Chp. 22: The Enforcer
November 1, 2049
New Rovennti Air Base
Despite the November chill, it was just nice enough for Luukas and Krill to sit outside the alert hut. The former was happy to have an uneventful stint so he could slow down and reflect. The 87th had been at war for no more than a week, but it'd been a constant stream of sorties. His parents, younger sister and brother had all written to him. He hadn't been able to sit down and read them, however. Hearing about what was going on back home was an excellent reprieve. He smiled as he opened the letter from his brother and found a picture of Erusen soccer player Vlatka Pragovech. His wingman leaned over and whistled softly.
"What a woman." He remarked.
"I like how she braids her hair. I have no doubts her thighs could turn coal into diamonds. Think I might introduce myself after I get into the space program." Luukas agreed, holding up the picture.
"Certainly you must realize she'll probably never settle down."
"Why would I make her? That would rob her of her most striking features."
"Personally I'm more drawn to her teammate Lina. Mostly my preference of brunettes over blondes."
"I'll put in a good word for you. Certainly two heroes of the Imperium would be more than capable of melting their hearts."
The two enjoyed a good laugh for a minute over the last line. Luukas looked up from the picture again when the small crowd nearby got louder. He watched as one of the aircraft mechanics intercepted the basketball before it could go into the hoop. He bolted towards the opposite hoop as members of an opposing crew tried to intercept him. He tossed the ball to another player then darted around the blockade that'd gone up. He felt a small sense of interest as the next member of the crew made an attempt to get the ball into the hoop.
"Come on, boys! The 87th has the most elite crews in the wing, yeah?" Krill shouted.
"But does that translate to athleticism?" Luukas asked.
"It should. Crews need to be quick and able to work closely with one-another."
The ball was passed again, and then a shot for the hoop was made. As the ball shook the rim and bounced off, the wail of an emergency siren pierced the air. The game ground to a halt as everyone tried to figure out if it was an air raid. After a second, it became clear it was the alarm for a crash. The game was put on hold as crews scrambled to their stations. Luukas hurried inside the alert hut and beckoned the second half of the alert flight outside. It was the only correct choice he could think of. Yak and Faye jumped from their seats and followed him outside and across the tarmac to the aircraft shelters. Sergeant Jesic followed him up the ladder and helped him get the rest of his flight gear and helmet on. He brought the electrical systems to life but kept the engines off for a minute more. The second the radio was on, all aircraft on approach were being ordered into a holding pattern.
"Rovennti Control this is Talos Flight, requesting instructions." He asked, trying to sound as certain as he imagined he could.
"Talos Flight standby, friendly aircraft inbound has declared an emergency." The controller replied quickly.
Crash and rescue vehicles raced past in front of him, led by a pair of fire engines. Luukas leaned as far forward as he could to peek out of the shelter, but couldn't see anything. He tuned an ear to the radio to get an idea of who might be coming in. After a few channel switches, a familiar voice came over the radio.
"...Losing hydraulics, left engine likely to quit soon. I do not wish to eject at this time; I can make it."
"Copy Talos 1-01, you are cleared for immediate approach. Runway 2-W is clear, emergency crews are standing by." The same controller instructed.
"Copy that Rovennti Control, Talos 1-01 beginning immediate approach."
It was Major Vukovic's voice. Luukas scratched his chin anxiously as he quietly urged the man to start describing the issue he was having. The Major had been one of the squadron's most successful pilots so far; nine kills.
"Talos 1-02, Rovennti Control, are you able to go to a holding pattern for any length of time?" the controller asked.
"Negative Rovennti Control, Talos 1-02 is too low on fuel." Riku spoke up.
"Understood…ah, are you able to head north and come in on Runway 1-S?"
"Copy, Runway 1-S. Request permission to stay with Talos 1-01 until he reaches the ALS."
"Permission granted."
The radio grew eerily quiet for several minutes, punctuated only by quick comments between Vukovic and Riku. He was able to determine that the Major's Nosferatu was badly damaged, likely by a missile. Vukovic was staying incredibly cool despite the fact he was riding a bomb down to the ground. Luukas considered advising ejection, but discipline and rank stopped him.
"Talos 1-01 on final approach, Talos 1-02, break off and turn to Heading 320. Maintain altitude and speed, enter landing pattern from the west." the tower instructed.
"Understood Control. Heading 320. Maintain altitude, maintain speed." Riku replied.
Luukas could see the two jets now; one was trailing a thin line of smoke. Its landing gear came down just fine and Luukas couldn't see the damage from this distance.
"Left engine is out!" Vukovic announced.
Luukas saw the plane jerk, then balance out as Vukovic worked to compensate for the loss of a powerplant. The plane wobbled the other way, then jerked back to the left too hard. The control tower screamed for the Major to eject seconds before the aircraft rolled and slammed into the grass between the runways. Luukas bolted up from his seat a few centimeters then sat back down. Crash crews descended on the matter within seconds.
"Talos 1-02, abort approach! Abort approach!"
Riku's CFA nosed up sharply and its engines cried out in disagreement. Luukas again tensed and rested a finger on the transmit button for his radio. He justified the matter half a second later.
"Talos 1-02, advise you eject." He called.
"Talos 1-02, ejecting!" Riku replied.
There was a tense few seconds while the sound of a jet diving to the ground overtook the sirens of the crash crews. Luukas waited both for a reprimand and instructions from the tower, but the good news came first.
"Good chute, good chute, Talos 1-02 has a good chute. Get an ambulance to his position!" The tower reported. Before he could even sigh in relief, Luukas found himself being addressed.
"Talos 3 this is Rovennti Control, you're cleared to scramble down Runway 2-N. Establish patrol stations along the coast at the following points and await further instructions."
"Copy Rovennti Control." Luukas replied. He looked out of the cockpit at Jesic.
"Start the ventilation!" He ordered.
As soon as the fans started to howl, Luukas brought the aircraft's engines to life. The ground crew made sure the aircraft was still cleared to taxi, then beckoned it out of its shelter. As he hurried out, he inevitably had to pass by the wreckage of Major Vukovic's plane. The flames had been snuffed out, leaving the twisted and charred remains of what'd once been a CFA-44. Crash crew were picking over the remains, probably looking for the man's body. Luukas pulled down his visor and looked away. He didn't need to see it any longer, but it'd been the first time he'd seen death up close…
Luukas pushed open the entrance to the medical bay. A clerk behind the desk stood up to salute the man, trying not to look too confused about why the Captain walked in so briskly. Krill and Yak were close behind, moving just as fast.
"Good afternoon Sergeant, we're here to check in on the status of Junior Lieutenant Kaski." Luukas announced, returning the salute as he spoke.
"Ah, yes sir. One second I believe I know where he is." He replied.
The man sat behind a computer and did some typing. He directed them to the room he was recovering in. As the trio signed in, Luukas noted that two individuals and Major Heinonen had already been to see him. He didn't recognize the names, but they'd been by roughly 30 minutes before the trio. Riku was found in very good condition, other than a single bandaid on his cheek. Otherwise, he was sitting upright in his bed and enjoying a hot bowl of stew.
"Pine, you hardy bastard! You had us worried, ya know." Krill announced as they entered his room.
"Aw come now Krill, wasn't much different from going off the high dive back in secondary school." Pine said before he helped himself to another spoonful of his meal. He seemed to be in high spirits despite his experience.
"Did Major Vukovic make it out alright?"
Perhaps a bit too high. There was an uncomfortable silence; Riku's expression became blank.
"I understand." He (forcibly) commented. Suddenly his meal had become less appealing.
"What happened, Pine?" Yak asked cautiously.
"Those two from the intelligence section asked me the same thing, but I don't think they understood. Wasn't technical enough for them."
"So that was the other two names I saw." Luukas mused.
"Yeah, not as terrible as their reputation makes 'em seem. Still about as pleasant as a wasps' nest, though. Major Heinonen kept them at bay."
"Why would intel be bugging you like that?" Krill asked in genuine surprise.
"Because we got attacked by a flight of F-28s. Apparently we're the latest in a growing number of losses to the platform. People well above us, with big hats and gleaming shoulder boards, want to know why that is."
The group exchanged glances and looked about with mild suspicion. The specter of EIAF "morale needs" looming over them somewhere. Riku didn't seem to have much else to say, though. In fact, he seemed angry.
"Bastard Oseans are so scared they have to orbit half a world away and take shots at us with their precious AMRAAMs." He boasted.
"Not always, my young friend, not always." Luukas corrected him, lifting a finger.
"Come now Lynx, surely they too have a reputation far worse than reality?"
"Keep in mind that the F-28 was designed from the outset to be a fighter. Every fiber of its being is dedicated to defeating threats for the next 30 years."
"So suddenly you're intel, Lynx?" Krill snorted.
"No, but I'm getting an idea on how to apply what I do know. Understanding the enemy is part of my job as the Tactics Officer. Every little thing I can learn, I want. Surprisingly, sometimes the Oseans give it to me. That little bit about the F-28? I saw that on the website for the aircraft's manufacturer."
Riku looked down at his stew, like it held some kind of answer. He downed another spoonful and sighed.
"I could tell you what I know, Lynx. For the Major's sake, so that we might get a chance to avenge him. Do you have something I can write with?" He said with returning enthusiasm.
"Thank you, Pine, but for now get your rest. I can talk to Major Heinonen and see how he might help me. Perhaps the Colonel can also lend a hand. I'm certain he too will want to best the Oseans' precious toy." Luukas assured.
"Pah, they're only keeping me here as a precaution. I'm ready to fight again, they just need to let me go." Riku boasted.
"I'm sure you are, Pine, but doctors are people we listen to for a reason." Yak chuckled.
"You sound like my mother."
"Mothers are usually right."
Luukas split from the others after they left to go to the squadron building. He went straight to the Major's office.
"Come in." The man allowed after a quick knock. Luukas marched in and rendered a salute.
"Major, I wish to speak to you about getting support for another study. Like the one you assigned to me before the war." He said without pause.
"Is this because of the events of today?" Heinonen replied.
"Yes sir, specifically about the F-28."
"I was with Pine when the wing's intelligence people talked to him. They're working on it. We need to keep our efforts focused on fighting the war."
"How soon can we expect them to give us something of value?"
"They didn't say."
"Major, we need to take the initiative. I say this as the Tactics Officer."
"We have our training to protect us, Lynx. Intelligence is firm on handling this."
"Why?"
"They didn't say."
That tone was back. Don't ask too many questions, Luukas.
"Surely the Colonel would agree. As would the wing commander. We have the tools to make a better assessment."
"Captain Miemi, I appreciate your zeal but Colonel Mistros and I must ensure the priorities of the squadron are the correct ones."
"Major, with all due respect I could easily balance my workload. This would be the same as the study I was assigned previously. Again, as the Tactics Officer this is my job. Would it not be a priority for my post?"
Heinonen sighed and stood up so he could walk around to the front of his desk.
"Listen Luukas, you and I both know how the intelligence people are. Petty, well connected rats. I can allow you to make recommendations based on your experiences and those of the rest of the squadron who've faced the F-28. I don't want some intelligence officer who was bullied at the academy seeing what we're doing and thinking we're trying to outperform him. That's how people get reassigned, or railroaded onto certain career paths." He said in a low tone.
"...Do you suspect they think we aren't fighting the Oseans how they think we should?"
"Perhaps; they certainly seemed to suggest it the way they talked to Pine. They almost got on you for telling him to eject. I reminded them how it would look to do so to someone who may have saved his comrade's life."
Luukas kept his thoughts on that to himself; he was still set on finding a way to beat the F-28s. Personally.
"We're winning the war. Major."
"Not without losses. You know intelligence is responsible for seeing why. What I offer is the best I can give."
Heinonen paused until Luukas nodded.
"I understand, sir." He agreed reluctantly.
"Good, because I have something more important." The Major said, to which Luukas cocked a brow.
"Your fifth kill was confirmed an hour ago. This, combined with your contributions to assessing the capabilities of the ChRAF, have prompted Colonel Mistros to recommend you for the title of Knight of the Imperium. This should bode extremely well for you when being considered for promotion at the end of the year." He clarified while holding out a hand.
"Congratulations, Captain Miemi. Hopefully soon, Major Miemi"...
Annie looked exceptionally curious when Jed opened the small box and eased out a slice of cake that looked like it'd been pulled straight from a bakery in downtown Gracemeria.
"Oh my, that looks gorgeous! Where did you get that from, Bronco?" She asked.
"It came in a care package from my mom. She worked in a bakery before Ah was born and has always been pretty skilled in cooking. Ah swear everytime Ah see her she or my Aunt Irina worry that Ah'm not eating enough." He replied.
"It sounds like you get a lot of that from her."
"She's gonna worry herself to death over me, but Ah can never bring myself to hold it against her. For one thing, her cooking has a way of reminding me why Ah'm proud to call her my mom."
Annie looked down at the slice of cake again and pondered a minute, then back at Jed.
"Would it be alright if I had a bite? It looks delicious." She asked.
"Sure, my mom always sends a lot of food in these packages. Sure she'd love to know someone else enjoys her cooking."
Annie held back the urge to make a joke about when she'd get to meet his parents. Jed wasn't kidding when he said his mother was good at cooking, though. It tasted as professionally made as it looked, enough she almost took a second bite. Jed let her have it, then stabbed his fork into the slice. He glanced at the TV above them, where it showed a helicopter approaching the deck. He recognized the type as a Merlin HC.4, which meant that the group from the Saint Ark had arrived. He nodded at Annie to get her attention, then pointed up at the screen.
"Looks like Her Majesty's Royal Navy has arrived. Just in time for lunch." He commented.
"Don't get too cheeky; you get to meet my roommate from my conversion training to the Lightning." She announced. He didn't seem particularly fazed by that.
"So yer old squadron assigned to the Saint Ark, then."
He seemed more interested in the fact he'd get to talk to naval aviators from another nation. So what does that make me? Annie thought.
"Yes, which honestly helps in getting them up to speed."
"What does yer old roommate do?"
"She's the squadron's Weapons Officer. Lieutenant Francine Alban, or Zippy as she insists."
"How'd she get that moniker?"
"Because she's got an endless supply of energy…on that note she's the girl I mentioned who got me stuck with my callsign."
"Oh yeah she was the first to call y'all a Tsun."
"Yes…I'm not that much of a Tsundere, am I?"
Jed took a second to think up a proper answer, then leaned down and lowered his voice.
"Yer a very beautiful one."
That got a smile out of her, and he did the same. She looked up at the screen again as the helicopters lifted off. A few minutes later, the dirty-shirt wardroom had a few new faces in it. Among them was a freckle-faced brunette wearing a set of aviator's shades. Annie tried to keep a straight face, but as the woman hurried up she had to at least smirk. The two stood up and the woman Jed assumed was Francince suddenly wrapped Annie in a hug.
"Tsun-Tsun, how are ya girlie?! Feels like it's been a lifetime since we last seen one-another!" She exclaimed in an accent that felt almost as thick as Jed's. Only Lenish this time.
Annie looked like a cat being picked up for a second until Francine let her go. Her eyes locked onto Jed and she raised her shades.
"You must be Leftenant Walker? Tsun-Tsun mentioned ya two fly together a bit." She said as she extended a hand in greeting.
"The same; Bronco works just fine. Ah was told y'all prefer yer own moniker of Zippy?"
"That I do. Glad to make your acquaintance, Bronco. Hope there's plenty of war to go around?"
Jed laughed; he liked this girl already. Annie intervened to ask about the squadron, all while Francine kept looking Jed up and down. He noticed after a second; maybe she was checking him out? Annie had taken him off the market, though. Francine placed her hands on her hips and smirked. She leaned closer to Annie, who like Jed got still.
"Think I'm gonna bump that 7 up to an 8." She passed along in a (purposefully) loud whisper. Jed cocked a brow while Annie grew a bit fidgety.
"Ohohohoho Francine, you're so silly." Annie replied quickly…once again laughing like a noblewoman.
"Okay y'all heard that, right? Her laugh." He asked. The newcomer tilted her head at him.
"What, you honestly surprised? Tsun-Tsun was raised to be a prim and proper Lenish lady. Course she laughs like that." Francince commented. Annie sighed and covered part of her face with an open palm.
"Pardon him, he can be a bit dense…So are you going to tell me about how the squadron's doing? Or should I start wearing a bag over my head while you go on?" She grumbled.
"Everything's fine, don't worry. We were about two months from deploying anyways. They put us up on alert status after the first shots were fired and then we sent this way. The ASWs got to slot two Erusean subs a ways west of Kharmata.
"And back home? Odd that the Eruseans aren't saber-rattling in Usea because of Lenshire's involvement."
"Maybe someone there had a brief moment of clarity. Besides, I think they're afraid of a repeat of the Continental War. PM has been mobilizing some of the Territorials, though. What's been happening out here?"
"Eruseans and Sotoans have been making probes at our battlegroup and the Andersen's. Their goal is the coast, where they can conduct an amphibious landing and cut friendly supply lines. We've dealt a serious blow to them, but almost all of their capital ships remain intact."
"Save for the Sotoan carrier Khodra. Chakaris landed a few solid hits on her and she's limping north. Her sister ship Varuna hasn't come out of the Sea of Matak to play yet neither."
"I understand the Tanager is getting a reputation."
"Yes, it is unfortunately…"
Annie scowled, but Francince got a grin Jed had seen himself wearing a time or two.
"It'll die the same bloody-embarrassing death its first namesake did. Just give it time; no ship that flaunts superstition like her ever lasts." Francine sneered. Jed mirrored her look.
"Ah like her already, Tsun-Tsun."