Author: Johannes "Jergen[K]" Cruz			Viewing: Chapter 3

Jergen was restless. For three days he had been pacing in his room aboard the Light Frigate Respite, healing from injuries sustained during his last mission. His shoulder itched from the skin replacement, and his left hand still ached from the flesh and bone that had been burned free. For the most part the molecular rebuilding process was fairly efficient, but it left some things to be desired. Everywhere around him he could see signs that the war was not going well. The fleet, once full of proud men willing to die in a fight against an enemy resolute on the extermination of mankind, seemed almost rag-tag now. Everyone was exhausted, and with the Xenophobe now showing up on Earth there was no telling how much longer they would have a world to go home to. This month alone they had lost three planets, all of them small colonies, to the invasion. At first the attacks had seemed those of an insect, or some other animal intelligence, but now it was more than that. Strategic points were being taken, and they were starting to feel the strain of slackened supplies and a lack of Marines to carry on the fight. What had once been the most dangerous fighting force mobilized had been worn down to a group of haggard pirates roaming the starways looking for some sign that they would one day win. Morale was definately not high. Lighting a cigar Jergen laid back on his rack, propping his feet up on the edge of the bottom rail so that his boots wouldn't stain the sheets. Blowing out blue-gray smoke, he watched as the stars sailed past. *** "Dammit, get those supplies up here NOW! This ship is going to critical if we can't keep coolant to the reactor!" "Aye Aye Sir," Ensign Nobles called out as he double-timed it down the corridore to the storage lockers to gather another crate of frozen nitrogen. For three weeks the Freighter Strummond had been burning full speed for earth. In her belly was a cargo more precious than anything that had been found so far. In her lower hold was hope. *** "I wont stand for this Gentlemen," General Maistafson spoke in a growl. "We have our orders from high command and we will follow them." "Sir," Colonel Summers stood and faced the head of the table. "Already there are several reports of the science facilities being overrun by their own "specimens." It is clear that the science teams are in no position to contain these life forms, and if this continues we will have a hive on Earth herself." "That is understood Summers," Maistafson spoke with finality. "But we have our orders, from the President himself, that we are to continue gathering specimens for study. Until that order is recinded it stands. Do you all understand that?" The room rumbled with discord, but all of the Division Commanders agreed in the end. Every day this war was looking more and more like a political and economic juncture. When would the people see that the Corporations were running the show and not their own government? *** 'We are the will......I am the way....the salvation.' Deep in the North American Facility for Top Secret Military Research, based just south of Denver Colorado, Doctor David Avies rolled over in his bed, the dreams had come again, and this time he could not deny them. 'You are all my children..........I am the mother....I bring your peace.' "Peace," Avies muttered, bringing his hand to his mouth he began to suckle at his thumb, something he hadn't done since he was two years old. In his dream the voice continued on. By morning he would know what to do.