Chapter 2

"You're going to the Antarctic" Roberts' said this with a certain measure of glee that was not quite hidden.

Mike froze. He had just finished thoroughly reading and then signed the non-disclosure form (believing he had nothing to lose) and had not yet put down the pen he was using, when the words came cold and sharp.

He blinked, and then slowly looked up at the man that was grinning smugly at him.

"Excuse me sir? The Antarctic?" Holden was aghast.

"Yes, the Antarctic. For some reason I cannot fathom, someone has a given you very special opportunity. You are going to join a ship called the Daedalus and form part of their compliment of F – 302 fighters. It's nothing like any of the planes that you've flown before Flight Lieutenant, so keep that in mind when you get to take one up for the first time, they aren't cheap."

"Sir, is the Daedalus one of these Electro Magnetically shielded, stealth equipped carriers?"

"No Flight Lieutenant, the Daedalus is, what I suppose you could call, a starship; A space ship capable of interstellar travel. This is only made possible by hyper drive technology that has been given or loaned to us by the Asguard."

"The who, Sir?"

"The Asguard: the little green men we were always told about, except that they're not actually green. They're pink and way more advanced than us and willing to help us as we've helped them, and saved their entire race from extinction, on a number of occasions from the Replicators."

"The What, Sir?" said Mike. He was still struggling to comprehend what was going on and begin wander if it was all a big joke when Air Commodore Roberts said, "This isn't an order this is a request, believe it or not, but to help you make up your mind I have arranged a little day trip for you… Don't move."

With that, there was a flash and a 'whoosh', and Flight Lieutenant Holden disappeared.

When he opened his eyes, Holden was standing in front of a tall, bald man wearing a jump suit. The man was sitting in what seemed to be the command chair of ships' bridge. He could see from the badge he was wearing that he was in fact a Colonel.

"Welcome to the Daedalus Flight Lieutenant, I'm Colonel Caldwell. I understand that you're to join my ship. I also understand that you are not exactly one for the rules either. I trust that I won't have any trouble?"

Not being a man to beat around the bush, Colonel Caldwell got straight to the point. Holden was still trying to understand what had just happened to him and all he could manage to say was:

"Ah, sir?"

"When you join my ship, Holden. When you become F – 302 squad leader."

Again, Mike Holden was dumfounded and he had only heard rumours of what the F – 302 was, but he had a pretty good idea.

"Sir, I... I've never flown an F – 302. I haven't even seen one!"

"Well, no time like the present Lieutenant. I'm sure you'll pick it up."

Holden was stunned. He couldn't move. All he could do was stand there and stare at Colonel Caldwell like there was yellow gunge coming from his nose. In short he was totally flabbergasted.

"But we're in space sir. How can I fly in space?"

"What are we doing now Lieutenant? You are standing on the bridge of the most advanced space ship Earth has ever produced: The F – 304."

Blinking, the realisation slowly came to him. He was in space! He was on a starship. And he has been put forward for a very important job. This job was one of a lifetime, and it was a lifetime of a job. Make no mistake.