Chapter 14: Second Coming of the Red Baron

The VF-38r. The first third generation Variable Fighter. Powered by a thermal nuclear engine, it could be used anywhere. It was armed with the standard multi-lock missiles and Vulcans. But its biggest feature was the fact that it was equipped with beam weapons.

A single high-output beam rifle and four beam sabres.

Originally this machine was meant for use by Markov. Bradley had it painted red so that it would suit its new pilot.

Andrew Richthofen.

Markov's MiG-262 slashed at the VF-38r again. This time Andrew dodged the attack easily. Andrew delivered a kick into the MiG-262, sending it a few feet back in the air. A Kirov flight type took aim at the red Variable Fighter.

Something flashed in Andrew's mind. With a few small maneuvers he dodged all of the Kirov's shots and returned fire at the enemy.

The shot struck home.

Yet Andrew didn't even see it coming.

Andrew let fly his multi-lock missiles. Enemy machines scattered as most were hit by said missiles.

"Wow," said Andrew.

XXXXX

Erica was looking through one of the portholes, watching Andrew shooting down plane after plane and occasionally fending off Markov. She was stunned at the sight.

To be honest, she was worried. Worried that Andrew's life would disappear from her again.

The ship shook as the secondary guns roared to life at a number of enemy aerial cruisers. Erica remembered that the captain of the ship was now Bradley, and smiled as she thought of Trude's reaction to her crush actually being alive.

She cringed and looked down at her broken leg. She then remembered about how Andrew picked her up when they ran from the cell.

She blushed as she recalled the memory.

Erica had to admit, that was one of the happiest moments of her life.

XXXXX

"Captain," said a crew member. "A witch is requesting permission to land. She seems to be wounded. Bradley whipped around.

"What!? Where!?"

"Nine-o-clock high sir," the crew member replied. Bradley looked in said direction and did not even need to raise his binoculars to identify who the witch was.

"Trude…" he whispered to himself. "Give her permission to land."

"Da."

XXXXX

Alex downed another Kirov. Troops had managed to breach through some of the walls, but Omaha seemed to be held up. This was due to the air support being preoccupied with avoiding being shot down.

Markov was in the air.

"Humph," thought Markov. "I was right. If we could hold the allies up at one beach, then the whole invasion will fall apart."

Markov sliced an F-16 in half. Suddenly a volley of beams narrowly missed Markov. A red VF descended from the heavens and narrowly missed destroying Markov's MiG-262.

"You again kid!"

"Bugger off you bastard!"

The two's blades crossed yet again and sparks flew everywhere. Beams flew from both machines and was a spectacle to behold. Alex downed another enemy machine before looking at the two in awe.

"Is that who I think it is?" he said to himself.

Andrew delivered another volley of missiles.

"Give up!" Andrew exclaimed. "You lost!"

Markov did not reply. Instead, he seemed to be listening to the radio chatter from his own troops.

"Comrade Markov!" came a voice. "The Omaha wall is being breached! We must evacuate!" Markov sighed.

"Any other news?" he asked calmly. The radio operator seemed to be slightly surprised at this, but responded.

"There seems to be an uprising at Warsaw, comrade!" he said. "The Warsaw Garrison is requesting for reinforcements!" Markov nodded.

"Looks like you're right, kid," he said, taking Andrew by surprise. "All units retreat!" The Federation units immediately responded and they slowly pulled out of the wall. Markov turned around.

"Next time we meet, kid," he said. "I'll make sure you get to see your father again." With that, he zoomed away with the rest of the Federation forces.

Andrew sat there perplexed.

"…What just happened?"

XXXXX

"That reaction speed…" Markov said to himself. "Could it be…?"

XXXXX

Allied troops poured through the wall as the Federation forces retreated. Some surrendered. Others retreated as ordered. But one thing was clear: the invasion of Normandy was a success.

But it came at a cost.

The casualties had not been counted yet, but there was no doubt that it would exceed all previous battle results.

Too many had died.

But for what?

Bradley pondered such thoughts in his mind as he sent the information he received from his fellow former Federation soldiers. The experimentation of creating the Neuroi weapons. To him, that was enough to make him want to fight this war. But he was having a bit of a small problem on his hands right now.

This came in the form of a rather hard power-enhanced slap.

"Ow!" Said slap sent Bradley flying half way across the bridge of the Gorbachev.

"YOU IDIOT!" exclaimed Trude. "I THOUGHT YOU DIED! I SAW THAT BEAM WRECK YOUR PLANE AND SEND YOU FLYING TOWARDS THE GROUND! AND YET HERE YOU ARE ON A FEDERATION SHIP IN A FUCKING FEDERATION UNIFORM! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU THINKING!?"

Bradley was at an utter loss for words. The crew was even more confused. Should they arrest Trude for attacking their commanding officer, side with Trude and maybe get on the wrong side of Bradley, or make sure that the Gorbachev does not crash land when it reached Dover.

The crew obviously chose the third option.

XXXXX

Romanov observed as the Gorbachev landed at Dover base. He frowned. That ship should not exist. And yet it still did. The acting captain of the ship appeared and offered command of the Gorbachev to Romanov, for he was the initial captain of said ship. Romanov, however, refused. He argued that the old Airship brought too many bad memories about the war. Romanov then noticed something on Bradley's face.

"What happened to your…" Bradley blushed.

"Um… nothing…" he awkwardly said. Bradley then walked away leaving a slightly confused Romanov behind.

Alex watched this scene from a distance, then turned to face Andrew. Andrew was exiting the new VF. He stroked the fuselage of the plane.

"We're going to get along just fine…" Andrew said to the plane. "…Buddy."

Author's notes: Hey y'all it's Karl the Arty. I am uploading this chapter from Hiroshima Japan! Writer's block got wrecked pretty badly. Hope you enjoyed this current chapter and I'll see you in a few minutes for chapter 15!