"Mayday! Mayday! This is the 2nd Recon team helo callsign Swamp. We've encountered heavy enemy AA resistance and we can't stay in the air much longer. All airborne units avoid grid area GT-89A".

Hundreds of voices were overlapping the radios, a massive firefight raged on the ground below while dogfights flashed by in the air. It was only day 6 of the war and already the entire world had become a massive battlefield.

The war was instigated from both sides; on one side there was Saris, a country that believed they had the right to the world. And on the other there was Vrede a country that wanted to establish a single government across the world of Gelinkos.

The Pokoju Federation was the first country to feel the fires of war; Saris had without warning initiated an airstrike on the outer cities before sending in ground forces. Systematically the cities and states of the country fell before the Saris onslaught, civilians and soldiers alike were killed in the first raids until the borders of the country were under Saris control.

With the borders and key supply routes as well as the outlying airspaces all in their grasp the Saris military continued forward capturing city after city within the Federation until they reached the capital city. Heroically the remaining soldiers and civilians of the Federation fought back the invading forces even through their dwindling resources determined that even if it came down to a single survivor, these invaders would not take their city.

Across the globe Saris had launched a simultaneous attack of the Republic of Paix, during a peaceful meeting between the leaders of Paix and Vrede at a town bordering the two countries. The leaders of both countries were trying to come to an agreement on Vrede's single government idea, an agreement that would allow them to stay true to their ideals even with Vrede's government established amongst them.

While the meeting was going on Saris had sent in an airborne and amphibious strike force on the seaboard of the Paix nation, easily crippling their coastal defenses. Word of the attack did not reach the leader of Paix until hours later just as his meeting with the Vrede president was ending.

Quick to accuse the Vrede president of using the meeting as a distraction he ordered his men to open fire against the president and his escort. The Vrede president managed to escape, but was wounded by a stray bullet. After returning to their respective capital's they each called an end to all ties between the two countries and were seconds from going for the other's throat.

It wasn't until a day later when Paix realized that it was Saris that attacked their country that the Paix Prime Minister finally realized that he shouldn't have jumped to such a conclusion and went to meet with the President of Vrede unarmed with only his secretary at his side.

Meeting with the president of Vrede the Prime Minister offered his apologies and pleaded with the President of Vrede to offer aid to his country which was quickly falling to the might of the Saris military. Still angered that the Prime Minister hastily ordered an execution order against him the Vrede president was able to put that aside to see the bigger picture.

"I will send a battalion of our military to aid your country Prime Minister, but in exchange I want the allegiance of your country as we fight against Saris. Once I enter my country into this fight Saris will declare war on us as well" the president said.

"You will have it mister president" the Prime Minister said thanking the president for his aid.

At that moment it was official, the world of Gelinkos was at war, Vrede and the Republic of Paix allied against the Saris nation. Sending in several strike teams into the Federation of Pokoju the allied nations of Paix and Vrede helped push back the advancing forces from the nation's capital city. Soon after the Pokoju Federation allied what was left of its military with Paix and Vrede and the leaders of the three nations began planning their counter attacks.

The war waged on for three years, Saris was the largest country in the world and as a result was able to divide its military between their fronts in Paix and Pokoju keeping their footholds in both countries. At an allied airbase in the desert of Paix several allied squadrons were taking off from the runway to provide air support for allied forces that were pinned down in a town in the next state.

"This is Captain Rainer Altman flight lead of Pyramid squadron, we're taking off. ETA to the combat zone thirty minutes".

The three fighter jets of the Pyramid squadron roared down the runway before taking off and ascending into the open sky heading straight toward the burning town at the far end of the desert.

"This is 2nd Lieutenant Masterson of Pyramid squadron requesting orders and exact battle area".

"2nd Lieutenant Masterson. This is AWACS callsign Solstice, you're squadron's battle zone is grid area GA-3T. Your mission objectives are to provide air support for the forward ground forces that are pinned down at the southern side of the Skyline Bridge. After the path has been cleared for the forward forces you are to divert your attention to assisting the 2nd recon team as they make their way into the heart of the town for an aerial insertion of a S.E.A.L. squadron".

"Roger AWACS understood, 2nd Lieutenant Masterson out".

Half an hour later Pyramid squadron had arrived within the combat zone and the three jets separated from one another to provide close air support for the forward forces on the bridge.

"Pyramid three here beginning attack run on the advancing enemy forces. Danger close, I repeat danger close. Ground forces take cover immediately".

Pyramid three roared through the sky before diving inside the suspension bridge and firing its missiles and machine gun at several key points of the enemy forces giving the ground forces that pinned down a brief moment of relief before they began their advance.

"Nice work Pyramid three" Captain Altman said before dropping a free fall bomb on an enemy tank column "Enemy armor destroyed".

"This is Pyramid two enemy forces at the opposite end of the bridge have been silenced. I repeat enemy forces at the end of the bridge have been dealt with. Ground forces can you handle the rest on your own?"

"Roger air support. Thanks for the assist we've got it from here over" the commander of the ground team said before ordering his squad to move forward.

"This is Pyramid one, the forward ground forces have been liberated and are beginning their push into the city. We're moving to rendezvous with the 2nd Recon team outside the city".

"Roger Pyramid one, patching you through to the leader of the 2nd Recon team now" AWACS said.

"Horus one your air support will be arriving at your side in a couple of minutes. Once your squadrons meet up continue to the insertion point and drop in the S.E.A.L squad. After the insertion is over we need you and your team to evac some forces pinned down on the roof of a school two clicks southwest of the insertion point".

"Horus one, roger AWACS leave it to us" the pilot of the gunship responded.

"Now that's a lovely voice" Lieutenant Masterson said after hearing the female voice of Horus one "Mind if I ask your name?"

"Focus of providing cover for us then we can have formal introductions" Horus one ordered as the three jets of Pyramid squadron joined up with the helicopters of the 2nd Recon Team.

"This is Captain Altman; we're approaching the insertion point now we can see light AA placements around the dropzone moving to engage".

In less than a couple of minutes Pyramid squadron had destroyed the AA fire surrounding the dropzone giving the Recon team free room to drop in the S.E.A.L. team.

"Insertion successful" Horus one announced "Moving to extract the forces at the school".

"Roger Horus one" AWACS confirmed "Be advised the extraction point is hot and moderate AA fire has been spotted along with light enemy armor. Let your fighter escort deal with those before you begin your approach. AWACS out".

"Roger AWACS. All right Pyramid squad you heard him go mop up that enemy armor and fast, our forces aren't going to survive much longer" Horus one ordered.

In a single pass Pyramid squadron had silenced and leveled the AA resistance and enemy armor around the extraction point giving the 2nd Recon team room to land.

"Go. GO! Get on the chopper!" the leader of the ground forces orders through the high volume of gun fire.

"Dammit!" Pyramid three yelled after an RPG hit the under side of his left wing.

"Pyramid three report!" Captain Altman demanded.

"Sorry captain I'm not going to be able to keep this bird in the air much longer I have to eject" Pyramid three said before the canopy of his fighter flew off and the pilot's seat shot from the jet.

"Hours one, think you can pick him up for us?" Captain Altman asked.

"I'm running low on fuel, but I can try let's just hope he doesn't land in front of the enemy" Horus one responded.

Once the ground forces were on board Hours one took off from the school's roof and proceeded outside the battle zone to rescue the downed pilot from Pyramid squadron.

"Warning! Warning!" the AWACS pilot cried "Long range radar has acquired several stealth fighters moving in at low altitude to your position. Pyramid squadron; protect the Recon team at all costs".

"Leave it to us" 2nd Lieutenant Masterson said as he set himself in formation along the left wing of his flight lead.

"Let's take them down in one pass Jack" Captain Altman said before spotting the enemy stealth fighters.

"Roger captain, just say the word".

"Fire once you get a lock".

"Locked on. Guns guns guns" Lieutenant Masterson announced while pressing down on the fire button for his fighter's machine guns "One fighter down".

"Captain Altman here the second fighter is down sky clear".

"Thanks Pyramid one and two" Hours one said as the helicopter hovered over the downed pilot who was waiting for rescue "Your pilot will be on board shortly".

"Thanks again Horus one" Captain Altman said "Once you've got him head outside the combat zone we'll cover you".

"Roger. He's on we're moving to exit the engagement zone now".

"Mayday! Mayday! This is the 2nd Recon team helo callsign Swamp. We've encountered heavy enemy AA resistance and we can't stay in the air much longer. All airborne units avoid grid area GT-89A".

"What!" AWACS cried "We just scanned that area everything was clear. Swamp respond. SWAMP!...Swamp is down. Horus one it's too dangerous to continue in your current path turn around and take a safer path to the west".

"That's going to be stretching it AWACS" Horus one replied "We're at bingo fuel and won't be airborne much longer".

"Understood Horus one, just get as far from the battle zone as you can and make an emergency landing as far out as you can we'll send in a rescue team for you" AWACS ordered.

Just as Horus one began its retreat the warning alarm inside Pyramid two's cockpit began blaring "You're kidding me. Really?" Lieutenant Masterson said in disbelief.

"What is it Jack?" Captain Altman asked.

"I'm out of fuel" Jack replied "I don't know how, it was topped off when we left base, but I'm not going to have enough to make it back. I'm going to eject here, I'll commandeer a civilian vehicle and make my way back to the airbase".

Just as Jack reached for his eject lever a missile hit the side of Horus one sending it into a tail spin. "Mayday mayday! This is Horus one, we're going down I repeat. We are going down over section GT-8…"

"Horus one just went down. AWACS advise" Captain Altman cried.

"Standby Pyramid one" AWACS said as it began its scan of the crash site "We count about five dozen enemy foot mobiles advancing on the crash site carrying RPGs and light machine guns. We can also see small arms fire coming from the heli's cockpit".

"If they're still alive we can't leave them send in a team to assist I'll try and hold off the ground forces" Captain Altman demanded before free firing a missile at the advancing ground forces.

"We have a Rangers team from the ground making their way to the crash site now, we also have another chopper in the area they'll be there in two minutes keep the enemy off of that chopper until they arrive".

"Ejecting" Jack cried as he pulled the eject handle from under his pilot's seat.

"Jack the area is too hot don't do it" Captain Altman cried as the fighter's canopy popped off.

Ejecting from his fighter Jack quickly drew his M9 handgun from its holster and waited until he was close enough to the ground before cutting himself free from his parachute. Once he hit the ground he tucked his arms and legs in and rolled to the side before taking cover behind a decimated building.

"Pilot!" a voice called from behind him.

Looking over his shoulder Jack saw the Ranger squad rush over to him, "Are you all right?" the Lieutenant of the Ranger squad asked him.

"I'm fine" Jack replied "We have to get to the crash site and hold off the enemy we can't sit here too long".

"Right. We'll lay down suppressing fire while you go and get the pilot don't doddle to long" the lieutenant said before ordering his team around the building and beginning suppressing fire.

Darting out from the corner of the building Jack sprinted toward an enemy soldier that had his back turned to him and with one swift arm movement pulled his combat knife from its holster and drove it into the base of the soldier's neck before pulling it out and making his way to the downed helicopter.

With the enemy trapped by the suppressing fire Jack used his knife to cut the pilot free from her straps and pulled her out of the cockpit before lifting her onto his shoulders "Just hang on" he yelled to her before running to the extraction point.

"This is Lieutenant Juan Boon of the 41st Rangers battalion. The OZ is marked with green smoke hurry up and land".

"Roger that Lieutenant" the pilot of the rescue chopper said "Confirmed I can see your smoke now coming in for a landing".

The helicopter landed and a small group of four soldiers jumped out of the back setting up a perimeter around the chopper protecting Jack as he boarded and strapped Horus one in. Once the two pilots were strapped in the Ranger team also boarded and the helicopter took off making its way back to the air base.

Forty minutes later the helicopter landed at the airbase and a medical team was already on scene to take both Jack and Horus one to the infirmary to check their condition.

In the infirmary Jack had a few scratches, but ultimately was fine. Horus one was alive, but had a fractured rib, bruises and cuts along her right arm and leg.

Entering the room where Horus one was Jack took a deep breath before stepping through the doorway and standing at ease "Captain" he nodded before seeing fully seeing the woman sitting on the bed in front of him.

Once his eyes set on the pilot known Horus one Jack's heart stopped entirely and everything around him disappeared, it was just him and her alone the outside world was no longer there. The single most beautiful woman he had ever seen was sitting in front of him. Her eyes were light blue, her hair was dark brown and her skin was lightly tanned. Jack's eyes quickly moved down the top of her head and followed her hair to its stopping point just past her shoulders before going over the curves of her body.

"Can I help you with something 2nd Lieutenant?" she asked him in the same lovely voice he heard a couple of hours ago.

Jack shook his head "I just wanted to make sure you were all right is all".

The pilot lowered her head slightly "Thanks for pulling me out of there".

"I couldn't leave you there, not after everything you've done" Jack said to her maintaining his calm, confident tone.

"No one else survived the crash did they?" she asked.

"No" Jack said in the same tone "I'm sorry".

There was a brief silence in the room as the female pilot allowed the news of her being the only survivor to sink in.

"You wanted to know my name" she began "Its Meimei. Meimei Sufir".

"Jack Masterson it's a pleasure Captain Sufir".

"Call me by name please" she said in an even more heavenly voice.

"Meimei" Jack nodded "Perhaps…Would you let me take you to dinner?"

Meimei had a small smile as she looked away from Jack "Sure, but after I'm released".

Jack nodded once again "Of course. I'll see you then Meimei. Take care of yourself" he said before stepping out of the room.


"There's too many of them!" Captain Rainer Altman yelled "We're going to be overwhelmed".

"Just stay focused on shooting down those bogey's Rainer" Jack ordered "We have to protect that mission station at all costs".

Outside of a Mission Station the Emerald's Edge had stopped to answer a distress beacon, but the station was empty and the search party sent inside was attacked by harvest drone that hid inside.

"Magician 9 provide support for Horus 1 as she moves to extract the search party" O'Brian commanded from the bridge.

"Roger" Magician 9 said before separating from his formation and moving around to the side hangar as Horus 1 emerged.

"Jay, Kira another group of enemy reinforcements are coming out of that debris field intercept them" O'Brian ordered.

"Roger" Kira confirmed "Holy Knights 2 and 4 moving to intercept bandits".

"Be careful you two" Jay's mother said from her ship as she approached the Mission Station.

"We'll be fine mom, just get the search party out of there" Jay said before shooting down two enemies.

"All right I'm docked, search party is boarding now" Meimei announced once she docked in the station's hangar.

"I'm kind of busy right now" Sean's voice said over the radios. It sounded distance as if he was speaking through a different radio.

"What was that?" O'Brian asked "Magician 9 respond what are you talking about?"

"This is Horus 1 search party is on board returning home" Meimei announced before taking off from the hangar.

"Roger understood" Sean said before flying away from the mission station at top speed and away from the battle.

"Magician 9 where are you going return to your assignment at once!" O'Brian commanded, but Sean ignored him. "Angel that is an order! Return to your support role at once! Sean!"

Magician 9's ID signature vanished from radar coverage as he exited the battle zone.

"This is Horus 1; the enemy is targeting us I need some support here".

"Hang on mom I'm on my way" Jay yelled after evading an enemy laser and flying toward his mother's ship.

"Negative. Jay stay in your sector and hold off the enemy reinforcements I'm sending Magician's 3 and 7 to cover Horus 1" O'Brian said from the bridge.

"They're too far away, they'll never make it in time" Jay argued "I won't standby and watch my mother die".

"Holy Knight 2 follow your orders" O'Brian commanded.

"Shove it" Jay yelled just before he shot down a cube-type that was pursuing his mother's ship.

"This is Skeleton 5 more enemy reinforcements coming in from the east; I count seven dozen cube-types and three carrier ships".

"There's too many all fighter's return to the ship we're pulling back" Jack ordered before dropping a bomb from his fighter and detonating it destroying all the enemies around him and Captain Altman.

"Magician squadron protect all returning craft" O'Brian ordered before looking over to the Bridge sergeant "Get the stealth field prepped and ready once everyone is back we're getting out of here".

"Roger sir" the Staff Sergeant cried as he began activating emergency protocol.

"They're running me down, someone cover me" Kira cried from the back of the combat zone.

Once her words reached him Jay looked over his shoulder, everything around him froze in time. He had a choice to make turn around and save Kira or keep going and support his mother's retreat. Divided between the two decisions his grip tightened on his flightstick as anger flared within him.

Hearing Kira requesting support once again Jay snapped his head to the side and turned his fighter around "Hang on" he yelled before flying toward her.

Switching to his long range weapons Jay waited until he gained a lock on four of the targets before firing. Once the four enemies were shot down Jay turned his fighter back around and watched through terrified eyes as a single eye shaped drone charged its laser and fired it at his mother's ship scoring a direct hit on the side of the ship tearing through to the other side.

The second the beam pierced through the ship it exploded in a fire that immediately died out sending debris in every direction.

The eye drone was shot down immediately afterward, but it was too late Horus 1 had been shot down.

In complete fear Jay's hand were quivering and his body shaking, his voice faltering in terror at what he just witnessed "No…" he muttered as his body continued shaking "Mom!" he cried, his voice echoing across the radios.


A/N. And chapter 9 everyone, finally.

I know it took a while, but I've been busy. As always I hope you enjoyed reading.