Small Deadly Space
I'm starting to get used the routine on the Galetea. It's becoming less new and exciting,more normal. We've been here for a little over a month now with no action. Perhaps the Vasudans have moved on. It's just as well though, we've been running training simulations all month. It's like practice combat. The bonus is, that barring an accident, those "killed" in the simulation still make it back to the ready room with the rest of us. I've really only been here a short time, and no one from the squad has been lost. The more I hear from the old hands though, the more I know it's only a matter of time before someone I know doesn't come back. I hope combat stays far away.
Last night, we were told to report to the ready room earlier than normal. The ship also seems to be gearing up for a jump somewhere. It looks like we're headed back into the fight. My abilities have grown considerably. I've been promoted to 4 ship flight lead. I'm excited but nervous. I'll have to get some sleep eventually, but my mind won't seem shut off. I'm starting to miss home, Earth, trees, grass, the smell of air that hasn't been recycled through the scrubbers a million times...
This is it, we jumped into the Antares system early this morning. Terran intelligence has detected some unusually high activity at a known Vasudan cargo depot. The suspect that there is something special being shipped, and they want us to capture it. Our mission is to wrest control from the Vasudans and protect the crates until one of our freighters can jump in a collect the cargo. I'll be leading a wing of 3, Epsilon. Flying with me will be "Slick" and "Dozer." Both are pretty good sticks. We've been told to expect multiple wings of Vasudan fighters protecting several freighters. If possible, command would like us to capture the freighters as well. As such, our Apollo ships have been outfitted with one ML-16 laser cannon, and one disrupter. Looking at the suspected opposition, there is a part of me that wants to say screw the freighters, just give me the extra laser cannon instead. I voiced my opinion to the load master, but he told me that even if I could push that through, there weren't enough laser cannons to spare for everyone. I insisted however, and he caved easily. I was happy to find during the pre-flight that my 3 ship had all be fitted with extra laser cannons instead of disruptors.
Checks complete we launched from the Galatea, formed up and jumped.
As space resolved around me once again, I immediately spotted the depot, and several large ships. Probably freighters, which meant the fighters would be nearby. I told Slick and Dozer to form up, and we put our collective scanners to work. There, Anubis fighters, at least 2 wings of them.
Alpha wing peeled off, after the freighters and gave left us to deal with the fighters. Just as well, as they still had the disruptors and we had traded ours for laser cannons. Slick and Dozer spread into combat spacing. On my count we all plugged in our burners and accelerated toward confrontation. Approaching a two ship I locked up the leader, commanding my wingmen into a high cover. Rushing through the head on pass, I pirouetted, slamming full left stick and rudder in skidding left hand sideways loop. All the dogfighting practice had paid off. The fighter landed directly in my sights and I let loose with my cannons. Puffs of fire indicated I was landing hits. I saw the tail break off, and disengaged. He was a goner at this point.
"We need some help" Alpha radioed. I glanced at the sensor, and replied "One the way, ETA 1 minute"
"Uh, Epsilon, buster, we got jumped and the freighters are making a run for it."
"Wilco, buster"
I locked the first freighter I could find and smashed the throttle through the gate into full burner.
"Eps 2, pincher right, Eps 3 left"
"2"
"3"
We blasted through the tangle of ships caught in a ferocious turning dogfight and blazed away at the first Vasudan freighter. We were landing good hits when Alpha 2 started screaming, "He's all over me, get him off." And then in a much calmer almost distracted voice that was horrifyingly more creepy, "Taking hits, hull damage, showing 35%."
"Ep wing, target Alpha's attackers, no mercy"
"2"
"3"
The freighters would have to wait, one of our own need us.
Laser flew everywhere, even my ship was taking beating. I prayed that my hull would stay together. The computer continually updated me on my hull integrity percentage. I had a vague notion of watching a countdown timer. I could only hope that I made it to my target before it reached zero.
I started firing from extreme range, launching a missile as soon as it locked. Fuel poured from a ruptured tank, spewing flame like a welding torch as I closed for the kill.
The immediate threat dispatched, I called for a damage report.
"Alpha in the clear, Epsilon 2 heavy damage"
"Epsilon lead, same."
"This is the Orff, we have just arrived on station, status?"
"Sensors clear, cargo damaged but intact. We were unable to capture a freighter. Alpha and Epsilon wings both damaged, no casualties."
"Roger, relief is minutes out."
The Orff began collecting cargo as we stared nervously at our sensors. None of us thought we could survive another fight. A few minutes later our fears were put to rest.
"Delta wing is on station, Alpha and Epsilon, RTB"
Terran command was disappointed that the freighters escaped. However, the commended us on keeping all of the cargo intact. I was credited with two more kills. Slick got one, and Dozer racked up three. More importantly all of us made it back in one piece. As I unhooked and dismounted I gave the glare shield a little pat and silently thanked that ship for getting home after all of the punishment I had inflicted upon it. Rumor has it that command is sending us some new ships soon, but there will always be a place in my heart for that stubby little fighter.
