Note from The Typer: I apologize for the chapter being so short. I promise the next chapter will be quite longer containing more than one interesting scenario. But as mediocre as this chapter will seem to you just because of its length, we have something to celebrate: this chapter, which I do not find too great, is my 20th chapter release! That means it has been exactly 20 releases ago, not on a periodical rate, when I began the journey of releasing this grand story to the public. It had been in work quite a bit before-hand. And I hope there will be many more chapters to come with an even growing number of fans. Thanks for all of the support and spreading of word. Special thanks to my two most frequent fans, Ranger24, and Master Sarge300. Please continue to spread the word and give me some pointers for my story in places that need help. Enjoy the stubby chapter! I promise, a lot more to come on the next chapter.
Chapter XX-Day 900-2200 Hours-Clone Wars-Republic Cruiser Striker-Covert Shuttle
I had not yet rode in one of those camouflage, covert shuttles. All I heard is that they could hide in space well, but were also slow, and could be torn apart if anyone happened to see it. It was small and compact, just the thing needed to get inside a hanger bay undetected. From there we could plant a charge on the engine and hightail it out of there.
In the shuttle, Twenty-Two and I were cramped up front. There were four seats on these shuttles, two for the pilot and co-pilot, and two passenger seats behind these. We had the passenger seats, and they would have been comfortable except the fact that we were wearing Mandalorian armor that has a thickness nearly equivalent to Katarn class armor. Simply said, we were in a tight fit.
The shuttle engines subtly turned on and the shuttle lifted off the ground. But as it passed the Striker's gravitational field, vertigo, and that weightless feel of space kicked in.
"Here we go," said the pilot, a nameless clone I never really knew, "activating cloak field."
A new low hum on the ship could be heard, but nothing in my vision happened.
"Okay, we should have a clear run to the Separatist Capital ship Things might get a little intense once the fight starts up, but we should be able to manage."
The intercom cackled as another ship called us. "Doomsday, this is Blue Squadron Leader, we're about to engage the enemy. It might get a little hot. If you need help, let us know."
"Copy that blue leader," The pilot replied.
I could see out of the corner of the pilot window. About ten clicks away, there were ships, shooting at each other in green and red flashes and orange explosions. What amazed me was that no sound could be heard from the battle. There was only complete and utter silence. Nothing but the low hum of the ship's engines and comm. chatter could be heard. Interesting.
"Missile detected! It's heat seeking!" Shouted the pilot.
"We're going to try to get out of its range before it finds us," Commented the co-pilot. "If you have to puke, go in your helmet, you'll need to breathe through your O2 tank if you're thrown into space."
The co-pilot cursed, "It locked onto our heat signature instead. We'll have to out-last it. Hang on!"
The ship tightly veered down and to the right. After stabilizing itself after a moment, it pulled up to the left while rolling left. From there, the ship zigzagged to the right and left repeatedly. It got me dizzy from repetition.
"It's gone," said the co-pilot after about twenty seconds of fancy flying.
I relaxed for a moment, but then the co-pilot said something else to the pilot, "Wait. Five ships are approaching us. They're getting closer. I think they saw the missile following us. If the stealth field holds, you should be able to maneuver out of this, but we may need help."
"I'll see if I can outrun them for now, call in the ships anyways. We can use them as a distraction."
The co-pilot pushed a button, "Blue Leader, we got a few ships coming our way. Would you be so kind as to have some of your boys out here to cover us before we get into real trouble?"
"Sure thing," said a voice over the comm. unit after a moment.
A minute later, the ship began to veer once more. "You're going to have to do better that Blue Leader. That one almost hit us."
Suddenly, a large red streak appeared right in front of us.
"The Separatist ship's auto turrets have a lock on us! We're leaving camo." The pilot turned to the co-pilot, "Convert shield energy to speed at ninety percent!"
"Yes sir," the co-pilot replied.
The ship sped up. It was only then when I realized how large the Separatist ship was.
This plan better work.
An array of missile fire stuck a part of the ship next to the hanger. Just a second later, the shields keeping the enemy ships from entering the hanger flickered and vanished.
"Engines to 100!" The pilot said.
Suddenly, the shuttle speed rocketed, and I could see a large metal door sliding over the hanger bay, sealing itself. It looked like we could make it, but the door smashed our engines as we made it in.
"Hold on!" The pilot shouted. The ships was now diving towards the ground, barely moving upwards. We got closer and closer to the ground, and finally, SMASH!