Admist the blue skies, a link from the past to future.
The sheltering wings of the protector...

_________________________

19 November, 2004 0427hrs
Rigley Air Base

~ Chris/Mobius 1's p.o.v. ~

I woke up from the sound of the door knocking loudly. I groaned and sit on my bed, scratching my head. "Who is it?"

"Alex here." He replied, "Wake up, we have a mission today. So suit up, we have a briefing."

I stretch my arms and I heard a pop sound from my body. "At this time?" I thought, "I'll catch up."

"Better hurry up, pal." Then footsteps qas last heard from outside. I wear my flight suit and boots, then fixed my hair before heading to the briefing room. To my surprise, there are several pilots inside beside Halo Team and Viper 1. Something big is happening. After a minute, Weaver and SkyEye arrive to begin the briefing.

"Comberth Harbor, home of the Aegir Fleet, is completely dependent on a single petrochemical complex for its fuel supply. The complex consists of a land-based oil refinery/storage facility and an offshore oil-drilling platform. Your mission is to go out and destroy, or at least damage, these sites. Our objective is to reduce production output of this complex to 20% or less. By cutting off the port's fuel supply, we will delay and disrupt the combat deployment of the Aegir Fleet."

Unexpected event. We went offensive this time, and if we succeeded, it would deal a horrible blow to the enemy. We had to come out victorious. With a lot of pilots joining today, we have a high winning chance.

"Why damage those things when we can destroy them?" Frank asked. All of us nodded in agreement. The more destruction to the Harbor, the better.

"Alright, everyone suit up and head to your planes!" Alex shouted. We scramble to our lockers and suit up, then headed to the hangar. Hoping inside my Raptor, I start the engines and drive to the runway after several pilots take off first.

"Mobius 1, you are clear for take off." The Control tower operator said. I push the lever for full throttle, and pulled the flight stick as I lift off from the ground.

"Mobius 1, altitude restriction cancelled. Goodluck out there."

"Thanks." I said. This will be my first mission with my brand new F-22. This is going to be fun.

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"Lifeline"
19 November, 2004 0550hrs
Petrochemical Complex

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It's slightly dark around the area, but can clearly see. Night missions are very tough. Especially if you're against an enemy with a black plane over a dark sky.

"I hope we don't encounter the Yellow Squadron." Alex muttered.

"Then don't jinx it if you don't want to face them." Jason said. Weaver told us that if they came, we have to retreat immediately. I wonder how good they are, especially 'him'.

SkyEye ordered, "Commence operation. Split into two groups and destroy targets. Inflict as much damage as possible to the complex and reduce their output."

"Listen up, we'll target the oil rigs first." I explained, "Alpha group will taking down ground targets, while Beta group will handle the planes away from us. Then switch roles once we reach Harbor. And there's one rule to follow: Destroy everything on sight."

Alex smirks, "Sounds like a plan. Jason, Frank, cover us."

"Roger." We flew low and fire our first missiles at the towers. After taking them out, we next fire at the cranes around.

"Heads up, they've got AA guns," Alex warned. I avoided the AA guns firing at me, and made a turn to destroy it with my guns. There's a lot of targets to take down so i have to make count of my shots. The problem is there is no light coming from the oil rigs which makes our job harder. What a clever Eruseans are.

"C'mon baby, daddy needs a bull's eye!" Murray said eagerly, making me question what on earth was going on inside that head of his. I was cut off by a warning missile sound blasting from my cockpit.

"Shit...!" I yank my flight stick to the side and hit full throttle to avoid the incoming missile until the warning sound went off. I decided to pursuit that bastard, I went vertical loop and spin, hit full afterburner to chase that guy off. I launched a missile while firing my guns until he explode. Then proceed to the next fighter by burst some gunfire at the nozzle, smoking badly and he rapidly loosing altitude.

"Woah!" Alex shock and awe, "Ribbon, chill."

"That bastard pisses me off so I have to." I said while firing a pair of missiles at Control room and a crane. I flew around and lowered my plane to just above sea level, aligning my height with that of the tanker. Switching to guns, I fired until I saw an explosion, telling me the target was done for. I continued on my path of destruction, setting my sights on another oil rig ripe for the taking. With several allies with us, it made our mission much easy, even though me and my buddies do most of the work.

"Enemy facility destroyed." SkyEye announced, "a quarter of facilities left."

Alex whistles, "It's a good thing command decided to brought more pilots rather than just four of us."

"I agree. The earlier we finish this mission, tge earlier I get to sleep." I said.

"I wonder who sleeps longer: Alex or Chris?" Frank asked, missile lock sound heard from the comms.

"Well it depends on how they sleep."

"Least none of them snores." Jason muttered. "Unlike Frank."

"I didn't snore on my sleep!"

"Yes you did." We all said together, only Frank's soft curse words heard. I release a burst of gunfire at the last tower and destroyed it in instant.

"Help! Somebody get off this thing!" One of our allies said. I scan around the area and found his F-16 being chased by enemy MIG-29.

"Hang on!" I swiftly follow them behind. "Do a Thach Weave, now!"

He didn't need to ask as he made a left turn.

Throttling my afterburners, I pulled a hard right, slamming a whopping 8 g's on my body as I strained my Raptor to its limits. We continue to maneuver a few more times, until I finally lock onto him.

"Mobius 1, Fox 2!"

A moment and a satisfying 'boom' later was heard and seen. I want to fly near the explosion to be showoff (heh), but I rather not damaged my precious F-22.

"Thanks, Mobius 1!" An allied pilot who I've saved sends gratitude.

"Glad to hear you safe." I replied, returning back to the oil rig.

"Commit all reserve aircraft immediately!" an enemy said, breaking our focused silence. The Eruseans are sending reinforcements, now began to worry if they send the Yellow Squadron instead.

"SkyEye, this is Mobius 1. How are we looking on the oil rigs?"

"Just few more and you may able to proceed to the main facility."

Rather than continuing destroying some stations witg my missile, I used my guns instead since they're easy targets. I saw Jason made a U-Turn to destroy the last crane, but I took it first.

"Goddammit, Chris!" Jason yelled. I laughed and perform a barrel roll.

"Dude loves to steal kills, eh?" Frank asked. Probably saw what I did.

"He's been like that ever since his sister beat him a bunch of times at the Battlefield game. Then he decided to steal her kills on whatever the hell he is doing." SkyEye said.

Alex whistles, "He's probably hacking."

"I am not." I retorted, "We've been playing shooting games and other flight games since we were kids."

"Then you have a very nice childhood life, then."

"Damn right I am." I grinned.

"Alright. Refinery at vector 280. 8 miles." SkyEye reported. We head rush to the main facility to finish early and spotted fuel tanks.

"That's a lot of oil they have." One of our allies said.

"What are they, Oseans?" To be honest, I'm still questioning their obsession with the oil, and freedom. I rather not ask further as we began to do our jobs again, this time our roles switched with Alpha Team. I pursuit an F-16 on my sight and hit the full throttle. The Erusean jerked downwards, shocking my tracking system. I lost my lock on them and spent the next two minutes regaining it. Unlike the other enemy pilots we'd faced in the past, these seemed to be of better quality, more experienced. The further we reach the end of war, the tougher our challenges we'll facing soon.

After the gambling, I fired back and finally landed a double hit. I scan around the area to see other enemy planes around when I heard several explosions from the comms. I witness some fuel tanks explode by a single missile, causing a chain reaction to the other fuel tanks nearby.

Frank laughs, "Now that's a lot of damage!"

"Flex Tape, eh?"

"Speaking of Flex Tape," Alex chimed in, "Remember that poor bastard we pranked on using that tape?"

Frank hummed, "Oh yeah! When we were still in flight school."

"How did you guys prank him?" I asked, getting interest to their topic. I fire a burst of gunfire at the enemy plane head on and break off after I killed, or injured, that pilot.

"While he's sleeping, we quietly taped him on the bed and write on his face with a whiteboard marker. And the next morning, he yelled so hard that almost everyone rushed to where the source is, and saw his horrible state he is." Alex explained.

"And we almost caught by our flight instructor because Alex forgot to hide the tape." Frank added, hearing a missile lock from his cockpit.

"Interesting." I said in awe, "If you guys plan to do that, let me join the massacre."

"You're already part of our prank group, Ribbon. So no need to ask again."

"Would you three shut your traps and focus on the mission?" Jason interrupted, sounding more than a little exasperated.

Rather than antagonize him further, we all cooperate. Halo team and other allied pilots continue to bring destruction to the facilities, the rest of us fight back against Erusean pilots. One plane trails behind me, but with my Raptor and my instincts, I perform a kulbit and now the predator became prey.

"Fox 2!" Launcing missiles from the plane's belly, and hit the engines, causing a fireball to the entire enemy plane. Then I yanked my plane immediately and fly as fast as I can to avoid incoming missiles. If it wasn't for my dad's training, I rather be dead here instantly. I can't believe I got another ace again since my previous missions.

I decided to change the topic, "How's the situation on the facilities?"

Alex reported, "Just few more and..." it was silence until three or four explosion sounds have heard. "Got them!"

"Facility neutralized," SkyEye announced gleefully. "Mission complete."

"Finally! No more oil for them!" Frank shouted. I smile, now time to go home and back to sleep-

"Mobius One, heavy group hot. Appears to be five targets in the group."

Ignoring my AWACS' poor choice of words, I asked, "Who is it?"

SkyEye remained silent for a few seconds before, "Tally ho on the bogeys! There's five Yellows."

Jason barely managed to stammer out, "What the-"

"All aircraft disengage and RTB. Head south immediately," SkyEye ordered frantically.

At that moment, a slightly garbled and distorted voice came over the radio. "We've got clearance to engage. Splash all hostile aircraft."

Oh shit…

"Roger," another Yellow responded, "initiating attack on all hostile aircraft."

"All pilots, retreat immediately and as fast as you can. Do not engage! I repeat, do not engage!" Alex yelled while giving orders. All of us went south and escape. I turned to check my six, heart nearly leaping out of my chest when I saw a Yellow closing in on me. I dive down immediately after a missile warning sound blasted out from my plane.

"Their aircraft have a clear advantage as well," Jason said grimly. I recognize those planes, they're SU-37. Yuktobania's best maneuverable plane. Those things can perform almost all kinds of move, even cobra and kulbit. Not only that, they're been pilot by Aces!

"I'm hit! I'm hit!" I saw an allied plane being shot down by a Yellow.

"Somebody help me--!" Another onw of ours got shot down. Dammit, they're keep taking us down one by one!

"Got a Yellow on my tail!" Frank announced, fear inching into his voice. That's it! I won't let them kill my comrades!

~ Yellow 13's p.o.v. ~

We have given orders to take down hostile pilots at the oil facility. Looks like they've managed to destroy them. We begin to pick our targets and take them down immediately, as they stood no chance against us.

"I'm hit! Somebody help me!" Sounds of scared pilots from the other side came from the comms. Since back then, I choose to listen to the opponent's transmissions whenever if its important.

"Yellow 4, shot down a bandit." My wingwoman reported and saw her trailing beside me. We already took down seven pilots as they continue to retreat. One of my allies have pursuit another pilot.

"Got a Yellow on my tail!" A pilot shouted, fear has taken over in him.

"What the- i'm being marked!" The allied pilot exclaimed, breaks off anf dodge the incoming missile. A fast plane was emerge from below, getting a quick glimpse of a F-22 with a blue infinity ribbon marked on its tail. How they aquired Osea's top notch plane?

"Mobius 1, engaging!" The pilot from before made a quick vertical turn and dive down to pursuit one of us. One of us split up and fired a missile, but that pilot able to dodge it at ease. They're probably an ace.

"Mobius 1, do not engage!" Their AWACS called frantically. So that was his callsigh, huh?

"I'm not going until everyone reach the safe zone!" He replied.

"This is Yellow Squadron we're talking about here! You're not equipped to handle them yet."

"I know that! But someone has to stay behind, Alex!" Mobius 1 shot back, "I promise I'll stay alive!"

There was an hesitation coming from him, "You better stay alive in one piece or I'll kill you! I'll see you soon, Ribbon."

Staying behind, his plane push to full afterburner and began to pursuit us.

"The hell is that pilot doing?" A garbled Yellow pilot asked, sounding both amazed and disturbed. "Do they have a death wish or something?"

"Focus on the stragglers. I'll take this one out." I ordered. We spit up and chase them off. I trail behind the ISAF pilot and follow his movements, his flying skill is remarkable. I waited for a time until I have a missile lock on the plane, unexpectedly, he raise the nose upward and perform a very tight vertical turn. I looked up in surprise seeing our planes almost collide with one another, and managed to break free from my grasp. I turn my plane around, seeing the pilot engage at the other and landed a hit with a missile. Gladly, it wasn a kill shot.

"Dammit! So close..." Ribbon groaned.

"I'm hit!" My allied pilot exclaimed.

"You're lucky that shot didn't down you. That pilot is no pushover." Yellow 4 advised. I'm impressed on how he managed to keep up on us, even just himself against five of us.

The foe made a tight turn and began to dive upon us. I flew with afterburners and head on against him, pushing the trigger to release the burst of gunfire. However, he avoided most of the bullets. I began to smile. It's been a while since I face someone like him, since fighting against my instructor.

"I hope they reach to safety..." he mumbles to himself. Knowing that he decided to fight us to give his comrades some time to escape from us. What an honorable decision. Once he avoided the incoming missile, I immediately trail behind him.

shit." Mobius 1 said, yawing away from me and accelerated as fast as he could. His plane ascend to the sky further and made a twist and turn to break off from me, however, I still stay close and hold the trigger button.

"What if..."

I fired beside his canopy, hearing a shock from his voice and taking deep breathes. I flew beside his F-22 in formation and looked at my right, and he notice me. Good. I decided to have a small conversation with him, if he is a nice one.

"You got balls, ribbon. Staying behind so your wingman can live another day. Not many would dare do that." I said, saluting him.

"Uhhh..." Mobius 1 said, lost for words. "Thanks, I guess?"

"If you don't mind, where are you from?" I asked. I've been wondering a while ago, no ISAF pilots can be this good at flying.

"F-From Ustio." He replied. I'm surprised he wasn't from other countries, especially Belka.

"I-Im sorry if I hit o-one of your friends. Uhh, he must be important to you." Now that caught me shocked. When I thought he cared for his allies, but also from the opposing side.

"Anyways, no need to stutter. I won't kill you."

"Do you realize I'm talking to the infamous leader of Yellow Squadron, you?" He said. "Man, If we were not on war, I'm gladly to know you further."

I smile a bit, "Never expect that kind of attitude, Ribbon."

"I join the Air Force to fly to the endless, peaceful skies. I do not wish to fight this war, but if it means to bring peace to this world, then I have to. I blame that damn asteroid for these shit occurs." His last words were muttered but clearly heard. I cannot disagree from him. Even I do not wish for this war, but we were fated to fight. Just the asteroid itself shattered some of the world's economy. I began to hear my allies calling my name, saying that the ISAF have retreated.

"I'm glad to have a conversation with you. However, I must go now."

"Aw, dammit." He mumbles, I can imagine a frown on his face. "Well, be safe on your way home then."

I smile, "You too." We began to separate and return home to our bases. We will see each other again soon, after all, he was a good pilot.

•=•=•=•=•=•

"The enemy lost five million barrels of reserves and the ability to process 25 thousand barrels of crude oil daily. The Aegir Fleet is effectively immobilized and no longer a threat. Unfortunately, our losses were high as well. We now rely on your skills more than ever to compensate for our losses."

•=•=•=•=•=•

23 July, 2012 1518hrs
San Salvacion

~ Gab's p.o.v ~

A freeway under construction in a wheat field outside of town. When they started construction, I remember how the mayor bragged about it even though it would completely bypass our town. The freeway became the occupation force's makeshift runway, and the unfinished tunnels their bunkers. This was their base. They were the elite flight squadron chosen to protect the cannon. Ironically, the same cannon that was created to shoot down the asteroids became a catalyst to the war. But when the Allied attacks no longer came, the squadron was assigned long-range missions that took them to distant battlefields.

I thought of the words I would use to confront him and bided my time. Although I harbored these feelings within me, I could never get close to him. His wingman was always by his side. Despite having a gentle demeanor, I could tell that the wingman would never allow danger to get near Yellow Thirteen, even on land. The pillar of their group, Thirteen exuded an air of invincibility. He always chose to fly a five-plane formation. He was a man who prided himself not on his kill record but on his record of never losing a squadron member.

It's difficult for me to describe just how good Yellow Thirteen's flying was. But I witnessed it once from the ground. The lead plane of the five-plane formation should have turned the same arc with the same timing as the others, yet only his plane drew sharp contrails.

His heart felt compassion toward the weaker enemies he downed. Someday, if an equal appeared and challenged the limits of his skills in a fight, he would bear no resentment about being shot down. He said this himself.

And so, as time passed, I found the goodness of a home in their company. Leaving them was no longer an option for me now.

"It's hard when your enemy is a good person." I said, taking a sip of Iced tea.

"And I didn't expect you have a conversation with him." James replied. "I thought we lost you that day."

Chris chuckles, "Well, he used the private radio just for the two of us. Still, if it wasn't for the war, we can be friends back then."

I smile and patted my brother's shoulder. Somehow, I caught a glimpse of a female bartender looking at us, then return back to her work. She must've heard our conversation, but I didn't bother about it anyway. I asked him, "Did you get his name?"

"His real name? Sadly, no." He answered, "But at least I got to know him more."

A sad expression is written on his face, but changed to a smile one. Realizing, he really cares for his rival ace. I wonder if he's still alive...