Ace Combat 7: A New Beginning
Chapter 5: Letter for Trigger
Disclaimer: All the Ace Combat characters belong to its creators.
Location: Avril's Hanger, Selatapura Air Force Base, Gunther Peninsula, Usea
Local Time: 7:30 pm
Trigger and Count, soon finished explaining to Avril and Rosa what the briefing was all about, leaving the latter two in great disbelief.
"I can't imagine the possibility of another Free Erusean resurgence," Rosa commented.
"I don't think any of us could," Count added.
"I am so sorry for the loss of the pilots you flew with before being sent to Zapland, Trigger," Avril said with sympathy.
"I wish I could've helped them," Trigger said with sadness in his voice. "I should've been there to help them. Why wasn't I there to help them?"
"There's nothing you could've done, Trigger," Avril pointed out. "Had you still been with Mage Squadron you would've been killed as well. And I wouldn't've met the man I hope to spend the rest of my life with."
Trigger walked up to Avril and hugged her.
"Hold me," Trigger said, sadly.
Avril then returned the hug.
Count and Rosa looked on with sad looks on their faces.
Location: Bridge of the Aigaion II, above White Valley, Usea
Local Time: 8:30 pm
Riedel was on the bridge with Clemens and Yellow 13 standing by his left and right shoulders.
"We're above our destination," A person sitting at a console called out.
Riedel turned to that person, "Bring us into hover, Franz."
Franz flipped a switch on the control panel in front of him and the Aigaion II slowed to a stop in mid-air.
The ground below the large craft opened up, revealing a large hanger.
"Beginning our descent," Franz announced before pulling down on a lever.
The Aigaion II began descending until it landed inside the hanger on clamps big enough and strong enough to hold the aircraft before the ground above closed.
"Must've taken a lot of effort to build this base," Clemens speculated.
"Thanks to the Belkin technology we've obtained during the 2014 uprising, we've been able to build bigger and better things in just a few years and in the shadows," Riedel said. "North Osean Gründer Industries makes, not only weapons of war, but really great construction and excavation drones as well. Now, let's disembark and Yellow 13 and I have something to show you."
Riedel, Clemens, and Yellow 13 made their way off the bridge and onto a gangplank the Aigaion II deployed.
"So, what is it you two are gonna show me?" Clemens asked as he, Riedel, and Yellow 13 walked down the gangplank.
"We intend to show you some of our handywork," Yellow 13 replied.
"Handywork that will play a key role in our plans for revenge against those who've humiliated us," Riedel added.
The trio soon stepped off the gangplank and walked towards a set of sliding doors.
The sliding doors opened to reveal a hallway with another set of sliding doors at the end.
Just after the trio passed the first set of sliding doors, the doors closed behind them just before the second set of doors at the end of the hallway opened up.
The trio walked through the doors and Clemens was shocked over what he saw: a large hanger containing a fleet of Arsenal Birds under construction!
"What is this?" Clemens asked, not believing what he was seeing.
"This will be part the Aerial Fleet of Free Erusea," Yellow 13 replied. "This; combined with our rebuilt air force, army, surface navy, and the Aigaion II; will enable us to reclaim the pride that was taken from us and unify all the nations that split off from Erusea during the Lighthouse War. The military government of Erusea that was replaced by a monarchy will be back. And… Three Strikes will be as dead as Mobius 1."
"Sounds like the perfect plan," Clemens commented. He then came down with a feeling and developed a worried look on his face.
"What's wrong, General?" Yellow 13 asked.
"You know how you were able to keep Three Strikes and the LRSSG at bay with that attack on the space elevator?" Clemens asked.
"Yes," Yellow 13 said with a nod. "The attack should keep Three Strikes and the LRSSG in Selatapura to protect the space elevator instead of going out on sorties." He then thought of something and asked. "Do you think Three Strikes and his allies will figure things out?"
"Exactly," Clemens replied.
"Don't worry," Yellow 13 assured. "We have a way of staying one step ahead of Three Strikes and his allies."
Location: Trigger and Avril's room, Selatapura Air Force Base, Usea
Date: 12/8/19
Local Time: 4:45 am
Trigger and Avril were asleep in their bed.
Suddenly, Trigger woke up from his slumber.
"I need to use the bathroom," He thought.
He then carefully climbed out of bed, not wanting to wake Avril up, and quietly made his way into the bathroom, turned on the bathroom light, and closed the door behind him.
Unbeknownst to Trigger, Avril woke up from her slumber as well. She then noticed the bathroom door closed and the light inside the bathroom on.
Soon, a thought popped into her mind and made her smirk.
She climbed out of bed, walked up to the bathroom door, and stood against the wall to the left side of the door.
The bathroom light turned off, the door opened up, and Trigger walked out of the bathroom.
Avril soon came up from behind Trigger and was about to wrap her arms around his waist from behind when Trigger turned around, wrapped his arms around Avril's waist, and pulled her in for a kiss.
After breaking the kiss, Trigger cooed, "So, you thought you could try and ambush me, eh? I may be a dumbass, but I'm not that much of a dumbass."
"True," Avril agreed. "But don't forget that you're my dumbass."
"For now, and forever," Trigger added.
The two soon shared another kiss.
Just then, they heard the sound of tapping on their bedroom window and broke the kiss.
They both turned to the window to see a pigeon with an envelope strapped to it.
"That looks like a carrier pigeon," Trigger said as he and Avril pulled away from each other.
"What's a carrier pigeon doing here?" Avril asked.
Trigger walked over to the window, opened it, and the pigeon flew in and landed on Trigger's nightstand on the right side of the bed near the door.
"You're a really fast pigeon, aren't you?" Trigger asked as he walked up to the pigeon.
He then carefully removed the envelope the pigeon was carrying and flipped a light switch to the left of the door turning on the bedroom's light so he and Avril could get a good look at the envelope.
"It's got your name on it," Avril said, noticing Trigger's name written on the envelope.
"A letter for me?" Trigger asked, confused.
He then opened the envelope, pulled out a folded piece of paper, unfolded it, and read it silently.
"What does it read?" Avril asked.
Trigger developed a look of shock before he spoke, "We gotta show this to General Bartlett immediately!"
"Let me see that," Avril said as she took the letter from Trigger and read it silently.
"It cannot be!" Avril gasped after she finished reading the letter.
Suddenly, the door to Trigger and Avril's room opened, followed by Count's voice, "What's going on here?!" Trigger and Avril looked up to see, Count, with an annoyed look on his face. "I can hear you from next door!"
"Count, we've got a problem!" Trigger said, urgently.
"Trigger, what's wrong?" Count demanded. He then noticed the pigeon. "And what's a pigeon doing in here?"
"No time to explain," Trigger said. He then held up the letter. "We gotta get this to General Bartlett, now!"
Location: Briefing Room, Selatapura Air Force Base
Local Time: 5:00 am
The pilots of Strider and Cyclops Squadrons were sitting in the briefing room.
Just then, General Bartlett, Trigger, Avril, and Count walked into the briefing room.
The pilots stood to attention.
"At ease," Bartlett said.
The pilots then sat down with Trigger, Avril, and Count following suit.
"Now, you must be wondering why you were all summoned here at this hour," Bartlett began. "Earlier, a carrier pigeon arrived with a letter for Trigger."
"A letter for Trigger?" Húxiān asked.
"Who's it from?" Jaeger asked.
"It's from Mobius 1," Bartlett replied.
The members of Strider and Cyclops squadrons (sans Trigger, Avril, and Count) developed looks of disbelief over what they just heard.
"The Blue Ribbon?!" Lancer gasped.
"I thought he was killed trying to take down an Arsenal Bird!" Húxiān added.
"He survived," Bartlett pointed out. "He currently resides in the Redwood Forest, just to the North of the Altoora Desert."
"What does the message read?" Jaeger asked.
"I'll read it," Bartlett spoke up.
He then looked at the letter and started reading it aloud.
"Trigger,
Free Erusea is back, and they seem more powerful than ever! I saw a large manta ray-like craft flying over my cabin and heading Northward towards White Valley. It looked identical to the P-1112 Aigaion from the Emmerian-Estovakian War, only there was a Free Erusean insignia underneath the right wing. I have decided to come out of retirement to help you defeat Free Erusea once and for all. I have an airplane to get to Selatapura, but fearing Free Erusea could stumble upon me, I need escort. Trigger, I can count on you and your wingman, Count, to do this. My takeoff point will be at the half-way point of the Redwood River in the Redwood Forest. Get there as soon as you receive this message. I'll be sleeping in my plane so I can take off by the time you reach my location. Make a low-altitude fly-by to wake me up.
Sincerely,
Mobius 1
P.S. With the satellite network down, I had to use a carrier pigeon to send you this message.
Húxiān looked at Trigger, "Trigger, you were right about Free Erusea all along!"
"I informed headquarters of this, and it left them in shock," Bartlett announced.
"General, didn't Mobius 1 mention in the letter that he saw what looked like the Aigaion?" Long Caster asked.
Bartlett looked up at Long Caster, "Exactly, and since it's a deadly cruise missile platform, it would explain what happened to Mage and Golem squadrons."
"Your orders, sir?" Fencer spoke up.
Bartlett turned to Trigger, "Trigger?"
Trigger stood up and turned to everyone, "Me and Count will fly to Mobius 1's location and escort him back to here. The rest of Strider Squadron will fly with us and hold their position at the border between the Redwood Forest and Altoora Desert in case Count and I need additional assistance. Cyclops Squadron will remain here to protect the Space Elevator."
"I wish you and Count the best of luck, Kid," Bartlett said. He then turned to everyone else. "Same with the rest of you." He then saluted. "Dismissed."
The other pilots, and Avril, soon got up from their seats and made their way out of the briefing room with Bartlett following suit.
But what they didn't know was that a mysterious black-clad figure outside was listening in on the briefing using a listening device.
The mysterious figure pulled out a small radio and activated it.
"Mother bird, come in?" The figure spoke in a male voice.
"Yes, Agent Durand, what is it?" A voice appeared on the other end.
"Big Bad Wolf is aware of plan and the Blue Ribbon, lives," Durand whispered.
"How?" The voice on the other end spoke.
Durand then went on to talk about the mission briefing.
Location: Secret Base, White Valley, Northern Usea
Local Time: 6:15 am
Yellow 13 was walking through the hallways of the base.
Just then, a man came running up, "General!"
Yellow 13 stopped walking as he turned to the man.
"Yes, Private Hall?" Yellow 13 answered.
"I just got word from our spy in Selatapura," Hall announced. "The LRSSG is now aware of our resurgence and Mobius 1 is still alive."
Yellow 13 scowled, "I suspected Mobius 1 survived Clemens' plot to kill him. But I didn't expect the LRSSG to find out about us this soon. How did they find out?"
"Mobius 1 saw the Aigaion II and sent a carrier pigeon with a message for Three Strikes," Hall replied. "Now Three Strikes and his friends are going to the Redwood Forest to escort the Blue Ribbon to Selatapura."
"This isn't good," Yellow 13 groaned.
"What isn't good?" Came the voice of Clemens.
Yellow 13 and Hall turned to see Clemens walking up to them.
"Just got word from our spy in Selatapura that Three Strikes and the LRSSG have become aware of our resurgence, and Mobius 1 is still alive," Yellow 13 replied.
Clemens was shocked, "You gotta be kidding me!"
"Strider is currently going on a mission to retrieve Mobius 1 who's been living in the Redwood Forest," Hall added.
"Orders General?" Clemens asked Yellow 13.
"Inform Captain Riedel of the situation and have him ready the airborne fortress," Yellow 13 replied.
Location: Above the Altoora Desert near the Redwood Forest, Usea
Local Time: 6:45 am
"Long Caster, we're at the disperse point," Trigger announced.
"Roger, Strider 1," Long Caster acknowledged. "Commence with mission."
"Good luck, Trigger," Jaeger said.
"Good luck, Count," Húxiān added.
As Trigger and Count continued their way Northeast, the remaining members of Strider Squadron broke formation.
Soon after the rest of Strider Squadron broke off from Trigger and Count, Count noticed the Redwood River and announced, "There's the Redwood River."
Trigger noticed what Count saw and spoke, "Time to drop altitude."
"Wilco," Count said with a nod.
The two pilots maneuvered their aircraft down to the river and started skimming above the water.
Location: Redwood River, Redwood Forest, Usea
Local Time: 6:55 am
Mobius 1 was sleeping in a white Super Cub on floats with his dog, Gabby, sleeping in the seat next to him.
Suddenly, Gabby woke up and started barking.
"What is it, Gabby?" Mobius 1 asked as he woke up.
He then heard the sound of fighter jets approaching.
Mobius 1 soon noticed an F-22 Raptor and an F-15 Eagle skimming down the river. The ace pilot soon recognized the three scratches on the F-22's tail and realized who it was.
Mobius 1 put on his headset, turned on the radio, and spoke, "Strider Squadron, this is Mobius 1, do you copy, over?"
Trigger and Count were flying low over the Redwood River when they heard a voice over the radio, "Strider Squadron, this is Mobius 1, do you copy, over?"
Trigger answered, "This is Strider 1 and 2, we copy, over."
"You just flew by me," Mobius 1 pointed out.
"We're coming back around," Trigger announced before he and Count looped back around.
Back in his airplane, Mobius 1 started up the engine and throttled forward, taking him away from the dock.
"I'm taxing out to the river," Mobius 1 announced.
"Roger," Trigger's voice came over the radio. "We'll stay clear."
Mobius 1 soon noticed Trigger and Count flying from the Northside of the river pull up and away.
"I'm taking off," Mobius 1 announced as he turned his plane to the Northside of the river and lowered the flaps for takeoff. The ace pilot put the throttle in full and zoomed down the river before pulling up into the sky. "I'm airborne."
Trigger and Count, upon hearing Mobius 1's announcement, noticed the ace pilot pulling up into the sky.
"Roger, Mobius 1," Trigger spoke. "Ready to escort you to Selatapura."
Mobius 1 then maneuvered the Super Cub in the direction of Southwest just as Trigger and Count took positions above the plane.
"This should be an easy escort mission," Count commented.
"Trigger! Count!" Came Long Caster's voice. "I'm picking up multiple blips on my radar; they're coming in fast! Missiles!"
"Great!" Count groaned.
"Sending over the predicted impact zones," Long Caster announced.
Both Trigger and Count noticed red circles on their radars and were able to squeeze through the gaps between them and helped guide Mobius 1 through the gaps since the Super Cub was not equipped with a radar.
Long Caster spoke, again, "Three! Two! One! Impact!"
Suddenly, there were a series of midair explosions in the sky.
"Those explosions!" Count spoke.
"It looks like we're dealing with Nimbus cruise missiles!" Long Caster speculated. "I'll continue sending over…" Suddenly, his radar showed multiple blips, again. "Wait, more missiles incoming! Sending over predicted impact zones."
Trigger and Count received the info from Long Caster and were able to avoid the impact zones and helped Mobius 1 do the same.
Long Caster spoke, again, "Three! Two! One! Impact!"
Suddenly, more midair explosions occurred, only these weren't by Nimbus cruise missiles.
"Helios missiles!" Count shouted, recognizing the type of explosions.
"Seems their aerial fortress is equipped with weaponry carried by arsenal birds!" Trigger speculated. "Let's get out of here before more happens."
"Well, more is going to happen!" Long Caster announced.
"Now what?" Trigger asked.
"I'm tracking a flight of ten Su-37s closing in fast," Long Caster replied. "I'm sending in the rest of Strider Squadron in to provide additional cover."
"Great!" Count groaned.
"Did your AWACS say Su-37s?" Mobius 1 asked.
"Of course, he did," Count answered. "But as long as we stick with Trigger, we'll make it."
"That's right," Long Caster agreed. "It's just like riding a bike."
Location: Above the Altoora Desert near the Redwood Forest
Local Time: 6:58 am
Strider Squadron soon received the order from Long Caster to assist Trigger and Count.
"Strider Squadron we're cleared to commit bearing 030," Jaeger announced. "Jettison tanks and push it up!"
The pilots jettisoned their fuel tanks and raced Northeast at full afterburner.
Location: Above Redwood Forest
Local Time: 6:59 am
Trigger and Count were still escorting Mobius 1 in the direction of Selatapura.
"Long Caster, these Sukhois, how far away are they?" Trigger asked. Suddenly, he heard a missile lock in his headset and noticed the enemy aircraft on his radar. "Never mind."
A short distance away, ten Free Erusean Su-37 Terminators, all bearing the Yellow Squadron emblem and lead by Yellow 13, closed in on the F-22, F-15, and Super Cub.
"I'm locked onto Three Strikes," Yellow 13 announced as he locked onto Trigger's Raptor.
He then fired a radar-guided R-77 missile.
Detecting the missile, Trigger banked hard left and deployed chaff and flares to confuse the warhead.
"Strider 1 engaging!" Trigger said as he turned to face his F-22 toward the attacking aircraft. He then opened his external weapons bays and shouted. "Fox Three!"
He fired all 8 of his AMRAAM missiles from the weapons bays and at the attackers before turning Southwest to resume the escort mission.
Yellow 13, noticing the missiles, ordered, "Missiles! Evasive Maneuvers!"
All ten aircraft took evasive action to try and break the missile locks. Unfortunately, four planes were shot down.
"Yellows 3, 4, 7, and 8 are down!" One of the pilots called out. "What should we do?"
"We will press the attack, Yellow 2," Yellow 13 spoke.
"Nice one Trigger," Count commented in amazement.
"Thanks, Count," Trigger said in appreciation and as he formed up with Count.
"Unfortunately, because my Cub is slower the Free Eruseans will easily catch up," Mobius 1 pointed out.
"Long Caster, how far away is Strider?" Trigger asked the AWACS.
"They'll be here soon," Long Caster replied.
"I'll go back and buy some more time," Trigger announced.
He then pulled up and turned around and flew on towards the enemy at full speed and quickly found himself about to fly through the formation!
Yellow Squadron formed up after taking evasive action and noticed an F-22 closing in at full speed.
"Enemy fighter incoming!" A Yellow Squadron pilot yelled. "It's Three Strikes!"
"I see him, Yellow 10," Yellow 13 said. He then noticed the F-22 fly right past him and really close; so close that he was able to make out the wolf with revolver in its jaws along with the three claws and scratches on the tail.
From his cockpit, Trigger noticed the lead Terminator fly right past to him and really close; so close that he was able to notice the number 13 beneath the canopy and an eagle on the tail.
"There's something about that number and insignia," Trigger thought just after he zoomed through the formation.
"Change of plans!" Yellow 13 shouted. "Leave the Blue Ribbon to me and Yellow 2! The rest of you target Three Strikes!"
Excluding Yellow 2, the Su-37s following Yellow 13 broke formation and went after Trigger.
Trigger, detecting four Su-37s coming after him pulled his Raptor up to perform an upward Split-S before quickly opening up his internal weapons bay, locking onto the Terminators.
"Fox Three!" Trigger shouted as he fired all six AMRAAM missiles from the weapons bay.
"Missiles! Evade!" Yellow 10 shouted, hearing the missile lock in his headset.
The Free Erusean pilots took evasive action.
But just as they did, one of the missiles malfunctioned and detonated in mid-air near Yellow 10, damaging his aircraft.
"I'm hit!" Yellow 10 shouted. "Withdrawing from combat!"
Trigger noticed the damaged plane heading North and decided to go after and finish it.
But just as he was about to lock onto the damaged Free Erusean aircraft...
"Trigger, get over here!" Count's voice came over the radio.
Trigger broke off his pursuit and quickly noticed two Su-37s, closing in on Mobius 1.
Reacting quickly, Trigger flew to rejoin Count in taking down the two Sukhois.
But just as they were about to lock onto the two enemy planes, the two planes suddenly broke off their pursuit and retreated North.
Yellow 13 and 2 soon caught up to the Super Cub.
"Time to finish this!" Yellow 13 shouted.
He and Yellow 2 were about to fire on the Super Cub when one of the Sukhois radioed in, "Sir, F-15s coming in from the Southwest and Three Strikes and his wingman are on your six!"
"Copy, Yellow 6," Yellow 13 said. He then sighed. "RTB!"
He and the Yellow Squadron members quickly peeled away and flew Northward at full speed.
Just after the Su-37s retreated, Long Caster announced, "The last Sukhois are bugging out and Strider has arrived!"
The rest of Strider Squadron soon showed up.
"Should we pursue the enemy aircraft?" Jaeger asked.
"Let them go," Long Caster replied. "Focus on the escort mission."
"Wilco," Jaeger complied.
He and the Strider Squadron members soon formed up with Trigger and Count.
"So, Trigger, Count, what did we miss?" Húxiān asked.
"You just missed the action," Count answered. "Trigger single-handedly downed four Sukhois and damaged one more."
"I owe it to Trigger for saving my life," Mobius 1 spoke. "And it's an honor to meet not only him, but his friends as well."
"It's an honor to meet you too, Mobius 1," Jaeger said in amazement.
Count soon thought of something and asked, "How did the Free Eruseans find out about the mission?"
"Unknown," Trigger answered. "But that's not the only thing that has me scratching my head."
"What else has you scratching your head?" Húxiān asked.
Trigger took a deep breath, "When I went to engage the aircraft, I flew right through the formation of Sukhois and almost collided with the lead plane. When we nearly collided, I noticed an eagle and the number 13 on the plane."
"Did you say an eagle with the number 13 on the lead plane you nearly collided with?" Mobius 1 gasped over the radio.
"Yeah," Trigger said with a nod. He soon realized something and gasped. "You don't think..."
To Be Continued…
A/N: Seems Trigger is beginning to suspect that Yellow 13 is alive.
There seems to be a spy in the LRSSG's mist!
Could there be more?
You'll find out.