Storm Hawks: The Yuuzhan Vong War

IX

Aerrow awakened in the Wastelands on top of the wreckage of the Yorik-et starfighter. As Aerrow recovered, he quickly realized his surroundings amidst the volcanic climate. Aerrow's body was sore as a result of the crash. 

Aerrow: Argh....

Aerrow looked around and saw the flaming wreckages of the Yorik-et starfighters that they had shot down. Aerrow looked up to the sky and saw the Condor flying away. 

Aerrow: I...I need to get back to the others....

Suddenly, pounding could be heard from the Yorik-et starfighter that Aerrow was on top of. Aerrow rolled out of the way as a wounded Yuuzhan Vong warrior punched through the Yorik-et. He was bleeding profusely with his black blood dripping onto the volcanic landscape. The Yuuzhan Vong warrior pulled out a Coufee and walked towards Aerrow. 

Yuuzhan Vong Warrior: All shall fall to the Yuuzhan Vong....

Knowing a fight was inevitable, Aerrow prepared his Twin Energy Blades. Despite the wounds, the Yuuzhan Vong warrior showed no sign of pain. Despite his body being sore, Aerrow refused to back down. The Yuuzhan Vong warrior then lunged at Aerrow. Aerrow blocked the warrior's attacks. The Yuuzhan Vong warrior was twice his size and twice as strong. 

Aerrow: (This is bad! I need to think of something fast!)

The Yuuzhan Vong continued to attack Aerrow with unrelenting brutality. Aerrow continued to dodge and parry the Yuuzhan Vong's attacks. 

Yuuzhan Vong Warrior: There is no hope for you, heretic. Your entire planet is an affront to our Gods. 

Aerrow: We won't let you destroy Atmos!

Yuuzhan Vong Warrior: Pain is the true path to existence. Suffering is the fuel in the engine of civilization.

As the Yuuzhan Vong warrior continued to batter Aerrow with powerful attacks, Aerrow manages to land a gut shot at the Vong warrior and manages to break his arm. Despite this, the Yuuzhan Vong warrior was not fazed by this. In fact, the Vong warrior grabbed Aerrow by the throat and threw him against the wreckage of a Yorik-et starfighter. The Vong warrior then lunges at Aerrow, but Aerrow rolls out of the way. The Vong warrior grabs Aerrow by the leg, but Aerrow kicks the Vong warrior in the face. Aerrow quickly gets back on his feet. 

Yuuzhan Vong Warrior: I fight for the honor of the Yuuzhan Vong and Domain Shai. 

Aerrow: I fight...for Atmos! Whatever plans you have for Atmos, I won't let you win!

The Yuuzhan Vong warrior then lunges at Aerrow and manages to slash at Aerrow's left side with the Coufee, causing great pain. Depsite this, Aerrow fought through the pain and thrust one of his Energy Blades into the Vong warrior's stomach. The Vong warrior laughs off the pain as he smacks Aerrow away. The Vong warrior then walks over to Aerrow and body slams him on the scorching hot rocks. As Aerrow struggles to get up, the Vong warrior thrusts his Coufee down on Aerrow. Aerrow grabbed the Vong's hands and pushed hard against it. As the blade grew closer and closer to Aerrow's through, the ground began to rumble. Suddenly, a large Lava Eel emerged from the lava banks and lets out a deafening roar. Aerrow then kicks the Vong warrior in the face, giving Aerrow enough time to escape. The Lava Eel then lunges at the Vong warrior and snaps it's jaws at the Vong warrior. Refusing to show pain, the Vong warrior stabs at the Lava Eel, but the Lava Eel submerges into the lava banks and consumes the Vong warrior. Aerrow soon crawled away and took a moment to catch his breath. 

Aerrow: That was...too close. 

Aerrow looked around and saw the predicament he was in. He had no idea if any other Yuuzhan Vong survived the crash of their ships.

Aerrow: I...I need to get out of here fast and....get to the others. 

Aerrow looked around and saw several downed Skimmers. Seeing that there was no other choice, Aerrow sheathed his Twin Energy Blades and checked the Skimmers. Most of them were damaged beyond repair. As hope began to fade, Aerrow found luck in the form of an old Cyclonian Skimmer. Aerrow checked the Skimmer and saw that it was in working situation. Aerrow was quick to notice the irony of his situation. 

Aerrow: So the Cyclonians are the ones to save me from the Wastelands....lucky me....

Aerrow starts up the Skimmer and the engine roars. The ground began to rumble once more as another Lava Eel began to emerge from the lava banks. Aerrow was able to start up the Cyclonian Skimmer and fly away just as the Lava Eel was about to lunge at Aerrow. As the Skimmer flew out of the Wastelands, Aerrow attempts to start up the Skimmer's communications device and contact the Condor. 

Aerrow: Emergency Code 913. I have no contact on any frequency. Can anyone hear me? This is Aerrow. I repeat, this is Aerrow. 

Aerrow heard nothing from the other side. It was clear to Aerrow that the communications device was damaged beyond repair. 

Aerrow: Damn....

Aerrow realized that his best shot was to make his way to Terra Neverlandis to reunite with the Storm Hawks. Aerrow had survived his brush with death against the Yuuzhan Vong warrior. Despite his survival, Aerrow knew that this wouldn't be the last time he was have a close encounter with death. Aerrow knew that as long as this war continued to rage across Atmos, people would continue to die. All Aerrow could do at this moment was regroup with the Storm Hawks.