Chapter 15: Anchorhead Raid

08:31 AM
57.2 F
Sep 25, 1940

David is at his lap top, a news tab talking about Alicorn is present along with a few research tabs.

Alex pops onto the screen. "David. I've built a model of Alicorn and Enterprise, based on your hypothesis and mission parameters from the past. I ran a precision combat simulation. But it failed."

"Bummer. Why didn't it work?" David asks.

"Reasons in sensuous order are: 1. Your hypothesis is trash. 2. The parameters you gave me are trash."

"Um... Did I do something to tick you off?"

"3. Alicorn is a singularity." Alex suggests.

"So the values diverge... But what about this one? 4. Enterprise is a singularity." 

"That's outside the confidence interval. The possibility that it's 1, 2, or 3 is 99%." Alex states.

"What?" David questions.

"Significance is high."

"Hmm." David drags a file into another table and uploads it. "This is Enterprise's data before the Siren incident on Nanquet Cay." *The name of the island Alicorn was living on before the sirens attacked.*

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Enterprise is leaning in the corner of a room as the pilot sit in chairs in front of a large monitor with Brigadier General Clemens beside it.

"The Iron Blood military is gathering most of its HO navel force at Anchorhead Bay. Apparently, they're even bringing in ships from the mothball fleet. We have intel that they're reinforcing their navel power in preparation to attack this navel base. We've also received intel that Alicorn will also be joining in."

"From which source Brigadier General?" David's voice comes through the monitor. There's a possibility that the former crew that worked on Alicorn's sub have been tasked with sabotage."

"Your job is to analyze the enemy's weaponry.  From now on, speak only when authorized. ... I don't hear a response."

"May I be authorized to speak first, sir?" David asks.

"When we're done, I'll be talking to your superiors." Clemens threatens. "LRSSG (Long Range Strategic Strike Group) is to raid Anchorhead. Carry out air strikes on Anchor Bay to the north and Dakiouk Bay to the south, inflicting all possible damage. If we can strip the port of its naval function, we can also prevent the submarine from joining forces." 

Wiseman speaks up. "The area around Anchorhead is Iron Blood territory. To delay hostile detection, you will sortie in small numbers. And make your way in at super-low altitudes."

"Small sortie, huh? Who's going?" Jaeger asks.

"Count, Lanza, Húxiān, and Enterprise. Three aircraft from Strider Squadron will be deployed."

"Woah! Alright, I got this!" Lanza cheers.

To cover our lack of numbers, we're giving you plenty of opportunities to resupply. Look here. We've set up multiple return lines. Make full use of them to resupply and change armaments. Also note that the enemy will not be able to mount a defense immediately after detecting you. Use this window to destroy high-threat targets. That should make things much easier for you."

"It should also raise the survival rate." Clemens states.

"Survival rate, huh?" Count questions.

"The element of surprise and resupplying are the key. Beyond that, I just need a couple of pilots who will stick to my orders. We don't need an ace to succeed. You got anything to say? Good. That is all."

"It'll be a difficult mission to carry out with four aircraft." Wiseman states. "Still, I'd like to add one more to the mission conditions."

"What, you wanna make it even harder?" Count asks.

"I want a 100% survival rate for the sortie. Any other number and the mission will be considered a failure!"

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Anchorhead Raid
25.Sep.1940 1400 Anchorhead Bay 8* 20'44'N 61* 57'32''W Cloud Cover: Broken Operation: Domino

Enterprise, on top of her SBD Douglace with bombs, is flying just above the water. The other three planes SBD-3s with bombs.

<<I can almost touch the water.>> Count comments

Wiseman's voice comes through the radio. <<Altitude restriction lifted. Begin op!>>

Enterprise and her group swiftly move to Dakiouk bay as they start to gain small altitude.

<<The food at this party's served buffet style.>> AWACS Long Caster comes over the radio. <<Pick whatever dish you like before the hist mounts a resistance!>>

<<Wilco! I'll eat their hearts out!>> Húxiān says.

<<Sorry, Enterprise, but the juicy targets are all mine!>>

<<Emergency! Four bogeys! ETA 2 Minuetes!>>

The group flies over the bay dropping bombs over targets.

Enterprise blows up a couple of tanks an a few AA installations.

<<They're already here!>>

Enterprise flies over a few more AA installations and she uses her bow to take them out.

<<Nice, Enterprise! There's no enemy movement yet.>>

Enterprise's plane guns down a few light tanks.

<<Gobble up all high-value targets! Forget about your manners!>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Alright, where're my artisanal burgers>> Lanza asks. <<Had to stay behind last time. This is gonna be a walk in the park! It's a good warm-up to get back in the game!>>

Enterprise blows up a few container trucks. 

<<Resistance from enemy air defenses confirmed. Keep on dining. Just don't pay for it.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Righto.>> Count agrees.

Enterprise flies over a destroyer and drops a bomb down the smoke stake, blowing the ship up from within.

Enterprise flips around and avoids AA fire from a second destroyer as she makes her way around for another gun run.  

<<Fools! They think they've already won! Now's our chance!>>

<<Now time for a counter strike!>>

Enterprise's plane takes out the AA guns on the ship and she flies towards it, aiming her bow just bellow on of it's main guns and she fires the arrow. The arrow pierces the hull and after a few seconds the ship is blown apart.

<<Dakiouk Bay's taking damage from air strikes!>> 

<<Those newly online ships are a pain!>> Count states.

<<If only we had ani-ship bombs by the truckload.>> Lanza states.

Enterprise and her group of after some tanks and AA installations, and other ships.

A conversation happens between Clemens and Lt Gen, Shepherd, that can't be heard by our ship-girl and pilots. *I had flash backs to MW2 when I saw General Shepherd.*

<<Brigadier general Clemens, about Enterprise... You sure we'll get a positive result this time?>> Shepherd asks.

<<Yes, Lieutenant General Shepherd.>> Clemens replies. <<Operation Dominoes is going as planned. 50% of the enemy forces have been neutralized.>>

<<That's mostly the work of Enterprise. Now's the time to pull out any tricks you've got.>>

Enterprise sends a bomb onto the deck of a ship and it blows up the guns and soon the ship along with it.

<<That was a UGB, but it was really accurate!>>

Enterprise flies up and then flies back and dives bomb down onto a Destoryer. 

<<That's a lot of ships lost. We're gonna make a fortune once the war's over. Buy stock in salvage companies while you can.>>

Enterprise's gun run manages to sink the destroyer.

<<Destroyer Calypso has been destroyed.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Our reductions gear and shaft have been badly damaged! We're disengaging!>> 

Enterprise and her group slowly make their way toward Anchor Bay as they take out any ground, air and sea targets on their way.

<<sir, none of our ships are operational. Search and rescue operations are underway.>>

<<This is definitely the work of Grey Ghost. They'd reject my report if it weren't.>>

<<Enterprise, enemy forces around Dakiouk Bay's shipyard have been mostly eliminated.>> AWACS Long Caster informs.

Enterprise blows up a Yak-3 that was harassing Count.

<<I could have taken hi no problem.>> Count says as he flies past Enterprise.

Enterprise rolls her eyes.

AA shells blow up near Enterprise as she dives down towards an AA installation. 

<<Don't let your guard down, guys! 100% survival rate, let's go!>> Count says.

Enterprise drops some bombs over the AA installation and it blows up in a large fireball. 

<<Yeah, we're all going home together!>> Húxiān says. <<Going for another attack run!>>

A Bf-109 tails behind Enterprise and she dives down as bullets fly over her, she quickly aims her bow back and lets an arrow lose. 

The arrow strikes the plane and goes through it's engine, sending the plane crashing towards the ground in a large fire.

Enterprise and her group take out the last of the ground and navel targets in Dakiouk Bay and they aim towards Anchor Bay.

<<Taking heavy return fire from moving ships!>> Lanza informs.

<<I'm not bailing yet!>> Húxiān says.

<<Sir, there's a few of them, but they've done damage to the port and ships!>>

<<Command won't accept this report! Do whatever it takes to shoot them down!>>

<<Enemy fleet up ahead.>> Húxiān informs.

<<If this fleet manages to make it to our navel base. It will be one hell of a fight.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

Enterprise dives bombs a cruiser, her plane taking out it's AA guns. She drops three bombs onto the ship, blowing it up and she aims her plane up as maneuvers as she takes fire from AA installations on the bay.

<<Well, it looks like it's gonna be the three of us. You ready, Count and Enterprise?>> Húxiān asks.

<<You betcha! Not a single ship's gonna leave the port!>> Count states.

Enterprise and her group bomb the AA installations throughout the bay.

<<Their AA defense system has been destroyed!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

<<Yeah! Enterprise took care of the pricks!>> Count cheers.

<<Owe you one!>> Húxiān says.

Enterprise engages a couple of ships trying to make their way out of the bay.

<<Look for the girl on the plane! Pass it on!>>

Enterprise goes around the port, taking out ground forces.

<<We've lost contact with second platoon.>>

<<If they're gone, that means we have less than half our forces left!>>

<<Can't let Enterprise hog the spotlight!>> Count says.

Then Lt Gen, Shepherd talks to Clemens. <<This is Shepherd, it seems Enterprise is showing a stellar performance. Eagle Union has much need of her. That is the unanimous conclusion of those in this room, Brigadier General. Certainly not the result I'd predicted.>>

<<I'm sorry sir." Clemens apologizes. 

Enterprise takes out a couple of light tanks.

<<Alright! We've wiped out most of their forces in the urban area.>> Count states.

<<I still see some ships moving, Enterprise, let's go for those.>> Húxiān says.

Enterprise engages a cruiser.

<<There's no need to go through the whole menu. Focus on the juicier targets!>> AWACS Long Caster says.

Enterprise takes out the cruiser and moves onto a nearby destroyer.

<<Roger that! Here we go, Enterprise!>> Count says.

<<How many ships in port are still operational?>>

<<We've yet to assess damage, but likely less than half!>>

Enterprise blows up the destroyer with the help of Count and Húxiān. They moves onto a cruiser.

<<Ludicrous! They'll fill the port with scrap metal at this rate!>>

The cruiser blows up and Enterprise moves onto the next ship.

<<Half of our ships have either been sunk or stalled! Somebody do something about those bastards up there!>>

Enterprise takes out a ship and she flips her plane to the side as a spitfire flies after her.

<<Confirming additional hostile ground forces.>> AWACS Long Caster informs.

Enterprise uses her bow to take down the spitifre.

<<Four Messerschmitt Me 309s. They're fast, these guys are interceptors!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<Bearing 310. Altitude 2,000.>>

<<This is Hrotti. We'll buy time until our rear catches up!>>

Enterprise takes out a Yak-3 that flew past her.

<<They've taken out our radar and FCS! We have no way of firing back!>>

A Me 309 ties to gun for Enterprise, but she fires her arrow and it sticks into the engine.

<<Lost control! Returning to base!>>

<<Bandits coming from the northwest! They're in large numbers Eight Yak-1s!>> AWCS Long Caster informs.

Enterprise takes out a couple AA trucks that are moving through the port.

<<Four planes have incoming at super-low altitudes from bearing 015! We have a report that Grey Ghost is among them. We have no further intel. Sorry, we couldn't protect the port.>>

Enterprise flies over a cruiser, dropping her bombs over it and blowing it up.

<<Roger, that. Leave the rest to us!>>

<<Ask Squadron, Egil Squadron, cleared to engage!>>

Enterprise manages to blow up another destroyer as a couple of Yak-1s chase her.

<<Hrotti brought us time, don't waste it!>>

<<Those are our birds! Thank god!>>

A bullet from one of the Yak-1s grazes Enterprise's arm and she grunts in pain and swiftly aims her bow back and fires an arrow right into the cockpit of one of the planes, blowing it up.

Húxiān comes in and takes out the second Yak.

<<Got your back, Enterprise.>> Húxiān flies alongside Enterprise and gives her a thumbs up. Enterprise nods back and Húxiān dives bombs a ship below them.

<<Ask and Egil, be advised! Grey Ghost is among the bandits!>>

Enterprise then dives bombs a Cruiser and fires her bow at the ship and it blows up along the water line as her plane guns the decks.

<<Hit on the Eunomial! The order is to abandon ship!>>

Enterprise engages a Yak and a Me 309.

AWACS Long Caster comes over the radio. <<Hostile ships approaching from the southeast! It's a large fleet, with Aegis vessel Metis and battleship Dysnomia numbering among them. No Azur ships among them.>>

Enterprise turns her plane towards the fleet sailing towards the port.

<<We have to fight a pristine fleet? After all that?>> Húxiān asks.

<<Let's do this.>> Count says.

Count and Húxiān follow after Enterprise.

<<Bridge to CIC! Multiple smoke plumes from the port!>>

<<If it weren't for the bad weather, we would've been caught in there, Prepare for anti-air combat!>>

Enterprise drops her bombs over a destroyer and blows up it's main guns, but the ship is still afloat. 

<<marker drone has reached the target.>> A submarine crew member says.

<<Ma'am, we're starting the guided artillery fire drill.>> Alicorn's CDO informs her.

Enterprise blows up the damaged destroyer while avoiding massive amounts of AA fire.

Húxiān and Count blow up a cruiser and move onto a destroyer.

<<Command Duty Officer... What do you think would turn a drill into a real war?>> Alicorn asks. <<You don't see it, do you? It's imagination! So use your imagination, my fellow submariners! A single shell will save ten million lives!>>

Enterprise blows up another cruiser along side with Count and Húxiān, then they blow up a destroyer. 

<<Begin drill! Ready for anti-air combat!>> Alicorn's CDO orders.

Lanza's in the distance, keeping all the Iron Blood fighters busy. <<Came in for a picnic, found ourselves in a marathon.>>

<<I thought you said this was gonna be a walk in the park?>> Count asks.

Enterprise avoids air fire from a Me 309 and she flips back behind it and uses her plane to gun burn the plane down.

<<You take walks to, well, walk. But a picnic... you have to eat.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

Enterprise sinks another destroyer.

<<You don't have to tell me which you prefer.>> Count says.

<<Good, we've reduced enough of the enemy forces. Job well done.>> Wiseman congratulates. 

<<That prime rib and truffle soup sure were good!>> AWACS Long Caster says. <<But hold on, lunchtime's not over yes, Go grab some desserts!>>

Húxiān, Enterprise, and Count take down the Battleship.

<<I knew you'd say that!>> Count claims.

<<Four aircraft destroyed the entire port? You must be hallucinating.>>

<<It's not a hallucination! It's a nightmare!>>

<<We've got UAV's on radar!>> AWACS Long Caster informs.

<<Pretty shabby for a reinforcement.>> Lanza states.

<<Stay sharp. There's something amiss!>> Húxiān states.

Enterprise and Húxiān managed to take down a battle cruiser. Then they move onto a destroyer.

<<Fire and smoke rising from Anchor Bay and Dakiouk Bay!>>

<<Wanting incoming high speed projectile!>> AWACS Long Caster warns.

<<Projectile?!>> Lanza question.

David's voice comes over the radio. <<It's the terminal guidance! Get away from that UAV!>>

Enterprise blows up a destroyer and looks around for the UAV.

<<What do you mean?>> Count asks.

<<Contact imminent!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. 

<<Savlavtion!>> Alicorn yells.

A massive explosion goes of at the UAV and Húxiān grunts.

<<Impact at the UAV's coordinates!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

Húxiān's plane's smoking heavily. <<Shit! I'm hit!>>

<<What?!>> Count yells.

<<More on the way!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

<<What in the world...?>> Húxiān questions.

<<You all right?!>> Count asks.

Enterprise bombs another battle cruiser and she flies up into the sky. 

<<Fire incoming!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<Distance 50,000! It's adjusting it's course!>>

Enterprise notices a UAV flying near her. "Oh no."

<<Enterprise, get away from it!>> Húxiān yells.

Enterprise turns up the throttle on her plane and starts to fly away from the UAV and it begins to chase her.

<<Distance 30,000!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs. <<Contact Imminent.>> 

Enterprise dives down as a massive explosion goes off where the UAV was. The force shakes the air and Enterprise stumbles on her plane.

<<Enterprise, you hanging in there?>> Count asks.

"Just barley." Enterprise says into her radio and she engages a Yak-1.

<<Picture it!>>  Alicorn yells. <<Salvation!>> She gives a psychotic laugh. <<The death of a million is necessity!>> 

Enterprise guns down the Yak-1 and follows after another.

<<Analysis shows the projectile was a railgun shell!>> AWACS Long Caster says. <<We're currently determining the launch site!>>

David's voice comes over the radio. <<She's shooting from beyond the horizon. That's why they need the UAV for terminal guidance.>>

<<We'll data link the predicted explosion radius from now on!>> AWACS Long Caster says.

Enterprise makes it back to Anchor Bay and starts to engage ground forces.

<<Dammit, you're telling me to leave my teammates behind?>> Húxiān asks.

<<Húxiān, head back. I want that 100% survival rating.>> Wiseman orders.

Húxiān sighs. <<...Roger that, I'm pulling out.>>

<<We got the rest covered.>> Count states.

You are reading story The Predator of the Depths at novel35.com

<<I'm counting on you!>> Húxiān flies out of the AO.

Clemens then comes over the radio. <<Enterprise is performing well above our expectations...>>

<<You sound downright ecstatic. Alright Enterprise, let's go get 'em!>> Count says.

Enterprise and Count engage Iron Blood fighters.

<<All hostile ships in the vicinity have been destoryed.>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<Taking on this much naval power is an astonishing feat.>>

 Enterprise takes out a couple of AA trucks as he flies over the port, chasing a Yak-1.

<<I'm on this bandit's ass!>>

a SLUAV flies into the area and Alicorn laughs.

<<Projectile detected!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

The SLUAV flies towards Enterprise and she flies away. 

After ten seconds a massive explosion goes of where the SLUAV is, nearly shaking Enterprise off her plane as she was out of the radius. 

Enterprise then chases after Bf-109.

<<Damn cowards, shooting us from beyond our range!>> Count complains. 

Alicorn laughs. <<Deliverance!>> Another SLUAV appears in the AO.

<<Detecting shell in flight!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

The UAV chases after Enterprise. 

Alicorn laughs. <<Picture it!>>

Enterprise growls in annoyance and she aims her bow at the UAV and fires. The arrow manages to strike the UAV and it blows up.

<<Projectile exploded in the distance!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs. <<Must be a fail-safe!>> 

<<Bingo! Looks like we found a solution!>> Lanza says.

<<Alright, all aircraft, follow Enterprise's example if you can!>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Hell, that's easy for you to say!>> Count says.

<<Imagine!I>> Alicorn laughs.

Another SLUAV comes into the area and Enterprise chases after it. Her plane guns it down and a massive explosion goes off in the distance.

<<Projectile guidance terminated!>> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

Enterprise goes after a couple of Spitfires and she takes them down.

<<This must be the Grey Ghost girl Hrotti Squadron was talking about! No one mentioned that she's a ship girl!>>

Alicorn laughs as another SLUAV enters the AO. Enterprise engages the UAV and manages to shoot it down.

<<Railgun shell lost its target!>> AWACS Long Caster informs.

Alicorn laughs.

Enterprise goes after a Yak-1 and her plane shoots it down.

<<If it's my time, all the more honorable at the hands of Enterprsie->> His plane blows up.

A few Bf-109s chases after Enterprise.

Alicorn laughs again.

Count comes in and chases off two of the three Bf-109s and Enterprise aims her bow back at the one chasing her and let the arrow fly. It goes through one of its wings, sending the plane spiraling down towards the ocean.

<<Valkyrie, this is Quarkman, Packaged eggs are ready and waiting, count two.>> An Iron Blood agent says.

<<Two, worth a million lives each...>> Alicorn states.

<<Also... There's a rumor going around in the military. 'Grey Ghost in the sky is a sign of an ill omen'.>>

<<Enterprise... She lacks the drive. Imagine you're just about to be killed. Why am I going to be killed, you ask. Because they wanted to steal from you, to torment you, to burn you, to cut you apart. It was for your sins, your actions, and your vengeance!>> An SLUAV Enters the AO. <<There has to be a reason! Enterprise has none of that, I do.Do you see, Command Duty Officer? You don't, do you?>> 

A massive explosion goes off where the UAV is.

Enterprise engages a couple of Yak-3s and she takes them down.

Wiseman lets out a breath. <<Well done! We've managed to hit the Iron Blood navy's fleet and command structure pretty hard. Now they won't be able to attack the Eagle Union's navy base.>>

Lanza laughs. <<That was definitely a free lunch, if there ever was one!>>

<<Mission complete.>> Wiseman says. <<Return to base! Withdrawal from the operation airspace. You completed the mission, but it's not done until you return home.>>

<<Heh, arrogant bastard.>> Count states.

<<Stand by.>> AWACS Long Caster says. <<Warning. Two bogeys inbound! Bearing 090 it's the Su-47s!>>

<<Lanza, missile! behind you!>> Count yells.

Lanza grunts as he dives down and tries to avoid the missile, but it blows up next to his wing. Ripping part of it off and causing an setting the rest of it on fire.

<<Strider 3 is hit!>> AWACS Long Caster informs.

<<Good, now we have less goons to deal with.>> Rage states. <<Do it, Scream!>>

<<Wooo hooo!>> Scream shouts.

<<It's those damn bats!>> Count yells.

<<Engage to let Strider 3 to escape!>> Wiseman orders. <<We're calling off the withdraw!>>

Rage and Scream chase after Enterprise.

<<Both of you, watch out for their missiles!>> Lanza says.

Enterprise grunts as she dives down hard as a couple missiles fly over head.

Clemens comes over the radio. "...Calling out to unidentified aircraft! Cease combat immediately and withdraw!>>

<<What the?>> Count questions.

Rage flies behind Enterprise and manages to clip her wings with his guns a little as she flies up.

<<Brigadier General Clemens is radioing enemy aircraft... On Eagle Union channels!>> AWACS Long Caster states.

Enterprise aims her bow at Rage as he flies by and fires, her arrow grazes off his wing.

<<Too late, Enterprise's already started!>> Count informs.

<<I repeat, withdraw!>> Clemens orders Rage and Scream.

<<Don't want anyone thinking we screwed up. Grey Ghost is going down.>> Rage states.

<<They're responding!>> Count says.

"What's going on?" Enterprise questions as she avoids a missile from Scream.

<<You goddamn idiots!>> Clemens insults.

<<You call me an idiot again, I'll kill you!>> Scream yells.

<<You siblings can go to hell together!>> 

<<Brother and sister?>> Count questions.

Enterprise manages to get behind Rage.

<<Good, you're on their six! It's two-on-two, Enterprise! We can't lose!>> Count says.

<<Sorry, wuss, but you don't count! It's two-on-one!>> Scream states.

Enterprise hits Rage with her planes guns, but then Rage goes into the clouds, with Enterprise chasing him.

<<Who you callin' a wuss?!>> Count yells.

Rage and Enterprise exit the clouds.

<<This is great! I get to chat with the girl I'm about to kill.>> Scream says.

An SLUAV enters the AO.

Rage pulls back the throttle and his plane and flies behind Enterprise. Then he fires a couple missiles, which Enterprise flies into the clouds and it confuses the missiles and they miss their target.

<<Come at me. Grey Ghost!>> Rage says.

<<They're trying to make you chase one so the other can get on your ass!>> Count informs.

Enterprise comes out of the clouds near Scream and she fires her bow, the arrow hitting the wing, blowing a small hole through it, but in a noncritical area. 

Scream growls in anger.

<<Projectile detected!>> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

The UAV flies near Enterprise and her plane shoots it down.

<<Marker drone down!>> AWACS Long Caster says. <<The shell exploded it's off the grid!>>

Another UAV flies into the area and Enterprise deals with it then she follows after Rage.

<<Worried about the drones much, Grey Ghost?>> Rage asks. 

Enterprise's plane guns managed to get a few good hits into Rage.

<<Enterprise, change frequency. They're eavesdropping on us as we speak.>> Count says and they both change frequency. <<Right, now it's just the two of us on the line.>>

Enterprise dives down  and does a barrel roll as a missile flies past her.

<<Enterprise, those damn bats are looking for a pincer attack.>> Count says. <<if one comes for my ass, you take 'em down! They seem to have a crush on you, but... well, just watch me work my charms on 'em!>>

Count flies in front of Rage and practically taunts her.

<<Let's get the wuss, Rage! he's getting in my way!>>

<<Go for it!>>

Count and Enterprise change back to the original frequency. Enterprise fires her bow at Rage and the arrow hits his engine, black smoke starts to spew from it.

<<You know, you should tell me when it hurts!>> Scream says.

<<You're the one who'll be screaming for help!>> Count yells.

<<Shit!>> Rage shouts as Enterprise follows his ass.

Enterprise's plane lands some hits on Rage.

<<Enterprise, shoot them down!>> Clemens orders. 

<<Please, just shut up!>> Count says.

Enterprise avoids a missile from Scream.

<<If we can shoot her down, it'll change out lives.>> Rage claims.

Enterprise aims her bow up at Rage and she takes a deep breath as she pulls the string back. Then she lets out a breath and lets the arrow loose.

The arrow flies through the air and right into the engine of Rage's plane, blowing up the engine and sending the plane towards the ocean.

<<You did it, Enterprise!>> Count cheer.

<<RAGE!>> Scream shouts in despair. 

<<You idiot, stay focused>> Rage orders as beeps are heard from his plane. <<Take down, Grey Ghos->> His plane blows up.

Scream cries. <<I told you not to call me an idiot!>> 

<<Only one left! We run 'im down together!>> Count says. <<But the death blow will be from you, Enterprise!>>

Scream cries into the radio as Enterprise chases after he.

<<Don't let the enemy's emotions make you lose your control.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Heh, I don't pity 'em, not one bit.>> Count says.

<<I can't do this alone!>> Scream yells as Enterprise's plane lands some shots. <<He was real smart, you know that?!>>

<<No need to feel sorry about it, Enterprise!>> Count says.

Scream tries to lose Enterprise, she doesn't even try to fight back.

<<I can't do anything, not on my own!>> Scream states.

Enterprise chases Scream though some clouds as her plane hits a few more shots.

<<I don't want to live! Kill me!>> Scream begs. 

Enterprise brings up her bow and aims at Scream. She lets out a breath as she lets go of the string, the arrow flies through the sky and goes right through Scream's fuselage. 

Parts of Scream's plane blow off as it catches fire and drops towards the ocean.

<<That's a hit! We got the bat!>> AWACS Long Caster cheers.

<<Take that asshole!>> Count says.

Enterprise watches Scream's plane dive towards the ocean.

Scream cries into the radio as her plane gives off warning sounds, then she starts to laugh. 

<<Unidentified aircraft, eject.>> AWACS Long Caster orders. 

<<No.>> Scream says. 

<<Eject, now!>>

<<No! I know Rage's going to heaven, so I'm gonna be all alone again in hell. I'll be waiting for you down there, Grey Ghost. Grey Ghost... I-->> Her transmission gets cut off as her plane blows up.

<<The bat's blip has disappeared from our radar. At that altitude, it likely has crashed.>> AWACS Long Caster says.

<<Serves them right.>> Count says.

Count and Enterprise head back towards home.

Clemens talks to someone on the radio, a conversation not heard by our pilots. <<Yes, the problem has been eliminated.>> 

<<Meet us at the drop-off pint. Enterprise has removed all straggler Iron Blood forces. That did make for a good sideshow.>>

<<I have no doubt that the Plan to Save Ten Million Lives will lead Iron Blood to true victory.>> A Iron Blood Agent says.

<<Stop thinking so small. It's salvation on a far grander scale.>>

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The pilots and Enterprise walk into the debriefing room and Húxiān tires to punch Clemens, But Count and Jaeger stop her.

"Húxiān, no!" Jaeger yells.

"Stop it" Count yells.

"You bastard...!" Húxiān yells at Clemens.

"Hey, chill." Lanza says

"Stop!" Skald yells.

Skald, Jaeger and Lanza get Húxiān into a chair, not without knocking back Lanza and he spills his cola.

"Húxiān, stand down! Sit!" Wiseman orders.

"Shit, my cola..." Lanza says.

Clemens then starts the Debriefing. "The fleet at Anchorhead was eliminated and we've prevented the submarine from joining forces. The unidentified aircraft were shot down too. The mission was a complete success."

"Complete success, my ass!" Húxiān yells.

"Brigadier General, it sure seemed to me like the bats knew you pretty damn well." Count says.

"You seem to be confused. Report in for a medical check. We'll decide if you're still fit for service based on the examinations." Clemens orders.

Count stands up in anger and goes to punch Clemens.

"Cut it!" Skald yells

"That's enough!" Jaeger yells.

"Get the MP!" Clemens orders.

"He's right. Get the MP." Vice Chairman Edwards enters teh room.

"Vice Chairman Edwards of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!" Clemens gives a quick salute. 

 "Alicorn slipped into Anchorhead Bay after the mission was completed, using the confusion for cover. It resupplied quickly and escaped unharmed. Their goal was not to join forces. It was to resupply using the window we created by chasing away the Iron Blood. forces. We did their bidding, albeit unknowingly. But the problem runs deeper than our lack of tactical acumen. Analyst North, explain for us."

David's voice comes over the monitor. "Of the crew caught in the submarine accident, 330 men made it back alive. Of them, 300 are still on the sub today. Our intel has led us to believe that some or all of the thirty men who left the sub are now working as agents for Alicorn. Sabotage, espionage, cyber propaganda, dissemination of false intel... Brigadier General, do you recognize the name Edgar Saxon—or Zul, as he used to go by? He is a former member of Alicorn's crew. And your source of intel."

 "You are a fool, Brigadier General Clemens. Not only that, the radio communications during the mission suggest you are a traitor."

"Sir, if you check with Lieutenant General Shepherd, you'll understand that this is all just a misunderstanding." Clemens says.

"The Lieutenant General claims you were responsible for handling all aspects of the mission. ...Now, let me say that again. Get the MP."

"No need for that." Húxiān walks up to Clemens. "Piece of shit." She punches Clemens, knocking him out.

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The pilots and Enterprise are still in the room after MP's dragged Clemens out of there. 

On the monitor is a map of Anchorhead Bay.

David is explaining stuff to them. "We've acquired important intel from the mission. For example..." The map zooms out and shows where Alicorn could have been firing from. "The shells from long-range anti-air fire came in on depressed trajectories. Look."

An image of Alicorn's Large railgun pops up on screen.

David continues. "The estimated energy output of the railgun is 500 megajoules at least. Fired at minimum-energy trajectory, range is over 3,000. They hid a powerful rail cannon aside from their main guns. And Also... this."

"Alicorn was in harbor at Anchorhead for approximately ten minutes. They couldn't have loaded SLBMs. They loaded something smaller." David states.

"Smaller?" Húxiān questions. 

"What is smaller and yet a powerful weapon?"

"Uh... Tactical nukes."  Skald says.

"Close! The answer is tactical nuclear shells."

"Nuclear shells?!" Húxiān shouts.

"No way." Count mutters.

"Hey, hey, he got that question right." Lanza points out.

"Nah, I missed the 'shell' part." Skald says.

"Quiet!" Jaeger orders.

"She'll likely attack our bases on the east coast." Wiseman says.

"Her target's D.C. the Eagle Union capital." David states.

"She wants a nuclear war?" Lanza asks.

"Here's a question. What's a situation where nuclear deterrence doesn't work?"

"Quiz guy, I've had enough of this!" Húxiān says.

"Oh! Only if terrorist have nukes." Skald says.

"Correct!" David says.

"Damn, Skald." Lanza grunts.

"Hey, I'm good at trivia games."

"But, we're after an Iron Blood submarine, not terrorists." Count says.

"No, he's right." Wiseman says. "HQ tells me, Iron Blood's justification is that Alicorn mutinied. 'As such, the Iron Blood military cannot be held responsible for the submarine's actions.'"

"Damn." Húxiān mutters.

"So they intend on dropping a nuke on the Eagle Union capital of D.C." David says.

"Here's a question for you, analyst." Jaeger says. "Just exactly who are we fighting?"

A picture of Alicorn's human form appears on the screen."Correct term is 'terrorist' or 'irregular military,' but I have a different name for her. 'An enemy to be stopped at all costs.'"

"Correct." Wiseman agrees.

Enterprise stares at Alicorn's picture. 'Why must you do this Alicorn?'

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Deep within the ocean, Alicorn is cruising along.

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02-02-2023

6261 words

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