Distance

Close To Home

                                                                                          Distance

                                                                                     Chapter One

                                                                                   Close To Home

"The recent incident along the Spartan Trade Route, near the Spartan homeworld, has caused much political strife to develop from the Outer Spartan Colony worlds, who are blaming the Confederate Systems of the Terran Alliance and the Alliance's Merchant Marines for the loss of six Militia soldiers in the incident. Tensions were already high between the Alliance and colonists and spacers alike due to the all Terran Parliament officials in the council. The Spartans, who's Cold War with the Alliance has only recently ended, is now demanding that action betaken in the wake of the tragedy. The incident, which involved an Alliance Merchant Marine cruiser, the United Exploratory Council Broken Arrow, firing six shots from a Mass Driver at the Spartan Militia destroyer the Ebon Hawk. Reports from the crew of the Broken Arrow and subsequently the Alliance have claimed that the ship was illegally operating. While other sources from the Spartan Senate Represenatative, the Spartan Hierarchy have claimed that the ship was in fact registered with the United Exploratory Council. The United Exploratory Council has acknowledged these claims and has stated that they are currently searching their files for the ship. However,considering the supernova disrupting electronics in the UEC homesystem, and how the UEC currently has close to 100 billion vessels registered, this could be a lengthy process. Recent Alliance reports have listed former Miera Mechanics and Merchant Marine Technician James Doyen Foster as the acting Captain during the incident. As to why he was captaining the vessel was unknown, but the Alliance Parliament officials have suspected mutiny to be the most likely reason. Foster's current whereabouts are unknown, but if and when he is found he is expected to be handed over to Spartan officials for charges of terrorism, treason, and insubordination. Further investigation is currently on-going. I'm Michelle Tonner, Alliance News"

"Thanks Michelle. In other news, more unrest and violence in the ColonialExpanse as the mysterious Genetist Republic has continued their war against the Alliance and attacked the colony of First Step. The invasion occurred early yesterday morning, October 13th,and an Alliance fleet has been sent to halt their progression..."

James sat with a disgruntled, distressed look on his face. Almost a full twelve months after the incident and they all still remember his face like it was only a few hours ago. He would have thought that they'dforgotten his name after that long. He kept drinking, drinking away the pain of having caused the deaths of 6 men and women while also trying to think about what he was going to do for the rest of his life. He had an account loaded with money but he only had 800 Saires on him. And it wouldn't get him very far. He knew it. He was finished drinking, he threw down 30 Saires to pay for his drink and walked over to the entrance of the bar.