[b][i][color=9e0b0f]*ALERT* *ALERT* *SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE INITIATED. PLANET CATASTROPHE IN T-MINUS TEN MINUTES*[/color][/i][/b]

That priority alert flashing on his sensors seemed to kill the fighting in front of Richard. There were still shots, but they were shots fired hastily over the shoulder as the combatants beat feet. The men who had so suddenly set upon Richard were doing the same, pulling an orderly retreat. Richard considered pursuit, he had nine minutes to kill, but then lowered his weapon. No point in wasting the time. 

"I don't get it." Ovid said. "If we're retreating why not just blow up the base? Is there something worth blowing up on this planet? Is this some sort of conspiracy!? What aren't they telling us!?"

"Ridly is here." Richard said.

"Oh, that explains everything." Ovid replied, instantly calming down.

"Come on boys." Richard said, fiddling with his tie again. "We'll find your squad once we get home." The he pulled on the knot sharply. The home beacon hidden in the tie flared to life, summoning up a towering pillar of blue light in front of them. "Get my guns." With that Richard walked into the light, disappearing with the sound of rapid dissolution. The two men quickly bend down, scooped up the weapons in handfuls of sand, and made their way into the light.

The pillar lingered for five more seconds, then collapsed in on itself and winked out.