The Skies Above

Slowly But Surely

Chapter Seven
Slowly But Surely

UNITED CANARY REPUBLIC
FRIENDLY SKIES
FIGHTING-202 AND BULLET 3-2 TWO-SHIP
ANGELS TWENTY
10:57 AM
1/2/17

With their refueling operation completed, both the F/A-18F and F-15E of Fighting-202 and Rocket 3-2 were heading back to base. The rest of the friendly scramble package should take care of the remaining enemy aircraft.

Texaco 1-1: Texaco 1-1, Fighting-202 and Rocket 3-2, contact River's Dawn Tower on 118.89, over.

Pip: Contact River's Dawn Tower on 118.89, Fighting-202.

Phantom: Contact River's Dawn Tower on 118.89, Rocket 3-2.

In the back of the Hornet, Sydney, on one of the side panels in the canopy, changed the radio frequency to the one requested from Texaco 1-1. It was all but smooth sailing ahead. Up front with Pip, his top left MFD had the HSI pulled up, giving the Major the runway heading and distance to the Air Base. What it was reading was that the two-ship formation is about seventy-five or so nautical mile out from the base.

Home is straight ahead.

UNITED CANARY REPUBLIC
RIVER'S DAWN AIR FORCE BASE
DEFENSIVE OUTPOST SIXTEEN BRAVO
10:59 AM
1/2/17

River's Dawn Air Force Base was still incredibly active. Ground forces from the United Canary Republic Air Force and Marine Corps had mobilized into defensive positions around the base, ready for any possible attack.

On the ground by runway zero-nine, the Pararescue Jumper squad named 'Hell's Savior' lay in wait for any possible contacts. That was until the all clear call came from Brigadier General. Of the PJ unit, the moment the all clear came, Skyler was the first to speak up.

Skyler: Hope those fly boys are okay up there.

Braeylnn: Hey, don't ya worry about it! Those guys are some of the best pilots in the world. Have some kind of faith, jeez.

The sarcasm in Braeylnn's voice was very obvious, the other members of the squad beginning to laugh. Well, everyone but Staff Sergeant Savannah.

Savannah: Can it, people. Let's get back to the barracks before aircraft start landing.

It was about a fifteen minute walk back to the barracks and at present, all vehicles that are active on base are in a defensive posture. If anything, the walk will be for the greater good of the unit.

Around fifteen minutes later...

The housing units around the base began getting crowded with Air Force Security Force and Marine infantry units. Everyone was looking for a little rest before a base wide debrief on the situation occurred. That wouldn't happen until all aircraft from the scramble were accounted for, that includes the E-3B Sentry of Astro Actual.

In the barracks of Unit 2-9, everyone was getting comfortable after changing back into their OCPs. Except for both Braeylnn and Skyler, both of them getting up and leaving the barracks, heading for Brigadier General Elijah Stawarski's office in the base.

Savannah: Hey Skyler, Braelynn?

Skyler: Yeah? What's up?

Savannah: Where are you two heading?

The serval and lynx in question stopped at the door, Braelynn answering Savannah's question. She was hesitant at first, knowing how her squad leader can be.