Tales From Tewanta

Tewanta A 2 (-18.8407,-142.5717) - 3306-07-22 15:21 GST Jamie Ramsey, the security chief of Tall Base, looked down the telescopic sight of his sniper rifle at the ships landed in the valley below. There were two of them: a Vulture and a Type 10 Heavy. The ships had arrived about thirty minutes previously. They had come in low over the ridge behind him and set down in the valley below, which was 46km east of Tall Base. It was very doubtful if traffic control had picked up any trace of them. Since then they had been just sitting there, dimly lit, cool, and silent. Jamie found this unusual: even the most disciplined smugglers or pirates would have a little communication between them. They appeared to be just waiting. Just like him. He was hidden in a camouflaged blind at the lip of a crater on one of the ridges overlooking the valley floor. This was the end of a nine month investigation. Ever since the sabotage attempt ...

Cortes Base, Tewanta A 7 A - 3306-07-08 15:01 GST Commander Graves sat in the conference room in Cortes Base. With him were Field Surgeon O'Boyle and Captain Dubois, the commander of the base marines. The Captain was a big man, broad across the shoulders and trim. The sort of leader to stand with his troops on the front line. The Surgeon was his usual intent self. They were conferenced in with Colonel Bierski, and Admirals Schmidt and McDonald. The Colonel looked as fit and as strong as Commander Graves had ever seen him. Admiral Schmidt was in his mid fifties with a narrow face, and long lanky build. He looked drawn, his gaze slowly drifting off to the distance and then snapping back to focus on his screen. Commander Graves recognized the look: the stress of fighting a long battle and heavy responsibilities. Admiral McDonald was a tall and athletic with the smug confident expression of someone wi...