Evershore(Skyward #3.1)(45)

If the platforms didn’t move, we’d all have far fewer resources to deal with whatever the Superiority brought against us. But I didn’t point out her bad logic. I understood.

“I’m going to go wake the UrDail pilots,” FM said. “So they aren’t frightened when the platform moves, and so they can decide to stay here if that’s what they want.”

“Good idea,” I said. Alanik’s brother and the others had fought beside us on ReDawn, but this wasn’t their fight. They deserved the opportunity to decide for themselves.

“Jerkface,” a voice said over my radio. “This is Robin from Stardragon Flight. We were told to contact you as soon as we were in the air.”

Last time I talked to Robin over the radio, her flight had been called up to keep Skyward Flight from escaping to ReDawn. “Copy, Robin,” I said. “Do you have a hyperdrive?”

“We’ve got one of them in our flight,” Robin said. “Ivy and Victory Flights have a couple more each.”

“Good,” I said. “Connect all your ships with light-lances. Don’t leave anyone behind. Signal me when you’re ready, and we’ll bring everyone with us to Evershore.”

“Jerkface?” Robin said. “What the scud are we doing?”

“Defending potential new allies,” I said. “They’re under attack because the Superiority got wind of our presence there. We’ll be joining their air force in defending their planet. I’ll give you specific formations when we arrive.”

“Yes, sir,” Robin said.

I blinked. I wasn’t technically Robin’s superior, and I was giving her orders anyway. Stoff had given me leave to do that, but…

I didn’t correct her. I was going to need them all to listen to me, so this was a good sign even if it wasn’t exactly right.

Jorgen? Alanik said in my mind. Another carrier ship has arrived.

We’re on our way, I told her.

I made sure Gill was ready while FM alerted the UrDail pilots.

“We’re ready to go,” Robin told me over the radio. “My flight wants to know where exactly we’re heading?”

Had I not told them? “Evershore,” I said. “It’s a planet inhabited by small fox aliens.”

There was a pause. “Okay,” Robin said. “Thanks for filling us in.”

I sighed. Answering all their questions would take time we didn’t have. “You’ll see soon enough. All flights, prepare for hyperjump.”

FM returned to the doorway of the control room. “Gilaf and the others are getting ready. They’re in.”

“Good,” I said. “We’re going to need them.”

I’m ready to hyperjump, I said to Alanik. Get someone high enough in the air that the platform won’t fire on the planet when we arrive.

There was a long pause.

Arturo’s up high enough, Alanik said. The space around him is clear. Go.

I reached out to the other flights, finding the minds of their taynix, and gave them instructions to go to Alanik’s slug, Snide, down near Dreamspring. Then I reached for Gill in the box and instructed him to take the platform to Naga. I wanted us to emerge in the air, not drop the platform on top of the beach where the autoturrets would fire on the city.

We slipped beneath the unseeing eyes and appeared beneath the black sky, marred grey by periodic clouds. I could see the carrier ships Alanik was talking about up above the clouds, pieces of their large boxy shapes visible behind the fluffy obstructions. Arturo hovered right above the platform’s surface, close enough that he wouldn’t be hit by the autocannons.

“Scud, Jerkface,” Arturo said. “That thing popping out of nowhere is terrifying.”

The platforms shook as the guns fired at some enemy ships that had been waiting right inside the clouds. They scattered and retreated.

“Welcome back,” Kimmalyn said over the radio.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’m going to do something about those carrier ships. Everyone else steer clear of the platform and defend the city.”

“We’ve got more kitsen ships on our side now,” Arturo said. “They’re gathering over Dreamspring.”

“And we will feast on the souls of all who dare to harm our beloved city,” Goro said.

“I sure hope that’s metaphorical,” FM muttered, then turned to me. “Gilaf will contact you over the radio when he and the other UrDail pilots are ready to jump out to help. I’m going to take Gill to my ship.”

“Do it,” I said. “Amphi, I want you to command the flight. It’s too hard for me to keep track of you all while I’m working the platform.” Last time I’d had Rig to handle this, and all I’d had to do was command Boomslug to shoot the hyperweapon. This was going to be more complicated.

“Copy, Jerkface. What is our strategy?”

Scud, we needed one of those. Not only for our flight, but for everyone. “Protect the city,” I said. “Victory Flight, make sure the city itself doesn’t take fire. Keep the enemy distracted.” I paused. “Amphi, have we heard from Cuna?”

“They’re working with the medical people to get Cobb and Gran-Gran moved to the library. Going toward the cliffs doesn’t seem to be causing their vitals to drop.”