The Lotus Eaters

Jaquelina de Coco, La Palma, Balboa, Terra Nova

"Only nine birds, sir." announced the platoon centurion leading the half of the refueling platoon that had come here by hovercraft.

Terrence Johnson, acting as Carrera's eyes-on-the-ground for a critical juncture in the mission, looked across the river mouth through his night vision goggles. There's the last one. "There's another one coming, Centurion. No change to the plan."

"Sir!"