Chapter 3: Veterans of the Skies
It was a sunny day, as Marcus Snow walked into the Light Limestone, the local bar of Newfield Island. The ex-Razgriz pilot noticed that only a few people were sitting inside the dimly lit bar. However, he started to smirk to himself, when he noticed that one of the patrons of the bar was wearing a bomber jacket with "003" printed on the back of the jacket. Knowing, the man's identity off the bat, Marcus sneakily approached the man.
"I may be old, but both my eyes and ears aren't gone yet." The man said, with a small chuckle being surpassed in his throat, as Marcus was only a foot away from the man.
The man soon turned around to face Marcus, showing him the aging face of former Captain Jack Bartlett. The two gave each other a warm smile, after being years of not seeing each other. Bartlett quickly asked Marcus to take a seat next to him, which the ex-pilot accepted so the two could continue to catch up.
"So, how has life been treating you, Marcus?" Bartlet asked, before taking a sip of his beer.
"Good. Found a new job as a commercial pilot for Southern Osean Air." Marcus answered. "But that job doesn't compare to flying with the OMDF or with the rest of Razgriz." Bartlett snorted at this, making Marcus smirk.
"Trust me nothing compares to flying freely in those skies," Bartlett answered. "For me, I decided to get in touch with some old friends. I'm actually meeting one here for a job offer."
"I didn't know you took odd-jobs?"
"I wouldn't call it that. It's more of loosening my muscles and getting paid for it." Marcus only shot Bartlett glance before the old pilot continued on. "What brings you here? Don't have to be airborne for a while?"
"No, I got a call from Pops. He was asking me if I would like to make some serious money." Marcus answered truthfully, which in turn made Bartlett shoot him a doubtful look. "My son is trying to get into the Unversity of Oured."
"Did he say what kind of work it was?"
"Flying cargo for the IUN to some military base." Which made Bartlett chuckle.
"Follow me, I got something to show you." Was the only thing Bartlett said, as he got up from his seat with Marcus following him close by.
The two walked out of the bar, to be met by the sounds of jets flying over their heads. Marcus found this odd since Allenfort Airbase, the local military base, decommissioned since the dismantlement of the Independent States Allied Force. However, Marcus didn't question it, as the two entered Bartlett's jeep.
Once they were inside the old olive drab-colored Willy, they took off towards Anderson's Crater. As the drove, Marcus began to see more jets passing overhead along with three C-130 Hercules. All of them heading in the same direction as the jeep.
"Whats with all the military planes?" Marcus asked, upon seeing the C-130s.
"Volunteers or mercenaries hired by IUN for a special mission," Bartlett answered, not taking his eyes off the road. "Its been like this for almost a week now. Planes and ships coming in with pilots and soldiers."
The two soon entered Anderson's Crater, and Marcus was speechless. Inside the harbor were two giant aircraft carriers, a handful of Aegis-class cruisers, and a Scinfaxi-class submarine.
This sight was nothing that Marcus could've ever expected. A fleet of warships preparing to set off to an unknown destination. "Are they part of the mission?" Marcus asked Bartlett, motioning towards the warships.
"We are only bringing the carriers and the Dagr with us," Bartlett answered, before turning to face each individual carrier. "The Nimtz is the OFS Andersen. Her entire crew actually volunteered, making the OMDF pissed. And the other one is an Erusean donated Ford-class, the IUN Fort Grace II."
"What kind of country donates a carrier?"
"Those who are blackmailed into doing so." Marcus looked at Bartlet in shock, making the man laugh like a madman. "I'm just messing with you. Someone in the Erusean government lent us the carrier. The Dagr, on the other hand, was a package deal with a few Yuke squadrons and AWACS."
"Any others will be joining the operation?"
"No clue." Bartlett shrugged, as Allenfort Airbase came into the distance. "That something you have to ask the man putting all of this together."
As the jeep came closer to Allenfort, Marcus was only speechless to what met his gaze. Planes from different nations, ranging from transports to fighters, littered the runway. Never in his life did Marcus ever witness so many people of different nationalities in one place. All of them getting ready to work together.
Once the jeep pulled up to Allenfort's entrance gate, the two were greeted by IUN peacekeeper and Erusean soldier.
"Morning, Captain Bartlett." The IUN peacekeeper greeted with gave a casual salute. "May I ask who your friend is, sir?"
"Marcus Snow, former captain of OFMD. Pops was expecting him." Bartlett answered, as the Erusean soldier quickly checked a clipboard to see if Bartlett was telling the truth.
"It checks out, Sarge." The Erusean soldier said.
"Okay, you are all clear to head inside, gentlemen." The peacekeeper said as the gate rose up, allowing the jeep to drive on through.
As Bartlett kept on driving, Marcus noticed a group of Erusean pilots conversing with a group of Estovakian Strigon Squadron pilots around a Strigon CFA-44. However, this wasn't the only ace squadron that was here. He also spotted few Emmerian pilots with different emblems on their uniforms, but one that stood out was one with a blue-colored bird. Another patch that stood out was one of crimson-colored hound.
"Bartlett!" Marcus heard someone call out of nowhere. Marcus turned towards the voice and saw another IUN peacekeeper, who was standing on top of an IUN Abrams main battle tank.
"What do you need?" Bartlett called out, stopping the jeep.
"Major was looking for you! Wanted to speak to you at the hangars." The peacekeeper said, before turning towards the tank before shouting at the tank, "See if Bravo 2 has their radio working yet. I don't need another Whiskey Corridor again." Bartlett chuckled at this, as he drove the jeep towards the hangars.
Once the men made it to the hangar, they were greeted by a blonde haired woman wearing a dark grey flight suit screaming at an older man wearing a flight suit and bomber jacket with an infinity ribbon on the back.
"This is unsin!" The woman screamed in Belkan. "We should've been out their three days ago! Not tomorrow!"
"Captain Veiel, must I repeat myself once more?" The older man said, getting annoyed. "Lost of Captain Thorne is tragic but you have to remember this is not really legal. We are breaking every rule that is held by IUN and multiple countries. It is a miracle that we are getting away with what we have at the moment."
"Still this you son for godsakes? Or do you just care about information that he holds?" The older man didn't respond to the woman's question. "Thought so. If you need me, Major, I'll in my usual place."
Both Bartlett and Marcus watched, as the Belkan woman left the older man. The man only let out a sigh, once she was gone before turning around. He was soon greeted by Bartlett, giving him a wave.
"Trouble with the mercs I see," Bartlett said as the older man walked towards the jeep.
"The Captain is just a little upset still about Reaper." The Major said, before turning his attention towards Marcus. "Captain Marcus Snow I presume?"
"Yes sir, Major." Marcus acknowledged.
"Good to finally meet a Razgriz for once. I'm- Well, a lot of people here just call me Major or Mobius One. Take your pick." Mobius One finally greeted himself with a smile on his face. "So, Captain Snow, what brings you to this part of the world? I'm hoping that you are volunteering the rest of the Razgrizs for the operation."
"I'm afraid not, Major. I was called by an old friend of mine by the name of Pops. He was asking if I would like to fly cargo for the IUN for a day or two."
"Well, we really don't need cargo pilots, but a having a few more aces wouldn't hurt. What do you say, Captain? Fly in some new skies for one more time?" Marcus gave confused look at the Major, not knowing what this man was trying to get him into.
"I'm sorry, Major, but I don't know what your operation is. Or, from your previous conversation, why you have so many people here to do an illegal act against the IUN."
This made the Major chuckle, already taking a liking to Marcus' insight on the situation.
"Let me give the short version. About a week ago, IUN was attacked by an unknown squadron of bombers. They sent a squadron of mercenaries out to take out the squadron. However, the enemy went into some off-limit continent to the world. Like idiots, the mercenaries kept on their pursuit. Next thing I know, we lost an AWACS, Captain Veiel and her co-pilot were shot down and my son, Captain Thorne was captured." Mobius One quickly explained. "IUN gave me permission to retrieve and Captain Thorne by any means and find out who this unknown faction is. However, they want this entire thing kept under wraps."
"That's why you have so many nations participating?" Marcus asked, pointing out all of the volunteers and mercs nearby.
"IUN didn't want to send any of their soldiers to the Restricted Zone. So, I called in some favors and a few allies of Captain Thorne. Without realizing it, we soon had a small army worth of soldiers, all ready to fight."
This impressed Marcus even more. Knowing that so many countries are uniting under one cause could be the first step to peace in the world. However, this also could cause problems like they did in the past. One of these examples that came to Marcus's mind was the Belkan War and the birth of A World With No Boundaries.
"The world is changing and I think of working with so many nations for one operation can help with the problems around the world," Marcus said, before reaching his hand out to Mobius One. "And if you will allow me, I would like to help change it."
Mobius One smiled at this and took the man's hand, giving a firm shake.
"Welcome aboard, Swordsman." The ace pilot said, before letting go of the head. "We will be leaving in twelve hours. Get familiar with some of the men and talk to Pops about a plane. I think we may have a few Tomcats or Hornets left in stock."
There you go, boys and girls. Another chapter, sorry for being a bit behind. I have been busy with college and looking for a new job. However, all that should be fixed now or soon. Which means I will have more time to focus on Fanfiction and my own books.
Speaking of which. If you guys had over to Watpad, I will be putting up a prototype chapter from one of my books that I'm working on. Just look for DeathSnake1 and keep an eye out in the next few weeks. Other than that, if you have any ideas, question, or anything along those lines about this story just PM me or leave them in the review section.
Other than that, please follow, favorite, and share. And have a good day or night.
Until then, this is Death Snake signing out.
P.S. That Ace Combat 7 release trailer though. Can't wait, will be having my preorder along with Soul Calibur, Division 2, and Metro Exodus.