-x-
Chapter 4: First Flight
-x-
Amidst the eternal waves of time
From a ripple of change shall the storm rise
Out of the abyss peer the eyes of a demon
Behold the Razgriz, its wings of black sheath
-Gennette-
Sand Island
When the rescue chopper arrived, the Captain was nowhere to be seen. The only thing they found was the retreating enemy intelligence vessel.
This island used to be a place of exile from the rest of the world... It then became our first line of defense against the enemy.
-Blaze-
Sand Island
1908hrs 27 September 2010
Captain Bartlett was not in the waters with his floating parachute. The rescue team couldn't find him, but they did see the enemy ship retreating.
If I had stayed... if I had stayed behind... maybe he would still be here. Maybe things would have happened differently. If I didn't have to go defend Port St. Hewlett... what if I did turn back? Would the Kestrel have made it to safety? Would we have lost the 3rd Osean Naval Fleet?
There were so many ifs.
I knew they had him. I had to get him back.
Sitting on this bench, the same bench where I had talked to the Captain and Pops yesterday afternoon, I thought to myself in silence. Neither Chopper nor Nagase was anywhere to be seen.
Pops was checking up on my plane. He had already looked over Chopper's plane and Nagase's plane. I had asked him to check their planes first.
I reached to my belt on my left side and gripped the hilt of my sword. The others around the base thought it was strange at first and some even questioned whether or not I was allowed to even carry it. My grandfather pulled some strings for me, though. Being the granddaughter of a four star General had its perks, although he was careful not to actually reveal that fact to anyone. He said merely said that he knew me personally and nothing more.
I just talked to him earlier only about two hours after we returned from Port St. Hewlett. Apparently, he got the news about Captain Bartlett before I did. We only talked briefly, but he gave me both an order and a request. "Get him back."
I stood up, my right hand still on the hilt of my sword. I didn't hear her coming, but when Nagase made her presence known, I jumped.
She threw a bottle of water at me right before calling my name. "Blaze."
I saw the bottle, but instead of reaching for it with my hand, I drew my blade and sliced it in half. The draw was perfect. The cut was perfect. I sliced it from the bottom to the top, even through the cap. The two halves of the bottle flew to either side of me, but the water inside drenched me.
I'm not sure why I attacked the bottle instead of catching it. I collected my thoughts and realized I had startled Nagase, as well as myself. "Sorry."
"Are you okay, Blaze?"
I relaxed and sheathed my blade. "I'm... fine. I was just distracted."
"You were thinking about the Captain," she said.
I hesitated to reply at first. I let her statement linger for a few moments while I considered a response. I sat back down on the bench and looked up to her. "Yeah."
"Is there something you aren't telling us? We've known each other for a while now, since before we met up here on Sand Island, but since we've been nuggets together I've noticed the Captain has acted a little different with you. What's wrong?"
"This war," I said bluntly. "Why is a nation that was our ally for fifteen years suddenly declaring war on us? It doesn't make sense. First, some of our trainees and instructors get attacked... then we find a recon plan and have to fight off a few bogeys... then that intelligence ship. It doesn't add up. Why is there an intelligence ship near Sand Island when Port St. Hewlett is getting bombed? There has to be something else to it."
"You sound like you've been thinking about this all day," Nagase said.
"I have."
"There's something else bothering you."
I stood up and started to walk toward the crew quarters, but stopped to whisper into Nagase's ear before continuing forward.
"My mother's maiden name is Layla Bartlett."
I heard her gasp as I walked away.
Sand Island, Crew Quarters
1927hrs. 27 September 2010
I had to get out of my wet shirt before I caught a cold. Considering what I am, it's extremely unlikely that I'd catch a cold, but knowing my luck, if I did catch a cold I would have a mission the next day. How miserable would that be?
I made it to the crew quarters and headed for my room. I heard a familiar sound while passing by Gennette's room. Chopper had to be in there with him. I probably should have knocked, but I let myself in anyway.
They didn't notice me at first, but continued their conversation even after I made my presence known. Chopper put on a funny imitation voice, and it was pretty funny. I had to fight back a giggle, but somehow it still managed to surface. The voice was amusing, but I wasn't sure what he actually said. I was lost in the song. It was... very soothing... at least until the air raid siren interrupted. I darted out of the room, cursing on my way down the hall.
I knew I was about to go up into the air, but I didn't want to do so in this wet shirt, so I ducked into my room and quickly switched it out for a dry one before meeting up with Chopper in the hangar. I didn't see Nagase, but we couldn't wait. I could only hope she either wasn't far behind or had already gotten off the ground.
-Gennette-
Sand Island, Crew Quarters
1927hrs. 27 September 2010
Chopper's music was playing. I believe it was a song called Blurry by the band Puddle of Mudd.
"Who'll be the flight lead tomorrow?" Chopper repeated after giving Kirk a rub on the head. "I wouldn't waste my energy worryin' about that if I were you."
Chopper walked over to the couch in front of me and sat down, stretching out. They've had a long day, so who could blame him?
"We're an auxiliary squadron, you know, so His Highness the Lieutenant Colonel will just come down from the mainland and take over. That's all." He relaxed a bit and paused to listen to the song for a few moments. "Phew...I love this sound. Calms me down. I'm gonna sleep well tonight."
"Doesn't it?" Kye said. She somehow snuck in without even the smallest sound.
"Oh, Miss Kye," I said. Her hair was still pulled back into a ponytail, revealing all of her features. She really was beautiful.
"Please, just Kye or Blaze," she said quietly. "I'm only... not old. I was passing by and heard the music. It's a great song. You were right. It really does calm you down." She closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall nearby with her eyes closed, taking in the music. "I hope you don't mind if I stick around to listen to the rest."
"Not at all," I said. I turned back to Chopper. "I heard that the one who broke the Captain's heart fifteen years ago was a Recon Major in the Yuke Army."
"Yeah. I did my history homework," Chopper said as he leaned up slightly. "We were allies back then. Man, the Base Commander sure wasn't being subtle about making accusations..." He put on a voice trying to imitate the Commander. "'Was there anything suspicious about the Captain's behavior?' he says."
I heard a giggle from Kye and fought back a laugh myself.
"Hell, I'm more suspicious about the screw in his damn head." Chopper finished just before the air raid alarm, followed by the siren, went off.
"Oh, son of a..." Kye said as she opened the door and darted down the hallway. She was quick. I couldn't hear the end of her sentence, but it wasn't hard to imagine.
Chopper feel over on the couch. "Oh, you're kiddin' me. An air raid? Gimme a break, man." He jumped up and ran out of the room after Kye.
-Mission Start-
-Blaze-
Sand Island
1946hrs. 27 September 2010
"Scramble the jets!" The Base Control Tower was trying to get as many of us in the air as possible. "Get all flyable aircraft into the air! Move it!"
"Air raid warning! Enemy bombers inbound. Scramble and engage!"
"These turbines won't start up!" Chopper complained over the radio.
What could be wrong with them? Pops just finished checking his plan an hour ago, right before he started on mine.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" he said, still trying to fire up his jet. I looked around to get a feel on the battle just in time to see a plane crashing down near us as Chopper started moving. "Whoa!" Chopper was a bit closer to it than me.
"The Captain's spare plane is still in the hangar," Nagase said. I wasn't sure if she had already gotten into the air or not and started to worry.
"Forget it," Pops radioed to us. Once you're airborne, get as much altitude as you can, fast. Don't let the enemy bounce you from above... All right, now! The first enemy waves passed by!"
I pulled up on the runway and hit my thrusters. I was bound and determined to get into the air as quickly as possible.
"Blaze, scramble! Emergency launch! Hurry!" One of the control tower men called to me.
"Already on it!" I said just as my plane took to the air. I sighed with relief after seeing both Chopper and Nagase already in the air and in the clear. I still had a bit to go before I was safe. As soon as I had enough speed, I pulled up hard and put as much distance between the ground and me as possible. I was lucky, too. A bogey had tried to fire at me just before I pulled up.
"Control tower to Wardog, intercept the bombers. Don't let them attack the runway."
"We're on it," I said.
"I see you managed to make it up. Is your plane all right?" Pops asked.
"It's great! No complaints," I said.
"Glad to hear it. Looks like keeping it in good shape has paid off!"
"Indeed it has." I paused for a moment to check my radar. "All right, assignments. Nagase, get the northernmost bomber on your radar. Chopper, westernmost. I'll cover the easternmost. Does that make sense?"
"Roger," they said in synch.
"Good," I said. "Blaze, engaging."
"Chopper, engaging."
"Edge, engaging."
I bolted after the first bogey in sight before taking on my target bomber. It was heading away from the base to turn around for another run, so I had a little time to take out his friends. After getting rid of his protection detail, I set my sights on the bomber.
On the edge of my radar, I noticed a friendly coming in. Who the hell could that be? There's no way anyone could have made it here so fast... unless they were already heading this way before the air raid.
"This is Wardog Leader, Lieutenant Colonel Ford. Approaching Sand Island. What's your current status?"
"This is Base Control. We are under air attack. Repeat, we are under air attack."
"I trust you can hold the runway until we arrive?" Ford asked.
"They won't even get a chance. I'm sending this bastards to a watery grave," I said. I didn't realize at first how angry I sounded, but I didn't care. One thing after another has happened today, and I was already at my limits.
"Right... Protect it at all costs," Ford said.
True to my words, I sent a bomber crashing into the sea. Chopper and Nagase had just finished theirs off as well.
"This is Chopper, Kid, have you picked off your target?"
"Yeah."
"There's more bombers coming. They want to destroy the base itself."
"I see them on the edge of my map," Nagase said. "Look. Pops is taking off."
"Look at the hangar!" Chopper called. "Who the hell pulled that out?"
"This is Grimm. I was in the hangar helping out the mechanics. I'm taking off."
"The hell you are," Chopper shot back. "You're not even out of replacement pilot training yet. Aren't there any other spare pilots around?"
"I didn't see any."
"There's no time. Be careful, Grimm. I'll cover you."
"I'll try."
"Kid, Grimm's coming up. I'm not sure if he can handle this. Are we just gonna watch?"
"Hell no we're not just gonna watch. He's gonna have to handle this, like it or not. We'll all cover him so he can get in the air. Everyone group up above the base, keep the enemy away from Grimm."
"Roger," Nagase and Chopper responded.
Just as Grimm started running his checks, an enemy squadron popped into view. They were coming straight for us.
"Tally ho, targets dead ahead," I called as I hit my thrusters and rocketed toward them.
"Control systems are okay," Grimm said, continuing his checks.
"Do not allow them to get any more planes airborne," a Yuke ordered.
"Don't allow you to keep your planes airborne?" I mocked. "Okay. Will do."
"Nagase?" Chopper said.
"I know," she replied.
"Oil pressure... No problems. Engine sounds great. Thank you mechanics."
"Another one's taking off now," a Yuke called just before his aircraft exploded.
"And another one bites the dust," I said as I flew over my trophy, his plane.
"That's a great song," Chopper said.
"Now's not the time, Chopper," I shot back. "But, yes it is."
"Fuel check. This ought to be enough." Grimm said. "Ejection system okay. This is Grimm. I'm about to take off. Can you see me from up there?"
"Yeah, you're good. Get up here, quick," I called back to him.
"Roger. I'm at takeoff position on the runway. Engines at full power. I'll be up there shortly," he said as he started rolling down the runway.
"The enemy is taking off. Destroy them before they..." An explosion could be heard before the Yuke's transmission cut out.
"I bet that was Kid's work," Chopper suspected.
"These bastards are going to stay the hell away from our people, like it or not," I said.
"I'm glad to see you aren't pulling your punches just because they are live pilots," Chopper said.
"I'm in the mood to not give a damn. They should have thought about it first before coming to bomb us."
"I'm sure they did," Nagase said.
"I doubt they thought about somebody as good as Kid being here."
"As good as me?" I said. "Give yourself more credit, both of you."
"But you are..."
"That's an order, Chopper," I cut him off. "And while you're at it, take out some enemy planes."
Grimm just made it into the air, but wasn't very high yet. Chopper made sure he knew to correct that. "Get up, get up! Climb!"
"I'm airborne!"
"Grimm! Get over here and cover my six."
"Roger!"
"Good plan. Teams of two. Nagase, you're with me," I called.
"Roger, Blaze."
"This is Airman First Class Grimm, callsign Archer. Control tower and all aircraft. I will be joining the Wardog Squadron."
"This is the control tower. Roger that. Blaze, take care of them for us."
"Goes without saying," I said.
After chasing down a few more bombers, and a couple bandits flying cover for them, I noticed that the friendly aircraft that was on the edge of my radar earlier had made it to the base.
"This is Wardog Leader. Sand Island, I'm out of fuel. Request clearance to land."
"Negative, Lieutenant Colonel Ford." The control tower responded. "You can't land! We're under attack!"
"All friendly aircraft, cover me while I land."
"What are you, insane?" Chopper probably should have kept that one to himself.
"Second Lieutenant Davenport, is that you?" Ford asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"I'll make sure to write you up after I land."
"You'll have to go through me, Lieutenant Colonel."
"Blaze? Was that you?"
"Yeah. Now shut your shit, stop distracting my pilots, and land. Or do you want me to keep these bastards off your ass? I thought so."
He didn't have a response for me. Nagase and Grimm were quiet as well.
"Wow..." Chopper muttered.
After taking out the last bomber, I doubly checked my radar. I didn't see anything and took a deep breath... then I saw a couple enemy planes that weren't on the radar. "Stealth bogeys! Repeat, stealth bogeys! Cannot be detected by radar. Engage by sight."
"It's getting pretty dark," Nagase said as she turned and headed toward my position. "This isn't going to be easy.
The two stealth bogeys were out of range, but closing in fast. I shot a missile at each one as soon as they were in range, but they each fired a missile before mine hit them. Both went down, and I couldn't do anything about their missiles. They were aimed at the Lieutenant Colonel.
"Ford! Watch out! Incoming missiles!" I called to him, but it was too late. He had already slowed down and gotten too close to the ground to do anything.
The missiles hit the rear of his plane simultaneously and sent his jet to the ground near the edge of the runway. I saw his canopy pop just before his plane crashed.
"Get a rescue team over to the Lieutenant Colonel's position at the end of the runway. He might still be alive. I saw his canopy blow."
"Roger, Blaze." The control tower responded. "Sending a team there ASAP."
"Good."
I returned my attention to the sky just in time to see another wave of bombers incoming.
"Third wave closing fast." Nagase called.
"Get on it. Chopper, Grimm, you go after their escorts. Nagase and I will take down the bombers."
"Roger," everyone said.
"Sorry you got paired with me, Grimm. I'm a tough guy to fly with. You think you can keep up?" Chopper said.
"I'm okay."
"This guy's got hands of gold. Where'd he learn to fly like that?" one of the control tower responders called.
"Amazing. This is Grimm's first battle?"
"You better come back in one piece!"
"He will," I said. "I'll make sure of that." Not that he needs my help. He's flying as good as any of us."
"Not bad, Grimm, not bad."
"Good shot," I said after watching Grimm take out one of the escort bandits. Chopper cleared the other escort leaving the three bombers to Nagase and me.
Two of the bombers went down quickly. Nagase fired a missile at one and I gunned down the other.
"Shit!" I said. "I'm out of gun ammo. What the hell? And I'm out of missiles... hmm."
There was one bomber left, and I damn sure wasn't going to let anyone take my target. I had a bright... or perhaps stupid... idea. I chased down the bomber... thankfully he was flying a predictable path.
"I'd rather be doing this with an air to air missile... but this will have to do." I hovered over the bomber and dropped one of my unguided bombs before pulling up hard. I heard an explosion and watched as the plane dropped off my radar.
"Did she just do what I think she did?" Grimm asked.
"I... I think she just bombed that bomber," Nagase said.
"What..." Chopper said.
"Control tower to Wardog, we are detecting another wave of bombers... and... holy shit!"
I checked my radar and saw two friendlies flying in from the east at well over Mach 2, maybe even Mach 3.
"Who...?" I wondered aloud.
"Fox Three," came a familiar voice.
"Fox Three," came another familiar voice.
I watched as the bombers disappeared from radar and saw the cooresponding explosions in the distance.
"Wow..." Grimm mumbled.
"Well that's unexpected," I said.
"You know who they are, Kid?" Chopper asked.
"They're friends, but let's save that conversation for the ground."
"Control tower to all aircraft. All bombers confirmed destroyed. Thanks for protecting our base, everyone!"
"Was my flying all right?" Grimm asked.
"Yes," I said.
"You did great, Grimm," Nagase added.
"Glad to have you," Chopper said.
"Thank you. It was because of your support," Grimm said. He was a modest one and nice, too. I've talked to him a few times around the base. I think he picked up a few things from us talking about my training missions.
"Well, guess we didn't need to worry about Grimm after all," one of the ground soldiers said.
"Come on, let's get a welcoming party going!" another said.
I liked the sound of that, but i was probably just going hit the bed as soon as I got out of this flight suit... and dealt with my unexpected guests. Chopper, Nagase, and I have had a long day. I'd be surprised if they weren't thinking of bed as well.
Maybe I can dodge them tonight and wait to talk to them in the morning...
-Debriefing-
We sustained damage but our efforts prevented the destruction of the base. The base is still combat capable with repairs proceeding at a rapid pace.
-Blaze-
We met up in the crew room just after landing and parking our planes. I collapsed the floor and turned over on my back. It felt good to stretch out after that battle.
The ground rescue team found Lieutenant Colonel Ford unconscious in his ejection seat with the parachute laying on top. He was in the infirmary now, but I had no idea what his condition was.
"I think I'm gonna take the guys up on that offer to party," Chopper said. He had plopped down in a nearby chair, startling me slightly.
"Are you crazy?" I said. "I'm stiff as a board, and I'm sure you are, too. How can you even think about partying after three sorties in one day?"
"That's why I'm going," he said. "Parties are good for loosening up."
"I think I'll agree with Lieutenant Davenport," Grimm said.
"Chopper," he corrected.
"You, too?" I was surprised. "Well you I can understand a bit more, but still that was your first flight."
"Oh, come on, Kid," Chopper said. "He needs to go to the party so he can eat up the attention of being a rookie."
"Well, I'm going to bed," Nagase said.
"Good, at least there's one sane person among us," I said. Chopper and Nagase traded glances, but I ignored it. I was too busy holding my arms out. "One of you help me up."
Nagase and Grimm grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet.
"Nagase, can I crash with you tonight?" I asked. "I don't think I can make it all the way to my room."
"Uh, sure, but isn't your room only a few doors down from mine?" she asked.
"Pfft, I may not even make it to your room," I said.
"Let's start with how far you 'do' make it, then we'll work our way up from there," she said as she walked with me out of the room.
We almost reached her room, but when we rounded the corner to our hallway, there she was leaning against the wall.
"Oh, hi," I said.
She opened her eyes and glared at me.
"Um..." Nagase mumbled.
"Nagase, go ahead to your room. I'll catch up."
"O... kay."
Nagase disappeared beyond her door.
The woman stood there and continued to glare at me.
"I know you prefer silence, but if you need to talk to me, then I kinda need words."
"Emberassment."
"That's a pretty strong one."
She gestured at me to follow her. She lead me to my own room.
"How are you?" she asked after closing the door behind me.
"I'm... okay? What specifically are you asking about?"
"Nothing specific. Just how are you?"
"Well..."
-Gennette-
From the sky, the morning after, Pops came back like nothing had happened... as if the open sky had always been his one true home.
Only seventeen hours had passed since the war began. Yuktobania's war strategies seemed to be minutely timed to avoid giving Osea any chance to launch a counterattack.
0712hrs. 28 September 2010
I got a notice of assignment as a member of the press corps. I guess Captain Hamilton had pulled a few strings for me. Well I didn't waste any time going to work.
Second Lieutenant Nagase was inside the crew room. She's sitting by herself, writing something in her book. Nobody knew what she was writing.
Through the window, I saw another person. A blonde girl whom I recognized as Kye Akari, or Blaze. She was practicing with her katana outside.
The two girls were already up, each with their minds buried into their thoughts it seemed. Chopper and Grimm were probably still asleep, or Chopper at least.
I realized these people may well be the story I was looking for all this time. In fact, I was sure of it.