In another world with my Task Force
2nd Nato response fleet
Date unknown, Mediterranean sea.
After the Ratsel incident aboard the Charles de Gaulle, the NATO fleet decided to resume its westward course towards the Sicilian Channel while the 2 Hawkeye, accompanied by two Rafale M from the Aeronavale, four F/A18 of the US Navy and two F35B of the Fleet Air Arm tried to communicate with the mainland, at the head of the fleet was the USS Porter flanked by the Italian frigates Andrea Doria on the port side and Caio Dulio on the starboard side and the French Chevalier Paul behind her, from the bridge Daniel Johnson, the Porter's captain scanned the horizon with his binoculars and asked his XO."Still nothing on NATO communication channels?"
"No sir, and it's the same for the others we keep finding a frequency but..."He is interrupted when the radar operator reports objects on his radar screen.
"Sir I have several contacts on approach, vector 3-1-0 distance 20km, speed about 500Km per Hour, coming either from Malta or Tunisia."
"Any identification?"Asks the captain while scanning the sky with his binoculars.
"Negative sir but from the echo they are quite large, at least some of them."
"I can see them from here, damn it doesn't look like anything we know!"
The unknown objects were spotted at the same time by the French Hawkeye and its US Navy counterpart located a few kilometers behind them."This is AWACS Cyclope to CDG, we have established radar contact with several aircraft of unknown origin, three large ones the size of a TU95 bomber, fifteen medium ones the size of a fighter similar to the SU-27, and twenty or so small ones that look more like drones, they seem to be reducing in speed."Reports one of the E2C operators.
"Try to make radio contact with them, we need to know their intentions."The Admiral asks before addressing his second in command."Keep the fleet on high alert, we will only fire as a last resort and prepare for the take off of other fighters in Air-to-Air configuration." Melanie nods before relaying orders to the rest of the fleet and the pilots while the Hawkeye tries to establish contact.
"Aye aye sir."The Hawkeye pilot respond."Attention unknown aircraft you are approaching a NATO carrier battle group please identify yourself and clarify your intentions."Requests the operator who transmits his message on all frequencies, receiving no response other than parasites he tried again.
"Attention unknown aircraft I repeat you are approaching a NATO carrier battle group, please identify yourself or change your flight course, if you do not respond or change your course in the shortest time you will be considered hostile and we will act accordingly, this is your second warning..."
"Still no response admiral but the Porter is close, may try to contact it with light signals."Suggests Melanie.
"Very well, let them try to make contact, if it's Russians trying out their new toys I'd better be careful I'd like to avoid a third world war if possible."He said a little anxiously.
On board of the Porter the ship receives its instructions while the unknowns become more visible, the 3 largest aircraft resemble an XB-70 painted in black color with red hexagons, one of the members takes pictures to send them to the CDG and to the other ships while one of the sailors communicates by luminous signals to the attention of the bogeys, the aircraft seems to answer by a strident sound. "What was that sound? "Said a surprised sailor.
"I don't know, and I don't like it, but I don't like it at all."Said the captain of the Porter. "Let's have everyone ready for any eventuality, what about the MMR(1) status?"
"Operational in 5 minutes sir but several of our magicians have recovered enough to be able to use their magic at about 40%."His Xo report.
"Let them deploy on the ship, their even partially available magic will be useful to us."
"Yes sir."
On board of the CDG the pictures sent by the Porter and the surveys carried out remotely by the Hawkeye are under the attentive eye of the admiral analyzed by the technicians and the present professor tapping on his keyboard frantically who seems to be surprised when analyses carried out at distance confirm his fears. "It's unbelievable, it is indeed Ratsel but of this type I have never seen and even less that move in groups."
"Seriously, and you think they're going to attack us or not?"Asks the admiral.
"I don't know but they seem to have a collective or even individual consciousness or something like that and a survival instinct as we could see we should act with caution, this is the first contact we have with an evolved form of Ratsel they can be friendly or hostile depending on our actions."Advises the professor, who is both enthusiastic and worried about this 'first contact'.
"Got it, thanks professor."Said the admiral while contacting the whole fleet."This is Admiral Derivaux to all ships, the approaching aircraft are probably affiliated with a group called Ratsel, we do not know what their intentions are, but everyone be prepared to fight if necessary, but do not fire unless ordered to do so or if they are hostile, this is not an drill, I repeat... "
"A Ratsel... If it happens like what we saw on the video and on the CDG it clearly doesn't feel good, let's get closer to see how it goes."Said Dimitri pushing the throttle followed by Jean and their AWACS.
"The Ratsels, what kind of stupid name is that, it seems that the French hide things from us... "Says the captain of the Porter whose crew is still trying to communicate with them.
"You think it has something to do with what just happened with that glow?"His Xo ask.
Ace combat 5 OST Rendez vous
"Captain, the sensors indicate a strong energy surge from one of the...Ratsel."Indicates a CiC operator.
"What do you mean?"He asks while going to the window to see when at the same moment the ratsel starts to prepare to shoot a red laser beam."Everyone take cover, shield!" He yells on the radio, one of the witches at the front of the ship generates a shield at the last second stopping the laser but it is powerful. "Aaaaah, it's too strong I couldn't...aargh " She says before giving up, not having fully recovered her magic yet, the laser cuts through the blue shield and strikes diagonally across the ship hitting the VLS, nearly hitting the CIWS and damaging the bridge shattering the bridge windows and toppling its occupants. "AAArgh!"Screams the sailors of the Porter wounded by the explosion and the pieces of glass.
From his F35B a pilot is witnessing the situation with shock."What the hell was that weapon? "Asks a British pilot, Major Owels Grant, leader of the Diamond squadron.
"The porter was hit everyone to the battle station!"Reports the captain of the Chevalier-Paul whose alarms are turned on.
"Damn the bastards!"Said Dimitri enraged."Follow me jean we're going to teach these assholes a good lesson!"
"This is Cyclops to all, you are authorized to engage the enemy, protect the fleet! "Said the French AWACS.
"No need to give permission for that, Locker I'm engaging!"Answers Dimitri.
"Railgun engaging! "Adds Jean who follows him.
"Copy Owls Engaging!"Owels respond too.
"Lanner engaging as well."Tifany Henings Diamond squadron number 2 respond.
"Thunderstorm to All units return to you Combat air patrol and protect the carrier, don't let them sink even one !"The US Navy AWACS radioed also.
"We're on it AWACS don't worry."Lt Jessica 'Jessy' Gulling a young blonde busty witch of 18 years old, leader of the Black Arrow squadron in her F/A18F with her sister a witch also as WSO Katherina 'Kay' Gulling, two years younger answers."Big and little sister engaging!"
"Don' engaging, lets have some fun!"Dawson 'Don' S Gentile, a 15 yo Wizard respond while chewing a gum nonchalantly.
"Red fox engaging, lets protect our brothers and sisters."Thomas Feston a 25 yo and former wizard report.
"Tijuana engaging, lets go to kill theses cabron!"Marcela Lopez an Mexican-american of 22yo and normal women said.
"I can't take off shot down those enemy planes for me!"Eva still on the CDG flight deck said while she watch the battle from her cockpit.
The French admiral yells his orders to the other ship captains."To all ships the Ratsels are confirmed as hostile, destroy them so that the others can take off!"
The upset Vice Admiral's Campbell order is the same."Destroy every last one of them with everything you have fire at will!"
"Show these troublemakers how a British gentleman acts kids!"Says Captain Madison Delight of the Queen Elizabeth.
However, these instructions were not really necessary because as soon as the Porter was hit, the two Italian ships and the Chevalier Paul had already opened fire with their two turrets each, the famous 76 mm rapid-fire OTO Melara and the rest of the fleet the detonations of the guns of the Franco-Italian ships resounded as the captain of the Porter, lying on the ground, regained consciousness while the Allied fighters and ships dealt with the small and medium-sized hostiles.
On the bridge of the Porter it is chaos, the sound of the alarms mixed with the cries of pain of the wounded sailors and the firing of the 127mm gun still operational make the situation confusing for its captain who regains his spirits while a doctor takes care of him."My captain don't move you have a head injury."Says the on-board doctor who puts bandages on him.
"It's fine as long as I can get up thank you, please take care of the most seriously injured, second what is the situation?"Said the captain as he removed the broken glass from his uniform and put on his helmet.#cough# "We have suffered severe damage to the bow of the ship and on the deck and several deaths and injuries are to be deplored and the MMR is inop."He respond.
"Shit!Helmsman, perform evasive maneuvers, Xo have the injured treated as a priority and get the MMR back online ASAP along with the VLS."He odored while another beam miss the ship.
"Aye aye sir!"The two respond as the ship start to perform evasive maneuvers.
Meanwhile on the Italian side."Captain, several small and medium sized fighters have broken away from the group and are heading for the Porter!"Says one of the radar operators of the Caio Dulio when several ratsel looking like XB47 approach the ships.
The captain Antonio Bionchi orders afterwards."Activate the PAAMS(2) systems, coordinate with the other ships equipped with the system, keep the guns focused on the largest aircraft and fire at will, do not let them approach the Porter or the aircraft carriers!"
"Targets acquired ready to fire my captain!"Reports one of the operators while typing on his keyboard.
"Fire!"Said the captain of the Dulio, coordinating with the ships Dauntless, Diamond Andrea Doria and Chevalier Paul equipped with the PAAMS system they all fired in synchronization, the missile hatches opened and dozens of Aster 15 missiles took off in a big WOOOSH! Pursuing and destroying several of the small and medium Ratsels and saving the American destroyer already in bad shape and which has just undergone damage to its engines from a fatal fate which despite all its damage continues the fight, some sailors even using the on-board machine guns with the help of the still intact CIWS to try to shoot down the Ratsels.
The sky fills with contrails, pilots and magicians perform all kinds of maneuvers to dodge lasers and ratsel to escape their pursuers, continuing to exchange missiles, shells and laser fire."And one down!"Said Jean after shooting one with his cannon.
"Come here my little ones, Black arrow 2 fox 3 fox 3!" Said Dawson as he fired three AMRAAM destroying two small and one medium.
"Try to escape me you moron!"Jessica say as she tail a medium ratsel."You good sis?"She ask to her sister who respond."I've got a lock, fox 2!"She pull the trigger sending two Aim-9 which chase and destroy the ratsel.
"Good kill Black arrow 1 but there're still numerous target to destroy."Thunderstorm report to them.
"That's the plan my friend!"She respond.
"The number of enemies has decreased but be careful with their long range attacks!" Informs Cyclops.
"Shit, I never signed up to fight aliens who come out from a Star Wars movie!"Complain Marcela has she dodge several beam.
"Yeeha come and get me you bastards!"Says a Dimitri excited by this fight doing a barrel roll to dodge the shots before 'his' Ratsel is destroyed by a hornet."Hey who's having fun stealing my kills?"
"Sorry you had to be faster, buddy!"Said Jessica to tease him.
"You'll pay for this, buddy!"He respond to her sentence.
"Calm down boss, there's still a lot of target to everyone."Jean say as he destroy himself another one.
As the lasers hit the fleet making evasive maneuvers aboard the Porter, chaos seems to have subsided and order has returned."Continue to shoot them with the cannon, Xo what is the situation? "Asks Daniel.
"The VLS system is completely out of commission and the mechanic try to repair the MMR, the firemen are in the process of extinguishing the flames and the engine room has been hit, several breaches in the hull have been reported on the starboard side and the water is seeping in rapidly!"His Xo report.
"Condemn the flooded compartments and flood those on the port side, we need to stay afloat as long as possible and have the seriously injured evacuated on the Essex or Mistral."Orders the captain between two laser shots and in the middle of the machine gun bursts and says with reluctance."If it continues like this we will have to abandon the ship..."
At the same time a laser shot from a medium hit the Andrea Doria making tremble the ship protected by its shield but a second succeeds in crossing this one and in destroying one of the turrets the offender is however quickly destroyed by Aster 20 missiles."Captain the number of enemy fighters has dropped from 30 to 18, several of our missiles have been intercepted by some kind of laser and the others are now heading towards the aircraft carriers, and we have suffered damage the port turret is destroyed!"Informs the radar operator, the black and red 'XB47' and 'SU33' are dangerously close to the aircraft carriers whose crews are preparing for the fight.
"Take down those planes don't let them get close!"Shouts the vice admiral.
"Vampire vampire vampire, shoot them down with the CIWS!"Says one of the Roosvelt's CiC operators.
The CIWS of the carriers opened fire but the agile aircraft escaped the fire and let out their lasers which fortunately caused only light damage or were stopped by the shields of the Roosevelt while the other ships suffered little damage.
"Xo damage report!"Asks the Vice Admiral on the Roosevelt.
"The shots damaged the port side of the ship but there were no reported breaches and we have only a few injuries."Reports the Xo, during this time the drones make a new passage when a cloud of missiles of type RIM-162ESSM this time make them disappear in successive explosions."This is Lake Chaplin we have eliminated the remaining drones no need to thank us."Reports the commander of the Ticonderoga class cruiser to the great relief of the commanders of the aircraft carriers, at the same time the dogfights continue to occur in the sky.
"Alright the sky is clear for now send the others pilots into the sky and fast!"Damien said, just like the other aircraft carrier commander.
"This is AWACS Thunderstorm to all pilots and wizards, stay focused on medium and small type, shit other small and medium inbound, vector 3-5-0 and at 0-2-0 altitude 5000 meters on fast approach, clean the sky the fleet will take care of the heavy ones!"Orders the AWACS of the us navy while the nuclear and jump carriers send more planes.
Four F/A18E's and F's join the fight."It's okay, we're in the air, come and get us! "Says Alicia Tach, leader of the Mighty Magicians squadron as they start to engage the enemy reinforcements.
Followed by two Rafale M" Here Mirage and Mistral we have just taken off we join you boys and we engage the enemy! "Said Eva then the two girls will find their comrades.
Then two F35's. "Aren't we too late for the party?"Said Henri, he and Jennifer who joined their aircraft carrier shortly after the incident they also decided to help their friends in the fight.
"These bastards feel they are losing the game and they called some buddies to the rescue, how about showing them the courtesy of the us navy leader? Fox 3 fox3 !"Said from his F/A18E the former wizard Thomas destroying a medium with two AMRAAM and a small one with his guns.
"That's a good idea, Black arrow 1 fox 2!"Says Jessica Gulling at the command of her F/A18F avoiding the lasers while shooting a Sidewinder damaging one but not destroying one of the means that to its surprise regenerates.
"It's a joke, it worked on the little ones and the previous ones... These medium Ratsel repair themselves, what kind of technology is this thing? "Said his sister Katherina stunned.
"As far as I know it is necessary to aim the red core of the ratsel to destroy them definitively, the small ones do not seem to have it."Says Jean by dodging a laser beam.
"Oh thanks for the info, and how we can locate them Einstein?"She replies sarcastically when her onboard indicator shows that their magic is back to its full potential."Hey it looks like our magic is back at 100% operational!"
"Yeah back to business baby, time to show them our full potential!"Dimitri says while activating his GME and his familiar, his Rafale is surrounded by a bluish glow and the flames of the reactors are replaced by several blue magic circles, imitated by the other wizards and witches who do the same, giving their planes a superior maneuverability and firepower to their weapons.
Onboard the ships that are equipped with MMRs, these are activated and the magicians assigned to use them sit in a chair specially designed for this purpose, allowing either to increase the firepower or the defense of the ship.
"Kay use your magic eye to spot their core!"Said Jessica who activate its familiar the eagle to gaining her speed ability, to her sister by placing herself behind one of them, the ratsel shoots at her but her shields make its attacks useless."I'm concentrating...this is it I found it, Fox3!"She said while activating her familiar, the black Kite, succeeding in visualizing the heart of the ratsel she fired a single AMRAAM which guided precisely and charged with magical energy destroyed the ratsel in one strike."Yes target destroyed well done little sister!"Compliments Jessica.
"Rapier 1 fox 3 eat this!" said Dimitri as he fired 3 Meteor missiles, guided by his homing magic the missile performed impossible maneuvers normally before finally destroying three medium.
"I'm going to take them down with my nexter, gun gun gun!"Jean says while pulling the trigger, the shells coming out of the Nexter-30, also accelerated thanks to magic, shred one of the mediums, exposing its core which is destroyed by one of the 30mm shells."Another kill for Rapier 2!"
" Well done everyone the sky is getting clearer and clearer, hold on I'm getting data from the CDG about the ratsel I'll transfer it to you."Says Cyclops.
"I'm getting new data on my HUD, what is it?"Asks Tiffany as she sees information and numbers being displayed
"To make it simple a frequency emitted by the ratsel core to guide your missiles will allow you to destroy them directly by hitting them in the heart!"
"*Pop* Like with the vampires?"Dawson joked, still chewing his gum.
"That's a way of thinking about it, but yes."Replied the American AWACS.
"In this case, the vampire hunt is open!"Said Dimitri with a menacing smile forming under his mask "Rapier Squadron, switch to attack formation!"
At these words, wizards witches pilots and sailors show all their potential to the Ratsel thanks to the new data, one after the other almost all their aircraft are destroyed before disintegrating into a thousand white splinters who fall in the sea, the situation seems definitely tend in favor of NATO because apart of the USS Porter, the other ships have suffered only light or medium damage, the fleet continues to maneuver to avoid the enemy fire while the Porter has left its place to the Chevalier Paul.
A ratsel his hit by several shell of 76mm and fall in the water."Say hello to your friend down there!"A Gun operator of the Hamburg say.
"This is the Hessen, we've suffered minor damage but we're still battle worthy, feueur!"The captain of the Hessen shout as his missile shot down two more light Ratsel.
"Watch out Rapier 3, You've got a hostile on your six!"Thunderstorm advise her.
One of the mediums relentlessly pursues Eva Rafale M going through a cloud while pursuing her the Ratsel finds himself alone seeming 'disoriented' when the voice of the young woman is heard."In your six crétin!"She says, making her plane visible again, firing a Meteor, the ratsel has no time to dodge and is eliminated in one hit."That's my four kill of the day, not bad."
"That's an impressive kill on this one Eva!"Compliments Anaïs who has just eliminated one of them too.
"Thank you Princess, using the wind to destabilize him was not bad either." She replies.
"Hell, in 10 years in the Navy I've never been in an dogfight of this size!"Says Thomas after having eliminated two light ones with his sidewinders."Shit I got one in the ass flares flares!"He said as he deployed his countermeasures to try to distract him but a laser shot damaged his right wing."The motherfucker hit me!"He said trying to stabilize his Hornet before the medium was destroyed by the 'Don'.
"Hostile down Are you okay Red?"Asks Dawson, still chomping on his gum to his friend.
"Yeah Thanks for your help, Mendez is just going to yell at me for damaging my Hornet...again but I can still fight."He thanks his friend.
"Ah ah, even in normal times he manages to yell at us so it should be fine!"Answer the amused "Don", the two exchange some laughs before returning to the fight when a big explosion in the sky draws the attention of the pilots followed by a communication."This is the Chevalier Paul, one of the heavy ones has been destroyed, only two left!"Reports the captain when his ship or rather his magic shield is hit by several laser shots."Shield down to 70% and their shots are becoming more and more irregular! "Reports the MMR operator.
"Prepare a second wave, switch the MMR to offensive mode, we'll kill two birds with one stone and destroy the two remaining ones in a single attack!"Said the captain of the Chevalier Paul while the two heavies continued to fire on the lead ships."The captains of the Doria, the Dulio, the Dauntless and the Diamond are ready to fire sir."The operator say.
"Let's get this over with, Fire!"Orders the captain, at his word 10 Aster missiles head for the last two Heavy while the fighters and other ships continue to occupy the few remaining Light and Medium, two of the missiles are destroyed in flight by the laser but the others hit their target or are almost to do it.
"Ah ha well done guys, another one destroyed!"Compliments Owels as he watches the scene raising his fist.
"Only 1 remaining and bye bye!"Says Marcela which shoots down one of the last light with its last missile, the third Ratsel however at the last moment emits a kind of cries different from the others which disturbs the missiles targeting system and these last ones miss or cause little damage to the Ratsel which regenerates."What was that, shit my instruments screw up!"Notes Jean by seeing the on-board screen of his Rafale which works not correctly.
"Same for us, the automatic targeting systems don't work, we'll have to switch to manual"Said the captain of the Dauntless.
"It looks like some kind of jamming, It affects the electronics but not our magic this time."Seems to note Dimitri as he sees that his familiar is still active, he looks for a moment at what he has left as a missile and says."2 Exocet left... "He murmurs before saying out loud." I think I just had an idea..."By snapping his fingers.
"What kind of idea boss?"Asks Eva intrigued.
"The kind that requires you to turn invisible for 30 seconds or so and for the others you get the Ratsel's attention during that time, can you do that?"
Eva smiled at the question."Is that kind of question really necessary boss? "She said as she moved in front of him.
"You can count on us boss, we'll distract him."Jean and Anais answers.
"In that case here we go!"As soon as his orders are given, Anaïs and Jean helped by the others distract the Ratsel while Eva makes herself and her leader invisible, heading towards the Ratsel who cannot see them, shooting into the air."Okay Eva I need you to climb to 2000 meters above him, then I'll dive on him and send my last two missiles."
"But they are EXOCET, they are not designed for aerial targets! "Says Eva surprised by the plan.
"I know but you forget my magic that can solve this problem."He reminds her by tapping his head.
"Ha, that's it I think I get it, it's a crazy plan, but it should work, and please don't fire them on the American or British ships, even if they are used to our Exocet(3)."Finishes by saying the French witch with a small laugh.
"Yeah please don't."The captains of the US and Royal navy ship respond too.
"Don't worry everyone, I handle this."Without more talk the two Rafales climb to 2000 meters above the Ratsel, once the height reached Dimitri leaves the invisibility range of his teammate."Surprise mon ami."He says while launching the two Exocet which 'configured' by the magic of Dimitri target the Ratsel which tries to destroy the missile but the speed of the fall plus that of the missiles makes any interception impossible."Come on come on, you can do it my little friend..."Dimitri says in his head while guiding the missiles, the first one hits the enemy in the back, creating a large opening revealing the core before it is hit by the second Exocet, the ratsel seems to scream in agony.
"Ah ah right on the money!Stealth wasn't such a bad movie after all..."Says Dimitri cheerfully followed by congratulations and whistles of encouragement from the sailors and pilots but alas before succumbing the Ratsel has time to fire one last laser before succumbing, missing the Chevalier Paul but hitting the unfortunate USS Porter at the engine and the citadel creating a big explosion before the monster succumbs in a thousand of white sparks.
"NO!"Jessica exclaims in horror.
"Shit the Porter just got hit again!"Observes the Admiral helplessly.
"These bastards know how to hit where it hurts, send help ASAP."Said the furious American Admiral.
On board the ship in question the reports are not good."My captain the command post and the engine room are out of order this time and water is starting to come in from really everywhere."Dejected, the captain finally decided to give an order he would probably never have wished to give: "We no longer have a choice, set off the evacuation alert, we abandon ship."
"V... very well sir, all crew members have been ordered to abandon ship, head for the boats as soon as possible, we are abandoning the Porter!"Ordered by the Xo on the radio, without waiting, the crew put on their life jackets and headed for the inflatable boats while the Seahawk took on board the most seriously wounded, the other ships went to the aid of the shipwrecked while the ship continued to sink slowly into the water, the salt water almost touching the out-of-service turret of the Porter, the captain was the last to leave his ship with a twinge of sorrow.
The ship ended up breaking in two and sinking into the sea, in one of the lifeboat the captain salutes his ship, quickly imitated by the survivors, the other sailors and even the pilots.
"May your souls rest in peace, your sacrifice will not be forgotten."Said the captain soberly before he was picked up by the Dauntless sailors.
In his Rafale, Dimitri, joined by his companions, flew without saying a word over the sinking ship before he decided to speak. "Vice Admiral Campbell, I'm sorry..."
"De Vercor?"
"If I had hurried earlier we could have saved the ship and because of me you lost a ship.
The Vice Admiral tries to reassure him, "You couldn't have foreseen that this bastard would make a last stand, if you hadn't acted like that he probably could have caused more damage against the fleet, magic or not."
"Campbell is right, it's not your fault, it's those damn Ratsels who started it and the most important thing now is to take care of the survivors, and that everyone stays on alert, we don't know what's still to come and with all these events we still haven't managed to have contact with the mainland, that those who need to resupply, rearm or want to use their strikers can land."Martin said to Dimitri an the others.
In his F18 as he prepares to land Dawson's magic antennas turn from green to yellow to signify the neutrality of the new contacts he has spotted. "Guys I've spotted several contacts approaching from the south, origin unknown."
"Affirmative, we have them on the radar too in approach vector 1-8-0 coming from Libya, altitude 3000 meters average speed 650km/H. "Answer Thunderstorm.
"Again those bastards of Ratsels? " Says Jessica.
"Negative I detect several magic signature, Rapier squadron you are close, intercept them! "Answer the AWACS.
"If they are not the Ratsel I wonder who it is, the Libyan air force is history, I don't know who it is but we'll find out right away, Rapier squadron in interception formation let's go!"Dimitri say.
"This is Longsword 1, we come with you guys" Says Henri who follows them.
The four rafale and the two F35B put themselves in interception stance, after some minutes of flight they arrive in sight of the unknowns and what they see amply surprise them, four witches wearing uniforms, weapons and Striker of the second world war.
"What the heck is that?"Said a surprised Dimitri.
"I didn't know that there was a World War II festival in the area... "Says Jean.
"Stop saying bullshit, you really think that cos-players would come to venture in a place like this, but let's move on. "Reply Eva annoyed by his stupidity.
"Jenny, can you try to listen to their communications?"Henri ask.
"I'm already on it sir."She answers by activating her skill.
31st Joint Fighter Squadron Africa, nicknamed "Storm Witches."
20 June 1944, Mediterranean sea.
Dispatched following the report of Neurois forces in the Mediterranean area by the allied air control, for the witches who are part of the 31nd Joint fighter squadron "Africa" aka the "Storm Witches" the situation is confused following what has just reported one of her who is in charge of the detection. "What do you mean you lost them, they ran away?"Ask for Hannah Justina Marseille aka the star of Africa a young woman of the Karlsland Luftwaffe with blond hair wearing a black jacket and white skirt, using a BF109E painted yellow with the number 14 as a striker unit.
"No, all their echoes disappeared one after the other shortly after this strange wave appeared on the radar, but wait, I see several aircraft approaching us quickly" replied a Japanese or a Fusoan voice, she's using a Striker unit Ki-61.
" Neurois? "Asks Raisa Pottgen, teammate of Marseille by raising her MG34.
"No, I think they are planes, jets in this sector?"Said Mami Inagaki, the other Japanese/Fusoan of the group.
"Me262s or Britannian Gloster Meteors?" said Raisa.
"No it doesn't look like what I've seen before...they're approaching, be prepared for anything, we don't know who they are."Warn the Fusoan Katou Keiko, who prepare her Type97 machine gun.
"Damn they are fast!"Notes Hannah surprised by their speed flying around the four witches. "They surround us, defensive formation! "Says Keiko pointing its weapon on the jets when two of them slow down and go into hover mode.
"What? they can fly almost like us!"Says Raisa surprised by the capacity of the F35B.
"Striker BF109 and Hien... The last time I saw a 109 was during a meeting at Le Bourget."Said a surprised Eva.
"Keep them in sight but don't shoot...for now, I'll try to communicate with them..."Orders Dimitri.
"Copy we're on stand by but even with our magic we won't be able to maintain this position for long."Answer Henri whose side missile hatches are open, if the B version of the F35 can take off and land like a helicopter it cannot maneuver in VTOL mode permanently like him or like in Die Hard 4."This girl with long blonde hair reminds me of someone..."Thinks the British man while seeing the young woman giving him a threatening glance.
"This is Rapier 1 to Unidentified Witches, you are heading to a multinational fleet on a mission, please identify yourself or you will be considered hostile and shot down, this is your first and only warning!"Says Dimitri in a serious way."Please answer..."Thinks the captain.
"Who the hell are these guys, are they really threatening to shoot us? If they are, I won't let them!" Says Hannah ready to retaliate.
"No, don't let anyone shoot without my permission!" Orders Keiko.
"At least they are human, neurois would never have contacted us by radio, what are your order leader?"Says Mami who speaks to her leader.
Lowering her weapon, Katou replies."I am Katou keiko of the Fusoan imperial army and commander of the Storm witches squadron of the allied forces, don't shoot we have no interest in fighting against humans, only against the neurois, who am I talking to?"
"Neurois, fusoan but what is she talking about?"Think the french wizard before responding."Very well, I am the captain de Vercor of the Rapier squadron of the French national navy. Sorry, we have just confronted some Ratsels that's why we are a bit nervous, I inform my superior about you please wait a moment"Says Dimitri to the 'Japanese."I think we can trust them they don't look hostile to me, but be careful."
"Copy that." The others answer, the two F35 bring back their missiles and resume their normal flight mode.
"Ratsel?that was the old name of the Neurois, wasn't it? "Keiko thought.
Dimitri then contacts the CDG."Admiral we have made contact with witches who seem to be German and Japanese equipped in a strange way, they are using strikers and weapons from the second world war and they mentioned to fight only against the neurois and other strange things, what are your instructions?
"All of this is very weird since this incident, the professor has a theory but...escort them to the CDG"He respond.
"Understood."Dimitri answers and ask Katou again."Commander Keiko, my superiors would like to meet you and your girls, we have our aircraft carriers a few kilometers from here, follow us."
Seeming to think for a moment, she answers."Very well, we follow you, we have questions to ask too."
"In this case let's go."Says Dimitri flying in front of them and so that they can follow them.
"Tell me you mentioned being attacked by Ratsel, do you mean the neurois because ratsel was their former name used by my country. "Explain Raisa to Dimitri.
"Really?Yes, and it's the first time we fight them, but something tells me that we have not finished to meet them in the future if you say that you are engaged against them too."He respond.
"I have a question too you mentioned that you're French, but I don't know that country, you mean Gallia from your accent. "Said Hannah as she followed the planes.
"Gallia, the last time I heard that name was in Professor Roubaix's boring Latin class...the ancient name for France "Said Jean to her."And you are?"
"Hannah Justina Marseille of the Karlsand Empire Luftwaffe, the star of Africa the one and only!"She said proudly and arrogantly with a smile."I'm surprised you don't recognize me."The mention of his name causes a sudden silence among some of the wizards, witches and sailors who were listening to the radio communications, Captain Helmut Shwarzel of the Hamburg says."This must be a joke...she was killed in 1942 a month after her brother..."
"Yes, by one of our witch, but I don't remember her name..."Confirms Ludivine Varnier of the frigate Lafayette.
"But damn we have traveled 70 years back or what to be entitled to this kind of conversation and see them use this kind of equipment? "Says an annoyed Jean.
"It is perhaps a possibility and perhaps even of world too... "Seems to admit Dimitri.
"Are you kidding?"
" Think about it a little, after the destruction of the core of the Ratsel, this one emits a strange glow and the storm disappears suddenly to leave place to a bright sun, we can't communicate by satellite with our countries, we face Ratsel coming out of nowhere and now we have German and Japanese witches in WW2 outfit in front of us, and it seems to me to remember from my history classes that the Japanese have never been on the African front, and I'm pretty sure that El soulef think the same thing."Dimitri explain his theory of dimensional travel and ask the witches.
"Tell me ladies, I have a stupid question but what year is it?"
Hannah answers surprised to the question: "Really stupid indeed, it's the 20th of June 1944, why did you think it was in what year?" She answers, which confirms the doubts of Dimitri and several others, including Ayoub El Soulef.
"June 21, 2018. "The answer also surprises the storm witches.
"2018 it seems impossible but that would explain why your planes are totally unknown to us. "Hannah replies.
"Indeed we have made a time jump boss, 74 years. "Adds Jean who think."Dammit that's mean no Netflix..."
"And you can say in our dimension too."Keiko adds. "I know some at headquarters who will be surprised by our mission report."
The professor's voice is then heard."Here Professor El Soulef I suspected that I too when the ratsel, or the Neuroi as it is called here by you Commander Keiko aboard the CDG exploded, different position of the sun communication satellites lost, unknown country name to both of us..."The admiral cuts him off and says "Thank you professor these explanations will be clearer on board than by radio I think, we wait for you on board ladies.
The return trip goes without a word when the fleet is finally in sight again, flying over this one, the sight of these totally unknown ships easily surprises the Storm Witches, most of them having a relatively smooth design, almost no apparent external main armament except for a single gun at the front except for the Italian ships, a French and an American which have two guns and even 3 for the Italians(4). "Wow I've never seen a fleet like this one, on the other hand their ships its weird, only one, two or just three cannon? "Says Keiko who brings out her camera and photographs them.
"Even a destroyer like the Z-23 has more guns!" Said Hannah.
"But they seem bigger than our destroyers, they're almost the same size as a Cleveland!" Said Raisa.
"And their aircraft carrier, the one with the flag that looks like the Liberion's, they are all bigger than the Akagi or the Shinano." Adds Mami.
The way they express themselves makes Dimitri smile as he observes them flying next to them."She seemed really surprised, after all I would probably have the same reaction if I had ships from the future in front of me, if this is indeed 1944 I would love to visit the Richelieu!"
The four witches are then contacted by radio."This is the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to storm witches you are authorized to land. "Informs the air traffic controller of the CDG, the landing signals light up so that the witches locate the right ship.
"Charles de Gaulle, like the Gallian General?"Keiko said to herself before answering."Roger control, storm witches we land."One after the other the 4 witches land on the French aircraft carrier, the flag that flies is similar to the one of gallia except that the blue and white colors have exchanged their place, the personnel in charge of the management of the aircraft or striker come to place striker racks, leaving them and their weapons to the good care of the crew while several Fusiller Marin accompanying the admiral present themselves with their weapons lowered, some of them magicians have their familiars activated which surprises the witch because many of them are men.
"You better take care of it, it's that I treasure deeply my 109."Says Hannah as she gets out of her striker, the sailors nod their heads and move it.
"Danke."Said Raisa when one of the sailors helped her out of her striker and joined her comrades."Hey Hannah did you see that?"Said Raisa.
"Yes just like you, they also have witches...and wizards among them how is that possible?"Said Hannah as she watched the sailors with their obvious familiar.
"The last wizards disappeared a hundred years ago, didn't they? their world must be very different from ours... "Keiko remarked.
"Like the fact that they don't seem to know the Neurois."Mami add.
The admiral comes to the witch, he is greeted, returning the salute he then extends his hand."Commander Keiko, you and your friends are welcome aboard the Charles de Gaulle, I am Admiral Martin Derivaux in charge of NATO's 2nd Fleet, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise Admiral." She said as she shook the Admiral's hand, wondering what NATO meant that she would ask later. "I'm Katou Keiko commander of the storm witches squadron, I hope we can clear up this whole situation about you. "
"Same for us, and here is your escort which is going to land, you would like to see them at work? "The curious witch answers by the affirmative.
"Rapier 1 you are on the radar, prepare the landing procedures you are authorized to land. "Informs the traffic air controller of the CDG.
"Roger thanks control I'm starting my approach."Dimitri answers, he lowers the tail-hook and takes out the landing gear, gradually reducing his speed he approaches the aircraft carrier and descends slowly.
"Is he really going to make it this far? "Says a skeptical Hannah.
"You'll see everything is arranged," Martin replies.
The rafale lands and the stick hooks the second arresting gear stopping the course of the omnirole in a gradual process to the astonishment of the witch who for her it is the first time they sees a jet plane land in this way and on a carrier in top of that, the Rafale is then guided out of the bridge to allow the others to land, Dimitri then gets out of his plane, helmet under the arm readjusting his hair and goes towards the group.
"Um he's pretty cute... "Thinks the star of Africa.
"I would have imagined he was older, wouldn't you Keiko? "Asks Mami.
"That's right, he must be barely two years older than me."She answers before adding to the attention of the Frenchman who approaches."Nice landing, at one point I thought you were going to end up at the bottom of the Mediterranean, captain de vercor is that right? "Said Keiko.
"Yes that's right and thank you for the compliment Commander Keiko, and sorry if I was a bit rude to you and your girls during our first meeting." He said while apologizing.
"I understand you, if the roles had been reversed I would have probably reacted the same way.
"Fortunately for you, we are not trigger-happy, I would have been sorry to destroy such a beautiful plane, I wonder if there is a Striker version."Hannah replies with a smirk.
"Hannah I don't think this is the time for this..." Whispers Raisa.
"We have several strikers in the hangar, including mine, I'll show you later if you like." Answers Dimitri.
"Wait you're a...wizard too?"Asks Hannah surprised, Dimitri answers with a smile and a small laugh and makes appear his familiar and a magic circle under his feet, he throws his helmet which guided by his magic lands in the still open cockpit of his Rafale and says."Does that answer your question, from the look on your face it seems like this is the first time you've seen a boy with powers..."
"And how, wizards in our world are very rare since a hundred years, the differences between our worlds are really important."Keiko explain to him and the admiral.
"What you're telling us is interesting, I think we'll be more comfortable inside the ship to talk about it than in the middle of the noise of the planes..."The admiral said as the last Rafales landed and several helicopters arrived."I have contacted the key officers in charge of the Italian American British and German forces to get an update on the situation, please follow us."Says the admiral, the group then enters the ship but before that Keiko wishes to inform his superior of the situation, they will make a detour in the communication room before the briefing room while an AW101 of the Regia Marina and another of the Royal Navy, a Seahawk of the us navy and a NH90 of the Deutsche Marine carrying the allied commanders land on the aircraft carrier, the officers are escorted inside where they expect to have more precise explanations, before entering the ship he turning one last time looking the flight deck and the sea the admiral thinks."I really ended in another world with my task-force."
(1)MMR for Marine Magic Reactor is a (expensive)magical reactor present on most of warship like Cruiser, Aircraft Carrier Frigate or Destroyers given the equipped ship more attack or defense capabilities like more fast and powerful missiles or shells and best tracking in offensive posture or a giant magical shield which can move itself to counter incoming attack and better speed to the ship engines and jamming in defensive posture, both mode can be used at the same time but only in a emergency case because a too prolonged even for few minutes usage can create damage or destruction/death to both the MMR and its user.
(2)PAAMS for Principal Anti Air Missile System is an AEGIS like system but more advanced for anti air and missile warfare and main armament on several European warship, notably French British and Italian ship to counter aerial assault or missile saturation attack at high or very low altitude, or tracking and destroy enemy units in the air with its several long range radars.
(3)The Exocet is well know for his achievement during the 1982 Falkland War when they sink the HMS Sheffield and the Atlantic conveyor and damaging other ship, and also during the Iran-Irak war when two of them has been fired by mistake on the USS Stark, in fact the Exocet has sank or damaged more allied ship of France than any other missile.
(4)The Horizon class(Orizzonte for the Italians) are 4 ship of the same design build by the French and Italian but unlike the french ship who had only 2 turret the Italian version has a third turret located in the rear.