Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Chapter 9:Spotlight
A/N: This chapter will be based on the mission Spotlight Bravo, but I will feature some changes to spice things up. Enjoy the chapter. And please, fave and review if you like my fic. Also, don't forget to check out my other fics.
Mersin, Turkey, February 20th 2016, 20:00 Hours; Weather: Overcast, chance of rain
Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke were being briefed by Frederick Burford on the mission of the next day.
-This is our objective, the jamming station Mora, a Turkish military base occupied and converted by Valahia.-said Burford.-If we destroy this jamming station, we'll be able to clear the jamming over Anatolia, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Dardanelles.
-Hold on a second, Burford!-interrupted Davenport, frowning.-Turkey has a permanent military force, including an Air Force. I don't get why the hell the IUPF passed this shitty mission on to us. We should be taking out the Spiridus instead!
-Come on, Davenport!-chastised Foulke.-You should know that this mission is beyond the Turkish Air Force's capabilities.
-Why do you say that?-asked Davenport.-You make it sound as if we are some kind of expendable low-level goons!
-That's exactly what we are, in case you didn't notice. That's why we are entrusted the most dangerous missions.-replied Foulke.-Right, Burford?
-Both of you are mercenaries fully aware of that fact.-answered Burford, as he showed the two pilots satellite photos of the area, with a mapping of the jammed area.-The main problem is the jamming station itself and the surrounding areas.
-Let me guess.-guessed Davenport.-Guided weapons cannot lock on to the targets.
-Also, there might be an extensive anti-air defense system in the facility.-added Foulke.-So, fighters, missiles, and even bombs would end up shot down by AA guns or SAMs, right?
-Exactly. The Turkish Air Force sent an entire squadron of fighters a week ago, and not a single one of them managed to return to base.-answered Burford.-The Valahia seems to view this jamming station as their best obstacle to our advance, but we can bypass their defenses exploiting its ultimate weak spot.
-Weak spot?-asked Davenport.
-The valley near the jamming station can provide cover from both AA guns and SAMs.-replied Burford.
-Nice idea!-chimed Foulke.
Burford showed the pilots some cross sections of the ravine.
-The bad news are that, while at the top the ravine is roughly 400 meters wide, it's not even 50 meters wide at the bottom.-said Burford, as he showed them the cross sections.-Also, there are a large number of stone bridges and rock outcroppings to the sides of the ravine.
-No fucking way!-gasped Davenport.-Even a hummingbird would smash against the rocks!
-You can always let the SAMs nail you.-replied Foulke.-Besides, it's not like the ravine is that tight!
-Forget it!-said Davenport.-I don't care whether this mission is on our level or not! This time, the risk of getting killed is higher than what it would be acceptable!
-Burford, could you please stack up all the cross sections?-asked Foulke.
Burford stacked up all the sections of the ravine.
-What are you up to?-asked Davenport.
-Just watch!-replied Foulke, dryly.
Once all the cross sections were stacked up, Foulke picked up a marker and drew a rectangle over the cross section on the top.
-Judging by your drawings, there is some sort of tunnel about 400 meters below surface level, about 100 meters wide and 50 meters high.-said Burford.
-Yeah, seems nice and stuff, but still...-complained Davenport.
-This is just the optimal route.-said Foulke, cutting Davenport off.-You could fly almost any kind of aircraft comfortably around here. I dare to say that even a MiG-31B would be able to fly around this place without even scratching the rocks should it follow this route.
-OK, I'll give you that. But what about this point?-asked Davenport, pointing to the end of the valley, which was to the east of the jamming station.
-Don't worry about it.-said Burford.-Since the jamming station is on high ground, you won't be tracked by enemy AAA.
Davenport calmed down after that.
-But what about the Turkish Air Force?-asked Foulke.-Do they have any part on this mission?
-The Turkish Air Force will be attacking the power stations in the Dardanelles channel area.-replied Burford.-However, since they took such a severe blow in the first attack on the Mora station, only a handful of their aircraft will take part in this mission.
-What kind of jamming can we expect in the operational area?-asked Davenport.
-It is rumored that lock on systems are rendered useless in the area.-said Burford.-Also, unconfirmed reports say that IFF systems can be disabled.
-Bad news, then.-said Davenport, as she glared at Foulke with a smirk on her lips.-I'll have to keep an eye on the guy who's supposed to watch my six.
-Kiss my ass.-replied Foulke, frowning.-I think I can easily tell between friend and foe.
-Cut it you. Both of you.-ordered Burford.-I'm getting tired of your quarrels. The IUPF has provided us with a couple of attack planes. Choose one of them each. That is all.
After that, both pilots left the briefing room and headed to the hangars to check what kind of planes they had.
It turned out that there were an A-10 with the standard grey paintjob, false canopy and hog mouth nose art, and an Su-25SM with forest camo, blueish underside and shark mouth nose art.
-Let me guess.-said Foulke.-You'll be taking the Su-25, right?
-You're a lot smarter than you look.-chimed Davenport.-The Su-25SM has better survivability than the original Frogfoot, and it still packs a deadly punch.
-Still, I think it doesn't hold a candle to the Warthog.-replied Foulke, pointing to the A-10.-The A-10 has been proven to be able to fly even without one of its engines, and the FAEBs and the XAGMs, if well used, can decimate a whole tank battalion.
-But the Su-25SM is faster and more nimble than the A-10.-retorted Davenport.-And the LAGMs allow it to destroy swarms of SAMs without getting in their range.
-Let's not forget about the A-10's trademark 7-barrel gun.-said Foulke.-That nasty gun can turn any ground target into Swiss cheese.
-However, thanks to its maneuverability, the Su-25SM can hold its own against bandits.-said Davenport.-Not sure I can say the same for the A-10.
-In the end, it's a matter of defense against mobility.-said Foulke.-I just hope we don't get bounced over by fighters.
-With such an advanced defense system, I think they shouldn't need fighters.-guessed Davenport.
After exchanging their opinions about the two attackers, Davenport and Foulke parted ways.
Northern Turkey, February 21st 2016, 14:00 Hours; Weather: Overcast, chance of rain
After refueling in Ankara, Antares 1 and Antares 2 approached the jamming station. Just a few miles southeast of the jamming station, their radar began to act up.
-Antares squadron, can you hear me?-asked Canopus, whose voice was deafened by the jamming.-Antares squadron! Damn it!
-Their jamming signals are worse than expected.-reported Antares 1.-We're not having much luck.
-Listen up. Their jamming prevents us from locking on with missiles and using our radar. First, locate and destroy the hidden substations.-ordered Canopus.-It won't be easy locating them. You'll have to make a complete scan across the entire area. Also, there are many stations in the area, but only six of them provide energy to the jammer and the defense system. Identify the substations and destroy them.
-Antares 2, let's not waste special weapons on targets that might or might not be the right ones.-said Antares 1.-Strafe the substations or use your standard missiles as rockets to destroy them.
-Antares 2, roger that.-Antares 2 replied. Even though she couldn't lock on the targets, she could get intermittent readings.-I'll take care of the substations in the eastern sector.
-Understood.-answered Antares 1, breaking left.
Antares 2 spotted six power stations, with three of them expelling black smoke. There were also eight AA guns and four Ka-52 covering the stations.
-Those cowards can't attack without a missile!-said a Valahia helicopter pilot.
Antares 1 spotted the same amount of stations, AA guns and choppers in his sector.
-Mora has jammed their signals; they won't find us!-boasted another helicopter pilot.-Hostiles, you'll never find us!
Antares 1 and Antares 2 had an MPG gauge that showed the amount of energy the power stations were supplying to the jammer and the AA defense system. Antares 2 strafed one of the stations, but it was to no avail. After evading the fierce AA guns' attacks, she strafed another station; this time, she managed to reduce the power supply.
However, Antares 2 saw that the power supply had decreased much more than the loss of a single station could account for. Her guess was that Antares 1 had destroyed another one.
-Antares 2, I've just discovered a pattern in the stations.-reported Antares 1.-The stations spewing smoke are the ones supplying the jammer.
-Glad to hear it.-answered Antares 2.-That will allow us to save some precious ammo.
-We can also seize this chance and bag those troublesome helicopters and AA guns.-suggested Antares 1.
-That's the kind of line I'm expecting from a flight lead.-answered Antares 2.
Antares 1 and 2 proceeded to attack the helicopters.
-Enemy incoming!-said a helicopter pilot.
-Have they spotted us?-asked another one.
-"I'm not going to dignify that stupid question with a verbal answer."-mused Antares 2, as she pulled the trigger, sending 30mm rounds against one of the Ka-52s, destroying it.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 spent the next 180 seconds strafing the AA guns and shooting down the helicopters. After that, they attacked the substations.
Antares 2 saw two substations providing energy to the jammer on each side of the ravine, and used the standard missiles as rockets, destroying them. Antares 1 used his missiles the same way to destroy two substations in the western side of the ravine.
-All substations have been destroyed.-reported Canopus after that.
The jamming was less intense, but the anti-aircraft defense system was still online.
-There's a power shortage! Our jamming signals are weakening!-reported a Valahia soldier.
-What's happening in the channel area?-asked his superior.-Initiate long range barrage!
Ominous explosions were heard near the jamming station.
-Antares squadron, the Turkish Air Force is reporting that they are under heavy anti-aircraft attack.-reported Canopus just a few seconds.-Destroy all long range artillery in the area. Unless the attacks in the channel area simmer down, our allies won't be able to take care of the generators.
-Antares 2 to Canopus, give us the position of the artillery units.-requested Antares 2.
-The artillery is just north of the jamming station.-replied Canopus.
Antares 2 checked her radar. To her dismay, the artillery units were in range of the defense system.
-Bad news, Canopus.-said Antares 2.-We won't be able to take them out.
-Negative, Antares 2.-replied Antares 1.-There is a way to bypass the enemy anti-aircraft system.
-Are you talking about the ravine?-asked Antares 2, out of her mind.-We'll get ourselves killed down there!
-You'll have to trust me in this one with your life.-retorted Antares 1.-Follow me, and if you appreciate your life, do not deviate!
Antares 1 dove into the ravine, with Antares 2 reluctantly following him. She was amazed by his flight skills: Antares 1 was able to fly almost calmly through the whole ravine, even when their warning systems went off.
-Enemy fighters in the ravine!-reported a Valahia soldier.
-Hmph, shoot them down!-replied his superior, despectively.
-They're IN the ravine, sir!-answered the soldier.-We can't use our SAMs or AA guns to take them out!
-Deploy the Buzzword squadron then!-said the commander.
A group of eight Yak-141 sporting a black camo with orangish red tribal flames on their sides took off from the facility.
-Buzzword squadron, we have enemy bandits heading for our artillery units.-reported the commander.-Shoot them down or force them to climb into our SAMs range!
-Buzzword 1, roger that!-replied Buzzword 1.
The eight Yak-141s dived behind the Antares squadron, who had the artillery units in sight. There were sixteen artillery units.
-Antares 2, even though we're not being targeted by the artillery guns, we should not get in their way.-said Antares 1.-Let's attack them from the east to avoid their attacks.
Antares 1 switched to FAEBs and dropped two of them over the artillery units, destroying half of them. Antares 2, using UGBs destroyed the rest of them, taking four bombs to destroy them.
-All long range guns have been destroyed.-reported Canopus.-That should stop the attack on the channel.
-This is Falcon 1, Lieutenant Colonel Candemir. Thanks for wiping out those suckers.-said Lt Col Candemir.-Now it's our turn to destroy the stations here.
Antares 2 was changing course when she spotted the Yak-141s attacking her and Antares 1.
-Antares 1, enemy Freestyles behind us!-she frantically said.
-I see them.-replied Antares 1.-We have no choice. Let's get them!
-What? In these slugs?-gasped Antares 2.-We won't last a single minute against them!
-We won't last any longer if we let them fry us, either!-retorted Antares 1.-Let's go!
Antares 1 streaked towards the enemy squadron as fast as his A-10 could. The Buzzword squadron, not expecting such maneuver from an attack plane, scattered, giving Antares 1 the chance to shoot down one of them with his gun and another one with a couple of standard missiles. Antares 2 attacked two Yak-141s, using a missile and a short burst of guns to shoot down two more.
-Dammit! Buzzword 3, 5, 7 and 8 have been shot down!-said Buzzword 1.-Let's divide these IUPF scoundrels!
The remaining Yak-141s divided in two couples, one going after each member of the Antares squadron. However, Canopus had some good news for his men.
-Jamming signals have been nullified!-he reported.
Antares 2, however, had trouble trying to evade the two Yak-141s on her tail.
-Antares 1, help me!-she shouted.-I can't shake these bastards!
-I have a plan!-Antares 1 answered. He had flew over the formerly jammed area to see the position of the targets as he evaded the two Yak-141s on his tail. There were lots of AA guns and SAMs, along with sixteen jamming antennas.-Fly into the ravine!
-"Into the ravine!? Are you fucking nuts!?"-Antares 2 mused.
Nonetheless, she flew into the ravine, with the Yak-141s following her closely. She turned right when she got near the jamming station.
Unbeknownst to her, Antares 1 was flying directly towards her.
-Antares 2, I need you to dive on my mark.-said Antares 1.
-Why?-asked Antares 2.
-Because, if you don't, we'll smash into each other.-replied Antares 1, as calm as if he was just telling her what time it was.
Antares 2's heart almost stopped when he said that. Shortly after, she saw Antares 1 flying on her direction. She was tempted to dive right then, but she waited for a moment.
-NOW!-shouted Antares 1 when there were just 30 meters between the A-10 and the Su-25SM.
Antares 2 dove, suffering a slight redout because of the dive. Antares 1 was pulling up as hard as he could. Two of the Yak-141s smashed into each other, the third one's engine sucked the debris of the planes and exploded, and the last one hit the ravine's rocks as he tried to evade the explosions.
Antares 2 got out of the ravine and rejoined Antares 1.
-Don't you even dare to pull such a move ever again!-she gasped.
-Whatever.-replied Antares 1.-Let's take out the jamming facility and get out of this place.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 headed towards the facility.
-Damn IUPF dogs... Just a little closer.-said a Valahia soldier.-I'll swat you outta the sky.
-No good.-said another one.-SAM homing capability has been weakened.
-Ugh.-groaned the commander.-Protect Mora at any cost!
Antares 2 switched to LAGMs and fired two on two SAMs, destroying them and some surrounding AA guns. Antares 2 switched to XAGMs and destroyed four AA guns in a pass. However, there were still lots of AAA units left, which tried to shoot the Antares squadron down after their pass. Four SAM launchers fired their missiles on both of them, but they missed. Antares 2 turned around and fired LAGMs on the SAMs to destroy them. The four SAMs were destroyed, but, even though the shockwave of the LAGMs had taken some AA guns with the SAMs, there were four AA guns left. The AA guns tried to shoot her down, but they were taken out by XAGMs.
-Anti-aircraft fire suppressed.-reported Antares 1.-Antares 2, let's take out the jamming antennas.
Antares 1 used his last FAEBs to destroy the antennas in the eastern sector of the station, while Antares 2 dropped the UGBs on the ones to the west. The firepower was more than enough to destroy the jamming antennas.
-Jamming facility destroyed.-reported Antares 1.
-Good job, Antares squadron.-answered Canopus.-Thanks to your efforts, the operation in the channel was also a success.
Ankara, Turkey, February 21st 2016, 15:30 Hours; Weather: Overcast, chance of rain
Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke had been ordered to land in a base in Ankara instead of heading to Mersin. As Frederick Burford had said, "they had done an excellent job at the jamming facility, and the Turkish Air Force spared no praise for the Martinez Security pilots".
-Still, I'd rather take out the Spiridus than taking that mission again.-said Davenport to Foulke, after they left the briefing room.-Who knows where it could be now.
-In any case, they must be heading for London.-answered Foulke.
-By the way, that move you pulled in the ravine almost gave me a heart attack, so don't try anything like that ever again.-said Davenport.
-I was trying to save your skin.-said Foulke.-As you already know, I'm sick of training new pilots.
-Is that all there is to it?-asked Davenport, angry.
-Regardless of how I feel, flight leads are responsible for their wingmen.-replied Foulke.-I thought you already knew that. Still, you did a good job out there, too.
-And finally, Ice Cold Foulke praises little old me.-said Davenport, calming down.
-S-shut up. I-it's no b-big deal. You j-just did you job, that's all.-replied Foulke. He was not blushing, but he was stammering like crazy.
-Yeah, yeah, whatever.-replied Davenport, shaking her head.-I'm going to have a snack and take a nap. I'm tired and hungry after all this flying.
She headed to the cafe, leaving Foulke in the hallway.
Ninth chapter. I hope you liked the twists in this chapter. The mission itself is neither easy nor hard. At least, unlike in the ACX mission "In Pursuit", you can track the position of the targets in the radar. Finally, I hope you readers are ready for a big surprise in the next chapter. Good luck and take care. See you next time