Chapter One: Mercenaries

It was a peaceful day, as the sun was high above the bright blue skies, shining down upon a dark blue ocean and the nearby green forests. The only noises that could be heard were ocean itself and a flock of seagulls that were flying through the skies.

However, this was soon interrupted by the sounds of jet engines screaming, as a dark grey F-15C Eagle flew mere inches over the flock of birds. The flock quickly scattered away from each other, being both startled by the noise and sudden appearance of the aircraft. As they scattered, another jet passed by them. However, this time it was an F/A-18F SupeHornetnt.

"What a beautiful day it is. Wouldn't you agree, Reaper?" The female pilot the F/A-18F asked over her radio, as her plane followed the Eagle.

"Fine enough day to make some money, Raider," Reaper replied to his wingman. "Reaper to AWACS, do you have eyes on the targets yet?"

"Heavy Cloud here, Reaper." The IUN AWACS Heavy Cloud responded. "We are currently seeing three heavy bombers with light fighter escort. You should be seeing them in a few minutes. Be advise, Bravo, you must down all targets before they can make it into the restricted zone."

"Copy, Cloudy," Raider responded, with a light chuckle in her voice as she called the AWACS by his nickname. "Okay, Captain, I can see them now. Three B-52's and MiGs and F-16's. This is going to be easy." As Raider said this, her plane quickly took off, leaving only vapor trail for Reaper to follow.

Reaper let out a sigh, as he soon followed the trigger-happy Belkan woman into battle. As the two were in sight of the bombers, the escort fighter quickly split off to engage the two. In response, Raider switched to her four Target Air-to-Air Missiles while Reaper stuck to his regular.

As the enemy fighter drew closer towards the two mercenaries, Raider fired her 4AAMs. The missiles soared through the air, before meeting their targets in a fiery explosion of death. Reaper, however, didn't use his missiles but fired his plane's 20mm Vulcan machine gun on the closest enemy fighter. The enemy F-16 was quickly chewed up by the volley of machine gun fire, as it went down into the sea in a trail of fire and smoke.

The battle would continue on for a little longer until the remaining three escort planes retreated towards the restricted zone. The remaining pilots were so desperate to not be shot down, that they even left their allied bombers behind to meet a watery grave.

"That was the last of the bomber, Captain." Raider said as the last B-52 crashed into the ocean below. "Now, time for those fighters."

"We better hurry then, Raider. I don't want to lose money from losing three fighters. " Reaper commented, as the two pursued the enemy fighters.

For being older planes, the MiG-21's managed to outmaneuver every shot that Raider and Reaper fired. Still determined to win, the mercenary duo continued to press the attack on the three fighters. However, unknowing to them that they were quickly getting closer to the restricted zone and over a strangely crimson colored forest.

"Bravo Team, do you copy? You are currently over the restricted area, return back mission area." They heard Heavy Cloud's voice over the radio.

"What about the enemy fighters?!" Raider began to complain.

"Let them go, Raider. We need to head back before we lose our pay." Reaper said as both his and Raider's planes turn around and began to fly back towards the ocean. "Heavy Cloud, mission accomplished and we heading back to base."

"Copy, Re-" Before the AWACS could say anything else, a flash of light appeared out of nowhere.

"What the hell was that?!" Raider asked as only static could be heard over the radio. "AWACS, are you there?"

"AWACS Heavy Cloud, do you read us?" Reaper asked, only to be answered by more static. "Shit. Heavy Cloud was most likely shot down by whatever caused that flash."

"Copy, Reaper. What's our plan for attack?"

"No clue, but right now we need to get out of here."

"Copy, I'll follow your lead."

Once Raider said this, the two quickly regrouped with each other and head south of the area. As they did, Reaper's plane's Missile Approach Warning system began to go off. The young mercenary quickly did his best to escape the missiles locks, only to met with an explosion that sent him spiraling in the air.

"Shit! Captain, you okay?!" Reaper heard Raider panicking.

"No, Raider. I have to bail out." Reaper said, before pulling the level. The canopy of the F-15C blew open before Reaper was sent flying into the air in his seat. When the pilot was only about twenty feet above his plane, it exploded into a giant ball of fire and metal.

Reaper then soon fell out of his seat, as his parachute opened up. As he was floating to the ground, he witnesses the sudden amount of enemy planes that appeared out of nowhere, along with spear-like airship that was hanging above the crimson forest. The same crimson forest that he was about to land in.

So, that is it for chapter 1. I hope you enjoy it and the next chapter Reaper will be meeting a certain Specialist and General. Until then, please tell me your opinions and any ideas that you might have or like to see. And until then, I'm out. Peace.

P.S. I had so many promblems with saving this chapter that I had to start over multiple times.

...

Not fun.