Light flashed in the void of space as a large ship came out of hyperspeed. It approached towards a large rotating station known as the Galfani Station. The pilot, a synthetic, pressed a button before placing on the headset. “This is Razor 296 to Assembly One; requesting authorization to land.” Moments after the synthetic spoke, the radio chimed in, “Assembly One to 296, please input clearance code for authorization.” The synthetic proceeded with the code entry and sent it through. “Assembly One to 296, request approved. Please follow coordinates to Docking Bay 49.” The synthetic followed through with the coordinates until coming to its destination. Upon linking with the docking bay tunnel, air hissed as oxygen rushed in through the tunnel before the doors opened.

Crowds of militants, human, alien, and robot, exited the ship and entered the large lobby. Among them was a human name Charlie Aldross. He looked all around him as he kept his duffle bag close. He had a military haircut with a tattoo emblem of a phoenix to the left side of his head and a mild scar on his right hand. If this were a civilian station, he would be very nervous, especially after what he went through.

“Private Aldross” a voice called out. Charlie looked about until he spotted a humanoid pale alien. He never thought he would meet a Toras among military ranks. The Toras approached him. Charlie’s head was at the baseline between the Toras’s chest and abdomen. “Are you Private Charles Aldross?” The Toras asked. Seeing the Sergeant badge on its arm, Charlie dropped his bag and saluted the Toras, only to be waved off. “No need for that,” it said, “We’re not in formation.” Charlie picked up his bag. “Sorry, sir,” he said, “Force of habit.” The Toras chuckled, “No need for “sir” either. Relax. This isn’t Earth or whatever planet you’re from. Most of the formalities aren’t necessary here.” He extended his hand. “I’m Baraccas from Tolge.” Charlie took his hand and shook it. “To be honest, I actually am from Earth; New York to be exact,” he said. Baraccas released his hand. “I see.” He then took out a small pad and typed in. 

“So I see you’ve been assigned to The Eagle’s Defiant.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow in confusion. “I’m sorry? The Eagle’s Defiant?” Baraccas nodded. “You know it as Outfit 242 but we’ve been known throughout the galaxy as The Eagle’s Defiant. We earned that name from the Battle of Eagle’s Eye. Surely, you’ve heard of that battle?”

“Can’t say that I have, sir,” Charlie responded, “I haven’t been kept up to date with the broadcasts.” Baraccas put away the pad. “No worries,” he said with an assured smile, “not many have been able to keep track of everything ever since this war began.” He then noticed the phoenix tattoo on Charlie’s head. “You were with the Phoenix Brigade?” he asked, slightly ecstatic. “I was...” Charlie said solemnly. “Forgive my excitement but I remembered seeing broadcasts in the earlier days of war. Avros City, Cystella, and the Jungles of Avadia. You guys made quite a stand on the Cheya Moon. I’m sorry that there wasn’t many of you left.”

Charlie looked away, thinking about the Cheya Moon. Almost the entire brigade was wiped out. Only Charlie and 20 others were what was left. Only Charlie was physically and mentally able to keep on the fight. “But nonetheless, the Eagle’s Defiant is lucky to have you with us.”

Charlie picked up his duffle bag. “Shall we?” Baraccas asked and the two began walking through the crowd. “So, did you get assigned to the Eagle’s Defiant, sir?” Charlie asked as he was now curious. Baraccas shook his head. “No, I volunteered. I wanted to document and share everything I can with the rest of the galaxy. Mainly boost morale and raise spirits in hundreds of systems as well as help show means to defeat our foes. But I also wanted to take the fight to the Xanans and their slaves.”

Charlie gripped the strap on his duffle bag. Like everyone else, he hated the Xanans. A group of extraterrestrials from outside the Milky Way, proclaiming themselves to be Gods of the Ancient Times, sent forth thousands of creatures of unknown origins to attack and consume all life in the galaxy. Like many others, Charlie has not once seen these Xanans. Also like many others, Charlie had doubts that these Xanans are even gods as they proclaimed to be. They’ve had extraterrestrials from other galaxies flee to the Milky Way after their galaxies fell to the Xanans and all have heard tales of the Xanans and their followers. The Milky Way has yet to be fully consumed as many species have united to stand against the invading hordes.

The two came to a large assembly area. “Well, here’s where we’re gathered,” Baraccas said, “Not all of us are here. The others are at the fleet.” Charlie looked at the uniformed troops with their emblem, an eagle’s eye with a crosshair in the center, showed on the banner hanging on a wall. “Oh,” Baraccas stopped, “I almost forgot; you’re assigned to my squad. I will have to introduce you to the others, but it’ll have to wait.” “Why? What’s going--” Charlie began.

“ATTEEENTION!” yelled out an officer and simultaneously, everyone in the room stood in attention. Just then, a grim man with a scarred face entered the room. His red cybernetic eyes scanned the area as he began to walk further in until he spotted Charlie and the other recruits. He stepped up the stairs onto the platform for all to see and turned to face everyone. “For the new recruits, I am Colonel Alan Razan,” he began, “I am the head honcho of this outfit. I expect everyone to give all they got and nothing less. If you’re not giving your best, I will send you off to another outfit. If you run during battle, let alone think of deserting during your hour of need, I will kill you myself. Do I make myself clear?”

“SIR, YES, SIR!” cried Charlie and the other recruits in unison. Alan gave a silent nod of approval before addressing to everyone. “I just got off the horn with headquarters; not too long ago, a mining colony in the Kindla system has fallen under siege by the Dethro and the Cautons. Our mission is simple; Break the siege and push back the forces.” He then looked at the new recruits. “Make no mistake, gentlemen,” he said to them, “you are in one of the toughest outfits in the galaxy. One that is leading the charge and taking the fight to the Xanans. We know not what they look like and as we all know, they claim to be forgotten gods. When they reveal themselves, we will find out the truth. Until then, we do what we do best.” He looked to the rest of the men. “We leave in 30 minutes and rejoin the fleet. Dismissed.” He then stepped down and left the room. Those who set their things aside began collecting them as everyone prepared to leave.

Charlie couldn’t get the scar and eyes out of his head so he figured he’d ask. “If you don’t mind my asking, sir, what happened to the Colonel?” Baraccas gave a mild frown. “Rednax was responsible. Scathan filth.” he spat on the floor upon mentioning the Scathan. “The Scathans declared their loyalty to the Xanans a couple of years ago and laid waste to several colonies, leaving no survivors. We were dispatched to put a stop to their raid on Caidas and that was where the Colonel had a violent encounter with Rednax and the two fought. If you remember, Scathans can only be killed by beheading. Unfortunately, the Colonel lost his eyes during the fight but not before he took Rednax’s voice. Since then, he’s been keeping an ear out for Rednax... so he can finish the job.”

The lights in the room flickered twice, signaling the troops to leave and so they did. Upon boarding one of the shuttles, Charlie stared out through the window, observing ships arriving and departing from the Galfani Station. Soon the shuttle departed with others to rejoin the fleet. Charlie couldn’t help but stare in awe at the size of the fleet. Among the fleet was a large capital ship, the Berserkr, where most of the troops were gathered. It was this ship that Charlie’s shuttle was approaching. Charlie couldn’t wait to see what the ship is like inside.