December 24th, 2017 13:00 Hours:
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General Celuchu: "Ladies and Gentlemen...I hope you all had a wonderful celebration over the past few weeks follwing Ruvania's surrender...unfortunately we're not out of the woods yet. As Mr. Ebinger has informed us that he has uncovered some valuable intel pertaining to the Ruvania's super weapons the Triton and XZ-0. Nathan you now have the floor." Stepped down from the podium
Nathan: "Thank you, General. Good evening, everyone...time's precious, so I'll make this as short as possible. This XZ-0 the Ruvanians developed...codname "Vidhi"...is a hybrid air-space fighter."
Anthony: "Those monsters can head into space? Man this just gets crazier.."
Nathan: "Once again, the enemy is way ahead of us in the technological race. Just like the Adlarians vs Allies in WW2...", Sighed. "This spacecraft is equipped with the, pardon my words...the craziest features I've ever seen in my whole life..."
N: "The powerplant is comprised of a Hyper-Accelerated Plasma Thruster, working along with an Electromagnetic Field Generator. Airframe has self-healing capabilities...metamaterials capable of bending light and even sound...making it virtually invisible."
N: "An integrated inertial canceller can reduce G-forces by mind-boggling 60%...and, perhaps the most impressive of the already impressive specifications...a FBT flight control system."
Alex: "FBT....Fly By Thought?" Sipped his soda and patted Anthony's shoulder
N: "Correct. They can fly with the mere thought, so...as some of you have already seen...this explains the insane reaction speeds of these vehicles during a dogfight. I'm afraid that not even our best jets can pose as much of a threat to them."
Anthony: "Alex..how the hell do you know about it?" Looked at his brother puzzled
Alex: "Because one of the F1 teams was experimenting with a thought controlled race car and the team happened to be Ruvanian. If memory serves me right they headed to the military sector following the rule changes that made a thought controlled car illegal to race."
J: "Well I'll be damned. Damn Rufies with science fiction stuff?"
Izumi: "How are we supposed to defeat these things?"
J: "Hmm...you know....one thing crossed my mind."
A: "And what was that?"
J: "Mr. Ebinger said the pilots fly with their mind, right? By thought..."
I: "Yeah...and?"
J: "Well, for this, the pilot obviously must be even more focused than flying a conventional bird..."
I: "Wait...are you implying..."
J: "If we make the pilot lose the focus, he can't fly the damn thing!"
A: "Get inside their heads...I know one of the pilots too...Brooke Kirtman..."
J: "Exactly! That woman is crazy and you, above all of us, Voodoo...is the one who can take the best advantage of that."
A: "Well it looks like we have a good tactic then...now onto the Triton, Nathan can you tell us what you discovered?"
Kim: "Yes...like are there any weaknesses in its defenses or any openings that would allow for a clear shot?"
N: "Yes. Like we've already seen previously, powerful electromagnetic pulses can temporarily disable its defenses, but to give an effective window, we're gonna need a much higher output. Perhaps I can tweak my bird's systems to send out a jamming signal strong enough for you guys to take down their field generators. Dana, could you put the schematics on screen, please?"
Dana: "Right away, sir."
Nathan's assistant did as told and everyone could see the schematics for the Triton on screen. It displayed 6 large antennas spread around the flying fortress."
N: "These are the field generators. If we want to destroy the Triton, we must take out these antennas first. A electromagnetic pulse strong enough to disable them for some 30 seconds should be enough for you boys and gals to get the job done. After that, things get less difficult, but not easier..."
A: "Less difficult is good enough for me...we'll do whatever it takes to bring that monstrosity down and take care of Oscar for good."
N: "I'm serious when I mean less 'difficult but not easier', Mr. Martinez...the Triton has a serious anti-aircraft protection system comprised of multiple SAM batteries using the latest S800 missiles...stealth jets can be detected by them; 37 mm gatling guns that could knock a B-52 out of the sky with a single 3-second burst; jamming facilities to divert our missiles from at least 10 kilometers away. And, God help us all, lasers! It's equipped well enough to repel more than one saturation attack at once!"
Alex: "Please excuse my older brother sir...his confidence is quite motivating but at the same time i've witnessed what the Triton could do. They test fired the main armament at the KBD outpost I was stationed at...thankfully I was away with my helicopter at the time."
N: "...you were stationed at Camp 34, soldier?"
Alex: "Sir yes sir...I used to be a racer before the whole war broke out but the KBD was hankering for helicopter pilots and on my down time I used to fly helicopters for fun so I joined and they assigned me to Camp 34."
Kel: "Sure thing sir! Also if you don't mind i'd also like to meet my brother's buddies over here...apparently they never knew I existed. But back to business." Chuckled
J: "Blame your brother for not introducing us earlier!", Chuckled. "Lieutenant Juan Stutz, from the Wyvernian Air Force, currently assigned to the WePAC's 117th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the "Boomslangs", as 3rd member."
Kel: "Nice to meet you Stutz! I must say that Wyvernia is beautiful! I hope to go back if I get signed on after this war...." Shook his hand
Kim: "I've heard about you...I always told my friends you'd be the modern day James Maxwell if you were given a competitive car."
J: "Thanks, sure is beautiful...but so is Kesalia. Besides, you guys have sea...which we don't.", Chuckled.
Kel: "But you have nice driving roads my friend!"
J: "Yeah, can't argue with that!", Laughed. "Even if most of them cross deserts...but anyway...back to the topic."
I: "Kobayashi Izumi, 4th member of the Boomslangs, Lieutenant of the Imperial Prosperian Air Force!", Saluted.
Alex: "Very nice to meet you Izumi! Very nice to meet all of you...well I guess we should get down to business and get rid of the Triton...I wish you all the best of luck and I hope to see you guys again someday...maybe the Kesalian GP if the war ends on time eh?" Smiled
Anthony: "Yeah...more peaceful times. Take care little brother and be safe."
Elson: "KID!! OI!"
Alex: "Elson!? ELLLLLLSOOOOOOONNNNNN!!!!"
E: "You bloody twat, where have you been!! Haven't seen you in a lifetime!", Grabbed the kid and gave him a noogie.
Kel: "Been busy my friend! I was busy holding the line in Kesalia after the battle of the Cinaltan Sea! I tell ya what though i'd rather be banging through the gears on my RC51 or FRS than fighting a war though. But we gotta do what we gotta do right?" Gave Elson a brofist.
E: "Tell me about it, eh! Those basterds took my Sally down! I'm gonna have to build another one!"
Kel: "WHAT!? Damn man....I lost my old BO-105 too...RPG took Betsy down when I was focused on another target. *sigh* Well at least we're alive."
E: "Yeah. Damn Rufies will have their time!", Clenched his fist.
Kel: "Yeah they will...look man I gotta go for a bit. Mr Ebinger needs me for a moment, it was nice seeing you." Brofisted his buddy and walked off
******
Alex arrived at Nathan's office to chat with him about the attack on Camp 34
Alex: "Alright sir, what is it that you wanted to know about Camp 34 being wiped out?"
N: "I need you to tell everything you saw in that event...everything.", Serious voice tone.
Kel: "Yes sir...well this was a bit earlier in the war. I was on a CAS mission to help protect some KBD fighters that were pinned down by a Ruvanian Mechanized infantry division. During the battle my chopper was low on ammo so I had to RTB, when I was about 50 miles or so from base I saw this massive aircraft looming over the base...it looked like something out of those sci-fi movies. Next thing I know a bright light pierces the sky...then the craft goes into the vertical and slowly begins to ascend. When I arrived at the camp I saw nothing but a crater...everyone was gone." Bowed his head
N: "Hmm...how large was this bright light, can you remember?"
Kel: "Think of the light like you're staring directly at the sun on a clear day....and multiply it by ten thousand and the physical size was equivalent to that of an Angelus Class battleship.."
N: *deep sigh* "...our worst nightmares seem true...I believe the Triton is equipped with a Proton cannon."
Kel: "We can do it...with the information you provided it can be done...I know it won't be easy but I have faith in the Boomslang's."
N: "We'll have to take out this weapon as well...and judging by the immense power output it gives...it could possibly be connected to the fortress' energy core."
Kel: "Then it looks like they'll have to take out the energy core...if they put a missile into the core then perhaps that can cause a chain reaction taking the whole Triton with it."
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17:30 Hours (5:30PM)
Anthony was starting up his F-35B for the mission when he received a call on the radio.
Leon: "Boomslang one! This is going to be one tough battle so you're going to need all the help you can get...Dmitri and I just got some resistance pilots with us to help on this sortie, we're in this together kid."
Anthony: "Now this makes me even happier to hear!"
Ricardo: "Don't forget about me either..." Taxied out in his F-4E
Anthony: "Uncle Ricardo!?"
Heinrich: "Ja! Everyone's coming for dat, freund!"
J: "Markham!"
Elson: "Don't forget me, ye bastard. The big shots just handed me an AH-64E Guardian to replace old Sally...Gloria will avenge her sister!"
Alex: "HEY Don't think i'll stay here all day fuckin' around!" Laughed and hover taxied his MH-60.
J: "Where's James? Is he coming with us too?"
Atiya: "I'll be coming along too...someone has to keep an eye on Markham....plus I just got a hold of a JAS-39...this is very different from my A-10A.." She sounded nervous
James: "HEY! I hope ya'll didn't forget me and Christine here.." Chuckled
Izumi: "I'm back in the air too!"
J: "Are you sure, baby?"
Izumi: "Yeah! Trust me!"
J: "Alrighty then.", Grinned.
Kim: "Well it looks like the gang's all here!" Laughed and gave a thumbs up
Nathan: "Well, gentlemen...we're ready. Initiate 'Operation Takedown'!"
A: "Any idea where the Triton is located sir?"
N: "They're roughly 1,200 miles North-Northwest, coming towards us at some 150-200 knots."
Ricardo: "Looks like we'll be meeting them soon then."
An hour into the flight the Triton made itself known by disabling its cloaking device.
Oscar: "You and your comrades are on a fool's errand Boomslang Team...Ruvania may have surrendered but that is not enough to interfere with my plans....with this weapon I will destroy the WePAC once and for all and restore the glorious Ruvanian Empire..."
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Brooke: "Ready for round two Voodoo?"
Oscar: "Ved'ma...you are cleared to engage...crush the Boomslang's and the Sensoan scum..."
J: "Nosey...do your thing!" N: "Initiating jamming sequence in 5...4...3...2...1...now!"
A: "We're clear...beginning attack run!"
Atiya: "Where do we strike first?"
N: "Aim for the antennas!"
J: "Roger! Jamming and locking onto target...anti-radar missile, fire!", Fired a missile, the aircraft's radar contributing in the jamming. The missile managed to cross the electromagnetic barrier and struck one of the antennas. "BINGO!"
Atiya: "Roger that...Saqr....MAGNUM!" Fired AGM-88
Ricardo: "Guns guns guns!" opened fire with the 20mm destroying another antenna "Target down!" Rolled his F-4 and dove for the deck
Boomslag 8: "ONE CHECK SIX!" Warned Anthony of a Vidhi on his six
A: "DAMMIT!" Threw engines into full afterburner and dove for the deck
Markham: "Ready for ze fireworks!", Locked onto the anti-aircraft defenses, firing 2 missiles and knocking down some SAM's in the process. "Splash!"
Triton gunner: "SIR they just knocked out two of our SAM batteries and the guidance antennas have been crippled as well!"
Oscar: "Switch to manual control.." Grabbed fire controls and downed two Sensoan fighters
Sensoan pilot: "AHHHHHH I'M HIT!!!! RONIN HELP ME!! *static*"
Leon: "Shit! Ronin here...we just lost two more birds.."
Brooke: "Ved'ma...fox two!" Fired a missile and downed a Prosperian fighter.
Kim: "We gotta do something and we need to do it fast! WePAC and Sensoan fighters are dropping like flies!"
Dmitri: "That bastard...take this!", Fired a long-range missile straight towards what he thought it was the Triton's bridge...but it was something else...
Triton operator: "Sir, our proton cannon turret has been damaged!"
Oscar: "Run a self diagnostic check and attempt to repair it."
TO: "We can't! The turret's falling apart!", Checked with goggles. "We're out of our main weapon!"
Oscar: "Then we use our conventional weapons to deal with the enemy fighters...Ved'ma take your wingmen Tigr and Osa...engage the fighters and defend the Triton at all costs."
Brooke: "Yes sir! Tigr...Osa follow me."
Anthony: "Boomslang 2, Boomslang 3 the Vidhi's are headed our way, since Dmitri knocked out the Triton's primary weapon let's focus on the fighters for now.."
J&I: "Roger! 3, on the move to intercept!", Full burners and went for Tigr. J: "Let's go, Izumi...I won't let you down!"
I: "I know, baby...I trust you!"
A: "I've got Ved'ma..."
Kim: "Don't worry babe i'll take Osa."
Tigr: "Puny Wepacians, you're inferior!", Moved to lock onto Juan's bird. "You're history!", Fired a missile.
J: "Not so fast, dickhead.", Avoided the missile and secretly began his psychological attack. "Is this the best the superfighter can do? What a piece of shit!"
Brooke: "One of us will die here Anthony...Ruvania will emerge victorious."
Anthony: "Emerge victorious my ass...let's see what that shitbox you call a plane can do."
Tigr: "Hah! Keep trying...you won't deceive me!"
J: "Deceive you? Not at all, I'm just telling the truth!"
Brooke: "Arrogant as always Voodoo..." Fired the laser.
Anthony: "Wow Brooke as always you can't shoot for shit...what's next you're going to crash your cheerleaders over there into a mountain because of a navigational error?" Chuckled after evading the laser
Osa: "DON'T LISTEN TO HIM VED'MA!!"
Kim: "Sooo how exactly is the WePAC inferior if the glorious Rufie super fighter can't even shoot down a bunch of regular WePAC pilots....either the plane is a piece of junk or you so called elite pilots can't fly for shit." Laughed
Tigr: "STAND STILL, YOU FUCK!!"
J: "Can't touch this!", Puts theme song to play. "You can't touch this!"
Anthony opened fire with the 20mm cannon and damaged Brooke's Vidhi....Nathan's tactic was working
Brooke: "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!"
Anthony: "I don't like being ripped off Brooke so no deal."
Tigr had a solid lock onto Juan and Izumi. He was about to fire all his missiles and the laser cannon...
Tigr: "I have you now!", But...things not always go as planned when you're in a dogfight..."WHAT?!"
J: "Hang in there, baby!", Killed engine power while pulling the stick as hard as he could; the aircraft performed a 180-degree loop!
I: "Hnnng, it's too much!!"
For a few seconds, they flew backwards!!
J: "Peekaboo, fucker!", Fired the 20 mm cannon at the Vidhi's cockpit, destroying it.
Tigr: "NOOO-*explosion*
As soon as the Vidhi was shot down, he pulled the stick again and applied engine power, bringing the aircraft to a normal flight.
J: "Woooot! 360, baby!"
I: "We did it! Splash one spacebird!"
A: "WHOOOO GOOD KILL JUAN!!"
Osa: "Impossible!!"
Brooke: "OSA YOU COWARD!! Shoot that bitch down now or i'll take YOU down!"
Osa: "Are you nuts Ved'ma!?"
Brooke: "Perhaps..."
Osa fired two missiles at Kim but she evaded successfully
Kim: "Pfffft....man this is legit proof that Ruvanian tech is absolute shit."
J: "Hardware is fine; software is the faulty link."
Leon: "Yep..I went from a Tomcat to a Flanker...the Ruvanian avionics are absolute shit so now you know why the Sensoan's went to Wyvernian and even Kesalian systems behind the Rufie's backs!" Laughed
Osa: "I knew we should have wiped those Sensoan bastards off of the map..."
Kim locked onto Osa with her helmet mounted sight and fired an AIM-9X
Kim: "Surprise Osa!"
Izumi: "Nice one, Kim!"
J: "Whooooa, see how it goes!"
Kim: "Thank you so much Izumi! Looks like we only have one more of those shitbirds left to go! Anthony i'll leave this one to you....since you and Psycho Bitch have some history."
J: "Yeah, deal with the Wicked Witch!"
Anthony: "So Brooke i've been meaning to ask...why do you hate me so damn much that you defected to Ruvania?"
Brooke: "Because of the way you treated me when we were training all those years ago, always treating me as if I was inferior...plus Kesalia is a nation run by cowards...not proper leaders."
Anthony: "WHOA Number one...you're not my type, plus you're fucking crazy but that's a story for another day and TWO Ruvania was run by a puppet and Oscar was the one with his hand up the puppets ass...the way I see it the Rufie's got into something that they didn't want to get into and you're eating it up like me and Juan here eat up steak."
J: "Don't forget the bacon, always must have bacon!"
Anthony: "Also them fries BRUH!!"
Brooke: "Enough talking...time to die Voodoo." Threw the engines into full power and got on Anthony's six...her flying was noticeably worse though.
Anthony: "SHE'S ANGRY!! Oh shit she's angry." Dove for the deck and attempted to evade
Brooke: "DIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE" Tried to crash into him
A: "No thanks I choose life sweetheart.." Jinked to evade
Brooke then pulled up to avoid hitting the ground and the dogfight continued. Because of her mental instability, the aircraft's systems locked the flight envelope, meaning she no longer could perform high-G turns and such.
Brooke: "DAMMIT!! COME ON YOU PIECE OF JUNK!!"
Anthony: "It's over Brooke....you should have gotten the help you needed rather than defect to someone who would use you." Opened fire with the 20mm..emptying 200 of the 480 rounds into the Vidhi.
The Vidhi spiralled out of control and began to fall from the sky...
Brooke: "I-I Have no regrets for what i've done...for the path I chose in life. I guess you really were the better pilot...I just sent something to your AWACS...hopefully he'll give it a look...see you on the other side Voodoo *static*"
J: "That's a sad way to go, damn."
N: "Nosey here, we got a situation! "
I: "3 here. Proceed, Nosey!"
N: "They...they...!!!"
J: "What?"
N: "They have an Anti Matter missile!"
A: "WHAT!? What's the yield?"
Kim: "Where is it targeted Nosey?"
N: "6.66..."
J: "Jesus...megatons?"
N: "..."
I: "Nosey!"
N: "...Gigatons. 6.66 Gigatons.", Sighed.
Oscar: "You're all a bunch of fools, did you think that shooting down my Vidhi's and destroying the primary weapon on my beloved Triton would be enough to bring you victory? Well as your AWACS just confirmed I do have a 6.66 Gigaton Anti Matter Warhead...and with it the world will begin anew and the old Ruvanian Empire will rise from the ashes."
J: "Open your eyes, Oscar; by using this warhead you'll not only destroy WePAC, but Ruvania and the whole world! IF you manage to survive, there'll be nothing left for you to command!"
A: "It ends here Oscar....no longer will you sacrifice hundreds of thousands of Ruvanian's for your selfish gain."
Oscar: "I admire your bravery....but now it's time to die."
J: "Oscar, stop this madness! You're gonna destroy yourself!"
Oscar: "Enough talking....men prepare for missile launch in T-minus 10 minutes."
Anthony: "SHIT! Juan we gotta stop this crazy bastard ASAP!"
J: "Any ideas, #1?"
A: "Nosey this is Boomslang 1, did Brooke also send you any information on how to take the Triton out before she went down?"
N: "Stand by, we're analyzing the information!"
I: "Hurry up, gentlemen...we don't have much time to save the world...!!!"
N: "Weakness identified! The missile's launching mechanism is linked to the fortress' reactor core. The only way to destroy it..."
J: "And...? What is it?"
N: "Is only accessible from within the base itself...you'll have to fly your aircrafts through the hangar's main doors."
J: "...why does this seem so familiar to me?", Sighed.
A: "This isn't a video game Nathan....ahh the hell with it. You up for this Juan? It's the only way we can prevent this psychopath from destroying the entire world."
J: "Well...it's either die or kill; he made his choice...and so have we."
A: "Well then...let's do it."
J: "'Till the end, my friend..."
A: "Nathan....find us an entry point into the Triton...we're going in." Lowered his sun visor
Elson: "Oi, kid! Right over there...it appears to be some kind of maintenance entry...see that gap over there? Think you can fly through it?"
A: "I see it Elson..."
Alex: "Your F-35's wingspan looks like it'll just fit through so be careful and no sudden moves...see you soon big brother."
J: "Wings swept, let's go!"
Izumi: "Hai!"
The pilots threw the engines on their planes into full power and headed for the Triton's maintenance hatch...the entry was not easy but soon they were inside the monstrous flying fortress.
Triton Operation: "SIR!! THREE FIGHTERS JUST MADE IT THROUGH!"
Anthony: "The Triton is just as massive on the inside...Jesus.."
Juan: "Think about the cost of this thing...the amount of man-hours, the resources...everything!"
Oscar: "I see you three made it through...I must say that I underestimated you Boomslang's."
J: "OSCAR! Stop this now!"
Oscar: "The plan is already in fruition...nothing can stop it. You both have five minutes left and the clock is ticking as we speak...the new world will be better than you think as well, such a pity that you won't be around to enjoy it....goodbye!" Chuckled and shut down communications
J: "SON OF A BITCH!", Slammed the dashboard. "Let's pick up the pace, Boomslangs!"
A: "Roger that..."
Kim: "Affirmative Stutz"
The trio flew through the innards of the Triton searching for the reactor core...soon Anthony had caught a visual
A: "Juan you see that...that looks a lot like the reactor to me.."
Kim: "Nosey can you confirm?"
N: "Negative, #2; our scanners aren't reaching that deep within the fortress; I'm afraid you're on your own now."
Anthony: "Shit...well Kim, I might as well say this, if we don't make it through, just know that i'm glad to have found you."
Kim: "Don't say that...we will make it and we will bring down the Triton."
Juan: "I have a lock!"
Anthony: "AGM-158 selected...I have a lock."
Kim: "AGM-76 Viking's selected...I have a solid lock as well."
J: "Mutara, fire!", Fired a short-medium range air-to-ground missile.
A: "Boomslang 1..missile away!!"
K: "Boomslang 2, rifle!" Fired missile
A: "Come on....come on hit.."
Triton Operator: "SIR! The reactor core has taken heavy damage, we can't save it!"
Fortunately, unbeknown to Oscar, the anti-matter warhead does have a safety mechanism that only allows activation by a specific command, so the missile can still explode without triggering the warhead, just like any nuclear weapon.
A: "Juan...it looks like our weapons impacted the target...we need to bug out now and get as far away from the Triton as possible."
J: "I hear ya, looking for a way out!", Full burners towards the main hangar doors.
Kim: "THERE! The hangar doors are opening!" Entered zone five afterburner and made for the exit
Anthony: "Good eye babe.."
The trio made it out of the Triton with seconds to spare before the Triton exploded. When the reactor detonated the Triton exploded in a spectacular light that was large enough to be seen from miles away, the massive flying fortress then crashed into the ground leaving a large crater and taking its entire crew with it.
J: "I'm glad we're flying over an uninhabited area, but...", Sighed.
I: "What is it, baby?"
J: "I don't feel happy with this..."
Kim: "All those people..."
A: "I hear ya Kim...we may have won but at what cost?"
J: "Even if they were the crew of such dangerous machine...I don't think we had the right to do this...even if it was necessary and that their deaths prevented millions...hell, billions of others perishing...it just doesn't feel right."
A: "So what are you two going to do? I think I might hang my flight suit and buy that Yamaha I used to talk to you about Juan.."
Kim: "I guess I'll have to apply for Kesalian citizenship...and retire because I think i've had enough war to last me a lifetime.."
J: "I don't know...flying is my passion, so I might get back to Ratliff as a test pilot...but no longer taking part at wars..."
I: "Hey! Aren't you forgetting something?", Pouted.
J: "Of course not, sweetie...being a married test pilot, that is.", Chuckled.
I: "Good. And just like Kim, I'm gonna need to apply for a new citizenship...", Giggled.
J: "You know...I think you could work with me...wattya say?"
I: "If it's alright...", Blushed a bit. "Sure!", Smiled.
J: "Just need to talk to the boss..."
A: "I love flying too bud...then again I wouldn't be surprised if Armistead offers me a job as an instructor."
Kim: "If he does then you should take it...you'd be a married instructor!"
A: "Naaaaaaahhhh. I'm gonna retire and maybe get into helicopters or better yet just restore my dream bird...an A6M Zero."
Alex: "I like Zero's but I can always try to cross you over to the darkside of aviation...rotary winged flight baby!"
In that moment...their radios were only static.
J: "Wait, what's happening? Voodoo, Kim? Come in! Boomslangs, anyone?"
I: "Juan, what's this?"
J: "I have no idea..."
A: "S-Stutz c-can you *static*"
J: "Voodoo! You hear me? Vood-*static* DAMMIT!"
A: "Stutz...i'm using burst transmission, what in the absolute hell is going on?"
J: "Roger", Switched to burst transmission. "I don't know, man...but judging by the pattern...I'd say it's a jamming-type interference, not just malfunctioning..."
A: "Could it be an anomaly from the Triton?"
J: "From them? Hardly...nothing's left from the crash, just a big pile of debris. See?", Performs a barrel roll to check the huge crater below them. "The reactor's explosion took care of anything that might have survived the crash afterwards..."
A: "I think it's best that we egress so we can assess the situation properly, my fuel state is low and we need to get back to allied territory."
J: "Copy, 3 RTB. Call the rest of the gang."
I: "I'm worried..."
J: "Me too...a crazy thought already crossed my mind...", Sighed.
The trio landed back at base four hours later and exited their planes, regrouping to chat.
Kim: "I have no idea what the HELL went on out there but i'm glad you're all safe." Cuddled Anthony.
A: "Your guess is as good as mine love...but this seems a bit weird.."
J: "We should talk to Mr. Ebinger, he may have some answers..."
I: "Look, he's coming!", Pointed at a jeep coming their way.
Kim: "He should definitely have some answers for us." Saluted
General: "Ladies...gentlemen...", Saluted back. "I'm glad you've returned safely, but there's no time to celebrate victory; we have another situation at hand."
J: "...I'm getting tired of not being surprised...", Sighed. "Is it related to that crazy interference back there, sir?"
C: "Yes...Mr. Ebinger will debrief you as we return to the office.", Gestured to everyone get in the car.
The group arrived back at the office...feeling a bit of relief thanks to the airconditioning
A: Sat down in a chair "Sir...with respect what's going on?"
Kim: "Yes what else can be happening sir?" She was very nervous
N: "Like General said, we have another problem. Right after the Triton's demise, as you have noticed, a powerful interference cut our communications. While unable to talk to anyone, I instructed my crew to look for the source...and we managed to find it, just a few seconds before the interference ceased."
A: "I don't like where this is going...where did the source come from?"
N: "From the..."
J: "Where!"
N: "Earth's low orbit..."
I: "Wait...you mean space?!"
N: "...correct."
Kim: "WHOA WHOA WHOA! Space!?"
Anthony: "Oh dammit...how can we even get up to that altitude? We can use an ASAT missile but the program hasn't been active since the 1980's....provided that the source is a satellite of some sort."
C: "We're investigating at this moment. If it's a satellite, we can quickly reactivate the ASAT program, but that obviously will take a lot time we don't have, so we thought of another alternative...something better suited for emergencies..."
J: "And what is it?"
C: "Mr. Stutz, you're aware of your aircraft's capability of being equipped with the water injection system, right?"
J: "Sure...wait...!!"
N: "Exactly. The system was created to release satellites in low orbit, therefore it's suitable for this mission...you can launch a powerful missile from up there and strike their satellite."
J: "But that thing kills quite a bit of fuel storage..."
N: "We can compensate for it with auxiliary tanks...so your range will be remain almost the same..."
I: "But in that case...won't we lose firepower? We won't be able to carry enough missiles..."
N: "That's why you'll be taking a new missile..."
A: "What about me and Meitzen? Should we provide escort just in case? Or would it be possible to kit out an F-35 with the system? The Lightning already has the capability to launch various types of long range missiles, more so than the Increment 5.0 Raptor much to my surprise."
C: "Your help will be greatly appreciated, as obvious...but this will be a covert operation. The rest of the Boomslangs will not participate on this mission...just the 4 of you."
N: "We have the perfect aircraft for the role...", Grinned.
A: "I'd love to see this plane sir...if it's as crazy as the stuff Juan has flown then i've seen it all" Chuckled
N: "You'll see it soon enough Voodoo, you are all hereby dismissed. Prepare for the upcoming mission and report back." Saluted
The group rose from their chairs and saluted....the war may be over for everyone else but with Oscar still out there it's not over yet for the Boomslang's.