You and Danielle have managed to find a quiet space and spread out a map of the Nevada test and training complex on a table there, going over it. “Here.” She says confidently, stabbing a finger at one of the ingress routes to the complex after studying the map for a few minutes. “We go in low, pop these three radar sites, and after that we only have to avoid this one here and maybe that one. There’s only supposed to be one S-400 there and maybe a pantsir near the target complex itself, along with some guns. Easy.”

“What about REDFOR’s air?” You ask.

She shrugs noncommittally. “We won’t have to worry about them if they can’t see us, and if we go in low enough even the AWACS is going to struggle with the mountains there. We won’t have to engage them if we don’t want, and we’ll be able to dictate position if we do with their air defense network dead.”

Looking back down at the map, you note that her proposed route is noted to be heavily layered in air defense systems and radars- and you’re sure there’s likely to be air force aggressors there too. Then again, this is exactly what her service record indicated she excelled at- punching a hole in AA/AD layered defenses- all the wyvern really adds to what she was doing is the ability to kill targets on the other side, too.

[] I don’t know, that’s a lot of air defense to tangle with.
[] Alright, let’s do it.

>>3302868
[x] Alright, let’s do it.

It's her thing, and if we're going to fuck up, it's best to do it when and where it's safe.

>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

She knows what she's doing, best to trust her on it. Best night of the week!

>>3302868
[x] Alright, let’s do it.

>>3302868
>[] Alright, let’s do it.

not really comfortable with it but lets see what she is made of

>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

We're here to test our witch, rather than just workup with the wyvern. If she's confident that this is her area of expertise, I say we see what she can do.
That, and this is in fact exactly what I expected from her. I am really excited to see what she can handle.

>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

>>3302868
>[] I don’t know, that’s a lot of air defense to tangle with.
If she's been doing SEAD in her past, of course she doesn't car about red air. That's not our bag though; we need to worry about all threats.

I thought we were doing 1 flight for each of the prospective RIOs. Did that change?

>>3302890
Don't complain. The more flights with Danielle, the better

>>3302868
>[] Alright, let’s do it.
let's let her do her thing.

>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

>>3302900
>The more flights with Danielle, the worse
FTFY

>>3302890
Pretty sure it's several flights per witch

>>3302868

Agree, but make our concerns known.

>>3302910
I see we have differing opinions, sir. I'll have to fix that with more screentime of /fit/ SEADwitch.

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>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.
We should trust her, that said, the F-35s may spot us optically, so we should watch out for that.

ok, votes called!

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[x] Alright, let’s do it.

You nod, not looking up from the map. “Alright, let’s do it.” You say. “I’m still worried about all the air defenses in this area, but you’ve got combat time, I don’t.”

She looks up and grins. “Letting me strut my stuff, huh? Shoulda worn something racy.”

You favor her with a very light smile. “I’d have thought the flight suit was racy enough.”

She blinks- and then, after a second, laughs. “So he does have a sense of humor!” She exclaims, smiling.

You shrug, reaching down to fold up the map. “So we’re good?”

She nods. “Yeah, I think so. I’m a little worried they’re not telling us the whole story, but this is a hell of a lot more than we got when we went into Iraq for round two, so I can deal, I guess.”

[] How bad was the intel there?
[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.

>>3302999
>[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.

>>3302999

>[z] How bad was the Intel?

"Was this 'A squadron we missed?' or" HAHA FUNNY STORY ABOUT THAT AIRBASE "

>>3302999
>[x] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.

We probably won't have intel this good in live combat, but it's a hell of a nice breather for now.

>>3302999
>[X] How bad was the Intel?
Hi, didn’t know this got rebooted! Also noticed Ghost is a GFL fan, good taste.

>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?

>>3302999
>[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.

>>3302999
>[] How bad was the intel there?
Curiosity killed the cat, but will it kill the Morgan?

>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?

>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?
Curious how different it was compared to IRL.

>I’m a little worried they’re not telling us the whole story
Wouldn't be too surprised if they didn't

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>>3302999
>[X] How bad was the intel there?

ok, votes called!

>>3302900
Lmao more flights with a female pilot. That’s literally the least safe thing I can think of. The US Air Force recently dismissed its only fighter squadron flight commander because she was so bad at her job she put everyone else in danger. Less than 2 months on the job and nearly gets everyone else killed multiple times.

>>3303099
You do realize there will be a girl with us no matter what right? That’s like, foundational.

>>3303108

Ignore him, you can't fix stupid

>>3303099
See the following post
>>3303108
Also, she's not the pilot, she's our SIO, we're the pilot.

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>>3303099
Actually calling "Woman Driver" in a witch quest.

>>3303118

Good gif choice, btw

>>3303127
Thank you. My collection is small, but I try.

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[x] How bad was the intel there?

“How bad was the intel there?” You ask as she leads the way out of the room you two had been in.

She shrugs. “Worse than that,” She says, indicating the map. “We were mostly going on what satellites could tell us, Iraqi witches were pretty decent at popping drones, the ones they had. And the Iraqis had a lot of road and overland mobile systems, they learned after the war in eighty nine. A lot of popup threats they’d move into an area long enough for it to take a couple shots, then try to get the fuck out. Sometimes it worked for ‘em, sometimes not.”

“And there were their gargoyles.” You add, and she nods.

“Yeah, and then there were those fuckers.” She says, looking kind of angry at being reminded about them. “How the hell they slipped past the CIA or whoever is a question I’d love to see answered, but I’d also love a rubdown from Jason Momoa, so I guess no one gets to be happy. We got lucky that they didn’t have that many of them, and that the deal they inked for more missiles got shut down.”

“And now Iran has ‘em.”

“And now Iran has ‘em, along with their homebrew knockoff and the ones they bought straight up from Moscow. Their air defense network is a damn mess, and it’s got just about everything anyone’s ever used from nineteen forty on in it somewhere. Don’t get me started unless drinkings involved, I could go all night.” She looks over at you with a grin. “If you’re into that.”

[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

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>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

I want to hear what she has to say on the subject.

>>3303207
>[Z] Good point, we should get focused on the task at hand.

AAAAAA FIRST FLIGHT

>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

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>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
Why do I get the feeling an aggressor witch or two are gonna be thrown at us anyways?

>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
Time to get to work.

>>3303258
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303253
While typically witches might skip out on noob flights, we have a considerable reputation. I suspect we'll have more than average witches here, not less.

>>3303265
Should point
>>3303207
Sorry

>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303207
[X] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

Always good to get more info on the Nasties out there.

>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303099
Please get murdered, holy shit.

ok, votes called!

>>3303099
You didn't do....like ANY background reading for this quest did you? Just shut the fuck up.

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[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

“Point.” you respond, holding the door open for her. “We should get focused.”

“Sorry, I was thinking about that rubdown.” She grins. “Makes the flight suit not so bad.”

You shake your head, a smile twitching at the corners of your mouth- it’s funny enough, to be sure, if not entirely your style of humor.

You pass through the life support shops pretty quickly, having elected to wear your flight suit today anyway. With everything checked out, you take a few minutes to shrug into your gear- G-suit, rescue vest, gloves. Your personal effects, like your wallet, go into the top shelf of your locker, though it ends up being fairly lonely up there, with only your sunglasses joining it.

You step back out of the locker room to see Danielle already changed and waiting. She gives you another crooked grin. “Not much to do but take everything off and put this thing on.” She says, by way of explanation. “Shall we?”

You nod, following her out of the building. There’s no crew van waiting for you this time, and the crew around your wyvern, when you get there, isn’t nearly as large, just the fueling crew and the ammo handlers, checking both the captive training missiles and the live bombs before flight.

The Chief- and Merlin- are both somewhere else, which, for the chief makes sense, though you do wonder about your aunt. She was probably up with the crew late into the night again, tweaking the aircraft after your first flight. Instead the flight line lead is the ranking member of the ground crew there- the chief’s second in command. She nods in your direction when she sees you, and you return the gesture. “Got a minute sir?” She asks, walking over. “Miss Wells wanted me to pass along a couple things.”

“I’ll head up.” Danielle says, indicating the unlocked crew ladder. “Start getting it all warmed up.”

[] Of course, no rush.
[] Ok, but be quick. I can get all the details later.

>3303472
[x] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.
>>3303478
Anon, you know you can just click on the post number, right?

>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
We must listen to this, if Merlin wanted us to know it needs to be important.

>>3303478
F

>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[X] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
[] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.

>>3303485
Something went wrong, somehow deleted the first '>'

>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.

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>>3303510
F

>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.

>>3303472
>[X] Of course, no rush.

Votes called!

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[x] Of course, no rush.

You nod. “Of course,” you say, watching Danielle start up the ladder without trying to stare. “No rush.”

“She didn’t leave much to say, sir.” The Chief- an E-7- says, digging into her thigh pocket to pull out a small notepad. “So she wanted to tell you that they tweaked the jets a bit, based on the data from your first flight, and that she could explain what was going on there later. The ship’s AI is going to be silent and learning for the next week or so, but it’s fully capable, they just won’t bring it fully online till you have your gib. Ah.. let me see.” She pauses, flipping through the pages.

“Oh, right. She wanted whoever passed along the message to tell you that she would like it if you could come over and cook evening chow.” you smile at that, while the chief- you’re going to have to think of another title for the woman- frowns a bit. “You can cook, sir?”

You laugh and nod. “Mom taught me how. Mostly stuff from down home, shiken, dirty rice, shrimp boil, that kinda thing.”

Her grin gets wide- “Louisana?”

You nod. “Raised there, anyway.”

“I’m from Layfayette.” She says.

“Oh yeah,” you say, smiling. “I know where dat is. Most of our land be near to N’awlins, Maman does most of her business in the city.”

She smiles when she hears your accent come out- it’s rare, and you try to keep it that way. “I can hear it.” She responds. “We moved away when I was little, dad was army.” She stops. “I could get going, sir, we’d better get up and get moving or they’ll start whining. Good to meet you- I’m Chief Petty Officer Brown, by the way, sorry.”

“Lieutenant Junior Grade Laroux-Bishop.” you say. “Though I guess you knew that already?”

She laughs and nods. “I’ll do the walk with you.” She says, gesturing for you to follow her on a preflight inspection. She jokes a bit more than the Chief did, and laughs easier- more personable in general, though you suspect your shared home state may help. Still, it takes about fifteen minutes before you start the climb up to the cockpit.

You strap in quickly, leaving your helmet on your lap as you do so, and you hit the canopy retract as you settle it on your head. “Waiting on you, we’re to pre engine start” Danielle says, as soon as you have the intercom plugged in.

You work through the rest of the start up sequence, hitting the VDNI uplink last. You blink as it starts up- the familiar dizziness passing quickly while the wyvern warms up around you.

“We’re good to roll.” Danielle says. “Taxiway on the right, behind that aggressor -16. Any changes to the plan?”

[] too late for that I think.
[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still

>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
F-35s are srs bsns even for the Wyvern.

>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
We need to keep a balanced eye on things

>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>Though you still haven't made a cake that's met her standards yet.
I don't think anyone in this story could match Santa's cake.

>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>Though you still haven't made a cake that's met her standards yet.
We'll have to work on that.

>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

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>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
Need a plan for OPFOR witches, them getting the drop on us with their guns at low altitude is gonna be rough if they pull us up into a net of F-35's. Danielle's strength is in EW, not dogfighting...

>>3303796
Worse is the 35's spotting us on their electro-optical and vectoring the possible witches on the Wyvern without us knowing.

>>3303755
>[x] too late for that I think.

So the biggest advantage against F-35s as I see it is their minimal depth of magazine if they're going internals only. They'll only have 4x AIM-120s apiece. They'll be relying on multiple groups taking us on at once as well as support from SAMs. Furthermore, any tracks from their EOTS system cannot be linked from plane to plane. If we can get away with it, we can "ignore" a pair of F-35s, attacking other groups, defeating their missiles by a mix of kinematics, EW, and decoys until they go Winchester and become a nonfactor unless they go in for guns, which would be a remarkably bad decision on their part.

>>3303808
Would they have a reason to go internal only though? They'll have no particular need for stealth here.

>>3303814
>Would they have a reason to go internal only though?
Sure. It complicates our ability to find and shoot them, also letting them close to get better shots. Having external missiles would lead to them being detected and engaged from extended ranges. It's essentially bringing a 4th generation fighter into the mix instead of a 5th. They probably want to find us, get in close, and drown us under a wave of missiles that are still in a high enough energy state to hit us.

ok, votes called!

>>3303808
>Furthermore, any tracks from their EOTS system cannot be linked from plane to plane.
You mind providing a citation for this? Because while I don't expect getting one F-35 getting missile locks off of another F-35, I'm pretty sure the infrared sensors and radar are linked into MADL. Meaning if one of them sees us, all of them will and promptly vector in for their own locks.

>>3303936
It's specific wordage. The IRST will not be able to pass its "lock" to another aircraft through a datalink because it can't provide distance. It can provide a bearing from the sensor. Hell, it might even be able to provide a vertical angle from the sensor (although I doubt it). However, without range information it can't provide targeting information of sufficient clarity for a firing solution to other aircraft. Now, if one were to see us they'd call out similar information over the radio and they'd all be able to swarm in to try and get their own tracks with a pretty good idea of where it's at, but it's not actionable until they have their own.

>>3303947
Actually, turns out the F-35 can pass targeting information. The Navy had an F-35 paint an MQM-107 so it could be hit by a ground-launched SM-6:
https://news.usni.org/2016/09/13/video-successful-f-35-sm-6-live-fire-test-points-expansion-networked-naval-warfare

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[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

“Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff?” You say, starting your taxi roll. “I’m worried about red air.”

“That’s why I suggested the route I did.” She points out. “That route in has so many warning radar complexes and SAM sites they’d have to be retarded to put any air above it.”

“Unless they know it’s you.” You point out, and she laughs.

“Not going to happen. All they know is it’s a wyvern workup for Laroux-Bishop, not who I am.“ She says, laughing. “No one cares about me.”

“Seems like a hell of a risk to take.” You point out. “Them not knowing?”

“Nah.” She says. “It’s not published, not till you make your final selection and it gets cleared.”

“It’s not?”

“Nah.” She laughs. “Like, all I got told was that I’d made a wyvern crew selection and to get my shit together. I’m pretty sure that’s all anyone hears, is there’s a drake cycling up. Only reason I knew it was you is... well-”

“I know.” You say, tracking the vortices behind a pair of tomcats as they take off. You blink as you catch yourself doing it- the air behind the jets should be invisible, but one or other of the wyvern’s sensors- you’re not sure which- can see it, and superimposed it on your vision. Not only that, but you knew exactly what you were looking at as soon as you saw it- and you never called up the data.

“Either way, your call. I think we could try a route more to the north, it looked like there were less sites up that way. I can check it on the way in, but there won’t be a lot of time to look at what sites we’re going to need to hit if we do it that way, and no room to react to anything on the ground we aren’t expecting.”

[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
[] Let’s take the northern route, just let me know what I need to do.

Ok guys, that's going to be our overnight vote! I'll be around a bit, but I have a load of dishes to do and I'd like to get something to eat, haha.

>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303979
[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>3303980
Favorite GFL Doll?

>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.


>>3303977
Anon, you've completely missed the conversation. We're not talking about the radar. We are specifically talking to acquisition by electro optical and/or infrared systems on the F-35- IE EOTS and the DAS. Your link is talking about using the radar to do so. No shit a radar can provide ranging data, that's its entire point. And yes, NIFC-CA is cool as fuck and the SM-6 is a brilliant missile.

>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

F-35s may not have to worry as much about the IADS as she think they do, but better safe than sorry.

Unless we run into the land of a thousand M163s.

>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303989

Oh man, do I have to pick just one?

>>3303998
Top 3 then.
Mine would be Ribey, G11, and SOPMOD

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>>3303998

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>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303998
How about your favourite per class?

>>3303979
>[] Let’s take the northern route, just let me know what I need to do.

>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
See, if it turns out they know that Danielle is our SIO and her skills, then they'll know that we know that they expect us to go the path with the Ground stuff, so all they'll put red air there, but! They'll know we know that, so they'll expect us to actually go the Northern route to throw them off, so they'll actually put red air over there. so we'll go the planned route and doubly throw them off.

Yes, I'm being silly

>>3303992
>We are specifically talking to acquisition by electro optical and/or infrared systems on the F-35- IE EOTS and the DAS. Your link is talking about using the radar to do so.
1. The article only mentions radar when giving an example of using an E-2 as target data provider. It doesn't say what the F-35 used.
2. The EOTS includes a laser rangefinder. Oh, look, there's the distance data you were saying was missing. So unless you have a source on what the MADL can or can't pass, I'd guess it can pass that too.

>>3304007

But anon, they're raifus. You and I both know you need multiple raifus for multiple applications!

>>3304004
Top Three? hmm... G41, Lee-Enfield, Soppo

>>3304012
In class? oof.

Soppo, Lee, PK, 1887, vector, 1911.

>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
It's actually the safer option, and it gives us a better view of Danielle's skillset.

>>3304031
Thanks for the run, Chief. Still loving it.

By 'it' I mean /fit/witch

>>3303980
Thanks for the run!

>>3304029
>The article only mentions radar when giving an example of using an E-2 as target data provider.
That's because that's taken as a granted. In other articles on the subject, it's rather explicit, or does the E-2 happen to use other sensors from 100+ nmi away? They use radar, my man. In no article I've read over the past five years have I ever seen it refer to anything but.
>EOTS includes a laser rangefinder.
Correct, but you're still missing another crucial piece of this puzzle. Elevation. You've essentially created this giant curved line on which a target could reasonably be anywhere. Even providing that MADL could transfer the bearing and distance, you're missing a rather significant piece of the puzzle. That information might be filled in through other sources, but cannot be provided by one EOTS. Now, that works well enough to provide information for a missile originating from near enough the sensor, as it essentially just has to fly down the bearing until its onboard sensor gets its own track, but doing that for another aircraft? I guess it's theoretically possible that you could triangulate it from multiple aircraft, but that's mighty fishy to me. Additionally, getting a solid lase on a maneuvering aircraft could be dodgy.

>>3304078
>Correct, but you're still missing another crucial piece of this puzzle. Elevation.
You have your elevation, attitude and distance to the target in front of you. Deriving the target's elevation is a matter of geometry. If the computer can't handle that, then what are the 8 million+ lines of code good for?

>Additionally, getting a solid lase on a maneuvering aircraft could be dodgy.
True, but if it's maneuvering enough that you can't keep your nose on it, you're probably in dogfighting range and don't want your buddies firing missiles in your direction anyway.

>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

Ok guys, votes called!

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[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

You blink away the air data feed, turning your attention, briefly, to other information on the two F-14s- speed, heading, altitude, distance, payload- it’s all there, both from the Wyvern’s sensors and from their own data links. “Alright, good point. We’ll take the planned route.” You say, lining up on the runway and awaiting clearance. Out of curiosity, you look for the wake vortices again- and after a split second, there they are, clear as day.

The tower clears you moments later, using the fleet replenishment squadron callsign “eagle”- in this case, “Eagle Zero-One”. While you know it’s standard practice- until you’re declared mission capable as a crew, you’ll carry the FRS callsign, you can’t help but think someone’s maybe making a joke at your expense.

“I’m expecting mobile threats in the area as well.” Danielle says as you climb out of the Miramar airfield and turn north to clear the city. Your flight path takes you over the Ft. Irwin NTC- though you’ll be transiting their range well above and slightly north of any activity there. “And of course there’s no telling what REDAIR will have. Always thought this was kinda unfair for the drakes.”

[] Why’s that?
[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

not like ivan is gonna tell us what he has in stock for us

>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
Adaptability is a vital part of air combat, and not knowing what your up against is part of that.

I'm starting to get the impression she's a little narrowly focused, like she's used to single objective missions or something, and someone else will worry about things like enemy air and force composition.

>>3305621
You mean like any pilot that doesn't pilot a multirole?

>>3305581
>[x] Why’s that?

>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

alright, votes called!

>>3305621
Yeah, getting that feel too. I think it's because she's used to doing nothing but air-to-ground. Pair that up with her magic ability and yeah, I can see her dogfighting record being enemy air was somebody else's problem while she dealt with objectives. Though to be fair, we never asked about that. Wonder if that has to do with her supposed chronic drinking...

I mean, she's fantastic at her SEAD role, but that doesn't really help if we get our cover blown and end up in prolonged dogfight. In that scenario I'd rather have Lotus or Kyou's ability handy. Or, you know, actually leave the ATG task to something that isn't a superfighter. Come to think of it, how many times did we go ATG in the '89 quest?

>>3305727
ATG we did maybe 3 times. Twice in Alaska and I think once in Poland.

>>3305727
>she's fantastic at her SEAD role, but that doesn't really help if we get our cover blown and end up in prolonged dogfight
I'm going to disagree here. Her talents by themselves make her very well suited for medium and long range engagements. She's gifted at EW, which is certainly extremely useful for SEAD but is definitely not the only use for it. If the enemy can only reliably get locks on us with heaters, we're at a significant advantage, especially if we set out with a medium range role in mind.

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[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

“It’s like that for a reason, though.” You point out, watching a westbound airliner about twenty thousand feet above you cross about thirty miles to your north. You can’t actually see it, of course- you can barely make out the vapor trail at this distance, even with the computer enhanced imaging, but you still know it’s there- you’ve got full data from the civilian radars in the area as well.

“There’s a difference between training hard and just getting the snot beat out of you.” She says, which, you have to admit, isn’t wrong- but in this instance you don’t think that you’re just getting the snot beat out of you. “We’re coming up on the entry corridor to the range complex.” She warns, a second before a new voice pops out of the inbuilt headphones of your helmet.

“’Morning, Eagle Zero-One.” He says, his tone businesslike, but friendly enough. “This is Rabbit, your friendly neighborhood AWACS. We’ll be controlling this exercise. Check mode settings and enter the range complex at your discretion.”

Some days, you wish the military was a little more professional. There’s a culture throughout the entire DoD that, according to everyone, wins wars- but it results in exchanges like that. Things are very hands-off. Vaguely, you wonder if you got that from your Maman, then shake it off- doesn’t matter. The military has managed to win more than one war like this, and you doubt you’ll be able to change it.

“Copy, Rabbit.” You respond, noting that Danielle’s established the real-time datalink with the AWACS. You’re not sure who all is going to be watching it- those kinds of feeds, even these days, are expensive and can be difficult to maintain, but at the same time, the E-3 above will be recording the data as well for later replays. “Eagle One, entering the complex”

Dainelle exhales loudly enough for the intercom to pick it up as you descend to five thousand feet and enter the range complex. “Weapons coming up now.” She says- you can feel the systems warm up.

[] How are we loaded?
[] What’s our first target?

>>3305822
>[X] How are we loaded?

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>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?

>>3305822
>[x] What’s our first target?

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>>3305822
[x] How are we loaded?

Is this not something we should have known before we touched the embarkation ladder?

>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?

>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?

>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?

>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?

>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?
>>3305857
You'd think.

>>3305876
>>3305857
We even did the walkaround. You'd think we saw what we were carrying when we checked if it was properly attached.

>>3305903
>3305903
Wyvern has internal bays IIRC, they may have been sealed up.

Votes called!

We're gonna have a slightly longer break after this next update, I need to run to the store to grab a couple things. Coffee, mostly.

>>3305909
Do you remember in the walkaround with merlin? Those bays are open so we can check to make sure everything is properly secured.

>>3305949
Hmm...
Then why the fuck are we asking?

>>3305965
That's what's got sand in all our Craws. We're trying to work that one out.

>>3305965
General case of nerves? Making sure they all show up for her? Maybe the bays were closed for some reason?

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>>3305965
>>3306007
>>3306010
The Matrons are putting chemicals into the water to make us more dependent on witches, thus we ask such questions.

>>3306010
Maybe the issue is that we're expected to perform a simulated role. We're not flinging real ords around, especially at witches or other pilots, so they could try to handicap us with a specific simulated load out.

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[x] How are we loaded?

You’re about to ask how you’re loaded- typically you’d know as soon as you activated VDNI, but not in this case. Still, as she brings the weapons online, you know immediately what they are- and where. Your forward centerline has 3 AGM-88E AARGMS- antiradiation weapons, though these are captive test systems, without a warhead or motor. The rear has six 500lb paveways. Your nacelle bays are each loaded with four sidewinders, while the shoulder bays both have four agiles apiece. It’s a reasonable payload for self defense- sixteen dogfighting missiles on a wyvern is enough even for a witch to take notice. It does leave you at a disadvantage at long ranges- normally you’d have preferred AMRAAMS, but you suspect them being omitted was a deliberate choice- they want you to have to engage at close range, if you do.

“Push us down lower.” Danielle says from the back. “Assuming they’re modeling correctly, we’re going to need to be about five hundred AGL. I’d advise we play this fast and hard, and hit these two sites first, then scoot southeast and hit the last one. That’ll open a hole in their air search network and means we won’t have to pop surface-to-air sites with the paveways. It’ll also mean that S-400 can’t start tracking us till we’re almost on top of it unless they go active with their own search set.”

True enough, her proposed route would do just that- and you’re already committed to an area that’s heavy with surface to air assets. But you can see an alternate- the lone southeastern set is kind of isolated, and while it’s well-defended, if you knock it out, you’ll have a route in through the mountains they can’t track.

Either way, there’s no way they won’t react to their ground search radars getting ‘killed’, so you won’t have long to act. Her way leaves you with the most room to move, but only one antiradiation missile- unless you attack the radars with the paveways. But yours means flying into one of the thickest layered missile and gun areas of the complex, as near as you can tell.

[] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall
[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.


Literally no one would expect this.

>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

I feel like we're about to enter BRRT flak country but when has that stopped anyone?

>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

>>3306132
>[] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

This was her specialty, let's see what she can do.

>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
More ammo gives us more options.

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>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
>>3306161
I'm more worried about that possible aggressor witch...

>>3306187
We can always do as Fronk did.

And take a witch through the engine.

>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
Gotta go for the goal, can't always afford to faff around.

>>3306132
>[X] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

Ok, votes called!

>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

Changing the plan this late is not a great idea. An isolated site also likely has some sort of backup. If we're encountering REDAIR, that's where it will happen, and we're here to test Danielle's witching, not our own flying. I'm pretty sure everyone playing this quest knows how well a bishop can dogfight. Let's defer to the witch.

>>3306293
>>3306297
Hurr Durr, missed the vote.

>>3306297
F

>>3306132
[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex

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[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

You begin a southward turn to go after just the isolated radar site- there’s no reason to go after the two other sites, since you’re not opening a hole for follow-on aircraft, just one enough for yourself. “We’ll just take the southernmost site.” You say, pushing a little lower over the desert. “We’re not going to have long before they vector air after we start killing their radars.”

“Leaves a lot of radars up though,” She points out, “And it means there’s really only one route for us to use in and out.”

“Also leaves us ords to attack as needed.” You point out. “We’ll only need to use one harm this way, not all three.”

“We hope.” She responds. “Still, you’re the AC, so it’s your call.” She doesn’t seem angry or disappointed- in fact, if anything, she sounds more eager, as if you’ve given her more of a challenge.

“Search radars up!” she calls, a few seconds later. “They’re too far out still, I can’t tell what flavor they are, but there’s multiple, so some of the SAM sites have theirs up as well. I’ll try to get a fix on them for weapons.”

“What about their AWACS?” You ask- you haven’t felt any radars yet, but you wouldn’t- the warning receivers you’ve got right now are fairly weak, and would struggle to detect anything but a fire control radar.

“Nothing yet.” She says. “No aircraft, either. We’re not radiating, but if you’re getting worried maybe we should?”

[] No, leave the radar off.
[] A little paranoid, yeah. Warm it up.

>>3306462
>[x] A little paranoid, yeah. Warm it up.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
Run in Cold, let our witch tell us when the time to go hot is. We'll focus on flying, she'll count targets.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
Gotta be sneaky for now.

>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.

>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.

>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.
If we're going the back way we should be sneaky.

>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] No, leave the radar off.

“No, leave it off.” You say- You’ve got an itchy feeling between your shoulder blades that seems to be crawling up your neck. You’re not sure what it is, exactly- but at the same time, you’ve got a good guess. “How long till we can hit the search radar?”

“Five minutes, three if you pop up. It’ll give them a look at us, but only for a minute while we launch.” She says.

“Let me know when we hit the decision point.” You say, following the best flight path, hugging the sides of the terrain and staying low enough that nothing’s going to be able to make you out against the ground. You’re not sure how you know, though you suspect it’s got to do with the AI- especially if Merlin’s already been at it.

“Make the call now, Boss.” Danielle warns.

[] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.

>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
THIS IS A SNEAKING MISSION

>>3306641
>[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
I'm not sure if they know we picked a SEAD witch, but if we take down the target, they lose either way.

>>3306641
[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

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>>3306641
>[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>Navy declares F-35 at Initial Operating Capability during today's run
WHAT HAVE YOU UNLEASHED GHOST

>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.

>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.

>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

>>3306641
>[X] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
Nin Nin~

>>3306641
>[] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.

>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
Sneaky time

votes called!

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[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

“We’re gonna stay low.”

“Good call.” She responds. “I think we’d have been fine if they got a look, but better they didn’t.” She says. “Two minutes to launch point.”

The two minutes seems to crawl- you’re sure something’s seen you at least once- though you can’t be sure what. You keep expecting a warning shot through your brain- hostile radar lock, laser lock, anything, but nothing happens.

“Bandits!” Danielle calls, a split second before your attention is pulled to them. “Two aircraft, Raptors by the looks of it. No idea which flavor. One o’clock high, level continued left turn.”

“Tally Ho” You respond, indicating you see them, their distinctive silhouettes standing out in the sky. “Two raptors, one o’clock high. Doesn’t look like they’ve seen us yet.”

“They will pretty quick if we launch on that radar.” She warns. “If you wanna bypass it, I think I can keep it spoofed for us to get through, they’re not looking for us yet, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it on the way out, especially not if there’s other emitters in the area. Your call.”

[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

We're gonna take the overnight break here, guys- I gotta go make tea and take a shower yet, and I think we're in a good place to go into friday from.

If friday runs long, we may continue in to the weekend, though I'm planning to go hit up my old home field to see how things are there if the weather is good, so we'll have to see.

>>3306769
>[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

Thanks for the run Chief

>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
Good run.

>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

We do need it gone on the way out and I doubt we'll have the time to get a good launch when it is active, in full alert and we are getting pressed by Air.

>>3306788
true.

>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
Switching vote to this

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>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

>>3306778
Thanks for the run boss, any new writefag posts?

>>3306798

None yet! I know there's at least one guy working on something, but I haven't heard anything else up to this point.

>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

>>3306769
>[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

>>3306798
>>3306809
I'm kind of waiting until we get a little deeper into the story before I make any concrete writings. For now I build ideas.

>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

>>3306769
>[X] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
We're just going to have to pass back this way on the return, might as well neutralize it.

>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

>>3306769
> Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

As if pantsy ass f35 is able to hit the might wyvern power

>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

go loud now

>>3306769
> [] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
because this
>>3306788

>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

>>3306769
>[X] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
While Danielle is putting a good bid in for Best Girl status, we need to push her a touch, see how she handles things other than making enemy radars her bitch.

>>3307582
Honestly I'm not a fan, she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder that kinda pisses me off, and so far she's lacking in flexibility.

>>3307582
Merlin is best girl. This is a scientific fact. We have a date with her tonight. The witches we are trying out only need to be selected for skills/friend-zoning.

Ok guys, votes called!

>>3307582
>>3307758
y'all realise we've literally known her less than a day, right?

>>3308145
And unless we want the RIO selection process to take longer than it already will, that's all the time she'll get. Initial impressions count for a lot, and it's ok to not like someone.

>>3307758
>she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder
You may as well have said "she's a fighter pilot/witch," anon.
>>3308072
Merlin is married with daughters. Infidelity is not sexy.

>>3308145
I've never liked her.

She is not cute enough.

>>3308186
Honestly, it would’ve been a tragedy if she didn’t pass down her genes as soon as possible. So she needed someone for that. Fine. Doesn’t mean they’re in love.

>>3308145
Yes and her first impression isn't great.
>>3308186
Having a grudge against the world is stereotypical fighter pilot? Coulda fooled me man. Something to prove is fine, but she's not coming off as having something to prove, she's coming off as "The world is unfair to me" and that's a shitty attitude that I wouldn't want on a team with me.

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[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

“We’ll hit it.” You say, arming the missiles- which, oddly enough, still requires you to reach out and flip open the safety cover on the master arm switch to hit it. With the master arm now live, you don’t have to think about it long- Danielle provides a firing solution as soon as the missiles flash from ‘arming’ to ‘rdy’ and you kiss a computer-simulated AARGM on it’s mach 2 way.

Of course, the radar operators will ‘see’ the missile coming almost as soon as it clears the terrain- which will be any second now. While it’s over fifty miles away, they’ll have less than two minutes to respond, and you don’t intend on hanging around, knowing that either way they’ll have to shut down the set to have a hope of defeating the missile- and that the newer AARGM will home on jam and go for a last known location before activating it’s own seeker head.

Fifteen second after launch, they see the missile screaming their way. “They’re shutting down their radar!” Danielle calls from the back seat. “Search radar is down, but those raptors are turning this way. They’re still not emitting. SAM sites in the area are warming up, still no radars though.”

As high as they are, that’s foolish, you think. The Raptor’s stealth is good- marginally better than the wyvern’s, even. But they were sitting far too high, especially against a Wyvern, where the AI would have seen them, even if you hadn’t. There’s no way they’ll see you against the ground right now- unless, of course, they’re king raptors with the EOTS. Of course, if the other SAM sites start using their search radars, there’s not much you can do to avoid it, either.

You push east, letting the tension build. “Good hit!” Danielle calls from the back, about a minute and a half later. “Radar site reported killed by range control. SAM complexes are using their own linked search radars, but they’re not gonna find us without the big sets.”

“How far to the target complex?” You ask- you’ve got a computer-provided estimate, but you don’t entirely trust it yet.

“At this speed and altitude, four minutes.” Danielle responds. “We could push south along this route here to shave a couple minutes of time off, but the terrain there is a lot more flat, it’ll be a lot harder to hide. We stay to the north, it’s closer to seven minutes, but we’ve got these mountains. As long as there’s no witches we’ll be fine there.”

[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
[] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches.

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>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
I'd rather have to deal with the Raptors than witches.

Especially if the witches have King Raptor strikers (if those exist).

>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

Almost missed this. I never even realized there had been an original Strikers '16 until months after it had been put on hiatus. Not gonna miss this one!

>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
We needed to hit that site, but it ought to show them where to start looking. We need to beat feet before they show up to sniff around.

>>3308311
The original 16 run was... bad. I was not in a good headspace. If I could, I'd take that whole run back.

course, I wouldn't mind a re-do of most of last year and the year before, being honest. maybe back to '16. Haha!

>>3308298
>[] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches

WE'RE ALREADY CREEPING, MIGHT AS WELL KEEP CREEPING

>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

>>3308315

I thought it was okay at the very least. Though I gotta say the Garcia subplot was probably gonna end in the most obvious way possible.

Still was excited to see where it would have gone. But I'm already liking this version more to be honest, been a fan since the original Strike witches Quest run WAY back then.

>>3308298
>[X] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches.

>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

Ok votes called!

Sorry about the delay there, had to make evening chow.

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[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

You bank the wyvern south, already thinking. There’s no way they’re not vectoring air to look for you, there’s only so many places that shot could have come from, and they know it. “We’re going south.” You say, mentally checking your air-to-air weapons again. It’s fortunate you’ve got the all-aspect Sidewinders- radar isn’t worthless against the raptors, but you’d rather not tip them off till the last second.

“Two minutes!” Danielle calls. “The Raptors have gone active! They’re both in scan, I’m deflecting it. Not much I can do against the EOTS though, if they’re kings.”

Fifteen seconds pass tensely- you’re out over the open desert now, exposed as all hell. The ETOS on king raptors or F-35s could certainly see you against the ground- and you’ve no way of dealing with that, though you’re confident Danielle can handle their fire control systems fairly easily. “Heads up, we’ve got a heavy group inbound on us, hot.” Danielle calls. “Got them with the shortrange shit, but they’re lightnings, for sure.”

“SPIKE!” she calls, a second later. “AMRAAM launch from the raptors! I’m jamming, but they know we’re here now!”

[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
We need to buy ourselves a little breathing room

>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!

SILENCE THE DOGS AND THEN DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT

>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

If the engagement goes slow, you'll find yourself fighting 6 targets rather than 2, and the mission will still be incomplete. Take the mission, then fight what they vector in, rather than the whole set.

>>3308497
>[x] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!

>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308497
>[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!

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>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
Our goal is to smash the target, not play games with Chair Force. If we fuck around here, we have to deal with the reinforcements either here or at the target zone.

Both are equally bad.

>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308530
makes a good point, methinks. Want to make sure we complete the mission before getting bogged down doing the fun bits, fighting everyone.

>>3308497
>[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

You don’t like the odds- six verse one is about even odds for you, considering your lack of longer-ranged AAMs, and there’s too much risk of getting bogged down in a furball for additional aircraft to jump in on you.

Instead you open up your throttles more, pushing them into the afterburner range and pushing away from the Air force birds, knowing they can’t catch you- even king raptors in full blowers would struggle to keep up, let alone catch you.

“Multiple radars coming up!” Danielle calls. “I’ve got them all, but as soon as we climb to hit the target complex we’re going to be lit up like the fourth of July. We’re not loaded with retarded bombs, so our minimum safe height is eight hundred feet at our best release speed.”

You’d acknowledge her warning, but you’re busy- less than a minute out at this speed, you’re already lining up. You can’t afford to slow down much, but, thankfully, the Wyvern’s AI is helping run most of the hard math- all you have to do is keep the nose pointed where it wants.

It’s an unwelcome shock when you, almost involuntarily, break right in a brutal turn, hammering you back into your seat at the same time Danielle calls the warning- “Witches at eight! She’s firing!”

Shit.

[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

>>3308737
>[x] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

>>3308737
>[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
Better we take the fight now, otherwise we'll be forced into one later.

>>3308737
>[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

>>3308737
>[x] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

Looks like we gotta fight.

>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

I don't want to dogfight a witch. If she's firing, she has a solution. I'm not seeing us making a reversal on a Wyvernbreaker.

>>3308737
So this is where we're going to need to follow Danielle's lead if we're winning this one. We need to use her talents as best as we're able to get out clean.

Thing is, I'm not sure what she'd prefer. My gut is to go into the mountains--she's going to have an advantage there, but that lets us burn more time and distance, to string out the rest of redair and keep the fight between us.

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>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
Even if we can evade her shots, every second the sparkle ties us down is a second longer for the Raptors and Panthers to catch up.

And as >>3308775 said, this is a SEAD mission, she knows how to operate in that terrain.

>>3308737
>[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

>>3308737
>[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

Somebody better pick up that phone... Also, witches, plural? Could of sworn there'd only be one.

Hrm... Better chance of survival if we make it to the mountains and take her down there. The 35's and Raptors are gonna be slinging long distance at us, if only to keep us suppressed as the witch goes in for the kill with her gun, we can't jam bullets. Better to make the fighters play whack-a-mole for us in the mountains.

>>3308737
>[X] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

>>3308737
>[X] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

>>3308737
>[X] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

>>3308737
[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

I'll be damned if I give these chair force witches the satisfaction of shooting us that day.

Votes called!

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[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

With two witches here- and at least six fighters just seconds out, you’re starting to see why Danielle called these exercises stacked against you. You’re already breaking east- you pour it on, bringing the throttles up into the WEP range, dumping fuel and magical energy into the turbines. It’s less than twenty miles into the mountains- and it seems neither of the witches was expecting you to break away, as it takes them a second to give chase. Still- now there’s two witches and six fighters after you that you know about.

“What’s the plan, chief?” Danielle asks, as you duck into the mountain range, at least able to break line-of-sight from the witches, though your own electro-optical systems can see the raptors on the way, only a few seconds away in supercruise. “I can handle all the search radars in the world, and maybe spoof EOTS, but I can’t do much but throw shields against bullets. We keep going like this they’re either gonna chase us straight out of the range or run us out of gas.”

[] Ask her for options- what would she do?
[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

Fuck you we've got a Wyvern.

>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[X] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

>>3308960
>[x] Ask her for options- what would she do?

This is her wheelhouse and she's been on combat ops before. What's she think.