The long and drawn out battle with the Zentraedi around the rings of Saturn has come to an end in what might be considered a draw. Whilst the massed ranks of attacking aliens have been driven off with heavy losses and the SDF-1 is once again safely able to continue its long journey back toward Earth losses on the EDF side have also been heavy. Whilst new Veritech fighters can be constructed using the manufacturing facilities aboard the huge battle-fortress, pilots are another matter. Losses among the SDF-1’s veteran pilots have been light and those rookie pilots who survived the battle have now had their first test of space combat and will be ready for the battles which everyone knows are to follow. To replace the pilots lost the call immediately goes out for volunteers and those who come forward are trained as quickly as possible in the operations of the variable technology combat fighter. In the long voyage between Saturn and Jupiter the crew of the SDF-1 and its thousands of un-willing passengers take the opportunity to rest, re-group and plan for whatever the Zentraedi may throw at them next. To be continued next week (sorry I am on holiday tomorrow).