Hellfire

By Drew Avera

From the author of Dead Planet: Exodus and 2103: The Fall of America, Hellfire is a Military Science Fiction Short Story. How far will our government go to maintain peace, when to secure peace you must prepare for war?

Nate is a test pilot for the United States Army. Actually, he is the best damned test pilot period, even with the headaches. The United States is developing a new kind of piloted war machine with the help of Franklin Industries and they have secured some of the most high tech, abrasive equipment on the planet. Does it work? According to the test pilot, it works like a champ. If that's the case, then why is everything shrouded in mystery at the end of Nate's test flight? Furthermore, why does Nate suffer such horrific migraines? Read here to find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drew Avera
• Release date: Jun 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386520078

Drew Avera

I am an active duty navy veteran. I'm married with two kids and I live in Virginia. My first book, Dead Planet, was released in March 2013.

Book preview

Hellfire

I rose out of bed to another migraine headache. It was six in the morning based on the searing luminescent glow of the alarm clock. Every morning for as long as I could remember I had awakened to a feeling that could only be described as the type of headache you get when drinking something cold too fast. I looked over at my itinerary for the day next to my flight suit. I was scheduled for another test of the latest Pi-Mech (Piloted Assault Mechanism) today. This one was an upgraded version of the AF-45F Hellfire. I ran my hand through my hair holding my head trying to force the headache away before I rolled out of bed to get dressed for the day.

After breakfast I walked into hangar nine to receive my missions brief. Bob Franklin was standing next to the new prototype Pi-Mech. We had been friends for years and I had to admit that he wore the years a lot harder than I did. I could see the crease in his forehead where a thick mane of hair used to fall. The old adage, ‘youth is wasted on the young,’ came to mind. The new Pi-Mech had all the bells and whistles when it came to armament, but good ol’ Bob neglected the paint job.

So, this is the next big thing eh, Bob? I asked.

He turned half startled, Hey, Nate. Yeah, this is her. He smiled and shook my hand for a little longer than I considered necessary and there was something odd about the way he was looking at me. He turned back to the unit and jotted down a few notes into his tablet. The controls are the same as always, we just made things a little more user friendly and things like that. It should be relatively straight forward. Do you have any questions? he asked with an exhale.

Nope, I’m just ready to get going, I slapped him on the back and he laughed awkwardly. Are you alright, Bob? I asked. You look kind of ill.

No, I’m fine. Let’s get you strapped in and ready. He stood behind me as a donned my head gear. I climbed into the cockpit of the Pi-Mech and strapped myself in. I fiddled with the controls again before closing the egress hatch. I looked over at Bob as it closed and noticed there was something behind those eyes. I shook the thought out of my head when I heard General Parker take the com and initialize the mission program.

Are you ready, Captain? he asked in his brisk, snarly sort of way. The holographic video fed onto the Heads-Up Display and the detail of his face was striking. I could even see the cigar smoke emanating out of his mouth as he spoke.

Yes, sir, I replied with a half-assed salute that he never returned.

Now start the countdown procedure, the General said into the com just before the sequence began. An electronic voice counted down from ten and I was reminded of the migraine I had wakened