***
Grogaan eased back the throttle of his ship and floated for a few minutes, giving him time to relax and finish calming his emotions. He took a few deep breaths while focussing his thoughts on what he had experienced during the fight with Kregarast. Before he was able to consider his options, the rest of his squadron took up position around him.
“That was one hell of a fight,” said Eldaan.
“It sure was,” agreed Doraant.
“Was that really General Kregarast?” asked Blue-Leader as he stopped in front of Grogaan’s ship.
“It was,” replied Grogaan, “and that was the toughest dog-fight I’ve engaged in to date. His reputation as an ace fighter pilot was deserved.”
“So was his reputation as a ruthless killer,” said Prince Grolak, whose shuttle appeared alongside Blue-Leader’s MCI. “You have my thanks yet again Squadron Leader Learman.”
“Prince Grolak, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” said Grogaan.
“I see your squadron has increased by two,” said the Prince. “Perhaps we could meet . . .”
“What in the blue blazes was that Grogaan?” asked Zaack when he saw the flash of light.
“I haven’t the faintest idea, but it came from the asteroid field,” he replied. “Prince Grolak, do your transports have tractor capabilities?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact they do. Why?”
“Would you be able to collect the debris from the destroyed fighters and deliver them to Mabraant Engineering?”
“It would be a pleasure.”
“Thank you.” Grogaan turned his ship using thrusters. “Kopaz Squadron, let’s go and check out that asteroid field.” He slammed the throttle forward leaving the other two MDF squadrons to protect the Fadaran ships.
“I’ve picked up a Kadarex M5 yacht on my sensors,” said Zaack.
“Confirmed.” Grogaan opened a comm channel to contact the ship, but it accelerated and disappeared from the sensors.
“Zaack, you come with me, the rest of you wait here.”
As Grogaan and Zaack flew into the field and circled one of the larger rocks, they saw the obvious signs of an explosion, and what was left of a base that had been mined deep into it.
“The pilot of that ship must have decided to make a run for it, and destroyed the evidence to make it look as if he was killed in the blast,” said Zaack
“Well whatever his reasons, he’s certainly done us a favour. Alright, we’re done here, so let’s go home.”
Grogaan knew there would be questions about the squadron’s appearance and involvement in the battle, and of course the destruction of the hidden Krelathan base, so Kopaz Squadron remained with the main group as they set course for the planet. After breaking through the atmosphere, the four Fadaran shuttles and five transports set course for the primary port in Stellant City, while the sixth headed for Mabraant Engineering to drop off the wreckage as agreed. All of the fighter squadrons would land at the primary MDF base.
As expected, there was a group of officers waiting for the fighter squadrons to land, Admiral Yurgat amongst them. Grogaan climbed out of his ship, left his helmet on the seat and approached the Admiral, who was shaking his head slowly, but sporting a broad smile.
“Well, you and your friends have achieved the impossible yet again, Squadron Leader Learman,” he said. “Defeating General Kregarast was an outstanding achievement.”
“It was a tough fight: The hardest yet, Admiral,” said Grogaan.
Admiral Yurgat cast a cursory glance over Grogaan’s shoulder. “I can see that by the damage to your ship. Nothing too serious I hope?”
“Nothing that can’t be repaired.” Grogaan saw the other pilots gathering around, listening to the conversation. “Everyone fought exceptionally well, Admiral, especially Squadron Leader Deerin.” He noticed the smile and the nod from Steevin, acknowledging the praise. He returned the gesture. “It was not perfect though; we lost Flying Officer Hadreen.”
“Yes, well, had you not arrived when you did, the losses might have been much higher,” said Yurgat. “So how did you arrive at the scene before the call for support had been given?”
“Call it intuition, Admiral.” Grogaan did not want to reveal the fact that his gift had something to do with it.
Admiral Yurgat frowned, wondering whether to believe him or not, but did not press the point and changed the subject. “Our sensors detected a ship leaving the asteroid field, a Kadarex M5 yacht.”
“It accelerated to lightspeed before we could make contact. It was from the hidden Krelathan base, which they conveniently destroyed before leaving.”
The Admiral’s eyes it up. “That explains it then. We received a communication from that base shortly before we detected the ship. The base commander provided us with information that will be quite useful in our defence against further raids. We will need you and your colleagues to modify as many starfighters to the higher specifications as quickly as possible. I will be advising your superiors of such in due course.”
“Well, it’s either in preparation for the expected Krelathan conquest or the Hebradon Empire’s incursion and conquest of the Fazaal sector, correct?”
“You are a bright and intelligent young man Learman. I said it before and will say it again: There’s a good future for such as you in the Defence Force, and I hope to see you climbing the promotion ladder very soon. We need good pilots, but also pilots who are more than just that.” Yurgat looked up and congratulated everyone on a job well done, and told Squadron Leader Deerin to report to his office as soon as the debriefings were concluded.
The Admiral began walking away and beckoned Grogaan to accompany him. “Your father would have been proud of you Learman, very proud indeed,” he said nodding gently. He stopped and faced the young pilot. “Believe me when I say if I had had any inkling that your applications were being purposefully turned down, I would have interfered and overturned those rejections long ago.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” said Grogaan, wondering if there was more to the Admiral than he realised.