The two best friends stood facing eachother for a moment remembering old times. A computer voice broke the silence: "Coming up on Courasnath." The toneless voice said.
"Well, it looks like we had better get to our stations." Homstar said sadly.
"Yes, I guess." Kurtis replied. As Homstar was turning away to leave, he felt something grab hold of his arm. He turned to see Kurtis.
"Wait," he said hesitantly.
"What is it?" Homstar asked with curiosity.
"It's nothing, just that...that day back at the snow cave, I just...I never got to thank you for that." Kurtis said sheepishly.
Homstar smiled warmly at him. "Alright, now get to your station."
Kurtis grinned and headed off. Homstar stared after him, and then smiled and shook his head. It was the old Kurtis he knew, alright. The old informal Kurtis. Sometimes he wondered if Kurtis joined the army out of his naivity just to be with him. Still grinning, he headed off.

Homstar's personal shuttle was a Rabion16 which were greatly renowned and respected throughout the system. Along with his sword, it was one of the few things that Homstar considered his own. He and Kurtis had put their money together to buy it back before they were drafted in the army. They had tweaked it and added parts to it as the years went by. It became Homstar's pride and joy, and still was.

It was a wonderful ship, with a plush interior and excelent lighting, but that was not his favorite thing about it. Before the battle with the Yeti, before the assignment had even been given to Homstar, he had requested the shuttle brought to his division on his current ship, the "Adamantor."

A day after it arrived, the assignment to kill the Yeti leader on Rano was given to division one and two. Those two divisions were the divsions of Kurtis and Homstar. Kurtis had been overjoyed to see the little ship. He had then installed Tamori light fighter engines that he had designed himself. These new engines provided remarkable differences in speed and manuverability, as oposed to the Rothmar engines it had originally been given. But, the best thing about these engines, as far as Homstar was concerned, was that they were a constant reminder of the his friend and the good old times that he used to have with him.

Now Homstar boarded his shuttle as he had done so many times before. Since they were still a fair distance from the Core Planet, and the Mian Command had not yet issued the order for all personell to report to their stations, he thought he might take a little cruise. He walked leisurely up the ramp and proceeded past the few passenger seats to the coc-pit. Setting himself in the pilot's seat, he performed the operation to ignite the engines. He then, clutching the stick, began to slowly guide the shuttle out of the open hatchway leading into space. He was about halfway out of the hangar when the familiar toneless computer's voice came through on his built in speaker, "We have arrived at Courusnath. All personell report to your stations and await the arrival of your transports. We have arrived at Courusnath..." Homstar sighed in disbelief. How could he have lost track of time so easily? He mentally kicked himself for doing so. Now he would have to dock his ship, then proceed twenty levels up to the Main Hangar, and then wait for his transp...wait...yes, why not? Why not fly his shuttle to the planet? He was already half way out of these hangar bay doors. Yes. Besides, how inspiring it would be for the people of the Core world to see a Rabion16 land next to the Main Ship. He commed Main Command to inform them of his plan.

"Wow! Look at that, Jimmy! It looks like a Rabion16! Hey, mom! I want that ship when I grow up!"
"He must be really rich that guy, to get that kinda ship."
These were the kind of remarks that Homstar heard from the people as they passed his ship on the way to the ceremony. He smiled. He had a feeling they would be inspired by it.
I had better get to there too, thought Homstar. Wouldn't want to miss my own awarding ceremony.
He walked down the street, following the crowd until he came to the familiar archway over the street that said, "To the Army ceremony dome." Moving faster now, afraid that the ceremony had already started, he walked quickly around some chatting men and continued down the path that led to the dome.
After 10 minutes of walking, he finally found it. I was made of white marble stone, that glistened in the sunlight. It took a little longer for him to actually get into the dome because the crowd was so thick, but once he was in, he headed straight for the honor podium. Already seated next to the stage were Supreme General of the Courusnath Army, Satch Mantill, and of course Kurtis. Homstar smiled as he took his own seat next to him. Kurtis eyed him jokingly. "You look like you've been running through a mine field," he whispered. Homstar cast him a meaningful glance in answer. The crowd quieted, and the ceremony began.

Admiral Mantill stood up and walked calmy and quietly to the podium. The crowd hushed yet quieter as he took his place and set the microphone to his hight. "Fellow citizens." He said in his usual commanding voice. "We have been called here today to celebrate the proud knowledge that we have two of the very best men in the system, right here sitting before us." "Since that day at the..." At that moment Homstar was barely listening to the Admiral's complementing words. He was remembering that day. The day that the Admiral was talking about. He remembered... how he had saved Kurtis's life, how he had come up with the winning strategy against those monsters. He remebered how he had felt...Homstar's eyes went wide as he remembered. The white material travelling up his arm.

Homstar looked down at his right hand frantically, trying to think of what it was. His hand was fine. He breathed a sigh of relief. He felt it with the other hand. It was slightly colder than usual, but that was probably due to the lack of use. Yes, lack of blood flow, that was it. He looked back up, and realized that Kurtis was up giving a speech. He looked back down at his hand. He kicked himself mentally...why did he have to be so panicky about what the temperature in his hand is right now?

He looked up, the crowd was clapping and cheering. Kurtis was stepping down from the podium. He had finnished his speech. The Admiral stepped us once again and began speaking. Why was everything going so fast to him? The Admiral was already calling him forward. He stared at the Admiral for a moment, who return a curious gaze. "Homstar Tetra, would you step up please?" Homstar finally regained his composure. He stood shakilly, and headed a few steps toward the podium. The crowd was clapping. He finaly reached the podium, and suddenly with strength he'd never felt before in his legs, stepped up the step to the stage. He began to speak, "I thank..." He stopped short. He could no longer feel his arm.