//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Birds of Steel // Story: When Three Worlds Collide // by steelmatt6 //------------------------------// Music: Chapter 1 -BIRDS OF STEEL- 2012AD (Same time as 2064AD on Earth) Location: Osean Federation: Sand Island Air Force Base Character Profiles Reference Kei Nagase pulled back on the stick, and climbed at maximum speed 1,000 feet every 3 seconds. The F-18 Superhornet began to lose momentum, and she adjusted the rudder left while deploying flaps at 20 percent. The F-18 began to fall back down to Earth, when she suddenly increased engine power to 80 percent, and pulled back on the stick once more, setting the flaps back down to 0. A successful upside down 360 degree turn; the computer kept track of her score in the simulator, and so far, she was top of the leader board against the other four members of Razgriz. Now it was time for the classic fly-by. Blaze took the lead to the south of the runway air strip, 5000 feet above the ground. Blaze and Nagase lined up for the flyby, barreling toward each other just under the speed of sound. “Blaze, here we go. On my mark...Reeeeady-HIT IT” Nagase shouted, and her and Blaze turned their aircraft sideways, passing each other just feet apart. Another successful fly-by. The rest of the team, began to power down their aircraft in the simulation, and lined up in formation. All five members of the Razgriz demonstration team landed in unison, all in flock formation. -SIMULULATION COMPLETE- The scrolled text said on the screen. –Most Points: Captain Kei Nagase- The team began to shut down the simulators, and crawled out of the individual simulation jets one-by-one. Alvin Davenport (AKA Chopper) was the first to approach Nagase. He extended his hand to Nagase for a friendly hand-shake: “I hate to admit it Nagase, you were a brave and skilled pilot during the war five years ago, but you kick some serious butt in demonstration!” Nagase returned the handshake with a slight grin. “That’s funny coming from someone who knows how to come back from the dead” she winked. Captain Jack Bartlett also came over to Nagase “Well, I must say to you Nagase…to all of you. It was an honor serving with you in the war 5 years ago. And I am thankful to have the honor extended, by leading the best flight demonstration team that Osea has ever seen. Nagase, you keep flying like that, and you’ll be promoted to the flight hall of fame one of these days. You’ve learned a lot kid. You all have! Let’s go do this thing for real.” On that note, the hanger doors began to open, slowly revealing the bright rays of the afternoon sun over Sand Island air force base. The team, already suited up in their G-suits, each took their polished grey helmets, and stood at the entrance line to the hanger. The practice demonstration was about to begin. Blaze “Blaze” Smith, Kei “Edge” Nagase, Alvin “Chopper” Davenport, Hans “Archer” Grimm, and Captain Jack “Heartbreak One” Bartlett began their solutes as they approached the modified FA-18 Superhornet aircraft; Blaze in the number 5, Archer number 4, Nagase number 3, Chopper number 2, and Heartbreak One, number 1. Today was the first semi-public reveal of the finest demonstration team in the land, meant to be a symbol of peace and wonder. It also gave the pilots something to look forward to, and an opportunity to shine in the light once more, but thankfully, not because of a war. The pilots families and friends, as well as President Vincent Harling were at the demonstration that day. The demonstration team still called themselves Razgriz, representing the demons of the North Sea. Everyone recalls the legend. And the narrator or the demonstration show had the privilege of introducing Razgriz with the classic legend, a legend that felt so real five years ago, and restored a hope that was once lost in a land of discord. The announcer began: “When history witnesses a great change Razgriz reveals itself, first as a dark demon. As a demon, it uses it power to rain death upon the land, and then it dies. However after a period of slumber Razgriz returns Its raven wings ablaze in majestic light. Amidst the eternal waves of time [-At this point, the Osean Anthem began to play over the loud speakers across the base, and Razgriz began firing up the jet engines, and closing their cockpit canopys in unison”] “Out of the abyss peer the eyes of a demon Behold! the Razgriz, its wings of black sheath The demon soars through the dark skies Fear and Death trail its shadow beneath Until Men united wield a hallowed sabre” -The music bean to get more intense, along with the narrators enthusiastic tone of voice- “In Final Reckoning, the beast is slain As the demon sleeps, man turns on man. Its own blood, and madness soon cover the earth. From the depths of despair awaken the Razgriz. The Demon of the world of Fairytales The Demon from the North Sea” -Razgriz then set the engines to maximum power, and began to shoot down the runway in unison, in a triangle pattern via maximum take off- “Behold once more, RAZGRIZ! The United Osean Federation’s premier demonstration flight team, and wartime heroooooooes!” The medium size crowd at Sand Island base, along with President Vincent Harling began to clap and cheer. Seconds after, a popular song came over the intercom, setting the mood for the beginning of the show: Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone”. The five aircraft kept their formation, reaching 500 feet, then 1000 feet, turned around heading back over the base. Heartbreak One came over the intercom “Alright kids, here we go! Demonstration starts now. White smoke, on my mark. 3-2-Reeeady HIT IT!” In unison, Razgriz activated their smoke machines, and began their intense aerial stunts. The first 5 minutes of the show insisted of a bird formation, called the “Birds of Steel”, and then each of them broke off to perform individual stunts and tricks. “Archer, engaging!” Hans Grimm (Archer) began his rookie routine, but it was still intense. Archer performed multiple flips, maximum take off climbs, and stall outs. The rest of the team had some spotlight moves, and soon all started to head to the center point of the runway, 1000 feet in the air. Each jet passed each other in a collapsing, then expanding circle pattern, while activating the smoke. This created an impressive star pattern in the sky. The team then regained formation near the end of the show, except for Blaze and “Edge” Nagase. It was time for the signature flyby. “Alright Blaze, it’s just how we practiced in the flight simulator. We can do this!” “Right!” Blaze responded. “I’m North, 180 degrees, heading your way in 5 seconds at maximum speed.” “Turning and lining up for position now.” Nagase responded. This was it. The signature trick; traveling insanely fast only to react at the last minute, passing each other on opposite ends only feet apart. Blaze and Nagase got closer, now only 5 seconds until reaction time. Nagase began the final countdown and call orders “Puuulll, Steeeeeaaaady, annnnd, SMOKE ON, REEEEEADY, HIT IT!!” Both aircraft suddenly turned on their sides, creating immense G-forces, and a sound like no other. They had unintentially reached the speed of sound; Nonetheless, a perfect flyby. The audience on the ground was in complete amazement and began to cheer wildly, only to be met by an unwelcoming sonic boom, taking out some glass near the hanger. Chopper came on the radio “Wooooooooo-hooooooo, now that’s a flyby!” “Alright team, line up, we’re going in” Captain Jack Bartlett commanded. 1,2,3,4,5: the Razgriz Hornets lined up one by one from behind, and extended their gear simultaneously. Seconds later, the team touched back down on runway, and came to a unison halt. The announcer began wrapping up the narration of the show: A successful first time flight demonstration….minus the sonic boom. ______________________________________________________________________________ In perfect unison, Razgriz shut down the jet engines, opened the canopies to the jets, and climbed out. The impressive maintenance team assisted them in every miniscule and precise detail of the final solute. Razgriz then stood side by side, saluting the Osean flag. “Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, let’s hear it ONE more time for the Razgriz Demonstration team!” the announcer shouted. The crowd once again cheered and shouted. Some of the kids still covered their ears, thinking another sonic boom was going to hit, because to them, it was triggered when the audience cheered. But everyone enjoyed the show. Captain Jack Bartlett then dismissed the team: “Razgriz, atten-hut. Solute. At ease” After the formal calls were made, he turned around and informally congratulated the team for a successful flight. The team shook hands with each other, and began to break off to visit their family and friends that came to see them. After a few minutes passed, President Vincent Harling approached Captain Jack Bartlett as he was inspecting his plane. “Captain Bartlett, it’s an honor to see you here today!” Bartlett immediately met eye contact with the president, who was dressed casually in khaki shorts and a golf tee. “Mr. President, the honor is all mine!” The two men exchanged grins and met with a firm handshake. “Please Captain Bartlett, today, call me Vincent. What you all did up there was most impressive, and I think it’s going to be a wonderful symbol of hope, patriotism, peace, and excitement for generations to come.” “I couldn’t agree more Mr. Preside, um, Vincent. It’s an honor in itself to take something originally designed to defend and to destroy, and turn it into something patriotic and expressive. At first, we weren’t too sure of the idea…I myself feared being reduced to a stunt performer. But I see it’s much more than that now.” “Indeed it is Captain Bartlett. So I hear you and your team won’t be getting much rest! You are flying out this evening to the main ISAF command base, correct?” “Yes sir,” Captain Bartlett responded, “Duty calls. We’re taking the show planes to ISAF command to set up another practice show eventually, but for now, we were requested to take fully loaded war ready Superhornets to ISAF, for a routine training mission. We may be a demonstration team, but our first duty is to the Osean Air Force.” “Right you are Captain. I couldn’t persuade you to retire and rest if I tried. Although, I still would suggest it” President Harling winked, “but thank you, you and your amazing team, for everything you have done. If there is anything you need, you let me know!” “I will be sure to do that sir” Captain Bartlett smiled. The secret service motioned President Harling that it was time to leave, so Bartlett and Harling said their good-byes and departed ways for the time being. Archer was shaking hands and catching up with old friends. Blaze was talking to his family, and Chopper was surrounded by kids wanting autographs: “Alright! Who’s next, who’s next!?” Nagase made her way through the small crowd to Captain Bartlett, who was still at his plane. “Hey! I um, saw you speaking with President Harling. I’m glad you guys had a chance to talk for a bit. Isn’t your family here though? Any friends? You haven’t left your plane since we landed…” “My family and friends are right here Nagase. You four are my family and friends. But don’t tell Chopper I said that. I still need to maintain a hierarchy of proper authority here!” Nagase’s smile began to fade, “So your family couldn’t make it? Um, (Nagase could tell Bartlett’s expression began to fade) never mind, it’s none of my business.” “That’s alright Nagase. I know you mean well. Listen, about thirty more minutes here, k? Then we will need to wrap it up, get some dinner, and head out for the 3 hour flight to ISAF. Let the other three know, we need to leave 9pm sharp.” “Sounds like a plan Bartlett” Nagase responded. Captain Bartlett’s expression still had not changed. “No, that’s an order.” ______________________________________________________________________________ As nightfall approached, the maintenance team assessed the minor damage to some of the hanger glass. Luckily, the main wave of the sonic boom had not made much damage. Blaze and Nagase knew a briefing would come up about it, and most likely, they would be held fully accountable for the damages. However, nothing happened…no one really mentioned anything about it. There were even rumors around the base that they wanted to incorporate the sonic boom into the routine, only next time, at a much higher altitude. 6 O’clock at night rolled around fairly quickly, and the team had enough time to say their good byes to their families and friends.  The base slowly became less populated, as boat escorts took the visitors back to the mainland. The team had a chance to take a shower, catch up on their journals, and chill out for awhile. Hans Grimm (Archer) was at the flight simulator, trying to perfect his signature moves, and hopefully get a score relatively close to Nagase’s. Overall, the base was rather quiet. The only person not occupied with a de-stressing task was Captain Bartlett. He hadn’t left his plane all day. The team had pulled all the demonstration Hornets into the hanger. But, Captain Bartlett was with them the entire time, still wearing his G-suit. He sat down next to the plane, closed his eyes, and started flashing back to the time of the war. The flashbacks were out of sequence: first he was visioning himself behind enemy lines, then bailing out of his plane, then hearing the news that Chopper had fatally crashed during a hero ceremony, before the city was attacked. All the images and horrible thoughts of the war began filling his head…but he never forgot that one glimmer of hope. The hope of Razgriz’s success, and return of a fallen member. Bartlett remembered the news like it was yesterday: Chopper was presumed dead after what looked like a fatal direct crash into the field at the stadium during the peace ceremony. The journey home almost turned out to be Choppers journey to a permanent home. After the war, the whereabouts and conditions of Razgriz were not disclosed for privacy and protection purposes. The team later found out, as Chopper began to approach the stadium, he made a last ditch effort to deploy the air brakes and flaps, while bracing himself for impact. That’s all Chopper remembered. The rumor was that the cockpit of the plane was still mostly intact, but the wings and body were on fire. Civilians that were still in the stadium took notice at the shock of a fallen hero, and five of them risked their lives to save Chopper. Chopper was pulled from the burning plane, while some of the rescuers suffered third degree burns. Chopper was in bad shape. They were told that the only thing that kept him alive was wanting to be there for the Razgriz team, living long enough to see them come to victory. The extent of Choppers injuries were never revealed. Chopper had major burn marks on his body, but invisible under a full G-suit. All Chopper knows is, he owes his life to those five brave civilians (who all survived as well) that pulled him out of the plane and escorted him to the emergency room. Captain Bartlett never asked his commander why they were never told of his survival during the war. He knew why. Losing Chopper made Razgriz come together even more, as they had even more to fight for, and that helped to motivate the team to righteous victory. Razgriz was the only family Bartlett really had now. And he made sure he was going to be the most loyal Captain a squadron could ever have…he would never lose another solider. Not without going down with them. Bartlett then heard a voice over the intercom: “Team Razgriz, please report to the dining hall for dinner, and a briefing in 10 minutes”. Captain Bartlett slowly sat up, and had one last thought about his younger days. He thought about the old wars, ISAF, and his long time friend nicknamed Mobius One. He glanced back at the plane and whispered a phrase under his voice: “…Amidst the blue skies, a link from past to future. The sheltering wings of the protector..."