"Ace Combat Ranma"

Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi; Ace Combat belongs to Namco; Area 88 belongs to Kaoru Shintani.

Mission 101: First Contact

Once upon a time in a world very much like our own, and in many ways so different, a great and terrible war occurred. Twenty years ago, the island nation of Nippon spread its influence and military might in all directions. Many nations suffered under their brutal yoke and it seemed the Nipponese were unstoppable in their quest for world domination. But in their arrogance the Nipponese underestimated the unlikely alliance between the Yanks and the Rus. Faced with the combined strength of these two super powers, the Nipponese were pushed back. One by one their subjugated territories were liberated until the enemies were by their very shores. Beaten but not defeated, the Nipponese made a final desperate stand in driving off the invaders, surprising even the enemy of their ferocity and resolve. It seemed the Nipponese had the chance to turn the tide of the war as many allied forces fell to they're fierce counterattack, but Yanks finally decided to use their secret weapon. Three nuclear bombs were dropped on three major cities in Nippon. The devastation to these cities was near-catastrophic. Shocked and horrified by this, the Empire of Nippon had no choice but to unconditionally surrender to the allied forces. The war was finally over, or so many thought.

After the dropping of the bombs, a rift in relations began to form between the Yanks and the Rus. The Rus were suspicious with the intentions of the Yanks with such weapons of mass destruction in their hands and demanded assurance from them. Also there was the matter of the fate of post-war Nippon. Many of the countries victimize demanded severe chastisement and compensation for its atrocities, but the Yanks came to Nippon's defense – saying that a defeated enemy shouldn't be further punished but be given the opportunity to redeem itself for its wrongs committed. Many nations were not pleased by this stand by the Yanks and neither were the Rus. Relations between the Yanks and the Rus deteriorated and soon the nations of the world were embroiled in a 'War of Indifference', polarizing the world into two camps – the Eastern Alliance, and the Western Federation. In the end, Nippon became part of the Federation and as the forefront for next possible flashpoint. That was fifteen years ago.

Today the world remains under the blanket of an uneasy peace. To many, this seems just fine as long as life goes on with a semblance of normalcy. But for the defenders of Sand Island, one must be ready for anything if something so fragile like peace is to be preserved as they take to the sky…

'The name's Makoto Shinjou, a freelance photographer and reporter from Kyoto. Sources back at the capital told me that I could find a scoop here in Sand Island – a Federation air defense station several miles west of the island principality of Okina-o. Not that I am complaining or anything, it's just that everybody is sick and tired of watching the news or reading the papers on stories pertaining to the military. Heck, I'm not even sure I'm grateful for my sources on this lucky break, if you can even say this is lucky. The best I could possibly get from this is some good photos and perhaps war stories from some old geezer.'

'Getting to Sand Island was drag though. No one from Katsugi Air Base was helpful in getting me there, must be because of me being a civilian and a man of the press. The last thing they wanted to see was a reporter, and photographer to boot, to be snooping around in a military facility and getting in everybody's way. Eventually somebody from the higher ups must have heard of my plight; but not after smooth talking my way and generally being an annoyance, I was able to hitch a ride in one of their transport planes heading there.'

'The trip lasted for more or less an hour. By then I had my first glimpse of Sand Island. It was actually composed of two crescent-shaped islands, one large and one small, facing each other in opposite directions. I could see the air base clearly from up here and decided to take a couple of shots. But the officer assigned to me barred me from doing so, saying it's for security reasons. Hell that sucks looks like this won't be easy as I thought.'

'When we finally arrived, I witnessed a commotion. Everybody was rushing to meet the pilots who'd just landed in what I would later learn to be F-5Es, Tigers fighters. I smelled a scoop and decided to take advantage of the confusion and take pictures from the sidelines.'

"Captain Bartlett, are you all right?" asked one of the attending ground crewmen as they flocked around one of the pilots who had dismounted from their jets. He was tall and broad-shouldered and tried to keep from scowling from the question asked.

"Of course I'm not all right! I just lost eight nuggets up there thanks to some screw ups from Command."

"Who were they Captain?" asked another.

"I don't know. You'll soon find out after I file the report."

Capt. Bartlett stopped in his tracks and turned to call out to his two wingmen who trailed behind. Both appeared to be in a state of shock.

"Hey Nagase, Saotome, if the both of you fly like that you'll would die really soon, got that."

The pig-tailed man, called Ranma, recovered first and answered: "We won't die sir. That's a promise, right Lieutenant?"

"Umm yeah…right," was all that Second Lt. Kei Nagase could say in a subdued voice. Ranma was concerned for her. Eight of their fellow trainee pilots were killed today, shot down by hostile aircraft of unknown nationality in what was supposed to be a training mission. Many of those trainees were good friends of Nagase and she blames herself for not being able to save them.

The sound of a camera's shutter breaks the grim contemplation of the two pilots as they stared at the source of the sound. Makoto was satisfied with his work, he figured with the shots he's getting and with a little story-writing, he would definitely get the prestige he so much yearns for. He hopes he'll be able to get a lot of interviewees, especially this girl-pilot captured in his lens.

"ERK!"

Makoto nearly croaked there and then, as somebody yanked his camera off and nearly his head in the process. The photographer probed his neck for any sprains as he angrily scanned for the culprit.

"Hey, hey, that's my camera! Give it back!" It was the pig-tailed boy-pilot, how he got to his flank without noticing him puzzled Shinjou. The pig-tailed pilot gave Shinjou a baleful look, which had 'make me', painted all over it. Shinjou had argued his way through many people and situations in his career, it came with the profession. But the boy's glare told him to choose his words and actions wisely, if he intends to keep all his faculties intact.

"Who the hell are you! Nonmilitary personnel are not allowed here in the base. How did you even get in here!" curtly asked Ranma, with the camera raised high on his right hand. Shinjou composed himself and tried to look smart, like he does always.

"My name is Makoto Shinjou of the Kyoto Times. I was invited here by the higher-up in the mainland to cover a story on Sand Island and on its dedicated defenders," he smirked.

Ranma smelled a rat. He didn't like this guy, especially the way he handles himself. Besides its people like him that give the military a bad name when things go wrong, like when a vulture waits for its victim to fall dead to be feasted upon.

"A reporter," began Capt. Bartlett. "I'm a great believer in the Press, freedom of speech and all, but we lost eight people today, who we'll never know if they would have become great pilots. I'd appreciate it if you'll reserve your inquiry till later. Besides you'll probably need authorization from the Base Commander: Lt. Colonel Perrault to get about around here. Good luck though, he not somebody to get easy by, believe me I know."

"You make it sound I don't stand a chance…"

"I'm just giving you a fair warning, that's all. If you make it through you can come and see me. I'll tell you of what I can."

"Let me guess: 'for security reasons', right?" shrugged Makoto.

"You're catching on." Capt. Barlett was about to turn to leave, stopped and then remembered something.

"Saotome, give him his camera back," he said without turning his back, and added: "That's an order." He then moved on to make his report leaving Makoto, Ranma, and Nagase at the scene. The rest of the ground servicemen have already dispersed, returning to their assigned duties.

Ranma can only grimace at the command given to him by his departed CO. Having no choice in the matter, Ranma gave the camera back to Makoto.

Makoto inspected the camera for any damage. After finding none, he faced and smirked at the pig-tailed pilot.

"Thanks kid. Sorry 'bout the misunderstanding, I'm just doing my job…"

"…Forget get. Besides, it's Leuitenant Nagase you should be saying sorry to."

"Well," feeling admonish, Makoto turned to Lt. Nagase. "I must apologize ma'am, I mean…Liuetenant…"

"…It's alright. Really, it was nothing…" she said in a drained look and tone, appearing as if wanting just to retire. Ranma noticed this and was about to make a comforting move.

"Let's go Ranma."

"Um…Yeah, right," he said, remember his place as an officer and as her subordinate. Lieutenant Nagase excuse herself with Ranma following close behind.

Makoto eyed the two as they left, rubbing his developing goat-teed chin, looking thoughtful.

"Definitely, things will be getting interesting here in Sand Island."