Before I start with the chapter, I just want to let you know that the first chapter was of how Trigger ended up in the world of Azur Lane.
There are also humans fighting the Sirens since they can't rely on just the Kansen to fight this menace. The base that was used in the Air Raid was NAS Point Mugu in California because my brother was stationed there.
Azur Lane belong to Yostar
Ace Combat belongs to Bandai Namco and Project ACES.
With that being said, let's get on with the chapter.
Point Mugu Naval Air Station, California.
Crew Quarters. December 2, 2019
To say that Trigger was no stranger to interrogation rooms would be an understatement, he has seen enough interrogation rooms since his sham of a court martial after being framed for killing Harling. But when he touched down at the airfield after assisting the local defense force in stopping those bombers, he was asked to come with them to answer their questions.
Now he's in a very comfy room with a cot on one end and a couch on the other. He was still in his flight suit since most of his flight gear and his M9 Beretta were confiscated by base security while his Raptor was grounded. Apparently, to the people on this base, he was an unknown. Soon enough, the door to his room opened as two people walked in.
One was wearing a naval uniform with the Lt. Colonel ranks on the collar which made Trigger know that this man was important. He pointed out a few things like, tanned skin, chiseled appearance and an atmosphere of respect and authority.
The other was a dark skinned man with the emblem of a striking eagle on the shoulder while the Commander ranks were shown on the blue jacket that he wore. The man also had a fatherly atmosphere like Wiseman, a kind and stern type of person who cares about his squadron.
The Lt. Colonel motioned Trigger to stand as the pilot stood up from the cot, "Captain, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Charles Warner, I'm in charge of this base. My colleague is Commander Nick Johnson, he's in charge of the air wings and leads Eagle Squadron. How are you feeling?"
Trigger could only say, "I'm doing well since I have been flying for at least four hours, so it's nice to lie down once in a while, sir."
"I'm glad to see you're well rested. I came here to discuss things with you and what you did in the raid on the base."
Trigger nodded as he sat down on the cot, "What do you wish to know?"
The Colonel and the Commander sat on the couch opposite of him as Warner asked,
"Where are you from?"
Trigger stated, "I was from Osea until I was transferred to the Usean Continent after I graduated flight school."
Johnson asked, "Where is Osea anyway? You talked about you being part of the Osean Air Defense Force, but none of our maps have any location of Osea."
Trigger asked, "This isn't Osea?"
Johnson continued, "You're currently on the Western Coast of Eagle Union and you helped us out with those Siren Bombers and many of my guys complimented you on your flying."
Trigger's mind was curious, he was neither in Usea or Osea. He had to do something and he needs proof that his home country exists. Then he realizes something when he felt something in his left thigh pocket and asked Warner,
"Do any of you have a map of the world?" Warner motioned to Johnson as the Commander unfolded a map of the world. When Trigger saw it, his eyes widened and pulled a small map out of his pocket which showed his world. Looking at both maps, he realized,
"This can't be right…" He saw that the world map in Johnson's hands had no sign of the continents that he knows like Osea, Yuktobania, Anea and Usea. Johnson asked,
"Is there something wrong, son?"
Trigger nodded as he handed his map to Warner, "I believe that I must've jumped worlds while chasing that drone."
Warner looked at the map as he and Johnson compared them both and knew that it was entirely different than what they knew. The continents were different and they saw that the center continent was Osea. Warner soon asked,
"What did you mean that you 'jumped' worlds, son?"
Trigger admitted, "I was escorting a Princess when we encountered the enemy carrier. When me and Sol 2, current leader of Sol Squadron who was accompanying us for the escort went to investigate, the carrier opened fire on us and began launching aircraft straight for the transport. The remaining members of both Strider and Sol protected the C-1 from the drones as we knocked out the flight decks.
After that, the carrier's main gun was aiming for the transport, but I ordered that all members pair up and attack the cannon. The combined attack worked and the cannon was destroyed, but it also caused a chain reaction, destroying the carrier in the process. Not before an enemy drone that was similar to the drones we fought today, launched and escaped the destruction of its carrier. I was determined to find out who sent it, so I ordered my squadron to get the Princess to safety and chased the drone into a bizarre storm which itself was strange since there were no predicted storms in Southwestern Usea and when I broke through, the drone vanished and I saw those bombers heading for the base."
Johnson processed this information and from what he learned about the Sirens, it was possible that it was them, he soon whispered to Warner, "Sir, if what he says is true, then the Sirens must have the ability to transport a ship to a Strangereal Earth and I'm inclined to believe his story."
Warner whispered back, "I agree, if what we know about the Sirens, they unintentionally brought a human from another Earth. But we saw how he flies and told us how he led his squadron, he's a commander of his squadron and a leader. He could actually be of use for this war."
Johnson asked, "What do you intend?"
Warner had a thought in mind, "Once we're done, I'll contact Admiral Williams from Fleet HQ and discuss what to do with Trigger."
Johnson understood, "Yes sir."
Trigger was silent when he heard them whisper, discussing what they heard. He would expect them to declare him insane and have him carted off to the nearest psych ward for treatment. But after a while, Warner and Johnson finished their whispered conversation as the Base Commander stated,
"Trigger, after we looked over the information regarding how you got here, we have decided that you are not insane, the evidence is very alarming and the maps you provided are proof that you are from another world. So you are free to walk around the base while we receive official orders on what we're going to do with you."
Trigger was relieved that they believed him, but he had a question, "I have one more question regarding those planes. Who sent them?"
Johnson answered, "That carrier you sank and the planes you shot down were part of the Sirens, they are a mysterious race of beings, they seem to have advanced weaponry and they were the ones that declared war on humanity. Their ships and planes are identified because of their black bodies and either have red, blue or purple highlights. It's not just regular ships, there are rumors of humanoid sirens, all have a bizarre ship rigging to them and are tough to take down. The Sirens are also said to have advanced technology and whatever was used to bring you here came from them."
Trigger realized that the carrier was sunk in his world, but here there could be more of them. But to know that those drones were part of some kind of alien invasion, this could be bad for his friends back home. But he asked,
"If the Sirens are a powerful threat, why are they only doing bombing raids and not a full-fledged assault?"
Warner stated, "That would be because of Eagle Union's railgun ring complexes, it's why the Sirens have kept to the sea."
Trigger was surprised since he heard the words 'railgun, ring and complexes', "You have multiple Stonehenges here?"
"Yes…it was actually based on the architecture in Britain. But it seems like your world has a railgun network as well?"
Trigger stated, "Stonehenge was built to protect the Usean Continent from meteors. It would later be utilized by the Eruseans as a weapon until my mentor bombed it during the Continental War and the only intact gun was used during the war I took part in, to shoot down the Arsenal Bird which is a giant flying drone carrier."
Johnson was amused, "I guess there's one similarity between our worlds - Railgun Facilities."
Trigger asked, "What about combatting Sirens at sea?"
Both commanders looked at each other before agreeing to tell him. Warner stated, "There's a special unit forming in the pacific, it specializes in Anti-Siren Operations. It's called 'Azur Lane' and the personnel of this unit are sentient ships in human female bodies."
Trigger raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you serious?"
Johnson stated, "He is, Azur Lane has been a fighting force in combating the Sirens. Some of our modern ships coordinate with the shipgirls or Kansen during major operations, but as long as they hold off against the Sirens then we have a fighting chance."
Trigger was still stunned, "Ships in human bodies? I can't believe it."
Warner stated, "The Kansen or shipgirls are the reason why we're still fighting, I know it's a shocker, but you'll get used to it."
Johnson then stated, "Trigger, I suspect that you wish to check on your plane?"
The Osean Ace nodded and said, "I would like that."
"But since you are also new to this base, I'll send someone to come get you and show you around. But in the meantime, the Colonel and I need to talk with some of the higher-ups to see what to do with you."
Trigger knew that it would be a matter of time before he was assigned somewhere to fight these Sirens before they could make a move on his world. The two commanders saluted and left his room, leaving Three Strikes alone until his tour guide arrived.
But as he waited, he heard a peculiar pecking sound against his window, he turned and walked to the window and saw something unusual - it was a Bald Eagle that appeared to be sitting there for some time. The avian tilted his head at the pilot as he figured,
"You were listening in, right?"
The Eagle did a slight nod as the bird turned his head towards the taxi way as among the rows of planes was Trigger's F-22 with the three claw scratches. Trigger actually saw it just sitting there waiting for him. He looked at the Eagle and asked,
"It's the plane you're curious about?"
The bird let out a slight cry before flying away from the window and the Osean saw the bird perch himself on the tail of the F-22. He chuckled,
"I guess that answers my question."
"You saw Grim, didn't you?" Said a calm female voice as Trigger turned to see a tall woman with a slender frame. She has long silver-colored hair and light-purple eyes. She wears a silver-colored choker around her neck, she wears a black unbuttoned military uniform over a black buttoned croptop and white knee-length dress with black frills with white, black & yellow-lined cuffs over a black pantyhose, blue cross-laced lady's shoes and white gloves. He noticed the Stars and Stripes designed armband and a blue rose on her right chest.
Trigger was surprised by this woman and asked about the bird, "That Eagle has a name?"
The woman stated, "He was mine before I gave him to my sister, but I am curious as to why he's here." She paused when she realized why she was here, "Oh. I forgot that you were the Osean Ace. Lt. Colonel Warner and Commander Johnson informed me to show you the base."
Trigger was impressed by the maturity of this woman and asked, "What is your name, miss?"
"I am the lead ship of the Yorktown class aircraft carriers, Yorktown. It's a pleasure to meet you, Trigger."
Trigger was surprised by the way she identified herself, "You're…you're a Kansen!?"
Yorktown slightly giggled, "I forgot this is your first time seeing one."
Trigger stated, "This was the first time I heard about them and now I just met one."
Yorktown was amused, "You really are from a Strangereal Earth." Trigger noticed, "To me, this is all strange."
She gently took the pilot by his arm and said, "You will get used to it, but in the meantime, I will show you around the base."
Trigger sighed, "It's not like I'm hit with another surprise. Lead the way, Miss Yorktown."
With that being said, the Kansen and Osean left the room as she showed him the base. Little did he know what his future held.
Pacific Fleet HQ, Admiral's Office.
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. December 2, 2019
At Pacific Fleet HQ, Admiral Daniel Williams was looking over the paperwork regarding the various Azur Lane factions gathering at the newly built port in West Oahu. He already had confirmations that Eagle Union and Royal Navy kansen will be present, but there's no word from the Sakura Empire or Iron Blood which made the Admiral suspicious.
His sources over in Europe and Asia tell him that they are up to something. The lack of communication between those two, his office and Azur Lane HQ, the uneasiness that something is going to go down and the idea of something happening behind closed doors. The mobilization of Azur Lane is because of increased Siren activity in the Pacific, but if a faction fails to report in, there seems to be trouble heading their way.
But the toughest part about Azur Lane is applying a human officer in charge since some of the shipgirls tend to be provocative, seductive and would tease any officers in a sexual way which messes with their hormones. But he needs a strong commander who charges through the flames of war, keeps his primal urges in check, maintains a professional attitude and doesn't act like a pervert.
It wasn't until the phone on his desk started ringing as Williams picked it up, "Hello?"
"Admiral…"
The admiral recognized the voice, "Lieutenant Colonel? This is a pleasant surprise."
Warner knew this, "I'm calling to report that we just picked up an Ace pilot who protected our base from a siren bombing raid. But his circumstances are unique."
Williams asked, "How unique?"
"When interviewing him, he says that he came from an alternate earth where the continents are different. His home country is called the Osean Federation and he was in a conflict on another continent called Usea where he encountered the Sirens in his world and ended up here when he chased a jet through a bizarre storm upon destroying its aircraft carrier. We suspect it to be some sort of Siren Trans-Dimensional Portal."
Williams asked, "Are you sure that this pilot is from a Strangereal Earth?"
Warner made his statement clear to the Admiral, "I'm sure of it, from what we know the Sirens have advanced technology and if anyone can open a portal to another world, it would be them and Commander Johnson vouched for this pilot."
Williams asked, "What are your thoughts on this 'Osean Ace,' Lt Colonel?"
Warner described, "His TAC Name is Trigger, he's the leader of Strider Squadron, his plane is an F-22 Raptor and it's recognizable because he has three strikes painted on the tail of his plane. He's shown to be a strong and capable squadron leader, he protected Commander Johnson's air group by taking down fighters while they focused on the remaining bombers which resulted in no friendly casualties. While landing, he allowed the air group to land first since he had enough fuel to stay in the air for a little while longer. He's strong, skilled with his plane and brave - a natural leader."
Admiral Williams was thinking about the description of this pilot. He was a natural leader who led his squadron to victory countless times, he charged through the flames of war, focused on getting his squadron home and inspired admiration from his allies. This Trigger - this Three Strikes may just be the man he was looking for.
"Lieutenant Colonel Warner, I have come to my conclusion of what to do with Trigger."
"What is your decision, sir?"
"I will tell you, but first, I'm diverting a very special Kansen to your base and I'm sure that she would be glad to see her sister again."
NAS Point Mugu, California.
Outside Main Hanger.
At the airfield, many pilots and ground crew were either checking planes for damage or doing maintenance checks. Some of the pilots were playing a game of basketball near the hangar while others were watching a projection of the last mission, taken from a pilot's personal camera showing the moment where the F-22 splashed the escort craft.
Speaking of which, Trigger was sitting on the wing of his Raptor with Yorktown sitting next to him. Both were holding blue square popsicles as they looked out at the coast. Trigger looked at her and asked,
"So what do you think of my plane?"
She calmly stated as she placed her hand on the Raptor's wing, "It is a fast fighter when I witnessed the battle from the water. It was my first time seeing it in person as well. It's also the most maneuverable and the best plane ever built, meant for the most skilled pilots."
Trigger couldn't agree more since his teacher was well known for the F-22 in the Continental War. But something made him curious about Yorktown and Kansen in general and decided to ask,
"Yorktown, how were you…born?"
She smiled, "My original self was built 1936 alongside my sister, then my third sister was built 1940. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, I was damaged badly, but I limped home until I was called back to assist in the defense of Midway. After three enemy carriers were sunk, Hiryu struck a blow to me and I sank."
Trigger was taken aback by this and asked, "How did you get your human form?"
"I was brought to life because of the Wisdom Cube."
The pilot was confused, "Wisdom Cube?"
She described the object, "A metaphysical object that contains the thoughts, ideals and beliefs of humanity. It is embodied in our foundation and is how me and my sisters were reborn as Kansen."
Trigger was shocked to know that Yorktown was a historical ship who was resurrected via these strange cubes. But he wanted to ask,
"How do you operate, Yorktown?"
The kansen turned her attention to a large ship anchored near the shore. It's unlike any modern carriers that Trigger had seen. But he did recognize it,
"That looks like one of Osea's early carriers and I've only seen them in books." He looks at her, "I'm guessing it's there because you are ashore?"
Yorktown nodded and stated, "When a Kansen is aboard her ship, it can still operate like a regular ship. I can still weigh anchor and pull in and out of port and launch my Dauntless Dive-Bombers. But when we go into battle-mode, our ships attach to our bodies and become our rigging as we skim across the waves. We're more mobile and can get up close and personal to an enemy."
Trigger guessed, "And when you go ashore while in your rigging, you can call it back into its ship form as it sits there in the ocean, all anchored and waiting for you to board."
Yorktown chuckled, "You do catch on very quickly, Trigger."
"I figured it out when you discussed your battle mode. But I can't believe that I was hearing this, ships brought to life as humans and a war for humanity."
He soon licked the ice pop as he realized, "Huh, this is sea-salt ice cream…never thought I'd taste it again."
Yorktown stated, "My sisters and I would sit on one of our ships with three of these and have them while talking. I see that you love sea-salt ice cream.
Trigger chuckled, "It's my favorite kind of ice cream. I can also imagine the relationship with your sisters."
Her voice turned sad, "It was great to have all three of us together, the Yorktown Trinity they would call us. But things haven't been the same over the next couple months."
The ace asked, "What happened?"
"My sister has often distanced herself from us and I don't seem to understand why she wouldn't open up."
She heard flapping wings and noticed the Eagle land near Trigger and smiled,
"While Grim is a stubborn bird, he's taken a liking to you. He doesn't like anyone who is not me or my sister and he's barely opened up to my third sister, but he seems to believe that we will make it if we stick with you."
The ace felt a sense of deja vu, "That's a phrase that was used in my old squadron, coined by my friend, Tabloid." He thought back to what his Belkan Anarchist friend said,
"Stick with Trigger and You'll Make It."
While the pilot and the carrier talked, some of the other pilots, some of them were from the air group while others were rookies who were just getting off the transport plane that taxied off the runway. One of the rookies took notice,
"Hey, check it out!"
His friend was like, "No way, a Shipgirl!?"
There was another rookie who was grabbing his bags when he heard it, "For real, man? You better not be joking!
The same rookie stated, "No man, she's here on this base!"
The rook with the bags turned and saw her, "Well I'll be damned a bonafide shipgirl." He noticed Trigger, "Wait, who's that guy and better yet, what's a Raptor doing at a Naval Base?"
The first rookie took notice, "I don't remember hearing about a Raptor, let alone one with three scratches on the tail."
Soon enough, Myers approached the rookies, "The Captain recently helped us fend off a bombing raid and he's still relatively new to our base. Yorktown is there just to show him around the base while Command figures out what to do with him."
The pilots were confused as one rookie asked, "When do we begin with combat training?"
Myers looked at the rookies and then at the Osean Ace and decided, "Wait here."
He walked up to the F-22 as he heard Trigger tell Yorktown, "When my wingman, Count took a hit from those drones, we were directed by our AWACS to land on the OFS Admiral Andersen, an aircraft carrier that ran aground and was abandoned. Count and I put down on the carrier, something that Air Force planes like the F-15 and F-22 were never meant to do. We do have emergency tail hooks, but it wasn't meant for a carrier landing, but we still managed to pull it off. After that, we had to take off from the carrier again to go after those drones."
Yorktown was intrigued and recalled, "It wasn't the first time that a land plane took off from a carrier. My sister, Hornet is known for launching medium bombers off her deck."
Trigger was taken aback by this, but he remembered that Hornet did do that at some point in this world's history. It wasn't until he spotted Myers approach,
"Staff Sergeant?" Myers greeted, "Captain, there's a couple of fresh rookies that are eager for combat training. They could learn a thing or two from an Ace Pilot."
Trigger pointed out, "An unauthorized training session will land you into trouble."
"I've already contacted Johnson, he approved this session if you're willing to help." He turned to Yorktown, "The nuggets also need Anti-Ship Training and coordination with your planes."
The kansen knew what she must do as she jumped down from the wing, "I'll get to my ship for this session."
Trigger dropped down from the wing as he asked, "Where's my flight gear?"
50 miles West of Los Angeles.
The skies around the California coast were calm and peaceful. But as a flight of planes flew across the coast accompanied by a Yorktown-class carrier, it was clear that it was a training exercise. The training squadron consisted of twelve Navy T-45 Goshawks while an F-22 Raptor led this training squadron.
Trigger, who was flying his Raptor stated, "This looks like a good place to conduct combat training and dogfighting,"
Yorktown agreed, "These pilots are still children, they don't have the amount of experience like you."
He agreed as he contacted the lead training craft, "Squall 1, this is Strider 1, this is where we will be conducting combat, dogfight and anti-ship training. This is a training flight, but you are all well armed in case of an emergency. But to avoid misfires, the FCS has been locked, no guns or missiles."
Squall 1, who was seemingly the most mature of the nuggets stated, "Affirmative Strider 1. What's the goal for this mission?"
"Let's begin with the traditional combat and dogfight training, the basics of getting on the enemy's tail and getting a radar lock. Yorktown will provide Wildcat fighters fitted with radar-lock on for this exercise, they may look outdated, but they are suitable."
On queue, several F4F Wildcat fighters launched from the ship as Yorktown watched from her flight deck. The Wildcats were in formation as Trigger announced,
"Squall Squadron, your objective of this exercise is to achieve radar lock on the Wildcats before they do the same to you. I know that you nuggets saw the footage of the bombing raid, I mostly took on the fighters while Commander Johnson's Air Group took out the bombers. But when it comes to dogfighting, you have to predict your opponent's movements and know when it's the right moment to get on their tail. You got that, nuggets?"
There were responses that Squall Squadron acknowledged his tips. As Trigger soon said,
"Good, let the exercise begin. Squall Squadron, good luck."
Soon enough, the nuggets and the F4Fs split up and commenced their mock dogfight. Trigger watched as one nugget attempted to get a radar lock on the Wildcat, but his aim was thrown off when the prop plane took a dive down to sea as the Goshawk followed as it closed the distance between him and the Wildcat. The rookie was close to locking on until the Wildcat hit the brakes and did a barrel roll over the jet. Now the rookie pilot was on the defensive as he did whatever he could to keep the Wildcat off of him. The Goshawk took a steep climb as the prop plane followed with the intent of getting a radar lock on the training jet. But the rookie pilot pulled a high-g flip which performed a loop as the unmanned prop plane soared past him. He soon reoriented his plane and got behind it again, but this time - he saw his victory as he had a radar lock. The rookie announced,
"Squall 2 locked on, Wildcat destroyed."
Trigger knew that Squall 2 passed this exercise. He heard Squall 1 announce that he downed his pursuer while Squalls 3 through 9 splashed their bogeys. But Squalls 10, 11 and 12 lasted for at least 3 to 5 minutes before they were shot down.
After the exercise was over, Trigger pointed out, "Squall Squadron, I was impressed with how you conducted yourself in a dogfight. Squalls 1 through 9 are balanced flyers while Squalls 10 through 12 have good defensive flying. You three lasted for at least 5 minutes before being shot down. But you have to learn how to fly offensively as well as defensively. But in any case, great job, nuggets."
Squall Squadron were relieved to see that they passed this exercise. But their work was far from done,
"The next exercise will be…" He was soon interrupted by a transmission from the base, "Command Room to Strider 1…we got leakers, confirmed to be Siren aircraft, crossing the border towards LA Harbor. Bearing 270 from the west. Trigger, your flight is the closest to intercept them."
Trigger, knowing that they could be a problem should they intend to attack the harbor. But it's also too risky for the nuggets to engage the sirens. Squall 1 asked,
"Did he say Sirens?!"
Squall 5 answered, "Yeah, Siren aircraft are in the area."
Trigger needed some of the nuggets to make it home as he contacted Yorktown,
"Yorktown, launch your armed planes to escort some of the nuggets back to base. Squalls 4 and 5, work with Yorktown's Wildcats and assist with the escort while the four of us go high and engage the bandits."
Squall 1 asked, "Wait, we're going to fight? For real?!" Trigger stated, "You, Squalls 2 and 3 are going to be with me while most of your squadron heads back. We can't lose any of those pilots."
As he said that, three Goshawks formed up behind the Raptor. As they formed up, they saw the distinct shapes and highlights of siren jets. Trigger spoke,
"All planes, the safeties are unlocked, you are cleared to engage the bandits."
Squall 1 stated, "You heard the man, let's cover our classmates!"
After that, the Raptor and three Goshawks engaged the enemy planes as they remembered the fundamentals of dogfighting. Squall 1 got onto a siren jet's tail and predicted its movements and unloaded the machine gun onto the enemy craft, blowing it out of the sky. Squall 2 had one on his tail as he did defensive flying in order to throw his pursuer off his tail as it fired its purple blasts at him. He soon jolted up, hit the brakes and barrel rolled past his enemy as he hit the jet with a missile. He cheered saying,
"How do you like that!"
Squall 3 stated while he downed his pursuer, "No time to celebrate, we still have a lot more to go!"
Soon enough, more bandits approached and were going after the retreating Goshawks which Squall 6, Angel noticed,
"Dammit, Baker, we got three siren planes heading for us!"
Squall 5, Baker spoke, "I see them, Angel. Svenson, maintain formation with the rest while Angel and I take out the bandits."
Baker and Angel broke off from the retreating nuggets as two F4Fs covered their flanks. As the enemy craft split, Baker went after one of them as the siren jet pulled hard evasive maneuvers to get the training jet off its tail, but Baker predicted its movements as he got a lock,
"Squall 5, Fox 2!" The missile launched from the pylon and connected with the siren plane as it went down in flames toward the ocean. He had no time to celebrate as Angel called out,
"Baker, you got a fighter on your tail!"
The second siren jet opened fire on the Goshawk as the nugget was annoyed,
"Oh, you did not just shoot that purple shit at me!"
He flew defensively to avoid getting shot down until something got in between the training jet and the siren plane - it was an F-22 Raptor as it caught the attention of Baker's pursuer as a second joined in the chase.
When Trigger saw that Baker was in trouble, he got in between which made the drone chase him instead. Soon enough, Trigger hit throttle as two siren planes pursued him, one fired two missiles on him which he avoided with a barrel roll to the left as the second fired on him again which he avoided with a second barrel roll while the first one was firing its pulse lasers at him as Trigger pulled up into the sun before looping down and firing his 20-millimeter cannon, destroying one plane as the second fired two missiles as Trigger dived towards the water. He pulled up at the last second as he skimmed his plane over the water before pulling up as the pursuing missiles hit the water. The siren craft tried to use its lasers again, but Trigger barrel rolled over the drone and fired his machine gun as the 20-millimeter rounds pierced the plane's fuselage, destroying it.
Baker called, "Strider 1 has splashed two bandits, that was impressive flying, sir."
Trigger knew that he impressed the nuggets as the three members of Squall Squadron that assisted him joined back up with the retreating aircraft. That's when Yorktown spoke,
"I'm reading no additional siren aircraft in the area and no losses on our side."
Squall 1, Rider spoke, "I can't believe that we managed to survive, but it was mostly thanks to Strider 1."
Trigger spoke, "Don't give me too much credit, kid. It was your training and how you conducted yourself."
The Command Room soon spoke, "Training Flight, your exercise is done. RTB."
NAS Point Mugu Debriefing Room.
After landing back at the base, Trigger, Squall Squadron and Yorktown were in the debriefing room as the officer and the base commander were present. The officer began,
"The training mission was successful and the siren aircraft that bounced us during the mission were shot down. Although we weren't able to conduct Anti-Ship training when the sirens intervened, this shows that the new recruits pulled their weight with not only combating the enemy, but also covering retreating forces."
He looked to Trigger, "As for you, Trigger, we've received official confirmation of what we're supposed to do with you. Admiral Williams from Fleet HQ has made it clear that he'd like you to join Azur Lane."
The nuggets were surprised by this, Azur Lane was a special unit for shipgirls like Yorktown. The debriefing officer continued,
"I know that it's surprising for you, but Azur Lane is gathering in the Pacific due to heavy siren activity, you can actually consider it to be the frontlines. All factions within the unit are required, with the exception of Yorktown because of her duties on this base."
Trigger asked, "Why me? I'm a pilot, I lead squadrons, not ships."
Lt Colonel Warner spoke, "Trigger, your actions today and how you lead this training mission is something that the Admiral is looking for. You have led your squadron into battle before and if you can lead a squadron to victory, you can lead a fleet of kansen to victory. Williams wasn't looking for another officer to do a desk job, he was looking for a leader who has proven himself in the fires of war. If I recall, your previous squadron had a motto for you."
Trigger remembered, "Stick with Trigger and you'll make it"
Soon enough, Grim flew into the debriefing room and perched himself on Trigger's shoulder which startled him a bit, but not as much to startle the dangerous North American Raptor. Grim's appearance and apparent liking to Trigger made Yorktown chuckle as Trigger stated,
"I accept."
Warner stated as he pulled out a box from his pocket, "I was given these by Admiral Williams' liaison if you were to accept." He gave the box to the pilot while being careful not to startle Grim and opened it to reveal the bars of a new rank as Warner stated, "As of today, you are now at the rank of Commander. Congratulations."
Trigger was congratulated on his promotion by the recruits, but they were a little frightened by the bird on his shoulder. Soon enough, he asked,
"Thank you, sir, I'll be sure to do my best and when do I ship out?"
Warner smiled, "As a matter of fact, we called for a shipgirl, specifically a carrier to take you and your plane to Azur Lane HQ and I heard that she's one of the best."
As he said that, the door opens as a figure walks into the room. The nuggets were surprised by this as they mutter,
"Is that?"
"I don't believe it."
"It's her."
The figure in question was a woman, she had waist length silver hair and purple eyes, she wears a white sleeveless collared and buttoned shirt with a black belt wrapped around her midsection and a black necktie, a black miniskirt with yellow linings, black thigh-high with gray belt strap and black boots. She wears a loose black long-sleeve long coat with white detached sleeves underneath the folded cuffs, and a white navy cap with a black visor.
What Trigger noticed was not only the glare that she gave him because Grim was on his shoulder, but how Yorktown had a slight smile on her face. The woman introduced herself,
"I am the second ship of the Yorktown class, Enterprise and seeing how Grim is sitting on your shoulder, you must be the new Commander."
A/N: Trigger is definitely not in Strangereal anymore, not only has he met Yorktown, assisted a group of nuggets, now he's met the Pride of the Eagle Union after being assigned to Commander of Azur Lane.
Also that scene with Trigger against the Siren jets was based off of the intro for Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
It also seems that Grim has taken a liking to the Three Strikes, for a dangerous raptor, he knows how to choose his friends. How will the meeting of Osea's Top Ace and the Pride of the Eagle Union go? Find out next time!
Nighthawk Out!