Free The War Across the Stars by Alex Pennington Page B

in time.
    “We overshot it!” Phil announced. 
    “Pull this back around Airman!” Ryan ordered. 
    “Jus’ call me Wanda!” she replied, immediately pulling hard on the controls.
    The transport’s shields began to take minigun fire.  That was followed by several missile impacts, shaking the ship.
    “Engine systems are only thirty-two percent operational!” Wanda yelled.
    The transport jerked violently as another pair of missiles hit.  Finally the transport swung around and approached the oncoming dropship.
    “Controls are functioning at twenty-five percent standard response time!  I feel like I’m flyin’ a slug!” Wanda yelled. 
    Our transport fired again, melting a hole in the dropship’s window.
    Wanda began to pull back hard on the controls. We were heading straight for the dropship.  Bullets bounced off our shields.  Another laser burst melted the dropship’s front-port engine.  It began to spiral as it became limited to one side propulsion.  Then I realized we were seconds away from impact, getting way too close to the enemy.  With the last burst taking out the engine, the tail end of the dropship swung around.  It crashed into the bottom of our ship ripping off our L-101 laser defense system. 
    “There go our shields!” Wanda exclaimed. 
    As my mind raced at the thought of what just happened, I climbed up the ladder.  I saw the dropship spinning as it descended.  Then one of the engines exploded.  The flames soon enveloped the entire dropship.
    “That was close,” Philip said as he slowly shook his head. 
    “But it worked,” Ryan pointed out. 
    “Had that been one of our Corsair Dropships, we’d be dead now,” Phil said. 
    “And that’s why I’m glad to be technologically superior,” Ryan responded.  “More importantly though, let’s head back to the other transport.  If the A-Z Gun is in Vorgian hands… we need to take it back.”
    After about four minutes, we arrived back at the location that the other transport had been waiting.  Due to extensive damage to the engines, the return trip was slower.  The ship slowly descended toward the cracked surface of Tronadan.  I heard a light thud, as we hit the ground.
    “Everyone outside!” Ryan ordered. 
    We all stepped out onto the ground.
    “According to James, Gonyon will be taken here,” Ryan said.  I smiled briefly, happy that I helped.  “So we’re gonna get him back.” 
    “Oh…we are?” Max asked. 
    “Yes Max, we are.” 
    Scott Keys shook his assault rifle in his arms.  “I’m ready,” he commented. 
    “We’ll split into two groups.  I’ll lead one and Deborah can lead the other,” Ryan instructed. 
    Pinkip merely nodded in agreement, seemingly willing to let Ryan give some commands despite her rank.
    “Then, we’ll search the sky for one of their transports.  Do not engage civilian craft. Understood, team?” 
    “Yeah,” we answered. 
    “Okay,” Ryan said. 
    Then, we divided into groups.  Nevin and I were with Ryan, so were Mikel and Carl.  I could see sadness in Carl’s eyes at the loss of his brother, yet through it all he fought on.  Then I thought of what we’ve been through.  I’ve stood beside two of our men as they were killed, and despite the fact I barely new Steven or Ben it still bothered me.  I should have done more.  I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
    Ryan was on his way back to Wanda’s transport.  I hurried to catch up with Nevin.  We then hopped on and prepared for anything.  I could see the other transport departing in another direction as we left the ground.
    “Now make sure you don’t shoot their ship. Okay Wanda?” Ryan said. 
    “Uh-huh.  I get it real good,” Wanda answered. 
    Minutes later we were in the air in search of Vorgian transports. Then the COM crackled on. 
    “We found our first target, they’re landing now.” 
    “Understood,” Ryan said. 
    “Looky! Sensors see a real faint object nearby!  It’s not one of