They all entered their vehicles and took to the skies, the entire fleet assembling in formation above the New Helios base.
Dozens of craft hovered in the air, engines humming, their hulls gleaming under the pale Martian sun. The larger transports carried the bulk of the fighters, while smaller, more agile Skyblades darted between them, maintaining the perimeter.
Bjorn's vehicle took the lead, a massive transport that dwarfed most of the others, its exterior painted with the symbols of New Helios and etched with intricate knotwork that glowed faintly. The rest of the convoy fell into formation behind it, following its trajectory as it banked sharply and accelerated toward the North.
Tatehan sat in the pilot seat of his Skyblade, Riven beside him and three other fighters strapped into the seats behind them. The interior was quiet except for the low hum of the engines and the occasional crackle of the comm system as status updates were relayed across the fleet.
