Solar Warden

Escape Part 123

Knight and Watkins were in Ryan's shuttle. Ryan informed all about the situation.

"If we proceed to the Icarus we have to get Knight in a suite. Still it will be a risky attempt if these enemy fighters can intercept us," Ryan said.

"Going down to the planet means to hold the cave for a while. We have all to leave the shuttles behind, open for an attack. Then what. Try to capture a city?" Knight could now move the upper body parts a bit.

"We also have to delay the destruction of our left stuff down there," Newman added.

Ryan informed Owens at once to delay it. They were already close to leave the orbit. Then Ryan activated the display with the tactical information. They saw the squadrons around the enemy ship. There were now 120, still increasing. Both, shuttles and the enemy ship, where pursuing the Icarus from a different direction.

"There are less than 90 combat drones on the Icarus. If they cannot bind the enemy fighters we are sitting ducks. There is no experience how the battle will turn out. It is possible that the Icarus will be forced to jump. Also we don't know when the capital enemy ship is in weapons range. I fear we are not in a good position," Ryan said. Owens was now joining them.

"Owens what is your opinion. Do we get to the Icarus?" Knight asked.

"That's a good question." He looked at the tactical display. There were now 138, still increasing.

"We took with two drones one of them down and lost one combat drone. This time we will engage differently. But it does not guarantee that it has more success. If they break through they can easily intercept us or they split up. That means they can outnumber us or just force the Icarus to jump."

"They said they want to destroy the Icarus. So they will ignore us. Without the Icarus we only have the option to fly back and that's what they want," Knight was sure there was no point in destroying the shuttles.

"Yes, but with the Icarus away, we only can go back to the planet. In space, I guess, they will destroy our escort then we are out of options." Owens added.