I don't know if I have ever been so angry to win a battle before in my life. Yesterday Squad 72b had won a close to even odds skirmish with a Sun and Blossom house scouting party, and I have been seething for the past 24 hours because of it.

Our mission was simple. Recon an asteroid field on our front lines as the Vladislav main fleet moved closer to that position. We were to place sensor mines and monitor the location for activity for 4 hours and return home. If enemy fighters were sighted, we were to engage only if we had the advantage.

We arrived in the asteroid field which was said to hold some resources. It took us about 20 minutes to spread out and cautiously lay sensor mines around the area. There was no sign of any other ships in the area, so we powered down 95% for cloaking purposes and hid our ships around the side of a few larger asteroids.

I was expecting to be bored for 4 hours at this point, and I was for an hour and a half. Then they arrived.

Our on board radars flashed with the incoming ships while we remained hidden in the asteroids. 5 Sun and Blossom house fighters were scouting the area, and were heading strait for us. Intel had later told me that they were the reformed Cyprus Rangers in shiny new gear. Their fighters were very impressive indeed. Close to top of the line and obviously fresh out of the factory. I couldn't help but feel eager to blast away these expensive ships on their first flight into space.

I was setting myself up for disappointment as we waited for Petrova's move. Our orders were to attack only if we had the advantage, and she can be cautious sometimes. While we no doubt have the advantage in our element of surprise, it could be close. As the enemy finally approached our location,Petrova gave the signal to attack.

I should mention at this point that I was surprised at Petrova's order; I think she may have done it for me. Everyone in the squad knows I am one kill away from the big 100. I had gotten number 98 and 99 last week, but it was nothing worthy of note. Just a few rogue pirates flying obsolete fighters. This, however, would be my 100th, and Petrova must have been taking that into consideration when she gave the signal to engage rather than retreating.

It turned out to be an easy battle. I heard there were some good fighters in the Cyprus Rangers, which is a formidable merc group working for the Sun and Blossom House. Those good pilots were apparently somewhere else, because these were the greenest rookies flying the most expensive fighters I have ever seen. I could see, though, that some of them had potential.

Our initial attack came from the shadow of a particularly dense rock and metal asteroid. We flew around the massive rock as close as possible so they wouldn't see us on their scanners. It was tricky flying, but nothing we couldn't handle. We came out with a volley of missiles into the clump of fighters.

They of course scattered without any pattern or coordination. Easy pickings. After they had scattered we had formed in a defensive position, making it easy to evade their counter attack. With some patience,Petrova had evaluated the enemy and gave us the plan of attack.

It was 5 on 5, so we would each of us choose one enemy fighter to deal with. We would lure our chosen enemy into vulnrable positions by chasing them down or having them think they were chasing us down. Dash had two on his tail, and was clever enough to see where his teammates were. He risked his own skin and exposed himself as an easy target. The two enemy fighters went for it, allowingPetrova and Raveena to bear down on them from the flank. The enemy pilots were good enough to knock out Dash's engine, disabling him from the fight, but in doing so they made themselves easy targets for Petrova and Raveena. The two enemy fighters went up in a particularly bright burst, probably caused by their expensive ammo.

The rookie I had chosen to dogfight with was easy to handle. I took a few moments to let him fire at me, as I maneuvered the two of us into a strategic position. The guy seemed pretty good for a rookie, and nearly scorched me with a missile, but I had the experience and stayed a few steps ahead of him with a cool head.

It wasn't long before the rookie behind me was the only enemy left. I saw all of squadmates hang back and I couldn't help but smile. This was it, my 100th kill.

The rookie got off my flank when he realized he was alone and started gunning it away from the rocks so to find a safe jump zone. Too little too late, though, as I was able to catch his flank. Half a second later and he might have gotten away, but my rounds took out his engine as I flew by.

No need for a tight turn, or so I though, and I took my time arcing around getting ready for the kill. The 100th kill.

Or it would have been. I was so focused on the enemy, I didn't notice Petrova gunning it toward the rookie from the opposing side at a rediculous speed. I tried, but I couldn't get there before her, and she blew my kill away before I had a chance. What would have been my 100th!

That's not even the worst part. She was going so fast that she barely managed to pull away from the wreckage. In avoiding the exploding Cyprus Ranger she veered up and nearly collided with my ship! Between the fireball that used to be the rookie and and Patrova on a head on collision course I am lucky to have returned home in my own skin! I actually saw a flash of sparks as she literally scraped my hull with her engine. Another millimeter - A MILLIMETER - and I would have been spaced!

I haven't spoken to anyone on the squad since we returned. This was 24 hours ago. I don't even care why she pulled such an idiot stunt, but I have a feeling I will find out whether I like it or not soon.

Writing this didn't seem to calm me down as I had hoped. I really need this R&R coming up. Another few days, and I am spending my week on the Dominica alone.

S. Gat, Fraking 99 kills.