Commander Brixton led the way through the dank underground. A cold breeze whipped Axel's face and a slow drip echoed through the stone corridor. Energy buzzed in their ears. Neon strips lined the ceiling and lit up the area in a wash of blue light.

Axel stepped in a puddle and cursed as the water seeped into his shoes. Each soggy step made him wish he'd worn his combat boots. But the etiquette was different when attending a conference. This was supposed to be one of the most exciting moments for a Space Division cadet. No harm usually came to anyone who attended a meeting. They expected it in the field but not during a standard procedure.

Axel tried not to think about Rolly, whose body was now left to rot at the bottom of the council building. He wondered if his Vaxorian Master would care. From what Rolly had told them, he doubted it. They hadn't even provided him with food and drink, he was forced to get his own from the Academy.

Axel swallowed the nasty lump in his throat. He glanced at Scout. She wore the same pensive expression. He wished he could say something to her but couldn't find the right words. Rolly was one of their own. How could they have lost him like that?

Brixton stopped at a set of battered iron doors. He typed in some digits into the keypad and the entrance scraped open. It led them into a hanger which stretched on for miles.

Axel's eyes widened in awe as he saw what was sat waiting for them; three Viper-Storm fighters. They were an old model which only had one rear cannon and two at the front. The type of thing his father would have used in his many battles against the Ivarozzan enemy. His heart quickened for a moment at the memory of his father. Could there have been any truth in what was said at the meeting? Was all of this linked? Would he live long enough to find out?

Striker hopped down from one of the ships and clasped hands with Axel. A grin on his face. "Mate, I knew you were going to be alright!"

He held out his fist and Axel weakly pressed his own against it. He tried to ignore the glare he got from Scout.

"You realise we've lost Rolly?" she snapped and Striker turned an apologetic face towards her.

"Sorry, yeah," he said. "I didn't mean..."

She shook her head. "I know."

Brixton cleared his throat and patted the nearest ship. "We hoped we'd never see the day where we were going to need to use these," he said. "But this new enemy is about to make a huge play against us. One we cannot let them get."

"What do you mean?" asked Nitwit, who was sat on the stairs of one of the Viper-Storms.

"I mean there is a reason Space Division has been training you all up," said Brixton, his face grave. "We never wanted it to come to this. You knew what you were signing up for. You didn't have to be a cadet. As Scout seems to keep reminding everyone, we have already had one loss. I don't want us to lose another."

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Scout opened her mouth to protest but Brixton held up a finger to silence her.

"As a squadron, it is our duty to ensure his loss will not be in vain," said Brixton.

"But what can we do?" asked Axel. "Who are these people that attacked? What have they got to do with space?"

"This is an all-out invasion," said Brixton. "Not of Ivarozzan origin. These people are from somewhere else. I've had reports from the Academy that our radars only just saw them coming in the last few hours. It seems we were part of an attack on all the resources in Displincia. They think they've destroyed all of our ships and they would have been right if we hadn't already lined up the insurance you are looking at."

Axel shook his head. "You can't send us up there, we're not ready. We've only had simulated battles."

"What is this? The son of the great Quentin Ford is verging on being a coward?" taunted Brixton.

"He's right though, sir," said Scout. "Sending us into the sky would be a very risky move. If these are the last ships we have, why trust a set of people who haven't even been up into space on a routine fly-by yet?"

Brixton sighed. His eyes shimmered. "The enemy's attack has taken us by surprise. Until the government has had time to gather the survivors, we are the only resources left in the arsenal of Space Division."

This couldn't be happening. For years, the Vaxorians had been training three sets of military bases. One for the safe continuance of space: the Space Division. Then those who would deal with combat on the land: the Land Division. Finally, those who explored the further depths of the galaxy: the Science Division. Axel found it hard to believe there were no more resources left on the planet.

"The task we have is a simple one," said Brixton. "As long as we handle it with care, I do believe the five of us can pull it off. If we manage to, we will buy the planet the advantage it is going to need if we are going to survive the invasion."

"What do you need us to do?" asked Nitwit.

"As we speak, the enemy are releasing a vessel which is designed to terraform the planet," Brixton replied. "We're not sure what that is going to do for them but we know it must be a crucial part of their plan. Simply because there is a chance they can't inhabit the land which we live on. For the task at hand, we are going to fly up and destroy that vessel. As you can see, there are three ships and five of us. Scout, you will pilot your ship while Nitwit takes the cannons. Axel, you are to be the pilot while Striker takes the cannons. I will take a ship by myself.

"If you listen to my commands, there is a good chance we will get through this. You are Space Division cadets. You are destined to go up into space. So why not start your career with a bang? Who is with me?"

The four of them looked around at each other. None of them looked sure. A bubble rumbled in Axel's stomach. He was nervous about what was to come but there was something else too; excitement. He'd always wanted to be like his father and now there was a chance that might come true.

"Get to your vehicles and turn on your comms," said Commander Brixton.

Axel walked over to the blue Viper-Storm with the orange stripes and yanked the handle. Striker clanked up the stairs and dropped into the tight cock pit. He picked up the helmet from the dashboard and put it on.

Axel closed the door behind him and climbed a small set of spiral steps onto the short second floor. He put on his seat belt, then pulled on his own headset. He took a deep breath.

"Can't believe we're actually doing this, bro," said Striker, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Axel grinned. "Well, believe it."

"Is everyone here, present and correct?" came the sound of Brixton's voice through the headset.

Everyone checked in.

"Alright cadets, set your phasers to level three. Let’s get out of here."