Starstorm (Starstorm Saga) by Billy Bennett

President.
    “Because they found out we have SSI mass producing Star Swords again in what they view as a time of peace. Put simply, Mr. President, they think we’re up to something.”
    “Why haven’t we begun the evacuation of Mars?”
    “Because then the public would definitely know something was wrong. We’d have no explanation for doing it.”
    “The fact that we mobilized Space Force for no apparent reason is all over the news. The media and public are demanding answers.”
    “We’ll announce it to the UN when the time is right,” said the President. Just then a knock came at the door.
    “Excuse me Mr. President, Professor Foshee is here.”
    “Let her in,” said the President. “Professor any luck communicating with them?” “No sir. We are using all sorts of signals and messages like what S.E.T.I. would look for. There has been no response. Of course we will continue to try.”
    “Thank you, Professor.” The President then rose from his desk. “We will inform the Japanese and the Russians of the invasion. Unless the aliens respond to our communication attempts, I’m afraid we have no choice but to send in the Space Force.”
     
    Far away on the Krusha, Commander Akdon and Kaydan stood on the bridge overlooking the massive view screen which showed the slow but steady approach of the Human ships.
    “The aliens are on approach, Commander,” said Kaydan. “We’ve also been receiving signals from their home world directed at us.”
    “What do they say?” asked Akdon.
    “We aren’t sure,” said Kaydan.
    “It is of no concern,” said Akdon. “Soon we will destroy their fleet and capture their home world and this mission will be complete.”
     
    Red, Jack, and Trey stood in the Saratoga’s wardroom with the rest of the pilots as Commander Kelley explained the plan that the Captain had outlined to her hours earlier. Behind her was a screen on which was a map of the Neptune region. It also showed the relative locations of all enemy ships. The assembled pilots listened intently as she came to the end of her presentation.
    “In the absence of any word from Earth to the contrary, the attack will go forth. You will be called when it is time. All ships participating in this attack have arrived here at Saturn. We are about to make the last leg of the trip to Neptune together. Until then, those of you not on patrol take some time to rest, relax, and reflect.” Commander Kelley then left for the bridge.
    “Well guys,” said Trey “Lets hit the REC room.” Soon all thoughts of war were temporarily banished. They had some drinks and a few laughs. Red challenged Trey to a game of holo boxing. The Holo boxing game was a table shaped like a boxing ring. They selected there boxers. They took the controls and the fight started.
    Jack took a moment to go and look out the window at all the Space Force ships in formation. He could see Saturn getting smaller and smaller as Saratoga and all the ships around her moved farther away. Jack heard Trey laugh. He turned and saw Trey’s boxer pounding away at Red’s. Red’s boxer went down and the holographic referee began counting.
    “Get up you idiot!” screamed Red but his holo boxer had taken too much of a pounding.
    “…nine....ten YOUR OUT!!” said the referee and the holograms disappeared. Trey had won.
    “Can’t win for losing can you Red,” said Trey.
    “My controls were messing up.”
    “Yeah right. Look I’ll see you guys later,” said Trey.
    “Hey Trey, where you going?”
    “To record a vid and send it home,” said Trey. “Just in case.” Then he walked out. Several others decided sending a message home wasn’t such a bad idea and headed out after him.
    Jack reflected that he had absolutely no one back home to write to. It must be nice to have a family to care about you. I hope that one day I can be a husband and father…
    A few hours later, the moment they feared came. April Kelley’s voice came over the intercom.
    “All pilots,