>>2095960
>>Talk with Slider, she must be just as bored as you.

>>2095960
>Talk with Slider, she must be just as bored as you.

As you looked over to Slider's bird, you could almost feel the boredom coming from your wingmate's bird. You could also see the discoloured sections of her bird from where she had taken a telling blow during your last mission, thankfully, the E model 'cats were able to use a decent number of spare parts from the older model tomcats, but as there was no reason in repainting the new panels, many parts of the left-side of her aircraft had taken on a white colour. As opposed to the low-visibility grey paint job that the rest of her aircraft, and in fact the rest of the squadron was painted.

"Freelancer two-one to Freelancer three-one. You still awake slider?" You radioed your temporary wingmate. Both Weiss and Durendal having been lumped together for a southern patrol while you both made your check flight.

"Barely, you'd think that we could have just done this on the ground." Slider replied, unlike you, she hadn't been able to sleep last night. And the resulting tiredness was telling in her voice.

"It wouldn't work on the ground." Zeus pointed out, able to hear your conversation over the shared comms network. "We need to test the databus systems on both aircraft, and we need to ensure that the engines are running well on our bird."

"Isn't the data bus for the aircraft's internal systems? Why would we have to test it in the air?" Slider asked, her aircraft's old data-bus had been burned out after the safety systems had failed to work properly once she shut her plane down. Yours on the other hand had just been upgraded, now using the same version as the rest of the squadron as opposed to a prototype model. As such, both needed to be tested.

"It also handled mounted systems, ingoing and outgoing data-links and other such things. Hence why we have Svetlana acting as a calibration bird." Mags piped up, her voice sounding just as distracted as Zeus's as they both were focusing on the systems integration. "We need to make sure that the information we're getting from the AWACs is being properly decoded and integrated into the bird's computer systems."

"And how's that going?" You asked, looking past Slider's bird and out to sea. The ocean beyond looking rather empty, with the war on, the chances of getting torpedoed had jumped up dramatically. As such, there were a smaller number of cargo ships travelling the ocean outside of the convoys bound between Japan and the rest of the friendly nations in Asia and beyond.

"It's going well enough, just another half an hour or so and we should be done here." Mags informed you, only for Slider to speak up.

"And then we have to continue the rest of the patrol for another two hours, then hit a tanker, and then continue the patrol for another four hours until we head home." Slider pointed out, her voice glum.

>Ask Slider about her family, how's the war going for them?
>Ask Slider what happened yesterday. Did she really get hit by a damn fishbed?
>Other (write in)

>>2096203
>>Ask Slider about her family, how's the war going for them?

>>2096203
>>Ask Slider about her family, how's the war going for them?

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"So, how are both of your families doing?" You asked Slider and Mags, if both of them could hear you then there was no point in leaving one of them out of the conversation.

"They're fine, Mum and Dad are working in Reading." Mags hastily replied, hoping to cut her involvement in the conversation short.

"Well, aren't you a thrilling conversation partner." Slider asked her RIO sarcastically, before then answering you question. "Last I heard, my family's also doing well. Though I haven't heard from them in a while, so that could have changed."

"Why could it have changed?" You asked, slightly concerned about your wingmate's family. If one of them died, it would surely effect her. And after seeing what happened when Durendal thought that her brother had died, you really didn't want to see that happen to one of your squadmates again.

"My brother is an engineer on one of the Broadsword class frigates. And they're typically assigned to either convoy or carrier escort. Not exactly the safest of roles, especially considering the number of Soviet attack subs that are getting pumped out into the Atlantic. And considering that in every single world war, we've always suffered significant naval losses to enemy subs attacking supply convoys from America. And now it's only going to get worse." Slider lamented, as something you had never really heard before slipped into her voice. Of course, it was common knowledge that Britain was always susceptible to getting strangled by submarine attacks on supply convoys. It had happened during both of the previous world wars, so who was to say that it wouldn't happen again?

"What about your parents?" Zeus asked, a bit more interested in the conversation than Mags.

"My father is an aircraft maintainer, based out of RAF Lakenheath. He was called out of retirement to service Phantoms and whatever else the RAF needs. Goodness knows that his services are required, but he certainly isn't safe. Not as safe as most other parents." Slider replied, leaving her mother out for some reason.

>"What about your mom?"
>Leave the question, ask her something else (write in)
>Other (write in)

>>2096386
>>"What about your mom?"

>>2096386
>>"What about your mom?"

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"What about your mom?" You asked, wondering if there was some bad blood there or something.

"She's somewhere where the reds won't be able to get her..." Slider stated, her voice low and sombre as you realised what she was implying.

"Oh... I'm so sorry." You tried to console your comrade, you hadn't intended to bring up something so serious, and felt bad for it.

"Don't be, I didn't really know her. She died when I was very young. My father raised both me and my brother himself." Slider clarified, her voice still sombre, but you could tell that it wasn't out of sorrow. It was out of respect for the dead.

"Oh..." You began, only to be interupted by the AWACs controller.

"Freelancer flight, you are to RTB immediately, divert on heading two-one-three. You are cleared for supersonic flight over the mainland. You will be briefed en-route." The AWACs, callsign Fubuki, cut into your conversation. You confirmed that you had heard the order before turning onto the bearing.

"Freelancer two-three and three-one form up on me." You ordered over the squadron radio network. Both of your squad mates confirming the order and quickly forming up on you, you waited just long enough before leading the flight into supersonic flight. Your jet's new engines -practically fresh from the factory- screaming as they burned. Long plumes of fire streaking out of your trio of aircraft.

Soon, actually within the hour, you were directed into a holding pattern above Yokota airbase. You weren't given priority for landing, but only because Weiss and Durendal had arrived first and were lower on fuel than you. But almost as soon as you had arrived on station, your squadron frequency crackled into life.

"Are you all able to hear me?" Dredd asked over the radio, and as soon as all of you answered in the affirmative he continued. "Ok good, we've been assigned to help counter an incoming Soviet attack. One of our recon satellites was able to pick up a large force of Soviet aircraft getting ready to launch, a mixed group of bombers and fighters. We don't know where they're going to hit, but we have a good enough idea about what direction they're coming from. So we can hopefully intercept them before they reach their target. We're heading in to help take out the bombers, though if we can also help to take out the fighter then we should be good. Once you're on the ground, you're going to be re-armed and re-fuelled on the taxi-way. So have your loads planned and ready for as soon as you hit the deck. Understood?"

"Understood sir." You replied, a statement that was echoed by the rest of your squad mates in the air.

"So, what load do we want?" Zeus asked. "I can tell the ordnance guys while you bring us in."

>CONT

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>>2096649

>Take a short range loadout (x4 Agiles / x8 sidewinders, x6 AMRAAMs)
>Take a medium range loadout (x2 Agiles / x4 sidewinders, x8 AMRAAMs)
>Take a long range loadout (x2 Agiles / x4 sidewinders, x2 AMRAAMs, x4 Phoenixes)
>Make a new load (you have the following options: either x1 Agiles or x2 sidewinders on hardpoints 1A and 8A | x1 Agiles, x1 sidewinders, x1 AMRAAMs or x1 phoenixes on hardpoints 1B and 8B | x1 AMRAAM or x1 Phoenix on hardpoints 3,4,5 and 6)

>>2096649
>>Take a medium range loadout (x2 Agiles / x4 sidewinders, x8 AMRAAMs)

>>2096655
You have to specify if you want the Agiles or Sidewinders.

>>2096651
>>Take a medium range loadout (x2 Agiles / x4 sidewinders, x8 AMRAAMs)
Let's go with the Sidewinders.

>>2096662
>Sidewinders

>>2096651
>Take a medium range loadout (sidewinders)

"We'll take four sidewinders on hardpoints one-A and eight-A, fuel tanks on the nacelles and AMRAAMs on everything else." You explained to Zeus, giving yourself a decent enough load for medium range combat. Zeus clicked his microphone twice in confirmation, before going silent, probably giving your planned load to your crew chief as you got landing clearance from the tower. You landed first, and had just barely cleared the runway when Slider's wheels touched the ground. A rather shocking event as you had taxied as quickly as possible off the runway, if you had taken your time then she probably would have crashed into you.

You quickly taxied into position behind Weiss's tomcat and shut your engines off immediately. Your ordnance crew quickly ran up to remove the Agiles and equipment under your nacelles. They waited until your engines had fully spooled down before beginning to unload the TARPs pod and ECM pod from your rear fuselage hard points. The sound of roaring engines shutting off behind you informed you that Slider had just stopped behind you and was being rearmed.

For the few minutes you had to savour on the ground, you decided to watch as other aircraft taxied to the runway and took off. You watched as a mix of Tomcats, Eagles, Phantoms and support aircraft began to rapidly take off. The largest of which being a fully ladened KE-3B tanker, the Japanese operated tanker clawing it's way skywards as it hauled fuel for the defence. It was so slow, that the tomcats after it had to break west so that they didn't fly right up the tanker's tail. As your ground crew began to refuel your aircraft, you watched a pair of IJN Phantoms take off. The older aircraft having been refitted to carry 4 AIM-54 missiles under it's wings, and a data-link pod so that it could act as a missile carrier for the IJN's F-14s. Against fishbeds and other old aircraft, the venerable Phantom was a fine enough bird. But they were hopelessly outmatched by the newer Soviet and Chinese fighters. As such, they were relegated to acting as either ground attack birds or BVR trucks.

You didn't have to wait for too long however, as the ground crew quickly had you refueled and rearmed. However, you had to wait for just a bit longer as the rest of your squadmates in front of you started their engines and made their way to the runway one by one. Each of you having to wait for a bit for the oxygen-less exhaust fumes from the aircraft in front of you to clear before then starting up their own engines and taking off. Finally however, Weiss moved off and allowed you the room you needed to start up your own engines. Each of your loose aircraft forming up with another flight to take off, the runway being packed with 3 fighters at a time as your squadron forced it's way into the air.

You took off with a pair of IJN tomcats, your Japanese allies in their green painted cats while you flew in a more boring low-visibility grey. A splash of colour being the unit markings on your tail.

>CONT

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>>2096927

Within a few minutes of taking off, you were in a holding pattern above the airbase. Having linked up with Wiess and were now waiting for Svetlana to join you, your Soviet wingmate having been forged to wait behind an AWACs bird before she could join you.

>Talk with Dredd, see if you can get any more info on the mission.
>Talk with another squadmate (who?)
>Other (write in)

>>2096933
>>Talk with Dredd, see if you can get any more info on the mission.

>>2096933
>>Talk with Dredd, see if you can get any more info on the mission.

>>2096933
>Talk with Dredd, see if you can get any more info on the mission.

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"Freelancer two-one to Freelancer one-one. Any idea on what we're facing?" You radioed Dredd, you had seen him take off before you, him and Ahab taking off either side of a Japanese EB-66JB. The Japanese support aircraft having been optimised for electronic support.

"Negative on the specific fighters, but we were able to pick out a flight of Bears and Backfires, around twelve to twenty-four bombers each." Dredd replied as you lead Weiss towards where his aircraft was waiting. Your squadron already beginning to form up around your leader.

"So a bunch of missile carriers, great. Though I guess that explains the Phantoms." You huffed, at this point, if you wanted to take out the bombers before they launched their missiles, you'd have to engage the bombers before they launched, a daunting prospect to say the least.

"Exactly. While we try to take out the bombers with the rest of the modern fighters, the Phantoms and some Tomcats will stay back to take out and cruise missiles that get launched." Dredd explained, a decent enough plan to say the least, but if you could take out the bombers first then there would be no need for the Phantoms missile carriers.

"So, we have no idea about the enemy's fighter strength, we have no idea about what their target is, and half of our strength is holding back to counter cruise missiles, even though most places worth defending have missile batteries defending them." You griped, the more you learned about this mission, the less you liked it.

"Most of those SAM batteries can't engage cruise missiles, they would be vulnerable. Hence why we need the phantoms to hold back, it's not like they would be that useful to us." Dredd pointed out, bringing up that the Phantoms were less than company in a dogfight.

Well, unless you counted meat sheilds as company, and that didn't sit well with you.

>"They would be good for helping us to shoot down the bombers before they got into cruise missile range."
>"That may be true, but it they aren't going to be help to us now then there is no point them being here."
>Talk with another squadmate (who?)
>Keep quiet until you reach the fight.
>Other (write in)

>>2097145
>"They would be good for helping us to shoot down the bombers before they got into cruise missile range."

>>2097145
>>"They would be good for helping us to shoot down the bombers before they got into cruise missile range."

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"They would be good for helping us to shoot down the bombers before they got into cruise missile range." You returned, as you got closer, you were fairly sure that you could see a few phoenixes under Dredd's fuselage hardpoints. The pointed nose and fuselage adaptors pointing out just in front of the intakes.

"And expose aircraft that can still carry a decent ground attack load to enemy fighters, while sacrificing our insurance against a cruise missile attack and any cover that we might have while retreating. Additionally, it's hard enough to get new birds out here already. So we can't waste the ones we've got for what is essentially a banzai charge." Dredd cautioned you, bringing up the sheer logistical issues, and the need for caution.

"All aircraft listen in. This is AWACs Kamikaze, we'll be acting as your command and control unit for this mission. Follow bearing three-four-four to the muster point just west of Sado island. All defence aircraft will hold there for secondary tasking while attack aircraft will follow bearing three-oh-five to engage the attack force." The AWACs controller interrupted you before you could respond, managing to curtail the argument before it could become a full-blown argument.

Dredd waited for a few seconds after the AWACs had shut up, before then speaking again. "Regardless, you have some paperwork waiting for you when you get back to base."

"When do we not have paperwork?" You asked, pointing up the variety of after action reports, flight plans and reports that always had to be done.

"I mean aside from the normal stuff. The Grumman team want a review of the echo-cat. Including recommendations on things to add. Do try to keep it realistic and professional. Hookers and a keg stand aren't mission necessary." Dredd explained, curtailing your planned request off before you could even plot it.

"Does everybody have to do it?" You asked as you followed Dredd onto your new bearing.

"Everybody but Svetlana. So take that as you will." Dredd replied, confirming that you weren't just being singled out for your experience with the aircraft.

>Talk with another squadmate (who?)
>Keep quiet until you reach the fight.
>Other (write in)

>>2097402
>Talk with another squadmate (who?)
Svetlana

>>2097402
>Talk with Svetlana

"Understood sir, I'll get on it later." You confirmed that you would do the paperwork, before killing your link to your squad leader, instead intent of contacting one of your wingmates.

"Freelancer two-one to freelancer two-three. You alright Svetlana?" You asked your wingmate, checking in on her as was seemingly becoming the routine.

"I am fine comrade, you don't need to worry." Svetlana replied, trying to cool your nerves.

"You're flying the most out of date fighter in the squadron, against the people that will probably prioritise you the most out of everybody in the squadron due to said aircraft. I have every right to worry about you." You pointed out, making sure that she knew your worries.

"But I know their tactics, how their aircraft best function and what they can and cannot do. Not to mention this aircraft being very survivable indeed." Svetlana returned, giving her reasons for being bale to handle herself. "I am fine, you don't have to worry about me."

>"So, how did you find last night?"
>Talk with another squadmate (who?)
>Keep quiet until you reach the fight.
>Other (write in)

>>2097560
>"So, how did you find last night?"

>>2097560
>"So, how did you find last night?"

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"So, how did you find last night?" You asked, having to restrain yourself from snap-rolling as Zeus chuckeled to himself, the possible innuendos going unsaid. And from a bit of muffled laughter over the line, it sounded like someone else was also listening in.

A quick glance confirmed that you weren't using the direct, plane-to-plane link. You were using the flight-only network, which included Scorpion's and bats, your old German wingmates.

"It was fun, though I can think of better ways to spend a night~" Svetlana replied, trying to make Zeus and the Germans burst out in laughter at the innuendos. And from what you could tell, it was working. "It was a bit scary at first, I didn't like it when everybody was watching me. But your touch was so... reassuring~"

"So, you prefer to be seen when you're with him?" Scorpion asked, trying to suppress a giggle.

"Only when we're close~" Svetlana replied, trying to continue on her march to lewdness.

And she succeeded, as both Zeus and the Germans began to laugh. Even you couldn't help but chuckle, but it was besides the point.

"For real though, how did you find it?" You asked as everybody died down, finally giving you an opening to speak.

"It was... weird. Never before have I been to an event with such a public interest. All of the cameras and yelling and everything from the people outside was daunting. But once I got through, it was not too different to a few of the previous events that I went to back home. Just with more generals and important people. So thank you for helping me get past them." Svetlana replied, taking the question more seriously now.

"Any idea if any pictures of you two holding hands ended up in the news?" Zeus asked from just behind you, a bit of curiosity in his voice.

"Have we had any accusations of fraternisation?" You asked back.

"Not recently, hell, not since the start of the war." Zeus answered, apparently managing to find his answer and surprise you in one fell swoop.

"Wait, you two held hands?" Scorpion asked, your German friend sounding a bit shocked.

"Yes, I was afraid so he lead me past the press when we went in. Is there something wrong?" Svetlana asked innocently, in stark contrast to her earlier lewd comments.

"Well, there are such thing as fraternisation regulations. Which some people will think you two are breaking if those pictures do get out. And that can result in both of you either loosing your commission or getting reassigned." Weiss reminded the both of you, disappointment in hr voice mixed with something else.

>"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment."
>"If they're not out now, then they won't come out ever. We're fine."
>"Are you... jealous?"
>Other (write in)

>>2097720
>"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment."
>"Are you... jealous?"

I'm gonna call tonight's run here, we'll restart the thread tomorrow at around the same time. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to ask them and I'll answer them as soon as I am able.

>>2097720
>"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment."
>"Are you... jealous?"

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>>2097720
>"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment."
WE HAVE MUCH BIGGER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT

>>2097739
G'night, Thunderhead!

>>2097720
>>"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment."
>"Are you... jealous?"

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"If they come out, we will clarify the matter with the press. Don't worry, it won't come to a reassignment. There are more pressing things for the Navy to worry about than a single, minor and easy to explain beach of regulations." You explained, bringing up that the Navy wasn't currently in the position to be picky with conduct. Especially given the current global situation.

"Yeah, but-" Scorpion began, your German squadmate tried to press on, but you swiftly cut her off.

"Seriously, it's going to be fine. Or are you... jealous?" You asked, trying to throw your wingmate off balance so that she would stop worrying.

"Jealous? No! I'm annoyed that you would do something so stupid in front of so many damn cameras, without even giving a single thought to the damn regulations!" Scorpion replied, brushing over your question to continue her rant.

"So yeah, she's jealous." Vampire answered your question happily, obviously enthusiastic as being able to rile up her pilot up a bit more.

"Damn it Karla! This is serous!" Scorpion spat at her RIO, venom in her voice.

>"I had considered it beforehand, and a minor breach of protocol is better than running the risk of Svetlana having a panic attack right in their sights."
>"Look, we can talk about it when we land later. But until then, just accept that I had the best intentions in mind."
>Other (write in)

>>2099431
>>"Look, we can talk about it when we land later. But until then, just accept that I had the best intentions in mind."

>>2099431
>"Look, we can talk about it when we land later. But until then, just accept that I had the best intentions in mind."

>>2099431
>"I had considered it beforehand, and a minor breach of protocol is better than running the risk of Svetlana having a panic attack right in their sights."

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"Look, we can talk about it when we land later. But until then, just accept that I had the best intentions in mind." You replied, cutting off the conversation there. While you understood that Scorpion didn't like the idea of someone getting reassigned over such an innocent act, you did feel that she was overreacting.

"Fine." Scorpion replied simply, before going silent, probably having switched off the squadron network.

The rest of your flight out to the muster point just off Sado island. The mass of aircraft breaking apart into the two separate formations as you arrived over the island. Below, you could see the concrete firing positions of a number of assorted anti-ship missile batteries, SAMs and AA guns. The island's western face having been hastily built into a strong point to hopefully break up any incoming invasion fleet from Vladivostok. And with the fleet of assorted fighters and missile-armed interceptors overhead, the little island was rapidly becoming one of the most heavily armed sections of the Japanese coastline.

Your flight continued out, heading due west to intercept the incoming bomber force before they went feet wet over the Sea of Japan. However, the issue with such an attack was the fact that if you got too close to the mainland then you would be at major risk of either running afoul of the myriad of enemy SAM sites and patrol flights. Though to be really honest, the only thing you really worried about was the SAMs. The AWACs hung back over the island as the interception formation began to break up into it's constituent squadrons, and then into individual flights.

"Radar on chief?" Zeus asked over the internal radio. And you briefly contemplated it. If you put your radar on, you could bring your missiles to bear with the best possible accuracy, but it would also point you out to the enemy. On the other-hand, you could instead data-link to another member of the flight. Your set would stay cold, and you could still technically launch your missiles. But they wouldn't be as accurate as they could possibly be, and there was nothing to guarantee that the reds wouldn't fire at you anyways.

>Fire up the set and hunt for targets.
>Leave the set cold, you can data link to someone else.
>Other (write in)

>>2099623
>>Fire up the set and hunt for targets.

>>2099623
>>Leave the set cold, you can data link to someone else.
If we do get shot at though, fire 'em up.

>>2099623
>Leave the set cold, you can data link to someone else.
For now.

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"Leave the set cold. We can always go hot if we get shot at." You answered, switching one of your MFDs to show the feed from your IRST. Best case scenario, you wouldn't see anything. Worst case scenario, you wouldn't really need to bring the set online to get a shot on the enemy.

Of course, said worst case scenario would be if the enemy was within 100km, but if that happened then you bight as well just launch the missiles without a lock and pray that they find a target on their own.

"Ok, set's off. Should we data-link to Dredd? He's transmitting his radar picture to everybody through the destroyer." Zeus asked another question as you interrogated the IRST's feed. And found nothing in your scope.

"Sure. Pipe the feed into my number two MFD." You requested, having learned all that you could from your most passive on board sensor. So you might as well try and see what your flight lead could see.

As the radar picture was piped in from Dredd's bird, you were happy that the egg-heads back at home had managed to sort out the issues with the D model's AN/APG-71 sets. Your new echo 'cats could use them at their maximum range of 740km with a two-way data link. Of course, at such ranges you could certainly see a lot of things. But many of those things were utterly unnecessary. Thankfully however, someone in the chain had thoughtfully filtered out the things that you didn't need to worry about and had also overlaid the targets over a map. Things like transport flights, low flying aircraft and other such unimportant things had been left out. This left you clear to see where the enemy attack flight was coming from, and how they were spaced out.

The incoming attack flight had been broken up into 2 flights, much like how your defending group had been broken up. Their larger aircraft -most likely the bombers and support aircraft- were hanging back at the edge of the radar's picture range. A large force of smaller contacts were ranging much further ahead. Probably fighters sent to interdict any interceptors that tried to take out the bombers. The fighters were supported by high-flying interceptors of their own, Foxhounds and Foxbats flying as high as they could so that they could get the best picture they could for their own long range missiles. And soon, the flight was going to enter phoenix range. Thankfully, you didn't have to worry about if you should or shouldn't start shooting, you couldn't hit them this far out. But you did have some other things to consider.

>Try and take your flight low and around the enemy fighters, hopefully you can get past them at high speeds and take out their bombers and support aircraft.
>Stay with the main flight. It's too risky to try and go gallivanting off on some risky dash.
>Other (write in)

>>2099981
>Stay with the main flight. It's too risky to try and go gallivanting off on some risky dash.

>>2099981
>>Stay with the main flight. It's too risky to try and go gallivanting off on some risky dash
I don't really think the risk is worth the reward here.

>>2099981
>>Stay with the main flight. It's too risky to try and go gallivanting off on some risky dash.

You quickly cast the thought from your head. While the idea of getting in close and kicking the shit out of their bombers was certainly appealing, you had no way in without putting yourself and your wingmates at risk. You had no doubt in your mind that the reds had look-down shoot-down radar and the missiles to match. And even if they didn't, you would be in perfect position to be bounced. You would be running to your doom.

"Zeus, get the defensive suite up and running." You ordered as you held back. The huge engines growling with contained fury as you kept in formation, the older model aircraft being unable to supercruise. Forcing you to hang back on the throttle so that you didn't wander into their radar picture.

You didn't have to wait long before missiles started flying. The lead tomcats off to your left launching their Phoenixes at maximum range to break up the fighter formation, and the Soviets responded in kind. Zeus was quiet as the missiles edged closer and closer, only speaking as they crossed the 75 kilometre mark.

"Jammers are online, get ready to evade if I say so." Zeus ordered, his tone of voice telling you to listen in for all of your worth. Your sat tense for another few seconds, before he yelled another order.

"INCOMING! GO EVASIVE NOW!" Zeus ordered, and you quickly complied. You yanked the stick into your gut and slammed the throttle to it's stops. The engines screaming as you let the afterburners loose, the aircraft going vertical as you made to climb out of the missile's no-escape zone. Your giant aircraft responding extremely well to your controls. Your HUD showing that your number of available chaff countermeasures began to decrease as Zeus dropped them in your wake to try and confuse the missile.

"We're clear!" Zeus called out, and you brought your aircraft level again as the radar fired into life. You didn't know if the EB-66 had been shot down, or if the rampant jamming was messing with the data link, it didn't matter right now. What you did know was that all of your squadron's IFFs were still broadcasting, so none of you had been shot down in the first salvo.

"All flights, break and engage!" Dredd ordered over the squadron channel as you flicked over to your AMRAAMs, you were ready to fight.

>Charge into range and return fire.
>Hold off, save fuel and wait for the reds to walk into your sights on their own.
>Other (write in)

>>2100397
>Get scorpion to rush them with you, and have svetlana hang back a bit to help get people off your/weiss's tail

>>2100397
>>2100482
This.

>>2100397
Sounds like a plan I guess: >>2100482

>>2100397
this>>2100482

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"Scorpion, Svetlana, you both good to go?" You asked over the flight network, you looked down -effectively at the floor of your aircraft- and began to try and pick out their IFF markers in the midst of the buzzing jets below.

"Da, always shall be." Svetlana replied first, her eagle having not deviated in even the slightest from where your flight was once perched.

"Ready to go, though I'm down both of my phoenixes. Lost them to ECM on terminal." Scorpion reported, grunting slightly as she powered up to rejoin the fight, having dived away from a missile.

"Good, here's the plan. Scorpion and I will rush them, we should be able to get on top of them as the first birds make contact." You began as you dropped down from your high seat, noting a good dozen or so aircraft hit their afterburners and raced towards the enemy fighters. Most of the aircraft rushing in were eagles, but you did spy the swept profile of at least a couple of tomcats. "We'll mix it up and give you a rough estimate about the opposing strength and hopefully force them into disarray. Should be clear enough for you to zoom and boom them at will."

"But Razor-" Svetlana began, only for you to cut her off.

"No buts. We have no guarantee that CSAR can even get out this far. And even if they can, do you really want to be in the drink with a bunch of Soviet pilots?" You asked rhetorically. All of you knew what the likely outcome would be.

"Understood, I will hold back." Svetlana reluctantly acquiesced, though you could hear the dismay in her voice.

"AMRAAMs? You want to put a few into the red formation before we hit them?" Scorpion asked as your elements began to form up, only for Svetlana to drop back.

>"Dump them all into the formation, we want them to be as mixed up as possible before we hit them."
>"Fire a few at them, but not all of them. We need to keep a few for the bombers."
>"Negative, the other birds will be firing their own BVR stuff. We can save our missiles for the bombers."
>Other (write in)

>>2100808
>"If you think you have a good shot, then go for it. Otherwise we'll save them for the bombers."

>>2100808
>>"Negative, the other birds will be firing their own BVR stuff. We can save our missiles for the bombers."

>>2100808
this>>2100824

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"If you think you have a good shot, then go for it. Otherwise we'll save them for the bombers." You ordered, essentially taking your hands off the wheel when it came to your squadmate's weapons. You didn't bother to mention that the enemy may have ECM birds, you had all encountered them before, so you didn't need to treat your wingmate as an idiot. "You both ready?"

As soon as your wingmates responded in the affirmative, you eased your throttle forwards, gaining separation from Svetlana while leading Scorpion into the furball. You were fairly confident that your birds could out dance anything that the soviets had to offer, and anything that could would swiftly fall victim to your wingmates. Whether that would be by Weiss or Svetlana was still up in the air however.

"Zeus, can you get us some targets?" You asked your RIO, hoping that he could get you something to kill before you entered gun range.

"Yeah, give me just a bit..." Zeus trailed off, focusing on the task at hand. Soon enough however, two targets were singled out. The targets marked out on your helmet display in little red boxed with crosses in them. And a second later, they were joined by another pair of targets. "Done, one missile per target. No point in doubling up."

"Freelancer two-one, fox three!" You crowed over the allied frequency, which by now had devolved into a teeming mass of brevity code and pilots calling out that they were going down. Regardless, you let the AMAAMs fly. The 4 missiles suspended under your wing Y-racks on twin adaptors dropped away cleanly, and sailed straight for the enemy. Your aircraft's powerful radar guiding the missiles in. A glance over your shoulder confirmed that Scorpion was also launching her missiles, but unlike you, she only launched a pair of the nippy little missiles.

A few seconds later, Zeus spoke up again. " Good track on three of them, the other lost track and will maddog."

"Is it clear of friendly birds?" You asked, worried that the loose missile would track onto a friendly bird. Lord knew that the missiles themselves couldn't recognise what birds were friendly and what were not.

"Yep." Zeus replied calmly as you figured out how you'd play this.

>Get high and dive on them! You'll be exposed for a bit longer, but you'll have the height and speed advantage.
>Stay level and charge them! You'll be running into their guns but at least you'll all be on a level footing.
>Dive low and get under them! They'll have the height advantage, but they can't fight both you and the friendly birds at the same time.
>Other (write in)

>>2101042
>>Dive low and get under them! They'll have the height advantage, but they can't fight both you and the friendly birds at the same time.

>>2101042
>Get high and dive on them! You'll be exposed for a bit longer, but you'll have the height and speed advantage.
ENERGY

>>2101042
>>Get high and dive on them! You'll be exposed for a bit longer, but you'll have the height and speed advantage.

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"Follow me up, we're going to bounce them!" You instructed Scorpion, before then gently bringing your tomcat into a climb. Your plan to bounce them was simple enough, assuming that the interceptors didn't try and take a swing at you.

"Are we just going to dive right in, or should we try and cut them off?" Scorpion asked as she took up spacing from you, drifting a good 200 meters away from you on your starboard side.

"Dive right in. We want them to run." You clarified simply as you passed angles 30. You'd bounce them from 40,000 feet and then get stuck in while you had the speed advantage.

"Good, a trapped animal is a deadly one after all." Scorpion remarked simply, likening the situation to hunting.

You didn't bother to speak again until you reached your perch, and even then it was only to tell Scorpion to level off. Up here, the sheer cold was able to seep into the cockpit. You internally cursed that you hadn't put your leather jacket on before you went wheels up as you rolled inverted, holding your aircraft horizontal so that you didn't loose altitude while you surveyed the furball below you.

Below you, you saw that the enemy formation was made up of some of the more advanced Soviet aircraft. They were still a mixed bag to be sure, but you could see the shapes of Fulcrums and Flanker-Ds mixed in amongst the older MiG-21s. The Fishbeds certainly made up the bulk of the formation, but they were struggling to keep up with even the F-15s. The Air Force birds being slightly worse than the Tomcat in such knife-fights. The Fulcrums and Flankers however were reaping a bloody toll to be sure. As you watched on, a fulcrum latched onto the tail of an F-15. A burst of cannon fire later and the eagle fell away from the furball. Fire streaking from it's now separated halves.

>Take out the Flankers! They're the biggest threat!
>Take out the Fulcrums! They're not as dangerous as the Flankers, but there are more of them!
>Start thinning out the Fishbeds! The sooner you can even out the numbers the better.
>Other (write in)

>>2101281
>Take out the Flankers! They're the biggest threat!

>>2101281
>Take out the Flankers! They're the biggest threat!

>>2101281
>>Take out the Flankers! They're the biggest threat!

>>2101281
>>Take out the Flankers! They're the biggest threat!

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Making a snap decision, you decided that the Flankers were the bigger threats. Their manoeuvrability was only really matched by the pair of echo 'cats that were already engaged. Two flankers had them tied up while the others went to work taking apart the more mundane aircraft. Overall, you spied 6 of the damn things.

You inwardly thanked and cursed that you had decided to bring out the sidewinders this time. On the one hand, they weren't the best at taking out highly manoeuvrable targets like Flankers when fired off boresight. But on the other hand, you had 4 of the damn things. And more missiles were always welcome.

As such, you simply pitched over and rolled level. Diving down towards the furball as you switched to missiles. You gave your wingmate her orders as you dived. "Go for the flankers, take them out and the formation will be down to lighter assets."

Scorpion simply responded with a pair of mic clicks as your aircraft went supersonic. The wings swinging back to reduce drag as you selected your target. A Flanker and a Fishbed seemed to be jostling for position behind a damaged Viper. The F-16's engine coughing smoke while the aircraft behind it tried to get a good shot on it. Something which wasn't helped by some practically masterful aerobatics by the US pilot.

You quickly locked up the Fishbed with a sidewinder and fired. The missile jumping off it's rack and streaking towards the Fishbed as it tried to get in front of the Flanker. And it did actually manage it. the hotshot pilot in the older aircraft actually managed to force his way in front of the Flanker and line up for a shot.

And it was at around this time that he exploded.

The Flanker obviously saw that his friendly rival had just gone up in flames as he performed a tight barrel roll. Dodging the debris of your first kill while also spoiling your gun run. Unfortunately for him, you had brought enough missiles to share with everybody. And just before you passed him, you locked him up with a sidewinder and fired. The high-deflection shot was hard for your missile to make, but he had bled airspeed to keep his position behind the wounded viper. And as such, he could do nothing as the missile slammed into him as you passed him at high speed.

"FLANKER ON OUR EIGHT! HE'S AFTER US!" Zeus yelled at you, and a quick glance in your rear-facing mirror confirmed that he was coming in right behind you.

>Take him into the sea! You fight better at low altitudes anyways.
>Drag him up into the furball! Maybe you can loose him?
>Rolling scissors! You don't have much altitude to play with, but you can make it work.
>Other (write in)

>>2101509
>Take him into the sea! You fight better at low altitudes anyways.

>>2101509
>Drag him down then see if Svet can can get the drop on him
We held her back for this exact situation, after all.

While we wait for the tiebreaker, I'm gonna call it here for tonight, and maybe even for tomorrow night as well as I have prior plans to honour. I might be able to get some posts in early before I leave, but no promises. We'll definitely run the day after tomorrow, and the day after that as I am certainly free then. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to ask them and I'll answer them as soon as I am able.

>>2101509
>Drag him up into the furball! Maybe you can loose him?

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>>2101509
Supporting >>2101575

>>2102743
saved

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“Svetlana, I’ve got a bandit on my tail. I need a little help here!” You requested as you entered a defensive spiral. Your missile warning system began to scream as the enemy pilot locked you up with one of his IR missiles. You quickly reversed your spiral and dumped flares in your wake. The MAWs dying off as the missile tracked onto one of your flares and exploded in your wake.

“I see him, keep him in the spiral for now and get ready to level off.” Svetlana instructed you, and you clicked your microphone twice in response as your eyes darted from the rear-facing mirrors and the altimeter. Trying to keep the enemy fighter off your tail, while not dropping into the ocean. You kept your dive for a good few seconds longer, until Svetlana spoke again.

“Level off now!” Your wingmate ordered, and you instantly complied. Your aircraft nimbly breaking out of the dive and into level flight. The enemy fighter still pursuing you as you performed the brutal maneuver.

And the soviet had just a few seconds to enjoy his position, before his aircraft was riddled with 20mm rounds. His fuel tanks detonating as the explosive 20mm rounds punched their way into his bird and tore it apart. Svetlana passing just above him as she broke off from her run.

“He’s down.” Svetlana reported calmly, before hastily adding a warning. “Two fishbeds incoming from above!”

You glanced up in time to see the old fighter break away from the furball above you. The light fighters were past their prime to be sure, but they had the advantage of positioning. And worse still, they were between you and your main targets, the remaining Flankers.

>Climb past them! You can hit them with a sidewinder as you pass if you need to, but you can’t waste time tangling with the small fry.
>Have Svetlana distract them while you get back into the fight! It will be harder for her, but she should have no issues with killing the two fighters.
>Deal with the interlopers! Once they’re gone, you can focus on the rest of the battle!
>Other (write in)

>>2103991
>Deal with the interlopers! Once they’re gone, you can focus on the rest of the battle!

>>2103991
>Have Svet help you clear the fishbeds then see if you can deal with the flankers.

>>2103991
>Deal with the interlopers! Once they’re gone, you can focus on the rest of the battle!

>>2103991
>>Deal with the interlopers! Once they’re gone, you can focus on the rest of the battle!

Gonna need a tiebreaker...

>>2103991
>Deal with the interlopers! Once they’re gone, you can focus on the rest of the battle!

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These MiG-21s were an issue… or they would have been if you were still flying that phantom from back with VF-126. It’s not as if you don’t like the phantom, it was the first bird that you had ever flown past supersonic. And was definitely your 2nd most loved bird, maybe 3rd if you counted the echo ‘cat as separate from the rest of the Tomcat family.

But no, those little Fishbeds were out of their league. They had been for a while, but this was the equivalent of beating a seal with a spiked baseball bat.

The pilots of the MiGs were not dumb, they had just seen their better be ripped asunder, and were diving into the fray from an advantageous position. The two of them splitting up to face both you and Svetlana at the same time. And were you both confined to standard models available to most other in the theatre, then you be in a serious spot of bother. You had loved showing up cocksure pilots in the DACT flights that you had taken part in by bouncing Eagles and Tomcats in that old Phantom, showing that having the superior aircraft didn’t mean shit if the enemy was able to get a good position over you.

However, you were not flying some primitive, baseline, aircraft. You were flying possibly the most advanced bird in the theatre.

You tugged the stick into your stomach once again, -and once again- the tomcat kicked it’s nose skywards. And for just a second you considered sicking another sidewinder onto one of the MiGs, but with your stocks already halved and the deflection angle being so good. You decided that it was time to add another one to the list of gun kills. The MiG that was diving on Svetlana must have been cued off from his wingmate, because he tried to break off before you got your shot off. And he just about succeeded. Your tracers nipping a chunk out of his wing, but he kept flying.

You kept on him however, and it took you almost no time at all to drag your pipper over him again. And this time, you were not denied. To his credit however, the enemy pilot knew he was done. And hit his airbrakes and flaps to slow down as much as he could, in an effort to maximise the chances of him being able to eject safely. The barrage of 20mm shells punched a neat line of holes into the jet’s fuselage, gutting the engine from within the aircraft. You broke off your run just in time to see the canopy be blow from it’s mounting. You didn’t need to look to know that the pilot had punched out.

>CONT

>>2107205

You were forced to enter a wide barrel-roll as the second MiG made it’s run on you. The 23mm tracers etching a brilliant stream of orange through the sky where your bird was meant to be if you hadn’t dodged. You simply waited for the fast moving MiG to pass you by as he couldn’t slow down in time to get onto your tail. Instead however, he hit his afterburner and blew fast you as fast as he could. The simple but ingenious act robbed you from a guns kill. However, his afterburner presented a pretty tail-aspect shot. One that your sidewinders could never miss.

“Fox two!” Svetlana crowed as you flicked over to sidewinders. And you held your fire for just a second as you made to confirm just what she was hooting at. A momentary spike of worry flaring up as you wondered if you had missed an incoming bogey.

Your answer was provided with a sudden flash of light in front of you, and your prey being blow into supersonic debris.

“Splash two!” Svetlana confirmed her kill, a hint of happiness in her voice.

You didn’t have long to care about your kill being stolen as there was a fight going on. And there was a large number of pilots calling for aid. Both squadmates and allied pilots alike.

>Assist Dredd! He has a Flanker and a Fulcrum on his tail.
>Assist Scorpion! She had a pair of flankers on her tail.
>Assist the US pilots!
>Assist the IJN pilots!
>Other (write in)

>>2107208
>Assist Dredd! He has a Flanker and a Fulcrum on his tail.
REMOVE SUKHOI

Need another vote...

>>2107208
>>Assist Dredd! He has a Flanker and a Fulcrum on his tail.

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"Any flights, I need assistance!" You locked into the distress call from your squadron commander. Your brain instantly prioritising him as he used his most authoritative voice. "I have a flanker and a fulcrum on my tail."

"We see you! Inbound twenty seconds or less." You replied, managing to find Dredd on your helmet mounted display. You really had to thank the guys at Grumman for this system, as it really cut down on the amount of work that you had to do. And the system itself was very easy. Enemies were marked with a red box, allies with a blue one and a green one for your allies. And in this case, it was easy to see where Dredd was. But that was the only real positive piece of news.

Unfortunately, he had been forced to the top of the furball. His attackers keeping his bird as far away from the low and thick air that the Tomcat manoeuvred the best in. Thankfully, he was also flying an Echo 'cat, which meant that he was able to throw the reds off his tail with the bird's improved manoeuvrability. But for every second that he spent alone and unsupported, the reds were able to claw an inch closer. And you had no idea how long it would take for one of the missile-armed jets in the furball below to get involved, at such short distances Dredd would have little tome to react. If any at all.

As such, you decided that you had little time to waste. And you again turned your aircraft skywards, this time electing not to use your afterburners. Your jet still sucked up a whole load of fuel in being pushed to their limits, but you could make the climb well enough without afterburners. Even so, your climb rate was much slower than your speed at level flight.

The climb up to altitude was fast, but even this was fraught with danger. With so many jets buzzing around, you had to trace your way through the spiderweb of high-speed maneuvers. Every few seconds, Zeus would scream a direction and you would snap your jet in that direction to avoid a collision. However, your bird could roll like a drunk alligator. So you could quickly pull yourself through with minimal fuss. Or about as minimal as you could get when flying through the great aeronautical clusterfuck that was a massed dogfight.

You came up from beneath the Flanker, who's nose was getting too close to your commander's jet for your liking. You flicked over to guns and dragged the pipper over the enemy jet, a quick tug on the trigger being all that was needed to spit a decent cloud of 20mm fuck you at your foe.

And it was around that point, that the Flanker performed a Pugachev's Cobra.

The enemy pilot couldn't have seen you, he didn't have eyes in the bottom of his jet. But he did have a wingmate that probably tipped him off. But he only escaped by luck alone, as a few of your rounds lightly punctured into the jet, or carved long lacerations into the jet's body. Both causing shrapnel to be blown off his jet to twinkle in the sunlight like the night stars.

>CONT

>>2107628

You snarled into your oxygen mask as you passed between the Soivets. Your canopy rolled over so you could face the trailing MiG-29, which was currently pulling up to try and get on your tail. You hit your afterburners and slammed your stick to the left, narrowly avoiding an incoming stream of tracers from the Fulcrum before you hauled your jet over, and into the end of a modified Immelmann turn. And from here, you had but a few seconds to decide upon your target.

>Hit the Flanker! That Sukhoi needs to die!
>Kill the Fulcrum! The sooner the MiG dies, the sooner you can deal with the Flanker!

>>2107629
>Hit the Flanker! That Sukhoi needs to die!

>>2107629
>Hit the Flanker! That Sukhoi needs to die!

>>2107629
>Hit the Flanker! That Sukhoi needs to die!

>>2107629
>>Hit the Flanker! That Sukhoi needs to die!

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You had a couple of seconds. A few seconds to quickly exploit the vulnerable Sukhoi that was busy trying to get back on the tail of your commanding officer, who was taking the chance to escape on full afterburners. Leaving you alone with a pair of very angry reds.

Well, you might as well get to work.

You quickly dived down on the floundering Sukhoi, the enemy jet dead to rights as it passed into your sights. And you had no intention of letting him slip away. He was too good for you to simply allow to stay in this fight. The plastic of the stick creaked under your iron grip as you practically forced the trigger in as deep as it would go. And your bird's cannon let out a buzzsaw like scream in delight as you released it's unbridled fury. The air frame buffeting slightly and a whisper of pale-grey gun smoke passed the canopy in the corner of your eye.

The buzzsaw like report of the cannon was matched by it's effects on the enemy jet. In you characteristic pattern, you had cut the enemy jet from intake to tailplane. The cannon practically chewing through airframe, avionics and empty fuel tanks with ease. The giant weapon, which -in another form- was also fitted to warships to shoot down incoming missiles by simply spraying rounds into the sky like a damn sandbalster. And this big hunk of machinery had much greater effect on the enemy plane than the reds had probably imagined.

It was all over in but a second or so. And you passed underneath the punctured, perforated and permanently destroyed. The two burning halves of the enemy aircraft falling out of the sky behind you.

"FULCRUM ON OUR ASS! DUCK!" Zeus called your attention, and you instantly shoved the stick forwards. Causing your jet to duck underneath the enemy tracers. You glanced up into you rear facing mirror to see the enemy jet on your tail.

"Chief, I need a bit of help over here!" You asked over the radio, essentially asking for help as you tried to lead the enemy fighter into a flat scissors manoeuvre. Hoping to slowly loose speed so that you could get him on a guns pass. But he kept glued to you, instead of falling for the bait.

"Almost on him, standby to break right on my mark." Dredd ordered, his voice stern and commanding. And you held on, each second passing like torture as you tried to shake your bandit. However, this particular Soviet was able to keep up with you by virtue of flying just as aggressively as you.

"Get ready...." Dredd said over the radio, and you prepared yourself as best you could for the sudden-

"MARK!" Dredd yelled over the radio as you spotted his bird pop up from the furball ahead of you. You quickly slammed your jet to the right, rolling it just a second before pitching over. Leaving your pursuer to his fate in your wake.

And you watched as the entire nose of the enemy jet was practically ripped off. The cockpit being shredded by hundreds of 20mm shells as the hunter became the hunted. All hope for the pilot surviving going out the window.

>CONT

>>2107772

"We've got incoming sir. The enemy bombers have entered missile range." Ahab crowed over the radio, before almost instantly adding. "Fox three!" as he launched his BVR missiles at the encroaching threat.

>Re-enter the furball! The more reds you kill, the better your allies chances!
>Lob your missiles at the bombers! They're the mission!
>Other (write in)

>>2107775
>>Lob your missiles at the bombers! They're the mission!
If Svet or Dredd wants to, see if they can help you shoot down the bombers. Also remember to thank Dredd.

>>2107772
>Lob your missiles at the bombers! They're the mission!

>>2107775
>>Lob your missiles at the bombers! They're the mission!

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"Understood one-two. Two-one is engaging the bombers." You confirmed that you had heard Ahab, before then turning to face the incoming bombers. While this was the role that your bird had been originally designed for, what every Tomcat had been originally designed for. Your bird was so different that it was practically the same as using a Strike Eagle as an all-weather interceptor. You could fulfil the role just as well as the older birds -if not better-, but your bird had been practically rebuilt to take on many other roles.

"Zeus, fire up the set and get me a firing solution." You ordered your RIO after switching back to the internal radio link. Behind you however, you already knew that your RIO was doing as you had asked. Before you had asked.

"Got 'em locked up for you now. AMRAAMs on your trigger." Zeus returned a second later, the reticle on your HUD switching to the one for your BVR missiles, with AIM-120A printed in the top-right.

"Freelancer two-one, fox three!" You crowed as you launched your missiles. All of your remaining 4 AMRAAMs dropped from their fuselage hardpoints and streaked towards the enemy. The missiles flying away at mach 3, their sensors following the scent of your targets like a bloodhound with a rocket motor shoved up it's ass.

You watched on the scope as your missiles tracked into their targets. But at this range, you didn't know just how much damage you had done to your targets. You could have winged them, you could have blown their cockpits to bits, you just didn't know. However, almost as soon as your missiles had hit, new contacts began to pop into view. Each one dropping away from a larger blip like cells dividing and multiplying, like some crude facsimile of nature.

And a quickly glance at the feed from your IRST confirmed your suspicions.

"MISSILE LAUNCH!" You cried out, -not over the squadron network- but over the general purpose network. "ENEMY BOMBERS HAVE LAUNCHED MISSILES!"

"Confirmed, enemy bombers have launched cruise missiles. All interception aircraft are to break from engagement and egress back to friendly airspace at top speed." The solemn voice of the AWACS Kamikaze ordered. "Fresh crews will cover the SAR flight."

>Follow orders, disengage immediately and head for home.
>Gather up your flight and disengage. You aren't going to leave them behind.
>You still have missiles! You can cover your allies as they disengage.
>Other (write in)

>>2107975
>Gather up your flight and disengage. You aren't going to leave them behind.
o fug

>>2107975
>Gather up your flight and disengage. You aren't going to leave them behind.

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"Scorpion, Svetlana! It's time to go!" You ordered your wingmates over the flight network as you switched back to sidewinders.

"Good, it looks like they've had about enough." Scorpion stated flatly as you rolled over to get a better look at the furball beneath you. And to say that your German friend wasn't kidding would be an understatement.

The Soviets were fleeing in force. They had managed to complete their mission at the very least, and had decided that it was better to run and live than to stay and die. The Flankers and Fulcrums were the first to leave, the modern fighters quickly escaping under only a limited amount of fire from the few allied fighters that had been freed from their dogfights. One Flanker took a sparrow to the wing, blowing it clean off at the root and sending it spiralling into the sea. A pair of fulcrums suffered near-misses, one of which seemed to knock a jet brutally to the side. And part of you wondered if that plane would even make it to feet dry, let alone landing.

The remaining MiGs however, were obviously either the ones who drew the short straw in life, or had pissed somebody off. As not even the first allied bird had broke off when the entire line of Fishbeds broke off and sprinted away. Some hitting their afterburners and trying to sprint away from the angry Americans that were behind them. Others however flew off at a subsonic speed. You weren't sure if they had decided to go slow due to a lack of fuel, or so that they could actually eject if they were hit by a parting missile.

As it would turn out however, nobody was really in the mood for fighting.

The allied war birds had been beat badly. Just from rough guesses, the reds had managed to down around a quarter of the birds that had been sent in. Others lagged behind from shredded engines or damaged wings. A few fell out of the sky altogether, their holed fuel tanks unable to give any fuel to their engines. You weren't coming out of the battle scot-free either, you had lost the entire port nacelle fuel tank at some point. Your engines had overheated so much that Zeus forced you to glide most of the way home once you were out of danger. Additionally, you had lost all electronics in the starboard wing-glove pylon and had almost completely ran out of countermeasures. Zeus had seen fit to set the system to dispense them to automatic almost as soon as you had entered combat.

However, as you formed back up you noted with some pride that even though many allied jets had fallen, the fighters of VF-21 had once again came out with no real losses. There had been damage, Svetlana's bird was missing most of it's left tail stabiliser. Ahab's jet was belching smoke from a damaged engine and Kay's wings had been effectively locked into the fully swept position. Not so much of a problem for a fast exit, but you knew that it would play hell with her on landing. But it was all repairable, nothing important had been lost.

You idly wondered how long this would last.

>>2108174

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm gonna call the thread here folks. Sorry that we couldn't do a continuous run this week, I know that it probably showed. But regardless, I think that things have gone rather well. Don't you?

Either way, if you have any questions then do feel free to ask them while the thread is still up. If I don't manage to answer you question before the thread falls off the board then I'll answer it either on my twitter account or next week.

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>>2108181
>lose half of the fun pieces on our ride
Really puts the "gone" in "gone rather well". See you next time, Thunderhead.