Planet Oma, is one of sixteen planets of the yellow star Tern system in the Terron kingdom. This large blue-green planet was the only one in this system to be blessed with life. It was colonized by mankind over two hundred years ago. With its rich soil and high carbon dioxide levels, Oma became a rich agricultural world. The descendants of the original settlers have long-ago adapted to the high carbon  dioxide levels. However, visitors can find breathing difficult and are advised to bring breathing aids with them while they are on the surface. The large capital city of Wue was established not long after colonization to control the many spaceports and commercial ventures of the planet. A large police and customs force was created to regulate all of this activity. The city is now one of the top twenty most populated cities in the known universe. The Empire has had its greedy eyes on this planet for a long time. With its fertile agriculture, large population, and numerous spaceports Oma is a valuable hub of commerce and trade for all of humanity. Recently the Empire made claims to almost 100 square light years of the Terron space surrounding the Tern system along the kingdoms border. They know what a valuable prize this would be.  A few citizens took the threat seriously and quickly left Oma. The rest believe that the Empire would never actually take and occupy any of the Terron territory they where claiming. Most of the Oma people felt safe with the deterrent of being a member planet of the Terron Kingdom. However, there real faith lay with the Kingdoms four space fleets more than anything else. Then there were a few that knew something might happen. They were unsure what they should or could do when it did. They had no idea what part they were going to play in the events yet to come. ~ The morning sun filled the small bedroom through a large window. Upon a large bed a beautiful woman, with soft creamy white skin, laid asleep half covered by a bed sheet. Her long blond curls sparkled in the light of the coming day. Her subtle curves and plump hips shimmered from the rays of the warm yellow sun. Slowly a tall, handsome young man walked into the room. His dark black hair was a striking contrast to his soft, warm golden brown skin. He was only partially dressed in a gray uniform and seemed engrossed in searching for something. Walking over to the woman who was sleeping soundly, he reached out and touched her gently on the thigh. “Hu.....what?” was all she was able to murmur. “Mary, where's my tie?” he asked. Still half asleep she muttered, “Um...,” then she rolled under the covers. Quickly the man pulled the covers off of her. Her lovely figure lay there naked to the sun. The light glistened off her bare skin causing it to glow ever so slightly. “Oh honey, get up please.” he begged. “Alright dear,” she mumbled with one eye open. Slowly she sat up in the bed. “Now what's the problem, hon?” “Um....,” he was saying looking down at her with shame, “I can't find my tie, dear. You know its part of my uniform. Without it...” “Oh you men are all alike. I guess I'll always be more of a mother to you then a wife." she said letting out a big yawn. "When you lose something it's always, hey where's this, where's that, never any time for rest.” “Well after last night I'm surprised that I'm able to get you up at all. It was quite late when you finally went to sleep.” he said, finishing with a long grin. “Since you'll be gone for four months, I thought I'd get it while I could.” she replied, smiling blissfully. As he wandered into the bathroom still searching, he said, “Being the first officer of the Leaken is not as easy a job as you might think. Most of it is filling out regulation forms, having the cargo go through medical contaminate scans. If anyone leaves the ship, even just to take a breath of fresh air, you've got to have them go through the scans too. Transporting goods requires a lot of work, but to be able to see so many different places is worth it.” “Oh John, what's so great about the Leaken? It's just an old rust bucket.” Mary pouted. “Now Mary, it's my job, and I'm rather good at it. At least I'm not in the police services or the Terron military." he said returning to the bedroom. He started to frantically search one of the dresser drawers by the bed. Looking over at him Mary said, “Thank God for that. But I'm still afraid that you'll be in danger out there.” “Mary, the Leaken is an unarmed merchant vessel. Who would bother us?” John said as he combed the bottom of the drawer. “Still, there is the Empire. Remember them? They seem to be very interested in Oma as of late.” Mary explained. “You would know a lot more about that I guess since you're the native; I just came here all those years ago for a job.” John said as he started tossing things out of the drawer. John then said, as if he just forgot what they were taking about, “Dear, do you know where my tie is?” “Huh? If you cared as much about me as you do that damn tie, I'd be...” “The happiest woman in the Galaxy, I know, I know.” John interrupted, remembering her same old line.      Mary smirked at John as he laughed at her for a few seconds before returning to his search. He closed the drawer he was looking in and opened another. He quickly turned the neatly stacked items in the drawer into a disheveled heap. Mary let out a deep sigh knowing this was just another one of John's messes she would have to clean up just like always. There was no point doing anything until after he was done. Otherwise he would assume anything she just straightened up was something he hadn't gone through yet. Mary looked at the floor for a moment then with some reluctance she asked, “You won't forget to…” “I won't Mary.” John interrupted looking up at her. “Like always I'll take some of my free time to do some looking on the galactic Hyper-subspace network when I'm on the ship and see if I can find her again.” “I just wish I had the same access on the Home Network System” Mary said pointing at a desk in the corner with a computer terminal on it. “It's not good for more then simple data retrieval, video mail, and game playing.” “Well, it's a perk for me on the ship. The company pays good money for the access the ship gets. It can come in handy when we are in systems or on planets we've not been around before. Even though its not designed for looking for a person I've still had a few good leads using it. I'm sure I can find her again,” John said with a smile. “I just don't understand her. Ever since Mom and Dad died she's gone wild. I don't mind her spending all of her inheritance, but why run off all the time and not tell me where she is? ” Mary pondered. “Maybe she's just confused and feels like she needs to find herself. You know she really took it hard when you both lost your folks.” John replied as he started to rummage through the last drawer. “If not for you I might not have done so well myself.” Mary said as her eyes started to well up. John looked over and saw a tear gently roll down her cheek. “Ah Mary,” he moaned closing the dresser drawer. He walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. He tried to comfort her by caressing her shoulders. John softly wiped her tears away. They embraced and quietly kissed. Slowly, John broke away from the embrace. He walked over to the closet and began looking for his elusive tie again, leaving Mary frozen with delight. Once she realized John was no longer there she asked seductively, “John, why don't you take me with you this time? I could do the network query while you are working.” From inside the closet, John replied, “Now you know corporate policy about having unauthorized personnel on board.” A few moments later he exclaimed “Ah Ha!” He then exited the closet triumphantly with his long thin dull gray tie. He quickly started to tie it around his neck and headed for the mirror in the bathroom. “I bet you let other women on board. Probably get those pink whores from Unta II, because they've got three tits,” Mary said angrily, with an evil impish smirk. John came back into the room. He then sat down on the bed and put on his gray socks and shoes and said “Nope, there's only one girl there.” “Ah ha, I thought so!” Mary said folding her arms together, frowning. “Yeah, it's the Leaken herself," he laughed. “Why, you …," Mary blurted out as she grabbed a pillow and started hitting John with it. In turn John grabbed one and started fighting back. Quickly they both found themselves romping all over the bed. Then, as they both grew tired, they once more wound up in each others arms. They laid there in bed kissing and caressing each other ever so softly with the warm sun on them. Then suddenly out of nowhere a loud ear-splitting whine filled the room. They both jumped up off the bed. John ran to the window. Mary quickly grabbed the bed sheet and wrapped it around her. He opened the window and the loud noise increased in pitch. Mary joined her husband at the window. Through the window, as far as the eye could see, were tall elongated cone-shaped buildings that made up most of the city. Far below them were crowds of people who had stopped in the streets. Even those in transport vehicles stopped and climbed out of them. Everyone was gazing up at one of the tall Civil Service speaker towers nearest to them. Normally, these are only used in case of an emergency. Since they were being used now, everyone realized there must be something very important for them to hear. The whine finally stopped and the whole city fell silent. This was the first time the towers have been activated for a long time. In the past they had only been used to warn of extremely bad weather, but today there wasn't a cloud in the sky. This made many of the people begin to fear the worst. A loud human voice from the towers broke the silence. “This is Chief Civil Service Officer Uona. I regret to inform you that there is a Meant warship fleet now approaching Oma. I have advised the Governor of the Planet that our police and Civil forces are no match against the coming invaders. Level One personnel are advised to leave at once.” A cold loud click ended the message. It echoed throughout the city. The silent people below were now a screaming mob. They scattered up and down the street. Those with ground transport quickly jumped into them and quickly speed away. Most of them headed for the spaceports with just what they had with them. In the distance, a large police craft lumbered up into the sky. Obviously it was carrying important officials to safety. John and Mary stared at each other in terror. “Oh my god Mary! We can make it to the Leaken. She should be all ready to launch. I just hope they'll let us both on board.” John feverishly moaned. “John, what if they don't!” Mary cried, “I'm not going to face the Empire alone.” “Don't worry dear. I'm not going to leave you. I'll get you on board somehow!” he said and then kissed her. “We better grab what we can and get the hell out of here. That is unless you want to stay and become a citizen of the Empire,” John said with a half-hearted grin. “You are full of it!” Mary remarked as she ran to the closet and pulled out a dress. They stayed just long enough for Mary to dress and throw a few things in a bag. ~      With a bright flash, the seven ships of the Meant's First Fleet appeared near the planet Oma. At the lead of the fleet was the Empire's pride and joy, the Nikiala. The flagship of the First Fleet was one of the first in the Super Battleship class. She was almost three times larger than any other space warship ever built and the most powerful ever created by mankind.. Her white metallic finish softly glowed in the Tern system's sun. Huge laser guns were neatly lined up around and along the top and bottom decks of the ship. Deep inside the ship the half circle two level bridge of this vessel was calmly quite. Along the curved section of the bottom level was a line of command and control consoles. Three access doors to this level of the bridge was the only thing at the rear wall. Silent at these posts were white uniformed officers. They were staring up at an old white bearded man who stood near the edge of the balcony like second level. With his arms folded he gazed at the bridge's large two story view screen on the curved wall. Behind the old man was his large white command console and chair. The seat was almost as big as the Emperors' throne. Behind that more of his white clad bridge crew watched him intensely. They were stationed at yet another row of control banks on the rear of the second level, separated only by one access doorway. He stepped up to the edge of the curved short second level and grabbed the railing. He gazed at the image of the Planet Oma on the screen before him. Slowly he made his way over to one of the two stairways the connected the two levels. Carefully he walked down the steps while still staring at the image of Oma as it steadily grew larger on the screen. Once at the bottom level he stopped. The crew watched him with anticipation. He wiped the sweat from his scared forehead then folded his arms again. After a few more intense moments The Admiral ordered with his voice cracking. “Arm all weapon systems!” The bridge crew quickly went to work getting the ship's powerful arsenal ready. The ships main power was diverted from the sub-space drives to the ship's weapons. The Flagship's large laser cannons gradually glowed to life with power. After a few minutes the Nikiala`s helmsman barked, “All systems armed, manned, and ready sir,” “Bring the fleet into battle formation! Once established set course for a high Oma Orbit at half speed.” ordered Yet. The helmsman entered the command into his computer console. Another officer on the bridge communicated Yet's orders to the fleet. In response the fleet efficiently moved into echelon formation. Using their thrusters they maneuvered themselves behind the Flagship, three above, and three below. Once they were in position all of the large vessel's ion drives flared to life. They all began to move menacingly towards the bright blue-green world of Oma. ~ All the planets spaceports were flooded with millions of people trying to get on board any space-worthy vessel that they could find. Everyone and what they had with them, including a few animals, were jamming themselves into every available craft. The police forces seemed to have just disappeared. Some of them, the so-called important personnel, had already fled the planet. The rest were taking the best fighting police ships up into orbit to join the Oma Civil Defense Forces. Although the ships were small and poorly armed, they made themselves ready to repel the Meant fleet. The citizens that remained in the cities believed that the Empire could be stopped. Some were even arrogant enough and laughed at there neighbors as they fled. Looting and fires were becoming wide spread all over the planet. Even if the Empire was repelled, there might not be much left to come back to. It was hard to make out where the ships were in the swarms of people flooding the Wue spaceport. The Leaken was a large private merchant cargo vessel. It was only one of the many ships in the spaceport that had been preparing to launch before the Empire's fleet arrived. Upon hearing of the coming invasion, the ships cargo was dumped and people were allowed on board. The ship quickly filled, but the remaining people on the outside pounded on the hull demanding to be let in. The ships particle defense field became her only defense from the masses. The only remaining way to enter the ship and get through the shield was up an extended ramp through one small door along the side of the ship's hull. Wearing the ships standard plain gray uniform an armed crewman was holding back the flood of people. He was short, stout, and ready for anything. If brute force didn't work, a stun blast from his laser pistol surely would. A man and woman pushed there way through the noisy crowds. Finally they got to the bottom of the ramp. The couple managed to wiggle through the blockade of people onto the ramp. The man then started to walk up the ramp with the woman clinging to his side. The armed man jumped out in front of them and pointed his laser pistol at them. “Get off this ramp. We're already full! No more passengers!” he yelled. “It's me Mark, your First Officer, John Marret!”  “Oh, I'm sorry sir,” the armed man stammered after taking a good look at John. “We've been waiting for you! Hurry on board! The Captain has been worried about you!” “Great,” John replied as he and his wife ran on up the ramp. Mark lowered his weapon to let the couple past him so they could enter the ship's hatchway. The mob saw their chance and started rushing up the ramp. Mark quickly aimed his pistol back at them, slowly they backed away. John and Mary were now walking down a quiet and dark narrow corridor away from the hatch. Only a strip of light along the top of the corridor provided any light. The flood of noise from outside was replaced by the soft warm purr of the ship. They were finally able to breathe a quick sigh of relief. From out of the blackness, a tall skinny man appeared. John quickly gave him a salute as soon as he saw him. The skinny man was middle aged, but seemed in excellent physical shape. Even though he was slim, his well-formed physique could match John's. The dismal gray of his uniform was highlighted by the shinny gold command insignia on his shoulders. “Reporting in, Captain!” John snapped. With a side glance from the Captain towards Mary, John quickly introduced her. “Umm...this is my wife Mary.” Now fumbling with his words, he added, “Since things are....” “We saved the last seat just for her.”, interrupted the Captain. “All the crew members' families are on board. We had lots of room after we dumped the cargo. We took on as many people as we could. However, I couldn't leave you behind John. Come on, I'll need you for launch.” “Umm yeah,” turning towards Mary, John said, “You'll have to go to the cargo hold dear. We can't let you on the bridge. Besides it's much safer back there.” “You think they'll attack us?” Mary asked. “Who can say?” the Captain replied. A loud thud echoed down the corridor. Mark ran up to the Captain. “Sir, the hatch is secured,” Mark panted. “They made a break at me once they knew I was coming inside. Had the first bolt locked before I heard them pounding at the door.” “Good!” said the Captain. Then pointing at Mary he said. “Mark, please escort Mrs. Marret to the cargo hold to join the other passengers.” “Right this way madam.” Mark said to Mary pointing down another corridor. Mary didn't move. Then Mark tried to explain to her, “I'm sorry about earlier, but if you only knew how many people I had to fight off. Well I guess I sure shot my first impression with you.” He then smiled at her. Mary looked up at John. “Yes, honey, really he's not a bad guy, as long as he's been fed.” John chuckled. After a quick kiss on John's cheek, Mary followed Mark half heartily to the hold. “Come on John, we've got work to do,” the Captain said as he walked towards the bridge. John watched Mark and Mary until they turned the corner. He turned to find the Captain was already half way up the corridor. “Uh, yes Captain Mero, I'm coming sir.” John said as he jogged towards him. Slowly the large cargo ship lifted off the ground leaving an ocean of people that had surrounded it. The Leaken followed a long convoy of ships up into the sky. When the planet was far below the stars became visible. Just as they left orbit they could see a small battle had begun. The planet's police and Civil Defense Forces were attacking the approaching Meant fleet. The powerful Meant warships easily vaporized the small police crafts. With their powerful weapons and defense screens, the Meants were easily able to destroy the entire Oma defense force. The Meant's First Fleet entered orbit and quickly made their demands to those that were left in authority on the planet. Thousands of ships were still fleeing the planet. The Meant fleet made no effort to stop them. They were only interested in the planet below. The Empires demands were refused. The remaining Omian administrative body claimed their sovereign rights as members of the Terron kingdom. At that moment their pride was still far more important to them. In turn, the Meant fleet fired a barrage on the capital city of Wue. It was not long before the fleet received another message from the planet. The survivors from the bombardment who were still in authority quickly surrendered to the Empire. Oma was theirs! © Lee Crystal's Outpost 13 All rights reserved