Chp. 24: Ride Across the River
November 3, 2049
Near Dhainka, Northern Chakari
"Sapphire 1-1 this is Asp 6, my 1st and 4th Platoons report an enemy force is moving towards the eastern banks of the Ma'at. They estimate it's at least three companies of Erusean motorized troops."
Nimitia looked at her wingman in Sapphire 1-2, then keyed her radio.
"Understood Asp 6, Sapphire 1 is moving to assist. Sapphires 1-3 and 1-4, head to the left flank of Asps 1 and 4. Asp 6, request relay with Asps 1 and 4's forward air control elements." She outlined.
"Copy, standby."
The reason behind the smoke and dust rising on their side of the river had become more apparent now. Nimita banked her Cheetah PAH (Patrol-Attack Helicopter) to the left and nosed down towards the grasslands. There wasn't much terrain to use, but whatever she could use she would use. Her gunner, Batu, switched from the chin-mounted GIAT to the Spike IV missile pods on the wing stations. The two helicopters headed for the only significant terrain in the area: a small plateau where the river curved westwards.
"Asp 1 and Asp 4 Actuals this is Sapphire 1-1. We're approaching your positions at this time from the north and south. Check fire in those directions." She announced.
"Understood Sapphire 1-1, please confirm you've got a fix on our beacons?" A male voice replied.
"Your signal is coming in clear."
Nimita brought the helicopter within a dozen meters from the ground and followed the rise of the plateau. Sapphire 1-2's pilot, Luther, stayed back and out of sight. so Batu could see via his FLIR. Nimita changed one of her displays to see what he did as he rotated the device behind the cockpit back and forth. She saw the low, wide and sleek profiles of Erusean M-85A main battle tanks. Batu counted at least eight of them in the immediate vicinity, with an equal number of Lazar-4 wheeled APCs trailing behind.
"Company-sized force approaching the river, distance 9.7 Kilometers. Recommend we use the MMR-mode for our ATGMs and focus on the heavy armor. Ground units should be able to defeat the APCs and troops." The gunner reported as he poured over his instruments.
"Understood…I'm not seeing any air-defense vehicles." Nimita replied.
"The MMR should pick any up. We best engage before they get here. Sapphire 1-2, Sapphire 1-1 is linking target data to you. Switch to MMR and standby to fire."
"Sapphire 1-2 copies all." Fellow gunner Arun replied.
"Sapphires 1-3 and 1-4, target the tanks nearest to you. Two missiles per tank; watch out for their point defenses."
Nimita kept a thumb near her launch button for the Starstreak pods mounted next to their Spikes. On Batu's request, she raised the helicopter over the top of the plateau. Luther did the same and both launched four missiles. The second they were away, the RWR alerted them that there were radar sources moving towards the river. Batu slaved the FLIR to the heading they were on. Nimita looked at her display and saw two M-97 Balkja anti-aircraft vehicles advancing alongside more armor. Their 35mm cannons and missiles were pointed up as their radar dishes spun in search of targets. One of the tracked vehicles turned its attention towards Nimita and Luther. They dropped back down as the missiles met the advancing M-85s. She noted at least two clean hits, and at least three missiles that had been intercepted.
"Asps 1 and 4 this is Sapphire 1-1, I have a visual on enemy anti-aircraft vehicles advancing with the second wave of Erusean forces. Can you engage them from your position?" She radioed.
"Negative Sapphire, all of Asp 4's vehicles are busy engaging remaining armor in the first wave."
Nimita hailed the second half of her flight and pulled back to find another place from which to fire. As they moved southeast, Batu swung the cannon to the left and engaged the Lazars and M-85s that had reached the river. White puffs of smoke began to appear as Erusean artillery put down cover for the advance. Tracers flew back and forth between autocannons, interrupted every so often by a 125mm round from the tanks. One of the commanders on the ground was back on the radio.
"Asp 6 this is Asp 1 Actual, Asp 4 Actual's vehicle has been hit! Total loss! we're retreating to secondary positions. Current positions are not sufficient to defend." He reported.
"Sapphire, can you assist?" Asp 6 replied.
"Asp 6, we need assistance in taking out those anti-aircraft vehicles. Request additional support to engage enemy AA vehicles." Nimita reported as new hits appeared on the RWR. Before he could reply, there was a message from her company's headquarters.
"Sapphire 1 this is Sapphire 6, airborne contacts fast approaching from Heading 002. All Sapphire aircraft break off attack and evade. Friendly air support is inbound; three minutes."
Nimita turned her Cheetah away from the attempt to flank the Eruseans and got down in the weeds again. She could see a hill in the distance, hopefully just tall enough to hide behind. She deployed chaff and let Luther drop from formation to better evade the incoming aircraft. As they drew close and the hill still seemed far off, Nimita turned her helicopter and let the Starstreaks try for a good shot. Batu slaved the FLIR again, revealing a pair of Sotoan Su-42E ground attack aircraft. The closest aircraft pounced upon the AMZ below and salvoed off at least a dozen rockets. Nimita pushed the launch button just as it started firing.
"Sapphire 1-1, Fox 2." She attack aircraft nosed up hard and banked left, shooting off flares every second or two.
"Sapphire 1-2, we're going to have to stand and fight. Try to engage when they make their runs." She instructed.
"Copy 1-1…Copy." Luther replied, audibly jittery.
Nimita watched the first Starstreak fall away, a victim of the flares. She looked for Asp and spotted their dust clouds as they were retreating to the highway nearby. The second Su-42 dove at them, prompting her to move forward and try to get out of its front quarter. Luther had come around and was trying to nose up and shoot a second missile at the enemy aircraft as it passed overhead. The rest of her flight was drawing near, trying to "circle the wagons" as the Oseans said. The first Su-42 appeared across the river, moving fast and low. Nimita looked towards Sapphire 1-3 just as one of the Sotoan's missiles struck it. Nimita's gaze widened and she turned to fire on the helicopter when the radio came to life.
"Sapphire 1-1 this is Wolf 2-1, flight of four F-72s. We're entering the AO with Longsword 2 at this time. Request datalink so we can prioritize targets." A familiar voice called. The same voice her husband had invited to dinner a lifetime ago.
"Datalink on the way, Wolf 2-1. Request priority targeting on enemy AA."
Santosh knew it was his wife, and he knew this made for a dangerous situation. He expected Sharky to speak up, or maybe Abhay, but neither said anything. He whispered her name as he dove to chase off the Sotoan Flatfoot. He pulled the stick back and led the enemy attack aircraft as it ascended and tried to escape to the safety of its own escorts. A pair of Lenish Tempest FGR.2s passed by overhead to block them. Santosh eased the throttle back and forced the Su-42 to turn into him. He pulled a high yo-yo and used his HMD to queue his target. He let the Sotoan release a burst of flares, then fired an ASRAAM.
"Wolf 2-2, Fox 2." He reported.
As he turned to try and cut off the other Flatfoot, Sharky and Shamu were busy setting up their first attack. Shamu looked over what the helicopters had sent them, along with the data from an Osean E-9A JABMS (Joint Airborne Battlefield Management System). It was decided they'd hit in pairs, with Wolves 2-3 and 2-4 coming in after them. Four F-35Ds from the 245th Tactical Fighter Squadron, would go deep and hit Erusean artillery and rear-guard units.
"Okay, looks like we've got eight M-97s down there. Looks like the bulk of them are shielding a couple bridgelayers. Think I've got a fix on a pair of Erusean counter-battery radars, too. Passing that along to Longsword." He reported.
"Roger, let's focus on them…Sapphire 1, keep engaging enemy forces crossing the river. Wolf will take care of the enemy forces further back. Get in contact with Asp and see how soon they can organize a solid defense." Sharky replied.
"Copy." Nimita replied quickly.
"Wolf 2-2, I need you back here. Leave those remaining Flatfoots to Rapier."
Santosh nosed up as the second Flatfoot turned towards Erusean-Sotoan lines and hit the gas. Four more Tempests passed by well above as AWACS reported Trishulas trying to press towards the Sabertooths. Shamu immediately fed the information he had into the 12 Brimstone missiles in the central weapons bay. Sharky circled back around and dropped to 13,000 Feet (think in meters he reminded himself). A-Jo took the information passed from him as they distributed targets for all 24 weapons. The AA was tracking them, but at this height they were above effective range. Still tracers floated up, like fireflies. The RWR had a fix on two "Hot Plate" fire control radars and the M09 batteries they were supporting.
"Wolf 2-1, Rifle Dash-12!" Sharky reported.
As soon as the salvo of missiles were away, Sharky broke from his attack to defend against the batteries. Shamu craned his neck and watched the missiles descend on the advancing waves of Erusean troops. The RWR added yet another threat: more enemy CAS inbound: this time it was R-103 attack drones. He saw two close in, then break off as a friendly NASAMs battery locked onto them.
"Hangman this is Wolf 2-1, we've got a hit on enemy SAMs further back. Any SEAD assets available to help contain them?" Sharky asked as he switched to his AMRAAMs and broke left.
"Copy that Wolf 2-1, standby." The Grandline replied.
Sharky switched to his EOTS's view and centered it on one of the tanks he'd targeted. The M-85 deployed smoke and a small beam of light shot out from atop the turret. Seconds later, however, its horseshoe-shaped turret seemed to split open in the center. Sharky zoomed at and watched in satisfaction as multiple hits registered on the thermal. Santosh launched his Brimstones and broke away as two of the SAM sites fired on him.
"Count seven solid hits, Sharky. More bandits inbound." Shamu reported.
"Gotcha, Wolves 2-3 and 2-4 commit to your attacks. Wolf 2-2 with me." Sharky replied.
With Santosh in a loose deuce, the two F-72s nosed up and left the oncoming waves to Nimita and the follow-on aircraft. A few miles (kilometers!) north, two Trishulas turned towards them and rolled into the fight. Almost immediately they locked onto the Sabertooths and fired an Astra at each. Sharky broke right and Santosh went left, trailing flares and chaff while the two Sotoan jets stayed aggressive. Shamu looked back as "their" Trishula dumped speed and swung left to pursue them. Sharky pushed his throttles forward while the Sotoan fighter was busy regaining energy. He came around, slowing as he left the turn and queuing up an ASRAAM. The Trishula turned that into attacking head-on to drive and drive off the mercs. Sharky quickly switched to his GAU-25 and fired a burst. The Trishula sped up and ascended above them. Sharky throttled back and guided his jet through a turn he hoped would put him behind the bandit.
"Wolf, SEAD assets are inbound, callsign Raider 2. TOT three minutes." Hangman announced.
It was good enough, and the Erusean ground advance had been bloodied enough to buy the guys below some time. Shamu glanced at his main display while Sharky wrangled the F-72 into position behind the Trishula. The Eruseans were widening their attack, pushing units to the north and south towards the nearest fords in the river. He looked towards the friendly side of the battle in search of Charaki reinforcements. The dust clouds he could see were far away. He spotted one of the F-35s go up along the far bank, leaving fire and destruction in its wake. Up front, Sharky weaved back to the left and put the Sotoan fighter in his ASRAAMs' envelope. He didn't wait for the bandit to react.
"Wolf 2-1, Fox 2." He announced.
The RWR alerted them of the M09 batteries again. Sharky drew breath as he was about to key his radio, but the Erusean batteries launched before he could speak. He tensed and deployed chaff as he broke into the attack and dove. After the initial shock, Shamu looked back at the Trishula as it defended against the missile. Satisfied it wasn't an immediate threat, he turned his attention to the direction a single M09 missile was coming from. Sharky was forced to go lower, where he was then in the range of the remaining M-97s. He nosed up the second he had a chance and turned towards friendly lines. Shamu spotted the dart-shaped missile closing in on their six.
"Alright Sharky, I've got that SAM. On our six, rocket motor is still burning." He announced.
"Raider, this is Wolf, what's your position?" Sharky demanded.
"One minute, Wolf." A country twang stressed.
Sharky cut to the left again and went into a zoom climb. He went from that to a barrel roll, scattering countermeasures over a wide area. Behind his steely gaze, he quietly demanded that the missile get tempted by some of the chaff. As soon as Shamu reported its rocket motor was out, he made a violent right and dove. The ground filled his view as the F-72 went from just over 8,000 Feet to under 1,500. He nosed right back up and soared through a flurry of tracers as the M09 readied another missile. The Trishula they'd engaged pounced on them at the same time, but one of Longsword's jets was there to help. Sharky made a long left to back up the two F-35s while Shamu searched for their wingman.
"Wolf 2-2, what's your position?" He asked.
"Engaged with enemy CAS aircraft, trying to cover friendly ground forces." A-Jo replied.
"Copy, watch for AA along the river. Where's that other bandit?"
"Damaged and retreated northeast. Where's the other one?"
"We're on him. Longsword, this guy is mine." Sharky replied.
The F-35s broke off to recommit to the ground battle. Sharky immediately put himself in the best position possible to fire his other ASRAAM. The Trishula deployed flares just a second too late, and cost the plane its left wing. Sharky pulled away as the fighter banked right and headed for its own lines. Kill number five he noted without much care.
"Longsword 2-2's been hit, Longsword 2-2's been hit. Eye on a chu-"
The caller was cut off. A few seconds later, Longsword 2-1 reported his wingman had been blown out of the sky. The Erusean SAMs were still dogging them, whatever Raider might insist. The Eruseans had been able to keep enough of their SAMs operational that it was becoming hard to support the guys below. Sharky hailed the rest of his flight to fall back as fuel became a growing factor.
"Hangman this is Wolf 2-1, enemy AA is getting too intense to stay at low level or long. We need Raider to clear us some airspace if we're gonna make any more runs." He explained.
"Raider, we need you on station now." Hangman agreed.
Whatever fault Raider might have had was forgotten as more waves of Erusean aircraft were inbound. Rapier moved back, closer to the river, as four more R-103s were escorted in by the same number of CFA-44s. Sharky thought fast and hailed what aircraft were left.
"Raider, Longsword, we need you to draw their AA fire while we hit the bridgelayers the Eruseans are bringing up." He radioed.
"Raider is going straight for those M09s, Wolf. Good luck." The lead SEAD aircraft replied.
"Sapphire 1 will continue to engage enemy forces securing the bank until enemy aircraft are too close." Nimita declared.
"Negative Sapphire, get outta there. Area is too hot." Sharky ordered.
"Sapphire, Asp 6, we need you to move back and cover our retreat. Reinforcements will arrive in five minutes." Asp 6 added.
Nimita swallowed a growl and reluctantly complied. Good luck, Love she thought. Sharky and Santosh got low and selected their Paveways for the last run. Santosh went east of the river while Sharky went right up it. Shamu slaved their designator to the northern bridgelayer as it was rolling into position to deploy. Three surviving M-97s opened fire with their cannons, then one launched two of its missiles. Sharky deployed flares and broke left, then came right and made a left again. The missiles, still accelerating, passed by behind him without detonating. He pressed the weapons release twice and let the bombs free.
"Wolf 2-1, bombs away." He radioed.
He followed through with his left and increased speed. Tracers pursued him in vain as he zoomed up and made a hasty retreat towards friendly skies. Santosh was right behind him, moving just as fast. Shamu watched the footage as the vehicle they'd targeted disappeared in a ball of smoke.
"Good effect on target, Sharky." He noted.
They reckoned the destruction of those bridgelayers would buy the good guys just enough time to get organized…
Underway replenishment, UNREP, allowed for a rare moment of peace. All across the ship, sailors not on duty were laying about or taking care of personal matters. Jed had taken the opportunity to take a few pictures with the deck loaded up with aircraft. Aircraft art had been popping up more often on machines, several of which he wanted to put to "film" while they were fresh. Even his jet was being given proper decoration: the man on the cover of Volbeat's Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies just under his nameplate. Haliey, one of the better artists among his ground crew, said she'd have it ready by the end of her shift. When Jed was satisfied with the shots he'd gotten of other aircraft, he retreated to his stateroom to load them onto his computer. Brick was currently manning the duty desk, so he had the place to himself for a few hours. Videogames were a possibility, yes. So was finding a quiet place to hang out with Annie, or maybe tend to his spiritual life. Maybe talk to his old man or Eric again. He checked his messenger and saw Hideki was online, so he poked him to let him know he was around.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Jed! Man, I'm glad to see you're safe.
Jed (Warpup24): Thanks Deck. Sorry I've dropped off the radar for a week.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Don't apologize; I learned from my dad's deployments that you don't always have time to check in. Gotta keep the faith and all that. How are you?
Jed (Warpup24): Ah'm somewhere between scared, accepting of the situation, and drained from the constant rushes of adrenaline.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): I can imagine. I've been touching base with my dad just about every day. Looking for some better insight; he's been busy in Brighthill. But what can you expect when you're working for the admiral who commands everything in the Navy on the East Coast? He says you made ace, too. Him and your dad apparently had a few drinks to that.
Jed (Warpup24): Yeah. I've been told that when I return, there's a proper celebration in my immediate future.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): How soon do you think that'll be?
Jed (Warpup24): Well, pending they don't extend our cruise, it'll be about five months. What's it like back at home? Just, like, overall?
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Shock's still melting away. The last war I remember was after I'd become accustomed to my dad's deployments.
Jed (Warpup24): Yeah, the flare up between Aslan and its neighbors.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Yeah. Though, suddenly everyone looking for a bit of attention is interested in this little country on the other side of the world. We talked about it in my history class. A couple charities set up booths in the quad and I understand Erusea doesn't have many powerful friends. Otherwise there seems to be general indifference. It's just another thing on the news. For anyone who doesn't have someone close in the military. Sorry if that sounds cynical.
Jed (Warpup24): The people I care about care, and that's all I care about.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Honestly what bothers me is seeing people here showing their support for Erusea. There are these pillar-type things by the art center cafe where people put up flyers. Apparently some people on campus are staging a "protest for morality" in support of Erusea.
Jed (Warpup24): Seriously? What the hell.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Yeah, Macross Wing's been swamped by people practically worshiping the Erusean princess. All this talk about how hot she is, how she's wife material, etc etc.
Jed (Warpup24): Yeeeah take it from a guy who likes older women; the, uh, whole princess of Erusea part? Kind of a fuckin turnoff, especially when her guys are constantly trying to blow me outta the sky.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): I have a few theories. Most of them revolve around how physically attractive she is. Probably some repressed stuff, too. Fantasies over how docile and subservient she would be. Might use it for my next major paper. The joys of studying to become a psychiatrist :^)
Jed (Warpup24): Nothin a JDAM or Paveway wouldn't end. I can already hear the cries as they clutch their 400-dollar body pillows.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Pffft, okay I chuckled at that.
Jed (Warpup24): ( ⌐■ヮ■)
Jed (Warpup24): Oh yeah, how's Nina? I messaged her a few days ago but haven't heard back.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): She's slowly regaining life after her last midterms. I'll go poke her with a digital stick. Wanna play some Fighting Gauken? I'd suggest Macross but again, princess fanboys.
Jed (Warpup24): That or Burnout…maybe both if I have time. Or do you have time?
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): I've got time if you got time. Also, they finally added Miss Iwasaki to the roster. ;P
Jed (Warpup24): Haha nice…though, I've actually met someone recently.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Oh shit! Seriously? Who is she? That'll get Nina responding almost immediately!
Jed (Warpup24): Whoa whoa slow it down, man. Keep this between us for now. You're the only one who knows right now. It's a bit of a complex situation.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): I promise. Do you have a picture?
Jed (Warpup24): Yeah, she's uh…she's my wingwoman. On exchange duty from the Lenish Royal Navy.
He sent the picture of them celebrating making ace.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): Yeah, she looks like a girl you'd like. Dark skin, long hair, probably kicks ass if she's a fighter pilot like you. Only thing missing is her being older than you.
Jed (Warpup24): She uh…she is. She's around 30.
Hideki (HadoukenStyle): I like the sound of this. Gotta let me and Grace meet her.
Jed (Warpup24): Promise, but for now I wanna see the new skins they released for Chris and Maki…and Miss Iwasaki.
He glanced at the image again to ignore whatever shit Hideki would give him. Jed noted that he probably needed to get a better picture at some point as well. Something more fitting of a couple.