April 11, 5010, Docking Space Station 4, 500 miles above Mars…

"IM5 is docking, sir."

General Forrest, who had been looking out of the window down at the green-red surface of the Former Red Planet straightened up. He walked over to the mirror and straightened his short, grey hair and his bright red tie. He then returned to the thick viewport in his office and looked out to try and catch a glimpse of the Interstellar Mission 5 ship Gray Tundra.

"There she is," he said proudly.

The sleek cruiser began its approach. The port thrusters fired as the ship moved into position to dock. The glistening hull shone brightly as it caught the dim light of the sun. The docking clamps reached out slowly and took hold of the port and starboard sides.

The General could feel the slight shudder as the Gray Tundra's forward side came into contact with DSS5's outer hull. A metal tube began to extend to the ship's only exit door.

"Teams 5 and 6, please report to Docking Bay 6 to assist the Gray Tundra."

The General tore his eyes from the ship and walked toward the door. It opened silently. He walked into his secretary's office, where she was busy filing her digital reports.

"Clara, I need a transport to get to Docking Bay 6."

His female dado assistant nodded pleasantly.

"Right away, sir." She pressed a button on her desk and it began to flash green.

The General walked out of the office to see a transport waiting five feet in front of him. He took a seat, put on the restraints.

"Docking Bay Six."

"Yes sir."

The dado activated the hover-transport and took off. A couple of minutes later they arrived at the docking bay. The General stepped off and began to walk to the entryway. Cries of "It's General Forrest," and "Make way for the General!" were heard as the men made way for him. He stopped at the entryway, waiting for the tube to pressurize.

"Pressurization complete," the 3073 year old voice of the father of the dados said over the speaker system.

The doors slid open and out stepped the captain of the Gray Tundra. He saw the General, immediately stood at attention and saluted. The General walked over and saluted back, then pulled the captain into a hug.

"Welcome back, son."