Exodus of the Phoenix by Robert Stadnik

Author:Robert Stadnik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera, science fiction, starship, space battle, space aliens, exodus of the phoenix, robert stadnik, fiction books, space action, exodus series
Publisher: Robert Stadnik

CHAPTER NINE

Tonight was a lazy night for the boys. Billy and David were lounging in David's living room watching various entertainment shows on the holovision. It was a stark contrast from the celebrations they participated in after finals. Every winter break for the past four years they alternated spending winter break at one another’s house. This year it was Billy’s turn to stay at Block family home. It was a tradition initially started for the benefit of John as he had no family to go home to for the holidays. Billy’s parents loved John; however, the same couldn’t be said for David’s father.

Sophomore winter break at the Block home was one that would never be forgotten. John had gotten into an argument with Admiral Block about TERRA philosophy. David begged him not to do it but John couldn't resist egging Admiral Block into a fight. The admiral's superior attitude made John mad and the young cadet couldn't resist trying to push the admiral's buttons. John got him so upset with his inflammatory comments (the harshest being how much a bribe needed to be to become captain of a capital ship) that the admiral physically threw John out of the house, barred him from every coming back, and strictly forbade his son from ever associating with John. Of course David didn’t listen to his father. He secretly enjoyed seeing his overbearing parent get worked up by a young, opinionated cadet. Even to this day David, Billy, and John gleefully recounted that event. Thinking that John was out of his son's life the admiral never mentioned his name again.

The Block residence was a restored twentieth century contemporary mansion that Judith Block had redecorated over the 15 years the family lived there. David’s father, Admiral Edgar Block, was in charge of Mars’ defense operations. He traveled between Earth and Mars regularly. Rather than forcing his family to split their time between both worlds, he chose to keep them on Earth. He did try more than once to relocate the family to Crimson City, the capital of Mars. But Judith wouldn’t hear of it. Earth was her home and she refused to allow TERRA to move them around from place to place. She also didn't like the idea of living within an enclosed dome and was convinced the artificial atmosphere wasn't good for the children's health. Even the promotion to admiral and a coveted seat on the command council for her husband didn’t sway Judith’s mind. She refused to move with the children. So Edgar had no choice but to make the commute back and forth from Mars weekly.

Edgar always took a week off during winter break to spend time with David. However, he was unexpectedly called back to Mars this morning. There had been times where he had to depart on a moment’s notice to resolve some crisis on the red planet but it had never happened during winter break. David was glad every time his father was called away. He routinely lectured David on what it took to be a good TERRA officer and often cited Billy as a good example.

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