Star Runners (25 page)

"Roger, Tiger, we're right behind you," Scorpion said.

She eased the Trident into the wingman position behind Captain Ty Braddock's fighter with Josh at the stick. By some twist of luck, Austin and Josh had pulled formation practice together. To foster a sense of teamwork, the other Tizona recruits had also been paired with Lobera students for the two weeks since the mess hall incident. Other students had pulled time in the sims, at the sidearm range, engineering and classroom. 

"Remember, Rock, you always stay with your wingman," Scorpion said. "I'm passing control over to you now."

Austin popped his knuckles and gripped the stick. "Roger, Scorpion."

The dashboard transitioned to a dark green. Austin kept his Trident nice and tight.

"Rock, this is Razor. We've been ordered to patrol Point Falcon. Follow me to point seven-oh-eight."

"Roger." Austin kept the excitement from his voice. They had done this a thousand times on the Internet, taking down hundreds of enemy craft, but they were actually doing it for real today. He risked a glance out at the nebulae and the blackness of space. Another difference in the real world? He didn't want enemy fighters to appear.

Forty-five minutes into the flight, they had completed their patrol of Point Falcon. Austin had stayed right on Josh's wing. There was little need for chatter and Austin felt comfort in the hum of the fighter's instruments, the constant lull of the engines.

"Rock, Razor. We're heading to Point Luck to check out an anomaly. Stay frosty."

Austin smiled. "Roger."

He hadn't heard Josh say that since they played the game. It was something Josh heard in a war movie when the soldiers were on patrol and he loved repeating. But somehow, out here at the edge of their patrol range around Tarton's Junction, the words carried more weight than when it was transmitted over a computer's speakers.

Red triangles flashed at all four corners of his HUD. Austin jumped back, altering the course of his fighter. "Scorpion?"

"Taking over now."

"What is it?" Austin asked, his eyes wide.

"Tiger, do you have control?"

"Got it," Braddock's voice grumbled back.

Scorpion jerked the Trident to the left and broke formation so fast Austin's helmet smacked back into his seat.

"What's going on?"

"Shut up." Scorpion pulled the fighter back into a steep loop. "Don't touch anything. Tiger, taking evasive action."

The red triangles on his HUD increased in size. Austin glanced at the sensors. A red circle appeared behind their ship, closing fast. In the game, the red circle signified an incoming missile. Surely that couldn't be? Was this part of the training? If so, why had Scorpion taken over?

Scorpion continued making evasive maneuvers, but the incoming missile stayed right behind them. In the game, Austin used to wait for the missile to run out of fuel when he couldn't dodge it. He gripped the sides of his seat since he couldn't do anything to help. The missile closed in…

four micro units, three, two.

"Stunner inbound," Scorpion said, tension filling her voice. "Dropping counter measures."

She dropped a decoy and yanked back on the stick, changing direction ninety degrees and pouring all the fighter's energy into reverse thrusters.

The incoming missile disappeared from the sensors.

"Nice!" Austin yelled.

"Can it!" Scorpion screamed. "Tiger, report."

"Engaged with two hostiles. Request assistance."

"Roger, Tiger," Scorpion said, bringing the fighter to bear on the three fighters engaged in the distance. "Tower, we've got a problem here. Request assistance."

Static responded, followed by,
"...missions jammed. Launching alert figh..."

"Crap." Scorpion breathed. "Rock, you keep an eye on the sensors. We're going in."

Austin took a deep breath. "Roger."

The fighter's engines rumbled. Checking the targeting computer, he saw the distance to the nearest target dropping fast. Braddock trailed one of the fighters, but the second hostile had pulled in behind him. Scorpion altered course to bear down on the rear fighter.

"I see you have a friend, Tiger. I'll introduce myself."

The laser guns flashed, seeming all the brighter in the darkness of space. Braddock fired relentlessly on his target. Austin checked his sensor. The enemy projected no identification, so it must be a Tyral Pirate.

The fighter trailing Braddock fired a missile.

"
Goodbye, Legion filth."

Austin blinked.
Who was that?

"Tiger, you've got a stunner inbound."

"I see it."

Braddock broke off pursuit from the other fighter and spun away from the dogfight, the missile hot on his tail. The two pirate fighters spun in different directions. Scorpion stayed on the one who had fired the missile, trying for a lock.

"They're jamming my sensors," Scorpion said. "I'm switching back to guns."

The enemy fighter soared in the opposite direction of Braddock, who was still spinning to avoid the incoming missile. Austin thought of Josh sitting in the trainer cockpit, waiting helplessly for the outcome. 

"Closing in," Scorpion said. "Rock, eyes on the other bogey?"

Austin glanced at the sensors. "He's coming around behind us."

The pirate fighter in front flashed maneuvering thrusters and shot toward them. Scorpion fired wildly and a few laser bolts flashed off the nose of the pirate fighter. The two fighters shot past one another, missing a collision by only a short distance.

"They're too fast!" Austin yelled.

"Silence!"

With two fighters now in their rear, Scorpion pushed down on the stick and flashed her reverse thrusters. The fighter shot nose down in an instant and fired at the closing enemy craft. A fireball filled his view before Austin registered what had happened.

"Scratch one bogey!" Scorpion yelled. They passed through the dissipating fireball. "Still one out here. I know he's hit."

Scorpion stayed on the remaining fighter's tail. "Tiger, do you copy?"

"Lost our trailer. Closing on you now."

Pelting the enemy's rear shields with laser fire, Scorpion closed in with Braddock in the distance. Sensors showed the alert fighters still a minute away.

The space in front of the Tyral craft wavered.

"He's started a curve!" Scorpion increased her fire, but her laser charge had dropped because of the power diverted into her engines.

The damaged Tyral fighter passed through the curve and disappeared.

Scorpion released a long, slow sigh. "Tower, this is Scorpion, all hostiles have left the area."

"Scorpion, this is Talon," Nubern said over the long range gamma wave. "You and Braddock bring your recruits back home. The alert fighters will patrol in the event that was a diversion."

"Two fighters, sir," Scorpion said. "What was the point of that?"

"Testing our defenses, checking our response times. We'll talk more when your back." He paused. "I'll tell you this; voice recognition confirms you were up against Dax Rodon himself."

Scorpion whistled. "Roger, Talon. We'll talk when we get back."

*****

Recruits, officers and deckhands encircled the returning Tridents. Some of the recruits yelled out questions about the dogfight only to be chastised by their COs. Nubern nodded as he slapped Scorpion on the shoulder. Scorpion said she needed to debrief with command and dismissed him. Austin’s legs felt rubbery as they hit the deck. The thermal gear under his flight suit stuck to the sweat on his skin. He was lightheaded all the way back to his quarters.

After spending the maximum allotted time in the shower, Austin collapsed onto his bed. Every inch of his body ached. His neck struggled to raise his head to glance at the clock. Somehow he missed dinner, but he didn't care.

He folded his legs underneath him and stared at the wall. The gray, empty wall. The normally bright white lightning throughout the station had transitioned to a dull yellow tint, signifying the standing yellow alert status as a result of the recent attack. His eyes closed to slits and he replayed the dogfight in his mind.

He fought to comprehend the speed. The pirate fighters streaked across the canopy like lightning, so fast he struggled to get a read on their location. But Scorpion stayed on them, reacted, maneuvered, fired and adjusted quicker than he registered what was happening. He yanked his head all over the cockpit, trying desperately to get a visual on the bogey.

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't escape one, simple truth: he was here because of luck.

All the talk of him being the best pilot. The trash talk with Nicholas Pavlosky and the other Lobera students. He had a target on his back because of one time when he took down Scorpion. The other students wanted to be the one to take Austin down, and all he had to offer was a lucky shot.

Scorpion really was that good. What she had done out there earlier was nothing short of amazing. Austin had never seen anything like it. When he played
Star Runners
back home, he could track bogeys visually most of the time and only took cursory glances at the sensors. If he were going to survive here, he was going to have to start using his instruments.

Use the sensors in your cockpit.

Or go home.

It really boiled down to that simple fact. Skylar was right all along. He needed to study, he needed to learn.

He leaned his head back against the cool steel of the wall.

The door pinged. Austin recoiled and wondered if he had fallen asleep sitting against the wall.

He opened the door to see Josh in the hallway, his hair wet.

"You got a minute, buddy?"

"Sure, man, come in."

Josh collapsed in the corner chair. "I've been on the treadmill for an hour at max speed. Whew!"

"You trying to kill yourself?"

"No." He took a sip of water. "I can't get it out of my head."

Austin knew what he meant, but instead he asked, "What?"

"That fight out there. The fighter Scorpion scratched. This is real. People are being killed."

Austin shook his head. "They would have done the same to us. You know that."

"Of course I know that. That's the problem. I guess I've never really thought about it before today. These pirates really want to kill us."

"They want the Legion's ships so, yeah, killing us is the way to do that." Austin stood and gazed out the porthole. "I've dealt with death before. That's not what's bothering me tonight."

"What is it?"

Austin sighed and turned around to face his friend. "I can't get over how fast it all moved. The fighters were there, then they weren't. I thought I had them, then they were gone. If I hadn't been flying with Scorpion, I'd be dead."

"That's why we have training."

"I don't know. It was crazy fast."

"It's different when you're flying. I remember my first time out with an instructor in a simulated dogfight. I was so lost I almost sent my lunch across the canopy like that recruit of yours. What's his name?"

Gan Patro had puked a few weeks back on a flight with his instructor. "I'm serious, Josh."

"So am I." He stood and wiped his face with the towel hanging over his neck. "Certain tasks always seem impossible when you see others do it, right? This is no different. It seems crazy now, but you'll pick it up. I promise."

"I guess so." When Josh turned to leave, Austin stopped him. "You really almost puked, huh?"

Josh smiled. "Yeah, man. I thought about washing out several times that first couple of flights. Hang in there. It'll get better."

After he left, Austin tried to study for an hour before giving up and leaving his quarters even though it was against regulation. Images seared into his mind: the laser fire, the fighters zipping in and out of his vision, the orange and red fireball that ended it all. He hurried through the corridor in his bare feet, shorts and a T-shirt. The floor felt cold.

He stopped in front of her door and knocked.

The door crept open.

"Austin," Skylar said, "what's wrong? You weren't at dinner. Are you alright?"

Reaching out his arms, he embraced her tightly. After a moment, she squeezed back.   

"So that's why I hate these trainers."

Bear nodded as he finished his long story about a recent training mission with Captain Finian “Loco” Rolling. Of course, this is how every recruit flying with Rolling felt after an exercise. So at least, the insults were sent around Tarton's Junction evenly.

But none of this made Bear, Etti Mar, Gan Patro or any of the other recruits feel any better.

"The sooner we get to fly on our own, the better," Bear grumbled as they walked away from the mess hall.

"I've somehow avoided flying with Loco," Austin admitted.

"Seriously?" he glared at Austin like he just cheated at cards. "How’d you manage that?"

Austin shrugged. "I have no idea."

"Oh, man, it's the worst. Did I tell you about what happened last week?"

And Bear once again launched into a story about Rollings and his insults. Austin had heard it all before. He stopped listening.

They rounded a corner to head for the personnel wing toward their pods. Several officers marched toward them, away from a closing hatch Austin had never noticed before. Admiral Tolan Gist, who Austin hadn't seen since the first day on Tarton's Junction, led the officers. Both Bear and Austin snapped to attention, pressing against the wall. The admiral nodded as he passed. Captains Braddock, Nubern and Rolling trailed behind the admiral, their faces grim. Lieutenant Zyan brought up the rear, her black hair tucked in a bun with a few strands of hair dropping to her shoulders. She slowed as she passed, tucking her data tablet under her arm.

"What are you two doing?" she asked quietly.

"Nothing, ma'am. On our way to our quarters." Austin said.

She nodded and stared at the other officers leaving. "Tomorrow's the big day, eh?"

Austin nodded and felt his stomach turn. A wave of acid burned at the base of his throat. For the past few weeks, he had managed to focus on improving his study skills, his skills in the sims and, of course, in the trainer cockpit. Tomorrow he would see how well he would do against the Lobera Squadron comprised of Nicholas Pavlosky and his best friend. What a combination. He had been reminded repeatedly his performance would be scored and graded. It could possibly wash him out of the program, but Scorpion told him that would not happen. The Legion needed pilots, and quickly.

"You'll do fine." She reached out to touch his shoulder, but snapped it behind her back when she glanced at Bear. "All of you will."

Austin blushed. "May we ask about your meeting, lieutenant?"

Scorpion sighed. "The Tyral Pirate activity in the Quadrant Eight is continuing to increase. Admiral Gist believes we need to go on the offensive, and we are awaiting word from command. It's not good. Dax Rodon is becoming more synchronized and striking several convoys simultaneously. Some of the attacks happened not too far from here."

Austin frowned. Quadrant Eight included Earth. “Is our planet in danger?”

“No, not yet. There hasn’t been a battle near Earth in a long time.”

"We should go take them out," Bear said. "After all, we've got you. Right?"

Scorpion smiled and turned to Austin. "Take the competition seriously tomorrow. It's not just about the points. Experience helps."

"Thank you, lieutenant."

They saluted. She returned the salute and hurried to catch up with the other officers.

"I hope I'm never a captain," Bear said softly.

"Why's that?"

"Seems like too much talk, too much discussion, and too little action."

"You're probably right."

They took a few steps. "What's going on with you two, anyway?"

Austin inhaled. "What?"

"You and Scorpion. You guys dating or something?"

He shook his head quickly. "Why would you even think that?"

"Some of the other students were talking about it while we were working out the other day. Something about you guys talking after class a lot and how you nearly killed Nicholas cause he said something about her."

Austin felt the blood rush to his face. "First of all, I was defending Etti when all that happened in the mess hall. Second, I wouldn't date an instructor. That's just ... wrong."

Bear raised his hand in mock surrender. "Don't kill the messenger, man. I was just telling you what I've heard. Personally, I think it'd be awesome, though. She's hot."

“I thought she bothered you.”

Bear shrugged. “Still hot.”

Austin stared down the hallway and saw Scorpion turn the corner.

"I hadn't really noticed," he said.

*****

"Today you will join a long revered tradition in the Legion Navy," Nubern said from the catwalk above the collection of thirty sim pods. "The battle of the first years and the second years. The competition of Tizona and Lobera goes back to the beginning of our naval traditions. The Tizona recruits will gain the experience they need to advance through the remainder of their flight academy days, and the Lobera students will earn that last bit of confidence required before they graduate."

The blue clad Tizona students lined the wall in front of their sim pods, their shoulders touching. Their flight helmets sat on the floor at their boots. All of the recruits wore a sidearm to simulate a real flight. Without actually getting in a fighter, this was as real as it gets.

Directly across the room, the Lobera students stood at attention. Austin found Nicholas Pavolsky, staring at him with ice blue eyes. Austin hoped he could take him out at the start. To Nicholas' right was Josh, the one Lobera recruit he hoped he wouldn't have to face in this simulation.

The pressure from the other Tizona students had weighed on Austin. The others, Nubern included, expected him to lead the way out there. It made him feel like the star quarterback on the high school football team, but the problem was he had never played the position. No matter how hard he tried, Austin couldn't shake the thought all his success had been based on luck. That one fortunate shot when he took Scorpion out had been following him around since they were back on Earth.

"Just remember," Nubern continued from above, "we are all on the same side when this is over." He gestured toward the Tizona students. "Lieutenant Zyan, are you ready for your flight briefing?"

Scorpion stepped forward. "Tizona squadron is ready, sir!"

Nubern turned to Lobera. "Captain Braddock, are you ready for your flight briefing?"

Braddock took a slow step forward and brought his boot down with a crash on the floor's metal grating. "We've been ready, sir!"

"Very good," Nubern said. "Both squadrons will have thirty minutes for a preflight briefing before you will be required to begin the simulation. The simulation will last as long as it needs to. If you are destroyed during the simulation, you will be required to remain in your pod and view the rest of the competition. Everyone dismissed."

The recruits released one long groan. The Lobera students, clad in their hunter green flight suits, filed out together, some slapping one another's shoulders while managing to offer a solid stare at their opponents. The Tizona students, who stared at the floor to avoid the eyes of Lobera, shuffled toward their briefing room. 

"Alright people, gather 'round," Scorpion yelled from the front of the dish-shaped briefing room. Four rows of seats lined the sides of the room and the recruits slowly sat down. "Come on! Move it!"

Etti Mar jolted back at the sudden change in volume, dropping her tablet to the floor. Gan Patro hurried to help her scoop it up. Etti sat quickly, her face warming to the shade of a tomato.

"From this moment forward, I want nothing but call signs. No names!"

Gan timidly raised his hand. "What if we don't know all of our squadron's call signs, lieutenant?"

Scorpion sighed. "This is a full combat sim, pilots. During this competition, you are no longer recruits. You are Legion Star Runners. You will wear full flight suits with your sidearms. If this is a full sim, you will be expected to act like this were real, correct? What would happen if you all used your real names over the gamma waves? Answer?"

The recruits shifted in their seats and avoided her eyes.

"For one," she said, "enemy agents would be able to find out who you are and where you are from. How long do you think it would take for the agents to find your families, your loved ones?"

Gan nodded. "I understand. I will learn the call signs."

"Good." Scorpion stood with her arms clasped behind her back. Her impeccable blue uniform glistened under the soft glow of the recessed lighting. As she spoke, the ten Tizona pilots leaned forward. Scorpion had never spoken so coldly, as if their very lives depended on the outcome of this competition. She produced a tablet and pressed a few buttons. The lights dimmed.

A cool green hologram depicting seven freighters materialized over their heads.

"This is our most precious cargo, pilots," she said. "It is this cargo your enemy wants to steal or destroy just like the Tyral Pirates have been aiming to do. I've heard the rumor we are expected to lose this fight today, that the Lobera students are better trained, more talented. Do I need to remind you points from this competition go toward the completion of the flight academy?"

Austin glanced at Skylar. Her eyes widened.

"That's correct," Scorpion continued. "You all have been in the introduction phase of the flight academy. After today's competition, the point system will determine if you graduate and how far along you are toward that goal. No more grades. You have your first chance to earn points today and that means some of these cocky, arrogant Lobera recruits might be able to graduate based on their performance. If they perform poorly, it means more class time and training." She grinned, revealing her perfect teeth. "Let's make them go back to class."

Seated next to Skylar, Bear chuckled and ribbed Derek Kelley, another Tizona recruit next to him. Austin glanced around the room. He knew most of the classmates by name, but didn't really know very many of them. Some of them, like Martin Bolin, chewed on his fingernails as Scorpion spoke.

"Alright, let's look back to these freighters and our plan today. I won't be out there with you as I am commanding the defense of these vessels, but that doesn't mean I can't help you. If you have questions, ask them."

The image, bathing the entire room in emerald green, rotated around until the seven freighters were in a line stretching to the ceiling. Scorpion began her mission orders, speaking so quickly Austin wondered if she had memorized the entire speech.

Austin struggled with the call signs, too, but he didn't want to say it aloud after Gan was chastened. Etti and Gan, or Stinger and Toad, will be flying point in front of the convoy. Spread among the convoy's flanks would be the convenient and easy-to-remember call signs of Bear, Skylar as Cheetah, Austin as Rock, and Derek Kelley as Spark. On the opposite side would be Shauna Herrington as Thrasher, Martin Bolin as Sketch, and Shelbi Weaver as PowPow. As Scorpion spoke, holograms of their Trident fighters appeared in their respective positions.

"Rock and PowPow," Scorpion said. "You two are bringing up the rear. Got it?"

Austin looked at PowPow, who sat on the opposite side of the room. He nodded pleasantly, but only a nervous half smile was offered in return. From what Austin had heard, PowPow was from a distant farming community on a planet farther from the Legion's core than Earth. She had been quiet and reserved, but excelled in the classes. Austin hoped her skills would make her a good wingman.

"You must stay with the freighters. Your job is to provide close support and knock down any inbound torps or enemy fighters that get too close. Stray from your intended position and our mission is lost. Do not stray more than one thousand MUs from the convoy no matter what happens."

Scorpion nodded and continued, "If any of the freighters are shot down or can't continue, we'll have to adapt as needed. The convoy will try to keep close together if they can, but no promises. These freighters are with a civilian contractor hired by the Legion, so don't expect too much. These people are relying on us to get'em home safe. Any questions?"

Spark raised his hand. "How long is this going to take?"

Scorpion's face went rigid. "Why?"

"Just wondering if I should pee first."

"Quiet!" Scorpion barked when the other pilots laughed. "Go to the latrine before you board your sim. Lockers are in there. A crew brought up everything you'll need. Any other relevant questions? No? Then suit up and get out there. As of this moment, the simulation is underway. This is for real people. Go get’em."

As the other pilots moved into the locker, Scorpion grabbed Austin's elbow. "Listen," she said, "I'm expecting you to be cool out there. Be a leader."

"No problem, lieutenant."

"I know you've done this before and you had a great average score on the escort missions during your evaluation period, but these are better pilots than you've faced before. Be a leader, Rock."

"You got it," Austin said with a nod, trying to project a confidence he didn't really feel.

He always hated escort missions when he played online back at home. The freighters always moved too slow and the enemy launched too many torpedoes to the point he wanted to quit, but there would be no quitting this time. The stakes are higher than his online rankings.