Tantagel AFB
Dragon Kingdom
July 9 2024
17:00 hours.
The squadrons had returned around 16:00, but the debriefing had been put on hold, except for Alvinar and Kitori whom had been requested by Omar for a rundown on what they saw with members of the Dragon Kingdom and Equestria intelligence agencies. They met back up with the others about 30 minutes later in the lounge.
"So they wanted to know what you two saw?" Sunset asked.
"Yeah. That was pretty much it," replied Alvinar.
"So what's your plans Kitori?" she asked.
"Well the group I was with is gone, so I guess I'll find another so I can take my revenge on the Knights," she replied. Sunset's response was predictable.
"If you want to hang with us, we're public enemy number one to them."
"Thank you. I'm at number 22 on the top mercenary pilot list so I'm no noob," she replied.
"I thought I heard that name."
Everyone turned to look, and Kitori's eyes got big.
"SAKI!" She ran over and hugged him.
"It's been a long time. I'm glad you survived that demonic attack," he said to her.
"I've got them to thank for that," she replied, motioning back to Wolfpack. Saki smiled. "I should have known."
"Guess you two know each other," commented Serana.
"Yes. She's my uncle's daughter," he replied. "Well it looks like you've already found a new group."
"At least long enough to get revenge," she replied.
"Remember Kit, don't let revenge be your only goal." Saki then went over to Fido. "Anyway I also have some business with you."
"M-Me?" the dog replied.
"Yes. You shot down the Red Knight from Glimmer's group right?"
"Yes I did."
"Well Equestria found his body while out investigating the base bombing. He wasn't whom he seemed."
"How?" Redwing asked.
"His current name was Ghost Cloud, but his real name was Black Diamond. One of the two deserters of my group that we have been pursuing all these years." The group was shocked.
"I remember that incident," commented Kitori.
"So what does it mean for me?" Fido asked.
"There was a bounty on his head so on behalf of the Saddle Arabia government.." Saki shook his paw "...and the 88's I want to congratulate you on killing him for us, and getting the bounty of 250 thousand bits."
"250 GRAND!?" him and a few other members of the group yelled. Fido's tail was close to breaking the sound barrier from wagging so fast.
"Damn you're rich now!" exclaimed Spot.
"How do I get it?" Fido asked.
"We'll direct deposit it in your bank account. We just need your account number," Saki replied, and the two went off to discuss it. The group then turned their attention back towards Sunset.
"So what's the status of your plane?" Serana asked.
"Like I figured the left engine is trashed. Got some holes to repair also," she replied.
"How long before it's fixed?" asked Nightglider.
"The replacements are on the way. Should be here tomorrow and installed the next day," she replied.
"So your out of commission until then?" a surprised Fido asked.
"I guess so. You'll do alright without me.
"That's a negative," replied Alvinar. "We all go as one. If you're grounded, we're grounded."
"You can be me or Rover's RIO and call the shots from there," replied Helia.
"I've got a better idea."
They turned and saw Ember and Omar standing there.
"We've got a couple of spare Falcons. I don't think anyone will mind you using one," Omar said.
"Except maybe Garble," cracked Ember.
"Oh OK. Thanks!" replied Sunset.
"We'll get one prepped and ready. Oh and the briefing will be at 18:00," he replied before leaving. Shortly afterwards Fido came back.
"All set?" Shadow asked.
"Yep. It'll be in my account tomorrow," he replied.
"So what's your plans for it?" asked Sunset.
"Well I'm going to get my plane and rover's to match Spot's, and then I'm going to get a second one."
"A merc with two planes? You don't see that often," commented Kitori.
"What do you have in mind?" Ember asked.
"The one I've always wanted. I do like air to ground combat a little more than dogfighting," he replied.
"Well it's almost briefing time so we better go," Redwing said. And they headed for the situation room.
--------------------------------
Situation room
Tantagel AFB
18:00 hours.
Omar began the combination debriefing and briefing before a very agitated crowd of pilots. Especially the dragons.
"Well let's get the elephant in the room out of the way first. As you know the airbase at Gas Town has been completely destroyed, and so far the only survivor is the mercenary right there," pointing to Kitori. NBC specialists from Equestria have confirmed the use of a chemical weapon in this attack. Unfortunately the chemical didn't stay at the base. We have received reports of several deaths and numerous sick in Gas Town itself. Because of this the city has been evacuated."
"THOSE RAT BASTARDS!" screamed Garble, and the dragons began raging about it.
"Well that's it. Chemical weapons use on civilians means the Centaur capitol is going to become a smoldering crater," Zap said, getting some approval from the dragons.
"OK everyone settle down," Omar said. It took a minute for everyone to calm down. He then continued.
"After this became known to us and the public Centaur activity has slowed way down, and there are no longer forces heading for Gas Town. We have reason to believe they may have in fact dun' goofed and had a chemical bomb mixed in with regular ones, or a rouge commander snuck it in."
"So it was air dropped?" Ember asked.
"Yes. The bomb fragments have been found. Two squadrons took part in the raid. A squadron of Centaur Frogfoots, and the mercenary group The Knights."
Needless to say that was the wrong thing to have said in front of Garble and his group.
"Are you shitting me!? All of you sacks of shit GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" he screamed at the mercenaries.
"Oh so the actions of one group mean we're all accountable for it? Fuck off shit for brains!" snapped Wildfire. Soon both sides were standing up and ready to fight.
"ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!" screamed Ember, which silenced the dragons.
"Damn she's got a set of pipes for being that small," Shadow said to Nightglider quietly.
"We don't even know who dropped them so don't jump to conclusions," she said.
"Thank you Ember," Omar said. "Garble one more outburst like that from you and you're going to the brig. Understood?"
"Yes sir," he replied weakly.
"I'll add The Knights didn't do much in the way of bombing. They were mostly loaded for air to air," Kitori said. Omar then got the briefing back on track.
"Formal inquiries have been sent to the centaurs by us and every other country involved in this war, so we will wait and see what Tirek has to say. If he doesn't respond, then an appropriate response strike will be conducted. Even if he does respond there will be repercussions for them. Whatever the case this incident has damaged their cause greatly."
"So what's the current plan?" Ember asked.
"We will continue our normal missions. If the Centaurs ask for a cease fire, the Dragonlord said he won't accept it, but would use it to advance our troops further, and launch a huge offensive," he replied.
"Backstabbing. I like it," commented Shadow.
"That's it for now. We'll let you know what their response was and any missions for tomorrow." And the meeting broke.
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Bruma AFB
Centaria
19:09 hours.
The Knights were watching coverage of the base bombing on TV in the pilot's lounge along with some Centaur pilots.
"Shit I hope it wasn't one of us who were carrying the bomb," Blue Knight said.
"I know. I may be ruthless, especially with revenge, but that is the last thing I want hanging over our heads," replied Starlight. "Did they find Ghost?"
"Yep. Dead," replied gold Knight. "And apparently the Dragons took the body on behalf of Saddle Arabia because they found out who he really was."
"Well it was his fault for making that stupid move. I guess we have an opening now," replied Glimmer.
The Centaur base commander came in.
"Well all of you are off the hook. It was in fact a rouge commander that loaded the chemical weapons on one of you. And it wasn't you Knights," he said.
"Well that's good to hear," the pink unicorn replied.
"So what's going to happen to him?" a Centaur pilot asked.
"Tirek requested to see him personally, soooo it's safe to say it won't be pretty," he replied.
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Tantagel AFB
July 10 2024
08:00 hours.
Everyone had already been up for two hours, and there was still no word on when the day's briefing would be, so Wolfpack was chilling in the lounge with the Razgriz while waiting.
"So have your new engines arrived yet?" Zap asked Blaze.
"Yep. They're on the way. I even got a trade in for the remaining good engine," she replied.
"So why two?" Serana asked.
"Just one of these wouldn't work with the other." This got everyone curious.
"Why?" asked Spot. Sunset smiled.
"You can't have one regular and one thrust vectoring after all," she replied. That got some oohs from the groups.
"AL-37FU's? Damn you're pretty much going to have a carrier ready Terminator!" commented Kitori.
"As far as I know there's maybe a half dozen merc's with thrust vectoring equipped planes, including the Great One," commented Redskies.
"Who's the Great One?" Spot asked. And everyone looked at him.
"What? I'm serious."
"The Great One. AKA the solo merc with the only Raptor in mercenary hooves," replied Sunset.
"Ooooh the Ribbon one. Now I feel stupid," replied Spot, which got a few laughs.
"I heard he's working for the Dragons," added Redwing.
"I heard that too. You'd never know though. He puts that stealth to good use. You don't know he's there until you get a lock warning," Shadow said.
"So what about your new plane Fido? Sunset asked.
"I called McCoy an hour ago. It'll be here tomorrow all painted up," he replied.
"I'll get mine repainted as soon as I get a chance," added Rover.
Finally an announcement came over the speakers.
"All pilots: Assemble in the situation room by 09:00 for the briefing."
"It's almost that time so let's go," Helia said. And the two groups got up and headed for it.
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Situation room
Tantagel AFB
09:00 hours.
Omar walked up to the podium and began the briefing.
"First off the new developments in the chemical attack. The Centaurs sent us and our allies this video early this morning. If you have weak stomachs look away right now." And he started it. The video started with Tirek himself talking about the attack, and how it had in fact been a rouge commander. After he finished they watched him behead the commander with a huge axe, leaving some mouths open in the crowd. He then talked about the cease fire deal, which involved withdrawing all troops provided the disputed area was turned over to them, which needless to say nobody in the room accepted.
"So there's the standings on that subject." Omar said. "The EIA has confirmed it was legitimate, which has somewhat satisfied all of the parties, except us. Our allies don't like the deal either so there's little chance of it happening. The Dragonlord is waiting for the formal papers to arrive from Centaria, which he will promptly send back." Omar then went into the day's mission.
"Now for the day's mission. Our troops have reached Agrahbar and are ready to head south. Not a single Centaur was left alive so we're sure our cover hasn't been blown yet. We will continue to support those troops while bombing theirs. Screamers, Wolfpack: head over to Agrabah and provide close air support and air defense. The rest of you will head south and continue to decimate their forces."
Omar shut off the projector.
"That is all. Good luck pilots, and try to bring our Falcon back in one piece Blaze," he cracked, making her blush a bit and getting a few giggles out of the others.
20 minutes later they went out to the flight line. Instead of her Flanker, a block 60 F-16 in a two tone dark grayish blue camo sat in Sunset's spot. It had markings for the Screamers.
"One of us! One of us!" cracked Ember as her squadron headed to their planes. Sunset laughed.
"I guess so," she replied.
"I wanted to keep my Falcon in their camo when I got it, but figured I'd better change it up a bit," Shadow said.
-----------------------
Just south of Agrabah
13:52 hours.
The squadrons had reached the city, and were orbiting around it awaiting an order. There was less of a Centaur presence than expected, so the ground troops were already heading for Zarah and ultimately Tafuji for the cutoff.
"How's the Falcon handling?" Redwing asked Sunset.
"It's pretty good. I just have to remember I can't pull some of the same moves I can in my Flanker," she replied. "And of course if this engine quits I'm dead," she cracked.
"What's your history with single engine planes?" Kitori asked.
"Not much. Just the Fishbed for a brief time in the LoD. Otherwise it's just been the Flanker and the Fulcrum," she replied.
"I don't think there's a single mercenary that hasn't flown the 21 at some point," added Rover.
"Sentinel One to all planes: 15 bandits coming from the west. 71 miles at angels 12. Keep them from spotting the ground troops."
"Roger we're gone," replied Ember.
"On the way," replied Sunset.
The group got within firing range about 20 miles from the LoD border.
"Light em' up!" announced Ember, and her squadron fired some AMRAAMs, sending them scrambling to throw them off. Five failed though and went down. Then Wolfpack fired some medium range missiles from another direction, taking out four more, and the Centaurs found themselves surrounded.
"Floggers. Big deal," Alvinar said.
"Hey now," replied Fido.
The remaining MiG's stood little chance, and were quickly brought down by Sunset, Spot, Redwing, Kitori, Ember, and Screamer Four.
"Piece of cake," Kitori said.
"I think they're starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel with their planes," commented Nightglider.
"Well they've lost what, 400 planes so far?" Shadow asked.
"Yep. 407 is the number I heard," replied Ember.
"Sentinel One to all planes: Scope is clear for now. Continue patrolling."
The two squadrons continued to do this for about 40 minutes, then Sentinel came back on.
"Sentinel One to all planes: Switch to secure."
Everyone switched to the highly encrypted radio frequency used for important messages.
"What is it Sentinel?" Ember asked.
"Wolfpack: We need you to head to a spot north of Zarah for an escort mission."
"What type of escort?" Sunset asked.
"This came from the EIA. They didn't say but I'm sure they'll contact you when you get there," he replied.
"Roger we're on the way," she replied. "Hold the fort down for us Screamers."
"Not a problem," replied Ember. And Wolfpack turned South at full afterburner. It didn't take long and soon they had a contact.
"Bogey on radar 34 miles to the east," Sunset announced. It quickly turned blue.
"IFF indicates it's a Equestria Navy chopper," Helia said.
Then an unexpected voice came over the radio.
"Blaze this is Harpy do you copy?" Everyone was surprised.
"Yes. What's going on?" replied Sunset.
"That chopper is going to an abandoned airstrip about ten miles inside Centaria to pick up one of our agents. We are certain the enemy has gotten a whiff of them so they need some cover. If needed feel free to enter Centaria airspace as all radars are down in that area," Harpy said.
"Roger, we're almost there," she replied.
They didn't get a chance though.
"Black Box this is Dragonfly we've encountered an enemy patrol and.... SHOULDER FIRED SHOULDER FIRED LOOK OUT!"
The radio went dead and they could see an explosion in the distance.
"Harpy! Did you..."
"Yes get to them!" The group flew towards the patrol and the burning helicopter.
"Waste them!" yelled Sunset. Alvinar and Rover rolled in on them and dropped their Mk. 82's, destroying the patrol.
"Alvinar can you check on the chopper?" Sunset asked.
"Yes let me turn around," he replied. He made a 180 and did a slow pass by the burning wreckage.
"No survivors. It's wasted."
"Now what Harpy?" Sunset asked.
"I don't know. Stand by."
"Harpy how big is that airstrip?" Helia asked.
It's an abandoned airbase. Why?"
"Cover me I'm going in," replied Helia.
"you're gonna' land and pick them up? What if the runway isn't safe?" Serana asked.
"I'll risk it. Give them the heads up Harpy," she replied.
"Roger I'll tell him."
"Stay low just in case there's radar," Sunset announced. And they turned west into the Centaur airspace. It only took a few minutes to reach it.
"There it is. The runway looks good, but now we're going to have to unmask," Blaze said. And everyone but Alvinar and Helia pulled up to to start circling the base.
As they passed over the airbase Alvinar slowed into a hover and looked around. He saw a lone Centaur standing at the end of the runway.
"Cobra to Harpy there's a single centaur down there, is that him?"
"Yes that's him," she replied.
"Roger. Get down there Blossom. I'll keep watch," he said.
"OK here I go," replied Helia.
"Shit here comes some bandits! Eight of them 45 miles out at angels four," exclaimed Nightglider.
"Roger, let's get em'," replied Sunset, and they headed for the intercept.
"Time to become a SAM site again," Alvinar said as he jinked behind a hangar.
At the same time Helia was on her final approach. The runway was rough, but she made it and quickly taxied to the other end, then stopped and opened her canopy.
"Are you going to be able to fit in here?" she asked the agent.
"Oh I might not. Hold on, he said." Helia was shocked to see the agent turn into a Changeling.
"Oh. Yeah that's better. Get in!" she said. And the Changeling flew up and sat in the RIO seat.
"Who want's the first kiss of death?" Kitori said as she fired a sidewinder, striking one of the bandits. And the fight was on.
"SU-35's. Damn," announced Sunset as she got behind one for a gun kill. The super Flankers were proving to be a match for the dog's three planes. The others guarded their tails as they tried to get a lock. Finally they each got one, though Fido almost got shot down in the process by one. Sunset got him with a sidewinder. The last two tried to run, but they made the mistake of flying over the airbase, and Alvinar got both with sidewinders.
"I'm up," Helia announced.
"OK let's get out of here," replied Sunset. And the pack formed up and headed back into the Dragon Kingdom.
"Harpy to Blossom do you have him?"
"Yep he's right here," she replied.
"Excellent! We'll meet you at Tantagel. Harpy out."
"Thanks for saving me. Sad to hear the chopper crew didn't make it," the changeling said.
"No problem uh.... what's your name?" Helia said.
"I can't say, but you can call me ' T '," he replied.
"After the Changeling war I'm surprised there's any of you left in the Equestria government," Sunset said.
"Well I was a spy for them, but I was the first to get caught. I was facing moon banishment, so I defected and became a double agent, exposing all of the other spies that were in both the Equestria and Griffon governments. Now me and one other work for the EIA."
"Bet Chrissy loves you now," cracked Sunset.
"Yeah. They have a kill order out for me," he replied.
"Welcome to the club," Sunset said.
"I know. Oh and the spy that ratted out your operation during the Changeling war was one of the ten in Equestria that got sent to either Tartarus or the moon," he replied.
"Twelve spies? Talk about an infestation. No offense," Helia said.
"None taken," replied T. And they continued on to Tantagel.
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Centaria palace
17:45 hours.
Tirek's aid gave him the usual update on the war.
"How's it looking?" he asked.
"Their attacks have slowed, but it appears all this time they've had forces advancing across the northern part, and have retaken Agrabah," he replied.
"What was the thing that happened west of Zarah?"
"We're not sure, but we did lose a squadron there to a mercenary group, and they were inside our country at the old Chorrol air base. We found the wreckage of the chopper the patrol shot down before they were destroyed. It was an Equestrian Navy chopper, and there were three bodies.Plus it appears one of those mercenary planes landed, then took off at the base, so they may have been picking up a spy or something."
"Hmmmmm. That is interesting," Tirek said as he scratched his chin. "If you find out anything else let me know. Oh and have we heard from the Dragonlod yet on our peace deal?"
"Not yet. We're expecting it tomorrow."
"Very well, you're dismissed." And his aid left.
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Tantagel AFB
18:30 hours.
Shortly after they got back, Harpy and Candymare met up with the group and the changeling.
"Here's your spy," Sunset said to them.
"Awesome job you guys. The intel he gathered is going to make a significant impact on this war," Harpy replied.
"And I guess it's top secret?" cracked Redwing.
"Not for long. In fact you'll find out tomorrow," replied Candymare.
"Sounds good. Glad we were able to help you out again," Sunset said.
"Catch you later!," replied Harpy.