PROLOGUE

It is the year 2434 and the world has changed. It is not the safe world we once knew it to be in the time of our forefathers. Four hundred years ago all they had to worry about was fighting each other. And then in 2385 we learned that we were not alone.

They came from nowhere with their tough exoskeleton suits and their superior firepower. Instead of fighting each other, we were fighting to survive. Two billion lives were taken over the next twenty years. The invaders took millions more into slavery aboard their ships and others were made to harvest the earth's bounty for the invaders.

Many humans went underground and began working on weapons to combat our new enemy. Tens of thousands of lives were lost in gathering intelligence and military reports on the Sylktans, our enemy.

Finally weapons were made in 2405 that helped the Earth to fight back and reclaim our planet. We took the stolen technology of the Sylktans and adapted it to our own use. We were able to leap centuries ahead of our then known technological know-how. We created battle cruisers, space ships and other craft to take our fight and us to the stars.

Twenty-nine years have passed and the battle wages on. We have reached a point in the war were it looks like we might win and defeat the enemies. In our travels we have met other races that were oppressed by the Sylktans.

With their aid, our strength and knowledge grows and we chase the Sylktans who are astounded at our tenacity. But that is neither the here or now. As I sit here writing this journal I have to pause and think what life would be like if the lull in the of war had not turned. Would I have met my one true love if things had worked out differently? Who is to say? Most certainly not I.

I sit in my room and my eyes are red from crying. My parents have done the unthinkable and I must pay for it. But I digress and must get myself back on track. You see, it all started when I first saw him. He was so handsome and had the kindest eyes. He made my heart race and my cheeks blush.

I did not dare talk to him for my mama would have had my head on a platter. No Rodriguez would sully the bloodline by marrying a commoner, a light skin. So I kept my thoughts to myself and gave him glances from beneath lowered eyelashes and wondered what it would be like to be his girl.

Now I must stop my dreaming and come back to the reality that has become my prison. I am willing to let the facts speak for themselves. Sometimes it is best to learn the lessons of the past so that one might have a better present and future.