A/N: some missions that are not much interested will be short and only show the important parts since I'm not that good at battle scenes. However, I'll make the chapter as long as possible.

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- Gab/Talisman's p.o.v. -

Ever since Pasternak made a call, he rarely calls back whenever he has time. I'm glad that he did. But part of me worried about what's to happen soon, once I stand out and he finds out who I am.

It was 4:55 am and I just woke up a few minutes ago. With silence filling the room, all I ever think is him and our times together the first time we met. The time we smile at each other, embracing our moments together-

Oh God, am I in love with him...?

What if Orby's right?

Shaken up the thought after hearing the knock on the door. Wondering who was knocking at the door, I tiredly stood up and open the door. "Lanner?"

"Oh, Talisman. Sorry to bother your sleep." Lanner said.

"No, it's fine. I just woke up a while ago." I answered. "Is there something you need?"

"The base commander called us for a meeting in 15 minutes. We're going offensive."

My eyes went wide when Lanner said it. Is that mean we finally going to take over Khesed Island? I told her that I'll catch up. She nodded and headed to the briefing room. I went to change into my flight suit after taking a quick shower and dashed towards the makeshift briefing room, finding Marcus and other pilots already gathering in their seats. I sit beside my wingman just in time for Ghost Eye and the base commander to arrive. The lights went dim as images reflects from the projector.

"The interception operation previously partaken by our forces was a success, and as a result, enemy air units around Khesed have been weakened. The Republic of Emmeria's military has taken full advantage of this prime opportunity to initiate a counterattack operation with all forces participating."

"Let's go!" Saker cheered and several pilots clapped their hands or fist-bumped to show their eagerness to start the comeback. I just simply laugh at their joyfulness.

Ghost Eye had to quiet the pilots down so the briefing could continue, but while doing so he too had a grin on his face, pleased with everyone's willingness and excitement.

"Enemy forces have established a wide-scaled defensive line around Sipli Field, consisting largely of tank battalions." Our Base Commander continued, pointing to the map brought up on the B.C.S. "Our ground forces are set up to cross the river and penetrate it, and eventually regain control of Khesed."

He put his hands behind his back as he looked over all of the pilots in the room, his eyes coming to rest eventually on Marcus and me.

"We need all of you to support our advancing ground units, and eliminate all enemy forces. Multiple units will be simultaneously carrying out various operations on the ground, so pay attention to the airspace above each operation area, and provide support as needed. This is but the first step of many that will bring us back to freeing our capital from Estovakian control. Godspeed."

All of us scrambled and went to our lockers to gear up, then we headed to our respective planes. Before Shamrock hops into his F-16, I called out his name. "Hey, Shamrock!"

He turns his head around and looks at me. "What is it, Talisman?"

"I've ordered the plane just for the two of us. I thought why don't we have the same plane for our team."

"Really? What plane is it?"

"You'll find soon enough." I winked and went into the cockpit. Making final checks to the system before closing the canopy and taxiing towards the runway with my wingman.

"Garuda team, you are clear for takeoff." The control tower said. I first flew off to the sky, followed by Marcus then we form with the other pilots towards Sipli Field. Time to take over the Island.

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

27 November, 2015 0600hrs
Sipli Field, Khesed Island, Emmeria

Once we reach the AO, three tank battalions are already in their positions. Flying over the field that is almost covered in snow, I realized that we're not able to celebrate with our families because of this damn war.

Ugh... Why does it have to end like this?!

"Attention all forces." Announced Ghost Eye, "We're about to engage enemy units on the other side of the river from multiple angles."

I look down below as I watch our allied tanks rolling towards the enemy base over the snowy hills. The ground forces divide into three tank battalions.

"This is Warlock Battalion of the central attack group. Our goal is to pierce the enemy's center. We're moving along smoothly through the snow, make sure you boys don't hit us!"

"Quox Battalion here. We're set up to hit the enemy from the east flank. Give us cover and we'll make sure our end of the deal is accomplished."

"Steel Gunners here. We've got the west side covered. Glad to be working with you flyboys up there!"

"They've got way more guys than us. great confidence booster, huh?"

"You telling me, Marcus." I chuckled. "Alright, we help our people at the west, Avalance squad will take the east, Windhover squad at the central. The faster we finish the mission, the faster we get back to base."

"Roger, Talisman."

I hit the thrusters and flew fast over Steel Gunners to help penetrate through the enemy's defense. "Steel Gunners here. Moving to engage the enemy across the river."

"This is Garuda 1, air support is on your way," I said. I checked my HUD to see several tanks, launchers, and even annoying AA guns and SAMs. I switched to my special missiles. "Garuda 1, fox 3!"

Four missiles launched from my plane and skyrocketed to four targets. Confirmed kills from two tanks, an AA gun, and a launcher.

"Garuda 2, four ground hostiles down!" Shamrock reported.

"Good job, Shamrock," I said. "Destroy all ground targets as fast as possible. Takedown all planes that come near our tanks!"

"Copy that, Talisman."

"Did you know that 90% of our operational forces are out on the battlefield?" said Avalanche out of the blue. "Everybody's out here, believe it or not."

"Really?" Talisman asked. "Now that's what I call raising the stakes."

"I love it. It's the bet of a lifetime." added on Windhover. "It means we can go all out!"

Oh, this will be fun.

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

27th November, 2010 0637hrs
Gracemeria, Emmeria

- Arthur/Cipher's p.o.v. -

I slowly woke up from my sleep and look around my surroundings. I slept with my wife inside the slightly ruined hotel. We are currently still in hiding from Estovakians and we can't leave the city without getting spotted as they secured the border, that's what Orby told me. Orby just came out of nowhere a few months ago to protect us under my daughter's orders. I was worried if something happens to Gab, but knowing her well, I believe she can handle it without Orby's guidance.

'It's still early' I mumbled as I glance at my watch. I slowly raise myself from the bed to avoid waking up my wife but looks like she is and she stares at me.

"Where are you going?" She asked, she is still tired and I wish she just slept instead.

"I'm going to get food and essentials for us. I'll be right back."

"Please, don't go." She worried. Some soldiers are roaming around the city, but just a few of them and not so dangerous.

"Don't worry, Amelia. I'll be back safely." I kissed her forehead and her lips. "Just take a rest."

I stood up and gently leave the hotel room. I sighed, then walk just a few rooms away from mine. I knock on the door and wait for a few seconds before someone opens the door.

"What is it?"

"We have to go now before afternoon, time to move."

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

-Gab/Talisman's p.o.v.-

"Enemy forces have been dealt a heavy blow." Ghost Eye reported. "All planes, move into action against any forces remaining."

"All pests are down. Get moving!" Quox added.

"They're not going anywhere," Marcus said. "I won't let them get away."

"I'm sending your new battle data now." Ghost Eye said.

The final battalion of ground forces finally appeared on the radar. Just a few more targets left and we're done. I dive down and fly low from the ground as I fired my missiles at both enemy Tanks on my way while I fired the AA gun with my cannons.

"Half of the enemy forces remaining."

"Good! That makes the cleanup much easier!" Avalanche laughs as he took down a tank.

"And I can finally sleep once we return to base!" I added.

"Talisman, what time did you sleep?" Windhover asked.

"Uhhh... midnight?"

"Oh my god... You did not-"

"I can't sleep properly, okay? I'm so worried about my family back at Gracemeria and stress."

Shamrock hums, "That's understandable."

I sighed and continue my work. I turn my plane around and aim my cannon at the launcher and burst gunfire at it until it was destroyed. Then I moved on to the enemy F/A-18 and chase behind them. They moved in every direction but they were unable to break off from me and finally finished them off.

"Incoming squadron of enemy ace at vector 260." Ghost Eye reported.

"Is it Strigon?" I ask. I waited for our AWACS to reply.

"Negative. It's the Drakon Squadron."

I chuckled. "Good. Then it makes it easier then."

I immediately went in the direction where the enemy squadron are. Once I spotted them and counted them to five planes, two missiles took off from my wing to blaze off towards one of the planes as I roll to the side and fired my cannon at the other plane. It took a short while before I destroy two birds in one stone and break off.

"What the hell was that?!" One of the enemy pilots exclaimed from the comms.

"Dammit! They have an ace to their side!"

I snickered as they started to gang up on me. I took them on once again on an air dance, avoiding their attacks with such maneuverability despite using an F-15. A missile warning blasted from the radio as I immediately perform a Kobra, now I was behind the enemy. "Garuda 1, Fox 2! Fox 2!"

Two missiles launched from my plane and scored a kill. Now that's three out of five.

"Look at Talisman go!" Windhover chuckles, "Five on One!"

"Hey, Shamrock. Ya' think you can keep up with your leader?"

"With that move? I don't know, Avalanche." He chuckles.

"Ah, one day you can be on the same level as I am," I said as I took down another plane with my missiles again. Now it's just one. I flew with an afterburner and chase the last enemy ace. I watch them climb up to the sky and I followed behind their tail. I fired up my remaining bullets in my cannon until I destroy their wings and quickly descend.

"5th enemy ace down!" I reported.

"Dammit! They took down our aces!" One of the enemies exclaimed.

"We've underestimated them." Another one growls, "All units, retreat!"

I flew back with my friends and watch the Stovies leaving the area, with some tank battalions that kept attacking them until the remaining enemy units left.

"This area has been cleared from the enemy forces." Ghost Eye announced. "Mission complete. Head back to base."

"Ha! Looks like I won the bet!" Windover cheered.

"Wait what? What bet?" I asked, flying beside him.

"You see, I made a bet with Avalanche. Whoever got the most kills, both ground and air targets have to follow what the winner said for a whole day. I got 21 kills overall."

"And how many did Avalanche get?"

"... 17." Avalanche mumbles.

"Seems like you will become a maid now, eh?" He mumbles some curse words as we all laugh. As we flew back to the base, I saw Shamrock fly beside me. I wave back at him as he did the same.

"That's one step closer to Gracemeria," Marcus said. "Garuda 1, I've got a hunch we'll be going home a lot sooner with you on board. I'm counting on you Talisman."

"And I'm counting on you all to support each other to reach the end of the war." I smile. Now it is time to go back to base and finally lay dead on my bed.

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

"Thanks to your efforts we have completed this mission successfully. Emmerian forces were able to extend to the center of Khesed, expanding their power in the region."

"Estovakian forces were driven off the front line, and have retreated to Bartolomeo Fortress, which is located in the center of the island. The Estovakian ace squadron, Balron Team, has also been defeated."

"This mission should have given the Estovakians a good taste of what our forces are capable of. Soon we'll be able to drive all Estovakian forces out of Khesed."

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

As the sun goes down, I sit outside the hangar with my phone on my ear. I am currently talking to Pasternak about our current situation, which of course I have to lied about myself.

"And my friend here decided to prank our commander by throwing tissues all around his office." Ilya laughs. "I swear he almost got hit with the precious trophy he had."

I laughed. "Well if he gets hit by his trophy, that's better than receiving heavy punishment."

"You have a point." He chuckles.

I smile then sighed deeply. I look at the sky as the sky slowly turns to night. I didn't realize Ilya is calling my name. "I-Huh? What?"

"Are you alright, Gab? You seem pale and worried."

"Well..." I scratch the back of my head. "I'm worried about my parents. They're still in Gracemeria since the um... Invasion."

"Oh..." He mutters. "I'm so sorry-"

"No, they're still alive. They made a call a while ago." I explained. "Even though they're safe, I still don't know if they will survive any longer."

"Are they still hiding?"

"Yes. I hope they won't find them. I cannot lose them." "That's why I fight on war to win the war." Gab thought the last words. There was a faint silence from her phone, thinking that he was doing something or else.

"Ilya?"

"Listen, Gab." He mumbles. "Remember when I told you that I'll be assigned to the Strigon team? Soon, I'll be heading to Gracemeria. And I'll try to find your parents and make sure they're safe."

I was shocked and looked at my phone with wide eyes, then put my phone back to my ear. "Wait, are you serious? You'll be suspicious because of that!"

"They won't." He replied. "But don't think about that. I'll make sure your parents are fine and safe."

"Ilya... Thank you." I said as my tears started to fall out of my eyes.

"You're my best friend, Gab. You've been so kind and helpful to me. Even if you look young and a bit childish yet mature. To tell you the truth, you're the first-ever woman I ever had to be my friend!"

"Really?!"

"Yeah. They think I'm some sort of flirting with them or something. Well, some part of it is true." He mumbles at the last words.

"Part of it? It's the damn all of it." We both laugh at the same time. Thanks to him, my stress has been relieved. I look at my watch, and it's 6:30 pm. "I have to go to sleep now. Sorry if I hang up early."

"No, it's fine. We can still call again soon." He said. "Goodnight, Sleeping Beauty."

I chuckled, "Goodnight, my Price."

I hang up the call and put it inside my side pocket. Time to sleep early cause we have a lot of work to do in the hangar. As I walk towards the building, I stopped and suddenly remembered something.

"Did I just call him 'My Prince'?"

•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•

28th November, 2015 1027hrs
Gracemeria Police Station

One such pilot was sitting inside one of the interrogation rooms, still dressed in his flight suit, his wrists bound in handcuffs. He was looking at his hands resting on the table, the chair he was sitting in a metal fold-up chair whose only purpose was to make those who sat in it dreadfully aware of how uncomfortable it was.

When the door opened the pilot lifted his head and stared blankly at Voychek, the one who had entered the room, with a cane in one hand and clipboard in the other. They shared a silent, minute-long stare before Voychek walked slowly to the other side of the table and stopped, looking down upon the pilot.

"So...this is the next guy...?" the pilot thought to himself while examining Voychek. "Hope he's happy with my name, rank, number, and birthday."

Voychek started to speak, questioning the captured pilot before him.

"He's skin and bones...with eyes like a hawk. But that badge, and cane...old hawk-eyes here must've broken his wings in combat."

The interrogation when the same as the previous ones, the pilot ending it with the same statements he'd tell the men before him until Voychek was through and had him taken away to the cell he had been retrieved from. He watched the pilot go through the door, maintaining his blank expression until the door closed shut and he was left alone in the interrogation room.

Voychek then sighed and walked around the table, looking at the window outside with sunlight beams to his eyes.

"Even when they're trapped within their own capital city...their forces chased to the outer fringes of Emmeria...they still continue to fight here. I can see it though...they are losing hope...it's only a matter of time now."

•=•=•=•=•=•=•

29 November, 2015 0734hrs
Campagna Airport, Vitoze, Khesed Island

-3rd Person's p.o.v. -

Avalanche and Windhover arrived at the mess hall to eat breakfast with the Garuda team. They notice Shamrock is eating alone at the table.

"Hey, Marcus. Where's Gab?" Windhover asked.

"She said she's going to the hangar to prepare something." He explained. "She already ate her breakfast early and left."

"Aw, man. I was hoping we eat together." Avalance groans a bit. "Well, maybe on lunch then."

As the three men eat and chat together, footsteps are heard and it gets closer to the mess hall.

"SHAMROCK!" Gab yelled as she made a stop in front of them, panting.

"Are you okay, Talisman?"

She raised her hand to wait, taking a breath from running from the hangar to the mess hall. "Remember when I told you that I ordered planes for the two of us?"

"Yeah?"

"It's finally arrived and you gonna love it." She grins. Gab gestures to follow her as the boys did. They jog towards the Garuda Team's hangar where the hangar gate is closed.

"What you are about to see, gentlemen. One of the best planes Osea has ever created." She sighed at the mechanic to open the gates. With a switch of a button, the gate slowly opens, revealing the 5th Generation stealth fighter.

"F-22 Raptors?!"

"Yep!" Gab smiles widely, "Thanks to my friend back at Osea, they've given us two Raptors for the battle. Fully functional and restored."

"This is... Wow." The boys only stood in shock and awe, seeing the F-22 for the first time in their life.

"I- Thanks, Talisman," Shamrock said, smiling at the fact he finally get to fly this kind of plane.

Gab chuckles and pats his shoulder. "You're welcome. We're going to start our training tomorrow so be ready."