The command center was a buzz of activity when Windsor arrived.

An Air Force lieutenant saluted him. "Sir. General Curry's compliments, and he requests you join him in the briefing room."

"Lead the way, Lieutenant."

The briefing room was dominated by a massive TV screen, showing what looked like points of light. Curry nodded to Edward as he stepped in. "Anderson's put up the feed from Fortress Skyguard. They report that the Hierarchy has begun moving."

Edward nodded to the bespectacled captain standing in front of the screen. "Anderson?"

"Sir. About fifteen minutes ago, Skyguard called us to report an increase in the number of contacts."

"What are we looking at?"

"Normally the Hierarchy maintains between twelve and fourteen major ships in orbit, not counting shuttles and strikefighters. In the last hour, they've had four more show up, all taking up positions ahead of the main blockading force. Total of seventeen ships in orbit, and the four new ones are in close orbit."

"What're the new ships doing?"

"They've aligned in the formation the Hierarchy normally uses to punch a hole in the shield. They haven't started firing yet, but once they do…."

"Then it's a matter of time before they punch through. Got it. Any word from the Stratospheric Guard?"

"SURGE alerts will be sent out as soon as the aliens actually start firing." The officer paused, glancing at a tablet. "Just updated, one of the vessels has opened fire on the shield. SURGE is sending out an alert for London."

Edward took a deep breath. "Thank you, Captain."

"You ready?" Curry asked quietly as the officer walked off.

"As ready as we can be."

"I don't mean the troops, or the alliance, or the preparations. I mean you, personally."

"Sir." Edward shook his head. "This is probably the biggest battle of my career - our careers - and I'm going to be fighting for my home city, so yes, I'm ready."

"Good. Got room for one more soldier?"

It took Edward a moment to process what his commander had said. "You're…. going into the field? You're the commander of the entire British Army."

"And you're the second in command. Tell me something I don't know."

"Sir… you should be here. Well, either here or the Tower."

"Once contact is made, there's nothing for generals to do but wait. Isn't that what you told me at Liverpool?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I could wait here for news, or I could get out there and make an actual difference by killing a couple of the bastards. I didn't walk into a recruiter's office thirty years ago to sit on the sidelines."

Edward grinned. "Your presence will be an inspiration to the men, sir. Although you'll need something more than that dinky little carbine to take out a Sarnak."

"Pah. Did the Americans get the kinks out of that fancy new rifle of theirs?"

"The M35? Not yet, sir."

"Then let me introduce you to something more suitable." Curry opened up a case, pulling out….

"Is that an elephant gun?"

"The .577 Nitro Express rifle. A more elegant weapon, for a more civilized age."

"I'm almost afraid to ask where you got it."

"Admiral Spencer's great-great-grandfather was a big game hunter. According to him, this is a family heirloom of sorts. Killed about five tuskers with this thing, or so Spencer claims."

"That'll definitely put the fear of God in a Sarnak."

"Good, because I intend to put a few holes in them too."