The Final Sunset

by Trevor Herron

  Her men were spread threateningly in a long line till they faded with the distance; Electron guns and laser guns at the ready. Soon it might not matter to Forsetti if they had cracked the code or not.

  Quick as a striking snake Forsetti pushed down a button on the console in front of him and slapped the firing angle indicator of the cannon he had just loaded. The muzzle swung in an arc and fired randomly. A flash like that of an old fashioned camera lit up as it acquired targets momentarily and the target simply ceased to exist. No blood, no smoke and no fire only one man gone without sign or trace.

  Forsetti did not like killing but his life would still be forfeit if he did not. In any case it was imperative that he escape this ship.

  The muzzle reached the end of its traverse and he tapped the butt again to reverse the direction of its deadly spray. The cannon kicked into auto fire and Forsetti switched his attention to starting his ship hurtling down the runway. As it gathered momentum targets dropped their guns and fled or vaporized themselves by trying to fire the weapon.

  Laser guns could not be fired in the take-off area as collateral damage would be just too much. His ship charged down the runway unmolested gathering momentum and burst into the open.

  Forsetti found himself confronted by a different ship with a different pilot face to face with an enemy fighter at a range of a quarter million kilometres. Too damned close he wasn’t sure he had enough time and space to manoeuvre.

  He had to get the enemy to his starboard side; the only side from which he could fire.

  The range closed rapidly. The enemy began firing at 149,000 kilometres. Forsetti started dummy selling manoeuvres; making as if turning to the left then right then up, then down. Not advancing on a head on straight line with the enemy. Forsetti likened it to not allowing the enemy to read his intentions.

  The enemy pilot fired desperately shot after shot only to see the beams slip pass Forsetti, left, right upper and lower. He was not even close to being lucky. Just when a head on crash seemed likely both ships turned to port.

  The Garinos ship dropped its wing for the turn while Forsetti wheeled on a level horizon allowing him to atomize the pilot with his one and only canon. The ship spiralled off into deep space riding on a vapour trail.

  More ships joined the fray. Forsetti under-privileged as he was could only twist and turn to keep the laser beams zipping and crackling past him and hoping that he could get the enemy to commit to a starboard pass.

  In the end Forsetti was the lucky one. He assumed the enemy was a Boltarian. He was going to test the air commodore’s remark about the Boltarians being substandard rejects.

  The Boltarians nerve broke first as they hurtled head on toward each other at several warps. The Boltarian chose to do a barrel roll to avoid a head-on and in doing so exposed his underbelly to Forsetti’s cannon. For an instant, he was lit up like an actor in the spot-light and the ship no longer had a pilot and another ship disappeared into deep space.

  He hoped Mme Jeza was taking note she was but she was seeing the guns as belonging to her and what she would do with them when she had them.

  The pressure was mounting on Forsetti and discretion being the better part of valour Forsetti’s only choice that remained was to retreat. The Boltarians closed in from all points of the compass and Forsetti threw his ship around like a cork in a rapid.

  Several Boltarian ships were shot down by their own side or crashed into each other. With the number of space ships in the firmament Forsetti had no problem finding targets on his starboard side. The skies were a kaleidoscope of graceful dancers swirling their way through party streamers of deadly laser beams and bright spotlights whose moves although graceful enough to watch must have been choreographed by an insane dance master.

  La Dans Macabre in the depths of Hades. He threw his ship into frenzied barrel rolls, loop the loops, spins and manoeuvres never carried out before. He knew what they were up to, slowly squeezing him into an arc of their making with a gate of space junk and continually chipping away at his room to manoeuvre.

  Finally, he had to resort to calling for help the odds were just too great. It looked like his capture was near.

  He had no sound and light intensified communication only battle frequency comsys. Mme Jeza’s voice came over the waves, “That’s it Mr. Forsetti you’ve had your fun now let us escort you in.”

  Mme Jeza wanted him alive at least for the next four or five Earth time divisions. Her whole plan hinged on it. If that was not so, he was sure he would have been dead by now. The number of shots slipping past him showed they did not want to kill him they wanted him alive, at least for the time being.

  Feinting to his left and trying for an underside breakout almost worked but like a sheep under the control of a good dog he was blocked again and again. He would do what he had to when the time came; he was not anxious to be taken alive.

  He kept them at bay as wild animals often do with teeth and growls and feinted charges all the while crying into his emergency system, “Mayday, Mayday this is SG1 I am under attack. I repeat I am under attack. Greatly outnumbered. – Mayday…”

  Mme Jeza’s voice cut into his cabin, “Are you ready to come in yet, Mr Forsetti.”

  He ignored her.

  His radio came to life for a second time, “Earth-ship SG1 this is Mars ship Echus Chasma it looks like you need a marriage counsellor, or do you think you can make up with the girlfriend before a marriage guidance counsellor intervenes?”

  “Echus Chasma old buddy, don’t be a wise guy; show me the way home and the beers are on me.”

  “Man, you shouldn’t have said that I can drink more beers than anybody on Mars. Let’s get ’em; I’m thirsty already.”

  Forsetti pointed his ship straight at the oncoming Garinos. Suddenly laser beams from an unexpected quarter nearly took him out.

  “Swing right, swing right, Earth SG1 they’ve got re-enforcements.”

  Space became more crowded than afternoon rush hour. Forsetti found himself not only dodging enemy fire but also having to dodge the increasing amount of space junk from destroyed ships.

  ###

  “SG1 this is BLOND 2 I see you’re not firing from the port side. Go ahead and do what you must I’ll wingman you,” and the two of them ripped into the Garinos ships.

  Whoever BLOND 2 was he or she was a damned good wingman. No Garinos ship had a hope of penetrating the cover that wingman laid down. The ships swayed gracefully in unison as if both were connected to the same controls.

  ###

  Without warning the radio battle frequency burst into life, “This is Earth ship Persephone are you guys having a private party or can anyone join in. I have several young bucks who just love to party.”

  “Persephone this is Earth Ship SG1 you’ve come to the right place at the right time. Enjoy; BLOND 2, you’re signed on for the duration so let’s go get ’em some more.”

  Ships were rushing in to assist Forsetti while Mme Jeza quietly redirected Garinos ships away from the area and left Boltarians in exclusive control.

  Mme Jeza rubbed her hands jubilantly, they might be brilliant engineers but they didn’t have her military ability. They committed all their resources, including a major fighter carrier to a squadron of inferior fighters.

  ###

  “Earth Ship SG1 this is Planet Earth we are under attack by unknown aliens who entered along the Atlantic Corridor and are heading straight for our drive turbine. Is the Gov on board with you? We want clearance to attack, populated areas are involved.”

  “Clearance given. From now on you do as the situation on your ground dictates. Senior officers will take full control of each of their areas. Forsetti Verbal Order 659/7016.5.” Solarians defence had been competently manoeuvred away from home base.

  ###

  “To all Solarian citizens this is Garino 1, Mme Jeza de Belle addressing you
. Your Governor is dead and his head of security/justice minister Forsetti Fry was reported as being blasted into deep space. You have fifteen days to issue a Complete Subjugation Order and surrender all war criminals. In the meantime, a cease fire is in place. All Solaria will consider itself under Garino’s martial law, acts of sabotage will carry a mandatory death sentence as will any attacks upon a Garino citizen or a Boltar citizen. A blanket curfew starting 2000 hours and lifting at 0700 will apply from tonight. One final thing any Solarian caught carrying a weapon will be shot on sight.”

  ###

  “SG1 what are my orders?

  “BLOND 2 re-join your unit.”

  “My unit no longer exists, sir.”

  “Then follow me if you want to, I’m not going to Earth to be a Garino puppet. I’m heading for Mars.”

  ##

  Loki sent a silent message to all ships,” Any Solarian machines that can follow me do so. I am Loki squadron leader of the Echus Group recently portaged by the warp speed carrier Persephone. I am Martian with enough logistics to make your trip worthwhile. Follow me; This war is not over yet by any means. Repeat; those who want to; follow me.”

  “BLOND 2. Again, did you get that.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Right we’re off.”

  ###

  “Geronimo!” Loki cried as he dived toward the Garino’s mother ship.

  Forsetti’s cry of protest was cut off when with a quick dip Loki slipped under the ship almost scraping his top on the Garino’s ship’s underbelly before sweeping over the mother ship while barrelling upside down over the external running boards used to land ships in an emergency if fire or explosion were a possibility.

  Loki was too close to their fuselage for them to fire effectively. And too fast for the same reason. Wow warp 2. Some flying. He was not a flyer from yesterday, Forsetti noted.

  Forsetti was impressed so he set off immediately. Without missing a beat BLOND 2 was on his wing. With beautiful synchronization they cloned Loki’s moves and inspired others to follow. The last ship misjudged and ran off the running boards clipping the stabilising tower.

  They had no time to feel sorry for the pilot that would come later. They had to shelter on Mars and quickly. The Garinos had wasted no time in putting scouts into space,

  ###

  “From Solarian HQ on Luna to all Solarian and Martian Fighting Forces; clearance is given to engage all alien military ships within two million kilometres of our position. From now on you do as the situation on your ground dictates. Senior officers will take full control of each of their areas. Forsetti Verbal Order 659/7016.5.”

  “This is a message to all space craft in the area remain two million kilometres or risk being vaporised.”

  ###

  “Federation Solaria, this is Garino 1 Mme Jeza de Belle addressing you. Cease continuing with aggression; we have control of your flying bridge, both the wings and centre and your Austral power station. Surrender now and call all your ships back to base or we blow your Tasman turbine to hell and back. If you still do not comply we will blow the star ship’s middle bridge. Then all you’ll be good for will be as the largest bit of space junk in the universe.

  A marvellous piece of engineering, a real pity to damage it. I needn’t go into further detail you all know as well as I do how vulnerable this star-ship is.

  To all intents and purposes you are leaderless. Your Governor is dead and his head of security/justice minister was reported as going down on some very inhospitable Martian soil. You have fifteen days to comply with these orders. In the meantime, a cease fire is in place. All Solaria will consider itself under Garino martial law, acts of sabotage will carry a mandatory death sentence as will any attacks upon a Garino citizen or a Boltar citizen. A blanket curfew starting 2000 hours and lifting at 0700 will apply from tonight. One final thing any Solarian caught carrying a weapon will be shot on sight.”

  ###

  “SG1 what are my orders?’

  “BLOND 2 re-join your unit.”

  “My unit no longer exists, sir.”

  “Then follow me if you want to, I’m not going to Earth to be a Garinos puppet. I’m heading for Mars.”

  ##

  A message came up on Forsetti’s silent receiver, “Glad to hear that, Forsetti. Those Solarian machines, that can follow me do so. I am Loki squadron leader of the Echus Group recently portaged by the warp speed carrier Persephone. I am Martian with enough available fire power to make your trip worthwhile. Follow me if you want to live to fight another day.”

  “BLOND 2 There’s your orders.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Right, then let’s go.”

  ###

  Forsetti saw Loki run straight at the Garinos mother ship’s and thought he was going to attempt a suicide stunt. His cry of protest was cut off when with a quick dip he slipped under the ship almost scraping his top on the Garinos ship’s underbelly before sweeping to the top, barrelling to upside down over the external running boards used to land ships in an emergency if fire or explosion were a possibility.

  He was too close to their fuselage for them to fire effectively. And too fast for the same reason. Wow warp 2. Some flying. Forsetti was impressed and set off. Without missing a beat BLOND 2 was on his wing. With beautiful synchronised movements they cloned Loki’s moves and inspired others to follow. The last ship misjudged and ran off the running boards clipping the stabilising tower.

  They had no time to feel sorry for the pilot that would come later. They had to get to Mars. Already Garinos ships were patrolling the flying lanes.

  ###

  They entered Martian atmosphere and thin as it was it still caused a light orange friction heat glow on the surface of their ship. Forsetti took the same angle of entry that Loki did with the same result.

  The leader suddenly folded his small running wings and went nose first toward the ground. Forsetti could almost hear the scream such a dive would make on Earth and his hair stood on end but his wingman prepared to follow without blinking an eye.

  “What the hell was this fellow up to?” he asked himself, “And for that matter his so called wingman. It looked like they knew each other. So where the hell did Forsetti fit into this ménage a’trois.

  Just before hitting the ground the Martian pilot spread his flying wings; they had a wider wingspan for flying in atmospheres, levelled out, raising a cloud of Martian dust. Forsetti released the breath he was holding, Loki had left that pretty damned late. Watchers on the ground or in the air would not have been able to follow the action for quite some time.

  A voice sounded in his intercom, “Go ahead Solarian SG, just stick with BLOND she’s done it lots of times, it’s not as bad as it looks.”

  Once again Forsetti took a deep breath, pressed buttons on his board and waited for a reaction. Martian pressures were lower than Earth pressures but still he was thankful for the G-Suit he was wearing. He dropped in the suicide dive that only levelled out when he felt like he was scraping his butt along the ground.

  Clouds of red dust rose into the air a perfect camouflage for a crash. Forsetti laughed out loud and with adrenalin pumping he followed the Martian craft into the next phase of the trip. One by one the others came after.

  Loki’s voice came over the comsys “Welcome to the Devil’s Elevator. Going up!”

  “Where the hell did that come from?” One moment there was nothing in front of them the next an almost vertical wall.

  Forsetti pulled back hard on his joy stick as a rock face hundreds of metres high raced past almost scraping heat shield from the underside of his ship. Forsetti laughed out loud and with adrenaline really pumping now he followed the Martian craft over the top and down the other side. One by one five others came after. But Loki wasn’t finished with them yet; his voice came over the comsys.

  “Welcome to the Devi
l’s Elevator. Going up!” and his ship pointed its nose at the sky again,

  One moment there was nothing in front of them the next an almost vertical wall.

  One minute they were flying over obstacles, then running for cover in an almost bottomless chasm or flying around huge mountains. Then they were over the top and the terrain changed to a long easy slope downward.

  “Form up on my wings in a vee formation. Low cruising speed but don’t relax just yet. With practised ease the ships formed up on the Martian three to his starboard and two to his Portside where BLOND 2 had already taken station next to Forsetti. Loki flew straight at a very solid looking rock face again. This was getting to be a habit

  “Echus 1 what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” a desperate voice called over the intercom but the pilot laughed.

  “My name is Loki remember and we should all know what the original Loki was like.”

  The rock face slid easily aside and a long passage disappeared into fading light. They flew at cruising speed down the passage. Suddenly a second rock face blocked their way. By this time Forsetti felt as if he had run out of adrenaline and resigned himself to a whatever will be will be attitude; but as before the rock face slid aside and allowed them through.

  But now the passage became a gigantic, circular cavern big enough to hold a major city. The aircraft resembled small dragon flies on a large dam. They attracted attention but were insignificant to the whole scheme of things.

  The area was generally lit without any specific light source being apparent nor overly bright. The lighting must have been of the highest quality shadow-free type. Machinery operating on the cavern floor and helicopters flying at any level between roof and floor showed no stroboscopic effects; rotation and direction of rotation had no ambiguity whatsoever.

  “This is control tower – hold your present height and circle the perimeter. Report your fuel situation. Landings will be, least fuel to most fuel; land as runway lights dictate.”