Operation 03: Legacy of the Demon Lord Part 2
North point is the name of country resides northeast of Usea, most of the population have distinct racial and cultural background from the mainland. Even though it used standard language, it has certain unique linguistic system and nomenclature as well.
Ichika Orimura for example, while he was born and raised in Ustio, his heritage originated from this country, hence the odd name and appearance.
It didn’t take him a lot of time for him to adapt since he arrived here eight years ago, one year after the Great War engulfed his country ended.
And yet, now he felt like a stranger once again.
North Point Coastal Defense Airbase, for him, is just as alien as Belka for him. Struck with Mariner flightsuit and babbling different jargon for a lot of things, for starter.
And the fact that he was completely stranded from the chains of command.
It was all a lie on his part, though.
Everyone is so friendly it hurts; he was more bothered by the fact that 70% of ISAF Air forces really are composed of women.
Well… what’s left of them anyway, the fact that ‘Men are expendable’ viewpoint still at play largely what caused it all. ISAF causalities are close to two million as of now, and more than 80% of them are men.
“Ensign Orimura reporting, Ma’am”
He arrived in the commander’s office, though he changed into ISAF air force uniform just now, he still kept the navy’s insignia taken from his piloting outfit. It was odd, but wearing a damp flight suit would be rude.
The room was simple, but well decorated. Ichika straightened his back and saluted proper, facial expression remains perfectly neutral.
Greeting him is unexpectedly a young woman, but not ANY young woman, as he could see from her uniform; she’s someone of way higher rank than him. She was calm, and her blond, curly hair is tied due to its length.
Her crystal clear blue eyes made its way to pierce Ichika’s gaze, but Ichika remains passive. This incited a chuckle on her part, realizing on how stiff he is, and more than that, not out of personal awkwardness. Ichika simply did what a good soldier do.
“Please sit down, my rank is higher but technically you’re not under my jurisdiction” the base commander is very young, probably younger than his sister, in fact “My name is Natasha Fairs, I was born in Osea but moved here shortly before college”
Ichika noted that she didn’t formally introduce herself, probably to ease him. It was somewhat unnecessary, but he was thankful either way.
“Ichika Orimura, 24 years, freshly graduated from Naval Aviation School and turned out to be top dog amongst his peers and is pressed into reserve pilot team, however, circumstances prevented your deployment until very recently”
“Yes, Ma’am”
She didn’t even avert her gaze away before went for the next stuff “Squadron 118 were decimated before they’re born, I’m sorry for you to hear this… but none of your teammate survived”
Ichika lowered his head in response, not that he really surprised. His teammates were preparing for takeoff until rain of explosive pillar unleashed furious hell to the flight deck, burned everything.
“What’s more is what you did afterward; you alone managed to turn the tide of battle”
Ichika honestly feel that he’s overrated, he only shot down several bomber and a damaged fighter, his only accomplishment is survive the initial onslaught and wait until reinforcement arrived.
“That’s not true ma’am” Ichika firmly refuted “Sky Eye and Hanagumi is the reason why”
She simply raised her eyebrows in response “And why did you say that?”
“Enemy SEAD units - or rather, their absence. The coastal SAM system still operational, though covering much lesser range than normally due to the total blackout of long range Early Warning system. I figure that someone somewhere is handling Erusian SEADs because the network is mostly intact“
“You’re interesting, indeed. However, they actually underestimated the amount of short range SAM we installed here. After they realize their mistake, they tried to fix it, but too late” the beautiful, blond commander chuckled “Hanagumi divert from their main course after we spotted a small force of Rafales on their way to mainland. The reason of why they’re short one plane is that single plane has to resupply”
Delivering a wry smile in response, the young pilot knew exactly what she’s speaking about. Short range SAM is not only cheap, but also easy to operate and move around. After suffering so much loses, there’s no way ISAF will play nice. Missile spam is not something beyond them too.
But without good air cover, short range SAM is just glorified target practice for stealth aircraft. So it’s either Erusean stupidly forget to destroy them, or they can’t.
In fact, up until yesterday, ISAF defense line in North Point is simply impenetrable until the long range warning and defense network is disabled.
“However, despite the overall success of thwarting enemy’s main objective, the resulting damage and casualties is unacceptable” Natasha clenched her teeth, which only gives around the overall situation, every single individual in ISAF are furious.
The navy alone lost no less than two supercarriers and their escort complements, the ground force has been plinked and bombed to oblivion and a fraction of air force aircrafts and a whole base has been erased off records. Casualties numbered in the thousands from each branch, and probably still growing.
Meanwhile, the enemy is, at best, suffered few hundred, along with several dozen planes of various types. The only part where Erusean didn’t triumph is that they failed to destroy ISAF GHQ in the mainland as judged form their flight trajectory.
For some people, numbers are numbers, but for others, it’s more than that. The psychological damage is nearly unbearable. That includes Ichika himself.
“Currently, the higher echelons are talking about possibility of rapid response combined operation. The viability of inflicting as much tactical and strategic damage to the enemy, we’re pretty confident about it. However, once again, we simply did not want anymore senseless sacrifice. Each and every lives lost in the battlefield has to be count”
Ichika can read where this conversation going, there’s good chance that he will work together with Air Force and Army, after he met his new team of course. After all, Squadron 118 is no more.
Sure as hell it wouldn’t be easy, but that’s the only viable solution.
“As it decided, highly likely you will be pushed into active service again. However, do remember that I’m not one to overstep my bound, until the new order from the Navy came, you are free to stay here. For now, you can dismiss”
“Affirmative” Ichika saluted soundly shortly before he left.
Natasha sighed in disappointment as she pulled out her drawer, looking at a framed photo. Slowly, she delivered a soft smile as she recounted memories of the past.
Stood there are five people, two males and three females, all within their 20s and is in their glory. They have returned as hero once again, despite being lowly mercenaries at the time.
Around this time is when they’re absorbed into newly formed ISAF as special Aggressors.
Her eyes focused on one of the female, the only one with no smile pictured.
“And you said he was different like day and night with you and her, you liar”