Southern Cross by Windstar

"Yes, Ma'a…"
Killing the circuit, Emily stood and dressed with the quick efficiency of one who had been
putting on uniforms at odd times of the day since she was young.
She made it to the command center two minutes before the first of the large turbo prop-driven
airplanes entered the base's ten-kilometer airspace. Major Whitehall was waiting for her as she
stepped off the lift, accompanied by her Honor Guards. Emily wished that Angwar had come
down planetside as well, but her Provost had stayed onboard North Star.
"Major, what do you have for me?"
"Ma'am, I've got ten fighters up to intercept the Hercules. I have ground forces on standby in
case the helicopters try anything, but they seem to be holding position outside of our airspace."
"Right at the ten click mark?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Hmmmm… they'll probably land and try to sneak troops in on foot then, if that's what they're up
to. Make sure that those damn Hercules don't start dropping paratroops though, that could get
messy."
"Yes, Ma'am. They can't know how big Longbow has grown or they wouldn't be coming in with
only six dagger's worth of troops."
The First Guardian watched the Major stalk away, then turned and headed towards the com
station. The same young Lieutenant was there and she grinned slightly at the wariness in his eyes
as he spotted her headed his way.
"Lieutenant, get me a secure link to North Star, then prepare to send a priority one fleet wide
message."
"Yes, Ma'am, I'll have the secure link in a second."
The black-haired Guardian nodded absently at that and turned to regard the tactical holo tank
installed in the center of the large room. She wondered what the men onboard those Air Force
craft thought they were doing.
Unfortunately, the First Guardian had a pretty good idea why they were doing it.
"Ma'am, I have a secure link to North Star."
With one last scowl she turned from the holo tank to face her Provost, who was looking a bit
concerned at her through the com screen.