Chapter 1

"Commodore, "Gremlin" asks us to come alongside to take on board an EVA; ah, its Captain Gort, Sir."

"Thank you, Pilot; we'll come up and squeeze into the flight deck," McCock turned to his seated companion, "C'mon, Marcel, that damned woman and her EVAs has caught us without skinsuits."

They both unbuckled and up the walkway they passed the Crew Chief hurrying aft to the hatch and securing his suit hood as he went. McCock signaled Thoreau into the Crew Chief's seat and he secured the hatch behind him. He watched the pilot bring the pinnace to almost a complete stop alongside the two suited figures standing on the hull.

He felt the vibration of the pinnace hatch cycling and then recycling.

"The cabin shows two greens, Sir" the pilot informed them "and "Gremlin" reports their Bosun is inside."

"Thank you, pilot, we'll get out of your way", said McCock as he opened the hatch, entered the cabin followed by Thoreau, and stood aside to let the Crew Chief past. The crewman had a decidedly cheeky grin when he passed McCock.

'Satan's canines' thought McCock, 'the whole squadron must know about Slow's letch for EVA.' He glared at his miscreant Captain who just smiled back,

"You know it saves time!"

"And it's a lot more dangerous." rejoined McCock, "but I'm not even going to ask you not to do it — it would be pointless."

"Watcha, Aggy?"

McCock passed across the chip. Slow had unsuited by this time and removed her PDA. She viewed the information, asking as she passed the chip back to McCock,

"What's the event?"

Cdr Thoreau explained the situation which caused Slow to ask,

"Who's controlling him? It sounds like someone is setting us up and it ain't Harbouria!"

"Fair assessment" Thoreau informed them, "its probably Perseus & Orion Space Transfer Line. POST have had their eye on the Junction for decades as a good 'earner' for their consortium. They are thick with USW Colonial and Commonwealth Office and they're both as crooked as you will find anywhere."

"So why do you want me, Aggy? This is above my rank grade."

"My thoughts are still forming up, Slow. Stay with me for a while longer. What's Polack up to? He put in a request for a Recon Drone ten or so days ago plus a fifty cm graser. Is he still trying to tune energy weapons to hulls?"

"Probably;" she replied, "Denny and he are pretty tight lately and spending a bit of time on R2 when ever they can spare from their duties but don't get your hopes too high. You do run us hard and none of us has much time for research now that we have command responsibilities."

"Its not going to get any easier" replied McCock cryptically. He lapsed into silence as the aerofoils were extended as atmosphere was encountered. The pinnace shuddered as they bit into the thicker molecular concentration and it started to bounce slightly in the atmospheric turbulence.

"Actual weather is good" reported the pilot "anticipated departure, Sir? Palace asks."

"I can't say now but we will not be staying. Get parking at the pad and you had better arrange a meal."

"Wilco, Commodore."

'Uncle Rupert' stood in No 1 Pad Control watching the vapour trail of "Vector's" pinnace curving down to the planetary surface. It had been challenged and its transponder was responding correctly with the codes sent to "Vector" when the flight had been requested. He had had to authorize the flight through the Regiment's Colonel before the clearance had been given and had had to get the Queen's permission for a visit to 'Aunt Lillibet'. He idly wondered what mischief the lad was up to this time but he was not concerned as the Commodore did not abuse these requests which were usually off the wall.

"I'll park her on North 3. That's near the Mess. The crew booked a meal as they don't know exactly when they will depart." the Controller informed the Major who thanked him and left the centre for the ground shuttle.

The pinnace touched down and then slowly taxied to its designated parking bay. The shuttle pulled up outside the parking area and opened its doors. The Commodore and his colleagues entered the shuttle, shut the doors, exchanged greetings with the Major and settled back for the short journey to the palace. The Major told his occupants

"When you book your flight, you book your parking bays so Control knows if things are awry. Don't even think about going off on your own — you will be in a world of hurt."