Disclaimer: If I said anything about me owning Harry Potter, the CIA would break down my front door and request my resignation.
Author's Note: I LOVE ACE COMBAT! I HATE XBOX FOR THAT EXPLICIT PURPOSE!
May 24, 1998: Milky Way: Earth
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"It seems too easy to me."
"Yeah, well, everyone thinks that flying is a really difficult but they're a bit off on that. For example, I once had to land a passenger plane when I was thirteen."
"Really?"
"No."
Harry and Jack walked casually away from the airstrip. Per request, Jack had shown him what flying a plane on Earth was like so, after a difficult discussion with the President, Jack had been allowed to take Harry up in an F-15D. The young Ancient had found it thrilling to pull so many Gees at once and had wanted to learn the sacred art immediately. Thankfully, many simulators existed.
"You know, Harry, every now and then they get some old aces like me and have us fly against some rookies in mock dogfights," Jack mentioned. "In fact, the next one should be in a few weeks. Wanna come?"
"Only if I get to fly myself," Harry conditioned. "I seriously doubt the Air Force would just let me pilot one of their machines. However, I did get just about everything they had two weeks ago so I could probably just make my own."
"They gave you fighter technology?" Jack asked incredulously as they stepped into a hanger.
"I asked for everything pertaining to ballistics and explosives," Harry shrugged. "They assumed that also meant platforms from which missiles are launched, or something."
"What are you going to give in return?"
"Sub-light and hyper-drive engines," Harry shrugged. "I said I'd have them done in two months. They're already done, but don't tell anyone."
"Why shouldn't I?" Jack wondered.
"Because, I don't want to have to design a space ship to go along with it," Harry replied. "It was a pain in the ass creating those things and I don't want to be pressured to create anymore."
"Harry, you have the most power on this planet," Jack reminded him. "I don't think that they would pressure you into making things for them."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Harry shrugged. "Besides, I've got something else to show you." Harry pressed his remote control and the two of them were beamed to the Corona, still in their flight suits.
"Harry, what am I looking at?" Jack wondered.
"That is the MFX-01 Chimera," Harry explained. "Or rather, that's what I've created so far. I only have the basic frame. I'm still developing the weapons systems and such but hopefully it'll become a powerful weapon."
"Why are you showing it to me?" Jack wondered.
"The Chimera is a two-seat multi role craft," Harry continued. "I need a gunner. If I'm going to be the pilot, someone has to manage the secondary weapons systems. So, do you want to be my RIO (Radar Intelligence Officer for the Pacifists among you (did I already say that?))?"
"Sounds like fun," Jack shrugged.
"Good. Just don't tell anyone. I don't want the government to know about this baby."
Meanwhile, a strange vessel was still making its way towards Earth at high speeds.
May 30, 1998: Milky Way: Earth: High Orbit: Corona
Harry yawned as the automated construction systems he'd created did their job on his two projects. The Chimera had approached the quarter mark. The weapons still needed to be completed but the engines, generator, radiator and sensors were being installed even as he watched. It would take a few more weeks but the weapon would then be completed.
The other project, however, remained more recreational. While not exactly a tactical weapon, it showed promise. The MFX-29 Harry had designed using data from the Mikoyan MiG 29. Cosmetically, the fighter looked almost identical to the original 29. Internally, however, there were dozens, possibly hundreds (he didn't count) of changes.
The turbojet engines had been replaced with an Ancient Drive System similar to the one used in Puddle Jumpers (Gate-Ship, whatever). The cockpit had been cleaned up considerably removing most of the random bells, whistles, gauges etc. with simple digital screens. Control Crystals created an all-around better electronics system and flight controls.
Weapons remained consistent with the weaponry that the United States operated though Harry had added several hundred more rounds of ammunition to the port side Gatling. He'd added two internal weapons bays that housed a compliment of ten Ancient Drones each.
Though the MFX-29 far outclassed the normal MiG 29, and for that matter any other weapon currently residing on the planet (at least to his knowledge). Thus he had included a special switch in the cockpit that would dissolve the abilities of the weapon to that of an American F-22. The engine output would have a hologram placed around it that made it appear as though the engines were ordinary turbojets.
Harry was proud of his creation. The only reason he was even on the Corona was to supervise the MFX-29's completion phase. The auto-construction put the finishing touch on the paint job, a black-gray camouflage.
Alarms flared throughout the ship. Harry looked up linking his mind to the ship's computer core. An unidentified ship had just appeared in orbit around Earth of unknown class. It was about the size of a Goa'uld Cargo Ship and it had launched a single Mobile Suit. He realized that last bit as the airlock of the hanger opened and in screamed an Ester class Mobile Suit.
Harry cursed and dived to the side as bullets impacted the area where he'd been standing previously. He rolled to his feet and held out his arm. His SA80 beamed directly into his hands. As the Ester turned again to fire its weapons at him, Harry dived to the side and fired fully automatic at the Suit. The fifty round limit expired and the cool down process began forcing him to dodge yet again.
The Ancient dove behind a supply crate and tinkered with his rifle. He removed the cool down safety mechanism and jumped back up over the crate, firing his rifle at the joint of the Mobile Suit's arm. Rounds continuously impacted the gears and with continued fire, anything can be destroyed. The arm of the slate gray machine splintered and the rifle fell to the ground. The Ester raised its three barreled Gatling and fired another stream of bullets towards him.
Harry cursed and dived behind another crate as the Armor Penetrating shells tore through the crate of food. Angrily, he reached into his pouch and grabbed a block of C4. When the incessant firing stopped, he jumped over the crate dashed towards the Mobile Suit. The firing resumed as he dived in-between its legs slapping the block of explosive onto the right leg. As the Ester attempted to turn, Harry dived behind a crate and hit the detonations switch on his receiver. The block exploded tearing the leg apart and bringing the main body to the ground.
Cautiously, Harry approached the crippled machine, his rifle at the ready. The cockpit blew off and a gray-clad figure jumped out wielding a small bladed weapon. Harry, though prepared, was ill equipped to stop the man as he sliced into his SA80 like butter. Harry jumped back leaving the useless weapon to fall to the ground and grabbed his Browning Hi Power. He fired two blasts into the man and watched as he fell to the ground. Harry sighed and went to put the gun away. He paused as he realized the weapon was set to stun.
"Tomas," Harry said annoyed, emphasizing each letter. "What am I ever going to do with you?" The gray clad figure slowly got up.
"Well, for starters you could at least take me on some of your adventures," Tomas said throwing his hands into the air.
"You had a Mobile Suit and I had a rifle and I still won," Harry reminded. "I shudder to think of what might have happened if you'd gone up against a Death Glider." They both laughed. "How's Ronnie?" he asked with a smile walking over to shake his cousin's hand.
"Ah, she misses you," Tomas shrugged. "She keeps asking when she's going to get to see 'Big Cousin Hairy'. You should come out and visit sometime."
"I wish I could more often but you know what it's like to have a job that you need to commit to," Harry shrugged in a manner very similar to his cousin. "So, would you like to explain why you attacked me on my own ship?"
"I thought you could use the exercise," Tomas laughed.
"You used Armor Penetrating bullets on an infantry soldier!" Harry yelled in mock anger. That alone was… disconcerting.
"It's like you always used to say," Tomas reminded. "There's no such thing as a fair fight."
"I am so gonna kick your ass!" Harry charged at the already running man.
(End Chapter)
AN: Well, there you have it; another chapter for you to munch on. Did it taste good? Oh, right, the reason I put up the review thing was so that people that aren't reviewing start doing so. Some one thousand people are reading each chapter but it's a rare occurrence for the review number to surpass twenty. Regardless, please continue to review. It's a two way deal. You get to eat my mean cuisine and I get to eat your munchies. If you want more food you need to provide some for me. Anyway…