General Dunreft was called away from the WAC symposium to view a highly important and urgent transmission by the enemy, the first and only.Waiting for him in his spacious, round shape office are two of his commanding officers, Simon Rutledge and Ben Kaine, middle-aged men of stature."For the first time in the history of this war, sir," Commander Rutledge immediately reported as Dunreft stepped in the double doorway. "Addressed specifically to you, Sir," Rutledge mentioned what everyone already knew."After a decade of intentionally blocking communication signals " added Kaine.Dunreft went straight behind his desk, sat down with one of his elbows propped up on the desk and his chin resting on his curled forefinger in contemplation. A decade of war and yet these invaders remained as strangers for reasons known only to them. Is today really the day they are going to break their silence once and for all?"Okay, put it on," instructed Dunreft.Kaine signalled one of his men in the backg

The air space around the large floating fortress, against the deep blue sea below and bright daylight, was pictured like a swarm of flies littered with mini explosions here and there. A figure in a dark cloak in a dark room stood over the large holographic aerial screen projection. He could see a number of casualties on their side, as always. Earth has always proven themselves better skilled at space combat, not that it matters. They are not here to subdue Earth."My lord, we have succeeded. The key is now in our hands," came a voice report."Bring her at once and retreat," spoke the cloaked figure in its language. His intense voice echoing in the empty confines of the dark room. "And make sure to destroy their floating fortress.""Yes, my lord."'What a pitiful planet,' the cloaked figure thought. 'Now you will be paying for your impertinence." **** What was that?Private Alfred Garrison had seen the tube

In the cloudy haze of his mind, Alec could see the dazzling ripples of light above him, as the depths of the sea slowly pulled him down, swallowing him - a pressure so strong against his motionless body.In his half-dead state, he saw her appeared against that light, her face before him. Her unperturbed eyes looked at his; her red-hair swaying up in the water. She extended her hand and took him by his arm. He could feel her strong grip as she pulled...***Alec woke up and felt the bunk and bed sheets he was lying on. Despite his still blurry vision, the interiors told him that he's inside a big tent. There were nine more beds lined up beside his, each with an occupant, men with bandages on different parts of their body. Boxes with Red Cross symbols are stacked up all around. A recovery tent."Ah, Private Alec Archer, you're awake. How are you feeling?" A man in a white medical gown with a stethoscope coiled around his neck came up to his bedside.

The teleportation had been as swift as an eye blink. Ava quickly gained her senses and found herself upright inside what seem to be a tube walled by a solid screen of light. From beyond the confines of her prison tube, she could see the control station of the ship manned by three person crews, their backs facing her. The ship's interior was dark if not for the ship's wide cockpit window, stretching from corner to corner, which afforded her an exterior view as they traversed through Earth's landscape, passing by mountains and dirt plains in great speed.Something glistened in the corner of her eye as she stared out. On the far side of the space shone another tube of light that's slightly narrower - a glowing, round crystal, the size of a fist, floating in teh air within it.'Is that... could it be -' her thoughts beckoned.Even without the long arm of the Trident that used to hold it, she could recognise it. Her head tilted slightly to its side as she gaped at it

Ava stepped inside the familiar door and marble floors. If it evoked nostalgia no one could certainly tell for she went about the house unmindful of anything but her steps. "Welcome home, Princess," a voice greeted from behind her as she turned towards the hallway to the left of the grand foyer. "Is he here?" she asked over her shoulder. "No, princess. Why would he be here?" She nodded for a bit and continued on to the hallway that led to the basement - her father's lab. She found it in the state in which she left it a few years ago, that time when she came back to live here on her own from Sybil before eventually leaving for university. She did not believe she would find him here today - but she had hoped...a bit. And no, he was never here. The lab is spanking bright, shiny and clean. And no, she isn't one for nostal