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Operation: Deep-six
The next two days went past very quickly. I was called in to do a little reconnaissance mission to take photos of a mining
facility and a couple of transport planes, as well as two planes from different squadrons, Ofnir and Grabacr. I saw Julie
Karnes, and had a bit of a talk with her over why I snapped at her during my carrier landing. We got to talking about the
loss of Chopper, and I could tell from the look on her face that she had gotten to the root of the problem.
“I’ve seen these emblems before,” Pops said to start the briefing. “These are Belkan flying aces from
the war 15 years ago. These guys were –are- some of the best.”
“Analysis of the surveillance photos taken on the previous mission reveals tactical nuclear weapons of the same type
used by Belka in the war 15 years ago. These weapons hidden in the mine are about to be retrieved and deployed to the two
aggressor squadrons in Osea and Yuktobania. The President has made his decision: Destroy the entrance to the mine before the
next nuclear weapon is removed from the shaft and bury those weapons of evil inside for good. This mission will be carried
out with the usual four ship formation. The only powerful and numerous weapons on target would destroy the rock face above
the entrance.”
We took off in some MiG 1.44s that where in a cargo ship of smuggled aircraft. If Pops was right about this, then we would
need the bombs they carried.
“Today will be easy since we don't have to worry about any radar. Right, Captain?” Grimm asked as we where over
the target area.
“I suppose, but don’t slack off, everyone. We don’t know what to expect.”
“Ah, well, I mean, not that I'll be slacking off, of course.” He responded.
We flew for a couple of seconds, and then Pops from the Kestrel said: “How you doing, Blaze? I tell you, nothing beats
flying in perfect formation with your comrades. In the past I flew alone, to do battle against my own country. But look at
you. You've got all your friends here, don’t you think so?”
The pain from losing Chopper was still a little fresh, and I said: “not all my friends, Pops… not all my friends…”
“I know the pain of losing a comrade is great. But the ones that are left will always lift your spirits again.”
He said.
We encountered a batch of planes as we approached one of the two river branches.
“They’re carrying an emblem I’ve never seen before!” one of the planes in the formation said.
“Stay sharp! They aren’t here to spy on us this time!” another one said.
They came at us head on; four of them. I gave the order to attack, and each of us targeted a separate plane. I rammed the
throttles to full afterburners and engaged. When I was in missile range, I fired tow missiles at head-on, and pulled up. The
enemy plane flashed below me before exploding, unable to counter the manoeuvre. The rest of my squadron followed suite and
they each killed their target with the flawless efficiency I’ve come to expect of them.
We ignored all the targets on our ingress route, planning to focus and concentrate out attack on the rock bed. If Intel was
right, then this was going to be one nasty and hard target.
“To tell you the truth, the though of nuclear weapons just terrifies me.” Grimm said. “Do you think they’ve
already carried out nuclear weapons?”
“I truly hope so, Grimm.” I said.
“Yes, I hope we make it in time.”
Now, I don’t know if you know this, but nuclear weapons take warfare to a whole new pucker factor.
The ground forces kept panicking as we flew overhead, but we weren’t going to do anything other then destroy the rock
bed. Really.
We arrived over the target area a few seconds later, and I saw something that sent my blood cold: nothing. Nothing at all.
“We're over the target area.” Swordsman said
“The Grabacr are already gone!” Grimm yelled.
“They must have already taken away some of the nukes!”
“Maybe we were too late...Let's destroy the mine entrance anyway.” Pops said.
“Roger! That’s what we’re here for, okay, everybody, attack the rock bead above the entrance!” I said.
I gave the order to free up the bombs, and to concentrate all our fire on the rock bed. Our bombs fell away with a dull, ‘bump-bump’
and then they exploded on the rock bed. I could see cracks start to form in it, but nothing like what I wanted.
The others broke off, but I launched my missiles, and fired my gun when I got close enough. The damage from the gun wasn’t
much, if any at all, but I kept pumping round after round after high-velocity round until I had to pull up. I started in on
another strafing run, and the four of us dropped even more bombs. The cracks became clearly visible to us high up in the sky,
and again, I went up close to do as much damage as I possibly could. The cracks now became ominous that something bad was
about to happen to that rock bed.
“They’re aiming at the bedrock! Are they trying to make it collapse?”
“No worries, the Grabacr flight has already airlifted the cargo.”
I tried to ignore the ground chatter, and concentrated on another attack run. Our bombs hit, and rocks began to tumble down
the mountainside. First, one at a time, then in rippling, crashing volleys, then, as one massive sum as the avalanche reached
the climax.
I watched the whole thing from a safe altitude.
“Oh my god…” I said in wonder.
Nagase though was all business. “Rock bed destroyed, that cave will never be opened again.” She reported.
“But there are more Belkan nukes out there.” Swordsman reminded her.
Operation: Riverbed
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