Operation: Umbrella
—張り子の基地—
Opening Crawl (in manner of Star Wars)
【Opening Theme: Summon the Heroes】
【Extracted from 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics】
【Composer: John Williams】
※
It is a period of total war.
With the ultimate weapon,
Stonehenge Turret Network,
in their hands, aggressive
Federal Republic of Erusea has
occupied mainland of Usean Continent.
On its last leg, Independent States
Allied Force is busying to put
themselves together since
got kicked off from eastern coasts.
※
Knowing ISAF gets its hands full of a
diversity of issues, Erusea dispatches
strategic bombers, escorted by fighter
squadrons, after their operatives managed
to partly deactivate early warning radar
network protecting ISAF's Allenfort Air Base
on Newfield Island and General Headquarter
in Republic of North Point. Their intentions
are quite self-explanatory...
As Opening Crawl and background music fade into depth of sky, camera pans down as hundreds of meteors radiant down (they can be seen during daylight for they're too many and too bright), to an airport complex, parked with hundreds of military aircraft of different categories, more are coming in.
North Point City International Airport, North Point City, Capital of Republic of North Point
September 18th 2004, 16:00
This is the largest airport in North Point, also among the largest airports throughout Usean Continent. Now ISAF had commandeered it as the central component of its new General Headquarter.
Retreating troops of ISAF are being dropped down here, not only air force, but ground force as well. Each of three main runways of this airport receives an aircraft almost every minute. Parking aprons and hangars are already "over-populated", staff crews are scratching their heads to make room for new arrivals.
ISAF's Supreme Commander's Office
Teatime. Supreme Commander is being served with Darjeeling and double-chocolate cookies. However the one who is serving him black tea and snacks, is not an orderly, nor anyone in military uniform, even not in a servant's uniform. Quite a bizarre sight for a girl dresses like a miko and is presenting a ranking officer with teatime stuff, especially in such an über-tier base.
Supreme Commander: "Amazing stuff. You know, since the planet-fall of Ulysses, chocolate and tea had become quite scarce in Usean Continent, even being strictly rationed as 'strategic resource' along with fossil fuels in many provinces, much less to be used as raw material for homemade desserts and beverages…say, where were we?"
Girl (voiced by Kikuko Inoue): "We were at discussing my position in ISAF's air force branch, Mr. Supreme Commander."
"Yeah, yeah, I remember that. We're very grateful for you voluntarily join us at this critical moment, Ms…what's your name again?"
Girl (persuasive smile): "Who I am and where I come from are not imperative, the important issues are, ISAF desperately needs all assistances it can have, both on personnel and equipment. So I hereby to present my offer of being a pilot and you trust me."
Supreme Commander: "You're right, Ms…whatever your name is. I'm sure you're not an operative sent by Erusea, otherwise everyone in and near this room would be dead enough. However although we appreciate your volunteerism, but ISAF's resources had been stretched to limits now, I'm afraid our air force won't be able to spare more aircraft."
Girl (assuring smile): "It won't be a problem, Mr. Supreme Commander. I brought my own fighter, I even have my own uniform if necessary."
"Well, if you had solved this problem yourself, I don't have any further objections." Supreme Commander is given a folder and a pen by the girl: "Please sign this contract. Mr. Supreme Commander."
"All right all right, I'll sign anything. Welcome to Independent States Allied Force, Ms…whoever you are." Supreme Commander picks up pen and put down his name on dotted line. He's somehow puzzled there's an unknown power that forces him to agree with this uninvited, mysterious girl ever since the conversation began.
"Thank you Supreme Commander, and I'm going to do my part as an ISAF pilot." The girl bows politely and leaves with signed contract and the pen used to sign it, closing the door.
"Wish you bring miraculous changes to this war as legendary 'Scarface One' did seven years ago." Supreme Commander watches as she goes: "…but just wait a sec, speaking of Scarface One, why I'm having déjà vu of meeting this strange girl before?" He quickly inserts another piece of double-chocolate cookie into mouth: "Nevermind, I'm always bad at remembering people. For now, just eat, drink and be merry."
INS (ISAF Navy Ship) Shirohireiruka (literally Lipotes vexillifer in Japanese), En Route to Newfield Island
September 19th 2004, 09:00
Formerly NPS (North Point Ship) Shirohireiruka, a Kinnear-Class aircraft carrier owned by Navy of Republic of North Point, now had been integrated into naval branch of ISAF. However the crew remained mostly same, as well as most pilots of carrier-based aircraft. They're lucky for not participating operations in mainland, subsequently survived from Erusian's onslaught…for the time being.
Hangar sector beneath deck, several F-2A Viper Zeroes, F-14D Super Tomcats and F/A-18E Super Hornets are packing inside, all combat-ready. And the pilots gather in front of a portable radiovision, which is broadcasting propaganda from Erusea.
Federal Republic of Erusea's national anthem "Ça Ira" as background music, a map of Usean Continent with an Erusea's national emblem on its center.
National anthem is replaced by some sort of French-style military march. And the screen is showing a discarded flag of ISAF gets run over by an Erusian tank, followed by hundreds of its kind. An Erusian armored division is marching victoriously on streets of Port Edwards, capital of Federation of Central Usea that now occupied by Erusea. Erusian fighters deliberately fly low over buildings to exaggerate such peremptoriness.
An off-screen voice of narration in English, deliberately mixed with French accent: "War! But what's the good in it? For decades the Usean Continent had been plagued with expansionism implemented by a group of eastern nations, especially their greedy ringleader, so-called Federation of Central Usea. What a self-righteous title, they really fancied themselves as the center of this continent, even entire world? No wonder it always glares on our land with full of ambition. For self-defense, we peace-loving western people were forced to strengthen our military power to keep FCU and its affiliated states in check. However those heisters never give up and seize everything as an opportunity to exploit our hard-come-by wealth, even using Ulysses 1994XF04 Asteroid, the common threat to all humankind as an excuse…"
As narration progresses, screen shows footage of asteroid fragments falling from outer space observed from different perspectives, including a fighter pilot, an urban-surveillance camera, an observatory, etc.
"We suffered grave losses during that catastrophe, yet on an act of international humanitarianism, we stood up to help rebuild this devastated world and the life as we know it. But our selflessness was once again viewed by some sinister countries as a pawn of exploitation, they kept add new burdens on our already heavily burdened shoulders, even boycotting our products to bring us succumb to their irrational demands…"
Footage of how dire Farbanti looks like after impact of a major asteroid fragment in Spring Sea, southern sector of the city, which was once seaward districts, now is soaked in water, much like a scene of post-apocalypse global warming. Then footage of several other cities damaged by meteorites, craters left by other major asteroid fragments. After those, the screen shows a large Erusian refugee camp, and an Erusian merchant fleet being surrounded by a coalition sea and air force of FCU and North Point.
"Such inequitable treatments of so many years finally come to an end, as the oppressed now has a mighty sword in procession. Only under the leadership of Erusea, Usean Continent will restore its missing equity and justice, and regain its lost prosperity as the disaster brought by Ulysses 1994XF04 Asteroid. There are many dissidents still cling to old orders and refuse to admit their blindness to changes, but we will crush them to prove…"
To emphasize their standpoint, Erusea puts on footage of Stonehenge pulverizes ISAF air and ground forces, even destroying a satellite.
"知っていますか？私は、彼らは真実を述べていると思います。(literally Do you know? I think they're telling the truth. in Japanese)" One ISAF pilot comments.
"彼たちの視点から、正確だ。(literally From their point of view, it is correct. in Japanese)" Another one agrees.
"勝者はすべてを持って、発言権も含む。(literally Victors has everything, including discourse power. in Japanese)" An older pilot is not so approval.
Yellow lights twinkle as an alarm starts, the gate of hangar gradually opens, revealing a fighter being towed by a trailer, to an unoccupied apron block. This newcomer features canards, variable-sweep main wings, specially designed X-tail, rectangular three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles and a quite "slender" airframe comparing with other planes in hangar. All of these characteristics render it more like a toy than a real one for combat. Undoubtedly pilots drift their attention from enemy propaganda immediately as they gather around the unusual aircraft, which is in ISAF Air Force's standard paint scheme: Blue-tinted bottom color; triple arrowhead emblem resembles Legend of Zelda; an insignia consisted by ribbon, round ring, Mobius Strip and some other elements.
"なんでこれは？(literally What is this? in Japanese)"
"見えない？一台の戦闘機。(literally Can't you see? It's a fighter jet. in Japanese)"
"これは戦闘機を知って！でも、初めてこのような戦闘機が見えます。特にこの変な尾翼… (literally I know it's a fighter jet! But this is my first time to see a fighter like this. Especially the bizarre empennage… in Japanese)"
"独立国家連合軍空軍第118戦術航空隊メビウス？いつこの飛行隊がありましたが？(literally Independent State Allied Air Force 118th Tactical Fighter Wing Mobius? Just when did we have such a squadron? in Japanese)"
…
As pilots are discussing the strange fighter and are expressing their respective opinions, a feminine voice comes from back: "失礼します皆さん。私の戦闘機へ行きを許すかしら？(literally Excuse me everyone. May I get to my fighter? in Japanese)" They look back simultaneously, and upon seeing a slender and well-endowed figure wrapped in an ISAF pilot's flight suit. A girl, and a very beautiful one, looks like an illustration produced by a Japanese cartoonist came to alive. Shocked, they automatically step to left and right side: "はい！(literally Sure! in Japanese)"
"感谢いたします。(literally Thank you very much. in Japanese)" The girl bows politely and gets to her plane and begins to configure it via tapping a device with appearance of hybrid of a PDA and a PSP. While others are whispering in background.
"だれがあの女の子は？(literally Who's that girl? in Japanese)"
"凄いな美人のお姉さん！(literally What a beautiful onee-san! in Japanese)"
"これはコスプレ！制服誘惑だ！(literally This is cosplay! Uniform Seduction! in Japanese)"
"彼女は何の時代から来たのですか？古典な大和撫子のような美少女を感じます。(literally Which era does she come from? Feels like a nostalgic idealized Japanese woman. in Japanese)"
"誰が彼女とデートの勇気はあります？(literally Who has the gut to date with her? in Japanese)"
"無理無理！そんな綺麗の子は誰も接近することができない。(literally No way! No one can get close to a beauty like that. in Japanese)"
Alarm rises again, this time not for something being dragged in but an order of taking off: "(Heavy-Japanese-accent English) Scramble! State of emergency! All pilots man your plane and get ready to airborne! Briefing will be commenced in-flight!"
Like shattering glass, pilots scatter to their own flying mounts, running with murmuring: "勘弁してくれ！(literally Gimme a break! in Japanese)"
Viper Zeroes, Super Tomcats and Super Hornets are moving out from hangar to flight deck.
"That means you too, Mobius One." The broadcast directs at the mysterious girl who is still working on her vehicle.
"Please pardon me for a few minutes, Mr. Air Officer. There's an old Chinese saying 'A great craftsman must sharpen tools prior prefect works'." The girl, better known as "Mobius One", pauses and replies to the nearest camera lens, then resumes what she's doing.
"Just don't be too late, we need all battle-abled pilots this time."
"I understand. Please don't worry." Mobius One almost finishes configuration. The data displayed on her handheld device shows her choice:
TAC Name/Callsign: Mobius One
Active Aircraft: XFA-27
Weapon Slot 1: XSAA
Weapon Slot 2: XMAA
Weapon Slot 3: SRAA
Weapon Slot 4: XLAA
Engine Part: Default
Wing Part: Adv Anti-Balance Tab
Armor Part: Default
Weapon Part 1: Destructive Missile
Weapon Part 2: High-Speed Slug
Miscellaneous Part 1: Hawk Eye
Miscellaneous Part 2: Default
After confirming this information, Mobius One is ready to catch up with others.
Allenfort Air Base, Newfield Island
Longitude: 349 Degree 48 Minute 00 East
Latitude: 39 Degree 12 Minute 05 Second North
September 19th 2004, 14:00
"It had been five years, but the blue sky far above us still doesn't glue itself together." Says one of ISAF pilots, meaning the meteors emerging and falling from depth of firmament. Even after slamming itself into ground, Ulysses 1994XF04 Asteroid continued to scourge humankind with its incalculable fragments floating outside atmosphere. Those extraterrestrial rock pieces kept fell in form of meteorite showers ever since the very beginning of post-impact days, even temporally rendered aviation and surface activities too dangerous. After five years, asteroid debris' atmospheric entries are still frequent and bright enough to be recognized during daylight, not to mention nighttime.
"My girlfriend and me once thought shooting stars are romantic, but not anymore." Another pilot echoes: "They merely bring up unpleasant memories now."
Several ISAF squadrons take off from this military complex constructed on northern tip of this small-sized dryland in middle of seawater, converge with more ISAF fighters just arrived, then altogether they fly over the grisly Anderson Crater on inhabited zone of eastern shore, which now looks like an unnatural lagoon. Ever since its discovery, Newfield Island had been a disputed territory between FCU and North Point, numerous small-scale, low-intensity wars were fought for its ownership during past centuries, even in early 1980s there were still skirmishes from month to month, both sides had casualties. Luckily as time progresses, both nations realized neither of them can gain an upper hand over the opponent on this island issue, thus they employed a policy called "Shelving Differences and Seeking Joint Development". After a series of negotiations, North Point admitted FCU's sovereignty over Newfield Island, but holds fifty percent of income shares generated by exploiting resources of the island and surrounding areas, meanwhile FCU agreed to present no military powers on island except a small amount of armed police forces for maintaining public order. Since then, Newfield Island welcomed a season of spring, two countries started many joint ventures to make good uses of its abundant fishery resources and tourist resources, as well as seafloor exploration and mineral prospection. Immigrants from off-island also boomed, by the end of 1994, in-island population had breached one hundred thousand, and formed a bigger urban district on eastern shore and a smaller one on western shore, a civilian airport named after island's name was also constructed.
But all of these flourishing scenes were terminated by Ulysses 1994XF04 Asteroid. A major fragment hit eastern town sector, killing thousands of people and chewed the massive Anderson Crater by the shore, dealing substantial damage to infrastructure. FCU and North Point promised a plan of rejuvenation to locals, yet unable to execute it due to severe lack of funding and equipment, for they prioritized resource allocation to reconstructions in their own metropolitan territories. Angered by both governments' apparent neglect and incompetence, islanders held a riot on January 23rd 2001. Riot was violently suppressed in days, however such unrest further decreased population and degenerated already-smashed economy. Following that, since battles in western front went bad, new-formed ISAF commandeered Newfield Island, converted civilian airport into Allenfort Air Base and simultaneously set up war-purposed facilities all over the island, such as armories, barracks, defense emplacements, underground storages, field hospitals, long-range radars, bunkers and tunnels…literally transformed it into a stronghold, remaining residents were forced to relocate themselves to elsewhere or conscripted into reservists. Now, as strategic positions on mainland were lost, this tiny rock which barely makes an appearance on world map became the bridgehead to face invading enemies.
"AWACS Sky Eye to all allied aircraft, all wings report in." Calling from an ISAF KJ-2000.
"Gyrfalcon Squadron standing by." Respond by a platoon of F-16F Fighting Falcons.
"Adder Squadron standing by." Respond by a platoon of F-2A Viper Zeroes.
F-14D Super Tomcats: "Bakeneko (literally Demon Cat in Japanese) Squadron standing by."
F-15E Strike Eagles: "Buzzard Squadron standing by."
F/A-18E Super Hornets: "Hachi (literally Wasp in Japanese) Squadron standing by."
Then there's the XFA-27, its unique form is very conspicuous among other commonly-seen planes: "Mobius Squadron standing by." Actually she's the only member of this so-called squadron, but if you're good enough to sortie alone, why bothers having wingmen?
Sky Eye: "So you're the new comer? Haven't command a female pilot for years, don't be the one that slows others down."
"I won't be a drag to my battle companions, Sky Eye." Unlike her ojyousama-like demeanor in Supreme Commander's office and in hangar, Mobius One now is speaking in a more solemn tone. Obviously she's one of those who clearly distinguish public and private.
"Good. Now everyone listen carefully, enemy operatives had managed to partly deactivate our early warning radar network, creating a gap that allows their air force to slip through. As we speak, a large contingent of Tu-95 strategic bombers, escorted by fighters of various types, are flying to Newfield Island from south. Tactical analyze concluded that they'll strike this island and completely level all facilities, Allenfort Air Base included. Our air defense strength around North Point is extremely weak for the time being, and Newfield Island is the only barrier between North Point and Erusea-controlled mainland, once this place is fallen or rendered nonfunctional, ISAF's GHQ will be a complete sitting duck, which will absolutely not allowed. Your objectives are shooting down all Erusian bombers and fighters with air-to-ground capabilities…in short, just shoot down anything not affiliated to ISAF. Mission will be considered failure if even one bomb is dropped on Newfield Island. That's all."
"Get ready to let missiles fly." ISAF pilots put on breath masks, as they continue fly southward, icons present bandits emerge on southern border of their respective radar map. Smaller icons are fighters, bigger ones are undoubtedly bombers, and there are a lot of them coming this way.
【Background Music: Sitting Duck】
Escort fighters accelerate, to race ahead of bomber formations, typical air force moves since very beginning of aerial warfare's history. Then fighters from both sides entered opposite sides' ranges of long-range missiles, and subsequently launch salvoes of XLAA.
Some missiles hit intended targets, but most of them don't. Simple logic: Even propelled by state-of-art in-atmosphere rocket engines, missiles still have to travel for a very long time to reach targets dozens miles away, granting them enough time to pull out evasive maneuvers, releasing countermeasures, taking shelter inside friendly ECM field, or do anything else to cause incoming missiles to miss. Although neither of the sides sustain substantial damage as result of first exchange of firepower, but statistically, Erusians have leading points, not for they have better planes with better missiles, but they bring multiple KJ-2000s, contrary to ISAF detachment's only one (Sky Eye). It is said in modern and future wars, electromagnetic-superiority is more essential than air-superiority, this statement might be kinda subjective, but judging from current situation, it is, at least partly, true.
"What's wrong? My HUD is malfunctioning! Missile lock is unstable!" An ISAF pilot exclaims as his HUD gives him a feedback resembling a TV set with bad signal reception.
"Radar and infrared are also giving back noises." Says an older, more experienced voice.
"Sky Eye, Buzzard Leader here. We encounter strong hostile ECM, can you provide ECCM support?" Leader of Buzzard Squadron sends request.
"I'm on it. But it takes time." Sky Eye hints his crew to get on work.
"Don't panic. Jamming field is working on a pulse wave pattern instead of being a brick wall, it has gaps to let you see through." Leader of Hachi Squadron gives a tip.
"I don't panic if I can't lock on anything, just worry about I can't see where missiles are coming from." Another pilot complains. He's right, it is said the biggest fear is the fear of unknown, and the most common form of "unknown" is "unseen". You can hear missile warning, but you don't know where it is coming from, how far it is, therefore you don't know what to do to deal with it, that's enough to scare you to marrow.
As ISAF pilots exchange their opinions, Erusian fighters had moved closer — close enough for dogfights. Formations break up, fighters from both sides tangle together, into cat and mouse of live and death. Now the advantage of electronic warfare support for Erusea squadrons really demonstrates effect. ISAF fighters are suffering considerably downgraded locking and tracking abilities on their missiles when chasing down their Erusian counterparts. The most notable phenomena are screens on instrument panel constantly give "locking failure" messages, and once a lucky pilot gets a lock, missiles just fly almost like unguided rockets, even slightest maneuvers are enough to dodge them. On the other hand, jamming field also impedes ISAF fighter's passive sensors from working properly, although missile alarm still functional, neither HUD nor any screens on instrument panel can provide the direction and distance of incoming missiles. If these are not enough, ISAF fighters even have troubles to "see" enemy aircraft on radar and infrared sensors…as an overall result, Federal Erusea Air Force is scoring points way ahead of ISAF Air Force.
"Sky Eye! What took you so long? Where's our ECCM support?" Struggling in combat, Leader of Buzzard Squadron asks, loudly.
"Sorry, but it seems enemy ECM is too strong, please use your own skills and experiences to make up for it." Sky Eye euphemistically expresses that there's nothing more he can do and the pilots are on their own.
"You're so useful." Leader of Buzzard Squadron speaks with sarcasm.
"You're welcome." Sky Eye's reply is a clear indication of "can it".
"Help me! I have two Fulcrums on tail!" A Viper Zero of ISAF's affiliation is desperately evading two chasing Erusian MiG-29As, who had successfully isolated their prey from his companions. Fulcrums seemly are playing with the escapee, waiting him to be exhausted then move to deliver killing blow. Suddenly both Erusian fighters explode, and the XFA-27 takes their positions.
"Thanks for the rescue, I owe you two shots of drinks." Viper Zero pilot sighs with relief.
"You're welcome, be careful." Mobius One advances to seek for more bandits as targets. But the current sitrep is not that welcomed, although she has little problems to fight under heavy jamming herself, other ISAF pilots have big issues with it, if the hostile ECM cannot be deactivated, they might be shredded into pieces in short order. Normally, tracing jamming source is the job for friendly AWACS, but since Sky Eye had announced he couldn't be much helpful, there must be an alternative, and she knows what the alternative is.
Switches to long range radar, Mobius One waits, waits for the "tiny gap". The gap of jamming wave arrives as radar map "clarifies" for less than one second, revealing four green, opaque rounds, even they only flashes for a blink, but already sufficient for Mobius One to memorize and to take actions.
Several Erusian pilots watch in awe as a lonely ISAF fighter with unique X-tail charges directly to the KJ-2000. Why don't they do anything to stop Mobius One? Answer is "Principle of Emperor's New Clothes", that is, Erusian escorts never expect someone will actually storm into their formation directly, so when someone really does it, they just get shocked and don't know what to do.
"We lost an EW!" An Erusian pilot, presumably a squadron leader, shouts.
"We still got three left, protect them with all costs!" But "all costs" might still not enough, as the second KJ-2000 goes down in flames. Mobius One bursts out from fireball and debris, to higher altitude, then with a J-turn she dives and nails an hapless Erusian Flanker whose luck is bad enough to be positioned in her line of fire.
"Damn ISAF pilot!" An enraged Erusian Mirage 2000-5 moves in for a kill attempt, but XFA-27 is way more superior than Mirage 2000-5 on every aspect, and it is being operated by an ace. A barrel roll plus a volley of bullets effectively terminates that Erusian pilot's contract of military service.
More Erusian fighters gather around in attempts to shoot down Mobius One, however she doesn't have any intentions to participate in a dance with them for now because her primary targets are remaining two hostile AWACS. A quick dispatch on them, she can back to her main business.
"Enemy jamming signal has ceased, we can see everything now." Sky Eye reports: "But a bad news, enemy bombers almost exit north border of mission area, if someone still want to shoot them down, be quick."
"Leave them to us." Bakeneko squadron moves forward. A basic function of F-14D Tomcat is being high-speed, long range interceptor, namely to engage airborne targets from long range, launches long range missiles then immediately disengages from battle. Without ECM coverage, Tu-95s are sitting ducks to F-14Ds' XLAA salvos, they are slammed into sea and sunk to bottom, in pieces.
Sky Eye: "Nice shoot Bakeneko. Now mop up remaining bandit from sky with others."
"Ha! Not so tough without your fancy gadgets, huh?" As hostile ECM is no longer a factor, table quickly tips to ISAF's favor, they initiate a full-scale retaliation to remaining Erusian fighters.
"そのまま…命中！(literally Keep it up…bingo! in Japanese)" A member of Buzzard Squadron is pleased to see his two XMAA fulfilled their purposes by destroying a Su-27. A five seconds of enjoying this narrow victory, the F-15E pilot is up to deal with next target.
【Background Music Stops】
On radar map, icons presenting enemy aircraft are rapidly dwindling, now ISAF's points have been leveled and surged ahead of Erusea's, and it's still climbing. Mobius One is exceptionally active in this "target and shoot" game, it will be estimated thirty percent of bandit kills are attributed under her name.
"I pick up a set of new signals, an elite enemy squadron is coming from southwest, designated as 'WANG'." Sky Eye informs ISAF pilots. Four Erusian Mirage 2000-5s are flying near in a file to join the party, their paint schemes are different from usual, instead of "traditional" navy blue camouflage, they have purple navy as base color, nose and engine sectors are coated in indigo dye, there are also vertical strips of indigo dye on those delta wings, insignia of Erusea can be seen on their vertical tails.
Mobius One immediately aims on four Mirage 2000-5s and launches a salvo of four XMAA, turning them into fireballs and debris.
"…never mind, maybe they're not so elite after all." Says Sky Eye with excitement: "That's a round up. Good work everybody, your effects keep enemies at bay…"
Leader of Adder Squadron: "Not all of us made through…not all of us…" His squadron has six vacant positions after previous dogfights, meaning six pilots are lost. Other squadrons also sustained casualties to different extents. Wars always come with casualties, but such objective truth doesn't render accepting deaths of those who were eating, drinking, swapping war stories with you hours ago, any easier.
An ISAF Pilot: "Sky Eye, why don't bother to run a double-check? Are those all?"
"No more Erusian aircraft on picture, sky is clean."
"Check again, especially on low altitude. They may sneak through by flying low."
Too predictable, a Tu-160 Blackjack with five escorts appears at southern border of radar map, flying north with supersonic speed. And the escorts are Su-37 Terminators with specialized yellow paint scheme, they're Yellow Squadron.
Despite Sky Eye shouts on radio to stop them, ISAF fighters are reluctant to respond — they know the outcome of taking on Yellow Squadron — none ISAF pilot ever survived the confrontations against them, so better stay out from their way and let them take whatever they want.
Mobius One changes course to new enemy formation, an act of braveness or craziness, maybe both.
【Background Music: Aquila】
Now the situation is Erusian bomber with escorting Yellow Squadron and Mobius One are flying directly head-to-head towards to each other. For Yellows, especially for the leader Yellow Thirteen, today have had some surprises. When en route to Newfield Island, he and his accompanied squadmates observed the aerial battle between ISAF squadrons and preceding Erusian formations, it is quite unexpected that ISAF Air Force still have will and strength to deny the mighty Federal Erusea Air Force, and that unknown fighter of bizzare-looking X-tail quadruple empennage was undoubtedly the MVP on ISAF's side. No matter whoever the pilot in cockpit, that active X-tail MVP is challenging Yellow Squadron's hegemony in the sky. "(Heavy French-accent English) The Force is strong with this one." He gives orders to his subordinates: "We'll see whether it's strong enough or not."
Under Yellow Thirteen's directive, Yellow Squadron's formation changes, from a configuration resembles hybrid of V and arrow (Yellow Thirteen positioned in front of bomber, other four aircraft flew in two pairs, positioned in bomber's left rear and right rear respectively, and in echelon arrangement) to a horizontal row of five in front of bomber. They launch a salvo of XLAAs to Mobius One simultaneously.
Mobius One immediately drops to almost sea level with a very steep dive, and pulls up to sky with a same steep angle. All XLAAs impact in water, generating sprays.
"Not bad." Yellow Thirteen and his wingmen switch to XMAA, fire again. Mobius One barrel-rolls and releases chaffs at same time, deflecting them. During the progress Mobius One flings out four XMAAs from weapon bays (means she launches missile while spinning), each one to a wingman of the leading Terminator, driving them away from their leader.
Since the relative velocity between Yellow Thirteen and Mobius One is so great, there's no time to mount the third attack by switching active weapon to XSAA. XFA-27 and Su-37 are on collision course to each other, however it will be too cheap to end their own existences by creating an unscheduled crash test and both pilots never intend to let it happen. Seconds before impact, they take proper evasive actions.
"Vous êtes doué. Je peux espérer un peu plus de vous." Yellow Thirteen slightly nods, does an Immelmann turn to pursuit his target: "Tenir loin. Cette cible est mienne."
"Caution! Imminent hostile CRA." Mobius One's Close Range Assault warning goes off, as the backward evasive radar are activated automatically, a solid, size-changing circle of flashing scarlet appears on HUD. This round object indicates where pursuing bandit's weapons are pointing and the distance between two aircraft. The closer to HUD's center, the closer Mobius One to center of enemy's attack cone; the bigger the radius of the circle, the shorter time for enemy's ordnance to travel if he/she fires. However the most important feature of this system is the frequency of flashing, which shows pursuer's avionics' progress of acquiring a clear lock, if the circle is flashing with frenzy, that's a suggestion of "take evasive maneuvers now or cover your head and hope for the best".
Ignoring chasing Yellow Thirteen, Mobius One concentrates on Tu-160 Blackjack dead ahead and is rapidly getting closer. Missile warning goes off, Yellow Thirteen launches two XSAAs in a salvo. Mobius One jettisons flares to lure it away.
"How' bout a little these?" Yellow Thirteen quickly presses buttons on a miniature keyboard installed on instrument panel, then launches four XMAAs, but in a row instead of in a salvo. Just as the first missile about to leave hardpoint, that bizarre-looking ISAF fighter he's after suddenly executes a Kulbit loop, transits to his rear. With no target to lock, missiles go straight ahead — namely to the bomber, and since they're not locked on anything, countermeasures won't be able to deflect them, not to mention evasive maneuvers are not practical to something bulky as a bomber.
"Uh-oh! Ma faute." Yellow Thirteen hurries to input codes to self-destruct missiles, but his onboard computer announces: "Ennemie Proximité Gamme Assaut imminente." He is forced to roll and pitch away, the outcome is obvious, four missiles impale into Tu-160's windshield in sequence and explode in sequence. The very aircraft Yellow Squadron is supposed to protect is destroyed by their very leader, eloquently and factually proves life is full of irony.
There's no time for Yellow Thirteen to declare any comments because Mobius One enters Close Range Assault against him. A green circle emerges on her HUD, right on center. This circle indicates distance to target, will gets bigger if getting closer. A second layer inside the circle will "charge" clockwise in manner of a gauge, when charging is completed, green circle turns red with a constant beep, reminds pilot that computer had calculated an optimal trajectory for missiles with an enhanced locking, renders them very difficult to be countered.
Other Yellow Squadron members are witnessing their leader subjected to being pursued at close range. Although Yellow Thirteen breaks hard to evade, but Mobius One is not that easy to be shaken off. The four Erusian pilots are anxious, however since Yellow Thirteen told them not to intervene, they can only stay there and looking cool.
Mobius One and Yellow Thirteen are locked into a durative dogfight. Both of them are struggling to gain a suitable position to mount an attack, yet also to avoid being attacked if the opponent is in a favorable position for striking. Mobius One seizes a chance, launches a XSAA to Yellow Thirteen. The Erusian ace disperses a large quantity of flares, simultaneously barrel-rolls to XFA-27's rear. Mobius One's missile alarm blares, she uses countermeasures to draw missiles away, then high-g turns and decelerates, shortening distance to Su-37, followed by a cobra maneuver, she has the attack position again. But just like herself, Yellow Thirteen is never a sitting duck, how can a sitting duck be Federal Republic of Erusea's most decorated flying ace? He levels aircraft in blink of eyes and "jumps" behind via cobra.
Aerial engagement continues, and it seems in a stalemate. Neither Yellow Thirteen nor Mobius One can gain an upper hand over each other. Every time one attempts an attack, the other one executes appropriate counters. The battle seemingly is going to be stretched indefinitely, but factually, no. Mobius One fires another XSAA to Yellow Thirteen, the latter dodges it by using a barrel-roll, but Mobius One perfectly mirrors his actions at the same blink he does it, so the relative position between them remains unchanged. Immediately, before Yellow Thirteen can understand what happened, his Terminator oscillates violently as result of missile impact, nevertheless he still manages to maintain control.
Knowing that ISAF pilot have won the round, there's no point to stay in this airspace. Yellow Thirteen disengages to fly away, joining rest of his squadron.
【Background Music Stops】
One of Yellow Thirteen's wingmen, Yellow Four, asks with anxiety: "(Heavy-Vietnamese-accent English) Sir! You're hit!"
"I'm fine, just got awed by so many excitements today. And that one, it may be the one that I look forward to, a worthy opponent capable of challenging my limits." Yellow Thirteen's tone is surprisingly joyful, despite his plane had a large chunk blown off by the "one" he refers to: "We'll meet again soon. But for now let's just get outta here."
As Yellow Squadron begins withdraw, Mobius One also leaves to catch up other ISAF fighters, to the north.
【Ending Theme: Blue Skies】
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(Ending Sequence: As song starts, there's an azure sky littered with shooting stars)
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Every day I wake up unsure
of the tasks the day will bring
Yesterday's disappointments
keep reminding me
Tomorrow's surely coming
just as sure as the air I breathe
But I know I'll get through it
I have what I need...
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(Azure sky gradually dissolves to orange twilight of shooting stars)
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I have so far to go
And only heaven knows
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The sun keeps shining (Everything is bound to change)
And the wind keeps blowing
But the wide blue sky (Wide blue sky, always the same)
It forever stays the same
I've been finding
that the choice it will make...
That the wide blue sky
that it's never gonna change
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(Twilight sky changes to starry night sky, with meteors)
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But I have so far to go
And only heaven knows
Yes, I have so far to go
Heaven knows
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Not one day goes by
Bring back my blue sky
On which I rely
There's hope in the wide blue sky
Wide blue sky...
※
(Night sky turns back to azure)
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Blue skies given me so much hope...