, Muldoon said.

Eddie laughed watching the sun come up. You’ve got that right. I’m sure there, are several government officials who would like to see my hide nailed to the wall. They had just finished eating when Concho stepped up to their table. Good morning James. Please have a seat, Eddie said.

Good morning. I would love to sit and chat, but I don’t have time and neither do you. The elders have decided to join you in your rebellion. I need you and your people to make ready. We leave in twenty minutes. We will take you to the nearest entrance of your underground base.

I will contact our people and have them meet us at the entrance. Will we be traveling by donkey again? Eddie asked.

Partway, but then we will go on by foot.

Then I guess we’d better get ready, Eddie said.

We will meet in front of the town hall in twenty minutes, Concho said and left. Eddie took out a small handheld communication device and made a call to the underground rebel base to make sure they had someone manning the nearest entry point.

I’m glad they decided to come on board, Eddie said as they stood up.

What other choice did they have? They hate the CEU as much as we do, Muldoon said.

Thirty minutes later they mounted up once more and headed up the canyon. Their tribal escorts led them up a narrow trail that clung to the edge of the river. At one point, they had to cross the river swimming the animals to a sandy beach on the other side. From there, they unloaded the donkeys and continued on foot. Almost three miles up the narrow side canyon, they came around a bend and Eddie noticed a narrow crevice in the rock. Two rebel soldiers stepped from behind a rock to meet them.

Stepping up to Falcon, one of the rebels said, Welcome sir. If you gentlemen will follow me we’ll get you down to the base.

Thank you, Eddie said.

The rebel soldiers led them into the crevice which widened into a small cave and came to an end in about one hundred feet. One of the rebels took the faceplate off a small control panel disguised to look like part of the cave’s rocky wall. He entered a code into the keypad, there was a hiss of air and the doors of a turbo lift, which were also disguised to look like the cave’s walls, opened.

It’s going to be a tight fit, but we should be able to fit everyone in, the soldier said.

Eddie and his security team, along with their tribal host and the two rebel soldiers piled into the turbo lift; the lift’s doors closed behind them and they descended into the bowels of the earth. When the turbo lift doors opened, a rebel security team met them. They exited the turbo lift and stood on a catwalk. Eddie glanced over the railing at the massive underground cavern.

"Mr. Falcon. Welcome to AZ1’ the head of the security team said. AZ1 was the code name given to the underground base.

Thank you. Take us to the armory so we can show our guest their new toys, Eddie said.

I’m sure they will be pleased. If you gentlemen will follow me, the security team leader said. They headed down the catwalk to another, but smaller turbo lift. Their escort punched in the code and the lift’s doors opened. They crammed themselves in like sardines and once more descended deeper into the earth. When the doors opened, they stepped into a steel vault filled with weapons. There were crates of M-23 Blasters, the most high-tech assault weapon available, along with boxes and boxes of ammunition. There were grenades, rocket launchers plus stacks of uniforms, canteens, and other equipment. The smell of gun oil filled the room.

Conchos’s eyes widened in wonder. My God, where did you get all this? he asked.

Falcon chuckled. We have our sources. I assume you approve?

Concho looked around at the other tribal leaders who were all nodding with smiles spreading across their faces. Yes indeed.

Our people will help deliver the equipment when you leave, Eddie said.

If you gentlemen are done here, I will show you to your quarters. We have a feast prepared in your honor this evening. We’ll assign people to help you move this equipment out of here in the morning, their escort said. Mr. Falcon, I’m sure you’d like to get some rest before you address the troops this evening.

Eddie nodded. I’d like to freshen up and meet with the people at HQ to discuss battle plans first, but yeah, I could use some rest.

If you’ll follow me I’ll show all of you to your quarters, their escort said, leading them back to the turbo lifts.

***

Later that evening, Eddie stepped up onto a shuttle pad at the bottom of the enormous cavern. The base commander and other high-ranking officers in the resistance stood to their feet and clapped when he stepped up onto the platform. In the audience, the rebel soldiers and other members of the resistance shot to their feet and cheered. Eddie stepped up to the podium and looked out on the crowd, their faces glistening with sweat from the artificial lighting, and a sense of awe passed through him. A bead of sweat tracked down the side of his face and a nervous trimmer passed through his stomach.

Thank you, Eddie said as the noise quieted down. I look out at you people and see black men and women, white people, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americas as well as a host of other races. People from vastly different cultures and backgrounds all come together for one common cause: freedom.

He paused for a burst of applause to die down and then continued. Forty-eight hours from now, we will begin the process to break the yoke that the Council of Economic Unions has on us all. In Forty-eight hours, Operation Free Mother Earth begins.

He paused once more for applause. In phase one of the operation, we will launch planet-wide protests in every major city across the planet. We will pattern the protests after the Occupy Los Angles protest of the twentieth-first century. We will attempt to provoke a federal response. When we do, we will launch phase two of the operation, which will be total war.

He waited for the thunderous applause to die down. Once we jump-off, we will not stop, we will not retreat we will not surrender until every nation on the face of this earth is free once more. Some of us won’t live through this battle, but if we die we die for the cause of freedom. In a little over an hour, I will be heading to New Chicago to ignite the spark that will start this war. I will leave you with the words of one of the founding fathers and patriots of the former United States of America. Now and then the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots and Tyrants.

***

One hour and forty-five minutes later, after the masses of people in the underground cavern dispersed, Eddie Falcon boarded his shuttle on the same landing pad that he spoke from, the shuttle lifted off the platform, heading toward the roof of the cavern, a set of steel doors opened, the shuttle shot through the doors and into the night sky. Rather than traversing the canyon, the shuttle shot straight up into the air and headed east toward New Chicago. Eddie sat back with a tumbler full of Irish whiskey and tried to relax, contemplating the first moves of the coming war.

***

Chapter 2

A small hand slapping him on his cheek woke Admiral Jack Chambers from a sound sleep. Da, Da, Da Da! Wake up! Tall man come! Heaving a sigh, Chambers rubbed, sleep from his eyes, rolled into a sitting position, and put his feet on the floor.

He scooped up his four-year-old son making the boy let out a squeal. Okay, buddy. Is Momma up?

Ma ma, in kitchen making coffee. She talk with tall man, the boy said.

Okay, Danny. Tell Ma, Ma, I said I’ll be right there.

Fixing the straw mattress covering the crude bed frame built from bamboo, Chambers stepped into a small shower stall, built from wooden poles and turned on the water by pulling a rope cord with a counterweight on it. Steamy hot water heated by solar panels on the roof poured through the wooden pipe and onto his body. While the soothing water chased away the vestige of sleep from his brain, the admiral’s mind danced back to the past.

***

Six years earlier, then Captain Chambers, captain of the CEU-Port Royal left Planet Earth, along with an armada of new ships designated as the deep space fleet, and headed to the stars. They were the first explorers from Earth to venture beyond Earth’s solar system. Their mission was to seek out new life forms and civilizations, to gain new technology, form alliances, and find new worlds to colonize. Along the way, Captain Chambers married one of the young women from the comfort station on his ship and ten months later she gave birth to his son, Danny.

Once they left Earth’s solar system, Admiral Ivanov, the fleet admiral, split the fleet taking half of the main battle cruisers and their support ships to a distant star system known as system 237595. Vice Admiral Larsen, now in charge of the much smaller fleet led them toward the Centauri star system. They were three years out from Earth when a fleet of massive cigar-shaped alien vessels attacked their small fleet decimating it. Their entire fleet would have been destroyed if not for the arrival of another alien species in massive silver cylindrical-shaped vessels. Once the battle was over, Admiral Larsen was dead and Jack Chambers was promoted to vice admiral. Their new benefactors were a race of tall Nordic beings that looked similar to humans, only much taller. Taking their damaged vessels undertow, inside their warp bubble, the Nordics brought the remains of Admiral Chambers’ small fleet to the Alpha Centauri star system.

Upon arrival in the Alpha Centauri system, Admiral Chambers and the crew of his remaining ships spent six months at an orbiting starbase in discussions with the aliens in charge of the base, as well as what seemed to Chambers like orientation classes while his ships were undergoing a retrofit. The alien beings working at the base, and there were several different spices, fixed the damaged vessels as well as upgraded their weapons systems, and added other advanced technologies. While on the starbase, Chambers learned that the galaxy was at war with a race of reptilians, known as the Draconians. Tubal, the alien commander of the fleet of cylindrical vessels that came to their aid was a member of what they called the North Rim Alliance. The other aliens working at the starbase were members of the alliance as well. After learning of the alien culture of the surrounding planets and the protocols of dealing with the different alien species working at the station, Tubal came to Admiral Chambers’ quarters one morning.

Good morning, Chambers said when Tubal entered the room. It still surprised Chambers that most of the alien beings spoke English. They called it Galactic Standard. It was the native tongue of Tubal’s world but on Cantu, they called it the High Mountain Speech.

Tubal bowed, raising his right arm to his chest,