Klaxons rang all throughout Tartarus Base as the Admiral’s lockdown order went into effect. Civilians, merchants, and contractors fled to their habs, closed their blast shutters, and sealed their doors shut.
In contrast, military and combat personnel swarmed in droves to do their duty. Armored hoppers sped from all corners towards the hangar bay, their bellies filled with eager Federation servicemembers of every discipline.
Those who were already in the hangar were busy gearing up to be the first wave out. Pilots climbed into their cockpits as their techs did the final checks on their chassis. Gunners climbed into their secure pods and powered on their turrets.
All were suited up and eager to defend the base. But it was more than the simple need to keep themselves secure.
Tartarus was
