The sleeping giant was once again going back to fight the mighty Japanese Empire, only this time, they were the ones who were going to be doing the first strike. Resiliently, the Americans had learned that the enemy had set up base in the Solomon Islands.
The location: Guadalcanal.
It was the only island big enough to fit an airfield and the Japanese had been in the process of finishing construction. It was at that time that the allied forces operating in the Pacific knew that if an attack was to be launched as Guadalcanal, it was ASAP. However, despite the need to ensure that a swift and decisive victory was won in the Pacific, the allied forces kept their brothers and sister fighting fascist oppression in Europe in their prayers.
But, for Mama Bear and her daughters, prayers would not be enough.
August 1, 1942
RAF Abbotsinch Airfield
Glasgow, Scotland
Colonel Winston "Papa Bear" Maverick sat in his cozy recliner in the wreck room of the American Barracks on the Royal Air Force installation in Glasgow, coffee at his side, puffing on a pipe as he read updates of the war and domestic stories in the local paper, The Scotsman. By his side, RAF fatigues on his back, plastered with patches and ribbons, one being of an ornate quality featuring the Edinburgh Castle Lion heraldry and crown of King George, which further bolstered the call of the 602 Scottish Squadron.
And while the two stubborn squadron leaders had butted heads up the Yanks' first arrival, Winston and the charcoal black Terrier Sergeant, one John "Jock" McTavish, had become very good friends. And in that time, the two had also become quite close with a rather handsome golden fox, one Paddington "Paddy" Mallard, who sat just beside Jock, the middle-aged leader of Fowl Squadron actually sporting a ginger muzzle on his face making him look more like a duck than a fox. This appearance, along with a noticeable limp from an injury he received in the Great War which resulted in a sort of "waddling" gait, further solidified this nickname.
But, in the end, the three, as well as there respective squadrons, enjoyed the lite ribbing they sent towards each other, as it helped lessen the burden of war. And if each was honest, the war had been taxing, even more so for the brits, who had been in for two years longer the Yanks. But for the past several days, all seemed to be quite, save for the clacking of billiard balls, courtesy of some of Winston' Omega Squadron playing some pool with some of Jock's 602 mates.
All was well.
Until…
"HENKLES AND MESSERSCHMITTES BOUND FOR YORK!"
A frazzled RAF tabby cat bellowed as he ran through the room, Sgt. Jeremiah Tibbs rousing the others, who within a blink of an eye, ran out onto the tarmack, each bolting from their prepped spitfires. And once in the air, each was given the rundown;
The 602, Omega, and Fowl Squadrons would rendezvous with one other squadrons taking off from RAF Banff in Aberdineshire while in route to reinforce the lot from RAF Firbeck from South Yorkshire. And needless to say, the moment the squadrons entered the fray, it was like diving right into a hornet's nest.
And before long, it was a battle royale in the sky.
Winston gripped the controls of his Spitfire, gunning his engine as he engaged a German BF-109, the aging wolf lining his sights up before unloading on the enemy plane, which went down in a ball of flame, making Winston's kill tally 71 kills. Unfortunately, Wisnton had little time to celebrate, for the moment he heard Garth call over the comm, his blood went cold.
"Papa Bear, you got fighters all over you!"
Winston looked over his shoulder, and sure enough, he saw three BF-109 fighters closing in on him.
"HANG ON, PAPA!" Jock's thick Scottish drawl called over the radio.
"I'LL TRY AND GET 'EM OFF YA, LAD!"
At that moment, Winston could definitely make at the form of Jock's plane make a dive for him. But, as he silently prayed for the assistance to work, he knew that it practically be suicide for Jock, who would be easy pickings for any flanking 109's.
"NEGATIVE JOCK STAY CLEAR, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO!"
With that, Winston revved his engine to try and outrun the approaching fighters, trying many desperate maneuvers to try and shake them. But alas, the allied plane just couldn't shake the more aerodynamic fighters of the Luftwaffe. But, in one last ditch effort, Winston tried to rise up into the thick overcast above, hoping to lose his pursuers in the clouds. But by the time he pulled back on the stick, it was too late.
Bullets ripped into his Spitfire.
"Mayday! Mayday! I'm going down!" he shouted, flames erupting from his plane as he went straight down. And as the burning hulk of metal descended rapidly toward the cold, hard ground, Winston tried his hardest to eject, only to find to his horror that the bullets he took had jammed his canopy. At that moment, realizing that this was it, all Winston could do was look at the picture of his beloved wife and two beautiful daughters.
"I'm sorry," he whispered closing his eyes to not see his approaching doom.
His plane hit the ground and became a burning inferno.
Winston was gone.
August 7, 1942
The Island of Guadalcanal was being hit from the sea as a number of American Destroyers and Cruisers. Their guns fired in unison of each other, thus catching the defending Japanese forces off guard. As they showered the island with lead and steel, fuel dumps were hit, outposts and even the airfield were hit by the navy's constant attack. Onboard the carrier Enterprise, Lieutenant Samuel Davis stood proud, with him, Lt. Colonel Eve Maverick. Turing to his superior and fellow pilot, Sam could see there was something very wrong with the way Eve was acting.
Here shoulders were slumped and her eyes held a hollow, almost sorrowful hue.
"You okay Mama Bear?" Sam asked her. Looking up at the concerned Lieutenant, Eve held out a telegram she had just received from the war department. And needless to say, Sam didn't need to be told what it was, for he already knew.
"My husband was killed in action three days ago," Eve said in barely a whisper, the older female trying her hardest to keep her composure. But, as Sam observed, her eyes became misty, and her lip quivered. And much to Sam's heartbreak, Eve released what could only be described as gasp of a sob, the mourning widow bringing a hand to her mouth in an attempt to muffle the sound.
"I haven't even told Kate or Lilly yet."
It was then that Sam knew that the pain Eve felt must have been unbearable. He tried to put himself in her position, remembering the pain he felt when he learned of Hutch's death. But then again, Hutch was his FRIEND. And a friend to Eve, Winston was not. Eve had now lost her husband of twenty-five years, who had given her two wonderful daughters, and had remained truly faithful to his wife. And the moment Sam pulled his superior into a half-embrace, the latter managing to get herself somewhat composed, the younger pilot knew that Eve was in no way fit for combat duties while in this state. And so, with great persuasion, our rather no room for argument, Lieutenant Davis called up a member of the ship's medical staff to take her down below to rest and have time to mourn.
"Take care of her, otherwise the Angels and I'll have your ass," he shouted to the ship's medic as the gently guided Eve below decks, all while across the flight deck of the Enterprise, Cain sat on the wing of his Hellcat as he watched Eve get taken below deck, but could only shake his head. Turning to his brother who was running the final safety checks on his plane, the dark wolf asked his brother,
"Do you think Eve will be alright?"
Able smiled and looked up at his brother.
"Eve is the toughest woman I know. There was even a time when Eve took on three crooks who tried to rob her on her and Winston's first date."
This brought a sad smile to Cain's face as Able finished his safety checks before looking over at Guadalcanal, the beach now looking like it had been hit by a meteor the size of the Empire State Building.
"Those Japs have better just raise the white flag and give up."
At that moment, First Lieutenant Dax Stirling ran up.
"Get ready for take off! We launch in five!"
And once THREE minutes had passed, pilots rushed to the flight deck and gathered around Able and king, all while deck crews hurried to prepare the planes for takeoff, responding efficiently to the impending battle that was about to happen. And in no time flat, the armored dive bombers were fueled, armed with 1000-pound bombs, and were all ready for takeoff, all while Able was addressing the pilots that gathered together.
"The strength of the Japanese forces on the island are unknown. Devil Squadron will lead the dive bomb attack, while Angel Squadron will be their fighter protection. But Rouge and Husky Squadrons will remain on the Enterprise, being only allowed to take flight if our carrier task force comes under enemy attack."
Lt. Col Humphrey "Rex" Chambers Sr, a veteran pilot of the first world war, looked at his fellow pilot with concern.
"But what if the Japs have set a trap for our Marines, and are cut down before reaching the airfield?"
"The bombers from the Saratoga will help clear the way for our ground forces," Able explained.
"Now is the time for us to finally get back at the Japanese for what they did to us at Pearl Harbor. Good luck and God be with you."
Somewhat reassured, Rex along with the rest of the pilots of Enterprise raced toward their planes, each taking flight in rapid succesion.
The battle for Guadalcanal had now begun.
But, before Able got to his plane, he pulled his brother Cain aside for a brief moment. The brothers looked at one another as if this was going to be their last time together.
Able spoke softly.
"Cain, if I don't make it. Will you…" he couldn't find the words but forced himself to finish his sentence. "Tell my wife and son that I love them."
"Don't say that," Cain said rebuking his brother, placing both hands squarely on his brother's shoulders as he looked him dead in the eye.
"You'll be able to tell them that yourself."
With that, the dark wolf hopped into his plane, unaware of the sorrowful expression of his brother that followed close behind, both soon taking flight as well. And both would soon be followed by Dax, who was preparing to depart as he placed his late father's Bowie Knife in its sheath and hurried to his dive bomber. When he reached it, Jake Banners, his fresh-faced young tail gunner, was sitting in his seat waiting for him.
"Feeling alright, sir?" Jake asked enthusiastically.
"Like shit, but ready to kick some. How about you, Jake?"
The rabbit til-gunner beamed.
"Right now, I feel like I could take on the whole Japanese Empire myself."
"Yeah," Dax said quietly, "I know what you mean."
In just a matter of minutes, Devil Squadron was flying over the Japanese defensive positions.
With that, Able gave the order.
"Attack in squadron order!"
Then he and his team of bombers went into a dive, Japanese soldiers on the ground running for cover as explosions erupted around them. Some rushed to foxholes that had some small Anti-air machine-guns, while many others rushed into the jungle to get to their flack guns.
Meanwhile, in Dax's cockpit, his gunner, Jake, was jostled by the sudden dive of the bomber. Trying to keep his grip on gun in his hand, he shouted,
"Whoa! Dax, I can't seem to find my restraints."
"Just hang on!" Dax shouted over the sound of the biggest explosion he had ever heard.
"Bomb away, now we just have to-" bullets ripped through the side of his cockpit as a Japanese Zero flew by.
"Jake! Be ready on that gun, the Japs have fighters!"
Jake didn't answer. And as Dax managed to crane his around, he saw Jake, blood streaming from his forehead, slumped against his gun.
He was gone.
"Fucking Jap bastard!" Growled Dax as he turned his plane to strafe the enemy on the ground.
The Zero that had claimed Jake's life was flown by the legendary Japanese ace, Saburo Sakai! He had fifty kills and now he was looking to add the Enterprise's pilots to his kill count. And as he looked out across the battlefield, the red fox saw the leader of Devil Squadron.
With a smile, he turned and went after Able as the Devil Squadron leader made another pass to strafe the enemy positions with machine gun fire, unaware that hew as being tailed Saburo Sakai opened fire on him. Bullets ripped though his right wing, almost cutting it off. Fighting hard to stay in the air, Able could see that he was losing fuel as well, and very quickly at that to.
Corporal Cassandra "Candy" Malone of Angel Squadron saw that Able was in trouble.
"I'm coming, Colonel," she declared.
"Bank right and I'll cover you."
"Negative! I just lost power to my engine!" Came his reply.
"Just keep the rest of the bombers safe!"
With inhuman precision, Saburo Sakai depressed the fire control of his Zero again. And not one second later, a loud, desperate shout sounded over the radios of both Angel and Devil Squadron, blending into a final agonized scream of flesh and metal as Able's dive bomber went down in a ball of fire, the horrifying scene witness by Second Lt. Delilah "Skunk" Cutter and Corporal Samson "Strongman" Johnson both in shock at what they had just witnessed. And in the end, it was fellow pilot, Private Elise "Squirt" O'Connor who confirmed the worst over the radio.
"We lost Cloud! I repeat, Cloud is KIA!"
When Cain heard what Elise had just said, he didn't reply immediately. His eyes were watering, and he angrily wiped them clear. They were blurring his view of the battlefield.
"We're a couple of shooting stars, Able," he whispered huskily, "And we'll never be defeated."
As Dax flew over the burning wreckage of Able's bomber, an Anti-air shell exploded beside his plane, sending shrapnel into his engine and fuel line. Dax struggled to maintain control of his plane, but it was all for not as went down and crashed into the jungle below, the sight witnessed by Cain who had no other choice but to break off once the objective was complete. When the final bombs dropped from the last of the planes, Cain lead his team and Angel Squadron back to the Enterprise. And once there, Cain went straight to his brothers bunk and sat down on it. And at that moment, the once strong-willed Captain of Devil Squadron was truly broken. As the crew of the Enterprise cheered on their pilots, Cain ignored them, heartbroken over the loss of his only brother. And upon seeing how hurt he was, Terra picked up a blanket and placed it gently over his shoulders.
"There wasn't anything you could have done," she whispered comfortingly, leaning her head on his shoulder as she took one of his larger hands into both of hers.
"But you must be strong. You are the new leader of Devil Squadron, and they need you now more than ever."
"I can't believe he's gone," came Cain's reply, his voice a ghost of whisper.
"And Dax was shot down also, I saw him go down before we could return to the ship."
And out on the Enterprise's flight deck, Sweets looked out over the sea toward Guadalcanal.
"Please be alright, Dax. Come back to me," she said.
August 8, 1942
The next day, as the US Marines started setting up shop at the now captured Japanese airfield, they had now named Henderson Field, a group of them were scouting out the area where Dax's plane had crashed.
As one of the Marines advanced toward the downed dive bomber, a Japanese sniper was watching them from the treetops, carefully taking aim as he got ready to fire, but suddenly, he felt something breathing behind him, causing him to crane his neck, only to come face to face with a seething American pilot.
"Hello," Dax smiled, before striking the helpless sniper down with his knife. And As the Marines reached the bomber, they were shocked to see about twelve dead Japanese soldiers scattered around the area. Just then a shot rang out and the Marines turned to see a Japanese soldier come stumbling out of the bushes, a fresh, bleeding gash across his throat. Suddenly, there was loud shouting and Dax and another Japanese soldier came tumbling out of the bushes.
With blinding speed, the Lieutenant dodged the soldier's attack and rolled behind him, cutting him with his Bowie Knife, but the wounded Japanese soldier was able to turn around and tried to run Dax through with his bayonet, Dax narrowly avoiding the attack as he tried to slice the throat of the red panda soldier, but he evaded and managed to knock the Bowie knife out of the Dax's hands. The enemy soldier then took a chance to charge at the now unarmed pilot. Both warriors slammed into a tree. The Marines raised their rifles to try and shoot the enemy soldier, but he was too close to Dax. As the Japanese soldier tried to push Dax away from him, the Texas wolf was too strong. But with one more final push of force the Japanese soldier was able to get the upper hand and knocked Dax to the ground.
That however gave Dax an opening to kick the Japanese soldier away, giving himself enough time to pull out a spare throwing knife tucked away in his boot. The Japanese soldier never knew what hit him until he felt the sharp blade fly into his neck. The Japanese soldier slowly fell to the ground before dying.
And at that moment, Dax got up and gave an Apache war cry of victory and shouted,
"No one will ever defeat us" in Apache before giving the dead Japanese soldier a salute.
However, as the Marines began setting up shop at the airfield, the Enterprise was sent back out to sea. This however proved to be a bad idea. Because that night in the area of the New Georcia Sound, the Japanese Navy sunk four heavy cruisers in just thirty minutes and damaged one light cruiser and one destroyer. The death toll for the Americans was 1,077, and that was the price for overestimating the enemy.
The next morning, Dax and the rest of the Marines came to realize that they now were the only ones who were left to hold Guadalcanal from the powerful Japanese Empire. And as the Dax looked out at the vast number of dead American sailors that had washed up on the shore, he felt so much rage.
"We have lost the battle, but we will not lose this island," he said with a growl then turned and faced the Marines.
"Alright boys and girls! Set up defensive positions around the airfield. If they are not friends of Uncle Sam, you kill those dirty Japs the second you see them. DO YOU GET ME?!" he shouted.
"SIR. YES SIR!" the Marines shouted in unison. Then they returned to the airfield, but then it suddenly hit Dax. All they had to fight with were light Artillery and Springfield rifles left over from the First World War.
Well, if this was what they had, they were going to make Uncle Sam proud of his fighting forces.
And when the Japanese learned that the American forces had withdrawn from Guadalcanal, they felt this was their time to strike. So, they sent a massive Carrier fleet and troop transports to wipe out the Enterprise and retake the island for the Marine defenders.
However, they would be in for a rude awakening.
August 20, 1942
Three Japanese carries, the Ryujo, Shokaku, and Zuikaku all were heading to engage the Enterprise and Saratoga. No one would know who would come out on top, but God did know the outcome of the future battle that was about to take place.
August 24, 1942
Enterprise's crew were in full combat mode, over a hundred Japanese fighters and bombers were baring down on the American carrier. 54 Hellcat fighter rushed to intercept the enemy, among the fighter were members of Angel, Rouge, Husky and Devil Squadron.
Private Elise "Squirt" O'Connor was the first to spot the approaching Japanese planes.
"I see the enemy!" she was ecstatic.
"I'm moving in. Aleu, Dusty, cover me!"
"On ya, Squrit!" Aleu called as she and her fellow husky squamate joined in on the small formation. With that, the three dove their plane's toward the center of the oncoming Japanese air force. From above, Elise's older brother, Private Daniel "Pipsqueak" O'Connor of Rouge Squadron flew up beside his sister, followed close behind by Kodi, the husky keeping an eye on his girlfriend's fighter before both his and Daniel's flying instincts kicked in, both locking in on the intoxicating challenge of winning as an enemy Val dive bomber drifted into his sights ahead.
"You're mine, Jap!" Daniel said, bringing his Hellcat into firing position behind the enemy bomber.
Daniel fired...and the bomber fell from the sky.
His first kill ever!
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, Anti-air guns erupted in a hailstorm of lead and steel. Then the battleship North Carolina opened fire behind the Enterprise, making this the biggest battle the US had ever fought. Up in the air, Sergeant George "Hench" Mahony and Rex were going after some Zeros. In the corner of his eye, Hench saw a group of Val dive bombers go into a dive, their target the Enterprise.
"Rex, you see?!" Hench shouted.
"They're going for the Enterprise! Stop them!" Rex shouted. He and the sergeant turned toward the diving Vals and began picking them off. But, just as Rex was about to take out the last bomber, it released its bomb.
Then just like that, the massive aircraft carrier Enterprise shook from the huge explosion. The Japanese had landed a direct hit on the carrier! The ship began to roll over as fire crews and sailors fought to save their ship.
"Keep them away from the Enterprise!" Eve ordered, but it was too late. Another Val bomber scored another direct hit fifteen feet away from where the first bomb had hit, this explosion killed a number of the Anti-air gunners on port side of the Enterprise as fire and smoke was seen coming from the upper and lower decks of the Enterprise.
She was damaged, but still in the fight.
Onboard the Enterprise, Nick Wilde was reloading his Anti-air machine-gun when he noticed an incoming Japanese bomber.
"Get away!" he shouted.
"Get your filthy plane away from our ship!" as he quickly reloaded and began to fire at the approaching Val. However, the Val scored a third direct hit on the Enterprise, this time the damage was overwhelming. Captain Arthur Davis ordered a full left rudder, but helmsman Max "Spirit" Macon couldn't get the carrier to obey the command, no matter how hard the stallion tried. The ship's steering was out and now they were out of control, resulting in the entire task force having to circle around the Enterprise to keep from hitting the damaged ship.
With their mission accomplished, the attacking Japanese bombers and their fighter cover made their way back to their carriers. Japan had won this battle, but the war was far from over. But in a twist of fate, the damage done to Enterprise saved her from sinking. The second Japanese attack group had no idea that the American carrier was still right where they had bombed her, so they had gone in the wrong direction.
Captain Arthur Davis contacted Marty and Gia down in the engine room. From what they told him, Enterprise was going to need to return to port to make some much needed repairs. So the order was given.
The next day, the deck of the Enterprise was now filled with pilots and crew members who had gather to bury their dead at sea. Taps were played, goodbyes were said, and the pilots of Devil Squadron lowered their head in a silent prayer for their fallen leader, Lt. Col Able "Cloud" Adams. Cain walked up to the coffin that had his brother's belongings in it. The dark wolf pulled out a bible and read from it. With a smile, he looked up at his team of pilots.
"Every time you see a cloud, remember that it was Able who taught us the meaning of teamwork," he said.
"May God be with you, Able."
Then the bodies of the fallen were thrown into the sea, where they would stay. Then the Enterprise made its way back to Pearl Harbor for repairs. The Japanese also did the same and returned to the safety of the Japan's waters to regroup and rearm.
October 26, 1942
A huge Japanese naval force that consisted of four mega carriers, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Junyo, and Zuiho were heading right for Guadalcanal, and the only thing stopping them was USS Enterprise and Hornet. However, two American dive bombers quickly took the Zuiho out of the fight.
Now it was three against two, and now, it was time for the real battle to begin.
November 13, 1942
U.S.S. Enterprise, Off of Noumea, New Caledonia
Early Morning
First Lieutenant Cody "Pretty Boy" O'Connor's amber eyes stared into the distance, the calm horizon on the South Pacific, the tranquil scene of the rising sun giving a great sense of irony over the chaos that lay beyond. The warm breeze blew through the brown fur on his face, which sported an old scar from his left temple down to his cheek, which was the reason behind the ironic nickname "Pretty Boy."
By Cody's side were the two youngest members of Rogue and Devil Squadron respectively, Daniel "Pipsqueak" O'Connor and Elsie "Squirt" O'Connor, the brother and sister duo of Midway...
and the children of the ever-proud Pretty Boy.
"This is gonna be a hard one," Elsie voiced in a timid whisper, wringing her hands in front of her, her violet eyes cast down on the newly repaired flight-deck.
"It'll be fine Hun," Cody said with chuckle, pulling his youngest child close to his side as Daniel smiled, his blue eyes turning bright with fondness as his father consoled his sister.
Meanwhile, below deck, King was making his way toward the barracks reserved for the Rogues and Devils, his mind on the perilous mission at hand. The importance of it weighing just as heavily, especially given Enterprise's position.
Just a few weeks prior, the Enterprise and her sister, Hornet, were involved in a great naval engagement at the Santa Cruz Islands in the Solomon Seas. The American Fleet was responded to a Japanese attack that the enemy hoped would result in breaking a great stalemate by retaking the American-held Guadalcanal at the Marine installation, Henderson Field.
The Japanese assault failed, and the Japanese fleet was temporarily repelled.
But at great cost to the American Fleet.
During the sea battle...
Hornet was lost...
And Enterprise badly damaged.
But after nearly two weeks of repair at Nouméa, Enterprise was underway again.
But, with Hornet sunk, Enterprise was now a valuable prize in the eyes of the Japanese as the only operational carrier in the Pacific.
And the timing for her to return could not have been more perfect. At around pre-dawn that morning, the American Surface Fleet off the coast of Guadalcanal was ambushed by Japanese destroyers, which quickly came under heavy fire from U.S.S. Atlanta and the other American ships.
From the coast, the marines stationed the island watched as the battle took place for several hours.
"Big Daddy" Stirling would later compare it to a "Bar brawl after the lights had been shot out."
And it was.
From what the squadrons of Enterprise heard, the dawn light revealed a hellish sight...
The waters off of Guadalcanal are stained with oil, debris, and bodily remains, much of it from the Atlanta...
And the U.S.S. Juneau, taking with her the five Sullivan Brothers.
This proved how far the Japanese were willing to go to take back Guadalcanal.
And that was just the morning.
If all did not go well for the Allies, Friday the 13th could be Santa Cruz all over again.
But at this point, King new he should sole be focusing in the mission at hand;
Take Out Japanese Destroyers and Troop-Transports Heading for Guadalcanal.
From What King and his fellow squadron leaders were told int he briefing the previous night, Angel, Rogue and Devil Squadron's would be acting as escorts for the dive bombers of Enterprise. Once the dive-bombers had completed their runs, the fighters of each squadron would drop their own smaller ordinance and give cover-fire by strafing the Japanese ships. Afterwards, the planes would make their way for Henderson Field, as the damage sustained by Enterprise at Santa Cruz damaged her forward deck elevator, rendering landing on the ship a futile effort. Until the elevator was fixed, Henderson would serve as a temporary base for the squadrons.
King was pulled from his thoughts as he felt himself bump into something, or rather someone, if the "OOF!" they gave was any indication.
And when he saw who it was, King actually gave a nervous chuckle as a lite blush bled through his fur.
"Sorry 'bout that Eve," King apologized, his blush deepening when Eve sent him, to his surprise, a flirtatious smile.
"Don't worry about it King," she said with a wink, "accidents happen."
And while King could help but return the smile, said smile slowly fell as he looked through the doorway Eve had come through, which lead tot the barracks reserved for the Angel Squadron, where the older male saw Kate and Lilly sitting on a bunk, all prepped for the mission, laughing at a joke a black-furred female, one of Cain's pilots, Second Lieutenant Delilah Cutter, had made. As Delilah laughed at her own joke, she was pulling a button-up shirt over her bare shoulders, save for a bra, allowing King to see a white strip running down her back, which helped him figure out why she was called "Skunk."
"How are you and the girls holdin' up?" king asked, genuinely curious as to how the trio were recovering from the loss of Eve's husband Winston after he was Killed-in-Action in Europe. The three females were even given two-weeks leave to mourn and have a proper service for him back in their home town in Idaho. The funeral was even attended by all the members of Alpha and Omega Squadron.
Eve's smile fell as well, but she managed to hold a strong demeanor.
"We're," she began hesitantly, her gaze misting up some before finishing her answer, "managing...
But this is war. We all knew the risks when we signed up."
King, upon hearing this, gave a nod and knowing smile. But once again, the smile fell, this time from an idea that posed a serious risk to his and Eve's relationship as colleagues. But, remembering what Eve said, King came to the conclusion that when it comes to war...
Life is short, and sometimes you just have to say,
"What the Hell?"
"You know," he began hesitantly, his nervous demeanor catching Eve's attention, "maybe next time we're on leave, the two of us could get a drink, share stories about Winston and how much he meant to us."
Eve, although shocked by this invitation, allowed a warm smile to grace her lips as she leaned forward.
"I think I'd like that," she said in a sultry whisper, continuing to lean in toward King, both of their eyes slowly closing at the inflection of what was about to happen. But, just as their lips were a breath away from each other, an alarm blared through The ship, followed by a voice over the P.A.
"ATTENTION ALL HANDS, ATTENTION ALL HANDS! ALL PILOTS, MAN YOUR PLANES! MAN YOUR PLANES!"
This could only mean one thing...
Admiral Halsey had brought the "Big E" within two hundred miles of the planned striking distance from Guadalcanal.
The near kiss was now a distant memory as King and Eve and the rest of their squadrons made their way to the flight deck, each manning their Corsairs as bomber crews ran for the dive-bombers and torpedo planes, the latter be lead by a pilot with suitably grim name...
Albert "Al'" Coffin.
Shortly after 11 A.M., each squadron was in the air, traveling three-miles above the sea, making their way toward the sea of Guadalcanal.
And within minutes, the IJN Hiei comes into view, her deck torn apart by fire from the American Destroyer Laffey the night before.
Coffin divides his squadron into two groups, Devil Squadron and half of Angle Squadron following him, and the Rogues and the other half of the Angels following the second group. Both groups will meet the ship head-on, with one attacking from the port side, and the other from starboard.
Hiei had nowhere to go.
Any attempt to maneuver away from the attack, she will get a salvo from American torpedoes.
As the two groups bare down on the damaged vessel, Hiei opens fire with her deck guns, but the gunner crews are divided between the two fighter groups.
Unfortunately, their is little the Imperial sailors can do as Coffin and his squadron drop their torpedoes before running like hell to Henderson, with the angels laying down cover fire.
And within seconds, a collective cheer sounded through the radio as three torpedoes hit home, the Hiei quickly slowing to a crawl as result.
Unfortunately, one of the Japs just had to be a good shot.
"SON OF BITCH!" Eve's voice cried over the radio.
"You okay Mama Bear?" Cain called, concern laced in his voice, only to be rudely answered by Eve.
"NO YOU DUMB BASTARD! A GODDAMN NIP SLUG WENT THROUGH MY THIGH!"
And that was the truth.
Looking down, Eve could see her right trouser leg become saturated with her blood.
"Is it bad?" Lilly's quivering voice sounded over the radio, making Eve realize how scared her youngest daughter must be upon hearing that her only living parent was hit.
"N-no Snowball," Eve replied through clenched teeth as she felt her would, before breathing a mental sigh of relief at what she felt,
"It's just a flesh-wound...
Mama's gonna be okay."
"Good to hear, Mama Bear," Coffin called over the radio, "once we get to Henderson we'll have 'em patch you up."
With that, the two squadrons make their way for Henderson.
Hiei would later be hit by a second round of torpedoes and scuttled.
For the first time in the war...
Enterprise has claimed a Japanese Battleship.
By the end of the day, all planes from the Enterprise land at Henderson.
But the moments her place was moved off, Sweets jumped out of her cockpit, bolting toward the Marine tents that littered the airfield, desperate to find information on a certain someone who had stolen her heart.
For the next hour, all that came out of her mouth was,
"Lieutenant Stirling?...
Dax Stirling?...
Big Daddy?"
Each inquiry was met with shrugs.
That is until, Sweets came face-to-face with the wolf in charge...
Major General Alexander Vandergrift.
"Stirling?" he said, his grey facing scrunching up as his tired eyes stared at the nervous Sweets, who weakly nodded. With a small smile, Vandergrift jerked his thumb to a nearby, burned-up hut, which was all Sweets needed. Quickly saluting the General, receiving a salute in return, Sweets bolted for the hut, her heart thumping at the thought of seeing Dax again.
The reason being, well...
She was head over heels for him.
But the moment she stepped into the hut, her heart sank.
Their, seated on a cot, head hung low, was Dax, his bare torso exposed to the humid air, boots off to the side, leaving his bare feet resting on the scorched wood.
And in his hands, was his Bowie knife, twirled around between his fingers.
And upon closer inspection, Sweets couldn't help but notice how Dax, quite simply...
Looked like Death.
His heterochromic eyes staring at the floor, both peepers and his crestfallen face showing great signs of both physical and mental fatigue.
And his fur, his beautiful, silver fur stained with dirt and grime, as well as traces of blood.
Upon realizing that there was another person in the hut, Dax slowly raised his head to the entrance, only for tears to start rapidly forming in his eyes as he gazed at the woman he loved.
"Sweets" he croaked out, his tears finally having the weight to fall, a sob escaping his throat as the Angel bolted for him, pulling his head into the leather jacket covering her chest. For the next three minutes, the two pilots held each other, both sobbing as they cherished being held in each others arms.
But after another few moments, Sweets pulled away.
Curious as to the loss of contact, Dax looked up, only to see Sweets' tear-filled eyes staring at him with...
Want.
In a matter of seconds, Sweets was straddling Dax's waist as the two enveloped each other in a kiss that could only have been driven by raw passion, tongues exploring the other's mouth as low moans filled the hut. Sweets was even surprised that she actually enjoyed the taste of dirt and sweat on Dax's lips.
But, just as she made a move to remove her jacket, a pained whisper entered the hut.
"You fuckin' bastard."
Pulling out of the kiss, Dax stared wide-eyed at his Captain, who at this point was fighting back his own tears as they filled his hazel eyes.
"Hey Buckeye," Dax rasped out with a quivering smile before walking over to Sam and pulling him into a tight embrace, tears staining the fur on their cheeks as both comrades held each other close.
That night, the Rogues, Angels, and Devils held a private celebration for the return of one of their pilots.
Unfortunately, the celebration would be cut short the next day.
While Hiei was out of the picture, there was still the eleven troop ships making their way for Guadalcanal.
Unfortunately, during the initial bombing run, a squadron of Japanese Zeros tore into the America bombers and fighters...
With one shot given Sam a good flesh-wound in his right abdomen.
"SHIT!" he swore over the radio, clutching his free hand over his wound, pulling it away to see the cream-fur stained with blood.
"Damn Jap got me...AND HE'S STILL ON MY ASS!"
And just as soon as he said that, Sam found himself under fire from the same Zero that scored a hit on him.
"Hang on Buckeye," Hench called over the radio, "I'm on him."
And in a spectacular feat of skill, the Zero went down in a single burst from Hench, who, flying alongside of Sam, sent a playful salute...
Only for the moment to be tragically cut shirt with a direct shot from a Japanese Deck gun hitting Hench's engine. In the end, all Sam could do was watch helplessly as Hench's plane plummeted toward the ocean, his screams heard over the radio, only to be cut short as his lay tore apart upon making contact with the water below. Pressing the button on his radio set with his bloodied hand, Sam called it.
"Rogue Two to Rogue Leader."
...
"Copy Rogue Two."
...
"Rogue Three is Down...
George is gone, King."
In King's cockpit, the shock turned to sorrow as a single tear slid down his cheek.
But, Hench's sacrifice was not in vain.
By the end of the day, four of the Japanese troop ships are left operational.
The squadrons return to Henderson, which is under heavy bombardment.
The next morning, the remaining Japanese Troop Ships slip past the American destroyers.
But they were dead wrong when they thought they were in the clear.
In a matter of minutes, the ships and troops were strafed from above by the combined forces of the Enterprise Squadrons, minus Sam, Eve, and Cain who had been injured when he suffered a crash landing at Henderson.
In the end, Guadalcanal was secure.
And with such a victory, came a reward of shore leave for the Enterprise squadrons...
One which would last from Thanksgiving to the New Year.
On Henderson, a Douglass C-54 revved it's engines, preparing to depart with it's precious cargo of American heroes. Throughout the plane, the pilots of the three renowned squadrons were dressed in their Navy Blues or Army Greens.
But, at the edge of the field, in a burnt hut that the Texan called home for four months, Dax sat on his cot, duffel-bag by his feet, dressed in his greens as he stared at his Bowie knife. After a another moment of staring at the blade in his grasp, Dax stood from his cot, before kneeling before a plank of wood embedded in the dirt of a shredded piece of flooring.
Once on his knees, Dax said a quick prayer for himself and his squad mates.
"Gracious Heavenly Father,
I thank you for keeping us these long months.
Unto thee we commend or bodies, souls, and spirits...
And may those we have lost fly forever in Paradise.
Amen."
With that, Dax laid his Bowie knife in front of the plank of wood, before standing, grabbing his duffel-bag, and leaving the hut...
And the small memorial he left in it.
In Memory of Colonel Abel "Cloud" Adams,
I fly with the Angels, I party with the Devils,
But shall always remain a Rouge Warrior.