Sideshow Alley Read online

  ‘What are you going to do with it?’ Colin asked the hangar staff when he had dismounted.

  ‘Put it over the side where it belongs, it’s taking up space,’ they replied.

  ‘Do me a favour. Leave it where it is until I can speak to the brass about it.’

  The hangar staff complied with his wishes and lashed it where it stood.

  As Alpha Squadron landed they spilled out joyously to greet the two and take a closer look at the Lizard fighter. Eric was overjoyed at seeing Kyla again, while Tiddles greeted Colin like a long lost brother.

  ‘You’re both wanted in Battle Command,’ Eric told them.

  ‘Eric, I’ve told the hangar staff not to ditch this craft, at least not until I’ve seen the Colonel, okay?’

  ‘Understood,’ he replied.

  On the way to Battle Command Kyla asked, ‘What do you want it for? It’s served its purpose.’

  ‘I have an idea. It involves you and me…’

  ‘I’m interested already,’ she said, grinning. Behind them came the sound of Eric and Tiddles as they ran to catch up.

  On entering the Command Centre the Colonel welcomed the lost crew with open arms. He took the bottle of Prathkos spirits from the locker and poured a little into the waiting glasses before offering drinks all around—along with a toast.

  ‘Back from the dead,’ he said, and they drank.

  ‘So what took you so long?’

  ‘We never found the paint until early this morning, Sir,’ Colin replied.

  ‘That is assuming you were looking for it in the first place! Tell me—are the beaches down there as good as I remember?’

  ‘They’re better, Sir.’

  ‘Yes Sir-ee, if it were me down there, I would have at least stopped for a swim.’

  ‘How did the battle go?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘Pretty much as expected, although we did lose three. The consensus was four, but when last seen you were still very much in one piece as I remember.’

  The Colonel continued, his curiosity brimming over.

  ‘I’ve been shot down a few times, but always got recovered. Tell me, how did you come by a Lizard fighter?’

  Captain Jorgen and the rest of the staff in the Command Centre moved in to hear more—Tiddles and Eric thankful to be privy to the revelations as Colin filled them in on the events as they unfolded.

  The Colonel nodded at the simplicity of the plan and addressed Eric and Tiddles afterwards, ‘I’m afraid this means you’ll both be relegated back to Delta One.’

  ‘Under the circumstances we are quite happy with that decision, Sir,’ Eric said.

  ‘About the Lizard fighter, Sir,’ Colin interjected.

  ‘What about it?’

  ‘The hangar staff was going to push it over the side.’

  ‘It’s no good to us any more—it’s done its job. Why, what did you have in mind?’

  ‘Well, Sir, it’s this way. We could send every fighter we have against a Lizard Carrier to try and torpedo it—and they might all die trying. Or we can send a single Lizard fighter back home and succeed.’

  The Colonel stared wide-eyed at him for a moment before reaching for the bottle of Prathkos spirits again.

  ‘I’m listening,’ he said, as he refurbished their glasses.

  ‘The next time the Lizards engage us, we go out as usual—but halfway through the battle we deploy the enemy fighter on the far side of the Redemption and then ‘chase’ it back to the Lizard Carrier along with the others. Only it doesn’t go on, it fires its torpedo and returns.’

  The Colonel’s eyes sparkled as he added, ‘And we just mop up those fighters that don’t make it back onboard.’

  ‘If we time it right and go in last, just think of all those rockets and torpedoes in the hangar. There would be nothing to mop up, Sir.’

  ‘I like it. What do you think Admiral? A clear shot at a Carrier.’

  ‘It would look impressive on the Redemption’s list of achievements, but who would we get to try such a thing?’ the Admiral asked.

  The Colonel put his hand on Colin’s shoulder, ‘I think the choice is clear. We have a winning team here and if anyone can do it, they can, Sir.’

  The Admiral nodded his consent.

  ‘What do you think of the idea, Eric?’ the Colonel asked.

  ‘I like it a whole lot better than the last plan, Sir.’

  ‘Is there a replacement for the fighter we lost?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘I believe there’s one left, I’ll have it serviced and armed ready for you,’ the Colonel replied. He looked at his watch, ‘You must be hungry—you’d better go and eat.’

  The rest of the crews were already in the mess and news of Alpha One’s return had spread like wildfire. When Kyla and Colin walked through the doorway everyone stopped eating and started to clap. Colin held Kyla’s hand aloft for a moment and then signalled for calm with the other before going through the servery to get a meal. Sami and the other catering staff welcomed them back also as they were served.

  ‘You weren’t taking book on the result were you?’ Colin asked. At first Sami was put out by the statement, until he saw the funny side.

  Kyla took her meal and sat with her pilot friends as they fawned over her, while Colin joined his mates at their table. Individuals went up to both to lay a hand on their shoulder in friendship and concern before moving on.

  Pee Wee had been closed up in his position amongst the myriad of Gun Batteries and had seen the Lizard fighter as it came in. He’d heard all the talk via the radio also and was intrigued why they chose to use his name. It had certainly bolstered his standing amongst the Karen gun crews.

  ‘Basically it was the easiest to write and also one that would get us past your Gun Battery, plus Tiddles and the Colonel,’ Colin told him. Pee Wee was pleased with the information and the fact that his name was known where it counted.

  By 1300 hours the mess had cleared—all except for the Squadron Leaders, who hung back in case there was a meeting. Most of the other crews made their way up to the hangar to see the Lizard fighter first hand. It had the effect of substantiating much of the story they had heard so far, while still leaving other parts open for pure speculation.

  Colin started the briefing session with a quick account of the damage sustained to their fighter and of being followed down to Verdi, where the Lizard had finished the job with rockets. Then he outlined the capture of the enemy craft and how it was they were able to return, pointing out that this was all due to his pilot, Kyla.

  ‘So how many Lizards did you actually account for?’ Mitch asked.

  ‘I’d say the eight that followed us were all that was left of a wing after the initial salvos.’

  The other leaders silently acknowledged Alpha One’s contribution to the battle, even though absent for most of it.

  ‘I say all this because it leaves us with the problem of what to do with the Lizard fighter,’ Colin told them. Eric and Tiddles remained silent. They watched and listened to those around them instead.

  The answers came thick and fast.

  ‘Ditch it! Use it as target practice,’ being the main consensus.

  ‘Or how about we send it home to put a Proton Torpedo into the Lizard’s hangar?’ Colin said. The other leaders saw the simplicity of the plan and fell silent, eager to hear more.

  ‘However it does count on us winning our next encounter, so we can ‘chase the Lizard’ home.’

  The statement was scoffed at immediately.

  ‘A piece of quiche,’ Mitch confirmed.

  ‘Okay, we’ll start refining the plan in earnest tomorrow at 0800 hours.’

  Thus dismissed, the other leaders drifted away.

  Colin called out to Eric, ‘Can I see you a moment?’ then turning to Kyla, he said, ‘you must be tired, I’ll see you later.’

  She turned and left the mess to seek the comfort of her bed, leaving the two men to confer alone.

  Colin stood searching for the words to say until he final
ly mustered the courage to look Eric in the eye, ‘Eric I …’

  Eric put a hand on Colin’s shoulder and effectively silenced him.

  ‘If this is about Kyla then don’t worry, I know.’

  ‘But how could you?’

  ‘She let me know in her own way. Destinies are a funny thing and I was awakened to mine, which I can only thank her for.’

  ‘Then we are still friends?’

  ‘We were never really enemies. My best wishes for you both.’

  With that Eric turned and left the mess. Colin followed shortly afterwards, suddenly feeling very tired. On reaching his quarters he pulled his bunk down then jumped in and slept for the rest of the afternoon.

  The main topic of conversation in the mess that night was of the intended use of the captured Lizard craft.

  One of the older fighters approached Colin, ‘I hear you’re going to take a crack at the next Lizard Carrier. I’d like some of the action if I can.’

  ‘Everyone will be in on it,’ Colin assured him, ‘we need everyone in place to do their job—otherwise it’s never going to work.’

  Queenie rushed over on seeing him. She put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. ‘I thought we’d lost you,’ she cried.

  ‘You nearly did, but I had to come back to see you again,’ he told her, then seeing the tears he kissed and held her.

  Kyla watched the moving reunion and smiled.

  Eric was watching also and was perplexed.

  ‘I don’t get it? He goes off almost every night with that woman and now he kisses her in front of you.’

  ‘She is a friend of his and is obviously upset. That’s what you do for friends,’ Kyla explained, and leaned over to kiss his cheek, ‘see.’

  Just then Queenie looked her way and Kyla motioned for her to join them. She came up beside them and kissed Kyla also—her tears still running freely.

  ‘Eric is intrigued by the fact that Colin chooses you over the other girls. He wants to know if your fingers are really all that good,’ Kyla said, winking at her.

  ‘Oh! Then we’ll have to show him,’ Queenie said, wiping her tears away. She pushed Eric gently forward on the mess table and laid his head to one side before alternating pressure either side of his backbone. She worked through the material of his coveralls and applied pressure with her thumbs, moving them up and out onto his rippling shoulder blades. At first he was tense, but she could feel him gradually relaxing beneath her.

  Finally when finished she asked, ‘So what’s the verdict?’

  He sat up and worked his shoulders and neck to shake off the lethargy.

  ‘Very good,’ he conceded.

  ‘Next time you’ll have to come to my cabin, I have a table there,’ she informed him.

  ‘Who’s next?’ she asked. Both Jens and Anders put up their hands, so she led them away and waved back at Kyla.

  ‘I once thought as you did, but as you can see I was wrong. Queenie says that sometimes the people that come to her just want to talk,’ Kyla explained.

  ‘I thought it was just tail they were after.’

  ‘That is only one of the services they provide.’

  ‘I can see that you have changed immensely since you’ve come here.’

  ‘Yes, I’ve seen and done so many things that I never thought I would. And now I’m in love.’

  ‘Then go to him,’ he said, softly.

  A short time later the two lovers sat looking out on Verdi below them, bathed in moonbeams once again. Their hands entwined as they remembered back to a few short hours ago, when they had been there and sealed their love.

  Colin used the meeting the next day as a think tank, in an effort to prepare for any eventuality. All known tactics were discussed and dealt with. The emphasis being on consulting with Battle Command to see what quadrants the Lizards were using on the given day, as it would dictate their response. The consensus was that battles varied from region to region and depended largely upon which enemy Carrier they were up against. But now they had won and successfully defended the heavens above Verdi, a long-held Lizard bastion, they were varying their tactics in an effort to catch them off guard and win it back.

  Eric had studied the last battle plan and come up with a refinement. It concerned Alpha One when they drew the heat of the Lizard Wing. If it were to happen again they could arc around in a pincer like movement, while the rest of Alpha Wing did the same in the opposite direction, to intercept more quickly and hopefully prevent a similar fiasco. It was obvious that he was genuinely concerned for Kyla’s welfare—and Colin’s also.

  The main item on the agenda however, was the timing of Alpha One leaving the next battle in-order to return to the Carrier and man the Lizard fighter.

  ‘Have you done anything about communications yet?’ Eric asked,

  ‘that way you could just fly to Alpha’s quadrant and they can chase you from there.’

  ‘Good point,’ Colin said.

  ‘What about the actual firing of the torpedo, are you familiar with that?’ Mitch asked.

  ‘Okay, I’ll get the technicians onto both ASAP,’ he told them.

  ‘Is there anything else?’

  ‘Rotation—when is it?’ Tiddles asked.

  ‘Seven days and counting,’ Colin assured him. ‘Okay, that’s enough for today. I’ll see to all of those recommendations and we’ll meet again tomorrow.’

  After the others had left Kyla and Colin made their way to Battle Command and consulted with the Colonel about their needs regarding the Lizard fighter. He concurred with their request and placed a call through to the Head Technician, to identify the work needed. By the time they reached the hangar it was already being actioned.

  In the mess that night it was Dag and Olaf’s turn to go off with Queenie, after Anders and Jens had sung her praises. However towards the end of the night Kyla made her excuses and left the mess just before Queenie departed with Colin. She caught up to them halfway there and they proceeded to the cabin together.

  Queenie wore a big smile as she greeted Kyla, ‘So how was it?’

  The two lovers pretended not to hear her and kissed instead. Afterwards Colin removed his t-shirt and lay on the table while Kyla sat and watched Queenie as she worked.

  ‘I can give you both some alone time if you wish,’ she told Kyla.

  ‘That’s very kind of you, but rotation is nearly upon us. Have you ever been in love?’

  Queenie looked up from what she was doing and paused to think back in time.

  ‘Of course I was. Everyone is in love at least once,’ she assured her. ‘Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. The Lizards roared through our city and took most of the inhabitants with them, including my beau. That’s when I decided to join the Legion. Now of course I have lots of boyfriends, as you can see.’

  ‘And yet you still cry every time you lose one,’ Kyla said.

  ‘Not everyone,’ Queenie confessed, ‘just the special friends I make.’

  Colin sat up when finished and put his t-shirt back on while Kyla removed hers. He looked on lovingly at his Green Goddess as she lay down and submitted to Queenie’s searching thumbs. When finished they thanked her—Colin kissing her cheek before they departed.

  The next few days were spent on high alert while finetuning. The destination for leave had already been posted and the crews were looking forward to going ashore. It was to be Almeta in the next System over—the endpoint being in the city of Ciri. The wise had already researched the planet and its facilities, Kyla among them. She printed out a hard copy to show Colin.

  Later that night they visited the planetarium and she read to him by moonlight.

  ‘It says here that Almeta is a popular tourist destination with all sorts of themed accommodation available at Ciri.’

  Colin laughed and whispered in her ear, ‘I doubt that we’ll get to see much of it, you choose.’

  She kissed him, ‘Maybe we could find something like we had on Verdi. I’ll look for something with local flavo
ur first. They have beaches down there you know.’

  ‘Nah, let’s keep the memory of Verdi special and create a new one for Ciri.’

  Kyla thought about it and smiled, ‘We’d have to buy new outfits.’

  ‘Naturally,’ he said, kissing her.

  That night Colin went to bed to dream of Kyla and the planet Almeta.

  Early the next morning the sirens stirred them from their slumber. All hands dressed quickly and ran to their fighters, while Pee Wee went below to his Gun Battery. Kyla was already aboard and went to standby the moment Colin gave her the all clear.

  He spoke to Battle Command via the Comms, ‘What do we have?’

  The Colonel responded, ‘They’re coming through all four quadrants, it looks like they’re counting on surprise.’

  ‘Then hopefully we can surprise them,’ Colin replied.

  Alpha One sped down the ramp, then out and under to await the rest of the squadron.

  ‘Good hunting everyone,’ Colin said, as Kyla led them away. He looked at the Lizard’s tight formation on the Battle Screen.

  ‘Stagger wings and load proximity. I want two salvos in quick succession.’

  He identified the targets and waited a moment more before giving the order, ‘Fire one…Fire two! Wings, salvos at your discretion and then engage.’

  ‘Alpha Two, we’re going back now—you’re in command of the squadron. Call us when they look like heading home.’

  ‘Roger that Alpha One—and good luck.’

  ‘How are the rest of the squadrons going?’ Colin enquired.

  ‘Slowly getting there,’ Tiddles replied.

  ‘Ditto that,’ said the Golf Leader.

  ‘What about you, Mitch?’ Colin asked, but there was no reply.

  ‘Juliet Two, this is Alpha One. What’s your position?’

  ‘Juliet One has bought it, otherwise everything is under control.’

  ‘Okay, you’re in charge out there. You know what’s at stake.’

  ‘Roger that Alpha One—will do.’

  Kyla returned to the Carrier and quickly swapped fighters.

  Colin tested the communications the moment they were out.

  ‘Alpha Two, do you read me?’

  ‘Loud and clear, Alpha One—won’t be long now.’