The Phoenix Wars: Book I, Reprieve

by C. R. Daems

  "Yes, a very elite group which will for the foreseeable future be accompanying each Tullizor incursion." Bradley laughed. "I think Jesso has given us our unofficial title, The Anixian Martial Eagles. We will be testing the K-box and, if successful, developing the strategies and tactics and implementing them across the Houses of War. The fighter pilots in the Saker House of War may well be the only hope Anixia and Phoenix have of surviving. You best remember that you will have a disproportionate impact on Anixia's future." He paused to look around the group. "Kayla, you are in charge of training and will be a part of the senior pilots' committee in developing the strategy and tactics and will lead the first Martial Eagles assault on the next Tullizor incursion."

  Chapter 25

  New Thinking And Techniques

  I felt rushed, not knowing when the Tullizor were going to return, but was painfully aware that ignorance or mistakes could get any of us killed. There were only twenty of us, and we would be required to participate in every Tullizor incursion. It would, therefore, be foolish to be too stringent in the training and qualification criteria or to rush to declare us ready to take on the Tullizor. I would just have to hope that the Tullizor leaders wouldn't demand immediate revenge for their loss, or that they had other enemies to worry about and we weren't the priority.

  I began the training by taking out each pilot, including the squadron leaders, for an hour's practice. That took three days. Then a second hour, and a third.

  "When do we get to do a solo?" Tyler asked after the third round finished. "After all, we are all qualified fighter pilots."

  I stood nibbling on my lower lip as if I was thinking. In reality, I knew this was coming and was prepared. The space gods knew I would have been bored by now. "Well then, I assume you could pass a simple test involving the new equipment, and we can move on to solo tactics."

  "Test?" Todd asked, looking at me suspiciously. "That sounds ominous."

  "You already know how to fly. All I'm asking is for you to demonstrate you understand the new equipment, and you aren't going to smash one of our newly modified fighters into a mountain when you fly it solo."

  They weren't looking so cocky, but each nodded. As they huddled together to determine the order, Bradley and Calum approached me.

  "Kayla, aren't you being a bit too careful?" Bradley said. Calum said nothing but seemed to agree.

  "I don't know," I said. "I've never trained anyone, I'm too young to lead a squadron in anything, but I don't want to see anyone die because I rushed the training to be liked or the Phoenix concept to die because I failed to consider every detail important. If you want me to do it, then I'm going to insist all of the I's are dotted, the T's crossed, the commas and periods are in the right places, and that every Martial Eagle pilot can perform at one hundred percent whether half asleep or drunk."

  Calum laughed. "I think you picked the right person as squadron leader, Bradley. I agree, Kayla. These are hotshot pilots with experience and think they do not need training. They can wing it in an emergency. I agree they can and may have to, but they will be far more effective if they have mastered the tools at their disposal." He winked at me. "You are in charge, and they qualify to fly missions only if you certify them."

  Bradley nodded. "I agree. This is a life and death game. You die, or your opponent dies. Worse, there are no replacements."

  "How did it go?" Hyun asked when I entered the room. Between all of us working late each day and being too exhausted to socialize, we hadn't seen much of each other.

  "Everyone thinks I'm being too picky, but Bradley and Calum are supporting my approach. That means they can't participate in the next Tullizor attack unless I certify them. I giggled like a small girl over a secret. "They think they know the K-box. Wait until they see my test tomorrow."

  I tried to look bored as I entered the training area. "Good morning. I'm sure you are right, and I should forget any more training and move on to formation flying," I said to nodding heads and a few pumped arms. I clicked on an icon looking like a question mark. "I just sent you the current mission assignments to your Sleeves. After each of you executes these three assignments, I will certify you K-box qualified to fly solo."

  "What is passing?" Todd asked, eyeing me closely.

  "What is passing when you engage the Tullizor?" I asked.

  "What if we fail one or two?" Todd persisted.

  "Like war; it's a pass/fail test. The good news is your instructor won't kill you like the Tullizor would, and you will get to try again until you are successful."

  That elicited smiles, frowns, moans, and comments of every description from "piece of cake," to "what the hell does that mean?" Of the eight I tested the first day, only Jesso passed. The second day, only Todd and Calum passed. It took three more days to get everyone to pass.

  "Comments?" I asked the next day.

  "You were right, Leader," Daryl said, giving me a wry smile. "I wasn't as ready as I thought. If I or anyone of us has a weakness, you need to get rid of it. Not only for the individual's sake but also for his comrade's. A mistake could cause others to die since we will be operating as a team."

  I saw others nodding in agreement.

  "I know I'm being overly cautious," I said. "That is for my sake as well as yours. I've never used the K-box in war, and I want to make sure we have tested it thoroughly while ensuring we have tested ourselves as much as the equipment. I would hate to feel my carelessness in your training got you killed."

  "No worry about that, Kayla. That test was a wakeup call," Randy said. "We all support your approach. It's no fun being a dead hero or seeing friends and comrades killed."

  "Tomorrow, we start formation flying" I said.

  Chapter 26

  No More Hotshots

  "Today, you start solo missions using your K-box. I've designated this area," I said as I used the room monitors to display two maps. One depicted the area as a ground map while the second one was a three-dimensional hologram. "No one can fly in this area without my permission. It will be reserved for training runs. Contact me on channel 72, tell me what you are planning, and I will make sure the area is clear before giving you permission to proceed."

  After a week, I began working with two fighters, and the following week three.

  "This week, we are going to begin actual formations. To begin with, we will start with four. I will give you each multi-mission assignments, and we will practice implementing them. At the end of each day, we will have a debriefing to ascertain what went right and what if anything went wrong.

  *ME41, for Martial Eagle 41: Four fighters going in at the same time. Launch distance, speed, and start timing given before each run.

  *ME42, for Martial Eagle 42: Fighters one and two making the first run. Fighters three and four making the second run after assessing the damage.

  *ME43, for Martial Eagle 43: Fighters two and four beginning the run with fighters one and three following ten seconds later.

  *ME44, for Martial Eagle 44: Fighter one begins run with fighter four starting four seconds later, fighter three four seconds after four, and fighter two four seconds later."

  It took two weeks for me to be satisfied with the results of all four configurations.

  Afterward, Bradley gave the group three days off and informed me that he, Calum and I would be meeting to discuss the results.

  "From my observations and discussions with Calum and others, the squadron appears ready," Bradley said, and Calum and I sat. It felt strange sitting with the two senior pilots as a peer, if junior.

  "I feel they are familiar with the K-box and are as ready as they can be without actual experience," I said, not wanting Bradley to expect seasoned Martial Eagles, more like young eagles getting ready to test their hunting skills.

  "We are expecting miracles, Kayla," Calum said, and my stomach clenched in fear. "Not because we have any right to expect one, but because we will need a miracle to survive. Most of us, including the Anixians, expect the Tullizor to come in force, h
oping to cripple our ability to resist and then to wreak havoc on the planet. That would be the beginning of the end."

  "We know you have no basis for a conclusion, but what do you suggest our formation should be and what kind of an attack strategy?" Bradley asked. "I noticed you have been working them in formations of four."

  "Subconsciously, I have been assuming the Tullizor will come with three to five cruisers," I said, trying to analyze my training strategy, if I could call it that since I certainly never consciously developed one. "Since we only have twenty potential pilots, four is the only number that would give us one formation per Tullizor. If they bring less, then we will have one or two free to attack the most functional cruisers remaining. That is based on an untested assumption that four Martial Eagles can potentially cripple a Tullizor cruiser." I paused to see their reaction but continued before they spoke. "More destructive Vultures would help. In that case, I would use tactic ME43."

  "That's the option where the formation attacks with two fighters and the other two follow several seconds later. If I interpret that correctly, the last two would have time to assess the damage, and if significant, they would have time to abort," Calum said, and I nodded.

  "I like your four optional attack strategies," Bradley said slowly as if in thought. "If the House of War can develop a more powerful ship-killer missile, those options would provide us with a lot of flexibility. Kayla, you have done better than anyone had a right to expect. I like your choice of four in a formation and the options you have been working with the pilots. Any more ideas?"

  "We need a basic strategy on when and how we set up for the initial attack formation on each cruiser, variations depending on the number of Tullizor cruisers, and how and where to reform after the initial engagement."

  The next two days were spent discussing pre- and post-action strategies. They left it to me to formalize those actions.

  Chapter 27

  Too Many Potential Options

  The pre-action options were not difficult; there were only six options: one Tullizor, two, three, four, five, and more than five. To simplify the options, the Saker pilots were designated in units of four fighters, named Eagle one through five, and a squadron leader appointed. The Tullizor would also be numbered when they arrived. To simplify the options, they were numbered the same as the number of Tullizor cruisers.

  * Option 1, Eagle 1 and 2 for backup.

  * Option 2, option 1 plus Eagle 3 and 4 as backup against Tullizor 2.

  * Option 3, options 1 and 2, and Eagle 5 against Tullizor 3.

  * Option 4, Eagle 1 against Tullizor 1, repeated for Eagles 2, 3, and 4. Eagle 5 unassigned.

  * Option 5, option 4 with Eagle 5 against Tullizor 5.

  * Option 6, option 5.

  The ME squadron leader in charge would designate the option and the formation, i.e., Option 3, ME43. He would also assign a regroup area and designate the subsequent attack strategies after evaluating the current situation.

  "How did you decide on who to assign to each Martial Eagle unit?" Bradley asked after I had put together a tentative list. "I hope Eagle one isn't you plus the next best pilots."

  "No, I assigned the five people I considered the best…tactical pilots to each of the six units. Then I did the same with the six best pilots, then the next best six, and then the remaining six. Furthermore, I distributed each six individuals in the following order, 1, 3, 5, 2, and 4. That makes units 1, 3, and 5 the strongest of the five."

  "That's why Calum is in unit 3, and I'm in unit 5," Bradley said. "Although unit 5 is the weakest, it is also the least likely to see action. The same is true for 2 and 4. I like it."

  "I agree," Calum said. "A well thought out mixture of tactical and skill strengths. I suggest the following command order: Kayla, myself, and then you, Bradley. It acknowledges our current strengths as well as who we need to survive if we win." He ignored me and talked directly to Bradley.

  Bradley didn't speak for several minutes. "For now, I agree, although I'm not sure if I'm the best survivor. But now is not the time for major changes in the organizational structure."

  I said nothing, although I wasn't comfortable with me in command, but to be realistic, in a war, you don't have time for conferences. One person had to be in charge and make the decisions. I just didn't feel ready for that responsibility. Not that anyone asked my opinion, I mused. But who better, I wondered. Calum had been training hard on the K-box and participated in the formation exercises but had been a trainee and his participation limited to one-fifth the time I had spent with the training. Best he remains relatively safe in the third unit providing an excellent second in command. While Bradley was the wing leader, he had spent the least amount of time training. My idea, my responsibility, I chided myself.

  "Don't look so scared, Kayla," Bradley said. "Before the K-box, there was no way we could have won against three or more Tullizor cruisers. Even a draw for us is a loss. The Tullizor have more cruisers, fighters, and people to crew them. We, on the other hand, will have to commit our entire military and have no replacements. We will not win a war of attrition. To use the expression you are fond of using, this is a pass/fail engagement, and to pass, we must give the Tullizor a decisive defeat."

  "If that was a pep talk, it didn't work," I quipped, but not in jest. Both men thought it funny. I could only hope some aliens have invaded the Tullizor and can keep them occupied for five or ten years.

  Chapter 28

  The Space Gods Must Love Birds

  "I hear you are the Saker fighters' Wing Commander," Hyun screamed as she and Hanna burst into our quarters like invading Huns and landed on my bed where I sat reading.

  "Nope, I'm still a squadron leader." I held up my Sleeve to show the two stars after a quick look to ensure nothing had changed over the last two weeks. "But unfortunately, as the squadron leader, it will be my horrifying responsibility to direct the Saker pilots against the Tullizor when they come."

  "At least someone else won't be directing your fate," Hyun said, her face lit with excitement. "Hanna was right. We were sent by the space gods to save the birds." She laughed as she bounced up and down on the bed.

  "Why else is Kayla in charge of the upcoming battle with the Tullizor," Hanna said. "She is the only female, probably the youngest pilot, and one of the least experienced."

  "I think you just named all the reasons I shouldn't be in charge," I whined.

  "But you are in charge, which argues in favor of Hanna's prophecy," Hyun insisted, looking defiant.

  I gave up trying to use logic. According to Hyun and Hanna, this was a galactic intervention where higher powers were meddling and logic had no place. "I hope you are right because I believe this confrontation will determine the future for not only the Anixians but also the Phoenix concept. We win huge, or we lose. A draw is a loss, and significant losses is a loss even if we force the Tullizor to retreat."

  Two more weeks passed, and I had reached the point where I hoped the Tullizor would attack, and we could get it over with. My Sleeve buzzed while I was eating dinner with Hanna. I looked down, hoping the time had finally come, but knowing it hadn't, wrong buzzing tone.

  Report to the fighter unit immediately.

  Well, that at least was something urgent, but more likely administrative now that I was a squadron leader. Nevertheless, I rose, my meal only half-eaten, and made my way to the unit at a double-time.

  "Kayla, your wish came true!" Bradley said. He stood with Calum looking down at some object. They moved apart as I neared. "The newest Vulture missile dubbed the Griffon Vulture or just Griffon. Although smaller, they have a two-stage delivery system. The first stage opens the ships exoskeleton, while the second stage enters the breached hull and explodes. Depending on the section it enters, it could set off a chain reaction that could destroy the cruiser. At the very least, each Griffon that hits the cruiser will cause significant internal damage. The current Vultures can breach the hull, causing a loss of vacuum and internal damage to that sect
ion; however, the Griffon's second stage enters the breach before exploding."

  I grinned, thinking about Hyun and Hanna. Maybe their crazy prophecy theory had some merit. "That certainly improves our odds of an overwhelming win," I said, looking down at the thin two-stage missile.

  "They are developing a larger model for the cruisers," Calum said, eyes bright with excitement. "They had to downsize the fighter model or disrupt its maneuverability, but they claim each missile is potentially a ship killer. All we have to do is get it to the target."

  "They are working day and night, hoping to produce ten each day," Bradley said.

  "That is eight days to outfit every fighter with a full load and sixteen days to have a reserve of one reload." I nibbled on my lip absentmindedly. "I suggest we begin by replacing only one of the fighter's Vultures with a Griffon until all twenty have Griffons. Then begin again replacing one each."

  Calum and Bradley exchanged looks before Calum spoke. "Our squadron leader is a bit paranoid, Brad. But I think she is right. I'm surprised the Tullizor didn't attack weeks ago. I'm not complaining, but they are long overdue. So I agree with her."

  "What order?" Bradley asked.

  "I would suggest the normal order, one through five. Makes no sense to arm five before two and four when five may never be used," I said. Bradley and Calum nodded in agreement.

  Chapter 29

  Being Right Isn't Always Good

  Five days after the first Griffon was delivered, my Sleeve buzzed with the unmistakable tone of an emergency. As our light automatically came on, I saw Hyun and Hanna were also scrambling to get dressed.

  EMERGENCY. Tullizor incursion detected. Report to the Saker fighter unit.