Chapter 5
Barrett tried to speak.
“General, that was taken out of context.”
Kincaid raised one hand.
The recording kept playing.
Barrett’s voice returned.
“No aircraft will launch until I clear the optics with command.”
Emily’s voice came after that.
“Sir, permission to disregard.”
Barrett answered, “You take off, you’re finished.”
There was a pause.
A long one.
Then Emily’s voice.
“Alpha 3, this is Raven 13. Mark your position. I’m coming.”
A faint cheer rose from one of the stretchers.
A wounded sergeant lifted his fist weakly.
The recording shifted.
Engine roar.
Radio calls.
Gunfire.
Emily breathing through maneuvers.
“Alpha 3, keep your heads down.”
Then the A-10’s cannon thundered through the speaker.
Deep.
Brutal.
Unmistakable.
The sound rolled across the runway like memory.
The airmen around the aircraft stood taller.
Alpha 3’s voice came next.
“Direct hit. Enemy pulling back. Raven 13, you saved our backs.”
Emily’s recorded voice stayed focused.
“Not home yet. Move north. I’ll make another pass.”
More cannon fire.
More radio traffic.
Then Emily’s voice changed.
Tight.
Urgent.
“Alpha 3, there’s a second unit moving down the east ridge.”
Barrett’s voice cut back in, furious.
“Raven 13, return to base immediately.”
Emily replied, “Negative. Friendlies still exposed.”
“Return now.”
“Not until they’re clear.”
The recording caught a warning alarm in her cockpit.
Then another voice from maintenance frequency.
“Raven 13, you’ve got damage. Left gear showing hot.”
Emily’s answer came instantly.
May you like
“I know.”
Read Part 6 to see how long Emily stayed in the fight while her aircraft was falling apart.
