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.

Note: something for some people to download and read in case some people can’t see or read this