Wild Blue Yonder Ch.1

Update 11/13/2022: Well, long time no see! I know what you're thinking and allow me to explain briefly.

-School related things were weighing me down. I'm about 80% done with College (Animation and Visual Effects).

-I am now an uncle of four nieces and one nephew.

-I was more focused on my other story "RWBY: The Recidivist" due to the popularity it gained. Unfortunately, I had trouble working on two stories at the same time during those years.

-To add to the top statement, I'll be working on other projects now that I feel a bit comfortable while doing school and maybe work in the future. Basically, I'll be working on four projects at the same time. #1 is a secret, #2 is "The Recidivist" (RWBY), #3 is THIS STORY, and #4 is "Underdog" (Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss).

-During then, Ace Combat before was in small decline as nothing else was motivating me to continue on with this story. That is until Ace Combat 7 was released.

And, as soon as Infinity was shut down for good, it made me realize even more that I have never fulfilled my duty to finish this. I seemingly abandoned the followers of this story, and there's only just a few of them left, waiting for the next chapter. For that, I apologize…and admittedly shocked you have that greater patience in you.

Now, I will attempt to continue this story once again. I can't promise how many chapters will be released in one year, but I'll try my hardest to make sure there is at least a good portion to satisfy most of you.

Also, this probably isn't important to you all. But I'm REALLY going to make a new cover for this story. By the next chapter, I'll be drawing one. Call it OCD, but I refuse to post a story when there's no image or using a very old one.

(((Disclaimer and Other Notes)))

NOTE: I am aware that the entire series is not finished yet. With the possible number of changes in the canon in the future, this story will be an AU (Alternate Universe) that continues where Ace Combat Infinity left off while using a Reaper and Camilla pairing side story. It will also be adopting some actual new elements from the canon.

Ace Combat Series along with their characters DOESN'T belong to me. The series respectively belongs to Bandai Namco and Project Aces. The plot in this Fan Fiction and very few characters you'll know who are OCs (Original Characters) are original from me. If any ideas or characters sound similar to another story written by somebody else, it is purely coincidental, or I am using existing AC Characters and putting them into the real-world Earth setting like how Infinity does it.

If there is anybody outside of this site posting this Fan Fiction without giving proper credit or impersonating me, please let me know.

KEEP IN MIND! The earliest chapters of this story (Chapters 1-7) were not really my best in regards to writing, since they are around 5 or 6 years old. Chapter 8 and so on are my recent ones at the time of typing this.

Chapter 1: The Blue Boundary

The Sky. The border between our home, and the heavens.

(Reaper's POV)

"One more time…" She requested in a needy manner.

I smiled back and did what she asked for. Our lips touched again once more and began to play with each other's tongues. She pulled me in closer as I did the same. With our bodies hugging against each other, we were kept warm from both of our body heat in this chilly satellite above Earth's orbit. Just the two of us, sitting here while watching the stars.

But it all had to end…

-(Comona Aerospace Center)-

…And here I was again. Back on the surface of the planet I was born in, suffered, and where I'll die soon when my time comes. Forced to come back to put my life in the battlefield where there's nothing else but hell. I was no longer up there in that satellite where I found Camilla, safe and sound from the troubles down here. When I was up there, I felt so safe and sound from the horrors of war and mass hysteria. Something that I haven't felt in a while.

All this time, I wanted to stay away from the scars on Earth that Ulysses left behind. Damn asteroids should've taken my life, like it took my parents.

I recently arrived back at the island where I was launched to orbit on that exact same day. The sun was setting on the horizon as I blankly stared at the orange skies with the night approaching behind me. Guess everyone was right about the West Indies having one of the most beautiful sunsets. Maybe one day I'll get some time off and go here on vacation. But given the situation going on right now, I don't think I'll be getting an approval from the UN Security Council any time soon. I may be some selfish merc in people's eyes, but I just wanted everything back to normal. War after a catastrophic disaster makes humanity look even more screwed up.

"Ah, Reaper. There you are." A familiar voice called out to me from behind.

Upon hearing it, I turned my head and was correct to know who it was - Goodfellow, the Commander of the Arrows, and obviously my boss. "Commander." I gave a small smirk.

"That must've been one helluva ride. Still breathing well?"

"Never forgotten to." I nodded.

"Good. Because we still got work to do back in Southern USEA where everyone else is waiting." He walked right next to me and stared at the sunset as well. "Great job, by the way. And don't worry, you'll be fine from getting in any sort of trouble from the UN about this."

I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled, "I was never trained for spacewalks, nor to become an astronaut. Never put me in that situation again, as long as it involves below the stratosphere."

Goodfellow gave a chuckle back, "Don't worry about it. You're not going back to space anymore. You have my word."

Curiously, I gave a questioning stare and raised an eyebrow before asking, "Why request a mercenary like me for that task anyway? Don't you think they would've hired someone else that was fit for that duty?"

"Basically, those in charge thought you were expendable." He rolled his eyes at that statement as he knew I was more than that, "And if word got out that we broke international law, they would just frame you of going rogue or erase you as if you never existed."

"Wow. Technically a suicide mission."

"You're still alive, aren't you?"

"Suuure." I sighed and looked back up at the sky, already growing darker by the minute.

He noticed my blank expression and asked, "I can tell something is bothering you. Are you feeling okay?"

"Long day. That's all." Was all I replied.

"Well, you clearly must be tired after how much work you had to go through during this operation. When you're done enjoying the sunset, head inside and get some shut eye. You deserved it." Goodfellow patted my shoulder and headed back the way where the quarters were. He stopped and looked back at me to add, "Also, we'll be heading back to the United Arab Emirates tomorrow. Ever since that operation in Baku and the USEA Forces in Tehran were crippled, we're now given and authorized to attack Kuwait City. You think you're ready for that? What am I talking about - of course you are." He chuckled.

I gave a fake chuckle back and continued to stare at the horizon, blankly.

Now alone by myself, I watched a squadron of F-16Cs pass by the small clouds, on patrol just in case of a sudden USEA attack coming our way. I was more concerned about what was happening in the Pacific during this war. For all we know, an enemy fleet can be sent in to deal with one of our main military bases in that theater. Guam included. I shook off the thought, telling myself that the U.S Navy can handle that along with her allies that were capable for naval intervention.

I've already been through a lot for today. After taking one last glance to the skies above, I walked towards the entrance of the main building near the runway and felt the breeze from the air conditioner hit me. With my commander having a chat with a few other staff members in this base, I just quietly made my way to the room that was available for me.

Just an impersonal room with bleak white walls and a twin sized bed on the right side of the room. I shouldn't be too surprised, considering I was usually put into these kinds of rooms ever since I joined the Arrows. My legs were killing me. So, I decided to take a seat in my bed and look through my bag I bring along with me.

The first thing for me to pick up was an old photo I kept with me ever since I was a kid. A photo of me and my parents. I blankly stared at the photo with my mother and father, knowing this is the only piece I can remember them by after losing them from the Ulysses collision.

"I've lost both my parents during the first wave of asteroids striking twenty years ago. I was raised by my grandfather, who was a civilian pilot and taught me a few things about flying. Until he passed away. With the knowledge he gave me, I soon became part of the Bone Arrow Squadron." I explained a small history of my past to her, looking down at my hands, remembering when they were firmly gripping the flight stick of my grandfather's plane.

Camilla looked at me with a frown and guiltily looked down at her lap. "I'm… I'm so sorry to hear that. I really am."

I miss them so much. But there is no way I can take them back from Ulysses. Those asteroids caused all this. Hell, it all caused this chaos in the first place and I have to be one of the people to clean up the mess it left behind.

Not wanting to think about my past even more, I put the picture back inside my bag and lied flat on the mattress. I was naive to think that the skies were the safest place in the planet. But I guess that was proven wrong when Ulysses dropped.

When I closed my eyes, I would just picture Camilla watching the stars inside that satellite with me. Honestly, I viewed her as some psychopath that didn't have the courage to fly an actual plane. But, after meeting her, I was proven wrong. I miss that calm demeanor and gentle expression while gazing at the constellations and the lights from the past. Safe above Earth's orbit, away from the war against USEA. This was enough to calm my body down as my head felt like the stress was lifting.

After a while, I felt myself drifting away to a deep slumber.

-(Lower Earth Orbit)-

(Camilla's POV)

"Why the hell do I already miss him?" I mumbled to myself.

In fact, that was the biggest question in my head for the past few hours. I met the man that was my biggest opponent after he came up to this satellite, told me the truth about my supposed "video game", and he just kissed me! Like, already at that sort of level?! What's wrong with me?! A much bigger question that has left me even more baffled was…Why did I enjoyed it? I didn't resist, but just got more into it and even requested another! That settles it. I have got to be the biggest weirdo on Earth! Well…flying in orbit counts as being on Earth, right?

"Master? Is there something troubling you?" Kvasir asked me worryingly.

I sighed and looked down at my lap. "I don't even know anymore…" I answered in annoyance.

"Are you feeling sick? Or are you in need for a meal or drink?" He asked.

"I don't think food is gonna make things better right now." I shook my head.

Kvasir commanded one of the medical cabinets near the window to open. "How about some medicine? What is your status? Nauseous? Fever? Headache?"

"Thank you for your concern, Kvasir. But, I'm all good. I don't need too much of that sort of hospitality right now." I said as my hands held onto my headset, and controller I use for this…'game'. But it turns out, I was manipulated that this whole 'game' was not a flight arcade simulator kept for my entertainment. I've been killing actual pilots and soldiers with it. Now, I'm gonna have to live my life knowing I killed people.

"Forgive me for bringing this up, Master. But…what will you do now after finding out that you've killing pilots?" Kvasir asked.

"I…" I couldn't think of a response. So, I just said, "I don't know. Do you think I'm considered a bad person for killing these people?"

"Of course not!" Kvasir replied immediately. "Master, I should be at fault for this. Maybe if I would've told you sooner, I-"

"You would have been taken away from me, forever." I interrupted him. "Kvasir, I would be devastated if you were gone, leaving me alone up here or replaced by another. You and I have gone through so much together to the point where you are irreplaceable. I promise I won't say anything about me discovering about the game turning out to be real life."

He stayed silent for a moment before letting out a flattered chuckle, "I…Thank you, Master Camilla. It makes me happy to know that you still care for a machine like me."

"You're my friend. Not a machine." I corrected.

"Similar to Reaper, it seems."

"Yeah…." I nodded slowly. "But he's gone now."

Kvasir could read through me and tried to add some words of encouragement. "I'm sure there is a possibility to meet him again. Perhaps, if the UN wins because of him, maybe you can get out if this satellite and head on back to Earth."

I just ignored what he said as I was too distracted by looking down at Earth, now with the satellite facing the Middle East and some parts of Europe and Russia. Thinking that the UN will fight on USEA's doorstep seems like suicide. But, after Reaper proving himself that he can lead the way at the Battle of the Adriatic Sea, the UN was no doubt completely motivated and gained enough morale for them to defeat USEA. If fact, I don't support USEA anymore after how much Reaper has told me on what they do to their people, even after how much they were traumatized by Ulysses.

"I can understand why you had to let him go, Master. Both of you have your duties, and you had to get back to it."

"Yeah." I nodded slowly. "If he stays up here, the UN would basically lose the battle against the USEAN Federation and he'll be punished for abandoning his duty. If I go down there, there's no doubt USEAn Forces will do what it takes to have my head for committing treason."

"Especially Master Cohen."

"I'd rather you don't mention him." I sighed.

"Of course, Master."

I yawned and looked down at the earth. "Well, time for a quick nap, Kvasir. Wake me up if I get a message from anybody."

"Of course, Master. Sleep well." He said before staying silent to give me time to focus on resting.

Unfortunately, I couldn't sleep even if I tried. Every time I close my eyes, I just think of the images of what Kvasir showed me today. All those pilots I killed…. It's a terrible way to die with a laser burning through your entire head and body like that. My imagination went further as I began to think about Reaper. When I thought about him, I suddenly imagined the horrifying fate he would've got from one of the UAVs that accompanied my Carmilla aircraft. My eyes shot open as I shook my head to get the image out

'Damn it! NO!' I said to myself in my thoughts.

I was starting to grow even more scared about the situation now. What if Reaper or his friends suffer the same fate as those pilots I killed? If I killed one of his allies again, who knows how he'll feel about me from now on. It'll never be the same as it was when I meet him again…

"UGH!" I groaned loudly and banged my head on a pillow. "Maybe the stars will get these negative thoughts out of my head." I said to myself as I turned on the live camera feed from behind the satellite to get a good view of the stars, replacing the window of earth into the live feed.

While looking at the stars, I began to feel more relaxed as I turned on my headset to play classical music in addition to clear my head faster. The picture of Reaper dying was replaced by him staying right next to me while I was stargazing. I chuckled to myself, knowing I feel so close to my own nemesis. But he's not that bad at all. As a mercenary, he had the heart to forgive me, prevent me from committing suicide, and comfort me like that. But most importantly, call me a friend.

"Reaper, in the future, I hope we can do this again. Stargazing." I whispered to myself before slowly closing my eyes to go into a deep slumber.

(Slightly rewritten and added a few more dialogues.)

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