>>27835320
>>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.

>>27835320
>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.
Do it, this can only go well.

>>27835320
>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.

MERC, YOU MADE MY DREAMS COME TRUE! Best early christmas gift ever!

>>27835320
>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.
Curiosity.

>>27835320
>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.
Imagine his thought process when he first saw Lara. He's clinging on to the wing of the plane, she opens the cockpit and stands up. He sees, to his surprise, that she's clearly a woman, and then she removes her helmet, tossing her hair. And in that moment, the world seems to slow down, as her long, shining hair flows through the air.

He probably fainted after that.

>>27835320
>>Go see that enemy pilot who's ass you saved a couple missions ago.

>>27835320
>Go see that enemy pilot whose ass you saved a couple missions ago.

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>>27835320
Well, you could always check in on that pilot you saved last mission. What was his name.... Min... you think? Anyways, you didn't have much chance to talk to him due to a combination of work and "security concerns". Captain Jurgens refused to let anybody see him until they could determine whether he was a threat or not. Eventually, the spyboys cleared Min of any suspicion, short of being a pilot for an enemy nation, so he was authorized for visitors.

Not like anybody was going to find in him in a flying aircraft carrier floating somewhere above San Salvacion.

You actually felt a bit bad for him, all alone up here and stuck in a tiny cell. Jurgens was doing his best to get him transferred off the ship to a prison facility on the ground, but a combination of political red tape and a shortage of flights to spare on transporting a single prisoner have continually thwarted those plans.

The ship's cell block was on one of the lowest decks of the ship, so that any potential escape could be easily contained. However, the cell block itself wasn't very large. The Kestral wasn't designed to take on prisoners, after all. It was mostly there to punish unruly crewmen. The block probably couldn't have held more than a dozen or so prisoners.

And there, at the very end of it, sat Min. Unsurprisingly enough, he looked to be just about your age, though that glum look on his face seemed to add years of age to him. You couldn't blame him, considering his situation.

"Hey there." You say a bit awkwardly. Even though you wanted to talk, you realized you came down here without any idea of what to talk about."

"I already answered your questions. What more do you people want out of me?" Min grumbles.

>You don't recognize me?
>I'm not exactly one of those "people".
>Sorry for bothering you. I'll leave you alone.
>Other

>>27835644
>>You don't recognize me?

>>27835644
>You don't recognize me?

>>27835644
>>Other
I just wanted to say hi.

>>27835644
>>You don't recognize me?

He's doing pretty well for someone who was holding onto a plane wing for dear life.

>>27835644
>>You don't recognize me?

>>27835644
>You don't recognize me?
"I'm Lara. Y'know, the girl who saved you from a watery death?"

Hey, Merc. Just posting to let you know that I won't be following this quest anymore (in fact, I stopped following it a few threads ago, but only now managed to catch a live thread since I usually have work when you run). But I felt that I should at least explain why since I really liked VM1.

It just comes down to the fact that I don't have any interest in this setting anymore. In VM1 at the beginning it was just a fun mix between Ace Combat Zero and Valkyrian Chronicles. And I was fine with that because the two of them went together surprisingly well. Unfortunately, as it went along, you started adding more and more to the setting that I felt didn't really "work" (The zombie mission being the biggest offender), but I was still enjoying it enough to see the quest to it's awesome conclusion.

For VM2, though, I just can't bring myself to really care. A large part of it is that I just don't give a shit about the characters and about what's going on. Even during the Falynn side chapter I just kinda read through it like it was something I had to do. I'm not sure why this is, but I think it's because there's just to many references to other media. You've got characters based off of CoD, Fire Emblem, Valvrave, Touhou, and even Dangan fucking Ronpa. The first thread had it's references, sure, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as it is in VM2, And so it feels less like Valkyrian Mercs, and more like a generic crossover where characters and things are added in for no real reason.

>>27835727

Your loss mate.

>>27835644
>You don't recognize me?

Would he have even see us from his angle? For that matter, he may have just been too distracted hanging on for dear life.

>>27835781
Unlikely on both counts, but we're bragging as well as being informative, so...works all the same.

>>27835781

He should have been able to see during deplaning.

>>27835727
He may borrow characters but he adds his own style to them and makes them work for the setting, and they will all eventually grow into their own, another unique person in a solid setting. And some of the characters he's "borrowing" are just for reference pictures, cry some more.

>>27835781
How are his arms doing?

Also, do you think we'll ever meet a legless ace pilot?

>>27835929
Unless VMQ planes work differently than ours, feet and legs are essential to the operation of a plane. Since they control your ailerons and a few other essentials.

Still, if someone really wanted to...

>>27835943
the russians had plenty of pilots who had lost a leg or legs, they even had some aces like that

when you have more planes than pilots, you tend to make things work to get them in the sky

>>27835943
Well there have been ace pilots who have been missing legs recorded in history (who flew with prosthetics) and apparently, they can withstand more G-Forces.

>>27835964
don't talk about russians.....I just got done with a BAAD war thunder battle

OP YAK's!

>>27835991
kind of has to do with not having all the blood pulled down at the legs.

>>27835644
"That's kind of a rude thing to say to the pilot who saved your life." You frown.

"Wait, that was you?" Min blinks. "You're Ribbons?"

"Yup." You nod."What, you don't recognize me?"

"Sorry, I was kind of a bit out of having to cling onto the wing of a moving plane for who knows how long." Min sighs. "So what do you want? To gloat in front of me? I'm thankful you saved my life, but I haven't forgotten the fact that you shot down half my squadron."

Right, there was that...

>I was just doing my job.
>What the heck were you doing out there anyways?
>Other

>>27836022
>I was just doing my job.

>>27836022
>>I was just doing my job.
And if you didnt notice, I wasnt the one specifically targetting pilots.

Time to get huffy.

>>27836022
>>I was just doing my job.
>>What the heck were you doing out there anyways?

>>27836022
>I was just doing my job.

>>27836022
>I was just doing my job.

Point out that they also shot at us, then enter maximum overpout.

>>27836061
Seconding this.

>>27836061
I'll third it.

>>27835997
I have more problems with kingcobra's

>>27836189

Beaufighters are one of the worst offenders in my experience.

>>27836211
I have a Beau. I love it dearly.

What a great plane.

>>27836225
it's a death machine in war thunder.

also TANKS SOON!

>>27836247
From what I heard, you really need a good balance for air/ground matches. Enough tanks to hold objectives, and enough planes for support.

>>27836269
Das right. Also, spotting tanks is difficult from the air.

>>27836269
oh ya and planes will need to search for the tanks.

just wait until we get mobile AA heheheh

>>27836284
Not to mention those of which shall not be named who disregard the fact that they're dropping bombs/shooting near allied tanks.

>>27836307
oh no you will be able to see allied tanks

>>27836330
Do you think that'll stop them?

>>27836330
Well, some people in planes like to take risks from time to time, particularly the bloodthirsty ones who ignore everything else for a single kill .

>>27836371
I had a jack ass in a US spit ram my B25 today.....

>>27835997
Agreed, Trying to max out my British starters and it is a bitch to do when your surronded by ruskies

>>27836459
devs are dirty reds so they will never nerf them

but that lilly decal I got is nice

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>>27836022
"I was just doing my job." You pout. "I mean, you guys were shooting at us, too."

"I don't want to get into the 'who shot first' debate." Min sighs. "Why are you even here?"

"Well, I just thought you needed a bit of cheering up, considering you were holed up in the cell for a few weeks already." You shrug.

"Not very well. The bed is hard and the food is even worse."

"We could always just hand you over to Artemis. I heard they're much nicer people."

"Ha ha, very funny." Min sighs. "But I just want to go home, you know? I just wanted get some extra money to make ends meet, and then all of a sudden I'm flying for my life and almost getting murdered midair."

"Hm, yeah." You nod.

"Why'd you join your air force?" Min asks.

"Me? I just felt like the natural thing to do." You smile. "I mean, the sky is right there for the taking. Why wouldn't anybody take the chance to forge their own path in it?"

"Heh, I know a few types like you." Min laughs softly. "All the Yellows are pretty much like that, thinking they're more at home in the air than on the ground."

>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?
>Can you tell me more about your own squadron?
>Can you tell me more about the Erusean air force?
>Other

>>27836524
>>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?

>>27836524
>Can you tell me more about your own squadron?

>>27836524
>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?

>>27836524
>>Other
Tell me more about yourself. Any family?

Work on his defection~!

>>27836524
>>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?
>>Can you tell me more about your own squadron?
>>Can you tell me more about the Erusean air force?
Can we just select "yes"?

>>27836524
>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?

>>27836524
>>Can you tell me more about your own squadron?

>>27836524
>Can you tell me more about the Yellows?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG1TSDwBMUY

Does anybody get that feeling in which you fight for so long that you forget why you're fighting in the first place? This is mostly because I kind of forgot why the Demons were sent here.

I hope we get to see more prototype planes in this like
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss-Wright_XP-55_Ascender

fun little death machine in war thunder

>>27836514
Yeah, and British starters are some of the weaker of the default planes

>>27836665
>not japan

HAHAHAHAHAHA no you can kill with brits

>>27836680
You can kill with the Japanese too, or at least the Fm1

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>>27836524
"The Yellows?" You blink. "Who are they?"

"Yellow Squadron's the best of the best!" Min says, rather confidently. "They're like, a collection of the best pilots from all corners of Erusea!"

"Really now..." You smirk. It was a pretty ballsy claim, considering every other nation had their own "ace" squadrons. Emmeria had Skull Squadron, the Federation had the Wardogs, the Empire had Strigon, and Gallia itself boasted the Unicorns, with the Demons having their own ace squadron called the Banshees. You heard that Edge and Heartbreaker used to be Banshees before opting to take teaching positions.

>Oh? I'd really love to fly against them someday!
>Last I checked, Erusea didn't even HAVE an air force until a couple years ago.
>My home squadron can totally beat your home squadron!
>Other

>>27836900
>Oh? I'd really love to fly against them someday!
We do have knightly roots.

>>27836900
>>Oh? I'd really love to fly against them someday!

Rolled 14

>>27836900

>>Other
Ask about himself and any family back home.

>>27836900
>My home squadron can totally beat your home squadron!

Lighten the mood a little!

>>27836922

Maybe he'll want a letter back home. To tell his family hes alive and well.

>>27836900
>>My home squadron can totally beat your home squadron!

>>27836915
>>27836919

>>27836956
>>27836959
We seem to be at an impasse for the moment.

Rolled 15

>>27837038

Both then.

>>27836922
This. Mention that we'd like to see them fly one day as well

>>27837054
We are at a 3-way impasse, I forgot the other group:

>Oh?
>>27836915
>>27836919

>Other
>>27836922
>>27836958

>My home
>>27836956
>>27836959

Rolled 15

>>27837075

No longer. lol. >>27837063

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>>27836922
Seems like an interesting choice.

whatever we do, start playing with the silky hair.

Work its hypnotic magic.

>>27836900
>>Oh? I'd really love to fly against them someday!

I just realized that these side quests have less non-sensible people than the regular quest threads. It really is nice not to have constant bickering amongst 2 groups.

>>27837130
yeaah we need more of this

>>27837153
Lucina POV hunting the most dangerous game would be pretty rad.

>>27837153
If I ever run a quest, I'll be sure to at least have a 0.25:1 ratio of side-quests to actual quests completely at random points to make the trolls keep guessing when I'm back on the main story.

>>27837130
Pretty odd how that works out as opposed to people trying to turn Lucas into a fusion of Jager and Young.

>>27837181
just don't let the SWQ fanbase find out about this and you'll be golden in general.

>>27837130
You saying this will invite them to come out. be careful

>>27837232
And that is why I'll probably change my trip name to something else.

>>27837242
you don't even have a trip...

>>27837232
I'm right heerrreee!

Naw, I hate the fighting, even though I support Lucina.

>>27836900
"Oh? I'd really love to fly against them someday, then!" You say happily.

"What, seriously?" Min blinks. "Why would you want want to fly against the best? That's the most dangerous route to take!"

"Yeah, well, you can't improve if you don't take on some challenge, right?" You say, unconsciously playing around with your hair. "I want to see if the Yellows are as good as you say. I want to see if I've got what it takes to beat them."

"Heh, I guess I understand what Yellow 13 said to me then. You guys are just leagues above us..." Min smiles sadly. "We didn't stand a chance against them in training and we didn't stand a chance against you, either."

Well, it sounded like this Yellow 13 was a pretty smart guy. What a lot of pilot trainees, especially the ones in the Demons, learned very quickly was that the pilots with a genuine love for flying consistently performed better than those just out for the fame or making a quick buck. The Demons had the luxury of being picky with their pilot candidates, but you know many other air forces couldn't afford to be like that.

"Hey, you've got any family?" You ask, trying to change the subject to something more cheerful.

"N-not really." Min looks to the side. "Just my grandparents, which is why I became a pilot. They're getting too old to work and military service flat out pays better than any other job."

Well, you did a good job in totally not succeeding, but at least Min seemed to be talking freely in your presence, which you took as a good sign.

"Hey, I'm sure your grandparents are worried sick about you. Maybe you should write a letter to them to tell them you're okay?"

"I guess I could, but how would it ever reach them?" Min asks.

"I'll figure something out." You say.

(cont)

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>>27837287
"ATTENTION. ALL BLUE FLIGHT PILOTS REPORT TO THE HANGAR DECK IMMEDIATELY. I REPEAT, ALL BLUE FLIGHT PILOTS REPORT TO THE HANGAR DECK IMMEDIATELY." The intercom booms.

"Well, it looks like duty calls." You sigh. "You get that letter written and I'll back back, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." Min nods. "And Ribbons?"

"Yeah?"

"It it was nice talking to you and all, but if I ever do get out of here, I WILL avenge Talon Squadron. You can bet on that."

>I'm looking forward to it!
>Don't make promises you can't keep.
>You can just call me Lara.
>Other

>>27837292

>>You can just call me Lara.

Wink at him with a 'teehee' expression

Huehuehuehuehue

>>27837292
>>Don't make promises you can't keep.
>>You can just call me Lara.

>>27837292
>>I'm looking forward to it!

>>27837292
>>I'm looking forward to it!

>>27837292
>You can just call me Lara.

>>27837292
>You can just call me Lara

>>27837292
>I'm looking forward to it!

>>27837292
>>Don't make promises you can't keep.
>>You can just call me Lara.

Also with the "teehee"tacked on.

>>27837292

>Talon Squadron
>Min

......

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERC

>>27837292
>I'm looking forward to it
>also, just call me Lara

>>27837343
what?

>>27837292
>You can just call me Lara.

>>27837384

Myn Donos -> Min (We have yet to get his last name)

>>27837292
>>I'm looking forward to it!

I seriously cannot express how much I love these side-quests. No waifu-wars, no one complaining about fluffy hair (Lara's silky hair is an exception due to her being in side quests), just Lara's perspective, and some quality (subjective) decision making skills.

>>27837292
>You can just call me Lara.
Min rout engaged!

>>27837384
>>27837403

Also, this Wraith Squadron character falls in love with the person who facilitates the destruction of his squadron.

>>27837414
I do as well, but if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were egging us on heh

>>27837422
>Min
>Lara

MOTHERFUCKER

>>27837384

Star Wars EU. Myn flew with Rogue and Talon Squadrons. He also, coincidentally, fell into romantics with a Lara.

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>>27837442

Oh god I didn't even notice that.

>>27837414
Really, tempting faith here Armchair

>>27837486
Don't worry, I'll stop now.

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>>27837292
"Well, as long as it's in the sky, I'll be looking forward to it, then!" You say with a genuine smile. "And you can just call me Lara if you want. That's what all my friends do, anyways."

Min blinks, as if he genuinely didn't expect that answer. However, you've got no time to stick around so you just give him one last wave and wink before dashing out of the cell block. At this point, you've finally more or less figured out the layout of the Kestrel, so you don't get TOTALLY lost on your way up to the hangar deck. Just... a few wrong turns here and there.

"You're late, Ribbons." Heartbreaker scowls as you finally make it to the hangar.

"Sorry, sir, I was taking care of some business." You pant.

"Okay, now that we're all here we can get this started." Heartbreaker takes his place at the head of the group. "We're switching things up. There will be no patrol today!"

The assembled pilots cheer.

"I didn't finish!" Heartbreaker snaps. "Instead, we're going on escort duty."

The cheers quickly turn into groans. Escort missions, the one thing worse than combat patrol.

"As you know, Emmeria is currently sending forces to shore up San Salvacion's southern border. Included in that force are two squadrons of fighters and a bomber force, which are inbound to Vitoze. We're going to be providing them some extra protection."

"But, isn't Vitoze pretty deep behind the border? Why would there be a threat against the up there?" Biggs asks.

"See, that's the problem." Heartbreaker sighs. "Somebody up top decided that this was a perfect opportunity to 'send a message to Erusea'. They're rerouting the Emmerian formation to do a flyby along the southern border as a show of force."

>That makes sense.
>That's freaking stupid.
>Other

I'm actually quite delighted at all these sneaky references Merc keeps making. Sure we can call them "unoriginal" but it sure is fun to chase parallels and similarities in circles forever.

Captcha: emercip McCarty

I swear I'm not a red, I wasn't even born then McCarthy.

>>27837536
>That's freaking stupid.

>>27837536
>>That's freaking stupid.

>>27837536
>Other
Stay quiet.

>>27837536
>>That's freaking stupid.
Prepare for the worst.

>>27837536

>>That's freaking stupid.

>>27837548
>>27837554

Welp, thanks other me, that's quite the small-scale hivemind we got going on there.

>>27837536
>>That's freaking stupid.

>>27837567
<3

Well gents, It's late and I've got to crash, so do try to keep Lara out of trouble...

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>>27837536
Well, that was freaking stupid, in your opinion. Not only was that going to needlessly provoke Erusea, but the Emmerian planes would also be wasting a LOT of fuel going the extra distance. If anything were to happen, well, the Emmerian planes weren't going to have a lot of time to to stick around.

"Yes, I know it's stupid." Heartbreaker says, as if he had read everybody's minds. "But those are our orders. Get in your planes and get ready to launch."

"Yes sir!"

It's not long before Blue Flight and a squadron of Eagles a squadron of Falcons take off and begin to make their way to the rendezvous point. According to Heartbreaker, Artemis would also be providing two squadrons in support. You really hope that Tombstone wouldn't be among them.

The first several minutes are uneventful, until Fleur finally speaks up.

"I see them, two o'clock low."

Sure enough, you can see a whole fleet of planes flying well below you. Two squadrons of Mustangs were leading the way, with dozens of big, lumbering Bison heavy bombers trailing behind.

"Aren't they flying a bit lower than they should be be?" Wedge asks.

"Hey, they gotta low enough to be seen by the cameras, after all." Fleur sighs.

"That's just asking to get torn up by AA." Biggs grunts.

"Quiet down." Heartbreaker says. "Stand by while I hail them."

As you orbit above the Emmerian formation, you had to agree with your wingmen. Flying that low in such a large formation was needlessly dangerous.

"Okay, they know we're coming in." Heartbreaker says. "Let's form up with them."

>Form up with them so you'll be able to coordinate with each other.
>Stay up high, just in case.
>Other

>>27837713
>>Form up with them so you'll be able to coordinate with each other.

>>27837713
>>Form up with them so you'll be able to coordinate with each other.
We're not lone wolves.

>>27837713
>>Form up with them so you'll be able to coordinate with each other.

This is gonna be bad.

>>27837713
>Form up with them so you'll be able to coordinate with each other.

>>27837713
>>Stay up high, just in case.
not having fighter cover up high is fucking retarded, and the easiest way for your bombers to get torn a new one

>>27837713
>>Stay up high, just in case.
Fuck that. They can be targets all they want, we are fuckin' mercs, we should be motivated to get paid and go home more than be a target.

>>27837713
>Stay up high, just in case.
I think we've been in the papers enough.

>>27837713

>>Stay up high, just in case.

Rolled 1

>>27837713
Rolling for tiebreaker.

1. Form up
2. Stay high

>>27837847
>1

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>>27837847
"Okay, all flights, we're going to form up on them." Heartbreaker says.

"Oh man, this is gonna suck." Wedge groans.

"We're on mission. No unnecessary chatter." Heartbreaker barks.

With that, you and the rest of the Demon fighters lower altitude so you're flying alongside the Emmerian fighters. Most of them are painted uniformly, though you see one squadron with their tails painted red and another squadron with skulls painted on their tails.

"Glad you could join us, Demons." You hear a curt, professional voice over the radio. "This is Magic, and I'll be in command of this flight wing."

"Whatever you say. You're the ones paying." Heartbreaker says.

"I'm going to need a sitrep on this terrain. What's the likelihood of enemy AA on our flightpath?"

Well, you're mildly impressed. At least the Emmerian pilots seem to realize the danger they're in as well.

"It's rough terrain, so it'll be tough to set up permanent AA sites." Heartbreaker explains. "But the jungle and the mountains do provide a lot of cover, so there's no telling if the Eruseans have sneaked a few in or not."

"Hmmm." Magic grumbles. "Here's what we do. We'll send a scout team. One of yours and one of mine. They'll scope out the flightpath ahead of us. That sound good?"

"Best idea I've heard today." Heartbreaker says and then switches to the Demons' private frequency. "Okay, you heard the man. Any volunteers?"

>Volunteer for scout duty.
>Stick with the formation.

>>27837921
>>Volunteer for scout duty.

>>27837921

>>Volunteer for scout duty.

>>27837921
>>Volunteer for scout duty.
I swear to god if it's Tombstone.

>>27837921
>Volunteer for scout duty.
Better us than them.

>>27837921
>>Volunteer for scout duty.

>>27837921
"I'll go." You say, pulling your plane forward.

"Why am I not surprised?" Heartbreaker sighs. "Alright, go on. Make sure you place nice with your partner."

"I will."

As you gain some distance from the main formation, you can see a single Mustang break off and form up next to you. You see this one was different from the others, having the head of a white wolf painted on the nose. Another ace, huh?

"Hey, a fellow ace! How lucky!" The Emmerian ace says. His voice has this very smooth quality to it, as if he liked hearing himself talk. "I thought I'd get stuck with another rookie or something. It's seriously no fun to babysit them at all!"

"Hey, we all used to be rookies, once." You say.

"Whoa, an ace AND a lady? I hit the jackpot today!" The Emmerian laughs. "Guess this wasn't going to the shit shoveling assignment Magic wanted!"

Oh boy, a scouting mission to cover his own ass AND a way to get an annoying pilot out of his hair, if even only for a few minutes? This Magic guy was a pretty devious wing commander.

"What, no ladies in the Emmerian air force?" You respond sweetly.

"Not nearly enough." The Emmerian pilot laughs. "Name's White Fang. How about you?"

"Ribbons."

"Oh man, THAT Ribbons? Daaaaaamn." White Fang whistles. "At first I was gonna suggest being the team lead but now I'm not so sure..."

>Have yourself fly lead.
>Have White Fang fly lead.
>Let's make a contest out of this.
>Other

>>27838215

>>Let's make a contest out of this.

>>27838215
>Have White Fang fly lead.
Modesty, bitches.

>>27838215
>>Have White Fang fly lead.

>>27838215
>>Let's make a contest out of this.

>>27838215
>Have White Fang fly lead.

>>27838215
>>Let's make a contest out of this.

>>27838215
>>Have White Fang fly lead.

>>27838215
"Well, I guess you can take lead, White Fang." You say.

"Wow, and polite too. You'd make a great wife someday!" He laughs.

"W-w-what?" You stammer, but White Fang already takes off.

"Hey, if you're going to make me the lead, you'd better make sure you can keep up with me!"

>He has a point. Speed up and catch up with him.
>Don't be reckless. Go a your own pace.
>Other

>>27838412
>>Don't be reckless. Go a your own pace.

>>27838412
>Don't be reckless. Go a your own pace.
>"I'm watching your six!"

>>27838412
>>Don't be reckless. Go a your own pace.

>>27838412
You decide to let White Fang have his fun. You remember that you're still on mission and you've got a job to do. High speeds and acrobatics didn't make for very good scouting.

You keep your speed up just enough to make sure White Fang does fly out of your sight, but slow enough that you can get a good view of the ground below and ahead of you. With any luck, White Fang's antics would draw any potential enemy fire.

>roll 1d20

Rolled 1

>>27838526
DICE GODS FEEL MY WRATH

Rolled 10

>>27838526
inb4 nat 1

Rolled 18

>>27838526

>>27838530
They were rather wrathful towards me.
>>27838537
too late

>>27838530
The Dice were not amused by your challenge

>>27838530
stop rolling forever.

>>27838530
I'm not sure they felt it over all the suckage

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>>27838530
YOU FOOL, YOU BROKE THE RULE!

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>>27838537
You don't see anything on the ground, but the problem is that you're so concentrated on scanning the ground that you don't realize that there's a flight of planes right above you.

"Whoa! Ribbons! Watch out!" White Fang calls out.

You look up to see three squadrons of fighters above you. From the silhouettes, you can tell that they're Longswords.

"Oh crap." You mutter. They don't seem to have noticed you yet, though.

>Call it in, right away!
>Wait and see what they're up to.
>Confront them.
>Other

>>27838634
>Call it in, right away!
>Wait and see what they're up to.

What, they're non-exclusive!

>>27838634

>>Call it in, right away!
>>Wait and see what they're up to.

>>27838634
>>Call it in, right away!

>>27838634
>>Call it in, right away!

>>27838634
"Oh shiiiiiit." You breathe. "Magic, Heartbreaker, we've got an entire wing of Erusean fighters incoming! Three squadrons, at least, all Longswords!"

"Are you sure?" Magic says.

"Yeah, I see them too." White Fang joins in. "And the look like they're itching for a fight."

"They're in San Salvacion airspace. That means we have more than enough justification to engage them." Heartbreaker says.

"Yes, but if we attack them out of the blue, it could make US look like the aggressors..." Magic counters.

>We should hit them now.
>We should give them a warning.
>Other

>>27838738
>>We should give them a warning.

>>27838738
>We should give them a warning.
>"Technically war hasn't been declared yet..."

>>27838738
>Other
Get someone else to give the warning. We will move into a position to ambush them.

>>27838738
>We should give them a warning.

>>27838738

>>We should give them a warning.

>>27838738
seconding >>27838746

>>27838738
"We should warn them. Even if we're TECHNICALLY at war with them, we aren't in an ACTUAL war yet." You say. "But I don't think they've noticed me and White Fang, so we can get into position to ambush if necessary."

"Do it." Hearbreaker says. "Magic, you gonna do the talking or shall I?"

"I'll handle it." Magic says. "ATTENTION unidentified aircraft, you are in San Salvacion airspace and approaching an armed, military formation. Change course due south or you will be fired upon! Is that clear?"

There is no answer.

"I don't like this." Magic scowls. "We'll engage once they get into visual range."

"What about the bombers?" You ask.

"Yeah, that's going to be a problem." Magic admits. "But if we break them off too early, the enemy might go for them instead, and then I'd have to dedicate planes to protecting them..."

>Retreat as a group. You're not here to fight.
>Split up the formation with the bombers retreating and the fighters engaging.
>Bombers still have guns, right? Keep them in the fight.
>Other

>>27838852
>>Split up the formation with the bombers retreating and the fighters engaging.

>>27838852
>Other
>"Shouldn't the bombers start climbing? Longswords don't have very good high-altitude, right? The bombers are armed too, maybe if we hold formation..."

>>27838876
This. Good thinking, Anon.

>>27838852
seconding >>27838876

>>27838852
This fucker gets it>>27838876

>>27838852
"Those bombers are high altitude, right? Get them to climb at maximum. Longsword aren't good in a climb and can't maneuver as efficiently in high altitude, and the bombers can use their guns to give us some extra firepower." You suggest.

"That's actually not a bad idea." Magic says. "Normally the bombers need to fly lower to improve bomb accuracy, but in this case..."

"Hey, weren't we supposed to have Artemis squadrons with us, too? Where the hell did they go?" Heartbreaker asks.

"They got delayed. Their ETA is five minutes."

"This entire damn fight could be over in five minutes."

"Well let's make sure we win, then."

At this point, both air groups were just about to collide into each other. From your position, you could see the majority of the fighters headed for the mixed Demon/Emmerian fighter group, but you see several, at least a flight, or maybe a whole squadron, start to climb after the bombers. Even if Longswords didn't perform as well in high altitude, it wasn't as if the bombers themselves were any better n that department.

>Ambush the main fighter group.
>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.
>Other

>>27839019
>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.
>Mission brief said protect the bombers so...protect the bombers.

>>27839019
>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.
The fighters can handle themselves. Save the bombers

>>27839019
>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.
we will need their guns to cover us

>>27839019
>>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.

>>27839019
>>Intercept the fighters headed for the bombers.

>>27839019
"Well White Fang, I guess it's time for us to do some babysitting." You say as you angle your plane towards the climbing Longswords.

"Awwww, but that's less kills for us." White Fang sighs.

"Kills aren't everything, you know." You say as you flip off the safeties for your weapons. You've got your guns and four smart lances. After their performance at Sand Island, you were convinced they were a sound investment.

However, there was the chance the smart lances could go for one of the bombers instead, but waiting to get into gun range would give the Longswords a few more crucial seconds to close the distance...

>Fire off the smart lances.
>Go for guns.
>Other

>>27839203
>Fire off the smart lances.
Here goes nothing.

>>27839203
>>Fire off the smart lances.
less weight means we fly better

>>27839203
>>Fire off the smart lances.

>>27839203
>Fire off the smart lances.
>Waggle the tail a little bit so we're not TOTALLY in line of sight of the bombers and...well, the Longswords are closer, right?
>right...

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>>27839203
Well, you do your best to angle your plane so your lances wouldn't be pointing at the bombers and fire away.

>roll 4d20

Rolled 8, 9, 15, 4 = 36

>>27839297

DAKKA

Rolled 5, 5, 15, 3 = 28

>>27839297

Rolled 20, 13, 16, 9 = 58

>>27839297
here we go

Rolled 17, 8, 8, 20 = 53

>>27839297

Rolled 3, 9, 10, 9 = 31

>>27839328

GJ

>>27839328
You launch your four lances. One you can tell won't get a lock as it spins wildly through the air. Another tries to track one of the Longswords but just shoots past without exploding. The other two, however, are far more successful. One slams right into the cockpit of the lead Longsword, blowing it to pieces and causing the entire formation to scatter. The last lance shoots past another but this time the proximity fuse triggers and the lance explodes, shredding the right half of the Longsword into metal ribbons.

That only left your odds at two against ten.

"Wow, where can I get some of those?" White Fang whistles.

"Join the Demons and maybe you can find out."

"Hey, if it means flying with lovely pilots like you, then I'm all for it!"

You roll your eyes. You're tempted to counter-flirt him, but you're in the middle of combat right now.

With their momentum broken and their squadron lead dead, the Longswords were now scattered and in a disorganized mess, leaving them vulnerable to the mass MG fire the Bisons were directing at them. Sure, you could try to tangle with the Longswords, but the chance of friendly fire or colliding with a Bison was pretty high...

>Get into the thick of it.
>Hang out at the edge and take out targets of opportunity.
>It looks like the bombers can handle this. Dive into the main furball.
>Other

>>27839328

Man we're going to be famous for smart lancing everything soon enough.

Rolled 6

>>27839419

>>Get into the thick of it.


10 TO 2.

TOO MANY COMBATANTS. THEIR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IS SHOT

>>27839419
>>Get into the thick of it.
This'll be fun. Keep them off the bombers.

>>27839419
>>Hang out at the edge and take out targets of opportunity.
>Fuel is limited...let's slow play it, since the bombers are mission critical

>>27839419
>Hang out at the edge and take out targets of opportunity.

Guardian angel mode, watch for a pilot who gets wise and attempts to down the bombers and dive his ass. WIth so much defensive fire they can only attack bombers in a specific direction or else they'll get shredded on approach.

>>27839469
If the Bisons are patterned off B-17s, they're actually flying in a pretty tight box formation that means there IS no safe angle.

The Longswords need to either break the formation, or come in and get out so fast the Bisons can't track.

of course, RAGNITE, SON means ????

>>27839419
is a bison a b-17

>>27839488
Incidentally, this is what made the early Luftwaffe development of the R4Ms so fucking terrifying for Allied air forces, because the B-17s HAD to fly in a very exacting formation, it was very easy to get the rocket targeting. 8 rockets a plane and a few planes/squads a flight meant it was really, really easy to break them.

Luckily they were fielded late into the war and saturation/volume of both the R4Ms and the planes (late model 109s, ME-262s, that other ME I forget) were thankfully rare.

>>27839488
Exactly.
Those Longswords stand no chance of breaking the pack that has both escorts and no casualties. If they attempt to boom and zoom they're going to need to climb, where we can snatch them on the way up.

Rolled 20

>>27839419
>>Hang out at the edge and take out targets of opportunity.

>>27839419
"Hey White Fang, let's just hang back and let the bomber boys do all the work." You say, edging your stick up as you gain some more altitude.

"Aw, but I really wanted to play today!"

"Settle down, we just have to wait for the right moment, now."

"If I was ever any good at waiting for the right moment, I wouldn't still be single now."

Heh, this guy.

Meanwhile, you see the Bisons in a tight box formation and spitting lead out in every direction. Though their fire wasn't very accurate, it was doing a good job keeping the fighters off their backs.

And then you see your chance. Two, in fact. You see three fighters break off and try to loop around for a high speed pass, but their turn seems sluggish and they're losing a lot of energy trying to maintain the turn. On the other hand, you see five fighters seem to give up and begin to make a dive into the might fight.

>Go for the turning fighters.
>Go for the diving fighters.
>Other

>>27839625
>>Go for the turning fighters.
Protect the bombers

Rolled 6

>>27839625
>>Go for the turning fighters

>>27839625
>Go for the turning fighters.
>Formation flying means it should be easy pickings for the Bisons...right?

>>27839625
>>Go for the turning fighters.

>>27839625
>Go for the Turning Fighters

PROTECT THOSE BOMBERS.

Rolled 4, 9, 4 = 17

>>27839625
"White Fang, let's go!" You yell as you swoop down, With your Falcon, you could easily outmatch the Longsword's turns at this altitude. You're not sure how well a Mustang could perform, but you see White Fang managing to keep up.

"Hey, Bisons, check your fire, you got friendlies in the air with you!" White Fang yells as you start seeing tracers zipping about in the air.

"Will they listen?" You ask.

"I hope they do."

Wonderful.

You begin to nose your gunsights over the trio of Longswords...

>roll 6d20

Rolled 16, 9, 10, 3, 8, 7 = 53

>>27839694

dakkaception

Rolled 11, 9, 8, 6, 18, 3 = 55

>>27839694
Dice gods hear my plea

Rolled 11, 11, 11, 19, 20, 16 = 88

>>27839694

Bank and fire!

Rolled 18, 10, 4, 11, 11, 9 = 63

>>27839694
here we go

>>27839715
Ah, there we go. Something halfway decent

Rolled 2, 14, 4, 4, 11, 19 = 54

>>27839694
FIRE EVERYTHING

Rolled 20, 19, 4, 3 = 46

>>27839721
Halfway decent? That's downright good.

>>27839721
3 hits, maybe.

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>>27839715
You and White Fang fire in unison. You both manage to take down one fighter each, sending them spinning out of control as they plummet to the ground. The third and last fighter sees his fellows go down and breaks off. From the speed and direction he was going, he wasn't coming back.

Meanwhile, down the below, you could see the fight wasn't going well for the Eruseans, considering it was two squadrons against four. You see the remaining Longswords break off and flee south. From your count, they probably lost about six fighters total.

"There they go! Heh, they chose to mess with the wrong fighters!" White Fang whoops. Skull and Red Tail squadrons are the best Emmeria's got to throw!"

"This is Magic, I need a casualty count."

"I've got four fighters damaged and two shot down with chutes. Otherwise all Gallian craft accounted for." Heartbreaker says.

"Damage on six fighters, none shot down. All Emmerian fighters accounted for." Magic says.

"Minor damage on two Bisons. None shot down. All bombers accounted for."

"This is the scout team. No damage. Both craft accounted for." You call out.

"Okay, everybody we are changing to a direct course to Vitoze. No more of this parade ground bullshit." Magic says.

"See ya later, Ribbons. Hope we fly together again soon!" White Fang says as he breaks off to reform with his own squadron. You're almost sad to see him go. He was pretty lively, and pretty skilled, too.

"Did we ever hear back from Artemis?" Heartbreaker asks.

(cont)

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>>27839915
"Artemis got retasked." Magic says dryly.

"What? In the middle of a dogfight?" You gasp.

"I just got off the Command channel. Apparently, five minutes ago, Erusea declared war on San Salvacion." Magic says. "I'm getting reports of Erusean units breaking through the border at multiple points."

Oh no, Lucas! The grip on your flight stick tightens.

"Shit." Heartbreaker seethes. "All planes, I need a fuel and ammo check! If you've got plenty of both and have no damage, form up on me, we're heading straight for the Bastion!" Hearbreaker yells. "Kestrel, request you scramble more fighters. We're going to need them!"

You quickly check your gauges. Aside from expending all your lances, you've still got plenty of gun ammo and about half a tank of fuel. You slide your plane in right behind Heartbreaker and Edge. You probably would've done the same thing, even if you were missing a wing or running on fumes. You weren't going to let anybody mess with your brother, not as long as you could keep a plane in the the air.

>And that's it for tonight! Tune in to see what happens next Sunday night, 7-8pm pst!

>>27839919
oh fuuuuuuuck

Things are heating up

Rolled 2

>>27839919
Thanks for running, Merc. I'm sorry for rolling a 1.

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>>27839919

Rolled 5

>>27839919

Thanks for running merc

>>27839919
See you Sunday merc, have a good one.

>>27839919
Looks like the Wraiths are going to have a last stand. Maybe as epic as the one at Saragarhi.

I just realized that Sparky's pendant only worked as a key, and possible battery, not as a detection device. That function was solely for the "eye" of the cartographer.

>>27842311
>Maybe as epic as the one at Saragarhi.
Everyone died

>>27842350
Okay I admit, that wasn't a good example...
How about Pavlov's House?