Briefing

Alexis went to check his plane before going to a briefing with high command. In the hangar he saw Lily, sitting on the boxes at the corner and observing the staff working.

"Oh, hello Alexis. Looks like both Inna and Jane are in a good mood today. Have they found a pair for the dance last night?"

"Yeah, seems like it. Comrade Martinson may not be free now".

"What a pity", it did not seem like Lily was disappointed, "but good for them".

"I need to check my plane now and when go to a briefing".

"Oh, you was invited?"

"Yeah, high command insisted that wing-leaders were also present. Seems like something big is incoming. Are you free this evening?"

"Hoping for a date?", Lily was smirking.

"This time not really. Comrade Tanner invited all aces to barbecue. He asked to let my wing-members know. I will inform the guys but could you tell Kate?"

"And what about the mechanics and staff?"

"Apparently, the staff will have their own party".

"Ok, I will let her know. See you".

"Till the evening".

He spent some time checking his machine and then left.

Commanders office was pretty busy. Besides the Wheeler himself, general Timothy with his aide, comrade Tanner and Martinson, a few officers from generals entourage and three other wing-leaders of 73rd were present. General took the word first:

"As you already know, high command was aiming for counteroffensive for quite some time. And we think now is the best opportunity. Alemania is pushed from the conquered territories in the west and there are talks about overseas allies joining the fight here, partisans in Western Republic and Lyah Commonwealth also increased their activity and are harassing local garrisons. Lastly, we got an intel that things are not going well in southern Republics. CSRC lost a lot of forces and plans to withdrew some from this front. They may also have to fight in the Far East soon, as Allies seem to be winning there bit by bit. Of course, we need some more time to prepare, but you can expect the orders in two months or so. Our engineers are also testing some new technologies. It may be a bit in a hurry, but you can expect new planes before the operation starts".

"Will the new fighters be tested?", commander Wheeler was concerned.

"Of course. We do not have much time for it, unfortunately. But Ahmet-Pasha from 3rd Guards Magical Regiment agreed to do the test flights. There is no better candidate".

"Hope it will be enough…"

"Lets discuss the attack plans. I will be in charge of the 2nd and 3rd Eastern front army groups. 73rd, 16th and 3rd GMRs will be assigned to the vanguard army of the 3rd group that is in charge of liberating Benevolent City province. You will be stationed here", he pointed out a small village near the central part of the current frontline.

"I want to test some new tactics before this to see how effective they are against the enemy".

"All the freedom to you, comrade. You are one of the best when it comes to air combat here. Comrade Tanner, do you have any suggestions?"

"I am just a fighter ace, not a tactician like comrade Wheeler, but if there are any new tactical ideas, I will gladly test them in combat", John replied from his chair in the corner of the room.

"Let me continue. We plan to attack from this, this and this directions", he made a few marks on the map, "and your group has a crucial role of weakening enemy ground defence. We can deal with their tanks but they still have a lot of artillery stationed there".

"And what about the number of forces in the area?", one of the officers asked.

"We are still estimating it, but we do know that about quarter of it will be relocated to the South soon. They were also weakened a bit thanks to our regular air raids. The enemy may still outnumber us three to one, but they are attacking and have to fight on two fronts and deal with partisans, so there is a chance".

"Any other details you can tell us now?", one of the wing-leaders raised his hand.

"We are still discussing the final force allocation and tactical moves, I will send you the plans when operation date is decided. That is all for now", general stood up and rolled the tactical map.  "Oh, and the last thing. You can expect new planes within two weeks, allies already shipped them and they should arrive in one of our ports soon".

"We will be waiting for the news", Alex also stood up, "Everyone is free".

Officers left the cabin and went in different directions, while Alexis waited for Wheeler outside. He soon came with comrade Tanner.

"So, general Timothy won’t join us this evening?", Alex asked John.

"He really wanted too, but has urgent business with high command, so had to leave earlier".

"A pity, but I wish him the best. Surprised none of you suffers from hangover, considering how much you drank yesterday".

"Do not worry, we are accustomed to it. Professional skill".

"It is more useful just not to drink as much", Wheeler said, but Tanner just shrugged with a smirk.

"Do you need any help with preparations?", Alexis asked the commander.

"Yes, if you do not mind. Martinson said he has something else planned, so he will be late".

"I see…", Alexis thought about business wing -eader may have and smirked "Let me change clothes to something more fitting and I will join you".

In the evening the staff was celebrating at the regiment cantine, while the pilots gathered on a clearing in the forest. A bunch of tablecloths were lied on the ground with some baskets with snacks and drinks atop of them. Coals from a big fire were soldering at the center with some meat and vegetables grilling above it on a camping grill and some metal spikes.

"For success of our next mission and the big operation ahead. Cheers!", comrade Tanner proclaimed a toast and everyone clicked their glasses.

"Cheers!"

"Do you need more wine, Lily?", Mary with a bottle of white wine approached Lily and Alexis, sitting with their wing members in the western part of the clearing.

"No, thanks. I still have enough", Lily showed a half-full glass. "So, Alexis, you were saying something about going to a city".

"Yes, we have a couple of day-offs after the next mission and there happens to be a new movie going in the local cinema. It is pretty popular among the audience. Want to go together?"

"Trying to get me on a date again? But you know, I do not mind".

To the right from them Martinson’s wing aces were chatting.

"Where is our wing-leader? It's not like him to be late".

"Oh, he has some business apparently, he should come later this evening".

"I saw that «business» yesterday. Quite good looking one if you ask me".

"What? Tell us more…"

The night passed and soon it was time to get back to hunts.