4 November, 2010 1824 hrs
Briefing Room, Central Command Building, Osea

~ Gab/Blaze's p.o.v. ~

We all gathered inside the briefing room for our emergency sortie. Regardless, I am gaining confidence about proving ourselved that we are innocent. Im sure of it. Speaking of sortie, the coin landed on heads, so it means we all taking the mission in the airport. Our planes were there so we have to make a run for it before they destroyed them. You know how hard it is to get my plane I used. The briefer arrived and thus begins the briefing.

"Yuktobanian aircraft have suddenly been detected on radar southwest of Oured. They are flying in the direction of Apito International Airport, located in the area between Oured Bay and the capital. Apito International is a civilian airport. The enemy's intentions are unknown. Passengers and personnel are currently being evacuated, but the sudden appearance of the enemy has plunged the airport into chaos. Intercept and engage the invading enemy formation and protect Apito International Airport."

So there are still civilians in the airport. My life becomes jeopardy. I groaned in annoyance, but I stood up and left the room. I heard Chopper mumbles, "These guys can't give us a break."

"I know, Chopper." I said. "However, we have a civilian to protect so stop complaining already. Also, two of us must equip with air-to-ground missiles. I have a hunch that there's more than just planes." We all hopped in the vehicles as the driver speed up as much as he can to reach the airport in time.

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"Chain Reaction"
4 November, 2010 2024 hrs
Apito International Airport, Oured

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We are all already inside our planes and deploy immediately. We don't have an AWACS support so I have to rely to Orby and my instincts. The airport is filled with lights under the night sky. With civilian aircrafts still active on the runway.

"I can't believe they flipped a goddamn coin for this mission! That isn't funny man..." grumbled Chopper. Can't help but to agree with him. Why don't they let us choose a mission, or at least perform a Joint Assault op like I did back on Earth. But here is no point of complain anymore.

"Now I started to hate the government here in Osea." Orby grunted. "I know the president is decent, but the rest? Nope."

I sighed. "I swear to my life. After this war, I'm leaving Osea. That's official." And might as well join Air Force again, which is going back to square one. But that'll be easy. We finally arrived at the airport, and see several enemy fighters around. "Wardog, disperse and defend the airport!" We all spread out and hit full throttle.

"This is the Airport Control Tower! All planes, cancel takeoff clearance! All approaching flights, change course immediately!"

"Change our course? Change it to where?" the airline pilot became confused. They probably didn't know the airport is under attack. I detected an F-14 at my three so I bank left and fly straight towards the plane. That pilot must've noticed me and went head on to me. I grinned as I launched two missiles simultaneously and break off immediately. As expected, two missiles landed hits and destroyed the fighter.

"This is Air Ixiom Flight 31. A high-speed aircraft just passed by us six hundred yards away!" Air Ixiom? Wait, that's the plane from Usea!

"They're allied fighters taking off on an emergency mission. All flights, be heads up for mid-air collisions!" Responded the Control Tower.

"A fighter? I thought the war was over on the west coast." Same pal. Same.

"Aww, how peaceful this place is. I'm chokin' up here." Chopper said. He avoided an incoming missile from a fighter and did a barrel roll to the enemy. Guns sprayed from behind as engines now have malfunction and falls down to the ground, but the pilot bail out. Grimm then go around the F-14 and launch missiles before it attack a civilian aircraft.

"Which squadron was that do you think?"

Then a voice of a command came in, "It's the Capital District Air Defense Squadron. They were going to act as your back up, but the enemy has unleashed chemical weapons in the college town of Bana, four hundred miles from the airport. It's on its way there to spread neutralizers, so you're the only ones that can defend the airport."

"How could they?" Grimm said with a hint of anger tone. I have to hold my own disgust and terror the Yukes made, attacking the college town in Bana with chemical weapon is a mass genocide. But then I remember about the attack on college in Yuktobania. They must did this as revenge for whoever assholes did it.

"So which one's the containment attack? Are they both for real?" Chopper asked. "It sounds like the other side of the coin is bad news, too, huh?"

I didn't answer as I saw four F/A-18s coming from the southeast. "Nagase, need help on taking down these planes."

"I'm coming, Blaze." I saw Nagase flying beside me. We both went head on towards the group of enemy planes and launch missiles at the same time. Two planes destroyed but the other two break off and tear up in opposite directions. So we break apart and I drag my plane upward to pursue the enemy fighter. "Blaze, Fox 3!" I launch a single XLAA, and diretly hits the engine. Causing the entire plane to explode in mid air.

"Edge, did you take care of the other fighter?" I asked.

"Hang on, almost- Fox 2! Plane down." Nagase replied. I decided to fly above the airport to guard it. To ease of my mood, I fly upside down while flying iver the airport.

"Hey Gab. Why are there military cargos in the airport?" Orby asked.

"What?" I look down and saw several military transport planes scattered around the airport. But there's no ground targets around the area, why are they doing here anyway?

"This is the airport control tower. Military transport planes parked on the runway, state your squadron number and callsign."

It took a little while before someone responds to the Control Tower. "This is Capital District Air Command. We haven't deployed any allied military transport planes to civilian airports at this time."

Wait, if they didn't send them here, who the hell brought these crafts to the-- Oh shit.

"Chopper, Nagase, Grimm! To the airport now!" I yelled.

"What's happening, Blaze?"

"Tanks coming out of transport planes!" The control tower reported. "They're firing! It's the enemy! Enemy forces inside the airport!"

I saw a lot, I mean a LOT, of ground vehicles deploy from the cargos. I see tanks, SAMs (seriously?!), And AAs all around the airport. They begin to fire.

"Hey, Kid, did you hear that just now?"

"I already did." I replied.

"This is the middle of Osea! How can they be attacking here?" He said. How did they even sneak in here?

"Nevermind that, just destroy the tanks. Don't let them cause any more damage here." said the officer from Capital Air Command. I was about to attack when more fighters are coming.

"Edge, Chopper, Archer, wipe out all ground vehicles. I'll take care of these planes."

"Roger." They all fly below and I did the same, why you ask? I plan to destroy the cargo planes so they won't coming back again, I punched it with my missiles and exploded. Then I pull the nose upward to after the fighters, one of them turn left and then up. My planes begin to fly faster and closer to the enemy, guns launched from my cannon and pepper sprayed the wings. Then both of them crooked and dive down to the water. Definitely the pilot will suffocate from that.

"It looks like we've been tricked." Grimm said. While taking out the tanks.

"Yes." I just said a single word.

"They were really after the airport." And also the college town as well. Two attacks in one grave I see. I decided tk help my wingmen to finish off this mission quick. I fly lower and maneuver my plane to avoid collision while launching missiles to the tanks and SAMs one after the another.

"All units, commence attack." The Yuke leader commanded.

"The target must be completely destroyed. Give it all you got." Another Yuke said. I see more group of fighters coming in closely. I fly head on as usual and switched to my special weapons. "Fox 3! Fox 3!" Three XLAAs launched from my wings and pursuit after them, I smile under my mask when three planes destroyed.

"Gab! Enemy on your six!"

"Then come over here then!" I fly straight up as the enemy fighter chases me behind. Once I reach a certain altitude, I dragged my plane downward and dive as fast as I could towards the open water.

"Blaze, pull up!" Nagase cried out loud. But I was too focused on taking down this enemy with the help of the nature. Closer, and closer. "Now!" I pull the flight stick immediately to pull my plane upward. I grunted so much because of how much G's I'm having right now. I finally able to survive from being crashed, but the enemy that was on my six before didn't as I look behind and saw a fiery explosion mixed with water.

"Blaze! You're crazy!"

"But I want to be crazy when flying!" I retorted.

"Blaze, Do that again and I kill you once we're on the ground." Nagase said sternly. I gulped, and promise never do that again if I want to. I know I am skilled in close combat, but Nagase is the master of it! I value my life and my body so bad. I shook my head and continue to wipe off the hostile planes, normally.

"When we passed over the airport just a moment ago, everything was fine..." Grimm said as he fired a missile at a tank.

"I see it too, Grimm."

"How in the world would they... Fox 2!" I survey the airport, there were half of the enemy ground forces left in the airport. If they managed to enter to Oured, they must've used fake IFF to sneak in. Clever bastards.

"Attention, passengers. Please do not run inside the tweminal hallways..." A calm femal voice speaks across the airport. "We urge you not to panic. Please stay calm and evacuate the area..." Whoever this woman was, she did everything for the safety of the civilians.

"Chopper to Kid. We just need to protect the airport facility, right?"

"As usual, Yes." I replied while I chasing after the A-10, and bagged it with my missiles.

"This is Chopper, Roger that. I'll do my best." He began to fly down and take down two transport planes near the runway. Then turn left to take off the AA gun.

"AER Flight 301, ABS Flight 417, landing clearance canceled. Abort your landing!" The Airport Control Tower ordered.

"The air's full of civilian planes! We have to be careful using our missiles!" Grimm said.

"No kidding." I grunted. I saw the neutral targets from a very edge of the radar, closing in to the airport. Dammit, I have to prioritize these enemy planes first!

"This is Flight 417. We've been in holding pattern for hours. We're on emergency fuel." said one of the pilots above the airport. "Give us a break!"

"It's too dangerous. I can't give you clearance to land right now."

"Tell that to my fuel tank. Can't you help us land here?"

"This is OWA 783. We're running out of fuel, too." Great, now two planes are need to drink some fuel.

"Aren't you listening to me?! This is war here! The flight terminal's getting shot at! Dammit, this is a civilian airport!" shouted the control tower operator, on the verge of a total emotional breakdown. I run my plane towards more group of fighters, and shoot them down with my missiles. Just when things are done, I detected more enemy aircrafts coming from different direction.

"Well...then again, we kinda sorta did the same thing to them over in their country..." Chopper muttered under his breath.

"So this is their retaliation for that?" asked Nagase. "Why do people have to be so stupid?!"

"This is war, Nagase. Things like this happens all the time, and you have to deal with whoever pull off this shit. Let me remind you all about the bombing of Hoffnung once again, including the seven Belkan nukes 15 years ago."

Everyone became silent and the conversation ended. It was a bitter truth, I hate it but I accept the facts about what's happening round us everyday. All you can do now is move on and pray for a greater good, if you are religious person.

"Seven ground forces and cargos remaining!" Grimm reported. I look down and they were definitely few of them. Sadly the air is not an exemption because they are still coming. Mig-31s this time, that'll be easy than experimental craft.

"This is Capital District Air Command. We got word that the enemy special forces unit that gassed Bana is headed for the airport. Stay heads up." If they come here then let them. I'm hoing to crash them one by one for sending chemicals to these people.

"Dammit! Damn those dirty Yukes!" On the second thought, this guy needs to calm the hell down. They new they didn't expect an attack on this airport. I feel bad for them... "More enemy aircrafts approaching. But they're the only Yuke planes left.

"Well, if that's what it is, then where did all these fighters come from?" Chopper asked. "Even if they could refuel in the air, fly all the way here and get through our defenses to destroy our capital, there's not nearly enough of them to occupy the entire country. These guys are on a suicide mission and they know it. They must really hate us, or else they wouldn't have gone this far."

I must investigate even further about this. This war is going to different routes now.

"Dammit... Dammit!" And the guy in the control tower cries. I have to comfort him once we're done.

"Hey, control tower. I feel like crying too. Believe me." Nevermind. Chopper did the job for me. Still, I'm gonna comfort him if he keeps acting like that.

"Ground forces are completely wiped out!" Nagase reported.

"Woah hang on! I still have one plane left!" I chase it with my afterburner before it get away. I launched my remaining XLAA and destroyed the plane afterwards. I look around and check on my radar. There are no enemy forces left on the airport.

"Enemy forces annihilated. Airport control tower, what do you say?" Capital Air Command said. There is few seconds of silence before the control tower responds.

"Affirmative. Enemy defeat confirmed. Give our thanks to your aces up there."

"Anything just to make you all people safe." I replied, "And also, someone bring the guy who just having a mental breakdown from the control tower to the hospital for therapy."

"Don't worry, ma'am. He finally calms down." Phew. Thank goodness. But still I suggest he needs therapy cause he witness the battle.

"Roger. Operation complete."

=•=•=•=•=•=

"The enemy forces that tried to capture Apito International Airport have been destroyed. Hopefully, we'll find out how they managed to infiltrate the airport after we complete our investigation. Additionally, the effects of the chemical attack on the college town of Bana are currently subsiding, thanks to the neutralising agent that was spread. The group that carried out the chemical attack are all but confirmed to be a Yuktobanian special forces commando unit. They were planning to link up with the main force at the airport, but they aborted their plan and slipped away upon hearing that their main force was defeated. The Yuktobanians have defiled our soil. Worse, they tried to destroy a civilian airport. We've got to defeat them, no matter the cost. We'll be sending you back to the front lines of the Yuktobanian mainland. If you all really are innocent, then I hope you can prove it out there on the battlefield."

Again.. with this damn long briefings. But I'm glad they finally neutralize the chemicals back on Bana. Also, we were relived from accusations of actions against civilian targets (thanks to the video record I have). But we have to stay here for two days before returning back to Sand Island. Now the real question is, what now?

"Guys, what should we do now? I mean where should we go?" Chopper asked. "We're officially stramded here in Oured. I wish to have an entertainment around here."

"I wish to tour around the capital, but I wasn't in the mood to do it." Grimm said.

"I just want to find a place of tranquility. Maybe a small hotel with a garden in suburb can do." Nagase added. Entertainment, relaxation, garden, and a place to stay. Hmm... I chuckled.

"I know a place where we can all stay."

=•=•=•=•=•=

~ 3rd person's p.o.v. ~

They took a taxi and finally arrived to our location. It was a two story house with a beautiful garden in front of the house that is surrounded by a white fences and a wooden gate.

"Home sweet home!" Blaze laughed as she spread my arms to show my awesome house. It feels good to be back home.

"Is this your house, Blaze?" Nagase awe in surprise. Expecially how beautiful the garden is despite being small.

"I say, this was a nice location you got here. So peaceful around here." Chopper said as they followed me to the front door.

"That's why I choose this place." She grabbed the key from my pocket and unlocked the door. "Make yourselves comfortable."

When she open the door, my wingmen stares in awe and Gab laughed. The room is white. On the left side, we have a fireplace, with a large tv on top of it. Some couches with a coffee table in the middle and a soft rug. On the other side we have a dining room that has a rectangular glass table and six chairs around it. With a small chandelier on the ceiling. The kitchen is an L-shaped with an island in the middle, a modern style sinks and kitchen appliances. And on the front side we have some displays of pictures, bookshelves, and a stairs leading to the bedroom.

"Now this is what I called 'home'!" Chopper lazily lays on the couch, with Grimm sitting on the couch. "I see you really want yourself comfortable, eh?"

"Hell yeah I will. Man, this couch is more comfortable than the one in Sand Islands." Blaze shook my head while chuckling and placed her bag on the sides. She headed to the kitchen to wash my hands.

"I'm going to prepare dinner for us, so tour around the house if you like. Just don't enter the rooms upstairs without my permission." Blaze said while taking out the ingredients she needed from the fridge.

"Roger, Kid." Chopper looks at the drawers nearby and saw a lot of music choices, including the Rock n' Roll he usually listened to. He plays one of the song on a speaker. Blaze listen to it and taps her foot. "Face of the Coin, eh?"

"Now I wish I will never leave this house ever!" Chopper said as he lays down on the couch again. Grimm then founds a chess board on the other drawer and look at Chopper.

"Hey Chopper. Want to play chess?"

"Game on."

Nagase tour around her house and went to a wall where the pictures are displayed. She saw a large picture of Gab with the rest of her family. Now she finally see Mobius 1 and Cipher's faces. There is another picture of Gab when she wad first born, happily carried by her dad. Nagase smiles on how happy he was. The next picture shows Gab and Chris on a snowfight when they were kids. There is another large picture that caught her eyes.

It was Gab, Chris and their friends on a plain area, with seeds and plants on their hands. All smiling in front of the camera while holding a small flag representing their countries. There is Ustio, Emmeria, Usea, Erusea, Yuktobania, and Osean. But there is one county that makes it even more interesting.

There is a flag of Belka.

Nagase wonder why she had a Belkan friend with them. He seems look so friendly at all. She's going to ask about that later. She inspect inside the closet and found some various stuffs inside. However, there is some supplies that is used for ghost hunting. "Uhh Blaze, why do you have these?"

"Which one?"

"The ghost hunting stuffs."

"Oh that, we did a ghost hunting every November in abandoned places. One of my friends started that idea and said it was to test our courage." Blaze explained. "I remember how scared we are when we first try it. I was hugging my brother's so tightly and never let go of it until we get out. Mary just almost fainted, Brandon is screaming like a girl, Axel however, ended up pissed his pants. Then one of my friends immediately stolen shot it and ran away."

There was a loud 'ooooh' coming from the boys. "Kid. If you plan to drag us to that, I swear I'm going to piss my pants a little."

Blaze evilly chuckles, uh oh. "Too bad Chopper. We're going to have a ghost hunting in Sand Island. Soon."

"Uh Captain. I don't think I can handle that.." Grimm said while his hands slightly shaking.

"Nope. We're doing it. Like it or not, at midnight!"

Now all they do is pray that this will never happen.

=•=•=•=•=•=

After few minutes, the dinner has served on the table. Beef Nachos, Hot Sausage Cast-Iron Skillet Pan Pizza, Lasagna, Glazed Salmon, Pudding, and assorted drinks. Nagase, Chopper and Grimm are overjoyed and drooling. As Blaze cue the beat, everyone digs in.

"Amazing! I feel like I was in a five star restaurant!" Grimm said as he keeps eating lasagna.

"A chef who own a five star hotel taught me how to cook. He might be friendly, but he's scary when you step onto his kitchen." Blaze explained while eating nachos.

"Damn, why you join the Air Force anyway when you can make your own restaurant?"

She laughs a bit. "Like I said. My family are pilots so I have to be one, but I will keep that restaurant business in my mind once I retired from service."

"You have so much talents to carry, Blaze."

"Hell yeah. I can cook, I am amateur on archery, I can fly crazily, I can draw. So much talents I have. The key to that is ti have friends who have different careers as you are. Then you can work each other to try different talents they used so all of you can have the same talent."

"Man, you always have something hidden from us, cap." Chopper opens the lid and drinks a cola.

"Yep."

After dinner, Chopper and Grimm went to the guest room to sleep. Blaze let Nagase sleep in her room together. And she was surprised of how decorated her room is.

"Sorry about this, decorations I have around." Gab said sheepishly. There are photos of her friends, foods, and tourist spots from around the world hanging on the corkboard. There are decorated lights hanging around the ceiling as well.

"Do you like taking pictures, Blaze?" Nagase asked.

"Yep. Ever since I got my first camera when I was 8, I became fascinated on taking pictures. Some people said that I am a photographer, but not much of that type. I even do a stolen shots sometimes." Then her huge grin appears. "I even made a stolen shot back on base."

"Wait. You did that?!"

"Don't worry, I didn't take secret shots about you. Mostly others like Chopper who just snoring on his bed."

Nagase take a deep sigh of relief. If she did that, she will force her to delete those photos immediately. "Hey Blaze, may I ask something personal."

"Then I'll answer it in personal."

"I saw a picture of you and your friends having tree planting. And they have flags of different country."

"Oh that, it shows the countries who participated in our tree planting project few years ago."

"I see. But why is there a Belkan with you?"

"Oh that.." She scratches her head, thinking how to explain it to her. "I know you don't like Belkans. But for me, they're not really bad at all."

"Why? They did horrible things to a war. Even nuking themselves is already the most horrifying things to do."

"And you think that all Belkans consider to be evil?"

She became silent. Blaze shook her head and lays down on her bed. "I went to Belka before for sending relief goods to these people. We've request a military support just in case they attack us. When we came, they really not... Bad. I able to make some of my friends there. And they were nice, although scary at the same time. But hey, we all do."

"You were so kind to everyone. Even if they your enemies, you still making them as your friends." Nagase mused.

"That's what is friends for." She smiles and closes her eyes. "I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight Kei."

Kei smile and lays down on bed beside her. She finally got to meet a friend who cares for her friends and family. "Goodnight, Gab."