GALAXY AT WAR - Book 3 - The Seeds Of Discord

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE - December 2172 - Moon / Earth / Anthera

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE 

December 2172 

Moon / Earth / Anthera

...Moon...

Transporter one moved smoothly through the entrance tunnel and emerged into hanger five. The pilot swung it round to face the exit tunnel again then settled it down gently. He was all to aware that General Bolgon was aboard. Three mobile stair trucks moved towards the transporter. The third was an extra. It split from the other two and drove round to the other side of the transporter. 

Three doors opened, two on the left side and the other on the right. The first two stair trucks moved into position. As their stairs extended towards the two waiting exits and touched the side of the transporter with expert - practised - precision, the third was turning to line up with the one remaining exit on the opposite side. 

After it had stopped in position General Bolgon stepped onto the platform at the top with Rachel Walters on his arm. They started descending the stairs followed by Gwen Smith (the General's secretary). By the time General Bolgon had placed his first foot onto the hanger floor an astroport had pulled up. 

Michael Toddwell climbed out with a large grin on his face, "It's brilliant to have you back sir - I can't wait to see Stockwell's reaction." 

General Bolgon shook Michael's hand - he also had a large smile on his face, "Please tell me that Landon's still here." 

Another smile, "Yes sir." 

"Is he with Stockwell?" 

"I told the American twat to call him to your office. He thinks I've got something for them." 

"They definitely have no idea I'm back?" 

"None whatsoever." 

"Let's get going then. I can't wait to kick their asses off Sentry One," the General started towards the astroport. "I feel three 'bans' coming up." 

Michael started laughing at that one and both Rachel and Gwen soon caught the bug. 

"Can I watch?" said Gwen. "General Stockwell was a bastard to me." 

"You both can," Jim sat in the astroport first followed by the others. "Go," he ordered the driver. 

The astroport took them as far as control command where they all got out. Four MPs were waiting for them, "Awaiting orders sir." All four saluted him. 

"Follow me," ordered the General. 

He lead the way with Rachel still on his arm. Several members of staff, and the odd soldier, did double-takes as he walked by. They'd all heard rumours about General Bolgon and some even had the idea that he'd never be back. The soldiers all saluted after their initial shock at seeing him had worn off. Jim was so happy that he returned every salute on the way to his office. 

General Bolgon strode into his outer office, "Guard him." Jim pointed at one of the MPs then at Eddie Gibbs. 

"Whoa - what's going on?" questioned Eddie with alarm in his voice. He picked up the phone and pressed the intercom button, "Sir - sir; General Bolgon's back. He's coming in." 

General Stockwell didn't have time to reply as the office door slid open and General Bolgon marched in. Landon Donovan rose quickly from his chair, "What's going on here? You're supposed to be under house arrest."