Infinite Warfare

Chapter 10: Safe Harbor (Jackal Airstrike)

The mission was a success in pushing the SDF back from Europa. We all headed back to Retribution for a little downtime before we prepare for another Jackal Airstrike mission to thin out SetDef's fleet a little as it was an instant emergency since it's an attack close to Earth's orbit.

We all headed to the bridge to get a mission brief. We noticed that SetDef destroyers are attacking a critical port operations outpost. We decided to take action immediately.

"We noticed that a few SDF destroyers started attacking port operations outposts close to Earth. There are friendly forces trying to push them back, but needed reinforcements since one of the three stations of the outpost was destroyed. We need to defend the outpost so we can still be able to get our resources to our Lunar Gateway port." I explained on the bridge console.

"Yes, since we still need resources to rebuild the UNSA fleet. I'm in for another jackal fight." Dasha says as she heads to the elevator.

"Scar team and Starfox will take care of the front lines, and Retribution can help out in this fight for the defense." Loona says as she heads to her jackal.

"Room for one more? You do need an extra ace for this heavy fight." Reyes says as he gets into his Jackal."

"Fine with me, Nick." I spoke as I got into my ship.

Krystal, and Falco got ready as they headed to their Arwings. Dasha got ready as well, as she was pumped of adrenaline to kill more SetDef. We all did the procedures and got ready for launch when Katt gave us the countdown.

"Launch in three, two, one!" Katt shouted from the comms.

All six of us launched out of the hangar and headed to our destination.

Time passed as we headed to the port operation outpost. One of the three stations there was destroyed and our UNSA friends struggled to push back the SDF. Loona boosted her thrusters fast as she started shooting down a couple of enemy Skelters already. I joined in the fray next as I switched to my cannons and fired one side of an SDF destroyer.

Krystal does a barrel roll as an skelter was behind her tail. She succeeds as she flips behind the enemy and shoots him down.

"Keep shooting down the skelters." Reyes says through the comms as he fires down another.

"I'm going after the destroyer. Firing a smart bomb!" Falco says as he shoots a bomb at an enemy ship which instantly blows up in debris.

"One destroyer scratched." I spoke as I took down another Skelter.

"Most wanted pilot ace is in the fray! Watch your back!" Loona shouted as she dodged some debris.

"Copy that! I'll take him down." I spoke as I locked him in my sights when I caught up behind him.

Krystal and Dasha stayed together as they worked together on firing down the final SDF destroyer. Dasha fired missile flares on time as the destroyer fired back missiles at her.

"Watch out! Fire at the engines, they are damaged." Krystal suggested as she goes behind the destroyer and fires at the damaged engine cones.

Dasha fired a couple of missiles and the destroyer was blown to bits.

"Destroyer down. Just a few more skelters left." Falco says as he helps Reyes destroy the remaining skelters.

I struggled on shooting down the Ace skelter as he is Lieutenant Karl Drown. One of the nastiest, most wanted pilots of the SDF fleet. As he was accused of killing many innocent individuals that traveled space.

Krystal noticed deeper about the Ace I'm trying to shoot down, and she noticed that he was one that murdered Fox, Slippy, and Peppy from the mine colony attack on the moon, Lo.

"Stan! Let me take care of him! He's the one that killed Fox!" Krystal shouted as he boosts passed me and she angrily shoots at the ace.

"Krystal!" I shouted with worry.

Krystal aggressively fires at the enemy skelter as her trauma causes her to trigger a horrible flashback.

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Years ago... Moon Lo.... Evacuation mission...

"Fox please! We need to go now!" Krystal shouted as she escorted the human and anthro miners into a transport ship.

"More SDF skelters are coming, you need to go and help transport the workers back to Earth." Fox suggested as he got into his Arwing.

"Not without you! Please don't stick your neck out like always!" Krystal says as she hesitated to leave.

"Don't worry. I promise." Fox says as he and the rest of the Starfox team flew out of Lo's atmosphere and did their best pushing back the SDF till the tragedy happened.

She remembered how they were brutally shot down and Falco was lucky to retreat back in time as his Arwing was severely damaged by the attack they failed to fight back. Krystal screamed loudly as she saw Fox's Arwing blown into bits first before Slippy and Peppy were shot down to their death as well.

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Back in the present...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She shouted in rage as she damaged the left side of the skelter, and kills the ace with a smart bomb.

Even when the skelter was destroyed she kept firing at the remaining debris wto vent her rage of losing the love of her life.

"Krystal! Stand down!" Loona shouted.

She listened as she came back to her senses as her trauma fades away. We were shocked since that wasn't her at all. We all decided to head back and call it for a day as we bought some time to push away the SDF.

Later...

Loona and Krystal were talking privately into the captain quarters as I waited for them outside till Dasha pulled me away to the mess hall for dinner. I just hope Loona helps Krystal with her trauma over losing Fox.