CassaStorm

Chapter Two-3

Byron continued to coordinate with his squadron leaders. Athee drew strength from his calm state of mind. Her mate possessed many years of experience and understood their enemy better than any other pilot. As she watched the fighters on her screen, Athee wondered if any of the other teams were veterans of the Vindicarn War. She doubted many outside of Byron had experienced the event, now forty years past.

Six ships on the edge of the foray vanished. Athee’s muscles tightened and she shot a warning to her pilot. Before she’d completed her thought, Byron began relaying the information to his squadron leaders. She held her breath, resisting the urge to look out the canopy.

There!

Athee caught the images in Byron’s mind. Six narrow fighters now crossed far below them. The closest squadron descended to intercept. The enemy changed direction as the Vindicarn reacted to the unexpected appearance of Cosbolts.

Continue scanning the battle, Byron thought.

As ordered, Athee concentrated on her screen. She couldn’t follow two battles, despite the vivid images in his head invading her mind.

Another group vanished from view. Seven more! she thought.

They know we’re here. Relay that information to the Nacinta.

Athee complied, using the com to inform the Nacinta of the developing situation over Tgren. The response was not unexpected.

“Maintain your current position. We’ll send reinforcements if more enemy vessels appear.”

We can hold our own for now, Byron thought.

A flash of light in the distance caught Athee’s attention. Two squadrons were engaging the enemy, and judging from the color of the explosion, a Vindicarn ship had just met its demise. Sensing no concern from Byron, her gaze returned to her computer screen.

No further ships vanished from view. Her mate’s impatience grew, though. Byron never enjoyed playing the spectator and Athee didn’t blame him. Commander or not, he was still a fighter pilot at heart.

Avoid those disrupters! he thought, his warning loud in Athee’s head.

News that one of their fighters was out of commission due to wing damage blasted from the com unit. Athee barely had time to process the information as an announcement of a disrupter blast taking out a navigator followed on its heels. Byron’s fury sent pinpricks across her scalp.

We’re engaging, he thought, powering the ship forward.

Adjusting her screen with haste, Athee assessed the situation. She had just enough time to relay the information to her pilot before they were on the tail of an enemy ship. Athee announced their intentions to the nearest Cosbolt teams.

Scanning the area, Athee concentrated on her duties, allowing Byron to do what he did best. Warning him of a Cassan fighter below them, she felt their ship adjust position. Banking to the left, their Cosbolt dove. Athee kept her eyes on the target, her mind locked with her mate’s so he would see what she saw. They came up under the Vindicarn ship at full speed. Byron fired once and the spider-like vessel exploded.

Attack from below, Byron thought, his command broadcasting to every pilot.

Their ship shot over the debris, the residue spreading into a fine dust. Athee did not bother to look out at the remains of the enemy vessel.

Next target.

Noting an enemy ship in pursuit of a Cosbolt to their left, Athee selected that skirmish as the most pressing. Before she could relay the plan to her pilot, Byron altered course. They could not catch the pair at their present speed though. She suggested jumping below and matching their speed.

Below and head on, he thought. Double jump.

Relaying their intentions even as she visualized the coordinates, Athee clutched the throttle. Recalling only Byron controlled the craft, she eased her hold.

Old habits die hard, she thought.

Locking with his mind, she joined Byron in performing the teleportation jump. The Vindicarn ship appeared overhead and Byron fired once. Latching onto new coordinates as the enemy ship exploded, Athee led them in the jump to safety.

Looking out the canopy, she relaxed her death grip on the throttle. Rapid, successive jumps relied heavy on her ability to navigate. While she never doubted her abilities, Athee always experienced pressure.

Update!

Athee made a quick assessment of remaining enemy ships. Seven targets eliminated, she thought, zeroing in on the closest Vindicarn fighter.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Byron pursued the vessel. Athee calculated the best approach and their Cosbolt dove to the right. The ship moved into position for an underside attack. Athee held her breath as he fired. In a flash, the Vindicarn fighter vanished.

Athee realized all enemy ships had disappeared. They’ve retreated, she thought, switching her screen to view the main battle. Almost on cue, five ships appeared near the large Vindicarn vessel.

Squadrons assume formation! Byron thought. Full damage report.

Gritting her teeth, Athee tried to concentrate on the distant battle. The responses from the six squadron leaders were silenced, but she couldn’t block Byron’s voice. Biting her lip, she listened to her mate’s replies. Athee lowered her head and sighed when she heard no mention of casualties. Three damaged Cosbolts and one team out of commission due to a disrupter blast didn’t sit well with Byron, though.

Every squadron will undergo extra Vindicarn combat simulation this week, he thought, his mental voice laced with anger. I will not have a repeat of today’s sloppy execution.

Athee adjusted her position, easing the pressure on her sore buttocks. She didn’t envy the pilots and navigators under Byron’s command. Twenty years with the man had reinforced his low tolerance for mistakes. It was a quality inherited from his mentor, now many years gone from this life.

I assume that means additional simulator drills for us as well? she thought. Byron never demanded anything of his men that he wasn’t willing to do.

We must be ready. Today was your first Vindicarn encounter. It’s been years since I faced this enemy. We need the practice as much as the squadrons.

Agreed.

She continued to monitor the main battle. When the enemy fighters thinned and the two larger vessels pulled back, Athee informed her pilot. Byron maintained their defensive position until a full retreat was confirmed by the Nacinta. He ordered Squadron Five to remain on patrol while the others returned to base for a full debriefing.

The younger pilots have much to learn about fighting the Vindicarn and Narcon, he thought in a private message to Athee.

Upon landing on Tgren, Athee reached out for her son’s mind. We’re back on the surface now.

Are you all right?

Athee closed her eyes, moved by the concern in her son’s mental voice. We’re fine. We still have to go to a debriefing and then deal with reports. I don’t know when we’ll be finished, so go home with Drent.

Yes, Mother.

Athee’s head listed to the side, her energy spent. At least Bassan had someplace safe to go. It wasn’t the first time Andra had taken care of Athee’s son while they were away. She owed Mevine’s mate a world of gratitude.

Between the debriefing, meetings, and reports, it was several hours past the evening meal before she and Byron left the main facility. Athee’s feet drug across the sand as they made their way up the slope to their home. The day had exhausted her on every level. Her one saving grace resided in the fact she was the commander’s navigator. Byron’s stern words during the debriefing and various conferences didn’t include her.

“Let’s get cleaned up before we send for Bassan,” he said as they entered their dwelling.

Byron let her shower and change first as he continued reading reports on the day’s events. She went through the motions, her thoughts split between a quick and easy meal and their son. It comforted her to know Bassan had already eaten. She hoped he’d attended to his studies as well.

Before Byron finished in the bathroom, Athee sent for Bassan. She suspected Byron preferred to eat first, but she didn’t want to impose upon Mevine’s family any longer than necessary. Her son arrived within minutes, bursting through the main door in dramatic fashion. His chest heaved and his cheeks appeared flushed from his exertions.

“Did you run all the way home?” said Athee, setting the warmed bowl of soup that would serve as their meal on the table.

Yes! Bassan thought, dropping his computer tablet on the counter.

Athee was about to ask if he’d eaten when her son’s arms wrapped around her middle. Her body flooded with warmth and she returned his embrace with equal enthusiasm. She hoped Bassan would never outgrow his genuine and loving nature.

“We’re all right,” said Athee, kissing the top of his head.

Bassan broke free, his hands sliding into hers. “I overheard Drent’s father mention Vindicarn fighters to his mother.”

Squeezing his hands, Athee nodded. “We faced the Vindicarn and Narcon today.”

“Over Tgren?”

“Two Cassan flagships engaged battle cruisers from both the Vindicarn and Narcon in our solar system,” she said, choosing her words with care. She never lied to Bassan, but Athee did not want to cause unnecessary panic in her son. “A few Vindicarn fighters jumped close to Tgren, but we were ready for them.”

Bassan’s grasp on her fingers tightened. “They were coming here?”

“No, they were just jumping away from the main battle for a moment and didn’t realize we were waiting.”

“But what if more come?”

Releasing one of his hands, Athee ran her fingers through his hair. She touched his mind and tried to sooth his troubled thoughts. If more come, we will fight to defend Tgren.

“We won’t fight alone, either.”

Turning to face her mate, she shot him a puzzled look. Byron approached them, his fingers adjusting his fresh shirt.

“Another flagship, the Litheron, will arrive tomorrow. Three Cassan flagships should discourage them from getting too close to Tgren,” he said.

Bassan’s fingers slipped from hers, and he moved toward his father. Byron’s arms dropped to his side and he looked down at his son. Without speaking, Bassan reached for one of his father’s hands. They stared at each other for a moment, and Athee waited for her mate’s reaction. Byron was tired and hungry, his mind preoccupied. He handled their son better after an hour or two of relaxation time. To her surprise, he smiled and tousled Bassan’s hair.

“If the Vindicarn come anywhere near Tgren, they won’t know what hit them,” Byron said.

“Did you shoot any today?” said Bassan, bouncing on his toes.

“I’ll tell you about it before you go to bed. Right now I need some food in me.”

Athee retrieved two bowls, a smile on her face. Her mate had handled that well. Even after twenty years, Byron still knew how to impress her.