The Whims of Lady Luck

 A few days later they returned to Benevolent City province for another hunt.

"Lets check this area", Alexis pointed out a group of villages south-east from the city. "They should not expect us there but we should still find a prey".

"You are to cautious, wing-leader",  Lily was as eager as always, "we should fly somewhere where we can find more targets for practice".

"I agree with comrade Gruel, no need to risk when the whole area is on alert after the last time. They definitely strengthened the patrols", and Kate kept her role as Lilies minder.

"Ok, but you are really boring when it comes to a fight".

They reached the destination in a few hours. A small village on the edge of the forest was devastated. In the eastern part of it centralians made an improvised camp, a piece of artillery, a couple of infantry armoured vehicles and a few tens of soldiers. They did not expect any guests, so they were not on alert yet. 

"Should we make some fireworks here?", Lily started preparing a spell.

"Go ahead, but be fast, while there are no bases nearby, there still may be air patrols. We will stay on guard here".

"Roger that, leader", Lily launched her fighter down and soon a barrage of fireballs flew into the ground in the direction of unsuspecting enemy.

They noticed the plane. Soldiers jumped from the ground in panic. Some ran into cover, some tried to get into the armoured vehicles. One junior officer tried to call for help using the portable radio station. But it was to late: one of the vehicles caught fire, artillery piece was utterly destroyed and one fireball landed on the poor officer and ignited his uniform. Panic only heightened, soldiers ran all over the place, the remaining armoured vehicle was moving to the edge of the forest trying to get cover, but another fireball landed on its tracks and it stuck in the snow.

"Starshina Leitis, enemy patrol approaching, nine of them, we should retreat!", Alexis’s voice in the radio interrupted the massacre.

"Just a moment, comrade Gruel, let me finish this sitting duck'.

"No time for it, they are already on the horizon".

Still, Lily decided to complete the incarnation. A barrage of bigger magic enchanted boulders fell onto the vehicle and crushed its armour. Lily quickly turned the plane and launched in the direction of her comrades. But the enemy patrol was already on her tail. A couple of interceptors, which were at the front, launched a barrage of enchanted stone needles at her. While not as accurate as ice ones, they were more damaging and the sheer rate of fire from two machines was concerning. Still, she continued to fly west, dodging the fire as much as she could. Alexis and Kate flew about five hundred meters ahead of her. It was not the time to turn and attack the enemy as they were outpowered three to one and did not have any air advantage.

Thankfully, about an hour later the enemies started to slow down. And then turned back.

"Looks like they are out of fuel. We were lucky that it was a local patrol, so they did not have much to begin with", Kate breathed a sigh of relief and asked the Alexis via the radio, "What are your orders. Should we go to another area?"

"No, that’s enough adventures for today. We are getting back to the base for now. Lily, do you hear me?"

"Sorry, wing-leader, it seems like they damaged my tank. The fuel was leaking all of this time and it is almost empty. Time for emergency landing…", her machine started to descent to the ground.

"Damn, we are still in the enemy territory! What if there are patrols on the ground?!"

Just as he said it, an armoured vehicle showed up from the forest. Soon it spotted the landed craft. A bunch of soldiers jumped outside and started running in the direction of Lily. There was no time to think, Alexis put on the first water incarnation that came into his mind and launched a bunch of ice pebbles at the incoming enemies. A couple of them got hit, the other ones retreated back to their vehicle. Now Kate monitored them (but it did not seem like they plan to attack again), while Alexis landed his craft and took Lily in.

"This is why I told you not to be reckless! What if we were not nearby? Mage or not, you cannot fight a dozen of armoured men and a vehicle with just a pistol", once they took off and were high enough for the guns not to reach them, he turned back to Lily.

"Sorry, leader, seems like the Lady Luck is not on my side today", at least she was regretting her decision. Though, he was sure, she will be as reckless next time.

The next couple of weeks passed quite peacefully. After the incident they were bared from going to the frontline for a few days, but once other groups reported fewer patrols in the area, the hunts continued. They managed to destroy a few more enemy camps but centralian pilots were pretty cautious and ran away after sustaining any damage.

On February 23rd commander Wheeler called Alexis, Kate, and Lily into his office.

"I will probably regret this deciosion but general staff already signed all of the papers. Congratulations, junior lieutenant Leitis".

"I got a promotion? Surprise", Lily did not look surprised in any way with the news.

"That’s not all. They also decided to give you an Order of the Southern Star for your last victory", he stood up, took a small red box from the table and gave it to Lily.

"It's pretty", she took the golden star-shaped medal from the box, examined it and pinned it to her uniform, "thank you commander!"

"And the last thing, you three are now officially promoted to «hunters». Now you do not need a permission for the hunts and can choose the area where to go for it at your own discretion".

"Huh, seems like today Lady Luck is on my side again", Lily was smirking, while Alexis and Kate just nodded, accepting the promotion.