Ace Combat Zero: The Aether Guard

[dragonrazor]

Grimm smiled, listening to the briefing. It was a typical briefing, though a lot less dry than most he'd been to. Most Osean briefings were long, boring, and tiring. Still, he was happy to know he'd be flying with the Belkan and the woman from earlier. He realized he didn't yet know her name. He shrugged, then grinned as he studied the two. They probably thought his Harrier was run of the mill. Boy were they in for a surprise. A normal Harrier has one jet engine, plus an independant maneuvering system. Grimm's last mechanic, however, had showed him how to put in a second jet engine, which was used to keep the VTOL thrusters separate from the regular ones. It made the craft much faster, and was one way he kept it his own. He didn't know the top speed of it yet, solely because he'd never had a reason to push the envelope. He stretched, then walked over to the Belkan, Vanya, if Jack remembered correctly.

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

Vanya was still craning his head around looking for the harrier pilot when he spied him walking closer. Waving to the man he beamed widely.

"Yeah! There you are wingie! So, what do YOU think of our assignment?"
He watched the other pilot shrug as he walked closer - of course he was far too pro to bitch openly in front of the other teams. Vanya clapped a hand on the mans bicep, standing to shake hands properly.

"So we meet again! Let's hope that we don't wind up asking directions anywhere again, huh?"

 

[dragonrazor]

Vanya was still craning his head around looking for the harrier pilot when he spied him walking closer. Waving to the man he beamed widely.

"Yeah! There you are wingie! So, what do YOU think of our assignment?"
He watched the other pilot shrug as he walked closer - of course he was far too pro to bitch openly in front of the other teams. Vanya clapped a hand on the mans bicep, standing to shake hands properly.

"So we meet again! Let's hope that we don't wind up asking directions anywhere again, huh?"

Jack grinned at that. He had no intentions of asking anyone for directions. He shook hands with the Belkan man, nodding at the thought. "Well, I personally think that this assignment should be a good way to break in the new secondary engine on my Rika yet. I haven't tested the whole thing yet, just the standard one. Yes, I name my plane. She's my number one girl, mainly because most women don't like Harrier pilots. Then again, maybe it's me, and not my bird." He shrugged, then turned to look at their other wingman. "I didn't get her name yet. I don't think she likes Rika, either."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

"Are you kidding me? Your little jet is cute as a button and you've given it an adorable name too - I'd figure women would be all over that. I'm a Strike Eagle pilot - when it comes down to it, my job is essentially to kill as many people as possible in such a manner that they can't fight back. That kinda gives ME a PR problem, I'd say..."

Peering in the direction of Miranda he looked up at Jack. "I'm guessing that with you being as new as I am, you don't know our new CO either? I see Ustio patches on her flight suit - is she the 'don't give a damn thousand yard stare you'll all be dead tomorrow anyway' type or the 'dirty Belkans killed my family sob sniff' type, do you think?"

 

[dragonrazor]

"Are you kidding me? Your little jet is cute as a button and you've given it an adorable name too - I'd figure women would be all over that. I'm a Strike Eagle pilot - when it comes down to it, my job is essentially to kill as many people as possible in such a manner that they can't fight back. That kinda gives ME a PR problem, I'd say..."

Peering in the direction of Miranda he looked up at Jack. "I'm guessing that with you being as new as I am, you don't know our new CO either? I see Ustio patches on her flight suit - is she the 'don't give a damn thousand yard stare you'll all be dead tomorrow anyway' type or the 'dirty Belkans killed my family sob sniff' type, do you think?"

Jack grinned again, then shrugged. "I dunno about that. My Harrier's a highly modified Strike Harrier. Most of the modifications are either mine, or the Chief Mechanic's on Azarin Air Force base, back in Osea. My job is mainly destruction of property, but they call me Reaper for a reason."

He nodded at Vanya's response to their CO. "Ustian, hmm. Well, I'd say she's the sort of one who'd kill you right then and there if you stared at her like that. Then again, I'm not really that good a judge of women. I'm single, after all. Got nothing to live for but Rika."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

Vanya snorted. "Most of my serious girlfriends last about as long as it takes to work out that I'll be paying off the bank agreement on my bird for the next five years, and shuttling from contract to contract all over this dirtball. I've now flown for three of the five major combatants in this war. Belka, Osea and Ustio. The Ustians pay better than the Osean's and everyone pays better than the Belkan's so... Here I am!"

Vanya settled back placing his feet up on the chair in front of him.

"I wonder when she'll drift over here to say 'Hi'? Too busy talking to the Doc and that mechanic. Hope she's not ill..."

 

[dragonrazor]

Vanya snorted. "Most of my serious girlfriends last about as long as it takes to work out that I'll be paying off the bank agreement on my bird for the next five years, and shuttling from contract to contract all over this dirtball. I've now flown for three of the five major combatants in this war. Belka, Osea and Ustio. The Ustians pay better than the Osean's and everyone pays better than the Belkan's so... Here I am!"

Vanya settled back placing his feet up on the chair in front of him.

"I wonder when she'll drift over here to say 'Hi'? Too busy talking to the Doc and that mechanic. Hope she's not ill..."

Jack nodded, taking a seat. He knew all too well that the pay Osean Military didn't pay well. That's one of the reasons he requested the transfer. The other was the fact that all the action was over in the area he had transferred to. Of course, He didn't know what they'd have for insurance over here. The Oseans may not have paid their soldiers well, but the medical coverage was among the best in the world.

"Maybe she just prefers the company of women? It's not unheard of. Though it would be a shame. Anyways, I suppose we should get back to the barracks soon and get ready. I still have to unpack."

 

[RedMageNeko]

Uriem

When I spoke, it was my usual soft, dry tone. "What about civilian? Will we have to be worried about collatoral damage?" My F-117 was built primarily a bombing craft despite my modifications for use as a recon craft and as such risked serious damage to the surrounding area during an attack. I did my best to shy away from causing unnecessary casualties amongst the civilian population as I could. It was bad for business.

OOC: Sorry, but I'm not getting updates to show up as much as I'd like. I'll bookmark and check at least once a day.

 

[Katamari Roller]

"No, there are no civilian positions in the strike zone. Of course, you will have to watch out for friendly fire, but the idea is letting Brigand team get in close to bomb the hills, and the enemy emplaced there."

The major turns off the screen, and starts writing in a sheet of paper.

"If there are no more questions, I suggest you enjoy your free time until 11:00 tomorrow, when you will leave for the combat area. At ease."

The major and his assistant start picking up their things, and most of the mercenaries start leaving the briefing. Only Brigand team stays behind to talk among themselves in low, gruffly voices. Among the dragging of the chairs' legs as the men get up, Miranda moved to Vanya and Grimm, and stood beside them.

"So, guess we'll be bearing the same emblem, then...?" She just stood there, arms crossed under her chest, waiting to see what their thoughts were on this. Miranda knew not all men minded having a woman in their team, but some did, and she wondered if her new partners would pose a problem to her.

 

[dragonrazor]

"No, there are no civilian positions in the strike zone. Of course, you will have to watch out for friendly fire, but the idea is letting Brigand team get in close to bomb the hills, and the enemy emplaced there."

The major turns off the screen, and starts writing in a sheet of paper.

"If there are no more questions, I suggest you enjoy your free time until 11:00 tomorrow, when you will leave for the combat area. At ease."

The major and his assistant start picking up their things, and most of the mercenaries start leaving the briefing. Only Brigand team stays behind to talk among themselves in low, gruffly voices. Among the dragging of the chairs' legs as the men get up, Miranda moved to Vanya and Grimm, and stood beside them.

"So, guess we'll be bearing the same emblem, then...?" She just stood there, arms crossed under her chest, waiting to see what their thoughts were on this. Miranda knew not all men minded having a woman in their team, but some did, and she wondered if her new partners would pose a problem to her.

Jack smiled, looking slowly up from the floor, letting his eyes rise slowly over his new wingman, er, wingwoman's body. Once he was looking into her eyes, he smiled again, and shrugged. "I just hope you're as good a pilot as I'd assume you'd have to be to be our wing leader. And you won't have to worry about my keeping up with you. Rika's got a few surprises for you AND the Belkans. So...I guess I should ask your name and rank, since I didn't get it before."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

Vanya shrugged, he'd expected the token Ustiaan to get command in any case - the mercenary life soon taught one to avoid criticising a coworker until one had actually seen them in the air.

"Suits me just fine. Jack here says his Harrier is non-spec, so we can look forward to a supersonic cruising speed, at least."

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda nodded slowly at the two. Harriers were easy targets most of the time when the pilots decided to use the hover feature in the middle of combat. Now, if Jack could keep up with the rest, then he could equal both a combat aircraft and a gunship.

"Very well, then. I'm already looking forward to working with you two." Of course, that was just the kind of thing to say to kinda show she supported the commander's decision. Not that she had any specific reason to complain, of course, but Miranda didn't think she had a reason to be happy with this either. She extended her hand to them with the same conciliatory mindset.

"I really hope that emblem will look nice on our tailfins..."

 

[Steiner]

Vanya "Hydra" Kurtz

"Hey, at least we have a themed squadron! Jack here has a nippy little Harrier and we've got a pair of big old Eagles. That's gotta be a good omen, right?"

Vanya shook her hand, trying hard not to shake her arm off or squish her hand.

"I'll see you on the flight line, ma'am. Any thing you want us to show up early to discuss?"

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack nodded, turning his attention to studying the rest of the people still in the room. He was committing faces to memory, in case he had to look for anyone. The pilots were easy enough. They carried themselves with an air of authority, especially the mercs. The doctor, he decided, would stand out even from the height they'd be flying for the upcoming mission. The chief mechanic was likewise, considering the energetic way she moved. When Miranda extended her hand, he brought his eyes back to hers, and took it slowly. He shook with a firm grip, but his handshake was slow and deliberate. When he lowered his hand, he looked at his watch, and then smiled. "So, when's supper? I've not had anything to eat since the Nemesis."

 

[Katamari Roller]

"We should meet tomorrow from one hour, to half an hour before going out. Mainly to discuss formation and tactics, and to choose the right weaponry for the job. The rest I bet you will learn on the way. Navigation points, Belkan tactics and units, you know... the works."

Miranda noticed the way the two pilots shook her hand, and repressed a grin. There were a few reasons to grin, between them being gentlemen and her not quite being a lady (although she was conscious of her fragile outlook).

"Supper? Uhhmmm..." Miranda looked at her wrist-watch. "It's at six o'clock, Osean style. Ustians usually have breakfast, meal, and dinner every day, but the base commanders guessed it was better for the base to work with a more or less international schedule... so, yeah, in about an hour and a half."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Luisa reported her sector clear and announced her return to Valais. She'd just emptied three of her four 135mm rocket pods at an armored recon team probing the perimeter, softening them up for the grunts on the picket line.

She banked left, standing her Viggen on its wingtip, and gave the friendly ground forces a thumbs-up before leaving. I don't want to be out here with only a handful of rockets and the cannon, she thought.

Instead of straightening out, she continued to turn the plane over, practicing her barrel rolls. Two rolls to the left, then back again, before lighting her afterburner.

I probably shouldn't use the fuel like that, but I've been out here all day, Luisa thought as she noticed a heavily laden F-16, her replacement, detach from a tanker and head for the sector she'd just left.

Santa Vianna shifted in her seat, her butt feeling sore from being seated for so long. She spared a glance at the crushed, brown paper bag she had stuffed in the thigh pocket of her flight suit, opposite the transparent map pouch. She couldn't afford to eat much in the cockpit, the small, now-empty bag of chips about the only thing tiding her over for her patrol.

Luisa couldn't wait to land and get some real food in her stomach.

In moments, the familiar sight of Valais came into view. She waited a while longer in the holding pattern before she was cleared and brought her plane down, the thrust reverser allowing her greater control in the simple maneuver.

She taxied into her assigned hangar and powered down, going over the safety checks before raising the canopy. Luisa then finally allowed herself to relax, undoing the chin-strap of her helmet and slipping it off her head.

She shook her head, her mop of dark brown hair whipping back and forth as she waited for the ground crew to bring a ladder to the cockpit so she could disembark.

 

[Dynosius]

Mayana watched Miranda from her seat, still sitting on it with the doctor. She pursed her lips to the left, trying to suppress a grumble of hunger in her stomach. Mayana turned to the doctor.

"I don't think I introduced myself to you, or else I must've forgotten it. I'm Mayana, and you might be...?"

Mayana offered a gentle smile and her hand to the doctor.

 

[Steiner]

Vanya rubbed his lower back and pulled a face. "Well, I think I might be able to manage something by six - although I got filled fuller of holes than a Mig21 over the Roundtable this afternoon by the blonde doc over there."

The girl was keen, or at least professional enough to arrange the slightly earlier meeting. Vanya insisted on the latter and enjoyed the former in team mates.

"I also think I'm fairly familiar with Belkan tactics and capabilities." here he grinned "do we know which squadrons we're facing? Which teams? Any aces identified at this sector?"

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack just listened, smiling when he found out that the base was using Osean style scheduling for meals. That would make it easier to get by, he realized. He grinned at Vanya, and decided to tease him. "That's a shame. I didn't have to get a single shot. Mine were done before I left Osea." He stood up slowly, and then nodded. "So, ten AM? No problems. I should be able to get there easily. In the hangars, or somewhere else?"

 

[RedMageNeko]

As the briefing ended, I slipped out through the milling fighter pilots, reaching into the breast pocket of my flight suit for a cigarette. I knew these things would kill you, but so would a AMRAAM going up your thrust nozzle. Stepping out into the sun, I struck my favorite lighter, getting the tip glowing before I snapped it back shut, taking a long pull from it, exhaling the smoke out my nose as I looked around the air field. A felt a soft frown crossing my features at the Viggen sitting not far from me. I hadn't seen it coming in.

The Viggen had never been a craft I had particularly enjoyed. Easy to maintain, could land just about anywhere flat, and was competent enough, but was outclassed by most modern craft. Still, whoever had flown it must be pretty adept judging from the state it was kept in.

Taking one last smoke from the cigarette, I flicked it to the ground, snuffing it out with my boot as I walked towards the fighter. If they hadn't been at the briefing, they were probably a late arrival like me.

 

[Wyldfire]

Mayana watched Miranda from her seat, still sitting on it with the doctor. She pursed her lips to the left, trying to suppress a grumble of hunger in her stomach. Mayana turned to the doctor.

"I don't think I introduced myself to you, or else I must've forgotten it. I'm Mayana, and you might be...?"

Mayana offered a gentle smile and her hand to the doctor.

"I'm Kayla Martins, Mayana. The base's Doctor. It's a pleasure to meet the other half that keeps our pilots well and flying." Kayla said with a smile to the mechanic.

Kayla accepted the offered hand and gave Mayana a smile back.

"Looks like the briefings over. You better get to that dinner date of yours."

 

[Katamari Roller]

"I have no idea about enemy teams or aces in that zone. First time I will be fighting there. Perhaps they haven't told us because they're still busy trying to figure out that info."

Miranda turned to address Grimm. His name sounded Belkan, but he was Osean. Still, that could have meant she had two Belkans in her team, which didn't sit well with her. One Belkan was fine, coincidence, but two... anyway, he was Osean, so no problems in that regard.

"Yeah, the hangars right beside the staging area. I suggest you spend the rest of the afternoon exploring around, see what the base has to offer. It's not much, but at the very least we have a bar for the helplessly alcoholic or gambling, and a gym. If you have a bank account somewhere, there is a man at the bar with a laptop and Internet access. Business suit, so he will stand out like a B-52 in the air."

Miranda fished a cigarette ouf her breast pocket, and lit it. Second? Third? Fourth today? Whatever.

"I have business to attend to, myself, so get acquainted with the ground crews, have a look at the team rosters... and browse the equipment available. They sell some of everything here, radar, radio, spare parts... those last ones are better to buy in advance, in case a lot of people need those suddenly, which is what happens when a pitched battle happens. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Taking a drag, Miranda left them with a neutral, bored look as she moved to where Mayana and Kayla seemed to be talking. That was good. Or bad. It depended on how she managed to conduct herself tonight.

"Hey, Mayana, I'm off to change. See you at the mess hall, Ok? And see you in the office, doc."

Miranda tried to go for an equally friendly tone of voice with both women. Displeasing any of them was not a good idea, not in Valais, where discipline was not quite as highly valued as in a Belkan base. Now, Miranda just needed to relax a bit before dinner, and let it all go through smoothly of its own accord...

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack grinned at her description of the base. On an Osean base, gambling and drinking were strictly prohibited. In fact, even if you were caught off base doing either, you could be punished, depending on the mood of the people catching you. He saw the question in her eyes. "You're wondering about my last name, aren't you? My great greandparents were Belkan. Don't worry, I don't take offense. I get it all the time, with this war going on. It usually means I am by myself. I'm used to it. They call me Reaper for a reason. If I get to close to someone or something, it's as good as dead. Don't worry about the mission. I'll do my job, and I'll do what I can to keep my wing safe." He didn't hear a response as she walked away. He watched her walk up to the doctor and chief mechanic. That reminded him, he had wanted to talk to the woman about his plane. After Miranda had left, he stood up. He walked over to the two other women, and bowed his head slightly. "Doc. Miss Engineer. I wanted to talk to you about Rika...er, my bird." He smiled, and looked at his watch. "I understand if you have other things to do at the moment. I should probably get settled in myself. But I wanted to get it over with before I went airborne."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Presently, a ladder was attached to the side of Luisa's cockpit, and one of the aircraft technicians clambered up, handing over a clipboard with the usual assortment of papers related to maintenance.

She checked off the list by rote, then noted the number of rockets fired and that her cannon still had a full bay of rounds loaded up, signed off on it and handed the clipboard back.

With that formality done, Luisa unstrapped and followed the tech down the ladder, noting the lack of the intake cover on one side. Good thing I'd shut off the engine, she thought to herself.

As she began the walk to the mess hall, she unzipped the top quarter of her flightsuit, pulling on it to air herself out. Turning around, she noticed another pilot approaching her.

 

[RedMageNeko]

Looking over the craft, I felt a thin smile pull at my lips. "Nice craft. Paint job and emblem's a bit to flashy for my tastes, but she looks like she's seen quite a bit of combat."

Turning to look at the pilot, I froze half way. The pilot was a woman. I suppose that shouldn't be any real surprise to me, nor was I so chovinistic that I woudln't admit that many women were aces that outranked me, but she was younger then I expected to be flying an older model like this.

Taking a minute to recollect myself, I looked over the fighter once more. "...... So, looks like you rigged this thing for Air-to-Ground ops."