The very quick lesson on how the plane's radar systems worked helped slightly, in that Twilight wasn't completely clueless anymore. Sunset had told her little more than the basics, which amounted to viewing different colored triangles on the radar, and occasionally viewing the on-board cameras on the other aircraft, with a smaller view of the radar in the corner.
She was reassured that, unless something went horribly wrong, Twilight wouldn't even have to speak to anyone over the radio, though she was able to if the need presented itself, thanks to the headset she was wearing now. They could also tap into some enemy communications, though it was also likely the same could be done to them.
The pilot, meanwhile, had pretty much sealed himself off in the cockpit, so Twilight could only really hear him over the radio, now.
<<AWACS here. Callsign SkyEye. Do you read?>>
A chorus of affirmatives rang out from the rest of the deployed pilots. Twilight couldn't help but change to Dash's plane's camera, hoping to keep her out of trouble.
Meanwhile, SkyEye continued.
<<All units, remember your callsigns, we'll refer to you by those names at all times. You are now under my command.>>
On the radar screen, Twilight noticed a group of new triangles entering the radar range, these colored red.
<<Six bombers on vector 360 confirmed. Continue north to intercept. Today's my birthday! A victory sure would be nice.>>
As Twilight watched, the fighters started to break formation slightly as they approached the targets. Shortly after, a chorus of radio messages rang out.
<<Rapier 6, engaging!>>
<<Omega 11, engaging.>>
<<Storm 1, engaging!>>
Once more, SkyEye spoke.
<<Mobius 1, engage.>>
As the friendly fighters got in range of the enemy bombers, the enemy escort craft also broke off, and a set of missiles flying from both sides marked the beginning of the battle.
<<Don't underestimate them.>>
As Twilight watched, one of the planes made a beeline for one of the bombers, flying almost straight at it. Once it was in range, it fired a pair of missiles, which impacted the front of the bomber, making it explode into flames.
<<A bomber's been hit!>>
<<There's our welcoming party!>>
That same plane continued down the line, firing missiles at the bombers, while Dash engaged the escort fighters, along with the others.
<<Storm 1, fox two!>>
<<Gray 2's been hit! Hurry! Eject!>>
Another bomber was knocked out of the air.
<<Mobius 1 shot down a Bear!>>
<<This is Gray 1! Dammit, we still have a payload to deliver.>>
<<Strange seeing enemy fighters out this far.>>
<<Can't lose him!>>
Suddenly, as Twilight was watching, an enemy fighter managed to get behind Dash.
Thankfully, she wasn't the only one to notice. <<Storm 1, bandit on your tail!>>
<<Not for long!>>
<<Heads up, enemy radar spike.>>
As she spoke, a pair of missiles snaked out from the enemy plane, heading right for Dash.
<<Fox two.>>
In a feat of flying that Twilight was not expecting, Dash managed to expertly weave around the missiles, before turning to face her pursuer head on. She returned fire with her own missiles, which impacted explosively.
<<Bandit down!>>
<<Mobius 1, missile, missile!>>
Twilight switched to the plane in question just in time to see it expertly dodge a pair of missiles, while firing its own at yet another bomber. A few bullets ricocheted off of the wings, but the pilot didn't seem to notice or care.
<<Two targets remaining.>>
<<Mayday, mayday, this is Gray 3. We're hit, can't maintain altitude. Eject! Eject!>>
<<Don't be predictable in heading or altitude when they close in.>>
After flying by the downed bomber, the plane known as Mobius diverted slightly to target the fighter that was tailing him, easily sending a pair of missiles into its back.
<<Mobius 1, fox two.>>
<<Mayday, mayday, mayday! This is Red 9! I have no control! Ejecting!>>
<<Five miles out from first target. Line up. Open bomb bay doors.>>
Acting quickly, the rest of the friendly planes continued to tie up the escort fighters, while Dash and Mobius both started flying towards the last bomber. Once in range, they both fired missiles at the target, which took out the bomber's wings and engines, sending it on a sickening plummet to the ground.
<<Good job, Mobius 1!>>
As the escort fighters were mopped up by the rest of the squadron, Twilight let out a small sigh of relief.
She then started hyperventilating slightly. Those people who were just shot down... They likely had lives and worries of their own, and she had just witnessed them get shot down, because they happened to be on the other side of this war.
Just when she felt like she was about to panic, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Sunset giving her a sympathetic gaze.
"Don't worry," she said simply, bringing Twilight into a small hug. "It's ugly business, but it has to be done."
<<SkyEye, this is Allenfort. Got visual on the downed bombers. Whose kill was that? Make sure to thank them.>>
<<That's a round up! Let's go on home!>>
As the planes shifted their course to head back to base, Twilight and Sunset returned to their positions, just as the planes returned to formation. Not a single allied aircraft had been shot down, though in the chaos of the brief battle, she overheard a few reporting taking damage.
<<Hey, Mobius 1, nice flying out there. I'm pretty sure you're an ace now. Not bad for a rookie!>>
Silence was Dash's only answer as they all flew back to base.
Twilight couldn't help but notice that, throughout the whole battle, Mobius hadn't said a word; SkyEye had essentially spoken for them whenever he needed to.
She'd be sure to ask about that once they were back at base.
<<What's wrong, Storm 1, jealous that someone stole your spotlight?>>
<<Like you're one to talk, Halo 9. At least you made it off the runway this time!>>
A small bout of laughing came through over the radio, and Twilight couldn't help but join in.
Even if she was still appalled by this war business, it almost felt like they were all just one big family of sorts, and were simultaneously watching out for each other while also giving each other grief.
Still, this was just the first step of this war. There was far more to come, later.
Twilight could only hope that she'd keep her friends safe that whole time.