Hello, here is the next chapter: Recon. This will be part 1, part 2 will be posted at a later date.
I started ACI on July 18th, and decided to go for a play for free play style. Any consequences? Beside the Sortie Fuel conservation, I suffered horrible connections. Despite having a strong internet router and modem, I still get disconnects from PSN and even the game itself, all during the first day.
In the end, I stopped Ace Combat Infinity when I had to return the PS3 to a family member on August 2. So, I'll give you some of my stats.
Level: 1st Lieutenant #35
Highest Level Aircraft: F-14A Lvl.4 (50% Research)
Ranking (CO-OP): 1600s
Ranking (TDM): 1500s
Credits: Total Earned 1,400,000
Current: 140,000
Special Aircraft:
Mirage 2000-5 "White Tiger" (One Star) Lvl.2 (100% Research) 35,700
ADFX-01 Block 1 Morgan (One Star) Lvl.1 (100% Research) 81,000
ADFX-01 Morgan (Four Stars) Lvl.1 (I thought they would play "Morgan" from the ACZ OST for the MVP theme if the player uses this plane)
Campaign Status:
Lost Butterfly: S Rank - F-4E Lvl. 1 (Rental Set)
Great Migration: S Rank - F-4E Lvl. 3 (Custom Set)
Missions 3-6: Locked (1,400,000 Credits required to unlock)
Missions 7-8: Coming Soon (1,300,000 Credits also required)
Emblem and Nickname: "Reaper"
Note: Sometimes, my aircraft did not have an emblem on the plane itself. This is possible, by deselecting all emblem choices (Nose, wing, tail), and hitting "Apply".
Earned Items:
MiG-29A Event Skin
F-2A Event Skin
F-15C Event Skin #1
Ranking Tournaments:
TDM #2: 3100th - 10,000th (Did not finish due to end of playing the game)
CO-OP (F-15C Skin #1) 5001th-10000th
The Galm Emblem Plays "Zero" if equipped and selected as MVP...
Surely they would play a different song... Like "Galm 2" "Contact", "Merlon" "The Demon Lord of the Round Table", or "Near the Border". "Zero" seems unsuitable for a mission complete.
Upcoming Tournament
"Summer Festival"
Prizes:
AV-8B Event Skin #1
Gault Emblem
Indigo Emblem
Random Limited Drop - August (Red Crates)
Rafale M "Vent d'Ange" (Angel's Wind - French) (Four Stars - SP)
F/A-18F Skin #1
Upcoming Content (From "Famitsu Feat" Live Stream)
IDOLMASTER (14 Pixilated Emblems of the idols of 765 Productions)
Lancer, Beast, Albireo, and Cocoon squadron emblems from Ace Combat 3DS
Typhoon Skin (Rot)
Special Raid Missions:
Variants of Tokyo Martial Law (Ground Assault), Pipeline Destruction (Air Superiority), and Far Eastern Front (Naval Fleet Suppression)
"Commencing further attack on Stonehenge."
Update 3 Coming Soon
Single Player Mission 7: Area B7R
Special Raid: Stonehenge Return I, II (Red Ring), and III (Gold Ring)
New Aircraft: Su-33, Su-37, F-14D, ASF-X Shinden II (Standard Aircraft Tree)
Anyway... let's move on.
LAUNCHING PROGRAM
TASK FORCE 118 "ARROWBLADES" BRIEFING/DATABASE SYSTEM
Alright, time to start the briefing.
Since we have no intelligence on the area controlled by the USEAN army, the UNF requested a reconnaissance mission. Unfortunately, we lost our UAVs. So, we need a pilot to conduct another mission.
So, Reaper and Lanner will be flying the mission. Bone Arrow 2, 4, and Ridgeback 2 and 3 will be on standby to provide fighter support if needed.
There will be multiple observation points: Iyuli, Russia, China, The Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Circle. Regroup at the rendezvous point in the Atlantic Ocean upon finishing your mission. Refueling will be taken if need be.
Good luck out there.
AIRCRAFT SELECTION
SET 1: SR-71 Blackbird "Reaper [Ribbon]"
Aircraft on Mission
Bone Arrow 1 : SR-71
Bone Arrow 2: Su-33 (From RFS Admiral Kuznetsov)
Bone Arrow 4: QFA-44 (From RFS Admiral Kuznetsov)
Ridgeback 2: F-3 (From Charles de Gaulle)
Ridgeback 3: F-3 (From Charles de Gaulle)
Naval Vessels on mission
UNF European Fleet
5 French Cassard-class Frigates
5 American Ticonderoga-class Cruisers
3 American Zumwalt-class Destroyers
Russian Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle
Hanger 5
"Good luck, bro." Rena encouraged
"Thanks Rena." Simon replied, "I would have taken you as my co-pilot, but I can't trust Lanner to fly a plane."
"You really can't." Lanner agreed, "I trashed his second plane, remember?"
Simon stepped up into the plane, and geared up his space suit, to help him retain oxygen and body temperature.
He did a final checklist with his co-pilot.
"Tower, Bone Arrow 1 is ready for takeoff."
"This is tower, Bone Arrow 1, you are ready for takeoff."
Simon motioned to the crew, "Let's go!"
They closed the cockpit, and moved the plane to the runway.
Out of the window, the crew looked at the number of people lined up waiting to see them on their mission.
Meanwhile, on the tarmac, the pilot can see 4 planes and a tanker aircraft ready to launch at a moments notice.
"Bone Arrow 1, switch call sign to 'Phantom'. You are cleared for takeoff." The control tower informed
The pilot gave out a response, "Copy. Phantom, cleared for takeoff."
The SR-71 gave a massive roar of it's engines, launching the craft towards the sky.
In the cockpit, the pilot gave out readings...
"280..."
The co-pilot, the recon surveillance officer responded, "Check..."
"V1... Rotate..." He pulled on the stick, and the plane was sent upward... and towards the massive realm of the air.
"And we have liftoff."
"Phantom, radar service terminated. Godspeed and good luck." The tower gave it's final message.
Recon
October 5, 2019
Somewhere
Time: 0800 (Local)
Mission Clear Objective:
Complete Observation Mission
"Phantom... in the air." I reported in, as I turn on the outgoing radio, "Good times, right Lanner?"
"Yeah... just like old times." She answered, "Wait, how do we eat?"
"When we're refueling, then YOU can eat. I don't eat unless we're on autopilot at low altitudes. You're lucky, since we used a lot of fuel during takeoff, we need to refuel."
"Yay. Too bad we couldn't eat when in the Phantom II, or the Tomcat."
"That's because we need to hunt down enemies." I reminded
"Phantom, this is the Tanker Plane, refueling operations are now beginning. Please confirm."
"Roger that, Phantom is beginning refueling." Through the small windows, I see the KC-135Q in the horizon.
I turn my heading to match the tanker.
"We see you, Phantom. Prep your plane and prepare for refueling."
I activate the refueling values, just behind the cockpit.
"2 miles to refueling point."
I increased our thrust levels, bringing us closer to the target.
"1 mile to refueling point." The boom operator reported.
I lower the throttle a bit, to slow down the supersonic aircraft.
"50 yards..."
I bend downward to look at the tanker, and see the boom above the cockpit.
"A little high. Not enough room to commence. Descend to 8900 Ft."
I gave the stick a slight push... and the plane tipped downward. Watching the altimeter... it lowered to 8900.
"Perfect! Commencing refueling. Keep within the refueling envelope." The operator reported
Lanner confirmed, "Roger. Refueling commenced. Contact with the boom."
"Okay. It's now time for a long flight. Right Lanner?... Lanner?" I asked.
"Mmhmm... Huh?"
"Are you eating!?"
"Yeah. You told me this is the only time to eat."
"Just be able to hold your leavings in."
"Yeah yeah. At least we can pee." She reminded
"Don't remind me."
"Phantom, this the tanker aircraft, refueling completed. You're clear." The radio sent out
I confirmed, lowering my plane, "Roger that, Phantom is cleared."
Lanner then asked, "What's first?"
"Iyuli. Then Russia, China, Indian Ocean, and finally, the Arctic Circle."
"Seems like we'll need another refueling. Great."
"You'll be eating at that stop too?"
"Not really."
I shook my head, "All right, ascending. Max altitude limit: 80,000Ft. Max speed: Mach 3.3..."
"What? In basic, please?"
"Speed limit is 1,910 Knots."
1 Hour Later
"All right, we're here." I reported, "At 88,000 Ft. Begin observation mission."
Lanner confirmed, "Roger, switching on Technical Objective Cameras (TEOC)."
"Leveling off, we'll be moving in a circular motion over the area."
"Copy that... mm... for a small country... nothing out the ordinary."
"Should we look further?" I asked
"Negative. Let's move on to Russia. Maybe we'll find something."
"Copy that... remember OP Gambit?"
"Yeah. You're pretty good for a rookie." She giggled a bit
"You were a rookie too. Why would those drones be checking on Tokyo? There's no noticeable reason to occupy it."
"Could be for OP Liberation. I can't believe Rena was there too. She was controlling the drones right?"
"Yeah. I can't believe she would sing a tune on a open radio. That was kind of careless." I said
"We didn't know who was that. We thought it was civilian."
"Anyway, commence mission. Why Russia?"
"The UN is just cautious." She answered, "Nothing so far..."
"Copy that..."
"Hold on... there's something. It's a... fighter squadron... red bodies..."
"ZOE..."
"Yeah, but... one of those planes looks weird... it doesn't look like anything I ever seen."
I then said, "Let's check on that later... want to go to China? We might be getting low on fuel by the time we get there."
"China? You want to see Stonehenge Type 0? I heard it's pretty cool." She said in a flirty voice
"We already seen Type 3."
"Wait... there's something... a Gravity Dam... it's emptied... but there's some movement."
"That's on the border of Russia and Mongolia... might be under Wernher Noah control."
20 Minutes Later
"So, now we're over China... anything you see so far?" I asked
"Uh... yep. Moby Dicks. Many of them."
"What?" I tired to look back, but of course, we can't.
"Three of them. Escorted by Gyges and Kottos... Hold on... there's more of them!"
"How many?"
"Two more... wait. They're in crimson red... it's that a ZOE aircraft?"
I was dumbfounded, "ZOE Aigaion? How would they support such a large scale HCC?"
"One more fleet... this time gold colored... Wait... there's a fighter squadron trying to attack it."
"I'll get the radio up." I said as I turned on the radio.
"This is Red 2, I'm hit! Our missiles are being cut apart! We can't hit the Aigaion! The gold one! It's destroying our missiles! GAH!...zzz..."
The radio went dead...
Lanner was shocked, "How... how can they destroy missiles?"
"I don't know... but we better get out of the area." I said as I turned towards the Indian Ocean, "One more mission, then we refuel."
"Copy that."
I checked fuel status, enough for 5 minutes over the Ocean.
"Five minutes till bingo fuel."
"Heh...That's plenty of time!" Lanner gloated
"Yeah yeah... take your time." I just replied
"I see the Megalith Facility. Seems unmanned... as usual."
"Okay... now to refuel, and head to the Arctic..."
"MISSILE LAUNCH! WE HAVE A MISSILE LAUNCH AT MEGALITH!"
"WHAT!?" I yelled in shocked.
"IT'S COMING THIS WAY!" She yelled out
I quickly turned the craft... and see the missile streak up just past our nose... We both looked up, and see it soar into the sky.
"Breaking radio silence!" I reported
"Copy!"
I switched on the radio, and reported in, "Command, this is Phantom breaking radio silence! We have a missile launch at the Megalith NEO Interception Facility! I repeat, we have a missile launch at Megalith!"
"Copy that. UNF Vessels are alerted to missile interception attempts..."
All of a sudden, a bright light came down on us... It blinded us, and it was so close to the plane...
The next thing I knew, was a blast.
Boom!...
The plane rocked, starting to lose control.
"Reaper!" Lanner called out
"I got it! I got it!" I said as calm as possible
I fought over the stick, trying to level the plane from it's over stressing barrel roll. It finally evened out.
"That was a beam of light... was that a... laser?" Lanner thought out loud.
"This is Command, we got reports of a laser system activated. It might be a satellite."
"Hang on..." I thought, "Can you put Camilla on?"
"Your squadron has been scrambled, they are heading towards your area. Stand by..."
Then I heard that sweet quiet voice, "Phantom, this is Camilla."
"Camilla, this is Phantom. We hear you. Rena... was that the OLDS?"
"...Yes. It was the Orbital Laser Defense System. A satellite made to destroy space debris. But, Wernher Noah had their own plans. They used it to destroy any high airborne targets, or target the space debris into targets. Like I did in..."
"I know, it's okay. This is Phantom, we are egressing out towards South Africa. Be advised, fuel state is low, requesting refueling."
"This is command, roger. Refueling aircraft are inbound."
"Phantom, roger." I replied
I spoke to Lanner, "We're coming down to 50,000 Ft. We'll be exposed to radar sites."
"Roger that!" Lanner responded, "Make sure we can refuel as fast as possible."
"Don't worry."
"This is Tanker Aircraft. We are coming in on your 12. Turning around for you to refuel."
"Roger that, Tanker. We are coming in at 50,000 Ft. Speed is 500 mph."
"Copy that. Max altitude and speed."
"This is Falco, Camilla and I are coming in with the tanker aircraft." Sokov reported
I soon see the tanker in front, with two aircraft beside it.
"This is Phantom, we're coming in."
As soon as I said it, the plane was underneath the boom.
"Phantom confirmed in position." The tanker reported, "Commence refueling."
I look to my left, and see Rena's plane. To my right, Sokov's Su-33.
"Radar Lock! Radar Lock! We have hostile radar!" Lanner exclaimed
"Enemy fighters! Enemy fighters!" The tanker reported
"There they are. All units, fire your 'Lances'!" The radio crackled.
"Long Range Missiles inbound!" Sokov reported
"BREAK! BREAK! Tanker, bank hard right! Bank hard right! Phantom bank! Angle 50 degrees!"
"Copy that, 50 degrees! High bank angle." I replied, turing the craft in accordance with the tanker
"Speed at 4.7.2. Maintain speed."
"Maintain speed! Copy! 472!"
"We got more missiles inbound! Launch flares. Chaff and flares!"
Rena and Sokov appeared to our left, and launched their countermeasures. Some missiles passed us.
"We need to get out of here!" Lanner exclaimed
"Phantom! We need more time!" The tanker informed.
I checked my fuel tank indicators, "60% full..."
"Missiles! Missiles!" Sokov shouted out, "More incoming!"
"Phantom! Disconnect! Disconnect!" Rena cried out.
"Fuel's 80%! Good enough! Disconnect!" I reported, and push the airplane down, "BREAK BREAK!"
I look to my left, as I leveled the aircraft. Missiles streaked by, and struck the tanker.
It exploded, sending fire and debris everywhere.
I leaned the plane left, and avoid the flaming metal.
"Phantom... report status." Sokov reported
I look at my instruments, "Fuel state is 80%. Enough to reach the Arctic. How's she looking?"
"Hang on..." Sokov's plane came close to us, "No apparent damage. Command, this is Falco, tanker plane is down, Phantom is still up."
"Falco, what's the status on the enemy aircraft?"
"The bandits are long gone."
"Copy that... a... hold on... We got reports on enemy aircraft inbound on your position."
I sighed, "Great... cover's blown. Bone Arrow 2, 4. Requesting escort to next target."
End of Playback: 10/5/19 0700 (ZULU)
PLAY FILE? 10/5/19 0830 (ZULU) Y/N
N
SYSTEM - LOGOUT
LOGOUT? Y/N
Y
LOGGING OUT
SYSTEM - SHUTDOWN
SHUTDOWN? Y/N
Y
SHUTTING DOWN