> Ace Combat - Battle for Equestria
>  by Lonewolf78
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Opening music.

For the second time in 6 years Equestria found itself in a war between the New Lunar Republic and Solar Empire. This time a 3rd party; the Legion of Discord was thrown in. Both the NLR and SE fought each other as well as the LoD in a war that lasted 6 months, and almost resulted in the end of Equestria and all other lands as we knew them. 

The first war started 4 years after the return of Princess Luna. Both her and Princess Celestia ruled over Equestria peacefully at first. But after a period of time Luna started disapproving of how Celestia was ruling the land, viewing some of it as almost tyrannical. Tensions started rising between the two sisters again, and between the citizens of Equestria, who were also viewing Equestria's rule under the Solar Empire the same way.

It finally came to a head when Celestia announced some new laws at a Parliament meeting. Luna bluntly objected, angering Celestia. A fight broke out, and Celestia called upon the bearers of the Elements of Harmony to put Luna back on the moon. Unfortunately for Celestia though the six ponies were also divided over this. So instead Celestia exiled her to a small country on the Western edge of Equestria that had lost their government many years before, and was now controlled by the empire. 

Many residents of Equestria began moving to it, and secretly a rebellion was planned which included members of the Solar Empire armed forces that had defected. Finally on November 5th, 2010 the rebellion, under the flag of the New Lunar Republic, began. Almost instantly Equestria was divided into two parts. The Southern third declared themselves part of the NLR, and Celestia immediately tried to take it back by force. The NLR pushed back though and started taking control of more land, but soon both sides stalled. 

The war lasted for 13 months. Thousands of ponies, both military and civilian, died during the battles. Seeing the war was doing nothing but destroying Equestria both sisters agreed to a cease-fire, and on December 15th, 2011 the Western third of Equestria was allowed to secede to the NLR. The new border was opened, and both sides began the healing process. Ponies could freely travel between the two countries to visit families and conduct business. It seemed as Equestria, though divided, would finally be at peace.

Nine months after the end of that war, another broke out. Discord, the ruler of chaos, had returned to his home country of the Crystal Empire after he was accidentally released from his stone prison in Canterlot. He immediately took control of the country, which adjoined Equestria on the right side. Princess Miamore Cadenza, who ruled the country, managed to escape to Canterlot where she lived in exile. In short order the new Legion of Discord also took over the Griffin Empire and Changeling kingdom. Citizens of those countries were soon under his mind control. Those who resisted were executed. Both the Queen of the Changelings and Emperor of the Griffins fell to this fate. Those who were lucky enough to escape went into hiding, hoping someday Discord would be defeated. 

The Griffin Empire bordered both the NLR and Solar Empire on the right, so it would be a simple matter for Discord to take control of Equestria also. Both sides began rebuilding their military forces rapidly and prepared for attacks, but none came. The rapid buildup caused many in Equestria to think the two sides were about to go to war again.

Then 5 months before the start of the second war events began happening. Tensions started to rise between the Republic and Empire again. On October 14th, 2016 a Legion of Discord fighter entered NLR airspace and tried to force a transport plane into landing in LoD  territory. It was shot down, and no answer was received from the LoD as to why it happened.  Shortly afterwards a pair of Solar Empire Air Force planes somehow strayed into LoD airspace and were shot down.

On March 21st, 2017 Discord made his move. His armies invaded Equestria at the location where the Republic and Empire’s border intersected with the LoD’s and spread Northwest into both halves. The NLR and Solar Empire both declared war on Discord and were soon launching air attacks. Though they had a common goal, both sides viewed each other with suspicion. 

This was aggravated on April 5th when a NLR plane accidentally cluster bombed a Solar Empire Army platoon. After investigating Luna denied any NLR plane was involved in it. Then it happened again a second time with a forward operating base the SEA established just inside the LoD’s border. Celestia accused Luna of trying to start a war again and tensions between the 2 were higher than ever.

The final straw happened on April 14th when a Solar Empire plane dropped a Fuel Air Explosive Bomb on a small NLR village near the border, killing over 100 ponies. Almost immediately the NLR declared war on the Empire and closed the border. Once again Equestria was torn apart  over war. 

It had been 4 months since what was called the final Equestrian war ended. I set out to document details of the war for a book I’m writing by going over records that were released by the governments of the two sides involved, and interviewing those who took part in the war. 

Specifically I was interested in a New Lunar Republic Air Force squadron, and it’s commander who constantly appeared in documents and interviews, and was considered by some as responsible for the end of the war. The 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron or “Lunar” Squadron, was part of the 3rd Air Division, and stationed at Whitemare Air Force Base located Southeast of Las Pegasus, NLR Equestria. Their squadron leader was Lieutenant Colonel Maverick, who seemed to have disappeared after the war.

Through interviews with his wingmen, other members of the NLRAF, and members of both Solar Empire and LoD squadrons I was able to piece together a picture of him, with the hope I would meet the pilot that some ponies called the ultimate ace of the New Lunar Republic Air Force  someday.  



> Chapter 2: First Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Whitemare AFB
14 September 2017 05:00 hours


Maverick was jolted awake by someone banging on his door. 

“Hey time to get up newbie!” Yelled a female voice. Maverick groaned and layed down again. 

“Come on man I know yesterday was rough but it doesn’t matter to the air force!” She continued banging on the door. “Don’t make me call you know who's wake up service!” 

“OK I’m up Tiger Angel!” He yelled back. He opened the door to see the black and orange Pegasus standing there.

“About time. And just call me Angel” she said as they headed to the mess hall. When he walked over to the table where the rest of the squadron was, it was obvious by the looks on their faces Angel had given them the same treatment too.

“How do you like our squadron alarm clock?” Whiteblaze, the squadron commander asked.

“Does she have a snooze button?”

“I think so but it takes a baseball bat to activate it”, replied a pink Pegasus with red mane.

“And only if you can get close enough, Dahlia” Angel said with a growl. Then a white unicorn with purple mane chimed in.

“Come on you two let’s just eat”.

This was only Maverick’s second day at the base. Originally a pilot in the Crystal Empire Air Force, he was one of the few who managed to escape the LoD’s invasion. He tried to live a regular life in Cloudsdale, but the sky kept calling him. He hoped that someday Discord would be defeated so he could return home. He decided to become a mercenary, and wound up doing work for the NLR Army until about a month before the war, when he transferred to the Air Force.

Despite his past experience, he still had to go through NLRAF training which might have taken months, but the war sped that up. He started with the 2nd Training squadron, then was transferred to the 24th Tactical Fighter Squadron where he served until the squadron was almost wiped out in an air battle near Canterlot. Him and one other plane survived. 

The squadron was temporarily disbanded, and he went to the 13th TFS, which had also suffered losses since it was a front line squadron. Originally 15 planes strong, it was now down to seven. One pilot had been injured and pulled from service (whom Maverick replaced), 6 were shot down and believed to be POW, and one was killed. 
The remaining squadron members were Whiteblaze (Lunar 1), Glory (Lunar 2), Dahlia (Lunar 4), Tiger Angel (Lunar 5), Sunfire (Lunar 7), and Ice (Lunar 13). Maverick became Lunar 9.

At 6AM Tex, the base commander, began the briefing for the day’s mission. 

“OK pilots here’s what’s goin' on today. Once again you will be escorting bombers from our own 4th Tactical Bomber squadron as well as some from the 2nd TBS. They'll be bombing a concentration of Solar empire troops and three new SAM sites here along our border. Two Ravens from the Night Owl squadron will fly with the Berserkers to take out the SAM's radars. The 4th Tac’ fighter squadron will assist you with the defending. And once again Sentry 2 will be our AWACS.” 

“Oh boy. 2 of my favorite pilots in the same area” Angel said with a smirk. Her and Ice were friends with Ocelot 5, and Sentry 2 was Angel’s favorite controller to pester. 

Whiteblaze chimed in about Ocelot 5.
.
“I still think they need to put her with the Nightstalkers. If she can do moves like that with the Tomcat, imagine what she could do with the Berkut”.

“It’d be the first plane to fly backwards at full afterburner”, Sunfire replied, and everybody laughed.

Tex interrupted them.

“OK ponies let’s get started. Good luck up there and don’t dance with the angels”. And with that everypony went to get suited up.


Out on the tarmac the ground crews had their planes loaded up with missiles and ready for flight.  The 13th was one of only 2 squadrons of SU-37 Terminators the NLRAF had. Though the camouflage colors were the same standard 3 tone blue, they had a unique pattern, and was also one of the few that had their squadron color on the tips of the wings and tails. Not far from them the F-111’s of the 4th bomber squadron were ready too.

"You're ready to go guys", the ground crewpony said to the group.

"Then let's do it!" Replied Whiteblaze. And with that all of the ponies got strapped in, fired up the planes, taxied out to the runway, and took off.



Southeast of Everfree Forest, Equestria
14 September 2017 12:30 hours.

The group was 20 miles from the border when they were joined by the Ocelots and the Wraiths.
Sentry 2 came on the radio.

"Pilots here's the plan. Berserker and Night Owl Squadrons, you will hit the SAM sites with Lunar as cover. Wraith Squadron, once the SAM's are gone you will bomb the troop concentrations and armor with the Ocelots as cover". 

"Aaaw I wanted to hang out with Ocelot 5", Tiger whined.

"Cut the chatter Tiger", the controller replied.

"Roger Carrot Head."

"Carrot. Top."

Everypony snickered under their breath.

"Sentry 2 to all planes, we are in the target area.  Split off and engage".

"Roger Sentry, Lunar squadron engaging", Whiteblaze replied as the 2 groups of planes split off.

On the ground the radar operators had picked them up.

"Alert! Alert! Incoming bandits! Get the Air Force here!" one of them yelled.

The F-111's had split off into 2 groups. The first was approaching one SAM site when they got a lock warning. Almost immediately the Raven fired an anti radiation missile, taking out the radar and rendering the SAM's inoperative. The bombers then attacked them. This was repeated with all 3 sites.  

"Nice. They took care of that fast", Maverick commented.

"They're not a front line squadron but they've proved their worth many times" Ice replied.

"Berserker one to AWACS the SAM's have been destroyed".

"Roger Berserker one. If you have any bombs left use them as you see fit". Just a few seconds latter Carrot Top came back on.

"Sentry 2 to fighters, we have 10 bandits 40 miles out and closing fast. Engage".

"Roger", Whiteblaze replied. "Let's do it guys!"

"Yeah! About time", Angel shouted. Both fighter squadrons hit the afterburners and headed for them. In short order the Ocelots fired off their long range Phoenix missiles, taking out 3 of the bandits. Soon the dogfight was on.

The group got their first look at the Solar Empire planes.

"Mirages. Don't underestimate them", Ice said.

"They won't be fooling me", replied Sunfire as she got on the tail of one. She got the first kill of the day, followed by Whiteblaze.

Maverick now had one in front of him. He was still getting used to the Terminator's controls, but soon was exploiting it's thrust vectoring to it's full extent. In short order he got the bandit.

"Lunar 9 that's a confirmed kill" Sentry announced.

"Not bad Mav, but there's one coming up behind you!" warned Glory.

The SEAF pilot was good, but Maverick left him dumbfounded by performing a cobra and getting on his tail, and Maverick got his 2nd kill.

"Holly shit dude!" Angel yelled. "That was awesome!"

Dahlia chimed in. "You do know your way around a plane don't you?" 

"What do you think?" he replied.

Meanwhile the rest of the bombers had begun their run. The 3 B-52's flew in a delta formation and dropped their mix of cluster and iron bombs, decimating the ground forces. The Berserkers used their remaining bombs also, and the Night Owl's used their remaining missiles on some ZSU-23 anti aircraft tanks.

"Sentry 2 this is Wraith squadron, we've completed our mission and are returning to base".

"Roger Wraiths. Ocelots, escort them and the other bombers back".

"Roger" replied Ocelot 1. Before they did though Ocelot 5 got a kill.

"Alright Derpy!" Ice exclaimed.

"Thanks! I'll catch you later", she replied as the squadron turn and headed back.

Then Angel got a kill, with the last one going to Ice.

"This is Sentry 2. All enemy planes downed. Good work!"

"Thanks Carrot Top, we're returning to base", Whiteblaze replied. And the squadron formed up and headed back.

"Well how was my flying?" Maverick asked. The radio was silent for a couple of seconds before Whiteblaze came on.

"Mav'. You're gonna' fit in with us just fine".

"You're one of only 2 ponies i've seen perform a cobra in a Terminator", Dahlia chimed in.

"Thanks. When I was in the Gracemareia Air Force the only plane I've done that with was the F-15".

"What?" Sunfire exclaimed.

"OK when we get back you're going to tell us more", replied Angel. 


> Chapter 3: Taking the Reins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
> Chapter 4: Slow and Low
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitemare AFB
15 September 2017 18:20 hours.


"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY DIDN'T FIND HIM?" Shouted Glory.

"I mean just that. The Navy found the wreckage but not him", Tex replied.

"Dammit Discord's minions must have got to him first", Ice yelled, throwing a bottle against the wall. 

"It's all my fault" Glory said again. The bickering continued until Maverick spoke up.

"That is enough. All of you." Everypony quieted down.

"Yelling and blaming isn't going to get him back any quicker. And if you keep feeling that way you'll be the next to get shot down. We've still got a job to do."

His words seemed to calm them down. After a moment, Glory broke the silence.

"Guess i'm your wingmare now. I won't let you out of my site".

Tex then spoke up

"OK ponies. Let's get out of our suits. Our princess will be addressing the nation at twenty hundred hours. We can watch it while we eat".

____________________

Thorinia, New Lunar Republic
20:00 hours.

The capital of the Republic was abuzz with activity. Hundreds of ponies ran through the streets to the assembly area in front of Luna's palace. Overhead the Shadowbolts, without their planes, performed stunts and fireworks were set off. Soon Luna flew out of the palace and landed on top of a large rock that she used as her podium. The crowd roared with cheers. She then spoke.

"Citizens of the Republic! I come before you with good news. As you know the Solar Empire made an attempt to capture the city of Hollow Shades. Thanks to the overwhelming power of our military my sister's army has been pushed back across the border!" The crowd roared with cheers and applause. Then she continued.

"This victory only strengthens our resolve to end this war and bring peace, unity, and freedom to Equestria". More cheering erupted.

"We cannot forget about our other battle though. Discord poses a threat not only to Equestria, but to the entire world. If we can force my sister to end hostilities, we can focus the full power of our military on him. We've seen what he's done to the three other countries under his control. That will NOT happen here!"

Luna continued talking for another ten minutes, with a flyover of the F-22's of the 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Shadows were the top squadron in the NLR Air Force.

Inside the planes, the pilots listened to the speech over the radio. 

"Guardian one to Shadow squadron the flyover is complete. Return to base."

"Roger Guardian", replied Shadow One. Shadow Two then contacted her.

"Hey Viper. You think this victory will be a turning point in the war?"

"No. It'll take something major to do that. All we did was push them back this time".

"So what do you think it will take?"

"We have to strike hard. Do something that cripples their war machine". Dash's voice changed.

"I'm worried about this superweapon intelligence has been mumbling about."

"What do you think it is?"

"I don't know. It can't be one of mass destruction because it would cause too many civilian casualties. It has to be something tactical." 

Shadow 3 chimed in.

"I hope it's just a rumor. We can't afford much more losses".

"I hear that". Dash replied. And the planes returned to Thorinia Air Force Base.

_________________

Canterlot, Solar Empire Equestria
18:30 hours.

Shortly after Luna finished her speach, Celestia made one of her own from the castle over the state TV station.

"As you know we failed to take back Hollow Shades from the Republic, but rest assured. Even if we gain no ground from them, they will gain no more ground from us either. Likewise the Legion of Discord will capture no more of our territory either. We now have plans in place to enforce this. 
And we will watch as the NLR forces are slowly crushed by Discord. And just when they are about to fall, we will step in and finish him off once and for all. And then force my sister to accept our terms of surrender."

At Mareimar Air Force Base just outside Canterlot, the members of Solar Empire Air Force squadron VF-10 watched the broadcast. One member of the squadron turned to the leader and said: "Oh my. This isn't good".

The squadron leader replied.

"Don't sweat it. It's not like we lost any ground. I just hope this plan of hers is the answer. All I've heard is speculation about it. Discord is a far bigger threat than the Republic. And I wish she would realize that."

"I just want this war to be over. I miss my friends who are on the other side. Especially a certain one."

"We all do." she replied. 
________________

Presidential Palace
Crystal City, Gracemareia.
Capital of the Legion of Discord.

Discord watched the speeches of both princesses with his second in command.

"Look at them. They both think they can defeat us alone. They will soon find out otherwise." Discord then asked him about something.

"How is our little project coming along?"

"Good your highness. We've encountered some problems but have either fixed them or are working on them. If all goes well it will be ready within two weeks".

Discord grinned. 

"Excellent." He then turned back towards the TV. 

"Your time is almost up Celestia and Luna".


Meanwhile back at Whitemare the base mess hall was full of chatter about the speech.

"Well at least it was good news", said Angel.

"I was hoping to hear Celestia surrendered", replied Ice. "Then I can visit my family in Manehattan again".

Though the mainland was under NLR control, the island of Manehattan remained a Solar Empire stronghold. Attacks on the island had been limited due to the high risk of civilian casualties.

"Your parents live there?" asked Maverick. 

"Nearly my entire family tree lives there".

Maverick's voice changed. "I know how you feel. I'm looking forward to the day Discord is defeated so I can return to my country."

"Is your family still there?" Glory asked.

"I like to think so. They got caught up in the mess in the capital. I've heard stories about what the LoD did to ponies and others who resisted the change".

Dahlia put her hoof on him. "Don't think about it. For every story like that I hear I hear one about resistance forces in all three countries."

Tex yawned. "Well guys let's get to sleep. We might have a fun mission tomorrow". 

____________________

Whitemare AFB
16 September 2017 08:00 hours.

Ok everypony. Like I thought this is a good one. And for the first time, joining us via the new video phone to describe it is Moonstone herself". And she appeared on the monitor that hung on the wall at the rear of the long table.

"Greetings everypony. I will brief you on missions from now on to save Tex some breath".

"Why bother he has plenty of hot wind", cracked Angel and everypony giggled.

"Aaanyway this is the mission. The LoD is using these canyons South of Dunlap in the former Changeling Kingdom for weapons storage. The bunkers are built into the walls of the canyon so the only way to destroy them is to fire a missile or rocket into the doors, which means you'll have to fly about 50 feet above the ground and use a slow approach. To make matters worse, they have a substantial anti aircraft network over the canyon. You will have to stay below the canyon rim or you'll have more missiles and shells coming at you than you can handle. There's some Hind helicopters to deal with and fighter coverage is almost certain. If you encounter fighters with look down shoot down radar just get out of there".

"Oh and I thought this was going to be a hard mission", Angel said sarcasticly.

"Why do you think we picked you for the job? You have the planes and skill to do it."

"How thoughtful", Dahlia said looking a little pale.

"Oh and the Solar Empire has been trying to destroy it so you might meet some of their aircraft also".

"Wow Dahlia. I didn't know you could change color", snapped Sunfire.

"Well hopefully if some do show up it will distract the LoD fighters", replied Maverick.

"That's all I've got. Your turn Tex".

"OK for armament you'll have the Kh-29T. On your TV screen, set the door as the target and fire. It's the only weapon we have to effectively go through the bunker doors. You'll only have a few seconds to do it. You each get 4 and there's only 10 bunkers so feel free to hit other targets once those are gone, or if you come across an anti air threat. Maverick you're getting one fuel air bomb to drop on the HQ on your way in, which is located at the confluence of the two rivers".

"Lucky you", said Sunfire.

"OK pilots that is all. Good luck." And Moonstone's video feed ended.

"Same here guys", said Tex. And the group headed for the flight line.

__________________


Windigo Canyon
S. of Dunlap, Changeling Kingdom
14:45 hours.

The squadron had arrived at the mouth to the West end of the canyons when Sentry 2 came on.

"Sentry 2 to all planes, drop below one thousand feet. Stay below that or or it'll be SAM city for you."

"You're above one thousand feet", Angel cracked.

"Yeah but I'm not over the canyon", replied Carrot Top. Maverick interrupted them before it went any further.

"Let's go pilots", and they descended.

It wasn't long before the nap of the earth flying started getting to Dahlia.

"I just came close enough to that rock to count the lizards on it. Can we pull up now?"

"You can, but I hope you've entered the cheat code for unlimited flares and chaff on your plane", replied Ice.

"Nngggh", replied Dahlia. Not long after that they got a radar spike warning.

"Lunar 1 Where is it coming from?" Glory asked.

"I've got it. It's a ZSU."  Maverick fired one of his missiles and took it out before they got within range of it's guns.

"Needless to say they know we're coming now", Ice said.

Soon alarms were going off at the command center and in the bunkers. Griffins and Changelings were scrambling around to prepare.

"Contact air command. Tell them to get fighters in here now!" one Griffin yelled. The LoD air command contacted the nearest squadron, which was over 50 miles away.

"Galt squadron this is air command. We have enemy aircraft in Windigo canyon. Intercept them".

"Roger command. Let's go fellas!" And the squadron hit the afterburners and headed for the canyon.

Meanwhile the group had arrived at the fork in the canyon where the headquarters was.

"OK. after I get the command center split into two groups. Glory, Angel, come with me. Ice take the others". 

Maverick dived on the headquarters and released his bomb, dodging flak on the way down.

"Get out!" the base commander yelled.

The bomb completely leveled the base, which had the added bonus of disrupting the air defense systems.

"Now you're talking!" yelled Sunfire as the two groups split off. Soon Maverick's group was approaching the first two bunkers, located across from each other pointing at an angle out to the canyon. 

"Chopper", yelled Maverick.

"I've got it", replied Angel. One missile took care of it.

"OK Glory get ready". To hit the bunkers both pilots would have to fly on opposite sides of the canyon, one slightly ahead of the other , then when it was time, turn towards each other and fire at the bunkers on the opposite sides, crossing in front of each other. The third pilot would stay in the center to handle any threats.

"One. Two. Three!" Maverick and Glory performed the move, passing within 100 feet of each other and scoring hits on both bunkers.

"Two bunkers down", Maverick announced.

"You have no idea how cool that was from back here", replied Angel.

Soon Ice and Sunfire performed the same move on another pair of bunkers. As they pulled out of the move a shoulder fired SAM locked onto Ice.

"Sorry." Ice kicked out flares and pulled up, almost flying above the thousand foot limit. Dahlia fired her cannon at where it came from.

"I think I got them", she said.

Maverick's group flew around one oxbow, taking out another bunker and another Hind. They came around just in time to see the bunker Ice hit explode, leaving a huge hole in the side of the canyon.

"Holly shit!" Yelled Angel.

"Must have been the bunker for large bombs", replied Glory.

In short order all of the choppers had been shot down, and there was only 3 bunkers left when Sentry got on.

"Sentry 2 to all planes, we have 6 bandits entering the canyon from the East". 

"Roger Sentry. Let us know where they are since our radars can't go through canyon walls", Maverick replied. "Get ready everypony".

"The Galt squadron leader contacted her wingmates.

"Galt 1 to all planes. These ponies are dorking up our canyon. Let's take them out".

Angel scored another hit on a bunker when she laid eyes on the enemy planes.

"J-11's, look out" She fired a missile but it missed due to the altitude difference of the planes.

"Damn I missed".

"Don't shoot at them head on unless they're near the same altitude", replied Maverick.

"So what do we do?" Sunfire asked.

" Try and stay at 900 feet and get on their tails" he replied. Soon they were chasing the LoD aircraft in circles around the canyons. Ice got the first kill. Then Glory called for support.

"Cover me I'm going after the last 2 bunkers", which were both on the same side.

"We're coming", replied Maverick. No sooner than they got close to Glory a Galt plane got behind her , and another behind Angel. 

"Shit", she yelled as she dropped flares to avoid a missile.  Meanwhile Maverick got the one off Glory's tail just as she attacked the bunkers. Maverick slowed and let angel pass under her, then pulled a Cobra right in front of the LoD plane. 

"AAAH!" the pilot yelled and turned to avoid him, straight into the canyon wall.

"You're crazy you know that?" Angel said to him.

Sunfire got the next kill, and then Maverick got on the tail of Galt 1.

"Damn he's good", she cursed as she tried to shake him. Despite her best efforts he got off a gun shot, crippling the plane and forcing her to eject just before it hit the canyon wall. 

"Stupid dweeb!" She yelled as he passed.

Then the group got on the tail of the last plane as it tried to exit the canyon to the West. Mav was getting ready to fire when the plane blew up in front of them.

"Huh?" Glory said. Soon 4 Solar Empire MIG-29's came around the corner and almost hit them. Instead of turning to fight, the group continued to leave the canyon.

"Oh hell i'd love to see the looks on their faces when they see we took out everything", Sunfire said with glee.

"Lunar one to Sentry, all targets destroyed. Returning to base".

"Roger on that. Nice job!"

"Well did you keep your breakfast down Dahlia? asked Ice.

"Barely. No more of that for awhile OK?"

"Hey it's not up to us now is it?" The radio remained silent.

On the way back they encountered an LoD patrol of three fighters, but quickly took care of them. Three hours later they were home. 


> Chapter 5: Cutoff
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

North of Las Pegasus, NLR Equestria
17 September 2017 09:45 hours.

"That's the last one. Return to base", Carrot Top announced over the radio.

"Roger", replied Maverick. 

A flight of five Solar Empire attack aircraft had entered the NLR North of Las Pegasus, and Lunar squadron had been sent to intercept them.

"Well at least it happened early enough in the day. We still have plenty of time", replied Angel.

It was suppose to be the squadron's night off, but with Whitemare's other fighter squadron out, they had to intercept them.

Back at the base the group had finished their debriefing in the squadron room.

"OK ponies that's it. Tex said. Enjoy your time off tonight".

"We always do", replied Ice.

The group talked as they walked out.

"So the usual spot again?", Sunfire asked Ice".

"Yep. Won't be the same without Whiteblaze, but at least we can take it out on Maverick".


"Say what?" Maverick said.

"Don't worry it's a great place", replied Ice.

________________________


Emerald Coast Bar and Grill
Las Pegasus, NLR Equestria
17:25 hours

(Music)

The Emerald Coast Bar and Grill was the favorite hangout for many Air Force and Navy airponies, including Lunar squadron.The crew would sip cider, listen to music, and watch the hijinks that often happened there.

"Not bad", said Maverick. "There was a place like this in Crystal City. It was pretty much Air Force only".

"So what happened when Navy or other branches showed up?" Angel asked.

"Seven times out of 10 a fight broke out. I was in the middle of a few".

"How did you do?" Sunfire asked.

"Usually I lost". And the rest burst out laughing.

"You're undefeated in dogfights but not hoof to hoof combat?" Glory cracked.

"Yep."

"Oooooh I've got you now." Angel said in an evil voice.

There was some commotion towards the back of the club. Maverick turned around and saw a Pegasus being pushed up a ramp on some contraption.

"What's that?" He asked.

" A landing game , Ice replied. "You ride it down and try to catch a cable with a tailhook like a carrier landing. Fail and you get your Sunday bath early".

"It's mostly Navy ponies who play it, but air force and marine pilots do also", added Dahlia.

They watched the Navy Pegasus ride it down. He missed the cable and got dumped into the water.

"Whenever a Navy pony fails at it, Air Force pilots get big smiles on their faces", said Angel".

"Like the one you have right now?" Replied Glory. 

She just grinned.

"I think i'll try it".

"Maverick are you sure?", replied Angel. "When an Air Force pilot fails at it, it get's spread around pretty fast. 

"Like the way it happened with you?" snapped Sunfire. Angel growled.

"The tiger part of your name does fit doesn't it?" Maverick replied.

"Just go make an ass of yourself", she replied.

Soon Maverick was in the seat, and  a couple of other ponies pushed the sled up to the start point. 

"Hope you enjoy your bath land lubber!" A Navy pilot said.

He saluted the pony controlling the release, and she released him. He had to time it perfectly. too early was just as bad as too late. He reached what he thought was the right point and pulled the handle. The tailhook dropped and caught the wire. Cheers erupted from the air force pilots.

"Nice job Maverick!" Ice yelled.

"Ha! What do you think of that swabbies?" Angel yelled. 

"Oh you're Maverick?" One Navy pony asked. "I've herd some stuff about you lately".

"I hope it was good", he replied.

"Oh yeah. I used to be on the Sea Demon and one pilot there talked about you".

"That's my brother!"

"Oh OK. Oh and my name is Lieutenant Geoffrey of  the 2nd carrier fighter squadron". 

"Nice to meet you", Maverick replied.

"Is your squadron going to be taking part in that big mission tomorrow?"

"Yes, we don't know what part of it though".

"Hey maybe we'll meet up. My carrier the Eclipse is taking part in it", he said as he started to leave".

"If you see some SU-37's with gray wingtips that will be us", replied Ice.

"See ya'!"

Two hours later the group left for home. When they got there Tex was waiting.

"Oh good you left early".

"Why?" Maverick asked?

"I got a call. The MP's just busted up a fight between Navy and Air Force pilots there, knowing Angel I thought you might have been in it".

"Rats. I wish I had been", she replied.

"We'll get rested up ponies. We've got the big mission tomorrow". And they went inside the barracks.

_______________________

_Whitemare AFB
18 September 2017. 09:00 hours.

"OK pilots it's time for the Moonstone variety hour", and Tex turned on the monitor and feed, only to see her looking at something muttering.

"Is thing on?" she asked herself.

"Moonstone?"

"Oh can you see me?"

"Yep."

"OK good I thought I had a problem there".

"That's technology for you", cracked Angel.

"OK here's what is going on."

"We have finally pushed the LoD out of our territory. However they are currently reorganising their troops and adding more just on the other side of the border North of Manehattan, and could be ready for another push forward soon. We're going to stop and decimate them there with a massive operation involving all branches of the military". She pulled up a map detailing the operation.

"The Army will stay here along the border. Meanwhile the Marines will land here and move up behind them to cut off their escape. Then Air Force, Navy, and Marine planes and Army helicopters will relentessly pound them and provide close air support. The Navy will also provide bombardment to soften up the landing point".

"Oh man. This is going to be good.", said Ice.

"So what are we doing? Maverick asked.

"You will be covering the Marines along with the Navy and Marine planes, and Razorback and Shadow squadrons".

"Dash's squadron hooray!" Yelled Glory.

"How much air resistance will there be?" 

"We're expecting a lot. Mostly in the form of attack planes. If any of these come in shoot them down first. All it takes is one plane with clusters to cause major damage in a case like this".

"Wow. This is going to be one big party", Angel said rubbing her hooves together.

"Should I call in Pinkie and her crew to decorate the planes?" Dahlia asked. 

"Uh, no," replied Moonstone. "As for your armament. You'll have half air to air and half air to gound, which will be clusters." 

"Anything else to watch for?" Maverick asked.

"Shouldn't be, unless the Empire decides to help you out with bombing them. Right now they're tied up with keeping Trottingham out of Discord's claws."

"Alright. Let's get to it", Maverick said.

"Good luck guys", and Moonstone stopped the feed.


______________________


Eastern Ocean
East of Manehattan, SE Equestria
12:21 hours.

"Multiple friendly contacts on radar", Maverick announced over the radio.

"This is going to rule", Angel said.

"Sentry 2 to Lunar squadron. Enter into your holding pattern  East of the fleet with Shadow squadron".

"Roger", replied Maverick. Soon the naval forces came into view.

"Ho-ly crap", exclaimed Sunfire as they approached. "The Eclipse, Two battleships, Aegis cruisers, destroyers, half of the fleet is here".

Suddenly both battleships opened up with full broadsides from their 16 inch guns.

"Guess it's starting", Dahlia said.

"Ya' think?" Replied Angel.

The squadron pulled up into their spot next to Dash's.

"Hey Viper. How's it goin'?" Glory asked.

"Just fine", she replied. "Are you ready to kick some flank?"

"We were born ready", replied Angel.

"Well we should get the green light in about an hour, so we've got a little time to hang out".

"Roger Shadow one", replied Maverick.

"Ah Maverick, we finally meet. I've been hearing stuff about you".

"You too?" he replied. "wow it get's around fast".

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do", she replied. 

"How about his success at the landing game at Emerald Coast last night?" Glory asked.

"Oh that was him? I heard about it and the fight but I didn't know who it was. It took me 4 tries to get it."

Then someone else chimed in.

"Pacific 1-1 to Lunar 1."

"Is this Geoffrey?" He replied.

"Yep. Looks like we will be joining you on the ground support".

"Cut the chatter you guys", Sentry 2 said.

"Roger Carrot Head", replied Dash.

"Not you too?."

Everypony heard a thump over the radio.

"What was that? Ice said"

"Me hitting my helmet on the instrument panel when I doubled over with laughter", replied Angel.

Less than an hour later they saw some movement around the fleet. LCAC's were pouring out of the amphibious ships and patrol craft were starting to move. 

"Sentry 2 this is the LRS Raven. We're climbing the mountain".

"Roger. All planes you heard him".

"Roger. All planes let's go!" replied Dash. 

The planes circled around the landing craft, which were being escorted by  Pegasus Hydrofoils until land came in sight, then they headed off.

"Sentry 2 came on the radio.

"All planes we have multiple inbound bandits approaching from the North and East at both low and high levels".

"Roger. Shadow squadron engaging the Northern ones", replied Dash. 

"Carrier fighter squadron 2 engaging the Eastern", replied Geoffrey. And both squadrons split off from Lunar. 

The squadron looked down at the beach to see craters and smoldering armor everywhere.

"Don't see much movement", Ice announced.

"They're probably hiding in the jungle up there", replied Maverick. Soon the landing craft were in sight of the beach,, and almost immediately artillery fire opened up from the jungle.

" guys let's get them! Lunar 1 to Razorback squadron get in here too."

"Roger we're coming".

"Let's flush them out everyone", and they went into the attack. Dropping 2 clusters each down the tree line. Several secondary explosions were seen and soon armor began pouring out of the jungle.

"It worked!", Angel said. Meanwhile the A-10's of the Razorbacks had arrived, and dropped napalm on the trees, killing whoever was still hiding and preventing a retreat.  Some more clusters, Mavericks, and strafing later and the LoD forces were a shell of their former self.

While this was going on the Shadow and Navy squadrons had almost taken care of the bandits when Sentry 2 came on.
"All planes we have more bandits approaching from the East and Northeast. The Eastern ones appear to be escorted by fighters". 

"Roger Sentry", Dash replied. Lunar and Razorback squadrons you have 4 attackers and 5 fighters coming from the East. We're tied up here so get them".

"Roger Shadow 1", Maverick replied, and they went to engage them.

"Ice, you , Dahlia, and Sunfire go after the attackers. We'll go after the fighters".

"Roger", Ice replied, and they split off and dived to intercept them. Soon they were on their tail.

"Frogfoots . Get them!" yelled Ice. Each pony took one, and despite the Frogfoot's mobility managed to shoot them down. The 4th had got away.

"Razorbacks you've got one coming in", Ice announced.

"Razorback 1 here, i'm on him". The LoD plane got within 2 miles of the Marines before Razorback 1 shot him down with a Sidewinder.

While that was going on Maverick and the others had taken out 2 of the fighters, and chased the other 3 into the melee with Dash and Geoffrey's squadrons.

"Nice of you to join us Mav'", Dash said.

A short time later an unexpected call came over the radio.

"Sentry 2 to all planes we have 16 inbound bogeys from the West!"

"WHAT?" replied Dash. 

Maverick chimed in.

"But if they're coming from the West, then...."

"Dammit Celestia!" Geoffrey yelled.

"Firebane one to all aircraft. It's time for a turkey shoot. Take out both the NLR and LoD planes". And they launched several long range missiles.

"Missiles break!", Dash yelled. An LoD plane and a Navy one failed to turn in time, and were hit.

"Dammit Pacific 1-5 is down! Get the rescue bird in here!". Soon Dash had an ID on the planes.

"Typhoons and 36A's, this isn't going to be easy." Soon it was one giant furball with planes from three nations shooting at each other. The NLR had a slight upper hand though, and soon Empire and LoD planes were dropping. Dash got an LoD one, followed by Maverick and Glory getting 2 of the 8 Typhoons.

Angel laughed as she watched an LoD MIG-29 take out a Firebane  36A.

"OK that Empire pilot sucked."

Then the Firebane commander got on Maverick's tail. Below him he saw Ice with one on his, so he started a Cobra, but as he went vertical he yawed to the left and rotated the nose down, then hit the throttle, losing his tail and getting on Ice's.

"Amazing!"  Firebane 1 said.

Dash was hot on a Typhoon when an LoD plane got behind her. Dahlia got on his tail which made him break off.

"Thanks girl!"

"No problem", she replied as she shot down the MIG.

After a period of time Sunfire got the last LoD plane which left seven Empire ones. Soon Maverick was dogging Firebane 1.

"You're not getting me", she said as she performed an evasive move, which unfortunately put her right in front of Dash.

"Goodbye", she said as she launched a Sidewinder. Firebane 1 ejected just before the missile hit.

"HA! That pilot must fly with their hoof on the eject handle."

Soon it was down to 3 aircraft when the Typhoon squadron commander got on the tail of one of Dash's wingponies. 

"Shadow 6 dodge him!", she yelled. The pilot failed and got hit by cannon fire.  Shortly afterwards Pacific 1-1 got the commander. 

"Eject Blossom!" Dash yelled. She breathed a sigh of relief when the canopy blew and she ejected. She would land where the Marines were coming up and was safe.

The last two Empire planes tried to flee, but were run down by all 3 squadrons. Angel and Shadow 3 got them.

"Oh man. I feel sorry for them", Dash said in a slightly sarcastic voice.

"Sentry 2 to all planes, all bandits downed. Super job!"  

"What's the status of the downed pilots?" Maverick asked.

"Pacific 1-5 has been rescued by the Marines, and Shadow 6 will be soon".

"Great", he replied. "How much longer will we be on station? We're getting low on fuel and ammo."

"your relief is the Firebird and Demighost squadrons. ETA 2 hours. We'll get a couple of tankers in there shortly." 

"Roger Sentry".

"Oh god the Demighosts? Get me out of here before SHE gets here", snapped Angel.

Dash got on the radio.

"Maverick, that was great flying! That move you pulled on that Empire commander was so awesome!"

"Thanks Dash. Just doing my job".

"I hope we can team up again at some point. Even if I have to pull a few strings to make it happen".

"Anymore my stomach starts churning when I see you fly", replied Sunfire.

"I wish there was a carrier version of the Terminator", added Geoffrey "We're heading back to the carrier. Catch you some other time Lunar squadron!".

See ya'", replied Maverick.

Soon the tanker appeared and everyone topped off. 40 minutes later the relief squadrons arrived.

"This is the Great and Powerfull Commander Trixie of the Demighost squadron. I have arrived with my team and will take over the role of guardians for the troops. You may go home now."

"Remember the fighter pilot's code Angel. Don't puke in your oxygen mask", said Glory.

"Too late", she replied. 

"So how many kills did we get Maverick?" asked Dahlia.

"I'll have to think about it. I lost track."

"We'll we've got plenty of time to figure it out on the way back", replied Dash.

And the two squadrons left for their home bases.
> Chapter 6: Sun and Steel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitemare AFB
20 September 2017. 09:00 hours.


While The squadron was waiting for Tex to come in and Moonstone's feed to start, they chatted about their favorite game "Pony Fortress 2".

"You ponies play video games?" Maverick asked.

"Oh yeah. You're never too old for those!' replied Angel.

"Yeah, you should try it Maverick. It's a free download", Ice added. "Though you better hope Sunfire doesn't get placed on the opposing team. She's the top rated sniper on the server we play on."

"Maybe  one of these days", he replied.

"Jeez what does it take to make you loosen up?" Angel asked.

"OK pilots cut the chatter, it's meeting time."

"Oh terrific, we've got another Carrot Top,  snapped Angel."

Tex just ignored her and started the feed. Soon she was on.

"OK Moonstone. Whadya' all have for us today?"

"A bit of retaliation for the Empire interrupting our operation against Discord's army." 

"Awesome", replied Sunfire.

"We are going to level one of the Empire's largest army bases. You, and Venom squadron will be escorting 5, C-130's that will be carrying Daisy Cutters . This base is located 24 miles Southeast of Neighagra Falls, in between Canterlot and Trottingham. Our goal is to completely destroy the base. It will deal a major blow to their army."

"Oh yeah!. That many Daisy Cutters will level that base in ten seconds flat!" exclaimed Angel.

"It is vital the transports are safe, so you will go in first and sanitize the area of fighters, then escort them to the target and back."

"Understood", replied Maverick.

"OK, that's all I've got. Good luck."

"Alright, are you ready to go guys?" Tex asked.

"Yeah!" replied Glory as the group started to leave.

"Let's do it!"

"Now it's coward keeling time!"

"Last one alive lock the hangar door!"

_________________

Northwest of Hollow Shades, NLR Equestria
14:23 hours.


The group met up with Venom squadron near the border. Soon Carrot Top was on with an update.

"Sentry 2 to all fighters: The transports are now in a holding pattern near Hollow Shades, and we're picking up 10 fighters in the area of the base. 

"That's it?" a puzzled Ice asked. "Considering the importance of the base and being near 2 airbases, plus the capitol of the Solar Empire, I'd think they would have more up."

"I'm just telling you what we see. There may be more out of range."

"I guess we'll find out", replied Maverick. "Venom one is your squadron ready?"

"Yes we are", he replied.

"Let's go then. All planes engage!" And they dumped their drop tanks and sped off.

The Empire planes soon picked them up.

"All planes this is Fury one. 6 bandits 17 miles out. Let's get them." And the dogfight was on.

Both sides fired missiles at each other in a head on encounter, though none hit. Soon the planes were identified.

"Damn, Flankers like ours. This will be easy", replied replied a member of Venom squadron.

Maverick did a reverse dive and got on the tail of one. The bandit's wingpony tried to get a lock on him, but soon Glory was on his tail and he had to break off. Both were shot down.

"I've got two on me", yelled Sunfire as she evaded some cannon fire.

"I'm on them. Follow me Dahlia", replied Angel. And the two reversed their turn and dropped in behind the Empire planes.

"Fury 3 break!", the other pilot yelled. Though they split up, neither could get away from them. Angel got Fury 3, and before Dahlia could get the other one another bandit dropped behind them.

"Behind us! Dahlia yelled, and they broke off. Venom 1 got the Flanker Dahlia was chasing.

In Canterlot, Celestia received word of the fight.

"Your highness, we have an air battle going on Northeast of here."

"Is it just an incursion or is there something else to it?" she asked.

"There are 12 fighters, and we're picking up 5 larger aircraft just flying across the border. It's possible they're bombers, and their target might be the Neighagra Army base."

Celestia seemed to be fairly calm about it. "Are these fighters in range of the sword yet?"

"Yes they are. We've lost 4 planes to them so far."

"If we get down to 3 planes have them retreat, and we will introduce those Republic pests to it."

"Yes your highness."

Back at the battle, 2 more Empire planes had been shot down by Venom squadron, and Sunfire took out Fury one.

"We've lost the commander! What do we do?" one Empire pilot asked their controller franticly.

"All planes retreat. Head West to Canterlot. We're firing up Excalibur."

"Oh ok. You heard him. Let's get out of here pilots." 

"They're running away!" Glory announced.

"That's it. Run cowarrrrrds!", yelled Angel. 

Maverick managed to get one last missile off and took out one of the bandits as they left.

"Sentry 2 to Ironpony squadron. The airspace is sanitized. Head for the base."

"Roger we're coming", replied the lead transport. 10 minutes later they were in formation with Lunar on the left, and Venom on the right.

"I can't wait to see this. That base is going to get vaporized", exclaimed Sunfire.

"It's going to be a boring flight until then", replied Angel.

"Hey what's that light to the Northwest?" Glory pointed out. No sooner than she said that a huge laser beam shot through the middle of the formation, destroying 3 of the transports instantly.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" Ice yelled.

"Sentry 2 what's going on?" shouted Maverick.

"All planes, the enemy appears to be attacking with a long range laser. It came from somewhere North of Canterlot."

"Let's get the hell out of here!, Venom 1 yelled. All of the planes began turning in opposite directions to retreat. The laser fired again, striking two more planes.

"Venom 2 and 3 are down!"

"Split up and gun it everypony!" yelled Maverick.

"All planes, we are sending data to your computers that will give you a few seconds of warning before it strikes again. Stay out of the red when it appears on your screen."

"Roger Sentry", replied Maverick. "Venom one tell...." a red band appeared on his radar.

"INCOMING!"

The laser fired again, striking the last two transports and Venom 6.

"Dammit we lost 3 more!" yelled Glory.

"All planes. Head for the mountain range 8 miles to the South. If you can drop behind them you'll be safe."

"You heard her. Dump your fuel into the afterburners and head for them."

The laser fired again, narrowly missing Glory who banked hard to the left in front of Venom 1. He had to turn to avoid her and flew straight into the laser. It cut his right wing completely off.

"I'm hit! I'm ejecting!"

"Dammit Celestia you piece of shit!" cussed Angel.

"Our squadron leader is gone! What do we do?"

"Keep flying!" replied Maverick.

All of the planes continued to change course to avoid the laser, but soon Venom squadron was down to one plane. The inexperienced pilots, plus the Flanker's lower mobility made it harder to evade it.

"3 miles. Keep digging!", said Carrot Top.

"We're gonna make it!" yelled Dahlia.
'
The laser fired again, hitting a mountain ahead and blowing rocks and dirt everywhere.

"Come on. One more mile..." Ice said to himself.

"All planes climb up over them and dive!" yelled Maverick. Just as they climbed up, the laser fired again and clipped the last Venom plane.

"Eject!", Glory yelled. The plane hit the mountain before the pilot could.

"Venom squadron has been wiped out!", shouted Maverick.

Carrot Top sighed. "Roger Lunar one. Keep below the mountain line. You'll be completely out of range in 6 more miles."

"Roger Sentry." .

"When the hell did the empire get that weapon? And why didn't we know about it until now?" Sunfire asked angrily.

"I don't know, but now we know why Discord hasn't been able to get anywhere near Canterlot", Maverick replied.

"So why didn't our spy satellite catch them firing it at them?" Asked Glory.

"I'm pretty sure they know exactly when it or our recon aircraft are over them."

"I hope most of those pilots bailed out." Dahlia said weakly.

"We'll find out when we get home", replied Ice.

______________________


Whitemare AFB
17:23 hours.

Maverick and the others were sitting in the lounge, thinking about how many ponies they had just saw die.

"You seem to be pretty calm about it", Sunfire said to Maverick.

"It's not the first time I've seen it", he replied.

"When did you see it?"

"During the short war Gracemareia had with the Griffin Empire a year before Discord took over. Including in my own wing. It's just something you have to put behind you until the war is over." 

Then Tex walked into the lounge.

"Just got off the phone with Moonstone. You're going to be taking part in the mission to destroy this weapon."

"Let's go!" replied Angel enthusiastically.

"Calm down Tiger. It won't be for another day. They want to get as much info about it as they can first."

"Damn."

"Any word on recovered pilots?", inquired Maverick.

"They found 3. And that's it so far."

"I'm gonna be sick", replied Ice.

"Don't think about it too much" replied Tex. "Use this day off to rest up, get yourselves ready for this mission. I'll let you know if they find anymore pilots."

"We'll try", said Angel.
> Chapter 7: Excalibur
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitemare AFB
21 September 2017. 07:02 hours.


Maverick tried to sleep, but kept waking up every hour or so. He finally gave up and went to the mess hall. When he got there he found Glory, Ice, and Sunfire had the same problem. Soon the coffee was flowing.

"You guys couldn't sleep either eh?"

"Nope." Ice replied.

"I tried everything including warm milk, which always works for me," Glory replied. 

8 minutes later Dahlia showed up. In a slightly slurred voice she said "Hi guys".

"Wow we're all zombies this morning," commented Ice.

"Hey where's Angel? She's always the first one up," she asked. Almost on Que Angel  came dragging into the mess hall. She headed straight for the vending machine and got a can of Red Pony, then sat down at the table.

"Angel?"

She drank a third of the can before she spoke.

"Worst night of sleep I've ever had. So what's going on today?"

"The meeting for the mission against that laser is at 14:00. After that there's nothing," Maverick replied.

"Guess we'll try and put this crap behind us tonight then."

Soon Tex and other ponies began trickling into the hall. While eating the squadron talked about this and that, trying to take their mind off of yesterday. They got into the subject of names.

"So how did you get your name Mav?" Sunfire asked.

"Well if my cutie mark is any indication, I come from a family of professional gamblers. My grandpa was Red Stallione," he replied.

"You're gran pappy was Big Red?" Tex said with a shocked look. "Holly cow dude you're part of gambling royalty!"

"I've heard of him before," Glory said. "He isn't related to that actor is he?"

"No he wasn't. A lot of ponies thought that but we checked a long time ago."

"So did the gambling spirit rub off on you?" asked Ice.

"Oh yeah. It didn't take long for me to pick up on it. I would beat my friends often, and a couple of times my parents. After the second time Red challenged me."

"Oooooh. Did you beat him?" 

"No. He didn't either. After over 3 hours of playing we finally called it a draw, and that's when I got my cutie mark. I was hoping it would be a Jack or Joker card, but it turned out to be a single spade."

"I don't think a card would've looked that good," replied Sunfire.

"Yeah well it led to me getting the nickname "Spade."

Angel snorted her energy drink.

"See what I mean?" Maverick said.

"Sorry Mav', I couldn't help it," she replied as she cleaned up the spill.

"Anyway it wasn't too bad, but it stayed with me all the way into the Air Force."

"Why did you join the Air Force instead of following your parents?" Dahlia asked.

"As much as I liked playing cards, I liked flying even more. When Gracemareia had it's first air show my family went to it. I was fascinated by the old and new warbirds from around the continent on display. To top it off, the Wonderbolts did a performance in their MiG-29's. That sealed it right there."

"Niiiice," replied Ice.

"Later that airshow was credited for the increase in the size of the Crystal Empire Air Force. I joined up, and my nickname stuck, and became my callsign. After I became an ace in the war with the Griffins, ponies started calling me the Ace of Spades, which did sound a little better."

"Wow, you beat the story behind my name," replied Glory.

The story gave Tex an idea to help them forget about the day before.

"Hey how long has it been since you played cards last?" he asked Maverick.

"It's been awhile. Why you want to try a few hands?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty good at Appleloosa Hold Em'. I've even got a set of chips. How about the rest of you?"

"I guess so. I know how it will end for me though," replied Angel.

"Yeah that sounds like fun," replied Sunfire.

"I don't know how to do that one. Can it be Draw Poker?" Ice asked.

"Sure. After we're done eating, meet me in the lounge." 

"Alright," Maverick replied. 

16 minutes later the group showed up in the lounge. Tex already had everything set up.

"You ready Spade?" Tex asked as he put on his favorite Colt Black album.

"Let's do it." And the game began.

Maverick was a little rusty at first, but quickly warmed up, and his stacks of chips began to grow. During the game his face didn't change by a hair. He stayed completely expressionless. 

Dahlia was the first out.

"I had a feeling I'd be first," she said.

One hour later Glory and Angel ran out of chips.

"You've gotta' be card counting," Glory said.

"Glad we aren't playing for keeps," added Angel.

"Damn I should have come up with something then," Ice said to Angel.

Ice wound up being the next out, followed by Sunfire. Then 3 hours later it was down to a final hand between Tex and Maverick.

"This is it Spade. I'm all in."

"Very well. Show em'."

Tex put down a full house with 3 aces. Maverick's hand had the 4th one, along with the four kings.

"You got me," he said.

"Damn you rock," commented Ice. "You need to show those yahoos at the Emerald Coast a thing or two."

"Who are they?" Maverick asked.

3 Navy pilots who call themselves card sharks. Only because they've never come up against a real poker player," replied Glory.

"There's both Navy and Air Force pilots who want to see their leader get taken down, but so far none have. Their cockiness pisses everypony off," added Angel.

Maverick thought about it for a moment.

"Hmmm. As much as I hate to get into a deal like that, it does sound like they need a flank whooping."

"Alright!" replied Angel. "Guess we've got something to do tonight."

Sunfire looked at the clock.

"Damn it's lunch time already. That made time fly." And after Tex had picked everything up they headed back to the mess hall.

_____________________


Canterlot Castle
13:50 hours

Celestia received an update from the head of the Empire's intelligence agency on the failed mission by the Republic the day before, and other battles.

"What is the status of the NLR pilots?" She asked the unicorn.

"They have only recovered 4 of them. And our forces have not been able to locate any more."

Celestia looked away. After a period of silence she spoke.

"It's their fault. If they hadn't started this they would still be alive," she said. She then turned back towards the unicorn.

"What's the status of Trottingham?"

"I wanted to save that for last but I have great news. Not only has the Royal Guard finally pushed Discord back over the border, we're 5 miles inside their line too."

Celestia's face brightened up.

"This is wonderful news! We must announce it to Equestria at once. Get a press conference set up. Oh and tell your brother he's got a dinner with me for this."

"Right away princess!"


___________________

Whitemare AFB
13:40 hours.

Tex showed up in the conference room for the mission meeting. Everypony was there except for Angel.

"Where's Angel?" Tex asked.

"Probably forgot about the meeting. She had her music blasting when I walked by," replied Dahlia.

"I'll go get her," Maverick said as he got up. He could hear the music even before he got to the door. He knocked on it hard.

"Come in," she said as she put down a copy of Combat Aircraft and turned the music down.

"Hey the meeting is in 15 minutes," he said.

"Oops. I forgot," she replied.

This was the first time Maverick had seen her room. Her walls were covered with pic's of her favorite metal bands, warplanes, and angels. Lots of angels. Besides those, there was a set of shelves loaded with angel figurines and statues.

"wow. You like angels too?"

"Well duh. That's how I got my name."

"It is?" he replied.

"Yep. Might as well pick up our breakfast conversation where it left off." And she told her story.

"When I was a filly, my parents were always a little reluctant to tell me why they named me that. When I demanded it once they finally told me. Turns out I almost didn't make it at birth. Shortly after I was born I stopped breathing. The hospital room was full of doctors who did everything they could to get me breathing again. Apparently my dad kept saying 'don't dance with the angels'.
Then after about 5 minutes I started breathing again, and started rising, with my wings slowly moving. The doctors actually had to hold me down. Then suddenly I stopped floating and started crying. It was then they decided my name should be Angel, as they saw me as an angel of rebirth."

The story got to Maverick a little.

"Wow. What did your dad mean by dance with the angels?"

"I later learned that was his polite term for dying. It took about 9 years for him to admit it." She got up from her bed. 

"Let's Go." And they headed to the meeting. As they walked he asked about the "Tiger" half of her name.

"Oh that came later. Half of the reason was because of my black body and orange mane, and you saw the other part at the bar. When i was a filly I did that growling a lot when I was mad, and ponies tacked that name onto mine. I later just accepted it, and that's when I added the black streaks to my mane and tail."

"Oh that's not natural?"

"I wish,"  she replied.

"There they are," Ice said as the two walked in.

"I was getting ready to call up a search party for you two," Tex said as he prepped the video feed.

"Damn I'm ready for this mission," commented Angel. Soon Moonstone's feed started.

"OK ponies listen up. We have located the laser. It's 30 miles North Northeast of Canterlot. The Empire calls it "Excalibur". It's a huge chemical laser designed to shoot down airborne targets, especially missiles, which means us or the Navy won't be able to destroy it with them. It must be done by aircraft. It has an estimated range of  70 miles which means nap of the earth flying again to avoid their radar". 

"So how do we ingress to it?" Asked Ice.

"You will fly up the Neighagra River to about here," pointing to a spot on the map. "Then you will turn and head Northwest straight to it. To make matters worse, the weapon is protected by 4 large jamming stations, one on each side about 6 miles away from it. You will have to destroy these first or your radars and missiles will be useless.
Once they're gone, head for Excalibur. It's protected by 5 huge railway cannons  which appear to be small versions of the laser. Take these out next, then focus on the four power stations that feed it from each side. Once they are gone it's power will be greatly reduced as they will have to resort to a 5th power plant located underground in the complex. 
Finally attack the laser. If you can approach the laser from behind while it's firing in the other direction, your heat seekers should be able to lock on to it. Any other angle and it will fly towards the beam and get vaporized."

"Will there be any bandits?" Sunfire asked.

"No. They don't fire the laser when their aircraft are close for fear of friendly fire incidents. Which brings up the other part about this mission. The laser is in the middle of a triangle of 3 air bases. Once you appear on radar and start attacking they will launch planes, and as soon as you destroy it get the hell out of there because they will be on you like cats on June bugs."

"Lovely." Dahlia said in a low voice.

"For weapons we're giving you 4 GBU's each for the jammers and power plant, and 2 Kh-29's for the guns. Except for you Maverick. You will get 6 of the Kh-29's for use on Excalibur itself. Any questions?"

"Nope, that does it for me," replied Maverick.

"The mission begins at noon tomorrow. Good luck guys." And the feed ended.

"It's nice we get to enjoy our last supper tonight," Dahlia said.

"Don't even joke about that," Tex replied. "Just go out and enjoy yourselves tonight."


_____________________



Emerald Coast Bar and Grill
16:25 hours.

(Music)

The group arrived at the bar, but didn't see any sign of the poker players.

"Guess they're running late," commented Angel.

"Don't worry they'll be here," replied Ice. In the meantime they did their usual stuff, including watching the landing game. The next pilot to try it out got their attention. It was a gray alicorn with blue mane.

"Who the..." Dahlia asked.

"Oooh I can't put my finger on it, but I know I've seen him before. He's an Air Force pilot," replied Ice.

They watched him get pulled up to the start, and get released. He snagged the wire with the tailhook.

"Oh he's gonna' get hate for that since he's an alicorn," commented Angel.

He got out of the sled and ran into the group.

"Hey are you Maverick?" he asked.

"Yep. You've heard about me?" 

"Oh yeah. I'm Colonel Nightshadow of the first. Callsign Shadow 2."

"That's it. I knew I've seen you somewhere before," replied Ice.

"Dash has been talking about you a lot. Guess you've pulled off some good missions since you joined."

"Couldn't have done them without my wingponies though," he replied.

As they talked the subject of Excalibur came up.

"I heard about that," Nightshadow replied. "I knew a pony in Venom squadron."

"Well tomorrow we're going in and taking Celestia's little toy out," Angel replied.

"Wish we could help out, but we're heading deep into the Griffin Empire at the same time." 

Their chat was interrupted when the card shark and his crew walked into the bar and sat at their usual table.

"Oh great. Them." Nightshadow said.

"Maverick's gonna' try and one up them," replied Sunfire.

"Oh you play cards?"

He winked and said "A little bit."

"Well good luck. I'll be here watching from the sidelines." And the group went over to them.

"Well if it isn't the Lunar squadron. I thought you were done with us?" one asked.

"Our new squadron leader wants to try a few rounds," replied Angel.

"Oh alright. well pull up a chair and let's deal. We take coins only." And the game began.

Maverick started out slow to mislead them, then when they let their guard down he let them have it. Soon the coins were flowing towards Maverick. And it was clear he was making him crack when he made the shark fold on three of a kind, when he only had a pair.

"Grrr, what was I thinking?" he said.

After another 10 minutes of play he finally snapped.

"That's it I'm all in," and he pushed all of his remaining chips to the center of the table. Maverick had way more than him so he only matched it, which turned out to be a smart move because he lost the hand.

"Wanna' go all in again?"

"Sure," Maverick replied. 

The bar got pretty quiet as they dealt their final cards.

"Show em'."

The shark put down a club flush. Maverick put his cards down one by one. 

He had a diamond flush. 

The bar exploded with cheers. Maverick opened his saddle bag and Glory used her magic to put the coins in.

"You're a goddamn card counter you cheater. Give our portion back," the shark snapped. 

"Funny you should say that considering you were doing it also, not to mention I saw you slip that one card from the bottom of the deck," he replied. The pegasus threw a punch at Maverick. He ducked it and fired one back. Instantly  it turned into a melee between the Air Force and Navy pilots involving nearly every pony in the bar. 

"Hell yeah taste my wrath swabbies!" Angel yelled as she jumped in.

Punches, kicks, and magic spells were flying everywhere. Ice and Sunfire double teamed one of the shark's helpers, then Maverick punched another, only to get decked by one he didn't see coming. Angel kicked an earth pony into the pool for the landing game. 

"Colt overboard!" she yelled.

A Navy unicorn picked up Ice his with magic and slid him down the bar. Glory picked up a chair and smashed it over his head for doing it. Then the shark's other helper charged at Dahlia. She jumped up and kicked her in the flank, which sent her through the bathroom door and head first into the toilet.

"When nature calls," Dahlia said with a smile.

Angel slammed another pegasus through a table and lunged for another, but got intercepted by a hoof to the nose.

The shark jumped on Maverick's back and tried to take his bags, but he bucked him off then kicked him through the front window of the bar.

"YEAAAAH give me somepony!" he yelled, at which point he got jumped by one.

Dahlia and Sunfire tried to grab a heavy draft earth pony that had Ice pinned to the floor, but got brushed off. So they teamed up with Angel and another Air Force pony and finally got him pulled off. Glory hit him with a barrage of cider bottles and the four slammed him through another table.

4 minutes later the fight was showing no signs of slowing down as another Navy Pegasus grabbed Sunfire and held her so his friend could land a hard punch, but she managed to duck and his friend hit him instead.

"How's it goin' Sunfire?" Angel yelled as she smashed a pool cue over a unicorn's head. 

"Pretty good." she replied.

About that time several military and Las Pegasus police cars showed up at the bar.

"The fuzz is here let's beat it!" Angel yelled, and they managed to sneak out the back. Glory jumped on Maverick's back and they flew off for home. All of them had bruises and scrapes. Angel had a bloody nose, and Ice had a black eye.

"Now that was a fight!" exclaimed Sunfire.

"How did you do Maverick?" Angel asked while holding a rag to her nose.

"Better than usual," he replied. "Was that a typical fight for there?"

"Oh hell no. That was a category 5 shit storm back there," she replied.

"Believe it or not, I saw worse at that bar I was talking about before."

"Wow. Well let's get back and repair ourselves. I'm sure we're going to hear about this," said Ice as they flew on.

The base was quiet when they got back, so they headed into the squadron's barracks. As they got close to Tex's office they could hear shouting.

"Who's that?" Asked Glory. They stopped outside the door to his office. It was clear the yelling was coming from  Wigwam , the commander of the Air Force who was on the phone.

"... THAT'S THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK OUR PILOTS HAVE GOT INTO A FIGHT THERE!"

"So was Lunar squadron involved?" Tex asked.

"WHO DO YOU THINK STARTED IT?  Since they are going on a mission tomorrow, me holding inquiry for this at YOUR base. ME WANT SOME BUTTS!" And the call ended.

"Like hell we started it," Angel said under her breath.

Tex suddenly opened his door. He looked at the group for a few seconds.

"I guess you were involved," he said.

"Hey they jumped Maverick first. We were only defending ourselves," Glory replied.

"I take it you beat them then?"  

Maverick showed him his saddle bag. He just smiled. 

"I see the reason for the fight now," he replied. "Well patch yourselves up and get some sleep. It's going to be a loooooong day for you tomorrow."

____________________


Whitemare AFB
22 September 2017 07:05 Hours.

The squadron was up early to prep for their chewing out, which was in an hour.

"What do you think he'll do to us?" Dahlia asked.

"Right now not much since we have a mission later. Afterwards who knows. Just remember they threw the first punch," replied Ice. All too soon it was time for it, and they headed for the confrence room. Before they even reached the door they could hear Wigwam yelling with his somewhat broken language. After it stopped a couple of pilots left the room looking pretty shook up.

"GET IN HERE LUNAR SQUADRON!" And they entered to see him and Tex at the table.

"OK maggots what's your excuse?"

"Self defense sir," replied Glory. 

"That's the same thing those two just said."

"Well that's what happened. Those Navy card players couldn't handle losing to Maverick here and they threw the first punch," added Ice.

"Me should have known it was newbie who started it."  He looked at a report as the debate continued for a few minutes.

"It's not looking good for you ponies. You have no witnesses."

"Who are you going to believe? Us or some Navy pilots?" snapped Angel.

"Allow me to be their witness." Everypony turned around to see Nightshadow standing there.

"What are you doing here?" asked Wigwam.

"I wanted to offer my support but I got here late. I was there sir. They were victimized. I saw the whole thing. It wasn't their fault or any other Air Force pilots."

Wigwam seemed to calm down. "Is what you say the truth?"

"Yes sir, I swear to Luna."

"Very well. You ponies are free to go. I've got my eye on you though." And all of them left to prepare for their mission.

"Thanks for the testimony Nightshadow," Glory said.

"No problem. Wigwam is a good commander, but sometimes he get's a little to riled up. He always calm when he's around us so Dash suggested I go to the inquiry to back our pilots up."

"Tell her I've got some cider waiting for her for that," replied Angel.

"I will. Good luck on your mission guys. We were hoping to go also, but we've still got our long range bombing support mission tonight." And he left.


________________________


Neighagra River
Southeast of Canterlot, Equestria
15:21 hours

"Sentry 2 to all planes: Drop to the river." 

"Roger," replied Maverick. Soon they were skimming the water to the waypoint where they would turn West and head for Excalibur.

"OK guys. There's a set of hills East of the target that you will have to fly over. When you do that you will be both on radar and within range of Excalibur. Once that happens just focus on dodging the laser."

"Roger Sentry. Keep us informed of any bandits."  

"How's your nose Angel?" Dahlia asked.

"It's fine now," she replied. "How's your bruises Ice?"

"They're still there, but they don't hurt anymore," he replied.

"OK it's radio silence time everypony," Maverick announced. And they spent the next several miles to the waypoint in silence. They reached it and turned left, and before long the hills were looming in front of them.

"OK it's showtime," Maverick said, and the aircraft climbed to clear the hills. They were picked up on radar immediately, and alarms started sounding at Excalibur and the air bases.

"Six bandits inbound, get it fired up!" one pony said at the base. 

"Laser charged and ready," replied another.

A red line appeared on the squadron's radars.

"BREAK!" Maverick yelled, and they split off from each other, barely avoiding the laser.

"Attack the jammers from up high down low and in between. Keep an eye out for air threats and don't stay in one spot for too long," said Maverick.

The moves worked. Once the laser was set to fire it couldn't move except in a narrow cone, which got smaller the closer they got.

Ice approached the first jammer. There was some anti aircraft fire, but he dodged it and dropped two bombs on the facility.

"I got the Eastern one," he announced as he did a split "S", narrowly avoiding the laser. This was soon repeated with Glory, who took out the Southern one along with an AA gun.

Back at Canterlot Celestia got the news. 

"Your highness! The Republic is attacking the jammers around Excalibur!" a unicorn said to her.

"WHAT?" She yelled. "How did they even get close?"

"We don't know. They must have snuck under our radar.Of all the things that could happen this is the worst, possible, thing!"

"I hate to do it, but if they start attacking the base have air command send some squadrons in," replied Celestia.

"But they could get hit by Excalibur."

"It's a risk we have to take because we can't lose it."

Meanwhile Angel had flown around to the  North side of the base to hit the third jammer. As she was lining up on it her radar went red. She waited as long as she could, dropped her bombs, then pulled straight up. The laser missed her by a plane length.

"Damn I almost got roasted," she said.

A short time later Sunfire destroyed the last one. As she performed a split S to avoid the laser a faint blip appeared on her radar for a second.  She pointed the nose of the aircraft up and saw it again.

"Hmm what do we have here?" she thought, and she headed for it.

"Lunar one to Sentry 2, all jammers destroyed. Heading for the laser."

"Roger Maverick. Be advised we are picking up numerous aircraft taking off from the air bases so be alert."

Meanwhile Sunfire had caught up to the blip. It was an SR-71 painted in LoD colors. It had been grazed by the laser and was now trailing smoke.

"Where did they get that? We're the only ones who have those," she thought. She took a picture of it before backing off and shooting it down with a heat seeker.

"Sunfire where are you?" Maverick asked over the radio.

"I'm coming. You won't believe what I just shot down."

They now had Excalibur in sight. They approached it from 6 different directions. Soon the railway guns opened up. Like they determined they were mini versions of the laser.

"Since the main one is a sword, would that make those daggers?" Angel asked.

"I guess so," replied Ice.

Glory was the first to reach a mini laser. She shot off a missile and then banked right. It hit dead center.

Soon afterwards the Solar Empire's air command contacted the squadrons that were scrambled.

"Command to all squadrons: They've reached Excalibur. We need one of you in there now!" The radio was silent for a bit. None of the squadrons wanted to risk it. Finally one spoke up.

"Command this is Mist squadron. We've got this."

"Roger Mist 2. Get in there!"

"Mist 1 to Mist  2 are you sure?"

"Oh  yeah babe. We've gotta' do this."

"Very well. Mist 1 to all planes: Let's get them."

Back at Excalibur, Dahlia had just taken out a rail gun when Carrot Top came on.

"Sentry 2 to all planes. 6 Bandits inbound at 41 miles."

"Are they nuts?" Glory said. 

"Let's get this over with fast ponies," replied Maverick. Ice and Angel took out the remaining guns, and began attacks on the power plants.

"They seem to be having trouble firing at us this close," commented Sunfire.

"Of course. It was made primarily for long range attacks," replied Maverick. "Get the power plants. I'm gonna' head out a ways and wait for the moment to strike the laser head."

"Roger Mav'," replied Glory.

One by one all of the power plants were destroyed. It was apparent the laser was now weaker and couldn't move as fast.

"Now what Maverick?" asked Ice.

"Head out to the south and get them to fire at you while I come up from the North," he replied.

"You've got it," replied Glory, and they headed South. The laser fired, and Maverick got a tone on it.

"Lunar one fox two twice!", he announced. The Archers flew off their rails and streaked towards the laser head, scoring a direct hit and disabling it.

"Direct hit! Full attack guys!" he yelled into the radio.

"The laser's destroyed! Everypony out!" And the complex began emptying of workers.

"Here we come!" replied Angel. The 5 dropped their remaining bombs on the various support and control structures, and Maverick circled around and launched his Kh-29's at Excalibur itself. The explosions blew a hole in the center of the tower. Slowly it started to bend at the hole and fall over. It landed on the remains of the support buildings with a huge crash.

"WE GOT IT! WE GOT IT!" shouted Dahlia.

"Hell yeah that's what I'm talking about!" replied Angel. All 6 of them were cheering and yelling over the radio.

"The sword has been pulled from the stone and broken in half," announced Ice.

"Sentry 2 to Lunar squadron: Nice job! I hate to ruin the moment but those fighters are 11 miles out now."

"Let em' bring it!" yelled Sunfire.

"They destroyed it! DAMN those Republic pigs!" one member of Mist squadron yelled.

"All planes continue to engage," said Mist 1. "Don't let them escape."

"Aww yeah let's lay the beat of our guns on them!" replied Mist 2.

Soon both sides were in range, and the usual first exchange of missiles happened. Then it was on.

" Gripens . This is gonna' be fun," Maverick announced.

As the planes were twisting and turning, Angel and Ice caught a glimpse of Mist 1 and 2's planes. Unlike Republic ones, the Empire only has the cutie mark of the pilot on the left side under the canopy for identification.

"Ice. Did you see those cutie marks?"

"Yeah! When did they join the SEAF? And why?" 

After several tries, Glory finally got a gun kill.

"Damn that was hard," she said.

"Gripens are more maneuverable than ours. Keep on your toes," replied Maverick.

Angel shot another off of Ice's tail, then just barely dodged a missile from Mist 1.

"How can such a large plane move like that?" Another member of Mist squadron said.

"These pilots are good. Don't let your guard down", replied Mist 1.

Maverick shot a third down, then got on her tail.

"I don't think so." Mist 1 did a snap roll and dived, making him overshoot.

"Damn that was a good one," Maverick thought as he dived after her. He got on her tail again, but not for long as she did a short loop and got behind him.

"Nice try pony, but you have yet to see all of my movements," she said as she got tone on him and fired a Sidewinder. Maverick dropped flares and rolled downward, dodging it.

"Looks like this is going to be an extended performance." After some more twisting and turning, she was behind him once more, and again got tone.

"I'll see if I have time to play at your funeral," she said as she got ready to fire.

"See how you like this," Maverick said as he hit the brakes and stood the Terminator nearly on it's end, making her overshoot. Once again he was behind her.

"That pilot has such grace," she thought as she started doing defensive turns. 

Mist 2 got on Maverick's tail and got ready to fire, but Dahlia dropped in behind her.

"Maverick break!" He did, and she got off a cannon burst, damaging Mist 2's plane.

"I'm hit!"

"What's the damage?" Mist 1 asked.

"It's still flying, but I'm heading back."

"You can't go by yourself!"

"I'll be fine babe. Just get them."

"Mist 2....." She saw a Terminator drop in behind and she turned to assist her, but was suprised when it broke off.

"That Republic pilot... showed compassion?" she thought.

"She's already damaged, I can't do it," Sunfire thought to herself as she broke off.

Mist 1's momentary focusing on her wingpony was all Maverick needed. He dived in behind her and fired his cannon, scoring a direct hit. 

"NO!" she yelled. She pulled the eject handle and got out.

"Mav' did she eject?" Angel asked.

"Yes she's safe," he replied. "Angel thought to herself:

"How could you let them join Celestia?"

With the loss of their 1 and 2 pilots, the remaining 2 fell quickly to Ice and Glory.

"Sentry 2 to all planes, nice job. Now get the hell out of there because you have over 40 bandits approaching from 3 directions." (End of music)

"Roger we're gone," Maverick replied. And they hit the afterburners and made a mad dash for the border. The Republic's substantial air defense network along that part would turn the Empire planes back.

A couple of empire squadrons flew over the site of Excalibur. They saw the smoldering wreckage of it, and as they flew a little further smoke columns from the jammers and downed planes.

"Oh my Celestia," one pilot said.

"Oh no! Control what happened to Mist squadron?" another asked.

"All but one were shot down. The last just crashed on their approach to Mareimar." The pilot started to well up.

"Oh please don't be dead. Please."

"I will not rest until I've personally shoved a missile down Luna's throat!" another yelled. They tried to catch up to them but Lunar squadron had made it back into the Republic, so they turned around.
> Intermission: Pilot Interviews
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
My quest to find him and those who were his friends, and enemies took me all over the five countries that were involved in the war. 

Maverick's friends praised the work he did for the squadron. His enemies showed discontent, but also seemed to have been impressed by his abilities.
The more I read up on Maverick and the Lunar squadron, the more eager I was to meet them.



1st Lieutenant Rover. "Draco 1"
Former member of the Legion of Discord Air Force
15th Fighter Squadron.

Originally  self employed, he joined the LoD air force after the takeover. He has since returned to his previous job of digging for gems.

"My squadron was flying on a routine patrol just off the coast when we got the call about the radar site in the volcano being attacked. We immediately headed for it to intercept them.

Unfortunately we got there too late to save the site. We engaged them anyway, which turned out to be a mistake. We had some of the top LoD aircraft, and that squadron made it look like we were flying bi-planes. In short order 3 of my pilots were downed. 

Then their squadron leader, this Maverick you speak of, got on my tail. He was worse than a flea. Nothing I did could shake him, and he got me. I parachuted onto the beach on one side of the island, and watched my last pilot get shot down.

I watched the planes fly back over the island. The grayish white wingtips made them look so brazen. Then I saw one get shot down by a portable SAM, and I thought I might get to meet the pony who shot me down. I never saw him though. I don't know if the Navy picked him up or what.

Now the war is over, and I'm once again digging underground with other dogs looking for gems. I miss the comfort of the barracks, and the good food. Maybe someday my gem hunting will let me live that way."

______________________ 


Lieutenant Colonel Gilda. "Galt 1"
Former member of the Legion of Discord Air Force.
32nd Fighter Squadron.

Originally a member of the Griffin Empire Air Force, she was one of several who were forced to join the LoD after the takeover.

"I was one of the Griffins who reluctantly accepted the takeover of our country by Discord. Before then I was the commander of my own Griffin Empire squadron. Because of this, they enlisted me in their air force. 

Besides being the commander of the 32nd, I trained a lot of the new pilots who were joining also. Most of my flight was newbies the day we were directed to defend the canyon from the attackers.

I was worried we would run into Rainbow Dweeb or that showoff Trixie's squadrons, as we would have been in trouble. When I saw it was just another blue squadron I figured it wouldn't be too hard.

I was wrong. The pilots of this squadron were good. Especially that damn Maverick. I watched my wingmen get shot down one by one, and our ammo supplies get destroyed.

Then Maverick engaged me. Nothing I did could throw him off. He was like damn fly you couldn't swat off your back with your tail. The next thing I know my plane gets riddled with bullets, and I had to eject. 

I yelled at him as he flew by. His face was expressionless. You couldn't tell if he was happy for the kill or disappointed. 

I completely lost my temper.  My kill score was perfect until that dweeb screwed it up! If we ever return to the skies again,  HE will be the one to get shot down!"


_____________________


Fleet Admiral Geoffrey. Pacific 1-1
Member of the New Lunar Republic Navy

Originally with the 2nd Carrier Fighter Squadron on board the LRS Eclipse, he is now the captain of the LRS Pacific . The Republic's new hi tech battleship.

"I know most Navy and Air Force pilots have rivalries between each other, but I'm not one of those. I only met Maverick a couple of times, but on both he left quite an impression on me. The second time being the engagement with both Solar Empire and LoD aircraft during the attack on Discord's forces.

I had never seen a furball like that before. It might have been too much for some ponies, but not him. And with the combination of his and Rainbow Dash's squadrons the enemy never stood a chance. He was truly one of the greats for our time."


_____________________


Colonel Firefly. "Firebane 1"
Former member of the Solar Empire Air Force.
4th Air Division. 7th Fighter Squadron.

"Intelligence knew about the Republic's plans to attack Discord's forces, so our mission was to give both sides massive losses. It might have been successful, but intel didn't know we would be going up against two of the NLR's best squadrons.

I knew about Lunar squadron and their capabilities, so  I figured I could counter their moves easily. I didn't know Maverick was the new squadron commander though. I thought it was still Whiteblaze.

I realized this as soon as I saw his flying. It was some of the best I've ever seen. I had to focus intensely to keep him from getting a lock on me. I did it so much that I forgot there were other planes, and that's how I got shot down.

At the time I kind of wished he had shot me down. Because the fact it was my childhood friend that did it made it hurt." 

_____________________


Major Octavia. "Mist 1".
Former member of the Solar Empire Air Force.
1st Air Division. 4th Fighter Squadron.


"I wasn't planning on joining the military, but Vinyl convinced me to do it, so I became part of the Air Force. Being an earth pony I've always wondered what flying would be like. It wasn't long before I got to like the freedom of it, even though it was in a jet.

Under Vinyl's guidance, I became a formidable pilot, and was soon an ace. Air combat is like any musical performance. You have to know your instrument, and how to play it. And you have to be perfect. One wrong note and the performance is ruined. 

Unfortunately the two of us played sour notes the day we met Maverick and the Lunar Squadron. 

After the first few planes got shot down I knew we were in trouble. Those pilots flew better than any I had come up against before. Vinyl was hit first. Her plane was still flyable, so she retreated from the battle. I was sure that one Lunar plane was going to finish her off, but it didn't. The pilot showed compassion. 

It was then I remembered we weren't flying against brainwashed monsters or Griffins. They were ponies like us. Maybe even fans who recognized the cutie marks on our planes. But like us they had a job to do. 

It was then my sour note happened, and Maverick got me. 

After I was rescued, I learned Vinyl had failed to make it back to base, but managed to eject safely. 

Now that the war is over we have returned to our music careers, but if Equestria should be threatened again, we will not hesitate to return to the skies."


_____________________


Senior Master Sergeant Sunfire. "Lunar 7"


"I figured he was just another average pilot, and we would have to train him a little more. 

After the first mission with him, my opinion changed. It was clear he knew what he was doing and then some. 

I was awestruck by his flying. He made his 37 do exactly what he wanted. It was almost like he became the plane. 

And he seemed to prefer using his gun over his missiles in dogfights. It almost seemed like he wanted to give the enemy pilots a chance to bail out. I was proud to have him as my wing commander.


_____________________


Master Sergeant Dahlia. "Lunar 4"

"There's not much I can say about him that you probably don't already know.

When he first arrived at Whitemare, he really didn't seem like a seasoned pilot. I figured we would be bailing him out constantly. 

Boy did he prove us wrong. He put his Terminator through moves I would have never tried. While concentrating on the enemy, he never lost track of his wingponies. 

After I learned more about his past and watched him in action, it was clear he was the best thing to come to Lunar squadron ever." 



These snippets from the interviews only scratched the surface of Lunar squadron's accomplishments. I continued to look for more as I tried to find Maverick, as I wanted to get every little detail of each mission, if it was possible. 
> Chapter 8: Desert Rain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Castle
Solar Empire, Equestria
22 September 2017
18:20 hours.


Celestia was sipping tea in her chamber when the head of the intelligence agency came in.

"Your highness, I have grave news."

"No... No Twilight don't tell me..."

"I'm afraid so. We've lost Excalibur."

"DAMMIT!" Celestia yelled as she threw her tea cup into the wall. "Didn't any of our squadrons try to go in?"

"Yes. Mist Squadron did, and we lost them too."

Celestia look liked she was either going to explode or have a break down.

"What about the pilots?"

"Early reports are 1 dead, 1 injured, and 4 rescued."

A look of fear came across her eyes. 

"What about...." 

"They're safe. Octavia ejected and Vinyl almost made it back to Mareimar, but had to eject short of it."

Celestia turned away from Twilight. Her head lowered.

"That weapon was our best defense against Discord. By destroying it my sister may have doomed us all." 

She turned back towards Twilight.  "We will have to double air patrols now. Move more antiaircraft artillery into northern Equestria too."

She then turned back around.

"I've got a lot to think about, so I wish to remain undisturbed."

"Yes your highness," she replied.


_____________________


Discord's palace
18:35 hours.

Discord's second in command ran into his throne room.

"Your excellency. I have great news!"

"And what might it be?" he replied.

"The Republic has destroyed the Empire's laser defense weapon. Completely!"

Discord was actually shocked.

"How? Did they have some new missile to hit it or something?"

"It appears the same air force squadron that destroyed our bases in the volcano and Windigo Canyon did it."

"Wow. I'm starting to wish we had that group of pilots," he replied. "Anything else?"

"Oh we did lose our Blackbird spy plane. We're not sure if Excalibur or that squadron got it though."

"Oh. Well compared to the good news that's nothing. It might be time to plan some more missions for the Empire. Including the one coming up"

"I'll get on them right away!"


Meanwhile the squadron had returned to Whitemare. 2 hours later they were watching TV in the lounge when Tex came in.

"Hey guys. Moonstone's on the horn. She wants to talk to you."

"Did we goof up something?" Asked Angel.

"I don't think so," he replied. And they headed to the conference room.

When they got there the feed was already up, and Moonstone was on.

"Greetings guys. Great job on the mission." She said.

"What's up?" Maverick asked.

"Your ranks. On behalf of Wigwam I am pleased to inform you you've all received a 1 rank promotion for your mission to destroy Excalibur."

"Whoa, nice!" replied Angel.

"I take it he's no longer mad at us for that bar fight?" Sunfire asked.

"I guess so. Especially since Luna herself recommended it to him."

"Well I guess we're gonna' be in the news then," replied Glory.

"You've also got 3 days off, so go out and raise some more hell."

"Oh yeah! You bet we will!" exclaimed Ice.

"Well enjoy it. Again good job." And the feed ended.

"You guys are putting this base on the map," Tex said. "Soon you're gonna' be up there with Dash and Trixie's squadrons."

"It's OK Dash's has the top spot, but I would like nothing more than to knock Trixie's squadron from the number 2 spot," Angel said.

"Well keep it up and it might happen," Tex replied.

______________________


Emerald Coast Bar and Grill
23 September 2017
19:00 hours.

(Music)

As soon as the squadron walked in the door, all eyes turned towards them, and cheers erupted. Even from Navy pilots. 

They noticed some traces of the fight remained, but otherwise the place was back to normal. They soon got a surprise.

"Hey over here you guys!"

"Dash! Derpy!" Angel yelled as they headed over to the table. Her, Dahlia and Ice greeted the gray Pegasus with hugs while Dash did high hoofs all around.  

"How are you ponies doin?" Ice asked.

"Great," replied Dash. "But forget us, what about you guys? What you did was absolutely awesome!"

"Congrats on your new ranks too. You deserved it for that," added Derpy. 

"Just doing our job," replied Glory.

"Oh quit being so modest. What you did was one of the best feats the NLRAF has ever done. Every squadron wants to fly with you now. You've even got Trixie jealous!" Dash said. Angel got a big grin from that part.

"Now that's what I want to hear," she said.

"Where do we stand now anyway?" Maverick asked.

"You've cracked the top 5. You knocked the Black Diamonds out," she replied.

"I guess we are doing good," Dahlia said. "So why are you here?"

"I'm helping Derpy celebrate," replied Dash.

"I got a promotion too," Derpy proudly announced.

"Hey Congrats! How did it happen?" Angel asked.

"I saved a damaged bomber from 3 Empire MiG's," she replied. 

"Niiiice," Ice said.

"You never cease to amaze me Derpster," added Dahlia.

"Maybe we should make up a dream squadron or something," Angel said. "Us, you two, Medley, get all of the top ones in it... Except Trixie." Everypony laughed.

The bar owner arrived with more cider. 

"Drink up pilots. It's on the house tonight."

Hot damn! This party's goin' all night long then!"  replied Ice. And everypony did a toast to the squadron.


______________________

Whitemare AFB
26 September 2017
09:30 hours.

As is always the case their days off went by too fast, and it was time to get back to the grind. 

they filed into the conference room and waited for Moonstone's feed. Soon she was on.

"OK pilots. Hope you enjoyed your days off because it's bombing time again."

"what do you have for us?" Maverick replied.

"The LoD's largest industrial complex West of Tuhn in the Griffin Empire. It's a major producer of weapons, fuel, and aircraft, and destroying it will put a huge dent in their war machine. 

Unfortunately it won't be that easy to do. The desert around it is completely flat for 30 miles in all directions, and because of this both their radar and air defenses can spot you a long distance away. Which means nap of the earth flying until you reach it.

Once you're picked up on radar you'll have 25 minutes to destroy the factories before fighters from the air base Northeast of Tuhn scramble and reach you. Even less if there's already a patrol in the area.  Your ingress route will be from the sea. 

For ordnance you will all get thousand pound guideds. None of the buildings and bunkers are really reinforced so they will do the trick. 

Once you're within 3 miles, pull up, select your targets, drop them, and get out. All of the buildings should only need one bomb, though drop 2 on the main structures. Any questions?"

"So how low is nap of the earth this time?" Dahlia asked.

"50 feet."

Dahlia gulped.

"Oh and try not to be in the near the complex when the ammo dumps go up. We're not sure how much they have stored there but it will create quite a boom. And try to maintain radio silence on the way to the target."

"Carrot Top's gonna' get you on that Angel," snapped Glory.

"Hey I did it before, I can do it again," she replied.

"Good luck pilots." And the feed ended.

"I can't wait for this one," Angel said. "I wanna' see some big explosions."

"Just try not to be one," replied Ice.


___________________

West of Tuhn
LoD Griffin Empire
26 September 2017
12:25 hours. 


"Lunar 1 to all planes: Let's get down in it." And they dropped down to 25 feet.

"I wonder if I could design a bush hog attachment for the Terminator? We could make money mowing ponies hay fields," commented Angel.

"Sentry 2 to Lunar 3, can it motormouth. Start radio silence."

"Sentry 2  this is Motormouth 3, roger."

"What did you just say?" replied Carrot Top.

Maverick just shook his head as he checked his weapons. 

Things went smoothly until they were about 11 miles from the target. A dragon that had stopped at a stream to get a drink flew up right in front of Sunfire.

"DAMN!" Her only option was to pull up. She missed it, but went above 50 feet and immediately got a radar spike.

"Dammit guys I got a radar spike, they saw me."

"Roger. Speed it up everypony!" replied Maverick.

"Well since they know we're coming I'm gonna' start talking again," Angel said.

Soon the alarm was going off at the airbase, and planes began taking off. And the anti aircraft  installations around the complex were readied. 5 miles from the target Maverick got on the radio.

"OK guys go ahead and pull up. It'll give us more time," he said.

"Roger Mav'," replied Glory, and they began their attack run. Factory workers began evacuating the buildings as the anti aircraft guns opened up. An SA-6 SAM launched 3 missiles at the squadron.

"SAM's break!" They did, then dropped chaff and turned back. All 3 missed.

Each one of them selected a building and released 1 or 2 bombs. Maverick dropped a couple on the main building of the aircraft plant, while Ice dropped one on the runway to render it useless. Glory dropped 2 on the ammunition plant, and the others dropped them on the fuel depot, and some of the ammo bunkers, causing huge explosions.

"Great pass guys!" Maverick said. "Let's turn around and drop the rest."

As they were turning, more SAM's were launched at them. They dropped more chaff and dodged them also.

"Sentry 2 to all planes: 7 bandits 17 miles out."

"Roger Sentry. Let's hurry up," replied Maverick. They were on their final approach to the complex. Again each picked a target and dropped their bombs. Angel hit a bunker that housed two thousand pound bombs. The shockwave from the explosion could be felt in the planes.

"Ka-BOOOOOOOOOM! Dominated ya' filthy bastards!" she yelled.

"I thought the Sniper was your favorite character?" asked Maverick.

"Yeah but I've always wanted to say that on a mission," she replied.

"Now that she's said it you're gonna' hear the quotes nonstop," added Ice.

On the ground the factories were in chaos. At the main ammunition plant the workers were doing their best to keep the fire from spreading.

"Fire is heading for the main storage area! If it reaches it this place is a crater!" a Minotaur yelled.

Meanwhile the enemy fighters had arrived.

"SU-35's, we're pretty much even," announced Maverick. The 35 and 37 were identical planes. The only difference was the Terminator's thrust vectoring.

"SSSSwitchblade One to all aircraft. Ennngage at will," the LoD squadron commander said.

"Lunar one fox two!" Maverick announced as he took out the first bandit. Sunfire rolled in behind one and got ready to fire, but another got behind him and he had to break off.

"Come back here pony," the pilot said as he tried to get a missile lock.

"Time for me to try it," Sunfire said. She hit the brakes and pulled up, executing a perfect Cobra that put her behind him.

"I did it!" She fired a missile and took him out.

"Nice Sunfire. You're learning," Maverick said.

"Thanks to you," she replied.

Next Ice got one with a gun kill. Then Angel got one on her tail. She pulled a Cobra also and nailed the bandit.

"I'll notify yer' next of kin, that ya' sucked!" She said.

"Told you Maverick," commented Ice.

Meanwhile more explosions were going off below them as more bunkers and storage tanks ignited. Some could be felt in the air.

"Man it must be pretty bad down there. Hope all of them got out," Dahlia commented. Soon she had a bandit in front of her, and got a missile kill. With Glory getting a kill it was now down to Maverick and the squadron commander.

"Thisssssss pilot is good, but not good enough," he said as he performed a Cobra.

"Sorry pal," Maverick said as he did one also and stayed behind him. This was repeated twice, and soon they were down to four thousand feet as they approached the factory complex. As they got close to it, the fire reached the main explosives storage area of the ammunition plant. The massive explosion completely leveled the complex, and created a shockwave that could be heard and felt as far as 30 miles away due to the flat land around it. 

"HOLLY GODDAMN SHIT!" Yelled Angel. "That made that explosion in the canyon look like an M-80 in a termite mound!"

"Maverick are you okay?" Glory asked over the radio.

The shockwave violently shook both Maverick and the LoD plane, which took the brunt of it. Disorienting the commander long enough for Maverick to get the kill.

"I'm fine guys. I don't want to go through that again though," he replied.

"Sentry 2 to all planes. All targets and bandits destroyed. I even felt that explosion. Return to base."

"Let's go home everypony," Maverick said. They flew back over the site. All that could be seen was thick smoke and dust. And through it, the faint image of a giant crater where the ammo plant had been. 

"Wow. I hope that puts the dent in the LoD's military like Moonstone said it would," Ice said.

"With those explosions it had to," replied Glory.

"I guess we'll find out when we get home," Maverick added as they headed back to the sea.

_____________________



Discord's palace
14:10 hours.

"Your excellency. The Republic has struck again!" 

"Now what did they do?" Discord asked his second in command.

"They completely leveled the industrial complex West of Tuhn."

"WHAAAAT?" How who..."

"It was that Lunar squadron again! They took out Switchblade Squadron also."

"ARRRRGH is our air force that incompetent?"

"No these pilots just seem to be good."

"Damn they're a pain in the ass!" Discord replied. "Do we know where they're stationed at?"

"I don't have the info right now but I can get it."

"Well do it. We're gonna' include their base in our next plan."

"Yes your Excellency."

Discord then asked about something else.

"Oh how's that little deal up north going?"

"That is going good. So far we've taken out 2 Empire Squadrons, and I just got word about 16 minutes ago that they got a Republic one." 

"Well maybe that Lunar squadron will try it also. If not I may just have to pull Windigo Squadron off and send them after those ponies. I'm sure she can take them out."
> Chapter 9: Cornered
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Castle
27 September 2017
09:12 hours.

Celestia entered the castle briefing room where Twilight, Rarity, and a couple of others were waiting.

"So any trace of our two squadrons?" she asked.

"No, nothing. The area below the mountains there is covered by clouds, so we can't see any wreckage from our satellite," she replied.

"What do you want to do your highness?" Rarity asked.

"We can't risk losing anymore," she replied. "Keep on this and try to figure out what is going on."

"Yes your highness," she replied.


____________________


Whitemare AFB
12:30 hours.


The group was in the mess hall enjoying their lunch and talking about this and that when Tex's beeper went off.

"Uh oh it's your other half," Ice said.

"Nope it's Moonstone," he replied. "Better go see what's up. Maverick make sure Angel doesn't tamper with my food."

"Uh, OK," he replied. Angel growled slightly.

"God is nopony safe from your wrath Tiger?" Maverick asked.

"Nope. I treat everypony the same," she replied.

"So what did you do? Or should I ask?"

"I just put a little Trottingham Scorpion pepper juice in his chili," she said with a smirk.

"Oh you little..."

"You might watch your food from now on Spade," she cracked. Maverick tried not to stare at his food for too long.

"Too bad for you it doesn't work on me," Sunfire said to Angel. I love hot foods."

"Lucky you," replied Glory. "I can't even handle regular hot sauce." 

"Sounds like the voice of experience to me," commented Maverick.

"Oh you should've seen it," said Dahlia. "She ate one of Pinkie's cupcakes with hot sauce icing. Her body turned so red you could've locked a Sidewinder on it." 

"That was the first time I've seen a pony swallow half of a bag of ice," Angel added. Glory didn't seem to be amused by them bringing that up.

Tex came back in.

"Well it looks like something's up. We've got a meeting in 1 hour," he said.

"What is it?" Maverick asked.

"Apparently we've lost an entire squadron without a trace somewhere North of Prairie city over the mountains there."

"What?" Ice exclaimed. 

"We'll find out everything at the meeting," he replied.


______________________


Whitemare AFB conference room
14:00 hours.

"OK guys this is what's going on." And Moonstone began.

"Yesterday Skylancer squadron was sent in to attack the air base at Los Alicornes. The entire squadron disappeared without a trace over the mountains North of Prairie City."

"How? They were a good squadron. I can't see them getting jumped," replied Glory.

"Well it happened. We sent a TR-1 over the area to look for them and it disappeared too. And we're not alone. The Empire has lost 2 squadrons in the same area."

"What the hell?" yelled Ice. "How could that many planes disappear like that without any type of radio contact?"

"The only thing we can think of is powerful jammers, and either a powerful SAM system or a large amount of fighters. The problem is the only air bases nearby is the LA and Prairie City ones, and we confirmed none of their squadrons were airborne in that area at the time of the attacks."

"There isn't a secret airbase near there is there?" commented Maverick.

"In the mountain range itself no. It's canyons are too tight for even VTOL aircraft to land or take off."

"Well crap,"Angel said. "So you're sending us there to investigate?"

"Not alone," replied Moonstone. You will have Shadow and Nightstalker squadrons for backup with Blazeghost squadron for spice. They will wait outside of the area. At the first sign of anything suspicious or trouble alert them and they will come in. We're doing it like this so we don't run the risk of losing 3 squadrons at once if things go sour, or if it is fighters the large amount of aircraft might keep them from showing up."

"Well that fills me with a lot of confidence," replied Dahlia.

"Oooh the Blazeghosts," Angel said. "Will they be armed with specials?"

"Yep. Both the Burst Missiles and the TLS." 

Much to her embarrassment her wings sprang up, causing Sunfire to fall backwards laughing and Moonstone to blush.

"Oops. Sorry," she softly said.

"I'm just gonna pretend I didn't see that," Maverick commented. 

"Aaaanyway," Moonstone tried to get back on track. "The Nightstalkers and Blazeghosts are already on their way to Neighlis. They'll meet up with Dash's squadron and wait for you guys, then you'll all go in."

"Sounds like a plan," replied Maverick.

"Good luck," and the feed ended.

___________________


North of Neighlis AFB
16:10 hours.

Just inside the border The other 3 squadrons joined up with Lunar.

"Lunar squadron it's Dash and crew. We're coming up behind you." Her squadron came up on the left and the Nightstalkers on the right, with the Blazeghosts behind them.

"Be right back," Angel said as she pulled out of formation.

"Angel what the heck are you doing?" said Dash.

"Oh I know," replied Ice.

Angel trailed back far enough to get beside the 3 Morgans of the Blazeghost squadron. They were decked out in the midnight and navy blue colors that all Special Fighter Squadron aircraft wear. She stared at the TLS pods, their lenses glistening in the sun. Under the wings on each one was a pair of burst missiles. Due to the amount of destruction they cause, they could only be used as last ditch measure if other friendly planes were in the area.

"OK Angel get back here," Maverick said.

"OK daddy," she said as she flew back into position.

"So what's the plan Mav'?" Glory asked.

"Most planes would come in low just above the mountains, but i think we should come in at about 20,000 feet," he replied.

"Why?"

"What altitude do jammers usually fly at?" Then it dawned on Glory.

"Aaah, around that same height."

"Yes. We have a good chance of seeing them before any fighters see us. What do you think Sentry?"

"Sounds good to me," replied Carrot Top. "Gives you more working room too."

About an hour later they reached the point where the other squadrons would wait for them.

"Sentry 2 to Lunar squadron. Time to part ways."

"Roger Sentry," replied Maverick.

"Stay safe guys," Nightshadow said.

"As soon as something happens contact us and we'll come in," added Dash.

"We will," he said as the squadron flew towards the mountains.

40 miles in a blip appeared on radar. It was approaching them.

"Bogey at 20 miles, angels 10," Maverick anounced.

"Roger Mav... Wait it just turned blue!" Ice said. 

"It's IFF is squaking a NLRAF code," added Glory.

"Lunar one to unidentified NLR aircraft, what's your status?" Maverick said.

"Yes, somepony has finally arrived!" replied the pilot. "The rest of my squadron has been shot down and needs rescue!"

"Where's my IFF code list?" Angel thought as she started looking for it.

"Why are you still here?" Maverick asked.

"My navigation system is dead and I'm almost out of fuel. I may have to bail out where the others are." 

They were now within 6 miles of the aircraft, which had turned and was now flying in the same direction.

"Roger, can you take us to them?"

"Yes. Follow me." And the plane changed course.

"Ah here it is," Angel said as she found the list. She looked up the code the plane was squaking.

"We've got a visual on you," Maverick said. Far below and ahead them they could just make out the plane. It was painted in the standard NLRAF colors.

"Hey guys," Angel said. "According to my code list here that plane is a Flanker."

"Roger... Wait what?" Maverick said.

"It's the IFF code for a Flanker."  

Sunfire chimed in.

"We only have two Flanker squadrons: Venom squadron which was wiped out by Excalibur, and the Snow Leopards. And that is not one of their planes."

"Lunar one to NLR aircraft what..." the plane had disappeared below the clouds. Suddenly their radars were filled with clutter.

"What the!?" Yelled Glory. Soon missile warnings were going off in their cockpits.

"IT'S A TRAP!" Ice screamed.


"Lunar to Dash get in here!" Maverick yelled over the radio.

"Lunar...."  the radio deteriorated into static.

"DAMMIT!" He yelled. They banked and dodged the missiles, but still couldn't see the planes.

"Where are they?" Sunfire said. 

"I don't know. Keep an eye out for them and the jammers!" replied Ice.

Soon they could make out some black dots approaching them.

"Well it looks like we've got another meal," one of the LoD pilots said.

"More missiles break!" Maverick yelled. Again they missed. They finally got a look at the planes.

"Oh shit... J-20's!" Angel yelled. 

"I thought those were just plans they had on the drawing board?" replied Sunfire.

"Looks like they made them," she replied.

"Terriffic, not only are our radars jammed, we're dealing with stealths too," Dahlia said.

"It all makes sense now: Fake plane plus mountains, jammers, and stealth aircraft equals the perfect way to make squadrons disappear without a trace," Ice said.

Glory managed to get behind one, but had to break off as another appeared on her tail. Then she got a missile warning and saw one heading for her.

"DAMN!" She broke hard and dodged it.

"You can't tell they're coming until it's too late," she said.

"Everypony pair off and watch each other's backs," Maverick said. The plan started to work as Ice got behind one, again another dropped in behind him, but Angel suprised him and got off a shot, killing the first one.

"Hell yeah!" she yelled.

Maverick now had one on his tail. Glory covered him only to have one drop behind her.

"Get ready to duck Glory!" he said.

"Roger!" Maverick pulled a cobra and all 3 planes flew under him. He leveled out and got on the tail of the one behind Glory. One Archer took care of it.

"That's two!" Glory yelled.

As Ice pulled up to dodge gunfire, he saw a glint above them.

"Guys I think I've got a jammer!" he said. 

"I'll cover you," replied Dahlia.

"Windigo 3 and 10, get those two going after the jammer!" 

Ice and Dahlia managed to get within range and each fired a R-77M (Dahlia a few seconds after Ice) before having to dive to avoid the LoD fighters. The jammer dropped chaff, but did it too soon and though Ice's missile missed, Dahlia's managed to edge the chaff cloud and hit it.

"We got a jammer!" Ice yelled. Though the radars cleared up some, it was still too hard to see anything on radar.

"There must be another one," replied Maverick. 

Sunfire managed to shoot down a third fighter, only to have another appear on her tail. Glory got another and had two more show up on her tail.

"They just keep coming!" she yelled. 

Suddenly a new voice came over the radio.

"Give it up ponies. Your doom is at hand."

"Th- that voice... It... can't be..." Maverick thought to himself.

"Hey get off our frequency you LoD wench!" yelled Angel.

"Now that's no way to talk to a mare," the voice replied.

"MARE? WHY YOU LITTLE TURNCOAT!" she screamed. "Who are you!"

"NIGHTSHADE." Maverick yelled. The radio went silent.

"Maverick? You're still alive?" the mare responded.

"You know her?" Angel yelled.

"How could you Nightshade?" Maverick said.

"Well well well. Never thought I'd meet you like this Spade. I figured you were in hiding somewhere or dead," she replied. 

"You're not only a traitor to your country, you're a traitor to ALL ponies."

"My country is gone, just like my previous life. At least I finally get to have my revenge against you."

"What? You're still flankhurt over what happened back then?"

"How could I not be? Your stunt took it from me!"

"Oh for fuck's sake," groaned Maverick.

"Windigo one to all planes: Focus on the others. Their commander is mine!" 

Her plane dived in front of his. Unlike the others hers had the colors reversed. The plane was blood red with black tips and insignia. He immediately gave chase.

"Get her Maverick!" Angel yelled.

Maverick lost sight of her after he dived. She soon reappeared on his tail. He pulled a cobra, but she caught onto it and did the same thing.

"Oh please Spade. You taught me that same trick," she said as she opened up with her cannon. Maverick rolled and dodged the shots.

"I didn't teach you this one," he said as he did the stall then rotated and dived downward and headed behind her.

"Not bad," she said sarcastically as she reversed her turn and followed him. "So what's your reason for fighting?"

"I'm a citizen of the New Lunar Republic now. And like with our country in the past I want to defend it against evil like your leader. I never thought I'd have to defend it from you."

"A noble cause, but in vain," she replied. 

"We'll see about that," he said as he dived under the clouds. Then he reappeared on her tail. 

Meanwhile Glory and Dahlia had scored kills, then Sunfire briefly caught a blip on radar. She started climbing and saw it was the other jammer.

"I've got the other jammer, I'm going for it."

"Sunfire wait!" yelled Glory as she headed after her. By the time she caught up a J-20 was already dogging her. He didn't see Glory though and paid for it.

"Fox one twice!" Sunfire yelled. the 2 Adders fell from the plane and streaked off, scoring a direct hit. Almost immeadiately their radars and radio cleared up.

"We've got em'!" Glory yelled.

"Lunar 13 to Sentry get everypony in here now!"

"Ice this is Viper we're coming!" replied Dash, though they were now over 80 miles from the group.

Meanwhile Nightshade was once again on Maverick's tail and went for a missile lock. She fired a heat seeker but a couple of flares and a hard turn from Maverick threw it off.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time. You're putting up a better fight than those others did," she said.

"You didn't give them a chance with all of that jamming shit. Let's see how good you are without it now." He hit the afterburners and went straight up. She followed him like he wanted. He then hit the brakes and feathered the throttle, performing a tail slide right in front of her.

"AAAAH" She pulled back on the stick to avoid him, almost putting the J-20 into a spin. He leveled out and was now behind her.

"Are you trying to kill both of us?" she said.

"Why not?" he replied as he went for a lock.

"You're a damn psycho," she replied. She dodged his missile shot and tried to evade him, but Maverick had had enough of her and stuck to her like glue. 

Then he got a lock warning. Another bandit was behind him. If he broke off, he might not get another chance to hit her. Soon a missile warning went off and he kicked out flares. Luckily Nightshade turned at the right moment which let him get out of the way.

"I'm here Maverick!" Glory yelled as she dived in behind the bandit and shot him off his tail. both of them were now tailing Nightshade, though she only knew Maverick was there.

Maverick fired his cannon and she dived. Glory saw this and fired her cannon underneath Maverick. A couple of shots hit her plane which made her pull up right in front of Maverick again.

"What was that?" she yelled.

"The end of this reunion," Maverick said as he fired his cannon again, shredding the rear of her plane. It started going down trailing black smoke.

"Damn you Maverick. Figures you'd need help to get me."

"You know how those other pilots you and your squadron shot down feel now," he replied.

"This isn't over. I'll be back."

"I'll be waiting," he said as he watched the plane disappear under the clouds. The two returned to the furball.

"Sentry 2 to Lunar squadron. We're counting 8 bandits left, but we're picking up 10 more approaching from the East, 29 miles out. Dash and the others are 49 miles out."

"You've gotta be kidding," replied Ice. 

"Hang on guys we're coming as fast as we can!" replied Dash.

Dahlia got another with a gun kill. Then Angel got on the tail of one,but was too busy concentrating on it to realize she was chasing it towards Sunfire, who was diving with one on hers.

"Angel look out!" Yelled Ice.

"DAMN!" Both her and the LoD plane flew between them just as the LoD plane opened fire on Sunfire, hitting both of them instead.

"I'm hit!" Angel yelled. The LoD plane burst into flames and went down, leaving the other pilot stunned. Ice took the opportunity to get him with a missile.

"What's the damage?" Maverick yelled.

'My radar's dead and half of my warning lights are on so I'm out of it. Keep them off of me," she replied.

Roger I'm on the way," replied Sunfire.

One of the LoD pilots called out to the others.

"Look. That one is trailing smoke, concentrate on it."

"But we're outnumbered!" replied another.

"Not for long. Mage squadron is almost here," he replied.

Glory shot one off of Ice's tail, then Sunfire got one that dived on Angel. Despite not having a radar, Angel was able to get one Dahlia led in front of her with a gun kill. It was now down to 2.

"Let's split into pairs and get them," Maverick said.

"Roger," replied Ice who split off with Dahlia. Sunfire stayed with Dahlia.

Soon Maverick and Glory had run down theirs, while the other 2 double teamed the remaining one.

"Sentry 2 to all planes: first wave of bandits are down. The second is 11 miles out. Shadow and the others are 31 miles out."

"Roger Sentry," replied Maverick.

"Where's Angel?" Glory asked.

"Down there," replied Ice. She was now a few thousand feet lower than them, with Sunfire right behind. They started heading down.

"Guys I'm losing power. I'm not sure if I'll make it back," Angel said. "I'm not sure if I want to bail out now, I don't know what's under those clouds."

"Looking at my map the best place is just to your left. It shows a small valley there," replied Maverick.

"OK I'm turning," Angel turned and headed for it. Shortly after leveling off her right engine caught fire.

"Shit I'm burning."

"That's it get out now!" Glory yelled.

"I can't see," Sunfire said. Oil from the engine had splattered on her canopy and she had to break away to avoid debris from Angel's plane.

"Hope it's soft down there," and she pulled the eject handle.

Nothing happened.

She tried several more times and still nothing.

"I can't eject. Neither the canopy or seat will blow," she said calmly.

"Oh god no..."Dahlia said.

"Invert Angel I'm going to try and shoot your canopy out," Maverick said as he dived.

"Guess it's time for me to dance with the angels," she said, remaining calm.

"No Angel keep trying!" Yelled Carrot Top.

"I'm gonna miss th..." and Angel's plane exploded.

"ANGELLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" 

.....

the radio was silent until Maverick weakly said "Lunar 3 is down."

Meanwhile the other LoD squadron had arrived.

"They've suffered a loss. Let's get them," said the commander.

Lock warnings began going off in their cockpits. The sound echoed through their minds. Dahlia, who had her head down looked up. Her maroon eyes were now just two glowing white blanks.

"You bastards." She said and the squadron broke off and engaged the bandits. No words were said over the radio after that. Silently they began engaging. Within the first 5 minutes they had shot down 3 of them. Sunfire rolled in on one from above and fired her cannon at the cockpit, spraying glass, blood, and Griffin feathers everywhere. 

"What is going on! How are they engaging all of us at once?" one pilot yelled.

"I don't know, it's like they're possessed!"

Ice tried firing on one, but ran out of ammo. He yelled and got right in front of the LoD plane, a mere 20 feet from it's nose. He gunned the afterburners and pulled up. The disruption of air caused both of the planes engines to flame out, sending it into a spin.

Just as Dahlia took out another bandit the radio crackled to life. 

"Lunar squadron we're here!" Dash yelled. 

"Damn let's get out of here!" The LoD commander said as they turned and sped off. Two Morgans ran them down though and fired two burst missiles. The massive explosions turned the planes into what looked like confetti from a distance.

"This is Sentry 2. All planes destroyed. Let's go home."

The planes formed up with Lunar squadron again as they turned back for Equestria. The spot where Angel would have been in the formation was open.

"Maverick. Is Angel...." Nightshadow asked.

"Yes."

Dash sighed "You fly planes in a war long enough something like this happens. I've seen it too many times in this damn war, including my own squadron."

"It's, not going to be the same without her." Carrot Top said in a shaky voice.

As they flew back over the area where the remnants of Angel's plane fell, Dash made an announcement.

"all pilots, let's salute Master Sergeant Tiger Angel! And one plane from each of the other 3 squadrons pulled up for the missing pony formation.

> Chapter 10: Scars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitemare AFB
27 September 2017
20:13 hours.


The skies over the base were cloudy with a drizzle falling when the squadron returned. The planes taxied to their spots on the tarmac, leaving the spot where Angel's plane would have been empty.

Inside the barracks few words were said  between the group and others on the base. It wasn't the first time it happened, but it did seem to hurt more this time.

There was still several things to remind them of her around the barracks. In her room they looked at her collection of Angel figurines. In particular one of an Angel of Remembrance finally caused tears to break loose.  

After a few more minutes of silence Ice finally spoke up.

"We can't let this affect our mission though."

"But we've lost so many. First Galaxy, then the others..." Dahlia said in a broken voice.

"We've only lost 2. Those others are sitting in a POW camp somewhere waiting for us to rescue them," he replied.

"It's my fault. Sunfire said. "I made that turn wrong which let the LoD plane get behind me. If i hadn't..."

"That's enough." 

Maverick spoke up.

"We have to keep on with what we're doing. If we let Angel's death cloud our judgement we'll be the next ones to get shot down. Ending this war is the ultimate way to honor her and the other ponies who have lost their lives in this war."

They looked up at her angels again. They focused on another one that seemed to radiate what Maverick meant. It was a large sculpture of an Archangel Alicorn clutching a sword in it's mouth, getting ready to slay a Windigo.

"OK guys. Command took you off the schedule for a couple of days, so try and get some rest. There will be a memorial service for her tomorrow at 15:00." And the group left Angel's room.

_____________________

Canterlot Castle
20:42 hours.

Twilight entered Celestia's chamber.

"What is it my faithful student?"

"We just got word the NLR engaged in a major air battle over the mountain range where we lost our squadrons. From what we can gather the LoD had a complex trap set up involving jammer and stealth aircraft, and possibly a decoy. All of the LoD planes have been shot down."

Celestia's eyes widened.

"Get several search and rescue crews in there at first light. We still have a chance at recovering some of our pilots."

"Right away your highness!" And Twilight left.

Celestia thought to herself: "How does my sister's Air Force always succeed where ours fail?"

_____________________


Discord's palace
20:45 hours.

"Uh, your excellency?" Discord's 2nd in command said as he peeked around the door.

"Good or bad?" Discord said.

"Bad."

"If you tell me our trap over the mountains has failed..."

"You said it I didn't."

"GAAAAAHHH!" he yelled as he shot a ball of energy from his claw at him. The minotaur closed the door, but it destroyed it. Leaving the door handle in his hand. 

"What the hell is with everyone lately?" Discord yelled. "So what's the details?"

"We lost the jammers and all of the fighters. And it was that Lunar squadron once again." Discord's face started to turn red.

"What about the Windigo squadron leader?"

"We've located her, but we won't be able to get a rescue crew there until morning. Provided the Empire and Republic don't have theirs in there too."

"That's it. Dedicate one each of the two missiles to that squadron's base in the upcoming attack," Discord said.

"Yes your excellency. Oh, reports indicate that they lost a plane during the battle."

"Well at least one of those parasprites is gone," Discord replied.

________________________


Whitemare AFB
28 September 2017
15:00 hours.

The skies were still cloudy when the memorial began, but the drizzle had finally stopped a couple of hours before. It featured the usual words spoken by officers and the like, a 21 gun salute, and a flyover of the 4th TBS in the missing pony formation. After Tex read her eulogy, a song from her favorite movie was played, as she always told the group that was the song she wanted to play during hers. Few ponies could hold back their emotions during it, especially Derpy who had shown up with Dash to attend. She was given a posthumous
raise in rank and a medal.

Afterwards the group briefly chatted with the others before leaving.

"At least it quit raining for this," Ice said.

"It's still raining in my heart though," replied Derpy.

"Oh Derpy." Dahlia went over and hugged her.

"Like the song said. It will end. Just let it turn into something else," Maverick said, who's eyes were still glassy looking.

"Well we've gotta' get back to our bases. Dash said. "Take care guys. And hopefully we will be able to avenge Angel together."

See you later," replied Glory as the two took off.

"So now what?" Sunfire asked.

"I'm going to the Emerald Coast. There's a bottle of hard cider with my name on it," replied Ice.

"Why not." Glory said as they left.


_________________


Las Pegasus, NLR Equestria
16:02 hours.

As they got closer to the bar, which was located near the harbor, they saw something unexpected sitting at the harbor's freight dock.

"Is that the Eclipse tied up at the freight dock?" Dahlia said.

"It sure is," Maverick replied with a stunned look. "Two cases of cider to the tugboat crews that got it parked there." The Las Pegasus dock was long enough for 3 freighters to park at it, but it was still a tight fit for a carrier. Not to mention it couldn't park next to it due to it's flight deck. The dock cranes were still able to access the starboard side of the deck though.

"But there isn't even a naval base here. It's home is Tenabry," Ice said as he flew up to try and get a better look before coming back down. 

"Well it's on the way there, might as well see what's up," replied Maverick, and they headed off.

As they got closer they could see the tails of a couple of Hornets on the deck and no other planes. One elevator was jammed between decks, and it's radar tower was leaning. 

"Not good," Sunfire said as they got to the harbor. There were a few MP's, and workers on the dock along with a couple of officers. One saw the group and walked over to them. He saw the squadron patches on their jackets.

"Hey you're Lunar Squadron," he said.

"Yep that's us," Maverick replied. The pony identified himself as Commander Salty, the XO of the Eclipse.

"Never thought I'd meet you here," he replied. "Isn't there six of you?"

All of them started to get long faces. Salty knew what it meant.

"Oh. When did that happen?"

"Last night," Glory replied.

"Sorry to hear that. We've lost 6 so far, plus we lost several crewponies in last night's raid.

"Raid? What happened to her?" Maverick asked.

" Last night, while our planes were assisting in softening up the Empire forces along the border near Hollow Shades, our battle group got jumped by three squadrons of SEAF planes. One of which was Mirage 2000's armed with Exocets."

"Oh shit," Ice said.

"Yeah. They fired all of them off, and though our new integrated defense system kept them away from us, we lost a destroyer and a frigate, and another destroyer was damaged severely. While that was going on, F-2's started dropping bombs, and we took a few."

"How bad is it?" Sunfire asked.

"Take a look." All of them except Glory flew up to look at the flight deck. The two sets of Hornet tails they saw were just that. The rest of the planes were burned out hulks. There were 3 large holes in the deck and one through the elevator that was jammed. There was also evidence of strafing by fighters.

"Damn how long is it going to take to repair it?"

"We're not sure if we can repair the flight deck enough to make it usable here. We'll probably have to take it back to Tenabry," Salty replied.

"So how did you get through it?" Maverick asked.

"We had an AEGIS cruiser, but it got overwhelmed. And our defense system got damaged. We might have been in trouble if the Razgriz hadn't shown up."

"OOOOH, Whirlwind's squadron," Glory said.

"Yeah. I wish I could have seen the looks on the faces of those Empire pilots when one of their Typhoons started shooting at them," Salty said with a devious smile.

"Well we're off. Good luck. Tell Geoffrey hi for us," she said.

"Oh he's not with us anymore."

"What? Not him?"

"No no he was selected to be the captain of that new battleship we just finished."

"Wow. Talk about a step up from being a pilot," Maverick replied.

"I know, the lucky dog." And the group left.

____________________


Emerald Coast Bar and Grill
16:25 hours.


The group received condolences from everypony in the bar as soon as they walked in. They sat at their usual two tables. Maverick and Glory sat at one. All of them went for hard cider except for Sunfire who went for Applejack Daniels.

After talking about a few things, Glory finally asked the big question.

"So who is this Nightshade?" she asked.

Maverick looked down at his mug. He paused for a second before speaking, and continued to do it as he talked.

"Someone I knew many years ago. We were both in the same Gracemareia Air Force squadron. She was a new recruit, and I wound up becoming a mentor to her. She was pretty slow at first, but as I showed her the ropes she got better and better. It wasn't long before she was kicking everypony's flanks in training fights. She seemed to look up to the squadron as an extended family."

"So why is she so mad at you?" Maverick continued to stare into his mug.

"It stems from an incident during our war with the Griffins that happened seven months before Discord took over. We were on patrol when we got word of Bombers entering our airspace."



West of Cantlin, Gracemareia
Crystal Empire
February 11th, 2012
16:23 hours.


"Sky Eye to Garuda Squadron. We have 16 inbound aircraft from the Southeast. Heading three one zero ,angels fifteen thousand. Flight profile suggests bombers escorted by fighters. Intercept immediately."

"Garuda one to Sky Eye, Roger. Let's go get em' guys. Try to hit the bombers first."

"Spade wouldn't that put them on a path towards Cantlin?" Nightshade asked.

"Yes. They could be targeting the airbase there, but after Prairie City we know those damn Griffins aren't above bombing civilians so we've gotta' get them."

"Roger Spade," she replied as the squadron of 8 F-15S/MTD's continued Southeast.

"Talon one to all planes: We've got some dweebs coming to greet us. Put them back on the ground," The leader of the Griffin squadron said to the others. Soon both sides were within firing range and the missiles flew. One Griffin bomber was shot down in the exchange.

"TU-160's with MiG-35 escorts," Maverick announced. 

"S Eagles, this won't be a cake walk," the Griffin commander said to her squadron.

Garuda six tried to get behind a bomber, but soon had a MIG on his tail.

"I need help!" the pilot said.

"I'm on him Thumper," replied Nightshade. She dived down and got on the MIG's tail, causing it to break off. Thumper was able to turn back and get the bomber before getting another tail.

"Two down, four to go!" he announced. Meanwhile Nightshade was all over the MIG.

"That's it come on..." she said as she tried to get a lock on it. Soon she got it.

"Thank you," she said as she pulled the trigger and sent the Sidewinder on it's way, taking it out.

"Garuda two splash one," she said.

Then Maverick shot one off of Garuda eight's tail, and before long another fighter and two more bombers were down as well.

"We're down to two bombers!" a Griffin pilot yelled.

"Keep concentrating on the fighters. Let the last ones slip away while they're occupied," replied the commander.

Garuda five suddenly had two MIG's on her tail.

"Get these two off me!" she yelled.

"I'm coming Boxmare!" Maverick replied. He got behind the two MIG's, only to have the Griffin commander get behind him.

"Gotcha' dweeb!" she said as she fired her cannon. Maverick rolled and dodged it and managed to level off long enough to get one of the bandits, but it was too late as the other shot down Boxmare.

"Garuda five is down!" Maverick yelled. He was relieved to see a parachute.

"You're dead you damn pony," the commander said as she tried to get a missile lock. He was saved when Nightshade and Thumper rolled in behind her.

"See how you like getting double teamed featherbrains!" yelled Thumper.

"DAMN." She broke off of Maverick, which allowed him to get the other MIG.

While this was going on, Garuda 3 had nailed a 5th bomber. The 6th had slipped away.

"Garuda one to Sky Eye where's the last bomber?"

"9 miles from Cantlin. Hurry up!"

"Roger I'm on him. Nightshade follow me."

"Roger Spade." and the two planes hit the afterburners and sped off after it.

"Guys take care of the rest, I'm going after those two," Talon one said as she broke off from the furball.

Soon Maverick had it within range. It was now six miles from the city. He was down to two Sidewinders.

"I've got it locked," he said. Then he heard something unexpected.

"Wait. If you hit it now you might not completely destroy it, and the wreckage could fall on my village!" Nightshade said. The little village of Kiro, her birthplace, was located two miles Southeast of Cantlin, and was in the path of the bomber.

"I have to do it Nightshade. I've got two missiles, one for each pair of engines," he replied.

"Well wait until I catch up and we'll double team it. I'm a mile behind you," It was too late though as he fired a missile. It struck the left pair of engines on the bomber. Almost instantly both him and Nightshade got a missile warnings. It was Talon one.

"Nightshade break!" he yelled. They dodged the missiles and the purple Pegasus did a sharp loop and got behind the her as she drew a bead on Maverick again. 

She managed to crank off a burst of cannon fire which put a few holes in Talon one's plane.

"Damn you," she said as she broke off. 

"Spade the bomber!" Nightshade yelled.

He turned back and tried to catch the bomber, but failed. And Nightshade's worst fear came true. Knowing they couldn't make it to the base or Cantlin, the bomber crew saw Kiro and aimed the bomber right for it. 

It hit dead center. It's load of incendeary and regular bombs exploded, engulfing the village in fire and leveling it. Killing everypony including her parents instantly.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" she yelled.. 

"Well at least something got bombed. Let's get out of here guys," Talon one said. The Griffin fighters broke off and headed back to their country.

______________________


"When we headed back for home we tried to fly away from the village, but she broke off and flew over it. All that could be seen was burning wreckage," Maverick said as he continued to stare at his mug. "As soon as we got back to base she jumped me, and the others had to pull her off. She blamed me for her parent's and friend's deaths, but a board of inquiry held afterwards declared I had did the right thing, which infuriated her."

"It was pretty much one of those lose lose situations. If you hadn't tried to shoot it down it would have hit Cantlin or the base before she could catch up to you," Glory replied.

"Exactly. I could have gotten it if that Griffin pilot hadn't shown up. After we got into a scuffle a couple more times she got booted from the Air Force. She pretty much disappeared, but not before vowing to get revenge on me someday. And now here we are."

"Do you think she will be back?" Glory asked. Maverick looked towards her.

"Yes. You can count on it. She will not give up on something once she's focused on it. And she's not one to mess around with. she was in the top 10 of Gracemareia Air Force aces." He looked back down at his mug. "I wish she would learn to let stuff go."

Sunfire chimed in.

"We'll don't worry about her. You've got us for backup".

"How could she betray her country like that?" Dahlia asked. 

"Not to mention very few ponies are in the LoD's military because Discord was worried it would affect a war with other pony countries," added Ice.

Maverick just sighed.

"I wish I knew."

They spent the next 4 hours at the bar and hanging around Las Pegasus before returning home.
> Chapter 11: Two If By Sea
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord's Palace
30 September 2017
09:00 hours.


Discord had just finished breakfast when his second in command came in to the throne room.

"So is everything set for the attack tonight?" Discord asked.

"Yes. The subs are in position 150 miles off of the coasts. We're just waiting for nightfall," the Minotaur replied.

"Very good. Now what about the other project?"

"We ran into a snag, but almost have it taken care of. It should be ready by next weekend."

"'Should be' doesn't sound that good," Discord said with an unamused look on his face.

"W-well I'm just being cautious. I mean..." 

"No that's OK. That's all I need to know." 


___________________


Whitemare AFB
11:25 hours.


The squadron was watching TV when Tex showed up.

"OK ponies. Moonstone's holding a meeting in 20 minutes so lunch may have to wait a bit."

"That's odd," replied Glory. "I thought our mission was tomorrow?"

"It's been scrubbed because of whatever it is she's going to talk about," he replied.

"Hmmm. This might be something big", commented Maverick.

The group showed up in the confrence room on time, and the feed started.

"OK here's the situation. We have received intelligence of an impending attack by Discord on both us and the Empire. The only information we have about it is it will come from the sea sometime tonight or tomorrow."

"Like what? Bombers? Missiles?" Ice asked.

"We don't know. We have bases on both coasts on alert. You guys need to be ready to scramble at the first sign of an attack."

"Wouldn't the attacks come from the East?" Sunfire asked.

"More than likely, but we're erring on the side of caution," she replied.

"Roger. We'll get our planes ready," Maverick replied.

"We'll have it set up to where all you have to do is jump in your planes and go," added Tex.

"I still don't know how they can do it", Dahlia said. "Half of their naval fleet including their 2 carriers are on the bottom. And our SOSUS system would pick up any subs." 

Maverick spoke up.

"The Griffins did have a sub program going on. They had a dry dock at Rimuldar where they were assembling them at, but my Air Force bombed the crap out of it during our war with them."

"And we bombed it again about 2 months ago, Moonstone replied. Unless they've got another base hidden somewhere."

Maverick thought about it for a moment before speaking again.

"Sub launched cruise missiles is the only thing that it could be. Is the Navy going to have sub hunters out?"

"Yes. In fact the Eclipse's last two Vikings will be arriving at your base shortly and will conduct patrols from there. And they will have Orions out too. With so much water to cover they will be stretched thin though."

"Great. If we get scrambled I'd like to be able to talk to them directly," he replied.

"Roger. I'll contact Larkspur and let her know. And just in case we'll arm each of you with a radar guided Kh-29," she replied, and the feed ended.


_________________

Whitemare AFB
21:10 hours.


The group remained on edge, waiting for the scramble alarm to go off. So far nothing was happening, so they watched TV. 

After the silence got to her, Glory finally asked Maverick a different question.

"So what do you think it'll take to end this war?" she asked.

"I don't know," he replied. Though we've had some major successes, none of them have really contributed to ending it. The biggest threat is Discord. And as long as us and the Empire are fighting, we won't have the power to really do damage to him. Both sides need to focus on him."

"But how? The hatred and distrust between us just seems to get stronger, especially now that there's been some more incidents involving civilians getting bombed."

"That I don't know," he replied. "Something just seems odd about the whole thing. The circumstances that started the war between us just don't seem to add up."

"Like how?"

"Why did tensions suddenly start to rise between us after we had peace for so long? And why did those bombing incidents happen when they did?"

"Hmmm. Never though of it that way," Glory replied as she looked back at the TV.

Then about 6 minutes later the scramble alarm went off.

"Let's go!" Maverick yelled, and the squadron bolted out of the lounge, got into their flight suits, and ran to their planes, which the ground crews had ready to fire up. A mere 6 minutes  after the alarm they were airborne. The two Vikings had already been airborne for a couple of hours, and were somewhere over the ocean.

"Lunar one to control what's the status?"

"Lunar squadron this is Guardian One. We have multiple cruise missiles inbound from the West 129 miles out. Projected targets are Las Pegasus and Tall Tale, plus other locations further inland in between. We've received word of more attacks from along the East coast too."

"Damn them. Our base could be one of those targets," Sunfire said.

"More than likely it is. Let's book it out there," Maverick said as they gunned their throttles.

15 minutes later they had them on radar 25 miles out.

"The first one is now 78 miles from Las Pegasus," Guardian One  said.

"Roger I'm picking up 2 on my radar," replied Maverick.

"Roger... Correction we're picking up 3.. no 5... no we're picking up 6 now! They just keep coming!" Guardian was starting to sound scared.

"Are all of them headed for Las Pegasus?" Maverick asked.

"No, some are heading for Tall Tale and in between also."

"It has to be subs," replied Ice.

"Yes", he replied. "Guardian where are the the sub hunters?"

"They're about 21 miles South of you heading for where we think the missiles came from."

"Roger. Let us know if they find something." Maverick then talked to the squadron.

"OK let's light em' up. Long range first." And with that each pilot picked a missile and fired their long range R-77M's. Unfortunately only 2 were able to hit. 

"Looks like we have to get up close and personal," Glory said.

"Yes. Let's get behind them," replied Maverick, and they turned around and waited for the missiles to pass, then gunned it to keep up with them.

"Fox one," Dahlia said as she fired a radar guided, scoring a kill. Then Maverick got one, and soon two more had been downed.

"Guardian One to all planes: First wave destroyed. But we're picking up a second wave of 4 inbound."

"Damn, we'll run out of missiles," Sunfire said. The squadron was now 73 miles West of Las Pegasus when they intercepted the 2nd wave. The squadron switched to cannon fire to save their missiles, and soon had them destroyed.

"Status report Guardian," Maverick asked.

"Lunar One we have 4 more inbound," the AWACS replied.

"Roger. How's the Empire doing?"

"They've been getting the ones aimed at them, but we've received word one has hit Tall Tale."

"Damn that son of a bitch," Glory yelled. We've gotta' get them!" 

65 miles from the coast they started engaging the last four. Soon they had them downed."

"Guardian one to all planes, scope is clear for now. Remain on station though."

"Roger," replied maverick. Then something streaked right by Glory.

"What was that?" she said. Suddenly she had a blip on her radar in front of her.

"GUYS STEALTH CRUISE MISSILE!"

"WHAT?" Ice yelled. Soon him and the rest had it on their radars too.

Lunar One to Guardian enemy is attacking with stealth cruise missiles."

"What? Are you sure?" he replied. Just then Sunfire got a lock on it and fired a missile. When it hit the explosion was huge.

"Oh god they've got huge warheads," Dahlia said.

"OK guys let's do this," Maverick said. "Ice, Dahlia, turn around now and head back West. When I say turn, head back East, and me and you two will turn West. This way we won't miss one while we're turning."

"Great idea Mav'!" replied Glory. The trick worked, and soon they shot down another. Again the explosion was large. 

They were now 47 miles from the coast,. and as Maverick made his turn he caught a faint blip on his radar. It was 15 miles away heading Northeast.

"Guardian One does the Empire know about these?" Maverick asked.

"They haven't said anything," he replied.

"We'll they've got one heading for them, and based on it's course Tall Tale is the target."

"They'll be wiped out!" Dahlia yelled.

Maverick though hard about it for a minute.

"Guardian One I am engaging the missile."

The radio went silent for a moment.

"Roger Lunar One," he replied.

"Good luck Mav'" Glory said, and he gunned it North.

No sooner than he caught up to it he got contacted by an Empire squadron.

"Unidentified aircraft you are entering Solar Empire airspace. Turn around now!" the squadron leader said.

"This is Maverick of the NLR Air Force, I'm behind a stealth LoD cruise missile that is heading for Tall Tale. Discord is using them in this attack!" he replied.

"What? Unbelievable.  What a bunch of bullshit," the Empire pilot mocked him.

"It's not bullshit we've taken out two so far."

"Whatever, we have you on radar now so here we come!"

"Maybe this will convince you," Maverick fired on and destroyed the missile. The explosion could be seen from Tall Tale.

"Does that look like bullshit to you?" Maverick said as he turned around.

"Stormcloud One to all aircraft they're shooting stealth cruise missiles at us too! Watch out!" the Empire squadron commander said to the others.

Soon Maverick was back with the others, who had shot down another stealth and 2 more regular ones.

"Where's Sunfire?" he asked.

"Chasing after one that got through," replied Ice.

Then the radio crackled to life.

"Guardian One to Lunar squadron: The Navy has located the source of the missiles. 5 subs 75 miles out. The Vikings will use depth bombs to try and get them to surface for you to attack. Hydra squadron will take over guarding against missiles."

"Roger," replied Maverick. Sunfire where are you?"

About that time she had caught up to the last stealth missile and shot it down, a mere 6 miles from the coast.

"I got the last one," she replied. "I'm heading that way now."

A while later they had closed to within 15 miles of the subs when the sub hunters contacted them.

"Lunar squadron this is Swordfish squadron. We've got 2 Echos'  and 3 Oscars. We sank one and forced 3 more up before running out of bombs. They're yours."

"Roger Swordfish," replied Maverick.

"So where the hell did they get guided missile subs?" Ice asked.

"The Griffins," replied Maverick. We bombed a few at the same time we got the dry dock. Either they rebuilt those or had more hidden somewhere. Their cruise missile program wasn't coming along that good though, so I guess Discord got them on track."

"We'll we're gonna' send them down to Pony Jones' locker once and for all," replied Glory.

"Glory, me, you and Ice will take the first shots. Dahlia you finish them off if one misses. And hopefully Sunfire will be here by then." And they armed their missiles. 3 minutes later they were within range.

"Fire!" The 3 launched their missiles. Maverick and Ice's hit. Dahlia fired at the one Glory's missed and got it. Two of the subs exploded and began to sink. The third was still floating as the missile hit the conning tower instead of the center. The glow from the fires illuminated numerous life rafts in the water. After being forced to surface by the depth bombs the crews began evacuating.

"Lunar One to Swordfish, there's gonna' be a lot of prisoners to pick up down there," Maverick said.

"Roger Lunar, The Pacific and her group are on the way. We're tracking the one that got away, and they'll get them also. Thanks for the help." 

"No problem." replied Maverick. "What about the one still floating though?"

"I wouldn't worry about..." Just then a missile hit it and finished it off.

"Guess I got the last shot in," Sunfire said.

"About time," replied Glory.

"Guardian One is the scope clear?"

"Yes, you can return to base. Great work."

"What's the status of the East coast?" Glory asked.

"Not good. There's still missile launches going on there, and Syskaia Air Force Base has been hit. No word on casualties or damage yet. The Sea Demon and Moonshadow have been successful in launching air attacks on the subs there though."

"Damn," she replied.

As the squadron returned, they wondered about the attack.

"So were they targeting the military or civilians in this attack?" Dahlia asked.

"I'm thinking both. Discord was out to cause major damage this time," replied Maverick. 

"Why? What did the civilians do to him? If he kills everypony they're not exactly usefull to him."

"Who knows. Maybe it's just the type of chaos he likes to see."

"We've gotta' end this war," Glory said. "Maybe your act of kindness to the Empire will change something Spade."

"I doubt it," he replied.
> Chapter 12: Shepherds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord's Palace
1 October 2017
00:19 hours.

Once again Discord's 2nd in command showed up in his chamber. He was shaking a little because he knew what was coming.

"Um... Your excellency?"

"Ah yes. How did our attack go?" he replied.

"We had missiles strike Tall Tale and Manehattan in the Solar Empire, and Syskaia in the Republic."  

"Are they leveled?"

"Um... no."

"YOU MEAN WE ONLY HIT THREE TARGETS OUT OF ALL OF THOSE MISSILES? AND THEY'RE NOT EVEN DESTROYED!?"

"Yes. And we lost... all but 3 of the subs," the Minotaur said in a tiny voice.

People who lived in the area of the presidential palace were woke up by an explosion and the sound of glass breaking. When it was over all of the windows in Discord's chamber had been blown out by his sudden rage explosion. The Minotaur was now cowering in a pool of yellow liquid. 

"A lesser being would have given up by now, but since we still have our main event to use I guess we will just have to continue until it's ready," Discord said as he sat back down on his throne. "So how did it happen? I thought the Empire didn't have a good defense anymore?"

"Apparently the Air Forces on both sides are good. Pretty sure that Lunar squadron took care of some of them," he replied. We even heard a report that one of the NLR pilots warned the Empire ones of our stealth missiles. And speaking of the Republic: We're keeping the one sub that survived the Western attack on station out there as intelligence suggests an opportunity to hit the NLR Navy with a loss will happen on the 2nd." 

Hmm. OK. See if they can do it," Discord replied.


_____________________


Canterlot Castle
1 October 2017
00:45 hours.


"What is the status Twilight?" Celestia asked.

"Not good, but it could have been worse," she replied. "The missile that hit Tall Tale has destroyed an estimated 16 structures, and we've got reports of 9 injuries so far. In Manehattan it's worse. one full block is on fire in the business district right now, and so far we've got  3 dead and 24 injured."

Celestia's heart sank. "Get as many Pegasi from Cloudsdale as possible with rain clouds. Keep the fires from spreading."

"Yes your highness," she replied.

"So how could it have been worse?" the alicorn inquired.

"We learned there were two types of missiles: Normal ones like those that hit, and some stealth ones that had massive warheads on them. All of those were destroyed," replied Twilight.

"How did we find out about those stealth ones?"

"That's the interesting part." During the Tall Tale attack one of the squadrons we sent out encountered a lone Republic plane that was chasing one of the missiles. The pilot of that plane warned our squadron about them, though they didn't believe him until he destroyed the missile."

Celestia was shocked. "Why would he do that?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. On a related note their city of Syskaia was hit by two of the small missiles."

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, then spoke again.

"That's all I need to know. Give me another update in the morning. And see if you can find out what squadron that NLR pilot was in," she said as she turned around.

"Yes princess," replied Twilight.

As Celestia laid down on her bed, she wondered:

"Why would one of them warn us? Could some Republic ponies not be blinded by hate and distrust?  He saved thousands of lives by doing that."

_______________________


Whitemare AFB
2 October 2017
09:30 hours.

The squadron assembled in the conference room for the briefing on the day's mission.

"Alright, here's what we've got for you today," Moonstone said.

"As you probably know, the Eclipse was heavily damaged in an attack several days ago, and repair attempts were made at the port of Las Pegasus. Though they've repaired most of the damage, the ship must return to it's home port of Tenabry to finish it up. The Solar Empire knows about this, and is planning another attack on it. It's defense weapons are only at half capacity which means it couldn't survive another mass attack by the Empire."

She continued.

"Your job is to escort the Eclipse out to the Southwest where it will rendezvous with the Navy's new battleship, the LRS Pacific and it's small battle group. They will escort the Eclipse back to Tenabry under their substantial air defense net, which extends 50 miles from the ships. We know the Empire uses the Exocet which has a hundred mile range, so you must intercept all aircraft before they can get within range."

"Will there be any naval threats?" Maverick asked.

"No. We know where the Empire's ships are," she replied.

"What about that LoD sub that got away during the missile attack?"

"Hmmm. I didn't even think of that," Moonstone replied with a concerned look. "I never got word from Larkspur if they sunk it or not. I'll check with her and get back to you. Good luck guys."

"But weren't those subs launching ground attack missiles?" Dahlia asked Maverick.

"Yes, but don't forget they carry torpedoes also," he replied. Plus some can be used in both roles.

"Damn. We wouldn't have any way to counter them if they do that," added Ice.

"So how will Moonstone contact us if we're already in the air?" Sunfire asked.

"Our AWACS can relay her message," replied Maverick.


_____________________


Southwest of Las Pegasus, Equestria
13:22 hours.


The Eclipse was now 43 miles from the harbor. Lunar squadron continued a racetrack pattern around the carrier as it went along. They already had to do a midair refueling as they maintained their 50 mile range from the carrier.

"What's the status Guardian One?" Maverick asked.

"So far so good. The Eclipse is now 75 miles from the battle group. Once it gets within 50 it should be safe, unless a swarm attack is launched." 50 miles was the range of the SAM missiles on the two Ticonderoga class crusiers that were in the battle group. The squadron still didn't know what the Pacific had for it's defense weapons.

After a few minutes Guardian came on again.

"Ok Lunar squadron I just got word from Moonstone. The Navy lost track of the LoD sub 2 hours after the attack. The battle group has Seahawks out scanning the area and the Navy also has a P-3 en route."

"Roger, that's good to hear," Maverick replied.  "If we see something we'll let you know."

"Roger Mav... Hold on." Guardian One stopped himself, then came on again.

"Guardian One to all planes. We're picking up 8 inbound bogeys from the Northwest. 5 high and 3 low. Range from you 74 miles."

"Roger Guardian we're on the way," replied Maverick.

"Those low flyers are definitely carrying Exocets. The others must be fighter cover," Glory commented.

"Yes. Concentrate on the low flyers first," he replied, and they turned and gunned it Northwest.

"Jade One to squadron: We've got 5 bandits inbound. Keep them away from the attackers," the Empire squadron commander said as they accelerated ahead to meet them.

"Standby for a missile exchange," Maverick said as both sides drew beads on each other. "Ice; you and Dahlia punch through and get to the low fliers.

"Roger Mav'," Ice replied. Soon the squadrons were in range of each other and the missiles flew. Out of a stroke of luck Sunfire's missile hit one of them.

"That was a lucky shot," she said.

They identified the bandits.

"More Typhoons," Glory said. Ice and Dahlia flew underneath them and identified the others.

"Mirages, and all of them have a pair of fish," Ice announced.

"Jade Three and Five get them," Jade One said.

"Roger," they replied as they turned and gave chase.

"Guardian One to Lunar squadron: The bombers are 119 miles from the carrier. Hurry up!"

Dahlia and Ice had just locked up two of the Mirages when Jade Three and Five got behind them.

"Ready to dance?" she asked Ice.

"Yep. On my mark." They got ready for the right moment.

"3-2-1- KICK!" Both of them did synchronized Cobras and got behind the bandits. 

"Fox two!" both of them said as they fired their missiles, destroying both planes. The Mirages had already passed them so they had to turn around and give chase.

Meanwhile it was 3 on 2 at the other dogfight, and Jade One called in to their controller for help.

"Roger Jade One. Redler Squadron is en route with the other attackers. Try to hang in there."

Maverick got tone on Jade Four and fired. He failed to dodge it.

"Jade Four eject!" the commander yelled. He ejected just before it exploded.

At the same time Ice and Dahlia had closed in on the Mirages. Despite being fully loaded, the planes still had a fair amount of maneuverability. Both were still able to get kills though after an extended chase. The 3rd one had got away though and again they had to play catch up.

"Lunar squadron the final Mirage is 108 miles from the carrier. Get it!" Guardian One said.

"We're trying," Ice replied. They were now two miles behind it.

"We both fire a long range," Ice said to Dahlia. The got a lock and fired. The Mirage pilot held steady for as long as he could, then pulled up and fired both missiles. He paid for it though as both missiles connected with him.

"SHIT, Lunar 13 to Guardian we've got two missiles launched. We're going after them." The Eclipse was still 66 miles from the battle group.

"Roger. I'll contact the Eclipse. We also have a second group of bandits inbound. Six high and five low 58 miles out."

"DAMN that's too many for us! "Sunfire said.

"We've gotta' try. Maybe we can lead them into the battle group's defense net," replied Glory.

Ice and Dahlia were at full afterburner trying to catch the missiles. Theirs wouldn't lock onto them so they had to get in close and hit them with their guns.

"Nail em'," Ice said. They both fired on and destroyed them 34 miles from the carrier.

"Yeah!" Dahlia yelled. They turned back to meet up with the others.

Soon they got a call.

"Lunar squadron this is the LRS Pacific. We've got you and the Eclipse on radar." 9 more miles and it's safe."

"Roger Pacific.Guardian where are the bandits?"

"They're... only 50 miles out," he replied.

"They should be closer than that," commented Glory.

"They appear to have slowed down and have been changing course. In fact now they've turned away and are heading Southwest. Maintain your position for now."

"Roger Guardian," Maverick replied.

"What's going on?" Dahlia asked.

"I've got a feeling they've discovered the battle group is here also," he replied. "Maybe instead of the carrier they're going to try and hit the whole group."

"Perhaps waiting for reinforcements?" Sunfire said.

"Maybe. Guardian can you get another squadron in here?"

"Yes. The closest is Razgriz squadron. They can be here in 35 minutes."

"OK send them in," replied Maverick.

"Guess you finally get to meet them Spade," Glory said.

"Yep. We'll see what they're like. I've never seen a squadron made up of different planes before."

About 10 minutes later the group was continuing to shadow the carrier at 40 miles. The Empire planes were maintaining their distance of 110 miles from it.

"LRS Pacific to Lunar squadron: The Eclipse is now 4 miles from our coverage."

"Roger. We're almost there," Replied Maverick. "Guardian any sign of more Empire planes?"

"Unfortunately yes. ground radar is reporting some aircraft heading out to sea from Mountain View Base,and there's possibly more coming from Faircolt."

"Yep. They're definitely going to try and attack the group," Ice replied.

Just then Dahlia thought she saw something in the water off to their right.

"Guys I just saw something off to the right," she said.

"Like what?" Maverick asked.

"I'm not sure but something was disturbing the water," she replied as she turned around and flew towards where it was to get another look. When she got there she saw the object.

"Guy's we've got a periscope over here!"

"What?" Maverick yelled. Soon the whole squadron was heading for it. By the time they got there it was gone, so Sunfire flew up higher to get a good look at the water. She could just make out a large, narrow shadow in it.

"We've got a sub here!" she said.

"Guardian get the Seahawks here ASAP!" Maverick yelled.

"Roger they're on their way. ETA for the first one is 15 minutes."

A few minutes later a cruise missile shot out of the water and streaked towards the Eclipse.

"Missile launch!" Ice yelled.

"I'm on it. Get ready to chase after more," replied Maverick as he took off after it. He caught up with it at 18 miles and managed to get a gun kill on it. 

As he turned around another was launched.

"I've got this one," Glory said.

"I figured they would've used all of them up in that attack," Dahlia commented.

"This sucks. We can't do anything about it," added Ice.

Then the periscope appeared again.

"Screw it I'm doing something," Dahlia said as she gunned it and headed up.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sunfire said. Dahlia then turned and headed back down. She straffed the periscope with her gun, and actually managed to hit it, knocking out the sub's eyes.

"OK that was wicked," Ice said. "At least they can't see us or the choppers now."

Meanwhile Glory had shot down the missile and was returning with Maverick when Guardian called in.

Guardian One to Lunar squadron: The Eclipse has entered the Pacific's air defense net. The first Seahawk is 3 minutes out, and Razgriz squadron is 17 minutes out."

"Roger Guardian," replied Maverick. Then a 3rd missile was launched by the sub.

"This one's mine," Sunfire said as she headed after it. This one seemed to be harder to catch up to. She caught it at 14 miles out, and also got a gun kill.

"Lunar squadron this is Harpoon One. We have arrived," said the helicopter pilot.

"Roger. Get it for us," replied Maverick.

The missile launches stopped as the sub dived to try and avoid any attacks. It wasn't long before the Seahawk had identified the target, and dropped it's pair of Mk. 46 torpedoes. A few minutes later there was an underwater explosion.

"This is Harpoon One. We have destroyed the target."

"Roger Harpoon," replied Guardian One. Now get back to your ships before those Empire planes come in."

A couple of minutes later the squadron got another call.

"Lunar Squadron this is Razgriz Squadron. We're pulling up on your left now." The group looked and saw the solid black Typhoon of the wing commander pull up with the others behind him. This squadron was made up entirely of aircraft the NLRAF only had one of (such as the captured Typhoon) and mercenaries who brought their own planes. As such no two were alike. One plane that they forgot about made  their hearts skip a beat. It was an F-16 painted to look like a tiger. It stung because it was one of Angel's favorite planes. There was a picture in her room of her sitting in it.

"How's it going Cloud Dancer?" Ice asked.

"Pretty good," she replied. "Sorry to hear about Angel. I was hoping to meet her again. Are you guys doing alright? "

"Yeah we're fine," replied Glory.

"Well we finally meet Maverick," Whirlwind said. "I've heard a lot about you and what your wing has done in this war."

"Same here," he replied. It seems like we're both magnets to game changers."

Whirlwind laughed. "I hear that."

"Guardian One to all planes: the Empire aircraft are now inbound. We're picking up 35."

"Yikes! That's more than two to one!" Dahlia yelled. 

"Us plus Razgriz plus and air defense net equals, no worries here," replied Sunfire.

"That's the way to take it," replied Cloud Dancer.

Then another call came in.

"All planes this is Geoffrey of the LRS Pacific. My battle group will keep their radars at low power until they're 30 miles in. Then we will ramp it up and let the missiles fly. I think we can give them a taste of their own medicine too."

"Roger Geoffrey. You certainly moved up didn't you?" Maverick replied.

"I know. I'm gonna' miss flying though. I'll try and sneak flights in every so often. I'm pissed over what happened to my old ship, so I'm looking for a little revenge myself."

"Well you may be about to get it," he replied.

29 minutes later the Eclipse was now 5 miles from the battle group, and the Empire planes were 19 miles from the squadrons.

"Alright let's do it!" Maverick announced. And the squadrons formed into three groups to do a pincher move on the bandits. The Razgriz approached from the front and left, while Lunar came in from the right.  A furball ensued.

"Whirlwind to all planes: We've got Fulcrums and Typhoons for fighters and Tornadoes and Mirages for attack. Be advised the Mirages have Exocets."

"What?" Glory said. "Why didn't they launch them ear..."

Just then the flight of 5 did.

"Pacific there's 10 missiles inbound to you!" Cloud Dancer yelled.

"Roger. We're on it," Geoffrey replied. Two members of the Razgriz also took off in pursuit.

"Guess they figured they would have a better chance if they were closer," Ice commented.

The kills began to rack up. Maverick drew first blood, taking out a Fulcrum, followed by Cloud Dancer getting a Typhoon. Whirlwind took out four of the five Mirages as they tried to leave with a salvo of four Meteors. Dahlia got the 5th one.

The eight Tornadoes split into two groups, and another member of the Razgriz got on the tail of them. After taking out one he got jumped by two fighters. Glory and Sunfire got behind them and took both out.

"Thanks Lunar Squadron," the pilot replied.

Soon two more were downed too, and after two more fighter kills it was now 15 to 21. The two Razgriz that chased after the missiles had returned.

"Did you get them?" Maverick asked.

"We got three of them. The battle group got the rest," one pilot replied. "Wait til' you see what the Pacific has for them," the other said.

"Whoa really? Not bad."  

"Pacific to Lunar One. What are those tornadoes armed with?"

"Just bombs," he replied.

"Let the rest come in."

"Are you sure?" Maverick couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Yes. Some of you can chase them here."

"Okay. Glory, Sunfire, follow me."

"Roger Spade," Glory replied, and they took off after the five tornadoes with two Typhoons behind them. All of the planes were now 36 miles from the battle group.

"We need to get these two off of us," Glory said.

"I'm on it," replied Sunfire. She did a sharp loop and got behind them. They peeled off,  and she got behind them. As she tried for a double missile shot, one performed a cobra and got behind her.

"Damn," she said. But help had already arrived.

"I've got him Sunfire, Maverick said."

"Roger. Thanks." Soon both Empire aircraft were downed. The two then caught up to Glory.

At 14 miles the Pacific contacted them.

"OK. You guys peel off. We've got this."

"If you say so," replied Maverick. At 11 miles the battle group was clearly visible.

"Here we go!" Yelled Geoffrey. Suddenly the radars on the Pacific and the AEGIS crusiers went to full power. And the strength of the Pacific's air defense was shown. Four laser beams shot from the ship, downing four of the aircraft instantly. The 5th turned and tried to run, but got hit too.

"Holly shit!" Glory exclaimed.

"HA! How does it feel getting a taste of your own medicine you Empire pukes!" Sunfire yelled while doing a barrel roll.

"Say hello to the NLR Navy's latest innovation. The Laser Close In Weapons System," replied Geoffrey.

"The Navy spent all of that money upgrading the RAM and Phalanx ones while making that?" Glory said.

"Did you ever think that's where some of the money for those might have gone? You know to keep it a secret?" Maverick said.

"Oh yeah," replied Glory.

Then the two cruisers started launching SAM's at the furball, which was well within range now. Missile after Missile shot off of the twin rail launchers. Soon eight were streaking towards the fight.

"Guys get ready. You've got some serious metal coming your way," Maverick announced as they turned back for the furball.

There were now 9 bandits left. The NLR planes got out of the way as the swarm of SAM's arrived. Within a minute six aircraft were downed.

"Let's get out of here!" an Empire pilot yelled as the last Typhoon and two MiG's fled.

"Maverick do we get them?" Cloud Dancer asked.

He thought about it for a few seconds.

"No. Let them go," he replied. And the engagement was over.

"Guardian One to all aircraft. All threats neutralized. Great job!"

"Get the chopers out because we've got a lot of ponies in the water," Maverick announced.

"The Seahawks are redeploying right now," replied Geoffrey.

"Nice work you guys," Cloud Dancer said. 

"Hey you did great too," Ice replied.

"Maybe we'll team up again sometime," Whirlwind said as the Razgriz turned for home. 

"Anytime," replied Maverick as they headed back for Las Pegasus.
 
> Chapter 13: One Step Forward, and Two Back
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Castle
2 October 2017
16:30 hours

Celestia had just finished dinner and was talking to other members of the parliament when Twilight came in.

"What is it my faithful student?"

"Two things. First our mission to sink the Eclipse and others has failed."

"How? We threw over 30 planes at it!" 

"And all but three got shot down by two air force squadrons and the other ships in the battle group. Namely that new battleship of theirs the Pacific. It is protected by at least four laser close in weapons."

Members of the parliament chatted among themselves until Celestia spoke again.

"We've got to do something. We can't keep losing aircraft and crews this fast."

"Do you know which NLR squadrons they were?" the commander of the Solar Empire Air Force asked.

"Yes. The Razgriz, and Lunar squadrons."

"Not them again," another pony said as they bickered.

"And that leads me to my other report. We found out which NLR pilot warned our squadron of the stealth cruise missiles."

"Who was it?" the white alicorn asked.

"His name is Maverick. And he's the commander of that Lunar squadron."

The room fell silent. Nopony could believe what they just heard.

"The commander of the squadron, who just repelled our attack, destroyed Excalibur, and shot down some of our best squadrons, gave us a warning that saved lives?" she said.

"That's the long and short of it," replied Twilight.

None of them knew what to say. After a but Celestia just said "Thank You Twilight. That will be all for now." And she left.

___________________


Whitemare AFB
5 October 2017
14:00 hours


As soon as the group had sat down at the table Moonstone began.

"OK pilots here's the deal. This is the one we've been waiting for. We have located an LoD POW camp Southwest of Rhone in the Griffin Empire. A special ops team has been sent in to secure it and evac them to choppers. Your mission is to provide cover for the troops and the choppers. You must protect them at all costs."

Glory's eyes lit up.

"Do you think Blaze could be there?" she asked.

"We don't know, but it's possible. The LoD definitely has other POW camps out there."

"What if there's Solar Empire ponies among them?" Ice asked. 

"We will rescue them too, and drop them off near the border with the Empire on the way back. Maybe we'll get a few kindness points for doing it."

"Well imagine that. Helping the enemy", replied Ice.

"The window for this mission won't last long. The area is high up enough for winter storms year round, and there's one moving in, so we've got to get it done as soon as possible and get out of there".

"What if it moves in before the operation is complete?" asked Glory.

"We will have no choice but to have the entire rescue crew stay there until it blows over, which would mean calling in more fighters so we have round the clock defense. We really don't want that to happen though."

"Understood", replied Maverick.

"Good luck guys... And don't eat yellow snow." And the feed abruptly ended.

"EEEEW Moonstone!" yelled Dahlia.

"Never expected something like that from her," replied Ice.

"I hope we get Blaze back. It's time this wing got good news," Glory said.

"But will he take Maverick's spot?" Ice asked.

"If he wants to I'll be more than happy to become Lunar Nine again," replied Maverick.


___________________


Blue Mountains
Griffin Empire, LoD
17:21 hours


"Wow. It's looking a liiiiitle dark up there", Ice said as the group got closer to the mountain range. Soon the snow was starting to fall. 

"Sentry Two to all planes: good to fly with you again."

"What's the status Carrot Top?" Maverick asked.

"We're picking up five pairs of bandits in the area of the base, 40 miles away from you. Looks like they're patrolling."

He looked at his radar.

"I don't see them."

"It must be the snow. They're up higher so our radar is picking them up easier. Yours has to go through the snow." 

"Roger. I guess that's a good thing because it means they can't see us either."  

"It's going to be very hard to see anything up here or down there", Glory said.

"I hope the choppers can make it in. It seems to be getting worse", Sunfire added.

21 miles out they picked up the first pair of bandits.

"Do they see us?" Dahlia asked.

"No they're heading away," Maverick replied. "Let's suprise them."

The group got within 15 miles and Maverick and Glory launched long range missiles. The two LoD planes got the warning, but it was too late.

"They know we're here now," Ice announced. Soon the other LoD planes were alerted.

"All planes we have five bandits approaching the camp from the southwest. Engage!" announced the LoD controller.

Maverick was soon contacted by the special operations commander.

"Lunar 1 this is SOP 1. Looks like you're creating a nice little diversion up there and down here".

"Hope it helps," he replied.

Soon the squadron was engaging the fighters. Sunfire got the next kill, followed by Dahlia and Maverick. Ice was hot on the tail of one when another got on his.

"Get this one off me," he said.

"I'm on him," replied Dahlia. She banked and dived, and was soon on the tail of the MiG. One heat seeker ended it.

"Thanks girl," he said as he splashed his MiG.

It was now three to five when they got a radio call.

"Lunar squadron this is Falco flight. We're 23 miles out." 

"Roger Falco. We've still got three fighters..."

"Got em'," Ice announced on the radio.

"Two fighters left, so come in slow until we give you the clear."

"Roger. Falco One out."

Then Another call came in.

"All planes this is SOP 1. We're starting our operation."

"Roger," replied Maverick.

Dahlia and Sunfire finished off the last two bandits. Then they got a call from Falco again.

"Lunar squadron this is Falco One, we're getting a radar spike," which meant some form of anti aircraft site was picking them up.

"This is Lunar 1 i'm on it. Glory follow me."

"Roger Mav'", and they headed in their direction. As they got closer  they got a visual.

"A pair of ZSU's. Get em'," Maverick announced. Both of them launched AGM's and destroyed them.

"You're clear Falco." 

"Thanks. Here we come."

The group then started cleaning up antiaircraft sites and armor around the POW camp. 16 minutes later the enemy had been crushed.

"SOP 1 to Falco flight the camp is clear. Get us out of here."

"Roger we're four miles out. ETA two minutes."

Glory then got on the radio.

"Lunar Two to SOP 1. Can you check for a Captain Whiteblaze among the POW's?"

"Sure can. I'll get back to you in a bit."

"Roger. Thanks."

"Keep your hooves crossed", replied Ice.

Soon the three Chinooks, escorted by three Apache's, landed in the middle of the camp, and the special ops were hurrying the POW's, including 8 Solar Empire pilots, to the choppers. The Empire ponies went onto a separate chopper.

Lunar squadron continued to orbit around the camp, watching the activity as best as they could through the snow.

After a bit, the SOP commander came on.

"Lunar Two this is SOP 1. Is this the pony you're looking for?" Another voice came on.

"Lunar squadron this is the artist formerly known as Lunar One. I told you i'd be fine."

"WHITEBLAZE!" Glory yelled.

"OMG you're safe!", added Ice. Soon everyone was responding to him.

"Maverick. Have you been taking care of them?"

He paused for a second. "Yes". There was another pause.

"I haven't heard motor mouth yet," Blaze added. And the radio was silent.

"Oh. You don't have to say anything more guys," he responded.

Soon the transports were loaded, and were ready to take off, just as the storm started to pick up.

"Guys I'm going to take a look," Glory announced as she turned and headed lower.

"She thinks she's going to see him from there," Ice cracked.

"I'll follow her," Maverick replied. 

Glory flew low over the base, then started to pull up. Suddenly two shoulder fired SAM's shot out of a bunker which the special ops thought had been silenced. An Apache finished it off.

"DAMMIT!" Glory yelled. 

"Glory evade!" screamed Ice. She failed though and the missile hit her right engine. The second missile would finish her off.

"No you don't!" Maverick cut between Glory and the other missile, and it hit him instead before he could drop flares. The move gave her enough time to eject. He did also.

"Lunar One and Two are down!" Yelled Ice.

"NOOO MAVERICK GLORY!" Dahlia screamed.

The radio was silent for a minute.

"We're fine. We ejected," Maverick said over his portable radio.

"Sentry Two to Falco we need a rescue two miles West of the camp."

"We can't. The weather is getting worse. If we don't leave now we may not make it out."

"Roger Falco."

"No you have to try! We can't leave them here!," Dahlia yelled.

"We can't risk these other ponies."

"Dahlia it's OK. We'll be fine", replied Glory.

"This is Whiteblaze listen to them guys, they will be OK. We will have to wait until the weather gets better to rescue them. I'll try and get back to base as soon as I can."

"Roger Blaze," Dahlia said quietly.

"Are we going to stay here?" Sunfire asked.

"No," replied Sentry Two. No doubt the LoD has forces coming this way now, and if you're in th area of them it will be easier to find them. They need to put some distance between them and the camp."

"Roger Sentry Two," replied Ice. Maverick, be safe."

"We will." And the squadron left.

"Now what?" Glory asked Maverick.

"We've gotta get out of this area," he replied while looking at his compass and map. "The logical choice is to head South, which is what the LoD will think. So we'll head West."

"But that's towards the Solar Empire."

"Right here," pointing to a spot on the map, "there's a  four lane road that construction was stopped on after Discord took over the Griffins. There's no villages anywhere near the spot, and the road isn't in use because bridges on both sides have been bombed, so we'll head there. It will be easier too because of the valley between the two mountain ranges. We should be able to get out of the snow."

Glory was impressed.

"Will they be able to find us though?"

'Remember it's standard NLRAF procedure to head left of the right direction." 

Glory looked a little embarrassed. 

"Oh yeah, I forgot". And they started walking West. Glory's horn lighting the way.
> Chapter 14: The Truth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitemare AFB
5 October 2017
21:00 hours


The group was waiting in the situation room when Tex came in.

"Bad news folks. The storm up there isn't going to subside until late afternoon tomorrow, which means no rescue until then."

"Terriffic," Sunfire said disgustedly.

"So when will the planning for the mission be?" asked Ice.

"According to Moonstone tomorrow at noon. So try and get some sleep guys. You'll need it." 

"Alright," Dahlia replied.

"We can only hope they will be alright until then, and that the LoD doesn't find them first. I'm sure Discord would love to get ahold of some of the ponies that have been screwing up his plans," added Sunfire.


_________________


Discord's palace
21:22 hours.

Discord was almost ready for bed when his 2inC came in.

"What is it?" he asked.

"We have just got word that the POW camp in the Blue Mountains has been destroyed by the NLR. All of the prisoners were rescued."

"You decide to give me bad news before I go to bed?" he asked with a growl in his voice.

"But there's good news. Two members of that Lunar Squadron including the commander were shot down over it."

Discord's eyes lit up.

"Excellent. Have our forces located the pilots yet?" 

"No. There's a major snowstorm up there right now. It won't subside until late afternoon tomorrow."

"Very well. Get as many personnel looking for them as possible once it breaks. And have them brought here. I'd like to meet them personally."

"Yes your Excellency."


__________________


Valley West of Rhone
LoD Griffin Empire
23:10 hours

Maverick and Glory had made it down to the small river that ran between the two mountain ranges. Instead of snow it was now raining.

"Hey look", Glory said as the outline of a small building came into view. It turned out to be an abandoned fishing cottage next to the river. They went inside, and despite the holes in the roof it was mostly dry.

"Well at least we don't have to sleep on the floor", she said pointing to a worn out bed.

"That'll work. We might as well get some sleep. We'll leave as soon as it get's light".

Glory looked at it again. 

"You don't mind, do you?", she said looking a bit flushed.

"No. It says to do that when it's cold in the manual", he replied. And both got into the bed and settled into sleep.


__________________


Whitemare AFB
6 October 2017
12:00 hours.

The squadron had been waiting in the situation room for 30 minutes when Tex walked in and started the feed. Soon Moonstone was on.

"OK pilots here's the story. The rest of you and Eagle squadron will be joined by a Marine rescue force, and the Shadow and Ocelot squadrons, who pretty much demanded to be included in this operation. You will began your search for their beacons here, West of Rhone. We're pretty sure they're following the river to some point around here. You guys will crisscross in a grid pattern to try and locate the beacon and take care of any enemy activity. 
Once you find them, contact the Marines. They will land with their Ospreys and rescue them, then all of you get out of there."

"How's the weather?" Ice asked.

"It's still socked in up there. It's scheduled to clear around 17:30, and we need to be in the air and in the area before then. We've gotten intel that indicates the LoD is launching a pretty large search party for them, so timing is critical."

Dahlia looked nervous. "Damn I hope we get them before Discord does. We can't lose any more pilots."

"No we can't, but at least you've gained one."

"BLAZE!" The three of them tackle glomped him, shoving him back through the door.

"Damn take it easy!"

"It's great to have you back," cried Dahlia.

"Are you going to be Lunar one again?" asked Ice.

"Yep. At least until Maverick get's back."

"Oh?" Ice said.

"He's got you this far. And from what I've heard while in the camp he's done stuff I might not have been able to do. I'll be Lunar Nine." 

"Uh meeting guys?" Tex said from the situation room.

"Oh yeah", and they went back in.


__________________


25 miles Southeast of the Crystal Empire border.
LoD Griffin Empire
14:45 hours.


Glory and Maverick were now three miles from the highway. They had already hid from three LoD choppers and just had to hide from a 4th.

"Dammit I figured this rain would have grounded them," Glory said.

"It's too risky to keep going this way. We'll follow this little stream through the woods. It's a mile further but it will all be  wooded", he replied. and so they headed deep into the woods.

Sometime later they saw a glint through the trees.

"What's that?" Glory asked.

"It looks like a light. Get your gun ready." And they headed for it. As they got closer it was clear it was a light inside a small office trailer. Finally it came into view.

"W-W-Wwhat?" Glory said quietly. Not far from the office trailer were two huge tents covered with camo netting and branches from the trees. Outside were some aircraft parts, drop tanks, and a couple of shipping containers. The tarmac in front of it was also covered by a false canopy of trees. The taxiway ran out to the highway. A generator was running near the trailer.

"A secret airbase?"

"It looks like it," Maverick replied. They could see it was guarded by a few Minotaurs and Satyrs.

"Shall we spy?" He asked.

"But of course," Glory replied. 

Several minutes of neck slashing and breaking later all of the guards were dead. Once they were gone they unzipped the door to one of the tents and stepped inside. What they saw made their jaws drop.

"Maverick?"

"Son of a bitch." 

There before them was a Flanker fully dressed in NLRAF colors. They went over and looked at it. It had the markings for the Venom squadron.

"But all of them were destroyed in that attack by the Empire's Excalibur."

"I know. I think I know what's going on." Maverick opened up an access panel to check something, and his suspicions were confirmed. The paint on the inside edges of the hatch was black. Another one near the tip of the wing was red on the inside.

"It's an LoD plane painted to look like ours."

"Could they have been responsible for the bombings?" 

"And that little trap that got Angel killed". They then checked the other hangar tent. Inside it was another Flanker. This one was painted in Solar Empire colors.

"That confirms it right there," Glory said.

"We need some hard evidence though. Let's check that trailer," replied Maverick.

They went in and started looking. Imeadiately Glory found a laptop on a desk. It was still on so she touched the pad to get the monitor to turn on. She was greeted by an image of two female minotaurs in a "situation".

"UGH MY EYES!" she yelled.

"Not your thing eh?" Maverick said with a smile.

"No it isn't," she replied as she took the image down and started searching. Not only did they discover correspondence about the plans, the computer was still logged into the LoD's inelligence agency. There was also a couple of flash drives next to it.

"I think we hit the jackpot," she said.

"Same here," replied Maverick as he put the contents of a small file cabnet on the desk. As they looked through the stuff it was crystal clear. The bombings, distrust, and all of the things that led to the Republic returning to war with the Empire was an operation to weaken the two sides and make an invasion of Equestria easier. They also found the planes could squawk both LoD and NLR/SE IFF codes.

"That little bastard," Glory growled. "So what now?"

"Obviously we've gotta' get all of this evidence back to Base," replied Maverick.

"If I can keep this laptop on we should still be able to access the stuff on it. If the battery goes dead we will have to have Microchip hack into it. But how do we get out of here in time?" 

"How else? I said we have to get all of the evidence back."

Glory grinned. "Guess they won't have to rescue us then."

The planes were already prepped for a flight that was due in 6 hours, so they opened the hangar doors, fired them up, and taxied out onto the highway. Glory took the Empire one and Maverick the other. Before getting on the highway they tested the IFF's. Maverick looked at his radar and it was showing Glory's plane as LoD.

"Throw the switch," he said. She did, and it started squawking a SEAF code and went from blue to red.

"OK throw it back. That confirms it."

They lined up, one on each side of the highway, and took off. 

"Stay below 200 feet. We've gotta' remain hidden for as long as possible."

"Roger Spade" she replied. 

They had few choices for a direct path to NLR airspace. To the left was Leftwyne and a LoD Army base. To the right was Trottingham and the Solar Empire's Neighagra Air Force base. They would have to fly South, then roughly follow the border to the NLR. Hoping they didn't fly over any ground troops along the way.

They also had to worry about the planes. They would have to keep it set to LoD until they got near the border, then switch. But no matter what Glory would still show up as enemy to NLR radar. 

The weather was clearing as they headed South. Not far from the border their plans went the same direction when they passed over a LoD platoon.

"DAMN!" Maverick yelled.

"What now?"

"Keep going!"

The LoD platoon commander recognized the planes as the fake ones, but contacted the air controller about them as the low level pass scared the crap out of the troops.

"Air command why did our two decoy planes  buzz us at a hundred feet?"

"What do you mean? They aren't scheduled to fly for 5 more hours".

"Well they passed us, heading for the Solar Empire border."

"WHAT?" The controller directed a nearby squadron to the area, then tried to contact the secret location. There was no answer.

"We've got a problem. Shoot down those aircraft!"

The radios in the planes were still set to the LoD frequency so Maverick and Glory heard the calls.

"How much further Maverick?"

"43 miles. Keep your eyes peeled."

___________________


Near the LoD/NLR border
15:09 hours.

The rescue party was circling 40 miles from the LoD border, waiting for the Marines to show up.

"The weather cleared up earlier than expected", said Ice.

"I know. I hope it didn't affect anything", Whiteblaze replied.

Dash chimed in. "Don't worry. We're not going to let them get their claws on them." 

A short time later the Marines linked up with the group.

"Alright guys, let's get them back!" Blaze said as they headed North.

Maverick and Glory were 35 miles from the border when they heard an unwelcome transmission.

"Control this is Trinity squadron. We have the planes on radar 16 miles out".

"Roger. You're clear to engage."

"Now what Maverick?"

"Just keep going. If they get a lock on us evade. And switch to the other IFF's now." 

Despite their best flying, the Flankers couldn't out run the LoD MiG-31's. Soon they were well within missile range and the warnings started going off.

"Evade!" Maverick yelled.

Blaze and the others were now less than 20 miles from the border when Carrot Top contacted them.

"Sentry Two to all planes we have multiple aircraft inbound from the North."

"How many?" Blaze asked. 

"A flight of two and then six more... What?"

"What is it?"

"The pair. Both were squawking LoD IFF's. Now one is squawking a Solar Empire code, the other a NLRAF one."

The radio went silent.

"Is your radar messing up Sentry?" Dash asked.

"No it's fine."

" Sentry One this is Ocelot One. I'm picking them up now". 

Sentry came back on.

"They keep changing course, like they're dodging something."

"The other planes are firing on them maybe?" added Ice.

The radio went silent, then erupted with 3 words.

"MAVERICK AND GLORY!"

All of the planes hit the afterburners and headed for them.

The pair were now down to their last flares and bundles of chaff.

"We've got enough for one more dodge. After that we have to bail. Make sure to take the evidence with you."

"I will Maverick."

Then, 12 miles from the border, they picked up multiple contacts on their radars. It was the group.

"Is that?"

"Has to be. I hope they don't fire on us".

The LoD planes also picked them up.

"Damn. We've got over 20 aircraft approaching. Let's get out of here," the LoD squadron commander said, and they turned around and left.

Glory let out a sigh of relief. "They turned around. We did it Spade."

"I know. That was a close one. Now let's worry about  our own interceptors," he replied.

Then a few seconds later they got an unusual message over the radio.

"There's a coded message on the radio," Glory said.

"Can you decrypt it?" he replied.

"Yeah, hold on," she said as she began the process.

"Yo, Spade. You still alive?" Fear suddenly came over Glory.

"IT'S..."

The two started looking around for any sign of her.

"Too bad I didn't know it was you until now," the commander of the LoD squadron said to herself as they continued to leave the area.

"The 2nd group of planes is fleeing," Sentry announced.

Dash sighed. "That's a relief." 

"Now let's identify these two," replied Sunfire.

The pair continued to fly straight for the group.

"Slow down so they can get a good look at us. I'll contact them on our short range radios when we get close enough," Maverick announced.

The planes passed.

"Hey guys can you hear us?" he said.

"Maverick and Glory?" Blaze asked.

"It's us," They replied. The radio erupted into chatter.

"How can we be sure?" Dash asked them. Glory had the perfect answer.

"Dash. Do you remember that one night at that bar in Baltimare three years ago, when you..."

"OK OK it's you!" Dash said with a red face.

"How.. Where did you get those?" Derpy asked as the planes turned around and formed up with them.

"From a secret airbase we came across. We've got evidence that is going to blow the lid off of this war."

"Like what?," Blaze asked.

"Those civilian and other bombing incidents between us and the Empire? It was all Discord's doing. These are LoD Flankers painted to look like ours and the Empires'. The goal was to spread distrust between us and them so we would fight ourselves. We've got a laptop and tons of paper evidence. We even have the orders signed by that piece of shit himself."

Everypony was stunned.

"We've gotta' get this information to Luna," Dash replied. "Let's all get back to your base."

"I'm contacting command as we speak," replied Carrot Top. And they returned home.
> Chapter 15: Unity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hangar 12, Whitemare AFB
6 October 2017
21:11 hours.

Maverick and Glory landed the planes safely and taxied them to the empty hangar. Instead of returning to their bases, Dash and Derpy's squadrons landed also, parking in empty spots on the tarmac. The Shadows parked next to the remaining Lunar squadron planes.

Nearly everypony on the base was in the hangar looking at the two planes that Maverick and Glory had brought in. One member of the ground crew had brought a sandblaster over, and took enough of the paint off one side of each plane to reveal their LoD markings.

"Is Moonstone coming?" Maverick asked Tex.

"Yes. They left 17 minutes ago. They should be here in an hour," he replied. 

"This could be the war ending event we need", added Dash.

"What about photos of the site? Those would have been handy," added Derpy. 

Glory pulled her camera phone out her flight suit.

"Well imagine that,"  Whiteblaze said.

"Let's get everything into the situation room and get it ready," Tex said, and him,  the squadron, and a few others went into the base headquarters.

___________________


Discord's palace
21:15 hours.


Discord was enjoying some TV when his 2inC came in.

"Uh. Your Highness?"

"What is it?"

"I have, bad news."

"It better not be something to do with the project."

"No. That's good news I've got after this."

Discord relaxed a bit. "So what is it?"

"The cover on our plan to spread distrust between the Empire and Republic has been blown off."

"How?"

"Those two pilots that got shot down? Somehow they found our secret base where the planes were. They took them and every bit of correspondence they could find."

Discord literally exploded with rage.

"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?" he screamed.

"I don't know! Dumb luck I guess."

Discord's claws started glowing like he was getting ready to shoot something at him.

"The good news is the ray will be ready tomorrow!" he quickly said.

Discord immediately calmed down.

"Oh well. I guess them finding out about our plan doesn't matter then. By the time they peace with each other, if they do, it will be too late," he replied.

"We do need you to sit in the chair for a bit so we can get stuff calibrated and run some tests. Will you be available tomorrow at noon?"

"Of course I can", Discord replied.

"We will see you tomorrow then."

Discord turned around and looked out of the window towards the direction of Equestria.

"Soon."

__________________


Whitemare AFB
22:21 hours

The group stood outside on the tarmac and watched the presidential jet fly over the base, being escorted by the Morgans of the  9th Special Fighter Squadron, and the Razors which was the other SU-37 squadron of the Air Force. Soon all of the planes were on the ground, and the presidential one pulled up in front of the group.

Moonstone got off first, followed by high ranking members of the NLR government and armed forces including Wigiwam, commander of the Air Force, July Larkspur, Admiral of the NLR Navy, Lightning, commander of the Army, and Roseluck, commander of the Marines. Also present was Microchip. The computer geek of the NLR Intelligence agency.  Tex greeted them.

"Welcome to Whitemare Moonstone."

"The first time i've met you ponies in person," she replied. She then introduced the other officers.

"Everypony wanted to see the evidence eh?" Maverick asked.

"THAT IS RIGHT." 

Everypony recognized the voice. They looked up to see Princess Luna herself standing on the stairs to the plane.

"Princess Luna!" Dash said.  And everypony knelled as she walked down the stairs to in stand in front of them.

Tex was a little nervous. "We weren't expecting you. Otherwise we would've had more of a welcoming..."

"That is okay," she replied. "We must see this evidence ourselves." 

"OK. Follow us." and they headed to the hangar. The brass was enraged over the planes.

"So it wasn't rouge pilot. It was all trick!" snapped Wigwam.

"A trick that got ultimately got hundreds of ponies killed, including one of our own wingponies," replied Sunfire.

Next they went to the situation room and looked over all of the evidence, and the photos Glory took. Microchip got on the laptop and started pulling stuff up. Luna was completely shocked by all of the evidence.

"All this time. The bombings. The distrust. The backstabbing... All caused by HIM."

"What should we do your highness?" Moonstone asked.

"What else? My sister must know about this. We will contact them now and try to arrange a cease fire meeting here."

"At this base?," Tex said.

"Yes. It's roughly the same distance from Thorinia and Canterlot, and it's close to the border. I don't want to risk an engagement from uninformed ponies by going to Everfree or Neighlis."

"Understood your highness," Tex replied.

"I'm going to contact my base and see if we can stay here. I don't want to miss this," replied Dash.

"That would be great. My sister will no doubt bring her best squadron with her so I want our best squadron here also."

"I'm certain I can hack into the LoD intelligence agency's computers with this, since it has the correct identification and coding," the white unicorn with glasses said. "I'll see what else I can get."

"Excellent," replied Moonstone. "Shall we get started?" 

"Yes. Pilots, try and get some sleep. There's no telling what tomorrow will bring," Luna said.

"Yes your highness," replied Maverick. And they started to leave.

"Oh and one more thing Lunar Squadron", Luna said. The group turned around.

"It's been a pleasure to meet you all. Your successes in this war have provided strength for the Republic, and now it's clear you will be responsible for helping end this war too," she said with a smile.

"Thank you princess," Maverick replied.

"We're just doing our job," Sunfire added.  So as the pilots went to get some sleep; Tex, Luna, and her entourage remained in the situation room to do the planning.


__________________


Canterlot Castle
7 October 2017
03:39 hours.


Celestia woke up to a knock on her door.

"Nggggh. Who is it?"

"It's Rarity your highness. We have just received a communication from the Republic. Princess Luna wants to discuss a cease fire sometime today".

Celestia jumped up so fast she tripped over her pillow and fell on her face. She got up and ran over to open the door.

"Are you serious Rarity?"

"Yes. They're discussing it downstairs now."

"OK let's go." And they headed downstairs to the castle's conference room. 

Already present were Shining Armor, commander of the Royal Canterlot Army, Starshine, the commander of the Air Force, and  of course Twilight, who was head of the Solar Empire Intelligence Agency.

"What's the story Twilight?"

"We have received communication from the Republic that they want an immediate cease fire. They apparently got ahold of some evidence that proves Discord has been behind the war between us and them."

"Oh really?" Celestia looked skeptical. "And where do they want us to meet them at?"

"At the airbase South of Las Pegasus."

"That's where that damn Lunar squadron is based!" Yelled Starshine.

Shining Armor spoke up.

"Whoa now. We can't just fly in there. You know it's a trap!"

"And they would think the same thing if we ask them to head to one of ours," Twilight replied.

"Isn't there someplace in between we could meet them?" Rarity asked.

"I'm afraid not", Celestia replied. "I have no objections to flying to their base, as long as I'm escorted by our best squadron. Besides: Seeing our planes fly over Applewood would be very shocking to the citizens."

"We can send VF-10 with you, and have  three others waiting just on the other side of the border," said Starshine.

"I will go there with some of our guards," Shining announced.

"Very well. Make the arrangements for the meeting at 2PM today. I'm going to get a little more sleep."

"Yes your highness", replied Twilight.

As Celestia walked back to her room, she kept saying something inside of her head:

"Please, let this be the start of peace."


________________________


Whitemare AFB
12:20 hours.

The situation room was buzzing with activity. Luna and the others were going over the last minute details of the meeting. 

"Just got word the Solar Empire group is 100 miles from the border and closing", announced Wigwam.

"What are they bringing?" Tex asked.

"there's a squadron of ten fighters escorting what would be the transport, with over 30 aircraft trailing behind them which are no doubt backups if something goes wrong. We've got 5 squadrons standing by 40 miles South of here including the Hologram, Ocelot, and Nightstalker squadrons".

"Very well. I guess it's just a waiting game now." And Moonstone and Tex headed for outside.

Outside the Lunar, Razor, and Shadow squadrons were talking and looking at Glory and Whiteblaze's new planes: She got the last spare SU-37 the squadron had, while he got one from the Razor squadron.

"So what about me? I need a plane," Maverick said.

"Nah. You're good enough we're just gonna' strap a Vulcan under your belly and send you in," Dash said. He just gave her a strange look.

"You're hiding something aren't you?"

"Looks like he's got us guys. Might as well show him," Whiteblaze said. And they walked to the hangar next to the one that the Flankers were in. 

They stood in front of the doors as they opened, and Maverick's jaw dropped. Wigwam was standing in front of his new plane.

"Maverick, say hau to the Nosferatu," he said.

Maverick walked around it. It was painted in the solid midnight blue with navy blue tail the Special Fighter Squadron planes were painted in. On the tail it said "3rd SFS". Instead of a small NLRAF flag, the whole tail was covered by the wing and moon logo. The ground crew did paint the wingtips with the "lunar" white squadron colors.

"How did we get this? The 44 is a plane the Empire developed," he asked. Wigwam and Blaze started whistling and looking around.

"We kind of... stole their plans," Wigwam said. "It's the only example we have so far so don't wreck it, or we give you scalp treatment."

He noticed what appeared to be two large weapons bays on top of the aircraft that were empty.

"What goes here?"

"The Empire developed a special weapon for this plane called the All Direction, Multipurpose Missile. The weapon consists of three pods: two on top and one on the bottom, and hold a total of 216 missiles which fire in bursts of 12. Unfortunately we didn't get the plans for the weapon so they're empty for now. We're not even sure if they got the weapons deployed as we have never heard of them being used," replied Moonstone.

"Damn. Those would be nice," Maverick said as he flew back down.

"Well are you going to test it out before the Empire get's here?" Whiteblaze asked.

"I guess so," he replied. Several minutes later he was strapped in, and he taxied out and took off.

He did some simple flying to get adjusted to the new controls and the handling of the plane. Once he got used to it he started maneuvers. The Nosferatu responded a little faster than the Terminator, and he easily did the same moves with it. It did seem less stable at low speeds, though he could still perform the Cobra with it at a higher speed.

He flew it for nearly an hour before landing.

"Well how was it?" Glory asked.

"We need more of them," he replied.

"Do you think it's a good idea for the Empire to see it when they get here?" Dahlia asked.

"Good question," Wigwam said. After thinking about it he decided. "Meh, it won't hurt anything. Except maybe some feelings."

Tex and Moonstone showed up.

"Remember to be standing next to your planes as they land. I want a nice show of force," Tex said.

"You've got it," Dash said with a salute.

About 25 minutes later some dots appeared on the horizon.

"there they are," exclaimed Glory.

The dots materialized into a 747 flanked by 10 Typhoons, 5 on each side. They flew over the base, at which point the airliner turned around and landed first, followed by the fighters in pairs. Soon the planes were taxing up to the tarmac.

"Attention!", Tex yelled, and the pilots stood at attention next to their planes. 

The presidential plane passed by first. It's solar empire colors and insignia shining brightly in the sunlight. It taxied to the unloading spot on the tarmac.  Next the fighters passed by in a line, one by one turning towards the NLR planes and stopping on the tarmac. A few of the NLR pilots cursed them under their breath. One of the planes almost got rear ended by another because they nearly stopped when they saw Maverick's plane.

As they passed, Dash saw the cutie mark on the squadron commander's plane and did a double take.

"No way. It can't be..." She thought to herself. Unlike their planes, the only indication of who was piloting a Solar Empire one was the pony's cutie mark on the side under the canopy. 

"Never thought I'd  see this at my base," Tex commented.

"Let's go everypony," Moonstone said. They headed for another building near the hangar housing the planes, where the meeting would take place. 

Inside the building, Luna, Moonstone, and the NLR brass were waiting at one end of a large table. With the evidence ready for presentation. Celestia was still on her plane so they waited.

A few minutes later they heard a commotion outside on the opposite side of the building. 

"What is that?" Luna asked.

"Maverick follow me, I just heard one of my pilots," Dash said. And they went to check it out. 

Outside members of her squadron and the Razors were facing off with the Empire pilots.

"OK break it up you guys now!" Dash yelled. Then she heard the Empire commander saying the same thing.

"Oh please don't fight. This isn't the time for it. Please?"

Dash's eyes grew huge.

"Th-That voice", she said. As the pilots broke off from each other the two ponies saw each other.

"DASH?"

"FLUTTERSHY?"

The other pilots fell silent as the two stared at each other. Soon they quietly left, leaving just them and Maverick, who quietly headed back into the building. He knew what it meant.

Dash finally broke the silence.

"When did you become a fighter pilot, and squadron commander?" The last time Dash saw her she was an AWACS pilot.

"Oh, um... I became a fighter pilot last year. My squadron commander was killed a month ago, and I was made the new one, even though I wasn't as experienced as some of the others." 

"I thought Celestia didn't want want the four of you engaging in combat?"

"I thought so too because Twilight and Rarity became part of her cabinet, but I guess she changed her mind because Applejack is in the Army now also," she said.

"Wow. I guess things did change," Dash replied. After looking around for a bit, she spoke again.

"I'm... glad we met here... and, not in the air," she said with glassy eyes.

Dash did here best to keep her emotions in check. "Y-Yeah. Likewise."

"So why are you here? I thought you were stationed at Thorinia?"

"I flew in with the squadron that found this evidence we're looking at. This could end the war between us".

Fluttershy's eyes brightened up.

"Oh I hope so. My worst fear of this war was having to fight ponies I knew at some point."

"I know. Same here."

Tex interrupted them.

"Come on girls. It's time for the meeting." And they went inside.

Finally it was time. Everypony stood at attention as Celestia entered the room. With her was Shining Armor, Rarity, Starshine, and a few other members of her cabinet and the Royal Guard, plus Kimono, Admiral of their Navy.

"Hmph. This room is far from being fit for royalty," Rarity said. "Oh. Dash. Long time no see."

"Yeah. You haven't changed any," she replied.

"Welcome sister," Luna said.

"It's been over a year since we last met. I see you haven't changed." The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"So why are you suddenly wanting peace? What is this evidence you have?"

Luna used her magic to put the papers and photos in front of them. After a few minutes of reading Celestia's eyes went from showing slight anger to worry. The brass mumbled amongst themselves.

"I...I don't, believe it," She muttered.

So what about these planes? Did you find them?" Starshine asked.

"Follow us," Moonstone said. And they headed for the hangar.

The group stepped inside through the main doors, which were open slightly. There before them were the two planes, showing their sandblasted sides that proved they were LoD aircraft. 

Celestia and her group examined the planes briefly. After a moment she bowed her head, looking like she might start crying.

"All this time. This war.... All of the ponies that have died...."

"I know sister," Luna said, putting her hoof on her shoulder.

"I'm going to be sick," said Shining Armor. "That rotten son of a bitch."

"It all makes sense now," replied Starshine. "Get the two sides you're going to attack fighting each other, then when they are weak, finish them off." 

"So what do we do your highness?" Rarity asked.

After a moment of silence, Celestia snapped her head up.

"As of now, the war between us and the Republic, is over." 

Fluttershy started jumping up.

"Yahoo it's over!"

"Aww, yeah!" Dash yelled.

The crowd started chatting until Celestia spoke up again.

"We know who the real enemy is now, but this war has left both of us weak. So. Little sister. Will you join me in destroying Discord once and for all?"

"Of course Tia'." 

"Hell yeah! Let's do this!," yelled Ice.

"Moonstone. Can you set up your video conference system so we can talk to both of our intelligence agencies?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, I'm sure we can," she replied. 

And they left for the situation room to go over the peace accords, and plan for the new operation against Discord.

> Chapter 16: Final Stand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord's Palace
8 October 2017
11:30 hours.

"It is time your highness."

"Well let's get going then." 

Discord left the palace and headed out to a helicopter that was waiting to take him to the location of the project they had been working on for the last several months.

"Will these tests be painful?" Discord asked.

"They shouldn't. All we'll do is connect everything to you and get it set up."

"Very well. Let's do this. I'm in the mood for some grand scale chaos."

____________________



Whitemare AFB Conference Room
13:10 Hours.

Both sides had been up since 6AM going over stuff and readying the peace accords and the plans to jointly go after Discord. The plan was to attack his forces in and around Gracemareia, as well as taking him out. Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy spent the time getting caught up. As soon as Pinkie heard they were together she made a bee line for the base, and was also talking to them.

"I can't believe we're back together! Well we are missing Twilight and Applejack but they probably had other stuff to do so that's fine, as soon as I heard the two of you were here with Dash and that the war was over I had to run up here to.."

She gasped for air, then continued.

"see for myself this is so great I need to get a party set up, I can get the Shadowbolts..."

"Settle down Pinkie," Dash said. "We're still at war with Discord, we need to get that out of the way before we celebrate."

"Then what are we waiting for let's do it!"

Rarity just shook her head. "Yep, you haven't changed any."

"What do you do now anyway?" Fluttershy asked Pinkie.

"Oh I keep the troops entertained. I go around to bases and front lines and throw parties and stuff, you know, to keep morale up. I don't think I can top the war between us ending though."

"I'm actually worried about that," Fluttershy replied. "Most ponies on both sides still have hate and distrust towards each other. It will take awhile for everypony to start trusting each other again."

"Well hopefully the speech that Luna and Celestia will give tonight will solve that problem," replied Dash.

Nearby the princesses were still going over stuff and making calls. Celestia did take some time out to talk to Maverick, who was a little worried considering his squadron caused some of the worst grief for the Empire. 

"So you're Maverick?"

"Y-Yeah," he replied.

"Needless to say I've heard a lot about you, and what you've done, but there is one thing I've been wondering."

"What?" he replied softly.

"During this war, with all of the hate and distrust between the two sides, you broke off from your engagement with those missiles to shoot the one heading for Tall Tale down,and give us warning about the stealth ones. Why?"

"Because Discord wasn't attacking a military target with those. He was targeting civilians, and you had no knowledge of them. I wasn't about to watch more die in front of me." Celestia looked pleased.

"If only more ponies had thought like this," she replied. "So when did you see civilians die before?"

"During the war..." he stopped talking when Celestia's horn started glowing. Soon a scroll appeared.

"Hey is that from Egghead?" Dash asked Celestia.

"Yes. She is our counterpart of Moonstone."  Celestia started reading it. Suddenly she dropped it with a gasp.

"What is it sister?," Luna asked.

Celestia read the scroll out loud.

"Dear Princess Celestia. I have some extremely important and dire news. Through an informant we have just discovered the Legion of Discord is getting ready to try out a superweapon called the Ray of Chaos. Apparently they have been working on it for months, and have managed to keep it tightly under wraps."

Everypony started talking amongst themselves until Celestia spoke again.

"Details are sketchy but it appears to be something like a transmitter that Discord himself will connect to to amplify his power. A beam will shoot from it up to a satellite once owned by the Griffin Empire that has been re-purposed. It will reflect Discord's power over a huge area at whatever country it's pointed at. This weapon poses a threat not only to Equestria, but the entire world."

"We have located the base that houses it. It's built under a mountain Southwest of Los Alicornes in Gracemareia. It is highly fortified and may only be accessible from underground. We must focus all of our resources towards destroying the site. It is scheduled to be operational by midnight as the satellite approaches it from the Northeast."

The room fell silent until Luna spoke.

"We must destroy it together."

"Yes. If this base is that fortified Discord will have all of his best defenses guarding it," replied Moonstone.

"Let's get a feed going to Twilight," Celestia said. 15 minutes later the feed was set up, and Twilight appeared on the video screen, and the planning started.

"So what about this base? This is the first I've heard of it," asked Shining Armor.

"We don't know much about it except from recon photos. There are two large openings on each side of the mountain, each 15 miles from the center. There are train tracks running into both ends. We are in the process of getting more info from our contact."

"That could be a death trap for troops," replied Lightning.

"So what do we do?" Rarity asked.

"Let me see if I can pull up something," replied Microchip, who was still gathering data from the LoD laptop Glory brought back. He had managed to access the LoD's network. In the meantime Twilight had put up a recon image of the top of the mountain.

The crowd conversed loudly about what to do until Maverick spoke up.

"I know all about that base."

Everyone looked at Maverick.

"I was with the Crystal Empire Air Force for 7 years before Discord took over. The base was a response to the war we had with the Griffins. Our plan was to create an entire underground base and city and that would be safe from any and all attacks. The tunnels are big enough for the largest helicopters and our C-130 transports to fly into. It is possible for a plane to go in one end, land, then exit out of the other so turning wasn't necessary."

"So what about the interior?" Twilight asked.

"There are no defensive weapons inside unless the LoD has added them. Instead there is a series of large steel doors that close to keep intruders out. They are controlled from small facilities at the openings of both tunnels. The place gets it's power from a pair of reactors which are located close to the entrances to the main room. Should something happen to the reactors, the doors will close automatically."

The group was stunned.

"What is the stuff located at the top of the mountain?" Twilight asked.

"that thing on the right is a direct entrance to the main part of the facility. Those large doors wern't there before though. If they have added a weapon that might be where it shoots from."

"I am so glad you joined us," Moonstone said to him.

Then someone handed Twilight some papers which she looked at for a bit.

"OK we've got some more info. Maverick you're right. Except they have built the control centers for the weapon next to each reactor."

"If those and the reactors are destroyed it would kill his weapon and cause an overload that will make the reactors go critical. The place was designed so if the reactors overloaded or were damaged for any reason, the doors would close to prevent any radiation from leaking out. When it happens, the only way out of the main room is the entrance at the top."

"So what you're all saying amounts to, two pilots have to go inside each end and destroy the controls, then fly out the other side?" asked Dash.

"Yes. And it must be done at exactly the same time. If you don't one set of doors will close early, which means somepony will die."

Then the big question came up.

"So who is going to do it?," Starshine asked.

"I will.," replied Maverick.

"So will I," Whiteblaze announced.

"Guys are you sure?" Glory asked.

"Yes. I know the ins and outs of that place, and the two of us can utilize our plane's mobilities to theirs fullest," he replied.

"But we will need all of you for cover and take out whatever forces Discord throws at us." added Blaze.

"We also need ground forces to seize control of the door control centers," added Twilight.

"You've got my squadron's support," yelled Dash.

"Same here," replied Fluttershy.

"Us also," added Shining Armor and Lightning.

Soon every branch of the military on both sides were agreeing to it. Then Rarity brought something up.

"But how do we get the other forces on both sides to agree? We haven't even publicly announced the cease fire yet. And you know how much distrust is still among both sides."

"Then we must arrange something imeadiately," replied Celestia.

"Since we're near Applewood we can get a film crew here in maybe 30 minutes," Luna said.

"Do it. They have to see us side by side announcing the cease fire and our plans for Discord." 

"Very good," Twilight Replied. "Shining Armor, Lightning, Roseluck, we need you to get some battalions together and get them to the control centers for the doors".

"Already doing it," Armor replied. "We still have forces near the LoD border."

"Same here," replied Lightning.

"I will get our fleet of Ospreys and heavy lift choppers heading to where our forces are at," added Roseluck.

"Larkspur and Kimono. What can your forces do?"

"We will get as many planes airborne as possible and arrange a massive cruise missile strike from the Pacific, Sea Demon, and all other missile ready ships in range," Larkspur replied.

"Same here with the missiles," replied Kimono.

"OK Air Forces. That leaves you".

"How many more squadrons we can get depends on how fast we can get the ponies to trust each other again," replied Wigwam.

"Alright then. Let's get it done everypony!"  The room erupted with cheers and the brass started getting on their phones.


___________________


Underground base
Southwest of Los Alicornes, Gracemareia
15:02 hours


"The tests are complete your highness. You can relax for a bit now," replied the project head.

"Aww. Just when that chair was getting comfy," replied Discord.

His 2inC showed up.

"Your highness. Something is going on between the Republic and Empire."

"Like what?"

"We're picking up unusual radio traffic which seems to indicate both sides are planning a massive attack."

"On each other?" the project head replied.

"We're not sure," he replied.

"Hmmmm." Discord thought about it.

"Get every last warplane we have here and try to scrape up some mobile defenses also."

"Yes your highness."


________________

Whitemare AFB
17:38 hours.


Meanwhile back at Whitemare, Lightning and Shining Armor had left to meet up with their armies, and the pilots of all of the squadrons were getting ready. Maverick and Blaze's planes had each been loaded with air to air missiles and 2 of the largest air to ground missiles the Terminator and Nosferatu could carry. A few more NLRAF squadrons had shown up also.

"You guys are all set", the ground crewpony said to them.

"Alright," replied Maverick.

"You ready for this colt?" Blaze asked.

"Absolutely."

"I can't decide who I want to cover," piped Glory.

"Neither of us. It would be too dangerous for more than one plane to fly into the tunnels" replied Maverick.

"But..."

"He's right Glory. Just keep watch over one of us until we enter the tunnel."

"OK."

Meanwhile Fluttershy was talking to Dash next to her plane.

"Dash. Do you think they can pull this off?"

"I've seen Maverick's flying skills. Few pilots I've known can make a plane move like he can."

"So what are we going to do?"

"We've got to counter any threats to them, the other planes, and we've got to watch out for each other."

"Um.. Dash. Could you watch out for me?"

Dash didn't know what to say.

"You know we have to watch over our wingponies first. But if the worse happens, you know the bearers of the Elements stick together til' the end, and I'll be there."

Fluttershy welled up before squeeing and hugging Dash.

Unbeknownst to them; a colt had captured the moment with a camera. It wasn't long before the picture was in the hooves of Luna and Celestia.


40 minutes later all of the aircraft were ready. Lunar took off first, followed by Dash and Fluttershy's squadrons, and the Eagle and Razor squadrons. They were soon joined again by the  Blazeghost, Nightstalker, and Ocelot squadrons, which had spent the night at Appleloosa Air Force Base.

"Sentry 2 to all planes. We are designating Lunar 1 as the leader of the attack."

"Roger. Lead us to victory Ace of Spades," Dash said.

Maverick couldn't believe Dash knew about his nickname.

"How did you find  out about that?"

"I won't say who but somepony was spreading it around," she replied.

Back on the ground, the cameras had been set up, and the princesses were ready for their speech.

"We're live in 3-2-1."

News stations in both the Empire and Republic interrupted their broadcasts with the feed. The citizens saw Luna and Celestia standing together for the first time in years.

Celestia started the speech.

"Citizens of Equestria. For nearly a year the country has suffered from the war between us and the Republic. I stand here now with my sister to say, as of now, the war between the Solar Empire and New Lunar Republic is over. We are ending the hostilities between us."

Then Luna spoke.

"You are no doubt wondering why this has happened. Yesterday our Air Force uncovered evidence showing the distrust between us was all the work of Discord. He planned it all, including the bombings of civilians using the two planes you see behind us. They are painted for the Republic and Empire, but belong to the Legion of Discord."

The two took turns talking.

"Discord had us fighting each other to make it easier for him to take over Equestria. We may have stopped now, but we are on the verge of losing the war. Discord has made a superweapon called the Ray of Chaos that he is planning on unleashing as early as midnight tonight. This weapon, if used, will cause the end of Equestria as we know it, and can be used on the rest of the world also."

"To the militaries of both sides: We know your hatred and distrust for each other still exists, but we are asking you to forget about all of it. As we speak, a joint force of Empire and Republic aircraft and troops are heading  to the Crystal Empire to attack and destroy the base housing this weapon. But their numbers are small compared to Discord's. We need the rest of you to put your distrust aside," and the picture of Fluttershy and Dash hugging, in the flight suits of both nations, appeared on the screen.
"Like these ponies have done, and join them in the fight to protect Equestria, and defeat Discord."

The picture returned to them.

"The time is now," Celestia said. And the broadcast ended.

The group was approaching Ghastly Gorge when they heard a call on the radio.

Lunar lead this is the 17th Tac' fighter squadron, we're coming up on your right." They looked and saw the MiG-29's of the Warpony squadron form up beside them.

"Roger 17th. Welcome to the party," Maverick replied.

Soon there was another call.

"This is Thunderbolt squadron. We're coming up too." The 7 big FA-29 Thunderhoofs appeared on the left side of Dash's squadron.

And another.

"This is the Shadowbolts.  We're coming up on your six." The purple and gray SU-47's positioned themselves behind Fluttershy's squadron.

All Maverick and the others could do was smile and acknowledge their arrivals.

Near Everfree Air Force Base more joined.

"This is SEAF squadrons VF-13 and VA-6. We want in on this." The 5 SU-30's and 4 Tornadoes formed up.

"This is the Black Diamonds. We're coming too."

"This is the 33rd Tac' fighter squadron reporting for duty."

"Dragonrider squadron reporting for duty."

And they just kept coming the further North they flew.

"Firebird squadron here. Are you in there Dash?"

"Yep. Good to see you guys", Dash replied.

"Hey Maverick. It's Geoffrey. My ship happened to be with the Sea Demon when we got the word. I Flew over there and volunteered to go. There's no way I was missing this. I've brought the Demon's two squadrons plus the 1st, 4th, 5th,  7th, and 10th Navy ones. We've brought some jammers too." The assortment of Navy planes found their spots. "And as we speak, our ships and some Empire ones are launching a swarm of cruise missiles to soften up the defenses around the target."

Out in the ocean 50 miles East of Manehattan, 21 ships and subs from both navies launched missile after missile towards the Crystal Empire. The targets were anti aircraft sites and radars.

"This is the Razgriz. We're coming up from your left." The assorted fighters of the 15th TFS took up position.

"This is the Great and Powerful Trixie of the 1st Special Fighter Squadron. I will not let Discord destroy my country. I have also brought the 4th, 9th, and 10th special squadrons with me".

"Sunfire. Do you believe this?", Dahlia asked.

"It hurt when I hit myself so I'm not dreaming."

They were now in the Solar Empire's airspace.

"SEAF squadrons VF-23, VF-14, and VA-5. We're joining up." The Typhoons, Mirage 2000's and Jaguars fell in behind the rest.

"This is the Wonderbolts. We have arrived." The blue and yellow F-2's pulled up alongside the Shadowbolts.

"Hey Maverick. How does it feel to be commanding 3 air forces?" Ice asked. He couldn't say anything.

"Dash, we're gonna win aren't we?" Fluttershy asked with glassy eyes.

"Yes we are," she replied.

Glory looked back. She could see light from the setting sun glistening off of dozens and dozens of canopies as far as she could see, with more appearing.

"It's like a bunch of diamonds glistening in the sky," she thought.

Discord and his helper were going over a few things when a Griffin barged into the room.

"Your highness! We have a problem!"

"Like what?" Discord replied, drinking some chocolate milk.

"Air command is picking up over 200 aircraft entering our airspace from the South!"

"Discord spit his milk out. "WHAT? How... Who..."

"Early reports indicate the flight is made up of both Empire and Republic planes, and on their current course they will be coming here!"

"OK we've got to do this now. Get me strapped in, and point the transmitter as low as it can be aimed. As soon as the satellite is within range fire it. And get every aircraft and mobile anti aircraft weapon we have here!"

"Yes your highness!"

___________________


Near Prairie City, Crystal Empire

19:15 hours.


The group was passing Prairie City when Sentry came on.

"Sentry 2 to all planes: The bandits are wall to wall and tree top tall ahead. I'm having trouble counting them but it's well over a hundred."

"That's not gonna' matter!" Yelled Rainbow Dash.

"Let them throw their entire air force at us!" Replied Geoffrey."

"We aren't backing down!" said Fluttershy.

"We're sending him to hell where he belongs!" Shouted Sunfire.

Soon the radio was buzzing with pilots agreeing. Maverick only had one thing to say.

"Lunar One to all planes. ENGAGE!"

"YEAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Was the only thing heard over the radio as the squadrons began breaking off from the formation.

"Legion of Discord pilots. Do your best! Fight them til' the end!" One member of the enemy said to the others.

The skies Southwest of Los Alicornes near the target were in complete chaos. In what was later called the largest furball in the history of the world, planes from the two sides engaged each other. Missile trails and explosions lit up the night sky.In the first missile exchange the Morgans of the Blazeghost squadron fired their burst missiles, destroying 19 planes in one shot. At the same time the Thunderhoofs' fired their storm cannons, taking out 12 more. In just that opening salvo alone the LoD lost 32 planes. The allies only lost 4. Trixie's squadron launched a second barrage that took out 5 more. 10 minutes into the fight the score was already 7-47 in favor of the allies.

"This isn't looking good," one LoD commander said over the radio.

Lunar squadron then got it's first kills with Maverick, Glory, and Sunfire each getting one. Blaze got two, then Dahlia and Ice shot a couple of J-10's off of the tail of an Empire Typhoon.

Fluttershy was engaging a Flanker when two SU-35's got on her tail.

"I need some help!" she said over the radio. Soon Derpy and two members of Fluttershy's squadron were behind them and drove them off. She banked around and suddenly had a 3rd on her tail and got a lock warning. Before the Lod pilot could fire his plane exploded. Rainbow Dash and Nightshadow had dropped behind them, and Dash got him.

"Told you I'd be there," she said.

"Thanks dash," replied Fluttershy with glassy eyes.

25 minutes later the score was 16-79 and climbing. The furball was getting closer and closer to the underground base, and attack aircraft started bombing the various defenses and other targets around it that hadn't been taken out in the cruise missile strikes. Fighters gave them cover. Though more LoD aircraft were showing up, even more NLR and SE ones were also, and they continued to be outnumbered.

"Sentry Two this is the strike force. We are entering the area. Keep us covered," Shining Armor said.

"Roger, you heard him pilots," she replied. Soon they had 5 squadrons protecting them.

"I've never felt a rush like this before," Sunfire said as she shot down a Flanker.

Meanwhile Discord was once again strapped into the chair and being hooked up as he asked his 2inC for an update.

"What's it like up there?" he asked the Minotaur.

"Not good. All of our defenses have been wiped out, and we've lost close to 90 planes," he replied.

"Where's the satellite?" he asked the project head.

"It's getting close. About 30 more minutes," he replied. "There's no way they can get in here. We have all of the doors closed."

"Good. Do what you can to delay them," he replied.

The Army and Marines had arrived at the base, and soon they were filing out of the choppers and Ospreys towards the control buildings.

"Strike Force to Lunar Squadron. We are working on getting the control buildings secured. Stay close and be ready to fly in."

"Roger Lightning," Maverick replied.

The score was now 23-117 when Derpy found herself in trouble.

"I'm out of flares and I can't get these two off of me!"

Both of the LoD planes fired, but an Empire plane dived down behind her and took the hits. Soon the Wonderbolts sextuple teamed the two bandits.

"Thanks Spitfire. Did that pilot get out?,"

"Yes. And no problem Derpster," she replied.

Lunar Squadron had split into two teams. Maverick, Glory, and Sunfire were near the South end, and Blaze, Ice, and Dahlia at the other. The two were waiting for the signal to go in, shooting down any LoD planes that got close.

"I wish we had some of those ADMM's. Imagine what you could've done with them Maverick," Glory said.

"I wouldn't use them in an environment like this. Too high of a chance for a friendly fire incident," he replied.

On the ground the strike force had defeated the last of the guards, and had control of the doors.

"Let's get them open!" Armor yelled. After a couple of minutes of figuring it out, they started opening them

"What's going on?" Discord asked the project head.

"AAAH! They've gained control of the doors. They're opening them!" he yelled.

"Can't you stop them?"

"Not from here! The satellite is 6 minutes away though, there's no way they can make it here," he replied.

"Maverick we've got them open. Get in there!" Lightning yelled over the radio.

"Good luck guys," Glory said.

"OK Blaze are you ready?"  Maverick asked.

"Yes. Let's do it Ace of Spades!" And they dived down and flew in. Unfortunately both had enemy planes fly in behind them. Maverick's tail was a J-10 and Blaze a pair of Mirages.

"Damn they're idiots!" Blaze said. Soon Maverick had to drop a flare to avoid a missile.

"I'm not an idiot. I'm just good."

"DAMMIT NIGHTSHADE!" Maverick yelled.

"Fancy flying isn't going to help you here Spade. I've got you."

"We'll see about that," he replied, and he increased the throttle.

"I've sped up 5 percent Blaze."

"Roger, I have too." Soon both had cleared the first rooms and were now 8 miles from the main one. Maverick and Blaze jinked around as much as they could to avoid missiles and bullets, all the while avoiding the occasional crane or lift.

"Do you even care about what this weapon will do to Equestria Nightshade?" Maverick asked.

"No why should I? It's not my country," she replied.

"So you don't give a fuck about anything but revenge then right?"

"No I care about my country, which you're attacking right now," she said as she fired another missile.

"I give up. You're head is filled with more shit than a politicians," he replied.

"Maverick switch to Winchester backup," Blaze said. And they switched to a secure radio channel.

"When we pass in the tunnel between the two rooms, let's shoot them off each other."

"Got it Blaze," he replied.

"Satellite will be in position in 2 minutes," the project head said.

"Don't open the transmitter doors until the last second," replied Discord.

They were now in the final 2 mile stretch of tunnel. Both of them had their missiles ready, and Maverick was down to two flares.

"It's over Spade," and Nightshade fired her last missile.

"You're right. It is. NOW BLAZE!," he replied as he reached the mouth of the main room. He dropped the flares and fired both of the air to ground missiles at the targets, then jinked right. Nightshade's missile missed and hit the reactor along with his two. Blaze's connected also.
The resulting explosion and overload sent a huge pulse of electricity down the conductor to the chair and nerve center, electrocuting Discord, and stunning him like a taser. Soon equipment around them was exploding. His helpers got him out of the chair and headed for the elevator to the surface. But when they tried operating it, it didn't work.

"What's wrong?" The Minotaur yelled.

"It's not working!" replied the project leader. Unbeknownst to them, Cloud Dancer of the Razgriz had dropped a couple of bunker busters on the elevator head house, and the door covering the transmitter. Other squadrons with bombs also started dropping whatever they had on it also.

"Confound those ponies," Discord said. Soon the reactors exploded, leveling the control room and sealing his fate.

While this was going on, Maverick and Blaze were approaching each other in the final tunnel.

"Get ready to pass Spade," Blaze said. He started counting.

"3-2-1- NOW!"  Both of them turned sideways, doing a knife edge pass and firing their guns. All three of the LoD planes got hit. Maverick was no longer getting lock warnings from Nightshade.

"Did you get her Blaze?"

"Yes I did," he replied. Maverick didn't dare look back as one slight move could put him in the wall.

"Oh and watch out. There's a couple of overhead cranes at the other end,"

"Roger, he replied. The final door were already a third of the way shut when Maverick reached it. He barely squeaked by it, then dived under the cranes and flew out of the entrance. Blaze got out also. Both turned and watched the mountain shake from the explosion and fire come out of both ends.

"THEY DID IT!" yelled Glory. The radio erupted with cheers from both the air and the ground.

"HELL YEAH! BEST RAID EVER!" Yelled Dash.

"YAHOO!" Fluttershy shouted.

"Sentry Two to all units: The Ray of Chaos and Discord have been destroyed. OUTSTANDING JOB MAVERICK AND BLAZE!"

"Our pleasure, replied Blaze." Maverick's mood was a little more somber.

"Why did you have to do that Nightshade?" he said to himself.

Back at Whitemare the princesses got the word.

"It's over sis," Luna said.

"Yes. And we have your pilots to thank for it," replied Celestia.

"I will deck them out with every medal I have when they get back," added Wigwam.

"We all will," replied Luna.

Meanwhile the squadron had formed back up. They flew over the ground troops, and could see them cheering and waving at them. Squadron leaders were pulling up alongside to wave at them and congratulate them over the radio.

"You guys rock," Geoffrey said.

"I've been witness to the best flying ever," Whirlwind said.

"Are you heading back home now?" asked Nighshadow.

"Yeah. We're low on fuel and ammo," replied Maverick.

"OK. We're gonna' stay around and mop things up here.  Again congrats on ending the war," he replied.

"Sentry Two to Lunar squadron. There will be a couple of tankers waiting for you at the border, and probably some kegs waiting at your base."

"God I hope so, replied Ice. "I'm ready to party!"

"All units. Join me in congratulating the Lunar squadron!" And the radio erupted with more cheers.

"I can't believe you two ended the war," Glory said.

"Not just us two. We all did," replied Whiteblaze.

"Exactly. We all played a part in this," added Maverick.

"I wish Angel had been here too," Sunfire said in a slightly down voice.

"Well Spade said ending this war would be the best way to honor her, and we did," replied Dahlia.



A while later they had finished topping off from the tankers at the Crystal Empire/Equestria/Griffin Empire tri point when they got a call on the radio.

"SEAF control to Lunar squadron do you copy?"

"Yes, go ahead," replied Maverick.

"You are being asked to divert to Mareimar Air Force Base near Canterlot."

"Really? Who wants us to go there?"

"This comes from Princess Celestia and Luna themselves. Apparently they've got one more mission for you."

"Okay. Give us a vector," he replied.

"What do you think this is about?" Glory asked.

"I don't know, but I don't like it."

"Guess we'll find out," added Blaze. And the squadron changed course and headed for Mareimar.
> Chapter 17: Aces High
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mareimar AFB
Solar Empire Equestria
9 October 2017
00:37 hours.


The group landed at the home base for the Wonderbolts and Fluttershy's squadron, and taxied up to a spot near the hangars. Though it was the Empire's largest base, it was empty as all of the squadrons were still out mopping up resistance around the LoD controlled lands.

As soon as they got out of the planes, they were greeted by the base commander.

"Greetings Lunar squadron.  I'm Colonel Flitter, the commander of this base."

"So what's the story?" Maverick asked.

"Twilight is waiting for you inside our situation room. She'll fill you in," she replied. And they headed in.

Twilight already had a  diagram set up as they sat down.

"Nice to meet you in person. Congratulations on ending the war!"

"So what do you have for us?" Maverick asked.

"After the destruction of the base controlling the satellite, we detected a change in the trajectory of it. After looking over the data, we have determined the satellite is going to reenter the atmosphere and ultimately crash. Our projections show it will impact Manehattan if it stays on it's current course."

Everypony gasped at the news.

"Crap even after death Discord is causing chaos," replied Glory.

"So what do you need us for?" asked Ice.

"We need you to intercept as soon as it drops low enough for you to reach it, and destroy it before it reaches the City. We picked you because our other squadrons are tied up, and because of your performance in this war. The only way to destroy this satellite is to take out it's four control modules. These are located at the front of it, but because it's front is armored, you'll have to shoot it from the back. Behind the control heads is two sets of fins that rotate in opposite directions that are part of the stabilization system. To hit the modules you will have to destroy the solar panels and first set of fins, then fire through the gap in the gyro ring. Once the modules are destroyed get away from it as it's programmed to self destruct if control is completely lost."

"So what weapons can we use to destroy it?" inquired Sunfire.

"Because of the reentry the modules will be hot enough for a heat seeker to lock on, but we will also furnish you with rocket pods that you can use on the other parts of the satellite."

Then Flitter spoke.

"Also we noticed you have on of our CFA-44's."

"Oh uh, yeah. Well..." Maverick said.

"Don't worry it's fine. You don't have the ADMM pods, but we still do. Though since the factory where the missiles were made was destroyed, we were only able to come up with enough missiles for three rounds. So use them wisely."

"You can count on us," he replied. "So when will it be in range?"

"Around 06:40 hours, so you can rest for a bit in the lounge. We'll get your planes refueled and rearmed during then and make sure the ADMM system works properly."

"OK. See you in a bit," and they headed for the lounge.

"Who would've thought we would be bombing the Empire one day and defending it the next?" Dahlia said.

Whiteblaze replied. "Remember many NLR citizens have family in Manehattan, and it would hit us just as hard. And one goal by both sides in this war was to limit civilian casualties."

"I'm up for it," replied Sunfire. "I mean how hard can it be to destroy a satellite?"

"We'll see," Maverick replied.


______________________


Southwest of Prairie City, Crystal Empire
05:52 hours.

The first hint of light was visible as the squadron roughly followed the border Northeast to the intercept point, which would be between and South of Los Alicornes and Dunlap.

"Thunderhead to Lunar Squadron. reentry of the satellite is starting. It will be low enough in approximately 40 minutes."

"Roger Thunderhead," replied Maverick. Soon the glow was visible. It looked like a big blue star with flickers of yellow.

"Now that is pretty," Glory said.

"Maybe we'll get lucky and it will burn up," added Whiteblaze.

"I can't wait to see this sunrise. It will be like the dawn of a new civilization where the Empire and Republic are at peace," Dahlia said.

"Yes. And we can't let this satellite ruin it," replied Maverick.

A short time later they were 16 miles and 33 minutes from the intercept when Thunderhead came on.

"Thunderhead to all planes. I'm picking up something... all planes 9 bogeys inbound at high speed, break!"

"What?" Glory said. As they started to break a laser shot through the formation, cutting off  Whiteblaze's right wing.

"BLAZE!" Glory yelled.

"DAMMIT not again!" He managed to punch out of the plane as it started spinning.

"What was that!?" Sunfire exclaimed.

Nine dots appeared in the sky ahead of them.

"ready for the final hand, Spade?" 

"Nightshade."

"ARGH how many times do we have to flush before you go away?" replied Sunfire.

"What are you doing Nightshade? It's over! Your leader is dead!" Yelled Ice.

"True, but we can still get our revenge by taking you out," she replied.

"Do you even care about that satellite that's heading for Manehattan?" Maverick said.

"Why would we? I'm sure the Empire can take it out by themselves anyway."

"You worthless bitch," snapped Dahlia.

Soon they saw the formation of planes.

"Lunar 13 to Thunderhead we have a visual on the planes."

"Roger what are they?"

"Eight of them are those Shinden ones they were working on, the other I have no idea. It looks like a cross between a Morgan and a Nighthawk."

"Thunderhead I'll send you a photo, replied Glory."

They immediately engaged the planes.

"I though you died in the tunnel?" Maverick said.

"Your friend merely took out my radar and radio. If you had looked behind you, you would've seen I was on your tail the whole time," she replied. "Plus I ran out of bullets."

"This is between you and me, not Manehattan and my wing," he replied.

Sunfire got on the tail of one of the Shindens', but had to break off after Nightshade got behind her. She narrowly missed getting fried.

"I can't stay in place long enough to get a shot off," she said.

The squadron did their best to get behind the bandits, but as soon as they did, another or Nightshade would appear on their six. In the case of her, remaining in one spot for even a second would mean death by laser.

"You can twist and turn all you want, but at some point you will make a mistake and one of us will be there," the purple Pegasus said over the radio.

"Spade what do we do?" Glory asked.

He hated to admit it, but Nightshade was right. Sooner or later one of them would make a mistake and she would get them. He couldn't use the ADMM's because he was too close, and could hit one of his wingponies. Fot the first time he felt helpless.
After some more thought, he came up with an idea. He knew what Nightshade's state of mind was, so he would try and use it to pull her away from the battle. It meant leaving the rest of his wing behind, but it was their only chance.

"Nightshade this isn't about supporting Discord. It's about me and you so cut the bullshit."

"No it is about my country. Getting revenge on you is just icing on the cake."

"Bullshit. You yourself said your country is dead, and it is. Both the Crystal Empire and Discord."

The radio was quiet for a second before she came on again.

"Whatever. At least I'll finally make you pay for what you did."

"There's one thing though. You'll still be a chicken shit who isn't as good as me," he fired back.

"WHAT?" she yelled.

"Think about it. Right now it looks like the only way you can get me is with the aid of your squadron. You don't have the stones to take me one on one."

"Maverick what are you doing?" Glory asked.

"Like hell Spade!"

"Not to mention you really don't seem to care about the rest of your wing. Your plan is to have the other eight keep my wing distracted and then you'll pick them off one by one with your laser, and since one of mine will be on the tail of one of yours, there's a good chance you'll hit one of them with that thing also."

"BULLSHIT! This wing like my family!"

"Like our squadron was during our Crystal Empire days? You sure treated us like family after that incident."

That last statement finally made her snap.

"So what the buck are you getting at?" she yelled.

"Me and you, one on one. No help. We'll see who's best. Otherwise I'll just let one of your wingmembers shoot me down, then you'll be denied your revenge."

"Maverick what the hell!?" snapped Glory.

"It's OK. I know what he's doing," replied Ice.

The radio was silent afterwards.

I've raised the bet for the final time Nightshade. Do you see it, or fold?"

After a short time her plane appeared beside his. Like her first one it was painted blood red with black tips and insignia.

"I see it," she replied before breaking off. Maverick immediately gave chase. Glory saw them speed away from the furball.

"Good luck Spade."

Maverick got on her tail and fired a missile, but it lost tracking almost instantly.

"That's not going to work Spade," she said as she pulled a snap roll and got behind him. He just missed getting hit by the laser.

Then another call came over the radio.

"Thunderhead to Lunar One switch to your winchester frequency."

"Roger." He did, then got on again. "Find out what plane that is?"

"Yes. It's code name is Falken. It's an advanced stealth fighter the LoD was keeping under wraps. In addition to the TLS, it has a cannon and missiles, and a powerful ECM system which will make missile lock from the rear impossible. You're only chances are to fire a missile head on or a gun kill. And I don't think you want to do the first one."

"Roger Thunderhead," he replied. He performed a split S and sped away from Nightshade, blasting through some clouds. She turned around and gave chase, but lost him. Just like that he was on her tail again and tried for a gun kill, but she hit the brakes and did a sharp loop to get behind him. Right after that he did a cobra which put her ahead of him again. A couple more rolls and she had the upper hand again.

"Keep trying," she said as she fired the laser. It grazed his right wing tip.

"Damn," he said as he pulled up, then hit the breaks and nosed over. As she pulled up to follow him he dived under her and sped away.

Back at the furball not much had changed until one of the Shinden pilots made a goof, and Ice got him.

"It's seven to four now. A little better," Ice said.

"Big deal," replied Dahlia as she dodged a missile.

Meanwhile the duel continued.

"It figures you'd need a laser too," Maverick said to Nightshade.

"Oh quit whining," she replied. They both reversed turns and dived, and soon were heading for each other. Instead of passing both pulled up into a steep climb.

"Not bad. But try following me now," She gunned the afterburners and headed straight up. Maverick did the same and they were parallel to each other. It was a situation Maverick didn't want to be in. The two planes would drag race up until they hit stall speed. The first to avoid stalling by diving down would lose. Maverick just kept the throttle forward.

"I'm pretty sure my plane's stall speed is lower than yours," she said.

"I still can't believe you've changed this much. You're not the Nightshade I knew."

"Of course I'm not," she replied.

"Just remember: Whatever has happened to you in the past and will happen to you in the future is your fault."

"Huh?"

"Think it over." The planes were now approaching their stall speed. Both pilots refused to turn down, and soon reached their stall points at the same time. Maverick managed to do a tail slide and regained control after a short fall. Nightshade took a little longer.

Despite the warning about the ECM system, Maverick selected the ADMM system, set it for "slow launch" and got a lock.

"See if you can handle this," he said as he pulled the trigger. The 12 missiles flew out of their pods at two second intervals.

"AH!" She yelled as she started evading them. The Falken's ECM system did it's job, and she dodged the missiles with the grace of a ballerina.

"This is fun. Can you do it again?" she said as she did a split S, which put her on a collision course with the last missile.

"DAMN!" She fired the laser, but it was too late and it hit the missile only a few feet from the plane. She managed to get on his tail again and tried to fire it, but the explosion and debris shattered the laser's lens, rendering it useless.

"Well well well. Looks like we're on an even playing field now," Maverick said.

"I don't need it anyway," she replied as she fired the Falken's cannon. A couple of rounds hit one of Maverick's tails, but didn't damage any control surfaces. He gunned it and pulled up, then hit the brakes and did a short loop to get behing her again. He went for a gun shot, but she dodged it.

"Thunderhead to all planes: Satellite will be in range in 17 minutes."

"Dammit at this rate we're not going to make it," Ice said. Neither side had gained any ground in the furball, and Lunar Squadron had to start conserving their ammo, firing only when a shot was perfect. The Shinden's were more than a match for the Terminators though and easily got out of their way.

"Come on Maverick, get her and get back here," Glory said to herself.

"Gotcha," Nightshade said as she fired a missile. Maverick dropped flares and dodged it.

"Then why am I still flying?" he replied.

"GRRRRRRR" was her response as she fired another, which he dodged too. She fired her cannon and again a couple of rounds hit his plane. By now he had had enough of her, and with the deadline to reach the satellite approaching he tried one last move.

"ENOUGH!" he yelled as he hit the breaks, pulled back on the stick as hard as he could, and pulled the trigger. Things seemed to slow down as the Nosferatu went into a back flip, it's cannon blazing the whole time. Nightshade dived to avoid it, but the nose of the aircraft rotated around in time for several bullets to rip into the Falken's radar and through the front of the canopy, damaging the control panel and showering Nightshade with shrapnel.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!" she yelled as warnings went off in the cockpit. She tried to get things under control again, but Maverick had recovered from the flip and was behind her.

"This, ends, now!" he said and he emptied his cannon into her plane. One engine exploded and it started going down.

"Damn... you... Spade..." was the last thing he heard her say.

"Eject Nightshade. Eject!" he said, but there was no response. He watched for her to eject from it, but as it neared the mountains 6,000 feet below him all he saw was an explosion shortly before it hit the side of a mountain.

Maverick just sighed.

"Why Nightshade? Why?" He snapped to and immediately headed back for the furball.

"We can't keep this up for much longer," Dahlia said.

"We have to. Manehattan is counting on us!," replied Ice.

Then they heard what they were waiting for.

"I'm back. On my mark, all of you dive."

"MAVERICK!" yelled Glory.

"OK tell us when Mav', replied Ice.

He set the ADMM system for instant release, and locked up all of the bandits. Since there were more missiles than targets, the computer automatically selected the extras so some planes would have two shot at them.

"3-2--1- DIVE!" he yelled, after which he pulled the trigger and sent the missiles on their way. The squadron dived leaving the LoD planes confused long enough for them to close in. By the time they realized what was happening it was too late, and one after another they exploded as the missiles hit them.

"So... Awesome...", Sunfire said.

"I can only imagine the wingboner Angel would've got from that," replied Ice.

"Thunderhead to Lunar squadron, the scope is clear. You've got 4 minutes to get to the intercept point."

"Roger, we'll try," replied Maverick as they formed up again. "What's the status of Whiteblaze?"

"We've picked up his beacon. We've got a chopper heading there right now," replied Thunderhead.

"Great,"  he replied, and they headed for the intercept point. As he figured they were still 9 miles from it when the satellite reached the point. The massive shape soon came into view.

"There it is," Ice said. As they flew past to get behind it, they marveled at it's size.

"So we have to get rid of all of that stuff behind the control modules?" Dahlia asked.

"Yes. And at this speed we have to do it quickly. I've got one more multi shot left. I'll use it, then the rest of you fire your rockets in turns. Watch the debris as it flies off," he replied.

They had to fly at nearly full afterburner to keep up with it, but soon they were in position, and Maverick tried to lock it up. The system identified it as a single target, so it would be a matter of luck where they hit.

"Fox 4!" he yelled as he pulled the trigger. The missiles flew out and struck the satellite towards the middle, sending solar panels and other debris flying.

"Look out!" Sunfire yelled as her and Ice dodged one of them.

"Told you to watch out," Maverick said. "Now one at a time use your rockets."

Ice shot first, followed by Dahlia, Glory, and finally Sunfire. The rockets completely stripped off the stuff that was blocking access to the control modules. Now it was time for the hard part: Trying to hit the modules through the slots in the main gyro ring as it rotated.

Thunderhead to Lunar Squadron: Satellite is 57 miles from Manehattan."

"OK do it again. Sunfire you're first."

"Roger Spade." She lined up, and fired her first shot. It missed and hit the Gyro. Her second one connected and destroyed the first. Her last heat seeker also failed to hit one.

"I've got this, Glory said as she lined up for a shot. She fired her last two missiles in a row, and hit the second module.

"Two down. Go Dahlia."

"Lunar Squadron: Satellite is now 39 miles from Manehattan."

She lined up and fired, but the satellite was starting to wobble, making it harder to hit the target, and her last missile missed.

"Damn," she said.

Ice stepped up and fired his. He managed to get the third.

"We're almost there!" Glory yelled.

"Satellite is now 20 miles from Manehattan. Hurry up!" Thunderhead said.

"Well it's up to you Spade," Glory said. The problem was he didn't have any more heat seekers. Just two radar guideds' which wouldn't be able to lock onto the small target that was surrounded by so much other stuff.

"I'm closing in," he replied. He got to within 300 feet of the satellite and fired the missile. It missed.

"I've got one last shot guys. If I can't get it all of you will have to and fire whatever cannon rounds you have left at it."

"Roger, we're ready Mav', replied Dahlia.

He closed to within 100 feet of it, and waited for the right moment. As soon as the opening started to appear he fired.

He got it.

"You did it! Now get out of there before it self destructs!" yelled Glory. They immediately hit the brakes and let it speed away from them.

"Come on. Come on. Detonate!" Sunfire said. 11 miles from Manehattan it finally did. The blast was both heard and seen from the city.

"Lunar One to Thunderhead: Target is down!"

"YAHOO roger Maverick! Great job you guys!" he replied.

"Look at that sunrise," Dahlia said. They looked to the  East. High clouds lit up the sky with orange and red as the sun slowly peaked over the horizon.

"This moment will go to the grave with me," replied Ice.

"Best sunrise, ever," added Glory.

Back at Whitemare, Luna, Celestia, and the others soon got word of it.

"They did it!" Twilight said over and over on the video phone while jumping around.

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now it's over," she said.

"Me going to bury them in medals when they get back," Wigwam said.

"We all will," replied Luna.

"Thunderhead, any word on Whiteblaze?" Maverick asked.

"I hear ya'. I'm fine," he replied faintly over the radio.

"Hey where are you?"

"Almost right underneath you. And I saw everything from down here. Just wait until I get back to base."

"Roger Blaze. Thunderhead here's his coordinates," and he gave them to him.

"Roger. Hey fly slow over Manehattan on your way back home," he replied.

"Oh, OK."

"I wonder why?" Glory asked. As they reached the city it became clear. Below them they could see thousands of ponies in the streets waving at them. Ahead hundreds of pegasi  were also waiting for them to pass.

"Well I guess we should do something," Ice said. And with that, the squadron performed synchronized rolls over the city before continuing on for home.

As they  Crossed back into NLR airspace, they had a welcoming committee.

"Hey heroes. Welcome back," Dash said. Her, Derpy, Fluttershy, Carrot Top, and a few others were waiting for them.

"I figured you were still mopping up the rest of Discord's forces?" Glory asked.

"Nah we got done with that a few hours ago," she replied.

"Wish I could've been your AWACS for that," Carrot Top replied. "Hope whoever my SEAF counterpart was did a good job."

"Is Whiteblaze okay?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yes, they should be rescuing him right now," replied Glory.

"We'll see you on the ground guys!" Derpy said, and they flew on ahead so they could be there when the squadron got back.

Soon Whitemare loomed ahead of them. Maverick asked the tower for a flyby.

"Roger Lunar One you are cleared for a flyby. Keep it slow."

"Uh oh," Ice said.

"So by slow he means full afterburner?" Sunfire said with a big grin.

"Of course," replied Maverick, and they gunned it.

"There they are!" Pinkie yelled.

"Oh hell plug your ears everypony!" Dash said. The squadron blasted over the base and by the tower with a huge sonic boom, causing the controller to spill his coffee on himself.

"Son of a bitch," he said.

Maverick landed first, followed by the others in pairs. They taxied up to their flight line and parked in their usual spaces. Several hundred ponies including the princesses were waiting for them as they climbed out of their planes. They stopped in front of the crowd for a few seconds, then raised their hooves in the air, getting a roar from the crowd. Pinkie fired her party cannon a couple of times, covering everypony in confetti.

"You did it guys! Awesome!" yelled Moonstone. There were high hoof's all around as everyone congratulated them. Soon Luna and Celestia were in front of them.

"Congratulations. Your brave actions have saved Manehattan, Equestria, and possibly the world," Celestia said.

"And you have helped liberate the three countries that Discord has controlled all of these years," added Luna.

"Just doing our job," Maverick replied.

"Oh quit being so modest Spade," replied Dash. "What you and your squadron did was absolutely awesome! Take pride in it!"

"So what now?" Glory asked.

"Take a well deserved rest guys," Tex said. "You'll need it for what's in store tomorrow."

"Thank you for holding off any celebration until then. I'm tired," replied Ice, and everypony laughed.

"Come on everypony! Let's give a big cheer for Lunar squadron and the Ace of Spades!" yelled Pinke, and all five of them got hoisted up and carried to the main building.


___________________-


Canterlot Castle
10 October 2017
11:30 hours.

A large stage had been set up in the courtyard in front of the castle. Empire and Republic flags fluttered in the breeze. Nearly a thousand ponies, ranging from civilians to pilots filled the courtyard to capacity, with more standing outside of it. Several cameras were already set up and ready to film the event.

On the stage was the brass of both countries' armed forces and other government officials. Off to the side of the stage were more guests including Lunar squadron and the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony. The first time they had been together in over 5 years. Dash and Fluttershy wore their air force uniforms, Applejack wore her Army one, and as usual Rarity wore a gown that really didn't fit in with an event like this. Everyone was waiting for Luna and Celestia to come out.

"I don't think I've ever been this nervous before," Dahlia said.

"Nervous about what? We're not exactly in a combat situation here," replied Ice.

"What do you have some sort of Pinkie sense now?" Sunfire cracked.

"Did someone say Pinkie sense?" Just like that Pinkie was standing in front of them.

"Hey Pink. How's it goin?" Glory asked.

"Totally awesome! It's great to be back together with my friends!"

Soon the rest of the mane six were with them.

"I can't wait to see what they have in store for you," Dash said to them.

"It'll probably just be medals and a raise in rank," replied Sunfire.

"Yeah but you earned it big time," Twilight said. "You found the evidence that ended the war between us, Destroyed Discord and his weapon, and you saved Manehattan in the face of overwhelming odds."

"Darn straight," added Applejack. "Why ah' ain't never seen a group of ponies do as much as y'all did. Why you ponies deserve the biggest reward the princesses can come up with."

Then Rarity spoke up.

"Now that we're at peace, I have to to say that you're air force has some fabulous camouflage schemes. Is there a way I could get paint samples? I was planning on doing a line of camo pattern clothing with those colors."

Wigwam, who was nearby looked kind of shocked.

"I'm sure I can come up with some," he replied.

Then as the clock struck noon, the music started, and everypony turned their attention towards the stage. After a short time the princess appeared in the door to the castle, and made their way to the stage, with Republic guards standing to their left, and Empire guards to their right. As they stepped up to the podium, cameras clicked furiously, and the crowd cheered.  After looking around for a short time, Celestia started the speech.

"Citizens of the Empire and the Republic. Me and my sister stand before you today not as enemies, but once again as family. And I can say with great joy that the war between us is over!"

The crowd roared until Luna started to speak.

"And it gives me great joy to say that the Legion of Discord, thanks to the combined power of our nation's military forces, has been defeated, and Discord has been permanently removed from power."

Even more cheering erupted Until Celestia spoke again.

"For seven months, this war has had Equestria torn in half.  Families who lived on both sides haven't been able to see each other, and economies suffered. Today that ends. Not only has the border been reopened, but soon it will only exist on paper. At some point, the New Lunar Republic, Solar Empire, and the former Republic of Dar Shan, will be known as the United States of Equestria!"

The crowd roared for nearly two minutes before She spoke again.

"We are also here to honor a group of pilots, who's acts of bravery led to the end of this war."

Suddenly Pinkie started shaking.

"What is it Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"A doozie!" she replied.

"Like what? What could go wrong?" replied Dash.

Then it was Luna's turn again.

"These ponies from our Air Force overcame overwhelming odds and tragedy, to bring peace between us and the Empire, put the final nail in Discord's coffin, and saved the city of Manehattan from destruction. Join us in congratulating the members of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron!"

The crowd cheered as the princesses headed over to the squadron with a couple of small boxes.

"Lunar Squadron. Equestria is forever indebted to you for your actions. Please accept these medals as a small token of our gratitude," Celestia said as the two started to pull out two medals for each of them. From Luna the Republic's Medal of Honor, and from Celestia the Empire's Order of Starswirl.

After the medals were place around their necks, they looked up to see a formation of Air Force and Navy planes from both nations fly over. After they passed Luna spoke again.

"We also have one more set of medals to give out. For a pony who paid the ultimate price in this war."

The squadron knew this was coming, and had braced themselves for it.

"Maverick, will you accept these medals for Tiger Angel?"

He slowly stepped forward. He fought it, but a single tear fell from one of his eyes. The princesses smiled slightly at each other before getting the medals out of the boxes. Celestia pulled out the Empire one, and this time Luna pulled out two. One was a purple heart.

"A purple heart?" Maverick asked. Then the squadron heard something.

"Hey... Those are mine." said a frail voice. They turned around to see a black and orange pegasus smiling at them from a wheelchair.

"ANGEL!" They all ran towards her to give her a hug,.

"Hey easy guys, I'm not exactly in mint condition right now."

"How? We saw your plane explode!" cried Glory.

"It did. and I got blown out of it," she replied.

They stopped to look at her. Both of her wings and rear legs were broken. Mane and wing feathers were singed, and she had other bandages around her body.

"Wow you're a mess," Whiteblaze said.

"Hey you're back too," Angel replied.

So where were you all this time?" Maverick asked.

"In a hospital in Stalliongrad," she replied.

"Really?"

The princesses showed up behind them.

"After you defeated those planes over the mountains, we sent in a rescue team to find our pilots that were downed. The rescuers came upon a group of four who had found Angel. She was near death, but they did their best to care for her until they were evacuated," Celestia said.

"why didn't you contact us?" Dahlia asked.

"How could I? There wasn't exactly a direct line to Whitemare from there."

"And it was pretty much kept under wraps by those who were involved," replied Celestia. "I didn't even know about her until yesterday."

It suddenly hit everypony. Through this whole war, the element of kindness was still present in the hearts of some ponies on both sides.

Luna and Celestia finally put the medals around her neck.

"Guess you had a guardian angel," Maverick said.

"I did. The last thing I remembered was getting blown out of the plane and blacking out. I briefly came to for a few seconds, and through my blurred vision could tell I was being carried by a couple of Pegasus angels. I blacked out again, and when I came to I was in a field hospital."

"Wow," was all he could say as they hugged her again. Nearby Dash tried to hide a few tears.

"Dash?" Fluttershy said.

"Dammit, not again!," she replied.

The group turned back towards the crowd, and more cheering erupted.

Several hours later as the celebration was winding down, the squadron chatted with Tex, Luna, and a few others.

"Well you guys have a month off. What are you going to do?" Tex asked.

"Recover," replied Angel.

"Party!" replied Sunfire.

"I'm going to Cloudsdale to visit my family," replied Whiteblaze.

"How about you Spade?" Glory asked.

"I'm going back home," he replied.

"To see if you're family is still there?" Dahlia inquired.

"Yes. And I probably won't be back."

"WHAT?" Glory yelled. The statement shocked everypony.

"Why?" Dash asked.

"My country is free again. It will take some time for it to get back on it's feet, and I want to be there to help rebuild the air force."

None of them could figure out what to say until Luna broke the ice.

"That is a very noble thing for you to do," she replied. "Just remember you are always welcomed to join again."

"But what about us?" Dahlia asked.

"You've got Blaze back, and soon the other members of this squadron that were POW's will be back too," he replied.

"Well no matter what; Once a member of the 13th, always a member of the 13th," Ice said.

"So when are you going to leave?" asked Sunfire.

"Not for a bit. I'll wait until the new government is established. Should take two or three weeks."

"Good, we can still have some fun til' then," replied Angel.


____________________


Whitemare AFB
02 November 2017
12:00 hours.


It was time. The new Crystal Empire government had been established, and Maverick had found a former member of the Air Force who was elected to the position of commander. Maverick would return to Gracemareia Air Force Base to start training new pilots.

He had his stuff packed into two large saddle bags, and was ready to leave the base under his own power.

"We're gonna' miss you," Dahlia said.

"Don't be a stranger OK?" added Angel.

"I'll try not to," he replied.

"It's been a pleasure flying with you," Ice said.

"Same here," he replied. "Not only are you all excellent pilots, you feel like a family. Something I haven't felt since my Crystal Empire days."

"Group hug!" Sunfire yelled.

Afterwards, Maverick was about to leave when Glory spoke up.

"Hey Spade."

He turned around and saw a tear in her eye.

"Take care," she said as she hugged him and then gave him a kiss.

"Now you've got a reason to come back,"  Angel said. Maverick smiled.

"See ya'" he said. He turned around and spread his wings. Moments later he was airborne and on the way home.


One chapter to go. 
> Chapter 18: Epilogue and Interviews
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The end of the war brought great change to Equestria and the countries that were once under Discord's control.

Though pockets of resistance remained in the three countries, they were quickly dealt with. And one week later all had been eliminated by the Republic and Empire armies, and resistance groups.

The Crystal Empire, where it all began, was the first to return to normal. Once all remaining traces of Discord were eliminated, Princess Cadence returned to rule over it once again.

With the death of the original Changeling queen, her daughter Chrysalis, who went into hiding at the start of Discord's invasion, was welcomed in as the new one. The country has been rebounding quickly.

Finally; The Griffin Empire began rebuilding their government, and adopted a temporary ruler until the new one was fully organized. The country's first elections will take place in November.

Many ponies in Equestria called for arms reduction on both sides after the war. But since it had had weakened them greatly, it was decided to rebuild. Plus both sides began working on a top secret project to counter any threats that may come in the future. The only thing known about the project is the term "Bird of Peace".

Perhaps the most important change was by Celestia. All of the Solar Empire's laws were rewritten to be similar to the Republic's, making both halves of Equestria as free as the other. With this, the possibility of another war between the two sides is next to nothing.

______________


As I continued researching, even more opportunities for interviews appeared. And I didn't hesitate to take up on any of them.


Master Sergeant Dweedle. "Switchblade 1"
Former member of the Legion of Discord Air Force.
9th Fighter Squadron.

Originally with the Changeling Kingdom Air Armada, he was one of tens of thousands of Changelings forced to join Discord's armed forces.

"I wassssss stationed at the base near the factory complex. Asssss sssoon as the siren went off me and mmmmy squadron jumped into our fighters and took off.

We figured those sssssix planes wouldn't be a problem as ourzzzzzzz were just as capable. However their pilots were better, which made the diffrence. Esssspecially that Maverick.

I had nevvvver been in a dog fight like that before. I wasssss ssure I could take him, but it wouldn't be easy.

When the factory exploded, the ssssshockwave caused sssome of my ssystems to malfunction, and it jarred me quite a bit. That was all he needed to get me.

Ssssure, I may have lost to him, but it's becauzzzzze of him and hisss ssquadron my country is free again. And I have him to tttthank for that."


_____________________


Major General Rainbow Dash. "Shadow 1"
Member of the New Lunar Republic Air Force.
1st Air Division. 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron.

"When I first heard about Maverick, I was skeptical about how well he was doing. I didn't think anypony could take command of a wing that fast. That changed when I saw him flying for the first time. His moves were so awesome! I couldn't believe how hard he put it on Firefly. She was one of the Empire's top five pilots. If I hadn't got her I'm sure he would have.

When I heard him and Glory got shot down, I called Wigwam and demanded my squadron take part in the rescue operation. Needless to say I wasn't expecting them to rescue themselves. I mean they stole two of the LoD's planes  right out from under them. How cool is that? And of course all of the evidence they found ended the war between us and the Empire. I was so excited over the idea of being able to meet my friends on the other side again.

And of course him and Blaze flying into the tunnel and destroying Discord's weapon was the most epic thing I had ever seen.

I understand why he wanted to go back to his country to help rebuild it's air force, but I still hope he will return at some point. Of course then again, if he does, at some point he might knock me out of the top spot on the Republic's top pilot list."


_____________________


Lieutenant Colonel Nightshadow. "Shadow 2"
Member of the New Lunar Republic Air Force.
1st Air Division. 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron.


"I didn't really know him that much. The only times I met him in person was the first time at the bar, at the hearing, and then at the ceremony. If it was  engaging in a dogfight or beating the crap out of swabbies, he always seemed to stay cool and collected. His flying was some of the smoothest I've seen.

After the first mission with them, Dash couldn't stop talking about Maverick. And after he destroyed Discord's weapon I think she became a fangirl of him. She won't admit it though.

If he does come back, instead of Lunar I think we could squeeze him into this wing."

_____________________


2nd Lieutenant Carrot Top. "Sentry 2"
Member of the New Lunar Republic Air Force.
5th Air Division. 5th Electronic Warfare squadron.

"I had known Lunar Squadron for several years. When Whiteblaze turned the wing over to Maverick, I was surprised. I didn't think somepony that new could take the reins that fast, but boy he did. And like Blaze he was calm and collected when communicating on the radio, which made my job easier. Listening to the wing's conversations, I almost felt lkie I was right there with them. The victories, the sadness, it was all a moving experience.

I finally met them at the ceremony. I was just as surprised as they were when Angel appeared. I had met her only twice before in the past, and both times she pranked me. My plan was to get her back on the third meeting, but seeing her in that condition all I could do was give her a hug. After I did it Luna lightly kicked me in the flank. I turned around and saw everypony snickering. When I asked why Luna pulled a little "Kick me" sign off of my back. Angel had placed it there while we were hugging. All I could do was laugh.

I'll get her back one of these days though.

_____________________


Chief Master Sergeant Ice. "Lunar 13"

"I don't judge pilots until I've seen them fly. Once I saw Maverick's, I knew we had a good one in our wing now.

When Whiteblaze made him the squadron commander, I'll admit I was a little upset, because I was suppose to be the next in line. But I've always respected his decisions, so I just waited to see what happened.

And what happened was amazing. Not only did he display some of the best flying I've ever seen, he kept the wing together during those trying times.

When he got shot down along with Glory over the POW camp, I figured that was it for the squadron until I heard him reassure us over the radio they would be alright. And just like that, the next day they came back, and ended the war with the Empire, and led us to victory over Discord.

Now that he is gone, Blaze is our commander again. I still hope he will return someday though."



_____________________

1st Sergeant Glory. "Lunar 2"

"I didn't think too much of him at first. I just saw him as a replacement for the original Lunar Nine. As I watched his flying on the first two missions, I started to be impressed.

When he took Whiteblaze's spot it was kind of hard to swallow. I kept thinking it was my fault he got shot down. Maverick constantly assured me it wasn't, and I became his wingpony. The more I saw him fly, the more I was impressed. At some points I forgot it was him and not Blaze flying.

Then we got shot down near that POW camp. Again I blamed myself, and he was there to correct me. As we walked towards the highway he was talking about, we talked about our pasts, and i'll admit I started to have feelings for him. When we found that base and got the evidence, I was so excited to know I had just helped end the war, and soon I could go visit my family in Northern Equestria again.

I wanted to go into the tunnel with him, but he didn't want me to. I reluctantly accepted his decision. It turned out to be the right choice, because more than likely Nightshade would have shot me down. At least I saved Manehattan with him.

The ceremony was the happiest point in my life ever. Angel was alive, Blaze was back, and soon the members of our squadron who were POW's would be back. Then Spade said he was leaving, and my heart sank. I didn't realize how deep my feelings were for him until then. And when he got ready to leave, they finally came to the surface. It's only been 4 months, but I still miss him."

_____________________


Senior Master Sergeant Tiger Angel. "Lunar 3"

"I've always given newbies to my wing a hard time. He was no exception. However he seemed to be immune from my attacks, and he even got me a couple of times. That was my first sign that he wasn't a noob.

Then I saw his flying. Some of the best I've seen. There were several times I was sure he was going to stall his Terminator and crash, but he didn't.

Then of course I goofed up, and spent the rest of the war in a Solar Empire hospital. I felt bad I wasn't able to contact them and tell them I was alive. After the ceremony I learned the entire story of my rescue."

---------------------

Mountain range North of Prairie City, Crystal Empire
27 September 2017

The Solar Empire rescue chopper was passing over a small valley when a flare shot up.

"Flare to the right!," a white unicorn medic yelled.

"Roger turning now," replied the pilot. Soon they were hovering over a light blue Pegasus in a white SEAF flightsuit. It was one of four choppers that were searching for downed Empire pilots since the airspace above the area was now sanitized.

"Do we have room to land?"

"Yes, here we go." Soon the chopper was on the ground, and they could see two more pegasi and a unicorn off to the right under the tree canopy.

"Evac three to command we have located four pilots."

"Roger. Will you be able to get them all?"

"Yes we should be able to." The medic ran over to check on them.

"Do you have any injuries?" he asked.

"My right front leg is broken, but otherwise it's just minor cuts and bruises," replied a white pegasus.

"She needs the most help," the pink unicorn said pointing to a black and orange Pegasus. She was laying on a home made stretcher with a folded up parachute serving as a blanket.

"Let's see." The medic and the earth pony copilot of the chopper ran over to look. It was obvious just from her face she was in trouble.

"Take the parachute off," the earth pony said. They removed the parachute and got a first hand look. What they saw wasn't pretty.

"Oh shit. What happened?"

"We were stopped here when another air battle broke out above us," replied the  light blue Pegasus. "We couldn't see it because of the clouds, but we heard it. There was an explosion and soon parts of aircraft were falling out of the clouds. Then we saw her falling through them also. Me and him," pointing towards the white Pegasus "flew up and tried to catch her, but even though we did we had too much momentum going and we hit the trees hard, which is how his leg got broke." Then the two members of the rescue crew saw the flight suit she was wearing. Though it was blackened, the NLRAF patch was clearly visible.

"You saved a Republic pilot?" the earth pony copilot said.

"Of course. We couldn't just leave her. Sure she's with the enemy, but she's a pilot like us," replied the unicorn.

After a pause he said "OK let's go."

"Help me with her Sunny," she said to the yellow Pegasus.

"We don't have room for her, just you four," he replied.

"WHAT? We can't just leave her!" yelled Sunny Rays.

"Don't have a choice," he replied.

"I'll stay here then. You can come back for me," replied the unicorn.

"Get in, that's an order."

"I'm not going," she replied.

"same here. She goes too or none of us do," replied the white Pegasus. The other two agreed.

"You wanna get busted for disobeying an order?" he snapped.

"Ok you bigot you wanna' go that route?" the blue Pegasus yelled. "Well guess what? You need to read up on international law. Under the Gryphus Convention we are required to provide aid to enemy combatants that were injured at the time of capture. You try to punish us for that and I will take this matter of breaking international law all the way to Celestia you son of a bitch!"

The pony didn't say anything. Instead he went back to the chopper and got on the radio.

"Evac three to command we now have five pilots including two injured. We need a second chopper."

"Roger Evac three. Evac two get over there."

Sunny and the blue Pegasus went with Evac three, while the other two and Angel went with Evac two. Though she was still unconscious, as the unicorn helped load her into the chopper she said "You're safe now." And they took off for Stalliongrad.


--------------------
.

"I did get to meet with those four pilots, and needless to say I have four more friends now. The story reached all corners of Equestria, and not long afterwards they received commendations from both us and the Empire."

"I didn't get to see Maverick and Whiteblaze finish off Discord, and see the squadron save Manehattan until after I came home and got to see the footage.  

He was a great pilot, and I hope he returns so we can fly together again. As for me, you can see I'm still grounded, which is torture for any Pegasus. The doctors said I will be able to fly under my own power and fly planes again in another month, so I just have to tough it out."

____________________


Captain Whiteblaze. Original "Lunar 1"

"A lot of ponies wondered why I picked him to take control of the wing. The fact was, I knew of his past. My dad was stationed at the same air base as him in Gracemareia, and he was always talking about him. Especially his actions during the war with the Griffins.

When he joined our Air Force, I was hoping to get him in here somehow, and the chance appeared when his squadron got wiped out, and Lilac Hearts got shot down and injured. I put in a request to Wigwam to send him here. I wasn't disappointed. Not only did he keep the wing together in my absence, he pretty much ended the war.

I know the squadron was upset when he left, but I didn't mind. The Crystal Empire needs somepony with his strength to rebuild their air force."


____________________


Octavia:

"Neither of us felt like flying again, but when we learned the truth about this war, we immediately returned to the skies. We were there at the final battle as part of another squadron, and watched Lunar destroy Discord and his weapon.

Both of us met Maverick and his squadron for the first time at the ceremony. Sunfire, the one who shot Vinyl down, actually apologized to her, then asked for an autograph. And of course she did. Then Vinyl started asking about the NLR's Thunderhoof plane, and if it would be possible to make a bass storm cannon for it, which was typical for her.

It was surreal to see the pilots we tried to shoot down a week earlier chatting with us like nothing happened. It was then I fully realized peace would reign over Equestria once and for all."


Sunfire:

"After the final mission, I watched Maverick's HUD footage of him flying through the tunnel, and I actually puked at one point. There's no way I could've pulled that off. I'd be a black spot on the wall of it."


Firefly:

"I met both Maverick and Dash at the ceremony. She apologized right and left for shooting me down, almost got watery eyes even.

It was then I realized just how much Discord had torn us apart. We were fighting over nothing but the past and the illusion of something in the present.

Since I'm in the reserves, I've decided to take a break from flying for a bit. If the call comes though I'll gladly jump back into the cockpit of a plane.

And hopefully Lunar squadron will be there with mine."


Gilda:

"Though he shot me down, I have to admit the mission he pulled off to destroy my former leader's weapon was impressive. Nothing I couldn't have done but still.

More importantly, he freed my country. I have to give him that. I will be returning to the Griffin air force again to help rebuild it and train new pilots."



Though I searched high and low for Maverick in Gracemareia, I was never able to track him down. But it really didn't matter. I found out everything through his wingponies, others that knew him, and his enemies.

However while searching for him, I did come across somepony I never expected to meet. Because, like everyone else, I thought she was dead.

Nightshade. "Windigo 1".
Former member of the Legion of Discord Air Force.
1st Fighter Squadron.

Once Maverick's friend, and then adversary, she is now living a quiet life In a small village in the Crystal Empire near where she was shot down.

"It's obvious you already know the story between me and Maverick. And why I became so bitter towards him.

I should have died that day. I was going to just ride it out to the end, but for some reason, the Falken's ejection system activated and blew me clear just before it hit the mountain. I was already injured by shrapnel from Maverick's cannon rounds, and the ejection and landing injured me further. The last thing I remembered was the trees coming up at me. When I came to, my right wing and leg were broken. I removed my flight suit, grabbed my survival kit, and just started walking. I had no idea where I was.

I dragged my injured body through the woods for almost a day, getting weaker and weaker before I was found by a unicorn who carried me to her small village nearby. The inhabitants immediately took me in and cared for me. I felt guilty. Because for all intents and purposes I was a traitor to my country, which meant to them also.

I could say it was Discord's mind control, but it wasn't. I don't know why I joined his side when I should have fled or joined a resistance group. It might have been because I wanted to be part of something again. I looked up to Maverick almost as a brother, and the rest of the squadron as an extended family.  After that incident with my village and getting booted out of the Air Force, I had nothing. No family, or friends. All that time my resentment towards him  festered and grew. I pretty much went into hiding.

When Discord came in, I was tracked down by his forces after they found my records at the air base when they took over. The air force commander looked over my records and saw how good of a pilot I was, and instead of sending me somewhere to work or execution, offered me a job as a pilot again. I wanted to return to flying and be part of a squadron bad enough that I accepted.

I was put in the First fighter squadron. I was the only pony in it. The rest were griffins and dogs, but they treated me no differently. Just like with the Gracemareia squadron they were like an extended family to me. The joy behind that feeling kept the truth of what I was doing from sinking in. It didn't hit me until while I was laying in the bed of that little cabin recovering. I also kept thinking about what Maverick said to me in that last battle, and realizing he was right. My anger towards him and my actions were the reason I was there now.

Then one day while I was recovering in bed, I had a visitor. I woke up, and there standing next to me was my childhood friend Sundance, who I thought had been killed in the fire. I started to well up. It turns out she was the only pony who wasn't in the village that day. She was gathering berries about a mile outside of town and watched the plane hit the village. Like me her parents died also. I figured she was dead because I couldn't find her afterwards. Turns out she had fled from there. She wanted to be as far away from the site as possible, which is how she had ended up in this village. She thought I was dead also, because.... I would have died fighting for my country.

That was the last straw. I completely broke down and cried. When she asked why I told her what I had done. By the time I was through she was crying. All I could say was I'm sorry. I figured she would run off, but she didn't. Instead she put her front legs around me and we hugged each other for I don't know how long. Afterwards all of the hate I had inside me had vanished. I suddenly felt at peace for the first time in years.

Really, Maverick was responsible for this meeting. How did it happen though? How was it my final stand with him was near this village? How was it the same one my friend fled to? I guess that's something I will never figure out. Fate can be both kind and cruel.

I hope to return to the skies someday. Hopefully with my country's air force, but I don't know how others will look at me. They may not be as forgiving as my friend. Hell they might hang me for joining Discord. Right now though as you can see, I can't even fly myself. So I will continue to spend my life here. At least I have friends to talk to again.

Hey. If you do find Maverick, can you give him this message from me?

Yo Spade. Still alive?

And thanks bro. Hope to see you someday."  

And so ends the story of Maverick and the Lunar squadron. How one group of pilots overcame insurmountable odds and tragedy to help win a war that was based on nothing but distrust and deception. Only time will tell if these heroes will return to the skies over Equestria to defend the country.

As I look back, I like to think I played a part in ending the war too. Being the one who took the photo of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy hugging that Celestia and Luna showed to the country.


The end.
> Bonus Chapter: Attack on the Eclipse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Battle group description

Eclipse: Improved Nimitz class CVN
Raven: Ticonderoga class CG
Swordfish: LA class SSN
Cottonmouth: Spruance DDG
Coral: Udaloy class DD
Redler: Perry class FFG
Wichita class AOE



Western Sea
23 miles NW of Las Pegasus
September 27 2017
18:21 hours.

The LRS Eclipse had sent most of it's aircraft out on a bombing mission against the Solar Empire, aside from a few out of service planes and five MiG-29'Ks for area defense of the battle group. Everything was routine until the cruiser LRS Raven made a call.

"Raven to Eclipse: We're picking up ten bandits 150 miles out. Bearing 340, 200 AGL".

"Roger that. Battle stations!" replied the captain. 

"Sir that sounds like a profile for anti ship missile launch," commented the Eclipse's radar operator.

"I know," he replied.

All of the ships prepared for the approaching planes, which were more than likely Solar Empire ones as Legion of Discord aircraft didn't operate that far. The five MiG's were vectored towards them.

Then a few minutes later, more bad news.

"Ten more bandits. Bearing 270, angels ten."

"Damn. Get the air force to send a squadron out. We might need help with this one," announced the captain. 

Then came the worst news of all.

"Vampire inbound! bearing 340... Sir multiple vampires inbound from 340!"

"Get all defenses active! have our...."

"Raven to Eclipse! more vampires and fifteen bandits inbound from the southwest! Bearing 231!"

"Sir our planes are engaging the bandits on 340."

"That's of little comfort right now," the unicorn replied.

"Con - radio. The air force has a squadron inbound from the east."

"Roger. I hope they get here in time."

The other warships began to engage the anti ship missiles. There was around 30 approaching from two directions so it wasn't easy. Things were going ok, until a slip up happened and the CIWS on the Coral fired on a Standard SAM the the Cottonmouth launched at one.

"It hit the wrong missile!"

The Exocet slammed into the Coral, blowing a huge hole in the side and setting it on fire.

"The Corals been hit! She's listing to port!"

"Con radar. Ten more bandits inbound from 290, 132 miles out".

Meanwhile the MiG's had engaged and shot down four of the bandits that launched the first missile attack, and chased the rest off. They were now over 30 miles away, which allowed the other Solar Empire planes to slip in.

As more Exocets continued to come in, there was more bad news from the Raven.

"Raven to all ships: The ten bandits from the west have launched vampires!"

"Keep the CIWS and RAMs on auto," the captain of the Eclipse announced.

The missiles were anti radiation, and homed in on the signals from the ships and anti aircraft weapons. One of the Raven's arrays was knocked out along with the radars on the other ships in the battle group. A couple of Phalanx CIWS mounts were also hit.

"Dammit we're almost blind! where's those air force planes?"

"Before we lost the radar they were supersonic at 41 miles out," replied the Eclipse radar operator.

"Raven to Eclipse: Our planes are engaging the bandits that launched the anti radiation missiles. And the other group of ten are climbing and continuing on this course."

"They have bombs then," replied the captain.

The MiGs made it back, but soon found themselves outnumbered, and two were shot down. The remaining three did the best they could to stay out of the 12's of the F-2's, but it wouldn't be long before they were shot down too.

"This is Storm Four I can't shake them!" 

Then suddenly the bandits broke off, and shortly afterwards exploded.

"Razgriz lead to Eclipse battle group: We have arrived."

"Roger! Get them!" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5bkGi1XIEQ

The Razgriz was the NLR Air Force's mercenary squadron. It was mostly made up of pilots who had their own planes, and NLRAF pilots with one off examples of planes the air force tested. Or in the case of the squadron leader, captured. All of the pilot owned planes had custom paint schemes.

"Sparkler: Take half of the team and go help out the navy planes. The rest of you follow me," Thunderbolt said. And they split off to intercept the 15 bandits that were starting their dive on the battle group. The CIWS on the warships opened up and managed to take out four of the Rafale M's, but the rest managed to release their bombs and pull up before three more were shot down by the defenses.

The Coral took a hit, blowing a hole in the center and finishing it off. The Redler took two bombs to the fantail, while the oiler took a hit, setting off a large fire and several explosions as fuel and ordnance went up. 

The Eclipse took four hits. Blowing a hole in one starboard elevator, and three more in the deck. Destroying a couple of out of service hornets that were on the deck, and a few more in the hangar deck below. Starting several fires.

"WE'RE HIT!"

"Damage control fire on the flight and hangar decks! Respond immediately!" announced the captain. "XO what's the status of the group?"

"The Coral and Redler are sinking and the crew is abandoning ship. The oiler is on fire and our flight deck is out of commission," he replied. 

"Get the fires out and prepare to rescue the survivors."

"They're engaging. Rafale M's", Gusty announced.

"Send them to Tartarus," replied Thunderbolt. The Solar pilots were shocked to see one of their Typhoons diving in behind them.

"Fox two!" yelled Whirlwind. He fired a sidewinder and took out their squadron commander. In short order Emerald Dream shot down one with a gun kill, and Skywishes targeted another that was trying to dive on the crippled oiler again.

"Oh no you don't!" she yelled as she got a lock and fired a sidewinder, taking him out.

Meanwhile Zap was engaging the F-2's with the three remaining Eclipse planes. Storm Four took out one, then Zap shot one off his tail. While this was going on, the Raven managed to take out two more planes with SAMs.

"They better watch where they're shooting those," Ice Swirl said as she took out a Rafale. 

Chief took another out with a gun kill. Magnet Bolt had one on his tail, but he did a cobra and got behind him. One archer took him down. At this point the rest tried to run, but only two would be returning home.

But it still wasn't over.

"Raven to Eclipse: Ten more bandits inbound from 290 at 72 miles."

"Must be more bombers. Otherwise they would've launched by now," commented Zap. After Storm Three took out the last F-2, the group formed up and headed for the approaching bandits.

"If any of you have fox three's left, use them now," announced Whirlwind.And so once they got within range, the group fired at the bandits, who turned and ran when they saw the volley of missiles coming. Two didn't make it though.

"Razgriz One to battle group: Remaining bandits are turning tail and heading home." The crews on all of the ships breathed a sigh of relief.

"Roger Razgriz. Remain on station as long as you can," replied the Eclipse captain.

"This is the 33rd tac' fighter squadron. We're in the area now too," announced another voice over the radio.

"All engines stop, prepare to accept survivors, " the captain announced.

"Sir the crews are getting the fires under control," the Eclipse XO said to him.

"Very good. Have CENTCOM notify our planes to not return here and divert to NAS Baltimare. Once the fires are out and rescues completed, set a course for Las Pegasus harbor. We'll see if we can get us and the oiler repaired a bit," he replied.

Forty minutes later the fires were out and the crews from the two ships that were sunk, plus any downed pilots were  rescued, and the battle group headed for Las Pegasus. There would only be room for the Eclipse in the harbor though, and it would be a tight fit.

"We're bingo fuel Leopards. Take the ball," Thunderbolt said.

"Roger. Have a safe flight back," replied the commander of the Snow Leopards. 

"Damn. I wish we could have got there sooner," Cherry Treats said.

"I know, but at least we kept them from sinking the Eclipse. That would've been a major blow to us in this war," replied Zap. 

"That was definitely a coordinated attack. I wonder if there was an intelligence leak somewhere?" Bubbles asked.

"If there is, our intell agency will find it," replied Thunderbolt. And the Razgriz headed for home.