The planet’s name is Scincia, and it will spark a change in the universe. It is the home of the Scincians, a subterranean species that built large underground communities. They’ve always shown little interest in adventuring through the stars.
Seeing the planet as an easy target, the Birnsteins invaded to drive the Scincians out. The Scincians have grown impatient with the galactic government’s response, so they asked the Humans for assistance. They know the Humans will help in exchange for the resources mined on Scincia.
A small Human presence had been in the system, but now a fleet arrived in force to send the Birnsteins a message.
***
Joe Steel knew the shuttle had entered the atmosphere. The RLS Pew-class shuttle buckled as it made contact with the air. Joe looked forward through the cockpit to see the flames from the friction blinding the pilots before the viewport tinted with a filter to clear the view.
This wasn’t the wildest moment since arriving in the Scincia system.
The crew of the Newgate knew they'd be engaging in battle as soon as they exited jump. Before arrival, all squads and squadrons were suited up and strapped into their shuttles and fighters, respectively, and waiting anxiously. When the ship exited jump, Joe heard the fleet’s and then the captain's orders over his helmet speaker.
“Attention, all personnel: a Birnstein fleet of fifty plus ships is orbiting Scincia and attacking the planet. Our sensors confirm enemy fighters are breaking off to engage us. Fighters will follow orders to engage the enemy and escort the shuttles to the planet. Orders for each ship will give specific directions.”
“This is Captain Giehl. Squadron Newgate-Alpha will engage enemy fighters in our area. Squadron Newgate-Beta will escort the shuttles to the designated landing zones. Let’s go!”
Soon, the hangar door opened, and Joe heard the atmosphere whip against the shuttle as it vented into space. The engine of the shuttle revved up as it prepared to launch and caused Joe's seat to vibrate.
“Launching in three…two…one…,” said the shuttle's pilot, Corporal McCrory.
The shuttle jumped a foot off the hangar deck as it launched. The pilot then accelerated forward, getting the engine to roar louder, and moved out of the Newgate's hangar into space.
Once clear of the ship, the shuttle dropped its nose and started for the planet. Joe could see flashes from the cockpit viewport of the Human and Birnstein fighters engaging in dogfights. Joe then saw a couple Human fighters fall in position ahead of the shuttle to form an escort.
“Squadron Newgate-Beta in position,” said the squadron’s sergeant, Arce, over the ship’s speakers. “Escorting the shuttles to the surface.”
The ships accelerated faster to the planet while maintaining formation. Weak enemy fire bounced off the shields, shaking the passengers a little. Joe looked over at Abbot, knowing she felt air sickness at times. She was looking forward at a fixed point on the wall to keep her head still, and Joe hoped it helped.
“Hold on!” shouted McCrory.
The shuttle suddenly tilted to port and started to roll. Joe braced himself along with the others. A large energy blast hit the shuttle and rattled everyone more than the roll. Joe heard the shields sizzle as they vibrated against the shuttle’s hull. An alarm went off in the cockpit, and when Joe turned his head to look, he saw Abbot had a bag in her hands held up against her mouth. Sitting next to Abbot was Mulloy, who didn’t look too good either.
After leveling off, the shuttle pointed its nose down at the planet again and accelerated. Joe saw the two fighters escorting them fall into position again as another large energy blast flew by to starboard.
“Maintain course, Newgate-B,” said a voice over the ship’s speakers. “We’ll take care of these birds.”
“Copy that,” said McCrory.
The two fighters then rolled to starboard and out of view. The shuttle began to shake again after taking a few impacts from enemy fire, but it soon ceased. Out of the viewport, Joe only saw Scincia ahead. After several moments, the escort fighters fell into position ahead of the shuttle again.
“You’re clear, Newgate-B,” said the same voice over the ship’s speakers.
“Thanks for the help,” said McCrory. “We’ll be entering the atmosphere soon.”
A few moments later, the shuttle cleared the Birnstein ships and entered the atmosphere. The shuttle continued to shake for several moments before it began to level out. The tinted viewport reverted to normal, allowing sunlight to fill the cockpit.
Joe took a deep breath. He couldn’t do anything as they flew through space. He couldn’t do anything as the shuttle descended to the surface. But soon, when the ramp opened on the surface, Joe would be engaging the Birnsteins. He tried to relax until that moment when he could finally do something.
Others stirred in their seats inside the shuttle. Joe saw Abbot had disposed of the bag she’d been holding, and she looked much better now. Meinhardt fiddled with her auto-rifle to make sure it was ready. Most of the others fidgeted with anticipation as the shuttle flew to the landing zone.
“Turret fire!” shouted McCrory again. “Hold on!”
The shuttle sharply weaved to starboard then to port. Flashes of enemy fire lit up the cabin from the cockpit as the shuttle dodged the enemy blasts. The shuttle bobbed through the air before the pilot put it in a nosedive toward the surface. The pilot continued downward for a few moments before the shuttle leveled off and decelerated.
“We’re below the turrets,” said the pilot. “Proceeding to the landing zone.”
“You’re clear, Newgate-B,” said Arce over the shuttle’s speakers. “My team’s going after those turrets now.”
“Thank you, Newgate-Beta,” said McCrory. “Good luck!”
“Copy that.”
Joe heard the fighters accelerate away as the shuttle continued to the landing zone.
“Two minutes, Montes,” said McCrory.
“Remember the mission,” said Montes in the cabin to draw everyone’s attention to him. “We head west to the Birnstein outpost and rendezvous with the other squads en route. We know the birds have been in the area, so stay sharp. We don’t want to run into any surprises. Clear?”
Joe and the others all nodded. Looking around the cabin, even the loud and reckless ones looked ready.
“Here we go!” said McCrory.
Joe held on as the shuttle dropped its landing gears and hit the ground a little harder than Joe expected. Soon, the ramp lowered, Joe released his restraints, and the squad hurried off the shuttle into the jungles of Scincia.