IGNITION

Chapter Three

“Fireball Six to control. We are locked down and ready to rock.”

“Control to Fireball Six. All systems are green. Launch sequence is started, lift in three minutes. Good luck.”

Sandra Greene grinned, rotoroc’s pretty much flew themselves on the way up, it was coming down that she tended to suck seat because the things were basically an unpowered helicopter landing on their ass. “How’s it going back there Major” she asked. In her mirror she saw Hadrick simply give a thumbs up since he was busy checking his gear. He and his crew had eleven minutes to unass from the rotoroc, crawl into an atomospheric skimmer and strap down before it punched. That meant everything had to be ready now, not later. Once in the skimmer they had twenty seven plus minutes before reaching the main station, a female civilian pilots questions were his least problem right now.

“So how many times have you been in orbit” his number two asked.

“Twice” Hadrick admitted as he leaned back into the acceleration couch, his checks complete. “Three days waiting for a lunar transport and four years later a two year stint on the main station. That’s probably why I’m here, I know that station. You and the rest are here for two reasons.”

“They are?” the Sergeant asked.

“Your all fresh back from orbit, and you can keep your mouths shut.”

“Understood sir.” The older sergeant fell silent, until max thrust when he gave a low moan.