Mars, Syria Planum Space Marine training facility recreation center. Nearly all the recuits seen from "Final Frontier" are here doing various activities. All the Cano's and Felo's have taken a seat at the same table. Blaze is a female black and white retriever mix with a streak of white from her head down through her hair. Kirby is a male Malamute with white around the eyes and muzzle on down. Tundra is a male Siberian Tiger. Morris is a male orange tabby and Miles is a male Collie. Tim London and Danny Kim join the group and begin to pass around drinks.

"So is it true that BJ is related to the former leader of the Grizzly Strayers?" says Tim

"Oh I know it is." says Miles "I'm a direct descendant of Colleen. My parents told me the tale of how she started from London stray to Road Rover."

"Your related to Colleen?" says Kirby

"Yeah, on her father's side. There's a lot of relatives in between that it's very confusing."

"Have you guys heard the stories about what's going on along the border?" says Danny "I heard from an officer that Marconis Prime was destroyed by a new race."

"We'd have heard something by now." says Blaze

"Hey, look who's here." says Tundra

They all turn to see BJ enter the facility. He notices the others looking at him, scowls, and then heads for the bar.

"Hey Miles, he might be interested to hear your relation to the Rovers." says Morris

"Hmm. You think I should?"

"What's the worst he can do?" says Tim

"Famous last words." says Kirby

Miles gets up and goes to the bar. BJ is currently drinking some beer. He puts it down in disgust.

"Come on bartender! Where's the real stuff?"

"Sorry cadet. Only synthesized drinks allowed here."

BJ growls in annoyance and drinks again.

"Hi BJ."

BJ grunts in acknowledgment.

"So Bear was a relative of yours huh?"

"I'm not in the mood for conversation."

"You've been like this ever since you arrived."

"I'm not happy with becoming a Space Marine. It was a judges idea."

"I just thought you should know that I'm related to one of the Road Rovers, Colleen actually."

"Really? Somehow I'm not surprised. Why else would you come to talk to me."

"Are you always like this?"

"How the heck should I act?! Every-scraggin-day I'm reminded of my past relatives and I'm sick of it! OK so I'm not up to standards with that goody tooshoes Bear, but do you think I give a Mutants tail?!"

"Sorry."

Just then the wall monitor, which was showing a sports program interupts with a special report saying the President is coming on.

"Citizens of the Terran Federation. I bring you horrible news along the border. Our colonies and bases on Marconis Prime and Amadine III have fallen to an alien race known as the Kzatti. They are very war-like. All attemps to communicate our peaceful intentions have been thwarted. As of now 6:35 PM GST April 8, 2355 I am officially declaring war with the Kzatti. And may God help us all."

The wall monitor goes blank.

"Aw, this I don't need!" groans BJ

"Holy Smokes! What I heard was true." says Danny

"After centuries of peace were finally going to war." says Blaze

****

Training facility main grounds. Every cadet is here lined up listening to the base commander, Major Jason O'Brien.

"As you know, we are at war with the Kzatti. Now the Cutani are the only alien race who has had extensive contact with them and they have been gracious enough to give us all available information on them. As of now, all of you are on 48 hours leave before your shipped out. Dismissed."

******

Tulsa Oklahoma, Earth. Tim London, Danny Kim and Blaze are visiting Tim's parents. They are all gathered in front of the main television eating dinner. At the same time on the other side of Mars in a seedy dive of a bar, BJ is also watching a TV with a beer in his hand. A reporter is currently on.

"This is Roger Franks onboard the space carrier T.F.S. Langley, the battle fleet this ship belongs too is seconds away from the first major battle with the Kzatti in the Cordino star system. The space marine fighter squadrons of the 156th, 134th and 207th have already left the carrier and last report indicated they are in heavy fighting."

The ship is suddenly rocked hard.

"Langley has just been hit by the first salvo's of the Kzatti fleet! The Captain tells me that all three squadrons have been eliminated and two destroyers are already out of action! I don't know how much longer I can stay on the air! This is Roger Franks sighning off!"

BJ sets down his beer in annoyance.

"Swell. This war is going horribly."

BJ's wristwatch beeps several time.

"All personell currently on leave report to base immediatly."

"Good luck buddy." says the bartender

*****

Taining facility main grounds. Major O'Brien is here again alongwith the cadets from "Final Frontier".

"As you may have heard the Langley battle fleet engaged the Kzatti. Only the Langley made it out of the battle, barely intact. Unfortunatly she's too badly damaged to go into battle again. You have all been assigned your own fighter and squadron. 21st will report to the T.F.S. Lexington while the 38th will report to the T.F.S. Taiho. Dismissed!"

As the fighters take off, Beowulf stands off from the runway and salutes each plane that takes off.

"21st squadron report in."

"London, reporting in."

"Kim, reporting in."

"BJ, reporting in."

"Levy, reporting in."

"Cunningham, reporting in."

"Miles, reporting in."

"Blaze, reporting in."

"Tundra, reporting in."

"Duffy, reporting in."

"Kirby, reporting in."

As the fighters fly through space the carrier T.F.S. Lexington can be seen in orbit of Jupiter. Several destroyers are around the carrier.

"Lexington control this is the 21st requesting landing." reports Tim

"Roger 21st stand by to release control on my mark...mark. Welcome aboard 21st."

After the fighters have landed they gather together as the captain of the ship approaches. This is Captain Buck Zimmerman.

"Ten-HUT!"

"At ease. Welcome aboard the Lexington. I'm Captain Buck Zimmerman. This ship is part of the 10th Fleet and will be stationed on Rigel IV as soon as we get under way. The 10th fleet also consists of the prototype battleship Sarajevo and the cruiser Yorktown.

"Yorktown?" says Miles "Outlaw's ship? Wow, he's a legend!"

"Don't let that go to your head. My second officer Lt Commander Wilby will show you to your quarters. Dismissed."

A sheepdog Cano-Sapien steps up.

"This way please."

As they all file out, Miles turns to BJ.

"You here that? Captain Outlaw's ship in this fleet. He and Sargent Beowulf used to work together."

"Don't you ever shut up?"

"No."

BJ rolls his eyes and sighs as they file out of the hanger deck.

The End