Chronicles of Aria Prime, Episode One

Chronicles

  of

  Aria Prime

  Episode One

  Published by AJ Reissig

  ©2013 AJ Reissig. All Rights reserved.

  Edited by Todd Barselow

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  About the Author

  Prologue

  “So what do you think of the Wolverine, Colonel?”

  Colonel Christopher Nash gazed at General Henson seated across the desk from him. Half-squinted, icy blue eyes peered back. The older officer had a face that spoke of decades of hardship. A scar ran from chin to temple, nearly splitting the man’s face in two. The scar was accentuated by a network of fine lines and rough stubble.

  “A first-rate ship, sir,” Nash replied. “I’ve been on her a few times in the past week. She makes the Trident seem like a relic. Bigger guns, more powerful engines—”

  “Neptune and back in two minutes, last engine test.”

  “—and a lot bigger. The bridge and crew quarters are huge compared to the Trident.”

  The general chuckled. “Remember the quarters on the Excalibur?”

  A faint smile tugged at the corner of Nash’s mouth. “How could I forget? Me and Foreman shared a room that could barely fit two bunks and a desk. Excalibur was built for combat, not comfort.”

  Henson nodded his head. The chuckle faded and his face returned to its usual, ice-cold demeanor. “So what’s up, Chris?”

  “Nothing, sir. I’m excited and honored to take command of the Wolverine.”

  “Huh-uh. Don’t bullshit me. I know when something’s bothering you. What’s the deal? Out with it.”

  Nash stood, walked to the office window, and stared into the darkness of space.

  “I’ve been the CO of the Trident for ten years. She’s become part of me. And now she's going to join the mothballed wing on Moonbase Five. I feel like the kid who’s leaving home for the first time, or who just lost his best friend.”

  “I can respect that. I know what it was like when they put this star on my collar and I took over base operations.”

  “Well, at least I don’t have to worry about that happening to me.”

  “No,” the general said through clenched teeth. “For better or for worse, Command only promotes Academy graduates to general officer.”

  Nash faced Henson once again. “That’s fine by me. Last thing I want is to pilot a desk like you. Sir.”

  “I thought you’d say something like that,” the general said while rubbing his chin. “Probably right, though. Space cowboy like you would go nuts in a place like this.” He tapped his index finger on the desk. “How’s prep for the final mission of the Trident?”

  “We’ll launch on schedule,” Nash replied as he sat down. “Not a lot of prep needed for a mission like this.”

  “I know. Running supplies and colonists to the settlements on Alpha Ceres isn’t all that exciting, but it’s an important mission. Command’s top priority is to populate the outer ring.”

  “Which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense with how sparsely populated Earth is.”

  “I don’t disagree, but we both have our orders.”

  Nash nodded. “Sir, unless there’s anything else, I need to get back to the Trident. Four second lieutenants reporting for duty at eleven hundred hours.”

  “Kids from the Academy?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Better get moving then. Dismissed.”

  Nash stiffened and quickly rendered a salute. After the general returned the gesture, Nash spun on his left heel and headed for the door.

  “Colonel Nash.”

  “Sir?”

  “Good Luck.”

  “Thank you, sir.”