"So… why exactly is all of this necessary, sir?" Avery asked as she stood on the tarmac, watching a C/T-17 spool up its engines.
General Caine looked away from the plane to meet her gaze. "I assure you, it's quite necessary. In these trying times, we need to send a strong message to these rebel dogs that in the face of all that they have done to us, the Federation won't abandon its principles- its traditions." He explained. "All of the pomp and circumstance may seem overboard, but it will pay off in the long run."
As things began to get loaded in up the ramp of the transport plane, Avery looked around and froze when she saw ASH hiding around the corner of Locksmith Squadron's hangar, beckoning Avery over. Glancing around to make sure nobody was watching, she quietly slipped away and followed ASH out of sight.
"Y'know we're taking an awfully big risk here," Avery said, looking down at ASH as they crammed themselves between the narrow gap of two hangars. "Wouldn't wanna get reprimanded before I'm even officially a Peacekeeper."
"You worry too much," ASH said in a hushed voice, smiling as she looked up at her. "Besides, if they're not gonna let me come with you to this grand "Induction Ceremony" they're so uppity about, the least I could do is say goodbye." She paused, sighing longingly. "I'm gonna miss you, though."
Avery chuckled. "I'm only gonna be gone a day, y'know."
"Exactly! That's a whole day I won't be able to see you. What am I supposed to do when you're gone?"
"Bully Pad?" Avery suggested with a shrug. "That's always fun."
ASH let out a heavy sigh. "I guess… But I'm still gonna miss you."
"Then I guess I'll just have to hurry back," Avery replied, smiling as she leaned down.
The pilots' lips met halfway. In each other's embrace they stood, content in spite of the situation surrounding them. Avery truly wished that she didn't have to go. Every moment she spent away from ASH was spent waiting to see her again. Yet, this was still something she had to do. She pulled away slowly, her hand caressing ASH's cheek.
"You know what? I just realized something." ASH spoke softly but deliberately as her hands rested on Avery's shoulders. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen you in your dress blues before. Personally, I think they make you look about five times more attractive."
Avery smiled before looking over her shoulder toward the tarmac. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to get a good look at them later, but I really should be going."
"Fine, fine, go on," ASH said with a reluctant sigh. "Enjoy yourself, though. It'll only happen once. Just… don't enjoy yourself too much," she said with a wink before shoving Avery out. "Now go on!"
Avery gave her one last look before returning to the C/T-17 on the tarmac. Luckily, nobody seemed to notice her absence, so she had no trouble returning to the group. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the two SK.37s of Crimson 1 and 5 taxying out of the hangar, ready to escort the transport to its destination: the Federation Core.
Slowly but surely, everyone began to make their way into the plane. Avery sat near the ramp, watching as everyone piled in. Along with herself and General Caine, there were four others- the pilots chosen to fill the other slots of Crimson Squadron. She didn't recognize a single one of them. It was disappointing, but she would at least get to know them soon enough. Suddenly, the ramp closed, and the C/T-17 began to move. Before long, they were in the air. It was time.
"Alright, everyone," General Caine announced once the plane reached a steady altitude. "The plan is as follows: we'll meet up with a tanker aircraft to give us the fuel we need to head straight to the Core. Once we're there, we'll meet up with Crimson 7, and then head straight for the Induction Ceremony."
"Why wouldn't we just use Sawaiiki as a stepping stone?" One of the other pilots asked. "Seems unnecessary to get a tanker aircraft all the way out here for just one transport."
"Because as of a few days ago, Sawaiiki and its port- along with Task Force One docked there- has been raided by mercenary forces," General Caine. "Until we can resolve the issue, Sawaiiki is keeping any Federation Military personnel away."
"Shit, I guess we've really got our work cut out for us," one of the other pilots muttered under their breath.
"Sure as hell explains why they were so quick to pick us as replacements," another agreed.
Avery said nothing. She had her head leaned against the wall of the plane, watching everyone around her. Maybe it was just nervousness, but she was starting to feel a bit of regret. Perhaps she really was in over her head, but whether she was or not, it was too late to do anything about it now. All she could do was her best.
The flight was agonizingly long. And the worst part was that her new squadmates weren't exactly the best conversationalists. The most exciting part of the trip over was the stop to refuel, and that only lasted about five minutes. When Avery felt the plane jerk forward as its wheels touched the ground, she felt more relieved than she had ever been before. The boring part was finally over. Now came the Induction Ceremony.
General Caine stood at the end of the plane as the ramp lowered. "Before we all go, there is one issue that must still be addressed," he announced. "Those rank patches you're wearing are all wrong." He moved his hand out from behind his back, revealing five new rank patches. "As of this morning, each of you has been promoted to the rank of O-3. Wear it with pride."
Avery took the patch from him as she descended down the ramp. It wasn't until she took off her old patch and replaced it with the new one that it truly set in for her. Captain Finch. It rolled off the tongue so effortlessly, but more importantly, she had to say it over and over again in her mind to assure herself that this was actually real. She'd made it.
Crimson 1 and 5 dismounted from their planes, moving over to the group as they assembled on the tarmac. While they waited for Seven to arrive, Avery couldn't help but look around and take it all in- the Federation Core. A few months ago, she never would have imagined that she would make it this far, and yet here she was. The city almost didn't look real- its skyscrapers piercing up through the clouds and lightrails stretching as far as they eye could see.
"It's about time you all showed up," Seven remarked as she walked up to the group. "Been sitting here for days with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs."
"Yes, I heard you ran into some… trouble in Sawaiiki. Is-"
"Yeah, yeah, your precious little airframe is safe," Seven cut Caine off. "Icarus was downright ecstatic to get their grubby little mitts on it." She paused, looking over the group of Peacekeepers-to-be. "So, these are the ones you settled on, huh?"
"They are," Caine replied. "And we're on our way to the Induction Ceremony as we speak."
Seven dipped her head, stepping aside. "Then, by all means, lead the way." She watched group move past her, waiting for Avery to pass before falling in behind her. "And so, we meet again. I see you made the right choice."
"I'm hoping so," Avery admitted as they walked. "Truth be told, I'm a bit nervous."
"Everyone always is. Trust me," Seven assured her before leaning in. "Besides, between you and me, I think you're the only one out of this group that actually qualifies," she said in a voice barely a whisper. "Normally, Caine takes a good two weeks to decide on just one candidate. He rammed all five of you through in just a few days. If you ask me, he's letting his standards slip for the sake of honoring some bullshit customs."
Avery didn't reply as they soon found themselves walking into the large building that was their destination. She wasn't sure what to expect when she followed the others through those doors, but seeing an extravagant event hall with a stage was not what she was imagining. Dozens of tables lined with silk tablecloths and fancy silverware dotted the room, which itself was jam-packed with countless people- all wearing some kind of officer's uniform. As Avery and the other Peacekeepers made their way through the room, her heart sank at the realization that almost every single person attending this ceremony was a Peacekeeper from all across the Federation.
Once the group was backstage, General Caine gathered the group around him. "Alright, you five, this is how this will go," he announced. "There are eight marks on the stage- one for each of you. All you have to do is stand on the one designated to you at attention. When the time comes for you to speak, you'll know what to say."
"Then once the actual ceremony is over, you'll all get to mingle with the other Peacekeepers," Five said with a smirk. "Just remember the example you'll have to set now that you're the best of the best."
"Don't forget: we'll be back in Cascadia by tonight, so we're not staying long," One reminded them, raising his voice.
"Your positions are marked by your new callsigns," Seven explained. "So as long as you can remember them and count to eight, you should be just fine."
Avery nodded. She did remember, and no matter how nervous she was, she would never forget. She was Crimson 6 now. Part of her thought that the other Peacekeepers put her in that position because they were already used to calling her Six, but it didn't matter to her. All she could do was follow the others out onto the stage and stand at the space marked for her. She stood at rigid attention and the others did the same. None of them wanted even the slightest chance of a mishap.
General Caine walked up onto the stage, taking hold of the microphone at the center of the stage. "I'd like to thank all of you for coming," he began looking out at the crowd of people before him. "As you've no doubt heard, tragedy struck last month, and five of Cascadia's greatest defenders- the valiant Peacekeepers of Crimson Squadron- were struck down by the Cascadian rebels over the Beiring Strait in proud service of their country." He paused for a moment, closing his eyes and looking down. "We will carry their loss in our hearts for as long as we shall live, but now, we've gathered here today to honor the next generation of Peacekeepers." He stepped aside, gesturing to the squadron lined up on the stage behind him. "These five men and women have proven themselves to be the best of the best that Federation has to offer, and as such, it's only right that we give them the highest honor worthy of their dedication."
"Here it comes," Seven whispered under her breath to Avery.
Caine turned to face the Peacekeepers in front of him. "Do each of you solemnly swear to ensure the prosperity, security, and future of Cascadia in the name of the Pacific Federation?"
"I do," they all said in unison.
"And do you swear your undying loyalty and fealty to the Pacific Federation and her interests, no matter the cost to you or your own creed?"
"I do."
"And do you swear that, if need be, you will lay down your life in the name of Cascadia and the Pacific Federation?"
"I do."
General Caine smiled. "Then by my command, I dub each of you Peacekeepers-the sworn protectors of Cascadia in the name of the Pacific Federation. May your service in her name be fruitful and prosperous. Pax Federation."
"Pax Federation," the newly-dubbed Peacekeepers said in unison with the crowd.
After a few more pleasantries, the crowd began to break apart as they began conversing with one another, and the new pilots of Crimson Squadron descended from the stage to join them. Avery looked around at the crowd, unsure of who to speak to. A waitress walked by, carrying a tray of champagnes and she gingerly took one, holding it by the stem with her thumb and forefinger.
"Captain Finch!" At first, she almost didn't acknowledge the call, but after quickly remembering her promotion from mere minutes ago, she snapped her head around to see a Peacekeeper calling her over- perhaps even the Peacekeeper: Steel 1.
"Ah, your Highness. I hear I have you to thank for this position," Avery greeted him as she walked over to him. She swirled the champagne in its glass before forcing down a sip and silently wondering how anyone could possibly drink something like this.
Steel 1 chuckled lightly. "They would've found you eventually. I merely pointed Caine in the right direction."
Avery nodded, looking around at the room and everyone in it. "Quite a turnout we've got here. Jade, Onyx, Violet, Cerulean, Tanager, Black, Ivory… It seems every Peacekeeping squadron in the Federation showed up."
"Almost everyone," Steel 1 corrected her. "Midnight is still overseas in Cascadia, Gold is off doing whatever Gold does, and- well… Sapphire doesn't exist at present."
"Well, there's certainly four excellent candidates to start off with if you're looking to rebuild it," Avery pointed out.
"I felt the same way," Steel 1 replied before grimacing. "Imagine my disappointment when all four of them turned me down. Such a waste." His head lifted up as he heard the sound of his name being called from a distance. "Excuse me."
Avery nodded as he slipped away, forcing down another sip of champagne purely for the sake of blending in. That's when two Peacekeepers- a man and a woman- caught her eye. Even from a distance, she could spot the emblem of Violet Squadron on their uniforms, but what drew her attention to them was their age. She had convinced herself already that she was going to be the youngest person in the whole ceremony, and yet, these two Peacekeepers seemed even younger than she was- barely old enough to be pilots at all. Curiosity got the better of her, and she walked up to them.
The man was the first to notice her, giving a friendly smile as she approached. "Hey, you're one of the new Crimson Squadron pilots, right?"
She was about to reply, but as the woman turned around to face her, Avery felt her blood run cold. The moment she read the name on her uniform, the pieces all came together. The Peacekeeper standing before her bore the name of Lieutenant Page - Cutter's daughter. She had to say something.
She made a point to look down at the name on her uniform before meeting her eyes again. "Lieutenant Page? I, uh… I knew your father. We flew in the same squadron."
Page's expression darkened. "Oh… I- I see. To be honest, I didn't expect anyone to know he was my father."
"He mentioned that he had a daughter to me once… before he died," Avery explained. "Although, to be honest, when he said you were in the Federation Air Force, I didn't quite expect you to be a Peacekeeper."
"Peacekeeper in training, technically," the man with Page corrected her. "Part of some new initiative the Federation's trying out. Both of us got selected as the first candidates for PK Violet."
Avery nodded along in understanding. "I see. Did your fath-" She stopped herself, pausing for a moment. "Did Jackson know?"
Lieutenant Page nodded meekly. "He did. I told him on his last visit stateside. I'd never seen him so happy before." She trailed off, her gaze sinking to the floor before looking back up at Avery. "How did he die?" she blurted out. "I mean, I know he was shot down over the Strait, but how… how did it happen?"
Avery tried to speak, but all she could feel was a lump in her throat. Even now, over a month since it happened, she still her mind trying with all its might to lock that memory away- to use it as a weapon against her. "We were cut off- surrounded," she finally said. "The whole squadron was running low on fuel and ammo, but we had no way out. He… he put himself in harm's way- gave his life so that we could get out. He died saving my life. I just hope that it was worth it."
The man shrugged. "I guess in the end, we've just gotta live to make it worth it."
Avery opened her mouth to reply, but stopped when the sound of an intercom cracked to life. "Attention all designated Peacekeeper Squadrons, please prepare for takeoff immediately. Repeat; all designated Peacekeepers prepare for takeoff," they droned.
"I guess that's me," Avery replied. "It was nice meeting you Lieutenants."
"Good luck out there!" Lieutenant Page called out after her as she began to walk away.
Avery looked around as people began to stir. To her surprise, it seemed that a good number of Peacekeepers- well beyond just Crimson Squadron- had begun to move. After a quick change into her new flight suit, she followed the others out onto the tarmac, and eventually into the hangar, where eight planes sat ready.
"Alright, we're on our way back to Cascadia," Crimson 1 announced to the group. "These are your new planes. Get associated with them and prepare for takeoff."
Avery walked up to one of the V/X-23s lined up in the hanger, circling around it as she inspected every detail. The most notable part was that the flashy liveries once adorning Crimson Squadron's planes was now gone. Instead, they all bore a more practical splinter camo. The only once of red on her plane was the emblem on the tail.
"What's with them?" Four asked, pointing to all the Peacekeepers from the other squadrons getting ready for takeoff.
"They're flying with us until we get to Magadan, where they'll be helping drive off the last of the rebels from our shores," One explained. "Within the next few weeks, they'll all be headed to Cascadia to finally finish this fight."
Half the Peacekeeping Squadrons throughout the entire Federation all converging onto one country. Even now it hardly seemed real to Avery. Such a thing hadn't happened since Oceania, and now it was happening to her home. Although, there was at least a small measure of comfort to be taken in the fact that this meant Crystal Kingdom was finally taking this threat seriously. With any luck, the war would finally be over soon. It almost made her feel downright eager.
"Well? What are we doing standing around then?" she finally asked. "Let's get this show on the road."
"I admire your optimism, Six," Two admitted as he climbed up the ladder into his plane. "Let's just hope it pays off."
Avery's eyes drifted up and down the controls of her V/X-23 as she climbed into the cockpit. Everything looked so much more different to what she was used to in her F/C-16, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She was a Peacekeeper in Crimson Squadron now. Nothing was going to stand in her way.
One by one, the engines of each plane in the hangar roared to life. Avery watched the main doors slide open, letting the light from the setting sun pour into the hangar. One led the way, taxying out of the hangar and onto the tarmac. Dozens of Peacekeepers from six different squadrons all moved this way and that as they took off. Finally, it was Crimson Squadron's turn. With all the other Peacekeepers already in the air, they were free to climb up off the runway into the sky.
Avery followed along with her new squadron, flying in tight formation as they brought up the rear to the flight of Peacekeepers. Together, they headed east, preparing themselves for the fight ahead. Over time, the sky began to get an orange hue, and even in her cockpit, Avery began to feel an intense heat. When they entered Magadan, she realized that something had gone very wrong. It seems what she witnessed when she was here was only a fraction of what the rebels intended to do, and if given the opportunity, they would no doubt try again.
As the flight of Peacekeepers neared the coast, a battlefield began to come into view. The Federation was finally forcing the Independence Force off Magadan. The full force and fury of the Federation was about to come crashing down on them, and it was only the beginning. Bit by bit, the Federation forces pushed the rebels that much closer to the shore with nowhere else to go, and a flight of four F/C-15s led the charge.
"Well, this is our stop," Steel 1 announced. "This is PK Steel to Federation Ground Command. We're inbound with PK Jade, Onyx, Ivory, Black, and Tanager, requesting permission to enter the AO."
"Negative, Steel. Lock down the flanks and box the Cascadians in," the ground forces replied. "Your time will come."
"Typical," Steel 1 said with a chuckle. "Even now, they're still too afraid to let us off the leash."
"They'll learn soon enough," Crimson 1 assured him.
"Good luck over there, Crimson. We'll meet you there when the time comes to finish this war once and for all," Steel 1 replied before leading the other Peacekeeping Squadrons down toward the flanks of the battlefield.
"Wait, they're not gonna try and stop us, too?" Eight asked.
"They know better than to try. Nothing they can do is going to stop us," One told them.
The flight of eight fighters carried on, soaring high above the battlefield as they headed toward the IDL. Avery looked back over her shoulder one last time at Magadan. The rebels would face the consequences for their misstep soon enough. Now that Crimson Squadron was back at full strength- and more importantly, she was part of it- the fight was about to change, and before long, this war would finally be over.