At a barked command echoed by the sergeants, the formation halted and stood at attention. At the same time, the hover cycle riders shut down the engines of their vehicles, and for several moments the resulting silence seemed even louder than had the earlier noise.
“What are they doing out there?” the general said as the three officers stared at the display outside their window.
“If I had to guess, sir,” Battleax murmured, not taking her eyes from the formation, “I’d say it was a demonstration of support for their commander.”
“A demonstration? It looks like they’re getting ready to assault the spaceport.”
“I didn’t say it looked like a peaceful demonstration.” The colonel smiled humorlessly.
“They’ve got clips of ammo in those weapons,” Blitzkrieg noted. “Who authorized that? Whom did you put in temporary command when you relieved Jester?”
“Lieutenant Rembrandt had the most seniority,” Battleax said. “That’s her at the head of the formation. I believe that’s the other lieutenant, Armstrong, standing beside her. Ummm … is it necessary for me to point out to you gentlemen that they’re between us and the shuttle?”
“Do you want me to call the local police?” Joshua asked nervously.
“Those are supposed to be our troops out there, Major,” the general retorted tersely. “We’d look pretty damn silly asking the police to protect us from them, now, wouldn’t we?”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“I want you to go out there and take command of that formation, Major Joshua. Break it up and tell them to return to their barracks and await further orders.”