Two years had passed since the Starship Galileo had left Earth to explore the Alpha Kaluna star system. The ship was now returning home. The main cargo bays were full to the brim with samples of minerals, metals and precious stones, which the crew had discovered on one of the planets surfaces. No life had been found on any of the planets in this star system, but the five-man crew was happy. They had taken photos of huge volcanic eruptions, watched the Three Suns Of Kaluna rise over the bare mountains and they had escaped the savage lunar wars that raged between Moon Colony 1 and Earth.

The five crew members were tired, after all they have been away from home for a long time, they now sat around the Navigational control desk talking about what they intend to do when they get back to Earth.

"I am going to visit London," the American Commander John Rubstone said. "I will sample the best England has to offer!"

"Not me I am going to the United West Hemisphere," Lietenitent commander Smith said as he lent back on his chair,

"Why do you want to go to that dust bowl for?" Cmrd John remarked,

"If he wants to go to a dust bowl when he gets back, it's his business." Captain Thomas Laroun piped in,

"I agree. I'm going to visit my wife in the Deep Sea Research Centre." Rick Mansion excitedly blurted out,

"Good for you!" Captain Laroun said. All the men were discussing their plans except Tom Carter, he was sitting with a book in his hand but he was not looking at it, he was staring trance like out of the observation window, his mouth was wide in amazement. The other four men turned to see what Tom was looking at, it was Earth but instead of seeing clouds and sea they could only see a blue energy field surrounding the whole planet.

"What is that?" Captain Laroun shouted,

"I don't know sir!" Commander Rubstone replied. " I'll find out."

Seconds later the computer replied spelling out it's answer in bright red letters on the information screen; IT IS A FORCE SHIELD, SOLID OBJECTS CAN NOT PASS THROUGH IT.

Captain Laroun ordered that they send a message to Earths Command Out Post.

"Why is there no reply?"

"I'm not sure I'll check."

Rubstone turned to the computer console and started to type, the computer screen lit up as it had done so before; FORCE FIELD WILL ADMIT RADIO WAVES BUT NOT LET THEM OUT. EARTH IS RECEIVING YOUR MESSAGE BUT IT CANNOT BROADCAST BACK.

"Which means they can't tell us what's happening." Laroun roared.

"Yes sir, what are we going to do now?" Carter enquired.

"Well if this is result of the war, the obvious place to go is the moon. Lietenitent, lay in a new course for the moon colony!" Laroun ordered.

"Course laded in sir." Smith answered.

"Maximum speed, go!" Laroun related to Lt Smith.

As the Starship sped to the moon, all five men could not hide their dismay about what they had found around Earth. A short time later they were in a standard orbit of the moon, The large plexiglass dome could be seen from space, Captain Laroun tried to contact the colony but once again there was no response, by now Laroun was getting anxious about what was going on.

"Take her down!" Laroun told Smith.

"Are you sure sir?" Smith uttered.

"Quite sure Lietenitent."

The small Starship descended to the moon's surface, as it neared the ground, dust clouds billowed up around the ship.