CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Sonya was born on February  1st, 791. on Planet Los Angeles in the California system. Being raised among five older brothers, she was her father's favourite child, always being his „little girl“. Despite all the attention she got, she was always tough, acting nothing like a girl her age should, which greatly affected her carrer choise and lifestyle. Her father, Lieutenant Michael Thompson,  was a carrer officer in the Liberty Navy. He was declared as M.I.A. in 801. A.S. after his entire wing went missing under strange circumstances during the Nomad War. The loss of her father greatly affected Sonya, being only 9 when it happened.

Even in her later years, Sonya could still remember the last time she saw her father, before he was deployed on that fauthfull mission. The image of their goodbye was still as clear as that very day. It was a sunny day, typical for new Malibu City, they were all standing in the great hall of the Los Angeles space port, as her father was about to board a Naval transport to the Battleship LNS-Milwaukee. After saying goodbye to the rest of his family, her father got down on one knee, and pet her hair.  „Be a good girl, and listen to your mother while I'm gone“, her father said, kissing her in the forehead...“ She hugged him thightly:  „I will daddy, be back soon“, she said, having no clue that was the last time she would ever see him.

During her highschool years, Sonya was always a bit of a troublemaker. She acted more like a boy, never really being into all the typical girl stuff, like most of her peers were.  When she turned 18, just after graduating form highschool, she enrolled into the West Point military academy, with the help of her father's old firend, and became a cadet of the class of 809. A.S.

CHAPTER II

WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY

„Roger Alpha-2, you are cleared to dock, proceed to dock 1“, said the transmission as the military shutle was abouot to dock on West Point. Once the airlock was closed, the shuttle door opened and an officer stepped out. „Alright cadets, form up into pairs and step out to the yellow line.“  There were 16 of them in the transport, and hearing this they immediately got up and did as ordered.

„Oh wow, I can believe we're actually here said the young cadet who was standing nexto to Sonya.“ „Settle down“, she said clearly aggitated by his excitement: „It's only a space station, just like any other...“ The officer then explained all they needed to know about the academy, and led them to the main deck where they were all registered and given their new uniforms.

3 years and 8 months  later...

Sonya and her roomates were all in their quarters, resting after a hard day's training. Each room on the station was designed for 3 cadets. Nichols was lying on his bunk staring at the ceiling. „Wow I can't believe it's been this long since we first got here, we've only got a couple more days of this and we're done. Feels like yesterday, when we first arrived here doesn't it?“  „I'm just glad we'll be done soon, maybe we'll get to see some real action soon“, said Sam, their 3rd roomate. „Can you 2 keep it down I'm trying to concetrate here!“, said Sonya, once again aggitated by Nichols' excitement jsut like that first day when they arrived. She was trying to clean her bunk, for the scheduled inspection.

„Man, imagine if I get transfered to the Missouri, that would be awesome. Serving on the Flagship of the navy, while getting to stay in New York. It would do wonders to my career I bet...“, Nichols went on, not paying much attention to Sonya, already used to her grumpy attitude.

The next day was the big graduation day, so Sonya's mother and all of her brothers were there. They were all Naval officers by now, continuing the family tradition and honoring hte memory of their father. The ceremony was big and with a lot of pompous. After it was done, and the academy commander gave all the cadets their new stripes and ranks, they were getting ready to hitch transports to Manhattan to celebrate. As Sonya was getting ready to join them after having a long and hearthly talk with her family, a man approached her. She had never seen him in her life, so naturally the was a bit nervous when he asked if they could talk in private.

„So who are you and what do you want with me?“, she asked the man as they got into a small deserted hallway. „My name is not important miss Thompson.  Work for the LSF. I was sent here to recruit some of the cadets, and you are one of those we are interested in.“ Upon hearing that, Sonya felt a surge of excitement but tried to keep calm. „The LSF? Why would they want me? I am a Naval officer, I never submited an application for the LSF.“ Although she was excited about being aproached by them, she never really felt any attraction in joining the ranks of LSF. „Um, thank you, I am flattered, I really am, but I am not interested in joining the LSF, like I said I am an officer of the Liberty Navy, now if you will excuse me.“, she said as she turned around and started to walk away. „Are you sure miss Thompson?“, the man said, „The LSF can offer you so much more, for example, you might learn more about your father.“ Upon hearing this, Sonya stopped and faced the man again. „What did you just say? Listen to me!“, she yelled heading back towards him, „I don't know who you are but do not drag my father into this.“

„Calm down miss Thompson.“, he smiled, „I am just saying that you might find the answers you were looking for all these years. You know, the last mission your father was on, he was actually working for us.“

After that conversation, Sonya decided to take him up on the offer and joined the LSF, along with Nichols and a few other cadets.