As we raced towards Nova, my heart pounded in my ears and my gaze bounced over the screen trying desperately to keep up with everything Fornax has told me to do.

“Another fighter is down, two Guards too,” I called over the roar of the engines.

Fornax let out a noise that sounded like a growl.

“From where? The main corridor or the elevator?”

In my head, I’d been calling the corridor where we’d been held by the elevators the main corridor because that’s what we had always viewed it as but I quickly recalibrated. It made more sense for the corridor with the main bulk of the fight and the majority of our fighters to be called the main corridor.

“Main corridor! I think that’s five down now,” I added, searching and counting rapidly.

I felt better now that we were going towards the fight. We’d be able to do something to help rather than just watching people die.

“And the roof?” she asked, pushing the engines to burn even hotter.

“Still clear. Nothing on the scanners around the building either!”

I wanted to take over the controls and bring the ship down instead of her so that she could check the screens and have the constant stream of updates she needed.

“Great! And where are the other Guardians now? Which floor?”

I flicked through the cameras, checking the foyer and making sure they weren’t going for the main lifts before flicking through the staircases.

“They’re just coming up on ten!” I said after what felt like too long.

Fornax growled again.

“Tell them. Tell them to get to the roof now, we’re nearing the planet now, entering atmosphere shortly,” she ordered.

I switched on the comms, making sure it was going to everyone, and turned the stream to the Command Centre.

“The Guardians are approaching floor ten now. Fornax says all fighters need to get to the roof,” I relayed.

“Alright, you heard her. Pull back and head to the roof, everyone. Get Peggy if possible,” Aquila commanded, a hint of relief on her face.

I flicked the stream back to the three fighters still in the elevator. They seemed to be doing okay. More Guardians were falling but the three were still shooting. The one on the left was shooting weirdly though. They hadn’t been firing like that before, I didn’t think. They were using their right hand to aim and pull the trigger and just balancing the gun on their left balled fist. Their gun was braced against their chest to absorb the recoil. That wasn’t the standard way of shooting. They hadn’t been firing like that before.

I checked to make sure the comms were off again.

“I think one of the fighters in the elevator got hit. They’re shooting strangely,” I told Fornax.

She cursed loudly.

“Strangely how? Which fighter?”

I bit my lip hating that I didn’t know the name of the fighter. I should have known the name of every fighter on Nova. I was a Captain still, I should have been better.

“I don’t know who it is. They’re on the left though. They’re using their right hand to do everything and just resting it on their left fist. They’re missing most of the shots too. By a lot,” I said, watching them carefully.

Their face was hidden by their helmet so I couldn’t check to see who it was.

“Pac? Take the controls for a second,” she said, barely giving me time to grab the joystick before she flicked them over and grabbed the screen from my lap.

I continued pushing forwards, making the ship push even harder as we approached the atmosphere. My leg had stopped bouncing, I was so focused on flying that my fear and anxiety faded into the background.

“There,” Fornax said, grabbing the controls again and thrusting the screen at me.

Each person now had their name in small white writing underneath their faces or helmets. It was equally distracting and helpful.

“It was Pac,” I confirmed quietly.

“I know. Comm straight to them and ask if they’re okay.”

I typed trying to find their details before clicking and waiting for them to connect.

A ragged, wet-sounding breathing came over the speaker.

“Pac, it’s Aries. Are you alright? You seem injured.”

“Bless the stars. It’s Captain Aries,” they gasped.

Speaking seemed to take a lot out of them. Their slurred words came slowly. Fear stuttered in my heart.

“Are you okay? Physical report,” I said, my leg starting to bounce again as I waited too long for them to reply.

On the screen, I could see them clumsily trying to reload their gun. The cartridge bounced against the gun weakly as they tried to get it into the right slot. One of the other fighters glanced at them but didn’t stop firing to help. The cartridge finally clicked it with a muted noise and they brought their gun up to fire blindly again.

“It’s not good. But speaking to you has given me the strength not to be scared of what’s to come.”

Tears welled up in my eyes and I slapped a hand against my mouth to stop myself from making a noise. She couldn’t see me but she would hear if I cried. I had to be strong for Pac.

“Damage report,” I said, firmer this time.

“Oh, Captain. It isn’t good. Bullet entered my arm. Shoulder, maybe. I think,” she wheezed in a breath as her voice grew softer, “it must have hit something. Maybe my lungs.”

The wet gurgle of her breath indicated that was true.

Cory, is there anything anyone can do to help someone with pierced lungs? I asked desperately, watching Pac’s gun dip even lower.

A damp hacking came over the comms.

How far gone are they? he asked quickly.

I had no clue.

Sending their vitals to your screen, I thought frantically.

“You’ll be alright, Pac. Just focus on your breathing,” I said as soothingly as I could.

They coughed out a laugh.

“I’m trying to, Captain. It ain't that easy.”

Cory? I asked, demanding an update.

It seems like they’re dipping fast. I don’t know how much they can do there. They need oxygen, probably a blood transfusion and surgery to retrieve the bullet. Maybe some reconstruction too, he thought.

I turned off the microphone but kept the speaker on in case Pac said something.

“Fornax, how much medical equipment do the fighters have with them on Nova?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice but failed.

I knew that death was inevitable in any fight but I needed to prevent it if I could.

“Not enough. Maybe some blood packs but not enough,” she answered, shooting me a sad look.

I swore and looked at the screen.

“What can I do?” I muttered quietly, hope fading quickly.

They didn’t have enough equipment to keep Pac alive and we weren’t close enough to get to her in time even if they could get her to the roof.

“Keep talking to her and keep her calm. The suits have painkillers built in, has she engaged hers yet?” Fornax asked.

My eyes scoured the screen.

“Yeah, Cory just did.”

“Do you want me to take over? You can take us down to Nova and I’ll talk Pac through this?”

I wanted to accept her offer so much but the admiration in Pac’s voice when she said my name stopped me. I owed this to her.

“I’ll do it. How are you doing, Pac?” I asked, switching the comms on.

Their gun stuttered to a stop.

“I’m okay, Captain. I’m talking to you. I wanted to again for so long.”

Their voice was too weak and tears stung my eyes again. They fell backwards against the wall, their legs sprawling out from under them. On the screen, I saw Cory slowly increase their painkillers. Their breathing became gradually less laboured.

“I used to be a Guardian. Do you remember me? I saw you when you were locked up. I snuck you chocolate and painkillers. Now you’re doing the same to me,” they said, their laugh breaking off into coughs.

“That was you?” I said, my hands trembling.

“Yeah. The way they were treating you… it made me realise how evil they are. You’re why I fought, Captain. Thank you.”

I bit my lip hard to force back the tears.

“Pac, listen to me. I am ordering you to survive, do you hear me? We’re coming down to Nova now, I’ll come get you,” I ordered desperately.

She laughed weakly and from the camera in the back of the elevator, I could see her head loll back.

“I’m sorry, Captain. I don’t think I can follow that order.”

The tears broke free and raced down my face. I needed her to survive. She showed me kindness and hope when I thought it was lost.

“Will you… I’m going to die. Will you say something before I do?” she asked, fear evident in her voice.

My mind went blank and I glanced at Fornax.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to beg the other fighters to notice and provide first aid but I knew I couldn’t. If one more person stopped firing, they’d be overrun and they didn’t even have enough equipment to save her. I looked at her vitals.

She was right. Her blood pressure was dropping and her heartbeat was weakening.

She’s going to die, isn’t she? I asked Cory defeatedly.

I’m sorry.

I cleared my throat, thinking back to the funeral services I had attended over the years on the base.

“May you live amongst the stars forever. Though you may have fallen, your contribution will live on and we will honour your memory.”

It wasn’t enough. I needed to say more. She was still alive but only just. She deserved more than the standard speech.

“Thank you, Pac. Your act of kindness when we were in jail showed me that there is still good in the universe. I’ll never forget you and I’ll do my best to bring the Council down.”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see her vitals stop as her heart finally gave out but it didn’t stop me from hearing her breathing shudder to a stop.

“That was beautiful, Aries,” Fornax said quietly.

I forced myself to take a deep breath and open my eyes. We were still in this fight and other people still needed me.

Approaching atmosphere, I thought weakly as the ship began to shake slightly.

Are you okay? Cas asked gently.

I couldn’t respond though. My heart felt tender. I couldn’t bring myself to think.

“Fornax! Withdraw now!” Aquila’s voice roared over the speakers.