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“I know you’re all tired,” Braddock said, moving to the front of the briefing room, “but I need you all with me right now. I’ve asked our doc to supply you with stimulants if you need them.”
The six Star Runners collapsed into their seats and let out a collective sigh. Austin stretched his legs. His muscles ached from the hours inside the Trident’s cockpit. A brief hot shower had washed off some of the stink from the day’s battle, but nothing erased the fact Rodon had escaped. Again.
Braddock activated the wall screen. A layout of the ocean floor surrounding Atlantis spread behind him, rising twelve feet over his head.
“Okay,” he said, “here we are. I know you Star Runners are still wet behind the ears, but this planet needs you now. Atlantis lost its alert fighters earlier today, a
