Free The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book Four) by Raymond L. Weil

covered the entire crater and the immediate area next to it. There was
even a scattering of greenery around the Fleet Academy where grass and trees had
been planted. From their high location above the crater, people could be seen
out walking, going from building to building or just out for a casual afternoon
stroll. Outside the dome, Jeremy could see weapon turrets and other
emplacements on the dark, desolate surface, a stark reminder as to why the Fleet Academy was here.
    “This memorial
does great service to your father,” spoke Kevin, respectfully.
    He was
standing in front of a large granite obelisk that towered nearly ten meters above
him. On its face were depicted two men, Admiral Jason Strong and Greg Johnson.
    A short
inscription read, “From this site, men from the planet Earth first gazed upon
the Avenger. This discovery sent the human race to the stars.”
    “The academy
has grown so large,” added Angela, feeling awe at all that had been done.
    There was very
little resemblance to the old academy she was so familiar with. From what they
had been told, the academy now graduated nearly one thousand Fleet officers
every year. Angela was dressed in a dark blue fleet uniform with the rank of
lieutenant.
    All four of
them had found that they had a lot of adjusting to do; everyone they had known
and grown up with were gone. It was a new day and age, and the war with the
Hocklyns was nearing. They had been allowed to leave Ceres as part of their
mental therapy that Doctor Reynolds was closely monitoring. She had thought it
would be good for all four of them to make this trip.
    “My father and
mother left a number of recordings for me,” Kelsey said quietly, feeling a tear
form in her eye. “It’s strange to hear their voices after all of this time and
know I will never see them again.”
    “We were all
left messages,” Jeremy replied in understanding, knowing how she was feeling.
    He had
listened to several from his mother and father. He had been immensely pleased
to learn that his younger brother had gone on to serve in the Fleet and had
done quite well. His parents had continued their mission to bring Earth up to
Federation levels of living and science, and then finally they had introduced
the Federation survivors to the world. He had watched a short video of that
historic announcement.
    “What now?” asked
Kevin, turning to glance over at Jeremy.
    “We’re going
to spend a few days down on Earth and then report back to Ceres,” answered Jeremy,
looking over at his close friend. “Perhaps we can find out what our assignments
will be.”
    “I hope we can
all stay together,” Angela said with a brief sigh. “I don’t know what I would
do if they were to split us up.” She was also ready to go down and visit Earth.
    They were
going to visit the sites where Kevin and Angela’s parents were buried. Doctor
Reynolds had felt this would be a good form of closure. Jeremy’s own father and
mother were interned on the far side of the obelisk, as well as a few others
who had been important during those early days.
    Jeremy took
one last look at the headstone that marked his parent’s final resting place and
then started down the slope toward the Fleet Academy. A set of wide stairs had
been cut into the slope to make access to the obelisk easy. Every student at
the academy was required to make the trip to the obelisk at least once since it
was an important part of their history.
    -
    On Ceres, Admiral
Streth was meeting with a group of officers to discuss the command makeup of
his attack force. He understood from talking to Fleet Admiral Johnson that the
entire Ready Reserve was in the process of being updated and fully modernized
and should be ready for combat in less than six months. That was when he would
launch his attack.
    “A first
strike against the Hocklyns,” Colonel Sheen spoke, her eyes looking thoughtful.
“Can it succeed?” She had never considered such a possibility.
    “They are
giving us