Muv-Luv Solar Flare
Prologue
Pulling the Trigger
Summary: Yuuya Bridges, a young Second Lieutenant of the US Army. Normally a young man who would be of no interest. Little had been known about him. But a man known simply as the Agent arranged for Yuuya to go and do something that would change his life forever.
XxXxX
Japanese Airspace
July 7th, 1998
2243 hours Local
XxXxX
Second Lieutenant Yuuya Bridges sat in the cockpit of his TSF. He mentally went through his briefing again for the umpteenth time. It is important that all goes off without a hitch.
His squad, designated Havoc 1 Squad, would be airdropped by the larger cousin of the C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster, the C-30 Globe Carrier transport into Japanese Airspace. The mission is to locate and escort the Shogun of Japan to the safety of one of her nation's warships. It is believed that Ultranationalists would likely move and attempt to assassinate her if Havoc 1 Squad doesn't get her to safety.
While there had been growing desire to seek out international aid for the defense of Japan, there also exists a strong and vocal faction that believes that Japan can stand alone.
And they still believe that, despite that half of Japan's total military forces have been annihilated defending the two Southern Main Islands. The only reason the Ryukyu Island Chain hadn't fallen, is the presence of the US Marines on Okinawa. There is also the bulk of the 3rd US Fleet around those small islands.
Made Yuuya feel for the poor bastards of the 7th US Fleet fighting around the main islands. The 7th Fleet is America's most powerful forward force with no less than two Aircraft Carriers and four TSF Carriers. In addition, the 7th enjoys having a Montana-class Battleship, USS Ohio (BB-68), an Alaska-class Battlecruiser, USS Samoa (CB-6), and two South Dakota-class Battleships, the USS Indiana (BB-58) and USS Alabama (BB-60). The 7th US Fleet also included a number of underwater TSF Carriers converted from or built along the lines of Boomer Submarines. They could only hold one or two TSAs, the A-6 Intruder, but considering that the BETA had no means to fight TSAs underwater, that wasn't a big deal.
And all that power is dispersed to try and stop the BETA before they overrun Japan, invade the Sakhalin Islands, and turn the flank on the Soviets bastards in Eastern Siberia.
Once that happens, Alaska would be invaded. Best estimates, even if the USA were to wipe Alaska off the face of the globe, said as many as five or six years before the BETA are entering the Lower Forty-Eight. After that, at least 10 years until the fall of North America and invasion of South America.
In short… Lose Japan, Lose the World.
And idiots in Washington, DC and elsewhere can't seem to read a damn map.
Sure, it plays into their own opinions. Many want to go ahead with Alternative V. Yet there is considerable hesitance. The lynch pins to that plan are not really ready.
For one… No one knows what a mass drop of G-Bombs will do.
The other is, no one knows where to look for a habitable planet and that would leave the colony ships searching around space for years to come.
Others simply believed the war to be a far away thing. So far removed that they didn't need to worry. That two massive oceans and the might of the US Military, which they are convinced is better suited to home defense than holding an extended line far from it, will keep the BETA at bay forever.
Funny thing.
They said the same thing before Pearl Harbor reported all of its Battleships sunk, nearly every plane it had destroyed on the ground, and a number of other ships sunk or badly damaged.
Yuuya took a look over the latest intelligence reports hoping to clear his mind and could only make a disgusted sound.
Some of the Japanese powers that be are playing power games. At current estimates, the largest of the Japanese main islands might be retained. The BETA evicted, but the other two islands will be under BETA control. Japan would be effectively a resource drain and battlefield for years to come.
And large numbers of Japanese troops were not doing anything but standing by so far from defensive positions that if the BETA managed an all out breakthrough, which is still scarily possible, they would be overran trying to get into position.
The positions they are at… Have political significance.
Well… Havoc 1 Squad would just have to protect the Shogun while the other boys and girls have a slaughterfest.
Suddenly, the transport's speakers began to squawk. A big announcement apparently is going to be made. Likely their romantic of a leader.
Though, say what you would about the man, but don't let it fool you.
Man's a genius. How else could they all be here?
Sure. The Agent had most certainly helped out. Yuuya knew that. But their commander is no slouch nor a fool. He knew what they were up against and he was ready to die on his own sword to ensure that humanity would have a future.
He hadn't survived no less than six combat tours in Europe before most of it fell by being just a romantic.
"Hey," a voice came over a general Laser Comm, "I got a song for this. Armored Prayer."
Some laughter fill the comms before everyone quieted down as the music did get piped through.
"Humans are no strangers to war," the speech began and Yuuya could hear someone say, 'No Shit man,' and talk about a statement to make off the bat. "We have been fighting for as long as we can remember. War is all we know."
That is a scary thought. Yuuya didn't like hearing it.
"In the past, we fought resources, we fought for ideals, we fought for country… We fought for freedom. But all that changed after Sacrobosco Crater."
As the aircraft pass over their heads, fleeing Japanese citizens look into the sky. High above, even so late at night, the squadrons of the air fleet passing overhead can be seen clearly. A stream of aircraft from one horizon to the other and seemingly endless in its length as they advanced in a loose formation.
A young, teenage girl holds her younger brother's hand as they both, like so many others, listen to a speech from afar on their small radio.
"For 31 years we have been fighting for our very survival against inhuman, genocidal monsters."
Down below, JISDF troops point to the foreign aircraft that brazenly fly above their country. Brazenly fly towards battle. With the dominating Laser-class and Heavy Laser-class, no aircraft can fly remotely near Asia. Yet, high above, someone is doing just that, into battle.
"Yet it is a fight we cannot continue. Humanity faces extinction."
Many people in the air and on the ground and at sea felt that was a little unneeded. Troops felt their morale take a hit. Civilians felt as though flight meant nothing. Leaders became agitated. It looks to all as though someone has just stated the facts that tonight is their last night.
"Unless we take back our one true strength… The broken skies above."
That surprises everyone listening. The idea that they could regain the skies. Many scoff at the notion, knowing full well what the Laser BETA will do to any aircraft and TSF foolish enough to venture into airspace they dominate.
"When the BETA landed on Earth in 1973, we did the one thing we should not have done. We ceded our dominion of the skies to them. Surrendering our strongest ability to combat their hordes. But not tonight. Not anymore."
The pilots and crews listen in as they know what is being spoken about.
Them.
"In ten minutes, each one of you will take part in the most important mission in our history. A mission that will result in the defeat of the vile enemy who has brought chaos and ruination to our world. An enemy that has killed so many, that we have stopped counting our dead."
As she stands in the night air, Takamura Yui feels a chill down her spin. The very idea of no longer counting the dead gave her a fear she didn't know. It sweeps over her like a wave, a total fear of dread. The mere thought that is like she doesn't matter nor her mother nor her uncle nor her friends. The sight of Izumi screaming and crying as she learned the news about her boyfriend. The idea that no one would care about his death in the air, save Izumi.
"Although we are from different nations and of different races, we have fought, suffered and died together.
Fighting for what we believe in.
Fighting for a tomorrow."
People listening are surprised by what they hear. That someone is bolding going to do something to the BETA. Going to fight them… from the air.
"We had hoped that with the Tactical Surface Fighter, we would decimate the BETA and win the war in very short order. Yet for every one we seem to kill in battle, a hundred appear to take its place. This endless stream of enemies. Their greatest strength and our greatest weakness."
On the defensive lines, fighting the approaching BETA as they appear, the JIGSDF soldiers are nervous. Some showing the signs of nerves, others patient, believing they've made peace. They know full well… They will not survive the night.
"Even now, North America, our last hope and beacon through all these dark days is at risk. For the BETA intend to consume Japan, outflank our Soviet allies in Siberia, and land an invasion of Alaska that is only months away from this night."
Politicians and military commanders the world are startled by that announcement. The civilians with maps, take a look. To their horror… They see the truth.
"Soon we will have nothing left to defend. That means we have only one option…"
People wait with baited breath to hear that option. Tense and frightened. To those far away from Japan, the very real threat there is now closer to home than they ever thought.
The answer is spoken so softly, as though it is the most fragile thing in the world.
"Attack."
One word. Simple. Six letters. Used so many times, its meaning is weak and the impact as light as a feather.
Now it came down with the force of Mjolnir.
"Roughnecks. What I ask of you is not an easy thing. But it is necessary."
People wonder who the 'Roughnecks' are. For those beneath the metal cloud high above, they only have to look up.
"If we are to survive. If we are to live long enough to see the seasons pass, our children grow, and to experience a time of peace we have never known… We must now take this fight to the BETA!"
At various places around the world, soldiers nod and some show excitement. An energy current can be seen building, strengthening their resolve. While in Japan, exhausted defenders suddenly find new strength. Departing American commanders turn their troops around. UN officers feel a confidence they give to them forces.
"We will go to where they live, where they breed, and We. Will. Destroy them!"
Yuuya, who had been listening quietly, yet his muscles tensing and nerves appearing, suddenly joins the chorus of cheering voices. Seemingly a million voices, shouting in a thousand languages. Cheers that can be heard reflected in the demoralized civilians down below who cheer and wave madly to the aircraft above.
"This is the day we take the battle to the heart of the enemy. This is the day that we CORRECT the course of HUMAN history! THIS IS THE DAY WE ENSURE OUR SURVIVAL AS A SPECIES!"
People are shouting, cars are honking their horns, and soldiers find a renew lease on life as they feel a terrible weight lift from their shoulders. A burden now gone that leaves them feeling as light as feathers.
"Tonight, we gather for the last defense, for tomorrow dawns our counterattack to liberate our beautiful world and restore freedom to our race, our friends and our families."
At a small supply base outside of Kyoto, young girls in Fortified Suits shout and jump up and down. Slapping one another on the back and cheering as a lone group. They aren't the only ones either. All of the personnel are cheering and shouting. It is the same all over and at every base and defense line.
An energy that had been zapped by the BETA suddenly returns as hands meet in a continuous rhythm to announce they are ready. Ready to win a war that should be lost.
"Soldiers of Earth, my fellow guardians… Our victory will herald the beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity for the entire Earth. So go forth and bring back the hope of humanity!"
The Shogun herself looks to the skies wondering if it is possible. The thundering echo of their engines like that of hooves of a mighty cavalry from a history long gone can be heard far and wide. As she waits, they start to appear as minute dots and she and others look to the darken shapes and forms flying to enter the impossible, ready to make it possible.
"Win back our freedom...and our future. In the skies that are taken. The skies that belong to everyone… Now go! And let us take back our Shattered Skies!"
Throughout his carrier, Yuuya could hear the others cheering as he cheers himself nearly hoarse. An energy is now running through the carrier, nay, through the entirety of the Roughnecks. A certainty that now they will win the war. A war they had been losing. A war they are embarked to fight.
Extreme confidence replaces the nervous, frighten fear of before. The men and women of the Roughnecks are full of energy and confidence. Something they will need. For they know, as they were told, that victory will not be easy.
But victory is what they are here for.
As everyone quiets down, 30 seconds from the termination line. The line that marks the horizon and beyond it… The waiting BETA lasers.
Yuuya takes a deep breath, drinks some water and thinks one last moment.
The Roughnecks are not an official US military formation. Indeed, if anyone in the military command structure had known about them before tonight, they would have likely ended up as the largest mutiny party ever arrested in recorded history. That's how unofficial they are.
Even their TSFs are not current issue.
Instead, they use a refined early Second Generation TSF. Completely modified and brought up to spec of the Third Generation, the Grunnan F-13 Black Cat is really more of a 3.5 Generation machine.
As a departure from established US TSF Military Doctrine.
And several others while the Roughnecks were at it.
The F-13 is faster than many of its contemporaries. It has longer endurance while still maintaining strong specifications. It is heavily armed with missiles launchers, some of which can be jettisoned to reduce weight or even sacrificed as disposable armor. It carries 20 percent more gun ammunition than most other TSFs as standard. It comes with optional equipment such as over the shoulder, back mounted cannons, additional missile pods, rocket pods, the ability to carry a wide array of bombs, boosters, external fuel stores, even more ammunition, extra guns, hand grenades, knives, axes, javelins, and swords.
The powerplant is tweaked to offer 34 percent more power and the frame is specially reinforced as standard. The armor is modified and layered to make it more resistant to the BETA. The sensors are entirely new and give improved vision at all times and in all weather. The FCS has been adjusted to allow for multiple target locks, allowing a pilot to engage multiple BETA and not just with one weapon or another, but with all of the Black Cat's weapons.
The flight ceiling for the F-13 Black Cat is also so high, that the pilots have to wear helmets with external oxygen supplied through a hose. Though the helmet, despite being a reintroduced safety feature, also allows the pilot at a literal blink of an eye to better choose a target and where to fire. Communications also go through the helmet and so does the camera and sensor feeds.
The F-13 Black Cat also has some new toys to play with. Something that will truly change the battlefield.
And most of it was designed by a woman who turned back to her TSF engineering as a coping mechanism for stress while raising her racially mixed son in the heart of the Deep South while scorned and abandoned by family and neighbors.
Yuuya Bridges would do right by his mother, Mira Bridges, who sacrificed so much to raise him like she did. He will honor her and her work by returning home alive and bringing victory with him. It is her that he fights the hardest for. His mother back home, who, even now, paces the deck of their plantation mansion in her sleeping gown, a pair of slippers, and a simple night robe praying for his safety. Something she has been doing since before sunrise three hours earlier.
The loadmaster calls out, "Fifteen Seconds!"
That soon? Yuuya didn't realize the mind worked so quickly. He knows it on an intellectual level, but not like this. Not as they prepare to drop.
"Ten seconds!"
"Havoc-1 Squad!" Yuuya shouts into his comms, "Check in!"
"Havoc 1-2 ready!"
"Havoc 1-3 good to go!"
"Havoc 1-4 is eager!"
"Five seconds!"
"Havoc 1-1 is green light," Yuuya reports, "Havoc-1 Squad is combat ready."
"MARK!" the loadmaster shouts as she finds something to hold on to.
Tense seconds begin to pass by. Moments of absolute silence, save for the engines, the occasional creak and groan, and the flow of the air outside the plane. Every nerve on fire and strained taught. The waiting goes on. Keeps going on. Then…
"Incoming from Point Blue 416. Confirm hostile fire. Fire 23 seconds out and closing fast. All crew, now is the time. Beginning evasive maneuvers. Countermeasures to maximum. Missiles armed. Shadow Stealth is active. Dispersion rate being calculated. Data upload. Transferring data. All systems are good. Stand by to fire."
The first flash of light marks that a beam has found them.
The plane shudders as the hull is lashed. An angry red-orange glow could be seen partially down the length of the aircraft. Yet the TSF air carrier simply shrugs it off.
Another beam closes.
It misses by 200 something feet off the port wing high.
Then more beams arrive. A deluge of them. Dozens of beams appearing and passing by. A glowing end to whoever takes it directly.
Yet… Despite the intense barrage, the beams largely miss. Havoc-1 Squad's carrier, Coke Bottle 17, has taken only the one lashing hit. And then most, save for that second shot, miss by more than 400 feet.
The new systems work.
"Approaching firing point," the pilot reports as the air fleet continues to press into the deadly energy flak coming up at them. "Stand by. Stand by. Stand by… Okay… Steady… Steady… FIRE!"
And the transport shudders again as missiles drop away and blast into the darkness before them.
Coke Bottle 23 take a direct hit to an engine. The engine explodes, just ripping itself to pieces and damaging the starboard wing as it what is left falls to the earth below. The crippled carrier, though, valiantly struggles to keep formation and increases power to the remaining engines in response.
Coke Bottle 19 is hit by several beams that cause the transport to be engulfed in flames. Only one intact TSF and half another TSF make it out before the transport explodes.
A bomber, Pile Driver 6, takes a direct hit to the bomb bay. No one can see any chutes as the B-52 Stratofortress lights up the night sky briefly.
Then a fighter, Talon 37, takes a hit to one of its wings and begins to drop out of formation. The pilot refuses to jettison his load and intends to continue onto target as is.
Talon 26 is not so lucky as her fighter is hit right in the cockpit and explodes.
Pile Driver 11 reports two engines out and fires in the cockpit and still the crew stay with the stricken bomber to take it all the way in.
Coke Bottle 47 takes a glancing hit that severes part of the tail away. The crew keep control and the Dagger-9 Squad refuses to drop until their assigned DZ or as close as the transport can get.
Then the laser fire slackens and, in some cases, stops.
The missiles have found their mark. Explosions can't be seen. the Laser BETA are still too far away.
But discolored clouds cause incoming fire to bounce or fizzle out.
The new countermeasures work excellently.
"Thank you mother," Yuuya whispers before his plane is raked by some hostile fire, but despite fires in the cargo and passenger cabins, the crew elects to stay and Yuuya has Havoc-1 recite their mission profile.
They have to be ready when they drop.
The squadrons continue on. The laser fire greatly slacken or deflected. The oncoming onslaught of air power has returned. Now it will be a matter if it is triumphant or not.
A single beam passes through a small hole in the cover and lashes Coke Bottle 17 again.
"We've lost two engines!" the copilot reports as the transport suddenly drops and angles to the left, threatening to go inverted onto its back. "Port wing control is mostly gone!"
"Increase thrust to Nos. 3 and 4. Angle the deflection and increase attack angle. Use counter from the tail controls, apply rudder," the pilot orders calmly, "Engineer, reroute power to intact port wing controls."
"On it," the engineer does so and the plane begins to even out and steady herself returning to an even keel. "We're below the layer or just barely in it. Can't tell at the moment."
That isn't good.
They are not highly vulnerable to-
A beam of light rips through the cargo bay, barely missing everyone and everything inside, and tears out the back of the rear hatch.
The captain comes on, "Sorry Havoc-1, this is your stop."
"Havoc 1-1 confirms," Yuuya responds, feeling a sucker punch to his gut. "Will you be okay?"
The captain takes a moment, issuing orders to provide Havoc-1 with all of its available information, even as another beam takes a full quarter off the starboard wing.
"We'll be right behind you," the captain states as the bail out alarm goes off, "I hate to abandon my faithful girl, but she isn't going to make it this time."
"Copy that," Yuuya lets out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, "Drinks will be on me when we get back to base, okay? So make sure y'all there, you crazy Yankees!"
That captain and crew laugh at Yuuya's words…
Before a beam nearly severes the transport in two and badly damages the wing spars.
"This is most definitely your stop Havoc-1!" the engineer shouts, "That hit did it!"
"Sending final data now," the soft voice of the female TSF controller up on the flight deck reports and Yuuya begins to see the data.
He winces… Several other transports and a number of bombers have fallen below the layer as well. Some are still just barely in it. Fighters descend, angling to attack the BETA lasers tormenting the bombers and transports.
The BETA respond with a hail of laser fire, but for the first time since they appeared, the Laser- and Heavy Laser-class aren't able to destroy them. Several fighters burst into flames and others fall from the sky, shot down, but the fighters are largely unharmed and pressing their attack with vigor not seen since the first terrestrial battles.
As emergency explosive bolts blow the rear hatch covers and ramp away, the loadmaster releases the four TSFs of Havoc-1 Squad.
Yuuya feels his drag chute deploy, pulling his TSF back and out of the C-30. He looks up, his TSF copying the movement, to see Havoc 1-2 falling, but before it is clear, a beam of light tears through the Globe Carrier, right between Havoc 1-2 and 1-3, nearly removing the entire tail section.
"Tail controls lost!" the copilot shouts.
"ALL HANDS BAIL OUT!" the captain orders and Yuuya can see the small debris that is the emergency covers for the flight crew fly away just before the rocket chairs leave the stricken plane and a beam of light washes over the the flight deck, but fizzles out as it hits the Anti-Laser Particle Field Layer, thereby leaving the flight crew unharmed.
"I see Havoc 1-3!" Yuuya turns to see Havoc 1-2's report is accurate.
Havoc 1-3 is seen tumbling out of Coke Bottle 17. The drag chute is jettisoned and the pallet restraints rip off to release the tumbling F-13 and its struggling pilot.
Right behind it, several of the cargo crew could be seen. Their parachutes open up. They are skylighted by a stricken transport, Yuuya doesn't know which one, that is completely on fire and spinning on its way into the earth below. Two TSFs and some of the crew can be seen getting out at the last second. Yuuya doesn't know if they are the last ones out or if they are the only ones out.
Then the bottom of Coke Bottle 17 rips open and there's Havoc 1-4 falling out, having freed itself. Right behind it, is the rest of the transport crew, the loadmaster is the last one out.
As Yuuya and Havoc 1-2 free themselves from their pallets and drag chutes, they can see Havoc 1-4 is delaying activating her engines in order to let the crew pass safely. Once the entire crew is by and safely away, the engines come on line and barely prevent the Black Cat from being sliced in two by a laser beam.
Nevertheless, Havoc 1-4 is hit and knocked out of control, flaying wildly as it falls and collides with Havoc 1-2 and then another TSF from another squad.
Yuuya can only watch in horror as an escaped crewman from a stricken bomber is also caught up with with the falling TSFs.
"There goes our ride," Havoc 1-3 causes Yuuya to change his view to see the stricken, ablaze Coke Bottle 17 diving in a wide arc and then exploding something around 15 kilometers away, off his low 10 to 11 o'clock position.
"Havoc 1-2!" the TSF pilot shouts suddenly, "Friendlies cleared and reserve chute confirmed!"
Despite the good news, Havocs 1-2 and 1-4 are still falling out of control.
Into the void, lit only by gunfire and explosions as well as the occasional laser, Yuuya can see his two pilots disappearing. But he has no time to check on them. With a choked breath, he manages to contact the other TSF that had collided with his pilots and finds out it is Havoc 9-4 and shouldn't be anywhere near this position.
Hell's Bells! He should be way over near a place called Arashiyama right now!
"You're with Havoc 1-3 and myself now 9-4," Yuuya informs the Black Cat pilot.
The terrified young voice of someone who is most definitely the stereotypical farm boy from Iowa responds with an affirmative.
Yuuya then indicates where and the trio light their engines and head in that direction.
The mission must be accomplished, no matter what.
XxXxX
Okay, my first Muv-Luv Alternative story. This one is based on the Total Eclipse version. I'm working on getting the relevant facts. So this one is also going to be slow.
But what else is new, right?
If you are wondering what the C-30 Globe Carrier looks like, it looks like the MS Transports from Mobile Report: Gundam Wing. Since those planes have a visual appearance similar to modern day, real world USAF transports, specifically the C-5 and C-17 transports, I didn't bother with the in depth appearance.
Now some are wondering about the Roughnecks. Anyone here who is a fan of Starship Troopers will undoubtedly appreciate the reference. Power Armored Soldiers with advanced weapons fighting hordes of Giant Bugs from space. Sound familiar enough? I hope so.
But I'm actually using Roughnecks in its original form. Today the term largely applies to those who work on Oil Rigs and other Oil Platforms. Though the term has been in use well before any Oil Boom. It has been used to describe, for example, the men who built America's skylines. The early Skyscraper construction crews. They didn't enjoy the tech and standards of today's crews.
You all recall the image. Guys in hardhats sitting on beams high above the earth with their lunch in hand and equipment nearby. So high above, that wind and weather conditions did apply. They even had to worry about icing conditions!
Well… Maybe not that high. At least back then.
The term also referred to traveling carnivals and the men who set up the big heavy stuff and even moved it around. Loaded it and unloaded it. Packed it and unpacked. These were people, regardless if it was a circus, high above New York, or out on some rig in the North Sea who were everything from the uneducated general labor to the highly skilled and educated specialist technicians that did work that others simply couldn't fathom who in their right mind would go out and do.
But, on with a few bits of information…
Here, the Roughnecks are introduced outright. Formed by officers who can read maps and realize that if Japan falls, Siberia gets flanked and then Alaska is invaded. Pretty straightforward stuff.
So the Roughnecks are dropping into Japan to turn that around. I've also added in some other tidbits that also play out in MLA-verse, such as Japanese Ultranationalism that proved more destructive to Japan than it did to anyone else, including the BETA. Thus, there is already tension for the US forces to cut and run before things get bad.
These tensions also extend internally to Japanese politics, hence Yuuya's mission to safeguard Shogun Koubuin Yuuhi. It also explains why some Japanese troops are out of position and located at sites of political, rather than strategic, importance.
While it won't avoid the later failed coup, it will be able to more minimize it and cause significantly less damage. Also, a few characters who died, will get new leases on life. Among them is someone rather close to Takamura Yui and I don't mean her friends and classmates.
Also… A mysterious person is also introduced… The Agent. He'll be a The Shadow-like character in a way. He's going to be a counterpoint and foil to The Master.
What I can tell you all, is that he's a CIA agent who remembers the days of the OSS and emulates those glory days of US intelligence with early days of the CIA that held many OSS veterans and almost James Bond-like characters and M-like leaders.
Hence his name… The Agent.
But is he truly a CIA agent or something else entirely?
Only The Agent knows.
And… Yes… I recommend Armored Prayer for the speech. It's from Gears of War 2 Soundtrack. In addition, the speech is actually three parts:
GOW2
Ace Combat 4
and what I added to splice them together.