July 5th, 2025 - 09:00:00, Combat Mission 1, Naval Air Station Kazansky, The F-44 Hyper Tomcat/XF-33 White Widow Field Test begins with Guardian Squadron and Seeker Squadron's briefing in the Main Hangar.
Linebacker: ATTENTION!
[Guardian Squadron and Seeker Squadron stand at attention]
Lancer: Morning. Welcome to The F-44 Hyper Tomcat/XF-33 White Widow Field Test. Be seated.
[Guardian Squadron and Seeker Squadron sit down]
Lancer: I'm Commander Jardian, air wing commanding officer. You're all Top Gun and U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduates. The elite. The best of the best. Which is why we need you now more than ever. Since we stopped being the taxpayer and the bank of the world, our enemies are taking advantage of our allies, and said allies are growing discontent with our decision to have them fix their own problems. Today, they may be complaining about us quitting our unofficial and unwanted job as the world police. Tomorrow, they might turn their temper tantrums into formal declarations of war. That is why we need to reach the sixth generation of fighter aircraft before everyone else. You may have your orders to give our branches' respective entries everything you have, but do not expect to win. Not only are our sixth generation fighters more advanced than anything you or the world has ever seen, but their pilots are also one of yours, and they will grant no quarter like in real life.
[Bob and Lightstrip enter the briefing]
[Guardian Squadron look at Bob]
[Seeker Squadron shake their heads at Lightstrip]
Lancer: Their hard work and sacrifices have ensured that our chances in the sixth generation are here with us today. I give you Captain Kimberly Hollis, callsign: Lightstrip, and Lieutenant Robert Floyd, callsign: Bob.
Bob, who is carrying a small box, and Lightstrip, who is holding two marker pens and two erasers for the whiteboard, take the stage and introduce the reality of the sixth generation of fighter aircraft.
Bob and Lightstrip: Good morning, team.
[Guardian Squadron nods at Bob and Lightstrip]
[Seeker Squadron looks away from Bob and Lightstrip]
Bob: *opens small box* *sticks pictures of the American flag, the F-15, the F-16, the F-18, the F-22, and the F-35 on the whiteboard* The F-15, the F-16, the F-18, the F-22, and the F-35. The fourth and fifth generation fighter jets in the U.S. Military's arsenal. I assume you believe that they are all we need to protect truth, justice, freedom, and the United States of America in the air.
Oppressor: Of course.
Hydra: Hell yeah.
Huntress: Is this a boring history lesson or what?
[Bob smiles and sticks pictures of the Chinese flag, the North Korean flag, the Russian flag, the Iranian flag, the Union Jack flag, the Canadian flag, the Australian flag, and the New Zealander flag]
Lightstrip: Unfortunately, all our enemies and allies know all of this. The reason why we are also concerned about our allies is because of these ally and friend facts. Friends are with us and not against us. Allies may not be against us, but they are also not with us. That is why our allies prefer to call themselves allies instead of friends. Allies can turn into enemies when it suits them. And with our choice to stop babysitting the world with American sons, daughters, and dollars, those enemies can turn into aggressors tomorrow.
Bob: But what our allies and enemies do not know is the breakthrough we have today. However, what good is our breakthrough if we do not prove its worth in the real world? That is where we come in. Hit us with our military's entire aerial inventory and your very best shots because we and the sixth generation of fighter aircraft are coming.
With Combat Mission 1 requiring the U.S. Air Force first, Last Hope 114 hangs out with Rooster, Phoenix, Hangman, Payback, Fanboy and Coyote in the Team Room to wait for his turn.
Bob: *holds his F-44 scale model and Lightstrip's XF-33 scale model* Alright, Lightstrip. You know your plane as well as I know mine. You got this.
Phoenix: Hey, Bob, I got a bad headache, and my hair is an unprofessional mess right now. Can you help?
Bob: Ha, ha, ha. Those sound like a boyfriend's problems. Rooster's problems.
Phoenix: I know, but he sucks in giving head massages, and he's mediocre at best in tying my hair. Please.
Bob: *puts F-44 scale model and Lightstrip's XF-33 scale model on the table* *sighs* Fine, but this is the last time you're getting me in trouble for this. Turn around.
Phoenix: Uh, *smiles* no promises?
[Bob massages Phoenix's head and perfectly ties her hair]
Phoenix: Ahh, yeah, that's the shit.
Bob: Done and done. Feel better now?
Phoenix: Yeah, totally better. Thanks, Bob. *takes Bob's F-44 scale model*
Bob: You're welcome, Phoenix.
Coyote: You know, Rooster could not get the hang of what you did there even if his life depended on it. Where'd you learn how to do it?
Bob: Sisters. Being the only brother of my three sisters, they ask me for help whenever they need someone strong. Lifting stuff. Massaging heads and limbs. Breaking up and finishing fights with sworn enemies in high school.
Payback: Damn, dude. You are the best brother in the world.
Fanboy: I wish I could say the same for my older brother.
Hangman: I am SO checking out your sisters when I stop by at Lemoore.
Bob: I bet you will.
Rooster: On a serious note, you got something going on with Phoenix that I don't know about?
Bob: No, of course not, Rooster. I would never do that to you. Phoenix is my friend, and I look after my friends. That's all.
Rooster: Uh-huh.
09:30:13, Combat Mission 1 begins with Oppressor and Avenger in a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, Hydra operating a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle, Huntress piloting a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15C Eagle, and Lightstrip giving the ROE and starting the dogfight.
[D Fine Us's Howling At The Moon plays]
D Fine Us: I came from the mud. There's dirt on my hands. Strong like a tree. There's roots where I stand. Oh, I've been running from the law. Hope they won't shoot me down soon. Pacing on a sleepless night.
Lightstrip: Seeker Squadron, this is Final Spark 110. ROE allows all methods of attack and all weapons in your fighters' arsenals. Do you copy, over?
Oppressor: Yeah, yeah, we copy, kid.
Hydra: That might just be the dumbest move you could make, Lightstrip.
Huntress: This isn't flight school or U.S. Air Force Weapons School anymore, baby girl. This is real life. We're coming for you, and we're coming hard.
Avenger: I knew this'll be the easiest combat tour ever.
Lightstrip: I'll take that as a yes, Seeker Squadron. Fight's on. *flies upside down*
Oppressor: Talk to me, Avenger.
Avenger: Nothing on radar ahead, and nothing behind us. She must be in Stealth Mode.
Huntress: I'm going—
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
[Lightstrip breaks the sound barrier on Seeker Squadron]
Oppressor: SHIT!
Hydra: This crazy bitch!
[Lightstrip climbs up and dives down fast]
Huntress: Tally, tally, tally! Lightstrip's coming in! Oppressor, break—
[F-15C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: You shoulda moved, Huntress!
Huntress: Dammit, I'm dead!
Lightstrip: Ooh, what's this? A lone Hydra trying to sneak up on me in a Silent Eagle? *goes after Hydra*
Avenger: How the— Oppressor, Lightstrip's going after Hydra fast! We gotta stop her!
Oppressor: Roger that, hang on! *turns to Lightstrip*
Avenger: Hydra, Lightstrip somehow found you! Change course! Change course!
Hydra: What do you mean Lightstrip found me?! HOW?!
[F-15SE missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Surprise, Hydra! Sucks not being so invisible and not having cannon fodder, huh?!
Hydra: Now that's some bullshit!
Oppressor: Don't worry, guys! Lightstrip's kill streak is about to—
[F-15E missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Oppressor, Avenger, aren't you supposed to be a dynamic duo, or is that Oppressor and Hydra?
Avenger: Stop talking, Lightstrip! That's an order!
[Lightstrip laughs]
Bob: YYYES! I knew you were more than capable! *laughs*
10:30:13, Combat Mission 2, after celebrating Final Spark 110's first victory with her on the tarmac, Bob gets up in the air and completes Combat Mission 2 just as easily.
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
[F-15C missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Slow setup, Huntress.
Huntress: *punches canopy* SHIT!
[F-15SE missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Found you, Hydra.
[Hydra gives Bob two middle fingers]
[F-15E missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Double human kills, Oppressor, Avenger. Knock it off.
Oppressor: HOW?!
Avenger: Ah, the F-15 is a sad old piece of shit anyway.
Lightstrip: YEAH! That's it, Bob! Good boy.
By day, Last Hope 114 and Lightstrip celebrate each other's wins after landing. By night, they help each other strategize against their teammates in the Briefing Room with the whiteboard and their F-44 Hyper Tomcat and XF-33 White Widow scale models.
July 6th, 2025 - 09:30:23, Combat Mission 3 and Combat Mission 4, even though the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon has remarkable speed and maneuverability, the F-44 and the XF-33 are way beyond it in those fields and much more.
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: You gotta stop meeting me like this, Huntress.
Huntress: You're a piece of shit, Lightstrip!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Can't oppress if you can't get close, right, Oppressor?
Oppressor: Stop talking, Lightstrip! That's an order!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: A lone Hydra is a dead Hydra. Good to know.
Hydra: Didn't Oppressor just order you to shut the hell up, white, blonde whore?!
[Lightstrip laughs]
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Enemy down.
Oppressor: SCREW YOU!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: She's gone.
Huntress: ASSHOLE SAILOR!
[F-16C missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Dropped him.
Hydra: YOU'RE A BITCH, "BOB"!
[Bob laughs]
July 7th, 2025 - 09:30:16, Combat Mission 5, this will be Final Spark 110's first time dogfighting her partner's friends. Following his advice, she flies below them and prepares to surprise them by climbing up and flying by in front of their bread and butter (the F/A-18E and the F/A-18F).
D Fine Us: When it rains, it pours. Water's up to my chin. Won't stop fighting to the very end. Many men try to reach it. Many men have failed. If you wanna get to Heaven, you gotta raise a little hell. I've been running from the law. Hope they won't shoot me down soon. Pacing on a sleepless night.
Hangman: So, Lightstrip, isn't it?
Lightstrip: *wears oxygen mask* Yep, that's what my flight helmet says.
Hangman: How are you getting along with our Bobby boy?
Lightstrip: *puts tinted visor down* We're fine, Hangman. He's super cool and a genius fighter pilot for someone who started off as a naval flight officer.
Phoenix: I wouldn't be surprised. He used to fly behind me. I can only imagine how much work it takes to fly an F-44.
Rooster: Hey, you're no slouch yourself either, Phoenix. Don't let Bob and his new changes under your skin.
Payback: What are your touchy subjects again, Rooster? Because it seems merely mentioning Phoenix hits your nerve.
Rooster: Later. Right now, we need to—
[Lightstrip flies by in front of Guardian Squadron]
D Fine Us: Howling At The Moon. Will you find me? Hope you find me. I'll be back home soon. When the sun rise. When the sun rise.
Rooster: JESUS!
Phoenix, Hangman, Payback, Fanboy and Coyote: WHOA!
Lightstrip: Wakey wakey, Guardian Squadron. Fight's on.
Rooster: Phoenix, Payback, let's confuse her and throw her off balance. Hangman, Coyote, flank her.
Lightstrip: Hmm, you guys are definitely more effective than Seeker Squadron.
Rooster: Talk to us, Fanboy. Where is she?
Fanboy: Shit, Lightstrip's nose is already facing us fast! She's coming in hot!
[Lightstrip breaks the sound barrier]
[F/A-18F missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: There goes your overwatch, Guardian Squadron.
Payback: No! Already?!
Fanboy: Yeah, she killed us.
Coyote: It's okay, boys. We can keep fighting.
Lightstrip: Alright, Coyote and Hangman. Let's see how great you are at being solo parties.
Coyote: Watch out, Hangman! Lightstrip's gunning for you!
Hangman: Shit. *tries and fails to shake Lightstrip off* Yeah, you're good. I'll give you that, Lightstrip.
Rooster: Don't let her get into your head, Hangman. Phoenix and I have her.
Lightstrip: Are you sure about that? *climbs up fast*
Rooster: The hell? What's she playing?
[Lightstrip performs a Flat Spin on Rooster and Phoenix]
Phoenix: IT'S A FLAT SPIN! BREAK—
[F/A-18E missile approach warning systems blare]
Lightstrip: Triple kill.
Hangman: Shit.
Phoenix: Damn, dude.
Rooster: Come on, Bob.
Coyote: Okay, you're mi—
[Lightstrip performs an Immelman on Coyote]
Coyote: Shit. *breaks right*
[Lightstrip banks right and gets behind Coyote]
[F/A-18E missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Nice try, Coyote.
Coyote: Roger that, Lightstrip.
Bob: Ha, ha! YEAH! Well done, Lightstrip! Good girl.
Rooster: Don't forget whose side you're on, Bob.
10:30:16, Combat Mission 6, the dogfight between Bob and Guardian Squadron and their F-18s is the same one-sided beat down back in the West Philippine Sea.
D Fine Us: When it rains, it pours. Water's up to my chin. Won't stop fighting to the very end. Many men try to reach it. Many men have failed. If you wanna get to Heaven, you gotta raise a little hell. I've been running from the law. Hope they won't shoot me down soon. Pacing on a sleepless night.
[F/A-18E missile approach warning systems blare]
Bob: Triple kill? Don't you guys have eyes to look out for me in Stealth Mode? What happened?
Hangman: I knew sticking together for too long was a bad idea, Rooster!
Phoenix: Yeah, let's try not to stick too close for too long, okay?
Rooster: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[F/A-18E missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Stitched you up, Coyote.
Coyote: You sure you're not just bullying us right now, Bob?
Bob: I'm not. I just noticed that without Rooster, Phoenix or Hangman, the survivors of Guardian Squadron run around like headless chickens.
[F/A-18F missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Kill confirmed, Payback, Fanboy.
Fanboy: Normally, we can handle ourselves alone. But against you and your F-44? Things change, right?
Bob: Things change.
18:35:20, while combating F-35s should not be a problem for the F-44 Hyper Tomcat or the XF-33 White Widow, the only problem present is minor but personal. You see, the F-35C Lightning II and the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II are the planes Last Hope 114 and Lightstrip flew when they mastered dogfighting in training, making them their most favorite fighter jets to pilot before the F-44 and the XF-33 came along and took those spots now.
Still, that does not mean they will want to lose tomorrow.
D Fine Us: Howling At The Moon. Will you find me? Hope you find me. I'll be back home soon. When the sun rise. When the sun rise.
Bob: Okay, I have to admit, shooting down F-35s will be personally painful for me.
Lightstrip: You and me both. I actually prefer the F-35 over the F-22. More adaptable. I can support friendlies on the ground with it.
Bob: Yeah. *gets F-35C scale model* Alright, let's try to get tomorrow's dogfights over with as fast as possible.
Lightstrip: *gets F-35A scale model* Yeah, I got no plans losing tomorrow or ever.
Bob: Neither do I.
July 8th, 2025 - 09:30:18, Combat Mission 7, since both the Navy and the Air Force have access to F-35s, all fighter pilots from both will be flying against Final Spark 110. With Rooster, Phoenix, Hangman, Payback and Coyote using F-35Cs, and Seeker Squadron having F-35A Lightning IIs.
Oppressor: Feels weird working with Sailors.
Rooster: Yeah, it already feels weird working with you Airmen—
[Lightstrip flies by above Guardian Squadron and Seeker Squadron upside down]
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
Lightstrip: Fight's on. Let's go.
Rooster: CHRIST ALMIGHTY!
Oppressor: So, you like to play rough, huh?! Well, guess what, Lightstrip?! I like to play rough, to—
[F-35A missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Threat down.
Oppressor: Oh, what the hell is this?! Silent Lightstrip?! Is this your Stealth Mode?!
Rooster: I don't like her any more than you do, Oppressor. So, don't worry. I'll get her for you.
Phoenix: Seriously? Where's this coming from?
Rooster: I just have a bad feeling about her, okay? I don't know why, but it's something.
Hangman: Man, you're starting to sound like someone I wish I could forget.
Rooster: Oh, yeah? Who?
Hangman: Too painful of a mem—
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!) Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!)
Hangman: Tally, tally, tally! Lightstrip's onto us!
Payback: Rooster, Phoenix, above you! *flies above Rooster and Phoenix*
[F-35C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Good tone, that's another kill.
Payback: I'm out!
[F-35A missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Were you looking for me, or did you forget to check your blind spots?
Huntress: Screw you.
Phoenix: Shit. Get her off me, Hang—
[F-35C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Dropped you, Phoenix. *performs a Kulbit Maneuver on Hangman*
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!) Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!)
Hangman: Oh, not this again—
[F-35C missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: I got tone, Hangman.
Hydra: Rooster, let's try to do this as a team! We can overwhelm her! You got any ideas?!
Rooster: I got one. Form up on me, break—
[F-35A missile approach warning system blares]
Lightstrip: Hydra's gone. Too late, Rooster.
Rooster: NOT ON MY WATCH, BITCH BLONDIE! *performs a Pugachev's Cobra on Lightstrip*
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!) Try to catch me Howling At The Moon! (Try, try to catch me!) (Try, try to catch me!)
[Lightstrip breaks left]
Oppressor: Come on, Rooster!
Hydra: We're counting on you, Rooster!
Huntress: KICK HER FLAT ASS, ROOSTER!
Rooster: What the— *looks around* Where are you? Where are you? Where the hell are y—
[F-35C missile approach warning system blares]
D Fine Us: Try to catch me Howling At The Moon!
[song ends]
Lightstrip: Good effort, Rooster. But it's time to knock it off.
Rooster: Don't you dare use our terminology on us, Airman!
Phoenix: Rooster! Knock. It. Off.
[Rooster sighs]
10:30:18, Combat Mission 8, Bob finds himself shooting the F-35C Lightning IIs and the F-35As quicker than Lightstrip and her XF-33 White Widow without saying much except for when he initiates the dogfight and calls out his kills. All that is left at the near end is his TL, and he makes the 1v1 personal for some reason.
[F-35C and F-35A missile approach warning systems blare]
Bob: And Hydra and Phoenix are gone. Looks like it's just you and me, Rooster.
Rooster: THEN COME ON! *breaks right to go after Bob*
[Bob breaks right to go after Rooster]
Rooster: You think you can just wipe the floor with us like these past few sorties?! I came to the Navy as a fighter pilot! You came here as a weapon systems officer, gave up, and are now pretending to be a fighter pilot!
Bob: What the hell are you saying, Rooster?! Where did this anger come from?! I got no quarrel with you!
Rooster: YOU LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT! YOU LIKE TO BELIEVE YOU'RE A FIGHTER PILOT! BUT I WILL ALWAYS BE BETTER THAN YOU!
[F-35C Over-G warning system blares]
Bob: Oh, no. You're bending your airframe, Rooster! You gotta get outta this spiral!
Rooster: YOU THINK I'M GONNA LET YOU WIN?!
Bob: THIS IS NOT REAL COMBAT! WHEN THE MISSION IS NO LONGER A CONCERN, YOUR CREW AND YOUR PLANE MUST COME FIRST!
[Rooster angrily yells and gets out of the spiral]
[F-35C missile approach warning system blares]
Bob: Enemy down. Knock it off.
Rooster: *punches canopy* Shit! Shit! SHIT! *angrily yells*
Lancer: Turn your comms off if you're gonna whine like that! And Rooster, Watchman's Office post haste!
Even though he wants to help Rooster with his recent behavior towards him and Final Spark 110, Last Hope 114 knows that he is unapproachable right now and just looks at him in disappointment and prays for him. 11:04:11, Commander Lancer Jardian and Watchman smokes Guardian 1-1 in the latter's office.
Lancer: Nearly breaking your airframe?! Pulling that Pugachev's Cobra on Lightstrip?! Getting personal and insulting with her and Bob IN THE AIR?! YOU COULD'VE GOTTEN ALL THREE OF YOU AND OUR SHOTS AT THE SIXTH GENERATION OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT KILLED!
Rooster: It's not the plane, sir. It's the pilot.
Watchman: NOT ALL THE TIME! If that were the case all the time, we would still be using God damn biplanes right now! You are just LUCKY that you didn't put Bob, Lightstrip, the F-44, or the XF-33 in jeopardy. But you also flew your F-35 in such a reckless and irresponsible manner that it may never be airworthy again. Don't think I won't forget what you did to my plane. *sighs*
Lancer: *shakes head at Rooster* Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw, this field test is about proving the worth of our foremost sixth generation fighter jets. And it is nothing more than a field test you are not expected to win but to help bring in the future of fighter jets and fighter pilots. That fact is not flexible, nor am I. Either you remember that, or you are history. Is that clear?
Rooster: Yes, sir!
Lancer: That will be all. Dismissed.
[Rooster leaves Watchman's Office]
14:02:43, Bob and Lightstrip hang out at the Shooting Range and speculate about Rooster's hostile attitude regarding them.
[Stoner LMG A1]
Bob: Nice, you're getting faster and more accurate, Kimberly.
Lightstrip: Well, I got a pretty good firearm instructor, Rob. Say, what do you think is Rooster's hostile behavior about?
Bob: I wish I could approach him and know for sure.
Lightstrip: Any gut feelings?
Bob: I think it has something to do with my friendship with Phoenix. We've been good buddies for 3 years, but I never considered her a best friend, or it'll destroy Rooster and the beautiful love life they built together.
Lightstrip: Smart move. How about you and I hang out some more so he can calm himself, and he and Phoenix can get their relationship back on track.
Bob: I agree. Besides, I believe we should get to know each other better.
Lightstrip: Aww, how romantic.
[Berlin's Take My Breath Away (Humming Version) plays]
[Glock 34 Combat Master fire]
[Stoner LMG A1 fire]