by J Palliser
When Delaara told of their encounter with the Wraiths crew, Dar'ik whistled quietly. "Excellent tactic, if I may say so", he nodded to Delaara and Jacen.
Jacen and Delaara smiled their thanks, but were looking at him quizzically. He shrugged and said "Well, it's exactly what I would have done."
"Salim is former Obsidian Order", Kyra said by way of explanation. "He now works for Reich Intelligence, as well as owning his own clothing shop."
Delaara smiled. "Well, I'm glad we're all on the same side, here. I know there's distrust between Centauri and Trassians, but I believe we can find common ground. By the way, Dar'ik, you have a perfect combat stance," she winked.
Kyra laughed. "I knew that little trick of yours would get noticed sooner or later, Salim."
Dar'ik smiled sheepishly. "I commend your powers of observation, Commander," he said with a bow to Delaara.
They all chuckled. If anything, Dar'ik always gave credit where credit was due. "Kyra," said Rachel, "My pilots are here to welcome the newest member of Condor Legion. Is Ensign Alexei Ro'hon around?"
"I'll check. Wulf arrived yesterday with Ja'dia, so I'll call them as well," said Kyra with a smile. She placed the calls for all three to come to her office. They arrived in due course and Wulf was surprised at the turnout. Jacen shook Alexei's hand. "Ensign Ro'hon, you are hereby promoted to rank of Lieutenant and assigned to Bravo Flight under the command of Lieutenant Rash. Welcome to the 501st Interceptors: Condor Legion." He smiled at his newest pilot. Alexei grinned and saluted. Wulf stood proud, watching his son shake hands with Jacen.
Wulf had finally seen the humor in the situation on NZ8-257 when he and the other Dönitz crew-members had found them nude on the beach, and had laughed long and loud when Ja'dia explained it to him. Jacen and Delaara moved forward and shook his hand. "You have a great son, Wulf," said Delaara with a smile. He had come to like and respect the Centauri fighter pilot.
"Thank you, my friends", he said stoically. "He is my son, and he is Drac. He knows his duty."
"Dad, I'm right here!" Alexei was exasperated yet again by his father.
"Son, you have made me proud." Wulf said as he turned to his son and smiled.
Alexei was surprised. "Wow. Thanks, father!" He hugged his father. "Now that's out of the way, why don't you all go get acquainted while Kyra here tells me more about your station. Out, kids!" Rachel said. As they all filed out, Dar'ik bowed and turned to go. "Oh, don't go anywhere, Dar'ik. I need to speak with both of you." He thought he detected the beginnings of a smile on her face.
When the door had closed, Rachel said "Okay, how long have you two been going out?"
Kyra and Dar'ik were both caught off-guard by her bluntness. "Rachel, Salim and I are just friends," Kyra said with a smile.
Rachel smiled back knowingly. "Then why is your lipstick on his lips, Kyra?"
Both gawked at the implication, and Dar'ik quickly grabbed his handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
"Really, even if you're taking it slow, I'm happy for you both." Rachel said with a warm smile. "Well, Salim and I have been going out now for a couple of years. Mostly just to dinner with friends at Queeg's, but I admit I like him a lot better now than when we first met," Kyra said.
Dar'ik blushed at that. "The feeling is mutual, Colonel. I must confess that I find you beautiful as well as intelligent." "Sometimes, the best relationships start off as friends, and develop from there," said Rachel with a grin. "I hope you two don't give up on each other."
Kyra felt warm, and Rachel was right. She did have feelings for Salim, and she suspected that he'd figured it out. Dar'ik was observant of everything around him, and knew sometimes what people were thinking before they said a word. However, he was content to take it slow and let things develop naturally.
Dar'ik said "Thank you, Captain" with a smile of genuine warmth.
"Kyra, I have a special favor to ask you, if possible?" Rachel asked with a smile.
***
"To Razor! The newest member of Condor Legion!" Becker toasted his newest pilot in Bravo Flight.
The pilots all sat in Queeg's drinking and getting to know Alexei better. Becker had come up with the call-sign already, since 'Razor Ro'hon' sounded cool. "To Razor," said Jacen and Delaara. They all downed their Centuari ale, since Delaara had picked the beverage of the night.
"Thanks, guys," said Alexei, smiling as Ja'dia and Wulf came and sat down with them. "Guys, this is my step-mother, Ja'dia Drax."
Delaara smiled. "Good to meet you, Ja'dia. Jacen, Jacob, and I will make sure Alexei gets all the training he needs to survive and return home in one piece."
Ja'dia smiled at the Centauri pilot. "Good to meet you too, Delaara. Wulf has already told me much about you two." She winked impishly.
Jacen and Delaara blushed. "Well, considering how he first met us, I'd say he told you more than we would have liked," Jacen said with a chuckle.
Ja'dia and Wulf laughed. "After I explained to Wulf the situation as he described it, he knew there was nothing wrong with two cast-aways finding comfort with each other the way you were," she said.
"Yeah, since we had no idea we were about to get rescued, they really caught us with our pants down," said Jacen with a grin. They laughed again at the analogy.
Jacen's comm beeped. "Okay, it looks likeDönitzandDresden are here. And there's Dreschler and Hamburg. Nice!"
"The Danzig is on its way too," said Delaara. "Two carriers are better than one," said Jacen with a grin. "If we do our jobs right, the capital ships won't even have to fire a shot."
"After reviewing that mission above Belarus IV, I agree. The Dönitz never had to fire at the Bren cruisers," said Alexei. He'd been studying star-fighter tactics and missions, and knew that what the Condors and Strike Wing Red had pulled off that day was unprecedented.
"That was my wedding gift to Delaara. A perfect mission for her first time out with me," Jacen squeezed her hand, and Wulf laughed heartily.
"Well, drinking without me already?" asked a familiar voice from the entrance to Queeg's. "Captain Ascher! Come on over and sit! Jacen, grab a chair for him!" Delaara had slipped into her former role as Wing Commander for the CIF, ordering him around. He stood and grabbed an empty chair, placing it at the table for the Captain.
"Better make it two chairs, Commander," said another voice as Captain Talon entered the bar with a smile on his face.
"Roger that," said Jacen, grabbing a second chair for their friend.
Talon looked around. "Where's Rachel?" "She's talking to Colonel Kyra and Dar'ik," Rash said. "Good to see you, sir." He smiled at his friend and drinking buddy. Talon ran the Dresden like Rachel ran the Graf-Zeppelin. Disciplined, yet informal.
"Lizabeth should be here soon," he said. "She just took command of the Dreschler a week ago, and I believe I saw her pulling into dock."
Jacen, in anticipation, grabbed several more chairs to set around the rather large table.
"Jacen, you always think ahead," grinned Talon.
"I try," said Jacen with an answering grin. "Hey, Talon. Rachel and I went public in front of Admiral Raeder," said Becker with a grin, and Captain Talon just laughed. Captain Ascher was momentarily surprised, then laughed along with everyone else.
"Yeah, Admiral Raeder found a loophole for us, and I'm glad I proposed to her the night before Jacen and Delaara got married," he said with a chuckle.
"Just hope you both don't make Captain together, son," said Talon. "Lizabeth and I almost never get to see each other." "We're actually planning to settle down in a couple years after this tour is up," said Rash. "Well, after this new war, at the very least."
"Where would you retire?" asked Paul. Rumor had it that Captain Ascher was finally looking seriously at retirement. "Jacen gave us the idea to retire to Walker Lake, where he's from." Rash slugged Jacen in the shoulder at that, and Jacen raised his glass of ale with a grin.
"I like Jacen and Delaara's idea to stay on Earth after the war's over." Rash continued. "If we
can all get spots as instructors at Kriegsmarine Academy, we could live relatively stable lives." He finished with a wistful look in his eyes.
"We want to start a family," said Jacen as Delaara grinned and squeezed his hand. "Life on a star-ship as combat necessary as the Zeppelin wouldn't help that."
Ascher laughed warmly. "How true. I'm happy to see you both looking to the future." Talon raised his glass. "With you two teaching the new cadets, we'll have the best pilots the galaxy has ever seen," and drank, as did everyone else at the table. "Hey, can you bring us another round, and run it on my tab? Thanks." Talon said to the waitress. "Drinks are on me tonight, boys and girls. My way of congratulating you all and my apology for missing the wedding." He smiled finally.
"Thanks," said Delaara, smiling. She was used to rubbing elbows with command rank officers, and nobody here really stood that much on rank to correct her... or anyone else for that matter. They all knew that until barely six months ago, she held the same rank they did, even if it had been in an enemy military.
"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" asked Captain Lizabeth Shelly as she sat down in the empty chair next to her husband.
"Hey, Captain Shelly", said Rash with a grin at the statuesque blonde. "Welcome to our little party to welcome Razor here into Condor Legion"
"Well hell, I'll drink to that!" And she did as the waitress handed her a glass of Centauri ale.
Wulf turned to his son. "Razor. I like it," said Wulf finally. "To Lieutenant ' Razor' Ro'hon!" Rash toasted, downed his drink, and promptly passed out. His head hit the table with an audible thump, just as Rachel, Kyra, and Dar'ik walked up.
"Oh bloody hell. Not again!" said Rachel with a warm chuckle. "Give him ten minutes" came the synchronized chorus from around the table. They all laughed, knowing how Rash was when he drank himself into a power-coma that somehow burned all the alcohol out of his system.
"I still wonder how he does it," said Ascher, wondering out loud.
"It's a talent," said Jacen, shrugging. "He's done this a grand total of five times since I've known him," said Delaara. "Once was at the reception where he passed out, yet still woke up in time to dance a romantic slow dance with Rachel."
Talon smiled at her. "He did it about five times when I first met him. That was one wild night", he grinned at the memory.
"Well, as soon as he wakes up, I have some news for him," said Rachel with a wicked glint in her eyes.
Everyone raised their eyebrows at that. "Patience, friends. You'll find out the same as everyone else here", they noticed that Colonel Kyra and Dar'ik were also smiling widely. Dar'ik shook Wulf's hand as he sat down. They'd earned each other's respect years ago, and had become friends since.
They talked about their ships, crews, and how bad this war was going to look. Rachel shared her views on Wraiths and how the Bren would probably use them as front line fighters. Everyone nodded at that, and she said she had Delaara prepare briefings on Wraith battle tactics for Kriegsmarine Command.
"Wha.. wha'd I miss?" said Rash, suddenly awake a stone cold sober.
"You nearly missed me with my news about our impending wedding", said Rachel, giving her fiancee a kiss.
"Impending?" He asked with wide eyes. "As in tomorrow. It will take time for all the ships in the fleet to get here, so Kyra is going to perform the ceremony for us," she grinned widely.
"Then as Best Man, this has just become the Bachelor and Bachelorette party! Talon, I got the tab from here on out," said Jacen, grinning ear to ear.
"Yay, I get to keep my money!" Talon joked. "I studied the bachelor and bachelorette party custom while going through my defection debriefings," Delaara said. "So I propose we get a holo-suite and have the bride and groom dance for each other," she grinned wickedly.
"Okay, I've got this one," said Talon. "Here. One holo-suite for two hours, party of 11. Thanks." He said as he gave the money to the waitress.
*** As more ships arrived, and more captains and crews came aboard, it was all the shops could do to handle all the new business. Queeg had gone into protective custody, as had Edeer. They were grateful to Os'kar, and had left Leela in charge of the bar.
The next morning was full of fun, and as the wedding between Rash and Rachel was held in the chapel with just their friends there. It was a small ceremony, as time was of the essence with the first battles of the war looming. Jacen and Delaara were Best Man and Maid of Honor, and Colonel Kyra Nyra, as commanding officer of Outpost 19, performed the ceremony.
As Rash carried Rachel across the threshold into her quarters on-board the Zeppelin, he kissed her lovingly and set her down. They'd been married in dress uniform, but he thought she looked more beautiful than any wedding dress could have made her. They made love long into the night, and awoke refreshed the next morning. Well, after Rash had his morning double espresso.
As they boarded their ships with the arrival of Admiral Raeder, who placed his flag aboard the Dönitz, the battle group had formed, and the march to glory had begun.
12
Eleven
Wings of Glory... Cobalt called the shots. "Bravo Flight, keep on the leader. Charlie, break off and help Blue with the raider. Alpha on me, let's scrap that war raider!"
The battle was dirty as mud. The Wraiths had opened with an attack on Dönitz herself, and Strike Wing Red lost a full flight of four fighters defending her from the Wraiths' drones and suicide attacks. Graf-Zeppelin took some serious damage when one of the Wraiths made it through and demolished the forward fighter bay.
Cobalt and Redfox pulled in behind the war raider with Gem and Ape behind them. "Full burst of cannons, NOW!" He shouted to his flight, and all four Valkyries opened up. The war raider's port fusion cell exploded as they punched through the remainder of its shields. They pulled up and swung hard over for another pass. Gem caught a prox fused torpedo and went spinning off, finally ejecting from her ship before it blew. "Gem's out and EV, Cobalt," called Ape over the comm.
"Is her transponder active?" Jacen asked.
"Affirmative, Condor Lead." Ape replied. "Good. Let's wrap this one up and get her home", he said. "Alpha, shoot to kill. Full spread quantum missiles and pulse cannon fire."
"Roger, lead. Two has your wing," came Delaara's smokey voice. Jacen grinned as his remaining ships opened up full on the war Raider-class cruiser, blasting it out of the stars.
" Lead, this is Bravo," came Becker's voice. "Wraith battle cruiser is down and out, sir! One battleship scrapped!" Jacen could hear the grinning pride in his voice at his flight's work.
"That's my man!" came the voice of Rachel Weiss, Captain of the Graf-Zeppelin, over the comm.
"Outstanding work, you guys. Charlie, what's your status?" Jacen asked.
"Charlie to lead, we have the battle raider venting atmosphere. Closing in to finish it off now," came Bouncer's reply. "Roger that, Charlie. We'll meander over that way to see if you need a ha... nope. Nevermind. Great job, Charlie. Casualties, Condors? Alpha has Gem in EV, so we need to grab her. Bravo? Charlie?"
" Bravo here, Lead. Razor took some damage, but he's good to go. The kid got three kills himself!" Becker was proud, and so was Jason. Alexei 'Razor' Ro'hon, son of Commander Wulf, was the newest addition to the Condors, and had proven himself in four battles so far.
"Great job, Razor! Alright, I'll tractor Gem's pod and we'll head home. Outstanding work, Strike Wing!" Jacen grinned. He hailed Dönitz. "Condor Lead to Dönitz. You're all clear, Captain", said Jacen into the comm.
" Acknowledged. Thank you for your assistance, and thank Strike Wing Blue for theirs as well. We've tractored their escape pods, and will have the survivors transported to the Zeppelin immediately." Paul Ascher said over the comm. Jacen smiled grimly.
"Will do, Captain. No need to thank us, though. All in a day's work." Jacen knew it sounded arrogant, but that's what he was paid for. Luftwaffe fighter pilots were by their very nature arrogant, to take a small one-man fighter into harm's way against a cruiser or a battles
hip. Even as coordinated and skilled as Jacen's Condors were, the risks every time they engaged the enemy were insane, to say the least.
"Indeed," said Ascher, chuckling. "That's what the two pilots we rescued said, in fact." "Roger that, sir," said Jacen. "We do the job, and hopefully go home in one piece. Thanks for pulling the Blues out of the fire, sir."
"Anytime", said Ascher. "Give my love to your wife." " Your love received and appreciated, Paul. Condor Two is always at his side," said Delaara into the comm with a smile for her friend.
Captain Ascher chuckled over the comm. "Alright, you two. Get back to the Zeppelin and give Rachel your debrief. Dönitz, out." With all fighters having to dock in the aft flight deck, it was a tight fit, but they managed to pull it off with some creative parking. Jacen and Delaara vaulted out of their cockpits and ran to Gem's pod to make sure she was okay. Two medical personnel had her up and walking when they got there.
She pulled off her helmet and said "Sorry, sir. Got careless with my spacing," she said with a scowl on her pretty face.
"Don't worry about it, Jenny," said Delaara with a reassuring smile. "We're just glad you're okay." "I agree. You got two kills out there, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Also, that's the only time you've been shot down, so don't be too hard on yourself. Prox fused torpedoes pack a nasty punch, even with a near miss." Jacen said, patting her on the shoulder.
Lieutenant Jennifer ' Gem' Sparks was a sweet redhead with a cute freckled face and a heart of gold. Every guy in the Strike Wing was her big brother, and they always looked out for her while on shore leave. She'd been with the Wing since its inception, just like Jacen, Bouncer, Arrow, and Rash, and had proven herself time and time again over the course of the Centauri War and now the Bren-Wraith War, as it was being called back on Earth.
She hung her head. "But I got blasted, sir," she said again. "Okay, Gem. Beers are on me. You need one. Just remember that I actually got shot down before you did," Jacen said and put an arm around her shoulders after the medical team finished checking her out. With helmets in hand, the three started towards the turbo-lift with Rash and Razor showing up to offer support to Gem as well.
