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Alright to every who is still here. Hearts and Minds will be the first of three chapter-based series. (Hearts and Minds, Blurred Lines, and The Turn Coat.) Yes, all are set in wars, and two are inspired by WW2 and I will be working on all three roughly at the same time. If they are decently well received I have no issue making more in different scenarios and timelines.

Now, why is this important you may ask? Well, while times, places, and backgrounds may change, the "Main" character will essentially remain the same guy, Drew. While his motives will change based on the setting and his past dependent on the series. His personality and looks (for the most part) will probably remain the same. For those wondering why. Drew is the shortened version of my name Andrew. I was an amateur writer and found it hard at times to put myself in other people's shoes naturally and thus find it difficult to put myself in the protagonist's place. So I made Drew a guy that I know how and why he will react to everything making writing a bit easier.

Yes this is my first published work ever. So it might be ruff around the edges if it is I apologize and any tips to make it better/easier to read are most welcome.,

Also it may be shorter than most I'm not sure.

There with all that out of the way let us begin.

Hearts And Minds

Drew held his hands firmly on a pair of joysticks pulling them back to steady his flight, the low glow of the craft's hud and controls partially lit up the cramped cockpit he had been flying in for the better part of two hours. In reality, Drew didn't mind the lack of space. He might be a captain in training technically but he always felt more at home piloting things directly.

Flying cleared his head anyways so when today's particularly strenuous tests were done he needed a break. After getting the go from a friend in the orbital launch bay he had taken this empty freighter for some maneuvers.

Drew tapped his thumb on the right joystick, How long had he been here? Four years now? Most captains got out by year two. so why was he still here?

Looking down at the controls he could almost see the inside of a Stinger class fighter... man he wanted to fly one so bad. His dream had always been to be a mech or fighter pilot but the technology used was... well let's just say it didn't compute with humans well.

The way he understood it was most fighter craft and mechs linked directly into a person's neural network, their nerves. The upside to this was faster, more reliable movements and better mobility period with the mechs. The downside was Humans rather specifically have nerves that just outright reject the tech.

Drew had seen vids of test pilots spazzing out after only a few minutes of flight or completely falling over as their nerves just shut down entirely. Because of this and the rarity of the humans period they were banned from wartime pilot positions completely. Much to the young man's chagrin.

It didn't change Drew's passion for it though he may not be able to fly one he still knew every maneuver, strength, fault, and speed of every mech and fighter used by modern pilots.

To pilot one was his dream and when that dream got shot down, lit on fire, and drowned... he chose the next best thing. Leading a team of them. This is why he's training to be a captain. It still didn't answer the question though. Why the hell was he still here?

A com station buzzed to life over his head. ''Hey Drew?'' A ruff voice called.

The young man sighed knowing his flight was coming to an end before reaching over and tapping the com link. ''Yeah, Mike?'' He responded knowing the man talking to him was the Operations officer on his station.

''I'm gonna need you to report in.'' The voice said. ''Usually, I wouldn't mind if you got a few more laps but command says they got a general looking for you on-site so get back ASAP"

Drew furrowed his brow he didn't even know there was a general on the station aside from the two teachers. ''Roger Mike heading back now.''

To say he was concerned would be an understatement. If a general takes the time out of his day to find you... You fucked up. At least in his experience.

---

The cargo door of the freighter opened as Drew straightened his uniform. The fact that no pilot suit is needed on a ship like this was an upside... the only one he could think of when it came to freighters like these.

The young man stepped off the ship expecting to see a torqued-off teacher and Mike plus the said general but to his surprise, only Mike was standing there.

The elderly fox nodded at him. "General is in the board room better hurry up there kid"

Drew nodded back at him. "Thanks, Mike.'' He started walking to the elevator. ''Know what this is about?"

The fox shrugged. ''got me, kid. Maybe you shagged his daughter.''

Drew rolled his eyes. ''Mike... common.''

The fox held up his hands ''Hey you never know with you humans.''

As much as Drew wanted to fight him on the matter he was kind of right. At this point humans... well humans weren't known for military might at least not anymore. Ever since they almost got wiped out, twice. They have been docile... to put it kindly. Let's just say the fact that Drew's uniform isn't a tear-away is a miracle by most people's standards. Hell, the fact that Drew even got into the military is a miracle.

The young man stepped into a small elevator hitting level three and turning to see the fox as the doors closed.

''Don't say anything stupid Drew...'' the old station guard advised.

The human smirked. ''I'll try my best.''

The doors slid shut and Drew began to wonder. Why did a general want to see him? He doesn't recall doing anything stupid or really bad recently so what was it? Before he could come up with an answer the elevator chimed and the doors slid open.

The young man stepped out into a brightly lit hall. Walking for a bit straight forward before taking a left passing some classrooms and then a right coming up on a closed set of double doors.

Drew raised his hand and pressed the buzzer on the side panel of the door.

"Who is it?" A low voice called over the small speaker.

"Captain in training Drew Shields as requested." He said through the intercom.

''Ah yes. Please come in."

The young man tapped the door's control pad again and a low mechanical hiss sounded as the two sheets of metal slid away revealing a large wooden table inset with a holographic projector surrounded by chairs.

Sitting in the back of the room facing the door were three men. An older wolf draped in a general coat sitting in the middle flanked by two horses on either side one a lighter brown and the other a dark grey. Drew recognized none of them... Thankfully. He thought for a second that the teachers might be trying to come onto him... Again.

Upon seeing the human the wolf gestured to the chairs in front of the large round table. "Please sit down."

Drew did as he was told and chose the seat directly across from the wolf.

''So Drew Shields...'' The wolf said looking down at the tablet that partially lit up his face. "You are probably wondering why I wish to talk to you.'' He looked back up at him. ''Well, you can relax your not in trouble quite the opposite.''

The human visibly started breathing again. "Good to know sir."

A cockeyed grin appeared on the wolf's face. "My name is John Grant and..." he led up the tablet "I Have some reports here.'' The older wolf adjusted the spectacles on his aged nose and started reading. ''One Wesley Brix. A top pilot in the Alliance said quote If it has a joystick this young man can make it purr. Un quote'' John looked back up to a Drew who just shifted uncomfortably.

''Jacob Mathews has something to say about your score in the sims too calling you a certified Ace....'' Still nothing from the young man.

''I also have several other reports telling me similar stories from freighter captains to flight teachers.'' The wolf raised a brow waiting for the human to take the stage but he still said nothing.

''Now I have personally been following your career with one particular mission in mind since I saw Wesley's quote in your file and besides the obvious innuendo... This is high praise coming for one of our top pilots not to mention the other accounts.''

The general set the tablet down and sat back in his chair. ''You see Drew you are in a unique position. As a human, the alliance can't in their right mind put you in the cockpit of a fighter, Bomber, or Mech. But I think your understanding of these tools compared to most captains is something special.''

He gestures to the two horses seated next to him. "These men are mech pilots. some of the best. Freelancers the alliance and I have had the privilege to work with. Jaxson and Arnold Davis or as most people know of them by their mechs callsigns..."

"Zeus and Apollo. The best shot and fastest pilots in the sector." Drew didn't mean to cut off the general but he recognized the names instantly. They were walking legends in the armed forces. Though he never actually saw them in person until now he... we'll let's just say he's a fan.

The two stifled a grin in the dark realizing the captain knew them.

The General raised a brow. "You are familiar?" the question felt loaded like he already knew the answer.

Drew nodded anyways trying to hide his excitement. "Yes sir. Greased lighting and Null point? I've been following their careers since they started."

Now the grin turned into a shock as the duo had rarely met someone who knew the original callsigns they had.

However, John smiled. He seemed to expect this. ''This is why I started looking at you Drew. you could probably tell me more about their mechs than the engineers that work on them.'' He tapped his paw on the table. ''And you may talk to them about anything and everything... In a moment.'' He gestured for the two to leave. They were a test of some kind... Drew wasn't sure if he passed.

''You see Drew your passion for fighters and mechs is special. Most Captains have a general knowledge of the craft but you will know every in and out. You know what parts are most needed to keep them fighting. The limit to their strength and what their armor can and cannot endure. Your deep knowledge of them would make a perfect pick for a carrier captain.''

Drew sat forward at the idea of leading a carrier. "Is this an offer sir?"

The wolf laughed. "Were it so easy son... Sadly not in the way you may think. We have no new modern carriers to give you and no captain is going to willingly step down so the top brass just says they just want to make you a supply convoy leader.''

Drew tried to hide just how fast his heart hit the bottom of his gut. "Yes, sir I've heard the talk of that.''

''That, to be frank. Is bullshit." John said rather plainly. ''Despite all your records, all your training, and every single person that works with you saying otherwise. They want to keep you grounded.'' He paused to let it sink in a bit.

''It's why you were held back twice. Why do you think it seems you take the same long tests over and over and over again with questions only minorly scrambled? To put it simply Drew they don't think a human can command a ship they still see what's left of Terra and what most humans are now and think they know better... Why do you think the Teachers and visiting generals make passes at you all the time? They see what they think is the same thing that's on Terra when they get shore leave.''

The young man blinked. He didn't know what to say. He always knew something was up but he just figured it would end at some point. Maybe if he got enough 98s and 100s they'd let him through maybe finally give him a ship maybe stop hitting on him...

''Now'' The general spoke up again bringing him back. "I think that is a waste of talent. So I've come to you with a proposition.'' John tapped the table a bit pulling up a sector map of the war.

''As you know. We've got The Keepers below us.'' A large section of the map was highlighted due to his words showing a red-tinted bottom and identifying it as Keeper territory. ''The Keepers have been on this so-called holy war for years now and we have been their biggest target nothing new. But what has made it worse is ever since the Drumman Offensive...'' He tapped the pad again and the map zoomed out to show the whole situation. ''We have had more and more rebel and bandit attacks from above leaving us right in the middle.'' The map once again blinked as the top turned green to show rebel space and thus a smaller circle directly in the middle indicating Alliance space getting smaller all the time.

The Drumman Offensive... Drew was familiar. A hand full of years ago the Alliance had been on the upside of the war. Punching through Keeper space like power-fist through drywall that is until they hit Drumman. A die-hard captain of the Keepers. This brick wall of a captain turned out to be a modern-day Red Baron, nearly untouchable it didn't matter what the Alliance threw at him Drumman just wouldn't go down. He punched back going straight through the best and brightest, cutting a swath of destruction before finally being put down nearly two years later right on the Alliance's doorstep. He proved the Alliance could be beaten and ever since they have been on the back foot desperate to find a brace.

''Because of that bastard. The rebels and pirates above us have started getting cocky and because most of our boys in blue are busy with the Keepers themselves these pricks have been having a field day in our backyard.'' The wolf was agitated, to say the least looking at him.

However, Drew recalled some sort of defense force being set up maybe a year ago to deal with the back line. ''Sir what about the I, L, I?''

''The Iron Line Initiative? Ha!'' the wolf seemed amused and pissed at the thought. ''A small line of ships that should be on the front is not going to stonewall these cretins all it does is funnel them in where we can't get defenses up making it even harder to fight them due to them being packed together.'' He shook his head. ''The problem with these pirates is not their size or force it's the speed. If we chase them off they just come back later if we destroy one or two ships they just build more on the outer forge worlds in a matter of days... No, what we need is a fast efficient killer to cut off the leak at the source.''

John tapped the table again. ''This is why I need you Drew.'' as he said that the holo of a ship appeared in the projection a large retrofitted beast that looked nothing like anything the Alliance ever made. ''Meet the Nomad. To say this thing is experimental is an understatement.''

''It's a hybrid... a carrier and a destroyer,'' Drew recognized its purpose instantly the thing was a marvel to look at. It was Ingenious.

''Good eye. The Nomad is just as it says on the tin. Its purpose is to be a fully functional self-supporting capital ship. The power of a battleship with the mech and fighter support of a carrier.'' The general looked across the table at the young man ''It's a force to be reckoned with ten mech slots. Bomber, and fighter landings and more flack, autos, and cannons than a factory this thing doesn't have a vanguard weapon because it simply doesn't need one It's built from older parts but that's the charm she is crafted from the best of the best the once prides of the Alliance...'' He seemed to get into it, He loved this ship. ''And I want you to be its captain.''

''Sir?'' Drew was taken aback by the statement. ''But it is an experimental you said your self top brass won't let me command a tug much less... This.'' He gestured to the hologram.

''I think you can do it and for the job I have in mind I think your the only one who can.'' He tapped the table again making the projections stop and some lights click on so they could see each other better. ''Drew there are two options in front of you as I see it. Once you stay here and keep doing the same tests over and over again until the Keepers take over or one of those top brass make you their plaything. Or...'' He made the holo pop up one last time. ''You take this ship and head straight into rebel territory and wreak havoc on everything you find. The more damage you do the further in the Alliance can push meaning less pressure on us as a whole and potentially more resources and worlds to get the foothold we lost so long ago back.''

He leaned back again. ''And as for the top brass well I have a way around that. As stated they won't let you lead a tug and that is correct so I'm going to ask you to resign.''

''What?!'' The human almost instantly shot up out of his chair ''Bu... How, why? Do you know how hard I fought to get here?!''

The wolf put his hands up and signaled for the young man to sit down. ''Easy, easy I have a plan.''

The human slowly sat back down still on edge.

''Now'' John put his hands together and set them on the table. ''After you resign you will be enlisted in another Navy. The EDF.''

Drew's look of confusion somehow got even worse. ''The Earth Defense Force? They don't exist anymore. Haven't for.... 300 years.''

However, John seemed confident in this. ''No, they still do exist. Who do you think Terra's MPs are? The EDF never shut down they just got smaller and while what I'm suggesting might be a Hail Mary at best if you become the first space fairing captain for the EDF in three hundred years I think you'll gather support in the outer colonies. While a man wearing blue and black has.... more than a bit of bad blood out there. Most would sympathize and maybe even help a young human captain in white and green.''

The human shook his head. ''It's... mad.''

For once the wolf nodded with him. ''On that, we agree. But... It's also mad enough to work. I have permission from the EDF all I need is for you to look me in the eye and say you want to do it.'' He breathed in before continuing. ''So Captain Drew. Do we have an understanding? You move through the outer colonies freely, Fighting any pirates and rebels you find. Gathering any support you can and in return, you are given a ship and a crew with room for more. A few bombers and fighters that we can spare, two mechs, their pilots, and most importantly the pride of your people back.''

The young man sat there for a minute just taking it in finally he realized just what this all meant... it was crazy, insane, and Drew couldn't say no it was his way out the thing he had been waiting for. He looked up, with confidence this time. ''When do I start?''