Maybe, a return

"You're kidding me..."

"Afraid not," said Command.

"Another marquis?"

"I suspect so."

"Well then, shoot it with the pulse cannons!"

"We're trying! We've tried blasting it three times. It's either dodging the blasts or tanking them. Money on the former."

"Keep trying until you get through!"

"I'd rather we shoot stuff that we know will die." The counter decreased after two pulse cannon blasts raced past me.

"Dammit!" I resisted the urge to punch the command ring. "Cerviel, can you see it?"

"Yes, pilot Vega. It is closing fast. Estimated contact in two minutes."

"Let me know when the demon is within two hundred meters." I blew out a sigh. This keeps getting better and better.

I tried to remember the battle against the previous class five. Ronove, if I remember its name correctly. While there was no pushover in close-quarter combat, its danger lay in its magic attacks. The pain as its flame pillar struck Cerviel was still burned in my mind. What is this one capable of? Flame won't be effective in space. Maybe something weapon-based? Spacial magics?

"Warning - class five signature within two hundred meters."

"Keep going." I tightened my grip around Cerviel's sword as I looked over my shoulder. Like Ronove, the class five appeared as a humanoid. The eyes in its beast-like head were locked onto Cerviel. It made minor adjustments as we flew with the two large wings on its back. How that worked in space, I don't know. The sword in its right hand was cause for concern. It was slightly shorter than Cerviel's but as thin as a rapier.

"This is going to be a problem. Cerviel, ETA to Asbestos?"

"Nine minutes."

"Command? Are you making progress with the missiles?" I asked.

"We're done with Eae and Mihr. Still working on Tartys."

"Can you spare a few of those?"

"I can give you four."

"Good. Fire then now!"

"Firing!"

"Incoming attack." Cerviel dodged to the left. he marquis didn't blow past like the previous demons. Two flaps of its wings brought it level with me before it struck. Its attack was lightning fast. Thrice I felt the rapier's sting over my chest before Cerviel's counter boosters moved us apart.

"It's too fast!" I said as I took stock of the attacks.

Another flap of the demon's wings brought us together. I undid its effort with a punch to its face. Ideas... ideas... My eyes fell on the incoming missiles. "Cerviel, how far are the missiles?!"

"Impact in one minute."

"That could work." The marquis readied its sword as it flapped its wings. Not this time. I struck first. Its sword skated across my blade as the marquis moved to parry, but my strike had more heft. A thin stream of blood disappeared into space when my blade slid across its shoulder. The resulting look communicated no flattering words as the demon moved to retaliate. Two more red lines appeared across Cerviel's projection before the marquis dodged my strike.

"I don't have time for this!" I bent my elbow before slamming it against the demon's chest. It didn't let go of its sword, but its eyes widened as it folded forward. "Now!" Cerviel's left counter boosters activated as I spun to the right. The demon couldn’t prevent me from burying my left gauntlet blade in its chest.

"Fifteen seconds to impact," Cerviel said.

"Release!" I slammed my blade into the marquis again before kicking against it as hard as possible. The force was enough to separate us. "Afterburner!" The thrust kicked in seconds before the four missiles slammed into the marquis. Red lights flashed throughout Cerviel's cockpit as the explosion threw her off course.

"Is it dead?" I asked through gritted teeth. The haptic suit wasn’t happy about the nearby explosion.

"Negative." A glance at the counter confirmed her words. The numbers didn't decrease.

"The Duke is getting closer," Command said.

"I'm working on it."

"Incoming--" What breath I had regained threatened to escape when something slammed against me. I felt myself bending backward as a stinging pain burst through my chest.

"Hull breach," Cerviel said.

I tried to twist around but only received a second stabbing pain for my efforts. "Cerviel! Boosters!" The sword didn't retreat from my chest, but the force holding it in place released. Spinning around brought me face to face with the marquis. Patches of loose skin hung from its body, and its left arm was missing. Its gaze was one of pure hatred.

Well, good. The feeling was mutual.

I tried to communicate this with a swing of my sword. A knock from its left hand knocked the sword from Cerviel's grip. A second blow struck Cerviel in the middle. I felt metal shear as the foreign sword shifted around in Cerviel's chest. A blow from my gauntlet blade drew some further blood from the demon, but the marquis retaliated with three blows.

"Vega, you have to get out of there!" Command yelled.

"Don't you think I'm trying!"

"Damage detected," Cerviel interjected.

"The Duke is only three minutes from you."

"I'm trying! Cerviel, activate all blades!" I swung before the right blade was fully extended. The marquis grabbed both Cerviel's hands before impact and brought its knee against her chest. I gasped at the blow. The second one made the world spin.

"Warning - damage detected."

"I..." The world turned into a red haze. Maybe it was the pain. Maybe it was the red cockpit lights. I wasn't sure. "I..."

"Cerviel, get her out of there!"

"I am trying--" A third blow spun us around. I felt the marquis pull its sword from my body before two scratches bloomed over my back.

"Pilot Vega, are you there?"

"I..." I blinked several times. "What..."

"Vega, get your shit together, now!" Command yelled.

"Trying..." I blinked a few times. The world came into focus, but there was still an unstable wobble. "Where's the marquis?"

"Behind us," Cerviel commented. "I am flying in a circle to prevent further damage."

"And your sword?"

"Close by."

"Head toward it." The world stopped spinning when Ceviel adjusted herself. "Command, I'm going to need your help."

"I don't want to waste more missiles on this thing."

"I don't need those."

"Then what?"

"Just wait... and don't complain." I felt my hand tighten around something. "Cerviel, where's the marquis?"

"Behind us." A blue window appeared within my visor. The demon had reclaimed its sword and was following closely behind.

So let's give it wanted.

"Brake on my mark."

"Waiting..."

The delay was more to steel myself than anything else. "Now!" I crouched as much as I could. A pain flashed over my shoulder, but I ignored it. I accomplished my goal - the marquis flew past. It flapped its wings fiercely as it tried to slow down.

"Afterburner!"

The demon had little time to react and couldn’t prevent my sword from piercing its chest. A wordless cry burst from its beak.

I didn't back off. I tightened my grip on Cerviel's sword while wrapping the other around its neck. The demon wriggled with all its might. My grip wouldn't hold long, but it didn't have to.

"Command!" I yelled. "Lock onto the demon!"

"With what?!"

"The pulse cannons!"

"Are you insane?!"

"Trust me!"

Twice I felt a spark of pain as the marquis bit into Cerviel's arm.

"We're locked on!"

"Keep your finger on that button!" I remove my arm around the demon's neck before striking down with my gauntlet. The smaller blade would struggle to inflict a lethal wound, but that wasn't my goal. No, I aimed for the one piece where I could do maximum damage.

I felt the snap of cartilage and bone as the demon's wing popped off. The pain must have been immense.

"Cerviel, get us away!" My sword came free as Cerviel pressed her boot against the marquis and kicked him away. "Command, fire!"

"I-"

"Fire! Cerviel, booster! Full power!" I twisted away, hoping Cerviel could get as far from the demon as possible. I briefly saw the streaks of light, but I knew when the blasts hit. The force of the impact pushed us away from the demon. Several amber warnings flashed throughout the cockpit, but they died after some groaning and rattling.

The counter had decreased by one.

"Thank heavens." I sighed.

"That was behind reckless, Vega, but there is no time for celebration. The Duke is almost on top of you."