Air Force Wing: Part 4, One Way Ticket to Hell
Posted By: teemus<teemusliggs@hotmail.com>
Date: 14 February 2004, 5:55 AM
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Ferris system, September 3rd
Harman woke again to see another console explode and then quickly recapped on what had happened; they were in middle of a fight and one of their pilots had wigged out and tried to kill him. He was brought out of his thoughts when the radio burst static, "Har**** you there, bai***** busy at the mo***** repea***" the person stopped talking, in there place Harman could hear the whir of the 110mm rotary-cannons. Harman looked into the rear camera and saw Red-6 trailing smoke. He returned his attention to the situation at hand, he had to get out of his doomed fighter some how. After about a minute of panicking it came to him, each Longsword carried a suit which could allow the pilot to bail out in space and survive for up to 3 hours.
Harman undid his buckle and ran towards the back of the ship. He kicked open one of the lockers and grabbed the suit. Harman pulled it over his flight outfit and ran back towards the pilot seat. He heard a small boom and looked out the front window, one of the human cruisers just had a hole punched in it by a plasma torpedo, after a few seconds a fleet of lifeboats came shooting out of the ship. Harman watched as they zoomed past his doomed ship and raced towards the surface of the planet. Then he turned his attention back to doing what was most important. He found the activation button on his suit and clicked it on. Harman walked up to the main console and timed the self-destruct for 30 seconds. He quickly activated the countdown and ran towards the back hatch. Once he got there to his horror he found that it was jammed. With 20 seconds left he quickly dashed for the main ramp. He pushed the open button and felt himself being sucked out into space. At first it was hard to breath but then he was able to adjust. Harman took a look around and watched in horror as two Longswords went up in flames. Since his and his wingmen fighters were disabled that meant that Paul was in charge. Harman trusted Paul but sometimes he could get a bit too aggressive.
Harman watched as purple plasma bolts went off here and every once in a while he could see the streak of Fox T12 missile. Harman was suddenly hurled farther into space as his fighter detonated. He quickly headed back towards his wrecked fighter by bouncing off of the hull of a disabled drop ship. Harman heard a faint groan and looked to his left. He could see a motion less body drifting in the black of space. He floated over towards in and pulled the person up. Just behind the body he saw one of the destroyed fighters shimmer, like it might in the desert. He blinked and looked again, it was gone. Harman forgot entirely about it as the unconscious pilot groaned again. He checked the pilot's badges and found out it was Lavi, his wingman. Harman felt a wave of anger rush into him, he wanted to leave the pilot there, just let him drift in space, after all he deserved it for almost killing Harman, little bastard, Harman thought, tried to kill me and now his life is in my hands, thought Harman with even more anger and hate rushing into him. Just as Harman was about to release the body, he heard a low humming and looked up. From one of the fighters a small grayish looking vehicle was speeding right towards them. At first Harman thought it was a new Covenant dropship; he quickly grabbed Lavi's body and dove behind some wreckage. As the ship got closer, Harman recognized the bold words "MARINES" painted on the side of the ship.
Harman quickly floated back into the open and began waving his arms being sure not to let go of Lavi. The ship noticed them and changed direction to head towards them. It pulled to a stop in front of them. Harman grabbed Lavi's body again and floated towards the back. As they drifted to the back, Harman could have sworn he saw the hatch shimmer just before it opened. Harman had to push this thought aside as the hatch opened to revile about 15 marines in zero-gee suites with loaded AR's pointed at them. "We're friendly," said Harman.
The marines lowered their weapons and allowed the two to enter, "Welcome aboard, your on a one way ticket to hell!" shouted the marine at the far end.
"Stow it marine!" shouted another marine wearing a Sgt's cap. That marine turned to Harman and spoke, "What happened to you guys?"
"It's a long story," replied Harman adding a cold look at the unconscious body of Lavi. The hatch closed and the cabin lights flickered on. Harman laid Lavi on the floor and turned to face the marines.
"Well, we got a lot of time," said a marine looking around. Harman then sighed and began to tell his tale.
To be continued...
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