Ch. 27: Reflections Pt. 1

A/N: I hope you like this style. I want to keep the chapters short and hopefully get the missions covered in a way that everyone can understand. I'm doing this for a while. Enjoy

Genette: 2330 pm December 9th, 2010

Genette sat in his room writing on his pad, looking back on the day. He, along with the members of Wardog, met President Vincent Harling. He was just a man, a down-to-earth man.

When we got word of the President's return and ran up to the bridge, he was smiling and chatting with Pops and Andersen. Apparently he spent his days confined in the old castle looking at the seven ground zero craters right outside his window, which served as the border between the two countries: Nord and South Belka. In the end,the Osean Army couldn't take the Yuktobanian capitol, Cinigrad, and the war began to bog down. For Belka, who challenged the world to battle but were crushed by the twin powers of Osea and Yuktobania, there could be no sweater revenge. They had created the hatred between the two countries, hoping the war would exhaust them both. The military officials on both sides were playing right into their hands.

Vincent Harling December 9th,2010 2000pm

Capt. Andersen of the Kestrel and Wolfgang Buchner, commander of the fighter squadron that rescued me twice because of his age and experience, treated me as an old friend. We didn't talk about the war; we knew what was going on. We talked about family, old friends long gone, and everything else that came to mind.

There was movement by the door to the bridge, which took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting anyone but when I recognized the flight suits, it was Sleager, a couple of his men and the pilots of the fighter squadron that rescued me, twice. Wardog. I saluted them.

I recognized the female pilot, Kei Nagase. The quiet, shy one was introduced to me as Hans Grimm. A tall black man of 6'3" and recent inductee to Wardog, Capt. Marcus Snow. Their captain. Another black man of 5'11" and by the quiet look of confidence in himself and his squadron in his eyes, the sternness of years of various experiences on his face, all wrapped up in a 25 year old package, this is Garret Lawson, Captain of Wardog.

"Finally nice to meet you, Mr. President."

"Please, all of you, Vincent."

Grimm December 10th, 2010 1200pm

I have been down in the hanger deck of the Kestrel with the other mechanics for hours now. We basically banned everyone from coming down here unless it was absolutely necessary. The four F-35's, three F/A-18 Super Hornets (single seaters), one F/A-18 Jammer (mine), two F-14 A's and two D's and the four Rafale M's were under a complete exterior overhaul. When half of the planes were finished, we decided to grab my squad mates, Genette, President Harling, Capt. Andersen, and Pops. It was time to unveil the new pitch black planes, with tail-tips painted with a red stripe and an emblem with the Razgriz demon head and the new squadron name: Razgriz Air Command Squadron.

Genette December 10th, 2010 1345

We all just witnessed the unveiling of the secret the Grimm and the rest of mechanics have been hiding. Black planes, with the Razgriz emblem and Razgriz Air Command Squadron on the ribbon underneath. It was very fitting. A new look for the 'dead' pilots, as the media reports.

It was by the request of Pops and Andersen that this happened and not a moment too soon. The Presi – um – Vincent got a message from the Andromeda that revealed a location in Belka. The date that was given was for tomorrow.

Kei Nagase 0500

I felt Garret wake up to report to Pops, Andersen and President Harling. I dressed and followed quietly to the mission room. From the voices inside, it was just the four of them, none of my other squad mates where there.

When Garret came out, he stopped by the door, head down and rubbed his temples.

"I know you're there Kei. You can come out." He chuckled quietly.

"What happened?"

"I'm going to Belka."

" 'I'? What about 'We'."

He shook his head. "Not this time. It's a solo flight."

"We stick together. We always do."

"I know, but this way, no one gets hurt."

"Uh huh. Soo… What's this mission about."

"Can't say, classified."

"Classified?"

"Classified."

"Classified?"

"Classified."

"Why is classified?"

"Jeez, Kei. I didn't label it as such, ok? All I know is that I'm heading into Belka."

"Does it have something to do with the message for the President?"

"Maybe."

"Just come out with it, Garret. What's so secretive about this mission?"

"Kei, I… I… I can't say. I'm running late."

He brushed past me and headed towards the deck. I just stood there, dumbfounded and angry.

"Morning Kei. What's wrong?" Marcus' voice made me jump.

"Garret just left for Belka. He won't tell me where."

"Maybe, he has a good reason."

"Is 'classified' a good reason?"

"Depends on the mission."

"Maybe I can answer that." We turned around to see Pops, Andersen, and President Harling standing behind us.

A few minutes later, Grimm, Marcus and myself sat shocked. Garret was on a recon mission in an unarmed X-29.

"I'll take the Typhoon."

Garret: Mt. Schrim, Belka 0800

That's the last time I decide to circle over an enemy base. The silent flight to the target sight while avoiding radar, unnerving but easy. Taking pictures of the mine entrance and the planes of the 8492nd and a second that disguised itself as a Yutobanian fighter, Ofnir I think is what they are called. That was simple. Dodging SAM's when the Belkans finally realized I was there: child's play. When I realized I was in trouble was when I witnessed the two planes take off, full burner using less than a quarter of the runway at near vertical. That - that scared me.

Then I booked it west. No more radar to worry about, only bullets and missiles, and there were a lot.

Stay low, stay fast was going thru my mind. It was the only way to survive. I didn't care about what planes they were using, all I knew was that they were bigger and faster. And all I had was a silly camera. I could have blinded – no, spy cams don't use flash.

It's a good thing that this was – oh man, Kei. I left her without a good bye and without explaining. She's probably – wait.

"Need a lift home Captain?"

"Archer! Swordsman! Edge! Boy, am I glad to see all of you right now!"

"Blaze, switch to freq. 140 mHz."

"On it Edge."

Switched over.

"Yeah?"

"Don't you ever, EVER leave without explaining what you're doing!"

"Yes, dear."

"Good. I love you."

"I love you too."