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Legendary Aces 2: Hero of Emmeria
Chapter 26: Chandelier Part 2
-To All Things-
-Talisman-
Sonne Island
0335hrs 1 April 2016 (Gracemeria Time)
"All planes, let's move out!" Ghost Eye ordered.
"Garuda 1, roger."
"Garuda 2, roger!"
"Windhover here. Roger that."
"Avalanche here, roger that."
"Sky Kid here. Roger that."
"Blaze, roger."
Having my sister and her squadron here is really going to help, I said to myself as I saw how many planes were coming toward us. Not as many as the first missile attack earlier, but these are Strigons. I've shot down quite a few of them, so they are probably replacements. Well, it doesn't matter. Kye will handle them.
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
"Cruise missile!" Ghost Eye called out. "They've just initiates the launch sequence!"
"Those huge missiles are being carried through a gutter into the gun barrel!" Windhover said.
"So this is what they used to try and blast that meteor..." Sky Kid added.
"Keep the power balance at an equal level. Maintain speed at thirty knots," said the Chandelier staff.
"I see the missile, thanks for pointing that out Windhover," I said. "I think I can hit it... But I'll have to use a Seeker missile. Everyone be aware, I'm gonna fire one in burst mode."
"This is Strigon 2, everyone focus your attacks on Garuda Team."
"This is Blaze. Razgriz, show no mercy. Target all Strigon aircraft."
"This is Seraph. Shadow and I will assist."
With Kye's squadron, Lily, and Shadow combining their assault, Strigon Squadron is done for.
Leaving it to them, I turned my attention toward the oversized railgun. I was tracking the missile on radar. It had got about halfway down the track, so I had to act fast. I quickly switched to my Seeker missiles and set the first one to burst mode. I picked three additional targets, those being where some of the cooling units were located, and fired. I fired the second Seeker missile in split mode aimed at the backside of the Chandelier to hit as many of the anti-air armaments littered around it as possible.
The first seeker missile split into four and chased down their targets. The one targeting the missile barely made it before the missile was carried into the structure. The others hit the cooling units, but didn't destroy the targets. I didn't watch the second Seeker missile.
"There are defensive barriers covering the targets," Ghost Eye reported. "They're not gonna budge under a few attacks."
"Yeah, roger that," I said. "Even the Seeker missile's burst rounds could barely take down that shielding. Lily, how long until Longinus can be fired?"
"Too long," she said. "It was hovering over Isle Pandora when we gave the order for it to be moved. It'll take hours to get in position.
"We don't have hours. We don't have the supplies to fend off too many more missile attacks. It's not gonna be easy, but we have to destroy this thing ourselves."
"I agree."
"What's Longinus?" Marcus asked.
"The Spear of Destiny," Lily said. "It's a superweapon modeled after Excalibur and the Arkbird. It's a massive orbital laser weapon that could level this oversized railgun in one shot. Its true purpose is much like Stonehenge, Megalith, and Chandelier. It's there to protect us from future asteroid problems."
"That's what this thing was designed for, too, but look what they're using it for now!"
"It's a recurring problem with superweapons. Stonehenge and Megalith were even worse. Longinus was designed to protect us from asteroids and such, but we also designed it, albeit on a much more restricted level, to be capable of firing at the planet, such as to take out superweapons that have become a problem."
"What's to stop Longinus from becoming a problem?"
"The Longinus cannot fire at the planet without approval of the President of Paragon, and the only way that can happen is through biometrics located in a classified location. Longinus will not accept any commands without a specific biometric signature from a specific location. It also requires a charge time of several minutes, during which the fire sequence can be aborted by the President, myself, or two other select individuals. And, it will not fire on any location with a civilian population. Trust me, Shamrock, the Longinus has so many failsafes that it's impossible to use for an unjust purpose.
"I don't trust superweapons."
"Fair enough."
"Lily," I said, "even after we destroy the Chandelier, I still think we should fire Longinus and level this complex."
"We will."
I checked my radar. Many of the Strigons and other Estovakian planes had been shot down, but a swarm of bogeys were suddenly appearing on radar from the east.
"Ghost Eye, what is that?" I asked.
"Their radar signatures are small," he answered. "They are unmanned."
Not good. There are over one hundred of those UAVs. We're not gonna be able to take out the missiles ahead of time with those things swarming us.
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
Speak of the devil...
"Cruise missile!" Ghost Eye reported. "They've just initiated the launch sequence!"
I switched my radio to the band everyone was using in Gracemeria. "Garuda 1 to Gracemeria Defense."
"This is Galm 1."
"The missiles launched from the railgun are delivered through a spot where we can shoot them, but we now have a massive force of UAVs headed our way. I don't think we'll be able to get all the missiles."
"Don't worry about the missiles," Mom said. "Let them go. We'll take care of them. Grendel Squadron is almost back, too. They'll help out."
"Roger. Thanks." I switched back to the Chandelier assault radio band. "Everyone listen up. I just talked to Galm 1. She says to let the missiles go for now. The defense team will handle the missiles after they are launched."
"We can't take that risk," Marcus said.
"We don't have a choice. We can't take out the missiles and dodge these UAVs."
"I don't like it."
"I don't either."
"Talisman," Kye said. "Check your radar again. There's several more signatures coming from the east."
"I see them. A wave of four, then another wave of five. What are they? Ghost Eye?"
"I'm checking."
-Alaira-
"Flare, it looks like the Martol Squadron is going to defend the Chandelier."
"Yeah," I said. "Doesn't matter. We have our orders. We have to stop this battle by any means necessary. We were ordered to assist the Emmerian assault if the Estovakians refuse to stand down."
"Roger."
It's been a long time since we've seen our old friends.
I looked down at the Void insignia on my flight suit.
I just hope they let us help them.
-Talisman-
"The Stauros is fully loaded and ready to launch."
"Stauros launch in five, four, three, two, one, launch!"
"Launch of enemy cruise missile confirmed!" Ghost Eye reported. "It's headed straight for Gracemeria!"
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
"Cruise missile!" Ghost Eye said. "They've just initiated the launch sequence!"
"I don't like ignoring them," I said.
"You won't have to worry about them for long," came an Estovakian voice. "You'll be dead soon."
"I've identified the first wave of bogeys," Ghost Eye said. "It's the Martol Squadron, a joint Estovakian and Void squadron piloting PAK-FAs."
"I am Victor Vladmirof, Martol Leader. Martol Squadron, target the Garuda Team."
"Vladmirof, stand down," came a familiar voice. "I am Lieutenant Colonel Alaira Marshall, leader of Solus Squadron. This is a direct order from Void President James Marshall and Supreme Commander Alexandra Romanov. All Void forces taking part in this battle are to stand down. All Estovakian forces are advised to stand down as well, under warning that Void will cut all ties to Estovakia and declare war. Chandelier staff, you have been warned. Stand down now. If you do not, Solus Squadron has been instructed to assist the Emmerian and Paragon forces."
"Do not believe these lies," Vladmirof countered. "For Estovakia!"
"Martol Leader, you are outnumbered and outmatched," Kye said. "Not even including the Emmerian Squadrons here, you will be going against the Razgriz, Garuda, and Solus Squadrons. You would be wise to head Solus Leader's warning."
"What makes you think I will lose?" Vladmirof asked with an overly confident tone.
"Because you are threatening my country, my home," I said angrily. "If you engage us, I will personally and singlehandedly take down you and your squadron."
"Whoa, Yami, that's harsh," Kye said. "I'm surprised."
"I am not intimidated by Garuda 1, and I am not intimidated by Razgriz 1," Vladmirof shot back. "Garuda 1 is subpar, and Razgriz 1 has been on the ground for months."
"Stand down, Martol Leader," Alaira ordered. "You will not survived an engagement with them."
"I disagree, Solus Leader. You should be the one standing down. A new era of Void has begun."
"Explain yourself."
"You'll find out soon enough."
Despite the warnings from Alaira, the logic from Kye, and the threat from myself, Vladmirof engaged my squadron. I pulled a simple high G roll, which he attempted to follow, but I was faster. I was behind him before he could get halfway through his roll and gunned him down. I turned toward the rest of his squadron, but they were already shot down by Alaira.
"Thanks, Flare," I said. "I'm glad you're on our side."
"Me, too," Alaira replied.
"I don't know why you were ordered to assist us, but I'll take all the help I can get. Are you carrying any anti-ground munitions?"
"Negative. We're outfitted for full anti-air combat."
"What about the UAVs?"
"They are not under our control, unfortunately. We'll have to shoot them down."
"Please do."
"Razgriz will assist," Kye added. "Talisman, you and the Emmerians should focus on the Chandelier."
"The third cooling unit's been destroyed!" Sky Kid reported. "Moving on."
"Good timing," I said. "Razgriz, Solus, I'll lead our anti-air focus to you."
"Roger," Kye and Alaira said together.
"The Stauros is fully loaded and ready to launch."
Damn it! I hate ignoring that, but there's too many UAVs!
"Stauros launch in five, four, three, two, one, launch!"
Once more, the Chandelier fired at Gracemeria, and I was helpless to watch. I trusted my mother and aunt to take care of it, but I still felt uneasy.
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
"Cruise missile!" Ghost Eye announced. "They've just initiated the launch sequence!"
"How many more cooling units are there...?" I mumbled to myself as I checked my radar. "Nine? Fuck."
"Fifth one down! Cooling unit number five is destroyed!"
"Look!" Saker said. "The glacier's starting to collapse!"
"Seven then," I corrected myself. "Still fuck." The good news was that Marcus, Lily, and Shadow already fired their Seeker missiles and cleared out the rest of the anti-air defenses surrounding the cooling units. Shadow even used one of her Seeker missiles in burst mode to destroy the shielding on the cooling units toward the back. We don't have to worry about ground threats while destroying them, and the back four will be easier to take down. "Avalanche, Windhover, Sky Kid, how are you on bombs?"
"Avalanche here, I'm used up, but my wingmen still have their bombs."
"Windhover here, same deal."
"Sky Kid here, I'm used up and Blue Max has dropped one of his four. Red Baron is still full."
"Roger. The four cooling units in the back are vulnerable. Sky Kid, you take care of them with Blue Max and Red Baron. Avalanche, Windhover, cover the three with full shields."
"Roger," all three replied.
Avalanche added, "Just know that the two that had full shields took four bombs per shield."
"And then one bomb for each cooling unit," Windhover added further.
"That's fifteen bombs. Your wingmen have sixteen combined. Don't miss!"
Before I could move on to something else, Mom chimed in over the radio, "We're clear in Gracemeria for now. All missiles destroyed."
"Roger that," I replied. I breathed easy for a moment before getting back into the mission.
"Chico, he said, make it back alive..."
"Milos, the fight is what keeps me alive."
"I've devoted my entire being to the fight for a better future."
"Whose voices are those?" I asked.
"Talisman, there are still a few Strigons left," Lily reported. "Those voices are two of those Strigons."
"Let's take care of them."
"The Stauros is fully loaded and ready to launch."
"Stauros launch in five, four, three, two, one, launch!"
My stomach churned again as I watched the Stauros fire once again. I gritted my teeth and reluctantly forced my attention onto the last few Strigons.
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
"This pisses me off," I said after shooting down one of the remaining Strigons.
"What's that?" Marcus asked.
"You know what."
"Yeah. It pisses me off, too."
I vented my frustration on the next Strigon. The final Strigon, however, was emitting a neutral IFF signal and fighting off the UAVs.
"This is Garuda 1 to the last remaining Strigon, what is your status?"
"This is Strigon 12, I will not engage Emmerian or Paragon forces."
That voice, I thought. "Toscha Mijasik?"
"Yes, Miss Yami. Orders or not, I cannot agree with what is being done here by my country."
"Thank you," I said. "Ghost Eye, Strigon 12 is not a hostile. Please adjust our IFF data accordingly."
"Roger, Talisman."
"Galm to Garuda, another wave of missiles has been destroyed."
"Roger that."
Right after her last report, the Chandelier was almost ready to launch... I checked and saw that the next round was near the end of the track. I can't just stand by and let that thing get through.
I swung around while weaving through several UAVs and fired an entire ADM barrage at that single Stauros round to destroy it. They narrowly reached it before it could get out of reach.
"Garuda to Galm, I just destroyed a Stauros round before it could be loaded. There's still one heading your way, but there will be a delay before the next, and they'll have to clear out the debris, so that will add to said delay."
"Roger that, Garuda."
I smiled to myself and said to Marcus, "How do you like that one, Shamrock?"
"I like that one, Talisman."
"I do, too, but that was dangerous," Ghost Eye reprimanded.
"I was pissed off," I said bluntly.
"Stay that way. I like the results that brings."
"If I may interrupt," Sky Kid began. "The four cooling units in the back are destroyed."
"Also," Avalanche said, "two of the last three are destroyed."
"We're pulling around for our attack on the final unit now," Windhover added.
"Good deal."
I checked my radar and saw that almost half of the UAVs were down. Noting that, I joined the others in fighting them, since everything else was destroyed or neutralized.
We managed to thin out the UAVs by roughly ten percent by the time Windhover finished off the final cooling unit.
Taking out that one Stauros round gave us enough time to finish off the cooling units. We should be good now...
"Galm to Garuda, another wave of missiles has been destroyed."
"Roger."
"Preparing Stauros for launch. Initiate loading."
"They act like those cooling units didn't even slow them down," Avalanche said.
"That monster's got a back-up unit... an extra cooling unit," Ghost Eye said.
"The little girl was right," Marcus added. "This thing still isn't dead."
"Thermo scan data confirmed. I don't believe this..."
"Scan data received," Sky Kid said. "This is where its back-up cooling unit is?!"
When I checked myself, I grunted at the location. It was up under the Chandelier on the far end of the loading chute.
"That back-up cooling unit's inside the battery..." Sky Kid continued.
"We can't destroy this," Serac said. "We can't even get close enough with these UAVs on our butts."
"And there's more UAVs coming," Ghost Eye reported. "There's a cluster of them coming from the same direction as before."
"Leave this to me," Marcus said. "I'll move in for a closer look at the back-up."
"What?" I asked, caught offgaurd.
"Don't be stupid, Shamrock," Blue Max said. "You'll be full of holes before you can get close."
"This whole situation is a big problem," I said. "It seems the Chandelier can run off the backup unit alone. We can potentially keep destroying its ammo, but the additional cluster of UAVs will make that all but impossible. And we can't just let them go forever. The group at Gracemeria will run out of supplies long before Longinus will be in position. The Chandelier is too big to destroy by normal means. Even the Seeker bursts didn't faze it. We'd need some heavy bombing to take care of this, and it would take too long to get even that here in time to save Gracemeria..."
"I don't have a choice," Marcus said. "This is Garuda 2. I'm going in alone at low altitude."
"No!" I argued. "You cannot go in that slow! The UAVs will pick you apart!"
"We don't have any other option. I have to go."
"Garuda 2, that's too dangerous," Ghost Eye said.
"Dammit, Marcus, you'll get shot down!" I shouted. "I'm not willing to let you take that risk."
"I'm sorry, Yami. I will defy a direct order to do this for Gracemeria."
"Everyone, this is Talisman. Cover Shamrock. That's an order!" I felt tears rolling down my face as I gave that order.
"That's a tall order, Yami," Kye said. "Even with all of us covering him, he's not going to come out unscathed."
"This is Garuda 2, I'm going in. I know it's dangerous, but it's time for me to dance with the angels!"
It felt like time slowed down. Nobody should ever have to watch what I just watched.
Marcus flew in toward the Chandelier. He weaved through the UAV gunfire to get closer.
"Almost there."
He slowed down to fly into the loading chute to get a look at the backup cooling unit. Everything was in slow motion to me. To me, he was only moving an inch at a time.
"Just a little further. Gotcha!"
He pulled up, out of the loading chute, having gotten the data. He hit his thrust and sped back up, but he was pelted by a single UAV that had managed to get close enough. That UAV was swiftly destroyed by Kye, but not before it did the damage.
"Did you get the data?"
His plane sped up, but it couldn't speed up enough.
"Data confirmed. Now pull up, Garuda 2!" Ghost Eye ordered.
He couldn't pull up. His plane was smoking.
"I'm losing thrust. But..."
His plane slowly lost altitude.
"...maybe I won't need it."
"Marcus..." I said quietly.
"Let's see what these angle wings can do."
Edit 26-June-2016: Trimmed Author's Notes, story marked complete.
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