Shirogane Archangel 1. Flight A, Element A
Sumika Archangel 2. Flight A, Element A
Yuuya-Inia, Idar 1. Flight A, Element B
Meiya Archangel 5. Flight A, Element B
Sakaki Archangel 4. Flight B, Element C
Mikoto Archangel 6. Flight B, Element C
Ayamine Archangel 7. Flight B, Element C
Kasumi Archangel 3. Flight B, Element D
Tamase Archangel 8. Flight B, Element D
—
Sakaki Chizuru
04:54 AM
Soviet Б-01, eleven klicks out
"—Arc 1 to Flight B, report your status."
"—Arc lead, Archangel 7 killed one of Argos. We're currently firing on the remaining two." The normally angry Chizuru spoke collectively to her Squadron commander.
"Copy that, continue your work. Also, were the test pilots good?" Takeru's question was not in Chizuru's right to reply.
"You can ask Ayamine, she was the one who got it."
"Nah, I'll do that later. You keep it going."
"Understood, Capt. Takeru. —attention, Flight B will now engage all Bogeys. All Fox green, we have control." At long last, Chizuru received her chance to act like a proper leader after being demoted by Takeru. Now, she was returned some of that authority as the leader of Flight B, consisting of Kasumi, Mikoto, Ayamine and Tamase.
"—Archangel 3, roger. Concentrating fire on Mirage 2000s."
"—Archangel 6, understood! I see two F-16s coming! Distance, three hundred!"
"—Archangel 7, going for ACTV 2."
"—Archangel 8, as-assisting 07 with Actives!"
"Archangel 4, all copy. Currently firing on incoming F-16."
Shirogane Takeru
04:55 AM
"Taakeeeruuu-chaaan! I'm soooo borrreeed!"
"If you keep complaining, I'll make your mouth lose one of its two core functions."
"Two…? But I don't technically need to eat or breathe though!"
"Exactly."
"… Aha! …AWWAWWA! TAKERU-CHAN! Th-th-t-that's se-sexual harassment!" Took the dumbass long enough.
"Seriously though, you're our ace-in-the-hole here. If I have you blown over by those guys, it won't be worth it. Same for me. So stop complaining about not getting off, go play with yourself."
As I continued to abuse Sumika mentally from the comfy seat of my YF-23, the explosion of a nearby 120mm shook my frame lightly. The rapid alteration in stance was swiftly fixed by my responsive Jump units, both engines boosted in counter of one another and I soon regained my balance.
From afar, a couple more bombardment shells came flying my way, its shooter was a Mirage 2000 Kai of the African Test Flight. When I took the time and deliberation to actually avoid its deadly rounds, a volley of 36mms whizzed harmlessly past my frame.
"Uuu-gaa… damn, so tired. —Arc lead to anyone listening, got a… err, got a guy on me. Emm, somebody want to get that dude?" My entire request was said through a sleepy yawn.
"—already dead." Immediately after Kasumi's remark, a bullet tore through that modified F-5's head compartment and dropped it on that spot. The 2000 Kai maintained altitude from leftover boost before collapsing to the ground, about twenty metres shouldn't kill the Eishi of the TSF.
"Daaamn, girl. That shot was niiiice!" I energetically praised Kasumi's meticulous shooting.
"Thank you, Takeru-san." On my mini-map, a blue dot on behalf of Kasumi scanned the area around me before heading off elsewhere.
I divided my team into two smaller Platoons before facing off against the three defensive Flights of Yukon. Currently my organized Flight B was duking it out opposite to PROMINENCE's Argos, Duma and Slechoianvanlfjn whatever.
As for my reasoning behind not joining the fight together with the rest of my Squadron; well, it was because we weren't needed. B team got their shit together nicely and had things locked down.
"—you weren't joking when you said to sit this one out, huh? Hostile forces are almost below half."
"Ah, Red Baron. Where have you been?" When I turned my machine to formally face him, Bridges arrived stealthy in his 94 Second.
"That is like nowhere near my actual name." Bridges for once actually picked a funny bone with me.
"Haaha, true that." In the open, our two Third-Gens hovered without any cover amidst a warzone. Yet no shots came anywhere close to landing on us.
"So who was it that got the first kill?" Bridges found a trivial topic to chit-chat about.
"Ayamine did, Archangel 7 in Flight B."
"Did she stab someone with the knives? She just seemed the type to do it."
"Also true. —Arc lead to Arc 7, you busy right now?" Being as bored as I was, a wish naturally occurred within me to pull Ayamine into the conversation as well.
"—Dealing with this ACTV, what you want?" I took that to mean she was free.
"Tell us how you got the first F-15."
"Nothing special, it got pissed because I kept dodging and locking. Pilot came at me with knives. Shank, shank, dead." What a beautiful, descriptive retelling of Ayamine's great achievement.
"Yeah, I think I know who that is. The pilot's fine, right?"
"Uh-huh, I checked vitals… nothing wrong." Bridges lightly nodded to Ayamine who switched her sight back on me.
"Who else's left out there?"
"Two from Argos, two from Duma and three of them EU assholes." Either she seriously hated Europe or the name of that F-16 Flight was too much.
"Well done, keep up the pressure."
"Tell that to Class rep, she can't handle it." A metaphorical shot was fired to our lovely glasses.
"—you shut your mouth, Ayamine! Urgga, it's just this Active is giving me trouble with its sniper fire!" Debunked Class rep when she budged into our channel.
"Get Tama to take care of it, is she not available?"
"—uuurm, b-but Miki is busy dealing with the 2000 Kais! They teamed up with the Actives and are making it hard to fire back!" Next was Tama who also joined in our comms chat.
"How about Mikoto?"
"—sorry, F-16s are fleeing toward the group too! They're regrouping! I'm chasing one right now!" I laughed quietly at the notice, all of my B team was preoccupied with hostiles.
"Let's stop wasting time, Captain. I'll assist them, my fuel and ammunition has been full the whole time." A different idea was promoted by Bridges.
"…Yeah, I'm playing around too much here. Type-94 Second Phase 3, you have consent." There may be still time remaining until the VIP kicks her bucket, however one cannot be too careful.
"Aye, aye. Idar 1 advancing."
Stella Bremer
04:58 AM
"—watch it, watch it, Argos 4! They got a shooter two O'clock, five hundred metres out!"
"—oow, thanks for that, Duma 3." By a warning from the African Flight, Stella nearly circumvented getting picked off by an unfriendly sniper.
"—Slechtvalk 2 to Argos, give us some covering fire! I got a Tango biting my ass!" Turning her attention to a hostile Type-94 in hot pursuit of two F-16s, both Stella and VG fired off their assault cannons toward that TSF which backed away due to the high volume of bullets.
"—you're clear, Slechtvalk 2, reform with us and we're temporary pulling back." In a rare instance of seriousness, VG gave out some orders as the agreed-upon highest in command.
—
"Damn it! We already lost almost half of our forces! To only five TSFs too!"
"—we have to report back to HQ, these guys are not joking around at all." A suggestion was quickly formed between the surviving UN defenders.
The grass beneath the remaining seven tactical fighters was bent by jets of compressed air. The group carefully surfaced in the direction of Yukon Base, none of them slacked off and were all focused on any movements.
"What should we do, VG? The area is still affected by ECM and we have orders to capture the invaders, no kills."
"I ain't got nothing, still can't reach Yui-Hime or anyone else for that matter." The same could be said for Stella's connection.
"These guys are really good, I haven't see Tarisa lose a fight in so long."
"Hihihi, that sure is right. Can't believe she got stabbed in the arms while lunging." Stella joked a bit about Tarisa's miserable defeat to lighten the mood only because she saw her safely exiting her downed unit after being carried to the ground.
Their situation as of the moment was grim, understandably so. The only redeeming quality of their otherwise detested foes was that they showed mercy to those they defeated. For that, Stella silently thanked her enemies when Tarisa ran off the battlefield, she felt lucky things weren't getting any worse.
"Ahha, she's gonna scream her head off if we recover this situation."
"She'll probably do that anyway even if we don't." Knowing the Nepalese's personality, Stella was confident in VG's deduction.
In their current formation, the Argos took center with the F-16s in vanguard and the leftover Duma Element protecting their backs. It was not a posture with many thoughts behind it, but it will have to do for now.
"—Duma 4 to Argos, the signa— is deteriorating at an — rapid rate ove— our AO— possib— incoming—" A sudden message was muffled out thanks to static noises by the time it reached the ears of Stella. Even if she already knew her map to be non-functional, she still took a peek in hopes of spotting their potential foes.
"Negative copy, Duma 4. Come again." VG requested a repeat to no avail.
Across the horizon past where their rearguard was watching, Stella seemed to be able to make out something not quite like the environment that surrounded them. With low forests and a river nearby, this could just be a simple trick played by reflections of light. However, being the sharpshooter of her team, Stella had the responsibility to watch for the furthest hostiles.
"VG, look at my coordinates. Can you see something?"
"I'll see… I can't really tell the diff—" In the next instant, their observation was rendered completely pointless, and futile.
Out of absolutely nowhere, the noise of metal scratching metal rained out unswervingly behind the two surface pilots. Since Stella and VG were both facing backwards as they traversed parallel to the river, the only justification was for a hostile to have slipped them by and ambushed their vanguard.
"—SHIT INCOMIN—" The F-16 pilot who shouted in terror was already gone by the time Stella rotated around.
Three Fighting Falcons; gone, in the blink of an eye, Stella only caught a glimpse of their attacker as she finally came face to face with whoever steered his TSF into a standing backflip. Its blades swung in an overhead arc and detached the final F-16's arms, leaving three Second-Gens disabled.
"94… Second!" Then the moment of realization hit, it was the same unit; the same one as what Yuuya controlled months ago. Its form was simply alluring; its every movement majestic to the core.
That TSF was Stella's enemy, Yuuya was Stella's enemy. However, the reason she raised her rifles and tightened her triggers was not due to an order from up top, it was something different; something basic.
The 94 Second before her showed resolve to kill, it would not be stopped and it could not be stopped. Stella saw it, through the sharp blades on its arms and the primed assault cannons on its back; The Phase 3 was no longer ridden by her old friend who had a hard time with her teases.
For that, Stella too was going to respond. Her guns aimed for the center mass of Yuuya's impending machine, a torrent of bullets and a shell at this range would do him in. Even a TSF with enhanced armour couldn't survive if 36mm and 120mm were thrown point-blank. So it wasn't a problem of weaponry that made Stella fail.
"—Stella, VG, sorry about this." His voice quietly echoed in Stella's ears. It was no different from the last time she spoke with him, he didn't sound any more distant than he usually did. Yuuya was still their friend; for a second, Stella was fooled by that illusion.
That fraction cost her a feasible victory. When Stella's flash of doubt was cleared, both arms holding her guns were already cleaved clean off. When she blinked next, something impacted her ACTV's head and shut down her sensors forever.
Yuuya Bridges
05:01 AM
"—ACTV 2, 3 toasted. UN Argos Flight burnt." Callously, Yuuya announced the defeat of his former teammates.
The daggers attached to the Phase 3's arms were still hot, and it will only become hotter as Yuuya gunned for his next prey.
Wasting no time on unrequired suspension of its strike, the Phase 3 burst away from the floored machines in its wake before they hit the ground. Yuuya charged forward, unblinkingly as he went after the persisting two members of Yukon's defensive Flight.
Both Mirage 2000s from the African Union were apprehensively scrambling away from Yuuya's arm daggers as he kept dashing forward, uncaring for the barrage of lost shots from the fleeing TSF and its buddy. Yuuya drew closer by each metre at an incredible rate; a speed the French Specialized Fighters had no chance of covering.
Reducing the distance away to double digits, Yuuya knew he could finish this fight anytime he fancied; tastelessly, he wasn't feeling any bit merciful, owing to the fact that any second he shaved off here would be another second for Cryska to live.
"Inia; stab."
"Okay!" His co-pilot obediently followed his order to a T.
Burning his engines to max power, all Yuuya did was surge past the two TSFs, lacking the mobilization of his weapons; for his job was just this, fly. Yuuya only had to focus on the one segment of managing his TSF.
The two modified F-5s appeared to have frozen in place, neither moved a joint or attempted to dodge the strike that came faster than their pilots could react. Another trick of the clock later, both frames were already on their way diving down involuntary toward the earth surface. The cause of death being sliced heads and EMP bullets in the back of their cockpits.
The killing was taken care of by Yuuya's partner; since her job was exactly that, slay. When the Phase 3 flew by its duo of foes, Inia reached out the Shiranui's hands which had vanes extending on this forearms and slashed. It was a perfect shear; right under the chin by where the armour was the thinnest, on the necks of both frames.
In spite of her seemingly flawless kill, Inia still need to add her finishing touch on her fine work. The assault rifles mounted on the 94's hind were aimed and both fired three times. One for lower body and two for the cockpit blocks, ensuring the survival of those two frames were murdered from the roots.
"—African Union, Duma Flight wiped. No hostiles left." And the shortest battle concluded extremely lopsided to Yuuya's undeniable victory, he quickly picked up his set of EMP rifles that were discarded earlier.
"—attention, all units. We'll continue advancing on Yukon. Without interruption, our ETA is three hundred seconds. Execute as planned and don't deviate except for cases of emergency." Shirogane announced over the radio. They were so close now, Yuuya never imagined his homecoming would be like this.
"Yuuya, are you worried?"
"Yeah, a bit." The Japanese-American honestly retorted.
"Don't be, Yuuya. We can do this, I believe in us!" Spinning around to shine a bright smile Yuuya's way, Inia's big round eyes beamed a glance of hope for her future.
"Me too, once this's done, let's all go home; you, me and Cryska. The three of us can finally be together." The tomorrow of his dream was right before him now, and Yuuya vowed to grasp that miracle with his hands.
"Will we find a new home, Yuuya?"
"Yeah… we will, I promise you." He couldn't turn back now; never again will the past affect him.
So for that reason Yuuya didn't shoot a second look to the Actives down beneath. Past memoires and friends had to be forsaken for his future, that was the only way of achieving the happiness he sought. The only road left after abandoning every other choice he had, determination will not be one of Yuuya's delicacies.
"Bridges, c'mon, let's go." Shirogane adjured for Yuuya to join the formation. Even in his final peek, he noticed a stranded Stella standing above her active gazing at his unit; but Yuuya's concentration was firm as before, because there was nothing left for him that way.
"Idar 1, Oscar Mike." Yuuya boosted forward to meet his new teammates, remembering and treasuring the final sight he saw of Stella; her smiling gently and sending Yuuya off with a middle finger.
Jerzy Sandek
05:04 AM
Alaska, Soviet Base Б-01, Command center
"Kapitan, the invaders just broke through UN's second line of defence."
"Did they now? That is most expected." Sandek's men paid no consideration to the slight discrepancy in his words.
"The enemy's ECM is blocking our communication arrays, we have no way of reaching the UN command."
"What about reinforcements from Anaktsuvk Base?"
"They already have been notified."
"Then there's not much left for us to do, comrades. We have half a Battalion left and a couple of Su-47s, let the rest of them fight and have the UN take over their duty of protecting this base for now." Sandek's train of thought made the most sense in contrast to any other plans.
"Yest, ser. I'll put order for the 11th Security Unit to move out."
"Good." If nothing unpredicted takes place for this next half an hour, the remaining Battalion won't be seeing another fight.
"The two of you, prepare for combat. The 47pzs are in Hanger C-3. We will personally test their abilities." Nonetheless, Sandek always prepared for the unforeseen.
"Yest, ser!" Two female voices replied to his call, both white-haired espers were ready, body and soul for the awaited reunion with their family.
"Prepare Su-47E, I'll head out as well. And don't forget, only capture the targets if a read can be observed. We don't have the time to waste."
"Komandir, there's something else about this team we need to talk with you about." Unexpected was the espers' further request, Sandek stopped one step short of leaving the control room.
"Speak outside." The two espers obediently followed him through the doorway.
"Sir, it is about the invading forces. Other than Inia, we have sensed something… nostalgic from them."
"What is it?" Sandek had no others to prepare for, none of them was waiting for his subordinates to spill into information.
"It's our kind, sir. We can sense Trista, she's part of the incoming Squadron." Wordlessly, the Captain processed this newfound knowledge.
"Trista Sestina… she was the one we sold off to the UN… I understand, now go get ready to sortie." Whatever Sandek decrypted from the esper's words, he didn't tell anyone.
"Da, Komandir!" The espers saluted him professional and headed off.
"…A homecoming, we'll need to prepare for that as well."
Takamura Yui
05:08 AM
Yukon Base, Command Center
"We have… lost visual on Argos, Duma and Slechtvalk Test Flights. Overhead imaging cannot capture signature of their TSFs." The report of twelve defeated Eishis was nothing less than a brutal slap on Yui's hope, the slim likelihood of everyone coming out happy was now totally obliterated.
"So that makes a Battalion of surface fighters lost in total… within such a short time too, this is getting a bit scary…" Another operator commented on the efficiency of their uninvited newcomers.
"1st Lt. Takamura, I believe there are not many options left." to Yui's side, 1st Lt. Dahl was implicating for the proper procedure to be taken.
"In thirty seconds hostile ECM will overtake our position, comms will no longer be reliable once that happens!" Another operator shouted unfavourable upcoming events.
"I understand… wishes… become dangerous if I cling onto them. Sergeant, please request support from UN Alaska Command. Inform them, this invasion of unknown nature by possible ex-members of Project PROMINENCE." Yui addressed the CP officer for their situation to be announced.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Also, give all remaining forces on base lethal mandate. The 21st Security unit is to move out at full force. It is deemed the arrest of the invaders to be too risky." Yui's eyes were clouded since the very beginning, so even when her irreplaceable confidant was right before her; she was blind to the opportunity of a reunion.
"What other units can we use on base?" Yui asked next.
"From all registered armed TSF teams, the PLA's Bao-Feng Test Flight and US Army's Infinities Test Flight have yet to be mobilized."
"The Chinese and the Americans… can all this be interconnected…?" A logical deduction formed steadily in Yui's head, it would all make sense if what she intuited was correct. Her idea would be right, and also dangerous.
"At this rate, we'll have to ask them to fight as well." 1st Lt. Dhal said, the truth was something very close.
"Yes, it is unavoidable. I will contact them personally and ask for assistance. If they do not conform, then the possible damage will not be ours to bear." In that case, whatever fee China or the States had to pay will be forked over from their own pockets.
"1st Lt. Takamura, will you sortie yourself? Seeing as there's no units left for me." A good question posted by 1st Lt. Dhal.
"Yes… yes I shall. Call hanger 5, prepare my Type-00." The inevitable will happen, Yui must clash with A-01 to gain the truth.
"I intend to personally test them… the future of our Empire… cannot be submitted so easily."
Leon Kuze
05:10 AM
United States Army Hanger
"Since the Yukon Command had to wake us up at almost five O'clock in the morning to take care of some trespassers who they didn't like stepping over their garden, I think it'll be fine if we asked them to at least pay for our fuel once we're done."
Listening to their leader, Keith Blazer's prop talk, Sharon quietly giggled at what Leon considered to be a below average joke. However, nobody could refute the fact that the Infinities did receive a call from central Yukon about incoming attackers who raised the base all the way to DEFCON 1 in just twenty minutes.
"Some Squadron of Japanese' Type-94 and a few Unknowns are flying around out there, they sound quite strong considering a bit of the Soviet and a Battalion of UN forces already fell. But now that we're called, there's nothing left but scraps for them to clean up afterwards." With good reasons, Keith was confident in his chances of winning.
"They requested for us to try and not kill the hostiles on sight, maybe go for capture. Although we do have deadly rights, just in case things go south. Let's do our best to make sure that doesn't happen." When the alternative was available, nobody truly enjoyed robbing the lives of others.
"Last thing, the Tangos are said to be in possession of anti-TSF jamming capabilities and stealth functions. Switch to proximity channel and off-wire Data link if they pull those moves. That's it, board up, Infinities."
"Yes, sir!" Complying with the First Lieutenant's order, Leon hopped on the ascending rope that lifted him all the way up to the F-22's cockpit.
"—who do you think is brave enough to attack Yukon Base without any planning though? They only got nine units, it's crazy to even try." Cutting in the comms while Leon checked his system, Sharon shared her view with the rest of the Infinities.
"—I think you mean stupid enough. But whatever, unlike last time, this attack seems to be solely acted out from outside forces. Besides, the RLF wouldn't pick the same target they failed at already, right?"
"—Leon's probably correct on this. But it never hurts to be too careful." Another transmission from Infinity 3, Guylos agreed with him.
"—we can discuss the politics all we want after those guys are dealt with. Don't forget our trip to Kamchatka is tomorrow, think of this as a warm up." Finally, their Flight leader was the last one to join the conversation.
"Alright, alright! Let's go! Or as Leon likes to say; the playtime is over! I'll clean'em up, nice and pretty!" When Sharon mocked Leon's catchphrase as a travesty, the rest of her team couldn't hold back their laughs; save for the victim, obviously.
"Hey, hey! What's that supposed to mean!?" Shouting at Sharon with a manly fluster, Leon was earnestly trying to float his fury through the cameras.
"I'm complimenting you here, you know? It's nice to have a boyfriend whose a janitor on his off-days!" It was just pure, unfiltered burn raining down.
"Puffuu… ahahahha! That was a good one!"
"Hehehehe, he does say that a lot." Both Keith and Guylos enjoyed the short comedy routine between the couple.
"Goddamn you assholes…" Robbed of any comeback after being fugitively destroyed, Leon hanged his head and accepted the waves after waves of laughter.
"Alright, people. That was fun, but we got to move out now. Infinities, statues check." The serious atmosphere was brought back without anyone missing a beat.
"Infinity 2, good to go."
"Infinity 3, system is fine, not seeing problems."
"Infinity 4, same."
"In that case, Infinities Flight, move out!"
Cui Yifei
05:13 AM
People's Liberation Army Hanger
"Annneee-saaan! I only slept for two hours-aru!" Letting a big yawn out of her mouth, Lou loudly complained about precipitous mandatory assembly required from them by the repeating alarm.
"Gǔndàn (Get out). You gotta stop staying up this late just to watch your Korean drama. Where did you receive the signal from, anyway? It's not like broadcast from homeland can reach here." Yifei shut up her bun-haired junior before posting a question of her own.
"I have the entire series on disk! All nine seasons-aru! Let's watch it together next time, what do you say, Ane-san?" Yifei shook her head in letdown and ignored the supplementary nonsense.
"I still don't know who makes those. I mean, Korea is gone, right?"
"Indeed, probably the survivors living at Taiwan. They just can't let that tradition die, it seems." Lee, the more mature member of Yifei's team answered Wang's question.
Behind Yifei stood the four majestic Tactical Fighters of her Bao-Feng Flight, the Jian-10Xs that accompanied Yifei and her Platoon through thick and thin were again arranged to face against their new enemies.
When the entire Yukon Base was put on DEFCON 1 in the middle of the night, the startling alarm pulled her away from the comfy dream and back to her reality. Yifei soon after received a call from somebody she didn't wish to speak with in the slightest; Takamura Yui of the XFJ.
Non-chronological
People's Liberation Army Barrack
"—yeah, so? Just a couple of rats and you want us to clean them out? You think I'm here because I like having snow in my shoes?"
"—1st Lt. Cui… please let me finish—"
"It's Captain! Stop getting it wrong, 1st Lt. Takamura!"
"Captain, Cui, please allow me to finish."
"I already know what you wanna say! Just some invaders thinking they can strike this base when it's weak, your people should be more than enough to repel them."
"Yes, so far so true. However, you do not know the pilots of this invasion force."
"…and you do?"
"…that is up for you to decide."
"Whaaat? What're you saying. 1st Lt. Takamura?"
"When was the last time you met with Yuuya again?"
"…Haaa? Wh-why you ask that?"
"Because I have good reasons to believe you are about to meet him once more."
Chronological
People's Liberation Army Hanger
"Then how about you two-aru? Shaofeng, Lenmian?" Noticing her Captain was unwilling to enjoy a good flick, Lou turned her attention to the other two teammates.
"Méimén (No way). I saw enough of that crap with you. And besides, I don't really understand what they talk about anyway." One of them rejected the idea.
"Humph! Shaofeng is no fun-aru! Then Lenmian! Watch it with me!"
"Qù nǐ dǎyè de (GTFO). And my freaking name is Linmei, not cold noodles." It appeared that Lou's passion for Korean Drama wasn't a common find in the girls of Bao-Feng.
"This is so stupid… Bao-Feng! Attention!" Sick of the ongoing disruption before her yet-to-be-started briefing, Yifei called for the concentration of her crew. On her command, the three girls immediately stopped playing around and stood at attention.
"Listen up, people! The UN got some little cockroaches running around the base and since the previous attack pretty much wiped out their security detail, we got called in to help them exterminate the pests!"
Thinking back to her less-than-understandable conversation with Takamura, Yifei clutched her teeth hard in anger. What a humiliation she had to suffer, she'll make sure Takamura pays for this bother down the line.
When Yifei first picked up the receiver and heard the opposing side's voice, she almost threw it across the room due to pure detestation. After leaving her uninvited in the loop for so long, how dare Takamura just simply call back and ask for a favour?
"Since we're temporary living in their home, just think of this as paying for the rent. It's a Squadron of nine we'll be dealing with, five of the Japanese 94 and four Unknowns, the UN and the Soviets aren't sharing details so just assume for the four to be Third-Gens."
And to make matters worse, Takamura teased her about a reunion with Yuuya, something she knew Yifei just could never resist. So here she was, working overtime thanks the hope of earning her happiness.
"Another thing, Yukon wants these guys alive but not in exchange for ours. If things get tough out there; shoot to kill. They also got some sort of stealth system going as well, and I don't like that, not one bit." Biting her lower lips as she revealed another factor, the mock battle they had against Infinities still was a flesh wound in Yifei's heart.
"Just make sure to use a local signal when the public one gets jammed and don't trust your radar. Any questions?" The three girls all waited for another person to speak up.
"Very good. Bao-Feng Flight, embark!"
Shirogane Takeru
05:14 AM
Soviet Б-01, three klicks out
"Takeru-san, there're espers here. I sensed them but I don't know who they are." Interesting update from Kasumi indeed.
Got it, so does that mean the Soviets know who we are?
"I'm sorry, they most likely have an idea to our identities." Always the polite one, that Kasumi.
No, no. You did nothing wrong, Kasumi, don't feel bad. I'm gonna start talking now, we can discuss this later.
"Okay."
"—I have given like seventeen pep talks in the last fifteen minutes, you all probably are tired of my voice. So I'll make shit simple here, we got maximum half an hour left to bring back the VIP. Thanks to our previous conservation of ammunition, we should have more than enough rounds… to go around." I received no reaction from that pun whatsoever.
"Ahem! Anyway, to review our strategy; the Soviet Base ahead is constructed in a circular formation with its Command Center right down the middle. Our objective is barrack A-2; Sestina, confirm again the location of your bedroom." When she prepared herself to give a rundown, I arranged the map of that U.S.S.R base for my team.
"—ah, yes. Barrack A-2 is located at the southwest side of Б-01, directly next to Hanger 3 which was where the Su-37 used to be stored. Our old cubicle is on the second floor's west wing." To Sestina's credit, she spoke calmly in a relaxed manner when briefing my team.
"So here's the plan again just for anyone who forgot. Flight A; which is me, Idar 1, Archangel 2 and Archangel 5 will infiltrate the Soviet Base straight on and wreak havoc from inside. To split that down further, Arc 2 and I; Element A will clear the immediate area around the barracks so Arc 2 can safety deliver the VIP. While Idar and Arc 5; Element B will distract all hostiles on site outside my area."
"In the meantime, Flight B; that's Archangel 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 will patrol the perimeters to keep the UN reinforcements at bay, that is anyone late to the party from Yukon or the closest camps around. In that sub-group, Arc 3 and 8, Element D will form an element for long distance shooting and the rest are Element C, they will engage enemies at close to medium range."
It was a standard military tactic we planned to implement against Russians of PROMINENCE. Surround the target location, eliminate all unfriendlies on site, execute mission priority, prevent interference from additional forces, and withdraw once mission objectives are reached. It was a solid sounding idea, of course; hopefully reality will work just as beautifully.
"Once the pickup comes in range, Flight B will move to secure the eastern runway and provide cover for the aircraft. In case of Barchenowa's revival happening first, Flight A will rendezvous with B and relocate to the airstrip." Easy as pie, if I do say so myself.
"You all still remember the rules, right? Guerrilla warfare we got going on over this AO. I trust everyone here to make wise decisions in unexpected situations, don't let me down now, you hear!?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Excellent, time for a boss fight; let's see how Yukon fares when the guy from the dungeon challenges them instead."
Yuuya Bridges
05:19 AM
Soviet Б-01, outskirt
Even during the constant downfall of snow throughout the land, fire from his jump engines burned hotter and brighter than the water molecules which were too heavy to stay afloat; frozen, during its descent down to the earth.
"—Idar 1, you have being spotted, five O'clock! Incoming Super Hornets, count four. Hanersy Test Flight! I cannot provide support as of this moment! Watch yourself!" A callout from Yuuya's Element buddy advised him of an approaching Australian Platoon.
"—Idar 1, roger. Moving to engage hostiles." As Yuuya diverged from the Purple Type-00, his final view of it was how two MiG-29s got slashed across their legs by the CIWS in its right hand and shot in the head by the gun in its left.
Looking ahead, Yuuya saw the quadruple TSFs blasting away their rifles in hope of landing an early shot for an early lead against the ex-test pilot. He wasn't going to be brought down in such an insulting fashion.
Yuuya boosted forward, fast and furious as he dodged the halls of metal. The engines attached to the Phase 3's lower back roared silently, overshadowed by the constant noise of oncoming wind spilt apart. A few evasive maneuvers paired with his jump units later, Yuuya closed the range enough for his EMP rifles to be used effectively.
The four F-18s just then reversed their impulsion, seeing as his Shiranui was unscratched by their collective fire. All four units changed their ploy to a rotating Circle-1 formation, each firing their weapons separate of another. Creating an augmented wall of bullets before Yuuya, who backed away to increase the distance.
"Tsk, not making it easy, these guys…"
"Yuuya, go straight ahead, I can take'em!" When a bit stuck on a good counter, it was Inia who suggested a plan as Yuuya evaded another few hundred rounds in succession.
"Got it, I'll leave weapon controls to you again, Inia."
Inia Sestina
That method of fighting belonged to Yuuya and Inia; they were the second team who used it. Just like Cryska before him, she handled most the flying aspect of their TSF while Inia dedicated solely on downing their foes. The way they were was fine, all they ever needed was each other.
The Type-94 Second charged forward, perfectly eluding the lethal rain of 36mm as their speed turned their ride to a mere blur of flashing line. Yuuya pushed on, micro-turning his booster fins and adjusting the output on his shoulder thrusters, he danced in and out of the fire; literal flames caused by the F-18's 120mm and the barrier of 36mm.
When the endless pouring of rounds failed to stop the XFJ-01a in its tracks, four pilots of Hanersy started to seemingly panic, their formation exposed weak points and their movements lacked the organization of a calm team. The time to strike then naturally was given to the Japanese-American, for his preparation was flawless.
First came her bullets; while slow and missing the much necessary punch, Inia made sure to fire enough lead down range so their foes would eventually be overwhelmed by sheer quantity and unable to avoid all the shots. That was preciously what occurred.
The firepower of one TSF couldn't be compared to four TSFS, that was basic math at its finest. However, the accuracy of their aim was a whole different topic altogether. Inia didn't miss, not one round was wasted.
The Type-87 rattled off bullet after bullet with total precision. Overall, the two hundred seventy-seven EMP rounds she let out far out-weighted the value of countless slugs wasted by their conflicting Flight. The first F-18 unfortunately ate one hundred and thirty-three all over its body, leaving the Hornet's armoured shattered and its systems fried.
Next target; before it reacted, Inia dumped the remaining one hundred forty-four bullets into its physique. A bellow could be heard from both of the Aussie's jump jets following a light explosion indicating the unit's expiration.
"Yuuya! Spin us around and get next to them!"
"I know, leave that to me." A bright smile surfaced on Inia's features. Her and Yuuya were the best partners, just as how she worked together with Cryska.
"Let's go!"
Even closer now, the Russian esper felt that continuing to use her rifles would only be a waste of bullets at this length. She swapped over to the machine's forearms, where the retractable daggers made their appearances once more. To Inia, the feeling of a stainless edge was more pleasurable than any ranged arsenal could ever hope to provide.
Temporarily discarding the guns, Inia awaited for the second when Yuuya delivered her in range of this F-18E. Even over its pitiful spray of metal and horrified turnabout, her manually controlled knives lashed out against their witless prey. One stabbed below the midriff and another cut through its plates above the shoulders, Inia went for the decapitation and divarication of its upper and lower body.
Then before its pilot realized, they were already advancing on its scanners. Having witnessed all of its team perish powerlessly, the pilot of that TSF surely felt complied to not join the ranks of its fallen friends. Acting swiftly, the F-18 pulled its Close Combat Knife, using both of them in an attempt to return Inia's favour.
Its hysterical endeavour of a stab was just sad to watch, with little effort, Yuuya avoided both lunges smoothly and maneuvered in close behind their enemy. After inwardly laughing at the machine's poor pilot, Inia was overjoyed how their Shiranui was within the Super Hornet's personal territory.
Inia again displayed no sympathy as she sliced apart its left leg, taking along with it the left jump unit. Having just lost equalized propulsion from having two jets, their opposing craft spun around crazily without restraint on its bearings. Like a popped balloon, the metal husk drifted across the fly and eventually crashed down somersaulting into the earth.
A final action from Inia; putting a single bullet into the back of its head component, execution style concluded the dragged out fight.
Yuuya Bridges
"—to Arc lead, Hornets clipped. Australia, Hanersy Test Flight deactivated." Once their battle was over, Yuuya reported back to the team leader over the channel.
"—Arc 1 copy, confirmed dead Aussies." A wordless chuckle slipped from Yuuya's lips.
"Idar 1 will now move to back Archangel 5, do you have update?" Now switching his focus to one of Shirogane's deputy, Yuuya asked to be briefed on their battle.
"—Archangel 5 reporting in, remaining fifteen MiG-29s. Currently engaging."
"Copy, Idar 1 is on station, ready to assist."
Mitsurugi Meiya
05:23 AM
There existed nothing sharper than the sword in her heart, there was no such thing as an impenetrable shield in her presence.
Meiya dashed over the wreck of a MiG-29 Lastoshka only to doom another as her PB-Blade was relentlessly skewered into the Soviet TSF's limbs repeatedly until only its upper chest and cockpit were left.
However, an added dead equalled to five more living hostiles which were all out for her blood. Meiya whirled her machine over one more shower of lead, how many times she flickered only centimetres away from death was long since forgotten. The group of MiGs attacked from afar, too far for Meiya to put her sword or her low-velocity rounds to good use.
Pinned down by heavy suppressive fire, Meiya was finding it difficult to close the increasing distance without taking damage. She was somewhat fine with being injured on the battlefield, but losing to just some low-level security team surely didn't sit too well with the samurai.
"—Archangel 5, don't sweat it. I'll take care of those guys." By the call of Meiya's new teammate. One of the Lastoshka above her sky instantly lost power and tumbled down leaving behind a nasty sound of crashing steel.
Then the rest followed suit almost immediately after. One by one, the team of five MiGs were brought back on earth, leaving only Meiya's Type-00 afloat with another machine.
"MiG-29s, up minus five."
"—you have my appreciation for your well-timed support, Idar 1. I am thankful." Meiya spoke to the pilot of that Shiranui Second hovering just a bit higher than where she was.
"2nd Lt. Mitsurugi, you're really good yourself. Don't sell yourself short."
"Of course, I do take great pride in my abilities." Given a short break now they repelled another wave of defenders, Meiya had some time to rest.
Nodding to Bridges through the camera, Meiya cruised her Takemikazuchi back down to conserve her fuel. Bridges did the same in his Phase 3 as a wild-range scan was conducted by his more advanced sensory package.
"I'm doubling the dummy thickness in the radius of seven hundred metres. This should give us some breathing room." A hidden incentive from Bridges seemed to imply Meiya was in need of extra resting.
"Do not play me for an amateur, 2nd Lt. Bridges. Instead, I welcome their soldiers to face my foils." Meiya, however, felt more than prepared to continue combat.
"Oh, sorry then. I thought you were having trouble with them."
"Hardly, I am more than capable of defeating adversaries the likes of this. It is not us who we should be concerned for, conversely."
"Yeah, their main focus is still the barracks. Out of the current sixty-five potential hostiles remaining, twenty of them are somewhere here with us and another thirty are outside. The leftover fifteen have not joined combat for now." Bridges reported their up-to-date status to Meiya who wasn't all that interested.
"Hmph, with superior mobility provided by the XM3 have we came this far. Still, for there to be more than half undefeated enemies remaining is quiet disheartening." She sighed to herself, attacking a fortified; albeit not well fortified base was very demanding even with her team's firepower.
"Aggra, I really wish there's a way to speed this up! Or else… Cryska…" When Bridges showed an expression of angst, Meiya dipped her head once more to let her condolence be known.
"We cannot rush our attack, Bridges. All this will become futile if the people of Yukon discover our real identities before we achieve our objective. Only when we have extracted from this AO can they finally realize who we are."
"I know, I know. But there's also a time limit on us as well! Damn it, there's just no good way of making it work!" The American's upset was justifiable. Every tick of the clock was disadvantageous to Meiya's team, yet hurrying their procedure was not an option.
So far, the system of every TSF they defeated had been fried, leaving no evidence of the 13th Squadron left. On paper, Bridges was the only one who could create chaos amidst their overpowering foes as the disclosure of his machine's data was not of importance.
"Unfortunately, our help comes with its own detriment." Nonetheless, even Bridges wasn't going to take down so many frames without help; therefore, naturally their pace had to be slowed.
"Right, right. And I'm thankful for that, being given a second chance, I mean. If it wasn't for you guys… I would have never thought about having an opportunity of meeting her again." The sentimental time Bridges dwelled on was shared with Meiya, she knew just how joyful a reunion can be.
"Huhuhu, you have shown a great growth in mental… resilience from what I heard." During their short break, Meiya conversed with the American some more on random topics.
"Huh? Wait, what? You know me?"
"I have perceived tales of you from Takamura, she resided for five days in Yokohama where we met."
"Huu, I see. Yui probably said some… actually, nevermind." Bridges had a strange façade of confusion and impotent surrender.
"Hahaha, I believe it to be wise as well if you do not seek the answer you may not be prepared to hear." Finding their light discussion to be a fun one, Meiya laughed gently.
"Alright, let's cut the jokes for now. I'm sensing another Flight coming this way. Scan reads four F-18s inbound, COSEAN, then."
"—Archangel 5 to Archangel 1, incoming F-18 Flight, Garuda of COSEAN. Element B will engage." After the initial awareness of hostiles by Bridges, Meiya reported their discovery to Takeru.
"—Arc lead, got you. You have permission."
"Element B, roger. —Bridges, let us dance with another."
"Sounds good to me, Idar 1, moving out."
Shirogane Takeru
05:26 AM
Soviet Б-01, centre
"—Sumika, seven O'clock, multiple hostiles. Provide covering fire for me."
"—alright! I'll watch your back, Takeru-chan!" Her energetic smile was a good uplift in spirit for me.
One wrong step would be the death of me; one miscalculation of my velocity would condemn my team, this was the situation I had to work in. And an exciting fight to the brim was always enjoyable, no matter the condition.
Depleted uranium was truly a deadly material, and that was without being constructed into metal shells. Unlike my sub-sonic EMP rounds, the regular 36mm would tear right through a normal TSF's armour at melee range like a cold knife through butter. That was because my knives were the only hot ones during this skirmish.
The sharp edge of my PB halberd sliced off the Mount pylon of another poor MiG-29, its Eishi frozen in shock, failed to react fast enough and paid dearly when I tapped the frame's head with a solid burst of EMP.
"These bitches really don't have a limit!" Still, before I fully readjusted my sword for the next unfortunate machine, a barrage of bullets was already greeting me as a warning on my HUD.
A crew of F-14Exs had flanked to my blind spot, their formation and rate of fire made returning the goodwill nothing short of a chore. But boosting their way would allow another group of MiGs get the better of me, seeing as the pure number of red dots on my mini-map was already over a dozen.
"Sumika, think you're ready to finally fight on your own?" So naturally, I trusted my 00 unit to be plenty able with taking out a Flight of Second-Gens.
"Of course, of course! Hurry and give me the permission to fight'em, Takeru-chan!"
"What're you talking about? Everyone already have the authority to engage." It didn't make sense what she asked for me.
"No, no, not that! Say the other one, the cool sounding one!"
"Ahh, but it's so stupid!" realizing what she meant, I got embarrassed recalling back some of my interesting choices in vocabularies.
Pulling back on the sticks in a moment's notice, I flipped in reverse to cleanly dodge their line of fire and give Sumika the chance she needed to replace my location.
"C'mon, let me show you what this new frame can do! Be impressed, Takeru-chan! The Berkut is going to surprise you with its awesome awesomeness!" It was a sad day when I found out Sumika's disease of being stupid was incurable. I still love her, just makes the future difficult.
Still, looking at her enthusiastic countenance with those pearl-like round eyes filled with passion. I couldn't deny my exquisite robot girl of her time under the spotlight.
"Fine, fine… this's… urrga." It was like being forced to relive my chuunibyou years, terrible for my mental health.
"Taakeeeruuu-chaan! Let me have some fun too!" There was no other way, I had to gobble up this cringeworthy moment.
"As the fruition of my endless era, I hereby order you; Kagami Sumika as the 00 unit. Obliterate our enemies in the name of Alternative IV, everything is for the sake of our boundless future!" My body felt an unpleasant shiver. At least Sumika was enjoying my statement to the max.
"Roger, yay, yay! Takeru-chan!"
"Haarrr… go ahead and blow my mind, woman." With that, I released Sumika into the wild.
Kagami Sumika
05:26 AM
"Mine! You're all mine!" The emotion Sumika was undergoing at that time was a tricky one to describe using the human language. To put it simply; she was hungry for… something.
Assault cannons were never a favourite of Sumika's. For one, they either killed too quickly for her to enjoy the flash of disappearing life or they weren't fast enough and got her into trouble when swarmed. For that reason, Sumika absolutely hated the EMP version of her guns which fired even slower than normal.
The four F-14s scattered in the face of Sumika's Motor Vanes, her pair of chainsaws sliced apart air as the speed she initially believed to be sufficient was in fact short on the distance it should have delivered her. All around, her targets took off towards the sky using their after-burners to avoid the disadvantage of facing her melee.
"DOOON'T RUUUN!" Yelling her impossible demand with joyous smile, Sumika unconsciously licked her upper lips with a swift swipe of her tongue.
Attached to the arms of her Su-47pzX1 there were her weapons of devastation, a shower of orange sparks bounced randomly as the blades spun up more fiery than ever. Her quarries were all above her; disorganized but higher than her reach. Not wasting another second, the Berkut powered up its rocket motors for an instant upward boost of energy.
Just as its name implied, Rocket booster thrust the TSF in the direction its user chooses like a rocket engine. The tempo it provided was incomparable even to after-burners on the jet engines of the Jump Units. However, the pressure an Eishi had to endure was also on par to the instantaneous velocity they gained, not something an everyday pilot could enforce casually.
"COOOME BAAACK!" Obviously, all that explanation was pointless in the eyes of Sumika. Living in a man-made body, things like G-force pressure or a rapid change in attitude didn't even register on her balance scale.
Eighty-five degrees positive was as vertical as Sumika needed to shorted the range between her and the F-14s. The four TSFs of MEC's Azriel Test Flight were powerless to stop the Su-47's dire climb when it already caught up before they got the chance to turn around and hamper her ascension with bullets.
On the equal horizontal plain now, Sumika threw the boosters in full reverse and composed out her momentum violently. Using another rocket boost, she soared through all four Tomcats before they were given the required time to evade. After all, there was nothing left they could do now, death was unavoidable.
One by one, Sumika only need four solid hits to kill her four targets. Just one strike, one connected strike was all it took to destroy. Takeru always told her not to play with her appetizers, after all; wait for the main dish and then toy around, he said.
First slash cut off a pair of legs completely; the second strike pulled the head clean off after lodging the vane in there; third carve detached the right main arm and Jump unit; fourth and final hit gouged away the lower chest armour of the last remaining TSF.
By the time Sumika passed the latest surface fighter in her own, none were left standing expect for her own. Both arms outstretched and both Motor Blades ultimately slowing down, she paused her machine for a few seconds to savour the sweet aroma left in her heart.
"—F-14Ex, Super Tomcats DICED! MEC Azriel, HACKED!"
Grinning pompously and maybe just a little cruelly, Sumika quickly calmed herself and hid away the secret aftertaste of ripping apart metal. This was her hobby, her cradle of elation.
But the time wasn't right, if she waited now, she was going to get to enjoy even more thrill and pleasure. Besides, only the smell of fuel and mechanical oil could be detected in the atmosphere; the flesh scent of blood was nowhere near.
There was something better, so much better than what was available now. Sumika knew because she tried it once, only once. The feeling was on a totally different level, nothing like the synthetic increase in hormone and neurotransmitter induced adrenaline rush she experienced just then. It was something basic; something to make her alive again.
"—can confirm, Middle Eastern, undone. Good, excellent, Sumika. Although try to keep them on the ground! I have to personally catch the cockpits!"
"Ahaaa, sorry, Takeru-chan! I'll be careful next time, ahehee!" Even though Takeru understood Sumika's less positive personality, she still didn't want to openly show it to her lover.
Thinking it over now, Sumika found her endeavour at shielding her other side to be funny; it was for her that Takeru spilt the teams unevenly like he did.
Guarding the outside was a relatively busy job, however having Kasumi and the rest on it was more than plenty. Patrolling the perimeter might sound threatening at first, but considering the sheer size to cover, Meiya and the other person surely were lacking targets.
So that only left Sumika and Takeru's Element, the most busy one with most firefights. Takeru knew that, that was why Sumika was here now; she wanted to slay more than anyone else on her team.
"You got additional fast movers inbound, Sumika. Reading shows F-5E ADV of EU's Garm, wanna take'em?"
"Ehh?! But Tornados are only First-Gens! I want your guys, Takeru-chan!"
"Shut up, the MiGs are mine. Don't touch them or I'll tape you naked to a pole!"
"Kyaaaa! Th-th-that's sexual harassment again, BAAAKAAA BAKA!"
—
Shirogane Archangel 1. Flight A, Element A
Sumika Archangel 2. Flight A, Element A
Yuuya-Inia, Idar 1. Flight A, Element B
Meiya Archangel 5. Flight A, Element B
Sakaki Archangel 4. Flight B, Element C
Mikoto Archangel 6. Flight B, Element C
Ayamine Archangel 7. Flight B, Element C
Kasumi Archangel 3. Flight B, Element D
Tamase Archangel 8. Flight B, Element D
—
Author's note
First, sorry to anyone reading on mobile for this hideous wall of callsigns, gonna put them somewhere. Also, I apologize for these chapters in general. I always skim over fighting scenes because they're never that interesting to read, and then I go the asshole route have eighty percent of the entire chapter as fight scenes.
Please, if you find this boring, just skip until someone talks. That's why every line of dialogue is the beginning of a paragraph, hopefully it'll save people some trouble. I'll try to make fights more interesting around Sado, most of Yukon is already written and I won't fucking be changing everything, maybe cut it down a bit.
The Yukon arc will end in three… four more chapters? I'll try to cut it a bit shorter since they're mostly action, and I can't write anyway. Not gonna lie, writer block is destroying me these days.
Also, I do kinda regret writing a TE storyline a little now… it's not my brightest moment by a long stretch. It's a bit restraining with its settings and characters, so much shit we don't know. Again, sorry people. It should be over soon.
I also like to remind people this entire story is told through a subjective point of view, that's why I always tell you who the character of that part is. So trust no one, they all be crazy for all I know.
BETA done by chad001. Do you know when a joke turns into a dad joke?
When the punchline becomes apparent.