Rita would be soon back, wearing same attire as the Jane that brought the clothes in. Standart marine jacket, with mini-skirt. Colonel sipped more of his coffee and looked at Rita.
"Well Private Stenton, sorry about that. It is the only uniform we got in here and it is better then walking around in prison suit." He said to Rita with smile. "And it suits you too." He added and laughed.
"About your question Private Cuspel." He said and looked at chad. "First that is none of your damn bussiness and second I did not have all that much to chose from. I was lucky to get Private Morris and Stenton. But I think you three are talented for a greens and will do well. You would not be here if I though otherwise. Is that clear."
Sawyer was next in line of getting answers. Colonel took a breath and puffed his cigar, before he started speaking again. "And about your question mr. Sawyer. Ther will surely be armory set up here lat-"
"Sir," Kowalski interrupted him in his talking. "There is situation." She said with her ice-cold emotion-less voice.
"What is going on LT?" Colonel asked her back.
"I do not know enough information, but it seem Senate building was attacked ten minutes ago. We should move to briefing room, I will have everything sent there from sitation room." She said and stood up.
"Off your arses ladies and gentlemen," Colonel said and moved quite fast for a man of his size.
They had to move to one of the elevators, which was short walk from small mess-hall. Elevator was guarded by two mini-skirt clad marine-Janes with holstered pistols. They rode on level up and passing another two guards, they walked into briefing. It had large oval table withe ten comfy chairs around it.
"Let's have a look," Colonel said as he sat in one of the chairs. LT sat across the table from him and hooked her datajockey in one of the port situated in the table.
"Twelve minutes, fourteen seconds ago large explostion hapened in the senate builiding. Here is footage from TV shuttle filming on the place. All senators and premier Davis were present for disscussion about war with NMX." LT said and holographic image of the senate building showed up in middle of the table.
Image showed senate building. Suddenly image shook as giant firaball cause by large explosion showed up. Most of the building was now covered in flames and black smoke. Lt stopped the footage and showed another one, which showed large cargo vessel. Vessel was apaprently badly shot and crash landed in middle of the busy street squashing people under it.
"THis is vessel and many more tried to broke through our orbital defense." Kowalski continued. "Many were shot down, but some got through. Look at this," Picture was still showing the vessel safely parked in middle of the street. Smoke from crash was slowly clearing up as ships cargo bay opened. Suddenly swarm of small creatures starte flying out at high speed. There thousands, maybe even hundred thousands. Camera zoomed in showing they were NMX parasites. All the marines knew about them and what they do from their training.
Colonel put his left palm over his right fist, his elbose settled upon the table. He was frowning heavily at the screen, which changed again. It showed another ship, also damaged from weapons fire landing in one of the plazas. It appeared to be transport ship, about fifty meters long. It's bay opened to and armed females started running out. As soone as they leaved the ship, the opened fire and citizens watching the shows. Few policemen present returned fire, but they were outnumbered and killed in seconds.
"Hrrmmm" Colonel grunted in anger. He looked at people present at the table. "Well, do you know what I want you to do now?" He asked with rather calm voice.