DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN STRIKE WITCHES OR ACE COMBAT.
Chapter 1
the disappearance
The day in
Newfield island started as any other day. Full of life, people were on the streets and every-one going about their work, parents were at the parks with their children enjoying the time they spent with one another, friends were in the shopping malls or in bars enjoying a cold beer.
But in Allenfort base thing were more hectic, the military personnel, engineers, and technicians were going about their usual routine running tests to make sure the equipment were 100% operational, repairing damaged vehicles, and fixing aircraft, witch strikers that were on hold, and waiting deployment. But in one peculiar hangar which was reserved for R&D department, were three striker units that were waiting for their witches.
The first strikers had a different color scheme to the other two which had a full gray color scheme, it had a red body color with a black underbelly. What they had in common was the way they were constructed both had unusually swept wing, which was a normal backward swept wing and suddenly sweeping forward, they had a pair of canards near the top of the unit which were previously seen only on the SU-37 that the now defunct Yellow Squadron members very fond of using. Also, there was a lack of vertical stabilizers, and in their stead were a pair of angled stabilizers on each of the flight legs; each of the stabilizers had the symbol of ISAF organization the "three Arrowheads", which were an arrangement of three blue triangles two on the sides and one in the top.
Standing close to the first strike was a girl around 17 years old, she stood at around 163 cm, she had ash grey hair that reached her mid back, and a pair of electric blue eyes, she was wearing the standard tanned green ISAF flight uniform under a blue sleeveless tee-shirt, while on top of her head was a big ribbon that was being worn like a bandana. She was also wearing a blue short skirt that went down to third of her thighs, as well a pair of white socks and black shoes. She was also wearing a holographic/heads up transponder that can be linked directly to her mind. This girl didn't have a real name but she had a codename: Mobius 1.
Standing next to the second striker was another girl who appeared to be around 25 years old, she was standing around 173 cm. she had red hair that went down to her lower back, and a pair of grey eyes she was wearing a tanned green ISAF on top of a sleeveless tee shirt, she also wore a blue short skirt the were the same length as Mobius 1's which due to being thirteen centimeters than the aforementioned witch covered only forth of her thighs, as well a pair of white socks and black shoes. She was also wearing a holographic/heads up transponder, which was the same model as the one mobius 1 was wearing. This girl was major Mia Roth, she was born a Belkan, but immigrated to Erusia after the Belakan war ended, but was now part of ISAF after surrendering when the Erusian military lost the battle of their capital Farbanti.
"And here I am now" thought Mia at the irony of it all "at ISAF base and the wingman of mobius 1 herself. 'So... those are the XO-2 Wyvern striker units we were able to capture…' turning Mia spotted the technicians and, to her dismay, that were accompanying them "Them again…" she thought with clear venom dripping from her thought "why can't you bastards leave Mobius isn't your personal little 'experiment'!? artificially created by you jackasses, yes, but she still is a living being."
Unfortunately, Mia wasn't the friendliest of people with the researchers who only saw the combat cyborg known as Mobius 1 as an experiment. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to do anything about it except to try and teach the girl what it meant to have emotions and live as a human being, with little success.
Snapping out of her thoughts Mia returned he attention back at the eggheads, as one of them began to speak up. 'these are some interesting Striker Units… and to think they came from your home country, Yellow 13'. 'That's where you are mistaken, sir'. Replied Mia forcing herself from lashing out on the researcher cocky tone by referring to her by her old callsign. 'I was borne in Belka, but after the war with Belka eleven years ago, I immigrated t Erusia and joined their military at the age of 14'.
'Hmph, it doesn't matter where you are from in the end you are just a mere trophy witch, the spoils, and last remains of the war, Erusia, your country started, started'. The same man said back, trying to get a rise out of her, and have a reason to have her executed.
The Belkan knew what he was doing, and managed to keep herself from killing the guy reminding of her status.'I joined ISAF two months after the war with Erusia ended, and I was also a participated in operation Katina, Which may I remind you, was where that not only saved the life of Mobius 1 from being overwhelmed by eight veteran witches but also managed to capture the Striker units that you see before you'. She placed her hand on. The man was about to reply but was cut of by the person coming behind them.
'Is there any problem here'. came a reply.
And every one turned their attentions at where the voice came.
Behind them was a woman around 26 years old she was stood at round 180 cm 7 centimeters taller than Mia, she had pitch black hair that reached her lower back like Mia, and what was her most distinguishing scarlet red eyes. She was wearing the same uniform like mobius and Mia a tanned green ISAF under a black sleeveless shirt, she had the same short skirt that covered fourth of her thighs, she also had the same model of the holographic/heads up transponder that Mia and Mobius were wearing, she was wearing the same pair of white socks like Mia and Mobius, but instead of shoes, she was wearing standard foot soldier boots. This woman was the air commodore Jessica Cassidy, though she prefers being called Jesse.
'I hope that I am not interrupting anything important ladies and gentleman, but we have a schedule to keep and we don't want any one in danger, after all we get to test our new Striker Units that need, I remind you eggheads that such an opportunity wouldn't be available if it wasn't for major Mia Roth here with the assistance of Mobius 1'.
The commodore wasn't in any good mood to get into a fight with the eggheads, all she wanted to do right now was to test the new strikers and give the green light to start the mass production of the Striker.
After the researchers left the three witches were on their own with the technicians who were looking at Mia with sympathy which she appreciated.
'You all right Mia, I hope the eggheads haven't given you any trouble?' asked Jessica with concern in her voice. 'Everything is all right mam no need for concern, and thanks for asking'. Replied Mia with appreciation.
'Ok everyone let's get back to work we don't have all day, we have to test these strikers by the end of the day'. Ordered Jessica, and after that everyone went separate works.
20 minutes late the team was wearing their new XO- 2 Wyvern striker units , with all three of them had were wearing a bright blue pendant which served as a storage unit for their heavy weapons, equipment, and the backup strike (which were the strikers that they used in combat of which were an F-22 for mobius, an SU-37 terminator in the colors of infamous 118th tactical for Mia, and an SU-37A for Jessica)
'This is commodore Jessica Cassady call-sign bloodhound, ready for takeoff, over' said Jessica to the comm tower operators, as her Dire Wolf familiar began manifesting itself.
'This is major Mia Roth, call-sign mobius 13, ready for takeoff over'. Said Mia to the operator as her golden eagle familiar manifested.
'This is Mobius 1 ready for takeoff, over'. mobius told the tower communications operator, after she manifested her peregrine hawk familiar.
'Roger that bloodhound, and Mobius flight, you are clear for takeoff, over'. said the tower operator
'This is AWACS SkyEye to Mobius flight, I will will be observing.' Said a new voice over the standard ISAF frequency. 'I will be observing the flight test here on my end, keep me and ground for any problems you may come across, over'
'Roger that SkyEye... and it's good to hear from you again, Akane'. Replied Mia back with honesty in her voice, which their temporary flight member, and commodore din't miss and smiled in amusement.
20 kilometers away and at the altitude 17,500 was a witch who appeared to be 20 years old but 139 meters tall, not counting the striker, her familiar was a German Shepard, she had scorching red hair which went down her shoulders and a pair of amber colored eyes , she was wearing a white ISAF flight uniform which signified her role as an Airborne Warning and Control System witch. She also wore a blue skirt about the same length as the Mobius 1, Mia and Jessica which covered the top of her customized Boeing E-767NX sentry striker due to her shorter than usual body height despite them being tailored to her body stature. She was wearing a head-mounted holographic display/transponder (HMHD/T) that was different from the three witches who were testing the Wyverns, as it was designed toward those with higher sensory capabilities and was outfitted with extra sensors. There was also a large, rotating radar dome strapped to her back. This girl was general Akane Hitsugaya, a height-challenged, tomboyish girl who served as the commanding officer of the mobius flight and the and the temporary member bloodhound, she was an amazing commander and had an IQ of an astounding 300, and she was also one of the few witches confirmed to have two inherited magic abilities, the first one being Magic Antenna Array and Spatial Awareness; a perfect combination for a tactical commander of her caliber.
Akane blushed a hearing Mia's word, having developed a crush on the former leader of the Yellow Squadron, of which no one else but Jesse knew about and the the commodore teased her at every chance she gets for her own amusement. 'i-its good to hear from you too, Mia.' she said with sincerity. 'R... report your status, over.'
' Every thing is good on our end.' Said Mia in a professional tone, reminding Akane that they were testing the capabilities of the Wyvern which were fully armed if they were caught in a surprise attack.
'I hope everything is well and good on your end Akane and thank for keeping informed if someone one decides to crash the party, I would hate to ruin the paint job on my new strikers, jokes aside we have reached an altitude of 18,000 meters and we will be reaching our flight ceiling in less than a minute or two, as of now it has been 3 minutes and 11 seconds since break release at takeoff. Over'. Came the reply from Jessica saying a small joke on the side, but Akane knew better that to yell like an idiot, and she knew that the commodore was genuinely happy that her friend ,who technically was also her boss, was assigned to watch over the test
Getting serious again, she was about to answer when her Magic Antenna, along with her Spatial Awareness abilities alerted her of a sudden electromagnetic spike just about southeast of the base.' Base Command, this is AWACS SkyEye, I've detected a large electromagnetic spike one the southeast sector of the base! Bearing 1-4-7, distance 47 kilometers!'
'SkyEye, base command here. We've detected the spike as well. you along with Mobius team and Bloodhound , are ordered to investigate the electromagnetic signature and report back, it might as well be remnants of Free Erusea or some other unknown faction.' The Base Commander ordered.
Even though Akane would've done so anyways, the Base Commander was the 5-star General of the ISAF air force, while she was a 4-star General. But it meant that she had the record of the highest-ranking front-line, and was just about always given command due to her high rank and her tactical prowess. 'Yes, sir. Moving to intercept the spike.' She reported as she banked and turned to the right.
Mia, Mobius 1 and Jessica who had previously leveled out of their vertical flight at an altitude of 22,760 meters, glided back down and began flying besides Akane a few minutes later to safeguard her from any threats planning an ambush. 'Mind if we drop by?' Mia asked, 'Hello short stuff everything bad happening 'round here?' asked Jessica with a playful smirk, and eyes gleaming with mischief.
Akane on her part was managed to keep her surprise and blush under control, but her right eye was twitching with annoyance when Jessica brought up the fact that she was short (*STOP CALLING ME SHORT YOU JACKASS*. Said Akane. Ok ok ok I'll stop bring up your height problem, your no fun) 'No... not at all.' She then turned towards Mobius 1 'Mobius, what do you think is going on?' She asked this as she wanted to know what was going on in the cyborg's bio-cybernetic mind.
'If it is an enemy, then it will be eliminated.' was the reply that came from Mobius.
Mia, and Akane sighed at the reply, where as Jessica could only sweat drop at this, one thing that the group could agree on was "Mobius really needs to learn how to live...' Was the collective thought the three non cyborg members.
I was only after another thirty seconds when Akane was able to pinpoint the general location of the anomaly; a huge storm cloud that they could see just about the edge of the horizon.'A storm cloud...?' Asked Jessica feeling somewhat disappointed.
'Could be... but there's also a chance that who or whatever could be making the signal could be hiding inside the cloud.' Mia replied 'We have to be careful on the off chance if this turns out to an ambush.'
'Roger, Understood.' Replied Mobius and Jessica at the same time; Mobius summoned a pair of FN 2000X 20 mm assault cannons from her hammerspace crystal that was hanging around her neck, Jessica summoned an G36c A1X Carbine cannon with an M320 40 mm grenade launcher attachment. while Mia summoned two Colt AN/M3 20 mm cannons, assisted by her inherited magic ability supper strength and Akane did the same with her AN/APG-79R Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) to assist in her search for detection for any possible threat hiding within the clouds.
After five minute of flying in a close formation to provide cover for each other rear flanks, each on high alert if any signs of ambush. Akane pulled the trigger of her AESA rifle, sending several "chirps" on a wide range of frequencies from the numerous transmit/receive modules(TRMs) incorporated along the body. To ad to that she also activated her Magic Antenna Array (MAA) ability which allowed her to cover her body in numerous magic-formed to expand her search radius, as well Spatial Awareness ability to augment her search radius even further.
Mobius 1, Mia and Jessica were silent, letting Akane find find the source of the electromagnetic spike when her eyes shot open in shock. 'No way...'
'"No way?" What do you mean by that.' Asked Mia, alarmed at her friend's sudden shock.
'The source of the spike... is the storm cloud itself ' She replied, before her MAA flashed from green to red and she screamed in pain.
'Akane!' The Belkan native yelled before she noticed her Holographic/display transponder (HD/T) began to flicker and spazz out, a clear identification of what was going on
They were caught right in the middle of another electromagnetic spike.
'Sensors malfunctioning... cannot restore systems to optimal status...' Said Mobius 1 in her usual tone, but her twitching was a clear sign that her internal cybernetics were being effected the EM spike.
'Shit, Mobius hang in there I got you.' Said Jessica, concerned for Mobius 1 well being. A she and Mia sent their respective weapons back to their storage within the crystals as Mia caught Akane and Jessica grabbed Mobius
Back at Allenfort Air Base, the radar operator could look only in shock as the words "SIGNAL LOST" were displayed over the blips that used to be, Mobius 1, Mobius 13, Bloodhound and AWACS SkyEye. 'I've lost their signal... Mobius team, Bloodhound and AWACS SkyEye have dropped off our radar...'
Cliffhanger. What happened to Mobius team and their companions stick around to find out.
AN/ This is my first fan-fiction story, and it isn't even mine so i thought to adopt it from the author Sky EXE when he abandoned the story. And as such I ma writing a reboot of the story Strike Witches: Ribbons of the Sky.