Hoop Jr. – 1945

The sea is my favorite place – that's where I want to be. It sounds corny I know, but it's true. My village depends on the sea for their survival. Everything they do is connected to it. That's why Galactor needs to be stopped. He wants to take away everything we depend on. One day when this war is over, I'm moving back to my village. I'll start my own business, get a crew together, and sail a solid boat. It won't be easy although I'm looking forward to it. But what to name my boat? I was thinking Hoop Jr.

Assault – 1946

Bloodied and battered once more – why does this situation not change for us? We try time and again to attain our goals but fail every time. Not most of the time, not some of the time, but every single time. Our adversaries possess no special powers and no unique gifts. They hold no precise advantage that we should not have the ability to overcome. This should be a simple task because the fighters they send against us are merely children with simple toys. Yet we are beaten back, left to lick our open wounds, and prepare for our next Assault.

Jet Pilot – 1947

One would think with all the training we've been through, we could act more serious. We do when needed, but most people don't see it. Like a well-oiled machine, we join together to finish the job. Each of us has a purpose, specific tasks to complete, and in reality, none of us could live without any of the others. But there are times we're ready to rip each other apart. Tension, aggravation, frustration, and who knows what else. We return and go our separate ways then come back. For me, my day job is my passion – being a Jet Pilot.

Citation – 1948

I hate working the Snack. The last thing I want: to be stuck inside all day when I could be out driving around. I sometimes go to the beach and run my buggy back and forth in the surf. When I get back, I have to clean it really good unless I want the salt to start eating away at it. Just one day last week I was driving to a car wash to clean the undercarriage. I grunt thinking about it because I'll never hear the end of it. A cop pulled me over and issued me a Citation.

Ponder – 1949

The big picture can be so overwhelming. Yet, this struggle is more comparable to a chess game or any game, for that matter, involving strategy. It's not a simple matter of outright defeat or victory. It's more cloak and dagger, move and counter-move. I wish it were as easy as outflanking the bad guys and to be finished once and for all, but it is not. It never is, probably never will be. So much has been lost but how much more will we lose if we surrender? Give up? The thought is mind-boggling, there is so much to Ponder.

Middleground – 1950

Looking back on my life, there are some things I just as soon forget. This war is one. Too many friends – good, trusted friends – have been lost at the hands of the enemy. Sacrifice is an everyday word and it shouldn't be. The weight of our fate is a heavy burden that must be carried until the end. The end, whenever shall that be? For most, it cannot appear swiftly enough. For some, they do not want this conflict ever to end. Long ago, this quarrel could have been resolved with diplomatic negotiations. Unfortunately, there is no longer any Middleground.

Count Turf – 1951

Why, why, and why? Sure, there's the other questions and they also apply: who, what, when, where, and how. But I always come back to why. Why them versus us? Why us? Why them? Why now? What is the going on to motivate these attacks now? Why the desperation? Why the hate? Still, my teammates and I have been chosen to stand as protectors. We took an oath and we'll do what is necessary. We're in this for the long haul. I close my eyes and breathe in the clean air. I open my eyes and see the Count Turf.

Hill Gail – 1952

I have seen a lot of strange places in my time but this has to be one of the creepiest. I stand before a cave opening and if I listen closely, I can hear the water drip and maybe a voice. I don't want to go in because this sucker goes miles underground and who knows what waits there. But I must – I have to confirm or deny that enemy infiltration has occurred. I close my eyes then I take a deep breath. I exhale and open my eyes. I will complete my mission and that means entering Hill Gail.

Dark Star – 1953

Chaos and mayhem – I thrive on them! The more chaos, the happier I am. I want nothing but bloody, gory, fiery mayhem. Various inhabitants running for their lives lessen my misery on this hot, dead rock. Several millennia ago I arrived here bringing the dysfunctional population under my control. They were leaderless, without purpose – many barely surviving. I, however, changed their pathetic lives. They exist to serve me now: they fulfill my whims and worship me as their most supreme leader. I relish this role as we wage war against our enemies, who no doubt consider me a Dark Star.

Determine – 1954

True motives are difficult to uncover and decrypt. What a person says may or may not match with their actions. An average person that is, never mind what an enemy is capable of. An enemy is out to confuse, purposely throw you off and that is the challenge. To guess and second-guess in order to stay one stride ahead. There are times when you try so much that instead of being in the lead, you find yourself behind and desperately catching up. No, we cannot afford surprises. Regardless of the master plans, it is their next move we must Determine.