Before the fall
Who: Vice Admiral Pierce's raptors Where: Over Sagittaron's capital city. When: Night of attack local time.
A string of raptors flew in the night sky in a tight formation high above the ruined and burning sky scrapers of the capital city of Sagittaron. Vipers escorted the raptors which were transporting the new commanding officer of the Colonial Fleet, Vice Admiral Conrad Pierce and his staff to a safe FTL jump point.
“Flight One Six, you’re cleared to vector nine zero, angels eight five, over.”
“Vector nine zero, angels eight five, copy that control.”
“Flight One Six, follow my lead on my mark, one two three, turn.”
The formation slowly turned and climbed together.
“Chamber, Gopher. I’m picking something up on DRADIS, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Gopher, Chamber. What is it?”
“Not sure.”
“Anybody else, see anything?”
“Chamber, Eaglet. We’re picking up some interference too.”
“Must be the effects from the fall out, keep your eyes open.”
“Viper six, Chamber. You guys see anything?”
“Negative, Chamber … Hold on, picking up something on … (unintelligible)”
“Say again, Viper Six.”
“Gopher, watch out!” someone shouted on the wireless in the raptor behind them. Anyone who knew Jilleen’s voice would know it was her that shouted the warning.
It was too late. Gopher’s raptor was ripped apart when one of the escort vipers collided with it. The ball of fire lit up the dark sky. The raptor close behind Gopher’s tried to avoid the bulk of the debris with a little luck but not before something smashed its DRADIS pod and communication array. It was lost from sight as it dropped out of formation along with the rest of the disabled vipers.
“Frak, we just lost Gopher and Torch.”
“Bogies at three o’clock high and closing” said another raptor pilot.
“Raptors, evasive maneuvers, jump when clear,” ordered Chamber, the lead pilot.