You can't imagine it, can't fathom it, I once heard stories of how technology would change us, would make us stronger, wiser, it didn't, there was nothing preparing me for this.

Sitting on a cold floor, cold compress placed across my forehead, you think you've got guts, just because you fly around and shoot it out with a bunch of guys in this place we call space, yeah, I thought I could do anything.

Sweat on my brow and a horrible pain in my gut, I thought being unprepared for a battle in grey space was bad, but this, this was worse. I asked the doc, "Will I live?"

"Of course, you can do it, thousands have lived through this before."

Thousands, but here in Itani space, a place where I am hated, well, you've seen what happens when you go through there without good standing.

I kept looking out the window, what if the Itani attack?

This isn't the time to think about that I guess. I couldn't help it, there couldn't be a worse time to be trapped here in Itani territory.

"Ryan!" I screamed but the Itani were starting to approach, my fears were confirmed, They surrounded the ship.

"Just give them what they want!"

"NO! We don't have much and can't afford to lose what we have!" He started firing.

I began losing consciousness, the ship rocked, I heard Ryan scream out in agony. I regained consciousness and felt pressure becoming so intense that all I could hear was the doctor saying, "It's alright, just push a few more times."

I black out again, dreaming of summer back on Earth,, feeling the sun against my face, it's warm, it's such a pleasant feeling, and then...

"We have to turn around NOW!"

My head reels as I come to and am again told to push. The ship is lurching forwards and I can hear the warning alarms telling us the ship's defenses are weak.

Ryan's yelling something in the background but I can't hear what.

I push with all my strength.

"I can't do this anymore." I scream through clenched teeth.

"You must."

The ship lunges forward, Ryan falls to my side grabbing onto his stomach. He clutches my hand with his free one.

"Are you alright?' I ask my Love.

"Nothing more than a mere flesh wound."

I scream and almost black out again but I hear the doctor telling me that I'm almost done and I give the last push my all. Suddenly the pain stops, everything happens in a blur, I see her pull something away from my body and place it on my chest.

I black out once more.

We must have gotten away from the Itanis during this time because when I awoke, Ryan was lying on a table next to me, his stomach had stitches upon stitches. A mere flesh wound. :)

I smile at him and he smiles back. I look down at the tiny figure in my arms and see the face of the Alexander the Great of space!