From the two large entry ways at the rear of the assembly emerged two men clothed in jet black uniforms, at the lapel of one man was a pair of silver ships as if flying parallel these were Russell’s captains insignia. On the other mans lapel was a plain silver disk with the single word ‘Terra’ embossed at the top edge.  Both had a round, silver belt buckle with large letters embossed ‘UWSS’.  Both wore black boots, calf high of webbed nylon fiber.  Each wore a side holster and lanyard also flat black.  Each man walked in time with the other down the carpeted aisle and up to the podium.  Russell, stepped up to the dais first, saying that his vessel would have a name by the morrow, and that the hardnosed sixty year old next to him was Sergeant Major Theodore Harmand lately of the UW military police.  He continued by saying that the uniforms they wore were being copied for standard issue to all UWSS personnel and that Sergent Major Harmand would be in charge of all training for recruits, assisted by several other UWMP veterans.  Once Russell shot a conspiratorial look at Ted then announced, “After discussing flight and space training with my ground cadre I decided to recommend someone for officer training Commandant, Commander Jeff Calan, if you want to accept it Jeff, Chairman Hughes has already agreed.”


    Jeff sat in one of the rear visitors benches and fought the urge to decline Russell’s offer.  Finally he rose and answered he would be proud to train the new Astro-gators and pilots needed by the newly formed service.  Seated beside him Jamie’s eyes were full of proud and frightened tears as she realized little time would be left for their marriage, but that the time they did have would always be special and savored.  That evening at 18:00 hrs the remaining complement of Terra Twin enlisted into the UWSS.  Within one weeks time the space service was enlisted ten thousand five hundred, Men and women, officers three hundred fifty, training cadre one hundred and installations two, on Luna, base one and Charon, base two.  The speed at which the new military was forming met the chairman’s mind with mixed feelings.  Speed on one hand was encouraging indicating enthusiasm and competence.  On the other hand, it was disturbing that there were few difficulties and no major obstacles in establishing the service.  She had opted for open enlistment to attract only those who wished to serve.  History had taught several lessons to leaders who formed conscript armies and lost more than they won.  Their enthusiasm both impressed and distressed her.  Many who enlisted were only just eligible for the age rule of twenty years.  She had no illusions about how little knowledge of the enemy they had.  She was even more concerned that her race was sixteen centuries out of practice at war.  In her memoirs of those years she wrote; ‘they were all so young and full of their pride and technical skills.  They were confident, competent and competitive.  They looked up at me as sheep do to their shepard, and I turned away so they wouldn’t see my fear.’You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.