Wild Blue Yonder Ch.3
Reaper (aka The Ribbon) x Camilla (aka The Butterfly Master) love story.
The Ace Combat franchise does NOT belong to me. It respectfully belongs to Namco Bandai and Project Aces. The plot in this Fanfiction is obviously non-canon and was written by me.
READ THE PREQUEL FIRST! (Title: Stargazing)
In this story, I'll be making it like what I think will happen when the story of Ace Combat Infinity continues. Except I added ReaperxCamilla in it. Also, I'm not sure about the real names of most of the characters (Omega, Viper, Reaper, etc.) So I'll keep using their callsigns instead. Hope you don't mind.
Note: Errors might be seen because of auto correct.
Chapter 3: Battle of Kuwait City.
Objective: Retake Kuwait City to reclaim Camp Patriot, and the newly built offshore oil rigs.
-(Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates)-
(Reaper's POV)
It's been a day later after I had that nightmare of the Ulysses Disaster and my talk with Omega about it.
Morning finally arrived as I began to get dressed into my flight suit that was recently washed and smelt like bland fresh detergent. I'm not really picky when it comes to the scent of detergent or cologne, so I just shrugged and wore it. I put the photo of my parents and grandfather in my pocket as a talisman and headed out of the room I slept it. Same old stuff everyday in work, the halls were busy with airmen, pilots, and officers while I passed by each and every one of them.
When I finally reached the briefing room, I sat next to my squad mates as Edge went to hers, which was near where we sat. All of us stared at the global map when our Commander, Goodfellow was getting ready to start the briefing as it zoomed in towards the Persian Gulf.
"Hope all of you had a good sleep. I know I didn't because of the boss giving me extra work hours. It's an absolute pain in the neck, but don't worry about it. I'm used to these." Goodfellow cleared his throat. "But I digress. After the Battle of Tehran, we now have a much more open path to go across the Persian Gulf to get our supply lines going. The USS Essex will be stationed in the gulf along with a defensive fleet ready to be deployed. However, there's one thing that we need to accomplish to make this happen."
"What is it?" Omega asked.
"We initiate an assault on USEAN Forces in Kuwait City." Goodfellow answered as he zoomed in on Kuwait, displaying a 3-D map of the entire area. "An enemy fleet was already stationed there after we attacked Dubai. However, remaining enemy ships that retreated in the night operation in Dubai have settled in Kuwait, significantly increasing the naval defenses in the Persian Gulf."
"So you want us to sink down the enemy fleet so the USS Essex and the defensive fleet can take action to the rest in the Persian Gulf?" I asked.
"Correct. Another reason I should mention why we're taking Kuwait City is to take back Camp Patriot and the offshore rigs to significantly increase our quantity of oil."
"I can see why. 'Black Gold' is always the important resource in war anyway." Omega shrugged.
"If you destroy one oil rig, I'll make you fly a MiG-21 instead of your modified Eurofighter Typhoon from now on." Goodfellow warned.
"Oh no. Please. I don't want to become Viper." He joked.
"I'll be sure keep an eye on him if Reaper is busy with something." Edge sighed.
"Oh sure. Give me the dog collar." He mumbled.
"Judging by how big the enemy fleet is along with adding heavy ground forces in the shoreline, there's no doubt you'll be flying into a death trap. But knowing Bone Arrows and the Ridgebacks, I determined that just the two of you can accomplish this mission without disappointing the UN." Goodfellow chuckled. "Let's see if one of you can top Reaper's kill score on this operation. If the Butterfly Master comes and you shoot her down, that's a bonus."
My chest tightened when he mentioned the Butterfly Master, Camilla. But the thing is that I didn't need to worry about shooting her QFA-44 out of the sky. What was bothering me was how she feels about controlling it from now on. I told her everything that she wasn't playing a game. She has been killing actual pilots and other soldiers when she didn't want to do such a thing. She thought she was safe from war and not involved in it. The thought of getting shot down and killed by her drone's lasers made me sweat. Dying by the hands of the prettiest girl I've ever met just-
"Reaper," Goodfellow called, "you feeling okay?"
"Yeah." I nodded quickly. "Sorry."
"Anyway, Sky-Eye will keep you guys updated in the air. Expect enemy reinforcements when the enemy is suffering heavy losses. The USEAN fighters don't give up so easily. They want to keep Kuwait City and the oil rigs in their hands no matter what. Do not show mercy." Goodfellow turned off the map and corrected his glasses. "Dismissed."
After Goodfellow finished, Omega immediately nudged my shoulder and chuckled.
"Oi. How about sparing some enemies for me so my kill count can increase today." Omega requested.
"Not a chance." I answered with a chuckle.
"At least I tried." He chuckled back. "I honestly don't care about the money that much anyway. But hey, it's better than nothing."
"I can't stand mercenaries sometimes." Edge rolled her eyes.
"Hey, I'm still generous here, Edge." I shrugged my shoulders and got off my seat. "Time to take the skies." I said as Omega, Bronco, and Zebu followed me.
All of us ran to our hangar as me and my squadron's aircrafts were already prep for start. Edge ran to hers with her team that was next to ours and got on their ASF-X Shinden IIs.
I gave my F-22A a good look and saw the grey metallic paint scheme, the blue-tinted canopy, and last but not least, the Arrows Air Defense and Security emblem next to my Grim Reaper with a ribbon shaped like an infinity sign. Still beautiful as the day I got and upgraded her with expensive modifications.
"It's good to be back." I smiled and hopped on the cockpit and turned on the panels.
After getting in, I put on my white and blue flight helmet with my emblems, and put on my breathing mask. I looked at Omega as he was already on his Eurofighter Typhoon, wearing his Cancer the Crab helmet and breathing mask. He gave a thumbs up as I gave one back to him along with Bronco and Zebu. Then, I closed the canopy and moved my aircraft outside after Edge and her team was already checking their planes by the airbase mechanics. We checked weapons, flaps, electronics, and other things.
One of the mechanics outside gave me a halt sign as I saw Edge approach the runway, ready for take off. One by one, I saw her and the other Ridgebacks hit their afterburners and reached for the blue skies that were waiting for me and my team.
I was next in line as I moved my F-22A to the runway and stopped to the perfect position to standby.
"Bone Arrow 1. You're cleared for take off." The tower said.
After hearing my confirmation for takeoff, I hit the afterburners and felt my body move with the speeding up fighter. My back pushed against the seat as the entire cockpit was shaking. I pulled the flight stick as I then felt the hard shaking stop and my body feeling like it was being pushed up. Now airborne, I kept ascending as I could see a good view of Abu Dhabi and Dubai slightly seen in the distance.
"Altitude restrictions have been canceled. Bone Arrow flight, good luck up there." The control tower said.
"Affirmative. Thanks." I said as I lifted up my landing gear and flew my squadron in a diamond formation as soon as they got up here with me.
"Ah! There you are, Reaper. What took you so long?" Edge teased.
"Just being a good gentlemen. You know, ladies first." I replied with a smirk under my breathing mask.
"You're too kind." She said, which I could tell she rolled her eyes for.
"Sky-Eye to all flights. Radio check." I heard our AWACS speak.
"Bone Arrow 1. Connection is good."
"Ridgeback 1. Loud and clear." Edge acknowledged.
"Loud and clear. Sounds just like Omega." Goodfellow teased..
"Shut your gob." He sighed.
"Now that we know our job, how far exactly are we from Kuwait." I asked.
"You are approximately 500 miles away from reaching the combat zone. Stay in formation and ready yourselves for combat." Sky-Eye said.
"We had our planes checked already. So, readying ourselves is already done. Now…we pass some time off." Omega said.
Silence engulfed around us in the skies for a few minutes. I decided to break it down and comment on something random to get a conversation going. However, we have to make sure our radars are clear from any bogeys.
"Ahh…the sea. Blue as the sky, and cold as Edge's attitude." I joked.
"Thanks for leaving your radio on, idiot." Edge rolled her eyes and secretly gave a chuckle. "Plus the water here isn't even that cold."
"Ahh…the desert. So much sand. And dry like Reaper's sense of humor." Omega joked.
"Wow. That 'burns'." I sent out a pun.
"Would you like another 'exSANDple' of a desert joke?" Omega laughed.
"Cut the chatter." Goodfellow ordered. "Both of your jokes are making everyone cringe."
"Alright, alright. We'll save our breaths when we have to taunt the enemy pilots." Omega sighed.
"Alrighty. I can't 'kuWAIT'." I sent one last pun.
I heard Edge sigh from that joke as I chuckled quietly to myself.
-(Kuwait City)-
"Looks like they knew we were coming." Edge said as she pointed out what was in front of us.
The defensive fleet was already facing towards us as a few enemy squadrons flew above them, armed with anti-air missiles, ready to shoot us down. The fleet consisted of mostly twelve destroyers, five Aegis ships, and three cruisers, according to my radar and my view ahead of me. I was later confirmed correct after Sky-Eye gave a SitRep.
"You guys didn't come all this way to go swimming with the fishes. Take out all enemy flights and vessels." Goodfellow ordered.
"Affirmative." I nodded and rolled down.
"Let's go fishing for ourselves, Captain Reaper." Omega cheered and followed me down.
"Enemy flight approaching our fleet. All units, intercept at once!" An enemy flight leader gave out his orders.
"Flagship Haven to all ships. Initiate AA barrage on approaching enemy aircraft. Watch for friendly fire." The enemy captain ordered.
"Roger that. Commencing defensive action." One of the Aegis captains said.
I looked ahead towards the Aegis I was diving down to and saw the anti-aircraft guns fire rounds towards my nose.
"Incoming barrage!" Omega shouted as he began to withdraw from the dive.
However, I still kept heading down as I could hear the hailstorm of bullets dashing past my aircraft. I rolled around to avoid the shots and fired two missiles to take down on of the AA guns. After my weapons cooled down, I fired another set of missiles and struck the captain's brig. The shattered metal of the destroyed center splashed all around the water as the ship was engulfed in flames. The power onboard was neutralized as it was unable to use its weapons and equipment. Then, it began to slowly sink down the gulf.
"Enemy vessel sunk." Sky-Eye confirmed my kill.
"One ship lost already?! You gotta be kidding me!" An enemy pilot growled.
"Wait, that emblem…! We're dealing with that ace of the pirates!" The enemy squad leader notified.
"The Grim Reaper with the Ribbon, eh? Flagship Haven to all units, focus your attacks on the Reaper. Make additional aircraft go after the rest." The Captain of the enemy flagship ordered.
While breaking away from the other AA fire, I noticed I was being tracked by an enemy. I looked at the mirror and saw an enemy F-16C on my tail. When a missile was fired at me, I pulled the stick and made a sharp turn upwards to evade successfully. Then I made another sharp turn to get the off the enemy's sights. Now, I was behind him and fired a rain of cannon rounds, shredding off his right wing, making him lose control and plunge his plane to the gulf.
"Bandit shot down." I confirmed and went after two other F-16C heading towards me head on. I locked on both of them in time to fire two heat-seeking missiles, striking the front air intakes, utterly destroying their aircrafts out of the sky.
"He already shot down half my squadron. This is not looking good." The enemy flight leader nervously gripped his flight stick.
"I didn't even shoot one down and he's already four kills ahead…" Edge said.
"What do you expect from our Cap'n." Omega chuckled.
"I'll feed you to the sharks!" The enemy squad leader growled.
Another missile alert rung as I immediately made evasive action when I saw my radar track the missile that almost struck my tail at close range. I looked back as saw another one of he F-16Cs tailgating me. I pushed up my afterburners and flew at a lower altitude, heading towards the enemy ships. I saw Edge take out another Aegis that was in my way and kept going. My missiles locked on a destroyer as I fired missiles and shot out a few rounds from my cannon. My missile pierced inside the center of the destroyer and exploded, sinking it down slowly. I repeated the process, lock and fire and so on. In one dangerously low strafe, I sunk around five destroyers and critically disabled the last Aegis, which was unable to fire back. Omega and my Bone Arrow squadron gave some assistance as they took care of AA guns and additional enemy aircraft.
"Keep at 'em, Bone Arrows. Still got some targets left." Goodfellow said.
"Flagship Haven to all remaining ships, assist our allies as best as you can." The enemy captain said.
I then remembered I had the enemy flight lead behind my back as he tried to shoot me down with his gun rounds and missiles, which all missed due to my movements. I pulled up and ascended a few thousand feet and dived down again, heading towards the enemy flagship with a bandit on my tail. Now was a good time to lose him. I fired my missiles down at the cruiser and struck the vital areas on the first shots. My second shots made the cruiser explode when I was a few hundred feet away from it. I passed by from above it in time as shrapnel and flames rose up from the cruiser, making the enemy plane behind me go through the hot firewall. He trailed smoke on his engine as shrapnel disabled his aircraft.
"Engine is dead! I'm bailing out!" The enemy flight lead said as he ejected and saw his plane plunged into the water.
"Mayday! Mayday! Flagship Haven to all ships. We're going down! All hands, abandon ship immediately!"
"Always doing the risky tricks to impress us, aren't you?" Omega chuckled.
"It's part of my job." I replied.
"Half of our forces have been destroyed. How can this happen? There's only eight enemy planes up there!" The captain of one of the destroyers said.
"I didn't expect this operation to go on so well this quickly. This is going to be a cakewalk." Goodfellow said.
"Datalink setup is online. All units, connect and take down the rest of the enemy vessels and planes." Sky-Eye said. "Just watch your fire. Do NOT strike the oil rigs." He added.
"Don't worry. I got the hint when Goodfellow told me." Omega sighed.
"When you fly it one day, get ready to learn some Russian." Edge teased.
"No. It's Viper's attitude I gotta worry about getting when I fly the same plane as his."
With the shoreline and Fort Patriot seen in the distance behind the fleet, or what was left of it, we pushed forward more as we encountered the barrage of anti-air rounds from the destroyers and two cruisers left. Edge went over to handle the remaining enemy squadron in the air as I was told to handle the enemy vessels with my flight. With aces like us, we cleared out the rest of the remaining ships without dealing any damage and before Edge could finish her job with the other Ridgebacks.
I dashed towards them and locked onto an enemy plane that Edge was trying to shoot down. My missile headed to the target as I stole her kill.
"Thanks for saving the last one for me." I chuckled.
"Wow. Thanks, I guess." She sighed. "Did you deal with the ships already?"
"Judging by the lack of AA fire and SAMs, yeah. We did." I said as the black smoke rose from each of the enemy vessels me and my squadron destroyed.
"It's like we're polluting Kuwait with the black smoke again like in the Gulf War." Omega whistled.
"Instead of oil, what a waste of ships." I sighed.
"Sooo…do we head back now?" Omega asked.
"I wouldn't say 'Yes' to that." Goodfellow said.
"What's up?"
"Sky-Eye to all flights, I'm detecting new readings coming from the north. Enemy reinforcements incoming!"
"Looks like we'll be getting extra money in our pockets today. Reaper, do your thing." Goodfellow ordered.
"What about me, Goodfellow?" Omega asked.
"Try not to get shot down."
"Of course…"
"Sky-Eye, can you confirm who we are dealing with?" I asked.
"Unknown. I'm getting multiple readings coming from high altitude above the Kuwait City. It's…unmanned aerial vehicles and one enemy fighter." He answered. "Is that-…?"
My heart dropped when he confirmed it to be UAVs and one enemy fighter. There is only one ace that I know that flies alone while using UAVs during combat. The Butterfly Master.
Camilla…
(Yes, I broke the promise ^^; . Reasons: Helping my dad renovate the house, college finals before, and such. But mostly renovating the house. I can't promise anything about early releases, but all I can say is this: I am NOT going to abandon this story. I will complete it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one soon!)
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