Chp. 26: Round One

November 5, 2049

New Rovennti Air Base

Major Corluka, Operations Officer of the 87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, adjusted the map to show the approach the evening's mission would use. The target: ships bringing in heavy equipment for the Osean Army.

"So far, the Osean 12th Infantry Division has managed to fully deploy one of their brigades, as well as their aviation element. Our mission will be to conduct a low-level attack against these four cargo ships and the docks they're in. Two flights of R-103s will follow up with an attack on staging areas and barracks further inland. Sotoan Su-30s will prepare the area by attacking Chakari missile sites at the highlighted locations. Be alert for shoulder-launched missiles and anti-aircraft guns around the harbor's perimeter." He explained.

Luukas traced an approach in his mind. Regardless of how effective the Sotoan attack on enemy defenses was, he kept the nearest NASAMs battery in mind as he plotted his approach. On a hill just north of Port Jubilee there was believed to be an Osean MIM-105 battery as well. That was expected to be the primary target of the defense suppression aircraft. His KRMs would be plenty against cargo ships. They'd come around to the right and make a run for the nearest patrol of Nosferatus from their sister squadron, the 171st FIS.

"A Quox reconnaissance drone will orbit the harbor at high altitude to search for additional targets of opportunity. With much of the Chakarian Navy out of action, these will most likely take the form of support facilities for the docks. We estimate it will take about seven to ten minutes for enemy reinforcements to arrive. In order to prevent them from cutting off our escape…"

As the man paused to change the scale of the map, an alarm began to blare. The pilots immediately recognized it as a scramble alert and leapt from their chairs. They were practically tripping over each other to get outside. By the time Luukas was in the open, his gear felt like it weighed nothing. He saw smoke trails in the distance as M10s lifted off to intercept the incoming attack. The fighters on alert were already taxiing from their shelters as he passed the alert shack. He ran in through the front doors of his plane's shelter, with Jesic there to meet him at the boarding ladder.

"You've got two AP-11s and your cannon. We loaded the SOPs in the center bay, and you've got a full load of fuel." the sergeant reported.

"No time to unload the bombs; I'll make do." Luukas replied as he donned his helmet.

He also noted the three-point mounts for his KRMs had been attached, but the missiles were still on their carts. One of the ordnance crew went to take one off, but Luukas shouted at him to leave it. He'd eject them once airborne and they could always be recovered or replaced. He strapped in and started the jet, working purely on the dozens of times he'd practiced scrambling. The control tower was directing all available jets effortlessly, coordinating the sudden surge in traffic as a second salvo of M10s launched off. As he left the shelter, Luukas saw a blue beam reach into the sky and blot something from it. More of the base's close-in defenses cast their lights towards the clouds, but it wasn't enough to stop a fireball from erupting near the edge of the base.

"Talos 4 this is Rovennti ATC, takeoff in pairs from Runway 1-W after Talos 3. Move right, altitude restrictions canceled, standby to receive datalink of nearest threats." The Tower instructed through increasing levels of jamming.

"Copy!" Luukas barked.

Further exchanges between the defenses and whatever was being fired at them resulted in a few more explosions. Luukas became less concerned with them as he swung onto the runway with Krill and immediately went into afterburner. He selected the two missiles in his side bays just before he lifted off and left his bomb mounts behind when he was over an open field. Krill stayed close as the two nosed up and went into a straight climb. Almost immediately, he was being tracked by enemy fighters from long range. The signal was weak due to counter-ECM, but it was there.

"All aircraft, all aircraft this is Rovennti ATC. We just lost our primary radar. Switch to Channel 9 to contact the nearest AEW. Repeat, Channel 9." The Tower announced.

Luukas switched frequencies and fell in next to Heinonen and Riku as they turned towards the southern coast of Sotoa. Two Strike Wyverns and the Nosferatus on alert had detected and were preparing to engage four F-24 Hellcat IIs. The Osean Navy's frontline fighter, Luukas mused, and one of the platforms he hadn't properly faced until now.

"Talos 3 and Talos 4, Krotos 2 and Perun 1 will engage enemy fighters from long range. Close with them and box them in." One of the lead pilots instructed.

"Understood. Talos 4, head right and attack from the West. We'll stagger our attack from the East to keep the airspace clear." The Major replied.

Luukas banked right and ordered his second pair, Yak and Faye, to break off. Krill loosened up his position as they nosed up again and made a dash for some clouds. The F-24s split into pairs and began to maneuver back and forth against the Wyverns and Nosferatus they were aware of.

"All aircraft in the vicinity of New Rovennti, this is Vulpes. Be advised that we have additional hostile contacts approaching. Heading 270 Degrees, 177 Kilometers away at Altitude 7600."

"Peruns 2 and 3 will handle new bandits, Vulpes." Another new, vaguely familiar voice replied.

Luukas and Krill leveled out above the clouds and stayed there as they closed the gap on the Oseans. He checked back several times, then hailed his flight's second half.

"Talos 4-03 and 4-04, turn to Heading 270 Degrees and keep track of that second flight of enemy aircraft. Make sure they don't realize where we are."

"On it, Lynx!" Faye assured with vigor.

Luukas used his ECM to track where the F-24s were going after they launched their long-range missiles. Naturally, his attention centered on the two closest contacts. He selected his IRST and delicately slowed his aircraft so the hapless F-24s would move out into the perfect firing position. He settled on an approach from eight o'clock and increased speed again. His AI informed him that the signal on the left was moving, and its radar sweep was closing. Luukas cursed the Osean and ordered Krill to bank right with him. The other F-24 had gone the same direction as the volley of Erusean missiles closed. Others were trying to get confirmation of who was down and who was still up, but it became background noise to him.

"Talos 4-02, break and evade. Go for the leader; I'll take his wingman." Luukas finally decided.

"Copy." Krill replied, just as frustrated.

Luukas reversed to the left and ascended, what little good it would do. The F-24 inevitably completed its turn, and he knew he would be spotted in a few seconds. He pushed the throttles all the way forward and committed to the attack…

"Skull 1-5's been hit…controls still responsive for now. Lead, I'm bugging out to the southwest." Bounce reported.

"Copy that 1-5, take Skull 1-6 with you; we can manage." Showry advised.

Jed looked to the east and saw a thin trail of black smoke cutting through the sky. He looked to Showry, his lead, and keyed his radio.

"Skull 1-1, Skull 1-2 requesting permission to separate and clear our tail." He asked.

"Granted Bronco." Showry allowed. Just as Jed yanked his fighter to the right and slowed, Annie's voice came on the net.

"Bandits behind us! Bandits at Three and Four's eight high approaching fast."

Jed felt a tug inside him, but kept his mind focused on their piece of sky. Bounce and his wingman, squadron LSO Slothy, passed by below as Jed spotted two more bandits at the same altitude as he was.

"Second pair of bandits at One and Two's eight. Same altitude, Showtime." He reported as he waited for his radar to acquire one of them.

Suddenly everything seemed to fall apart as the remaining Eruseans that'd once been to the front of them were going for a second salvo. Jed imagined they'd close into heatseeker range soon after. He switched between chaff and flares several times to buy some breathing room. The CFAs didn't try to pursue a lock against him, though. Jed didn't stop to ask why and instead fired his two AMRAAMs.

"Skull 210, Fox 3 Fox 3."

Jed nosed up and pushed his throttles up, rolling left and then snaking downwards. He passed above and behind Bounce and Slothy as they kept moving towards the coast, then switched to his two remaining Marlins. He broke hard right and again used auto-acquisition to pick a target. The Strike Wyverns closing in on him turned away and ascended, so he relocated his lead and moved towards him. He went right a little more and found that one of the bandits was peeling away. He decided it was the one he'd targeted and called it good. The Ops O turned towards him when he came back to the left and the two passed one-another to clear their tails.

"Curry, Tsun-Tsun, close it up! Skulls 1-7 and 1-8, what's your status?" Showry ordered.

"Moving towards the bandits 1-3 and 1-4 spotted, Lead." Glue reported.

"Appreciate the help, Glue…break, Lead, we're getting boxed in and are unable to move towards you." Yuki replied, obviously a bit busy.

"We'll come to you, then. Tremor, this is Skull Lead, need confirmation on number of bandits."

Easier said than done Jed thought while AWACS counted off nineteen enemy aircraft. Still, he made a run at the nearest bandit (now identified as a CFA-44) behind them, then wedged himself between them and his lead. He stayed in level flight for a millisecond, then turned back towards it as Showry went for the Strike Wyverns. They were close enough to Yuki and Annie to help, and Glue and Brick were moving in as fast as they could. Even with more CFAs keeping them boxed in from afar and trying to stop the Lightnings from smashing their home's defenses. Jed weaved back and forth again to keep all three enemy aircraft in his radar's reach. The closest CFA, "his" CFA, started increasing speed. He reached the minimum recommended distance for the AIM-152 and went to his Sidewinders.

"Curry, Tsun-Tsun yah still with us?" He asked as he committed to his fight.

"Engaged neutral with two bandits." Annie managed. Be there soon, Darling, but my hands are a bit full, she added in thought.

"Copy, moving yer way as fast as we can."

Jed shared the same thought as his fellow aviator, but the Erusean kept his thoughts short. The CFA fired a missile at him and turned away. As Jed broke right and deployed flares, the CFA turned back into him again. Jed reversed and nosed up as the AP-11 reached its top speed. He broke left when the missile changed course and dove as fast as he could. The missile exploded outside lethal range. Jed throttled back and went straight for the CFA. The Nosferatu tried to keep turning into him, but Jed managed to put his F-24 just out of reach. He hit the gas again and rose up into a reverse split-s. The CFA spiraled upwards to meet him, so Jed rolled inverted and made another pass at his opponent. He gained some energy and space back from that and pulled into the CFA's next attack. The Erusean turned into him and just barely crossed over. He came back as Jed went after him and started towards Yuki and Annie's fight. In the meantime, Showry was busy keeping one of the remaining Strike Wyverns from getting too close.

"Skull this is Riffer Lead, we're inbound to assist. If you can get any separated from the furball it'd help us engage sooner." A fresh voice announced.

"Copy that, Riffer! Got two bandits for you so standby." Showtime radioed.

Skull 1-1 extended from the main fight and two fresh CFAs moved to join the furball. Glue and Brick pulled away to engage while Jed moved to cut off his opponent. He went into afterburner for a split second to gain some lead, then yanked the throttles back. He had his gaze fixed on the enemy aircraft the minute it was in his Sidewinders' reach. Naturally, the Nosferatu deployed flares to counter and broke hard right, now heading towards Showtime. Jed adjusted himself accordingly to stay on the enemy aircraft. He even considered switching to his gun with how close they were getting. He went to the outside and forced the CFA back to the left. At least, that's what the initial appearance of things suggested. Instead the CFA was trying to make a move against Annie and Yuki again. Jed dumped more speed and went for a quick lock-on against the Erusean.

"Curry, Tsun-Tsun heads up! Traffic's getting real tight around here." He radioed.

"I see ya, Bronco." Yuki promised.

Jed kept his eyes on the CFA as he placed his trust in his fellow Daredevil. The symbols on his HMD lined up and he didn't waste a second more.

"Skull 210, Fox 2." He drawled.

He checked his surroundings as the CFA broke right. Another F-24 was above the two of them, locked in a turning fight with another Nosferatu. Jed went to the outside once more and readied a second shot. Just as he did, the Sidewinder detonated. The CFA lost part of its left wing, and Jed pressed the attack with his gun at the ready. Even as the Nosferatu fell earthwards, he brought his Hellcat behind it. He nosed up, then dove down again with just a few seconds to fire. He pulled the trigger and punched several holes in the left wing's root. The last few bullets struck the respective vertical stabilizer, breaking it in half. Jed pulled the stick back again, much harder this time, and let the CFA disintegrate beneath him. As he came out of the attack, he spotted Yuki and Annie in a two-wheel fight with the same number of Nosferatus.

"Skull Lead, what's yer position?" he asked, again reminding himself who he was the wingman for today.

"Engaged offensive alongside Riffer with those Strike Wyverns. Be advised you've got more bandits heading your way. Advise you stick close to Curry and Tsun-Tsun."

"Copy…Ah'll still try to stay close."

"Much appreciated, Bronco."

Jed checked his surroundings, then rolled right to track and engage those new bandits.

"Curry, Tsun-Tsun, Ah'm going for the new contacts. Be advised, Ah'm about Winchester on my Marlins." He reported.

"Copy Bronco, move towards us after you've-disregard, Bronco. Bandit turning your way, heads up." Annie started.

Jed looked over his shoulder and saw the CFA as it came out of a hard right. He broke left and dumped his speed before rolling back into the offending Erusean. The jet pulled him towards its friends, but then started to circle around south. Jed leapt at the chance to take the offensive, but found that the enemy jet was simply trying to get him to turn his back towards the other Nosferatus. Jed expected them to start tracking with AP-13s, but they simply kept him on their radar. Had they already fired off their long-range stuff? He asked himself. The closest enemy plane completed his turn and went north now. Jed saw Tsun-Tsun but he was out of position. Acting on instinct, he shoved the throttles forward and went right at the CFA, hoping to spook it off Annie. It worked, but not without bringing him real close to the other jet. Close enough to get a good look at his enemy…

Osean Navy aircraft always had very garish paint schemes, Luukas noted. As the F-24 passed by, he was given a full view of its livery. The glossy-black tails and skull were likely meant to evoke some kind of pirate theme. The sash near the cockpit just seemed excessive to him, though. He looked at the Osean, who wore a helmet the same color as a cherry, and felt like their gazes locked. It was the first time he'd gotten this close to his enemy, and he felt compelled to show how truly skilled a pilot he was. The old adage of looking your enemy in the eye. He immediately turned down and away from the F-24 to avoid a collision. Once he had some breathing room, he looked back at the Osean and reversed. The F-24 went back into a climb, then turned into him the moment Luukas was spotted. They fell into one of the most common kinds of duels: the rolling scissors. Each pilot traded momentum for position as they went at one another again and again.

Luukas played along for a few passes, then decided to take a serious gamble. He switched to his cannon and cut the throttles as the two jets were about to pass by one-another. He pulled the trigger as the F-24 zoomed by and saw a few sparks. Still, the Osean fighter pressed on. This time, it went into afterburner again. Luukas nosed down to regain the energy he'd lost, softly cursing himself over the mistake. Still, the two seemed to have separated from the fight and were now near the coastline. With no one else close by, He was able to get away with a slip-up this time. The redheaded pilot turned towards the Osean and went to full power as well. His opponent stayed far from him for now and put the F-24's raw power to use. Luukas eased out of afterburner and switched to his remaining AP-11.

"Talos 4-02, did you manage to catch that other bandit I was pursuing?" He asked.

"Negative 4-01. Enemy reinforcements have arrived." Krill snarled.

"All Talos aircraft, move in on the center of the fight as soon as possible. I want to box these Oseans in. Perun reports enemy attack aircraft are off target and heading for the coast." Heinonen ordered.

"Talos 3-01 be advised that 4-01 is currently engaged. It may be some time before I can close in."

"Copy, can you bring your opponent closer?"

"Standby."

Luukas reluctantly put the Major on hold as he waited for missile lock. The F-24 deployed surprisingly few flares. He looked about, anticipating a trap, as the F-24 suddenly cut across directly in front of him. Luukas was pushed to the outside of the turn and throttled back again, already bleeding what little momentum he'd built up. The F-24 kept ahead and nosed up to grab some sky, so Luukas pushed his throttles forward while the Osean was facing away from him. When the F-24 slowed and banked into him, he did the same and made a dash for the center of the fight once more…

The few shots the CFA had landed hadn't caused any serious damage, but they'd pissed Jed off. He'd managed to get the Erusean to bleed off a good deal of energy. Now, as the CFA was struggling to regain it, he snapped left into the bandit and let his Sidewinder jump on the opportunity. The second he heard a tone, he fired.

"Skull 210, Fox 2." He announced.

The missile separated clean and took up the chase, leaving Jed to rely on his gun. He swung around to follow up and saw the CFA in a near-vertical dive, pumping out every flare and chaff canister it had on it. He came in too fast and had to break off. Jed went wings level and into the vertical. As he reached the apex of his climb, he rolled over into a full loop. And found the CFA was nosing up, still dogged by a missile as it was trying to ignore all the countermeasures. All the while the Nosferatu had slowly been gaining energy by the second. Jed pulled back on the stick to try and get lead, but it bled speed too fast. So instead, he had to go up and down like he was riding waves. He looked at his fuel and grimaced; the ever-present limit to how long he could fight. He'd been expecting it, but the CFA ducked the missile.

Jed tried to get lead again now that he was closer, but once again the move had too high a cost to maintain for even a short burst. The CFA, like it was taunting him, broke from its dive and hit the afterburners. Jed started after him, seeing he was heading back towards New Rovennti. He switched to his Marlins, but then decided against it. Instead he turned towards the rest of the fight again, watching as the CFA made a lazy left. Jed let out a frustrated sigh and kept up his speed to reach his friends. He kept his jinking fairly unimaginative, as if to tell the CFA to get it over. Come on, throw the sucker punch asshole He thought. After a second, he switched to his gun and started drawing the CFA closer by widdeding his turns.

"Heads up, Skull 1-2 is coming in neutral with a single bandit." He lied. This guy is mine, dammit!

The Erusean chose that second to lob a missile at him. Jed let off a few flares, then used his built-up energy to throw the F-24 about the sky. He went left and down, then started coming around for another gun-run at the CFA. The single AP-11 went with his first move, then his second, and slipped up by the third wild maneuver. The Erusean turned into him, and Jed took it one step further. He went head-to-head with the enemy jet and pulled the trigger the second he was in range for his gun. As a precaution, he nosed up for a second to make sure gravity had no chance before the 25mm rounds reached the target. The second he saw a muzzle flash from the CFA, he broke off his attack. Something inside him brewed up a warlike yell as he passed the Erusean. He heard two thumps against his plane, then snaked left around the bandit. He looked back and saw it trailing a few lines of grayish smoke. His plane's diagnostics told him he'd been hit near the right intake. His engines were still okay for now. Jed looked back at the CFA as it slipped behind some clouds. As he came left, he ended up above the center of the furball. He circled, feeling more like a spectator than anything else. He spotted Showtime's Hellcat thanks to the shark's mouth on it and dove to rejoin him…

Luukas looked at the ugly line stitched into the left side of the fuselage every few seconds. Especially the near-miss of his canopy. The plastic was holding for now, but he wasn't risking his plane. He floated down until he was under 3000 meters and leveled out. New Rovennti was visible in the distance, marked by the smoke from the attack. He turned on his radar and saw that the airspace was clear directly above it. None of the friendly radars on the ground were transmitting, though.

"Talos 4-01, what's your position?" Heinonen inquired.

"Below and away from the fight, Talos 3-01. Aircraft has been damaged, am empty on daggers." He replied.

"How bad is it?"

"Canopy integrity has been threatened."

"Okay, check with Rovennti and get back on the ground as soon as you can. Stay below 3000 when possible."

"Understood, 3-01. Get the bastard who insulted me if you can."

"Copy. Good luck, Lynx."

Luukas checked his surroundings one last time, then adjusted the radio's frequency.

"Rovennti ATC this is Talos 4-01. My aircraft is damaged and I need a place to land. Are any of the runways intact?"

"Negative, Talos…be advised we're setting up one of the auxiliary strips. Reference your charts and head for Strip 7-410." A voice replied.

"Understood, do you have a channel for the strip's ATC?"

"Standby."

Luukas pulled his maps from their pocket and adjusted his GPS. His finger ran along Highway 7 until it hit Kilometer Marker 410. Without someone to guide him into a landing pattern, it would be tricky. If he got creative, he might be able to contact the Sotoan policemen who would (should) be clearing a stretch long enough for a fighter. He turned to the northeast and already he was reflecting on the last encounter. That paint scheme, gaudy as it was, had stuck with him. So had the gaze of the enemy pilot. Luukas reckoned the way he'd fought, he had to be pretty good. If luck smiled upon him, he could face that pilot again on more even terms.