Chapter 19

ISABELLA

She was surprised Mark’s idea worked. Even after their squad poked dozens of holes shattering the reflective coating on the panels, the ships kept firing. The drop in the enemy’s firepower bought enough time for the allied ion frigates to catch up. New orders were to drop everything and fire on the Rancor, as they were calling it.

“We’ll keep the enemies off the Hammers and frigates. Make a pass for the fighters firing on the pursuing assault frigates to give them some space,” she said. She was joined by Green Squad again and formed a Claw formation before beginning the run. The Bandits weren’t even paying attention to them anymore, and aimlessly fired away on the assault frigates, which took them out one by one with ease. It seemed their focus was aimed at protecting the carrier and all but ignored their own vessels.

As the Kuudark assault frigates took the first plasma shots at the Rancor, it launched a last swarm of fighters. They fired away at the enemy. One of the captured Taiidan frigates went critical from the carrier’s ion cannons and exploded. The heavy corvettes swept these new threats off the field with ease. All the while, the remaining friendly interceptors joined a second claw formation and they too made the final passes at the enemy strike craft, until all were destroyed.

The ion array frigates that were captured one by one launched from the Mothership, crewed anew, and fired on the carrier as it in turn opened fire on the bridge section. The colony ship was not designed for warfare, and she knew there would be severe damage due to the battle.

Suddenly, the carrier swerved around and full thrust away. New orders, destroy the carrier before it enters hyperspace. All ships opened fire on the carrier. fighters, corvettes, frigates, even the light corvettes and scouts had come to offer their guns. They must not allow them to escape, or they could report on the Mothership fleet’s strength to the Taiidan Empire.

“All ships, focus fire on the carrier’s engines, let’s see if we can slow them down,” she said. The captured ion array frigates were still making their way into firing range. The carrier’s speed rivalled that of the frigates. One by one the friendlies fired until finally one engine exploded. “We got ‘em!”

Once the ion frigates were in range, they too opened fire on the carrier’s engines. In short order, the ship became immobilized suffering heavy damage. In a last ditch effort, or perhaps to evacuate the crew, a swarm of fighters and corvettes launched from the carrier.

Fleet command gave new orders to the strike craft, return to dock. A squadron of salvage corvettes launched from the Mothership to collect the remaining stragglers. As she pulled off her attack, she witnessed the end of this pirate raid. The Rancor fired one last time taking out a captured frigate, and disappeared through its blue hyperspace window.

“Target has fled, we’re coming back.”

As she waited in docking queue, she saw a salvager approach carrying a pirate corvette. She was sure they would gather some information from the Turanic Raiders about the Taiidan’s intentions. All she knew is that the Kushan violated a treaty signed before history itself began on Kharak. The discovery of the Guidestone set them on a path that the Gaalsien warn about, but none would believe. Their reach for the stars ended in their planet burned and a lone fleet stuck wandering the galaxy was all that remained. It was all a lot to take in. They were truly on their own in the vast expanse.

Upon her approach, she saw a group of officers apprehending the raiders. They appeared similar to them, but gaunt and slim. Taller than average as well, with greyed skin. Almost Kushan in appearance, but not quite.

Once her interceptor was in the racks, she met up with Mark who waited patiently on the hangar deck. “We did well out there,” he said. “I think we’re just lucky these pirates aren’t good shooters.”

“Says the one who almost got shot down, you worried me for a second there.”

“Strike Command has something to tell you once you finish your mission report,” he said. “I’ve gotten started on mine already.”

“What’s that?”

“Welcome to rank seven,” he said to her utter surprise.

“You’re kidding!”

“They’re promoting a handful of us because we kept our cool out there fighting off alien invaders. They also asked me to train new pilots, I could use an assistant.” She nodded.

“All fighter pilots, report to briefing room seven,” someone said over the PA.

“I guess that’s our call,” Eric said joining them.

“Hey, you did well out there,” she said. “For a first timer, anyway.”

“It was... exhilarating. Hard to describe.”

“Just means you’re one of us danger junkies is all,” she replied.

On their elevator ride up to the briefing room, they caught a news broadcast from the capital ship hangar. “The ship you see behind me is a captured Dagger-class ion array frigate. We just received word that the last of these vessels has been neutralized by our Porter salvage corvettes and is waiting to be boarded. Mothership has suffered heavy damage in the fight, but nothing critical was lost and the Cryotrays are safe. We will remain in the system for another shift to gather resources before making the jump to hyperspace. Our interrogation teams have learned the location of the Taiidan carrier fleet, and we will be preparing for an ambush attack on them once and for all. For all of Kharak. This is Graal Manaan signing off.”

“Are we really ready to face the Empire?” She said.

Mark answered. “They don’t know we’re coming. We have the element of surprise on our side. Since we’re all here, I should mention that John has been placed in command of our second support frigate and has already departed. He said to wish everyone well.”

“We’ll see him out there on the battlefield, I’m sure. We all have a job to do,” Eric said.

The elevator stopped. They made their way to the briefing room and joined the other fighter pilots, taking a seat together as a squad.

Leonard Naabal spoke once all had arrived. “I would like to congratulate all of you for a successful mission. We’ve had our fair share of losses out there, but these are dire times and it is to be expected. Three interceptor squadrons of five managed to take down the pirate forces, but the thinking is this will not be enough to go against the Taiidan. This is why I would like the remainder of you to bring on new pilots. I will be asking for two of you to volunteer for training purposes. I know not a lot of you have the experience, but these times are dire. The eighteen of you left are the only pilots we have available, Orange squad didn’t even have ships build yet. We have a group of ten exiting cryogenic sleep as we speak to help boost our numbers, but as you all know, this expedition was never meant to be one of combat. As such, we are not prepared for the task at hand. In order to get where we need to be, I need two of you to train these ten sleepers. They have only basic flight experience, and it will be a challenge. Any takers?”

Mark raised his hand. “My wingmen and I can train the newbies,” he said. “Eric here experienced his first combat, so we’re already kind of doing trial by fire, but it would be wise to give some pointers ahead of time. What’s our departure time?”

“Six hours, approximately.”

“Not good,” he said. “I would have liked to train some pilots in their ships outside the Mothership.”

“You’ll just have to do what you can. We have been given permission to use the capital ship hangar for flight tests, but that’s the best I can do.”

“Not a lot of space to work with, but it’ll do,” he said.

“Pardon me, but you expect us to fly around inside the ship?” She said.

“The capital ship hangar is just over five hundred meters tall and little over half that wide. It’s enough space,” Leonard said.

“Not much, but it’ll do.” Mark repeated.

“How long do we have before our next mission?” Isabella asked.

“Two days in hyperspace.”

“Two days! And we’re to train two whole new squads in that time?” She exclaimed.

“That is correct. I know it’s not a lot of time, but I have faith. Our research division is preparing a new fighter based on the Kuudark plasma weaponry. These new pilots will be destined for the attack bomber unit being researched.”

“So we need to train them at target practice, gotcha.”

“A cursory glance at the weapons systems for sure, and target drones will be provided, but no fancy maneuvers and anti-strike protocols will be necessary. Just the basics of working the fighter will suffice. I would also like to say, each of you has been promoted a rank for your efforts.”

“This means I’m rank eight?” Reina Manaan said.

“You and Mark Soban are indeed now rank eight. Congratulations on your achievements. I would like your combat reports in by the end of the day if possible. Meeting adjourned.”

“Two days, huh? Think we’ll be able to get them ready in time?” She asked.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Mark said.

“I’ll catch you guys later,” Eric said. “I have plenty of writing to do already, and now I have to figure out how to write up a combat report.”

“Roger that,” she said.

Mark and her made their way back to the barracks. Once alone, she began to tear up.

“What’s this about?” He asked.

“Oh, just stress.”

“But the battle’s over.”

“The battle’s over when we reach Hiigara, my friend. Now sit down so I have someone to lean on,” she ordered.

He did, and began rubbing her back. “We all feel it,” he said. “Some of us just hide it better.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him back.

“What’ll we do?” She said.

“Survive. It’s all we can do.”