..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II
444th Air Base, Zapland, Usea.
July 4th, 2019.
0730hrs.
..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II
It was early in the morning, with the convicts shuffling in for breakfast. Ever since the attack three days ago, Erusea hasn't even attempted to make another attack on the airbase. Mere herself was quite happy, as that left her ample time to check over all the working planes and make the necessary repairs. Nearly all the planes had some form of issue with their ejection seats, minus a few. She still has yet to tell anyone else about the problem, as she doesn't know who she could trust. Anyone could be under the thumb of McKinsey with a loose promise like a reduced sentence or some other form of leniency on this God awful airbase. Queen, Mouse, and Wrench were really the only people she could consider a possibility, but chains of doubt kept her from asking. Still, she was thankful that the work the Super Hornet and the XL Falcon gave her was a good enough distraction to keep her busy. Poking at the bland scrambled eggs the mess was serving today, Mere glanced up, tuning back into the conversation at the table around them.
"I'm just saying, all the info I could gather was saying we were to hit a base of some sort," Full Band explained to the other pilots. "Why else would they send so many ground ordinances?"
"Yeah, but shouldn't we still be ready for some sort of air raid?" One of the younger pilots, Dookie, a short, scrawny man with short brown hair, asked. "All we've been going after so far is just pretending to be a real air base. Plus, why would the higher ups even care to give us a mission?"
"Well, we did smash up quite a lot of their bombers and fighters a few days ago," Tabloid pointed out before he glanced at Trigger and Mere. "Well, really, just Trigger and Hotwire did."
"Hey, I pulled my weight as well up there," Count shot a glare back at Tabloid before he sneered back at Trigger. "Besides, it was all just dumb luck."
"Don't matter where they send us, I'll show 'em what's up," Champ crossed his arms with a huff, while High Roller just grinned.
"That really does sound like a good bet to take! All right, people!" High Roller stood up and raised his hands as he surveyed the room. "Bets are now open! Who will score the highest kill count next mission! Ground and air targets count to your total!"
Mere took a few glances around as some of the other pilots at the other tables got up to crowd around High Roller, the noise of the room growing as more and more bets were placed.
"10 bucks on Champ!"
"Cell made taffy on Skunk!"
"15 bucks on Count!"
"10 on Champ!"
"Five on Count!"
"Four on the Murderer!"
Mere looked on, listening to bets be scored up, before she glanced over at Trigger. He's just been sitting quietly, minding his own business. To be honest, Mere hasn't really interacted much with Trigger in the past few days. Looking back, it really was just talking to him briefly about the Tomcat and paint, but after that, nothing. The ejection seat took up the most of her time, while the new planes took up the rest. She wanted to get to know him better and prod his brain with what happened to the former President Harling and why his squadron was even that close to the Light House to begin with. Feeling her pockets, she felt the money she won from the last sortie and grinned.
"40 bucks on Trigger!" she called, raising the money while High Roller scoffed. Trigger froze mid bite and looked over to Mere in a bit of shock.
"Can't bet on yourself there, Hotwire!" High Roller remarked when Count stood up.
"Then take this as a side bet, High Roller," he said, approaching the group with his usual confident smile. "I'll bet 50 that I'll get a higher count than Trigger and Hotwire!"
"Now that's a bet I'll be watching," Tabloid grinned from the side. "Better pull out all the stops there Count or Trigger might take you this time."
"Yee of little faith, Tabloid. I was only a few kills behind Trigger," Count shot back.
"According to Bandod, it was more than a few kills," Tabloid grin widened as Count's smile turned to a scowl. "Which reminds me, he did agree to keep a tally on our kills for the next missions as well."
"Mmm… Better fly as well as you can run your mouth," Trigger spoke up, the corners of his lips curled up slightly as he finished his food.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll show you who's top dog on this base, Murderer," Count grunted back. Trigger's shoulders slumped and he went to retort back when the loud speakers above crackled to life.
"All pilots, report to the briefing room. All pilots report to the briefing room."
"Well then, let's see what bullshit we'll be sent on this time," Full Band let out a dry laugh as he got up with the rest of the pilots. Grabbing the apple from her tray, Mere shuffled out with the rest of the pilots, who all seemed more cheerful than they had been the past few days, and it only made sense. After all that excitement from a few days ago, a change of scenery would be nice. Hell, they're going to go and blow things up, so that'll be a plus. A nice and simple mission, or so they thought. Shuffling into the room, Tabloid took his spot next to Count, and Mere took her usual spot next to him, with Trigger now taking up the seat next to her. McKinsey was already in the briefing room and was currently eyeing each and every pilot as if he were making sure they were all present. Around him were even more workers and aids than Mere's seen before. Some were sitting at some computers while others were dealing with some paperwork. This is the busiest she's seen this base before. With all the pilots in the room, McKinsey went back to reading the paper in his hands while the doors were closed and the lights dimmed. One of the aids went to work, turning the projector on and it displaying a digital map of the world before zooming in on the Usean continent. The current borders of Erusean held territory was marked in red while their current base was also pinpointed.
"Settle down, settle down!" McKinsey barked and glared at all the present pilots. Setting down the paper he was reading over, he walked over to the projector screen. "Your mission is to atone for your crimes. You will be doing so by attracting the enemy's attention." From their base, a line was drawn to a place further inland named Roca Roja to the North West. "First, I want you to head from the base to the desert region of Roca Roja to the North West." The map zoomed in on the Roca Roja desert, showing the air base. Mere's heart dropped as three large areas were highlighted, each of which had a satellite photo attached to it. Mere glanced at Tabloid who also held a worried look. "And then second, you'll attack the large Erusean base there. We've been unable to verify that base's ability to deal with fighters. You will attack and provoke the enemy into revealing their AA strategy. Get them to fire at you as much as you can. That way we can confirm where they're firing from." Multiple images of SAM sites, AA guns, radar vehicles, a few fighters from the air base popped up on the screen.
Mere studied the screen and nodded to herself trying to calm herself down. Three areas needed to be taken care of but… The hell were they supposed to do? A legitimate squadron could have trouble with this mission, and they will work together. But spare quadron? If they don't play their cards right, they will see some losses. Leaning forward, she began to bite on her thumb when she felt Trigger nudge her with his shoulder. Looking up at him, he just smirked a bit and gave a thumbs up as if saying everything would be all right, and nodded to Tabloid who also had a smirk on his face now.
"Once we've found where they're firing from, then it's a case of sending in our regular force to clean them out. For this mission, we've prepared a frontline base that can be used for ammo replenishment and aircraft repairs." The map zoomed out showing a dotted blue line off to the side. Mere's hopes rose a bit hearing about the resupply option as this would drastically improve their success rate but that was quickly crushed as McKinsey continued. "However, this is not for you guys. Only the regular forces have permission to use it."
"Bullshit," Mere mumbled under her breath, while Sinker was more vocal about it.
"The hell are we gonna do when we run out of ammo?"
McKinsey glared at Sinker and growled out, "Even if you run out of ammo, don't forget that you're just decoys to distract the enemy. You stay out there as targets for the enemy. If you die, think of it as atoning for your crimes." Before Mere could study the map a bit more, the aid shut the computer off and killed the projector. "Feel free to destroy as much as you can. Your success will reflect positively on me. That is all. Go and take care of your aircraft. You'll be leaving at 1500 hrs. Anyone caught slacking will be sent to solitary until mission time."
With that, McKinsey turned and left through the door in the back. Letting out a sigh, she got up with the other pilots and shuffled out. Once outside, Count let out an irritated huff.
"Well, so much for a simple small base bombing, huh Full Band," Count grunted and looked back at him.
"Just a prediction. The document I found only mentioned bombing a base nearby. Didn't expect it to be that big,"
Fullband only shrugged and waved his hand dismissively as they walked. "Now then, time to look busy."
Fullband broke off, heading off to Hanger 3 with some of the other pilots.
"Keep busy for 7 hours," Count shook his head. "Well, I'm off to go find Wrench and see what armaments we can even take." He broke off to look around the prison yard for their hanger's load master. She watched him wander off when Tabloid bumped her shoulder with his.
"So, Hotwire, nervous about the mission?" He smirked as they continued to walk to Hanger Four.
"Any sane person would be if they are assaulting a base that large, Tabloid," Mere stated. "It would be hard for an organized squadron to take on but… Spare?"
"Yeah, you do have a point there… But, if it makes you two feel better, I've got your back." Tabloid patted Trigger's back when he let out a light chuckle. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Stick with Trigger, and you'll make it."
"Already that high of an opinion of me after one flight?" Trigger looked at Tabloid who only shrugged.
"Just got a feelin' ya know? Seemed like you knew what you were doing up in the sky the last time and stickin' with you got me out alive."
"Well… Keep close. We'll need the support," Trigger gave a nod. Reaching the hanger, Tabloid went off to begin his own checks of his plane as some of the ground crew were busy setting up some pylons on his plane, Mere saw Mouse busy as ever putting on the bomb fairings onto the underside of the Tomcat.
"Busy as ever," Mere mused a bit as she approached the nose of the aircraft. She bent over a bit to get a better look at the rails that were being installed on the aircraft.
"Wrench said you'd be on a land attack mission so I've gone ahead and started the aerodynamic fairings for the bombs. Got the Lightning pod mounted as well." Sliding under the plane, Mouse inspected his work when Mere took note on how weird the rails on the pylon looked.
"Hey Mouse, did Queen do something to the pylons?"
"Ah that? Well, count your lucky stars. You're testing out a customization that she made on the fly. Modified some of the missile rails so you can carry more standard missiles."
"No shit," she said, looking over the pylons, quite impressed. "And the plane accepts it?"
"As if it were from the factory. Also, that Trigger guy is quite the artist. Have you seen the tail yet?" Mere hasn't been able to look over the Tomcat in the past few days since she's been busy with the other planes in different hangers. Ducking under the weapon pylon, she went around to the rear of the plane where Trigger was standing. The three sin lines are still the biggest eye catcher but underneath was Trigger's own personal emblem, an orange fox with a revolver in its mouth. The most striking thing to Mere, however, was the kestrel adorned with the black valkyrie helmet. Glancing at Trigger he was nodding to himself a bit as he was observing the finished product.
"I understand the orange fox, but… Why mine too?"
"First it's a wolf and second… When they brought in two extra lockers for our equipment, you were busy with the planes, so I stored your stuff. I noticed that emblem on the back of your helmet so… I thought I'd take a crack at it since we'll be sharing this plane for a while. Quite satisfied with how the bird's helmet came out too," he explained, leaving Mere in a stunned silence. Her jaw moved as she tried to express her gratitude when she let out a light snort and a laugh.
"Ah shit, sorry, sorry," she waved her hand at him as she quickly caught herself. "I do appreciate this, I really do. It's just… Wolves aren't orange. Foxes are," she turned to Trigger who let out a huff and shook his head.
"Artistic license. Swear, that's always the first thing people say when they see it," Trigger sighed as he walked over to the wing and began to look it over. "I was thinking about those adding those wings on your helmet to our wings but well… I don't have a dark enough orange for that, nor the paint to do it, nor the Scrap Queen's patience. Was lucky to even find some orange." Rubbing the edge of the wing he looked back as if to ask something before looking forward again seeing that Mere was still staring at the emblem. He smirked to himself a bit before he went back to checking over the plane. "Come on, gotta look busy right?"
Mere snapped out of her trance and nodded. Grabbing her tool kit, she went up to the cockpit and started her routine of checking the seat, cursing herself a bit as she neglected to even check her own plane before checking the fleet. The hanger was quiet for the most part until High Roller came over scribbling something down on a separate piece of paper.
"So, what will your guys bets be?"
"Ex…cuse me?" Trigger questioned while he was cleaning the lens of the front facing camera.
"We're taking side bets to see who will make it back this mission for this hanger. Already spent too much time at breakfast making the big bets so why not have a friendly lil' side bet in this hanger. Even Sinker's in on it. You interested, Trigger? Could make a lil' bit more dough."
He held up the paper waving it around a bit but Trigger shook his head.
"Don't like gambling away peoples lives," he said flatly before he glanced at the guards at the front of the hanger. "Still, shouldn't you be working? McKinsey's orders."
"Oh them? Nah, they're all in on it." Count said from near the front of the hanger as he cleaned the camera on his Su-33's nose off. "Plus they all agree that the commander's kind of an ass so they let small things slide."
"Seriously?" Trigger asked back when Tabloid spoke up.
"It's true. Got a whole system set up with the base personnel and other guards to make bets on us. Though with the performance you two have shown so far, I heard things were getting spicey with the bets." Tabloid laughed a bit from the cockpit of his Mirage.
"Bandog's even in on it," Count added. "Though you might be on his shit list. Lost quite a bit of money on the last mission."
"On the AWACS shit list huh," Trigger mused a bit. "Could be worse."
"Well, do well enough this time and I'm sure he'll have a turn of heart," Mere grunted from the cockpit.
..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II
Roca Roja, Usea.
June 4th, 2019.
1745hrs.
..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II
The flight over was quiet for the most part. All the planes had plenty of fuel to make the trip and with the combined munition count, they should be fine for the most part. They all had plenty of anti ground munitions with some of the Hornets sporting some 4AGM's, while other crafts like Count's Su-33 and Tabloid's Mirage were sporting LASM's. Mere wished the Cat could hold some Mavericks but the Navy designated other planes for those munitions. The rest were either carrying an array of rockets or bombs. Under their Tomcat hung several guided bombs for Mere to sling at the enemy. Sitting in the back, Mere was playing around with their targeting pod, getting herself reacquainted with it, when she flipped the MFD over to the GPS. Pondering for a second, she moved her foot a bit and clicked on the closed circuit radio between her and Trigger.
"Hey, Trigger, mind if I ask you something?"
Trigger had flipped the autopilot on a while ago and wasn't doing much up front. He pondered the question for a second and nodded to himself. "Shoot."
"Well, since we'll be a crew for who knows how long, might as well break the ice more. You kind of went ahead and did so with the emblem so… I wanted to know how you got your callsign."
"This is a two way road, you know."
"I know. You can ask me something as well."
"Well, if it's a glorious story you were hoping for, it's not. With how I was taught, I had to be aggressive when it came to dogfighting. As useful as missiles are, they cam be dodged at the last minute or baited by countermeasures. Guns, on the other hand, rely on the skill of the pilot. People started to notice I would push past the missile envelope and go for guns on the target. Every missile kill I had was backed by two gun kills. That and I used to do some cowboy action shooting." He relaxed in his seat a bit as he opened up a bit with Mere while she let out a chuckle.
"Cowboy action shooting? You?"
"Yeah, I was in the youth and high school divisions as a pastime. Could run a lever gun faster and more accurately than anyone here with a modern rifle. This also explains the revolver. Had a whole get up too." Mere took a second thinking of Trigger dressed up in full cowboy attire. Boots, leather chaps, and a bandolier with a big ol' hat. She couldn't help but laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Just imagining you in that whole get up. I just can't see it. That and you doing the Revolver Ocelot spin." Trigger slowly glanced back but let out a chuckle shaking his head.
"Well… it didn't take too long to learn," he shrugged as he held up his hands in finger guns saying in a raspy voice, "Twelve shots." With a light chuckle, he leaned forward and adjusted himself in his seat before glancing back. "So… What's the story behind the emblem? I can guess your tac name with your skills but why a bird and the helmet?"
"Ah that? Well, the bird's a callback to the OFS Kestrel and Kestrel 2's emblem. My old man served on her, and some of my uncles flown from the original Kestrel. I thought I could maybe spruce it up with a valk helmet since she operated a bit in the Northern Sea. Show that I wasn't afraid to throw down."
"Like the Razgriz demon? Wait, you were on the Kestrel?" Trigger looked back at her.
"Yes, and yes. Pride and joy of the OMDF… or at least she was…" Mere trailed off as she looked off to the side. She tried her best not to think about it, about how she and her squadron couldn't protect their home. How they could have even stopped the war early yet those drones…
"You wanna talk about it…?" Trigger asked a bit more tenderly, and Mere shook her head when the radio beeped. Flipping a few switches, she opened up the channel.
"Spare-15, go ahead."
"Hey, it's Tabloid. Got bored of the banter between the others on this boring flight so I was wondering if you had a plan or anything for taking on the bases."
"Well, I was thinking of hitting the airbase first. Ground possible fighters to make our lives easier, then we'll have free reign on taking out the ground targets." Trigger explained as Mere glanced over to Tabloid, who was flying on their wing.
"Heh, sounds like a plan. I've got your six covered then." He gave a thumbs up which Mere returned before she flicked the radio back to the whole squadron's channel.
"I'm just saying it's bullshit that you all get to have fun smashing ground targets while I'm stuck here flying top cover." Weasle was complaining over the mic while some of the other squadmates just sighed in annoyance.
"Just do your job and keep us covered. They didn't mention much about too much air cover, so stop your bitching and do your job," Utah grunted in response while a MiG-29 off of Utah's wing went inverted.
"Now, now, Utah, give the kid a break," Zipline commented with a light laugh. "Loosen up, he's already stuck flying a plane that forged from the core of a collapsed neutron star so putting any more weight in it wouldn't allow him to take off."
"Doesn't mean he should complain about every other mission. Just shut up and do your job."
"Heh, well roger that, Utah," Zipline chuckled as he flipped his plane back over. "What a great time for an attack too. Golden hour makin' those reds pop."
Glancing out of the cockpit Mere looked down at the red rocks watching them turn even more vibrant red-orange from the sun. If anything, this time of day would cast deep shadows in one of the bases giving the enemy even more cover. Even with the AWACS cover, the large rock formations in the supply base could hide some surprises in the shadows away from the AWAC's and satellite's eyes. Glancing at her radar, a few blips soon appeared and judging how the conversations soon died, the others must have noticed it as well. Setting the radar range a bit further before using the lightning pod to look ahead. Ahead of them Mere could make out a runway and a few buildings for the first base.
"Bandog, eyes on the first base. It seems like they're preparing to send fighters up at us."
"Hmph, some welcome," Bandog scoffed. It seems like his usual attitude hasn't changed. "All aircraft spread out and attack."
"So we're clear to attack then?" Count asked nervously over the radio. "I thought the regular forces were going to clean things up?"
"It's just like before. We blow the shit outta everything here!" Champ excitedly answered back.
"Sharp as a tack, aren't you, Spare-8?" Bandog smugly questioned. "Regular forces can reduce losses if you tenderize the target. If you can't handle that then just fly and be a target. Spare Squadron, engage. Weapons free."
"Better keep up Tabloid," Trigger called over the radio .
"Huh, what do you-" Mere grunted as he suddenly snap rolled the Tomcat over and ignited the afterburners pulling through the clouds, "Fucking hell- TRIGGER!" Leveling out, Mere got her bearings again and got to work quickly getting a view of the airfield. "Fuel tanks, some SPAA, and SAM's… Ah, I see bombers near the hangers and fighters on the taxi way!" Mere called. Slewing the camera around, she got a lock and lasered the closer plane. Squeezing her hand a bit, she pulled the trigger. A clunk and a thud were felt from the underside of the plane as the guided bomb was dropped all the while Trigger lined up the second plane who seemed to have noticed their presence as their afterburner was light. The cockpit rumbled as Trigger went in with guns blazing, the yellow tracers peppering the ground throwing up dirt while others flashed and exploded on the fuselage of the plane ahead. It bursted into flames instantly while underneath them another explosion rattled the airframe as the GBU found its target cratering the taxiway and rendering the plane nothing more than burning scrap.
"Splash two, fighters," Trigger announced just as a missile flew overhead and it slammed itself into the control tower. Looking over her shoulder, Mere followed the smoke trail, seeing it come from a plane, before whipping her head around and seeing Tabloid's Mirage come screaming in, gunning down some fuel tanks before egressing out.
"Heh, good kill Tabloid," Mere called as she slewed the pod around, finding the three bombers she saw earlier. Clicking a few buttons, she marked the GPS points on each quickly as Trigger came back around for another pass. "Get the CCIP close and pickle it, Trigger!" Mere called as she kept her eyes on the monitor watching the bombers as they approached. Three clunks were felt under their seat as three bombs were released and Trigger pulled off banking away. Grunting a bit, she watched as one of the bombers began to move a bit when the thermal camera glowed white and three explosions rocked the airframe. Through the radio, Bandog said, "We've spotted some transport trucks . They're not a problem, but feel free to take them out."
"Hey, leave 'em to me!" Champ called out almost seeming proud. "Bullying the weak is a specialty of mine."
"Not exactly something I'd be proud of, but you go get 'em Champ," Mere shrugged as Trigger brought the plane around, sending a missile at a SAM site below. The airbase, for the most part, had been completely taken out.
"So, what are the odds of getting out of this alive?" High Roller asked no one in particular over the radio.
"That's for you to figure out, Spare-7," Bandog responded. "So tell me, you like thinking of the odds, you should know best."
"Hey, hey, all the bombers have already been taken out before they could take off! Who did that!?" Champ suddenly came back over the radio.
"The dynamic duo took those out. A 500 pound present to each of them," Tabloid chuckled over the radio as he formed up with Trigger surveying the now destroyed base.
"Trigger again?" Weasel called out.
"Trigger, you're rockin' it hard!" Champ chuckled over the mic, seemingly impressed.
"Eh… Bombers were Hotwire's work. I'm just the delivery man," Trigger played it off as Trigger angled his plane to the next base.
"Trigger's already smashed the base. Glory Hound went for the juicy target, leaving us the fighters that went to defend the base," Count scoffed a bit.
"Well… thanks for covering the fighters then," Trigger responded with a shrug as he began to look over the next base.
"Cut the chatter. There's more work to be done so move onto the other bases. Quit dawdling about and attack," Bandog snarled at them.
"Righto' ol' Bandog," Count grunted. In the distance Mere could see a fireball explode, the wreck of a fighter plummeting to the desert below. "Haahaa! Scratch another bandit!"
"Well, at least he's a fast worker," Tabloid commented as he formed up with Trigger.
"Yeah, well, I'm out. Returning to supply," Count called banking.
"How are we supposed to work without any ammo?! I'm heading back." Full Band jumped in as well. Glancing at the radar, she could see a few other planes turn to the return line, voicing that they were heading back as well. Checking their ammo stores, they only went through a small portion of the bombs they had and none of the missiles.
"Nice try. This stuff isn't for you guys," Bandog smugly cut back in reminding them that they're still just a penal unit.
"Let's be honest here; irregulars like us aren't allowed to resupply," Count smoothly responded, but it never felt right to Mere. He seemed to always try to kiss up to get out of trouble. Probably why he fudges his own numbers as well yet Mere felt he didn't need to do that. "But in your heart, you want us to smash that base. In order to do that, we need ammo. Am I off?"
There was a long pause followed by a huff before Bandog responded. "You're gonna wish this mission never ended." A few cheers could be heard as some of the squadron members angled back towards the return line. "Smash enough of the targets and I might even let you have a break."
"That's a promise?" Mere quickly asked as she eyed the base ahead of them.
"Just don't fudge the numbers. I'm keeping a close eye on your kills. Spare-15, Spare-11, hostiles in your area are nearly wiped out. Get your asses moving to the next base. Try to catch more fire from the enemy."
"Copy," Mere responded before sighing. "You heard that Trigger?" He gave a thumbs up before she glanced at the map as they approached the next base. It was nestled in a network of canyons and bristled with AA guns. Just at a quick glance, she could see multiple AA guns along the road as well as on the bridges connecting the tops of the canyons.
"I have a read on the targets, they're in one hell of a place," Tabloid piped up over the coms as they approached the base.
"Dug in deep, huh," Trigger grunted as he circled near the edge of the base. They had a few other Spares around the base, High Roller, Dookie, Skunk, and Weasel were poking at their defenses, but really just the outer defenses. Well… the former three were, Weasel was just circling above. A few warehouses were burning as well as a few anti air emplacements, but none have ventured into the canyon. "Welp, might as well stir the hornets nest," Trigger mumbled under his breath before looking over his shoulder. "You two ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Tabloid's voice shook a bit before he chuckled. "Stick with Trigger and you'll make it."
"Ready as I'll ever be. Leave the bombs to me," Mere grinned as she checked her straps, tightening them a bit as she relaxed.
"You sure? It'll be a knife fight," Trigger mused as he stretched his fingers before gripping the controls again.
"I'll show you why I'm also called Longbow," Mere chuckled as they dropped altitude, ready to fly through the canyons. Using the pod as her eyes, she watched as the AA emplacements guarding their way went up in flames, giving them the opening they needed. "Spare-15, Spare-11, engaging," Mere called as they rushed into the canyon and a target rich environment. Mere went to work quickly, designating and dropping the GBU's left and right. All the while, Trigger kept a careful eye where Mere was lasing keeping the plane steady before breaking off the second he heard the familiar thunk as they released a bomb. Taking his time, he also locked up a few AA guns with his missiles and peppered a SAM site with his guns. Tabloid took a second taking in the scene of chaos as his plane buffeted from the explosions below before regaining his composure, sending a few LASM's at a bridge,a radar tower, and an AA gun.
"What the hell," Skunk's deep voice grunted over the radio, "Who just flew into that canyon?"
"It's Trigger again!" Dookie called as they watched Trigger continue through the canyon.
"Spare-11, radar tower and AA gun confirmed destroyed. Spare-15, four AA and SAM sites destroyed along with a tank… Good kills, good kills," Bandog sounded a bit impressed. Banking, Tabloid followed Trigger through the canyon. Bombs, missiles, and guns peppered the ground as they found their targets. "What the hell… Confirmed kills on multiple AA and other ground targets," Bandog announced.
"Damn it, I'm not gonna lose on kills!" Dookie shouted as he went in on his attack run followed by Skunk and High Roller yet even after the damage they've done, the amount of anti air weapons didn't seem to be diminished.
"Ah, Dookie, missile! Evade!" Tabloid called out.
"Ah, evading!" Dookied shouted as he began to dump flares and headed for the ground. Trigger pulled hard, bringing the Tomcat around for another attack run to try and give Dookie some cover when an AA gun opened up as well. The yellow tracers arced through the sky at the Mirage, peppering the wing. "Shit! Spare-4! I'm hit! Still air worthy!" Dookie called as he pulled up and out of the canyon. An AA gun on top began to open up on the damaged plane but was quickly silenced as Trigger slung a missile at it destroying it.
"Damn it, things are getting hairy, pull back!" Tabloid panicked a bit as he had to defend against a SAM site before retaliating with his own missile.
"Negative," Bandog cut back in with a light growl. "Forget about evading and destroy the enemy."
"The hell type of order is that," Mere grunted when she spotted new targets popping up on the radar. "Shit, harriers are taking off in the canyon," she called, grunting a bit as Trigger pulled more G's as he went through the more narrow regions of the base. Cursing to herself a bit, she refocused on the task at hand, dropping more warheads on foreheads.
Grunting with each turn they were running low on bombs and they needed to rearm soon.
"Damn it, I need help! Fighter's on my tail!" Dookie called out again. "Weasel where the fuck are you!?"
"My hands are full dealing with another Harrier! Just evade a bit longer!"
"Ah, damn it, if I move in the AA will have easy shots on me!" Tabloid grunted as he defended against a SAM. Mere tried to get a visual where Dookie is when Trigger snap rolled the plane right catching Mere off guard.
"God… Damn it Trigger!" Mere grunted as the world around her started to tunnel in as the blood was pulled out of her head. Momentarily, Trigger let up as he got a tone on the closest harrier before letting a missile off the rail.
"Fox-2," he calmly called as he watched the missile smash into the side of the Harrier, the wreckage now falling out of the sky in a ball of fire. Turning his attention to the friendly Mirage ahead, he was about to point the nose up to get a lock when the radar got a lock. He glanced up in the mirror at Mere in the back and back down as he throttled up closing in on the pursuing harrier. "Dookie, break left!"
"Breaking!" he yelled as he dove and flew away giving Trigger a perfect shot,
"Trigger, Fox-2!" he called again, the missile flying true and impacting in the spine of the Harrier severing the plane in half. Diving, Mere went to work utilizing the rest of her bombs to silence the few remaining SAM and AA guns in the valley when an explosion behind caught her attention. Looking back, she saw the remaining Harrier fall out of the sky on fire with Tabloid's own triumphant laugh.
"Spare-11, splash one bandit!"
"Would you look at that, all that's left below you is piles of rubble. Look for more enemies. Let's see if they can't hit you this time." Bandog announced over the radio getting a few cheers when Count's voice came back over the coms.
"What? You're telling me that the second base already been destroyed?"
"While you were taking your time to rearm, the others have been busy, Count," Bandog let out a deep chuckle, "and if I were you, I'd get back here and start smashing the ground targets. Trigger's lead has grown."
"Murderer's did it huh? Righto, Spare-2 engaging."
Mere let out a breath and leaned back in her seat, swapping the MFD over to see their weapon stores. They're empty on bombs and only got two missiles left to their name. Keying her radio she spoke up to Bandog.
"Oi, Bandog, about that break?" There was a pause before there was a mumble of numbers followed by a huff.
"Fine, Spare-15, head to the return line. You've more than earned a small break. Same with you, Spare-11. Spare-4, head back as well. An injured plane will only get in the others way. You have five minutes. Spare-4, you only have two."
"Wha- oh come on, I'm the one that got shot!" Dookie complained while High Roller just sighed sounding more tiered than usual.
"I know the base commander makes a big deal whenever a new mission comes in, but it's just one after another, like that was the plan all along or something," he complained a bit when Tabloid chipped back in
"Battle doctrines. Something happens, they tell you what to do next. Osea has one. It probably says where and when pawns like us will die," he simply explained as he formed up on Trigger's wing while Dookie formed up on Tabloid's.
"Wait, so you mean they already know the next strategy?" Full Band asked, sounding a bit skeptical about the whole thing.
"Well we gotta look at the new strategy. Osea's known to be able to ferry resources to areas where it's needed," Mere chimed in. "Osea's great carrier fleet, strongest in the world, they'd say." Mere trailed off a bit near the end.
"And how did that end up?" Full Band asked again.
"It would have worked great, and these doctrines can be useful for regular units, but things can change and… unexpected problems will arise." Mere clenched her fist up a bit before she glanced up at the mirror. She could see Trigger looking at her a bit worried, and Mere just shook her head. "But, the carriers are just a small part of the greater Osean logistics system. They got all this equipment here to begin with, just throw more shit at the wall till it sticks."
"Hold up, Hold up. Let's make a bet. Whoever guesses the next strategy wins. You can get in on this too, Bandog," High Roller butted in again.
"Maybe you guys need to cool your heads off in solitary," Bandog growled over the mic. Seems like he's back in his usual jailer mode.
"Let me look into this 'Doctrine' thing," Full Band added, his voice held a bit of confidence to it.
"Man, you're delusional," Tabloid commented, which got a chuckle out of Full Band.
"A bribe is all you need to get into a terminal. It's amazing how many people write their password on a note by their desk. Gathering intel is all about getting access. Also, knowing a guy who likes to unlock stuff helps." Glancing at the radar, Mere watched as they approached the return line to exit the combat zone. Tapping a few buttons on the radio, she pinged the other two fighters on the close range channels. Hearing two clicks, Mere let out a little huff.
"Somethin' up Hotwire?" Tabloid asked first.
"Just seeing how you two are doing, especially you, Dookie."
"Ah, plane's holding up. Scrap Queens gonna kick my ass when we get back but hydrolics are good, oil temps are steady, so I don't think I'm leaking too much," he responded. Glancing out the cockpit, Mere did a quick inspection seeing no trailing smoke or and liquids.
"Got off lucky there. It seems like nothing critical was hit," Mere observed before relaxing in her seat.
"So, does Full Band always just give away intel like that?" Trigger suddenly asked.
"You know, for a guy that likes to snoop around intel, he says a lot," Mere commented. This wasn't the first either. He'd usually say something quite smart or drop some hints at the next big event while on the ground, but he's even chatty up in the sky.
"You can tell where he got his nickname from; a Full Band Radio broadcasting everything to everyone," Dookie mused.
"Be it the ground or the air, he gotta impress us with what he knows."
"Wonder if that's why he got put in the penal unit," Tabloid chuckled a bit. Punching a few buttons on the MFD, Mere put a plot back towards the friendly base.
"Still, you two didn't need to go that hard back there," Dookie commented. "Sticking your neck out like that will only get you killed. We're not a squadron." In a way he was right. Everyone here has been sentenced for a crime and it should be every man for themselves. Yet Trigger…
"Squadron or not, it's only us in the sky." Trigger responded after a moment of silence.
"Trigger's right. As messed up as this squad is, sticking together will only increase our odds of survival," Tabloid added before letting off a laugh. "Stick with Trigger, and you'll make it."
"Pfft, stick with the murderer?"
"I didn't murder Harling," Trigger growled back.
"And he still saved your ass," Mere shot back as well. Silence returned to the group as they continued back towards the resupply base when Dookie finally spoke up again.
"Well… you don't seem too bad. Thanks for saving my ass." With a click, Mere heard Dookie shut his mic off. Just a few minute later, the control tower reached out to the incoming planes.
"Spare-15, Spare-11, Spare-4, this is the Control Tower, make your landing checks."
"Tower, Spare-15, copy that. Leading for landing." Clicking the mic off, she watched Dookie and Tabloid break off into their race track around the base waiting for their turn.
..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II..II
While the load masters were diligently restocking the Tomcats armaments, Mere was off sitting on a bench in the hangers shade sipping a water bottle someone handed her. Trigger was next to her doing the same trying to get as much out of the break they had as they could. Dookie was out by his plane talking with the crew chief who was working on his damaged wing. Judging by how the crew chief was throwing his hands around he wasn't quite happy about the situation. Out of ear shot, she could only imagine the argument they were having. Probably something along the lines of why they needed to rush the repairs or something. The most interesting thing she saw was the crew detaching the LASM's just as a mule rolled up carrying wracks of dumb bombs while another mule full of AAM's rolled up to Tabloid's Mirage.
"So this is where you two snuck off to," Tabloid's voice rang out as he walked into the hanger. He had his usual smirk on his face as he walked into the shade before letting out a sigh as he sat down. "God, I'm beat, yet you two here sitting as if this was just a light work out."
"Anything but," Mere commented as she took a gulp of water, "It's a full body experience flying with Trigger." Glancing up at Trigger he only just shrugged, his eyes aimlessly gazing out at their planes.
"Either way, this break is nice," Tabloid let out a light grunt as he stretched his arms above his head, "I can finally feel like I'm back at a normal airbase for once."
"You are at a normal one," Mere elbowed Tabloid a bit as she watched the ground crew quickly work.
"Yeah… They don't treat us like disposable tools. Actually treat us like pilots." Tabloid trailed off. The three rested up in silence as they watched Dookie climb back into his plane and took off back towards the battlefield. Watching the Mirage lift off, Tabloid was the first to break the silence.
"So why did you step in to help Dookie? He's in for stealing his base commander's car for a drunken joy ride. He's just as scummy as the rest of us." He glanced up at Trigger who was finished his drink.
"I said what I said. It's only us up there. No one else is coming to help us. There's only so much a single plane can do alone," Trigger flatly said.
"Yeah but-"
"Think about it like this," Mere cut Tabloid off as she grabbed his empty bottle out of his hand, "One ape, weak," she started to mangle the bottle before she put it next to her own. "Apes together, strong." She gripped the bottles together and tried her best to bend or crush them to no avail. "Got it?"
"Uh… Yeah. Yeah I got it," Tabloid only shook his head. "Apes together strong huh? Words of wisdom from our great Wiring Goddess to live by." Letting out a laugh Tabloid leaned forward resting his elbows on his knee. "Well, you've got me on board already. I'll follow you two's lead. I'll cover your back while you cover mine."
"Same as usual," Trigger nodded when he glanced up at the clock. "Either way, times up."
"Already?" Tabloid groaned pushing himself up onto his feet. "Five minutes went by like a flash." Grabbing his helmet, he walked with Mere and Trigger back to their planes. Tabloid split off to his while Trigger and Mere went to their Cat. Pulling her helmet on, she noted Tabloid's change of ordinances to AAM's before she ducked her head seeing that their Tomcat was fully loaded up with bombs.
"Ordinance has been refitted, and your tanks are full!" The crew chief yelled over the noise of the base.
"Appreciate it!" Mere yelled back as she climbed the ladder up into her seat. Starting the plane up, the two began their preflight checks before following Tabloid to the runway. Only a few short moments later they were airborne, vectoring back towards the Roca Roja desert. A few minutes later, Tabloid broke the silence once again.
"You think the base commander will actually throw us in solitary for resupplying?" Mere glanced over her shoulder at the Mirage on their wing as he did make a valid point. "I mean, Bandog gave us permission to return right? So we shouldn't be in trouble."
"As much as I hope we won't, he seems to be happy to throw anyone in," Trigger responded. Tabloid let out a mumbled,
"shit," when they neared the combat area. Keying the radio, Mere took the initiative to inform Bandog of their arrival.
"Bandog, Spare-15, we're entering the combat zone. What's the picture looking like?"
"Hmph, so you three actually showed back up. Enemy interceptors have entered the AO as well as a few other planes taking off from a tunnel. The front of the third base have been hit but there's still the rear of the base to contend with."
"Copy, moving to finish them off," Mere cut the coms. "You ready Tabloid?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Spare-11, engaging!"
"Spare-15, engaging," Trigger hit the afterburner and flew off towards the last base. Taking a look at the radar, Mere brow creased a bit with what she's looking at. Bandog said the others were hitting the front of the last base, yet it looked like it was barely scratched at all. Looking at all the nails that were hitting the RWR, the data from Bandog, and the white contrails arcing into the sky, the base was still very much active.
"Come on, Weasle, this is your specialty, how do we deal with this?" Zipline grunted over the radio.
"Yeah well you go in low and sling an anti rad at whatever is here, but we don't got any!" Weasle casually said as he circled high in the sky. "Skunk, High Roller, got any AGM's left?"
"I'm out. Full Band, you just rearmed, you should have some right?" Skunk flatly said as he was chasing down an enemy fighter.
"Yeah, I got some but I'm busy of here!" Fullband grunted over the radio as he was defending against another missile.
"They keep slinging them at me when I try to get a lock!"
"Pod's good, I'm ready Trigger," Mere called from the back. Settling in, she can feel that this will be one hell of a ride.
"Let's see if your name holds up, Longbow," Trigger nosed the plane over as they were heading in low and fast. Slewing the pod around, Mere quickly went to work marking and designating coordinates for the bombs guidance. All Trigger needed to do was line up the CCIP in the general area and let the bombs internal guidance do the rest. Clunk after clunk, bombs fell from the Tomcats underbelly, guiding themselves into the Erusean air defense positions. "Pickle, time four," Trigger called out as the shockwaves from the bombs shook the airframe of their plane. Rolling he even saw a chance to strafe a few other AA emplacements as Mere was busy marking out more targets in front of them. With a new hole punched in the Erusean defensive lines, the rest of Spare finally started to fall in and pick apart the final base. Pulling up a bit to survey the area, the RWR began to blare as they were spiked by a SAM sight. Whipping her head over to the left, Mere spotted a plume of white barreling its way towards them.
"Shit, Trigger, 8 o'clock low!"
"I see it," he calmly responded as he put the plane into a dive. Mere began to dump chaff as Trigger went defensive against the missle. her eyes were glued to the approaching threat when it suddenly veered away chasing after their chaff.
"Missile defeated," she called. Looking back at the SAM, she noticed a small grey opening in the base of the mountain.
"Seems like they hid these AA emplacements in a tunnel- Agh, Trigger!"
Trigger suddenly pulled the Tomcat around in a high-G turn before lowering his altitude. Locking up the SAM and AA gun, he launched two missiles destroying both vehicles.
"Good shot Trigger!" Mere cheered a bit as she looked back down at her work station but quickly looked forward again since the plane hasn't changed direction. "Trigger?" Looking ahead, all she saw was mountin. "Oi, Trigger, pull up!" Still no response from Trigger. Mere's hands reached up for the ejection handle but stopped. At this range their current vector, she'd just be slammed into the mountain even with the parachute being deployed. Only a minor amount of relief came over her as the engines whined down a bit as Trigger pulled the throttle back angling the plane a bit more.
"Trust me."
"Trust you!? That's a fucking mountain, pull- ... No." It dawned on Mere where he was going as she saw a glimpse of a tunnel through the smoke of the burning AA vehicles. "Don't you fucking dare!"
"It's big enough."
"I'm gonna fucking kick your ass when we land!" Mere shut her eyes as they flew through the tunnel. She felt the rumble of the vulcan cannon in her seat followed by the muffled sounds of something exploding. The tone of their missile getting a solid lock hummed in her ears when the radio crackled to life.
"Trigger crashed! Drueling idiot!" Bandog growled over the microphone when someone else laughed.
"No! He flew into the tunnel!" Tabloid corrected, "He's crazy!"
"Stunts like that get people killed. Risking precious equipment just for the fun of it?" Utah grunted rather annoyedly at the situation. Opening her eyes for a second, Mere saw Trigger gun down another SAM that was being rearmed in the tunnel. As they zoomed past the burning wreck, the fire began to spread to the other munitions in the tunnel. Flying out of the tunnel an explosion erupted, shooting smoke and fire out the opening they just flew out of.
"Holy shit! Look at that tunnel! There's Trigger!" Lampshade called out as Trigger flew back into the sky. "That's some Holywood shit right there!"
"You dumbass. You could have crashed, taking not just your miserable life but someone elses!" Bandog groaned over the radio before he let out a sigh. "Either way, you've done a fair amount of work to their ground units, but I see some of you still have plenty of ammo." Mere could almost hear a slight chuckle. "Continue with the attack, keep yourself nice and exposed until I say otherwise. Count, you might even have a chance back at the lead."
"What? I'm sure I have the lead!"
"You're quite behind. Trigger's well in the lead."
"Tch, you really are good at murdering people, Trigger. Too easy for someone who's used to killing presidents."
"Ex-presidents," Full Band corrected.
"So what's the difference?"
"Difference is I didn't do it," Trigger growled back a bit.
"Ooh watch it, he might actually make you his next target, Count," Weasle teased a bit over the radio. "Maybe he even convinced Hotwire to sabotage you."
"Fuck off Weasle," Mere shot back when Bandog cut in over the radio again.
"I hear a lot of talking and see a bunch of enemies still on the ground. Shut up and get back to work... Oh what the hell." Bandog trailed off a bit.
"Hmph, Bandog, Utah, what's the picture like?"
"Aircraft are approaching at high speed! Bearing 280," his gruff voice held a bit of urgency. "There's 8, no 12- 20 approaching aircraft!"
"What the hell, where'd they come from?"
"Radar signatures are small and match those of the MQ-99. They're drones."
Mere blood froze at Bandog's last words. Drones? Here? Why here, why now? Clenching her teeth, her hand began to shake as sweat formed on her forehead. It's just gonna be the same as last time. If anything, it'll just be over sooner with how these pilots flew. Take them out and more will just show up; the waves just never ended.
Looking over his shoulder, Trigger could make out multiple black dots against the sky flying in formation. His grip tightened on the flight stick as those blasted drones were back once again just to make his life more difficult. Clenching his hand a few times, he sucked in a breath and let it out to calm his nerves.
"Hotwire, don't worry, I've handled these things before." Glancing up at the mirror, his worries grew as Hotwire was still heads down in her instruments. It looked like she was shaking even. "Hotwire?" No response. "Hey, Hotwire!" Yelling a bit louder made her jolt a bit. She glanced up at the mirror, and to Trigger, it looked like she'd seen a ghost. Her skin was pale, and her eyes were wide and wild. This wasn't the same person who climbed into his back seat that afternoon.
"Ah, so these must be the infamous drones," Full Band said a bit impressed, but there's some unease in his voice.
"So these things can dogfight without pilots?!" Zipline asked out loud to anyone.
"Cut the bullshit Zipline! Machines are not replacing humans!" Champ growled over the mic.
"Oh, calm down, you morons." Bandog snapped over the radio. "They're just obstacles in your way. Don't forget your original mission! Take down the drones like any other plane and destroy the base. Got it?"
"It's you that doesn't get it, Bandog!" Mere suddenly shouted over the radio. Her voice trembled a bit as the memories from Farbanti trickled into her mind. It all started with the MQ-99's pecking at them, wave after wave they kept coming. Shoot one down, two more takes it's place on your tail.
"I don't think you understand where you stand now either-"
"Two whole carrier strike fighter squadrons, gone! Two more merged and barely formed a squadron and a half. I've fought these things before and they made our mission impossible!" Mere cut Bandog off again. Her bawled up hands began to shake as she tried to keep herself from breaking down completely.
"You are a prisoner in this penal unit. You will follow the orders we give you. We might take your experience into consideration but you will follow our orders. Attack the base, deal with the drones." Bandog snarled over the mic before he cut the line with a click. Time seemed to slow as Mere let his words sink in. What was going to be a risky mission was turning into a blood bath. Hotwire. Oseas pride and joy the Kestrell II was easilly swarmed by these drones in their attempt to take the capitol. Hotwire! What will a penal unit be able to do against-
"Howire!" Trigger's voice shook Mere out of her thoughts. She looked up the mirror and saw Trigger's worried eyes as he looked back at her. "Come on, snap out of it. I need you back there."
"We should just get out of here Trigger."
"That's not what the person who climbed in this afternoon would have said."
"Well this is the true me! You heard what I said; the Ragin' Bulls and Golden Warriors were completely wipped out. Half of the Black Lions were all shot down and we barely got out with the Tomcatters. What can we do if the Aresenel bird comes along?"
"The Arsenal bird isn't here. It's just these dumb MQ-99's here and I'll need your help to swat them out of the sky." Some of the other pilots had already moved in to deal with the drones while the others flew to a higher altitude keeping a safe distance from the base and the growing furball.
"Utah, come on get these bugs off my ass!" Roofer deep voice grunted over the radio.
"Stop flying like a lunatic and I might be able to help!"
"Full Band, on your six! Missile!" Pick called out.
"Ah shiit!" Full Band grunted as he poped countermeasures and dove away. "Did the jailer know about the shitstorm he was sending us into?!"
"Penal units are just pawns," Tabloid commented as he dove down targeting a drone that was trailing Roofer. "Got your six, Roofer!"
"Nnngh! When did you start sticking your neck out for others Tabloid?"
"Just consider it an IOU." Tabloid grunted in response as the drone he was chasing was clipped by cannon fire but it kept flying. "Damn it!"
"Come on Hotwire, get it together, we're needed in there and I need you." Trigger's hand clenched up on the throttle and stick. "I've dealt with these before since the start. They aren't too bad once you know the pattern. But I need your help back there in order to save us, and the others!" He still didn't like dealing with these drones as trouble always followed them wherever they go. It was a problem, however, that he was fairly decent at eliminating.
"I..."
"That lying son of a bitch!" Champ growled a bit out as he was dealing with one of the drones. "These drones are too much, I'm pulling out!"
"Don't pretend like you deserve any better! Continue the operation!" Bandog ordered.
"Wha- Hey, stay on my fucking ass Champ!" Skunk growled as he saw his cover start to fly away. "Leave and the deals off Champ!" Skunk grunted as he went evasive again against another missile.
"Damn it. Damn it! All right but you better double up!" Champ grunted as he went back into the fray.
"There's just too many of them! Retreat!" Weasle yelled. Mere began to look around as she focused back in on the radio. The squadron was all over the place as usual with only a few people grouping together. She didn't even notice that Tabloid had broken off from them.
"Spare-9 return back to the operation and engage the drones!"
"And what will you do Bandog!?" Weasel shouted.
"This is Spare-7, shit! Someone get this enemy off my tail!" High Roller panicked voice came over the net. Taking in a sharp breath, Mere burried her head in the radar picking High Roller out from the furball.
"Trigger, 5 o'clock, low!" she called. Immediately, Trigger rolled the Tomcat over and pulled into a dive flying as quickly as he can towards High Rollers position.
"I can't, I've got my hands full here!" Count spoke up with a grunt.
"High Roller! Missile! Shake it off!" Tabloid suddenly shout out as a missile made a beline towards High Roller. Rolling the F-16 over, he pulled into a dive dumping countermeasures, but a little too late. There was a puff of black smoke as the missile detonated close to the rear of the plane peppering the tail and wingtip with shrapnel. Mere looked up and sucked in a sharp breath seeing the F-16 still flying but barely. An elevator was sheared off while piece of wing were holding on by a thread. Smoke and fluides trailed behind the injured plane.
"Goddamn it, I'm hit! I'm still at the table!" He was wrestling with the plane controls, trying to keep the injured aircraft stable. The drone on his tail was lining up another shot when Trigger came screaming through, the Tomcat's vulcan roaring to life as it peppered the drone with 20mm cannon fire. The drone shook as it took damage before a puff of black smoke ruptured from the frame sending the drone plumeting out of the sky as ball of scrap. Mere flicked her head over to verify High Roller's situation only to see licks of orange poke through the holes in High Rollers plane.
"High Roller your on fire! You can't save the plane! Eject! Eject! Eject!" Mere pressed her helmet against the canopy to get a better view of High Roller and she began to pray that the work she did on his seat was for something when Tabloid panicked voice came over the radio again.
"High Roller! Missile! Another one!" Turning her head, another drone had already taken it's place behind High Roller and launched another missile at him.
"Come on! Eject! Eject! Eject! Get out of there High Roller!"
"Ah, shit! I've got a bet on me getting ou-" his coms cut out into static just as his F-16 disappeared in a cloud of smoke and flames.
"Hey! Someone's down! Who is it!?" Champ gasped over the radio.
"It's High Roller! High Rollers been taken out!" Lampshade answered in a panic.
"Don't piss your pants over one aircraft being down!" Bandog barked at the others trying to get control of the situation.
"Well, what happens if the banker's out?" Full Band asked when something caught Mere's attention.
"It's voided, moron," Utah grunted over the mic again as Mere scanned through the sky when she saw it again, a white parachute slowly descending to the ground.
"Wait, I see a chute!" Tabloid suddenly called out getting surprised gasp from some of the other pilots.
"Did you say a chute?"
"Confirmed, I have visuals. Lucky bastard punched out in time!" Champ chuckled a bit.
"Holy shit, it worked. The seat worked!" Mere let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Eh? What do you mean his seat worked?" Lampshade asked.
"Give me coordinates. I'll get the regular forces to pick him up. Can't have any prisoners escaping on my watch." Bandog grunted out, though he seemed a bit proud. "Focus on the mission. the enemy is still surrounding you."
"Hotwire?" Flying in a slight bank, Trigger stayed near the edge of the furball glancing up at his WSO. Mere had closed her eyes letting out a deep sigh as she tries to process the turmoil of emotions she's feeling. What was once fear and panic was burning away into anger and rage. Flipping a few buttons, she punched the jettison button freeing the remaining bombs they had on the underside of the plane. With a clunk, the Tomcat shed a good deal of weight and was ready to pounce on their next target. Giving a thumbs up, she leaned forward getting to work on the radar. Diving back into the fight, Trigger picked his way through finding Tabloid dealing with a pursuing drone. Getting a lock on the drone, the sidewinder's seeker head followed, getting a solid tone.
"Tabloid, break right!"
"Breaking!" he grunted out as Trigger let the missile off its rail while also sending a volley of cannon fire at the drone. The drone jinked initially to avoid the cannon fire but seemed to linger a bit when it was struck by the sidewinder. "Oh shit! Trigger bagged another one!"
"They seem a bit stupid when it comes to evading. They only really like to deal with one threat at a time " Trigger explained.
"Huh... Well, I'll keep that in mind," Tabloid nodded his head a bit as he slowed down to fall in on Triggers wing again. Back into the furball the two went trying to chase down the drones. Tabloid was doing his best trying to keep up with the drones but even with the advice, they were still difficult to deal with. They were maneuvering even better than Trigger remembered them too. Even if they were updated, it didn't stop him from downing two more drones. Mere was quietly working in the back doing what she could and occasionally giving callouts about evading a missile slung at them but things weren't looking too good. It only got worse when another cry for help broke through the radio.
"Shit, Spare-14! I-I'm hit! Utah! Get this thing off of me!"
"Keep it still for one second! Just fly like a normal pilot and let me get a shot!"
"Utah-!" Zipline radio cut out as the drone shredded the MiG-29 with cannon fire moving from the engine up to the spine of the plane. A wing sheared off before the plane itself ripped apart into a fireball.
"Damn it! Another man down!" Full Band shouted. "There's no point in staying! Retreat!"
"Follow your orders! Continue the operation! Deserters will be punished!" Bandog threatened, but the rest of the pilots began to panic as well.
"Spare-1, Winchester. If anyone wants to die, let 'em," Skunk grunted as he began to pull away from the AO.
"Forget this! I'm out of here!" Sinker yelled over the radio as he followed after Skunk.
"Ah damn it! This is Spare-4, I'm hit again! Combat ineffective! I'm retreating!" Dookie called out again.
"This isn't even a fight! You wanna lose all your pilots Bandog!?" Champ angry, lashed out at Bandog. "Fuck this, I'm out of here!"
"Shut up and engage, damn it!"
"Try and make me!"
"If anyone wants to die, let them!" Full Band said as he pulled out with the others.
Mere looked at the radar as she watched her allies begin to all fly away out of the AO. Only a few fighters remained in the area. Glancing at the radar, she saw the numbers 2, 3, 5, and 11 remained. All the other pilots can go to hell for all she cares about at the moment. Knowing the base commander, they'll be spending the next few days in solitarey. Keying the radio, she reached out to the remaining fighters.
"Lamp, Roofer, you good?"
"Ah, well, tried that trick I heard Trigger say and bagged a drone myself. I'd rather not go into solitareyeither," Lampshade responded frankly.
"Be it a real unit or a penal, I'm here to fly. A mission is a mission." Roofer grunted out flatly.
"Well, thank you two. I'm getting behind Trigger and Hotwire," Tabloid said as he pulled in on Trigger's wing. "Stick with the best if you want to survive. Worked out so far."
"Poor decision on your part," Count smugly shot back at Tabloid. "I've still got top score."
"Count?" Tabloid let out a chuckle, while Roofer even let out a short laugh at the obvious lie. "Man, you're useless."
"Everyone knows you inflate your numbers," Champ quickly added, which silenced Count's attempts to get another word in.
"Champ, Full Band, shut up and reengage or face punishment!" Bandog snapped again over the radio but Mere already knew it wasn't gonna change anything. The allied planes were already near the edge of the combat zone. No way they would be coming back.
"Keep yappin' away little guard dog," Champ taunted the AWACS. "Maybe yell enough you'll get a treat from the base commander."
Bandog's voice became dark and bitter as he growled, "You'll pay for this..."
"Tch, well, it looks like we're the only ones having fun out here," Count scoffed a bit as he was chasing down a drone. "So how about we do this! Trigger, the one with the highest score wins! Let's settle who's best once and for all."
"You sure Count? I'm up by four so far," Trigger replied, a tinge of confidence in his voice.
"Oh that little lead won't do you too much," Count confidently responded. "After all this will be number six!" Glancing up, Mere spotted the flaming wreck of a drone falling out of the sky before the explosion made a light thud in the planes canopy.
"Bullshit. You're still on two," Bandog voice cut in causing Count to scoff.
"Hey! You sure your radar's working right Bandog?"
"Working perfectly fine. Tabloid's taken down another drone."
Glancing over Mere saw Tabloid move onto another drone. The herd was thinning but it was still five on ten. She was quickly reminded of that when a drone was dropping in on Tabloid's plane. Mere opened her mouth to say something when yellow tracers sprayed through the sky clipping a wing off the drone followed by an F-18 arcing up.
"Got your six, Tabloid!" Lampshade called out just as two more drone flew past the Tomcat.
"We're falling behind Trigger, lets go!" Mere urged her pilot. Without another word, Trigger punched it and quickly went after two drones. Locking up the closer drone, Trigger pulled in tighter before nosing the plane up launching a missile at the. Given the distance, it had no time to react as it ate a missile. The second drone jinked back to the left which Trigger quickly followed after mirroring it's movements. Mere grunted with each turn. She tightened up her legs as she fought through the G forces when the vulcan rumbled to life again. 20mm cannon rounds shreaded through the thin skin of the drone, destroying his sixth one.
"Damn, Tigger got two more drones! That's six!" Tabloid excitedly called out.
"Well, you aren't like the others who scurried back to base. I'll give you that Trigger."
"What, do I not get any compliments?" Mere asked, sounding a bit hurt.
"Ah well uh... I'm sure you're also doing a good job back there with that maniac's flying," Count quickly added a bit flustered. Mere let out a light laugh before she contacted Bandog.
"Bandog, how's the picture looking? Any more drones?" Mere asked as she scanned her own radar for any new contacts.
"Huh? Well... No new hostiles are entering the AO. Clean up the rest of these drones and I might allow you to return."
"Roger that, you heard him Trigger!" Spotting their next target, he rolled the plane and went to engage. With each drone shot down, it brought them on and even footing till it was one on one. Trigger jumped onto a drone trailing Roofer while he was busy chasing down a drone. Getting a radar lock, Trigger began to pull himself closer trying to get within range for a gun kill as a missile was too risky. Waiting for the right moment, he tapped the trigger clipping the drone enough to get it off of Roofer's tail so he could focus on his own drone. Giving chase to the injured drone, Trigger quickly finished it off as it's movements became more sluggish.
"And that's an Ace!" Count suddenly shouted out over the radio. "Man, wish I had a radio right now. Music would definately help me get into my zone."
"What, like danger zone?" Mere couldn't help but laugh at her own stupid joke while Count just made a slight chuckle.
"Maybe. Just something to take the edge off. Finding a working radio is the biggest hurdle."
"You better not be a metal head like my uncle. He had a whole vynal collection in his room on base and everything."
"There is that broken one in the store, though," Tabloid pointed out as both he and Roofer finished their kills, wiping the drone force out. Mere thought she even heard Count let out a "huh" when Bandog came over the radio.
"All right, you've hit the enemy base enough. The operation is complete. Head back to base." Bandog let out a sigh before he added, "I never thought I'd say this, but you did one hell of a job out there, Spare Squadron. The bastards who flew off are going to wish they had never been born. You five get a pass."
"Damn right," Count let out a chuckle.
"Just doing the job," Roofer grunted.
"Though I wouldn't be surprised if we're thrown into solitary too." Tabloid added
"Oh don't be such a downer, Tabloid," Lampshade groaned. "We did what we were sent here to do and probably made the base commander look good."
Suddenly Full Band cut in on the radio, saying, "Hey, who wants to bet who goes into solitary?! That's what that gambling nutjob would say if he was here!" He let out a laugh while the channel fell quiet. A short while later, Bandog broke the silence.
"Where's your sense of humor, guys? Your buddy is making a joke, laugh already." Silence took hold of the radio again when Sinker came on, trying to imitate Bandog's voice.
"You can laugh it up, in solitary," This earned a few laughs from the other pilots and a deep sigh from Bandog. Mere let out a slight giggle as she began to rest in the back seat. Pulling her oxygen mask off, she wiped down her sweaty face and looked down at the smoking battlefield below. Eight drones. Trigger took down eight drones like it was nothing. All in a clapped out F-14 that was put together with scrap. Just who the hell is this person she's flying with? The two remained silent for a while when Trigger spoke up.
"... I'm sorry Hotwire." Sitting up in her seat, she gave him a questioning look.
"What's this about Trigger? I should be the one apologizing for freezing up back there..."
"Operation Two-Pronged Strategy... My squadron was tasked with punching the hole to open an avenue to support the Kestrel in its attack on Farbanti. If we didn't fail-"
"Trigger, stop." Mere put a hand up and let out a sigh. "The whole operation was a failure to begin with. Even if you were to arrive, what about the Aresenal bird? Do you think you had enough firepower to take one of those down? Does anyone?"
"Hmph. True... The other arsenal bird picked us apart... Those blasted drones just keep showing up and making things difficult... But I've got you back there to back me up. Plus, I also saw that F-15 in Hanger 1."
"What, you want to get rid of me that quickly?" Mere tried to keep her voice neutral, but she still seemed a bit hurt.
"Wha- no no. You're a good WSO. Just... The airframe's holding me back a bit. F-14's are great and all but... That's an Eagle. Can you say no to flying an Eagle at least once?"
"Pfft, well, she still needs work. For now, you'll have to stick with my ass bitching at you from the back."
"Hmph. Whatever, Bob." Trigger shrugged while Mere raised an eyebrow at the new nickname.
"Bob?"
"Yeah, Baby on Board."
"I'm going to fucking deck you when we get back." Mere let out a laugh when the com started to beep. A priority transmission? With a click, the rather grating voice of the base commander came over their coms.
"This is Base Commander McKinsey."
"Well, shit, speak of the devil," Lampshade mumbled.
"This can't be good," Count sighed a bit.
"You may have lost some planes, but the mission is a success." Cheers erupted from the other pilots. Maybe things won't be so bad after all-
"However, it seems that some of you crossed the return line for supplies and repairs. This will result in solitary. You will be taken upon arrival to the hangers. That is all."
McKinsey's voice ended with a click and a stunned silence took hold of the squadron when they exploded into anger and chaos. Everyone was pissed off especially Roofer and Lampshade. Even Bandog was pissed and trying to get McKinsey back on the coms. Mere balled up her fist and slammed it against the side of the canopy.
"Fucking bullshit! We do all that work just to be thrown in?"
"Well... we did rearm." Trigger said before he threw his arms up in defense as Mere shot daggers at him. "Fair enough. We did most of the work... and shot down the most drones..."
Slumping in her seat Mere put her oxygen mask back on and tried to get comfy in her seat. She's going to get as much shut eye as she can before they're thrown into their cells. She can't sleep in solitary. Resting her eyes, she didn't realize how tiered she actually felt.
"What a fucked up day..."
"Could be worse... It could have been a whole lot worse."
"Just don't crash us on landing, Hawkins..." Mere mumbled as she fell asleep.