Earth, Geneva. Office of Presidential advisor Fred Gorman. Ambassador Nij Savo of the Cutani and Ambassador Yal of the Zandar are here.

"Ambassador Savo I'm concerned about your war effort. So far your military has done hit and run raids along the Kzatti border."

"Most of our military forces are obsolete. We've only just begun production on new warships."

"Ambassador Yal your military has done nothing so far and it's been a month now. Two of your worlds have been raided."

"We are gathering our forces for one solid strike into their territory."

"As are we." says Nij "And since the Kzatti have killed many of our citizens in the past a lot of our leaders are calling for the complete destruction of the Kzatti homeworld."

"You can't do that!"

"Why not? The Kzatti wiped out the Fr'del."

"The who?" says Yal

"The Fr'del were a race we had dealings with for several years, but then the Kzatti came and conquered their homeworld. A Kzatti High General was killed while inspecting the planet and they retaliated by exterminating the Fr'del. Only a handful now survive on Aldernipal."

"I must consult the President and our ranking generals about this. Thank you for your time ambassadors."

*****

T.F.S. Lexington pilot's recreation area. Many pilots are here relaxing. The entire 21st is at one table, except Miles. He enters the room acompanied by a Doberman Cano-Sapien.

"Hey guys, I'd like you to meet the newest addition to our squadron. Lieutenant Leroy."

"Welcome aboard Leroy." says Tim

"Thanks."

"Your not by any chance related to a certain Doberman from a five dog team?" says BJ

"You mean Blitz of the Road Rovers? I am. I'm a direct decendant of his. How'd you guess?"

BJ gives Miles a suspicious look.

"Oh, just a hunch."

*****

T.F.S. Yorktown. Outlaw's office off from the bridge.

"Come."

The door opens and Commander Hood walks in.

"The latest report sir."

"Thank you Bob."

Robert starts to leave but then notices a picture of Outlaw and Saphire with several other dogs that look a lot like them.

"These your children sir?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. What do you think?"

"They couldn't look more mixed if they tried."

"Yeah, well that's what happens when your the ultimate mongrel."

"I never did catch their names."

"Oh well, that one's Buck and this is Jasmine. They were also bounty hunters for a while. That's Bear and she's Colleen. The last two I named to honor old friends."

"Where are they now sir?"

"Buck is Mayor of Viking City on Mars, Jasmine is a teacher at UCLA, Bear and Colleen are instructors at the Fleet Academy."

"Any of them marry?"

"Jasmine was for a short time but things didn't work out. How about you? Any siblings?"

"Just one, my sister Terry. She was also a career officer in the fleet."

"Was?"

"She was serving aboard the Sarajevo when it was destroyed."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's all right. May I return to duty sir?"

"Dismissed."

*****

T.F.S. Merrimack. Admiral Keogh's office. A captain is here with plans for a new ship.

"So Captain Dallas, what has R&D brought me?"

"This sir is what we call a battle destroyer. It's a little smaller than a regular destroyer but packs a powerful punch. Armed with laser cannons and experimental torpedoes. It can run rings around a Kzatti battleship. And it only needs a crew of 20."

"Very impressive. What do you call her?"

"Corregidor."

"I like it. Very well. Do you have anyone in mind to crew it?"

"Indeed I do sir."

Lexington pilot's briefing room. The 21st is seated here. Capt Wrobleski is at the front of the room. Admiral Keogh and Captain's Zimmerman and Dallas are off to one side.

"21st Squadron, you've been chosen to man a new warship developed by R&D. For full details I'm turning this meeting over to Captain Dallas."

"Good morning. We have chosen you in particular to man this ship because of your excellent battle record."

Dallas picks up a remote and a view screen comes on showing the ship.

"This is the experimental T.F.S. Corregidor."

The 21st mutters among themselves with anticipation.

"Sir, how many does it crew?" says Tim

"20 crewmembers."

"So then who are the other ten." says BJ

"I'm glad you asked. Captain Zimmerman, bring them in."

DeFalco, S

Raven (wolf-sapien)

Aspen (cougar felo-sapien)

Garibaldi, S

Terasawa, K

McHenry, D

Rusty (Irish Setter cano-sapien)

Allen, D

Phelps, T, and Captain Dallas rounds it out.

"I'll be commanding the ship and you Mr. London will be first officer. Now then, let's go down to the bay and familiarize ourselves with the operations."

Everyone begins to file out of the room. BJ comes up next to Raven.

"He-llo sweet thing."

"Don't get any idea's Lieutenant, were here to work together.

"All right then, maybe afterwards I can interest you in a meal in the mess?"

"Have you always been the ladies man Mr BJ."

"Nope. Your the first."

Ahead of them Miles and Leroy exchange amused glances.

"The boy's growing up." says Miles

The End