Tides of Change

[Rodent]

Tucker was waiting in docking bay for all the other pilots to arrive. Situation was getting worse day after day.

He rubbed his forehead in impatience and frustration. There was no time for lollygagging....the Core fleet was right over Toledo.

Finally, the last fighters arrived.

The man looked like he was fifty, but indeed he was younger. A Great example of how war can change people.

"Angelus,old friend, took your time to get here, huh?", Tucker said.

"Indeed, Bretonia isn't good either. Coalition and Mollys are very active... Dublin's a hellhole.Is it true that I heard? Are we abandoning this place?", The old looking man replied.

"Indeed. The Core has doubled their assaults. We're still holding on.. But I have no idea for how long. Take a rest. Debriefing starts in fifteen minutes."

"Very well Tucker. See you then."

Fifteen Minutes later, Battleship Isis, Deck Beta, Debriefing room 4.

"As you're all already aware of the situation, I will make this short.
Some of the transports are already away, But many still needs to get out of here.
OSD is preparing to move out. They should be ready in ten hours. Your job will be to escort them safely and in one piece out of here. Destination coordinates will be sent to you after meeting with the convoy. We're expecting heavy resistance. Core are most likely to organise a trap somewhere. These fourteen fighters are all we have available."

"Fourteen, sir? What about bombers? What if they use capital ships?"

"I did what I could to convince the Overwatch. We will be supported by Bakari. That's all that they could spare us.I will be leading red wing, Agent Angelus will be leading blue wing. Get yourselves ready, We're leaving in nine hours."


Isis' Bar, two hours later.

"Damn, I missed this place so much, and after one year in Bretonia, I got back only to evacuate soon after..Barman, give me some beer.."


Docking Bay, Eight hours later.

"Remember people, this is gonna be a tough ride. Stay with your wingman. Don't leave transports. They must get to their destination in one piece", Tucker said, voice flat.

All pilots started to do a final checks on their fighters. Everyone was very calm, despite the tense atmosphere.

"Tucker, don't get yourself lost in there. I won't save your butt again. Remember Dublin?"
"Don't remind me, that was hell, And that didn't count, you were late!"
"Yea yea.. Always the hero.. Good luck mate"
"Indeed, we'll need it"

---

"Fighter wing this is Liner Artemis. We have you on our scanners. Good to see you, Let's see if the distraction worked, and we can then make good time for Omicron 100."

A few tense minutes later...

"This is so quiet, Looks like gonna be a calm ride."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, take a look Angelus"

Several Core ships were showing up on scanners. Tucker gripped his flightstick firmly.

"This is Tucker, Red wing break formation and engage targets. Blue wing stay with the liner. Let no Core get close to it."
"Copy that Red leader. Blue wing, Delta formation!"

The chatter flowed.

"Red three, you have a bandit on your six. break left on my mark.. Now!"
"Good kill good kill red seven. Keep it up!"
"Cut the chatter Sanchez, stay frosty!"

"This is Artemis, we're reading multiple bandits inbound this way. There're way too many!"

Core pilots were swarming the Liner, and the escort ships, which were barely holding the invaders off. Some of the pilots were already praying for help.. Some of them knew they won't get alive out of this..Lasers were lighting up the space around Liner.

"Hey wait.. I know these projectiles!"

"Artemis, Fighter wing, This is Bakari, Standby,We're rolling in hot. Alright,targets marked, All gunners firing solution Seven-Ten-Five. Cover remaining ships! Leave no Core alive!"

Bakari passed through the core cluster like a cleansing fire, leaving only debris in it's wake.

"Damn, That was a blast, Looks like they're all gone. All ships report your status."
"Artemis has taken light damage, we have decrompression in one section but still holding on"
"Bakari's all fine. Our guns are hot though."

The fighters re-assumed formation and activated cruise engines. There was no time to waste.

"Okay, we're closing in to destination. let's move on."
"Hang on, We're picking up large vessel 3 clicks away...it can't be! A Marduk!?"

Nomad battleship immediately started firing at order ships, heavily damaging Bakari and destroying few fighters. Liner made it to jumphole seconds before more nomad fighters arrived..

"All fighters, fall back to the jump hole. Red seven and four on me, we'll cover the retreat! Move!"

"Are you sure about that Tucker? You have no chance!" Angelus said frantically.

"Just go, We'll be fine, Wingman, fall back. Okay you little blue bastards.. Let's see what you can now..One last chance to dance and use cannonballs."

Nephthys started firing all it's missiles and guns. Some of the missiles blasted several nomads..Fight lasted no more then ten seconds when one of the nomads rammed the fighter, dealing death with it's lasers. Tucker's ship disintegrated...

// Written by Helo.