I stared forward. The Phantom was still glassing the Wraith when our Banshees swooped down on the tank one by one like giant purple hawks, each tearing into it with their twin plasma cannons. This news about Shadow really pissed me off like you wouldn't believe. But something about Wildcat's calm demeanor, even after my outburst, made me feel slightly embarrassed. Ashamed even. I had to have better self control if I was going to set a good example and truly represent to how a captain of the orbital drop shock troopers operates. As the team leader, it was my responsibility to keep everyone safe. Shadow was being his usual self. It was far too easy to find someone else to blame.

"My bad," I began. "I'm ju-"

"Don't sweat it."

I nodded my thanks. She gave me a one sided shrug and a grin. Cool as rain. Figuring that I might as well make myself useful, I decided to take a look around and gather as much info as I could about our defenses. Despite the plasma beam and impenetrable armor, I could tell that the Scarab was clearly not designed for conventional warfare.

It was comprised of three decks, none of which had turret armaments. The bottom deck offered the most protection, but it was the control room. Johnson was taking no chances and sealed the door shut behind him. I couldn't blame him. But then again, I could. The way this thing was set up, we were just asking to be boarded. We were sitting ducks up here.

The main deck had some okay cover from an areal assault, but not in terms of a firefight. If one were to take cover on the ramp leading down to the sealed off control room, they would put themselves at a downhill disadvantage and be vulnerable to thrown grenades. A double walled column, with technical control panels, stood in the middle of the deck holding up the top level. The best option, I discerned, was to utilize the support columns as best as I could.


A/N:

For once, I'm actually glad to not receive any new reviews. Balancing all these different spinning plates has been a bit of a struggle as it is. However, it's been well worth the grind these past few months. Things are finally beginning to take form. As such, I've got a series of announcements to make.

For starters, I can safely reveal to you the nature of the ever mysterious 'collaborative projects' that have called for the bulk of my attention as of late. I have five graphic novels in the works as we speak. Some are more complete than others, but then of course, some are longer than others. One will be available to the public for free, and both it and previews of the other four will be on my website.

This segways cleanly into the next announcement: the website. While I have enjoyed stretching out my writerly limbs here, on Youtube and practically every social media platform, every hole in the wall free writing site at some point or other, I feel more secure with my own personal hub that can act as a directory/encyclopedia in regards to my work. Still testing out a few links, and will need to add a forum sooner than later so I can connect with you all directly, but we'll take this one step at a time.

While I cannot provide the link quite yet, is back under my ownership and it's here to stay. Once I upgrade my Wix account membership to premium, I can connect it to the domain and the side will officially go live. Opening date will be specified in the near future.

Lastly, I did receive a review/fav/follow or two, but on TBD (to-be-continued) stories,. I have accepted these requests and got down in the dirty trenches of these tales, digging up exactly what it is that makes them pop. Lots of groundwork goes into this stuff people, all kinds of character bios, plot charts, outlines, scrapped chapters and other things you guys will never see. It's fun to take the pen and go ham, but at some point you gotta sit down and reel that thing in or you'll end up in where-the-fuck-is-this-going territory. New chapters for Art Lean, Frank, Boser the Conqueror, and Summoner's Rift dropping soon.

Happy Holidays,

-MQ