At approximately 9:15 AM, Admiral Valencia and Jim walked into the giant Strategic Command room in the Naval Headquarters building just a few miles from the Academy grounds. The room had a massive table with an equally large chart of the galaxy with every planet, outpost, settlement, spaceport, nebula, asteroid field and every naval ship as they traveled through the Etherium. Around the table stood three other admirals. Admiral Valencia introduced Jim to them: Vice-Admiral Raul Beerson, Commander of the Galmuthian Attack Squadron, whose fame was well known as the deadliest foe of pirates, Fleet Admiral Valmer Creed, Commander-in-Chief of the 4th Realm Interstellar Naval Fleet and Vice-Admiral Robert Hauser, Commander of Fleet Intelligence & Counter-Intelligence. After salute and greeting were exchanged, everybody took their seat with Jim at one end of the table and the four officers at the other.

The first to speak was the grizzly bear-like Admiral Creed. "Cadet James Hawkins, the reason that you have been called to this meeting—which shall remain utterly confidential and unspoken until further notice—is to brief you concerning a very dangerous mission that is to take place in the near future. It is of the Utmost security and secrecy and will be spoken of-Only-among the very occupants of this very room for the next hour. Before we begin, I must ask that you give your solemn word to never utter a word of what is spoken here today, either in the presence of any civilian, soldier, sailor, close friend, family or superiors. Do you agree?" There was silence for a few moments as Jim thought. Then he met the admirals' gazes and nodded. "Yes Sir Admiral, You have my word. Not even my mother shall know.' "Well Spoken, Young man! Now we shall commence. Admiral Hauser?" The gray-haired British human twisted a spiral knob and the map in the table rose up in holographic-pixel images. "If you direct you attention," Admiral Hauser began," to the Nobles asteroid belt near the planet Chautauqua, you will see the Chautauqua Barrens which encompasses a diameter of about 2.3 light years. It is common knowledge that this sector is absolutely devoid of any planets, stars, nebulas or large asteroids...

...Or, that is what has been believed—until three days ago.

On the 4th watch of the solar night of Wednesday, the Acturian trade vessel, the Rohanica, was ambushed by an unknown buccaneer vessel of unknown origins. After a brief exchange of fire, the pirate ship was set ablaze and crippled but it managed to escape through what the Rohanica's crew described as"...an enormous triangle of light that appeared for but an instant in space...and then was gone." The enemy had vanished as if it never was there!" Jim was all eyes and ears from the moment the admiral had mentioned the mysterious triangle. The officers noted this, but Admiral Hauser continued on. "After the pirate vessel escaped, an observatory on the planet Tremarica witnessed an incredibly enormous explosion coming from...", The Admiral stood up to touch the map image of the asteroid belt, "...Right about here." The image zoomed in to show the entire Barrens with a small flash of orange light. "The observers determined that the explosion was just large enough to have been caused by a ship's engine. They also triangulated the occurrence to have taken place about...32 light days from Chautauqua.

Admiral Creed took over for the winded Hauser. "When we received both reports, we came to the conclusion that the vessel succumbed to its damage while attempting to reach a safe haven known only to them." "Oh, I almost completely forgot—If I may add one more thing, Sir", Admiral Hauser requested. "Yes, Go ahead", answered the large, furry Fleet Admiral. "Some of the observers happened to notice, from the light of the explosion....a massive, green, white and blue planet!!! It could not be confirmed but the witnesses swore on their beating hearts that they were not mistaken or deceived by the light."

He shut down the hologram and Admiral Creed resumed speaking again. "If a hidden planet does truly exist in the Barrens and if the pirates were attempting to reach it, then...it would be wise to assume that there are more alive and thriving in that sector." Jim could sense where this was going. "And...you...want me to...go find the planet...and ...see if there are more?" "That is exactly what we called you here," replied Admiral Valencia. "And to be more precise," added Admiral Creed, "You are to accompany a team of surveyors, mapmakers, and astrophysicists who are setting forth in a week to document and chart the system once it is located." "That's what requires utmost secrecy? Traveling with scientists in a surveying vessel ?", Jim asked dumbfounded. "Ah, but that is just what anyone is to believe should anything dreadful happen to them." Jim stared back with a puzzled look in his eyes. "We are all more than certain that the Barrens are an excellent hiding place and striking point for pirates & villains; we are expecting there to be trouble and strong resistance."

He ceased speaking and motioned to Admiral Beerson who had remained silent till now. "The "scientists" you are traveling with are actually the 14th Marine battalion in clever disguise and well-trained to deal with boarders in hand-to-hand combat. The ship, which is built to look like a surveying vessel, is a heavily modified and equally armed and maneuverable frigate. And as far as any of them are aware, you are just a new Academy graduate on his very first assignment. This is what we plan on: If the mission is ambushed or directly assaulted, you are to abandon the ship as if you were trying to escape. You must then make your way to the planet and, if possible, stage your own death to in order to hide from any pursuers. If successful, you must then proceed to gather as much information concerning the pirates whereabouts, their numbers, weapons, ships, defense mechanisms and leadership. Do you have any questions?"

Jim was silent for a moment and then spoke. "I'll be by myself—totally alone, right" "Just as you have been trained," replied Admiral Valencia. "However," started Admiral Beerson, " Once hostile forces are confirmed to be in the Barrens, my command, the Galmuthian Squadron, shall swoop in for the kill. Once you have gathered as much knowledge about the galoots—down to their eye colors—you will then wait for our ground forces to land before you move out to meet us and share what you know." "Aye-aye, Sir", Jim answered with an adventurous gleam in his eyes. "Just remember," Admiral Creed spoke up, "You are not to engage the enemy unless fired upon in hostile action. Should you be captured, you are not to divulge anything—at whatever cost!" Nothing was said for a few more seconds. Then, Jim asked, "Will I be...you know...required to...actually infiltrate and hide in their fortress or hideouts to spy on them?" "As dangerous as it is, that's exactly what we expect as any conversations you hear could contain most of the vital knowledge we need." "Right Sir, I'll do what ever it takes or die fighting to the bitter end." "That's my-Oops, I mean-Our Boy! Well," said Admiral Creed standing up as did the others and Jim, "That is All for now. Cadet Hawkins, you will receive your orders and final instructions in a secret manner in about a week. So, I highly suggest that you make preparations as quietly as possible: keep this strictly to yourself and continue on with your training so you can be ready." Yes Sir! Oh, um...just one more question." The Admirals just waited. "If...uh, I mean, do you expect this... mission to be...you know, suicidal in any way? I mean, I'm not exactly scared to die. It's just that...well, I wonder if...you know, it's likely...I may not come back at all", Jim asked in a concerned tone of voice. Admiral Creed didn't say anything for a few moments. Then he spoke: "If you are captured, they most certainly will plan to execute you as a spy. Which is all the more reason to be on your guard at all times; or, at lest attempt to escape with what you have. Gentlemen." With that he and Admirals Beerson and Hauser left the room.

"Well, Jim", spoke his superior, "There is still a lot of time for you to prepare. So, report back with your team and work as hard as you can in everything. That is all." "Aye-aye Sir.", Jim answered with a salute. "You're dismissed". With a low "Thank-You Sir", Jim spun around and walked out.

Admiral Valencia just stood there and watched. He had seen so much come out of Jim as he trained and learned for the past month. All of his commandos-in-training were like precious gems to him. And now, It looked as if he might be casting the Crown Jewel into the mud to be trampled on. But he just shut his eyes and shook his head. "This one has been to wild and passionate for even a pirate to harness.", he said to himself. "He'll win...I can see it in him." With that said, he put his hands behind his back and walked out the door himself.