//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Liberation // Story: Ace Combat: The Changeling War // by Lonewolf78 //------------------------------// Oured AFB May 25, 2023 08:00 hours. It was time for the briefing of the mission everyone had been waiting for. "This is it folks," Slugger said. "The ground forces have Gracemareia surrounded on all three sides. There is no where for the Changelings to run. Garuda: Your mission will be provide air superiority along with the Night Rider and Redler squadrons, plus the NLR Firebird Squadron. Diamondback: You will provide ground support along with Tornado, Raven, Hurricane, and Lightning squadrons. At the same time the rest of our air force will attack whatever pockets of troops remain between Cantlin and the border. It's time to reclaim our homeland and end this war once and for all." "I've been waiting for this day for so long," Nightshade said. "We all have," replied Heart Throb. "It's happening in two hours, so get ready," Slugger said. -------------------------- Outskirts of Gracemareia 09:23 hours. Moondancer and Chrissy had made their way to the northern side of the city last night, and were forced to find a place a mile from the gate to spend the night. They sat there wondering what to do. There was no way in without being stopped. Suddenly they heard something coming up the road. "Quick hide!" Moondancer said, and they hid behind a bush. The noise transformed into a tank, with a pony crew. "W-What?" Moondancer said. Suddenly the tank turned right towards them and they had to come out from behind. "Got a couple of mares," the commander said to the driver, and the tank stopped by them. "What are you two doing out here?" the commander asked. "We're trying to get into Gracemareia," replied Chrissy. "Well stick with us for a bit because that's where we're going," he replied. "What? You mean..." Moondancer said. "That's right. We've got the place surrounded and we're taking it back today. You don't have a radio?" the gunner asked. Moondancer's face lit up. "Our radio was my car one, which we had to abandon," replied Chrissy. "Well hang with us, we know a secret way into the city, and once the shit starts flying we're going in," replied the commander. So they jumped on the tank, and they headed into the woods. ------------------------- North of Gracemareia 12:23 hours. All of the planes had assembled in the airspace near Manechester, and were ready for the attack. "Garuda One to Sky Eye: Are the ground units ready?" "Yes, they're waiting for you to start the party," Sky Eye replied. "Roger. We're ready here," Maverick replied. "Very well. All planes, we're going to take back Gracemareia!" There was cheering on the radio as the planes split and went into the attack. Diamondback went first, taking out anything emitting a radar signal. It didn't take long to blind the Changelings, and force them to aim their AA manually. Almost instantly there was a call. "Sky Eye to all planes: 40 bandits from the East at angels eight!" "Roger. Let's get em'!" Maverick said. And the air defense squadrons headed off. The other squadrons began picking off ground targets and the remaining defenses, which was hard as some had been placed on top of buildings. Careful use of Mavericks and other guided weapons ensured as little collateral damage as possible. Any ground forces outside of the city got hit with clusters and guided bombs. Tornado One reported in. "Tornado One to Sky Eye: The ground units are clear to come in. Air cover be advised the only planes at the Gracemareia base are damaged ones." "Roger Tornado One," Maverick replied. "What do you think it means Maverick? Isn't that Druid squadron based there now?" Heart Throb asked. "They may have went out on patrol. We'll find out when we reach that group," he replied. "Speaking of which: Lock em' up and fire!" The Redlers opened up with their Phoenixes, followed by AMRAAMs from the others, resulting in 17 kills. Unfortunately one Redler got hit in the exchange. "Redler Seven is down!" Yelled Redler One. "Dammit. Take them out," replied Maverick. And the battle was on. It was a mix of SU and MiG-35's, and J-10's. Maverick drew first blood by sliding in behind a MiG and taking it out with a sidewinder. "Suck on this a one tiiiiime..." Surprise yelled as she fired one and brought down a Dragon. "Yikes!" Kiwi was so focused on the MiG in front of her she didn't notice the Flanker come behind her until it started firing it's cannon. She banked hard to the right and after leveling out pulled a cobra, making him overshoot. A radar guided sealed his fate. Far below the air battle, the ground one had started. Tanks and armor escorted by attack choppers were streaming up the three roads towards the city, taking out anything that fired at them. "OK there it is," Mosley said. Pointing to a boarded up tunnel shrouded by bushes. "What is it?" Moondancer asked. Gracemareia has an old network of escape and access tunnels in case of a battle or if the princess needed to escape," replied Mosley. "This is the main one. It'll take us into the heart of Gracemareia. There are several access points to above ground that for the most part can only be opened from the inside." "Wow. And hear I thought I knew everything about the city," she replied. "OK you two stand back," the commander said to them. They got off and the tank backed up, and they turned the turret backwards. "Rrrrrrrramming speed Mr. Christian!" he said to the driver, who gunned it. The Abrams made quick work of the boards. They backed out, and spun the turret forward again. "Let's go ladies!" The two mares got back on the tank, and they headed in. Meanwhile the Changelings were down to 12 planes, and some tried to run for it. "Where do you think you're going?" Black Widow said as she ran one down and got a gun kill. Redler Four then got one, followed by Tornado, Firebird One, Night Rider Six, and Stormy. Back on the ground, the remaining Changeling forces were being decimated. IFV's had already arrived from the North and West, and started taking out bunkers and gun emplacements with their guns and TOW missiles. The tanks arrived a short time later and blew open the gates, and several holes in the wall, allowing the forces to pour into the city. "Ground command to Sky Eye; we're going in. Keep us covered!" "Roger. Give em' hell!" replied Ice Crystal. Nightshade shot down the last bandit, and suddenly everything was calm. "Garuda One to Sky Eye: Any contacts?" "Nope. Scope is clear," he replied. "Roger. Any squadron need to refuel?" Maverick asked. "Firebird One here. My squadron does." "This is Night Rider One. We're low, but not bingo yet." "Go ahead and refuel," he replied. And the two squadrons headed for the tankers. "So where's that Druid squadron?" Kiwi asked. "Maybe they chickened out and went back to their land," replied Tornado. "I doubt it. Keep on alert," Maverick said. Then ground command came on again. "Ground command to Sky Eye: we are inside Gracemareia. Still encountering resistance though," "It's almost over. I can go back home soon, Nightshade said. "Easy ponies. The battle isn't over until you're home," replied Maverick. Sure enough, about five minutes later Sky Eye came back on. "All planes" 11 bandits approaching from the West at angels 10." "Oops we jinxed it," Surprise said. "I bet it's them," Heart Throb said. "You know it," replied Nightshade. "Let's go!" replied Maverick, and they headed for them. Ahead the aircraft continued towards Garuda. "I don't believe it. They took it!" one Changeling yelled. Another looked down at a picture and said something to it. "Forgive me Chrissy. I failed to bring you happiness." "Pilots. I don't believe a single female Changeling on this planet would be able to resist us now," the flight leader said. "So what's the plan sir?" the other asked. Druid One to all planes: Change course to 180 and return to our kingdom. I'll handle Garuda." " Eight to one? Surely you can't be serious?" "I am serious Nertz. And don't call me Shirley. Your deaths will achieve nothing. You must live to ensure the future of our nation. Besides: Half of the female population is awaiting your return." "Wait you can't!" "I'm turning off comms. Break formation now!" All of the others turned back for home while Silver continued on. "What? All but one are turning back!" Tornado said. "Wait what? Any ideas Spade?" Nightshade said. "Hmmm. OK keep..." He was interrupted by a lock warning. Everyone else got one too. "EVADE!" yelled Maverick Everyone started evading as they saw a swarm of missiles headed for them. Unfortunately 2 members of Redler were hit. "Spade. That looked familiar," Nightshade said. "Was that..." "Yes it was. More tech they stole from Equestria.," he replied. "This is between me and you Garuda," Silver said over their radio. Maverick knew it would be risky to have more planes there. "All other planes fall back. Let's get him Garuda!" Maverick's fears were confirmed when they passed Silver. "Yep it's a Nosferatu. Dammit I'll personally rip that spy's spine out. And I'm not even from Equestria," exclaimed Nightshade. Maverick, Nightshade, and Tornado tried to get behind him, but he launched another salvo of missiles, and all of them had to evade. "All planes switch to Winchester backup," Maverick said. And everyone switched to the emergency radio frequency. "How many more shots does he have?" Heart Throb asked. "Sixteen shots of twelve," replied Maverick. "how do we get close to him when we have to constantly dodge missiles?" Kiwi asked. Maverick pondered it for a bit. "Nightshade, let's dance. The rest of you fall back." "Are you sure?" Tornado asked. "Yes. Two have a better chance than eight. Plus the missiles can't lock on if you're within a thousand feet of the plane," he replied. "Roger. Good luck you two," replied Tornado. And they peeled off and left, with another group of missiles behind them. After dodging those, Nightshade took off towards him while Maverick split off on a flanking maneuver. "HA! Cowards!" Silver said. He then saw Nightshade approaching from the left. "Far from it cockroach. I've got your number," she snapped. "Oh really? he said as he turned towards her and launched a full salvo. "Come on Nightshade. You've done this before," she thought to herself as she began to dodge the missiles the same way she did when Maverick shot them at her. "Impressive," Silver said. As he was about to lock on again he got a lock warning. "Nice try." He pulled a cobra and got behind Maverick. "Try hitting me without those missiles," Maverick said. "I will, after I use them up," he replied. He then launched a full salvo on Maverick. Meanwhile the rest of the Druids were still leaving the area, until one broke away and headed back towards the battle. "Nertz come back!" Druid Three yelled. "I've gotta' help him!" he replied. "Now where's the other one?" Silver said. "Behind you cocksucker," she replied as she got a lock and fired an AMRAAM. He easily dodged it, then did a loop and got behind her again. "How quaint," he said as he drew a bead on Nightshade. Then he got another lock warning. "Nice try Ace of Spades," he said as he fired another burst and got behind the plane. "I'm not Spade, I'm Thor." It was Tornado. "HUH?" Silver said. "I'm Spade," replied Maverick as he got behind him. Silver growled and got behind him again and launched a salvo on both of them. "This is Tempestra, disobeying orders," Black Widow said as she got on his six. "Where are they coming from?" he thought as he did another cobra and got behind her and Kiwi, who had snuck up behind also, and fired another round of missiles. "This is Ditz and I'm disobeying orders too!" He now had another tail. "Damn you little pesssssts!" he yelled as he pulled another evasive move and got behind her. He got a lock and fired, just as another plane came up behind Surprise. It was Nertz. He switched to his frequency to warn him. "Nertz get away from her!" he yelled. "I've got her sir!" he replied. "No I've launched some missiles at her already!" Nertz realized it. "AAAAAH!" he broke off, but some of the missiles locked onto him. He dodged a few, but two got him. "NERTZ!" "Sorry Silver," and the Flanker went down. Then Silver made a mistake: He let his emotions take over. "You bastards will pay for that!" he yelled as he fired a salvo at whoever was in front of him. He then dived on Surprise again to fire another batch at her. He got behind her, but the move put him right in front of Nightshade, who was coming to the aid of Surprise. "Smooth move Exlax," she said as she drew a bead and emptied her cannon towards him. It was too late for him to dodge, and his plane was crippled. "Now burn in hell!" she said as she launched her last two sidewinders. "I guess you ponies were the best," was his last words before the missiles hit and blew him apart. "Sky Eye to all planes: Scope is clear. Return to the mission," he said. "Guess we were a bad influence on the rest of you," Nightshade said. "Bad in a good way," replied Surprise. "Who do you think that was Spade?" Heart Throb asked. "Obviously their top pilot. The one who came charging in, I don't know," he replied. "An idiot is what he was," commented Black Widow. Then the ultimate message came from the ground. "Ground command to Garuda: You put on a hell of a show. All of the downed pilots have been rescued," "Great to hear," replied Maverick. "Oh and you and the other forces can stand down, because the remaining Changeling forces have surrendered, and Gracemareia is ours!" The radio became completely garbled by cheers. Planes everywhere were doing barrel rolls. "WOOOOOHOOOOO!" screamed Surprise as she pulled up into a loop. At Canterlot Castle the word came down. "EVERYPONY!" Twilight came charging into the castle's chambers where the princesses, Shining Armor, and other government ponies were. "They did it! They've taken back Gracemareia!" she yelled. She did a backflip followed by Luna doing one. Celestia showed calm enthusiasm, while Cadance and Armor embraced each other. "Get Vinyl in there immediately," Celestia said. "They've been waiting so consider it done," Twilight replied. Back over Gracemareia everypony was still celebrating. "So now what?" Stormy asked. "Return to base," replied Sky Eye. "Roger. We'll be back," replied Maverick. "I don't mean Oured, I mean Gracemareia. They've cleared the base." "What about our stuff back at Oured?" Kiwi asked. "Don't worry we'll get it for you," he replied. "Very well. Garuda Squadron prepare to land," Maverick said. As they flew over the base, they saw the tents of the POW camp that was set up there. They could see ground forces freeing ponies from the site, and sending them to the tarmac. "Many of them don't look like military ponies," Heart Throb said. "Many aren't. I saw a lot of civilians when I was there, replied Nightshade. The aircraft landed in pairs, and taxied up to their original spots on the tarmac, which wasn't far from where the freed ponies were. Diamondback squadron begin landing behind them as they shut down and got out of the planes in front of the crowd. After looking around, Maverick raised a hoof in the air, and the others followed suit, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. Underground the tank crew had dropped off Moondancer and Chrissy at an exit out of the tunnel, and received word of the surrender. "Hot damn!" the commander yelled. "We're here!" Mosley said. "Well the war's over, but let's get it anyway. Lock and load!" the commander replied as he ducked back into the tank. Meanwhile in the room where Kreiko was trapped, the foals were celebrating the victory too. "Ha ha you lost," an earth colt said to him. "It may be over, but we should be concerned with how we're going to get out of here," he thought to himself. His thoughts were interrupted by a rumbling noise that grew louder. "What's that?" a unicorn asked. Everyone looked around for the source, which seemed to be coming from behind the wall. Then there was a huge explosion in the other room. Dust and debris flew everywhere. "We're in!" Mosley said as the three got out and stepped inside. Dust filled the air, but they could see stuff glistening in the tank's lights and their flashlights. "Good job," the commander said. Then they heard something to their left. The sound of hooves. They turned and watched several foals come out from the dust cloud. "WHAT?" the commander said. "You saved us!" yelled Ember. Soon the rest appeared, and the ponies saw what was glistening. "Wait this isn't the vault," Mosley said. "Well I'll be. So this is where it and the other items ran off to," the commander said. Then Kreiko appeared in the entrance to the other room. "what's going on here?" the tank driver asked. Mosley pointed his rifle at him. "We got trapped in here with him," replied Ember. "Don't shoot him, he saved me!" replied the foal that almost got crushed. They looked at him and he just nodded. "Well it's over for your forces anyway. Might as well come with us," the commander replied. "Bring the heart foals!" And they all climbed onto the tank and made their way out. Mosley knew of another main entrance that would take them out into the city. "So it ends. We've failed," Kreiko thought to himself. ------------------ Above ground, Moondancer and Chrissy had come out of the tunnels, and started making their way towards the castle. All of the ponies they saw appeared to be happy, and were also heading for it. "I think it's over," Chrissy said. "Yes it is!" yelled a pegasus who heard her. They made it to the castle's courtyard, and were mingling when everyone heard a tank approaching. The tank was covered with foals, and it stopped in front of the castle. The commander spoke up. "Fellow crystal ponies. You have no doubt been wondering what happened to the crystal heart. Well it was underneath you the whole time thanks to these foals," and he held up a unicorn one, who was holding it with her magic. The ponies gasped. The commander put her down and they walked into the castle with it as the crowd drew in closer. She put it back in it's holder, and it started to spin and glow.. Suddenly ribbons of light shot from the tip of the castle and spread out, and the crowd cheered. The empire was back. The foals got down from the tank, and Moondancer's quest came to an end. "EMBER!" "MOMMY!" They ran up to each other and hugged. The crowd began cheering, then started to sing the Empire's national anthem. While the ponies celebrated, Kreiko had slipped away in pony form. Once he was in the clear he changed back. "The mandate in this bag was to be opened if we lost. It was signed off on by Sombra himself. I guess now is the time." He unlocked and opened up the case that was in the bag. Inside was a laptop. He fired it up and brought up the mandate. What he saw left his mouth hanging open. "That bastard."