The following weeks saw E Squad's "patrol" schedule packed tight. Their Shepherd patrol craft, now joined by another of its class and a more heavily armed Wasp assault ship, became the most welcome sight in this "controlled" sector.
The whole situation was surreal if you thought about it. David, growing more accustomed to his PAICS suit by the day, followed his squad across the icy plains, visiting mines operated by Eastern Europeans (mostly Ukrainians and a few Balkan states), the South American Mining Consortium (backed by Brazilian and Argentine capital), and even a few outposts flying the banner of China Stellar Mining Corporation (CSMC) subsidiaries.
"Talk about a clusterfuck," one private muttered over the comms. "Our boys are trading shots with the Chinese over Ganymede, and here
