Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Ace Combat Series

Chapter 8

Handful of Hope

The next few days Aeric had distanced himself from everyone on the base. Spending lots of time on the end of the runway near the ocean itself. The salty breeze was a welcome feeling, Aeric's newly replaced ugly black box shaped glasses were on his nose. This entire time on the base had been rough. From the introduction to the base where he was humiliated in the utmost sense of the word. This was just a nightmare he would wake up soon right?

"Watching the waves son." The old man known as Pops would approach Aeric. He was the mechanic on the base and friends with all the pilots.

Aeric shook his head, "Sure you want to be out conversing with the enemy they might label you a traitor."

Pops quirked a brow, "Wouldn't be the first time kid. "

Aeric turned to look at Pops, "What do you mean?

Pops laughed, "Don't worry so much kid. You know no one here would accept you."

Aeric growled, "Thats not what I am worried about. I don't give a shit about the people or this base. I want to protect my family. I was labled a traitor by my own country. They will execute my family if they find them. My mother and father might be safe, but my sister attends a technology college near the eastern side of Yuktobonia they will kill her."

Pops now understood a litle more of why the kid was fighting with them. "What did you do to get called a traitor."

Aeric sighed, "I protected a Major in the Yuke army. She's always been a friend of mine even if she is untrustworthy. I think this is why I was called a traitor. I think my plane was rigged to give out even before the lazer did it."

Pops was confused but nodded, "Seems like Yuktobonia is having a lot of problems."

Aeric grumbled, "Your telling me."

Pops quirked a brow at Aeric, "So why did you decide to talk to me?"

Aeric shook his head, "Don't know, maybe because your not a Osean. Or maybe it's just because you remind me of a friend of mine back on base."

Pops laughed, "I hear that alot." The part about being like a friend to most people. However Pops was impressed Aeric could tell he wasn't an Osean. "A real shame Bartlett isn't here, he would sympathize with you about the Major. He got burned several years back by one. He would tell you this war was stupid."

Aeric mouthed the words Bartlett. Remembering Nagase running it by him when he first saw them. "So that was War Dog's original Captain. Must have been a hell of a man."

"That he is son." Pops would have to truly agree with those words, he was a hell of a man.

"Hey come on!" The slightly harsh tone of Blaze passed toward Aeric, "We going up now."

Aeric turned sharply long black hair resting over his shoulder. "Fine do I get my own plane or do I ride with you?"

Blaze groaned, "Just come on, this will be a routine air patrol. There is a F-4g waiting on you."

Aeric shook his head looking to Pops, "I will be right there."

Blaze nodded running toward the hangar.

Pops looked to Aeric, "You should try to get along, they are your new teamates."

Aeric looked over his shoulder at Pops, "Preaching to someone who has never really flown in a squadron, always been a solo pilot. Oh did you prepare my plane?"

Pops heard Aeric and understood his words, however when he asked about the plane he was concern. "No I didn't why?"

Aeric groaned, "Nothing I guess, maybe I am just paranoid." Aeric now racing toward the hangar behind Blaze.

Within ten minutes the fighters would be in the air. "Are you sure Blaze, I mean can you trust that guy behind you and Nagase?" Chopprs voice passed over the radio."

"We got to start somewhere Chopper. We have to trust each other if we are going to work together." Blaze's voice was a somewhat calm reassurance."

"I am willing to try Blaze." Nagase would trust Blaze's hunch this time.

"This is Archer, I am willing to try as well. Besides this is a simple air patrol. Should be a cake walk."

"Will you all stop worrying, I couldn't shoot you down in this plane if I wanted to. Each of you are flying F-16c. I am flying an F-4g. Do the math, oh and if this helps your day I only have fifteen missiles, two hundred vulcan machine gun rounds, and three long range ground to air missiles. Your lovely air base didn't seem it was worth it to give me a full payload. Oh and a bonus, they rigged my canopy with a wire which appears to be set to keep my canopy from blowing. So I am flying a large coffin. So anymore complaints you can direct them to some pilot who gives a shit. War Dog Five moving in to continue patrol." Aeri'c s large plane would shift into the third wing position beside Blaze.

"..." The entire com system went dead after Aeric's rant. No one wanted to say anything to him, he was flying in his own coffin in hostile territory for a country he didn't want to serve.

"War Dog Five to Blaze I am picking up a blip on my radar. You see it." Aeric's plane shifting it's heading to move toward the growing target.

Blaze looked to his radar after Aeric's words. "Yeah getting it now War Dog Five. Moving to intercept."

A large C-5 cargo plane would appear in view of the three fighter jets.

"To unidentified aircraft This is War Dog Squadron, state your condition, purpose, and destination." Nagase speaking the request to identify itself.

"This is Mother Goose one, we are not transmitting a friendly Id. We are on a top secret mission to North Point. We were injured by one of our anti air missiles, we are flying on minimal flower. Can you come closer our radio is having a hard time picking you up." The captain of the plane would be hurried to get some help.

Blaze would lead the formation ahead, Edge and Aeric following as they closed in a three way triangle around the cargo plane.

"There you are we can see you on our radar now. We need you to guide our plane through the radar network. We cannot afford to take a hit. We will be counting on you." The pilot going quiet.

Blaze rubbed his temple, "Okay I will lead Edge and War Dog Five keep a close watch on the cargo plane."

"Edge roger Blaze."

"War Dog Five roger blaze."

"This is Chopper to Kid, we just got information of an enemy squadron flying your way. We are the only team that can intercept. Hold on we are coming to your rescue!"

"I am counting on you guys." Edge speaking into her radio. Glancing over at the larger model F-4g flying behind her.

The slow paced gliding through the radar bubbles was a bore to Aeric, his eyes looking at his meek payload and the slow lag the cargo plane seemed to have while weaving back and forth.

"We should be exiting the radar zone soon." Nagase giving a reassuring voice to the wounded cargo plane.

Aeric noticed his radar beginning to pick up several blips behind them.

"Edge to Blaze Chopper and Archer are here."

"Blaze roger that, about time you guys get here. "

"Edge to Mother Goos One, accellerate and evade combat zone. Incoming enemies."

"Chopper to Blaze, oh we made it in time for the party. Lets go Archer."

"Roger Chopper, Archer moving to engage."

"War Dog Five to Blaze, I am going to hang back with Mother Goose One. I will fly cover. Those enemy planes are Mig-31's. I don't have the speed to engage them." Aeric understanding his slow bulky plane was as large a target as the cargo plane. That and killing fellow Yukes didn't sit wel with him.

"Blaze to War Dog Five. Understood, War Dog squadron engage."

"Roger!" The rest of the team would speak quickly the four F-16c's moving in to attempt to cut down the various oncoming Mig-31's.

"Aww damn oil pressure down. I will go check, take control." Various chatter picked up inside of Mother Goose One. Seemed they were having lots of problems.

"Blaze fox two." Blaze's F-16c would shoot down one of the enemy Migs.

Aeric shifted in his seat watching as the four fighters moved together. They weren't as strong as he thought. Each one made mistakes, so the War Dog Squadron were kids how did he ever almost get shot down by them.

A loud gunshot was heard through the radio of Mother Goose One.

"What's going on?" Aeric's voice cut on his radio, "War Dog Five to Mother Goose One whats going on?"

"The Captain was just shot, we had a traitor on board. I will try to fly this plane, but I am unsure." The voice was calm yet it sounded unsure.

Aeric sighed, "Just relax and do nothing as long as the plane stays in the air it will be fine." Aeric forced to fly in front of the plane, his large plane causing an enemy Mig to fly by no target available. "Just go home, I don't want to shoot you guys down." Aeric's voice was somber with the idea of killing countrymen.

"Edge to Archer you have an enemy on your six evade!"

"This is Archer he's got missile lock I can't! I can't shake him! No he's going to!" Archer's plane was weaving all over the place to try and avoid the missile from being fired.

"Blaze he needs help, I can't get over to him. Chopper can you!" Edge was begging for some help.

"This is Chopper, no I got my hands full. Damnit someone help him!"

"Blaze to War Dog Five engage the enemy!" Blaze's harsh tone lingered to Aeric.

Aeric looked to his radar, "I can't..."

"Do it War Dog Five! Thats an order! Engage! Engage now!" Blaze becoming more agitated.

Archers plane was weaving back and forth it seemed he drew a great pilot. "I am going to lose it I!"

"Ghost save him! Or I swear I will shoot you down right after!" Edge's voice was bitten with venom and malice. Her fear for archer clear.

Aeric looked and watched as Edge would fly around trying to get to Archer. "War Dog Five moving in hold on Archer." The slow F-4g would weave into the sky even this bulky plane in proper hands could be deadly. His plane lining up behind the Mig, his mind racing with come on back off, don't make me kill you.

"He's firing! I won't be able to!" Archers voice reached a high octive.

"No Archer!" Chopper snapping sharply.

"Damn you Ghost!" Sounds of tears in Nagase's voice now.

"Damnit!" Aeric scowled as he launched a missile into the enemy Mig the plane exploding into fire and ash, the missile had been fired. Aeric using burst rounds of his machine gun as he chased Archer all over the sky until it was finally cut down in an explosion.

The air waves went silent momentarily. "Archer are you okay?" Nagase asking.

"I.. I... I... I will be okay Edge. I am just a little shook up. Ready to go home..."

Aeric leaned back in his seat, helmet tapping the seat.

"Blaze Fox Two." His missile ignited as it slammed into the last jet fighter. "Air sanitized."

"This is Mother Goose one I need to land, this plane isn't holding up."

"We will clear you a landing spot. War Dog Squadron target the windmills." Blaze giving orders even if his team didn't feel up to it.

"War Dog Five roger that Blaze." Aeric shifting his plane firing a few random missiles the windmills exploding, clearing a decent landing space.

"I have a question was it nesasary to use the Arkbird." Nagase speaking to Mother Goose One.

"I am sorry, but it was." A solemn answer in return.

"I understand sir." Nagase going silent, watching as the plane descended.

"This is Chopper I don't have any more fuel."

"This is the 8492nd we will take it from here War Dog. Thanks." Set of a few Osean fighters came into view.

"Roger that, take care of that cargo it's special." Nagase reitterating how important it was.

"Will do mam, nice job War Dogs.."

War Dog Squadron would turn in mid flight returning to the Sand Island Base. Each plane touching down, Aeric stepping down from his plane helmet removed as he turned only to recieve a punch in the face. Eyes taking a moment to notice who it was. It was Nagase her eyes showed her anger.

"You bastard Archer could have been killed!" Her voice straind to try and remain calm.

Chopper and Blaze would come running up, "Calm down Nagase." Chopper trying to ease her.

"I won't calm down, this bastard nearly got Archer killed! I don't want a teamate who isn't willing to watch our back!"

Aeric spit a little blood from his now busted lip. "Take a good look, I'm not your teamate!" Storming away slowly toward the bunker, "You have no right to even dare ask me for help! Walk in my shoes once and then you can talk to me!" Aeric slamming his helmet against the side of the hangar the visor snapping.

Pops looking up and shaking his head, watching as Archer moved up beside his teamates, Aeric dissapearing into the distance.