T.F.S. Merrimack, Admiral Keogh's office. Maverick enters and stand at attention.

"At ease. The Wildcards?"

"On their way to Marconis Prime Admiral."

"Will they make it before or after the Yuva'zag get there?"

"After it seems."

"Don't you want to be with them?"

"This briefing is too important sir."

"Very well. Give me what you got from them."

Maverick takes a remote and pushes a button. A picture of a typical Yuva'zag appears on the screen. Cobra headed with pale scale-like skin and fierce yellow eyes set forward, three fingered taloned hands and a long tail.

"Dear god they're ugly!" says Keogh "What do they want?"

"Territory. 700 years ago the Kzatti nearly wiped them out. They began a campaign of rebuilding and technology perfection."

"How do we beat them?"

"At the moment, I don't know."

****

Strayer bridge. On the screen is a Federation captain, Geoff McKay.

"I have no hope of beating a powerful enemy like that. All we have is my cruiser and two destroyers; the Atlantis, Shiloh and Lion."

"You have to protect Marconis Prime captain, at all cost." says BJ "What about reinforcements from Amadine?"

"Negative. The only ships there are a couple of ageing frigates and corvettes."

Captain McKay looks off to one side.

"They've arrived. I can't stay Captain BJ."

"God speed captain."

The screen goes blank. BJ slumps in his chair.

"I understand." says Raven "You have some history with the planet."

"History doesn't describe it. I helped build the war memorial park."

"You think the Yuva'zag will be less cruel to the population?" says Miles

"Very unlikely." says Mrr'tas.

BJ puts his face in his hands.

****

Bridge of T.F.S. Atlantis.

"Sensors, report." says McKay.

"I'm reading only those fighter craft the Cutani encountered."

"Not the sphere ship?"

"No sir."

"Have the Shiloh and Lion move ahead."

"In weapons range captain!"

"Fire!"

The ship shudders from hits.

"Shields weakening! The Lion's been destroyed!"

"Already?"

"Yes sir. And there are fighters headed for the planet."

"Get between them and the planet!"

The ship rocks from a hit.

"Engines gone captain! Were dead in space!"

"Shiloh's captain reports they are abandoning ship."

On the surface of Marconis Prime, for the second time in roughly 20 years, enemy fighters come in strafing.

****

Strayer bridge.

"I'm reading the Yuva'zag fighters are leaving." says Leroy.

"The ships stationed there?"

"The Atlantis has lost her engines and is dead in space. Multiple life signs aboard. The Shiloh is badly damaged and the crew has abandoned."

"Steven, faster! We have to get there!"

"We're at the red line now for these engines!"

****

Marconis Prime. People are putting fires out everywhere. In the ruins of the street BJ is seen running at top speed. He head's for the memorial park and halts in from of a crater.

"No! Tell me they didn't!"

He looks frantically around and runs again. He stops at another smoking crater, panting.

"No! Please no!"

He finds and picks up a smoldering plaque dedicating the park. He falls to his knees and starts to cry. The other Wildcards enter the park and see BJ who suddenly gets up and shouts in anguish.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

****

"Marconis Prime was only a diversion. It was Amadine III they were after. The planets there's now and if they follow the same invasion pattern Zeta Draconis VI is next."

"Citizens of the Terran Federation, it is my unhappy duty to tell you that the Federation is again at war. The Yuva'zag have soundly beaten what forces we have in certain sectors and are still on the move. As of now 4:38 p.m. GST, March 12, 2372 I declare war on the Yuva'zag. And may God help us all, again."

to be continued....