Star Force: Marauders (SF63) (11 page)

“Give me 8 hours on both and we’ll be good to go.”

The Colonel nodded, satisfied, and turned his
attention back to the new reports, studying where and how the invaders were
kicking the crap out of the planetary defense forces…and where the Marauders
might do the most damage when the bulk of them finally got there.

“Archon,” a voice said softly from behind Jenna-732 as
she sat in the small cafeteria along with a few hundred other personnel in the
clandestine base on the surface of a volcanic world beyond the ADZ that was
part of the combined Clan Ninja Monkey/Clan Cloud circuit.

The Mage turned around, still chewing on a sugar
stick. “
Whaaat
?”

“We’ve received a bit of intelligence from a mercenary
unit concerning the Skarrons.”

Jenna swallowed. “What system?”

“The
Noop
System.”

She frowned, looking at her Padawan. “I’m not familiar
with it.”

Levi-12733 shrugged.

“Neither was I until I looked it up. We only have
basic data from survey records, but
it’s
located 128
lightyears from here and more than 400 from what we know to be the Skarron
border. Furthermore, the mercenaries appear to be a unit comprised of former
Star Force personnel, some of which have seen combat with the Skarrons. They’ve
sent data indicating the presence of two Type-5 Skarron walkers involved in a
planetary invasion by an unknown force, but without any Skarron or Aronsic
present.”

“What mercenaries?”

“They’re called Brayden’s Marauders, and they operate
out of the ADZ with the bulk of their activities occurring beyond Star Force’s
reach.”

“So who has the walkers?” Levi asked.

“The Marauders say the invaders have not identified
themselves, but are a conglomeration of various units unknown to them…and to
us. I had an analyst run through their profiles, and we can’t identify them
either.”

“It’s a big galaxy,” Jenna reminded him. “But I’ve
never known the Skarrons to share to their military equipment.”

“Or to work with intermediaries,” Levi added.

“Which is why I brought it to your attention, given
that you’re about to depart.”

Jenna raised an eyebrow, looking at her apprentice.
“Feel up to a road trip?”

STAR FORCE Facebook Page

STAR FORCE Wiki