Chapter 8: Operation Salac
Siria walked into the hangar, closing the door softly behind her. She was a good fifteen minutes early, but she needed all of that time to clear her mind and think. Going back to the dorm wasn't an option because Shadrach was there, so where else could she go?
Calling the room huge was a gross understatement. If it weren't constantly filled with aircraft, a whole obstacle course for training recruits could occupy the hangar. It was a wonder that the structure could even support the roof. The Latias peered into the depths of one side, nothing that the hangar was especially crowded tonight because of the bombing run the Air Wing was tasked with. A large grey bomber, wings nearly spanning the entire width of the hangar, dwarfed the many smaller fighter jets in front of it. A cluster of attack helicopters sat in the corner, each armed to the teeth with a variety of missiles. At least five forklifts were parked around the planes, most likely in the middle of arming them with bombs, missiles, and other ammunition.
Then, Siria turned her head and looked at the other end of the hangar. In stark contrast to the crowded side, there were two light helicopters and one large transport helicopter in the middle, powerful lights illuminating them from every angle. Several wooden boxes lay scattered around the aircraft, and a large unidentified 'mon sat atop one of them.
She squinted at him, wondering what species he was. Jet black body paint obscured much of his hide and wings, but she could catch a hint of dull red. The same paint was applied to his fanned, feathered tail in lighter density: bands of blue and yellow meshed with the same red. White, crisp hair covered the back of his head, and…
"You needn't be shy." The Pokemon, not even looking back, spoke loud enough for Siria to hear.
"What?" She was rattled out of her thoughts, not knowing that he was observing her.
"You can sit here if you'd like. Or would you prefer to stand there until we have the briefing?"
"Y-yes, alright." The Latias walked towards him, footsteps echoing in the vast hangar. She sat on a crate next to him, getting a better image of his body. His entire front was a natural dark navy blue, nearing black in hue. Three feathers, each ranging from red to white, decorated the top of his head. A small blue triangle adorned the upper portion of his beak. Aged yet piercing yellow eyes looked back into her own.
"Let me guess," he started. "You're wondering what kind of Pokémon I am."
"No- what I mean is- well, yes," she stammered. "Sorry if I'm offending you."
This provoked a laugh out of him. "No, I'm not offended. I get asked that question all the time. It's a funny thing, though, because I recognize almost all of the species here. Anyways," he continued as he rustled his wings. "I'm what they call a Wargle, but I prefer to be called Wyatt. I came from a place pretty far from here, but I don't have any intention of going back anytime soon."
"I'm Sergeant Siria. It's nice to meet you." She extended a hand forward.
He shook it. "It's nice to meet you too, Siria." As he looked her over more closely he murmured. "Hmm… you remind me of someone…"
The Latias looked into his eyes while he thought. Was it sadness that she saw? Anger? Possibly-
And in that instant Wyatt's eyes flickered again, erasing any emotion that the dragon saw. "Never mind, just some stray memories. Anyways, which sector are you working with?"
"Sabotage. I'm assuming that I'm supposed to be guarding the other 'mon, mostly because I don't know anything about bombs and such."
He cracked a weary grin. "That would be my specialty. Working with those certainly takes me back…"
Siria was about to comment on his age when she saw a Raichu walk in from another door. Then, looking behind her, she saw a small cluster of other 'mon come in from where she did. She turned her gaze away from the bird, sitting at attention as all of the others assembled around them, sitting on the crates.
"Alright!" The electric-type stood in front of them all, trying to gain their attention. "I know we're a little short on manpower, but we can get this to work." He took a neatly folded paper out of one of his pockets. "I have the group listings. As mentioned before, five teams of two will hit five antiair guns while the other ten patrol the area for enemy activity. Equipment for this operation is provided inside of the wooden boxes you are sitting on. Insertion and extraction will be executed with two light choppers and one mid-sized one," he continued while motioning behind him. "Now…"
"Go, go, go!" the pilot yelled at the six 'mon who sat on the ledges of the helicopter. It hovered over a stretch of grassland, black figure easily blending with the night sky. A range of trees barely visible in the distance reminded all passengers of the proximity of their target.
Wyatt strapped a rope to the Mightyena he was required to transport and tied it firmly around his own waist. He then jumped off of the chopper, snapping out his powerful wings. Siria soon jumped out after him, turning invisible as she too spread her wings, albeit less violently. The other occupants, Levina, a Flygon, and a Pidgeotto, barreled off in a similar manner, with the dragon grabbing the scowling Ampharos tightly. Four other figures on the chopper behind them carried out the exact same motions, quickly becoming one with the darkness of night.
As Siria flew alongside the Wargle, the flying-type looked where he assumed she was. "Ready?" Wyatt shouted into the air, aged face alight with excitement.
"I am!" the Latias yelled back in response, wind causing her down to shimmer for a fraction of a second.
"Well, then. Let's do this!"