Disclaimer-I only own the stuff I bought at stores.
Then-Wardog rescues Edge
Now- A little time off and headed to sand box
Everyone finally reached Sand Island. Edge stepped off the helicopter and onto the tarmac. She had a huge smile and took a deep breath to smell the ocean air. 'It's good to be home she thought.' She could hear the engines of the Raptors winding down as all three were in a hurry to get out of their planes. Once the canopies opened, Chopper was the first one to hit the ground. He didn't even bother using the ladder. Grimm was right behind him and doing the same thing. Jeff was last one on the ground and not too far behind them.
"Nagase!" Chopper cried out as he scooped her up and gave her a big bear hug.
"Ok, Ok, I'm glad to see you too."
Chopper was grinning nonstop when Grimm came over.
"Nice to see you again Nagase."
He gave her a gentle hug then she received from Chopper. One that was appreciated since she was already beat up.
Chopper put Grimm in a headlock.
"See you later Nagase, we got to get a party ready!" Chopper said
"Wonder were all that energy comes from?" a voice came from behind her.
Edge turned around to see who it was. It was Blaze, with a big grin on his face.
"Yeah I know. Chopper is like the energizer bunny," Kei remarked with Jeff giving her a joking nod.
"I'm sure you would be like that too if you had to rescue a comrade."
"Whatever. I doubt you could've better."
"Maybe but I wasn't the one that got shot down."
There was a brief silence between them. Edge was kind of hoping they would open up about their feelings.
"I got something for you," Blaze said cutting through the silence.
He pulled out a blue velvet box. Kei's heart skipped a beat and desperately wanted it to be a ring even though she knew that probably wasn't it. Resting inside the case were her Captain bars. She took them and with Jeff's help, pinned them on her collar.
"I need to head to the infirmary. More people trying to make sure my body is in good working order." Edge Said.
"You're fine. No blood, no guts, no coconuts," Jeff joked.
She just smiled and shook her head. She realized he was a lot more talkative then usual. Sure, he would joke around and talk with the rest of the team but most of the time he just kind of kept to himself a little bit.
"You're a lot more talkative than usual," Edge stated.
"Really?"
"Yeah. You normally keep quiet and just listen to the rest of us most of the time."
Jeff stopped and thought for a moment.
"I guess. Maybe I'm just glad to have the best wingman in Osea back."
With all the walking and talking they did, they found themselves in front of the infirmary
"I got to report to Perrault for a mission debrief. We will party later when I get back."
He turned and started to walk away.
"Jeff!"
He turned wondering why she used his name. She had her arms around his neck before he knew it.
"Edge, you ok?"
He was a little caught off guard. Sure, he flirted with women before but never found anyone to randomly just hug him.
She let him go and Jeff saw her face was a little flush. Something was telling him to tell her how he felt but ignored it.
"What's wrong? Chopper and Grimm got one. Why shouldn't you get one?"
Edge was cussing herself out in her own mind. She wanted to tell him about the feelings she had for him, but the words just couldn't come out
"Consider a thank you for rescuing me."
Jeff smiled," Your welcome."
Jeff turned and left, and Nagase went into a huge brown building with a sign that said Sand Island Hospital.
The next day arrived. It was early in the morning and it was pitch black outside. The four pilots found themselves sitting in a conference room, desperately trying to keep their eyes open.
"Why are we up this early," Grimm said with a huge yawn.
"Something about an offensive I think." Jeff said stretching his arms and rolling his neck to get his mind and body to wake up.
"You're correct," came a voice.
It was Hamilton and walking behind him was the intel officer.
"Perrault isn't feeling to well and asked me to brief you. This offensive has been planned by the highest levels of the military. Until the troop commanders gave their ok, it was never handed down. There is a slight problem."
"Always is," Chopper sarcastically said with Hamilton giving him an evil glare.
"Both operations want you as back up. You can't be at two places at once so we will use this to decide where you're going."
Hamilton pulled out a coin from his pocket.
"Really?" Edge said with disapproval in her voice.
"That's just great," Grimm said as he shook his head.
"Wow. Just wow," Chopper stated as he was mumbling stuff under his breath.
"Please tell me you are joking?" Blaze asked.
"This is no joke Captain. You will be heading to the Jilachi Desert in Yuktobania. Heads you go to the western front, tails the eastern front."
Hamilton flicked the coin into the air. It hit the table and started spinning. After a few seconds it stopped and turned over.
"Tails. Looks like your headed to the eastern front. I will let them know you're on your way"
Wardog left the briefing room disgruntled and in disbelief. All four made their way to the hanger and strapped in their planes and took off toward Jilachi Desert.
"I can't believe they used a coin," Chopper cried out into the radio as they crossed the Yuktobanian border.
"I feel you man. Kind of feels like they are using us in whatever way they please." Grimm said.
"I know. That wasn't right what Hamilton did." Edge chimed in.
Edge was happy to be back in the air again even if it meant she had to hear all that useless chatter.
"We're here now so there's nothing we can do about it. Complaining isn't going to solve it but believe me, I'm just as pissed as you guys."
Edge told them about her time behind enemy lines which lead to the next topic. Blaze's performance. Edge was engrossed with tale that had Blaze making his Raptor dance gracefully through the sky and annihilating the enemy. She was surprised when Chopper told her that Blaze took out four ships alone.
"How did you do that?" Edge asked not really believing the tale.
She started thinking about the Demon Lord and Mobius 1. It wasn't possible was it? She heard her Aunt Sakura's voice ringing in her head. She tried to push the tale out of her head but every time she replayed it in her head, she started to doubt herself about Jeff not being Mobius 1. The Demon Lord was way out the realm of possibilities since he was only a kid when the war broke out. Mobius 1 was more feasible. Even the flight instructors were impressed with his flying. They all thought he was a golden arm.
"It was just luck and a little bit of instinct. Was just trying to make sure I got my wingman back." Jeff said.
'Luck and instinct?' Kei thought, 'Yeah right. I'm going to figure you out someday Jeff.'
A couple more hours past as they passed over the last waypoint. Below them was a vast brown ocean of sand that stretched for miles. Osean forces came into view as twin lines of little black boxes and a small flight of bombers. Abrams tanks and artillery getting into position to take their targets. An airfield and an oil refinery. The only problem from Wardog was friendly forces being separated by a river.
"All right Wardog, listen up," Loomis said over the radio, "Chopper, I want you and Archer to help with air support taking over the oil refinery. Edge, me and you are going to take the airfield."
"Roger that," Chopper said over the mic.
Chopper and Archer tilted their planes and started headed to the oil refinery. With being loaded with SDBs and JDAMs the two of them could level any of the AA and artillery the Yukes had there. Edge, being loaded with SDBs and Jeff having a full bay of AMRAAMs, headed to the airfield. The plan was to bog down the airfield so no one could take off and shoot anyone who got off the ground.
A familiar voice crackled over the headsets, "All aircraft this is Thunderhead. Proceed to your assigned targets and engage the enemy. Ground forces have started to advance."
"Just once, I want to fly where this guy isn't," Chopper sighed
"You did a few weeks ago," Grimm said brightly
"I don't want to face the inquiry committee either."
"Captain Davenport," Thunderhead yelled over the comms, "How many times do I have to tell you to cut the chatter!"
A smug toned response came, "This is Razgriz 3, Roger that."
"What did you just say?"
Jeff tuned them out because he saw tiny metallic boxes moving below him. He switched channels to the ground control frequency to give them a heads up that he was there.
"Ground control this is Wardog 1, we are holding above your position."
"This is Hawk 1, roger. Viking flight already did a bombing pass to knock out enemy tanks. Can you confirm the damage?"
"Stand by," Jeff rolled his plane and looked out his canopy. He saw smoldering piles of metal that met the fury of the B-2s bombing run.
"Wardog 1 confirms destruction of enemy tank formation. All clear for the airfield."
Another set of voices came across the radio.
"This is Viking 1. Airfield in site. 2-minute ETA."
Blaze and Edge caught up to the bombers. Edge moved her plane to get on the side of one of the bombers so she could drop her payload for maximum effect. Blaze was going to provide cover. The bombers finally made it to the airfield with the ground forces not too far behind.
"This is Viking 1. Commencing bombing run," a voice came over the comms.
In unison, all the bombers including Edge's Raptor began dropping their payload. Any of the defenses that the Yukes had set up were obliterated. Before everything was blown up, the control tower was able to get two F-15s off the ground. Crews were trying to don their equipment and get of the building, but secondary explosions prevented that. With the ground force quickly approaching, the surviving Yukes surrendered.
"Hits confirmed. Good job Viking," Jeff said over the comms.
"Roger that. Viking 1 to Viking flight, we are at Bingo fuel prepare to land."
Blaze and Edge saw the two F-15s on their radar and moved to intercept.
"Edge engaging."
"Blaze engaging."
Jeff rolled and began locking onto the first bandit. The other pilot was desperately trying to shake Blaze off him but was to panic to think straight.
"Razgriz. It's the Razgriz," The other pilot cried out
The transmission needed in static as Blaze let loose one of his missiles and turned the fleeing plane into a fireball.
The Demons of Razgriz. They were the newest super aces to grace the sky. They were becoming well known as the legendary aces from the past like the Demon Lord, Solo Wing, Mobius, and Yellow 13. The aces of Yuktobania were even scared to face Wardog. Jeff could almost hear the panicked transmission echo across the desert with the Yuke army beginning to fall apart.
'This is going to get a whole lot easier or more interesting,' Jeff thought to himself.
Grimm followed Chopper as they left Edge and Blaze. The two of them were headed to the oil refinery.
"Grimm lets go to button 3 and let the ground forces know we're here," Chopper said.
"Roger that."
The two pilots switched frequency and heard the ground forces talking.
"Dalmatian, this is Wardog 3. We are inbound," Chopper said over the mic.
"This is Dalmatian. Roger we are about five miles out from the refinery. We have a drone in the air and spotted some bunkers not to far ahead us. Is it possible to knock those out so we can have a smooth ride to the refinery?"
"Wardog 3, roger. Grimm lets knock out these pillboxes."
Chopper began setting up his descent as he locked on to the shelter that was sitting in a cluster of SAMs and AA weapons. Grimm on the other hand pulled up, scanning the skies looking for anyone that was going to pounce on his friend.
"Wardog 3, pickle," Chopper called out as he dropped his bomb on the shelter.
Explosions rang across the area destroying the building and most of the weaponry that was stationed there.
"This is Wardog 4. Confirm destruction of site. Dalmatian, you have a clear path."
The tank battalion started to move forward with a purpose. A couple blips showed up on the radar. Grimm caught a glimpse of the incoming aircraft in the distance.
"Chopper, we have a couple inbounds," Grimm said
"Roger that. Let's go and meet them."
The two planes came into view. Two F-15 Strike Eagles. The enemy aircraft did something out of the ordinary. The enemy set themselves up in a way that would keep the two Wardog pilots at bay. Also, if any one of the enemy planes was shot down the other pilot could reverse and start chasing the Wardog pilot that shot him down.
"Grimm cover me," Chopper said lighting his burners and diving after the second Eagle.
"Hold on…!"
Grimm followed. Sure enough, when Chopper got on the tail of trailing plane they reversed, getting on Chopper's tail whose missile alarm was blaring at him. Grimm got behind the lead F-15. When the enemy saw who was behind him and peeled off. Grimm followed. The Eagle bobbed in his HUD and Grimm finally lined his pipper up with the enemy plane. Without even thinking and squeezed the trigger. Tracers came flying out shredding the enemy plane to bits and turning it into a fireball.
"Razgriz… Razgriz… Why did it have to be the Razgriz!" came from the enemy plane as Chopper fired a missile at him.
The two rejoined and started to head east toward Blaze and Edge.
"My little brother is flying up there," came a voice over the comms.
A voice that Grimm hadn't heard since Osea first invaded Yuktobania. It was Grimm's brother William.
"Is that right Grimm? He's in the Sand Island Squadron?" another soldier asked
"Yeah. Take care of yourself Hans," Grimm's brother said over the mic.
"You to William," Grimm said feeling relieved that his brother was ok.
Thunderhead finally came over the comms, "Osean forces, status report."
"This is Hawk. Airport secured. Runway and most airfield munitions and building are still intact and operational. Viking flight is landing and getting rearmed and refueled."
"This is Dalmatian. Oil refinery is under our control."
"Understood. Wardog refuel and rearm at the airfield."
"Wardog 1, roger."
Blaze and the rest of his flight landed. The opened the canopies while the ground crews started to refuel and rearm the Raptors. As the pilots were getting out of their planes, a Blackhawk showed up and started landing.
'Who the hell is this,' Jeff thought to himself.
Finally, Jeff saw a figure run toward them and he was screaming "Hans, Hans."
"How you doing bro?"
"I'm ok. Glad to see you're still alive. Hey guys this is my brother William."
The rest of Wardog shook William's hand. The five of them just stood there talking. They weren't talking about the war; it was more about family and making fun of Grimm since he was the youngest out of all of them. A couple hours had gone by and the ground crews informed Wardog their planes were good to go.
"Be safe William," Grimm told his brother
"I will. Don't worry about me too much and just focus on your mission."
With that Grimm and the rest of Wardog were strapped in the planes and started taking off, headed back to Sand Island. Hours later, Sand Island cam into view. Blaze radioed the tower and started doing landing checks. After landing and getting taxied, Jeff heard Perrault call his name as his boots hit the ground.
"Loomis," He yelled, "Get in my office."
'What the hell did I do now,' Jeff thought to himself
"Have a seat Captain," Perrault snapped as Jeff entered his office.
"Sir, what's this about?"
"This about your next mission Captain."
"Sir, we just got back from a mission. You can't give us another mission," Blaze stated as calmly as possible.
"The mission is tomorrow night, but you need to start prepping now."
"Sir could you please get to the point," Blaze said with a hint of a command undertone.
"You're going to be performing over the football stadium in November City. This is going to be during the Vice President's speech. You will be on BARCAP after your presentation."
"So, we gotta do some airshow?" Jeff asked with bewilderment on his voice.
"Right, so you better not embarrass me Loomis."
Jeff turned around and walked out the door and started headed to the break room to brief the rest of Wardog.
'Embarrass you?!' Jeff thought to himself, fuming, 'You're an embarrassment to the OADF you fat fuck! Now we got to do a fucking airshow. Fuck me running.'
Kei saw the look on Jeff's face and knew he wasn't happy about something.
"Jeff!" Kei jumping out of her chair and meeting him at the door, "What was that all about."
Chopper and Grimm were even out of their chairs.
"Why did he call you over there?" Grimm asked
"Kid you looked pissed," Chopper stated.
"We got a mission tomorrow," Jeff said with a smile, "It's a nice change of pace. We are to put on a little airshow before the VP's speech.
"Seriously?" Edge lashing out a little bit, "Don't we have better things to do."
"I'm with Edge on this one Kid. He wanted to throw us under a bus just so he could have somebody to blame. So, what, he's trying to be buddy-buddy with us now. Who gives a fuck if he is the acting Commander-in-Chief? This is bullshit," Chopper stated
"Why?" Grimm asked
"It's a PR move. We are the best squadron the Osea has right now. If it looks like we support him and the war effort, then the rest of the country will support him too. Well, in theory anyway."
"We really…"
"I understand where you're coming from Kei," Jeff interrupted, "Orders are orders and we really don't have a choice.
"What are we gonna do Kid?" Chopper asked.
"Let's get cleaned up, order some pizza and start planning this thing out."
With that, Wardog left the break room.