Thanks to S.M., Bunny-Butler, Gen, Whitty, Fallon, your reviews are a great
boost to my meager ego. Please keep them coming! Oh, one more thing. Since
I have experience with civilian but not military aircraft radio chatter,
and I'm not quite sure how it's done, I'm just going to use Top Gun and
Freespace 2 as a base. Now on with the story!
Chapter 3
"Alpha Three check your six!" Jack shouted as he hauled his F-302b Reaper on its side and tried to engage the death glider following after his wingman. Though the F-302b looked similar to the F-302, its guts were vastly improved. The F-302b was a smaller, single seat version of the F- 302. It didn't have a hyperdrive like it's larger sister but it had a more powerful sub-light engine, capability for vertical takeoff and landing, and a brand new energy weapon that Doctor Felger had finally managed to make work. Jack zeroed his sights on the Death Glider trailing his wingman and opened up with the twin 35 mm high explosive cannons. The two cannons came alive with a blast that shook the Reaper, and launched twin pillars of flame a good 7 feet ahead of the wings where they were mounted. The explosive rounds tore into the hapless glider, which came apart like it was made of glass. The glider promptly exploded, sending shrapnel in every direction. Several pieces of it bounced off Jack's fighter.
"Thanks Alpha One, you saved my ass." A shaky voice said over the comm.
Jack sighed. "Alpha Three don't get taken like that, always keeps your eyes moving. Come on, we have a bomber to bring down. Everyone form up, let's take this bitch down." He addressed his squadron.
The five fighters formed back up and sped towards their main prey, a big, lumbering Al'kesh bomber headed towards England. The Al'kesh started firing it's defensive guns as soon as the fighters came into range, and Jack yelled, "Break!" as a large energy blast passed through where he was just a second ago. Jack and his four squad mates juked and dodged through the barrage, waiting to get in close enough to fire missiles without having to worry about the Al'kesh simply shooting them out of the sky before they got there. In addition to the energy weapon and the twin cannons the Reaper carried, it also came equipped with four naquadah enhanced air to air missiles, suitable for both air and space use, for taking down anything for a death glider to a Ha'tak mother ship, though it might take more than one to take one of those down.
Finally, Jack felt he was in range. "Alpha 1, fox two and three!" he shouted, launching two missiles at the Al'kesh. The missiles dropped off their hardpoints, lit, and streaked towards the target about a second apart. The first missile his the Al'kesh near the top of its' hump, blowing a large whole in the side that caused the huge craft to shudder. The second missile caught it in the right hindquarter, blowing apart the engine and stubby wing on that side. With insufficient power, the Al'kesh seemed to slide from its' path, slowly at first, then more rapidly as it finally lost control. It hit the water at nearly Mach 2, spraying a large wave and debris out for miles, a scant 30 miles from the English coast.
Jack pulled off his respirator and took a deep, calming breath. "Let's get home boys." He said over the comm, "I think we could all use a break." Jack rolled his eyes at his own comment, knowing it probably wouldn't happen any time soon. This was his third sortie in two days, and he was starting to feel the effect of hours upon hours in the cockpit. Not only was he flying a lot, but he was flying almost everywhere. After attacking Los Angeles, the Goa'uld had attempted to hit London, Tokyo, Moscow, Beijing, and Sydney. Jack had flown around the world more than once, and even though the Reaper was a fast fighter that was still a lot of saddle time. Rather than fixing himself in one place, Jack had gotten permission to land at almost every military base in the world. After a sortie, Jack and his squadron would simply land at the nearest base, then move when they were need next. Teal'c was doing the same with another squadron.
Jack looked at his digital map, then decided he didn't feel like landing somewhere 50 miles from any major city. "Heathrow Approach this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, USAF. My flight of five is looking for a place to spend the night. Can you accommodate?"
There was a pause, then a stuffy voice replied. "Can you spend the night? Your flight just saved London from being bombed by a bloody alien ship! You can stay the whole bloody month if you want!"
Jack smiled at the hero's welcome. "Thanks for the warm welcome."
"Approach Runway 24, enjoy your stay." The Control tower instructed.
Jack and his squad could have landed vertically, but Jack felt like putting on a show, so he and his flight took an approach to make a conventional formation landing. In unison, the five fighters lowered their gear, then approached the runway in a vee formation. Jack and his group touched down, then rolled to the end of the runway, taking the longest taxiway back so as to show as many people as possible their machines. Jack lifted his canopy and waved to the people who were cheering from the terminal and tarmac, before taxiing to an empty hangar big enough to accommodate all five fighters. As soon as Jack shut down the engine, a ground crewman came over and put a ladder beside Jack's cockpit. Jack quickly unstrapped himself, then grabbed his small overnight bag and joined the rest of his squad on the ground. "You know," Jack commented, "this whole war sucks, but I could sure get used to the hero's welcome everywhere around the world."
Captain Micheals, second in command and previously a member of SG-12, nodded. "Yeah it sure beats the welcome I used to get." Micheals mimicked his girlfriend. "You're always gone for days! You're seeing someone else, aren't you? Good you're home, mop the floor!"
Jack chuckled. "Let's go find a nice place to get a cold beer."
~~~~~~~
Harmony peeked her head around the door to Angel's office, who looked up from the paper he was reading. "Hey boss?" Harmony asked, "There's a guy here who says he really needs to see you. He says it's extremely urgent."
Angel checked his watch, then nodded. "Yeah, I have a few minutes, send him in."
Harmony disappeared and a moment later a tall, well built man with short hair and glassed walked into the room. "Hi, Mr. Angel?" he asked.
"Just Angel." Angel motioned for him to sit down. "What can I do for you, Mr?"
"My name is Doctor Daniel Jackson. Um, well Angel, I was hoping you might be able to help me locate someone. Would you by any chance know where I could find the Slayer?"
Outwardly, Angel didn't respond to the comment, but inwardly he tensed. A doctor looking for Buffy was probably not a good thing. "May I ask what you're a Doctor of?"
"Archeology, specifically dealing with ancient civilizations." Daniel replied.
Angel's brow furrowed. "Why is an archeologist looking for the Slayer?"
"Well, umm, I." Daniel paused, then shrugged. "Aw what the hell. I work for Stargate Command. A friend who died and entered a higher plain of existence contacted me. He told me it was vital that I get in contact with the Slayer, but couldn't say anymore, because he's not allowed to meddle." Daniel paused to take a breath.
Angel stared at Daniel like he had just eaten a bug. "This is a joke, right?"
Daniel shook his head. "No, I'm one hundred percent serious. I need, I mean need, to find the Slayer."
Angel looked at Daniel and scoffed. "Man! After what the Initiative did to her you have the nerve to come in here and say that the same people now need her help?"
"The what?" Daniel asked.
Angel got out of his chair and rounded the desk, now standing over Daniel. "Don't play stupid with me! I heard all about the Initiative. You government pricks are all the same."
Daniel stood up, looking Angel in the eye. "Look Angel, I am telling you the truth. I have no idea what the Initiative is, I have never heard of it before in by life. I just came here because I was told to seek out the Slayer."
Angel studied Daniel for almost a minute then finally spoke. "Come with me. You have a test to take."
"A test?" Daniel asked, "What kind of test?"
"One that decides whether I help you or beat the crap out of you." Angel replied before motioning to the door.
~~~~~~~
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were coming out a movie theater (under the watchful eye of a couple of Aurors, of course), when they heard a commotion just outside the theater.
"Oi, what's going on?" Ron asked, moving closer to get a better look.
In the middle of a throng of several people asking questions and thrusting forward their hands were five guys dressed in green military pants and US Air Force flight jackets, looking simultaneously grateful and annoyed.
"Wow!" Ron said. "Pilots! I bet they've fought the aliens already. I'm going to go talk to them!"
Harry felt very sorry for them, remembering how people had reacted when he first arrived at Hogwarts. "Hey!" Harry shouted to get the crowds attention. "Give the poor guys a break! They probably just want to get some rest, ever think of that?"
Most of the crowd shot Harry annoyed glares before moving off, several others mumbled apologies then moved off as well.
"Thanks a lot, kid." The squadron leader, Colonel O'Neill said. "Man, we gotta remember to bring some civilian clothes. I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. This is my squad, Captain Micheals, Lieutenant Treyborn, Lieutenant Brenner, and Airman Burns."
"'Preciate you guys getting the crowd off our back." Micheals said. "Want to join us for dinner?" Jack shot Micheals a glare, then shrugged.
"Really?" Ron asked excitedly.
"Yeah sure, if you want. We owe you a favour anyways." Jack said honestly. "Besides, we have no idea where to find a good place to eat."
"Well, we probably shouldn't." Hermione said, but was quickly overruled by Ron and Harry, who both said, "Sure!"
"Okay, cool." Jack said. "Now where's a good place to get a steak?"
~~~~~~~
"I'm sorry, you want me to what?" Daniel asked, trying not to stare open mouthed at the green creature with red horns and eyes dressed in a nice suit standing in front of him.
"I want you to sing." The creature, who had introduced himself as Lorne, replied. "Any song, doesn't matter. If you want I can give you a list to pick from."
"Yeah, why exactly am I doing this?" Daniel asked.
"I'm empathic," Lorne explained, "but most people mask what they really are, which makes them hard to read unless they're doing something in which they open themselves up."
"Like singing." Daniel finished. "Okay, I got it, but uhh, I really don't sing, like, ever."
Lorne shrugged. "I'm not looking for talent, Daniel."
"Okay then." Daniel said with a sigh, and searched his mind for a song. Finally, he decided on one he had heard on the radio a couple of times on the way to L.A.
"Oh the Milky Way has gone a little sour The leaves dried and the flower fell away I've been sitting, I've been waiting for a sign Inhuman beings taking up all of my time
Wanna leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?
I haven't made a friend in a long long while They don't check my head but they check my style The modern world is a cold cold world And all I meet are cold cold girls
Wanna leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?
And it's always the same We all just turn away We are stealing from ourselves We are feeding off ourselves
Oh the Milky Way has gone a little sour The leaves dried and the flower fell away Want to leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?"
Daniel sung with a lot of feeling, in a bit lower voice then the original song, but he did a good job of keeping in tune and time. When he finished he looked to see Lorne smiling at him. "Excellent. Quite a bit of talent you've got there. You know, I could use a back up singer for my Vegas show."
"Lorne?" Angel asked impatiently.
"Right sorry." Lorne answered. "Daniel here is a shining example of all that is good and just here in the Universe. He's practically an angel." Lorne said, winking at Daniel, who caught the message and joke.
"So will you help me find the Slayer?" Daniel asked hopefully.
Angel nodded. "Take the elevator to the 7th floor, third door on the left. Ask for Buffy Summers. That's the girl you're looking for."
Daniel frowned. "All this time the Slayer was in the building?"
Angel nodded and grinned. "You probably could have got in touch with her if you'd asked at the front desk."
Daniel threw Angel his best glare then quickly left the room and headed fown the hall to the elevator.
End chap 3
So what do you guys think? Meetings and more action soon to come, I promise! Please leave a review, and thanks for reading.
Chapter 3
"Alpha Three check your six!" Jack shouted as he hauled his F-302b Reaper on its side and tried to engage the death glider following after his wingman. Though the F-302b looked similar to the F-302, its guts were vastly improved. The F-302b was a smaller, single seat version of the F- 302. It didn't have a hyperdrive like it's larger sister but it had a more powerful sub-light engine, capability for vertical takeoff and landing, and a brand new energy weapon that Doctor Felger had finally managed to make work. Jack zeroed his sights on the Death Glider trailing his wingman and opened up with the twin 35 mm high explosive cannons. The two cannons came alive with a blast that shook the Reaper, and launched twin pillars of flame a good 7 feet ahead of the wings where they were mounted. The explosive rounds tore into the hapless glider, which came apart like it was made of glass. The glider promptly exploded, sending shrapnel in every direction. Several pieces of it bounced off Jack's fighter.
"Thanks Alpha One, you saved my ass." A shaky voice said over the comm.
Jack sighed. "Alpha Three don't get taken like that, always keeps your eyes moving. Come on, we have a bomber to bring down. Everyone form up, let's take this bitch down." He addressed his squadron.
The five fighters formed back up and sped towards their main prey, a big, lumbering Al'kesh bomber headed towards England. The Al'kesh started firing it's defensive guns as soon as the fighters came into range, and Jack yelled, "Break!" as a large energy blast passed through where he was just a second ago. Jack and his four squad mates juked and dodged through the barrage, waiting to get in close enough to fire missiles without having to worry about the Al'kesh simply shooting them out of the sky before they got there. In addition to the energy weapon and the twin cannons the Reaper carried, it also came equipped with four naquadah enhanced air to air missiles, suitable for both air and space use, for taking down anything for a death glider to a Ha'tak mother ship, though it might take more than one to take one of those down.
Finally, Jack felt he was in range. "Alpha 1, fox two and three!" he shouted, launching two missiles at the Al'kesh. The missiles dropped off their hardpoints, lit, and streaked towards the target about a second apart. The first missile his the Al'kesh near the top of its' hump, blowing a large whole in the side that caused the huge craft to shudder. The second missile caught it in the right hindquarter, blowing apart the engine and stubby wing on that side. With insufficient power, the Al'kesh seemed to slide from its' path, slowly at first, then more rapidly as it finally lost control. It hit the water at nearly Mach 2, spraying a large wave and debris out for miles, a scant 30 miles from the English coast.
Jack pulled off his respirator and took a deep, calming breath. "Let's get home boys." He said over the comm, "I think we could all use a break." Jack rolled his eyes at his own comment, knowing it probably wouldn't happen any time soon. This was his third sortie in two days, and he was starting to feel the effect of hours upon hours in the cockpit. Not only was he flying a lot, but he was flying almost everywhere. After attacking Los Angeles, the Goa'uld had attempted to hit London, Tokyo, Moscow, Beijing, and Sydney. Jack had flown around the world more than once, and even though the Reaper was a fast fighter that was still a lot of saddle time. Rather than fixing himself in one place, Jack had gotten permission to land at almost every military base in the world. After a sortie, Jack and his squadron would simply land at the nearest base, then move when they were need next. Teal'c was doing the same with another squadron.
Jack looked at his digital map, then decided he didn't feel like landing somewhere 50 miles from any major city. "Heathrow Approach this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, USAF. My flight of five is looking for a place to spend the night. Can you accommodate?"
There was a pause, then a stuffy voice replied. "Can you spend the night? Your flight just saved London from being bombed by a bloody alien ship! You can stay the whole bloody month if you want!"
Jack smiled at the hero's welcome. "Thanks for the warm welcome."
"Approach Runway 24, enjoy your stay." The Control tower instructed.
Jack and his squad could have landed vertically, but Jack felt like putting on a show, so he and his flight took an approach to make a conventional formation landing. In unison, the five fighters lowered their gear, then approached the runway in a vee formation. Jack and his group touched down, then rolled to the end of the runway, taking the longest taxiway back so as to show as many people as possible their machines. Jack lifted his canopy and waved to the people who were cheering from the terminal and tarmac, before taxiing to an empty hangar big enough to accommodate all five fighters. As soon as Jack shut down the engine, a ground crewman came over and put a ladder beside Jack's cockpit. Jack quickly unstrapped himself, then grabbed his small overnight bag and joined the rest of his squad on the ground. "You know," Jack commented, "this whole war sucks, but I could sure get used to the hero's welcome everywhere around the world."
Captain Micheals, second in command and previously a member of SG-12, nodded. "Yeah it sure beats the welcome I used to get." Micheals mimicked his girlfriend. "You're always gone for days! You're seeing someone else, aren't you? Good you're home, mop the floor!"
Jack chuckled. "Let's go find a nice place to get a cold beer."
~~~~~~~
Harmony peeked her head around the door to Angel's office, who looked up from the paper he was reading. "Hey boss?" Harmony asked, "There's a guy here who says he really needs to see you. He says it's extremely urgent."
Angel checked his watch, then nodded. "Yeah, I have a few minutes, send him in."
Harmony disappeared and a moment later a tall, well built man with short hair and glassed walked into the room. "Hi, Mr. Angel?" he asked.
"Just Angel." Angel motioned for him to sit down. "What can I do for you, Mr?"
"My name is Doctor Daniel Jackson. Um, well Angel, I was hoping you might be able to help me locate someone. Would you by any chance know where I could find the Slayer?"
Outwardly, Angel didn't respond to the comment, but inwardly he tensed. A doctor looking for Buffy was probably not a good thing. "May I ask what you're a Doctor of?"
"Archeology, specifically dealing with ancient civilizations." Daniel replied.
Angel's brow furrowed. "Why is an archeologist looking for the Slayer?"
"Well, umm, I." Daniel paused, then shrugged. "Aw what the hell. I work for Stargate Command. A friend who died and entered a higher plain of existence contacted me. He told me it was vital that I get in contact with the Slayer, but couldn't say anymore, because he's not allowed to meddle." Daniel paused to take a breath.
Angel stared at Daniel like he had just eaten a bug. "This is a joke, right?"
Daniel shook his head. "No, I'm one hundred percent serious. I need, I mean need, to find the Slayer."
Angel looked at Daniel and scoffed. "Man! After what the Initiative did to her you have the nerve to come in here and say that the same people now need her help?"
"The what?" Daniel asked.
Angel got out of his chair and rounded the desk, now standing over Daniel. "Don't play stupid with me! I heard all about the Initiative. You government pricks are all the same."
Daniel stood up, looking Angel in the eye. "Look Angel, I am telling you the truth. I have no idea what the Initiative is, I have never heard of it before in by life. I just came here because I was told to seek out the Slayer."
Angel studied Daniel for almost a minute then finally spoke. "Come with me. You have a test to take."
"A test?" Daniel asked, "What kind of test?"
"One that decides whether I help you or beat the crap out of you." Angel replied before motioning to the door.
~~~~~~~
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were coming out a movie theater (under the watchful eye of a couple of Aurors, of course), when they heard a commotion just outside the theater.
"Oi, what's going on?" Ron asked, moving closer to get a better look.
In the middle of a throng of several people asking questions and thrusting forward their hands were five guys dressed in green military pants and US Air Force flight jackets, looking simultaneously grateful and annoyed.
"Wow!" Ron said. "Pilots! I bet they've fought the aliens already. I'm going to go talk to them!"
Harry felt very sorry for them, remembering how people had reacted when he first arrived at Hogwarts. "Hey!" Harry shouted to get the crowds attention. "Give the poor guys a break! They probably just want to get some rest, ever think of that?"
Most of the crowd shot Harry annoyed glares before moving off, several others mumbled apologies then moved off as well.
"Thanks a lot, kid." The squadron leader, Colonel O'Neill said. "Man, we gotta remember to bring some civilian clothes. I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. This is my squad, Captain Micheals, Lieutenant Treyborn, Lieutenant Brenner, and Airman Burns."
"'Preciate you guys getting the crowd off our back." Micheals said. "Want to join us for dinner?" Jack shot Micheals a glare, then shrugged.
"Really?" Ron asked excitedly.
"Yeah sure, if you want. We owe you a favour anyways." Jack said honestly. "Besides, we have no idea where to find a good place to eat."
"Well, we probably shouldn't." Hermione said, but was quickly overruled by Ron and Harry, who both said, "Sure!"
"Okay, cool." Jack said. "Now where's a good place to get a steak?"
~~~~~~~
"I'm sorry, you want me to what?" Daniel asked, trying not to stare open mouthed at the green creature with red horns and eyes dressed in a nice suit standing in front of him.
"I want you to sing." The creature, who had introduced himself as Lorne, replied. "Any song, doesn't matter. If you want I can give you a list to pick from."
"Yeah, why exactly am I doing this?" Daniel asked.
"I'm empathic," Lorne explained, "but most people mask what they really are, which makes them hard to read unless they're doing something in which they open themselves up."
"Like singing." Daniel finished. "Okay, I got it, but uhh, I really don't sing, like, ever."
Lorne shrugged. "I'm not looking for talent, Daniel."
"Okay then." Daniel said with a sigh, and searched his mind for a song. Finally, he decided on one he had heard on the radio a couple of times on the way to L.A.
"Oh the Milky Way has gone a little sour The leaves dried and the flower fell away I've been sitting, I've been waiting for a sign Inhuman beings taking up all of my time
Wanna leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?
I haven't made a friend in a long long while They don't check my head but they check my style The modern world is a cold cold world And all I meet are cold cold girls
Wanna leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?
And it's always the same We all just turn away We are stealing from ourselves We are feeding off ourselves
Oh the Milky Way has gone a little sour The leaves dried and the flower fell away Want to leave but I've got to stay And I'm wondering more every say Montreal to Hong Kong Where have all the good people gone? Traffic Jam but I'm on the shoulder Took ten cops to pull me over Bangkok to Babylon Where have all the good people gone?"
Daniel sung with a lot of feeling, in a bit lower voice then the original song, but he did a good job of keeping in tune and time. When he finished he looked to see Lorne smiling at him. "Excellent. Quite a bit of talent you've got there. You know, I could use a back up singer for my Vegas show."
"Lorne?" Angel asked impatiently.
"Right sorry." Lorne answered. "Daniel here is a shining example of all that is good and just here in the Universe. He's practically an angel." Lorne said, winking at Daniel, who caught the message and joke.
"So will you help me find the Slayer?" Daniel asked hopefully.
Angel nodded. "Take the elevator to the 7th floor, third door on the left. Ask for Buffy Summers. That's the girl you're looking for."
Daniel frowned. "All this time the Slayer was in the building?"
Angel nodded and grinned. "You probably could have got in touch with her if you'd asked at the front desk."
Daniel threw Angel his best glare then quickly left the room and headed fown the hall to the elevator.
End chap 3
So what do you guys think? Meetings and more action soon to come, I promise! Please leave a review, and thanks for reading.
