"I was surprised when Hawkes's transfer request appeared on my desk." Ross said softly, gently strumming one of the strings.

Ty nodded walking over to the row of family photographs Ross had on the wall, "Glen, how much do you know about what happened to the 33rd?"

Ross blinked, McQueen now having his full attention, "They were all killed in a Chig ambush a few months ago. Why?"

Ty turned to face his old friend, "Kylen got a letter from West. He believes that the 33rd wasn't destroyed by the Chigs. That there's a coverup."

Ross stood behind his desk, "Does he have any proof to back this up?"

McQueen shook his head, "Not yet. That's why Kylen and I are headed to the Roosevelt, see what we can dig up."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do to help." Ross replied gently sitting Rosalyn down on the floor.

"Will do." Ty said walking toward the door of Ross's quarters. He paused turning back, "Glen, do me a favor."

Ross looked up, "Sure."

"Keep an eye on Hawkes for me. He puts up a brave front but the loss of the Wildcards hit him hard."

Ross nodded, "Will do. Take care of yourself, Ty."

A nod was McQueen's only reply as he vanished out the door.

Operation: Homeward Bound
Chig territory
First week of June, 2064
"That's not going to last us very long, is it?" Vanessa Damphoose asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Shane counted the food rations again, "Might last us a week, maybe more if we conserve."

Paul swung his feet over the side of the makeshift bed, "Well, we can't be the only living things on this planet. There has to be some kind of food source out there that we can use."

Vanessa caught him as he started to fall, "You're not going anywhere, Paul. You need you're rest."

Paul shook her off, "I've rested plenty." He paused seeing a shadow of concern cross her face, "I'm fine, Phoose, really."

Shane shook her head," You can barely stand."

"I'm fine, Vansen. I just need to get my sealegs back, so to speak." Paul protested.

"And you'll have plenty of time to do so, while Phoose and I go out and look for possible food sources." Shane replied as she motioned Vanessa toward the door, "Get some rest, Paul. That's an order."

44th Squadron
Dispatched from the U.S.S. Roosevelt
Chig territory
"Hoooorah!"

"Great shot!" Nathan commented as the 44th began to even the odds, "There should be two more, but I'm not picking up anything on LIDAR. Anybody see anything?"

"Negative." Lieutenant Jason Marks replied, his hammerhead bringing up the rear of the group, "Let's head back, West. I'm getting thirsty thinking of all those free drinks."

"Don't count those drinks yet, Marks." Lieutenant Kim Yardley said as her green eyes studied her LIDAR screen, "I have six more bogies comin' in at four o'clock. Can anyone confirm?"

"Confirmed." Paul Hanson replied, sandy blond hair falling onto his forehead, "At least two more Chig squadron's comin' in. Who wants first crack?"

"Negative." Nathan ordered as he turned his plane back toward the direction of the Roosevelt, "We're low on fuel and ammo. We've completed the mission, let's go home."

Hanson smirked as he reluctantly turned his plane around, "You're becoming a disappointment, West. I would've thought with what those Chigs did to your precious Wildcards that you'd want to fight them down to your last bullet."

Nathan glanced down at a group picture of the Wildcards (McQueen included) in their barracks. Kelly Winslow had taken it just before the battle with Chiggy Von Richtofen.

"There are better ways to get revenge, Hanson." Nathan replied softly, "Much better ways."

Operation: Homeward Bound
Chig territory
June, 2064
Lieutenant Paul Wang drifted in and out of sleep. The door to the cockpit opened, Paul ignored it assuming it was Phoose or Vansen returning. Then he heard a sound that jerked him awake. A sound that try as he might still sent waves of fear to his heart.

The computerized beeping sounds that signaled the arrival of an AI.

Paul slowly shifted on the bed, turning his head so he could see the AI, but hopefully so that the AI couldn't tell that he was awake. This AI was a woman, built to appear in her late twenties. She had shoulder length blonde hair, her eyes were green. Her six foot plus frame was covered with leather. Black leather crop top shirt, green leather jacket complete with fringe, matching black leather pants, and completing the outfit were almost knee high combat boots.

Paul would've laughed if it wasn't for the gun clenched tightly in her right hand.

"Well, looked what we have here. A Marine playin' possum." The AI purred as she knelt next to Paul's still form, "I think the Boss might find you very interesting."

"Are you sure these aren't poisonous?" Shane Vansen asked as she and Vanessa made their way back to the plane.

"Well, we won't know until we try them." Vanessa joked holding up the blue colored oval shaped fruit, "Seriously from the scans I took of the plant they should be okay."

"You closed the door to the plane when we left, right?" Shane asked crouching down behind a small hill twenty feet from the plane.

Vanessa knelt down next to her, brown eyes fixed on the broken plane, "Yes."

"Then we've got trouble." Shane replied scanning the area for anything that seemed out of place. Then she heard the sound. The beeping, clicking computer sound that could only mean the arrival of an AI.

Both Marines whirled around but not fast enough to avoid being held at gunpoint.

"Well, well, well. Look who dropped in for dinner."

Vanessa was the first to find her voice, "You're dead."

Howard Sewell laughed, "I guess you could say that's true. Howard Sewell-R 12547 was killed on the Saratoga. I'm Sewell-Z 23467 a less sophisticated model, but the same personality."

"We should be so lucky. "Shane muttered, "How long have you been on the planet?"

Sewell-Z waved the gun urging the Wildcards to their feet, "I'll answer all your questions, ladies in due time. Now shall we have a warm fuzzy reunion with your friend? I believe you know the way."

U.S.S. Roosevelt
Chig Territory
June, 2065
Captain Nathan West nervously shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for the APC to dock. He knew there was no logical reason for his nervousness but this would be the first time he had seen either Kylen or McQueen since the peace talk fiasco over a year ago. Finally the gray door slid open and two familiar faces stepped onto the Roosevelt.

"Hello, Kylen."Nathan said, glad to see her healthy and happy.

"Nathan." Kylen replied as she quickly enveloped West in a bear hug nearly toppling them both, "Its so good to see you."

McQueen waited a few moments before clearing his throat, "Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but if you could show us where to stash our gear I'd like to get this show on the road."

Nathan grinned, "Good to see you again, Colonel."

U.S.S. Saratoga
Stationed near Chig territory
June, 2065
Lieutenant Cooper Hawkes stood staring at the open door of his new quarters. Even with the new paint job and the rearrangement of the bunks Cooper knew where he was. The 55th was now living in the Wildcards old barracks. Cooper set down his black duffel bag and walked over to the metal door. An orange and black tiger shark stared back at Hawkes where the Wildcards used to be. "Its like we were never here. " Cooper whispered as he turned and walked back into the room.

Hawkes unconsciously sat down on his old bunk not seeming to notice it was clearly someone else's. The young InVitro drew his knees to his chest, Cooper could still feel them. Wang, Phoose, Shane it was like the spirits of the Wildcards were still in that room. Cooper tightened his arms around his knees, rocking himself slightly.

He could feel them.

"Get the hell off my bunk, Tank!"

Cooper's head snapped up at the gruff male voice to find a six foot plus red haired marine glaring back at him.

"Its my bunk!" Hawkes yelled as he launched himself at the Marine. In seconds fists connected with flesh as the two Marines were now engaged in a brawl.

Operation: Homeward Bound
Chig Territory
June, 2064
Lieutenant Paul Wang stared at his friends in shock, "You're saying Sewell was an AI?!"

Vanessa nodded, "Amazing, isn't it?"

Paul leaned his back against the outside wall of the plane, "He couldn't have been an AI. He was too," Wang paused searching for the right word, "Human."

Shane glanced at Howard Sewell-Z as he and the female AI talked in a huddle about ten feet from the plane.

"According to our host, Howard Sewell-R was a much more sophisticated model." She looked at Paul, "If this is true, the Sewell we knew must've been an experimental model. Top of the line."

USS Saratoga
Stationed near Chig territory
June, 2065
Commodore Glen Ross was not a happy man as he stormed down the corridor toward the 55th's quarters. Several Marines had gathered around the doorway watching the fight, they saw him coming and quickly scattered to their own quarters.

Ross paused in the doorway, not surprised to see the two marines still involved in a all out fist fight.

Folding his arms across his chest he said in his best drill sergeant voice, "What the hell is going on here?! I was under the impression we were fighting the Chigs and not each other!"

The fight instantly stopped, both men frozen in their places like two deers caught in a pair of car headlights.

Ross walked into the room looking each Marine in the eye, "Did both of you suddenly forget everything it takes to be a Marine?! What happened to saluting a senior officer when they entered the room."

Hawkes instantly snapped to attention raising his hand in salute. The other Marine Lieutenant Brandon Russell was a second too slow.

Ross zeroed in on the six foot plus redhead, "Lieutenant Russell, I believe you have an explanation to give me?"

USS Franklin Roosevelt
Chig territory
June, 2065
Lieutenant Colonel John Oakes prowled the corridors restlessly, finally ending up in the ship's tavern. *The Crow's Nest* was bustling most of the marines and army pilots had just returned from missions or gotten off duty.

Oakes followed the sound of laughter to a far corner where Nathan West's squadron was engaged in a game of poker. He met West's gaze but didn't walk over to the group. Instead John walked to the bar and took the solitary spot at the right end. He ordered a double scotch and reached into his pocket to pull out his drink card.

In the process something metal tumbled out onto the purple carpeting, in the bar's darkness John almost lost it. Finally he spotted his good luck charm under the stool.

Picking up the gold aviator wings, John held them up to the light. He still wasn't quite sure why he carried the pin. Shane Vansen had given it to him on their last date so many years ago.

The glass clinking down on the bar drew John away from his memories of Shane. He absently nodded his thanks to the bartender before finishing the drink in three gulps.

Nathan West placed down his hand of cards with a frown, "I'm out." He replied standing and picking up his glass.

"What's the matter, West?" Paul Hanson taunted, "I thought the great Wildcards enjoyed playing poker?"

Nathan kept a tight reign on his temper, now was not the time nor the place to get into a fight, "It depends on what hand your dealt, Hanson." West placed a hand on the back of his chair looking Hanson in the eyes, "For future reference, don't ever mention the Wildcards."

Hanson didn't flinch, "Is that an *order*, *Captain*?"

Nathan moved away from the chair starting to walk away, "No, its only a suggestion that I strongly urge you to follow."

Oakes was working on his second scotch when Nathan took a seat next to him. "Trouble in the ranks?" John asked with a small smile.

Nathan shook his head as he ordered another beer, "Nothing that concerns you."

Oakes shrugged, "If you say so."

Nathan accepted the beer from the bartender and took a sip before saying, "You never answered my question earlier."

"This is not the time or place to go into that, West."

Nathan stood his ground, "Name the time and place then, Colonel."

John calmly finished his drink before standing. He scooped the gold plated aviator wings from the bar and placed it back in his pant's pocket.

"Trust me on this, Nathan drop this line of questioning. You have no idea what you're getting into."

Operation: Homeward bound
First week of June, 2064
Vanessa watched the two AI's huddle in deep conversation. The woman looked to be a cross between Elvria and G.I. Jane. She inched closer to her crew mates, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I think we can easily take them out."

Shane glanced at their captors and back at Paul before shaking her head, "Wouldn't do us any good in the long run. We need their ship to get off of this rock."

"How do we even know they have a ship?" Paul asked ,"The Chig's could've just dropped them off."

"No, they have a ship. We just have to play it cool until they show their hand then we make our move."

USS Franklin Roosevelt
Chig territory
June, 2065
Lieutenant Colonel T.C. McQueen stepped through the swinging bars of the Crow's Nest just in time to see John Oakes brush past him. Thinking the dim light of the bar was playing tricks on him McQueen made his way toward Nathan West.

Nathan motioned the bartender over, "I'll have another beer and whatever the Colonel wants."

McQueen sat down and ordered a scotch. The InVitro waited until the bar keep returned with their drinks before turning to face West.

"I see you met our ghost." Nathan said with a small smile.

McQueen nodded, "He give you an explanation as to what happened over Haleg?"

West shook his head, "He must've taken dancing lessons from Shane. He's very good at sidestepping the issue. One things very clear he's scared of something."

Lieutenant Colonel John Oakes returned to his quarters to find a mail icon blinking on his computer. With a weary sigh John placed the aviator wings on the desk in front of him before hitting a few keys to activate the mail program.

A frown instantly crossed his face as he realized who the letter was from and what they wanted him to do. John angrily slapped the delete key, erasing the note.

Yes, he was grateful to be alive and still have his military career, but there was a limit at what a man would do and they had just crossed that line.

USS Saratoga
Stationed near Chig territory
June, 2065
When Russell refused to reply to the Commodore of the Saratoga Ross turned his wrath on Cooper.

"How the hell did this start, Hawkes? You've barely been back on board for six hours!"

Cooper fought the urge to shift from one foot to the other, instead he looked Ross in the eyes, "He started it, Sir."

Ross looked Russell who only hesitated a second before giving the Commodore a response.

"He was sitting on my bunk, Sir."

Cooper glared at his new team mate, "It's my bunk!"

Russell stared at the InVitro, not comprehending the conversation, "I don't know what you're talking about, Tank. I've had that bunk since the 55th was transferred to the 'Toga seven months ago."

Hawkes took several steps forward, starting to raise his right first, "This was our room. The Wildcards are still here. I can still feel them in this room."

All the anger instantly disappeared from Russell as he realized just who Hawkes was. He looked at Ross apologetically.

"I'm sorry Commodore I didn't realize who....."

Ross nodded clamping a hand down on Cooper's left shoulder steering him away from Russell, "Its alright, Lieutenant, but that does not in any way excuse your actions here. Go run a hundred laps around the ship, I'll get back to you on your punishment."

Lieutenant Brandon Russell blinked but that was the only reaction he gave. With a nod he turned on his heel and jogged out into the corridor.

Cooper shook Ross off and walked to the opposite end of the room. Glen ran a hand over the back of his neck before saying, "I apologize Lieutenant. I should have told you where the 55th were living."

Hawkes remained silent leaning one arm on the top bunk, his brown gaze fixated on the gray wall.

Ross cleared his throat, "Well, I'll leave you to get settled. There's an ops meeting for the 55th in one hour."

Glen Ross looked like he wanted to say something more, instead he simply turned around and exited the barracks.

Leaving Cooper Hawkes alone to nurse his bruised nose and bleeding lip. Alone with his memories of the Wildcards.

Operation:Homeward Bound
Chig Territory
First week of June, 2064
The two AI's approached the trio of Wildcards, Sewell had an all too familiar self satisfied smirk on his face. His gaze and gun centered on Paul.

"Lieutenant Wang, isn't it? I recall you having some trouble with an AI named Elroy a few months back."

Vanessa felt Paul stiffen, in turn she placed a reassuring hand on his right arm; her eyes never leaving Sewell.

"Don't worry," Howard Sewell-Z said seeing Paul's reaction, "My companion here and I will go easy on you."

Paul glared at his captor, "Gee, thanks."

Sewell-Z smiled urging the trio to stand,"That is until we get to our destination."

"Which is?" Shane asked as they formed a single line .

Sewell none too gently urged her forward, "All in due time, my dear Captain. All in due time."

Washington D.C.
June, 2065
Secretary General Diane Haden frowned as she listened to the voice on the other end of her phone.

"I thought I made it quite clear you were never to call me on this line." As the blind woman talked her hands unconsciously closed around a pencil.

"I am very well aware of what is at stake. Continue your job as you wish, I am no longer a part of this hypocrisy. The Wildcards saved my life once, that I have not forgotten."

Tossing the pencil down Diane angrily slapped a button on the phone, disconnecting the conversation.

Jada Williams poked her head into the lavish office. Her shoulder length blond hair was pulled back into a french braid, her hazel eyes looked at her employer, and friend with concern.

"Diane, are you alright?"

Haden looked at her personal assistant. Hoping the smile on her face was reassuring,"I'm fine, Jada." She looked at the clock, "Its almost seven, why don't you go home? Its been a long day for both of us."

Jada hesitated in the doorway, "Alright, if you're sure you don't need me for anything."

Diane nodded, "I'm sure. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

USS Franklin Roosevelt
Chig territory
June, 2065
Kylen Calinea nervously fingered a spoon as she waited in the cafeteria for Nathan.

She glanced around the sparsely decorated room, not exactly the most romantic setting, but after all she and Nathan had been through in the past two years they could be meeting in a cardboard box and she wouldn't care. The only thing she cared about right now was if he still felt the same way about her.

A light kiss on her right cheek brought Kylen away from her thoughts. Nathan smiled at her as he sat down.

"Hi, sorry I'm late. Ops meeting with the Commodore ran over."

"Its alright Nathan, you don't have to apologize." Kylen replied with a smile as she reached across the table taking his hand in hers.

Nathan returned her smile. He had almost forgotten what a simple joy it was to be able to hold hands with someone you love. Had almost forgotten what a quiet conversation was like.

"So, what's your fancy? I believe the cafeteria's special's today are Mystery meat #1 and casserole surprise."

Kylen laughed, a sound that warmed Nathan's heart, "I think I'll go with the casserole surprise. It sounds safer."

Nathan nodded squeezing her hand, "Alright, two casserole surprise's coming up." He stood kissing her lightly on the lips, "I'll be right back."

Kylen smiled, "I'm not going anywhere."