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Chapter 2
Hints of Foul Play

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"Eagle!" Drake voice could be heard behind him.

"What? What is it?" Eagle was tired from the long night before. He had gotten very little sleep.

"Orange Star is on their way here, mate. They've already passed through Yellow Comet."

"Really…when will they be here?"

"Less than a day." Eagle nodded at this.

"Get your forces out to destroy their ships. I'll take care of the skies!" Drake nodded and walked out. Eagle went to leave, but turned looking back out the window. He spoke but his voice was low, barely even a whisper. "Sami…are you going to be there?"

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Sami looked outside the window of the transport copter.

"Hey, Sami! You okay?" Andy called from the other side of the copter.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine…fine." He had startled out of her thinking.

"Come on, Sam. We know you better than that. What's wrong?" Max called out from the side.

"Nothing, it's…nothing." Sami looked back out the window.

"Really?" Max crossed his arms. "I don't believe you." Sami didn't answer him this time and continued looking out the window. Nell opened her eyes and leaned forward. She was trying to get a couple more moments of sleep, but she realized that all hope for that was now lost.

"Sami, you've been acting weird sense that battle with Eagle." Sami continued looking out the window. There was a lull in the talking for a minute.

"So?" Sami turned her head to look farther out the window. Her eyes squinted as the morning sun rose.

"So, we want to know what happened. Tell us."

"Nothing happened." She looked back at them. "That's it. Now, please, drop it."

"Fine. Though I still think something's wrong…" Max leaned back and closed his eyes. Sami looked back out the window towards Green Earth as it slowly rose on the horizon.

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"I can't believe they got past our defenses!" Eagle's hands were in fists again.

"Eagle, ya got to calm down." Drake's cool voice could hardly calm Eagle down. "Look, why don't you go and tighten the defenses farther inland. I'll hold them off as long as I can."

"Why exactly are you offering to do this? It's unlike you."

"I've gotta hunch I wanta work out. Just say yes and go, mate."

"Fine. Be careful."

"When am I not?"

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"What's this?" Nell wondered. "I know we're fighting Green Earth, but it's not Eagle who's commanding them."

"Ma'am, I have the info on the enemy commanding officer you wanted." Nell turned and took the papers from the soldier.

"Thank you." The soldier turned and exited. Nell sat down at the desk and started reading through the file.

"Nell? Nell, come in." The communicator on the desk buzzed. Nell picked it up and paused a moment before answering.

"Yes, Sami, what is it?"

"Do we know who the commanding officer is yet? It's not Eagle, is it?"

"No, it's not Eagle. It a sailor named Drake. Supposedly the best when it comes to naval battles."

"Well, what's his weakness?"

"It's air and ground."

"So we should push him to where he has to fight on ground."

"Exactly."

"Will do." With a click the conversation was over.

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"Drake, you…you lost." Eagle stared at him in disbelief.

"Aye, but I found out some good info for ya, mate." Drake had a happy smile. "The Orange Star that we're fightin' now is not the same Orange Star that attacked us earlier."

"That's not true! I saw him! I saw Andy!"

"Aye. That's what I thought too, but their tactics are completely different as if we're fighting a different army." Drake moved closer to Eagle and placed his hand on his shoulder. "If you still don't believe me, test them out for ya-self. I'm sure you'll see what I'm talking about."

"Fine, I'll do that, and I'll lead the charge."

"That's the Eagle I know." Eagle turned and walked out to the briefing room.

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