General Rick Cornell lay back in his seat, massaging his temples. He was only 26, but his face was that of a man twice his age. This war was not doing him any good. He could barely keep his bloodshot eyes open. A monitor on the wall blinked to life, however, so he forced himself to sit up.
"General Cornell?" the marine on the other end asked.
"What is it, Private?"
"The space pirates have begun an assault on the GFS Hercules. What are your orders, sir?"
Rick sighed. "These damn pirates are never going to leave us alone. Retaliate, and report back to me when they retreat or all die. And don't spare the horses!"
"Will do. Over and out." The monitor flashed off, and the general sighed again. A year ago, he had been promoted to his current status as general of the Galactic Federation's army. His promotion had caused an uproar among the other potential candidates. Why should he get the job when there were hundreds of other people that were older and more experienced? But there was no time for any squabble. Just two months after his promotion, the space pirates had returned and attacked in full force.
Rick stood up and walked over to the window on the other side of the room. He was on the GFS Jupiter, a large satellite and the Galactic Federation's current headquarters. Looking outside, he could see the surface of the planet Bryyo. The pirates had attacked that planet a few years ago, but the bounty hunter Samus Aran had quickly taken care of it. She as always ready to help. Suspiciously, however, Aran had disappeared on a new contract just a few weeks before the space pirates began their first assault.
Please, God, let her return. Let her return before we're all blown into oblivion, Rick thought.
The monitor on the wall flickered on again. It was Rick's second-in-command, Travis Hutches.
"Rick, we have a problem," Travis said. He was speaking quickly in a panicked voice.
"What now, Travis? It can't be much worse than what's happened to us already!"
"Trust me, it is."
"Then get to the point!"
"It's Aran... the pirates have her."
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There's the first chapter! Sorry for the cliffhanger. I'll try to update every weekend. Review, please!