Bracing himself, he took the shuttle down towards planetary orbit, wishing – again – that the designers had solved the problem of crafting a starfighter that functioned equally well in space as on the ground.  There were humans down there, according to the announcement, humans who had been taken prisoner by the aliens.  He wanted to get down to the surface and tear into the alien defenders, pulling the prisoners out before they died in alien hands.  But his craft couldn't hope to survive a trip through the atmosphere ...

An alien satellite loomed up ahead of him.  The computers engaged it automatically, blowing it apart before it could do anything threatening.  Tiny pieces of debris fell towards the planet’s atmosphere as Kurt led the rest of the squadron forward, searching for other alien satellites.  None of the satellites seemed anything other than civilian designs – not too different from anything human – but Kurt knew just how easy it was to hide a weapon in space.  They didn't even dare risk trying to take one of the satellites intact.

“Space is clear, sir,” he reported, finally.

Despite himself, Kurt was almost disappointed.  If he’d taken prisoners from an alien race, he would have made damn sure they were held somewhere that was heavily defended.  But the aliens, for whatever reasons of their own, clearly disagreed with his logic.  Maybe they’d assumed that humanity wouldn't bother to try to recover POWs.  Or maybe they just hadn't had the shipping to move them further into their territory.

“Very clear,” Rose agreed.  As always, hearing her voice while they were on duty provoked a multitude of contradictory responses in his mind.  It had been much easier before they'd become lovers ... now, he was in danger of obsessing over her.  But, at the same time, he found it more than a little irritating.  “Even the debris is falling rapidly.”

Kurt nodded.  Earth had always had nightmares about a settled asteroid or a massive space station falling out of orbit, even if it shattered into countless pieces first.  Adding that much junk to the planet's ecosystem couldn't possibly be healthy.  But the alien world wouldn't be badly affected by the relatively small amount of debris ... and besides, it was an alien world, not a human colony.  The aliens could take care of themselves.

“Return to CSP positions,” he ordered.  Ark Royal was holding position some distance from the planet, making it easier to run for the tramline if necessary.  A handful of frigates, however, were moving into orbit, ready to provide fire support if the Marines needed it.  “And keep your eyes peeled.  These bastards have very good stealth, remember?”

***

“Space is clear, sir,” Farley reported.  “No sign of any ground-based defences.”