A couple days later Harper and Trance were discussing plans for their wedding in Hydroponics when they heard Andromeda make a ship wide announcement.
"All hands report to docking bay 3"
"What's going on Andromeda?" Trance asked.
"I'm sorry Trance," Andromeda's Hologram said. "But you'll just have to wait till you get there like everyone else."
"Come on Rommie." Harper said. "You can tell us."
"All I can say Harper is that it's good news."
"Good news huh?" Harper said. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go Trance!"
Harper grabbed Trance around the waist and they headed for the docking bay.
On their way there they ran into Rhade and Becca.
"Hey Shorty!" Becca said. "Any idea what's going on?"
"No idea Boss." Harper replied"
"Andromeda…" Becca started.
"Won't do no good Boss." Harper interrupted her. "She's not talking about it. All she would tell me and Trance is that it's something good."
"We will find out shortly." Rhade said as they neared the docking bay.
The cargo bay was crowded with Common Wealth and Earth soldiers, as well as commanding officers from various ships. Dylan and Brendan was standing on a platform near one end of the bay.
When Harper and his friends entered, Rommie met them and instructed them to follow her. Soon they were standing around Brendan and Dylan.
Dylan gave them an approving look, then he turned and looked out at the crowd of people gathered before him.
In the front row stood Captain Tony Stark. Next to him was Captain Rick Styvers and Gloria. Eternity's hologram was also there standing near the Gates of Glory's holographic image.
It had been a long time since Dylan had addressed such a large crowd of people onboard Andromeda,… over three hundred years in fact.
"Some of you may be wondering why I called you here. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a very important announcement to make. It pleases me much to be able to inform you that this morning at approximately 7:00 A.M. Boston time, Earth officially became a free planet. All Drago Katzov forces have surrendered and the fighting has ceased."
Shouts and cheers erupted and continued for several minutes. Dylan waited for the cheering to die down somewhat before continuing.
"Now." Dylan said. "It is my extreme honor and pleasure to introduce you to Earth's new governmental leader…. President Brendan Lahey!"
Once again the people cheered. Some started shouting, "SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!"
Dylan motioned for Brendan to say a few words.
Brendan, feeling extremely nervous, stepped forward and cleared his throat. He knew this was coming. Dylan had also told him earlier that this was being transmitted to every video and audio receiver on Earth.
It was bad enough that he was standing in front of a couple thousand people here in the docking bay. He could have really done without the knowledge that every man woman and child on the planet Earth would be hearing his words as well.
The crowd quieted down as he cleared his throat once again, trying to remember what he had planned to say. He couldn't remember any of it.
"I'm not a politician." He began. "And I don't claim to be the best qualified person for this position, …but I do care for what happens for Earth. All my life I have fought for what I believed in. …All my life I fought for my own survival and for the survival of my friends and family. I also fought for something else. …I fought in the hopes that one day Earth would be free.
Friends,… that day has arrived!
I swear that as long as I live, I will continue to fight to keep Earth free and to restore her to her glory of years ago.
The Commonwealth has offered to help us to rebuild our cities, starting with schools and libraries for our children to learn, and hospitals for the sick. That will just be the beginning. The fighting may be over, but we still have a lot of work to do, but we are Earthers, and there's nothing that we can't do if we work together! Thank you for your time and thank you for helping to free Earth. It wouldn't have happened without you."
All over the world people cheered and celebrated for their freedom and their new leader.