Simulation

Starcore Wild Space Chapter 7

“It’s been a while, Carter, but c’mon, man—you’re letting the side down.” Matthews scowled at the words coming through his comms. Of course he’d been partnered with Coal, the cocky young pilot who was good—perhaps too good. Matthews shook his head, trying to clear the doubt. He might be a bit rusty, but the familiar feel of the fighter’s controls was starting to come back to him. Sure, he'd struggled to get the craft off the ground, but after some useful, if highly sarcastic, advice from ELON, he quickly caught up. Brushing off Coal’s comment, he reached up and flicked the switches to bring his shields online.

“Shields are up. Primary and secondary power is at full,” he reported, his voice steady.

“Saber Two is a go,” Coal chimed in, the smugness in his tone barely concealed.

Sabers Three and Four checked in next, their voices crackling over the comms. The screens before Matthews displayed an empty field of stars, a calm yet deceivingly ominous void.

“ELON, have you completed the nav calculations?” Matthews asked, his eyes scanning the readings on his console.

“I have, sir. You are green to engage quantum slip drive,” the AI replied, its voice cool and precise.

Matthews nodded, even though no one could see him. He hit a button, sending the coordinates to the rest of Saber group.

“Engaging quantum slip drive in 3…2…1…engage,” he commanded flicking switches. He punched the relevant button, and with a sudden lurch, the stars on the screen blurred and then stretched into streaks of light as the quantum slip drive roared to life, propelling them into the unknown.

The quantum slip drive disengaged with a sharp jolt, snapping the fighters back into real space. The serene field of stars had vanished, replaced by a chaotic battlefield. The Odyssey, a massive colonial passenger starship, loomed ahead, surrounded by the flickering lights of enemy fighters and bombers swarming like angry hornets.

“Targets incoming! Form up!” Matthews barked into his comms, adrenaline surging through his veins. His eyes darted over the HUD, tracking the waves of enemy craft. There were too many—far more than the briefing had suggested. This wasn’t just a challenge; it was a suicide mission. Valdez was testing them alright.

“Looks like they’re throwing everything at us,” Coal’s voice crackled in, still cocky but with an edge of tension.

“Then let’s make sure they choke on it,” Matthews replied, gripping the controls tightly.

The first wave of enemy fighters screamed towards them, guns blazing. From their configuration they were Mantis class fighters commonly used by the pirate bands from beyond Neptune. On their hulls were various symbols and emblems.