Ace Combat: Skies of Deception
Flashback 9:Blackmail and Jealousy
Despite his sadness for Julieta's departure, Ángel Román had entered the Republic of Leasath's Air Force with ease. He found the aptitude test extremely easy, and, despite the exhausting physical training, he had no further problems. Ángel Román was destined to Santa Fe AFB, half way between Alendai and Neu Hoffnung, his hometown. Santa Fe AFB was the base where the future aggressor instructors prepared to replace those who eventually retired when their military careers were over. Even though Aurelia and Leasath were at peace, Leasath painted the planes with paintjobs that mimicked their AAF counterparts.
Santa Fe AFB, October 1st 2012, 10:00 hours.
Ángel and many other pilots were waiting at the briefing room for a welcome speech. The base commander and four pilots, possibly the instructors, came in.
All the pilots stood up and saluted.
-At ease, pilots.-said the commander, and all the trainees returned to their seats.-My name is César Domínguez, and I'm the Base Commander of Santa Fe AFB. These four pilots will be your instructors. On its peak, there are up to 150 pilots destined to this base, and only 8 of those pilots become aggressor instructors each promotion. However, your promotion is comprised of only 28 pilots, which is rather low for our standards, so this will be easier for all of you. Nonetheless, we expect that each and every last of you do your very best to achieve high scores, since only two pilots per instructor will graduate as aggressor pilots.
Ángel listened the whole speech, but he found something fishy during it, as one of the instructors, a lady with long blonde hair and green eyes, rarely kept her eyes off him. He felt very uneasy while he felt her stare.
After the speech, the pilots went to the office to get their callsigns. Ángel was one of the last pilots to enter the room.
He was greeted by the base commander.
-Hello, Román.-said César.
-Hello, sir.-answered Ángel, saluting.
-At ease.-replied the commander.-Take your seat.
Ángel sat down on a chair. César took a look at his service record. He frowned when he read it.
-Román, your record states that you are of Aurelian descent.-César said.
-Is that a problem, sir?-Ángel asked, trying not to sound very offensive.
-Actually, no.-answered César, taking his eyes off the record and looking at him.-I just thought it was curious. In the Air Force, we don't really care about the pilots' bloodline. It doesn't matter that you are the descent of the Belkan Knights if you can't tell a propeller engine from a jet.
He took another look at his file.
-However,-César said.-you didn't choose a callsign. Aggressor trainees are free to choose their callsign as long as they don't choose any "mature" callsign. Which one will you choose, Román?
Ángel pondered for a moment.
-Can I write it?-he asked, after a moment of silence.
-Sure.-answered the commander.
Ángel took a small piece of paper and wrote his callsign down on it. César took a look at it and smirked.
-Nemesis, huh?-he said.-Rather fitting for an aggressor pilot. You, like the rest of the pilots, will be assigned to an instructor tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your day, Román.
-Sir.-answered Ángel, saluting and getting out of the office.
However, Ángel Román couldn't guess what destiny had reserved for him.
He arrived to his room and laid on his bed. He remembered the good days with Julieta. Some of his stuff had already been taken to his room.
Ángel took a glance to the wooden desk on the opposite side of the room when he spotted a white piece of paper coming out of a drawer.
-"It must be a welcome card for me. Maybe the other pilots received one too."-he thought.-"Let's take a look."
He opened the drawer and found a small folded paper. He unfolded it.
What he read left him frozen:
"Hello, cute boy. I'll be waiting for you at the base's cafe at 19:00."
Ángel felt his stomach going inside out while he read the paper. After reading it and making sure that he was awake, he looked for any kind of signature or something like that. He didn't find a single clue.
-"What's the meaning of this!?"-Ángel thought.-"It hasn't even been a day since I arrived here and they're kidding me already!? I'd better not go to the cafe for today, and, as soon as I can, I'll try to solve this mess out."
At 19:00, his admirer was sitting alone at the café, waiting for him.
-"It seems like he's not coming."-the admirer thought.-"I'll better wait for tomorrow. If he doesn't answer to my letters, I'll have to resort to more "drastic" measures."
Santa Fe AFB, October 2nd 2012, 08:00 hours.
Ángel put on his uniform and went to the briefing room, where a paper showed the trainees and their respective instructors.
Ángel took a look at the paper, where there were four columns, each one headed with the callsigns Odin, Zeus, Valkyrie and Saturn.
He, along with six more pilots, was assigned to Valkyrie. In the paper, a small sign stated that the pilots had to report to their instructors that day.
He looked for Valkyrie's office. It took him 15 minutes to find it.
On the door, a sign read:
Lt Col Lucía "Valkyrie" Moreno.
Ángel knocked on the door and entered the office.
He saw that his instructor was no other than the one who had been looking at him intently the last day.
-Good morning.-said Lucía, greeting him.
-Madam.-said Ángel, saluting, but feeling uneasy.
-So, you're assigned to me, right?-Lucía asked.-It's a rather nice surprise.
-As long as I can get my job done...-replied Ángel.-Here's my record.
Lucía took a look at Ángel's record.
-I see...-she said.-Born in Neu Hoffnung, on April 6th, 1994, to Lucas Román, a Leasathian lawyer and Sara Román, born in Aurelia, and a hairdresser, correct?
-Yes, ma'am.-Ángel answered. He wondered if it would be a good idea to tell her about his "admirer".
Lucía noticed his nervousness.
-What's the problem?-she asked.
Ángel doubted that telling her would be a good idea, but he tried to be sincere to her.
-Well, there's a little problem that I'd like to discuss with you.-he said.-But let's say it's a very sensitive issue, and I'd like it to be private, so to say it.
-No problem.-Lucía said.-If you want to, we can take a look at it.
-Sure.-Ángel said.-The "problem" is in my room, and I'd like to show it to you, rather than telling you the exact rpoblem.
-OK.-she said.-Let's go.
They went to Ángel's room. After they entered, he took out the letter that his "admirer" sent to him.
-This is the problem.-he said.-I found it yesterday after meeting with the base commander.
Lucía read the letter, and , after a moment, she laughed.
-What's so funny, ma'am?-Ángel asked, nervous.
-This letter is mine, of course.-Lucía said.
Ángel was flabbergasted.
-Wait, you are my "admirer"!?-he almost shouted.
-Of course, cute boy.-Lucía said, stepping closer to Ángel, with a sly smile across her face.-After all, I couldn't take my eyes off you yesterday during the welcome speech, remember?
Ángel didn't like that turn of events. Yes, Lucía was cute, but his heart and soul were still with Julieta, and as far as he knew, such involvements were not allowed in the military.
-Er... I think this is getting out of hand...-he said, heading for the door.-I'd better tell the commander about this...
But, before he could grab the door's handle, he felt her hand grabbing him by the wrist.
-No you don't.-Lucía said. She was not smiling anymore.-If you dare, I'll tell him that you tried to blackmail me.
-What!?-lashed Ángel.-Do you think he would fall for that ruse?
-Well, who do you think he'll believe?-Lucía retorted.-The young, suspicious rookie, or the adorable and respectable Lt Col Moreno?
Ángel was between Scylla and Charybdis. He was sure as proverbial Hell that he wouldn't cheat on Julieta, but it could mean the end of his pilot career, even before starting.
-OK, let's be reasonable then.-he said, now afraid of his instructor.-We can solve this as adults, I think.
Lucía smirked.
-That gives me a great idea.-she answered.-I challenge you in your first flight.
-What do you mean?-asked Ángel.
-It's simple.-replied Lucía.-The trainees' first exercise is a 1-vs-1 dogfight against their instructors. The bet is simple: if you lose, you'll have to date me in utmost secret. If we're caught, it will be your fault, of course.
-What if I refuse?-Ángel asked.-Because I am already taken, if you know what I mean.
-I guess I follow you.-Lucía said.-In that case, I can have you expelled out of this base, and the Air Force for good.
Ángel gulped.
-Those are both horrible conditions.-he said.
-I never said I'd go easy on you, even if I find you cute, boy.-Lucía said. She then headed for the door, turning around before going out of his room.-The dogfight will be tomorrow, and will last 5 minutes. You have that time, and not one second more, to defeat me. We'll meet in Hangar 1C at 12:00. And don't talk about this with anyone, and I mean ANYONE.
Lucía Moreno walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Ángel Román sat on his bed and grabbed his temples.
-"Terrific. Just terrific. I just got here and I'm already being blackmailed. This is a fucking joke!"-he thought. He wasn't looking forward for the next day, that was certain.
Santa Fe AFB, October 3rd 2012, 12:00 hours.
Ángel Román arrived to Hangar 1C. Lucía Moreno was already waiting for him, between a two-tone blue MiG-29C Fulcrum with a black mark on the upper side of the nose, running to the cockpit, and a three-tone brown MiG-21-93 Fishbed, with a green radome.
-OK, here I am.-he said.-Which plane will I take in this flight?
-That one.-Lucía answered, pointing with her thumb at the Fishbed.
Ángel felt as if the Lt Col was joking.
-Are you kidding me!?-he said.-The MiG-21!? And you'll take the MiG-29C, I guess. You want to make me feel like a sitting duck or what?
-As I said, I'm not going easy on you, boy.-she said.-We'll be cleared for takeoff at 12:20. Then, I'll guide you to the combat area. We're both restricted from flying below 10000 feet. If any of us flies below that altitude, it will count like a crash, and that guy loses immediately. Remember the bet, of course.
Ángel sighed as he climbed to the MiG-21-93's cockpit. Lucía climbed to her MiG-29C and both planes came out of the hangar. Meanwhile, a couple of planes landed on a nearby runway. It was a MiG-29C and a Mirage 2000-5.
-In case you wonder, we use MiG-29Cs, Mirage 2000-5, Su-25SM, and MiG-21-93s.-Lucía said.-Ocasionally, we are authorized to use MiG-31 and Su-33, but those planes are reserved for the Air Guard and the Navy, respectively. It's not like our neighbour countries, especially Aurelia, could invade our airspace without permission, but we need some good air defenses, just in case, you know.
-In other words, the aggressors pilot mostly multirole planes, right?-asked Ángel, as they taxied to a free runway.
-You know your stuff.-answered Lucía.-Any problem?
-Actually, it's better that way.-Ángel replied.-As aggressors, it's imperative that we domain every air combat technique.
-At least you have more than just bone between your ears.-said Lucía.
Both pilots taxied to a free runway, and waited for clearance.
At 12:20, they heard a message from the tower.
-Valkyrie, Nemesis, you are both clear for takeoff. Good luck and godspeed.-the voice was that of the base commander himself.
Both Ángel and Lucía kicked in their fighters' afterburners and took off. Then, Lucía guided Ángel toward the southwest, where the target range was.
Target Range, 10 miles southwest of Santa Fe AFB, October 3rd 2012, 12:30 hours.
Nemesis and Valkyrie had just arrived to the target range. While on their way, Valkyrie had explained Nemesis the procedures of their training: the fighters had to get a lock on to the rival at gun range, they were banned from flying below 10000 feet, and, as she had told him, the dogfight would last 5 minutes. The first one to get a lock on, would win.
-OK, Nemesis.-said Valkyrie.-Let's start the exercise!
-Roger that.-answered Nemesis, nervously.
The MiG-29C broke away. The MiG-21-93 flew straight for some time before turning around to face the Fulcrum. Both planes had a small chronometer which the pilots would use to calculate the dogfight time.
-OK, Nemesis,-reported Valkyrie.-Set your chronometer to 5 minutes.
After setting it, the pilots prepared for the engagement.
-Clocks running, NOW!-said Valkyrie, as she and Nemesis set the chronometers running.
The fighters came to each other head-on, but the speed was too high to allow them to get a lock on. Valkyrie got to Nemesis' tail and tried to get a good lock, but Nemesis turned left and right to avoid her. Despite the MiG-21-93's good maneuverability, it was a complete underdog to the MiG-29C in every aspect, especially stability. However, Nemesis would not allow his instructor to get a lock on to him, as it would mean breaking his loved one's heart.
Something he would not be able to live with.
Valkyrie, meanwhile, was not having such a good time. Even with the MiG-21-93, Nemesis seemed to be able to keep himself out of harm's way. Why she, being a hardened Lt Col, was having a difficult time with a green rookie was beyond her understanding and belief.
-Why is this guy so good?-she muttered.-I should have been able to get him by now.
The situation didn't change for about 3 and a half minutes. None of the pilots went below ten thousand feet, and Valkyrie was not able to get a lock on to the Fishbed.
-"Ugh, I can't keep on like this all the time! I have to get a lock on to this Fulcrum or else I'm screwed!"-Nemesis thought.
He decided to fool Valkyrie by making her believe he was giving up, flying level for a full second, that seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, Nemesis pulled up as hard as he could.
-WHAT THE HELL!?-Valkyrie shouted, breaking away to avoid any possible collision. She knew she was not in danger, but she didn't want to take any possible risk.
Nemesis, meanwhile, took a look at his chronometer, and his heart froze.
He only had a minute to defeat Valkyrie!
Valkyrie realized what Nemesis inteded soon enough.
-"I'm not going out yet."-she thought.-"But I have to admit this guy's very good."
Nemesis tried to get a lock on to the MiG-29C that was flying in front of him, but it kept swaying from side to side to avoid him.
He was so focused on his dogfight, that he almost jumped out of his seat when he heard his chronometer bleeping.
Time was over.
Nemesis felt his heart sinking. Valkyrie was sighing.
-The fight is over...-she said.-Let's return to base.
Both fighters turned around to head to Santa Fe AFB.
Santa Fe AFB, October 3rd 2012, 12:45 hours.
Ángel Román and Lucía Moreno landed after their dogfight, that had ended in a draw.
Ángel sighed with sadness as he climbed out of the Fishbed.
Lucía headed to him, with a smile on her face.
-Seems like I lost my bet.-Ángel said, with a sad face and crestfallen.
However, he felt Lucía's hand on his shoulder. He looked up and found out that her smile was very different to the one she had given him when they met.
-Ángel, forget about the bet.-she said.-You've performed even better than I thought.
-But, I couldn't shoot you down.-he answered.
-Yeah, but I couldn't, either.-she replied.-In a dogfight, the true rule of engagement is to survive. And, if my guess is correct, there is one reason that made you fly so well.
Ángel chuckled a bit when his superior said that.
-Actually, yes, there is one reason.-he said, as he picked up his necklace and showed the photo inside of it to Lucía.
She was amazed by the photo. The couple in it seemed to irradiate true love.
-That girl in the photo is your girlfriend?-Lucía asked.
-Yeah, she is.-Ángel said, smiling broadly.-Her name is Julieta.
-And I bet that you did your very best because of her, right?-Lucía guessed.
-You bet.-he answered.-I wouldn't forgive myself if something bad happened to her, especially if it was my fault.
Lucía was dazed by that. She almost stole someone's boyfriend because of a rather selfish crush. However, she was very proud of her trainee, too.
-Well, I think that, at least, we could be friends.-she said.
-Of course.-answered Ángel.-Here on the ground, we're all comrades.
They both headed for the HQ. While Lucía headed to her office to write the dogfight on her pupil's record, Ángel took a shower and went to his room. Once he got there, he took Lucía's letter and tore it to tiny pieces, throwing them to the bin afterwards.
Santa Fe AFB, November 23rd 2012, 16:00 hours.
Ángel Román had kept on with his tests during the next days, and he performed even better than before. Especially since Lucía Moreno had pulled some strings for him. He managed to pilot a MiG-29C Fulcrum similar to that of Lucía, but with a one-tone grey camouflage instead of the two-tone blue camouflage of Lucía's. Ángel was a very good pilot when it came to dogfighting, and in the ground attack roles, he seemed to be good, too. He was so good that, in the next exercise against Lucía, he beat her in four minutes.
However, he missed Julieta badly, and until Christmas, he wouldn't have the chance to get a leave permission.
What he would never guess was that Julieta would come to the base, on the very day of her birthday, nonetheless.
Julieta had managed to be allowed to visit the base, even though civilians were not usually allowed in the base unless they knew someone in the base. But when she mentioned Ángel's name, all doubts were clear.
At the base check-in station, she was given a map where it showed the areas where she was allowed to go.
-OK, ma'am,-said the security officer.-You are allowed to visit the HQ in these respective areas.-the officer pointed the cafeteria, the waiting room, a small library, the gym and the toilets.-You are also allowed to visit Ángel's room in case he gives you permission. I have to warn you that you are not allowed to go to the hangars, the offices, the tower and, unless you are specifically called for, the base commander's office. It comes without saying that the runways are off your limits. The visit period lasts until 21:00; that is, 9:00 PM. Have a good afternoon, ma'am Álvarez.
-Thanks, sir.-Julieta answered.
She was eager to see him. They had so many things to talk about, she couldn't even think of which one she could start with. She bumped into a pilot while she looked for Ángel.
-Excuse me, sir.-said Julieta.-Could you please tell me where I can find Ángel Román?
-Of course, lady.-he said.-Román is at the cafe, with Moreno.
-Thanks.-she answered. Julieta then headed for the cafeteria, but what she saw left her speechless.
Ángel was eating lunch with a green eyed, blonde lady, who seemed only a handful of years older than him.
Julieta could hear the two of them talking from the doorstep.
-And then I came from the front of those two rookies; one of them said "Where did he go?", and the other answered "Where did who go!?".-said Ángel, chuckling.-That cracked me up like nobody's business.
The blonde girl laughed at her heart's content.
-Why am I not surprised?-she said.-You're the best pilot I ever trained.
-Thank you.-Ángel answered.-I do what I can.
Julieta ran out of the cafe trying to make the least noise. She felt like her heart was about to shatter in her chest. Ángel was with another woman! She decided that she would tell her opinion about the affair privately. She picked up her mobile phone and sent a message to Ángel:
Ángel, I'm in the base. Which one is your room?
Seconds later, she received a message from him:
Julieta! What a lovely surprise! My room is Room 013. I'll go there within some minutes. Wait for me there. See you, sweetheart :*
In a different scenario, Julieta would have been very happy to read that message. However, she felt as if she had been used by Ángel. She decided to wait for him in his room nonetheless. She sat down on his bed and waited for him.
A couple of minutes later, Ángel entered his room.
-Hello, Julieta.-he said.-It's been a very long time, hasn't it?
However, Julieta only stood up and closed the door behind them. Ángel began to worry.
-Julieta, what's wrong?-he asked.
-I saw you in the cafe.-she said, staring at the ground.-With that blonde.
Ángel's eyes went wide open.
-You saw me with Lucía?-he said.-Well, I think I can introduce you to...
*SLAP*
Julieta slapped Ángel with every ounce of strength she could muster. Ángel fell to the ground, rubbing his face, which stung as if he had acid sprayed on his cheek.
-Ow... WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?-he shouted.
Julieta stared him in the face for the first time since months, but her expression was one of pain and rage.
-You even have the nerve to ask that!?-she lashed at him.-You cheat on me and don't even have the guts to tell the truth!?
If Ángel was not surprised when Julieta slapped him, now he was having the surprise of the century.
-But, Julieta,-he said, his heart pounding on his chest.-she's not my lover or anything, she's just my...
-Stop lying, if you have some dignity!-she interrupted him, covering her ears.-I was so blind... You're no better than Esteban! All that sweet-talking, all that pampering... Everything was just an inane lie!
Ángel stared back in fear and sadness. Julieta looked at him the same way she looked at Esteban.
She then turned around and stared at Ángel one last time before going out. Despite her anger, tears were brewing in her eyes.
-You can rot in Hell for all I care, you bastard.-she groaned.-I HATE YOU!
After that, Julieta opened the door, ran out of his room, and slammed the door behind her. Ángel could heard her rushed steps from the corridor.
The burning pain he felt on his cheek was the mildest pain he felt.
Santa Fe AFB, November 23rd 2012, 18:00 hours.
Lucía Moreno looked for Ángel. Even though they didn't have any more flights scheduled for that day, she was worried, because she hadn't seen him since lunch.
Suddenly, she bumped into César Domínguez.
-Oh, Lt Col Moreno, I was looking for you.-he said, saluting.
-Commander.-she replied, returning the salute.-Have you seen Student Román?
-No, I can't say I saw him.-he answered.-But Student Ramírez told me that he didn't want to get out of his room. And he sounded like he was crying.
-Crying?-she asked.-Why?
-Beats me.-César said.-But he's been there since after lunch.
Suddenly, Lucía remembered something.
-Sir,-she said.-I remembered just now that he received a message from his girlfriend. Maybe something wrong happened in his room.
-Whatever it was, please find out what happened to him.-the commander said.-Ángel is a good pilot, but if he locks himself in his room, he's wasting space and time.
-Don't worry sir.-the Lieutenant Colonel answered.-I'll talk to either him or his girlfriend to solve the issue.
-OK.-replied the commander.-Have a good day, Moreno.
-Same for you, Colonel Domínguez.-she answered.
After some minutes, she found a security officer.
-Excuse me.-Lucía said.-How many civilians have entered today in the base?
-Just one, ma'am.-answered the officer.-Her name is Julieta Álvarez. She stated that she knows Student Ángel Román, is that correct?
Lucía had a flash. Ángel's girlfriend was Julieta, after all.
-Of course.-she answered.-Do me a favor. Tell the security officers in the evening turn that, if she tries to get out of the base, they have to take her to me unless I tell you otherwise before. She's not commited a crime, it's just that I need to talk to her. Do not use brute force if you have to take her to my office, OK?
-Roger, ma'am.-he answered.-I'll warn the officers.
Lucía looked for Julieta, but, even if the areas where civilians were allowed to visit were limited, she didn't find her anywhere. Lucía headed for the toilets to wash her face.
Suddenly, she heard a woman sobbing.
Lucía knocked on the door of one of the restrooms.
-Who's there?-she asked.
-Leave me alone!-sobbed a voice behind the door.
-Are you Julieta Álvarez?-Lucía asked again.
-Who's there?-Julieta said.
-It's Lt Col Moreno.-the pilot answered.
Julieta opened the door slowly, her eyes red because of her tears. Her expression changed from sadness to wrath.
-You...!-she muttered, and tried to punch Lucía on her face, but the pilot put her in an armlock and pinned against the wall.
-Calm down, Julieta.-she said.
-Don't tell me to calm down, you bitch!-Julieta retorted angry, trying to pull herself free from the armlock, but she couldn't.
-Calm down and listen to me.-Lucía repeated.-What have you done to Ángel?
-Nothing he didn't deserve.-Julieta answered.-That bastard cheated on me with you. He can consider himself lucky that I didn't give him a worse beating.
-He cheated on you!? With me!?-Lucía said, in disbelief.-That sounds very unlike him.
-Who are you trying to fool, blondie?-Julieta hissed.-Do you think I'm gonna buy that story?
-I'm being sincere.-Lucía said.-He didn't approach me at all. I'm his instructor.
-What do you mean?-Julieta asked.-Speak now!
Lucía gulped. She looked around to make sure that no one listened to her. If someone did, she could get expelled from the Air Force.
-I,...I,...-she stammered. She then sucked up her pride and told Julieta the truth.-I blackmailed him.
-What!?-Julieta shouted.-You did what!?
-Please, don't shout!-Lucía begged.-It all started when I first saw him. He was so handsome, so cute. I was instantly smitten to him. I tried to make him date me, sending him a letter, but I think he got scared and didn't come. The next day, when I saw that he would be under my charge, I became very excited. However, when I tried to approach him, he rejected me. It broke my heart and I decided to blackmail him so that he would date me, stating that if I defeated him in a dogfight he would have to oblige.
-I guess he lost.-Julieta muttered, now more sad than angry.
-Well, he didn't shoot me down, but he managed to survive, so to say it.-Lucía answered.-He seemed to fly even better under the threat of losing you. He always has a wide smile whenever he talks about you. I'm sure that he would go head-over-heels to make sure that you're happy. If he's not in love with you, he's not the Ángel we both know.
-Really?-Julieta said.-So, you're just his instructor?
-And his friend.-Lucía answered.-If I can't be his girlfriend, at least I want him to be happy with anyone he wants to be with. And now, he's in his room, and he's the walking definition of utter sadness.
-Oh my god!-Julieta gasped.-Then I've done something terrible to him!
-You're still in time.-Lucía answered.-Ángel seems like a kind-hearted man. He's very likely to listen to you. Just apologize to him and he'll forgive you.
Julieta ran out of the bathroom and headed to Ángel's room.
When she arrived, she was breathless. Julieta opened the door very slowly, her heart racing.
What if he didn't forgive her? What if he was mad at her, or scared of her? What if...?
She gulped and peeked on the room. Ángel was crying, his face sunk in the pillow of his bed.
That sight was enough to break her heart. She had been so rude to him that the possibility of him forgiving her was very slim.
She inched her way toward him slowly, and closed the door after her without making a single noise.
Ángel heard Julieta when she was two feet away from him.
-Julieta?-he sobbed. His eyes were redder than hers.
Julieta lunged towards him. Ángel closed his eyes, expecting a hard beating.
However, he felt Julieta hugging him.
-Oh, Ángel, I'm so sorry...-she sobbed, hugging him as if she feared losing him.
Ángel couldn't help but melt by her. He could never bear to see her crying.
-Julieta, don't worry.-he said. He made as if she never slapped him. He grabbed her chin tenderly and brought her head upwards to look into her eyes.-I would never cheat on you.
-But, still,-she continued, tears flowing from her brown eyes.-I misjudged you. I thought that the pilot you were with was your lover. After all I said to you, I can understand if you hate me.
-Julieta, I could never get mad at you, let alone hate you.-he answered. After that, he kissed her passionately, and Julieta returned the kiss eagerly. They pulled apart afterwards.-Happy birthday, by the way.
-Thank you for not forgetting about my birthday.-Julieta answered, smiling.
-I would never forget about that date.-Ángel replied, caressing her cheek.-I couldn't get a proper gift for you. I'm sorry about that.
-Ángel,-she said.-being with you is a good gift for me.
After that, they expent the rest of the day together. Some of the pilots who saw them were taken a bit aback by Julieta's beauty, but neither she nor her boyfriend cared about that. Some time before she was scheduled to leave, Lucía Moreno approached the couple.
-Hello, lovebirds.-she said.-It seems like you two are together again.
-Thank you, Lucía.-said Ángel, hugging Julieta close to him.-Thanks to you, everything's OK now.
-No problem, Nemesis.-Lucía answered.
-Nemesis!?-asked Julieta.
-It's his callsign.-replied Lucía.-My callsign is Valkyrie.
-I see.-Julieta answered.-I apologize for misjudging you.
-Don't worry about the past.-the pilot answered.-I hope we can be friends.
-As long as you don't steal Ángel from me, we're at peace.-Julieta joked.
The three people laughed at their hearts' content.
Ninth flashback. Saying that this was long is the understatement of a lifetime. Ángel's hometown's name is a reference to Hoffnung, the Belkan city that was bombed during the events of ACZ. I will add some dramatic events in the story to spice it up. Of course, they are non-canonical events. Good luck and take care. See you next time
EDIT(13/11/14): Fixed some hours