[quote=@Starlance] “Captain, do we have any clue how many or how far away from here they are or if we’re getting any help this week?”
[/quote]

"Negative. ATC is kind of busy. I'll try again, over." Zey shot back, before opening up a secure line with the control centre in charge of dispatching and receiving craft.

“SISTraC, this is J147 requesting again for immediate clearance to launch. Please advise on the situation on the ground. Over.” Zey was left hanging for a moment. The bridge door slide open - *shuuk* - and when the Captain looked back she saw Bosko Janković entering. The short and heavy-set, grey bearded Serb gave her a friendly wave and a smile before shuffling past her to check something in the Pilot’s chair. Zey patted him on the shoulder like a feverish person might to check they were actually real.

“J147 this is SISTraC.” Came the fuzzy reply over comms.

“You are NOT cleared for expedited takeoff, say again do NOT launch. Terminals 2, 3 & 4 are Code Black - Home Guard are en route. Head to the designated secure area and wait for further instructions.”

Zey immediately fired back: “SISTraC that's a negative, we cannot do that. We’re IN terminal 4 and have sensitive property on board. Requesting urgent security assistance.”

“J147 all security assets are tied up right now. Leave your craft and head for safety.”

Zey terminated the connection with the traffic control centre and shouted “FUCK!” at the back of Bosko’s head as he made last minute adjustments. He didn’t even look around when he spoke back.

“What is plan boss? We tooling up and busting out of here on foot?”

Zey considered her options for a couple of seconds.

“No, get ready to launch. We’re moving the Jo.”

She clicked her communicator back on to talk to Vigdis.

“Vigdis be advised - hostiles may be in the terminal and heading this way. Soldiers are coming but no timelines yet. Keep your eyes open and move fast. We need everything packed up and ready to move yesterday.”

When the message came back that Vigdis had secured loading bots to get the last of the cargo on board, Zey moved for the door.

“Bosko you have the Bridge.”

“Aye Captain.”

She had barely made it two steps out the door when she was speaking again.

“Come in Engineering, give me a sitrep, over.”

[hr]

A large number of people were fleeing down the concourse now. A crowd of a few dozen had gathered outside Hangar 147, and the people at the front were arguing with the Tamerlane security guard and a hastily erected blockade in the doorway. They couldn’t close the blast doors because members of the crew were still making their way over, so the guard had to stand firm and reason with these people to keep moving to designated assembly points. AKA anywhere but here.

Suddenly, the sound of distant gunfire mingled with the blaring klaxons and announcements. The crowd started shouting even louder and jostling forward. The guard went for his stun gun but got pushed over. People charged into the hangar bay towards the Jotunheim.

[hr]
The sound of shouting could be heard even inside, on account of the open cargo doors. Zey, fresh off from Engineering, asked:

“What's happening out there? Someone give me a visual!”