Happy Friday everyone. It’s your boy Choujin. Today’s Friday, so that means I’m gonna be sharing you one of my original writing I’ve done. Luckily I have some work i’ve done during my time in community college. So grab a seat, get your favorite beverage or snack, and let the bird tell you a short story.
Black Knight’s First Flight
written by TheChoujinVirus
Aboard the Terran Federation starship, “Alamo,” The short, but athletic pilot Enzo just left with his squadmates from their mission briefing on their enemy, the reptilian humanoid aliens known as Magellans. As he was wrapping his head around the presentation, he turned toward one of his squadmates, a tall, slim Japanese man named Yamato.
“Will this plan those Federation eggheads announced work?” Enzo asked
Yamato replied, “It should work. I mean, it’s
essentially biological warfare.”
“Biological warfare?!” Enzo rebutted, “Biological warfare is using a virus or
some toxin, but using a sexually transmittable disease? C’mon! Just drop some
nukes from orbit.”
As the two got on the elevator, Yamato continued his explanation to Enzo as the
elevator they were on started to move.
“If you paid attention to the XO’s
briefings, you would know that the Magellan breed like rabbits and mature fast.
They also have a sixth sense that prevents them from breeding with those
infected with a disease.” Yamato explained, “Second, it IS a virus.
However, it’s not an STD as you assume; we’re using Virus #338, a chimera virus
designed to affect metabolic rates of the Magellan.”
“Why a chimera virus?” Enzo asked.
“Easier to cure, controllable, and can fool them easily. Therefore, it’s a
bargaining chip to get them to surrender,” Yamato replied, “however, they
did say they never properly field-tested it. For all, we know it might be a
dud, but we have no choice.”
The Elevator doors opened, signaling the two pilots to
depart. Enzo merely shook his head at Yamato as he got in the last word,
“I’d still go with our nuclear option than a chimera virus.”
The two left the elevator and into the
Alamo’s hanger bay area. Mechanics were moving about with supplies and
preparing routine refueling and reloading while pilots headed toward their
ships. Enzo and Yamato got aboard their respected fighters. As the two went
through their pre-flight check, the commlinks filled with the chatter of the
various pilots. Each in some state of mental preparation or finishing up their
diagnostics.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”
“I’m itching to kick some Magellan ass.”
“Preparing the refueling procedures.”
“Payload being prepped and loaded, standby.”
“All Phantom bombers are loaded and fueled.”
“Patriot Fighters fueled and set.”
“Plague Bringer Squadron has the green light.”
“Black Knight Squadron has the green light.”
Once everything was read, the fighters and bombers began to depart the Alamo’s
hanger bay as they made their way toward the Magellan home world. The commlinks
buzz again with life as the captain’s voice commanded, “All wings report.”
“Plague Bringers standing by,”
Replied Plague Bringer Leader.
“Black Knights standing by,” replied Black Knight Leader.
Black Knight Leader began to give the fighter squadron a quick rundown as the
ships got closer to the enemy home world;
“Alright, our main objective is to deliver the payloads
right into two major water reservoirs that feed water into their major
populace. Plague Bringers, your Phantom Bombers have been equipped with
retrofitted Scud-B Missiles. They’re designed to launch from the bottom but not
explode. Your job is to drop the payload into the reservoirs. Once delivered,
they’ll detonate and contaminate the water supply. Black Knights will give you
cover should the Magellans catch wind of the plan. Remember, we’re not here to
rout the enemy, our objective is to spread the payload and get out.”
“Roger that, B-K,” Enzo stated as the fighters
began their descent toward the planet.
The pilots felt their ships vibrate, with the heat of the
fighters entering the atmosphere giving the pilot’s cockpit a flickering fiery
color. The fighter squadrons broke through the atmosphere, over a desert
badlands with a deep river in the valleys.
“follow the river, it’ll lead us to the first major
reservoir,” Knight leader stated
“first major reservoir?” Enzo asked
“Our intel reported the first major reservoir is in a canyon, Enzo” Yamato
shook his head. “Seriously, pay attention to the briefings next
time.”
“stop your clucking, hens,” barked Knight Leader.
“Alright, all squads, prime the payload and drop on my mark.” Plague
Bringer Leader announced.
Phantom Bombers moved into formation, with each bomber pilot waiting for the
signal to drop their missile payload. Yamato’s radar seemed to flicker for a
few moments as the Plague bringers got closer to the vast water reservoir. The
Dam’s design was a mix of a bio-organic design, looking like a nightmarish mix,
a rack of ribs mixed with the texture of a bug’s exoskeleton. Whatever the
purpose of why the Magellans designed it, it was enough for Yamato, Enzo, and
several pilots to feel unnerved at its sheer appearance.
“I always hated their architecture,” one random pilot said on the
commlink.
“Cut the chatter, Plague 5, make sure our loadout” Plague bringer Leader snapped on the commlink until another pilot yelled loudly.
“Leader! I’m Picking up some movement east.”
“Damnit!” Plague leader cursed, “Black Knights! Cover the
bombers! It seems they caught us! Plague Bringers, when you are over the
reservoir, drop the missiles!”
“Roger that!” Knight Leader replied, “Knights, cover the Phantom
bombers! We’re gonna have company soon!”
“Copy that, Knight Leader,” Enzo replied as he and a few pilots moved
into formation with the bombers. Plague bringer Squad, once over the reservoir,
dropped their first payload right into the water. The Scud missiles hitting the
water’s surface with massive splashes before sinking into the depths then
followed erupting geysers of white as they detonate under the surface. Each
detonation was spreading the virus in the water.
Once the last of the first payload splashed into the water,
one pilot yelled on the commlink.”Here they come!”
On cue, several fighters arrived from the east side of the reservoir lake.
Their designs resembled a flattened fighter jet but created in that same
biomechanical appearance like the reservoir, making them resemble a mix of an
animal’s skull and a bony hand. The enemy fighters began their strike as Black
Knight Squad engaged them. Both sides were now participating in a massive
dogfight spanning over the reservoir. Each ship dancing around each other,
weapon fire exchanged, and panicked chatter amongst Black Knight squadron was
the only noise in that area
“Plague Leader, take your squad and head to the next
target,” Replied Knight Leader, “We’ll hold them off.”
“roger that, Knight Leader,” Plague Leader replied
as they broke formation.
The two fighter squadrons started firing on each other, evading missiles and
weapons fire from the other while targeting. The Magellan fighters managed to
destroy a few Patriots while the Federation fighters of Black Knight Squad held
their line and took down a few Magellan fighters. Enzo helped a pilot that was
being tailed by a Magellan fighter. With a quick maneuver, he shot the enemy
fighter out of the sky. The pilot felt relieved when he saw his assailant blown
up
“Thanks, Enzo,” replied the pilot.
Plague Bringers were halfway to their second target when Yamato’s radar began
to pick up six Magellan fighters heading toward them.
“Leader, I’m picking up six Magellians heading toward us!”, Yamato explained with concern.
Plague Bringer’s leader evaded a surprise attack as he watches two Phantom Bombers being shot down. “Evasive maneuvers!” Plague Leader commanded, “We need to deliver the final payload.”
“Roger that, Plague Leader,” Yamato stated as he
watched more Phantom Bombers being picked off. “All available fighters,
follow me!”
Enzo heard the conversation as Black
Knights managed to force the Magellan fighters into retreat. Without any
hesitation, he broke away from the squad and headed toward his friend’s
location.
“Enzo, where the hell is you going?!” Black Knight
Leader asked as he watches Enzo heading toward the bombers
“Plague Bringers are reporting they’re under attack,
sir!”, Enzo replied, “Seems we played their strategy.”
Knight Leader cursed again as it seemed the plan was starting to fall apart. He
then barked orders to his troops, “Alright, it seems those Magellan
bastards aren’t as stupid as they are ugly. Enzo, take Knights Five through
Nine and aid Plague Bringers, we’ll try and create a distraction.”
“Copy that, B-K,” Enzo
replied. “Alright, let’s bail out the Plague Bringers.”
Yamato fled with only half of the
remaining Phantom Bombers as he watched the six Magellan fighters pick off the
rest of Plague Bringer squadron. Though the Phantom Bombers were big and
carried heavy payloads, they were not built to deal with opponents like Patriot
Fighters or Magellan Ships. The group decided to take their evasion right near
some wetlands. Yamato found himself tailed again as the bomber squadron
remained loose in their formation. Yamato heard a few screams on the commlink
as three Phantoms were shot down. “Damnit! Where’s our cover?!” He
yelled on the commlink. Just as he saw one Magellan fighter about to make an
attack run on him, he sees a Patriot Fighter blow that attacker from the sky.
“Sorry, I’m late, Yamato,” Enzo apologized,
“Those bastards held us up.”
“Lucky for you, I’m a forgiving man,” Yamato
replied, “So where’s the rest of Black Knight Squadron?”
Yamato would get a transmission from the Alamo’s captain.
“Status Report,” the voice rang.
“Half of Plague Bringers has been shot down,”
Yamato said, “We only have enough for one final shot.”
the captain asked, “And Black Knight Squadron?”
“We’re moving our target toward one of their military
fortifications,” Replied Knight Leader on the commlink.
“I thought Military Targets were off the table?”, the voice flustered upon
hearing Knight Leader’s statement
“With all due respect, The Magellan
caught on our sneak attack. If we don’t pull them out, they’ll pick us off.
However, there is some good news”, Black Knight Leader replied
“What’s that, Sir?” Enzo asked.
“The only attackers we’ve experienced are just the local defense. If this were the main attack fore we would be
swimming with Magellan fighters by now”, Knight Leader explained, “My guess is
we caught them with their pants down.”
“But for how long? Plague Bringers, how far are you to your destination?” Enzo
asked
Yamato looked at the horizon from his cockpit as he noticed
a city in the distance. “We’re reaching the second major target.”
“Good,” the voice replied, “Prepare your last
payload and get out once delivered.”
“Roger that,” Yamato replied.
Knight Leader would then speak on the commlink next,
“Enzo, you cover those bombers and make sure that we can deliver that
final payload.”
“Aye, Sir,” Enzo replied.
“Remember, Failure is not an option. Black Knight Leader out,” the transmission
went silent as the remaining group flew toward the enemy city, ready to
complete their final mission. Whatever was going to happen, they were willing
to serve it.
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