It had taken less than a week for the gossip mill to have the UIR and Outsiders aware of the bunker's presence. Closely followed by the news that the Settlement was on hold pending a new location being found. Needless to say they had requested a meeting to discuss the matter. Demanded might have been a more accurate turn of phrase.
Myers had made a return from his self imposed exile. He'd tried to have Emmerich meet with the First Minister for a secure briefing. But another matter had come up in New Ephyra so they had missed the window for contact.
Emmerich had called a meeting in one of the conference rooms at the Admin center. Said meeting had devolved into a shouting match. Mainly between Speaker Gaos and Lieutenant Governor Evangelina. Both of them had a distinct dislike for each other.
'You thought you could keep things like that a secret to what end?' said Gaos.
'The Governor opted to give you time to settle in. You've been called so you could receive a full report.' said Evangelina.'
'Oh, a report. Perfect. Does it say when he felt that the rest of us should be told that the place apparently tried to kill your people?'
'That was an accident. The Bunker is fully under our control now.'
'It being under your control is not an improvement. What if my people don't want to risk being trapped under the COG's guns in case you change your minds?'
'I'm sure your people will be happy to move more than thirty kilometers away.'
Off to the side Emmerich and Široký were having their own verbal fight. More subdued they were working with daggers rather than swords.
'You must understand this changes the situation. I had hoped we were looking at a good balance of power.' Široký said, mock offense in his voice.
'I understand that we only have limited stocks of weaponry. Whilst I do sympathize with your concerns. I do agree with Colonel O'Connor's advice that trying to create a joint command structure would be unwise.'
'Then I must contact my superiors and advise them of the situation.'
'You are free to do so. Would you like to use the communications terminal here or will you be returning to your own office?'
'Given the sensitive nature of this matter I believe it would be best done through... secure channels.'
'Are you concerned that our communications system may be insecure?'
'I have no idea what you mean.'
Fisher slipped into Emmerich's line of sight. 'Apologies Governor, some issues have cropped up. I'll need to head out to the Bunker and help get things sorted.'
Emmerich nodded. 'It's fine I can sort things out here.'
'Good luck Governor.' Fisher said as he left.
The game was still being played. Emmerich looked over at Evangelina and Gaos. Evangelina was not well known as a hothead and patriot. But if she met someone who could get her riled up she became a quote "Raging Windflare". Speaker Gaos seemed to take particular glee in making Evangelina act out. Even if she kept up the humble servant of the people mask she knew how far she could go before things would get out of ha-.
A klaxon sounded. Emergency lighting activated. O'Connor was already listening to his ear-piece, his face stoic. Durham was head of Emmerich's security detail today. She learned over speaking quietly into his ear.
'Sir. Possible contact at outer perimeter. Confirmation pending. Possibility of a system issue.'
'Shit.' Emmerich said, not his most professional of statements. 'I'm adjourning this meeting. I'd advise you all to contact your respective heads of security and perform a full headcount. We may have a situation'
'This better not be a drill Governor.' Gaos said. 'Me and mine came here to be as far from Jinn as possible.'
'I must concur with Speaker Gaos.' Široký said. 'My citizens will not stand for false danger being used to impose controls over them.'
'We can discuss your views on the First Minister later. Colonel I believe you are needed in the command center. Let's follow the procedure, hopefully this is just a faulty sensor.'
Outside of the office Nomura Taikan was sprinting over his Skull helmet in one hand.
'The hell is all the commotion? One second the Motor Pool is running maintenance and the next half the COG army is trying to mount up.'
'Apparently the Swarm might be on the way.' Gaos said, giving a dismissive wave of her hand. 'Funny how that happened so quickly when the conversation got bad. Fisher didn't even wait for the signal.'
'I do not believe this is a dill Speaker Gaos.' Široký said, appearing at their side. His own bodyguards had arrived and the Onyx around Emmerich's office seemed to have doubled.
'You don't think this is real do you. Hasn't this place been clear for months?' Gaos said, looking over at the UIR Governor.
'The Governor sent the Colonel to the Command Center he's handed over command. No Speaker Gaos I don't think this is a drill. I would ask Mr Taikan's. What did he call them? Feral Riders to head out. They will likely be needed soon.'
With his warning given and request made the UIR Governor left.
'You don't think this is real? Right Eliana? It's just some trick to scare us. Right?' Taikan said.
'If it's a trick they seem to be pretty damned scared of their own performance.' Gaos said. Looking over the Camp as the COG went into overdrive.
Across the peninsula personnel rushed to their stations. Gears at the Camp collected weapons and ammunition before moving to their posts. Some took their positions on the wall other ran to the Motor Pool. Mounting up for when they would be needed.
Those at the outposts and guard checkpoints began constant check-ins with their Controllers. They checked their scopes and began to sweep for anything coming up from the beaches.
The troops posted on the fortified land bridge checked their stocks of ammo. Stomper teams padded bags of spare barrels and lined up belts of .50 cal grenades.
Engineers stowed their tools and donned their armor. Running checks on Auto guns and a network of pipes running throughout the trenches.
At the new air-strip inside the Camp perimeter Lieutenant Khan sprinted towards CO-254. To her side Lieutenant Austin was running towards CO-321.
Khan tapped her helmet radio as ran. 'CO-254. Commence pre-flight.'
'Acknowledged.' The Condor's computerized co-pilot responded.
The four propellers began to spin up. Rear ramp dropped open for her and she ran up. Moving between the rows of prepacked DeeBees she reached the door to the cockpit. Behind her the pod launching system began to run its checks. The arms moving along the rail and checking their range of motion.
'Pre-Flight 42% complete.' The Condor co-pilot noted.
'Confirm.' Khan said. Reading the list off on her HUD. Once strapped in she continued the final checks.
Once she reported to Control she looked out at the other craft around her. CO-321 was ready. Austin was raring to go it seemed.
Docked on their automated pads, flights of Kestrels ran final checks. The ordinance lifts passed missiles up into their waiting weapon bays. Once each was loaded to its maximum they shot into the air roaring into their patrol pattern.
Behind them Ravens were lifting off their stenciled pads. All were ready to provide support with their newly fitted door and chin guns. Some were heading out looking to pick up long range patrols from the mainland. Others were moving into holding patterns.
Control confirmed the runways were theirs. The Expedition's two Condors CO-254 and CO-321 lined up and took off holds heavy with drop pods.
Nomura Taikan and the Wild Riders tore out of the Motor pool. Racing towards their muster point, still muttering about fake attacks. Those Outsiders and UIR citizens inside the camp unpacked weapons and started to patrol around their sections of the camp. The COG might not allow its population to hold weapons. But they'd not been stupid enough to try and seize the weapons held in private hands.
Watching from a earth rise on the outer wall. Efreĭtor Strashilov watched for a moment more. The COG was running around like a mad anthill. He took one last breath of air, donned his helmet and borded the ASP.
'Enjoy the fresh COG air?' Their driver and his fellow Efreĭtor Zhivka called over the intercom. Her voice full of mirth.
'Its good' Strashilov said. 'I think this would be a nice place to stay.' He began to run though the checks for the weapons.
'Food is bad' Zhivka muttered.
'We're in the Army. Food is always bad.'
'The Union provides what we need not what we want.' Serzhant Antonov called as he boarded. He took his seat to next to Strashilov's.
'Yes, Sir.' Strashilov and Zhivka called back.
'Are we linked?' Antonov asked as he adjusted his straps.
'Yes we're just waiting on the others now.' Strashilov said. Watching the radar screen expand. Each of the other APS's were linking to their network. It would let any of them track and engage targets even if they should have been unable to see it.
The screen also showed the COG forces. It was not a proper link. The two power blocs had ensured both their systems had minimal compatibility. It was a vague they were around here sort of marker. Being updated by their command squads.
Strashilov scrolled over to the land bridge. A blue line of markers that represented the COG line was being bolstered but it was no Anvil gate.
Part of him wondered if any of the younger GOG soldiers were thinking about what they were doing. Guarding their once hated enemys whilst also relying on them for protection. Many of the older UIR had made clear they had not forgotten nor forgiven the COG. He had no doubt the old farts in the COG felt the tame. Still they were marching out ready to meet their shared foe. No complaints no dragging their feet.
He returned his attention to their designated grid. He would not be less than the COG. They would deal with the ground. The sky would be his. He might have failed flight school but these skies were his to guard and he would let nothing past him.
Ranging out ahead of the perimeter was a Watcher designated Picket-7. The machine was hugging the canopy of the trees and following a search pattern. It was approaching the outlying sensor node.
Its on-board A.I was assessing the environment. Trying to keep a balance of speed and concealment as it approached the area. It crested the edge of the valley where the sensor had been placed. Its primary optic registered a flash of light but no sound of a gunshot reached its audio pickups.
A moment later an armor piercing bolt with an explosive tip struck before exploding. The machine's loss was not in vain. Its fellows were aware of the risk now and began more evasive maneuvers. One of them reached the edge and saw what was coming. The Swarm was marching on Site 13.
The situation was dire. The last images from the Watchers had shown at least a dozen Swarmaks were on the way. They each were heading a column of infantry. Mostly drones with some specialists assumed mixed in. As the lost Watcher had shown there were Hunters ranging ahead of the main group. Hopefully there were no Elites Hunters that might try to slip past the line.
The humans need not have worried about their defenses being bypassed on foot. Even as they readied themselves for the ground assault the Swarm moved to subvert them. Out in the water shapes swam closer to the shore. Once close enough spiked legs stabbed out of the waves into the rock and the creatures began to pull themselves from the water.
The Snatchers tasted the air and began to move away towards the signs of human activity. Their instincts guided them and drove them to find the weaknesses in the human lines.
Further inside the human lines the ASP crews cursed. Radar displays showed multiple Flocks coming from all sides. Even from the side facing the sea.
Some small groups were flying high. But it was the lower groups that would try and dive into the ground troops. They'd seen that tactic before.
The skies filled with the trail of missiles as the ASPs fired. Tearing towards the largest Flocks of Leeches. As they reached their targets and detonated it began to rain fine chunks and gore. First blood went to the Humans.
After all, DeeBees didn't bleed. But the fight had only just begun
The battle had kept shifting since it began. The humans had the defensive advantage.
They had prepared the ground well. At the land bridge a clear stretch of ground spread out ahead of them almost a kilometer with no cover. The passes nearest the land bridge forced the Swarm to slow their movement. Rather than a single tide they were facing the enemy in trickles.
As groups were sighted. Mortars back at the camp hurled rounds to the rear of each group their role was not to kill outright. It was to force the Swarm into the open. Once they were exposed they were reminded why the Stomper GMG had its name. Bursts of .50 cal grenades raked their ranks. Those struck were blown apart, others were torn at by fragments as the rounds detonated.
Whilst the defenses were effective against the smaller forms of the Swarm. The larger creatures started to enter the battle. Swarmaks moved in and began to soak up the defensive fire. The War-beasts crystalline hide let them endure the storm of grenades. They returned fire with guns mounted to their wrists and rockets from the mounts on their back. The launcher teams in the trenches begain to return fire with RPG's and Missles blowing chunks from the creatreus hides. But the storm of fire was doing its job. With the defenders forced into cover. Swarm Carriers moved up and began to disgorge their Cankers.
The living projectiles began to soar towards the perimeter. Some were shot down but others landed inside the trenches. Whilst the fragments of their bodies was bad, tearing into flesh and striking armor. The fires caused by their pyrophoric payload were worse. The fluid ignited as it mixed with the air causing fires that had to be doused lest their trump card be reveled.
Gears began to fall. The enemy matched their careful preparation, training and technology with raw uncaring fury. Ravens and Minotaurs began to return with the wounded. Coming about they carried fresh troops to replace the fallen.
The peninsula was not safe even behind the line. Snatchers roamed about in the gaps between the defenders. Sometimes dashing into try and strike at exposed Outposts still evacuating. It was a matter of time before the wounded on the way back were noticed. And the Snatchers would switch to the easier prey.
The Wild Riders went off-road their Centaurs could take it. And it let the poor souls that needed the road clear travel with risk of colliding with them. Regardless of if they were coming from the battle or going to it, Nomura Taikan felt pity for those soldiers. Riding through a combat zone in a truck was hardly safe but the Gears didn't hesitate. Their comrades needed them. Had to admire the Armored Wonders dedication.
'Hey boss.' His driver Wells called from below. 'We really going to help these gits? I figure we let them and the Swarm fight it out.'
'We got to do our bit too Wells. Can't let the COG and their new pals in the Union have all the glory.' said Nomura, as he swept his eyes across the horizon.
'So glory what we're looking for, boss? Next thing we know you'll get promoted to Captain or something. Vleftar muttered from his gunner's seat. He clicked his radio. 'You boy's hear this? The boss is looking for a new job. Capitan Taikan hero of Settlement 13.'
'Keep it down Velftar, I'm not going anywhere.' Nomura said. Knocking the gunner's shoulder with his shoe.
A round of jibes and mock greetings to Capitan Taikan came over the radio.
The bane of Nomura's life returned in the form of a young man's voice over the radio. 'Wild Rider Actual, This is Control, Be advised that we have at least 3 hostiles in your area. Recommend you tighten up the discipline on Comms. Out.' Ever since they had arrived some COG twit had been trying to order him about.
'For the last time. Stop trying to run us to live out your power fantasy. Get a better job. Get laid. And leave us alone. If you can't do the first two, at least manage the last.' Nomura responded.
'Fucking COG we o-. Wait… what the fuck was that?' One of the other Riders muttered over the radio.
Nomura looked at the Tac-display next to his seat before responding. 'Nathan you out there?'
'I'm here. Thought I saw one of those things but it must hav-' There was a sound like a whip snapping mixed breaking bones. Screaming followed for a second before the radio cut off.
'Does anyone see where Nathan is? Where the fuck did he go?!' Nomura was fighting the Tac-display trying to get a location on Nathan's Centaur.
'Wild Rider Actual, This is Control. Last contact puts them approximately 175 meters North West. In a small gully.' That fucking voice of an angel in his ear.
'I hear you. Sully. Take Henry and James. You circle around in case there's more than one of these things. Everyone else keep your eyes peeled'
They raced to the gully. Inside they spotted Nathan's Centaur on its side, a Snatcher trying to get inside.
'Get that thing's attention. Don't hit our boys.' Nomura said.
'Got it. One just over the freak.' Vleftar said, eyes to the sights.
A round spat out of their cannon. Once clear of their barrel the rocket motor ignited tearing just over the Snatchers body. The impact got the Snatchers attention. Turning to face them it roared then scuttled to the side placing a large rock between itself and them.
'I've got no shot!' Vleftar shouted.
'I'm getting us closer.' Wells called out. He gunned Gear Smasher's engine jumping forward as they moved to chase the creature.
'No don't it's a trap!' A voice cried over the radio, one of Nathan's crew.
'Wells reverse! Reverse right fucking now!' Nomura screamed into his radio. The change in direction nearly threw him from the turret. He managed to hold onto the hatch ring knuckles white. His head slammed into the top of the turret though. He was grateful for the face plate of the helmet.
A heartbeat later there was that sound again like a bone shattering whip. Something shot past his back. It was a spine from a Snatcher striking.
Looking up Nomura realized there was a second snatcher to their side. The creatures had lured them in and then tried to hit him. No, not him they had tried to land a shot down their hatch. He had his torso out of the Centaur like the rest of the Riders.
They'd found the periscopes were too narrow to see what was going on. These things were using that against them. If one of those spines hit inside the turret they would be paralyzed literally.
'We'll take the one behind that rock. Lopez and Mikal, you kill the new one.' Široký had been right. They needed to start learning or die.
By the end of their little skirmish they had five dead Snatchers at the cost of one Centaur. They were down to 9 vehicles now. Five to one odds was not good enough. He watched as Nathan and his crew were loaded into a Raven. Control had already had it on the way. Perhaps he would need to buy this guy a drink when it was all over.
Something screamed over head. Morter shells. And a lot of them.
'Control where are those shells going?' Nomura said into his radio.
'Wild Rider Actual, Control. Command ordered saturation to eliminate hostile formations pressuring the land bridge. The Gears there were taking a lot of fire.'
'How much more can they take?'
'If we can keep their rear covered they should be able to hold for now. But the Snatchers are making havoc behind our lines.'
'You can track those things right?'
'Not pinpoint no or we would just have the mortars shell them. But we can get a general area off the sensors.'
'I figure we owe the COG for pulling my boys out. Where's the nearest group we need taken out?'
'Pushing it to your display now. Wild Rider Actual. Good hunting.'
Above the battle on the ground COG aircraft were fighting for control. Flocks were trying to ambush them forcing the craft to fly higher to avoid the creatures.
The Ravens were doing their job ferrying personnel though the battle. At some-points they were just shooting from takeoff to landing. But Raven pilots were always dedicated no call would go an answered whilst they could fly.
Kestrels were hunting for targets. Tearing over battles loosing missiles and lashing exposed Swarm with their guns. But each run left them a little lighter until they were forced to return for more ammo.
Khan was making another drop to backup an Outpost on the approach to the Land Bridge. She entered the sequence and made a textbook delivery. A pack of Trackers in with the enemy. A mixed Squad of Peacemakers and DR-1s just outside the wall. And a pair of DeadEyes on a hill to give some long range support.
She was about to report her drop success when she saw. CO-321 crossing in. He was too low. Way to low.
'CO-321, CO-254. Pull up you're too low.' Khan called over the radio as she turned about.
'I hear you CO-254.' Austin's voice came back. 'I just need a little more...'
'Get out you're too low.' Khan watched him try to dive on a watch post overlooking the Land-Bridge it was ringed by Snatchers.
'These Gears are about to g-' His voice cutoff with a resounding set of bangs.
A line of tracers was stitching across CO-321's wings. A Swarmak attacking the fortifications had changed target. It riddled the Condor with high caliber shells.
'For fucks sake break. Brake!'
'I-'
An explosion ripped the right wing off CO-321. The Condor rolled over and dove into the ground. It erupted into a fireball. Khan looked at her HUD. The signal from Austin's Tac-com was dead.
Khan breathed for a moment and found her calm.
'Control, CO-254. Condor down. I repeat Condor two five four. Is down.'
'Receiving CO-254. Any ejection?'
'Negative on ejection Control. He's gone.'
'Copy that. Get out of there we can't risk you.'
'Roger Control. I'm moving back to holding pattern. Call me when you need the next load.'
She clicked her radio off and started checking her load status. Anything to keep her mind in the moment.
In the Command center O'Connor was running the battle for the whole peninsula. He couldn't focus on the main line at the land bridge but he did make sure never to let it out of his head.
So far his subordinates were doing their parts to the letter. They had blunted most of the Swarm attacks against their outlying posts. Those that were at too great a risk had been ordered to withdraw and provided with an escort to cover them. Contracting the line was a good way to trade ground for time but every step lost would need to be won back. The loss of a Condor was going to bite soon.
But right now the Harbor was the worst of his problems. They could not evacuate until its surroundings were clear.
Fate must have felt sympathy after the loss of Lieutenant Austin. Since Nomura Taikan and his Wild Riders were actually doing a good job.
Tracking and destroying those Snatchers that had made the swim out to try and flank them was giving them some breathing room. The remainder however had started to move towards the Harbor. Did they know the civilians there were vulnerable? How? What else could have drawn their attention? A new pair of icons appeared on his display. They were out on the water. The two stragglers from the UIR.
'Tell Kapitan Doležal his lost sheep have arrived.'
'Come in CBC Khilum, CBC Tileya. This is Site 13 Harbor control are you receiving?' Gracie Brooks tried the radio again. She had been grabbed by her boss over two hours ago and told to handle the shut down.
It was simple really just get the cranes and mechs to stack the containers properly. Set the worker DeeBees to lock down anything too small for the big equipment. And ensure the Tug boats had been parked and then power it all down.
She had just about gotten everything finished an hour ago when the two UIR ships had turned up. After seeing them she'd been trying for an hour to raise the two ships. Or more accurately she had been trying to keep her mind off the sounds in the distance. It would have been easier if the Indies would just respond. She was alone now most of the others had moved to the trucks already. Just waiting for the signal to move out.
She knew that the last set of UIR ships had been grouchy but they hadn't caused this much trouble. From the angle of approach the ships must have missed their buddies going the other way. It was a shame if they had met up perhaps they could have gotten their Radios fixed.
Brooks got up from her seat picking up the binoculars from the desk as she went. Walking over to the window she started trying to pick out the ships. That was strange when did they get a fog bank? There hadn't been anything on the weather report about fog being likely now. She walked back to the console and tried again.
'CBC Khilum, CBC Tileya this is Site 13 Harbour control be advised we have a fog bank forming on your course. Advise you to adjust speed accordingly.'
To Brooks' surprise she got a response this time. It was raspy for some reason and the signal was all over the place.
'Aware fog. Speed fine.'
Well if they thought they could maneuver at that speed it was their asses on the line. Then again with the fighting taking place perhaps they were just jumpy, she knew she was.
Emmerich was pacing. He had to do something. But hovering over O'Connor's shoulder he knew was the last thing he was doing. The Holo-table had been linked to the COG Tac-Com. They could see the icons moving across the map. Some were flashing alerts. Others were in gray areas where they had lost signal.
'How are we doing?' Emmerich asked leaning over the table.
'The situation remains unchanged. Sir.' said Figueroa, watching him pace.
'That's one way of saying we're surrounded and fighting to the skin of our teeth.' Hickman said.
'Private-.' Figueroa said.
Emmerich raised a hand forestalling Hickman from being chastised. 'Corporal I understand the need for discipline but I need to stay apprised of the situation.'
Figueroa simply nodded. They were all on edge. The waiting could be the worst part. It wasn't like they could just go to the front and see what was happening. All their information was coming direct from the Command center. But each level of command delayed the information by a little more, filtered it a little more.
The Governor was hardly the sort of person they could risk going out to look at the front lines. He'd survived his last brush with danger. Thanks to a hastily sourced suit of armor. A sidearm he'd never really trained with. The fact his escorts were some of the COG's most loyal, best equipped, highly disciplined troops. And a stroke of luck that spared him a quick death at the end of a Torque bolt.
Then there was a knock at the door. Emmerich snapped round. 'Come in.'
Opening and closing the door quickly Evangelina strode in. 'Emmerich I've got the count.'
'How bad?'
'We're missing a few teams. Some might just be out of contact. Others...' Evangelina's voice petered out. Some things did not need to be stated.
'Who?'
'Those that were doing maintenance on the outer areas or others were in-transit and just dropped off the grid. We keep getting small groups of people who've lost their transport and had to make it on foot. There are Flocks are getting at the antennas. They're making interference worse. Anyone without a vehicle or static station boosting their signal can't get through.'
They looked to the Holo-table as another section flicked to grey. No signal. The icons switched to last known status.
'The evacuation?' Emmerich asked. Falling into his seat.
'We've retrieved most of our personnel but we still have people out at the Harbor.'
'Why would they still be there?'
'Apparently the UIR's latecomers have decided to turn up. But the Swarm may have noticed them and O'Connor doesn't want to risk two runs to get them out.
On the heels of that statement the sounds of a scuffle could be heard outside the office.
'Spenser situation?' Figueroa said into her radio. Pausing for a moment she turned to Emmerich. 'Apparently Široký saying he needs to speak with you.'
'Let him in. Perhaps he wants to tell us what those ships are all about.' Emmerich said.
The door opened a moment later and Široký darted in. A look of worry on his face. 'Governor I need to speak with you.' Široký said, looking around the room. 'Alone.'
Emmerich looked at Široký for a moment. 'Would you all please step out.'
'You're sure?' Evangelina said as the Onyx moved to the door.
'I'll be fine.' Emmerich said, trying to reassure himself as much as he was her.
'We'll be right outside sir.' Figueroa said as she pulled the door closed.
'Governor, we have a situation.' Široký said as he moved directly in front of Emmerich.
'We're under attack or are you referring to another situation?'
'The last two ships from our convoy have arrived.'
'I'm aware some contact was made I believe but they have been staying quiet as far as I know. We've been having trouble with the Swarm interference.'
'Yes but there are… personnel aboard who should have other means of communication.'
'We both have people watching. What's the issue?'
'They have not checked in. I should have a link to the ship but even that is dead.'
'You can't raise them?'
'No.'
Emmerich felt a nagging at the back of his mind. What had O'Connor said. "Walking into our kill-zone will just be a diversion."
'Oh shit.' Emmerich muttered. He really needed to work on his language.
Široký cocked an eyebrow. 'Kakvo?'
Emmerich ran to his desk and punched in the codes O'Connor's staff had given him. After two rings the Colonel picked up his call.
'Sir?' O'Connor said looking confused.
'The UIR ships may have been compromised.' said Emmerich.
'They what?'
'I have information from Široký that the UIR may not be in control of those ships. Can anyone see the crew? Anything like that? They must be close enough.'
'I don't think so. They were hugging the shore for a while. Just before they came into view. A fog bank rolled in.'
'They came in that close to the coast?'
'We've warned them about the risk but they've not slowed down. I thought they might be scared but… shit' O'Connor reached the same conclusion. 'Call Lieutenant Davis. Tell him to get some eyes on that ship.'