May 15 2310: 1350 hours

35-year-old Second Admiral Nom Williams Opii of the United Systems Space Forces, just received a transmission from the U.S.S.F. command ship. The Grand Admiral just ordered the termination of the Rebel Leader: Captain Sarah Smith.

25 Years earlier Nom and Sarah are skipping stones at Lake Pearl…

“Nom?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah?” Nom replied.

“Do you think there is other life beyond the Omegas System?” Sarah inquired, her smooth flat stone skipping lightly across the lake.

“Well Earth.” Replied Nom smartly.

“No! I mean other than human life, Alien life!” Sarah clarified.

“Who knows? There could be.” Nom replied.

Back on the Apollo…1400 hours…

A transmission alarm wakes Admiral Opii from his flashback.

“Sir, Admiral Cole is requesting council with The Admiralty, on the Command ship First Strike.” Lieutenant Jacob Solaè reported.

“All right,” Admiral Opii ordered “Lieutenant Solaè, you have the Bridge!”

Meanwhile on the Rebel Flagship Freedom…

“Captain! Our source on the First Strike says, ‘Admiral Opii is approaching, we could take out two birds with one stone!” Lieutenant Kanold reported.

“Absolutely not! According to our source on the Apollo, Admiral Opii was troubled by the order to terminate us. Just give him some time, Kanold,” Captain Smith replied.

An hour later on the U.S.S.F. Flag Ship First Strike…

“Sir I can’t attack the Freedom! I have an emotional bond with her Captain therefore I am unable to be in an O.P. much less lead it. We were good friends since we were seven years old all the way through the Naval Academy. Hell I had a relationship with S- Captain Smith in high school! Admiral Opii explained.

“So it’s not that you won’t but that you can’t?” Grand Admiral Simon Cole asked. “Then it’s settled”—

“NO! Admiral, it’s that I can’t and WON’T!” Admiral Opii yelled.

“Fine, I will do it myself but you are demoted to Vice Admiral for refusing to obey a direct order, the only reason I’m not having you arrested is your service record,” replied Cole coolly. “You are dismissed return to the Apollo, Vice Admiral.” Admiral Cole ordered scathingly.

January 18 2295:1200 hours

Naval Academy: planet Tiatian…

“Sarah, you know I would protect you at any cost, right, that I would never hurt you?” Nom asked.

“Of course I know Nom! You hardly ever yelled in high school, and you never so much as raised your voice at me,” Sarah replied.

May 15 2310: 1440 hours… on the Heavy Battle Ship Apollo…

“Boslea, Get us out of here!” Admiral Opii ordered.

“Where to sir,” asked Lieutenant Boslea.

“Just get us the hell out of,” —

“Sir, May I suggest the Athens system?” Lieutenant Solaè asked.

“Fine Solaè.” Admiral Opii replied.