James Trenton enters the command tower with Marcus close behind.
James says..
Status report?
A console operator looks up and replies.. Sir it appears we have yet another intruder in Puerto Rico.
James thinks..
Quote: Damn another one.. thats the fourth one this week!
James walks over to his command chair and sits down.
In front of him a holographic map display of the system appears.
Operator says. They appear to be Nomads sir attacking near the jump hole
Quote:Hmm.. now that is different... don't see many of them entering Rico
James responds..
Nomads?? Strange what could lead them here?
Yessir the Nomads entered and engaged our guard without warning We have ships engaging them now several fighters and two salvagers.
Patch me through to the lead salvager.
Captain what can you tell me about the intruders?
The holographic map changes and now shows the image of a Junker captain.
Loud booms can be heard through out the command deck echoing as he speaks.. We are under attack by the damn jellys sir.. *image distorts*
BUT not to worry they are smaller ships and we are pushin them back. Prolly scout ships sir!
James looks over to Marcus and says.. Marcus locate Finnegan
Marcus nods.
His eyes flashes a sequence of various colors quickly and then stops on green.
He speaks..
Finnegan located. Indicators show he is at Invergordon in the Inverness system.
James walks over to Marcus and places a small round disc on his temple.
This is a message to Finnegan make sure he sees it.
Marcus responds.. Aye Arbiter
Marcus walks out of the command deck and heads toward the docking bays.
He boards his gunboat and flies out of San Juan.
Back at the command deck the salvager captain reports. Sir the nomads have fled to Texas. We are in pursuit but they are moving fast.
James wonders..
Quote:If they are sending scouts here then more are sure to come.
Order all Congress ships in the area to return to Puerto Rico.
Ready our defenses just in case.
An announcement is sent to Tim Finnegan about Marcus's ship on approach at Invergordon.
He makes his way to the docking bay just as the gunboat lands.
The ship's outer hatch opens and Marcus steps out.
Finnegan begins to speak as Marcus interrupts.
Congressman Tim Finnegan its always a pleasure to see you sir.
Forgive me if i am brief but time is of the essence.
I bring you an important message from JT.
He turns his head and opens his hand.
His eyes flash and a blue light illuminates a hologram display on his open hand.
The image is James Trenton who says..
Hello again Finn.
I am sending you this message like this to make sure it is secure.
There have been alot of intruders in Rico lately.
So my apologies for not being there in person but I am needed here.
I know we have spoke about this before but the time has come.
The Claymore O'Gordon is needed at Vieques immediately.
Bring along your best engineers. We will need them for this project.
The light dims as the image fades away.
Marcus eyes flash again and change color. Message delivered I must be heading back.
Without saying anything else he turns around.
Marcus walks back and boards his ship.
Once onboard he sends a transmission to San Juan. Sir package delivered we are enroute home.
Quote:When he arrives that will begin the first phase of the operation.
We still need to start phase two now.
Hmm.. who do I get for that?
He presses a button on the chair and a computer tablet emerges from its side.
James logs on to the tablet and begins a search for Congress engineers.
The search comes up with several names.
One name gets his attention.
Quote:Tyber Zann.. His background shows he has excellent engineering skills.
Seems to be eager to work too.. New help usually is.
Perhaps we see if he can prove his metal.
He says.. Operator open a Congress comms channel.
Transmission to Tyber Zann..
Operator replies.. Yes sir channel is open. Standing by for your message.
James positions himself in front of the camera and begins to speak..
James leaves the command deck and makes his way down the corridor.
He stops at the security center and walks inside.
In the room are several consoles and a large round table top console in the center.
The senior ranking Junkers in the room turn and face James as he enters the room.
They all stand at attention and announce in unison.
Sir!
He walks over to the center console and places his hands on the table.
Bring up the Rift archives.
The senior analyst says.. Aye sir displaying files now.
James stands and observes all the data recorded from that day so long ago.
He has seen all this before and knows the imagery very well.
His mind drifts..
Quote:Is it too late..
Will we have enough time to prepare our defenses...?
His attention focuses back on the display when it shows the explosion.
The recording ends as James looks at his security team.
Another Nomad morph entered Puerto Rico today.
The damn things are showing up almost daily now.
I believe they know what we are doing.
If that is true.. they are coming.
The Junkers nod in agreement and do their best not to show the fear they all feel.
One of them speaks.. What are your orders sir?
James brings up the map of Puerto Rico on display and points to a quadrant on the grid. This will be the location of our next build.
We will build several defensive platforms there.
Construction needs to begin immediately.
Aye sir! We will get to work on it right away!!
James shuts down the console and walks out of the room.
The Junkers put on their headsets and return to their consoles.
Their voices can be heard sending out orders to Congress vessels.
The hall is quiet as the steel door closes behind him.
James walks silently down the hall.
Making his way back to the command deck he thinks...
Quote:I knew when we built SJ we were taking a huge risk.
I thought if we waited long enough that perhaps they wouldn't return.
Even though we haven't been hit.. yet.
My worst fears are becoming reality.
He arrives at the command deck and walks inside.
Before the crew can stand at attention James speaks.. As you were, nobody get up, everyone continue working.
Comm operator!
Aye sir?!
Have we heard from Finnegan yet?
No sir.
Damnit Finn.. what in the hell could he be doing?
Ok nevermind open a channel to him now.
Aye aye sir!
Sir we are connected... you may proceed.
Thanks for coming so quickly captain.
Due to the recent surge in Nomad activity we need to increase our security.
I need you to oversee securing the entrance to Puerto Rico.
A ship and crew have been dispatched to help you with construction.
You can rendezvous with them at Vieques.
James pauses for a moment..
Johnny move fast we might not have much time.
The defenses must hold.
Godspeed Rico.
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