Back in Pilot Country

After debriefing, Omega Squadron went back to Pilot Country to cool off. There were only a few people in there besides them. Waborita moved behind the bar while the rest of Omega Squad lined up on bar stools. With a small smile, Waborita produced another bottle similar to the one they all had had last night. Then he lined up the seven Omega shot glasses in a neat row. Behind that row he lined up another row of shot glasses leaving out Chameleon. Behind that row he lined up a third row of shot glasses, this time leaving out Tracer. Then he brought up a single shot glass for Chameleon on a fourth row. She had been the last one among them to score a kill. When he was satisfied that the arrangement was neat and in order he poured the bottle. Once he finished pouring out, his smile widened. "If the bugs don't kill us," he said as he distributed the various shot glasses. "This will become habit-forming,"

Each took his or her respective Omega shot glass. "To the first combat mission of both the Omega Squadron and the Cobra fighter," Rapier offered in toast.

"Omega Squadron!" they all shouted at the same time, clinked their glasses, and tossed the contents back like it was water. Those who had to do subsequent shots did so in rapid succession and slammed their shot glasses down on the bar.

"We are dangerous!" Chameleon said after slamming back her last shot.

"We are indeed," said Midnight. "Now, I hate to drink and run, but I have to have that update finished for the CAG ASAP."

"Party pooper," Chameleon said and poured herself another shot.

"Careful with that stuff girl," Waborita warned. "In another life this stuff was paint thinner." Then he unabashedly poured himself a shot as well and they tossed them back together.

At the same time Princess, Bitch, and Tracer moved off to check the Kill Board while Rapier went to the head. They pushed the access button to the Omega Squadron panel and looked at their standings. Midnight was at the top of the list followed by Rapier. Bitch and Princess followed respectively. Next came Chameleon, followed by Tracer, and last was Waborita.

"Well that figures," Tracer said turning off the panel.

"What's the matter?" Princess ribbed. "Upset that you aren't top dog yet?"

"He'll get over it," Bitch said after punching Tracer in the arm.

At the bar Chameleon and Waborita were down to the last few drops in the bottle. "Dead Soldier," Waborita said looking through the bottom of the bottle.

"And we killed him," Chameleon said with a hiccup.

"Let's go get another one," Waborita suggested.

"Good idea," said Chameleon.

The two of them wrapped their arms about one another and staggered back to their barracks for another bottle. Rapier came back from the head just as they were walking out. "Where're they going?" he asked indicating Waborita and Chameleon.

"They're going out in search of more liquor," said Tracer.

Rapier turned his head to look at the fully stocked self-serve bar. "They need MORE liquor?" he asked.


In the T'rewinst system a new Nephilim warrior was hatching. He writhed and wriggled trying to break free from his confines until at last he was out and could stand. Though it was hot and humid in the slimy bug nest, his breath was visible. He looked around with new eyes to take in his surroundings. He threw back his head and with his arms outstretched let out such a cold savage yell that it pierced the darkness of space.

To be continued…