(A/N) I had intended to release Chapters 7-12 all at once, but I needed to stop at this mission. Why? There's this one knucklehead... what was his name... uh... DemonLordGalm. I'm reading his Wings of Freedom story! It's good stuff! As of writing this message, I read up to his telling of this very mission! This chapter holds a bit of a special meaning to me now, not because we're both re-releasing our own versions of this mission on the same day, but because this was the mission he had updated to way back then when he sent his first review my way. Five years later, we're great friends, fellow authors, and of course fellow players of this fantastic video game series! I'm sure most of you have already been to visit his stories, but if you haven't, go check it out! I'm already hooked. I'm sure you will be, too!
While I'm at it, DLG is a big reason why this revision and single "mega-story" happened. I had been considering the idea since before I started publishing LA3, but didn't act on it until shortly after DLG mentioned the same idea. And here we are, a couple knuckleheads posting our work in tandem into our own respective "mega-stories". He's had a fair impact on my work aside from that and I'm grateful he's been such a good friend over the years.
And he's not the only one! York2016 deserves a shoutout as well! This one has had a big impact on the future of Legendary Aces. I can't go into detail as it would be very spoilerish for those who haven't read the original LA1 and LA2, but he designed a few characters that changed the game for me and one of them is even already present in this revision! Allison's wingman, Mare!
And one more shout out to the Hype-Man himself: ANON! These three have been friends for a long time, and they're not the only ones that deserve a mention, but this would get ridiculously long if I kept going, so I'll cut myself off here: "Thanks, friends. Legendary Aces wouldn't be what it is now without you!"
Legendary Aces
Chapter 10: Lit Fuse
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
-Cipher-
Osean Paragon Base
27 October 2010
"The Arkbird is sabotaged, and there's nothing we can do about it?" I asked.
"That's the gist of it," General Bartlett said. "We have a report from Grendel 2 about the incident. The Arkbird is still functional to a degree. The crew is safe, however the laser weapon is inoperable."
"We can't do anything to help them," said Leonardo Venturi II. "That's clear. Are they capable of repairing the damage? Lord Hœnir is a very capable man, so is it possible?"
I glanced at the printout. "Oh look, it's right here in the report. He predicted you'd ask that. It says "Tell that brat Leo that I have this under control". Haha, brat."
Allison sighed, but remained silent.
Leonardo sighed as well, "Very well. Please inform President Harling. Has he arrived in North Point yet?"
"No," Allison said. "Actually, there's a problem about that we needed to discuss in this meeting."
"A problem?"
"Three days ago, his transport was hit and took damage from Osea's own defenses. Wardog happened to be conducting a mission there-"
"Coincidence," I said.
"Ahem. And they made contact. Wardog Leader, First Lieutenant Kye Akari, guided them through the defense system, but they had to make an emergency landing. Being low on fuel, they had to leave and trust another squadron to handle it. However, that squadron doesn't exist."
"That squadron wouldn't by chance be the 8492nd squadron, would it?" Leonardo asked.
"Yes. The Grey Men are on the move. Harling is missing."
"Not good. With Harling out of the picture, there's no telling what the leadership in Osea will do. Charles, will you handle it?"
"Of course," General Bartlett said. "I doubt I can fully control it, but I do have a seat with the Joint Chiefs."
"Good." He looked between Allison and me. "Do what you can to help them. One of you from behind the scenes, one of you there with them."
"Of course," I said. "By the way, does Hatsumi know about all this yet?"
"Probably, but I have a meeting with her once I return to Isle Pandora either way. I'll discuss it with her. Why do you ask?"
"I just wonder if she's going to take any action."
"You're concerned about your daughter and worried the President won't help. You know the President probably better than I do. What do you think she'll do?"
"You tell her if my daughter dies due to her lack of action, it won't be me she'll have to worry about."
"What is that supposed to me?"
"I can't tell you, but she will understand."
"Very well."
-Briefing-
1 November 2010
"Our Army is finally ready to conduct a large-scale counter-attack against Yuktobania." The Base Commander said. "If we succeed, we'll never have to face the humiliation of those Yukes trampling on our homeland again. The goal of this operation is simple... to invade and occupy the Yuktobanian mainland."
We're going to conduct a large-scale amphibious assault against Yuktobania on the Bastok Peninsula. This mission will be called "Operation Footprint."
The landing force will be selected from the 1st and 2nd Osean Army Battalions. They will be divided into four companies- A, B, C, and D - and transported to the area via landing craft. Upon landing, each division will fan out and destroy the enemy bases scattered throughout the area then rendezvous and reform into a single large force unit to assault the final target, the fortress.
The Yuktobanian defense positions along with coast are tightly dug in, and we have concluded that air attacks alone will not be enough to destroy them. Therefore, Operation Footprint will be a synchronized air and ground attack to neutralize these positions. It is critical that you follow the specific targeting instructions of the ground commander to maximize the effects of your attacks.
We are expecting poor weather conditions and fierce resistance from the Yuktobanian defense forces. The fortress is protected by pillboxes and a defensive wall. Provide close air support for the ground forces, and get as many soldiers as possible inside.
"I wish you the best of luck in battle." The Base Commander added after the briefing concluded.
-Blaze-
"Man, why did we have to sit through that?" I heard a nugget asked as everyone cleared out of the briefing room
"Yeah, it's not like we're going," another said.
I walked over to them. "Hey, you two. Can you gather up the other pilots? I want to talk to everyone in the crew room in fifteen minutes."
"Yes, ma'am, Captain Blaze!" the first nuggets responded.
"Excellent response, but stop with the ma'am," I said, slightly irritated that the nuggets still called me "ma'am" after correcting them so many times already. "The ma'am thing is getting old, I'm not."
"Sorry, m- never mind! I'll go let everyone know!"
"Thanks. See you soon."
I turned around after watching the two nuggets run off after the other rookies just in time to see my team trying to hide the fact that they were laughing at me from behind my back. "Don't make me take you into the air before the mission."
"Okay, okay," Chopper said. "So what's up with the nuggets?"
"You'll see."
Soon enough, my team and the nuggets were gathering into the crew room. There were twelve nuggets sitting in the room with me standing up front. Chopper, Nagase, and Grimm were leaning against the wall behind me.
"So," I said. "I bet some of you are wondering why you had to sit through that briefing."
I saw nods and "mhmms" from various nuggets.
"Simple. You're coming."
With just three words, the color in all their faces drained. I glanced behind me and saw that the jaws of my teammates had dropped as well.
"Kid... you're not kidding are you?" Chopper asked, probably hoping I would have said yes."
"Nope. They're coming with us."
"You can't!" Nagase argued.
"They are ready. Of course, they will be hanging back waiting for orders most of the time, but they are ready."
"What exactly will they be doing?"
"That's why we are meeting here," I said before turning my attention back to the nuggets. "You heard me. You will be coming along with us. For the most part, you will not be engaging the enemy. You will be carrying a full air to ground armament on your planes, however. This is the main reason you will be coming. Frankly, I think they are being stupid only wanting to send one allied squadron for air support in a ground battle. We probably can handle it, but I want you all there as backup in case we can't."
"Do you really think so, Captain?" one of the nuggets asked.
"Yes," I said before putting on a strict face. "But know this. If I say pull up to a high altitude, you had better pull up. If I give you directions to fire a missile at a target, you had better do so. And if I tell you to leave the battlefield and return to base early, do it without hesitation. If you do not follow my orders on the battlefield, I will ground you and your planes until such a time I see fit that you can fly again."
Every nugget suddenly seemed to be paying closer attention now. Good.
"Gear up and get ready to launch. The mission is in a few hours, so be ready to go."
-Chopper-
"Gear up and get ready to launch. The mission is in a few hours, so be ready to go." Kid said.
We just got our orders for a mission. There was something different about Kid. I noticed it since the Captain went MIA. She's probably trying to hide it, but I can see it in her eyes.
Her eyes changed.
They used to be filled with hope and joy, but since the Captain went MIA and this war started, the hope in her eyes slowly faded and the joy turned to sadness.
After the nuggets left, Kid also left, not saying a word to Nagase, Grimm, or me. We each glanced at each other.
"I think there's something wrong with Kid," I said.
"So you've noticed it, too?" Nagase asked.
"She seems different. I met and talked with her a couple months ago while you guys were still training with Captain Bartlett," Grimm said. "She was always talking about flying."
"I've known her for a while, too," Nagase said. "Since before we came to this base. She loves flying, but I think it's getting to her."
"War," I added.
"Yeah," Nagase said. "She loves flying, but hates fighting."
"And she has to mix them together," Grimm said.
"We need to talk to her about this," I suggested.
"Let's wait until after the mission today," Nagase said. "I don't want to add any stress to her before then."
"I agree," Grimm said.
"Then we'll talk to her tonight," I said.
-Mission Start-
-Blaze-
Bastok Peninsula 04'32'42"S 123'29'45"E
1630hrs 1 November 2010
"Terry. Got something I need to tell you..." I heard an Osean Scout say over the radio.
"The enemy's right in front of us, Scott. Save it for later!" his friend, Terry, replied.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Later, then."
I led my squadron toward the mainland, ready to provide air support for the ground forces. It didn't take long for Thunderhead to barge in on the radio with some more details on the mission. "The four companies will now land at their designated beach heads. Commence close air support."
"This is Blaze of the Wardog Squadron, roger."
"This is Company D. We're almost at the beach."
"Go. Move forward! You're almost there. That's it! Row! Keep rowing!" Chopper sputtered out over the radio. "To hell with this war..."
I had to agree with him there. I couldn't find any rhyme or reason for it, not that I needed a reason. I just didn't care much for flying the skies for the purpose of war.
"This is Company A. Landing successful! Deploy the armored vehicles, now!"
Chopper was chattier than normal today. I wondered if there was something... more on his mind than what we talked about back before we left the base. "Move, move! Land already! Hit that beach and start running! There's no time to kiss the ground!"
I suppose I wasn't in much of a position to talk, though. I was doing a good job of hiding it, but all this fighting was really getting to me. I just wanted to go back to before the 22nd of September... before any signs of war popped up... before Captain Bartlett went MIA. I missed him.
I watched below as our forces started advancing. It didn't take long for the armored vehicles to arrive.
"Landing confirmed," Thunderhead reported. "Continue your support. Fly top cover for the armored vehicles."
"Roger, Thunderhead," I said.
"This is Company B. Our attack's getting held up by fierce fire from the bunkers."
"Halt the enemy fire with an air strike," another soldier from Company B requested. "We'll charge in at the same time!"
"Hurry to the designated area and provide close air support. Active your radar map to check location," Thunderhead said
"This is Wardog. We're on it. Missile fire incoming. Heads up, Company B," I said. "Archer, you take the shot. Do you see your target?"
"Yes, Captain. I'll fire as soon as I have a lock," Grimm broke formation and flew over toward his target. As soon as his missile hit, the B Company was able to move in and take over the bunker.
"Thank you, Wardog," the Company B soldier said. "We have successfully taken this bunker."
"Good," I said.
"This is Company A. We are also being held up by fire from a bunker. Requesting air support."
"Roger, Company A," I said. "Chopper, your turn."
"Is the target confirmed, Kid?" he asked.
"It should be on your radar map now. And it looks like there are a two more bunkers. One each in the way of Company C and Company D."
"Roger. The trick will be to match our timing with the ground forces."
"I'll cover the timing," I said. "Go ahead and take your shot. Company A is waiting."
"I just fired my missile."
I heard an explosion and glanced over just in time to see a group of soldiers from Company A raiding the bunker. Shortly after I heard a report from them.
"This is Company A, we've secured the bunker."
"Roger. Companies C and D, what's your progress? Are either of you ready for an airstrike?"
"This is Company D, we are approaching the target bunker now. We could use an air strike."
"Roger. I'm sending Edge," I said. Without further orders, Nagase broke off and headed toward the target.
"Company C here, we are also ready for an air strike."
"Roger. On my way," I said. I had to make sure to save missiles for the bunkers. There wasn't really much else to shoot at anyway.
The first two Companies, A and B that is, had secured their first bunkers and already were close to the next. It didn't take long for them to call out air support. By now I had Grimm assigned to assisting Company B, Chopper assigned to assisting Company A, Nagase assigned to assisting Company D, and I covered C, so they responded appropriately when called on for an air strike.
"I see a couple enemy choppers heading our way. Nagase and I just launched our air strikes, so C and D should be fine for a moment. We'll go take care of the air targets," I said.
"This operation is pointless," Chopper said quietly before really voicing his opinion. "These guys are just gonna storm in, head-on, following orders. That's how war is fought. That's why I hate it. How could the President authorize an escalation of the war like this? This is insane. We'll get bogged down in this forever. Hey, that Mr. Cargo guy was the President, right?"
He paused for a moment. I was about to respond, but he started up again too soon. "Man... I thought I could believe in him back then. I had no idea he was such a wuss."
"No," Nagase said sternly. "He's not."
Our side of the radio stayed quiet for a little while after that. The ground forces had plenty to say, though, between requesting air strikes and radio chatter.
"Damn, it's like they're ploughing the ground with bullets!" I recognized that voice. I think his name was Terry from a little while ago.
"Don't get hit, Terry. I still got something I gotta tell you!" I was right. It was Terry and Scott from earlier.
"I know, I know, messenger boy. You hang in there, too!"
The radio was fairly quiet for a little while after that. The companies had each just seized a second bunker and were heading toward a third. Almost in sequence, they called for an airstrike. Each of us had one missile left after the third round of bunkers. None of us had fired any GPBs, so we all had both left.
"Incoming. Enemy bomber aircraft," I said. "I'm on it. Nagase on my six."
The A-10s were pretty tough, but that just meant I had to fill them with extra lead. The plane couldn't dodge very well, so it was easy enough to take down.
"Kid, there's a couple choppers coming from the northwest," Chopper reported. "Want me and Grimm to take care of 'em?"
"Go for it."
"Second Lieutenant Rubin of Company B to our allied planes. Will you help us make our Captain's last job one to remember?"
"You bet," I said.
"This is Rubin. We owe you one. Marching to the sound of air support bombings... Pretty fitting for the Captain."
"This is Company D. I have a favor to ask... could you bomb our monster of a Captain from the air for us?"
"And take the fun away from you? No way," I responded. I couldn't help but tease the guy.
"The area's secured. Thank for the air support!" I heard the C and D companies report.
"It's kinda nice to have friends down below," Chopper said.
"Yeah," I said. "Heads up, more enemy planes incoming. My team go full on anti-air for the time being. Keep the skies clear for our guys."
"Roger, Kid," Chopper said, leading Nagase and Grimm to a resounding "Roger."
Companies A and B were merging for their next big target, just as C and D were for theirs. I kept our team split up in the same teams of two, and took care of any enemy aircraft that appeared myself.
"Did you know?" Grimm said. "My older brother's down there."
"What? You shoulda told me that earlier, you moron! Where is he?" Chopper said.
"I don't know. They all look the same."
"Companies C and D will begin their joint assault after bomb impact from the air strike!"
"Nagase, that's us," I said. "Special weapons free. Two targets, one each."
"Roger, Blaze," Nagase said.
After taking out our targets, Nagase said something I wasn't expect. "Hey, Kye."
"My first name?"
"When we get back to base, there's something we need to talk about."
"What is it?"
"Not till we get back to base," Nagase said.
I wasn't sure how to respond. She hasn't called me by my first name in a long time outside of introducing me formally to people she knows. "Alright, then."
Chopper and Grimm had just bombed the two big bunkers in front of Companies A and B, allowing them to storm in and secure the area.
"The Captain's come to join us all the way at the front!" one of the A Company soldiers said.
"The Captain? He'll get killed!"
"I'm glad he's come to join us in hell!" another said confidently.
It really started to bother me. What did she want to talk to me about?
"Hey, Kid. I'm gonna cut off and take care of a few more choppers with Grimm. That okay?"
"Do it."
"Roger."
"All enemies inside the bunkers cleared away! Position secured!" one of the company commanders said.
"We're going to advance further. We haven't reached the front line yet," the Company A Commander said.
"Allied planes, we are moving in to attack the last bunkers. Requesting close air support." I wasn't sure which company called that one, but targets were ready on my radar either way.
Chopper and Grimm returned to the area just in time to join in. We each dropped our second GPB, blowing the hell out of the last bunkers and giving our ground forces the chance to head in and clear them out.
After a couple more minutes, I heard some good news from the head commander of all four companies. "Attention all forces. All bunkers silenced. We've captured the entire fortress!"
"Did you copy that, Air Force? We really appreciate all your support."
"All right, things are a bit calmer now. What's on your mind? Hey, Scott!"
"Look in your breast pocket, Terry. You forgot your lucky charm, didn't you?"
"Oh, man! You're right! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I didn't want you to get all rattled. Besides, it's about time you stopped relying on that thing."
"Good job, guys," I said. "Mission complete. RTB."
-Post Mission-
After intense fighting, the landing force captured and secured the fortress target. Thanks to the success of Operation Footprint, we have secured the southeastern coast of Yuktobania.
We've decided to make the fortress our first forward base on Yuktobania as we expand our combat operations inside the country. After we complete construction of our defensive positions, our ground forces will continue their advance to the final target, the capital city of Cinigrad.
-Blaze-
Later on, after we got back to base, Nagase made me meet up with her, Chopper, and Grimm in the crew room. I was kind of nervous. It seemed out of place for them to ask in the middle of a battle to talk afterward.
"So... what's up, guys?" I asked, feigning a curious but happy smile.
"You," Nagase said.
"We're worried about you, Kid."
"We have to talk about it, Captain."
"Well... what is this "it" we need to talk about?" I asked.
"The war and you," Nagase said. "I can tell. It's taking a bigger toll on you than any of us."
I sighed and got up to walk out, but I could fell their glares penetrating me from behind.
"It doesn't matter," I said.
"You can't keep bottling it up like this," Nagase argued.
"It's nothing," I said. "I'd rather you three not concern yourselves with it."
"But we are," Nagase said.
"We're worried about you, Kid," Chopper said.
"I appreciate the concern, but please, just leave it be," I said. I turned back to them and tried to give them a smile, but I couldn't meet any of their eyes. I just turned back around and started walking out of the room saying, "I'm fine. Really."