Flight officer Anjara swore under his breath, the Trevakian fighter bouncing and shaking violently on space eruptions, his eyes now following the green glowing torpedoes traces as they swept outwards before turning sharply within the outer shield, further missiles joining his own to target other key points, the green burning fuel on the Fahimian adapted ordinance accelerating towards the shuddering warship.
The eruptions swept outwards from the direct impacts on the hull, flame and debris jettisoned into space as further explosions from the torpedoes smacked against the targeted outer points, cheers filling the airwaves as Anjara opened the intercom, ‘Strafe key points, then spiral downwards…’ Emotional tears filled his eyes as he glimpsed the clouds of mechanical fuel leaking from their target points, further bright tracers sweeping across the front of his fighter, ‘Mission accomplished…onwards to earth!’
His fingers pressed hard forward, bright laser blasts surging from under the wings and cracking against turret gun mountings, the Morgon crews inside thrown back and forth as their armoured positions shook from the force, the large eruptions on the flickering outer shields sending vibrations through the hull.
Twisting his stick, Anjara’s fighter turned over on its back, plummeting downwards with Viper wing behind, the furious tracers and flak erupting around them, colourful Fahimian vessels following in their wake, violent eruptions shaking the pilots as several of the craft were hit, spiralling away as the pilots desperately attempted to regain control, two impacting against the warships hull, another three burning fiercely before erupting.
Anjara flicked the comms line once more, his voice determined as the fighter rapidly approached the upper earth’s atmosphere, ‘Report casualties…onwards to their transports! Their fighters will be rising to engage…Our time is now!’
Somas’s strained voice responded, the wingman glancing round in darkness, ‘Two Vipers lost commander…one craft damaged and heading back…we are seven now, and with you…’ His tone changed to speak to the other pilots, ‘Tighten formation…we hunt drop ships and look for their fighters! The Vipers strike once more!’
Clicks on the comms line followed, Anjara’s craft surging onwards as the blue planet below filled his front viewer, his hands straining as pain surged through his muscles, the suit immediately compensating as the controls began flashing, his eyes straining as he shouted in recognition, ‘Twelve enemy transports ahead…destroy them!’
Chapter Thirty: The Attack of Zulu Company
Riaz glanced round the open hold of the Fahimian drop ship, grinning at the colourful red seating with crimson trim, the walls adorned with colourful flickering screen displays, interspersed with small intriguing pictures of animals, the upper racks of polished chrome with an immaculately thick linoleum styled floor, the walkways of a semi almost tartan design, pin lights shining upwards from between the small seats.
Shino nudged him from behind, giggling at the spectacle as colourfully uniformed loading crews deposited the last of equipment in the overhead storage racks, her head shaking, ‘They certainly know how to make you feel at home…all that is missing are table lamps and books!’
Riaz stepped forward chuckling and staring at the small lined seats, ‘At least you will feel at home…I am not sure I will fit into these!’
The small Philippine glared next to him playfully, unaware Begum had stepped onto the readying transport ramp, ‘You know…General MacArthur once said, ‘give me ten thousand Filipinos and I shall conquer the world.’ I am from the Philippines…you should be very careful…we are dangerous!’
Begum stepped forward as Riaz glanced round and lowered his head, Shino blushing as she realised the Fahimian dignitary was giggling, a small arm rising to point at the seats, ‘They will widen automatically for your human bodies…’ The small commando’s eyes narrowed in mock curiosity, ‘These Fili-pionas? Who are they?’
Riaz flushed almost crimson, stifling a laugh as Shino grunted, ignoring him, ‘Filipinos…we are an island country in the far east…well, south east Asia. A very pretty country with welcoming and happy people sir…perhaps we can all visit together?’ Her eyes moved past the nodding Fahimian, glimpsing other soldiers assembling behind in the loading bay, all preparing to board the now lined transports, ‘That was a very nice snack…very filling and a little spicy. May I ask what it was?’
Begum smiled warmly, watching Riaz’s eyes widen as he glimpsed names flicker across the overhead racks to designate seating, a hand running across the chrome briefly before he saw his own, the small Fahimian gesturing towards him, ‘It is a vegetable dish we call Krakea…very good for your digestion and full of energy. We make stews with it usually, but an experienced chef can create numerous dishes with the right ingredients…’ He indicated as Riaz slowly lowered himself into the seat, smiling widely as it automatically adjusted to his muscled posterior and rear frame, Begum continuing, ‘You will be sat together with your other friends…’ He nodded, sweeping the scarlet cloak over his shoulder before glancing round at the soldiers behind, Debra Hardie stepping forward onto the ramp, ‘We will be leaving soon…the ship is gathering speed and is cloaked at present. The attack has started…we are already detached in our upper ship…it happened whilst you ate.’ The Fahimian smiled fondly, ‘Our incubators and eggs are all safe now…they are in the lower section and are progressing into the next galaxy for safety, along with a small fighter protection screen.’ He pointed at the flickering screens, ‘You will see some of our lovely animals when they close the doors…we use the footage to relax our commandoes, many say seeing our home planet helps them focus on the battle to come…that if they fall, their last memories will be of the beauty of nature and the Fahimian
