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 . . .