The dropships had been detected by the base’s long-range sensors as they had entered the atmosphere, as had the aerospace fighters. They had come as a nasty surprise to Star Colonel Rickard Howell and his remaining men. The Grenadiers and their support team had departed the system earlier to fulfil the mission that had become their sole purpose in life. With only the mercenary unit and base personnel remaining, they were not in a position to defend against a concerted assault.

Against his better judgement, Howell had been persuaded to remain on Casere by Star Captain Lucien Perez, his second-in-command. Rickard had been bitten by sand flies while exercising near the oasis and contracted a particularly nasty virus. Although over the worst, he was still weak and feverish. Perez had argued it was pointless Howell risking his life on the mission when he was perfectly capable of overseeing its execution. Howell pondered briefly on the irony of the situation before shaking his head and shrugging off these irrelevant thoughts. If he was to die, then he would die a warrior’s death…not in bed like some invalid.

It was unlikely these newcomers were pirates, as very few had aerospace assets. It was also improbable that the RKA had decided to reactivate the base. That left one possibility: the Star League Defence Force – or whatever they called themselves now – had somehow discovered their location and identity. Howell knew from bitter experience that once contact was made, they would attempt to destroy the Jaguars.

Despite the chief medic’s insistence that he should remain in sickbay, the Star Colonel had struggled into the command centre. Radar was showing mostly static – the inbound fighters must be using ECM. He had no aerospace assets of his own and consequently there was little to stop the enemy aircraft pounding the base to rubble. Well, it was too late to worry about that – he would just have to hope the base’s automated defences were up to the task.

Just then Kurt Voller, the mercenary company commander wandered in. His hair was unkempt and his uniform jacket unbuttoned. An unlit cigarette dangled from his mouth. “Hey Rick, what gives?” he asked as he fished in his pockets for his lighter.

Howell glared at the man but couldn’t muster the energy to reprimand the freebirth for his lack of respect. “We have unidentified forces inbound, presumed hostile. Deploy your mechs to the base perimeter and stand by to repel the intruders”.

Kurt frowned. “Do we know the enemy’s strength and position?”

“Neg. Long range sensors picked up two dropships making atmospheric entry. We lost them when they were obscured by the mountains to the south-east. Radar detected two Stars of fighters inbound before they began jamming us”.

Kurt’s frown deepened. “Two dropships? That could mean a pretty sizeable force. I don’t like those odds. Sorry pal, but you’re on your own. Me and my men are getting the hell off-planet and seeking alternative employment. Our contract was for raiding and salvage work only...nothing about heavy duty defensive ops”.

Howell’s glare could have burned through armour plating. “Freebirth scum! I could order my men to shoot you where you stand" he spat, as Voller turned to walk away.

Voller stopped but kept his back to Howell. “I don’t think so, my bad-tempered friend. From what I know about you Clanners, you fight honour duels to settle your grievances”. The amusement in his voice was evident as he continued. “And we both know you’re in no shape to do that right now”.

"If you knew a little more about us, you would also know that I could appoint a proxy to fight in my place!" Howell retorted. His face sudenly creased into a smile. “However, you are remarkably well-informed for a stravag Spheroid. It is true that shooting you in the back would be dishonourable…but then so would ordering a team of techs to set explosive charges underneath your dropship…would it not?” His smile grew broader as he anticipated the other man's response.

Voller slowly turned to face him, a crooked smile on his face. "Nice try", he said, "But you'll have to do better than that".

Howell's smile vanished. "I do not play games! If you do not believe me, have your techs examine the gantry".

Voller's smile dissolved into an expresion of doubt, but he remained dismissive of the Clanner's threat. “You’re bluffing. You Clanners don’t have it in you to be underhanded” he said, the smirk coming back to his face.

Howell's features remanied expressionless, his eyes unblinking, staring straight back at the mercenary. “Do you think me so foolish as to trust freebirths such as you? Not just freebirths, but mercenaries too…people who fight for financial reward?” The contempt in his voice was evident. He shook his head. “I felt it prudent to ensure you would not choose to leave us at an inopportune moment…I hope you understand”.

Voller’s expression didn’t change. “My people would’ve alerted me if they’d seen anything unusual”, he said evenly, shaking his head slowly.

“Has it occurred to you that, perhaps your people are not as vigilant as you think? Please, feel free to conduct a more…thorough investigation. I would suggest you hurry though, as the enemy forces will be here shortly. I would hate to see you caught, as you people say, with your pants down”.

Kurt donned the wireless radio headset that dangled round his neck, intending to contact his dropship pilot. Rickard held up a hand to stall him. “Oh, and please, make no attempt to remove them…they are set to detonate if tampered with”.

Voller just sneered. For a moment it looked as though he was willing to call the Star Colonel’s bluff, but then he turned away and thumbed the ‘transmit’ switch’. “Hey, Ritchie – where are you?”

Howell waited patiently, unable to hear the other half of the conversation.

After listening to the pilot’s reply, Voller spoke again. “Yeah – well grab Michaels and get your asses over to the dropship gantry. Tell me if you spot anything…unusual”. He listened again for a moment. “You’ll know when you see it – now move!”

A tense silence followed while they waited for the pilot to report back.