Ch.33: Beginning of the End: Speeches

The first of trio of chapters of ACES.

December 30th, 2010 1400 200 miles Northwest of Eaglin Straights.

Garret and the rest of Razgriz were being briefed by Pops. They linked up with Sparrow and 32nd which went by Barracuda. They flew an assortment of land planes that have been adjusted for carrier launch and landing so they wouldn't break.

We've decoded the disc the 'Major' brought back with her. It contained the blueprints for a "Mass Retaliation Weopon" (MRW) codenamed: "V2", a far more powerful than the two tactical nukes the Belkans used in the last war.

Many gasps. Garret remained straight faced. It was game time. He felt something was going to happen today when he woke up from his 'dream'. Hamilton was gearing up for battle. He was too. Good thing he ordered all planes fitted. Today was not a day for games.

It was never fully developed at the time, but it appears that they've secretly completed its construction in the 15 years since the war.

Garret counted 8 missiles on the diagram on the screen but the image shifted. He glanced over at Kei as she shifted nervously in her seat.

The V2 is a MIRV missile (Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle)…it could wipe out half of all the large cities in either Osea or Yuktobania. So where would the deploy it?

"The SOLG."

Everyone looked at Garret, even on the video feed. He was all business. Let them stare.

It was also secretly completed and now operational. After all, it was built to function as an orbital platform for such weapons in the first place.

The screen was now showing a 3D see thru image of the SOLG. The tube had to have been at least 200 feet long. Four sets of double solar panels in an 'x' before what seemed to be four rotating towers of about 100 feet in length. The center of where the four arms meet also rotated at a faster pace.

The muzzle…

The SOLG itself is unmanned—we know it's controlled but we didn't know where. The intelligence vessel Andromeda tracked down the origin of "Schenze's" transmissions to the ARKBRID. It's in the former South Belka, a state entrusted to Osean rule and now called North Osea. To be more precise, the transmissions originated from an experimental facility owned by Gründer Industries, the manufacturer of the weapons we use. The President of Gründer has sworn allegiance to Osea, but in truth, he was a secret member of the Grey Men. Under the guise of their "experimental facility" they are actually digging a gigantic tunnel under the mountain range that run along the border dividing North and South Belka. Their ultimate goal is to reunite the two Belkas.

And in that…

The Kestrel lurched and lurched hard. The video feed was lost, things in the room were thrown about. Garret fell out of his seat.

"What the hell was that?" Kei asked as she was helped up.

Garret double checked his squadmates and Pops, no one seemed to be harmed. The alarms started blaring. Garret knew what happened.

"Razgriz to the planes!" Garret ordered. No argument.

They ran to the hanger bays. Somehow, some way they made it there in under 5 minutes.

"Snow, Grimm, F-22 Raptors. Edge, F-23 Black Widow II."

"What about you, Captain?" Grimm asked.

"My Typhoon. Duh."

Getting up to the launch deck was not easy work with ship slowly listing to starboard. Turns out that Andersen also ordered the Razgriz to launch and only leave those on the ship conducting launch operations. Thank God the Kestrel had dual launch pads. Garret, being the captain was the last one to have his plane raised and fitted. The ship lurched once again as the planes of Kei and Grimm was being put into position. Another missile hit. Marcus had just taken off when the Typhoon was strapped in. "Tower, launch me!"

As if on cue, the catapult accelerated Garret and the plane toward the sea as he punched his engines.

The Typhoon seemed to have wanted to get closer to the water before gaining altitude. Garret climbed into the clouds. The crew of the Kestrel abandoned ship and the submarine that attacked them was blown out of the water.

Andersen

The Razgriz flew over the survivors, tipping their wings as they passed over. There was an explosion and a wall of water shot into the air. That damn sub was no more. Then it happened. I was already fixed on her after the sub was sunk. I didn't even hear when someone yelled that she, The Kestrel, was sinking. The great Aircraft carrier that survived the Belkan War, that didn't get a single hit up until half an hour ago, was sinking before my very eyes. I saluted my ship, saw other hands do the same. We held that position until The Kestrel slipped beneath the waves. But then I realized, I have finally won.

"The Kestrel… is gone." Genette said.

"I've lost time and time again… but now, I've finally won."

"Huh?"

"Look! We've launched them off safely. There's my victory. As long as they're in the air I haven't lost. And I'll know they'll succeed.

"Yeah." I head Peter say.

I start humming 'The Journey Home'. I played it during the sea battle the other day.

The Razgriz had to succeed.

Razgriz

"Razgriz, this Sparrow. We're coming up."

"This is Blaze. Sparrow, stay with the ships until they get closer to Osean soil. Then take off unless otherwise told."

"Roger. Spread the word to 'Cuda?"

"Yeah."

"Roger that. Take care up there."

"Copy. Don't take too long."

Little did they know that they were heading into a hornets nest.

Bright Hill, Oured, Osea. 2200 December 30th, 2010

Harling was now back in control in Osea and he and Nikanor had met and solved all their differences on the war. It was time to take the airways.

Attention, all Osean and Yuktobanian officers and soldiers currently on the battlefield. Let us put down our guns and come out of the trenches. The Osean capital Oured has been freed of the people who took advantage of my absence to usurp control of the country. Once robbed of my freedom and ability to do the right thing I know stand again under the light of the golden sun, and I do so with the honorable Yuktobanian Prime Minister Nikanor by my side. We have resolved our terrible and unfortunate misunderstandings and the war is now over.

Harling extended his hand to welcome Nikanor. The band on the networks displayed his full name: Seryohza Viktrovich NIkano.

This is Prime Minister Nikanor, head of Government for the Union of Yuktobanian Republics. Attention all officers and soldiers of Osea and Yuktobania currently on the battlefield, please watch as President Harling and I stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. President Harling's words are true. The war is over but there is one more battle that still needs to be fought.

Harling:

We believe that those that have tried to stir hatred between us are now preparing a weapon that could wipe out half of all metropolitan areas in either of our countries. Our comrades are in flight as we speak, determined to stop this plan dead in its tracks. Which country is under threat of mass destruction? That we do not know.

Nikanor:

However, that is no longer important. No matter which country is hit, it will be a severe blow to all of us.

Harling:

So now, I ask you, members of the military, if you see it in your hearts, please utilize the resources available to you help out our brave pilots. Right now, they are flying east to meet the enemy.

Nikanor:

To all those who dare hide behind the power of their hateful weapons, bring yourself before the light of peace and harmony.

In the skies approaching Sudentor from the west, Blaze geared up for the battle.

This, Hamilton, is the beginning of the end!

The Demons are in flight. LETS GO!