Disclaimers: Namco owns Ace Combat 5, enough said.

Author's Note: To those who are familiar with my Legends in the Storm over in the Neverwinter Nights category; I am back online but I hit writer's block. I will return to that fic once I am able to think up a way to take it. For this one, I am going to follow others in what sides get what planes though I ain't changing anything about the planes as I think of this as an alternate Earth with a lot of the same companies. Now enjoy and also…R&R

Blaze of Glory

15 years ago, there was a war. Well, war's broken out here plenty of times before. They're tried to invade the south lands through the northern valley time and time again; luck was never on their side though, and their victories didn't last long.

They didn't realize that times had changed, facing one defeat after another and watching their nation dwindle. So they built up their industrial strength up to unprecedented heights, and used it to wage one final battle against the world.

That was 15 years ago...

They fought ferociously, but were utterly defeated. The Belkans then committed the unthinkable. They dropped nuclear weapons on their own soil, seeing this tragedy unfold before their own eyes, the victories countries vowed to throw down their weapons. The world was once again at peace; and thanks to them; it seemed it would last forever. On a distant island, far away from civilization, the protectors of the peace take to the skies…

A young boy with curly, short, black hair watched as his father took off in his plane. He called into the radio; "See you when you get home father." There was a reply as he said; "Yep, I will take you up after I get done Rob." The ten-year old watch as his father's plane lifted off to run the mail to the people up this far up in the northern parts of Osea.

He than walked back to his aunt and mother at the control tower as they listened to the radios. It was just before the start of the Belkan War though no one knew that was coming as the young boy walked up and sat down at the small radio. It was his job to now listen and communicate with all the other bushpilots as they did their runs around this remote area.

That would be how this young man would learn of both his father's death and the start of the war as the pilots began to radio in distress calls as Belkan fighter jets streaked past and nearly collided with or shot down the planes. His father was one of those shot down as he yelled in; "Mayday! Mayday! Gunfire to rudder and left wing. Going do…" The rest was static as Robin Bodenne yelled for his mother or aunt to come running.

Present Day-

September 23, 2010 1100 ZULU

"Blaze, this is Sand Island Control. You are cleared for landing, begin your approach." Came the voice over the radio as a young man began to approach the landing strip of this little island in the middle of the Pacific and Ceres Oceans. He looked out the side of the cockpit with a smile, as the F-5E just seemed to bend to his will. He began to use the ILS; which is short for Instrument Landing System and an upgrade as of late to the aging Tigers; upon the HUD to try to make it a perfect landing.

He brought up the airbrakes and lightened up on the throttle as he came closer to the runway; cutting power to around 50 of total as the plane went lower. He felt the rear wheels hit pavement and cut power even further as the front set of landing gear touched the pavement.

Robin began to than slowly apply brakes while cutting the power more till he was at taxing speeds. "Perfect landing Blaze, go to your assigned hangar and report to your squadron leader." Robin nodded and taxied to the hangar he had been told to park his jet in and waited for the flight crew to bring up the ladder. Opening the cockpit; he jumped out onto the ladder and nodded to the maintenance crew that would go over his plane to make sure there was no problems.

Standing in the door to the hangar was a rather large, burly man that seemed to be a bit older than most of the nuggets around here. He was obviously a head instructor here as the man walked towards Robin and asked; "So, are you the new guy they sent down to help replace the junior instructors we lost; First Lieutenant Robin 'Blaze' Bodenne? " Robin held saluted as he replied; "Yes sir." He had noted the Captain's insignia on his uniform and treated him as he would any superior officer.

"Good, I was worried your tendency to ignore orders and be a wild card would come with you. I am Captain Bartlett, the guy in charge of you along with some others. My call sign is Heartbreak One." Robin frowned slightly as that part of his reputation from Heirlark got down here. He was always more willing to pull moves in mid-air most instructors had warned students against. He also liked to dogfight at full afterburn; hence his call sign.

He followed the Bartlett into the Crew Ready Room and sat down along side a rather large guy. But that didn't catch his eyes as much as the woman before him did. She seemed very beautiful but frail yet she wore a flightsuit. "Hey, so you are the new guy?" Asked the big guy by him; "Yes, Robin, Blaze is my call sign." He nodded and said; "Alvin Davenport, you can call me Chopper though."

Bartlett had sat down and leaned back before sighing and sitting up again to look at them all before he spoke; "I know you don't like this, but we're short on people. Starting tomorrow all you nuggets are gonna be sitting alert. If we launch, stay glued to me up there."

He looked in the direction of the woman and said with a tone of command; "Nagase!" She replied back with; "Sir!" Bartlett gave a slight nod as he said; "Your flying number two on my wing, gotta keep an eye on you or who knows what you'll get yourself into." He than looked to Blaze and said; "You are number four and will be flying on Chopper's wing Bodenne." Robin nodded as Bartlett said; "Dismissed people." Blaze got up as he went to fetch his stuff from his jet and began to make his way to the crew lounge.

Robin sat down after tossing the duffel onto a bed as he looked up and closed his eyes. A quiet, feminine voice interrupted his thoughts as he looked to the source and saw the woman; Nagase from the Ready Room. "I saw you looking at me when you came in." Robin shrugged and said; "You don't see many women in the Air Force. Not going to begrudge you the lack of a three-piece set for it though if that is what you came in here to rant at me for. Actions prove whether you earned the right to where the wings; not biology."

Nagase looked a little taken aback by his words before shaking her head and saying; "Actually, I was going to welcome you, but it is good to know you aren't some sexist pig. Second Lieutenant Kei 'Edge' Nagase." Robin nodded and patted the seat next to him on the couch as he said; "First Lieutenant Robin Bodenne. My call sign is Blaze, you might get a chance to find out why in a practice dogfight sometime." Nagase saluted as Robin shook his head and said; "Now don't go doing that bullshit. We are here in the Crew Lounge and I prefer to only have that done when you have to keep the Nuggets in line."

Nagase chuckled and said; "I understand that." She sat down as Robin closed his eyes and looked up. "So, I take it you were the only surviving trainee?" Nagase looked down and said; "Yes, how did you find out. They classified the whole thing." Robin said; "I had to pull some teeth but the commander up at Heirlark told me what happened. That is why I came a day earlier than was ordered, with the notice forwarded ahead."

Nagase nodded and said; "I assume you felt like you could help do something?" Robin nodded and replied; "You said it. Now, how about we get something to eat? I am starving." He got up and Nagase followed, she had to smile as the man walked ahead of her. "He does seem rather nice." She whispered under her breath as they went to eat some lunch in Sand Island's mess hall.