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“Now go!”
    The thousands of pilots disappeared faster than a piece of meat in front of a pit bull. Dee took another drink of her beer as the pilots sprinted away and tilted her head, “Did you really have to shoot that pilot?”
    Drey nodded as he watched them sprint away, “We’ve had fifteen pilots a week killed or injured severely enough in fights here to never be able to fly. The lesson had to be one that they would not reject. I think injuring one was enough to get the message across.”
    Dee shrugged, “I see you had a good reason.”
    ***
    Thirty six hours later, Drey toured the establishments and saw most of them had new furniture; the pilots had paid for it. He went to the street and saw the thousand pilots standing at attention waiting for him. He looked at the Colonel and said, “How many resigned?”
    “Fifty six, Sir.”
    Drey looked out at the gathering and yelled, “Where is the one I spoke with?” The pilot walked forward and came to attention. Drey looked at him, “Have you inspected the businesses?”
    “Most of them, Sir.”
    “And?”
    “We’ve left them better than we found them, Sir.”
    Drey nodded, “What’s your name?”
    “Ryan Fox, Sir.”
    Drey looked out at the pilots; they saw his expression was dangerous, “All of you are being assigned to the same squadron. Mr. Fox here is promoted to Captain and he will be your commanding officer. I am going to hold him personally responsible for your future behavior.” Drey turned to Ryan, “I trust you understand what that means, Captain?”
    “Yes Sir, I do.”
    “Your squadron’s name will be Fox’s Freaks. It’ll be easy to get you back together if you’re all in the same outfit to prevent any further exhibitions of unacceptable behavior. Mr. Fox, I expect your wing to be a role model for the rest of my fleets.” Drey stared at the group and after a long moment said, “Is there any question about my expectations?”
    The group roared, “No Sir!!”
    Drey nodded, “Return to your ships, inform your former commanders that you will no longer be allowed to mingle with real pilots, and then tell them why. Make sure they understand my expectations and they will not be given the courtesy of living past their misbehavior. The coordinates you are to report are being sent to your ships now; dismissed.” Drey looked down, “One Moment, Captain.” Ryan turned around and Drey said, “Your computer has all of their names. I expect you to make something special of this group.”
    Fox stared at Drey, “We share a common experience, Sir; that’s what will bind us.” Drey smiled as Ryan said, “We have something to prove now, Sir.” He saluted and Drey returned his salute. This was one smart officer. He knew what Drey had done in killing the pilot.

Chapter Three
    D ee looked at Ian and the Kilper Admiral and listened as they talked about what action the Union should take if M87 was invaded. Drey, Violet, Cole, and Argel were just listening in and leaving most of the discussion to the two highest ranking military leaders. After thirty minutes she interrupted them, “So both of you are inclined to just let M87 take care of itself while we just sit on the sidelines?”
    Ian looked at Dee and rolled his eyes, “What now?”
    “Both of you think we won’t be attacked until they finish with M87?”
    Ian looked at the Admiral and then turned back to Dee, “Do you see it differently?”
    “How many galaxies are those creatures currently attacking?”
    The Admiral looked at Ian and turned back to Dee, “We know of nine.”
    “And what will those other fleets do when they finish with the galaxy they’re currently invading?”
    The Admiral closed his eyes and, after a moment, shook his head, “I didn’t see that.”
    Ian looked at him, “See what?”
    “They had a probe here so they know our galaxy has intelligent life. They also know M87 invaded here. That alone would tell them there has to be an abundance of civilized plaents;