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Stand by for tractor lock. We'll take you to landing zone Sierra. Armstrong Station Out."

Spade let go of the button and shrugged at Duke.

"At least they're nice."

The fabric bubble shook and rippled a little, like a pond when a stone is dropped, and the two were drawn towards one side. The tractor beam had locked onto the pod and slowed it down very fast, and like a monstrous arm set it down on long circular platform. When the ripples stopped artificial gravity kicked in and both fell to the deck.

When the airlock opened a fresh breeze of air hit Duke in the face, and a heavyset man with a big smile reached his arm in.

"Welcome! Ambassador Planz, at your service." He had a big fat grin that stretched his bubbly cheeks out like marsh-mellows. Duke met the Ambassador's hand with his own in a firm handshake, and it felt like a needle jabbed into his palm. Before Duke could think about it the Ambassador pulled him out of the pod and helped him stand next to him.

He wore a purple coat and white tunic with the hood behind his back. In his ear sat a bluetooth headset for a PLAC, but it was one that Duke had never seen before. It was at that moment he figuratively kicked himself in the ass for joining the military, never being around humanity and growing alongside it. He felt like he had been living under a rock for the last seven years.

"So what brings you two here to Armstrong, Mister... ?" the Ambassador began, escorting Spade and Duke towards the center of where the pod had been brought.

"Duke. We were attacked by a Jump squad. I'm not sure who they were with but there was a large starship close by."

The Ambassador looked concerned. "A Jump squad, you say? Surely it wasn't the Republic. Did they have any insignia that you saw?"

Spade shook his head and took a step so he was next to Duke, then butted in, "Yeah, a triangle with three circles; Terran Dominion for sure! And they didn't have helmets on, either, they had like, head-wraps."

"Head wraps," the Ambassador repeated. "Strange. You aren't the first to report such an incident."

There was an odd moment of silence, the Ambassador looking at Duke, then Spade, then back at Duke.

"Tell me, Duke," he started, "Where are you from?"

Duke looked a little puzzled.

"What? Why?"

"Because I don't recognize that set of wings right there on your chest. You're not from the United Martian Colonies, are you? Oh, please tell me no."

"Uh, no. Why? Who are they?"

The Ambassador stopped walking and looked at him.

"The United Martian Colonies? My friend, have you been under a rock for the last year?"

Actually, yes, I have.

"Actually after the war broke out I just laid low on my land until the war came to me. Now I'm kind of stuck out here with my friend here."

They continued walking, and the Ambassador let out a hollow breath.

"The Colonies are a horrible place, let me tell you that. A horrible, dreadful place. The smart ones who fled Earth came here, to Luna, and are now part of the Republic.