"Down, Brad, flat."
Hodak's hoarse whisper carried from two meters behind Brad. As he ducked a soft swishing sound sliced above his head. Glints of light sparkled from a curved, shiny object. Seconds later, the boomerang returned, wetly red.
"Go, Brad."
Hodak wiped and collapsed the boomerang and slipped it into a sheath along the thigh of his space suit.
Motioning Hodak forward to climb into the nearest fighter, Brad followed. The others, already in place, were racing through their checklists.
Brad began his preflight as he switched his comm to 'on'.
"Myra, Drummer, do you read?"
"Loud and clear."
"Adari-Kumiko?"
"Right."