23 July, 2012 1500hrs
San Salvacion

We ate a lot of foods today, not to mentioned how delicious they are even though this is not the first time I visit here.

"Oh Im so full." Gab said, "As much as I want to eat more cause of their food, I can't."

"I know, right? The foods are great! I'm glad that you brought us here, Chris." James replied.

"Glad you guys enjoy it." I open the letter and read the next part of the story.

One night, a spirited group made their way into the bar, chased out the sullen army grunts, and commandeered the place.

Even I knew who they were.

The patch on their sleeve was the mark of the proud air force.

A loud-mouthed, middle-aged man went around, announcing each pilot's results for the day and his running kill record. For those who exceeded five kills, a thorough toasting- and soaking followed. I believe it was their custom to call a pilot an "Ace" once he shot down five planes.

After completing the day's review, the same guy- the squadron adjutant- went on to announce, "And now, for our leader's results!" Everyone turned around to look at the quiet man who sat alone, strumming a guitar. I found myself drawn to the music from his guitar. "Our Yellow Thirteen bagged three more today, bringing his new tally up to sixth-four kills."

With a tentative smile, the man with the guitar turned to me and asked me to accompany him on my harmonica. I brought it up to my lips, and he started a new song.

I had finally found him.

But by some fluke, it was my father's favorite song, the one he used to play at the end of each day.

"What song is it?" My sister asked.

"I don know the title, but it is really calming for sure." I said, watching my AWACS buddy looking at the Yellow Squadron's kill count written on the wall. "Now onto the next mission."

•=•=•=•=•=•

10 October, 2004 1549hrs
ISAF Aircraft Carrier

"Alex, Wake up."

"Ugh... few more minutes."

"You already slept a lot already." I said. We have to wake him cause we have a mission to brief, and lets just say he still falls asleep for over 2 hours. He snores loudly today, good thing he's not my roommate.

.....

Jason grunted, "Fuck this." He walk towards Halo leader, shoved him out of his bed and throw him to the ground. "Wake up!"

A thug sound heard once his body hit the deck. "Alright, I'm waking up! jeez!" Alex stands up grunted, slowly grabbing his comb to fix his messy hair.

"I should say, you are really cute when you sleep like a baby." I teased, earning an annoyed look from him.

"Don't tell anyone about it or I'll kill you." He warned while pointing his comb at me. I grinned.

"I won't, but Jason will." I grinned.

"Damn right I will." He said, arms crossed over his chest. "Now hurry up and head to the meeting room. Franks is waiting for us."

Alex sighs. After he adjust himself, we began to walk towards the briefing room. "I wish we're not up against Yellow Thirteen and his squadron today."

"Yellow Thirteen?" I repeated. I'd never heard about any pilots from Erusea, let alone this Yellow Thirteen person, he has to be an Ace since Alex mentioned him.

"He's a super Ace of Erusea." Jason said, "No pilots can survive from him up until this day, so whenever our allies encounter them, they retreat immediately before they suffer."

Hearing what he said about the enemy ace makes me slightly shiver. Even though I was trained by my dad, known as Demon Lord, I don't know if I can keep up with him. If I face him on the battle, I must be fully prepared.

We reach to the briefing room where Frank waits us. I smile and sit beside him. Later, Weaver came to begin the briefing.

"The Allied Forces are retreating, and survivors are gathering at the northern point of St. Ark. However, the radar facilities atop Mt. Shezna provide tactical support to the enemy. As a result, our evac mission is in jeopardy. If our troops can successfully evacuate and regroup at North Point, they will become a formidable force in future battles. Your mission is to destroy the radar facilities on Mt. Shezna, thereby blinding the enemy and hiding our troop movements."

"Things about to get real chilly out there. Especially flying over the snowy mountains." I said after the lights went on.

"On the good side, this is an easy mission for us!" Frank grinned, "Just radars and few planes to take down."

"Just don't slow us down, will ya'?" Jason stands up and looks at Frank. "And never say easy again, bad things happened when say easy."

"I have to agree on this man." Alex replied.

"When did I slow you down guys?" I shook my head and head towards our planes. Even below the deck, I can feel the cold hair hitting my face. Given clearance to take off, I shot down the runway, quickly lifting in the air and falling in line behind my comrades.

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"Northern Eye"
10 October, 2004 1628hrs
Mount Shezna

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It took more than thirty minutes to reach the combat area. The mountains are a pretty sight to see. I can take the picture right now if my camera is with me today. Although, It'd be suck to eject out in this area.

"This combat area is within enemy airspace. Keep an eye out for bandits," said SkyEye. "Use vector 180 to return home after destroying the target. Remember, a safe return completes the mission."

"You heard the man. A safe return will complete the mission. So I don't want any of you see all dead." Alex warned.

"Copy that, Mom." I chuckled.

"Yes, Mom. Might as well teach us how to sing ABCs and count 1 to 10." Frank added.

"Oh, I definitely will if you damage your plane during this mission." He said darkly. I can feel him grinning so bad that he already wields the mightiest weapon: the wooden spoon.

Jason cleared his throat. "As much as I want to join your conversation, we have bandits in front of us."

Two F-4s spotted in our sight and approaching our way. Flooring my engines, I shot past my companions, taking the lead. "Fox 2! Fox 2!"

I took a gamble and locked on, firing missiles at it. Both hit, destroying the bandit, and causing Frank to bitch at me for showing off. I told him to get to my level. Looking at his cockpit, I can see his hands giving me a middle finger. Oh Frank, next time we have a mission, we will have some competition you beard bastard.

"This is Shezna Radar One. Bandits approaching vector 135." I'm wondering, if we can hear enemy's transmission, can they hear us? If do, can I trash talk them, reader?

"Engage hostile aircrafts and keep them away from the radar."

"One of our planes was hit!" Said the enemy, I look around and saw a smoking plane descending fast. I asked my comrades, "Who took a shot?"

"I did." Jason answered. "Halo team fly slow so I took the prey."

"Excuse me?! We were far away from that guy!" Alex retorted. "How are we supposed to catch him?"

Before they could start a fight, I sighted the radars at the apex of the snowy mountain. "Hey Halo team. How 'bout you take down those radars while the rest of us clear all the fighters around?"

There was a static of silence from the radio. "Good idea. Keep an eye on us." He replied.

Well at least he agreed before the fight broke off.

As we reach closer to the radar site, Halo team fly low to drop some payloads as me and Jason circle around. Just in time, three planes arrived. I turn my plane around and fly towards them, began firing a pair of missiles. The one able to hit the plane but still flying while the other missed. I hissed when they all break off, went to different directions.

"Mobius 1, take left, I'll go right." Jason said. I didn't said another word as I chase off the enemy plane. He swivels around, but I have a good eyesight and keep glue at his ass. I fired my cannon, damaging the entire plane nozzles.

"I'm hit! Eject!" I smile, knowing I got a score. I scan around the area when I heard an explosion. The radars has been bombed and destroyed. I saw Alex lowered his aircraft and drop some boms over the row of radars. Perfect hit and all of them destroyed.

"Target destruction confirmed!" Alex announced cheerfully.

"Radar One, do you read me?" an enemy inquired worriedly. Quiet fell over the radio for a few moments, causing the man to say, "Shezna Radar One's gone silent!"

"Ha! You don't have internet access once we destroy all the radars." Frank laughs.

"I wonder what they're browsing in the internet?" Alex asked.

"Probably some Rated-18 stuff. Or "how to be a good chef: by Gordon Ramsay." SkyEye searched." I replied. In fact, he told me he's going to build his own restaurant once he retires. And of course, my family and I will he his first customers.

"Chris, how do you know that?" SkyEye asked. Oh shit.

I laugh nervously, "Uhhhh.... I may or may not look at your web history."

I can hear him deeply sigh. I mean, I was bored so I use his laptop to watch some videos then randomly went to his browse history. Least there's no search about 'how to marry a girl'. "Anyways, Radar Base Two at vector 290. Four miles,"

Halo team made a rush to the next radar base first. Two more planes spotted from the distance, so we split up and went each of the Eruseans. I don't want to waste missiles much so I use gun this time. And he's down. "Enemy plane down."

"Dammit! He's behind me!" Jason grunted, an F-16 is acting as a predator. Seeing never leaves from his ass, I bet that's an ace.

"Jason, fly head on to me. When I said break, break off."

"Roger." He went 180 vertical loop and turn around, followed by an enemy ace. Once he was closer, I switched to my missiles. "Break!"

When he yanked his plane sideways, I immediately launch two missiles right at the cockpit, and explodes as he entirely engulf by flames. I immediately moved sideways when I almost crashed into it. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"That was close..." I mumble to myself. Never been scared to close death situation.

"Thanks, Ribbon." Jason said. I smile, knowing that he is safe.

Speaking of safe, "Hey, Halo team. How's the radar going?"

"Just a few more, and..." I heard a faint sound before a small explosion effect came. "Hell yeah!  Fighter squadron here. Mission accomplished."

"SkyEye here. Radar facilities confirmed destroyed. All aircraft, take vector 180 south."

We went south and flew in horizontal formation. Since our last mission is to get to the safe zone...

"Hey, let's have a race. Whoever gets to the safe line last gets to buy us a drink, including SkyEye."

Frank hummed, "Deal. I could get some drinks later."

"SkyEye, give us a count down!"

"Why do I have to involve in this." He mumbles, "Fine. In 3, 2, 1... go!"

All of us hit the throttle as fly as fast as we can to the finish line. Because I let the mechanics modified my plane, I came first. Followed by Jason, Frank, Alex being last.

"Dammit!" Alex groaned.

I can hear Jason chuckles darkly, "now you have to buy all the foods and drinks with your allowance."

"Don't you dare escape from us, Alex." Frank added.

"My wallet... (╥_╥)"

•=•=•=•=•=•

With their radar out of commission, the enemy's command and control is degraded. The evac and regrouping efforts are proceeding as scheduled.

•=•=•=•=•=•

At night, the boys and I went to the nearest bar so we can get laid off from our work. I'm glad SkyEye agrees to come with us despite the competition I've made which is brilliant.

Frank took a chug on a beer, "Ah, finally some good fresh beer."

"Thanks for treating us some drinks." I smirked, making Alex sighed.

"Even though I hate you from making this damn competition, I'm still glad Weaver allowed us to get hang out outside the base."

"This is better, but I still prefer the bar in San Salvacion." SkyEye took a sip on his drink.

"Hey, isn't that place occupied by Eruseans now?" Frank asked.

"Yeah. Not only that, the Yellow Squadron was stationed there as well."

Talking about the Yellow Squadron, I wonder what kind of ace Yellow 13 is. Was he calm? cocky? An idiot? Did he fight for his homeland? Or he just wants to fly in the sky like I am? So many questions come through my head. My Dad told me that he faced many different aces during the Belkan war when he was a mercenary, and they have different goals. Does aces like us have to be like this?

My thoughts were cut off when SkyEye shakimg my shoulders, slightly worried. "Hey, Chris. Are you alright?"

"Yeah... Yeah I'm fine, James." I said, "I just need to call my sister later when we get back to base."

He faintly smile, "I told you if you need help, just tell me. Plus I promise your father to keep an eye on you if you do something stupid like this one."

I grinned, "At least he's not here so he can't see, right?"

Both of us laughed, at least the tension in my body finally loosened. I shook my head and smile. "A toast, for out victory to this mission and being able to stay alive."

"Cheers!" We clash our glass of beer and took a drink. Nevertheless, I won't forget his precious moment we have tonight.