School Idols of the Lighthouse War
Chapter 12
Guardian Angels
While the Spare Squadron HQ is about to move away to their next base, at Sansaoban Base, Alexa and her School Idol friends are training their bodies at the time.
Alexa is strecthing her parts of her body while Setsuna is on her back.
Setsuna: Are you keeping this up, Alexa?
Alexa: I'm getting a bit more steep in it.
Setsuna: They say that you must get good muscles in it.
Alexa: Anyway, I saw your performance and, you were on fire!
Setsuna: I am! My shout on the public was fierce! Their red lightsticks raise up when I was shouting at them!
Alexa: Anyway, I hope that we have a mission.
And then, Ayumu arrived with the news.
Ayumu: Alexa-san! Setsuna-san!
Alexa: Something the matter, Ayumu-san?
Ayumu: Shioriko-chan wants Azuna Squadron and you, Alexa to come to the briefing room.
Setsuna: Okay, Ayumu. We'll be there.
Ayumu left.
Setsuna: Alexa, let's go. We gotta get to the air now.
Alexa: After the briefing, Setsuna-san.
And 2 hours later... the briefing begins.
SABO: Alexa, Azuna Squadron. We got an advanced tip on the intel that a advanced drone is somewhere in the area of Bulgurdarest. However, the gate to Bulgurdarest is pretty much littered with defenses in the area.
The Oseans are now getting ready to make a move into the Erusean heartland, and operations in the south have begun as well.
We also discover that an Osean air transport is heading to Bulgurdarest to refuel, that area is Erusean territory with Osean ties.
They however, are still gonna fly through Erusean air space there. You four will also fly up there. Just a while ago, the Printemps Squadron flew there and the Eruseans ignored them.
Alexa, I think that you knew one of the members during your court trial?
Alexa: Yep, Hanayo.
SABO: Correct. She and her squad are on her way to pick you 4 up. And, Hanayo is not leading the unit, but Honoka is.
Alexa: Wait, Honoka-chan?
SABO: That's right, she's the Printemps leader and Otonokizaka's squadron leader.
Alexa: Cool, her aircraft is the same like the ace we encountered in the Yinshi Valley!
SABO: Exactly, but hers is with a powerful carbon aluminium made.
We have selected you four to this task. Don't let it taken out.
Good luck to you all.
As the Azuna Squadron and Alexa leave, the SABO asked Alexa to stay here.
SABO: Hoy, Trigger. Wait a moment!
Shioriko have told to Miyafuji that this, even though this is the last time working with us, we are still gonna help you out, even if you are gonna be transferred.
Also, the drones might attack again. If they do, protect the transport with what you got.
Although you're cleared from the mistaken murder on Harling, you clearly knew the enemy well that they are still up to something.
Just do what you are told and be careful, okay?
That will be all. Sayonara, Trigger!
Briefing Ended
Alexa: Okay, the mission is to protect the Osean Air transport. Sounds simple enough.
But, there are still enemies out there, so I have to do what I must do.
My plane, the Mig-29A and her LAGM's and support from Azuna this time, we'll handle this like clockwork.
Sansaoban Airbase
August 5, 2019.
10:14 AM
Azuna Squadron took off several minutes earlier, and now it's my turn.
SACT: Lily 4, this is the control tower. The runway is clear. You are cleared for take off. The Osean Military Air Transport craft's has been taken off. It's flying alongside Spare 2.
Also, Azuna Squadron has also taken off, better catch up. Well, Trigger. This is where we part ways.
Alexa: Understood. Taking off now.
SATC: I hope that we meet again in different squadrons at our home.
Alexa: We will.
Alexa's plane lifted off to the sky.
SATC: Lily 4, Takeoff confirmed. Altitude restrictions lifted, Good luck out there.
Avril's memoirs:
So the liasion plane left without me.
The other transports are now als ready to takeoff, they are heading to Tyler Island.
Yeah, I know, I'm heading to hell. Whatever.
If the cons here and the dumbass prison guards are going, why shouldn't I?
I'm no angel. I mean, my old man died playin' hero and all I do is hate him for it.
It ain't be a picnic, that's for sure. Adios, you damn fool of a commander.
And so the air transports left the Zapland Air Base, Avril and the rest are send away to Tyler Island.
Borgo dell'Est, Erusea.
10:31 AM
Ayumu's P.O.V.
We are flying north, on route towards Bulgurdarest, and I see Alexa up on us.
Glad that you made it, Alexa. We are about to begin the mission.
Alexa: I wouldn't miss this party.
Hachinodate: Hachinodate to Bandog, over.
And after 4 minutes...
Bandog: Bandog to Hachinodate, solid copy. Looks like this is the last time we work together.
Hachinodate: Indeed you are.
Bandog: Let me introduce you to Commander McKinsey, girls.
McKinsey: Hello Azuna, and Trigger, you girls are really gonna help us?
Alexa: Of course we are!
McKinsey: Wait, are you the one who got not guilty of killing Harling?
Alexa: Yep.
McKinsey: I heard that the School Idol Pilots managed to get your innocence. In my eyes, I couldn't believe it. And those girls took you in?
Ayumu: We did took her in, and we knew she was innocent. We even have evidence sent to the court.
McKinsey: And what was the evidence?
Ayumu: We have a recording of the Erusean enemies that you face. And that was enough to clinch it.
McKinsey: I see... I think I understand. Those drones are responsible for the death of Harling! But we still don't know who supplied them!
Setsuna: We'll talk about it later. Right now, we have a mission to do. Hachinodate! Alexa!
Alexa: Understood, Azuna 2!
Bandog: Okay, this order is simple.
Kill anyone trying to kill the commander. Even if they're one of us.
Count, who was mad at Bandog said: Like how you killed Full Band?
Bandog: And vice-versa. Remember that, Count.
McKinsey: Gimme that! Bandog, I'll do the talking. This is Commander McKinsey to all units.
I want you male idiots and you girls understand the gravity of this operation.
My orders take priority. That's it. But for you School Idols, do what you want and need to do. You have your own orders, I have my own. We can still contact each other, but on a closed channel.
Alexa: Roger, Roper 1. We are ready.
Ayumu: Hear you loud and clear on a closed channel.
While saying this, Alexa opened fire on the enemy SAMs, in which they were destroyed at long range.
Count: *sigh* Sure wish our cargo would shut up.
Ayumu: Lily 4, take point!
Alexa: Yokai! Azuna 1 and 2, stay close to the transport.
Ayumu and Setsuna: Yokai!
Count: The enemy's using anti-air weapons. Don't freak out. Keep yourself together.
While Count said that, Lily 4's TLAGM flew to the ground targets and destroyed it.
Bandog: Be on the lookout for camouflaged SAM sites. Seek and destroy.
More SAM sites are destroyed by Lily 4.
Bandog: SAM site confirmed down. Stay alert.
Trigger flew in a circle to find more.
Bandog: Spare, Azuna Squadron, SAM sites located. Take them out.
Alexa: Firing the TLAGM!
The TLAGM flies to the skies to find more targets.
A minute later, while Lily 4 was firing, Azuna 3 sees the targets where Lily 4 is firing.
Hachinodate: SAM site detected! Azuna 3, eliminate the threats!
Shizuku: On it! Lily 4, let's launch a machine gun volley!
Alexa: I'm in!
Shizuku and Alexa fired their machine guns, destroying that SAM site and a AA gun.
Hachinodate: Threat confirmed eliminated.
A minute later, Lily 4 sees a trail of smoke.
Alexa: it must be from a camouflaged SAM site, better check it out.
And a minute later, the SAM site is detected.
Alexa: Azuna 3, SAM spotted, take it out! I'll cover you!
Shizuku: I'm on it!
Shizuku's F-2A fired the TLASM and it fired in a nice distance and destroyed that SAM.
Shizuku: Enemy SAM taken out, Lily 4.
Alexa checks on her radar and sees more SAM sites.
Alexa: Shizuku-chan! More camouflaged SAM sites detected. Clean it up!
Shizuku: Yokai Alexa, I hope that you do the same.
Alexa: Likewise.
Shizuku took out the SAM site in the west, while Alexa attacked and destroyed the SAM site to the east. However, one missile managed to hit Roper 1.
Bandog: Roper 1 has taken some damage, but can still fly.
McKinsey: Damaged?! Take out the damn missile and there'd be no damage!
Alexa: SAM sites going down! Roper 1, you're in the clear.
While Lily 4 checks in the radar, she sees 2 white dots.
And as she flies across the dots, she sees the enemy.
Bandog: Bandits closing in, determined and definitely hostile. Intercept them.
Ayumu: Setsuna, protect the transport. I'm going in.
Setsuna: Good luck, Ayumu.
Ayumu broke off and flew to the hostile aircrafts.
McKinsey: The General Staff Office seems to have the impression you didn't kill Harling, Trigger.
The court at destination will reopen your case, but the case is closed, I still will look into it.
But you got off, thanks to the School Idols that helped you out.
Successfully carry out this mission and it'll give a good impression.
Alexa: Okay, but the court already knows it.
Ayumu: Alexa, you'll take the one down, and I'll take the other.
Alexa: Yosh.
While Lily 4 took out the enemy bandit, Azuna 1 fired her tracking missile on the other enemy bandit.
Erusean Fighter 3: This is Skoll 3. Enemy transport and support spotted and confirmed.
Erusean HQ: Sending some backup. You're cleared to engage.
While the enemy fighter contacts the Erusean HQ, the Erusean fighter is shot down by Ayumu, with machine gun and missile fire.
Trigger turns back to see the transport, whete Count and Setsuna are escorting.
Bandog: Enemy destroyed. Good one Azuna 1. Continue with escort.
Count: Flying as an escort makes me feel like I'm all tied down.
While Count is saying this. Azuna 1 and 3, as well as Alexa are searching for more threats.
Bandog: 25 miles to destination.
McKinsey: Escorts that go down do so in honorable service, worthy of my praise. No offense to you, girls. You are a special unit from a another country, and everyone must make it out alive, like the infantry does.
Bandog: The next missile will down your craft, so watch your tail.
Alexa: Roger that, I see more SAMs, Shizuku, let's eliminate them.
Shizuku: Got it!
Alexa: Firing the TLAGM!
The TLAGM is already on route to the SAM site.
McKinsey: Hachinodate, is it? And Bandog, it's up to you two to make sure the support stays in the air.
Bandog: SAM sites detected. Keep the commander safe, I don't want to deal with the mess.
Alexa: Just neutralized a radar vehicle, they don't bother anyone anymore.
And the TLAGMs destroyed the SAM sites.
Count: Haha! Ah, we can sleep in for once.
As Lily 4 flies through the clouds her radar picks up more threats.
Hachinodate: New SAM site. There's more than we expected. Shizuku, take it out!
Shizuku: Yokai, AWACS. Firing TLASM.
Shizuku fires her Tracking LASM on the Sam site and it was quickly destroyed with the help of Lily 4.
Shizuku: SAM site destroyed. Combined assault successful.
Alexa: New bandits inbound.
Bandog: That's what I was gonna say! Anyway, protect Roper 1.
Ayumu: Let's do a combined air assault.
Alexa: Okay.
The enemy Gripen opened fire on Alexa, but missed the target.
Erusean Fighter 2: Take out the air support to minimize damage.
Alexa is behind the enemy Gripen and shoots it down with her air to air missile.
And Ayumu took it down with 2 missiles on the other enemy Gripen.
Ayumu: Yata! Got the enemy!
Hachinodate: Nice! Enemy aircrafts have been eliminated.
Count: You need one eye on the ground and one in the sky.
Alexa: Azuna 1 and 3, let's return to Roper 1.
Ayumu and Shizuku: Yokai!
The trio fly back to Roper 1.
While back, Lily 4 traces the smokes to another SAM site.
Alexa: Another SAM site, time to neutralize it.
While saying that, she fires her Tracking LAGM on the SAM site.
And they destroyed the SAM site.
Trigger flies back to the escorting unit.
Bandog: 15 miles to destination. You're finally halfway there.
McKinsey: This mission is way too risky!
Bandog: You're not the only one who's been on risky missions.
You're just a pawn in this too, Commander McKinsey.
McKinsey: Bandog bastard!
Hachinodate: Quit yelling at each other!
McKinsey: We're just stating facts!
Alexa checks on her radar and sees several contacts coming up.
Alexa: Lily 4 to Azuna 1.
Ayumu: Go for Azuna 1.
Alexa: Multiple bandits inbound in my radar. I'll take the west, you take the east.
Ayumu: I'm on it.
Bandog: Jeez, Trigger. Let me talk for a second.
And Alexa and Ayumu fly each path to meet the enemy contacts, while Roper is near the safe zone.
McKinsey: Oh, I see the city! Once we're over the border, we're safe! Hurry up, girls!
Bandog: Just a little further.
Lily 4 engages the bandits, along with them a ace called Louveteau.
Erusean Fighter 6: Engage! The enemy spotted us first!
Bulgurdarest GU 1: Situation report. Something's happening.
BGU 2: The situation is prickly here. Don't let your men do anything stupid.
Trigger took out a fighter with her aircraft's machine guns.
Alexa: One down. More to go.
BGU 3: Hands off while they're in Erusean airspace.
BGU 4: Osea is our brother nation! We should help them!
The Bulgurdarest Ground Units are in a bit of disarray.
Trigger chases on the Ace and a Mirage which are hunting on the escort.
Bandog: Spare 2, Lily 4, Azuna. They are closing in on Roper 1. Intercept and engage.
Setsuna: My turn to shine!
Setsuna performed a side knife maneuver and came behind the Mirage, and shot it down with the Su-57s machine gun.
McKinsey: Bandog! More enemy aircrafts! They are on us! Call our escorts back!
Trigger just took out the Gripen ace.
Alexa: Another Ace written off the list.
McKinsey: Count looks promising. He's got a good combat record.
Bandog: Roper 1 hit by a missile!
McKinsey: Bandog, Hachinodate, Get some support there fast! Tell them I requested it!
Hachinodate: We'll do what we can do!
Ayumu: Enemy fighters spotted, those are Mig-31 interceptors. I'll deal with them.
Ayumu took out a Mig-31.
McKinsey: Flares! Release the flares! The craft's a bit shaking.
Bandog: Commander, you won't go down. Not for a while yet.
Setsuna just eliminated an enemy Mirage.
And Alexa took another Mirage down.
Erusean Fighter 7: Just 2 more on the agile one.
Trigger shot down a Mig-31, while Ayumu shot the other Mig-31 down.
Hachinodate: Bandits confirmed down. Arriving shortly on destination.
Bandog: Trigger, School Idols. It's a breath of fresh air having you out of there.
Count: Oh, you hear that, Trigger?!
Alexa: I heard that clearly.
Bandog: In our squadron, even the good pilots were criminals. You don't stink like them, Trigger.
Alexa: Yeah, but I left for the Satsuma Air Force as foreign exchange military pilot.
Count: Looks like not all the guard dogs have a good sense of smell. Trigger's got the worst elimination record out of all of us Spare Squadron members.
Even though she was not convicted, she may belong here, with at least three stripes. Champ only had two.
Bandog: Count, you were convicted of fraud. You sure as hell don't live up to your name. A real noble doesn't lie. Trigger knows it very well and the School Idols trained her as a loyal fighter to her new friends.
Count: Save your sermons for someone who cares, preacher.
Bandog: You wouldn't understand, Count. Not until you take a good look in the mirror.
Count: Say what you want, I know who I am.
Bandog: Sorry, Trigger. Count doesn't understand anything that is going up to. You know a lot of anything from what's happened.
Hachinodate: Arrived at the destination.
Bandog: Roper 1, report your situation. If everything is fine, prepare to land.
McKinsey: Oh, would you look at that? The support has kept me alive. This is significant for all of our forces.
Those penal units are proven to be a real military unit. And those Satsuman special aircrafts, I thank you for your support. You do your duty beautifully.
Alexa: Hold on a minute.
Bandog: All aircraft, caution. Bogies inbound!
McKinsey: Fun ain't over yet.
Hachinodate: Unidentified aircraft. They're fast. Real fast. Possibly a drone.
Bandog: A drone? Are you sure?!
Count: What?
A drone flew past Roper 1.
Bandog: It closed in fast!
This type of drone perform his supermaneuverability.
Bandog: Unknown considered hostile!
Resond to the situation! Protect Roper 1!
The drone is ready to attack.
Alexa's (Trigger) P.O.V.
Hachinodate: Lily 4, engage the drone while I will analyze this drone!
Setsuna: I'll cover you, Lily 4!
Alexa: Roger that!
Bandog: Get it under control. Spare 2, Azuna 1 and 3, support Roper 1 and escort the craft to safety.
Count: Wilco. I was just about to ask if I could do that by myself.
Lily 4 attacks with a missile, but the drone evaded it very skillfully.
Alexa: Hmmm… I've never seen this drone before… And it's pretty tough. Firing another missile should do the trick.
While I fired another missile, it hit the target.
Bandog: Bandit hit. Still active.
The drone performs some high maneuverability on Alexa.
Count: I don't recognize that. Is it Erusea's new toy?
Shizuku: Maybe. Did you have the data of this drone, Hachinodate?
Hachinodate: Not yet.
Count: Trigger, keep that drone away from here.
McKinsey: What is that thing? Keep it away from this aircraft!
Trigger fired 3 missiles on the drone but missed the target.
Alexa: That drone is real business. I have to stop that thing.
Her plane locked on the target.
Count: What the hell does he want?! He's got his ACM down but something's off.
Bandog: Spare 2, stay alert. When you get there, the responsibilities are on you.
As Alexa and Setsuna fight off the enemy drone, its maneuverability keeps it evading the aircraft missiles.
Setsuna: Azuna 2 to Lily 4, let's launch a combined attack.
Alexa: Good plan, I hope it works.
The unknown drone fired his machine gun and hit Alexa and Setsuna.
Setsuna: Ouch!
Alexa: Ow! You regret that!
Hachinodate: Azuna 2, Lily 4, are you two okay?!
Setsuna: I'm good.
Alexa: Me too!
After some aerial skills, Setsuna locked on the target.
Setsuna: Firing!
Her missiles are on the way to the enemy drone.
McKinsey: How's the fuel looking on this thing?
Spare 2, don't you dare go flying off. I'll have your wings!
Count: Yeah, yeah. Blow me.
Setsuna hit the target, but it's still running.
Setsuna: Got a hit! Lily 4, it's your turn!
Alexa: Yokai!
While Trigger and the drone are still doing the combat maneuvers, the drone keeps firing his guns.
Trigger tries another missile and it hits the target, but the drone is still active.
Alexa: That thing isn't letting up.
Bandog: Bandit hit. Time to finish it off.
Hachinodate: Girls! Data received from the SBI agent Karibuchi!
Alexa: What does it say?!
Hachinodate: This drone is a ADFX-10 model callsign Hempel.
Bandog: Wait. So are you saying that Trigger and Setsuna are facing an advanced drone?!
Hachinodate: Indeed. Its mobility is very excellent. It might have come from data somewhere in Erusea.
Bandog: I see. They have to be very careful!
Trigger is still chasing the drone.
BGU 1: Unidentified aircraft! You are in our airspace! Leave immediately!
The combat with the drone continues.
Count: He's ignoring warnings. Who does he think he is?!
Alexa: Firing a Tracking missile!
Alexa's plane fires her next missile and surprisingly, the drone is finally shot down.
Alexa: *exhausted breath* Bandog and Hachinodate, the drone is finally going down! I got it!
Bandog: Bandit lost. Confirmed down. Clear skies all around.
Hachinodate: Great job, Lily 4. You did admirably.
Alexa: Thanks, Hachinodate.
Bandog: Wait, what now? 2 squadrons approaching.
Count: Possibly allied fighters.
Alexa: Can you call them?
Hachinodate: This is the 2nd School Air Division. What's your affiliation?
Then radio contact reveals that it was Wiseman calling.
Wiseman: …Hachinodate, is that really you? This is your new Osean friend. Cyclops 1. We have a squadron also following us.
Bandog: Cyclops Squadron? What are you doing here?
Wiseman: I was tracking an enemy prototype with my squadron and a Satsuman squadron named Printemps. Hachinodate, I wouldn't be pretty surprised that one of you new idol pilots on your side was the one who downed it.
Hachinodate: Don't worry about it, we defeated the enemy drone.
Wiseman: Lily 4, that was pretty impressive flying! I think that we need to add you to our group.
McKinsey: This is Base Commander McKinsey. I apologize on behalf of our squadron. He really screwed up. He didn't listen to my order to stand down. The other squadron did all their best.
Wiseman: I'm already aware of their skills and stylish actions. They are not gonna be reprimanded because they are from another country.
McKinsey: Oh, I didn't figure it out. Ah well, at least I can punish him and our AWACS.
Count: Gimme a break!
Trigger flies near the Cyclops and sees them and the Printemps Squadron.
Alexa: Lily 4 to Printemps 1, how do you copy?
Honoka: This is Printemps 1. Nice work shooting that drone down. I'm clearly impressed. By the way, it's good to see you again, Alexa. Remember our first meeting with all of us in Proud Island? I'm sure that you know it.
Alexa: Thanks, Honoka-chan. I know it already.
Wiseman: Commander, if you would kindly accompany me to my base, we'll answer any questions you have there.
McKinsey: Actually, I'm grateful. Our own support was unreliable, but the foreign allied support was pretty decent in their way.
Wiseman: Respectfully, sir. I believe they've got promise.
And after that, all flights arrived at the destination.
Debriefing Osean Armed Forces
Ordinarily, you'd get a warm welcome to our base, but the situation is complicated.
Like the Satsuman AWACS told us, that drone is the enemy's latest experimental craft.
We wanted to collect data on its capabilities, but thankfully, we got it from the SBI and Satsuman AWACS.
To be honest, I didn't think it could be brought down. By anything.
Oh yeah, your commander has been transferred to a different post.
He's probably headed to the front lines where things are hottest. Well, he did stress his achievements.
We need every edge we have.
We're currently seeing where we can use you best. Standby for further orders.
Debriefing School Idol Air Division
Azuna Squadron, Lily 4. Nicely done out there.
You safely escorted the Osean Commander and its escort to the safety of Bulgurdarest.
Lily 4, you have taken out a drone that was pretty advanced at their edge, but we are gonna make sure that if they come, they will soon see what we got on our own.
Anyway, this is our last debriefing with you, but we have good news for you.
We have intregated their group with our division.
Now you can choose and customize your group.
Standby for your next order for now.
Debriefing ended
Alexa's P.O.V.
Several hours later, I was called to Wiseman.
Wiseman: Trigger, I've called with Miyafuji and we've organized our air group and your air division.
Alexa: Really?
Wiseman: Here's the list.
Proud Island Air Base
Commander: Miyafuji
Squadrons: Qu4rtz, Guilty Kiss, AZALEA, Nico and Kira.
Sansaoban Air Base
Commander: Shioriko Mifune.
Squadrons: CYARON!, Lily White, Saint Snow and DiverDiva.
North Point Air Base
Commander: Yu Takasaki
Squadrons, LRSSG, AZUNA, Eli, Maki and Printemps.
Wiseman: That's all. But I'm now your commander for the time being.
Alexa: Okay.
Wiseman: Also, the former Strider 1 is dead, so you are chosen to to be the new Strider 1. Congrats!
Alexa: Thanks. And I hope that I can get a better plane.
Wiseman: We have a newly modified F-15 ready for you with the help of the Satsuman flight engineers.
Alexa: Nice! That's all I need.
Wiseman: Cool, standby for this confirmation.
Alexa: I will.
Wiseman: Cool. Enjoy with your friends! And congrats with your promotion to Captain!
Alexa: Thanks, but. Captain now?
Wiseman: Thanks to your command skills you learned by the Lily White Squadron.
Alexa: I see, thank you so much!
And so, I left the office.
Okay, I will now lead this squadron. And with my School Idol friends on my side, we are unstoppable. Maybe I think about my new nickname, I think Three Strikes will be my new nickname. I better ask Wiseman for it later.
End of Chapter 12
Phew, Good chapter. I have to keep it up.
I'll just have to wait until I think of a new chapter for this fanfic.
Anyway, Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2025!