The pilot of Admiral Rhode’s ship was very skilled. With ground fire cris-crossing all around, he dove down and away from the compound. Drake watched through the portal as the desert streaked past. He even caught a glimpse of one of the fighter wreckages where the pilot was climbing out of the cockpit.
“Take us back to the star fleet,” Rhodes said to the pilot.
“Sir, what about the fighter pilots?” Bo asked.
“We are not a rescue team. To go back would be suicide,” Rhodes was clearly struggling to hide his anger.
Minutes later the admiral was planning a full military attack on the desert settlement. He rattled off a long list of command over the radio, “turn the fleet to these coordinates. I want two marine battalions and three fighter groups ready ASAP.”
Back onboard the star cruiser, Drake and Neo found the flight hanger bustling with activity. Fighters and transport ships were being prepared for the upcoming battle.
Bo ran after the admiral who darted across the hanger.
“Please be careful as there are many innocent people down there,” Bo called to Rhodes.
“I’m aware. We will do everything we can to protect the innocent captives. However, the desert people have committed an act of war against the star forces.” Admiral Rhodes turned and raced toward his waiting officers.
Drake, Neo, Bo and Barish were taken to guest quarters.
“There’s a major mission in progress. We need you to say clear,” a junior officer instructed the four.
“We would like to take the Lightening Hawk back to Koral,” Bo requested.
“Negative, only Star Force flights are allowed to depart,” said the officer before rushing off.
“Is there anything we can do?” Drake asked.
“I’m afraid not. We would only get in the way of the Star Force operations,” Bo answered with a sigh.
For Drake the following day seemed like an eternity.
“I haven’t seen one of the Star Force ships leave for Koral,” Drake said to his friend.
“I know, I wonder when they will launch the attack,” Neo agreed. “I’m worried for my family.”
On the second day Drake was awakened by the roar of spacecraft being launched from the flight deck. He raced to find Neo.
“They’re launching now,” Drake watched at the portal with Neo close behind.
The two friends lost count of the fighters, transports, and supply ships that gathered in formations and sped away toward Koral. Afterwards, everything grew quiet. Hours dragged on as they waited for news from Koral.
Drake tried to keep himself occupied while Neo paced back and forth. The boys were glad when the door opened and Barish appeared.
“Let’s go,” Barish called to the boys.
“Go where?” Drake asked.
“Bo and I convince the flight officer to let us take the Lightening Hawk back to Koral. Hurry, before he changes his mind.”
They darted to the ship and climbed the ramp. There they found Bo in the pilot’s seat.
“Star Force is letting us go, as long as we stay clear of the mission,” Bo explained as he prepared the ship for flight.
“Where are we going?” asked Drake.
“All I know is that Admiral Rhodes officer told us to land at the desert compound. They didn’t say what was happening on the ground. I guess we will find out soon.”
The star fleet was now orbiting Koral, so the trip to compound was a short one. As the Lightening Hawk came in for a landing Drake watched through the portal.
“I think the space force has captured the compound,” Drake turned to Neo. “Look at all of the ships and marine guards.”
“I don’t see a single desert raider,” Neo pressed against the portal.
Minutes later Drake and the others met a Star Force staff sergeant at the bottom of the Lightening Hawk’s ramp.
“Admiral Rhodes would like to see you. Please follow me,” the sergeant led the way through the compound.
Drake felt like he was in a dream. Not long ago he had been brought here by force. They passed the building where he and Neo were held as prisoners. As they walked by a narrow alleyway, he wondered if that was the one he and Neo escaped through.
When they reached the settlement’s government building, it was buzzing with space force people. Once inside, the four were taken to a room where Rhodes had set up an office. They were told to wait outside. Through the doorway Drake could see an electronic display that covered most of the wall. It showed a map with various symbols that he didn’t recognize. Minutes later the admiral stepped out to greet them.
“It’s good to see you again,” said Rhodes. “As you can see, we now control the compound. When we landed it was mostly abandoned as the raiders fled to the mountains. Our forces captured most of the raiders in the open desert, but their leaders escaped into the mountains. As you know, it’s harsh terrain up there, but with our fleet of drones scouring the area, we will get them before long.”
“What about the people who were held captive?” Bo asked.
“We think they’ve all been freed. The sergeant will take you to the infirmary. Now if you will excuse me, I have a lot going on.”
Drake, Neo, Bo, and Barish all thanked Admiral Rhodes, and then followed the sergeant out. They were taken to a dormitory that seemed to be a makeshift hospital. There space force medical staff were busy directing people about. A nurse seated at a computer display asked Neo for the names of his family members.
“Ah, yes. This way please,” The nurse led Neo, Drake and the others down the hallway and into a room filled with waiting people.
“Mom, Dad!” Neo rushed to greet his family.
Drake watched his friend embrace his entire family in a large group hug. He brushed a tear from his cheek he watched the joyous reunion.
“It really warms your heart, doesn’t it,” a gruff voice spoke up just behind Drake.
Captain Buff! “Drake threw himself into the captain’s arms. “I’m so happy to see that you’re well.”
“It takes a lot to keep a salty old captain like me down,” Buff chuckled.
Three weeks later Drake gazed out the portal of the passenger ship. The spaceship had just entered his home planet’s atmosphere and was speeding over the shimmering sea. Drake’s mind wandered back to Koral where he said goodbye to his friends Neo, Captain Buff, Bo, and Barish. The space force had arranged a flight for him to return home while Neo’s people gathered to decided where they would go next. Bo and Barish returned to their work among the people of Koral, and Buff left for his home and hopefully back to his job flying cargo ships.
The skyline of Drakes home city grew clearer as the ship slowed for a landing. Minutes later it touched down at the spaceport and the passengers began departing. Drake shuffled off the ship and found the smiling faces of his waiting family. After all he had been through, now he was finally home.