.....10.....9.....8.....7.....6.....5.....4.....3.....2.....1....."Fold commenced Admiral Slin."

"Yoeman Brom give me the numbers."

"Aye sir... we're in the pipe Admiral, five by five, the Bluebird's maiden voyage is now underway."

As he settled in to his rather luxurious seat on the flight deck of the Selushian Armada's flag ship, the Bluebird, Admiral Slin felt a wash of emotions come over him. Pride at the thought of being named the flag ship's Admiral, sorrow at the thought of leaving his wife and two daughters behind and most of all anticipation of the outcome of the mission ahead.

This was only the first of many folds they had to make to reach their objective. They had at least a dozen folds ahead of them if the star maps were accurate. They would be spending months in relatively unknown space between folds. This was Selusha's largest offensive in their five million year history of war and conquest. The weight of his responsibilities was a heavy one. Five hundred thousand vessels at his command, more than ten billion Selushian lives, exactly twenty percent of the entire Selushian Armada.

smiling to self..."God help our enemies."

"What was that Admiral?"

"Did I address you directly Lt. Commander Jage?"

"No sir."

"Then shut your fucking mouth."

"Aye sir."

One fold left to their objective. Admiral Slin is in his quarters enjoying a coconut martini, his favorite...

intercom..."Admiral?"

"Yes Commander?"

"Incoming communique from Prime Minister Athena."

"Patch her in to my quarters."

"Aye sir."

The vidscreen is amazingly clear considering the distance between them. Prime Minister Athena's beauty never ceases to all but stupify Admiral Slin. Her long flowing red hair, almond shaped green eyes and white marble skin are enough to go to war for alone.

"Admiral."

"Prime Minister Athena...to what do I owe this...."

"I'm going to stop you right there Admiral Slin. My news is not good. I will get right to the point...I am sorry to inform you of the unfortunate and untimely deaths of your daughters this morning in a traffic accident in the Capital City of Thora, Selusha. My sincere condolences go out to you and your wife Daysa Slin. Good luck with your mission Admiral, Selusha's future is in your hands."

"....................................."

.....5.....4.....3.....2.....1....."Exiting final fold Admiral."

"Give me the numbers Yoeman Brom."

"Aye sir...eighty percent of the fleet is through the fold. The remaining twenty percent are due within eleven minutes."

"I'll be in my quarters."

"Aye sir."

The Admiral sits at his desk in his private quarters staring through the port holes at a solar system he does not recognize. The only things in front of him are a pen and paper.

intercom..."Admiral your presence is required on the flight deck IMMEDIATELY."

"On my way."............................................

"ADMIRAL ON DECK."

"At ease, give me the numbers Yoeman Brom."

"Aye sir...the remaining twenty percent of the fleet is through the fold.......enemy vessels registering in all forward quadrants .....we apear to be outnumbered by a margin of at least four to one sir."

(Outnumbered four to one...two million enemy vessels...my God!) "Open a fleet wide communique...ALL SHIP'S CAPTAINS SCRAMBLE ALL FIGHTERS AND OPEN UP WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT.....NO ONE SURVIVES!!!"

flash to admiral's quarters...On the desk sits a single sheet of paper with the words...I love you Sally and Jenny, this one's for you. Love Admir Dad

Sci fi Deunan