“Damn and I thought this could work…” he muttered. “Well, maybe it still can. AINI, what if we redirect all power to the engines, including life support?”
“Simulations project that we would reach the moon with an advance of five to ten seconds if we execute that command immediately,” she crooned.
Amazing, even in a life or death moment, his computer sounded like she was inviting him to bed.
“Execute now!” he cried. “And…goodbye AINI,” he added, knowing full well that executing the command would also take the power away from her artificial circuits. He would have to fly by the stick and pushing buttons from now on.
A few moments later, the moon was on the view screen, growing fast. Chase aligned his fighter into a near-atmosphere entry vector line. Red LEDs started to blink all over the cockpit as each of his systems siphoned off their power. At this rate, if he even brushed the upper atmosphere, the ship would transform into a big ball of fire. Chase pushed the thought from his mind and tightened his hands around the navigational stick.
His enemies were closing in fast, but not fast enough to get a clear shot before he disappeared behind the moon. They would, no doubt, pursue. But it didn’t matter now.
He pushed his ship to the upper limit, only a few feet off the moon’s atmosphere, and used its gravity to start a slingshot run around it. His speed grew exponentially and he redistributed some power to his shields and life support when the air started to become too thin to breathe. Now was not a good time to be light headed. The energy drain for propulsion was no longer necessary, thanks to the formidable gravitational forces of the moon. The ship would accelerate with incredible velocity even if he only gave the engines a little rub.
“Space Applied Physics wasn’t such a dumb course after all,” he reflected, trying to boost the inertial dampeners to avoid having his bones crushed under the pressure of the Gs pulled by the maneuver.
A few minutes later, his fighter was on the other side of the moon, ready to finish the slingshot. He adjusted his course toward one of the corvettes and, once he was away from the gravitational forces, he disengaged his engines. Then he quickly keyed a set of commands as his ship entered the corvette’s firing range. He pulled hard on the controls to put the ship in a wild spin, trying to avoid enemy fire, then he submitted the command he’d keyed earlier, diverting power to the shields and the weapon systems.
He was only a few seconds away... He’d entered what he liked to call the “dead zone,” the stretch where enemy craft were at optimal firing range and during which the probability they scored a hit was much higher. Not a moment later, the ship took one hit on the starboard shields, disabling them on the spot and sending a few metal pieces of the hull floating off into space.
Streaks of red laser fire streamed all over his canopy, and he was mere moments away from the corvette. Then suddenly, he keyed a flurry of other commands. His shields went down and his lasers started to fire at full power. Then, before he could even brace himself, he pulled very hard into outer space, spinning in his chair just enough to watch his plan play out.
His ship collided with enormous velocity into the corvette’s frontal hull, causing a massive explosion. Its fractured momentum sent it hurtling full speed into the second corvette, which promptly split in half.
And that was the end of it.
2
The screen turned black, the cockpit lights turned back on, and the monitor flashed.
“Simulation over.”
The canopy of the simulator opened with its usual shrieking and thumping, and Chase made a mental note to have a word with the maintenance crew. The simulator, despite being multiple versions behind in terms of the navicomputer, was the only pleasure he was getting out of the war these days. If it broke, he wouldn’t know what to do to pass the time.
“More reckless than ever!”
Chase shook back his long, dark hair and turned around to see his old friend Daniel walking up to greet him, a broad smile stretching across his face.
“When are you gonna learn, that sort of flying will get you killed in the real world? I seriously doubt it’s what they’ve been teaching you at the academy. I’m not sure you would have killed half those bogies in a real combat situation, but I must admire your spirit. Not to mention, some of the stuff you did was pretty ingenious.”
Daniel was medium height and medium build with longish hair that was sometimes free flowing, but most days, like today, was pulled back neatly in a ponytail. His bright blue eyes were slightly amplified behind a thinly framed pair of glasses, and he grinned again as he clapped Chase’s arm.
“I beg to differ,” Chase answered with a return smile dancing in his shocking, purple eyes. “But as long as the cease fire is in place, I fear I won’t be able to prove to you that it could.” Daniel cast him a doubtful look but, before he could speak, Chase continued, “But since you’re here, let’s grab a couple of drinks, shall we?”
“That, my friend, is an excellent idea!” Daniel agreed cheerfully.
A few moments later, they were sitting in the mess hall with their bottles in front of them, bantering good-naturedly back and forth.
After taking a long sip from his drink, Daniel lowered his voice seriously. “Don’t get me wrong, but the simulator isn’t a good way to test whether or not your crazy maneuvers would work. If you want to get some thrills, and god knows so do I when I practice in that old hunk-a-junk, it’s all in good fun. But you can’t expect to pull such reckless tactics out there.”
“And why not?” Chase raised one of his eyebrows.
“Well, for starters, you don’t really feel the Gs in the simulator, at least nowhere near the way you would in real life. That ninety-degree break you made toward the end? I don’t think you would have been able to make it in your ship without passing out. And if you do, even for a couple of seconds, you’re dead!” He flashed Chase an accusatory look. “Not only would it pain me to lose such a good friend, but the last thing our cause needs is to waste a good pilot.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were genuinely worried about me. Isn’t that sweet…” Chase chuckled mischievously. “A good pilot, you say?”
“I’m serious. You should try to fly your ship by the book; it works for most pilots.”
“Are you referring to the guys whose names are engraved on silver plates throughout the halls of this ship? As a thank you for giving their life for the Star Alliance? Because if you are, believe me, I’d prefer my name wasn’t engraved anywhere but in the brain of the enemy pilots, for a split second, just before I send their vessels to kingdom come.” Chase took a swig of the blue drink and pushed his long, black hair out of his eyes. “In the academy I was treated like a freak because I refused to follow the book and everyone said I would end up dead at my first enemy encounter. Well, funny enough, five years later, with more kills than I could paint my ship with, I’m still alive and kicking. Look, I agree some pilots need to follow procedure. I can only surmise that they either lack inspiration, instinct, or both. But that’s not me, Daniel. I fly with my gut, and my gut is still here, so that has to count for something.”
“That’s true I guess...” Daniel traced the table. “I’m just worried.”
“Why exactly?”
He seemed reluctant. “Cause you’re...well...”
Chase leaned forward with a grin. “Spit it out already!”
“You’re reckless.”
“You bet your ass I am!” Chase laughed. “You know, I thought we were supposed to grab a drink and have some fun. Why don’t we just enjoy them and not talk about each other’s piloting skills and styles?”
“Well, we haven’t discussed mine.”
“Yeah well, we better not, mister ‘by-the-book.’” Chase smirked sarcastically.
“There you go! I’m still alive too, and right after your ass on the killing roster. And I’m still your wing commander,” Daniel said with mock sternness.
Chase put his hands up. “
Alright, you are indeed the second name there, but I could go on vacation for a year and you still wouldn’t catch up with me. And you’re wing commander because of your people skills; that and nobody in their right mind will give that position to a top-gun fighter like me who doesn’t follow procedure.”
“You’re exaggerating about the roster and, yes, this is why I’m your wing commander and not the other way around.”
“Am I exaggerating?” Chase stroked his Van Dyke style beard with satisfaction. “I’m fine being the lone-wolf pilot. You know I hate orders anyway, most certainly receiving them, but I don’t really see myself giving them either. I’m okay doing my own thing.”
“You’re still giving orders as Beta Squadron leader, or did you forget?” Daniel grinned wickedly. “I wonder why… Could it have something to do with your mysterious past?”
“Yeah, yeah, I dispatch advice under fire.” Chase pointed his bottle at his friend in a playful warning. “And you’re entering touchy territory here.”
Instead of backing down, Daniel leaned forward. “I don’t want to upset you, but didn’t you ever ask yourself if you live the way you do because you have no family? Or at any rate, because you don’t know them?”
“I… I don’t know.” Chase stared contemplatively at the table, caught off guard by the sudden change of tone.
“Look, I don’t want to bring you down, and I love you like a brother, so, in fact, you do have family.” Daniel paused. “I was just trying to say…it must not be easy to have been found on our planet, fully grown, without a single memory of where you come from. You even told me there was something slightly different in your DNA scans…?”
“Yeah I guess, but it’s something I try not to dwell on, if you know what I mean. And yes, I’m definitely different according to scans.” Chase finished his drink and tried to lighten the mood. “Must have something to do with my irresistible charm.”
But Daniel’s face was solemn. “It’s not just the scans, Chase…”
Chase’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve known you for how long?”
Chase tipped back his head to think. “Since the academy, so about ten years.”
“Exactly. Chase…you haven’t aged a single day.”
Chase snorted in surprise. “Of course I’ve aged. What are you talking about?”
Daniel slowly shook his head. “Ten years is just a chunk of our life spans, but even so, I’ve changed. I have a few more gray hairs, a couple of wrinkles. But you? You’re just the same as the day I met you.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Chase picked up another drink. “Maybe I worry less than you?”
Daniel raised his eyebrows. “Less than the rest of the entire Alliance?”
“Alright, that’s a fair point. Well maybe it’s my DNA. Maybe that’s what’s so different.”
“Yes, but that has to make you think. Who are you? Where were you born? Why were you abandoned…?”
Chase set his empty bottle down on the table a little harder than usual. “Why do we have to assume I was abandoned? Maybe I just woke up there after an accident.”
“In front of a medical center, in the capital of the Alliance?”
“Yes, so what?”
“Nothing, I guess.”
“Then let’s just drop it, okay?”
Daniel hastily nodded, casting nervous glances at his friend while Chase stared moodily at the now empty bottles.
“And Daniel?” he finally spoke.
Daniel gulped, afraid he’d gone too far. “Yeah?”
“You’re like my brother too.”
The two men chuckled to dismiss the tension, when an alarm suddenly went off.
“Battle stations, ship condition level red. All pilots rejoin your fighters for immediate takeoff; this is not a drill!”
Half of the people in the mess hall jumped out of their seats and starting running outside. Daniel and Chase got up with them and began sprinting toward the fighter bays. The red-alert lighting cast red hues and ominous shadows upon their faces as they ran.
“Ah fuck this! Can’t we enjoy a simple drink?” Chase grinned.
Daniel shook his head with a smile. “You know you’re excited. Nothing beats the thrill of a dogfight, eh? Anyway, maybe you can demonstrate some of those reckless moves.”
“With pleasure, Wing Commander. Plus, it looks like I’m gonna advance my lead on the kill board today, bro!”
“I’m not even gratifying that with an answer. Bro!”
“Oh no?” Chase taunted. “Why not? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you can’t run and talk at the same time? Maybe you’re out of shape, buddy.”
“I’m not your buddy,” Daniel said with a smile that clearly proved otherwise.
“Okay, okay, enough teasing then. But last one to the cockpit buys the next round.”
“Deal!”
They picked up their pace, tearing past everyone else on the way to the fighter bay. Pretty soon, all the pilots were in their ships, ready to be shot into space.
“Looks like you owe me a drink, bro!” Daniel gloated. “You should know that the more you talk while you run, the more energy you expend.”
Chase grinned. “I let you win. Besides, I didn’t want to burn out all my stamina on running; I need my cunning reflexes out there. Goes with my mad flying attitude.”
“I’m sure it does. See you in space in five.”
Daniel’s fighter was then loaded into catapult launcher number five with Chase’s right behind him. Before Chase could blink his eyes, the door opened and Daniel had vanished into space.
The catapult’s particular design allowed fighters to enter combat space with sufficient velocity to immediately engage enemies if needed. A scenario particularly helpful when a starship was under a surprise attack. Also, it allowed full squadrons to be launched together, optimizing their battle readiness in war conditions.
It took less than a minute to reload the launch tubes with a new squadron. Chase could feel his blood pumping through his entire body and he emptied his mind of all the thoughts that were lingering there from a moment ago. Now was not the time for an existential crisis. Seconds passed by and his adrenaline level rose as the machinery secured his craft into the tube.
“Enemy ships in approach,” said Daniel through the comm system. “Deploying sensors to max range.”
“Alpha Leader, this is Alpha Two. I count three enemy squadrons. Wait…four. Five. More keep appearing.”
“Alpha Leader this is the SAD Destiny. Be advised, our long-range sensors show at least nine squadrons and five battleships, maybe more in approach.”
Chase’s blood froze as he listened in on the comm. The Destiny battlegroup was only composed of three destroyer-class battleships, each with three battle ready squadrons of Manticore Mark IV fighters, and a trio of Omega-2 class bombers. That meant the enemy forces had a clear advantage in numbers.
“This doesn’t look good,” he said to himself while performing his final pre-launch check. Then Daniel’s voice came through once again, this time directed toward him.
“Beta Leader, this is Alpha Leader. We’ve engaged the enemy but we need assistance ASAP.”
“Launching now,” replied Chase. “Hang in tight, Alpha Leader. We’ll be securing your six before you know it.”
“Hurry up, Chase; we already lost Alpha Six,” Daniel said with a heavy heart.
Damn! Less than thirty seconds of combat and already one of their teammates had been killed. But now was not the time to mourn fallen comrades, especially since this didn’t look like a walk in the park. In fact, it was probably the most difficult engagement this battlegroup had faced in months. But there was no denying it, the Star Alliance had been losing more fights than they’d been winning lately. The Obsidian Empire was getting stronger by the day, and some rumors even said that the days of the war were numbered.
Chase’s train of thought was interrupted by a sudden acceleration boost as the catapult launched h
is fighter through tube one at maximum velocity. The tunnel his fighter traveled through was lined with bright green lighting, and it illuminated his cockpit with flashes of light as his ship soared through.
“Alpha Leader, this is Beta Leader. We’re airborne; will rejoin in approximately twenty seconds.”
There was no answer on the comm. Radar was showing a handful of blue dots being swarmed by red ones. Daniel had dispatched three bogies, while his squadron picked off another three, but that still left way too many to deal with on their own. And that was probably just the first wave.
“I’m hit!” shouted Alpha Three. “Ejecting!”
Chase’s squadron was only a handful of seconds away from the engagement now, and he activated his comm system.
“Alright people, stay alert. This is just the beginning of what might very well be a very long, hard day. We are to render assistance to Alpha Team, clear their six, and obliterate this first wave before the next one arrives. So make every shot count.”
Multiple comm clicks acknowledged that order. A couple of seconds later, red laser shots started to pass between the fighters as they entered the combat zone. Two lasers made a direct hit to Chase’s forward shield, bringing their efficiency down to ninety percent. Chase frantically painted targets through his target acquisition panel, and ordered a voice command to the navicomputer AI.
“Execute offensive pattern Xi-niner.”
“Confirmed,” replied the male, synthesized vocal processor.
Chase shook his head, missing the sultry tones of his simulator. “Where’s that sexy little minx when I need her?” he muttered under his breath.
The ship started firing low energy but high frequency laser bursts at all the painted targets. Each blow would only weaken an enemy’s shields by a few percent at a time, but that was exactly what Chase wanted. He switched his main manual firing weapon to heat-seeking missiles while the computer continued the automated firing. Then, one by one, he started to lock onto the enemy ships, all four of them. Once the last lock was confirmed, he pressed the trigger and all four missiles fired simultaneously. The enemy craft started evasive maneuvers, but there was no escaping Chase’s lock. The missiles arrived roughly at the same time. The first explosion sent an enemy craft into a wild spin, venting parts and oxygen into space, as the three remaining missiles hit with a surprisingly synchronized detonation that blew up all three enemy craft into bits of fiery space junk.
Universe in Flames – Ultimate 10 Book Box Set: An Epic Space Opera Adventure Page 8
