by REM
“How will the Mercens know if it’s Commander Clint we’re handing over?” asked Jill.
Good question, thought Josh.
“The Mercens have facial recognition for Commander Clint. How they obtained this, no one knows,” said Officer Stinnet.
No one will say how is more like it, thought Josh.
“Start getting ready,” said Officer Stinnet. He turned to Ace. “Have your squadron at the north flight deck by the designated time.”
“Yes, sir,” Ace replied.
Officer Stinnet exited the unit just as quick as he had entered it.
When the time came, Ace led the 3rd squadron down to the hangar. There was a special transport ship near the end of the deck, which Josh noticed right away.
“High-end transporter,” said Ace, watching Josh’s eyes. “Has triple shielding, is armed, and faster than most other transport ships.”
Pretty cool, thought Josh. They even made it all black like a shadow fighter.
Officer Stinnet was waiting for them. “Commander Clint is already onboard the transporter. I’ll be flying with him. Perform at your best. We have zero margin for error,” he said.
“Yes, sir,” the squadron responded.
The 3rd squadron blasted off into space, with the transporter launching right after.
“Protect formation,” Ace transmitted.
Josh flew to the left side of the transporter, Kyle to the right. Four strikers flew in front of the command ship led by Ace, and the remaining pilots flew at its rear.
I can’t believe this is happening, thought Josh. The Mercens probably want to get their hands on Commander Clint more so than they want to destroy Creston. Heaven only knows the things they will do to him.
Their envoy arrived at the bridge on space station F in the southern Void Zone. Josh and the rest of his squadron idled out horizontally in a straight line a quarter of the way across. The transporter carrying Commander Clint hovered behind them.
“How long before they show up?” asked Nate.
“Here they come now,” Ace responded.
Josh glanced at his radar and saw the eleven Mercen craft approaching. It wasn’t long till he could see the enemy transport ship, which was flanked by ten shadow fighters.
Neutral light blinked from all ships of each army.
The Mercen craft glided to the opposite side of the bridge and mirrored Creston formation.
The transporter carrying Commander Clint drifted in front of the strikers, then down onto the bridge. The Mercen transport landed the same way on the other side of the bridge.
Josh watched in awe as Commander Clint stepped out from the transport in his custom uniform with his captain’s hat low to his eyes. He was also wearing a long coat. This is a bad trade, thought Josh. I wouldn’t do it if I was in Commander Clint’s shoes. I’m sure of it. He thought again of all the awful things the Mercens were going to do to Clint.
Josh felt sick to his stomach, but knew there was nothing he could do.
“Be ready in case they try something funny,” transmitted Hoss.
“They wouldn’t,” Maya responded. “It makes no sense to harm Clint in front of us when they could do whatever they want to him once the swap is complete.”
“Plus, we’re certain they want him alive,” said Ace.
“This is terrible,” Reena transmitted. “Why don’t we just attack them after we have Rolly?”
“Because the mission would be pointless if we suffered heavy losses and Rolly ended up dying anyway,” transmitted Officer Stinnet. No one from the 3rd squadron had been aware he was listening in on their channel. “There are four marked-wing fighters over there.”
Josh hadn’t noticed them before, but zoomed his camera in on the enemy craft and stared in disbelief. Son of a bitch, he thought.
Commander Clint began walking toward the Mercen side of the bridge.
Josh saw a figure appear from the enemy transport. The person made their way in the Creston team’s direction.
It took some time, but Commander Clint and Officer Rolly met at the bridge’s center, where they shared a stare before Rolly lowered his head in gratitude. Commander Clint kept a staunch posture, his chin raised, shoulders back, and chest high.
Josh saw Rolly say something to the commander. Then the officer looked up and continued on toward the 3rd squadron.
Commander Clint took slow steps toward the Mercens.
From what Josh could tell, Rolly didn’t appear to have suffered any serious harm at the Mercens’ hands. There were only a few deep bruises on his face. Let’s hope they didn’t eat off any parts of his limbs, thought Josh, with complete seriousness. A medic rushed out from the transporter to escort Rolly the rest of the way to the ship.
Josh’s attention turned back to Clint, who had made it about halfway to the Mercen transport. He felt a swirl of surreal emotion—as a Notle titan fighter shot up from under the bridge.
Everything happened so fast, but felt like slow-motion.
Thoot! The titan fighter fired a blast that blew Commander Clint’s head clean off. Then another that tore through his body. A missile zipped from the Notle craft’s wing and exploded all that was left of Commander Clint.
Josh’s eyes had widened to their maximum.
A Mercen fighter twisted instantly in the direction of the Notle craft. Thoot! Lasers flared from the shadow fighter and ignited the titan fighter into a thunderous ball of flames.
Josh grabbed his stick and thrust forward at the same time that his fellow pilots jerked into motion.
“Hold position! Hold position!” Officer Stinnet yelled over the transmission.
Josh and the other strikers broke to a sudden halt.
Movement from the enemy line made the Mercen ships look like a swarm of riled bees.
“The Mercen are not responsible. Do not attack!”
“Oh my God,” Maya let out over the channel.
“We just let our commander get blown up right in front of us!” Ven transmitted. “The filthy Mercens probably planned it this way!”
Everyone else from the 3rd squadron were so shocked that none could speak.
Josh’s blood was rushing. He wanted to do something, but didn’t know what.
The Mercen transporter floated into the air and flew off into a 180. The shadow fighters kept their neutral lights blinking and backed away before soaring off behind the transport ship.
“What do we do?” Ace uttered, in an empty voice.
There was heavy breathing over the transmission from Officer Stinnet ahead of his saying, “You will escort our transport into Creston space, then rendezvous with the 1st squadron. The attack on planet Zint will go through as planned. We have to cripple their terra-mining and destroy the force cannon. Creston depends on it.” His final words sounded like the last breaths of a dying man. “Go. Go, go.”
Josh saw Ace’s ship rise.
“Protect formation,” transmitted the squad leader.
The Creston transporter took off and was blanketed by the 3rd squadron.
Once the ship carrying Officer Stinnet, Rolly and its crew were safely into Creston territory, Officer Stinnet transmitted: “The 1st squadron has just entered the Cosmolis. Get your asses over there! And take care of business!”
“Yes, sir,” Ace responded.
Josh saw the squad leader’s striker bend left, and veered with it and the rest of the 3rd squadron. Their speeds increased rapidly to max thrust. A few minutes later, they were buzzing into the colorful aurora.
“I can’t believe Commander Clint is dead,” transmitted Reena.
“They double-crossed us. The Mercens orchestrated the plot,” said Ven.
Hoss growled faintly over the transmission.
“Stay focused, everyone! Zint is our primary. We’ll have to worry about Clint later,” said Ace.
Josh had already picked up the 1st squadron on radar. It only took a few dozen miles before both squads had linked up.
“How are we loo
king, cousin?” transmitted Tomlin.
“Not good. Commander Clint was taken out by a titan fighter, almost certainly in retaliation for the hit we laid down on Neton moon. The third party fighter was hiding under the bridge.”
“Holy shit!” Tomlin replied. “Did you take out the Notle?”
“The Mercens got him. They could’ve been in on it, but Officer Stinnet ordered us down.”
“Those motherfuckers!” a pilot from the 1st squadron transmitted.
“Should’ve killed all of them snakes anyway!” another transmitted.
“We’ve got to keep our heads on this mission,” said Nate.
“Well, let’s light ’em up,” said Tomlin.
“Roger that,” said Ace.
Josh eyed the battle craft the 1st squadron was protecting and knew it to be carrying the five elite marines. It was nearly twice the size of a striker.
The Creston fleet streaked through the Cosmolis.
“We’re about five minutes out. Get ready,” said Ace.
Josh watched the battle ship drop back and get flanked by two fighters from the 1st squadron.
“The marines won’t enter the atmosphere until we secure a flight path,” Ace transmitted.
“I’m so mad right now. I’m going to wreak havoc all over these Mercens,” transmitted Kyle.
“I’m with you,” said Tor, in a thick accent.
“Picking up six shadow fighters flying out from Zint to intercept,” Tomlin transmitted.
Josh heard Jekel say, “We’ll tear ’em up.”
“They see our full numbers now and are veering east,” Ace transmitted.
Didn’t think the Mercens would be that crazy, thought Josh.
“Won’t be long before more arrive,” Nate transmitted.
“Full speed! Let’s get in there,” said Tomlin.
“Be careful, guys. We need to get this done right,” said Ace.
Their fleet raced through space until zooming into planet Zint’s atmosphere.
Josh peered at the landscape that was starting to take shape. It looked awfully rocky, but had spots of green.
Thoosh! Thoosh! Thoosh! Thoosh! Lasers shot through the crowd of Creston strikers. Josh saw more zip by his ship.
“Scatter out!” barked Tomlin.
“Secure objectives,” said Ace.
Josh spiraled left as the rest of the strikers curled in all directions.
“Watch south! Watch south!” a 1st squadron pilot transmitted.
“Those six shadow fighters are trying to flank,” said Kyle.
“They’re poking in and out,” Hoss transmitted.
“There’s eight now,” said a 1st squadron pilot.
“Ace, give me two of yours and we’ll take them out. Your remaining eight can clear the surface,” transmitted Tomlin.
“Tor, Ven, follow Tomlin’s lead,” said Ace, making sure not to choose anyone joining the drop team.
Josh swept toward the ground. There were a handful of flat, house-sized buildings spread throughout dry fields and clusters of trees. They were surrounded by scattered mobile defense cannons, as well as a few vehicles and equipment stockpiles. He could even see the mountain with the cave leading into the main facility in the distance.
Josh fired two dual blasts that exploded a mobile defense cannon. He swooshed back up into a curving coil to avoid several enemy shots. “Hell yeah,” he said to himself, feeling a rush of danger from the close fire.
Josh heard a deafening boom and caught glimpse of the massive eruption of flames from where Kyle had let loose a cluster of bombs.
“Leveled that facility,” transmitted Kyle.
Josh saw lasers connect with Nate’s striker that dropped his shield. “Careful, Nate,” he transmitted, at the same time as seeing Maya and Reena dive side by side and set two enemy defense systems ablaze.
Thoot! Thoot! Thoot! Thoot! Thoot! Thoot! Josh twirled through a barrage of enemy lasers. Good Lord! he thought.
“Pat’s down!” a pilot transmitted.
“Someone get on that damn marked-wing!” another transmitted.
“I’m on it!” Tomlin responded. “Break right, pilot!”
“Roger,” Tor replied.
Shit, Tor. Be careful. Don’t die on me buddy. Please! Josh glanced in the direction of the chaotic tangling; Creston and Mercen fighters were scattered everywhere. Lasers whisked through the air. He saw a striker had just broken an enemy’s shield and was riding the Mercen tight from the rear. Josh felt chilling disbelief at seeing streams of bullet fire set the beleaguered shadow fighter ablaze. Jekel, the madman, he thought, remembering what he’d been told about the 1st squadron pilot.
Ace’s striker cut past Josh’s line of sight. “Push it, guys! We’re on the clock!”
“Ace! Send me three more pilots! We’ve got to try and run these fighters off or there’s going to be heavy losses. This marked fighter’s not missing a beat. He’s on my tail.”
“Kyle, Jill, on my wing! We’ve got to help out the 1st squadron,” Ace transmitted.
Josh could tell the squad leader was pressured by hearing his cousin in danger.
“Nate, you guys need to knock down the remaining objectives—fast!” said Ace.
“Copy,” Nate responded.
Josh glanced at a preloaded attack map showing enemy ground targets and dove toward a mining structure. He pressed a side button on his control stick. Two missiles shot out from the bottom of his striker and incinerated their target.
Boom! Boom! Hoss and Nate pounded down two enemy cannons.
Maya and Reena were still flying parallel when they took out another Mercen building.
Josh saw Maya’s shield flicker and fizzle after being struck by a beam.
He threw his striker into a loop and swung down toward the enemy defense system. Three missiles whisked out from a launcher aimed in his direction. Josh slapped his fingers to the mini-missiles button and sent a drove of miniature projectiles to intercept. He flew through the subsequent flames and unleashed successive beams that shattered the Mercen defense station.
“That’s it. They’re all down!” Reena transmitted.
“Get to the drop!” Ace transmitted.
Josh heard Tomlin say, “The shadow fighters are pulling off. Your three, plus our two that were guarding the battle ship, have scared them off—but we’ve got to keep them in check for the marines.”
“Aye,” Ace transmitted.
Where’s the battleship? thought Josh. He spotted it coming in for a landing at the base of the mountain.
“Everyone to the drop spot!” said Nate to the four pilots who’d be joining him.
Josh cruised to the surface and landed within twenty yards of the battle craft. Nate, Hoss, Reena, and Maya were quick to arrive at the location. All disembarked from their strikers with their guns drawn and hustled to the side of the mountain where the elite marines were huddled.
The marines had dark paint covering their faces, but Josh could tell right away that one of them was Bor.
A marine opened a case they’d hauled from their ship and shoved to each pilot a laser-mitigating vest. Josh was happy to see the body armor and slid his on quickly.
Bor held up a stop watch showing eight minutes and said, “We’re behind. Double time, let’s go!” He turned into a crouch and hustled toward the wide, slit-shaped opening of the cave. The marines trailed, followed by the pilots.
Once at the side of the entrance, Bor held up a fist, then peeked inside. “Clear!” he whispered, before rounding the wall and rushing into the mountain.
Josh jogged behind and to the right of the marines with the rest of his squadron. The group had made it nearly halfway across the strip when, Thoot! Thoot, thoot! Lasers zipped at them from down the path. Josh reckoned there had to be about seven Mercen shooting.
Boosh! Hanging rock exploded into fragments and sent Josh and his crewmates diving off to the side. The marines took cover behind a huge boulder across the way.
Thoot! Thoot, thoot, thoot, thoot, thoot! Josh and his crewmates peeked up and exchanged fire. The marines were blasting their guns from where they were positioned.
Thoot! Boosh! Another burst of rock had the pilots ducking for cover once more.
“Grenade!” a marine shouted.
Josh saw the bomb bounce to the center of the strip between both groups of Creston soldiers. He turned away and huddled against the side wall with the rest of his team.
Boom! The grenade exploded, sending a cloud of dust and heat pushing over where the pilots were tucked. Josh’s ears were ringing, but he still saw and heard lasers whisking through the billow.
Maya and Hoss were coughing.
Josh felt the urge to do so himself. He then saw Bor step up and sling a grenade. Two of the other marines did so too.
Boom! Boom! Explosions rang out from down the strip.
“Go, go, go!” Bor shouted, charging forward, blasting his gun.
The pilots and other marines rose up, doing the same.
Thoot! Thoot! Thoot, thoot, thoot! Lasers zipped up and down the corridor.
“Ugh!” a marine grunted—then dropped back dead from a headshot.
Josh had clear sight on the remaining Mercens at the far end and squeezed his trigger wildly. He nailed one, and saw the marines take out the rest.
The Creston soldiers burst into a full-on sprint, until Bor held up a fist and brought everyone to a halt. He scoped out the inside of a circular room, then dashed to a round railing at center and peered down into a wide hole leading to a lower area.
Josh’s attention was on an elevator, but shifted to the entrance of the only other room on the current floor.
Bor signaled his marines and pointed down into the hole. After that he looked to the pilots and said, “Hold here and clear that other room.”
“Yes, sir,” Nate replied.
The marines pulled equipment from their backs and attached hooks to the railings before jumping into the hole and sliding down on their lines.
Thoot! Thoot! Thoot, thoot! Josh heard the marines exchanging fire with enemy troops.
Nate took the lead amongst the pilots. “Let’s clear that room,” he said, holding his gun in front of his chest. He moved for the door with Josh and the others by his side.
“Careful!” whispered Reena.
