The Skies Above

Into the Unknown

Chapter Eight
Into the Unknown

UNITED CANARY REPUBLIC
RIVER'S DAWN AIR FORCE BASE
OFFICER'S QUARTERS ROOM 74
05:00 AM
1/3/17

With the chaos of yesterday over, after action reports from both Ben and Markus had been submitted to Brigadier General Elijah Stawarski. Four splashes on Ascian aircraft had been confirmed via the HUD tape pulled from the Hornet after the fight. Both the Major and Captain had almost become aces.

But that doesn't matter now, it's a new day, and an alarm began going off. This time around, Ben was the first to awaken. He shut off the alarm, checking the time and seeing it was 05:00.

With a sigh, Ben walked over to the door and turned on the lights, Markus awakening soon after with a groan. Time felt very similar to the East Coast of the US here, so that was a big plus for the officers.

Ben: Good morning, Markus.

Markus: Good morning. Christ... Five o'clock already? Hey Ben, how many times did I fall asleep during the debrief yesterday?

Ben: At least three times. How were you more exhausted than me!

Markus: Don't ask questions that I don't know the answer to, man.

Ben sighed, heading over to a drawer and gabbing a pair of OCPs. He changed right where he stood, not particularly caring for the fact that his WSO was standing behind him. He was changing as well, getting ready for the day ahead.

It didn't really take that long for them both to change, before a knock was heard from the door. A voice followed shortly after.

Braelynn: Hey you guys, can I come in!?

Markus was scrambling to get his OCP on by this point, Ben approaching the door to answer. Day number three in a new world was beginning in a strange way, to say the least.

Ben: Wait one!

Ben yelled as he approached the door. Behind him, Markus slipped on a pair of socks on the floor, landing with a thud.

Markus: Well, ouch.

Ben laughed, opening the door to see Braelynn, already wide awake. The serval greeted the pilot with a bright smile, before a good morning was exchanged.

Ben: Good morning.

Braelynn: Good morning. I wanted to talk to you both about something when you finish getting ready... And is he okay? I heard Markus fall.

Ben: He'll be fine. I think.

Looking behind them, Markus gave them the bird while putting his combat boots on, grabbing both his and Ben's duty caps. The Captain made his way up to the door, now ready to leave for the morning.

Braelynn: Okay, now that both of you are here, I wanted to say that... well, the UCR has declared war on Ascia. My unit and I are deploying over to an AFB in near Ascian territory.

Both pairs of eyes on the serval widened, the news hitting them. Three days into a new world and already being thrown into another war.

Markus: So we're off to war again? Damnit!

Ben: I can agree with him. We were off to bomb a concrete factory when we were taken here... Another war, huh?

Braelynn: Oh! Stawarski wants to see you both. So have fun with that.

A groan came from both aviators as they came out of the room, Markus turning the lights off and closing the door behind him. So begins another day.