(Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany - October 21, 2020, 1732 hrs.)
Welkin and Alicia entered the office of General Hans Buchner, one of those in charge of Anti-USEA operations in Europe. The general began sitting down while reading the reports of today's operations.
"Please sit down, you two." The general politely requested. "We have some things to talk about."
"Yes sir." The duo complied before sitting.
"I don't know about you people but...can you introduce yourselves so that I can understand what are you doing in the middle of UNF operations?"
"Uh...right." Welkin responded. "We'll tell. My name is Welkin Gunther."
"And I'm Alicia Melchiott." The lady introduced herself. "We are from the Principality of Gallia but obviously, we are not from this world."
"Okay then." Buchner listened. "How about your backgrounds?"
"We are from a little town called Bruhl, living peaceful lives and doing something that calms us." Welkin explained. "I wanted to be a teacher while Alicia wanted to be a baker and make good-tasting breads."
"Humm. You do have dreams of your career."
"Before, our country was once peaceful while the two superpowers, the Atlantic Federatation and the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance, fought each other at the south, causing the Second Europan War to break out. Eventually, the latter set their sights on Gallia for our vast deposits of the mineral ragnite, used to power our vehicles, medicine and weapons. Luckily, we fended them off at the cost of many of our own, including my sister."
"I see. You know, there are some similarities between that war and ours called 'World War II'. The countries Germany, Italy and Japan, though the latter is in the Far East, declared war for resources and land. Eventually, the Allies, those that oppose them, fought bravely and suffered even more casualties for the hard-earned victory that came after. They are friendly now and made peaceful gains in world affairs."
"Whoa. Eventually, you learned to coexist, right?"
"Yeah, especially during the time of Ulysses Day."
"'Ulysses Day?'" Welkin and Alicia wondered.
"Okay, kids. I'll tell you everything about it."
Buchner stood up as he began to tell them about the fateful event.
"Twenty years ago, this planet suffered a catastrophe unlike any other. Ulysses was an asteroid or giant rock that broke up into fragments, putting multiple cities and populated areas at risk of extinction. Eventually we managed to create six gigantic guns called 'Stonehenge', strategically place all over the world. We managed to take them down enough for our survival but not enough to save the global world order."
Welkin and Alicia were in shock.
"I...I cant...believe it!" Welkin exclaimed
"How can a mere rock brought this world into chaos?!" Alicia followed.
"It was a tragedy but we managed to recover all those years, just like the years after the last World War. Now, we are in a crisis once more."
"Please explain, General." Welkin requested.
"The United Nations, an international organization dedicated to peace and to which the UNF is part of, is at war with an entity called the 'USEA Federation.' The latter claimed that the former is failing at managing the situation ever since Ulysses but we tried to help the refugees even if there are some countires who are suspicious of each other. We are currently investigating any nations who are involved with USEA."
"Anything we can do?" Alicia asked. "I don't want to see this war go on like this."
"We are currently looking for people who can fly a fighter jet." Buchner answered. "Often, the sky is the place where they can make a name for themselves."
"'Fighter jets'? Like the ones we saw back in Wrocław?"
"Yeah. I want you people to be trained to handle that. Many personnel of USEA doesn't like war as a way to solve things."
Welkin was surprised by what the general meant.
"Really, sir?!"
"Yes." Buchner insisted.
"Welky, I think it's time to help once more."
"Yeah."
(December 25, 2020 -1150 hrs.)
The Gallia Squadron arrived at the briefing room to receive orders for today's mission. Welkin and Alicia became the new members of the squad after weeks of training. Collins and Dolores were happy to see them.
"Glad to be joining us today, eh?" Collins greeted.
"Yeah." Welkin replied before shaking hands with Collins. "Good to see you again."
"No problem. We'll look forward to fly with you."
"And don't worry if you are in trouble. Use your skills and ask us for help if you want to take down the gusy pursuing you." Dolores suggested.
"Thanks for the tip." Alicia agreeed. "We appreciate it."
Welkin and Alicia nodded before the briefing officer, a man with glasses, arrived. The pilots stood up and saluted to greet the officer.
"Good morning, everyone." He greeted "I hope you have your energy ready for this so listen up. To those still new here, my name is Goodfellow and I'll be supervising your missions as we conduct operations against USEA. Here is today's mission."
The screen then showed the Dardanelles as well as the Atlantic Fleet and enemy air, land and sea elements.
"In order for the UNF to effectively conduct operations in Eastern Europe, it is decided that the fleet is to be stationed in the Black Sea region. However, USEA got wind of our movements and has decided to protect the channel with ships, artillery and fighter jets. Your mission is to escort the fleet safely. The CIC will provide targets as they move along. If there aren't any questions, then good luck."
The team saluted before heading out to their fighters.
(The Dardanelles, Turkey - 1537 hrs.)
Chirstmas arrived that day and a victory for the UNF is a gift they wanted in the fight against USEA. As the Atlantic Fleet began approaching the strait, the Gallia Squadron arrived to serve as escorts. There are also a few squadrons alongside them to do the same thing.
"This is Gallia 1, we are approaching the Atlantic Fleet at bearing 062." Collin said on the radio. "Switching to fleet defense."
"Affirmative. This is the UNFS Yeager, we need you to defend the fleet against possible USEA ships, artillery and aircraft." Admiral Johnston of the Yeager replied. "We're counting on you."
"I copy. Welkin, Alicia, feeling good back there?"
"This is Gallia 3, we are good so far." Welkin replied. "We didn't have those back in our world. I feel like I can go anywhere."
"Yeah. We may have the tactical advantage should a war break out in our country." Alicia commented
"Hehehe. It looks like."
"Gallia 2, from what our captain told us, you did a solid performance back when you are with him. I didn't know pilots can get that much kills."
"Yep." Dolores agreed. "He taugtht me everything that defines me today. Now he is helping you people."
"Thank you." Welkin said.
"Goodfellow to all aircraft, you are entering the Dardanelles." Goodfellow said on the radio. "Watch your sights and radar as you go along."
Then, the command information center aboard the Yeager detected a large fleet of USEA ships alongside a sizable fighter aircraft force.
"Admiral, we have detected multiple hostile in front of us!" The CIC reported.
"All ships, switch to salvo and missile fire!" Johnston ordered. "Engage now! I want CIWS at the ready as well!"
Both fleets opened fire at each other as a sea battle began to take hold at the Dardanelles.
"Okay guys, this is it!" Collins declared. "All aircraft, engage!"
"Gallia 2, engaging!" Dolores shouted.
"Gallia 3, engaging!" Welkin followed.
"Gallia 4, engaging!" Alicia followed.
The team broke formation to engage the threats. As Welkin armed his AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, an USEA F-14D Super Tomcat got a lock on him.
"He's on my six! I'm breaking!"
Welkin began to maneuver to evade the lock.
"Fox 2!" The pilot shouted before launching his missile against Welkin. Luckily, the latter evaded it.
"Whoa! That's close!" Welkin commented.
"I'll get that guy!" Alicia assured before locking on the enemy. "Gallia 4, Fox 2!"
She launched her missile and began tracking the Tomcat. Despite the maneuvers, the missile shot it down.
"Yeah, I got him!"
"Stay focused, Melchiott." Collins warned. "We still have plenty of enemies left."
"Uh, right."
Welkin began locking on a destroyer.
"Package away!" He shouted before releasing his payload. After hugging close to the ground, the missile hit the ship.
"Hit on port side! Dammit, the ship's sinking!" A crew member shouted.
"One ship heading for the bottom." Welkin confirmed before Alicia sank a cruiser.
"Count mine as well." Alicia commented.
As the fight progresses, one Su-34 fired a missile at a UNF cruiser, putting it on fire.
"The Chopinburg has taken a direct hit!" The crew member shouted. "Someone put out the fire!"
A CIWS shot the plane down.
"Got that bugger!" The gunner confirmed. "Keep it on!"
"Welkin, Alicia, take out the aircraft targeting the fleet!" Collins ordered. "We can't lose our firepower to them!"
"Copy!" They replied before initiating their attack on the attackers.
When he closed in on a Su-34, Welkin pulled the trigger on the cannon.
"Firing gun!" He shouted while sending bullets to the plane, ripping it apart."
"We can't hold on! Eject!" The USEA pilot shouted in panic before ejecting.
"He's down! Moving to next target."
Welkin broke formation to select another target. Dolores sank another USEA ship moments after.
"Notch that on my belt." She declared.
A USEA ship then sank a UNF destroyer, the Stier.
"There's no time for evacuation procedures!" A sailor shouted. "Just dive into the ocean!"
"Fox 2!" Collins shouted before his missile hit the target. "Got him!"
Suddenly, Welkin remembers something.
"Cap, remember what those guys said about ground units attempting to impede the fleet?" He asked.
"Yeah." Collins answered. "They said it."
"I'm breaking off to find and engage them. The mountains over there provide an advantage in terms of trajectory and camouflage."
"Good idea. Be careful out there."
"Roger. Alicia, with me."
"Affirmative."
Welkin and Alicia began flying towards the mountains and found numerous rocket launchers ready to fire.
"I see 'em! Let's take them out!"
The duo lined their gun reticles for a strafing run. A few presses on the trigger sent a burst of bullets destroying the rockets.
"There is still more." Alicia said.
Another run began as the rockets began firing. One of them hit the flight deck of the Yeager.
"Sir, the Yeager took a hit." An officer reported. "We have rockets imbound!"
"There is no way we can stop that." Johnston replied. "Only the guys in the air can do that. Keep the enemies from hitting us as much as possible."
While rockets rained down above the fleet, the two pilots began shooting the last few launchers. After that, the threat is gone.
"Whew!" Alicia sighed. "That was close."
"Yeah, for a first mission like this." Welkin followed.
Back at the south, the USEA forces lost most of their firepower, forcing them to retreat.
"Captain, the rockets stopped firing and the enemy's retreating." Dolores reported. "Looks like we won."
"Copy, all thanks to Welkin and Alicia." Collins replied. "Well done."
Goodfellow then radioed the team.
"All enemy forces are either wiped out or retreating." He confirmed. "That made a name for yourselves. Well done. Return to base."
"This is Admiral Johnston, we are commencing recovery of survivors." The admiral reported. "Hopefully an act of kindness will change their minds."
Alicia and Welkin were having a moment.
"Welky, something's going on in your mind?" She asked.
"Yeah." Welkin answered. "It's about Isara."
"And that plane we once used back home?"
"Yep. I think we made her happy. Isara, thank you."
Alicia smiled.
"Yeah."
The two then proceeded to fly back to regroup with Collins and Dolores.
(Ural Mountains, Russia - 1834 hrs.)
A group of seven Su-47 Berkuts sporting patches of red and yellow were flying to their home base after completing their mission.
"Report." The leader asked.
"This is Europa 2, all aircraft are accounted for." The second member responded. "Captain, do we have any orders from command?"
"Negative, not yet so far."
"Even after all this time you still yearn for battle, eh Selvaria?" The third commented.
"Quit it! Okay, fine! I'll just wait."
"Calm down Europa 2, we still have some chances but that last encounter with Isara puts us in a precautiounary position. Don't make the same mistake."
After a few breaths, he began to issue an order.
"Europa Squadron, after we land, we have to revise our tactics. Let's head out."
The squadron then initiated their afterburners and began to head for the base.
