Operation: Fork Dance
Somewhere on Sand Island, midnight.
(speaking in German) "Peregrine to Falcon Nest. New personnel had been deployed as ordered, waiting instructions."
"This is Falcon Nest, continue to monitor activities in the base, especially the White Queen, White Bishop, White Knight and White Rook. They're valuable assets of our master plan now. We'll need them to eat more black pieces, but be expected to dispose them at anytime and anywhere."
"Will do so. And I will continue gather and send in data concerning their combat capabilities, they just don't know I'm supervising them via Cocoons. White Bishop and White Knight are somehow easy ones, but White Rook and White Queen are to be reckoned with. Especially White Queen, you know that pilot's records and what the piece is capable of."
"That's why we need those data, once get an understanding of their patterns, we can deal with them without trouble. So far the chessboard is deployed right as we want. Both White King and Black King are in our custody, all pawns are under control, soon we'll kick over chessboard, strike lethal blows to both sides."
"Sure thing. All hail the principality! Out."
"All hail the principality! Out."
…
November 11th 2010, 14:00
"You're dead man, you're dead man!" Davenport is glued on his PSP game. His fingers are moving and pressing like crazy, while a maniacal voice is being transmitted from his handheld console to his ears via earphone: "…my honor! My pride! My life!"
This is a small room, not bigger than a double room, however its favorability to pilots is only next to their own cells, for it is a staff break quarter, you can do anything but working in there. While Davenport is fighting on video game, Grimm is reading a light novel titled "Ro-Kyu-Bu!" and is keeping chunking, giggling even having trouble to refrain loudly laughter. Nagase, on the other hand, is watching an old Espanol animation "Los Fruittis", she seems quite enjoy it even hums the rhythm of its soundtracks. There's something, or someone missing from this harmonious (really?) picture, yeah, the squadron leader. Where Blaze is located right now and what he is doing currently?
In the kitchen sector of mess hall, Blaze is demonstrating some simple culinary arts, canteen workers are observing and recording by aside.
Blaze: "First, cut potatoes and carrots into pieces no thicker than two millimeters, wash clean, put into two water-filled pans for boiling respectively. One hour for potatoes and thirty minutes for carrots. During the process of boiling, cut onions into threads, and cut pork or chicken into small-sized pieces, soak with cooking wine, salt, gourmet powder and grounded ginger. After potatoes and carrots are ready, filter water, keep them near. Now fry meat with butter but don't fry too much, put potatoes in with a little vinegar, then carrots, put black pepper powder in, churn up the mixture to make it even, add onion threads, salt, gourmet powder and grounded ginger, continue to churn up. Finally we have delicious black pepper composite mashed potato, and it can be a decent MRE for field operatives if preserved in appropriate containers." Observers applaud and nod with approval. Well, we don't need to worry about Blaze…for now.
Hours later in Mission Briefing Room.
"This mission is crucial, actually seems every mission for us is crucial somehow." As Blaze says, everyone chuckles.
"Since both Commander Perrault and Adjutant Commander Hamilton are having a video conference with higher authorities, I'll carry out briefing this time." Blaze closes shutters and activates projector: "We're to assault and destroy a Yuktobanian military production complex located in Area YK35-V11, a.k.a. Sonza Province. This complex is consisted by several large-sized composite military hardware factories, an airport and a railway transfer station. Intelligence services had concluded this complex is another reason that Yuktobanian forces' presences always larger than 'supposed to be', therefore it must be removed from functionality." Screen wall flashes footage taken by scout aircraft and satellites, plus a digital-rendered planar schematic of the aforementioned complex.
Blaze continues: "I know you want to ask why not using ballistic missiles or artillery units, bomber squadrons or commando forces to take out a strategic location that vital. First, our ballistic missiles are inferior to Yuktobania both on quality and quantity, Central Command won't risk an outcome of a massive retaliation. Second, this complex is deep inside Yuktobania-controlled territory, far beyond reach of our ground forces, and after considering all possible risky factors, deployment of commandos is also deprecated. Third, it is protected by an advanced air defense system, which will inflict severe damage to aircraft, also will warn garrisoning transports and trains to evacuate products once an airstrike is detected."
Nagase, Davenport and Grimm exchange glances, seems they're convinced by the explanations.
"Now that's what it gets important. Analysis had found a weak point, which can only be exploited by an ace fighter squadron approaching from ultra-low altitude." Screen wall highlights the structural render of the air defense system. "As you can see, this system is divided into four layers of circles, much like layers of an onion, each layer of defense has four unmanned bunker situated on true northeast, true southeast, true southwest and true northwest, serve as automated control nodes. If four bunkers are destroyed simultaneously, all sensors and anti-air weaponry on the same layer will go offline and no warnings are sent, that's our only mean of infiltration. Pay attention, 'simultaneously' means tolerances of overall margin of error must be contained less than one second, which demands our coordination to be perfect, all factors including travel time of ordnance must be considered." Three wingmen glance at each other again, seems they're picturing the challenge meter of the mission.
"Each of us will take on one bunker of same layer, I'll take the northeast, Edge, the northwest, Chopper, the southwest, Archer, the southeast. After devastation of ammunition storages in Area YK22-A06, security measures of this production facility had been tightened, even with all electronic warfare support units provide as much assistance as they can, this mission still need to be carried out under complete radio silence before all layers of defense are down. So we won't be able to coordinate via communication, therefore we must synchronize our own onboard clocks and timers, preset times for first target and countdown for following ones, arrive at designated initial positions and execute air strike by precise timing. After successful infiltration, prioritize attacks on airport and railway station to prevent anything to be evacuated. Any questions? Good, 'Cocoons' had been calibrated with this mission scenario, we're going to have some simulations to ensure success of the real run."
Sonza Province, Union of Yuktobanian Republics
Longitude: 111 Degree 04 Minute 04 Second East
Latitude: 08 Degree 15 Minute 03 Second North
November 12th 2010, 11:00
"This is Shadow Curtain. Glad to see you on battlefield." A squadron of EA-18Gs seeing Wardog Squadron flies past them from below, hails on radio.
Blaze: "Shadow Curtain, please keep enemy sensors jammed, I hereby present my gratitude."
"You can count on us. Those Yukes won't know what hit them."
Blaze switch channel to his wingmen: "Wardog Squadron, waypoint of separation threshold, ETA ten minutes. Now we're going through the battle plan for one last time before radio silence: Once separate, each of us fly directly to respective designated initial point in ultra-low altitude and arrive before 11:25. Synchronization is based on destruction of control nodes, not attacks, the first layer must be neutralized precisely at 11:30:00, 45 seconds after that, second layer is neutralized. Distance between two layers become shorter as we get closer to center, so the third layer is neutralized 40 seconds after second layer, then 35 seconds later is the last layer. Are we clear?"
Other three pilots: "Clear as crystal."
Blaze: "Good, check synchronization of onboard clocks and timers…mark. We only got one shot, so don't drop the ball."
Four aircraft breaks formation and fly to four different directions. This time Wardog Squadron is on following configuration:
Wardog One "Blaze"
FB-22 Strike Raptor
※ Special Weapon 1: AGM-65G
※ Special Weapon 2: JP233
※ Engine Part: Uranus Engine
※ Wing Part: Adv Balance Tab
※ Armor Part: Diffusion Coat
※ Weapon Part 1: Extra Ammo
※ Weapon Part 2: Long Range Missile
※ Miscellaneous Part 1: Earth Shaker
※ Miscellaneous Part 2: Hawk Eye Radar
Wardog Two "Edge"
FB-22 Strike Raptor
※ Special Weapon 1: AGM-65G
※ Special Weapon 2: JP233
※ Engine Part: Uranus Engine
※ Wing Part: Adv Balance Tab
※ Armor Part: Diffusion Coat
※ Weapon Part 1: Extra Ammo
※ Weapon Part 2: Long Range Missile
※ Miscellaneous Part 1: Earth Shaker
※ Miscellaneous Part 2: Hawk Eye Radar
Wardog Three "Chopper"
FB-22 Strike Raptor
※ Special Weapon 1: AGM-65G
※ Special Weapon 2: AIM-9X
※ Engine Part: Uranus Engine
※ Wing Part: Adv Balance Tab
※ Armor Part: Diffusion Coat
※ Weapon Part 1: Extra Ammo
※ Weapon Part 2: Long Range Missile
※ Miscellaneous Part 1: Earth Shaker
※ Miscellaneous Part 2: Hawk Eye Radar
Wardog Four "Archer"
FB-22 Strike Raptor
※ Special Weapon 1: AGM-65G
※ Special Weapon 2: AIM-9X
※ Engine Part: Uranus Engine
※ Wing Part: Adv Balance Tab
※ Armor Part: Diffusion Coat
※ Weapon Part 1: Extra Ammo
※ Weapon Part 2: Long Range Missile
※ Miscellaneous Part 1: Earth Shaker
※ Miscellaneous Part 2: Hawk Eye Radar
Time: 11:29:00
Blaze starts from his initial point to northeast control node of first layer of defense as his onboard timer begins 60-second countdown, he sets active weapon to AGM-65G. On tactical map, others are approaching their targets too.
Time: 11:29:30
Blaze has control node in range, but it's not the time for strike.
Time: 11:29:45
Blaze can clearly see the bunker and accompanying radar discs and domes, as well as SAM launchers and AA guns. However he still holds trigger.
Time: 11:29:55
Blaze is VERY close to targeted control nodes and its accessories. "3…2…1…now!" Six missiles are released from weapon bay.
When time reaches 11:30:00, bunker and radars are destroyed just at the precise blink. On radar map, icons represent other three primary tactic targets disappear at same twinkling, first layer of defense is down.
No time for easing up, 45-second countdown starts immediately. Blaze flies straight to control node on second layer.
"Wow! This is the biggest accomplishment I have ever achieved so far! Perfectly synchronized attacks under complete radio silence! Only aces like us can do it!" Davenport is on narcissism when all four layers of defense are knocked out, it's too late for Yukes to do anything now.
"Chopper, Archer, go get railway station. Edge, come with me." Blaze turns to airport with maximum speed.
"I'm delighted." Davenport and Grimm dives to railway transfer station and blow everything in vicinity into scraps. Meanwhile Blaze and Nagase fly over airport's runways and convert them into karst landform by dropping anti-runway submunitions from JP233s.
With both railway station and airport stripped from functionality, entire military production complex is merely a sumptuous table of banquet to Wardog Squadron, the only question is which dish will be feasted first and which one will be the next.
Blaze turns around, targets on parking apron. There're dozens of heavy-duty transports stranded on ground. He releases deadly hailstone from JP233 again. Nagase fires at control tower as Blaze flies over piles of wreckage which can barely recognized as transports.
Missile warning goes off. An S-400 Triumph launches a missile dead ahead to Blaze's Strike Raptor, he rolls for 90 degrees and slightly tilts up, dodges it and returns fire.
"If Yukes do have so much money, why don't they just invest some charitable undertakings instead of something like these?" Davenport and Grimm are bombing storages and factory buildings, volleys and volleys of AGM-65Gs tear everything into pieces. In the duration of fifteen minutes, half of the ground targets had gone down in flames and smokes.
"Wardog Squadron, this is Gladiator Squadron. A flight of bandits are coming to your way, we intercepted as much as we can, but there're still four leakers, be careful out there!"
Blaze: "Wardog Roger. Chopper, Archer, enemy fighters approaching from bearing 270, dispatch them."
Four Su-57s enters mission area from west, Davenport and Grimm flies clinging to surface, then suddenly rises up almost vertically and launches AIM-9Xs. Taken by surprise, Su-57s are shot down without taking any actions.
Blaze is being chased by an infrared-homing missile, he dives sharply to a large workshop, pulls up with high-g when almost making contact with the roof and simultaneously releases flares. Hostile missile cannot cope with this trick and hits the structure.
Nagase aligns to a column of spherical tanks, initiates air strike run. Several Shilka unites fire to her, but are backstabbed by Blaze with missiles, he drops bomblets to another building which occupies a wide area. Davenport and Grimm also come back to continued this joint assault.
Yukes' futile resistance doesn't add anything to challenge meter. When the party is over, not a single building inside mission area is still in one piece, it's no worth to restore the destroyed facilities for the damage had been way beyond repairable condition.
"Go Tomoka-chan go! Score a shot!" "Airi-chan use the Force! Make Commander Subaru proud!" Successful operation as always, pilots of Wardog Squadron find a decent reason to be excited, now they're zealously enjoying animation in staff break quarter.
Grimm: "Tinkerbell is really a rare genius cartoonist."
Davenport: "You said it pal. When I was reading comic 'Tsukiyo no Fromage (Moonnight's Fromage)', my nosebleed spurted unstoppably, most unfortunate that comic was left cliffhanger."
Grimm: "Tsukiyo no Fromage literally eats me alive. So sweet, so blissful, although there's a trace of tension and uneasiness hiding behind."
Nagase: "You lolicon duo, finding each other with same hobbies?"
"Hey! We're not lolicon! There's nothing wrong about admiring cuties." Davenport retorts.
"In love with little children is a part of human nature, passed down from mammal ancestors. It's a vital instinct of survival and evolution." Grimm apparently considers himself as Davenport's ally.
"All right all right! You win!" Nagase deflects boys' retaliation: "Haven't you notice someone is missing? Where's Blaze?"
Davenport: "No worries! Cap can take care of himself."
"Whatever." Nagase resumes her focus on animation.
Hangar C.
Blaze: "Pops, may I occupy a few minutes from you?"
Wolfgang: "Sure. What can I do for you, son?"
Blaze passes Wolfgang a folder of enlarged photograph: "When I was bombing that production complex, I noticed something and recorded by onboard camera."
Wolfgang browses photos, Blaze: "There, content in that roof-broken hangar, can you recognize those tails?"
"YAGR Jet-VTOL." Wolfgang gives correct answer.
"We're the only operator of this class of aircraft." Says Blaze: "How can Yuktobanian acquire them?"
"No brands found in pictures. If it's not a stolen plan, then the only reasonable possibility is…they are deliberately supporting Yuktobania with parts or complete machines." Wolfgang finishes looking at photos: "North Osea Grunder Industries, one third of our military hardware are contracted to them, including production and R&D, even the "Cocoon" units you're using. It was once a state-owned corporation of Principality of Belka, called 'South Belka Munitions Factory'."
Blaze: "And Osea annexed it along with South Belka fifteen years ago."
Wolfgang: "Executive level of the corporation took oath of loyalty to Osea, especially admitting Osea's sole right of their products and technologies."
Blaze: "Then we found their outputs in hostile land. I can sense something fishy."
"We'd better keep our discoveries and suspicions to ourselves for now." Wolfgang looks out from hangar gate: "Speaking of Belka…during the war fifteen yeas ago…ace pilots of Belkan Air Force impressed the world to a very high extent, so when the war was over, rumor said some of former Belkan aces were hired into Osean Air Defense Force in order to strengthen combat capabilities."
Blaze: "I'm impressed upon hearing this."
"Of course it was only rumor. Even an old fox like me cannot see through the thickness of black curtain. On the other side of ocean, rumors about similar things also arisen."
"Pops, I need you to help me to prepare items listed here." Blaze handles Wolfgang a piece of paper.
Wolfgang: "These are…" As he glances at nouns written on list.
Blaze: "Source them from different origins, I don't want anyone gets alerted."
"I'll see what I can do." Wolfgang nods.