Act 1, Chapter 8: For A Moment Of Silence

1810 hours, 18 July 2004…

Earphone Music: Puddle Of Mudd – Blurry

This evening, I was sitting at my desk, paying careful attention to the major general’s document that was exposing the lies beneath the Sauveterre attack. All the while listening to some tune to increase my mood while reading.

Just as I was snacking on some strawberries in my bed, I stumbled upon a chapter that piqued my interest even more as I paid close attention to it.

***

“Chapter 12: Enter The Electronfield.”

The Electronfield system was once heralded as the pinnacle of human-machine integration, a revolutionary leap in aviation technology. Designed during the late 80s as a joint venture between AJF’s aerospace engineers, the system allowed pilots to link their neural systems directly to the aircraft’s operating data. Through this connection, pilots didn’t merely control their planes—they became one with them.

This neural integration unlocked abilities that once seemed impossible:

1. Limitless Maneuvering: Pilots could execute maneuvers beyond the physical limits of traditional aviation, pulling extreme G-forces without blacking out, as their consciousness worked in tandem with the aircraft’s compensatory systems.

2. Reaction Time Enhancement: The pilot’s thoughts were transmitted instantaneously to the aircraft’s systems, eliminating the delay of mechanical inputs.

3. Adaptable Systems: The plane could adjust dynamically to the pilot’s instincts, creating an intuitive and seemingly alien synergy between man and machine.

Despite its groundbreaking potential, the Electronfield system came at a cost. The neural linkage demanded an extraordinary mental and physical toll on pilots.

1. Cognitive Overload: Pilots had to process vast streams of data in real-time, risking severe neural strain. Prolonged use led to confusion, hallucinations, and, in some cases, the permanent loss of cognitive function.

2. Physical Decay: The system’s feedback loop was unforgiving. The constant neural stimulation disrupted natural biological rhythms, leading to symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue to outright organ failure.

3. Blackened Demise: Prolonged exposure to Electronfield could trap the pilot’s consciousness within the system, effectively leaving them in a vegetative state while their physical body deteriorated.

By the mid-90s, after several high-profile accidents and a devastating public scandal, the Electronfield project was officially disbanded. The system was deemed too dangerous, and its research was buried under layers of classified documents—until now.

Recent intelligence has revealed that the Grey Men have revived the Electronfield system, integrating it into their stolen cutting-edge aircraft. Reports suggest that the system has been modified for use in Unmanned Experimental Fighters (UXF)—autonomous planes that operate using captured or willingly submitted human consciousness.

The implications are chilling. With Electronfield, the Grey Men have effectively transformed their UXFs into weapons of unprecedented precision and lethality. These enhanced fighters boast:

Near-Perfect Tactical Execution: The UXFs are controlled by human consciousness, enabling them to make intuitive, split-second decisions that outmatch traditional AI-controlled systems.

Unmatched Agility: The Electronfield-enhanced UXFs can perform maneuvers so extreme they appear alien, leaving traditional aircraft utterly outclassed.

Endless Operation: Unlike human pilots, who require rest and recovery, the consciousness within UXFs can be pushed far beyond normal limits—though at great cost to the pilot.

The Grey Men’s misuse of Electronfield has raised profound ethical concerns. Captured pilots have reportedly been subjected to involuntary neural extraction, their consciousness harvested and bound to the UXF systems. These individuals are left in a state of cognitive limbo, their minds trapped in a digital void while their bodies waste away.

What’s more, the Grey Men’s leadership has demonstrated the ability to manipulate and override the consciousness within the UXFs. This means that even those who willingly join their cause are not truly in control; they are puppets, their very minds hijacked to serve the organization’s goals.

The Electronfield conspiracy highlights the dangers of unchecked technological ambition. What began as a dream of elevating human potential has become a nightmare—a tool of war that sacrifices human lives for the sake of power.

For the Grey Men, the Electronfield system is more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of their philosophy: to reject the constraints of morality and embrace total domination through innovation. As their UXFs take to the skies, the world must grapple with a terrifying question: how do you fight an enemy who has weaponized the human mind itself?

***

For a moment of silence, I have a feeling that to progress further, you must be such genocidal scums to further develop a nation into a more prosperous land.

But what is there to be proud of in this genocide?! More hatred, conquest, war, famine, and death! Like the vicious cycle of Ouroboros!

I’ve spent at least 16 days reading this damned document just to uncover the true perpetrator behind this unsung war like a freaking no-life basement dweller!

When I re-read the several sentences that confused me from the complicated terms, someone suddenly knocked on my door, which jolted me to death if it was a freaking drill sergeant or somebody else that caught me red-handed reading this conspiratorial document.

“Hey dude! It’s me! Can I come in for a second?”

Thank God it was Beck. Because if it were someone else, I’d be as good as dead right before I uncovered the truth.

“Hold on.”

Right as I put down my document and paused the music, I unlocked the door to welcome him. And as he entered my room, his hands were carrying a large paper bag that rustled from his grasp.

“Did you know? HOLY SHIT! WHAT ARE YOU?! POLAR BEAR?!”

Just after I closed back the door, I then responded with a subtly frustrated tone as I sat back into my bed.

“It’s fucking 109 (43 Celsius) outside!”

When I tidied the subtle mess on my bed and slowly hid my document below the pillow, Beck let out a chuckle as he was putting the stuffed paper bag into my sofa as he sat down in a leisurely way.

“Yeah. But lately, you’ve been isolating yourself. What’s wrong, 2nd Lieutenant?”

I looked the other way with uncertainty, afraid he might be working together with the Grey Men’s cabal from asking this stupid question. That’s when I looked down, as if I was pressurized by the burdens as the squadron leader.

“Things are complicated.”

“What do you mean by ‘complicated?”

Right after his jesting query, he then stood up, where he approached my bowl of strawberries. Just as he reached his hand into one of my strawberries, I then gave him a subtle warning as I pointed at him.

“Hey! Have you washed your hands?!”

“Bro! I’ve just taken a shower!”

Right after his clearance, I then let him go as he picked at least 5 strawberries and sat back into my sofa.

Still feeling uncertain about his clear reasoning to hang out with me in this somewhat cramped dorm room, I queried with a tinge of suspicion.

“Anyway, what do you need?! Trying to take me to Commander for my last mission’s recklessness?”

“Nah, that’ll suck for both of us. Came here just for a breather.”

Right after I nodded in relief from his leisure answer with his usual jesting tone, he then teased me further as he brandished his paper bag with the rustling sound.

“You know what? I came here just to show you that I’ve hit a jackpot recently.”

“Another free diner coupon again?!”

Just as he picked up something from the paper bag with a somewhat loud rustling sound from the rugged brown paper texture on it, he then revealed something that was like a complete turnaround of my expectation.

He’s literally brandished me a freaking stem of rambutan with a somewhat cocky smirk, as if he has obtained some kind of rare item from the deepest dungeon. With that, I let out a dry chuckle and gestured with my hand like shooing a stray cat.

“Jesus! Get outta here!”

“Don’t know why Lukas gives me this as a reward. But you know what? It’s more than enough for our future rations.”

“Ration quality in recent times is getting worse because some of our logistics are getting shot down.”

As he opened one of the rambutan’s skin and ate the flesh with pleasure from the sweetness and the tenderness, I then queried again while raising my right eyebrow.

“Is it from the docking Valusian fleets at the Axxon oilrig’s harbor?”

“Well, if they were using the fleet’s missiles, the explosion radius would be too obvious for us. It’s more like a hidden hijacking.”

Right after my brief nod, I then queried again with a growing curiosity, as if something wasn’t adding up in recent times.

“Where are Lukas and his Pegasi’s kids now? I didn’t see them for a week.”

He then slightly leaned forward as he went further with his elaboration.

“Captain Leonard Davis of the UZF Arthur Hulkenberg called them to guard the east coast of Gregoria for reconnaissance purposes. Whilst feeding us with the real-time data on what the hell those Valusies are doing in Axxon oilrig.”

I then slightly widen my eyes after a realization that it was the same fleet from the Valoria Harbor that we had saved back in June 30th. Thankfully, some of our operational fleets were still surviving after the surprise attack. Where I let out a sigh of relief and leaned in my bed.

“Well, no surprise that they are originally a navy squadron.”

After a moment of silence, I then turned to Beck with another query.

“So, we’re gonna attack those docking fleets once we get a green light from them?”

“Kinda. But we’ll just have to wait.”

With that, I then picked up my bowl of strawberries as I emptied it. Though, despite its torturous sourness, I still had to feast on it. Considering this airbase had a strict diet for most of the pilots and the staff for the further mission.

Beck then relaxed his sitting position as he then let out a relieved groan right after he enjoyed one more rambutan.

“Mmmmm, takes us back. When we were still in high school and bagging extremists for graduation.”

Unfortunately, an alarm suddenly blared all over the airbase, which was a sign that we must attend a mission briefing. And that was our destination to hell after lazing ourselves in this temporary heaven.

“WHAT THE FUCK?! OH, COME ON!”

“Shit! Probably those Pegasi guys had some words for us.”

Despite our frustration, both of us then quickly dressed up and rushed into the briefing room.

***

Even though most of the pilots in this room seem more confident than before, we still had to further pressurize the Valusian forces to retreat from our mainland and back into their land.

After a few seconds, Commander Jason Vanderhall entered the room and started the mission briefing after he activated the LCD screen.

"Good evening, pilots. Here’s your current sitrep."

"Following their failed naval assault on our mainland, 47% of the Valusian forces have retreated to the Axxon Oilrig off the east coast of Gregoria for refueling and reorganization. But they’re not just licking their wounds—they’re fortifying the oil rig, turning it into a forward operations base for another invasion attempt."

"Recon reports from Pegasi Squadron and intel from Kalina Satcom confirm that Valusian forces have begun reinforcing the platform, installing AA defenses and fighter patrols. Worse still, they’ve taken the oil rig workers hostage, using them as human shields to deter an immediate strike."

"To minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties, this will be a coordinated multi-phase operation."

"1. Lupus Squadron will begin precision strikes on docking Valusian fleets, crippling their naval mobility."

"2. Pegasi Squadron will engage enemy air patrols, clearing the skies for our follow-up operation."

"3. Black Ops ground teams, supported by battalion forces, will infiltrate the oil rig, neutralize hostiles, and extract hostages."

"4. Once the area is clear of civilians, Wyvern and Rexus Squadrons will be greenlit for engagement. Your task will be to sweep up remaining hostiles, neutralize any reinforcements, and ensure the facility is left operational for our own use."

"At this stage, we cannot rule out Valusian reinforcements. If they deploy their high-value aerial assets, including strike squadrons or strategic bombers, you are to adapt accordingly. Expect the unexpected, and do not let your guard down—even after mission success is confirmed."

"Wyvern and Rexus Squadrons, you are on standby at the hangar until confirmation for launch. Stay sharp, stay focused. We strike when the time is right. Dismissed!"

After the mission briefing, all pilots stood up from the chair and left the briefing room. When I'm about to exit the briefing room, Beck patted my right shoulder with a somewhat teasing tone.

"My brother is participating in this war."

Wait, doesn’t he mean Billy Jules? The reckless sharpshooter with the AZ-1 Python? I stopped my step for a second as I queried him with a hint of suspicion.

"But isn’t he still going to have to undergo further training?"

However, he just casually patted my back as he jested on his elaboration.

"No need to doubt him. Billy Jules is not a pushover. He is just like us, but in the freaking AZ-1.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny. Hopefully he didn’t get shot like in the training.”

Wasting no seconds, I then went straight into my dorm room as I want to tidy up my secret stashes that should never be found by anyone else. Not even my closest friend.

Note: If you've ever played or watched Ace Combat 5 The Unsung War, the last time this music played, someone died.

Or, was it really?