Thanks for all the reviews!! Much appreciated :D

Sorry!! Another blabbing chapter :( Next chapter will be a TOE, and then planetfall and maybe some mech action :D

Onto my next thing: Anyone wanting to be a Beta, please PM me with your details. I would appreciate one :D Thanks.

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Lyran Space. Nine weeks after aquisition of Rasalhague Raiders service.

Leaving his quarters, Grant made his way to the hardpoint, connecting his dropship to the Sheppard's jumpship. An hour ago, twelve hours before their final jump, he had agreed to board and discuss last minute arrangements with John Sheppard for their drop. Something had struck him as funny sounding when Sheppard had mentioned it a week ago, but this far into Lyran space was not the time to question him about it.

At the hardpoint he was met by Kenna.

"You're going with me eh?" he asked.

She nodded, and then turned as the techs began pressurizing the connection between the two ships. After several minutes a light flashed green, and the inner door of his dropship retracted inward. Another half a minute and the outer door leading to the hardpoints interior swung open, allowing them into the passageway.

Upon reaching the other end, the jumpship's doors opened in duplicate fashion and they stepped inside. A pair of gaurds approached them as they set feet inside the jumpship.

"Your weapons," the one inquired. Holding out a hand for them. As the man did, it took Grant awhile to realize what he meant. He was used to carrying a weapon all the time and had thought nothing of putting on the two handguns he usually carried. And the combat knife, hand grenades, and ammunition belt.

"No," he replied, "Take us to your boss."

At this the two men stepped back and unslung their rifles, "Your weapons...sir," he added as an afterthought. Grant did not move threateningly, but shifted the shoulder holster he was wearing, and positioned his other hand nearer his hip-mounted holster. Kenna did the same, not in a threating manner but being cautious.

Grant looked over the man, a young corporal from the look of it. Probably still trying to enforce every single rule he had seen in the Junior NCO handbook.

"Go screw yourself. We ain't gonna cause trouble with our employer."

Before the corporal could reply, Sheppard turned the corner, "Corporal, at ease."

The two gaurds looked at the man and hesitantly lowered their weapons. At his motion they turned and left around the corrider.

"Sorry 'bout that. With all the troubles, we had, to recruit some of the militia into the regular military...some of 'em are a little gung-ho," he paused, "Do you uh...always go armed? I mean we're in space now..."

Grant nodded, "Little habit from the Clan Invasion." Wanting to change the subject, he asked his own question, "Okay what's going on? You wanted me to come over for some last minute changes, that I personally think you had planned all along."

Sheppard shrugged and motioned for them to follow. As they did he went through several passages before turning into what was obviously his cabin.

Grant and Kenna stepped inside as Sheppard closed the door. Silently he moved to the back wall of the cabin and pressed a hidden button. A section of the wall retracted, revealing a safe. Punching in the combination he reached in and pulled out a pair of holodisks before closing the safe.

"I brought you here to give you last minute updates," John finally said, "That couldn't be said before."

"Like what?" Grant was becoming increasingly edgy, as more cloak and dagger stuff began revealing itself.

"The first is our line positions as of our last update, our last stop had a HPG station on-planet, and I recieved information from my father on battle-line updates."

"And the second?"

"To tell you the last of our...uh...withheld information...We have another mercenary unit working for us," John held up a hand, "I know what you think. I didn't want to do it, but I got over-ruled..the others figured if you knew of their contract details you wouldn't join us."

"Let me guess, they are recieving damn good pay, along with half salvage rights...am I wrong?" Grant shoved down his inner rage. He couldn't cancel his contract over this, considering how close they were to the job, and he couldn't afford to do that because of the debts he owed.

"You're right. We had hired them before Kinsey back-stabbed us, and they arrived a week after his initial attacks. So they had their payment for duty beforehand, and they get half-salvage in exchange for their monetary payment being delayed until the action is over," Sheppard leaned back in his chair.

"Like I said, I'm sorry about this. I thought you had to be told, but everyone else disagreed...and I can see their point...You're fighting for pay,...we are fighting for our existance. If Kinsey wins, my family will get virtual death sentance, we can leave the planet, but that is our very existance. The Sheppards have been there ever since the first human set foot on the planet...It's all we know."

'Yeah. "I'm sorry" really covers that,' Grant thought. Choking back his retort, Grant replied the only way he felt he could, "We're square, as long as we are clear on one thing."

"What's that?"

"The other mercenary unit is under my command, and I get partial autonamy to my operations. If I work for salvage, I got to be able to get some."

"Deal," Sheppard agreed quickly. He chuckled and then continued, "We already planned on putting the other unit under you. And as long as you support us on our missions, you are free to do as you please," he held up a hand, "Within reason."

Changing subjects, Grant asked another question, "Who is this mercenary unit by the way?"

"A unit straight from the Fedcom Periphery. The Smoke Tigers, formed in 3059 for mop-up operations on former Smoke Jagaur worlds. After most of those were pacified, they hired on with Davion for periphery pirate hunting. Their leader was killed 9 months ago in a pirate ambush, and his second in command took over."

"A smaller unit I assume? I never heard of them before," Grant commented.

"Yes. Only 10 mechs arranged into two star formations. They were re-organized into those formations when their new Commander took over... A woman named," Sheppard tapped on his laptop, "Commander Tanea Warrick."

Grant nodded as he took in the information, "Okay. Give me your battle-lines and I will look them over. I assume you also have the best intellegance possible on mech and armor locations?"

Sheppard withdrew the disc from the laptop and handed it to him, "It's all on there, including the information on the Smoke Tigers."

Grant took the disc and placed it in a pocket, "I guess we will be leaving then." He turned and motioned to Kenna, who joined him.

Halting at the door, Grant turned to Sheppard, "Conveniant that merc unit you hired, came a week after Kinsey back-stabbed you."

"Yes. We knew it would happen eventually," John replied.

"Yeah...That or maybe do a little of your own backstabbing," Grant gave a slight chuckle at John's reaction, confirming his suspicions, "See you on-planet."

As they left, Grant was silent a few moments before turning to his second in command, "You were quiet back there. Didn't say a damned word the entire time you've been on this jumpship."

"Was there anything to say?" she asked. He had to admit, she had a point.