Lt. JG Maybaugh was astonished to see the small fighters disengage as one, and hurtle toward his mother ship. He keyed his communicator.
"Spaz-6 to Triple J."
"Uh, go Six", the squadron commander muttered over a wad of gum.
"Roger, sir", the young pilot called into the mike excitedly, "am in pursuit of several small fighters en route to the Escort."
"Copy six", Triple J replied, swinging his fighter around to follow. His threat indicator squawked and began blinking rapidly. Though cursed with ploddingly slow brain synapses, his instincts
were razor sharp. He threw his ship into a dive, craning his neck to see what might be coming his way, and to his dismay, spotted the Wyzenhymer Yodeler fighter they had so recently dispatched.
The tips of each of the angular fighter's wings began to glow, belching forth several blasts of highly charged plasma. Triple J reversed his motion on the stick praying to God, or anyone else who might be
listening, for assistance.
"Here they come, boys", Ghostrider advised his fighters as the small Wyzenhymer ships registered on his screen. He thumbed his fire controls to "active" and fed power to his engines. "Odd
numbers, stand fast!!", he instructed. "Evens, follow me."
Four fighters formed a wedge behind him. He opened his mouth to give the order to move out, but was interrupted by the Commander.
"Hold your positions, Spam Squadron", Reed ordered.
"What the fu...", Ghostrider muttered irritably.
"Watch it, Jennings", the Commander advised.
"Sorry, sir. I didn't realize my mike was hot..."
"No, I really mean watch it", Reed continued. "Those are drone ships coming your way, and we aren't exactly sure who's controlling them."
"Holy mother of cheese", Jennings breathed, watching the Wyzenhymer fighters eat up the distance. "Spam Squadron", he shouted into his communicator, "line formation, and full power to shields!"
"We're Spam Squadron, boss",Spam-5 remarked glibly. "We don't use shields."
"Stow it, McGinnis", Ghostrider replied, "and get ready for the fight of your life."
"They're just Meks, sir", his insubordinate subordinate continued, "It ain't like they can think."
"Which means they're not afraid to die, Lieutenant", Jennings admonished him forcefully. "Now do as your told!!"
"Aye-aye, sir", McGinnis responded, catching his superior's mood.
