Chapter 12: Reunion Between Friends
Disclaimer: I don't own Vandread or the Ace Combat series.
The Odyssey of Discovery: Gryphus 1
A few days have passed since Christmas and everyone was excited because they were getting closer to Tarak/Mejale. However, they kept constant vigil should the Harvesters decide to attack them. The crew including Kyle understood their enemy was becoming more determined especially since they had Gleipnir class airborne fortresses at their disposal. The Gleipnir 2.0 was still out there waiting.
Fortunately the crew had the Archangel, another Gleipnir class airborne fortress they acquired at the battle over Anpathos. So whenever the Harvesters decided to send one of their airborne fortresses the crew will be ready.
Kyle was currently doing a flight simulation with the intention of improving his berserker mode he called Onryo Mode. He strongly believed that this mode activated in the heat of battle, increasing his piloting skills to inhuman levels. Kyle wanted to activate this ability at will. He sets the number of enemies to the maximum amount which was 60.
Hearing the missile warning going off, the F-22 pulls hard left to shake off the missile lock and turns around, arming the XLAAM and gaining 3 locks. The stealth fighter releases its missiles downing 3 fighters and turns right when Gryphus 1 spots bullets passing the simulated canopy. He barrel rolls as more 30mm bullets chase after him, looking at the HUD he discovers more enemy MiG-17s approaching from his 4 o'clock high. Arming the heat-seeking missiles, they fire at Gryphus 1. He releases flares to direct the missiles away and retaliates with the AIM-9X, a more advanced version of the original Sidewinder.
Gaining two locks he fires the heat-seekers at the targets, the flares the MiG-17s released are no good against the AIM-9X's flare resistant system. The enemy fighters turn into fiery wreckage. More fighters close in and Gryphus 1 taps into the 10 years of experience he gained and either evades, counters or weathers the assault. The Aurelian downs 5 MiG-17s with the F-22's M61A2 Vulcan Gatling cannon though MiG-21s take their place, narrowing his eyes Gryphus 1 readies the XLAAM but quickly turns left to shake off an enemy missile lock. The number of hostiles grow on the HUD as they swarm in from every angle putting Kyle's calculating mind into overdrive. A normal pilot would have given but Kyle didn't know what quit means.
Purging any self-doubt creeping in, Kyle remains calm and runs options through his head.
The F-22 Raptor fires its Gatling cannon downing additional 10 MiG-17s then banks left to avoid a MiG-21's devastating 30mm cannon. Another trail of gunfire from another MiG-21 interlocks with the first trail creating an X pattern, hoping the Raptor will get caught in the middle. Gryphus 1 tries to activate Onryo Mode while pulling evasive maneuvers, it soon works.
His eyes turn glowing red and his pupils become slits.
Gryphus 1 begins slaughtering the remaining fighters using the XLAAM. The final MiG-21 gets shot down via Sidewinder missile and the simulation screen displays "You survived. Simulation over". His eyes return to normal.
'I did it! I activated Onryo Mode at will!' Kyle thought with accomplishment.
While he exits the simulation room, Hibiki and Dita sort through various food boxes.
Dita said, "Let's see, what else do we need?"
Hibiki stated impatiently, "Come on, hurry up." He dons an equal impatient look on his face while holding a food box containing carrots.
Dita apologized, "Sorry, Mr. Alien. That must be heavy for you."
Hibiki replied, "It's not so bad, I can manage it."
The redhead smiled, "That's so like you, Mr. Alien. You're so dependable!" She handed the Vanguard pilot another food box, "Take this one, too." She senses a presence and turns her head to see Paiway watching them.
The nurse asked, "What are you two doing here all alone?"
Dita answered, "Nothing really. We're just getting supplies."
Paiway said, "Sounds suspicious."
Dita smiled nervously, "It's none of your business, Paiway so stop bothering us."
Paiway lowered her head then asked her friend, "Dita, do you know what day it is?"
Dita titled her head cutely, "Day? I don't know."
Paiway face faulted, "Ugh, forget it!" She leaves them.
Hibiki said, "I don't get her at all." Dita giggles, earning her a confused look from Hibiki.
Elsewhere on the bridge, Parfet looks through her telescope as it detects a bright speck of light and identifies it as their home world Mejale.
Parfet said, "Wow, it's so pretty!"
Magno asked her, "Based on your estimates, how far do you think we are?"
Parfet rubbed her chin, "If I had to guess, I'd say we are halfway there. On the other hand, the Harvest might have already arrived there and harvested everyone leaving Mejale a lifeless hunk of rock." She laughs afterward but stops when Parfet notices that none of the bridge people are laughing with her.
BC said, "This isn't time for jokes. Parfet." At the infirmary, Bart consults with Duero about his trust problem with the bridge crew.
Bart informed, "So you see, doc I feel like the crew still doesn't have any trust in me! I don't know what to do." Hearing no response from Duero he asked, "Are you listening?"
Duero answered, "Not really. Do you wanna know a story? There was this guy who was recently hired and had short hair, making him stand out among the other long-haired employees. Once he grew his hair out enough, he was accepted."
Alex, who just entered the infirmary, clarified, "What Duero meant is that trust is easy to destroy but it takes time to build. If you confront about what's bothering them about you that'll help you figure out what to do to improve their trust in you."
Bart closed his eyes in thought, "Hmm. That would probably make the most sense, I have been a whiner ever since this journey. Okay, I'll give it a shot." Duero and Alex watch him leave the infirmary.
Alex said, "It'll ease the tension still lingering between them."
Duero resumed typing on the keyboard, "I hope you're right, Alex." Hibiki heads for the kitchen, struggling to stay on his feet due to the food boxes stacked on top of the other.
He suddenly trips and the door in front of him slides open revealing Celtic changing out of her bear costume. For several minutes the two stare at each other, Celtic's mind rebooted and did the first thing that came into it: Scream. Loud.
Hibiki runs away not wanting to get by some form of object. Nearing the kitchen, he stops to catch his breath, his heart rapidly pounding after seeing Celtic only in her pink undergarments.
Once his heartbeat normalized Hibiki enters the kitchen to see Dita preparing the food.
Walking up to her, he asked, "What are you doing?"
Dita giggled, "Preparing a tasty meal." She proceeds to chop some onions and begins crying, Paiway witnessed it but misinterpreted it as Hibiki making her cry. The young nurse vanishes before the duo spotted her.
A bit later, Dita recovered from chopping the onions and presented her meal to Hibiki who instantly dug in.
Dita asked, "How is it?"
Hibiki replied, "This hamburger steak is awesome!" Dita smiles at the compliment and then hears footsteps approaching the kitchen door.
Directing her gaze there the bubbly redhead sees Barnette, couple of armed guards and Paiway wearing spacesuits.
Dita asked, "Hello, girls have you come to join us?"
Paiway suddenly barked, "Dita, you're not allowed to Hibiki anymore!" Confusion fills Dita's mind.
Barnette said, "All men are forbidden to talk to Dita."
Hibiki asked, "What are you talking about?"
Paiway pointed an accusing finger at the young lad, "Admit it, you made Dita cry!" Hibiki raises an eyebrow at that.
Dita came to his defense saying, "It's not like that at all. The reason I was crying because I was chopping onions, Mr. Alien had nothing to do with it! Also I wanted to make something to celebrate Paiway's anniversary of joining our crew!" Paiway releases a gasp as she realized what kind of mistake she's making.
Barnette on the other hand didn't care and asks the guards to apprehend Hibiki, the Vanguard pilot refuses to do so and sidesteps them rushing into the hallway. He needed to escape the ship.
Duero watches Bart come back after the helmsman discussed with the bridge crew on what's bugging them about him.
Duero asked, "How did it go?"
Bart sighed, "Well...they said my whining irritates the hell out of them. After that, the captain said I need to grow a spine and don't be a wimp all the time."
Duero nodded, "At least you know what you need to do to gain their trust more."
The blonde-haired helmsman rubbed the back of his head, "I suppose so." Both men hear footsteps coming toward the infirmary and look at the doorway to spot Hibiki panting.
Hibiki stared at his comrade, "Come on, guys! The women are going to lock us up again! Hurry, there's not much time!" Picking up the sound of armed guards heading their way, Hibiki bolts out of there.
One guard said, "He went that way!"
Barnette aimed her gun at the two men, "There's been a change of rules. You men aren't allow to roam free anymore!" Duero and Bart blink in surprise then look at each other wondering what brought this on.
Kyle sits in the cockpit of his F-22 checking the systems to make sure everything's working properly, his ears detect movement and Kyle looks over his shoulder to notice Hibiki climbing into his Vanguard and powering it up.
Kyle popped up on the monitor, "Where's the fire, kid?"
Hibiki replied, "The damn women are locking us in that brig for something I didn't even do!" Kyle decides to follow the pilot out placing the demonic helmet on and fires up the engines, the stealth fighter exits the hanger.
On the bridge, Amarone stated, "It's a Vanguard, our prisoner's escaped. Kyle's with him as well."
BC appeared on the monitor inside the Vanguard, "What are you doing, Hibiki?"
Hibiki retorted, "I'm not going into that hellhole again, you hear me? So screw you!" He cuts the transmission as the two machines increase their speed, disappearing from the Nirvana's radar screen.
The pilots continue their journey to who knows where and Kyle asked the boy, "So what brought on the revolt?"
Hibiki replied in a calmed down tone, "That UFO woman, I mean Dita was chopping onions which in turn made her cry. That pest Paiway recorded the whole thing and showed it to Barnette as proof that I made her cry, not the onions! I had no interest of being locked up again so here I am. What have I done to deserve this?" Alarms blare inside the cockpit.
Kyle said, "Incoming fire, Hibiki! Evade!" The two machines break formation to avoid the laser beam shot though the Vanguard's right elbow suffers a grazed hit, the beam's intense heat melting parts of the armor.
Directly in front of them was a sizable fleet of ships, origin unknown.
On the flagship's bridge, the captain said, "Identify those two vessels immediately!"
An operator informed his superior, "They're not showing up in any database, captain." He then heard the radio beep, "We're being hailed from the strange jet, sir. I'm patching through." He types on his keyboard to establish connection.
Gryphus 1 said, "Attention unknown ships, cease fire. We are not hostile. With your permission, I'd like to come on board your ship and discuss our situation with you."
The radio operator asked, "Well, captain? What should we do?" The captain weighs in the options.
They were facing danger with the Harvesters like every planetary system and two unidentified craft showed up out of nowhere.
He finally answered, "Very well." The two pilots land in the flagship's hanger and head for the bridge where the captain.
Once there the bridge crew stare at them and Kyle could hear them whispering among each other about Kyle's presence, some of them trying to figure out where they've seen him.
The captain apologized, "Sorry about earlier. We're doing our best not to be harvested by our enemy your planet must be facing the same threat, right? Instead of waiting for that to happen we decided to set up a line of defense and fight to the bitter end. My name is Brad Longhart, captain of the fleet you saw out there. We come from the planet Melanus that's being targeted by the Harvesters." A while later, Hibiki stands in the hanger looking at the gaping hole in the Vanguard's right elbow due to the laser beam burning through the armor and touches the cut on his arm.
Suddenly a female mechanic approaches him.
She had short dark brown hair, blue eyes, looked to be about 20 years old, stood at 5'8, pale skin, wore a headband and a purple and white suit.
She smiled, "Hello there, my name's Seran. What's your name, stranger?"
Hibiki replied, "It's Hibiki Tokai." Seran sprays disinfectant on the cut and wraps it in her headband.
Another voice called out, "Hello there." Hibiki and Seran turned around to spot the male flight lead of the Melanus fighters and he continued, "Sorry for attacking you earlier. We've been under so many attacks it left us a little paranoid. Your machine suffered some damage from our encounter. No need to worry, though we have the best mechanics in this sector and will help get that baby into fighting shape again." Hibiki lends them a hand thanks to his time of making the Vanguards in the assembly plant. They soon stop for a break and Seran hands him a drink, Hibiki looks at it cautiously.
The flight lead assured, "Come on, it's not poison though I can't say the same about the taste." He winks at him playfully.
Seran scolded, "Thomas, don't think you're off the hook either! You need to drink some as well!" She hands him a can as well.
Hibiki narrowed his eyes, "Sorry if this question's personal but how long have you guys known each other?"
Seran replied, "We have known each other since birth and we'll always be together no matter what the obstacle."
Hibiki took a sip of the drink and spat it back out, "Yuck, what is this stuff?"
Seran smiled, "It's a drink full of vitamins and herbs. It's good for your skin."
Hibiki wondered, "My skin?"
Thomas nodded sternly, "Yes. We have discovered that the enemy is after our skin."
'I guess the harvest operation isn't limited to one specific body part.' The young Tarak thought.
Kyle sits alone in the ship's cafeteria taking a sip of the cold water relishing the sensation of the liquid calming his nerves. He is so relaxed he fails to hear someone entering the cafeteria.
A voice gasped, "Kyle? It's really you, isn't it? Turn around please, let me see your face." Kyle's eyes widen he recognized that voice anywhere and turns around in his seat to see two familiar people, they were 26 and 24 years old respectively but they were still familiar.
Kyle greeted, "Hi, Mori." The Japanese woman runs forward and hugs him tightly, tears of joy run down her face.
Mori said with a smile, "I can't believe it's really you. I feared you perished in the invasion of Aurelia but I'm relieved you were not." Her smile widens when she feels Kyle return the hug, stroking her hair with one hand.
Kyle stated, "I'm not easy to kill." He directed his gaze to the second woman, "Hello Catherine, how you been?"
Catherine shrugged, "Fine. Things have gotten rather boring since the Emmerian-Estokvakian war. All we experienced was tedious practice drills, endless hours of guarding air force bases. It grew to the point where if I didn't get time off soon I'd go insane. Thankfully the base commander gave me time off, saying I should enjoy the peace I brought with Tianlong Squadron, Garuda Team, Mobius 1 and you. Enjoy it I did celebrating my twenty-fourth birthday with a massive party at my uncle's house. Heh heh, I was drunk but happy." Mori calms down and wipes her tears away.
She chuckled, "Sorry about that."
Kyle shook his head, "Don't worry about it, girl. I would feel the same way if I was in your position."
Catherine asked coyly, "So do you have a girlfriend, Kyle?"
Kyle retorted sharply, "That's none of your business, Catherine."
That only fueled the fire in Catherine's barrage, "Oh, so you do have one? What's her name? Is she gorgeous or drop dead sexy?" Mori gets behind her, fist balled as she listens to her squad mate probing Kyle for information.
She then locked Catherine in the Kimura lock, "What have I told you about getting involved with someone's personal life, Catherine?"
The British woman spoke through the pain, "It's none of my business."
Mori ordered, "Now apologize to Kyle for what you did."
Catherine said, "I'm sorry for pushing you into unveiling who your lover is, Kyle. Can you let go now, Mori? I give, I give, I give." Kyle face faults at the sight of the women.
Mori released the Kimura and asked Kyle her own question, "How are Alex and Eugene doing?"
Kyle answered, "Both are fine. Alex is still the same laid-back guy when he's not in the sky and Eugene is working on his confidence. Let me guess on how you came here. An aqua green light came out of nowhere and transported you here, right?"
Catherine's eyes widened in shock, "Yeah! We were doing a reconnaissance mission for China when that light swallowed us. The next thing we knew we were in this alternate universe. Why? Did the same thing happen to you?"
Kyle nodded, "Yes, that's correct. My squadron and I were in a dogfight with a huge bomber squadron that was on its way to capture Port Patterson. Where's Chang? You three are inseparable."
Mori hesitated with her answer, "He...initially was but he was killed by the Harvesters. Chang gave his life to save ours."
The Aurelian placed his hand on Mori's shoulder, "He fought to his last breath, girl." They hear the alarms go off and rush to their fighters.
Inside the hanger, Hibiki looks at the monitor displaying some new type of Harvest vessel.
Hibiki asked, "What is that?"
Seran informed, "A Harvest flagship, they're really powerful."
Hibiki turned to look at her in shock, "Are you saying you've been fighting that monster this whole time?"
The female mechanic replied, "If we hadn't we would be harvested. That is not going to happen because we'll fight to the end." Out in space the Harvest fleet led by the flagship attacks the Melanus ships and launches the boarding party.
The pods burn through one of the ships' hull and spider-like infantries flood the hallway, killing anyone that stands in their way.
Kyle, Mori and Catherine run toward the hanger when Kyle hears Mori scream, whipping around he sees one of those spider-like infantries pinning her down and prepares to harvest the woman's skin.
Using the X-ray vision inside his helmet, Kyle locates the enemy's power source and pulls his glaive out, squeezes the hilt to extend both blades and throws it. One blade pierces the optical lens acting as the eye for the enemy unit, sparks fly everywhere. Mori pushes the monstrosity off her and resume heading for their fighters.
Hibiki helps Seran finish doing maintenance on his Vanguard when an explosion rocks the ship. After the smoke clears, Seran lies on the floor.
Hibiki shook her, "Hey, come on. Wake up, Seran." He gets no response and sits there on his knees staring out into space.
Kyle, Catherine and Mori enter the hanger and witness the event, Mori placed her hands over her mouth in horror.
Kyle called out, "Come on, guys we need to evacuate." Out in space the Melanus fleet struggles against the Harvesters.
The captain said, "Don't fall back! We need to show our enemies what we're made of!" Gryphus 1 leads his allies into battle.
Hibiki exclaimed, "Do people really die as easy as she did?!" His Vanguard draws one of its blades and starts cutting down cube-types in anger.
Gryphus 1 flies through enemy fire and readies an AIM-9X Sidewinder, he patiently waits for the missile to track the IR signature of an Su-37 Terminator once it does he pulls the trigger. The Sidewinder is released from its latch and follows the enemy fighter's heat trail right up to the plane's destruction, blowing it to pieces. He pulls evasive maneuvers when the missile warning sounds, releasing flares to shake off an enemy heat-seeking missile from his 3 o'clock. Pulling a hard left turn, Gryphus 1 enters gun range and fires the F-22's Gatling cannon. The bullets make quick work of the attacker turning it into scrap metal. Looking to his right, the Aurelian watches Catherine and Mori fly their J-10 multi-role fighters with expertise.
'Their skills haven't diminished.' Gryphus 1 thought approvingly.
Mori barrel rolls through gunfire by the cube-types and fires 2 AMRAAM missiles in retaliation. Seeing 30mm bullets fly past her canopy, Mori spots a MiG-21 approaching from 5 o'clock low narrowing her eyes the young Japanese woman allows the enemy fighter to line up on her 6 o'clock and somersaults. The MiG-21 flies past her and Mori fires an AMRAAM.
Catherine plays cat and mouse with some Su-27 Flankers, readying the AMRAAM.
She grinned when the missile lock turned red, "Gotcha, bloody wankers. Fox Three! Fox Three!" Catherine pulls the trigger and sends the medium-range air-to-air missiles on their way.
The missiles strike home adding more kills to her record. All of a sudden Catherine sensed that something bad was about to happen.
After destroying the last cube-type, Hibiki growled, "Come on, who wants to be next?" He charges at the Harvesters in front of him but then the cube-types and fighter jets break formation to let the flagship take aim.
Spotting the main cannon charging up, Gryphus 1 alerted, "Ah, shit. Take evasive action!" The four pilots get out of the cannon's way just before it fires however the Melanus ships didn't move in time. Hibiki witnesses them vaporize from the cannon's immense power. Horror turns to anger when he glares at the Harvest flagship.
He said, "You bastard!" The Vanguard charges at the enemy.
Catherine yelled, "Hibiki, wait!" The Harvest flagship releases an intense flash of light that temporarily blinds the group even though the dark visor on Mori, Catherine and Kyle's helmet protected their eyes. When the light dies down, the enemy fleet was gone and Hibiki's Vanguard hovers motionless in space.
Mori asked her friend, "What should we do now, Kyle?" Gryphus 1 contemplates their next move.
There was no way in hell they can take on the Harvest fleet alone especially after witnessing the destructive firepower of the flagship. Their best option was to return to the Nirvana albeit the fact the women most definitely returned the men back to the brig. However, a part of him was concerned of what the Mejale space pirates will do to him and his comrades when they return. The more tactical side of him reminded Gryphus 1 of what they're up against.
The pilot finally answered, "We return to the Nirvana. Despite what happened on the ship hours ago, they are our only hope against the Harvest flagship. I wouldn't put it past me if the Gleipnir 2.0 will be with them plus I have a feeling the Harvesters gave it some upgrades for the imminent battle. If I play my cards right, Magno will allow the men to be out of the brig and help us repel the assault. Let's move, time is of the essence!" Out of the corner of his eye, Gryphus 1 spots a familiar ship approaching.
'Rabat!' The pilot thought with venom.
He watches the ship's grappling arms grab the Vanguard and the three escort it back to the Nirvana.
It was going to be one tough battle when they get back.
A/N: Chapter 12 done.
Kyle was finally able to master his Onryo Mode.
A misunderstanding caused the Nirvana crew to revolt and send the men to the brig though Hibiki and Kyle escaped.
Kyle reunited with Catherine and Mori of Tianlong Squadron however Chang gave up his life to allow his squad mates to escape.
The Harvest flagship made its debut and turned the Melanus fleet into space dust. The Gleipnir 2.0 will make its return in the next chapter.
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Stay tuned for chapter 13.
Vader 23A