Chapter 1
Ender was sitting in his chair as he pressed a button on his armrest and said, “Captain’s log star date 2341.2, the USS Endeavor is on its way to Starbase 11 for repairs following the damage we sustained from attempting to breach the Galactic Barrier.” Petra was watching her monitor and interrupted Ender and said, “Sir seniors detect objects ahead, possibly debris!” Ender looked over at Petra for a brief moment and pressed the same button before he looked forward and said, “Helm drop to 2/3 impulse, steady as she goes!” Joachim replied, “Aye sir.” Petra left her seat and stood next to Ender and said, “Definitely something out their captain.” From the view screen they watched as rocks and meteors passed and the red alert alarm goes off and Joachim says, “Proximity warning sir!” Ender said, “Steady as she goes helm.” Joachim replied (trying to control his anxiety), “Yes sir.” Joachim pressed a couple of buttons and said, “Proximity roundabout turns activated sir.” The Endeavor maneuvered around the space debris as it still continued on its course. A beeping noise is heard from communications and the Centaurian crewman said, “Sir we are passing through an old style distress signal!” Ender looked over and Petra went back to her station and pressed a few buttons as Ender looked over at her and said, “What is it commander?” Petra replied, “According to analysis and signal identification the signal comes from the starship SS Columbia!” Ender stood up and looked forward as he pressed a button on his armrest and the transparent glass monitors appeared from the floor and ceiling and the route of the SS Columbia was shown in front of him till it stopped where the Columbia vanished and Petra said, “It disappeared in this region 22 years ago in an attempt to colonize the Vega colony.” Joachim said, “22 years ago ships at that time had flawed navigation and had the maximum speed of warp 2.” The view screen in front of Ender changed to a solar system and Petra said, “The signal is coming from the Talos star group. An area never explored and contains eleven planets, fourth planet from the sun is class M.” Petra stops and looks at Ender and says, “Oxygen atmosphere.” Joachim says, “Then that means they are still alive.” Ender pressed the button on his armrests and the screens retracted as he sat back down and said, “If the survived the crash and if they are still alive after 22 years.” Petra looked confused and said, “We are not going to Talos IV?” Ender replied, “Without indication of survivors no. Continue to Starbase 11. Once our ship is fully repaired and we have authorization then we will go investigate this Talos IV. Commander Arkanian you have the con.” He stood up and went to the turbo lift as Petra and Joachim looked at each other in confusion once the turbo lift doors closed.
Ender went straight to his quarters and flopped down on his bed and before he knew it he was fast asleep. When he opened his eyes he saw Petra was sitting on his lap staring down at him smiling as Ender rubbed his eyes and said, “What are you doing here?” Petra replied, “I guessed you passed out for four hours. I took the liberty of making you comfortable.” Ender looked around and noticed he was tucked in bed with his boots and uniform top off and laid back smiling and said, “You know Petra, I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should spend some of that leave we are given, alone.” Petra smiled and tried to keep from laughing and said, “Is this your attempt to ask me out on a date?” Ender looked at her and smiled and said, “What if I said yes?” Petra leaned over and kissed him and Ender said, “I love you.” Petra said, “I know, ever since we were in that escape pod.” And she leaned down on top of him and they began to passionately make love.
