Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Chapter 6:Desert Dawn
The interaction between Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke after their fight had been minimal. They barely see each other, and they talked even less, most of it being muttered bickering. Even when they were heading for Egypt on an IUPF-owned A-400M Atlas, they didn't even look at each other. Frederick Burford was very worried about that, since he was afraid that one of them might desert.
10 miles southwest of Cairo, Egypt, January 4th 2016, 06:30 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
Davenport and Foulke were in the briefing room, having arrived only ten hours before to a base owned by the IUPF that was located 10 miles southwest of Tokyo. Burford entered the briefing room with a data disk containing the information about their next mission.
Davenport struggled in vain to hold back a yawn. Foulke's chuckle startled her, which earned the German pilot a death glare.
-I'm sure you're tired from the long journey, but there's no time to rest. Listen up.-said Burford.
Davenport rubbed her eyes, while Foulke stretched.
-As members of the International Union Peacekeeping Force, we are in pursuit of the Valahia in Egypt. Our experience in fighting the Valahia got us here, but those turncoats in the previous op are an issue.-said Burford, obviously referring to Sulejmani and his men's defection.-You need to fly your best to clean that stain from our name.
Foulke's forehead veins seemed about to pop, and Davenport's face went sad.
-"Spiridus", the aerial base we encountered over Tokyo, has been sighted here in Egypt. During the search, a Valahia base was located along the Nile.-reported Burford.-Their forces are mainly ground based with no sign of the Spiridus in the vicinity. Antares squadron, you are to enter the operation zone and wipe out the enemy base.
Davenport and Foulke headed to the hangars, where Davenport took a JAS-39 Gripen NG and Foulke took an F-2A Viper Zero. After checking the planes, Davenport and Foulke taxied to the runway and waited for takeoff clearance.
-Antares squadron, you're clear for takeoff.-reported the control tower operator at 06:45.
The two fighters took off with ease.
-Antares squadron, altitude restrictions canceled.-said the control tower operator.-Good luck out there.
After receiving that order, the landing gear of both fighters were raised.
Egypt, January 4th 2016, 07:00 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
The Antares squadron was a handful of miles to the north of the ruins where the Valahia forces were stationed.
-International Union Peacekeeping Force, or IUPF.-sighed Antares 1.-It sounds like a typical US-led military intervention to me.
-Be positive. This is the result of the world joining forces against the Valahia. Our experience fighting them won us our tickets for this little show.-said Canopus.-Not to mention, we need to take responsibilities for the actions of Rigel squadron.
-Hostile forces have been located.-reported Antares 2, as she tracked a group of 12 transport vehicles and 4 Mi-38 helicopters.
-All right, Antares squadron. Eliminate them.-ordered Canopus.
The transports were arranged in three groups of four vehicles. Antares 1 and Antares 2 took out the one on the rear.
-Hostiles?-asked a Valahia soldier.
-Rear guard has been taken out.-answered another soldier.-They're coming this way.
Antares 2 took out two Mi-38s, while Antares 2 took out another group of transports using standard missiles and his guns.
-Damn it, IUPF mongrels!-swore a Valahia soldier.
-Increase speed.-ordered another soldier.-We need to reach the main unit.
However, their hopes of reaching the base were crushed when Antares 1 shot down the last two Mi-38s and Antares 2 destroyed the last group of vehicles. They kept flying south for a couple of miles more, before seeing the ruins.
-I'm getting readings of bandits in the ruins ahead.-reported Antares 2.
There were a couple of SAM launchers, one with an AA gun and a tent, and another one among the ruins; a couple of tents protected by an AA gun; a couple of AA guns among the ruins; and a tank to the south of the ruins.
-I see.-said Antares 1.-Antares 2, take out the clustered enemies with the SODs. I'll take care of the tank and the SAM and the AA guns hiding in the ruins.
Antares 2 switched to SODs and fired two of them on the groups of tents, destroying everything on their path. Antares 1 fired a missile on the SAM and the AA gun, strafing the last gun, and firing a LASM on the tank.
-Hostile ground forces in the ruins area eliminated.-reported Antares 1, as he and Antares 2 headed toward the pyramids.
A couple of Ka-52 were flying to the north of the pyramids, but Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked them with their guns, shooting them down with ease. Antares 1 fired a LASM on a tank, which took shelter among the ruins, making the missile miss.
-New hostiles confirmed.-said Canopus.-They're deploying around the pyramids.
-Incoming bandits. Draw them close and fire!-ordered a Valahia soldier. The SAM launchers surrounding the pyramids locked on Antares 1 and Antares 2.-Here they come... Fire!
Two missiles flew towards the Antares squadron, but they managed to evade them.
-Hostiles are using the pyramids as cover.-said Canopus.-Be sure you don't crash on a world heritage site.
Antares 1 attacked the SAM launchers, while Antares 2 attacked the AA guns.
-Circle around the ruins. We know this area better.-said a Valahia soldier.
However, that strategy was doomed, since the Antares squadron attacked them with standard missiles. The tank hiding in the ruins was later strafed by both Antares 1 and Antares 2.
-Hostile ground forces eliminated.-said Antares 1.
-All right, keep this up and...-Canopus said, but a group of Ka-52s appeared from group of silos and attacked the Antares squadron.-What? What now?
The Antares squadron evaded the missiles with ease.
-We're surrounded by enemy choppers!-reported Antares 2.
-We've got them! Fire at will!-said a Ka-52 pilot.
-Antares squadron, glad you're safe.-said Canopus, relieved.-Looks like they've got a few surprises for us.
-Hostile ground forces have surrounded the premises.-said Antares 2.-Where did they come from?
-The hostiles were hiding in silos and ruins around the pyramids. Take out the underground silos and all hostile forces.-reported Canopus.-The silos are built to take advantage of the terrain. You''l have to attack them from head on. Finding the right position is key.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 took out two of the helicopters each, but then, sixteen grey Yak-141 Freestyle took off, and headed straight for the Antares squadron, who counterattacked with XMAAs and XLAAs. The first salvo took out half of them, but the others evaded with ease. Antares 2 fired another volley of XLAAs, shooting down three of the last remaining Yak-141s. The other one evaded the XLAA, but couldn't evade two standard missiles. Antares 1, meanwhile, took out the last four of them with a salvo of XMAAs.
Antares 2 proceeded to attack the ground units at the entrance of the enemy silo of the east with her SODs, taking them out with ease. Antares 1 attacked the enemy silo with a couple of LASM, destroying it.
-Enemy silo destroyed.-reported Canopus.-One remaining.
The Antares squadron flew towards the last silo, with Antares 2 firing the last SOD on the group of hostile ground units. Antares 1 fired his last LASMs on the last silo, destroying it.
-All enemy silos destroyed.-said Canopus.-Good job, Antares squadron!
-Antares squadron returning to base.-reported Antares 1, as he and Antares 2 returned to base.
10 miles southwest of Cairo, Egypt, January 4th 2016, 07:30 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke had already returned to base. Frederick Burford had debriefed them shortly before. Davenport was having a drink in the base's cafe. Foulke entered the cafe. took a beer and sat before her.
-What?-asked Davenport after half a minute of awkward silence.
-I was wondering whether I can trust you or not.-retorted Foulke.-Especially after seeing how insubordinate you really are.
Davenport sighed and took a sip of her drink.
-Listen, Foulke.-she said.-I have a job here. I know how much I have to lose, and how little I can gain.
-I see.-answered Foulke.
-But can I trust you?-asked Davenport.-You're always messing with me, as if I was a nuisance.
-You're still alive.-answered Foulke.-Is that not enough proof for you?
-Well, what do you fight for?-asked Davenport.
-That is a question I'm not going to dignify with an answer.-answered Foulke.-At least not for now.
-What!?-barked Davenport.-You asshole!
Foulke got out of the cafe without saying a single word.
Little did they know, however, that, at that exact moment, the Spiridus was flying over the pyramids they had left behind, as it headed to the Red Sea.
Cairo, Egypt, January 25th 2016, 11:45 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
Things had turned into a routine of reconnaissance flights for the Antares squadron. However, that situation was not going to last for long.
Frederick Burford had summoned Davenport and Foulke to an office in Cairo for an emergency report.
-We lost the Spiridus somewhere over the Red Sea.-Burford said.
-What!?-asked Davenport.-How could we lose sight of that flying behemoth?
-The point is that it did.-said Foulke.-Just where is it going?
-Intel implies it's headed for the Arabian Peninsula.-Burford said.
-Well, let's hunt it down!-said Davenport.
-Unfortunately, we will not have a chance to hunt them down, as we have been given a new mission.-said Burford.
-What kind of new mission?-asked Foulke.
-We need to rescue a VIP kidnapped by the Valahia, as well as retake mining plants that have been captured.-answered Burford.
-Wait, you mean Jules Leblanc?-asked Davenport.-I've heard about him in the news. He was kidnapped yesterday at Abu Dhabi International Airport just as he arrived for a meeting.
-The head of the International Insurance Auditing Organization.-said Foulke.-I've got to admit it. The Valahia has caught us with our pants down this time.
-Can't the IUPF itself take care of his rescue or what?-asked Davenport.
-Our first rescue team made contact with the VIP, but they're now in hiding.-answered Burford.-This situation is so critical that you will have to work separately on each mission.
-I struggle to see how that poses a problem to me.-said Foulke.
-Finally we can agree in something.-retorted Davenport.-Being with you hampers my style.
-Please, cut it out. You two.-pleaded Burford.-It's not like you are going to have different objectives.
-In other words, this will be a joint assault, right?-asked Foulke.
-Exactly.-Burford answered.-You'll have to achieve the same objective to achieve victory. Your objective will be to ensure that the rescue operation succeeds, and retake or destroy the mining plants.
-I'll take care of the rescue.-said Davenport.
-As you wish.-answered Foulke.-I guess I'll be taking the mining plants.
-Then it's settled.-said Burford.-We'll receive more intel once we get to Saudi Arabia. We'll be departing in two hours.
Two hours later, Davenport and Foulke were in an Airbus A-400M heading for Saudi Arabia, with Burford's E-767 following them.
Sixth chapter. Finally, I'm beginning to develop Foulke's character a little bit, but the big part will come in the next two chapters, and it will go for both Davenport and Foulke. Also, sorry for the chapters not being long enough. Good luck and take care. See you next time
