Ace Combat 5: Enter the War Dragons
As Derek watched James go over the briefing with the rest of the squadron, he wondered if James considering giving command of the squad to someone else. 'It's up to him.' he thought, propping his feet on the chair in front of him. "Alright guys here's the deal, High Command wants us to the Yukes' supply/missile base in the south east sector. Our first objective is to soften it for the Air Force and to minimize their casualties. Second, is stay on station to act as preliminary air superiority cover until their own squadron gets there." James stated, pointing to the map being projected on the wall. "So D one, usual wing assignment?" Hermione asked, leaning on the table beside James. As he collected his thought, Derek sensed something was coming. "Yeah, except I'm going along." he said. The collective gasp filled the room. "Why One?" the newest pilot to the squadron asked.
"Because, I'm still healing from that dogfight last month and need more time. Apparently I took frag to the leg and arm," James replies, rubbing his left arm, "Derek will lead the squad." he adds. Nodding, Derek wasn't surprised. Given that Brian was still in op from all missions, the next logical would be him. "Any questions, no, then dismissed. Wheels up in six hours." As everyone filed out of the briefing, Hermione went to James as she normally did; and kissed him.
Leaving them alone, Derek bumped into Sora. "Hi baby." he said, smiling. Smiling back she placed her arms around his waist. "Hi honey, I've missed you." Sora said, with her head on his shoulder. Following her example, Derek held her as people passed them in the hall. "Missed you to." He says, laying his cheek on her head. After four hours of reassurances and playing sucky face, Derek slipped in to his black flight suit and leaves Sora in his quarters. Arriving at the hanger, he saw every ready themselves for the mission. "Derek, are going up in one type of fighter or it pilot choice?" Onyx asked Derek. "The usual." was Derek said. As the time came closer, the squad got in their respective crafts. "Dragons, roll out!" Derek exclaimed, suiting words to action. Roaring down and off the runway, twenty four fighters swung seventy degrees to the right and zoomed away.
As the miles zipped by, he did a squad check. 'Everyone still here, that's good.' he mused, check time to mission window. "Alright gang, five till m-window, do final checks and be ready to go fangs out." Derek said over the radio. Getting nineteen rogers, he grins. 'Better have our pay ready.' he thought, watching the timer get under four minutes. When the timer hit zero and the target came into view, The War Dragons broke formation and started attacking the base.