//------------------------------//
// The Guardian 
// Story: Ace Combat: The Conversion Bureau 
// by Eagle 
//------------------------------//


“The gate to the new world has been opened.”
-Anton “Dr.” Kupchenko




September 29th, 2010
Crescente Islands, Belka
18:00 Hours

The Crescente Islands lie just north of the Principality of Belka. Despite being annexed by Osea prior to 1995, they were eventually returned to Belkan hands; though these were the only lands returned. It was planned that, in case of war, the islands would serve as the first defense against Equestrian forces as they lay directly in the path they would have to take to invade Belka. 

Now that the war had begun, both sides were quick to see the strategic significance of the islands. Equestrian ground forces had already invaded the Anean and Usean Continents. They had also pushed into the northern parts of Osea, but the Osean forces had manage to contain them. Looking for a new route into the continent, they would choose Belka to invade. However, they would need to take the islands.

A squadron of ten Pegasi was sent in to gain air superiority for a bombing run later in the day. Most Pegasi squadron’s nicknames, save for the Wonderbolts, Shadowbolts, and a few others, came from the names of their Captains. The competition to gain the leadership position was fierce, and whoever ‘won’ was allowed to choose the nickname. It was an old tradition that the nicknames were the same as the names of their leaders.

This particular squadron, Storm Squadron, was led by Stormfeather, a level-headed, quick thinker. He was rather skilled and, though he had yet to actually face a jet or any other enemy in real combat, he was confident his squadron could deal with any that were there.

The weather here was less than satisfactory, with rain clouds covering the area. Moving closer to the islands, Stormfeather spotted a line of dots coming towards them. He knew exactly what they meant, ordering his team to break and shoot down the humans.


Gault 
Belkan Air Force
18th Air Division, 5th Tactical Fighter Squadron

“Gault One to all units, begin the operation. Let the victor, be justice.”

The formation of eight SU-47s broke, three going left, three going right, and the last two continuing ahead. Their leader, Anton Kupchenko, had been given the task of defending the islands.

“So this is our enemy? I do wish we could have met under different circumstances,” Anton told his enemy. “Perhaps we could have flown together.”

“Perhaps we still can,” Stormfeather replied, implying surrender.

“Unlikely. We will not allow you to steal the humanity of our people, even at the cost of our lives.”

“Why do you want to die for the survival a world that will kill itself off?”

“You think your world is better than ours and want us to turn over when you haven’t even seen the good of ours. How is this just?”

The two squadrons met each other in a dogfight, the fighters diving in and out of the clouds. A Pegasus dropped behind a berkut and shot it down with a missile before it fell victim to another SU-47. 

“One of our planes is down,” reported one of the pilots. “I’ll cover.”

“Your princess labels our world as a threat and you blindly follow along,” Anton accused Stormfeather.

“She has led us to an endless peace! She can do the same for you!” he replied.

“But at what cost?”

Stormfeather saw two more of his pegasi fall. He dropped behind one of the planes that was after another. He was able to shoot it down, but not before it killed his teammate. Another Pegasus fell behind an SU-47 and shot it’s wing off; causing it to spin into the ocean. Anton shot this one down in turn before looking down solemnly at the sinking plane.

“Gault two…carry on,” he said before hailing his opponent again. “You see us as evil without even setting foot within our country. You’re willing to abandon justice in the name of peace; we will not allow it. That’s why we’re fighting,” 

Anton and Stormfeather met each other. Stormfeather got behind the Berkut, but Anton did an Immelmann and disappeared into the clouds. Stormfeather followed, trying to find him in a dangerous game of hide and seek. He flew through the clouds, but it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Unfortunately for the stallion, the needle found him first; Anton snuck up and him and fired several bullets into his body, ending the duel.

Anton reformed the remaining planes. They had destroyed the enemy squadron, but there were only four members of his team left. At the cost of half the squadron, Gault had defended the Crescente Islands.