Closer To Heaven

"The Reunion"

    Elizabeth looked around, searching like a hawk through the skies. Nothing so far. She had a sick feeling in her stomach. The Erusians never showed up late even if it was a dangerous mission. Three planes regrouped with her: Mobius 2, Mobius 3, and Mobius 4. "This is Mobius 1. Anything to report?" Elizabeth announced. Radios crackled in her ears. "This is Mobius 2, nothing." "Mobius 3 here. I didn't see anything either." "I got nothing either." Mobius 4 reported. Elizabeth looked around. "Where is Mobius 5?" she reported back. "This is Mobius 4, I saw him scouting around to the west. Maybe he still wants to do some extra reconnaissance." Elizabeth was in the midst of thinking as to whether or not they should return to base when all of the sudden, a faint voice came over the radio. "This is Mobius 5. I'm showing one contact to the north. There IFF isn't responding." Elizabeth was puzzled. She didn't want to end up killing a friendly so she order Mobius 5 to return to formation. Mobius 5 complied to the order when all of the sudden, he screamed over the radio. "THIS IS MOBIUS 5! I'VE BEEN ENGAGED! I REPEAT! I'VE BEEN ENGAGED! IT'S... IT'S A YELLOW!" Elizabeth's heart stopped for a second and she then quickly regained her thoughts. "Mobius 5! We're coming to get you just hold on!"

    "I CAN'T SHAKE HIM! I CA---" his radio went to static and he was lost from radar. Elizabeth and the others broke off to engage. There he was, moving closer and gaining altitude on the radar. She pulled up to his altitude and almost rammed him. Then, for a brief second, she saw the infamous Su-37 with yellow markings along with a yellow number that read, "13". Elizabeth quickly panicked and immediately dove straight down and headed to the direction of the base. She was breathing very heavily and started to lose her breath. Sweat ran down on her forehead, then, she realized. The others! She looked on her radar and saw that the others were engaging from different directions. She then panicked even more. "THIS IS MOBIUS 1! DON'T ENGAGE FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, SHE'LL USE THAT TO HER ADVANTAGE!" But, it was too late. On the radar, Mobius 2 and 4 crashed into each other as she evaded. Then, Mobius 3 was immediately picked off. It was just like two years ago. All of her comrades, her friends, just gone in a blink of an eye.

    Yellow 13 broke off and headed for home. Why?  Why didn't you shoot me down?!  She thought. The return home was long. She was ready for a nice bath and some sleep. But, she knew that it was going to be hard to get some sleep, especially after today. I wonder if Mobius 3 or 5 got a chance to bailout?  She thought.