Act 1, Chapter 10: In The Limelight

1925 hours, 18 July 2004…

In the limelight of this darkened sky above the oil rig, the rest of us IETFS squadrons have arrived at the Axxon oil rig in formation flights right after the brief refueling. We, the Wyverns, are flying in the front row, while the 5 Rexus Jocks are behind us.

Unfortunately, Beck just worsened the situation with another tiring warning.

“Wyvern, dude! Come on! Don’t leave us behind like a dumbass! We’re teammates after all!”

But Gordon then replied with a sardonic tone in response to my earlier statement.

“Just let him go. If he wants to die like an idiot, so be it.”

In the limelight, the 9 circles of hell were rising from the ground. Valusian ships' projectiles were spreading through the sky, the ground forces were spamming their missiles against our forces, and the Valusian air forces were in a dogfight mode against the latter Zalanthian pilots.

But despite our ground forces having a gritty fight against the invading Valusians, we will neither yield nor falter by any means. Flames are spreading across the oil rig factory, which makes me worried if either the hostages were still in the facility or completely rescued.

When I glued my sight toward the hellish war from below. The Black Ops soldier contacted us through the comms channel with a hurried voice and gunshots ringing from our headsets.

"This is Black Ops rescue team's leader, Sgt. Grant Oakley, calling all available airstrikes. We have succeeded in escorting the hostages, but we need some help!"

I then responded to his call with a firm but low tone.

“Roger that, Sgt. Oakley. This is Wyvern leader; we’ll make it quick.”

“Thank you! Shoot down those chasing Valusian ground forces right now! But be careful not to fire on us!"

When I was flying to the battlefield, AWACS Capricorne contacted us through the comms channel.

"This is AWACS Capricorne to all units. Wyvern and Rexus squadron destroy those docking naval fleets! But be careful to not further damage the facility! The Pegasi leader reported that his squadrons were in dire need of reinforcements, and the Lupus squadron’s leader was under heavy fire from the enemy ground forces."

“Roger that! This is Captain David Schnitzel Truman, Rexus’ leader! We’ll take care of those airborne bogeys! And for the Wyvern kids, the rest is up to you!”

"Wilco! We’ll light up the night!"

Wasting no time, I and Wyvern-2 are charging toward the oil rig. But the 2 Valusian Phantasmus 2000s were engaging right in front of us with countless missiles when suddenly a warning blared in our cockpit.

Despite all of that, we jinked hard from left to right and dumped flares to evade their missile shots. With a brutal whoosh from the trashed bogey’s missiles, we were finally right on their tail and got a perfect lock.

"Fox-2!"

Both of our missiles are flying toward the 2 Valusian fighters, and we got easy kills. Fireballs of the damaged planes falling into the ground like meteor showers before their ultimate demise.

"Wyvern squadrons splashed the intercepting bandits!"

“Refinery station, at the vector 0-3-0, dead ahead!”

After a confirmation from our AWACS, we then went full throttle into the designated target.

But as we finally arrived at the oil refinery station, we witnessed countless ground forces, AA guns, tanks, and even SAM sites. And to top it all off, there are 2 docking Valusian frigates that have ever invaded our beloved Valoria harbor. Those SAM sites and the 2 frigates were spamming their missiles and slicing the night sky with their contrails.

That in turn blared our RWR’s alarm as we had to jink left to right whilst dumping flares to outsmart their missiles. However, as we thought that we were safe from their missile evasions, the Valusian AA guns, tanks, and even the 2 frigates were shooting their guns at our sight.

In a desperate attempt to destroy them all, we then activated our bomb’s fuses and tried to get a precise aim as we were still evading the projectiles.

But then, a miracle happens where they stop firing from overheating their barrels. And that in turn gave us chances to press the trigger after we got perfect aims on the 2 docking frigates.

"Dropping bombs!"

I and Beck quickly dropped our small bombs into the docking Valusian frigates while bailing out from the countless ground target threats.

BOOM

And those were direct hits! Both of our bombs destroyed 2 docking Valusian frigates right into their weak spot, where the explosion sent a shockwave from the surrounding. That in turn panicked the docking ground targets into safer areas to prevent from our precision bombing’s threats.

"Wyvern squadron splashed the 2 frigates!"

"Don’t let them get away with what they’ve done!"

Wasting no seconds, we then flew above the scattered ground targets like hawks playing around with their prey. Right after we got a perfect aim, we then dropped one of our bombs and fled away from their projectiles while dumping flares.

“Pickle! Pickle!”

BOOM

And that was another easy direct hit! Flames bursting hard like hell was rising above the ground. But at the same time, I witnessed the poor ground forces’ personnel that was burning from the fire of our bombs. Feels bad, of course. But if we don’t teach them a lesson, more will die.

"Enemy AA guns, tanks, and SAMs destroyed!"

With a slight celebration from our kills by doing a barrel roll from the sky, we then got a comms call from Sgt. Oakley of the Black Ops’ extraction unit, who was escorting the hostages.

“This is Sgt. Oakley to the 2 Zalanthian Viperid pilots! That was too overkill for kids like you. But anyway, thank you so much for repelling those chasing Valusies ground troops! Feel free to handle the rest!”

But before we could reply, one of the Lupus squadron’s pilots suddenly called the entire squadron through the communication channel with a panicked voice.

“THIS IS LUPUS-3!!! WE WERE UNDER HEAVY FIRE FROM THOSE FLEETS!!! NEED SUPPORT ASAP!!! DAMMIT!!! BREAK LEFT!!! BREAK LEFT!!!”

But then, Beck responded to every call with a casual tone as we flew to the designated target.

“Roger that! Don’t you worry, Wyvern Squadron is on your way!”

“Hey, dude! Let’s get to business, shall we?”

“I’ll race you.”

Wasting no second, both of us then went full afterburner to lend help for the latter squadron that was under massive fire from the Valusian docking fleets, ground troops, and even the fighter squadrons.

***

The oil rig was lighting up with the projectiles from the stationed Valusian ground forces, docking fleets, and even the airborne squadrons. Despite all of us showing our true power by any means, this smaller nation’s soldier makes our looks like a pushover to them.

But we will not yield nor falter like coward idiots! Because Pegasi and even Lupus squadron were still rocking above the sky. Those Pegasi guys are flying with various formation elements to juke the dominant Valusian Guravich 29s. Those Guv-29s may be old, having come earlier before Zalanthia created C-16s, but they are still kicking the balls of other light fighters like madmen.

And those Lupus squadrons’ 4 G-10 Razorbacks were still decimating the land and naval troops like usual. Their aircraft were like flying tanks, where countless bullets wouldn’t stop their rampages. But that also means they had to be careful to not get hit by the missiles.

Just as we finally arrived at the oil rig’s crossfire, AWACS Capricorne then called the entire IETFS that were fending off the remaining Valusian forces.

“Oilrig, at the vector 0-8-4, on the nose!”

“This is AWACS Capricorne to the IETFS; Wyvern squadron had arrived for the reinforcement!”

With that, Lupus squadron’s leader then responded with a firm tone as he was shooting down the docking fleets with rockets.

“Roger that! But leave the oil rig to Predator helicopter squadrons!”

“Wilco!”

Wasting no seconds, both of us activated the fuse of our bombs, got a perfect aim of our bombs to the docking fleets, and finally dropped our bombs as we increased our altitude to evade their guns and their missiles.

“Pickle! Pickle!”

We then dumped flares as we simultaneously evaded the SAM missiles that were docking on the nearby oil rig.

BOOM

“Wyvern squadron has sunk 1 frigate and 1 submarine!”

That was a direct hit to the last frigate and the last submarine. And we are also hitting a jackpot where the last remaining Black Ops’ escort helicopter has rescued the last hostage group on the oil rig as they were barely evading the SAM sites’ missiles.

As I was flying above the oil rig, I accidentally witnessed a lone Zalanthian AZ-1 Python’s attack helicopter gunning down the Valusian ground troops at the oil rig as the pilot was doing a kickass maneuver as he was doing a barrel roll whilst clearing the stationing AA guns, tanks, and even SAM sites with his rocket.

But without my realization, the pilot of that helicopter was none other than Billy Jules! Beckett Jules’ younger brother as the Predator-3.

Despite having the upper hand here, more keep coming. 2 remaining Valusian Cruisers from a distance swarmed their missiles and their projectiles to the sky, urging us to jink hard as we dumped flares.

But it is such a shame that Lupus-2 got a massive hit from his left engine from the fleet’s missile. Where he was bailing out from the combat area as he announced the comms channel with a panicked voice.

“THIS IS LUPUS-2!!! I’M HIT!!! I’M GETTING OUT OF HERE!!!”

“This is Lupus’ leader; we are Winchester here. Someone needs to take care of those 2 remaining Cruisers for us.”

“Copy that!”

Right after the leader of the Lupus squadron's announcements, I and Beck then went full throttle to the docking fleets at the oil rig, which was stationed slightly farther to the northeast, to locate the remaining docking cruisers.

***

Arriving at the next oil rig in the northeast, it’s even bloodier, where the 2 remaining cruisers were going all out with their weaponry. But despite the fact that we’ve witnessed 2 Destroyers’ being previously decimated into pieces by the retreating Lupus squadron, more Valusian escort fighters just keep coming from the northeast.

With their missile locks hot on both of our radars, they were ready to plunge us deep into the abyss of hell. Their aircraft were suddenly turned into fireballs as they were plunged deep into the abyss of hell instead.

Before we could realize what was going on, a similar voice suddenly called all of us in a stern tone.

“This is Pegasi Leader to the Wyvern kids! Leave those fighters to us! Get those fleets!”

We witnessed 3 Pegasi’s A-14s and 5 Rexus’ C-15s go full afterburner right on our heads as they were giving those air force’s reinforcements a hard time, where we could finish off those last 2 cruisers.

I then responded with a brief tone.

“Roger that! We’ll make them fish food!”

Wasting no second, both of us lowered our noses to each cruiser. We switched into rocket pods, emptied the clip hard, and it resulted in a massive explosion on the rear body of those fleets!

Despite the engulfing fire on their bodies, which almost burnt them into a crisp, they were standing still like titanium! They then responded by spamming their AA guns and their SAM missiles into our sights. That’s when we had to jink hard and dump flares to evade their shot.

“Let’s just pickle these bastards down!”

Despite their hindrances, we activated the fuse of our last bomb during the crossfire, getting a precise aim at their bodies. And we finally had chances.

“Pickle here! Pickle there!”

BOOM

The last remaining 2 cruisers were splitting into pieces as their retribution for invading our beloved Valoria Harbor. I witnessed the poor Valusian fleet's crew that evacuated with the lifeboat were screaming in pain as the flames engulfed them even further. As if I had ignited the fire of hell itself.

I couldn't believe that I've committed the same previous war crimes back in Valoria Harbor. I felt bad for them, of course. But what can I do from the enemies that keep coming to threaten us any further? Either I wanted it or not, it was all about which one was still alive.

After all was set and done, where the last Valusian’s fighter had been splashed by the Pegasi squadron, AWACS Capricorne then announced the entire squadron with enthusiasm from the total success of our missions.

“That’s a confirmed mission success! Good job, IETFS!”

“This is Sgt. Grant Oakley of the Black Ops rescue teams! We thank you so much to all of you! Especially to those Wyvern maniacs!”

Cheering erupted throughout the entirety of the comms channel, where all of them are chanting our nation’s name with maximum pride after fending off the last remaining invaders.

But in an exception of myself. I witnessed the fleet that was burning on the sea as their split bodies were slowly submerging into the deep blue ocean. Together with the poor fleet crews that were screaming for help from the rising flame of the leaked oil due to my previous brutality.

However, my gaze was cut short as AWACS Capricorne alerted the entire squadron with a somewhat panicked voice.

“Warning! We've identified 5 bogeys at the bearing 0-9-2, coming in at high speed!”

But there was a pause.

“Wait… it's…”

The RWR’s alarm suddenly jump scared me as it detected 5 bogeys that were coming from the designated coordinates, where they were coming right into our sight in full afterburners.

But when I peered at it closely with my plane’s camera, Robin suddenly reported the entire squadron with a panicked voice.

“Tally on the 5 bogeys! Wait, those guys are the notorious Jasmine squadron!”

Panic suddenly erupted in the entire comms channel after knowing who we are dealing with.

“WAIT, WHAT?!”

“We don't want to mess with these guys. We had to get out of here right now!”

Right after Ambriel spouted her worry, as the latter IETFS’ fighters panicked from the interception of the Jasmine squadron, AWACS Capricorne then confirmed the entire squadron with a composed tone.

“All units, please remain calm! Cease your fire and head to the bearing 2-7-1 to exit the combat area! Avoid any engagement if you wish to come back in one piece!”

Without waiting any further, the latter pilots then head to the designated coordinate to exit the combat area from the intercepting Jasmine squadron.

But except for myself.

I was still flying above the oil rig’s sky. Witnessing the 5 Cyclonus with light orange lining on their sleek, delta-winged bodies going full throttle right into my face, closer on each millisecond.

It was as if the leader of that squadron further lured me for a one-on-one duel just to stall them from further intercepting my friends.

“Jasmine…”

That’s what I mumbled as I further clenched my stick before going full throttle right into their face. Trying to seek the truth behind this meaningless war.

Note: My greatest apology if this chapter were somewhat wonky/half-baked. But nonetheless, it's for my productivity to release one new chapter on every week. However, I won't stop tweaking it to be better without overusing ChatGPT as help.