Chapter 12 – Fire and Blood
Jerry was awakened by an alarm and a voice blaring over the public address.
“Battle stations. All hands to battle stations. Exiting cross-space in thirty minutes. All hands to battle stations.”
He hopped out of bed, almost colliding with Lieutenant Hawkins. He mumbled an apology, and both men hastily donned their coveralls, boots, and shield vests.
Jerry wrenched open the door. Vacs raced around in all directions, weaving in and out of the crowd on the way to their posts. There was a constant rumble from many conversations and boots thumping on the deck. He and Hawkins squeezed into the corridor and worked their way through the throng towards the infantry airlock.
“Attention,” boomed the loudspeaker again, though it was a different voice this time. “This is
