First to die
The battle was about to begin.
Or, rather, the two sides were about to reach each other, and that meant that chaos and havoc were about to unravel.
On one of the fighters, the lone pilot took a deep breath and pushed the throttle to the maximum.
Their side was sure to win: more ships, superior firepower, more advanced technology, more experience.
By itself, however, this particular fighter had absolutely no hopes of surviving.
The rest of the ships saw the fighter break rank and push towards the enemy.
They also saw the enemy firing towards the fighter and breaking it into pieces.
Akin to the battles of the past, this first sacrifice enraged the rest of the pilots.
Two more broke ranks and, as soon as they’d be destroyed, the whole army would be prepped to engage in battle.
At the resurrection ship, the pilot woke up.
- You’re the first one to arrive. Has the battle begun already?
- No… Not really… But should be about to…
- Are you going out there again? Do you need us to get you ready?
- No… I think I’ll report my findings to the admiral…
No one blinked an eye and transport to reach the admiral was arranged.
On the way there, the pilot looked back at the resurrection ship, soon to be crowded, soon to be clogged up.
No one really died in the heat of the battle anymore… They only risked dying on the resurrection ship, if there were too many of them showing up at the same time.
The only sure way to survive was to be the first one to die.
