Two hours...

In her head, whilst she was planning what she was going to do, two hours seemed like more than enough time. Now she was actually standing on the planet she didn't seem so sure.

In two hours I've got to get to the lab, find any blueprints, and then locate a working ship so I can get off this rock...

Shade was waiting out of sight of the other three troopers, on the edge of the square. She wanted to make sure that she was alone before she could get ready and then set out to where she needed to be.

She watched as the three men unpacked their crates and got their equipment ready.

I wonder if they will actually find anything ? I'd love to see their reaction when they realise I've gone...

Finally they all split up and moved away. She waited a few more minutes before she ran back to the pile of crates. She was looking for a very specific box. She had marked it for her attention only, and packed it herself, hiding it away amongst the rest. It was the key to her whole plan.

There it is...

She prized the crate open, revealing a small metal carrying case sitting at the bottom of it. She took out a small set of keys from a pouch in her uniform and unlocked the case.

She whistled to herself as she took a second to look at the contents.

The case only held one object - a black metallic cylinder, clipped snuggly in place. The cylinder had no markings on it except for a small panel with a numeric button pad and display.

This thing has enough power to level half of this city...

It had taken Shade several months and more credits than she could afford to obtain, and more still to bribe the people she needed to. But now, when she was looking it, she knew that the modified blazer bomb had been worth every credit.

As she shut the case and lifted it out of the crate she paused and looked up towards the top of one of the nearby buildings.

I have the strangest feeling I'm being watched...

She stood scanning the buildings, but when she could see nothing she decided she had just imagined it.

At worst it would have just been one of the crazed locals wondering what we are doing here...

She orientated herself with her surroundings, put her helmet back on, checked her pistol and grabbed the case. She climbed onto one the speeder bikes that had been left at the drop zone. She knew where she needed to go, but on the way she first needed to make a short detour.

If my information is correct then close to where the weapons lab is, there should be a small space dock. I was told that it was used when higher ups visited, so they could come and go quickly. With any luck there will still be something usable there...

She clicked the bike into life and sped from the square.

Shade could not travel as quickly as she would have liked, the remnants of a hurried evacuation were everywhere to be seen as she travelled. Burnt out vehicles and other debris littered the road that she was on. Feral animals scattered as she approached and more than once she was sure that she had caught a glimpse of people lurking in a buildings as she passed them by.

As long as everyone stays out of my way we will all be fine...

She could tell that the area used to be high end. Close to the financial district it appeared to have been full of stores selling luxury goods and high rise housing for those who worked close by.

How the other half lived eh ?

She slowed to a stop when the commercial buildings started to end. She had memorised the street layout, so she wasn't lost, she just needed to be sure she was where she thought she should be. She nodded to herself.

She was just about to move off again when she absently looked into a huge building that was off to her left.

A broad smile broke out behind her helmet.

You have got to be kidding me...

From where she was, she could see that the building contained at least five small spacecraft, neatly lined up and illuminated.

She read the neon sign that stretched across the building. It read 'Morels Star Hoppers'.

Shade swore loudly.

Well. This has got to be my lucky day...