WAR HATH NO FURY

PROLOGUE

It has been one full year since Catalina, Gyana, Radu, and Elmira escaped the Spung aboard the Christa. Elmira, refusing her Spung titles, has joined Starcademy as a symbol to the UPP of a chance for peace. She had been ridiculed and mocked, like Radu before her, until she demonstrated her oracle talents to the students. After her predictions came true, she was accepted with slight reservation but not persecution.

The Spung threat that had almost caused a third war had been repelled, and Catalina and Radu were honoured in a special ceremony and given medals for bravery. Gyana stayed around Starcademy for several days before disappearing without a trace.

The excitement wore off, the year rolled on, and boredom set in at Starcademy . . . . . .

**********

Warlord Shett walked into his uncle's throne room, ignoring the list of titles and compliments the herald bestowed upon him. Emperor Biket IV, Lord of the Spung, lounged on his throne. As his nephew approached, he looked up with steel in his eyes.

"Has the Sirrola been found?" Biket demanded.

Shett stood his ground. "She is only a female, Sire."

"Not just any female," Biket reminded him, "an oracle! Spung oracles are rare and the ancient prophecies clearly say that an oracle will lead the Spung to a higher level of existence."

Shett nodded coolly. "She will be found, Sire."

"See that she is," Biket threatened, "or it will be your hide instead of hers."

Shett bowed once, turned on his heel and stalked out of the throne room. Emperor Biket watched his heir leave and a smile passed over his scaly face. He shifted his grotesque bulk in the chair and began to laugh. Slaves scurried away in fear as their master suddenly became amused.

"Sirrola Elmira," Biket muttered. "The most powerful female of the Spung. She controlled her father, she tried to control me, but her brother will outmatch her at last."

**********

Elmira straightened the jacket of her Starcademy uniform. Her long hair was arranged in a French twist - a style normally worn by Yensidians, according to Catalina. She walked down the hall as if she owned it, ignoring the jeers and catcalls from her fellow cadets. They feared her, as they should. She was Spung, after all.

She shook her head in disgust as the thought passed through her mind. She knew she was no better than the rest of them. As a spit ball sailed passed her head and landed with a splat on the wall, she corrected herself. She knew she was better than a few of them, at least.

"Elmira! Wait up!"

The former Sirrola turned to see one of her new friends running down the hall. The Neptunian ran like flowing water, without effort or apparent difficulty. She slowed as she approached Elmira and smiled warmly.

"Did you get all the questions done?" Clito asked.

Elmira shook her head. "I must admit, you humanoids do have a lot of things to learn. Is this course really relevant to becoming a StarDog?"

Clito laughed. "Sometimes I wonder that myself," she said. "Well, it doesn't matter, does it? Our superiors tell us what to do, and we do it or we're punished. It's not that bad, once you get used to it."

"I'm still having difficulty trying to understand how females can rise to such stations as StarDog. Among the Spung, we have no such rules. I am - or I was - a Sirrola simply because of my birth, yet I received no special status."

"Like I said," Clito giggled, "you'll get used to it. Come on, we're going to be late."

Elmira and Clito headed down the hall and Elmira told herself in passing how nice it was to have real friends.

**********

Gyana sailed through the stars. She flicked her tail sharply, moving quickly out of the range of a passing ship. Guardians were supposed to remain hidden unless they needed to be seen, she reminded herself. But she had been seen - by the Spung, by the UPP, and by the Christa. They knew of her and her race now. She had disgraced herself again and she couldn't even warn her kind about the danger they now faced. The UPP had been nice to her, offering her a chance to remain in their space and guard their borders. She had told them that she saw no borders in space, nor anything that would show their ownership and had left.

The emptiness of space was calm and refreshing after so long aboard the Christa. She had missed the freedom of her kind and the relaxation that came with gliding.

Nearby, a UPP patrol vessel came into view. Quickly, Gyana teleported away to avoid being seen by their scanners and watched it pass. It bore the symbol of the Starcademy and Gyana wondered what was going on with her friends.

With a shrug, she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, flicked her tail, and sped off into the stars.

**********

"Isn't this exciting?" Catalina asked. "Just think, the Admiral will be here! In person!"

"It's no big deal," Harlan muttered.

"You're just saying that because he's your step father," Clito chided.

"What is a step father?" Elmira asked.

They were eating lunch in the crowded cafeteria as news of the Admiral's arrival filtered through the student body. Nervous conversation replaced the usual rambunctious behaviour as everyone prepared themselves to meet with the leader of the UPP.

"A step father is the husband of your mother," Radu explained. "It's common for Earthers to choose another mate once one has passed away."

"I see," Elmira said. "Does that not cause confusion among your descendants?"

"Not really," Harlan said. "There are so many Earthers that its almost impossible to marry someone related to you."

"I thought it was strange at first, too," Radu admitted.

They all turned back to their meals as the excitement rose. Teachers paced in front of the doors as robots cleaned the halls and dorm rooms.

"It's time to go," Radu remarked.

"Attention all students," a voice said over the comm. system. "Please report to your sleeping quarters for inspection. That is all."

**********

A curious light caught Gyana's eye as she floated in space. It blinked like a star, yet moved more rapidly than anything she had ever seen. As it approached, she could sense a large crew on board. She hid as it soared passed and she recognized its markings immediatly; Spung. It altered its course and blasted into hyper drive, leaving her alone in space. Gyana blinked in frustration and set off in pursuit. She knew where the vessel was heading on its present course. In a few hours, it would be in UPP space, orbiting the Starcademy.

**********

Admiral Cody's speech was long and boring. He explained over and over again the importance of discipline to every StarDog and the treachery of space.

"You have all seen war," the Admiral said. "You have all killed, seen death, and some of you have even come close to death yourselves. It has been the bravery of you cadets that has kept the UPP alive for so long. I am proud of all of you."

"Not me, I bet," Harlan muttered under his breath.

Radu looked at him sharply, concern in his eyes. Harlan took no notice of his friend and the Andromedan returned his attention to the speech.

"And so," Admiral Cody concluded, "I thank you for joining Starcademy and I salute you as you head toward your future careers in the UPP."

The entire student body rose and saluted the Admiral. Cheers and applause sounded as Admiral Cody bowed and left the stage. Harlan remained silent as the cadets filtered out of the auditorium and returned to their classes.

**********

Gyana caught up to the Spung ship as it recharged its hyperdrive engines. Stealthily, she disabled several key navigational systems and directed several meteors to the ship. The Spung were turned around several times before they managed to free themselves from the rocks and resume their course for UPP space. Gyana sighed with exhaustion as the ship sailed off in the wrong direction. She knew she had bought her friends a week or two at the most.

**********

Three days after the Admiral left the Starcademy, Harlan received a notice from his teacher. Curious, he downloaded it to his compupad and read the contents.

Harlan Band:

You have been selected among all the cadets at Starcademy to participate in special training on Orbital Station Three. Your studies have been put on hold until your training is complete. Report to Docking Bay 9 at 1200 hours to begin.

Harlan blinked in surprise. A slow smile spread over his face as the full implications of his mission hit him. He was leaving Starcademy to participate in an undercover operation! He looked at his watch and realized he had a little more than an hour to pack and leave. With a low whoop of joy, he ran down the hall.

**********

Harlan stood at attention with five other cadets. His pack was at his feet and he felt as if he was going to burst with excitement. He glanced at his team mates from the corner of his eyes.

At the head of the line stood Gabrielle, a Venusian with orange hair and yellow skin. She had green cat-like eyes that blinked rarely and made her features more feline than human. She was tall and thin with the agility of an acrobat.

Next to her, Harlan was surprised to see Mattar, the Mercurian he had befriended during the second Spung war. He stood at attention like a statue, his blue eyes echoing the same excitement Harlan felt and his pink skin glowing slightly.

Beside Mattar stood a small Plutonian boy named Jerad. He was very small with grayish skin and black eyes. He had a thin spread of black hair atop his head. He was stout and appeared overweight, until he shook your hand. He was very muscular and strong, almost stronger than an Andromedan and had excellent night vision.

Jerad stood next to Harlan. On Harlan's left stood Kael, an Earther girl. She was a little shorter than Harlan with short blond hair and clear blue eyes. She was very intelligent and shy; she rarely spoke to anyone. There had been rumour floating around Starcademy that she had been kicked out of a private school on Earth's lunar colony because of strange phenomena that had happened, but no one had confronted her to talk about it.

Standing next to Kael, looking very uncomfortable, was Elmira.

The door to the Docking Bay slid open and some one walked in. As he moved out of the shadows, Harlan could see the familiar figure of Seth Goddard, former Commander reduced to teacher. He carried with him a compupad and a pack of his own. He stopped in front of the six cadets and looked at each of them.

"You six have been chosen for a specific task," he told them. "You are to tell nobody where you are, or what you are doing. This mission is of the strictest confidence. You will be gone for several weeks. Is there anyone among you who wishes to back down?" Goddard asked.

The six cadets remained silent. Goddard nodded approvingly.

"I am Commander Seth Goddard," he said his title with a kind of pride, "your superior officer for this training mission. We'll begin immediately. Everyone, pick up your packs and get on the ship."

Together, the volunteers grabbed their things and boarded the waiting transport. Before any questions could be asked, they were out of Starcademy and soaring through open space to Earth.

**********

Gyana arrived at Starcademy in time to watch the transport leave. She had no idea how to contact the UPP to warn them about the Spung, nor did she know if they would believe her. With an impatient flick of her tail, she headed to the closest space station and waited to be hailed.

**********

"There have been many reports of Spung vessels in the area," Goddard told his team. "After the near-war one year ago, the UPP has been in stand by for a major assault. That assault came a few days ago. An air strike of Spung ships reached our farthest border and our pilots were sent to repel them. Sadly, only half of them returned. You six have been chosen to replace those lost. You will being training in air strike procedures immediately. The training will be rigorous and tiring, but in the end, you will each receive your wings and be able to fly in possibly the greatest battle of all time."

Goddard paced in front of the six cadets. They were on board the Orbital Station Three, standing in the landing bay surrounded by the ships they were going to learn how to fly. Harlan could hardly keep the smile off his face.

"Three of you will be our pilots while the other three will act as navigation. Once you have been made into pairs, nothing will be able to separate you, so I suggest you learn to love each other. Later on in training, you will be split into six separate pilots and learn from your experiences," Goddard continued. "We hope to have you all in top shape in three to five weeks. Hopefully, the Spung will wait until then before they strike again. Any questions?"

The cadets were silent. Goddard nodded approvingly.

"Good. Here are your pairs. Pilot Gabrielle with Mattar at navigation. Pilot Harlan Band with Kael at navigation. Pilot Elmira with Jerad at navigation. You will have the remainder of the day to acquaint yourselves to your partner and the rest of the group. We will reassemble here at 0500 hours. You're dismissed."

Goddard turned on his heel and walked away from the group. Jerad looked at his new partner with disgust as Gabrielle and Mattar began to introduce themselves. Harlan ran after the Commander.

"Commander," he called.

Goddard stopped and turned to face his former crew member.

"Yes, Mr. Band?"

"Did you chose me for this mission? Based on our experience on the Christa, I mean."

Goddard smiled. "Do you think I made a bad choice?"

"No, no," Harlan said quickly. "Of course not. I just wanted to, you know, thank you for thinking of me."

"You're welcome, Harlan."

Goddard turned and kept walking.

"By the way," Harlan called again.

The Commander turned.

"Congratulations on the reinstatement of your rank," Harlan said.

Commander Goddard smiled again and saluted his student. Harlan returned the salute and headed back to the small group of future Air Strikers.

**********

Gyana had waited for almost a full Earth day for permission to land on the space station. With a sigh, she left its orbit and headed back into space. Perhaps she would encounter another UPP vessel before the Spung realized their navigation computer had been tampered with. She wondered how far off course they were right now. With a self satisfied smirk, she glided away from Earth and into the stars.

**********

Harlan flew the small fighter ship like a pro. Behind him, Kael monitored the ships progress and made slight course corrections. It was the third day of the intensive training and Harlan had found that he enjoyed having Kael with him in flight. She was very good at her job, although not quite as good as Radu had been.

With a pang of sadness, Harlan wondered what Radu and the others were doing back on Starcademy. Commander Goddard had forbidden any of the recruits to contact anyone and he hated to think what his friends thought of him right now.

"Correction three degrees starboard," Kael told him.

"Got it," Harlan said, adjusting his steering.

Outside his window, another ship sped past. It dipped its wings in greeting and Harlan smiled. Elmira was flying that one with the small Plutonian Jerad.

"It's time to head back," Kael said. "Entering flight path back to base."

"Okay," Harlan said. "Say good bye to the stars until tomorrow."

Kael smiled. "I would if I knew the stars would answer."

The ship turned and flew back to the Orbital Station.

**********

"That was some fancy flying," Harlan said.

"Thank you," Elmira replied, dipping her head in acknowledgment. "You were not so bad yourself, Harlanband."

Harlan laughed. "I thought I told you a long time ago that my name is two words, not just one."

"I remember," Elmira said. "I was just teasing you. I thought it was a common Earther pass time."

"More than a pass time, for some," Kael remarked, walking into the locker room where Harlan and Elmira were talking. "Where I'm from, teasing and being teased is a way of life."

Kael opened her locker and stepped out of the gray flight suit she had been wearing. The staff on the Orbital station had provided suits and gear for the six new recruits and each one had their name embroidered just below the Starcademy insignia. Underneath the suit, Kael and the other cadets wore simple gray pants and yellow shirts.

"It can't be that bad," Harlan said. "Teasing is just fun."

"As long as the person who is being teased thinks it is," Kael corrected sharply, "otherwise, it's just cruel."

She turned and stalked away. Harlan and Elmira watched her leave. With a shrug, Harlan turned back to his conversation.

"Have you been able to contact Radu?" he asked.

"I have entered his dreams," Elmira replied. "He is concerned about us and our disappearance. I haven't been able to reach him when he is awake."

"When you do reach him, remember not to tell him anything about what's going on here," Harlan reminded her. "If word gets out, who knows what will happen."

"I know the Spung Intelligence Service," Elmira said tartly. "They are hardly a threat. Spung rely more on brute strength and numbers than cunning. That is why they are so easily defeated."

Harlan stared at her. "You speak of them as if you were not one of them."

"I am no longer Spung," Elmira said. "I may look like one, but I am not. I relinquished that name when I left the Imperial City. I am no Spung's female."

"That's right," Harlan said with a smile. "You're a Starcademy cadet and you're going to be the first female Spung StarDog in the entire UPP fleet."

Elmira returned the smile somewhat hesitantly. "I hope you're right, Harlanband," she said.

**********

The Spung vessel slowed from light speed and reached the edge of UPP territory. They had managed to repair the damaged circuitry that had altered their course by hundreds of light years. Now, after several hyper jumps, they were almost in UPP space.

"Turn on the cloaking device," Warlord Shett ordered.

The ship disappeared from view. Silently, it sailed passed the UPP guard ships and into UPP space. Now, it was only a matter of days before they reached the Starcademy.

Gyana saw the Spung vessel creeping slowly through space. She didn't actually see it with her eyes, but she could feel the disruption in the solar waves and knew it was there. Her large eyes widened with fear as she realized how close the UPP was coming to destruction. Frantically, she turned around and sped as fast as she could back to the space stations.

**********

Harlan flew his attack pattern, matching Gabrielle pace for pace. They had been practicing for hours, flying simulations, destroying hidden targets, and having a great time.

It was exhilarating for Harlan being in command of a ship. So much time had passed since his piloting of the Christa that he nearly forgot how much fun it was. He smiled as he dodged another set of laser fire from the mock-Spung vessel they were 'fighting'. Kael looked at him strangely as he yelled out in delight.

"Locked on," she said.

"Never mess with Harlan Band," Harlan said as he fired his lasers.

The unmanned simulation ship exploded as the lasers struck and Commander Goddard came over the comm. system.

"Good work, team. You're finally getting it. Tomorrow, we can start on individual ships. Let's head home."

"Coordinates set," Kael said. "I could really use a long, hot shower."

"Me too," Harlan agreed. He began to turn the ship when a glint of silver caught his eye. "What's that?"

"What's what?" Kael replied, staring at the scanner. "There's nothing out there."

"No," Harlan said. "Something's there. Let's go look."

"But the Commander - " Kael started, but Harlan had already changed course. With a sigh, Kael fed the coordinates of Harlan's imaginary thing to the helm.

Harlan's ship moved away from the triangle of ships heading back to the Station. The other two ships continued forward.

"Harlan," Mattar said over the comm. system. "Where are you going?"

"Just checking something out," Harlan replied. "I'll be back in a sec."

He switched off the comm. system and began to fly faster.

**********

Gyana saw the fighter ship heading straight towards her and smiled to herself. It was about time someone from the UPP noticed her. She was being extremely obvious about being found. She floated in space, turned her microphone to UPP frequency, and waited to be hailed.

"Hey, Gyana," the ship's pilot said. "What are you doing in UPP space?"

"Harlan?" Gyana asked. She laughed. "I could ask you the same question."

Harlan Band smiled. He had met the Guardian after the Christa had returned to Starcademy. In the few days that Gyana had stayed around, she had become fast friends with Harlan and Rosie. Bova had remained wary around her and Clito had spent most of her time with Elmira.

"There is no time for small talk," Gyana said. "I must speak with your Commander. The UPP is in great danger."

"Danger? From what?"

"Spung."

**********

Gyana sat in Commander Goddard's temporary office, her slender legs crossed in front of her and her cloak resting against her shoulders. She watched Goddard pace back and forth as he contemplated her warning.

"The Spung are here, in UPP space, under a cloaking device?" Goddard repeated.

Gyana nodded.

"You saw them enter and did nothing to stop them?"

"What could I have done, Commander?" Gyana asked. "I had already disabled their navigation system to buy the UPP more time. I could not attack them directly."

Commander Goddard sighed and sat down on the edge of his desk. Harlan stood patiently at the door with Kael beside him.

"I better tell the Admiral," Goddard muttered. "Could you find the Spung vessel again?"

"They are heading for Starcademy," Gyana said. "They will arrive in three days, by my calculations."

"Are there any other Spung ships nearby?" Goddard asked.

"I do not know," Gyana answered. "I have not sensed any drastic disturbances, but it is possible they arrived without my knowing."

"You're all dismissed. Gyana, I would prefer it if you stayed around here for a while. You're the only thing I have to back up your story. Harlan can show you where you can sleep," Goddard said.

Gyana nodded her head and rose from the chair. Harlan lead the way, followed by Kael as Goddard sunk into his chair and put his head on the desk. Two wars in one lifetime was rare, but could the UPP cope with the losses of a third Spung war?

**********

Elmira sat silently on her bunk as Harlan explained the situation to his fellow Air Strikers. Her face revealed no emotion, but inside she was breaking. The time had come for her to choose her loyalty - Spung or StarDog.

Gabrielle sat next to her. The Venusian wore her orange hair back in a high pony tail, like the Guardian Gyana did. Her golden skin shimmered and her eyes mirrored concern for her friend.

"Are you all right with this?" Gabrielle asked.

Elmira turned and forced a smile. "I'm fine," she managed to say. "I have relinquished all ties to the Spung. I am a Starcademy cadet and part of the UPP."

"So you're not going to have any trouble killing your own people?"

Elmira shook her head, not trusting her voice. Gabrielle smiled and stood. The Venusian patted Elmira's shoulder and walked away. Elmira returned to her thoughts, only to be interrupted by another visitor sitting next to her. When the Spung turned, she was surprised to see Gyana's blue eyes staring into her soul.

"You are troubled, Spung princess," Gyana said.

Elmira saw that she could not lie to the Guardian and nodded miserably.

"You are torn between two loyalties," Gyana continued. "You do not like your Spung heritage, yet feel bound to it. You are trapped between conflicting emotions and you do not know which to follow."

Elmira nodded again and lowered her head.

"I do not love my people or what I am," Elmira said, "but how can I destroy my brother?"

"Perhaps this is one battle you should watch, rather than play," Gyana suggested.

Elmira raised her head and looked at the Guardian. Gyana's face was one of concern, as if she truly felt Elmira's pain. With another forced smile, Elmira tried to convince her friend that she was fine.

"I can see the souls of the living as clearly as I can see the stars in the sky," Gyana said. "You cannot fool me, Sirrola, but if that is the game you wish to play then so be it."

As the words left her mouth, the Guardian disappeared. Elmira blinked in surprise before she remembered Gyana's strange powers. With a sigh, she returned to her thoughts.

**********

"We have the school in our sights," a Spung warrior reported.

"Excellent," Warlord Shett hissed. "Alert the rest of the fleet to start mobilizing quietly at our position. We will remain cloaked until we have a sizable army."

The warrior saluted and rushed off to fulfill the Warlord's orders. Shett clapped his scaly hands and another warrior appeared. He bowed once and awaited his orders.

"Kill the ship," Shett commanded. "Leave on only what we need to survive and the cloaking device. I don't want any UPP ships to know that we're this close to their precious school."

The warrior saluted and Shett sat back. On the view screen ahead of him, the Starcademy floated before him. Despite himself, he began to laugh. The fools who ran the UPP wouldn't know what hit them, that he was sure of.

**********

The UPP Air Strike fleet was mobilized only a few hours after Commander Goddard finished talking to Admiral Cody. All the pilots as well as the six new recruits, crowded into the small Orbital Station as they prepared for battle. Gyana had left without saying good bye, but no one was surprised. The Guardian was unpredictable at times and there wasn't a single person on the Station that had the authority to make her stay.

Elmira checked her helmet for glitches as she sat in her flight suit. The newly arrived pilots had all looked at her with concern until they were assured by Commander Goddard that she would not betray them. Elmira wished she felt as comforted by his words as her colleagues did.

Sitting across from her was Jerad, her navigator. The three navigators had barely gotten enough practice to fly against the Spung, but were eager nonetheless to take part in the action. Jerad was strapping his boots on as Elmira watched.

"Are you excited?" Jerad asked.

"Not really," Elmira replied. "I do not approve of this kind of violence."

"Then why did you join the Starcademy?" Jerad wondered.

Elmira thought of Radu. "Other reasons," she answered.

Jerad finished with his books and sat up, his dark eyes glowing. "I'm looking forward to flying in a real battle," he said.

"Really?"

He nodded. "That's why I joined Starcademy; to become an Air Striker."

"I would have thought that someone of your skills would have been more suited for ground battle," Elmira commented.

"You mean because of my night vision?" Jerad laughed. "Sure, it works fine on the ground, but it works just as well in space."

The alarm sounded and a dozen Air Strikers raced passed the small area where the Spung and Plutonian sat. Harlan was among them and he slowed briefly when he saw his friends.

"C'mon," he shouted. "The Spung have attacked Starcademy!"

**********

Gyana glided restlessly around her cage. The Spung squadron had attacked quickly and quietly, appearing out of nowhere and erecting an energy field around the startled Guardian. They must have been sitting for hours for Gyana to miss sensing their trail.

She was blocked in on all sides by the energy field, with only a small area of space to move around. Worse than that, her teleportation powers seemed to be nullified by the field, leaving her defenseless.

She sighed as she stared into the Spung ship that guarded her. She hoped they enjoyed their fun while it lasted. Harlan and the other Air Strikers would be out in no time to counterattack the large force that bombarded the Starcademy, if only they arrived in time.

**********

Commander Goddard flew the lead ship in his squadron of Cadet Strikers. Following close behind him were Harlan, Elmira, Gabrielle, Mattar, Jared, and Kael; each in their own ship. The other five squads of seven ships each flew in formation around them, protecting the rookie flyers from most of the battle.

"Would you look at that . . . " Harlan muttered over the comm. system.

An entire fleet of Spung vessels had surrounded the Starcademy. Over a hundred small ships flew around ten larger ships like fireflies around a porch light. Several kill cruisers sailed lazily past, patrolling the perimeter they had set up around the school.

Commander Goddard swore.

"What do we do?" Gabrielle asked.

"They haven't gotten into the school yet, so don't worry about your friends. Form up like you were taught back at the Station," Goddard ordered. "We're in for one long fight."

"Commander, we're very outnumbered," Jared pointed out.

"Don't worry," Matt encouraged. "We'll do fine."

"Unless we all die," Kael muttered.

"Quiet," Harlan snapped. "You sound like a Uranusian."

The other ships were facing similar conversation of hopelessness, only to have their commanders snap them out of it.

"The Admiral is sending more ships," Goddard assured them. "We only have to hold the Spung back until they get here."

"Easier said than done," Elmira said softly.

The ships headed in for the attack.

**********

Mattar flew like he was the only person on the battle field. Dozens of Spung ships passed into his range of fire, and only a slim few escaped. He fired at anything that moved, concentrating on a picture of Rosie he had in his mind. She was still at Starcademy, and probably scared out of her wits at the thought of the Spung invasion.

At least she has Radu to comfort her, Matt thought.

He spotted another ship and fired before noticing something peculiar out of the corner of his eye. Two Spung ships that did absolutely nothing. They seemed to be guarding something.

"Hey Harlan," Matt called.

"Yeah?"

"Do you see those two ships behind the kill cruiser?"

"Yeah, what about them?"

"I think they're guarding something."

There was a pause at the other end of the line. Matt fired on a few more ships as he waited. Fearing the worst, he tried to reach his friend again.

"Harlan?"

More silence. Finally, "Yeah?"

"Check it out, will you?"

"You got it," Harlan replied.

**********

Harlan tried to wipe the smile off his face and be serious, but flying around shooting at Spung was just too much fun. Each explosion he heard brought back memories of his father, killed in the first Spung war. Mattar's request had brought him out of his killing spree temporarily so he could soothe his worried friend.

The kill cruiser paid no attention to the small ship as it sailed beneath it. On the other side were the two ships that Matt had spoken of. Harlan saw that his sensors picked up an energy field - no, he corrected himself, it was more like an energy cube with something in it, something living.

"Gyana!" Harlan gasped.

Firing on the closest of the two ships, he managed to attract some attention. The two ships both concentrated their fire on Harlan as he shot to dismantle the energy cube. Finally, he destroyed one of the ships and the field vanished from his sensors. Almost immediately after, Gyana vanished. Retreating, Harlan left the final guard ship alone and headed back to the fight.

**********

The fleet the Admiral promised almost didn't arrive in time. The sheer numbers of the Spung force almost completely devastated the small squadron of Air Strikers. As Commander Goddard ordered the ships back to regroup, Harlan noticed with alarm and sadness that two of the six student flown ships were missing.

"No time for sentiments," Elmira told Harlan. "There are still enough ships out there to threaten the safety of Starcademy."

"Roger," Harlan said. "Let's kick some Spung butt!"

As Harlan and the other four ships flew back into the fray, a large wall of machinery drifted out from behind Earth to join them. The UPP fleet was full of ships from all over the galaxy - Uranusian, Alphaen, Andromedan, Pentarish, and even a small force from the remote planet of Zetaa.

"Now we're cooking!" Harlan exclaimed.

"Cooking?" Mattar's voice came over the comm. "I thought we were fighting."

Harlan laughed as he shot more Spung ships, however, it soon became clear that, despite the reinforcements from the UPP, the Spung threat was too large to handle.

Suddenly, the Spung formed up in a ring around Starcademy and the UPP attack pulled back. Harlan followed the others, confused as to the actions.

"Commander," Harlan asked over the comm. system, "what are we doing?"

"Retreating," Goddard said grimly. "The Spung have captured Starcademy."