Chapter 36
Galactic Standard Date: 152,323.03 AE
Earth: Sata'an Forward Operating Base
LT. KASIB
The Algol-class ship hovered over the airfield and shifted its impulse engines to land on the rocky soil. It was shaped like an arrow, painted flat black to blend in with deep space, not a lot of cargo room, but a whole lot of engine. Shay'tan called them merchant vessels—peace be upon him—but everybody knew the ships were used for smuggling and spying.
The two gunships they'd sent behind the moon to flush it out of hiding hovered over it, their pulse cannons aimed at the slender ship. It contrasted sharply to the honor guard.
Dust blew up from the airfield, casting its fertile scent into Kasib's nostrils.
"Attention!" General Hudhafah barked as the loading ramp slid down.
The skullcrac
