**********
"Major, I want my squadron ready and in their fighters within the next ten minutes," Jake said as he pulled on his flight suit.
"Yes, sir," replied the major.
Jake watched as Major Ducal left the dressing area to prep the fighters. Major Ducal was the officer in charge of the entire fleet that Jake's father had amassed throughout the rebellion. The fleet had been confiscated from various victories against the Gnols. Most of them had been damaged, but were repaired due to Major Ducal's genius mechanical expertise and painted silver to distinguish the rebel ships from the black Gnol ships. All in all, the fleet consisted of three shuttle transports that reminded Jake of smaller versions of the Mars II Space Shuttle, thirteen hovercrafts that Jake had become so familiar with, fifty Chaties, and thirty-five space and air fighters that the major affectionately called Wildcats.
The Wildcats sat only one pilot and were smaller, modified versions of the NightHawk, which surprised Jake. So much of the Gnol technology was similar to the designs of the Mars Space Shuttles, and other military vehicles on Earth; the difference being, of course, the hover technology that the Gnols possessed, weapons, and other modifications.
Unfortunately, the fleet was only a fraction compared to the hundred thousand ships and vehicles that were estimated to be in the Gnol fleet. Also, the Terrestrian rebels did not have the Wildcat II, as Ducal named it. The Wildcat II was the same design as the Wildcat but sat two pilots instead of one. In addition, the rebels did not possess the various ground vehicles that the Gnols did: the ground-assault vehicles, which carried ground forces, and the hover tanks.
Jake finished dressing, grabbed his flight helmet, and jogged to the hangar. The hangar seemed to be in chaos. Military personal and civilians were scrambling everywhere, trying to make their way to where they were supposed to be. Jake spotted Sean, Doc, Kylee, and his father - who must have just awakened after being knocked unconscious from the crash - near the computer terminal area of the hangar.
"Dad, how are you feeling?" asked Jake, as he embraced his father.
Adrian hugged Jake with his free right arm. "I'm feeling a little dizzy, but I'm doing fine."
"You let me know if you feel any head pain," Doc said.
Adrian gave Doc a frustrated look, just as a little boy would his overprotective mother.
Jake turned his attention to Doc. "How's Celeste?"
"She's recovering in the medical wing. I immobilized her shoulder, and she has had a successful blood transfusion. In a few minutes, I'm going to go back and get her so that we can put her in one of the transport shuttles."
"Good," Adrian said. "Now, how many forces are we dealing with?"
Sean pointed to the satellite image on the computer monitor. "According to the readout, we're dealing with twenty ground-assault vehicles, which carry fifty soldiers each, forty nine Chaties, and thirty-five Wildcats."
Adrian took a deep breath and looked out across the hangar. "Well, the good news is I don't think they realize the number of troops we have here, or they would have brought more. The bad news, however, is we don't have enough aircraft for the number of people here, three of our pilots are already designated to the transport shuttles, Bantyr and Captain Shaonal are missing ?"
Jake noticed the sadness in his father's eyes.
" ? That leaves you with only twenty-five pilots including yourself, Jake."
Jake nodded and said, "Each transport is crammed with women and children ? Dad, did Anyta and Lexis get on one of the shuttles?"
"Yeah, Anyta protested and wanted to stay and help fight, but I finally forced her on the last one."
"Good," Sean said. "Each shuttle is able to hold two hundred people. We were able to cram two hundred fifty into two of them, and two hundred thirty-one into the third shuttle." Sean smiled. "We were able to get all of the civilians into the shuttles."
Adrian looked surprised. "Great! Okay, the only problem is how do we safely get those shuttles to the second base?"
"We've been looking at that," Jake said. "According to the radar, they only have thirty-five Wildcats that will be able to attack the shuttles from the air."
"What about ground plasma cannons?" Kylee interjected.
"We've accounted for them too," responded Jake. "Our plan is to launch the forty-eight Chaties we have left-"
Adrian raised his hand to stop Jake. "Wait. We don't have enough experienced pilots for the Chaties."
Jake nodded. "I know. After we got back and Doc declared me okay, I grabbed forty-eight volunteers and began training them immediately on the Chaties. There wasn't much room for them to maneuver in the training wing, but they got the basics down."
Adrian looked impressed. "Very good. Go on."
"Anyway, the plan is to launch the forty-eight Chaties first. Their primary targets will be the sixteen ground plasma cannons located at the various positions as indicated by the satellite readout," said Jake, pointing to another computer monitor. "It seems, Dad ? that whoever the Gnol leader leading this attack is, he has seriously underestimated what technology we have available."
Adrian didn't respond. He just nodded.
Jake continued. "After the Chaties launch, my squadron will launch to provide cover for the shuttles. Once the shuttles are out, the remaining vehicles we have in the fleet will launch."
"Go-" Adrian began to say, but Kylee cut him off.
"What if the Gnols blast the doors open? We're going to have debris in the way of the ships taking off."
Sean spoke before Jake could answer. "That won't happen. The only thing that will blast those doors open is a thermonuclear blast, and the Gnols wouldn't risk losing any of their forces. Their computers must have analyzed that option already."
"What happens if they drop explosives in after the doors open?" Kylee asked again.
Jake looked at his half-sister. He hadn't gotten to know her at all in the weeks he had been on Terrest. Ever since she had lost her fianc?, she had been quiet and withdrawn. "We've accounted for that too," he said. "Each special ops team is going to surround the walls of the hangar. If anything enters the doors, your orders are to open fire."
Kylee scowled at Jake. Adrian noticed. "You will do as you're ordered, Captain!"
Kylee quickly shot her father a look and said, "Yes, General." Then she walked away.
Jake looked at his father. "What was that all about?"
Adrian shook his and followed Kylee with his eyes. "I don't know."
"Celeste!" yelled Doc.
Everyone turned toward the direction Doc looked. Celeste was walking to the group, freshly dressed in green fatigues.
"Why are you up? And, where's your sling?" Doc asked with frustration.
Celeste, who still looked to be in pain, simply looked at Doc and smiled. "I am fine. Besides, I need to be here to help in the battle."
Adrian shook his head. "I don't think so, Your Highness. You're going to be placed on a shuttle and transported to bas-"
Celeste raised her hand to keep Adrian from speaking. "Forgive me for interrupting, Adrian, but I can be more use to you here in the battle."
"What do you mean? You're recovering from a serious wound. You'll only be sure to suffer more," Doc said, obviously getting frustrated with Celeste.
Celeste turned and looked at Doc. She smiled and didn't say a word.
"What?" Doc asked.
Celeste just continued to smile. Doc looked around at everyone to see if he had missed the joke. Celeste closed her eyes and slowly raised her right arm with her palm upwards and fingers extended.
Doc's body slowly started to rise. He looked at everyone in surprise. Sean, Jake, and Adrian just looked dumbfounded. The military personnel surrounding the group stopped working and looked just as surprised.
"Woa ? okay ? okay, you have me convinced!" Doc shrieked as he flapped his arms and legs five feet in the air.
Celeste slowly lowered Doc back to the floor and opened her eyes.
Jake looked at Ce
leste with admiration. He was so drawn to this woman. He noticed that Celeste stole a quick glance at him and smiled. Jake then turned to his father. "Dad, I don't think you're going to convince her to get on the shuttle."
Adrian, whose mouth was still open, shook his head. "You're right." He then focused his attention on Sean. "All right, is everyone ready?"
Sean nodded. "On your mark, I will open the bay doors."
"Good. Celeste, you stay here with me. I will stay until every last vehicle and troop has left."
Jake quickly looked at his father. "No!"
"It's okay. Major Halem will lead the troops that are left out of the back entrance. Fifty other troops, me, and Celeste will take the last remaining assault vehicle."
Jake was beginning to protest again, but Celeste grabbed his hand. He turned and looked into her eyes.
"He will be fine. I will not let anything happen to him," she said.
Jake wasn't so sure and tried to protest. "Bu-"
Celeste put a finger up to Jake's lips. "Shh." She looked deep into his eyes. Jake shyly turned away. "Look at me, Jake."
Jake slowly turned his gaze to look into Celeste's bright, blue eyes. She is so beautiful, he thought.
Celeste continued. "Trust me. I will not let anything happen to him, and that is a promise."
Jake felt a little better, especially after seeing what Celeste did to Doc. He managed a smile and nodded. He then turned toward his father. "I will stay in constant radio contact with you."
Adrian walked to his son, grabbed him, and squeezed tightly. "Promise me, you will be careful out there, okay. I don't want to lose another son today."
Jake pulled away, smiled, saluted, and said, "Yes, sir!"
Adrian then turned his attention to Doc, Sean, and Celeste. "Okay, everyone ? battle stations! Sean, you and Celeste stay here with me to command the defense. Doc, get yourself and your people onto the last shuttle. I want you to be ready at Base 2 when we have casualties." Adrian stopped and looked two hundred yards above at the bay doors. "And ? we're going to have a lot."