S.O.U.N.D./S.I.L.ENCE: Howland Four-23

S.O.U.N.D.

The bell rang, and the class grew quiet. The teacher rose from her desk and made her way to the light switch. A small hand rose from the mass of silent children.

"Miss? Why are you turning off the light?"

"Because," Miss Kelly said as she walked over to the board, "today we are going to watch a Vid-Gram."

The children suddenly began to cheer as Miss Kelly tapped on the board. Immediately, the board lit up with a blue light, and in the center, a symbol appeared.

The class fell silent. The symbol, a black shield emblazoned with a golden, ringed planet and three gold stars, floated off the board. The hologram began to slowly spin as the mature, authoritative voice of an older man came over the boards speakers.

"In the year 2021, Scientists discovered a way to travel faster than light. This invention presented the opportunity to explore the universe and expand the human race. As a result, the nations of Earth united to form the S.U.N. The Sovereignty of United Nations, and together, in the year 2024, successfully established a human colony on the planet XFT-34561, which was renamed Eden. By the year 2030, humanity had established over 100 colonies across the galaxy. But, with the rise of the Colonies, so too was the rise of outlaws. Pirates and Rebels, wanting to break away from the S.U.N., traveled from colony to colony, planet to planet, killing hundreds of innocents, and stealing countless treasures. In order to stem the tide of tyranny, and to uphold galactic justice, The S.U.N. created S.O.U.N.D. The Sovereignty Of United Nations Defense. Then, from the year 2046 to the year 2048, the S.O.U.N.D. fought the AMF, the Amauta Miners Force, in a long war the took place both on countless planets, and in their orbit. It was in these battles the the S.O.U.N.D. proved it's military might on the ground, and it's superior strategy and firepower in ship-to-ship battles."

The shield then morphed into the shape of an old, grizzled man in a military uniform. The old man spoke.

"I am Fleet Admiral Arcturus. I am the man in charge of all of S.O.U.N.D., but I am not the one who keeps you safe. The soldiers of S.O.U.N.D. are the ones who fight for you, and die for you. They are the ones who travel the galaxy, keeping all of humanity safe and sound. They are Heroes. Do you have what it takes to be a Hero?"

Admiral Arcturus saluted, and morphed back into the SOUND Emblem. The entire class was in awe, and began to talk to each other about what they had seen. Many thought that the Vid was "cool". A few didn't like it. But for one boy, that Vid changed his fate.

Hector Howland, age 6, has decided to become a hero.

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S.O.U.N.D./S.I.L.ENCE: Howland Four-23

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