First Shift

Glad you could join us for the next airborne episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Wind screamed past Captain Sam’s face, whipping tears from her eyes as she streaked toward the wasp bearing down on her an instant from stabbing death into her heart. She dropped, spun, and rolled, tearing sideways across his abdomen, so close to his weapon that she left it dangling and useless. She didn’t bother to look back; she knew he was done.

But where one fell, three more appeared.

From the corner of her eye, she caught a flurry of gleaming wings glaring dawn back into the faces of the enemies who kept the fleeting sunrise behind them to blind their foes. But the thin sheen of water the Allies added to their own wings turned them into momentary mirrors, scattering the rebels’ front flyers in confusion.

The Allies rewarded every halt in the enemy’s charge with merciless attacks.

But where three fell, nine more appeared.

It must be almost time, Sam thought. We can’t keep this up forever. To unbalance the enemy, daylight Allied fliers fought through the first night and would be relieved by the nocturnals. Her company would continue to fight as long as she stayed in the air, but even she needed rest. Where are they?

A squeal almost beyond hearing rolled up from behind, washing over the swarm in front of her with devastating effect. Panic churned the General’s Stinging Flyers into chaos. They were helpless against Captain Harper’s Hive Elite.

Dropping almost to the ground, Captain Sam counted the members of her unit as they joined her. Every single one made it back. As her second in command, Clifton took his place at her side.

“Fall in,” he ordered.

“Good work,” she nodded to her unit. “You make me proud. But it’s not over. When you get back to camp, do what you have to do to get ready for this afternoon. Dismissed.” Aside to Clifton, she said, “Come with me.”

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story... View all posts by Sue Ranscht