School Idols of the Lighthouse War
Chapter 3
A Unknown Defection
Proud Island
May 17, 12:00 PM
Yu's P.O.V.
It's been a few days after the first sorties of our School Idol pilots, and the performances of Trigger immediately impressed us, we are still preparing arrangements for Trigger to transfer.
We just got news that Mage and Golem squadron attacked several Erusean mobile radars on the Scofield Plateau in order to cover the allied ground forces. And for that matter, Trigger managed to defeat 5 drones that were launched on the trucks on the Scofield Air Base.
But for us, it's training for our idol dances, pilot training and strategize our next plan.
After some days of air patrols, the lack of evidence is still a problem against the Erusean Radicals. For now, we are at an dead end. At least, for now. Until...
Satsuma Soldier: Commander Miyafuji, an unknown ship has been spotted on our course!
Miyafuji: Is it Osean or Erusean?
Satsuma Soldier: Unknown. Our watchtower units had been on watch when this ship took course on us.
Miyafuji: I'll send Kasumi to check it out.
Satsuma Soldier: Yes ma'am.
As Kasumi got word for her mission from Miyafuji, she is already ready for deployment. She and her pastel yellow colored Su-33 are ready for take off.
Her task: find the ship with the officers that wanted to talk with the Satsumans.
And a few minutes later…
Kasumi: This is Qu4rtz 1, clear for takeoff!
As Kasumi has taken off to the skies with her Su-33, Miyafuji updated her with a new objective.
Miyafuji: Okay Kasumi, fly west of Proud Island and find the ship of the defected Eruseans. Do not fire on the ship that we need to help.
Kasumi: Qu4rtz 1 acknowledges! Moving to find!
As Kasumi searches for the defected ship, some radio waves are signaling for assistance.
Defected Erusean Naval Captain: … Is anyone here, we are under fire from a frigate group!... …need assistance!... …need air support!... … carrying a Conservative officer… are just 5 km!...
Kasumi: Do you hear this, Commander Miyafuji?! They are under attack!
Miyafuji: I heard it clear, Kasumi. And I got word from Satsuma High Command. We are under Code Azure. Eliminate the frigates chasing the defected cruiser.
Kasumi: Understood, firing on the frigates!
Kasumi prepares to fire the heavy weight automated missiles and opens fire on the ships.
Kasumi: Fox 3! Fox 3!
The HWAMs shot out of Kasumi's fighter and hit the first 2 frigates in succession.
Kasumi: Targets hit, 2 frigates are sinking! I think I might not like taking lives.
Miyafuji: I know it already, sorry Kasumi. But this is what war should be.
Kasumi: Understood, I will take down the enemy, no matter if they are good or bad. I hope that the other school Idols do the same.
Erusean Frigate: What was that for an attack just now? Are we attacked by the Oseans?
Erusean Fleet: That plane that attacks us, It's not an Osean!
Kasumi fires 2 more HWAMs on the last 2 frigates.
Erusean Fleet: Everyone, abandon ship!
Kasumi: Enemy frigates are sunk! The cruiser is safe from harm!
Yu: Nice work, Kasumi. But, 3 fighters are coming for you! Those are F-14s. Take them out.
Kasumi: I'll keep them off!
Three F-14A Tomcats are closing on Kasumi.
Erusean Fighter 1: Is that the one who shot the frigates?
Erusean Fighter 2: It seems to be that way.
Erusean Fighter 3: Let's take her out.
The Erusean Fighters make their beeline on her, and fire their missiles on her. But Kasumi has other plans.
Kasumi: Evading enemy missiles!
Kasumi evades the missiles and quickly turns to the fighters and flies to their rear.
Kasumi: You're in for it now! Firing SAAM!
The TAAMs are shot out and 2 F-14s are shot down fast.
Erusean Fighter: Damn. Who knew she could fight like that?! Wait a second, that's not a Osean. It's a Satsuman!
And what is that color of that plane?!
The Erusean fighter tries to make an attack on Kasumi's Su-33, and Kasumi evades his attack very easily, and Kasumi now has her chance.
Kasumi: Take this! Fox 1!
Kasumi fired her TAAM on the pursuing Erusean Fighter and it exploded on impact. Confirming Kasumi that she scored a fighter plane shot down.
Kasumi: That's all of them! All pursuing fighters are taken out!
Yu: Great work, Kasumi. Now escort the cruiser to our base.
Kasumi: Understood.
Debriefing:
Good job, Kasumi! We managed to stop the Erusean pursuers and the enemy fighters from hunting our interesting officer. He's already on to the interrorgating room for explanation. And we hope that he might have some solid evidence and information.
At the interrogation room…
Miyafuji: So, you are saying that all of the drone technology is from Belka?
Conservative Erusean Officer: Yes, and I have a feeling that the drones are gonna blame another pilot very soon in the Osean court. And what's worse, the Eruseans have taken the Arsenal Birds from the Oseans.
Yu: We know that the Space Elevator was taken by the Eruseans, because this building is the symbol of peace, and a valuable asset in the fight against growing energy concerns.
Defected Erusean Officer: Do you know that former President Harling is there?
Miyafuji: We already watched the news.
Defected Erusean Officer: The Belkans Ultranationalists want always try to make wars so that they can take the ground that they lost from the Oseans. Unfortunately for them, a squadron managed to stop them in their tracks. However, there are some scattered Ultranationalist Belkans over all of the continents, Erusea is one of them.
Miyafuji: Hmmm… Thank you for telling everything, eh..
Defected Erusean Officer: Please, call me Colonel Alonzo.
Miyafuji: Very well, Alonzo.
Alonzo: You have my gratitude, Commander…
Miyafuji: Kana Miyafuji. Just call me Miyafuji. Would you excuse us, I'll have to call.
Alonzo: Okay.
After the interrorgation, Miyafuji calls Karibuchi again.
Miyafuji: Hello, Karibuchi.
Karibuchi: Miyafuji, I have news! I just got report that the Erusean are preparing defenses around the Space Elevator.
Miyafuji: Yeah, I heard it too. Also, I have quite a massive important information and have solid evidence from an defected Erusean officer in the Erusean Conservatives. Also hear this in one of the phones we have acquired:
"With the drones in our hands, we shall burn the Oseans to the ground! We will also give a pilot named Mage 2 the blame for killing the former President of Osea. She will be humiliated in the Osean court and we will laugh for it."
Miyafuji: It looks like that they want to use Trigger for killing the former president!
Karibuchi: That seems to be!
Miyafuji: We shall head for Oured, and they will probably listen us, maybe. We will take these evidence along with it.
Karibuchi: Very well, I'll be headed to Oured too.
Miyafuji: Okay, we will meet soon on the Osea Command Center. I'll also call the Belkan leaders for some answers.
Karibuchi: Good. Call you guys later!
Karibuchi ended the call.
Miyafuji: Okay, here's what we are gonna do.
After discussing the plan, the School Idols are gathered on the common room where they will listen what Miyafuji has to say.
Miyafuji: Okay, here's the plan:
I'm heading to Oured along with Yu and Dia to the Osea Command Center.
Honoka and Shioriko, I'll leave you girls in charge on Proud Island Air Base.
Be sure you'll check on Colonel Alonzo.
And be very watchful of him. The Satsuman Command want him as well, he has a lot to answer for that defection of his.
Honoka and Shioriko: Understood!
Also, Hanayo, Kasumi and Emma.
Hayano, Kasumi and Emma: Yes?
Miyafuji: You three are heading along with You, Maki and Hanamaru to the SN Sakamoto, our hybrid aircraft carrier. An AWACS called Ryusuke will be there, along with the video camera equipment. Once you recorded anything if there is a missile firing on the former president, save it and return to the SN Sakamoto, it will sail towards Oured, escorted by some destroyers of us. The Eruseans and Oseans will not target us.
I'll hope that Kasumi thought the enemy will learn their lesson not to target us.
You, Emma and Hanayo: Roger that/Understood!
As the Satsuman School Idols prep their arrangements, things on the Osean and the IUN are getting difficult in a few days: After the Arsenal Birds are fallen in the hands of the Eruseans, the Arsenal Bird named Liberty launched drones on them. It caused on the IUN fighter pilots serious losses on them in Chopinburg, but some made it out alive. The Golem Squadron also lost Brownie during their retreat, she was so scared and later shot down. Trigger feels worse for what happened to Brownie, that was killed in the retreat.
Also, the Kestrel 2 was sunk during their attack on Farbanti. Carrier-borne aircraft attacked urban areas by mistake, in which turned the international opinion against the Osea Federation. However, the IUN-PKF would not give up on reclaiming the Space Elevator. But that will go soon not going to plan.
End of Chapter 3
It looks like that the School Idol Pilots are gonna split up right now, Miyafuji, Yu and Dia are headed for the Osean capital, You, Maki, Hanamaru, Hanayo, Emma and Kasumi are gonna be deployed on the Sakamoto to be on route to Oured. They are gonna plan to get Trigger out of the trouble that the court-martial want to find it. Shall they succeed? You are gonna find out in the next episode!