Ahji Lotz

The rockets keep speeding away from the enormous airships faster than we can stop them. Debris from destroyed fighters floats through space, shredding ships that are forced to fly through them. Our force gets smaller and smaller every minute. First, we were forced to merge into two phalanxes, then one as more and more of our forces are destroyed by Earth's overwhelming numbers.

We have managed to destroy all but one of the rocket launchers, but more and more fighters cut off our paths to it.

"Distract them!" I shout over the commlink. "I have a plan."

I split from the rest of the force while they keep the Earth humans occupied. I blow up any ships in my way, but most of them are focused on my main force. Alone, I take on the last rocket-launching airship. I pepper it with gunfire, shooting down the cannons to reach the depths of the ship and igniting the rockets inside. The sides explode, but the ship still functions.

I take a deep breath and steady myself for what I am about to do. It's fine. It'll be worth it. It's not like anyone needs me anyway, I tell myself. Steeling my nerves, I accelerate to full speed and aim for the cockpit, the one place where I can break into the airship. Just as I am about to crash into it, I release rapid-fire gunshots that tear open the windshield. My ship crashes into it and explosions rock the airship. Burning pain lances through my body as I burn with the rest of the ship. It is worth it, I repeat.

For freedom, it is worth it.

There is a burst of flames, the screams of tearing metal, and a boom as the ship becomes a ball of fire.

And then nothing.