Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Chapter 19:Ghost Hunt
Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California, June 21st 2016, 14:50 Hours; Weather: Sunny, clear skies
Antares 1 and Antares 2 were approaching Lake Tahoe, and the Spiridus Mk2, which was flying over the area. At that moment, Burford contacted them from their recently captured base in Area B7R.
-Antares squadron, this is Burford.-he said.-As you already know, your target is the Spiridus Mk2. According to our intelligence report, it's not an easy target. The Spiridus Mk2 possesses Nimbus missiles, whose power you witnessed over Nevada. It may use those missiles to shoot you down in case you get too close to it. In addition, it carries Tactical Laser Systems, which pose a danger not only to you, but to a new long range missile our ground forces will use to assist you in this battle. You must disable all TLSs before our ground forces can attack the Spiridus with those missiles.
Eight minutes later, the Antares squadron was five miles south of the Spiridus' position.
-They've named this thing well, I'll give them that.-commented Burford.-But it's high time we exorcise this "ghost".
-We have to fight that thing again!?-asked Antares 2.-I've got a bad feeling about this, Antares 1.
-A bad feeling from you, Antares 2?-said Antares 1.-Don't sweat it. Just think of this as a new chance to shoot it down.
-And remember how difficult it was for us to take the original Spiridus down, and how it took out a whole RAF squadron with a less powerful weapon?-replied Antares 2.-This one might be our match.
-If it makes you feel any better, once we take the Mk2 out, the GAPPA will lose their trump card.-answered Antares 1.-Olivieri will be banging his bald head against the walls in rage.
-Also, Antares 2, once all this is over, you and Antares 1 will be granted a leave in absence to visit the lake if you want to.-said Burford.
-Only if we both make it through this alive.-said Antares 2.
Just five seconds later, six missiles flew towards the Antares squadron from the north. Both pilots dove to dodge them, and the six missiles slammed into the water.
Antares 1 looked up and saw the flying fortress. Unlike the original Spiridus, which was jet black, this one was grayish brown with silver trims.
-We've got visual.-said Antares 1.-It's the Spiridus!
-Bogeys?-said a member of the Spiridus' crew.-The PMCs!
-All crew, we've got a warm-up exercise before our strike on San Francisco.-said the captain of the Spiridus.-Get rid of these pests.
-Don't allow them to reach San Francisco.-ordered Burford, as he sent the two pilots all the targets in the Spiridus.-Eliminate them here.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 received the information. The Spiridus Mk2 was covered with AA guns, SAM launchers, and flak guns. It also had two rows of six bays flanking the position occupied electrolaser cannon was in the original Spiridus. The four electrolaser cannons ports had been replaced with TLSs, which were far more powerful. Over the Nimbus missile bays there was some sort of blueish dome.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked two of the missile bays with standard missiles. However, as the missiles reached the dome, they bounced away and flew in an irregular pattern.
-Burford, our missiles aren't reaching the targets.-said Antares 1.-They're covering the area with an unique electromagnetic radiation, protecting them from enemy fire.
-I expected as much resistance from them.-said Burford.-We'll have to work in tandem with allied ground forces.
-Let's take out those mercenaries.-said the captain of the Spiridus.-Launch the Nimbus missiles and make sure they don't destroy the missile bays!
-Roger.-replied a member of the Spiridus' crew.-Launching Nimbus!
Antares 1 and Antares 2 watched as the Spiridus fired a Nimbus missile.
-They're firing the Nimbus missiles!-reported Antares 1.
-Wait, it's not heading south...-said Antares 2.-Oh, fuck, it's heading our way!
Antares 1 and Antares 2 broke away from the missile's blast radius. Seconds later, they saw the missile explode right where they had been five seconds before.
To make matters worse, three of the four TLS ports were active, firing a deadly beam in every direction possible, while AA guns and flak guns fired at will, and a couple of SAM launchers fired on the Antares squadron. The two pilots dodged the missiles by mere inches, while also avoiding the lethal anti-aircraft discharges.
-Dammit, that thing's got us both against the ropes!-groaned Antares 2.
-Even so, we won't get anything done standing around like this.-said Antares 1.-We have to go on the offensive.
-But how? The Spiridus' got every angle covered.-asked Antares 2. Just as she said that, she spotted the weak point she was looking for: a single FCU in the rear end of the aircraft.-Antares 1, I've spotted an FCU on the back of the Spiridus. If we take it out, we may be able to halt the AAA long enough to take out the TLSs and the Nimbus missile bays.
-For now, that option is as good as any.-replied Antares 1.-I'll act as a bait while you take the FCU out.
Antares 1 made himself look as easy a target as possible, making the Spiridus' defenses focus on him. That proved to be a fatal mistake, as Antares 2 headed straight for the FCU, firing two standard missiles on it, making the Spiridus' AAA, TLS and Nimbus missiles to stop firing. The electromagnetic radiation field, however, was still active.
-Dog Bear, fire missiles on hostile target on Lake Tahoe.-ordered Burford.-5, 4, 3, 2, 1, impact!
A large missile impacted over the electromagnetic dome, knocking it out.
-Ugh! How did they hit us?-asked the captain of the Spiridus.-What about READS? Report!
-They're firing heavy missiles!-replied a member of the crew.-READS can't repel them!
-Antares 2, their defenses are in disarray!-said Antares 1.-Take out as many Nimbus missile bays as you can, I'll take out the TLSs.
-Get READS back online!-ordered the captain of the Spiridus.-What's the holdup?
Antares 2 locked on to four of the Nimbus missile bays and fired a full barrage of XLAAs on them, destroying them in a single pass. Antares 1 attacked the the TLSs with his own XLAAs, destroying the lower port and damaging the other two ones. However, before either of them could attack the missile bays and the TLSs, the electromagnetic shield went back online. To make matter worse, bandits were heading to their position from the northwest.
-Enemy fighters incoming, Antares squadron.-said Burford.-They seem to be stealth fighters.
The bandits approaching the Antares squadron were a couple of F-35As and a couple of MiG 1.44s. Antares 2 attacked the F-35As, firing a couple of missiles on one of them. However, only one missile found its target, and the F-35As scattered after the attack.
To make matters worse, the Spiridus' crew had finished the repairs of the READS system.
-READS is back online.-reported a member of the crew.
-Understood.-replied the captain.-Launch the Nimbus missiles.
-But sir, we've got allies in the area.-complained another member of the crew.-If we fire, we may...
-I will shoot down every plane in the sky as long as those mercenaries are among them.-retorted the captain.-Launch. Nimbus. Now!
Seconds later, Burford sent the Antares squadron the coordinates of the impact areas. Both the Antares squadron and the bandits dodged the lethal explosions, albeit barely. Antares 2 seized the chance and attacked the damaged F-35A, using her guns to shoot it down. The other one fired a couple of missiles on her, but she managed to dodge both of them. Antares 2 turned around, got behind the F-35A, and, using her guns, tore the F-35A's tail rudders off, sending the fighter spiraling towards the lake.
Antares 1 had managed to shoot down both MiG 1.44, one with two missiles and the other one with guns. After that, both pilots resumed their attack on the Spiridus, not without avoiding a barrage of Nimbus missiles, which hindered their progress. As soon as they got in range, Antares 1 and Antares 2 attacked the AA guns, SAM launchers and flak guns, while they were time and time again forced to pull back when the Spiridus fired the Nimbus missiles and the TLSs on them. After both Antares 1 and Antares 2 took out six AA guns, two SAM launchers and four flak guns each, Antares 1 targeted the FCU and destroyed it to give the forces at the base in Nevada a chance to fire the large missile.
-Burford, the FCU is out.-reported Antares 1.-Fire the missiles!
-Roger that, Antares 1.-replied Burford.-You heard him, Dog Bear!
-Understood, Burford!-acknowledged the leader of the Dog Bear unit.-Firing missiles on target over Lake Tahoe.
A few seconds later, a large missile hit the Spiridus, knocking out the electromagnetic shield, exposing the Nimbus missile bays. Antares 1 and Antares 2 destroyed four of the remaining eight missile bays with standard missiles, and attacked the TLSs with guns, destroying them. Shortly after that, the Spiridus' electromagnetic shield was back online.
-READS is back online.-reported a member of the Spiridus' crew.
Along with the electromagnetic shield, 8 AA guns, 4 SAM launchers and 4 flak guns were activated. To make matters worse, the Nimbus missiles kept coming at an even faster pace, even though two thirds of the missiles bays had already been destroyed. It took both pilots several minutes to destroy all the anti-aircraft artillery, and then, Antares 2 gunned the FCU, which was followed by a third large missile impacting the electromagnetic shield, knocking it off.
-Aaargh! More enemy fire!?-asked the captain of the Spiridus.-Get READS back online!
-No good sir! It's in critical condition!-answered a member of the crew.-We can't get it back online!
-They've lost their EM shield for good!-said Antares 2.-Antares 1, let's take the missile bays out!
-Two steps ahead of you, Antares 2!-replied Antares 1, who was gunning the missile bays on the left side.
Antares 2 then proceeded to take out the last missile bays with her guns, taking all of them out in a single pass.
-All Nimbus missile ports have been disabled!-reported Antares 2 afterwards.
-Removed Nimbus missile threat.-said Burford.-Antares squadron, time to drop the hammer!
-We're on...-said Antares 1, before spotting a handful of faint blips on his radar.-Wait a second, we've got bandits coming in from the northeast.
The bandits were four F-22A Raptors and four T-50 PAK FAs. The T-50s had a grey paintjob with yellow outlines, while the F-22s had a dark grey paintjob with white forward fuselage. The eight bandits attacked the Antares squadron, with the F-22s attacking Antares 2 and the T-50s engaging Antares 1.
Antares 2, in a hunch, decided to save her XLAAs for the Spiridus instead of using them to attack the F-22s, since the F-22s would have been able to dodge the missiles with ease. Antares 2 attacked one of the F-22s with her guns, shooting it down, but she was trapped in a mauling circle shortly after. The other three F-22s had surrounded her and kept her from locking on to any of them from behind, since it would get her on the sights of the following F-22. Antares 2 countered this by attacking one of the F-22s head-on, using her guns on the enemy fighter. It was an aggressive move, but it worked; the enemy F-22 was shot down, leaving other two to go. The other two F-22 attacked Antares 2, using both guns and missiles in an effort to shoot her down, but they failed, although not by much. Antares 2 got behind one of the enemy F-22s and destroyed it with a couple of missiles. The other one was shot down with guns before the pilot could react.
Antares 1, meanwhile, had already dealt with the T-50s, having had as much trouble shooting them down as his wingman.
The Spiridus, meanwhile, had steered away from the Antares squadron.
-We lost READS, the TLS, AND the Nimbus missiles? To a couple of mere fighters?-asked the captain.-Regroup, and retreat to the west!
-Roger!-replied a member of the crew of the Spiridus.
-Antares squadron, the Spiridus is trying to retreat!-said Burford.-Stop them and finish them off!
-Roger that.-said Antares 1.-Antares 2, let's take out the engines.
-Let's use our last XLAAs to destroy the engines.-suggested Antares 2.
Antares 1 and Antares 2 switched to XLAAs and fired on the Spiridus' engines. Out of the six main engines, the two engines on the wings were damaged, and the remaining four, which were located on the wing struts and the lower fuselage, destroyed.
However, things were far from being easy, since the Spiridus deployed four IRCM ports, which fired purple flares. Antares 1 and Antares 2 knew all too well the effects of those flares: they nullified the missiles' seeking capabilities, and could damage the planes' afterburning systems.
Despite that, the Antares squadron knew that the Spiridus couldn't be allowed to escape, no matter the cost. And, since they couldn't use their missiles, they'd have to resort to guns. Antares 1 attacked the left engine, while Antares 2 attacked the right one. After a long burst of guns, both pilots managed to destroy the engines.
-Dammit! Cancel the retreat!-ordered the captain of the Spiridus.-Stand and fight!
However, things took a turn for the worse for Antares 2, as one of the IRCMs was sucked in by her left engine.
-Fuck!-she swore, as her left engine's afterburner became inoperative.
-Antares 2!-said Antares 1, alarmed.
-Antares squad, looks like they still have some fight left in them.-said Burford.-Finish them off!
-But...-said Antares 1.
-It's OK, Antares 1.-said Antares 2.-I still have one engine left.
-It's not gonna be enough.-said Antares 1, as he took a glance on his radar.-We've got bandits coming in from the north!
The bandits were two Su-47 Berkuts and two YF-23 Black Widows II. The Su-47 had a 2-tone sea blue camouflage with a black radome, while the YF-23s had a multi-tone grey digital camo. Despite the little numbers, both Antares 1 and Antares 2 knew the bandits posed a deadly threat at close range, and even if they still had any XLAAs left, the YF-23s and the Su-47s would dodge them with ease.
-Antares 2, I'll take care of the bandits.-said Antares 1.-Attack the Spiridus if you want, but if gets too dangerous, don't hesitate to back off.
Antares 1 turned towards the bandits before Antares 2 could reply. As soon as she got close enough to the Spiridus, the four and final TLS fired. Antares 2 dodged the deadly laser beam.
-The TLS is firing!-said Burford.
-What a pain in the ass!-said Antares 2.
-Antares 2, we'll fire a missile on the Spiridus from Nevada as planned. However, it won't be difficult for them to intercept it with the TLS.-said Burford.-Disable that laser ASAP.
Antares 2 was about to attack the TLS when she realized Antares 1 was in trouble. He was being chased by the YF-23s, while the Su-47s acted as bait, dodging every attack Antares 1 threw at them. Antares 2 rushed as fast as her remaining engine allowed her and fired her guns on one of the unsuspecting YF-23s, shooting it down. Before the enemies could react, Antares 2 fired a couple of missiles on one of the Su-47s, destroying it. The other two fighters broke away.
-Antares 2! What the hell do you think you're doing!?-barked Antares 1.
-What do you think I'm doing?-retorted Antares 2.-Saving your a...
Her answer was interrupted by a sudden shudder of Antares 2's Rafale M. A burst of bullets hit her plane.
-Ergh!-groaned Antares 2.
-Marlene!-cried Antares 1.
Antares 2 broke away from the deadly strafe of the remaining Su-47. Her left engine, which afterburning system was already out, was destroyed by the attack, along with large bullet holes on the Rafale's left wing. Despite that amount of damage, Antares 2 somehow managed to stay airborne.
The attack on his wingman sparked a very aggressive reaction from Antares 1, who, in a second, had shot down the Su-47 that attacked his wingman, and engaged the YF-23. The anger surge seemed to make Antares 1 fly even better than he already did. It was not long before the YF-23 was shot down too.
-Antares 1, are you alright?-asked Antares 2 afterwards.
-Just... just gimme a second. Please.-replied Antares 1, panting.
-Well, as soon as you have taken that breather, I'll need you to help me take that TLS out so that our forces destroy the Spiridus.-said Antares 2.
-Negative, Antares 2. You stay out of the fight.-answered Antares 1.-Your plane is already too damaged.
-Forget it!-barked Antares 2.-Like it or not, you're gonna need my help. If you do this alone, you'll get yourself killed. And I'll see to it that we both make it through this mission alive.
Antares 1 sighed, resigned.
-There's no talking you out of this, isn't it?-he asked.-Alright, but if you have any more problems, and I mean a single one more, disengage immediately. Promised?
-Jeez, fine.-complained Antares 2.
Both pilots headed towards the Spiridus, approaching from below to avoid the deadly laser beam.
-Antares 2, I'm going to attack the TLS as soon as I find an opening.-said Antares 1.-If I miss or don't destroy the target, attack the TLS while I create a diversion.
-Roger.-said Antares 2.-Just be careful, OK?
Antares 1 didn't reply. The TLS was just about to begin its cooldown. The TLS, while it was powerful enough to destroy any type of aircraft or ordnance in tenths of a second, had one major flaw: after a minute of continuous firing, it needed ten seconds to cool down. While it didn't seem like much, the Antares squadron would make the most of this chance.
Antares 1 attacked the TLS as soon as it stopped firing, using his guns and a couple of standard missiles. He seemingly managed to destroy the TLS pod.
-TLS port destroyed.-said Antares 1.-Burford, report to allies.
-Roger that.-replied Burford.
A couple of seconds after that, though, the TLS began to fire again, trying to hit Antares 1.
-Scheiße!-barked Antares 1.
However, just before the TLS could be aimed at Antares 1 properly, a couple of missiles impacted on the TLS pod, destroying it for good.
-Thanks.-said Antares 1.
-No problem.-said Antares 2.
-Large missile is on its way.-said Burford.-Incoming in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, impact!
The large missile impacted over the upper section of the Spiridus Mk2, triggering a series of explosions inside of it.
-Number 5, 2, 6 and 3! It's no good!-said a member of the crew of the Spiridus.-Massive damage to all sections!
-We've got red light across the board in all sections!-reported another member of the crew.-All control has been lost!
-Complete engine failure! Altitude 700, 600, 500!-said a third member.-Prepare for imp...
The Spiridus crashed into the Lake Tahoe, exploding underwater.
-The Spiridus Mk2 has dissapeared from radar.-said Burford.-Well done, Antares squadron. Return to base.
The Antares squadron headed towards the south.
Area B7R, Nevada, June 21st 2016, 17:20 Hours; Weather: Sunny, clear skies
The Antares squadron had just landed, after returning from one of the most difficult missions they were sortied to. Marlene Davenport's Rafale M was badly damaged, but despite that, she had managed to make it all the way from Lake Tahoe to the base in Nevada without mayor problems.
-Guess I'm out of the loop, though.-said Davenport, downcast.-I don't mind spending some credits in this craft, but I don't know if it's gonna be ready for tomorrow's sortie.
-I have good news about that.-said Burford.-You and Foulke are gonna love this.
-What did you find?-asked Foulke.-New aircraft?
-Not just any new aircraft.-said Burford.
Marlene Davenport and Hansel Foulke followed Frederick Burford to a hangar. They entered the hangar and saw a couple of aircraft storaged inside.
The aircraft were a T-50 PAK FA with a two-tone blue paintjob and an F-22A Raptor with a desert camouflage and a red canopy. Martinez Security personnel had painted their numbers in the aircrafts, Davenport's "008" on the T-50 and Foulke's "001" on the F-22.
-Amazing.-said Davenport.-What about supplies?
-Enough for our next mission.-said Burford.
-What really bothers me is that we've seen rather few enemies today.-said Foulke.-Even though we've taken out the Spiridus Mk2, I'm afraid we might have not seen all the Golden Axe Plan's got.
-Just a handful of bandits and not too many ground forces.-added Davenport.-If the GAPPA is powerful enough to attack San Francisco, Olivieri is gonna need more forces.
-Unfortunately, most of the US military doesn't seem to be aware of the danger the GAP poses.-said Burford.-I'm gonna pull a last string. Let's hope it works.
After that, Burford left the hangar. Davenport and Foulke followed suit.
Area B7R, Nevada, June 21st 2016, 20:30 Hours; Weather: Sunny, clear skies
Marlene Davenport was lying on her bunk, having some rest after having a shower. She was wondering whether Martinez Security would have military backup from the US or not. If they didn't, Martinez Security would be without support at the worst moment.
Davenport stood up and headed for Burford's office. When she got there, she found the door open.
-Mr Burford, have you found any...-she started to say, before noticing Burford was nowhere to be seen.
Davenport sat down in a small sofa next to the desk.
-"Guess I'll have to wait a moment."-she thought.
Half a minute later, she noticed a photo frame on the desk. Davenport stood up to check the photo out.
What she saw left her speechless.
It was an old photograph, probably taken in the 90's. It showed Frederick Burford and another man in the photo, with a couple of F-14 Tomcats in the background. But it was not Burford who caught her attention, but the other man; it was a green-eyed, muscular man with brown hair in a pompadour and a charming smile.
-"It can't be...!"-Davenport mused, bewildered.-"He's my..."
At that very moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder, so suddenly she almost dropped the photo. She turned around and saw Burford, who seemed very calm despite the fact that Davenport had entered his office and he caught her staring at one of his photographs.
-Yes, I flew with your father. VFA-66 Stormbirds, aboard the Carl Vinson.-said Burford, with a slight smile on his face.-That man was just as you, a really goodhearted and brave pilot. He gave a lot of headaches to many admirals, though. Not that I blame him, actually.
-So, you knew him?-asked Davenport.
-Of course. He was one of my best friends back in the Navy.-said Burford, as he signaled Davenport to sit down.-What I'm going to tell you is classified and, had I told your family before, it would have ended my career. Remember when I told you and Hansel about that combat in the Middle East?
-Of course.-said Davenport.-Out of eight planes, six were shot down.
Burford nodded, visibly grieving at the memories of that encounter.
-The day was April 23rd, 1995. It was by far the worst nightmarish combat situation we've ever met. Enemy planes seemed to appear out of nowhere. Every time we shot one down, two more took its place. Before long, half of our flight was down, and despite our desperate calls for reinforcements or backup, no one came.-he said.-Your father was hit and wounded later, and even though he could have made it back to the carrier and receive medical treatment, he chose to stay, saving two planes before he bought it.
-And you saw it?-asked Davenport.-Instead of helping him out, you chose to flee?
Burford shook his head, downcast.
-Your father chose to sacrifice himself to protect me and the other pilot, despite our protests.-he said.-But, during his last moments, he asked me a final favor. He asked me to help you out if I could. Unfortunately, due to my connection with your father, I was discharged shortly before you enlisted.
-And the Navy didn't tell our family this because...-guessed Davenport.
-That was something the State Department wouldn't tell its dependents when the battle occurs over the wrong line on the map.-concluded Burford.-By the way, there must be a good reason for you to come to my office.
-Of course.-said Davenport.-I know I'm wishfully thinking, but, is there any hope you've found some military support?
-Still nothing.-answered Burford.-And the Golden Axe is scheduled to attack San Francisco tomorrow, so it's going to take a miracle to defeat them, even though they no longer have the Spiridus and the Varcolac squadron.
-It's little solace, but at least their only edge is in numbers.-sighed Davenport.
-Sadly, that might be all they need, since the US military seems to ignore the problem they've got on their hands.-replied Burford.-Just try to get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day.
Davenport nodded and left the office. She then headed to Hansel Foulke's room. It was his birthday, and congratulating him for his birthday was the least she could do. After all, Foulke was her friend.
Or was he more than that?
That was the question Davenport had been pondering during her coma. And surprisingly, she had come time and time again, that, during her time in Martinez Security, specifically after the mission in London, she had slowly but steadily falling in love with Foulke. He had initially come out as a moody, bad-mouthed and aloof pilot, but when Davenport and Foulke finally cooled down, they had got along rather well. Furthermore, in battle, both of them seemed to be in complete synchronization with each other, working as a couple of pilots instead of as a flight lead and wingman.
However, there were some questions that required answers, one of the most important of which was Foulke's reason to fight. For Davenport, it had gone from making her living as a fighter pilot to stopping a terrorist organization and then to stopping the Golden Axe Plan in less than a year.
Davenport finally arrived to Foulke's room and knocked on the door.
-Come in!-said Foulke from the other side. As Davenport entered the room, Foulke smiled.-Oh, it's you, Marlene. Good to see you're alright.
The room was small but comfy. It had a medium-sized window on the opposite side, from which the runway could be perfectly seen. To the right, there was a large bed, and to the left, there was a large brown leather couch, where Foulke was sitting, listening to "The Journey Home". Beside the couch there was a door leading to a small bathroom.
-Same here.-replied Davenport, as she sat down on the couch by Foulke's side.-I came here to congratulate you for your birthday.
-Dankeschön!-said Foulke.-It's been a while since someone congratulated me for my birthday.
-Wow, that's rather sad.-said Davenport.-Then again, you weren't very outgoing before, so, it kinda makes sense.
Foulke nodded.
-I have to admit. Some time ago, even before I joined Martinez Security, I was rather cold and unfriendly.-he admitted.-I guess it has something to do with my reason to fight.
-You're gonna tell me?-asked Davenport.-I know you promised me that you would, but, if you're not comfortable with it, you can tell me later.
-The thing is that tomorrow's mission might be an outright suicide.-said Foulke, standing up and looking out the window.-I'm afraid we haven't seen the full force of the Golden Axe Private Army.
-We've taken out the Valahia.-said Davenport, trying to cheer Foulke up.-We succeeded where no one else would have even dared to tread.
-I know that, and I'm proud of it.-replied Foulke.-But do you remember what the Valahia resorted to when we destroyed the Spiridus over London?
-They used the Balaur, the Rechin-class battleship, and they also tried to use the nukes.-answered Davenport.-Also the Varcolac squadron. The Golden Axe Plan has none of them.
-That may be not enough of a deterrent for Olivieri.-said Foulke.-He may have something up his sleeve. People like him, or Dumitrescu, only want to see the world burn. And they will stop before nothing to achieve their objectives.
-And your point is...-said Davenport.
-That, without help from the US and Olivieri having more than what we know about, tomorrow's mission might be our last.-concluded Foulke.-For both of us. That's why I don't mind answering your question, even though the answer might sound strange, or even ludicrous to you.
-What did you hope to achieve on the battlefield?-asked Davenport, fearing the answer.
Foulke sighed, downcast, before answering.
-What I wanted was...-he started saying, breathing deeply.-to find death.
Davenport was, to say the very least, aghast by Foulke's reason to fight. Had Foulke admitted it before they sorted their differences out, she may have laughed at it, or far worse, try to "help him with that". At that moment, the mere though of it felt like a cold bag of bile bursting inside her stomach, making her feel like a monster.
-What I'm going to say may sound like a harsh reproval or an insult, but what you just said is that you were willing to commit the worst crime against life itself, and a coward way to go.-said Davenport, vexed.-Why the hell did you care that little for your life?
-First off, it's not like I was willing to commit suicide, far from it.-said Foulke, turning around to face Davenport.-I wanted to die, no doubt about it. But that doesn't mean by any means that I wanted my death to be pointless.
-Then how did you expected to die?-asked Davenport.
-I just wanted to die like her; preventing someone else from being killed.-answered Davenport.
-Her?-said Davenport.-Who are you talking about.
Davenport headed towards the desk and picked up a small photo. It depicted a younger Foulke with a teen girl with light blonde hair and grey eyes. By all standards, the girl was beautiful.
-Elza Reinhold.-said Foulke.-She was my girlfriend.
-What happened to her?-asked Davenport, before taking a look at Foulke; he was trembling.-Oh, sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
-It's OK. After all, I owe you an explanation.-answered Foulke.-It all started twelve years ago, back in Germany. I was part of a small gang, and I had met Elza one year before, and we immediately started dating. However, there seemed to be rumors about her. Some said that she was planning to break up with me. Not because she hated me or anything, but, since our gang was at odds with another, more violent gang, she feared that her feelings for me would betray her. Which, that fateful day, turned out to be not far-fetched.
Davenport listened with rapt attention.
-Elza and I were inspecting some ruins in one of the cities that had been destroyed and turned into a ghost town after the Ulysses Disaster when we heard some members of the rival gang approaching. Elza told me to hide immediately, since she knew that, after a previous face-off, I had angered some of the members of the gang, and they wanted my head. When I refused she knocked me unconscious and hid me under some debris.-continued Foulke.-I don't remember much about the details of the standoff, but when I came to, I found Elza mortally wounded. She was alive, but I was horribly certain that she wouldn't make it.
Foulke recalled the events of that day, as vividly as if he had lived through them the day before.
Hansel Foulke's flashback:
(NOTICE: Since I'm not good enough at German language to write a proper conversation, I'll have to write the dialogues in English. Sorry for the inconvenience)
Hansel Foulke woke up, the back of his head hurting as if he had been struck by a freight train. He found out he was hidden under some debris. He looked at his wristwatch. It was 6:32. That meant he had been unconscious for fifteen minutes.
That was when he remembered.
Elza Reinhold and him had been searching some goods in a ruined farm house for just five minutes when Reinhold had a bad feeling about something out of the farm. She picked up her binoculars and saw a group of five teenagers coming towards the farm down a path from the east.
She recognized a couple of them. Foulke had thwarted a nasty plot of theirs a couple of weeks ago. It was certain that those guys were in for the payback. Specially since all of them carried handguns.
-Hans, we've got a problem.-Reinhold said.
Foulke picked up the binoculars and took a look at where his girlfriend was pointing.
-Shit! Do those bastards know when to give up?-Foulke sighed.
-Hans, they're here to kill you!-Reinhold stated.-You've got to hide now!
-Forget it, Elza!-Foulke protested.-We're in this together. We can still make it out of here. We can come back when those cowards are gone.
-Hans, the only way we can get out of here is the way we came in, and if we try to get you out of here, you'll be killed.-Reinhold retorted.
-Let's face them together then.-Foulke offered.-We've got more chances to make it out of this mess together.
-I guess I have no choice.-sighed Reinhold.-Go ahead. I'll catch up with you.
The next thing that Foulke remembered was a sharp pain in the back of his head, then darkness.
After waking up, Foulke only heard the noise of the wind, and the flowing of the river.
It was then when he picked up an alarming smell.
Blood.
Foulke worked his way out of the debris. It took him a whole minute to get out.
As soon as he got out, he wished he had never woke up to begin with.
Reinhold was lying on her back, her beige shirt smeared with blood and riddled by gunshots.
-ELZA!-Foulke shouted, running towards Reinhold.
Reinhold tilted her head wearily towards her boyfriend, smiling weakly.
-Hansel...-she murmured.
-Please, Elza, hold on!-Foulke begged, tears flowing from his eyes.-I'm begging you, don't die!
-I'm sorry, Hans.-said Reinhold.-I'm afraid that's something I can't do.
-Nonsense!-replied Foulke.-You can still make it!
-I've been shot fifteen times, my dear Hans.-answered Reinhold.-I'm buying it, much to our dismay.
She coughed, and then held her boyfriend's hands with her remaining strength.
-Please, Foulke, promise me you'll never give up on life.-begged Reinhold, as her strength abandoned her.-Please don't die...
After that, Reinhold passed out.
-Elza, no!-begged Foulke, in vain.
Shortly after, some of the members of Reinhold and Foulke's gang arrived to the farm. Despite Foulke's claims, all the members tried to shift the blame on Foulke, claiming that, although he didn't directly intervene in Reinhold's death, her feelings for him had spelt doom for her.
Shortly after that, Hansel Foulke left the group, and spent a whole year hunting down the murderers of Elza Reinhold. Even though he succeeded in killing all of them, in a rather gruesome manner, the undeniable fact that his girlfriend wouldn't be brought back by their deaths haunted him down for the rest of his life.
End of the flashback
-After that day, which was, in a twisted irony of fate, my 16th birthday, I was devastated, and my spirit was shattered.-said Foulke.-In her last moments, Elza tried to make me promise I'd never give up on life, but even after I took out her murderers, I found it very hard to honor her promise.
-So, you just resigned to your fate, then.-said Davenport.
-Not exactly.-answered Foulke.-As I said before, I didn't want my death to be pointless.
-There's no shame in dying fighting for a good reason.-said Davenport.-I've learned that today. My father died protecting his wingmen, even though it meant never seeing my mother or me again. My father knew what he was getting into, and still, didn't falter. But giving up and just waiting until you finally die is the most shameful way to die.
-You've got a point.-said Foulke.-However, when I joined the gang, I had lost my entire family. I had nowhere to go. And then, just when I though life was giving me a break, I lost the most important person I had back then.
-I understand how you felt back then.-said Davenport.-I felt the same way when my mother died during the Ulysses Disaster. After that, I had my grandparents, which only lived long enough to see me enlist the Navy. Shortly after that, they both died. What I mean is that even though things may seem bleak every now and then, life may be fair enough to give us a second chance. And wasting that chance is an insult to life itself.
-Back then, I refused to believe the likes of me had a second chance.-said Foulke.-I had joined Martinez Security because it was the last option I had. That's when I met Sulejmani, who had already spent some years fighting for Martinez Security. I tried to make as few friends as possible, to spare others from my pain and bad luck. It comes without saying that I failed miserably. At least until I met you.
-So, that's why you were an asshole when we first met.-guessed Davenport, putting two and two together.
-As ashamed as I am to admit it, you're right.-answered Foulke.-I was afraid that I would end up befriending you, specially after I realized how much you reminded me of Elza. Eventually, things have turned out to be worse than I expected.
-Worse!?-asked Davenport.-How?
-I've ended up liking you more than I feared.-answered Foulke, who was more downcast than ever.-Since the night you were shot by Hoskins, I realized that what I feel for you is not only insulting to Elza's memory, but also dangerous for both of us.
-What do you mean, Hansel?-asked Davenport. Then a crazy, but very possible idea crossed her mind.-Wait, you're...!
Foulke nodded.
-Yes, Marlene.-admitted Foulke, who seemed in the verge of tears.-I've fallen in love with you.
Davenport was dumbfounded.
-How is that bad, Hansel?-she asked, frowning.-I know that it might seem like an insult to your girlfriend, but, as you have just told me, she died to give you a chance to live.
-And as you said, it seems like I wasted it.-answered Foulke.-Also, I'm afraid that what happened to Elza could happen to you tomorrow. I just would not be able to go on with such heartache and despair.
-Hansel,-said Davenport, holding Foulke's hands between her own.-whatever challenge we face tomorrow, we'll face it together. If the worst happens, then so be it. That's the risk of being a fighter pilot, whether you work for the military, the private sector, or anyone else.
-Still, I'm not sure if my feelings for you might be an insult to Elza's memory.-said Foulke.
-I don't intend to speak for her or anything, but, if she loved you, if she really loved you as much as you loved her, Elza would be very happy to see that you could move on and find a true reason to live, instead of just waiting to die and shunning everyone away.-said Davenport.-As for me, at first, I really disliked you. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true. However, as you became a warmer and more friendly person, I couldn't help but change my mind about you.
-So, that means...-said Foulke.
-Yes, your feelings are not one-sided.-said Davenport, with a slight smile on her face.
Foulke sighed.
-Guess there's no going back, then.-he said.
After that, both pilots inches closer to each other, with a slight blush on their cheeks. Some seconds later, after what seemed like an eternity, they kissed.
It was a soft, yet passionate kiss, the long-awaited proof of their mutual love. Davenport's right hand was on Foulke's nape, while her left hand rested between his shoulder blades. Foulke's left hand gently caressed Davenport's back, while his right hand rested on her bloody red hair.
After pulling apart, they were breathing heavily, almost unsure of what had happened.
-Well, I guess you'll go back to your room.-stammered Foulke, some seconds later.
-You know, all things considered, I think I'll be staying for the night.-replied Davenport.-If you're not uncomfortable with the idea.
-As long as you want to, I can't say no to that.-answered Foulke.-But I guess you'll want to sleep in something else than your uniform.
-What are you implying, Hansel?-asked Davenport.-For a guy who seemed upset for his ex-girlfriend, you move pretty fast.
-Hey, it's not like that!-answered Foulke, scandalized.-I didn't mean we...
-I'm just messing with you, silly!-laughed Davenport.-Jesus Christ, loosen up a bit!
-Jeez, don't mess with me like that.-sighed Foulke.-Just get some clothes and come back here. Unless you change your mind, of course.
-I'll get a clean shirt and get back here.-said Davenport.-By the way, I'll change up in your bathroom, since I think I'll be turning all the wrong heads if I took a stroll in the base wearing only a shirt over my underwear.
-OK, see you later, Marlene.-said Foulke, as Davenport left his room.
After that, he fell on his bed, still wondering whether what he had just done was a good idea or not.
-"I guess that some day I would have to choose either to move on or resign to my fate."-he thought.-"It's not the best date, but who knows if Marlene or myself will be alive by tomorrow."
He then changed into a grey shirt and boxers. The grey shirt stuck to his fit frame.
A minute later, Davenport arrived to the room, headed toward the bathroom and changed into a white sleeveless shirt. It didn't do very much to hide her black sports bra, though, but that mattered little.
-"After all, Hansel has seen me in much more revealing clothes."-she thought.
She then left the bathroom and headed towards the bed, where Foulke was waiting for her.
-So, we're not gonna rush it, right?-asked Foulke.-Even though this might be our last night together?
-Of course not.-answered Davenport.-Also, we still have to wait until tomorrow to see if your bad hunch is true or false.
-I hope you're right, Marlene.-said Foulke.-Tomorrow, we'll have to show Olivieri what we're made of.
-Let's try to get some rest. Tomorrow's mission is gonna be a tough one, but we've been through worse, and succeeded.-said Davenport.-Good night, Hansel. I love you.
-I love you too, Marlene.-said Foulke.
They embraced each other tenderly as they drifted into slumber, blissfully unaware of the Golden Axe Plan's trump card...
Somewhere in New Mexico, June 21st 2016, 00:00 Hours; Weather: Clear skies
Milosz Sulejmani was talking on the phone with Andre Olivieri.
-Are the planes in the hangars, Mr Olivieri?-asked Sulejmani.
-Of course, Mr Sulejmani.-answered Olivieri.-They are equipped with the weapons you and your men requested. Take them for a test flight in the base's airspace and report any problem, if there are.
-Understood.-said Sulejmani, and hung up.
Sulejmani headed towards the hangars. In one of them, Daniel Oruma, Faryd Gaviria and Tolya Kiriakov were chatting pertly.
-So these are the GAP's new toys.-said Oruma.-I really hope those Scorpions have something good in their arsenal. I'd be really dissapointed in them if they didn't last long enough.
-If they don't, they're better off shooting each other down.-added Gaviria.-To spare themselves the pain and humiliation.
-Martinez Security cannot afford anything remotely good enough to stand against our new planes.-said Kiriakov.-Let alone defeat us. They're dead. They just don't know it yet. What a shame that the Todesengel and his lovely wingman will be dead by tomorrow. At least they'll die together.
-I couldn't care less about them, or the GAP by any matter.-said Sulejmani, as he approached his wingmen.-All I care for is the reward we'll get for shooting them down. As Olivieri told me before, it's gonna be seventeen million dollars each, for each one of us.
-Seventeen million!?-said Oruma.-That's big money for such small fry!
-However, you guys will have to live to earn it.-Sulejmani pointed out.-If any one of you guys die, I'll be splitting the earning between the surviving members.
-That's a pretty rough term there.-said Kiriakov.-I'm beginning to be afraid of any of you shooting me in the back.
-As long as you don't get in my way and cooperate, you will be safe, and live to earn the reward.-said Sulejmani.
-And then, we've got the payment for the mission over San Francisco itself.-said Gaviria.-It's gonna be a great payday tomorrow, hombre!
The planes the Varcolac squadron was admiring was the Golden Axe Plan Fighter GAF-1 Varcolac, a long plane with long, narrow and upward-curved wings, canard wings, and 2-D thrust vectoring engines, which gave it a maximum speed of over Mach 3. All of the planes were painted in the Varcolac squadron livery, along with the emblems and respective numbers of the members. The planes were equipped with standard missiles and double guns on each side of the cockpit, but the individual aircraft differed between each other in special weapons and performance.
Sulejmani's GAF-1's special weapons were the Multiple Launch Standard Missiles, which behaved just like the standard missiles, but they allowed 4 missiles to be fired in rapid succession. His plane also carried a machine gun in the rear of the plane, acting as a point-defense weapon, in a similar fashion to the CIWS.
Oruma's carried the Land Attack Cruise missile, which behaved just like the LAGMs, but had a greater impact radius and more firepower. A single impact of those missiles could sink an AEGIS destroyer. His plane also carried a special Operative System that increased the plane's stability, air-to-ground performance and defense and provided multi-lock capabilities for all weapons, at the expense of an almost negligible decrease in speed and mobility.
Gaviria's was equipped with the Long-range Air-to-Air Missile, which, although could only be fired in salvos of two and, unlike other long-range air-to-air missiles, didn't feature multi-lock capabilities, had a range far superior to even the XLAAs, and was extremely powerful, more than enough to shoot down an A-10 with a single missile. His plane's OS increased the plane's speed, air-to-air capabilities, and provided radar jamming, with very small decreases in mobility and defense.
Kiriakov's plane had been equipped with the 6-target Air-to-Air Missiles, which behaved like the XMAAs, but locking on to up to six different targets at the range of the SAAMs. The plane's OS provided a massive increase in maneuverability and air-to-air performance, along with an auto-aligning gun reticle, despite a light decrease in air-to-ground performance.
These four planes were the Golden Axe Plan's trump card.
Nineteenth chapter. Sadly, this sets a new record for me. This chapter should have been finished a whole month ago, but lately I've been really tired and busy, way more than I'd like to, even though it's summer. Also, I tried to make Hansel and Marlene's love confession as good and believable as possible. I just hope I can write Joint Assault's last chapter before 2017. But for now, all I can do is wish. I've edited some info regarding the XFA-33 Fenrir in Skies of Deception. Not much, but I edited it for the sake of completion. Good luck and take care. See you next time
