From amongst the growing contingent of soldiers, Major Wellesley stepped away from the entrance and moved thirty metres back into the open ground. He held his hand high and waited as one of the transports circling above the colony began a slow descent towards his location. Studying his actions, Jenkins guessed that the major was organising transportation away from the battle zone. Instead, the bulky transport craft pulled to a halt, hovering a metre off the ground.
Turning about but keeping his hand held high, as if brandishing a sabre, Major Wellesley marched towards the main entrance. The transport crept after him, leaving a few metres between it and Major Wellesley, but made no motion to land itself.
“He’s lost his marbles,” Woodward mumbled.
“You reckon they’ll pay us if we send Mad
