School Idols of the Lighthouse War
Chapter 1
The Beginning Whistle
Trigger's P.O.V.
Alexandra: Hi, I'm Alexandra Hailstone, the Tac name is: Trigger. And I'm 18 years old. A pilot who works in the Osean Air Defense Force. And now working for the International Union or IUN for short. I'm currently stationed in Fort Grays Island, working in a IUN squadron called Mage Squadron, Along with Mage squadron is Golem squadron. We get well along with many things. As for now, we getting briefed by now as we gathered.
Briefing systems activated...
IUN Briefing Officer: Is everyone here?
Settle down.
I said settle down!
You have all been instrumental in helping to maintain peace in Usea as members of the International Union Peacekeeping Force. Until today.
Satellite Data Link updated in the continent of Usea.
Earlier, our radar site informed us that a group of unidentified aircraft was approaching.
Communications systems went down immediately afterwards.
We are led to conclude that they have attacked the site.
Here's your mission.
It's possible that the Usean peace agreement has been broken for the first time in over a decade.
As of today, the Fort Grays Air Base Squadron of the IUPF has been put on high alert.
All members who have been ordered to sortie, fly there immediately.
Find the unidentified craft, then use your weapons to round them up and force them to land.
If the hostiles counterattack, then you will--
*Rumbling noises*
IUN Pilot 4: What in the world was that?!
IUN operative 5: There's smoke!
IUN Pilot 4: We're under attack! Numerous unidentified aircraft confirmed overhead!
Trigger: What?! How's that possible?! And where did they come from?!
IUN Soldier 2: The tank farm to the north has been bombed! Many injured!
IUN Briefing Officer: Scramble now! All units! take off and eliminate the unidentified craft attacking the base!
This is not a drill!
Trigger: Here we go on my first combat flight!
Meanwhile on Proud Island.
15th of May, 2019. 14:11 PM
Air Group Commander Miyafuji: Is every School Idol here?
Settle down, all of you!
Okay, Alisa. You have the word.
Alisa: Okay. Thank you Miyafuji.
School Idol Briefing Start.
Alisa: Welcome in the Usean continent, School Idol Pilots.
As we know from the intel in the IUN, the Usean peace agreement is finally broken in more than a decade.
As of now, the School Idol Squadrons are now on alert of this black ops mission.
Here are your objectives:
Objectives on around Fort Grays Island: Search for activity on air, but do not engage. AWACS Sohei will provide a wide ESM range so that you will not be detected.
The members are chosen to take the missions are as follows:
On the area around Fort Grays Island: Azalea Squadron (Dia, Kanan and Hanamaru are members of Azalea), Supporting members are Kotori, Nico and Shizuku.
On the west of Proud Island: Eli and Lanzhu.
Deployment on 15:20 PM.
Dia: Kanan, Hanamaru. This is it then, our first recon operation of our time.
Kanan: Yep and we have Kotori, Shizuku and Nico joining us as support.
Hanamaru: We must also stay in range of our AWACS for the time being zura.
Dia: Agreed, we are not allowed to engage.
As they all agreed, Azalea has already been taking off from the air base, Nico follows, then Shizuku and Kotori. They headed north west towards Fort Grays Island.
A few minutes later...
Eli: All right Lanzhu, are you ready for this?
Lanzhu: 我已经知道了(I already know this very well). Let's do this.
And thus, Eli and Lanzhu take off and fly to the west of Proud Island for any activity.
Back at Fort Grays Islands...
IUN Operative 3: Radar site still silent!
IUN Operative 4: Scramble! Get those birds in the sky! We're sitting ducks!
IUN Soldier 4: What's happening?
IUN Soldier 5: Bombers incoming! Don't know how many!
Golem 1 called Knocker: Let's clear that runway. We don't got all day here.
Air traffic controller: Mage Squadron, head to runway.
Golem Squadron, take off. Linked to Sky Keeper. Hurry, Mage Squadron.
A few minutes later...
Trigger, your callsign is Mage 2. Verify and read back.
Trigger: This is Mage 2, copy that, air traffic controller.
Control Tower: Mage 2, cleared for takeoff. The situation is tight.
It's a hell of a welcoming party, but we have faith in you. Good luck.
As Trigger prepares to take off now…
Knocker: Come on, Tower. Quit your flirting and just let her take off.
Control Tower: Hear that?
Trigger: I'm in the air now!
Control Tower: Golem Squadron and your wingman are airborne. Take off and form up with Mage 1.
Trigger: Wow, that aircraft carrier got hit pretty hard.
Control: Mage 2, altitude restriction is lifted. Good luck!
Golem 2 Brownie: The carrier… Whoa! Looks like the harbor's taken a lot of damage.
Knocker: Can't have any more casualties. Time to stop the bombers.
Mage 2, form up with Mage 1.
All aircraft, let's do this. Golem Squadron, it's go time.
Brownie: Roger that.
Golem 4 Footpad: Golem 4 understood, we'll raise some noise.
Trigger: I'm ready!
A second later the AWACS named Sky Keeper contacts both Golem and Mage.
AWACS Sky Keeper: This is the AWACS "Sky Keeper."
Take down all unidentified bombers, they don't have many escorts. They hit our radars hard in the last attack. Expect the worst, so stay sharp.
Knocker: Wilco.
Trigger: Mage 2 copies.
As Trigger rendevouz with Mage 1, Mage 1 introduces himself.
Mage 1 Clown: Trigger, I'm your wingman. You're flying with me now. That's what it means to be in an element.
You gotta keep an eye out for enemy bombers.
Trigger: I see one! Preparing to fire!
Clown: Okay, here we go. Looks like bombers have been located.
It's show time, Trigger. Let's see if you can handle the spotlight.
Trigger: Roger, firing now.
As Trigger opens fire in her F-16C, and with a few hits, the bomber is shot down.
Sky Keeper: Enemy bomber confirmed down. Good job, Mage 2.
Trigger: Thank you AWACS.
Clown: Not bad, Mage 2.
The Newman Crater's right below us. The size of that just blows my mind.
Sometimes I look down and wonder how many craters I've put in the ground…
Trigger: That only a meteor does that.
Clown: Trigger, switch to your radar. See if you can locate the enemy.
Trigger: Okay, switching radar now.
Clown: There it is. Sitting there all pretty just waiting to be taken.
As Trigger and Clown fly left to take on more bombers, little did they know a squadron is coming from the west.
Meanwhile by Sohei and the Azalea Squadron, Kotori, Nico and Shizuku...
Dia: All right girls, here we are just southwest of Fort Grays Island.
Kanan: Aren't we gonna be detected by Osean radars, Sohei?
Sohei: Do not worry girls, the ECM is activated, just stay under the coverage net so that we won't be seen by them.
Kotori: Roger that AWACS.
Shizuku: I see the Osean fighter aircraft.
Sohei: Roger that Shizuku, Osean planes comfirmed.
Now, let listen to the Osean communications.
Back by Clown and Trigger.
Clown and Trigger are moving in to Golem Squadron, where they been engaging a bomber.
Clown: They're way overhead. Let's go introduce ourselves.
Enemy Fighter Pilot: The harbor fuel storage is intact. It's asking for another round.
All escorts, form up for another attack! Point is 835!
Clown: Watch out for the support aircraft.
Knocker: Fishbeds should be easy pickings!
Enemy Fighter Pilot: They have me spiked!
As Trigger just fired and eliminated an enemy Mig-21.
Sky Keeper: Enemy support eliminated. This should make the job easier. Destroy the target.
Trigger fired a missile and it flies to the bomber, which it destroys the bomber.
Sky Keeper: Target confirmed down. Looking good, Mage 2.
Meanwhile by the School Idols...
Nico: That Mage 2 got some nice skills!
Hanamaru: I see that very clean zura!
Dia: Let them focus on taking the bombers, we have overwatch to do.
Back to Golem and Mage...
Sky Keeper: Mage 2, targets in range, pair of bomers.
Trigger: I see them, moving to engage!
Clown: Trigger, stay calm. You got this.
Knocker: I know the kid's shown some promise, but let's remember, he's still barely gotten his feet wet.
Trigger: I have to get closer to them.
Clown: Trigger, don't forget your special weapon.
Trigger: Got it!
Time to fire my 4AAM's.
Locked on!
And fire the 4AAM's
Trigger scored 4 hits on the 4 bogeys.
Clown: That's it. It's great when it's simple.
Sky Keeper: Enemy bombers and escorts are down. Nice going Mage 2.
Knocker: Not too shabby, Mage 2. But you've still got a long way to go, kid.
I'll give you some pointers back at base, if you can make it in one piece.
Trigger: Okay, Knocker.
Clown: Sky Keeper, this is Mage 1. Tally ho two bandits.
Sky Keeper: Copy that. It's a bomber and an escort.
Trigger: Turning left, I'm going in!
Clown: Whoa there, Trigger. Settle down.
Knocker: Mage 2! Maintain your element with Mage 1! Do not break off!
Mage 1, make sure she doesn't do anything stupid.
Clown: Wilco.
Trigger: Come on Clown, let's go after them!
Clown: Roger Wilco!
After Clown tuned the radio frequency…
Clown: Unlike the flight commander, I respect the independence of my guys.
It's still a leash, though.
After a few minutes, Trigger has caught up to them.
Trigger: There they are, Clown. Take the bomber, and I'll take the escort.
Clown: You got it, Trigger.
And when Mage squadron takes the escort and bomber down...
Sky Keeper: Golem, Mage. Two new enemy groups. There's a damned lot of 'em, too.
Great. They have Tu-160s. Those things can move.
While in combat, the IUN HQ calls.
IUN-PKF HQ: This is HQ. Attention, all combat groups.
Are there any drones? Verify.
Knocker: Drones? Are you kidding me right now? Jesus! This is the kinda thing that really chaps my ass!
Clown: UAVs? I can't tell them apart.
Trigger: No sign of them yet. But I think that drones do not belong here in the skies.
Clown: Agreed.
Trigger: I see a Mig-21 with the name Pyro. It must be an enemy ace.
Knocker: Better take him out, Trigger. This is gonna be a good test for you.
While Trigger prepares to battle an enemy ace, Pyro begins his attack.
Clown: Break! Break!
And Trigger manages to dodge his attack, she decides to shoot Pyro down with a missile.
Clown: Great move, Trigger. Now let's go back to the island. They need us here.
Trigger: Understood. Full speed ahead.
As Mage Squadron hustles to the harbor, the enemy bombers continue to make a bombing run on the harbor.
Trigger: There they are!
Golem 3 Boggard: Enemy's locked!
Trigger: Not so fast, pal.
Enemy Fighter Pilot 4: Evading enemy missile!
Enemy Fighter Pilot 6: I've taken fire! Still flight-capable!
Footpad: I'm glued to this one.
Trigger: Hit it!
Trigger knocked out a another enemy fighter.
Enemy Fighter Pilot 9: Lost a friendly!
And while Trigger eliminated a another fighter. Footpad scored also a kill.
Sky Keeper: Mage 2 splashed a bandit!
After leaving the clouds…
Enemy Fighter Pilot 10: Bandit in my sights!
Trigger opens fire on the enemy Tu-160.
Enemy Bomber: Harbor facilities and carrier destroyed. I'd call that mission accomplished.
We've got half of our baggage. Emptying them on hangars and runways.
Brownie: Mage 2's bandit confirmed down.
Sky Keeper: Tu-160 down! Significant threat eliminated.
Trigger: Okay, that bomber took 3 missiles to defeat it!
Footpad: They can burn with their whole payload.
Trigger: Tell me about that.
Boggard: More fighters incoming!
Knocker: Hesitating for a split second could be the difference between life and death. Stay sharp, think fast.
Brownie: Roger that.
As Trigger fires her missile on the enemy aircraft, some radio signals appear.
ENN: Breaking news from ENN.
…the Osean Federation has… …space elevator on our soil…
Fort Grays Base: Don't' let them destroy the harbor!
Where are our fighters?! The harbor is under heavy fire!
Sky Keeper: One target remaining.
As Trigger shot down another fighter…
Knocker: Mage 2, keep your focus. You got this.
Trigger: Roger that one, Knocker. Making a beeline on the last bomber.
While Trigger began firing his machine gun on the bomber, it tore the bomber cleanly apart.
Sky Keeper: To Golem and Mage, job well done. All bombers are down. Our radar shows no sign of bandits. You're in the clear.
Trigger: Phew, mission accomplished this time.
While Trigger says that, Mage 2 is close in front of her.
Clown: Good going, Mage 2. Flight Commander, it looks like she's got what it takes.
Knocker: Let's slow down. It's just one sortie. Don't try to be a hero. I want you to make it back in one piece, you hear?
Brownie: Yeah, I gotta side with the boss-man on this.
As they collect their breath, IUN HQ calls them again.
IUN-PKF HQ: Golem Squadron, this is HQ. Did you confirm any drones?
Knocker: What's the deal with all the drones?
Clown: No idea.
IUN-PKF HQ: Golem 1, return to base and report for debriefing.
Trigger: Let's hear all these frequencies. I wonder what they are listening to.
While Trigger is changing the frequency, she hears this…
ENN: I am Princess Rosa Cossette D'Elise of the Kingdom of Erusea...
Rosa:...Citizens of Erusea...
Trigger: I don't like where this sounds. but somehow it tells me that something's not right.
As Trigger hears these radio frequencies, she spots something on the horizon, 6 fighters and a AWACS.
Trigger: Who are these fighters, Are they Osean or Erusean?
Back to the School Idols...
Sohei: It looks like Golem and Mage has eliminated all bombers and escorts.
Kanan: That seems to be.
Dia: All right Sohei, do you have recorded any thing?
Sohei: All recorded and set here, Dia.
Dia: Good. All units, let's go back to Proud Island, Miyafuji and Yu are awaiting for us. We need to debrief our task immediately.
Hanamaru: Roger that zura.
Kotori: Muse 4 copies.
Nico: Muse 9, roger.
Shizuku: Understood. Let's get out of here.
As the School Idols fly out of there, Trigger lands in the airbase for debrief.
Debriefing: We are currently assessing the damage to the base.
We have confirmed that the aircraft carrier Albatross was sunk.
We know that the attacking bogeys were from Erusea.
International Union Peacekeeping Force bases all over the Usean continent were attacked in the same way. The damage is severe.
Many wars are lost by failing to recover from the opening blows.
That means successfully retaliting was very important. You have turned the tides of battle here.
You have our thanks.
Debriefing on the School Idols Pilots who are deployed.
Debriefing School Idols: Great work out there for searching any conflict on the two nations.
We have confirmed now that the Osean aircraft carrier Albatross was sunk.
We know that the attacking bogeys were from Erusea.
International Union Peacekeeping Force bases all over the Usean continent were attacked in the same way. The damage is severe.
But looking at the pilot named Trigger, she has some talent.
We will prepare the arrangements to let her join our unit temporarliy until then.
Azalea Squadron, Kotori, Nico and Shizuku, good work, take some rest.
I wonder how it goes by Eli and Lanzhu, hope they have something to report.
End of Chapter 1.