Graduation Part II
: Lylat Flight Academy Hanger B:
: Nick's POV:
Nick finished the power up procedures for the Phantom as quickly as he could while also trying to familiarize himself with the controls before him. Thankfully Ashley was of great help in this regard.
"In order to switch weapons you need to flip the switch on the stick. Up is for guns and down is for missiles. The button just to the switches right is the chaff and flair button while the left is to launch torpedoes of we had any. You boy get all of that?" Ashley asked over the radio.
"I copy" Wolf replied quickly as his Phantom's engines roared a bit as he increased throttle to exit the hanger and begin to taxi to the runway.
"Y-yea I got it." Nick responded as he flowed Wolf's lead. Normally they would be able to take right off but unfortunately the Phantom's VTOL capabilities where under repair meaning they all had to take off the traditional way.
As the three exited the hanger they noticed that the other students had already left to various engagements. The only aircraft they still saw in the air where a few random fighters flying top cover for the airfield. Looking ahead Nick's stomach dropped seeing their path to the runway was blocked by the wreckage of what used to be their Arwings. Nearby ground crews where trying to remove the wreckage with heavy machinery.
"What the? Bandits! Bandits!" Wolf's voice suddenly shouted as Nick looked up in time to see ten enemy aircraft sweep over the airfield and shooting down the few aircraft left in the air over the base. Behind them Nick saw a few Strike Bombers speed past and dropping their payload on the defensive anti-aircraft positions. One bomber saw their Phantoms and attempted to drop a bomb on them however he over shot and instead dropped his payload on the Arwing wreckage killing the nearby ground crews.
"Shit those guys were flying stealth craft! Blizzard this is Amaterasu, be advised our aircraft and AA positions at the Academy Runway have been destroyed. Enemy is in possession of Stealth capable aircraft!" Ashley announced.
"How are we supposed to get in the air before those bastards get back here and finish us off?" Nick asked but was only met with silence from Wolf and Ashley.
"This is Blizzard to Amaterasu I have detected more enemy aircraft coming over the airfield now. Be advised all other air assets are unable to assist. Get out of there guys!" Lily reported panicked.
To the north Nick saw a squadron of eight aircraft approaching over the airfield. After a second one of them turned right for the three grounded pilots and was about to fire when suddenly a missile rose up from below and blew the fighter to pieces.
"Reinforcements have arrived!" a rough voice announced over the comm just as a group of armored vehicles plowed over some of the iron perimeter fence.
"Professor Brutus?" Ashley asked in surprise.
"That's Sargent Brutus now Vulama. In times like this I prefer to go by my military rank." Brutus explained as the group of vehicles approached.
Getting a closer look at them Nick realized that the vehicles where all old Lylat War era mobile anti-air vehicles. Mostly AA-13 Locusts, and AA-21 Lamplights. The AA-13 Locusts where flack guns mounted on a tracked vehicle and where able to fire on targets at medium to short range air targets while the Lamplights where close range vehicles equipped with two mini-guns.
"Listen up kiddy's remember your training! Spread out and catch these ass holes in our crossfire! Salem 1-2 cover those aircraft as they take off!" Brutus announced as his AA-13 rolled up to the Arwing wreckage and plowed it out of the way before continuing further into the airfield followed by the other vehicles except for four Lamplights that Nick guessed was Salem 1-2 who surrounded their aircraft to the left and right.
"T-this is Salem 1-2 we got you covered!" One of the Lamplight operators announced in a voice that Nick was familiar with.
"Wait Jake is that you?" Nick asked in surprise at the familiar voice of another academy student.
"Yeah, me and the rest Mr. Brutus's class was in the old armory when the attack started we got in these old tin cans and decided to help how we could." Jake explained "But enough of that for now just concentrate on getting airborne we'll keep the fighters off you!" Nick nodded in respect before pushing his phantom toward the runway along with Ashley and Wolf.
"Another wave of enemy aircraft approaching from the North!" Annabelle warned from the airfield control tower.
Nick pushed his aircraft onto the runway and turned down its length to take off just as he saw six enemy jets coming directly toward him from head on. The enemy was obviously intending to attack him and the other two phantoms but before they could an excellently aimed airburst from one of the Locusts ripped into the belly of the lead aircraft causing it to explode and scattering the formation. The rest soon found themselves in a hail of flack fire and mini-gun incendiary rounds from the other ground forces of the academy. "Nice shot Jessica!" one of the other students commented over the radio to who Nick assumed was operator of the Locust responsible for the shot.
"Salem 1-4 two of them passing near you!"
"I see them! Trent, coming in from 10 o'clock!"
"Got one!"
Nick heard the radio chatter as he saw a burst from one of the Lamplights on the eastern side of the airfield ripe into the side of enemy causing it to burst into fire and crash into the ground. The remaining enemy aircraft seemed to be attempting to escape the fire from the ground with the exception of one that suddenly streaked in from Nick's right just as he began to pick up speed down the runway. However the enemy's attack was thwarted by one of the Lamplights of Salem 1-2 on Nick's right who turned their turret around and firing on the approaching aircraft while keeping up with Nick's Phantom. The rounds ripped off the enemy's left wing and caused it to pitch down into the ground before sliding across the runway in front of Nick in a flaming ball of wreckage before stopping on the left side of the runway. Nick just kept his throttle firewalled and spread threw the flames before emerging unharmed on the other side and more importantly in the air.
Nick quickly retracted the Phantom's landing gear before banking right and assessing the situation. "This is Cross, I'm airborne engaging remaining hostile aircraft over the airfield." Nick announced the fear he felt during his first battle non-existent now as he focused on the job at hand.
"Confirmed Cross, continue to defend the airfield until Amaterasu and Alpha finish taking off." Annabelle replied as Nick glanced down to the edge of the runway and saw Ashley beginning to take off while protected by Salem 1-2's Lamplights.
"Cross confirms all. Engaging!" Nick announced as he spotted one of the three remaining enemies attempting to cross back over the airfield to reengage the two Phantom's on the ground.
Nick pitched up before reducing throttle and banking down in a split s that put him behind the enemy Arwing and in perfect range for a gun kill. Switching over to guns Nick put pressure down on the trigger and heard and felt the Phantom's GAT-cannon spew forth a stream of fire that flew into the back of the enemy causing it to explode and sending small debris to rain down on the airfield below.
"This is Amaterasu, I'm airborne!" Ashley announced as her Phantom climbed into the air before retracting its landing gear and forming up with Nick. Wolf soon joined them once he lifted off and avoided the trench in the asphalt caused by the wreckage of the enemy that nearly took Nick out.
"This is Blizzard remaining enemy aircraft are retreating from the Academy Airbase however we have been rendered inoperable to land aircraft due to extensive damage." Annabelle reported "All forces report status."
"This is Fox McCloud of Star Fox the enemy is pulling back from Upper Corneria City as well. No casualties amongst Star Fox but we are running low on fuel and laser batteries are depleted." Fox answered.
"This is Terrier 3 just north of Delia airbase enemy forces repulsed. They are likely going to regroup. Be advised Terrier squadron is down to 5 aircraft, repeat 5 of our 15 birds remaining."
"This is Badger 4 we have four remaining. We are running low on fuel as well."
"Confirmed Terrier, Star Fox, and Badger. Hold on a moment… Confirmed all enemy advance forces over Corneria City are pulling back. What's the situation everyone?" Annabelle asked.
"This is Vandal Flight Lead Grey Hound, Delia Airbase had been wiped out. Also the 5th Armored division has been crippled by enemy forces. Requesting reroute for Delta to land and resupply." Bill reported.
"This is Krystal of Star Fox, The Cornerian Council Building has been destroyed by enemy bombers and the council has been reported by ground forces as mostly KIA. 4th and 2nd Armored Division are garrisoning the city to prepare for eventual enemy attack."
"This is Tiger 1 over the military and industrial district, extensive damage to all facilities. Tiger squadron is down to hive birds."
"This is Crocodile 1, we are down to five helos."
"This is Hawk 1, I have six interceptors left. The 6th, 8th, 9th, and 7th Armored Division are digging in North East of the city to engage enemy armored landing force."
"This is Eagle 1 over the residential area, heavy damage from enemy bombers. 1st and 10th Armored Divisions are garrisoning the area and assisting civilians. Eagle has eight birds in the air."
"This is Bear 1 over the bay area, the enemy has destroyed one of the bridges at the mouth of the bay and done extensive damage to friendly naval forces. All remaining naval units regrouping in the bay. Bear Squadron is down to nine birds."
"This is Saber Flight over the bay area, all birds still airborne." Brian announced.
"This is Kilo Flight, we're all here over Delia Airbase. Sorry we couldn't stop them Blizzard." Fara apologized.
"You did your best Cinder. Delta Flight report." Annabelle assured.
"This is Wraith of Delta Flight currently over Halva Airbase to the South West of Corneria City. All enemy aircraft destroyed, Halva airbase successfully defended. No damage to the facility. Be advised reinforcements from other air forces in route to Halva include Husky and Bulldog squadrons and Soldi Airbase to the South East of the city reports they are still operable and squadrons Hammerhead and Wardog are in route to reinforce from further south. ETA 5 minutes." Wraith reported.
"Understood Wraith, all ground forces dig in and report when enemy forces are sighted. In the meantime all law enforcement units will be advised to evacuate civilians to the star port for evac. All aircraft are to RTB to Halva Airbase or Soldi Airbases. Get some rest people our jobs not done yet. Salem unit move to the residential area to assist in evacuations. Alpha take Amaterasu and Cross to Halva Airbase to get rearmed and finish refueling. You are now Dire Wolf flight." Annabelle stated.
"Alpha copies all. Dire Wolf banking south." Wolf reported as he took the lead position and banked to head toward Halva Airbase followed closely by Ashley and Nick.
"Blizzard is repositioning to Soldi Airbase. In the meantime Halva control is taking over call sign Citadel. This is Blizzard signing out." Annabelle signed out as she likely began to evacuate from the Academy Tower.
Nick and the rest of Dire Wolf sped off to the south as the sun was setting over the burning city. Nick saw the contrails of other aircraft still reforming or heading to RTB as well. As he looked north to the ocean where the enemy was likely regrouping at the site of where the enemy carrier reportedly touched down. He couldn't help but anticipate what the enemy would throw at them next and as he focused back on what was in front of him his heart thoughts and prayers turned to the pilots still battling up orbit and the thousands of civilians and law enforcement on the ground.
"How many of us will survive this?" he wondered as his flight disappeared into the horizon to the south.
Aaaannnd Chapter! So this is the second part of the Cornerian City Battle ark. We are looking at maybe one or two more chapters in this ark before it's over. To recap these are the objectives that have occurred and are going to occur next chapter:
Objective 1: Defend the Stadium – Failed
Objective 2: Defend Delia Airbase- Failed
Objective 3: Defend the Corneria Council Building and Upper Corneria City- Failed
Objective 4: Defend Halva Airbase- Success
Objective 5: Defend Academy Airfield- Failed
Objective 6: Defend Academy Control Tower- Success
Objective 7: Defend Industrial/military District- Failed
Objective 8: Defend Residential area- Failed
Objective 9: Defeat enemy advance force: Complete
Secondary Objective: Cause extensive damage to enemy air forces: Complete
: Pending Objectives:
Objective 1: Defend Corneria Star Port
Objective 2: Defend Cornerian 8th Naval Fleet
Objective 3: Destroy enemy armored forces to the north east of the city
Objective 4: Destroy enemy invasion forces
Objective 5: Recall Cornerian 1st, 3rd, and 4th space fleets
Objective 6: Destroy enemy space carrier
Here also is the remaining air forces of Corneria
Terrier: 5/15
Badger: 4/12
Tiger: 5/10
Hawk: 6/8
Eagle: 8/12
Crocodile: 5/8
Bear: 9/16
Hammerhead 10/10
Wardog 10/10
Husky 16/16
Bulldog 16/16
Remaining Aircraft: 94/160
Remaining Enemy Forces: 240/442
Academy student's squadrons
Vandal Flight: Bill, Katt, Fay, Miyu
Kilo Flight: Fara, Jasmine, Lucy, Stella
Saber Flight: Brian, Fate, Isme, Edmund
Delta Flight: Wraith, Rook, Ilea, Lucas
Dire Wolf: Wolf, Ashley, Cross
Anyway hope you all enjoyed the chapter in the reviews if you could tell me which objective you would like to see in the next chapter. Either objective 1 or 2.
Till next time remember to stay frosty and don't forget to review!