"So, can we work with this?" Cam asked as he and Jaq crossed into the control room.
"Oh, sure," Matt replied with an airy wave of his hand. "I just like that video game we play. You know, the one with the guy and the things."
"Oh. Yeah. That game. So we can engage if need be?"
Matt nodded, with a look that said 'duh, that's what I just told you.'
"Sarah, range to targets?" Jaq asked. She was at the tactical board, and that sounded like something that one should ask someone who sits at a tactical board.
"Um, looks like one-hundred twenty thousand kilometers... and closing," she said nervously but steadily.
"Still a ways out, yet," Cam muttered. Then, louder, "alright, lets keep an eye on the battle and try to assign priority targets. Well start firing at extreme, but hopefully we won't-"
An alarm sounded and a red light flashed, cutting off whatever he was about to say. Jaq whirled towards the security screen, just in time to see two people drop into the foyer. He could see the male say something, but the volume was turned low and they hadn't taken time to figure out those controls, so neither he nor the others heard it.
"Who the heck is that?" Matt asked loudly.
"Well that," Sarah replied, gesturing at the woman, "is Amanda Lance. I have no clue who the guy is. Looks familiar, though..."
At that point the security system came online, the message ("Have a nice day" and all) sounded in the control room for the benefit of those watching, and the shots started flying.
Later, Jaq would swear that he meant to shut down the blaster and open the door. He was after all, bare seconds away from the door switch, and his mouth was open to give the verbal override. He just... didn't.
What he did instead, what all the boys did instead, was to comment on Amanda Lance's saber form.
"She's good."
"Oooh, that was close!"
"The guy ain't half bad himself. You see all that dodging? That's good dodging."
"Did you see that? I need to get her to teach me how to do that."
"Whoa! She almost took off that guy's-"
"Hey, I figured out who that guy is!" Matt enthused. "That's Alextravia Grentarii!"
"I thought he was dead," Cam observed.
"Cool! A zombie!"
"Boys!" Sarah snapped sternly. "Don't you think we should, you know, let them in?!"
The three glanced at each other, abashed. Jaq about to yet again open his mouth to issue the verbal override when... the blasters stopped firing. They all looked at each other, each look revealing an inner way between "Yay!" and "Oh, shaavit."
Shaavit won out.
"Warning. Counter-insurgency program level one unsuccessful. Initiating counter-insurgency program level two. Have a nice day."
"Command override Papa-Echo-Lima-Lima-One-One-Two-Three-Five! Cancel level two procedures!" Jaq yelled.
"Unable to comply," the computer answered sweetly. "Gas concentration has reached point of no return. Lethal amounts will reach subjects even if ventilated immediately. Have a nice day."
"Oh, shaavit all over the Emperor's black bones," Jaq growled as he stabbed at the intercom button. "Ms. Lance!" he called, hoping she heard him, "when we open the door, get ready to move!"
Jaq turned towards the door, but Cameron was already there. No words on instruction were needed, and Cam pushed the switch to open the door.
