Chp. 27: None Above Us, All Below Us
November 5, 2049
OFS Icarus (CVN-62)
Mark had made it very clear to his son that death had always been part of the equation in naval aviation. Numerous times, too, often with examples of what he'd seen firsthand. Jed had been told so many times about just how dangerous it was, and it had all melted together into a single lecture. He could hear it in his head as the HH-62 landed and only the crew got out. It seemed like a dark cloud had formed over the heads of the pilots gathered there. Especially Becky and Glue, who'd been good friends of the two Dardevils unaccounted for. Jed had never been as close to Bounce or Sloth as others, but they were squadron mates. Above all the little groups that formed in a unit was the overarching camaraderie. Bounce had, among other things, been the go-to guy to organize a good party while on liberty. Even a body bag or stretcher covered by a tarp would've been better than nothing. It brought up the possibility of a fate that was worse than death: Missing in action…
Whatever history would say about the Osean raid on New Rovennti, Luukas would call it a failure. They hadn't managed to stop the raid the 87th had been planning, and in fact had allowed the squadron to time the attack with the next wave of transport planes. They became Talos 4's new target. He and his flight raced past part of the escort as it chased two F-72s northwards, bound for the target-rich environment around the harbor.
"Talos and Mithril, this is Kataar, be advised there are two Defender batteries in the vicinity. We've suppressed the known one, and the second is placed just south of the port." The leading Sotoan pilot reported.
Luukas checked with his AI, which told him there were still five transmitting radars. The Sotoan SEAD flight was still pushing the attack, though. He had to nod his head to them for their determination. The most prevalent threats would be around the airport, where two short-range search radars were based. He selected them and shared them with his flight. He also targeted two of his KRMs to engage them should the opportunity arise.
"Kataar 01 this is Talos 4-01, we can take the short-range radars at the airport. Concentrate on the other Defender battery and the harbor's defenses." He requested.
"We appreciate the help, Talos 4." The same voice replied.
Luukas assigned a radar to each pair and dispensed with his wing tanks. He and Krill dropped down below 2400 Meters and increased throttles. They moved to the north as the enemy's radars noted their intermittent returns. Riku and Yak made a straight run at the sources, then broke left, then turned back towards them. Luukas and Krill did the same after a second, hopping back and forth between the approaches they'd planned. The radars would lose track of them, then start all over when they showed their side again. Luukas noticed the airborne radar source deeper inland. He also noted a weather radar moving about and squinted in the direction of the airport. He activated his EOTS and locked it onto the signal. Bafflingly, there was a C-17D transport plane on one of the runways.
"All aircraft in the vicinity of the airport be advised, at least one enemy transport is attempting to get airborne. Be aware of your surroundings." He warned.
Luukas and Krill stayed on course regardless, while their second half went further to the right. Talos 4-01 selected two AN/MPQ-81 radars and a pair of C-17s at a nearby terminal. Both of the short-range radars spotted him as he deployed countermeasures. It only took a few seconds for the AI to sort out which missiles would target what. Luukas pushed the launch button as soon as he was prompted.
"Talos 2-01, Moles away." Luukas reported.
Krill fired in unison and the eight KRMs fell away almost perfectly. The two jets nosed up, one after the other, and made a high bank to the right. Luukas looked back as the C-17 took off and immediately banked to the left. He saw thin trails racing up towards him and ordered Krill to break left. He went right and kept climbing as several FIM-93 missiles chased after the CFAs. He reluctantly nosed over as one of the missiles remained in pursuit and saw the transport plane below, deploying what seemed like an endless stream of flares. I've had enough of near-collisions after yesterday, thank you he thought. He aimed for the sky behind the larger plane, and when it was behind him, reversed to the left and nosed up again. The missile reached its maximum altitude, then fell away. Luukas circled quickly, then spotted his wingman turning for the coast.
"Talos 4-02, I have visual on your aircraft. I'm rejoining from your five o'clock high." He announced.
"Roger that, 4-01. Still in one piece, I assume?" Krill replied.
"To my knowledge."
Luukas eased the throttles into the midrange area and practically floated down to the other jet. The two came around towards the airport to use their GPS-guided bombs. This time they stayed well above 2400 Meters, too. Luukas had preprogrammed his SOP-12s to drop on the control tower, and Krill would attack a pair of C-6 Atlases nearby. He saw the thin, green beam of an energy weapon cut through the sky, and considered a third run to destroy it. He didn't have enough time to make a decision when he reached the outer range of his bombs. Krill was the first to get his off.
"Talos 4-02, bombs away."
"Talos 4-01, bombs away." Luukas echoed.
The center bay doors hadn't even closed when his RWR alerted him to an airborne source. He broke towards it and switched to the AP-13s in the back half of his center bay. He instantly recognized it as the radar of an F-28.
"Talos 4-01 to flight, be advised that my RWR has picked up at least one hostile radar. Airborne, and it appears to be an Enforcer at 117 Degrees. There are likely more; be alert." He reported.
"Understood Talos, Artemis has a fix on the bandit. Kavach Flight, engage bandits at 117 Degrees. Bandits are at least two in number, distance is 180 Kilometers, Altitude is 2400." The mission's AEW replied.
Luukas ejected his empty missile racks and began maneuvering to try and break the F-28's tracking. Krill made a run straight for the radar source to bait it, then snapped away and came back. Luukas found himself behind his wingman as they closed up again and tried to get a shot off before the Osean did. He caught one of the F-28s at just the right angle that he had a lock. It lasted maybe a second or two, so he tried to find that angle again.
"Talos 4-01 this is Talos 3-01, we're coming in at an approach opposite you. Try to keep them boxed until Kavach can engage." Heinonen radioed.
"Understood Talos 3-01…Kavach, what's your status?" Luukas replied.
"Additional enemy aircraft approaching from 070 Degrees, heading straight for Mithril. We're attempting to force a wedge between them and the attack flights." Kavach's lead replied.
Luukas was privately fine with that; Talos was plenty able to handle the incoming enemy aircraft. As they drew even closer without any shots fired, Luukas made a wide hook towards the source of the radar. Something he'd figured out studying the vaunted Enforcer. It gave his systems a better look, and a targeting box appeared. A second radar turned on to his left, just outside the VR-004's sweep.
"Krill, try and attack him from the left or right!" He snapped.
"On him, Lynx!" His friend replied.
The other CFA raced behind him and made another dash head-on. A few seconds later, he locked onto the first Enforcer and pressed the launch button.
"Talos 4-01, Arrow away." He declared.
Luukas broke right, then again snaked back and forth to try and find where he'd be facing the F-28 from the side. He squinted his eyes to try and find the enemy aircraft as they entered dogfight range. He saw his missile and tried to estimate its path, assuming it was still tracking the F-28. When it proved fruitless, he looked to the left to make sure he and Krill were keeping relatively close to one-another. He also spotted Heinonen, his wingman Faye, and part of Kavach Flight. Or, what he initially thought was them. One of the aircraft broke towards the Eruseans, and revealed itself to instead be an EF-2000.
"Talos 4-01 has spotted additional bandits entering the fight. Talos 3-01, are you able to handle that Enforcer on your own?" He reported.
"Copy that, Talos 4-01."
Luukas broke from his pursuit of the F-28 and went to the right of Krill, who had blocked the other F-28 from going after his lead. The remainder of Talos was hurrying to catch up and help tip the numbers game. Luukas wouldn't be around for long, but he hoped that they could shoot down one of the Enforcers. The squadron's honor demanded it. He selected one of the Typhoons as he reversed to the right and went for a quick lock. He switched to his AP-11s as the jet maneuvered against that. The Typhoon ende up head-to-head with him, and he took that chance to fire one of his heat-seeking missiles.
"Talos 4-01, Dagger away!"
Luukas broke left, towards the last known position of "Krill's" F-28, and deployed flares. He leveled out when Krill fired both his AP-13s, then turned back to the EF-2000. It'd broken away from the attack and ended up below and behind him. Still, it was out of position against the Nosferatu. Luukas used his momentum to curry into a tight roll and nosed down. His vision blurred, then went back to normal as his ears were filled with his own grunts and groans. He forced his eyes towards the Typhoon and took in a deep breath as respite from gravity came. He spotted the enemy aircraft as it was slowing to tighten its turn. Luukas banked into the attack gently and eased the throttles forward to regain energy and stay out of reach. The Chakarian aircraft fired an ASRAAM, but Luukas slipped out of its field of view just as it cleared the rail. It went outside his turn and failed to adjust properly.
Luukas looked back and saw the Typhoon follow the missile's path. He looked elsewhere and saw the F-28 closing in. He pulled back on the control stick and banked towards the greater threat, trailing flares to distract the lesser one. The F-28 nosed up to intercept, but Luukas spotted another CFA emerge from behind a cloud.
"Talos 3-01, Daggers away." Heinonen radioed.
Both of his AP-11s were ejected from their bays and sent flying towards the Osean jet. Luukas stayed committed to his turn and throttled back to reduce his heat signature. He saw the F-28 break left and turn hard, but to his relief the AP-11s stayed with it. The F-28 broke right, towards the approaching Typhoon, but the first AP-11 cut it off. The F-28's right rear quarter was blown apart.
"Talos 3-01 shot down an F-28. Repeat, Talos 3-01 has shot down an enemy F-28! Excellent shot, Harpy!" Luukas called as he was turning around to face the Typhoon once again.
There were a few enthusiastic calls over the airwaves, but Luukas didn't join them as the Typhoon fired its other ASRAAM at the Erusean jet. He stayed in his turn and cut across the Typhoon's path, trailing a few flares. Before the Typhoon could react, he reversed, went nose up and into a barrel roll. He used that to pounce on the Chakarian fighter as it ducked to its left. The ASRAAM nosed up and barely missed, but Luukas was content to have used his one risky move for the day. He hurried away from the nearby explosion and came down below the Typhoon. He switched to his cannon and nosed up as the Typhoon began to maneuver in an effort to spot him. He rose up as the Typhoon was going right and down, and then fired. Bullets fell in front of the Typhoon, then hit it across the top of the fuselage. Luukas broke left when he passed by and watched the Typhoon dive towards the ground. It never turned around to reengage him. Luukas turned towards Krill's last position and spotted his wingman in a turning fight with the remaining F-28.
"Krill, I am unengaged and able to help. What do you need me to do?" He radioed.
"Help me box this F-28 in." His wingman grunted.
Luukas turned towards the two and adjusted his speed so he'd catch the F-28 close to him. As it came around, it most definitely saw him. Luukas turned to make a head-on gun run, and Krill slowed to latch onto the F-28's tail. Luukas broke to the left and gave his comrade a clear sky. Krill fired his cannon as the Enforcer nosed up and Luukas snapped back into the fight to keep the pressure on. They replayed the lessons of hours spent in the simulator and running AI studies. Keep the pressure on, stay close and deny the Enforcer its greatest advantages. Up close, it couldn't ambush them or pick them off. The two Eruseans were like starved dogs chasing after a rabbit.
Luukas banked towards the F-28 and fired his cannon again. He stayed on that course to bait the Osean into chasing him. When he didn't swallow the bait, Luukas engaged again. Then his RWR informed him of radar sources at long range. They were the same as the Enforcers, and when he turned towards the contact, he picked up faint returns from other aircraft, likely F-35s.
"Krill, more bandits incoming. I'll keep you covered, so either finish him or find a clear way out." Luukas ordered.
Heinonen and Faye committed to the fight and went for the long-range contacts. Luukas took the chance to get back to supporting Krill, who was once again in a turn with the F-28. Luukas went to the outside of the fight and started trying to track the Osean. The Enforcer broke to foil the attempt, allowing Krill to perform a high yo-yo with the momentum he'd built up. He made a final pass against the F-28. He emptied his gun in frustration, and saw holes appear in the enemy jet's left tailfin. As he went by, he also saw impacts near the engine area. The Erusean cursed himself for acting out, but kept his thoughts to himself. He turned away from the Enforcer and started plotting how to get to the coast. The F-28 subsequently turned towards the new contacts and limped off.
"Talos this is Kavach 01, head west towards the coast. We'll cover you; be aware of friendly reinforcements from the north." The lead Sotoan pilot radioed.
"Understood, Kavach. Talos 4-01 and 4-02, fall in with me and 3-02." Heinonen replied.
"Yes sir." The two men agreed.
Luukas found his wingman and the two raced to the coast, trailing the few countermeasures they had left. An ER-211 off the coast moved in to help shroud their escape as the enemy came to clean up the mess that'd been made. The MiG-44s from Kavach Flight went directly south, with those furthest inland constantly turning towards and away from the enemy reinforcements. The rest of Talos had gathered well to the northwest to find a tanker aircraft, but would be waiting for their friends to arrive.
"Did you manage to shoot down that other Enforcer, Krill?" Heinonen asked as they fell behind Kavach's protective screen.
"I bruised his pride enough." Krill assured…
Sharky watched as the groundcrew hurried away from the F-72 and his usual handler rolled forward. The level of chaos outside poked at his sensibilities; the way everything seemed to be happening at once was just one screw up away from a disaster. Rana was being changed from an air base to a firebase before his eyes as the Sotoans approached. Their stablemates in No. 3 Squadron had already gone, now replaced by the Lenish Army Air Corps. The plane handler guided him towards the north end of the tarmac, then hurried off to the nearest shelter. Santosh and Abhay fell in behind them while Natour led the way with Catfish and Clank as his number two. They reached the edge of the taxiway where combat engineers were trying to build defensive positions. Sharky started to grumble about how bad an idea that was when the sound of a siren echoed across the base. Incoming artillery, the pilot realized.
"All Wolf aircraft this is Rana ATC; Avalon 6 has detected incoming rockets. Return to your shelters or leave your planes. Take cover immediately!" The radio warned.
"ATC, we need to get our aircraft airborne now!" Natour insisted.
"Artillery fire is coming in heavy, Wolf Lead! They wouldn't make it!"
"We're too far from the shelters to make it, ATC. Wolf Lead, suggest we get airborne now." Sharky interjected.
"Rana ATC, is the runway pattern clear?" Natour asked.
"It's clear…okay, get airborne. Scramble procedures, repeat, scramble procedures. We'll get the other aircraft up when we have more information on the incoming fire."
Wolves 1-1 and 1-2 swung onto the runway as fast as they could. Sharky reluctantly stopped and saw the launch of several CAMMs (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) from the edge of the base. He squinted his eyes and tried to locate any of the incoming rockets, following some of the missile trails before they grew too thin. He looked over as the first two Sabertooths were speeding down the runway in full afterburner. As soon as they had enough room, Sharky was leading his wingman onto the runway.
"Okay Sandy, there's no other way to do this than fast. Keep the throttles pinned, nose straight." He radioed.
"So nothing new." Santosh replied very casually. I love that this kid can be an ice cube Sharky thought.
The lead pair of jets left the ground as the first salvo of rockets struck. Shark felt his body tense up as one landed too close to the runway for his comfort. He looked at Santosh and the two jets lurched forward as the impacts seemed to center on the tarmacs. Sharky practiced what he'd preached to Santosh and stayed steady, jumping to 200 miles per hour in the blink of an eye. The next salvo landed one rocket just off his two o'clock He heard impacts along the spine of his jet.
"Shamu, take a look at that!" He ordered.
The system remained okay until another impact occurred. Sharky was lifting off as he became aware of foreign objects in the left engine. He called out to Santosh and Shamu, the former giving him some room to work out the issue. Sharky kept ascending, getting up high enough until he felt comfortable. He shut down the engine and the flight systems automatically adjusted (in an attempt to) to keep the plane in controlled flight. The flaps shifted to their positions for flight, giving him much-needed leeway.
"Come on Levy Junior, come on. Make Levy Senior proud." Shamu coaxed under his breath.
The controls fought with Sharky a bit, but the redundant systems eventually helped place the F-72 in a stable plane of travel. It wasn't as fast with one engine, but it wasn't plummeting to earth. Sharky delicately retracted the landing gear and stayed relatively low. Santosh stayed high and behind, circling every few minutes when they were far enough away from the air base. Mercifully, the RWR was remaining quiet this time.