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the plain appeared a dozen or so silver structures, all surrounded by a high wall. There was a watchtower on the east side and another directly opposite it on the west, both extending equally high above the walls.
    “A military installation?” O’Brien asked curiously.
    “A rebel base on the outskirts of the Tajari desert,” Ambrose clarified, eventually standing still as his anxiety eased.
    Owyn joined the discussion. “Rebel? Since when have we had rebels to deal with?”
    “They’ve been popping up for the last few months, but until now they’ve been easy to deal with and keep quiet about. This is the first significant base we’ve come across.”
    It was a worrying development. This was the first mention of an uprising on Altaris, and Owyn couldn’t help but draw parallels to the events on Earth.
    “What are we supposed to do about it? We don’t have the men to go anywhere near that place.” Shaw was quick to file an objection.
    “This facility is producing high impact weapons. We need to take it down quickly. There isn’t time to debate it.” Ambrose was firm, but failed to discourage further argument from Shaw.
    “Judging by the size of the base they must have what, a hundred personnel? At least. And I’m willing to bet that if they do have weapons then they aren’t going to be sat on display ready for us to whisk away. This is the DPD’s problem. Not ours.” Shaw had never been too fond of the DPD, as he’d made clear on many occasions. There didn’t seem to be much reason behind it, but it wouldn’t be unlike him to hold a grudge without justification.
    “I’m guessing most of the weapons facility is underground,” O’Brien said.
    “Most probably,” Ambrose confirmed.
    “One entry?”
    Ambrose nodded.
    “Are we forgetting where this place is?” Sully interrupted. “Tajari is a no-fly-zone. Those sandstorms mean the sky above the desert is littered with dust and sand particles. Our jets aren’t getting close to that compound without having their engines torn up, so I hope you’ve got a good idea of how we’re getting there.”
    “We’ll only be flying along the outskirts,” Ambrose assured. “We may sustain a little damage but not enough to endanger the mission.”
    “Do you know how those engines work?” The question was rhetorical, of course. “It only takes a dozen particles to rip through the filter and the Fourth of July will be coming early this year. It’s not going to work.”
    “It isn’t your call, Sullivan.” Ambrose’ firm, authoritative tone bubbled to the surface. “Whatever the risks, we have to get this mission done.”
    “With respect, sir, we aren’t going to be able to do anything about those weapons if we go down out there.”
    Owyn could see Ambrose’ temper boiling. It was unusual to see, but Owyn understood the circumstances better than the others. “Sully!” he snapped. Sully turned to face him, initially shocked that Owyn hadn’t taken his side but quickly succumbing to his glare and keeping his mouth shut.
    A tense silence filled the room. All five stood like statues, waiting for someone else to make the next move.
    “So,” Owyn said, lifting the stale air. “What’s the plan?”

CHAPTER 3
    TAJARI
    Owyn suited up and loaded his belt with a new set of magazines and grenades, slotted his pistol into its holster and left the armoury. Although the weight of leadership was no longer on his shoulders he hadn’t been relieved of any pressure. This mission was big, and it was going to be far from routine – Ambrose’ behaviour had made that blatantly clear. He needed to put aside his feelings and focus. The mission was the priority.
    As he headed briskly along the corridor towards the hanger Owyn spotted Sully plotting an intercept course. He contemplated breaking for cover, but in the end he knew that he would only be delaying the inevitable.
    “It isn’t our call, Sully,” he reiterated as the two neared collision, preventing Sully