“It’s a little risky, Mansel,” the alternate Captain admitted, rubbing his hairless chin.  “General?” “We’re running out of options, and time.  I’m sure now that Maradine knows somebody’s out to get him, he’ll up his timetable for taking the two continents.  We can’t dally forever.” “Any other possible suggestions?” Blackbird asked the group.  There were none.  “Well, it looks like Lieutenant Commander Serena’s suggestion is the one we’ll have to go with,” he announced, looking over at the Explorer’s Security Chair.  “I’ve never met the Serena of this dimension, but hopefully she’s as brave as you.” “Thank you sir.” “Dismissed.” Two days later, Serena was ready to go. “Fleury and Lieutenant Mansel should be about done fixing that wayward stolen shuttle of ours,” Captain Mansel told Serena.  He looked over at her as they walked to the Explorer’s shuttle bay.  “You sure you wanna do this, Serena?  One person is awfully dangerous in a place that’s going to be crawling with guards.” Serena had pulled her hair back in a short red ponytail, he red eyes flashing to match.  Mansel wondered what had happened to the Kalandrians of this universe.  Hopefully, they had fared better than those of the Explorer’s universe. The Chief of Security gave one quick nod, her ponytail bouncing afterward.  “I’m sure, Captain.  I’ll be in and out.” “Alright,” said Mansel as they walked into the shuttle bay, “I hope you’re right.” Indeed, Lieutenant Mansel and Lieutenant Commander Fleury were finished reconstructing the damaged shuttle.  Had Mansel not been a previous occupant of the flying deathtrap, he would have never known that it had been damaged. “Good work, Dynamic Duo,” Mansel complimented, calling the engineering pair by their nickname.  “You two have outdone yourselves yet again.” Captain Mansel’s wife shrugged and tossed her last tool into her toolbox.  “We do what we can.” Fleury leaned up against the shuttle and grinned.  “Well, if she won’t take the credit, then I will.”  His expression turned serious.  “You sure you wanna do this, Serena?  Remember, Casey Ames got killed on a volunteer mission.” “Your efforts to sway me are useless gestures, engineer,” Serena said, already climbing into the shuttle. “Transmission codes, sir?” From his shirt pocket, Mansel produced an infopad.  “Ordese says its somewhat old, but it should work.” Without a response, Lieutenant Commander Serena climbed the rest of the way into the shuttle.  Mansel and the others stepped back as the Chief of Security fired up the engines. “Back to the bridge,” said Mansel, turning away.  “I swear I live there.” “I’ll take it from you,” Lieutenant Commander Fleury suggested hopefully. “Never.” “What’s her status?” Captain Blackbird asked Cain, coming from the bathroom. “She’s en route now, Captain.” The alternate Stealthlon Executive Officer glanced over at Blackbird.  “You didn’t wash your hands.” “Shut up.  This had better work.” “We’ll see.” As a result of Mansel, Blackbird, Vaughn, Brungess, and Cain’s failed operation, Maradine had decided to increase overhead security be twenty-five percent.  He had not taken most of Earth by being a fool, after all.  He had become somewhat comfortable and lax in his position as Supreme Commander of Earth (as he had dubbed himself).  Serena immediately noticed the increased number of patrol ships.  Also, she noticed the absence of the Crimson Star.  She planned to use that information to her advantage. As she neared the first patrol ship, her communications line crackled to life.  “GART shuttle, identify yourself immediately.” Without reply, Serena sent the transmission code that Mansel had given her moments before taking off. Maradine happened to be strolling by the communication officer’s station when he heard the man request that Serena identify herself.  Curious to see who it was, he came up behind the officer and stood with his arms folded. “Does the code check out, boy?” the universal terrorist asked in a form of greeting and demanding. Silence filled the gap for a few seconds as the officer verified the authenticity of the stolen code.  It’s an older one, but it checks out, sir.  Is there something wrong?  I was about to clear them.”

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