My apologies for taking so long to post anything. Life has been extremely hectic, which directly affects the time I have available to write. Also, there has been some difficulty with coordinating the writing effort with my co-authors (of the ISC's) in order to maintain continuity with the main story. But at any rate, here's the first mini-section of the story. This is merely a preview, but it's all I've had time for thus far. So, here it is:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seven years before the events of the Ice Sword Chronicles…
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Martial Academy, 4:30 AM; October 21st, 2002-

(Unknown character) *enters dormitory room* Hey DJ! Wake up…we need to get over to the mission office quick if we want to get assigned to that job in Ireland you were talking about! Come on!
(DJ) [just waking up] Ugh…just a minute Jake. *groggily sits up* I don’t think that mission would have been claimed this early. It’s only, what, *looks at clock* 4:30 in the morning? You’re the only cadet that would be up this time of the morning.
(Jake) Should I have not woken you up? You were the one talking about how great the Ireland mission sounded last night. I just wanted to make sure we got it. Consider this an early birthday present for you! Now come on, let’s go already!
(DJ) I don’t know how you do it Jake…I’m still dead tired. Tell you what: you go on over to the mission office, and I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’ve just got to get my things together first.
(Jake) Alright. *exits room and jogs toward the mission office*
[4:35 AM]
(Mission office aide) Yes, the mission in Ireland is still available.
(Jake) Great! I’d like to accept it, along with DJ.
(MO aide) I will need to see your ID cards to make sure you both have proper clearance for this assignment.
(Jake) Ok. *hands aide his ID* DJ should be here in a minute…
(MO aide) *takes card and enters it into computer* Alright, Jake, it looks like you are all set.
(DJ) *enters the mission office* I’m here. *walks over to counter and gives ID card to aide*
(MO aide) Good morning. *enters card into computer* Ok, you’re ready to go, DJ. I’ll print out two briefing reports for you.
(Jake) Yes! This should be a good one.
(MO aide) Just don’t forget that you’re still on assignment…this is a serious mission. Ah, your reports are ready. *hands reports to DJ*
(DJ) Yes ma’am, we won’t forget. *turns to Jake* So, when do you want to leave? It’s about a four-hour flight if we get a good speeder.
(Jake) It should take us about half an hour to get our gear ready and sign out a speeder. How about we leave at six o’clock? That way we’ll have a little extra time to do stuff before we leave.
(DJ) That sounds good to me. *Hands Jake one of the briefing reports* I’ll see you in an hour or so. *DJ and Jake leave the mission office*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Jake)