Welcome to the Invincible:
The Mighty ‘I’ wasn’t known for punctuality, and this time was no exception. Arriving a day and a half late to the Alpha Site, she carried the scars of two skirmishes with Lucian Alliance Hat’aks. For much of her journey, the Invincible had the convoy of her sister ship the Endurance and the Daedalus as company. The battles had been gritty, with pulses of energy fire and evasive manoeuvres, leading to unavoidable delays. But when the dark grey silhouette of the ship finally entered orbit over PX9-U47, her arrival sent a ripple of relief through the base.
Cate stood with her squadron near the runway, the noon sun glinting off the F-302s lined up behind them. She’d already given her team a final briefing and thanked Colonel Bixby for her hospitality. The two women exchanged a firm handshake before embracing briefly.
“When you’re back,” Bixby said with a grin, “we’ll hit Foreston and grab some beers. The locals make a damn good brew.”
Cate smiled, feeling a pang of affection for the base. “I’ll hold you to that, ma’am.”
Bixby’s expression sobered. “We’ll miss you, MacGregor. Fly safe out there.”
“Always,” Cate replied before turning to her squadron. “Buzzards, mount up! It’s time to fly.”
Twelve F-302s roared to life in unison, their engines kicking up a swirling cloud of dust as they taxied down the runway. One by one, the jets climbed into the sky, forming an arrowhead formation as they punched through the atmosphere. The dark expanse of space unfolded before them, and the chatter over the radio began almost immediately.
----------------------------------------
“Holy crap, would you look at that thing?” Ensign Bianchi’s voice crackled, awe dripping from every word. “It’s… massive!”
“Bianchi, focus,” Ramirez muttered, though her own voice betrayed a hint of wonder. “But yeah… wow.”
“It’s like a sea-going carrier had a baby with a warship,” Kalowski quipped. “All those guns… It’s beautiful.”
Cate smirked but maintained her professionalism. “Buzzards, tighten up the chatter. We’re on approach. Dusty, take us in.”
Dusty’s voice cut in, sharp and steady. “Copy Taipan. Baseline, this is Buzzard Actual. Requesting landing instructions.”
The reply came immediately, smooth and practiced. “Buzzard Actual, Baseline here. We are ready to receive. Standard carrier ops. Approach astern, follow the lights. One-minute intervals between landings.”
“Copy that, Baseline,” Dusty replied. “You heard them, team. Let’s make it clean.”
As they closed in, the Invincible came into sharper focus. Similar in design to the Daedalus-class ships but three-quarters of the length, her lines were sleek yet bristling with weaponry. The engines were boxed together in a compact cluster, and the open-ended hangars at the front and rear gave her a unique, utilitarian appearance. Her dark grey hull gleamed faintly against the starlight, a silent promise of power and resilience.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
----------------------------------------
One by one, the F-302s landed, guided by precise signals from the deck crew. Inside the hangar, the atmosphere was electric. As Cate climbed out of her cockpit, she was met with a wave of applause from the gathered personnel.
“Welcome aboard, Buzzards!” a booming voice called out. A stocky man with greying sandy hair strode forward, his hands on his hips and a wide grin splitting his weathered face. “First Sergeant Daniel Piper US Air Force. Call me ‘Boss Dog’ if you want to make my day. I’m the Crew Chief, and this is my house.”
Cate extended her hand, smiling. “Squadron Leader Cate MacGregor. Thanks for the warm welcome, Boss Dog.”
Piper shook her hand firmly. “We’ve been hearing about you, Taipan. Hell of a show you put on at the Alpha Site. My crew’s got your backs now, you can count on that.”
“Good to know,” Cate replied, meeting his steady gaze. She glanced around at the faces of the deck crew, men and women, all professionals in their craft. “Our birds will need some patching as you can see.” Her hand rested on the angled sides of the 302, where a shot from a Death Glider had burnt several panels.
The older man scanned her craft with a seasoned engineer’s eye. “By the time you get back here, ma’am, they’ll be as good as new.”
Dusty wandered over, and Cate introduced him. The two men shook hands firmly. The hangar buzzed with activity as the Buzzards exchanged handshakes and back slaps with the deck crew and other pilots. Piper approached Cate with a serious expression. “There’s a debrief in the pilot’s ready room. Follow me, please.”
----------------------------------------
The ready room was a hum of voices, pilots murmuring amongst themselves as they reviewed tactical displays. Commander Helen McFearson, tall and commanding, stood at the front. Her blonde hair hung loosely, as if she had just washed it. Yet she radiated poise and authority.
“Attention!” Piper called out as Cate and her squadron entered.
McFearson’s gaze was sharp as she took in the newcomers. “Welcome aboard,” she began, her voice firm. “I’m Commander Helen McFearson, your CAG. Let’s get to it.”
Cate and her pilots took their seats as McFearson launched into a detailed briefing. She covered the ship’s recent battles, their tactics, and the upcoming mission. She also addressed the mental strain of combat.
“I understand you’ve faced losses,” McFearson said, her tone softening. “It’s never easy. But we must stay focused, stay strong.”
Cate’s exterior was cast iron, but McFearson, nearly ten years older, could see through her facade. “Squadron Leader MacGregor, how’s your team holding up?”
Cate’s reply was steady. “We’re ready for whatever comes next, ma’am.”
McFearson’s eyes held a knowing look. “Good to hear. Remember, my door is always open.”
With the debrief concluded, the pilots were shown to their quarters. Cate’s cabin was small but functional, with a neatly made bed and a desk. She quickly showered and changed into her day wear: two-tone blue camouflage, shirt, and cargo pants.
After settling in, the Buzzards gathered in the ship’s café for a meal. The camaraderie was palpable as they shared stories and laughter, a brief respite from the tension of their duties. In reality, they could have been dining in the wardroom, but all of them agreed they felt more comfortable among the crew. Still, they couldn’t avoid it altogether; McFearson had sent Cate a message when she was changing that they were expected in the wardroom at 1600 hours.
In the wardroom at the appointed hour, Captain Richard Hudson RN addressed the gathered pilots. His British accent carried the authority of years spent in command. “Ladies and gentlemen, your reputation precedes you. The Buzzards distinguished themselves at the Alpha Site, and I expect the same level of performance here. Commander McFearson will remain CAG, but Squadron Leader MacGregor, you’ll be her XO. First mission briefing is at 0800. Questions?”
The room remained silent. Hudson’s eyes met Cate’s briefly before he nodded. “Dismissed.”
That evening, the central hangar bay was transformed into a ceremonial space. The Buzzards stood in dress blues as the crew and officers gathered. Cate received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her bravery and leadership, Dusty was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and Kalowski the Navy Cross. Each squadron member received commendations, but it was Kalowski’s speech that resonated most.
“This medal doesn’t belong to me alone,” Kalowski began, his voice thick with emotion. “It belongs to every one of you. We fought together, we bled together, and we won together. That’s what makes us a team.”
He paused, looking around at his fellow pilots and the deck crew. “When we were out there, facing the enemy, it wasn’t just about individual bravery. It was about trust. Trust in each other, trust in our training, and trust in our leaders. Every manoeuvre, every shot fired, every decision made—it was all part of a collective effort. And that’s why we’re standing here today.”
Kalowski’s eyes glistened as he continued. “I remember a moment during the battle when things looked bleak. We were outnumbered, outgunned, and the odds were against us. But then I heard your voices over the comms, steady and unwavering. It reminded me that we were not alone. We had each other’s backs, and that gave me the strength to push through.”
He took a deep breath, his voice growing stronger. “This medal is a symbol of our unity, our resilience, and our unwavering spirit. It’s a reminder that no matter how tough the fight, we can overcome anything as long as we stand together. So, this is for all of us—for the sacrifices we made, the battle we fought, and the victory we achieved. Here’s to the Buzzards!”
The applause that followed was thunderous. Cate stood among her squadron, pride and determination mingling as one thought echoed in her mind: This is only the beginning.