Jac-11s

"What is this new plane everybody is talking about?", Lily curiously looked at the Ahmet’s fighter.

"Oh, it is the new model, «Jac-11s» or simply «Feather». Has the same armament as the 3rd but jet engine and better mobility. Pretty nice craft if you ask me, but requires some skill to pilot".

"Do you know when they will allow us to fly them?", this time it was Alexis.

"In three days, probably, I am almost done with testing. Would have liked to experiment more, but we are short on time".

"You are known for being able to learn how to pilot any new machine very fast. Mind to give us some tips for future, comrade Khalif?", - Kate asked.

"But of course! Always happy to help fellow aces. Lets see, first thing you need to learn is the new control system…"

They talked for a bit more than two hours, while their planes were maintained, but when it was time to get back to the base.

"Valdemar will ride you back", Ahmet-Pasha waved to the driver, who invited them to a standard military personnel car. "It was nice to get acquainted. We will deliver your fighters a bit later once we have a spare truck. Glory to the Republic!"

"Same here, comrade, later!", Alexis shacked his hand, Lily and Kate followed and they sat in the car.

"He has a very interesting name. And quite exotic look. First time seeing such person in the airforce", Lily turned to Gruel once they departed.

"Oh, kyrymlar people are natives of the very south of Republic. Zenobius government tried to deport them to the far eastern parts of CSRC due to his minorities policiy. So of course they joined the local insurgents. There are quite a lot of them in the army, as they consider defending their land a sacred duty, not so much in the airforce, though. Still, pretty funny how times change, a few centuries ago their ancestors raided these lands, but now they are fighting with us".

"You seem to know a lot about local history for someone being from CSRC".

"I just was a honour student at school", Alexis smirked.

The pair spent the remaining trip chatting on different topics until they arrived to the base.

"Glad to hear you are alive an well. But the information regarding additional patrols in the area is concerning", commander Wheeler's look bacame grim after hearing the report. "Small enemy groups are also trying to sneak through our air defence to harass the airbases. They are not that successful, but we cannot cover all of the front, so we need to be careful".

"Any details regarding when the offensive starts?", asked Alexis.

"Technically it has already started. Our scouting groups are probing enemy defence lines and there are already some cautious tank raids in some parts of the frontline. But full on offensive will start next week, once we get all the intel and new planes are tested and probed by all of the pilots".

"Will our wing receive any?", this time it was Lily.

"Yes, they are sending four to each regiment. I cannot distribute them to every wing but you are getting one".

"Just one? What a pity".

"It is what it is. You may decide who gets it among yourself. Anything else to report?"

"No, sir!", they replied in sync.

"When you are free".

"Yes, Boss!"

A new fighter arrived in three days, as captain Khalif promised. Commander Wheeler gathered Alexis’s wing aces at the hangar in the afternoon.

"Other wings already decided who will pilot a new model. Any volunteers here?"

"I pass",  it was Kate, "learning another machine again is to much of a pain. I heard the new engine is tricky to use".

A few other pilots present nodded in agreement and stepped back. Only Alexis and Lily did not move.

"Looks like it is between us two", Lily smirked, "Will you give in to a lady? Or should we decide it in a challenge?"

"I do not mind giving in, but I think it is way to risky to give it to you. You are pretty reckless and this machine is barely tested".

"I agree with Alexis here, but I know trying to convince you will be a tedious task. So I have an idea", Alex waved in the direction of the training airfield. "It will be a new type of challenge".

Once they arrived on the airfield, he called John and asked him to prepare something. Soon he returned with a red balloon, floating high on the string.

"We will leave it in the field about twenty kilometres from here. It will be hanged on a decent height in the open. The one who shoots it first will be a winner. But you cannot use any signature spells or conventional ammo, and only a single shot spells, no barrages. Is it clear?", Alex asked the duo.

"Yes, sir!"

"When you have an hour to prepare, while we will get ready on our side. Now dismissed".

As soon as Wheeler got the confirmation via radio and gave them a signal, Alexis and Lily launched their training fighters into the sky. It did not took them long to get to the target area, but finishing the task was not that easy. The balloon was a pretty small target and was hanged relatively close to the ground. The wind was also pretty strong here, so it was hard to aim.

Both pilots tried to get to the target for better chance, but anytime one of them got closer, the other intercepted, so neither could do a sure shot. After a few misses from each side, Alexis contacted Lily.

"This will take to long. Our piloting skills are to close. Lets do it another way: we both approach it from different sides. Each has only one shot: if you miss or you opponent score - the match is decided".

"I do not mind. I will approach from the west, you can go from the east. Feel free to choose the heigh, but we will start once we are at the same distance".

"Roger that, lets go!"

They got to their positions and started descending for better aim on a target. Lily was preparing her icicle spell, which was the most accurate in the arsenal, but she needed to get close to aim it properly. «Just a couple of seconds more, I should be in a good position…» But when the ballon suddenly popped.

"What the heck you did? Even with your skill it was hard to aim the shot properly from this distance?"

"Yeah, but if you cannot win in accuracy, just use weaker spell with bigger hit radius. It is just a balloon, not an armoured craft. I used the wind trap".

Wind trap was a pretty basic spell, that enveloped an area with a few meter radius and then rapidly shrank, dealing a minuscule amount of damage. It was sometimes used for hunting birds or disabling enemy soldiers in one on one duel, but was useless in aerial combat. Not in this case though…

"Looks like the win is mine".

"Yep, no complaints here, you got me".