Rick Peterson was just like any other man, except he wasn't a man. He was a boy. He was, in many ways, like your regular boy. But this boy was a marine. Or, at least a cadet. He was born in the year 2528. The year is 2538. It is exactly February 14, 2538. His 10th birthday. He's just getting to his sparring class when the loudspeakers come blaring to life. It's for him! Whatever the higher ups want from Rick, it could either make or break him.