Forty two - EARTH (DIVIDED)

Luton hadn't met Beason, but Lo was one of the best. He didn't envy her assignment, however. Marco would have plenty of warnings, and his troops would be ready. 

The visor came to life; Luton found himself flying a transport and listening to a dirty joke. It was dark beyond the glow of the instrument panel. His chair shuddered slightly as the aircraft hit some chop. The combat team was thirty minutes out and closing fast. 

The punch line arrived. Luton laughed, and his worries melted away. This was his, this made sense, this was pure. 

* * *

The sun had yet to rise over the Gulf of Eden, but a long, pink line marked the horizon, and the direction from which the attack would come. Straight out of the sun, an old trick that wouldn't provide much of an advantage but was still worth a try. 

The view is the north looked across the avenue Jalingo Cue to more blue water. The Balge de la Fiesta curved to the south. 

Marco, who usually beg