CassaStar (35 page)

The commander slowly nodded, his eyes dark. Leaning forward, Kernen tapped several keys on his computer.

“
Your simulator runs with the Darten weren’t stellar, but you are proficient enough to pilot the craft,” he observed, his eyes on the screen.

“
I’d planned to return to the simulator again this evening,” Byron said quickly.

“
You will be permitted one run,” Kernen cautioned, his finger rubbing the edge of the keypad. “I’ll have them upload the schematics so you can practice your approach tomorrow morning.”

“
Yes, sir.”

Completing his task, the commander leaned forward in earnest. “If your morning runs aren’t one hundred percent, I won’t send you,” he warned. “I’d rather not lose you in a futile attempt.”

“
I don’t intend to fail, sir.”

“
I hope not,” replied Kernen. “You still have much to live for, son.”

Byron did not reply and kept his thoughts on the matter hidden. The commander dismissed him and Byron retreated to the telepod. Once inside the unit, he requested the simulator level.

He understood Kernen’s implication and couldn’t deny the accusation. Flying held no real meaning without Bassa. Byron didn’t know what else to do with his life. If he were unable to jump out of the disrupter chamber, then it wouldn’t be an issue. Byron knew Bassa’s absence factored into his decision, but he saw no other option.

Risking it all sounded better than living alone and without purpose.

Chapter Sixteen

All squadrons participated in simulator drills the next morning and Byron was permitted unlimited access. He ran through the program a dozen times, memorizing the schematics of the enemy ship’s air vent. He had several close calls during the first run but performed his mission without flaw on subsequent attempts. Unfortunately, there were variables the computer could not predict. The exact conditions of the disrupter chamber were unknown, as was the certainty of his escape. However, only the success of his mission mattered to Byron. He couldn’t change the past, but he could destroy those who’d taken his friend and prevent others from meeting a similar fate.

His hand ached from clinging to the throttle so tight, but otherwise he felt ready to tackle the real Darten. Byron reported to the hanger and awaited his squadron. Their assignment was to weaken the shields and ensure his safe passage into the ship. Before the four flagships jumped to the enemy’s location, Larnth wanted the men to perform a test run. Byron wondered how his fellow officers felt about their assignment and if any still harbored resentment toward the young pilot. His life would be in their hands until he entered the Vindicarn vessel.

His craft sat apart from the Cosbolts, so he did not see anyone before the test run. Ernx conveyed a word of encouragement before the squadron launched and Byron clung to his friend’s comforting thought. He hoped the others shared the pilot’s sentiment.

The Darten was the last to launch. His squadron quickly took up position around the tiny ship. Adjusting to the lighter controls, Byron followed the flight pattern, and he felt good regarding their approach. The lead fighters fired at a pre-determined location in space, veering off to allow the next line to take their place. The first wave circled around to form an outer layer of protection for Byron’s vessel and the ships surrounding his Darten formed an even tighter ring. The Cosbolts dispersed and Byron flew through what would hopefully be a hole in the enemy’s ship when they performed the maneuver for real. If they didn’t weaken the shields enough, his mission would end rather abruptly.

The squadron performed the drill three times. Satisfied with their performance, Larnth ordered the men to return to the Sorenthia and wait in the hanger. The attack on the Vindicarn ship would commence in just one hour.

Byron’s small fighter was towed to one side and away from the Cosbolts. He contemplated waiting in the cockpit, reluctant to face his fellow officers. However, the compact cockpit of the Darten was not inductive of a prolonged stay. He could not remain there for the duration.

Retracting the canopy, Byron wiggled his body out of cockpit. As he descended the short steps, he discovered Ernx and Nintal waiting. Their greeting was friendly but subdued, and Byron sensed anxiety in his friends. Ernx inquired of the Darten’s feel in an obvious attempt to divert his attention. Byron offered a quick response, his eyes on the gloves in his hand.

When he raised his chin, he was startled to see an audience gathering. Men from several different squadrons approached and he sensed curiosity as they gazed upon the pilot willing to jump into the disrupter chamber. The scrutiny was unnerving, and he shifted his stance. Perhaps he should’ve remained in the cockpit after all.

Several members of his squadron came to his rescue. Flanked on either side by his friends and surrounded by fellow officers, Byron was guided away from the growing crowd.

“
You up to this?” asked one of the pilots, his voice gruff.

Byron glanced briefly at the speaker. “I’m ready,” he replied, his gaze returning to the gloves in his hand.

“
You’ve got guts, young man,” someone else commented.

Byron shrugged. “I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

“
What you need to do is come back alive.”

Allowing his arms to drop to his sides, he raised his head. Hannar met Byron’s gaze, his expression unyielding and thoughts just as rigid. The pilot’s sentiment was echoed in unanimous support, and Byron scanned the faces of his comrades. So many had protested his presence when he first arrived on Sorenthia, but Byron sensed no ill feelings now. They were all pulling for him.

“
We’ll get you to the ship,” Wentar added. “But you have to get yourself out.”

Byron straightened his shoulders, buoyed by the confidence in the minds of those present. “I will!’ he declared.

It had not mattered before, but Byron realized he couldn’t disappoint his comrades. His squadron wouldn’t accept any other outcome. Byron realized his navigator had never accepted failure, either.

He’d worried his comrades would cause him to feel nervous and distract him from the mission. Their presence had the opposite effect, though. Byron felt calm as they waited, his mind preoccupied with the idle chatter around him. He intended to survive, but it occurred to him this might be one of his last memories. Spending the moment in the company of his friends and fellow officers was preferable to spending it alone.

As the time approached, all officers were ordered to report to their ships. Every man in his squadron touched Byron’s arm or shoulder before he departed, as if by physical contact alone they could guarantee his success and safe return. He accepted their gestures and encouragement with grace.

Ernx and Nintal were the last to approach. Both pilot and navigator surprised him with a brief hug and thump on the back. No words were exchanged, but Byron sensed their feelings. They feared they would never see him again, although the men tried hard to suppress those thoughts. However, their feelings of friendship came through loud and clear.

Returning to his ship, Byron wedged into the tiny cockpit and performed the preflight check. Satisfied the Darten was ready, he closed his eyes and ran through the flight plan in his mind. Byron knew the exact location of his jump into the chamber and visualized that point. He would use the teleporter’s energy to reach the core, but escaping the chamber all depended on the strength of his ability. That jump would be his greatest test.

The first ships were wheeled into position. Warning lights flashed within the hanger as the Sorenthia jumped to the Vindicarn ship’s location. Seconds later, the command to launch the first Cosbolts echoed over the com. Byron watched as the next wave was placed into the launch tubes. His squadron would emerge last, relying on the confusion created by the other ships to approach the enemy vessel.

Despite the rapid departure of the other squadrons, Byron found the wait uncomfortable and his anxiety grew. Sweat formed in his palms and his nerves tingled. Annoyed, he gritted his teeth and attempted to clear his mind. Now was not the time to doubt his abilities.

You are capable of far more than you realize.

Byron’s mouth opened as he recalled Bassa’s words. His friend had believed in him to the end.

I just wish you were here now, he thought with a sigh.

His squadron was called and Byron felt his ship move forward. Grasping the throttle even tighter, he took a deep breath as his fighter wheeled into position. The Cosbolts entered the launch tubes one by one until only his Darten remained.

“
Finish it and return home, Officer Byron,” a voice commanded over the com as the launch tube doors opened.

“
Yes, sir!” Byron replied, buoyed by Kernen’s words of encouragement.

The Darten slid into position and he fired up the ship’s engines. Byron gazed at the end of the launch tube. Flashes of light were visible from the battle already in progress. Outside his squadron awaited the tiny vessel and their only hope for defeating the Vindicarn. Byron pressed his head against the seat and cleared his mind. He had to succeed.

“
Three … two … one …”

The walls of the tunnel raced past his ship and then vanished as he emerged from the Sorenthia. Byron’s squadron converged on him at once, providing protection from the enemy vessels. Several of his comrades were already fighting off Vindicarn, but Byron remained focused on their course. His target resided deep within the enemy ship.

Their approach was hampered by the presence of so many ships. Fighters darted in every direction, firing at any moving object. It was almost impossible for the squadron to hold formation as they dodged incoming ships and laser blasts. Even the six ships assigned to remain as his side were struggling to stay in position. Byron followed close to the lead ship, relying on Deacer’s commands. He hoped the navigator in the ship behind his Darten was listening as well.

They veered left and into a sharp roll. A laser shot across the nose of the lead ship and Hannar dove at once. Enemy ships appeared on their right and they were dispatched by Cosbolt fire. Byron clutched the throttle tight as they spun to the left again, narrowly avoiding a disrupter blast.

Adjusting their course, Hannar steered the squadron toward the enemy ship once more. Explosions and laser blasts surrounded the ships as they navigated the battlefield. Another blast flew over Hannar’s ship and a disrupter shot just missed the Cosbolt to Byron’s left.

“
Where’s our cover?” demanded Hannar, rolling to the right.

The Vindicarn vessel was fast approaching. Flashes of light were apparent as other squadrons pounded his entry point with laser fire. Byron’s squadron would deliver the final blows and he hoped it would be enough to weaken the shields.

They dodged several incoming shots and when Hannar realigned their course, Byron realized they were seconds away from the target. Other Cosbolts were now protecting the envoy, and his squadron fired at the weakened shield. His eyes on the open vent, he gritted his teeth and prepared to enter.

Good luck!
Hannar called, firing a shot before veering upward.

The Vindicarn ship’s shield fluctuated and shimmered. Byron held his breath as he hit the surface, muscles tensed as he prepared for resistance. Without so much as a shudder, his ship passed through the barrier and into the vent.

He checked his speed and slowed for the first turn. The simulator had not exaggerated the tightness of the wall and he almost scraped a wingtip as he rounded the corner. Relying on memory, Byron navigated the long vent. He flew through the tunnel, reducing speed only when forced to negotiate a turn. No lasers fired upon his ship as he passed, but Byron still felt a sense of urgency. He was sure his presence was detected the moment he entered the ship.

Two consecutive turns tested his flying ability. Once clear, he leveled the ship and proceeded at full speed. The vent was dark and the Darten’s lights cast eerie shadows on the walls. The schematics of the tunnel were displayed on his screen, but Byron didn’t look away from the view outside his canopy. He’d ingrained the route in his head.

Easing up on the throttle for a turn, Byron came upon the grating in the vent. This was the point of his jump into the chamber. He hoped the Cassan ships had cleared the area and were out of blast range. Once he teleported into the chamber, he would have only a few seconds in which to fire upon the core. Adjusting the strength of the Darten’s shields, he prepared to enter. Visualizing his destination, Byron took a deep breath and jumped.