02:30hrs Day One past at Killrock 1.5

1.          The Black Box

Basilus held up his hands to halt his men from doing anything rash. He stood there looking at the seven militia who would shoot on the slightest provocation, or perceived hostile movement.

"Senior Leader Basilus, 1^st Ranger Division." Basilus was holding his rifle by the barrel. His eyes not leaving the Militia there. One of the Militia stepped out.

"Sergeant at Arms Rashid." The large grith man was still nervous from the invasion although he escaped with minor bruises. He was assigned to the Space Port by the Lieutenant, bringing with him two of his trusted men. His task was to protect the Space Port. He was on the way to the Control Tower when he bumped into Controller Theresa at the exit on the Lobby.

"They are here. A Destroyer with a Carrier." The Controller rushed past him and ran to the Settlement. Rashid hesitated before going in. He had a secondary task; to seek the Captain of the FC Odin. He ran up the next level to the Controller and looked for the comms console. He picked up the comms set and called for FC Odin.

"Where's the Black Box?" Rashid asked the Captain. He was told of the location. He retrieved it and since then he had guarded it. He may not be a brave soldier but he was a dedicated one. He carried out his order and stayed with the objective. Now he is facing a Ranger who may take this objective off his responsibility.

"Its hidden in there." The Sergeant at Arms spoke up to Basilus.

Two soldiers who had followed Rashid had perish in defending this place. They stayed hidden at the lower levels during the barrage by the Destroyer. When the barrage stopped , there were some Militia which came down to seek protect. They stumbled on the Sergeant at Arms and consolidated their strength. There were three Draconian that came and fought hard with the Militia, but the three Draconian lost out to nine Militia and three Guards. The defenders lost five of their own numbers in that battle. The Sergeant told the Militia to pile the defenders with the Draconian to deceived any reinforcement that they are survivals there. The ruse worked and they hung out for so long.

"Where's the Black Box?" Basilus was getting irritated. He keep on looking around for clues. But the Sergeant at Arms was still elusive. "Tell me now or I would blow this whole place."

"Why didn't you come any faster? We were invaded, mutilated, massacre.....my family died in a similar incident on Adam IV. Where are you guys?" The Sergeant raised up his right hand holding the PH450 at the Ranger's face. "All you ever cared about is the fragging box."

"The Black Box, Guards Sergeant At Arms". Basilus pushed the gun away from his face. "Tell me now or I would have you shot in the head."

The dejected Guard lowered the rifle and motioned them to the corner. Mira went over there and found a rectangle black box there. Its about a half metre long and twenty centimeters wide. The Rangers retrieved it and proceed to climb out leaving the Sergeant at Arms there. Just before Basilus went up, he walked towards Rashid.

"You are a Guard, behave like one. Get those Militia to the Rangers Command." Basilus left the Militia and followed his men to the Command Center.