"John was a very quiet man. He spoke what he thought; it was easy to forget he was around. He was fighting for his homeland. He joined up with us during the Usean Rebellion two years after The Sotoan-Kalugan-Valgan-Romney Joint Civil War." I explained as Brett kept writing more notes down.
"What's with all of the disappearances? Care to shed any light?"
"I would answer, but I do not know. The disappearances became more frequent after the Belkan War. Rumors of a small Osean Special Forces division that operated in the Yuktobanian area of operations became known and forgotten as the years gone by. Most of the aces have gone missing as well. That night John went missing, I heard a lot of footsteps and the engine of a tiny helicopter move in and out of the area. I should've checked it out, but I didn't want to leave my Tanya behind."
Günter, who sat stoically beside me spoke up, "That helicopter was of Yuktobanian origin. Don't put that on record, Mr. Thompson."
"I won't." Brett said as he erased the mention of the helicopter. "So I'm interested in knowing more about your Sotoan operations."
Back At Base June 1995
"Alright Scarface, your next mission will be a hard one." The base commander began the usual briefing; he seemed to have lightened up a bit. The screen had a map of a city on it. "Out advance has been limited by the presence of civilians in Darnet City. There is an enemy HQ in the center of the city along with the enemy's central communications center. You will be heading in during nightfall. Good Luck."
"I'm not going in this time." I said, remembering the event in Wesson, Osea. The last time I attacked an enemy in a city, I got screwed and this time it isn't happening.
"Why?" Lara said, "Guys leave us alone till the start of the mission." She then grabbed my hand and led me to her living area. She seemed lucky, not having to share with her quarters with anyone else.
"Why do you bring me here?" I said, looking deep inter her mud-brown eyes that glistened when the sun shined when the rays gently touches her face.
"You're sad, I can tell. I know, you want to know how I know. I took psychology in college connection before I left Osea. I couldn't tell before, but you are sad deep down inside. And you're from Belka, that event must have really gotten to you..." she said as she held both of my hands, "Tell me, what's wrong?"
Someone wanted to know what was wrong with me? The last person that wanted to know what was wrong was Pops. What can I tell her? Would she spread a rumor? Why am I thinking this? I have a decent relationship with my squadron. It felt like forever before I answered, "Have you ever been betrayed?"
"No not really. "She responded in a soft voice, I hope she stays and listen, been awhile since I've opened up.
"The bombing of Wesson. You remember that, don't you?"
"Yeah, that was really nasty of Belka. The lead plane took out the Wesson Cannon installation in under five minutes. We were surprised that a pilot could be that good…"
"I knew that pilot…" I responded ready to make my revelation.
"You do?" she said surprised.
"Of course, he's me."
The calmness of her face slowly faded and she started to turn pale.
"I was following orders. The Fuhrer of Belka personally assigned me that mission, I had doubts and didn't want to fire the first bullets and fire the first missiles of that war, but who knew what The SS would've done to the people I cared about. After my success, I was framed for having launched attacks on the Belkan Population which I didn't. The Fuhrer then tore my honor away from me just like a dog rips open trash."
She just stood there holding my hands. Lara was emotionless. Staring, I felt a warm in my eyes; somehow she wanted me to continue.
"Afterwards I flew sorties whenever I could. Was even offered a position in the SS squadron Grabarc, but I declined. Rather die then fly with the SS, even if it was a so-called offer for me to regain my honor. My mentor then flew into the round table in order to defect but got shot down and killed! That very day I defected to the allies and shot down Bernitz, the leader of the Grabarc squadron. Then eight days ago, I witnessed with my own eyes, the nuclear destruction of seven Belkan cities. A good part of my family was lost that day. I don't want to start the cycle again I will not fly into Darnet." That felt good letting that out.
"Wolfgang, I never thought," she then pulled herself close beside me and gave me a hug and I could tell she was emotionally shocked, as there was a small tear rolling down her face. "That's the past and even though it happened, you have to look forward to a bright future."
"You are right, Lara. I cannot let the past get to me. It's hard to live past what happened the last three months of my life. "But I may be the last Schmidt, from my bloodline at least. I don't have any brothers or sisters."
"What about any uncles or aunts?" She said as looked at the cross that was hanging from my neck. It was the Belkan Hero Cross that my Grandfather was awarded for bravery during The Great War.
"I had an aunt; she lived in Tauberg, where we had built the Sword of Belka: Excalibur. I lived with her because my mom died giving birth to me and my father vanished right after I was born, so basically I am an orphan. But my aunt knew my mother very well and told me she was a kind lady."
"Do you miss your aunt and uncle?" she asked with a smile, I was about to ask her questions of her family.
"Yes, very much. How about you Lara?"
"Well, my mom and dad grew up in Oured, Osea. We were a middle-class family, and my relatives stayed close. I don't have any brothers or sisters ether, but I have a younger cousin, her name is Kei. The entire family moved to Trinity City, which is located north of the Eaglin Straits. My mom would make the best macaroni salad that would knock your socks off!" she laughed, "What about your aunt?"
"My Aunt would make Britonian Wedding Soap, it is almost like chicken soup, but has a lot of rice added to it. Or giant meatballs, they were good." Who knew talking about food could distract one's mind so easily?
"Kei looks up to me, that's a good thing. She's like my little sister. Maybe after this you can come to Osea and meet her."
"Yeah. That would be nice."
A/N: Britonia is the land that looks like Europe, west of Yuketobania on the ace combat5 world map.