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Prologue

"15 years ago, there was a war. Well...war's broken out plenty of times here. They've tried to invade the south lands through the north time and time again. Luck was never on their side though. They didn't realize that times had changed. Facing one defeat after another and watching their nation dwindle, they built up their industrial might to unprecedented heights to wage one final war against the world. That was 15 years ago.

They fought ferociously, but were utterly defeated. The Belkans then committed the unthinkable. They used nuclear weapons on their own soil. Seeing this tragedy unfold before their very eyes, the victorious countries vowed to throw down their arms. The world was once again at peace, and thanks to them, it seemed it would stay like that forever. On a small island, far away from civilization, the heroes of the sky would fly once again for peace."

ACE COMBAT 5 - RETRIBUTION OF A DEMON

- Anfang, Belka -

- January 4th, 2010 1124 hrs -

He was sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee in one hand, a remote in the other. He had a tired look in his eyes, his face with a small frown on it. Suddenly a knock came from the door and the man sighed, knowing already who it was before he even saw them.

"It's open...let yourself in..." he said as he returned his attention to the T.V., his posture that of a tired individual who just wants to be left alone.

The door opened and another man walked into the living room, a concerned look on his face. The first man wished he hadn't shown up, but he also knew that it was only a matter of time before he did arrive on the doorstep of his apartment.

"Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah...Why? You always keep checking up on my James..." said the man as he took a sip of coffee.

"I do so you won't go over the deep end. I know how you feel about him and what happened to you both all those years ago, but it couldn't have been helped. It was inevitable with all those meteors raining down onto our heads." said the man now identified as James.

"I don't care...he didn't have to die..." cried the man as he hung his head in sadness.

"Anyway, I came here to tell you that I found a job for you."

"Lay it on me...whatever it is..." murmured the first man while taking a sip of coffee.

"You're going to Sand Island Base as a member of the Osean Air Defense Force." said James, causing the man to choke a little on his coffee and spit it back out into the cup.

"What?! Why would I-"

"You belong in the air. It's always been your home ever since I first met you. That fire in your eyes, the eagerness. It's never going to leave you, and no matter how hard you try you won't be able to outrun your past." James said, his stern expression softening. "Besides...you need to think about moving on."

The first man glanced back at James with a half-angry, half-saddened expression before he sighed and set his coffee mug down, running a hand through his hair and slowly standing up.

"Fine...I...I guess you're right. When do I have to leave…?"

"I arranged a flight for you that will take you to November City, and from there you go to your destination. Let me remind you though, you have to keep your identity hidden, we wouldn't want-"

The man waved his hand to cut him off. "I know, I know...I hear you. Where exactly would I be going? Do you know that at least?"

"A place called Sand Island."