From the edge of the space battle burning above the planet, a squadron of fighters emerges from the emptiness of space that lies behind them. Their simple jet-like appearance glints from the system's star, illuminating the empty void alongside the battlefield raging within its system of planets and moons. As they make their approach within their echelon formation, one of the fighters up front notices something.
[ Incoming hostiles approaching zero, three, four degrees, approximate angle two, two]
The fighter pilot who spotted the group of green and gray hull ships flying in their direction from his cockpit's windshield relayed to the rest of the fighters. The opposition ships' sword-like shape seemingly cuts through the empty void of space as they approach the squadron at an alarming speed, utilizing a V-formation.
[Copy, prepare to evade and engage, Arrow Squadron, scatter-shot formation, mark a target and keep on it]
A mature and resonant female voice commands through the comms of the squadron. Multiple voices of confirmation echo from the fighter's comms system as the pilot tilts the joystick to the right as his fighter shifts over into position. His hands shake slightly as he flicks a couple of lids before switching on his weapons system.
[Feeling nervous, Boreal?]
Glancing over, he is met with a feminine humanoid looking back at him. He can only nod as he looks ahead and guides his fighter to stay in line with the others.
[I would be lying if I said I wasn't, aren't you?]
The female looks like they are laughing in their cockpit as they face ahead.
[Not at all! I'd say we have this in the bag. It shouldn't be hard to eliminate these Ningens, but I highly doubt their stimulants will help them within the confines of a metal coffin]
[ Big talk, Mia, weren't you the one who crashed their craft accidentally into the HVT within one of the training simulations?]
A rougher, older man's voice teases his comrade, which causes several pilots to laugh. In contrast, the remaining others try their best to maintain some discipline. However, Mia didn't seem to like that statement. Before she could remark, the same voice that gave them orders interrupted them.
[ Lock it, folks, get ready to disperse-]
Before the squadron could do anything, a barrage of energy beams, followed by a few missiles, streaked through the Ningen's formation. A light show illuminates the dark space as three similar crafts soar into the mass of enemies, causing as much destruction as possible before they quickly disperse. Looking at the sight in astonishment, the same pilot who spotted the Ningen forces turns on another comms system. His head pops up a second channel as he radios in. As he begins his transmission, he glances over at his radar to see the identifications for that third-party group.
[ This is Arrow Squadron, this is Arrow Squadron on channel X-120-S, identifiers EM-013, AC-057, and MW-177; please respond]
Releasing the button to key in, the pilot retracts his hand slightly before glancing up to see if the squadron leader has any input. All he gets in return is a nod of acknowledgment to his action, as the leader then keys into the rest of the squadron.
The squadron leader's previously confident tone now carries a hint of nervousness, a clear indication of the unexpected turn of events. She instructs the squadron to Keep their weapons online but to be on standby, preparing them for the unknown.
[Who the fuck are those guys?! I didn't see anything else on the radar!]
Mia's outburst on their squadron's comms channel seemingly snaps everyone out of their trance. The first was from the gruff voice pilot, who seemed annoyed by her high-pitched vocals.
[Gods, your voice just added a few more years of hearing rehabilitation to me]
[Shut it, both of you. We're not starting this again when-]
As the squadron leader is about to shut them both up, the spotter pilot finally receives a talkback, which he proceeds to broadcast for the other pilots to hear.
[This is EM-013, hope we didn't take away your fun there, Arrow Squadron]
The spotter shifts their head, taken aback by the seemingly carefree and unprofessional response. However, he proceeds with the conversation while keeping an eye ahead at the ongoing skirmish after seeing the squadron leader wave their hand for him to continue.
[Not at all, EM-013. We just entered the system to help reinforce the assault, but it seems like you guys have it taken care of]
The comms filled with laughter making Boreal uncomfortable. As he listens for a follow-up reply, the squadron notices the three fighters breaking off as they leave a large graveyard of scrap metal floating in the zero gravity of space.
[Not exactly; we are what's left of our squadron, but we are doing what we can. Is the squadron leader currently on this channel?]
Boreal hesitates for a second before he replies to the question cautiously.
[Negative]
[All good. Give me the ID of your squadron leader, and I'll link a direct comms channel to them. Got a little request as repayment for saving you guys some lives and ammo]
The spotter pilot was about to key in and deny the request as that was already a breach in their security policy. However, his squadron leader's voice speaks into the comms system within their squadron's channel.
[It's fine, Boreal, I finally know who we are talking with]
[But, ma'am-]
[Don't. Just let me do the talking now. Just keep an eye out for any other hostiles]
[Roger…]
Arrow Squadron's leader gives a reassuring nod to her spotter before she proceeds to tap the icon for EM-013 on the radar. After a few more taps to open that private channel, a link was finally established, followed by a voice with which she was all too familiar.
[Is this who I think it is?] The voice is all too familiar as she shakes her head, a hint of surprise and disgust in her tone.
[You really can't stick with your squadron, huh, Volt]
Just as she finishes her sentence, the three fighters finally reach them, and they make a wide turn to merge in from the right. The lead fighter sustained a few damages but was otherwise intact as the pilot within gives a casual salute her way.
[Hey! I was doing some drop-offs earlier. Good to know you are still alive here, Emma!]
[ Get to the point, Volt, you said you have a request?]
Volt nods and tilts his head down, where his left shoulder can be seen shifting for a bit. Just then, some coordinates and additional geographic intel pop into her fighter's monitor.
[I have a few ground units in need of aerial support, though, as you can see, we don't really have the firepower]
[I can tell, on top of wasting a good amount over there]
Volt shrugs at her remark, completely unfazed.
[Either way, can you guys help me out?]
[...these guys on the ground really mean that much to you, huh?]
Silence engulfed their conversation until Volt's voice came back through. His carefree attitude had changed into one filled with solemnity.
[I would rather not lose any more operators than we already have right now]
[So you put mine in danger]
[I mean, if it helps, I overheard a few reports within the hangar that the area's AA defenses were taken down. Granted, I am not 100% sure, but it should be fine]
[Greeaat, you're really selling me this proposition]
Emma rolls her head to show some form of sarcasm.
[Is that a yes?]
Volt raises a closed hand and pops a thumb out before wiggling it up and down. Lowering her head, Emma's defeated voice echoes through their direct communications.
[Yes]
Volt's thumbs-up turns into a fist pump. Guiding his fighter to the front of the squadron, he glances back and gives a V sign.
[Hey, could you send me and my two friends your squadron's comms channel?]
[No, use your PA comms]
[That doesn't work in space, though?]
Emma could feel a tick in her eye. Thankfully, her helmet obscures any expression, allowing Volt to see and use it against her. Not wanting to give him any satisfaction, she proceeds to send him the channel, but not without muttering a word that describes him pretty well.
[smartass]
Once he is linked up, Volt sends it to the other two fighters, awkwardly gesturing with Emma's squadron members. Once they connect, Volt soon interrupts their silent conversation.
[Alright, Ladies and Gents, follow my lead and keep your weapons online. We'll be flying in pretty hot here, but just like our lovely organization's name, we'll be gone like Ghosts in the night!]
A mixture of reactions washed over the entire group, with some groans of disgust and others cringing. Then, a few glanced at the person next to them. However, Boreal's voice breaks in as everybody's radars ping to life.
[Incoming group of ten at twenty degrees, angled fifteen! Approaching fast towards us!]
Volt and Emma both look out towards the given direction to discover the all too familiar sword-like shapes barreling with a trail of fuel following them.
[Seems like your request may need to be put on hold, Volt.]
[Don't wet your panties, Emma. Those on the right of me, follow Emma; those on the left, you're with me. Split the enemies up, and we'll engage them!]
[Are you seriously taking over command of my squadron?]
[Temporarily!]
Despite her astonishing disbelief with this man, Emma knows better than to argue with the guy. The groups advance forward with Volt's strategy with a surprising amount of cooperation. Whatever the reason is, the unanimous agreement to make it out of this alive is most likely in everyone's mind. Well, almost…
[Hey Emma, want a little wager?]
A sigh goes through his comms. Volt couldn't help but chuckle at the response.
[Seriously? You, of all people, want to make a bet?]
[Hey, just you and me, whoever eliminates less than the other person buys drinks after all this, deal?]
Silence falls over, which causes Volt to doubt whether she is willing to take the bet.
[You're on]
Looking to his right, Volt watches as Emma's fighter suddenly bursts forward, and the fighters follow her trail behind. Seeing her take the head start, Volt thrusts the joystick forward, sending his fighter barreling ahead as well. As he turns on his energy and kinetic armaments, his eyes fall upon the time alongside another update of the convoy heading towards the ground team.
"Hang in there, guys. Just need to clear the highway."