Chp. 7: Shadowboxers
October 16, 2049
Chotahara Air Force Station, Northeastern Sotoa
Flight Lieutenant Juhi Hatwal, Sotoan Air Force No.3 Squadron, walked down the bunker corridor with her wingman, Flying Officer Reyansh Deol, at her side. The two stopped at a door with a reader for their keycards and scanned them before entering a darkened room that looked more like a space for flight simulators. Four technicians sat behind a large window in an adjacent space, focused on their screens. The two pilots walked to a pair of oblong pods in the center of the room and again used their keycards to open the objects. Lieutenant Hatwal gingerly stepped inside and sat down in a cushy seat that was far from the traditional idea of an aircraft cockpit. It was closer to sitting in a lounge chair surrounded by touchscreens and controls than anything else. Far more comfortable for long missions like the ones that the Black Chariots flew.
Under guidance from the controllers at the screens behind them, the two donned harnesses that looked like life vests to monitor their conditions. Each pilot also placed a very exotic helmet on their heads, ones that were more visor than helmet it seemed. Once the pod was sealed, Hatwal adjusted her boom mike and made sure she was fully in her seat. She set her feet on the rudder pedals and keyed the radio.
"Mamba 01 to Mamba Control, radio check." She breathed out.
"Your signal is clear, Mamba 01. Standby for diagnostics after we hear from 02." One of the controllers behind her radioed.
Deol checked in, and the pilots' immediate support went to work making sure the connections between pilot and aircraft were strong. The two R-211 Orcinus they'd fly sat on the tarmac of their home station, staring at the mountains to the south that divided Sotoa from the country of Kunlun. Young technicians gingerly loaded rolls of film into the machines' cameras while others made sure the drones could transmit and receive imagery and video feed. Most importantly, both pilots needed to see where they were going. The system they employed was an offshoot of the COFFIN system. Concerns about the neural link and its effects on the human body had prompted those still pursuing the idea to go for a less...connected process. Hatwal turned her head as the aircraft's sensors built a digital picture for her. Wherever her gaze moved, the picture reflected the world around the R-211. In fact, when she looked down she could use the sensors under the aircraft's cockpit area to see through the floor. It was as if she were sitting in a glass pod placed in the aircraft.
The pilot brought her aircraft to life and began going through all the systems at the same time as the controllers. The part of the seat around her lower legs squeezed her legs a little and started massaging to help her while she sat down for the next several hours. Though a reconnaissance aircraft in SoAF service, the R-211 still carried provisions for two Khanda Mk.2 heatseeking missiles for self-defense. She activated the IRST bulge atop the nose and moved her eyes around a bit to make sure it was working. The ground crew relayed that the missiles' seekerheads were moving in sync with her eyes before she withdrew them into the primary weapons bay.
"Mamba 01 this is Mamba Control, groundcrew says you're cleared for engine startup." Her controllers radioed.
"Roger Mamba Control, starting engines...now."
The Orcinus's ignited engines with a clear, almost electronic hum. Its caretakers removed the wheel blocks and cleared the area. Hatwal looked around once more, then activated her aircraft's multi-spectral camera and made sure there was a solid connection between device and pilot. Without it, the mission would be in vain.
"Chotahara Control this is Mamba 01, requesting clearance to taxi to Runway 1-L for immediate departure." She spoke up.
"Mamba 01, you're cleared to taxi to 1-L...hold at the end until given final clearance." A new voice replied.
That was more or less a formality; few aircraft outside of the station's home unit came this way. The station's Tejas Mk.2s were either sunbathing or out doing training. The tower simply wished to make sure they weren't being too hasty. Hatwal easily guided her aircraft to the right,then swung to the left to cross the taxiway to the end of one of the base's four primary runways. When the tower was sure they had the weather figured and the skies were clear, they gave the two drones clearance to get airborne. The R-211 had a very smooth way of getting airborne. Hatwal was used to being disconnected from the feeling. She circled around gently and kept ascending with her wingman. The two aircraft then settled into a steep climb towards the furthest reaches of the sky. They slowly settled into a gentler climb and...that was it. For now. Hatwal settled back in her seat and let the aircraft's autopilot take over once the R-211 was enroute to its first navigation point…
Annie regretted opening the email before she even actually opened it. Habit, maybe, or some other weak excuse. She only had to read the subject and first sentence before he backed out. Mom wagging her finger at her middle daughter again; She wasn't being a proper woman of her background, another potential suitor, come home and stop fooling around as a pilot and blah blah blah bluster. The infuriating, ineffectual lectures of a conservative old woman trying to turn Annie into a porcelain doll placed on some snotty heir's shelf. Not even Sanjay gets this much shit she thought. Him and their eldest sister, Kavita seemed to be the only ones who understood, but Kavita had to walk a line between pleasing mom and being a good big sister.
Ping ~
"I really need to mute that." Annie sighed.
Ping ~
"Just a minute, please…"
Ping ~ Ping ~ Ping ~
Annie sighed once more and switched to her computer's NetSpeak app.
Annie (AC_714): Hello Francine. =_=
Francine (Zippy_714): Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~
Annie (AC_714): Anyone else on?
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): Hello Annie Dear. Hello to you too, Francine and of course our wonderful friend Freya. (^u^)
Freya (Blue_Ice): Hei.
The gang's all here, Annie noted. She looked away from the computer a second, then wheeled across her stateroom to her music player. She just pressed play and let the shuffle function take over.
Annie (AC_714): Wanted to turn on some music. Anyways hello all, hello all. How is everyone this fine October...well, it's morning for me.
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): Early in the afternoon here in Saint Ark. First day off in a while.
Freya (Blue_Ice): About the same here in Comberth.
Francine (Zippy_714): Just had lunch. So how's sailing on a yank boat goin, Tsun-Tsun? Schoolin' them on how to run a proper Navy?
Annie (AC_714): We're in the midst of Exercise Njord. I'm still playing wingwoman, but I think they accept me, if only because so far we've been fairly successful.
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): Any photos for us?
Annie (AC_714): Uhhh...one second.
Annie did a little searching and found one of the squadron's fliers all together in front of Skull 201. She posted it and casually pointed out Jed and Curry, mentioning their significance for the girls.
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): Jed's the tall one, right? Back row on the left?
Annie (AC_714): Yes. Curry's just to my right.
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): Hmmm, he's kinda cute~
Freya (Blue_Ice): I...have to agree in an objective manner.
Francine (Zippy_714): Le gasp! She does have emotions.
Freya (Blue_Ice): -_-
Francine (Zippy_714): But yeah, he is kinda cute. 7/10 desire to know more intensifies.
Annie (AC_714): You might have a chance, Claireese; he's got a thing for older women. Also Francine I thought you were dating some guy in the SBS?
Francine (Zippy_714): Neither of us were being serious about it. But a cake eater, is he?
Claireese (Tea+Flowers): I've always liked the tall, lanky type. If I recall you have a bit of a thing for that too, don't you? The one rower from the boys's school nearby...There was that one show too, about the highschool swim team, what was it?
The pilot felt her face warm up as she very quickly typed out a response. She looked over her shoulder to make sure Curry hadn't ninja'd her way in while she'd been talking.
Annie (AC_714): I have no interest in him! He's too much of a skirt chaser for me!
Francine (Zippy_714): ...That sounds like a very Tsun-Tsun way of describing someone.
Freya (Blue_Ice): He can't be all bad, and you know how tough it is to get me to warm up to someone.
Annie (AC_714): He isn't a bad person! He's just a bit of a...goofball? How would I put it politely?
Freya (Blue_Ice): Well, you already put it rudely.
Francine (Zippy_714): Ha!
Annie (AC_714): -_-
Annie was regretting sharing the picture. She looked at Jed again as Francine and Claireese carried on about him and how to best describe him. Claireese proposed that maybe the boy was just a bit headstrong; Annie declined to unsettling part is that she found herself taking another look at him...through a different lens. The same when her mind would flash back to the time he answered the door in his skivvies. She couldn't particularly blame the girl calling for him, not that he'd ever get to know that she thought with a smug grin. She was also happy to let Claireese and Francine guess about him and who he was while she simply fed them stories, personal and second-hand.
Though soon enough the two started trying to deduce if Annie described him the way she did because she was just being herself...or because she thought he was cute. Increasing denials turned her face ever-redder as the images of her one visit to his apartment outside the base couldn't be scrubbed from her mind. Tall, lanky, handsome...oddly that blank, mildly unaware gaze. She was also certain she'd heard a dog barking from someplace inside. He struck her as the type to own a Golden Retriever, Husky or some similar breed. She was the same color as a tomato when Yuki casually bumped open the door.
"What up, roomie?!" She called casually. Annie nearly jumped into the ceiling. She instead kept her face pointed in the opposite direction until she could get her composure back
"Nothing...just chatting with some friends."...
Signals Intelligence and Electronic Intelligence (SIGINT and ELINT) were two of the prime ways that the ChRAF kept the Sotoans from bullying them with impunity. The country's leaders were well aware of the bluster Gummadi's administration liked to pump out, and how often it liked to flex its military muscle. By detecting and tracking whatever their northern neighbor did, they could shatter the idea that the Sotoans could do as they pleased. The border region was well-patrolled, and a dozen plus systems combed through the comms traffic that flew about on both sides of the border. One of Sotoa's small force of Embraer E-7C Wedgetails was always airborne. Suspicious traffic was hardly a surprise to them. There were half a dozen pairs of combat aircraft to pick from, two of them the preferred platform for this matter. Sharky was leading the two pairs as they were flying mock CAS sorties over one of Rana's bombing ranges. He'd just judged Wolf 4-3's hits when the radio came to life.
"Wolf 4, Wolf 4 this is Garden, repeat this is Garden. Come in, Wolf 4."
Sharky checked the info on his kneeboard and cocked a brow as he replied to the AWACS.
"Go for Wolf 4, Garden." He said cautiously.
"Wolf 4, one of our Embraers picked up suspicious traffic and we're tracking two bogeys movin high and fast along the border. Your flight is being tapped to shadow 'em, how copy?" The controller who'd called to them replied.
"Wolf 4 copies all, Garden. Any additional info at this time?"
"Standby for datalink."
"Shams, tell me when you've got that squared away...Everyone else listen up: follow me, dump the rest of your bombs on the range. Wolf 4-3, 4-4 take up position off me and 4-2's seven. Three-Klik spread, got me?"
"Two."
"Three."
"Four."
Shamu piped up that he had the range, bearing and altitude of the bogeys. Sharky swept down at the ground, pickled off his two remaining bombs, and selected his two AIM-132C ASRAAMs (Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile). Not the interception load he wanted, but plenty to work with. He also had good wingmen that he could count on; Wolf 4-3's pilot, Guru, was ex-OAF.
"Shamu, raise Rana and tell 'em we'd like the alert aircraft to be scrambled. I want some long-range stuff to back us up." He said over his shoulder.
"On it." His friend assured.
Sharky leveled off at 40,000 Feet and settled on a northwestern heading. According to the Wedgetail, the aircraft were at 55,000 Feet. He put the F-72 into supercruise and checked his projected point of interception. They'd meet the suspicious aircraft just south of the Kuppuri mountains and follow them for as long as they could. The alert aircraft would take about twenty minutes to reach them after they took off. His F-72 had plenty of fuel, enough to follow the two contacts for...his gaze snapped skywards for a second as he did some quick math. Long enough for the alert flight to get here. Until then, Sharky's primary concern became airline traffic. He didn't have any way of knowing if there were any civvie jets in the area. He looked back at Santosh's jet to make sure the kid was tight on his wing. The closer they were, the better. Wolf 4's other half closed in when ordered, despite the Wedgetail's assurances that the airspace was clear.
From the cockpit of Wolf 4-2, Santosh was running the numbers far faster in his mind. He could feel a cold sheen of sweat forming on his forehead as the four jets raced towards the border. His big concern was staying as far away from the actual border as he could, lest he be buried under a mountain of consequences. Chantin had it easy in her Cheetah.
"Keep her steady, Sandy, keep her steady." Joshi said calmly from behind.
"Have more faith in me, A-Jo, have faith. You usually do." He replied, forcing an air of confidence.
"Having faith sometimes necessitates reaffirming it aloud."
Santosh wanted to comment on the rare display of humor, but he took the more tactful approach. Their AWACS had an update, too.
"Wolf 4 be advised, we've got a solid track on those bogeys. One just split off and is heading further into Sotoan airspace. Lead bogey is maintaining course towards the border. Be advised, Darkstar has picked up additional traffic from Passhtui. Be heads up for possible escorts."
"Wolf 4-1 copies all." Sharky replied as he noted the RWR was piping up.
Signals from the opposite side of the border, the strongest coming from a Yuke-built Big Bird radar system. It belonged to an SA-21 battery that camped out in a valley west of the mountains, where it enjoyed a favorable position. The tone warbled and changed as it became clear that the missile site was trying to find aircraft south of the border, but was having a hard time doing so. Inevitably Santosh, Sharky and the rest of the flight gave them a little help when they turned on their radars to let the bogey know it'd been spotted. That also let Shamu get a better idea of what they were dealing with. The Sotoan aircraft had the same idea in using its radar, making itself known to everyone around. Telling potential harassers that it was in its homeland's airspace, or more accurately taunting them.
"Should be fairly obvious but it's probably a recon bird. At this speed and altitude I'd say an R-211." He told his pilot.
"Ack, thing's so ugly I should shoot it down on principle alone." Sharky replied.
"If he does something stupid you'll get your wish…"
Sharky hoped he wouldn't; if he was going to get into a fight he wanted something to deal with that Growler site constantly trying to pin them. He would've also preferred to be down in the weeds, but his target was well above that level. What he wouldn't do for the simple, heartwarming assurance of having a HARM in the main bay. He looked around once more and then glanced back to Santosh. Airliners or no, he wanted to approach this right. He signalled for his wingman to stay close and mimic him. Meanwhile...
"Wolf 4-3, 4-4, turn to Heading 020 and come back around to keep our tails clear. Circle every few minutes, how copy?" He instructed.
The two Sabertooths broke off and headed northeast while Sharky and Santosh banked slightly right, then hooked left. Sharky searched the sky for a sign of movement and caught the R-211 against the late afternoon sky. He called it out to the others before checking to see if the alert fighters were airborne yet.
"Wolf 1 this is Wolf 4-1, what's your ETA?"
"Wolf 4, Wolf 1 is airborne and inbound...ETA is about 13 minutes. Current intercept point has us ahead of you, so watch out." Rosenthal pilot Bradley Gaines assured.
"Roger, make it 11 if you can."
D-Gainz clicked his mike twice while Sharky kept it steady so Shamu could better observe the Sotoan spy plane. He lifted a pair of binoculars and focused on the aircraft while he debated asking his pilot to ascend urther so they could get into camera range.
"See anything worth writing home about?' Sharky asked over the ICS.
"Nothing...well nothing at this distance. You feelin' like pushing the envelope today, Sharkman?" Shamu replied.
"On the fence about it. For all we know, we get up there and someone's gonna think we're trying to shoot the thing down."
"Might be worthwhile for intelligence purposes. Or to make sure he isn't planning anything."
"Yeah, got a point...Garden this is Wolf 4-1, we're gonna try and get closer to the bogey's level. Want us to try and contact 'em?"
There was a pregnant pause before the E-7 came back with anything to say.
"Standby on the latter, but you're cleared on the former. Exercise caution." Their controller explained slowly.
"Will do, Garden...Wolf 4-2, maintain altitude and heading."
Santosh simply clicked his mike. He watched as Sharky's F-72 shot upwards, fire erupting from its exhausts. Lieutenant Hatwal saw the Chakari aircraft as it ascended and zoomed in on the threat in search of any weapons. The aircraft still had its bays closed and had nothing externally mounted. It also moved closer to keeping pace with her instead of dropping back where it could get a good missile shot. So far she'd detected four F-72s plus and AWACS somewhere beyond the horizon.
"Passhtui Control this is Mamba 01, I've got at least four Chakari aircraft in my vicinity. Please advise." She reported (and repeated) calmly.
"Mamba 01 be advised, we have two aircraft launching now, callsign Katar 02. Standby." The base's control tower replied. Both sides caught their entrance into the matter.
"Wolf 4, Wolf 1, be advised that we've got a fresh pair of bogeys airborne from Passhtui. Heading 346, 117 Kilometers out...currently climbing; exact altitude is fluid. Looks like two Flatpacks, stay heads up for more." Garden warned.
Sharky looked slightly to the right, then down at his displays.
"Wolf 4-3, 4-4, we still clear back there?" He asked cautiously.
"Still clear.. Second bogey's maintaining station where he and his leader split."
The MiG-44s reached the F-72s' altitude and started making a beeline for the encounter. Sharky ordered Wolf 4's other half to stop circling and get into a trail position while he and Santosh dealt with the MiGs. He left the R-211 to them and pulled hard left. Shamu kept an eye on the sky behind them while he wheeled the F-72 around. Santosh stayed low and behind as they went south for a minute, then came around. Sharky put his Sabertooth nose-to-nose with the incoming Flatpacks.
"Garden this is Wolf 4, request permission to arm." He radioed.
"Permission granted, Wolf 4." Their controller replied.
Sharky selected his ASRAAMs and chose the lead MiG while Santosh took the other. They stayed in mid-range with the throttles; the Sotoans would either come barreling into their reach or they'd be able to move better if the MiGs tried to shoot. Wolf 1 reached the outer edge of AMRAAM range, attacking the odds further in his favor even as 4-3 and 4-4 kept after the Orcinus. Wolf 1, under Garden's guidance, kept from committing to avoid provoking the Sotoan MiGs. They still stayed the course to approach, though; D-gainz assured his superior they'd jump in the second things got dicey. Sharky acknowledged and went to his EOTS, glaring at the image of the lead Flatpack. Like any Yuke fighter it was big and brutish, but to him ultimately little more than a potential target. Come on, he thought, come on and do something stupid. Give him the easiest kill of his career. At his current rate, the Sotoan pilot would scream over the border in a fraction of a minute. They were playing hardball today, and he welcomed the foolhardy approach. He looked up in anticipation of getting a bead on the lead MiG.
Suddenly, the lead MiG slowed and broke to the right, skirting the border by just a hair. Sharky had just been about to uncage his first ASRAAM when it did. He quickly went cold on the weapon and watched as the other MiG went the opposite direction. The two fighters circled back to the north, then came around again to follow behind the R-211 as it skirted the border. Sharky pulled hard left and watched the MiGs as they mirrored his movements. The lead pilot reached up and activated a camera attached to his helmet to record the encounter. The second MiG showed up seconds later, somewhat flamboyantly as it settled into formation.
"Garden this is Wolf 4-1, bandits are staying on their side of the border. Request permission to stay armed until Wolf 1 takes over. Don't have the fuel to chase 'em all the way to the coast." He radioed.
"Permission granted, Wolf 4-1." The Wedgetail allowed.
Sharky looked back at the jets as they kept pace, then glanced towards the R-211 as it kept onwards to the southwest. He angrily mumbled "showoffs" and raised his middle finger to the lead aircraft as its pilot aimed the camera at the cockpit.