Chapter 15

 FIFTEEN

It was a moonless night over the nearly pitch-black darkness of the forests of central Usea. Two Federation of Central Usea Air Force F-16’s screamed their way overhead, the only sound in the night over the pitch black Chopinburg Jungle. “Foil One, on station at Angels Two” The lead pilot, Major Curt ‘Squidbait’ Langenhorst reported.

“Athena, Foil Two, Picture?” Langenhorst’s Wingman, Captain Rich ‘Aqua’ Hiller called out on the frequency.

“Picture is clean Foil.” A bored sounding controller reported.

Neither pilot had expected anything different. For Foil Squadron, the war had largely passed them by. Save for a few minor skirmishes early on in the war, the Federation of Central Usean Air Force had taken a back seat in favor of letting the Osean’s take point on fighting Erusea. Now all the FCUAF Fighters attached to the IUN spent their time warding off the occasional smuggling operation in southern Usea, rather than crisscrossing the skies in do-or-die dogfights.

Squidbait keyed his mic “Relax Aqua, the war is over. Just sit there and shut up until you get your seven fifty.” He admonished his wingman.

“Yeah I know. I just wish we would have, you know, actually seen some action instead of sitting around with our thumbs up our asses.” Aqua griped.

“Hey now, remember how you blew up those trucks a few months back?” Squidbait asked jokingly.

“Oh yay, a truck. That sure taught the Crown.  You know how much I got laid because of that truck?” Aqua griped

“How much?”

“Not one damn time! Turns out ladies don’t really care if you blow up a truck! Dude I joined up to be a fighter pilot, not this shit!” Aqua complained.

“Hey at least you guys are doing something up there.” The AWACS ‘Athena’ chimed in. “Most of the times we just sat doing the same goddamn circles and our only SA was what our sensors could see. Really wish we could get a window or something on these birds.”

“Solid copy Athena” Squidbait replied.

The three continued,

“Foil, Passing Lexus” Squidbait reported, signaling that the patrol had crossed yet another waypoint on their flight.

“How many more do we have left?” Aqua asked

“Chrysler, Ford and Fiat from the looks of it. So probably another hour and change at our airspeed” Squidbait replied.

“Foil One, Athena” The AWACS called

“Go Athena”

“How’d you even get a callsign like Squidbait in the first place?” the AWACS asked.

“Should you tell it, or can I?” Aqua asked.

“I got it,” Squidbait replied “Turns out a great shame is brought upon you when you’re a young Air Force lieutenant and you try to take on a Sortie of North Point Navy Tomcats all by yourself.” Squidbait replied.

“I don’t think I follow” Athena said slowly

“It means the Major here got his ass shot down by the Navy for being stupid. Hence, ‘Squid Bait’” Aqua chimed in.

“Beats being ‘Aqua’.” Squidbait retorted.

“Hey now! I-“ Aqua began to defend himself before being interrupted.

“Lock it down Foil. Be advised, possible Contact, one four zero and four zero miles.” Athena interjected.

“Foil Copies all, define ‘Possible Contact’” Squidbait asked, turning the flight towards the heading of 140.

“Question of the hour Foil One. Ground stations are reporting something in that area, but we aren’t getting anything on primary or secondary from either our bird or ground stations.” Athena replied. “Picture clean in that sector. Command wants you to investigate. Your cleared off.” He then reported.

“Foil copies all. Enroute.” Squidbait reported. “Hey Aqua, you wanted some action right?” He joked.

“ooh, Scary ghost Airplanes!” Aqua replied sarcastically.  

 

At their F-16’s current cruise speed of 300 knots, Squidbait calculated that it would only take them around 8 minutes to reach the location Athena had sent them to. He knew the Viper could provide more, easily reaching around 600 knots, but he was weary of tempting the fuel gods and not wanting to Joker out too quickly if something was there. Squidbait was more than happy to leave the fuel burn at less than 2000 pounds per hour.

Quickly arriving to the area, Squidbait looked around with the radar, then outside to the pitch-black nothingness that surrounded the two. Not seeing anything with his naked eye, he dimmed the cockpits lights and turned on the bulky night vision monocle attached to his Helmet. The world was bathed in an eerie green glow, he could barely make out the treetops thousands of feet below him.

 

“Two, you have anything on your scope?” Squidbait asked hesitantly.

“Negative lead. Scope is clean. Got nothing visually either. Looks to be just you and me up here” Aqua replied.

“Probably just a crop duster and the ground pounders fucking with us” Squidbait theorized.

“Probably. What a colossal waste of time. You promised me action dammit!” Aqua joked.

Squidbait rolled his eyes at his wingman. “Athena, Foil One. Scope is clean and theres nothing but us out here. If something was here it bugged out already. Returning to route” Squidbait reported.

“Copy that Foil, cleared –“ Athena cut out.

“Athena say again?” Squidbait called out on the radio.

Silence.

“Foil Two, how do you hear?”

Silence.

 

Squidbait looked over to his shoulder and saw Aqua’s Viper closing in on his own. He could see Aqua moving a hand Infront of his mouth, then across his ear.  It was the hand gesture for a radio out situation. Squidbait returned the hand gesture in kind. Squidbait tapped the side of his helmet, then gestured a 2 4 and 3. The Military emergency frequency.

“Foil Two, Foil One, how Copy?” Squidbait called

HE was answered by silence.

He looked over and saw Aqua shaking his head in frustration.

Whatever, we train for this shit. Squidbait thought to himself.

Squidbait yawed his Viper back and forth indicating to Aqua that they were going to return to their pre-briefed route.  

“Athena, Foil One, in the blind. We are having radio issues and are returning back to pre-briefed route” Squidbait said on the radio, likely to no one.

Squidbait went to check his fuel quantities and caught a flash out of the corner of his eye. Looking off his right wing he could see a fireball that was Aqua’s Viper as it plunged towards the jungle below. The flashes of the fire temporarily overloaded Squidbaits monocle as it strangled to squelch the light.

“Holy shit!” Squidbait exclaimed, He threw his Viper in a wheel around the crash site, desperately looking for a parachute or any indication his wingman had made it out of the fighter.

“Athena, Foil One in the blind. Foil Two is Down! I repeat, we have a Viper down!” He yelled into the radio.

Silence was Squidbait’s response.

He looked up from the devastation to see tracers streaming towards his jet. A wave of confusion and anger washed over the Usean pilot. What in gods name is happening? The war’s over! He thought as he jinked the F-16 wildly to dodge the cannon rounds. Suddenly Squidbait’s cockpit was filled with a rapid chirping from the jet’s radar warning receiver.

“Foil one, Im spiked, defending!” he exclaimed, doubtful anyone could hear him.

He slammed the throttle forward and felt the afterburner ignite on the F100 turbofan. Squidbait desperately looked behind himself to see the attacker.

Too dark, dammit! He thought to himself. Quickly, Squidbait punched off the excess weight on the Viper, to include two dumb Mark 82 bombs and two 370 gallon drop tanks. It would significantly shorten his range but the moment they departed the aircraft he could feel the plane lighten up enough.

Alright, now we’re in the fight! Squidbait thought to himself. He jerked the Viper in a hard turn in an attempt to jink the bandit off his tail. Squidbait knew he was stuck in a low aspect shot for the bandit.

“Let’s see if you can do this, asshole.” Squidbait growled as he pulled the Viper into a high G climb. Not being adequately prepared with the anti-G straining maneuver, Squidbait could feel his body get painfully heavy, he could see the corners of his vision begin to fade and what felt like off in the distance he could feel the G-suit start to inflate, He looked up and saw the flash of the bandits afterburner before it disappeared under his jet. He rolled the Viper over as his HUD ticked past 35,000 feet. Pulling the Vipers nose towards the ground he threw the plane into a dive, With the afterburner roaring he could see the Airspeed climb rapidly almost as quickly as his altitude was falling. He hit the weapons select switch until he saw the gun maneuvering line appear on his HUD. He looked in vain but didn’t see the bandit in front of him.

What the hell is this thing? He thought as he pulled the jet level at fourteen thousand feet. Once again, his cockpit was silent as he had broken lock with the bandit.

“Foil One, Naked. Egressing” He called out exhausted.

A moment later, more tracers surrounded his cockpit. “Can you just quit it already!?” He yelled, pulling the jet into a hard turn to the right. Even with a straining maneuver, he saw the G meter tick up to 8.

If I can’t run, I can at least fight this fucker. He thought. Backing the weapons selector on his stick, he saw the small ring appear on his HUD and a comforting growl from the Vipers two AIM-9L Sidewinder Infrared missiles. Along with the bombs and fuel, every CUAF Patrol carried no less than two AIM-9 heat seekers and two AIM-120B radar guided missiles.

He looked over his shoulder and saw the Bandit once again was right on his tail. Gotcha! He thought as he engaged the speed brakes and pulled the nose up. Feeling the airspeed bleed off he started a roll to increase his distance from the bandit. It wasn’t quite the rolling scissor he has been trained but he was pleasantly surprised to see the attacking jet pass underneath him and turn Squidbait’s defensive fight into an offensive one. Kicking in the boards the opened the throttle to regain airspeed and stay on the bandit.

Closing the distance, he put the Bandit in the middle of the Sidewinders reticle. Instead of the high-pitched tone he expected however, the Sidewinder continued its idle growl. He switched between the two Missiles on the pylons to the same effect. What the hell? He thought in frustration. He fired one of the Sidewinders, hoping it was bad indicators from the G’s that he had been putting the jet through.

“Foil One, Fox Two!” He yelled out hitting the weapons release switch.

The jet shuddered as the missile flew off the pylon, and much to Squidbaits annoyance, past the bandit to flame out harmlessly over the jungle.

The Bandit, seeing the missile go stupid, started his own jinking maneuvers. They were sloppy but the enemy jets high maneuverability made up for the lack in skill. Squidbait did his best to stay on the bandits tail. He looked through the green haze of the NVG’s to see what he was fighting.

 

The enemies jet was small and angular. It struck him as odd that it didn’t quite look like anything he had seen in the past.  JF-17 Maybe? He thought. Squidbait had only seen the Xiaolong’s in magazines and occasional intelligence briefings. To the best of his knowledge, they were a Verusean domestic fighter and only a handful existed. What he did know was that the JF-17 did not have any of the capabilities of his current bandit.

 

Centering the bandit in the Sidewinders reticle again, he waited for the tone. Hearing nothing, he once again hit the trigger and prayed.

To his dismay, the missile once again ‘went stupid’ and flew past the bandit.

 

Squidbait weighed his options. He didn’t want to lose the separation he already had on his target, but he also was low on options. I need a minimum of a mile for the ARMAAM to arm. He thought to himself. Slowly he let off on the throttle and watched the distance increase, as he neared a mile in distance, he switched the weapons selector over to the AIM-120s and engaged the Air to Air Radar.

He looked in annoyance at the blank screen. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” He hissed. According to his jets radar, they were alone. There was nothing to shoot in front of him.

The enemy jet continued its sloppy maneuvering over the Jungle. Squidbait closed the distance, hoping to get within guns range before the Bandit could make a reversal on him. Before he could switch back to the guns, The Bandit started a turns reversal, before Squidbait could realize it, he had closed into a scissors with the bandit, every other second the defender became the attacker. Squidbait was getting tired. By his guess only a few moments had passed since Aqua had been shot down, but the way he felt was closer to running two back to back marathons.

This is some bullshit. He thought as he worked to stay out of phase with the mystery aircraft.

As he rolled the Viper once again into a low aspect shot, the Bandit made a blinding fast pitch upwards.

What the hell is this thing? Squidbait thought as he engaged the Afterburner to pursue his target. Going into the climb, the F-16 had nearly 600 knots of airspeed, But it was falling quickly. Still the Bandits airplane continued to climb unrestricted, Front Squidbait’s guess, it had crossed 30,000’ easily with no issues.

Closing the distance, Squidbait re-engaged the guns. Once again, his HUD was filled with the maneuvering line, He put the Bandit at the base of the line and squeezed the trigger.

Nothing.

Instead of the belch of the Vipers 20mm Cannon, Squidbait saw large X’s across the two multi-function displays in the fighter.

As his Viper neared 40,000 feet, Squidbait could feel the jet start to shake. He looked at the Airspeed fall below 200 knots. Within a second the stall tone was sounding. A Moment later the nose broke as the Viper fell helplessly into a spin, screaming towards the ground.

Squidbait idled the throttle and sent the stick forward to break the stall. The nose lazily tracked along the horizon as the altitude kept decreasing in Squidbaits HUD.

Passing 25,000 feet, Squidbait reached down to pull the Ejection handle between his legs. Inexplicably to himself, he paused briefly and looked up towards the bandit.

Now bearing down on him, he could see the enemy fighter’s angular nose, as well as the missile flying closing the distance impossibly fast.

“Fuck”

***
“Foil One lost” Technical Sergeant Penikett reported sadly, slumping back into his chair. The Air Battle Manager, Captain Sharon “Athena” Agathon walked down the isle along the E-767 to Penikett’s station.

“What happened Tech Sergeant?” She asked concerned. Penikett took off his headset and turned around to talk to the Captain.

“Don’t know. It was a flight of two CUAF Vipers. I’ve lost both of them on our primary and I’m getting nothing on secondary from the ground stations either” He reported. “But whatever happened, it wasn’t normal. He was making some aggressive maneuvers and multiple climbs.”

“What were they doing?” Agathon asked.

“Command reported some weird sightings in the region. So, I dispatched Foil to investigate. They reported that nothing was there, then I lost their IFF data and communications with them.”

“See anything else out there with them?” Agathon asked.

“Not a damn thing Ma’am. Its like the hand of god just flicked them out of the sky.” Penikett replied.

Agathon pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “Tech Sergeant mark their last known locations. Master Sergeant Park-“ Agathon ordered “Call up Command, let them know we have two possible shoot downs, we need Search and Rescue and Alert Fighters out to the location.”

“Yes Ma’am” The two NCO’s replied, quickly getting to work.

***

Mancuso sat in his office smoking a cigar and reading the report.

He flinched when he saw that both of the Usean Pilots had been killed, and their remains were found within the wreckage of their aircraft.

He exhaled a large cloud of smoke.

“Does someone want to tell me how old this report is?” He said slowly.

In his office, choking from the secondhand smoke was his intelligence officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Gillette. “About two weeks old” Gillette responded with a cough.

“Any reason why we’re just seeing it now?” Mancuso asked annoyed.

“IUN has always been awful with sharing details. Even after the fuck up with Harling. We just got the report this morning.”

“Did Fick say anything about this?”

“Not that we saw sir. But Fick’s team has been mostly operating along the coastal region around Axel Bay. This was further inland, around the former Istas Fortress region.” Gillette reported.

“I’m guessing we still haven’t any clues who is responsible?”

“Not one. Rebels indicated they were working with the responsible party but, they themselves did not do the shoot down.” Gillette explained.

Mancuso sighed.

“This is just one gut punch after another. Really wish we could have kept the LRSSG and Three Strikes. But I got overruled. Now he’s off making sure Navarro plays nice.” Mancuso groaned, steepling his hands on his desk.

Gillette shrugged. “I will have Fick look into the area a bit more, at least for now sir, we do believe the origin point for all these attacks is in Chopinburg.”

“it’s a start. But where exactly? There has to be forty or fifty air strips that could field a fighter in that area. Who knows how many are actually charted? And its not like I can get authorization to send a Bone in there and JDAM everything we think might be a runway.” Mancuso sighed.

“Well Sir, its not like we would have gotten this assignment without it being some kind of difficult or next to impossible” Gillette said jokingly.

Mancuso cracked a smirk at his subordinate. “I’m just hoping we don’t lose the entire air force before that happens.”

Chapter 14

 FOURTEEN

“Strider One-One, Selatapura Clearance Delivery. Cleared to November Air Base via the Elevator One departure, Armstrong transition, then as filed.  Maintain four thousand. Expect Flight level two four zero, one zero minutes after departure. Departure on three-three-six point one. Squawk four-three-one-two.” The controller said in their cool radio voice.

Trigger was watching from the airports air traffic control tower as the six F-15 Eagles from the LRSSG sat idling on the ramp.

Counts tinny voice came over the radio “Cleared to November, via the Elevator One departure, Armstrong transition. Four thousand for the altitude, expecting Twenty-four in ten. Departure thee-three-six decimal one, Squawk four-tree-one-two. Strider One-one”

“Strider One, read back correct” the controller replied.

Elsewhere in the tower, he could hear Count receive the taxi clearance for the Squadron, and a moment later, the six Eagles lurched their way forward and towards the runway.

The controller looked up at Trigger. “Any reason you chose to be up here and not down there with your buddies?”

“Get the better view from up here” Trigger replied.

“Whatever dude. Just make sure you don’t lean on any buttons or nothing” the Controller replied.

Trigger watched as they lined up short of the runway.

“Selatapura Tower, Strider One-One, Flight of Six, Holding short Runway Two-Zero right, Ready for Departure.”  Count’s voice came over the radio.

“Strider, Selatapura Tower, hold short for landing Air Ixiom traffic” the tower replied.

Really Count? You know better Trigger thought to himself. It was a bad habit Count had developed of not checking the arrival end of the runway to see if anyone was on short final. A few moments later the Air Ixiom Boeing 767 landed, a large smoke cloud briefly appeared as the wheels hit the runway.

“Strider, Selatapura Tower, line up and wait”

“Line up and Wait, Strider One-One” Count replied.

The Eagles stacked up on the runway in a staggered formation.

“Strider One-One, Cleared for takeoff”

“Cleared for takeoff, Strider One-One” Trigger watched the afterburner roar to life as Count’s fighter screamed down the runway. Within a moment of the nose lifting off, Trigger watched the next F-15’s engines roar to life. Within a minute the six fighters of the LRSSG had departed and were in the process of reforming up above the airport.

After hearing the LRSSG contact the Departure controller, Trigger excused himself from the tower.

Exiting into the main lobby of the tower, Trigger noticed the Base’s executive officer patiently waiting.

“Uneventful I trust?” Lieutenant Colonel Curtis asked.

“Yes sir. The Strike Group should be meeting up with the KC-10 in a few minutes. But they had extra bags on so worst-case scenario, they will have the range to get across the ocean to at least reach the Nordlands. Might be a bit of a diplomatic issue but beats ditching in either the Cascade or Spring” Trigger reported.

Curtis nodded approvingly. “Well at least their going away party was nice” He said curtly

On their last night in Selatapura, Trigger along with the rest of the Base’s leadership and Salamander Squadron had thrown a small going away party for the LRSSG. Unfortunately for the LRSSG pilots however, they were the only ones prohibited from any alcohol during the event. In solidarity with his fellow Strike Group members, Trigger abstained from any of the drunken antics other pilots were getting up to in the squadron bar, and refused any offers of Jeremiah Weed that, quite literally, were tossed his way. It had been a fun party to participate in all things considered, however it did bother him that none of the Fort Grays pilots from either squadron had elected to join them, in spite of their invitations. Trigger had hoped the party would have broken the ice and mended any ill will their arrival had caused.

“Was there something you needed from me Colonel?” Trigger asked concerned.

“Yes. OSI is here to see you.” Curtis said

“Oh, any idea why?” Trigger asked

“Didn’t ask.”

“Are they here now?”

“Yep. You should probably get on that.” Curtis said noncommittedly. Trigger rolled his eyes at the ever-laconic Curtis. “Well excuse me Colonel, I will be taking my leave now.” He said as he made his way towards the Bases administrative offices.

Like last time he met with the Office of Special Investigations, they were waiting for him in the lobby.

“Ah, Major, glad of you to join us!” The Agent said cheerfully, Trigger recognized him as the same OSI agent who interviewed him months prior.

Trigger shook the man’s hand “I wish you told me you were coming. Is your other guy not here today?” Trigger asked. “No, Agent Baxter is still on a previous assignment.” The Agent whose nametag read Palmer replied. “Ah, still no joy on Bandog then?” Trigger asked grinning. Palmer glared at him. “No. Unfortunately we are still following up on leads regarding his whereabouts” Palmer said curtly.

“How can I help you today then? Unless you just came all this way to tell me you still made no progress on that front” Trigger said sarcastically, bouncing on the heels of his feet.

“Well Major, its regarding your new assignment. We have a few questions for you. If you wouldn’t mind taking me back to your office so we can discuss a few things?” Palmer stated.

“Of Course. Right this way” Trigger said, motioning towards the door.

***
Trigger shut the Office door behind Palmer. “Can I get you a coffee or something?” he offered the Agent.

“No thanks. This shouldn’t take long” Palmer said, taking a seat. Trigger sat down behind his desk and faced the Agent.

“So, hit me, what questions do you have?” Trigger asked

“Just a few. Your background check came back clean aside from some previous blemishes-“ Palmer started. “Those have been addressed ad nauseum, I don’t need you to remind me” Trigger cut him off, annoyed. “Its ridiculous that you people dwell on something out of my control” Trigger complained.

“Well Major, understand that we have a job to do. And people in your, circumstances, Have proven to be detriments to Osea In the past” Palmer defended himself.

Trigger rolled his eyes. “Just get to your stupid questions and get the hell out of my office” he demanded.

Palmer let out a sigh and cleared his throat. “Alright Major. When was the first time you met Princess D’Elise?”

Trigger thought for a moment “Last December in person.” Palmer raised an eyebrow.

“Elaborate if you will”

“The Princess had been in the same AO’s as the LRSSG towards the latter end of the war. We crossed paths but generally had a few thousand feet of altitude between us and any communications was over the radio” Trigger replied truthfully.

Palmer nodded “Save for that first meeting, have you met with the Princess in any other capacity, Official or not?”

Trigger paused for a brief moment “Only one meeting a few weeks ago” He lied. Theres no way they know, can they? He thought.

“And was that for official Business?”

“I broke a few windows downtown and the City Council got pissed. Colonel Byrns and I had to smooth it out, and the Princess happened to be a party in attendance.” Trigger explained.

“Did anything happen at this meeting?” Palmer inquired

“I don’t know really. It was fairly short and mostly the Princess yelling at the idiot in charge” Trigger said.

“Anything afterword’s?”

“Yes, there was a dinner of sorts where the Colonel, Princess and I talked. But that was it” Trigger lied again.

Palmer jotted something on his note pad.

“Can I ask why all the questions?” Trigger said, gulping

“Are they bothering you?” Palmer said, not taking his attention away from the notepad.

“Not exactly. Just curious is all”

Palmer looked up at Trigger. “Frankly everything about you has been an anomaly. The Brass has been more than keen to let you be as is. The Princess asking for you by name is an anomaly that even General Shepard and General Edwards can’t rightly ignore. So, they sent me to figure out why you”.

“Did you talk to the Princess and ask?” Trigger asked.

“I’m sure someone did.” Palmer replied.

“Trigger is there anything else you want to tell me before I make my report to Command?” Palmer asked. “This may be your only chance to explain anything we could find” he added in a veiled threat.

Trigger paused for a second. “No”.

“Fine. Major Thank you for your time. I think I have all the information I need” Palmer said excusing himself.

Trigger sat in his office and dwelled on the situation.

***

Major Carter stepped off the cramped C-12 Huron onto the Selatapuran ramp. Trigger, standing at parade rest at the base of the turboprop’s staircase, waited for the portly officer to unfold himself.  “God, I hate flying” Carter griped as he stepped down from the plane and adjusting his blue service coat.

“So then why did you join the Air Force?” Trigger asked, extending a hand and looking far more comfortable in his green flight suit than Carter.

“Mostly the quality of life and benefits is what kept me coming back” Carter replied grinning, shaking the pilots hand. “So you must be the man of the hour I’ve been sent to see Major. Is it OK if I called you Trigger?” Carter asked.

“Don’t see why not. Everyone else does” Trigger said, motioning for Carter to follow him inside the operations hanger. “Seeing any action out this way?” Carter asked, trying to be polite.

“Probably a far sight more than Expo City if that’s what your asking. But its been more or less quiet the past few months” Trigger replied, struggling with the lock on his door. He grunted for a moment before the stuck lock gave way allowing both men to enter Trigger’s cluttered office.

Carter chuckled “Well I won’t argue that. Erusean bombers didn’t make it quite as far this time as they did last time. Outside of those first early weeks we didn’t see anything in our airspace.” Carter agreed

“So, what can I help you today with Major? Unless you flew across an entire continent just to talk to little ol’ me” Trigger asked, turning on the coffee maker.

Carter sat down in the chair and let out a sigh. “As you know, I came here on behalf of General Shepard. Just have some final verbal orders to deliver before you take your new assignment being a liaison and all.” Carter explained.

“Naturally.”

“As you probably figured out Trigger, your new mission is to act as an intermediary between the Osean Defense Force and Erusean Government. Normally we would have someone of a higher rank fill this role, but these are exceedingly strange times.” Carter admitted.

“What will I be responsible for mainly?” Trigger asked

“Basic liaison stuff. Anything classified or of high military importance is being handled elsewhere, so your job more or less is to just be the voice of our interests any time the need arises. Of course, if she has something specific to discuss with the General Staff, you will be the point of contact.” Carter explained.

Trigger sighed “Wow, this sounds boring.”

“Such is the needs of the service Trigger.” Carter reminded him. “One last thing, we do ask you to ‘keep your ears open’ a bit while on this assignment.”

“A spy?” Trigger asked

“Oh god no. You’re not nearly trained well enough to be competent at spy work. Just that if you hear anything interesting, pass it along our way.” Carter said.

“Noted. Is there anything else?” Trigger asked.

***
“Your Highness, I must firmly object to this course of action!” Colonel Andres protested. Cossette folded her arms, staring at the video feed on the wall.

“Colonel, While I understand your concerns, this is my choice to have a representative present. As you have noted on multiple occasions; Our once proud military has been decimated by these wars. We will need the Osean’s help if we have any chance of defeating these Radicals.”

“But with a few more months!” Andres pleaded

“Enough Colonel!” Cossette scolded. The Colonel took a moment to compose himself.

“Of course Your Highness. I apologize.” Andres relented.

“Was there anything else you needed to report Colonel?” Cossette asked, annoyed with the mans outburst.

“Yes. It is the opinion of myself and the Osean Army Colonel that Farbanti has been secured. We have not had any rebel attacks for the past three weeks and we think they’ve been routed back towards Mount Lambert.” Andres reported. “With that being said, it would do the Erusean people some good to see the Monarchy return to its rightful home.” He concluded.

Cossette furrowed her brow and thought for a moment.

“Ma’am, I understand your connection with Selatapura, but you do need to think about the moral wellbeing of our people” Andres urged.

“Fine. If you think it is safe enough for my return. Start making the arrangements.” Cossette ordered.

“At once Your Highness” Andres said, before disconnecting the video call.

“Gretchen?” Cossette called out.

The middle-aged maid entered the room “Yes Your Highness?”

“I will need you to go back to Farbanti and make arrangements for my return.” Cossette said.

“Of course, Your Highness. However, if I may, can I please fly this time? Walking back to Farbanti from here would be hell on my knees” Gretchen said with a smirk.

Cossette chuckled. “That won’t be a problem Auntie. I’m sure we can get you on a Transport heading that way if nothing else, but I’m sure one of my families jets will work just as well”

“Oh, you don’t have to go all out for me. But the Champaign and inflight meal would be nice; Far better than the cargo bay on a Greyhound.” Gretchen replied.

“Thank you, Gretchen.” Cossette said, placing a hand on the maids arm.

***
Trigger made his way into the Hotel’s lobby, his blue military service dress making him stand out in the crowd of guests. He had been there plenty of times, but to make appearances, he still asked for directions to the elevators to reach the upper floors. Flashing his Identification to the Erusean Officer standing guard, he was patted down and let onto the elevator to the top floor penthouse.

Didn’t have to worry about that last time. Trigger thought to himself. Granted, I did have Avril sneaking me in. He smirked at the memory.

It had been some time since he had heard from The Scrap Queen. Aside from occasional reports of her working on the Osean’s jets or helping Cossette, Trigger was unsure what she had been up to since the wars end.

The Elevator doors opened at the top floor, another Erusean soldier searched Trigger for weapons before letting him proceed. A Middle-aged woman appeared to be waiting for him. “Are you the Major Osea sent?” She asked. She was in a standard business attire and wore a disapproving scowl on her face. “Yes Ma’am” Trigger said as he extended his hand. She looked at it him with an air of disgust, forcing Trigger to rescind the greeting. “The Princess will be having her briefing in the next ten minutes. I hope your ready” She said, making an about face and walking down the hallway, Trigger followed her.

“Ok, where am I supposed to be then?” Trigger asked.

“The East meeting rooms. My god they sent you unprepared didn’t they.” The woman admonished.

Trigger paused. “Im sorry but who are you anyways?” he asked annoyed.

The woman scoffed at him “I’m the Erusean Minister of Energy, Don’t you read the papers?!”

“Well, considering they’re in a language I can’t actually read. No.” Trigger shot back.

She rolled her eyes. “One of the many pitfalls of Osea, you think the world just revolves around you.” She snarled.

Trigger held up his hands. “Fine, whatever, I report to the Princess last I checked, not to some undersecretary of the interior.” He stated annoyed.

“That is Minister of Energy to you!” She yelled, jabbing a finger into the pilots chest.

Trigger grinned knowing that he had gotten under the bureaucrat’s skin.

“Minister Thorogood, I wouldn’t do that if I were you” A voice interrupted, causing the two to turn their attention to an annoyed looking Princess Cossette.

“Excuse me Your Highness” Thorogood apologized.

“I mean she did start it” Trigger defended himself.

“Major, are you positive this is the foot you want to step off on?” Cossette admonished.

Trigger paused, before relenting “My apologies ma’am.”

Thorogood nodded “Your Highness, I was just leading the Major to the meeting room for your briefing.” She said

“That’s fine, lead the way Minister” Cossette ordered.

As Cossette passed Trigger, she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and shot him a death stare.

Entering the room, Trigger could see a collection of other politicians and aids to Cossette’s cabinet sitting around a large oval table. On a far wall he could see a projector and lectern set up waiting for his briefing to begin. Cossette took up her seat at the head of the table, while Trigger made his way to the lectern.

Cossette sat and folded her arms. “You may begin when ready Major” she ordered. Taking the stack of papers from the Pilot.

Trigger cleared his throat and began his briefing. Quickly detailing Osea’s current mission in the Gunther region and the plans to support Cossette’s troops within Erusea. It was a script that General Shepard’s office had sent him the night prior and one he had tried to memorize the best he could.

Upon finishing he opened the room up for questions.

Everyone present seemed to be waiting on the Princesses lead while dealing with the foreign Interloper.

Cossette sat reading through the report Trigger had presented her. “Major, Regarding supply lines. Will Osea be willing to help move troops as well via the air?” She asked.

“I will have to discuss that directly with high command ma’am, unfortunately that’s out of my wheelhouse” he explained apologetically.

“What about moving one person?” she Implored

“Depending on the situation ma’am, I believe we may be able to arrange that” he answered.

“Good, I will discuss this with you later then. I have a member of my staff returning to Farbanti and I was hoping Osea would be able to assist as a gesture of good will” Cossette said with a slight grin.

Trigger took his seat along the table. He struggled to follow the other ministers reports to the Princess. Cossette had told him that many of her current ministers had been unwitting replacements, as most of those originally appointed to the positions had either been killed, disappeared, or defected to the Radicals.

As the briefing winded down Cossette stood up. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, once again for your hard work for the people of Erusea.” She began. “I do have one final order of business to discuss with you all. It is my pleasure to report that Farbanti has been secured. With the help of the Oseans and our own forces, we will once again be able to have the seat of Government back in our capital.” A round of applause broke from the cabinet members.  

“When will we be moving?” one of the Ministers asked.

“Colonel Andre’s is making arrangements for our move to be within the next week” Cossette explained.

“We can finally go home” Another Minister said in a tired voice.

“Does this mean the wars effectively over?” Another asked.

Trigger couldn’t understand their position at all. While Osea was no stranger to war, even in its darkest hours they had never lost as much as other countries did. Trigger remembered the celebrations that took place in Ustio during the Belkan war, when they had finally liberated their occupied capital, it was said the bells had been ringing for months.

For the Oseans it was an utterly foreign idea.

Weird. He thought to himself.

***
“Did you really need to get into that much of a dick-measuring contest?” Cossette asked, taking a handful of popcorn from the bowl.

Trigger and Cossette sat on the couch in Triggers apartment watching a movie. Cossette had switched to her pajamas and had pilfered one of Triggers hoodies. Trigger had his arm wrapped around her as he absent mindedly watched the movie. He was glad Cossette had agreed to put on the subtitles since he still couldn’t understand Erusean at all.

“I mean she did start it!” he defended himself.

“I know she can be a bitch, but it doesn’t mean you can just do that at work Trigger!” she chided him.

“Oh sure, when you do it, that’s just the Princess exercising her authority. But when I do it. Im ‘Out of line’ and ‘need to Remember my place as an ambassador’. Is that right?” Trigger said sarcastically.

Cossette rolled her eyes.  “Whatever. Just try to play nice while in Farbanti. Your going to be outnumbered there.” She reminded him.

“So what’s going to be the deal with that? I imagine its going to be harder for us to sneak around there.” Trigger asked.

“I have Gretchen getting that established. That’s why I wanted her flown out there as quickly as possible. You will be staying in one of the guest rooms at the Royal estate. There will be a time when the Staff knows to leave the main living quarters alone. From there it should be business as usual for us” She said nonchalantly. After the briefing in the Morning, Trigger had quickly made calls with the Airbase for Cossette’s head aid to be flown out to Farbanti. He only briefly caught a glimpse at the itinerary but it was multiple short hops between airbases along the Erusean Coast in the back of Hercules troop transports and even a Globemaster.

“You make it sound so easy.” Trigger muttered.

“Well I can’t ask you to get an apartment there just yet. And besides, most of my cabinet members live there full time so they already have homes. It should be fine.” She reassured him.

“Well if nothing else; At least it gets us away from that damn elevator.” Trigger joked.

“And the Change of scenery will be nice too” She added.

Chapter 13

 THIRTEEN

“Move and I blow your fucking head off” the pilot growled.

Trigger put his hands up and took a step back, the pilot flipped up his helmets visor. Trigger could see the anger that burned in the man’s sunken eyes. His face was gaunt, the once ever-present arrogant smile had turned into a bitter scowl. Trigger knew this man, even if he was a husk of his former self.

“Hey Knocker,” Trigger slowly said “Hows it hanging?”

“Fuck you!” Knocker hissed, the M9 shaking but still trained at Trigger’s forehead.

“Uhh, Trigger. Care to explain why this guy wants you dead?” Count asked

“Well-“ Trigger began “Shut. The Fuck. Up.” Knocker interrupted. Watching the scene unfold, Trigger could see personnel running to see what the commotion was about, within seconds a small crowd of Fort Grays, and LRSSG Pilots form up.

Trigger could see a slight grin form on Knockers face, it was not a friendly grin.  “This man here, is a traitor!” he began.

Triggers heart skipped a beat at the accusation. What the hell? Trigger thought.

“I don’t know what he told you all, but he is a murderer plain and simple. Clearly, he must have escaped. Let me guess you picked him up with some sob story, right?” Knocker continued to the crowd

“Trigger, any idea what the fuck he’s talking about?” Huxian hissed.

“I don’t really know at this point, but I have a theory” Trigger said truthfully.

“I said shut the fuck up!” Knocker bellowed.

Trigger gave an annoyed sigh and clapped his hands. “Ok, I think I see what happened here, Knocker, Im going to tell you one time to put that piece away before I shove it up your ass” Trigger started. The fact his hostage was now flatly ignoring the threats stunned Knocker for a moment. “Like hell you are!” Knocker spat

Trigger could hear a clatter of boots running towards them, Security Forces, finally. Trigger thoughts.

Knocker, smiled. “Oh good, Security Forces, I am ordering you to talk this man into custody!” he barked.

He was however greeted with the Security Forces detachment raising their rifles and taking aim. The lead Airmen held up his palm “Captain, I am going to need you to put that gun now and step away with your hands up!” the Sergeant ordered.

Trigger watched as a wave of emotions passed over Knockers face, before settling on anger. “What the fuck for!?” He demanded

“I’d do what the nice man with the M16 says Knocker” Trigger quipped,

“Fuck you Traitor, I’m taking your ass into custody even if I have to fight my way out of here!” Knocker retorted.

“And go where?” Skald interrogated

“back to that prison where they dumped his ass!” Knocker said defiantly.

Knocker looked around frantically, Trigger could see the uncomfortable looks on all the Fort Gray’s pilots faces as they watched the scene before them.

“Come on!-“ he started, voice slightly wavering  “-They’re Traitors, we need to deal with this!”

Trigger studied them. Save for Knocker, most of them were only first or second lieutenants.

“They’re all pretty young. Nuggets?” Trigger asked calmly. Knocker turned his attention back to Trigger.

“Yeah, and that’s your fault!” He spat

Trigger laughed “Your kidding, right? How’s that my fault?”

Before Knocker could respond, the dull roar of diesel engines filled the air, within a second multiple Security Force airmen had piled out of Humvees and were now taking aim at Knocker. There was a brief squelch as a voice came over the microphone.

“Captain, This is Major Santos of the Osean Air Defense Force, per orders of Base Commander Byrns, You are to lower you weapon and come with us at once for debrief. This is your only warning!” Santos barked.

Knocker’s face fell from anger to despair, Trigger could see the handgun shaking now.

“I’d do what the scary lady says Knocker. You cant hope to fight them all” Trigger said pragmatically.

Knocker took a second and lowered the handgun.

“This isn’t over” he hissed, before reholstering the weapon in his survival vest and surrendering to Major Santos.

Trigger breathed a sigh of relief when he watched the convoy pull away moments later.

“What the hell was all that?” Count demanded.

“I think what we witnessed is a classic case of ‘misreading the situation’” Trigger replied.

“What do you mean?” Count asked

“Remember when I got to the Penal unit?” Trigger started, Count nodded “Right, they blamed you for Harling right?”

Trigger nodded solemnly, even though he was later absolved of any wrongdoing and reinstated into the air force, He still felt responsible for that day.

“Yeah, Knocker was the flight lead on the mission. One of the many officers who testified against me at the court martial.” Trigger explained.

“So how does that equate to him wanting to lobotomize you?” Huxian piped up

“I’m guessing he never got the memo on my reinstatement in the Military. Not exactly front-page news when everyone already hates your guts” Trigger continued.

Trigger shook his head and kicked a tire of one of the F-16 Vipers. “I really don’t know what happened to him after that.” He said quietly.

As he made his way back to the office, Santos pulled up next to him in a golf cart. “Hop on” She ordered.

Trigger obliged and sat in the faded leather seat.

“You wanna tell me what the hell just happened Major?” She started.

“Can’t say for certain, except I was expecting someone else.” Trigger said

“Well Colonel is giving your buddy a debrief, I am going to need you to fill out some paperwork so everything on our end is squared away.”

“Oh joy, how much?” Trigger asked

“Probably enough that your going to wish he had just shot your ass” Santos said slyly.

“You really are scary” Trigger muttered under his breath.
***
“So you cant tell me why he wants you dead?” Santos said incredulously, refilling her coffee cup.

“Not one bit. Hell, last I saw him he was a Major, So clearly something happened that he blamed me for.” Trigger explained.

“Now, I know I recognized you from the reports, you were pinned in the Harling incident right?” Santos asked,

“Yeah, I was found guilty, but the court overturned it.” Trigger said, not following Santos’ line of questioning.

“You think maybe he might still blame you? I mean last this guy probably thought about you, you were being hauled off to god-knows-where prison. Then here you are, not only at his new base, but also a higher rank then him. Maybe that has something to do about it?” Santos theorized.

Trigger thought for a moment. “Maybe? But I would have thought he could have seen something about me being innocent”

“Well the only reason I know, is because Byrns told me, Less I think the same thing and shoot your ass. Its still mostly classified. Your trial was a public shit show, but everything you did after? Not so much. Hell, the Penal unit didn’t make public attention until they rebelled and turned their guns on us.” Santos explained.

Trigger chuckled halfheartedly at that. “Wonder what Senator got the shit for that”

“Who knows, but that’s just the way it goes. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time” Santos said, sipping her coffee.

“Funny how that always works” Trigger observed.

“Well im sure the Colonel will want to talk to you now that I am done with you” Santos explained, noting to the reams of paperwork Trigger had just finished accounting for.

“Wonder if it’s a handshake or a kick in the ass” Trigger muttered.

“Who knows. Colonel seems to have taken a shine to you so, maybe you’ll luck out. Besides your out of here Monday, right?” Santos asked.

“Yeah, I am breaking the lease on the apartment tonight and moving into the Officer dorms for the weekend. Wheels up zero-seven-thirty Monday” Trigger explained.

Santos held out her hand, “We didn’t work together long but it was a pleasure Major.” She said, Trigger shook her hand “Likewise. Make sure the pilots don’t get into too much trouble” he said jokingly. “It’s the damn Wizzo’s I have to worry about” Santos shot back smiling.

Santos’ phone rang, She picked it up and introduced herself, Trigger started making his way to the door before the Security Forces Commander held out her hand.

Hanging up she jotted a note down and handed it to Trigger. He tried to read in vain what was scrawled across the piece of paper

Curtis- Byrns en-route to your office, looked pissed.

Trigger whispered a thank you and bolted out the door towards the operations hangar.

Minutes later, he arrived at his office door, fumbling with his keys, he could hear distinctive clacks of dress shoes making their way towards him.

Byrns walked up to him and motioned for Trigger to open the door. Holding the door open for the senior officer, Trigger closed the door behind him.

Byrns took a second to compose himself.

“Trigger, do you know who I just got off the phone with?” He demanded.

Trigger felt a pit in his stomach. “No sir; can’t say that I do”.

“Its bad enough I have someone trying to kill my director of flight ops, but I just got off the phone with General Shepard and you have just been taken off flight detail with the LRSSG and reassigned”

Trigger stood stunned. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“One of the Generals people is coming on the next flight in to explain the details but. For some asinine reason, your now attached as an Osean Air Defense Force advisor to the Erusean Government!” Byrns ranted.

“What?” Trigger stammered “Exactly!” Byrns exclaimed.

“So, where am I going then?” Trigger asked confused.

“Your staying in Selatapura for the time being since the Princess is here, I don’t know who you will be reporting to, or even if I can keep you flying occasionally. We have to wait until Wednesday. That’s assuming that Captain Whats-His-Face doesn’t shoot you in the meantime” Byrns explained.

“Yeah, about that.” Trigger started.

“He tried to explain himself, but only came off as a rambling kook. I have him confined to quarters for the time being” Byrns explained

“Oh, so I’m off the hook?” Trigger asked “Not by a mile Major” Byrns replied “First you’re going to explain what the hell that all about this morning was”

Trigger sighed. “Well sir, you may want to take a seat.”

***
Trigger finished telling of his time at Fort Grays and the Penal unit, he noted that Byrns didn’t even react when Trigger explained what happened to President Harling, just sat and nodded along with the story.

“Any questions Colonel?” Trigger concluded

“Well it certainly explains a lot.” Byrns sighed. “For the time being, unless its something ops related, you two are to avoid each other. That’s an order. For his temper tantrum this morning he’s restricted from the Squadron Rooms outside of his regular duties.” Byrns explained.

“So, you’re putting a Fifteen-year captain in time out?” Trigger asked, raising an eyebrow. “Well its that or he actually shoots your insufferable ass. What do you want?” Byrns joked, leaving the room.

“Guess that means I get to keep my apartment then.” Trigger said.

Trigger pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Cossette. Hearing the line pickup, “Hey, it’s me. Do you have any plans for tonight?”

***
The restaurant was in downtown Selatapura, along the main waterway leading to the financial district. Trigger could see from their table dozens of luxury sailboats making their way out to the harbor, using the natural land breeze to fill their sails. Cossette listened intently as Trigger finished his story of the day’s events. “I guess that means we will be working closer together now” he concluded excitedly. He noticed Cossette did not share his enthusiasm, and instead was avoiding eye contact with him. “is there something wrong?” he asked concerned.

“its my fault” She whispered.

“What is?”

“Its my fault they pulled you out of the cockpit!” she repeated loudly. The outburst made some of the patrons turn their attention to the young couple, but to the outside observer, Cossette was just an attractive, well dressed young blond and Trigger was a guy in an I’ll fitting polo shirt and khakis. Cossette lowered her voice “I’m sorry Trigger. A few days ago, your Ambassador offered to have a Military attaché assigned to me. After you said you were leaving, I got scared about losing you, so I requested that you specifically be that officer.” Cossette explained.

Trigger sat for a moment. “I see” he said slowly. A few thoughts went through his mind, but he settled on one. “I wish you had told me before hand, so it wasn’t so much of a shock.” he admitted. “But I can’t say I’m upset at all. Besides it’s not like a permanent grounding. Just for the time being. Odds are after the squadron gets back to Usea I will be reassigned back to them to finish my commitment” he reassured her.

Cossette wiped a tear from her eye. “So, you’re not angry at all?” she asked

“Are you kidding? I’m getting paid to see my girlfriend, whose way out of my league I should add, every day. As my job! Damn I just keep hitting it out of the park with my career assignments!” Trigger said jokingly. His side comments making Cossette laugh.

Trigger leaned back in his chair “Yep, I’m going to be briefed this Wednesday, and should be reporting to your staff on Friday. Byrns even said I might get some Viper time too just to keep my currency while we’re in town. And the Osean Squadron up in Farbanti is another Eagle squadron so I should be back in the F-15 before too long as well.” He explained.

“So, what became of that pilot who had you at gunpoint?” Cossette asked.

“Don’t really know, I was ordered to keep my distance, same as him. So, I don’t know what made him have that outburst exactly” Trigger admitted.

“Strange. When you knew him was, he like that?” Cossette asked. “Not really? Arrogant maybe; but find me a fighter guy who isn’t in some way.” Trigger replied.

The two finished their meal in silence. “Can I ask when we’re going to Farbanti?” Trigger inquired.

“I don’t know exactly. Colonel Andres has been very skittish as of late regarding the idea. I think he doesn’t want a flare up to occur” Cossette explained.

“well at least give me enough time to break the contract properly on the Apartment” Trigger jokingly demanded. Cossette glared at him unimpressed. “Whatever, I helped pay for that too” “It was only the down payment, and I paid you back!” Trigger retorted, wrapping his arm around Cossette’s shoulder as they made their way to the exit. Reaching the street Infront of the restaurant, Trigger felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out and recognized the number as the base command post.

“This is Trigger” He answered

“Major, this is Senior Airmen Thompson with the command post. We just had a Lieutenant Ving at the Selatapura Police Department call, apparently one of the pilots was picked up for public intoxication and they need an officer to pick him up.” The voice on the other line reported.

Trigger gave an annoyed sigh “Fine, who is it and where.”

“Unfortunately, they didn’t provide a name, just that his ID said he was one of ours and he identified himself as a pilot here. They’re at the main detention center in the city” The Airman explained.

“Fine, send a small Security Forces element to meet me there. I’ll be down in twenty.” Trigger ordered, before hanging up.

“What was that?” Cossette asked.

“Apparently one of my wonderful pilots just got arrested. I get to go bail their ass out tonight before they start a diplomatic incident.” Trigger said annoyed.

“Right, you don’t want them taking your favorite past time away?” Cossette interjected.

“Eh, my diplomatic incidents are fun and entertaining. Theirs are just sad and generally involve people making an ass out of themselves.” Trigger said.

***
Having had escorted Cossette back to her apartment. Trigger walked into the Police station. He got in the line behind a small number of other Selatapurans to the main desk. After a few minute wait Trigger arrived to see a bored looking Selatapuran Police Sergeant behind the desk.

“De quoi avez-vous besoin?” The Sergeant asked in a bored monotone.

“What?” Trigger replied, He recognized the question was in Erusean but still couldn’t speak the language.

“Putain de touriste,” The Sergeant muttered “What do you need?” she repeated annoyed in a heavy accent.

“Ah, I’m a Major with the Osean Air Base, I was told you picked up on of our pilots today?” Trigger explained, passing over his ID card.

The Sergeant nodded and quickly typed into her computer terminal.

“It will be one moment Major” She said, pointing at the waiting room.

Trigger stood in the lobby for a moment, the door opened, and a voice called “Major if you will come with me”, Trigger looked up from a magazine to see an overweight police officer, in an ill-fitting uniform waiting for him impatiently.

Trigger rushed up and walked through the door. “I am Lieutenant Ving” The man said, offering Trigger a limp handshake. “Sorry for any trouble my man caused you. Can you tell me what he did?” Trigger asked, walking behind the stout Ving, struggling to not run the man over with his lackadaisical pace.

“Public intoxication and being a Public nuisance. My officers picked him up a few hours ago. He was babbling about being a pilot or some shit. Just get him out of here, please” Ving pleaded.

“Im Sorry about that. Can I talk to him before the Military Police arrive?” Trigger asked.

“Where do you think we were going? Just do whatever, I don’t care. Im not paid enough for this shit” Ving said apathetically as he opened a door to an interview room.

“Aren’t you just a shining example…” Trigger muttered.

Walking into the room he could see it lacked many features, Aside from three folding chairs, a plain plastic card table and a pitcher of water and plastic cups.

“Take a seat” Ving motioned, before closing the door and disappearing. Trigger heard a buzz and a door on the opposite side of the room open.

The man the officers brought in was in filthy clothes. Trigger couldn’t tell what the stains on his pants were but judging from the smell, he guessed it was the vomit from the man’s dinner. After recoiling from the smell, he took another look at him and shook his head disappointed. The police officers forced the man into a folding chair across from Trigger. One police officer exited the room while the other took a post on the far wall of the room.

“Really Knocker?” Trigger asked rhetorically.

“Fuck you” Knocker slurred.

Trigger sighed and poured the pitcher of water into two of the plastic cups. He slid one to Knocker.

“Come on, Drink” Trigger offered. Knocker glared at him as he took the cup and gulped the liquid down.

“Want some more?” Trigger asked. “Go fuck yourself” Knocker spat to Trigger’s dismay. “Its supposed to be your ass in here, not me” Knocker continued.

Trigger studied Knocker for a moment. Knocker continued to glare at him. “Byrns explained you’re some kinda war hero now? Is that the lie you told him?” Knocker interrogated “I bet they ate that shit up when your traitorous ass washed up” he taunted.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Trigger asked incredulously

“Oh yeah, I was following what became of your ass. I knew about the penal unit before most people did.” Knocker explained. “And?” Trigger inquired. “And I’m betting you’re the one who started that rebellion! Let me guess, when all that started, you just turned tail and ran. I bet you came up with some sob story to the first Osean unit you found. It’s just like you to do that” Knocker spat.

Trigger laughed humorlessly. “You have no idea how wrong you are”

“Like hell I am. There’s no way in fuck they’d let your ass out of that place!” Knocker spat, standing up in his chair, within a second the police officer had crossed the room and delivered a baton blow to Knocker’s gut, sending him reeling back into the chair. Trigger watched as Knocker sat hunched over in pain, catching his breath.

“We’re you always this much of a dick? Or is this a new thing for you?” Trigger asked unimpressed with Knocker’s outburst.

“Fuck you” Knocker spat through gasps of air.

“What the hell happened to you Knocker? Last I saw you; you were a Major and the tip of the spear. Now look at you.” Trigger asked.

“You happened” Knocker said.

“Enlighten me” Trigger said unempathetically.

“After your fuck up. Command looked at both Clown and me. Decided since we were the ones who was supposed to keep an eye on your ass. We were partially responsible for Harling’s murder as much as you were. I got busted down to Captain, Clown got sent down to Lieutenant. Pretty soon Fort Grays was getting the Purple Heart missions.” Knocker started. ‘Purple Heart’ missions had become an unofficial euphemism amongst the pilots for sorites that would generally end up with pilots receiving purple hearts, often posthumously.

“We lost Boggard pretty quickly after you got sent to Zapland. Faun was next. And well Footpad-“ Knocker started to explain. “What happened to Clown?” Trigger interjected.

Knocker stared at him.

“It was about a month after we got busted down and your court martial. We were called up for Operation Shotgunner. You even hear about that shit show?” Knocker explained.

Trigger was tangentially aware of the mission. It occurred during his time with the Penal Unit. It was being touted as the worst loss for Osea since the last war.

“We were late getting to the AO. Whole flight of Nuggets sent to support what was left of the San Salvacion Air Force, and whatever Osean’s didn’t get their asses blown out of the sky verses Erusean Veterans. Most of those guys we were up against that day had been former Free Erusean’s or had fought in the last war. And they sent us up with a bunch of hatchlings.” Knocker shook his head sadly and sighed.

“We lost the local forces AWACS pretty quickly. IUN left our asses out to dry so someone made the call for retreat. But the Erusean bastards kept on our ass. Finally, Clown had had enough and fell back to hold the line for us. He must have engaged a full squadron just in his Viper alone, no support, no wingmen, just him against the world so we could have a chance to made it out. He should have gotten the Medal of Honor for it, Instead, he got nothing. Just a folded-up flag like the rest of them. Clown died a hero and they collectively forgot about him because of your fuckup. That’s on your head Trigger. All of their deaths, Are on your head!” Knocker spat.

Triggers heart fell through the floor. “I see” he said softly, his eyes falling to the table before him.

“How many of the nuggets on that mission survived?” Trigger asked

The question caught Knocker off guard. “The fuck you mean?”.

Trigger glared at Knocker “How many of those nuggets with you two survived?” he asked again.

Knocker sighed and thought for a moment “We didn’t lose anyone after Clown held them back for us. Eruseans didn’t pursue past the San Salvacion border.”

“So, his sacrifice meant something.” Trigger said.

“That’s not your place to judge!” Knocker shouted “If you hadn’t fucked up. We wouldn’t have been on that mission! He might have still been alive along with all the others!” Knocker shouted, standing back up in his chair, Trigger waived the police officer off before Knocker could receive another blow.

There was a brief rap on the door, before Ving let himself in.

“Major, your men are waiting whenever you’re ready.” Ving said. Trigger nodded. “Well, At least I understand now Knocker. Let’s go” He said, standing up and walking to the door.

Knocker and Trigger stood up. “This isn’t over Trigger.” Knocker growled before being led out to the lobby, Trigger could see around three Security Forces airmen waiting. “Sergeant take this man back to his quarters. He’s under full restrictions until further notice.” Trigger barked as he entered the room.

The ride back to base was silent. Trigger felt almost nauseous at the news of Clown’s death, though he was trying to suppress the urge to vomit to not give Knocker the satisfaction of getting under his skin.

The Sergeant in charge caught Triggers attention halfway to the base.

“Sorry sir, Command Post is asking what you want to do with him since he’s still your airman.” The Sergeant whispered.

Trigger thought for a moment.

“House arrest in the Dorms under guard. I’ll let Byrns decide what to do then” he said flatly.

 

He was tired, the events of the day had drained him mentally and he still had a laundry list of other tasks to handle before the LRSSG departed Seltapura.

Chapter 12

 TWELVE

Cossette sat across from Trigger, sipping a cup of coffee and reading the news on her phone. The small café the two were at had been a regular meeting place. Far enough away from the city and the base for them to not be recognized, and quiet enough to give the two a brief reprieve.

“So has Troy been giving you any grief lately?” Trigger asked

“Nothing recently, I think he learned his place after our talk a few weeks ago.”

“I see” Trigger said quietly, studying Cossette. He noticed her demeanor was terse, as opposed to her generally carefree attitude he had been used to.

“Is something bothering you? Did something happen at work?” Trigger asked concerned

He could see the question caught her slightly off guard, she furrowed her brow as she formulated her response.

“its just, some things are coming up and… I want to know where we will be standing on them” She said quickly.

Trigger leaned forward and gently took Cossette’s hand, looking her directly in the eye.

“Whatever it is, we can go through it together right?” He said reassuringly, a line that had worked for him in the past.

“Except this time, I don’t know if its that simple!” She shot back. Trigger had been surprised at the outburst.

“Should we talk about this elsewhere?” He suggested,

Cossette took a ragged breath and shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye. “I just don’t know anymore Trigger” she softly said. Trigger got out of his chair to comfort her.

A moment later, she lifted her head and took a breath to compose herself, looking at Trigger through teary eyes, she weakly smiled.

“Maybe we should talk more at home about this” she said quietly.

The two made their way back to Trigger’s apartment silently, hand in hand. Though he didn’t try to outwardly show it, Trigger had been shaken by the conversation at the café. Cossette and him had talked on multiple occasions through the small issues any couple faced, but they were always able to come to an understanding fairly quickly. Something about Cossette’s concern seemed different to him, and not knowing was gnawing at him more than he would like to admit.

Reaching the door, Trigger fumbled with the lock for a moment before successfully opening the door.

“Sorry” he said halfheartedly, holding the door open for Cossette.

“Can I make you some tea or something?” he offered, walking into the kitchen.

“No thank you Trigger” she said tiredly, taking a seat at the dining table.

“Can I now ask what is bothering you so much?” Trigger asked.

Cossette didn’t answer for a second, instead turning to look out the apartments window. “They secured Farbanti from the Radicals” She said

“Well isn’t that a good thing?”

“It is, but my Advisors want to see me move our government back to Farbanti, before the anniversary.”

Trigger thought for a moment, it was almost a month until the first anniversary of the Osean-Erusean war began, while a tenuous cease fire was signed between Cossette and the Osean Government, no formal treaty was signed due to the civil war that broke out after the Osean’s invaded the Erusean capital of Farbanti.

“so how soon are they talking?” he asked, leaning on the counter

“Beginning of next month.” She admitted.

Trigger sighed. “I see why you asked ‘where do we stand’ then. Aren’t you happy you will get to go home though?”

Cossette glared at him, he could see the pain in her eyes, it made him feel awful.

“What home to go to Trigger? I thought this-” she motioned around the apartment “­- was our home” she concluded, distraught.

Trigger stood in silence for a moment, “My contract is up in a year” he started,

“No rule says I have to recommission, even with the promotions they gave me. Once I get out, we can stop worrying about where I would be moving too. Besides my Squadron is based in Usea anyways, odds are we’d be fairly close by. Think you could wait a year?” Trigger explained

“Wait for wait?” She said wiping a tear from her eye
Trigger walked over to her and embraced her “Well you know, for us to be an actual couple. None of us having to hide that we know each other. This is not something we should be ashamed of” he said.

He could see a slight smile form on her face

“Rosa Cossette D’Elise, I love you and there isn’t a damn thing anyone could do to stop that” he said, kissing her on the forehead.

“Trigger you really make it sound easy, don’t you?” Cossette said, burying her face into his chest.

“What do you mean?”

She took a step back “We knew this was going to be an up-hill battle from the start, but you just make it sound like everyone from both our countries will just be OK with that. Some of my people are still fighting yours. I don’t know if any of that ill will can disappear within a year, let alone overnight.”

“I know. Believe me, I know.” Trigger admitted.

“I wonder what would have happened if this damned war didn’t start” she said

“Hard telling, I’d probably be sipping mojitos on the beach somewhere” Trigger smiled

“And I’d probably be dealing with my Mother setting me up on blind dates with members of high society” she said bashfully

“Oh, and I wouldn’t be ‘high society’ enough for her?” he said in mock defensiveness

Cossette smiled shaking her head. “Not nearly enough, unless your last name was Beckett, Lawrence or something like that”

“Too bad. I think I’m way cooler as a fighter pilot boyfriend than any of those dweebs” he said, making Cossette giggle.

***

The bases operations commanders sat around the conference table. Trigger as the flight operations group commander, Captain Boese overseeing the maintenance, Major Santos in charge of the base’s security, and finally Colonel Byrns and his executive officer Lieutenant Colonel Curtis.

“Gentlemen-” Byrns started “I would like to say first and foremost I come bearing good news from Command. General Shepard informed me this morning that the IUN has finally gotten off their asses to send us some relief. Which means many of you will be going home, or at least back to your bases in Usea”

With that announcement, a tired cheer went across the room.

“What will become of the Airbase?” Boese asked

“The IUN is keeping it as a forward operating position right now, just due to its strategic importance around the Elevator. Relief units should be showing up within the next week and a full rotation with a few exceptions will occur by the end of June.” Byrns replied satisfied.

“When can we let the men know?” Santos asked.

“Immediately. I’m sure they all loved their R&R in Selatapura but the vacation on Oured’s dime is over. I’m sure they will be happy to see their families again” Byrns answered.

Trigger nodded at the news, not sure what to make of it.

“Aside from that good news, now down to the brass tacks. How is each department doing? Trigger lets start with aviation ops”

“Yes sir” Trigger quickly said, he opened his prepared notes and cleared his throat.

“Current status of the Selatapura Joint Air Wing is as follows. This past week we had two incidents that effected mission readiness–“

“And those incidents were Trigger?” Byrns asked

Trigger sighed “On the eighteenth of the month, Lieutenant Garza, currently assigned as a Mudhen wizzo was detained by Base security forces for disorderly conduct. He has been counselled and is currently off flight status for the time being per my order.” Trigger tried in vain to undersell the situation. In reality, the wayward WSO, short for Weapons System Officer, had gotten belligerently drunk with his pilot, Lieutenant Nguyen. The two stumbled onto base in the dead of night, and when one of Major Santos’ men tried to apprehend them, Garza in a drunken shamble bum-rushed the Security Forces Airman. A baton beating, two black eyes, a bruised rib and one Taser cartridge later, Garza was calling Trigger’s phone at three in the morning at the behest of Major Santos to explain his side of the situation.

 

Trigger could feel Santos’ eyes bore into him, despite her short stature and generally unassuming appearance, he couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated by the Hispanic woman’s ferocity when it came to her job. He couldn’t blame her for being upset either. Garza, in spite of his inebriated state, had successfully held his own against three of her Airmen before going down. Had it happened in any other time, he would have been on the first plane back to a desk job in Osea with a dead-end job and a demotion. Instead now, Garza was now stuck on bed rest under guard. Moron got off easy Trigger thought to himself as he finished his first report.

 

“And what of the second incident Trigger?”

 

“Yes sir, this one is a fresh one, so I don’t have all the details available. About zero-four-thirty-six this morning, AWACS Long Caster did pick up a primary track on the long-range radar. The target was a fast mover, low to the deck and about one hundred and sixty miles off the coast over the bay. It resembled the same kind of contact we saw back in December. CAP was deployed to intercept. Sixteen miles away from the target the lead aircraft, a Rhino flown by Lieutenant Allison experienced a Loss of Thrust in the right engine. The flight broke off the intercept and returned to base, by the time my crew made it back they had entirely lost the right engine and was on emergency systems for the hydraulics.”

“Anything you would like to add Captain Boese? This does sound like your department” Colonel Byrns motioned.

Boese nodded “Yes sir, with the ops tempo Trigger has had, we have just about burned through all the spare parts we got off the Anderson before the Navy kicked us out. We are just trying to make do to repair Jets that really should have gone back to the depot six months ago” he explained.

“Good news Tim, your going to get your wish pretty soon” Curtis quipped laconically.

 

The meeting had ended without too many more incident reports that stood out.

“Trigger, if you could stay behind a moment” Byrns asked, watching the other department heads leave

“Something I can help you with sir?”

“I wasn’t entirely forthright with you but since this affects your department, and more importantly you, directly I do have something else to tell you. Oured is moving the LRSSG back to Osea next week.”

The news hit Trigger like a freight train

“Any news on why that is exactly?” Trigger asked

Byrns shrugged “Of course it boils down to ‘Needs of the Service’. Word is since the communications networks went down, Leasath is starting some shit with their neighbors, and Command wants the LRSSG ready incase it goes hot.”

It was almost a textbook operation for the Long-Range Strategic Strike Group – even being in the name. It made sense to Trigger that Osea’s investment in the group would extend past Usea’s borders.

Trigger nodded in understanding.

“Will our relief arrive before that?” Trigger asked

“Yes, we are expecting the relief group this Friday. The 22^nd Composite Wing out of Fort Grays” Byrns said

Trigger sat in silence for a moment. He was more familiar with the Twenty Second wing than he would like to admit.

The wing was a joint unit between the Osean Maritime Defense Force’s VFA 506, an F/A-18F squadron otherwise known as ‘Golem’, and the 508^th TFS, an F-16C Squadron known as ‘Mage’. Based out of Fort Grays, the wing scored some of the first victories against Erusea in the opening days of the war. They were also held responsible for one of the greatest losses early on in the war.

After that incident, Trigger had lost track of the unit. It had been over half a year since he had actively thought of them. He felt a twinge of guilt at the thought. His tenure at Mage Two had been brief, but Golem and Mage had seen him through his earliest engagements of the war. He was elated to hear the organizations even survived past his incident.

“Do we have a roster on whose joining us?” Trigger asked

“Unfortunately no, the Leadership over at the twenty-second has yet to send it over. Say, weren’t you attached to the Five-oh-eight?” Byrns asked

“Yes sir, just wondering if my old flight lead was still with them” Trigger answered truthfully. 

Byrns nodded in understanding. “I see, well when I get the roster, I’ll forward it to your departments way. Make sure all your continuity paperwork is in order, or don’t and be like every other asshole I had to take over for” Byrns concluded, exiting the room.

 

Trigger sat alone in his office thinking.

Wonder what he’d even say to me now? He wondered.

***

Trigger sat in the smoke-filled squadron bar staring at the basket of hot wings in front of him. The atmosphere was shockingly celebratory despite the island chain being bombed hours prior.

He felt a pat on his back “Good work up there Trigger” a male voice said, Trigger turned to see his flight lead, Clown, taking a seat next to him. Clown set down his mug of beer and plate of food and pulled out two cylinders from his pocket “Cigar?” he offered Trigger.

Trigger politely took the stogie and studied it, while his flight lead pulled out a cutter and lit his own cigar.

Taking a few puffs, Clown put the cigar down and looked to Trigger. “Guess that was your first time, Right?”

“Yes Sir” Trigger said

“Knock it off with that ‘Sir’ shit. Would ya? I’m beginning to wonder if we shouldn’t have called you ‘Tulsa’ instead” Clown chided.

“Understood, the only ‘dogfighting’ I have done was BFM in the Tigers at Heierlark. Kinda different when the missiles and bullets are not simulations” Trigger said.

“Eh, for what its worth, my only prior experience is going through RED FLAG a few times, I think our Aggressor squadrons were worse than these chicken-shit Eruseans” Clown explained.

“I guess I’m surprised the Eruseans made the first move” Clown continued, taking a bite of his food.

“What do you mean?” Trigger asked

“They had their asses handed to them last time around by ISAF. Can’t imagine what they were thinking kicking a bear like Osea awake like that will do them.” Clown explained.

There was a slight commotion at the bar that caught Trigger and Clowns attention, from what Trigger could see, it was between Knocker, and two women he didn’t recognize.

“Fucking squids” Clown muttered. Squid was a derogatory term amongst the Air Force pilots to refer to their Navy brethren.

“What do you mean?” Trigger asked

“The Major over there, Knocker, is a subscriber to the ‘Girlfriend of the Month’ club. Command lets him get away with starting that kind of shit because he has the most recent air victories around here. Bet that’s going to change with this war”

“Hey Everyone, Shut the hell up!” A Pilot called out, turning up the sound on one of the Televisions

“-The Kingdom of Erusea has declared war on the Osean Federation.” A female news caster from the Osean Broadcasting Channel read out. A cheer went out across the bar with the news.

“The Secretary of the Navy has stated the enemy was targeting naval ports across the country. According to the Secretary, all of the nation’s Aircraft carriers – including ones still under construction – sustained severe damage in the attacks. We have yet to hear back from the department to the fate of carrier’s underway overseas” the OBC news caster continued.

“Well the Albatross Isn’t going anywhere! That’s for damn sure!” A Navy pilot yelled at the TV. The Osean carrier moored in the Fort Grays harbor had been hit. Thankfully most of the Crew had been off the ship so injuries and deaths had been limited. It still didn’t stop the ship from sinking into the mud of the harbor.

“We’ll get them back for that! You’ll be sure of that!” Knocker yelled out to a joyous applause.

Clown and Trigger sat at the back of the bar and watched the scene unfold.

“And here I was hoping for a low-key assignment” Trigger said mournfully.

“Don’t worry too much about that Trigger. Just listen to Knocker or me and we will get you through this in once piece.” Clown reassured him.

“So, Trigger, you and Brownie going to hook up now or something?” Clown asked slyly.

Trigger choked on his food at the question, coughing violently for a second

“what now?” he asked

“Damn, ‘Tusla’ really should have been your callsign.” Clown joked “That girl definitely has a thing for you” He continued.

“What the hell is ‘Tusla’ anyways though?” Trigger said, dodging the question

“Total Utter Lack of Situational Awareness, in other words. You around women apparently” Clown explained.  

“I don’t date coworkers” Trigger said flatly

“Oh, come on! Live a little! And besides, it might be fun to watch the breakup!” Clown defended himself.

“That’s a bit sadistic Clown” Trigger said.

“Eh, comes with the territory when your happily divorced” Clown said, splaying out his fingers.

“In that case maybe I shouldn’t be taking advice from you regarding my love life” Tigger said sarcastically.

“So be it Tulsa” Clown said despondent

“Can we please just keep it to Trigger?” Trigger asked

“Fine, you’re just no fun, are you Trigger?” Clown said jokingly.

Another cheer went across the Bar

“What now?” Clown asked, Cigar implanted in the corner of his mouth,

The TV had turned to The Erusean News Network, “-striking Farbanti from their aircraft carrier the Kestrel II. After a brutal battle, the Air Force successfully repelled them” the ENN caster said

Jeers could be heard from the Navy pilots as jokes were tossed from their Air Force counter parts.

“During the air raid, the Osean Air Force fired missiles at the city, and shot down a number of Erusean fighters” the caster continued while stock footage of an Osean Navy F/A-18F ‘Super Hornet’ played on screen.

“Fuckers don’t even know what a Rhino is!” Knocker yelled out at the TV.

Trigger tapped Clown on the shoulder “Is this normal?” he asked

Clown nodded “You should have seen these guys back in oh… fourteen or fifteen? When stuff was still going hot with the IUN and a few F.E hold-outs.”

“Must have been something to see” Trigger said, taking a sip from his diet cola.

***
Trigger was engulfed in the memory. as he sat in his apartment waiting. He hated himself for having to be vague over text to her, but he felt like he was out of options.  It wasn’t even a year ago him and Clown had that conversation, a dumb know-nothing Lieutenant and a somewhat sarcastic Captain. Now Trigger was regarding as an ace of aces and had his own Group to contend with.

Now I have to break this to Cossette, but how? Trigger asked himself.  

There was a brief rap at the door. Trigger rushed the door open and was greeted by a visibly concerned looking Cossette. “Trigger, what is going on?” she asked setting down her things on the counter.

Trigger sighed “I just got orders to return to Osea”

“How soon?” Cossette asked

“Monday.”

“So where does that leave us?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk about. I still have at least a year left on my contract with them, so it may be a while before I can come back to you” Trigger said mournfully

“Is there nothing you can do to stay?”

“I don’t know, me asking for a permanent assignment here will raise a few eyebrows more than likely”

“So, is this goodbye then?” Cossette asked, hugging Trigger. Trigger held her closely

“I don’t know” he whispered to the crying Cossette.

“Do you think you can stand being in a long-distance relationship with your secret boyfriend?” Trigger asked slyly, attempting to lighten the mood.

Cossette smiled, wiping a tear from her eye “I don’t know Trigger, I am one of the worlds most eligible bachelorettes at the moment. I’m sure I will have suitors lined up at the door while you’re gone.”

“Hey now, just remember your fighter pilot boyfriend is still way cooler than any of those guys could ever be” Trigger said Cooley

“Are you sure? I mean I hear some of them do have quite the estates to their names.” Cossette said

“But can any of them pull nine G’s in a dog fight?” Trigger defended.

“No, and I bet they don’t kiss quite as good as you do either” Cossette said seductively, leaning in and kissing Trigger.

“Well I guess we do have a few days to make it count before I have to leave” Trigger said, kissing Cossette again.

***
Cossette and Trigger laid in the bed breathless

“I’m really going to miss this when your gone” Cossette said exhausted

“I mean it’s only a year, right? We can totally wait that long” Trigger replied, catching his breath

Cossette hugged his arm, “I know, but a lot can change in a year. Can you honestly say you were the same person twelve months ago as you are today?”

“I mean, Yeah I guess your right but, we wont change all that much will we?” Trigger asked.

“As long as we don’t have any more wars the fight that is” Cossette said, her voice trailing off.

 Trigger took her hand “Hey now, don’t talk like that, you’re going to jinx it.”

“Did they say where your unit would be sent to?” Cossette asked

“Not sure exactly.” Trigger lied. He hated to admit it, but some things he simply couldn’t tell Cossette, even if he trusted her.

“I mean it doesn’t matter, because in a years’ time, we can be right back to this” Trigger reassured her.

Cossette leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “At least for now-“ She began “-we can stay exactly like this, no Erusea, no Osea, no Military, just us.” She said lovingly.

 ***
Trigger and the rest of the LRSSG stood under the wing of an F-15 on the flight line staring out towards the runway. Count walked over, lit cigarette in his hand.

“Come on man, put that out” Trigger chided.

“Why? I thought you didn’t mind smoking” He said, obnoxiously blowing smoke in Triggers face.

“Smoking I don’t care for, but I really don’t care when its next to a 750-gallon gas can.”

“Oh” Count said, tossing the cigarette to the ground and stomping it out with his boot.

“Jesus I’m surrounded by tobacco addicts” Trigger muttered to himself.

“I think I see them!” Huxian called out, jumping from the wing and handing Trigger a pair of binoculars.

Trigger searched the air around the approach end for a moment “Where, I’m not seeing them”

Huxian sighed annoyed and pointed in the direction, north east of the Airport.

“Looks like a large flight, Vipers and Hornets” Fencer called out.

“Weird, I didn’t think there were any mixed units like that anymore” Lanza said surprised

“They’re a Joint Composite Wing.” Trigger explained “So Navy is flying the Hornets, Air Force has the Vipers. Kinda works out since Fort Grays is a joint base between the two services”

“You seem to know a bit about them, was there a briefing we missed on this?” Skald asked.

“Oh, mister trivia annoyed someone knows more useless facts than he does?” Lanza said jokingly punching the other pilot in the arm.

“Cool it you two, its just that I have a bit of experience with the twenty-second is all” Trigger explained.

“Considering all the black ink on your record, they must be good” Fencer said.

“Something like that” Trigger’s voice trailing off as he watched the fighters make their way in.

 

Trigger could see the standard show-of-force maneuver the replacements were doing. In a front flying V formation made up of five F/A-18 Super Hornets, and behind them, still within the confines of the flying V was a diamond four ship of F-16 Vipers. Trigger could see flanking them was the two F-35’s from Salamander Squadron he had assigned to bring them in.

To Triggers surprise, instead of doing a standard over head break, the flight went on their way towards the city.

“What the hell are they doing?” Huxian asked

“Probably doing a city fly over. Its been a while since they were in town” Trigger replied.

***
General Shepard walked leisurely down the corridor morning coffee in hand, reading the recent reports on a tablet from the Erusean Civil war.

He could hear the frantic clack of footsteps behind him, He turned to see his frantic adjutant, Major Carter behind him. “Sir, we have a call you need to take right now!” Carter said out of breath.

“What the hell is it for? Eruseans set off a nuke?” Shepard asked annoyed.

“Not a clue sir, but its coming through the direct diplomatic line” Carter explained

The Diplomatic line was a concept Shepard loathed. It was a phone line that connected to both the Loyalist Erusean government, as well as his own. The Idea being that in the event of some miscommunications through standard communication lines, they would be resolved quickly with the diplomatic line. The Osean President and Yuktobanian Premier had a similar line set up following the Circum-Pacific War.

Shepard scratched his salt and pepper mustache

“Fine, I will take it in my office”

***
Trigger watched the fighters land one after another, A flood of memories washed over him as he saw the letters ‘FG’ Adorning the tails of the aircraft.

The Fort Grays aircraft made an elephant walk as they taxied in. one after another they marshalled in and parked, ramp personnel running wild securing the jets as their pilots ran their shutdown checklists.

It struck Trigger, that had things gone differently, there was a very real chance he could still have been one of them at that moment.

Of course, their first mission in Selatapura changed all of them. Trigger saw one of the Viper pilots step off from the aircraft, He jogged over from the shade to greet them.

The young woman was talking with a crew chief when Trigger approached her. He didn’t recognize her but judging from her rank of Lieutenant, he imagined she could probably have been his replacement.

“Is there something you need Major?” She asked annoyed, Trigger looked at her name patch ‘IRIS’

“Ok, Rude. Where’s the captain in the unit?” Trigger questioned. He made a mental note to talk to the young lieutenant later on the importance of first impressions later. She rolled her eyes and made a thumbing motion down the flight line; Trigger could see a small huddle of pilots forming up.

Trigger excused himself and made his way towards the group of pilots, he could see Count and Huxian jogging up to walk with him.

“Damn you’re on a mission today aren’t you Trigger” Count said

“You know, someone I kinda want to see” Trigger giddily replied

“Well your better off with your wingman just in case” Huxian said cheerfully.

“Jesus, are you two going to be like that the entire way back to Osea?” Trigger asked

“Only in front of you Trigger” Count quipped.

Trigger rolled his eyes.

***
Shepard picked up the phone

“This is Shepard, to whom am I speaking?” he asked annoyed

“General Shepard this is Ambassador Applegate -” the man on the other line started Fucking politician, Figures, Shepard thought to himself.

The General listen intently at the politician’s request.

“Ambassador, your going to have to give my people some time to find this particular officer. I oversee about twenty different bases and at least twice as many different squadrons”

“Just get it done General. We don’t want to keep her waiting”

Shepard hung up the phone annoyed. “Carter!” He bellowed, the portly Major rushed in. “Yes Sir?” Shepard handed him a scrap of paper with a name scrawled on it “Find me this guy and get their reassignment paperwork drawn up.” Shepard ordered. “Right away sir!” Carter said, rushing out the door.

***
The three LRSSG pilots approached the huddle of pilots. Trigger noted the mix of patches on their shoulders, the primarily black and yellow of the Navy’s Golem squadron, and the Orange and Blue of Mage.

“Hey” Trigger spoke up getting the gathered pilot’s attention “Any idea where the captain is?” he asked

The pilots made a hole for Trigger to see the lead pilot.

The two pilots stared at each other, before the Captain closed the distance.

Within a blink of an eye, Trigger was staring down the barrel of a Berretta M9 handgun. Trigger held his hands up defensively

“Move and I blow your fucking head off” the pilot growled.