Hyperspace is still a not fully understood sub-dimension of our universe. Time and space in this dimension is expanded relative to the same area in normal space. A vast transversal in normal space can be achieved by a relatively short journey in this dimension. As a result it is possible to “jump” from one point in normal space to another.       This dimension was known about even in the days of the great solar sailing ships. However, it required too vast amount of energy to be a practical means of space travel. With the discovery of the high energy element called Boriam it became possible to open a passageway and navigate through this sub-dimension. Today both space ships and communication signals utilize this shortcut through space.       Mankind can now bypass the time distortions and the restrictions of the speed of light. Without these two great discoveries humanity would still be restricted to crude solar sailing ships to explore and colonize the universe. At best they could achieve about half the speed of light and it sometimes took generations to reach the next inhabitable star system.       Stress factors and power requirements still limit just how fast and how far man can go. Even so, humanity has still managed to reach out almost half way across the galaxy.       Ironically, without these breakthroughs no vast groups of star systems would have ever been able to organize and form into a Kingdom, much less an Empire.       The battleship Uhola’s large jump engines pulsated with a soft glow as the ship made its way through a hyperspace passageway. The artificial tunnel radiated with a warm white light. It brightened and dimmed in unison with the throb of the ships main drives.       On the bridge the ships crew were busily at their stations controlling the huge vessels flight. The large bridge window was awash with the light being emitted from the hyperspace event. Through the shimmering light of the hyperspace corridor a few nearby stars could be seen moving slowly passed the ship. The tactical screen below the large window showed a three dimensional representation of these stars moving downward and past the green dot representing the Uhola at the center of the screen.       Without warning an enraged Anvo burst from the elevator at the back of the bridge. He stood there fuming in his new crisp bright red captain’s uniform with two new shinny five pointed gold stars. The bridge crew was surprised to see that Anvo’s normal calm cool demeanor had disappeared.       “What the Hell is going on here!” he exclaimed. “Why have we abruptly undocked and jumped away from Space Base twenty-four?       Ever so slowly the Captain’s chair swiveled around. To Anvo’s dismay Neval Marn was sitting there looking up at him with a broad smile on his face.       “I bet you dug that out and put it on as soon as you heard I left the ship back at the station,” said Neval with a smirk. “I also suspect you gave orders to move all your crap into the Captains quarters too.”       With confusion Anvo mumbled, “I don’t understand? I was given commission of the Uhola, you were…”       “Retired? Yes I was. It seems my retirement was rescinded as soon as I left the ship, as well as your commission I might add. Evidently there is a shortage of well seasoned officers so the mandatory retirement age has just been rescinded,” Neval said with his scratchy voice while smiling with glee.       Now red faced Anvo screamed, “I must protest this is an outrage!”       “You can file a formal grievance when we get back. Right now we are responding to an emergency distress call from the D.K.S. Renee. Our orders are…”       Anvo interrupted, “When the royal family hears about this offense to one of their own, heads will roll I promise you!”       Neval quickly jumped up and snapped back, “Your kind disgusts me. You’re all a bunch of do nothings that ride on the skirt tails of their affluent ancestors. Look here you punk, just because your blood ties to the royal house got you your commission still doesn’t give you any special rights on my ship!”       Anvo stared back at Neval, red faced and boiling with anger.       Curtly the Captain ordered, “Barry change that uniform and report to your old post!”       “Its bad enough you take my command, but I will not be insulted with my first name. Upon my father’s death, being the eldest son I now only carry the family name.”       “I know all to well about that ancient right, but I don’t think you deserve it ,” Neval snapped back.       “How dare you, you old fossil!” shouted Anvo as he took a swing at the Captain.       Neval easily avoided the punch and quickly reached out and grabbed Anvo by the throat. Anvo found himself frozen in the powerful grip of the old mans right hand. Slowly the Captain pulled him closer while Anvo was gasping for air. As the Captain’s fingers tightened around the young mans neck a long grin formed on his lips. He parted them and blew his hot breath into Anvo’s face. With only one hand the Captain was slowly cutting off Anvo's air supply. Anvo struggled franticly and tried to break free. Slowly the young man started to lose consciousness and for the first time in his life Anvo was terrified.       The bridge crew was stunned. They had heard about Deveron officers thinning the ranks of insubordinate members like this in long ago days, but never in modern times.       Suddenly the battleships sirens exploded to life. Red lights lit up the entire bridge.       “Sir, we have multiple targets!” yelled out a young female officer at the tactical station.       Neval turned his head as far as he could to see the display screen. He saw four yet unidentified dots at the top of the tactical display. He stared back at Anvo. The young man started turning a pale blue. Neval fixed his eyes on Anvo’s Captains stars. With a snort he reached over with his left hand and ripped one of them off and tossed it to the flloor.       “Now Anvo you know your proper place!” the Captain barked.       With a flick of his wrist Neval let Anvo go and headed towards the bridges tactical screen. Anvo collapsed to the floor in a heap, gasping for breath.       The Captain walked up behind the pilot’s helm to get a better look over the situation. With a gesture of his hand the warning sirens were quickly shut down. The red lights were replaced with the normal warm white lighting. He gazed up at the screen intensely.       Anvo crawled over to his tactical station and waved off the lady officer who was manning it. Slowly he climbed up into his chair still holding his throat and panting for air.       “Well, what do you make of it?” bellowed the Captain with his eyes transfixed on the screen.       “We are closing in on four unknown targets,” replied Anvo softly as he checked over his console.       The four dots on the top edge of the screen started to descend.       Glancing back Neval barked, “Anvo... are they...”       While still looking over his console Anvo quickly replied, “Doing a full scan now sir.”       Anvo typed franticly on his console. His terminal’s screen flashed multiple lights up into his face. Patiently he looked over the data.       “ANVO!” growled the Captain.       “Shit!” exclaimed Anvo, “They are Meant warships, and in our space!”       Neval quickly backed up and sat in his command chair while managing to keep his eyes glued to the main screen the whole time.       The Captain glimpsed over at his communications officer’s shinny bald head. He asked with anxiety, “Can we raise the Renee' Officer Cal?”       “Her signal has faded and there is no reply to our hails either sir,” stated Cal with his face still buried in his console.       “Captain, I've picked her up on long range scanners,” said Anvo. He paused for a few moments to check his scan results. With a heavy sigh he added, “No life forms aboard. I'm only getting large radiation readings from her. She's dead in space.”       Neval quietly looked over at Anvo and he returned the stare. They were both growing angry, but not with each other. Revenge for their fallen comrades began to burn in both of their hearts.       Captain Neval looked back at the tactical display. The four dots were moving towards the dot at the center of the screen.       He calmly wiped a sudden cold sweat from his brow and shouted, “Bring us out of hyperspace, bring up the ion engines to half speed.” Pausing he looked around, giving Anvo an extra long over. “Battle Stations!” he bellowed.       Suddenly the ship appeared in normal space with a white flash.       Alert sirens rang out and red lights blinked on and off as the crew ran to their combat posts. Soon everyone was ready and quiet. Only the alerts ringing echoed throughout the ship.       “Raise force screens,” ordered the Captain.       With a stroke of a key on his console Anvo responded, “Up sir.”       “Stand by main guns, lock and fire when we are in range. All other weapons crews are to fire at will, once in range,” barked Neval as he clinched his teeth.       “Aye,” wheezed Anvo while wiping fresh perspiration from his brow. Then under his breath Neval heard him mumble, “It won’t be much of a match against their photon shields and weapons.”       Neval gazed over at his first officer and replied, “How true, out gunned and out matched, it isn't the first time.”       Anvo looked up at his Captain realizing he must have heard him and said, “Yes sir.”       Neval ordered, “Give me magnified view on screen.”       As he looked back at the tactical screen the four dots disappeared and four shinny white Imperial Meant Warships appeared on the screen. The gun batteries of the enemy ship began to glow as they slowly headed towards them. They were close enough now that four small lights could be seen through the main bridge window.       “Cal,” said Neval softly as he stared up at the powerful vessels on the screen.       “Yes sir,” replied the communications officer.       “Send out a distress call. There may not be time to do so later.” said the Captain coolly.       “Aye sir,” Com replied with a gulp.       “We're now in range sir!” screamed Anvo.       “Then fire! FIRE!" shouted the Captain.  ©Lee Crystal's Outpost 13 All rights reserved