“You exceeded your time estimates, Zur. Explain.”
“We had to clear a nest of Wasps from the area.”
“Wasps?”
“A different species than the Coalition Wasps we exterminated, but the Scientist, Zome, felt they constituted a potential threat.”
“Understood. Anything else to report?”
“No, Commander. The homing beacon is in place and activated. We’re ready to cover your descent.”
“Very well. Stand by.”
I shifted my focus to the Technicians.
“Horc!” I beamed.
“Yes, Commander,” Horc’s voice answered in my mind.
“The Advance Party has cleared the landing area and set the beacon. Take command of the launchland proceedings. Krah should be standing by for your orders.”
“Acknowledged, Commander.”
As the final step, I raised my voice to the Scientists in the immediate area.
“Stand by to descend. The advance party has confirmed a clear landing area.”
“How long before departure, Commander?” asked Tzu.
“I would estimate-“
The fortification detached itself from the bottom of the transport and began its plunge to the planet’s surface.
“I withdraw the question, Commander.”
It was just as well. I was unsure of my ability to complete my answer. When I stated my preferences for mode of descent, it was not meant to imply that I enjoyed the prospect of being dropped in the fortification. Rather, I found it at best a meager improvement over being dropped in a bubble. Free-fall in any vehicle is not a pleasant sensation to me. I made a mental note to inquire into the possibility of having ships land to dispatch troops instead of dropping them from orbit.