Star Wars: Heir of the Menace (Book 1)

Chapter 13: Flying Again

"I know."

We arrive on the cruiser shortly before the next team is scheduled to depart. Rushing to leave our shuttle and find our next ship, I grab the few items that are mine and place them on my belt. Dalka and I sprint out of the shuttle and toward the awaiting clone fighter. It's a two seat fighter starship designed to have a pilot and a designated rear gunner. I climb into the gunner's position while Dalka settles into the pilot's seat. Taking a moment to familiarize the controls, I note the few armaments at my disposal as well as additional targeting systems, emergency systems and other oddities. My eyes scan over the equipment again before I notice the headset meant to connect the pilot and gunner. Picking it up, I place it on my head.

"Blue three, checking in." A voice comes through the headset.

"Blue four, checking in." The same voice came though.

"Blue five, checking in."

"Blue six, checking in."

"Blue seven, checking in." I hear Dalka over the earpiece.

"All accounted for, prepare to launch." There is a pause. "Three... two... one... all blue call signs go, go go."

Dalka takes off, flying through the hanger and towards the planet below. All blue call signs form into a v formation, flying only several wing widths away. This tight formation loosens as we plummet through the atmosphere. Each subtle shake and bump in a tight formation might mean certain doom for the squad.

"Blue call signs one, two three and four split off into groups of two and take care of those clankers."

The ships take off from our pack and start their attack runs on the droid bombers.

"Blue call signs five, six, and seven follow me. We're providing cover fire for the ground units. Aim for the armored targets."

As we descend, my targeting computer lights up and begins showing the ground below.

"Marquikise, keep the droids of my tail. I can take care of the ground targets." Switching on the laser cannons, I form a reply.

"Armed and ready."

"Good." I hear her reply.

The targeting system boots up and shows the closest target. None are in range of my cannons right now, so I focus on the ground units. A few armored units are visible on our twelve o-clock. Dalka let's out a series of controlled blasts and a burning wreck of an armored vehicle remains on the surface. As we near the surface, Dalka pulls the ship into a climb. As we rise, several droid ship show up on my sensors. They're in range.

I swivel the cannon to face the closest target, watching the targeting system, I wait to fire. When the cannons line up with the fighter craft, I fire a barrage. This instantly delivers a crippling blow to the enemy ship, causing it to spiral out of control and impact with the ground. Lining up the next shot take a few adjustments and readjustments as Dalka turns the ship to begin another dive on the enemy emplacements. Before I fire again, the enemy fighter delivers a few blaster bolts to our ship, causing it to shake as the shields absorbed the force. I unleash another barrage of fire and cause this fighter to explore in midair. A final fighter takes its former pursuer's position. Still lined up, I unleash another volley of shots. This fighter rolls away before they impact. Readjusting the cannons, I line up another shot. Before the computer could tell me that I am lined up, I send a single shot towards the doomed craft. It impacts the fighter, causing it to veer to the side and crash into the enemy line on the ground. This wipes out an entire squad of ground droids.

"Good work." I hear Dalka call over the intercom.

"Nice flying." I reply.

"Blue call signs five, six, seven. Return to the cruisers for defensive positions." I head over the radio.

"Surely that can't be right." I hear Dalka state.

"Repeat, blue call signs five, six, seven. Return to the cruisers for defensive positions."

"Dalka." I warn, sensing that the feeling in my gut means this is either a trap or a ploy to reduce numbers. "Drop me off."

"I'll follow the command but you will need to make this look clean." She warns.

"Fly in low and upside down." I instruct. Planning to drop to the battle below from my seat.

"Careful, don't want to find out that your sprained an ankle or something."

Pulling off the headset, I begin to mentally and physically prepare myself to drop from the ship. I know it will be close but there is no telling how close Dalka can get before needing to gain some altitude. I feel the ship roll upside down as I am preparing. Focusing on the ground that is now above, we are still a couple hundred meters above the surface. Pushing the hatch open, I begin the unlatch myself from the seat. As soon as the last latch opened, I could feel the gravity take my body from the ship.

Still several hundred meters above the surface could allow me to reach terminal velocity so I spread my arms and legs to slow that process down. In my decent, I take note of the Republic line of troops and the armored vehicles on our side. I'll be landing only a kilometer away from that line of defense. Accelerating as I fall, the ground moves quickly toward me. Focusing, I reach out in the force to slow my fall. I can slow my velocity but the landing will still be difficult to make. Focusing my force power, I attempt to slow myself more. Meters before impacting the ground, I bend my knees into a sharp angle. As I impact the ground, I roll to the side causing the force to distribute throughout my body. An immediate soreness fills my body as I roll to a stop. Groaning, I roll to my stomach to punch myself up.

"Never going to try that again." I tell myself.

Pushing myself up, I am able to balance. Taking a few minutes to regain some mobility.

"Alright." I say, feeling strong enough to rush to the front line. "Let's go."

Running for only a few minutes takes me close to the front line. The booms and clangs of charges impacting armored vehicles and the ground around them can be heard very clearly now. Marching the rest of the distance, I meet with the nearest clone.

"Master Jedi." He states, looking surprised. "The Captain wishes to speak with you."

He pulls out a holo-communicator. The clone captain appears.

"Jedi, it seems the CIS leader that you have met before is on the battlefield today. He is messing with our communications. Giving commands by holo is the only way to ensure good commands are issued." The Captain pauses. "Sir, he has called you out and wishes to challenge you to single combat. Not sure what pleasure he wishes to gain by this."

"Let him know that I am ready to accept."

"Yes, sir."

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