We'll meet at Skully


Spring sea, on the way to Skully Island 16 May 2019, 8H00

On board the LHD Marcello

The fleet had spent the night at low speed trying to reach Skully Island and the day had just woken up, in one of the corridors of the LHD Marcello the four pilots of the Cerberus squadron in flight dress were heading to the mess for lunch after spending the night sleeping, the OMDF pilots had taken over for the CAPs(Combat air patrol)

*yawwwww *

"Haven't you slept enough Lucchini?"Ask Tony to her.

"No, I can never sleep enough, I always need my 15 hours of daily sleep... "Answer this one by rubbing her eyes.

"A real cat's style of life buddy."Add Stephano by rubbing her head before she pushes the man hand, annoyed.

"And yet you didn't see everything, you would see her sometimes in which positions she puts herself to sleep, I even caught her sleeping in a place inaccessible and she sometime use the national flag as a blanket! "Add Carmen laughing.

"Carmen! You promised not to say anything! "Says Francesca red of shame. "And it only happened once!"

"I would have liked to see that. "Answers Tony with an amused smile, the four of them sit around the table and have breakfast rather quickly because considering the situation they then have to go to the briefing room.

Ace combat 7:IUN Briefing

"Good everyone ate well, althrough not too much if you want to avoid redecorating your cockpit and give the maintenance guy extra work, you put down that cookie pack! "Says the briefing officer to one of the pilots.

"What cookie pack? "Answered Francesca with a full mouth, laughter from her friends can be heard.

"The one you're hiding behind your back! "Says the officer, taking the box he puts on his desk and taking it back.

"So, to get back to more serious things, here's our situation."The map shows the 14 squares representing the Allied fleet and an archipelago of an island, Skully Island. "Thanks to the Marigold's tactics we were able to evacuate the battle area and we will soon be at Skully Island, however reports seem to indicate that the Erusean fleet is on the way to reaching us it may well be that..."The alarm suddenly began to sound throughout the ship and the pilots wondered what happened when the map was updated, this time displaying red squares and triangles following the Allied fleet.

"It seems that what I feared has happened, the enemy fleet has reached us, no time to lose, climb into your fighter and defend the fleet, hurry!"

"For once the briefing doesn't last forever, ladies and gentlemen to our fighters! "Says Tony.

The pilots hurried to reach the flight deck and climbed into their F35B, equipped with LAGM and prepare to take off in emergency just like the Tomcats and Flankers of the OFS Vulture.

"No time for the procedure Cerberus team, take off now!"Told them the ship's controller.

"Roger, Cerberus team, launch!"The four F35B taking off immediately and rush to the sky to meet the enemy.

"Cerberus team, altitude restriction cancelled and be ready to engage the enemy and protect the fleet good luck!"The Marcello air controller said.


Sabaton-Midway

"This is AWACS Rough sea to all crafts, an Erusean battle-group is located on vector 3-6-0 and a second group approaching by vector 2-8-0, and to add the fun to the mess, enemy planes will be in the area in 2 minutes, to all aircraft you're clear to engage."Reports AWACS Rough Sea, aircraft are identified as Rafales M and F18E Super Hornet.

"Enemy fighters?They must have one of their aircraft carrier that is positioned in the rear, it is not in the area."Says Cerberus 3.

"An advantage they have, unlike us."Answers an Osean pilot.

"This is the heavy cruiser Marigold, we're going to carry out a saturation attack on the fleet from the west and north, pilots, focus especially on the fleet from the north. "Says Kenneth on the radio.

"Roger that Marigold, we have anti-ship missiles but we need air cover, any volunteers? "Ask Tony.

"This is Gargoyle Leader, we'll distract the flak from their ships and their fighter for you! "Answers Gargoyle 1 at the Emmerian's request.

"Thank you guys, Cerberus Squadron, we'll fly low and prepare your missiles! "Ordered the latter to position himself flush with the waves, quickly imitated by his crew, the first LAGMs launched found their target and were already sinking two ships.

"Admiral, the enemy fleet is within range, ESM is online and our ships are ready to open fire."Report the Xo.

"Well then all ships open fire!"

"All ships, open fire! "Transmit the Xo to the fleet.

Battle cruisers, cruisers, frigates and destroyers use their missiles or guns on the enemy ships, the electronic support provided by the Marigold makes it possible for missiles to be launched more quickly and accurately.

"Missile incoming, damn it, they're fast! "Says a radar operator of an Erusean destroyer.

"Deploy the decoys and CIWS, don't let them through! "Ordered the commander of the cruiser Bertcol, also a Kirov deploying his own countermeasures, several missiles were destroyed but several found their target, to the great joy of the IUN sailors when one of the MRE's Ticonderoga broke in two.

"Target destroyed, that's from the Vladimir sailors! "Says a Yuktobanian as he raises his fist.

"Impact confirmed on the destroyer Anthracite, target is on fire! "Reports the Arlon radar operator.

"Multiple confirmed impacts on the enemy fleet, two destroyers, one cruiser and one frigate destroyed and 4 others more or less seriously damaged! "Report a serious Leonardo to the Admiral.

"We also suffered damage in return but nothing critical! "Add Jessica Corza who get the damages report from the allied ships.

"Cerberus leader to marigold that's a lot of nice fireworks from here, we managed to sink three of their ships but their anti-aircraft fire is intense... great their fighters are there too! " Tony said while he dodged two missiles intended for him.

"More enemy's mean more target for me!"Add an SU33 pilot, Janet "Jane" Sarment member of the Mighty squadron as number 3.

"And for me too, Cerberus 2 fox 2 go dance with the angels!"Francesca said by destroying an incoming Rafale M.

"Rough sea to all pilots, enemy frigate sunk keep up the pressure."Indicates the OMDF Hawk-eye.

"Merde, I can't shake him off!"A erusean pilot said.

The Osean Patrick "Patt "Terrence managed to get behind an Erusean plane and lock this one." Gargoyle 3 target locked, fox 2! "A missile fired from the F14D found its target and hit the F/A18E on the right wing and out of control almost crashed into an Arleigh Burke.

"Right on target, so how does it feel to be shot down by an older plane?"Says the Osean with a satisfied smile as he sees the pilot swinging at the end of his parachute as shell tracers graze the cockpit of his Tomcat.

"Gargoyle 3 the enemy is on you, shake him off! "Indicates the AWACS.

"Oh shit! "The pilot pulled the stick towards him and made an ascent to escape the Rafale in its 6 hours before it was in turn destroyed by a missile from the Mighty Squadron

"You were lucky this time Patt, and in the future stay alert I won't always be there to help reckless people like you. "Says Mighty 1 firmly before returning to battle.

"Yes, sir and thanks it won't happen again, Patt, I'm reengaging the enemy. "Answers the pilot who follows the SU33.

"This is Rough Sea, copy Patt and be careful with your six hours if you don't want to go swimming with the pilot you just shot down! "Said the AWACS to him in a teasing way.

"Enemy fighter approaching, send them to feed the fish! "Says an officer of the destroyer the FCUS Doberman.

"We've lost another ship and our fighters are being shot down, for Christ's sake, what are our pilots for? contact all the ships, get them ready for a saturation strike, send them everything we have and order the pilots to concentrate on the fighters equipped with anti-ship missiles, and have the ships concentrate their fire on their two aircraft carriers and the Marigold, if these three are put out of action and without their ESM the others will drop like flies! "Order the commander of the Bertcol.

"Aye aye sir!"

"I don't like it, why did they stop shooting at the fleet?" wondered the captain of the Vulture. "Oh, no, don't tell me they're also preparing to..."

This time it is the Erusean fleet's turn to make a saturation fire on the IUN fleet, however, due to the fact that their ESM support is less powerful Allied ships have more time to react, most ship captains show a worried face, except for one, who smile.

"As I planned, they send us their baguettes, prepare a SSCM type B launch."

"Sir, type B has never been used in real condition, you're sure?" Jessica asks.

"Affirmative, this is just the perfect opportunity, get ready to launch."

"All right Admiral. "Answers the young woman who transmits the orders "SSCM-B ready for launch sir."

"Launch them...now!"

Once again the Marigold launched 4 SSCM missiles but in their B variant, not against the enemy fleet, but instead on the missile swarm itself, the Leonardo officer followed the missiles' progress and when they came into contact with those of the Erusean, a flash of light appeared, destroying or disorienting the missile wave.

"Damn it, is that what an SSCM-B is? "Says a Emmerian sailor of the Mortesna.

"This explosion looks like the explosion of a Nimbus missile! "Says Francesca to whom it brings back bad memories.

"I feel like I'm seeing the Yukes' missiles again in this explosion."Observes with admiration and as much unpleasant experience the captain of the SFO Saber.

"Quoi, mais comment c'est possible? That damn special weapon again of these Emmerians and why they are fighting this conflict is not their concern! "Grumbles the Bertcol's commander by hitting the control panel in front of him with his fist. "Keep firing, they probably won't be able to use this missile all the time."

"A large part of the missiles have been destroyed but several have passed! "Inform the Marigold's radar operator.

"Evasive maneuver, destroy them with the CIWS! "Order the captain of the Marigold.

The few remaining missiles were destroyed by the Kirov's AK-630s, but one of them managed to hit the Marigold's upper structure at radar level, causing the crew to feel jolts throughout the ship and break several windows in the command bridge.

"No, they managed to hit the Marigold! "Notes with concern Carmen from her F35B.

"The Vulture has not suffered any damage, but the Nordlandians however... "Observe the Osean-Sapinish pilot Mercedes "Mandolin" Desantos, aka Gargoyle 4 as she watches a Cassard-class frigate leaning over on the starboard side.

"Argh, for God's sake... Xo, I want a damage report of the ship and crew! "Says the admiral who stands up with the help of one of the sailors.

"Thanks, I'm fine, take care of this injured man instead, he needs it more than me! "Says Kenneth when he sees one of the operators with shards of glass in his leg and is immediately transported to the infirmary.

"We have suffered damage to the radar, it is INOP, just like the ESM, it will take time to repair it! "Bring back José, who then adds. "There were several wounded on board but no deaths so far, but unfortunately the KNM Vuurwerk which had already been damaged was sunk, and the other ships suffered little or no damage."

"Try to recover the survivors, there's nothing more we can do for them right now. "Says the admiral who readjusts his helmet.

"This is the Margarita, we're close by we'll take care of it! "Indicates a Sapinish officier.

"Admiral, several fighters are approaching at high speed." Report Jessica.

"Damn it, like that's not enough!"

"Wait, they're from the south, AWACS identified them as allied fighters that Skully Island sent us."


Wisna

Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily Yuktobanskiye

2nd VVS Corps, Cinigrad Military District, 12th Fighter Aviation Rgt

Arriving in front of the Allied fleet, a squadron of 8 aircraft painted in light grey and blue color on the edge of the wings, 4 Gripen E and 4 SU35S Flanker E located in cover above the Gripen, are preparing to engage the enemy fleet, or rather what remains of it.

"This is the Wisna squadron of the VVS to the IUN fleet do you read me? "Ask a female voice on the radio.

"This is Admiral Jones of the Emmerian Navy, I read you loud and clear, glad to see our friendly southern neighbours in the sky!

"The Wisna squadron, Cruik's angels and Sudentor's heroes are here! "Says a happy Yuke, the arrival of this legendary VVS squadron lifts the spirits of the remaining Yukes but also of the other allies.

"Yuktobanians, do we really have to deal with these guys? "Says a Erusean sailor surprised to see them arrive.

"The whole world is against us, my word! "Says a desperate Hornet pilot.

"Colonel Tatyana Burganova, leader of the Wisna squadron to the rescue, but it looks like you've done our work for us, my pilots have almost nothing left to put their teeth into! "Says the woman with long black hair and brown eyes, veteran of the Circum Pacific war with a touch of humour despite the situation.

"I wouldn't say that, our fleet has been damaged and some of our ships are almost out of fuel and there are still some target for you guys do destroy."

"Понял, адмирал(Understood Admiral), we'll take care of the remaining ships all our fighters are equipped with cruise missiles for the occasion, you, make sure to reach the islands we keep your backs! "Says Tatyana.

"This is Cerberus Squadron, we've used all our anti-ship missiles but we still have enough ammunition to keep the fighters at bay. "Says Tony, offering his assistance.

"Same for us, but be careful with their CIWS they intercept every other missile! "Indicates Michael "Donuts"Devonter the leader of the Gargoyle squadron.

"Some of my pilots still have LASMs, we'll help you reduce their number! "Indicates Johns Tach of the Mighty Squadron.

Rung Girl run-Break the blue!

"Thank you for your help tovarich! "Thank Tatyana before radioing her pilots. "Well we're going to attack the enemy in this way, two cruise missiles for each ship, if you don't have any more LASM, take care of the remaining fighters to cover your comrades, it's not with a Sidewinder or three guns rounds that you can sink an enemy ship!"

"Except in video game maybe..."Answers Wisna 3 Igor "Iggy "Drubosky.

"Good enough talk, Wisna squadron, engage! »

"Yes ma'am! "Respond the 7 other pilots.

"Rough Sea to Wisna team, the remaining enemy ship has been added on your HUD, sink them all!"The AWACS told them.

"Thanks AWACS, time to target practice!"The Wisna squadron began its assault, the enemy ships therefore concentrated their anti-aircraft fire on the new threat "Wisna 1 ,fox 3!"Two LASMs are fired from Gripen towards one of the cruisers, as planned, one of the missiles is destroyed but the second succeeds in hitting the Ticonderoga which is destroyed immediately in the middle.

"Impact confirmed, cruiser Rubis destroyed! "Says satisfied Tatyana, who goes up to avoid enemy missiles and deploys decoys.

Pilot Sanya"Livy" Litvayak places her plane in position and screams." Wisna 5, fox 3! "The same thing is repeated with a SU35 sending two missiles to a ship that does not have time to properly redirect its CIWS and both missiles suddenly destroy an Arleigh Burke."Destroyer Saphir sunk."

"Nice shot Livy, I got this one Wisna 4 fox 3! "Sasha "Ash" Kirogav also sent two missiles, one missing its target but the second hit an Admiral Gorshkov on the bow from which a column of smoke escaped. "Lucky bastard!"He said.

"This speed of engagement and precision, I understand better why our forces failed the first two times to take Cruik 9 years ago. "Observes an OMDF pilot with admiration as he sees a fourth ship destroyed.

"Keep up the good work pilots, Yuktobania is proud of you! "Says the captain of the Bystry whose ship also recovered the survivors of the Vuurwerk.

"What the hell are you waiting for to shoot down these fighters? "Says the commander of the Bertcol as an additional ship is caught by the flames.

"They're too fast sir, the systems are unable to keep up with them! "Says a sorry operator while the Yukes pilots seem to be dancing with the missiles.

"I'm going to bring them down from their cloud and send them back to their taiga, fox 2! "Says an enemy F18 pilot targeting one of the SU35s but this one makes a cobra and avoids missiles.

"What but how he... "He doesn't have time to finish his sentence the hunter becomes the prey of the SU 35 which is now behind him and blows up the hornet with two missiles.

"Nice manœuvre,Wisna 7" said Tatyana with a smile, flying next to him.

"Spasiba, but for a moment I thought it wasn't going to work! "Answers Sergei "Cowboy "Gevrinch relieved.

One after the other almost all the ships were sunk, only the Bertcol remained afloat, which with its anti-aircraft power managed to keep the enemy fighters at bay, as well as two other frigates and a destroyer, but the Eruseans managed to sink another OMDF ship, the OFS Kriss.

"Commander, almost all our ships have been destroyed and we have suffered damage ourselves, we should withdraw! "Says the Erusean Xo to his commander.

"No, we still have enough anti-ship missiles to sink half their fleet, order the Levalois, Daniels and Ambre to focus on the fighters!"

"We have to finish this battlecruiser, damn it, there's no way to get close! "Observes Wisna 1 by avoiding anti-aircraft fire.

"Several of our pilots were shot down before they got close enough, it must be the command ship, if it is destroyed the remaining ships will probably pull out." Indicates Gargoyle 1.

"In this case we'll make a suppressive attack, even with his AA they won't be able to intercept all the missiles! "Says Tatyana.

"We can try to attract their anti-aircraft fire on us to distract them! "Propose Tony.

"I don't really like the idea of playing bait, especially since I hate seawater... "sighs Stephano.

"You had to think about it before you joined the navy... even if the idea of getting shot down doesn't excite me... "Add Carmen sarcastically.

"Stop arguing, we'll get their attention for you Wisna, but try to be quick! "Answer Tony.

"Received thanks for your help, pilots be ready, we'll focus on their flagship, ignore the other three others for now!

"Understood! "The seven Wisna pilot respond.

"Rough sea to all the other fighter, draw the Erusean's ship and fighters attention on you but that's no reason to get shot."Says the AWACS.

"Copy that, damn it, this one was close! "Says an F14D pilot avoiding an explosion.

"Mighty squadron here, we'll take care of their remaining aircraft, the're few now."

Two Gripens and two SU35s positioned themselves to attack from 4 different directions, avoiding enemy fire they managed to target and launch 6 missiles, the technique worked because only two missiles had been intercepted the other 4 were hitting the Kirov violently which eventually slowed down and many fires broke out, on board the ship whose smoke began to invade the bridge it was consternation and panic among the crew.

"Damn it, it's still a good thing we're still floating, what's the damage? "Ask the commander with a cough.

"One missile hit the bow of the ship to starboard and another to port, one at engine level and the last one under the bridge, several offline systems, including radar and part of the AA! "Indicates the Xo, where damaged areas of the ship are displayed in red on the control screens.

"It worked, he was hit and badly damaged! "Observe Stephano as he sees a column of smoke rising from the ship.

"Their secondary systems must have been hit, the AA fire is less intense."Add Francesca as she sees that some anti-aircraft guns have stopped firing.

"Wisna Squadron, in position for a second pass, this time will be the right one! "She said as the planes move again in attack position.

"Fire at lower deck level, keep it from spreading to the ammunition compartment!"A fire-team member report.

"Opening of a waterway in the engine room, loss of engine power!"Add the engineering chief.

"The missile launch systems are still operational but not for long, there are overloads everywhere!"The weapons system operator say.

The ship's captain with a lost mind in the midst of alarms and radio communications from the bow to the stern of the ship, while the dead and wounded are evacuated from the command bridge." How, how we got to this point..."

"Sir, the ship is taking on water from all sides, and we have many dead and wounded, what are your orders? "Ask his second one who seems to be wounded in the arm too.

After a moment of waiting, the captain of a dying ship decided to give the following order. "The ship is lost, I order the evacuation of the ship, that our three remaining ships recover our survivors and leave the battle zone."

"Captain and you?"

"I failed to destroy the Allied fleet, it would be unfair for me to survive when many others will never see our beautiful country again...go and greet the princess for me."

Without saying a word and after saluting his superior, the Xo gives the evacuation order, many lifeboats are launched or priority is given to the injured, while the automated AA guns continues to keep the fighters at bay.

When almost all the crew seems to have evacuated Tatyana gives the following order. "Wisna Squadron, let's put an end to the suffering of this ship. "She said calmly before adding. "Fox 3."

Three missiles are heading for the last time towards the smoking Kirov, which in a last hope launches 4 cruise missiles towards the Allied fleet, missiles that will be quickly destroyed, now alone on the bridge among the alarms sounds the captain of the Bertcol sees the missiles approaching more and more, smiling he makes a farewell salute before vanishing in the middle of the flames and many explosions of his ship.

"Heavy cruiser Bertcol sunk, the three remaining ships retreat, we won! "Announces Rough Sea happy as the ship sinks into the water.

"We won the fleet is saved! "Says an Osean pilot who is doing a celebration loop.

"The Eruseans have suffered, they will always be less ships to face but I must admit that they were brave just like our own guys! "Says Tony as he watches the many ripped and smoking hulls of the Erusean Royal Navy.

"After what we went through yesterday, it's a good feedback. "Says Johns.

"This decisive victory is because of you! "Says the admiral to the attention of the Wisna squadron.

"Thank you Admiral, but I probably wouldn't have made it without you, now that the area is safe we'll go back, we'll meet at Skully. "She said, waving from her Gripen before heading back.

The other pilots still talk a little more among themselves before finally deciding to return to their aircraft doors while others take off to take over and after an hour the fleet will finally arrive safely, but with two less ships, reducing the fleet to 12 ships at the Skully naval base.

Ace Combat 7:IUN Debriefing

"Our fleet was finally able to reach Skully Island against all odds, despite the additional loss of two of our ships and several pilots we suffered only moderate damage, without the providential arrival of our Yuke friends our loss would probably have been heavier, and now several of our ships are already being repaired for futures operations."

"Do you think the island is still threatened after what just happened? "Ask Carmen.

"I highly doubt it! "Add Kenneth this time. "The Eruseans suffered a major defeat, with 15 ships destroyed, which according to our information belonged to the Renaissance and Sequana fleets, it will take them time, just like us to rebuild their forces, and this first victory of the IUN also disrupted their operations against the continental forces in the southeast and showed to the Kingdom of Erusea that we the IUN can still fight."

"Which means we're not going back to sea for some time. "Says Tony with his arms crossed.

"By using a reduced number of vessels that are not damaged, as ours will always be able to carry out operations, although limited. "Add Captain Veronica.

"So we're quiet for a while if I understand correctly! "Add John with a smile.

"That's no reason to be complacent, an unpleasant surprise is always possible, but what I can say is that our action has probably already changed the course of the war and we must take advantage of it to recover our strength and counterattack, that's all for now, break it up!"

Later in the evening on a calm sea where the debris of many ships and aircraft from both sides still floated, a OMDF P3-Orion flew over the sea and dropped a wreath of flowers marked on it.

"To our comrades and valiant enemies."


Authors Notes:

KNM is for Koninklijke Nordland Marine(Nordland Royal Navy)

SSCM-B A variant of the standard SSCM developed from a defective Nimbus missile recovered intact in the San Loma forest, this weapon when exploded creates a shock wave similar to the Nimbus but in a smaller scale if it does not destroy large units, such as a ship, the power is sufficient to destroy groups of missiles or destabilize or even destroy one or more fighters.

Sequana:In the old Gallo Roman religion Sequana is the goddess of the river seine in now actual France.