Hopefully, we can pray

Five hours until rescue ship arrival

The red stars were visible for all to see. The counter indicated thirty-five enemies were falling toward Asbestos. Thirty-five, one of which is stronger than anything I've ever faced before.

The time beneath the counter indicated five minutes until impact.

Only one wounded Angel stood in their way.

Our Father who art in Heaven. Hallowed be your Name...

"Pilot Vega?"

"Yes, Cerviel?"

"How are you feeling?"

"Knowing there's nine hundred lives depending on you while facing death? About as good as you might expect," I said.

"That would explain your elevated heartbeat."

"It's called stress."

"I see." Cerviel said.

"And you?"

"Power core is running at forty percent capacity. It will be sufficient for an elongated battle."

"Not the question I was asking."

"Then I don't understand."

"I guess your advanced reasoning still has a way to go."

Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done...

I tightened the grip on my left hand. Cerviel's fingers would do the same around the barrel of Nova's sniper. Eight bullets lay in its magazine. I hoped that would translate to eight dead demons.

"Let me know once they're within range," I said.

"Yes, pilot Vega."

May Your strength guide my blade...

"Bootes? Is everybody accounted for?"

"Yes. Everybody is within the Patlix dome. Those whose eyes aren't locked onto Cerviel are nervously clutching at their tablets."

"Good." I spied the Kaif dome to my left. It's been fifty years since its population count was zero. It housed two thousand people a year ago. Less than four hundred remained at the end.

May Your wisdom guide my path…

"Two minutes to contact," Cerviel said.

"Do you think we can make it?"

"Statistics indicate a high probability of us dying."

"But it's not zero?"

"No, pilot Vega."

"Then there is a chance." I blew out a breath.

May Your hand deliver us from evil…

"And may we take one step closer to Your new dawn..."

"Bootes?" His voice caught me by surprise. "Do you pray before battle?"

"It's not just me." A blue square appeared inside my visor. It briefly showed Bootes' face before the camera pointed to a crowd. Hundreds of people came into view, many with their hands clasped together and their heads bowed. "It's over half of Asbestos. Father Alcor is leading them."

"I..."

The words wouldn't come. I only watched as Bootes moved the camera. More and more people came into view until the camera settled on Father Alcor. The crowd's murmur drowned his voice, but it didn't matter. I knew the words he spoke by heart.

"We're all behind you, Vega." The camera turned back to Bootes. "Now give them hell."

"Target within range." Cerviel said.

"Thanks." The blue square disappeared as I raised the sniper. "I intend to do just that."