Commander Savage>>Aidrithin, Local: You will kill us either way. Titans do not surrender.
Through a nearby hangar door, I see Savage staring out at the mothership through a sealscreen as the hundreds of enemy ships close in on us. I watch the ships as Chaos helps Armor climb into a fresh Starjumper’s suit.
A woman in a CSP suit of armor joins Savage, takes his hand in hers, and squeezes it.
Commander Leah>>Aidathra, Local: Omega Force chooses freedom. If that means death, then we accept it.
Commander Savage>>Aidathra, Local: We will not grovel at your feet when you hurt and kill us either way. If all we have is pride and each other, then that is what we die with.
I walk up to Leah’s side.
“Change Identifier from CO 952 to Esthielle.”
My helmet’s ID code switches out. I take Leah’s other hand.
Esthielle>>Aidathra, Local: Grays and Creators stand with the freedom fighters.
Leah smiles at me from inside her helmet and gives my hand an encouraging squeeze. “Now, let’s kick some scrawny green dicks into the stars and get Mother through the portal.”
Armor hugs me from behind, dressed in his new suit. “Please, don’t make me let you go again.”
Savage motions us to a ship. “Stay together.”
Commander Savage>>Local: pair up for the assault wave. Mates stay together whenever possible! Launch fighters asap! Clover, prep hyperdrive for portal jump!
Armor and I rush through the bays to an available Skysprinter and climb inside. He takes pilot controls while I slide into the seat beside him. He gets us headed out of the hangar with the other ships.
But as we emerge into space and slip past the minefield meant to protect the BlazeStar, I’m not sure there’s any way we’ll survive. They have more ships, bigger and better vessels, many I’ve not seen before.
Ellipsis’ orbit quickly turns into a weave of blue Titan fire and Solcruean green and gold. Ships take hits on both sides.
Tumble>>Local: Last fighter out of the hanger. Clover, clear for launch.
Clover>>Local: Understood. Hyperdrive operational. Vacate now.
Hundreds of clicks overlay one another before the com channel goes silent. Her engines brighten as another missile launches.
Commander Savage>>Local: Incoming!
The BlazeStar grows so bright that I have to look away even as my visor tints. Just as the massive missile races tothe BlazeStar’s position,Motherdisappears in a blur of chrome through the portal. But we can’t follow her. All we’re trying to do is give her enough time to get to the other side and clear the exit zone.
Commander Savage>>Local: Does anyone have contact from Amp?
The Titans that respond have only fragments.
Commander Savage>>Local: Anyone who can get through, go! Protect Mother. Do not let the enemy catch up to her.
A handful of ships make it through before the minefield blooms with missiles tagging mines, and the enemy vessels start making it too close to the portal for comfort.
I target everyone I can as fast as I can with the Skysprinter’s guns while Armor flies.
“Banking port. Aim ahead!”
I swing the gun to the left and fire ahead of passing ships. Two take hits as we pass and move into a starboard turn that arcs upward, then dives back into the battle.
“How are we going to get out of this?” I ask, tension knotting up my body.
A pair of guns light up from a deep space Ravenger vessel, tearing through a squadron of Solcruean fighters.
