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of leave before we depart. I have a unit meeting in ten minutes, and I would like to announce that leave starts immediately.”
    “I see. Don’t you think you need that extra time to prepare?”
    “I view that extra leave time as preparing...sir.”
    “How so, Major?”
    “For the last six weeks, I’ve beat the shit out of them on every piece of terrain I could find. For training purposes, this system is mostly spent given our time remaining. Our time on Earth still has mission value, though.”
    Fairbanks’ face remained passive as he listened intently without giving away his feelings.
    “We have no idea what the hell we’re marching into. We’re dropping in without the possibility of support. High moral is going to be critical. Plus...I want to make sure that no one forgets what they’re fighting for. I believe some extra time enjoying the luxuries of home and spending time with loved ones is the best use of our time.”
    “Interesting point, Major—”
    “Sir, we’re going to have almost ten weeks on the ship to run through everything a hundred times and...”
    Fairbanks held his palm out.
    “You can stop selling, Major. You and your men can have the extra time. God knows you all deserve it.”
    Fearful of staying long enough for the general to change his mind, Trent stood and saluted. “Thank you, sir.” He pivoted to walk out the door.
    He reached the doorway when Fairbanks spoke, “How old will she be when you get back?”
    “Sir?” Trent said confused.
    “Your daughter. How old will she be when you get back?”
    “Oh. If all goes right, the mission will be twelve years Earth time. She’ll be twenty when I see her again.” He fought hard against shedding a tear.
    Fairbanks walked over to Trent, placing a hand on his shoulder.
    “It’s not fair, Major. I’m sorry.”
    “I know, sir. I know.”
     

Chapter 6: Good-byes
     
    “A
    bandonment.”
    Trent knew the word accurately described the situation, but it still stung as he read the divorce paper’s stated reason for the dissolution of the marriage in question.
    There was no reason to re-read the details. The agreed upon settlement couldn’t be more in Madison’s favor. Under normal circumstances, a lawyer would have tranquilized him before allowing a client to sign papers sealing such a one sided divorce settlement. These were not normal circumstances. Trent had no worries forfeiting the house, all of their savings, and granting Madison full custody of Anna.
    If he did make it back alive, he would have twelve years of salary waiting for him. Even after the automatic thirty percent deducted for child support it, would still be a nice bit of change.
    He sat there at his kitchen table in Naperville, staring at the word, abandonment .
    Madison slapped a hand down on the table. “What’s the problem?”
    Her harsh tone, which he didn’t fault her for, startled Trent out of his daze.
    “No problem. I—”
    “What? Just sign the damn papers will you. Let’s get this over with.”
    “I just wanted to say...I’m sorry. I’m sorry for abandoning you. I would have been happy spending the rest of my life here in this house with you. But I have to go. I hope one day you can understand that and forgive me.”
    The sincere words thawed her temperament somewhat.
    “I know you would have stayed here forever. Despite the fact you were never really meant for this life. I mean, seriously, you, an insurance salesmen?”
    They both smiled.
    Madison continued, “That just never seemed right. If it were any other war, I imagine Anna and I would have been enough to keep you tethered to this suburban life. This is different, isn’t it?”
    “Never been anything like it. The stakes have never been higher.”
    Trent signed the papers and moved in front of Madison.
    “Then if you must fight,” she said, “if I must lose a husband, and my daughter must lose her father, then fight like the devil himself. Make them pay for starting this war, make them