(For the purpose of this story, 1 meter = 3 feet)

"100 meters to landing." chimed a feminine voice from the overhead speakers, tension hardening the edges of each word.

Tarkus tightened his crash harness. "Prepare for impact." he ordered his squad.

"40 meters to landing." chimed the voice again.

Suddenly, the whole ship rocked violently. "Pilot!" shouted Tarkus, "What's going on out there?"

"I don't know! I can't see anything through this cloud cover!" the pilot called back, "I think we're taking heavy AA fire, sir! It'll take some doing, but I'll get us through."

A rapid countdown appeared opposite Tarkus, displaying the final descent. Tarkus felt his muscles tighten in anticipation of hot-dropping into a combat zone. 20 meters to go. 10 meters. Finally the countdown reached zero. But the Thunderhawk never touched down. Instead, when the countdown reached zero, Tarkus's world exploded into fire.

***