Chapter 19 - The Ace
November 16th
Atlantic Ocean
9:15 am
"Return to base or risk getting shot down" A pilot of a EF 2000 combat jet ordered over the radio.
"Great... we got these twats up our arses" said Declan.
"I'll do my best to evade these guys" Amanda replied as she switched to flares as a counter measure.
"It's not as simple" Kira looked at the radar, she saw two bogies approaching fast.
"This is your last warning... return to base and you'll recieve fair treatment" the pilot said.
"Hold on... I'll evade these guys" Amanda said before dropping altitude of the C-17. Kira grabbed onto her harness while Declan shut his eyes tight as he immediately became nauscious . An alarm started to sound which indicated a missile was launched. The plane dropped altitude as it turned to the right.
"Come on... you can make it" Amanda said as she looked at the altitude gauge, the plane narrowly evaded the missile. With big effort Amanda was able to stablelize the aircraft.
"Are you ok?" Amanda asked.
Kira nodded.
"Where's the sick bags?" Declan said faintly.
Amanda looked at the radar screen and saw the two combat jets positioning for a second attempt to shoot the aircraft down.
"Try again" Amanda mumbled.
The second pilot fired another missile. As a counter, Amanda used the anti-missile flares. This prove to be effective against the missile.
"These guys never give up" Kira said.
"Where did you learn to fly" Declan asked.
"That's standard MI6 training" Amanda said as she turned the plane to the left.
"That's it, let's finish it" the pilot said over the radio.
Amanda paused for a second, she knew it was a matter of time before she was shot down by her own people.
"Still have an ace under your sleeve?" Kira asked nervously.
"Targe locked" said the second pilot as he was about to fire the missile.
Amanda felt tense, her whole body was frozen as she knew that would be the end... until she saw one of the planes dissapear from radar.
"That's some flying skills you have"
Kira recognized that voice.
"About bloody time" Amanda said.
The jet was shot down by Dalton's SU-48 prototype. However, Dalton used machine gun fire to cause damage to the EF 2000 to give the pilot enough time to eject.
"It can't be" said the second pilot.
"You can back down or risk getting shot down" said Dalton to the remaining pilot over the radio.
"Captain... you can't side with those traitors" the pilot replied.
"I chose my side... what's it gonna be? go home or get shot down" Dalton said with a stern voice.
"You side with them... I'll shoot you down" The pilot turned to engage.
"Fine by me" said Dalton as he pushed increased speed.
Amanda from a distance could see the two planes engaging in a dog fight, she also noticed the shape of Dalton's plane.
"I thought he'd fly an F-22" Amanda said.
"That's the SU-48... like the one whe retrieved years ago. But according to him the plane was given back to Russia, why would NATO keep it all this time?" Kira replied.
"Who bloody cares? He saved our arses" Declan said.
The EF-2000 turned as the SU-48 dropped altitude away from the C-17. The EF-2000 followed suit.
"I'll shoot you down, traitor" said the pilot of the EF-2000
After reaching a lower altitude, Dalton slowed down to give the EF-2000 a chance to catch up. The latter was able to get a lock on but Dalton effortlessly turned in an inverted roll.
"I heard he was the best but I've never thought he could move like that" the pilot said.
The EF-2000 continued to chase the SU-48 but with every second it was gettin away. The Pilot frustrated tried to switch to long range missiles. He launched two at Dalton which in return deployed flares, causing the missiles to explode. The EF-2000 flew right thru the explosion only to see the SU-48 executing the cobra which consisted with the SU-48 literally stopping in mid-air on a vertical position. The EF-2000 flew past the SU-48, giving Dalton the chance for a shot.
"Game over" Dalton said as he switched to machine guns and opened fire on the EF-2000.
"Damn it... shit... he did it" said the pilot as his plane took heavy damage and pulled the eject lever, propeling him out of the jet. Soon the EF-2000 became a ball of fire going down.
"He's that good" the pilot said after his parachute opened.
The SU-48 turned towards the C-17 transport plane as it was climbing altitude.
"I believe from here on out it's smooth sailing" said Dalton over the radio.
"I hope so" said Amanda.
"How did you get your hands on a SU-48 prototype?" Kira asked.
"Long story... I'll tell you once we land" Dalton replied.
The Junkie's Notes: The EF-2000 is an actual plane used by NATO whilist the SU-48 is a fictional plane, for more details read my other story "Project Ghost Shadow"... Peace!