Southern Cross by Windstar

That sounded promising, and despite her better intentions, Julie found herself already liking the
idea, whatever it was.
"How would we go about that?"
"Simple, I get off duty in an hour. My second in command won't have a problem getting things
settled for the rest of the day. You and I take a shuttle and we go down to do some shopping. I've
always wanted to shop on 5th Avenue."
"They'd probably be angry if they found out what we did."
Julie felt compelled to put up the token objection.
"So? They both deserve it for pissing us off."
The blond had a point.
"Deal. See you in Shuttle Bay One in an hour?"
"Good, I love it when I great plan comes together. See you then!"
It occurred to Julie only after God had left that neither of them had talked about the arriving
Marines yet.
-------------------
"They did WHAT?"
Emily stared in disbelief at her older brother, who just nodded and shrugged.
"What can I say, Emie, they went down to New York, and I quote from the message Katya sent
me, "To go shopping". That's all I know."
Emily covered her face with both hands. It wasn't enough that Julie would go planet side. But she
had gone back to the city she'd been taken prisoner in no less than a week ago.
"Dear Maker, kill me now."
Winston didn't sound all that much happier as he agreed.
"I just got the note, I was in meetings with the European Union all day long."
One blue eye opened to eye the com panel.
"How long ago did they leave?"