Author: William "Raptor[K]" Lohrberg Viewing: Chapter 9  
 

The captain is waiting for us on the runway when we land. He doesn't look happy. Approaching him we ask what's wrong.   "We've been re-assigned in a manner of speaking." He begins.
  "What do you mean? Knight asks.
  "Officially we have been decommissioned and you are all on leave." He says.
  Knowing there's a catch, I ask, "And unofficially?"
  "Unofficially you are all on active duty. The Excaliburs will be stored underneath in the hanger. You'll be getting new ships to fly and the Midway is no longer TCS it is just called the Midway. We are permanently attached to Perry Station in the Gemini Sector. We're to head there immediately and pick up our new ships." He replies.
  "What ships will we be flying?" I ask.
  "Don't know yet. Probably the best we can get."

  The Midway immediately sets off to the jump points and begins the series of jumped to the Gemini Sector and Perry Naval Base. Arriving 3 days later we have a meeting with the base commander. He gives us what we're getting, 12 new Centurion Class fighters fully loaded with dual ProTorp launchers and 4 forward Fusion Cannons. Loading other various support craft we catch sight of the Centurions and smile, then behind them we see the huge Galaxy Class Merchant ship.

  The ship has 6 guns, which can be pointed forward, or the turrets swiveled backwards firing 4 massive guns. Must be nice to have those. Even though they are primarily to be used as fighters, they were lavishly appointed. The Galaxy has 2 seats for a co-pilot and pilot, 2 for the gunners. The Centurion equipped with 1 seat for the cockpit and the gunners' chair in the rear. Quickly we eliminate that spot for more room. Climbing back aboard the Midway we notice that inside the Centurions is an entire living area. We're thinking wow these will rock on long trips.

  ***

  Over the next year we fight a few battles, but everything is quiet. No pirate attacks or anything. The squadron gets renamed. We are now called the 58th Sidewinders. Our squadron logo is a snake with a happy grin on it flying a P-38J Lightning. We become one of the most feared groups once again with the opposition. Meanwhile, Jen and I consider what we're going to do. Will we retire soon? Maybe even start a family?

  We start thinking of the possibilities and then the battle klaxons go off. Rushing to the bridge we go to see that is wrong. A small round of Kilrathi fighters has come. Perry launches fighters and battlecruisers. During that year the Midway became an unofficial taskforce with 2 heavy destroyers as primary escort. We watch the battle knowing nothing will happen except our victory.

  At that point the jump point opens and disgorges a huge Kilrathi battlefleet. With shock we look on. We had heard of Kilrathi rogues, but a battlefleet? The ships close distance on Perry quickly and we run down to our fighters.

  "Ok people we have to do this. We are no longer Wildcards, we are the 58th Sidewinders. We are the best and we will do whatever it takes to win this battle short of suicide. Lets get ready...Drag Strip Launch!" That said a cheer goes up throughout the squadron. We watch the Galaxy's take off. The 175th Screaming Eagles. Laughing I said "Lets show them the real launching procedures."

  Climbing into out fighters we bring them up to full power. Applying the brakes we take the throttles to full afterburner power. The flames leap out of the pairs one by one. The ground crews hold the earpieces they have close to their ears as they see what we are about to do. The brakes can be heard groaning under the stress of full power. Quickly letting off the brakes Jen and I squeal down the runway. Holding the control sticks forward we keep the nose from lifting up. The loud roar of the engines along with the squealing of the tires, smoke, and tread marks we are leaving on the flight deck combines for a both a dazzling and horrifying sight as we launch out of the carrier at faster than usual speeds. This procedure is continues 5 more times as the rest of the squadron comes out.
  "The clean up crews are going to kill us after that one." Hunter replies.
  "Can't say it wasn't fun, but lets make sure that we save them so they can kill us later."

  We come around and attack the Kilrathi full force. The 58th Combines with the 175th and Perry groups hammer the Kilrathi battlefleet. In rapid-fire succession we fire all torpedoes at the enemy ships taking out a number of capships and small fighters that happened to wander in the way. But we are severely outnumbered and the order to retreat is given.

  The Midway task force is running to the jump point now. The 58th and 175th rush back to the Midway at full speed. The Perry group begins dropping mines around the station before returning to the base to try and hold out against the fleet till reinforcements can arrive. Pair by pair the 58th and 175th Land. About to land I turn around and notice Jen has fallen behind. Quickly I abort my landing and pull back to her wing. Struggling we both hit afterburners again. I pull ahead of her without noticing and land. I look to my left and then my right. I notice she isn't there. I pop open the hatch and jump out of the fighter quickly. Grabbing a mic from one of the landing technicians I yell. "Come on Jen just a little farther we're are about to jump."

  "Bill, dear, I can't I'm out of afterburner... But I'm making headway." She replies.
  "Try and go faster the Kilrathi are right on your tail." I beg.
  "I'm moving... I'm moving." She replies suddenly worried.

  At that point the Kilrathi begin launching torpedoes at the Midway. The call goes out over the COM: "ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT."
  Looking over I hit the COM for the captain. "What is the time for impact and the time for our jump?"
  "Tactical believes that they will impact at the same time. We've run out of options except to jump." He replies.
  Looking outside I tell him "Jen is still out there."
  "Tac believes she will make it." He says stiffly.

  Seeing the trails of the torpedoes coming I hope that he is right. Watching everything closely I see the torpedoes clearly and then the hum of the jump engines coming on line. The torpedoes miss Jen by inches and head menacing to the Midway. I grab on the nearest thing and hear the jump engines start up... and then the torpedoes impacted... right into the engines with the ship within the jump bubble. The result of that explosion was a massive shockwave that echoed outward.

  I look out the landing bay and notice Jen's fighter getting hit by the massive shockwave and spin out of control just as a Kilrathi fighter swoops down on her. And then I see stars streaking by indicating the jumpdrive worked. Slumping down behind my landing gear I begin to cry. I know she is lost. But the possibilities of her surviving were even remoter...