23
Close Call
"Report, Slippy," Fox said as he walked onto the bridge, hoping for some good news. Luckily, the shield generators were 100, and the civilians were strapped in, but they were running out of time. He walked beside Slippy and looked at the program he was working on.
"I… think I've got it, Fox," said Slippy, uncertainty in his voice. "There are a lot of rocks we're going to have to dodge in a short amount of time, and this ship's maneuvering thrusters aren't the best…"
"But, it's possible, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good," Fox said as he walked back to the command chair. He leaned back in it, and let out a deep breath. He looked at the countdown meter… three minutes… two… one…
He checked over his crew one l;ast time. Falco was staring out into space blankly. Fox speculated on this for a moment, then saw Slippy making some last-minute adjustments. Krystal was tense, gripping the ends of the armrests of her chair tightly, eyes shut.
Fox saw a rock whizzing past the Great Fox. It was red hot, small pieces flying off at random. Then, another. The ship moved, its thrusters blaring. Fox could feel it in the ship's vibrations. Taking every breath like it may be his last, Fox waited out three, long minuets, rocks flying by every second of it. The shields buzzed once or twice, and Fox heard a slight intake of breath from his crew each time. But, after four minutes…
I am SO sorry, guys. It's been a few weeks, and I know you've been waiting. Here it is.
Black Swordsman342