June 1946

For Miyuki.

The Hayabusa shuddered as it released its single, oversized egg. Yumiko instantly jerked back on the controls, beseeching gravity, her machine struggling to pull up before being consumed by the next volley of anti-aircraft fire. A massive explosion reverberated beneath Yumiko as her Hayabusa bucked violently against the concussion of the blast. Dark clouds continued to gush from every direction. There seemed to be little escape. Was . . . was this it?

Still pulling back, Yumiko rocked her aircraft like a cradle, attempting to avoid a direct hit. Cradle to grave. More flak exploded. Yumiko cried out in fear as a black cloud erupted directly in front of her. Reflexively curling up like a baby, metal shards chattered angrily against her canopy. Something painfully bit her in right shoulder. Yumiko felt her body release a scream of anguish.

Her loyal, battered Hayabusa finally broke free from the earth’s grasp and climbed for the cover of the clouds above. The anti-aircraft guns below continued to spit shrapnel filled curses at her escape as she climbed higher and higher, eventually out of view.

"What the- are you out of your mind?!" Tsubasa's voice crackled over the radio.

"Y-yumi! Are you ok?!" Tori's frantic screech was somehow comforting.

"Miyuki," Yumiko whimpered softly, as searing pain continued to burn down her right arm, tingling her finger tips. Drawing her elbows against her body, Yumiko put her head back against her seat and groaned, vocally releasing her intense discomfort. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to be in her bed at home buried under a mountain of very fluffy pillows.

"Nineteen, when I give an order, you follow it!” Talon Leader’s stern motherly displeasure came through the headset with such clarity it seemed as if she was sitting beside Yumiko.

“Yes ma’am.”

“What’s your status? Can you still fight?”

Could she still fight? Maybe. Yumiko gritted her teeth together. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed and crush a pillow against her body in a super hug until all the pain of losing Miyuki passed away. "Yes . . . ma'am."

"Good. Fifteen, cover Nineteen. That's your only task now."

"Yes superior!"

"Ma'am what are our instructions?" Tsubasa asked.

"We wait up here." A long pause held the comm. "We're early."

"E-early for what?" Tori asked.

"Hell."