Authors: Max Chase
Space Wars!
To special operatives Simon, Lisa and Daniel
Special thanks to Benjamin Scott
It is the year 5012 and the Milky Way galaxy is under attack . . .
After the Universal War . . . a war that almost brought about the destruction of every known universe . . . the planets in the Milky Way banded together to create the Intergalactic Force – an elite fighting team sworn to protect and defend the galaxy.
Only the brightest and most promising students are accepted into the Intergalactic Force Academy, and only the very best cadets reach the highest of their ranks and become . . .
To be a Star Fighter is to dedicate your life to one mission:
Peace in Space
. They are given the coolest weapons, the fastest spaceships – and the most dangerous missions. Everyone at the Intergalactic Force Academy wants to be a Star Fighter someday.
Do YOU have what it takes?
Contents
Join Peri and the crew of the Phoenix on their next mission!
‘Follow that ship,’ Prince Onix screamed across the Bridge of the
Phoenix
. He pointed at the Meigwor viper-ship snaking away from the dusty orange planet. ‘Make them pay for attacking Xion!’
Peri pulled the thruster levers hard. The
Phoenix
raced after the enemy craft.
‘Locking target trackers,’ Diesel shouted. The half-Martian gunner cracked his knuckles. ‘One X-plode detonator coming up.’ He reached for the button on the gunnery station.
‘Wait a nanosecond, Diesel,’ Peri ordered. ‘Why is that vipership leaving Xion? Where’s the rest of the Meigwor fleet?’
‘Who cares?’ Diesel replied. ‘You blast first and ask questions later.’
‘Stop arguing and do something,’ the prince snapped. ‘You promised my father you’d destroy the Meigwors.’
Peri glared at him. ‘We said we’d help save Xion as long as you never attack the Milky Way again. We need to find out what the Meigwors are up to –
then
we can start kicking some alien space-butts.’
‘Watch out!’ Diesel shouted as alarms erupted across the Bridge.
A huge purple and silver meteorite was plummeting towards them. Peri jerked the Nav-wheel sharply and slammed on the dodge mechanism. The
Phoenix
flew past it.
‘What the
prrrip’chiq
was that?’ Diesel asked.
‘The s-s-space h-h-highway,’ stammered Prince Onix. ‘Look what the Meigwors have done.’
The twisty, twelve-hundred-lane space highway that had surrounded Xion had been shattered into gazillions of pieces. Huge chunks of Astrophalt were caught in orbit around the planet. The vipership started blasting its way through the debris.
Peri was not going to let it get away. He checked the
Phoenix
’s cloak and activated the sprint-thrusters. The ship zoomed along in
the vipership’s trail, through the space-carnage.
‘The Cos-Moat will slow them down,’ Prince Onix said.
‘I don’t think so,’ said Diesel. ‘Look!’
The dark blue bubble of corrosive goo that surrounded the whole planet was also in tatters. The viper slithered easily through a gap, with the
Phoenix
close behind.
‘We’re in their slipstream,’ Peri said. ‘Next stop the Meigwor fleet!’
Otto’s massive bulk and freakishly long neck loomed over Peri. ‘Wait! Stop!’ he boomed. The Meigwor bounty hunter was part of their crew now, but he hated fighting against his own people. ‘We can’t defeat the entire fleet! We’ll be captured! They’ll send me down the mines for being a traitor!’
Peri shook his head. Too much was riding on this mission. If they stopped the Meigwors, then the king of Xion had promised to send the
Phoenix
back to the Milky Way and never attack their home again.
‘No more running away,’ Peri said. ‘This time we’re taking it to the Meigwors. We’re going to end this intergalactic conflict and get home. Otto, help Diesel on weapons!’
The bounty hunter shuffled over to the gunnery station. Diesel activated rows of triggers and armed the X-plode detonators.