By SCSPIEKER - Dec. 31, 1969 [Beckett] "Lieutenant Cooper, may I have a word with you?" Beckette asked politely. [Cooper] "Beckette, I told you 1700 hours." He jumped to the conclusion that he was looking for bodies for his maintenance work. He and Beckette stepped into the Lieutenant's private office/cubicle. A white noise generator helped to muffle their conversation. [Beckett] Beckett followed the Lt into his office, "Hey, No problem Lt." he says, "I'll just go away and come back sometime later to tell you about the prospector who has decided to shoot up his own habitat with a shotgun". "One of our people checking the outlying habs for those who haven't reported in yet found the Johnson-Skullet hab a bit of a mess. Shots fired, spent shotgun shells, general disarray. Haven't found the two residents yet but I don't rate our chances on finding _Both_ fit and healthy." he says in a steady voice, "The guy on site is continuing to search the hab but I thought it best to give you a heads up in case he needs some backup". [McIntyre] "No, sir.", responded McIntyre tersely as he finished suiting up and began the series of checks of his suit. 'A is for airlines, B is for batteries, C is for couplings, D is for D.F. Loop....'. The mnemonic went through his head as he checked each component. It had sounded childish at first, but later it had become second nature. Concentrating on the system checks also allowed McIntyre to avoid watching Johnson's face before he left for work station 36. He was sure there was a big smirk plastered on it right now. [Quaid] The fact that Quiad hated going outside the station did not make his mood any better. He hated with a passion walking on the surface of Sygnus. He had spent some time on the mars colony and had hated it there too, but like most things in corps it not weither you like it or hated it, it is all about getting the damn job done. Through the corner of his eye, Quiad watched McIntyre go through his routine.Sure the kid had a smart mouth, but he seemed to get the point quick enough. [McIntyre] When McIntyre had finished checking his suit and tools, he waited for Quaid to finish suiting up and checked him. A partner was needed to check what the suited individual couldn't. McIntyre's joker attitude was turned off for the moment and he seemed focused on the task at hand. [Quaid] "Ready" Quaid asked when he had finished himself. Quiad looked over McIntre with an eagle eye.His suit was in perfect condition and each application was in the right place. "Your set" he said and places his helmet on and screws it clock wise into postion. He wais for the thumbs up from Mcityre before closing the airlock and opening the outer doors. The air-lock cycled open and a few wisps of dust had whooshed out as the slight pressure change sucked it out. The red rusty colored rock reminded Quaid of his time on Mars. What a job. At least here on Sygnus, he could crack his helmet or take a bullet in the suit and net expect his eyes to be sucked out. The team set to work, exchanging words only when necessary - the model of efficiency. They were two thirds of the way completed with the panel exchanges when the Comm opened up - it was Lt. Cooper. [Cooper] "Sergeant Quaid, please report to operations on the double." He issued the order without waiting for his response. Quaid scowled - he hated to be interrupted when he was working on a dead-line. Within minutes, Quaid was standing in the office of Lt. Cooper. With him was Beckett - again. [Quaid] "Yes, sir." [Cooper] "Sergeant, it looks like we have a situation developing in the outback. 150 kilometers from here is an outpost for two prospectors - Skullet and Johnson," he noticed the look on Quaid's face and answered his unasked question, "yes - Private Johnson's brother. They have not reported back for quarantine and Duff is on scene. There is no one home there. Shots have been fired, however there is no evidence of foul play. Duff can't track them alone and he may need some backup." "You take a squad out there to backup Duff, and to help with search and rescue ops there. Duff has operational command, you are to report to him - however if the situation turns to a combat-sit, it is your duty to take command. Is that understood?" [Quaid] "Affirmative" was all Quiad had to say. He knew Beckett was loving every minute of this. The small trivial little games. "See who come out on top." Quiad Refused to play but that was not to say he did not play. As Quaid stormed out of the room he touched his head set. His voice could be heard through out the whole station. "First Squad report to the motor pool. Have the 35's ready to go and gassed for travel ASAP" The worst part of working for the marines was not the pay or death, but having to use the oldest equipment. The Mk 50 pressure suit was far superior then the Mk 35. The fact that the Mk 35 was a one peice suit that was only used on for normal pressure work was only one point. Sure you could use them in space and high pressure enviroment but then you had to spend a couple of weeks in a bouble getting your blood under control. Sometime it did not pay to be in the marines. [Beckett] Becket can't help but reminisce as the great green machine moves into gear. <*God bless the marines*> he thinks silently as he watches the Lt. giving his orders, <*Efficient and Ready. No one could accuse them of slacking when it's on the line*>. He waits for the sergeant to leave before voicing his appreciation and returned to Operations of Sygnus Colony.