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Date: 26 MARCH 3008
Time: 1319hrs
Source: Repulse Firebase
The bright light of the teleporter faded and Harvir stepped into Repulse Firebase. He spent a moment orienting himself, taking in all the activity going on around him. Troops and civilians were constantly moving about the base, training and reinforcing the defences. As he stepped off the teleporter pad another small shipment of ammunition appeared behind him. His forces were still limited by the amount of supplies that could be transported through the network but he hoped to have a solution for the problem in the next few days. It was why he had come to Repulse.
‘Commodore, welcome to Repulse, Sir,’ the Base Commander said as he saluted.
‘Thank you.’ Harvir said, returning the salute. ‘How are your troops?’
‘Excellent, Sir. All our systems are back online and my company is fully restocked. We’re rested and ready for anything.’
‘Good. What about the civilian militia? How are they faring?’
‘All units have completed their basic combat training and have had a taste of frontline action. They’re not military, Sir, but they’ll be able to hold their ground and do their part if the Oratan assault us again. However, it appears we have a problem.’
‘What is it?’
‘Two members of the civilian militia have disappeared recently and several weapons have gone missing from the armoury. We have nothing to link the two events, but I have my suspicions.’
‘Damn. I’ve had several similar reports from some of the other Firebases. We need to stop this while they’re still isolated cases. Keep me updated on any future disappearances; we must find out what’s happening to these civilians,’ Harvir said, clearly concerned. He sighed with frustration, then cleared his mind and focused on the more immediate situation. ‘We’ve had to strip the 8 Coins garrison to reinforce the other Firebases. I realise that means your company will be relied upon to defend the facility, since Repulse is the closest Firebase to 8 Coins, but we had no choice. I’ve read your reports about the local Oratan movements. What do you think they are up to?’
‘I’m not sure. All I know for certain is that the Oratan are massing out in the desolate areas. It could mean they’re preparing for another assault. If they are, my troops are replenished now and they’ll be ready for whatever the creatures throw at us.’
‘I’m sure they are. I share your suspicions about the Oratan, but we can only wait and see if the storm breaks. I’m happy with your preparations here, Repulse is doing the IFN proud,’ Harvir said, clapping the Base Commander on the shoulder. ‘Now, has my guest from 8 Coins arrived yet?’
‘Yes, Sir, she got here several minutes before you did. She’s waiting for you inside.’
‘Thank you, carry on.’
They saluted again and Harvir walked into the command post to meet the Administrator from 8 Coins. He needed to frame his request carefully as he did not have the best relationship with the administrator; she had been one of the most outspoken critics of his decision to hold back the expansion when Liberation Fleet first made planetfall. By all reports she was a very professional and capable manager and the mining facility had certainly prospered under her direction, so he was sure she would be able to see past their previous disagreements.
‘Good afternoon, Rebecca. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me in person.’ Harvir said in greeting.
‘Always a pleasure, Commodore Harvir,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Though if you don’t mind, I’d like to get this meeting over with quickly. I have a thousand things that require my attention back at the mines.’
‘Very well,’ he said, forcing a smile. ‘I have an important task I would like you to assist me with. It will involve relocating some of your miners from their current tasks, but thanks to your hard work over the last few weeks we no longer need to produce resources for weapons and ammunition so desperately.’
‘What is this task?’ Rebecca asked, eyeing Harvir suspiciously.
‘I need to get the drop ships in the air again. Ever since they ran out of fuel we’ve been severely handicapped. They are one of our major advantages over the Oratan. Our research teams are still exploring the possibility of developing Professor Lee’s fuel cells and further adapting them to our vehicles, but with the Oratan a constant threat I don’t think they’ll have time to properly implement any new systems. Your reports indicate you have recently found traces of more traditional fuel sources. I need you to focus your production on securing us the fuel we need. It would be a massive step forward, providing us with air support and allowing us to once again transport resources easily between our settlements.’
Harvir watched patiently as Rebecca stood in silence considering his request.
‘I’m sure you realise that we’ll have to slow down production of all other resources while we’re focused on this. I hope you have some form of remuneration in mind?’
‘No, you know as well as I do that you are required to provide to the Fleet any request for materials that I deem necessary for the defence of this colony. However, you’ll be able to return your miners to normal duties once the new colonists arrive.’
‘I see you’re willing to negotiate as always,’ Rebecca said, dryly. ‘When do we expect Fleet Arkadia will get here?’
Harvir glanced up towards the sky as he responded. ‘Soon, I hope. They carry the necessary equipment to set up the interplanetary teleporters and the revival network.’
‘Alright, I’ll get the miners on to it. We should be able to start production soon.’
‘Excellent. Now, I asked you here to Repulse because I was able to have a VTOL flown as far as this base, but we can’t take it any further without more fuel. Please use it to ensure the fuel supplies you mine are compatible with its systems. And thank you, Rebecca, your alacrity in taking on the extra work is much appreciated.’
‘We’ve all lost friends to the Oratan, Commodore. Anything I can do to help avenge them is fine by me,’ she said grimly. ‘I’d best get back to 8 Coins and get things started.’
As they were about to leave the command post Harvir was interrupted by a transmission from Celeste Harbour. Captain Chiharo, calm but determined, didn’t waste time with greetings.
‘Sir, we’ve had multiple contact reports come in within the last few minutes. Half the Firebases are under attack. I’ve deployed all our off duty troops to aid the defences but they’re spread thin across such a wide assault front.’
‘I’m on my way, Captain.’
As Harvir ended the transmission Repulse’s alarms sounded. The Oratan had returned.
‘Get me that fuel, Rebecca. The storm has broken and we’ll need everything we have to stand against it.’
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