Sorry for the wait guys! Touch of writers block. Anyway, this chapter will introduce another new character to the story, this time it's another OC, who has something in common with Aaron/FALKEN. You'll have to read to find out what. Enjoy.
Chapter 6: A Hunter's Choice.
The clear, blue skies near Griswall reverberated with the roar of jet engines as the Hyperion swept through them on a top secret mission. Although Aaron knew where he was going, he had no idea why. Crux had only told him his destination and that the mission was of vital importance.
Flashback
"So Crux, what's the matter?" Aaron asked.
"I've been ordered to tell you to take off immediately. There's an urgent mission you need to carry out. However, I can't tell you what it is." Crux replied.
"Why?"
"Because, I don't know. All I know is that you've been ordered to head northwest, towards the border with Leasath. I suspect you'll be given the details when you get there."
"Hmm, alright, I'll do it. I'm curious as to what could be so important."
End Flashback
Soon afterwards, Aaron arrived over the designated point. Suddenly, his radio crackled to life.
"Gryphus Two here. I've reached the destination.
"Hello, Gryphus Two. This is General Anthony Storm, Commander of the Aurelian Air Force." Came the reply.
"General Storm, sir!" Aaron replied, shocked that the General was speaking to him personally.
"Gryphus Two, you should see something approaching you on your port side shortly. You are to move in, but do not fire. Is that clear?" Storm asked.
"Roger that." Aaron replied, checking his port side. Sure enough, he spotted a glint in the distance. Aaron banked towards it, quickly getting within visual range. What he saw surprised him. The other aircraft was dart-shaped, the engines just visible below the main body. The aircraft had small vertical fins at the back, while the entire airframe was painted black, with red highlights. As the Hyperion came alongside, Aaron spotted the markings of the Leasath Air Force. He was about to move away and fire, when he remembered the General's orders. Suddenly, the pilot of the aircraft waved to him, rocking the aircraft's wings. Aaron acknowledged, rocking his wings as well. He then signalled to the other pilot to follow him. The other pilot acknowledged him, shifting their position so that Aaron was leading. The two aircraft headed towards Cape Aubrey, with the Hyperion in front.
Soon afterwards, the two aircraft arrived over the base at Cape Aubrey. Aaron began circling, while the other aircraft prepared to land. Aaron was surprised when he saw the main engine exhausts angle downwards, while a door just behind the cockpit opened, revealing a lift fan. The aircraft slowed to a halt, and then slowly descended, landing next to the main hangar. Aaron carried out his own landing procedures, landing on the main runway. He then taxied over to the hangar, stopping alongside the other aircraft. Aaron opened his canopy and removed his helmet, wiping the sweat from his face. He looked over to see the other aircraft's canopy open as well. The other pilot removed their helmet, causing Aaron to stare in amazement. The other pilot turned out to be a girl about his age. She tossed her shoulder-length platinum blonde hair once it was freed from the confines of the helmet. Aaron found himself enthralled by her beauty. The girl looked over and giggled when she caught him staring. Aaron quickly averted his eyes, a light blush forming on his face.
Later, Aaron, Crux, Gryphus One, Antares and the girl, who had introduced herself as Serene Hunter, were gathered in the briefing room, where Crux explained how the Aurelian Intelligence Agency (AIA) had received a coded message from someone in the Leasath Air Force. The message was brief, but outlined a willingness to defect to Aurelia. After doing some checking, the AIA determined the message was genuine, and informed the Aurelian High Command of the situation, which in the end, resulted in Aaron's mission of meeting and escorting the pilot and her aircraft to Cape Aubrey.
"So, what made the AIA so interested in her anyway?" Antares asked, raising the question on everyone's mind.
"Because, Serene here isn't your average pilot. From what she told the AIA, it looks like she's the some as Aaron." Crux replied.
"So, you're a super soldier too?" Aaron exclaimed, turning to Serene, who smiled at him.
"Yep, except I was created as the ideal ground attack pilot, whereas you're designed for dogfighting." She replied.
"I'm not surprised. Leasath was always focused on attacking other countries. It makes sense that they'd develop a super soldier for attacking enemies on the ground." Gryphus One said.
"Yeesh, first one super soldier, now two? When did my life become a sci-fi movie?" Antares complained, causing everyone else to laugh.
After the introductions, Serene showed the others her aircraft, the XF-70A Ghost. Like the Hyperion, it was made entirely from the rare Orichalcum and was powered by twin Plasma Scramjets, each with 500, 000lb of thrust. Its top speed was slightly lower than the Hyperion, as the aircraft was geared towards ground attack. One of its special features was an optical camouflage system similar to that used on the Gleipnir. The system rendered the XF-70A invisible to both radar and the naked eye. The aircraft was equipped with two Pulse Laser Cannons just like the Hyperion, and could also carry thirty SJ-ODMMs (ScramJet-OmniDirectional Multipurpose Missile) as its standard payload. The missile could be launched from four bays on the top of the aircraft, just behind the canopy, and from four larger bays on the aircraft's belly. The aircraft also utilised a v3. COFFIN system just like the Hyperion.
"It's a good thing Leasath didn't have this during the war. They could've easily won with something this advanced." Crux said. Gryphus One nodded.
"You're right. Fenrir was enough of a challenge." The ace remarked. While the adults talked to each other, Serene approached Aaron.
"So, care to tell me why I caught you staring earlier?" she asked innocently. Aaron blushed again, looking away.
"Um...well I..." he stammered, embarrassed. Serene giggled again. "
"Don't be afraid. I won't bite." She told him.
"It's just...I've never seen someone so beautiful." Aaron admitted, his blush deepening.
"You really think I'm...beautiful?" Serene gasped, also blushing now.
"No one's ever said that to you before?" Aaron asked, taken aback.
"Yeah. Back home, everyone saw me as a weapon. A tool, to be used in war. Not as a human being." She replied, a tear running down her cheek. Aaron lightly brushed his hand across her cheek, wiping the tear away.
"Well, I do." Aaron said. Serene looked at him, then suddenly she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. Aaron smiled, wrapping his arms around her slim waist. Serene raised her to face Aaron, then kissed him on the lips. Aaron responded, pulling her closer to him while deepening the kiss. After a while they separated, Serene resting her head on Aaron's shoulder again, both of them breathing heavily.
"Wow, you're a good kisser. And handsome, too." Serene said seductively.
"I think we'll make a very, very good team, don't you?" Aaron replied.
"Uh huh." Serene sighed, as the two held eachother. By now, Gryphus Onwe, Antares and Crux had left, deciding to give the two some privacy.
So, Aaron now has another ally, one who is just like him. This is where the romance in the story is. I mean, what's more romantic than a young couple in the midst of a war, right? Anyway, next time, Aaron and Serene go on their first mission as a team, against a deadly new Valahia weapon.
