-Retaliation-

Falmart Calendar, 1291

Debriefing room, Fort Harling

"Alright everyone settle down, settle down", called Major Friedland. "Base Commander McKinsey is currently hindered that's why I'm in charge at the moment", he added.

The Briefing room was filled to the brim with Pilots of both Osea and Erusia. There weren't anywhere near enough chairs and tables for all so most of them where standing around and listening intently what their AWACS operator said.

"Today at afternoon time, a massive air assault took place. Enemy Aircraft consisted of Fifteen F-16 Multirole Aircraft, Twenty F-15C Fighter Aircraft, Ten F-15E Multirole Aircraft and Six F-22A Air superiority Aircraft". Behind Longcaster, A Osean Soldier flicked through some Pictures projected from a Laptop on the table at the front. The Pictures where taken either from the ground or from the wing mounted Cameras on the Fighter planes.

"You did great today. Although we lost a good portion of our own Fighters and Pilots, but you guys prevented further bloodshed on the Base".

"Lucky for us, the eggheads here managed to get the Defense Grid online in time. We couldn't have done much against F-22s in the Airspace", Exclaimed a Osean Pilot.

Longcaster looked over to the Pilot and nodded, "You're right", he sighed, "With Fifth gen aircraft in the Airspace and the Defense Grid offline the fight would have turned out differently".

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. All eyes swung to the door as it opened, revealing a Blonde woman, seemingly in her late 20s. Wearing glasses on her nose and the Osean Battle uniform she walked towards the podium where Longcaster stood looking at her. Her battle boots creating soft thuds as she determinedly walked forward with a clipboard in hand.

Once reaching the front, she turned around, adjusted her glasses and took a deep breath. "My name is Major Deanna McOnnie. I'm the lead engineer and head of the future weapons development program over on this side of the gate. My team and I are currently working on a... Space program to give our forces and with that you a leading edge in the fight over the Gate Region. With all that said, we need a couple of volunteers for some of the Air Based Projects". Seeking for any hands, she found none.

"What exactly are these... projects?", asked a Erusian in a heavy accent.

McOnnie adjusted her glasses and turned to the Erusians. Her distaste for the Erusians as a whole is clearly visible but she bit through it. "They consist mainly of experimental aircraft and air to air and air to ground weaponry". Her tone when she explained was distant and bored, making many Pilots including Longcaster Himself frown.

"Just like the Erusians during the Lighthouse war we also will assemble a experimental Squadron, and just like them we'll experiment with different planes and weapons", McOnnie explained, spitting out the word Erusian. This action left even more Pilots baffled.

"Now like I said I need Volunteers to leave their current squadrons and enter the Experimental Squadron. The Squadron's name will be Aether Squadron".

The room fell silent as the name "Aether Squadron" hung in the air. A palpable tension filled the debriefing room as pilots exchanged wary glances. Major McOnnie, oblivious to the unease, continued, "This squadron will be at the forefront of our military advancements. We will be testing cutting-edge technology and tactics that will significantly increase our capabilities. However, this comes with its risks."

A young Osean pilot, barely out of his teens, raised his hand hesitantly. "What kind of risks are we talking about here, Major?" he asked, his voice wavering slightly.

McOnnie turned her gaze toward him, her expression softening just a fraction. "The aircraft we will be using are prototypes. They are still in testing phases and may not perform as expected. There's a chance of malfunctions or even failures in combat scenarios. If you are selected, you must be prepared for anything."

An older pilot, a veteran who had seen more than his fair share of conflicts, spoke up. "And what about the support we'll have? If we're flying experimental craft, will we have adequate backup?"

"That will depend on the mission parameters," McOnnie replied, her tone curt. "We will do our best to ensure that you have the necessary support, but you must remember that this is an experimental program. Resources may be limited."

A murmur spread across the room, a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Longcaster stepped forward, sensing the uncertainty among the crowd. "Look, everyone, we've all been in tight spots before. This could be a chance for us to gain an edge over our enemies. If we succeed, we may not just be defending Fort Harling; we could change the tide of battles across the Gate Region."

"But at what cost?" another pilot interjected. "We're already losing people in conventional operations. Are we willing to risk more lives on unproven technology?"

McOnnie's expression hardened once more. "I understand your concerns, but you must also recognize that war is about innovation. If we stagnate, we will be left behind. The enemy has gathered valuable intel about our base's defenses. We cannot afford to be complacent."

With tension still palpable, Longcaster took a deep breath and addressed the room. "I know this is a tough decision. But think about your roles as pilots. We're trained to fly, to adapt, and to overcome the odds. If you believe in this mission and want to be part of something groundbreaking, then step forward."

After a moment of silence, a hand shot up from the back of the room. It was a seasoned Osean pilot, known for his daring maneuvers in past skirmishes. "I'll volunteer," he said, his voice steady. "I want to see what these new aircraft can do."

Slowly, others began to follow suit. A few more hands went up, and before long, a dozen pilots had stepped forward, ready to embrace the unknown.

The last but definitely not least hand to be raised was the one from Trigger. The Osean Ace had a determined expression plastered over his face as he stared into McOnnie's Green eyes.

McOnnie's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and approval. "Thank you for your courage. The first test flight will be scheduled next week, and I expect all of you to be prepared for rigorous training. For those who've volunteered, you will receive further details shortly."

As the meeting concluded, the atmosphere shifted from skepticism to determination. The pilots who had stepped forward knew they were taking a risk, but they also understood the importance of innovation in an ever-evolving battlefield.

As they filed out of the debriefing room, Longcaster caught up with a few of the volunteers. "You guys realize the implications of this, right? It's not just about flying new planes; it's about paving the way for the future."

One of the young pilots, a woman with a fierce glint in her eye, nodded. "I know. But if we don't take this chance, we might as well hand victory to these guys over there. Besides, I've always wanted to fly something that's truly next-gen."

Longcaster smiled, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "Then let's make sure we give it our all. We're in this together."

The Pilots stood up and prepared to leave as chatter picked up again. Before anyone could go through the door though, they bursted open with three figures storming in. With them Colonel Daniel McKinsey.

The two Soldiers flanking him where OADF officers, or more precisely, OADF Drone Pilots. Each of them carrying a folder full of Pictures.

"Settle down everyone. We have bad and worse news. Which one first", McKinsey began as he walked up to McOnnie and Longcaster. Giving them a stern nod he turned to the Pilots assembled in the room.

Some hands raised but he deliberately ignored them. "The bad ones first then. We know who our enemy is. Now this will maybe sound a little fucked up for some of you but it is true. On the other side of the Gate there is a whole other world. Shocking I know. What's really fucked up here though is that the other World is something like a Parallel World. There's a nation over there called the United States of America. They are the Osea of their world. Same language, same culture and they are a major super power there", McKinsey made a dramatic pause, letting his words sink in, "And now to the worse News. They have established a Air-Defense grid in the Capital of this Continent called Falmart. They have somehow struck a deal between their Nations and the Nation which started this whole mess. We send out some drones", McKinsey gestured to the Osean Soldiers flanking him to show the Pictures around. Pictures they got from the Drones. "These are the Pictures we managed to snap before our UAVs got taken down by the very potent Air defense in the Capital. The problem now is, the Capital is somewhat of a staging point for their forces to jump over to Itallica and then here. If we don't take out their Air defenses in that Area, we are done for".

Chatter started picking up again as Pilots began talking to each other and already grinding their heads for a good strategy.

The Pictures reached Trigger, he took them in and analyzed the whole area thoroughly. Seeing multiple PATRIOT system launchers, set up on the Highest Points of the Massive Walls circling the Castle City. On every side, North, South, East and West where each one powerful AN/MPQ-53 Phased-Array-Radar system. In between the Radar trucks there where two Launchers with each four Missiles ready to fire.

He leaned in close to Taco and Whispered into his ear, "Yo this is some serious Air Defense. It would be a damn miracle if we can catch these guys of guard, they're scanning the whole damn area all the way to our Airspace".

Taco just nodded in response. He was mesmerized by all the AA installations one could put in one place alone.

One of the Senior Erusian Pilots stood up from his table and pointed at a Picture in his hand, "I agree with you that the Situation we're in is pretty Merde sir, but what do you propose? We cannot just go there, with a plan that is held together by hopes and dreams".

McKinsey sighed and looked down, before lifting his head moments later and looking at the Erusian, "Of course! But I have no idea what we should do...".

At that moment another young Erusian Pilot stood up with a plan in mind. "We could get the Maritime defense Force involved and get them to hand us some of their E/A-18 Growler. We can jam their Radars and fly in undetected with some F-22s and SU-57s. We surely have some still laying around somewhere back in our world". McKinsey frowned at the knowledge of the Pilot but didn't press the matter any further since the Plan the young man proposed was very good.

"You... You might be onto something there", muttered McKinsey. "I see what I can do, Next week our Holo Table should arrive so we could do this more comfortably that with this flimsy shit here", He said and flicked his finger at the Laptop on the table. "Meanwhile you guys get some rest, y'all deserve it. Dismissed".

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