Well… This took longer than expected… But a 70% completed document went missing and a debilitating illness later and here we are. Promise you next chapter will 100% be out faster since that's at least on rails.
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New Arrow, Eastern Usea
August 8th, 2019.
1134hrs.
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"Come on Tabloid, keep those hands up," Mere smirked as she kept her feet moving as she moved to the left, back to the right before she stepped in throwing a jab that penetrated through his rather loose guard. Even with a foam head guard on, Tabloid's head snapped back a bit as he saw stars for a split second as he took a step back before he let out a frustrated growl as he pushed back in throwing a few random jabs followed by a swing with his right which Mere easily dodged around followed by another quick counter jab hitting him square in the face.
"Son of a-" Tabloid mumbled as he back peddled from the hit before falling on his ass.
"Come on Tabloid, fight back!" Count called from outside of the ring a light smile on his face watching the fight unfold. "I thought you said you had a plan."
"Yeah, well everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face," he groaned out as he got back up begrudgingly.
"Ah quit complaining and at least land a hit on her! You really gonna let a girl beat you up?"
"I'm a pilot, not a boxer! Very different careers!"
"Well... Dogfighting is kind of like boxing," Trigger added as Tabloid approached Mere again his hands up and ready. Throwing a jab, he took a step forward while Mere kept her block high and tight, absorbing a few of his punches when she sidestepped a left jab letting it slip before she stepped in driving her fist up into his ribs. Letting out a pained gasp, Tabloid stumbled to the side nearly collapsing if it wasn't for the ropes which he grabbed onto.
"Ah, time, time! I'm tagging out Count!" Tabloid wheezed a bit as he scurried under the ropes while Count just shook his head strapping up his foam helmet and got into the ring. "C'mon I told you I don't box. Why were you going all out on me?"
"All out? That was just my warm-up," Mere smirked a bit as she worked on her footwork a bit as she sized Count up. Glancing around the ring, they attracted the attention of a few of the base personnel who were in the gym. Some watched quietly while others were cheering Mere all the while Count was looking her up and down a bit, a light smirk on his face. Clapping his gloves together he took up his stance a confident smirk on his face. Mere could tell he at least knew how to box as his form was good and he seemed quite confident of himself. Shifting a bit, she could see the smirk wane a bit as she led with her right foot and brought her left hand high to guard her face. The edges of her lips curl up a bit seeing Count's eyebrows twitch a bit.
"Great, a switch," Count let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping a bit but his guard remained high and tight.
"Not a fan of the Southpaw?" Mere slowly approached him looking for an opening.
"Didn't say I won't lose. I'll have you know I've got 22 knockouts in high school," he gently boasted as Mere got closer just staying out of his reach. He had a few inches on her but she was confident her speed could at least keep him out of reach.
"We'll see about that, Greg," she smirked spotting an opening as Count took a second to process hearing his name. This gave her just enough of an opening to lunge in delivering a quick jab connecting with his face. Taking a step back, Count tried to make space but Mere was relentless as she pushed to try and nullify his range advantage. Despite her efforts, he eventually got free and Mere started to wonder a bit how things even got to this point.
In the past few days, Mere's life became quite busy with the transfer. After finishing at least all the paperwork that she needed to file that day, mainly the transfer request, new flight suit, and g-suit, she had to then pick up and move all her things into her new living quarters. To her own surprise, it was a double without a roommate. She would have thought she would either be with Húxiān or Avril but she didn't mind having a room to herself. If anything, it's much more spacious than the shoe box she got while in the carrier. In the evening she even had some time to call her parents. By then, it should be early morning on Ourad so she knew she had at least a few minutes before her dad would be off to work. To say he was overjoyed hearing about the pardon was an understatement. The conversation was cut short, however, as he needed to leave for work. When she tried to call her mother, it went straight to voice mail. A bit disappointed, all she could do was leave a message as there was a high probability that she was currently out on a cargo mission. Putting the phone down though, she couldn't be happier with how things were turning out. She had the ability to contact anyone she wanted without some guard looming over her. Well, other than the soldier that's sitting as the in between of her phone and her contact as an intermediary to perform OPSEC on her conversation. She's come to call him Jeff and even says goodbye to him when she ends the call. Only now she wonders if she's still got the same guy each time or if it's a rotation of a team. Pushing her phone back though, she knows that she would need to complete the rest of the forms the base gave her in addition to filling out a leave form to go into town to acquire a laptop as well as some additional personal items. Everything she had before is now currently resting at the bottom of the sea.
Between the paperwork and meals, Mere slowly explored the base starting first with the hangars. Unsurprisingly, there were only Eagles nesting in each of the well-stocked and lit hangars. The majority of which she was semi-familiar with having worked on them several weeks prior. Each squadron had its own hangar to store their planes with Cyclopse running five strong while Strider currently only had two planes. From the outside, she could make out four Eagles sitting inside two of which were just flown in for both Count and Tabloid. Walking through the hangar, she approached one of the marked Eagles and ran her hand against the nose. She wondered how many missions this bird had kept her pilot safe in when she glanced towards the tail seeing a knight's helmet with three conical lances placed like its plumage which she knew belonged to Lanza. Her hand gently traced the Eagle's body from the nose to the intakes and back towards the engine as she walked further into the hangar spotting the Skald's Eagle. On its tail was its pilot's personal emblem consisting of two crossed axes inside a simple green triangle. She was a bit surprised that they hadn't gotten back up to full strength considering how long ago the Yinshi Valley mission was. She remembers that two members of Strider were shot down during that mission. One appeared to have gone down earlier before they entered the Yinshi Valley and then another when Mr. X had come and killed both Champ and Sinker.
Mere was broken out of her thoughts when she heard the putting of at least two truck roll up to the hangars. Ducking under the Eagle's engine she could spot the rim of a truck before she walked out spotting a group of mechanics walking in with Queen at the front limping along.
"Jackson, Sanchez start prepping Skalds plane to go up."
"On it."
"Demara, Shults, go with Mandaville and make sure that Lanza's plane still isn't throwing that error. Wilkerson, you're with Mouse prepping Count's plane. Garrett with me for Tabloid's plane," she ordered and Mere was surprised at how comfortable she'd already gotten with the other mechanics. They all just spread out to work on each of their planes when Queen's eyes locked onto Mere and smirked a bit. "Wire, get your ass over here as well."
"I'm a pilot now, I don't gotta do notin'" Mere challenged back while Queen just rolled her eyes.
"I know for a fact you literally don't have anything else you need to do since you have no plane so help me get these planes ready for a flight!" Queen yelled back as she limped over to one of the unmarked planes. Mere knew she had a point and she mentally talked to herself, reasoning that it should be good to get to know the mechanics that will be taking care of her plane. She only now wonders how the strays will fit in with the new unit. They came in as an odd number and she has no clue who is the current lead of Strider squadron either. She met both Lanza and Skald already and both of them still had their butter bars. They could still be waiting on flying in another captain for Strider or a promotion might be in the works for either of the Strider members. In the end, she and Trigger don't have a plane and even if they did, they'd still be the odd ones out in a two-seater. Realistically there were a small amount of options out there that they'd put them in. As funny as it would be to kick ass and take names in an Aardvark, the logistics for upkeep wouldn't make sense nor would a dedicated bomber platform make sense for the two. She could believe, however, Trigger flying the shit out of the airframe and somehow still dance around Su-27's, MiG's, and Mirages. A Su-34 could be a potential option as they have Yuketobania to their backs supporting them by opening up their ports and airfields for staging points. Even being able to sit side by side with him...
Mere began to shake her head a bit as she was spacing out a bit. All signs point to a Strike Eagle being their next bird. It's essentially an Eagle so they won't stick out like a sore thumb and it's an airframe that has been getting recent upgrade programs and integrations. They share some parts so it simplifies the logistical issue and it's a layout she is somewhat familiar with. The Super Hornet and the Strike Eagle might be made by different aerospace companies origin before the great mergers of '97, but at least all Osean-based companies have agreed to similar switch layouts for easier transitions for pilots. Either way, she will work with what she is given as she has been doing for the past few months.
Jumping back to current day, Mere let out a light grunt as she couldn't slip Count's punch causing her guard to open up a bit as Count stepped in trying to take advantage of the opening. Mere back peddled a bit trying to get some distance to close up her guard. Count chased and threw another jab which Mere slipped and quickly went in for a counter. Count responded by backing off having learned that was a play she had been playing the whole time with Tabloid and his fight. What he wasn't expecting though was how stiff and heavy her left jab was as his hands moved under the weight of the punch opening up his guard. Mere had held back a bit before worried about her wounded forearm, but the doctor had given her the all clear. It let out a dull ache when she pushed a bit more into the jab but she couldn't help but let off a light smirk as she quickly threw another just as his defense closed up but she was back on the offensive.
"Come on Mere! Keep up the pressure!" A female voice, which Mere recognized quickly belonged to Húxiān, called outside the ring as she continued to put pressure on Count. Pushing him back onto the ropes, he began to brace against them dodging and weaving as best he could before he managed to slip away and around from Mere's assault.
"Now, now Húxiān, don't encourage them to continue when we've got a meeting to get to," Skald chastised her and she just shook her head letting out a huff.
"Hey, when we get some break, we should go a round or two!" Húxiān stated with a smirk when Trigger spoke up.
"Meeting?" he asked as Tabloid began to take off his gloves while Mere popped her mouth guard out "I haven't seen anything posted about a training flight or such."
"Briefing, actually," Húxiān corrected and Count began to smile a bit while surprise spread across Tabloid's.. "We were told to find and retrieve you four so please change and move to the briefing room."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Mere smirked as she ducked under the ropes pulling her gloves off with Count following close behind her. She gave Trigger's should a light punch as she walked by saying, "I'll see you boys in the briefing room," and gave a wave as she rushed off to get changed. She didn't know why she was so excited to go on a mission but her whole body felt energetic and tingling. This will be the first mission in months where she will be on with actual coordination and flying under an official unit. She didn't mind Lamp's and Roofer's company when she was a part of Spare Squadron, but the LRSSG felt like a jump in quality. Jumping back into her flight suit, she quickly navigated the base's corridors after quickly asking for directions and entered the room. The room was dark as the blinds were pulled and the lights were switched off but she could still see that all the other members of the LRSSG were seated waiting for her. Looking around, she quickly spotted Trigger and the open seat next to him and Count. Taking her seat, she saw both Wiseman and Colonel Wilson standing at the front of the room next to the massive screen that seemed to have been dropped down from the ceiling while there was a third person she didn't know manned the computer. On the screen was the LRSSG's emblem slowly spinning on a dark blue background when Colonel Wilson cleared his throat.
"Now that everyone is here, let us begin the briefing. Major Kennedy, if you would," Wilson asked as he looked at the man on the computer. The screen changed as he began to log into the network. He was shorter than Wiseman, but only by an inch or two but he was still a big guy. He has wide shoulders and even with how baggy his uniform was on him, you could tell there was some muscle beneath. She couldn't make out his eye color due to the darkness but she could make out his light brown hair. She knew she'd seen him before on base but she couldn't really put where. Possibly at the gym, maybe briefly in the cafeteria.
"Let me introduce myself as well for the new pilots and WSO. I'm Major Tim Kennedy but everyone calls me Long Caster. I'll be your eyes in the sky when you're in the air as your AWACS." Major Kennedy introduced himself and he seemed like a friendly guy. Almost the polar opposite of Bandog. She'd be interested in how well he communicates when they do get into the sky though.
"In any case, we've received a confirmation on the transfer of our four newest members and I would like to welcome them to our unit," Wilson gestured to the group and gave them a smile. "It seems like you've got quite a few people looking out for you. Still, based on how you've conducted yourselves, I believe that you'll be an asset to us."
As the computer finished its encryption confirmation, the screen shifted to a 3-dimensional view of the Usean continent before it zoomed in and distinguished the continent territory highlighting the Erussean held territory in red while the allied forces were in blue. The map zoomed in further focusing on the border between the allied territory and Erusean before Wilson continued. "For a long time, our counteroffensive has been overpowered by the Erusean drones' auto-intercept system. If a craft enters their airspace and doesn't respond to their IFF, drones automatically take off and move to intercept their target. However, we've discovered that the system has a blind spot." A leg of the border soon disappeared from the map. "We have acquired this valuable information by sending our other squadrons on dangerous missions to scout in the whole area and initiate combat." Additional markers appeared on the border and some of the locations seemed to scratch an itch in Mere's brain when Wiseman spoke up.
"Of all the pilots that participated in these operations, only a handful of them have made it out alive," he added before he glanced at Trigger, Count, and Tabloid. "Four of whom we have in our presence." Mere glanced over at Trigger when she saw a certain glint in Trigger's eye when it clicked for her as well; that's what high command had them doing. Roca Roja, Yinshi Valley, Artiglio, the Wiapolo Mountains. These were some of the many marked areas along the border..
"If we don't act now before the enemy can fill in the blind spot, those pilots will have sacrificed themselves for nothing. We don't need any more casualties," Major Kennedy added which surprised Mere. She glanced quickly to Wilson who didn't seem to mind that both Wiseman and Kennedy were stepping in to add to the briefing. If anything, he seemed proud and relaxed before he continued the briefing.
"We've been ordered to carry out a long-range strategic strike. Operating separately from the main forces as the Long Range Strategic Strike Group, we've been developing a strategy in secret. Cyclops Squadron and Strider Squadron will sortie deep into Erusean territory and will be carrying out specialized long-range attack strategies." The screen shifted back to displaying the LRSSG emblem before both Cyclops's and Strider's emblems appeared. The emblems shrunk into smaller side boxes as a new route began to appear starting at New Arrows before it plotted a path around the northern part of the Usean continent. "Cyclops Squadron and Strider Squadron will sortie deep into Erusean territory, and we'll be carrying out specialized long-range attack strategies." The route ended at Farbanti which Mere had some mixed feelings about. Her hands squeezed around the chair's armrest as memories of the failed Kestrel II strike on the capital surfaced in her head. She relaxed a bit as she reminded herself that things would be different this time.
"We'll carve our way through the territory from the north to the capital of Farbanti. Our goal is to attack and take out important targets along the way, gaining ourselves and our allies more territory to assist in seizing the capital. Once it's under Osean control, and we've captured several of their leaders, Erusea won't be able to respond as quickly and it gives us more time to regroup and resupply once the operation is complete." The screen soon zoomed in on an area to the north where red dots and blue arrowheads began to prop up representing enemy positions as well as the entry vector the LRSSG would be using for this attack. "The first operation will involve striking the enemy's main naval force, the Njord fleet, which is gathered in Northern Usea. We've known for some time that there's a large supply base utilized by the enemy fleet in the waters around Snider's Top. At present, the enemy fleet is concentrated there." Pictures began to appear showing off some of the ships that the fleet was consisted of. There were missile destroyers, cruisers, and its flagship at the center, a carrier.
"Naturally, they intend to attack Eastern Usea where Osean forces are stationed, and are probably aiming to retake Expo City. If we can surprise the enemy with a long-range attack, we could potentially do devastating damage to them. Still, it's highly likely that their advanced fleet is prepared and has started to move, so combat with the enemy is probably unavoidable." Major Kennedy soon stepped closer to the screen and picked up what looked to be a large marker from the edge of the screen and double-tapped it causing the map to zoom in which nearly made Mere's jaw drop.
"Holy shit, it's a smart screen?" Mere mumbled under her breath which got a light chuckle from Trigger while Count scoffed a bit.
"Great, so this is where our tax dollars are sent..." the Major looked back at the group with a light smirk before he focused back on the screen.
"We've verified the existence of a large supply base in the sea, as well as a medium-sized one in a valley by an estuary," he began to explain circling some of the dots to the north as well as a clump of markers to the southwest. "It's a wide operation area, and there are a number of places you can expect large-scale combat, so we've set up a return line for replenishing supplies. Use it proactively." Tapping and swiping on the screen, a thick blue line appeared on the map right behind where their green formation of fighter aircraft was placed.
"Any time you feel the need to stock up on ammo or make repairs to your craft, it's there," Wiseman added before he looked over at all the personnel present. "While aircraft and ammo can be replaced, the lives of our pilots cannot. We don't want any casualties out there. Remember that." Mere couldn't help but give Count a light nudge and smirked as he looked at her. Their new commanders were much different from McKinsey and they were no longer seen as expendable units and it just felt good. Mere could remember the dozens of times McKinsey would remind them that their planes were worth more than their lives and it felt reassuring knowing that they were finally valued like human beings again.
"Our counterattack has officially begun," Wilson said. "In two days, early in the morning, Strider and Cyclops will sortie to attack the fleet and the base. Brace yourselves. Dismissed." his eyes lit up again saying that before the Cyclops and Strider emblems enlarged, becoming the main focus of the screen before shrinking to the left side as personnel started to appear next to them. Mere just gave it a quick glance finding Trigger's and her own emblems associated with the Strider squadron. It was also reassuring knowing they should be getting their plane today since they will be flying out in two days.
The base commander had dismissed the pilots and Mere got up not reading too deep into the squadron lineups as she went to follow everyone out when Wiseman's deep voice carried across the room. "Trigger, Hotwire! I've got something I need to discuss with you two." Mere paused mid-stride and looked back at Wiseman before at Trigger. He had also paused and looked back at him before the two took a few steps back towards him. "I'd like to review the formation and weaponry with you two.
"With... Us sir?" Mere asked as she slowly turned around before she looked back to the screen. Beside the Cyclops emblem she saw Wiseman as the leader, Count flying as number two, Fencer third, and Húxiān as their number four. Under Strider, she saw both Skald and Lanza as number two and four respectively while Jaeger and Tabloid were number three and five while Trigger and herself were marked as the leader. Furrowing her brow she quickly reread the roster when Trigger spoke up.
"You want me to lead Strider Squadron?"
"What?!" Mere tensed up hearing that yell behind her before she whipped her head around to look at both Count and Tabloid who had lingered a bit near the door. Count's eyebrows creased down in a frown while Tabloid just seemed genuinely surprised.
"From the reports we've gotten from your previous squadron, we believe that you have the qualities of a fine leader. You're quick to think and react, you're attentive and look out for your squadmates and you take charge of the situation in a calm, collected manner," Wiseman explained to Trigger. Mere watched Trigger's eyebrows raise in surprise before he scrunched them down in a slight frown as he blinked a few times as if he was trying to process the information he just heard. Mere smirked a bit before she leaned over a bit and gave his back a rather hardy slap with a light chuckle.
"Well congrats there Trig," Mere smirked a bit as he shot her an annoyed look as he stumbled a bit before returning his attention back to Wiseman.
"Now, you will only be in command of Strider Squadron and thus you will still have to answer to me. Though, in addition to your new position, a new rank will be given out so you have the authority to command. Congratulations on your promotion, Captains." Wiseman reached into his pocket and pulled out two new patches and held a hand out to both Mere and Trigger. Mere looked down at his hand before she shifted them up quickly, seeing that Wiseman's expression hadn't changed. Quickly looking back down she started to read the patch and saw Meredith Andersen, Captain, OADF.
"I... I don't know what to say," Mere tried her best not to stammer as she stared at the patch when Wiseman spoke up.
"What I said also applies to you, Hotwire. Key reports from your previous squadron corroborate our decision to promote you two to lead Strider Squadron. You two haven't walked over each other trying to take command before so we are sure it won't happen now either," Wiseman explained when Count let out a quick annoyed huff.
"Well, congrats you two on your promotions…" Count said before he quickly turned around and left the briefing room nearly shoving his way through Tabloid. Tabloid shot him an annoyed glare before he cleared his throat.
"Well uh… Congrats you two! I'll uh… See what's with Count…" Tabloid rubbed the back of his head as he gave a wave and left, leaving the three alone in the room. Mere could only guess what got on Count's nerves and it could only be about their promotion. Even before Trigger came to the 444th, he seemed to be the one that all the pilots gathered around and seemed to always want to be the center of attention. Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, Mere focused back up as Wiseman started briefly going over the flight roster of the Stidder squadron and their pilot's strengths. Jaeger was the seasoned veteran of the group and Mere figured he might have been a voice of reason put into the group to help control Skald and Lanza. But make no mistake, his air-to-air performance is still one of the highest, only beaten out by both Fencer and Skald. Lanza wasn't too bad himself but he seemed to excel in ground-attack engagements leading to a relatively balanced squadron if Tabloid was just a part of the group flying off of Lanza's wing.
"Now then, since you have an idea of who you will be working with, what would you suggest Strider bring?" Wiseman asked as Trigger stared at the list before at the tactical map. Walking to the side he grabbed the pen and zoomed in on the Njord fleet tapping it a bit.
"Well… if I were to go about this mission, I'd hit the maneuverable fleet first to cripple them. The platforms aren't going anywhere and it'll open up the whole sea for us. For armaments," Trigger then looked towards Mere seeing she was staring intently at the fleet. Finally taking notice that both Wiseman and Trigger were looking at her she nervously looked between the two. "Something on your mind Captain?"
"Well, I was thinking of at least having two Harpoons per ship to sink them and if we're lucky at least four to sink if not cripple the carrier in the center…" Mere began to explain to the two as she got up form the chair she pulled closer to the screen before tapping. "Five ships plus a carrier so at least five of us would carry two Harpoons and would be alternatively fitted out with air-to-air missiles on the intake hardpoints…"
"But that would limit Strider's own flexibility after we destroy the fleet," Trigger added when Wiseman spoke up.
"That would be perfectly fine. I was planning to have at least two of Cyclop's pilots outfitted with an air-to-ground focus. Just name your pilots and we'll work around that," he suggested and Mere could see the gears start to turn in Trigger's head.
"Lanza and Tabloid will be our main air-to-ground… Mavericks, bombs, with CFT's to accommodate the center pylon being used for a Harpoon. Skald and Jaeger would then have Harpoons on their wing pylons and run anti-air after the initial attack," Trigger started to explain and Wiseman began to nod his head.
"I will then have Count and I mirror Jaeger's loadouts running air support while Húxiān and Fencer will run an air-to-ground complement. And what about your loadout?"
"Well, for Fat Amy that is a Strike Eagle…" Mere began to mumble trying to remember how or what the Strike Eagle carried payload-wise on its many MANY pylon configurations. "Four Harpoons and bombs..."
"Sounds heavy," Trigger mused a bit while Mere just scoffed.
"Is heavy. Good thing we'll drop down 6000 ish pounds within a minute of the operation so don't complain too much," Mere mocked back all the while Wiseman couldn't help but crack a light smile which he quickly hid behind his hand. He had a general fear that maybe a new rank would cause some form of discourse between the two but they are just as tight as the reports say they are. If anything, if you told someone they've only been a crew for a few months, they'd think you're crazy. Honestly, if he was told that a month ago he wouldn't have believed it yet here in front of him are two pristine examples. He had some worries for the upcoming mission and has heard the skepticism from from the other pilots but he is now certain that they will fit right in. He was only broken out of his own thoughts as a light thrum of propellers hummed through the base followed by the growl of a jet circling above. Moving closer to the window, the three could make out a C-130 circling in for a landing while the dark outline of an F-15 high in the sky ran a race track around the base waiting for their turn for the runway.
"The timing of this couldn't be any better," Wiseman smiled a bit as he soon powered off the computer and the briefing screen. "Your new ride has arrived. The techs will need to go over it for a whole day but… How about taking her up for a little test ride?"
"Been a while since we've been able to fly," Trigger said pushing himself out of his seat. "I was honestly tempted to ask if we could get the Tomcat back up and running to stretch my legs a bit."
"Felt jealous the other two were going up?" Mere looked back at her pilot a light smirk on her face.
"Not like you weren't getting stir-crazy since you also couldn't go up, Wire," Trigger smirked as he walked by and out the door. Rolling her eyes she went to follow Trigger out while Wiseman shut the lights off and locked up. Once outside, the cargo plane was already powered off and the crew was busy unloading some munition from the plane while their new Strike Eagle was sitting all pretty in the sun. The paint seemed fresh as if she just rolled off the assembly line and flew halfway around the world just to get here. Rushing up Mere could still feel some of the heat radiating from the engines but the plane just looked immaculate. Ducking under the wing she began to eye everything from on the underside while she traced her hand along the smooth fuel tank that's mounted to the wing pylon before she reached the other side of the wing and stood up looking back at Trigger who was taking his time to walk up.
"Quite giddy aren't you, Wire?" Trigger called out as he ran his hand along the wing tip and followed the edge to get closer to her. Mere couldn't help but let out a light chuckle as she looked back at the cockpit staring at the two seats up front.
"Just trying to think of the insane shit you're going to pull in this bird."
"Was I not crazy enough?"
"Well, in a certain perspective, yes. Mothballed plane with an airframe we have literally zero history on and you were throwing her around like she owed you money," Mere flatly responded as she bobbed her head a bit. "But she did hold up and deliver what you asked of her."
"Was demanding only so much. I know when to be gentle," Trigger said patting the wing a bit before looking towards the clean vertical stabilizers of the eagle. Glancing at his eyes, she could see them shift up and down a bit as he was processing something in his head before she turned her attention over to see who was the one who flew over the jet. The pilot who flew her had his yellow and black helmet tucked under their arm. Brown hair, brown eyes, average build, sort of the average Joe when it came to pilots. He was currently chatting with someone but Mere couldn't make out their face as they were mostly hidden behind his body. From what she could see, however, were similar green flight suits and black boots the aircrew wore. Whenever they moved slightly, she could even make out some greying hair aging the person up. With the noise of dollies pushing the weapon crates around she couldn't make out what they were talking about but the tone of voice just felt familiar. The commotion they were causing earlier must have garnered their attention since the pilot soon took a step back and turned to look at whoever just ran up to the plane and offered a sincere smile. Trigger returned that gesture with a light wave before the two had started to make their way towards them. He now sees it was an older woman the pilot was talking to with brown hair that was greying at the sides. She had it pulled back into a neat bun while a pair of aviators covered her eyes. She held a slight smirk on her face while there was a package tucked under her arm yet Trigger couldn't shake a sense of familiarity with her. He swears he has never met someone like her before in his career yet there was a voice in the back of his head telling him he's met her before. Glancing to Wire he saw that she had almost frozen up in shock her mouth moving as if to say something when the male spoke up.
"So, you must be the two that I'll be handing this bird off to," he smirked a bit as he offered a hand to the two. "Lieutenant Gerret Woods, or Cabbie as they call me up in the sky."
"Lieutenant… Er… Captain Aaron Macbeth. Trigger," Trigger responded taking his hand giving it a squeeze and a shake.
"Captain Mere… Meredith Anderson, tac name Hotwire," Wire said almost absent-mindedly before her eyes squinted a bit skeptically before she just blurted out, "What are you doing here?"
"Uh… Delivering your plane…?" Woods asked confused when the older woman just let out a light laugh as she pulled her sunglasses off.
"Ah that was directed at me, boy," she said off-handedly when that air of familiarity came back again over Trigger as he looked at the woman when it finally clicked for him. "Major Elizabeth Andersen, or Lily in the air if you'd like. Don't need to worry about the rank or any formalities, we're all equal in the sky."
"Wait so you're…" Trigger lifted a finger as he glanced from Lily back to Wire.
"So, you're the new fly boy Meredith has been flying with now?" Lily's eyes flicked up and down over Trigger as she hooked the arm of her glasses in her breast pocket before the edge of her mouth curled up a bit.
"M-Mo- Major!" Mere suddenly cried out. It honestly felt like she regressed a few years with how her tone shifted from the usual confident spunky WSO to an embarrassed teen.
"I uh… Don't follow Ma'am?"
"I told you to go easy on the formalities. Lily will suffice," Lily reminded him again her eyes narrowing on him. "Though you… Mm… Got some fire behind those eyes. Kinda reminds me of my old flight lead... You haven't harmed Meredith in any way have you?"
"Huh? Of course not Maj- Lily. She's in fact been a great asset to me in flight."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, she's helped me in quite a few operations and have kept my back the whole time."
"Can you please stop interrogating Trigger?" Wire said while stepping between the two pilots almost pushing her mother back. Lily raised an eyebrow before raising a hand taking a small step back shaking her head.
"Just seeing who is flying with my daughter. Can't a mother worry a bit about you?" Lily asked while lightly shaking her head a bit dismissively, yet that smile was still present. "My old heart can't take too much shock hearing your daughter was court-martialed for punching a brigadier general, sent to a penal combat unit, and now to a specialized squadron…" She paused a second spying the lack of any butter bars and a new rank on her patch. "With a two-rank promotion as well… Heh, if anything a bit faster than Nagase had gotten"
"It wasn't all that bad considering. Wasn't like I was locked up with murderers or anyone truly dangerous," Wire shook her head while Lily let out a scoff as she glanced over at the open hangar doors where the Tomcat could be easily seen.
"Forget the people, were they forcing you to fly in that relic?" She nodded her head towards the hangar when Woods let out a light whistle.
"Is that a Tomcat? Looks like a B variant too. Those haven't been in service for a few years now since the D and Hornets came along," Woods commented while Mere let out a nervous chuckle.
"It's a long story," Trigger dismissively said when Lily took the package from under her arm and gave it a light slap.
"Wish I could sit and listen to it, but I still have a schedule to keep up. This package is for you Mere." She tossed the package over to Trigger's WSO and she caught it with a light grunt. Seemed heavy for something relatively small. Opening it, Mere pulled out what Trigger could tell quickly was one of the shoulder straps for a g-suit. "Got word you trashed your old suit so here's your replacement," Lily explained when someone from the ramp of the C-130 called out to her.
"Cougar! Wheels up in 3!" he yelled at her before he scurried back inside as she turned around glaring at the man. Woods let off a light laugh as he bid his farewell as that was his ride back to his base while Lily let out a light sigh.
"Wish I could be around a bit longer to hear your stories Kid, but the logistics cogs need to keep turning."
"I'm just happy I can see you, Mom," Mere gave her a smile before she was pulled into a quick hug.
"I'm glad I can see you too, with a pardon," Lily gave her daughter a light squeeze before pulling back and putting her hands on her shoulders. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't waste it doing something stupid… And you, Kid," Lily turned to address Trigger. "You better keep her safe in the air or I will find you and drop a Daisy Cutter on your house. You hear me?"
"Mom!"
"I understand, Ma'am," Trigger quickly nodded earning a smirk from Lily.
"Good. Take care," she said as she put her glasses back on and walked back into the C-130. Pausing for a second to look out of one of the windows, Lily watched her daughter run off to the hangar to grab her equipment while Trigger went around performing his preflight checks. Letting out a light sigh, she quickly made her way into the cockpit taking her seat in the pilot's chair.
"All systems green and we're good on fuel," her co-pilot said.
"Thanks, Edd. Let's get rolling on the pre-flights then," Lily said pulling her headset on.
"So that's your daughter? Quite the looker might I add," Edd chuckled before wincing as Lily punched him in the shoulder.
"Told you Edd, the Major's daughter is off the books," the CSO let out a deep laugh as the crew began their preflight checks, Edd made a flew glance to Lily.
"You sure you wanted to just dip like that? We weren't expected back till much later."
"I got what I needed and I know she's in good hands… We still have our mission to complete though. What's the status of Daisy when we land?"
"She's being filled with some more ammo and another MGS Stryker. Charon has the same load as us while Noodle has more runway materialsfor the Red Horses."
"God, I wish they got that runway finished faster so we could stop bringing in more Strykers," the CSO commented again as they started their first engine. "Just going to be a shitshow once we pull out of there."
"Either way, what are we doing with that big gun anyway? Hunting some big game?" Edd asked as they started up their last engine.
"Not our place to ask questions. But I have an inkling idea of what might be big enough to shoot," Lily commented as they lined up on the runway and took off away from New Arrows.
