Demon of the Skies [Book 1]

Zero

"I thought I knew the world. I thought I knew myself. I thought I knew my dearest friend. But I knew nothing at all."
~Estrella DeMadrigal
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Chapter 21: Zero

Cipher

"You took your sweet time getting here," I said, circling around to get a bearing on my former wingman's location. "I was starting to wonder if you were too scared to face me."

"Confirmed reactivation of nuclear silo!" Hammerhead exclaimed. "Galm Team, continue your mission. Engage."

"Cipher, you've got this," PJ encouraged. "I'm sorry I can't help you..."

"Don't worry about me. I can handle Pixy. You focus on taking care of yourself and Janie, all right?"

"Roger. Go kick his ass."

"Already- shit!" I swerved violently to the right, barely dodging a laser sent in my direction. "What the hell was that?! Hammerhead! I need a little help here!"

"Stand by," he replied. "We're analyzing the situation."

"Here comes the snow..." Pixy mused, his tone annoyingly calm. I leveled out my plane, looking for him.

"Didn't realize you were such a poet, Buddy," I replied, trying to keep his focus occupied on the conversation rather than on fighting me. He'd probably see right through my strategy, but it didn't hurt to try.

"Seems like you are too."

"Shoot down the enemy. I'll run a plane analysis and fill you in ASAP!" Hammerhead promised as another laser shot at my plane. However, I'd at least been expecting it this time and dove towards the ground. The laser waved erratically above me, but thankfully, didn't come near me.

"I know what you're doing, buddy," Pixy said. "It's not going to work."

Yeah, I figured that'd be the case... but I couldn't say that. I needed to keep him talking until Hammerhead came back on. "It's working so far."

"Those who survive a long time on the battlefield start to think they're invincible," he continued. "I bet you do, too, Buddy."

"Well, yeah. I haven't been shot down, unlike someone I know."

Pixy sighed in irritation. "You're still making jokes about that?"

"I have to see if the guy I used to know is in there somewhere. Figured it was a good place to start. Where'd you get that plane?" I asked, getting behind him only to immediately evade that blasted laser of his. I needed to get rid of that thing, at least.

"Hammerhead? Any time now!" I asked, searching for Pixy's plane. This time, I found him far below me, his plane a gray ghost against the dam. The only reason I noticed him was the obnoxious red wing. I guess I used to be that obnoxious too when we had matching planes...