Moonstruck Pt. 5
Bennor walked in through the back door of the bookstore and followed Calyx’s directions to the hidden lift. He exited the lift to find his team moving around like they had worked there for years.
“Calyx. Report.”
“We have power and we can see the Space Fortress. Come take a look.”
Bennor walked into the main control room and looked at the floor to ceiling screen. The sight stole his breath.
“It’s about two thirds the size of Saundra, the desert moon.” Calyx answered his unspoken question.
“Choral what’s your status?”
“We’ve reached the mining outpost on the Diggory Asteroid. Acquiring ground scanner.”
“Great. M-1, we’re sending you a data feed. Can you tell us how much time we have left?”
“Give me two minutes.”
“OK. Calyx, what’s the status of the Alarm System?”
“We’re gaining access to the System now.”
“Set those alarms off as soon as possible.”
“Will do.”
Bennor watched the Space Fortress for a few seconds. Then he looked for Saundra.
“Can I get a screen tracking Saundra and one tracking our landing team?”
“On it.” Calyx said.
“You have two hours.” M-1 said, “Give or take.”
“Till what?”
“Till the Space Fortress fires its first salvo.”
Fifteen minutes passed. The icon showing Choral’s ship left Diggory.
“We’re enroute for Saundra.” Benna reported.
More minutes ticked by. The hum of activity gradually lessened as the Space Fortress moved steadily nearer. Alarms began to go off.
“Good work.”
Calyx nodded an acknowledgement. More minutes passed.
Choral’s ship reached Saundra. Forty-five minutes left.
“Choral, what’s your status?”