CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

planes on his tail. Following in a single, ragged line, the vessels mimicked his maneuver to the best of their ability. He’d lost a couple of them during the course of the morning, but none of the pilots straggled now.
    Skimming the craggy side of the plateau, Byron pulled away and leveled his flight. It felt good to fly his Darten again. The ship protested the tame flight patterns, but he couldn’t outfly the Tgren planes or place the pilots in danger. He’d let the tiny fighter enjoy her freedom when they returned to space.
    Any problems back there? he asked Athee.
    We’re good, she responded.
    The plane directly behind him rolled back and forth. Byron grinned at the movement, which did not alter the aircraft’s course or cause it to lose momentum. Athee’s control and precision flying were admirable qualities in a pilot her age. The woman possessed an excellent sense of placement. She was daring, but not stupid. If Athee stayed the course, no pilot on this planet would match her abilities.
    Imagine what she could’ve done in a Cassan fighter, he thought.
    Byron checked the formation while contemplating the next maneuver. The third plane dipped lower and began to weave from side to side.
    I think Istaner is bored, Athee informed him.
    Gritting his teeth, Byron gripped the throttle tighter. I think your cousin is a pain in the ass, he replied, unable to conceal his distaste for the arrogant pilot.
    Athee chuckled. Her amusement eased Byron’s concerns. He’d taken a chance insulting the prefect’s son. Fortunately, his protégée was sensible. She was not impressed with Istaner’s abilities in the cockpit, regardless of his social and family status.
    Well, he began, feel up to a challenge?
    You bet. What do you have in mind?
    Byron glanced at the radar. They were approaching a mountainous area, filled with numerous peaks and valleys. It was perfect for what he had in mind.
    Tell the others to keep up if they can. But no stupid moves. Your uncle would call for my head if any of you died on my watch.
    He waited while she relayed the information. The Darten’s cockpit lacked room for the clumsy portable radio he’d used in the shuttle, for which he felt grateful. The primitive device was a poor excuse for a communication module. Besides, he possessed a far more reliable means for conveying his instructions.
    We’re ready, Athee called.
    Altering his course, Byron increased his speed. The planes lagged for a moment before catching up to the fighter. Smiling as they approached the first narrow valley, he prepared to enjoy himself. Istaner wouldn’t be bored now!
    Banking to his left, Byron slipped into the valley. The mountains flashed by in a blur of red and gold. The walls drew closer and the canyon began to twist and turn. Byron reduced his speed, aware the planes were incapable of performing such tight maneuvers at their current pace. However, he didn’t want to make it too easy for the Tgren pilots. If they were to improve, they had to stretch.
    Pulling up on the throttle, he altered course. The Darten shot out of the narrow valley. Glancing at the radar, Byron saw one plane totter and drop behind. Altering the ship’s trajectory, he sent the Darten into a nosedive. Another plane missed the mark and fell behind, but the others managed to stay with the Cassan fighter.
    Selecting a deep valley, he reduced speed. The Darten slipped in between the sandy cliffs. One airplane came in too fast and dropped close to the canyon’s surface. Byron breathed a sigh of relief as the pilot corrected his course. Flying near the valley’s peaks, he continued following the erratic pattern as it sliced across the plains. Several planes faltered, pulling above the mountainous ridges to avoid impact before returning to formation, and one aircraft gave up entirely.
    Byron was enjoying the chase, but he needed to push the Tgren pilots harder. Pulling out of the valley, he gained altitude. The open air beckoned like the vast