A Day in the Life of a Destroid: Tomahawk

My destroid rocked violently as a cluster of missiles impacted the ships hull directly in front of me. My squadron of Tomahawks had been eaten alive by the attacking pods and the few of us that remained were doing all we could to stay alive.

My name is Lieutenant William DeCook. I am a Destroid Tomahawk pilot. Second in command of Thunder Squadron, or at least what was left of Thunder Squadron.

There were three of us left. Our Squadron commander had been blown into a million particles right when this conflict started so that left me in charge. I guess that makes me acting squadron commander. The two others that were left where our squadron ace Jade's Fire, and a rookie named Thomas. I have not yet learned how to say his last name. We had formed up in a back-to-back triangle defensive posture to try and win our lives through the remainder of this engagement but it was not looking good.

The last missile volley had blown a considerable size hole in the hull of the SDF-1 right in front of where I was standing. Shrapnel from the hull had torn my destroids left leg, stabilizers, and main gyro apart.

"Boys I have no motor control from my left stabilizer and my main gyro is gone. I don't think I can hold out much longer."

A new swarm of pods came our way. Three incoming at my nine o'clock. The pods opened up with their forward main cannons and I watched helplessly as there tracer fire streaked toward me. Before I realized what had happened my mech toppled forward into the gaping hole in the hull.

"Pardon me sir but I have a load of missiles that have dates with some incoming pods." Jade's Fire launched his remaining shoulder load at the incoming pods.

The pods began to evade but where not quick enough. One pod caught a pair of missiles dead center and enveloped the pod in a brilliant explosion. A second pod caught one missile with its starboard booster. This launched the pod into a violent spin before its fuel cells ignited causing the pod to be blown into space dust. The third pod managed to evade the remaining few missiles and pressed its attack. Jade maneuvered his mech out of the line of fire while raising his cannons toward the last pod. Before he could return fire his mech caught some of the incoming fire and blew out his right hip actuator. Stumbling but still in the fight Jades regained control of his mech and opened up with an intense volley from his main cannons. The pod caught the blasts and was torn apart by hot plasma.

"Hey thanks Jade. Next time tell me that you are going to push me off into a big hole."

"Sure. No problem sir."

"Thunder Squadron this is Siege Squadron do you copy?"

"Siege this is Thunder 8, go ahead." I replied to the hail.

"We are moving into your sector to provide support. The Veritechs have got the enemy on the run but we want to cover you just in case."

"Thanks Siege. We are pretty torn up out here."

Siege Squadron, a heavy hitter squadron of MAC II Monsters moved into position to cover us. Fortunately they were not needed. It was not long before the salvage skiffs were out grabbing our busted up mechs. I had to spend an hour in Sick Bay for some busted ribs that I got when my mech fell, or was pushed, into the hole in the hull. That's okay though. I was just glad to be alive.

We had a debriefing session were I had a chance to vent my frustrations about not having enough support for our mechs.

"Commander, we have told you time and time again. If you keep spreading us out we are not going to have any destroids left let alone anyone willing to pilot them." We were all a little torqued off.

"Let me remind you of who you are talking to Lieutenant." Commander Boniva was a desk jockey who had logged many hours in the simulator but had little actual combat experience.

"I know exactly who I am talking to. How many combat hours do you have Sir? You need to start listening to the people that are out there in the cockpits of these mechs that are getting torn up. You tried it once, pairing us up with a complimenting squadron, and it worked great. It cut our casualties by seventy three percent. Is that not proof enough."

"I'll have you know that I had the highest marks in my Command school for tactical maneuvering and planning. Are you saying that I don't know what I am doing? I would mind your answer if I were you."

"I don't care what you want me to mind or what kind of scores you got in school. If you do not change this then I will go straight to Gloval and let him know what is going on."

"Get out of my office you insubordinate punk! I will not stand for this kind of behavior."

"Fine." I abruptly did an about face and made sure to slam the door behind me. I stopped and waited to here his decorative awards fall to the floor from the force of the door slamming.

I looked over to Jade and we laughed as Commander Boniva screamed with anger at his awards falling to the ground.

"Man you are going to get court marshaled if you are not careful." Jade said with much sarcasm in his voice.

"Yeah. Well what are they going to do kick me off the RDF? Oh well I guess I will just sit around while you all go and fight. No more risking my neck."

We walked back to our quarters to cleaned up from the day's battle. When I got back I found that I had a message from the command staff about a tactical briefing at 0700 the next morning. I set my clock to notify me one hour before the meeting so I would not forget. After that I quickly forgot the message and put the RDF as far from my mind as possible. I met the last two members of my squad just outside the barracks and we headed for town.

"Jade, Thomas, you guys ready for a little R&R?"

"Yeah. Sure thing boss. So what is up for evening?" Thomas was always quick to answer. He was usually quite witty.

"Well first of all I am not your boss. Not now and not ever. After my little meeting with Commander Boniva, I am sure they will have a new commander for Thunder Squadron as soon as possible."

"Well that jerk can kiss my butt. I think they should put you in charge. We'd be a hell of a lot better off."

"I know Jade. Well hey lets forget about work and go have some fun. How bout we hit that Chinese food place that everyone is always talking about. I have heard that the waitress there is a real looker."

"Yeah but I also heard that she has a boyfriend. You know that new recruit Rick Hunter guy? That's him."

"Oh well. Lets just go eat." With that we headed out and began to waste the night away.

Six o'clock rolls around really quickly when you don't get back to sleep until 3:45. I flipped the switch on the coffee maker and brewed a full 12-cup pot. By the time I was in uniform I had downed eight of those. The last four I poured into my mug and headed to the briefing room.

I was met by Commander Boniva at the end of the corridor from my quarters.

"Isn't stalking illegal Sir." I said with a sarcastic grin and a half-baked salute.

"Can it DeCook. I am not in the mood." He said with his normal grumpy demeanor.

"So what is this big meeting about?" I asked hoping to avoid any kind of personal conversation with my Commander.

"I have no idea."

We entered the command briefing room and I spied Jade on the other side of the room smirking at be for walking in with Boniva. I made my way over to him leaving Boniva to fend for himself. I looked back to see if he was following me. He had been cut off by another commander and was now engaged in a deep conversation.

"Making new friends their Bill?" It was way to early in the morning for Jade to be taking shots at me.

"Shut up Jade. A-hole was waiting for me at the end of the barracks corridor. Probably just wanted someone to open the door for him."

"So what is this all about? They going to give us all promotions?"

"Umm... I highly doubt it. I think Captain Gloval has something up his sleeve."

The chime sounded signaling that the Captain was ready to begin. The lights dimmed and the Captain entered the conference room.

The Boatswain sounded his chime.

"Captain on Deck!" He yelled as Gloval walked through the thresh hold into the conference room followed by his second Lisa Hayes.

"Thank you Ensign." Captain said with his thick Russian accent.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. It is time we stop defending ourselves and go on the offensive." Gasps were heard all around the room. Even his second officer looked shocked.

"I understand everyone's concerns." He continued, "We are on a very desperate supply of mecha and to few personnel to pilot the ones we do have. Before I go into this matter I would like to outline my battle strategy."

For the next 30 minutes he outlined "Operation Blitzkrieg" and all operations that would encompass the attack. If all went well there would be no need for the Destroid groups. Only a few Veritech squadrons and the main gun. Sounded to simple to me.

I heard many comments about plan as people spoke quietly under their breaths. "Is he nuts?" "Well it's about time." Even heard someone whimper, "Were all going to die." I could really care less about the specifics of the whole operation. I just wanted to here what part of this concerns my destroids and me.

"Now I know there are a lot of questions and your section commanders can answer those on an individual basis. I could have had them brief you on my plan but I wanted to inform you myself. You all are the key players in this war and I never give you enough credit." Now I felt like his lips were on my butt.

"Sir, you can count on Skull Squadron. We won't let you down."

"Thank you Commander Folker. I know I can always count on you and your Squadron." Now I felt like this Folker guys lips were on Gloval's butt.

I leaned over to Jade. "Man I have had about all the butt kissing I can handle."

"I hear that."

"Excuse me! Lieutenant. Do you have something you would like to add?" Commander Hayes had a sexy voice but she could be a windbag too. But I had something to say so this was my chance.

"Yes I do. This plan sounds good and actually looks like it has a pretty high success rate, but what if something does go wrong. Our destroid numbers are getting smaller each conflict there just is not enough cover to keep out of harms way."

"I am glad you asked that." Chimed in Gloval before Hayes had a chance to answer back. "Doctor Lang and his team have actually been able to build a mech refurbishing and construction plant on the SDF-1. It is currently producing two new destroids a day with the potential for eight more once it is fully operational. I have also gone over the notes from the last few debriefs and Lieutenant ????? and your suggestions about pairing Destroid squadrons are an excellent idea. We will begin disbursement of the new mecha and redo the flight rosters to pair up Destroids to be more balanced against the enemy."

"Thank you Sir." I quickly glanced at Commander Boniva whose face was now beat red. He was so hot you could fry and egg on his head. I am sure I would hear about this later. Oh well, we had a fight to pick and I had to get my team ready.

After the briefing Jade and I darted out the back to avoid the evil eyes we had gotten from Hayes and Boniva. We stopped by our Orderly Room to pick up the new squadron roster to see who our new recruits were going to be.

"Congratulations Lieutenant. You are Thunders new Squadron Commander." The orderly handed me a memorandum from Squadron Command dictating the new position.

"Well how bout that. They made you Squad Commander. Guess you have to buy the beers."

"Yeah Yeah... Thanks Corporal. Lets head down to the day room and see if any of these newbies are there."

We strolled casually down to where the newbies would all be waiting hoping to not run into Boniva. We knew he would be looking for us, or at least looking for me.

As we walked in we both froze as we stared into the face of Commander Boniva. I tried to break things up a bit.

"At ease commander." A few of the recruits chuckled but where silenced by the dark stare from Boniva.

I didn't bother entertaining his anger. I was not about to get pushed over by a bookworm.

"Recruits. I assume you have all met the Tomahawk Group Commander, Commander Boniva. He will be your highest reporting officer. I being the Squadron Commander will report to him. Any concerns you have can be voiced to me or taken directly to Commander Boniva." I tried to give him a little credit but it was not working.

"Your squadron had been merged with Silver Hawk Squadron plus two new recruits." Boniva was mad. It was not hard to tell. "You have snagged this command only by luck Lieutenant. I definitely did not suggest it." He then turned to the new squadron. "If any of you have issues with your new Squadron Commander please come to me with your concerns." After than he turned with out any words to me and exited the room.

After he had left the room I calmly turned to everyone. "Okay you can relax now."

Everyone sighed with relief.

"Welcome Silver Hawks. I know your squadron name hold pride in your hearts but you are in Thunder squadron now. Don't ever forget where it was you came from though. It is a great part of who you are. This is my second in command Jade Jameson a.k.a. Jades Fire."

"Call me Jade."

"Okay lets get started." Over the next hour we acclimated ourselves with each other and went over the battle plan for tomorrow. The destroids were hopefully not going to be needed but we had to be ready. I dismissed the troops to get a few hours rest before suiting up and readying ourselves for battle.

I did not sleep much. I never do before a fight. Especially one that we were picking. I have never known a pilot who did sleep well before a combat mission.

Zero hour rolled around quickly. The plan was to hide the SDF-1 in the rings of Saturn and jump out at the enemy and fire the main gun. If all went well it would be an effortless hit and run. Nothing was ever as easy as it sounded.

The Veritech squadrons lifted off in the clock of the Saturn rings and ran silent. Command section then engaged a modular transformation of the SDF-1 and switched off all active sensors. This was as good as cloaked as we were going to get. The passive sensors kept us from hitting any really big particles in the rings but the hull still shook as smaller ones impacted the sides of the ship. We sat in darkness hoping and praying for the best but ready for the worst.

We watched our radar as updates flooded across the screen in light green text. The Veritechs were with in minutes of breaching the dark side of the planet and launching there attack. Somehow the enemy was anticipating our attack and had moved a cruiser out to meet our incoming Veritechs. It was blocking the SDF-1's path to the main bulk of the enemies' fleet.

"This mission is going south boys. Standby to engage active radar and move onto the deck. Report in." The squadron began reporting in and I watched as my weapon systems went hot, ready for combat.

The Veritechs engages the enemy and annihilated just about everything in their path but the enemy cruiser kept pouring out pods. Its like they chose now to show just how many of them there really were. It did not take long for the Veritechs to become overrun with pods.

"Why aren't they firing the main gun? That was the plan was it not?" Asked one of my crew.

"Hang tight. Keep it together people." This was not looking good. Then we got a message over the main comm channel.

"All destroid and Veritech units deploy in defensive formation."

"You heard the lady. Lets move Thunder Squadron!" I thumbed the throttle and brought my mech to a cruising speed and made my way to the hanger door.

My Squad was paired with a Phalanx Squadron so we all formed up once we left the hanger.

"Okay. Tomahawks provide a front line for the Phalanx Squadron. Stand fast and pick your targets."

Pods had swarmed all over the horizon of the ship. Explosions ruptured everywhere as pods and Veritechs were disintegrated. There must have been thousands of them. Wave after wave advanced toward the SDF-1. This is exactly what the Phalanx squadrons hope for.

As if on que Thunder squadron crouched as the Phalanx's let loose with there first volley of missiles. Pods exploded all across the horizon. I could hear cheering across the comm channels. More pods flooded through the flaming remains of there brothers.

"Fire at will." I yelled through the comm channel.

Thunder erupted from the decks of the SDF-1 as Tomahawks, Defenders, and Monsters opened up with all they had. Hot plasma ripped through the advancing pods rupturing them into giant fireballs. Pod after pod exploded as they advanced. Smoke trails launched from the arms of the MAC II Monster squads as they launched their Angel of Death nuclear tipped missiles. More pods were enveloped in the nuclear fire that reached out from the exploding warheads.

Left and right pods kept coming. Swarming the SDF-1 in a rageing fire of death. The Phalanx's let loose with there last salvo of missiles and began retreating to the safety of the re-loading bays. Thunder Squad stepped forward to meet the attacker. The pods had learned our tricks. Half the pods engaged my squadron and half flew in pursuit of the Phalanx Squadron. I turned my mech to help give them cover and saw four Phalanxes' explode in a fury of fire. Engaging the targeting computer I let loose with my first volley of shoulder pack missiles. Smoke trails raced and found their targets. The remaining Phalanx reached the re-loading bays before the Pods could return for another round.

Pivoting again I re-engaged the oncoming pods. Thumbing the trigger again I launched my second shoulder pack missiles into the on slot. Most of the pods where in to close of a range for the missiles to efficiently track. My mech was rocked by an explosion to my starboard. Turning I saw the remains of one of my squads Tomahawks. I only hope he had time to eject.

"This is bad Jade. Thunder Squad. Form up on me. We have incoming off the port horizon." Tomahawks began to move to my location being careful not to bunch up and become easy targets.

Two more of my mechs were destroyed by incoming missile fire. Missiles impacted the superstructure forming holes like our pot marked moon. It became very dangerous to move around.

Shoulder pack missiles erupted from mech after mech streaking into the blackness of space looking for a target. For every missile that connected with a pod seemed to bring forth two new pods. They would not stop coming at us. The Veritechs were doing all they could to keep themselves from getting blown into space dust. We were on our own.

We were swarmed with pods. Energy poured out from both destroid and pod. Both struggling for survival. I engaged two pods that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Energy ripped through my mechs left arm actuator severing the link connector between the plasma generators and the muzzle of my left plasma cannon. I opened up with all my torso-mounted armament ripping into the pod directly in front of me. You could almost see the pilot inside as the pod ignited into a blazing fireball. The force of the explosion knocked my tomahawk off its feet. Two squad mates saw my mech go down and caught the second pod in plasma crossfire.

I slammed my foot pedals to erect my mech from its fallen position when I noticed a new swarm screaming down upon us.

"THUNDERS GET DOWN!" I heard over the comm system. I did not argue.

An orgy of missiles sprang forth upon the incoming pods ripping them open and igniting each pod in a brilliant flash of yellow and red.

"All clear brothers." It was our fellow Phalanx squadron returned from the re-loading hanger.

"Thunder squad. Fall back to give more defensive cover fire for the Phalanx's." We pulled back closer to the re-loading hanger and set up for a better defensive fire.

Three pods swarmed from behind our position and opened up right in Jade's direction.

" Jade look out!" I yelled through the comm system as I thumbed the trigger and threw plasma and raw energy into the oncoming pods. My fire clipped the legs off of one of the pods, which was enough to draw their fire to me. I opened my last shoulder salvo and thumbed the launcher. My mech shuttered under the force of the launch. All three pods were hit but none destroyed. They now spun out of control hurling straight for me.

"Bill get out of there!"

I let loose with my remaining plasma cannon and scored a direct hit on the nearest pod. The force of the explosion ripped my port side gyro stabilizer from its mountings, which sent my mech stumbling.

The second pod impacted the hull to my port side, which actually helped stabilize my stumbling mech. The third pod I could not avoid. As I regained control of my mech I righted its torso just in time to see the pod explode into a fury of twisted metal as it impacted my mech.

System malfunction lights flashed across my displays as I heard warning alarms of gyro malfunctions and stabilizer outages. Temperature readings where off the scale as my mech began to melt in the heat. It all happened so fast.

" JADE!...." was all I could get through the comm system before my mech exploded into oblivion. How could this have happened to me? It was like watching the fight from the bleachers. You can see it all from the outside as it happens. I watched my squadron mechs turn and watch as my mech fell to pieces on the hull of the SDF-1. What was my squad going to do?

What about my friend Jade? The pods would have surely destroyed his mech. I had to help my friend.

I had to repay the last debt I will ever owe...

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"NOOO!" I yelled into the dead comm system. "Thunder squadron, this is Jades Fire. Form up on me. Defensive pattern Alpha. Phalanx squad. Let loose and re-load."

Before any of the mechs had a chance to start moving another voice came over the comm system.

"All Tomahawk and Monster destroids report to the Daedalus. I repeat. All Tomahawk and Monster destroids report to the Daedalus."

"Okay Thunders. You heard the lady now lets not be impolite." We thumbed our throttles and headed for the Daedalus while the Phalanx's gave us cover fire.

For some reason the SDF-1 could not fire its main gun. They had changed there plan and were now going to load up some destroids into the tip of Daedalus, focus the pin point barrier system at the tip, and ram it into the bow of the nearest enemy cruiser. And I thought I was nuts. But if it gave me the chance to avenge my friend's death then so be it. Let me at'em.

They crammed as many Tomahawks and Monsters into that cargo hold as possible. We waited for the impact. Even with the gravity generators on board these ships we could still feel the force of the Daedalus being thrust toward the cruiser.

Our mechs shook violently as the Daedalus crashed through the forward hull of the alien cruiser. It felt like it took an eternity for the ship and our mechs to stop shaking. A splinter of light appeared as the Daedalus opened its forward compartment.

It took a few seconds to shake the shock we were all feeling as we got our first real glimpse at the aliens.

I did not care to look at their faces.

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I yelled as I cut loose every missile housed in my Tomahawk. The deck shook again as the other mechs followed suit and missiles were launched from every mech. Angel of Deaths impacted the interior hull of the enemy ship and kept going punching deeper into the center of the ship.

The deck continued to shake as the SDF-1 pulled the Daedalus out of the bow of the enemy ship. We watched as the SDF-1 withdrew from the attack. The cruiser began to blister and bulge. You could almost here the steel ripping apart on the inside. The cruiser erupted in a crimson explosion that lit up space like a star going supernova and blinked out of existence almost as fast as it had started.

Cheering could be heard over the comm system for the next fifteen minutes as the remaining pods withdrew from the engagement and our remaining forces began limping back to there hangers. We had won the fight again. For this day. But at what cost do we win.

My friend William was gone. The only one I really had left. My brother.

There would be many awards. Many metals. And I am sure many promotions. I will probably end up as Commander of Thunder Squadron. A position that I will fill with much regret. My Tomahawk is pretty trashed. I will have to get a new one. Maybe I will name it "The DeCook". A name, which will not be forgotten. I shall put a placket up in his honor and give him a proper burial.

Death has become an all to common factor here in space. It's cold and dark. A place that welcomes death with open arms. I have seen too many of my comrades and friends fall into that embrace. I will now carry their burdens.

 

Next: A Day in the Life of a Destroid: Phalanx