Bolts flew past the cockpit as the pilot twisted the controls. The small fighter swooped and turned, dodging the incoming fire. The battle was intense, ebbing and flowing from side to side.
The young pilot glanced down at the scanner as more bolts flew by. His copilot swore as one of the bolts was deflected by their shields. The pilot smiled as he spoke, "Internal com."
'Internal com selected' the computer related.
"Hey, Sander, did those guys just shoot at us?"
Sander rolled his eyes, "Are you trying to get us killed, they even hit us. Stop with the jokes and do something Parel."
Sander reached over and diverted more power to their shields.
"Ok, you asked for it," Parel said.
"Oh Sh..."
Parel banked hard as he tossed the engines into reverse. The fighter whined as it's engines were taxed. This caused the front of this fighter to spin towards the pursuing fighters. Sander was muttering under his breath as he pried his face from the cockpit wall. The fighters in pursuit were caught off guard by the tactic, one of them ending up in the crosshairs of Parel's guns.
Parel squeezed the trigger as he gunned the fighter forward once more. The first bolts impacted the shields, making it glow before they failed. The rest punched holes into the fighter. The fighter tumbled for a couple seconds before it blew up. The other two fighters had managed to recover before Parel could get a shot off.
"Hang on, time to go for a ride," Parel told Sander.
"Damn it Parel, why do I put up with you?"
"Because, my daddy knows your mommy, they made whoopee and you were born by accident. Not that I mind, yah know. Oh, plus I need a half good copilot, you'll do until he arrives."
"You know what, fuck you, bro," Sander laughed.
"Um... , not my type, now if you were a female... though it could be kind of tight in here. Not to mention the two fighters on our tail wanting to kill you."
"And you."
"Nah, everyone loves me. They just can't get to you with out killing me."
"Yeah, right, just fly would you."
Parel laughed, "Tac one."
'Tac one online' the computer responded.
"Kojidu, this is Nova one."
'Nova one this is Kojidu control, go ahead.' A female voice said.
"Kojidi Control, where do you need us? We just got rid of our friends and are looking for more."
'Nova one you're need at battle point Bravo. You're ordered to assist the Oussed, take lead of Sun squadron.'
"Roger that, Kojidu; Nova one is enroute."
Parel swung the small fighter towards the Kojidu, hugging her hull tightly as he tried to shake the two remaining fighters. Turning sharply he dodged under the support beam for one of the main launch bays. One of the pursuing fighters didn't make the turn, slamming into the Kojidu's shield.
"That last fighter is pretty good," Parel snorted. "But not good enough."
Parel slammed the reverse thrusters on as he crowned over a ridge on the Kojidu's hull. The maneuver slammed both of the occupants forward from the sudden drop in forward momentum. The last enemy fighter over shot them as it tried to compensate for the sudden maneuver.
"Got you!" Parel smiled. Bolts lanced out, buckling the shield on the other fighter as Parel gunned the engines. The enemy fighter broke up as the bolts tore through it's hull and cockpit.
Parel swung his fighter and engaged the hyper drive as the last of the coordinates for point Bravo entered the computer.
Captain Riase watched as the battle flowed around his battleship. The Nugash lay in ruins off his port bow, the victim of several torpedo hits. The Belloa and Sarius flanked him on either side trying to protect the bigger ship. He had lost two fighter squadrons and the leader of Sun squadron, the Kojidu had dispatched one of their best to take command of Sun squadron.
They were alone it would take the Kojidu 10 minutes to bring their hyper drive on line and another minute to reach them. Things weren't looking very good at the moment. Riase watched as two enemy destroyers, the Vaquis and Ladez approached and slowly altered their position to turn broad side.
"Comm order the Belloa to bring guns to bear on the Vaquis and to fire at will. Order the Ladez to open fire on the Sarius. Have Black and Sun squadrons make a bombing run on the Sarius. Helm bring us broad side to the Sarius all gun fire at will."
"Captain, Nova one has arrived and is ready to assume command of Sun squadron. All orders relayed, I have received acknowledgements from all ships." Comm reported.
"Alright, the same orders to Nova one and have them assume command of the Sun squadron."
Parel kicked the engines as soon as they exited hyper space. Sander was on the comm. with the Oussed getting their orders. Parel took in the battlefield as he sped towards Sun squadron's position. The Nugash was in ruins slowly tumbling away from the Oussed, no energy readings came from the heavily damaged ship. The Belloa was firing on the Vaquis as the Oussed turned to bring her port weapons to bear on the Sarius. The Oussed took shots whenever the Vaquis was in a targeting arc. The constant barrage of fire made the shield on the Vaquis shine. The Ladez was pummeling the Sarius with a constant barrage of fire. The Sarius was giving the Ladez what she took in return. The Sarius was in trouble as her shields flickered, she was out gunned and out classed.
The shields on the Sarius flickered and dimmed as the Ladez continued to pound her hull. Large chunks of armor plating buckled and shattered under the barrage. Atmosphere and bodies poured out of multiple breaches. The Sarius slowly started to rotate as she lost control. The Ladez increased her firing rate as she pummeled the smaller ship. The lights on the Sarius flickered and went out.
"Tac one," Parel said.
'Tac one, ' the computer repeated.
"Sanders inform the Oussed that the Sarius is down and drifting. Sun squadron will be making a run on the Ladez and try to pull her away from the Sarius."
"Relaying now," Sander said.
"Sun squadron this is Captain Parel Fotaes, I'm taking charge of the squadron as per Captain Riase's orders. Form up on me and prepare for a bombing run on the Ladez. We need to get her to disengage from the Sarius so SAR teams can attempt rescue operations."
"Roger, that Sun Leader, forming up." A Female voice replied.
Five fighters flew into a vee formation with Parel in the lead. The squadron flew straight for the Ladez as they armed their nuclear torpedoes.
"Parel, Oussed is ordering us to target the Vaquis, they will take care of the Ladez," Sanders said.
Parel looked out as the Sarius took two torpedo hits mid stern. Several sections erupted along her stern tossing debris into a cloud around her. Several escape pods launched from the Sarius attempting to make their way to the Oussed. Beams from the Ladez took half of them out before they were out of range.
"Damn them," Parel muttered. "You tell the Oussed that we're already on the attack run and can't break off. Then get me a target on the weakest spot in the shields of the Ladez."
"Ok, your funeral when the Captain get a hold of you," Sanders relayed the message as he scanned the Ladez.
"Ok, ladies. Prepare to fire on my target, link targeting computers," Parel said.
On his screen each ship turned green as they linked up to him. Parel checked the relay connections as they entered firing range.
"Got it targeting on screen," Sanders said. "Watch out Parel we have incoming fighters at 3 o'clock."
"I got them, we'll be in range of the Ladez before those fighters get close enough to stop us. Sun squadron break after you deliver your payload. Engage the enemy fighters in pairs."
Several affirmatives came across the comm. link.
"Oussed is ordering us to break off our attack run and to concentrate on the Vaquis," Sanders repeated once again.
"Ignore them, it's too late," Parel growled.
"I'm sorry Command please repeat, you were breaking up," Sanders said, fiddling with some switches.
Parel released his torpedoes and pulled up as he broke to engage the closing fighters. Sun two was close on his wing as the other broke into various groups to engage the fighters headed their way. Twelve torpedoes struck the Ladez in the weakest point in her shields. The first two exploded causing a ripple and a hold in the shields as the other ten penetrated her shields through the hole. The next four struck and weakened her hull armor enough for the last six to penetrate the weakened armor. Explosions ripped through her exposed decks as bulkheads crumbled under the pressure. The blast struck deep into the Ladez and reached one of her Main Reactors. When the reactor blew it vented through the upper six decks and into space. The Ladez was pushed down and the Sarius ended up outside her weapon arcs. Her shields flared and failed as main conduits ruptured from the blast.
The Oussed having completed her turn, fired on the Ladez with her main cannons. The Ladez bucked from the strikes hitting her hull. Then just as suddenly as she was there she was gone into hyper space. When the Ladez jumped the Vaquis reversed her direction pulling away from the Oussed and Belloa.
Parel lined up the fighter in his sights as it started for the Vaquis. He squeezed the fire button and watched as the fighter he was chasing took several hits. The shields on the other fighter flared as it tried to stop the incoming fire, then failed as the hail of bolts overloaded the shield generators. Parel's fire tore into fuselage of the enemy fighter turning it into a small but brief fire ball as the fuel it carried ignited. What remained of the enemy fighters jumped into hyper space as the Vaquis jumped out. The hectic battle for the Kromas sector was over, for now.
"We're being ordered to land on the Oussed, the Captain wants to see us," Sander almost moaned.
"Sun squadron return to base after mop up, Sun two you have the lead. Sander get us landing permission," Parel said.
"Roger that Sun leader nice flying with you, see you on deck. Drinks are on me," A female voice replied.
"Yeah if we get to have drinks," Sander moaned. "Why do you always insist on causing trouble?"
"Trouble? Me? Never, I did what I though was right. Saving the lives of those remaining crew members on the Sarius was more important than playing with the Vaquis," Parel scoffed.
"Ok, but next time can you drop me off before you decide to disobey a ranking officer. I mean, if this keeps up I'll have no ass left, it'll be all chewed off."
Parel laughed as he lined the fighter up on the landing markers.
Thirty minutes later, Parel and Sanders were standing at attention outside of the Captain's office. They had been standing at attention for fifteen of those thirty minutes, waiting for the call to come in. Every so often they could hear the Captain arguing with someone on the other side of the door. Sanders looked over at Parel, shaking his head.
"What?" Parel asked.
"What do you mean what? Your stunts always land you in hot water. Some how I always manage to get dragged down with the sinking ship," Sanders growled.
"Bah! You have as much fun as I do, don't you try to deny it," Parel responded, cracking a lopsided grin.
"I do not! One of these days you will get us both thrown in the brig. I just hope it isn't today."
Parel turned back and faced forward as the door to the Captain's room opened. Riase looked over the two pilots standing at attention. He knew they were good and deserved their reputation. He also knew they had friends in high places, which stopped him from throwing them in the brig.
Riase stepped back in his office as he growled, "You two get your asses in here on the double!"
Sanders moaned as they started for the door, "We're so going to get it this time."
"Relax everything will be ok," Parel said patting Sanders on the back.
They entered the spacious office, coming to attention in front of Riase; who was seat behind his desk looking at some papers. Riase didn't look up as he looked through some papers. Sanders watched the large man ignore them and started to sweat as thoughts ran through his brain. He could just imagine all sorts of punishments, none of them good. Parel on the other hand stayed cool as he kept his eyes forward, waiting for the Captain to speak.
Finally the Captain looked up at Parel as if noticing him for the first time, "Lieutenant Parel, just what do you think you were doing out there?"
"Sir, I was trying save the crew of the Sarius."
"How, by disobeying my direct orders to you too engage the Vaquis?"
"Sir, that wasn't my intention, we were having problems with our comm. equipment."
"Yes, so the comm. officer informed me. Is this true Lieutenant Sanders?"
Sanders paled a bit, "Yes, Sir, I got some of the communication but the rest was broken up."
"I should throw you two in the brig for that little stunt. Unfortunately, my hands are tied on that matter. You have friends in high places, who think a lot of your skills. Not to mention the Captain of the Sarius extending his personal thanks for rescuing his ship and crew. I do not condone or approve of this type of stunts during an engagement. If it happens again I'll make sure you two disappear into the deepest darkest Brig I can find for a week, friends or not. Do I make myself clear in these matters gentlemen?"
"Yes, Sir," They both answered.
"Good, now since I can't toss you in the brig, I'm going to do the next best thing. Since your comm. went down you will do a ship wide diagnostic on your fighter, correcting any problems you find. I wouldn't want you comm. to break down in a critical moment again. You have 12 hours to complete it starting in the morning."
Sanders almost moaned as Parel paled. A ship wide diagnostic on a fighter took 16 hours minimum, it could be done in 12 but that would mean no breaks.
Riase grinned, "Oh that's not it gentlemen, you'll then run one on ever fighter in Sun squadron each day until they're all done. Dismissed, get out of my office before I think of other ways to punish you."
When Sanders and Parel got out of sight, Sanders slugged Parel in the shoulder.
"What was that for?" Parel asked, rubbing his shoulder.
"For getting us in trouble once again, thanks for bringing me with you."
"Bah! You know you get a kick out of it too."
"Yeah right, I'll enjoy the next two weeks of maintenance due to your little fun time."
Parel just shrugged, "Could have been worse."
"Next time leave me out of your little stunts, if you can't fly right and obey orders find another co-pilot," Sanders growled as he stormed off.
All Parel could do was watch his half brother walk off in sunned silence.