Back at the prison compound.

The guard commander sat at her desk using the console to scan the repurts that were coming in on the military net. The attack on Tau Ceti two had been wide ranging and well coordinated, in all over a dozen installations had been hit. Satellite cover had been destroyed and all ground based radar would be offline for days. As yet there were no reports of enemy landings, but with their systems blinded a whole army could be on the sparsely settled planet. Central command was urging all units to spare whatever resources they could for recon, if the enemy were out there they needed to be located fast.

The Commander sighed and ran her fingers through her spiky cropped red hair. She turned to the damage reports and casualty list for the prison compound. Following the attack the prisoners had rioted and the commander had found it necessary to use brutal **** to quell the disturbance. Now only one cellblock remained in the hands of rioters and her lieutenant was currently leading an **** on that position. The engineering officer's report was just as grim. The hangers where the prison's transport was housed had been hit hard and she could only promise one transport would be partly servicable today. The compounds main generator had also been destroyed and though the backup was operating it lacked the power to keep the forcefields up.

There was a knock at the door and her lieutenant entered. She stood stiffly to attention and saluted. The Lieutenant had skin the colour of rich dark chocolate, her high cheekbones and pouting lips gave her a haughty air. Her thick glossy black hair was swept back and braided.

"Cellblock delta is secure Commander." She reported. "Guard Twenty seven was recovered alive though she had been violated by several of the prisoners. I ran dna tests and these are the culprits."

The lieutenant handed the commander a sheaf of papers containing the records of five prisoners with this latest offence added ready for sentancing. The red head took them and read them briefly before adding a single word in the sentance column on each record. Castration!

"This behaviour needs to be stamped on quickly." The guard commander stated. "Get someone to assist the medical officer and have the sentance carried out at once."

The dark skinned officer smiled unpleasantly. "I'll see to it personally Commander." She replied, her dark eyes flashing in anticipation.

"What of the other two guards posted as missing, Twelve and Eighteen?" The Commander asked.

"I interrogated several of the prisoners." The Lieutenant reported, and again she smiled coldly. "Witnesses state that one prisoner crossed the perimeter at the onset of the attack. Twelve and Eighteen were last seen in pursuit."

"Very well, deal with this." The senior officer ordered, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "Then meet me at the hangers. Bring two extra guards, full combat gear and rations to be issued."

At the hanger later, the Commander viewed the damage inflicted in the ememy attack. Equipment and vehicle parts littered the floor and there were gaping holes in the roof and walls. The senior engineer slid out from beneath an intact but battered transport as she approached.

"Commander." The woman acknowledged, saluting casually. "She'll fly, but most of the electronics are still fried. It'll be piloting by the seat of your pants and the guns will need to manually aimed as the targeting scanner's nothing but scrap."

The spiky haired redhead beamed and slapped the engineer on the back. "Excellent work chief. As long as she can stay airborne, that's all I ask."

The Lieutenant entered the hanger with two guards carrying full packs and blaster rifles, combat helmets hung from their utility belts. All three wore skintight black combat dress with body armour, as did the Commander. The two guards were identical, with bleached white crew cuts and high breasted firm muscled bodies. They were grinning, eager to get out of the compound and see some action. The Lieutenant reported in, looking the damaged valkerie class transport over with an experianced thoroughness.

"Think you can handle her on manual?" The Commander asked.

"Yes Commander." The dusky junior officer answered, even white teeth flashing at the prospect.

"Good woman." The leader said. "Get the kit stowed and let's head out."

Within minutes the valkerie troop carrier lifted off. It's engines a high pitched whine as the Lieutenant skimmed the aircraft low over the trees, heading for the mountains that witnesses had said the prisoner had been headed towards with the two missing guards on his heels.