Ulysses Disaster. It's been almost 20 years since that fateful day. Time sure flies. When I was a kid, I saw how beautiful those falling stars were at that night and innocently made countless wishes from them.
I never thought what sort of impact it'd made, changing our planet, forever.
Britannia, Gallia, Karlsland, Hispania, Orussia, Fuso and many more countries were on the receiving end of those Ulysses fragments.
United States of Liberion and other neighbor countries were lucky enough, spared from the disaster, quickly lent their aid.
In the Period of Restoration, the Liberion continued to flourish than ever before. They always fancied themselves the only nation that could bring peace and stability to the world.
But they're also the opportunists.
Ruined countries had to sell a piece of their land, piece by piece to the one with big wallet in order to subside the economic troubles. Along with it, the old government was replaced by the new. Empire dissolved, changing into Republic or Federation.
Amidst all that, one nation was remained strong, having itself functioned as the backbone for central Europe's running economy: Kingdom of Erusea.
The refugees without homes came to Erusea in drove, putting the country into the state of chaos and on the verge of civil war. Amazingly, their sovereignty was remained strong as the charisma and words of the royal family calmed the people.
Religious. Races. Languages. They were united under it, one flag.
Still, one problem remained. With the natural resources were scarce and limited by Ulysses Disaster, the humanity soon turned to the new source of energy: Solar power.
Stretching far up beyond the skies. The rope to the universe. Space Elevators were built.
One was built on the edge of Southern Europe, in hope to help and keep the wheels of civilization rotating, however, such kindness often mistook.
[ The Kingdom of Erusea has declared war on United States of Liberion ]
It was a bombastic headline, and the moment when it was announced. The Space Elevator was already seized by Erusean task force.
'Retribution for years of exploitation', they claimed. And the violation of nation's sovereignty since the Space Elevator was built right next to Erusea's territory. What reason to go to war could have been more legit?
Unprepared neighboring countries were quickly fell by the might of Erusean army. The Neo United Nations (NUN) and Liberion quickly mobilized their force to stop the invasion.
Such a major conflict was soon called: The Continental War.
The war against Erusea didn't stop there. Insurgents and separatists also began to make their move, attacking their government with the idea to restore their own country back its former glory.
In hope of putting a stop to these conflicts, NUN organized a new high readiness force for deployment worldwide: Allied Rapid Reaction Forces (ARRF), with men and women from different nations throughout the world, aiding their effort to the war fighting Erusean and terrorists.
And somehow, here I was, sitting on a back seat of an ARRF-affiliated F-4 which was engaging the Erusean bombers. In front of me was a pilot who displayed himself like an ace. He had downed four bombers and a couple of Erusean fighters before I could even register it.
Instead of trying to get a good view of the on-going air battle with my camera, I only tried to keep myself from vomiting as the whole world was spiraling and turning upside down before me.
« You alright back there, buddy? » He took notice of my groaning.
"Y-yes, I—I'm fine. I'm okay." I lied, so that I wouldn't hinder his skill, his ability to fight.
Mobius 1, his callsign, always went straight for the kill once the radar has locked on targets. He was a good pilot as he showed no signs of cockiness or reckless like young cadets I have flew with for my previous covered stories.
Besides him, there was also a wingman, well, a Witch actually. Silver hair, diamond blue eyes, and she was wearing a blue ribbon on her head.
She was young, like a high school girl. I honestly thought that she should be studying, or chatting along with her classmates back in school where the flame of war hasn't reached yet. Not flying out here, carrying a weapon to shoot down enemy planes and…taking down a Witch.
I did learn and knew that young witches, younger than her had enlisted to fight Neuroi, the Earth invader back in the past. But it sure was strange and…a grim sight to see.
However, these girls have joined the army on their own accord, wanting to protect their home, their loved ones, and to prove how strong they were.
Most of them didn't stay in the army for long, because when they've reached to the age of twenties, that's when their magic started to decline. I heard that there were a few exceptional cases that their magic was still maintained even in adulthood, but they're just rumors.
When the war officially broke out, the number of genuine serving Witches in every nation was reduced to around three or two digits. Restricted recruiting age went up from 13 to 16, and they would have to go through an intensive training course for about two years before they're officially to be deployed.
In this day and age, they became the controversial and debating topic.
Child soldiers. They're the strong words.
Despite it all, there was no denying of how vital it was that a Witch's power can change the tide of battle.
Erusean Witches were the notable example. They're Erusea's youngest heroes had protected the Kingdom's Capital, Farbanti from Liberion's flying fortresses when they tried to bomb them out of retaliation...
Such thinking had distracted me momentary when I saw the ribbon Witch intercepting the bomber. She fired her weapon right into the cockpit. I could feel that the crew was panicked when they've lost the control of their plane. I felt pity for them, like the Reaper has arrived, knocking on their door.
« This one is yours, Mobius 1. » I heard her soft, yet emotionless voice as she broke away from the damaged bomber, paving the way for...us as we approached from the rear.
« Much obliged. »
By his words, the long beep noise was sounded off when the radar has locked on the target.
« Mobius 1. Fox 2. »
The missile struck hard on the bomber's body, rendering the bird to descend down as fast as it was disintegrating into pieces.
The battle was in favor to us. Enemy soon turned their tails once their last bomber was shot down.
« The remaining hostiles are retreating. »
« Woo-hoo! Alright! »
« That's a round up. Let's go on home. »
Radioed voices of allies were cheerful.
« Sky Eye, this is Allenfort. Got visual on the downed bomber. » The base operator said. « Whose kill was that? Make sure to thank him. »
« Her, actually. » The pilot in front of me muttered along with a small chuckle.
I turned my eyes to where the silver-haired Witch was. I noticed that her altitude was oddly descending fast.
"She is dropping down. Is she alright?" I asked.
« Not to worry, she is just hungry. A couple of hot chow will get her back on her feet in no time. » His carefree voice told me as if this was a normal thing.
« Mobius team has done a great deal again today. » said an allied pilot.
« Thanks to you two, we own you one. »
« No problem. » Mobius 1 replied.
« I'm hungry… » Mobius 2 said weakly.
« C'mon Mobius 2. Try not to crash landing this time again. » said a female pilot.
« …garh… »
Her soft groaning over the radio simply earned a few good chuckles from her fellow flights.
\/ /\ \/
After the battle for Allenfort, we were soon set course for Fuso Federation. It was an island nation highlighted for its creation of Striker Unit for the Witches to combat the Neuroi.
Ichiro Miyafuji, he was a brilliant mind behind the Striker Unit's development. I also learned that his daughter, Yoshika Miyafuji was an ace among aces in 501st Joint Fighter Wing, also known as Strike Witches.
Amazing, both father and daughter. But still, I wonder how Dr. Miyafuji would feel now when the mankind was using his creation to serve for the purpose of war, the war between human and human?
War…an abstract idea, a spectacle show on television and newspapers appeared to the people while they're sitting comfortably on their sofa.
But the stories behind the word 'War' was what I seek.
Thanks to some old friends in the force and their connections, I was able to join this Task Force 108th.
Mirai, it was the name of the aircraft carrier which I was on. In Fusoan language, it meant: Future.
There were a lot of interesting characters onboard, but one pair had stood out most.
118th Tactical Fighter Wing. Mobius Team. They're the rising stars in ARRF.
While their identity was kept secret, but basing on what I have heard from the crew and soldiers on the carrier, and the interaction between them. They're sibling, well, no surprise there when I saw the resemblance between the two, silver hair and blue eyes.
The Mobius Prince and the Ribbon Princess. They're odd-sounding, yet affectionate nickname given by their peers.
It was late at night; the crew was celebrating their victory with alcohol and a fancy buffet set in the mess hall.
I noticed that Mobius 1 was carrying a large plate having many portions of food, it was enough for two people.
"I see that you're a big eater." I jokingly said.
"Oh no, I'm not." He laughed. "It's for my sister."
His answer caught me off guard there.
I took a look around the mess hall. His sister was not here.
I then saw Mobius 1 was making for the exit, I quickly came to a conclusion that he was bringing the food to her.
"Say, you can stick with me. I'm sure you want to interview us, right?"
"Totally! I mean...thank you." I was quite embarrassed there.
I then followed him to the crew quarters.
…
…
"Yo, little sis. Here comes your humanitarian aid." Mobius 1 said as he opened the door, entering the room.
"…fooooood~" The figure said weakly on bed. With a blanket wrapped herself in, she was like a mummy.
She soon ate…no, more like she was devouring the food like a hungry beast. But of course, the thought only kept to myself.
"I'm kinda shy around the strangers." It's her answer when I asked why she didn't come down to the cantina.
She's kinda cute when she said that.
"I've heard that you two are from the United States?"
"Snooping around like that. Are you some kind of spy?" Mobius 1 showed a (acting) suspicious face.
"I have my…sources." I laughed awkwardly, then continued on with another question.
"So what have led you two to join the ARRF?"
"I want to see the world." Mobius 2 answered.
That was…surprising and rather amusing.
"But wouldn't joining the Liberion Air Force would be easier, and since it'd be the first thing that would come to mind?"
"Yeah, it did. But…Sole Survivor Policy."
"Oh." I immediately understood.
Sole Survivor Policy. It was a regulation introduced after the death of five brothers. With the law, siblings in the force would get separated, each served in a different unit.
"Besides, I need to keep an eye on my dear brother here or who knows what sort of problem he would get himself into."
I almost laughed at that point when Mobius 2 said it.
"Oh, I'm sorry. What you mean is, the other way around." Mobius 1 remarked. "You're always the reckless type. Make our poor mother's heart go withering from the moment you declared that you'd joining the NUN Peace Keeping Force."
"It sounds like she did that when she was…sixteen years old back then?"
"Indeed." She said.
"Fifteen!" Her brother corrected it. "And she didn't even finish school yet."
"Always hate the school. And those juvenile types in there." Her annoyed expression was enough to guess the general plot.
"Sounded like a public school."
"It is." She nodded.
"Oh, I feel ya." I chuckled.
"Weak get eaten by the strong."
"Hey now. That should be implied to you, the strong." Her brother continued to point out. "It happened to that…Karen girl, right? When you've sent her to the hospital by breaking her jaws?"
"Only her nose. And that bi—she deserved it."
Even though I'm still pretty much a rookie in this line of work. But I do know one thing that all men from across the globe are admitted that: Girls…are scary.
"What?"
She shot her icy glare at me.
"…It's nothing." I avoided her gaze.
I then noticed the blue ribbon hanging by the wall. I vividly remembered the ribbon on her head was quite appealing, liked some sort of her trademark.
"About the emblem on your tail, the blue ribbon. Is there any reason you've chosen it?"
"…"
She somehow remained silent as she returned to eating the food.
"No particular reason." Her brother answered in her stead.
But I spotted there was a hint of sadness behind her blue eyes.
I sensed there's a story behind it, but I guess I need to earn their trust first.
With the camera in my hands, I decided to ask Mobius 2 a few more questions.
"May I ask what your familiar is?"
"It's a Dove." She answered.
A dove, it certainly has a lot of meanings, but the common one is often known of was: It's a symbol of peace.
Ironic.
"Got pretty handy with it when I first discovered my power."
"So you have went through two years training course in the army?"
"That's right. As soon as I finished my training, I was deployed in Middle East to suppress a band of insurgents."
I avoided the questioning about downing the Witches in combat. I feared that it would be a sensitive subject, not only to her, but to other pilots as well.
Some of them admitted that they would rather to avoid combating the Witches, just so not to engage and forced to take them down. Because of their appearance and their age…Child soldiers, indeed.
Mobius 1 didn't have an opinion about it. Perhaps he didn't want to think, because that was the only way he could function as a soldier, to become a killing machine, so he can stay alive. That thought would be applied to his sister too.
Although, Mobius 2 was like a foot soldier rather a pilot. I came to such thought when I was interviewing her.
And she rather has more things to say than her brother. At least, that was my hunch.
Then without a warning, a buzzing alarm had made my heart jumped.
« Mobius 2, report to the bridge. I repeat. Mobius 2, report to the bridge. »
\/ /\ \/
*BGM: Ace Combat 4 – Operation*
"Liberion's spy satellite has picked up some unidentified unmanned drones flying toward the south region of Fuso. They believe that they're scouts, trying to gain some intelligences on the Liberion-Fuso naval base and their Seventh Fleet, Normandy. Fortunately, we're the closet force to intercept those drones. With the demand of swiftness in this operation. Mobius 2, this is your time to shine. Your mission: Intercept and destroy them."
"Usually, I would have another Witch to accompany you but their magic is running low so you'll be flying solo for this one. Report to the deck below and prep yourself to arm. Good luck."
\/ /\ \/
Inside the aircraft carrier was much more…graphical than the usual sight you see the aircraft's runway from bird eye view. Not just fighter planes but there're armored vehicles parking alongside them.
I spotted there're several Striker Units, each was clamped in the Striker utility holder.
Mobius 2. Unlike the pilots with their flight suit, she was wearing a moss-colored infantry outfit. Even though it was a military standard issue, it included a short skirt and black spats, leaving her bare legs exposed, so she would put them into the Striker later on.
Her uniform was bearing a Mobius emblem patch on the shoulder sleeve while the patch of ARRF was on the chest. Three arrow-like icon was the symbol of ARRF.
Mobius 2 chose the same blue-colored Striker, the F-4 Phantom II model, that I saw in action.
In the past, the propeller type was a type of broom for the Witches to fly. With the advanced technology, the new generation Striker Unit now can be equipped with missiles or bombs, functioning like a multirole fighter.
Needlessly to say, the Striker Unit was twice bigger than the wearer.
After choosing her Striker, Mobius 2 moved on to the next preparation: weapon selection.
Like every other missile attached under the plane's wings, the missiles to put on the Witch's Striker Unit was designed in a compact size. Their length was just about a size of a baseball bat. Small but deadly.
However, what people were paying their attention most to was her…gun selection.
FN MAG equipped with a red dot sight was her primary weapon. It was a general-purpose machine gun and it has been used by more than 80 countries. It was a heavy-looking weapon, but with the power of the Witch, Mobius 2 held it easily in one hand without breaking a sweat. Along with it was FN FAL, her secondary weapon.
"Man, it's sure strange to see a pilot outfitting herself like some Rambo."
"She's not a pilot. She's a Witch. Big different."
Overhearing the crew's conversation, I chuckled. "I couldn't agree more."
"Make sure you bring my babies back in one piece, okay?" The armorer said. "Hate to see them sink down to the bottom of the ocean."
"I'll try." She replied, but it's unclear whether she was committed to it or not.
Next up was a gadget for her head. Similar to a pilot helmet, it was a certain type of headsets with microphone but came along with a visor which can display a HUD, showing radar, altitude, speed, the status of her Striker, number of bullets and missiles. It was a very useful device for Witches to engage in combat.
Then I noticed that Mobius 2 was the only one being prepped to deploy. Her brother was there, but he simply stood by and watch her preparation.
"Is it alright for her to fly out there alone?" I asked him.
"Like me, she prefers to do things on her own."
"Ok, fire her up!" After the final checking, the crew signaled to Mobius 2.
Immediately, a two wing-like parts was erected on top of her head along with a tail at the back. Then, a large glowing blue magical sphere was deployed right under her Striker's thrusters as they were coming to live, roaring out loud.
I could feel the wind was slashing onto my face mercilessly.
"No matter how many I look at it. I never get tired of such amazing sight." A crewman commented.
Truly. I thought as I started to take a few pictures of her.
An iconic image of a Witch, wielding impossibly heavy-looking weapon that only combat vehicle or a trained, big muscular soldier could carry.
The central elevator soon began to ascend, bringing Mobius 2 up to the runway.
"Good luck out there." Her brother said.
"Just save some chicken wings for me when I get back." She said.
"Wilco."
"Hey! Take this." I tossed a certain item to her.
It was a chocolate bar, my emergency ration to take when the local food didn't fit with my taste.
"Thanks." Mobius 2 appreciated it.
The preparation for the Witch to launch was quickly underway. Excluding the hooking the catapult to the planes process, the glowing blue magical sphere underneath the Striker continued brightening up more and more.
« Mobius 2. You're cleared for takeoff. »
By Mirai's permission, F-4 Striker immediately launched away like a bullet.
« Altitude restriction is lifted. Good luck out there. »
…
MISSION 01
NIGHT CRAWLER
0114hrs. August 15th, 2019
Pacific Ocean / / 26° 53' 40'' N 224° 59' 14'' W
Cloud Cover: Scattered
Operation Name: Stalker
\/ /\ \/
« This is AWACS Sky Eye to Mobius 2. Your objective is to intercept the UAVs before they enter Fuso's airspace. »
"Wilco."
« Don't forget to turn on the Night Vision mode on your visor. Even though the moon tonight is bright but the clouds would go over it from time to time. »
Pity, she preferred more on using her own eyes than the gadget.
« There they are. You should see those blips on your radar now. There should be five of them. »
"Affirmative."
The ribbon witch then directed her magic into the Striker, gaining the speed rapidly as she flew to the coordinates.
When Mobius 2 was close enough, the visor's HUD promptly displayed the said targets, each was surrounded by hexagon-shaped container.
Silently, the Witch placed the machinegun's stock on her shoulder. Finger on the trigger's guard. Her blue eye aimed through the red dot sight toward the selected target.
« Mobius 2. You're cleared to engage. »
The primary weapon was swiftly cocked.
Those drones wouldn't know what will hit them.
"Mobius 2, engaging."
With a couple of firing in bursts, the armor-piercing bullets torn through the machine easily like a hot knife through butter. The UAV soon caught on fire. She could see the bright burning dot within her night vision.
The drones' formation immediately broke away. They were fast and agile, but that suited just fine for Mobius 2. They might outrun the bullets, but can they outrun the missiles?
Tailing on a new target, the HUD soon locked on.
"Mobius 2. Fox 2."
The compact-sized missile detached from her Striker's sidewinder and launched toward the designated target.
« Mobius 2, slashed another bogey. » Sky Eye confirmed the target's destruction.
Three remaining. However, the drones' flying was getting more erratic, as if they didn't seem try to run away. In fact, one of them was almost collide into her at one point.
"Are they trying to fly or trying to ram at me?" She growled.
« I believe they're doing both. But the guys controlling these drones are definitely noobs. Just shoot them all down. »
It was a game of tag. Mobius 2 was 'it', but she was very good at being 'it'.
The air maneuvering of a Witch was quite similar to a helicopter. When they're trying to ram at her, Mobius 2 acted herself like an AA turret.
Pulling the trigger, the machinegun sent a number of projectiles and nailed two drones before they could get to her.
One remaining.
The last drone suddenly turned its tail around and tried to escape.
Mobius 2 gave chase and quickly put a missile at it.
She watched its destroyed body along with its torn pieces diving right into the sea.
"This is Mobius 2. That was the last of them."
« Confirm. All targets are…Wait, hold on…damn! More drones. They are showing on vector two-eight-five. »
Mobius 2's gadget soon revealed the same thing, showing five more blips on the radar.
"Another group of drones..."
« Mobius 2. Should I call it in? »
"Negative. I got this." The Witch swiftly changed a new fresh box magazine for the weapon and as she flew there to meet them.
She welcomed those crafts with a shower of lead. The bullets struck the targets but they continued travelled on their path.
They aren't as fragile as they looked. Mobius 2 thought. Let's how much hit they can take.
Despite her emotionless expression, she fired her weapon like a madman.
The moment another drone got shot down was when her machinegun had run out of ammo, but she didn't spare a single minute to reload with a new magazine. Instead, she used it as a baseball bat and smashed right into the other drone, promptly having it to spin round and round wildly as it was diving into the pitch-black sea below.
« Mobius 2…homerun! »
"Sorry…" Looking at the pitiful state of the weapon, she muttered her apology before she let it go and switched to her secondary weapon.
« Be careful, Mobius 2. I'm seeing those drones have changed their flying courses and are coming toward you. I think you've pissed them off. »
"Good. Don't want to chase them far—"
Immediately her HUD displayed a warning of incoming missile.
« Mobius 2. Missile. Evade! »
She quickly did so by increasing the speed of her Striker while deploying flares to draw the heat-seeking missile away. Upon the detonation, two more were coming in from the same direction. The Ribbon Witch rotated herself around as she greeted to them with a hail of bullets, rendering them to explode in midair.
"Sky Eye, these drones are different. They're armed."
« Copy that. I'll call in the reinforcement this ti—*static*No sense to play a he—o*static*Fal—ack, Mob—wo—*static* »
"AWASC? Say again. You're breaking up. Sky Eye? Respond."
The only thing Mobius 2 could hear was the noise of statics. She then noticed her radar was also acting funny.
"Jamming? From those drones?"
No sense of standing around to play detective. To her, the objective was unchanged. Mobius 2 checked up her inventory on the HUD. One missile left and still plenty of ammo to shoot.
Lets do this.
The Striker Unit didn't fail her as she intercepted them and evaded those incoming missiles. She felt that she was…tangoing with them.
No matter how fast and sneaky they were, Mobius 2 was able to shoot them down with her light automatic rifle.
When the last remaining drone was shot down, the radio static noises soon replaced with AWASC's worried voice.
« Finally! Picture is clear. Mobius 2. Are you still with us? »
"This is Mobius 2. All targets are eliminated."
There was a brief moment of silence.
« …confirm. No more hostile on the radar. That was pretty reckless of you doing back there, Mobius 2. But…good work. Mission accomplished. RTB. »
\/ /\ \/
On the way back to Mirai, the adrenaline was starting to wear off as Mobius 2 felt a dreadful hunger.
"Ugh…so hungry…"
« Haha, come on. Hang in there. I'll give you my muffins when you get back. »
I don't think I would last that long…
She then remembered the chocolate bar that the journalism man has given to her. She quickly unwrapped it and took a bite at it.
"Delicious…" She was relief as her magic was recovering bit by bit, like she was being refueling in mid-air.
The Ribbon Witch then rotated herself so that she can see the night sky above.
"It's been twenty years already…the sky is still full of those little rocks above?" She asked out loud, not expecting any respond, however, Sky Eye soon spoke up.
« Yeah, you weren't born at that time. But I hate to admit, it was a pretty sight back then. »
"…"
Mobius 2 quietly put one of her hands up toward the moon, trying to reach up to it.
…
When I just turned around fourteen, my hometown was already occupied by the Erusean troop coming down from the west.
With their kingdom was having some economic troubles. So waging war and conquering neighbor for the natural resources were pretty much of their options on the table? Why they didn't simply ask for help? An adult mind always makes things complicated.
Then again, me, a young girl back then would never know how an adult's mind work.
Before the war, both of my parents died in a car accident. I moved in and lived with my aunt who was a nurse of a town's hospital. Because of injured soldiers bringing back from the front line, her presence was almost never at home.
Alone. Solitude and quietness were only my comfort.
~ The girl's diary ~
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