Joe Cotton – 1885

A 'normal' life in our line of work, what a joke – sometimes it works and sometimes, no. Let me tell ya, when it works – it's awesome! When it doesn't, does "iceberg right ahead" describe the scale of the disaster? It can turn really ugly, really fast if an alert happens at the totally wrong time especially while at school or on a field trip. I'll give you a field trip – you hair will stand on end. Most don't get the concept of drop everything and run but my science teacher does. I suspect that we cut checks for Joe Cotton.

Ben Ali – 1886

During flight school I met so many people I lost count. Yet, there are some I've never lost touch with. One of my friends is so impressive with an aircraft. I knew the second I saw him, we would get along and hit it right off. He attended under an open invitation program for under served nations. His country lacked the funds for good training. This made his skills all the more imposing. He took what he had learned and passed on the knowledge. No matter which side you're on in this conflict, you don't want to dogfight Ben Ali.

Montrose – 1887

At long last, a well deserved quiet evening – a time to reflect. Any war is tense and this one is no different. Everyone is always on edge waiting for the next spooky turncoat to crawl out of the shadows. The only people I truly trust are the four around Dr. Keane and I. If you're not in this group, you're fair game – a traitor waiting to pounce, in my mind anyway. A double agent focused on ensnaring its prey like Eva Douglas. She eventually came around at the end but I can't help but think of her as a Montrose.

Macbeth II – 1888

The prodigal son, that would be me, has returned. Don't tell me it's been too long, I know it has. Did our enemies breed? There are more of them than ever! We defeat one and another takes his place. What gives now? What is this with the creepy skin!? I get hiding behind a mask, but dying your skin? Over your whole body!? What an idiot, but I can't call him that – he's pretty clever. He has thrown serious garbage at us, nothing like we've ever seen. If he were a character in a play – he would be Macbeth II.

Spokane – 1889

Sometimes it is plain scary how our enemy picks their target. One wonders what their decision matrix includes. What makes the perfect point to hit? And when? What is the objective? Is it to demoralize? Is the goal to cripple supplies? Is the idea to ultimately destroy infrastructure? Do they want to kill as many citizens as possible? That's the biggest challenge we face in this grand chess game – figuring out today's purpose. Motives differ from day to day. We must be ready. Whenever they strike, whatever they strike, the tools they use, and wherever they choose. Spokane proved that.

Riley – 1890

My work is science and to a large extent, my life is science as well. When I found time to have a family, I'll never know. I abhor human dynamics. I'm terrible at reading peoples' expressions or guessing their needs and wants. My lack of enthusiasm caused my family moved on. It is simpler this way. I love problem solving, using the scientific method to finally discover a solution. Invariably, there are more questions than answers and I revel in these moments. If I could have some balance in my life, maybe those observatories would still be standing, including Riley.

Kingman – 1891

We have our lazy days and we have our fun days. They don't last long enough! But I like the kind of day where the sun's out and I can go hang out at the park. I usually run through the pigeons because they flock in large groups and I laugh when they start flying when I get near them. When I get bored with that, I go chase down some bugs. I try to stay away from the beetles though – they're trouble. When I'm done with bugs, I sit and watch some chess games pretending to be a Kingman.

Azra – 1892

It's tough being in our line of work. Not only are we fighting the bad guys, we also deal with the public. People treat us with one extreme or another – there is no in-between. We either repulse them or they smother us in kindness. Our faithful fans – what can I say? They mean well but sometimes things get out of control in a hurry when they're around. They try to help but most of the time, they're in the way. We had a recent mission that took us to the heart of one of out most diehard groups named Azra.

Lookout – 1893

Completing a successful mission, we head for home. Most likely, we have left behind another ruined base. I sit staring out the view screen as land and ocean slide beneath us. No matter where we go in the universe, it is always a celebratory occasion to arrive home in one piece. Perhaps one day we won't have to respond to emergencies in the far reaches of the galaxy. A pipe dream? An impossible hope? Is there still hope that this will one day end? Is it actually a deep rooted wish for peace? Until that day, we continue our Lookout.

Chant – 1894

Before our fight, each of us has a way of psyching ourselves. Some meditate, some pray, and a few even sleep from the boredom of "hurry up and wait." It does not matter, next thing we know we are flying halfway across this blasted, God-forsaken, bleak, and empty universe. Do not know what is so special about deep dark space anyway. Maybe the mentality of "I have more, therefore I win" causes such stupidity. We cannot wait to depart this pile of metal held together by spit and wire. We are so excited just before the door opens, we Chant.