They veered left and into a sharp roll. A laser shot across the nose of the lead ship and Hannar dove at once. Enemy ships appeared on their right and they were dispatched by Cosbolt fire. Byron clutched the throttle tight as they spun to the left again, narrowly avoiding a disrupter blast.
Adjusting their course, Hannar steered the squadron toward the enemy ship once more. Explosions and laser blasts surrounded the ships as they navigated the battlefield. Another blast flew over Hannar’s ship and a disrupter shot just missed the Cosbolt to Byron’s left.
“Where’s our cover?” demanded Hannar, rolling to the right.
The Vindicarn vessel was fast approaching. Flashes of light were apparent as other squadrons pounded his entry point with laser fire. Byron’s squadron would deliver the final blows and he hoped it would be enough to weaken the shields.
They dodged several incoming shots and when Hannar realigned their course, Byron realized they were seconds away from the target. Other Cosbolts were now protecting the envoy, and his squadron fired at the weakened shield. His eyes on the open vent, he gritted his teeth and prepared to enter.
Good luck! Hannar called, firing a shot before veering upward.
The Vindicarn ship’s shield fluctuated and shimmered. Byron held his breath as he hit the surface, muscles tensed as he prepared for resistance. Without so much as a shudder, his ship passed through the barrier and into the vent.
He checked his speed and slowed for the first turn. The simulator had not exaggerated the tightness of the wall and he almost scraped a wingtip as he rounded the corner. Relying on memory, Byron navigated the long vent. He flew through the tunnel, reducing speed only when forced to negotiate a turn. No lasers fired upon his ship as he passed, but Byron still felt a sense of urgency. He was sure his presence was detected the moment he entered the ship.
Two consecutive turns tested his flying ability. Once clear, he leveled the ship and proceeded at full speed. The vent was dark and the Darten’s lights cast eerie shadows on the walls. The schematics of the tunnel were displayed on his screen, but Byron didn’t look away from the view outside his canopy. He’d ingrained the route in his head.
Easing up on the throttle for a turn, Byron came upon the grating in the vent. This was the point of his jump into the chamber. He hoped the Cassan ships had cleared the area and were out of blast range. Once he teleported into the chamber, he would have only a few seconds in which to fire upon the core. Adjusting the strength of the Darten’s shields, he prepared to enter. Visualizing his destination, Byron took a deep breath and jumped.
The brilliance of the core caused him to squint. Adjusting to the strong light, Byron gazed at a glowing sphere within the massive chamber. Contained within a giant steel orb, the core sparkled with blue electricity. Bolts flickered in a constant pattern from the center, as if the device were alive. The sight sent chills down his spine. That ball of blue fire was responsible for so many deaths. It would end today, though.
Reversing his thrusters, Byron pulled the Darten away from the core. The disrupter’s energy beat against his mental shields and he knew he didn’t have much time. The heat was already rising in the cockpit and he felt sweat run down his face. Positioning his ship near the wall, he held his thumb over the button that would fire the rockets. Judging from the size of his target, it would release an incredible blast of energy when it exploded. He’d have but a split second to escape and it occurred to Byron that this might be the last thing he ever saw.
Thoughts of Bassa flooded his mind. He’d lost his best friend because of this device. Anger welled up inside Byron as that terrible moment flashed in his memory.
“For Bassa,” he whispered, pressing the button.
The rockets flew from his Darten. Striking the orb, the disrupter core imploded, and the metal structure around the sphere crumpled from the blast. In a blinding flash, the force within the structure exploded, sending a wall of blue flame racing toward Byron’s ship. The flames licked his canopy, the heat penetrating his mind as he visualized the coordinates.
Jump!
A faint voice echoed in his head, penetrating the darkness.
I’m here because I care about a young man named Byron.
I love you, little brother.
Byron, pull up!
Byron!
Gasping for breath, he opened his eyes. The darkness remained, though. Blinking to adjust his vision, Byron struggled to focus on his surroundings.
After a moment, he realized he could see stars. They glowed brighter as his eyes grew accustomed to the faint light. The view beyond the canopy became clear and Byron was now aware of his ship. He felt the seat below him, its shape contoured to his inert body. The cockpit was dark, save for one blinking light. The voice in his mind had vanished, leaving only cold, empty silence. If not for the pain in his head, Byron would’ve assumed he was dead.
His head listed to one side, but he was reluctant to move just yet. Scanning the stars, he searched for a familiar object. One star appeared brighter than the others, its rays reaching out into space. He frowned, trying to understand the meaning behind the bright light. The blast of the disrupter core flashed in his mind, and he wondered if he was witnessing the explosion of the Vindicarn ship.
Did I do it? he thought.
His eyelids felt heavy. Succumbing to the weight, Byron returned to the darkness. He really needed to test the ship’s engines, or at the very least try the com. He lacked the energy to raise his hands, though. His body felt as lifeless as the Darten and he wanted nothing more than to return to the black void.
Something prompted Byron to open his eyes. At first, he thought he was seeing things. He blinked, but the view beyond his cockpit remained the same. Two Cosbolts were hovering in front of his craft.
His muscles protested, but Byron forced his limp arm to rise. Fumbling with the controls, his fingers brushed the com button. At once, a loud voice filled the cockpit.
“Byron! Can you hear me?”
Forcing his brain to work, Byron realized that he recognized the speaker. “Ernx?” he asked, channeling all of his energy into his friend’s name.
“He’s alive!” screamed Ernx.
Byron felt something strike his ship and a metallic sound reverberated up his spine. Rolling his head to the left, he noticed a recovery vessel beside his Darten. He heard a ratcheting sound and his little ship shuddered.
“Officer Byron, we’re going to side-tow your ship into the hanger,” a new voice informed him over the com.
“Hang on!” implored Ernx.
Closing his eyes, Byron listened to the sounds of the recovery vessel securing his Darten. His mind returned to the bright star he’d seen earlier.
“Did I do it?” he asked, unsure if his voice would be heard.
“Did you?” Ernx demanded, emitting a bark of laughter. “Byron, the explosion was huge! You didn’t just destroy the disrupter ship. You took out the smaller escort vessels and almost every enemy fighter as well. You took them all out!”
Byron’s lips curled into a faint smile. “For you, Bassa,” he whispered, his eyes still closed.
“What was that?” asked Ernx. “Byron, just hang on. We’ll have you back in the hanger in a minute.”
Byron’s eyes remained closed until he felt the jolt of the landing. The recovery vessel guided his ship to the hanger door before releasing the tiny Darten. Once in position, Byron’s ship was taxied into the hanger. His eyes widened at the scene awaiting him.
The hanger was packed to capacity with ships and bodies. He assumed with so many squadrons landing at once, there’d not been time to wheel all of the Cosbolts out of the way. What stunned Byron though was the sheer amount of men present in the hanger. They couldn’t all be awaiting his return.
His ship came to a halt. Spurred by the crowd, Byron managed to release the canopy. He fumbled with his helmet a moment before he felt it lifted from his head. The anxious face of a medical officer came into view and the man unfastened the
harness. He assisted Byron with his gloves and grabbed his hand, pulling Byron from the cockpit. A second technician helped him extract his legs and Byron swung his feet over the edge of the ship.
Applause and cheers erupted across the hanger. Raising his head, Byron stared in surprise as the crowd surged forward. He’d not anticipated the eager welcome and felt overwhelmed. Flashing a hesitant smile to those gathered, he allowed his body to slide from the ship to the top step of the ladder. The medics held on to his arms and lowered Byron down the steps.
Clinging to the handrail, his foot missed the last step. Strong hands gripped him before Byron slid to the floor. Raising his gaze to the man’s face, he was surprised to discover the commander assisting him. He returned the grasp with hesitation, afraid his actions would seem inappropriate, but Kernen smiled with pride.
“You did it, son!” he exclaimed above the commotion. The noise from the crowd had not lessened in its intensity.
A hand pressed against his back, and Larnth helped steady the shaken pilot. Together the two men led Byron to the gurney. Kernen gave orders for everyone to stand back and give Byron some room. The crowd stepped back although the noise from the men did not subside. Byron’s head began to pound again and he was more than willing to stretch out on the gurney. The medics joined them and worked quickly to secure his body before moving toward the exit.
Byron closed his eyes, his energy spent. He could still feel the heat of the blast. His mind didn’t feel on fire as before, but his head throbbed from exposure to the disrupter.
He could hear those around him offering words of congratulations and encouragement, and hands patted his arms as the gurney moved across the hanger. The noise was a distant roar in his ears, but one voice rose above the others.
“Let us through!”
Byron felt a hand grasp his shoulder and another one gripped his fingers. When neither relinquished their hold, he opened his eyes. Ernx and Nintal’s grinning faces greeted him. His friends’ presence was a comfort and he made a feeble attempt to return their smiles. The men remained with him until they entered the medical facility. When he could no longer feel their hands, Byron surrendered to his exhaustion.
When he awoke, Byron was alone in a dark room. There were sounds drifting in from further down the hall, but outside of the ship’s gentle hum, it was quiet. His head no longer hurt and after the intense heat of the disrupter, the cool sheets felt good on his body. The monitor over his head was still, and he realized no wires or tubes were attached to his skin, either.
Stretching his arms, Byron discovered his muscles had regained their strength. He pulled his body upright, grateful the confining cockpit of the Darten no longer restrained his movement. Free of the pounding headache, he tested his mental abilities. Reaching beyond his room, Byron heard the internal voices of two nearby medical personnel and the man in the room next door. His senses had returned and felt none the worse from exposure to the disrupter core. With his mind intact and body no longer exhausted, Byron felt whole again.
A peace settled over him and he closed his eyes. He’d destroyed the Vindicarn ship and returned alive. It was more than just the success of his mission or the elimination of a great threat to the fleet, though. Byron felt a sense of vindication and closure. His status left in question by Bassa’s death, Byron had still managed to fulfill his obligations as an officer and a pilot. Most on the Sorenthia doubted the young and inexperienced rookie, but he’d proven his worth. Bassa had always seen greatness in his pilot, and Byron wished his friend could’ve shared this moment. Recalling the voice in his head, he realized Bassa’s physical presence might be lacking, but not his spirit. The greatest navigator in the fleet would live on in Byron’s mind.
He arose and moved on hesitant legs toward the bathroom. When he emerged, a medical technician was waiting.
“My apologies, Officer Byron,” he said, moving to the pilot’s side.
Byron protested the assistance “I’m fine now. When can I return to my quarters?”
The man gestured for him to get into bed. “Have your senses returned yet? he asked, glancing at the monitor.
Yes.
The technician flashed him a brief smile. “It’s early, but let me see if I can locate one of the senior officers. Are you hungry? You’ve had nothing but water since your arrival.”
“I’d rather eat in my quarters,” Byron replied. His stomach rumbled in protest, but he wanted to leave more than he wanted to eat.
“I will return soon,” the man promised as he departed. “Glad to see you’re awake now.”
Guess I’ve been asleep the whole time, he thought to himself.
A fresh glass of water resided by his bed and Byron quenched his thirst. Returning the glass to the stand, he ran fingers through his hair. He’d emerged from the Darten drenched in sweat from head to toe. Byron expected his hair to feel nasty, but the short strands were surprisingly clean. His skin no longer felt sticky, either.
Did I sleep through a bath, too?
The senior medical officer arrived a few minutes later. He greeted Byron with a smile.
“You’re much more alert now!” he observed, tipping Byron’s chin back to look into his eyes.
“Did I sleep through it all?” he asked. “I don’t remember anything after landing.”
The officer turned to the monitor. “You roused several times, but between exposure to the disrupter and the heat, your mind and body shut down while you healed.”
“Oh. I feel better now, though. I’d really like to return to my quarters.”
The officer smiled again and Byron realized he was amusing the man. However, the senior officer performed a full assessment of Byron’s condition, including his senses. Eager to depart, he didn’t even resist when the man tested his mind. When told he could leave, Byron sighed.
“It appears your senses have fully recovered,” the medical officer announced, “but you’ll be on injured reserve for another day or two.”
Byron brushed aside his hair. “Don’t think I could jump right now anyway.”
“That won’t be required anytime soon,” a new voice stated with authority.
Looking up, Byron realized the commander had slipped into the room. He sat up straighter, affecting a respectful pose, but Kernen merely smiled and nodded. The medical officer repeated his assessment of Byron’s physical and mental state in the commander’s presence. Satisfied with the report, Kernen dismissed the man.
“It appears your mission was a success on every level, Officer Byron,” he declared with a wry grin.
“I didn’t intend to fail, sir,” Byron answered, grasping the edge of bed sheets. “I hope taking out that disrupter ship made a difference, sir.”
Placing his hands behind his back, Kernen straightened his shoulders. “From the reports pouring in from the rest of the fleet, the Vindicarn are retreating from all sectors. We just turned the tide in this war, Byron, and we have you to thank.”
Byron just shook his head. He didn’t want the glory. “I only did what was needed, sir.”
The commander’s smile grew, deepening the lines around his mouth. “You did well, son,” Kernen told him, patting Byron’s shoulder. “Bassa would’ve been proud of your accomplishment.”
The sound of his navigator’s name tugged at his heart, but Byron managed a weak smile. “Thank you, sir.”
“I will leave you to get dressed,” the commander announced, turning to depart. “And I believe you will have an escort to your quarters.”
“An escort, sir?”
The commander paused in the doorway. “Several,” he said with a wink.
Byron dressed quickly. He was anxious to leave, but the thought of what awaited him once he stepped through those double doors caused him concern. Perhaps it was only Ernx and Nintal, and maybe Hannar and Deacer, in the waiting room.
The doors slid open and Byron pulled up short. The room was filled to capacity. Every member of his squadron seemed to be present. The men immedi
ately began to applaud and Byron’s eyes widened. Before he could move or retreat, someone gave him a rough hug.
“Byron!” Ernx cried in his ear, thumping his back.
He heard several others call his name. Ernx released Byron and before he could respond, someone else grabbed his arm and patted his shoulders. Nintal appeared on the other side, eager to greet his friend. Overwhelmed, Byron backed away from the crowd and pressed his back against the wall.
Everyone settle down!
Hannar’s thoughts brought order to the chaos. The men kept their distance, although they continued to grin at Byron. Bassa’s friend turned to face him and lightly patted his shoulder.
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