How easily the ship responded to the controls surprised Ajax, and how smoothly it flew awed him.

    "I'm Alpha Flyer standing by," Kyris's voice spoke through the coms. "Pilots, state your positions."

    "Steel Flyer standing by," Ajax spoke.

    "Weak Flyer standing by," Jinx spoke.

    After all the pilots stated their code names and positions, Ajax teased Jinx, saying, "Weak Flyer? Is that the best you can come up with?"

    "Give him a break, gangster," Sylvie's voice stood in defense.

    "Hot stuff, battle now, play later," Kyris's commanded.

    "Sure thing old man, once we destroy the canon, I'll love to play," Ajax responded mischievously.

    "We're coming out of light speed, ready in attack formation," Kyris commanded.

    Ajax followed his orders and soon they dropped out of light speed right in the middle of the chaotic battle. Alright Ajax, focus. Narrowing his eyes, he aimed and blasted an enemy fighter.

    "Head to the moon, that's where the canon is," Kyris ordered.

    The fighters shot through the sky toward the moon.

    Sylvie listened to commands and the last words of shot down fighters. She had been holding her breath, praying that not too many fighters would be killed and that Earth would be saved. The giant cruiser Sylvie was on had moved to a position where they could see Earth from a safe distance away. Sylvie stared at her beautiful home planet that rested underneath a devastating battle.

    "We are moving in," Kyris voice spoke. "Fire at the cannon, and Jinx, you take the fatal shot."

    The entire council held their breaths in anticipation as they moved in.

    "I'm hit!" one of the pilots shouted, then his voice was replaced with static.

    "Keep going!" Kyris yelled, his voice sounding desperate.

    "I'll cover you!" Ajax offered, then his speaker began cutting out.

    "Ajax!" Sylvie screamed.

   "My-been-hit," all there was left was static.

    Sylvie fell to her knees as a bright beam of red shot across the black of space from the moon to the Earth. The planet burst into a great ball of fire. She could not feel anything. None of her senses worked but her sight. Her planet was gone, right then and there. The moon also burst into spacedust. The battle continued, and all Sylvie felt was emptiness.

    The Forces's fleet pulled off a victory against the enemy, but with a heavy price.