School Idols of the Lighthouse War
Chapter 14
Stonehenge Defensive
Long Range Strategic Strike Air Group Base
The days after the sortie in Snider's Top.
Alexa's(Trigger)P.O.V.
I was on the School Idols bunk, watching some Idol dances, and then, I got a video call from Shioriko and Miyafuji. I activated my webcam in my laptop, that I acquired from the School Idols.
Hello, Shioriko. Hello, Miyafuji.
Shioriko: Hi, Alexa-san!
Miyafuji: Ohayou, Alexa-san!
Anymore news from the Arsenal Bird?
Miyafuji: Not yet. But we've calculated where the Arsenal Bird named Liberty will be located. It's will soon arrive on the Stonehenge Memorial Site.
Stonehenge?! It's coming towards the 8 mighty guns?!
Shioriko: Correct.
Miyafuji: Also, the Sansaoban Airbase are also prepare for the biggest challenge we gonna face soon. We've transferred the Saint Snow Squadron to the SN Sakamoto. They might be in good use for the more upcoming missions.
Alexa: They are, they are sisters, who joined your air force just like the Kurosawa sisters.
Miyafuji: Agreed. Also, several units from the Osean Army are repairing one of the Stonehenge massive cannons, our own repairs for the Stonehenge Guns with our technology is doing very well. At least 2 are finally ready.
Shioriko: Nice work, Miyafuji-san! Those cannons are definitely gonna be in full good use to defeat the Arsenal Bird!
Alexa: Agreed. Also, I went to a flower shop and bought a bunch of white flowers.
Shioriko: Yeah, you are gonna place it on the Memorial, huh?
Alexa: Yep. Also to give our respects to the former fallen pilot who was shot down in the Stonehenge assault in 2005.
Miyafuji: Yellow 4...
Alexa: Indeed. She was shot down and died after Stonehenge was disabled. The remaining Yellow members retreated, and Mobius 1 defeated all of them in Erusea, included the Yellow Squadron's ace, Yellow 13.
Miyafuji: Correct. And therefore, Alexa. You are gonna place the flowers on the tomb of Yellow 4, close to the Stonehenge Memorial.
Alexa: Okay. We'll give her our respects.
Miyafuji: Also, Alexa. You have been granted to deployment for our School Idols Squadrons.
Alexa: Good. I think that the next mission will get us more squadrons to set up.
Miyafuji: Agreed. I just talked with Wiseman about this, and he agreed what I was saying. He told that since Wiseman took you in during the exchange, you are been granted to gain access to any School Idol Squadron that you want to sent on the missions of yours.
Alexa: I heard that well. Anyway, I'll have to go. Talk to you two later.
Shioriko: See you, Alexa-san.
Miyafuji: Good luck, Ms. Hailstone. Call me which members on my HQ will be deployed.
Alexa: Will do. Bye!
Alexa's Webcam went offline. The call ended.
Okay, the mission on Stonehenge will hopefully soon begin.
August 19th, 2019
8:00 AM
LRSSG Air Base.
The Printemps Sqaudron, the Azuna Squadron and I are at the briefing room, along with the LRSSG.
Data Satellite Link opened up.
OBO: Our counteroffensive has changed the course of the war.
However, the western part of the continent and the area around the space elevator still remain under Erusean control.
As you all know, this is because they have those damn Arsenal Birds controlling the skies around the lighthouse.
So, we are gonna use Stonehenge for a long-range attack against the Arsenal Bird.
In addition to helping to destroy the astroid, Stonehenge was also utilized by the Erusean forces as a weapon in the Continental War.
However, the majority of the artillery is out of action after an air raid by the Independent State Allied Forces in 2005. When that happened, the main base was being repaired from the damage caused by the astroid, so it managed to escape the bombardment.
Both the Osean Army and the Satsuman Special Forces and Army engineers continued the repairs in secret and managed to rebuild and reactivated 4 cannons and its base systems.
Once preparations are complete, it will be able to fire again.
However, the officer in charge has yet to confirm whether it can be fired more than once.
In other words, it is looking like we may have some chances to be able to bring down one of those invulnerable Arsenal Birds.
We're going all in on this one plan.
The Erusean Army have detected our movements and are marching on Stonehenge.
The Arsenal Bird is closing in, but if our operation goes as planned, we should be able to shoot it down before it reaches the operation area.
We've set up strongpoints we call "Menhirs" around Stonehenge. Provide them with air support, while keeping air superiority.
Satsuman artillery and battle helicopters are also deployed to assist the Osean Menhirs, this will be a joint nation assault. Even though the Satsuman nation is neutral, they'll give us support we might need.
Our mission is to protect Stonehenge until it can shoot down that monster bird.
If we can shoot down even just one Arsenal Bird, it will significantly reduce the scale of the enemy's air defense network.
Stonehenge is our only way of bringing down an Arsenal Bird. Missing is a luxury we cannot afford.
Briefing ended
Alexa: Okay, this bird has plagued my people of Osea long enough, it's time to defeat that bird with Stonehenge.
Wiseman: You are correct. And, by the way, this won't be easy though.
Alexa: Agreed.
Miyafuji (Webcam): Which members aside Strider and Cyclops Squadron are you gonna send, Alexa?
Alexa: Well, I want everyone on our Airbase on this task, Wiseman.
Wiseman: Okay, I'll tell them about our plan.
Alexa: I also want the squadrons of Cyaron and Lily White of the Sansaoban Air Base on this one too. Including Dia from Proud Island and Yu from our base. She's the wing commander, so I request her to join our task.
Miyafuji: Permission granted, I'll tell Dia that she gets ready to deploy on the air.
Alexa: We'll launch from three directions to reach Stonehenge.
Miyafuji: We'll go all in on that bird.
Alexa: So is the Erusean Army.
Proud Island Air Base
9:50 AM
Dia's P.O.V
STCP: Raven, you are cleared for take-off.
Dia: Roger that.
I was called to Miyafuji and she told me that I was immediately called in to aid my School Idols and friends, we are gonna destroy an Erusean Arsenal Bird with a weapon called Stonehenge. It might be a radical plan, but it'll work. I was ready to fly in my red F-2A, equipped with rocket pods and I'm ready to fly.
I accelerated my plane and I'm went up.
STCP: Aqours 7, altitude restrictions are lifted. Have a good flight.
Dia: Roger.
Stonehenge
10:09 AM
Half of Stonehenge's guns are out of action, but 3 guns, who are in control of the Satsuman forces and 1 under Osean control, it's gun barrel is upward. The Osean army engineers are still prepping, while the Satsuman troops are readying the Stonehenge Guns with some rebuild and renewed technology and repair equipment.
And a few minutes later, the LRSSG, the Azuna Squadron, the Lily White Squadron, the CYARON! Squadron and the Printemps Squadron, as well as Dia and Wing Commander Yu arrive at the site.
Alexa: So that's Stonehenge. What a sight!
Maj. McOnie: Attention, all defensive and support teams. In order to get Stonehenge up and running, what I need from you is time.
As long as you can provide me with that, my program will bring down the Arsenal Bird.
WO Lehmann: That was Major Deanna McOnie. I'm Warrant Officer Lehmann, a specialist. We're now commencing the operation to destroy the Arsenal Bird.
Wiseman: All aircraft, you know your instructions. Defend with everything you got.
All Osean pilots: Understood!
Alexa opens her starting laser fire and wipes out 3 tanks fast.
Satsuman soldier 1: Wing Commander Yu-chan, our artillery is ready to confuse the enemy forces, provided with a combined attack.
Yu: Heard you loud and clear. All School Idol Squadrons, defend the guns. Give our allies as well as our teams to prepare for the arrival of the giant bird.
All School Idols: Yokai!/Understood!
Húxiān: So that's Stonehenge, huh? It's bigger than I imagined. Uglier, too.
Skald: Look at that mess of cables. They're using generator trucks to run it.
Alexa: Indeed. And I see that the Satsuman Special Forces units as well as our army engineers are using generators with some new hyperdrive equipment.
Dia: That is because technology from our country is basically very advanced, and we need people to man it.
Count: Are we sure that thing's even going to fire? Seriously, I mean how old is it?
Alexa: Around 14 years old exactly. Or more.
Alexa thought about that while taking out 2 enemy howitzers.
Wiseman: Still, if it doesn't, then our luck has run dry. But we have the Satsuman allies on our side. So they can help out with the three more guns they are prepping. But I'd get prayin' if I were you.
Lanza: Well, if it works, it'll bring down even an Arsenal Bird.
Fencer: Big if. And it had to hit.
Alexa took out some enemy anti-air guns.
Wiseman: A'ight, cut the chatter. We got a critical operation to focus on.
While Alexa is destroying the enemy armored units, Menhir 6 calls in.
Menhir 6: This is Menhir 6. Enemy tanks dead ahead. Long Caster, requesting close air support.
Long Caster: Menhir 6, request of air support confirmed. Help is on the way.
Osean Soldier 1: Listen up! Our job is to defend here. That's all, you got it? This should be easy. Go earn your paychecks!
While the Erusean tanks are en route to the strongpoints, the Satsuman artillery troops aren't sitting still either.
Satsuman Artillery Officer: [Japanese] Artillery, fire!
The Satsuman artillery rained fire on the enemy targets.
Erusean Tank Commander: Command, we're under fire from the enemy artillery! Unknown enemy units attacked us!
Erusean Commander: How the hell did they get here?!
Menhir 6: This is Menhir 6! The enemy ground forces are pinned hard by the allied air support units and are eliminated. Much obliged for the air support.
Long Caster: You can thank the Satsuman allies for that.
Menhir 6: All right, guys! This time, you get a whole 45 seconds. Grab some chow or something.
Long Caster: Clear all threats.
Alexa: Roger that.
Alexa flies and sees a large group of enemy ground forces approaching.
Alexa: Cyaron! Dia-san. A large enemy ground force is on route, eliminate them!
Dia: Loud and clear, you hear it, Chika?
Chika: We're on it! Come on!
Cyaron attacks the large force, along with Dia.
McOnie: Powering the main systems. Cold boot. Skipping sequences 47 to 97.
Lehmann: Activating. We just need one shot.
The Osean and Erusean ground forces are pounding on each other, while Dia and Cyaron blast the enemy off, as well as Alexa's laser fire.
Menhir 7: This is Menhir 7. We've linked up with the Osean ground units and air support from Satsuma and are ready to drive the enemy back!
Count: Additional hostiles inbound! Great timing…
Long Caster: Bombers! Bearing 190. Stonehenge won't survive a bombing run. You have to stop them.
Alexa: Azuna Squadron, take them out!
Setsuna: We'll get them!
Long Caster: Keep your eyes glued to the ground. Destroy those closest to our allies first.
While on the battle, Ayumu sees the bombers coming in.
Ayumu: Let's attack them on the rear!
Setsuna: I'll hit them on their sides, fire the missiles!
Osean soldier: Allied aircraft, don't worry about us. Take out those bombers!
Azuna Squadron attacks the bombers.
Lehmann: We've only got 60% green. We've got 30% yellow, 10% red.
McOnie: Well, it has been sitting here rusting away for the past 20 years. I'd say a few glitches are to be expected. Hurry and verify the reds and yellows!
Osean Engineer 1: Roger!
Setsuna: Long Caster, all enemy Bears are neutralized.
Long Caster: Nice work. Keep Stonehenge safe for us.
Fencer: Nice commanding, Trigger! Nice kill, Azuna Unit.
Shizuku: Roger!
Alexa flies now over the areas where the enemy forces are now a wreck.
Long Caster: All enemies attacking Menhir 5 have been eliminated. Good job.
EF 2: Break off and set your sights on Stonehenge! We're sitting ducks if we stay together!
EF 4: Roger.
Alexa: Enemy units spotted. Lily White, my former squadron, this one's for you, girls!
Umi: We are ready, and I'm glad to see you again, Alexa-san.
Alexa: Likewise, Umi-chan.
EGU 3: That fighter up there is chasing down its prey like a hungry falcon.
Rin: All ground targets of this zone have been taken out.
Menhir 7: This is Menhir 7! Enemy aircraft approaching! They're gonna clean this place out! If we don't get air support, we're dead!
Wiseman: Try to think like the enemy. You should know what their next move is.
Alexa: Understood, Jaeger. You're with me!
Jaeger: Got it! Let's attack!
McOnie: Power level is at 40%... 42%... Come on, damn it!
Lehmann: Come on, baby. We need you…
Jaeger took out an enemy ground attack fighter.
EF5: Eject!
Alexa took out another enemy A-10C, while the Satsuman artillery continued the artillery barrage on the enemy.
Count: More hostiles advancing towards Menhir 6! The Satsuman artillery has noticed them so fast, our ground forces haven't noticed yet!
Húxiān: Let's take out the enemy while our friends are still on their feet!
Alexa took out an enemy A-10C with her guns.
Yu and Kotori attacked the enemy on Menhir 6.
Osean Soldier 6: Oh, baby! We're saved! Whoever's flying the plane like those pilots and the one with the three lines, I'm buying you a beer later!
Alexa: Thanks, but I changed for something else.
Everything is clear for now.
Count: Is that thing really gonna fire?
Alexa: It does and it will fire, Count. I can assure you that.
Yu: How's it going on, Taku?
Satsuman army engineer 1: All is going as planned! Our equipment has all verified all the red and yellows, and the power level is rising slightly.
Yu: Good to hear, keep working on it!
Satsuman Engineer 1: Roger that, I'll update.
Menhir 6: This is Menhir 6. Enemy reinforcements. They're attacking in waves.
Alexa: Yu, Take the enemy reinforcements with me at Menhir 6's position.
Yu: Okay, I'll cover.
Yu's Shinden has rocket pods like Chika's Su-34 and her rockets blew the enemy tanks away, along with Alexa's laser attacks.
Long Caster: They are running around like headless chickens. Why don't we put 'em out of their misery?
Yu: You got me good, Long Caster.
Long Caster: It's nice to have more female fighter pilots to get in the mix.
EGU 7: What the hell? We're supposed to be the ones on the offensive! How did they get us on the ropes?!
Osean Soldier 4: We wiped out half of 'em! Keep it up!
Alexa just eliminated an anti-air tank.
Menhir 6: This is Menhir 6, That's the last of the enemy's reinforcements! I gave my men a 15-minute vacation. Sorry, I need a short breather myself.
Long Caster: New hostiles, bearing 210. Number unknown!
Alexa: Erusean A-10C ace spotted! Honoka, take that A-10 ace down!
Honoka: Yukiho and I are on it!
Alexa: I'll have to keep my score up with maximum effort!
Count: More hostiles? Fantastic! My score is just gonna keep climbing!
Wiseman: You'll never learn, will you?
Honoka and Yukiho fired a TLAAM and it flew to the enemy ace, which got shot down later without noticing an enemy missile flying on his plane.
Honoka: Enemy ace taken out, Alexa.
Alexa: Good. That's one less ace.
Osean Soldier 8: I'll just be stitching my on my lost limbs. Should be back before lunch.
Count: What did you say?
Kotori is holding off the enemy at Menhir 7.
Count: Menhir 7 looks bad. I don't think they're gonna make it. How much longer is this gonna keep going? They're gonna overwhelm us soon.
Alexa: Just hold on.
Long Caster: More bombers! They're high! Altitude 8,000! Bearing 150!
Jaeger: The enemy's going all out too!
Alexa took out a stealth bomber and aimed for the second one.
McOnie: Railgun power supply is… Damn it. Numbers aren't going up.
Lehmann: Bypass through the auxiliary condenser.
McOnie: Come on, damn it!
Taku: How's the railgun power supply?!
SE 3: Still stable, 7 minutes max! Auxiliary condensers are strengthening!
Taku: This is way too long!
SE 3: I can't rush it!
Menhir 5: This is Menhir 5. We've engaged the enemy reinforcements. We're ready to take it to them.
Húxiān: It's like a whack-a-mole out here. I'm already exhausted.
Wiseman: Grit yo' teeth and fly. Remember that the fate of the whole war depends on this mission!
Alexa: Understood.
Osean Soldier 10: Their reinforcements got air support!
Alexa: Cyaron, Dia and Lily White, defeat the reinforcements at Menhir 5!
Dia: Raven acknowledges. Cyaron, Lily White, lets eliminate the enemy on Menhir 5.
Umi: Lily 1 copies.
Long Caster: The enemy just keeps comin'. Just go where the support was requested.
Wiseman: Cyclops squadron, understood.
Húxiān: Wilco, over!
Alexa flies to assist Cyaron, Lily White and Dia.
EB 1: Visual on target. Prepare for a bombing run.
Long Caster: Take out all bombers.
Alexa and Chika: Yokai!
Somewhere inside Stonehenge…
Erusean Agent(Glitnir): I got the guards.
Alexa shot the bomber with some laser fire.
Long Caster: Strider, Cyclops. Intercept those bombers!
Osean Soldier 11: We can see the smoke from here! Did you get the enemy bombers?!
You: Just intercepted an enemy bomber and eliminated it!
Alexa: Nice one, You-chan!
Húxiān: Yeah, and single-handedly and some back up from her friends!
Osean Soldier 12: The bird with the three lines? It's gotta be her!
OS 11: Yeah, and her allies from another country! They helped her!
Long Caster: Vehicle eliminated!
EF 8: There are some greenhorns out there, but their commander is covering for them.
Glitnir: This is Glitnir. I shut up that stupid alarm clock. It's time to bomb Stonehenge back to the Stone Age.
Alexa: Enemy SAM eliminated!
Chika: We've defeated the last troops!
Menhir 7: We successfully defended Menhir 7! Good work, everyone!
Osean Soldier 15: It's the LRSSG. Without them, we probably would've been the ones in trouble.
Menhir 7: You can also thank those Satsuman support for that one too.
EGU Commander: We've already thrown everything we've got at Stonehenge! What's it going to take?!
EGU 2: If we're struggling, then so are they. We just need to hold out a little longer.
Alexa: Enemy Anti-air tank taken out!
Lanza: That should take care of the reinforcements facing Menhir 5. Good going.
AOF 2: Locked on. Firing!
Alexa eliminated the stealth bombers.
Glitnir: This is Glitnir, mission accomplished. It looks like I made it in time. But that damn Osean Army. Why do they have to go and use civilians as their survey techs? I've had to take them out. And those Satsuman units, I better not risk it.
Alexa: Enemy Typhoon down!
Long Caster: More guests! Bombers and their escorts. Bearing 170.
Alexa: Hanayo, Take them down!
Hanayo: Got it. Jammer activated!
Hanayo's long range IEWS is activated on her Gripen.
Húxiān: Ah, jeez. The School Idols are battling them off, I want some too, but those boys below are hangin' on by a thread! You want me to choose?
As the Osean Army as well as the Satsuman armed forces are holding off as much as they can, an Erusean controller presses for the targets.
Arsenal Bird Controller: Liberty elevation and airspeed steady. No change in ETA.
McOnie: Power level is at 80%. You think we should take our shot?
Lehmann: Patience. We don't want to waste everyone's hard work. Let's wait to 100.
McOnie: I guess you're right. Give the fire-control systems one last check while we're waiting.
Osean Engineer 1: Roger.
Alexa: There they are, Honoka-chan! Cover me while I go on the bombers!
Honoka: Yokai! Fighto dayo!
Alexa fires her lasers and hits an enemy Tu-160.
Osean soldier 11: They don't have a chance against those two. It doesn't matter how many they throw at them.
Count: Move it!
Honoka shot the two enemy bombers down.
Long Caster: Enemy rocket unit coming from the southwest! And a helo-borne assault from the northeast! They're planning a direct assault on Stonehenge! Stop them!
Alexa: Last enemy bomber down!
Wiseman: Let's split up. Take whichever way you like.
Alexa: Okay, Dia and Ruby. Take the rocket unit out with Cyclops, I'll go after the helo-borne unit.
Kurosawa sisters: Yokai!
Dia: I'll be right behind you, Ruby. Let's give it our Rubesty!
Long Caster: All enemy bombers are destroyed!
Skald: Almost there. Should be over soon.
Jaeger: This is one ugly battle but, what a story for my kid.
Erusean Rocket unit 1: Prepare to fire! They know that we're here, so shoot them before they shoot us! How long till you're ready?! Once we fire, that cannon'll crumble and the battle will end!
Erusean Chopper 1: Understood, commencing mission! Chopper is on its way to Stonehenge!
Lehmann: We're doing everything we can to fire as quickly as possible. Just buy us some time until then.
Alexa shot with her lasers an enemy ace.
Alexa: Another ace off the list.
Wiseman: Okay, the helo unit's are yours, Trigger. Lead the way and eliminate the enemy. Cyclops will take the rocket unit.
Alexa: Along with the Kurosawa sisters, Wiseman. They are already bombarding them!
Count: Roger that!
Fencer: I think I've had enough dance invites to last me a lifetime.
Erusean Chopper 2: We're almost to Stonehenge! Perfect! Their rear is wide open! But those Special Units are in their way!
McOnie: Just focus on doing your job. They will handle their job to protect us from the enemy outside!
Long Caster: Helo assault unit is down.
If they had infiltrated Stonehenge, it would've been all over. Good work.
Cyclops Squadron and the Kurosawa sisters have eliminated the rocket unit. Keep it up.
McOnie: You've given my program a lot of the time it needs. Stonehenge will be ready to fire shortly.
Taku: Stonehenge Railguns 3, 5 and 6 are now ready!
Long Caster: Stand by. I'm picking up something on my radar. The signal is massive. It's the Arsenal Bird!
Alexa: All School Idols, here it comes!
The Arsenl Bird named Liberty has arrived and unleashed his swarm of drones.
Wiseman: I have visual! Arsenal Bird confirmed!
Count: Here they come!
Long Caster: A swarm of UAVs has launched from the Arsenal Bird! Keep them away from Stonehenge!
McOnie: Closer the target, fewer the variables. How long till we can fire?!
Osean Engineer 2: Firing in 60!
Satsuman Engineer: Firing in 250! You shoot first, Oseans!
McOnie: Hear that? Keep us safe till then!
Count: Why would our primary target come flapping in?
Wiseman: Stonehenge has some serious range. It might be better to fight than to try to run.
Trigger and the School Idols who are capable with air to air attacks and Hanayo's Jammer shoot down as many drones as they can.
Lehmann: Fire-control system inspection complete. Radar error correction is good to go.
Osean Engineer 4: Josephine's not responding? She's over in the survey vehicle.
Alexa: Taking out another drone!
Honoka: Got one down!
You: Yousoro! Another drone splashed!
McOnie: Confirm voltage!
OE 5: Voltage stable!
OE 7: 30 seconds!
One of the drones hit Strider 2.
Long Caster: Strider 2 is hit!
Alexa: Skald! Are you okay?
Wiseman: Skald, stabilize the craft and get out.
Skald: Sorry, it's up to you now.
Skald has been forced to retreat.
McOnie: We have confirmation. Live projectile is loaded!
Lehmann: Power level is 100%!
OE 1: 15 seconds!
McOnie: Frame control?
OE 2: All green!
McOnie: Initiate final countdown!
Lehmann: Understood! Commencing final countdown!
10, 9, 8… 7, 6, 5… 4, 3, 2…
But then…
Lehmann: Stop the countdown! We've lost the target!
OE 1: Why are we gonna shut down!
Count: You what?! How could you lose the target? It's the gigantic frickin' plane flying right in front of me!
OE 3: The survey data isn't updating! No response from our spotter!
Lehmann: They've got our survey vehicle!
McOnie: That vehicle was Stonehenge's eyes… Damn it.
Alexa: What now?
Lehmann: Wait, the Satsuman army survey vehicle! It's not taken out by the enemy! We can do it with the Satsuman forces manning them! And we'll use our eyes. The oldest sensors in the book.
Count: What are you scheming?!
McOnie: They're too unreliable, but…
OE 4: …Impossible! We can't do anything anymore! At this rate, we can't carry out our mission!
McOnie: Wait. The Satsuman units have their survey vehicle and the techs are standby!
Lehmann: Let's ask them to complete our mission as well as theirs!
McOnie: Attention all personnel!
We still have our plan. We will now aid the Satsuman allied forces and their guns to do a direct fire to shoot down an Arsenal Bird. All flight squadrons. Aim for the Arsenal Birds propellers. Try it to slow it down.
Long Caster: Strider 1, Cyclops 1. Pair up and attack that propeller.
Wiseman: Roger that!
Alexa: School Idols, the Oseans are planning now to help our personnel to fire at the Arsenal Bird. Attack the Arsenal Bird's weapons and propellers. We need it to shut its defenses!
All School Idols: Yokai, Alexa-san!
Long Caster: Everyone else, defend Stonehenge from the UAVs.
Wiseman: Wilco, Jaeger, you take the lead!
Alexa: Dia, Protect Stonehenge, Honoka, Hanayo, You, Umi, Setsuna, Rin, Ayumu and Yu-chan, you're all with me!
Yu and the School Idols: Okay!
Long Caster: It's readying its APS.
Count: I'm going. The propellers are too much for Trigger alone.
Húxiān: You damn glory hound! Do your friggin' job!
Wiseman: Count, Trigger and her Satsuman allies will deal with the propellers. We need someone who can take down those UAVs. It's up to you.
Count: Ugh… Trigger, do not FUBAR this!
Alexa: I do what I can do!
McOnie: Unbelievable. Stonehenge came with honest-to-goodness range tables? Well isn't that curious.
Lehmann: Guess they knew what they were doing.
Alexa, Yu, Ayumu, Honoka and Rin took on the main propellers, while the side propellers on each side were hit by Wiseman, Setsuna, Umi, You and Hanayo.
Osean Soldier 7: This whole operation is crazy!
Osean Soldier 9: Well, only a total madman could bring down the Arsenal Bird.
Satsuman Soldier 4: Maybe, but if we are together. We'll take it out together!
McOnie: Satsuman soldiers, can you give us the UTM coordinates under the Arsenal Bird, and we'll calculate the range. And I need you to be exact.
While McOnie and the joint force of Osean and Satsuman engineers work on to calculate the plan of attack, in the air…
Húxiān: Cyclops 3, missile incoming! Look out!
Fencer: I've been hit! I have to eject!
Fencer has bailed out of his plane.
Wiseman: Long Caster, send a request for rescue. Conditions look grim. Expect some injuries.
Long Caster: 60 seconds remain!
Alexa: Almost all propellers and defenses are down!
Long Caster: All right, that takes care of the propellers, Arsenal Bird is slowing down!
Wiseman: I knew my faith was well placed, Trigger.
Alexa: Not only me, but you can put some faith into the School Idols. They have helped me very well.
Alexa flies behind the Arsenal Bird.
McOnie: Give me a second. It's been a while since I've used something this archaic. Does the angle on this table account for wind and Coriolis force?
We'll see both the Osean flag from here. Not much wind. The rest is just instinct.
The Arsenal Bird fires more missiles.
Alexa: I'm out of pulse-laser weaponry!
Yu: Don't worry, Alexa-san! I'll fire on the propeller with my rocket pods!
Long Caster: Cyclops 4 has been hit! Are you alright?
Húxiān: I'm fine. We can't lose any more allies.
Wiseman: Knock that off, Push yourself too hard, and you're dead. Get back to base.
Húxiān: …Wilco, over.
Húxiān is forced to retreat back to base.
Yu: Chika-chan, are you girls down there alright?
Chika: We are all good!
Lehmann: Power level at the Satsuman manned railgun is at 100%!
Taku: All right, Stonehenge is ready to fire!
Long Caster: We've done our part. Stonehenge, shoot!
Arsenal Bird's APS is activated.
McOnie: Understood! Begin the final countdown!
10, 9, 8… 7, 6, 5…
4... 3... 2...
Lehmann: Adjusting angle.
Stonghenge is powered up.
1.
Lehmann and McOnie: Fire!
Taku: [Japanese] Fire!
Stonehenge Railgun 5 fired the shell.
McOnie: Hit, damn it!
And the shell went through the APS and impacted the Arsenal Bird.
The Arsenal Bird got hit and is torn apart and loses rapidly height.
And a minute later, it crashes on impact on the ground, resulting in more explosions.
The Stonehenge Railgun finally lowered down her barrel.
Osean soldiers: All right!/Yeah!/Hot damn!
Satsuman soldiers: Yeah/Banzai!/Nice shot!
The Osean Forces as well as the Satsuman engineers cheering their victorious shot on the Arsenal Bird.
Count: Is it really over now?
Alexa: I think so. Great job everyone, and you too, Yu-san.
McOnie: Reporting mission success. Lehmann, this victory belongs to you. That was good lesson on the importance to manual control.
Lehmann: Today's MVPs are the LRSSG.
Osean Soldier 7: I'll say. Especially those two lead birds. They're the Osean Big Shots. We can win if we follow them.
Osean Soldier 8: The Osean Big Shots?
Alexa flies and checked to the wrecked Arsenal Bird.
Count: You mean the Osean Big Shot...
Wiseman: It looks like we're on the offensive now. Ha. The enemy's defensive range dropped literally along with that Arsenal Bird.
Long Caster: That just means more pie for us.
Jaeger: Are we gonna eat the whole thing?
Long Caster: The brass is always hungry for more. They've got a bottomless appetite.
But enough about that. Get some rest now before the counterattack.
Alexa watches once more the wreck of the Arsenal Bird.
Yu: Wow, we just took that thing down!
Alexa: Glad that you have the opportunity to see it, Yu-taichou!
Yu: Yeah. Everyone, let's go home.
Glitnir: Yeah. We got our hands dirty for nothing. The guys were babbling about a three-line marking. Look into that for me.
The LRSSG and the School Idols return home to their respective air bases.
Debriefing LRSSG/School Idols Air Division.
The mission succeeded, but at a great cost.
This victory marks a strategic turning point.
The enemy has only one Arsenal Bird left, and the defensive grid around the space elevator has been decimated.
We can expect a counteroffensive by Osean forces everywhere.
Debriefing ended
Yellow 4's Tomb, close of the Stonehenge Memorial.
15:04 PM.
Alexa's(Trigger)P.O.V.
We headed to the tomb where Yellow 4 was buried, close to the Stoneheng memorial. Azuna and Printems squadron are with me, and of course, I'm gonna put flowers to Yellow 4's grave.
When we arrived there at the tombstone of hers, the rust of her destroyed Su-37 that lies there is still visible.
So I placed the bought flowers to the rusted wreckage of the Su-37, and stepped back with my Satsuman friends.
And we stand together, with a minute of complete silence.
We paid her respects.
And so we left the site of her tomb by copter.
Erusean Air and Space Administration Air Base
18:15 PM
At the base of the Sol Squadron, Seymour is watching TV and learns that the Arsenal Bird is shot down by the Oseans using Stonehenge.
Seymour: I can't believe it! Stonehenge shot down an Arsenal Bird!
Wit: And I can't believe it that the Snow Birds took it down along with the School Idols!
Mihaly: Those School Idols are a very talented team of female pilots, I have to admit.
Hermann: Bad news, with one Arsenal Bird destroyed, the air defense network is in the continent is rapidly falling.
Mihaly: I see.
Hermann: So what should we do?
Mihaly: We still need to take on the Oseans, but we'll challenge the Satsumans still on a beautiful air show, and maybe we'll fire our flares for some dodging tactics.
Wit: And where are we gonna be deployed?
Mihaly: At the Capital of Farbanti.
North Point Air Base
18:45 PM
At the mess hall...
On the males side of the mess hall.
Wiseman: Well, that was an big day of all of us, don't you guys think so?
Count: Yeah, that bird was very troublesome.
Jaeger: A great page for my story to tell my kid about it.
Skald: Yeah, and my plane is out of action and is needed for maintenance, so I have no option but to stay here.
Wiseman: Our squadron had it worse, and as for that. We are not going to sortie for the next days.
Count: You're kidding, right?
Wiseman: I'm not kidding.
Count: Skald, you are not going to sortie for the next days, right?
Skald: Yes.
Count: Then I'll take your place as Strider 2 in the coming days.
Skald: Very well, then.
Wiseman: I'll talk to Alexa to it later, after our dinner.
Count: No, Wiseman. I'll talk to her.
At the female side of the mess hall...
Alexa took her laptop to the mess hall and talks to Ai in the laptop.
Ai(webcam): So Ayumu, we needed to keep up joggying, get it? Joggying?
Yu laughed it out hard.
Alexa: Wow, Ai-san! You made laugh her heart out.
Yu: Stop it! I can't take it anymore!
Ayumu: Wow, Yu-chan! I never see you laughing so hard!
Shizuku: Yeah! And we even watched you laugh hard.
Setsuna: Yeah, Ai might be funny and energetic, but those jokes are pretty comedic.
Hanayo's mom: Here are your meals, girls.
Alexa and the School Idols: [Japanese] Thank you, Ms. Koizumi-san!
Hanayo: [Japanese] Thank you, mom!
Alexa: So many riceballs, perfect meal for our accomplished mission!
We all prayed for the beautiful meal and then we eat.
After dinner...
Alexa's (Trigger) P.O.V.
Man, I'm stuffed. I'll also got a package from Hanayo's mom. A box full of milk for me and my Satsuman friends, I'll cherish it, once we return to Satsuma.
Count: Trigger?
Alexa: Count! What are you up to?
Count: Nothing, Trigger. But, I have a request from you.
Alexa: What kind of request?
Count: Skald from your squadron is out of action for a at least for some weeks, but would you accept my offer to be the temporary Strider 2?
Alexa: Hmmm...
Count: It's only for at least for a few weeks, okay? You gonna need a solid Strider 2 for watching on you.
Alexa: Offer accepted.
Count: Perfect, I'll be honored to be as your wingman.
Alexa: Count on me any time.
Count: Good, I'll be going, see you!
Alexa: Yeah, bye.
Count left.
Alexa: Better take those boxes of milk to our bunk, can't let them waiting!
End of Chapter 14
Man, this was the longest chapter so far! But at least the Arsenal Bird is finally down! And Count is the now temporarily Strider 2. What will Mihaly gonna do with the Snowbirds Wit called them?
Find out next time in the upcoming chapters in this fanfic!