Author's note: Hey, I didn't know where to put this so I'll just leave it here at the beginning. This story / book? Is practically an original story, meaning that although it takes place in the Strangereal universe, it is completely isolated in the sense of era, and technology. So most of the Aircraft flown are World War 2 era propeller aircraft, this story is also different as there are some fantasy elements included. But besides that, it's just your typical Ace Combat game. I hope this doesn't dissuade you and I hope you enjoy it.
The Rosaro Squadron
Chapter One / Road Trip
"H-Huh, m-me!?" I asked, pointing to myself, "Correct… What are you here for?" The woman repeated, the woman was sitting next to me, but several other passengers were peeking from behind their seats to look at me. "It's a long story… What's going on here?" I asked, "What's going on is that we've all been gathered here without our consent, and were here trying to question everyone that has arrived thus far," A man in a suit said from behind me. I turned around to greet the stranger, he was wearing a regal white suite and had short black hair. He wore a pair of square glasses and had brown eyes. He was far from obese, but he definitely had some saved for winter. "You too? I thought I was the only one…" I said, rubbing my bruised head. "Yeah, you're definitely not the only one… My name is Petunia, Petunia… I don't have a last name, well I do but It's not appropriate enough to say in a crow like this," Petunia said.
"Cool! I don't care, what about you…?" I asked, the suited man scoffed, "I guess it's mandatory, wouldn't want a criminal entering our ranks… My name is Odel Fiinlard, i'm a professor for the Fiinlard district University and I teach the fine arts as well as technology" Odel said, "You're named after a district, weird!" A child said before quickly ducking under her chair. "I admit it's a little unorthodox but I think it's a fine name," Odel said. "Agreed, it isn't that weird… You there, confess!" Petunia said, Petunia had brown twintails and green eyes. She wore a white button up shirt with a black tie and black skirt. "Right, my name is Yarde Insman, I'm a fighter pilot. I have six kills so I'm practically a top gun!" I proclaimed, Petunia clapped her hands before rummaging through her bag.
She pulled out a photo and handed it to me. The photo was her with several other women on stage singing, "I see, so you're a singer?" I said, "I guess you could say that… We don't do a lot of singing though…" The woman said, "Ok? So what about you over there?" I said, peeking over to the child. The little girl then covered her face with a small paper fan, "I'm an actor… Not that you would care!" The little girl said, the little girl had long, black hair that was styled in bangs and had blue eyes. "So a child actor then… So what kind of thing do you act in?" Odel asked, "Horror! I love horror! Especially serial killer films!" The child said, "I play the killers of course! Nightmare Nightmare!" The child exclaimed, waving her fan in the air. "That's alarming…" Petunia said, "Agreed, but I admire the work, it takes a lot of effort," Odel said. "Damer Asenbach, charmed to meet you, just check your back from time to time!" Damer said before giggling.
"WHAT THE FUCK! What's going on!? Where am I!?" A man shouted as he began flailing his arms around. He was sitting behind Damer and was wearing a tracksuit and a tophat. He had spiky red hair and blue eyes, "I was taking a jog a second ago! What the hell!" The man said as he pulled out a gun. "Calm down sir… Were not here to harm you, were in the same situation as you," Odel said, "I swear to god if your that pasty bastard that fucked my wife then I swear to god ill drag you seventy feet under!" The man shouted as he pointed his gun at Odel.
"Bus driver! Please help us!" Damer yelled, I bolted over to the driver's position, passing several other sleeping individuals on the way. But as I reached the front of the bus, I realized that where there should've been a driver's seat had been replaced by a sheet metal divider, isolating us from the driver. "You're one of those creepy barons aren't you! Kidnapping me to sell and eat my organs! I'll kill you!" The man shouted, Odel put his hands up while keeping composure, "I think you must be mistaken, my name is Odel Fiinlard. I'm a professor who teaches art and technology… We're all in the same situation as you," Odel said. "Huh!? Wadda you mean?" The man said, "We all woke up in this bus like you, were just as taken back," Odel said, readjusting his glasses. "Alice Reinhart! I'm an office worker, er… Was an office worker, that damn accountant stole my wife! Fired me from my job!" Alice said as I walked back down the aisle.
Just then a hand grabbed from one of the seats, "Trauma Trauma Trauma Trauma…" A woman chanted as she attempted to stick me with a syringe, I immediately jumped, landing on another sleeping person. Chaos ensued in an instant, "Yarde! Are you alright!" Odel shouted as the women began choking me, Alice then fired several rounds down range. I felt a searing pain engulf my leg as well as my side, Alice hit everything but the attacking women. "Your worse than the Belkans you dumbass! Lets help Sir Yarde!" Odel shouted as he ran over to me. The woman's cold hands wrapped around my neck, I could see her inject me with her syringe. "Calm… Calm… Silence!" The women chanted before Odel knocked her out with an aimed blow. "Fucking wired…" I muttered as Odel helped me up, the woman had long black hair and was wearing a dark blue school uniform. "A-Are you alright?" Odel asked, "No, that lady poked me with her needle!" I said.
Odel observed the needle, letting out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god, don't worry it's just an anti-depressant… It shouldn't be enough to be fatal," Odel said. "It shouldn't! Well at least I'll be high as a kite while everyone introduces themselves, just wake me up when we get to wherever!" I said, "As you wish mister fighter pilot, i'm glad someone from the military is here alongside us in these trying times!" Odel said, "Yeah…," I said while scratching my head. "Oww…," The person I landed on said, "What now!" I said, I really piss off. The woman I landed on then slowly arose from her pained slumber, attempting to pick up her now shattered glasses. She had long black front braided hair, she slowly put on her glasses, staring at me with dead eyes. "Where am I…? I see… I'm on a bus…" The woman said, she was wearing the same uniform as the wired girl but her skirt was much longer. "You are?" I asked.
"Monarch…" The woman said, "Monarch…?" I replied, "Yes, after my favorite butterfly… I love butterflies… Trauma… Metamorphosis!" Monarch said, "You two keep saying that, what's your deal with trauma!?" I asked, "Trauma Center…, were from the Trauma center… Me and Morning Cloak" Monarch replied, "Ok…?" I said, visibly confused. "School girls named after butterflies? Man, this day is getting weird!" Alice remarked, "I'm an adult… I think I can drink… This is just our aesthetic…" Monarch said, "Trauma… Trauma…" Monarch chanted, "By the way I think we're getting close to our destination," Petunia said.
I looked out the window, seeing a small airfield with abandoned passenger planes filling its hangars. As the bus came to a halt, we saw a large white mansion come into sight, "Amazing, this looks like a fine place! Even though we've been taken here against our will, I can't shake this feeling of calmness!" Odel said, just then the intercom opened up. "Greetings and apologies for the bumpy ride. Welcome to Rosaro airport, your new home for now! Please consult the guide on the side of the bus for more details!" The intercom said, "Hello? Is someone there? What is happening here?" Alice asked, "Unfortunately this is a pre-recorded message, so if you have any questions, please consult the guide on the side of the bus!" The intercom said, with those words the bus's doors swing open. We all charged out of the smelly and claustrophobic bus, Alice dragging Morning Cloak on his way out.
The sensation of the cool air felt so refreshing while everyone crowded around the side of the bus. On the side of the bus were several red buttons next to written questions. Alice quickly pressed, "What's going on here?", dropping Morning Cloak on the ground. "You are all here for various reasons, you all have been selected to participate in a secret military operation. Although you have all been brought here against your will, you will not be harmed in any way. Please feel free to get yourselves comfortable in your new home!" The automated voice said.
As I heard those words, I noticed I had completely forgotten about my bullet wounds. In an instant, both the copious amount of blood lost as well as the large amount of antidepressants caught up to me, causing me to fall unconscious once more.