The restaurant is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a seafood place in Honolulu- 'specializing in Asian themed dishes', according to the sign out front. Maman leads the way inside, talking with her guests, while Kyou has you pause outside for a minute.

"Morgan." She says, indicating you need to step off the walkway as you talk- you do so, noting that Wendy follows you aside, positioning herself just far enough back to exclude herself, but not to far away. "You are aware we cannot become involved in political matters?"

You nod- besides your own personal distaste of politics in general, you know that Kyou has to keep herself aloof for a number of reasons.

"I understand your mother is a matron and thus must engage in them." She continues. "But for her to invite us-"

You nod. You doubt maman's getting involved in the election- she's expressed distaste for most of the frontrunners, and has withheld her support from any of them- but you wouldn't put it past her to be building a network of people who owe her favors on both sides right now. The matron, of course, will just be coven politics- which, even with how much you dislike them, you can and already are involved in, by dint of your parentage.

[] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.
[] Maman's just building favors. We'll be fine.

>>3910785
>[X] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

>>3910785
>[] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

>>3910785
>[x] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

>>3910785
[X] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

>>3910785
>[] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

Ok, votes called!

File: Would have been plenty ha(...).jpg (162 KB, 327x800)

162 KB JPG

[x] Maman's not going to do anything like that to us.

You shake your head. "Maman's not going to do anything like that to us." You state.

Kyou nods. "Very well." She says, then smiles. "Do you wish to lead? Perhaps you should, as we are guests of your mother."

You give a slight shrug, turning and opening the door, holding it for Wendy and Kyou- your crewmate walking behind Wendy with a slight, if somewhat mysterious, smile.

Inside, maman and her guests are nowhere to be seen- though the hostess smiles when she sees you. "They're up on the deck." She explains, pulling out three menus for you and leading you up a set of stairs to a rooftop deck, where Maman and her guests sit at a round table with plenty of extra space- enough, you note, to keep the dinner 'businesslike'. The south side of the building looks out over the beaches and into the pacific, while the east and west face the city. The north side is taken up by a nearby high-rise, the mirrorlike windows on this side colored golden in the early evening sun.

Maman smiles as you take your seats- Kyou to your left, and Wendy to her left. "Morgan, Kyou, Wendy." She says, nodding. "I wan ya ta meet Mistah Alexander and Matron Beatty." She indicates the man and woman as she introduces them. "Mistah Alexander is wid de local office, an Matron Beatty be de local Headmatron for de united covens."

That marks Alexander as a politician- the phrase 'the local office' meaning the local office of one of the parties, though you can't tell which. Matron Beatty's status doesn't surprise you- she's probably the most well-connected and important witch on the islands normally- Maman's kind of intruding, though Maman's kind of hazy position regarding the military and her work for the government means she might be a bit of a special case.

"It's great to meet you, Lieutenant Laroux." Mister Alexander says with a wide, plastic smile. He seems honest enough- he's probably pretty high up the chain, enough so that he knows when he has to act personable- but you have your doubts. "Brigitte has told us quite a bit about you, you know."

You nod silently- that's normal, and most of the stories are carefully empty of important details. There's truth to them, of course, but they're of things that would be public record anyway- football games, your attendance at Annapolis, that sort of thing.

"And it's wonderful to make your acquaintances as well." The matron says, indicating Kyou and Wendy. "It's rare we get to meet a Wyvern Witch, let alone two." Something flicks through her eyes, but it's gone long before you can identify it. "Though I'll admit, I was surprised to hear you'd re-entered active duty, miss Maloney. You'd have a matroncy if you'd wanted it."

Wendy shakes her head. "O-oh, I believe I'm quite unsuited for the role." She says, quietly. "A-and, if I'm honest, I'll admit I've rather missed the military life."

"So Brigitte tells us you're involved in some new high-speed stuff with the Merlin?" mister Alexander asks. "Can you talk about it at all, or-"

[] Well, Wendy here is really doing most of the testing, she might be who you'd want to talk to.
[] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.
[] A new partner program for witches flying improved strikers.

>>3911015
>[] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

>>3911007
>[X] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

No need to be rude or anything, but it *is* classified stuff.

>>3911015
>[x] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

>>3911015
>[X] A new partner program for witches flying improved strikers.
>[X] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

>>3911015
>[] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

>>3911015
> x To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.
Shit's so bleeding edge we have no idea what is classified and what is not

ok, votes called!

File: She's fairly commanding, (...).png (327 KB, 1000x1297)

327 KB PNG

[x] To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say.

You shake your head. "I'm not sure how much we're allowed to say."

He nods hurriedly. "Ah, well, I wouldn't want to get in trouble!" He says, smiling, maybe a touch nervously. "So how long are you here in Hawaii?"

"Only for the evening." Kyou answers, smoothly taking over for you. "Regrettably, we're unable to stay longer."

"That's a shame." Matron Beatty says. "I'd have liked to be able to chat with you."

Kyou smiles- it looks genuine enough, you know, but there's no friendliness to it. "It is a pity, but duty prevents us from doing as we'd wish sometimes."

You order after a short period of meaningless small talk- Alexander seems fairly determined to forge some kind of personal bond, at least to the point of being able to refer to you by your first name- while the Matron seems far more interested in Kyou. You feel vaguely bad for Wendy- though you suspect that it's just to her liking this way. It's kind of no surprise she sat next to Kyou- the princess seems to naturally take command of conversations, and you're sure Wendy is more than happy to let her.

The food comes out quickly- it's a slower night, or you're out ahead of the usual dinner crowd. Kyou seems less than impressed with her choice- A tuna dish- while Wendy appears to be plenty happy with her food. You're ambivalent- they had popcorn shrimp, and they claimed they were jumbo, but they're not. They're also a little dry for your liking, overcooked. Still, you're not going to complain- maman is footing the bill.

The three of you finish first, though you sit and wait another five or so minutes while maman and her guests finish eating. Like you guessed, she pays for the meal and walks outside with you. It becomes pretty clear t hat you missed the rush- the place seems popular, and the hostesses are as busy as you've seen them at Santa's. "It been a pleasure ta see ya, Matron Beatty. Ya be at de next congress?"

The matron shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid not." She responds. "There's going to be a lot of new military witches here in the next couple months, so I'll have to be here to help them get settled in."

Maman nods. "Oui. Be a shame, but that be life. You be on de trail, Mistah Alexander?"

The man nods. "Yeah, they want me to do some work with the national campaign, so I'll be headed back to the mainland in the next couple weeks." He says. "I'll give you a call if you're interested."

"I may be." Maman responds noncommittally. "Been good ta see yah both. For now though, i be wantin ta talk to my boy, oui?"

The other two nod, and head off- they drove in separate, it looks like.

[] "What was that all for, maman?"
[] "Thanks for dinner, maman."

>>3911223
>[x] "What was that all for, maman?"

>>3911223
>[] "What was that all for, maman?"

>>3911223
>[X] "What was that all for, maman?"

>>3911223
>[x] "What was that all for, maman?"

I'm not seeing the point in this yet Maman. And you don't do anything without reason.

>>3911223
>[] "What was that all for, maman?"

I SMELL SHENANIGANS

>>3911223
>[] "Thanks for dinner, maman."
Thanks first, curiosity second. maners!

>>3911246
Gee, it'd be nice if I could spell. Manners*

>>3911223
>[X] "What was that all for, maman?"

ok, votes called!

File: She's not wrong- but she'(...).jpg (462 KB, 800x1130)

462 KB JPG

[x] "What was that all for, maman?"

"What was all that for, maman? " You ask, once her two guests have driven off.

She smiles. "Nevah too early ta be makin friends dat be connected." She responds. "Even if yah don't be likin de people dey connected to."

Kyou frowns. "I'd prefer to remain unconnected to American politics." She says.

Maman nods. "Oui, I be knowin. But dey be affectin ya now, even if ya don't be knowin how jus yet. An havin people dat can bypass tings for ya, dat be moah useful dan ya be tinkin."

"I was rather surprised to see matron Beatty." Wendy says, quietly- seeming to shrink when all three of you look at her. "S-she was always quite professional with me, but I always suspected she didn't much care for me."

Maman shrugs. "Maybe so." She says. "But she be a lot nicer now, I be tinkin. Ya name be up on de matron's minds now, oui."

"B-because of this?" Wendy asks, and Maman nods again.

"Oui. Don be worryin none, non. Ya be fine, dis isn't de old days befoah de united coven. Dey can't play de games wid de navy no more."

Wendy looks a little relieved. "I-it shouldn't be too difficult if they did." She says, still quietly. "As it is, Samantha had to use her position to get me in the program, and I'm monitored more closely than Lieutenant Commander Peterson or Captain Spears."

Maman nods. "Ya be too old, dey tinkin."

"Which is foolishness." Kyou interjects. "With an AI, so long as she remains physically able to fly, her physical reaction time is immaterial."

Maman shrugs. "Mebby dat de case, Mebby non." She says. "But ya be certain dat Samantha, she not jus be doin dis cos she tink de three o you lookin good together, oui. An she change de arrangement as soon as she be needin."

"We're getting off subject." You point out, and Maman laughs.

"Oui, but there not be much more to it, non." She says. "Dey be wantin ta meet ya, I say oui, ya get a free dinner out of it." She shrugs. "Dat be de end of it, I doubt dey be tryin ta contact ya anymore. It be done."

Kyou frowns. "I believe we should return to the base." She says. "It is getting late, and I am getting tired."

Maman nods- though her grin indicates she thinks that's a cover for something else. "Oui. I drive ya back, pile in."

1/2

You end up in the back, sitting next to Wendy, who rides with her hands in her lap, looking out of the window. "I've only been here once or twice." She explains, when she sees you looking at her. "I've always rather liked it, but never had an opportunity to stay more than a few days." She pauses. "It's rather like Louisiana. There aren't any races there, and I've never had a chance to visit, though I feel as if I'd very much like to."

You smile. "The food's better." You say- that's really an oversimplification, but it works well enough for now.

She nods. "I'd suspected as much." She says. "I was treated to your mother's cooking more than once during the war, and of course when you cooked-" She pauses, then smiles. "No one can cook like that if they come from an area with bad food." She says.

You nod, and the ride lapses back into silence. Maman bids you goodbye once you arrive at the temporary quarters you're in- she keeps it mercifully short.

The rooms you're in are a bit cramped- and there's only one bedroom, which, you and Kyou have agreed, goes to Wendy- even if she doesn't know that yet. For her part, Wendy appears aware- but also seems happy to sit out and watch TV on the pull-out couch, sitting next to you. It's not till after Kyou comes out of the shower, dressed in little other than her underclothes and a t-shirt, that Wendy goes to shower.

Kyou takes a seat on the couch next to you, pulling her legs up underneath herself. "I find myself wondering about Wendy." She says. "She seems so timid and willing to be led, and I know that normally I would find this distasteful. But I find myself considering her an excellent teammate, willing and capable of following orders as they're given." She hesitates. "Are you finding your own thoughts to be similar? Is the MIU link between her and us the same as it is in the wyvern?"

You think for a moment. You've known Wendy a while- and she's always been incredibly sweet and kind- and while it's gotten worse in the last few years, she's always been kind of needy and timid. At the same time, though, you do seem to want to make excuses for that- or take advantage of it, depending.

[] Too early to tell, I think.
[] Maybe. We'd have to talk to her to really know, though.

and that's it for the night! haha.

No real news here, so I'll just say the usual- I'll be around a little bit to field questions or comments, but otherwise, till tomorrow gents, cheers!

File: Su-33_Strigon.jpg (102 KB, 1280x720)

102 KB JPG

>>3911359
>[X] Too early to tell, I think.

>>3911362
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3911359
>[] Too early to tell, I think.

Also, guys, we really need to make those calls about Mystery Witch X from the Bear flight.

>>3911359
>[x] Maybe. We'd have to talk to her to really know, though.

>>3911362
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3911359
>[] Maybe. We'd have to talk to her to really know, though.

>>3911359
>[] Too early to tell, I think.

>>3911359
>[X] Maybe. We'd have to talk to her to really know, though.

>>3911359
>[x] Too early to tell, I think.
Kyou is WAAAAY to critical of wingmates and others. She has to learn to work with others who aren't as "perfect"as her.

I hate this stuff at my workplace too. Someone does their job fine, but still get shit if they are a little bit shy or not overly chatty 24/7.

>>3911359
>[] Too early to tell, I think.

>>3911359
>[X] Too early to tell, I think.

>>3911359
>[x] Too early to tell, I think.

>>3911520
Dude, bro. Are you like, intentionally misreading this? She's commenting on Wendy's lack of individual initiative and how she's not finding it as much of a draw back as she thought she would. She's not shitting on her for not being "perfect" or overly chatty.

>>3911888
No, you are. I made a slighty different point about my workplace than about Wendy.

Ok gents, votes called! As a heads up, I'm working on two more essays, so it might be kinda slow tonight. Sorry in advance.

File: Planning for the future j(...).jpg (156 KB, 850x1133)

156 KB JPG

[x] Too early to tell, I think.

You shake your head. "Too early to tell, I think."

Kyou frowns. "I know I do not have the same reservations about her that I once did." She says, quietly. "But I find myself wondering if that is because I know her better, or if it's because of the MIU."

"Would it bother you if it was the MIU?" You ask, curious. You're not sure how you feel, either, all told- with Kyou, there was far more time to decide. With Wendy, there was almost no time at all- you'd have been going in effectively blind, had it not been for knowing her when you were a child.

Kyou frowns again, thinking. "I'm not sure." She says, eventually. "With us, I was able to make a decision with far more information. With her, I trust your judgment, but that is all I have."

"You don't think she's going to work?"

Kyou shakes her head. "No, not that." She says. "I have every faith she will. I merely wonder about her place in a household if the link proves similar. She is clearly unsuited to the public eye, despite her history." She pauses, thinking, then smiles. "It's an interesting problem." She admits. "And one I never thought I would have. It's not unheard of for a prince-consort to keep a courtesan, though I'm unsure about the rules on sharing one."

[] Too soon to be worrying about that.
[] She'd implode at the thought anyway.
[] I don't think it'll be an issue.

>>3912834
>[x] She'd implode at the thought anyway.
Wendy is very lood.

>>3912834
>[X] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

>>3912834
>[x] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

>>3912834
>[X] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

>>3912834
>[] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

>>3912834
>[X] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

>>3912834
>[] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

ok, votes called!

File: It would explain a few th(...).png (253 KB, 564x750)

253 KB PNG

[x] She'd implode at the thought anyway.

You shake your head- you can't imagine Wendy ever even dealing with that kind of relationship. Well, you amend, that's kind of a lie- like most men around your age you imagine, you've quite successfully fantasized about that exact thing once or twice. That said, of course, realistically it's not something you'd think she's well-equipped to handle- regardless of if she even wanted to or not.

"She'd implode at the thought anyway." You respond, reasonably sure of yourself as you answer.

Kyou, for her part, grins as the shower stops. "If our predictions about the network are true I expect you to be incorrect in time." She says.

You elect to remain quiet as Wendy steps out of the bathroom- dressed similarly to Kyou, you note, though she looks a little embarrassed by the fact. "T-there's a small shortage of robes about here." She says, her face flushing red.

Kyou looks her up and down, then shrugs. "I fail to see much difference between your current clothing and your flight suit." She observes- and she's not terribly wrong, there's not much difference. Certainly the same limited amount is left to the imagination.

Wendy pauses at that- then blinks. "I-" She blinks again. "I suppose not." She says, then smiles tentatively. "And I'm among friends, so it's perhaps not so bad."

Kyou nods with a smile of her own. "Not at all. And if you are under dressed, then I am as well." She says, scooting herself over closer to you so Wendy can sit next to her. "Come, sit with us for a while."

Wendy nods, happily joining you on the couch- while it leaves it a little crowded, it's hard to complain much. "This is rather nice." She says, after a short while. "It reminds me very much of the squadron, late in the war."

"Poland?" Kyou asks, and Wendy nods.

"I joined them only in time for Poland and the end of the war." She says. "No more than, maybe three months? It's a pity it wasn't sooner, but I'm glad it happened regardless." She looks over at you and smiles.

"Tell me, is Morgan similar to his father in those days?" Kyou asks, looking over at you.

Wendy pauses, thinking. "I'm afraid to say I'm not sure." She says, after a few moments. "Sir Frank was incredibly protective and always friendly, but quite chatty." She smiles. "He was a hard man to not find oneself liking. I simply haven't had time to know Morgan nearly as well as I feel I should before I try to compare them, I'm sorry."

1/2

Kyou shakes her head. "It was rude of me to ask." She says- you're not sure what she's getting at, though you have your suspicion.

Wendy nods. "I understand the curiosity though. It's a question we're often asked."

"We?" Kyou asks.

"Yes, those of us that knew Frank at this age, and now know Morgan." Wendy responds. "Though that's quite a few of us from the squadron, I believe."

You nod. "You, Mom, Merlin, Tabitha, Rachel, Katya, Rosalie." You say, ticking the names off on fingers. " That's really about it, I guess Nicole when she's around."

Wendy smiles. "Young Miss Bradshaw has had quite the career, I know." She smiles again, but is cut off by a yawn. "Though I rather think it's time for bed." She says. "I can sleep out here, should you prefer it-"

Kyou shakes her head. "We'll be fine out here, Wendy." She says, standing as the older witch does. "Sleep well."

Wendy hesitates, but heads back to the bedroom without further prompting, gently closing the door.

Kyou helps you pull out the couch and get the sheets from the closet on it- they're thin and probably a bit old, but they're clean and comfortable enough- and the couch's pull-out is big enough for the both of you comfortably. "The only shame," Kyou says as she crawls into bed, "Is that with her around, it would be rather difficult to be discreet."

[] Didn't you say you couldn't do anything like that anyway?
[] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

>>3913022
>[X] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

>>3913022
[X] Didn't you say you couldn't do anything like that anyway?

Something about not pissing off the Imperial family?

>>3913022
[x] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

>>3913022
>[] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.
I kind of want to make a joke about ice being loud

>>3913022
>[x] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

>>3913022
>[] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

>>3913022
>[] Didn't you say you couldn't do anything like that anyway?

ok, votes called!

File: You're not sure how close(...).jpg (72 KB, 480x360)

72 KB JPG

[x] Ah, so that's why you were asking about her earlier.

"Ah," You say with a slight smile. "So that's why you were asking about her earlier."

Kyou smiles lightly, though she doesn't respond. "Good night, Morgan." She says, rolling over and shutting off the light on her side of the bed.

You shake your head- of course, now that you know, it does kind of put the questions in a different light. It's also a little reassuring- Kyou isn't worried about Wendy so much as she is curious about the older witch.

You're only asleep a few minutes when you're woken by an insistent knock at the door. You're up quickly- Kyou's awake already too, rolling out of the bed smoothly and starting down the short hallway towards the bedroom as you open the door.

Two uniformed Airforce security troops stand there. "Lieutenant Bishop?" They ask.

You nod.

"There's been an incident, sir." One of them says- he looks a little nervous and slightly tense. "They want you and your crew in ops."

You blink again and nod. "Three minutes." you say, estimating your best time to get changed back into a flight suit and ready to go and then tripling it for Wendy and Kyou.

The man nods. "We'll be out here, sir." He says as you close the door.

You turn around to find the bedroom door hanging open- Kyou and Wendy are both changing into their flight suits already. You hurriedly pull yours back on, speed lacing your boots and closing the zipper over your undershirt as you open the door again to step outside the quarters. Wendy and Kyou follow quickly behind.

"What happened?" Kyou asks, as the air force cops lead you out of the building- you notice that there's a few more outside, and that the base is lit up like daylight, with a lot of activity going on- a lot of people moving quickly, but no one, it seems, without purpose.

"The Chinese and their Korean allies just crossed the border in force about an hour ago." The cop responds. "Not a lot of public info yet, but the Imperial army forces on the border got hammered pretty bad and are in full retreat."

1/2

Kyou blinks. "Korea?" She asks, sounding shocked. "They attacked Korea?"

The cop nods. "That's what the news is saying, yes ma'am." He says, motioning for you to get in his cruiser's passenger seat- his partner, you suspect, will have to wait here.

He drives quickly, with the lights and siren on, depositing you in front of the operations building. The air is fairly cool and it's still dark out- you can't see any stars for all the lights on the post, but the moon is out, clear and bright- which makes it either very early or very late.

Operations is like the rest of the base- people trying to clarify information, get information, or get their own orders. Thankfully, you're distinct as a wyvern crew- a colonel directs you to an office, where a slightly harried one star meets you after a minute. "You're Bishop?" He asks, waiving any formality. You nod. "You're headed to Atsugi air base via Wake." He says, simply. "You'll have a self-defense load. Land at Wake, refuel, make best speed for Atsugi, you'll get further orders there. Clear?"

[] Yes, sir.
[] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?

>>3913214
>[x] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?
Aw shit.

File: It's time.png (751 KB, 565x510)

751 KB PNG

>>3913214
>[X] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?

Here we go again...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3t8XGeM4Q

>>3913214
>[] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?

>>3913214
>[x] Yes, sir.

File: 1573255251749.gif (1.81 MB, 500x281)

1.81 MB GIF

>>3911125
Please sir doth thou a pleasure had been please make a fallout caravan quest :)

>>3913214
>[] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?
This is where the fun begins!

File: 1543626304661.jpg (24 KB, 400x426)

24 KB JPG

>>3911239
Hheeyyy

Ok, votes called! This'll be the last one for the evening gents! No work tomorrow though, so we should be good to finish up the run then.

>>3913214
>[x] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?

File: It's easy to forget how b(...).jpg (543 KB, 1600x1085)

543 KB JPG

[x] Anything we need to know, sir? Is that airspace clear?

"Anything we need to know, sir?" You ask. "Is that airspace clear?"

"As far as we know, yes." He says. "You'll be carrying a self-defense load, but for anyone else that'd be a full damn payload. You'll have four external tanks, and they'll have your crew meeting you at Atsugi."

"Are there any other wyverns making the trip?" Kyou asks, and the general shakes his head.

"Not from here." He responds. "There's no kind of network between here and Wake, so you'll be on your own for any kind of sensors. You're also too far out to help if you get in trouble. We don't expect they'd be able to interdict air traffic between here and Wake, or Wake and Japan, but we're not sure."

You nod, as does Kyou.

"If that's your only question, they're fuelling your aircraft up now." He says. You stand, along with Wendy and Kyou. "Dismissed." He says, and you step out of the room and back into the hall.

It's a short time from there back out to the pad- while you may be making the flight alone, you note that you're not the only one getting ready to go. A pair of B-2s are parked next to each other, a fuel truck next to each of them, and most of the tomcats on the pad are surrounded by crew preparing them for flight.

Wendy separates from you and Kyou as you approach your fighters, heading for her valkyrie and doing her own walkaround as you do- though she's done before you by about five minutes- though she also has to do her entire startup procedure by herself. By the time you're climbing the ladder though, she's already got her running lights on and is doing her control surface checks.

1/2

Kyou, for her part, was only waiting for you to clear the front of the aircraft to begin starting up the jet, dropping the canopy and sealing it, pressurizing it and cutting out some of the sound outside. Muninn seems distracted, working alongside the AI of Wendy's aircraft as you go through startup.

You start rolling before she turns her attention back to you and Kyou. "We've been pulling news from around the net." She says. "It's too confused to make much of right now."

"What do we know for sure?" Kyou asks.

"The Chinese and their Korean allies have crossed the border in force into the southern peninsula." Muninn states. "Some reports say they're about thirty miles inside the border, some are stating there's fighting inside Seoul and Incheon in the west and Goseong in the east."

"What of the imperial army?" Kyou asks.

"Nothing concrete." Muninn responds as you continue to roll- Hickam airbase shares part of it's facilities with the international airport, and the runways are kind of far away. They're diverting and delaying civilian flights, but you're not the first in line, either. A C-17 has the front of the line, with a C-5A behind it. "Reports are confused, and the military net isn't much better. Most units appear to have taken significant combat losses and are falling back."

"What of witches?" Kyou asks.

"Reports indicate there's Chinese and northern Korean witches active. No word on any losses among imperial witches currently."

"If they're falling back, they were surprised." Kyou states. "And there will have been losses."

She sounds sure- and depressed by the knowledge. You bump to a stop behind the galaxy, holding back several thousand feet from the gigantic cargo aircraft as the C-17 makes it's way down the runway, accelerating slowly to your eyes.

It's quiet as the C-5 moves up to the end of the runway and you move into the next position, holding on the line with Wendy just behind you.

"What about the Kaga?" You ask Muninn.

"In the south Pacific." your AI responds. "Making best speed north with her group."

"Worried about your sister?" Kyou asks.

[] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.
[] Just worried she'll get in before we do.

And that's it for the night, gents!

Getting a bit cold here, so I probably won't be on very much longer this evening, but if there's any questions or comments, I'll get them in the morning if I don't this evening! Otherwise, gents, till tomorrow, cheers!

>>3913322
>[] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

>>3913322
>[x] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

>>3913324
Thanks for the run Ghost!

File: F-15C_Phoenix.png (762 KB, 1280x720)

762 KB PNG

>>3913322
>[X] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

>>3913324
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3913322
>[] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.
Even if she can be creepy, it's our responsibility to worry about our siblings. it's the natural thing. Besides, Kyou's probably just as worried about her brother, who's also on the Kaga, isn't he?

>>3913322
>[] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

>>3913322
>[X] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

>>3913322
>[x] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.
Alrighty then, 'ere we go!

>>3913322
>[x] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.
Next time three options Ghost ?

Ok, votes called guys! Probably just be a shorter run tonight, We're pretty close to a good stopping point and I have enough issues with pacing that I don't need to be padding a thread out, haha!

File: nyanfixed.gif (951 KB, 355x200)

951 KB GIF

>>3914516
Nyan Nyan~!

File: Wyvern-watching is a popu(...).jpg (816 KB, 1280x720)

816 KB JPG

[x] Kind of. Cass knows what she's doing though.

"Kind of." You admit, reminding yourself that, despite any worries you may have, Cass is still more experienced than you are, and, like all your sisters, considered strong in her own right. "Cass knows what she's doing."

"I understand your concern, though. Hohiro is probably still aboard as well." Kyou says. "Though they will fly him off the carrier at the soonest moment they safely can."

The silence returns as the Galaxy rolls down the runway, it's big General Electric turbofans sending it down the runway- honestly, it looks like it's moving in slow motion to you, at least until the nose pitches up and it hauls itself into the sky.

You move onto the runway, Wendy rolling around to go first- though you both have to wait a minute to let the wake turbulence pass. It still buffets you around for a few seconds as you head into the sky, though as you turn to the southwest and climb out, you break clear of it.

You're flying into the sunrise, but even then it takes about an hour before the sun shows itself on the horizon. The flight remains quiet, though Muninn is constantly improving your image of the Korean conflict- The Imperial Japanese Army units on the border were mauled, and several Japanese witches are listed as missing, killed, or captured, along with thousands of troops. The Imperial military is putting strikes in already, but they're being heavily contested. There's urban combat in Seoul, and Incheon has reportedly already been captured, though Goseong is still being held by Korean and Imperial forces.

1/2

Wake is on war footing already- as is evidenced by their rapid IFF interrogation of your flight as soon as you enter their air defense identification zone. As you approach to land, you note that the base seems just as busy as Hickam was- perhaps moreso. A pair of B-1s take off as you line up to land- Muninn identifies them as B-1Rs as they bank to the west.

You're not on the ground long- you don't even get out of Muninn as they refuel your aircraft, though at least Kyou pops the canopy seal and you get some fresh sea air. Once refueled, you're sent back into the air without any kind of delay. As you climb away, you note there's a pair of wyverns behind you- though all you have time to do is a brief 'handshake' and that's it. Still, the presence of two more Drakes headed west is a good indication that there's a rapid mobilization going on.

It's another couple of hours before you start getting close to the home islands. You're traveling along a prearranged ingress corridor, but, with every search radar on the home islands lit up, it's a little intimidating.

"Morgan." Kyou says from behind you. "We're going to have to turn our IFF transponder on as we enter imperial airspace. I'm prepared with our standard USN code, but I've also got a code prepared to let them know there's a member of the imperial family aboard."

"Why would we want to advertise that?" You ask, confused- besides, surely they know who's aboard which wyvern.

Kyou hesitates. "I'm sure they're aware of my assignment and what aircraft I'm aboard." She says. "But USN Wyvern codes are standardized. The guard- and my family- may consider it rude for me to not let them know I will be shortly arriving."

[] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.
[] Go with the Imperial codes, then. I'd rather not insult my hosts.

>>3914846
>[x] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.

>>3914846
>[X] Go with the Imperial codes, then. I'd rather not insult my hosts.

>>3914846
>[X] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.
It's pretty hard to make a decision for this one when we don't even know what they like.

>>3914846
>[x] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.

We are Navy.

>>3914846
[] Go with the Imperial codes, then. I'd rather not insult my hosts.

>>3914846
>[x] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.
We are Navy. And we need to ID as such.

ok, votes called!

>>3914927
Nyan Nyan

File: Her family has always enj(...).jpg (160 KB, 850x1441)

160 KB JPG

[x] Go with the USN codes. Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet.

"Go with the Navy standard." You say, noting it flicks on immediately- she knows you more than well enough to have guessed your response, you figure. "Let's not advertise we're here to anyone listening just yet."

"They would have to be quite talented to be able to gather electronic data this far to the east of the home islands." Kyou observes, though her tone carries a bit of humor with it- she's clearly amused with something.

The home islands are busy- Tokyo international is still handling flights, you note, though there's a no-fly zone indicated within a mile of the imperial palace complex. Atsugi itself doesn't look as busy as Wake did- though that could be because their aircraft are on sorties already- though it's hard to miss the presence of the Type 87 Antiaircraft guns- some of them with the distinct white barrel bands denoting kills, marking them as soviet war veterans- and the layered defenses of type 93, type 03 and type 11 SAM systems, all of them with their search radars active.

The local USN aircraft are all on the pad, though- Muninn marks a squadron of tomcats, all armed, and a partial squadron of F-35 as you line up on the runway and land. You're directed to a hardened shelter near the north end of the easternmost pad. There's six such shelters, and all of them are, at least for the moment, closed except for the one you're rolling towards. You can't help but note how heavily built they are- it would take either a very big, or very hardened bomb to do any internal damage.

Wendy is directed to the shelter next to yours- each building, Muninn informs you, only has one umbilical connector.
You shut down and pup the canopy seal, noting how the building was clearly constructed for Wyverns, specifically- the canopy in it's up position clears the roof by a little less than a foot. Kyou's out first, you follow her down to the concrete floor- there's a pair of sailors to meet you- they're both covered and under arms, you note. They both salute. "Lieutenant Bishop?" One asks, and you nod.

"Glad to see you, sir." He says. "You guys are the first drake in theater."

Kyou blinks. "We are?" She asks.

He nods. "Yeah, so far as we know. They want you in ops, this way."

You nod, stepping out into the sun. It's reasonably warm, and the sounds of the nearby city are distinct and clear- You're not sure what a country at war should sound like, but this isn't quite what you had in mind. Wendy joins you as you walk across the pad to a waiting humvee, escorted by another sailor.

"What can you tell us about the situation?" Kyou asks as the driver starts the truck and you start rolling.

"Not much, ma'am." The sailor in the driver's seat responds. "Right now all we know is we're at condition one, and they've got every aircrew confined to base. Rumors are saying they're gonna start sending dependents stateside. The Japs are doing heel-to-toe sorties, have been all night and morning. They're losing birds, too."

Kyou nods, and you can see her jaw clench at the mention of losses. Someone, somewhere, you think, underestimated the Chinese military's rebuilding- according to everything you were privy to, while they'd largely rebuilt their numbers, their quality had fallen off a cliff. Clearly, if they're able to hurt the mighty imperial airforce this badly, that's not entirely true.

Ops here is more collected than it was at Hickam, and you're ushered into the commander's office- you're not the only ones in there, you note- a Japanese senior officer, who you assume is the IJAF's commander on post, stands in the room as well, his fatigues freshly pressed and sleeves rolled like a marines- the only thing missing, you think, is tattoos.

His eyes bug out as he sees Kyou, and his bow is deep and long. "Forgiveness, Highness." He says, "We weren't aware it was your aircraft being deployed here."

Kyou smiles, returning the bow. "Apologies are unnecessary, General. You had no way of knowing."

The admiral clears his throat- not interrupting, not quite, but close enough to indicate he doesn't have patience right now for formalities. "Lieutenant Bishop?" He asks, and when you nod, he looks you up and down.

"Huh. Imagined you'd be taller." He says, then shakes his head. "Glad to see you here, son. We're going to get you squared away, and then you're headed in. We've got a half-dozen sorties that we need drakes for, and you're the only one I've got."

That's a lot going onto your shoulders you realize- but one glance at Kyou is infections. She's hungry for it- you can practically feel her eager energy.

Not for nothing, you realize, is she called the wolf princess.

Ok gents, that's it for the week!

Sorry about the speed this week, it got kinda hectic with all the make-up work i was trying to do. My fault, and it won't happen again (At least not this semester!)

Other than that, I'll be around, of course, to handle any questions or comments if there are any, and I'm working on getting a dropbox set up for you guys to work out loading. Other than that, though, gents, till next week, cheers!

>>3915212
Thanks for the run Ghost!

File: Orgoi.jpg (198 KB, 960x544)

198 KB JPG

>>3915212
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3915212

SO IT BEGINS, THE AWOOENING OF OUR TIME

>>3915212
So Ghost, how much is not managing to make those phone calls about Mystery Witch X going to bite us in the ass later.

>>3915253
I wouldn't worry about it.

>>3915282
Those words would be comforting were it not for my experiences in D&D where it typically translates to "Oh, my sweet Summer child, you have no clue how hard you've made it for yourself."

File: I'm very worried.jpg (64 KB, 600x600)

64 KB JPG

>>3915282
Some how that's not at all comforting.
Hopefully not court martial tier?

>>3914846
>Wake is on war footing already- as is evidenced by their rapid IFF interrogation of your flight as soon as you enter their air defense identification zone. As you approach to land, you note that the base seems just as busy as Hickam was- perhaps moreso. A pair of B-1s take off as you line up to land- Muninn identifies them as B-1Rs as they bank to the west.

That moment when you realize that a bunch of chairforce bomber pilots are flying B-One-Rs.

>>3915208
>"Glad to see you here, son. We're going to get you squared away, and then you're headed in. We've got a half-dozen sorties that we need drakes for, and you're the only one I've got."

Oh lord have mercy. I expect some tough decisions will have to be made during sorties.

>>3916409
When do they start cloning Morgan ?

>>3917450
what makes you think that they haven't been already trying? We might be moving from Ace Combat to Metal Gear soon.

>>3915212
Thanks for the run!

Honestly kinda excited to get into combat!

>>3917459
But the real question is if they would even dare try to make a female clone of him?

File: 1330311682443.jpg (39 KB, 528x712)

39 KB JPG

>war were declared

Also ngl, I was hearing this in my head the last three posts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6Hg55ag4g

File: Fairly polarizing as a pr(...).jpg (25 KB, 480x360)

25 KB JPG

Ok gents! Sorry for the late start, if you didn't catch twitter, as it happens my final essay in communications is due Monday, not, ya know. In December sometime. Slightly irritating, to be honest. I'll be working on it some all weekend, so if there's delays in starts or we miss a day... well, that's why, haha. Sorry about that!

=========================================================================================

The situation on the ground, as Maman would say, was 'fluid'- meaning chaotic and changing almost as fast as reports made it in. The ground crew here are turning Muninn around for combat operations- thankfully, they'd already planned ahead for your VLS capability, and had brought in a civilian crane to assist loading. Right now, the crew is repacking the cells with ESSMs brought up from Yokosuka- and cramming the conventional bays full of weaponry. Reports coming in indicate the Chinese airforce established total control of the airspace by dint of numbers- the IJAF's assets in Korea were simply outnumbered forty to one. Of course, there's also reports of witches out there- and the information coming back says there's about everything the Chinese own in the air, from their answer to the king raptor, the J-20, alongside the few remaining J-7s they had left. Their more modern aircraft were the ones engaging Japanese assets though- and, apparently, they've been fairly effective. Initial reports indicate that the forward deployed elements of the IJAF's 12th air wing- with responsibility for the Korean peninsula- has taken at least 60% operational losses already, though elements of the 5th and 8th wings- and, judging by the base here, most of the rest of the Japanese air force- is starting to contest Chinese control of the airspace.

You and Kyou and Wendy are being held back temporarily- the American declaration of war has been withheld, though you know Navy assets are already engaging in 'self defense'- tomcats, jointly based at Komatsu air base, have already engaged and destroyed Chinese aircraft, out at the edge of the home islands ADIZ while flying a patrol route, though there's some confusion as to the need for it- supposedly, on seeing the American aircraft, the Chinese jets attempted to disengage. Still, you've been kept at hand- and the entire base's compliment of tomcats is being kept ready to go at a moment's notice. You've been sent to the ready room to join most of the crews- the TV news is tuned to CNN coverage of the Chinese attack- and, of course, you think, the presidential candidate's reactions to it.

1/2

Initially, you'd been glad for the chance to sit down and collect your thoughts- not that that took very long. You're shocked it was Korea- you suspect most people are, considering the tension in the South China Sea. You'd wondered if the ships down there already were going to get hit, but, so far, you haven't heard anything- and if they had been attacked, you're sure that'd have been all over every news outlet there is. You imagine the carrier groups there are running at high alert now- along with all the bases in Taiwan and the Japanese island holdings down the chain.

The room goes quiet as CNN cuts to the senate floor- the president is apparently preparing to address the senate, which, you can only imagine, means that there's about to be a declaration of war. It seems like everyone's holding their breath as he talks- you've always held he talked too much, but that's been a chronic issue of politicians. Eventually, he gets to the point.

"In the last day, the People's Republic of China, joined by Koreans from the northern half of the country, have invaded across the Yalu river and attacked both the Korean nation and Japanese Empire. I have just had a call with the emperor of Japan, who expressed his desire to activate the long-standing Japanese-American joint defense and cooperation pact. As a condition of this pact, I must come before congress to call a vote to enter into a state of war with the People's republic of China until such time as it withdraws from the disputed territory and ceases all hostile actions."

The vote is run quickly- and it overwhelmingly passes. The ready room erupts in cheers. Even Kyou smiles a bit. "I am surprised grandfather moved so quickly to activate the defense pact." She says to you. "He had indicated that it would be a great weakness for us to allow ourselves to become reliant on America for our defense."

"Perhaps he knows things we don't?" Wendy supplies, and Kyou nods. "I suspect so." She says. "Still, I cannot help but wonder what our tasking will be. What do you think, Morgan?"

[] No telling. We're the only wyvern in theater right now.
[] Probably air superiority.
[] It sounds like we'll be trying to help out the army.

>>3923160
>[x] Probably air superiority.

>>3923160
>[] Probably air superiority.

>>3923160
>[x] Probably air superiority.
We're a wyvern and valkyrie pair carrying an overwhelming amount of SAMs in our cells. There is no reason for us not to be doing this I would think.

>>3923160
>[] No telling. We're the only wyvern in theater right now.

>>3923160
>[X] Probably air superiority.

Ok, votes called!

File: That these are being rese(...).png (1.54 MB, 1920x1080)

1.54 MB PNG

[x] Probably air superiority.

"Probably air superiority." You respond, keeping your eyes on the TV. The president looks- well, sad, for lack of a better term, that he's having to ask for permission to go to war. You've never been sure of how you felt about him, honestly- he was incredibly quick to deploy drone strikes, but at the same time, popular opinion is ISIS only ever got as powerful as it did because he was slow to act and reluctant to let the military do it's job- he doesn't trust the pentagon, according to the rumors the talking heads repeat.

Kyou nods. "It would befit us." She says. "And it sounds as if that is one of the most pressing concerns." She opens her mouth to say something else, but the ready room hatch bangs open just then, and the wing commander walks in. No one calls attention- you're all indoors, and he isn't covered- but the room instantly goes dead silent. He looks around for a second before his eyes fall on you.

"Bishop." He says, and you stand. "You and your crew come with me."

You nod, and he leads you out of the ready room. "I lied when I said I have a half dozen missions screaming for a drake. It's more like two dozen." he says. "And after that vote, the SCS is gonna blow open so you might be it for a while."

You nod again, noting he's moving quickly.

"Our first order of business is to claw back some control of the airspace." He says. "We've got a dozen units down there screaming for air support, and we can't get it in. You're gonna be the tip of the spear." He motions for you to turn into an office, where there's a projector set up. "I've got four critical priority sorties that I need done as fast as you can turn around." He says, nodding to a sailor behind a desk at a computer- the projector flashes to life and a map of the northern part of the Korean peninsula jumps onto the wall.

He points at it. "When you got here, they were fighting on the outskirts of Seoul. The fighting's moved into the city now, but the japs are starting to reorganize and get some licks in. I've got four blocks of airspace that I need opened up for long enough to start getting some aircraft in."

1/2

The four blocks- roughly corresponding to areas near or over cities, pop up. "Incheon is a lost cause, Chinese marines and armor assets are already landing in force at the docks there, and our allies can't withdraw because chinese strike aircraft are swarming all over the east coast, looking for anything without a friendly IFF tag to pop. They're asking for a wyvern to go in to buy them a clear corridor enough to withdraw without getting bombed to shit. There's fighting in Seoul, but with Incheon gone, those units aren't going to be able to hold. They're asking for the same thing- they want clear airspace so they can fall back to the east. Third is Chuncheon. That's home to one of two ROK witch academies, built there postwar by the Japanese. They're looking to evacuate their witches too young fight to the Japanese islands, but they can't get the evacuation choppers in or out right now. Last block is Sokcho. It's an eastern town with a port, and it's where most of the IJA in the northeastern part of Korea is headed for regroup or evacuation. Same problem there as the rest. They can't move because of overwhelming Chinese air power. The IJN is putting together a package with the IJAF to retake the airspace, but hours are going to count, there."

He pauses. "Normally I'd send the 'cats in for whatever you couldn't tackle, but I need them further south working with the Jap air force and navy to try and establish a defensive perimeter. All of the airspace north of that right now is Chinese, and everything's under orders to withdraw to the south and preserve their strength as much as possible. All of this shit's rated critical priority though, and with as quick as things are moving, I'm not sure how long we'll have to do anything."

You look over at Kyou, who shakes her head- it's your decision. Incheon and Seoul are near each other- but their withdrawal corridors aren't the same, with the Incheon forces heading down the coast, and the troops in Seoul headed in a more easterly direction- perhaps for evacuation. Of course, that doesn't mean anything other than a huge coup if the evacuation ports aren't able to be used- while you have no doubt the IJN is going to put something in the water there that can hold it, it sounds like time is critical, here.

Then, of course, there's the witches. While you're sure - at least mostly- that they'd be safe enough as prisoners, that's still a hell of a blow to take- and it's certainly one that, you're sure, the Koreans are loathe to accept as a new nation- the loss of half of a generation of witches is a pretty big deal, and could cripple them long-term.

[] We'll cover the Incheon evacuation
[] We'll take Seoul.
[] We'll handle Chuncheon.
[] We've got the evacuation beaches.

>>3923383
>[X] We'll cover the Incheon evacuation
Time for a defense mission I suppose.

>>3923383
>[] We'll cover the Incheon evacuation

>>3923383
>[X] We'll handle Chuncheon.

>>3923383
>[x] We'll take Seoul.
I think Seoul is best, because it will have the most troops in it and the rest is taken care of one way or the other.

I think Incheon isn't worth the effort with mechanized troops already landing inside it.

Chuncheon is miniscule on the possible loss scale.

The beaches are safe-ish.

>>3923407
This is an extremely hard choice, it came down to Incheon or Seoul for me and Incheon seems like it's the most time sensitive. We're gonna be doing turn-arounds until another Wyvern gets to the theater regardless.

File: korean_peninsula_rel_2011.jpg (670 KB, 1341x1833)

670 KB JPG

Incheon and Seoul are pretty much right on top of each other, we could potentially draw some of the Chinese top cover off onto us if we make enough noise/kill enough shit.

But the Seoul, Chuncheon, Sokcho objectives are all on the same highway/evacuation corridor. Presumably we're going to be flying top cover for the evacuation until we're bingo or winchester, we might end up assisting both Chuncheon and Sokcho if we choose Seoul...

...or we could just run out of missiles after blasting everything in Seoul seeing as the Chinese have a 40:1 ratio.

>>3923420
Pretty much, but the Incheon troops are in the process of being overrun and even if saved won't be able to turn around and fight for weeks, maybe months.

Also: The Seoul evacuation corridor goes east. Chuncheon is east of Seoul.

>>3923383
>[] We'll handle Chuncheon.

Guys, those are evacuation helicopters in UNSECURED AIRSPACE. They'll get *rekt* without cover.

>>3923424
The helicopters aren't in the air.

>>3923383

>[] We'll cover the Incheon evacuation

>>3923383
>[x] We'll take Seoul.

>>3923423
so the implication here is that flying seoul will also be indirectly covering Churcheon?

>>3923447
Covering? No. But the ground troops might send some units to evacuate the witches.
Assuming they have any to spare.
Something we can insure by getting them out unmolested.

>>3923383
>[] We'll take Seoul.

looks like it's a tie between Seoul and Incheon, if my count is right, so we'll do a run-off between those two!

>>3923383
>[x] We'll take Seoul

Let's make some noise shall we? Like a lot of noise.

>>3923422
Thank you for the map. That helped me figure out where things are.
Also, Korea is tiny!

>>3923383
>>3923450
>[x] We'll take Seoul

I guess i'll vote for seoul. Hopefully the little witches will be safe.

>>3923383
>>3923473
>[X] We'll take Seoul.

ok, I think that's fairly conclusive. Votes called!

File: Wisdom is split on this o(...).jpg (48 KB, 640x480)

48 KB JPG

[x] We'll take Seoul.

You check the map- noting that the forces involved are wildly assymetrical. There's an Imperial battalion here, a ROK division there, while dozens of tagged divisional elements of the Chinese military push south- the line of contact actually is south of Seoul now, running along a rough line between Ansan in the east through Seongnam, across the center of the country to Hongcheon, and then to Sokcho. Still- you note that if you can cover Seoul, those troops may be able to effect a ground evacuation of Chuncheon- and that, while time is critical, the beaches at Sokcho aren't actively in use yet- there's nothing available to pull troops out yet, other than some small craft located there.

Incheon, it looks like, is too little, too late- though you can't help but wonder, given the relatively small size of the region, if your presence in Seoul might not help them out a little by drawing Chinese aircraft to you- or away from you.

"We'll take Seoul." You say, and the commander nods.

"Fine." he says. "I'll relay to the Japanese, get moving. The ordinance crew should have you loaded and ready to go. Good luck, good hunting." He says, and you stand up at the same time as Kyou and Wendy.

You don't quite run to the Wyvern, but the walk is certainly faster than you're supposed to use around the lower ranks- you're in a hurry, and they can see it. Still, it's not like everyone else isn't, either- seconds count, here. You start your walkaround as Kyou scrambles up the ladder, Wendy doing the same as you- though, with less aircraft to check, she's done sooner. You can hear the rising whine of her little turbines as you climb up the ladder, dropping into your seat and pulling on your helmet as you hit the retract.

Kyou's already done with pre-start, and she begins startup as you strap in, Muninn running through your parts of the checks while you hit the canopy controls and the crew pulls the umbilical line and the chock blocks from the wheels. Muninn is silent as you start to roll down the pad, bumping along at the maximum allowable wartime speed. "Look to our port side." Kyou calls- you glance over to see a mob of white-coveralled Japanese ground crew wildly cheering, waving their hats in the air.

"Cheering for their princess?" You ask.

"Cheering for a Wyvern." She corrects.

You don't respond, instead wheeling around to the end of the runway, letting Wendy pass you on the starboard side- as usual, she'll go first. She pauses only for a second before beginning her takeoff roll, your wyvern right behind her.

1/2

Once you're up, Kyou starts pulling in the information from every source she can. The Korean peninsula is a mess of various radar sources, some long-range sites from Japan covering the eastern part of the country, mobile sites and other networked fighters providing a large deal of the rest. There's a spotty BARCAP up, trying to secure the airspace in mid-south, south still of the contact line you remember from the map, but against a concerted effort, it's not going to do much- everyone, it seems, was caught off guard. You can't help but wonder how many intel guys are gonna get sacked over this.

You shove the thoughts aside as you streak across the Japanese sky, going feet wet over the city of Fukui. "Seoul's airspace is entirely red." Kyou comments as you review your weapons load- twenty four ESSMs quad-packed into your six VLS cells, twelve AMRAAMs loaded in your centerline bays, and sixteen sidewinders in your FAST packs. They didn't fit the pylons, but you don't think there was time. Your guns both have enhanced fragmentation loads- three enhanced high explosive incendiary rounds, followed by a tracer of the same.

The panic over Korea as you cross the coast is almost palpable, even from up here. Columns of smoke crawl into the sky from the north, and, faintly, you can feel the sweep of hostile radars. Muninn begins to project the position of cities, and the last known contacts of units on the ground, while highlighting and boxing unknown- and presumably hostile- aircraft to the north. They haven't seen either of you yet, it seems. The sensor picture begins to get better as Muninn is able to effect the proposed changes- tagging and squelching individual civilian vehicles fleeing south. The picture to the north would be intimidating- your AI tags no fewer than a hundred and sixty six airborne targets, all hostile, and thousands of ground targets- and that's just the ones you can see. As you were warned, the air above Seoul is thick with hostile aircraft- some orbiting, some very clearly making attack runs.

Their radar's energy gets stronger as you approach- they'll see you soon enough, you realize. "We're approaching their maximum detection range for this altitude." Kyou warns. "We'll be in our maximum engagement range for our AMRAAMS as they're able to detect us. Should we attempt to close in further or launch from this range?"

[] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.
[] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

And that's going to be our stopping point for the evening!

So I think what we'll be doing this run, while I work on this final, is shooting to start at about 2000 EST. I know that's two hours later than our usual target start time, but unfortunately this is one of those projects for an instructor that's never been outside academia and doesn't get not all of us are transferring to a four year, haha!

Anyway, I'll be around a little to handle questions or comments, and I hope you guys are enjoying the action kicking off! Till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>3923585
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3923581
>[] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

File: CFA-44_Prototype.jpg (204 KB, 819x460)

204 KB JPG

>>3923581
>[X] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

>>3923585
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3923581
>[] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

>>3923581
>[x] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

We need to save as many ground units as possible, if they are to save Chuncheons witches.

While downing aircraft is a big win in the overall war, losing the witches is an even bigger loss and the more intact the retreating units are the faster they can integrate into the line and stop the Chinese push south.

Overall war concerns mean more boots on the ground are more important than reducing the Chinese airfleet.

As soon as the US has redeployed their carriers and planes the Chinese will get swatted anyway.

>>3923581
>[x] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

Confirmed kills is better. A scary Drake is a dangerous Drake I believe.

>>3923585
Thanks for the run Ghost. I'm looking forward to what's to come.

[] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.
>>3923581


>>3923610
Agree, and the sooner we start making noise the bigger the effect on the other zones.

>>3923581
>[×]We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

We are many things. A rattlesnake isn't one of them.

>>3923581
[x] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

Time for an Itano circus to even the odds.

How could we even think of slinking back to base with even a single missile still loaded??

>>3923585
>Thanks for the run!

>>3923581
>[X] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

File: now that I think about it(...).jpg (171 KB, 1590x1410)

171 KB JPG

Deculture has blessed us with a usable OP image.

>>3923881
That does look good, based Decu indeed!

>>3923881
It looks great!

>>3923881
Bretty good for a free commission.

>>3923581
>[x] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

>>3924330
Pretty sure it wasn't free.

>>3924358
I think that was the joke.

>>3923881
PILOT, FLUFF THAT FLOOF.

>>3923581
>[] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

I vote for this, just the mere fear factor of a Drake suddenly going active ought to cause a lot of the Chinese to suddenly decide that they have other places to be.

Except the poor bastards don't know that we got ESSMs. Oh man, we shall feast on their bitter tears of misery.

>>3923581
>[] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.
Despite our enhanced magazine depths we need to do the most damage possible

>>3923581
>[] Lock them up, We'll engage from here- we might be able to interrupt their ground attacks if we do.

Ok, votes called!

File: Most of these aren't surv(...).jpg (372 KB, 1500x919)

372 KB JPG

[x] We'll get low and get as close as we can- we want to do as much damage in the opening volley as possible.

You pull Muninn into a dive, screaming for the ground- you've got to get closer, to make your opening volley deal maximum damage. That's another of Maman's lessons- if you have the advantage of surprise, make sure you use it to deal as much damage as you can. The difference here is mere seconds, of course- but seconds is the difference between being able to get partial solutions and much better ones- the difference between having to put three missiles on a target to ensure a kill or just two.

You can feel Muninn and Kyou clearing the tracks as you arrow in just above the hills and buildings of the outskirts. Most of South Korea has undergone an explosive growth spurt in the years since the emperor granted them independence following the soviet war- Seoul is one of the world's largest financial capitols, and the actual urban sprawl means you're flying over suburbs now- and even these, you note, have some Chinese presence. Kyou, in back, is assigning tracks- nearer targets are getting AMRAAMS, while tracks further out, as soon as you go active, are getting a pair of ESSMs tasked- more than enough to ensure a kill.

"We're tracking sixty eight bandits." Kyou calls, her voice full of controlled excitement. "All passive. We have solutions now for twenty of them, seventeen with ESSMs and three with AMRAAMS. We've got enough time to probably get solutions on three more for AMRAAMS, but that will leave us with no more AMRAAMS firepower."

1/2

"We can run them down and engage with guns." Wendy offers- the first she's spoken. "I-I mean, if that's acceptable to you. Either of us should easily be able to run down any of them attempting to escape."

"Make the call, Morgan." Kyou says. "We're going to be detected soon regardless. We have workable firing solutions on twenty bandits, mixed fifth and fourth generation aircraft."

Muninn pulses the data into your display- though you only need a second to read it. Kyou's list focuses a great deal of firepower on the fighters, leaving the ground attack aircraft- and she's tracking at least thirty of them- alone for now. The target list is almost like a what's what of the modern PLAAF- J-20s, FC-31s, FC-1s, and J-11s all represented, while the handful of ground attack aircraft on the list are mostly the chinese JH-7 fighter-bombers, though a handful of their locally made- and frankly antiquated- Il-102 are represented as well. You can even see the Chinese-built Illyshin aircraft with the forward-looking cameras on Muninn, their smokey contrails rolling around their attack patterns.

[] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)
[] Get the remaining three- you'll still have ESSMs for range targets. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 12/12 AMRAAM)
[] Get fixes on enough targets for a full alpha strike- empty the cells. (Expends 34/34 ESSM, 12/12 AMRAAM)
[] Other (Write in a list, determining what ords you want to use now. You currently have 34 ESSM, 12 AMRAAM, and 18 Sidewinder, plus enough ammunition in the guns for 8 long, 16 regular, or 32 short bursts.)

>>3924986
>[x] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

>>3924986
>[X] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

>>3924986
>[x] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

>>3924986
>[] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

>>3924986
Are this number of enemy fighters a threat to us or Wendy or can we just ignore them until we bounce some ground attack aircraft ?

>>3924986
>[x] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

>>3925053
Ultimately, it's well within what you're expected to be able to handle, currently.

Ok, votes called!

File: Designed as an export fig(...).jpg (264 KB, 1919x1247)

264 KB JPG

[x] Engage now on the targets with solutions, keeping 6 AMRAAMs available. (expends 17/34 ESSM, 6/12 AMRAAM)

"Go live." You order- a simple two words that gives instant results. You can almost feel the surprise and fear in the Chinese aircraft as Muninn's incredibly powerful- and very distinct- sensor suite goes from passive to active, instantly providing excellent locks on the aircraft it was tracking. Their warning receivers must have been screaming in their ears- some of them, their reactions good enough, even start to react as the first ESSMs leave the tubes, spearing skyward. The AMRAAMs start dropping clear of your bay and firing their motors, streaking towards their own targets.

You punch in the afterburners- part of you musing how, before the soviet war, every single expert said dogfighting was dead- and the wyvern is built almost specifically to execute this kind of attack, with a single massive missile attack and then an extended dogfight with any survivors. The fifth generation aircraft- the J-20s and FC-31s- are stacked high and low- the J-20s look to be up high, and the eight or so you see were each the target of an ESSM. the FC-31s- China's answer to the F-35- are down lower, closer to the attack aircraft, while the other fighters, mostly FC-1s, with a handful of J-11s, are spread all over the sky. All of them are beginning to react by the time your first missiles- boosted by Kyou, no doubt- start to impact, swatting aircraft out of the sky. Muninn keeps a running tally- of the J-20s, only one survives, and it looks like he's taken damage, while the four J-11s- also targeted by ESSMs- leave almost no trace as the missiles impact in brilliant red-orange flashes. The FC-31s make it out the best- only half of them are hit targeted, and of those, only three are hit. One looks like he might be able to bug out- though, given the way he's got a fire somewhere internally, you doubt it. Still, losing two of them in the opening instant is no doubt a shock- you don't see any ejections.

1/2

The AMRAAM targets- a flight of JH-7 fighter-bombers- lose two of their aircraft outright, while the third takes a near- miss that must have thrown shrapnel into him. The fourth, which didn't have any missiles assigned to it, begins breaking away to escape the combat area.

You pile in- he's the closest, oddly enough, and looks to be moving like a pig wallowing in mud to you. A short gun burst later and he's spiraling out of control- you wince when the fighter catches part of a high-rise and cartwheels into it's neighbor, smashing into the building in a greasy fireball.

You're into them now- the FC-31s, another flight of four and a flight of two- are turning into the merge, and you count at least twenty of the lightweight multirole FC-1s lighting their afterburners to get inside of engagement range, their fire controls already seeking a firing solution for their PL-12s. The Il-102s are breaking off, their old turbojets leaving black smoke in the sky as their pilots claw for speed to disengage- for them, a wyvern must be a complete nightmare, with their low speed and almost complete lack of maneuverability.

"No witches." Kyou remarks. "They must have recovered already, since they'd have been necessary to establish the initial control of the airspace." She's right- there's no evidence of witches anywhere, which is both a little odd and means that, in this airspace, there's almost no prayer for the Chinese aircraft to contest you.

You start to turn into the nearer flight of Il-102s- despite their defensive efforts, they're almost sitting ducks and the fighters aren't close enough to save them. You'd almost feel bad for them- but they're attacking targets in a city still full of civilians, so you're not too inclined to let them go.

Wendy, tracking the tactical situation more than yourself or Kyou, calls as you start to line up. "If there's no witches, do you want me to break and engage? I can provide better cover for the army elements in close, while you destroy the fighters."

[] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.
[] Stay on my wing- I don't like this setup.

>>3925332
>[X] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

>>3925332
>[] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

>>3925332

[] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

>>3925325
[] Stay on my wing- I don't like this setup

Never split the party, and life is never this convenient. There have to be a few witches in reserve nearby, they aren't idiots.

>>3925377
You're right, I'm going to change my vote to
>[] Stay on my wing- I don't like this setup.

previous vote is
>>3925351

>>3925332
>[x] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.
Hoping those witches don't have a lot of experience against a Drake-Valkyrie team and they prob don't.

>>3925332
>[x] Stay on my wing- I don't like this setup.

We're at a tie vote and this paper is kinda kicking my ass, so I'm going to call it for the evening here gents! If i could afford to eat a 0 worth 2 letter grades, I probably would, but.... I think I'm already staring at a B or a C, and while Ds get degrees, I'm not exactly inclined to torpedo my GPA, haha!

I'll be around some to field questions or comments, but otherwise gents, till tomorrow, cheers!

>>3925435
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3925332
>[X] Stay on my wing- I don't like this setup.

File: J-10C.jpg (862 KB, 1920x1214)

862 KB JPG

>>3925435
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3925332
>[x] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

>>3925332
>[] Do it-
But stay frosty and check your corners—something feels off with no witch cover—surely they’d at least have a couple loitering just in case, even if they’re just camping out on a skyscraper ...

>>3925332
>[X] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

Save these guys, hopefully save witches in the near future.

>>3925332
>[] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

hey gents, sorry for the no notice here, but I gotta postpone till tomorrow to finish this thing. I got about a page and a half left to do, but I gotta get it done. I'm really sorry about this.

>>3927542
Gambatte! (Don't ruin your academic career for us)

>>3927542
Do your best bro, we'll be here waiting

>>3925332
>[X] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

Dewit

Ok! Final submitted, I hit a point where I kinda stopped caring. so, eh. Whatever, I coulda ate a 0 on it and passed the class, but I'd rather not run the risk, haha!

Votes called!

File: Genius indeed- you've got(...).jpg (125 KB, 850x499)

125 KB JPG

[x] Do it- we need to help them preserve as much of their combat strength as possible.

"Break and attack." You order and Wendy responds instantly, hauling her little fighter-striker around in a brutal turn and arrowing in on the JH-7s still making strike runs on IJA positions. You push Muninn into WEP briefly, almost seeming to jump across the sky and into a furball with an element of FC-31s. They scatter like chickens underneath a hawk- two aircraft breaking to the north, the other two nosing over into dives to get away from you.

You flip Muninn into a snap-turn and latch onto the pair breaking north- Muninn's still working on cracking their communications encryption, but it's obvious they weren't expecting a wyvern from the way their aircraft are scattering and bugging out, fleeing to the east and north. You're sure they're screaming for reinforcement and witches- not that any could get here in time to make a difference.

Wendy's also engaged- and in the first pass, has destroyed a pair of JH-7s, along with one of their escort fighters. The escort element- a group of FC-17s- engaged her in turn, but, as you track it while lining up a shot on one of the fleeing FC-31s, she kills one in a display of impressive shooting, her nose-mounted .50 machineguns punching holes in the hostile fighter more befitting your own 40mm guns before she shifts, the fighter splitting along it's axis, turning into something straight out of sci-fi and guning another one down with what are now arm-mounted machine guns.

1/2

"So that's Merlin's genius." Kyou remarks- she sounds distracted and detached, but you're sure she's going to be all over it once you land. You can feel her attention being pulled towards Wendy, who's carving through her opponents with what seems like contemptuous ease. At least, that's what it probably would be, if you thought Wendy could feel contempt. You're pretty sure she can't.

You shift you attention effortlessly back to your own targets, and put a burst through the port side fighter, chewing apart the rear quarter of his fighter and sending him tumbling to the ground. There's no ejection seat from that one. His wingmate shoves into a right-hand break turn, desperate to escape your guns.

"They're bugging out." Wendy calls. "Should we pursue?"

You know what Kyou wants to do- you can feel it through the MIU. She wants to chase everything down, to burn as many of them out of the sky as possible to announce her presence- and make them pay for their attack. You're not as sure- once they exit the airspace, your mission is accomplished, and you can loiter to cover the withdrawal or you can RTB for fuel and ammunition.

[] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks
[] Have Wendy remain over the IJA while you run down the Chinese aircraft
[] Send Wendy to chase down as many as she can while you remain over the city and cover the withdrawal
[] Let them go- you may need the ammo if they come back before you can leave station.

>>3929728
>[] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks

>>3929728
>[X] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks

>>3929728
>[] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks

>>3929728

[] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks

>>3929728
>[X] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks
Time to thin the herd.

>>3929728
>[X] Let them go- you may need the ammo if they come back before you can leave station.

ok, votes called!

>>3929728
>[x] Let them go- you may need the ammo if they come back before you can leave station.

>>3929785
Nyan nyan

File: the IJA's answer to the M(...).jpg (816 KB, 1920x1245)

816 KB JPG

[x] Run as many of them down as you can before they exit the airspace- Do as much damage as you can without leaving the IJA troops open to further attacks

"Stay on them till they leave the airspace." You order, sending a pair of sidewinders at the fleeing FC-31. One misses, but the second gets part of him- you see him eject a few seconds later as the aircraft yaws one way, then the other, and enters a flat spin.

Wendy doesn't even activate her mic to acknowledge the order, simply turning to run down the JH-7s, despite the best efforts of the FC-1s. You have to hand it to the escorts- even wildly outclassed, they're not cowards, and they're doing their best to protect the strike and ground attack aircraft.

Of course, it's largely in vain. You send a pair of AMRAAMS- one each- at the retreating Il-102s, sending one tumbling out of control while the other, somehow, survives the hit and flies on- though, with thick black smoke pouring out of one engine you're not sure he's going to make it across the Yellow sea.

Wendy, too, gets another FC-17, and a pair of the JH-7s before they start to get too far away- though Kyou tracks four of them, allowing you to send ESSMs at them- none of the aircraft make it, but you do see parachutes in the distance. Those crews will be back in action, you know- they're well inside territory occupied by the Chinese forces.

It's almost eerie as you fly above the city. There's still ground combat- you can see the occasional firefight break out between the advancing Chinese and the IJA and ROK army's rearguard forces, but, without their air support, the Chinese are forced to slow down. Muninn tracks the IJA vehicles- mostly light trucks and their version of the HMMVW and JLTV, but a few of their Type 16 MCVs are also present. They begin to withdraw to the south-east, taking to the highway with the JLTVs leading. Following them is a mass exodus of civilian vehicles of all sorts- cars, trucks, motorcycles, all fleeing the Chinese advance.

"I have mobile Surface-to-air threats." Kyou calls. "multiple types, multiple positions."

"We're done here." you say- the IJA is at least a couple miles down the road, and their rear guard has pulled out- probably a couple platoons, you note. A tiny force, given everything- but they were able to draw blood enough to get out intact.

"The corridor here is to the east." Kyou says as you wing over and begin withdrawing to the south yourself. "Those troops should be able to effect a ground recovery of the academy, if it's not already overrun by then."

You nod. The IJA is in full retreat, but there's already some effects of your presence showing up- Chinese aircraft aren't pushing nearly as hard into contested airspace, and the allied retreat is in good order. Still- maman always cautioned you, wars aren't won in withdrawals.

that's gonna be it for the night, gents!

So things are gonna work... a little differently behind the scenes, here than they did in 89. I think you guys'll like it!

Sorry for the shorter run this week, though there's only about 2 weeks of school left, so that's kinda nice. Though I do start that job out at the christmas tree lot this weekend as well- we'll see how we do there, keep in mind we may have to move our run days around to adjust for that.

Other t han that, gents, I'll be around to field questions or concerns, but otherwise, till next time, cheers!

File: F-15SE.jpg (70 KB, 1280x720)

70 KB JPG

>>3929960
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3929960
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3929960
Thanks for the run! Hope your final goes well!

So question for you Ghost: who's your favorite character to write so far in this quest?

File: __shirase_sakuya_and_tana(...).jpg (164 KB, 1258x954)

164 KB JPG

>>3929960
See you next time.

Archive up.

>>3929972
oh man, that's kinda tough!

I like writing Cass, she's a fun character. Merlin, too, though I'm still kinda trying to find her again, if that makes sense.