Music:
Music:
Chapter 5: Blinding Light
Captain Bartlett was the last one of the squadron to make it to the dining hall. He was still in a daydream trance by the time he made it to the group, thinking about the old days of the war and Mobius 1. He slowly sat down at the edge of the table with the other four members: Blaze, Nagase, Davenport “Chopper”, and Grimm.
Nagase was the first to speak to Bartlett: “Captain Bartlett, that was some pretty skillful flying up there today! Wouldn't you agree?” she said cautiously, not knowing what was bothering him in his mind.
Bartlett looked up from his plate: “Yes, it sure was, mostly by the four of you. To be quite honest, you were the most skillful pilot out there Nagase. If you keep flying like that, you are going to set some records.”
Nagase smiled, “Well, thank you…”
Bartlett interrupted: “But, there is also a good chance that if you keep flying like that, you are going to get yourself killed. I’m talking to you as well Blaze” Bartlett said, now glaring over at Blaze, “You both approached each other way too fast on that flyby. When we fly to the ISAF base tonight, I’m going to have to explain to the engineer, who helped to build this place, why some of the hanger glass is broken.”
Chopper joined the conversation: “Captain, sir! They didn't mean to do approach the sound barrier. I mean, that trick is already hard enough to do, seeing as how fast they are already flying.”
Hans Grimm attempted to jump in, “Well, the way I see it, what’s done is done. Otherwise, it was a pretty awesome show today. The crowd loved it. I think.”
Bartlett rejoined the conversation: “Look. Nagase, Blaze…it’s not your fault” Bartlett began to say as he was rubbing his forehead, “Team, I apologize. I’ve been stressed out lately, and although I don’t like to admit it, I am sorry for my accusations. You are right. It was an accident”.
As the dinner conversation continued, the team exchanged dialogue about some of their past experiences of the war. The nations over Osea were at peace once again, and it seemed like the kind of peace that would last a long time. Unfortunately, the team felt as though society never knew who they really were, or what kind of heroes they deserved to be. But, they were all OK with the fact that most people would never know. Their families came from all different types of backgrounds, and their hopes for military retirement were in the near future because their contract for a demonstration flight team ran out in just a couple more years. They could only see their families a few times out of the year…even their families didn't know what roll they played in the war, as they were sworn into secrecy for fear of retaliation by the former enemy.
As everyone finished their plates, the team got up from their table in the dining hall, just as a voice came over the loud speaker: “Team Razgriz, please report to the hanger and suit up for the 3 hour flight to ISAF. Your planes are now ready.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Some time passed, and then the hanger door began to open, revealing the sun set which brightly lit up the horizon. The entire team: Captain Jack Bartlett, Kei Nagase, Blaze Smith, Alvin “Chopper” Davenport, and Hans Grimm suited up in their G-suits for the short journey.
“Alright team”, Captain Bartlett yelled just before climbing onto his jet, “Listen up. This journey to ISAF would normally take seven to eight hours. We are going to do it in three. As part of our extensive training, we will be making the entire journey traveling faster than the speed of sound in our F-18 fighter jets.”
The F-18 fighter jets they were using for this journey were different than the F-18 stunt planes. The stunt planes had a smooth and slippery feel to them when flying, and were only equipped with a smoke machine. The F-18 fighter jets they were using for the journey were more for military use: a fully automatic on-board machine gun with close to 1500 shells, 3 long distance high capacity fuel tanks attached to both wings and the underbelly, and 8 high intensity missiles per craft: 6 air to air and 2 air to ground per jet. These jets were also equipped with a specialized weapon that was classified as Top Secret: a laser pulse canon that was powered by the electricity generated by the jet engines. The pulse canon only did slightly more damage than the machine gun, but its ammo was unlimited as long as it didn't overheat and the jet engines were still functioning.
“Razgriz, canopies down, and let’s move out in formation.” Bartlett ordered.
One by one, the armed F-18 jet aircraft started up the twin jet engines and slowly moved out into the open air from the hanger. They lined up single file as they made their way to the main runway on Sand Island air force base. The main runway was now lit up with red and green lights as the light being emitted from the setting sun faded away.
Captain Bartlett, the plane leading the group, made a turn onto the runway. Bartlett slowly brought the jet to a standstill and activated the brakes. Nagase then pulled up beside him on his right, followed by Blaze on his left. In the back of the group, Chopper pulled to the back right and Grimm on the back left.
The team was now communicating through the aircraft’s radio transmitter, and Captain Bartlett was the first to speak through it:
“Alright team: Razgriz, lock and load. During our flight, remember, we are using your call signs and not your real names.” Bartlett demanded.
One by one, the Razgriz squadron sounded off:
“Kei Nagase now Edge, engines charging, brakes locked.”
“Alvin Davenport now Chopper here, engines charging, brakes locked.”
“Hans Grimm now Archer here, engines charging, brakes locked”.
By this time, all five of the F-18 jets were screaming at maximum takeoff engine thrust.
“Blaze here, engines charging, brakes locked.”
“Captain Jack Bartlett now Heartbreak One here, engines charging, brakes locked. Make sure your flaps are set to 40 percent”.
The control tower then came over the intercom as soon as the team completed their final checks: “Razgriz, the air is now clear. You are go for launch and maximum takeoff.”
Heartbreak One then sounded: “Alright team, the fat lady has song, flaps down! Maximum engine thrust achieved. Release your air and wheel brakes on my mark: 3...2…1…MARK!”
All five of the pilots released the brakes in unison, sending the F-18 jets screaming down the runway leaving nothing but a trail of smoke and a smell of un-burnt fuel from the afterburners. Everyone in the control tower, as well as the personnel on the ground quickly stopped what they were doing, and stood at attention as the jets were screaming down the runway. One of the captains of the base called for a unison salute. The world may never have known what great heroes the Razgriz squadron truly was, but for those that fought alongside them, they felt as though Razgriz demanded as much hidden respect as possible. The base personnel watched at attention as the jets took to the air just seconds after screaming down the runway. Only a few seconds more had passed before the 5 fighter jets retracted their landing gear and climbed into the night sky. It was truly a site to see.
Soon, the sounds of the roaring jet engines faded into silence, and the bright take-off lights from the Razgriz squadron disappeared into the night.
__________________________________________________________________________
1 Hour into the Flight:
“Keep in formation Razgriz”, Heartbreak One said over the intercom.
Razgriz was now an hour into the flight, traveling just over the speed of sound (approximately 800 miles per hour). Razgriz had to cover a distance of over 2,000 miles in three hours. With the speed of sound being about one mile every five seconds, they were covering ground very quickly. The modified F-18’s were built to handle these intense speeds, despite the long distance and heavy fuel and weapons payload.
“Razgriz, give me a status check on your aircraft.” Captain Bartlett said calmly over the radio.
“Edge here, all systems good.”
“Chopper here, all systems good.”
“Archer here, all systems are good.”
“Blaze here, all systems good.”
*static* “Umm, Captain, Archer here. Eighty-six that last call. I seem to be having an issue with my altimeter and…whoa, what the…my compass and computer is starting to go out of whack.”
“Heartbreak One here: Archer, run a diagnostics test. That seems unusual for a plane that sophisticated.”
“The diagnostics are coming back normal Captain. Autopilot is functioning just fine. My compass is still going whacko. What’s your altimeter say?”
“I’m reading 32,000 feet” Captain Bartlett stated.
“Ha ha, well according to my altimeter, we are going from 10,000 feet to 30,000 feet up and down every few seconds! It’s funny, it didn't start happening till you called for a systems check. This is very strange.”
“Heartbreak One here: Team, I want everyone to switch from Autopilot to semi-auto. Slowly reduce your speed from 695 knots to 435 knots in unison. We will then descend to 15,000 feet. The high altitude and high speed could be affecting Archer’s computer system. Follow my lead.”
The 5 pilots slowly reduced their aircraft speed from 695 knots to 435 knots. They were now well below the speed of sound. The team slowly made their decent, and to help keep them from picking up any more speed while descending, they used the air flaps and air brakes to keep a steady speed.
About 10 minutes had passed before they safely and slowly reached 15,000 feet.
Nagase then spoke over the radio: “Edge here, Captain: My plane now has the same issues. My altimeter is going crazy, but the computer still seems to be registering OK. What are we flying over?”
Grimm then spoke: “Archer here: We are nowhere near the poles, so electromagnetic field interference shouldn't be possible…should it?”
“Blaze here: Not unless there was a solar storm that we didn't know about.”
“Chopper here: My aircraft is beginning to do the same thing. Man, this is really weird guys. Me, Edge, and Archer are having issues. Heartbreak One, and Blaze, are your planes OK?”
“Heartbreak One here: Well, I was about to speak too soon, I am also having problems…”
The captain was interrupted by Nagase. Nagase’s computer began to flash a mild warning light with a low tone beep: “Guys! Edge here: My computer system is giving me a class 3 warning. High intensity electromagnetic field disturbance.”
“Heartbreak One here, I’m radioing in to ISAF”
Captain Bartlett began to try and contact the ISAF base (their destination). He dialed in the correct coordinates and came over the radio. The system also had a courtesy copy so the rest of the team could listen to the conversation: that is, if they heard anything…
“ISAF, this is Heartbreak One with Razgriz, do you copy, over?”
*Static*…………………………………………….
“ISAF, this is Heartbreak One with Razgriz, requesting a mild Mayday, over?”
*Static*…………………………………………….
The Captain then switched coordinates to the Sand Island radio tower:
“Sand Island, this is Heartbreak One with Razgriz, do you copy, over?”
*Static*…………………………………………….
“SAND ISLAND, this is Heartbreak One with Razgriz, Mayday, Mayday, do you copy, over?”
*Static*…………………………………………….
“Damn!” Bartlett switched again, now to a completely open channel: “ISAF or other affiliated tower, this is Heartbreak One with Razgriz. Do you copy? Requesting a mild Mayday. Mayday, Mayday, over?”
*Static*……………………………………………..
“Razgriz…Heartbreak One here. Communications are down. And it also looks like our Navigation way-point is completely off course.”
As soon as Captain Bartlett mentioned they were way off course, from 15,000 feet in the sky, the lower clouds began to clear away. What should have been land by now was nothing but open water, with the moon reflecting off the surface into the night.
“You mean we’re flying blind here?” Chopper said stressfully, “What about satellite hookup? Even a homing beacon…anything?”
“…This is your Captain, team Razgriz. I know this is a potentially dangerous situation. But we have been in worse before. I can’t tell you why we are way off course. I can’t tell you why the instruments are malfunctioning. I can’t tell you why I cannot make contact with a single soul on this planet, except for the four of you. What I CAN tell you is I am going to do everything in my power to get us out of this mess.”
The aircraft remained on semi-autopilot at 15,000 feet. Each plane was having malfunctions in the navigation system, the altimeter, and even the basic compasses began to spin out of control. But up until this point, this was the least of their worries.
“ MISSILE SYSTEMS ARMED” Nagase’s computer responded.
“Nagase!” Bartlett yelled into the radio, “De-arm your systems at once! You are not authorized to…”
“CAPTAIN!” Nagase interrupted, breaking Bartlett’s transmission, “I’m completely locked out! It’s not me, the system armed itself!”
Seconds later, everything corrected itself.
All five of the planes began to receive correct readings on their instruments. The navigation system for each plane slowly began to come back online. If this remained constant, Bartlett could radio-in for help in just a few minutes.
“Chopper here: Well, that was interesting! You know, I am not even going to ask. Let’s just get back on course and radio for help as soon as we can.”
“Blaze here and I agree. Captain, what are your orders?”
The group was still in a V-shape formation. Captain Bartlett lead the pack of steel birds; but Bartlett didn't hear Blaze’s last transmission.
“Captain?” Blaze asked.
Bartlett stared into the black night, because right in front of him, a blue flickering light (which looked a lot like a star on the low horizon) caught his attention. Shortly after, all 5 members of the squadron began to stare at the same blue star. The blue light slowly increased in intensity and size.
“Captain…” Nagase asked nervously, “We should radio for help, yes? We are going to run out of fuel soon.”
“Heartbreak…One here”, the Captain broke concentration from the strange blue light miles ahead of them. “Radioing for help now, lets change course first team. I am not quite sure what that thing is up ahead of us. Nothing is showing up on radar either….”
*WARNING*…Suddenly, all systems on-board the Razgriz planes began to severally malfunction, and every warning system on-board the computers went critical. At the same time, the blue light that the team thought was miles ahead of them, exploded into a massive wave of blue electric energy just about a mile in front of them.
“CAPTAIN!” Grimm yelled, “ALL SYSTEMS CRITICAL! I CAN’T MAINTAIN MY POSITION!”
All five of the aircraft began to shake violently, and it was some of the worst turbulence the team had ever experienced as fighter pilots.
“HEARBREAK ONE HERE! TEAM, REMEMBER YOU’RE TRAINING! EVASIVE MAUNEVERS NOW!”
“BLAZE HERE, THE STICK IS NOT RESPONDING!”
“NEGATIVE, CONTROLS NOT RESPONDING FOR ME EITHER!” Chopper yelled.
“NON RESPONSIVE CAPTAIN!” Nagase yelled.
“OK TEAM, WE MAY LOSE RADIO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, DO NOT EJECT! I REPEAT, DO NOT EJECT! OUR SURVIVAL RATE WILL ALMOST BE ZERO IF WE DO!” Bartlett yelled.
“CAPTAIN! WHATEVER HAPPENS, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW…” Nagase was suddenly cut off.
All close range radio contact had failed.
The blinding blue light illuminated the cockpits of the aircraft with a great intensity. No matter how hard they tried, the team could not get the aircraft controls to respond. The blue energy beam kept pulling the aircraft closer and closer to the center concentration of the light. The aircraft remained unresponsive, and the team remained helpless and vulnerable. All 5 of the aircraft began to be pulled into the electric light illuminating the night sky at 15,000 feet. Nagase slowly opened her eyes and stared into the light. In front of her, she could see a faint image of a city of ruins, with some sort of glow surrounding a section of it. As suddenly as it began, the blue energy began to collapse onto itself, taking the entire Razgriz team with it.