"Whatever you're going to do, you have to decide now," Himoto yelled.
"The Curs will do it," Tank declared. "We can guide you onto the proper trajectory and then bug out while the system's defenses target us. You'll make it down safe."
Odin nodded. "That might work. I can do the calculations. It should get you in the vicinity."
Kira hesitated, looking at Raider. "I don't like this."
It smacked of sacrifice. Something she'd promised she'd never allow happen for her again.
"There's no choice," Raider answered.
The shuttle's engine exploded. They spun.
"Bail. Bail. Bail," Himoto screamed, managing to stabilize the craft. "This shuttle is going down."
Tank grabbed Kira's hand, squeezing. "Trust us, Phoenix. We're Curs too."
Reluctantly, she nodded. "Joule, you're with them. They'll need someone to cover their asses."
With him, they at least had a fighting chance.
"We don't need a kid," Nova argued.
Tank strode to the hatch, popping it. The hatch blew out, the sudden rush of air threatening to rip them out of the shuttle before they were ready.
"Pick a buddy," Raider yelled. "That person is responsible for putting you on the right trajectory."
Odin rose, a conflicted expression on her face. "Kira—"
A wing ripped off the side of the shuttle.
Tank grabbed Amila and Solal, bailing out. Nova latched onto Graydon, tipping them both out the hatch.
The shuttle started to spin, ejecting Joule and Devon. Somehow, Maverick managed to leap for Finn and Talon, tackling them out of the shuttle.
Soon, Kira and the two pilots were the only ones left.
"You too, Himoto," Kira yelled.
"Go," Himoto ordered her co-pilot.
The person didn't have to be told twice, heading for the exit without a glance in Kira's direction.
"Just like Paxus," Raider screamed.
He jumped with Odin a second later.
Kira grabbed the J1N, holding it tight as she waited for Himoto. The lieutenant didn't disappoint, doing something to the controls that made the flight path smooth out for a second.
"That should hold it for a moment," Himoto announced, springing out of her seat and sprinting toward the back of the craft.
Kira leapt first. Himoto falling out behind her.
The shuttle burst into flame, exploding a second later.
Kira caught all of it in the first seconds of free fall. The trail of debris burning a path toward the planet's horizon where the sun was just beginning to rise. Shafts of light skated across the surface, reflecting off the clouds below. The vivid colors a contrast against the backdrop of space.
Beyond that were the flashes of light from the distant battle. So silent that it was almost like it wasn't happening.
