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dials, trying to get the picture to stabilize. Finally realizing that the problem was with the camera and not the monitor, the soldier looked up just in time for the camera to hit him in the face, knocking him out.
    The remains of Alpha Squad egressed the gully and made it to freedom.
    “Black Cat, huh?” asked Calvin.
    Mongo nodded. “They say cats have nine lives. I don’t know how many he has left, but it can’t be more than two or three.”
     

Chapter 3
     
     

Bridge, TSS Vella Gulf , Grrrnow, 61 Virginis, May 20, 2021
    “Five minutes to the Gliese 676 stargate,” reported the helmsman.
    “Good luck in your quest,” said Emperor Yazhak from the front view screen. “Remember, you promised to bring my fighters back without a scratch.”
    “I’ll do my best,” said Captain Sheppard.
    “I would also like it if you brought my grandson back in a similar condition,” the emperor added, looking over Captain Sheppard’s shoulder to where Lieutenant Rrower stood. As he had during the Vella Gulf’s previous mission, the Mrowry would serve as the ambassador for his civilization. In addition to his diplomatic status, he had also proven his skills in a number of other tasks, including fighting alongside the Gulf’s platoon of space marines when he was needed.
    “I will do my best,” Captain Sheppard repeated. “ Vella Gulf , out.” The screen went blank as he terminated the transmission. “Duty Engineer, sound General Quarters!” Captain Sheppard ordered.
    “Aye aye, sir!” said the engineer, who was seated next to the helmsman at the front console. Responsible for all of the damage control systems, he was also in charge of the General Quarters alarm. “ Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! ” sounded the bell. It was followed by the engineer’s call of “General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations!” Setting General Quarters prior to transit was standard practice; the air crews also manned up all 12 of the ship’s space fighters. You never knew what was waiting on the other side of a stargate.
    “Helmsman, full speed to the stargate!” Captain Sheppard ordered. Under his breath he added, “Once more unto the breach.”
     
     

Bridge, TSS Vella Gulf , HD 69830, May 30, 2021
    “Entry into the HD 69830 system,” said Steropes. The journey had taken 10 days, crossing through the systems of Gliese 676, Mu Arae and Epsilon Indi, but they had finally arrived at the Aesir’s home system. “HD 69830 is a yellow-orange dwarf star that has a mass of 86 percent of Sol’s, 89 percent of its diameter, and 45 percent of its luminosity. There are three large Neptune-like planets in the system that all lie fairly close to the star, with a large asteroid belt in between the orbits of the second and third planets.”
    “And this is the home system of the Aesir?” asked Captain Sheppard. “Which planet do they live on?”
    “None of them, actually,” replied Steropes. “The third planet, Asgard, has a mass of about 18 times that of Terra. Although the planet isn’t Earth-like, it does have a moon that is.”
    “The moon’s name is Golirion,” said Captain Nightsong, “That is our birth world.” He paused and then added, “It is good to be home.”
    “Didn’t Steropes say there was an asteroid belt close to the planet?” Captain Sheppard asked. “Don’t you have a problem with asteroid impacts?”
    “Not anymore,” replied Captain Nightsong. “The frequency of asteroid impacts throughout our history led us to have a very close relationship with nature, and it was the primary reason we became a space-faring race. Each asteroid impact set our culture back hundreds of years; we had to get off our moon so we could keep the asteroids from hitting us.”
     
     

Bridge, TSS Vella Gulf , HD 69830, Approaching Golirion, May 31, 2021
    “We are approaching the third planet,” said Ensign Sara Sommers from the science station. She gave a puzzled look to the Aesir who had come onto the