chapter = Chapter 13

author = Shark 1

dedicate = To those who had lost their lives during the terrorist attack.

Rating = AP

Type = Adventure

fanfic = Lisa was discussing with Captain Gloval regarding Rick’s future as a veritech pilot. “I agree Captain, I’m sure your decisions in promoting him to lead the Skull Squadron will be the best for him and the morale of the veritech pilots.” Captain Gloval then asked her to transfer the Azhars to fly with the Wolf squadron alongside 1st Lieutenant Jack Archer and 2nd Lieutenant Izzy Randal as they were under staffed at Alaska Base. After the discussion was finalized, Lisa was heading to the mess hall to see how Claudia’s doing. On her way there, she ran into Jack and Izzy. They saluted her and she returned it. “At ease Lieutenants. Since you’re here, I’d like you to pass these letters to Lieutenants Azzedy Azhar and Jennifer Abdullah. They’ll be your new wing mates from now on.” “Great, new subordinates. Hope they can fly as well as we do.” Izzy pinched his arm as Lisa laughed at their actions. “I’m sorry ma’am. Sometimes Jack needs a little remedy on his cockiness.” “That’s all right Izzy. I’ve got things to do now. I’ll see you guys around.” They saluted as Lisa continued her way to see Claudia.

When she reached there, she saw Claudia was sitting down looking out the window with her hands gripping firmly on a scarf. She felt sorry for her. She then saw another figure standing in front of the observation window. She approached him and it startled him. “How are you Rick?” Rick smiled at her and continued to look out the window. “I’ve heard that Captain Gloval was negotiating with the Earth Government to release the civilians.” Lisa nodded and sighed. “Rick, earlier I’ve had some discussions with Captain Gloval. He ordered a transfer for the Azhars to be with the Wolf Squadron.” Rick just nodded. “Another thing is that he’s promoting you to lead the Skull squadron as of today.” This time Rick turned to look at her.

“You’re assigning me the Skull one?” Lisa saw the expression of uneasy from Rick and looked at the floor as she murmured a yes. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just that I don’t know if I’m good enough to fill in his shoes.” “You’re the greatest pilot we knew and it was Roy who kept on telling us how marvelous your flying skills had amazed many other aces on the fleet. I’m sure if anyone he’d rather see to replace him is you Rick.” Rick felt that if that’s what Roy wanted, then he’ll do it. He then started to smile. Lisa was glad that she could see that wonderful smile again. “I guess I’ll be on the flight deck to check up on Skull one then. Thanks Lisa. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed her forehead before leaving for the flight deck.

On the flight deck, Jack, Izzy and the Azhars were talking and joking with one another. “So when Chase started to give me new objectives, I’ll start asking stupid questions like the time I was asked to assist the Destroids to build a new hangar, ‘Nice place, I was thinking of moving here and settle down.’ She freaked out and I was laughing.” “Yeah, he enjoyed teasing Commander Chase so much that sometimes that both of us were punished just for his stupid jokes.” Jennifer then saw Max and Ben walking towards them. “Hi guys. Have you seen Rick?” “I think I saw him walking towards the A2 hangar.” Max looked at the direction pointed by Jennifer. He thanked them before they walked towards the hangar.

As the two men walked away, Jennifer slapped Azzedy on the shoulder. “Have you guys heard the latest news? Rick’s just got promoted to lead the Skull Squadron.” “But that doesn’t mean you can slap me.” Jennifer smiled to his gesture. “Well, that’s great. Besides, he’s one of the best squad leaders around. He’s the first one to encounter a Zentreadi up close in person.” Jack was telling them what he knew about the new Skull leader. While they were talking, Miriya came to them.

“Hi guys. Anything interesting?” They told her that Max was with Ben looking for Rick. “I know. Jennifer, I heard that you and your husband will be transferring to Alaska Base? I hope you’re ok with it?” “It’s ok. We’ll be needing new experience anyways. In fact, we’re actually looking forward to serve Commander Helena Chase.” Miriya was proud of her friends’ eagerness to serve the RDF. “Just don’t tease her like Jack did or Jennifer will get into trouble as well.” Jack stuck his tongue out towards Izzy while everyone else laughed at them. While they were talking, the scramble alarm was sounded and everyone ran towards the locker room to suit up.

Minutes later, after all the veritechs were airborne, Rick was the last one to board the launch platform. As he closed the canopy of the Skull one, he looked in the rear view mirror and saw Roy’s reflection. “Well big brother, this one’s for you.” He cleared his throat and called in for take off. Lisa was proud to hear it and ordered him for immediate take off. As soon as he’s airborne, he called in to SDF-1. “Control, Skull leader is airborne.” Claudia was shocked to hear it and tried to reconfirm it with Lisa. “Did he say Skull leader?” “Yes Claudia. He’ll be taking over Commander Fokker’s Skull one as of today.” Claudia smiled and told herself that Roy would’ve liked that.

As the battle against Khyron’s forces continues, the SDF-1 engaged its newly experimented OMNI directional barrier system. It worked, for a while. Jack, Izzy and the Azhars were ordered to fend off the fighters while the Skull squadron was ordered to disarm the battleship’s turrets. Azzedy had managed six fighter pods so far. He caught another one in sight and went for a missile lock. It tried to escape but Azzedy thought of its next move and hit the after burners to pass it. Just after he got ahead of the fighter pod, he switched to battloid mode and fired his gun pod towards it. He then saw two pods heading his way and switched back to fighter mode. Jennifer was on Izzy’s tail covering her tail when she saw Azzedy has got two pods on his tail but he was saved by Jack. “Stay focused Eddy.” “Thanks Jack. Jennifer, how are you holding up?” Jennifer was trailing as Izzy’s backup. “We’re doing good here.” Everything was fine until the SDF-1’s barrier system was overloading. Izzy was concerned about the barrier because she heard that it wasn’t stable yet.

On the SDF-1, the maintenance crew from the barrier department was reporting to Captain Gloval regarding the critical situation. “Captain, the barrier system is overloading. If we don’t shut it down now, it will be suicidal because we don’t know how the chain reaction’s pattern looked lik…...” When they saw the communication screen went blank, Captain Gloval sighed and looked outside the window of the bridge. Miriya and Max were giving Rick and Ben cover fire while they were disarming the enemy turrets on board the enemy cruisers when Lisa came on everyone’s tech channel. “All fighters evacuate! The barrier system is overloading! Get out of here quick!”

Rick ordered all the fighters to flee off as far as they could from the chain reaction. Jack, Izzy and the Azhars had made it but Rick, Ben and the Sterlings wanted to make sure that nobody was left behind and fled off in the nick of time but not quick enough. Rick saw the wave was closing in on Ben and got worried. “Ben, hit your after burners!” “It’s too lat..aaah!” “BEN!” Max closed his eyes as they sped off as far as possible. Most of the battleships were destroyed but Khyron’s ship managed to escape.

When Azzedy saw what happened to Ben, it reminded him of Alphonsus’ tragedy. As the reaction died down, all the fighters returned to the SDF-1’s location. Lisa reported the situation to Rick. “The chain reaction has wiped out 60 miles radius of the town below and there were no survivors.” Rick sighed and told Lisa the lost. “Lisa, tell Captain Gloval that we’ve lost Lieutenant Ben Dixon.” “I’m sorry Rick. All fighters are clear for landing.” All the veritechs headed towards the fortress and landed in the Prometheus.

On board, Miriya greeted Max with a hug and told him that she was sorry for the lost of Ben. Max smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Azzedy greeted Rick and gave him their condolences. “I’m sorry for the lost Lieutenant. I know how you feel. I’ve been through the same thing not long ago. It was scary to lose your men in battle. Especially when they’re you’re close friends.” Rick smiled and thanked him before leaving towards the locker room.

After the incident, a transmission by the Earth Government was sent to Captain Gloval. “I’ll take it in my quarters if you don’t mind.” As he left the bridge, Lisa was feeling sorry for the people who were killed by the chain reaction and for Rick who just lost another friend. While the girls were checking their instruments, Captain Gloval called Claudia through the intercom. “Commander Grant, set our course towards the outer space. The Ontario Quadrant has refused to take the civilians after what has happened here.” After he shuts the intercom, everyone was depressed by the news.

Sammy couldn’t hold her frustrations anymore. “Why do they refuse? It’s not that we’re going to leave the SDF-1 there. We just want the civilians to be safe that’s all. Why do we have to risk bringing them to the outer space again?” Vanessa patted her young friends back to comfort her while Kim stretched herself on her chair. “Well another space drama for you Lisa?” That brought a smile up Sammy’s face while Vanessa and Kim giggled. Lisa put her hands on her hips and gave them a boring stare. “Now ladies, if you don’t mind, please don’t tease Rick at the moment. I don’t think he’s in the mood after these episodes he’s been having for the past few days.” The girls nodded and apologized to Lisa.

State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = affendeykadriATyahoo.com