Sharp Shooter

Missing In Action

It didn't take Vortex and I long to fly from the sinking carrier to the 100 year old Dreadnought Battleship. The big 16 inch guns stood proud and imposing. They were definitely showing their age, but still looked more than ready to play with the newest ships and weapons that world Navy's had to offer. A large Texas and American flag flew from her smokestacks which were blowing blue smoke. The smell of diesel fuel and burning metal floated from the air on the smoke, the reactor assisting diesel engines in turning the rudder of the Texas, no doubt. The number 28 was painted in big white numbers on the side of her bow and there were several large turrets on each side of the ship. Another flag with the letters "Project Fireblood", flew from the tower of the ship. If you asked me, the baddest Dreadnought in US Navy history needed a worthy crew, and Fireblood dragons were that crew. When we touched down, Kachira, who was now down to her Under Armor suit, was waiting for us. I handed Raji's body off to Dars and he said he'd take him to the infirmary so he wouldn't rot on me. I felt a stab in my chest as I watched Dars disappear below deck with my friend over his back. With everything I'd been through in the past few months, I didn't think things would get much worse.

"Sit Rep?", Vortex asked.

"The enemy fleet is falling back. We assume it's because they think they destroyed all of our ships. The Captain called for reinforcements and were going to be pursuing the KA", Kachira said, "I just got done patching the others up, you need me?" She held up a large first aid kit.

Vortex grunted and shook her head, then winced, "wait, I take that back. There's a bullet in my shoulder from Edge Of Thorns. They had ammo that could pierce dragon hide. I was meaning to have it dug out so Jace could look at it, but we've been busy so I just kind of let it sit."

Kachira frowned and gestured for Vortex to take off her vest, "that was a bad call Vortex. It could be infected by now and you've seen how bad infections on dragons can get."

"Aint that the truth?", I asked myself as I slung my rifle over my shoulder.

"Looks like there is a bit of infection", Kachira said, "but if you keep it covered and change the bandages regularly, it shouldn't be a problem."

Vortex grunted, "damn. Okay, what do you recommend Doc?"

Kachira flicked her tail, "don't call me Doc, and once the bullet's out, check with me twice a day for a week and we'll see how it goes from there."

Kachira pulled a scalpel and a huge pair of tweezers from the first aid kit.

"Want any painkillers?", Kachira asked.

Vortex grinned, "Nah, go for it."

I snickered to myself. Vortex was in for a nasty little surprise. I wasn't sure why she turned down the pain killers, if she was thinking of building her pain tolerance or what, but after what I had gone through, I thought she was crazy.

"Vortex", I said leaning over Kachira's shoulder, "your crazy, absolutely crazy."

"I think the word your looking for is badass", she smiled.

"Unlikely", Fable said coming from below deck, "your just crazy boss."

I could tell Vortex was going to make a witty remark when Kachira cut into her shoulder. A chorus of laughter erupted and Charlie spoke up.

"Still badass?"

"If it wasn't for the giant pair of tweezers in my shoulder", Vortex grinned, "I'd kill you. I can recover from knife wounds and holes in my wings without touching them but as soon as a bullet gets under my scales it's a big deal."

Kachira dug the bullet out and then handed it to me. It was a .300 Winchester Super Magnum with a hollow tip and three razors on each side. I sighed. The KA now had something they could fire from a store bought hunting rifle and bring down Super Soldiers without ever being seen. Wonderful, just wonderful.