Signature Spell

A few days later they flew another hunt. Alex was leading personally again with Alexis and Lily following him.

"Ground support reports eight enemies on the horizon. It may be a bit to much for us to deal with now", Alexis was worried.

"Judging by the silhouettes, five of them are older «Jac-3» models. Looks like they are either running out of planes or had to move better regiments to the South front. It should not be a problem", Wheeler was calm.

"Lets get some prey!", while Lily was excited.

"They still outnumber us, so be careful. I will try to draw the leading group of «Jac-7» ones", Alex Launched ahead in the direction of the enemy. "You scatter and try to divide them".

Alexis went top left, while Lily went top right. Enemy fighters indicated «Airviper» as the most dangerous opponent and three «Jac-7» launched at him from different directions. Three other fighters cautiously turned in Lily’s direction, spotting a signature symbol on her side, while the remaining two approached Alexis.

"How dare you, attack a lady three on one!", Lily shouted, but she was clearly happy about this course of action, casually dodging the enemy fire. These older models could not keep up with her craft and skills.

She was doing an ascending spiral, while raising the distance between her and the enemies and waiting for a good chance to turn. Once she was far enough, she made a tactical turn and launched back at the pursuers, releasing a barrage of ice balls at them. The enemies scattered, but not before sustaining some damage to their wings and armour. Then Lily went down, raising the distance again. Then she made a full loop up and bombarded one of the pursuers with icicle barrage. Its right engine got damaged and it started fleeing to land near the enemy base. Other two pursuers switched to defensive mode, chaotically unleashing  barrages of pebbles and fireballs in Lily’s direction. They could not do any serious damage to her, but kept her occupied enough to let their comrade retreat.

Alexis was keeping his two fighters busy. He did not have an opportunity to turn yet, as they spotted him earlier and were quite firmly on his tail, but they still could not do any harm to him. «These guys are persistent», he tought, «keeping up with me on these older machines requires some skill, these are not even a 7th ones».

He dodged another icicle barrage, while immediately doing a turn to avoid a bunch of magical pebbles launched from another direction. «At least I am keeping them busy. Lets hope Boss fairs better here».

Commander Wheeler and his pursuers were clashing head to head, separating and clashing again. They had a numerical advantage but he had a better model and higher skill. Still, neither of the sides could gain the edge here. They clashed and clashed but only scratched each other with fire. Alex skilfully avoided three-sides attack again and again. He was to focused on this to get an aimed shot, but was still preparing a plan.

And it came up, even if risky one. On just another loop he rammed the leading fighter and sliced its right wing with his propeller. The leader lost control and crushed, damaging the other plane in the process, but the third pursuer was able to launch a bunch of magic pebbles into Wheeler from the close distance. One damaged his cockpit and a piece of glass scratched the commander’s cheek. A few more made holes in his left wing.

The enemy thought he won, but Alex finished his incarnation and damaged wings got fixed with a solid ice. He used the confusion to turn and launch a counter-barrage at the remaining enemy. Both surviving «Jac-7» were to damaged to continue the fight and ran.

Alexis was still playing cat and mouse with his pursuers, when a barrage of icicles came from behind and riddled one of them with holes, and it started to lose height.

"Mind if I help you?", It was major Wheeler.

"Took you long enough commander, Lily has more on her plate".

"Not anymore: one of hers fled, while the other two are on defence. Looks like this one is also fleeing. Should we pursue him?"

"Leave him be, lets help Lily still".

But just as they started approaching the remaining fight, the last two enemies also fled. Lily tried to pursue them, but was stopped by commander.

"Radar team reported another group of enemies is on the horizon and my fighter is damaged, lets get back".

"As you wish, Boss. And I hoped to get a kill this time…"

"You can always get it next time. Better be safe than dead".

"Said the guy who got two more kills today…"

"It is what it is".

"By the way, what is this spell keeping your wing from falling apart?"

"Oh, it is my signature, I call it Emergency repairs. I rarely use it, as getting your craft damaged is the last thing an ace would want, but in a pinch it helps. It should hold till we get back to the base, but we should hurry".

That evening, after finishing dinner, Alexis was going back to his cabin, but heard some voices coming from the commanders office:

"You idiot, what if the wound was more serious?!", it was Mary, scolding commander Wheeler.

"Honey, calm down, it is really just a scratch. I heard one ace at the Far East was able to pilot like this for way longer, until he landed on the allied carrier, and still wanted to go fighting again after receiving first aid".

"Idiot, do not compare yourself to some crazy! And do not worry me like this again!"

"Of course. You know I do not take risk unless I have high chance to win. So calm down, all is fine…"

Alexis left the pair be and continued walking.

He spotted Lily, sitting on a bench looking at the stars above. She was deep in thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh!..", she was surprised but calmed down pretty fast, "Just how insignificant our lives are now. You can die at any moment".

"Strange hearing this from our battle-crazy and extra confident White Lily".

"Yeah, maybe. But if even commander Wheeler can get shot in the combat, what can you say about us. And soon the fighting will be more bloody".

"Maybe, but I will do my best to keep us safe… And I am sure Boss is doing his best too".

"I think I can keep myself safe without your help, Alexis, but thanks… Oh, you know, can I call you Lex when not on duty, like Mary do?"

"Feel free to do it, Lily, I don’t mind".

"When good night Lex, see you tomorrow", And she left.

"See you", Alexis also looked at the stars, he had the same concerned look as Lily.