---0---0--- SCENARIO 20 ---0---0---
(Current events in normal text; mission briefing events before the attack italicized)
All was quiet in the Genesis-occupied Gracemeria Air Base. The breeze blew and rustled the leaves of trees and bushes. Nocturnal Pokemon swarmed the forests but in lesser numbers than usual since the attack. The paramilitary organization's guardsmen roamed the entire airstrip in the lookout for unwanted guests. The once proud home of the angels was reduced to a fortress of pure evil. But all of that was about to change with a single explosion.
A formation of ten planes was leading the assault on the airbase with a blue plane with the swept-back wing leading the formation. But Ash wasn't piloting it but Terry instead.
"This is Strike Team Arcanine. Bombing run has commenced. I repeat: bombing run has commenced." The squadron leader Terry reported back to the carrier by radio.
"Continue with the distraction." Admiral Hayden replied. "Package is being prepared and will be delivered ETA 5 minutes."
"There's too much anti-air in here. At this rate, we won't even last five minutes."
"Just keep them distracted. We're working here as fast as we can."
---0---
"Lieutenant Maple will lead an elite formation of ten planes to act as the distraction for the enemy." Admiral Hayden pointed out during the strategy meeting. "The objective is to keep the enemy busy while we prepare the package."
"Package…?" Terry asked.
"Apparently, the survivors from the Latias were able to acquire a special kind of warhead that knocks out all electrical systems of the target for a certain amount of time. We're in the midst of preparing it so you'll need to buy us some time before we can deliver the package to the enemy mother ship."
"Can't we just prepare the missile without distracting the enemy? They'll notice something amiss when we attack."
"We only have one warhead, lieutenant. If it gets shot down then it will all be over for all of us. Your squad will be Strike Team Arcanine."
"I understand, sir."
"Don't let the enemy mother ship take off from the tarmac. It'll be harder to aim the missile if the target's airborne."
"Leave it to us, sir. We can take it."
"While you're busy, we'll launch an attack at Gracemeria City and retake the harbor. That way, we can strike the airbase closer."
---0---
Terry's mission, along with his wingmen, was more of a suicide mission. They were to buy the Latios some time to prepare the warhead that will shift the tide of battle in favor of the good guys. But judging by the sporadic resistance the enemy is putting, he started to doubt that he and his team could last for five minutes.
"Darn it, I'm losing my rhythm. It's just not the same without my wingman." Terry said.
---0---
"No, Mikhail. I have an assignment for you. You'll have to sit the distraction mission out." Admiral Hayden said.
"But sir, I'm Terry's partner. I'm not really good in doing solo flights." Mikhail insisted.
"I need you to lead an infiltration team: Strike Team Seviper. We have a hostage situation in our hands and it's up to your team to get her out of there."
"Mikhail, just go for it." Terry said. "For my cousin's sake…"
Mikhail let out a big sigh; having realized that he had no choice but to take the assignment which meant a temporary separation from his wingman.
"Okay, but if I save the day, you'll have to forget that whole DVD player thing. Savvy?" Mikhail said.
"Aw, alright then…" Terry replied helplessly.
"I've sent three ships to take positions off the coast of Gracemeria Air Base. From there, form a strike team and sabotage the grounded mother ship once the package has been delivered. Once your objective is complete, withdraw from the area and retreat to the city. Make sure you get that flying wing down."
"I will, sir. We'll handle it."
Originally, the trainers weren't part of the plan but they wanted to participate in the operation; considering that one of their good friends was the hostage.
"We're coming with you." Ash said. "It's my fault that May got kidnapped. I want to set things right again."
"It's too dangerous. I can't guarantee your safety." Mikhail replied.
"We're not asking you to keep us safe. We're asking you to take us with you. We'll rescue May while you do your thing with the mother ship."
Mikhail turned to the admiral for some useful advice. "Admiral, what do you think?"
"Even if I tell them to, they can't be stopped." Admiral Hayden replied. "You better take them with you. That's their friend dangling inside the ship."
---0---
Several miles from the battle above the tarmac, two helicopters were making their way towards the naval fleet's forward position near the airbase. Mikhail and the Pokemon trainers were heading there for phase two of the battle plan. They all realized the dangers of an infiltration mission but they cared less about it.
"You guys are an unbelievable bunch, you know that?" Mikhail said. "You could've let us handle the rescue mission."
"That's true but you know Ash." Dawn giggled. "He leaves no debt unpaid…except for our bicycles."
"Bicycles…?" Mikhail asked in reply.
"I don't think he needs to know about it, Dawn." Ash said.
It has been more than five minutes since the air raid began. Terry was wondering if the admiral sent his team out just to be target practice for flak.
"Arcanine Leader to Latios; where the heck's that package?!" Terry said.
"Keep them busy. We're delivering the package now." Admiral Hayden replied then turned his attention to his crew. "Prepare to deliver the package on the target on Alpha 3. Fire on my command…FIRE!"
A large hatch at the rear end of the carrier opened up. The roaring sound of an ignited rocket echoed throughout the flight deck. Slowly but surely, a huge missile emerged from the hatch and took flight twenty thousand feet in the air the moment it was launched. It was heading in the direction of the occupied airbase at around mach 2.0. This huge pillar of steel would make or break their chances of retaking the city and the entire peninsula.
Should the missile fail, all will be lost—their beloved homeland…and one human soul.