CassaStar (30 page)

Curious, Byron followed Bassa to his quarters. The senior officer gestured toward the table and Byron sank into a chair. Bassa opened a small cupboard and produced a bottle.

“
You still have spirits from Spaceport 89?” Byron exclaimed. His two purchases were long since gone.

Bassa smiled and set the flask on the table. “No, not that cheap stuff. I brought this with me when I boarded the Sorenthia,” he announced with pride, “and there’s just enough left for two.”

While Bassa retrieved glasses, Byron examined the bottle. His eyebrows rose as he noted the label.

“
Are you sure?” he asked, stunned Bassa would share such rare vintage with him.

“
Wouldn’t offer otherwise.”

Bassa set two glasses on the table and grabbed the bottle. He deftly filled each one before taking his seat. Setting aside the flask, he grasped the closest glass and Byron followed suit. He expected Bassa to toast to victory, but his navigator simply tapped his glass. In the confines of his quarters, the clinking sound was loud. Byron lifted the glass to his lips, his eyes on Bassa. His friend downed half the contents in one shot. Byron attempted to do the same, but the strength of the drink caught him unaware. He struggled to swallow without losing any of the valuable liquid.

Bassa chuckled. “It’s probably stronger than you’re used to,” he offered as Byron gasped for air.

A little,
Byron admitted.

“
You’ll sleep good, I promise.”

Bassa took a smaller sip and set his glass on the table. He leaned back in his chair, arching his back in the process.

“
Tomorrow’s mission will be difficult, but if just one of those Dartens succeeds, it will be worth it,” he declared.

“
They won’t all make it,” observed Byron, his voice solemn.

“
They understand the risk involved.”

“
Damn brave,” he commented, lifting his glass. He eyed the clear liquid, contemplating his next words. “Not sure I could be that fearless,” he admitted, downing the contents of his glass.

He caught his breath as the liquid slid down his throat, its warmth causing him to wince. Byron coughed once, unaccustomed to a drink so robust. However, he could feel his muscles relax as the liquid coursed through his system. He would indeed sleep well tonight.

“
Being brave doesn’t mean being fearless,” Bassa informed him. “It means doing the right thing despite one’s fear.”

Byron cleared his throat and gazed at his friend. Had Bassa experienced fear when he discarded his comfortable position to follow a young pilot into space?

“
Was becoming my navigator the right thing to do?” he asked before he lost the nerve.

“
Think that was a brave thing to do?” Bassa inquired before finishing his drink.

“
Absolutely!”

He pushed his glass closer as Bassa lifted the bottle and his friend poured the remaining contents into their glasses. Bassa swirled the liquid in his glass before raising his gaze to meet Byron’s eyes.

“
It’s a decision I’ve never regretted,” he stated.

Byron smiled at the sincerity of his words and the accompanying feelings of genuine friendship. He’d protested their pairing at first, but now he was grateful for Bassa’s presence. The man had taught him many things, most of which extended well beyond their time in the cockpit.

“
I have no regrets, either,” he finally admitted.

Bassa nodded and lifted his glass before taking a sip. Byron downed half his glass, shuddering once more at the effects. The warmth of the liquid filled his body, relaxing his mind as well as muscles. An idea he’d mulled over for the past few weeks resurfaced in his thoughts. While his senses still felt the effects of inebriation, Byron decided to voice his plans.

“
I was thinking,” he began, his gaze on his drink. “Once our assignment on the Sorenthia is done we’d try something new.”

“
Oh?” Bassa asked, cocking his head. “What did you have in mind?”

Byron shifted in his chair. “Thought maybe we’d transfer to Exploration,” he said.

Raising his gaze, Byron caught the look of total surprise on Bassa’s face at the same moment his navigator’s incredulous thoughts reached his mind. Bassa pressed his shoulders against the back of the chair and scrutinized his pilot’s expression.

“
Byron, I appreciate that, but I know how much piloting a Cosbolt means to you,” he stated.

“
Yes, but my goal was just to get off Cassa,” Byron countered, unwilling to be persuaded otherwise.

“
You trained hard for this.”

Grasping his glass, Byron leaned his elbows on the table. “Bassa, I know you won’t be able to do this forever. And don’t tell me you’re willing to try,” he said quickly before his friend could protest. “This is damned tough work!”

Bassa regarded him with patience and Byron could sense his doubt.

“
Look, you told me space exploration was once a dream of yours,” he continued, hoping to convince his friend of his sincerity. “You followed me out here so I’d achieve my goals. Well, I think it’s time you pursued your own. And I want to join you. I mean, it’ll still be exciting, just not in a kill or be killed sort of way.

“
Besides, when you retire, I’ll have to find something else anyway.”

His friend’s eyebrows came together. “Why?”

Taking a deep breath, Byron sat up straighter. “Because, it took me too long to break in my current navigator and I’m not doing that again. Ever.”

Bassa’s expression softened and he smiled. Byron felt his navigator reach out, testing for the truth. His mind open, he allowed his thoughts and feelings to speak for themselves. His partner had sacrificed so much. Byron wanted to repay his only real friend.

Bassa’s smile deepened and Byron sensed gratitude. “If that’s really what you want to do,” he said in a low voice.

“
Absolutely,” Byron answered without hesitation.

Leaning forward, Bassa grasped his arm and Byron returned his friend’s grip. Feeling confident, he smiled and nodded.

“
All right, then,” Bassa stated.

They finished their drinks and Bassa told him to get a good night’s sleep. Byron returned to his quarters, his anxiety regarding tomorrow’s mission no longer an issue. Those weren’t the only concerns laid to rest, either. He could finally give something of value to Bassa.

Dodging enemy fire from a ship on his right, Byron shot at the vessel he was tailing. It was not a direct hit, but the fighter spiraled out of control as it headed for the planet’s surface.

Let it go,
instructed Bassa, indicating the approach of another ship.

Throttling forward, Byron dove to shake their pursuer. Their new course brought the Cosbolt in range of two new Vindicarn ships and they fired immediately.

Jump!

Bassa’s coordinates did not take them far. The ship reappeared behind their pursuer and Byron took advantage of their position. Eliminating the target, he was informed of another vessel as well as incoming fire. Veering away from the laser blast, Byron pushed the throttle forward to catch the other craft.

Gotcha!
he cried, firing before a disrupter blast forced them to change course again.

The large Vindicarn ship’s proximity to the planet had complicated matters. The Cosbolts responded differently in the planet’s atmosphere. Byron continued to adjust his approach, frustrated by the conditions. Fortunately, the enemy was struggling as well.

Jump!

A laser blast struck their wing as Byron teleported to the new coordinates. Bassa has taken them much lower this time, and the ship emerged without an immediate threat of danger.

Can we still fly?
Byron asked, edging the nose of the ship skyward.

Yes, minor damage,
Bassa replied.

Taking a deep breath to clear his head, Byron accelerated, a Vindicarn craft in his sights. Bassa gave him the clear and he fired multiple shots. The enemy ship burst into a ball of flame, and Byron maneuvered out of its way as the fighter fell toward the planet.

Four of the teams have entered the ship,
Bassa announced.

Byron shook his head in exasperation. All five teams should’ve reached their targets by now. This battle was taking far too long.

Bassa flashed the image of an incoming fighter and Byron moved quickly to avoid its fire. He darted under another Vindicarn ship, hoping the vessel would provide momentary cover. Byron was forced to make a hard right when that craft fired a disrupter blast.

Dive!

Byron followed his instructions, and a Cosbolt shot over their nose, firing at the enemy. Pulling up, he took aim at the Vindicarn in pursuit of their comrades. Both enemy ships were destroyed, but there was no time to relay a word of thanks.

Another wave coming,
Bassa announced.

Casting a glance skyward, Byron caught sight of another wing of fighters emerging from the enemy ship. He grimaced at the mass confusion residing over their heads.

When the Sorenthia and Lathella first appeared on either side of the massive ship, Vindicarn fighters had poured from the vessel like an angry swarm, filling the sky. That the enemy continued to send out more ships was of great concern, as no squadrons remained on either Cassan vessel. They were already fighting at full capacity.

We’ve got to keep them distracted just little longer,
Bassa stated.

A flash to their left caught Byron’s attention and he turned just in time to see a Cosbolt go up in flames. The sight refueled his energy and anger pounded in his ears. Adjusting their course, he flew at the Vindicarn craft as if intending to collide with the vessel. At the last moment, he fired and pulled up on the throttle. The flames from the enemy ship licked the edge of one wing in passing.

Two more!
cautioned Bassa, guiding his pilot toward the approaching ships.

Byron dispatched one ship, but he was forced to make another jump to avoid the second fighter’s disrupter blast. Aware that he was nearing the limit of his abilities, Byron pulled energy from the teleporter as a safety measure. Bassa’s coordinates provided some security, though. They emerged below two Vindicarn ships, and he took a deep breath before rising to meet the enemy.

I’m running out of jumps,
he thought, reluctant to admit his ability was just about taxed.

I know,
replied Bassa.
We’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way.

Byron fired at the two ships flying close in formation. He caught one vessel’s tail section, sending the ship spinning, but the other escaped damage and returned fire. The laser skimmed the nose of the ship but did not penetrate the hull. Byron executed a twisting maneuver and pulled the ship out of range. He gritted his teeth, frustrated by the situation.

Sorry!
he told Bassa, annoyed he could not jump the ship to safety.

I’m the one who’s been telling you to jump …

And you’re never wrong!
Byron exclaimed.

Eliminating the Vindicarn ship, Byron spun the ship around to face the heart of the battle. Thousands of fighters dotted the sky. They spanned the length of the enemy craft and extended beyond the two Cassan ships parked on either side. Flashes of light marked the end of both friend and foe. Larger explosions dotted the sides of all three mother ships. The scene was total chaos. However, Byron didn’t require a status update to know the Cassans were in trouble. Most of the ships above them were Vindicarn.

The fifth team never made it,
Bassa announced, cutting into his thoughts.
And one team won’t be returning.

Feeling sweat run down the side of his face, Byron’s hand on the throttle tightened its grip. Would this mission fail completely?

He pushed forward, determined to continue fighting. Bassa alerted him to a Cassan ship in trouble. Byron spotted the fighter, three Vindicarn on its tail. There wasn’t time to instruct the pilot to maintain his course. However, he could probably take out two ships by approaching from an angle.