"StarWolf, Apex has Gremlin 3 in scanner range," Cochrane heard from the Fer-de-Lance leading the charge. "Her shields are offline and hull damage looks severe - comms seem offline too."
"Copy that Apex. Break formation. Engage when ready." The FdL's boost capability often gave Apex control of any engagement, and although Cochrane prefered to hold a battle formation, distracting the enemy from Gremlin 3 was priority for now. Besides, Apex could handle himself.
These pirates would not enjoy the sight of a ferocious Fer-de-Lance charging them.
Laser fire continued to flash towards Gremlin 3, Cochrane saw. He just hoped the distance those energy bolts travelled from the lead pirate minimised the damage. He could see the scan data collected from Apex in real-time, her hull was holding out, for now.
"Jugs, Apex; head straight for me." Cochrane heard his number two over comms; he hoped she could still hear. 'Close the gap, girl,' he willed her to follow Apex's instructions. Gremlin 3 was a popular patrol pilot on Silk Stocking. The only female Gremlin gave as good as she got in the male dominated squad room, her callsign a nod to her very ample features.
Tradition dictates that a pilot's callsign be assigned by their peers in memory of a memorable event during training. For Jugs, it was just a matter of boys being boys, but she took it in good grace. Besides, Gremlin 1 was her revenge - callsign 'Tiny'.
No response had been heard from the patrol Viper for some time, but nevertheless it changed to a suitable vector and limped forwards. Struggling for speed, Cochrane noticed glancing at its hull status. This was going to be a close call.
Another flickering contact appeared, courtesy of Apex's remote sensors. The ident scan started immediately.
"Bandit 1 is an Eagle, leaving it for Wherewolf and Coyote to mop up." The two wolves between Cochrane and Apex were better equipped for such a small ship. Alliance Chieftains were nimble and armed enough to take out annoyingly tough scout ships. The FdL's huge pulse laser was better served ripping apart the big Anacondas. Cochrane's rail guns would join in that battle too.
Nevertheless, Apex wouldn't miss the opportunity to scare the shit out of the assailant, Cochrane knew, as they closed at nearly 900m/s. He watched the damage reports transmitted from the big FdL as its monstrous pair of pulse lasers scored direct hits twice, thumping the little Eagle in the face and frying its shield banks. The pilot had no chance. He wouldn't get those shield banks back online.
Pirate he might be, but Cochrane couldn't stiffle a wince as the holographic projection spun uncontrollably as the hull integrity decreased with every rotation. There was a human pilot at the controls, enemy or not, he was in a bad way.
"Oh shit," Apex called out, grabbing Cochrane's attention away from the crippled hologram. "Bandit 2, bandit 2, Adder was hiding behind the Eagle."
"Roger that Apex, we have them both - head on for the big birds," called out Wherewolf.
Cochrane watched his well-drilled combat wing with pride. Each knew their role, and could anticipate the moves of their wingmen. Their leader would leave them to it.
Next: Sneak in a Bad Place