Scanning the rooftops, you see that one of the smaller buildings has an unusual number of antennas sprouting from it. You recognize some of them clearly as military design. That's your target.
You jog across the open ground, your troopers flanking out on both sides. It's only a short distance to the target building and you reach the nearest wall uneventfully, leaning against the cool concrete. You listen, glancing to each of your troopers who are in turn examining the surroundings from different vantage points. It's clear. You move down the side of the building, joining Amori at the corner which looks out onto the main street.
"No movement," he whispers.
"Go," you order.
You follow him along the front of the building to the single door. Another trooper joins you from the far corner, and you see your sentries at both corners of the building. You try the door, noting without surprise that it's locked, then step back as Amori rears back with a portable ram. The door crashes open and your troopers dart inside. The sound echoes around the quiet street, but you don't see or hear any reaction. You motion for your sentries to follow you into the building.
As the last trooper slips into the building and closes the door behind her, darkness descends over the crowded interior. You initially caught a glimpse of a wide array of communications equipment, but in the sudden darkness you fumble to feel your way over. Flicking on your helmet lamp you survey the equipment. Most of it is standard civilian gear but one radio catches your attention. It's of Terran design and, while not identical to what you're used to, familiar enough that you can quickly get it up and running.
There's no way to encrypt your signal, but you know what frequencies the Astral Force routinely monitors. Bringing up one of the more obscure ones, hoping that there will be no civilian traffic on it at this time of morning, you click the handset button.
"Hotel Leader, Hotel Leader, Hotel Leader," you say carefully, "this is Foxtrot Leader on channel nineteen, over."
There is static on the line. You repeat your call, listening carefully. Then, you hear a voice, although not Celi's.
"Foxtrot this is Hotel Yankee," you hear the signals officer from Drop Command, "this is an unsecured circuit. Report status as able, over."
You give a quick situation report.
"Foxtrot this is Hotel Leader," you hear Celi say. A sudden wave of relief washes over you. "Roger sitrep. Visual of hostiles closing your position at speed. Assess you are being monitored—get clear of that location!"
Your relief vanishes in sudden fear. The rebels have heard your signal, and they know where you are.
"Foxtrot, roger, out." You throw down the handset and grab your rifle, looking up at your troopers. "Hostiles inbound, clear to the forest!"
The sentry throws open the door and you run out into the brightening day. You hear a single shout of alarm from down the street, but you don't pause. Rounding the comms building you break into a full sprint, running for the forest.
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