One Way To Mars

Chapter 25

'I want the element of surprise,'Storme growled. 'I want you to put down at least two hundred milesaway from the base. Keep the radar blocker on all the way in. We'lltake the battle buggies from there to the base.'

'Okay,' said Tanner. 'As long aslieutenant Munroe and I are kept out of it, I couldn't care lesswhere we put down.'

'Don't worry, Tanner. You're thelast person I'd want armed, even on my team.'

Tanner laughed. 'Yeah. You'redead right. It would be too much of a temptation.'

Ignoring that remark, Stormesaid, 'Just do as I told you. Don't fly over the base, and land twohundred miles from it. Then you can stay nice and safe in here, whilethe real men get the job done.'

'A real man? That's not whatAngie called you.'

Storme looked as if he were aboutto explode. 'When this is over, you and I will have a nice littlechat somewhere. Just the two of us.'

'I look forward to it. Now getthe hell off my flight deck, Storme.'

Storme gave Tanner a final fieryglare and returned to his men.

Lieutenant Munroe also gaveTanner a look. 'We should have a kiddies sandpit for you two to playin.'

'You're well out of line,lieutenant.'

'So fire me.'

Tanner unbuckled. 'Women. Justfly the damn bus, Munroe,' he said as he slammed the door of hissleeping quarters.

'Oh, yeah. Transfer.'