RonaldM40196867: To be honest, yes.
melisvladd: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the story. :)
lixiaofossil: We're still mortals like them though.
Here's chapter 31 everybody.
Chapter 31: Recruiting and Prepping.
"Ham radio operators from Osea to Yuktobania trade rumors of military forces in hiding, unwilling to reveal themselves for fear of annihilation..." OBC news anchor Rita Fry said, in which the news report is seen by Howard, Tony and Elliot.
Howard is watching the news report on how the OADF is sending Morse code to other countries about a plan to defeat the alien invaders. While he was watching, Major Lincoln stood on top of a military hum-vee with a megaphone in his hand.
"What we're planning at this time is to launch a counteroffensive. However, with our depleted manpower, we're asking that anyone with any flight experience come forward. Military training is preferable, but anyone who can fly a plane would be useful." Lincoln said on the PA, which got Howard's attention.
"I can fly. I'm a pilot." Howard said as Lincoln looked back.
A few moments later, Lincoln and other OADF officers and pilots had managed to recruit the volunteer civilians who had flight experience. Most of them are civilian pilots who used to serve in the OADF, and are either Circum-Pacific War or Belkan War veterans like Howard. Lincoln starts his class.
"All right, guys, listen up!" an OADF pilot said.
"All right, pay close attention. These 5th generation jets are very different than the jets you've piloted before. You'll have to forgive the expression, but you're about to get a crash course in modern avionics." Lincoln said. "All right, listen up. Before we can begin, we're going to have to get a little background information on your flight experience. Uh, let's start with you." Lincoln said, looking at Howard.
"Who, me?" Howard asked.
"Yes, sir." Lincoln replied.
Howard gave Lincoln a salute before saying...
"Howard Walker, sir. Former captain of the Osean Air Force, callsign Pistol. And after the Belkan War, I got into crop dusting. And been doing that ever since. Not much to say rather than wanting to give the world some payback so I won't let you down." Howard said.
Meanwhile, back at the alien attacker's room, Osean army mechanics are preparing to install a tactical nuclear missile onto a launcher on the alien attacker's right side. The missile proudly displays the Osean flag. Meanwhile, Shepherd is briefing Michael and Henry about their part of the mission.
"You have one tactical nuclear missile we're loading into this launcher we're installing under the right wing." Shepherd said before heading to a device. "This is the firing mechanism, to be attached to the ship's main console."
"Just like the Amraam launch pad on the Stealth." Michael said.
"Except the nuke will not detonate at impact. You'll have 30 seconds to get your asses out of there. Good luck, gentlemen." Shepherd said.
"30 seconds." Michael said.
"Tell me. Tell me." Henry said to Tommy.
"It was the strongest radio transmitter we could get. It'll tell us when you've uploaded the virus." Tommy said as he handed Henry the transmitter.
"30 seconds. Don't you think that's cutting it a little too close?" Jennifer asked.
"Oh, we're gonna be well on our way back home before we shoot that thing off." Henry said, making Jennifer realize his choice of words.
"Why you? Henry! I don't understand why you can't show someone else how to plant the virus, someone who is trained-" Jennifer asked.
"No, no. Something may go wrong. I may have to think quickly, adjust the signal. Who knows? Hey, you know how, like, I'm always trying to save the planet?" Henry asked before tossing a soda can into the recycling bin, making Jennifer smile, making Henry smile back. "Here's my chance." Henry said before getting back to prepping.
"Now he gets ambitious." Jennifer said.
And that's the end of the chapter. Well, we got veterans, including Howard, volunteering for the upcoming counteroffensive and preparations are almost complete. Up next is the main briefing. Stay tuned and please review. :)