Glancing down at the screen, Ridge turned to him. "The shields took the majority of the blast. Some of the hull was damaged, around the bridge area, but other than that we're okay. We're still firing and haven't let up yet on the three incoming ships. However, I don't know how long before the other two circle around behind us and go in for the kill."
Dominator nodded. He had mere moments to think out a plan before they would be destroyed. "Alright, pull us in behind some of those Titus ships. Send a message to Carlos telling him to fire on the three ships as they come after us, hopefully he guys will be able to destroy them." The pilot of the Justice began to fly a course behind the ships.
"That's going to be cutting it close. Very close. Infact, it'll bring us up eye to eye with their cannons..." Ridge said.
"Then we best pray that the Justice can handle it," Dominator said dryly.
"This is Hunter Five, it seems Hunter One has taken some damage. Vectoring off to help him out, so cover me please," came Darien's voice over the comm. unit. Blackjack glanced at his sensors and saw that Darien was too far off to ever reach him in time. Struggling to pull himself off of the wall, he turned his eyes from the sensors to the controls and grabbed a hold of them. Pulling back with all his might, he felt the fighter slowly pulling back in an arc, away from the battle ship. However, that little move cost him his sensors, which sparked and sputtered before dying, leaving him blind.
Suddenly he felt a bump on his right wing, where the damaged engine was. Glancing out his window, he saw another Hunter-class Fighter pressing his wings against the one that was dragging behind, lifting it up to where Blackjack had more control. "Thanks Darien," Blackjack told him.
"A-okay. Follow me to the Justice so we can get you docked and into a new fighter," Darien responded. Blackjack nodded and read the data on the course Darien was planning to take, which was sent to his nav. computer. Flipping the autopilot switch to follow the course, he leaned back, waiting for a chance to get out of the damaged fighter.
"Look at that, we got more friends coming along..." Dakota's voice chimed in over the comm. system. Slasher glanced down as his sensors and saw twenty more fighters joining the fight.
"Hey, look, they don't know how to play fair...and you know what we do to cheaters," Slasher said.
"Yeah, we teach them the rules," Dakota responded.
"....Never go along with me when I make comments like that. Do us all a favor and shut up," Slasher told him.
"Oh stuff it."
Suddenly one of the other Hunter ships passed in front of his, causing Dominator to blink in surprise. The three ships opened fire on it, blowing out large sections in it's hole. The ship proceeded to fire back at the ships with everything it had, blowing one up to oblivion. Dominator shouted a yes! They had managed to take one out over on his side of the battle. But the victory was premature as the other two ships blew the Hunter ship, sending it spiraling through space on a death course.
"Isn't there anyway to stop it?!" asked Dominator, feeling helpless.
Ridge shook his head. "It's dead sir...whoever is flying it must be a helluva pilot to keep it on course with the...Infinity Station?!" asked in surprise. Dominator stood up, knowing what the Hunters onboard were trying to accomplish.
"A suicide run..." he muttered. Ridge nodded as the battle ship flew through space, spinning wildly as it did so. Dominator sighed and looked away. "Are we going to make it to cover in time?"
"Yes, by ten seconds to spare..." Ridge told him as they began to move behind the Titus ships, the only remaining Hunter ship with them on their side. Dominator shook his head as the incoming Infinity Inc. ships began to get blasted to bits by the Titus ships, who in return opened fire, blowing up another Titus ship in a brilliant display of fireworks.
There was a loud roar from nearby and Dominator glanced out the viewport at the station firing desperately upon the suicidal ship, trying to blow it up before it reached them. The ship moved at such a speed, gaining it every second, that it avoided the blasts. The ship came barely into the shields, smashing into it a huge explosion that shook the entire station, bringing down the shields over most of the station.
Dominator gave a salute to the fallen warriors and turned his attention back to the incoming two ships, blasting away at the Titus ships. The remaining Titus ships, alone with Dominator and the other Hunter ship fired on the two, blowing each up in a brilliant light. "Shewww...now we have only seven more to go," muttered Dominator dryly as the remaining Infinity ships prepared for the attack.
"Yes, sir."
"Fly your ship into it. You see, that nebula's very special..." Fade said with a grin.
"Don't let them cut us off or we're finished," Slash told them. The crew nodded, the ship steadily firing on the weaker ships, blowing large gaping holes in their sides. A return blast rammed his ship, sending everyone packing backwards some, the shielding barely holding. Shaking it off, Slash ordered all turbo cannons to fire at a keypoint. When the crew had done so, he ordered them to fire and they blew a hole into their side, blowing the Infinity ship up. The other three began to close in on their vector, one breaking off to engage Crystal, pounding away on her ship.
Anger flared through Slash and he ordered that particular ship fired upon and ordered the remaining ships to cover him from the other two. The two Hunter ships moved into position and engaged the two ships as Slash went after the one hitting Crystal's ship, who returned the fire. Arriving, he too opened fire on the ship, blowing it up also. The ship blew up sky high. "Thanks Slash," Crystal said over the comm.
"No problem," Slash responded with a smile. A few seconds later he received confirmation that the other two ships were dealt with. "Okay, lets go join Dominator now." The four ships veered off and flew towards the rest of the battle, Slash observing the station. He grabbed the comm. "Listen, guys, the station's shields are now. IF you can clear a path through the fighters, do so and engage that station. That's our mission objective."
Blackjack's voice crackled on the comm. "Roger that Slash. I'm in my new fighter and Darien and I will engage as soon as we can get some leverage on these fighters, but that's seemingly impossible. There's just too many of them for us to punch our way through."
"Even if it is true, you are still a monster yourself, and I will see to it you are destroyed," Garland told him, slashing with all his might at Dark Strider, moving faster and faster than before. Dark Strider flipped backward and blocked the attack in mid flip, landing on the catwalk with a bang. It groaned and large shriek was heard as he it broke, sending them both sliding down as the catwalk tottered at an angle. Garland slid into Dark Strider, causing him to lose his grip as they both continued sliding until Garland grabbed the last pole, holding on desperately. Dark Strider reached out and grabbed his leg, holding on, his saber giving the only light to the darkness below.
"Why don't you fly?" hissed Dark Strider evilly. Garland frowned, trying to ignore Dark Strider as he attempted, but found himself being pressed down by tons of gravity it felt like whenever he did. Dark Strider laughed evilly, twirling his saber. "Taking you out like this wouldn't be so bad. Perhaps we should both plunge?" taunted Dark Strider as he pulled back with all his weight, raising his saber for the slash.
"Why don't you go to hell!?" shouted Garland and kicked his leg out, throwing Dark Strider through the air, his saber jamming into the still standing part of the catwalk, keeping him from falling. Garland used his strength and flipped onto the angled catwalk and began to slide again, flipping off and landing on the still stable part, just as Dark Strider swung himself up, twirling his saber.
Both faced each other again, both tired, hurt, and bleeding, but neither of them accepting defeat. Like two warriors locked in time, forced to battle each other for all eternity, were these two, and both knew it could only end with one of them dead. Neither warrior would accept a fate like that, nor would neither warrior let himself stop until the other was dead. Such battles uselessly end in high costs, as one was about to learn...
"I'm sorry, Death Star. But there's somethings even I have to do to ensure my safety. That has left you drained and now I can be sure you can't attack me. You're weapons will be useless for quite awhile now, I'm sure," she told him gently
"Well, that explains trying to kill me...what about kidnapping Sharlena? Where was the point in that?" he asked, harshly.
Iceheart jerked her hand back and her eyes looked iced over. "As I said, something's even I can't help. I work for the Mavericks. It was an order. And Death Star...I want you to join the Mavericks too."
"What!?"
Iceheart nodded. "C'mon, lets get somewhere more...comfortable. You're hurt, and even though I put you through that, I'm not a monster," she told him and helped him walk into the room. Half of it was dark and Death Star dimly wondered what was over there, but Iceheart led him to the other side and helped him sit down on the couch there. "There." Smiling, she sat down across from him.
Emotions were running through Death Star's mind. He didn't know his left from his right anymore. He couldn't tell his down from his up, the only thing he knew was Iceheart's face. But there was something quiet right...and he couldn't figure it out. "Why do you want me to join something I'm the leader against?" he asked coldly.
Iceheart gave him a sympathetic look. "Was the leader too. They fired you Death Star. They didn't appreciate enough you had other things on your mind and they fired you from your position."
"I was temporarily resigned."
"So they say." The two glanced at each other coldly. "Look, Death Star...I'm sorry, I'm sure the matter is still sore on you. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked him gently.
"I-I don't really. I admit I was slacking off the job. Maybe I had it coming to me," Death Star muttered.
"Of course not, lover. You didn't do anything wrong. Alot has happened to you these past few months. They shouldn't expect you to be able to jump up and listen to their every commands. At least the Mavericks wouldn't expect you too," she informed him, winking. Death Star felt a jolt go through his body at the weak. How he had missed Iceheart...
"I understand. But the Mavericks slaughter innocent people," Death Star told her.
"Only because we must. The Mavericks would rather not, but it's the only way to show we won't be kicked around by them, like the Hunters. Face it, the Hunters are their lapdogs," Iceheart snapped.
"....Perhaps so...."
"Hey, I'm up for it," came Slasher's voice.
"Whoa. We can't all go flying off to blow the station up. Some of us have to stay behind and protect the ships," Blackjack spoke up.
Darien's eyes narrowed. He wanted to take on Infinity Inc. The thought of Dath was still on his mind. "I vote for going on the team to the station." Slasher piped up he was joining Darien.
Dakota clicked in. "I'll stay behind and protect the battle ships. Seraphna, you still want to stick with me?" he asked.
"Sure do."
"Alright, I'll stay behind myself. You two head out. Ask some of the bombing fighters to go with you for some more firepower," Blackjack suggested and clicked out as he engaged another enemy.
Darien messaged Slasher. "I'll call in the bombers. I'll follow behind you as we go along. Give me a few minutes to get them contacted." Slasher clicked in, a form of Morse code, a okay. Reaching down, Darien switched over to the bomber frequencies. "Who's up for attacking the station? Hunter Five and Hunter Six are leading the way and flying cover." A volley of okays came and five bombers flew in the middle of Darien and Slasher.
"Lets go make ourselves known," Slasher hooted. "After this thing blows, I want a piece of it for my trophy collection."
Darien hit the comm. button. "That'll make a big trophy, better plan on sharing it."
"We'll see, kid," Slasher told him. The seven fighters flying through space as a pack of enemy flies flew in to their right, firing. Slasher veered off to engage them, with Darien moving into fill his space and fire shots too. The pack flew around them, beginning to give them more trouble, but Slasher managed to pick off another fighter before rejoining Darien to the side, allowing him a run at it while his lasers recharged.
Darien pulled up and fired, blowing away another pilot with surprisingly good accuracy. He flew in behind another fighter and blew it up, noting only two more left, which were going for the bombers. Slasher slowed down and intercepted one, leaving Darien the other one. Speeding up, Darien arrived on his side and then flipped it around to face him, heading straight for the fighter's right side. Opening fire, he blew the fighter up and pulled out of the way with seconds to spare. By that time, they were within the station's firing range. The run to take it had begun...
Flying along the hull of the ship, he dived below it and flew straight for the Justice, powering missiles. He targeted three targets right off the bat, locking each into the memory of the computer. Flipping back to his first target, he fired his misled, then cycled through the other two, firing missiles at each. The three fighters blew up almost together, causing some other pilots to have to jerk to avoid the explosion, right into the Justice's turbo cannon blasts. Snickering, Blackjack flew along the hull of the Justice, noticing he had picked up some attention himself. Three fighters were on him and looked intent on seeing to his end.
Jerking away from the hull, Blackjack flew past some other Hunter ships, and then did an arc around to blast the three fighter ships. The three fighters blew his comrades up, who didn't even appear to see them coming. Grimacing, Blackjack powered his laser cannons to the max and fired straight on, the two blasts hitting the front of the cockpit, crumbling it and killing the pilot inside. The other two continued to followed the flight's leaders path, unaware he was dead, and straight into the shields of the Justice.
"This is Blackjack, Dakota - Seraphna, are things clearing up for you yet?" he asked.
"Nope, they're still like a swarm of bees. We've lost a few fighters too. Plus our battle ships have taken damage. I watched one of Slash's group explode. Hope it wasn't him or Crystal..." Dakota told him. Blackjack swallowed hard.
"Yeah..."
Ridge glanced at the information screen. "Uh...it appears so, Commander..." he said hesitantly. "But it looks like they're heading to that nebula near the station and the planet."
"Hmmmmm," thought Dominator, rubbing his chin as he thought. "Why head there? To try and hide from our forces?" he asked.
"Perhaps so, but it seems they have left the battle for now. I say we leave them alone for now..." Ridge suggested.
"...Alright. No sense in provoking the Flag Ship unless necessary. Lets deal with these six remaining ships. It looks like things are finally going our way, for once."
"Why? Because I want us to be together, hon. And the only way we can is if you join us. I don't want to have to fight you senselessly because we're enemies just because we don't see eye to eye on the humans..." she told him.
"...That's understandable....But all my friends are in the Hunters. I couldn't betray them like that..." he told her.
"But they betrayed you, Death Star. They stripped you of everything that made you special in the Hunters and then sent you packing. Then they send watchdogs, Garland and X1, to make sure you don't step out of line. What do you expect their orders would be if you did step out of line?" she asked with a thin trace of ice to her voice.
"N-No-"
"Yes. You know I'm right. Dominator and X1 conspired against you and stole your spot before you even knew. Neither one even CONSULTED you about it. Bam, it was gone. I don't call THAT true friendship, my love," Iceheart told him.
"You're right, they did betray me..." Death Star admitted, looking at the floor. "I didn't even mean enough for them to give me fair warning. And to know my best friend X1 was part of it..."
"You can be sure that won't happen if you join the Mavericks. We treat you with respect and you can work the way you like, not having to worry about angering humans. You can be Crucifixtion's second in command and be head over all his armies. And you can be with me..." Iceheart told him, leaning over and kissing him on the lips. Death Star closed his eyes, blinking, images passing by. But it didn't seem right....
When she broke off the kiss, he nodded. "So I join the Mavericks..."
She smiled. "I knew it! But I have one more test for you to see if you're completely loyal."
"And that is?" asked Death Star.
She clapped her hands and the lights in the room came on, revealing X1 to be locked up under tons of steel restraints that even he couldn't get out of. His head was limp, showing he was unconscious. "Kill him."
"You're right, lets end it." Garland flipped back onto the catwalk and slashed Dark Strider down the chest and began to walk backwards, heading deeper into the engine core. He felt his back hit against something and knew it was part of the machinery of the core. He edged around it just as Dark Strider arrived, slashing at him only to hit the machine, causing a spark as Garland barely managed to shy away.
Dark Strider quickly followed and found Garland on another catwalk on the other side of the machine. He leaped at him and slashed Garland in the arm, causing him to drop the sword on the ground. Before he could reach down and pick it up, Garland found a saber at his throat, buzzing with energy. "Tag, you're it." Garland smirked and flipped backwards, kicking the handle of the saber and sending it flying into the air. He raised his hand fired a kiama blast and hit it, sending it flying through the air and down into the abyss. "NOOO!!!" roared Dark Strider as he watched it fly off. He turned back to Garland, who held his sword again. "That's how you want to play?!" he snarled and drew his Myst Sword. "Lets dance little man."
Garland swung, clanging against the sword and pushing Dark Strider back, who in return kicked Garland in the side where he had stabbed him earlier. Crying out in blind pain, Garland felt a pain smash into the side of his face and knew he had been punched. Collapsing to the ground, Garland shook his head and knew that in mere seconds he would be chopped in half. Swinging his sword out at Death Star's legs, who caused the clone to jump and go off balance, which allowed Garland to bring his sword straight through his gut into his chest area. Dark Strider's eyes widened in pain and he coughed up some blood as he felt the cold metal cutting his circuits. Garland pulled back and punched him across the face. "You say you're an updated version of Death Star? You're pathetic compared to him."
Dark Strider swallowed hard, trying to keep from puking up battery fluid. "S-So .... you managed to....out duel me? .....So what...I'm not even the.... best out there...and someone's got your......ticket, just waiting to....punch it."
"Who?" asked Garland. Dark Strider just laughed, passing out from the pain and lack of fluid. "Fine, then answer me THIS. Where's Sharlena?"
Dark Strider smirked, acting as if he passed out. "Go to hell...."
"Where is Sharlena?!?" roared Garland and shoved the sword in deeper.
"GWACK!...S-She's dead," Dark Strider told him. Garland trembled in anger and then suddenly his jerked out and grabbed Dark Strider and ripped a junk of his chest out, causing the Maverick to scream in pain. Garland's eyes became red and reached out and ripped off his arm with inhuman strength, taking the arm and smashing it across Dark Strider's skull. He proceeded to rip the poor reploid up, piece by piece, showing him his internal parts as he did so, battery fluid dripping off his hands. He activated his holy prowness fire, though his armor was devastated, and lit the battery fluid on firing, burning Dark Strider's insides up as he screamed a blood curled howl of pain. Raising his hands, Garland mouthed the words kiama, and Dark Strider closed his eyes a huge ball of dark energy formed. Garland thrust it at him, the huge blast completely engulfing his body, eradicating it, and continuing onto smash into the engine core, blowing it up in a huge explosion, sending Garland flying back.