Chp. 4: Consolidation
October 8, 2049
New Mani, Sotoa
The executive centerpiece of the Sotoan government was abuzz with media attention as Svetlana and Sotoan Prime Minister Dheeraj Gummadi enjoyed one of the country's staples: Masala Chai Tea. Around a dozen reporters watched the two enjoy a cup of the drink as if it were the Olympics. Svetlana had to keep herself from downing the entire cup of her favorite brew while her tall, thin counterpart seemed content to drink almost all of his first cup.
"Your thoughts on Masala Chai, Your Grace?" He asked.
"Chai Tea has always been my favorite. I have loved it since I was a little girl, and I even still have the tea set my mother gave me when I was a little girl. It's Verusean in origin."
The man smiled widely and lifted the kettle as she finished her first cup.
"It's an incredible thing, what nations' leaders can find common ground on. The smallest things. I once met a Belkan businessman when I was working for the Ministry of External Affairs. He was set on the idea that chocolate could buy world peace. Everyone loves chocolate, he insisted, therefore why fight when we can come together over it?"
Svetlana couldn't help but throw her head back and laugh at the idea.
"A novel idea, Prime Minister. What did you think about it?" She asked.
"A noble idea, and novel as you said, but perhaps a bit idealistic. Still, I had to commend the man's zeal."
The two shared a few chuckles before they glanced towards the reports.
"I can take it that your visit so far to Sotoa has been pleasant, Your Grace?" One of the men from the crowd asked. His accent and appearance suggested he was from Aurelia.
"Oh yes, very much. It hasn't been more than a few days long, either." She replied.
"And what are your thoughts on the Prime Minister's residence?"
"Absolutely delightful; the Sotoan-Gothic architecture has been preserved beautifully. The collection of art in the western hall is particularly well-kept."
"I imagine it won't be all sight-seeing on this trip, though?"
"Not all of it, but a decent portion. I've found it important that allies should understand each other on multiple levels, including a cultural level."
"What does Erusea hope to accomplish with this trip?"
"More than anything, this trip is to ensure that the alliance between the Republic of Sotoa and the Imperium of Erusea remains strong. Our countries share a number of struggles and a number of opinions on matters. The building of the air base in the southwest of the country is only one facet of our commitment to the region."
Another reporter, this one Emmerian, raised her pen.
"Does this mean that the Imperium of Erusea will, in fact, take a more active effort in settling the border disputes between Sotoa and Chakari?" She asked, looking at both politicians.
"I can neither confirm nor deny any rumors on that matter. Our involvement in the dispute and the issue of Chakari's status as an independent nation is heavily influenced by what is best for Sotoa."
"Any comment on that, Prime Minister Gummadi?"
The man touched on familiar history. For nearly 300 years, Sotoa and Chakari had been lumped together under the rule of the Lenish crown. Following Sotoa's independence in 1949, Chakari remained a Lenish protectorate, afraid it would simply be taken over by the larger country if it didn't join. For nearly a century more, The Lenish had guarded the small nation until she gained full independence in 2046. All the while, Sotoa had sought to somehow bring the small nation under its control. Much of that was historical; at the height of its influence, the Sotoan empire of Hartalay had included the lands south of Sotoa's modern border. As for a reason given to the public, and the government's official position...
"Chakari's alliances with the so-called world powers as well as its surge in arms purchases remains our foremost concern."
"But surely Chakari wouldn't be so brash as to attack a nation several times its size?"
"I cannot say if it would do so alone. If it were to, it would likely be with the support of his primary arms suppliers."
"Is there any reason to believe that Sotoa is under threat from Chakari or its allies in Osea? Lenshire?"
"At the time, no. But if we are threatened, we intend to react. Much like any nation has a right to."
"Princess?"
"Should our ally be attacked or threatened in a manner that they believe an attack is imminent, then we would honor our commitments to Sotoa's government based upon the situation. Deterrence remains the primary tool for now. Any further questions?"
Besides attempts to pry further information about what Erusea intended to do in the region, much of it was asking for comments on idle gossip. Svetlana was, frankly, happier to deal with that kind of thing than constant digging for defense-related matters. Osea and the other world powers loved to jump on everything and anything that her government said. She was better at simply smiling it away. Applying her beauty and grace to such barbs. Besides, her father was still the man in charge of Erusea. She would learn, but she would still yield to him until fully crowned. She expected a phone call from him soon after the informal interview ended.
"Might I interest you in one more cup of tea, Your Grace?" Gummadi asked as the questions tapered off.
"Oh dear, a most generous host you are, Prime Minister! But I would be delighted." She responded.
One of Gummadi's media representatives whisked away the reporters with the offer of lunch and time for anyone who needed to take establishing shots for the segments they'd later produce. The man looked at his guest once they were gone and drew in a breath.
"Tiring stuff, isn't it?" He asked.
"Like a field hand's fingers, soon the pain melts away. It becomes nonexistent, especially the constant pleas for information on if I have any new suitors." Svetlana replied.
"What might as well be the fallback for any reporter."
She was sure dozens of middle-class Osean boys half her age were currently shouting how they'd volunteer to be with her. It almost made her laugh, almost. Instead of musing on internet culture, she took a sip of tea and sat the cup down.
"So Prime Minister Gummadi, their questions do have me curious about the border. Do you really think Chakari would have the gall to provoke or attack your armed forces?" She asked.
"You must see it from our perspective, from our history, Your Grace. It is indeed familiar to you that your country is seen as the pariah of the continent. We suspect that the Chakari government will attempt any provocation under the pretext of retaliating against us. The world would believe them, if only because so often we play the part of the bully, the outcast."
He scowled at the position his country was in, then calmed himself with another drink of tea.
"Their buildup of the armed forces also leaves a number of questions." He added.
"I imagine Osea is enjoying the sales...alongside every other country putting capital in." Svetlana observed.
"I would not be surprised if any aggression on Chakari's part was stoked by Osea."
"As per our defense agreements, our sharing of intelligence should give you ample warning of any attack. But I ask that you be plain in your answer this time, Prime Minister: Do you believe Chakari's agenda will involve starting a war with you?"
"...Yes, with Lenish or Osean backing."
The man looked mildly offended, but Svetlana ignored that. She was interested in the facts; Erusea's help wasn't to be wasted. Her father, even she, could relate to national pride, but they would not take up someone else's pride without good reason. Gummadi was an ambitious man, she reminded herself, and possessed a firm (albeit subtle) hatred of Lenshire and Osea. Ironically Lenish was still used here for international communication. Her father, King Nikula XVII, had once asked the man why he accepted an alliance with a monarchy. Gummadi had replied with "Because this one knows better than to try and subjugate my people". Still, he had a point with Osea's meddling. She made a note to herself to talk to Marko and her father about the matter. A stronger display of commitment to Sotoa might send the message, and in turn convince Gummadi to be at ease…
Annie nodded gratefully to the Airman from Weapons as he handed over the squadron's current stocks of ordnance and set it next to her computer. The listed weapons were little removed from the arsenal she'd worked with in 714 NAS, and almost immediately her mind was at work. In five days her skills would really be on the line when the carrier group reached the waters off South Nordlands. There they'd spend a week engaged in Exercise Njord, facing off against the Nordic and Wielvakian militaries. Her pride was really on the line with this one, and that made it all the more important that she pull off a solid plan for the squadron. She pulled the copy of Jane's Aircraft back to the center of her desk and ran through the entry on the JAS-42A once more. One hand kept a finger on where she'd stopped while the other opened up the simulator program on her laptop. She set up a simple 1v1 dogfight between the Valkyrie and the Hellcat II in fair weather and let the computer do the rest.
A window covered the entire screen and created the image of two 3D-rendered fighters. It set them up according to Annie's specs before the two aircraft approached one another. They passed each other before maneuvering like it was another day at TOPGUN or Wendelham. Annie frowned but let the simulation go on. The two fighters broke in opposite directions and began a long game of turns, applying and gaining energy in an attempt to get on each other's tails. The F-24 had its power and speed while the JAS-42 edged out in the agility department. She watched and watched as the two aircraft jockeyed for position every which way possible, noting parameters she'd want to change for the next runs.
The AI-controlled aircraft had it nearly down to a draw; even the Valkyrie's agility couldn't win it the day at every turn. The F-24 would often zoom away as its opponent closed, then slow and try to maneuver with it. Osean fighters, especially Navy ones, put a great deal of stock into thrust, rate of climb and speed. At its core, a bird like the F-24 was produced to defeat other aircraft and defeat them as far from the carrier or its strike aircraft as possible. She was reminded of a very old matchup, one of the F-4 Phantom and the MiG-21 Fishbed. In the end, the first round went to the JAS-42, much to her quiet surprise. Annie saved the event for later examination, then read some more in the article. She went back to the options and changed a few things, but otherwise kept it so it would be a bog-standard dogfight. This time the JAS-42 would approach high and fast while the F-24 went low to better avoid detection. Even then, it slowly slid into a fight that was much the same as the first. Employment of radars, by one or both of the aircraft, predictably made the difference. Her reading material produced little in the way of real-world examination. Instead she found herself still stuck with the technical specifications. There were a few people she reckoned could provide a more...realistic view. One came to mind fairly quickly.
"Commander...er, Showman. Sorry, I'm still getting used to that." She spoke up. Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Showry nodded in understanding as he looked up from his computer.
"What's up, Tsun-Tsun?" He asked in a voice more suited for a librarian or professor.
"I'm going to see our intrepid keeper of the NATOPS manual so I can pick his brain over our potential opponents." She announced as she stood up, making sure her bun remained tight. The man's dark features formed into an understanding smile before he nodded his head.
"If you'd like, I can take a look at the simulations you've run. I ain't the Ops O for kicks." He offered.
"That would be very helpful, especially when I'm so used to planning around Erusean or Yuktobanian-based tactics. All the information I can make use of is welcome, honestly"
Annie walked out of the Ops Department and down a short ways to the Ready Room for VF-34. She pushed open the door with a skull and crossbones on it and walked down a short corridor into the space. A handful of the squadron's pilots were present; Nathan and his wingman, "Lobsta" Sullivan, were sitting on Alert Fifteen in the front row. One of the LSOs, a Lieutenant known as Groove, was tending to the Greenie Board on a nearby wall. She heard mellow, bluesy rock music that she didn't recognize. At its source she found the man she sought, sitting back in his chair with his work on the duty officer's desk. Fittingly, his face was in a book titled "Carrier Aviation in the Cold War".
"Ah Bronco, just the man I was looking for. Got a minute?" She said.
"What's up, Tsun-Tsun?" He asked as he lowered the book.
"I'd like to get your opinion on employing the F-24 against the JAS-42. You eat sleep and breathe fighter combat, so a second opinion would be welcome. Especially when the sim doesn't have too much imagination." She said. Jed thought she sounded like a businesswoman with the way her accent made everything sound so formal.
"JAS-42A Valkyrie...product of Saab. Not too far removed from the F-35, all things considered. Followed the same trend y'all saw with a lot of multirole fifth gens like the Songolian FA-51 or the J-31." He replied, sinking into a more contemplating tone of voice.
Jed's eyes went to the ceiling of the ready room as a piece of sky formed in his head. She watched as he raised his hands towards the piece of ceiling that he was so fixated on, and flatten them.
"So Ah ain't too familiar with Nordic fighter tactics, but a smart commander would place at least four aircraft on a high-low CAP. One pair stays high, one low, and so on as needs demand. If they don't have their radar on they're deferring to a local AWACS or GCI station. Alternatively, the high pair may have its radar on to draw attention and cover the low pair." He said, pausing as he moved his hands a bit.
"Now, naturally we wanna position ourselves to counter that. Being on the offensive means we have the luxury of shaping the initial battle a bit more. Wanna draw the defenders to us, away from the strikers, especially whatever we have on SEAD...anything to add at this point, Tsun-Tsun?"
"No; I want to hear all you have to say, then I'll take it into account when I get back to Ops."
"Ah see...so anyways, Y'all would naturally wanna draw the defenders to the CAP aircraft. The Hellcat has the edge in ranged weapons, so the logical thing to do is to snipe them from afar with Marlins or AMRAAMs. Optionally, y'all could then have part of the Hellcat force close with and box in the remaining aircraft. A furball is all but guaranteed to happen."
Jed's hands started to move again as he pictured a Valkyrie and a Hellcat locked in combat. Annie watched as he made some similar moves to the computer simulation, then started going his own path.
"Want me to keep this a 1v1?" He asked.
"Please; I'm aware of the need to outnumber your enemy, but Murphy's Law is a LAW, after all." She replied quickly.
"True...so in an 1v1 the computer sticks TOO hard to coverin' the F-24's disadvantages against a smaller opponent. AI doesn't get creative, use those to bait the other guy into making mistakes. The JAS-42 is nimble, but with one engine it has a harder time than the F-24 regaining energy. Longer time too, so that's when y'all set 'em up for a shot. Make the guy turn and burn and when he wastes all his energy and has to dive, go for a high yo-yo and come down on him."
Jed weaved his hands back and forth, then nosed one up and over before striking down against the other. Annie cocked a brow.
"So you advocate getting in close with the F-24?"
"To a degree, yes. How would y'all go about it from the standpoint of a single-engine pilot?"
"You do have an excellent point on the recovery part, Bronco. I would, conversely, use my agility to make the Hellcat overexert itself. Or turn his attempts to get in close against him. I was unaware you were secretly the Ops Officer, though."
The bit of humor was (thankfully) not lost on him, but Jed needed a second to realize she was making a joke. "Ah try" was all he could manage besides a smile.
"Thank you for your time, Bronco. Now if you would excuse me." She replied, looking to rebound from the joke.
"Glad to be of service, and if Ah get morted Ah know who to blame."
She let out a prideful "hmph" and raised an eyebrow at the junior pilot.
"I can assure you that any morting will be strictly your fault or a simple case of being bested by someone else." She assured in a much more familiar tone of voice.
"That a challenge?"
"...Yes, yes it is in fact. Try not to embarrass yourself too greatly, Leftenant."
Jed twitched a little, feeling his own skills as a pilot being questioned. His tongue was itching for a retort, but instead he fell back on a tried and true approach. He'd prove himself through actions, not words. It was easy; he just had to avoid getting "killed" by the Nords for a handful of days. She in turn wheeled around and walked off, still fully intent on applying what he'd said, but for now intent on guarding her reputation. You can joke about anything else, Jed Walker she thought but DON'T threaten my pride as a pilot. Glue watched her go and looked at Jed with a smirk. Jed returned it in a way that showed he felt a fire starting in him.
"You're a real charmer, Bronco."
"Why thank yah, Glue."