[WARNING!]
[WARNING!!]
[WARNING!!!]
[Fuel Level < 10%]
Orion mouth twitched a bit as he stared at the warning that popped up on his fighter's dashboard.
He knew he had no choice but to go back but that didn't mean he would simply retreat… nope.
Using his X-Core link to control the ship he grabbed Laser-Class Machine gun beside him and loaded it.
He opened his hatch, turned off his shield and opened fire with the machine gun.
A warning didn't even pop up on the starfighter's system since this wasn't the first time he had done such a thing.
He unloaded the entire clip machine gun cell before finally crash landing into Atlas's dock.
***
Orion docked in Atlas for the umpteenth time since the battle began several weeks ago.
By now everyone was used to his reckless flying and landing that they were already prepared.
"Good flight?" A beautiful support staff that cheered pilots up asked as Orion got out of his cockpit.
"Good flight." He replied as he dropped the emptied machine gun on the ground and immediately made his way to the cafeteria to eat.
He had spent majority of his days fighting simply because he loved it and stood to gain more from Alara.
Thankfully, he no longer had to worry about energy, not only could he gain energy lost by eating but the energy consumed by the functions in use were mostly negligible.
Not only had he gained a massive reputation as the best pilot, but he had also gained a fearsome reputation as an insane pilot because of his unorthodox flying.
His first time he flew he had switched off his engines to perform manoeuvrers, better believe that he had done worse as time went on.
At this point even the Majors had stopped their snide remarks.
The pilots, engineers and even mercenaries were calling him names like Lunatic, mad pilot, Void Dancer, Lunatic Drifter, but his all-time favourite… Mad Rift Dancer.
He loved the name because it sounded cool and it seemed like a good call sign as a mercenary.
With his new reputation he knew he was guaranteed to get good missions that would pay well.
***
"Cargo-Class Ship ****** has been breached… we can't hold on much longer!!!" A voice came in from the radio.
Alara wanted to sigh but caught herself before she could.
"Steer the ship towards the enemies' fleet and set off an hour timed explosion." Alara ordered. "Then abandon ship."
"But…"
"Don't worry about compensation mercenary, just do it…" Alara snapped back., "Get out on your escape pods with 40% power… Aim for our fleet and you will be retrieved."
The mercenary smiled, "Very well Commander."
He turned to his men and shouted, "You heard the commander, set the timer and abandon the ship."
He tapped a panel a few times presumably setting the time before running off.
Alara stared hat the scene for a few seconds before finally deciding.
This was the 6th time she had given a similar order not to mention the number of starfighters and corvettes she had lost.
She did a quick count in her head and soon came to a conclusion.
It was best to retreat.
With the money she would make from the technologies, blueprints, unique creatures and faunas, not only would she still be making a massive profit after paying the workers, paying compensations for lost ships, she could even expand her fleet.
But going further without supplies or reinforcements would simply cause a massive loss.
So, she gave the orders… "Patch me in to all ships."
"Yes Commander," Captain Swift immediately got to work and within a few minutes she spoke again, "Ready Commander."
"This is the Commander speaking all ships prepare to retreat in a universal day." Alara ordered.
Within a few hours the survivors were retrieved and ready to retreat.
"Commander we are ready to retreat." Captain Swift said.
"Turn the guns down and aim for the ruins." Alara ordered when the preparation was done.
"Commander what are you doing?" One of the Major shouted.
"I do not have to answer your questions major." Alara said as she stared at the major coldly.
"Girl if you don't stop this madness, I will include this in my report to your father." Another major shouted.
"Prepare to fire." Alara ignored him.
She knew someone had leaked their location to the chrysalith and she still couldn't find the person and that could only mean the person was very high up in the ship.
Not to mention her request for reinforcements have been ignored even though her sources tell her that her elder brother had gathered a massive fleet.
At this point even a fool could see what was happening… they wanted to steal this exploration from her when they saw how profitable it was.
'Since I can't have it, no one can.'
"My order remains, prepare to fire… in three, two…" Alara began a count down when one of the opposing majors cut her off.
"Stop, you fucking bitch." He glanced at the gunners in charge of the guns and shouted. "If one of you dare press that button you can forget about your careers."
'Finally.' A smile blossomed on Alara's face. "Are you interrupting my order major?"
The major's face broke into sweat as he saw Alara's smile while the rest of the majors simple shook their head and stepped away.
This major was a greenhorn; he was from the count family that controlled the county where the Helix Corporation was located.
Him being a friend of one of Alara's brother joined the Helix corporation military as a high-ranking member rather than the regular level.
While he was not from the main family or even a major branch family all his life everyone had yielded for him and now, he tried to do the same thing here… on the battlefield none the less.
"Major Anthony has committed insubordination during an active battle in a critical moment none the less." Alara began.
"You will be stripped of your position and executed… Captain Moore." Alara called out as she glanced at one of the captains who had also distanced themselves from the idiot.
"It is my honour to punish this criminal." Captain Moore immediately said even though he was reluctant.
"You wouldn't dare." The noble said wild eye.
"Yes, it will be your honour." Alara smiled.
One of the guards handed Captain Moore a Kinetic-Class pistol at the same time Swift's hand cautiously moved to her own sidearm.
One could never be too careful.