Legendary Aces: The Legend of Razgriz

Chapter 9: Handful of Hope

Amidst the eternal waves of time
From a ripple of change shall the storm rise
Out of the abyss peer the eyes of a demon
Behold the Razgriz, its wings of black sheath

-Briefing-

-22 October 2010

"Since we thwarted their invasion, we haven't seen any major offensive operation by the enemy for several weeks." Colonel Perrault started the briefing. "Almost like we're at peace again, eh, people? Anyway, let's start the briefing."

Yuktobanian combat operations have been dormant since their failed large-scale invasion and the loss of their underwater carrier, Scinfaxi. However, there is still concern over a possible infiltration by small-scale forces from the ground and the air.

You will split into flights of two and carry out patrols in the area from Akerson Hill to the northern coastline. The airspace above the grain fields extending around Akerson is covered by our Osean AA system. The system automatically fires missiles at any hostile aircraft it detects.

Patrol the northern coastline of Akerson Hill, which is out of our AA system's range.

-Mission Start-
-Blaze-

Akerson Hill 07'28'19N 168'03'23E
1616hrs. 22 October 2010

"That stupid geezer Base Commander just won't give us a break, will he?" Of course Chopper was the first to complain.

"He's relying on us, First Lieutenant Chopper." Grimm said. "Hey, congratulations on your promotion, by the way."

"That's weird, I don't feel any better..."

"Hey, you two. What's your current position?" Nagase asked.

"Three hundred miles south of you."

"Roger."

We continued north, heading toward the coastline, but before we got very far, we heard something over the radio.

"...damaged, but the damage is light."

"Transmitting aircraft, state your assignment and current status." Nagase said.

"Oh, finally, a response... This is the Osean Air Force transport plane Mother Goose One. We're flying to the neutral country of North Point... We have the transmitter set to minimum power. Please come in closer so we can hear."

Without saying a word, both of us sped up and hovered near the transport plane.

"...Ah, I think this is you on our radar. Can you see us? We'd like you to guide us to a safe passage corridor through the AA defenses. We're on a top secret mission and are not transmitting a valid friendly ID signal to the ground-based automatic defense systems. As a result, a friendly surface-to-air missile was mistakenly fired at us. We narrowly avoided a direct hit, but our radar system was destroyed, and we can't fly a safe path through the AA system."

"Roger, Mother Goose One." I said. "We'll help guide you through."

"...Uhh, the air defense command just received multiple radar hits on an enemy formation closing on your position." Chopper reported. "First bad guys we've seen crossing the pond for a while. Warning alarms are goin' off like mad, but we're the only ones near enough to intercept 'em in time. Hold on, baby, we're comin' to your rescue."

"Understood. I'm counting on you two." Nagase said.

I'm pretty sure the "baby" was meant for me, but I wasn't sure if it was a joke or what after he violated me with his eyes on the beach the other day.

"Blaze, can you see the transport craft?" Nagase asked.

"Right behind me." I said.

"Roger, keep your eyes on it."

Only a couple moments later, we heard an unknown voice over the radio. "Okay, I've got him on my radar."

"Just like the intelligence said."

"The radio's picking up the enemy's voice!" Grimm said.

"These guys sound as beautiful as Thunderhead. Sweet as a rose, I tell ya." Chopper added, leaving me to hold back a giggle.

"Don't let up just because it's a transport plane." The enemy said. "If we take out this guy, they won't just give us a medal... they'll build a statue in our honor."

"This cargo's certainly worth that much." The other enemy added.

"Is that the enemy speaking? What are these guys talking about?" Nagase asked.

"Don't worry about that." The transport captain said. "We need your escort. We're completely defenseless."

"Well, now, this is turnin' out to be a weird little race against the enemy." Chopper said.

We reached the AA defense system's range. A ton of little circles dotted the map. I just had to lead the transport between them.

"Moother Goose One, any problems on your end?" Nagase asked.

"No problems. But we'd like to get out of this airspace ASAP."

"Roger that."

We started flying through a cluster of circles. There was a clear path, but I had to make the turns as easy as possible so the transport plane wouldn't be put under any unneeded stress.

"Please fly a path that avoids the AA system." The transport captain requested.

"Roger, sir." I said. "I'm keeping the path as safe as possible."

"Mother Goose One, push to radio frequency one three six megahertz." Nagase said.

"Roger...switching." He replied. "I never thought the skies over our own country could be so unfriendly."

"How are you holding up? Can you keep up with these turns with just yawing?"

"So far, yes. Please give us a warning if we have to bank to turn."

"Will do."

We continued for about a minute before needing to turn again, this time it was a somewhat hard left.

"Heads up, Mother Goose One. You may have to bank slightly to make this next turn." I warned him.

"Thanks for the heads up." He said. "The fact that we can't see makes this twice as scary."

We managed to make the big turn without banking. There was enough space to turn with only yaw.

"That's good. I'd appreciate it if you can minimize your turns. Thank goodness we have all of you with us."

After the big turn, we had a nice big of level straight flying, thankfully.

"Warning! We have an oil pressure problem on the right engine!" The co-pilot reported.

"I'll take the controls. You check the instruments for me." The transport captain said. "Look forward, and take a deep breath. Stay calm."

"It's okay. It was just a sensor malfunction." The co-pilot said.

"We'll be out of the AA defense system's coverage shortly." Nagase reported.

"And we're home free." I said.

"This is Mother Goose One. We've successfully navigated through the AA system. Thank you. However, I'd like to ask for your continued escort."

"Roger." I said.

"Enemy spotted on radar. Coming head-on." Nagase said. "Chopper team has arrived."

I checked my radar and confirmed both the enemy and Chopper's team.

"Hey, Kid. We're under your command now."

"Mother Goose One, we'll take care of him. Please separate at maximum speed!" Nagase said.

"Please, I'm counting on you." The transport captain said.

I hit my thrusters and took off toward the incoming enemy with Nagase in tow. Chopper's team was just coming through the AA system and would soon meet up with us.

"Additional enemy targets on radar." Nagase reported. "Mother Goose One, please keep your current vector."

"Roger... Roger! Agh, dammit!" The transport captain said.

What was going on?

"Your speed's decreasing. What's the matter?" Nagase asked.

"Mechanical trouble. I'm losing thrust on engine one."

"Blaze, engaging."

"Edge, engaging."

As we approached the enemy fighters, I could hear them on the radio. "Hey, I see escort fighters."

"I thought there weren't going to be any escorts?" Another said.

"Pull them away from the..." That enemy was cut off by my guns. He was soon trailing fire and spiraling toward the ground.

"We'll be okay with these people. Let's leave it to them!" The transport captain said.

I took out the other bandit, and like clockwork, two more replaced it.

"The oil pressure gauge is dropping further!" The co-pilot said.

"I'll take a look. You take the controls."

"Archer, engaging."

"Chopper, engaging."

"The fire's under control. Automatic extinguisher system activated!" The co-pilot reported. "Captain, there's a problem with the hydraulics."

"Grimm, Chopper, glad you finally made it." I said. "Just keep that transport plane safe."

"Okay, I'm protecting it no matter what." Chopper said.

"Careful! The enemy's locked on to you!" Nagase said.

"Not anymore." I said after the enemy fighter in question exploded.

A few more bandits flew in from the north right after we took out the other two that appeared. I flew ahead to cut them off.

"Hey, hey, get back in your seat. Don't approach the...hey, hey, what're you doing?!" The transport captain said.

"What that a gunshot?" I asked. "What's going on?"

"Hey! It's Dutch rolling!" Chopper said.

"Uh, this is transport plan...uh...Mother Goose One. The Captain's been shot."

"What?"

"There was a spy in the crew. Uh-oh, two of the engines have shut down."

"Hey! What kinda cargo you got in there? Is it something dangerous?"

Chopper got no answer. "Hey! You there?"

"The Captain's dead and the Co-pilot was wounded by a stray bullet. Tommy's holding the stick now. But he's just a secretary...he's never piloted a plane before."

"So who're you?"

"I...I guess you would call me... the cargo on this plane. Could you tell me how to control this thing? I'll relay everything to him."

"Lower your altitude. Prepare for an emergency landing." Nagase said. "Put your flaps down. That'll lower your airspeed. Can you find your flap lever?"

"Flap lever...is that it? No, that on, Tommy. Pull that one."

"We can't go on!" An enemy said.

"Let's pull out." Another said.

All of the remaining enemy fighters turned and ran. Good... the less we had to worry about the better.

"An emergency landing?" Chopper said. "The ground's full of electric generator windmills."

"Could you shoot those down for us?" The cargo man asked.

"Let's do it." Nagase said.

"What?" Chopper asked, somewhat frantically. He kind of startled me, but I laughed at him lightly. "Hey!"

"We've got no other choice." Nagase said.

"Okay, let's do it. Are you still there, Ma'am? With the lovely voice? Uh, Miss..."

"First Lieutenant Kei Nagase...Sir."

"Ahh, and a lovely name as well."

"And I'm Chopper!"

I just about burst out laughing. It took all I had to hold it in. He said it so brilliantly.

"That's a good name, too."

"I like you, man." Chopper said.

"Tommy's going to try landing now. He's doing his best, but he's never done this before. I...I don't know if we'll make it, so I just want to thank you before we go."

"You'll be okay!" Grimm reassured.

Yes, you'll do fine." Nagase added.

"Tommy, those broken windmills will be our guideposts."

"Hey, Kid, don't give yourself a headache aiming at every single one."

"I uh... already blew 'em all up." I said innocently.

"Huh..."

"Almost there. You're doing great, Tommy. Those pilots ought to recruit you." The cargo man said. "Altitude one hundred feet."

"Mother Goose One, just keep going." Nagase said.

"That's a pretty good runway there. A fine place for a landing." The cargo man said.

I watched as the transport plane made its landing. The secretary, Tommy, did a good job. "Good job."

"That's a pretty good emergency landing, I'd say." Chopper said.

"This is Archer. Surrounding airspace is clear of enemy aircraft. Everything is A-OK."

"Mother Goose One, landing confirmed." Nagase said.

"Are you all right, Mr. Cargo?" Nagase asked.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. That was a pretty smooth ride, actually."

"Mr. Cargo, I've got a question I'd like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"The Bird of peace... did you really have to use that beautiful white bird for this war? Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yeah."

"I wanted to see your... your bridge of peace span into outer space."

"It's still possible. Thanks to the bird, we're on even terms now. I'm trying to get to North Point because I believe we have a chance."

"To hold talks in neutral territory."

"Right. Communication is vital."

"So, I can still believe in you then? I don't want to see any more young men or women lose their lives."

"Me neither."

"Uh-oh, I'm out of fuel." Chopper said.

"This is Osean Air Force 8492nd Squadron. We observed the emergency landing on our radar. Can you see us?"

I looked to the north and saw the squadron of four planes approaching.

"You can leave the rest to us. We'll provide support until the transport plane's crew is rescued."

"Roger, 8492nd. Take care of them for us." Nagase said.

"Sure thing."

-Post Mission-

We received a Sitrep from Central command. The crew on board the transport plane you encountered during your patrol has been rescued by the 8492nd Squadron. Currently, that is all the information we have.

-Gennette-

Sand Island
1207hrs 26 October 2010

After my article "The Four Wings of Sand Island" was published to wide acclaim, I grew bolder.

Here was a profile view of the Base Commander, the emperor of this base.

"Don't" Hamilton said as he pulled me away from the Base Commander. "He's in a bad mood today. If he catches you, he'll have your head.

"What happened?" I asked.

Hamilton shrugged as he walked away.

I went back to the crew room and found Nagase lying on the couch writing in her book again. "The Arkbird."

"Huh?" I asked.

"The white bird in outer space. With Yuktobania outclassing us in firepower, it was the President's one trump card in the peace negotiations. And now... it's fallen right out of our hands."

"So you're saying we don't know how long the war will drag on?"

The Arkbird, a superweapon capable of attacking from space, far beyond the reach of the enemy. Its power generator was destroyed by explosives planted inside a supply shipment launched from Earth.

Once again, the balance of power had tipped toward Yuktobania.

(A/N) Not one of my favorite missions. The AA circles and me don't agree when I have guide somebody through with me. I had the team guide them through correctly, but when I do it myself, I usually let the plane take one hit to cut off a big portion of the path through and save a few minutes of boredom. I just don't like that part. I'm fine with Solitaire later on, since I can just fly through at Mach 2 without worrying about guiding something through.

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