Starfighter Command

by Grace Goodwin

  “We don’t know, sir.” One of the shuttle pilots under Captain Sponder’s command answered the general, and I pulled my wandering thoughts back under control. This was a huge mission. Important. If something went wrong, it wasn’t going to be because I missed something or made a mistake. Not again. Never again.

  Jennix sighed. “Very well. The shuttle pilots are Group Two. They will be running supplies and evacuation operations from the launch bays on the Resolution. General Romulus and the Starfighter Titans are Group Three. They will focus their attack on the IPBM production facility once the MCS team takes down the shield and their moon-based defense systems. Captain Dacron and her medical teams are Group Four. They will set up a triage area in the Resolution’s cargo bay until we gain ground control on the planet. Once that is done, they will set up in Alpha City, under the largest dome. I am General Jennix, in command of our new Starfighter MCS team. Several squadrons of fighters from other battleships as well as air support for the assault will be under my command. We are Group Five.”

  Each group appeared to be in rooms similar to ours and stationed somewhere around Velerion. I didn’t recognize any faces except for Jamie’s and Alex’s, who were seated behind their general, Aryk, on one of the screens. I wanted to wave and say hi, but I knew that was bad. Sex on the Phantom at the end of a mission was one thing. Interrupting General Jennix to give a shout-out to a BFF during a briefing was another.

  “As usual, to simplify, all leaders will be identified solely by their group, meaning for this mission I am Group Five Leader.”

  Heads nodded. I was thankful because I was terrible with names. If I had to remember them to communicate, I’d be in big trouble.

  “Here is what we know,” Jennix continued. She motioned to Graves, and a large, three-dimensional hologram appeared in the middle of the room. The image was of a barren planet that looked like nothing but black rocks with a few, small domes built on the surface. The planet had bluish ice caps on each pole and one large moon. I glanced up at the screens to see that identical formations had appeared in front of each group.

  I leaned toward Kass and whispered in his ear.

  “What is that on the planet? Ice?”

  “Yes. The Vega System contains large amounts of water.”

  “Why is it blue instead of white?”

  “Methane.”

  And I was done with asking questions. Chemistry was not my area. Still, the planet was oddly beautiful with its dark rock and bright blue caps.

  “Why is Jennix leading the mission?”

  “Because the MCS group has the data, sets the parameters and requirements for the mission. Identifies the resources needed. The battleship will also act as the forward operations center, close enough to offer support but just out of range in case those missiles detonate. So, Jennix is in charge,” he whispered back.

  That made sense.

  General Jennix cleared her throat and looked straight at me.

  “Sorry, General.”

  She continued. “The data collected by the Starfighter MCS pair indicates the location of the IPBM production facility is Velerion’s colony, Xenon. As most of you know, Xenon was overrun by Dark Fleet forces eight months ago. With the catastrophic losses to our Starfighter teams, we have not been in a position to launch an assault and regain control.”

  I assumed the history lesson was for me and Jamie, the only two outsiders in the room. However, we also happened to be Starfighters critical to this mission.

  Whispers came from all groups, and Jennix allowed everyone a moment to process the information. While I hadn’t been in space long, the IPBM issue had been a problem since Jamie had been captured. No one had been able to discover the precise location of Queen Raya’s stockpile or production facility. Until now.

  “Our colonists have also been under Dark Fleet control for the last eight months. Xenon’s moon base was converted into a planetwide defense system. Once we knew where to look, we sent multiple drones to the planet in order to scout out what we might be up against.”

  Jennix waved her hand in the air and the holographic planet became larger, but the single moon grew exponentially until we were looking at a long, arc-shaped base of some kind that rested on its surface. It looked like a giant black centipede with a tall, arching back.

  “The moon base houses two unique weapons. The first is an energy shield generator. The force field created by this technology makes movement to and from the Xenon’s surface impossible. The second is a planetwide, low-frequency broadcast technology we believe they are using to keep the colonists on Xenon complacent or weakened in some way. A form of subtle manipulation or mind control.”

  That caused a stir, and even Kass stiffened next to me.

  “The moon base is, according to reports, unmanned and run by an automated defense system that is monitored remotely. We believe our Starfighter MCS team can get in close enough to the moon base in their ship to take down both systems. The energy shield and the mind-control frequencies are broadcast simultaneously. If we can eliminate one, we should eliminate both.”

  What the hell? Mind-control frequency? Broadcast over an entire planet from one small base on one moon?

  I nudged Kass again. “Does Earth have any of this stuff? This technology?”

  He rubbed the top of my thigh with his palm. “I don’t know. It’s possible. Velerion would not have shared this technology. It’s been outlawed for centuries by the Galactic Alliance. But Queen Raya doesn’t exactly follow the rules. And our intelligence teams reported that she is interested in Earth for a future conquest.”

  What a bitch. Would she set up a mind-control beam from Earth’s moon? To do what? “What does that technology do?”

  General Jennix heard me and answered my question. “It generates fear frequencies and blankets the planet. They can’t be heard, but the energy affects the subconscious mind. It makes people sad, tired, depressed, angry, and hopeless. Mostly hopeless.”

  “So they won’t fight back.”

  “So they won’t fight back,” she confirmed.

  Scheisse.

  She continued addressing everyone. “As you know, Xenon’s surface is not habitable. Only the five domed cities in the southern region can sustain life, and they cover a small area. The population of the planet is minimal. Less than fifty thousand. It was thought that Queen Raya would use the planet as an operational base, but she has not done so. We now believe Xenon was taken solely to be used as a production facility for IPBMs.”

  “They wanted Xenon’s ore and factories,” Group Four Leader offered.

  “Correct.” Jennix nodded. “And the highly trained workforce.”

  “Slaves,” someone said.

  “Prisoners of war,” Jennix corrected. “Soon to be liberated.”

  Fifty thousand people were on that planet? That many prisoners forced to work for Queen Raya? And every single one of those lives depended on me to liberate them?

  The air in the room grew too hot. Stifling.

  Kass squeezed my leg, and I settled enough to listen in again.

  “Since Xenon was enslaved, Queen Raya has had thousands of laborers at her disposal to quickly convert the factory and produce the IPBMs. They have focused their attention on missile production.”

  “How does the Dark Fleet control the people if they don’t have a base?” Group Four Leader asked.

  “The moon base station is their primary means of maintaining control. Data grids were installed to put a force field around the planet. Nothing can get through. No comms. No shuttles. They are under a net of Dark Fleet power. However, based on the drone data we were able to analyze, we believe they have at least two squadrons of Scythe fighters as well as significant ground forces on the surface. Taking the force field down will be the beginning of the battle, not the end of it.”

  “How will this work?” one of the shuttle pilots asked.

  “The MCS pair will hover over the moon base and shut down the force field and frequency generat
ors. This will allow the Starfighter pilots, the Titans, and our remaining ground forces to access Xenon’s airspace. The shuttle pilots will follow with the ground forces. Once they land on the planet and are deployed, we will coordinate air and land strikes.”

  “If we blow up the IPBMs at the factory, we’ll blow up the planet,” Group One Leader commented.

  “We intend to launch the IPBMs and fire them into our star, Vega,” Kass said, his voice carrying. “Vega can absorb the energy of those missiles and remain unaffected.”

  Jennix looked to Kass. “That is correct. The remainder of the mission debrief will be led by Kass and Mia, our new, and only, Starfighter MCS pair.”

  Kass stood and I blinked at him. We were leading an entire mission? Yes. I knew we would. We had in the game. But in real life there were lives at risk. This wasn’t sexy times. This was life or death.

  I popped to my feet, not wanting to embarrass Kass or the general.

  Kass took my hand and led me to the front of the room to stand beside Jennix.

  “Group Two will lead shuttle missions to drop Titans in various locations around the biosphere cities on Xenon to guard the citizens and our shuttle teams against a ground assault. As soon as the force field goes down, the Scythe fighter squadrons will be scrambled. We need our Starfighter pilots to be ready to lead them away from the missile facility.

  “Shuttle pilots will bring in a crew of scientists and weapons specialists who will enter the production plant and fire the live IPBMs toward Vega.”

  “Isn’t it easier to aim them at an asteroid belt?” a shuttle pilot asked.

  “Good question. It would be, but debris from the missile strikes would spread across the system. We would be dodging it for years, and we do not need a random asteroid or large meteor shower to hit Velerion.”

  The pilot grinned somewhat sheepishly. “That would be bad.”

  Kass nodded. “Affirmative. Mia and I will take down the shield on the moon base station, which will free Xenon from Dark Fleet control. Group leaders have been sent instructions and further details in order to ready your crews. Once the force field goes down, all other crews will be a go to engage.”

  Jennix nodded. “Group Two shuttles, you will drop your teams and remain in Xenon airspace, on standby, for retrieval or assistance if necessary. The rest of the details are in your mission briefs.”

  Kass looked between the comms and the group present. “We can now break into smaller groups to identify specific team tasks.”

  Kass looked to me.

  I made eye contact with every team member in the room and on every screen. I was superstitious that way, but I liked to know who I was going into the field—or into space—with. “Stay sharp and stay safe.”

  General Jennix placed her hands on her hips. “Group leaders, anything to add?”

  “I have something to add.”

  This time it really was Sponder who spoke, but he wasn’t on the comm with his team, instead he was here. In person. Everyone swiveled to look at him.

  “Captain, why are you not at Eos Station?” Jennix asked. “We have a mission to run.”

  “Because my mission is to see him in the brig.” He pointed at Kass.

  Kass sighed.

  Arsch. Sponder was always in the way, and I’d barely met the guy.

  “And I told you he is no longer under your command,” Jennix added. “He is now a Starfighter MCS.”

  “He accessed Velerion data cores without consent. He did not have clearance. We do not know the extent of his breach.”

  “Again, it shows his skill as an MCS. An asset to the fight against the Dark Fleet.”

  “I disagree,” Sponder countered. “He is a menace. A threat to all of Velerion, especially since he hacked in to change the scores on his data in the Starfighter Training Academy.”

  What? I turned away from Sponder to study Kass. He scowled like he was ready to commit cold-blooded murder. I couldn’t blame him. But I also wanted to know if Sponder’s accusation was true.

  “Are you saying he cheated?” Jennix asked.

  Kass had admitted to hacking into the training program to be added to the possible matches, but not cheating to complete the training levels and graduate. To pair bond with me. To fight with me. Was it all a lie then? Had I been duped by someone I trusted? Again? Was my bad judgment about to get more people killed on this mission?

  Maybe I should have stayed behind the desk back in Berlin where no one was hurt if I trusted the wrong person.

  Kass’s back went stiff. “I did no such thing.”

  “And we are to believe you?” Sponder asked, his brow raised.

  Jennix’s shoulders dropped. “I think your accusations are far-fetched, Captain.”

  “I do not.” The man with Sponder, who I’d pretty much ignored until now, spoke. “I am Commissioner Gaius.”

  I’d never heard of the title commissioner before. It hadn’t been in the game. Based on his age and the formal style of his clothes—he looked like an anime character with spiked hair, fancy boots and a long, stylized jacket decorated with elaborately designed buttons—he was some kind of bureaucrat or politician. And since he was bickering with Jennix, he was most likely her superior. That meant Sponder was so determined to take down Kass that he’d pulled rank and gone over the general’s head.

  I glanced at Kass. He was following the action just like everyone else in the room, and on the comms, but his gaze was on Sponder and Kass wasn’t even trying to hide his hatred.

  This was different. Kass’s jaw was clenched, and he looked not just livid but shocked. Outraged.

  “The captain has shared his concerns with me, and I have inspected the data core records reviewed this MCS’s access.”

  “How did the captain access the data core records? A captain doesn’t have that level of clearance,” Jennix countered.

  “I do,” Commissioner Gaius said, eyes narrowing. Clearly he didn’t like to be doubted. “I looked into the matter personally.” He turned to Kass. “Starfighter MCS Kassius Remeas not only accessed the training program to include himself, but he falsified the training mission data. The accuracy and validity of their training scores has come into question. I, personally, do not believe Kassius Remeas completed the training program, and have asked the military commissioners to initiate a full review of his service record.”

  Kass held up a hand, looked from Gaius to Jennix. “I openly admitted to hacking in, but I deny the rest. We completed the training.”

  Gaius didn’t seem to care what Kass had to say. “Kassius Remeas, you are under arrest for violating the breach of secrets, accessing data core information beyond your rank, violating a commanding officer’s direct order, and more.”

  Jennix stepped forward, blocking the guards who entered the room at the flick of Gaius’s wrist. Over the commissioner’s shoulder, I saw Sponder’s smirk.

  “Not until the mission is complete,” Jennix said. “Commissioner, you have to be aware of the IPBM threat to Velerion. MCS Remeas and Becker discovered the location of the factory and how the Dark Fleet is controlling it. Keeping him from the mission will hurt us.”

  “He has been of service,” Gaius said. “But to allow him to breach protocol in such an egregious way, and then lead all these teams? No. I will not take that risk. Can you personally guarantee they have the skill necessary to lead such a crucial mission? Cheating means they did not do the work. They did not complete the training. Therefore the lives of all team members would be in jeopardy.” He flicked his wrist toward the comms behind her. Jennix didn’t turn.

  “Arrest him after the mission. Have guards in the docking bay waiting for his return.”

  She had more faith in Kass than anyone else.

  More than I did, apparently.

  While Kass denied Sponder’s claims, he had hacked into the training system. It would make sense for him to also be able to manipulate the game itself. Had he felt the need to cheat because I wasn’t actually good enough? Ha
d I completed the levels of the game not because I’d been gaining skill, but because Kass had been hacking the game to guarantee our success?

  I looked at Kass. He was still glaring at Sponder.

  Gaius stepped toward me, looked me over from head to toe. As if he were searching for—and expecting to find—weakness. “MCS Becker, unfortunately your status as a Starfighter is now in question. Do you deserve to be here? Are you any good?”

  I lifted my chin and met his gaze. Refused to look away. I’d felt like this before, when my abilities were doubted. When I’d trusted an informant, believed his lies, and led a team into an ambush. We’d lost two lives that day. I’d blamed myself, and I wasn’t alone. Everyone else had blamed me as well. I’d been demoted, put on a desk job. Nearly fired.

  My skill with a computer had saved my career, if not assuaged my guilt. But this time I had no answer. I had no idea if Kass and I had actually completed the missions and won on our own merits, or if he’d cheated and dragged me along for the ride.

  Was I good enough? Or was this another lie I’d swallowed, told by another liar I’d trusted with my life as well as the lives of others?

  I hated myself a bit for doubting Kass, but I’d been in this situation before.

  Gaius looking down his nose at me was the icing on the cake, and I had nothing to say to him. Not. One. Word.

  “Take him away. He is a disgrace to the Starfighter uniform,” Gaius said with another flick of his wrist.

  A pair of guards surrounded Kass.

  I didn’t know what to do. What to believe.

  Had he really done it? Cheated to be an MCS? It had nothing to do with me, his ambition. I didn’t blame him for wanting to be away from Sponder, but had he really taken it to this extreme?

  I was hurt. Not physically, but was I here because Kass had cheated instead of for my abilities? Was this Berlin all over again? Was I just collateral damage of an alien male’s power trip?