Yay for Page 10. We are very close to the “intermission” of Chapter 1, following which we will get into a fairly intensive and somewhat graphic combat sequence. I did just want to bring that up in case any readers are a) getting bored, or b) squeamish.
That said this was Dan’s first attempt at a roiling battlefield/coach type speech… what did you think? Also, check out the detail on the helmet glare on Tenzin… Seba is such a rockstar!
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Tenzin: ”Jane, what are my options?”
Jane: ”The villagers either surrendered without a fight and were taken prisoner, or they all made it to the emergency bunker underneath the communications tower.”
Tenzin: ”Option 2 makes more sense. They saw the raiders coming, got spooked and hid. Lack of power due to solar farm failure kept them from contacting us. Do you have a current satellite feed yet? I don’t want anyone sneaking up on us.”
Jane: ”I’m having trouble accessing any of Oculus‘ spy satellites at the moment, but it’s very unlikely any raiders would still be here. Our transports made a lot of noise and dust. They’re long gone by now.”
Tenzin: ”Still, I would like some backup here.”
Jane: ”That’s unlikely to happen. All of Aegis‘ squads are currently deployed. We’ll be lucky to get a gunship.”
Tenzin: ”Alright. Contact HQ, update them on the situation and tell them we’re going in.”
Jane: ”I’m not sure that’s wise, Tenzin. According to my calculations…”
Tenzin: ”Just do it, Jane. Keleres, form up! We’ll be acting under the assumption that the security of Arkjut has been compromised. There is a com bunker on the far end of town. Any remaining townsfolk most likely would have relocated there.”
Tenzin: ”Some of you are probably thinking we should just wait for backup, but that is not an option. Even if the other squads weren’t all out on assignments, we all know that most of the time we have to back them up!”
Tenzin: ”Time is of the essence. These people are under Minerva’s protection, and it is our duty to enforce that protection. We’re all alone out here, boys, but remember one thing. We are the Keleres, the toughest team Aegis has. We can handle this!”