Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own Ace Combat (I swing my ax but my brother nearly dodges the blows as I chase him.)

September 24, 2010… Kevin woke up early that mourning with the usual sound from the intercoms in the housing facilities that served as alarm clocks for the pilots. Today was an important day for him; he would be up in the skies as a true member of Wardog Squadron. He was done with practicing maneuvers; he had been doing that for over two years and understood everything by heart. If anything were to happen near the base, or the mainland, he would get the call to go up. This was what he trained mentally and physically for, to serve his country with honor and protect those who needed protecting. Sure enough, soon after he awoke, the call came in.

It was right after breakfast; Kevin was about to go for a little walk around the base, but was met by an officer at the door, telling him that he had to report to the briefing room at once. Kevin ran back, and under a minute later he entered the briefing room with his captain and other two squadron members sitting down and waiting. Kevin sat himself down in an empty seat and waited like the rest of the Wardogs. Chopper leaned over to him, whispering that something was up and asking if he had any idea of what it was about. Blaze just gave him the look meaning not to ask him any dumb questions, which shut up his squad member immediately. Another minute later, Colonel Perault entered with his Adjacent Commander and Second Lieutenant Payton Rhodes. Hamilton went to the back and fired up a special projector while Perault and the officer stood next to the flat screen. The room became dark and the projector then showed the Osean seal and Perault began the briefing as he normally did.

"At ease people. But don't get too comfortable. It's a grave situation for all of us right now. Let's get this briefing started."

Everyone straightened up and gave their full attention to the screen and the commanding officers. "Another aircraft of unknown origin has entered Osean Federation airspace. We have confirmed the target type as a strategic recon plane flying at low altitude. Despite our repeated warnings, it continued to penetrate our ADZ and was fired upon by Osean coastal defense force SAMs. We believe one of our SAMs damaged the unknown plane, but did not destroy it. Radar shows that the aircraft is currently losing altitude and is attempting to egress feet wet toward the ocean. Intercept this target and force it to land for identification. Do not fire upon the target until further orders are transmitted." explained Rhodes.

The Wardog Squadron then got out of their seats and suited up. They then entered Hangar A where their planes were kept. Inside was Bartlett' usual F-4 Phantom and three F-5 Tigers for his wingmen. They were the same planes the nuggets used in their exercises, and were the same planes that were shot down yesterday in the air battle. They obviously were not the best fighters on the base, but they could still hold their own in a fight. Nagase proved that. The pilots got inside their canopies, and before anything else, the Captain said to them over the radio, "Be careful up there. Just because the briefing didn't show any fighters, doesn't mean that there won't be any around. Stay alert and follow my orders. You'll survive a hell of a lot longer that way. Prepare to enter the runway." And the F-4 made its way to the start of the runway and took off into the blue, followed by three other birds on its tail, and headed for Cape Landers.

1101 hours over Cape Landers… The Wardogs were now over the cape, heading north. They were in the diamond formation with Bartlett at the head, Edge on his left, Chopper on his right, and Blaze right behind him. The overall mission was simple; bring down a wounded spy plane so that it can be identified. All four planes were still on alert though for any fighters that might show up, but with any luck at all, intelligence did its job for once.

"This is Heartbreak One of Wardog Squadron, we are approaching the target."

"This is AWACS, callsign Thunderhead. Roger. Bring the target to the ground. Do not fire at the target. Repeat, do not fire at the target."

"You got that, nuggets?"

"Wardog 2, roger."

"Wardog 3, roger."

Kevin didn't answer; he was lost in thought about the task at hand. It didn't feel right to him; an unarmed spy plane in this time of peace was a little fishy to him. He hoped it was just paranoia from all the excitement of his first mission. The captain didn't like that Blaze wasn't answering him, so he gave a little wake up call on the radio.

"Wardog 4! Hellooo? Can you hear me kid? You better be markin' our tail from back there."

"Yes sir, sorry. Wardog 4, roger."

"Man, I'm glad you drew the short straw instead of me!"

"Second Lieutenant Alvin H. Davenport, zip it! You need a nickname too?"

"I respectfully ask to be called "Chopper". Sir. I'm afraid I may not be able to respond to any other moniker."

"Hmm. That does fit you well… I've got a better name for you, but I'll keep it to myself. Okay?"

"Aw. Cut me some slack, man!"

At that moment, the spy craft was in view and picked up on radar. "Tally ho, we've got company. Let's go." And the four jets headed for the wounded plane.

"You're forbidden to fire until I give permission, understand?"

Chopper and Edge gave their roger, and a second later, Blaze gave his. "Roger, no fireworks until you say so." "Good boy." As they got closer to the enemy craft, they saw smoke escaping from its left engine as it was loosing altitude.

"All right, where's Motormouth Chopper?" This made Nagase gave a slight chuckle that went unheard on the radio and Kevin cracked a smile on his lips.

"Wha?... That's your name for me?"

"You've got a knack for comic dialogue. You mind sending a surrender request for me?"

"Oh. no, please, age before beauty."

"I'm real shy around strangers."

Sheesh. Testing, testing… Attention, unidentified aircraft. Set your course to our beacon immediately."

"Good."

"Uh… we will direct you to the nearest airfield. Lower your gear if you understand." The aircraft continued lowering its altitude and its landing gear appeared below its body. But then, things took an unexpected turn.

"Warning! We have four high-speed bogeys inbound. Approaching unknown aircraft bearing 280, altitude 6,000! Hold your fire until further orders!"

"Here comes the part crashers." Thought Kevin.

"Crossing the pond to fly cover for their spy plane, huh? Now there's a fighter pilot worth his wings. Enemy inbound bearing 280! Head on." And the four Osean fighters flew toward the new enemy head to head.

"You're not to fire until I say it's okay, got me?"

"Roger." Responded Blaze. He was the only one, Edge was remembering the events from yesterday and chopper was too shaken by the sight of the enemy to give back an answer. Bartlett understood their fears, but had full confidence in their abilities.

"Good boy." And the four continued with their head on collision with the enemy threat. AS they got closer, Chopper noticed something just ahead of the enemy coming their way.

"Watch it, their firing on us." Said Chopper and Wardog Squadron evaded all four missiles as the enemy fly past them.Blaze made a sharp turn with his plane and got on an enemies tail out of pure instinct.

"Shut your mouth and fire back!" said Bartlett. That was all Blaze needed. He armed himself and got a missile lock on the enemy plane and fired. There were only three left.

"I just said weapon safe. What are you doing Wardog?" asked AWACS in a harsh tone.

"Shove it! I'm not gonna watch more of my pilots die." Responded Bartlett and engaged an enemy. Edge did the same and got on an enemy's tail. The enemy pilot was surprised that she even got on his six and tried to escape, but without success. Edge fired, leaving two enemies left. Bartlett, with his superior skill, easily got behind his enemy and shot him down with guns, ripping the enemy's right wing to pieces. He then engaged the last enemy fighter which tried to leave, seeing the odds were not in his favor.

"You mind if I take this one. I will you know." asked Chopper.

"Go head" responded Bartlett and Chopper was able to shoot down the enemy with relative ease as the enemy stalled while trying to escape. But the radar picked up four more enemy fighters heading in their direction. "Watch it, they have back up." said Bartlett.

And to everyone's surprise, Blaze flew head on against the enemy squadron and full speed. The enemy planes could react to him, as they were mesmerized by the fact that a fighter was crazy enough to pull off this stunt. Blaze got a missile lock on the plane center from the right and shot it down, and before they passed, Blaze used his guns to take out the middle plane which caught fire and splashed into the ocean. Wardog could believe what they witnessed. Blaze took out two enemies in one pass, without even a scratch on him. Bartlett and Chopper took out the remaining two fighters, giving Wardog the victory in the battle.

"All unknown bogey aircraft destroyed." said Thunderhead.

"This is your captain. Can you hear my voice?" asked Bartlett.

"Chopper here, I hear you loud and clear." said Chopper.

"Roger sir." responded Edge.

"Roger, everything's normal." said Blaze.

"You all alive? All right. Nice work, nuggets. Wardog 4, you still following us? Well, to commemorate the fact that we all made it out of that battle alive, I'm gonna let you keep your nickname. From now on, I'm gonna call you kid no matter what. Got it? Godd."

"Man, I swear…"

The four heroes flew back to base in the same formation as they left. During the flight back, Nagase couldn't help but look back at Blaze's jet. She still couldn't believe what he did back there. He was like a completely different person. It was a scary sight to see, but she was glad that he was alright. As for Blaze, he went over in his mind that same stunt. "Why did I do that in the first place? It was like I wasn't myself. Like something came over me tat I can't explain. I know I loose myself when I get into fights, but that was just too extreme. I must have looked like a complete lunatic"

Back on base, Bartlett went into the main hangar to find Pops, working on the engine of one of the planes. He could always go to him if he had anything on his mind. "Hey Pete, got a minute."

"Sure hold on a minute." He finished on what he was doing, and came down and sat next to Bartlett on a crate. "What's on your mind Captain?"

"It's about the air battle today."

"Oh I heard about that. You guys did a pretty good job, being outnumbered and all."

"That's just it, they did real well. Better than I thought they do. Blaze especially."

"Well you are their trainer and flight lead. I would think that you of all people would be glad for their progress."

"Nagase and Davenport have talent, But its Johnson that frightens me."

"Why's that?"

"He's too good, he was better than me up there. He flew right at an enemy group, head on, and destroyed two planes in one sweep. It was incredible, most veteran aces I know, could never do that."

"Sounds like the nugget is better than expected. That is a little hard to believe though."

"Ask Davenport and Nagase, they'll tell you, this is no joke. I nearly crapped myself when I saw it."

"He sounds like he flies as well as he plays football. That's good for us, means he wont be shot down so easily."

"Kevin Johnson, is that he same Kevin Johnson who was a candidate for the Hiesman Trophy last season?"

"The same one."

"I made 100 bucks on that Diamond Bowl game of his. Seems strange that he decided to stay in the service instead of going pro. He was predicted to go as the fourth overall draft pick right?"

"Something like that. He was the number one voted back in college last season."

"He's just scary. Hardly ever talks unless I order him too. Its hard to tell exactly what's he's thinking. May God help those who fly against him."

"By the way, what did high command say when you reported to them on your return?"

"The usual, that the whole affair was top secret and that we should not speak a word of it to anyone."

Back in the pilot lounge… Blaze was sitting on a chair, resting from his flight. A few other nuggets were in the room, but they were too busy talking about the fight. "Two air battles in two days, I thought this was a time of peace."

"Excuse me; were you one of those pilots who went up with Bartlett today?"

Kevin looked up and saw that journalist Genette standing there, notebook in hand. He witnessed the battle from the base, and was prohibited to leave the base by Perault for reasons of national security.

"Yah, I was." answered Blaze.

"Was that your first real battle? What was going through your mind?"

Kevin gave a sort of smirk and answered "Yah that was my first battle and I was thinking of not getting killed."

"I understand if this is a bit threatening to you. So how about we keep this confidential, just you and me?"

Blaze just looked at him with his same emotionless face he always had. With everything that happened in the last two days, he felt he was a good idea to get it off his chest. "What would you think? Up their in the endless blue sky, you know its kill or be killed. You just let instinct take over and hope you come back alive. That's what I was thinking. About getting everybody back in one piece. Its not easy to accept that you took a life in something you don't understand, but that's how it is. That's the life of a soldier, you have to leave emotion at the door and let loose. If not, then trouble usually finds its way into the equation."

Genette heard all this and kind of got a better understanding into Kevin's mind, even if it was only a small piece of it. Kevin seemed to be on the ball, this was an unexpected event which would have ended in dead men one way or another. You just have to hope your not one of them.

Later that evening, Chopper was playing Frisbee with his dog, Kirk, outside with Bartlett and Genette watching in front of Pops who was working on an engine of a cargo plane. Nagase was sitting on the couch in the pilots lounge, watching from a distance, and Blaze was on the other side of the base, collecting his thoughts.

As for the battle earlier, it was covered up by Sand Island personnel. It was the first military act of aggression by Osea since the war fifteen years ago, and it was best to hide it from the public. There was no need to get the public worried about another war.

"Why do they even bother reprimanding me anymore? I know I'm gonna be stuck at Captain forever."

"Who do you think's covering up the battle?"

"Listen… The only thing across that ocean is Murska Air Base. That's Yuktobanian territory."

"But haven't we been allies with the Yukes since the war fifteen years ago?"

"Yeah. That's why we got people working their asses off trying to confirm what the hell's going on over there. I bet they've got hotlines ringing off the hook somewhere upstairs. The government doesn't want to get the public riled up with all this, you know? But, it doesn't matter, soldiers like us are too stupid t think for ourselves, so we just gotta keep our mouths shut when they tell us to. I feel kinda bad for you actually."

"It's all right. I get to be with you guys."

"Captain's probably hating this more than anybody."

"Hm?"

He used to have a lady friend over in Yuktobania."

"Ahh, that's just an old war wound now."

In that same hangar was an F-5 Tiger, the same plane Bartlett flew 15 years ago in the Belkan War. Painted on it's nose was the card, the ace of hearts. It represented the heartbreak he felt in that same war that still hadn't heal, even after fifteen years.