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Legendary Aces 2: Hero of Emmeria

Chapter 25: Chandelier Part 1

-For Freedom-

-Talisman-

Gracemeria Air Force Base
0215hrs 1 April 2016 (Gracemeria Time)

"So this is why they pulled us off our patrol?" Marcus asked as we headed toward the briefing room.

"Yeah," I said. "It looks like we're headed out on the mission shortly. Grendel Squadron has already left, too. Apparently they were sent up there ahead of time to do something. I don't know yet."

"Who is doing the patrol now then?"

"Galm and Mobius are covering for us since they and Scarface are protecting the city. Also, Ghost Eye is already on his way to Sonne Island, which is the source of the cruise missiles. It's about thirteen hundred and twenty five miles north-northeast of here."

"That's pretty far."

"To top it off, they want us to start the mission by 0330. If we leave here by even 0230, we'll have to fly at nearly Mach 2 the whole way there to arrive on time."

"That's not gonna be easy on our fuel."

"My mother came up with the plan, so I imagine there will be a refueling tanker on the way at some point."

We came up on the briefing room and went inside. Everyone else was already gathered.

-Briefing-

"I'll be relaying orders to you.

"We have received preliminary results from the tests regarding the recent missile attacks. We've spotted a potential launch area for that second cruise missile attack on Gracemeria. It most likely came from a facility in the northern sea of Estovakia - somewhere in the vicinity of Sonne Island.

"About fifteen years ago... The Ulysses collision brought about a state of misery and fear unprecedented in modern history. Nations worldwide took their own measures on how to deal with the impending crisis posed by meteors if they were to hit the earth.

"The Estovakians had developed a giant railgun for the purpose of intercepting those meteors, but for some reason they stopped short of bringing it to fruition, and soon after, meteors had fallen on many nations - Estovakia among them.

"There is not much intelligence available concerning this giant railgun, and nothing of it has been made public since the prototype.

"Some from the Emmerian Ministry of Science and Technology were concerned about the potential dangers of the meteor interception system used as a weapon of war.

"As crisis loomed, the nations banded together and decided to prohibit any further development of the meteor interception system. Although the technology was being developed for peaceful purposes, the potential for evil was far too great of a risk to take.

"Emmeria cannot be at peace until the threat of cruise missiles has been completely eliminated.

"You've been assigned to investigate an area just north of Sonne Island. Destroy any cruise missiles found and their facilities. If you happen to encounter any threatening objects, move into attack formation immediately. Blow the hell out of all targets.

"It's time to put an end to this tragic period in our history, which has emerged as a result of the Ulysses incident."

"I have something to add," Liliana began. "I actually know a bit more about the giant railgun. It is codenamed "Chandelier". Even Paragon intelligence is limited on the Chandelier, but I'll fill in what blanks I can. In respect to its original purpose as a meteor interception system, the two enigmatic superpowers known as Paragon and Void assisted numerous countries with building these systems. Such systems included the railgun network Stonehenge and the ICBM facility Megalith, both destroyed by Legendary Ace Mobius 1.

"Chandelier was built by Estovakia with help exclusively from Void, thus Paragon does not know the inner workings of the facility. However, we do know the outer workings. There is a powerful anti-air defense system in place around Chandelier, known as the Antlion. It's a giant bug-like superweapon. Its weapon is a tactical laser system that can lock on to an aircraft from up to one hundred miles away and destroy it.

"For this reason, the Grendel Squadron was chosen to carry out this mission due to the entire squadron flying the X-05 Aesir, which is very similar to the XF-04 Pegasus. Both possess force field generation equipment that can render small caliber gunfire useless and disable any electronics that may enter, as was demonstrated by Talisman recently when she allowed a missile to enter the force field of her XF-04 and it shortly fall harmlessly from the sky. Due to the electromagnetic properties of the force field, it is capable of blocking laser weapons. Grendel will use this to their advantage so that they can destroy the Antlion and allow our forces to engage the Chandelier. Knowing this, what is your strategy, Talisman?"

"Will Grendel be able to participate in the Chandelier mission after they are finished with the Antlion," I asked.

"Doubtful. The Hydride battery in the XF-04 and X-05 will drain much faster if the force field is used to block lasers. They likely will need to rearm as well to participate, which will take too long. They will probably return to Gracemeria and play defense."

"Okay. So that leaves Garuda, Windhover, Avalanche, Sky Kid, and Razgriz squadrons to take on the Chandelier. In that case, I want Windhover, Avalanche, and Sky Kid to be sporting full anti-ground armaments. I also want them flying X-03s. We have enough of them onboard the Halcyon, right?"

"Yes."

"Good. With them having been flying F-16s, F-18s, and Typhoons modified with X-03 tech, they will have no problem with the switch." I glanced over to their respective flight leads. "Right?"

Each nodded.

"Good. Razgriz will be sporting a pure anti-air armament, and Garuda will be carrying Seeker missiles. The anti-ground armaments carried by Windhover, Avalanche, and Sky Kid will be the PPB-17 Buster. Razgriz will be carrying PAAM-51 Javelins.

"That is all. Windhover, Avalanche, Sky Kid, you will be transported to the Halcyon immediately."

"Once you are in the air," Liliana continued, "Everyone will immediately head for a rendezvous point roughly halfway between here and the target for refueling. You can and should push your planes to Mach 4 on the way there. The X-03 limiters have been modified to allow Mach 4 in normal flight. After everyone is refueled, we will continue to the Chandelier together and begin the mission."

"Good," I said. "Is that everything?"

"Yes. Dismissed!"

-York-

Gracemeria Air Force Base
0230hrs

"Wait, are you sure?" I asked as Zen was trying to give me the proverbial keys to his XF-04. "What about you?"

"I'll fly an X-03 in the meantime," he answered. "No worries. You're a Code Zero Leader, and a better pilot than myself, not to mention more experienced. Hell, you were a wingman to my mother in the Belkan War. Go ahead man. Take her for a... spin."

I sighed. "Okay fine, I know how this would go otherwise... not sure about the whole 'better pilot' bit but... eh, never mind. You don't need to listen to me rambling on about that."

"York, let's get going," Chizuru said. "It's our turn to patrol."

"Right."

"About that," Zen said. "I'll join you since the Emmerian squadrons are going out on sortie."

"Sounds good."

After we got airborne, Galm and Mobius landed to rest for a bit. I watched as everyone going on the mission took off. Yami and her team were long gone by the time the others were launched from the Halcyon. They turned in the same direction and took off as fast as they could fly.

"Heartbreak One to Phoenix," Jack Bartlett said. "I'm stayin' behind to help defend the city. I'll be patrolling with you."

"Roger that, Heartbreak One."

-Talisman-

Northeast Emmeria
0250hrs

Marcus, Liliana, Shadow, and I arrived at the refueling tanker at 0250. There was actually two of them ready, probably to get us refueled quicker. It didn't take us long to refuel, only a couple minutes.

"The other squadrons should be here in a few minutes," I said. "They should be only five minutes behind us."

"Roger that, Garuda," the tanker pilot responded.

"Ghost Eye to Garuda Team. Windhover, Avalanche, and Sky Kid are closing in on your position. Standby until they are refueled."

"Roger," I said. "Hey, Ghost Eye?"

"Yes, Talisman?"

"You're a good AWACS. Thanks for being our eye in the sky all this time."

"Not at all, Talisman. I think any AWACS could have done my job just as well. It's you and Garuda Team that made this so much easier. Thank 'you', Chief Commandant."

"Ha, I'd forgot about that rank."

"I want you to know that I'm putting in recommendations for your promotions after this is done. That's the least you've earned."

I smiled at the thought. The promotion didn't really matter to me, but the sentiment was nice. "Thanks, Ghost Eye."

Everyone else had arrived and were refueled by 0300. As soon as they were ready, we took off toward the Chandelier.

-Doran-

Near Sonne Island
0320hrs

"Whew, that was fun," Michelle said.

"Michelle, you are crazy," Danielle replied.

"The craziest of crazy."

"Mission accomplished," Michael cut in. "Let's head back."

I passed around the remains of the enormous metal bug to make sure I didn't miss anything.

"Did we miss anything?" Elizabeth asked.

"Nope. We're done here," I said. "Good job, guys. Return to base."

"I want food when we get back," Michelle said.

"You always want food."

"It's not my fault I'm always hungry."

"You're gonna get fat one of these days."

"Oh please. I'm too badass to get fat."

"You say that now."

"Uh huh, keep it up, Buster. I'll let you know how I really feel when we land."

"Is that a challenge, Little Mimi?"

"Hey! Just because you're two minutes older than me, doesn't mean you can call me "little"."

"But I 'am' older."

"You're just lucky Aunt D went into labor before Mom did."

"Luck had nothing to do with it."

"Did so."

"Nope."

"Now, now, children," Danielle interrupted. "No need for such unpleasantries."

"Yes, I don't like when you two argue," Elizabeth added. "It's not nice."

"Neither are you when we make sex jokes," Michelle countered.

"Because sex jokes are immoral!"

"Michelle, you're gonna get belted if you go down that road," Danielle added.

"Meh, if I do something to make it worth it, I'll take it."

"You really are mean, Mimi," Elizabeth pouted.

"Not my fault. Blame my faggot brother."

"Leave me out of it," Michael said, not even bothering with the "faggot" remark.

"Come on," I said. "You guys can beat each other up when we land. Let's get going."

"I already went," Michelle said.

I checked her location, and sure enough she was already several miles away.

"Well then." I pushed up my thrust and bolted off toward her with Danielle, Elizabeth, and Michael following close behind.

Five minutes after we left, we passed by Yami's group. They were on their way to destroy the Chandelier.

"Yo, Yami," I greeted as we passed each other. "Good luck!"

"Oh, hey. How did your mission go?"

"The Antlion is destroyed. Your group will have no troubles with lasers shot from over the horizon."

"Look at you going all "savior" on us," Kye teased.

"Over the horizon?" I asked. "Where was the thing at?"

"Roughly a sixty miles west of Sonne Island."

"I see. Yeah, something shooting down my people from that far away isn't a nice thought. Kye and I are the only ones flying with a force field."

"Yeah. You're safe from that now. Good luck with the mission."

"Thanks."

"Good luck, folks!" Michelle cheered.

"Come back safe," Elizabeth added.

"You know it," Kye said. "With my little sister, the Hero of Emmeria, flying with us there's nothing to worry about."

"Indeed," Doran said.

I let out a small smile at the thought. "Don't worry. We'll destroy the Chandelier and return to Gracemeria soon!"

"We'll see you there."

-Talisman-
-Mission Start-

Sonne Island 67'10'07"N 102'18'21"E
0328hrs 1 April 2016 (Gracemeria Time)

"We're coming up on Sonne Island," I said. We were flying under the clouds. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like I was looking at the landscape in greyscale.

"What a view," Windhover said.

"It's like a mirror," Avalanche said as he and Windhover flew out ahead, crisscrossing in front of me. "Like it's giving us a good look into the Estovakian soul."

'I wonder what Kye thought when they came up this way to destroy the Hrimfaxi,' I thought as I climbed up to roughly ten thousand feet. "Hey, Lily. Look at those clouds. Avalanche, Windhover, come take a look at this view."

Everyone soon joined me above the clouds. I could hear their gasps over the radio.

"The sun will be coming up soon," Marcus said. "You can see its light in the distance."

"It's beautiful."

Suddenly, a strange noise came over the radio, followed soon by a familiar voice.

"Can you hear me?"

'Melissa?'

"I'd like to say hello! Hello to all Emmerian Air Force pilots in the northern sky!"

"What the..." Lanner said. "Whose voice is that?"

"I'm just a civilian. My name's Melissa Herman."

'But why is she talking to us over the radio?'

"I think it's coming from Gracemeria's radio station," Ghost Eye said. "Hey, we're in a war zone here!"

"I don't know a whole lot about war. But... But there's something I need to tell you!"

"This air band is reserved for wartime defense purposes."

"Please, pilots! Listen to my mom! She has something important to say!"

'Matilda, too?'

"...We might as well hear what she has to say," Marcus said.

"Please trust me on this," Melissa continued. "The Estovakian military... has that battery. And it can't be destroyed."

"She might be trying to disrupt our plans," Ghost Eye said. "I better contact Gracemeria Base."

"Wait!" Marcus interrupted. "Let's hear her out first.

"Stand down, Ghost Eye," I said adamantly. "I know this civilian personally. She's my neighbor. If she is going through this much trouble to get a message to us, it's important. Let her speak."

"But that's when its construction was completed," Melissa continued.

"Recovered to optimum cooling," a new voice reported. "We can resume with launching."

"Who was that?" I asked. "Launching?"

"Roger. Resume attacks immediately."

"That's got to be the Chandelier coming over the radio."

-Toscha-

"All Strigon Team members assemble for takeoff," the new Strigon Leader ordered. "For the glory of our country."

I didn't believe in what we were doing, but orders were orders. I couldn't exactly go against them, could I?

'Miss Yami, I you are coming... please stop the Chandelier!'

The Strigon Team took off, ready to confront the coming Emmerian force. As we took to the air and climbed, the Chandelier fired. It fired with a monstrous bang.

-Talisman-

"That was too close," an enemy pilot said. "Keep them away from the Chandelier at all costs!"

"Radar warning. Enemy forces incoming," Ghost Eye reported. "Some of them are what remains of the Strigon Team."

"Ghost Eye, make sure Gracemeria is ready to defend from a missile attack," I ordered.

"I've already warned them."

"Good."

"Can you hear me?" I heard Melissa ask again.

"Yes, Melissa, we can hear you," I said.

"Yami!"

"Please continue."

"The battery's weak points are its cooling units. If you can destroy those, it'll heat up and collapse on its own."

"Not only that, even if they get those heat thingies, there's also a backup," Matilda added. "They have to get that, too!"

"Do you two have any proof of this?" Marcus asked.

"We're trying to get you the data," Melissa answered. "The radio station's crew is sending it now."

"The Halcyon has intercepted the data and already forwarded it to Ghost Eye," Kye said. "You should be getting it shortly."

"Data received. Hold on here..." Ghost Eye stopped short. "Ma'am, how did you get a hold of this?"

"I got it from a flight instructor in the Estovakian Air Force. His name is Lieutenant Colonel Voychek."

"Voychek did?" I asked.

"He was trapped in the catacombs with us for a few days. I noticed that he got all glum when he looked at the computer in his briefcase. This is probably why."

"Garuda 2 to Ghost Eye. Send me a copy of that."

"Roger. All planes, I'm sending you data concerning the enemy's weapon capabilities."

-Shamrock-

"Got it! Whoa."

I couldn't believe my eyes. A large amount of target markers suddenly started appearing on the giant railgun.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Yami said.

"Let's go, Garuda 1! It's time to finish this!"

"Please be careful everyone!" the little girl said.

(A/N) Grendel's mission to destroy the Antlion is the final mission of Ace Combat: Northern Wings. Some believe Northern Wings to be non-canon with the story of Strangereal, some believe it is canon. Regardless of which is actually true, Northern Wings has been adapted into the story of Legendary Aces.

Edit 26-June-2016: Trimmed Author's Notes, story marked complete.

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