February 17th 2017 1500 Hours (3:00PM):
After the attack on NAS Port Isabel by Ruvanian forces and Prime Minister Oscar Diederich's betrayal the trio were called in by General Celuchu for a private meeting. The trio stood at attention and awaited to hear the General speak.
"At ease...We have a very important mission, this is also the very first mission for your newly formed squadron, the "Boomslang's". We have been receiving for the past month and a half a signal..this signal was coming from deep inside Ruvanian territory."
Juan was curious. "A signal, you say, sir...a beacon?"
"Yes Stutz, but it wasn't in the Ruvanian language...it was in english. Now going off a hunch back in 1991 a Kesalian pilot by the name of Ricardo "Reaper" Martinez was shot down...he was presumed dead though..."
""Reaper"? Are you sure, sir? The legendary fighter pilot whose story is known even by Wyvernian pilots?!", Juan was shocked.
Anthony's jaw dropped "Reaper?! The Reaper?! That was my mothers brother! He was the whole reason I wanted to become a fighter pilot.."
"Wait, YOU?! His nephew?" now Juan was walking in circles, laughing. "Well, I'll. Be. DAMNED! Ain't this world small? I was friends with one of my favorite figures' nephew all along!" He then shook hands with Anthony again. "Bro, it's an even greater honor to be flying along you, know this."
"Yep..he's my uncle, he was a hell of a pilot. He flew an F-102 Delta Dagger when he was shot down.."
Kim then looked at the two pilots and chuckled. "I can't believe this! Reaper was a legendary pilot and when I was in flight school we learned a Maneuver called the Reaper shuffle... And I was even asked on a dinner date by the pilot that's related to him? Damn Stutz is right...this world truly is small!"
"Well, now...*ahem* back to the serious subject.", Juan recomposed himself. "If your uncle is still alive, we gotta find a way to get him out of there, asap!"
Before they could continue their conversation a young intelligence officer barged into the room.
"GENERAL!" the young officer shouted
"What is it soldier?" Celuchu replied with one eyebrow raised
"We managed to decipher the signal, we got rid of most of the distortion and were able to clearly understand most of it" *grabs the recorder and begins playback*
"Cal..calling all Kesalian military assets! th-this is First Lieutenant Ricardo Martinez...I have managed to escape the Dark Vaults work camp in Osesa Ruvania..I have with me very vital intel."
"General! Orders, sir!"
After the General listened to the tape he took a sip of his coffee and responded. "This is such short notice but if we wait any longer Lieutenant Martinez is as good as dead...Martinez,Stutz and Meitzen. Prepare your aircraft for immediate takeoff, the Boomslang's will be receiving their first mission...Also bring james and if possible mr Crickett along." Anthony and Kim saluted and said together "Sir yes sir!"
"Will do, sir!", Juan saluted as well and rushed out of the room.
"Now...Elson!", he grabbed his cellphone to call the Sergeant.
At Touhsea Airfield, the phone rings. Elson picks it up. "KBD's Headquarters."
"Elson? Lt. Stutz!"
"Hey, Lieutenant! How's it going?"
"No time to waste, my friend! Prepare your team, we're gonna need all help we can!"
"Wait, does that mean secret informations? Let me settle things here...gimme a second."
He turned off the phone and proceeded to call Juan back through a portable radio comm. Juan checked his phone and there was a KBD symbol. He clicked on it, and the call was decrypted with Elson's device.
"There, now the line is encrypted for outsiders, it's safe to talk."
"Right. A Kesalian prisoner managed to escape from Osesa and it's of vital importance that he be rescued!"
"You're talking to the right man, sir! I'll get my crew on alert and the airfield ready for you guys!"
"Elson, more than that. I need you to take your Apache for this mission."
"But sir...Osesa is deep within Ruvania. I'm not sure the 'Grasshopper' can go that deep in enemy territory."
"Elson..."
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"*sighs* Alright, fine."
"You the man!"
"I know that. *laughs*"
When Juan finished his chat with Elson Anthony walked up to him to ask him for an opinion on the mission.
"Hey buddy...I really need an opinion on this, Jame's Catalina received some upgrades during its repairs and i'm wondering if we should have him bring his bird along or let him sit this one out...last I checked he got a 57mm mounted on the nose to replace the twin 25's.."
"Bro...we're gonna save your uncle. Don't you think we should go at it with EVERYTHING we got? Hell, if I had a twin, I'd be putting him to fly the Leoqoon already!", Juan clenched his fists.
Before their conversation could go on the intercom sounded
"Will Captain Martinez please report to the maintenance hangar, I repeat Captain Martinez to the maintenance hangar."
"*shakes Juan's hand* Well my brother, I've gotta get going. I'll see you in the sky soon enough." Anthony said
Anthony made his way to the hangar and saw that there were in fact no aircraft sitting in there until an alarm sounded and the platform rose from the ground to reveal James standing next to Anthony's new fighter.
"So kid whattya think, ain't she pretty?!" James asked happily as he stood next to an F-16.
"It's an F-16, I flew one of these when I was in flight school, brilliant little birds they were." Anthony replied.
James chuckled "Well kid this isn't your daddys F-16, this is an F-16 block 50++ she's got the latest engine from General Propulsion developed for the F-16...she pumps out about 35,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner and about 28K in mil power. These new F-16's aren't like the old F-16's from my time either buddy no siree. This baby has composite materials similar to that found on the 5th gen birds albeit mainly to reduce weight along with a RAM coating courtesy of the boys from Ratliff. Plus there's no need to worry about this one getting taken away from you like what happened with your Raptor. Lastly this bird is a ONE OFF, as in she's literally got your name on it...F-16CM although not to be confused with the and no it's not just a hopped up MLU. Lastly this bird is capable of ground attack but she's more of a back to basics type bird as in she's optimized mainly for air combat hence her lighter weight and incredible engine power...she can kick some ass on the ground too but her main role is air to air."
Anthony stared at the plane with a shocked look on his face which soon turned into an ear to ear smile. He walked around the plane and inspected it. He admired every little detail on it.
"So buddy! Wanna take her for a spin?"
Anthony looked at james with a somewhat disappointed expression
"I'd love to man but I gotta rest up, We've got a mission tomorrow night and I want to be at my peak performance...but don't worry this new bird will see some PROPER action!" Anthony fist bumped James and headed to the lounge area
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February 18th 2230 Hours (10:30PM)
The trio had finally received approval to go on with their mission. Their fighters were loaded for a long range escort mission, without anymore time to waste they climbed into their aircraft and took off along with several other fighters from the Boomslang squadron.
"Boomslang One to all planes..In this mission we will be going deep into Ruvanian territory to rescue a comrade. If any of you wish to turn around speak now."
"I say 'attack the dragon with everything we've got!'", Juan added, excited.
"THAT'S what I like to hear!" Anthony replied
"I'll fight until the very end" Kim added
"Anyone else?" There was a moment of silence "Very well then, let's do this!"
"We'll proceed at 30,000 feet until we reach the border, then we'll drop to 3,000. Intel says there's a 1,000 ft gap between the terrain and their long-range radars. We can use that to our advantage!"
"And if I may add our primary role is to escort our friends Elson Crickett and James Aragord. Aragord and Crickett will be handling the extraction while we fly top cover...In a few hours we will be approaching Ruvanian territory so we will be cutting communication to maintain the element of surprise."
"Downlink activated, informations received will be transmitted to the whole squadron by secure line. Boomslang's, let's kick the bucket and light the fire!"
The squadron met up with their allies and headed towards their destination.
"Papa Surf here. I'll provide CAS for Grasshopper and his Apache in my wonderful Catalina while you guys fly top cover to keep those bugs off of us."
The squadron continued their mission to Osesa, Ruvania but before they could continue they had to meet up with the tankers. When they neared the refueling point they were greeted by massive KC-747X tankers. The planes all refueled and continued on to their target.
0300 Hours (3:00AM) approaching the coast of Osesa Ruvania
"Boomslang One to all planes this is it! Drop your altitude to 3,000, Boomslang 3 take point."
"Roger that!" Juan said as he moved in front of the formation.
The squadron dropped to their altitude and began their flight deep into enemy territory to rescue a fallen comrade.
"Papa Surf to Grasshopper, Looks like we're flying nap of the earth!" James said happily as he began to put his Catalina through its paces
"Roger that Pops!" Elson replied.
0350 Hours (3:50AM)
Another radio transmission then blared through Juan's headset..it was from the same person.
"Calling all Kesalian military assets. This is Lieutenant Ricardo Martinez, I have taken refuge near the Ruvanian coast and with me I have the family that aided me in my escape. We have managed to find a safe place to hide.." Before Ricardo could finish his distress call gunshots rang out.
"SHIT! We've got Civilian's involved." Juan said angirly
" Stutz...I can only carry one extra person in my Apache....wait a sec...I've got it! Aragord you'll have to perform a water landing to rescue the family...after all the Ruvanian government is gonna want them dead for helping an enemy prisoner escape. Martinez and Meitzen you guys stick to the plan and if need be help provide CAS." Elson replied
"You're a genius my boy!" Juan said