//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Cut and Run // Story: Ace Combat: The Changeling War // by Lonewolf78 //------------------------------// Oured AFB Crystal Empire May 22 2023 08:30 hours. It was time for the day's mission. As usual Slugger walked in and started. "OK pilots, this is a big one. It's time to take Cantlin. Our ground forces have made it to the bottom of the pass, and are ready to proceed. Your job will be to pound the heck out of the Changeling forces around the City. The plan has been to 'cut it off and kill it'. If we can take Cantlin, the first half of that will be done. The Changeling forces in Gracemareia will have nowhere to run or get supplies. Ground attack will be handled by Diamondback, Tornado, Skylark, and Lightning squadrons. The Equestria Skylancer squadron will provide SEAD, and Garuda, Redler, and Equestria Emerald squadrons will provide air cover." "wow, for a change someone else get's SAMs shot at them," commented Diamondback One. "Hey SEAD builds character," replied Maverick. "So close. I'll be able to go home soon," Nightshade said. "That is all. Get up there and kick some ass." ----------------- Chrysalis's Palace 08:46 hours. "Why did we lose North Star pass? I thought you said they would take care of that squadron?" Chrysalis said to Sombra. "They had just arrived and were still getting settled in. Plus we didn't know they were coming," he replied. "So how can you tell when they will be at a battle?" she asked. "So far they have been at every major operation by the Empire. With the pass under their control we are sure they will be attacking Cantlin next, so this time we will be waiting." "What about your backup plan?" "It's almost ready. If they do attack Cantlin I'm going to go ahead and send the word out, along with sending Druid in. I'll keep you informed." And Sombra left. "He never did tell me what that plan is, which has me just a little bit worried," she thought. ---------------------- North Star Pass 13:04 hours. "Sky Eye to all planes..." "We know, begin operation" cracked Tornado. "Har har," replied Sky Eye. "air defense squadrons: we're already picking up 20 bandits over the city." "Roger. Let's get it on ponies! Skylancer clear the way," replied Maverick. "Roger Garuda," replied their flight lead. The blue camouflaged Hornets sped off with Garuda and the others right behind them. It didn't take long for them to find some SAMs and radars, and the anti radiation missiles started flying. At the same time Garuda and the others began engaging the bandits: J-15's and MiG-29M's. The Redlers opened up with their Phoenix missiles, bringing down five of them. "Damn leave some for us!" cracked Tornado. Soon it was a typical furball. Most of the Changeling pilots were obviously noobs, because several made mistakes that cost them. Nightshade rolled in behind a MiG and fired a radar guided. Instead of dropping chaff, the Changeling dropped flares, with a predictable outcome. "Seriously? Where were you when they were passing out brains?" she said. Maverick got the next one with a gun kill, followed by Redler One who got the MiG commander with a Sidewinder. Emerald Four and Kiwi had just taken out a couple of J-15's when Sky Eye came on. "Sky Eye to air cover: We've got five bandits heading towards our troops from the Northwest." "Roger. Emerald squadron take care of them," replied Maverick, And the former Solar Empire squadron peeled off and headed for them. The odds were still in the allies favor as Black Widow faced off with a J-15and took it out. Soon six more were downed by Garuda and Redler, including a double kill when Nightshade Picked off a MiG that was on Stormy's tail, then hit the brakes and got behind one that got on hers. "Smooth operator!" commented Redler One. "You better be referring to that one White Zombie song and not that crappy pop one," she replied, and Redler One laughed. The remaining three bandits tried to run, but the Redlers ran them down. While that was going on Emerald had engaged the other bandits: A flight of MiG-27H's. The ground attack aircraft stood little chance against the MiG-35's, and went down before even reaching the troops. "Garuda One to Sky Eye: All bandits down." "Emerald One to Sky Eye: Threat to troops neutralized." "Roger! "Skylancer what's your status?" "We've finished off most, but a few radars shut down before we could get a lock so we'll stay on station. Any aircraft coming in be on the alert." "Roger. All planes commence attack!" replied Sky Eye. Skylark went in first, dropping JDAMs on bunkers and any other hardened or large targets. A SAM site suddenly came online and started targeting the B-52's, but a Skylancer plane was waiting and quickly took it out. Tornado squadron again focused on armor and defenses, doing strafing runs and firing Mavericks. Lightning flew in low and used clusters on troops, and JP-233's on larger concentrations. Finally Diamondback dropped laser guideds on anything the others missed, and took out some choppers that snuck in under the radar. Things were looking up. "Man this is a blast!" Stormy said. "If we keep the pressure on they'll crack soon," added Heart Throb. Emerald had just returned from intercepting the MiG's when Sky Eye came on. "All planes: we've got 15 bandits approaching from the West. "Bring em'!" yelled Black Widow. A couple of minutes later Sky Eye made an announcement that shocked everypony. "Sky Eye to all planes: Terminate operation and return to base!" "what? Say again Ice," replied Maverick. "Return to base. The mission has been scrubbed." "Why?" "They didn't say, just return." "WHAT THE HELL! We've got them on the ropes!" yelled Nightshade. "15 bandits is nothing!" added Redler One. "It's a direct order from the higher in command. We have no choice." "Roger. This is Tornado squadron returning to base." The other squadrons announced it and turned for home also. Garuda brought up the rear. "This is BULLSHIT! We're close to ending this war! What idiot gave that order?" yelled Nightshade. "Calm down Venom, We'll figure it out when we get back," replied Maverick. Nightshade thought about it for a bit before making her next move. "Fuck this shit." She pulled up into a split S and headed for the approaching aircraft, which were almost over the battle area. "Venom what are you doing? Come back!" yelled Surprise. "Sky Eye to Garuda Seven, you are disobeying a direct order. Change course for Oured!" "Take your direct order and shove it, RIGHT UP YOUR ASS!" she replied. "She's dead. No one can take on 15 at once," Tornado said. "Maybe I was wrong about her. She still has a bit of disrespect left in her," added Heart Throb. "What do we do Maverick?" Surprise asked. "Return to base," he replied. Heart Throb sighed. "Ok." "You guys anyway." Maverick banked left and head after Nightshade. "MAVERICK!" "Maverick no!" yelled Sky Eye. "Druid Four to Druid One: Am I seeing things or do we have a single contact heading for us?" "No you're not Nertz. Consider it a bogey until..." They suddenly got lock warnings. "EVADE!" The planes split and dropped chaff, but for one it was too late. "Druid 11 is down!" "anyone have an ID on it?" Silver asked. "This is Druid six, it's an F-15S." Silver's mouth dropped. "did you see a cutie mark on it?" he asked. "Yes. It looked like a flower and moon," he replied. "All planes: It's Nightshade from Garuda! Watch for the rest of the squadron and take her out!" announced Silver. Just then she got behind Druid Six and got a gun kill on him. "Druid Six is down!" yelled Nertz. "This is Druid 12, me and Druid Two are on her." "Come and get me you fuckin' cockroaches!" She did her best to evade them, but two aces was too much for her, and soon they had tone. "Dammit." she said to herself. Suddenly Druid 12's plane was raked by cannon fire, blowing up right in front of Druid Two. "Huh?" Nightshade said as she looked back. "Let's make this a little fairer." "Spade!" "Silver there's a second one now. It has a spade on the side." He suddenly got a huge surge in adrenaline. "All planes: Take care of Nightshade. The Ace of Spades is mine!" "Druid Two is down!" yelled another pilot. "GRRRRRR." He turned and headed after them. Nightshade and Maverick took turns watching each others backs. One tried to pounce on her, and ran into his cannon fire. Another dropped in behind him, but he did a backflip and stuck to him like glue. A Sidewinder finished him off. "We've lost Druid 15 and Nine!" yelled Nertz. "I'm on him," replied Silver. Maverick then had two on his tail. Nightshade got behind them and hit one with her cannon, then quickly switched and fired a Sidewinder at the other, sending both of them down. "Druid Five and three are down!" Nertz dropped in behind her, forcing her to peel off of Maverick, and Silver got on his tail. "Let's see what you're made of," Silver said to himself. Maverick pulled a cobra and got behind him, but he caught on to it, and a short time later did a short roll and got behind him again. "This one's good," Maverick thought as he pulled another evasive maneuver. "You're good, but not good enough," Silver said as he fired his cannon. A couple of rounds hit Maverick's plane as he banked to avoid it. Meanwhile Nightshade had got behind Nertz and was dogging him, when Druid 13 got behind her. "Damn you little pests." She hit the brakes, and rotated down into a dive to get away, and she suddenly found herself diving on Maverick and Silver. She lined him up and fired her cannon. Several rounds hit Silver's plane and it started trailing smoke. "Dammit! How can that be?" he said. Maverick soon found Druid 13 and took him out, prompting Nertz to get on the radio. "Druid Four to lead we've lost another! What's your orders?" "Retreat," he replied. "Are you sure?" asked a surprised Nertz. "Yes. We need to regroup," he replied. "Roger!" They broke off and headed back for Gracemareia. "They're running!" Nightshade yelled. "Well imagine that, Let's get home," he replied. And they turned for Oured. "thanks for coming to help." "You know I couldn't leave a wingpony to die," he replied. "We're in trouble though right?" Maverick laughed a bit. "Yeah it's safe to say we are." "You've got that right," commented Sky Eye, who was listening. "You've made a major mistake. Nightshade I can understand, but you Maverick?" --------------------- Chrysalis's palace 16:23 hours. "What is it Sombra?" she said as he walked into her chambers. "My plan worked. The threat has forced them to stop," he replied. "I guess that's good, but I do NOT, support actually using it. That's a good way to get this kingdom leveled." "I would never go against your wishes," he replied before leaving. "Sure you wouldn't," she thought. --------------------- Oured AFB 15:10 hours. Maverick and Nightshade landed and taxied to their spots on the tarmac. The rest of the squadron was already back. No sooner than they got out of their planes and started walking, several MP's met them almost halfway. "Slugger and some others are waiting for you in the situation room," one said. "Gee I wonder what for?" replied Nightshade, and they were escorted into the headquarters. There was no sign of the others. When they got there, Slugger, and two members of the air force brass were waiting. "I'm sure you know why you are here, but for the record, it's because of violating a direct order to withdraw from the battle," Slugger said. "I can't believe you would do something like this, especially you Maverick. "I couldn't leave a member of my squadron to die, sir," he replied. One of the brass turned to Nightshade. "What about you? Why did you do this?" "We were winning, and just like that we're told to quit, after all of the progress we made," she replied. "So you think not getting told a reason is grounds for violating a direct order?" the other brass said. "Well... OK maybe I lost my cool, but put yourself in my shoes and what I've been through. You would've done it too." "So what was the reason?" Maverick asked. "During the mission, we received a threat from the Changelings. They threatened to unleash chemical weapons on Gracemareia if we continued to attack. We have confirmed they have the materials for this weapon," replied Slugger. The two of them were shocked. Rage began building in Maverick. "Well if that was the case... WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU TELL US THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Maverick's outburst and lunge made all three of them jump. "Are you serious? Holly shit you're idiots!" added Nightshade. "If you had said that in the first place I wouldn't have done that!" "Well ok in hindsight we should have done that, but at the time it was determined not to be in our best interests," replied the second brass pony. "Then that's your fault. What if everyone had disobeyed instead of just us?" replied Maverick. There was no response. "Whatever the case, you two are suspended from flying until further notice. In addition you will be restricted to the barracks and HQ," the other brass said. "Tornado will be the new commander until you return," added Slugger. And the two left the room. The rest of the squadron was waiting for them at the barracks. "So what's the verdict?" Tornado asked. "We're grounded and restricted to here until further notice," Maverick replied. "We should've went with you," Kiwi said. "No I'm glad you did. Especially now that we know why they did it. The last thing we need in this war is for an entire squadron to be grounded," he replied. "They wouldn't dare use chemical weapons," Black Widow said. "According to the Gryphus Convention, if they used them, the use of WMD's on them in retaliation would be allowed." "did they say when you'd be going up again?" Heart Throb asked. "Nope.It kind of worries me," he replied. "Come on Maverick they can't take you out. You got this air force back on track after the end of Discord. And look at all of the things you and Nightshade have accomplished in this squadron?" commented Surprise. "Well you know how brass are," replied Nightshade. "We'll just have to wait and see," Maverick said.