Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Chapter 7:Safe Recovery(Alpha)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 25th 2016, 16:15 Hours; Weather: Sunny, no clouds
After a flight of two and a half hours, Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke had arrived to Saudi Arabia.
-Agh!-Davenport groaned, as she stretched.-This routine of flights is taking its toll on me!
-Just deal with it.-retorted Foulke.-This is how we mercenaries are treated. Given the order, we might have to go to the other side of the world in the shortest notice possible.
Davenport rolled her eyes in annoyance. Shortly after, Frederick Burford entered the briefing room.
-Jules Leblanc, officer of the IIAO, has been kidnapped by the Valahia.-he reported, as he showed a photo of Leblanc in the briefing screen.-An IUPF rescue unit, callsign "Fat Duck", made contact with the VIP and rescued him, but were hit by hostile forces over a city in the northern coast of UAE.
Davenport and Foulke were listening to Burford's report in silence.
-Antares 2 will be sent to the city to provide cover to the downed transport helicopter.-Burford said.-Davenport, your mission will be to take out any threat to Fat Duck, both ground based and airborne. You'll be taken to Abu Dhabi, where the IUPF has left us a MiG-29K Fulcrum. Also, an IUPF-affiliated AWACS will provide you support.
Marlene Davenport just nodded.
-Meanwhile, here, in Saudi Arabia, another transport helicopter, callsign "Paper-wasp", will carry out the rescue.-Burford reported.-Antares 1 will provide escort over Arabian territory, and, if necessary, will destroy the mining plants in the area. Foulke, you have an F-16F Fighting Falcon in this base ready for sortie.
Hansel Foulke just smirked a little.
-Keep in mind that Fat Duck team, Leblanc and Paper-wasp have to survive to ensure the success of this mission.-stated Burford.-Be alert out there. That is all.
After the briefing, Burford left the room, followed by the two pilots.
Once they arrived to the hangars, Foulke headed toward an F-16F Fighting Falcon, which had a two-tone grey camo. However, he looked at Davenport, who was about to enter an A-400M.
-Try not to get killed out there.-said Foulke.-I'm getting sick of training new pilots.
-Without you hampering my style, the chances of me being shot down are, even in the worst case scenario, hideously slim.-replied Davenport, unfazed.
Once the A-400M left the base, Foulke went to check the F-16F. It was fitted with conformal fuel tanks, but he guessed that he would need extra fuel for his next mission. However, since he had earned a great deal of credits during his eight years of service in Martinez Security, it was not something to worry about.
-She's a good pilot. I'm sure she'll make it back.-said Burford, who had just entered the hangar.
-Are you sure?-asked Foulke.-She has a hair-trigger temper.
-You don't lack it, either.-answered Burford.-Let me ask you something. If you had to go into battle, would you want her with you?
-I don't know.-answered Foulke.-I just don't know.
Foulke spent the rest of the day sitting idle. At night, he went to his room and tried to get some sleep. However, his nightmares got in his way, making him relive his past.
A past where, one by one, everyone he had cared for had died.
Hansel Foulke was born in Bremen, Germany, on June 21st, 1988. He had always wanted to become a pilot. His family lived near a military air base, and, whenever he could, he snuck near the base to see the planes take off and land. He was almost hypnotized by the planes he saw. When he was seven, he and his family were watching the news that reported the imminent Ulysses Disaster, but due to the Stonehenge Turret Network, they thought they were completely safe. However, when he was eleven, he lost his entire family after the Ulysses Disaster. With nowhere to go, he resorted to petty crimes to survive, but that soon escalated into gang crimes once he grew older. The worst part of it was when he was 15; he met a young girl called Elza Reinhold, who he fell in love with. However, fate had something very cruel for him. On their first anniversary, during a gang fight, Elza was killed, and everyone in their gang blamed Hansel for her death. After that event, he became a loner for the rest of his underage years. Things went even worse when he tried to join the Luftwaffe. Due to his criminal record and his alleged involvement in Elza's murder, he was not allowed into the Luftwaffe. Using the little money he had, he left Germany and went to the United States. After months of beggary, he was finally contacted by Frederick Burford and contracted by Martinez Security, where he met Milosz Sulejmani, a veteran Serbian mercenary who seemed to be as tortured as him. However, even though he thought that, after joining Martinez Security his problems would be solved, a stark reality set in. All of his wingmen, men and women whom he knew by name, were killed during their sorties together. Foulke suspected that Sulejmani had something to do with his last wingman's death, since he overheard Sulejmani and Rupert Svenson, his 12th wingmen, a former British pilot, making a deal with a handful of standard missiles the night before his death. The next morning, during a raid over the Stonehenge facility in Namibia, Rupert's missiles malfunctioned. Foulke tried to help him to get out of the area, but Rupert was shot down and killed shortly before he could escape. Naturally, everyone, including Burford, blamed him for pushing Rupert too far.
All those events had turned him into a harsh and unforgiving individual, whom his wingmen feared. Marlene Davenport, however, didn't seem to be fazed by his demeanor. There was something in her that made her different to anyone he had known, and that was something he didn't like. Foulke didn't want to make bonds with anyone, since every time he had tried, he lost someone close to him.
Foulke only wanted his suffering to end.
No matter the cost.
Southeastern Saudi Arabia oil fields, January 26th 2016, 12:00 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
Antares 1 had already reached Paper-wasp's position. His F-16F had been fitted with an extra fuel tank, which allowed him to stay in the combat area for as much as half an hour before having to return to Riyadh.
Paper-wasp team was on an UH-60 Black Hawk with a low-visibility IUPF emblem on its side.
-This is rescue unit Paper-wasp, do you copy?-asked the helicopter pilot.
-This is Antares 1. Copy loud and clear.-Antares 1 replied.
-I'm heading in to recover the lost. Never thought I'd fly through a battlefield though.-said Paper-wasp's pilot.-I hope you're as good as they say you are! I'm countin' on you!
-"Me? Good? Flattery will get you nowhere."-mused Antares 1.
-Defend the rescue helicopter from hostile pursuit and escort it safely to the city.-ordered Canopus.-Antares 1, I'm counting on you.
-Antares 1, roger.-Antares 1 replied.
Suddenly, Antares 1's radar tracked a couple of Tornado F.3s heading towards Paper-wasp.
-Bandits located ahead of the chopper.-he reported.
-Defend the rescue unit from enemy fire.-said Canopus.
The Tornado F.3s had a wavy grey and blue camo. Antares 1 headed towards them and fired a couple of missiles on the closest one, which suffered serious damage; however, it took some gun rounds to finish it off. The other one tried to take Antares 1 out, but it turned out to be a poor choice, since Antares 1 used his guns to rip off one of the wings, sending the F.3 spiraling into the desert.
-They're lacking in numbers.-said a Valahia pilot.-Stay focused, and take them down!
A couple of Mirage 2000C appeared behind Paper-wasp. Those Mirage 2000Cs had a wavy grey and white camo with a black radome. After turning around to face them, Antares 1 fired a missile on each one of the Mirage 2000Cs, damaging them enough to be shot down by a short burst of guns.
-Rescue unit is proceeding as planned.-said Canopus.
-"Nice dream, but dreams are meant to be broken."-Antares 1 mused as his radar tracked a couple of Mirage 2000Cs.
-The chopper! Aim for the chopper!-ordered a pilot.
Antares 1 wasted no time in attacking the bandits. He fired a couple of missiles on one of them and used his guns to shoot the other one down.
However, as soon as he shot down the last Mirage, four Tornado F.3s were heading directly to Paper-wasp's position.
-Move in; we'll cover you!-ordered one of the pilots.
-Like hell.-muttered Antares 1.
He proceeded to attack two of the Tornado F.3s shooting a missile to each, and dispatched them with guns, and chased the other two away from Paper-wasp. Antares 1 headed towards one of them, and fired a couple of missiles on it, finishing it off with his guns. The other one fired on Antares 1, but he evaded with ease and counterattacked, destroying it. His moment of joy was interrupted when he tracked a couple of Mirage 2000Cs pursuing Paper-wasp.
-More incoming reinforcements.-reported Canopus.-They're planning on flanking the chopper. Watch out!
Antares 1 attacked the two Mirage 2000Cs, firing a missile to each plane. The two planes were hit, but they broke away, trying to evade Antares 1's attacks. However, they failed miserably, since it took Antares 1 only 40 seconds to take them out.
-We're almost at the combat zone border.-Paper-wasp reported shortly after.-You've done a fine job so far, keep it up!
A group of four F-16As entered the area from the northeast. Antares 1 engaged the group, shooting down a couple of them in the first pass. The two remaining F-16As got on his tail, trying to shoot him down. However, after an evasive maneuver, Antares 1 managed to shoot both of them down.
Unfortunately, a group of four MiG-29As appeared to the southeast shortly after.
-Don't let them reach the city! Shoot them down!-ordered one of the pilots.
Antares 1 attacked the enemy MiG-29As, firing a couple of missiles on one of them and firing his guns on another one, shooting them down. The other two counterattacked using their guns, but Antares 1 evaded them, got on their tails, and shot one of them down with missiles, and the other one with guns.
Just when he shot down the last MiG-29A, a couple of Tornado F.3s and a couple of Mirage 2000Cs approached Paper-wasp from the east. Antares 1 fired a missile on each Tornado, dispatching them with guns shortly after. The Mirage 2000Cs counterattacked using their guns, but couldn't hit Antares 1, who shot them down with his guns as Paper-wasp left the area.
-We've reached the destination.-said Paper-wasp.-I'm heading into the city.
-Antares 1, roger that.-answered Antares 1.-Try not to get yourselves killed out there.
For five minutes, things seemed pretty calm.
Suddenly, they received a transmission from the AWACS operation in Antares 2's area.
-This is AWACS Shooting Star to AWACS Canopus.-said Shooting Star.-We have an emergency situation.
-What's wrong, Shooting Star?-asked Canopus.
-A fire has broken out in the refinery of the city. Part of the pipeline is now in flames.-The flames are preventing Paper-wasp from getting close enough to Fat Duck and the VIP.
-The pipeline's safety valves aren't activating, I guess.-said Canopus.-Antares 1, destroy the mining plants over the area to activate the pipeline's safety valves. Every second counts. Good luck, Antares.
There were two mining plants in the area that were controlled by the Valahia, each of one protected by a couple of SAM launchers and 4 AA guns. Also, there were four JAS-39 Gripen NGs and four F-2A Viper Zeros patrolling the area. The JAS-39s had a two-tone brown desert camo with black radome, and the F-2As had a three-tone grey camo with black radome.
-Hostile reinforcements closing in.-reported Canopus.-They've got numbers.
Antares 1 attacked a couple of F-2As that were approaching from the east. One of them was shot down with a couple of missiles, and the other one was taken out with a short burst of guns.
-25% of the enemies around the area have been subdued.-reported Canopus.
-I've had enough of you!-said a Valahia pilot.-You're going down!
-"Try as you might, loser!"-mused Antares 1.
Antares 1 attacked a couple of JAS-39s that were patrolling over one of the facilities. However, before that, he dropped a couple of GPBs over the mining plant's main facility and two more over the SAM launchers. Both the launchers and the facility were destroyed by the bombs, while Antares 1 took down both JAS-39s with guns and missiles.
-You're doing well. Half of the enemy forces in the area have been suppressed.-cheered Canopus.-Just one area more and the fires will be totally extinguished. Clear the way for the rescue helicopter!
Antares 1 strafed the four AA guns without being hit by the guns.
-Our target is the head of the International Insurance Auditing Organization currently in the city.-reported a Valahia commander.
-We have our orders.-said a Valahia soldier.-Let's show them what we've got.
Antares 1 headed towards the last mining plant, dropping his last GPBs over the facility and the SAMs while avoiding anti-aircraft fire in the process.
However, before he could take out the AA guns in the next pass, Antares 1 was attacked by the F-2As and the JAS-39s. Antares 1 evaded the attack and used his guns to take out one of the F-2As. The last F-2A and the two JAS-39s broke away, but that turned out to be a poor choice, since Antares 1 fired a missile on each of them and finished them off with the gun. The F-2A took his chance and fired, but the missiles missed by inches. Antares 1 ripped the F-2A's fuselage in half with a burst of guns, taking it out in the process.
-We have control of the area.-reported Canopus.-It's just a matter of clearing out remaining hostiles.
Antares 1 returned to the last mining facility. He then strafed two of the AA guns and fired a missile to each of the guns left.
-The fire in the city has been extinguished. Good job, Antares 1.-reported Canopus.-Stand by until the helicopter arrives.
Antares 1 patrolled the area for 6 minutes and thirty-five seconds before Paper-wasp arrived.
-The rescue unit has returned.-reported Canopus once Paper-wasp entered the area.-Escort it back to the western front.
-Hey, we meet again.-chimed Paper-wasp.-So far, everything's been looking good.
-"So, Davenport has done her homework, huh? Glad to hear it."-Antares 1 mused.
-Now we just need to get the hell out of here.-said Paper-wasp.-Lead the way!
A couple of F-2As were pursuing Paper-wasp. Antares 1 switched to QAAMs and attacked them, shooting them down with ease.
-Ahhhh!-shouted Leblanc.-They're after us!
-No need to worry, sir.-said Paper-wasp, trying to reassure Leblanc.-We're protected by some of the best.
Another couple of bandits, this time JAS-39s, appeared from the northwest.
-H-Hey! Just how many more of these bad guys are there!-cried Leblanc.-Oh god, I'm going to die. I'm going to die.
-Calm down, sir!-complained Paper-wasp.-Now please, keep your squeaking to yourself!
Antares 1 shot down the two JAS-39s without breaking a sweat, since the QAAMs were much better tracking the bandits than the standard missiles. However, another couple of JAS-39s appeared from the northwest.
-More of them! They're catching up!-whimpered Leblanc.-Can't you fly any faster!?
-Okay, okay.-groaned Paper-wasp, annoyed.-Sheesh!
-Oh god, can't you fly any safer!?-complained Leblanc.
-Ugh! I don't care how you do it, Paper-wasp!-groaned Antares 1.-Just shut him up already!
Shortly after, a thump was heard over the radio.
-This is Paper-wasp. Our VIP is... sleeping like a baby.-Paper-wasp reported. Apparently, Leblanc had been sedated with chloroform.-Okay now, let's get out of here! It's all up to you, ace!
-"Stop kissing up, Paper-wasp!"-Antares 1 mused, annoyed.-"We both know who is going to earn the medal for this rescue in the end!"
Antares 1 spotted a handful of SAM launchers between Paper-wasp and the target destination. He attacked the first two with missiles, and strafed the other ones before they could attack Paper-wasp.
-Rescue unit has reached the halfway point.-reported Canopus.-Another half to go.
Another couple of F-2As attacked Paper-wasp from the north. Antares used his last two QAAMs to shoot them down, but one of them evaded the missile by driving it into the ground.
-I have visual on target destination. Keep it up.-said Paper-wasp.
Meanwhile, Antares 1 chased the F-2A relentlessly, trying to shoot him down. The F-2A kept evading him, but, after a minute, Antares 1 got a clear shot of the bandit and fired his guns, destroying it.
-Just a little more. C'mon, we got this!-boasted Paper-wasp.
-"WE? You're playing down my role in this mission, Paper-wasp!"-mused Antares 1.
Six Ka-52 were attacking a group of four IUPF AH-64D Apache Longbows protecting the rendezvous point, where a group of armored units were waiting for Paper-wasp. Antares 1 shot a couple of them down, while the rest of the Ka-52 were shot down by the AH-64Ds.
Shortly after, Paper-wasp had crossed the rendezvous point.
-This is Paper-wasp. I've reached target destination.-Paper-wasp reported.-All in one piece, too. I should be okay on my own from here.
-Roger that.-replied Canopus.-How is sleeping beauty doing?
-Not sure about the beauty part!-chuckled Paper-wasp.-He's still sleeping like a baby, without a scratch on him.
Antares 1 could have sworn that he had heard Antares 2 chuckle over the radio at that moment.
-Excellent.-said Canopus.-Good job, Antares 1. Return to base.
-Understood.-replied Antares 1.-Antares 1 returning to base.
Antares 1 headed back to base.
Seventh chapter. I hope you liked Foulke's story. Also, the next chapter will be Safe Recovery Bravo, which will be set at the same time as this chapter, so don't be disappointed if I recycle some of this chapter's lines. Good luck and take care. See you next time
