Ace Combat: Skies of Deception

Scene 7:Aftermath Part 2:

Román

"When it was all over, I tried to get an interview with the Southern Cross, only to find that he had already returned to Cape Aubrey.

"He said he's never really liked hot weather", Eugene Solano, the young radio operator, answered sheepishly."

Phuku Lagolla Base, Aurelia, December 11th 2020, 16:00 Hours

Ángel Román was having a lime soda in the base's cafe, not liking the intense heat on the base.

-"Just when I thought things could be a little less rough on me..."-he mused, despite having a wide smile on his face.

He had chosen not to chase Navarro. After having been too close to become an evil person for his own comfort, he had decided to just let it go. However, he smiled at the thought of the dictator living in the utmost misery, and exiled.

Eugene Solano entered the cafe, having heard some news from Leasath.

-Ángel, I've got good news.-he said.-Diego Gaspar Navarro has been killed.

-What!?-said Ángel, after spitting the soda in surprise.-What happened to that demon?

-Some pilots killed him after he tried to escape from Leasath.-said Eugene.-According to the reports, his plane was shot down, and he tried to escape by parachuting from his plane, even when he was missing a leg. However, he was gunned by a pilot.

-Twisted.-said Ángel, taking a sip from his soda.-But, no matter how much he suffered, he deserved it. At least, his victims can now rest in peace. And I can live with a clear conscience. I have no need to bear grudge to a dead man, even if that man is Navarro. It's just no use.

Eugene Solano looked at his friend with a rather sad face.

-What's wrong, Eugene?-asked Ángel, when he noticed his friend's face.

-Well,...-stammered Eugene.-I guess you... you'll be going back to Leasath soon.

Ángel sighed, taking a last sip and crushing the soda can in his hand before throwing it to the bin.

-I wish I could.-said Ángel.-I have no ties back in Leasath. And, even if I had, I wouldn't be able to live there. I'm certain that, if someone recognizes me as Nemesis, the pilot who killed so many Leasathians, would kill me without a second thought. Even if peace is restored between Leasath and Aurelia.

-But, sir...-said Eugene.

-No, Eugene.-said Ángel.-All ties I had in Leasath dissapeared when the Gleipnir destroyed my hometown. So, so to say it, here in Aurelia, I can't help but feel at home.

-So,-said Eugene.-you'll stay here in Aurelia?

-Yes.-answered Ángel.-I might pay a visit to my former wingmen before I return here.

Phuku Lagolla Base, Aurelia, December 18th 2020, 09:00 Hours

Ángel Román, Eugene Solano, Crístofer Hammond, Jesús Gates and Anthony Fuertes had been awarded with "The Mark of Vioarr" for their actions over Sentry Island, and every pilot that died over that base were also awarded posthumously.

Peace had returned to both countries, and both governments aimed their efforts to rebuild both countries. Aurelia sent some workers to Leasath to help them with the rebuilding of the cities.

Eugene Solano heard that Albert Genette, an Osean reporter, was looking for the Southern Cross, so he told Ángel about this.

-So, an Osean reporter, huh?-said Ángel.-I'm not very fond of curious busybodies.

-But, sir, this guy seems rather nice.-objected Eugene.-At least guve him a try.

-Maybe, but not today.-answered Ángel.-I want to pay a visit to Aubrey Base. If that Genette guy happens to appear here, you can tell him that I left because I hate hot weather.

-I don't think I can lie a good person like that.-said Eugene.

-You wouldn't be lying, my friend.-said Ángel.-I do hate hot weather, and I guess that the base's weather is better than this base's.

-As you wish.-said Eugene.-Still, I'm not gonna be comfortable lying to that reporter.

-Don't worry.-said Ángel.-We'll solve that issue in due season.

After that, at 09:45, Ángel Román got in his F-22A's cockpit. His plane had been fitted with two fuel tanks and no ammo. He wanted his plane to be kept as light as possible to make it to Aubrey Base.

Phuku Lagolla Base, Aurelia, December 18th 2020, 09:50 Hours

Albert Genette had finally arrived at Phuku Lagolla Base. He saw a brown-haired man with an Aurelian Air Force baseball cap.

-Hello, sir.-said Albert.-I'm looking for the Southern Cross.

-Good morning.-said the man.-I'm Eugene Solano. I'm afraid that the Souther Cross has already left to Cape Aubrey.

-Sad to hear it.-answered Albert.-Why did he leave now?

-He's said he's never really liked hot weather.-said Eugene, sheepishly, as they saw Ángel Román's plane fading out in the sky.-But don't worry. He'll be back. It's just that it takes him some time to open up. He has a tragic past behind.

Aubrey Base, Aurelia, December 18th 2020, 12:00 Hours

After a three-hour flight, Ángel had arrived at Aubrey Base. He saw some soldiers around the base, taking stuff to some trucks.

-What's wrong?-asked Ángel.-Why are you taking this documents off the base?

-Sir,-said a soldier.-this base is going to be shut down, so the Department of Defense wants all the documents relocated.

-Is this base going to be demolished!?-Ángel asked, unnerved.

-No, this base is going to be turned into a monument.-replied the soldier.-Nothing will be destroyed.

-Thank goodness.-sighed Ángel, calming down.

Ángel visited his bedroom for the last time. He found five postcards on his desk.

-"Maybe these are the cards that my wingmen's families sent to me. Too bad they didn't know where to send them."-Ángel mused, as he picked up one of them, belonging to Rick's family.

Ángel then read the cards one by one, and none of them even showed any harsh words to him. Everyone said that it wasn't Ángel's fault that their beloved ones had died, and that they hoped that Ángel would restore peace between Aurelia and Leasath.

Ángel almost broke down in tears while he read them. All those people, even though they didn't know him, showed that they didn't bear any grudge to him.

After that, he went to visit the place where Ángel had left the gravestones. He buried the cards in front of each pilot as a token of his memories of the four pilots. Ángel remembered how things were when he arrived at the base: he was morally shattered, and he had left a whole life behind; he also remembered the best moments with the Aurelian pilots: how Rick was a cheery pilot who could save anyone even when things seemed bleak; how Roy would be always by his friends' side; how Ignacio seemed to be right no matter what; and how brave but stern Alan was.

-"I still didn't get the chance to thank my wingmen."-mused Ángel, sighing.-"However, this base and the gravestones will remain here as a tribute to their memories. Rick, Roy, Ignacio, Alan, thank you all for showing me that there are things worth fighting for."

He spent a moment staring at the sea, listening to the sound of the waves. Everything seemed peacful now. It didn't look like three months earlier, a war had occured in that same country.

Some minutes later, Ángel went back to his F-22A, eager to return to Phuku Lagolla Base. It would be the last time he would take off from that base, and the last time he would pilot an F-22.

Seventh scene. I don't know if you can guess the surprise I've reserved for the eighth(and last) scene. A scene, an epilogue, and this fanfic will finally be concluded. Good luck and take care. See you next time