Disclaimer: I do not own anything involving the Ace Combat series. Though please enjoy this fanfiction I am writing.

Chapter 2

No Time for Regret

By the time Aeric reached the Tiger Naval Base it was full of lights, was it dark already. Looking toward the runway, it seemed Aeric had been on autopilot. The refueling and escort from the Destroyer Pygnant were memories he didn't remember. The simple things that were on his mind were the deaths of those nuggetts. Guilt settling hard in his stomach. Almost like it needed to be ripped from his abdomen for a sin he committed.

"This is control tower. Welcome home Ghost, runway three is clear for landing."

Those words would be the most welcomed, the Stealth slowing in its speed and lowering quickly in altitude. The sudden sounds of rubber tapping concrete followed by the brake would follow. The smell of burning metal lingered in the cockpit. Coming from the brakes as they pushed against the disc to bring the heavy dark aircraft to a stop.

Cockpit opening as Aeric would step out. The cool Yuktobanian breeze would be welcomed even if the sea made it sort of sticky. The cockput had reached almost unbearable temperatures. The helmet removed before Aeric began his decent down the short ladder.

A short older man would walk up, he had a grey beard and a red Yuktobanian hat. His voice a little harsh in sound, a thicker accent than the Major coming from his voice. "I see you managed to scuff the plane Ghost. You just enjoy making an old man work hard."

Aeric tilted his head to the old man, shaking it before walking away. His hand down by his side, a frustration building up inside of him. One almost any novice Psychiatrist could diagnose.

The older man blinked not getting his usual response from the kid. Not even a laugh or a smart ass response. "Hey Ghost what's up? Why so quiet? What happened?" The man now removing a orange rag from the back of his blue jump suit back pocket. Grease stains on various spots as he whiped away the sweat building up from his forehead.

Aeric sighed looking to the old man, turning a complete one hundred and eighty degrees to be facing him. "Stupid things happened Harris. Pointless stupidity on a mission that even a nuggett could have flown with no errors."

The old man rubed his chin seeing the kid seemed shaken, or was it something else. "Look kid its the sky, it tends to do things to everyone. Can't blame yourself for things that would have happened anyway. So you shot down a few planes it happens. You been on over seventy air missions shot down many. Whats so wrong about this one?"

Aeric growled, his voice a little hoarse from the air. "Look they were Nuggetts! I lead them to their deaths! I shouldn't have done it, I should have ejected and let someone pick me up. No I rather run and lead them to their deaths. I killed kids Harris! Kids like the guys who are just beginning flight training! Probably had all of two air patrols under their belts."

Harris listened to the distress that seeped from the young pilots voice. It seemed he was very upset, with apparent good reasons. Killing rookies wasn't something to be proud of, though it sounded more like the kid didn't shoot them down. Harris shaking his head, "Look here now. Just go and get a nap, stuff happens. Don't worry so much, they would have shot you down given the chance. I don't have to tell you that though, you know it already Aeric. You been a nuggett and look at you now a Lieutenant. Two years already. Don't let this stop you."

Aeric had begun his departure from the situation rising his hand up, waving it back and forth. Signalling he heard the older man. Just not in the mood to discuss such a thing. Reaching his barracks there seemed to be someone waiting on him.

"I am here to present you with a request in the morning to report to the base commander Lieutenant Aeric Chambers." The soldier looked posibly the same age as Aeric dressed in green military clothes. A clean cut and a somewhat child appearance.

This had become a trend on the base so many new faces, the old ones becoming less and less visible. Some from promotions would dissapear others would just not come home. Something Aeric was growing accustomed to. Already a veteran pilot just by his amounts of air time, this kid though seemed to be the gopher for the base commander Griggs. Aeric sighing as he rubbed his temple, "That's fine Seargen Trent is it? I will report in the morning."

The Seargent smiled seeing the Lieutenant attempted to read his name. Blinking as he saluted, "Sorry sir I didn't mean to forget this. I am still getting used to being here. It's so exciting." The young Seargent beamed with excitement and anticipation. A true sign of never being in true combat.

Aeric sort of laughed, "Just relax kid, just don't let it happen again." Moving into the small barracks, he would fall onto his bed to exausted to say anything. Everything had been wrong today, the mission the dog fight. Even the return home felt akward, though being exausted it would not take long before sleep over took him.

The morning sun was an unwelcomed guest, staring right into the closed eyes of Aeric. Leaning off his small cot of a bed, dog tags jingled against his chest. What time was it? Noticing it was barely seven he moved toward the shower. Taking a few minutes to get cleaned up, he put on his uniform. Setting his hat on, beginning a slow exit from the baracks. His goal was the base commanders office.

Reaching the office though proved a waiste of time. The secretary simply telling Aeric to go to the debriefing room. Which upon arriving there he walked into a meeting with a few officials there already. "Sorry Sir." Aeric would quickly apologize beginning a quick turn to exit.

The base commander would speak up quickly, "Hold it son, this involves you as well. Come have a seat." The commander extended his hand toward one of the few open chairs.

Aeric wondered exactly what the man wanted, though took it upon himself to have a seat.

The base commander had a open map as he spoke slowly to the few ranking officials in the room. "Yesterday our SR-71was shot down by Osean forces. The squadron even took down five of our fighters with little problem. The Sand Island Osean base seems to be stronger than we realized. Though by the efforts of our Lieutenant Aeric over here they have lost the radar towers to the south. This will make for today's mission to be a little more successful."

Aeric bit his lip, the though of the mission he participated in the other day being called successful left a bad taste in his mouth. Not saying anything, though his face showed he begged to speak.

"We have currently deployed as of Four hundred hours deployed a white sheep with unmanned aircraft. These little spy camera's will hopefully help with our information we need. We should be getting a report within the afternoon of the success. Depending on that our next move will have to wait. You are all dismissed."

All in the room would stand, a salute to the base commander followed. Aeric rubbed his temple when his hand lowered. Beginning his exit with the men, what the hell did this briefing have to do with him.

"Hold on Lieutenant. I have something I want to discuss with you." The base commander walked toward the small podium waiting on Aeric to comply with his request.

Aeric sighed moving over to the podium. "Yes sir?" His words held the question he desired to know, what was so special it required him to be asked here and to be shared seperate from the officers on base?

The base commander smiled setting a small purple case on top of the podium. Upon opening it, was a shining gold metal. It was captain bars. This alone confused Aeric as he looked to them. "What's this for?"

"It's for your mission, you earned them. You even had four enemies shot down, while completing your mission. You have earned these bars son. I will have a squadron for you sometime prepared and maybe a new plane. You will be a great Captain on this base Aeric."

Aeric shook his head, sort of now getting what the commander said. Even when the words about the dead fighters touched his ears. The pain in his stomach once again returned. Teeth gritting before he spoke slowly. "I do not deserve such an honor, I was just promoted sir?"

The base commander looked away, "Well in truth son. You are one of our most. Experienced soldiers left. We lost Captain Marrows yesterday to that squadron from Sand Island, I believe they are called War Dog Squadron. So we needed to quickly fill the position, you just happen to be the next in line. Though don't take it the wrong way son. I think you earned these marks, but I wanted to be honest as well."

Aeric had to appreicate the honesty, most would butter you up with no real reason. At least the reason was for lack of experienced officers. That was something Aeric could live with. Nodding softly before he spoke again. "I have just one simple request, may I fly alone for a while. I don't... I feel my leadership skills with a unit would not do well at this current time. I just need some more solo time in."

The base commander had removed the bars setting them on Aeric's chest. Before hearing the odd request. "Thats fine son, no rush. I wouldn't want to set a unit of nuggetts with you before you ready. Besides I will need you in full strength the next step in the upcoming battle will need pilots like you strong. I can't tell you what it is yet, but go and relax a little Aeric. I mean Captain Aeric Chambers." The man laughed softly patting Aeric's shoulder as he moved out of the room.

Aeric stared down at the podium, left with the thought of what the commander meant. Though no real time was their to think about. Moving away he would go toward the hangar, noticing Harris walking up to him.

"Well hello Captain." A quick salute given as the old man smirked at the young pilot who was beginning to look befuddled already.

Did news travel around quick or something, Aeric looking at Harris. "At ease. What is it? I just came to check on my plane, is she alright?"

Harris would shake his head, "Well kid she had better days, though the base commander had me take her from you. He felt a new plane would suit those new bars nicely. So I picked the F-14a. I felt it would suit you well. Especially since you will probably be seeing both land battles and Sea battles. Already suited for aircraft carrier launch. With seventy missiles and ten Semi-Active Air to Air Missiles. I am sure you will be a dog fighters nightmare. What do you think Captain?"

Aeric shook his head listening to Harris get into his explanation of what was going on. A new plane already? Though he was used to the F-117, now guessing he have to get use to a new one. Hearing it was the F-14a at least it was a versatile air craft. Something he could adapt to easily if need be. Though he wished it had bombs to drop, making ground targets easier to target. Looking back to Harris, "I suppose I like the idea of it, where is it anyway Harris?"

The old man laughed, "I knew you would son. It's over here I even gave it a personal feel for you." The old man walking toward the side hangar seven. Inside would be Aeric's plane, it was painted completely white, nothing matching the Yuktobanian military colors. "Here she is son, I had her painted white like your helmet. I figured if you want to be called ghost, might as well look the part. Plus I am sure in the clouds that plane will be nearly impossible to spot."

Aeric followed along, watching the old man slide the hangar doors back a little. Witnessing a ghostly white plane, why was it white? Though Harris explained it, which made Aeric laugh. "Well I guess you are right. I be a fool to complain now. Maybe it will grow on me." Eyes seeing in small gold lettering under his cockpit glass was his title. Captain Aeric Chambers. It was truly his plane, "Will you stick my old plane on reserve?"

Harris would nod softly, "Sure thing kid. I will make her your backup plane. Though I am sure she will gather dust. Now go enjoy your time out of the air. You look like you need a break."

Aeric did have to agree with Harris, he was a little tired. Even a little more anxious, preferring to be in the sky opposed to the land. Walking away from the hangar stepping into the bases small gameroom and bar. Nodding to the bar tender. A small brown bottle beer passed his way. Aeric taking it to a small table, reaching into his backpocket. Where were they, figiting a little he removed the brownish black pack of cigarettes. Tapping the side as one of the sticks came loose. Placing it into his mouth, he would figit checking his upper pockets and back pockets for a lighter. Did he leave it?

"Let me get that for you Captain Chambers." A sinfully s voice of Major Natashya touched his ears.A spark coming from a small blue lighter ignited in front of the small white cigarette.

Aeric took two quick draws from it, before glancing up. A soft exhale of smoke left his lips, "What brings you over to the breakroom Major? You don't usually come here?" Finding her randomness a little confusing to say the least. Right hand readjusting his glasses on his nose.

The Major grinned softly, before taking a seat in front of him. "I just came to see how you were doing. I heard about your mission. Seems casualties were unavoidable."

Those words stung in Aeric's mind, head lowering away as he sighed. "Yeah.. Sorry about that."

The Major shook her head softly, "Do not worry about it, I am aware you tried to avoid the conflict. It's all I could ask of you. I am about to leave base soon. We captured an Osean pilot, it seems war is inevitable now. The information we recieved will begin our next operation."

Aeric listened to the Majors words especially about the Osean pilot and her exiting the base soon. "Well take care Major. I know you will be missed by most around here."

She gave a sinfully sweet smile to him, "Don't worry yourself about me. I am sure you will be the one who needs the prayers."

"You are probably right Major." Those were words he knew would be correct. Wether or not he desired to be involved in more death, if war was to come. More death would be on his hands, it was his duty as a soldier to carry outhis orders. That reminding him as he spoke to her, "Any word on the missing Prime Minister?"

"None." The major's words on that issue seemed venomous in content. She also didn't seem to want to discuss it. Now standing up, "I must go now. Take care Captain, I look to see you sometime before this war ends." With those words she walked away, her uniform tightly clinging to all her curves. Giving all the guys in the bar a parting gift so to speak.

Aeric took another long drag from his cigarette. Hearing the word none answered a lot, without the prime minister in office war was inevitable. His right hand grasped the neck of his beer bottle. He would then take the left hand wrapping about the bottle top.

"All Yuktobanian pilots! We have an emergency briefing now! Report to the briefing room ASAP!" The announcement came over the bases communicators scaring most to begin a hurry rush to the debriefing room.

Aeric quirked a brow, releasing his unopened beer. Apparently he would have to wait on a break. What did they want now? Though more than likely that would be a suprise to him. Left hand outing his cigarette in the orange tin ashtray. Smoke softly circling up, Aeric taking a breath beginning his walk toward the debriefing room. A soft flick to his long black hair, letting it bounce off his shoulder only to rest behind him. The simple ponytail all that was seen of him as the bar door closed.