The year is 2355, let me give you a quick history lesson. The KH Military had made a nuisance of itself one too many times and the new UN Secretary General had declared enough. The remains of the KH Military was finally surrounded in their Greenland base. But rather than surrender they blew themselves up. In a brief flash of light their base disappeared in 2021. The next decade saw numerous changes. The Secretary General declared he wasn't finished, and order UN forces to eliminate all persons designated as supervillians. Parvo, Storm, Havoc and all the others were hunted down and were, shall we say, put down permanantely. He then turned his eyes toward improving the living condition of all citizens of Earth. A new Golden Age for Earth had begun and shortly after the Road Rovers and all of their subsidiary groups were retired. Before that the Space Rovers opened up their colony on Wolf 359, which had been settled by them several decades earlier. Eventually brave pioneers decided in-between 2040 - 2070 to colonize the Moon, Mars and Alpha Centauri. And a new mode of transportation was invented called space drive.

In 2102 a planetary government was created simply named the Earth Union, and First Contact was made with the Cutani Republic and the Zandar Confederacy. But as humanity moved farther out, a better name was needed and so, the Terran Federation was founded in 2199. Since then humans, canines, and felines have been exploring the galaxy. Silver and I command our own ships in the TF. Saphire is my science officer. Wesley is currently an instructor at the TF Academy, while Beowulf has turned himself into a take-no-crud-from-anybody Sergant in the Space Marines. I command the cruiser T.F.S. Yorktown, while Silver commands the cruiser T.F.S. Alexander. Let me give you a little bio on my ships officers.

My 1st officer Commander Robert Hood. Career spacefleet officer, turned down command of his own ship to become my first officer.

Chief Medical officer Lt Cmdr Isis. A Felo-Sapien, Isis came through the medical academy 5th in her class. Requested to be posted as CMO on any available starship. Well, she got mine.

Head of Security and Tactical Lt Daniel Muldoon. Is pretty good with a laser, almost never misses.

Chief of Operation Ensign Scout. A Lab/Chow mix Cano-Sapien, Scout graduated from the Academy only 6 months ago. Eager to show his abilities

Chief Engineer Lt Cmdr Hank McClusky. Considered one of the best engineers in the fleet. I'm lucky to have him.

Chief Conn Lt Wazim, a Zandar. The only alien member of my ship, Wazim comes from a race who are expert pilots. Zandarians are humanoid but evolved from birds; with a bird-like face and feathers instead of hair on their heads.

****

Outlaw surveys the bridge as his crew work dilegantly. Outlaw is currently talking with someone on his personal viewer.

"Glad to be of help Governor. If those raiders ever show up again you know who to call."

The viewer goes blank.

"Commander Hood. Set course for our rondezvous with the T.F.S. Sarajevo.

"Aye sir. Conn, come to course 072 mark 172."

"Course set sir." says Wazim

"Engage." says Outlaw

Mars. A military shuttle flies over the landscape. Inside nearly twenty new recruits sit nervously in their seats.

"Hi. Tim London."

"Danny Kim."

"So, why'd you join up?" says Tim

"I'm looking to be a tough guy. I'd like to command my own marine platoon."

The shuttle dips down towards a large domed building. The sign reads "Syria Planum Space Marine Training Facility". The shuttle lands and a burly sergant comes through the doors. This is Sergant Hilton.

"All right fleabags listen up! You are now under our protection. We are going to turn you bunch of wimps into lean mean fighting space marines! And the first and last words out of your mouth will be sir! Do I make myself clear??!!"

"Sir yes sir!"

"Louder!"

"Sir yes sir!!!"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!"

"SIR YES SIR!!!"

"Now move it! Let's go! Move move move!!"

As the recruits form a line on the tarmac, Sergant Beowulf walks up with amused disdain.

"So you bunch of dirtbags decided to join up huh? Pathetic. Hilton, name 'em off!

"Yes sir! London, T.

Kim, D.

Levy, A.

Blaze. (Black retriever mix Cano-Sapien)

Davis, F.

Kirby. (Malamute Cano-Sapien)

Perez, J.

Howard, S.

Tundra. (Siberian Tiger Felo-Sapien)

Roberts, E.

Jones, T.

Cunningham, J.

Robbins, H.

Morris. (Felo-Sapien)

Washington, S.

Miles. (Collie Cano-Sapien)

Malone, T.

Duffy, A.

Thomas, G."

"That's only 19. Where's the last one?" says Beowulf

"Coming in right now sir." says Hilton

Another shuttle arrives and lands. Two MP's come out guarding a Cano-Sapien in orange prison fatigues. He has a striking resemblance to Bear with some Nitro also. This is BJ.

"I know all about you BJ." says Beowulf "Your nothing but a small time criminal."

"So what?" says BJ

"Petty theft, larceny, assault and battery. If your great grand-parents were here they'd be ashamed of you. They're probably spinning in their graves right now."

"You think I give a mutants tail what they think." says BJ "My great grandfather was an idiot. Employed by a traitor admiral who dumped waste on his tribe's land, stupidly walked into a transdogmafier, shall I go on?"

"That's enough cadet! So, the judge thought it would be funny to put you in my platoon. When I get through with you you'll be a hard fighting space marine."

BJ sighs.

"I won't let you down Sarge."

"The only thing you letting down is your muzzle on my pavement! 20 push-ups, Now!

Beowulf turns to the other cadets.

"For those of you who don't know, I am Sergant Beowulf, formerly of the Maddog Bounty Hunters. Now, as some criminals found out, I lack patience. And it's true, because if you screw up in any I'll mangle you into something a Felo-Sapien wouldn't recognize as a furrball!"

At the last part Beowulf shoves his face into Morris'.

"Do I make myself clear?!"

"Sir yes sir!"

"All right. Now listen up......"

"As I said, he's a take-no-crud-from-anybody kinda person. And it's well deserved. Gotta go, I'm on duty."

The End