Ace Combat Zero: The Aether Guard

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

He swallowed the second vodka and toasted her with the empty glass. "Well, no doubt this ace pilot should be getting to his rack before the combination of floor cleaner and shots put me out. Being a Belkan I'll try and land on my head if I pass out."

He pulled on the flightsuit to leave before remembering something else she had said.

"Oh yeah. See you in the mess at lunchtime." and, tossing a salute to the Doctor, limped out of the door into the waiting room.

Casting wink at the waiting pilot and deliberately limping as if in pain, he made his way to barracks to sleep until lunch.

 

[Dynosius]

"Sounds fucking awesome, Mayana." Miranda put a hand on Mayana's shoulder, and squeezed, half approving, half friendly, smiling widely. "You can start whenever you wish, and I'll calibrate it later. And you'll have two thousand dollars extra for it."

Mayana almost jumped a hole in the air. She could really use the extra money. After this war was over, Mayana wanted to retire. A lovely little house in the mountains, some cats, a small garden... That was what she wanted most. The ending of the war, that fucking war that was exhausting all of her reserves and the people around her. Mayana was tired of all reports coming in, telling more tales of deaths and crashed planes.

"Look, I've gotta go see the new doctor soon, and Anderson is working out the new teams' organization, but maybe you would like to have dinner with me tonight? I think it is somewhat unfair to treat you guys like you are our peasants, and us the nobles, or something like that..."

Surprised to say the least, Mayana smiled at Miranda. She did not quite expect such a comment from anyone, not even Miranda. Guess she was wrong about certain persons. Anyway, dinner sounded fabulous.

"Yes, wonderful. I would be delighted. And I'll have your radar finished within no-time. I will start on it right away." Having said that, Mayana hugged Miranda friendly, pressing her softly against her. She turned around to pick up her toolbox and other gear, ready to install all required systems for the radar.

 

[Wyldfire]

After the big Belkan left, Kayla went to the door and stuck her head out looking into the waiting room. She saw the man waiting and told him "Come on in and join the fun."

With that she turned and went back to starting this next new man's chart. As she did the receptionist giggled and made "Sharp pointy teeth" gestures at her and winking at the pilot.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda relaxed her weight onto one foot as she leant to move away, smiling. Mayana was a good woman, she really did deserve the extra.

"If you have any trouble, call for me. See you later, Mayana."

Now, to get to the doctor, she guessed. Miranda sighed, thinking about the speech she was bound to get from the doctor about smoking. And just as she was entering the medical facilities, she saw a pilot come out. And he was one Miranda didn't know. He looked huge and intimidating, but also kinda cheery...

Miranda stopped right before going in, and waved weakly at him with the dregs of her good humour after meeting Mayana keeping a smile on her face. "Hey there. I don't think I know you...?"

 

[dragonrazor]

After the big Belkan left, Kayla went to the door and stuck her head out looking into the waiting room. She saw the man waiting and told him "Come on in and join the fun."

With that she turned and went back to starting this next new man's chart. As she did the receptionist giggled and made "Sharp pointy teeth" gestures at her and winking at the pilot.

Jack raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. He stood up slowly, and pulled his medical records out and handed them to her as he walked into the room. "I've had all my shots, and that checkup was just prior to takeoff." He looked her up and down, then smiled. "But if you want, you can verify, as long as I don't end up with fingers up my anus."

 

[Wyldfire]

Jack raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. He stood up slowly, and pulled his medical records out and handed them to her as he walked into the room. "I've had all my shots, and that checkup was just prior to takeoff." He looked her up and down, then smiled. "But if you want, you can verify, as long as I don't end up with fingers up my anus."

Kayla just leafed through the record and checked dates. Good enough. Taking a drag from her cigarette she said, "Good enough Mr. Grimm, have a nice day."

With that she turned and opened the filing cabinet and put the record in place. Then she went back to assembling the new chart and record for the Belkan.

 

[dragonrazor]

Kayla just leafed through the record and checked dates. Good enough. Taking a drag from her cigarette she said, "Good enough Mr. Grimm, have a nice day."

With that she turned and opened the filing cabinet and put the record in place. Then she went back to assembling the new chart and record for the Belkan.

Jack nodded, then started for the door. Then he remembered that he didn't know much about the base. "Um...question. Where are the barracks, Doc?" He looked her up and down again, then smiled. Lots of gals on the base, he thought.

OOC: sorry about that, my little brother clicked submit post when he wasn't supposed to touch the mouse

 

[Wyldfire]

Jack nodded, then started for the door. Then he remembered that he didn't know much about the base. "Um...question. Where are the barracks, Doc?" He looked her up and down again, then smiled. Lots of gals on the base, he thought.

OOC: sorry about that, my little brother clicked submit post when he wasn't supposed to touch the mouse

"I'm new here myself Mister Grimm. I bet that my receptionist will ba able to give you the directions," Kayla smiled as she stated, "I still barely know how to get here and to the mess hall from my room."

 

[dragonrazor]

"I'm new here myself Mister Grimm. I bet that my receptionist will ba able to give you the directions," Kayla smiled as she stated, "I still barely know how to get here and to the mess hall from my room."

Jack nodded, then grinned at her admission. "That's the one problem with transferring to another base. They're rarely ever the same design. One of your engineers looked like she was going to rape my Harrier when she saw it. Not that I blame her. I've flown Tomcats and Ospreys and a few other aircraft, but the Harrier is my baby." He smiled, then leaned back against the wall.

 

[Wyldfire]

Jack nodded, then grinned at her admission. "That's the one problem with transferring to another base. They're rarely ever the same design. One of your engineers looked like she was going to rape my Harrier when she saw it. Not that I blame her. I've flown Tomcats and Ospreys and a few other aircraft, but the Harrier is my baby." He smiled, then leaned back against the wall.

"If it's the woman I think it is you might just find it in parts with her putting it back together. Miss Del'Cruz is very good at her job," again Kayla smiled, "I can also understand her urges. Had a few of those myself. If a patient hadn't come in I might have been eating Belkan tonight."

She thought about that idea. Maybe a quick web search for Belkan cuisine later.

 

[dragonrazor]

"If it's the woman I think it is you might just find it in parts with her putting it back together. Miss Del'Cruz is very good at her job," again Kayla smiled, "I can also understand her urges. Had a few of those myself. If a patient hadn't come in I might have been eating Belkan tonight."

She thought about that idea. Maybe a quick web search for Belkan cuisine later.

Jack's face paled visibly at that thought. His beloved Harrier in pieces would ruin his appetite and probably his will to do anything at all. He shivered slightly, then bowed his head. "Something tells me I'd better go check on my plane." He headed out the door at a run, heading back towards the landing area.

 

[Wyldfire]

Jack's face paled visibly at that thought. His beloved Harrier in pieces would ruin his appetite and probably his will to do anything at all. He shivered slightly, then bowed his head. "Something tells me I'd better go check on my plane." He headed out the door at a run, heading back towards the landing area.

Oh this was rich. She'd have to remember this one for the next time a pilot gave her problems. Kayla was sure she could get one of the ground crew to move the pilot's plane. Then let them know Del'Cruz was eviscerating it. Watch them run. Oh what a fun idea.

Her thoughts were disturbed when her receptionist came in with a very amused expresion on her face. "Making friends and scaring pilots are you?"

All Kayla could do was grin.

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

As Vanya stopped pretending to be horribly maimed for the benefit of the other pilot, he chuckled. Swinging out of the medical center door, he was just orientating himself for the medical center when a cheery voice called out to him.

Turning he spotted an attractive blonde dressed in a pilots flightsuit. A fellow zoomie. He waved affably in return.

"Hiya kamarad, I just got savaged by the new medical officer. Word of warning she's quick with a needle but doesn't have the steadiest hand if you know what I mean?" here he took a swig from the bottle "Still the anesthetic is okay."

 

[Dynosius]

Waving Miranda a last goodbye, Mayana upped her pace to her tool box. She passed one of her ground crew on the way. He got the order to tow the cargo holder and its contents to the F-15 of Miranda with a small forklift truck. Fifteen minutes later, the crate stood near the aircraft, and Miranda was ready to get down and dirty.

First up was to remove the old radar and all the systems, then hook up all the cables of the new one, place the entire thing into the cockpit and hull, and then start installing the software (for as far as there was any). Twirling a spanner between her fingers, she flipped it upwards, spinning a few times in the air, before catching the tool with her other hand.

Damn, she was good.


***

Mayana sat in the cockpit of the F-15. The whole radar system had been installed, checked, and double checked just for making things sure. Right, one thing left to do. Testing. Mayana held her breath, she hoped she had connected all the wires correctly. Her finger flipped the switch. A soft click, and...

Nothing yet. Strange, it should work by now... Was the wiring faulty? Mayana suddenly heard low buzzing. A sort of silent hum, right at the same time the green radar screen switched on.

YES! She had done it! All systems go! This was just awesome. No faulty wiring, no wrongly connected cables, instant perfection. Now all Miranda had to do was check up and calibrate.

And pay, and have dinner with her...

Mayana almost jumped out of the cockpit. She had to take a shower and freshen up! Late, late, she was running late! Mayana did not quite run towards the shower area, but she did walk fast. No time to loose. On the way over, Mayana asked a member of her crew to call Miranda and tell her, all systems go.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda chuckled at the man's comment. If the anesthetic was that good...

Miranda dropped her cigarette, and stepped on it. "I see... so she is just as bad as expected, huh? I just hope she won't be sending so many pilots off to bed, that our office people have to go up in the air."

Ok, so the new doctor seemed to not be quite amiable. That was not good news, but perhaps the man was exaggerating. After all, everyone in a certain job had their manners and features changed by personal perception. Like how pilots were all considered elitist assholes. The fact that it was true in most cases, though, kinda gave good reason to such comments.

"Miranda Santos, Ustio. F-15 Eagle. Callsign, Pegasus. And you are...?"

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack was relieved to find his plane in one piece. In fact, it looked like it had been polished and gotten his mark, the reaper on the wings and tail, repainted. He breathed a sigh of relief, then turned his attention to studying the base. It wasn't too bad here, he thought. He saw what looked like two of the other pilots nearby, talking to each other. He thought about introducing himself, but then thought better of it. They were probably flirting, and he had no desire to be a third wheel. However, he definitely needed to find out where the barracks were. So he walked up to them, studying the blonde woman for a few moments, then smiling. "Would you two happen to know where the pilots' barracks are? I just got in this morning, and this base is a LOT different from the Osean ones I'm used to."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya Kurtz

"Ha! You're following me around buddy, how was your doctor's appointment?" the Belkan said to the Osean pilot who he knew he'd seen in the waiting room.

He responded to Miranda's comments with his own introduction. "Vanya Kurtz. Belkan. Strike Eagle. Callsign Hydra. I know I'm Belkan, but I haven't eaten any babies since I left their airforce about three years ago."

He looked down on the two other pilots with a friendly smile and, as a belated afterthought, offered the bottle to them both.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda recognized another of the new guys. The Harrier pilot. But her thoughts were interrupted suddenly by the word 'Belkan'. She glanced at Vanya with a bit of suspicion... but quickly dismissed her worries. Belkans would probably not resort to that kind of tactics. Not if they involved defecting to the enemy.

"Oh, there will be time for that. We get a fresh shipment of babies every once in a while..." Miranda closed in, and winked at him with a sardonic smile. "Try the legs. They are specially tender."

Standing up straight again, Miranda pointed at the small building that looked like an appartment at the start of the runway, right beside the medical facilities. It was big enough to house quite a few people, and there were two more buildings like it beside it. Cubic, white buildings.

"Those. The pilots' one is the one on the left." She said, pointing at the closest one of the trio. "The one in the center is for the mechanics and other miscellanious personnel, and the third one is reserved for the guards and other ground defense personnel. It also doubles as a prison, should we ever catch a Belkan alive."

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack smiled as he looked in the direction the woman pointed. He studied the building, committing its location to memory. Then he nodded. "I'm Jack Grimm. Strike Harrier pilot, Callsign Reaper." He bowed his head slightly, then looked at the other pilot. "Nope, wasn't following you around. I only follow pretty girls, or the enemy. You don't seem the enemy, and you're definitely NOT a pretty girl, so...." He shook his head at the offer of the bottle. "Do you know what that stuff does to your insides? Besides, it looks more like engine solvent than alcohol."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

Vanya scratched his head. "Well... So... Do I head for the left or the right building? I'm a pilot, but I'm also a live Belkan so..." he winked extravagantly.

"Ah well, I'll try the left building for now. If the snores drive me out, though, I know where to go." he suddenly pulled a pained face. "Damn I should have hurried to the barracks like that strawhaired witch told me to. Some of these shots are starting to have the oddest effects..."

Waving farewell, Vanya hoisted his kitbag, took a swig from the bottle and headed to the barracks. Some sleep. That was the thing.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda chuckled low at Grimm's comment about the bottle the Belkan was holding. She was not too much into alcohol, but surely it wouldn't be that bad. She waved him off, and headed inside.

"See you around, Grimm."

Inside, the medical offices were pretty plain. The usual deal. All white, red crosses here and there, and the arrogant bitch of a nurse there. Miranda hid her revulsion. Even the sound of her voice was enough to warrant serious mental trauma.

"Hey there. I'm here to see the doc..."

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack nodded, watching her walk off, then realized he hadn't caught her name yet. He shook his head, then headed for the barracks with his things. Not all of them were with him, of course. Some of his stuff was supposed to be waiting for him. He walked slowly, taking careful note of his path. He was pretty good with directions, of course, despite his trouble finding the base. All he had on him was a few outfits, a handheld video game unit, and a laptop. The rest of his things were in a couple of duffelbags and a footlocker that had been sent ahead of time. He had a feeling he'd like it there. Then again, he liked anywhere he could take his Harrier.

 

[RedMageNeko]

The Shadow Arrives

Snapping myself out of the state of semi-sleep I had drifted into over the five hour long flight, I clicked on the radio, speaking in a soft, crisp voice as the distant airfield came into view, knowing my transmission would be the first sign they got of me. "Valais Air Base, this is Void 1. Do you copy?"

It took a good five seconds for a reply to come in, drawing a light smile to my lips. Most likely they were trying to find me on radar even now. ".... Void 1, this is Air Control. We don't see you on radar."

A chuckle escaped me at those words as I spoke calmly into the mic fixed to my flight helmet. "That's they idea Control. Check your log for this week. You'll find me scheduled to arrive."

Again, there was a pause while the logs were checked. "......... Ah. ... Very well. Void 1, begin your approach along approach five."

My only response was a simple double click of my mic as I turned towards the landing strip, reaching over and extending my landing gear. I knew I would be showing up about now on their radar, letting them realize the matte black shape coming towards them was a F-117. It had been ...... difficult to accquire, but well worth the effort. Its stealth abilities let me slip into even the most tightly guarded airspace to recon the area or bomb the hell out of it to my hearts content.

Bringing the plane down with a gentle thump, I felt the wires catch, slowing my plane down instantly. The plane hadn't even fully powered down before I was removing my flight helmet and slipping the glasses I kept in my breast pocket back onto the bridge of my nose. I suppose I would have to report in.

 

[Wyldfire]

Miranda chuckled low at Grimm's comment about the bottle the Belkan was holding. She was not too much into alcohol, but surely it wouldn't be that bad. She waved him off, and headed inside.

"See you around, Grimm."

Inside, the medical offices were pretty plain. The usual deal. All white, red crosses here and there, and the arrogant bitch of a nurse there. Miranda hid her revulsion. Even the sound of her voice was enough to warrant serious mental trauma.

"Hey there. I'm here to see the doc..."

The receptionist, Cindy, looked up as Miranda spoke. She had a huge grin on her face as she said "Good Ma'am morning, Just give me a sec to let the Doc know you're in."

The girl picked up the phone, dialed, and very shortly started to speak into the phone. "Yes, Mein Doktor. Da. Your dream date is here and ready for the dancink. Yes Ma'am, I'll send her right in."

Cindy pointed to a door. "Right through there ma'am. Doctor Martins is waiting for you." With that the girl gave a smile to melt any young man.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Jesus.

Miranda stepped in with a nod and a smile as fake as the apparent muscle added by her flight-suit's comfortable size. When she got in, she stood rooted to the spot with the door closing behind her, staring at the blonde woman in front of her. She kinda... looked a bit like herself. And Miranda thought she also smelled a bit of tobacco in the air.

"Good morning." Miranda fished her medical papers out of her flight suit, and handed them over the doctor. "Say, have we met around before?"