The US-Opportunity - A Biography

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Red Alert

"Tell Jimmy to get up here! We have unscheduled incoming ships!"

Tim, the hangar control officer, was peaking out. The vessels were on a direct trajectory. One was an Upholder - the bombers the Navy manufacture, but the readings were sketchy on the other - probably jammed out by the radiation.

Then another voice "I'm outbound, headed for Milford to pick up basic supplies. I'll try and draw them off."

That was Randy, one of the freelance operators making regular stops. It was guys like this that were needed. A larger vessel, the Randy.Rattlesnake was an illegal Pirate Transport - the perfect bait to lead the Navy away. Guys with balls of super alloy.

Jimmy came through the threshold then, obviously roused from his bunk, rubbing his eyes sheepishly. The pulsing red of the room quickly brought him to full awareness.

"Look - two of them! Way too close!" Tim was almost shrieking now, hysterical. He knew what this could mean.

"Ready the Serpent. It can't be discovered here. We'll have to crash the party at Vespucci early..."

Then "Lock everything down! Get some reinforcements out to Randy. Who have we got?"

"Just one bomber, Jimmy. One of the new guys."

"Wake him, get him out there!" Jimmy was wide awake now, panic starting to set in.

"It's working! The Navy snubs are chasing Randy!"

"Pray that he makes it to Milford. Put the base on alert. Get word out to all Serpentis assets, we're gonna need backup. If they found us, we're gonna need every ship we can gather. Next time they come, they'll bring the heat."

"Do we evacuate?" Tim asked hesitantly.

"No. We can't be sure they got close enough. The interference from the cloud should have jammed their scanners. I hope." Jimmy said that last bit under his breath. "I want the weapons grid online from here on in. No exceptions. Any vessels that we aren't expecting, turn them to slag. Got it?" Jimmy was starting to collect himself, more resolved.

"Prepare my shuttle. I'm going out to Magellan with our little project. I'll get back as soon as I can. Keep it locked down, we'll be alright. I'll see if the Hellfire will bring something, anything in to help us. We're gonna need all the help we can get."