Wild Blue Yonder Ch.8

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

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.

Chapter 8: Reliability.

Top Brass always loves to use their best.

-(Fukuoka Airport, Japan)-

(Reaper's POV)

I leaned forward, panting after I accomplished running for a good twenty minutes around the hangar my plane was stored in. Normally this hangar was used for the Western Air Command Support Squadron of the JASDF, but the situation has changed for them to store their T-4s someplace else. No doubt they were being used for new pilots after enlistment has skyrocketed. Anyway, I thought it was a good time to head inside as my legs were feeling much better than before. It was just about lunchtime, but I wasn't really feeling hungry even after the pretty long jog. But my squad was inside there so I just walked my way there to at least join up with them so they wouldn't be concerned about me missing a meal. The building everyone was at was fairly new. It was probably built before the imminent impact from the Ulysses event, as the Japanese Military was preparing for the worse and reserved pilots on standby in every single airport and air base. Basically, this building was a barracks for those pilots.

Upon opening the door, I was welcomed with the blast of an air conditioner, which felt amazing. All personnel, from JASDF (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force), USAF (United States Air Force), and UNSC (United Nations Security Council), were busy doing whatever they were tasked to do. Almost felt like moving here, there, and pretend you're doing something. My uniform stood out for a few stares as I was recognized as a mercenary pilot. I ignored it and walked down the somewhat busy hall to find Omega staring intently at a vending machine of soft drinks. This confused me as I was expecting the mess hall to have the drinks covered.

Omega rubbed his chin and noticed me, giving his eyebrows a shrug and smiled. "There you are. Don't mind me. Edge and the others are already eating inside."

I leaned against the wall and folded my arms. "Why're you at the vending machine? Shouldn't the mess hall have what you wanted?"

"They ran out of Cherry Cola. Seriously, it's much harder to get what you want in a much more crowded base." He sighed and selected Vanilla Cola. "Not my favorite, but still good enough."

"It would be nice if there was Ramune here. I miss that ever since I was still a rookie."

"Yeah. You grow up so fast." He joked and nudged my arm before leading me to the mess hall, which was crowded while the Ridgebacks had their table full already from rookie pilots wanting to hear stories from them. "I take it you're more than ready for Korea? You've gained much more confidence now the more we kicked more of USEA's ass."

"With all the things I've been through, it'll be a cakewalk." I gave a cocky smile, but only in order to give him some confidence that the operation will be handled properly. Omega tends to act nervous about counterattacks and invasions from the UN. It was all because of what happened back at the Adriatic Sea after 70% of our forces were wiped out by a mysterious asteroid barrage. I pray something like that will not happen again.

He found us a table and cracked open his soda as soon as both of us sat down. "Been wondering about something, Cap'n." Omega tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows. "Being a mercenary isn't really a profession we should live in for the rest of our lives. Any plans when you leave?"

"I don't know. I haven't really given it much thought. But with the amount of funds I have been receiving, maybe just go on vacation? More money is coming in, so I have many options…" I leaned against the table on my hand and stared up at the fluorescent lights.

He shrugged and chuckled at my response. "Good. I'm not the only one who hasn't found anything yet. We may have a lot of money, but it's not there forever."

"Should've told Viper that before he retired." I joked.

Omega laughed and slammed his fist at the table. "He'll be back. Mark my words. That old man uses too much of his money more than me on getting a new Typhoon jet each time I'm shot down."

"Now THAT is saying a lot." I chuckled and began to think about the future. A vacation wouldn't sound so bad, the more I think about it. Better than gambling it all away, something Viper would do. Hell, once I do go on vacation, maybe I'll meet up with her again. Somehow…

"Oi! Reaper, the more you think about money that deeply, greed will start to get you cocky." Omega nudged my side to make me snap out of it.

"Oh…yeah, right. I was thinking about the money…" I scratched my head sheepishly.

"You sure? That look on your face seemed like something a guy would have when he's thinking about a lady~."

"Zip it, King Bailout." I folded my arms and glared in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.

He wasn't fazed by it and snickered. "Oh come on~! Who was it? No, wait, I think I already know who it is."

My mind was curious to what was his answer, since he clearly wouldn't know it was Camilla. "Really? Who?"

"Goodfellow."

"…he's a guy."

Omega gave a wide smirk and shrugged his shoulders. "How can you be so sure that he is?"

Little did he know, I could already see a certain somebody approaching him from behind, unaware of his presence. His laughter was silenced as soon as he had his shoulder gripped tightly to the point where he yelped and almost collapsed. Still having his shoulder crushed, he looked behind to see his biggest fear come true. Goodfellow was giving off a menacingly false smile while holding a hot cup of joe. The worse thing that can happen is him spilling that on Omega to result some burns. I gave Omega a look that basically read "Way to go", much to his expression of both pain and regret for letting his mouth run.

"Omega, say that again and I'll show you who really is the man here." Goodfellow threatened while tightening his shoulder.

"OWOWOW! Okay! I get it! Let go!" He groaned in pain even after being let go. "Bloody hell…that hurts."

"Good." He gave off a wide smirk and nudged the same spot.

I suppressed my pain of laughter by letting out a cough and clearing my throat. "Hey, Boss. Had a long day? You seem to be letting it out hard on Omega there."

Goodfellow buzzed his lips and sat down at our table. "Yup. Top brass has been breathing down my neck whenever you guys go on sortie. You know how it goes: Make sure we don't do war crimes and behave ourselves, no matter how much they trust you especially, Reaper."

"My kill counts don't increase your work time, does it?"

"I wouldn't worry about that. Not only does it give you more pay, but it adds more value to the Bone Arrows. Just keep doing your thing, and we'll retire early."

"So, what's it going to be: Slow down with the kills for less work and less money? Or more kills with MORE money, but more work for you?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Don't make me choose." He groaned before eating his meal, which was pork cutlets with curry sauce. "Still. Whatever you do, just be on your best behavior as always. Command has been more active on us more than the Ridgebacks. Keep our reputation high up there with our kill counts, and they'll like us even more to give us bonuses."

"More concerned about the funds, you are." Omega rolled his eyes as he finished rubbing his own shoulder and looked over at me. "You're not gonna eat?"

I shook my head. "I'll wait till the line gets shorter."

"Ugh. Forgot to get a drink." Goodfellow noticed on his tray. "Reaper, you need anything so you don't have to worry about it?"

"Orange juice." I told him as he acknowledged and headed to the counter to find his own beverage along with mine.

While he was away, Omega turned back to me and asked, "Hey, Cap'n. You ever wonder what'll happen to us once USEA is done for good?"

"In my opinion, I think they're still going to need us for security reasons. Just because USEA falls doesn't mean resistance and uprisings won't happen when they see an opportunity." I answered while looking at the TV in the corner, playing the news as some of the pilots were watching closely about the decline in USEA.

He nodded in agreement with my statement. "I assume the need for mercenaries will go down over time because there's no more massive war to use them for. Like you stated, security is definitely going to be in high demand for former-USEA territories."

"About the future, least we still have time to think about our own. Goodfellow might stay in the Bone Arrows. Bronco and Zebu, well, I haven't spoken to them about it yet."

"Well, whatever the case is, Command is definitely going to be using us a lot more than the regular flyboys for now." Omega said before finishing his can of soda. "Not just because of our skills and reliability. But something tells me they call us in because we're expendable. Mercs are not protected in the Geneva Convention and if they're in hot water, they can easily put the blame on us while getting lesser punishments."

"Good point." I shook my head as I remembered that saying. After this war is over, there's a possibility that we will get the boot and Bone Arrow Squadron will disband or get their ties broken from UN Forces, leaving us back to running independently. "Goodfellow might not be able to afford us once our funding goes down when we leave the Task Force 118."

Omega shrugged and let out a sigh. "All the more reason to be prepared for the future."

I nodded and just leaned back on my seat. "Try not to get shot down so you can save some money too."

-(Earth's Orbit, Camilla's Satellite)-

(Camilla's POV)

"Kvasir. vanilla cola, please."

"This shortly after you woke up, Master? You've been drinking and eating quite a bit of sweets lately."

I stood up from my cushioned chair and nodded. My hands were gripping onto the controller I use on my Carmilla craft as I stared at it briefly before tossing it across the interior of my satellite. No matter how much I try to remember Reaper telling me it wasn't my fault, my hands are forever tainted with the lives I have taken in a war I always thought was a game. Some people say it's easy to forgive me, but it's harder to forgive myself while thinking I should've realized it from the start.

My thoughts were interrupted as Kvasir handed over a can of vanilla cola with one of the robotic arms he uses to hand things over to me if I needed anything.

"Here you go, Master." He said while I took it from him. "Fresh from the fridge."

I gave a smile at the monitor he was linked in and nodded my head. "Thanks, Kvasir. I know it isn't much, but I appreciate your efforts to try and keep my spirits up."

"It may be a job of mine, but it's more than that. I assure you." He said in a pleased tone for the kind words.

Flattered, I popped open the can of cola and took the first delectable sip. My eyes went back to the screen in front of me as it displayed all news sources from the UN and USEA in regard to the ongoing war. Just by looking at the titles of the articles, it was clear that the United Nations were gaining the upper hand while USEA was desperate to hide their defeat by using propaganda. Fake news. Such a waste of paper and ink or space for a website. I grabbed the remote with my left hand and began to scroll down on the countless website links and pictures of newspapers from both sides.

Kvasir sighed at the sight, clearly displeased from what he was seeing. But for the wrong reason. "They're going to start putting your aircraft on sortie more frequently, I assume."

"With USEA being this desperate, you're most likely right on the money." I shook my head, knowing more lives are going to be taken because of me. "HQ treats me like an errand girl."

"Sir Cohen at least shows you some support from down there." Kvasir stated while a picture of Kacper Cohen appeared from an article about Iyuli and its Weapon Development Factories. "He even endor-"

"Don't remind me." I averted my eyes away from the screen to avoid looking at his picture. "If he lied to me all this time, he doesn't deserve my respect anymore."

He let out an awkward cough, which was a bit unnecessarily funny since he was an AI and minimized the link. "Right. Sorry."

"I probably won't be of good use anymore now that I want Reaper to shoot down my craft without a fight."

"Command is going to get rather suspicious if you allow him to shoot you down like that frequently." He reminded.

"Heh. I guess I can either say I'm having some connection issues, or I suck at this "game", right?" I joked and took another sip of my drink.

Kvasir let out a dry chuckle and minimized a few articles to give some open space on the screen. "That would mean USEA is going to have to conduct a replacement for special operations focused on the termination of Reaper."

"Another drone? Or an actual squadron?"

"More likely another squadron. I doubt Master Cohen has enough time to develop another UAV as sophisticated as your QFA-44. Not to mention it's still in its prototype stage."

He was right. Prototypes are usually not reliable as others may think. Especially if they are UAVs that are either AI controlled or remotely. Hardware and software conflictions, connection interference, and maybe even pilot error if they aren't as used to the controls as they thought they were. But there was just one problem for USEA when it came to dealing with Reaper and his team.

I asked, "Any ideas on which Ace Squadrons in USEA with a good track record might be able to carry out his elimination?"

Kvasir stayed silent for a few seconds as I can tell he was scanning through documents and records in his system, which I couldn't see at the moment on screen. "According to the reports from the USEA Military Command, a majority of them were shot down in Tokyo, Area B7R of America, and during the Raid of Baku."

Some weight was carried off my chest as I let out a long sigh. "So, does that mean Reaper is at least safer?"

Or so I thought. That was until Kvasir gave me a somewhat lengthy form of silence.

"Are you aware of "The Firebird", by any chance?"

And just like that, my heart sank when I just heard that nickname.

"Shit…" I whispered to myself as Kvasir pulled up a picture of a squadron in delta formation. Below was the label that the name of the squadron.

"Ember Squadron; 3rd Air Defense Division, 60th Fighter Squadron. Ex-Russian Aerospace Force"

"Due to this squadron's valuable track record, they are rarely used for out of nation operations unless any highly strategic position deemed important by USEA is under threat. I suppose you can call them USEA's trump card." He started before showing off the kill scores, sorties, and rewards the squadron has earned throughout the Formation of USEA, and the UN-USEA War. To sum up what I was looking at, it almost made Ember Squadron flawless and crystal clear of any failed sorties. As for the kill counts for ground and air units, triple digit numbers on both elements; even under specific types of vehicles from fighters, attackers, multiroles, tanks, air defenses, and naval vessels. Half of which are approaching to a thousand.

My hands began to shake a little as they clenched into a fist, frustrated and afraid things wouldn't be easy for me. And especially Reaper. He is going to have to face this squadron one day when the time comes. Him flying solo against all of Ember Squadron was what made me frozen like a statue. I don't know too much about them, but I kept hearing reports that Ember Team is not only the top squadron as Kvasir displayed on screen, but how ruthless they are towards their enemies. Especially mercenaries, as they are looked down upon by actual military servicemembers. Since they are not under the legal protection of war in the Geneva Convention, for all I know, they might just aim for his cockpit for the easy kill shot and not suffer the consequences as they are labeled as criminals.

"MASTER."

The loud call of Kvasir snapped me out of the mental images I didn't want to think about. I looked up at the screen and eased my clenched hands.

"Sorry. Just…just, you know…" I sighed as I had nothing else to think about on how to respond to him. He knows my worries, and there's no way I can easily hide them.

"Master, you've been quiet for a while. Don't you think you're overthinking all of this? Surely Reaper has been through worse squadrons and overcame them all." Kvasir said, but I knew he was just saying that in an attempt to calm me down.

I rubbed my temples and exhaled with my lips buzzing. "Then tell me. What is their success rate in regards to shooting down vital squadrons for the United Nations?"

"Scanning data files regarding Ember Squadron's assault record. According to the official sources from the USEA Air Force, their success rate for shooting down high value targets are…98%."

"Why 2% left out…?"

Kvasir displayed a screenshot from Operation Bunker Shot, which was one of Ember Squadron's planes pursuing Reaper's F-22. "They were too late in intervening Reaper and his allies to gain ground from the Adriatic Sea. However, only two aircraft from Ember Squadron were sent there instead of the usual formation of five."

My fingers interacted with the screen to zoom in on the picture as Kvasir also included the layout of the map. The USEA IFF marked both Ember planes as UNKNOWN, which confused me even further. I asked, "Why weren't they marked as allies? And why only two? You'd think if they want to go after Reaper, they'd send in more of their own."

"Apparently their main task was to not engage allied forces. But to watch our latest new weapon and inform command on its effectiveness. Our forces were never informed about their arrival, to which I assume their presence was to remain classified." He answered. "That is until they engaged Reaper because he intercepted their aircraft and took it as an enemy, since the UN IFF has already marked their allies and took the remaining force as enemies."

"Okay, one last search. What is their average attrition rate out of all the operations they took part in?"

"3%...all mainly from mechanical problems."

"And Kvasir, be honest with me. What is your calculated guess on their success rate on taking down Reaper…?" I bit my lip as I did not want him to try and give me a false guess to make me feel better. It was better to get realistic about it than getting false hope.

Kvasir was silent for a little while, but reluctantly replied, "80% success rate on Reaper's termination."

With that, I shook my head and let out a concerned sigh. "Then it's just as I feared."

"Bear in mind: This is all just my calculated guesses using factual records and intel from the USEAn Military." He pointed out, "So, no need to assume it's 100% correct."

"I know. Thank you though…" I said while gulping down the rest of my soda. "One more, please."

"Too much sugar, Master. Are you sure you're okay?" Kvasir hesitantly opened the fridge for me.

"I am." I responded while rocking around my seat and comforter.

He was probably doubting me at this point. Lately, I was in a more paranoid state while I have been craving junk food to fill in the negativity inside of me. But he followed my orders even if it's a bad habit for my health. I grabbed the soda and wrapped myself up in the comforter blanket I sat on. Kvasir cleaned up the screen of all the information he gave me on Ember Squadron and replaced it to a television comedy drama I watched weekly to relief some stress out.

"If there is anything you need, just let me know." Kvasir said, still being concerned as ever which I didn't mind. But can be a bit too much. "Shall I run a diagnostics check on you to ensure you're in good health?"

Turning my face away from the screen, I just shook my head on the offer. "Don't worry about it. Dismissed."

"Well, judging by your paranoia, mood swings, and cravings, it's common for what you have been through so far. But….are you…by chance in that stage where it happens every month?"

"DISMISSED!" I blushed wildly and covered my face in utter embarrassment.

"Ah. Okay. Yes, Master." He understood the situation and went offline to give me some privacy.

Oh my God…I really shouldn't be this embarrassed about that. But I couldn't help it.

With that aside, I eased down from my embarrassing outburst and went back to watching the show on screen. Thankfully, today didn't have any guaranteed sorties for my Carmilla aircraft drone. I didn't have to kill anybody today and I prefer to stick to it like that. But with my drone being less active from here on out, leaving it to Ember Squadron to kill Reaper, there is no longer a way to control the battle by intentionally making him win. I was about to think harder about a solution, but my mind couldn't bear to keep it together much longer. Instead, I shook it off and forced myself to focus on the TV again. I grabbed the tab of my soda can but stopped myself when I saw the nutrition facts where the sugar was, where it has reached to 45 grams high! Two cans of this early without a meal is probably not a good idea.

Then, a certain horrifying scenario crossed my mind…

…

"UGH! He's right. Lay off the damn sugar, Camilla!" I groaned and set the unopened can on a holder before repeatedly punching my pillow. "He'll think I'm fat if this keeps up…"

From now on, I'll try to be working on "Ace Combat: Wild Blue Yonder" , "RWBY: The Recidivist" , and "Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss: Underdog" at the same time.

Now, time for me to draw a new image cover!

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