Gah sorry for the long wait to update!  School and college applications have decided to kick me in the ass.  Enjoy!

Chapter Quote:

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

~G.K. Chesterson

_______________________________________

Chapter 4: The Round Table

Cipher

“Wait, so Pixy actually liked bickering with you?” Blaze mused. “That’s surprising considering the man has the emotional range of a teaspoon.”

“How did you just quote Harry Potter when it had absolutely nothing to do with the topic?” Genette asked with a look of annoyed wonder.

“How did you know I just quoted it?  Admit it Genette, you’re as much of a Potterhead as I am.”

“I just hide my insanity better than you.”

“Insanity is why I’m top of my class back the Academy.  Deal with it.  Anyone else hungry?  Jason, do you have Ben and Jerry’s ice cream?”

“I just happened to stock up on it before you came over.  You’ll find Cake Batter and Cheesecake Brownie.  There are four cartons each because you two hounds eat so much of the stuff,” I joked.

“I love you so much!” Elizabeth squealed as she leapt over the back of the couch and ran to the kitchen.  Genette followed her in the same manner, sliding onto the hardwood floors in his socks.

“They’re going to break something,” I grumbled drolly to myself as I got up to follow them.

“Genette, Chopper is Skyping you,” Blaze informed, shutting the silverware drawer with her hip.

“Who’s Chopper?” Genette queried.

“I mean Alvin.  Sorry, I’m used to calling him by his callsign.” My nephew skated over to his laptop, ice cream in hand.  He hit the answer button, enthusiastically greeting his friend.

“Where are you?” Alvin inquired.  He was a nice kid.  I’d met him once at Genette’s graduation.  I liked him; he was respectful to everyone, had a good sense of humor (actually he joked around a lot), he was friendly, he was outgoing, and he was smart.  In fact, I think another certain someone liked him too, a person eating Cake Batter ice cream.

“I’m at my Uncle Jason’s,” Genette explained.

“Well, I don’t know if he can see or hear me but HI UNCLE JASON!” Alvin hollered.

I stepped into the camera’s view briefly and waved, greeting, “I can see and hear you perfectly.”

“Hey Chopper!” Elizabeth shouted from the counter.  She didn’t show herself on camera but Alvin apparently knew her voice.

“Blaze!  How are you and where are you?” he laughed.

“I’m good and I’m behind the laptop eating ice cream.  What about you?”

“I’m good, and come in front of the camera so it’s not like you’re a disembodied voice.  It’s creeping me out.”

“Not happening.  I don’t have makeup on and I don’t care how long you’ve known me, I’m not showing myself without makeup.”

“Such a woman.”

“Is that supposed to be an insult?  Because remember, I beat your record in number of hops won my first year at the academy.”

“Beginner’s luck,” Alvin said dismissively, waving his hand.

“I’m about to break your record again for my sophomore year,” Elizabeth added.

“Show off,” he teased.

“All right, stop flirting you too,” Genette intervened.  I saw Alvin flush slightly and began to wonder if he had a thing for my niece.  I would have to say, if he did, I don’t believe the feelings are one-sided.  Elizabeth walked around from behind the counter, shoveling a spoonful of Cake Batter ice cream into her mouth before slapping Genette violently upside the head and continuing on to the living room.  He jumped and shouted “Ow!”  Meanwhile, Alvin started bellowing.

“You deserved that,” he said.

“I did not deserve something so violent!” Genette protested, rubbing his head ruefully. “Anyways, what’s up?”

“Well, actually, this works out perfect because I was going to ask if you wanted to meet me down in Dallas but since you’re already there, what do you say we hang out?”

“Sure, when are you coming?”

“I’m coming in two days.”

“I can do it.”

“You’re welcome to come over here, Al,” I offered.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude,” he objected.

“Alvin, you’re fine.  You’re like a second son in my family.  Besides, you can eat some of Elizabeth’s ice cream,” Genette remarked.

“He does it, he dies!” Elizabeth shouted warningly at her brother.

“I value my life Genette.  I’ll buy my own.  I’ll arrive like at noon or something.  I’ll text you and let you know when I’m fifteen minutes away.”

“Since when did you become such a planner?”

“Since I entered the military.  You think I’m bad, your sister is worse.  Now I gotta go.  We’re about to enter the second leg of our road trip.  Mel is getting mad at me because she wants to check her email before we leave.  Talk to you later bro!”

“See ya, Al!” Genette hung up and turned to me. “Thanks for letting him come over.”

“Yeah, anytime.  Just remember, no mentioning about everything I’ve just been telling you.  It’s classified information.”

“I understand.  I won’t tell a soul.  Speaking of that classified information, can we continue with the story?!” he asked excitedly.

I chuckled. “Yeah, come on.”

We treaded into the living room to find Elizabeth wrapped in multiple blankets while eating her ice cream.  When she saw me staring, she went, “What?”

“Cold are we?” I responded.

“Freezing.”

“Well, you are eating ice cream.”

She stared at me innocently. “But it’s good.”

I simply shook my head and sat down at the end of the couch.  Genette sat between me and my niece.

“All right, so where did I leave off?” I questioned.

“You just got done with flying through that town.  Well, Pixy did but that’s irrelevant,” Elizabeth said.

“All right, well, I guess I’ll start with the day before,” I decided. “And Genette, you’ll enjoy this one.”

_______________________________________

April 19, 1995…

            I walked to the crew room where I found over half the pilots on base gathered around a table.  Standing next to a guy named Johansson, I asked, “What’s going on?”

“Janie’s kicking every guy’s ass at poker,” he replied. “I lost a hundred bucks.”

I peered over the shoulders of all the other guys.  Janie sat cross-legged in a chair, counting her newly earned money.  Pixy sat across from her looking stupefied.  She smirked at him before challenging the rest of the guys with, “Any other takers?”

Looking around and seeing no hands, I raised mine. “I’ll take a whack at it.”

Janie glanced over at me. “Take a seat big boy.”

I sidled my way over to the chair, receiving small murmurs of sympathy and “Good luck.  You’re gonna need it.”  After sitting down, Janie shuffled the cards with skillful hands, telling me someone had taught her how to play and how to play well.  For the next few rounds, I gained five dollars.  Not much, but apparently more money than anyone else had gleaned.  However, in our tenth round, the game heightened.  Janie and I both had wonderful hands; I knew because, well, I obviously could see my hand.  She had a sly grin on her face and on instinct, I knew she wasn’t bluffing.  We started betting, calling and raising the pot.  When I reached the end of my cash supply, I suggested, “How about I make you a deal?”

“Go on.”

“I win, I take you out on a date.  I lose, you can kick me in the balls.”

“You better get ready,” Janie chirped victoriously, showing me her cards. “Straight, in hearts.”

“Wow, you’re good Janie… but, you’re just not good enough,” I replied, showing her my cards. “See you tonight Princess.  I have a Royal Flush.”  Her mouth dropped open as she stared at my cards before regaining her composure and saying, “Well, I must say, I’m not complaining about the arrangement.  I’ll see you at six.  We’ll head out to town for dinner.  See you then.”

She got up and walked out of the room.  All the guys stared at her as she left.  Once gone, they started clapping me on the back and shouting and overall being rambunctious.

“You sly dog.  How’d you pull it off?” Pixy queried, leaning against the table.

“Luck.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go catch a power nap because I have a date tonight.” I got up from my chair and maneuvered my way out of the crew room.  The hallways were empty going to my room so I had no trouble getting there quickly.  I couldn’t believe I’d actually scored a date with her.  It wasn’t like I was the top dog on base and got all the girls.  Hell, I’d barely been able to ask girls out in high school.  This was all very new and very strange to me.  See, I’m friendly, and I’m polite, but I’m actually quite shy when I first get to know people.  I’m weird, I know.

Just as I collapsed onto my bed, a knocking roused me.  I grouched all the way to the door until I saw who it was.  Janie stared at me shyly.

“Hey, did I wake you?” she queried.

“No, I just got to my room actually.  You okay?” I replied.

“Yeah, it’s just I forgot to ask.  Our date tonight, where is it going to be exactly?”

“Honestly, I have no idea.  I thought I’d let you decide,” I answered sheepishly. “I’m not exactly good with the whole dating scene.  I swear, if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll… well, you don’t know what I’d do.  I’d make you miserable, let’s say that.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.  But if you want the truth, I’d rather stay in your room and watch movies.”

“I’ll buy popcorn and ice cream.  I’ll pick you up from your room at six,” I said.

“I’m just a few doors down,” Janie laughed.

“I am a gentleman, and gentleman escort ladies no matter how far the distance,” I declared as serious as I could.

“Well then, gentleman, be on time.  I don’t like tardiness,” she said.

“Yes, my lady,” I bowed.  She laughed.

“You’re weird.  I like you.  I’ll see you later.” Janie hesitated briefly before kissing me on the cheek.  I shut the door and grinned like an idiot to myself.  I had scored a date with Janie, and she just kissed me on the cheek.  I highly doubted this would be our last date together.

_______________________________________

The next day…

“Hey buddy, cheer up.  We’re going flying,” Pixy said in way too happy of a mood.  He was probably enjoying seeing me in all my messy and tired appearance.

“You.  Shut it,” I grumbled, refusing to lift my head from its comfortable resting place on the palm of my hands.  The two of us were in the briefing room waiting to be given our mission.

“How about no.  So, how was your date with Janie?”

“Good.  She stayed the night.”

“Ah, that would explain why you’re so tired,” Pixy commented.

“It is not that.  I’m not that kind of guy, dimwit,” I snapped.

“Ooh, blonde is in a mood.  Watch out Vince, blonde is in a mood!” Pixy hollered.

“Oh my god, stop shouting!” I groaned.

“Blonde is in a mood,” I heard Vince laugh. “I’ll try and make this as quiet as I possibly can.”

“Seriously?” Pixy demanded. “You’re not going to torture him like you do to me when I’m exhausted?”

“Well, if you insist,” Vince replied before he practically yelled, “Let’s begin the briefing!”

I jumped in my chair. “Uncalled for,” I retorted.

“Don’t worry boy, you’re not flying until 1300 hours so you can get some more rest,” he told me.

“Thank god for that.”

“Okay, but honestly.  We need to start the briefing.” The screen turned on and zoomed in the location we’d be flying in. “Head Operations has issued an emergency order for a reconnaissance mission to be conducted near the border.  You will be monitoring the airspace B7R, currently under Belkan control.  Strong opposition is expected by enemy squadrons, and the presence of a magnetic field has been detected, which may interfere with communications.  In short, this will not be a walk in the park.” At this, I thought: Since when is anything a walk in the park these days? “The B7R airspace is located above an area rich in subterranean resources, where many conflicts have fought in the past.  You are authorized to engage enemy planes upon contact.  The time has come for your skills to be tested.”

Operation: Choker One

Date: 20/04/1995

Time: 1120

Location: B7R

“Lovely.  And here I thought the previous missions weren’t testing my ability,” I muttered.

“If we’re going to B7R, that means we might be going up against aces of the Belkan Air Force.  This is a test of our skills.  You lose focus for an instant, you’re screwed and shot,” Pixy said seriously.

“Stay on your toes then, buddy.  I don’t want you forming a habit of getting shot down,” I remarked.

“Very funny, Cipher.” He rolled his eyes. “I’ll see you in a bit.  Get some sleep.”

“Yeah.  Sleep sounds good.” I stumbled back to my room and fell face down onto my bed, asleep within minutes.

_______________________________________

Present Day…

“Wait, what happened that night with Janie?!” Genette demanded.

“You never should have brought her up because now that’s all he cares about,” Elizabeth pointed out.

“That’s not true!  It’s just he didn’t go into detail!” her brother argued.

“There wasn’t much to tell.  We honestly stayed up watching old movies and ate ice cream and talked.  We lost track of time in doing so.”

“Uh huh, sure that’s what you were doing,” Genette joked.

“Get you mind out of the gutter, Genette.  You’re as bad as Pixy,” I commented.  My nephew pretended to be offended. “Before I go any further with the story, let’s see if Pixy has anything to say.”

I pressed the play button on the remote; the documentary started rolling.  Pixy’s voice came over as the video itself showed a landscape I knew all too well: B7R.

“Belkan Priority One Strategic Airspace, B7R…” Pixy began. “A.k.a. the ‘Round Table.’  It was the grand stage where we pilots performed.  We were all on an equal footing, fighting under the same conditions.  No affiliations or ranks to hinder us.  Aces from every nation crisscrossed through those skies in pursuit of air superiority.  The only rule of engagement was to survive, something I think Cipher and I pulled off mighty well, especially considering the circumstances we faced.  It was his first time and he was doggone tired.  No matter how much he denied it to me, I refused then and still refuse to believe he and Janie stayed up talking.  But that’s irrelevant.  Back to the story.”

“Okay, even he still doesn’t believe you!” Genette protested.

“He also is a jerk,” I replied. “Now, let’s get back to my version of the story that is completely accurate and true in all regards to Janie Biggs.”

“Yeah, sure it’s accurate regarding her,” he mumbled.  I smiled but said nothing more on the subject and continued with my story.

_______________________________________

Area B7R…

Pixy flew up at about twelve hundred feet.  Meanwhile, me being the immature, tired person I was, I flew low to the ground, flying with the curves and twists, rises and falls of the earth beneath me.

“Cipher, I swear to god, if you crash your plane messing around, I will kill you,” Pixy admonished.

“You can’t.  I’d already be dead,” I answered.

“You’re such a smart ass.”

“You’re such a dingleberry.”

“Dingleberry?  Really Cipher?  That’s the best you could come up with?” my wingman remarked.

“What is wrong with the word dingleberry?  Have you never heard of it?  You illiterate person.  I’m very sorry you’ve been deprived of such amazing words in your vocabulary,” I joked.

“Issues Cipher, serious issues.”

“If you have an issue, I can’t give you a tissue because I’m in a plane going over three hundred and seventy miles an hour,” I responded casually.

“How the hell did you pass your psych evaluation?”

“Same way you did.  I hid my psycho tendencies.”

At this, Pixy fell silent.  Either he couldn’t think of a good comeback or he agreed.  Most likely it was the latter one.  Or at least in my opinion it would be.  You never really knew with Pixy.  I was only just starting to understand him; whether he was beginning to understand me was questionable.  I didn’t even understand me at times.  I mean, honestly, the word ‘dingleberry’ just spurted out of my mouth.  I didn’t even think about it when I said it.  Now I couldn’t stop thinking about it…

“Galm Team, this is Eagle Eye.  Penetrate B7R and get a feel for the surroundings,” AWACS ordered.

“Aye, aye, Eagle Eye,” I answered.  I refrained from pointing out that I just rhymed.  I didn’t want to give Pixy any more evidence that I possibly needed to have a reevaluation on my mental stability.  I was perfectly sane, I just was tired.  That was all.

“Galm Two, roger.  This kind of job is what we’re all about,” Pixy claimed.

I scanned my surroundings.  The ground was a mixture of different tans and browns in waving patterns.  Bushes were scattered here and there, but most were dead or nearly dead.  Mountains loomed in the distance, rapidly approaching.  The sun beat down on me and my canopy.  Hardly a cloud could be seen.  If I wasn’t in a mission, I might actually have gotten distracted by the scenery.

“Enemies on radar.  Exercise caution,” Eagle Eye admonished.

“Damn it,” Pixy muttered.  I said something much more colorful in Belkan.

“Is something wrong with the IFF?  Only two aircraft are showing up on radar,” a gravelly voice announced.  Definitely a Belkan, I decided, seeing as how I hadn’t spoken and Pixy certainly hadn’t.

“Don’t they know about the Round Table?” another Belkan snarled.

“It seems they’re on to us,” Pixy notified.

“Thank you for that earth-shattering revelation.  I had no idea,” I said as I traveled up to thirteen hundred feet.

“Oh, glad to see your wits are coming back.  I was worried about you buddy.”

“You’re the one who needs to be worried.  According to you, you have a psycho as a captain.”

“I didn’t say you were a psycho.  I just wondered how you passed your psych evaluation.”

“It was implied.”

“I can’t deny that.”

“Galm Team, engage,” Eagle Eye commanded.

“We will survive, Galm One,” Pixy stated firmly.

“No, we’re going to get shot down.  Buddy, what the hell else are we supposed to but survive?  Sheesh,” I grumbled, getting behind my first enemy plane.  The enemy went up in a loop which I followed with ease.  Either this guy was a rookie or a really bad ace.  Either way, I shot him down easily with a missile.  I made a sharp turn, aiming for a new enemy that was going after me.  I went head on with them.  I locked onto them easily and fired missiles.  They hit the enemy right in the front of the plane.  I hollered victoriously as I aimed at another plane.  These guys must’ve been just out of the academy because they hardly put up a fight for us.  I shot down another plane, a MIG-21B I believe, in two seconds flat.  This was a ridiculously easy fight.  If these people were actually aces of B7R, then I figured Pixy and I were about to become the new aces in control of the place.

“Show them what the Belkan Air Force is capable of,” a Belkan pilot growled.  I tried not to laugh, but a slight chuckle escaped.  This guy was an idiot.  Did he not see three of his comrades just get shot down?  Not including the two Pixy shot down.

I jerked my plane to the left when my plane started beeping angrily at me that someone had a missile lock on me.  I easily avoided the missile sent at me by spiraling down towards the ground.  I pulled up to find my attacker.  Upon finding them, I tried to get behind them.  They kept going in a big circle which made me have to turn my plane in a really tight circle multiple times to get behind them.  If the guys plan was to make me dizzy, it didn’t work.  I have a niece who likes to be spun around by her hands with her feet lifted off the ground for as long as someone can go without falling down.  I am used to dizziness and possess a certain tolerance to it.  In other words, it takes a lot to make me dizzy.

“They shot down our guide planes.  I’m willing to bet that was more than luck,” a Belkan fighter commented.

“One of you has sense.  Don’t say anything else or the others will pick up your good sense and cause us trouble,” I warned.

“Cipher, again, they can’t hear you.  Stop talking to them!” Pixy groaned.

“Pixy, again, it makes me feel better.  I won’t stop talking to them!” I retorted all the while swiveling my head from side to side to find another enemy.  I saw Pixy trailing a plane but lost view of them when I turned to the right.

An enemy in the distance caught my eye.  I barreled towards them.  Perhaps if they enemy thought I was as crazy as Pixy did, they’d simply be so scared they’d leave without putting up a fight.  Okay, I know that was wishful thinking, but can you blame me?  I’m tired, I’m hungry, and I don’t want to be fighting.  The only thing I could do was fight though, and I had to fight my way out of there.

The enemy plane I’d been chasing zipped over head of me.  I swore colorfully and jerked my plane up into a tight loop, leveling out as soon as I could.  I somehow managed to keep sight of them.

“Now’s our chance.  Don’t let them get away,” a Belkan shouted.

“These guys are geniuses, I’m telling you,” I commented as my plane gained on the enemy I was going after.

“You’d fit right in with them,” Pixy remarked.

“You would too.  I mean, they just keep getting shot down.”

“First off, I only got shot once, and I was able to land with only one wing.  Second, you’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Not as long as you keep insulting my intelligence.  In case you haven’t noticed, I’m still up and flying.”

“Yes, unfortunately, which means I have to put up with your loud mouth.”

“You’d miss me.”

“I’d miss having my buddy to fly with.  I wouldn’t miss that mouth of yours.”

“And you think I’d miss yours if something happened to you?  Big head there, buddy,” I laughed.

“Oh shut up.  Listen, I’ll get the plane you’re going after.  You get that M-29A.  I think it’s an ace.  I’ve already shown what I can do before.  It’s your turn.”

“If you’re pulling my leg, I will kill you,” I growled.

My wingman mocked being offended. “Why- I can’t believe you take me for being that kind of person!”

“Well, you know, us psychos are like that.  Now go.  Quit talking.”

“You’re talking too!”

“I’m captain.  I can do what I want.  Now shut it.”  Pixy grumbled over the mic about me being an impossible, stark raving lunatic who went coocoo for cocoa puffs (or at least something to that degree).  While I bickered with Pixy, I kept trying to get a missile lock on the ace I’d been after, but the time I shot, he avoided it narrowly, causing me to have to turn my plane around once more to get behind him again.  This time, when I fired, I hit the plane dead center.  I silently gloated to myself, not wanting to hear any more of Pixy’s sass.  I had to say, he wouldn’t be that sassy if it weren’t for me.  I had a tendency to find a way under his skin.  Easily, too.

Looking behind me, I saw a Belkan catching up to me.  I recognized it as the plane Pixy traded me for.

“Get off my ass!” I snapped, going in a wide circle.

“If you’re talking to me, I was never on your- I’m not going to finish that sentence,” Pixy decided when I started guffawing like an idiot.

“I’m dying,” I snorted.

“I’m not sure if my literally or not.  I wouldn’t complain about either.”

“Please, even dead you wouldn’t get rid of me.  Actually, I’d be worse about torturing you if I were dead because ghosts don’t sleep.”

“Stay alive, buddy.”

“Ah, ah, ah, ah stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive!” I sang.

“Do you take nothing seriously?” he demanded.

“Not when it comes to you.”

“I noticed.”

Thankfully, Pixy got the guy off my back, meaning the plane turned into a fiery ball that fell to the ground.  I complimented him on his good shot.  He proceeded to act shocked that I wasn’t saying something sarcastic and was a sarcastic little git himself.

“I’ll admit, they’ve got guts,” A Belkan commented.

“I believe anyone who flies here has guts.  And they have mental issues, which according to Pixy, I fit right in.  I would like to say, he fits in perfectly as well,” I said.

I went up into a loop to get behind a new enemy.  Little did I know that Pixy was going for him too.  I fired two missiles to increase my chances of hitting it.  Out of my peripheral vision, I saw a third missile, definitely not fired by me.  Along with mine, it hit the plane.

“That was mine, Cipher!” Pixy shouted.

“I didn’t see you so I thought it was mine!” I wrangled.

“Well we have one more to finish off.  I’ll be nice and let you have it.”

“How generous of you, my lord,” I said with as much sarcasm I could possibly put in that sentence. “By the way, there are two planes idiot.  You take left, I take right.”

“Don’t call me an idiot; you’re the one who says dingleberry,” Pixy noted.

“I wouldn’t have to call you a dingleberry if you weren’t an idiot.”

“Honestly, where the hell did that word come from?  You didn’t just think it up on the spot.”

“Wherever it came from, I’m not saying.  End of story.  Now get that plane.  I want to get back to base.”  To be honest, I knew exactly where the saying came from.  My sister would call Elizabeth that whenever she did something stupid, like running into a wall (which has happened more than one could believe), or if Elizabeth accidentally put the ice cream in the pantry (twice she’s done this).  My niece was a dingleberry at times, yes, but she was probably one of the smartest people on the planet when it came to strategizing.  Genette was the book smart guy.  When those two teamed up, they typically achieved what would be considered impossible for a nine and an eleven year old.  The last time I’d seen them was… four months ago.  I missed them.  They trailed me everywhere.  They loved their fighter pilot uncle.  Genette swore up and down he was going to be a pilot, but for some reason, I saw Elizabeth becoming one too.  She claimed she didn’t know what she wanted to be.  I think she did.

“Touchy, touchy.  What’s got your boxers in a twist?  Geez, Cipher.”

“Nothing’s got my boxers in a twist.  Now shut your trap and let me focus.” Thankfully my wingman listened to me (for once).  I went head on, using an XMAA missile.  I was over twelve thousand feet away from the enemy but shot anyways.  These missiles were surprisingly accurate, even over long distances.  Deciding to screw with Pixy since he had taken my kill earlier, I sent an XMAA missile at the other plane on the left.  Both hit their targets.  I smiled triumphantly.

“That was mine Cipher,” Pixy stated. “You took it.”

“Just like that plane earlier was mine.  You took it.  Now you know the feeling.”

“Ass,” he said.

“Jerk,” I replied.

“Guys.  Enough.  Galm Team.  Penetrate B7R airspace,” Eagle Eye ordered.

We flew towards the mountains.  Having lived near mountains before, these things could be considered hills (if they didn’t have such sheer drop offs).

“So those mountains in front of us make up the Round Table.  I’ve heard my share of stories about it,” Pixy commented.

“Scared?” I laughed.

“You wish.”

“You should be.  You’re fighting alongside me.”

“Your vocabulary scares me more than fighting next to you.”

“It scares me that my vocabulary scares you more than fighting next to you does.”

“It scares me your vocabulary doesn’t scare you.”

“It scares me that you lack a vocabulary.”

“I do have a vocabulary, but it consists of useful words.  Not words like ‘dingleberry’ which first off not a real word, second, it a weird word, and third, has an unknown history behind it.”

“If you say one more thing about that word, I will castrate you,” I warned.

“Okay, okay, consider me done for the mission.”

“You better be done for every mission after too.”

“Fine, fine…”

“Warning.  Radar shows additional craft approaching Area B7R at high speed,” Eagle Eyes informed.

“Galm Two to Galm One.  Enemy reinforcements.  Probably the main force,” Pixy said, suddenly all business.

“If this area is as important to Belka as we’ve been told, I doubt this is the only force.  Be on guard, buddy,” I ordered.  Within a few seconds, Eagle Eye confirmed which enemy we were facing; it was the Rot Squadron: 2nd Air Division 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron.  Their planes were Typhoons.  Four planes total.  Cons: Their planes were faster and more agile.  Pros: My plane held more ammo and it probably had a smarter pilot (I could hope).

“Time to hunt some wild dogs,” the Rot leader declared. “Down ‘em all.”

“Roger,” his team replied.  Ignoring the fact I could overhear some of their conversations, I hit the accelerator, going head on with the enemy.  If I couldn’t convince them verbally I was worthy to fight here, I’d have to prove it, and without getting shot down.  The last part could pose a problem.

“Galm Team, we cannot authorize a retreat.  Intercept them,” Eagle Eye commanded.

“I figured you’d say that.  This is gonna cost you extra,” Pixy responded.  Well, he was a mercenary, and we hadn’t signed up for this, so I didn’t exactly blame him for saying we needed a bonus on our paycheck for this.

“Mercenary dogs,” the Rot leader growled.

“Was that a pun?” I queried, heading straight for the leader.  I turned around briefly to see where Pixy was.  He flew just a little bit above me to my right.

“How is that a pun?” Pixy inquired.

“Our symbol is a dog.  Now, Rot One, was that a pun?” I demanded in mock seriousness.

“You can hear us?!” the leader said angrily.

“Um, if you’re hearing my voice, then yes, we can hear you and vice versa,” I replied hesitantly.  I always thought I was talking to myself.  I began to wonder how many times the enemy had actually heard me and just chose not to answer.  More than likely they heard me often and chose not to reply.

“Sarcastic aren’t you?”

“Believe me, we may be fighting different sides of the war, but yes, sarcasm is his specialty,” Pixy intervened.

“And not yours?” I retorted.

“You two are dead men.  Your chatter is useless,” Rot One said.

“This is the Round Table.  Dead men’s words hold no meaning,” Pixy snarled.

“Are you saying we are the dead men?” The leader let out a bark of laughter.  I was getting ever closer.  I had my XMAAs locked onto each of the planes.  All it’d take would be one hit on each of them to bring them down.  I wouldn’t be that lucky but even if I just shot down one, that could frighten the enemy enough into thinking they’re actually up against someone impressive here (even if they’re not.  Well, they’re up against Pixy but I’m not all that special).

“You obviously haven’t heard of my buddy here if you think that he and I are going to be dead by the end of this fight,” Pixy replied coolly.

“That boy will be nothing.  You two have come to the wrong community.”

“The saying is: ‘You have come to the wrong neighborhood.’  Nice try though.  Don’t worry; the idioms get me too and I’ve spoken the language for most of my life,” I said.

“Cipher, are you actually being nice to these guys?” Pixy sounded dumbfounded.

“If you can’t convince them, confuse them,” I answered.

“Confuse them?  You’re confusing me!”

“Exactly.  My plan in working perfectly.  Okay.  Stop the chit chat.  We have a table to take over.”

“All righty then… listen, they’re flying Typhoons.  Don’t underestimate these guys,” my wingman warned.

“Wasn’t planning on it.” I swerved to left and dove down to the ground, trying to get my sights on one of the Rot planes.  I managed it, but then he decided to pull up suddenly.  It’s a good thing I was alert, even being as tired as I was, or else I never would’ve been able to keep him in my line of view.  We went vertical in the sky.  I got a missile lock on him.  The shot would probably miss but hey, what the hell?  Why not try?  I fired two missiles to increase my chances of hitting him.  Incredibly, they both hit and that made one less plane Pixy and I had to deal with.  I levelled out, finding my next target.  I wanted to go head on with one.  I had long-range anti-air missiles.  I could take them.

As if reading my mind, Pixy commented, “Cipher, they’re known for their long-range attacks.  Be careful.”

I’d forgotten about that…  Whoops.  I’d have to be careful going head on with them.

“Money-hungry dogs, without an ounce of honor,” Rot One hissed spitefully.

“It’s not healthy to be that angry,” I remarked. “You might want to calm down a bit.  And yes, actually, we do have honor.  It’s just not for Belka.  It’s for the people you’re attacking.”

“Get this guy off my tail!” A Rot member barked.

“Ah, see Rot One, I told you that you haven’t met my captain before.  He’s undefeated so far.  Let’s see what he makes of you,” Pixy chuckled.

“Dude, they hate us enough.  Don’t encourage them, let alone encourage them to shoot me down!”

“Don’t get shot down then, buddy.”

“Easier said than done thanks to you.  Would you stop encroaching them and fight?”

“Why?  You’re doing a stellar job all by yourself.”

“Because I don’t want to do everything myself, lazy,” I grunted.

“Okay, okay, I’ll help,” Pixy responded.  I could see the smirk he was wearing in my head, and I really wanted to wipe it off his face… with my fist…

I’d been trailing a new plane.  It hadn’t been hard getting behind it.  The enemy plane had been trailing Pixy, not even knowing I’d gotten behind them.  After getting a thousand feet behind them, I fired two missiles.  The plane went down.  Two more planes to go…

“Two of our fighters have been shot down!  They’ll pay for this!” the remaining Rot wingman shouted.  I went head on with the two remaining fighters.  I thought I heard Pixy humming ‘Danger Zone’ but refrained from asking.  The last thing I needed was him singing, because believe me, he’d do it if he thought it’d drive me nuts.

My missile alert starting ringing, giving me a headache.  I twisted my plane into a spin that sort of went up and down in a weird way.  It’s hard to explain.  The point is the missile (or missiles- might’ve been more than one.  I couldn’t tell) missed.  As I tried to get as close to the new target as possible, a missile out of nowhere came and hit the plane.  It didn’t shoot the plane down incredibly, but it did severely damage the enemy.

“Damn it Pixy!  Stop taking my targets!”

“No!”

“You’re acting like a five year old!”

“You’re acting like an over-protective boyfriend.”

“You’re acting like an over-protective parent who won’t let their child do anything with me being the child!”

“You are a child though, so I don’t really have to act.”

“Dude, I’m twenty-four!”

“A twenty-four year old with the mind of a four-year old,” Pixy countered.

“Periodically.  I like to let people think that so they underestimate me and I can beat them.”

“I’ll let you know how that’s going.”

“Why thank you, o kind one.  Now this one’s mine,” I admonished, pulling my plane up into a loop to follow the enemy. I got close behind it and fired missiles.  I began to wonder if these people just sucked at flying because this seemed way too easy to me.  I mean, I’d only had to avoid one missile.  These people were supposed to be aces.  I’m a good flyer, but I’m not that fantastic.

“I’ve been hit!  That low-life mercenary!” Rot One accused.

“Hey, I’m not a low-life.  In case you haven’t noticed, I’m actually quite high right now, which would make me a high-life,” I explained.

“Oh my god, Cipher…” Pixy mumbled

“Our captain’s down!” a Rot member said.

“Impossible.  Am I the last one?  Requesting back up!” the last fighter requested frantically.

“Those guys are history.  Galm One, let’s wrap things up here,” Pixy remarked.

“Pixy, you get him.  I got the captain and two others.  I’m done.”

“I’ll do it, and only because you just shot down an ace captain.”

“You’re a wonderful human being… at times.”

“I know.  Don’t get used to it though.  Watch and learn rookie.” I turned my head to find Pixy.  He was trailing the enemy plane but couldn’t get a lock on him.  I prevented myself from laughing.  I heard Pixy muttering to himself in anger over this plane.  He couldn’t get a missile or gun lock on it.  I decided to take matters into my own hands.  While the enemy plane was too focused on getting away from Pixy, they didn’t see me coming up from underneath them.  I fired my guns and shot him down with little to no trouble.

“I thought you said he was mine,” Pixy said.

“It took you too long and it was getting painful to watch.  Anyways, point of the matter is we’re do- you have got to be kidding me…”

“What?  What’s the matter?”

“Incoming enemy forces.  Another freaking air force unit. I told you there would be more than just Rot.  Eagle Eye, status report on the new enemy formation!” I ordered.  About two seconds later, I received my information.  It was Indigo: 7th Air Division, 51st Tactical Fighter Squadron.

“Indigo One to all units.  Targets spotted.  Commencing attack.”  I was flying low to the ground to possibly avoid detection when I saw the Indigo squadron zip past me.  I don’t even think they saw me.  I grinned.  Time to have fun.  I pulled up, going as fast as I could to catch up to them.  My luck stayed with me as pulled under the back most plane.

“Looks like we’ve got some Gripens to deal with and- Cipher, what the hell are you doing?” Pixy queried dubiously.

“Strategizing.  Now shush.” I concentrated on the options I had available.  If I slowed down and got behind the plane I was under, it would be easy to shoot him down but I risked crashing into the debris.  My second option was to lower my plane, fire at any of the planes from below, and then get the hell out of there.  My third option consisted of flying upside down above one of the planes, preferably the lead plane, flip them off, and cause all hell for the enemy because that would cause them to make mistakes.  The third option seemed the most fun and in the long run productive when Indigo Two opened up his big mouth and announced, “Indigo Four!  Enemy plane right below you!”

“What the hell?!” the enemy demanded.  He flipped his plane over.  We stared at each other for about two seconds.  I then gave him a two-finger salute and dove to the ground, trying to gain as much speed as possible.  I risked glancing behind me.  All four planes had opted to chase me down.  Pixy was nowhere to be seen the little traitor…

Just as I was about to crash unceremoniously into the ground, I jerked my plane into a vertical position so that now I headed straight up into the sky.  I heard confused chatter from the enemy that finished with them saying to focus on shooting me down.  They didn’t care about Pixy, only me, which fired me up to kick some Belkan ass.  I mean, I’m Belkan and so is Pixy so theoretically, I could kick him or myself literally in the butt, but except for being a smart-ass to me, and my mind forcing me to think of absurd things, I didn’t really have any reason to kick him or me in the butt.  Now Indigo on the other hand…

And speaking of my mind forcing me to think absurd thoughts…

“Unlike you mercenaries, I fight for a real cause,” Indigo One said haughtily. “The ones who survive are those who fight for their convictions.”

“I’m really tired of that misconception.  We actually do fight for a cause.  For some of us, we want the Allies to win.  Some of us fight for the money.  Either way, it’s a cause, personal or social,” I replied. “And either way, we will survive.  That’s the only rule of engagement here.”

“Cipher, I’m beginning to think you can’t control yourself responding to them.  You might want to get some professional help with that,” Pixy commented.

“I hope you don’t mean from you.  That’s the last thing I need.  The one thing I do need is for you to get these morons off my back.”

“I’m coming.  You’re all going too damn fast.”

“Hang on.  I’m going to come your direction.  Use your XMAAs.  When you get a missile lock on them, fire.  Just fire.  It doesn’t matter if you hit all or one, just scattering them away from each other will be enough.”

“Are you sure that’ll work?”                                           

“No, but I’m taking a risk here.  These guys are aces because they’re unpredictable.  Time to beat them at their own game,” I said slyly.

“Not saying I don’t like that idea, but who are you and what have you done to my buddy?” he laughed.  I didn’t respond as I made my plane go upside down and flipped it over so the world wasn’t topsy-turvy.  I saw Pixy in the horizon; looking at my radar, I saw the four Indigo planes attempting to catch up to me.  They wouldn’t have much hope.  Actually, if I outran them far enough, I could make a sharp turn and join Pixy in shooting some XMAAs.  I mean, I only had a limited number but I still had plenty of missiles left so what the hell?  Giving as much power to my engines as I could, I slowly but surely outdistanced the Indigo team, giving me enough room to execute my plan.

“He really knows how to fly an Eagle,” an Indigo member observed.

“Which one?  The annoying one or the talkative one?”

“What’s the difference?  They’re both annoying and talk too much.  But I mean the one who pulled that trick on Franz.”

“You mean you think his kamikaze flying style is impressive?”

“Yes.”

“You need to brush up on the word ‘impressive.’  Maybe psychotic would work…”

“Even the enemy agrees with me that you’re psychotic,” Pixy chuckled.

“Hey, something about it is working for me.  I’m alive aren’t I?” I retorted.

I pulled up alongside Pixy.  He gave me a short wave.  I switched to special weapons and waited impatiently for them to lock onto Indigo.  Three seconds later, I got the alert.  I waited for as long as possible to shoot to get the maximum chance of hitting at least one.  I fired the missiles.  I grinned when one of the planes disappeared off my radar.  One down, three to go.

“Two to go.  I hit one too.  Now things are nice and even.  Cipher, one for you and one for me,” Pixy announced.

“Great balls of fire!” I cheered.

“Ustio is holding their own in the Round Table,” Indigo One noticed.  I did a one-eighty so that I now faced away from the mountains.  I caught up easily to one of the Indigo members.  I wasn’t sure which one, but I got so close that I used my guns to bring him down instead of my missiles.

“Damn Ustios!  They’re faster than I thought,” the last wingman of Indigo One griped.

“Call in reinforcements!  We cannot give up this airspace!” Indigo One shouted hotly.

“Sir, the only other team within reach is Grun.”

“Call them.  This is vital.  If they can’t get these two mercenaries down, they’ll have won this battle.  We can’t allow that to happen!”

“Pixy, I think we might have one more squadron heading our way,” I moaned.

“Damn it… can these guys give up already?” Pixy mumbled.  I spun my plane around, forcing myself to become more alert.  I needed to stay awake or else I might not make this out alive.  My missile alert went off so I dove down to the ground, pulled to the left, and jerked to the right, making my flight path very mercurial.  I shot up to the sky, aiming in on Indigo One.  I saw Pixy coming from the east.  We had the leader cornered.  Pixy and I fired a missile each, and it hit the plane.  Now we had just one more squadron to fight.  Eagle Eye transferred the information.  Our final enemy squadron would be Grun: 10th Air Division 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

“This is Grun Two.  There’s two of ‘em.”

“Well then, let’s have some fun,” another Grun member responded.  I couldn’t tell who but I automatically didn’t like them.  They could go screw themselves.  Then again, they already had screwed themselves when they accepted Indigo One’s request to come fight us.

“Looks like you Ustio mercenaries made the wrong choice,” Grun One snickered.

“Um, I would say you made the wrong choice because you’re fighting two pilots who have already shot down the planes patrolling the area and two ace squadrons.  Do you honestly want to mess with us?” I queried. “There would be no shame in turning around and fleeing like little girls.”

“Are you trying to convince them to leave or are you trying to piss them off?  I can’t tell,” Pixy remarked.

“Either one will work for me.  Hey, what types of planes are those?  I can’t tell.”

“Hornets.  Don’t let ‘em sting you in the ass,” Pixy joked.

I laughed. “Easy.  I’ve killed a lot of hornets.”

“All Grun units, set ejection handles to green,” Grun One ordered.

“I think I might’ve actually convinced them they should be scared,” I mused.

“These guys know what they’re doing.  Don’t let up, even when they’re locked on,” Pixy admonished.

“Yes, I know that,” I snapped, swerving to the right to avoid a missile shot at me.  I don’t know who fired it at me but it pissed me off.  I was tired, I was starting to get hungry, I needed the bathroom, and this was too damn long of a mission.  I made my plane go into tight loops as I tried to find a Grun plane to go after.  They swarmed me like flies, but they couldn’t shoot me down.  One flew below me and I chose them to go after, but stopped when my missile alert started yelling at me.  I continued to pull tight loops and circles, looking for my big break to get one of these jerks.

“It looks like they weren’t joking.  There’s only two,” Grun One said.  I started clapping as loud as I could, hoping the enemy could hear it.  I put my hands back on the joystick when my missile alert went off again. “All units, don’t let these pilots out-maneuver you.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed if you keep taunting them like that, Cipher,” Pixy warned.

“Do me a favor and miss!” Pixy snarled.

“Glad to see they’re not targeting me completely.  Don’t get killed buddy,” I said.

“Thanks for the concern.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“So was I.”

“This is an interesting opponent.  Unorthodox to say the least,” Grun One said.

“Unorthodox this moron!” I yelled, getting dangerously close behind one of the enemies and firing my guns at them.  The plane went down toward the ground. “Okay, who’s next?”

“They think they can survive in the Round Table?” Grun One growled.  His tone was different this time; he’d been cool and collected in his previous comments; now he sounded irked.

“We’ve survived this long haven’t we?” I pointed out.

“They’re better than I thought… I’m going for the throat.  It’s kill or be killed with these dogs,” Grun One remarked furiously.

“Okay, now I know that was an intended pun.  Honestly, I thought you guys would wiser,” I said in mock sadness.

“Cipher did you just-”

“No.”

“But you-”

“No.”

“That was a complete pun or your part.  Don’t you dare deny it!” he debated.

“They had it coming…” Okay, so the puns by the enemies about our symbol being a dog were starting to grate on my nerves.  Grun seriously had it coming.  Their symbol is an owl.  Owls usually are paired with wisdom.  These guys or not wise if they’re fighting us.  We’ve already shot down two ace squadrons before them.  They need to get a grip on reality and see they’re going to lose.

“All the planes are forced on defense.  Who are they?” A Grun member demanded.

“Not so high and mighty now, are you wise guys?” I chirped, pulling up to go after a plane.  The enemy had no idea I was there as they didn’t pull any evasive maneuvers.  I was practically perpendicular with them.  I fired three missiles.  The first missed.  The next two hit.  That made two planes down.  Now I had two to go and I intended to have them finished off quickly.

“Those bastards.  All planes, it’s time to get serious,” Grun One commanded.

“Ustio mercenary?!” the former Grun member nearly shouted.

“Yes?” I asked innocently.

The guy didn’t respond to my question, but he said, “Don’t let these Ustio fighters get too cocky.”

“I won’t get cocky.  My comrade won’t either because he’s already cocky.”

“Oi, watch it Cipher,” Pixy grunted.

“Oi, focus on fighting,” I replied.

“Oi, you shut up.”

“Oi, no.”

“Shut up you idiots,” Eagle Eye interjected.

“They fly a lot different than the Oseans,” Grun One noted.  Well I wonder why that would be.  Might it be because I’m not a freaking Osean?  I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being an Osean, I’m just saying I’m not, and that’s why I don’t fly like them.

I continued doing my nutty loops and spins and weaves to confuse the remaining enemy planes.  I had to say it was working because my missile alert hadn’t gone off since I started using the tactic.  In the midst of one of my circles, a Grun plane entered my field of vision.  I locked on briefly and without thinking, fired.  It wouldn’t hit.  I knew it wouldn’t.

But it did.

“Galm One shot down a bandit!” Pixy proclaimed.

“I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” Grun One chuckled.

“All you Belkans need a dictionary to help you define words.  You personally need to find a new definition for ‘wise’ and ‘fun,’” I grumbled.

“There’s one left.  Cipher, I’ll take care of this one,” Pixy offered.

“Yeah, you do that,” I said in disinterest.

“Damn it!  Both of them know what they’re doing,” Grun One shouted in frustration.

“I’d be worried if we didn’t.  But hey, I warned you about what you were getting yourself into.  You should’ve listened,” I said bluntly.  I swung my plane around to find Pixy.  This battle was way too easy.  I know I’ve said that before, but this was ridiculous.  I’d heard of the mighty Belkan Air Force.  I’d seen the aces when I was at the academy.  I’d seen what aces could do.  How could Rot, Indigo, and Grun be considered aces?  We defeated them all in under fifteen minutes, me taking the majority of the shots.

I watched as Pixy went up to high altitude, chasing the remaining Grun plane like a fox.  I watched as two missile sprouted from Pixy’s plane aimed at his target.  And they hit.  Mission accomplished.  I let out a sigh of relief.  We were done at the Round Table.  We were done with this godforsaken mission.

“All Belkan reinforcements confirmed down.  Mission complete.  Return to base.  Incoming message from Allied Forces Operation Command.  Allied naval force has begun its advance.  We appreciate you work,” Eagle Eye relayed.

“Looks like we were just a couple of decoys,” Pixy noted.  I started mumbling to myself about how all the work we put into this mission only to be told we were decoys.  Um, I think the enemy saw us as more than decoys.  I saw us as more than decoys.  Then again, I never really saw the point in the mission in the first place.  Why send a squadron like me and Pixy when we would be better off on the front lines?

“Yo, Buddy.  You still alive?” Pixy inquired.

“Yeah, I’m alive.  You obviously are.  Unless I’m talking to your ghost,” I responded.

He ignored my last comment. “Listen, put your plane on autopilot and get some rest.  I don’t want you so tired that you crash on landing and I lose my captain.”

“That sounds nice but I don’t trust you not to just let me keep on flying through the air,” I chuckled. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’m offended!” He said in mock hurt. “But I getcha.  Alright.”

We fell silent and headed home.

_______________________________________

Upon getting back to base, the only message Vince gave us for the debriefing was, “It seems B7R is more heavily guarded than we thought.  Thanks to your success, we managed to confuse Belka.  If it wasn’t for you, this ploy of ours probably would’ve failed.  You’ve caught the attention of Head Operations, too.  Keep up the good work.  Now go rest up.  You’ve earned it.”

“Whoopty-freaking-do.  Where’s my bed?  I need my bed,” I muttered.  I saw Pixy and Janie, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, giving each other ‘what the hell’ looks, probably because I was pretty much talking to myself.  I stumbled to my room and didn’t even bother taking off my flight suit.  I just went to bed.

_______________________________________

Present Day…

Elizabeth and Genette stared at me as if I’d grown three heads and an arm out of my chest.  I guess my niece picked up on my look because she said, “You defeated three ace squadrons?”

“Yes.  They weren’t all that good though.  I face harder ones later on,” I replied.

“That’s freaking incredible!” Genette exclaimed. “And Elizabeth, you really are a dingleberry sometimes.”

She dumped him over the backside of the couch. “So, what’s the next part of the story?”

“Well, it is ten p.m.; the second part of the documentary comes on tomorrow.  Why don’t we turn in for the night?” I suggested.  The two of them groaned in protest but thankfully decided to go along.  I was exhausted.  All of that remembering made me tired.  Elizabeth gave me a hug goodnight while Genette clapped me on the back.  They went to their respective rooms.  I went to mine; I pulled out an old photo of me and Janie.  PJ had taken it.  I hadn’t spoken to him in years.  The last time I’d seen him, he was just getting out of the hospital and was in a wheelchair because both his legs had been broken in the fight at Avalon.  I wanted to see him, but strict orders from Ustio kept me from doing so.  They, along with a few other leaders, feared Belka still wanted revenge for their loss ten years ago.  I understood.  Belkans were notorious for holding grudges.

I put the photo away.  No use in looking back in the past.  I showered and changed into my pajamas.  After brushing my teeth, I got into bed.  It felt good to tell my story.  I’d been hiding it for so long.  Someone needed to know, and I trusted my niece and nephew whole-heartedly.

With the thought that finally, I could let someone in on my entire secret, I went to bed.

_______________________________________

Okay, so if any of you are interested in what Pixy and Janie’s faces looked like, look up this story on Wattpad.  It has pictures for each chapter along with a song. Hope you enjoyed and please review!