Distant Hope

CHAPTER 17 - LISA

Weeks had passed and Lisa had made it to Zantaya and had got her old ship the Avenger. Yet news of the Iquan invasion was already under way.

Onboard the ship was a message from General Nireen for Lisa to goto urgently for a mission to Earth that could not be sent over radio in case somebody was listening.

Lisa nodded and understood ship emerging in the Terran system weeks later and she approached Earth and landed at Tokyo spaceport.

Lisa got the magtrain and she headed to a tall rectangular skyscraper with the top quarter covered in a thick nimbostratus cloud that loomed over the Tokyo skyline. It was home to this part of the Alliance and was officially known as sector five and it controlled other nearby star systems.

As she entered the building she noticed the opulence of marble flooring and in front of her was a large reception desk manned by a petite black African woman who was talking through a headset "Hold please, line 1" Lisa heard as she saw the receptionist and smiled.

In Lisas left hand was a box of data crystals containing information on the Iquan she wasn't sure who to talk to.

The receptionist looked to her and spoke with an American accent "How can I help you?"

Lisa looked to her and noticed in the distance armed guards and she knew that the Alliance was on high alert after the destruction of the Punan "I'm not sure, but I need speak to someone about the Punan."

Lisa showed her some footage of the Iquan and the receptionist nodded picking a phone and talking quietly.

Lisa sat on a low sofa that looked onto a large square with babbling fountains.

A distant voice spoke to her "I understand you have something for us?"

Lisa turned to see a human male wearing thin glasses and he was of medium height, white skinned with a Martian accent.

"Yes I do."

The gentlemen looked to her "I'm Gareth Juleny. I am assistant to the head of security for this part of the Alliance. Please follow me."

Lisa nodded and walked with Gareth in a glass elevator that ascended to a mid level office located just off a grey carpeted corridor. As she entered the room was equipped with a desk, computers and soft furnishings.

Sat in a distant chair was the head of security for sector five of the Alliance. Gareth left the room and Lisa was left alone with a man of oriental appearance and he was six foot tall and had a firm hand grip as Lisa shook his hand as she sat down.

"I'm Senator Green responsible for the Alliance in this part of the galaxy. You've caught us at a bad time. Our President is away on business at the moment."

Lisa handed him the data crystals and Senator Green pressed a holographic viewer showing information on the Iquan.

Senator Green looked to the screen "This is why you have come I see."

Lisa continued "They have invaded Edenia and killed the Punan."

Senator Green looked to her with a concerned look "We know your friend Congressman John Smith alerted us weeks ago but this is the first time we have seen invasion. The mission is that our President is only a few systems away from what was once the Punan homeworld. Unfortunately we only have enough ships to defend Earth but the rest are on maneuvers and are at least two weeks away. Your friend Congressman John Smith reenlisted in the military before being assigned the Nosan where he was on a secret mission to Laquain his ship barely survived an Iquan battle. In so doing our President was left behind the Congressman couldn't have known and his ship was on the verge of blowing up but we have learnt that it survived as we scoured the wreck weeks later with an automated probe".

Senator Green stroked his chin and looked at a copy of Lisa's file "I see you've got military experience."

Lisa responded "Some I was a navy pilot until ten years ago."

Senator Green looked up and continued "You where at the Nonan incident. Have taken courses in hand to hand combat. Your record says that you left the military and have had a successful career as a freighter captain and you have even rescued Quinon miners when they where trapped on an asteroid digging for Yopanite. It seems you can take care of yourself."

Lisa was wary as Senator Green smiled "I would like to hire you."

Lisa eyes narrowed "Hire me?"

Senator Green nodded "Let me be straight. The Iquan has got everyone scared. Our ships are stretched. What is left is protecting key planets and targets throughout the Alliance not to mention most of our ships are being refitted or new ones being built. In short we need your help. I want you to go and get our President back."

Lisa looked to him "When?"

Senator Green smiled "As soon as you can?"

Lisa nodded in agreement "I'll do it."

Senator Green handed her details of the mission and Lisa left the building.

Gareth emerged from a side room and looked to Senator Green "Do you think she can do it?"

Senator Green looked to him "If she can then no one can."

Lisa left Tokyo heading out of the city to the spaceport to her ship. As she got to her ship she walked onto the bridge and reviewed a secret file showing the Presidents position located on the edge of Punan space.

As she looked to the file and looked to a nearby screen with orange icons showing the location of the ship  she knew that it was close to the Punan system. Lisa was aware that the enemy would be close by and had been operating in that area since defeating the Punan a few weeks earlier.

Yet she realised that she needed her crew who where stationed on Peridima station. She launched the Avenger through the blueness of Earths atmosphere entering the hyper gate on the far side of Earths moon.