Hello everyone and welcome back to another chapter of 'Demon Lord of the Strike Witches'. It is coming to a head now that both Osean and Yuktobanian leaders are safe and everything is going south for the Grey Men. The penultimate chapter of the second arc has arrived and it will be something everyone is looking forward to. Before I start, reviews.
Minna: "I got the reviews right here, 96. I'll handle them."
Guest Reviewer: Thanks for the review.
Generalfeldmarschall (Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman): You're right about one thing, Amirah. If the Neuroi haven't invaded, you would have shot all of us down. Including James and Trude.
James/Trude: "What?"
Nothing, nothing. Continue.
Gamerman22: Perfectly what I had in mind as well. Thanks.
DrollerKnight: I am happy you are liking the story so far, my friend. You won't be disappointed with the incoming chapter. Thanks for the review.
Minna: "All of the reviews have been answered, 96. Shall we continue?"
Yes, let's do so before the two lovebirds figure out about one review.
James/Trude: "We can still hear you."
Oh boy… Let's just start.
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Chapter 18: Aces
Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
December 30th, 2010
Ceres Ocean
While looking out at the morning sun, I pulled out my cellphone, trying to identify who is calling me. It's a long distance number, but the name sparked my interest. My little brother, Nathan. He's currently working for the Emmerian Air Force and promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. I answered him and held the phone up to my ear.
"Hello?" I asked over the phone.
"Hello? Daniel? That you?" Nathan asked on the other side "I haven't heard your voice for so long. What has happened to you?"
"I have been… seeing places." I answered
"That said coming from the famed 'Demon Lord' himself." He began "You and Isara sent an email about you wounding up in an alternate dimension where a World War happens between humanity against an alien species while teaming up with girls who have magic and no pants. It sounds like it came from an anime that Satsuma had created."
"You want to ask why I vanished to the other realm?" I asked
"It's because of that blue sphere that appeared over Area B7R, right?" He answered "I do not know where and why it appeared, but it did give you much needed rest when you disappeared."
"I fought in that world's war as well. Not to mention I did bring back one of those girls to see what is like in my world compared to hers." I noticed Minna walking to where I am and sat on the Kestrel's runway. "Mainly to know what kind of state our two worlds are going through right now."
"Any idea when you'll come back to Nordennavic, Daniel? We might need the support in case the Estovakians wants to make this into another continental war."
"Hmm… I'm not sure, Nathan. The war is beginning to bog down, and I'm sure that I might be in the other world again so that I have to drop off my girlfriend before coming back. Maybe a little longer, just a heads up."
"What about Isara?"
"I guess the same thing. It may depend on fate."
"Ah, I get it. If you come back, can you take me to the other world?"
"We'll see, Nathan. We'll see. That I can promise you."
"Alright. I'll see you when we meet each other. Okay?"
"Can't wait. Bye then."
"Bye." Nathan then hung up while I'm continuing to watch the Kestrel, along with its new ships, steaming across the Ceres Ocean.
"Who were you talking too, Daniel?" She asked me while I took a seat on the Kestrel's deck.
"It's Nathan. The one who is working with the Emmerian Air Force. He's wondering how I have been, along with Isara."
"Oh. He must have missed you, huh." I nodded as I then watched Minna activate her animal familiars. She is busy concentrating on something. "Anything noticeable, Minna?" I asked. Her familiar then vanished and gave me the details.
"President Harling and Prime Minister Nikanor have arrived at Oured and stormed the White House. Many Generals in league with the Grey Men have been arrested for treason, including the Vice President. I'm sure the latter will be behind bars in no time."
"That's one way for a coup." I commented "Too bad he didn't end up like Maloney and wounded up with a bullet by one of Amirah's SAS troopers." Minna looked at me and tilted her head to one side.
"Don't you think you're thinking a little rash, Daniel?" She asked
"Well… He got what he deserved after nearly replacing you and the Witches with a Neuroi-infested mecha unit." I answered
"Oh well. The war may be nearing its end. And the Blue Neuroi may have the ability to bring us back to my world." She said "I know Vera and Survivor can do so."
"Question is, when will that be?" Our thoughts were then interrupted by Isara's arrival. We looked at her with her calm demeanour written on her face. "Is something important happening, Is?"
"Pops and I cracked the data the Yuktobanian Recon Major brought aboard a few days ago." She answered "He's going to brief the others right now in the briefing room." Minna and I soon stood up.
"Might as well not keep them waiting, Daniel." She smiled
"Yep." I chuckled a bit before she perked up and kissed me. When we entered the briefing room, the Razgriz were waiting for us as the briefing officer shows us the disc the contents of the SOLG.
"We've decoded the disc the Major brought back with her." Pops began "It contained the blueprints for a 'Mass Retaliatory Weapon' codenamed 'V2', a far more powerful weapon than the two tactical nukes used by the Belkans during the last war. It was never fully developed at the time, but it appears that they've secretly completed its construction in the fifteen years since the war."
"What is the V2, Pops? I heard from Hiyori about the Avalon Dam battle, but I didn't know about placing nuclear weapons there." Minna asked
"The V2 is a MIRV missiles… It could wipe out half of all large cities in either Osea or Yuktobania." Pops answered
"So, where would they deploy it?" Isara asked secondly
"It had to be in the SOLG, which is also secretly completed and is now operational." Pops answered as we got a clear look at what the SOLG looks like. It has a long barrel, along with solar panels, an auto-loading devices and four core components around a rotating disc. "After all, it was built to function as an orbital platform for such weapons in the first place. The SOLG itself is unmanned—we know it's controlled from the ground, but we don't know where.
"Then, the intelligence vessel Andromeda tracked down the origin of Schenze's transmissions to the Arkbird. It's in the former South Belka, a state entrusted to Osean rule and now called North Osea. To be more precise, the transmissions originated from an experimental facility owned by Gründer Industries, the manufacturer of the weapons we used."
"What's important about that organization?" Snow asked as the facility is housed in Sudentor, the exact location where the Belkans don't want the Allied Forces come knocking in.
"It's simple. The president of Gründer has sworn alliegence to Osea, but in truth, he was a secret member of the 'Grey Men'. Under the guise of their 'experimental facility', they are actually digging a giant tunnel under the mountain range that runs along the border dividing North and South Belka. Their ultimate goal is to reunite the two Belkas. And in that tunnel…"
The ship soon rocked against a shockwave, and everybody felt it. Everyone was a little fazed, but something is wrong. One of the intelligence officers soon came rushing inside the briefing room and urgently announced what is happening.
"The Kestrel just took a missile hit!" He shouted "Enemy unknown. We can't identify it in time! Additional missiles incoming! Razgriz, launch immediately and gain altitude to escape!" He ran out as everyone started running to the hangar.
"What is happening!?" Minna panically asked
"We're under attack! We need to get into the air now!" I then carried Minna, bridal style, as everyone ran to their stations. When we arrived at the hangar, the only aircraft available for the Razgriz is the X-02 Wyvern.
"Everyone, get into a Wyvern and launch before the Kestrel goes under!" Isara barked as everyone climbed inside the cockpit of their Wyverns. Minna then sat on the weapons control seat and the Kestrel's flight elevator soon placed the Razgriz onto the flight deck.
"They better hurry. I don't even have my swimming gear." Minna cutely chuckles while I looked at her and blushed in embarrassment. "You really have some dirty thoughts in your head, don't you, Minna."
"I just can't help myself, Daniel." Her facial expression then turned serious "Now, get onto the flight deck and ready yourself." I nodded while the hangar crew pushed our jet onto the flight elevator and heard gunfire from the Kestrel's fleet. I just hope we launch in time.
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"Second wave of missiles inbound! Ten seconds to impact!" One of the Weapons Officers reported while the Kestrel's CIWS weapons continued to shoot down the enemy missiles
"Counter with artillery barrage!" Another Weapons Officer barked
"We can't hit all of them! Brace for impact!" Everyone held tightly to anything they can find, while Captain Andersen looked down meekly on the Kestrel's floor. A second later, a second missile delivered the death blow, and a loud boom was heard all over the ship.
"Starboard side flood! Damage control! We've been hit by two sub-launched missiles! The ship's listing!" The second Weapons Officer told the other members in the CIC.
"Launch them out." Andersen ordered
"We can't. The ship's listing heavily to starboard! We're sinking fast!"
"Continue with the launch." Andersen calmly insisted
"But…!" The second Weapons Officer was about to argue, but stopped because he knew Andersen won't let the Razgriz go down with the Kestrel. If they go down, everything will be all for nothing. Including the apparently-dead 'Demon Lord' in the eyes of the Oseans.
"Take them up." Andersen calmly ordered "Hurry up with the catapult. Just concentrate on launching them. All hands not conducting aircraft launch, abandon ship immediately." With a nod, they gave out the order to abandon the Kestrel. Andersen then watched his men leave the ship while looking at the ship he came to love one last time. "Kestrel… You'll be rectified in history. Forever." Before leaving the CIC, he quietly whispered to the ship, 'I always loved you', before abandoning ship.
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Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
When the flight elevator finally reached the flight deck, I then watched the Kestrel burning. It was a stunning sight to see. I knew the Kestrel since my days in the Belkan War, where I had to escort it through the Futuro Canal, and now here. The home of the Razgriz, and now, a burning wreck.
"I can't believe this is happening…" I said silently "The Kestrel…"
"How long have you known the Kestrel for, Daniel?" She asked
"Since the Belkan War. I can't believe she's going down like this." Minna said the same thing while the catapult crews finally gave the go-ahead for my launch.
"We're getting you guys into the air no matter what! I don't care what happens to the catapult!" With the deck crew motioning me to launch, my Silent Eagle lifted into the air, followed by the Razgriz in their Wyverns. "Aircraft launch completed, catapult crew will now evacuate the ship!"
After taking off from the Kestrel, the Kestrel's ships searched for the ship that dealt the death blow to the carrier. A few seconds later, the remainder of the Kestrel's sailors, including Captain Andersen, Pops and a journalist named Albert Genette, who Isara introduced to me after Wardog's framed treachery. The ships that are chasing the enemy finally caught up to it, and destroyed it.
As for the Kestrel, she calmly and peacefully slipped beneath the waves. It is a sad sight to see. "So, what now?" Chopper asked
"I have no idea." I answered. That is when Minna had an idea of her own.
"I have an idea." She said. We all listened in to Minna's plan "We're near Kirwin Island, right? How about we head there to refuel, load up our weapons and fly over to Sudentor while a tanker plane can meet us en route."
"Since we can't go to Sand Island, because you three are technically dead, we might as well." Snow answered "Besides, you've been to Kirwin Island before?"
"We all did." Isara answered "It was after we defended the Arkbird from the Yuktobanians. There were a lot of air men at the base for a time before being deployed elsewhere."
"It is the only place to where we don't have to deal with an obese Base Commander." Chopper joked
"Well, I'm all in for the Kirwin Island base." Grimm said. With that, we headed straight for Kirwin Island.
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Kirwin Island Airbase
"Welcome to Kirwin Island, Razgriz." Isara greeted her squad mates before landing at its airstrip. When we exited the cockpits from our aircraft, everyone looked astonished at how the airbase is left untouched.
"So this is where you have been, Isara." Edge said as she toured the base
"Not to mention where Daniel and Minna had been for the entire time." Isara answered while going through some paperwork. "The entire time they have been here, watching over us while we did the hard work."
"Tell me, why haven't the Yukes spotted you, again." Chopper said
"It's because we were working with Ustio." I reminded the group "And I believe that the Field Marshal is speaking with Belka's Chancellor about the upcoming operation."
"How would the Grey Men know if they're coming?" Grimm asked. I smirked and contacted Field Marshal Wulfstan.
"Wulfstan, you copy?" I asked over the communication rooms' radios. A few seconds later, Wulfstan spoke.
"Cipher? It's been a long time since I last heard from you." She answered "Anyways, it's about Sudentor, right?" I acknowledged it. "I told Chancellor Melchior to assemble Belka's best troops to combat what they will see when we enter the city. I am also leading Ustio's rebuilt Armed Forces. It will start when the President and the Prime Minister finishes their speeches for both countries to stand down."
"Roger that, Ma'am. When we're done loading and refueling, we'll make a beeline for Sudentor." With a final nod from Wulfstan, our planes are ready to take part in the incoming battle. Before heading off, Bartlett made one final message with us via radio.
"Hey, Kid." The Captain said "The President is about to make his address to the Osean and Yuktobanian people. My advice is to hurry yourselves before both countries armed forces can beat you there. Oh, and we'll be in Oured for the time being. See you then."
"I hear you, Captain. We're heading there now." After taxiing over to the runway, we lifted off to Sudentor, for where the penultimate battle will take place.
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A few hours into the flight, and having to refuel mid-flight where an Ustio KC-135 Stratotanker refueled our aircraft, nearly approached Sudentor. Ascension meanwhile banked right to head over to Oured, but not before telling us the frequency to which the President will make his address. Minna also helped by monitoring the strength of the Grey Men's forces before we enter the city, but not for long when the President began speaking in front of the media.
"This is President Harling of the Osean Federation. Attention, all Osean and Yuktobanian officers and soldiers currently on the battlefield. Let us put down our guns and come out of the trenches. The Osean capital of Oured has been freed of the people who took advantage of my absence to usurp control of the country. Once robbed of my freedom and of my ability to do the right thing, I now stand again under the light of the golden sun, and I do so with the honourable Yuktobanian Prime Minister Nikanor by my side. We have resolved our terrible and unfortunate misunderstandings, and the war is now over."
After a brief pause, the Yuktobanian Prime Minister spoke to the media, to the Osean people, and to the Yuktobanians.
"This is Prime Minister Nikanor, head of government for the Union of Yuktobanian Republics. Attention all officers and soldiers of Osea and Yuktobania currently on the battlefield. Please watch as President Harling stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. President Harling's words are true. The war is over, but there is still one more battle that needs to be fought."
"We believe that those who have tried to stir hatred between us, are now preparing a weapon that can wipe out half of all metropolitan areas in either one of our countries." The President continued "Our comrades are in flight as I speak, determined to stop this plan dead in its tracks. Which country is under the threat of mass destruction? That, we do not know."
"However, that is no longer important. No matter which country is hit, it would be a severe blow to all of us." The Prime Minister said
"So now I ask you, members of the military. If you see it in your hearts, please utilise the resources available to you and help out our brave pilots. Right now, they are flying east, to meet the enemy."
"To those who still dare to hide the power of their hateful weapons, bring yourself before the light of peace and harmony." The people inside erupted into cheers as we entered Sudentor's city limits. The final city that is caught in between the Allied Forces and the Belkans years ago, is now a battlefield.
"What do you think we'll find down there?" Grimm asked
"Hopefully, something good will come out of it." Isara answered. "Or not." On our radar, we spotted four incoming Sukhoi Su-27 Flankers coming right towards us. Everyone readied their weapons in case we are being attacked. However… Someone started whistling 'The Journey Home'. As on cue, the IFF reading showed them to be friendly. Both leaders' words finally came through to their militaries.
"This is the Yuktobanian 703rd Squadron. We've heard the President's speech. We will fight with you." The four Flankers got onto our right side and flew with us. Soon, an Osean squadron decided to join.
"Let us sing that song too. We're going with you." One of the Osean pilots said
"So are we." Another answered. Four F-22 Raptors and two F-2A Viper Zeroes joined in as well, becoming that of a full squadron.
"I cannot believe what I'm seeing, Daniel." Minna said in awe as she sees a multitude of aircraft joining our cause. "This… This is what it is like in my world."
"Heheh. I get the feeling, Minna." I chuckled
"This is the Osean First Fighter Wing. I just knocked out the Brigade Commander. We'd also like to help." A squad of CH-47 Chinook's soon entered the city, while being escorted by AH-64 Apache's and Mil Mi-28 Havoc's. The Chinook's also carries soldiers, which will be useful for what's about to happen.
"This is the Yuktobanian 172nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron. We love that song too. We brought an AWACS with us." Along with another squadron of Su-32's and Su-34 Fullbacks, a Yuktobanian E-767 appeared with them.
"La la la la… Listen to our beautiful voice. This is AWACS Oka Nieba. That would mean 'Sky Eye' in your language. We got a message from your boss. I'll patch it in." Our new AWACS then got a hold on Pops, which he, Andersen, and Genette, are now located on the Andromeda.
"The SOLG just docked with the last cargo shipment from the mass driver. It may be operational soon. The Andromeda has intercepted its transmission link. It's coming from Schenze. I'll be briefing you, so pay attention." Pops said as Oka Nieba brings up the details. "We will attack the SOLG control system located in a giant tunnel under the Waldreich Mountains. The tunnel entrance is located at the foot of the mountains, and the entire area is covered by mountains and waterways.
"First, an armored force will try to move in from the town to infiltrate the wharf, where the entrance to the control system is located. There are several enemy defence positions built along the path that the armored force will take, so air support will be vital for their invasion. Meanwhile, a helicopter invasion will attack the control system entrance and capture the vital area. We're also expecting the helicopters to face anti-air resistance, so we'll need to support them around the entrance.
"Your squadron's mission is to protect the armored force and clear out the opposition for the heliborne fleet. Once both units capture the facility entrance, a special-forces unit will open up the shutters blocking the way inside. Go through the entrance and destroy the SOLG control system from the inside."
"Roger that, Pops." Isara answered "I think Gründer is about to do something stupid right now."
"They are now." Pops answered "They are offering the last V1 Tactical Nuke to the warmongers who are still in Osea and Yuktobania. Though they are hiding the more powerful V2 from them."
"Then, that would mean the warmongers would still have to go through the Coalition and the ones they are still facing?" I asked
"Yep. Now listen. They are going to bring in fighter jets." Minna looked at the radar and found a swarm of the warmonger air force fighters going up against each other.
"We just found our window of opportunity, Daniel." Minna said as everyone prepared for the fight.
"Alright, Dear. Everyone, spread out and eliminate the targets. Don't let them crush our chances for peace." I ordered. Every Osean, and Yuktobanian plane banked to either side and began to attack the Grey Men's positions and attacking their own comrades blinded by hatred towards one another. That is when Field Marshal Wulfstan began to radio us.
"Cipher. We are in Sudentor right now." She said as Ustio and Belkan Leopard 2's fired on the warmongers positions. "We'll go ahead in supporting the Coalition's side while eliminating any Belkan ultranationalists."
"Be thorough on everything you see, but don't hit the allies, alright?" I asked before Wulfstan responded and the Ustian tanks fired.
"Don't worry about the Yuke fighters, get the Wardog ghosts. Follow me. We're gonna put an end to all wars once and for all." That voice sounded eerily familiar, even to the Razgriz.
"Whoa, Hamilton's here, too." Grimm awed at the fact Hamilton is still alive since their escape.
"Be careful. He was trained by the Grabacr aggressors." Edge reminded everyone in case we forgot. Meanwhile, everyone in the air and on the ground are destroying the warmongers forces. Even the squadrons that met us in the air are giving each other compliments.
"172nd Leader to Razgriz Leader." The 172nd Leader called out. "Much of the aggressors have gun towers at their disposal. Request taking them out?"
"Roger that, 172nd. Hit them." The Lead pilot in his Flanker ordered his squad to begin attacking on the gun towers. The Razgriz, meanwhile, are destroying the warmongers holding back the Coalition troopers, but not also forgetting that they still hate each other. On Wulfstan's side, they are easily carving their way towards Gründer Industries' headquarters.
"This is the 112th Infantry Battalion. We were preparing to launch into Yuktobania, but the President's words convinced us to change our battle mission. Now commencing attack on the enemy facility."
"Glad you're joining us." Snow said as he destroyed the last AA system. "Blaze, last AA system down. Call in the Chinooks."
"Roger that, Captain. Chinooks, all AA defenses have been destroyed. You can begin landing." Isara ordered
"The Razgriz cleared the landing zone for us. Commencing operation." One Yuktobanian pilot in the Chinook said
"All First Fighter Wing units, listen up! There goes the air assault choppers! We're going in too!" In the skies above Sudentor, Minna had her eyes on the radar while I made every twist and turn to evade incoming ground fire.
"More enemies inbound, Daniel. All of them either armed with Su-33 Flankers, Typhoons, or F-22 Raptors." Minna pointed out but not before looking at a new target. "Another plane sighted… This one I haven't seen before…"
"What is it, Dear?" I asked before shooting down a rogue Flanker.
"Oka Nieba, analyze what kind of aircraft is coming towards our airspace." Minna ordered
"Let's see…" Oka Nieba analyzed the incoming fighter. "Yuktobanian-made stealth fighter. This one is a contender in the Advanced Fighter Program. MiG-1.44 Flatpack."
"Though I wonder… who's flying that?" My question was soon answered
"So… You must be the famed 'Demon Lord' Osea has talked about." Hamilton said before his fighter entered Sudentor "It will be a great opportunity to shoot you down."
"My sister has talked a lot about you, though she did credit you on being a competent officer than Perrault back at Sand Island." I said to him as Hamilton sighs deeply
"Perrault is a fool for believing what I have said. Now, thanks to the both of us, we've unleashed more demons into the air."
"You can thank what had happened fifteen years ago." We found each other before meeting each other's cockpits.
"That nuke is ours you dirty Osean vultures." One rogue Yuktobanian pilot called out to the Oseans
"This is Osean territory now. We're not letting the Yukes have it their way." An Osean pilot rallied his squadron against the Yuktobanians and engaged each other.
"The guys that allied with the villains are biting each other. Look at them—like a bunch of dogs from hell." Oka Nieba applauded them for their stupidity
"Only way to stop them is by shooting them before they cause more damage." Isara said before she sees me chasing down Hamilton. "Be careful, Daniel." She destroyed a gun tower before her teammates and allies took down warmonger elements.
"This will be for what has happened. Belka will be one again." Hamilton proclaimed
"You're worse than Maloney!" I shouted back and attacked each other. Hamilton meanwhile, was seeing the extent of what the Grey Men's plans are going through are failing before his very eyes. He then fired missiles, which I then responded by dropping flares. On the ground, Wulfstan and her forces eliminated the last of the warmongers at the headquarters.
"Cipher, route to the headquarters is now open. Radioing the Coalition now." After the Coalition destroys the last pillbox, both Osean and Yuktobanian forces charged towards the headquarters.
"This is the 112th Infantry Battalion. We've arrived at the entrance of the control facility. There are also some units from the Ustio Armed Forces as well as Belka's own." Everyone secured the area around the facility as the Grey Men's plans are finally falling apart. Ustio's soldiers entered the building first, followed by Belkan, Osean and Yuktobanian soldiers, while airborne units came in through the roof.
"Dammit. Looks like we really did open up the gates of hell. How could we have come to this? It's them… They've dragged us all into this—the Wardog ghosts, the Ghosts of Razgriz." Hamilton seethed with anger as many other warmongers soon joined in.
"Yeah! Let's get them!" A rogue Osean pilot agreed
"Get those bastards!" A rogue Yuktobanian pilot joined in. Soon enough, the entire warmonger army finally united to get rid of the Coalition's forces.
"Oh, now they come together." I said sarcastically. Unfortunately for them, much of their numbers have dwindled since our arrival. Thanks to their union of hatred, they have their primary targets: the Razgriz. But, a bright light was seen off in the distance.
"What was that!?" Grimm shouted while trying to shoot down a Typhoon
"Air attack! It's not from a plane!" An Osean soldier cried out
"The SOLG is attacking!" Oka Nieba said
"A satellite? How can it attack from up there?" One Yuktobanian soldier analyzed. I thought about it before watching Isara and Edge shooting down a warmonger Raptor.
"This is AWACS Oka Nieba. Listen, everyone in the choir. They are all going after the Razgriz at once." The Yuktobanian AWACS told everyone. That in turn have the Coalition backing the Razgriz.
"We'll protect them."
"We're with you." Everyone on the ground and in the air supported each other, like aiming at the enemy jets.
"Gepards, blanket the sky. I don't want them all shot down." Wulfstan ordered as Belka's Flakpanzer Gepards opened up on the enemy. I smirked while I continued to chase down Hamilton, who in turn is about to enter a rage.
"Tch… I can only wonder why no one, Belkan, Yuktobanian, or Osean, has managed to shoot you down." Hamilton seethed while I fired two Sidewinders at him.
"Mainly it's because I inspired so much fear and admiration into them." I answered. We continued to duel like this until I heard the Coalition's forces started opening up the tunnel entrance.
"Man, that's a big tunnel." One of the Osean soldiers awed
"Alright. We're opening up the tunnel entrance." Within a few seconds, the tunnel doors steadily open itself. On the ground, the combined Belkan-Ustio finished what remains of the warmonger forces. Wulfstan, meanwhile, watched as the tunnel doors opened.
"Everyone, secure the perimeter! We don't want anyone to enter inside the building and seal those tunnels off!" Wulfstan ordered as everyone made defensive in case anyone tried anything funny. "Oka Nieba, send me the intel to the Razgriz."
"Sending now. Standby." Oka Nieba answered. Just a few seconds later, Wulfstan informed me and the Razgriz about our new objectives.
"Cipher, the Kestrel group had come across a blueprint of the tunnel facility on the Recon Major's disc." Wulfstan began as Isara shot down a rogue Typhoon while I continued to tail Hamilton. "The SOLG control system is located in the deepest part of the tunnel. We can't touch it from the entrance. Fly into the tunnel, attack the control system in the deepest part of the complex, and escape out the tunnel on the opposite side.
"This is extremely dangerous, but there's no other way to do this. There are two central components to the control system. You must destroy them both, but you can only destroy one of them per attack run. Furthermore, the Coalition's ground forces will not keep the entrance shutters open for very long. There's not enough time for you to go back into the tunnel again after the first run."
"So, what do we do then?" I asked before shooting out missiles, to which Hamilton skillfully avoided
"A separate plane will have to go from the other side at the same time." Wulfstan answered "Synchronize your run with the second plane to attack both components simultaneously, and destroy the SOLG control system. And don't worry, we've already found out who'll be joining you."
"Roger that, ma'am." I answered before calling Isara and the other pilots. "Demon Lord to Razgriz, new objectives. We are to head inside the tunnel where the SOLG control system is located and destroy it."
"Are you insane?!" Chopper whined "I've heard of crazier stunts, but this one just takes the cake!"
"It could be worse, Chopper." Isara answered "Try surviving against alien beings."
"We've confirmed the opening of the tunnel doors. Are you ready?" Oka Nieba asked
"Roger that, AWACS." Edge answered
"All aircraft begin operation! Fly into the tunnel!" We've aligned ourselves inside, but seeing as how the Razgriz are handling themselves well, I'll let them take the spotlight.
"Razgriz, the spotlight's on you now. Get in there." I said as Minna said the same thing. Isara, meanwhile, issued an order none of us have heard.
"Everyone, I'm heading inside the tunnel."
"Are you crazy? They might chew you up from the inside." Snow said
"Don't worry. You all know me." Isara rebuked "I'm not going down in a smoking jet just yet."
"No, Blaze. We're in this together." Edge snapped her out of it and Isara agreed.
"Alright. Let's head on in." They readied themselves and as they are about to enter, Hamilton watched them and dropped his altitude to follow them. On the ground, the soldiers are pondering about the Razgriz and their true origins.
"Razgriz, so the legends' come true." One Yuktobanian solder said
"Is it true that the Razgriz are really the guys from Sand Island?" Another Yuktobanian soldier asked
"Who knows." An Osean soldier answered "We've got them on our side." Soon, the Razgriz entered the tunnel while blazing past the Coalition soldiers. Hamilton, who is still trying to avoid me, watched as they enter.
"Damn Wardog ghosts. I'm not through yet!" His MiG-1.44 lowered his altitude as the Coalition soldiers pointed at the oncoming fighter.
"All squads, open fire!" Belkan and Ustian AA systems opened up on Hamilton's fighter, but he entered inside with ease. "Cipher, enemy fighter has entered the tunnel. I repeat, Hamilton is inside and heading for the Razgriz."
"Damn it… It's all on you, Is." I said while Minna and I continued to patrol the skies.
Blaze's (Isara Fuchigami-Cross') P.O.V.
"We just have to stay glued to the Captain." Edge suggested. She is right. Separate yourselves from the flight and you are done for.
"Try to stay calm. It'll be all over soon." I eased the squad a bit, but not before my eye catched something on radar.
"Enemy flying from the rear… It's Hamilton! Damn, he is good." Grimm complimented the Osean traitor
"I thought Cipher took him out already." I thought "Oh well. Better let him crash here."
"You aren't getting away, Wardog. You're gonna fly straight to your deaths." Hamilton seethed as he inched closer to us.
"This is starting to become like 'Star Wars'." Chopper joked "This time, we outnumber him."
"I have an idea." I said "Punch it!" Our Wyvern's engines kicked to life and began to outrun Hamilton, although he decided the same thing and tried to match speed with us. "Hamilton really is stubborn…" We were inching closer to the control sections for the SOLG as we weaved through tight turns and opening shutters. Hamilton got close, to where he would fire his missiles at us, only for it to be interrupted by an unlikely voice.
"This is Heartbreak One. I'm right in front of you guys, Kid." The Captain called out. He came from Oured after the President's speech in order to help us.
"You're alive, Bartlett?" Hamilton asked, surprised that the Captain is still alive throughout the war.
"You know, you were always too damn serious, Hamilton." The Captain shot back
"I'm going to take that Belkan nuke, and terrify both sides into ending this foolish war. Don't get in my way!" Hamilton raged in anger
"You didn't even realize that you are one of the benefactors that started this war?" I joked
"DAMN YOU, DEMON LORD'S SIBLING!" Finally, after much flying and trying not to hit a wall, the targeting systems pointed out that the control systems are nearby.
"We only have one chance at this. I know you can do it, Captain." Edge gave me confidence and as the final shutter doors opened, the control system was found. I slowed down my Wyvern a bit before firing two Sidewinders and destroyed one system.
"One control system destroyed. Let's get out of here." The Captain soon spoke as well and the alarm blared all over the tunnel.
"This is Heartbreak One. I've destroyed the other control system on my end." Grimm was confused by what the Captain had said
"This is Archer. Captain Bartlett is approaching at high speed from our 12 o'clock! Is he going to…"
"…We got to do it." Edge told Grimm. Hamilton continued to catch up while we're trying to outrun the incoming Flatpack.
"Just a little more…" I said to myself before The Captain revealed himself.
"I'll be passing you by at full speed, all right? Break right on the count of three." He ordered. I saw a glimpse of his incoming jet. Cipher told me about what he flew in. An F-14 Tomcat. "One, two, three!" We did just that as the Captain sped past us.
"The shutters are closing!" Edge was right. Just as the control core systems are destroyed, the shutters began closing itself.
"We got to get out of here, or we'll be trapped inside!" My radar soon picked up incoming enemy aircraft. All of them are Su-47 Berkuts.
"Incoming aircraft. All of them were chasing the Captain and now have a clear shot on us." I then activated my XMAA's and fired, destroying all of the aircraft chasing the Captain. After a few more shutters that were closing, we finally made it out of the tunnel, and a huge explosion rattled behind us. That tunnel led us out of Sudentor and out into the outskirts once again. We then spotted Cipher's F-15SE Stealth Eagle and started following him.
"Nice work out there, Razgriz." My brother complimented us. "But… where's Hamilton? I still have to pay him back for what he did to you." I scanned the skies to find no incoming enemy and no Flatpack.
"I have a feeling that he's dead. Either by a ricocheting fighter, or he smashed into one of the shutters." I smirked, finally seeing that the traitor got his comeuppance. "All I can say is good riddance." The entire squadron agreed with me.
"So, where to now, Cipher?" Snow asked
"We're heading to Oured." He answered "Now that the SOLG Control Systems are destroyed, this is our chance to ending this war once and for all."
"But, we'll have to land our aircraft on a highway near the Command Center the Oseans and Yuktobanians settled in." Minna said "That way, we'll be near where the SOLG is about to make a drop from space."
"But what will happen if that portal that sent you there showed up here?" I asked
"We'll find out, Is. We'll find out." My brother answered as we flew across the darkened Osean sky towards our final mission.
XXXXXXXXXX
We're near the end of the Unsung War Arc! Very soon, we'll head back to the Strike Witches world and take part in the Venezian Campaign, where the second season takes place. Get ready for the next chapter, or any chapter in my other stories. Hopefully, it's worth the wait… again. So, until next time. Cheers.
