Disclaimer: I do not own anything involving the Ace Combat series. Though please enjoy this fanfiction I am writing.
Chapter 4
Operation Ambush
Aeric's Tomcat would finally touch down, backing toward the hangar. Harris visibly walking in that direction, which Aeric wasn't in the mood to talk with him, though that would have to wait. The cockpit glass rising as Aeric stepped out, his helmet removed and tucked under his right arm. Boots beginning to take him toward the hangars doors.
"Wait up Aeric." It was seldom that Harris actually called him by his first name.
Aeric blinked turning, his long pony tail resting over his shoulder. "What is it Harris?
"Only five of you came back?" His tone sounded solemn, it wasn't a good feeling to see twenty five planes leave and only five return. Harris placing an open hand on the nosecone of the Tomcat.
Aeric stared down a moment, a knot forming in his throat. "Yeah. I lost two of mine as well. Sorry I couldn't have done more for them." Turning his head he rubbed his temple, a forming migraine was becoming a soon to be reality.
"Don't worry Aeric, you can't save them all. You were not the only captain out there, but you the only one who came back. Just take care of our boys Aeric. This war isn't what it should be, if the prime minister was still here we would have never gone to war."
Aeric looked toward the orange sky, "I can't promise Harris. I met some pilots up there, they are really good. Not like the normal pilots or the ones from Belkan long ago. They have such good instincts and they work in groups. I couldn't shoot any planes down because I was trying to catch one. If those pilots are there next time, I am not sure I or the team will come out on top." Aeric's head now lowering it was a saddened thing to admit that you were not good enough.
Harris put his hand on Aeric's shoulder, "Look kid, you have nothing to prove out there. Just do what you can. You are one of the best I have ever seen, you just have to trust your instincts. You flying ability is top notch, but you always double guess yourself when you fire on targets. No one wants to kill anyone, but waiting will get others killed. We may have not asked for this way, but we have little choice in the matter. We must engage them with all our might. Osea is a huge country and if we fail they will destroy us."
Aeric nodded, "Your right Harris. I think I just need a drink, see you a little later." Those words being the last spoken to Harris. Aeric moving out of the hangar bay, seeing several of the other pilots move toward the barracks or the bar. He wanted a drink as well, walking into the small bar he nodded to a few people. Before taking a seat at a table, his hand searching for a pack of cigarettes. Before loosening one, the white stick resting between his fingers. A purple lighter removed and the cigarette lit.
"You seemed troubled Captain."A familiar female voice touched his ear, the chair in front pulled out as Major Natashya took a seat. Black sunglasses rested on her nose, "I heard we took a heavy loss in Operation Dry Dock."
Aeric leaned back a moment, half not expecting to see her back so soon. "Yeah losing a bunch of veteran pilots has that effect on most. Though your right, we lost a lot of good men and women today in battle. Why are you here? I thought you were looking into that Osean Prisoner we captured off the coast?"
The major shot him a rather flirtatious smile, her thick accent was always nice to listen to. "I came back to see on somethings. I think I have found where the Prime Minister has gone missing. Though I am unsure as to how well this will go. It seems someone in the higher ranks desires this war, I do not know why."
Aeric tilted his head, another drag from his cigarette the smoke circulating from his lips. "Do you mean possible location of Prime Minister Nikanor?" This thought intrigued him, though why had the Major held back on telling anyone? That answer sort of came when she spoke about the higher ranks wanting this war. "I see."
"Do not look so disheartened Captain is it now." A moment taken to notice his new marks, "War brings out the worse in all. So don't always take what you are fighting for at face value. It sometimes proves that what you are fighting for isn't what you should be?"
Aeric growled softly, "You should be careful Major Natashya, you speak treason." His fingers beginning to rap softly upon the wooden table. His cigarette then removed and outed in the tan colored ashtray.
"You are a good man Aeric. I tell you these things because you aren't just a normal soldier. You think and know things aren't what they should be. Just be more aware of your situation, things are never what they appear to be Aeric." Her hand removing her sunglasses, rubbing a hand through her hair.
"What makes you think I won't turn you in for these remarks. Hardly any trust you here, I am sure you know that."Aeric set his pack of cigarettes on the table, removing a second. A light being sparked and he took a quick puff, the lighter being set on top as well.
"Now now Aeric, you think after all we been through I would be worried about you ratting me out to Griggs?" A smirk upon her lips, hand sliding to grab the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. Taking one herself before lighting it. "You are one of the handful I trust with my honest opinions. Besides don't worry I think after this cigarette I am going to take a much needed break."
Aeric laughed a moment, "You are right, all the things I let you get away with. Turning you in for treason would sound sort of pointless." Eyes cutting to Duke as he walked up.
"Captain Chambers. Base Commander is ordering all remaining pilots to the sky. He will have a special inflight briefing." A soft salute to the Major would follow. "Major Natashya."
Aeric sighed outing his half smoked cigarette, "We just flew over ten hours we can't fly much.."He stopped talking knowing it was more or less pointless. What were they planning now? Cutting a glance to Natashya. "Seems our break is over, take care on whatever you intend to do."
The major nodded softly, "You as well Captain, I will be watching the newspapers. I am looking forward to hearing of your exploits there." Eyes cutting to Duke as she just nodded, her form sliding out of the chair as she moved away. Leaving the two of them to their orders.
Duke would just whistle softly as she parted company with the two. "Man she is such a piece of work. We have a pot going around you two are a couple. Come on give me a hint Captain?"
Aeric slanted his eyes to Duke, "We are just friends. You looking for a a demotion?" A posed joking threat as he walked ahead of Duke going toward the air strip. Several planes already being loaded onto the runway and taking off. Several were large bombers what were they planning now?
Duke rose his hands as he spoke, "Ho ho touched a nerve sorry Captain just picking on you." Though the threat of the demotion was something he took a little more serious. "I guess another girl on this base got your attention then huh? Captain?" He never got an answer swiftly following Aeric toward the planes.
The group of fighter and bombers were quickly dispersed into the air. Aeric staring at the controls to his Tomcat, several planes out in the sky. It seemed the debriefing was just the surpise bombing of the Sand Island Osean Air Base. "This is Ghost to all inbound bombers lay your heavy damage to the barracks and hangars. To all fighters focus on the anti aircraft and enemy air craft. Try to let no one get into the sky. If we do this I am sure you all will recieve promotions."
The sounds of various chatter filled his radio, "Hey Ghost, you make it sound so easy? Perhaps this will turn out better than the last one right?"
Aeric growled, "Don't joke about that Duke. We lost many good men, lets not let that become our future fate. Ghost moving in, Ghost Fox one!" There would be a quick missile fired from Aeric's Tomcat the missile slamming into the communication tower on Sand Island's base. The attack could now commence with no chance of enemy reinforcements.
Several of the large bombers began to drop their heavy payloads upon various instalations. Several planes getting into the air however would give the yuke pilots some trouble.
Aeric shifted his plane over into a quick barrell roll. A enemy fighter flying by him, only to recieve several vulcan machine gun rounds from Duke. "Nice shot Duke keep it up this base won't last long."
"Thank you sir, just doing my job. You hear that guys we almost done here lets wrap it up!"
Aeric would fire two missiles from his plane, an enemy fighter falling into flames as it landed near the runway. It seemed more planes were getting up into the air. Aeric's eyes more attuned looking for the Wardog squadron hoping they had been destroyed prior to this battle.
"Ghost we got an unarmed aircraft leaving on that runway? Orders?" Dukes plane lining up with the large bulky craft.
Aeric looking over to see the large bulk of a plane, "Leave it! Get that fighter coming out of the hangar bay.
"Roger will do Ghost! Watch you six!"
Aeric blinked hearing the warning his plane spinning to avoid several burst rounds from the enemy F-5e.
"Damn I almost had him! Chopper its the white Tomcat we need to get him this time! He has done killed ten of our planes!" The females voice echoed through enemy communications.
"This is Chopper Roger that Edge! I am moving up on your right side to support."
"Cancel that order Chopper! Move to aid Grim, he needs to get into the air. Edge don't get so caught up chasing that ghost!"
"Chopper.. Roger that Blaze moving to support Grim."
" I can get him though Blaze! Let me... Oh shit!" The woman's voice changed to a sharp pitch watching the enemy fighter plane she was chasing begin to change its position.
Aeric shifted from left to right avoiding the vulcan machine gun fire. It seemed to close for enemy missiles though not far enough to try a trick as of yet. Another burst round of Vulcan Machine gun fire would wizz by his planes nose. "That's it!" With that said, Aeric pushed his nose straight down. Pressing the after burners on. This forced his plane to ratle as he completed a circle to end up behind Edge. His vulcan machine gun fire would begin.
" This is Edge! I am taking damage!" Her plane would begin to spark a litle as random rounds rattled along her planes hull.
"Blaze moving in Edge! Move I will deal with him!" Blazes F-5e would move in firing a missile at Aeric's plane attemtping to force the plane away from the injured plane of Edge.
Aeric glanced over his shoulder to hear the incoming missile alarms. "Great lucky Wardog!" Plane now forced to pull up and attempt a few basic evasive maneuvers the missile missing its target as it exploded into the air.
"Thanks Blaze I owe you!" Edge was able to relax a little her voice softening. " He is really good. Almost as good as the Captain."
"Don't worry about it Edge. We still have to stop those bombers." Though her words about their missing captain touched his ears. "Your right. Maybe we will see this guy again."
Aeric now realized his planes were vastly becoming outnumbered. The bombers all but one destroyed. Though several areas of high damaged would have to suffice. "Ghost to all Yuke pilots, mission complete lets go home!"
"Sir yes sir!" Dukes voice rang out as he moved up beside the White Tomcat. His voice speaking again, "Hey Ghost, you got them rattled that was some awesome flying. Keep it up and they will start calling you the White Ghost of Yuktobania."
Aeric laughed softly, "Yeah we will see Duke, lets just get home, we lost enough today." Those being the final words, all Yuktobanian aircraft disengaged leaving the Sand Island air base in shambles of destroyed metal and fire.
