You look out, via the bird's sensors, and see Ice 'suiting up'- strapping on her wrist-mounted MFD and saying something to a tech while he hands her her HUD. Witches don't wear a standard helmet- their argument has always been that it confines their senses too much, and whatever marginal protection they get from it is offset by how much it messes with their hearing and vision. Even their new strikers don't have a full helmet, instead featuring a visor system that looks for all the world like a pair of hi-tech ski goggles. Kinda goofy, but then, at the same time, you're pretty sure your own helmet won't be winning you any style points.

Slider stands off to one side, leaning forward against her striker's landing gear. She's flying near chase for you- which, in her words, means sticking close enough that the camera pods mounted on her striker's winglets can actually see something, while staying far enough away to not get caught up in the mock dogfight. It's also something of a safety precaution- a witch can tell you if you're in mechanical trouble and look you over faster and better than a chase plane.

Behind you, Merlin is quietly going through her checks. That's a process that's been massively sped up now that she's able to interface with the fighter on a closer level. You're pretty sure she still uses her little magical computer, or whatever it is, but at this point, that's kind of redundant inside the aircraft. Occasional glimpses of what she's doing will pop into your helmet as she rapidly cycles through your various sensors and checks targeting, the missile indicator lazily drifting over Ice and Slider in turn, locking them both up briefly then moving on.

2/3

Your own preflight duties these days are damn near nonexistent. You could double check Merlin's work, but she tends to take that kind of thing as a sign that you don't trust her, and it's largely pointless anyway- she's far more thorough than you could be, and far faster to boot. You could talk to Ice and Slider- the squadron network is up, with Slider using a free-mounted system designed to assist in testing. Nowhere near as powerful as the units mounted in the new Wyvern striker, it'll work for communications and positional data, but that's about it.

Lastly, you could talk to Merlin- you never really got a chance to talk to her after the news about the battle of the east china sea broke. She seems ok, if a bit shaken. This is her first time back in the plane since that turbine disc almost went too, and it's hard to say how she's doing.

[] Double check Merlins work. It pays to be damn sure.
[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.
[] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

[x] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

>>25096626
>[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.
And test out this new comm suite while we're still on the ground.

[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

>>25096626
[x] Double check Merlins work. It pays to be damn sure.
[x] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

"Hey, you nervous? I sure am."

>>25096626
[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

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>>25096626
>[x] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.
Gotta make sure Merlin is 100% or close to it.
>This is her first time back in the plane since that turbine disc almost went too, and it's hard to say how she's doing.
Kinda of wish we had a bit more time in it before this but tough shit, best night of the week!

>>25096626
>[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

>>25096626
[X] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

>>25096626
[x] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

Remind me please, this is just a test flight, right?

>>25096626
Gotta check with Merlin - she's our eyes and ears after all, and probably just as flustered as we are.

>>25096626
[X] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

>>25096626
>[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.
Always best to have a plan. And a backup plan. And a backup backup plan.

When's Crimson going to come back on, Ghostie?

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>>25097120
irc says summer.

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>>25097134
Then again, better later than never.
Thanks for knowledge, pip pip cheerio and have fun.

>>25096626
[X] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

Though we'll probably end up ignoring it.

[x] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

>>25096626
[x] Double check Merlins work. It pays to be damn sure

No need to disturb the girls in their work.

>>25096626
>[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.
lets get down to business

>>25096626

>[] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

Lets do this right

>>25096626

[x] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

>>25096626
>[X] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

Does anyone know what happened to Maus and tanks?

>>25098208
ISP issues and being Active duty military happens.

>>25098208
Real life.

>>25098208
You check the twitter? Apparently he's been occupied with work a whole shitload the past 4 weeks or so.

>>25098226

Pity. I want to see the penetrators, again.

>>25098235
>>25098230
>>25098226
Damn. I never use twitter so I didn't know. Hopefully he'll be back once the summer starts. I really liked tanks.

>>25098307
>twitter.com/JakePenetrator
I usually check it on Wednesdays.

[x] Talk to Merlin. How's she doing? You're nervous, she has to be too.

>Try not to cry like a girl. CRY A LOT

Did ghost go back to work?

>>25098706
He's prolly wrighting

>>25098856

For just shy of two hours?

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>>25098856
>wrighting

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[x] Talk with Ice and Slider. Let's sort out something resembling a plan.

“How do we wanna play this one, boss?” You ask, watching Ice tap the side of her HUD visor twice and give a thumbs up to the ground crew, who start to clear the area. “Same as usual?”

Ice shrugs. “With these new computers, you don't need to be on my target for a missile launch, so we can, but they'll try and shut that down. I'm willing to bet Katya's going up with them, and she knows how we fight.” She looks over at you.

“Yeah, and Viper's probably going to be up there too.” You note. “And if he can manage it, Admiral Nixon will be, but I kind of doubt he could pull that off.”

Ice laughs. “He might just. Rumor has it he's still pretty decent, too, even if he's lost a few steps.”

“Figure for four, then?” You say. “Makes sense, two to one, and he wouldn't want to embarrass the agressor squadron by letting us replay the Tanana fight with them.”

“We almost lost you that fight, Bishop. We don't want to replay that at all.” Ice says, all traces of mirth gone from her voice.

“I kinda doubt that's an issue here, boss.” You remind her, watching them begin taxiing to the runway. “But you want to play this by the book?”

She nods. “I'll tangle with their witches, you get their steelwings. Give me some missiles to play with though, that should be a surprise to them.”

“Done.” Merlin says, before you respond. “You've got four shortrange missiles, Ice. As long as you're within about ten klicks of us, you're ok.”

Ice nods again. “Thanks Merlin.”

1/2

“Make sure you get my good side, Slider.” You joke over the radio as you start your own taxi roll.

“Har-har.” Slider says. “First, the cameras are remote controlled. They really ougghta have a drone for this shit. Second, it's not good side. It's least worst side. Third, no one wants to see that anyway.”

She grins over at Ice. “They all want to oogle our CO's nice tight butt.”

“F-Frank?” Merlin asks, over the intercom. “There's a big infrared signature in front of us, is something on fire?”

You can't contain the laugh. As Ice and Slider start their takeoff rolls.

[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?
[] I'll stay low with you, boss, and pop up to tackle their steelwings.

[x] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

Let's see this baby fly.

>>25098973

>[] I'll stay low with you, boss, and pop up to tackle their steelwings.

Oh lol Ice. Why are you showing up as a heat signature.

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>>25098973
>[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

“They all want to oogle our CO's nice tight butt.”

>“F-Frank?” Merlin asks, over the intercom. >“There's a big infrared signature in front of us, is something on fire?”

>>25098973
[X] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

Time to for combat.

>>25098973
>[x] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?
We're showing off the plane, lets get dangerous!

>>25098973
>[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

>“F-Frank?” Merlin asks, over the intercom. “There's a big infrared signature in front of us, is something on fire?”

Oh god that's funny.

[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

Sensors on Fire, because they know we are out there.

>>25098973
[x] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

>>25098973
>[X] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

>>25098973
>[] So I'll take the high road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?
Assuming that's cool. If she wants to play it differently, by all means.

>>25098973
>[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

I'm not sure if staying high and engaging the steelwngs in a fair fight is a good idea when we're outnumbered.

>>25099170
Rule of Cool will save us.

Looks like Slider is unamused in that picture.

>>25099170
It's better than letting them bounce us.

>>25099170
Altitude is something you can start with, but it's much harder to get it once the fight's underway.

It's about maneuvering options and keeping them open.

>>25098973
>[] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?
fockin kawnts

>>25098973
[X] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

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[x] So I'll take the High road, and you take the low road and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?

“So I'll take the high road, and you take the low, and I'll get ta Scotland afore ye, right boss?” You ask, lining up on the runway and watching as Ice and Slider bank away from the base, still in formation. They're really good at that- they've flown together longer than anyone else in the squadron, save maybe for the twins.

“Yeah, sounds good to me.” Ice says. “But remember that you don't have to cruise around at altitude to loft missiles at things.”

The sudden implication of that hits you. “Shit,” You say, wonderingly. “We're practically re-writing the book for Steelwings and witches.”

“Won't matter if you two keep flirting and lose this thing.” Slider says. “Speaking of, if you let them beat you, I'm going to do horrible, unspeakable things to the both of you.”

“Right.” You note, starting your takeoff roll. “Revenant is airborne.”

“Frank, can I try something?” Merlin asks tentatively while the three of you wing your way towards the range complex over the desert.

[] Try what?
[] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801
>Define unspeakable..jpg
Well...

[x] Define unspeakable.
[x] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801
>[X] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801
[X] Go for it Merlin.

This can only end well.

>>25099801
>[] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801
>[x] Go for it Merlin.
>[x] What are you trying?

>>25099801
>] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801
>[] Go for it Merlin.

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>>25099801
[X] Go for it Merlin.
Merlin should tell us before she does it, just as a heads up.

>>25099801
>[] Go for it Merlin.
She'll explain when she's got it going.

>>25099870
second this. play dumb

>>25099841
This.

>>25099801
[x] Go for it Merlin.

>>25099801

>[x] Go for it Merlin.

Tempted to snark a comment to Slider about HER tight butt.

>>25099841
Very much this.

>>25100138
IIt's all about her tight shot grouping.

>>25100138

Do it! You won't! (We do want the Harem Route?)

>>25099801
>[] Go for it Merlin.
she wouldnt be running it by us if she wasn't confident in it, les do it.

>>25100202
>Harem Route?
Nixon is going to pimp Fronk out anyway.

Remember we want Bro-harem, Bros who don't mind making lewd comments about each other (and possibly acting on them)

>>25100355
That sounds like Slider and, maybe, the twins.

I'm reminded suddenly of how little Rosalie is that even here name? there's been. Her, Mav, and Goose are underrepresented.

>>25100429
Welcome to SW89 where this seems to be a given.

>>25100544
I've been here since Fronk mid-air'd that Jap witch. Doesn't make it any less of a shame.

I wonder what crazy is doing....

>>25096595
Every time I see that OP image I think she's licking a black horsecock dildo.

>>25100841
Thinking of her beloved, of course, and the many children they will have once she gets a hold of comrade stork's address.

>>25100841
Fondly admiring the framed letter that Frank sent.

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>>25100894
>hold of comrade stork's address.
Haha, she is pure as hell, ain't she?

>>25100936
I like to think so, yes. It makes things more enjoyable.

>>25100936
she is crazy russian captain america

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EMrU5_qUnY

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>>25100881

>>25101003
She tells the Russian kids to stay in school and not do drugs?

>>25101130
I would laugh if she did

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[x] Go for it Merlin.

“Go for it, Merlin.” You say, nodding even though she can't see it.

“So, you know, Slider, this new flight sensor system we have has an optical zoom.” You mention nonchalantly as Merlin starts... whatever it is she wanted to try.

“Yeah, and?” Slider asks. “Hurry up, I gotta separate pretty damn soon.”

“Well, ya know, you were talking about butts and....” You can't keep a straight face.

“I- you- You're a dead man when we land, Frank.” Slider sputters, over Ice's laughter.

“Alright boys and girls. Or, well, boy and girls.” Nixon's voice cuts over the radio. “Slider, go ahead and separate from the other two. Don't want them warping your mind too much. Revenant, Ice, the aggressors opted for two and two. I don't suppose I need to tell you who their witches are.”

“You up here sir?” You ask, and he chuckles.

“No, no. I wish I could be, but I have to be down here to explain everything they're seeing here.” He says. “They've got a pair of new model tomcats with them, the new echos.”

“Wonderful.” You grouse.

“The air force was nice enough to give us the entire nellis range for the exercise. Your agressors are already up and-”

He's cut off by ice. “Tally ho! Two bandits low, ten o'clock. Looks like a pair of tomcats.”

Merlin giggles. “They'll never see us, Frank. I figured out how that Russian witch was jamming our radar, it's not that hard.”

[] You what? That's possible? Ice, isn't that, ya know, not possible?
[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

>>25101169
>[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

>>25101169
[X] You what? That's possible? Ice, isn't that, ya know, not possible?

I want to hear the details of how she did it.

>>25101169
[X] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

Explanation on the ground, current priority, FLYING PLANES!

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

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>>25101169
>[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

FUCK YEA!

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
this just keeps getting better and better.

>>25101169
[X]Merlin's Magic strikes again!

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>>25101169
>[X] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em
Technical explanation later, let's trust little sister and POUNCE.

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

CAKES

SHAPED LIKE DICKS

MADE WITH CHOCOLATE

ALL FOR MERLIN

DICKCAKES, MAN

(it is not lewd! It is tasty!)

>>25101169
>[x] You what? That's possible? Ice, isn't that, ya know, not possible?
>[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

WHEN ONE ISN'T ENOUGH, GO FOR BOTH! Display our confusion as well as our joy.

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

Infinity+1 cakes. All hers.

>“I- you- You're a dead man when we land, Frank.” Slider sputters, over Ice's laughter.
Aww.

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>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
Ohlord merlin made us invisible.

And we no longer have any chance of stealth spetznaz coming to kidnap us

>>25101169
[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
Merlin levelled up? Hope she's distributing her stat points wisely.

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>>25101270
Then we got this lewdman.

>>25101169
[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

>>25101300
I bet she's min maxing.

>>25101293
its sptetznaz they will find a way

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Like, all the cakes. Let's get 'em.

>>25101169
>all the cakes... all of them, forever and ever.

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
Cakes. ALL of the cakes.

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>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
lets do this shit

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

they wont see it coming. literally

>>25101313
Fucker did my state proud.

>>25101169

>[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you ALL the cakes. Let's get 'em.

Hah, Nixon thinks WE are going to warp Slider's mind? If only he knew the truth.

Of course, that's why Slider is awesome and stuff.

>>25101130
And she had asthma, before the horrifying, mind-breaking experiments she was subjected to.
>>25101169
>[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82tzllnsQ38

>>25101361
I wonder how the cops reacted.

>>25101169
>[] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.
Merlin you will become Cake, destroyer of tummies

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[x] Merlin, I am gonna buy you SO many cakes. Let's get 'em.

You'll save the questions for the ground, you decide. “Merlin, I'm gonna have Santa make you so many cakes” You say. “Boss?”

“Let's get 'em. I'll follow you in, keep an eye out for their witches.” Ice responds, drifting back behind and above you.

“Hey, wait,” Merlin says. “Frank, why are they down low?”

You pause for a second, turning away from them and putting a mountain range between you and their direct line of sight.

“Tomcat's radar isn't going to work that well down there. Whenever we were down that low, I had to struggle to get it to get any kind of return.” Merlin continues. “and besides, the referee can see they're too low for a good missile shot, they'd need to pop up to get any kind of lock on us, and they can forget the guns.”

“Merlin those are Echo models.” Ice reminds her. “Maybe their equipment is better?”

“No,” Merlin says emphatically, and you can almost see her shaking her head. “The radar is better, but not enough that they'd want to be down low. Either they're trying for a surprise missile attack after their witches find us or...”

“Or they're bait.” Ice finishes for her.

[] Bait or not, they're toast. Once their range is gone, the witches are boned.
[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

>>25102093
[X] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

>>25102093
>[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
Do not ram ourselves into their trap; we are not Bittenfeld.

>>25102093
>[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
best not be stupid yet

>>25102093

>[x] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

>>25102093
>[x] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

>>25102093
>[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

IDS HABBEDIG

>>25102093
>[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
If it's an obvious ambush, why fall for it. Also, can Katya unscramble what merlin's scrambling?

>>25102093
>[] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches. Once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
Be ready to go evasive if they do go for missiles, of course, but hopefully our Merlin-jamming will take care of that.

>>25102093
[X] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

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>>25102093
>[x] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.
We could eerily say 'We see you' over an open channel.
>>25102116
Now that just begs the question, what LOGH would Fronk be, has to be Free Planets but who?

>>25102093
[x] Bait or not, they're toast. Once their range is gone, the witches are boned.
They probably know we'd assume they're bait.

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>>25102116
Why -aren't- we Bittenfeld?

>>25102200
>>25102239
Guys, what if Bittenfeld was the one who came up with the idea of putting Recon in HMMWVs and having them drive headlong into ambushes during the '03 invasion of Iraq?
It makes far too much sense

>>25102342
at last I truly see. The immortal troll commander, Bittenfeld, is here amongst us

[x] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

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>>25102342
I know we don't vote for generals, but if we did, I'd definitely vote for Bittenfeld.

>>25102093

[X] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

Once their Witches are gone, those F-14E's are dead meat.

what if this witch is a sniper?

>>25102677

Its Viper and Katya.

Spraying with GPMG and multi shield.

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[x] Let's cruise around a bit and try and get the jump on their witches once they're gone, the cats will be easy pickings.

“Let's cruise around a bit then,” You say, trusting Merlin to keep tabs on the two tomcats while you scan the sky for other threats. “If we can get the jump on their witches, those cats won't have a prayer.”

“They can't be too far.” Ice says. “Probably on the deck, though.”

“Three miles east, maybe two hundred feet.” Merlin confirms. “I'm having some trouble keeping them pegged through the ground clutter, but they're there.”

“Knew it.” Ice says. “Close enough to mutually support, far enough that we can't get one set without the other having a chance to jump in.”

“The witches are the bigger threat in a furball.” You note. “But those cats will have missiles, and even without Merlin, the guns on those things are pretty dangerous.”

“If we take them out one on one, we might be able to get them before the cats show up, but we'd have to hurry. And we can't stay in the mud with them for long.” Ice says. “Ok Revenant. Pick one, I'll take the other.”

[] I'll take the lead witch.
[] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803
>[] I'll take the lead witch.
were here to test shit, lets do it.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803
[x] I'll take the lead witch.

>>25102803
[X] I've got the wingman.

Witches take out witches.

>>25102803
>[x] I'll take the lead witch.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.

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>>25102803
[X] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803
>[] I'll take the lead witch.

>>25102803
[] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803

>[x] I've got the wingman.

Unless we have to, leave the witches to the witches.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.
Let's do it, wingman to wingman.

>>25102803
>[] I've got the wingman.
leave the boss for the boss

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Whatever happened to planefag?

>>25103164
he's running a touhou quest in another board

>>25103164
returning in summer IIRC

>>25103184
Isn't it summer now?

>>25103199
not till june, no

>>25103199
Summer doesn't begin until June 21st or so.

>>25103199
I don't make the rules, I just work here.

>>25103212
so this summer you are not safe from the bouncing?

>>25102803
>[x] I'll take the lewd witch.
Surprise attack on Slider!

>>25103231
this would make a great tagline

>>25103239
even if she's on camera follow, I do kinda wanna jokingly support this option

>>25103231
grab yer guns! OH SHIT ITS THE COW AND IT HAS OUR GUNS!

>>25103454
Hisssssssss

>>25103454
HISSSSSSSSSSS

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>>25103504
>>25103521
hmmmm I wonder how it tastes!

>>25103534
deliciously lewd

>>25103231
SWQ 2.22: You Can (Not) Escape

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[x] I've got the wingman.

“I've got the wingman.” You state, keying up guns.

“Ok, I'll take the lead witch then. If the cats show up before we're done, We'll just have to improvise.” Ice says, taking the lead in your little formation. “One pass, and I'll try and stay low if that doesn't do it. Hopefully we'll be able to get one of them before the cats show up though.”

Ice rolls inverted and pitches down, swinging her rifle up to her shoulder as she does so, the barrel tracking with her eyes. Times like this, you can see why Witches are many a teenager's fantasy.

You laugh at that. If only they knew how insane most of these girls were, they'd want no part of it.

“The lead witch is Viper, Frank.” Merlin says. “She's got a strange signature though. I think it has to do with her shields. The one we're after is miss Katya.”

“This should be fun,” You say with a grunt. “She knows how we fight.”

“Mhmm.” Merlin says. “But I can cue missiles now too, remember? And we know how she fights.”

Below you, the two witches scatter before you can get your gunsights on Katya- Ice sticks to Viper, while you're forced to peel off to the west to stay on Katya.

“That is a new trick.” She says, placidly over the open frequency, snaking around a mountain a second before you. “Tell me, little Merlin, when did you learn to jam radar like that?”

You roll over and dive, inverted barely a hundred feet above the ground- and barely ten feet below the line of simulated tracers the computer tells you is arcing over your belly.

1/2

“I-I learned it from the jet.” Merlin says. “It tells me how that one crazy witch blocked it's radar, and I just... just copied it.”

“And improved on it.” Katya says, admiringly. “You certainly are amazing, little sister. I do not think any of us could have done the same.”

“She's coming around Frank! She's behind us now, but she's pretty far back, out of gun range!” Merlin says over the intercom, twisting around in the seat behind you as best she can to try and watch Katya.

You look back, tagging Katya's position in your mind as you roll over and look forward-

And yank back hard on the stick while shoving the throttle wide open, narrowly avoiding the two F-14Es that pass a scant few feet beneath the tail of your jet. The altimeter spirals upwards and you fight to control your breathing as your brain rapidly clamps down on the adrenaline and exerts control. You're way too high, but they'll never get a radar lock up here. Still, if Katya breaks off and goes after Ice, Ice could have trouble.

You'll get the shakes from that near-miss later, and you're sure there's gonna be a nightmare or three to come out of it, but right now, you've got a fight to win.

[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
[] Those cats are going to come up here, let's knock them out first!

>>25103695
[X] Those cats are going to come up here, let's knock them out first!

>>25103695
[X] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

Two against two is better than one against two.

>>25103695
Can we hit one or two of the cats while getting back down? Don't wanna leave Ice 2v1, but don't wanna get into a 3v1 scrap with Katya either

>>25103695
[x] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
We're dodgy enough to deal with 'cats.

>>25103695
[] Those cats are going to come up here, let's knock them out first!

>>25103695

[x] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

Y'all actually watched Top Gun right? Don't leave your wingman high and dry.

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

>>25103673
>dat pic
Awww shit. I'd recognize dat shot anywhere. Dat's some Macross Plus, nigga. Shit yeah.
>>25103695
>[x] Those cats are going to come up here, let's knock them out first!

>>25103695

We chose the eingman job so we on ice's wing!

Cover our lead!

[x] get katya

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
We need to splash at least one of the witches before the F-14's can recover.

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
can't let Ice be all alone

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
It's like we told Ice at the pool, you shouldn't go it alone.

>>25103695

>[x] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

Stay with it, we are not leaving Ice to fend for herself against both of 'em.

We are NOT leaving our wingman.

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>>25104017
this. we stay with her. pic related

>>25104017
>We are NOT leaving our wingman.
Well, flight lead.

>>25103695
>[] Those cats are going to come up here, let's knock them out first!

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

>>25103695
>[] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

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>>25103695
[X] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!
Offbore lockon for missiles mean we can fire at the Tomcats easier while focusing on the witches.

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[x] Get back down, don't let Katya help Viper!

Looking back over your shoulder, you see the pair of tomcats turning and ascending, moving to engage you. Those pilots must have nerves of steel and custom flight suits for the size of their balls, you think. Shit, you're rattled, even just a little, at how damn close you just were to a catastrophic midair collision.

Still, the two of those birds- top of the line though they may be, turn in almost comically wide, slow arcs at that speed, and you've jammed your nose at the ground and re-oriented on Katya again- who's busily kicking up a distinct dust plume as she rockets across the desert, heading in to assist Viper.

Her strikers, granting her an impossible to match power to weight, still don't have the blistering top end speed your wyvern has- even the -14E models she has top out at mach 2, and that's at altitude. You can do 2.2 at ocean level, and you're squeezing every ounce of thrust you can out of the engines as you close in on her.

“Leaving so soon?” you coo over the radio as she jerks out of the way of a computer-generated line of tracers. “But we've only just begun to dance!”

1/2

“Frank, you are beginning to sound like Konstantina.” Katya says with some nervous laughter. “While I do not think I would mind you calling me my love, I also do not think she is sane. Or a good role model.”

You suppress some laughter at that, keeping one eye on the tomcats as Katya breaks sideways, trying to jerk herself out of your gunsights. Merlin, waiting for it, dispatches a pair of missiles, keeping a whispered count to herself, and then launches a pair more.

Katya guns the first two out of the sky, dodges one, and, the computer decides, eats the last full on her shields. While the training equipment usually can't adequately model shields, and can't interact with them at all- barring Merlin- it can and frequently will decide to no longer register them.

Her shields 'down', Katya is completely defensive- her own rushed burst fails to even cause a twitch in Merlin's own sheild, and she spins to run, counting on her greater maneuverability to keep her out of your gunsights.

Normally, under this situation, a witch will back off, either returning to base or at least gaining some breathing room. Katya tends to stay in it though, so you can't be sure. There's still those tomcats too, but you're sure you can handle them. Of course, you could also go help Ice out, then those cats would be easy pickings, but if Katya stays in it, Ice- or you- could be in trouble,

[] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!
[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
[] Break off, go help Ice! Katya's out for the time being, and that's long enough to get Viper!

>>25104539
>Frank being yandere to Katya.

I can totally dig this.

>>25104531
>dat Yellow 13
I'd love to have her teach me ACM, if you know what I mean.
>>25104539
>[x] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
Never assume.

>>25104539
[X] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!


Now that her shield is down Ice should be okay.

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
dont take shit for granted, confirm the kill, then help ice

>>25104603
Yeah, sounds good. Have Merlin keep an eye on the cats while we hunt Katya.

>>25104539
[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

>>25104539
>[x] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

We make sure she's confirmed as down. We want to give Ice as much time as possible, and not have Katya sneak back into this fight.

>>25104539

[] Break off, go help Ice! Katya's out for the time being, and that's long enough to get Viper!

Katya's out! We take out viper and we can chew the tomcats easy!

Pile up and use limited numerical superiority!

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
We don't want Katya spinning around and getting on our tail.

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>>25104539
[X] Break off, go help Ice! Katya's out for the time being, and that's long enough to get Viper!

>>25104539
>[] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
Gotta confirm that kill

>>25104539
>[] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!

Because surely we need to get fixated on a single target as usual and split ourselves up right?

>>25104647

No confirmation of her being out, she's just shieldless. We are assuming, if anything, that she will run per NORMAL tactics - and we know she tends to stay in regardless (stated as so in the post).

>>25104539

We cannot keep engaging one on one, it wont stay that way with these numbers.

Gang up, focus fire, drop them as fast as we can, one by one if we can!

[] Break off, go help Ice! Katya's out for the time being, and that's long enough to get Viper!

>>25104539
[] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!

>>25104721

Out at least for a few minutes.

Thats a lifetime in a dogfight.

[x] Break off, go help Ice! Katya's out for the time being, and that's long enough to get Viper!

>>25104539
>[] Nice shot merlin! Let's get those cats!

Staying predictable as Warhound is not a good way to be.

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

>>25104578
I'm not even a huge katya fan, but that did amuse me
>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
she flew maximum sorties when she thought we were down...I doubt she'd back out just because her shields are kaput

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

If we break off, she will just come back later when we least expect it, you don't leave a potential opponent in any shape to fight

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

Its always the wounded one you let get away that gets you.

>>25104777

She won't be out the moment we turn our back on her. Unlike a steelwing, she can get back into the dogfight almost immediately.

I fully expect her to ram a whole magazine of firepower up our behind if we leave her in.

>>25104826

It's good if it is what Ice is depending on us to do for her.

>>25104539
>[] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.
THEN we go help Ice.

>>25104963

I'm not seeing anything that indicates Ice is hoping we stay as predictable Warhound.

I get the feeling we might be underestimating Ice's situation and overestimating ours. Then again this is /tg/

>>25104963

Wut.

In any case, feinting and switching opponents quickly is usually the thing to do in an out numbered fight. Keeping on a target to kill it dead is good, if there wasnt others waiting to jump on fronk's tail. Those F-14Es are gonna both jump on fronk. We're gonna be in abit of trouble.

>>25105147
we can handle them, we cant handle them and katya later on

>>25105167
Someone's awfully cocky. Dismissing any foe as a non-factor is a fatal mistake.

>>25105167

You mean when they catch up while we're on katya's tail that isnt 3 on 1?

>>25105201
im not dismissing them, im saying that if we dont put katya out of the fight now, we screw ourselves over later

2x f14s are easier to face than 2x f14s + katya when we thought she was out

get her out of the fight now, makes 1 less opponent, means the fight gets easier, not sure what you dont understand about this

>>25105235
you're assuming she isn't while Ice might end up having issues, that and the sooner we help Ice take out Viper, the sooner she'd help us clean up.

That and never leave your wingman behind and all.

>>25105235

The point is, ghost already said, her strikers are slower than the F-14Es. If we hound her, she can easily swing her course to quickly intercept with the F-14s. Then its a 3 on 1. Where she'll be fighting, since after all, she can and will fight without shields.

>>25105235

Assuming there are no witches in the F-14s

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>>25104539
[x] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

She's a dogged girl, all right... but we're not called Warhound for nothing.

>>25105325
but Frank's not called Warhound anymore.

>>25105334
Revenant still works though
From Wikipedia:
>"in most Medieval accounts they return to harass their surviving families and neighbours"
EVEN IN DEATH I STILL FLY

>>25105322

>they're busy atuffing witches into tanks, what more the next gen of front-line fighters

Fuuuuuuuuck

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[x] Stay on Katya, confirm her as down.

“Merlin, keep an eye on those cats, we gotta confirm this.” You say, snapping your fighter around the side of a low mesa, hot on her tail.

“Ok Frank. They're both at six and descending.” Merlin says. “I've got an eye on them, but I'm tracking Ice and Viper too.”

“How's that going?” You ask. Descending? Stupid of them, but it'll give them energy they'll need to catch up in a hurry. You've got, maybe twenty seconds to end this thing and round on them. Maybe less, depends on how closely related the echo is to your black cat.

“I can't tell.” Merlin says. “They're out west about twenty miles though.”

It's far enough away that you're not worried about a sudden breakaway happening, but it's close enough that those cats could shoot AMRAAMS into the fight- except it's witches, and witch dogfights are always terrifyingly close, by your standards. Tens of meters, not hundreds.

It's also too far for Ice to benefit from your missiles, you think. That could be a problem for her.

1/2

“Those tomcats are closing in, Frank. They'll be in gun range in a couple seconds.” Merlin warns.

But Katya's out of time. She pops into the vertical- making almost a 90 degree ascent- but you're super maneuverable too. You start a cobra, fighting your airspeed and the sudden change in your aerodynamics, and keep the nose on her long enough pull the trigger, sending a computer-simulated hail of 25mm depleted uranium and high explosive at her.

According to the computers in the range, there wouldn't even be enough left of her to fit into a Ziploc baggie.

Still, you're forced defensive as the tomcats find your tail, twin streams of tracers from the pair of them missing you, if just barely. You bled yourself of a lot of airspeed for that kill, and for now, they have the advantage.

[] Stay low! You build energy better and turn better, it'll buy you time to do something
[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

>>25105393
>EVEN IN DEATH I STILL BOUNCE

>>25105490
[X] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

From what I understand being under your enemy in the air is something to be avoided.

>>25105490
>[] Stay low! You build energy better and turn better, it'll buy you time to do something

>>25105490

[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

As fast as we can, gotta get closer to ice to support her.

>>25105490
>[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!
Pop the burners climb out, buy us a second to increase the range.

>>25105490
[X] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

>>25105490
>[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!
Plus, that puts us in prime bounce position.

>>25105501
That should've gone on the Rolling Court Martial
>>25105490
>[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

>>25105490

[x] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

>>25105490
>[] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!
If we do have better t/w, then I think this is the right answer.

>>25105490
>[x] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!

[X] Stay low! You build energy better and turn better, it'll buy you time to do something

THEN Hard, rapid ascend to gain altitude!

Pugachev's Cobra burns, like all of your airspeed, dosen't it? So let's get some life back in the fight before we become swiss cheese.

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[x] Go high! Those Echos can't have the same thrust/weight as you do, you'll get them in the vertical!
One on one, you'd have this in the bag- you're faster, more maneuverable, and better armed than they are.

But there's two of them, and that's a hell of an advantage.

You break open the afterburners again, dumping fuel into your engines at a prodigious rate, and your fighter responds, her nose pointed skyward like a rocket. The altimeter doesn't even begin to slow it's ascent till you've cleared angels eight, and even then, it's only just barely noticeable. The echo cats, following you, can't match the climb, and both break away, trying to make it a turning fight again.

Merlin won't let them. Both cats suddenly execute defensive breaks, pumping flare and chaff into the sky, trying to spoof her missiles. Of course, it's Merlin, and one cat registers as a kill, while the other makes it around a mountain, breaking the track of your missile.

Still, you've got the height advantage, a speed advantage, and there's only one of them. You're prepared to dive on him when Merlin stops you.

“Frank, I think Ice is in trouble,” She says. “She's headed this way at speed, and her strikers are reporting her shield is down.”

[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
[] She'll have to handle it herself, this echo cat's gotta go!

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

Fighting Viper alone is not something we want to do.

>>25106044
[x] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
1v1 well kick the echo's ass, lets bail ice out.

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
>[x] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
Time to bail out the boss.

[X] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

Strikers > Steelwings
In terms of dangerous-ness.
Also, HIGHWAY TO THE DANGERZONE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0P1Bk8Cx4

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
Here he comes to save the day

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>>25106044
[X] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist Ice!
If we do this right, Ice can use one of the short-ranges under her control to drop the cat while we deal with Viper. In fact, let's try for that. Really show off what the system can do.
>inspectors hisyce
Yes, Fronk would like to inspect his Ice indeed...

>>25106044
[X] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

We should have enough speed to attack and get back up.

[x] Break off the cat and go assist Ice!

Why am I not surprised? Good thing this isn't a real battle

>>25106044
>[X] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
Gotta go fast!

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>>25106122

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!
This what we're here for, to support our flight lead when they're in trouble.

>>25106044

NOW is the time to break off, we have splashed Katya and one steelwing. One steelwing against us and Ice is nothing.

Viper against just us? Long odds for us, even if we're awesome.

>[x] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

>>25106044
>[] Break off the cat and go assist ice!

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[x] Break off the cat and go assist Ice!

You twist the fighter into a hard turn, head to head with Ice and Viper.

“Ice, I'm inbound supersonic. Missiles are yours as soon as we're in range.” You say over the radio. “There's an echocat behind us somewhere, and Katya's down.”

“Good,” Ice says. “I'm tired of showing off the new and improved defensive capabilities of these strikers. I popped one of her shields, but she's got that second, and...”

“Yeah, I get it. Missiles in three... two...... Now!” You announce, the small countdown to range timer in your display flashing, then disappearing when four more missiles streak from your bays- reducing you to a little under half your load.

You blow past Ice- underneath your CO, who releases a few more missiles from your bays at the echo, causing him to juke into her gunsights. Between her enhanced 7.62mm rounds and your missiles, the computers deem it a kill, leaving just Viper.

1/2

Not that she's not plenty challenging on her own. Her rifle spits slugs at you, most of them rebounding from Merlin's shield- though you're not sure how much more abuse the computers will let it take. Still, she's abandoned Ice to come after you, and you're able to leverage your speed to good defensive effect, dragging through the range on a merry chase.

“Ice, I can't shake her,” You say, keeping the excitement out of your voice. “Little help?”

“Just keep her on that track, Frank.” Ice whispers, half to herself. “And... bang.”

Viper's second shield, already brutalized by your missiles- or Ice's missiles, it's not really clear who gets credit on those- is just too damaged to absorb the rounds from Ice's rifle, and the computer declares her dead.

Of course, it's also decided you were critically damaged in the last burst, if not dead.

Nixon sounds pretty pleased when he cuts across the open frequency. “Nicely done, kids. Commander Metcalf, I need to see you when you've got the chance. Commander Kazinski, Lieutenant commander Bishop, we need to see you when you land.”

“Sounds like they want to oogle your hot ass some more, Tabby.” Slider says, across the squadron net as she rejoins. “And that was a hell of a show. The dogfight, not Tabby's ass.”

“Frank, that infrared signature is back!” Merlin says. “I think there's a bug in the sensors.”

And that's it for the night!

I think next week we'll be trying something a bit different, but we'll see how this weekend treats me before I make any promises.

anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed, and sorry about the lag early in the thread, something came up I had to take care of.

As usual, we'll be back next Tuesday, hopefully with something a tad different for you guys! till then, gents.

>>25106518
oh Merlin!
>>25106533
Its Ice suddenly blushing.

>>25106543
Konstantina quest?

>>25106543
Thanks for the session! That was fun.

>>25106543
Thanks for the thread, even if I only caught it at the end.

>>25106567

Maybe.

>>25106518
Slider should possibly see someone about her apparent anal fixation.

>>25106799
Dammit, that didn't sound like an innuendo in my head until I posted it.

>>25106749
Oh boy we can learn about lewd stuff next time.( but it will probably be from the perspective of the guy piloting the CFA-44 as he guides his own adopted little sister in writing a new love letter)

>>25106799

She could always see us about her fixation. She already promised to do unspeakable things to us...

Y'know, just to...talk. Yeah.

Ghostdivision, Ghostdivision!

When will we see more BRRRRRRRT?

>>25104539

>“While I do not think I would mind you calling me my love

Must file this bit away for us to ponder ICly. Perhaps Katya said a little more than she meant to due to us flustering her with our Konstantina impression.

Agh! Over too soon, too soon!

Also, where the fuck is the tank guy?

>>25107149
doing tank things for the army it looks like

>>25107149
he was going to run a thread a day or two ago but then RL interupted those plans

This Summer.

SWQ 2.0

You Can (Not) Bounce