I

Londonium planet colony Roanoke

Year 2567

"So, do you believe the story the defense council told the parliament about what happened here?" Commander Joshua Rehnquist asked. Captain James Tresher stroked his white beard, not taking his eyes off of the cargo bay, watching the crew load and secure crate after crate of valuables and supplies. "It is not our place to question, Commander. It is only to do as we are required for the good of the Alliance."

The commander's question, however, was exactly what was racking Captain Tresher's mind. How did an entire, organized colony of 60,000, simply disappear? There was no sign of struggle or terrorism. There was absolutely no evidence that Dust Devils attacked the colony, as was the explanation given by the council. Everything was left in place as though the colonists simply vanished with no trace. Baskets of crop were dropped, cooking appliances remained on and burning the dinner that was being prepared. There was no blood or ash, not a brick on any building was disturbed. This was certainly not the work of a terrorist group like the Dust Devils. There was something more sinister that played out. A chill worked up Tresher's spine.

"Captain?" Commander Rehnquist looked to the captain with concern.

"I'm fine, Commander. Just a draft coming in is all."

The captain turned and faced Commander Rehnquist. He was a fresh faced man. Black beard and hair, a posture of a true leader. Captain Thresher would not have picked a better man to take his place as captain of his A.G.S. Zhang Sanfeng. "Commander, I am quite versed in the Middle Age history of Earth. This is no the first time that this has occurred, and it likely will not be the last. However, while you may keep the doubt in your mind, you must act accordingly if you wish to take over my ship."

Rehnquist chuckled "It is not my ship yet, Captain. We still have a long journey home."

"After 50 years, a couple of days is far from a long journey, Commander. I am just thankful I know she will be in good hands while I am tending in my garden."

"I will be sure to keep her safe and clean, Captain." Commander Rehnquist said with a smile.

"Ah, be sure you do. I will be most displeased if I found out you dented her. And make sure you bring her back into port before curfew." Captain Tresher cracked a wry smirk. He was feeling his age, he may as well play the part. He was right to do so as well. The Zhang has been his "retirement" ship for the past decade. He was reluctant to let her go, but knew that he had to eventually and move on past his service.

A young man, couldn't be more than fifteen, raced up to the two and stopped abruptly, barely avoiding a collision with the two men. He awkwardly regained his composure and saluted nervously. "Captain, sir, Admiral Cho is hailing us. He wishes to speak to you in private." Tresher turned to the boy and nodded "Aye, thank you, Ensign. I will take the call in my quarters."

"Aye, sir!" The young man saluted again, and hurried off. Tresher chuckled and shook his head. "You know, Commander, I remember my first time on a ship. I couldn't have been much older than him. I am happy that, unlike I, he will have time to grow into his role." Rehnquist nodded. "A great man was forged in the fire, Captain."

"Serenity Valley was no fire, Commander. It was a massacre. A bittersweet victory. I would be lying if I said I could forget that day, or forgive myself for my role in it." Tresher heaved a sigh.

"Captain?"

Tresher held up a hand "Commander, may your Pax Londonium continue through out your service. War is unforgiving to the soul." Rehnquist understood that when the Captain held his hand up in such a manner, it was time to drop the subject.

"Peace be with you, Captain." Rehnquist said, saluting.

"And with you as well, my dear comrade." Tresher replied, saluting back. "You have the bridge until I return." Both men dropped their salutes.

"Aye, Captain." Rehnquist turned on his heel and walked towards the lift to return to the bridge. Captain Tresher let out a slow breath, looked around quickly and rubbed a stubborn tear from his eye, and proceeded to his quarters in a lift on the other side of the mezzanine.

As Tresher exited the lift and proceeded through the quarters hall he was greeted by smiling faces, both wearing civilian clothing and the gray uniform. He postured himself the way a commanding officer should, but kept a softness about him that made him approachable to all. These people were not just his crew and their families, but a family of his own. He had taken control of this ship many years ago, when the Defense Council deemed him nearing retirement. He did not take offense. It was better than sitting behind a desk as an admiral. The stars were where he belonged, and it was the reason he joined the Alliance Navy in the first place. Tresher arrived at his quarters, commanded the door to open, and the lock, recognizing his voice imprint, disengaged and allowed him entry.

The quarters were small for that of a Captain, but Tresher preferred it that way. It was cozy to him, and was simple to keep tidy. As the door closed behind him, he proceeded to the data screen at the far end of the room, positioned on a desk that overlooked the stars. A point of structural weakness as far as any other captain would consider, and a poor choice for a desk to do logs and business. Tresher was not concerned, however, as he considered simply staring at a blank wall to be more dangerous and maddening than the slight risk he may suffer had the window failed in an unlikely attack. He sat himself down, feeling his age and letting out a groan as he did, and tapped on the virtual controller to bring up the Alliance log in screen. A few more keystrokes popped up Admiral Cho, an elderly man, but one who went through the Civil War without losing his youthful spirit somehow.

"Admiral, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ni hao, James. I was merely looking for an ETA. I have a few drinks to purchase you in celebration of your service." Tresher chuckled, "I appreciate that, Xing, old friend. We are looking a two, maybe three days. We are almost ready to start heading back on my last trip in the old girl." At that time, Tresher heard the engines start up and the ship begin to lift. "Or sooner it would seem."

"Wonderful. You do understand I will not be able to drink with you, since I am not mad enough to return to civilian life. However, this will make it easier to attempt to push Admiralty on you."

"Tresher chuckled, "You been attempting to push that desk job on me for the past decade, Xing. You will not break me, drink or not. I would go mad behind a desk and you know this."

"Ah, you cannot blame one for trying to keep a great man on the roster. Besides when you go civilian, how can I continue decimating you at chess?"

Tresher laughed, "You will find some other so gwaa, I assure you. We come by the dozens in this work. However I will let you win one last game against me when I get back."

The two continued to exchange pleasantries and chortles. Tresher and Cho were shipmates during the Unification War, and became fast friends. Cho was one of the few people that Tresher could share his doubts and horrors of that time with, and Cho would always smile and help to bring Tresher back up out of the rabbit hole. Tresher assumed that Cho was just as affected, but was able to shuffle the memories away more effectively than he. That or Xing Cho was just a raving looney, but either way, that did not change Treshers affections for his friend.

Admiral Cho smile was lost soon after bright flash of light, to a black screen with the words "signal lost flashing in the center. The lights in the captains quarters flickered briefly and the sound of the engine could be heard powering down. They had come to a full stop. Tresher attempted to call the Admiral back, however to no avail. As a matter of fact the only channels he was able to acquire a signal was the bridge, showing the crew feverishly working in a state of utter confusion. "Commander Rehnquist, report."

"We have run into a problem, sir. We have lost all power to our engines, and we seem to be lost. Very lost." This stunned the old captain. This ship was top of the line and its navigation was almost infallible.

"Do you have any information on where we are?"

"None, sir. The coordinates that navigation is insisting we are at does not match up with our starmaps." It was at that point Tresher looked up from his data screen and saw constellations he had no familiarity with. The stars were his home, this was certainly not the home he knew.

"This can't be possible."

"Sir?"

"We are in a portion of the universe that would take over a year to get at the speed we were traveling."

"Sir, your orders? "

"Keep working on it, Commander. Try to send out an emergency hail to anyone that may be in earshot. I will return to the bridge shortly."

"Aye, sir!" Rehnquist replied, and the screen went black. Tresher leaned back in his chair, watching the strange sights he had never seen before float before him.