CHAPTER ONE

EARTH, 3rd Century of the second calendar

Space commander Travis watched intently as his men exercised up and down the dark tunnel. He had a reputation of pushing them to their very limits, because nothing but the best could come from his command. Trooper Elverston fell into the muddy puddle and it was Travis who was first over heaving him up by the lapels of his Federation boiler suit on to his feet,

"Up, up, up...you must keep going if you want to succeed boy!"

The young trooper managed to steady his feet and, although it was a mighty struggle, he managed to keep up with the others in his squadron.

Travis turned and strolled along the ancient brick tunnel to the source of daylight streaming through. Of course to be outside was highly illegal. All citizens had to remain inside the Dome. Travis thought himself privileged he was able to be outside, being at the top of the chain certainly had it's benefits.

The sun was high up in the blue sky, it's rays bouncing off the enormous Dome in the distance. A transporter carrier, ferrying officials from the outer quadrants roared overhead towards it.

Of course most civilians that dwelled inside the Dome thought that the air was toxic outside, it was because of that and the strict laws that kept the masses inside.

After dark was the best time to be outside. The visible far off constellations he knew like the back of his hand were in full view.

After exercise and training, that Travis insisted maintaining very day, he left his company of men to shower off in the barracks. Elverston stopped his superior in the doorway as the other men showered,

"Sir, about earlier...my leg gave way...it was just my tendon...I will report to medical after muster"

Travis looked down at him, "You train hard, you put in all your reserve and that is a good thing...go and rest and be ready for tomorrow"

Elverston smiled back at him with respect of his opinion, "Thank you for your support sir. I count myself lucky I have an understanding superior officer"

Travis watched him go shower and called out, "training inside an ancient stinking relic won't be forever Elverston...bigger things are waiting, for all of us"

XXX

Travis made his way over to his apartment. Coming home to his wife was always something to look forward to, and he could never get over that they were married. He marched in through the triangular doorway as a pleasantly surprised Lurena turned her head from the sofa and stood up and hurried over to him. Her arms were bare from the attire she wore, a white silken dress that clung to her body with a gold belt and hair band to match.

"Travis, I thought you were working late"

Travis collected her into his arms and kissed her softly on the cheek, "You know me...I don't like to slack off...you reap what you sow and all that, but there are somethings in my life I can't get enough of", he flirted.

Lovingly, Lurena smiled at him as she moved to to fix them a drink, "Oh yes? I believe you"

"I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to a showcase later...I acquired two entry tickets and...you know it's been a while since I took you out"

For a moment she held his gaze, "The last time we attended one you got called out and was a subject to an official enquiry"

She then collected her drink and was hurrying into the direction of the bedroom.

Travis called out after her, "Hey, what does a man have to do...?"

Lurena threw her hair back and glanced back to him, "Who needs to attend a showcase when there's plenty of entertainment on offer here", she allured.

It had been a while since they last made love...he downed his drink in one go, approached her, took her face between his hands and kissed her passionately before leading her to the bedroom.

After, Travis pulled his boxer shorts on and looked on to the sleeping form of Lurena, he smiled and let her sleep and padded out into the living room where he could see a message waiting for him on the communication unit. He helped himself to a beaker of Thraxan wine and the pressed the message retriever on the entertainment unit, the voice was always annoyingly in robotic monotone.

"Space Commander Travis is required to report to Alpha level 4 0700 hours tomorrow...further instructions will be issued to you shorty about a mission that is required of you"

Travis frowned and sat down on his white suite, a mission? Intriguing. And about time, that idiot Zain seemed to hoover up the best missions at present , he was in need of something to set his teeth into.

XXX

At 0700 hours the next day, Travis strolled into gallery 12, at Alpha level 4 suite. The receptionist behind the white desk acknowledged his entrance, "they are ready for you now, Space commander"

He turned on his heel and entered through the door into the airy office like conference chamber. Three representatives from the Federations high command were present. Governor Burkol, Presidential officer Tovill and the Secretary and personal representative to the President, Rontane.

"Welcome Space Commander", Announced Burkol.

"Sirs", said Travis standing to attention as a mark of respect.

"At ease...", Tovill gestured, "...and do take a seat"

Travis glanced at them all in turn and then took the seat opposite them. It was Rontane that now spoke,

"We have the authority to instruct you on a special covert mission, an operation that, if successful, will see you fly through the ranks"

Travis frowned, "Oh?"

Tovill took up the reigns, "we have obtained intelligence that members of the so called Freedom party are planning to lay siege in an attempt to free political dissidents"

Burkol nodded, "such an act might put our Presidents, shall we say, reputation in question...such as the threat, we have to do anything deemed necessary to stop this from happening"

Travis couldn't think of anything sweeter than crushing the growing resistance, "the Freedom Party, those criminals? I'm glad to be chosen to finally bring them all crashing down"

Tovill smiled at him from across the table, "Your reputation to get things done proceeds you...we thought you might...", he passed him a piece of folded up paper. Travis reached over and grabbed it. After opening it up he looked at them, "These are your instructions?"

"Yes...and we repeat, in anyway necessary"

Travis shot them all a grin, "Count on it"

XXX