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{{a|opcoboone|}}{{smallcaps|As a blood-red sun}} dipped to the the rim of the world, | {{a|opcoboone|}}{{smallcaps|As a blood-red sun}} dipped to the the rim of the world, they watched the procession thunder across the desert a mile below. An eighteen-wheeler operations battletruck, flanked by a pair of [[COO]] picket gunships, kicked up a wide pillar of dust. It billowed and hung over the desert for miles behind. A thin track snaked away from the convoy. It ran ten flat miles through desiccated scrubland to a low-lying, dusty settlement. The encampment was ringed by a network of towers. They exchanged glances. They knew. | ||
<div style="text-indent: 20px;">''And so it is written.'' | <div style="text-indent: 20px;">''And so it is written.'' | ||
On the ridge, the tallest | On the ridge, the tallest of them stood in the centre, shrouded by billowing canvas. The two outriders straddled dirt bikes. | ||
Presently, the observation towers flashed coordinated pulses of light: ''three long, three short, three long''. | Presently, the observation towers flashed coordinated pulses of light: ''three long, three short, three long''. | ||
The central | The central one said, “That’s it. That’s the signal. It is time.” | ||
“Are you sure, Opco?” said the left-hand rider. | “Are you sure, Opco?” said the left-hand rider. | ||
Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
“Right.” | “Right.” | ||
“But that says, | “But that says, “O. S. O.”.” | ||
“It’s encrypted. Now ''go''.” | “It’s encrypted. Now ''go''.” | ||
The | The outriders kicked over their motors, gunned their engines and cleared the peak: one went left, one right. They scrambled down the scree. | ||
Still on the ridge, Eagle Squadron Leader [[Opco Boone]], LL.B, took a step towards the cliff-edge. | Still on the ridge, Eagle Squadron Leader [[Opco Boone]], LL.B, took a step towards the cliff-edge. |