24 September 2004, Allenfort Airbase, Newfield Island, North point.
1520 Hours
Hot wind bathed the airfield as three aircraft touched the surface and engage their airbrakes, with distinct whining sound of their turbines slowing down following. It’s arranged precisely because each plane has different braking distance, avoided bumping accident in the process.
Houki was the first one to jump out, her mood as sour as an umeboshi, in fact, she might be the most annoyed amongst them, not even Madoka can compare.
It was like the crew can feel the dark aura coming from her too, so they wait until Houki left the ladder.
She’s using an ASF, F-15C, said to be only surpassed by superbly expensive F-22 and less practical Su-47, and often compared to Yuktobanian Su-35 Flanker E. Not that a Strike Fighter like Viper or Fulcrum is bad, but Eagle is superior because of its specialized nature.
And yet, she failed to take out even a single target, she felt like she had pride shattered. The scowl of her face grew even more obvious overtime.
Ichika Orimura.
Ichika Orimura had come into Ran’s rescue, and killed two Erusian jets. With a humble navalized Fulcrum, something she failed to achieve.
“Shinonono-kun”
A gentle, small but powerful grip held her on her way; she recognized that as her captain’s. Her round, childlike eyes stared into her questioningly.
“What’s wrong?”
At first, silence is the answer. Houki gulped, figuratively digest her anger in her stomach. “I’m supposed to be Hanagumi’s spearhead” she looked at her red and white eagle –the distinct paint scheme of Hanagumi- “I get the best aircraft of all, but I still can’t do anything”
Madoka once joked that Hangar bench is a good substitute to therapeutic couch, the truth is not that far from reality. Pilots sat side by side, disregarding rank and importance. Talking heart to heart might sound sappy, but before a soldier, they’re human.
“You’re lucky they’re not yellows” Yamada giggled “I once fought them and had to chicken out of battlefield as I lost my wingmen one by one to them, just like you, I use F-15C back then, and yet, I feel so powerless”
Houki can’t seems to believe it, unlike Houki and Madoka, Yamada engage TWO Typhoons at once instead of one, with an outdated Falcon variant (Block 50)
“They survived, but apparently, Erusian caught them swiftly as they expand their territories, I honestly don’t know how they prevail as of now. Do you know what I’m saying about?”
“In the battlefield, there is a hierarchy; only one ace will stand out at the top. But at the same time, war is not all about that; attrition, logistic, strategy, morale, politics, and public relations. One ace always enough to turn the tide of a battle, but without sanctioned order, political support, and decent supplies, he can’t do anything” Maya explained with a soft, motherly smile “Don’t try to do everything by yourself: just do what you can do, and trust your teammate, right, Orimura-kun?”
Houki just realized that Madoka is there all along, she’s so focused with her inner rage that she didn’t notice.
“Well, I admit, I’m kind of overprotective with Ran but… was that wrong of me?”
“Gotanda-kun is a good child; she knew when to back down and when not to…”
“Guess you’re right, thank you to remind me, Taichou” cheerfully swirling and dancing around, Madoka dangerously hop onto another bench and looking intently to the east.
Coincidentally the same time Ran running toward them, rumbling sound, halfway between silent storm and loud hum getting even closer and closer: distinct sound of Yuktobanian jets.
And Madoka made a waving motion with her arms, giving a ‘Godspeed’ signal; blue jets soared above her, high enough that they felt the subsonic shockwave as if it’s a solemn breeze, her silky black hair flow along beautifully.
“Mobius and Undine…” Ran gasped, soon, four other blue jets followed, though at even higher altitude.
“Dood, did ya know why our workhorse navy jets are short-legged MiGs?”
Ran tilted her head before said “No”
“Power projection, North Point never wished for it, for fearing of repeating the same mistake as we did in the past” Madoka smiled serenely, despite the weight of conversation, she looked as lighthearted as always “There’s a good reason our corps is named North Point Self-Defense Force, lol”
“Osea is Self Defense Force too, so what is the difference?”
Madoka pushed the shorter girl to the bench and sat beside her “Tsk-Tsk. OSDF is formed recently due to the latest President’s strong anti-war propaganda; ours are less about that and more like self-restriction, do notice that North Point also less involved with ISAF military and political activity in general”
“Back when, we’re a glorious country who expands our grasp till our mighty collapsed, ironically, it’s the combined effort of Erusian, San Salvacion, and foreign support of Yuktobania, of all things, that stopped us on our tracks… and first usage of strategic nuclear weapon ever… that was when the fear of nuclear weapon potential arose by magnitude, well, there’s one more event”
Ran’s eyes widened in horror, Madoka is from Ustio, putting two and two and having a realization. That has plagued her long ago, now she got an answer of why Madoka looks very vulnerable at times “Belkan war isn’t it?”
“Correct~!”
“Madoka-san, when Ustio is occupied, what do you feel?”
“Ahhh… lessee, I’m afraid, I cried all the time, I was alone, I was separated from my family and friends, then I met the rest of refuge… it was a cold and snowy days… It was during the Liberation of Directus, I finally reunite with Ichika and Chifuyu-nee, she valiantly took over the anti-aircraft system installed within the area and assisted them, our hero, Galm squad”
Galm squad, their legend had been passed, orally, like a folk legend. No official document ever said how much influence they brought, but one thing can be said about them, is that their mere presence turned the tide of battle.
The Demon of the Round Table, and his partner Solo Wing. Who could expect that accomplishment from a pair of mercenaries? Then again, same thing happened in 1998 Usean rebellion. Chifuyu Orimura and Natasha Fairs, the first time in history, cemented the legend laid by several female pilots before them. Before them, female pilots are just that rare.
It was the swift propaganda by feminist and recent breakthrough in research that found that female DOES have slight edge in intense air combat condition, though the screening for female pilots is just as tight because emotionally-stable and disciplined pilot is always preferred. In the following years since Chifuyu made her path clear, the ratio of Air force personnel in Usea continent only changed slightly, but roughly 40% of newly commissioned pilot is female.
“When Solo Wing deserted, someone arrive in his place, a humble but still competent mercenary, named
Patrick James Beckett. That man, is Chifuyu-nee’s fiancée”
Now that’s interesting, the legendary Usean demon sword actually DOES have romance written in her history. This is so worth the risk being killed.
“Wing Commander has a lover?!”
“He killed in the last battle against The World with No Boundaries in Avalon dam, months after Belkan war officially ended”
Ran slumped, losing all the enthusiasm she had before. Losing a lover in a war like burning already injured skin, the light of hope probably flickered, and that's why Chifuyu always seems to be embittered.
Losing the one you love is very painful, Ran couldn't even imagine it.
"Or at least, that what's HE want the world to believe. She even go as far as carve a tombstone for him out of anger" Madoka stuck her tongue out playfully "PJ came here with us and become
Scarface One. Keep this secret till you die, okay?"
Scarface one... Ran's horrid expression turned into annoyance, and she wailed "MADOKA-SAN!!!"
2012-12-31, 06:31
