New chapter y’all!  I’m starting to enjoy writing this story now that it’s up and running :) For any of you who didn’t find out about this story via “The Razgriz Aces,” go check it out because you’ll get a bigger insight on Blaze and Genette and others :)

Chapter Quote
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.”
~Winston Churchill
______________________________

Chapter 3: Annex

“I want to know who Janie Biggs is now!” Genette said for the fifth time in less than a minute.  I remember being his age.  Girls were practically the only thing on my mind too.  Well, besides the hops I went on for the Belkan Air Force Academy (BAFA) since I didn’t want to be reprimanded for slacking.

“Seriously Genette, get over it and wait,” Elizabeth snapped.

“You’re one to talk.  You have the patience of a goldfish,” he retorted.

“The only reason you know that is because I told you that, and FYI, it’s the attention span of a goldfish, not patience.”

“Patience.  Attention Span.  They go hand in hand.  Now who’s Janie Biggs?”

I let out a breathy chuckle. “You two… you’re either the worst of enemies or the strongest of friends.  People would be screwed if you two were on the same team.”

“What makes you say that?” Elizabeth queried.

“Well, you have the ability to create strategies and you’re very good at judging people and what they’ll do next.  Genette knows everything about everything even if he doesn’t need to know it.  Anyways, Genette, to your enquiry, I’m still not telling you.  Deal with it.” My nephew narrowed his eyes at me but said nothing. “Now, do y’all want to watch the next part of the interview?”

This diverted their attention from and onto the television.  I hit the play button and Brett Thompson’s voice started speaking while showing a document reading:

“Osean Ministry of Defense

-Details regarding Offensive Campaign No. 4101-

Top Secret Document”

“Guess it’s not so top secret anymore,” I thought to myself.

“The Belkan War is shrouded in mystery.  But now, a decade after the peace accords, a portion of the records was finally released.  I quickly got a hold of it,” Thompson informed.  The screen proceeded to show the names of people who had helped make this film possible.  I watched carefully to see if there were any names I recognized when the names of the interviewers came up.  I didn’t, although one name seemed to belong to the female I fought near the end of the war, a Sapin fighter.  I forget the name of her squadron though…

I continued watching the video.  A map, focusing on Osea and Belka, appeared. “Wanting more details, I acquired information from unknown sources.  There was a reason for my obsession.” The map zoomed in on Belka. “The roots of the war lie in the Belkan federal law review that took place in 1988.  Belka, suffering from economic strife, permitted its eastern territory to secede… And the Republic of Ustio was born.  But Belka’s economic troubles did not subside.  Meanwhile, taking advantage of the situation, the world superpower Osea continued to flourish.  Amidst the economic panic, an extreme right-wing party took power within Belka, aiming to restore strength and stability to the nation.  And on March 25th, 1995, with the discovery of natural resources in Ustio,” – The map changed, showing Belka in yellow and red lines moving outwards to show the territory they took over- “Belka began to invade its neighbors.  It was the beginning of the Belkan War.” A video then came on of a statue of a man on horseback, black stealth fighters flying above him.  Another video came on of an air battle.  I didn’t recognize which one. “Unprepared, each country fell quickly before the might of the legendary Belkan Air Force.” The map showed Belka in yellow again with the red arrows, although now zooming in closer to Ustio. “In just a few days, they occupied all territories except for the mountain range.  In response, the occupied Ustio government military, placed all their hopes on a joint operation between Osea,” – the map zoomed back out, showing Belka, the neighboring smaller countries, and Osea, with red arrows representing Belka’s attack and blue arrows representing the Allies’ attack- “and the foreign mercenary forces.  This of course, can be found in any history book.  But I noticed a strange similarity in the materials I gathered.” A picture of a book appeared showing the words ‘mercenary squadron.’ “There were several accounts about a mercenary all followed by the code word ‘Demon.’” The picture shifted down the book page, showing the word ‘Demon Lord.’  I smiled to myself, knowing I was in a historical document with the name Demon Lord. “But most of the information was incomplete.  Still, I was intrigued.” The screen switched back to the battle map, changing from graphics to satellite imagery. “I decided to pursue the history of the Belkan War through this mercenary.  I was certain I would find something there.  Would it be the hidden truth behind the war?  Or just another battlefield legend?”

“He did not just call you ‘another battlefield legend!’” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“Shh!” Genette hushed impatiently.

I laughed and continued to listen to Brett Thompson. “I wasn’t able to meet the mercenary himself.  Actually, it’s questionable if he ever did exist.”

“Is this reporter on crack?  Of course he- you exist!  There’s video evidence,” my nephew ranted.

“Shut up.  If I can’t talk, you can’t.”

“I’m older.”

“I have military training.”

“Yet you still can’t beat me in a wrestling match.”

“You don’t always win a battle by strength.  Just wait and see.  Now seriously, shut up,” Elizabeth chastised.  Those two highly reminded me of my sibling relationship with my sister.  It amused me to say the least.

Thompson went on. “But thanks to some old friends in the military, I was able to track down several individuals who knew him.” The television switched to Pixy, still showing just the bottom half of his face. “‘Solo Wing’ is one such man.”

“Okay… so first he says it’s questionable you ever existed and then he finds people that knew you… is it just me or is that contradictory?” Elizabeth prodded.

“I was wondering that too…” Genette admitted.

“Let’s watch what Pixy has to say about this next battle,” I said.  With that, the siblings fell silent.
______________________________

Pixy 

I’d been hanging out in my room, flipping absent-mindedly through a magazine on cars when someone knocked quietly and politely on my door.  Only two people on base knocked like that: Cipher and Janie.  No matter how much I liked my wingman, I was really hoping for only the latter; more fun to look at.  I was rewarded by seeing them both in front of the door.

“Hey you two,” I greeted nonchalantly.  I gave Janie the ‘up-down,’ appreciating her beauty and physique.  She was the only girl on base I could stand, mainly because she took crap from no one, not even me.  I respected her for that.  Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, allowing for her sharp brown eyes to be more noticeable.

“We have a sortie.  We’ve been requested to be in the briefing room in five,” Cipher informed.

“One good battle and they think we can save the world,” I grumbled. “I’ll see you there.”

“Just hurry up, you whiner,” Cipher joked.

“Shut your sassy Belkan mouth,” I told him with a glare.

“Yeah, don’t count on that.  I’ll see you in the briefing room.” Cipher left with Janie next to him.  She kept looking up and smiling at him.  I stared after them.  Surely she didn’t like him.  He was too… immature for her.  Of course, I wasn’t all that mature sometimes either.  I closed my door and changed into my flight suit.  I ended up in the briefing room in five minutes.  Cipher had taken the back of the room.  He and I always did that.  We still felt like outsiders, even though we’d been on base for a while.  I couldn’t find Janie.

“She went to the control tower if that’s what the depressed face is for,” Cipher explained casually.

“You’re really creepy when you do that, I hope you know,” I remarked.

“What?  Read other people’s expressions with frightening accuracy?  I know.  I’m Belkan.  We’re not just good at causing wars you know.”

At that I laughed.  Belkans were infamous for starting many of the wars in the world’s history.  Many times, while their pilots were the most famous and memorable in the war, Belka usually tended to lose.  They hadn’t come up with a clever enough idea to truly have a chance at winning a war (and possibly taking over the world.  Hell, with their determination, that idea wouldn’t surprise me).

“So any idea what this mission is about?” I asked.

“I think we’re helping regain a major transportation route.”

“Lovely.”

Vince the briefer appeared out of nowhere, cleared his throat, and began the briefing. “We must regain control over Route 171, which runs through Arlon, to secure a transit route for our ground troops.  There are bridges along this route, three over the Aare River.  All heavily guarded by the Belkan Armored Corps.  Securing this route is critical to Ustio’s attack on the Belkan Forces.  Destroy the Belkan ground units blocking passage along this route and secure this supply line between our forces and the Osean Army.”

Operation: Roselin
Date: 15/04/1995
Time: 1020 Hrs.
Location: Arlon

With that, the briefing ended.  Cipher and I stood up, walking out of the room and to the hangar.  When he got to his newly painted F-15C, he grinned like a little boy on Christmas.  I rolled my eyes at him, making sure he saw.

“Don’t roll those eyes at me.  Remember who offered the deal to me in the first place,” he pointed out.

“Remember who as the OCD tendencies,” I replied.

“Remember you never would’ve heard the end of it if it hadn’t ended up like this.”

“Remember I could still become captain of this squadron.”

“Remember they put me as captain over you.” He gave me a superior smirk before hopping in his plane, not giving me a chance to come back with a good riposte.  I mumbled to myself about him being a cocky son of bitch but nothing more.  He wanted to see my true skill in flying, he was going to get it.  Adrenaline started pumping through my veins; I knew I would be kicking ass today.  I pulled out onto the runway.  Before I took off, I looked up at the sky.  Not a cloud could be seen.  That was good.  That meant better clarity of targets, meaning I could destroy them easily.  I hit my afterburners and shot down the runway.
______________________________

When Cipher and I arrived at the target area, a multitude of targets, mandatory and optional, appeared on my radar.  There were a lot, thankfully more optional targets rather than mandatory. I glanced down at part of the town below us.  Some of the houses were targets.  I might want glory, but I really didn’t want to destroy innocent people’s lives.  I wasn’t that blood-thirsty.

“Nice day,” Cipher remarked.

“No day is nice in battle.  We’re in war here, buddy.  Remind yourself of that,” I warned.

“How could I forget…” he grumbled.  Something in his tone of voice told me I didn’t know everything about Cipher like I thought I did.  He was hiding something, and I intended to find out.  Of course, I’d have to wait when we weren’t flying and trying to save Ustio.

“This AWACS Eagle Eye to Galm.  The target is in formation along the highway.  Commence the operation.” I shot off at the order, trying to catch up to Cipher who’d sped up to the targets while I’d been looking at the rookies.  While berating myself for letting my captain do that, I flew down low so I could shoot targets faster and easier.

“Keep an eye on us up there, AWACS,” I said.

“I don’t think he would’ve gotten his job if he wasn’t good at keeping an eye out,” Cipher commented.

“Thank you Captain Obvious.”

“At least you’re getting part of my name right now.”

“Don’t get cocky.”

“Says one of the cockiest men alive.”

“I have reason to be.”

“Sure you do,” he chuckled. “Now stop bickering with me and start firing with me.”

“Too bad you didn’t say at you.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

AWACS Eagle Eye interrupted our squabbling. “Belkan ground forces are blocking off our transport route.  Destroy them all.”

Cipher flew along the highway itself, as if he were driving a car rather than flying a plane.  I couldn’t decide what to make of his flying style.  He was unconventional in it, which I think is why I figured he had potential to become something better than he was.  He’d have to work on his attitude.  He spoke too much during battle.  I’d have to train him to stop that nonsense.

“Did those fighters come here from Ustio?” A Belkan demanded.  First off, the answer to his question: Yes, imbecile we did.  Second, how and why were we picking up enemy transmissions?

“No, Mr. Belkan sir, we did not come from Ustio.  We just bear the symbols of the country and our planes register as Ustian planes on the radar.  What do you think?” Cipher replied, although I’m not exactly sure the Belkan heard him.

“Cipher, if they can’t hear you, why reply?” I queried, closing the distance between our planes.

“It helps me.”

“With what?”

“I’ll let you know when I figure it out,” he said.  I shook my head.  I liked my comrade, but he was a nutjob.  Of course, nutjobs attract nutjobs so for all I know, I could be a nutjob along with him.  Crap…

Cipher sent an unguided bomb into a cluster of Belkan Army tanks.  They were demolished in seconds.  He flew a good distance ahead of me, already putting his sights on new target.  How the hell was I supposed to show off to these guys if Cipher was stealing all my thunder?  It’d help if he slowed down but I knew there was no way in hell he was going to do that.  I sighed.  Guess I’d take what targets he missed.  Then again, sooner or later, he’d have to turn because he missed something right?

“They must be in a desperate situation.  But there’s no way we’re giving up this place,” A Belkan declared cockily.  He tone grated on my nerves.  I bit back a response, knowing the guy couldn’t hear me.  Instead, to say the thought in my mind, I said, “This route is Ustio’s lifeline.  I’ll get it back.”

“Two things: one, we are going to get back this lifeline.  There’s no way in hell I’m letting you get all the glory in this,” Cipher remarked drolly. “And second, I’m finding a very odd coincidence between your statement and the enemy’s statement about not giving this place up.  Am I detecting an indirect reply?”

“Shut up,” I snapped.  My wingman bellowed mirthfully, obviously enjoying the fact that I had technically just done what he’d done earlier.  Not that I would ever admit it…

I watched as Cipher destroyed a windmill.  To my right were houses and tents.  I hoped no one resided there at the moment.  Who knew where a bomb or missile or bullet might land.

“Civilian houses are within the planned range of attack.  Is… that part of the operation?” I asked, dreading the answer.  I didn’t really know what it was like to have a family.  My mother had left me at an early age, and my father had always been too focused on work.  Living in Belka, I’d become a cold-hearted fighter, only interested in what was best for me.  When I switched to becoming a mercenary, I kept my Belkan attitude, therefore I pushed people away, preventing myself from caring about anyone or anything other than myself.  Then I met Cipher and Janie.  They were the closest people had gotten to me since my parents.  My captain could get on my nerves sometimes (okay, a lot of times), but he’d grown on me.  I didn’t want him getting shot down.  Janie didn’t fly anywhere in the first place, she worked the control tower.  I figured it’d be all right if I let her into my life.  They were the closest thing to family I had.  I decided to keep it that way.

I refocused my attention to the battle when Eagle Eye responded, “Attacks on civilian houses are up to you.  They may be housing Belkan supplies.  Keep that in mind.  Better not take any chances if you want my opinion.”

“So you’re giving us permission to attack on potentially innocent households, possibly killing mothers, fathers, and children?  I don’t think so.  I’m not doing it,” Cipher stated heatedly.  His sudden change in attitude shocked me.  He had never said a harsh word the entire time I’d been around him.  It seemed to me Cipher had a soft spot for families, which could only mean one thing: he had one and he wasn’t telling me.

“I don’t think Cipher wants to go through with this,” I said.

“Now who’s Captain Obvious?” he chuckled.

“You change attitudes faster than a Lamborghini Diablo.”

“Which one?  An SE30 or an SE30 Jota?”

“How the hell do you even know the difference?” I inquired, scrunching my face up in confusion.

“I don’t.  I was seeing if you did.”

“You’re impossible, Cipher.”

“It’s why I’m alive.  Take care of the enemies up ahead.  I’m going to finish off this tank.  It won’t blow up,” he muttered.  I grinned at my luck.  He gave me the exact opportunity I needed to show off my stuff.  Cipher turned his plane around; according to my calculations, his plane was going too fast to make a tight enough circle to destroy that tank in one go, meaning he’d have to make another loop.  All the better for me.  I intended to steal the show today since my captain stole it last time.

I flew down low along the highway like Cipher had previously done.  I destroyed two AA guns, one with a missile and one with gunfire.  Easy peasy.  I looked on my radar; except for an optional target lying in the path of my current direction, I couldn’t see any more mandatory targets.  No enemy aircraft could be found, sort of surprising me.  You’d think the enemy ground forces would’ve called in the Air Force for backup seeing as how our attack force was comprised of all planes.  I wasn’t complaining about there being no enemy planes though; I might be a Belkan, and I might be able to read their flying style, but they can also read mine.  The enemy might not be able to read Cipher’s flying style.  Guy has his own.  It’s a weird, kamikaze, mercurial flying style.  I wondered where in the hell he learned it and how in the hell is superiors in the Air Force Academy let him get away with that type of flying.  However, he hadn’t gotten killed yet so his style did something for him.

“AA guns destroyed,” Eagle Eye announced victoriously.

“They’re just AA guns, Eagle Eye.  Calm your engines,” I told him.

I heard Cipher laughing. “‘Calm your engines.’  That’s beautiful.  I love it.”

“I’m not the one who needs to calm my engines.  If Cipher flies any faster, his plane is going to spontaneously combust.”

“What do you- DAMN IT CIPHER!” I shouted.  My captain flew past me going at speeds I have never even attempted.  I hadn’t even heard him approaching, let alone seen him.  He’d come up from behind me, flew directly above me with barely half a foot separating our planes. “I am going to murder you.”

“Why?  Did you pee your pants?”

“No, but you’ll be peeing yours when I’m done with you,” I warned.

“Yeah, whatever you say chuckles,” he laughed lightly.

I grumbled to myself, vowing I’d somehow get my revenge on him.  But before I could come up with a good plan, I found my first plane.  From the looks of it, the plane appeared to be an F-4E.  It would be no match against my plane.  The enemy had been flying straight up; I got behind it and fired two missiles.  The odds were in my favor, and the plane disappeared off my radar, telling me it was through.  Just as I leveled out my plane at about seven thousand feet, another enemy plane appeared.  Where they all suddenly came from beats me, but I took care of them anyway.  Cipher had gone on ahead, taking out the ground enemies.  I had to admit, we made a good team.  We could both hold our own out here, yet if we needed help (which we hadn’t yet, and I certainly was going to make sure I wasn’t the first one that did), we were there for each other.

The enemy plane attempted to get behind me so it could fire its guns at me, but I outsmarted them.  I pulled a high G, which is accelerating and decelerating your plane at the same time.  It’s a difficult maneuver that few pilots can pull off; I’m one of the ones who can.  Obviously.  The stunt put me behind the enemy; I fired my guns at them.  It didn’t take long for me to finish them off.  I flew back down to a lower altitude of four thousand, heading over to Cipher.  Two more planes entered my sight.  One was another F-4E.  I sent two missiles after it and easily destroyed it.  The next plane proved more difficult.  I deducted instantly this guy was probably a Belkan ace.  One of many.  I tried to get behind him, but he pulled up into a sudden loop.  I lost sight of him briefly but found him quickly just above me.  I started to pull up to get near him when his plane suddenly exploded.  I jerked slightly from surprise.  Who the hell had done that?

“Smokey’s been shot down by the Bandit,” Cipher informed cheerfully.

“What is it with you and movie references?”

“You know you enjoy it.”

“I tolerate it.  There’s a difference.”

“I’m going to get you to loosen up sooner or later, buddy.  You need to,” he said.

“I’m perfectly fine with my disposition at the moment,” I told him.

“So you prefer to be unsociable and reticent?  You’re never going to get a girlfriend with that attitude.”

“You’re never going to get a girlfriend if you act like a twelve year old.”

“You’re never going to get a girlfriend if you don’t grow down.”

“You’re never going to get a girlfriend if you keep speaking like that.”

“Oh my god, shut up you two,” Eagle Eye groaned.  I grinned.  I don’t know why.  I sort of like bickering with Cipher.  He’s one of the few people that actually keeps me entertained with his replies.

“Sorry AWACS, but you’re going to have to get used to it.  I have a feeling Pixy and I will be like this for a while.”

“God help everyone,” I remarked drolly.

“Agreed.  Now help me with these ground forces on this bridge below us.  We’re sort of through with this mission.” Cipher and I turned upside down and dove to the ground, pulling up at the last minute.  He attacked the two tanks and the AA gun at the entrance of the bridge while I went for the two AA guns at the end of the bridge.  It didn’t take long for that part of the route to be sanitized of enemies.  If we kept this up, this mission would be over in no time.

I glanced down at my radar.  An enemy plane, although far enough away from me and Cipher that he couldn’t do any harm at the moment, was obviously heading straight for us.  I decided to notify my comrade. “Watch out.  The enemy’s tracking you on radar.”

“Eh, if he tries to get me, you’ll get him off my back.”

“You sure about that?” I queried.

“You wouldn’t have a buddy to talk to anymore if you didn’t so yeah, I’m sure,” he countered.  Damn it… he was right.  Suddenly, that plane wasn’t so far off anymore as I heard a warning symbol.  The plane wasn’t following me, but Cipher.

“Missile inbound!  Move your jet, Cipher!” I barked.

“Come to papa,” he said quietly.  He flew straight; I had an idea about what he was about to do, I just didn’t think anyone could be crazy enough to actually do it.  Well, turns out Cipher was crazy enough.  Just as the enemy plane locked onto him, Cipher slammed on his brakes, shot up into the sky, and the enemy plane flew past him.  Crazy-ass buddy…

“I’m not sure if I should praise you or scorn you,” I commented.

“How about you shoot down that plane for me?”

“I don’t know; you seem like you can handle it yourself.”

“Do I have to do everything by myself?” he grumbled.  However, he took care of the plane in a nanosecond.  Actually, it was rather frightening how quickly he got rid of it.  I don’t think even I could’ve done that.  The sky suddenly swarmed with enemy planes.  I was torn between fighting the planes, and taking care of the mandatory targets.  I didn’t relish the idea that we had all these enemies flying above us, pretty much having advantage over me and Cipher.  At the same time, the pilots weren’t all that great.  I doubted they could shoot me or my captain down.  I chose the idea that if any plane tried to attack us or came within attacking range, I’d take care of them.  Well, a MIG just happened to get near me, and I went after it.  I easily got behind it and shot it down.

“That’s a kill!” Eagle Eye confirmed just as another MIG, one who’d been coming over to help his now gone companion, flew into view.  I went after him.  My guns destroyed his plane easily.  I started to wonder why shooting them all down was so… simple.  I’m a good pilot, I’ll give myself that, but they were being ridiculously easy.

“Pixy, start taking care of the SAMs down below while I take care of this ace.  He’s been trailing me for the past five minutes trying to shoot me down.  It’s time I show him who he’s messing with,” Cipher ordered.

“If he’s too much to handle for your rookie butt, let me know.”

“Shut up.”

“How is it you go from laughing to serious in just a few minutes?”

“Runs in my family.  My…” Cipher stopped short. “My mom and dad were the same way.”

“You were going to say something else.”

“I was certainly not.”

“You certainly were.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“You’re deceiving yourself.”

“Or I’m deceiving you by allowing you to think I’m deceiving myself.”

“Say what now?”

“Exactly.  Now go blow up some stuff.” I sighed.  I wanted to prod into his personal life, but I knew he wouldn’t budge.  I give him credit for being one stubborn S.O.B when he wanted to be.  I watched my captain take care of the ace pilot.  It really turned out to be no match.  The enemy plane tried to pull a loop on Cipher, but Cipher had seen it coming.  He’d already started pulling up.  By the time the enemy plane was upside down, Cipher was firing his guns.  The plane fell down in a fiery mass, narrowly missing Cipher’s plane.  My captain proceeded to shoot down to more MIGs I hadn’t even known were in the vicinity.  I probably should’ve been more aware of my surroundings but oh well.  I turned my plane towards the ground where AA guns, SAMs, and tanks greeted my sight.  I went for the SAMs first.  Those things suck.  They have deadly accuracy, especially when you’re flying at low altitude.  In fact, just as I sent a missile at one SAM, the SAM sent a missile back at me which I barely avoided.  Evil little suckers.

“Hey Pixy, I missed some targets back there going after those planes.  You want to get them or you want me to get them?” Cipher queried.

“You take care of the SAMs here.  They’re driving me nuts,” I grouched.

“Everything drives you nuts.”

“Not everything.  Mostly you.”

“I’m honored.”

“Don’t be.”

Cipher had joined me in destroying the SAMs.  We weren’t getting far though.  The SAMs kept sending missile after missile at us, meaning we couldn’t destroy them.  Thankfully, when I arrived at the place where we’d missed the targets, they were only tanks, four of them.  Easily destroyed by a few missiles.  Once I’d finished them off, I headed back to where Cipher was dealing with the other targets, the last ones on our agenda.

“The operation is proceeding smoothly.  Eliminate the remaining forces,” Eagle Eye commanded.

“Should be done soon.  Once I finish off these SAMs and AA guns, the other ground forces will be no problem to get rid of,” Cipher chirped.

“How far along are you on those blasted things?” I inquired.

“One or two more to go.  Then it’s just the tanks.”

“Damn Cipher.  What black magic are you pulling over there?”

“Eh, fighting is in my blood.”

“A lot of things run in your blood.  Some weird ass things might I add.”

“You’re one to speak.”

“Shut up.”

“Our first unit is down!  All units, engage the Allied Forces!” A Belkan barked furiously.  So, we were creating enough havoc to freak out a Belkan.  That meant we were doing something right.

“Operation is proceeding smoothly.  Eliminate the remaining forces,” Eagle Eye notified.

“Thank god.  I’m getting bored.  This is too easy…” Cipher grouched.

“Quit your whining,” I said.

“Quit your non-humorous ways.”

“That makes no sense.”

“You don’t make sense.”

“Didn’t anyone request backup?  Keep trying until we get a response!” A Belkan shouted angrily.  I still couldn’t figure out how we were picking up transmissions from the Belkans, but I found it interesting.

“Things are gonna get tricky if reinforcements show up,” I commented.

“We’ll have to deal.  We don’t really have any other choice.  Let’s hurry up with this before those reinforcements can even get ready,” Cipher encouraged.

“They’re in a panic down there.  We just might be able to win this,” I mused.

“We’re going to win this no matter what the situation is.”

“Got a lot of confidence nugget.”

“Don’t start that again…”

“You’re lucky I’m too tired to.” We fell silent again; I think the exhaustion was taking over us.  I flew north where I noticed we’d missed a couple targets.  Cipher seemed to have a hand on the other targets.  I managed to shoot and hit one of the SAMs, taking it off the radar, although two of its counterparts fired back at me.  I had to swerve up to avoid being skewered.  I turned around and went back to the remaining two targets.  However, when I went in towards the targets at too steep of an angle and missed, I said “screw it” and went back to help Cipher out.  They weren’t mandatory targets anyway.

“Where the hell are those reinforcements?” An enemy demanded.

“Status report, facility damage confirmed,” a guy replied.

“We’re gonna get slaughtered down here!” the first Belkan replied harshly.

“Captain!  There’s smoke by the bridge!  We’re about to enter the battle zone,” A new Belkan informed.  Looks like the reinforcements had come.  By the sound of it, there weren’t many though, perhaps only one or two tanks.

“I didn’t come all this way to be stopped now.  Hold tight, we’ll cut right through!” The Belkan captain ordered. “Don’t let your cargo get damaged.  Come on, Ruchs Transport Unit, let’s go!”

“Guy has guts,” Cipher noted as he destroyed two SAMs in one pass.

“Our second defense unit is down!  How could this happen?!  There’re only a few enemy fighters up there!” A Belkan queried incredulously.

“There aren’t many Belkan ground forces left.  Continue operation,” Eagle Eye encouraged, sounding already victorious.

“This supply route is their lifeline.  Don’t let them take it back!” A Belkan admonished frantically.  Too bad this guy didn’t know who he was dealing with.  Cipher was going in for one of the last runs he would have to make.  He dropped a bomb right where the three remaining targets were.  All I saw when I looked down were the smoking remnants.

“Operation complete.  Now the Allied Forces can secure a military transport route.  Well done, Galm Team,” Eagle Eye praised. “Looks like luck was on your side again today, Solo Wing.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve had my fill of goin’ home without wings,” I said sarcastically, although it really was the truth.  I didn’t necessarily want to be shot down again.  Cipher came zipping up next to me.  I could practically see the wide grin on his face.  He’d been lucky in battle so far.  He hadn’t lost one yet.  His confidence was getting too high, I thought.  I wondered how he would take a loss in battle, I mean like where he had to retreat.  I don’t believe he’d take it well.  Hell, he’d probably stay and take on the entire mission himself.

On our way back home, Vincent came on and debriefed us. “The mission was a success.  The passage along Route 171 has been secured.  Thanks to you, Ustio will now be able to launch a counterattack.”

“That wasn’t too bad.  How many times did we almost die?” Cipher inquired.

“Oh, about five.  Not too shabby.”

“No, especially considering we were the only ones fighting.”

“Let’s go celebrate with a nice glass of whiskey.”

“You get the whiskey.  I’m getting Sunny D.”

“You’re weird.”

“You love me.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Sure it is, buddy.”

And with that, we remained silent the rest of the way home.
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Jason 

“Sunny D?  Really?” Genette laughed.

“I’ve never been much of a drinker.  Besides, I’d been having a sugar craving that day.  They had Sunny D on base.  It was really tempting,” I defended.

“Pixy was really cocky wasn’t he,” Elizabeth observed.

“Yes, but he had right to be.  He was a great fighter pilot.”

“You were better,” my niece countered.

“Only by a little.”

“You’re too modest,” she upbraided lightly.  I chuckled.

“If you’re ever in my shoes, you’ll understand why.  Anyways, Pixy knocked back that whiskey like crazy.  Made out with one of the girls on base.  I don’t really remember who.  She had black hair.  Meanwhile, I hung out with Janie.”

“I bet you just loved that,” Elizabeth mused with a smirk.

“Oh, I did.  She doesn’t play such a big part in the story right now.  She will later though.”

“You’ve said that before.  Hurry up and get to her.  I’m curious,” Genette complained.

“Here we go again,” Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.

“Hold you horses Genette, I will be getting to her.”

“What was your relationship with her?” Elizabeth prodded.

“We were friends at first.  She kind of was split between liking me and Pixy.”

“Who’d she go for?”

I grinned. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Then you better start talking,” Genette and Elizabeth said simultaneously.  By the looks on their faces, they weren’t joking.  Who knew my niece and nephew could hold so much power over me.  With a sigh, I paused the documentary and began the next segment of my time as the Demon Lord.
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Wow, long chapter!  Hopefully you guys enjoyed it!  Please review if you did :)