"We've got incoming fighters!" Captain Rhodes said over squadcomm, "Excalibur prepare to engage hostile fighters."
Captain Rhodes and his squadron of RT-3 fighters fell into formation as the group of incoming fighters released a hailstorm of fire through the dark vacuum of space.
"Captain I've got two more squadrons of fighters incoming on radar," Control aboard the UNS Washington informed him.
"We need back up, what's the status of Royal Squadron?" Rhodes asked control.
"Bird Squad fall in formation with Excalibur!" Kerrigan's voice came through the captains helmet.
"Royal Squadron on station," Lieutenant Iris's voice came after Kerrigan's.
"Nice of you ladies to join us," Rhodes said as the three squadrons of RT-3s took formation and prepared to engage the enemy fighters.
"Tell your boys to hold right captain; it's not every day swords get to fly with birds," Kerrigan's voice came through the speaker.
"They'll do their job Lieutenant," Rhodes replied as the two groups of fighters drew closer and the battle commenced.
***
Kerrigan pushed the throttle forward and lined her first kill in her sights before pulling the trigger, sending a rebel soul to hell as the armor piercing rounds tore through his XR-1, a larger fighter than the RT-3 but with thinner armor and a lighter engine. Kerrigan spotted Heart barrel roll out of the way of a XR-1. The XR-1 swing right and opened fire on Heart as she engaged another fighter.
"Watch it Heart you've got a friend coming around at your eight o'clock," Kerrigan stated as rounds flew past her ship.
"I've got him," Heart replied as her ship flipped around and cut the bigger fighter in half with its armor piercing rounds.
"That's some fancy flying you've got going there Heart," Champion said as he and Smokestack flew past Kerrigan and Heart being chased by three large XR-1s, "we brought you two a gift," he said referring to the three fighters.
Kerrigan pulled her ship to the right, hard. The small fighter climbed and started to come around as Kerrigan rained hell onto the three fighters from above.
"Thank you kindly Big Bird," Smokestack said as he and Champion pulled off to engage another group of fighters.
Kerrigan watched as the frigates and cruisers from both fleets opened fire on one another.
"This is Big Bird to all squadrons; watch the ship to ship crossfire, the bombers should be deployed soon in which case each squadron will escort a bomber group to their target."
"Copy Big Bird, Royal over." Lieutenant Iris replied, "we see our bomber group and we're pulling out to escort; switching to their frequency over. Good luck."
"Word to Big Bird, fly well Royal."
"Kerrigan you've got two more squadrons launching from one of the frigates!" Rhodes said as he pulled up beside her.
"Control this is Kerrigan, requesting gunship support, two more squadrons of fighters have launched and our bombers are coming up," Kerrigan stated as the new group of XR-1s turned towards Excalibur and Bird.
"Lieutenant we're seeing those two squadrons on radar and gunships are being deployed. Your objective is to escort your bomber group, repeat your prime objective is to protect your bomber group."
"Copy control." Kerrigan replied before switching to Rhodes' frequency, "we're to report to our bomber groups Captain and gunships are inbound."
"Copy Big Bird, Excalibur pulling out," Rhodes said giving Kerrigan a nod from his cockpit before pulling away followed by the rest of Excalibur Squadron.
"Bird Squadron fall in on me," Kerrigan said as they moped up the last few fighters of the first wave.
"Viceroy you've got a bogey right above you!" Zero said as he pulled opened fire on the XR-1.
The bulkier ship exploded as Zero's rounded punched through the ship. A piece of shrapnel cut through the engine of Zero's ship, sending him into a spin.
"Zero is in a spin, looks like a piece of metal sliced through the engine," Janic said as he and Wolf pulled up beside Zero.
"Nelson this is Kerrigan, I've got a pilot in a junked fighter and I'm requesting a pick up at our location."
"That's a negative Lieutenant, all gunships are engaging enemy fighter squadrons as we speak." Control replied.
Kerrigan swore and switched to her squads frequency.
"Champion and Smokestack get Zero back to the Nelson; the rest of you with me, we've got a group of bombers to escort."
