3141 A.C. (The First Age)

It only took humanity 26 short years to colonize the 4th planet of the Sol system. Gersh was standing watch on the bridge of the Azilian, watching the newly settled world as it rotated below them. Humanity overwhelmingly voted to name the planet after the leader of the expedition, as was the custom since man first started exploring the regions around them on Terra. So it was that 'Nergal' became the 4th planet in the Sol System. When they arrived, they found exactly what the sensor probes had shown them over 100 years ago. Lush vegetation, snow capped mountains, crystal clear waters, and every land mass dominated by giant reptiles.

Even the major bodies of water teamed with life. Much of the mammalian life was not too dissimilar from that found on Terra. The major difference was, of course, the reptiles that ranged from the very small, to the colossal. And while most seemed to be docile herbivores, there were a number of aggressive carnivores. The science teams set about studying these creatures with the kind of vigor one might expect from a university student eager to learn about new materials. When they determined that the creatures were little more than beasts in their level of intelligence, many colonists decided to domesticate them and utilize them to do heavy lifting; thus saving their resources while they began building.

By the end of their first 15 years on Nergal, they were vastly ahead of schedule for colonization. Shuttles full of eager settlers and supplies were arriving almost every week, while the outbound shuttles were taking specimens of the giant reptiles back to Terra either to study or to be kept in zoos. Life began to take on a normal ebb and flow on Nergal, with one major difference. Cities on Nergal were surrounded by huge, fortified walls to keep the more… predatory creatures out.

And now that life was starting to feel normal, Gersh was starting to feel that familiar itch. He had clamored his way higher in the ranks so he could be on the command staff. Many of the original crew had opted to settle on Nergal, retaining their commissions for a time until a stabilized government could be put in place. So that meant a fresh crew, and fresh faces. Still other senior officers took promotions to get rotated back to Terra to crew the next-gen star ship, the Etruria. Admiral Nergal's First Officer took a promotion to captain the vessel and was reportedly getting ready for launch within the next few months, where it would relieve the Azilian to free it up for the next major expedition to the 5th planet.

Probe scans of the 5th planet showed it to be barely habitable, with a thin atmosphere and liquid water only being found along the equatorial regions during the day. Gersh grinned wolfishly at the thought of exploring a planet that would make it hard for them. He wanted the challenge, and so he had stayed on with the Azilian, receiving a major promotion in the process.

"Commander Wyllt, report."

Gersh turned to face Admiral Nergal, and saluted.

"Sir, two more shuttles ferried in colonists from Terra during the night watch, and one shuttle left with a cargo of indigenous life from… Nergal, sir." Gersh was still having a hard time reporting to his commanding officer about a planet that bore his name. He doubted he would ever get used to it, and often wondered how it made Admiral Nergal feel. The rest of his report was on the status of the ship and crew, which except for a couple of leisure time activity injuries, was nothing of note; but protocol was protocol.

"Very well Commander. I relieve you of your post. Will you join me in my office in 5 minutes, please?"

"Yes Sir."

Nergal returned Gersh's salute, and Gersh marched from the bridge, uncertain as to what the Admiral could want to speak to him about in private. A few moments later, Gersh was standing outside the Admiral's office and pressed the button to request entrance. The door swished open to one side and Gersh stepped in and saluted.

"Commander Wyllt, reporting as ordered, sir."

"At ease, Commander. Please… have a seat."

Gersh was hesitant, but took the offered seat, still uncertain what this was all about.

"Commander, I believe you knew Officer Hatgal from the academy?"

"Yes sir. While she and I were not close, we were very competitive with one another."

"I regret to inform you that she was killed in a training accident."

"Sir?"

"Like you, Gersh, she rose rapidly through the ranks; and was in line to become the Executive Officer of the Etruria. Unfortunately, their shuttle was struck by a piece of space debris and all hands were lost."

This news didn't sit well with Gersh. Interplanetary shuttles had a multitude of safeguards. The thought that a simple bit of space debris could cause such devastation was beyond unfathomable.

"Sir, how could-"

Nergal held up a hand to silence his junior officer and slowly shook his head, indicating that this was neither the time nor the place for such a discussion.

"My current XO is taking over her position as the XO for the Captain of the Etruria. Therefore, I am left with either promoting you, or Commander Calvert. I am offering it to you first, because I would much rather have you."

Gersh didn't hesitate.

"I would be honored, Sir."

"Excellent. Then it is settled. I will make my announcement within the hour."

Gersh stood to attention and saluted Nergal. "Thank you, Sir."

"Go get some rest, XO. You are going to need it."

Nergal returned Gersh's salute, and Gersh turned smartly on his heels and walked out of the office. His conflicting feelings of grief and exuberance were overwhelming. However, something about the Admiral's demeanor gave him pause. Why didn't Nergal want to speak about the accident? He walked back to his quarters in a daze, his mind racing. Once inside his room, he sat down at his terminal and pulled up the news report of the accident. The details were few, and that alone was odd, but it did attribute the accident to a piece of space debris of unknown origin. The investigation was ongoing, and a statement was to be released soon concerning the accident.

Gersh knew better. This was the TDF's way of making sure what they said made sense in the light of the available facts. He switched over to his Vid-com.

"Praefectus Lucian. Secure code 1-1-Alpha-Zeta-Lambda."

The Vid-com beeped a few times and then connected. A very sleepy Damon was leaning forward so that the light from his Vid-com would illuminate his face.

"Gersh, what in the world are you doing calling me at this hour? And why the security?"

"Sorry about this Damon, but could you look into something for me?"

"Sure, brother. What do you need?"

"Could you look into the shuttle accident involving XO Hatgal?"

There was a brief pause, and Gersh wasn't certain, but he thought he saw the screen flicker. When Damon responded he was way to neutral.

"All I know is what is in the report thus far, and I doubt there will be anything of note outside the -official- report."

Gersh took note of Damons emphasis of the word *official*.

"Has her family been informed yet?"

"Yeah. Once the loss was confirmed, all the families of the crew were informed."

"Understood."

Damon propped up on one elbow, resting his chin in his hand, tapping his index finger against his upper lip. One, two. One, two. It was their own personal code from their time as cadets when they would be out on furlough if one their dates were "trouble". Gersh responded by swiping his right thumb across his nose. Their way of acknowledging the finger tap.

"You knew her from the academy. A letter to her parents would probably be a soothing balm right now."

"I read you."

"I will send you their contact info."

"Thanks, Damon. Gersh out."

The screen went blank as Gersh sat back in his chair, deep in thought as to what this could all mean.