Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Chapter 15:Blockade
Athens, Greece, May 1st 2016, 08:00 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
Marlene Davenport had just woken up and had a shower. After putting her uniform, she headed to the briefing room, where Hansel Foulke was already waiting.
-Hello, Marlene.-he said, waving at her.
-Good morning, Hansel.-said Davenport, sitting down by his side.
-You feeling better?-asked Foulke.
-A bit.-replied Davenport, stretching a bit.-I'll feel better when we take out the nuclear transports.
At that moment, Frederick Burford arrived. He started the briefing some seconds later.
-As you already know, a Valahia helicopter unit transporting nuclear fuel has been located close to the Dardanelles.-he said.-They are likely taking that fuel to their base in Uzbekistan to gain further nuclear presence.
-It makes sense.-said Davenport.-Which is our mission? Destroying the transports?
-Absolutely not.-said Burford.-Our mission is not to destroy the helicopters, but rather to delay their transport. An IUPF naval unit is preparing for an ambush, but they need time.
-And that's where we come in.-guessed Foulke.-Personally, I don't know how are we going to be able to stall the transports.
-The helicopter unit has a handful of attack helicopters as escort.-said Burford.-Maybe, if you destroy them, you'll be able to delay the transport.
-Makes sense.-said Davenport.-Even if they control the north of Turkey, the Valahia might not want to take the risk of transporting nuclear fuel without some sort of escort.
-By the way, you have new planes in the hangars.-said Burford.-You may want to check them before you leave. The transport unit is expected to reach the Dardanelles sometime between 13:55 hours and 14:10 hours.
-We'll take off at 12:50, then.-said Foulke.
Davenport and Foulke left the briefing room and headed to the hangar. Inside it, there were an F-15SE Silent Eagle and an Su-30MKI Flanker. The F-15SE had a dark grey paintjob with black nose tip, while the Su-30MKI had a grey paintjob with dark grey radome and rudder tips, and black nose stripe.
-I guess we're going heavy again.-said Davenport.-Not that it's a bad thing, though.
-Absolutely.-said Foulke.-But I think that the F-15SE's QAAMs and the Su-30MKI's XLAAs are too much of an overkill for shooting down helicopters.
-Who knows?-said Davenport.-The Valahia might scramble some planes to cover the transport helicopters if they begin to lose too many escort helicopters.
-That makes sense.-said Foulke.-But after all our missions, I guess the Valahia's military power might be rather diminished. However, that might make them resort to more desperate measures.
-I hope they send the squadrons that attacked us yesterday.-said Davenport.-I have a bone to pick with those cowards.
-I'm afraid the Valahia might want to keep those squadrons in the Uzbekistan base.-said Foulke.-Even if they succeed, they might save the best squadrons for a possible attack on their missile silos, and the Valahia cannot afford to lose their last stronghold.
-It seems like the Valahia is now in a no-win situation.-said Davenport.-Good luck out there, Hansel.
-Same to you, Marlene.-said Foulke.
After checking their planes and some maps of the operational area, they took off at 12:50 hours, heading east to intercept the transport helicopters.
Dardanelles Strait, Turkey, May 1st 2016, 14:00 Hours; Weather: Sunny, scattered clouds, chance of rain
Antares 1 and Antares 2 were flying east, five miles northwest of the Dardanelles channel.
-This operation is going to be especially important. We absolutely cannot let them get any more nuclear fuel!-said Canopus.-However, you must not attack the actual helicopters transporting the fuel. Our allies are circling around to create a perimeter. Our mission is to buy them some time.
-Antares 1, roger that.-said Antares 1.
-Antares 2, understood.-said Antares 2.
Seconds later, they spotted a group of eight helicopters, comprised of three Mi-38s and five Ka-52s.
-We've located the transport fleet.-reported Antares 1.
-Do not attack the transport helicopters.-ordered Canopus.-Attack the surrounding hostiles to stop them.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 streaked towards the helicopters. Antares 1 fired a missile on two Ka-52s, while Antares 2 fired a missile on other two Ka-52s and gunned down the other one.
-Escort helicopters have been hit!-reported the pilot of the first Mi-38.
-Damn it, I was hoping they'd be too afraid to deal with nukes!-complained the second Mi-38's pilot.
-They're good.-observed the third Mi-38's pilot.-They're intending on shooting us all down except the transport!
-We've almost reached our allies.-said the first pilot.-Hurry!
-Let's stay close to the transports, Antares 2.-said Antares 1.
-You got it!-replied Antares 2.
The Mi-38s kept flying southeast for almost a minute, and then, five more Ka-52s took off from the mountains.
-Damn it, we can't carry on like this. Stop and fight them off!-said the first Mi-38's pilot.-Fire! Keep them away!
-All right, it worked.-said Canopus.-Let's move onto the next target.
-Additional attack helicopters have joined the hostile transports.-reported Antares 1.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked the five Ka-52s. This time, Antares 1 shot down two helicopters with missiles and another one with guns, while Antares 2 shot down two more with missiles.
However, the attack gave the nuclear transport helicopters a window of opportunity.
-Now's our chance to cover some ground. Hurry!-ordered the first Mi-38's pilot.
The three transport helicopters restarted their run to the southeast. Antares 1 and Antares 2 kept up with the enemy Mi-38s with ease.
-We're making good progress.-said Canopus.-Keep it up.
For some seconds, the transports helicopters kept flying toward a small town near the Dardanelles Strait. However, that situation changed when another group of Ka-52, this time eight of them, took off from the mountains.
-Damn it, we can't carry on like this. Stop and fight them off!-said the leader of the Mi-38 transport unit.
-All right, it worked.-said Canopus.-Let's move onto the next target.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 shot down two Ka-52s each with standard missiles.
-We're losing choppers by the minute!-reported a Valahia helicopter pilot.
-Don't worry, they won't attack the nuclear fuel.-replied the pilot of the second Mi-38.-Return fire!
-We've got more enemy helicopters inbound.-reported Antares 2.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 used their guns to shoot down another two Ka-52s. The other two fired missiles on the enemy fighters, but both Antares 1 and Antares 2 managed to evade them with ease before turning around and shooting them down.
-Now's our chance to cover some ground. Hurry!-ordered the first Mi-38's pilot.
The three transport helicopters continued their flight, trying to escape the Antares squadron.
-Damn it, this is a no-go.-said Antares 1.
-You're doing well.-said Canopus, trying to bolster the pilots' morale.-Keep cool and stay focused.
Unfortunately, the transport unit was getting closer to the coastline by the minute. Antares 2 spotted some ruined power stations in the area, which had been seemingly destroyed by the Turkish Air Force during the mission against the Mora jamming station.
However, she had no time to muse about that, since another group of eight Ka-52s had taken off from the coast.
-Damn it, we can't carry on like this. Stop and fight them off!-said the leader of the Mi-38 transport unit.
-All right, it worked.-said Canopus.-Let's move onto the next target.
-Damn, they've got such precise aim!-said a Ka-52 pilot.
-That emblem...-murmured the pilot of the third Mi-38.-The red scorpions!
Antares 1 and Antares 2 dived toward the Ka-52, each of them shooting down two of them with missiles and one of them with guns before turning away. They got out of the Ka-52s' range before they could fire on them, and, attacking them from above, Antares 1 and Antares 2 managed to shoot down the last two helicopters with guns.
Unfortunately, that gave the Mi-38s yet another chance to flee.
-Now's our chance to cover some ground. Hurry!-ordered the first Mi-38's pilot.
-Allies are not in position yet.-reported Canopus.-Slow them down further.
The three Mi-38s kept flying without being bothered by the Antares squadron. The transport unit managed to make it to the other side of the channel in 32 seconds. A couple of Typhoons and a couple of Rafale Ms approached from the east, while six AA guns and two SAM launchers were deployed in the area.
-All right, we made it.-boasted the pilot of the second Mi-38.
-Land the helicopters.-ordered the pilot of the first Mi-38, as they transferred the nuclear fuel onto a cargo ship.-Preparations to transfer the cargo to the ship are complete.
-The IUPF aces are here too.-said the pilot of the third Mi-38.-Don't let them hold up the transfer!
The AA guns and SAM launchers fired on the Antares squadron as soon as they approached. The Antares squadron managed to dodge the attacks, but they flew directly into the enemy fighters' line of fire, who fired on them.
-You're not getting any closer!-said a Valahia pilot.
-Complete the transfer, no matter what it takes!-ordered a Valahia soldier.
-They've destroyed the Orgoi, the Zburător, the Spiridus, and the Balaur.-said another Valahia soldier.-No one says this will be easy.
Antares 1 switched to QAAMs and attacked the Rafales, shooting both of them down. The Typhoons tried to shoot him down, but they fell prey to Antares 2, who got behind them and fired on them with XLAAs. The Typhoons didn't have time to evade the missiles, and were shot down.
-Transfer almost complete.-said a Valahia soldier.-Just hold them off a little longer!
Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked the AA guns and SAM launchers with missiles and guns. In their first pass, they managed to take out four AA guns and the two SAM launchers, and, in a second pass, they managed to destroy the two remaining AA guns with a strafing run.
Antares 1, however, hit by accident one of the enemy Mi-38s, destroying it. The explosion was just a common one, which meant bad news for the Antares squadron nonetheless, since it meant that the nuclear fuel had already been transferred onto the ship.
-Cargo transfer complete.-said a Valahia soldier.-The rest is up to you.
-No problem.-replied the captain of the cargo ship.-We'll pass through the channel and get this to Colonel Dumitrescu, you can count on us.
The ship left the docks and headed northeast through the channel.
-We've allowed them to transfer the cargo onto a ship.-reported Canopus.-Antares squadron, there's no change in the situation. Hold that ship up. But do not attack the transport ship itself. You'll have to think of something.
-"But what?"-mused Antares 2.-"I can only think of firing on the cargo ship!"
-Look, the IUPF can't do a thing!-observed a member of the crew of the ship.
-We have our allies as well.-said the captain.-Let's push on and clear the channel!
The ship kept sailing northeast, with the Antares squadron unable to do anything else but looking at it helplessly.
-There's still plenty of distance.-said Canopus.
The Antares squadron kept flying over the cargo ship, like vultures waiting patiently for their prey.
Several seconds later, they spotted a cruiser heading toward the cargo ship. It was likely that the cruiser would escort the ship out of the channel.
-Antares squad, use the other hostile ships!-said Canopus.-Time your shots to destroy them when the transport ship is nearby. With luck, the explosion should stall the transport ship.
-I'll take care of it!-said Antares 2, eager to stall the cargo ship.
-Just wait until it gets closer.-ordered Antares 1.
-Understood.-replied Antares 2.
The distance between the cruiser and the cargo ship decreased steadily.
-Now! Destroy the hostile ship!-ordered Canopus when the cruiser got close enough to the cargo ship.
-They're mine!-boasted Antares 2, as she switched to LASMs and fired two of them on the cruiser. The first one was enough to knock out its defences, while the second one destroyed it outright.
The explosion stalled the cargo ship, causing it to stop.
-Damn it, we can't push forward!-said the captain.
-The transport vessel has been stalled!-said Antares 1.
-All right, it worked.-said Canopus.-Let's move onto the next target.
-Wait, I've got bandits coming in from the east.-said Antares 2.
The attacking fighters were four Su-35Ss and four F/A-18Fs. Antares 2 attacked the Su-35Ss, using her XLAAs to shoot them down. The volley took out the four Su-35Ss. Antares 1 fired two missiles on one of the F/A-18Fs and his guns on another one, shooting them down. The other two tried to counterattack once he passed them by, but Antares 1 turned around and fired his QAAMs on the two F/A-18Fs, destroying them.
The crew of the cargo ship, meanwhile, had managed to restart the engines.
-Hurry! Get through the channel!-said one of the members of the crew.
The boat began to move to the northeast again. The Antares squadron kept a close eye on the ship as it headed away.
-Ally preparations half complete.-reported Canopus.-Stay focused.
-They'd better hurry up.-said Antares 1.-If they don't get here soon, we can say Auf wiedersehen! to the nuclear fuel.
Meanwhile, the cargo ship kept on its way out of the channel. Another cruiser began to approach the cargo ship.
-I'll take care of the cruiser.-said Antares 1.-Cover me.
-Understood.-said Antares 2.
Fortunately, there were no airborne threats in the area. Antares 1 stayed close to the cruiser, waiting for it to get close enough to the cargo ship. Some seconds later, the cruiser got too close to the cargo ship.
-Now! Destroy the hostile ship!-ordered Canopus.
Antares 1 dropped two GPBs on the cruiser. The bombs pierced the deck and found their way into the cruiser's arsenal, destroying it in a fierce explosion. The cargo ship was affected by the explosion, stalling in the process.
-Damn it, not again!-said the captain.-Restart the engines! We have to get the fuel to Dumitrescu!
-Nice one, Antares 1!-said Antares 2.
-It's what I do.-replied Antares 1.
-You're doing good stalling them.-said Canopus.-Keep it up.
However, their celebration was cut short by a group of four Su-30MKIs and four F-15SEs. The Su-30MKIs had a green and brown paintjob with white radome, and the F-15SEs had a two-tone green desert camouflage. Both Antares 1 and Antares 2 were in big trouble, since they only had special air-to-air weapons to take out half of the enemy fighters.
Antares 2 locked on the the F-15SEs with her last two XLAAs and fired, shooting them down. Once the other two got close enough, she used two standard missiles to shoot down another one, and fired her guns on the last one, destroying it. Antares 1 fired two standard missiles on one of the Su-30MKIs and his last QAAMs on another two of them, destroying three fighters in a single pass. The last one tried to counterattack, but he met his end when Antares 1 got behind him and fired his guns on him.
-Our allies are waiting.-said the captain of the cargo ship.-Full speed ahead!
The cargo ship resumed its course for the northeast. The situation was frustrating for the Antares squadron, and the fact that four F-15S/MTD Eagles and four Su-37 Terminators were approaching didn't make it any better. The Su-37s had a white paintjob with green radome, and the F-15S/MTD had a Ferris style camouflage.
-Antares 2, I'll engage the Su-37s.-said Antares 1.-You take care of the F-15S/MTDs.
-Roger that.-said Antares 2.-Be careful, though. Those machines are wickedly agile.
Antares 1 headed straight toward the Su-37s. Using his standard missiles and his guns, he managed to shoot down two of his opponents in one pass. The other two turned around rapidly and fired on him, but Antares 1 managed to evade those missiles. Antares 1 turned around and fired two missiles on one of the enemy fighters, that couldn't evade them, and was destroyed. The last one chased Antares 1 for some seconds, but Antares 1 managed to outturn his enemy and fired his guns on the Su-37, shooting it down.
Antares 2, meanwhile, attacked the enemy F-15S/MTDs. Just as Antares 1, she destroyed two of the enemy fighters using missiles and guns; however, her strategy was different, since she fired a missile on each of them and fired her guns to dispatch them. The other two F-15S/MTDs dispersed after the attack. Antares 2 chased one of them, firing her guns on the enemy fighter to shoot it down. The last F-15S/MTD, realizing his mistake, turned around and tried to attack Antares 2, but he was met with a couple of missiles impacting on him, fired by Antares 2.
By that time, the cargo ship had managed to gain some ground, and it was about to rendezvous with a cruiser. Antares 1, being the closest of the two to the cargo ship, attacked the cruiser with two GPBs before the enemy could fire on him. The two bombs destroyed the enemy cruiser.
-Ahhhh!-the explosion shook the enemy cargo ship, shaking the crew and causing it to stall.
-Good job, Antares squadron.-said Canopus.-Allied forces will soon be in position. Just hold them up a little longer.
Another group of bandits, this time comprised of two Su-30MKIs and two F-15SEs, attacked the Antares squadron. Antares 1 attacked the enemy F-15SEs, firing his guns on one of them and shooting the other one down with two standard missiles. Antares 2 took care of one of the Su-30MKI using two standard missiles to shoot it down. The last one tried to flee, but met his end when Antares 2 fired two missiles on him, destroying the Su-30MKI.
Unfortunately, even such a short skirmish was enough to give the cargo ship crew a window of opportunity to restart the engines.
-They aren't going to attack the ship directly.-said the captain.-Just keep moving!
The boat resumed its course. However, much to the Antares squadron's relief, it was heading head-on into a trap. A handful of miles to the northeast of the combat zone border, an IUPF assault party, comprised of four cruisers, two AEGIS destroyers, and a helicopter carrier, which served as a landing dock for an UH-60 and a couple of AH-64D, approached to the combat area.
Unfortunately, there was an enemy AEGIS destroyer in the area, which would surely pose a serious threat to both the Antares squadron and the helicopters.
-Antares squadron, there is an AEGIS destroyer in the area.-reported Canopus.-It is a serious threat to our forces. Destroy it.
-Antares 2, your LASMs are much more useful against that kind of destroyer.-said Antares 1.-Sink that ship before the allied forces arrive.
Antares 2 switched to LASMs, heading towards the AEGIS destroyer.
-Fire at will.-ordered the AEGIS destroyer's captain.-Shoot that fighter down!
The AEGIS fired its missiles on Antares 2. Unfortunately, Antares 2 was flying too low for the missiles to hit her. She then fired the LASMs on the ship, destroying it. The explosion also caused the cargo ship to stall. For the Valahia troops, there couldn't be any worse timing for the stalling, since the IUPF ambush party was already in position.
-Allies are in position. Antares squadron, patrol the area until the assault unit secures the transport ship.-said Canopus.
-Understood.-said Antares 1. He then contacted the assault unit.-Antares 1 to IUPF assault unit. What took you so long?
-Antares 1, this is Admiral McRae, captain of the helicopter carrier Thresher.-said McRae.-Our ships had engine problems, and we stumbled upon a Valahia fleet on our way here. Sorry for the inconvenience.
-I see.-said Antares 1.-Just make it quick. We are low on ammunition.
Suddenly, Canopus spotted a large reading on radar. It was a signal coming from the southwest.
-Antares squadron, there is a large reading on radar.-he reported.-Perform a recon run.
The Antares squadron reluctantly flew to the southwest, unaware of the danger they were about to face. Once they got a visual on the contact, they realized the kind of threat they were up against: it was a large battleship, of about 900 feet in length.
-Antares 1 to Canopus.-Antares 1 reported.-There is a large battleship in the area, class unknown. I'm sending footage of it right away to both you and the assault party.
Canopus and the assault party received the footage, and they were taken aback by its size and seeming firepower.
-This is Admiral McRae.-said McRae.-I've got bad news. According to intelligence, it is a Rechin-class battleship, a new kind of battleship built by the Valahia; this one has been baptized Rechinul Alb, Romanian for "White Shark". It's got enough firepower to sink our entire team and shoot down the helicopters with ease. You must sink it before it get us within range of its weapons. But be advised: its firepower is immense. If you're not careful, it will turn you into human torches. I'm sending you info about its weaponry right away.
The information concerning the Rechinul Alb was displayed in the Antares squadron's HUD. Both pilots almost gasped as they saw its weaponry: four large caliber naval gun turrets in two groups on both bow and stern, with each turret containing three barrels; eight AA guns, mounted in pairs in the port and starboard sides of both the bow and the stern; four CIWS mounted side by side in the central section of the ship; and four SAM launchers, each consisting of six-tube launchers, mounted on both sides of the ship. To make matters worse, its naval weaponry had an effective range of seven miles. The Rechinul Alb battleship would have to cover ten additional miles to get the IUPF fleet and choppers within range.
-Antares 1, I suggest we destroy the battleship's weaponry before finishing it off.-said Antares 2.-Let's start with the CIWS.
-Great idea.-said Antares 1.-Also, let's save our remaining special weapons for the battleship itself. I'll attack the battleship from the starboard side. You take care of the port side.
After that, the Antares squadron headed toward the battleship. As soon as they got within its range, the battleship's SAM launchers fired a volley of missiles on them. Even though they missed, the Antares squadron was taken aback by the missiles' accuracy: had they piloted less stealthy planes, they might have been shot down.
-Damn, these guys mean business!-said Antares 2.
-Don't sweat it, Antares 2.-said Antares 1.-We've been through worse things than this. We can do this.
However, even Antares 1 had to admit that it was one of the worst situations he had been in. Once the Antares squadron got close enough, they broke formation and flanked the battleship, flying low to avoid the enemy AA fire. The naval turrets and AA guns were firing on them at an incredibly fierce rate. Antares 1 attacked the port side of the ship, and Antares 2 attacked the starboard side. They targeted the CIWS, and, when they got close enough to them, fired their guns on them, destroying one CIWS gun each. During their climb after the strafing run, the two pilots were met by a massive counterattack comprised of naval gun fire, AA gun bursts, and SAMs.
-Antares 2, I'll attack the starboard side this time.-said Antares 1.
-Understood.-said Antares 2.
Once again, they hugged the deck and attacked the CIWS, destroying them in another pass.
-Great job, Antares squadron.-said Canopus.-But you still have to destroy the battleship's weapons. It will take you long, but there's no other choice.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked the naval guns first. Each of them targeted a naval gun and fired two missiles on them. Despite the damage the naval guns suffered, they were still functional, and the Rechinul Alb still had all AA guns and SAM launchers intact, along with the other two naval guns.
-Let's try making another pass.-said Antares 2.-We might be able to destroy those naval guns this time.
The Antares squadron, targeting the naval guns they had attacked in their first pass, turned around and attacked. They fired two missiles and their guns on the naval guns. The two naval guns that had been damaged in the first pass were destroyed.
-Antares squadron, this is Admiral McRae.-said McRae.-The Rechinul Alb is taking some damage, but it's imperative you destroy the naval guns before they get too close to our group. One hit from those guns, and not even the carrier would make it.
-Understood!-replied both members of the Antares squadron.
The Antares squadron attacked the last two naval gun turrets. Just like the last time, they were received by a fierce counterattack from the Rechinul Alb; unfortunately, this time, both Antares 1's F-15SE and Antares 2's Su-30MKI were hit by the AA guns, suffering light damage. The Rechinul Alb had a naval gun on the bow section and another one in the stern section. Antares 1 targeted the naval gun on the stern, and Antares 2, the naval gun on the bow. In retaliation for the hits they had suffered, their attack was a much bolder, fiercer one: they reduced their speed so that their standard missiles could be reloaded, and, during that interval, they strafed the naval guns. The attack was successful: the naval guns were destroyed.
-Captain, we've lost the naval guns!-reported a member of the crew of the Rechinul Alb.
-IUPF bastards!-muttered the captain.-Shoot those fighters down, no matter the cost!
The anti-aircraft fire intensified, making it difficult for the Antares squadron to continued with their attack. Nonetheless, Antares 1 targeted the SAM launchers on the starboard side of the Rechinul Alb, firing missiles on them as soon as he got within range. The missiles did not manage to destroy the SAM launchers, but they damaged them enough for Antares 1 to destroy the SAM launchers with a short burst.
-Antares 2, take out the SAM launchers on the port side.-ordered Antares 1.-I'll try to attract the enemy anti-aircraft fire over me.
-I'm on it.-replied Antares 2, heading towards the Rechinul Alb.-Just be careful; those Valahia guys are nuts!
Antares 1 overflew the Rechinul Alb, attracting the enemy fire over his plane and creating a window of opportunity for his wingman. Antares 2 fired a missile on each of the SAM launchers, and strafed them afterwards, stripping the Rechinul Alb of its SAM launchers.
-Nice shooting, Antares 2.-said Antares 1.
Fortunately, Antares 1 had not taken a single hit during his diversionary run. All the battleship had left was its AA guns, but there were eight of them, and the Rechinul Alb's crew was not willing to let them hit the AA guns.
-Antares 1, we might have to take out all AA guns in a single pass.-said Antares 2.-It's risky, but I think it's the best option.
-"When in doubt, always take the reckless route".-said Antares 1.-Ace Seminar 104.
Antares 1 attacked the starboard side, while Antares 2 attacked the port side. The AA guns fired on the Antares squadron once they got in range. The Antares squadron fired a missile on two of the AA guns on their respective sides, and strafed the remaining guns before climbing back. Despite their success, both pilots had taken some additional hits.
The Rechinul Alb was officially stripped of its weaponry.
-Damn them!-said the captain of the Rechinul Alb.-Call the Spider and Eagle teams before leaving the ship! If we're going down, we won't be going alone! All hands, abandon the Rechinul Alb!
-Antares squadron, this is Admiral McRae.-said McRae.-The Rechinul Alb has lost its weaponry. Finish the job and sink it!
-We're on it.-said Antares 1.-Antares 2, I'm gonna try and pierce a hole in that ship. If I succeed, fire your LASMs on it and destroy the ship.
-Understood.-said Antares 2.-Good luck!
Antares 1 dived, flew at a low altitude, and dropped two GPBs on the Rechinul Alb's port side. However, it didn't work. The ship's hull was dented, but there was no further sign of damage.
-Antares 1, I'll try to damage the hull a bit more.-said Antares 2.
Antares 2 locked on to the Rechinul Alb with her LASMs and fired two of them on the Rechinul Alb's port side, aiming for the very same spot Antares 1 had attacked. The impact damaged the ship's hull even more, but it still didn't budge. Antares 1 tried to pierce the ship's hull with his last GPBs after his wingman's pass. This time, the bombs destroyed the ship's port side, and water began to flood the ship.
-Antares 2, this is your chance!-said Antares 1.-Sink that S.O.B right away!
Antares 2 didn't need to hear that twice. She fired her last LASMs on the Rechinul Alb. The explosion was so intense that it was enough to split the ship in half.
-The Rechinul Alb has been destroyed.-said McRae.-Good job, Antares squadron. We wouldn't have been able to make it through this without your support.
-All right. Antares squadron, return to...-said Canopus, but he then spotted four faint blips on the radar coming in from the east.-Hold on, Antares squadron. We've got four bandits closing in.
-The Varcolac squadron?-asked Antares 2.
-Negative.-said Canopus.-It seems like there are two teams of two bandits each.
-Agh!-complained Antares 1.-Do these guys ever give up!?
The two groups were comprised of two YF-23 Black Widow IIs and two Su-47 Berkuts. The Su-47s had a light grey paintjob with golden eagle wing decals over the wings, and the YF-23s had a dark grey paintjob with spider web decals over the fuselage.
-Spider team, this is Eagle 1.-said Eagle 1.-Let's take out those scorpions.
-Spider 1, roger that.-said Spider 1.
The YF-23s attacked Antares 1, and the Su-47s attacked Antares 2. Their plan was to divide the squadron and shoot them down one by one. Unfortunately for the Spider team, Antares 1 was the most experienced pilot of Martinez Security, and he had faced all sorts of enemies before. He attacked one of the YF-23s, firing his guns on the plane once it got close enough. The YF-23 caught fire and exploded, leaving the other enemy pilot to fend off Antares 1. Antares 1 fired two missiles on the YF-23 to shoot it down, but they failed. The YF-23 maneuvered to get out of Antares 1's scope, but he was relentlessly pursued by his enemy. After a minute, Antares 1 managed to get the last YF-23 on his scope and fired his guns on the plane, shooting his opponent down.
Antares 2, meanwhile, was not being so lucky. She had managed to give her opponents a hard time for a while, but somehow the two Su-47s got behind her and they were relentlessly chasing her.
-Antares 1, the last two bandits are on my tail!-Antares 2 said.
-Hold on! I'll get them off your tail!-Antares 1 replied.
However, it was too late. One of the Su-47s fired two missiles on Antares 2. She managed to avoid one of them, but the other one hit her plane on the left engine, knocking it down.
-Argh!-Antares 2 grunted, as her plane shuddered violently.
-Antares 2!-said Antares 1, panicked.
The two Su-47s went in for the kill, but one of them was suddenly hit by two missiles and exploded.
-Stay away from my wingman, suckers!-Antares 1 roared.
The last Su-47 turned around and fired on Antares 1, ripping his plane's right wing off.
-Damn!-he swore.
Antares 1 somehow managed to keep his plane under control, but his plane was not in a good shape. The Su-47 tried to get a lock on to Antares 1 as he flew away from his opponent, but he was hit by a burst of bullets fired from above.
Antares 2, despite her damage, had managed to attack the Su-47 when the pilot let his guard down.
-Enemy planes shot down.-said Canopus.-Good work. Head back to base.
-Canopus, this is Antares 1.-said Antares 1.-We might need some extra fuel to get back to Athens.
-Understood.-said Canopus.-A tanker is on its way over Greek airspace, to the west of your position. Rendezvous with it and refuel.
The two pilots headed west and returned to Greece.
Athens, Greece, May 1st 2016, 15:40 Hours; Weather: Sunny, few clouds
After refueling over the Aegean Sea and landing in their airbase near Athens, both Hansel Foulke and Marlene Davenport realized the extent of the damage their planes had suffered: apart from holes caused by the AA fire, the F-15SE had lost its right wing, and the Su-30MKI's left engine was wrecked. It had been a miracle both pilots had managed to return to Greece alive.
-Oh man, I'm not looking forward for the repair bills.-said Davenport.
-Well, at least we dealt a massive amount of damage to the Valahia and prevented them from getting any more nuclear fuel.-said Foulke.-All that's left is to destroy the missile silo in Uzbekistan, and with that, we'll manage to stop the insanity of the Valahia and the insanity of Dumitrescu.
-Speaking of the devil, I guess he's barking mad right now.-said Davenport.-I'd feel sorry for Sulejmani and his men if they weren't a bunch of backstabbing, money-hungry bastards.
Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan...
Nicolae Dumitrescu was furious. He had lost the only Rechin-class battleship the Valahia had managed to complete. And it had taken just two pilots to sink it, and to add insult to injury, during its first mission, where it was supposed to sink the IUPF ships attacking the cargo ship carrying the nuclear fuel.
Despite the fact that most of the crew of the Rechinul Alb had survived, the loss of the ship, the nuclear fuel, and four pilots took its toll on him. He made a phone call to Milosz Sulejmani.
-Sulejmani here.-said Sulejmani when he picked up the phone.
-Mister Sulejmani, I know you're good and you know the scorpions personally.-said Dumitrescu.-You might guess what will be their next move.
-Attacking the silos, I guess.-replied Sulejmani.
-Very good.-said Dumitrescu.-Then you might guess what I want you and your men to do.
-I have an idea, but please go ahead.-said Sulejmani.
-I DON'T CARE HOW YOU DO IT OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WANT, BUT I WANT BOTH SCORPIONS DEAD!-Dumitrescu roared.
-Don't worry. I will defeat those scorpions.-said Sulejmani.
After that, he hung up.
Unbeknownst to Dumitrescu, Sulejmani didn't care for whether the Valahia was defeated or not. Whatever it happened, it was all according to the true mastermind's plan.
Fifteenth chapter. Sorry for the delay again. I also added a new superweapon to this chapter. I was inspired by the battleship "Minks", one of the bosses of U.N Squadron, the video game adaptation of Area 88. In case you have any doubts, Rechin means "shark" in Romanian. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Good luck and take care. See you next time
