When I was young, I used to learn that the world was more...simple.
Our enemies were invaders from the outer space.
The mankind was backed into a corner, but then…
We persisted.
We held our ground.
We fought.
We triumphed.
From the moment we're born, we're destined to fight.
It's a tough time back then.
But the reason to fight was clear.
We faced a common enemy.
We fought to protect what's dear to us.
It's Good versus Evil.
But now…
For some reason…
We all pointed our weapons at each other.
Human are truly foolish...
…
« All pilots and Witches. Report to the hangar immediately. This is not a drill. »
The PA voice continued to say calmly while the buzzing sound of alarm was ringing.
Mobius 2 looked at the long blue ribbon in her hand.
"Sister..."
...
MISSION 4
BATTLE FOR TOKYO
1715hrs. August 29th, 2019
Tokyo / / 35° 41′ 23" N 139° 41′ 32" E
Cloud Cover: Scattered
\/ /\ \/
Above the calm sea that bathed in the orange sun, a large number of fighters consisted of Dassault Rafale Ms, F/A 18E/Fs and F-14s were flying in formation.
Among them there were three young girls, who renowned as Witches thanks to the iconic Striker Unit strapped around their legs. They flew in the element with other planes.
Omega squadron; Green Tails; Mobius team and Esteri team. They're all servicemen of ARRF (Allied Rapid Reaction Forces), which also known as Task Force 108th.
They were making haste toward one destination: Tokyo, the capital of Fuso.
The mood was somewhat heavy among the flights. Couldn't blame them. After all, they have just left that oriental country just 5 hours ago. Suddenly they have to turned their ship around as soon as they received a distress signal.
They're ordered to launch away without any briefing while fully armed.
Fortunately, the additional new Super Hornets had arrived on time to replace the outdated Phantom IIs, so it's a good edge that the pilots of 108 needed, and for a certain silver-haired Witch as well, with a new Striker Unit model bearing the same name and characteristic design.
« Due to the pressing circumstance, Hexer will be giving the briefing directly. » Sky Eye radioed in. « Hexer, you have the comms. »
A calm female voice soon followed.
« The Tokyo, no…the entire Fuso country is currently under attack by unknown forces. Initial reports saying many Fuso garrisons were attacked by a group of UAVs. »
« Goddamn, drones again?! » Omega 11 exclaimed. A few shared the same reaction.
« Taking advantage of the situation, the insurgents, we believe, are conducting a massive scale of attacking the Tokyo city by land, air and even from the sea. »
« What the hell? »
« Omega 11. Keep it down! » Omega 1 called him out.
« As of now. We, the 108th Task Force have been ordered to move into Tokyo. The situation there is critical with widespread panic. »
« The FDF (Fuso Defense Forces) and a detachment of NUN troop stationed there are already working with local authority in evacuating the civilians. »
« Liberion 3rd Fleet is also on its way to help, but they're still far away. So at this moment, we're the only available force they have. »
« What about Yokosuka base? It's the closest. » Mobius 1 asked. « Don't tell me… »
« Yes. » Hexer went straight to the point. « Fuso Witches and pilots there are still fighting off those drones as we speak. »
« … » Mobius 2 let out an annoyed sigh.
Even though she didn't know them for long, but she silently prayed for their safety.
« My feeling is as same as yours. However, the lives of Tokyo people are our priority. And we will assist the defenders and drive these insurgents out. »
« First, we need to establish the landing point. »
The HUD promptly displayed the digital map of Tokyo Bay.
« A group of enemy vessels have sealed off the bay. This is your first objective. »
« Clear out the blockage. »
« Once you're done. Our ground force can move in and assist the FDF with the evacuation and counter attack the invaders. »
« All 108th fighters and Witches then will focus on destroying the hostiles in the city. »
« This will be a punishing battle. But if we don't do this, who will? »
« Put a stop to this whatever terrorist attack is. And one more thing. Return back here alive, all of you...Good luck. »
As soon as Hexer was done, Sky Eye continued on.
« A Fuso squadron is already engaged the hostiles above the capital, but they're overwhelmed by the enemy's number. »
« You guys will arrive in the middle of the action... » Sky Eye then stopped. « I've got two blips on the radar. IFF is responding. »
« Hey, nuggets of 108th, you copy? We're approaching at your six. » A male voice radioed in.
« Who is that? » asked Fencer, aka Green Tails 2.
« I recognize that voice. » Mobius 1 said.
They soon spotted the ASF-X Shinden II, a Fuso developed Advanced Support Fighter which had joined them in one operation.
Beside the dark-colored Shinden II, there was a certain plane that was quite rather old. Old enough that there were a few of them already to put inside the museum, F-5E Tiger II.
« That's a strange pair. » Archer, aka Green Tails 1 commented.
« Hey old man, what happened to your other plane? » asked Mobius 1.
« Hehe, I decided to go for the nostalgia today. » The pilot with a callsign: Viper, answered it casually. « So I gave my plane to her. »
« I'm sorry, Captain. It's my fault, you should have fly this instead. » radioed Edge, his wingman.
A few could have guessed that Edge's damaged Shinden II was not able to repair in time. Especially in this calling of emergency.
« Can it, Nagase. » Viper hushed. « It's just a plane. Besides, this baby girl is crying, wanting to get some action so I grant her wish. »
Mobius 1 spotted a certain emblem placed by the F-5 nose, a playing card (the ace of hearts) cleaved by a dagger.
« Heartbreak…is that what symbol mean? »
« Ahh, it's just an old war wound now. » He sighed.
Mobius 2 silently waved her hand to Edge who returned the same manner.
« Oh, you have the new Striker now. A Super Hornet, just like your brother's. » Edge said, looking at the blue-ribbon emblem painted on Mobius 2's Striker was the same one on Mobius 1's F/A 18E's tails.
« Yeah, remind me of how you have trashed the old ones, I better not letting you touch my baby girl. » Viper said with a wary tone.
Hearing that, Mobius 2 decided to tease him by approaching closer to his plane with her opened palm.
« Hey-hey. No touching. Shoo-shoo. » Viper pulled his plane away from her.
Everyone in the flying formation abruptly burst out with laughter and chuckle.
The heavy mood was no longer there.
« You know what? It's good that you guys showed up. » Omega 11 appreciated it.
« So how about a competition then? » Viper made a challenge.
« Sounds good to me! »
« Tokyo, dead ahead. » Esteri 1 aka Ice Tea said.
« Mio Dio (My god)! The city is burning. » Coffee, the tan-skinned Witch exclaimed.
« Fishbeds, Phantoms…a lot of them out there. » Mobius 2 said, looking up the sky. The hostile aircrafts were circling around the city like vultures.
« This is Sky Eye to all fights. You have permission to engage all hostiles above and in Tokyo. »
« Let's focus on clearing the coast line. » said Archer 1.
« Begin the attack! » Omega 1 gave the order to his squadron.
« Let's do this, Mobius 2. » said the Ribbon Fighter.
« After you. » replied the Ribbon Witch.
Mobius team dived close to the water, multiple gunboats within their sight were all struck down before they even knew it.
« I've got three Corvettes and at least a dozen of gunboats on my radar. »
« I got a lock. Gun. Gun! » The green-colored tail Rafale M swooped down and up like a hawk, leaving destruction in their path.
« Destroy all enemy vessels. » Sky Eye repeated the objective. « We need to secure the coast line so our ground force can move in. »
« And make sure to leave some fun for the rest of us. » Rico, who was part of the landing force, radioed in.
« Not to worry, there's still a lot on the plate by the time you arrived, Habanero. » Ice Tea reassured as she and her wingman were taking position to attack with their anti-materiel rifle.
« Don't call me that! » The girl really hated that nickname.
« We interrupt this program for an emergency news report. » The broadcast was heard on the opened channel.
« Tokyo is currently under attack by unidentified enemy… »
« Who the hell are these guys? » asked a radioed voice which belonged to a police officer.
« I don't know! They just appeared right in the middle of street. And start shooting at anybody! »
« For the Troia! » A powerful voice cried out.
« Let them know our own suffer! Make them feel it! »
« March on, my brothers! March on! »
« We need air support! They're everywhere! » An FDF soldier cried out over the radio.
Their prayer was quickly answered when an F-14 of Green Tails had destroyed two ground vehicles.
« Hey, look up there! It's the reinforcement. We're saved! »
« It's ARRF! Good thing that they're nearby. »
« There's so many of them. » Omega 11 felt a little overwhelmed, looking at all marked targets appeared all over his HUD. It even showed that the insurgents have set up some AA guns on high-stories building.
« Are they really some rebel? Not when they have this much assets and troops at their disposal. » Edge was amazed by the amount of rebel troops on land and at sea.
« This is like fighting a whole army out there. » Mobius 1 agreed.
« Are they Erusean troops? » Edge asked.
« Negative. I don't see any orange flag. » Viper said.
« And I see no drones either. » Omega 11 said. « Seriously, what's the deal with those drones anyway? Even the rebels we captured didn't know a single thing about them. »
« This is Ice Tea to all planes. Watch out for those cargo ships in the bay. They're hostiles! »
« Man, it like they use whatever they have in their inventory to stage this attack. » Omega 5 groaned.
« This is Mirai to Mobius 2 and Esteri team. Beam the target for us so we can send the payload. »
« Copy. » Esteri 2 used the laser attachment and pointed it at one hostile container ship.
« Beaming the target! »
« Target acquired. »
Back to the Mirai's runway, two hatches were opened, allowing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles launched from the tube.
« Package away. »
A minute later, the Tomahawks struck, ripping off the ship in half.
« Hostile container ship sunk. » Sky Eye reported.
To protect the friendly aircraft above, Mobius 2 charged in, firing at the enemy who was carrying portable anti-air weapon.
The Witches repeated the process. Mobius 1 and Zero team contributes the kill along the way, which soon knocked out all hostile ships in the bay.
« Alright! Rebel destroyer sunk! » Viper reported.
« The harbor is clear. With this, our ground force can finally move in. » Sky Eye said.
The LCACs soon reached the dock and unloaded their passengers.
« This is Dachshund Platoon. Thank you for rolling the red carpet for us. » The Challenger 2 along with the Marines swiftly deployed to the battle zone.
« Yeah. Yeah. Enjoy the show. » Omega 11 said.
« Let's get this show on the road! » Rico along with her girls rolled their Striker into the city.
« They even got the Ground Witches. » Edge muttered.
« This is Task Force 108 affiliated to NUN. » Sky Eye made a contact to a friendly on the ground. « We will assist you with the evacuation. »
« Thank you so much! We thought we're all alone. » said an FDF officer.
« Enemy reinforcement! I think they just came from the sea. » An insurgent scout reported back to his command.
« Impossible! What happen to our blockage!? Contact them now! »
« This is our capital! We are not letting these degenerates do whatever they please! » An FDF soldier said.
« Yeah, I say we teach them some manner before we kick them out! »
The man's words were returned with spirited laughs. The morale of defenders was rising.
« Okay guys, let's make some breathing room for our Fuso friends. »
« Ooh-rah! »
Soon, the Dachshund platoon along with Wild Badgers formed a defensive line while their air force was dealing with the bandits for the distressed Fuso squadron.
Mobius 1 did his work by taking out an aggressor MiGs off the friendly F-15J's tails.
« Whoever flying in that ribbon plane. You have my gratitude. » said the Fuso pilot.
« Not bad, kid. » Viper was impressed.
« What about me? » asked Mobius 2, who just took down a Phantom.
« Oh right, you. Well, your machine gun fire could use a little work. Hahaha! »
« … » She felt a little regret/embarrassed. She really shouldn't have asked him.
« This is FASDF309. Thank you for the assist. » The FDF pilot radioed in.
While the sky was gradually clearing of bandits, the fighting on Tokyo streets were remained intensified.
« Hostile between the buildings. They even got heavy MG set up by the road! » A scout recon reported to Dachshund 2.
« I see it. Fire! »
« We've got enemy tank on the road! » A rebel vanguard reported.
« Roger. Fall back. Our RPG team will take care of it. »
« They're falling back. Pretty fast too. » said a Marine.
« Careful. These rebels are not some angry mob carrying pitch fork. They are well-trained and discipline. » An FDF soldier fighting alongside them gave a warning.
…
…
« Tokyo is a densely populated urban center with a skyline of skyscrapers. Watch out for them as they can block your attacks at ground targets. » Sky Eye gave the advice.
Mobius 1 began to perform the ground attack from high altitude. His attack style was quickly analyzed by Zero 2.
« That's neat trick. » Edge couldn't help but wanting to try it.
« You don't need to try targeting at everything. » said Viper. « Just maintain your focus. Take one target out at a time. »
« Roger that, Cap. » Edge replied, never more she felt depending on him.
« Focus. Control. Conviction. Resolve. » Viper continued. « A true ace lacks none of these attributes. Nothing can deter you from the task at hand except your own fears. This is your sky. »
« Quite a poem. You sure you have signed up for the right job? » asked Mobius 1.
« Ah, shut up! You nuggets are just nuggets in my book. »
« Updating Combat Data. » Edge said, checking the instrument.
Once the software was done installing, Edge performed the attack move according to the HUD system suggestion. She was able to take down two targets located in between tall buildings.
…
…
« Jeez. This city is built like a maze. » Amber said as she was moving on the street surrounded by many tall buildings with vigilant.
« What's wrong, Amber? I thought you love visiting the Fuso. » Blake said.
« As a…tourist, yeah! »
The roar of jet engine above left quite an impression like an earth quake.
« Fencer. Fox 2! »
The missile struck hard on the AA gun emplacement set up on a building's roof top, which caused a number of debris falling down to friendly troops below, particularly the Wild Badgers.
« Hey Green Tails, be careful! » Rico spat out. « We have many wounded here and we don't need those raining debris on top of us! »
« Very sorry about that, honey. I'll make it up for you tonight. » Archer said in a sultry voice, which made Rico a little nervous.
« Uhm…no thanks! »
« The insurgent force is down to 80%. Things are going well for us. » Sky Eye said.
« Put your back into it, men. If we get through this, sushi are on me! » A friendly troop declared.
« Like you have money for that. »
…
…
"I somehow managed to evacuate everyone down to the metro. I just have hope they don't drop a bomb on us now." A young member of Fuso SAT (Special Assault Team) said as he was reuniting with other members.
"Hey, don't temp it." The second man said.
"Guys, check this out." A third member called out as he was near to a fallen rebel course.
"What? His weapon?"
"No, check out his armband. Some kind of symbol." The two approached closer to see it.
"Hmm…some sort of T letter?"
"It more like a face…a spartan face wearing a helmet."
Then a noise, the SAT members spotted a certain civilian was stumbling, his head was still covered in a hoodie.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Before the Private could approach, the civvie, who they assumed, abruptly made a run toward at them with a loudest voice from the top of his lung.
"SALVATIOOONNNNN!"
"Look out! He's got a bomb vest. He's got a bomb vest!"
"Shoot him. Shoot him down!"
The young private opened fire, but due to the initial shock, his aim was unsteadied. A few shots just grazed the bomber, and hit the torso. However, the man continued run toward them with a scream.
"SALVATIOOON—"
Before the crazy man could press the trigger, his brain and other organs was already splattered all over the street by the large calibers.
The dumfounded SAT members look up to where they heard some rumbling engine.
She was a silver-haired Witch wearing a blue ribbon.
"A Witch?"
"You guys alright?" She asked.
"Y-yeah, we good."
"Just leave this area to us."
"Don't worry, we will do just that. Come on." The SAT team Oscar Mike back to their friendly unit.
When the men have disappeared from her sight, Mobius 2 looked back to the corpse.
Despite the body was...'missing' some parts, the bomb vest was still fully active. Silently, Mobius 2 approached to the body.
She drew her combat knife and cut the connecting wires.
The smell of iron hit her nostrils strong, but Mobius 2 remained unfazed, or rather, she decided it's a thing that she shouldn't be bothered with.
Just like back then.
When she finally disabled the bomb vest, she noticed the symbol on the armband.
"!?"
Her heart rate spiked up.
The bad dream. It came back to her once more.
Burning.
Fire consumed everything.
The people. They were angry. They carried torches, pitchfork, guns, and whatever tool that can be used as a weapon.
The banner that they united, was this very same symbol. The stylized silhouette of a Spartan helmet.
« Mobius 2. Are you there? »
"…"
« Mobius 2. »
The calling pulled her mind back to the reality.
"I-I'm here."
« Are you alright, Mobius 2? You ran out of magic? »
"...Negative. I'm still combat able."
« There's an AA gun emplacement in the central park. Go there and take it out so our allied can deploy some rescue helicopters. »
"Copy. I'm on it."
…
…
"Take cover!"
In a brief of moment of dirt blowing right in the face by the impact of machine gun's bullets. A mass of steel that walked on two legs appeared before the Fuso soldiers.
"Take cover?" said the twin-tailed redhead. "HELL NO! I'll take it head on!"
"Fire! Shoot at the Witch!"
The insurgents fired RPGs.
With a deployed shield, she easily pounded the rockets off like a tennis racket.
Following Rico's counter, the Fuso MBT Type 90 fired a HE shell at the rebel's barricade.
« The insurgent blockage is destroyed. Push forward! » The friendly armored unit advanced.
« The FDF is breaking through. Fire! »The insurgent put the attempt to stop them. « Where are our armored supports?! »
« Most of our tanks and combat vehicles have been knocked out! They're taken out by the enemy from above! » A rebel cried out in disbelief.
« What happens to our AA guns? …What do you mean they are all destroyed?! »
The rebel lieutenant looking at the sky, noticing a particular fighter just flew past between buildings bearing a certain symbol on its tail.
« Is that…a ribbon? »
« Keep suppressing fire on those Witches. Their shields don't hold out that long! »
His words maybe true, but for how long? Would they be depleted before they run out of ammo? Or after those Witches have crushed them?
« Hey, who are those Ground Witches getting ahead of us? » asked FDF soldier.
« Those are your power rangers! » A Marine answered. « Don't just stand there like some background characters. Move in! »
« The enemy's control has been broken. You can do it! » Edge encouraged her people below while she was taking out the enemy MiGs, providing cover for Green Tails to do ground strike.
« We almost got this sector under our control! » The Wild Badgers declared once they had neutralized the last machinegun nest.
« Warning. A column of enemy heavy armors just rolled out from the main entrance tunnel of the city. » Sky Eye updated the battle situation.
« This is Unit 5. We are being overrun by enemy armors. Need help immediately! »
« Shit! We are too far from there. We won't make it! » Rico cursed.
Before the rebel heavy armors could form into a formation, they're bombarded by artillery.
Many were surprised, wondering who had fired. Soon, a new voice radioed in.
« This is FS Mashu. I hope we're not late for the party. »
On the far side of the bay, five Fuso-affiliated cruise missile destroyers were moving in a single file with their armament pointing toward the city.
« It's Fuso navy! » Coffee exclaimed.
« They are able to reorganized their force. » Ice Tea said, feeling the spirit was lifting up.
« We need target coordinate for the accurate fire support. » The captain of the ship contacted.
« This is Sky Eye to Esteri team. You got the pointer. Beam at the thickest formation where it would hurt them most. »
The Witches quickly followed Sky Eye's directive. Each chose their own target.
« Target locked. Enjoy the firework. » said FS Mashu.
« Sayonara! » Omega 11 said.
Not a moment too soon, the enemy armors were reduced to scrap by the missiles like Zeus' lightning bolts.
« Good job Witches. » said Sky Eye. « The city defenders won't get a headache from those threats any longer. »
« I'm seeing hostile ground force is starting to regroup over there. I'm taking them out. » Edge said.
« Hehe, not if I can help it, you. » Viper said.
« The enemy strength is down to 50%. Keep going strong! »
« How can this be? Those government puppets have humiliated us! »
« I don't think we can do this anymore, we have to fall back. »
The voices bearing the defeated tone were changing the situation for the attackers.
« The rebel force is retreating. We did it! »
Just when the cheering began to arise among the troops, Sky Eye promptly cut in.
« Warning! Incoming fast bogies. This is… »
...
...
Leaving the slashing trail of water upward violently as they went, they're cold and not bearing a single sign of live. They're unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as UAV. Not too long ago, they're the invention by the military with the purpose of scouting.
Today, with cutting-edge technology, they can perform the aerial attack role like a manned fighter.
Deadly and effective. Even if they're shot down, there will be little emotion to spare since they can be rebuilt.
They can be replaced.
It's their purpose.
All they needed was an input of command code, or being guided by someone's will.
These W-shaped black metal UAVs were all followed one plane, one that stood out than the rest.
An aircraft bearing a purple-colored butterfly emblem on its tails.
« Begin countdown: 600 seconds. » The A.I voice reported to his master.
« Let's have some fun! » A voice of a teen girl spoke up.
...
...
"Warning! Incoming enemy reinforcement. Good lord, there's at least twenty…thirty…may be more, and they are coming right for us!" The bridge's crew reported to the Captain of Mashu.
"XO, I nee—"
The last thing that the Captain and his XO, along with every crew member stationed on the command bridge, they all saw a bright red beam was coming toward them.
FFZZZOOOMM!
The command bridge was…cut down, in a literal sense. It cleaved off everything clean in it its path. The metal. The machine. And organic, human body parts were…disconnected.
FFZZZOOOMM!
Another one. Then another. The two beams struck directly at the ship armory where the big explosion occurred, ripping the entire destroyer from inside out.
« …We have lost Mashu. She was blown up! » A friendly destroyer reported with horror and disbelief.
« Wait, what? »
« What happened? »
The news stunned everyone; however, the pilots quickly recollected themselves when they're greeted with the attacks from the new arrived enemies, the one that many didn't prepared for.
« Woah! What? »
« Is that laser?! » Edge shouted out, seeing a bright red beam just went pass her..
« Those UAVs, they are shooting laser! » Viper analyzed. « They have a laser weapon on their nose. »
« It just likes...Neuroi… » Ice Tea revealed a certain fact that imprinted much on everyone's mind when they're young. The black metal skin on each and every one of them were very similar.
« Those little bastards are different from before. » Omega 11 noticed the shape of the drones. They're looked resemblance to a 'W' letter.
« Eat this! » Omega 1 got a lock on and fired a missile right away.
The missile hit home, rendering the small craft to fall from the sky.
« Target hit. » Mobius 1 said.
« Alright! »
« No wait. Look at that. » Edge's saying stopped the squadron's premature celebrating.
The black drone was falling but it suddenly regained altitude and flew back right up. There was not a single sign of damage on the craft.
No. There was, but it was dismissed away after it revealed a certain ability that denied all common sense and logic.
« The UAVs...they're self-regenerating!? » Omega 1 was astonished.
« Some sort of witch craft right there! » Omega 11 said.
« Could they actually be…Neuroi? » Ice Tea continued with her own speculation.
« No way mate, Neuroi has long gone extinct! » Omega 11 denied such a possibility.
« What are those monsters?! They are toying with us! » A Fuso sailor said.
« Counter them with CIWS! »
The whole sky was filled with tracers, many drones were hit and brought down, however, they're quickly regenerated back to the former state before they hit the water and then flew toward the Fuso fleet to resume their attack.
« There are too many of them. Brace for impact! »
Simultaneously, the drones unleashed the beam, cutting two more Fuso destroyers brutally.
« Oh my god! » Coffee exclaimed, witnessing the friendly vessels were going down to the bottom of Tokyo Bay.
« They're cutting through the whole Fuso fleet like a hot knife through butter! »
« No. No. No! No! Somebody stops them! Anyone! » A distress voice cried out.
One more ship suffered the lethal beam attacks.
« Our ship is taking water... » The alarm sound on the ship almost drown over the sailor's voice.
« Those black drones are coming back around! » reported the lookout.
« Brace yourself! »
When the sailors prepared for the imminent doom, two figures of young girls, Ice Tea and Coffee, put themselves right in between with deployed magic shields to deflect the lasers.
« Good job! Esteri team. Protect the remaining Fuso destroyers. » Archer said.
« I have just got a word from Hexer. Continue on with the mission. Establish the air superiority. » Sky Eye gave the order. They fully aware the situation was changing for the worse, but the objective must be done.
« Scheiße! That's easy for her to say. » Green Tails 2 cursed.
« Fencer! » Archer called it out.
« Are those friendlies? Is that the reinforcement? » A rebel noticed the situation above.
« I don't know! But hey, as long as they give us all the fire or that laser show they have. I don't care! »
« This is it, men! Let's them hear our battle cry! » The retreating insurgents soon formed up with their remaining armors.
« Damn it! The enemy is regrouping. I think they're going for one final push! » FDF ground unit said.
« Onward! » « SALVATIONNNN! ! ! »
« So stubborn, they should have known when they're defeated. Even a rabid dog knows that! »
The tide of battle was once again smashed into the defenders. All allied ground unit quickly held their position to repel the new wave of attack.
« Omega 5. On your six, break right! » Omega 2 said.
Already exhausted from the long duration of the battle, Omega 5's movement was slower than before. He feared that he wouldn't be able to make it.
Before the black drone could fire on him, multiple projectiles hit dead on, tearing up one wing of the drone.
While it was spinning down, it received a deadly blow from a missile. The attacker then continued shooting at the body's remain till it was decimated into dust.
« UAV destroyed! » Sky Eye confirmed the kill.
« Who was it? » Fencer asked.
« It's Mobius 2! » Archer spotted the flying figure.
The silver-haired dived into the drone pack and took down a second drone while damaging a few with her firing.
« They're tough, but not that tough. » said Mobius 2.
Before a drone could flank Mobius 2 from the side, the F/A-18E fighter bearing a blue ribbon destroyed it with two missiles.
« She's right. We simply have to make it more overkill! » Mobius 1 agreed.
« If I'm not wrong. They must have the core inside them. » said Ice Tea. « That would be their weakness. »
Aiming toward one drone, Esteri 2 fired her weapon, destroying the main torso of the drone considerably with her magic ability. She fired a couple of more rounds.
The stopping power of the 50 calibers lived true to their name.
« Alright! » Coffee exclaimed after she scored a kill. « I see no core, though. I guess they're just machine after all. »
« Use the cannon. » Viper said. « Blast them to smithereens! »
« Fan out! We have to take them out one by one. » Omega 1 said.
The 108th fighters and Witches along with Zero team soon reformed their element and start attacking the new enemy.
Green Tails 2 tackled onto one drone that was stray from the swarm. She destroyed it swiftly with cannon.
« Those drones, are they some kind of...neuroified? » She asked as she's witnessing it reduced to dust, rather being torn apart into pieces.
« Man-made Neuroi? What the hell...? » Omega 11 couldn't believe in his own words.
« I thought that forbidden technology was already long exterminated. » Archer said. As a former Witch herself, she remembered some highlight lessons about how human has used man-controlled Neuroi as a weapon to against Neuroi. And that didn't work out well for them.
"I guess somebody doesn't want to let it go easily." Mobius 2 muttered to herself.
« Don't let those UAVs run wild. Our friendlies are already suffering heavy damage. » Sky Eye said.
…
…
« Hostile fire! We're losing ground! » A Marine reported as the sound of machine gun firing rapidly in the background.
"Hold the line! Our fly boys and Witches are pushing them back! As long as they're up there, we're not retreating!" Dachshund 1 encouraged.
During the firefight, the Ground Witches noticed within their line of sight, something was dropped and then immediately shattered on the ground.
« Keep away from the skyscraper walls, unless you want a broken-glass shower! » said an FDF soldier.
"Broken-glass shower?" Rico repeated the man's words. She looked up to one certain building. The wall of glasses was showing clear lines of crack.
"What is it, Rico?" Violet asked her platoon leader.
"An idea." She said, cocking her weapon.
…
…
« Another UAV destroyed. » Sky Eye confirmed Zero 2's kill.
« That's it! They're just machine. Don't show them any mercy! » Viper encouraged.
Mobius 1 spotted a certain craft in the center of the drone swarm. It's bearing a distinctive 'kite' shape, twin-engine, delta wings, and canards.
« That craft is different from the rest. It's not Neuroified, but it's fast. » Mobius 1 analyzed.
« Do you see its emblem? I think it's a butterfly. » Omega 11 said.
« Yeah, I notice it too. » Mobius 1 nodded. « Judging the way its movement is syncing with other drones. I think that's the leader. »
« So if we able to take it out, we might have a good chance of stopping all these drones. » Edge came to a conclusion.
« Worth a shot. Let's take out that Butterfly Master! » Viper said.
« Butterfly Master… » Mobius 2 muttered.
Omega squadron soon refocused their attack at the lead craft, hoping that it put a stop to this horde. However, all missiles were cut down by the beam firing from escorts.
« No dice. Any missile that goes for the number 1 butterfly gets shot down by UAV lasers. » Omega 11 said.
The allied fighters then quickly switched to cannon, unleashing lead onto it.
To their disbelief, the unknown craft had repelled them with some kind of shield.
« It's like some kind of crazy sci-fi force field! *cough* Man…all this shouting is screwing up my voice… » The Britanian pilot groaned.
« Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm~ »
That humming again. Mobius 2 caught hearing that tune. It's the same humming she had heard back in the operation Magic Spear.
Sounds like a little girl.
« Damn, radio noise again. » Omega 11 complained. Unnecessary noises were always distracting.
« I think we have to take out all of its escort UAVs. »
« I have marked TGT on the potential escorts. All units, take them down before anything else. »
« Good job, Sky Eye. »
« These drones are more agile than the last one. » Edge said, trying to keep up with a drone.
« Stay focus. » Viper said.
As soon as Edge got a lock, « You're mine! » She pulled the trigger.
Edge left no chance for that thing to come back alive.
« Target that low flying aircraft. » A voice called out.
« For the Troia! »
'Pay attention to your surroundings'; the words that had drilled into every combatant member. However, many had failed it during their own adrenaline rush, when their sight was narrowed in the pursuing of their target.
The same thing happened here. When Zero 2 was too focused on her target, a small boat had launched an anti-air missile which was coming straight toward her!
« Zero 2. Incoming missile from below! Break. Break! »
« Damn, I already out of flare! » The intensified fighting back in the city has depleted all of her counter measure.
Then, to everyone bewilderment, the F-5 cut in, luring the heat-seeking missile away from Edge.
The missile soon detonated, damaging Viper's plane severely.
« Captain! » Edge cried out.
« Hey. Save for the water work. » Viper spoke out nonchalantly.
« I'm just gonna bail out here. Watch your six, Nagase. »
« Yes, I will. Please, bail out now while you still can. »
The pilot soon ejected away from the burning F-5.
« I see him. Good chute. Good chute. » Mobius 1 said.
« I'm calling in for the search and rescue helicopter now. » Edge began to make the call.
In the thick of the action when the allied fighters continued dog-fighting with UAVs, Mobius 2 noticed the movement of one particular drone.
It was paying attention at Viper, who no longer has the capacity to fight back or do anything else except descending himself slowly into the opened water.
Is it going to...
Mobius 2 detached away from her flight lead without saying a word.
« Mobius 2? »
« This is Edge. I have a bail-out pilot, we need immediately... »
Without a warning, a red beam made a pass by Edge's plane and coming straight toward the descending Viper in chute...
« What the?! »
« What happened? » Omega 2 asked.
« I saw it happened. » Omega 11 said, still in shock. « Mobius 2...has just saved Viper. One of those drones… »
« It tried to kill Captain?! » Edge exclaimed.
All the emotions erupted like volcano, they quickly took over the young female pilot's mind.
« Those bastards! I'll kill you all! »
« Calm down! » The ribbon pilot said, flying next to her. « My sister is still with him. »
« This is bad. They are descending toward that UAVs swarm. » Archer broke the news. « At this rate, they'll be caught in the cross fire. »
« We have to protect them! » Edge said.
…
…
"Phew! That's too close for comfort there, thanks kid." Viper let out a huge sigh, he then looked toward to his old plane which soon smashed into the sea.
"Damn, there goes my spare plane..."
A UAV swooped by, pushing him away by the jet stream.
"Take my hand." Mobius 2 said, already put a hand toward Captain.
"What are you planning?" He asked, regardless, he took her hand.
Then without further ado, Mobius 2 pulled out her sidearm and pointed toward the stretching parachute.
"Oh hell no—"
Bang-bang-bang!
Following the shots, Viper quickly feel the gravity was pulling him down.
"Waah!" The man yelped.
However, Mobius 2 was steadily descending him with her Striker so they were dropping in a manner like fast roping.
« They're going down. Fast! » Omega 5 exclaimed.
« How reckless! » Edge and many shared the same thought.
« That's her middle name. » Her own brother only sighed.
It's reckless alright, but it was clever nonetheless. Mobius 2 successfully put Viper into the water. The sea was pretty calm despite all the chaos above.
"Ok, I got this. I can swim. You go back up there, kid."
The Witch felt that she should take him back to the shore, instead of leaving him here.
"They need your help kid. So don't you worry about this old timer."
"Roger." Mobius 2 said. She then refocused her energy into her Striker to make a boost.
"Oh-oh! One more thing. One more thing."
The Witch looked over her shoulder.
"I entrust my wingman to you two. Take good care of her."
"..."
She nodded silently to him before she took off.
"Good luck nuggets." Viper muttered as he looking up the raging sky bathed in the orange that look like blood.
…
…
« Zero 1's beacon confirmed. I'm transferring it to SAR now. » Sky Eye reported.
« Thanks for that, sister. It would be sad if that old man died. » Mobius 1 said.
« Mobius 2, I… » Before Edge could say her thanks, Sky Eye radioed in.
« Attention all units. The Tokyo is almost back to our control. We can't let those guys have a win of this round. Eliminate all remaining hostiles. »
« We're on it! »
« Edge, you're flying with me. For temporary, of course. » Mobius 1 said, deciding that they should stick together.
« Alright. You lead the way. » Zero 2 complied.
« Mobius 2. Stick to our trails. »
« Roger. » His sister replied.
Below the sky, there was one big explosion that shattered a wall of glass of a certain building.
…
…
« Boo-ya! The enemy is retreating! » The allied soldier exclaimed.
« The enemy's line is crumbling. Attack their left flank. This is our chance! » The Fuso-affiliated Type 96 Wheeled APC rolled over a civilian car and opened fire at the enemy.
Thanks to a certain Witch conducted a certain act, the defenders were able to push the insurgents back.
"Good thinking of shooting the glass on top of the enemy infantry, Witch." said an FDF soldier.
"Men, and here I thought that you want to drop a whole building on them, Rico." A NUN Marine teased her.
"Hey now, I'm not that barbaric." The named Witch retorted.
The private looked to the street where fragments of glass were all over the place, along with a number of unfortunate rebel troops who were right below by the building wall.
"The glass company is going to make a booming business after this."
"Whoa! Look up there, the whole sky has turned into a furball." Violet looked up to the sky.
The entrails of the planes, intertwined with other trails. They were mixed up, forming up into one giant sphere.
"Be safe up there, everyone." Rico muttered.
…
…
« UAV down. I'm not done yet! » Edge said.
The two fighters along with the silver-haired Witch tackled onto the TGT-marked drones.
« Mobius team and Zero 2 are going toe-to-toe with those escorts. » Sky Eye reported. « Keep it up. »
Mobius 1 took down one more drone.
« Two remaining. »
Mobius 2 added one more to her kill list.
« One remaining. »
The honor went for the Shinden II.
« That was the last escort drone. » Sky Eye declared.
« Now let's pound that bastard! » Green Tails 2 dived in, followed by Green Tails 1. Each released their missiles.
Two missiles were homing for that unidentified advanced craft. However, they were all missed.
To their surprise, the aircraft had pulled the Pugachev's Cobra as easily as a hand wave, and it did many times.
« Is this guy even human?! » Fencer couldn't believe such a human would endure that many Gs crushing on him.
« Whatever drug that guy have, I want it. » Omega 11 said.
« Not now! »
It's like he's playing with them.
Mobius 2 couldn't help but to think that.
After another Cobra maneuver, the unidentified craft attacked the Green Tails with its cannon, putting a few whole on Fencer.
« Fencer! » Green Tails 3 shouted out.
« I'm okay! I'm okay! Still combat-able. »
« Get out of there. This guy is way out of your league. » Omega 1 called it in.
The ribbon Witch noticed everyone strength was already exhausted. All special weapons used up, probably counter-measure too.
« Mobius 1. » Mobius 2 contracted her brother.
« What's up? You've got a plan? »
« Yes, I will act as a bait. Meanwhile, you take out that Butterfly Master. »
« Is your shield still holding up? »
« Don't worry, still plenty. »
« No, don't push yourself. » Edge cut in. « I should be the one to do it. »
« ...Dai-jo-bu. Maka-se-te. (Don't worry. Leave this to me.) » The Witch reassured her in a broken Fusoan language.
« ... »
« We'll be counting on you to keep any strangler away from us. » Mobius 1 said.
« …Understood. I got your six. » Edge finally gave a sigh of resigned.
« On your mark, Mobius 2. »
The Witch soon put herself right in front of the Butterfly Master.
« Haha! You want to play tag with me? I'm good at being 'it'! » said the teenage voice.
« The craft has taken the bait. » Sky Eye said.
« Alright. Take him for a ride, Ribbon Princess! » Omega 11 said.
« Now is your turn, Mobius 1. Get them! » Archer said.
The ribbon Witch led him through the towering buildings, hoping his overconfident would crash into something. To her frustration, his craft was as agile as her Striker.
The craft opened fire. The projectiles weren't for the target, but the buildings instead, sending a shower of shattering glass and debris downward onto the flying Witch.
She put up the shield timely to stop both the firing beam and the glass effectively.
The unknown craft's speed was only reduced after it was struck by large calibers coming from Mobius 1's cannon.
Mobius 2 did the same, firing the machine gun backward. The bullets hit, but the craft's speed was remained the same, it simply shrugged it off. She even felt that it was mocking her.
« How annoying. » Mobius 2 groaned.
« Come on, you can do better than that. » taunted the voice.
Mobius 1 fired a missile. It was a hit.
« That's it, Mobius 1, hit it! Hit it once more. » Omega 1 said.
« I can't believe how fast the two and that Butterfly Master move. I thought my craft was higher-spec. » Edge was in awe.
High and low, the ribbon Witch pulled every move in the book. She was hoping she could make the plane to be stalled, however, it kept closing on her.
It was far more advance, alien, to be precise. It was giving off the same bad vibe when she encountered those black drones.
« Mobius 2's shield won't be able to hold out much longer. It's now or never, Mobius 1! »
« Time is almost up. » said A.I voice.
« Oh well, guess I will play with this one instead. » said the girl.
To Mobius 2 surprise, the advanced craft suddenly pulled a Wingover maneuver, it left the Witch behind as it was heading toward the ribbon fighter.
« The Butterfly Master is coming for you, Mobius 1! » Zero 2 said.
« He's head on. Go for the front air intakes! Shoot! » Sky Eye gave the order.
The ribbon pilot pulled the trigger, the cannon roared, sending tracers after tracers toward the aircraft frontally.
At that point, everyone held their breathes when the two aircrafts were coming closer and closer…
Then…an explosion.
The two fighters passed over. And one victor was already decided by that point.
« Oh... »
The unknown advanced aircraft was soon burst into a ball of flame, disintegrating into pieces and debris, unlike the UAVs.
« Mobius 1 got him! The unidentified aircraft is down! »
Following Sky Eye's announcement, the roar of cheers erupted on the channel, bringing a few statics along the way.
« All UAVs offline! They're dropping. » Green Tails 3 shouted out in glee, watching the remaining drones just literally dropped like flies, into the bottom of the ocean.
« Butterfly Master isn't bailing out...is it just me, or that guy just kind of give it up at the end there? » Omega 11 took notice.
« Nicely done, Mobius Prince. » Fencer congratulated.
« Couldn't have done it without my sister. »
By the distance, the ribbon Witch was lowering her altitude fast. Shinden II was quickly arrived by her side.
« Mobius 2! Are you alright? » Edge asked with worry.
« …Yeah...I'm good. » She waved her hand weakly.
« Yokatta... (Thank goodness...) »
« Hey, Sky Eye. How do you know that the front air intake was its weakness? » Mobius 1 asked.
« Uhm…video game. »
« What? »
« I mean. The front air intake is a fatal weakness to all kind of plane. Even a small bird can bring down a whole commercial airbus. »
« Right… » Mobius 1 began to reconsider should he follow Sky Eye's directive in the future.
« Task Force 108. Thank you for holding out for us. The reinforcements are here. » A new voice called in.
« This is Viking Squadron. Look like we have just missed the party. » A friendly unit said.
« The reinforcement has arrived, and they're routing up the remaining enemy. » Sky Eye reported.
« Is it…finally over? » Omega 11 asked, feeling the adrenaline was dismissing in his system.
« No. It isn't. » Unexpected to everyone, it's the voice of Hexer.
« Everyone. Sorry to burst up the joy bubble now, but I have to tell you all this. » There was a deep sigh before she revealed the news.
« Orussia has declared war on Liberion. »
« What?! »
« Impossible! »
Despite everyone exclaiming out of disbelief, Commodore Hayate continued.
« Erusea and Orussia joint force are now en route toward Liberion East Coast. »
\/ /\ \/
MIAMI, FLORIDA
8/29/2019 - 0722 (1222 Zulu)
« Magic to Warwolf leader. »
Plane's engine roared. The muffled distance explosions occurred above the sea city.
« Bogies are confirmed hostile on a direct course to Miami. »
« You're cleared to engage and destroy. »
« Warwolf. » Colonel William Bishop complied.
The Warwolf team comprised of four F-22 Raptors dived into the firework.
One by one, the Flankers were added to their kill list. But the number of bandits was remained strong.
« There're so many of them. » Warwolf 3 felt overwhelming by the sheer number.
« Where the hell did they fly out of? Surely, they didn't come from Caribbean? » said Warwolf 2.
« No, I heard that Orussia has built some heavy mega flying carrier. That must be where they're coming from. » Warwolf 4 said.
« And the latest report saying that the Orrusia army are pouring out from the freighters docked in the harbor. »
« They must have planned this whole invasion for a long time. » Warwolf 2 groaned.
« Magic. What's happened to the 2nd Fleet? » Warwolf 1 asked.
« They're current engaging with Erusean, the Aegir Fleet. »
« The Invincible Fleet... » A heavy sighed escaped from Warwolf 4's mouth.
« Bandits approaching at high speed. We already have lost four allied aircrafts. Be careful. » AWACS said.
« One bandit at your sector, Skeleton squadron. Take it out. »
« I see it. One bandit Su-30… » A Skeleton member reported. « It's an Erusean fighter! »
« Who the hell is this guy? It's like he— »
The pilot's voice was abruptly cut off. A few seconds later his wingman updated the situation to AWACS.
« Skeleton 1 lost… »
« What the hell?! » Magic could not believe it with his own ears.
« This is Skeleton 3. I'm engaging an Su-30. Orange wing tip. »
« He's still onto me. I can't shake him! » The young pilot's voice was filled with horror. « I don't think I can't make it! »
« Skeleton 3. Get a hold of yourself! » Warwolf 1 radioed in.
« Skeleton 3. Caution! Missile! » His fellow flight cried out.
« AGGH— » The scream was cut off, following it was a radio static.
« Skeleton 3…is shot down. » AWACS declared.
« Damn! » Warwolf 1 cursed.
« Does anyone see a chute? Any chute? »
« Negative. He didn't make it. » An allied fighter answered coldly.
« You damn monster! That was our youngest pilot you have just murdered! »
« Skeleton 2. Take over the command and fall back. I'm sending the Tiger squadron in now. »
« Sounds like we got some trouble maker in the mix, Colonel. » said Warwolf 2.
« Magic to Warwolf, enemy aircrafts are moving eastward, out of sea. »
« Roger that. We're pursuing. » Warwolf 1 soon directed his course.
« This is Jericho 2. We have deployed in the Midtown Interchange and are engaging hostiles. »
« Jericho 2. We copy. Our air units will continue to engage. » Magic replied.
« Everyone is aware of the situation. Do what you have to do. »
« Magic to Warwolf 1. Four bandits coming north at very low altitude. Heading is zero-two-five. »
The battle for Miami was all over the place. Plane shot down. Plane crashed into the stadium. Plane crashed into the highway, where the SAMs were deployed.
« Damn! »
It's terrible. But Warwolf 1 decide to ignore all of that. To him, the only mission he needed to do was to fend off these invaders!
« Warwolf 1. Fox 3. » He fired the special weapon, taking out 3 Flankers at the same time.
The moment where his targets were coming down was the moment a certain enemy appeared within his vision.
« Colonel watch out! It's that Su-30. »
His wingman's warning came too late. The missile was already released from the said plane and coming right toward Colonel Bishop.
The missile struck.
« Shit! »
The system alarm immediately went off wildly.
The instrument's circuit was fried. He no longer had the control of his plane.
« Panel…dead. Engine. »
« Get out of there, Colonel. Eject! »
Despite the Warwolf 2's advice, Bishop stubbornly wanted to put the bird back to his control.
Nothing was responding. The F-22 Raptor he's flying now had turned into a big hunk of metal that starting to fall from the sky.
« Hit it. Get out. You're on fire! » Guts pleaded.
Warwolf 1 pulled the emergency lever. The canopy was detached, allowing the ejection seat to launch.
It's a glimpse before his damaged F-22 was blew up in mid-air.
It was a rough and awful experience for Bishop as he was dangling in the air, in the mix of the heated air battle.
A friendly F-16 was shot down by the same plane, Su-30 with orange-tipped wings.
He has dreamt about his death, many times.
And the nightmare was soon to become…his reality.
Like a true predator, the black and orange Su-30 turned its nose and approached toward Warwolf 1 closer and closer…