The Story Of Andrew Shepard

[Switchback]

Andrew Was Reading the News on the Neural Net when Maria, his ex-Gunnery Control Officer, Walked into the room he was in.
Maria: "What is this?" as she Mentioned to the Sirius book Page of Andrew
"its a Sirius book Page?"
"I didnt know you where single..."
"Its Complicated..."
"Sure it is. Well, The Neural Net Comm System was back online. I got a message from my Friend in the Liberty Navy."
"Oh. Lets Try connecting to Corfu Station. See how the Apollo is Shaping up."

As Andrew Keyed the Communication Terminals Power Button, Maria Came close, putting her head on his shoulder.
"You Dont Mind, Do you?"
Andrew, who was kind of astonished at maria's Move, Sputtered "uh...no... not at all."

Andrew Checked the Comm logs, and there was a Recent Message Sent by Owen Wilson, his XO and Captain of the skeleton Crew that was Overseeing the Final Preparations for Launch.

**Begin Message 11473264**
" Sir, Most of the Systems are operational. We are Having some problems with the Science Equipment, but nothing to serious. We will be Operational shortly. And sir, You got your leather Command Seat."
**Message Terminated**

After Both Andrew and Maria had read over the Message Twice, Andrew said "Lets Get Over to Corfu Station. Looks like Its Time to Birth a ship. Right Before Maria could speak, A new Comm Message popped up.

**Begin Message 11473265**
"Shepard, Corfu Station Has been Attacked. We were Able to get Most our Systems online to defend the base, but we where ill Prepared. We held back the unknown Attackers while Corfu Radioed the Nearest Zoner Defense Force Squadron. We where down to 10% Shields when the ZDF Squadrons Arrived. Corfu was Damaged, and we have Retreated into a Asteroid Field. We Were able to get a sizable Chunk of non-combat personnel off Corfu Before The Attack. We Will Get them Back to Corfu once our Weapon Systems have a chance to cool off. But hey, this was probably the best way to See if a ship is Spaceworthy. And i must tell you. This ship is MORE than spaceworthy. Hamlin out.
**Message Terminated**

Maria gasped as she read the Message, but Andrew Kept Silent.
After Reading it, Andrew Proclaimed" Lets go. We need to grab the first Shuttle to Corfu Station immediately.

With that they rushed out to catch the first Ship to Corfu.

---

Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.