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get inside the force field of one of their most advanced ships and start flying around the ship inside the force field.”
    Kenny thought about it and started laughing as well, “Now that might be something worth seeing.”
    “You will, Sir. I’ll be sending a video feed back showing everything that happens.” Mikal paused, “If I’m unable to penetrate the force field then I will have saved the men in my Wing. We won’t waste our resources building a ship that isn’t effective against our enemy. Either way, it’s something worth doing.”
    “We could send a large number of ships to make this determination.”
    “If you do that you run the risk of giving away too much. The risk is also greater that many ships will be forced to self-destruct to avoid capture. No, one ship is the most effective way to make this happen.”
    Kenny stood up and said, “I wish you success, Captain. Captain Barber will provide you with all the information we’ve been able to gather on the best probable places to find one of their advanced civilizations.” He looked at Loree and said, “Make sure he has the most current information we have. I would also recommend you contact the Hive Master and see if he has anything to offer Captain Roman in the way of new information.”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    Kenny left the room and Loree said, “If you’re hell bent on killing yourself, I’ll try to assist you in going out with a bang.”
    Roman laughed, “I think it’ll be a blast.”
    Loree didn’t want to but she laughed, “Let’s get to work.” Loree saw the captain wasn’t insane; he was brave to a fault. It was also a shame to waste such a beautiful man as well.
    • • •
    Kenny hit his panel and said, “Bob, RV will be back tomorrow. He request’s that we meet him here on the Tampa and update him on what’s happened in his absence. Are you available?”
    “I am. What time?”
    “It’s eight p.m. ship time here. He suggested ten a.m.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Thanks, Bob.”

Chapter Four
    R V listened to the two admirals and remained quiet except for a few clarifying questions for more than two hours. That changed when Bob said, “George and I sent Captain Roman here to Kenny to prepare for his mission.”
    RV said, “What mission?”
    “I just told you we were going to trial the new attack craft against one of the Majors’ most advanced ships.”
    “I thought you were going to do that in our next battle?”
    “No, Captain Roman will be going to find one and confront it.”
    “Just how was this Captain selected?”
    “He volunteered.”
    “He did?”
    “Yes Sir, he did. We did all we could to talk him out of it.”
    Kenny said, “I recorded the meeting I had with him. I’ll play it for you on the display.” The video started and RV watched the young Captain refuse to be persuaded to not go.”
    “Where is he now?”
    “He’s been working with my Executive Officer getting ready to go. They’ve been viewing footage of the last battle with the Majors to decide which civilization he was going to attack.”
    “Take me to him.”
    Kenny looked at Bob and then said, “You’re not going to talk him out of it.”
    “Take me to him!”
    “Yes Sir, follow me.”
    RV and Bob followed Kenny to the Tampa’s main conference room and found Mikal and Loree were sitting at a table watching the display with thousands of ships being destroyed. When they saw RV enter the room they both jumped to attention. RV said, “As you were.” They sat back down and RV said, “You will not be making this mission, Captain.”
    Mikal said, “Is that an order?”
    “It is.”
    “Then you will be responsible for the loss of life in my wing if this new ship fails.”
    “I didn’t say the mission was not going to be done; I just said you weren’t going to do it.”
    “Then who is?”
    RV said, “I am.”
    The room burst into an uproar with Kenny, Bob, and Loree protesting the decision. RV ignored everyone else and kept his