What is a nation?
Summary: some of Mihlay's thoughts during the opening phase of the war.
Ch 1
"Spare 8, disengage now!"
"Negative!"
The cocky Osean navy pilot pulled back on his stick, his FA/-18F super hornet tilting upwards, performing a half-assed Cobra maneuver, and his Erusean enemy flew ahead.
"I got you now." He smirked, as he locked on with his guns.
"No. I've got you." Mihlay said to himself, the enemy Hornet in full view of the cockpit mirrors. He pulled back on his stick with a grunt, and felt the Su-30M2 pitch up and over. His stomach went thru summersaults, and the advanced G-suit kept his blood-pressure normal.
His breathing calm, his HUD picked up the Hornet flying under him. One of his R-73 missiles locked on, the single pitch in his ears telling him. He pulled the trigger, and watched the missile race towards the target. It flew right into the engines, incinerating the plane.
"Mihlay, we have Osean bombers approaching Farbanti. You're needed on the front." A nearby AWACS said.
"Copy that." He said.
…
Farbanti, Erusea
1535 hours
Osean B-1B bombers headed towards the capital, its escort F-35s in fierce combat with the Erusean defenses.
Mihlay sighted a B-1, and locked on with his R-77 missiles. He fired two of his missiles and watched as one of the missiles was thwarted by the plane's own counter-measures.
He closed in, and fired his guns. The 30mm slugs tore into the engines, and the large aircraft fell out of the skies.
Looking down from the cockpit, he saw parts of the capital on fire. He tuned into the radio, and stumbled on a broadcast.
'The city is under martial law. Gunfire and the roar of jets echoing across the streets.'
Gripping his control stick, he chased two F-35s, and shot the first one down with a short range missile. The second attempted to turn away, but the fat fighter wasn't maneuverable nor fast enough.
"Too late." The Erusean ace growled. He pulled the trigger, and sent hot 30mm slugs into the stealth fighter, bringing it down.
Another F-35 flew behind him, firing its gun. Mihlay quickly yawed to the left, throwing off the enemy's shots. He put the enemy plane in his HUD, and watched it explode.
"All units, Osean aircraft are falling back. Looks like we saved Farbanti. What's left of it." An Erusean pilot sarcastically said.
Mihlay looked around, seeing Erusean reinforcements arrive. UCAVs with fighter jets flew ahead. He looked to his left, and saw a UCAV fly in formation with him. He raised an eyebrow at the next-generation of Erusean air fighters.
"Last of the old breed." He bitterly muttered to himself.
Landing at the air-force base, he pointed his plane towards a hanger and watched as a young man wearing a white over-coat watched him with interest.
"The suit is holding up. That's good to see." The scientist said, as Mihlay climbed down from the cockpit.
"It did good. Had to perform a Cobra to take down an enemy, so obviously it worked." Mihlay said.
The noise of planes flying overhead was clear to anyone's ears. Mihlay watched as two MiGs and 4 F-16s flew overhead.
"You known the air-force will end up retiring manned planes for these fancy RC toys. Heard that Yuktobania took down a bunch of Osean UCAVs with some EMP weapon." Mihlay said.
"Welcome to the future Mihlay. Technology is amazing, and we use it to kill each other." The scientist dryly said.
Mihlay could only chuckle at the irony. The advanced gravity suit he was wearing helped to save his life. Yet some advanced UCAV may also kill him.
…
The next week, he and the squadron were in the middle of a briefing.
"In 8 days, we're going to bomb port Hewlett. Our goal is their carriers, fuel depots, and tanker craft. Everything else is targets of opportunity. We'll send in the UCAVs and stealth fighters to soften the defenses. Then everyone else goes in. Practice begins in one hour." The briefer said.
'Osean aircraft have bombed and attacked the capital of Farbanti. Hundreds of innocent people are killed, wounded, and missing. Princess Rosa D'Elise has publicly denounced Osea's actions, declaring a state of war is existing between the Osean Federation, and the Kingdom of Erusea. Osean and Erusean leaders haven't spoken yet, but the recent fighting and rhetoric is sure to make heads pay attention…'
Before the mission, Rosa decided to head to the outlaying military bases as a PR move, and to boost morale. Show the troops and the population that the government was serious about the war.
"This is air-force one, approaching Seelow AFB. Request permission to land."
"Permission granted."
Rosa looked out the window, and saw F-15Es flying near the transport, with Su-57s and F-22s flying air-cover, in-case the Oseans attempted to attack. The Princess walked out of the aircraft, and saw several pilots and mechanics standing in a line in-front, saluting their leader.
She walked from person to person, shaking their hand, and thanking them for their service and contribution. She knew that most, if not all the pilots saw combat with the recent attacks from Osea.
They're not much older than I am. Most of their eyes had youthful energy and zeal, ready to take the fight against their enemy. She approached Mihaly, and briefly opened her eyes in surprise. His eyes showed firm determination, and a fury beneath his control.
"This may seem hollow, but thanks for your service." She said.
"Just doing our job, ma'am." Mihlay said, shaking her hand with a firm grip, almost crushing her hand.
"It's more then that." She said, now looking ahead of Mihlay and saw his Su-30 in the hanger.
"Who's plane is that?" Rosa asked, pointing to it.
"Mine. Would you like to see?" Mihlay asked.
"Sure." She said.
The two watched as the mechanics armed the jet with Kh-31 anti-ship missiles, R-77 medium range missiles, and two short range R-73 missiles. She saw a unique electronic device in the rear cockpit, and looked at the scorecard under the canopy.
"A triple ace already?" Rosa asked.
"Yes, ma'am. We're planning for a big op next week. Can't say anything else." The aging pilot said.
Climbing the ladder, she looked into the cockpit and saw the many instruments. She wondered one thing. How many more were going to die in this war?
Port Hewlett, Osea
0845 hours
"Mihlay, the first wave was successful. Enemy carriers and fuel depots are destroyed. Take the second wave in, and destroy everything else still standing. Be advised, enemy aircraft have been reported in the area, and reinforcements will arrive. ETA, unknown. So, stay on your toes." AWACS said.
"This should prove to be fun." Mihlay said.
"What do you mean?" a fellow pilot asked.
"The enemy has many experienced pilots in their ranks. Although I won't know for sure until I've tested them myself." Mihlay answered.
Flying above the enemy ships, he dumped chaffs and flares to ward off enemy missiles, buying himself and his comrades time. He pulled up, and saw meatballs flying past his canopy. Looking behind him, he saw an Aegis destroyer firing its guns at him.
He pulled the stick back, and watched as his cockpit pointed towards the ship beneath him. His Kh-31 anti-ship missiles were armed, and he fired two of the missiles into the bow of the destroyer.
"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war." He muttered.