Project Wyvern

by Echo 1608

Everything was crashing down around Trigger. Brownie was gone. Clown abandoned him without a second thought. No one even cared to listen to his defense or investigate the situation. He was put in cuffs and led out of Osea to cries of anger, baying for his blood. He thought he would be completely alone, that he would never fly again, until, he met a certain mercenary.

9. Chapter 9: Two Pairs

"Spare Squadron, this mission needs to be quick. Target radar facilities and AA weaponry. They're set up on rugged terrain and there's a lot of cloud cover."

"A lot? Thats an understatement. I can't see shit Bandog!" Count grumbled over the coms.

Prez chuckled. "Eh, not the first time I've dealt with that. Whenever we do a night mission, you'll see how it can go." She pulled out a copy of a sketched out map. Her and Fullband had managed to not only get a good amount of info, but get a map made, and make enough copies for everyone. "Thanks again Champ."

"No problem Tomboy." He laughed heartily. "High Roller was very helpful."

"Pfft, you mean you used him to be helpful?" Count chuckled lightly. "Seriously, you had the whole base looking for an extra plane for him. I even saw a group of guards go out to the mothyard to see if there was a plane that happened to be fully intact."

"Well, then he did his job well."

"I said target radar facilities and AA weaponry Spare Squadron, don't make me repeat myself."

Prez rolled her eyes. "Right, Right, copy that. Alright everyone! Check your maps, we've got approximate target locations listed. Highest elevation is just above one thousand three hundred altitude, so if you get stuck in the clouds and can't see, climb to one thousand four hundred. The more south west you go, the higher the karsts get, if you don't know where you are, climb above two thousand and you'll be good."

"Right…Wait my map says it gets higher on the north end." The rustle of paper could be heard over the coms from Count's end.

"Ummm…Count."

"What Tabloid?"

"You're holding the map upside down, North should be up."

There was a long pause, then another rustle of paper. "Thanks Tabloid. Fucking piece of junk doesn't have a compass."

Trigger shook his head and laughed. "Spare Fifteen, Trigger and Prez, engaging." He pushed the throttle, diving through the clouds for a collection of aa guns just north.

"Spare Squadron, you will be near thunderclouds. Man you guys were born unlucky." Bandog chuckled a bit. "

"Wait." Champ was in the lead originally, but now he started to slow down a bit. "Who's the dumbass who came up with this batshit plan?"

"Just obey orders." Bandog cut the coms with Spare Squadron.

Prez groaned slightly. "Champ's right, who came up with this? This is the worst place to engage." She leaned down and turned on Brownie's old radio.

"Incoming Hostiles! From the northeast! Seven fighters."

"Do they have a death wish?!"

Trigger scoffed. "As if we have a choice." He squinted through the thick clouds as the Strike Wyvern cut through the air. He brought the nose down a little more, "Got tone." He loosed a missile, swapped over to another AA gun, and fired.

Two explosions boomed behind them.

"First kill goes to to Trigger and Prez. The rest of you better keep up." Bandog chuckled, "Hold on." he cut the coms again.

Trigger pulled back on the stick, rising above the karsts.

Suddenly, the universal radio crackled to life. "Air force base Four Four Four Squadron, this is Cyclops One." It was a smooth, calm, deep voice. "The Cyclops and Strider Squadrons currently contain seven aircraft. Stand by, we'll be arriving shortly."

"Understood." Bandog marked a point on their radar, an estimated arrival point, and ETA.

"We're low on ammunition, it'll be hard to take on hostiles. We'll have to rely on you guys to make it home."

"Cyclops one, this is Bandog. We need the job done on time."

"Bandog?" There was a snort of amusement. "Cool name. Nice working with you, Mr. Guard dog."

There was a slight annoyed growl, then the coms cut.

Prez snickered. "Oh my gosh, I've gotta tell everyone about that."

Trigger grinned as thumbed the throttle and dove down between karsts.

"The terrain makes the airstream bumpy. Don't damage those planes."

With a quick bank to the right, then angling left, Trigger had the perfect view. "Got tone on a target." He loosed a sidewinder, rolled, locked onto a XSAM. Loosed.

Twin explosions ripped apart the ground.

"Damn it…two more Trigger." Prez sighed.

"You alright Tomboy?" Champ chuckled, "Tired of riding coattails?"

"Pfft, You wish." Prez growled slightly. "Nah just board. Trigger said we have to bring AAM's rather than Anti-Ship." She frowned, leaning back, watching the radar.

"I wanna send Erusean's to hell…but I'm not joining them…" Champs scoffed slightly, "Diving into those karsts is sure way to do it. They haven't made this easy."

"Cliffs below me and clouds above! This is a joke. It has to be."

"Spare Ten, you got a target site coming up." Prez called out. "Bank left around the karst, you'll have a clear shot. XSAM's take a good five to six seconds to lock onto their targets, you'll be fine."

"Oh! Alright!" The coms went silent for a bit.

"Radar site and XSAM down. Destruction of target facility confirmed."

"Ah!" Spare Ten cut straight up through the clouds. "Thanks Spare Fifteen."

"You're welcome kid." Prez yawned. "Seriously Trigger. Making me bring AAM's?"

He shrugged, searching for another target.

"This windstream is a bitch and a half! I feel like I'm fighting a bull just trying to fly!" Champ's voice was peaked with concern.

It was understandable, as Trigger dove the Striker Wyvern into a tight canyon, clouds blinding his vision.

Prez shivered slightly looking back and forth, seeing nothing but clouds and rock. "Jesus Trigger. Is this how you get your kicks?"

He chuckled, rolling slightly. "Maybe."

"Spare Fifteen, Target locked."

He loosed two more missiles.

"Fire! They have nowhere to run!" The old radio crackled into life.

Trigger yanked back on the stick, pushing the Wyvern's nose straight up. A blind fired SAM went flying by.

"Trigger! Stop showing off!" Prez growled as they went over a karst.

He just chuckled slightly. "Alright, alright."

A crackle of static filled the coms, "The regular forces' secret reconnaissance plane is deep in Erusea?" Count's voice filled the cockpit.

"They're investigating the ruins, that's all I know." Full Band's answer was quick and energetic.

Tabloid cut in next, sounding impressed. "You sure found out quick. They got a secret weapon, maybe?"

Prez raised an eyebrow. She had been in the room with him, she hadn't seen a lick of Full Band getting into details on the nature of the recon.

"There's only so much I could find out." Full Band sighed.

"Enough talk. Spare Elven, Spare Six, Engage." Bandog growled over the coms. "And unless you have a death wish, watch your altitude."

"Careful. Don't crash into the mountains." Tabloid's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Right, Right." A pause, "Full Band, evade!" Count cut in once more.

"Shit! Right! Right!" Full Band popped flares and rolled into a climb, dodging a SAM perfectly.

"Damn! Nice job Full Band! You been taking notes?"

"Kinda have to Count! I'd rather not be shot down." He was breathing heavily, "Hey! I'm climbing up to three thousand, need a second to catch my breath."

Count's Su-33 dove down, launching missiles and a burst of cannon fire, wiping the target completely off the map.

"Another SAM site and Radar down. Good work."

"Bandog you sure about this? I've never flown this close to a mountain!"

"Do what is required of you Spare Ten."

Trigger smiled slightly, listening as everything went down, he had plotted out his next course. "Prez, you might wanna brace."

She whimpered. "Son of a bitch…"

Champ's laughter came over the coms. "Oh? Whats that Tomboy? Scared of a little turbulence?"

"Fuck you Champ you've never had to fl-"

Trigger slammed the Strike Wyvern into a dive.

Prez squealed.

Trigger pulled back on the stick, then slammed it into a roll, banking around a karst as a lock tone sounded. "Spare Fifteen…" he saw the Apache helicopter before he had even finished the bank. "Locked on, and firing." A growling sidewinder tore through the air, and ripped through the helicopter. He smiled, leveling out as he set his sights on a target facility up ahead.

"Spare Fifteen, bandit is down!"

"Thanks Bandog! You think you can tell Trigger to tone down on the high-G turns?!"

"No, you're on your own Prez."

She just growled slightly. "Even stole my kill."

The Strike Wyvern shook violently, Trigger's eyes widened as he found himself fighting against nature. Pushing hard as the high winds tried to slam the X-02 into the ground. Rolling a bit put them into better angle, allowing the Strike Wyvern to basically hover as he poured out fire and missiles into another XSAM site. His machine gun fire cut through the radar tower, the first missile went wide, pushed into the ground by the wind.

"Trigger break!" Prez threw up countermeasures and dumped flares as a SAM came out of almost nowhere.

Trigger pulled up, watching as the second missile took out the XSAM site in a ball of fire, he smiled and climbed up through the cloud layer.

"Destruction of target site confirmed. One to go."

"I can't see anything in this soup! Gotta fly by Instruments alone!" Spare Ten had just made a pass at the last target site, dropping a UGB. It missed by a long shot, carried away by the wind. "Damn it! This mission is crazy! All our command staff thinks about is looking good for the General Staff Office."

"The mission doesn't require you to talk Spare Ten. Use your head as well as your hands."

Trigger rolled his eyes, leveling out as he watched the rest of Spare Squadron swarm the last target site.

The old Radio Crackled to life. "Don't Panic! They'll crash on their own."

Prez scoffed. "Whoever is in charge of the Eruseans really doesn't count on us pulling this off."

Champ chuckled over the coms. "Well then, I'll show them what we've got." He dove his MiG-29 in between the karsts, letting the crosswind push him back up, and launched missiles.

"All target sites destroyed. No complaints here."

"I'm sorry Bandog, was that a hint of pride I hear?" Champ laughed slightly. "We doing a good job?"

There was a slight pause. "Shut up Spare Eight."

Once more, Brownie's old radio comes to life, listing the callsign of Strider 3. "Caution! Bandits inbound! Here come the UAV's!"

Trigger takes a deep breath. This is what he was waiting for. "Prez, ready those AAM's."

Prez's eyes lit up. "Ohh! Finally!" She flipped on her FCS, then opened the weapon bay doors. "Let's do this Spare Squadron!"

"We might have crossed the line." Cyclops One's smooth voice came over the radio again.

Trigger watched the radar as Cyclops and Strider came into view, with a swarm of drones right behind them.

"There they are!"

"Leave this one to our friends." Cyclops One ditched his external fuel tanks, then the rest of the squadron's planes followed.

"Wish we'd use that hole to get home too." Strider Three sounded annoyed.

Referring to Spare's escape vector perhaps? Trigger shrugged slightly, he could only guess as they weren't given much info as to why or what Cyclops and Strider were doing.

"Things don't always go perfectly." Right at that moment, lighting arcs as thunder rumbles through the air.

Prez growled back at the thunder. "Cyclops One…you jinxed it."

In a nanosecond, the drones split off, two to each recon plane.

"Shit!" Prez patched into the radio and transmited. "Cyclops and Strider, you've got company, two drones to each of you. Shake them off!"

"Who the hell is this?" A woman's voice bit back. "Get the hell out of our coms!"

"Spare Fifteen!" Prez growled back. "We're your cover, I'm not getting out of the coms either! Since our AWAC's is bad at his job."

Trigger's eyes widened as he watched a recon aircraft go right underneath the X-02, with two MQ-99's right behind it. "Brace!"

"Shit, gotta go, I'll keep you guys updated!" Prez closed the coms, right as the X-02 pulled up into a roll, she felt her stomach spin and drop. "Fuck…" Taking quick breaths she waited, right until the X-02 righted itself, right on the tail of two drones. "Spare Fifteen," She thumbed the trigger, the lock tone kicked in. "Engaging, Fox Two."

Two missile trails rushed towards the Drones, they dumped flares and banked slightly, but still stayed on the recon plane.

"The drones have jumped on the recon team. Our friends aren't equipped for air-to-air. They need our cover. All Four Four Four aircraft, get them out of there. Not one is to go down."

"Really Bandog!" Prez dropped two more AAM's out of the weapon's bay. Making sure the lock stuck this time, no matter what. "We're already engaged!"

"Stop complaining Prez, Destroy the UAV's."

The recon aircraft dove down towards the karsts, weaving between the pillars of stone.

"Not one can go down?! Thats impossible!" Count ground out the words in pure anger, knowing that failure could mean solitary, or worse.

Both drones followed after the recon aircraft with precision, that didn't save the them from the AAM's. Cutting through the sky, the two missiles followed after each drone, move for move.

"I'm not flying in there to help out some assholes I don't know shit about!" Champ's voice was already coming through raw with fury.

"As they say in my house, there's a thin line between bravery and stupidity."

Prez growled. "Then call me stupid Count! I don't care!" She pinged the two drones, right as they popped flares. "There's lives on the line."

Both drones burst into flames. One spun out of control, crashing into a karst.

"Spare Fifteen, two bandits splashed."

The radio crackled slightly. "Thanks, I owe you, Strider Two, heading out." The plane gave a wave of it's wings, then broke off, heading north east.

"Damn it you two, setting the better example as always." Count scoffed. "Fine, but if it gets to hairy. I'm out."

"Count, you know what will happen if you leave the AO against orders."

"Hasn't stopped me before guard dog."

"Alright," Cyclops One's calm voice came over the radio again. "Good start, Now lets get the remaining six outa there."

"It's gonna be a long way around those thunderclouds…" Bandog sighed. "Try to find the best intercept vectors, we're short on time."

Prez tilted her head, then looked over to Trigger. "No…."

Trigger slowly put his hand on the throttle as he looked at the radar, the next recon aircraft was trying it's best to deal with the two UAV's directly in front of them. On the other side of a huge thundercloud. "It's not a bad idea…"

"No, no, no! We are not risking Avril's wrath because we got the Wyvern fried!"

Trigger looked back at her, eyebrow raised.

"What?!"

"Nothing." He pauses, and chuckles. "Just glad to see all of us getting along so well."

"Well…I mean…" She looks down slightly tapping her index fingers together.

At that very moment, he slammed the throttle forward, angling the X-02 right into a dark thundercloud.

Prez squealed in pure fury, even getting a good punch on his arm.

"Someone flew into the thunderclouds! Anyone see who it was?!" Full Band's panic cut through the coms, surprisingly, he seemed worried about everyone else.

"I'm going to bet it's Trigger." Tabloid chuckled over the coms.

"I'll second that, five bucks."

"No, No way it was Trigger, he's not that crazy. Ten bucks."

"All cowards, go hide in the thunderclouds like Trigger!" Bandog cut off everyone else in the coms.

A trio of cheers came through, along with one groan. "At least High Roller isn't here."

"Oh no you're paying up Spare Ten. I promised him I would keep track of all bets."

"Motherfucker…"

Trigger checked his FCS, he had to fly by his instruments anyways, everything was green. He flinched slightly as lighting flashed by them. "Prez, we're coming up on them. You ready?"

She growled deeply. "I swear to God if we get fucking zapped I will punch you when we get back. I'll even get Champ to hold you still. I swear."

"Spare Fifteen has broken through the thunderclouds. Nice work, for a dumbass."

"Yes! Thank you Bandog! He is a dumbass!" She growled more as the X-02 dove. "Locked on, Fox Two, Fox Two." Two taps of the trigger, two AAM's dropped.

Both missiles ignited, stalling midair for a moment, before cutting through the air.

Both MQ-99's were so close to taking down their target, the single F-15 was taking a beating, their focus was solely on the one recon aircraft. They didn't even have a chance to react as they were gutted by the AAM's, stalling for a moment, then bursting into fire and scrap.

"Confirmed destruction of MQ Nine Nine. Good job Prez." Bandog chuckled slightly.

"Hell yeah! Thank you Bandog!" She laughs as the X-02 rolls.

"Breaking off. Thanks." Strider 4 did a wave with their wings, then banked a hard right, heading north.

Trigger gave a nod, then started to climb. "Copy, good luck."

"Bandog, there are still five aircraft in the combat zone."

Bright white filled Trigger's vision, he closed his eyes as he yanked back on the stick, feeling his stomach drop.

Prez gasped behind him.

Then the boom of thunder cracked the air in two.

"Trigger and Prez have been struck by lightning!"

"Motherfucker!" Prez grit her teeth, smacking her equipment. "Fuck! We got fried!"

"Calm down, Check your HUD for errors. You'll make it if you don't panic." Bandog actually sounded worried for a moment, but his calm voice carried through.

Blinking the white way, Trigger shook his head. They were still climbing luckily, but his radar was all static.

"Ah! They're onto me, do something!" Spare 10's panicked voice came through.

Trigger quickly looked around, unable to see Spare 10.

"Quit whining and finish them off." Bandog cut off his coms without a care in the world.

"My tail's on fire!" Spare 10's breath was just panicked gasps.

"Someone help out Spare Ten! Now!" Trigger growled, his radar coming in and out.

In the far distance, a burst of fire ripped through the clouds.

"Spare Ten, get your fire suppression going kid, cover the Recon aircraft we've saved so far." Champ chuckled slightly. "I'll handle these drones. Come on you bastards!"

"Thanks Champ, I owe you…Spare Ten, providing cover."

Prez gave one last good smack to her equipment. Everything cleared up finally. "We've got radar! HUD should be clear too."

"Copy." Trigger found his next target. Two UAV's chasing another recon plane, IFF marked them as Strider 3. Thankfully this was above the clouds, no need to worry about lightning. "This one's wide open to the drones…" He slammed the throttle forward.

"Strider Four! Bandit on your six!" Strider 3's callsign popped up on the radio, even while under fire, they were watching out for their wingmen.

"Damn it we're far out. It's getting tough and these guys need help."

"You can help by getting between them and the UAVs Trigger!" Bandog snapped over the coms.

"I don't even have time to check radar!" Full Band growled slightly. "How do you expect us to juggle this much at once?"

"Trigger, theres a thundercloud in our way, we shou-" Prez looked down at her radar, then jumped as lightning flashed by them.

He smiled, and went right through the cloud.

"Trigger just flew into a thundercloud without even blinkin'!"

Already in range for missiles, the X-02 tried and failed to get a lock. He flicked the Strike Wyvern into a roll, he was on the tail of a UAV. "Engaging." He pulled back on the stick.

"Radar confirms Spare Fifteen has come out of the clouds."

Blue sky greeted them, a lock tone sounded, two missiles released.

Growling Sidewinders ripped through the endless blue, angry contrails writing through the sky.

"Break! Break! Shit! They're all over me!"

Both UAV's dump flares, the first banks right. The second stayed on Strider 3.

Trigger watches as his sidewinders spiral out of control, going in random directions until their fuel runs dry.

"Maintain your element! Go at them in pairs!" Bandog yelled over the coms, though how it was supposed help, no one knows.

Trigger growls, hitting a crosswind which pushes the Wyvern right. As he tries to fight the turbulence, the first drone goes past his crosshairs. He banks the X-02 switching from fighting the wind, to riding it. A burst of machine gun fire tears through the air.

"Cyclops Two! Evade that missile!" Cyclops One keeps calling out, making sure his squad is okay.

"Spare Fifteen, bandit down." Trigger smiled as he watched the burning shell of the MQ-99 fall to the earth. He cut the engines, pulling back on the stick, watching as the sky filled the cockpit again. "Prez! You're up!" He slammed the throttle back into place, riding the windstream to boost the Strike Wyvern into max speed.

"Eh? Why me?" She switched from radar to focusing on her AAMs as they got closer by the second.

"Gotta fight nature here enough already Prez…" he switches to open coms as they catch up with their target. "Strider Three! Dive!"

"What?! You're joking!"

"Do it, stay above two thousand, you'll be fine."

"Locked on!" Prez smashed the trigger. "Firing!"

Just as Strider 3 dove into the clouds, a single AAM dropped from the weapons bay of the X-02.

The drone made to follow, pulling into a roll, then looping down, only to be gutted in a ball of flame as Prez's AAM slammed into it.

"Hell yeah!" She whooped. "Strider Three! You're clear!"

"Copy that Spare Fifteen. Wiseman, 444 squadron support incoming! Sorry, but I'm using this chance to break off."

"Jager." Cyclops One sounded so relieved in that moment. "Look after the survivors."

"Roger that."

"Four to go people. Cyclops Four, hostile behind you! Dodge that missile!" One had flipped right back into the cool headed squadron leader.

Trigger took a breath, pulling them into a long loop, and diving back into the clouds.

"Ahhhhhh shit Trigger! Why the hell do I eat before these missions!" Prez gripped onto whatever she could until they leveled out.

"UAV zapped! They're acting funny." Tabloid laughed. "Thats good to know!"

"Figured UAV's wouldn't like lightning, lets go!" Full band cut in, chuckling as well. Both of them chasing after a drone.

Trigger pulled back on the stick and leveled them out at four thousand, looking for the next drone to take out.

"What is with the 444th? They're all over the place!" Strider 4's IFF popped up on Brownie's radio.

"Hell they don't even have a formation. Warning! Missile! Cyclops Three missile in the air!" Cyclops 4 grunted over the coms.

Prez tilted her head. "Well…why don't we help them out."

Trigger nodded, rolling into a dive with a deep breath.

"Hostile behind me!" Cyclops 4 called out over the coms again. Banking around a karst, trying to avoid the two drones on their tail.

"Fuck!" Prez grit her teeth as Trigger flew them down into the canyon, almost touching the ground. She watches in frustration as her AAM's fail to lock on, dense clouds filled the air. "Damn it I can't get a lock!"

A missile tears through the air from one of the UAV's, it detonates off of Cyclops 4's wing.

"Damn it! I can't shake them!"

"This is bad! We're fading fast!" Strider 3 yells quickly, trying to make sure the survivors stay safe.

Trigger banks left, then right, following the UAV's, unable to get a lock. He fires a few bursts of machine gun fire that go way to wide, cutting into karsts.

"Quit scratching your ass and approach the enemy!" Bandog yells into the coms, a bit of desperation in his voice.

For a moment, Trigger wonders if this barking AWAC's really is the same man who covered for him back at base, getting the Osean CO off of his ass, completely waiving the request for solitary. The two were so different, Trigger couldn't understand it for a moment.

"I'll do whatever I damn please Bandog! Try and stop me!" Champ barks back with a growl.

Prez released two AAM's, one for each UAV, they weaved through the air after their targets.

Both UAV's waited until the last second, then dumped chaff and flares, spinning into a roll, then shooting missiles at their own target.

"Look…Just…" Bandogs sighs. "UAV's move swiftly, stay on them, watch your tails guys."

Trigger tilted his head, unable to get a lock…there was that one time.

"Missile inbound…Jinking!" Strider 3 cut over the radio.

"Hang on! I got you!" Spare 10 grunted, "Come on, Come on!"

"Spare Ten splashed a bandit, good job kid."

Trigger slammed the throttle in full. Boosting the X-02 faster than necessary, Avril's magic touch was going to be tested here. "Cyclops Four! Bank left at your next possible angle."

"What?! You're joking!"

"Do it!" Trigger banked left, hard, keeping an eye on his radar.

Prez gripped he seat again. "Ohhhhh fuck I'm going to be sick."

"Sorry! I really…fucking….wind…This is tough!"

After a few seconds, Cyclops 4 banked. "Now what?!"

"Go straight! Break off and head north! Do not change your course!" Trigger did a small half roll, flying sideways.

"Alright fine!" The F-15 increased it's speed, two red arrows following it.

Trigger yanked back on the stick. Sending them all the way around a karst like a slingshot, and he opened fire.

While maneuverable, the drones had one flaw that Trigger noticed would work against them time and time again. They did not like surprises. So when their target was out in the open, unmoving, flying in one direction. The last thing they should expect was another fighter to come right at them.

Both MQ-99's froze up, the first burst into flames as it was riddled with holes before they could even process the change in combat.

The second dodged a burst of machine gun fire and went to dive, but was cut off by an AAM slamming into it's nose. Crumpling it into scrap, then detonating.

Trigger pulled up before he the ball of fire and shrapnel took them out too.

"Damn…I owe you one Spare Fifteen." Cyclops 4 chuckled in shock.

"Cyclops Four has broken off. There you go! Things are looking up. Finally got some good guys in support." Cyclops 1 took a deep breath, some relief in his voice.

"Looks like there's one guy who's got everyone's backs." Strider 3 chuckled. "So far so good Cyclops One, we're almost free."

Count's voice cut in. "Hey Trigger, Prez, I'm almost to Cyclops Three, leave them to Full Band and I, okay?"

"Wait what?! Why?" Full Band cut off Count. "I'm not going to say no to more help!"

"I'm not letting them steal my kills thank you."

"Cyclops Three! Check your six! Evade that missile!" Cyclops one's voice came through again.

"Count! How about, let's pick it up before we loose our VIP?

"Right, right!" He grunted slightly, "Locked on bandit."

Trigger pulled back on the stick and the throttle a bit, quickly rolling as a lighting strike shot past them.

"Trigger's holding up, but we've got our hands full!" Tabloid let out a breath. "This is rough!"

"I'm not stupid enough to fly into a thundercloud if thats what you're suggesting!" Another Spare Squadron member snapped back.

"You gunna argue with the results?"

There was a pause. "Gah, fine!"

"Evading incoming missile!"

"Cyclops One are you in need of support?"

"Negative! Get the rest of my people first, then worry about me Spare Fifteen."

Trigger nodded, banking a little, heading for his next target, two UAV's chasing after Cyclops Two. He got in line with the two UAV's, then dived between the karsts

"Spare Two, Spare Six, bandits splashed, good job."

"Cyclops Three has broken off. Bandog, it's just me and one other."

Trigger pushed on the throttle again, picking up speed.

"Spare Fifteen, you two are the only ones earning any redemption today. Make sure the rest of them stay alive." Bandog talked over the squad coms. "I'd like to see us get home without casualties."

"You'll let the devil with three sin lines go free after that?"

Bandog chuckled slightly. "You're in no position to call anyone a devil Count. Don't make me laugh."

They were getting closer.

Prez laughed, giving her equipment another good smack. "Ohhhh Damn! Nice one Bandog!"

"Prez, don't you have other things to focus on?"

Almost there…

"I am, I am…"

"So it seems…Spare Fifteen locked on."

Trigger smiled, then yanked back on the stick, they shot up, right underneath the two UAV's. A lock tone rang out in his ear, he launched two missiles at his target.

Prez tapped the trigger, two AAM's dropped out, launching up into the sky. "Annnnnnd boom!" She laughed as her first AAM ripped a UAV apart.

The second UAV popped flares, sending the AAM spiraling away. However Trigger's sidewinder roared as it flew through the flares, and right into the MQ-99's fuselage.

"Thank you!" The F-15 banked away, heading north.

"Cyclops Two has broken off! All my guys can manage to escape now. Got big gratitude for you."

Two more explosions filled the air.

"Ha ha! Wooo! Spare Eleven, two bandits down!" Tabloid let out another holler. "Alright! Managed to bag myself a couple of drone kills today!"

"Cyclops one is breaking off, he could've broken off at anytime if he was by himself." Bandog huffed in annoyance, taking a deep breath before continuing."Spare Squadron, all UAV's in the vicinity confirmed destroyed."

"Nice teamwork, thanks. Spare Fifteen, who is that? Tell them I'm grateful."

Prez laughed. "Look at that Trigger! We're getting recognition! That might be our way out!" She taps his shoulder.

"Copy that Cyclops One. Spare Squadron, Mission is complete, return to base."

Trigger reaches back and holds Prez's hand, just for a moment, everything wa-…no. Something wasn't right. He looked around slowly letting go of Prez's hand.

"Trigger?" She sounded sad, "You alright?"

He felt it, right in his gut. Something was…

"Wait a minute. Hold it."

"Oh give me a break, you have more chores for us?" Champ growled through the coms.

"Spare Eight! Champ! Bogey approaching fast from the rear. All available units, support Spare Eight!"

Trigger pulled up the radar, zooming out, sure enough, one blip was flying at Champ's at high speed.

"I don't need any support, this is all mine!"

Trigger pulled the Strike Wyvern into a loop, heading for Champ anyways. Something felt familiar about this.

"Damn it! He's glued to my tail!" Champ dove into the clouds, heading for the cover of the karsts. "He's still not firing! I ain't afraid of it!"

Prez squinted slightly. "The clouds might be giving him cover! Who the hell is this guy? He came out of no where!" She pulled up her own radar. Watching as the two other planes just fell behind.

"Spare Eight! No dogfighting! We're done here! Get the hell out!" Bandog yelled over the coms.

"Negative! I'm not letting this slide!"

Trigger could just see them through the clouds.

"Woooohooo!" Champ pulls his MIG's nose up, riding the windstream and pulling off a perfect cobra maneuver, then once the enemy had passed by, he maxed out the throttle.

"Woah! Champ! How long have you been able to do that!" Full Band laughed. "Go get em!"

Trigger saw the bandit…an SU-30…orange wingtips. He froze. "No…"

The SU-30 pulled up into a tight loop.

"CHAMP! Eject!" Trigger screamed.

There was silence for a moment.

The SU-30 was completing the loop, it's nose pointed right at Champ's MIG.

"Ah…I'm going home…"

A flash of flame.

The shockwave carried across the Karsts.

Prez gasped. "No…"

Brownie's old radio, crackled to life, a young voice emanating from it. "You could have done that sooner."

A voice replied, one Trigger never thought he would hear again.

"I want to understand the enemy."

Trigger's blood ran cold, a shiver up his spine, his eyes widened. "You…"

"He shot down Champ! He was just toying with him!" Full Band's voice dropped into surprise and sorrow.

"Kid! Spare Ten watch out!"

"Support! Support! Spare Fifteen! Anyone! Suppo-" Static took over.

"Spare Ten lost! Another one!" Bandog growled slightly.

"We've lost our rear guard! Watch out!"

"Incoming! Incoming!" Static.

"Recon aircraft lost!"

Trigger gripped the stick hard. What could he do?

"Shit! He's on me! Support! Wiseman!" Static.

"Another one down! Damn it!"

He was a murderer…Thats all he could do…what good was he if he couldn't protect his people?

Right?

He looked back at Prez, she had one hand over her facemask, shock in her eyes.

Then…he heard it.

A missile lock warning.

"All Spare Squadron Aircraft!"

"Spare Fifteen…Engaging." He rolled the X-02, watching as the missile flew by their wing, barely missing.

The SU-30 roared past him.

"Follow Trigger, support Cyclops and Strider! Keep those bandits off them!"

"Negative! That's not possible! Look at that one's movement!"

"Ahhh fine! Get in there with that monster Spare Fifteen! We're going to loose more friendlies!"

Trigger pulled up cutting off the engines for a moment so he could complete his own tight loop, his sights were set on the SU-30.

"Shiiiit!" Prez gasped slightly. "Oh fuck…"

"You told us our jobs are done! I'm going home!"

Trigger pulled into a roll, then a dive as the SU-30 looped around for another pass at the recon aircraft. He fired off the machine gun, scything through the clouds.

Prez choked on air as they dropped. "Trigger!"

"Why are some of Four Four Four's craft flying out of bounds?" Cyclops One's usual calm had a bit of wariness in it.

"Those damn cowards are bailing on us?!" Cyclops 4's voice roared out from the radio.

Trigger looped and rolled, chasing after the SU-30 as it roared past him once more. "Prez!"

Her head was swimming, her gut felt like it was in a knot. Where the hell was this coming from?! "Hang on! I can't…" G-forces were pulling her left, right, up, and down all at the same time. "I don't thi-…oh shit…" She watched as the world spun in the roll of the Strike Wyvern.

"I just sent back the damaged craft. We only need guys we can use."

The SU-30 banked left, diving down, then looping up and around.

Trigger banked right, gritting his teeth as bullets ripped into their wing.

Prez yelped. "What is this guy! How is he pulling this shit off!"

Trigger rolled again, ridding the crosswind, he managed to turn and get a lock. "Firing." The missile flew out, growling as it roared through the air.

The SU-30, just rolled towards the missile, and at the last second, pushed the nose up and climbed.

Trigger's sidewinder followed for a bit, but quickly ran out of fuel. Disappearing off radar.

He slammed his fist into the side of his seat, teeth gritted.

"Spare Fifteen! Spare Eleven! Form an element and take up the rear!" Bandog cut through the haze of battle.

The SU-30 reached the apex of it's climb, then rolled into a dive. Gunning right for the recon aircraft.

"Forget it! Are you seeing this shit Bandog?!" Tabloid's retort was quick.

Trigger rolled into a dive, leveling out and chasing after the SU-30.

"Trigger's taking that beast head on! I need someone to support him."

"Oh fuck…Oh Fuck…Trigger! I can't….I don't….Fuck…" Prez was gasping for breath.

"So this is where Tabloid bows out." Full Band's voice was bitter, the bite at Tabloid hit home though.

"Shit!" There was a muffled curse and a thump of metal. "Roger that, will do." Tabloid broke off from the formation, heading for the other SU-30's.

"Sol Two, Sol Three…"

Trigger's blood runs cold as ice once more.

"They've got two rearguard. The better one's mine."

"Copy that King."

"Don't call me that."

King of what? Death? Destruction? The hell was Erusea even doing with these guys. Those planes were a few generations behind.

Trigger banked a bit, waited for the lock tone, and fired.

The King dodged it effortlessly, pulling of a post stall maneuver to get behind the X-02.

"Shit! Prez! Jam him!" He pulled the Strike Wyvern into a roll then climbed.

Prez gasped for breath, her vision was darkening. "Trigger…" She felt her stomach drop, gurgling as it did. Her throat contracted. "Oh….shit…"

King's SU-30 followed perfectly, staying on his tail.

Trigger rolled again, leveling out and banking. "Prez! Come on!" He grit his teeth, the King wasn't firing…what was he waiting for?

"Wit, this guy's quicker than expected!"

"He's mine, you two focus on the other one."

"Spare Fifteen! This is your fight! Tabloid can't touch him."

"Not for lack of trying!" Tabloid grunted. "Fuck! What the hell are these guys pulling! Do they not have blood?!"

Trigger growled, banking hard again. "Prez! What the hell?!" He had to do this!

Prez couldn't hear anything anymore. She ripped off her mask, grabbed a sick bag, she put it over her mouth, and vomited. Retching and gagging through the twists and turns. She shakes her head, tries to breath as she seals the bag. "Trigger…I can't….Help…" Her vision goes black.

Ka-thunk.

Trigger freezes for a moment. "Prez?"

No answer.

"Missile…Missile"

Trigger banks hard, letting the missile fly by him, missing by a few inches.

"Sol Two, this is Sol One."

"Prez! Talk to me!"

Nothing.

Trigger glances back, he sees her slumped forward, and he panics. Diving into a thundercloud and leveling out.

"Sol Two here! Whats up?"

"Missile did not connect, that wasn't the plan." Sol One…the King…Sounded impressed. "Hmmm…they know how to use the clouds."

Trigger grit his teeth, he only had moments. He reached back, "Prez?!" He grabs at her arm.

She doesn't respond, she's slumped up against his own seat.

Trigger tries to shake her awake. Occasionally glancing at his instruments to make sure he doesn't loose control. "Come on…" He just can't fully reach her.

Bright light fills the cockpit.

A boom of thunder cracked through the air.

Prez jumped up, smacking Trigger in the arm. "JESUS! What did I say about thunderclouds!"

Trigger jolted slightly, then panicked as he tried to pull the Strike Wyvern out of it's lightning induced dive. "You're okay!" No one can see it, but he can feel the grin on his face behind the mask.

Prez fumbles with her own oxygen mask as she puts it on. "Yeah!" She grabs her head as it throbs. "Yeah…I'm okay. I think you just hit those G-forces to hard." She's breathing slow and steady now.

Trigger looks back at her. "I'm really gl-" his eyes widen, he turns back around and rolls the Strike Wyvern. Popping chaff and flares as he dives in between the karsts.

"Spare Fifteen caution! If your plane gets hit you're a sitting duck!"

Prez grits her teeth and pushes her legs together, watching as two missiles fly by. "I know Bandog! I know! We're trying here." One crashing into a karst. "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck! Not a moment to ourselves!"

Trigger nods, moving between the karsts, trying not to hit constant high-g turns. "Prez? You okay?"

She nods quickly. "Yeah! I think I'll be alright!" She lets out a breath, getting her ECM booted up. "Just take it easy on the turns, okay?"

"Sol One! I can't see you in the clouds!"

"Focus on your own job, Seymour."

"Shit I have no idea where he is…" Prez looked around as they move between the karsts.

A missile alert went off in Trigger's ear. "What the hell…where?"

"Bandog! Our missile alert is going haywire! Where the hell is it?!"

"Missile, Missile, Missile."

"Unknown, not seeing a missile on radar. Bandit is right on top of you though."

Trigger weaved the X-02 through the deepest parts of the valley, barely skimming the treetops. "No joy! No joy!"

Prez gave her equipment a smack. "Come on! Work!" She growled, and with one last smack. The missile showed up on radar.

It was too late.

"Trigger! Break! Break! Break!"

Trigger looked at his radar, then to Prez, then behind her. He could see the missile right there. His eyes widened, and his training kicked in. He waited for a moment, counting down the seconds. Then slammed the stick left, the Strike Wyvern banked at just the right moment, causing the left tail wing to smack into the missile.

Prez closed her eyes, waiting for the end, hoping it would be quick.

A ball of fire erupted, engulfing their left tail wing, shrapnel bounced off the cockpit.

"Missile hit."

"Is he down?"

"No…he managed to take it in a non critical area. I'll teach you how to do that when we get back." Sol One was starting to sound more impressed by the second.

Prez opened an eye, then looked behind her.

The Strike Wyvern's left tail wing was blackened with soot, holes ripped into it, and only half was remaining, but they were still flying.

Trigger slowed down a bit to go around a karst, a grinding noise could just barely be heard.

Prez watched as the variable wings extended, and the tail wing tried to go up, but couldn't. "Oh man…Avril is going to kill us…"

"Don't miss an opening! The guy's a goddamn flying wizard!" Tabloid called out, "These two are tough, but they're manageable! I'll be okay!"

Trigger let out a sigh, pulling up as they climbed. "Right, thanks Tabloid. Stay safe, please."

"Wiseman, you see that color? And the way he's flying?" Strider 3 came over the coms.

"It's Mister X for sure." Cyclops one's voice had the slightest bit of hesitation.

"Who the hell is Mister X?!" Prez barks over the open coms.

"The pilot of the experimental squadron's X plane." Strider 3 answers without missing a beat. "There's rumors upon rumors about this guy in the OADF. What I know, is that he's a hell of a pilot with experience to prove it. Erusea's using him to test out all their new equipment."

Trigger finished the climb, cutting the engines. Letting gravity and air resistance do all the work for now. Finally, Mister X appears on radar yet again.

"In other words, exactly the man we didn't want to run into."

"Wiseman! We don't wanna mess with this guy! It's clear by the way he flies, he's way out of my league." Cyclops 4 cuts in. "We're screwed if we get into a dogfight. Strider One got slapped out of the sky."

"Jager, if it comes down to it, we'll act as a shield, just get my guys out of here!"

"Understood."

Trigger pulled into a roll, then dove down at an angle. "You ready for this Prez?"

She nods quickly. "Ready as I can be…you?"

He banks left, following above Mister X as he weaves through the karsts. "I've been waiting for this." He hears the lock tone. "Let's get him. Spare Fifteen, Fox Two." Two sidewinders drop, and ignite.

"Alright! Take this asshole!" Prez grins as she spams the trigger. Four AAM's drop out of the main weapon bay one by one they rush towards their target.

Trigger watched in anticipation as their missiles roared down towards Mister X, six different contrails cutting through the dark rain.

Mister X just kept flying through the karsts, managing to trick a sidewinder and an AAM into slamming into the pillars of rock. Then, as he pasted a karst, his engines cut out as he banked left in a hard turn. Riding the wind stream at an angle.

The missiles turned right to catch Mister X.

"No…" Trigger shook his head as he watched an orange glow gather at the tail end of the SU-30. "No way."

Mister X punched into full throttle, flying straight past the incoming missiles. Most slammed into a karst. One or two of them tried to make the turn, but were whisked away by the crosswind.

"What the hell?!" Prez growled as she worked on getting a better lock. "This is total bullshit, never seen anything like that. He's flying through this canyon like it's nothing!"

Mister X suddenly pulled up, flying up into a thundercloud.

"Go get him!" Bandog growled at them. "Bandit's in the clouds. Chase him down, you've got this!"

A flash of light lances through the air, striking the SU-30.

"Took a lightning strike. Control regained, no issues."

"Dude! Even lightning barely bothered him! That guy's the real thing!" Tabloid laughed, "Holy shit!"

Mister X rolled his SU-30 and leveled out, his nose pointed at the Recon craft.

Trigger growled, slamming the throttle and his trigger, a long burst of machine gun fire lanced across the sky.

"Bandog's right! Lets get the bastard! Clip his wings!"

"Húxiān, do not engage. If he gets close, just run." Strider 3's voice came over the radio

"Copy that, was going to do that anyway."

Trigger banked left, chasing after Mister X, machine gun spitting bullets in long, wild bursts.

"Damn! Look at that! Spare Squadron just intercepted Mister X again!"

"You're telling me there's only two craft taking on the Orange guy?" Cyclops 4's voice was filled with shock.

"No, just one's taking him on."

"No way…I wouldn't last a minute."

Trigger weaved the Strike Wyvern through crosswinds, fighting as the stick wanted to pull them away. A lock tone finally rang in his ear. "Fox Two!" He felt the missiles release through his feet.

Then, the growl of sidewinders filled the air. Twin missiles roared across the sky, sticking onto Mister X's tail.

"Stay on him!" Prez was already working on keeping the lock strong.

He smiled and nodded to her, banking after the SU-30, watching as Prez braced against the G-forces. He squeezed off another burst of machine gun fire.

Mister X rolled, then pulled up.

Trigger didn't even wait, he immediately rolled, banking into a high-G turn. He glanced over his shoulder to watch a sidewinder fly by as the missile alert went off.

Prez looked up, right into the cockpit of the SU-30, the pilot's head was just slightly tilted, completely focused on them, as if birdwatching. Prez did the only thing that seemed right, and stuck up her middle finger.

They passed by in a roar of thundering jets.

"He dodged again, interesting…Three white lines. Do they signify something?" That voice, old and wise, yet almost like a beast stalking it's prey returned. He was impressed.

"Sol One, moving to assist."

"You do your jobs and I'll do mine."

"Right…" There was a pause from the wingman. "Copy that."

Trigger finished the high-G turn, he glanced down, then took a deep breath. "Prez, we're going in."

Prez took her own breath, then chuckled. "Lets fucking do this, for Champ."

He paused, looking back at her.

They nodded at each other.

She gave him a thumbs up and a wink.

Trigger pushed the X-02 into a dive, right after Mister X. He leveled out quickly, wings groaning as he did. Staying just above, slowly lowering them into the valley, before diving into the Karsts again with a burst of machine gun fire.

"Fox Two! Get him!" Prez unloaded four AAM's, each one laser focused on their target. An SU-30, with orange wingtips.

Mister X rolls and weaves through karsts like it was nothing, shaking off a couple missiles.

Trigger stayed glued to his tail, following Mister X move for move. For all his skill, Mister X was giving him little clues. He was getting a hang of this fast. Trees moved in the corner of his eye, he braced the X-02 to hit the crosswind at the right angle. giving them a boost of speed, rather than pushing them away.

Prez grit her teeth, growling as clouds got in the way, messing with the lock. "Come on…"

The SU-30's nose pulled up and climbed high.

Trigger pulled back on the stick to follow, pulling off a quick post stall, then punching the throttle.

A lock tone blared.

"Firing!" Prez tapped her trigger, once more sending out three AAM's, but this time, she waited after each launch. She made sure the lock stuck.

Mister X twisted his SU-30 in the air, as the AAM's got close, he rolled and banked away, heading north.

One AAM broke off, spiraling out of control.

Trigger banked as well, following from below.

Two AAM's remained, glued to Mister X's tail.

Prez was typing away, using her equipment to make sure her missiles stuck. She finally had it, with a press of a button, all of her experience would be put to the test. "Dodge this."

Two AAM's suddenly picked up speed, they were almost glowing as they roared across the sky.

Mister X banked right into a high-G turn, then rolled into a short dive.

Both AAM's followed through without a problem, matching the SU-30 and gaining.

Trigger simply banked, following behind Mister X now, sending a wide burst of machine gun fire over the SU-30's side.

Finally, Mister X released chaff and flares. Both AAM's went wild, their lock broken. The SU-30 banked again, going for a climb.

If it wasn't for the Strike Wyvern right behind.

"Yes! Now!" Prez slammed the trigger, releasing one more AAM.

Trigger opened fire with the machine gun, sending a wall of tracers over Mister X's nose.

The AAM ignited, launching forward at blinding speeds.

Mister X leveled out then rolled, trying to dive.

A fireball burst off of the SU-30's right side.

"Nice! Bandit Hit! Spare Fifteen got him!" Bandog hollered.

"Hell yeah! Thats the shit!" Prez pumped her fist.

"Sol One! Please respond, what's your status?"

Brownie's radio crackled. "Warning, Warning, System error"

Mister X's SU-30 dove out of the cloud of smoke, a tail rudder smoking.

Trigger tilted his head. "It's not over yet." Diving right after their target.

"My status? Well…I'm feeling a little excited." He sounded like he was about to cheer.

Trigger released another burst of machine gun fire. Tracers lanced across the sky. He grinned as he watched a few cut through Mister X's left wing.

"Warning, reboot system." A grunt of frustration could just barely be heard.

Trigger didn't dare let up as they dove into the valley once more, weaving between karsts, he loosed a sidewinder. Then banked left, hard.

Prez braced as she made sure the sidewinder was locked on.

It ignited, cutting through the clouds as it hunted Mister X.

"Over-G! Over-G! Over-G!" Ragged breaths came through as Mister X danced through Yinshi Valley.

"There we go…" Trigger banked right, making his way through karsts, following the natural signs, "Prez! Get ready!"

She nodded quickly, bracing comfortably. "Ready!"

He took a deep breath, glancing down at the radar, his gambit had worked. They were now far in front of Mister X, who was too busy trying to get the sidewinder off his tail. He cut the engines, and pulled back on the stick.

"Over G! System failure!"

Prez swallowed as they pulled off a tight loop, her stomach felt as if it had gone flying out of her chest. She braced as Trigger finished the maneuver by punching the throttle to full and rolling.

"There you are…" He laughed slightly as he finished the roll. Straight ahead on the other side of the valley was Mister X, headed right for them. "Come on!"

Mister X's SU-30 wavered for just a moment. The original sidewinder finally shaken, only to be met with this joust. "Heh…very well." He increased his own speed, flying straight and true.

Trigger felt time slow, the rain pelting their cockpit.

The wind rushing by, beating into the Strike Wyvern.

A flash of lighting then roll of thunder, matching the beat of his heart.

The roar of fire within his soul.

"Fox two. Sending it home." A sidewinder dropped.

The Radio crackled. "Locked, Fox Two."

Prez felt her chest beat like a drum, her heart burned with rage. She pressed the trigger, trusting her pilot, her friend, to get them through this.

An AAM floated in free fall for a moment.

Then…Growling.

Both missiles lanced through the air, flying straight and true. They moved in a spiral formation, cutting through rain.

Mister X released his own missiles. Rolling as he did to avoid crashing into the Strike Wyvern with three lines.

Trigger and Prez's missiles followed Mister X's roll.

Trigger rolled slightly right, angling their nose so they drifted just a little left. He waited for the missiles, his alerts blaring in his ear.

Mister X rolled a little again.

The Missiles matched his move, staying perfectly in sync. Bare meters away.

Mister X rolled.

Trigger cut the engines, then pulled up, popping flares as he did.

Twin explosions bloomed off of the SU-30 as it smacked both wings into each missile, minimizing the damage.

Prez looked up, watching as Mister X passed right under them as they looped in the air over him.

Old wise eyes met hers, and they widened just slightly, grey eyebrows raising as Mister X realized what had happened. His wings were slightly damaged. But it was never about the missiles.

Trigger punched the throttle to full, rolling slowly as he angled the nose down. He pressed the trigger.

Tracers danced across the air, ripping into the top of the SU-30 with a grinding noise.

Mister X grunted and pulled up, rocketing past the clouds.

"Sol One! This is Sol Two!"

"My status is fine! Do not interfere."

"Sol One, the clouds are moving in, lets RTB."

Prez looked up, Sol Two was right, it was almost impossible to see even the sun.

There was a sigh, a click of the tongue. "Affirmative." Mister X banked away, heading south.

Prez looks around, then to Trigger as the Strike Wyvern rose out of the valley. "Did we do it?"

"Bandit is retreating, he managed to survive…somehow." Bandog's voice wavered slightly, the sound of his tongue clicking came through, then a sigh of relief.

"Trigger, kindness gets you killed." Count sneered through the coms.

"Count…"

"What Tabloid?!"

"Fuck off man."

"Hey Tabloid, you alright?"

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm fine Trigger." He laughed lightly. "I only got one hit with my machine gun, but I managed to keep the other two busy."

Trigger nodded slightly. "Good job."

"Spare Squadron, assume escort positions, RTB immediately, don't wanna get caught with our pants down."

"Hey Guard Dog, who's the guy who worked his ass off at the rear?" Cyclops One's calm voice cut through again.

Bandog chuckled. "The biggest dumbass in the unit."

Cyclops One laughed. "Makes sense, only an idiot would be brave enough to pull off those moves."

"We'll guide you back to Air Force Base 444, though I hope you have enough gas to make it."

"Appreciate the help. Will they be at the base?"

"I wouldn't get involved if I were you."

Trigger let out a long breath gently bringing the Strike Wyvern into a messy formation.

"We're okay." A hand gripped his shoulder. "I'm okay…"

He smiled, reaching up and taking Prez's hand in his. "Yeah…Thank you…"

She giggled, beaming at him as she held his hand in hers. "Always Trigger, Always."

He wouldn't have it any other way.