A/N – It's been a while since I've updated, yes, but it's also been a while since I've had time to find an internet capable computer. But just to make up for it, I've also uploaded chapter 12. Enjoy! Also, I can't get the stupid double space to go away, so sorry if it messes you up.
Katina Squadrons
Chapter 11 – The Chances Fade
Alex flew in a daze. They were kilometers from the base by that time and murmurs of the enemy's trickery passed between the pilots in heated tones. The whole aerial assault had been a ploy to draw the fighters away from the base; and they had fallen for it.
So if the base was being attacked, then his sister was in danger, as well as all his new comrades.
"Red 1, we can't just do nothing! They need help-"
"I realize that, Red 4, but you must trust your wingmates. As soon as we finish the rest of these guys, we'll go back," Bill answered.
Although the words had come from his mouth, he wasn't sure he truly believed himself.
Deanna Kulli made a long arc around the dogfight, hoping to outrun her pursuer. She watched the distance grow between them when she noticed a red blip moving into her sensor pad. The one multiplied to two, then four, then six.
"We have an unknown amount of bogies moving in from 60... looks like another full squadron," she said as steadily as she could.
Keeve glimpsed at his sensor to confirm, "There're two full squadrons approaching at opposite ends of the battle space!"
"Keep it together," Peter said, "Split into pairs and keep an eye out for each other."
All too soon, the fighters converged upon the outnumbered Cornerians. They attacked in groups of four, making it very difficult to shake pursuing bogies. On the other hand, once one ship was hit, it usually careened into one or more in its group.
Daphne Weber was getting dizzy from barrel rolling, "Would someone get these guys off my tail?"
"I'm right behind you, Red 2," Bill said.
He target locked one of the husky's trackers and let loose a barrage of laser fire. The shot blasted the one into oblivion and scatter the others.
"Thanks Lead," she sighed in relief.
Peter glanced at his sensor pad. Something akin to fear caught his throat.
"I'm losing power," Deanna cried.
As her ship plummeted to the surface, she felt faint from the increase in Gs.
"Punch out, 2," Peter shouted.
His attention was forced back to the dogfight before he could see if she had ejected. When the jackal glanced back, he saw the wreck rolling violently on the ground and coming to rest in the trees. He sincerely hoped she had escaped.
"Sir," a trooper called into the com, "Second floor secure, we currently have six prisoners, none officers."
Sgt Maj. Tomatz nodded to himself, "Have a unit proceed to the third floor, house the ranking prisoners in the second floor chow hall, room 211. Put the rest in a room away from the officers. Remember to use stun on the enemy, we must have the commander alive."
An acknowledgement rang through the coms. The ape's troops were well trained and educated in their mission. They were part of a larger special forces unit, instructed in all aspects of armed and unarmed combat, with obedience drilled into their minds and bodies.
Tomatz knew if he gave an order to use stun weapons, they would follow it unquestioning. Perhaps as a reward, they would have a few low ranking mechanics to torture... if the mission went well.
Chase Halloway barrel rolled his Arwing, avoiding the red lasers from two bogies. Without his wingman, Deanna Kulli, it was getting more and more difficult to shake pursuers. He was still being chased by the two sleek ships when two more attached themselves to his aft space.
"Someone help please," he said shakily.
"We're coming Bulldog 4, this is your lead," Peter said as he angled off to the four ships behind Chase.
He watched his sensor as he turned to cross Chase's flight path in half. The jackal waited until his pilot flew by before taking aim at the four bogies. The first few shots hit their mark and scattered the rest.
"Thanks Lead," the husky sighed.
"New plan, Bulldog 4," Peter said, "Leave the atmosphere and see if you can contact any nearby military units or fighter squadrons. Update them on our current situation and request immediate assistance. We'll cover your back on the way out."
After a short pause, Chase replied affirmative. He gunned for the dark skies at an 80 degree angle. Three enemies latched onto his tail but were scattered by multiple Cornerian fire.
"Think it will work, Bulldog 1," asked Bulldog 2, Haydri Chatookah.
"By the Gods it had better work, I don't know how much more we can take," Peter replied.
Or how much longer our people on the ground can last...
Mya Tainer checked around the corner, and after seeing it was clear, she motioned her two conscious flight mates over. The group had traversed, however perilously, to the fourth level, the medical unit, after escaping the beleaguered hanger with the injured Jenzalah Roberts. They placed the limp rabbit on the floor next to the wall.
"The med supplies should be somewhere around here," Aika Muyo whispered, "I think it's the closet in the middle hall."
Kim Motter peaked around the corner, "Looks clear. I'm goin' in!"
"Wait, do you know what to get," she asked.
Kim stared at her for a second, "Do you?"
"Do any of us," came Mya's sarcastic reply, "Just get some smelling salts to wake her up, and an ice pack."
The tree frog nodded and saluted before running around the corner. They heard a few shouts and sounds of laser fire. Mya cursed as Aika flattened herself against the wall. Kim's muffled cry was cut off by Mya's pained shout as a red laser beam sliced her right arm from behind. Her rifle clattered to the floor next to her.
Panic flooded Aika's mind, but a strange thought invaded. "This is what it feels like when you're about to die."
"Shut up!" Mya called from the floor.
We're surrounded, down two, and one is going nuts on me, Mya thought sardonically.
"Oh, they're using stun guns now," Aika said calmly.
Mya grabbed her rifle and flipped to her back, wildly taking shots at the enemy behind her. The body of a dark clad soldier flying back was the last image she saw before the dark.
When she awoke, Mya was sitting with her upper body lying sprawled out on a table. Scents of food told her she was in the chow room.
"Good morning sleepy head," Gregory Mitchell said as she sat upright.
She noticed Kim Motter and Aika Muyo still unconscious in the two seats on her left. Greg sat to her right at the next table while Depoli, leaning on his paw, sat on his right. In front of them were five dark clad furs with helmets and blaster rifles. Two were at each door and one sat in the middle.
"Where's the rest of us," she asked.
"That Brinker kid is currently being interrogated... or tortured, and Major Harvey was separated from us when we were caught. Sleeping Beauty is at rest behind us."
'Sleeping Beauty' being Jenzalah Roberts, who was indeed still unconscious. Mya turned and checked to make sure the rabbit was still breathing, then returned to her seat next to Greg.
"So what next Lt?" Greg whispered to prevent the five guards from hearing.
The lynx's eyebrows furrowed momentarily before she answered, "We wait until there's more than three of us to take on forty of them."