[LazyScot]

<cut back to the military control room, bare moments after the first commands where issued to Space Control. An air of hope and anticipation pervades the area as the personnel wait for news.>

"Ma'am," interrupted another junior comms officer. "I have information from the CDC/EPA liaison. I believe this is important."

"Go ahead," said the commander, without her eyes leaving the space liaison officer.

"Almost the last transmission from the site included an isotope and chemical analysis of the bio-weapon. The site couldn't identify the source from the resources available so they passed it back to the base. The isotopes have traces of an unusual set of heavy metals that they were probably contaminants. The isotope match indicates that they came from an abandoned mine about 10 miles from the site. Their assessment is that it is most likely that the weapons were manufactured, or at very least stored, at that mine."

"A mine?" turning, she asked, "Can we take a mine out with the weapons available to the airborne strike force, without going nuclear?"

"With high probability, yes," replied an officer confidently.

"Very well, direct the force to that target, adjust the plan as necessary, but do not attack. I'd feel better with further confirmation."

"Ma'am, I have a report from SigInt. They believe we are about to come under attack."

"Explain."

"A radio message was intercepted that appeared to order an attack on us. This appeared to originate from the Rangers site at about the time they were attacked."

"We're already locked up; there's not a lot they can do."

"With due respect, Ma'am, those Rangers probably thought they could cope," replied the office to a glare from the commander.

"Can SigInt find out where the signal was sent?"

"Ma'am" came very unexpectedly from speakers in the control room. "NEACP here; we're monitoring you, and we confirm we are ready to execute General Order 73."

"I understand; I confirm presidential authority will also transfer," said the commander to NEACP, and then "Get me the officer in charge of the reconnaissance team."

"It's now a relief force," replied the relevant officer.

"A relief force?" she queried, with a tone used by mothers on children in serious hot water.

"We have a duty… an honor, to provide all assistance needed. We do not leave our people in danger. A reconnaissance force was inappropriate; the relief force can reconnoitre, and more. If there was anything we can do to offer succour, we must, and do it in a timely fashion. Lives may depend on speed of assistance," a brief pause and he continued, looking straight at the commander. "I trained with some of those there, and my brother is with them."

"So you acted of your own accord?"

"Yes. I was trained to."

"You never override an order. If you dislike it, you raise your issue with me. We will discuss this later. Put the relief force commander on."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Can you confirm the disposition of your forces, and the orders you have received?" ask the commander of the officer in charge of the relief force.

"We have two platoons of marines, four medivac 'copters with a full surgery team and a squadron of attack helicopters, one fully surveillance equipped. Our orders are to assess the safety of the site, identify the source of the attack, if at all possible land, render assistance, secure the site and provide a further analysis of the attack."

"Very good. Have you been given any indication of the attackers or the source."

"No Ma'am."

"Right. It is vital you look for indication of the source of the attack, unprejudiced by anything. We have an initial indication, but need confirmation. That must be your top priority. Clear?"

"Crystal, Ma'am. We'll arrive in a few seconds."

"Ma'am." said the space liaison officer. "We've almost got the new target in position. Can you confirm that you want us to use Fred to—"

"Do It!"