Authors Note: Whew!!! That was quite a chapter, eh? Anyhow, I'm going to start switching gears from here on in the chapters. In other words, you're going to see Jim as a Special Forces commando from here on. (Believe me, it'll be good, plus a surprise twist). Also, I'm going to do a few scene jumping's back and forth to keep up the suspense. So, here goes!

It was a beautiful morning as the star-sun Cleopas rose upon a rain cloud-covered Montressor. The light rays beamed down through the fleeing clouds onto the tall, wood-and-steel structure of the Benbow Inn. Inside, Sarah and Amelia were seated at one of the corner booths near the expansive dining room window. A few feet away sat Chloe, Olivia, Andrea and Adam Doppler playing with their toy ships, animals and buildings.

Sarah had begun to mention Jim who had been gone for nearly two weeks on his "apprenticeship voyage". "I know Jim was right when he said the trip could last for longer than his superior told him," Sarah was saying as Amelia listened and sipped her raspberry tea. "I just haven't felt this, this...disquieted about his safety since he first traveled away from home. I know he's very creative and well-prepared, well, most of the time," she added with a laugh.

"I take it that you sense that perhaps there might be more than exploration in store for James?" Amelia filled in Sarah's thoughts. Sarah looked down with slight trepidation. "You're right again, Amelia. Maybe it's just the loneliness that's been plaguing me since Jim began at the academy. I trust him so much but still sigh...there are times that I wish he could be home again."

She leaned back and didn't say anything for a long while. Amelia had a blank expression for a little while and then smiled. Reaching her hand to cover Sarah's, she said, "I do know this, Sarah: Your son is much loyal to you and will never do what his father did. That I am sure of, no matter what circumstances he may be in." Sarah was always touched by such encouragement.

But before she could say anything more, there was a knock on the front door. The two ladies looked up with surprise and curiosity at the knock. It was unusual for someone to knock before entering a bed & breakfast inn like the Benbow unless it was official business like an officer from the Academy. "Now who could that be?" wondered Amelia out loud. Sarah just rose and walked to the door. She opened it to find Admiral Valencia. "Oh, Good day, Admiral, Won't you come in?" Sarah offered with a rapidly beating heart. "If I may be so bold as to take upon your offer, Mrs. Hawkins." Answered the giant, eagle-like naval official. He passed through and Sarah closed the door. Amelia immediately rose as well in deference to the higher-ranking official. "Admiral Valencia, what an honor and privilege to have you here", spoke the feline captain with an air of crisp respect. "Thank-you very kindly, Mrs. Doppler. I'm glad to find you and your little ones in good health," he answered with a nod and glance at the three kittens and puppy who were staring up at him. Amelia noticed their stares and said, "Adam, Andrea, Olivia, Chloe?". All four turned to their mother. "Go on upstairs and take your toys with you; Mama needs to speak alone here." "Okay, Mommy," they all answered in a chorus that made Sarah's eyes tear up with happiness and awe.

Once they were out of sight, the Admiral smiled broadly. "It never ceases to touch this old heart of mine to see and hear young children. Perhaps I'm just becoming too sentimental for my own good and rank." "Oh nonsense, sir," replied Amelia, "If I might say so, I would rather believe that children are quite effective in keeping one's spirits up and maintaining a favorable personality." The older adult just nodded with the smile still on his face.

"Won't you sit down sir," asked Sarah. "And would you like some tea: Earl Grey, tangerine, lemon, raspberry, green or chamomile?" "A small cup of Earl, if it is no great effort on your behalf, Mrs. Hawkins." "Oh, think nothing of it, Sir. It's always a pleasure to serve." She entered the kitchen and walked out a minute later with a gold-accented, fine china cup of hot tea. The Admiral accepted it and thanked her before taking a sip. "Mmmmm, excellent brew." He raised the cup in a toasting manner and then motioned with his hand for her to take a seat. When Sarah had sat down next to Amelia, the Admiral put his feathered hands around his cup and sighed

"Jim explained to you of the purpose of his expedition he was assigned to, am I correct?" Both of them nodded. "Has anything bad happened to Jim or...?" "No, not to our knowledge. But allow me to explain from the beginning: Do you recall the day that I was last here and spoke to Jim?" "Yes", replied Sarah. "Well, Jim was selected by the High Admiralty Naval Command for a very secret mission to...". Admiral Valencia revealed the entire story of events to Sarah and Amelia from the secret meeting to a signal message that had been sent to the Rumagarten Observatory this morning.

"The message was flashed in Morse Code to our high-powered telescopes. And this went as follows." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket, put on his reading spectacles, cleared his throat and began.

"RLS ULTERIOR, STARDATE MAY 24 4503, CHAUTAUQUA BARRENS, STOP.

REPORT HEAVY ENGAGEMENT WITH UNKOWN HOSTILE FORCES. STOP.

FIRST CONTACT, SINGLE SMALL SLOOP, GAVE CHASE, STOP.

REINFORCED BY FOUR ADDITIONAL SLOOPS, ENGAGED UPON HOSTILE FIRE, STOP.

FIVE SLOOPS DESTROYED, NO SURVIVORS, STOP.

SECOND CONTACT, LARGE SHIP-OF-LINE CLASS GALLEON, HEAVILY ARMED, STOP.

ENGAGED AND CRIPPLED, CEASED FIRE AND WITHDREW, STOP.

NO FURTHER CONTACTS, STOP.

SHIP UNDAMAGED, STOP.

8 CAUALTIES, 7 WOUNDED, ONE MISSING-IN-ACTION, STOP.

WITHDRAWING FROM BARRENS, DESTINATION SPACEPORT OMASILAM, STOP.

ANTICIPATE ARRIVAL IN 5 DAYS, STOP

Valencia finished and folded the paper back up. Sarah and Amelia just sat stock-still as their minds absorbed the news. Nothing was said for a while. The Admiral looked down, smiled and then returned their gazes. "I know that this news does not bode well to you both.However, I am more than confident that this means Jim succeeded in reaching his planned destination." Amelia gave him a questioning look. "But if the blagards knew that they were discovered by a navel warship, is it still possible that...", she hesitated before continuing, "...Jim...did manage to slip past any of them without detection?" "I think so", Sarah spoke up with tears in her eyes. "I mean, even when he was eight years old and flying his surfer for the first time....well,sniff...he's been so good...with them. Even the police had trouble...apprehending him." She allowed herself a little chuckle as she rested her head in her left hand.

"Mrs. Hawkins," began Admiral Valencia, "When I spoke with the Fleet Admirals and recommended your son, I did so because I personally and truly knew that Jim was the best soldier for this operation. Believe me: I have never met or trained another with such heart, devotion, willpower or determination. His skills and abilities were surpassed only by Cadet Madeline Sherman in his class. Mrs. Hawkins, I fully believe that he will be here to graduate and accept his commission as Lieutenant when his job is over."

34 light-days away within the Chautauqua Barrens and unknown to any non-inhabitants, there was a giant planet made of oceans, continents, mountains, green valleys, forests, meadows and plains. But, there was also a dark, shadowy place where very little light could penetrate. It was very rocky, black, full of lava rock formations, volcanoes and tall black mountains. It also was a pirate's lair; in fact, this was the home of Flint's Fortress, a derelict ruin that could barely be described as a once grand, castle. Centuries ago, this was where Captain Nathaniel Flint had first begun his buccaneer voyages. While he stashed his spoil within Treasure Planet, his one true home remained hidden and secret within the Barrens. After his disappearance, his offspring took over and made it their home from which they could make small raids on mainly cargo ships for supplies like food, drink, clothes, slaves and other things that pirates would only fight over.

And one of their slaves happened to be a young human girl of about 15 years. Her name was Bethany but no one ever called her by that or any other name; she was the Flint's family servant who washed, clothes, dishes, floors, served food, drink and sometimes even was allowed to gather food. All of her life, she had known nothing else but service; she did not even know who her birth parents were or if she had sisters or brothers. Nonetheless, she was very intelligent, smart and naturally well mannered; as long as she was silent, kept her gaze averted and did what she was ordered to, she would not be paid any attention.

Which was remarkable due to the fact that she was very beautiful even in a plain brown work frock. Bethany had wavy, layered maroon-reddish hair, light-colored skin with soft , smooth cheeks, tender brown eyes and small yet strong, supple hands that had small calluses from years of labor. She was about 5'7" in stature and was blessed with a thin but well-formed body that still remained untouched. She rarely smiled for the sake of the surly, bad-mouthed and ill-willed aliens she served, but she possessed a strong yet gentle spirit that longed for more than what she had.

Though her days were an endless routine of serving buccaneers and cleaning, at night she was free to climb outside her room window and onto the roof where she would fall asleep under the mesmerizing beauty and grandeur of the Etherium. Bethany was dreamer at heart and had many dreams of seeing more of the world beyond all the black mountains and dark, cloudy, rainy skies. She longed for adventure, freedom and, deeper than any other thought or wish, SOMEONE who would love her, see her for what she truly was and wanted to be and never give up on her. She wanted to live a life that made her feel alive, to know who she really was and feel that she was loved and belonged. This hope and strong desire kept her spirits up even when she was sorely treated or railed at for even a small noise that upset her cruel masters.

Little did Bethany know that her salvation was nigh.....

Author's Note: Now the stage is set and I just need to add some more characters at the right time. By the way, I want to say "Thank-You very Much Dolphy, Janna Hawkins & for reviewing". I sincerely hope that you enjoy the next chapters to come. I've gotten over my writer's block and the action will really get going.