The air at Terminus Island, crisp and cool, was like taking in a revitalizing sip of cool water with each breath. The air was tainted only, if not slightly, by occasional yet pleasant twinges of the rich smell of fuel.

Two boys kidnapped by destiny sit by their planes, sandwiched by the black tarmac they stood on and the blue purity of the chicory colored sky above.

One boy, thin and very proper, feels naked without the clouds overcast, over exposed to the golden component of the sky.

"It's revolting." He said haughtily, flipping the sable hair over one shoulder, "That something so pure and beautiful is violated by humanity like this."

The other boy, thin, but not proper, embraces the ability of clarity and perfect vision granted by the lack of clouds imposing on his view.

This boy sighed, smiling as he pushed his mangy, disheveled bangs back. Smirking, this boy said, "You know, some people think... war is beautiful."

Silence gave them time to ponder the opposing viewpoints. Then it was broken as trails of white scar the pure blue sky as two MiG-29's screech overhead in combat exercises.

"Aurelia." The first boy said, retreating into the shade under the wing of his custom blue painted Su-32, "I hate hot weather."

The war-infatuated boy with the wind-tossed hair turned and smirked. "Eun, looks like we're needed already."

The war-disgusted boy in the shade shut his eyes and sighed.

A pink haired girl approaches the two boys, her g-suit top, unzipped and hanging at the waist. The sleeves are tied loosely and the top trails behind her as she runs.

"Eun! Sun! Ready to meet your new carrier ship?"

Sun, the one who finds beauty in war, jumps off the wing of the red-wing tipped Su-32 he had been sitting on.

"Stella. Right. Let's go."

The three proceeded into the hangar, where, upon approaching they could hear the piercing scream of the alert on the p.a. system. Crew members and pilots alike were in action, preparing for the upcoming sortie.

"What's going on!?" Eun said, grabbing a crew member by the arm. He shook the boy's grip and resumed his duties.

"I'm afraid the formal introductions will have to wait." A gruff voice behind the three said. They turned around to see an older man in a captain's uniform, with eyes like coal. Measured, yet prone to fire up when the situation so-called for it.

"I'll be your captain, Captain Tetsu Calibrinus."

"Sir!" Eun and Stella promptly saluted, which was briefly returned by the captain. Sun yawned, oblivious to the exchange of salutes.

"Please follow me." Said the captain, turning and leading the trio down a long, narrow hallway, which was quiet. The contrast in volume from the chaotic hangar from before was deafening.

As they continued down the hallway, they were met by two armed MP's flanking a solid steel doorway.

"So fancy!" Stella said, looking down at the marble floor of the hallway, then up at the stoic guards as the captain input a series of codes into a security terminal by the door.

The door opened, and the four continued through the door, Sun casually offering a mock-salute as he passed the two MP's. On the other side of the door the four found themselves on a metal walkway, leading up to a sight they could scarcely believe--

"Meet your new carrier," Captain Tetsu said, indicating towards the giant, hulking black frame of the soon to be infamous airborne fortress.

Eun clenched his fist. "This is..."

"The Glepnir."

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[Next episode preview:]

The lives tempered in war share a kindred spirit, enemies or not. When the two kindred spirits meet in battle, a star-crossed love begins to form.

Next time, on Ace Combat X: Sky of Ashes, The Southern Cross.

Cross out the stars with your flight path, Ace pilot!