Chapter 3: The Round Table
April 20th, 1995
Morning came a little roughly, I didn't get much sleep that night. Pixy and I... Or Larry and I, were given our orders for our next mission. Our skills would be tested, so Eagle Eye told us. Five boring days passed, and most of the time I spent doing jobs and cleaning up my jet. I didn't see Larry much, when I did though, we exchanged smiles and carried on with our own business. Today, we'd be fighting for air superiority. Our only rule is to survive. "Galm Team, this is Eagle Eye. Penetrate B7R and get a feel for the surroundings." The radio popped on. I looked over, Pixy by my side in his Eagle.
"Galm 2, roger. This kind of job is what we're all about." Pixy said before looking away from me.
"Galm 1 to Galm 2, roger that." I said and chuckled.
"Enemies on radar. Exercise caution." Eagle Eye said. We carried on, on our way to another battle. This would more than likely be a tough one for me and Pixy.
"So Cipher," Pixy said. "What's your real name?"
"Eh, this isn't the time. I don't want the enemy knowing who I am." I said. I began to accelerate, him staying firmly beside me. Things have seemed so boring lately, all we've gotten to do is take down other enemies. I want a real fight... Not just this.
"Something wrong with the IFF? Only two planes are showing up on the radar." An enemy said over his radio. I cringed as I looked at my radar, several enemy squads were heading towards us. At least four with three in each, and a few were in our way.
"Dammit!" Pixy said. I blinked and accelerated, wanting to at least zip by them. Pixy still held his position beside me.
"Don't they know about the Round Table?" Another enemy said. I bit my lip. I did know about the Round Table, and this wouldn't be pretty.
"It seems they're on to us." Pixy said hesitantly. I sighed, still quiet. And then, an enemy squadron began to engage us.
"Galm Team, engage." Eagle Eye said. I sighed, wanting to get out of here, I didn't want to be shot down.
"We WILL survive, Galm 1." Pixy said to me as he went to the other side of me, ready to cover me if needed.
"Be careful, Galm 2, don't get shot down." I said.
"Show them what the Belkan Air Force is capable of." An enemy said with a smirk.
"Hmph." I said and engaged, twisting quickly towards them. I launched two missiles, but missed as the enemy flew passed me. I pulled up, flying upside down then headed back for them. Two missiles, and it hit, destroying the enemy.
"Lets see what they're made of." One of the enemies growled. I turned back on course, only to face all of the enemy squads. I shot two missiles at one, but missed again.
"Augh! Nothing but air, heads up!" I said to Pixy.
"Roger." Pixy said and laughed. I shot two more missiles and hit another enemy, but he became neutralized. I then shot him down with my gun, later then realizing what I did.
"Only a mercenary would shoot down a wounded man!" One of the enemies yelled. I bit my lip- I'd never do that again... Whoops.
"Cipher." Pixy muttered.
"Shut up..." I retorted. "I didn't mean too."
"That's what they all say." Pixy growled. I scoffed and headed for another enemy, now quite irate. I shot down two bandits with two missiles and gunfire, destroying them instead of neutralizing them. The fight seemed to be in our favor, with me here. I didn't want to talk to Pix, knowing I probably hit a nerve. After taking the first squad down, we quickly headed towards our target. We ran passed one, but I think they noticed us. Pixy headed to engage them. "Fox two, fox two!" He yelled. "Keep your cool, but be bold." He said to me, as if apologizing.
"Roger." I said and smiled in relief.
"Cipher, we'll fly into the Round Table. But be cautious." Pixy said. I nodded and 'hit the gas.'
"Warning! Radar show addition craft approaching area B7R at high speed." Eagle Eye clicked urgently into the radio.
"Galm 2 to Galm 1, enemy reinforcements! Probably the main force!" Pixy said to me. We approached them quickly, and I noticed the emblems on their planes and what type. Indigo, a Belkan Air Force.
"Now things are gonna get interesting." I muttered.
"Galm Team, we cannot authorize a retreat, intercept them." Eagle Eye said. Their planes swerved in different directions, ready to attack us.
"I figured you'd say that. This is gonna cost you extra!" Pixy said and engaged in combat along side me.
"Unlike you mercenaries, I fight for a real cause." Indigo 1 called in to us. Gripen C's.
"This is the Round Table, dead man's words hold no meaning!" Pixy said to them, then we threw missiles at two. They dodged skillfully as we passed, and I managed to get a look in the cockpit. "Looks like we've got some Gripin's to deal with!" Pixy said.
"Great!" I scowled. This would be a long and hard battle, especially at the Round Table.
"This Round Table is the pride of Belka, keep it secure." Indigo 1 said to his colleagues. I threw another missile- it missed again. My gauges went red and crazy as someone came up on my tail.
"Galm 1 to Galm 2, cover me and engage in enemy combat!" I yelled into the radio. A missile came towards me and I dodged it, the person behind me was off aim by a mile.
"The key to victory is to stick to our flight pattern." One of the Indigo Team said. "Stay focused, this air space isn't what we're used to."
"Galm 1, Fox Two!" Eagle Eye clicked in. I shot another two missiles at the enemy, it missed.
"Ustio is holding their own at the Round Table." One said, surprised. "Go for plane 1."
They were going to go for me. Two missiles zipped passed me and hit the Indigo I was going for. "Pixy!" I whined, he stole my kill again! Pixy didn't say anything, but chuckled a little.
"Damn, those Ustio are faster than I thought!" The fallen Indigo yelled.
"Now things are nice and even, Cipher, one for you and one for me!" Pixy said and grinned. He took most of them out already? Only two left. Well fine, but he better stick to what he just said. I flew toward the plane, my plane, and shot it down with two missiles after chasing it up and down. That was their flight pattern? Annoying.
"Bandit down, apparently that was their captain." Pixy said. He took out the last enemy and we sighed in relief. Eagle Eye congratulated us, and told us mission accomplished.
"Whew! Yo buddy, still alive?" Pixy asked me again. I sat back in my seat.
"Is that a trick question?" I yelled playfully and we laughed, returning to base.
When we returned, we were a little worried. We did great work going through this, and received a lot of pay, much to me and Pixy's joy. After celebrating, I dragged myself back to my dorm and opened my door, quickly walking over and falling on my bed.
"Hey Cipher." Someone said at my door. I jumped up and turned around. It was Larry, and he smiled at me. "So, what's your name?" He asked me. I smiled back.
"Hey... Sorry about today in the air." I said. Larry came in and sat down beside me on the bed, putting his hands behind him. I crossed my legs and stared at the ground.
"Its fine." Pixy said to me. I never meant to take down a wounded man, I didn't. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, but I knew better.
"So... What is your last name, first of all?" I asked.
"Foulke." He told me and smiled. I nodded and leaned against him a little.
"Larry Foulke." I said his name, liking the way it sounded. I smiled and he chuckled. "My last name is Raielle. My full name is..." I began to say, but then his radio clicked on.
"Hey Larry, time to turn in for the night thirty seconds to get to your dorm, now." Someone said. I frowned, still unable to tell him my name. He jumped up and laughed nervously.
"I'd better get going, see you tomorrow!" He said and gave me a sweet smile.
"Goodnight." I whispered. He whispered the word back and jogged out the door, closing it behind him. I sighed after a moment and laid back on my bed. Tonight would be a long night. Larry Foulke. My wingman. I trust him, with my life...