Chapter 3-

Chapter 3

A Quick Dogfight

The first few shots just kicked up some dust. But the lucky few that hit my ship really pissed me off.

The ramp opened quickly after recognizing my entrance code and I scrambled up into the cockpit. I immediately started flipping on all the systems.

Just as I was ready to take off the kid popped in.

"Hey man we gotta get out of here!" he yelled.

"No shit junior! Now sit down and shut up!" I yelled.

The kid complied and plopped down into the co-pilot's chair. Without bothering to see if he was strapped in yet I gunned the engines and lifted off.

The ship shuddered again with another volley of shots from our attackers as we lifted off.

This freighter could make pretty good time but compared to these fighters we were like a snail.

With another shudder came the kid's question.

"Can this thing hold up against these guys?"

"Looks like we'll find out in a minute." I said.

I obviously stood no chance in head on combat, but maybe, just maybe…

Ah yes, this would work.

"Kid go and open the cargo hatch."

"What are you crazy?"

"Just do it!"

So he ran back and did as I said.

"Get back in here!" I yelled.

"Never can keep you happy can I?" he spat rhetorically as he entered the cockpit.

I pulled a sharp turn to the left, knocking the kid down into his seat.

"Hold on kid, this might get a little rough."

With that said I pulled the ship around so I was directly above the trio of fighters.

Then I pulled the freighter into a steep vertical climb. And just as I'd expected my cargo of supply crates dropped right into my friends in the fighters.

I pulled out of the climb and re-orientated the ship so we could look at our handiwork.

One fighter must've taken a crate right into the engines because it was headed for the ground trailing smoke. And its pals weren't much better off.

Looks like they wouldn't be much of a problem anymore.

"Kid go back and close up the hatch."

All I got in return was a grunt and then he was gone.

I took the opportunity without the kid to radio back to Midgar.

"This is Freighter 14 to Midgar. Midgar do you copy?" I said into the radio.

"Highwind! We thought you were done for!"

"Yeah you wish. Not quite, Look I can't chat for long. I picked up a kid, maybe 17 or 18; he was the only survivor. Then the guys who shot up the place came back but we took care of 'em. We're on our way back now and I'll fill you in on the details later. Highwind out."

Just as I thumbed off the radio the kid walked in. What timing?

"Everything is closed up." He said.

"Took you long enough."

"Typical response from you."

"You've known me for maybe 45 minutes and you're already gauging my responses?"

"You're pretty predictable."

That one really pissed me off. I had all I could do to keep myself from teaching this kid a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. But I refrained cause if I wanted to get paid for this little trip then I'd have to bring him back in one piece.

After I calmed down I figured out a way to get the kid out of my hair.

"It'll be a while till we get to Midgar. There's a bunk in the back. You probly oughta get some sleep." I said.

The kid agreed reluctantly and got the hell out of my way.

I lit up a cigarette and took a long drag.

This kid was nothing but a pain in the ass.

The things I did for Shinra…

Author's note-Sorry it took me so long to get this up. But between homework, and playing FF7 I haven't had much time. Number 4 should be up pretty soon. Please r&R.