Skies of Steel

Chapter 4: A briefing for New Pilots

Date: November 25th, 1940
Location: RAF Northolt, London, England
Time: 2000 Hours
Squadron: USAAF 59th Squadron

"Alright, New pilots," spoke Heathrow, "As y'all know, I specifically hand-selected all of you for your skillsets and experience. Today, you will be going on your very first mission as members of 59th Squadron."

"Uh sir," spoke Miku, "What are we doing for our first mission?"

"Well, Mrs. Hatsune," spoke Heathrow, "We have been tasked by the US Navy to protect a convoy carrying much-needed supplies to Great Britain."

"What for?" questioned Ezekiel. "If the Navy wants to protect their convoys, why did they choose us to do it? The Navy could've just used an aircraft carrier to do it."

"Mr. Jaeger," spoke Heathrow, "The reason that we're assigned to this convoy is that this is, in my opinion, a test by the navy to see if you 10 are well suited to fighting above water as being well suited to fighting above land. Also, due to our pre-Operation Sealion fame, they thought that we were the best squadron available. So you 10 have to prove yourselves."

"But Sir," spoke Miku, "There's only 12 of us here. The convoy consists of 50 ships and us 12 alone isn't strong enough to defend against a fully armed convoy raid fleet."

"That's why we're working in tandem with a US Navy flotilla and 7th Squadron to protect those merchant ships," spoke Heathrow.

"Wait," spoke Miku, "Who the hell's 7th Squadron?"

"7th Squadron's led by one of my classmates at the USAAF Flight Academy, Second Lieutenant Taichi Yagami," spoke Heathrow, "They're just as good as 59th Squadron, but we have things that they don't."

"How are we gonna meet them?" spoke Annie, who was a bit curious.

"Well that's part of the mission, Annie," spoke Heathrow, "You'll get to meet them when we're in combat. Come on guys, let's suit up and get to our mission."

"Yes sir," all 11 pilots, including Ash, chorused in unison. The entire squadron, including Heathrow, then went to the airfield's armory and started to suit up for the mission.

20 Minutes Later...

"Alright everybody," spoke Second Lieutenant Heathrow, "Here we go, this is it!"

The pilots then ran towards their fighters and got in as the ground crew started their engines.

Before 59th Squadron took off, Heathrow took a roll call to know if anybody was missing.

"This is Reaper to 59th Squadron," radioed Heathrow, "All wings, report in. Repeat, this is Reaper to 59th Squadron, all wings, report in."

"Reaper, this is Thunderbolt," radioed Ash, "standing by."

"This is Headhunter," radioed Miku, "standing by."

"This is Fearmonger," radioed Annie, "All set and ready for takeoff."

"This is Sharpshooter," radioed Ezekiel, "It's fucking uncomfortable in here."

"I think Sharpshooter's sitting in there with his legs up," Joked Miku, "hoping that they and his genitals don't get blown off by AA fire!" That was followed by a quick stream of laughter from the other pilots.

"This is Werewolf," radioed Link, "right and ready."

"This is Huntress," radioed Zelda, "Standing by."

"Tidal Wave," radioed Tori, "Standing by."

"This is The Orange Devil," radioed Naruto, "standing by."

"Red Lion," radioed Leonard, "Standing by."

"This is Battering Ram," radioed Mikasa, "standing by."

"This is Red Tail Hawk," radioed Armin, "standing by."

"Everyone's all here," radioed Heathrow, "Let's do this!"

The pilots then took off, leaving the comforts of home to defend a supply convoy over the waters of the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.