Log 7 - Hutton Defense
13 Dec 2024Ethan Cenick
Just wrapped up my first round of assaults on Cocijo with my fellow pilots in the Anti Xeno Initiative. It's been an exhausting solar cycle, last night I was up until all hours defending Hutton Orbital from the 'goids. Me and 3 other brave commanders repelled dozens of interceptors, no fewer than 6 of which were Hydra-class. I came very close to losing my ship after one of them cornered me with its lightning attack. I was able to gingerly land on Hutton with 1% hull left for quick repairs.
I almost lost my nerve, I won't lie. It was jarring coming that close to a detonation. Ejection has worked so far for me, but we in this business know not every escape pod makes it back home. But as I looked out from my cockpit to see the ground crew providing fast repairs to my ship, I saw in their eyes a bravery that was what I can only describe as inspiring. Men and women of all ages and experience working together, doing all they could to get me back into the fight as fast as I could. One of them, his name was Terrence I believe, looked over at me while he was restocking my hardpoints and threw me the iconic "o7" salute with a smile as he turned back to his duties. I then looked over at Alicia repairing the glass on my cockpit where she also threw me an "o7" salute with a smile and went right back to her work.
It was such an interesting feeling seeing them all cheering me on. They were on the verge of losing not just the station, but their very lives, and yet they seemed to have complete faith in us to repel the assault. It inspired me. As I was preparing to request permission to launch, I heard the launch deck liason, Jason, come on the line and say the last thing I needed to get back my head back in the game: "Ethan, you got this. My father told me stories about the Commanders growing up. He always told me if I was ever in trouble I could count on you all to save the day. I know you can do this, I just know it. We're here for you, you just give them everything you've got and we're here to patch you up. I wish he could see all the victories you're making tonight."
I looked at him up on the rafters and said, "I know he's watching. Somewhere out there I know he's watching, and he's proud of you too."
With a mutual o7 he opened the bay doors for me and I flew straight into the face of a Hydra to draw fire while my brothers in arms focused their fire on its hearts.
Hours later we all let out a roar of excitement when we were notified that Hutton was won and the Thargoids were in retreat. The Hutton comms lit up with cheer and tears as we docked our ships and celebrated with a party that only Hutton Orbital could throw. The celebration was short-lived however, as the station was badly damaged and we commanders had to make our way back to prepare for Cocijo.
With all that the Thargoids have been throwing at us recently, I'm holding my breath at this assault. So far, the attack is proceeding much like the previous titans, but anything could happen. Hopefully, with all the commanders who've come in from the black and have returned to their pilot seats after many years, Cocijo will fall before anything unexpected can happen.
Only time will tell.
Glory to mankind o7
- Ethan Cenick