Jessica sat down and sighed, the cafeteria in the belly of the fortress was packed with Rangers, Tankers, and other specialists who had just been rotated off babysitting duty. The prisoners hadn’t given them any trouble, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t cause it on their way out.

“Here you go,” Max said as he placed a tray of food in front of her.

“Thanks” She said as she picked up the plastic fork and started inhaling the food. She had learned the lesson that, when food or sleep was available, best take advantage because something else could always come up. “Can't wait to finish, shaower, and then catch some actual sleep.” She said between mouthfuls. Max’s grin soured slightly. “What?”

“I take it you haven’t heard then?”

“Heard what? I just started eating. What else could possibly have gone wrong.” It was a stupid thing to ask, and she winced the second she heard the words escape her lips.

“There were several attacks along the perimeter. A couple of the probes got through to the towns.” Jessica stiffened and glared at him intently as if her stare could wring the information from him. “The attacks were quickly dealt with, these army boys know their stuff. But, a few dozen civilians were captured and kidnapped. Including your friend, Isaka.”

She almost choked as she swallowed down the last bite of mashed potatoes. “Those fucking bastards!” She nearly yelled. Several sets of eyes looked her way. “Who the hell was it?”

“Unknown right now. But, from what I've heard they had some kind of giant ape things, and dog-people with them.”

“Another incursion? How? There's not another pillar for thousands of miles.”

“Scuttlebutt says they were monsters straight out of Africa myth. So, who knows? Maybe they’re local.” Jessica devoured the small roll on her plate in two quick bites, downed the remainder of her water, and then stood. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to volunteer for the search. I’m going to find my friend. Are you coming?” Max grinned, pocketed his own roll, and followed.