private Eastern Skies Ablaze

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Assisting." Star added to the coms chatter. Kicking in after-burn to engage as fast as she could, she sure as hell was not losing Heavy to the enemy. As soon as she got into range she missile locked onto the bogie and fire two missiles just to make him get off pursing her. 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

The enemy banked off turning away and diving as he evaded more locks. With the enemy off her tail Heavy Cloud performed a cobra turning to re-engage her former pursuer flying just shortly behind Star. With Star firing another missile the enemy banked to his right with Cloud pulling hard right at distance to lead her aim.

 

Just as she thought and pre firing the enemy flew straight into her shots the couple rounds enough to take him down sending him to his firery end at the ground.

 

"Thanks Star." Cloud spoke happily.  

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Anything Heavy..." Her words spoke emotion, really deep emotion, she almost hit herself for speaking like that giving herself away to anyone who was listening well enough, and most certainly to Heavy that was for sure. "Oh bugger me why did I say that and like that!?" 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Snapping her back into reality the voice of AVERI came back into her comm.

 

"All units, remaining hostile ground forces are evacuating. Good job." He said in a thankful tone. Noting on the radar with what few enemy fighters left they seem to be heading in same general direction, back east. One of them even passing underneath Star and Cloud, an Arabian fighter chasing after him. 

 

"No escape for you." A female voice could be heard. One of the Napalm squadmates. The enemy dived downward and shortly banked right. Napalm 2 remained at altitude simply banking right following the direction before aiming downward  leading her shots a bit as she descended progressively. It was an easy kill. 

 

"The cowards are fleeing! What a joke!" Napalm 3 was heard in a mocking tone. 

 

"Form up squad!" Razor called out. 

"Squad in formation!" Rookie called out. In following Heavy Cloud and Star reported together to their formations. Rookie taking spot near Rookie whilst Star with Razor. Their squad mates forming shortly after, Kris was noteably a bit slower and now noticing the smoke trail from one of his engine pods. Was he hit!? Noting on her HUD she hadn't noticed his status indicator flashing yellow.

 

"Dagger 3 you're hit. You okay Kris?" Razor asked in concern.

 

"Yeah. Good. I'm still up." He replied his tone was quieter. Not a good sign. 

 

Their Arabian allies joined shortly behind them. 

 

"I must apologize Dagger 3. Had I been faster, you wouldn't have been hurt." A deep voice spoke up from Napalm squad. 

 

"I- it's alright." Kris replied. 

 

"All hostile forces are evacuating. Mission Accomplished." AVERI spoke, "All units return to the fleet." He finished. 

 

"Stay safe friends." Napalm 1 spoke. With that the Arabians took off South East to Arabia.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Come on Kris lets get you home and out of that broken rig." She moved next to his damaged side and lifted under the wing with her own, just to be extra careful nothing bad happened. "Also keep your hoof in eject rather the rig than you remember, we can't replace you." 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Kris didn't reply apart from a exhausted sigh. They set their course west toward the fleet off the coast.

 

The trip wasn't too eventful. Despite wanting the urge to check on her other flyers she remained quiet along with the rest. The fleet came into view soon just ahead. Passing over and realigning at the rear of the carrier Razor, Star and Soar veered off to allow Kris to land first considering his damaged state.

 

He descended and lined with the rear, slightly wobbling a bit but maintaining. Lifting up ward as he slowed his speed he was caught into the saftey net as he landed succesfully.

 

"Alright lets go for our landing." Razor said.

 

Following in pattern the three fighters fly in single form with distance in between each other. Approaching in a progressive descent with moderate deceleration they each land cleanly on the runway no saftey net needed. Kris was being examined by the flight crew as they stripped him down from his rig. Now joining up with him she noted the extenet of the damage. With the armor paddings removed along with he rig it was easy to spot the wound on Kri's left rear leg. Soar let out a gasp.

 

"Kris you're hurt! You didn't tell us?" She exclaimed.

"Calm yer tits. I'm okay... kinda. Yeah I'm in pain now.." He hissed a bit as a flight crew examined him.

"Get a stretcher." The crew ordered to another.

 

"You gotta tell us if you're injured Kris. Let's us know to be prepared on landing." Razor said, her tone still in its instructive note but there was her mother-like attitude to it.

 

"Y-yeah. I-its not fatal don't wo-" He was interupted by Razor.

"That's for the physican to decide." She said.

 

With the crew back with a wheeled stretcher ready Kris climbs upon it allowing them wheel him over to the elevator lift nearby. Shortly seen Delphinus squad makes their landing.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"I... why would he not tell us I know males are full of pride, but not Kris not to us... but then we'd be worrying the whole flight home knowing us..." She looks to Razor. "Should we wait or go with him? I kinda want to check up with Heavy and with Kris but only one me." She sighed a little 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"You conflict yourself too much Star." Razor shook her head.

"I'll go check on him." Soar spoke up a bit. With her rig disassembled she departs to the lower levels.

 

That leaving an opportunity to check on Cloud she approached to her and her squad as they depart to the side of the runway. She removed her helm shaking out her sweat soaked mane letting out a hefty sigh.

 

"Good job out there squad!" Rookie called out to his team.

 

"Hey! Nice flying out there." Autumn called out to Star as she approached.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"It's nothing my flying that is, I nearly bit it earlier." But this was a passing comment to Autumn and was not really anything but words. Her eyes were fixed on her 'friend' she moved to her not really sure what to do at this stage, so just sat in front of her like a puppy. "Are yo ok Heavy?"   

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Cloud let out a giggle at her odd expression. 

"Well yeah I'm good. Hey thanks again for that save. Thanks for getting my back." She replied leaning in for a brief nuzzle.

 

Just landing moments in comes Sagittarius all three present and accounted it seems. With the fighters accounted for all that were left was the attack craft. With all fighters now off the runway the squads exit down to the briefing room for their mission debrief. Cloud and Star taking their seats next to one another. Razor and Star being the only two from their own squad present. 

 

"Kris just got into checking. They said they aren't seeing any major damage." Razor turned in her seat to speak with Star.

 

Well that was a relief she supposed. Still not good he was injured. 

 

"You're friend got hit?" Cloud asked her.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Thank Luna he's ok." Smiling at Razor in reply before looking to Heavy. "Yeah... Kris got shot in the leg or hit, or something I suppose, I'm not sure... I want to go see him when I can, but..." She looked down and blushed a little, she'd not say anymore just looking to the front after a little bit. 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Before Cloud could speak up, their commander Ironwing stepped into the room. 

 

"Lets make this brief real quick." He spoke up. With everypony settled down they await for his presentation. A display of the DMZ line shown along with the planned aerial movements of the enemy air force.

 

"Great job on holding those air units off. All the attack craft were shot down sucessfully and with minimal detriment on our end. The ground forces pushed away the enemy assault. The Maltessians are now taking back their lost territories and cities and later on forming a secondary defense ahead of their main DMZ. " Ironwing spoke up. Razor looked back to Star giving her a satisifed wink. Star felt a bit of pride knowing this.

 

"We will continue on observing enemy air movements later on in case of any more attacks." 

 

The map zoomed out and focused to another region of land called Taursikstan. Just north of Arabia, the country size seeming a little smaller than Maltesse and definetly smaller than Arabia and Rassarikstan. 

 

"In recent note the Arabians have conducted aerial attacks against Rassadi's Air Forces above Taursikstan. They were successful but have taken heavy losses. In such notice our Command has given the go ahead to assign detachment squads to work with Arabian airforces." he said.

 

"All squads should take notice in their inboxes if they have been selected for detachment to work inland in Saddle Arabia." he finished. 

 

"Dismissed." He said and turned away.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Knowing my luck that's us who are going off to central Arabia..." She looks to Heavy. "I mean your squad isn't your attached to the fleet, we're not, this will be our flying orders..." She sighed, if there was any mutual connection between the two it'd never last being so far away from each other. 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Well neither is Sagittarius. Maybe they'll get picked." Cloud responded as they each exit the briefing room. 

 

With their time now free the two head to the infirmary to check on Kris. Along down the steel walls and along the cat walks toward the cafeteria to the other side of the ship they arrive through the opening sliding door. Really the only place onboard with opening unsealed doors. Approaching to the nurse desk a mare dressed in her simple BDU looks up to them. 

 

"Here to see somepony?" She asked, noting them as flyers.

 

Star asked for Kris' room number, 12. 

 

Along down to the left hallway they follow along past the number rooms. 9, 10 and 11. 

 

Kris was sitting up right to her remaining thankfullness to the princesses. He was obviously in a bed stripped of his flight suit. Didn't seem to be hooked up to any painkillers or magical outlet. Good to know it was a fatal injury. He and Soar look over both smiling happily.

"Honey you're home! It's not what it looks like i swear." He spoke up giving a sarcastic tone to his comedic line. Soar giggled along with Heavy.

 

"Good to see you're okay." Cloud said.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"So it was not so bad then Kris?" Walking in she cared for the guy, he was a schmuck but he was one of her schmucks. "I was worrying about you the whole debrief, which may be our last on this ship..." She sat next to Kris and gave him a smile, regardless of what was to happen she'd have Soar and Kris. 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Huh" He asked.

 

"Command may send a squad detachment to work with the Arabians. Hey, they might pick Sagittarius. Never know?" Cloud chimed in a hopes of easing any thoughts of seperation. 

 

"Eh I'll go wherever they take me. Doc says I should be okay in a matter of days. Just staying off myself a bit." Kris says as he stretched his wings. 

 

Razor poped her head in and entered in.

"Hey boss." Kris said. Razor waved him before he got all soldier-isc. 

"Good to see you're doing better." She said.

"Eh well... painkillers will do that to ya." He added.

 

"Gave em the news?" She asked to the group.

"Eeyup." Kris spoke.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Yeah I told then that we might be shipped out, but then we don't know yet do we?" She looked back to Kris. "So will you be on the drugs any longer? Or is it just for now-ish? Also what did the doc say, what got you? Was it a bullet or sharpnill or something off your rig?" 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Doc said I took a hit through the leg. I was off after one of them attackers. I got a bit missle frags when I was being chased off. If that friendly didn't come I would'nt be here probably." He said.

 

"Glad you're doing better." Razor said.

 

"It wasn't alot of them. But enough to be painful and they didn't puncture too deep. The suit did its job." Kris iterated with confidence.

 

"Those things do save your life." Cloud spoke up as though by past experience.

 

"Hey Star? Grab me a bag of those white choco balls? In the cafeteria? You probably didn't notice them. Could you get me sum?" He asked before adding a cute expression. "Pwetty pwease?"He tilted his head for good measure. Everypony giggled.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Fine this once... geeze asking one of your CO's to go get you something what is this a school?!" As she grumbled leaving them all in the room, whether he was serious or not she was unaware she'd taken it as serious...

 

After a good amount of searching in the cafeteria she returned with the choco balls, then put them next to his bed. "There, that's my favor, I see your injury has not stopped you being a cheeky little... horse, yes horse..." 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Thanks Honey." He said in a sarcastic tone. He pressed his hooves to his cheek and squeezed them together sticking his tongue out.

 

"Cwheekwy hwosey." He rolled his tongue. Again everypony giggled. Shortly he stopped his shenanigans.

 

"Thanks Star." he said and opened them.

 

"Attention. All personel. Tonight's dinner will include a specialty desert. All crew ponies will receive seconds on all deserts for tonight." An unenthusiatic mare spoke through the intercom.

Kris looked down to his bag of choco balls. 

"Welp. Time to load the sugar!" He said.

 

"Gotta admit. The sundae's, I never get tired of." Soar said happily.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Yeah next time you say stuff like that and your not on a hospital bed I'll throw you off the ship, after I tie your wings up..." She gave him a broad smile.

 

She looked up to the PA box on the wall and listened like the the others. "Well double rounds of desert are, well awesome! Who don't love double." 

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"No complaints here." Cloud said.

 

----

 

It was later in the evening. A successful mission, Kris' easy recovery and a extra serving of sweety goodness from the desserts. It's looking to be a good day afterall. Figuring transfer was around the corner she'd spend the night with Cloud she figured.

 

Cloud had revealed gaming was one of her favorite past times in the weeks before. And with a fired up attitiude she knew she was gonna get her back on a game of split screen.

 

Back inside her quarters the two take their posts side by side with her small television facing them from her angled desk. It was a classic 3D beat'em up called Canterlot Brawlers. And with an array of flash original characters they each picked their prefeered favorites.

 

"I'll let you pick the stage." Cloud said, pointing a hoof at her. "But not Changeling Hive like last time. I know you like those spamming throwable eggs." She said.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"Ur... well I'm not very good at these types of games, I prefer other stuff." She'd choose the Canterlot level and they started...

 

Star as predicted was trounced thoughly by Heavy who was in her zone as she wiped the floor with her friend. After the game was over Star looked over to Heavy. "Please... Heavy, no more I'm not, please not another round..."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Cloud gave her pouting expression "Aww you're fun." She then turned to a slight giggle.

"Eh its okay I know its not exactly your specialty. Looking to the clock and stretched a little.

"Eh its time for a quick drag anyway." She said grabbing her pack of Poison Joke sticks. The two returning outside to the carrier deck for their ritual night time hangings.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,029]

"What are we gonna do if I leave?" As they sat looking to the stars on that night. It was the only thing Star said, she didn't know Heavy's feelings for her. Friends that was for sure more, more? She had not a clue if Heavy liked her or was even gay, or bi. She merely looked to the stars as her heart and mind raced.