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https://twitter.com/ThunderheadQM

Archive (First thread isn't there as it's on a different page. Find it by clicking "Pilot Quest" and scrolling down to July 2016. It's the first entry):
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Pilot%20Quest%201989,
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"So, why are we here?"

The question came from Kay, who was sat just behind you in the briefing room. Everybody in the unit was sat in the meeting room. All 16 members of VF-21 were sat down waiting for the briefing to begin.

It had been a few days since you had flown over the Soviet fleet, you had continued the training flights with the princess in spite of the rumours. The only major slip up was when a reporter managed to make it on base and had tried to interview you and the princess.

For his troubles, Takebe had nearly shafted him with her Tanto. Thankfully, the princess had intervened and had the royal guard escort the man off base.

CINPAC had left the day after your mission, having returned to Hawaii to handle deployments. Leaving the unit under Dredd's primary command. Dredd's no-nonsense commanding style was an unwelcome change from CINPAC's semi-fatherly style.

None the less, you respected Dredd's style. Even if he could be an asshole at some times with his overly-cautious commanding style.

Today however, you and the rest of VF-21 were in the briefing room, ONI had need of your unit's specific set of skills.

You had your own idea of why you had been assembled here. Right?

>"I think that ONI wants another recon mission. We've only been doing recon missions the entire time."
>"I think that ONI wants us to run top-cover for one of their ops. It would be a nice change."
>"If they wanted a recon mission, they would only call me and Zeus in. They want something dead..."
>"I have no fucking clue."
>Other
>>
>>593931
>>"I think that ONI wants us to run top-cover for one of their ops. It would be a nice change."
I certainly hope they don't want something dead, seeing as that would mean whatever that something belonged to would likely retaliate.
>>
>>593931
>"I think that ONI wants us to run top-cover for one of their ops. It would be a nice change."
>>
>>593931
>"If they wanted a recon mission, they would only call me and Zeus in. They want something dead..."
>>
>>593931
>"I think that ONI wants us to run top-cover for one of their ops. It would be a nice change."

Did we give our Ex a heads up about the rumors?
>>
>>593931
>"I think that ONI wants us to run top-cover for one of their ops. It would be a nice change."
>>
>>593931

>>594121
This
>>
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"I think that ONI wants another recon mission. We've only been doing recon missions the entire time." You suggested as you leaned back in your seat. You had phoned Lauren just after the reporter had managed to get on-base. Your first call had ended in under a minute due to a pair of rather unruly soldiers sat either side of you. However, you had managed to get an opening to phone her again. It was early in the morning so she was a bit sleepy, but she listened as you explained everything to her.

Thankfully, she hadn't found out before you told her. From the sounds of it she had made-good her promise and hadn't sent people to stalk you. She listened to your explanation and completely believed that you didn't want a relationship with the princess.

From what she had told you, she had been going over the data from your test flight and some of the flight data from your flights in Japan. Her design team had been going over some upgrades for the Echo-cat. She couldn't tell you without CINPAC's blessing, and she couldn't tell you over the phone as the wire was unsecured.

Either way, you had managed to cover your ass there before Lauren came to the wrong conclusion. From what you could get from her during the call, she had been doing well. Her counselling was going well and things at home were pretty good. Aside from some business trouble between her father's company and a competitor as they battled to buy-out a particular company. The call had ended with her wishing you good luck and a safe return.

"Here's hoping. The only mission me and everyone else have been on was acting as backup for your first mission." Weiss pointed out as she sat back down, offering you a can of coke.

"That's true, though that doesn't tell us what ONI has planned for the mission." Kay pointed out as you cracked open the can and took a gulp.

>"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually."
>"My money is that they want to get someone out. Either a defector or a spy. they want us just in case things go tits-up."
"Maybe they are going to have us act as a QRF just in case a spy plane gets hit by a SAM. It's happened before so they would obviously take precautions."
>Other (write in)
>>
>>594388
>>"My money is that they want to get someone out. Either a defector or a spy. they want us just in case things go tits-up."
>>
>>594388
>"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually."

Such is military life
>>
>>594388
>"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually."
>>
>>594388
>"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually."
>>
>>594388
>>"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually."
>>
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"We're here for a briefing so they will tell us eventually." You calmly agreed as you drank. Thankfully, you didn't have to wait long as a spook walked up to the podium and signalled to the man by the lights switch. As lights went out as the projector went on, the spook spoke.

"Hello VF-21. ONI has been keeping tabs on you and we certainly like what we see. Admiral Harris certainly has a knack for finding skilled pilots." The spook began, apparently trying to appease you before the briefing had even started.

This did not fill you with joy, if he was kissing your ass now then that only told you that the mission was going to be risky as all hell.

"Get to the mission spook. We don't have all day." Dredd barked gruffly from his seat at the front. His tone accurately portraying your mood.

"Of course sir. I would not want to keep you and your people waiting." The spook said hastily before signalling for one of the spooks at the back to bring up the next slide, this one showing the picture of an eastern European looking man. His dark eyes were slightly piercing, though not as striking as his deep wrinkles.

This is Agent Naira. he has been working for the CIA as part of the KGB after we were able to turn him during an op back in '64. However, the Soviets have been picking up on his trail and now he wants out. The CIA will be sending in a team to pull him out from a base in Kamchatka. They will be extracting via SEAL Delivery Vehicle to a waiting submarine. Your mission it to provide CAS and CAP for them should they need it." The spook explained as he flicked to another picture, this one showing the base.

"The base itself is nothing special, it's a KGB branch that specialises as a main base for KGB agents in the far east. However, recently members of SMERSH have entered the area and seem to have some leads that may lead back to him. He wants out before they get to him." The picture then switched to look at a pair of men in military fatigues talking to a man at a desk. The insignia on their left arms showed what you assumed was the badge of SMERSH.

"The pickup will be happening tonight. As far as the Soviets will know, he will have gone on a jog and fell off a cliff. They won't know that it's a body double until it's too late." The picture switched again to show a cadaver that looked very similar to the CIA agent.

The ONI agent stopped to face your unit, apparently open for questions.

>"How do we know he isn't trying to play us? Trying to drag us out and wack us?"
>"How do we know that SMERSH hasn't already got to him?"
>"Any idea what kind of opposition we will be facing?"
>"If things go horribly tits-up and we have to engage. What can we expect to encounter?"
>Let him continue, there must be more to the briefing.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>594808
>>"Any idea what kind of opposition we will be facing?"
>>
>>594808
>"Any idea what kind of opposition we will be facing?"
The quality of the vodka is mission-relevant, agent. I need to know everything.
>>
>>594808
>"If things go horribly tits-up and we have to engage. What can we expect to encounter?"
>>
>>594808
>"Any idea what kind of opposition we will be facing?"
>>
"Any idea what kind of opposition we will be facing?" You asked, looking to get some more info from the spook.

"Indeed, current soviet patrol flights are made up of 4 aircraft working in tandem, usually it's a pair of SU-27s and MiG-21s. However we have seen both entire flights of both SU-27s and MiG-21s. So the quality of each flight is not standard." The spook explained as he gestured to the spook operating the projector, who shuffled the picture forward a few slides, now showing a picture of a map, showing both Soviet airbases, radar stations and common routes for Soviet patrol flights.

"As you can see, the closest airbase is the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, in the city that our agent is based. They mostly fly SU-27s from there, though they are also home to a large number of MiG-21s and 31s. They also have a few SU-25s that shouldn't be of any threat to you. The soviets could also call in support form Chuguyevka air base. The only threat on return should be the Burevestnik air base. However, they only have MiG-21s and 23s, so they shouldn't be a problem for you." The spook explained calmly as he gestured to the different airbases, each one circled by rings that showed the ranges of each different type of aircraft based at each base.

"What's our options for diversion, should we need to land early?" Kenji asked from the back.

"Your only option for diversion is the IJN Shinano. Her fleet is returning from a tour and their course has been changed so they will hopefully be within recovery range." The spook explained calmly, his calmness put you slightly on edge. Then again, he was a spook, they weren't exactly the most inspiring bunch.

"In any case, the team will be moving in from the north under the guise of a roofing group. They will drive into the city, fix a roof at one of our safe-houses and will extract the VIP on the way out." The spook explained as the projector moved a few slides back, now showing a map of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

"From there, they will move further up the coast until they reach this set of cliffs, they will then suit up, throw the cadaver off the cliff and will abseil down to the waiting SDV. From there they will ride out to the sub and escape." The spook traced the route of the recovery team along the map with a bamboo stick.

"And if things go tits up?" Ahab asked calmly. Though you had known the man long enough to know that he was itching for a fight.

"Then they will have to all of that under fire. Though you will be supporting them, so you should be able to get them out. Any questions?" The spook put bluntly. When nobody spoke, he gestured to the men at the back, who turned off the projector and turned on the lights.

>CONT
>>
>>595420
"If that is all, then I will leave you to your planning." The spook said as he picked up a number of folders and began walking to each pair and handing them a folder. "These folders will contain everything else that you need to know. Good luck, and remember, do not let yourself be captured if you are shot down."

Gee, looks like someone didn't take sensitivity training...

With that, the spook left, leaving your unit to the plan your side of the mission.

>Get stuck in with the planning, have Zeus read the folder.
>Read the folder for important details.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>595435
>>Get stuck in with the planning, have Zeus read the folder.
>>
>>595435
>Get stuck in with the planning, have Zeus read the folder.
>>
>>595435
>Get stuck in with the planning, have Zeus read the folder.
>>
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The first thing you decided to do was get stuck in with the planning, though you couldn't just leave the folder unread. So you handed that duty off to your trusty RIO.

"Hey Zeus, you read through the folder and fill me in during the flight. I'm going to get planning with Dredd and the others." You instructed Zeus as you stood up calmly.

"Fine. You run on ahead and make the preparations." Zeus responded simply as he opened the file. A quick look around showed that everybody else had done the same, the pilots splitting off to plan amongst themselves while the RIOs remained seated and read their folders.

The only exception was Dredd, who took his folder and RIO up with him to the front. Where the pilots were gathering. You made your way up and waited as the other pilots joined you.

"Good, your all here so let's get this started." Dredd nodded as the pilots finally assembled. "With SMERSH's appearance, we have to be ready for a full on fight. No doubt they will be monitoring this agent and will likely try and interfere with the recovery operation. We need to be ready fro that."

"How are we going to break this down sir?" Slider asked calmly, you noticed behind her that Mags was taking notes from the file.

"We'll break this down into 3 sections." Dredd began. "One section will be loaded with a full air-to-ground setup. They will have a pair of agiles as self defence. They will be carrying a lot of bombs and missiles to smoke anything on the ground. Another section will be carrying a full air-to-air load with no bombs or missiles. They will be our defence against incoming enemy aircraft. The remaining aircraft will carry a mixed load of both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons."

"And how many aircraft will be in a section sir?" Durendal asked, while her expression was stern her eyes gave away her worry.

"Each section will be comprised of a single flight, so 4 aircraft." Dredd replied calmly, though his harsh tone of voice made it seem as if it was the the most obvious thing in the world. "Either way, we need volunteers for each flight."

>"I'll take the air-only flight sir. Me and Weiss kicked ass back at TOPGUN, so we are some of the most able for that role."
>"I'll take the ground-only flight sir. My jet is the best equipped for ground-attack."
"I'll take one of the mixed flights sir. I'm the best suited for attacking both air and ground targets."
>Other (write in)
>>
>>595775
>"I'll take one of the mixed flights sir. I'm the best suited for attacking both air and ground targets."
>>
>>595775
>"I'll take one of the mixed flights sir. I'm the best suited for attacking both air and ground targets."
Even though we did kick ass at TOPGUN, versatility is golden.
>>
>>595775
>"I'll take the ground-only flight sir. My jet is the best equipped for ground-attack."
>>
>>595775
>"I'll take one of the mixed flights sir. I'm the best suited for attacking both air and ground targets."

Is it happening?

I THINK IT'S HAPPENING
>>
>>595842
I think we're gonna run into Comrade Cutie and Boris the Bear again.
>>
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"I'll take the ground-only flight sir. My jet is the best equipped for ground-attack." You volunteered, while you knew you kicked ass at TOPGUN, Slider and Durendal weren't as gifted as you.

Plus, if you wanted a full air-to-air load you could have Slider and Durendal go for a full air-to-ground load to make up for it.

"Sounds good, I'll take the air-to-air load with Sudo and Hammer taking the full air-to ground load." Dredd gestured to Kenji and Kay respectively. The pair of them nodded, even though Kay looked dejected.

"The plan is to wait it out in international airspace, if the call for support goes out we dive below radar range and head in on full afterburners. We'll go in hard and smash that whole area." Dredd laid out simply, looking at each person in turn to make sure they were ok with the plan.

"What about if we run into that chick Razor has been chatting up?" Ahab asked suddenly. Dredd paused at that before turning to you.

"Razor, how do you want to play it?"

>"Radio me, I'll see about making her an offer she can't refuse."
>"Tell me, I want to take the Soviet and her wingmate down personally."
>"Shoot them down, we can't risk it on this mission."
>Other (Write in)
>>
>>595988
Radio me, but if somebody is about to get shot down because of her, shoot her down.
>>
>>595988
>"I'll intercept her and try to talk her down myself. If that doesn't work, I'll do what I have to do in order to keep her away from our objective."
>>
>>595988
>"Radio me, I'll see about making her an offer she can't refuse."
>>
>>596055
Seconding this
>>
>>595988
>"Shoot them down, we can't risk it on this mission."

Waifu-collecting is fun and all, but the mission comes first. This ain't no recon gig where we can just tell her we mean no harm again.
>>
>>596055
This seems reasonable enough.
>>
"I'll intercept her and try to talk her down myself. If that doesn't work, I'll do what I have to do in order to keep her away from our objective." You decided, you knew the stakes of what was going to happen, but you would be damned if you didn't try and talk to her.

Understood, if that's everything, we'd better get going." Dredd said calmly as he straightened up. He took one final look at the pilots in front of him before continuing.

"We are about to perform a very dangerous mission here folks. I won't lie to you, it will be a miracle if this doesn't start a war. None the less, I am personally honoured to be flying with you all today." Dredd announced as if it was the last time he would speak to all of you.

His fears weren't unfounded. You were set to run into Soviet airspace and kick them in the balls. If they let this slide then you would eat your own helmet.

"Sir, I think I speak for everybody when I say that the feeling is mutual." Ahab replied humbly. You could see the ghost of a smile flicker across Dredd's face, but just as quickly as it had arrived it left.

"Either way, we're burning time here. Head to the hanger and get armed up." As soon as Dredd had finished, you and the other pilots snapped off crisp salutes to Dredd, he returned them just as smartly as they had been given.

You met up with Zeus on the way out as he put away the papers, hiding them from prying eyes in the unmarked folder.

"You ready to go Zeus?" You asked calmly as Ahab and Ishmael passed you, headding briskly for the door.

"As ready as I'll ever be..." Zeus responded calmly, his gaze was flat as he held his emotions in check.

As you made your way to the door, you made your decision about what had priority, duty or those you cared about.

>Head straight to the hanger, get your load sorted ASAP.
>Stop off at the intel shack, get one last drink and bathroom break before you head off.
>Talk to a comrade before you go up (who?)
>Go to the phones and call someone (who?)
>Try and find your sister, get one last chat in before you go wheels up.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>596380
we could get scandalous and talk to the princess
>>
>>596380
>Try and find your sister, get one last chat in before you go wheels up.
>>
>>596380
>>596406
Fuck it, why not?

>Talk to the Princess
>>
>>596380
>Talk with Zeus

"What do you think this Naira guy knows that's worth risking a shooting war with the Soviets for?"
>>
>>596380
>Try and find your sister, get one last chat in before you go wheels up.
>>
Would it be reasonable for our sister and the Princess to be hanging out together? I like both options as far as people to talk to.
>>
>>596554
Probably, they are wingmates afterall.
>>
>>596707
Fair enough then. Let's go talk to both of 'em.
>>
You decided to go and see the princess, she was a very calm lady when she wanted to be, you felt that you could trust her. Even if this would fan the flames of the rumour mill, you still wouldn't be deterred.

You had a rough idea of where she was in any case. Her flight was gearing up for a patrol flight, so she was likely going to be in the hanger. You split off from your unit as you reached her hanger, telling Zeus to handle some of the pre-flights while you were on the toilet.

Yeah, you weren't very inventive with your excuses.

In any case, you made your way int the princess's hanger, she was sat atop a small barrel, reading what looked like a technical manual while Takebe watched over the hanger like a hunting bird. Takebe saw you coming but made no effort to intercept you, she knew you were not a threat. The princess looked up as got closer to her, having noticed the sound of your boots over the noise of the engineers hard at work.

"Ah, Mr Poole. It is good to see you." Sakamoto greeted you with a smile, quickly setting down the manual.

"Good to see you Sakamoto. How are things going with you?" You asked as you came to a stop in front of the Princess.

"Well, they certainly are going." Sakamoto hopped off the barrel with a grace that you were sure you had never used in your life.

Well, maybe during dog fighting. But grace in a plane was not the same as grace outside of the plane.

"Say, it's rather loud here don't you think?" Sakamoto asked rhetorically as she walked past you, heading for one of the crew offices sat alongside the hanger. "Come, let us find somewhere quieter."

The room she brought you to had obviously been sectioned out for the exclusive use of her and her unit. The only people inside was your sister and the idol, Iori Minase. The other pilot that your sister had first introduced to you. Your sister's flight suit was obviously new, you could even pick out a few fold lines from where it had been pressed while it was folded. Iori's flightsuit was the complete opposite, each grease and oil mark told you that she was either intent on keeping her aircraft at peek performance, or she wanted to connect with her ground crew by aiding them with repairs.

The princess walked over to one of the couches while your sister bolted up and charged in your direction, her tackle hug almost sending you out of the door you had just came through.

"Bradly!" Your sister squealed happily as she dived into your chest and hugged you with all her might. She looked up at you with eyes full of happiness, only for her expression to sadden quite a bit.

"Bradly, what's wrong? Why are you so gloomy?" Janice asked as she stared up at you, looking perplexed. You could tell that all 4 sets of eyes were on you at this point.

>Tell them about the mission, you are worried about a war starting.
>Don't tell them about the mission, you are just worried about something at home.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>596842
>>Tell them about the mission, you are worried about a war starting.
Keep it as vague as possible, basically say that it's top-secret stuff and that the world will probably be at war by the time we get home. Channel Dredd's grimness during the conversation.
>>
>>596842
we shouldnt tell them anything classified, so be vague about our mission?
>>
>>596842
>Tell them about the mission, you are worried about a war starting.
>>
>>596842
>You're worried about a war starting.
Stay vague.
>>
>>596842

Just say you're heading out on a mission, that they should stay on their toes and they should take care of themselves but you'll see them again soon
>>
Need a tiebreaker between honesty and discreteness.
>>
For a second or so, you were stumped. The rational side of you wanted to lie and ensure OPSEC, meanwhile the honest side of you wanted to admit what was truely wrong, and breach OPSEC.

After a those few seconds were up, the rational side of you won out as you sighed and began talking.

"Yeah, there is something wrong. I'm worried about you, about all of you." You said as you looked up and glanced at everyone in the room. "It doesn't take an idiot to know that this entire area is one big flashpoint for a world war. And I am afraid, I am afraid that my teaching might not be enough to see all of you through. I'm worried that my teachings may be the death of one of you." You lied, admittedly it contained some elements of the truth. But the crux of the matter was still a lie, you knew damn well that a war would happen, and your unit would be responsible.

Janice looked up at you with her big, brown eyes. Here expression changed from confusion, to sorrow, before finally changing to something unexpected.

Joy. Considering what you had just said, you definatly weren't expecting that.

"You don't have to worry about us. Hell, if it wasn't for your training, we could have been shot down by any old Ivan in a damn Fishbed!" Janice exclaimed proudly as she beamed up at you before looking back at her unit. "See, I told you he really did care."

"Nobody was sayign that he didn't care about you." Sakamoto chuckled to Janice, before looking at you warmly. "But either way, your sister is right. Without you, we wouldn't be ready for a coming war. And if I do say so myself. It is an honour to fight with you and your comrades at my side." You nodded at the princess's compliment, having to make do with your sister currently hugging you.

Now that you thing about it, she always was too hands on with people she trusted. You idly wondered if she greeted the princess in such a manner.

"Thank you. It means a lot to hear that from you." You thanked the princess, who nodded in return. The room was silent for a couple of seconds, before you made to dis-entangle yourself from your sister. "Either way, it is good to see that all of you are confident with the training I helped give you. But I have a flight so I must be on my way."

"I see." The princess responded, apparently trying to connect the dots in her head. "In which case, I bid you fair winds Mr Poole."

"Good luck Bradly!" Your sister saluted you as you calmly made your way to the door. You returned the salute before leaving and making your way to your hanger at a brisk pace, only stopping along the way for a quick toilet break.

When you finally made it into the hanger, you found that the other aircraft were being loaded up while their crews made their walks around their aircraft. You noticed that Scorpion, Slider and Durendal waited by your aircraft with your crew chief.

"About time." Your crew chief greeted you with some slight venom. "So, what load do you want you and your flight to take up?"

>CONT
>>
>>597057
>"Me and Scorpion will take full air to air loads, Slider and Durendal will take full air to ground loads."
>"We'll all take mixed loads."
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597058
>"Me and Scorpion will take full air to air loads, Slider and Durendal will take full air to ground loads."
>>
>>597058
>"Me and Scorpion will take full air to air loads, Slider and Durendal will take full air to ground loads."

Seems reasonable.
>>
>>597058
>"We'll all take mixed loads."

>>596928
o fug I didn't see this
>>
>>597057
>>"Me and Scorpion will take full air to air loads, Slider and Durendal will take full air to ground loads."
Also, seeing as our sister is the fluffiest garupan, we better get a chance to ruffle her hair. In front of her whole squadron. Much to her disdain.
>>
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"Me and Scorpion will take full air to air loads, Slider and Durendal will take full air to ground loads." You instructed, with that, each member of the unit headed off to their respective jets to make their loads.

"So, what do you want sir?" Your crew chief asked simply. "We've got you loaded with tanks under the nacelles to give you the range you need to complete the mission. As for weapons, we have Agiles, AMRAAMs and the new Phoenixs with the upgraded AMRAAM seeker."

>Long range load (x6 AIM-54 Phoenixs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>Long-mid range load (x4 AIM-54 Phoenixs, x2 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>Medium range load (x6 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>Mid-short range load (x4 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x4 AIM-95 Agiles)
>Other (you have 8 hardpoints, 4 on the centerline and 2 under each wing glove. You can carry AIM-9 sidewinders, AIM-7 sparrows, AIM-54 Phoenixs, AIM-120 AMRAAMs and AIM-95 Agiles)
>>
>>597103
>>Long-mid range load (x4 AIM-54 Phoenixs, x2 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
I feel like that gives us a good bubble, while still giving us some claws if things get a little bit personal.
>>
>>597103
>Long-mid range load (x4 AIM-54 Phoenixs, x2 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>>
>>597103
>Medium range load (x6 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>>
>>597103
>Long-mid range load (x4 AIM-54 Phoenixs, x2 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, x2 AIM-95 Agiles)
>>
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"Give me a long to mid range load. 4 Phoenixs on the centerline, along with a pair of AMRAAMs and a pair of Agiles on the wing-glove mounts." You instructed your crew chief, he nodded in acknowledgement of your order.

"Understood sir, get your walk around done ASAP so we can get you up there as quickly as possible. Try and stay out of the way of the loading crews." The crew chief instructed before he turned to his men and began barking orders. You made your round quickly and found nothing wrong, just like all other times you had done a walk around. Either way, you would continue to these walk arounds for the rest of your career, if only to make sure you didn't eat a wrench one day. You climbed into the cockpit as the other members of your unit began starting their engines.

"You certainly took your sweet time." Zeus ridiculed you as you began your pre-flight checks.

"It was a real log." You responded simply as you started your engines. The roar of the turbofans began to drown everything out until you closed the canopy, muting the constant scream.

"So, did the file give us any more info on this CIA guy?" You asked Zeus as Dredd began taxing out of the hanger. As his jet was situated on your left, you were 3rd in line to begin rolling.

"Not really, aside from the fact that he provided the data for both of our previous missions, including the location of the Soviet exercise and the pictures of the new Soviet carrier." Zeus said calmly as you started moving. Leaving the apron where the planes were parked and heading towards the taxi-way.

"Anything else? There has to be some reason why we need this guy so much?" You probed, trying to find anything else of note.

"Not really, the files were very vague about how much he was worth." Zeus told you as you came to a halt, waiting for Dredd and Ahab to take off.

"Great, we're covering a damn mook." You complained as the first flight started rolling down the runway, as soon as they were wheels up, you taxied onto the runway.

"Hey, there has to be some reason why the spooks want that guy. They are probably just keeping if from us for OPSEC." Zeus offered calmly as you asked the tower for takeoff clearance. As soon as you had clearance, you took off calmly, letting the Tomcat take off cleanly without your trademark afterburner display.

You quickly formed up with Dredd, parking yourself on his 5 o'clock. As soon as everybody had formed up, VF-21 headed off towards the staging area. Flying at cruising speed.

Well, cruising speed for everyone but you.

Either way, you had some time to kill before you got there. The only question was how to spend it?

>Talk with a comrade (who?, any specific topic?)
>Hit the auto-pilot and have Zeus hand you the file so you can read it on the way.
>Keep quiet, you need to be in the zone for this one.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597145
>Talk with a comrade (who?, any specific topic?)
The Germans. Start out kind of flirty, but then get serious and tell them to be safe out there. Ask them what they think about this mission.
>>
>>597145
>Hit the auto-pilot and have Zeus hand you the file so you can read it on the way.
>>
>>597148
this
>>
>>597145
>Hit the auto-pilot and have Zeus hand you the file so you can read it on the way.
>>
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With some time left before you arrived, you decided that the best person to talk with was the one flying on your wing.

Your wingmate, not some actual girl with plane engines strapped to her legs. That would just be silly, how would she even power such a thing?

In any case, you quickly selected the channel for Scorpion and radioed her. "Freelancer 2-1 to 2-2. Can you hear me there Scorpion?"

"2-2 copies 2-1. What took you so long to get to the hanger? You go to get your dick sucked?" Scorpion asked jokingly, though you could tell from the slight shake to her voice that the was worried about something, probably the mission.

"Probably went to go see the princess, she seems like she would put out for him.If the rumours are true." Bats poked, but just like Scorpion, her voice was also shaky.

"I wouldn't have to go to her if either of you put out. But that's not why I'm here." You dragged the conversation back towards the matter at hand. "How are both of you feeling, in regards to the mission?"

The silence was palpable. The bravado that both girls had displayed was gone in an instant.

"I... I'm scared." Weiss spoke up, her voice sounded more meek and vulnerable than you had ever heard from her. "What if I mess up, or if the Reds swamp us or it's a trap or it-" Her worried rambling began to pick up speed as she began to panic.

"WEISS!" You cut off her rambling before it got worse. "Calm down, we're going to get through this."

"Really? And what makes you think that?" Weiss asked hurriedly, her tone of voice telling you that she needed an immediate answer.

>"Soviet tech is inferior to Western tech, we have more then enough capabilities to beat their asses back to Moscow."
>"We are much better pilots than these Soviets. Even with equal equipment we could kick their asses, and we have better gear too!"
>"We have the best comrades on the planet, and nothing, not technology nor skill can beat great teamwork and comradery."
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597181
>>"We are much better pilots than these Soviets. Even with equal equipment we could kick their asses, and we have better gear too!"

i don't want to be annoying or anything, but bios when?
>>
>>597181
>"We are much better pilots than these Soviets. Even with equal equipment we could kick their asses, and we have better gear too!"
>>
"We are much better pilots than these Soviets. Even with equal equipment we could kick their asses, and we have better gear too!" You explained to Weiss, trying your best to encourage her and make her more confident in your unit's chances.

"Are you sure?" Weiss asked quietly, disbelieving your explanation.

"I'm sure. We could kick their asses with guns alone! These slavs won't have any idea what's coming!" You assured Weiss enthusiastically. "Come on Scorpion, aren't you more confident that this, what made you such a scaredy-cat?"

"I'M NOT A SCAREDY-CAT!" Weiss squealed with real embarrassment, you couldn't help but laugh at that. Your laughter only subsiding after a few seconds.

From the silence over the channel, Weiss was not amused.

"Well, either way, don't worry about the mission. Things probably won't go wrong, and if they do we are more than prepared." You assured Weiss as she simmered in her seat.

"Understood 2-1... thanks for the pep talk. 2-2 out." Weiss responded calmly before cutting the line.

The rest of the flight out was relatively quiet. The only point where radio-silence was broken was when Dredd laid out the game plan for if things went tits up and you had to step in.

The plan was to stay low, hugging the terrain as much as possible. All aircraft targeting would be done using IRST systems while air to ground weapons would be targeted using the guidance pods that Sudo and Kay carried. You and Scorpion would fly CAP with Dredd and Ahab only looking to engage enemy aircraft that were directly searching for you.

As you neared the waiting area, your squadron was refuelled by IJN tanker aircraft. Leaving you with full tanks for when you reached the staging area.

Unfortunately, you didn't have much time to wait before the call for support went out.

"VF-21, this is watchmaker." Your ONI handler for the mission radioed in, his voice sounding far too calm for your liking. "The evac unit is being pursued by a SMERSH van. We need you to take it out so they can escape."

As soon as report was finished, the line went dead.

"Razor, take your strike element in and wack that SMERSH van. We'll hold back until needed." Dredd ordered, effectively putting you in command of the rescue effort for now.

This was not what you were looking forward to.

>Go in with just you and Weiss. You should only need guns to take out that van.
>Go in with just you and Slider/Durendal (choose one). They will smoke the van while you provide cover.
>Go in with everyone. If things really do go tits up, you want all hands on deck.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597200
>Go in with just you and Slider/Durendal (choose one). They will smoke the van while you provide cover.
Go in with Slider, let the ones equipped for ground attack do their jobs.
>>
>>597200
>Go in with just you and Slider/Durendal (choose one). They will smoke the van while you provide cover.
Slider
>>
>>597200
>Go in with just you and Slider. They'll smoke the van while you provide cover.
>>
"Understood sir. Scorpion, Durendal, hang back. Slider, you're with me." You instructed your flight before diving down to just above sea level, headed right towards Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

"Yes sir!" Slider replied as she raced to keep up with you, having to slam on her afterburners for a momentary speed boost.

"Watchmaker. Where is the evac unit right now?" You asked your ONI handler as the distance to the target area began to fall dramatically quickly. You would be over Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in about 3 minutes.

"The evac unit is on the main road headed north-east. They are approaching way point 3a." Watchmaker informed you, allowing you to make your adjustment to intercept the evac unit and their persuer.

"And visual ID on the van?" You asked calmly, making sure that you had the most up to date ID on what to hit.

"The SMERSH van is a UAZ-452 in military police colours and people hang out the side of it shooting. Our evac unit is in a UAZ-469 painted in grey. The UAZ is chasing it, but has about 30 meters of seperation behind it." Watchmaker reported calmly, listing off the essential infomation like he was reading from a shopping list.

It didn't take you too long to spot the chase, after all, they were the only vehicles on that stretch of road.

"Slider, waste that van." You instructed your CAS-loaded wingmate.

"Yes sir." Slider esponded simply, before speaking the goldedn words a few seconds later. "Freelancer 3-1, rifle."

With that, an AGM-65 Maveric anti-tank missile rocketed off one of her wing-glove hardpoints. The missile screamed towards the SMERSH van like a rod from god, and hit like one too. The SMERSH van exploded into a fireball as assorted weapons and sensitive explosives inside the truck cooked off in an instant.

Suffice to say, the van was well and truly dead.

"Freelancer 2-1 to watchmaker. Hostile van has been destroyed by 3-1." You reported back as soon as you saw the truck explode.

"Watchmaker confirms..." The ONI handler responded after a few seconds, before then speaking again. "Freelancer flight, the evac team thinks they are compromised. You are to cover them all the way back to the evac point."

With that, the line went dead as the spook left the planning to you and the unit.

"Freelancer 2-1, do you require support?" Dredd asked as calmly as if he was ordering something at starbucks. "You're the one in deep here so it's your decision."

>"Me and Slider should be enough, hang back for now."
>"Send up Scorpion and Durendal, the rest of you should hang back until we need to either swap-out or need more support."
>"Get everyone up here. We need all hands on deck for this."
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597337
>"Send up Scorpion and Durendal, the rest of you should hang back until we need to either swap-out or need more support."
>>
>>597337
>"Send up Scorpion and Durendal, the rest of you should hang back until we need to either swap-out or need more support."
Nothing is ever easy for poor Razor.
>>
>>597337
>"Send up Scorpion and Durendal, the rest of you should hang back until we need to either swap-out or need more support."
>>
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"Send up Scorpion and Durendal, the rest of you should hang back until we need to either swap-out or need more support." You requested calmly as you began to circle around, the display from your IRST being slightly limited by the system's placement under your jet's nose.

"Understood, we'll keep a look out for you with our IRST systems. We're in international airspace so they should think twice before trying to shoot us down if they spot us." Dredd reported as you finished your turn, now flying parallel to the road.

"Watchmaker to Freelancer 2-1. The soviets are scrambling nearby ground units, helicopters and fighter aircraft to investigate the lost vehicle." The radio came alive again as the practically monotone voice of the ONI handler informed you of this recent development.

"Understood, are they launching any aircraft from the nearby airbases?" You asked as you removed the safetys from your missiles.

"Yes, a pair of Mi-4 Hounds are being scrambled from the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky airbase." The spook responded before cutting the line, apparently having more pressing issues to deal with.

"You heard the spook." Dredd got everyone's attention. "The red's are going to be sending as much as they can to investigate the area. We'll stay nose-cold for now. But if someone gets found out then we immediately go nose-hot. Do you get me?"

The chorus of affirmatives from everyone in the unit answered Dredd's question for him. Thankfully, you didn't have to wait long for the Soviets to return.

"Contact, a pair of low flying units inbound on your position from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Speed and altitude pins them as the soviet helicopters." Scorpion reported calmly, leaving the decision on how to engage up to you.

>Turn your radar on and hit them with an AMRAAM. The reds may detect your radar, but you need to preserver your Agiles for a dogfight.
>Take them out with an Agile, they won't see it coming. And even if they do they won't be able to evade it.
>Gun them down with the 20mm cannon. This is practically what it's made for, shooting at targets that aren't worth a missile.
>Have one of your wingmates take the helicopters down (who?)
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597414
>>Have one of your wingmates take the helicopters down (who?)
Durendal.
>>
>>597414
>>597420
Supporting this.
>>
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"3-2, intercept those Mi-4s. Take them out however you see fit." You instructed the French element of your unit to shoot down the incoming Soviet helicopters.

Thankfully, Durendal didn't boast or bargain. She simply responded with a pair of mic clicks, signifying that she understood what needed to be done.

A few seconds later, a pair of fireballs erupted in the dark, evening sky ad the Mi-4s fell to the ground in twin balls of fire.

"Contact." Slider reported calmly. "Inbound Soviet convoy, heading down the road towards the evac vehicle. Permission to engage?"

"Negative, wait for Durendal to return, then waste them before they have a chance to call for help." You ordered calmly, holding the engagement back to allow time for supporting assets to return back. "Durendal, get back here."

"Understood, Slider can engage without me, I'll pick off the stranglers." Durendal replied with a cold edge that you had never heard from her before. Maybe her first taste of actual combat had opened something up? Or maybe she was just trying to repress her emotions at this time.

Either way, you had a good position to watch the convoy come in, they rounded a bend onto a straight stretch of road which made a perfect ambush point. Slider waited for them to be roughly halfway along the road before starting her run. She came in form behind them, flying low and fast. However, as she neared the convoy, she began to attack, dozens of small, 500 lb bombs dropped away form her aircraft. The bombs fell down and slammed into the Soviet convoy, the rapid thumping of each explosion was muffled by the very same things that kept the siren scream of your jet's engines from maddening you.

"Freelancer 2-1! You have an incoming flight of soviet bandits!" Dredd practically yelled at you. "Someone must have seen the explosions and told them, they're heading right for you!"

Sure enough, your IRST showed the exact same as what Dredd was telling you, you had an incoming flight from the north west, seemingly having diverted away from their patrol flight.

>Get the radar on and start slinging missiles at them, stealth be damned.
>Lie low and wait for them to get closer, pounce on them like a fucking tiger.
>Ask Dredd to engage them, they are at a much better engagement range than you.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597539
>Lie low and wait for them to get closer, pounce on them like a fucking tiger.
I wonder if this is the commie waifu.
>>
>>597539
>Lie low and wait for them to get closer, pounce on them like a fucking tiger.
>>
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"Understood, flights 2 and 3 will lie low and wait for them to get closer, pounce on them like a fucking tiger." You decided calmly, a plan quickly formulating in your head. "Me and Scorpion will range out further towards them while Slider and Durendal cover the evac truck. remain radio silent until you either engage a hostile or are engaged."

The chorus of affirmatives from your comrades assured you that the plan was well understood. Scorpion quickly hit her afterburners and formed up on you, retaking her position on your wing.

The flight towards the soviet unit was mostly spent focusing on the terrain and your instruments, one eye constantly glued to the missile warning receiver.

The flight continued until you found the soviet unit. They passed almost directly above you, giving you a perfect look at what you were dealing with,

The formation was a mix of 4 MiG-21s and MiG-23s. All of them were armed with older looking missiles. If you had to take a guess, this unit either wasn't meant to reach the front line or they were meatsheilds for the more important units.

Considering that this was the soviets you were talking about, either scenario could be likely.

As you passed underneath them, you contemplated your options.

>Get behind them and send the targeting data from your IRST to Dredd's group, let them engage with Phoenixs and AMRAAMs.
>Get your radar online and snap-fire your AMRAAMs at them. The range isn't suitable, but those aren't the most manoeuvrable aircraft.
>Blitz up behind them and get them with the Agiles, they should be unmanoeuvrable enough for you to be able to mop them up with guns.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597697
>Blitz up behind them and get them with the Agiles, they should be unmanoeuvrable enough for you to be able to mop them up with guns.

Trying to keep our radar off until absolutely necessary
>>
>>597697
>Get behind them and send the targeting data from your IRST to Dredd's group, let them engage with Phoenixs and AMRAAMs.
Play it cool. A dogfight now would be too risky.
>>
Need a tiebreaker between Blitzing them and relaying data to Dredd.
>>
>>597697
>>597726
>Get behind them and send the targeting data from your IRST to Dredd's group, let them engage with Phoenixs and AMRAAMs.
>>
You waited for a few seconds after they had passed you before turning to put your nose to their tails. Giving your IRST the best possible picture to track and send data.

"Freelancer 2-1 to 1-1, data-linking targets to you for attack, recommend Phoenixs." You informed Dredd over the radio link as Zeus sent the targeting data.

"Understood, Freelancer 1-1, fox-3." Dredd called out a few seconds later, indicating that he had just launched at least 1 Phoenix.

The Phoenix itself hadn't started out as a good missile, problems related to the missile's seeker and launching systems meant that it either failed to track or even ignite it's rocket engine. However, with the upgrade to the upgraded AIM-120 seeker and control system, the missile's reliability and target seeking abilities.

Said abilities were about to be demonstrated on these poor Soviet pilots.

The soviets saw the missiles coming, as soon as Dredd and Ahab launched, their missiles went active and searched for their designated targets, finding them on the predicted altitude and heading before they locked on. However, for all their countermeasures, the missiles still tracked true. And a pair of aircraft exploded int a pair of brilliant balls of flame as the Phoenixs blew them out of the sky. A third member of the flight joined them with the forth aircraft only managing to survive due to some impressive flying skills. This final pilot dived and made a break out of the range of these missiles that had destroyed his comrades.

"Freelancer flight, whatever you just did has kicked the hornet's nest!" The ONI handler reported hastily, the previous calm in his voice having given way to real fear.

"How much longer until your team is out!" Dredd yelled in response, the worry in his voice replaced with anger.

"About 2 minutes, they are at the cliff and are abseiling down it now." The ONI officer reported, before giving you the news you wanted to hear. "You have 4 flights inbound on you from everywhere but the east, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is also scrambling aircraft, but some pre-mission sabotage should delay them for a bit."

>Cover the evac team before bugging out.
>Bug out, the evac team are almost out anyway.
>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597772
>>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out.
The evac team should have it covered from here.
>>
>>597772

Confirm that the Evac team is good to go before bouncing but if they are then
>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out.

If not we will need to stick around to complete mission
>>
>>597772
This: >>597813
>>
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"How much longer until the evac team is good to go?" You barked over the comms as you brought your radar online and began searching for targets.

"About 1 minute 30. As soon as they get that SDV underwater, they are good to leave." The ONI spook reported hastily.

"Understood. Slider, Durendal, are there any more ground threats?" You asked as you singled out the closest flight of Soviet aircraft. From what you could tell there was 6 of them, so you had to get Scorpion's assistance with this one.

"None that we can see." Slider reported calmly. "Should we bug out?"

"Negative. Stay on station until that SDV is away. We can't risk some asshole taking the oppotunity to shoot them in the back because we got lazy." You denied Slider's request before data-linking to Scorpion's jet, she surrendered the control of 3 of her AMRAAMs for your volley.

"Freelancer 2-1, fox-3!" You called out as your fired the volley of missiles. 6 AMRAAMs dropped away from both yours and Scorpion's jets, making for a total of 6 missiles headed straight towards the closest incoming flight of Soviets. You didn't even watch the missile on their way as you searched for more targets.

"Contact on the road! Looks like a number of jeeps headed for the evac unit!" Durendal called out.

"Well don't wait for my invitation, take them out!" You ordered as you found a pair of incoming interceptors, from what your radar could pick up, the aircraft were MiG-25s.

You decided that the best medicine for them was a pair of AIM-54s, each.

Just like with Dredd's second volley, one missile hit it's mark while the other one missed. Your missile slammed into the lead aircraft, which had tried to pull up and climb away from the missile, only to stall and slow down enough to be an easy target for your missile. The second jet managed to evade, but he dive so steeply and so quickly that you were sure he hadn't managed to pull up in time.

"The evac unit is out." The ONI spook radioed you. "You are clear to bug out."

>Bug out immediately, Dredd and Ahab have enough Phoenixs to cover you.
>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out after them.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>597897
>>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out after them.
Also, as soon as we bug out, throw out a quick "Cyka blyat." for any Soviets listening.
>>
>>597897
>Bug out immediately, Dredd and Ahab have enough Phoenixs to cover you.
We're not engaging, we're bugging out. In this regard, everyone should be able to cover their own asses. Keep near them to provide support if needed, but there's no need to play the hero.
>>
>>597897
>Bug out immediately, Dredd and Ahab have enough Phoenixs to cover you.

Send Dredd and Ahab the heads up over radio and beat feet
>>
>>597897
>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out after them.
>>
>>597897
>Cover Slider and Durendal's escape, then bug out after them.
>>
>>597897
>Bug out immediately, Dredd and Ahab have enough Phoenixs to cover you.

Well, now that we've certainly killed at least a few of her countrymen, that Russian chick is going to be none too pleased with us next time we see her, let alone her wingmate. He's going to sorely wish he'd just splashed us on our recon mission.
>>
Need a tiebreaker between the immediate bug out and covering your comrades.
>>
>Cover the girls, then bug out.
>>
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"Freelancer 2-1 to 1-1. I'll be sending Slider and Durendal back first. Can you keep top-cover for them?" You asked Dredd as you took a cursory glance at your radar screen, it showed no targets in it's field of view, but you certainly didn't believe it as you started manoeuvres to sweep your radar around to search for targets.

"Understood, once they are past us you and Scorpion are pulling out at top speed, no questions asked." Dredd responded sternly as your radar found numerous targets inbound. However, they were out of range, and wouldn't be in range by the time you planned to bug out, so you weren't worried about them.

"Understood. Freelancer 2-1, out." You cut your like to Dredd and switched to the channel to Slider and Durendal. "Listen up. Both of you are bugging out right now. Me and Scorpion will cover you before leaving. Is that clear?"

"What?!" Slider yelled in disbeleif. "That's stupid. We should all be leaving together, not staggering out like some drunk bastard at the club!" Slider objected venemously, if her obvious yelling hadn't told how angry she was, her tone of voice was more than enough to get the point across.

"I gave you and order Slider, get moving." You snapped bitterly. You were not in the mood for arguing right now.

The silence on the line was palpable, you were sure that she was getting readdy for a yelling mach, hence why the confirming clicks from her mic were a welcome sound.

The next few seconds were more tense than you would have liked. Your radar showed very few hostiles, and those you could see were too far away to intercept you. The whole situation felt fishy, it felt wrong that you could do something so brazen and set away so easily.

However, your suspicions were confirmed when a familiar, Russian voice met your ears.

"CAPITALIST PIG!" The male pilot from before bellowed over the radio. "FACE ME YOU COWARD!"

>"Nyet, cyka blyat." (Leave)
>"You want to dance motherfucker?" (Engage the Soviets)
>"Give my regards to your cute wingmate~"
>Other (write in)
>>
>>598078
>[wild exclamations in Mandarin] (Leave)
May as well confuse the fuck out of them while we're at it.
>>
>>598078
>>"Give my regards to your cute wingmate~"
As much as I want to cyka blyat at him, it would make him angrier if we disregarded him completely while also hitting on Comrade Cutie.
>>
>>598078
>"Give my regards to your cute wingmate~"
>>
>>598078
>>"Give my regards to your cute wingmate~"
>>
>>598078
"Goddamn dude, do you have a list of stereotypical Soviet traits you have to check off everyday? That kind of bravado's gonna get you killed real quick if the shooting really starts." (Leave)
>>
>>598083
>>
>>598083

Can we please do this, just random little words and curses interspersed in between
>>
"Sooo... do you have a list of stereotypical Soviet traits you have to check off everyday? Because that kind of bravado's gonna get you killed real quick if somebody decides that your bitch-ass is worth the effort." You replied calmly as you turned back out to sea, only to pause for a couple of seconds to add something else.

"And by the way, give my regards to your cute wingmate~"

The few seconds of silence as the Soviet pilot processed what you had just said was beautiful, like the blissful break in the eye of a storm. But, like all good things, the silence passed.

"YOU COWARD! STOP RUNNING AND FACE ME DOG! OR I SHA-" The soviet bellowed with renewed gusto, his voice slightly cracking at the start, but it remained steady up until Zeus got involved in the yelling match.

There was only one problem. Zeus had decided for whatever reason to start yelling in Japanese. Though his long tirade was rich with such words as "baka" and "kuso". though in all honestly you gave up in trying to understand the constant stream of Asian words. You didn't know any Asian languages, so you decided to leave Zeus to his yelling and focus on getting the fuck out of the danger zone.

The escape was pretty easy, with no enemy aircraft with in firing range of you, all you needed to do was hit the afterburners and shoot away. The rest of the flight back was fairly tense, with the Soviet air base at Burevestnik still manned, it would have been all too easy for them to send out interceptors to smack your squadron out of the air. Thankfully, they hadn't got the message of your little foray into Soviet airspace, and you landed back at Chitose Air Base unopposed.

The debrief was far more extensive than usual. With great care being paid to who had achieved the most air-to-air kills. As it stood, you had the most kills with 4 kills, Scorpion was just behind you with 3 and another by proxy. Following her was Ahab and Durendal, both with 2 kills each. The last person with an air to air kill was Dredd himself, with one confirmed and one by proxy. Slider tried to argue that her air to ground kills were worth just as much as the aircraft kills, but nobody bought it.

You retired early that night, making sure that your gun and you helmet were close by in the event of something happening in the night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

And we're done for tonight! I have to admit that I really liked the write-in choices for the last choice, though I had to pass off the [wild exclamations in Mandarin] to Zeus as Razor doesn't know any eastern languages.

In any case, this run has been informative about when I should run the threads and leave them to rest. I'll be implementing those lessons for the next threads, when THINGS will be happening.

Any way, if you have any questions that you want to ask, then ask away! I'll answer them to the best of my abilities as soon as I can.

Thanks joining me, and I'll hopefully see ya'll next time.
>>
>>598274
>THINGS
I hope they'll be sexy things.

Anyway, thanks for running!
>>
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>>598274
See you next thread, Thunderhead. I'll look forward to catching most of the run from now on.

>THINGS happening
Image related.
>>
>>598274
The idea was to present the Russian higher-ups with a report detailing a supposedly American plane with a pilot presumably from a country they should by right have no ties with. Hopefully that would give them cause to hesitate before declaring outright war.

Confusing the fuck out of that pilot would have been a bonus.

Still, it didn't even win the vote, so I can't complain.

See you next time!
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>>598274
Something of a follow-up to a question I had last thread; we've seen new variants of American planes that never flew in reality like the F-14E or the navalized F-15, so I'd hope we'll get to see (and fight) some unique slavshit as well. The S-32 here, for instance, was originally envisioned as a next-gen carrier fighter, believe it or not. I assume we'll eventually be encountering things like that, the Su-47 that evolved from its design, or the MiG-1.44, right? This is half the fun of alternate history scenarios for me.
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>>598274

Thanks for running Thunder, looking forward to all the HAPPENING that is going to be going on
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>>598369
I can't really say what soviet aircraft you may be facing in the future, but the SU-47 and the MiG-1.44 are on the table as much as a number of other aircraft. Though I must admit, I'd never heard that the S-32 was meant to be a carrier fighter, you wouldn't happen to have or otherwise know a source for that? My google search hasn't come up with anything conclusive.
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>>598562
Sorry about the late reply. It's a Yefim Gordon/Sergei Kommissarov book called Unflown Wings, about every Soviet/Russian aircraft design they could find information on that never made it past the design stage. The S-32 itself stemmed from an earlier design, the S-22, which was proposed in response to a Soviet Air Force requirement for a next generation fighter placing special emphasis on high agility. Sukhoi thus placed its bets on a FSW design, but the S-22 concept was turned down.

Undeterred, Sukhoi pitched the S-32 for a later project calling for a new carrier-based fighter, using uprated versions of the Yak-141's engines. The S-32 was again rejected, for this was in 1988, when the whole Soviet system was falling apart at the seams and there wasn't enough money to throw at every harebrained scheme. Nevertheless, the Soviets did let Sukhoi proceed on a FSW technology demonstrator, which became the Su-47.



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