GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - September 2172 - Anthera - 3 days to go

Colonel Dowdneer was bent over the Home Base blueprint spread across the bonnet of their rover. "Right, Marsup. Let's go over the plan one more time," he pointed at the map. "You'll enter here using these," he held up a work sheet, which had been altered to serve their purpose, and five security passes. Only an attentive guard would pick up on them being fake and that had been taken care of.

"You'll make your way here," again he pointed, "then along here until you reach this room. If the target is not there, take someone else, preferably not military."

"I still say we should go after an officer," said Marsup.

"Lt Mourneer says that these humans have a weakness for other ones they are close to," said Dowdneer. "This Neil Bolgon is the human most directly responsible for our current situation so it's his family we'll take."

"Won't that make him more dangerous, sir?"

"No. He'll give himself up to save these other two worthless humans. Then we can begin to take over again."

"When do you want us to leave?"

"Soon, Marsup. If we time it right, you shouldn't be noticed. Bring them to me and we'll be back in the Dragen before long."

"You'll never take them, Dwdoorian," said Colonel Twochelope from his dark corner. "Neil will die to stop you. And I don't think you've got anyone here capable of beating him."

Colonel Dowdneer marched over to him and struck his face so hard that he was sent rolling across the floor until his chains yanked him to a sudden stop. Colonel Twochelope groaned on the floor so Dowdneer aimed another kick at his head but Private Bowerphille caught the colonel's leg and sent him sprawling across the floor. Two of Dowdneer's soldiers started beating Bowerphille until he stopped moving. Col Dowdneer crouched next to Col Twochelope. "We will be successful, Tchzor – we will be." He stood and kicked Col Twochelope once more then moved away from them.

"Everyone be ready in ten minutes," ordered Dowdneer. Then, in a lower voice, he addressed Lt Col Maverphoride. "Bring them back, Marsup. Don't fail me."

Marsup stood straight. "We will not fail, sir. Of that you can be sure."

*

Neil and Andrew entered the docking bay in their black and yellow flight-suits. They walked towards the control room and saw Keith approaching them.

"Hi, Keith. Is Laura due back?" asked Neil.

"Yeah, any moment."

"Have you got any plans?" asked Andrew.

"Not really. I've just missed her for the last three days and can't wait to see her."

"You've got it bad," said Andrew.

"I can't explain it. It... It's like something's missing unless she's with me. I've never felt this way before."

"Hang on, weren't you married before?" said Neil.

"Yes, and I did love her. Or, at least I thought I did. Perhaps not."

"You left to go on a mission that would guarantee she'd be dead before you returned," said Andrew. "That doesn't sound like love to me."

"Come to think of it, all the other guys were single. I must have been the only married one that accepted the mission."

"Would you leave Laura to do a similar mission now?" asked Neil.

"Hell no. Never again."

They walked into the control room. Keith stopped at the window while Neil and Andrew received their orders.