A/N: HEY EVERYONE SORRY FOR SUCH A LATE RELEASE, I'VE BEEN HELPING MY FAMILY DO SOME SPRING CLEANING!

NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH CRAP THERE WAS UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. =[

ON A SIDE NOTE I NEED HELP WITH DETERMINING THE OFFICIAL TITLE FOR LEO .

THANKS FOR READING!

PLEASE RATE, COMMENT AND ENJOY!

=]

Book II – Chapter 3

Ira Campbell, Leader of the War Calvary or what was left of them. Three weeks ago he was hired by Shelly Todd, the settlement leader of a place called Cerola, a place that had a little over ten thousand people. He was hired protect them from pirates, but then the Dominion came. It started as just a broadcast, telling them that the world was being annexed. Soon after though it turned into relocation in a few months, then days. With the Terran Dominion bearing down on Cerola they were left with little options but to evacuate using any means necessary, even pirates.

Of the refugees, most decided to head towards the Dominion core worlds or Umojan Protectorate, likely to live of struggle. Shelly refused to go to the Dominion after they forced her from her home, then refused to go to the Umojians and beg for their help. She was tired of leaders cowering and using their muscles and not their brains. From the Confederacy to the Dominion, not even counting the Zerg. So when it finally came down for her to make a choice, she did. She chose to make it out and try and find a new home, a place where the dominion couldn’t touch.

Ira would be in charge of the military and she would lead their society. It was a perfect plan and together they would build a new world. That was until the pirates trapped them in the cargo hold, after that it wasn’t so great. For two weeks they were trapped in the cargo hold, unable to escape. Unsure about what to do, they planned on trying to escape when the ships started shaking violently. They heard the attack and the battle outside. After several minutes of battle they realized things weren’t going good for the pirates, which terrified them.

In their mind who had the capability to fight off three battlecruisers and four escort ships?

When the firing stopped they thought it was over, that was until the people began beaming off the cargo hold. Everyone was being teleported off the ship and into a mysterious new place.

“Ira!” Shelly yelled in panic at the new room they were in.

“Here, Shelly!” a voice roared from across the room. Rushing to him Shelly let out a breath of release.

“Where are we?” she asked him.

“I have no –“

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Please remain calm! We are not your enemies, please wait. We are the Grey Imperium, we were attacked by the ships that were holding you captive. Our leader is on the way down to see you and explain the situation.” A voice explained.

Murmurs broke out amongst the people, confusion and fear in their voices.

Who were these people?

Were they human?

Why were they saved?

How were they saved?

What would happen to them?

A short while later the massive doors opened up. Walking out came Leo in his formal grey uniform, accompanied by two guards at each side.

”Ladies and Gentlemen! I am the Leader of The Grey Imperium! We came in search of minerals for setting up an asteroid mining field, what we got were a band of pirates who attacked us. Long story short we kicked their asses and were about to blow them out of the sky. Then they said they had innocent refugees and hostages. That is where you all come in. We didn’t like the way they used you so we took you from them. Sorry for not asking.”

“What happened to them?” a voice in the crowd asked.

“They are currently being detained.” Leo answered.

After this a flurry of questions were thrown out, more than let could answer.

“Why have you taken us?” Shelly yelled out before any more questions could be asked to Leo.

Turing his head in interest, Leo studied the woman. She stood with her head tall, had a look of experience and training in her. As for the man she was with, he was obviously a seasoned soldier. With his grizzly` chin and bulging muscles.

“I haven’t taken you, I merely moved you to better conditions as we work out things with the men on those other ships. Before we continue though, I am Leo and you are?” He asked politely.

Unaccustomed to such politeness, Shelly’s guard lowered momentarily.

“I’m Shelly Todd, this is Ira Campbell. We’re the in charge of this group. What do you want with us?” She asked.

“Well I don’t know.” He said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well it depends, what do you want? You are refugees correct? We are in a unique situation where we could help each other.” Leo offered.

“Explain.” Shelly asked.

“The Grey Imperium is young, we are travelers from far away. We need help with this sector of the galaxy. We could trade, become citizens of the Imperium, we protect and pay you. You get to build a new world with us.” Leo explained.

--------------------------------------------------

Leo couldn’t gauge their expressions, Shelly looked interested but Ira had some reservations. Ira spent his life as a fighter, if they signed up with the imperium what would happen to him? He wondered about his life, would he be able to step down from fighting? Would they make him?

“You seem interested but what are you worried about?” Leo asked.

“We’ll need to talk about it but I am interested.” She said.

“Yeah, we should all sit down and talk about it or could you at least show us how your people are before we make any choice.” Ira followed.

Making a face Leo wasn’t so happy. He didn’t wasn’t quite ready for people to visit quite yet.

“I would like to bring all of you there but I can’t. Our technology is many times more advanced that what you can see. I can’t allow even a potential leak of our abilities. I can however bring some, at most four people, to inspect our new capital planet.” Leo said sadly. Truthfully he wanted them to come but damn his charitable nature, he had people he was responsible for.

Shelly and Ira looked at each other and nodded.

“Ok the two of us will go but so will two others we have to find them first. Her name is Emma Bishiop, she’s was the lead development manager for our city development.” Shelly explained.

“The other is Paul Carter, my second in command.” Ira said.

“Very well, I’ll have them here in a little bit. When we head back we’ll call you. Now then I have preparations to make.” Leo said as he walked off.

-On Board the Atlas-

“Sir, replicators are 30% complete with systems takeovers and 10% on the ship repairs.”

“Good, how about their numbers?”

“We sent metals over for them to replicate with, they’re growing rapidly. Gave them a rush order sir.” The ensign reported.

“Good, how long will it take for full integration?” Nathaniel asked.

“Estimates are leaning towards the better part of six hours sir.”

“Keep sending more replicators until we get it to four hours.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.”

-Back on Olympus-

Sadia sat in the new administrative buildings with a smile on her face. She’d been assigned to oversee civilian matters, today she just back her results on a very important poll. Leo’s title was finally finalized, and Sadia was happy with how his title would fit his greatness.