Operation: STONECRUSHER

"We will attack Stonehenge, the lethal weapon that has plagued ISAF for so long.
Since it was designed to shoot down asteroids, a few small fighters flying unpredictable high-speed courses should be able to get within range. According to the defectors, its central ECM jamming disrupts our radar and missile guidance systems. Unless this system is destroyed, our mission will be very difficult to execute. HQ predicts a 40 casualty rate for all deployed aircraft. It'll be a tough mission, but one we can't avoid.
Now go and reclaim the skies over the mainland! Dismissed!" as usual. Another briefing.

But another new pilot was rotated in. his name was Marcus Snow. Callsign: Swordsman. What I didn't understand was why where all these pilots rotating in and out. Ah, another mystery. That or a coincidence. I decided.

And so, the mission began.

"Stonehenge is responsible for the loss of many aces.
We're in need of new heroes. Be sure to make it back in one piece." Skyeye informed.

"Incoming from Stonehenge! All aircraft descend to lower altitude!"

so we descended to below 2000 feet and started going full burn towards the superweapon. Shortly after it was in sight, I noticed that my missiles wouldn't fire.

"Something's going on with my radar and missiles!" I said.

"That's the ECM they warned us about in the briefing. Don't worry, I'll take this thing down!" was Mobius 1's response.

After that I herd Skyeye say "use your guns to destroy the jamming devices!" though it was Mobius 1 who had dropped a bomb on them. He them proceeded to destroy the superweapon. I was mesmerized, and buy the sounds of friend and foe's radio chatter, so was everyone else.

"Go for it, Mobius1! Take it out!"

"SHOOT DOWN THAT RIBBION!"

"There's a tough one out there. He's got a ribbon insignia on him."

"He's the one! Aim for him!"

"WHERE"S YELLOW SQUADRON?"

"Look at him go! He's grabbing all the glory!"

"This is the last one"

"target destroyed! I repeat MOBIUS 1 HAS DESTROYED THE TARGET!"

"Whoo-ee!"

"YAHOO!"

after that, I snapped out of it and heard Skyeye again.

"Skyeye here. We've confirmed via radar that Stonehenge was destroyed. But it looks like we've got company. Five bandits coming in at Mach 2. Don't worry; our aces are faster than they are! You are all cleared to engage!"

I heard them talking over the radio, and I heard one of them again. It was the one I hit in Operation Shattered Skies.

"AH-HA! There's the one who shot me!"

"Target acquired! Adjusting position to cover the captain's six!" a female voice said.

"Yellow 4, don't worry about me! I'll be fine!"

"Face it 13, she's in love."

"WHAT! Maintain radio silence!"

Naturally, I couldn't work like this. I was laughing too hard… as well as everyone else. Eventually, after everyone had stopped, we went after the Yellows. I shot… and missed. The furball went on for a while until Mobius 1 managed to shoot down one of them. I heard "Yellow 13" over the radio again. His tone was shocked.

"Eject Yellow 4. Yellow 13 here. Did anyone see 4 get out?"

"Negative sir. I didn't see any parachute."

"All aircraft, the other Yellows are withdrawing! That's a confirmed Kill on a Yellow! It's a complete victory for the good guys." Skyeye said.

But there was another thing that was troubling me. During the fight with the Yellows, I saw something on my radar that didn't make sense. Another aircraft was flying around almost totally unnoticed. It looked like some kind of Droid plane, but it flew with reflex delays like a human. Must have been a trick of light. I told myself.

End of chapter 5