By SCSPIEKER - Dec. 31, 1969 [Quaid] Quaid strode through the cramped corridors wearing his pressure suit - unwilling to keep the Lieutenant waiting, he had just removed his helmet when reentering the base - his heavy boots clunked on the metal grating as he strode around twisting corners and through pressure doors. "Anderson, Kingsley, McIntyre - you three take MU-1 loaded hot. Myers, Kalvig, Lutes - you ride with me in MU-2 and prepared for prisoners and possible medi-vac." Qaid issued orders to the first squad. He may as well take the whole lot of them - there really wasn't enough to make up a proper platoon, but orders were still orders. [Johnson] "Sarge? Do you want me to continue removing these panels?" He asked hopefully. [Quaid] "Keep on it Johnson. You and the others are our mobile reserve. I want you available if something comes up in the field. Be sure to have MU-3 and 4 prepped and ready in case of trouble." Within minutes, the assigned first squad were milling about in the motor pool. The four remaining Mobile Units were prepped and ready for action. MU-1 & 2 were already sitting with their solar panels powering the batteries and ready to move. The stations' single UH-64 drop ship hung from it's support clamps in the cavernous space like a mother watching over her reduced flock. Quaid looked up at it lovingly, wishing they could use it instead of the dreadful mobile units. But alas, there was no room in the station budget to fuel the beast for a simple jaunt out to some distant location on - planet. It was reserved for emergency evac to Vandermere or some other high-priority assignment. Quaid turned back to the squad. Looked them over once to be sure they were armed properly, then issued the order to mount up. Two hours later, the mobile units pulled up through the loose sand to the Johnson/Skullet habitat. Outside was a large bright yellow rescue mobile unit driven by Duff Beaufort. The marines dismounted and tuned their radios to the civilian frequency for easier communications with Beaufort. [Kingsley] "Beaufort? Do you copy?" Jason had broadcast without thinking. [Duff] "I read you? Who is speaking?" He asked. [Kingsley] "This is corporal Kingsley, USCMC. We have arrived at the Johnson/Skullet habitat. What is your position?" [Duff] "I'll be there in two minutes. Please wait outside of the shelter for my arrival." Approximately two minutes pass and Duff appears, bounding through the lighter gravity like a jack rabbit. He is armed with a rifle, which is slung over his right shoulder, and he also carries a compass. [Duff] "Ah, Sergeant Quaid. I'm Duff Beaufort. Glad your boys could come and lend a hand," Duff greeted the marine. So long as it was a search-and-rescue, Duff had operational command. [Duff] "As I reported to Trinity, the habitat has been shot-up: radios, navigational equipment and life support. I counted seven expended plastic/ceramic 12-gauge shotgun cartridges and the remains of .22 shot. Johnson appears to have been killed with the same weapon. His body is in the hydroponics tent with a massive wound to his chest and back, and intense localized burns to his face. "Over there," Duff indicated a point between their position and the habitat, "I discovered tracks of a person staggering in apparent confusion, and an eighth shotgun cartridge stomped into one of the footprints. The tracks ended at those of the prospector's missing rover, which I was following when Corporal Kingsley radioed for me." Though there was a lot more to say, those were the essential tactical facts that Duff thought the military man would want first. He paused should Kingsley have anything to say or orders for the arming and deploying of his squad. "I'd appreciate some back-up to search for the missing rover and Skullet. However, there's always the chance he might return on his own..." (if the drugs wear off) Duff thought. "Sergeant, would you consider leaving a couple of your men here? If you have anyone with crime-scene experience, they could continue investigating the habitat while keeping an eye open for Skullet." "Though the most likely conclusion is that Skullet shot up his partner and the habitat and ran away in a stupour, there are a lot of pieces that don't quite fit the puzzle... "For one thing, when I arrived, the inner airlock door was open... as if the last person through had entered the habitat rather than departed." Seeing Kingsley's look, Duff quickly added, "I did search the habitat, there aren't many places for a man to hide in those. "Also, something had happened in the mess. I found Johnson's e-suit there, blood around its neck liner. I haven't seen the helmet. The suit was cut down the middle, hurriedly, and the mess table was folded down into a bed. Medical packages were strewn about the floor, along with other mess supplies, also in apparent haste or disregard. It was as if something had happened to Johnson and Skullet was desperately trying to help him." Thinking about it, Duff said, "I wish we had that helmet. It might help to explain the burns on Johnson's face." "Yes, his face was marked with intense localized burns to the temples, cheeks and neck, and his mouth was contorted in rictus. I haven't seen anything like it before." [Quaid] "Corporal, get the squad into position on that outcropping. That will lend some cover as well as a vantage point to keep an eye out for Skullet." [Kingsley] "Yes sir." Kingsley turned to the rest of the members of first squad. He didn't have to give anyone orders, they had already been in action when Quaid had ordered the action. The small squad climbed up the rocky outcrop and perched themselves in positions to view 360 degrees. There was no way Skullet would be able to approach without them seeing him first. [Kingsley] "I can't believe that Johnson's bought it. I wonder is anyone has told his brother yet?" [McIntyre] McIntyre hiked up the outcropping and took up a position where he had a good view of the surrounding area and some cover. "McIntyre in position.", he said into his comm tersely as he scanned the desolate terrain. "I'd like to take a look at the burns on the victim's face once the area has been secured.", he added while he scanned the area for any sign of Skullet or others. Private Johnson was going to want answers and McIntyre hoped his expertise could help find out what had happened to his brother.