Author: ARCA9
Subject: Game Day~Part 1
Posted: APRIL 18, 1999 10:22

The next morning James woke early and ate breakfast before heading to the
Launching Bay. He quickly gave his wing a once over checking the engine,
filters, and gas. Nothing was going to go wrong today.
Game Day was not officially started until noon but the other cadets were
in the Bay long before then. General Pepper had a time keeping everyone
calm. James could see the stress of the past few weeks in his eyes. He
finally gave up and called for war just to get everyone out of the Bay.
James shot out into the sky. There were numerous people from around
Corneria City sitting in some bleachers under the flying field. They had
come to watch Game Day.
"So McCloud. You ready to rock?" Jane asked.
"And roll." James spun a barrel roll to the right and flew over General
Pepper's head.
"Chill James." General Pepper said. "Everyone begin."
The crowd cheered as James took out the first wing. He did all the tricks
he knew to the delight of the crowd. None of the other cadets could get
close enough to get a lock on him. He was in top form.

"All right guys. How bout we all pull out and leave this to James and
Jane." Andross said suddenly.
James got a brief look of the monkey's smile before the other pilots spoke
up.
"Might as well."
"We'll be gone soon anyway."
"I'm all for it."
The other wings landed and their pilots jumped out to watch.
"Well why not. You ready McCloud?" Jane asked.
Something was bothering James. Some nagging feeling he couldn't push
aside.
It did not make any sense. Why would Andross pull out?
"If you don't do something I'm going to shoot you down now." Jane said.
James turned and saw Jane flying on his tail. He did a quick turn to the
right.
"Better." Jane said.
Suddenly James' arwing lurched and spun. James cursed as he tried to get
it back under control.
"Cut it out Bayno," James said angrily. "That wasn't funny."
"II didn't do it." Jane stammered. "It was that thing."

James turned to get a view of whatever it was that had hit him. He saw
nothing.
"I don't see anything Bayno." James cursed again. His shield had been
severely damaged.
"It's gone." Jane said in awe. "Oh God James. It's right below you. Watch
out."
James shot the rest of his shield power to his belly just as a gut
wrenching blow came from below.
"Get out of there McCloud." Jane shouted. "I'll cover you."
James pulled back hard. His arwing shot into the sky. He glanced at his
shield readings. They were down to ten percent. James cursed again and
turned. This time he saw it. It was a tema. Its silver gray feathers
gleamed in Solar's light. The tema attacked the crowd and swooped over
their heads.
"Andross." James hissed under his breath. "No tema would attack a wing
unless it had been messed with."
"Like it?" Andross voice came over the radio.