//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Taking the Reins // Story: Ace Combat - Battle for Equestria // by Lonewolf78 //------------------------------// Whitemare AFB 14 September 2017 19:00 hours "Oh, why didn't you say F-15S then? Glory asked Maverick. "Slip of the tongue". "I was gonna say try a cobra in a plain F-15 and you're a black spot on the ground". The group was winding down after the mission when Tex came in. "Ok guys. Looks like we're going bombing tomorrow". "Sweet". Ice said. "Any idea what it is?" "Moonstone didn't say other than it'a an LoD target and it'll be a joint attack with the navy, so i'm pretty sure it will be at sea". "Swabbies eh?" Angel said. "We'll probably have to bail them out of something". "Hey now my brother is in the Navy" Maverick replied. "Oh really? Which ship? A patrol boat?" Angel said trying to get a rise out of him. "The Sea Demon. He's a Lightning pilot". "Angel paused for a second. "Hmmm. Ok I've got nothing". "Woah, you stumped Angel. You're moving up kid!" Dahlia cracked. "Nice dude", Ice replied. "Did he have to flee Gracemareia too?" "No he left before discord took over thankfully". Sunfire yawned. "We'll I'm hitting the hay. See you in the morning". "Sounds good" Whiteblaze replied. ________________ Whitemare AFB 15 September 2017 09:30 hours. Lunar squadron had assembled in the briefing room to hear Tex describe the day's mission. "Ok pilots here's the mission. The LoD has a volcanic island 62 miles Southeast of Manehattan that is used as a radar base. The Solar Empire has tried to destroy it a couple of times, but it has a strong air defense system protecting it that can even shoot down cruise missiles, and as fast as a radar is destroyed it's replaced because they have several assembled replacements and heavy lift choppers at the control center, which is located in the crater of this dormant volcano" Tex pointed to the location on the map. "It's because of the location of the control center that it's hard to destroy as you have to approach from a high angle, which leaves you wide open for the defenses". "So what makes them think we can do it?" Glory asked. "I guess they think you're the best for the job" he replied. "Our Navy assistance will be in the form of three jammer Hornets. They will try and open up a hole in the defenses for you to go through while they keep them busy. You ponies will have to fly under 100 feet the whole distance to beat the radar. Once you're over the island you'll pull up, fly over the crater, drop your JDAM bombs on the control center, then get out of there". "How about fighters?" Whiteblaze asked. "There's none in the area, but as soon as stuff starts blowing up you can bet there will be in short order". "Sweet", Ice said rubbing his hooves together. "Does this mean we have to protect the Navy planes too?" Angel asked. "Probably. They have air to air missiles also so they can take care of themselves, but it wouldn't hurt." Whiteblaze spoke up. "Sounds like a plan. Let's get to it." __________________ Volcanic island Southeast of Manehattan, Solar Empire Equestria 11:55 hours. The squadron was 40 miles from the island when they were joined by the Navy jammer planes and Sentry 2. "Sentry 2 to all planes. Drop below 100 feet to beat the radar". "Are you going to join us?" Angel asked. "Sorry i've gotta stay up here and out of the range of their radar, where it's nice and safe. "Chicken shit." Carrot Top responded with a chicken imitation. Whiteblaze intervened. "Come on you guys let's get down there", and the planes dived down, the Navy planes flying ahead to do their part. Flying at 20 feet above the water was starting to make Dahlia nervous. "How long before we can get up higher Blaze?" "25 more miles", he replied. "Lovely. We're... YIKES! I almost hit a Marlin that jumped out of the water just now!" "Mmmm sushi" Sunfire replied. "Could've been worse. Like a whale" Maverick cracked. A short time later the Navy planes called in. "Dorado 1 to Sentry 2 we're beginning our attack". "Roger Dorado 1". Soon the island was in sight, and small smoke plumes could be seen. Then they heard a frantic radio call. "Dorado 3 is down! Get a rescue bird out!" "Oh crap". Maverick said. Whiteblaze got on the radio. "Dorado 1 is our path clear?" "Yes. You're good to go. 3 got hit by a SAM on the other side of the crater so watch out". "Roger Dorado 1. OK everypony follow me." Just as the squadron got over the island they pulled up and prepared to pass over the crater. The radar picked them up, but it was too late. "Alarm the enemy snuck under our radar! Guys get out!" And Griffins began fleeing the building. All of the planes entered the dive. "Bombs away!" Whiteblaze yelled, and everypony dropped their bombs, destroying all of the targets in the crater. As they pulled out of the dive they split up and dropped flares and chaff, completely throwing off the SAM's. "YEAAAH!" Sunfire yelled. "I hope we don't restart the volcano with that bombing", Angel cracked. "Lunar 1 to Sentry 2 targets destroyed". "Roger Lunar 1. You've got company now. 5 bandits from the North". "Roger. Let's get em' guys!" And the squadron formed up again and headed North. The LoD squadron commander got on his radio. "Draco 1 to all planes. Engage the fighters, then run down the other 2 that are egressing". Soon the missiles were flying, and Whiteblaze identified the planes. "J-10's. The LoD's Typhoons." "Hey we're moving up in life" Maverick replied. The dogfight began. Maverick drew first blood, getting a gun kill. Blaze was next, shooting one off of Sunfire's tail. "Yikes! Didn't see him back there". "That's what wingmen are for", he replied. Then Angel got one with a heat seeker, and Maverick got on the tail of the squadron commander. Draco 1 tried doing the air brake move, but he caught on to it. "Oh no you don't", Maverick said as he did the same move. "Damn, this pony is good", Draco 1 said. After 8 more minutes of twisting and turning he made a mistake, and Maverick was there to get him with a gun kill. "Confirmed kill on the squadron leader Lunar 9!" Whiteblaze said over the radio. The final plane tried to run, but Glory caught up to him and fired off a heat seeker. "This is Sentry 2. All bandits shot down. Mission complete. Return to base." "Nice job guys. Especially you Maverick", Whiteblaze told everypony. "Thanks," he replied. "Yeah but that should've been me and Ice's kills", Dahlia whined. "You snooze you lose!" Angel cracked. Then as the planes were taking formation over the island, a shoulder fired SAM shot out from the jungle towards Glory. "Lunar 2 missile evade!" "AAAH!" She banked hard and hit the flare button, but none popped out. "I'm out of flares!" "Hang on!" Whiteblaze dived and crossed between Glory and the missile. It was now tracking him. He tried to deploy flares but it was too late. The missile clipped his left engine. "I'm hit. I'm not gonna' make it back". "Eject Blaze!" Sunfire yelled. "Roger Lunar 1. The rescue chopper is on it's way for the Navy pilot. It'll pick you up too", replied Carrot Top. Glory was upset. "It's my fault. I should have..." "No it isn't Glory", he replied. "Maverick, watch over them until I get back." "Me?" he replied. "Shouldn't it be one of the others?" "Ice replied. Yeah Blaze. What gives?" "I've only seen you fly twice so far, and i'm already impressed. I think you have what is needed to keep the team together. Trust me guys. He'll do a fine job". The radio was silent for a second. "Roger Blaze", Glory replied" Now get out." "I'll catch you later!" Whiteblaze then ejected from the aircraft, which flew on another half mile before crashing. "I want to stay until the chopper get's here" Glory said. "We can't. We're almost bingo fuel, and the Navy tankers can't refuel us" Ice replied. "Don't worry Glory he'll be fine", Maverick said in a calm voice. "Roger, Lunar 1". And the planes returned home.