December 27, 2015

James falls from the sky, choking on the thin air of the stratosphere. His face burns as black smoke billows out of his helmet. He desperately tries to free the clasp, his gloves making the task nigh impossible. "Come on! Come on!" He screams in pain as the wind rips past his body.

Ripping his glove off his hand the icy wind bites into his exposed skin. The flames licking his face as he chokes on the smoke filling the helmet. His hand grabs the latch and rips it open, an exposed part slicing through his neck like a knife, blood spilling everywhere. The helmet flies away as he reaches for the handle on his parachute, yanking it only for nothing to happen. The ground looms large, closing in at an incredible rate, his vision begins to fade from the blood loss. Reaching for the reserve he wraps his fingers around the metal loop, hoping for his last chance to avoid smashing into the ground like a bug on a windshield.

He pulls the handle with all the strength he has left turning his head back to the ground to see a tree mere feet in front of him.

James stumbles out of bed rushing for the bathroom ducking his head into the toilet as he retches violently. A sickly groan escaping his crippled body before being interrupted by more retching. Sweat covers his body as he shakes from the weakness in his arms and legs. He sits on the floor, leaning back against the bathtub catching his breath. His body turning on itself, desperate for the drug that let him function for all these years.

He slowly picks himself up. Stumbling into his room he grabs his key off the dresser and makes his way to Kei's room. Three quick knocks on the door, hoping she's awake. Kei opens the door rubbing her eyes, "James? What is it?" She asks through a stifled yawn.

"I have to drink Kei." He admits sheepishly, "I can't sleep and the few times I do the nightmares, they're too much."

Kei looks at James, taking in the black circles beneath his eyes and the thin layer of sweat covering his body. "James…" She pleads.

"I'm constantly on edge, Kei. I can barely think straight I'm three weeks in and I feel like I'm about to die." James begs.

"I'm not going to let you James, you've been doing so well. Please don't throw it away," she reaches up to brush his cheek only for him to slap her hand away.

"Just give me a bottle Kei, for fucks sake!" James hisses.

Kei's eyes soften, "You need to fight this James, I know you're angry. Just, come in and sit down for a moment."

James narrows his eyes at her suspiciously before stepping into the room. He couldn't explain to anyone why he felt suspicious towards the only person that had been helping him through this.

Stepping inside the room he sat down in the chair noticing a lock attached to the fridge, "Don't trust me at all do you?" he snaps bitterly.

Kei sighs, "You know that's not true James." Kei says sitting on the bed in front of James, "You're an addict, you're going to do anything to get a fix, but I know you want to get better. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come to me."

James scoffs rubbing his temples, "What if I have to fly? How will I be able to do that like this? I can't go up this tired and exhausted. I'll get killed in seconds."

Kei chuckles, "You've been far more exhausted than this, I think you're underestimating yourself."

"So, what if I am?" James rolls his eyes, "One drink won't kill me you know, it might even help me."

"That's the alcohol talking, James." Kei says, gently placing a hand on his knee, "Do you remember when I told you I was pregnant?" She whispers softly hoping to distract James.

James stares at her for a moment, "You didn't tell me you were pregnant, Kei. I walked in on you hunched over the toilet one morning and joked about you being pregnant."

Kei laughs, "You're right. I wish you could have seen the look when I didn't answer. It was priceless."

James shakes his head, "You're ridiculous sometimes, you realize that. Then I had to sit and take care of you. Making sure you had your damn peanut butter."

Kei falls back on the bed laughing, "Oh, god, I forgot about the peanut butter!" She cries as she sits back up seeing a miniscule smile on James' face, "Then you would sit next to Reina every night and read after you got home, even when she was asleep. Or you would tell her dramatic stories about the war when she got older. Making yourself out to be some superhero."

James lets out a soft laugh his body starting to relax as Kei sighs, "You are her superhero you know that? She's always bragging about her dad the war hero, and how she wants to grow up to save people just like you."

James remains silent as Kei finishes, his eyes closed as he quietly begins to snore. Kei smiles and pulls a small blanket off the bed gently covering him. "Get some rest honey." She whispers before crawling into her own bed and drifting off to sleep.

The muted sound of a showerhead fills James' ears as his eyes slowly open. The feeling of a soft felt blanket fills his senses. James rubs his temples as he takes in his surroundings, glancing over to see an unopened beer sitting on the bedside table with a note sitting next to it. James lifts the note up reading the cursive writing silently.

"You fell asleep here while talking. Here's your beer if I'm still getting ready. You're doing great. – Kei"

James smiles and opens the beer. His first drink putting the fire burning in his throat out instantly. The sound of the shower stops, and Kei opens the door wrapped in a towel surprised to see James awake. "James!" She yelps, "I- I didn't expect you to be up yet," She says quickly as she adjusts the towel sliding behind the door, "Do you mind? My clothes are on the bed."

James blushes slightly quickly grabbing the shirt and pants laid out on the bed, handing them to her while trying to avert his gaze for her sake. "It's not like I haven't seen it before." He mutters.

"I-" now it's Kei's turn to blush, "It's been a while is all!" she defends quickly closing the door and throwing her clothes on. "Bastard," she mutters quietly.

James sits in the chair sipping his beer as he tries to shrug off the more minor symptoms. Kei steps out of the bathroom fully clothed and sighs, "How are you feeling this morning?" she asks.

"Uh, just as bad as the last few days. The beer helps but-"

"But you always want more." She finishes, a sympathetic smile appearing.

"Yeah, listen. I'm sorry about last night." He apologizes, "I shouldn't have been so harsh. You're doing so much to help me, and you shouldn't have to."

Kei looks at James, who is trying to look anywhere but at her out of embarrassment, "Do you really think I didn't do any research into what it's like for an alcoholic to quit? It's part of the process. But," she pauses, "If you want to make it up to me you can actually get better instead of falling back into the pit of despair you're trying to climb out of."

James nods, a hesitation apparent on his face. "Kei, I need to ask you something."

She sits on the bed listening closely, "What is it?" She asks.

"What, exactly are we? I don't want to misread your kindness and get hurt because I thought we were something we aren't."

Kei leaned back and braced herself on the bed with her hands. "I don't know either James. I miss you, and I know that man may never come back but I still hope."

James nods, "Why- Why didn't you ever remarry Kei?"

Kei smiles, "Because how could I? The bond we share, James, there's no one that could replace you to me. I followed you into battle, I protected you, and you protected me. We're a team, and I fell in love with you because of it. If I met someone else, God what would we even talk about? Work? Maybe I'm just stuck being a daring young woman, but the last thing either of us can say is that we lived a boring life. Look at you out here even? Still flying, the rest of us moved on, started normal lives. Maybe you're still trying to cling to your glory days, but I think you found what you loved and you're going to do anything to make it happen."

James frowns, "I want to be that man again, but I can't Kei. I've hurt you, the one thing I promised myself I'd never do."

Kei sighs lifting James' gaze to meet her own, "What did you tell us the night Alvin died."

James pulls his head away looking down in shame only for Kei to grab it again and bring it back to her. "You said, 'from now on we're family, either we all make it back or none of us do.'" Kei smiles and releases James. "Why else do you think Hans and I stuck around," She teases.

James shakes his head and tears start flowing down his face as he desperately tries to wipe them away. "I don't deserve you, either of you. Do you realize that?" He mumbles through sobs.

Kei slowly wraps her arms around his shaking body, as he devolves into a mess. Letting out the years of emotions he suppressed with alcohol.

Kei gently rubs James' back as he shakes, still desperately trying to wipe the tears from his face. "It's ok James, let it out." She whispers.

Lampert stands outside of James room tapping his foot anxiously. Looking down the hall he sees Kei and James walking up to the room silently, "Ah, good morning?" He asks scratching his head.

James rubs his temple, "Don't tell me we're flying today." He mutters already knowing the answer.

Lampert nods as James disappears into his room closing the door behind him. Kei smiles at Lampert nervously, "Bring him back to me, Lieutenant," Kei says quietly after the door closes.

Lampert looks at the woman and opens his mouth to speak but hesitates, "It's impossible to keep him under control up there. He's shouted at me on both sorties already. I really don't know if I can keep dealing with it."

Kei chuckles, "He's going to be harsh, but I promise he's here to help you. I also know he'll sacrifice himself in a heartbeat if it means getting you home safe. Don't make him do that. Please."

Lampert scrunches his eyes, "What makes you say that? Did losing his friend really do that much to him?"

Kei nods, sadness filling her face, "There's a lot I can't tell you about what we went through, but he was different after that. He'd stop at nothing to protect us; it was a mess trying to keep him in line."

Surprise filled Lampert's face, "You flew with him?"

Kei nods, "I was his number two, just like you. Give him a chance, try to see through the swears, and anger. Those are directed at himself, not you. Keep on his tail and watch, you'd be surprised what you can learn from an old drunk."

Lampert nods, understanding. James opens the door in his flight suit, "Any idea what the mission is kid?"

Lampert shakes his head, "No clue, sounds big though. The ground forces have been advancing constantly.

Kei takes a step towards James, "Get back safe, alright? No stunts."

James nods putting on a smile for Kei. "No stunts."

Kei turns and walks away as James looks at Lampert the two waiting for Kei to get out of sight, "Lampert," James says quietly, "My head feels like it's about to explode."

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Lampert asks.

"With Kei around? No fucking way kid. She wouldn't let me fly." James mutters quietly.

"Sounds like a smart lady." Lampert says crossing his arms.

"Don't be a smart-ass Lampert," James snaps.

James and Lampert enter the briefing room seeing Avalanche and Windhover squadrons already waiting. "Well, if it isn't the Eagles of the South," Freddie Durand, Avalanche One, quips.

Lampert squints in confusion, "What are you talking about, Fred?"

"You didn't hear about it? Some rebel new station back in Gracemeria started calling you guys that. Looks like you're already making a name for yourself." Fred teases.

"We're four months into a war and still have a whole continent to retake, I wouldn't say we're doing that good of a job." James says sternly quickly dampening the mood in the room, "The moment you start thinking you're unstoppable is when shit goes wrong."

The other pilots look at each other several muttering under their breath. Only Lampert understood on some level where James was coming from. "H-he's right guys, we need to focus on the mission ahead."

James watches Lampert, a satisfied smirk barely visible on his face as he sits at the back of the room. Shortly after, the Commodore enters and unfolds his papers on the podium. "Bartolomeo Fortress. The Estovakians have set up their base of operations on Khesed around Mount Marcello. The main body of forces are centered around the mountain. However, the only feasible approach for our ground forces is through the east and west valleys. The enemy will not give up the position easily. We are planning for three operations, two ground forces consisting of Warlock Battalion in the west, and Quox Battalion in the east. The third operation is to establish air superiority over the airspace to facilitate patrol aircraft to provide real time data back to headquarters to adjust strategy. We will need as many forces as possible to overwhelm the final defense forces, clearing the skies will help maintain ground unit strength throughout the assault. However, we can't delay the ground assaults, or the enemy may be able to dig in more than they already have. This will be the largest battle of the war up to this point and will be an extended operation. There is a small airfield with ground crews and ordinance that you can resupply at, these will be combat resupplies only, no repairs will be able to be done. Any questions?"

A female pilot raises her hand, "Sir, should we focus on the air or ground units?"

James interjects, "Ground units, Garuda will take the skies. If we need any assistance, I'll call for it."

The other pilots look back to James, "Come on, you can't expect to take all those fighters on your own. That's ridiculous."

James shrugs, "It isn't about shooting them down. They want a target, you said it yourself, we already have a reputation. Every pilot will be after us, hoping for a bit of glory. We can drag them along until you clear the way for the ground forces."

The other pilots look towards the Commodore for guidance, "Windhover, you take Warlock Battalion, Avalanche will take Quox and stand by for Garuda." He says nodding towards James, "And Garuda, no heroics." He mentions off hand, "That's all."

The thirteen aircraft cross the boundary into the free-engagement zone. Talisman and Shamrock's F-15E's loaded with as many missiles as they could carry. "Alright Garuda, we're splitting off. Take care of yourselves." Avalanche One calls before rocking his wings and peeling off with the other F-18's, each weighed down with full bomb loads.

Windhover does the same without a word, heading west. "Talisman, are you sure you can handle this? It's a lot to take on for someone in your state. When was the last time you got a full night's rest?"

"I'm fine Shamrock, just, stay with me. I need you to stick with me." Talisman mumbles his breathing audibly shortened.

Talisman pushes the throttle forward stopping at full military power, the engines spinning up to full speed without afterburner. "Top priority is keeping fighters off the recon craft. Evasive maneuvers only."

"Copy, don't forget if you need to egress the resupply field is south, Talisman."

"Got it," Talisman replies shortly.

The two climb up to about twenty-five thousand feet surveying the battlefield. "Talisman, I see a flight of eight aircraft in front of us, what should we do?"

"Weapons safe, I want them to get a good look at us." Talisman orders.

Talisman's hand shakily rolls the aircraft over, pulling back and diving towards the formation. Talisman passes just in front of the enemy fighters scattering them as they break off to avoid any potential missiles. Talisman pulls the stick back spreading his wings towards the enemy. Several of them jumping on the two eagles immediately. "That's it, chase me." Talisman says to himself.

"Talisman, they're pulling onto your tail. Should I take the shot?" Shamrock asks, anxiously.

"Let them come, they won't win in a turning fight anyway."

All eight of the fighters pull onto the two F-15's. The two leaders struggling to gain lock as Talisman and Shamrock begin pulling tighter. The gravity on their bodies increasing steadily. "I don't get it Talisman, why aren't the others firing?" Shamrock asks through strained muscles.

Talisman doesn't respond, his sickened body just barely taking the punishment Shamrock becoming increasingly concerned about his leader's state.

"Talisman, break right! I can go guns on one of them!" Shamrock shouts.

Talisman doesn't hesitate, pulling the stick into his gut while Shamrock's guns ignite, filling the air behind Talisman with a small wall of lead. One of the enemy aircraft flies straight through it the cannon rounds tracing a line down its left wing route severing the aircraft with ease. "Good kill! One enemy down!" Talisman took the moment to level off for a split second, just enough to ease the forces on his body. Heavy breathing fills his cockpit as his body aches. His heart pounds in his chest struggling to force blood through his body. "Good job kid," he gasps.

"We need help Talisman!" Shamrock shouts pulling his aircraft around to rejoin Talisman, the remaining aircraft still chasing the two pilots.

"Not yet, we can…" Talisman trails off his eyes struggling to remain open.

One second is a lifetime in combat, where the difference between life and death is measured in thousandths of a second. As Talisman's aircraft slows it's turn, the unexpected maneuver catches the trailing fighters off guard stunning them into a moment of confusion.

Talisman's eyes snap open and he slams the throttle against the firewall, the two afterburners launching him forward, his body shaking. He quickly looks around, the enemies struggling to reorganize after the confusion. "Shamrock! Where are you?!" Talisman shouts as he struggles to calm his breathing.

"I lost you Talisman! What the hell just happened?" Shamrock shouts back as he bleeds energy avoiding the four enemies on his tail. "I can't get away from them!" He shouts.

Talisman stands the plane on its wing pulling into a tight turn as he listens to the growl of the Sidewinder in his helmet. The high pitch rumble signaling a good lock, "Fox Two, Shamrock break right!" Talisman calls.

Shamrock responds immediately, pulling onto Talisman's wing as the missile explodes next to its target raining shrapnel through the aircrafts wing crippling it. "Thanks Talisman, I thought I was a goner there." Shamrock gasps as the two accelerate away.

"Yeah, me too…" Talisman mutters quietly. The enemy aircraft struggle to keep up, falling farther behind the duo.

"Talisman, you know we can't keep this up, those fighters aren't going to let up if we go back." Shamrock says.

Talisman shakes his head ripping the oxygen mask off his face taking in huge gulps of air. "All units, this is Garuda, we need help, there's too many of them!" he yells over the radio.

"Avalanche five through eight, go! Two through four, stay with me, we can handle the ground forces!"

Four of the F/A-18's break off from the east and rocket west. "On our way!"

Talisman looks at Shamrock flying just of his wing, clipping his mask back on he gives a distinct thumbs up. A lie, Talisman is pushing his luck and he knows it. "Talisman, are you sure?"

"I'm not going to let them take all the glory kid. We're going back." Talisman growls pulling into a left-hand turn, "Use your AMRAAM's Shamrock." He orders.

Talisman locks on to three fighters quickly firing all but one of his AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. Shamrock releases all four of his, the seven missiles tracking expertly to their targets as another flight of enemy aircraft close in. "This is Snake Pit, we're on station and transmitting data. As soon as Air superiority is secured, we will move north and assist the final assault."

The six Emmerian aircraft join up and engage the Estovakian forces. The two flights blast past each other. All fourteen aircraft split off into pairs twisting and turning around each other, each set trying to gain an advantage over another. "Talisman, are you sure this is a smart idea?" Shamrock asks as they climb into the sky the powerful engines pushing them above their competition. "Hit and run, Shamrock. That's all we can do."

Shamrock understands immediately, Talisman was in no shape to fly at all, the intense strain of dogfighting pulling him beyond his limit. "Copy that, Talisman."

While the two are engaged in aerial combat the two operations on the ground steadily push forward where the two valleys meet. "We're within range of the fortress! Thanks for those callouts, Snake Pit, we couldn't have made it without you!" Shamrock slides into position alongside Talisman, "I'm bingo fuel Talisman, we need to resupply before we can push into the fortress."

"All units, Garuda is bingo fuel, we're returning to resupply."

"Affirmative Garuda," Ghost Eye's voice replies.

The two land at the small airfield and taxi to the small area set aside. "I'm getting out while they refuel Shamrock." Talisman says as he looks down at his hand, still shaking from the intense battle.

As the canopy opens James pulls his helmet off climbing out and sprinting off to the side of the flight line hunching over and spilling his guts over the bare ground. "Fuck." He moans as the acid in his stomach burns his throat. Lampert comes sprinting over, both men still covered in their flight gear. "McAlistair, you can't keep doing this! What are you trying to prove!"

James doesn't answer, simply glaring at the Lieutenant as he catches his breath. "I need a drink. It's been too long; I should have had four by now." He mumbles turning around as he fell to the ground roughly. Lampert looks at James torn between what to do, "Give me your phone."