Mobius Squadron: Operation Katina

Chapter 7: Mobilisation

Mobius 1

"That force was made up of the last reserves Free Erusea possessed" Major Edwards said while annotating a map of the Usean Continent. Mobius nodded as the new frontlines were drawn up. "All their ground offensives have run out of steam, and manpower wise things aren't looking too good. But, we've still got several problems" the wing's intelligence officer added as she retrieved several files. Sky Eye walked in and joined around the table as the files were laid out on the table. "Their airpower is still significant" the first file was opened showing strength estimates. "Munitions continue to be produced at an alarming rate" the second folder contained images of a large factory complex. "The Free Eruseans have a monstrosity of a battleship named Sealion" the third folder contained schematics of the battleship which detailed all of its firepower. "All of these problems need to be dealt with before we can think about taking on White Valley" Edwards concluded by setting down the fourth folder with images of the GHQ complex and the near unassailable factory. "Well boss, it's up to you which one we strike first" Sky Eye said while looking over each of the folders. Mobius nodded, and looked over each intel package in turn. Each one of them seemed difficult in their own manner. Free Erusea had built up multiple different areas, and each of the three 'problems' would take a multitude of sorties for each to be fully dealt with. But there was another thing bothering Mobius, and it took a second for him to put his finger on it. "We can't do this just from the sky, we need some boots on the ground" Mobius stated out loud. Edwards and Sky Eye nodded. "You'll need to go see ISAF GHQ for that, but I'm sure they'll be happy to help given your reputation" Edwards said. Sky Eye then turned to his best friend. "Any unit in particular you thinking of?" Sky Eye asked. Mobius just turned and looked at him with a knowing grin. "Some old friends".

<<Mobius 1, you're cleared to land>> the control tower at the Los Canas Air Base called as Mobius' F-22 descended and the landing gear touched the tarmac. The Raptor taxied off into a specially reserved hangar, and the ace hopped out of the cockpit and walked off towards a waiting car. "When they asked for someone to pick you up, I just had to volunteer" Lieutenant Michaels said from the driver's seat. Mobius grinned and shook the junior officer's hand. "Been a while Michaels, how's life?" he asked as he sat down. The car started off as Michales talked about his family in the city. The PR lieutenant hadn't changed a bit since Mobius had first met him in the Valley. Los Canas was still almost exactly the same, the large skyscrapers dominating the view. Michaels turned off the main road and into the area in front of a large building. Several flags flew from the poles in front of it, chief among them the dark blue with triple arrows that was the ISAF flag. All the countries that made up the alliance also flew their flags there. Michaels guided Mobius in through the doors, and the guards on duty threw up sharp salutes as Mobius walked past. The legend of The Ribbon Fighter was still alive and well. A more sharply dressed officer greeted Michaels and Mobius. "Thanks for bringing him lieutenant, dismissed" the officer said. Michaels nodded and headed off to wait for the meeting to be finished. "Mobius 1, thank you for coming. My name is General Van der Griff, ISAF Chief of Operations" the general said while shaking Mobius' hand. He was the one who had formulated the plan for Operation Katina, and he guided the ace into a room with a desk in it and bade him sit down. "Skipping the pleasantries, what brings you here?" Van der Griff asked. Mobius leaned forward. "The 118th has developed something that we think can help with Operation Katina. You yourself said we would have operational freedom". Van der Griff nodded, and listened intently to the ace. "We have three major targets, and we have come to the conclusion that we need some additional forces to facilitate our operations". Mobius tried to read the general's expression as he considered it. "Who do you need?" Van der Griff asked. Mobius smiled as he told him. Van der Griff nodded. "I suppose you'll also need some rotor heads?". "I'll be honest sir, I'd never thought of that" Mobius admitted. Van der Griff laughed at that. "Ok, I have something for you. Let me make some calls. The rotor heads I can guarantee, but the main guys you'll need to convince yourself". Mobius nodded in agreement to that. "North Point, fly there ASAP" Van der Griff said. Mobius stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you sir". Van der Griff returned it with a firm shake. "ISAF owes you an unpayable debt Mobius. I'm doing what I can to help make up for it". With that, the meeting ended, and Michaels quickly drove Mobius back to his F-22. "So, what are you doing now sir?" he asked as the Raptor spooled up. "Having to convince someone harder than the general" the ace replied. Michaels just looked as the F-22 rocketed into the sky towards the north. Who the hell could be harder to convince than the Head of Operations for a continent wide alliance?

The door jingled from the frame mounted bell as Mobius entered the small store. The sign on the front had read 'Andrews & Co. Interior Decorating'. Quite an odd profession for some temporarily retired ISAF spec-ops troopers. A man came out of the back room and was running through a speech he had prepared. "Welcome to Andrews & Co. Interior Decorating. How can we-" the man trailed off as he looked at who had just walked through the door. Mobius looked over the familiar face of Corporal Walters. He had stubble growing where there had previously been a clean shaven face. "Hello corporal" Mobius said. Walters just stared for a bit before calling back to the area he came from. Going around the storefront, he enthusiastically shook Mobius' hand. "Mobius 1! Good to see you!" the machine gunner exclaimed. Out of the back came the remaining members of Bravo Team. Jameson led the group and gave Mobius a clap on the back. Wilson was a little more subdued with a simple nod. Samson looked better than when Mobius had seen him being carted away on a stretcher, and Andrews was glad to see the ace. "Alright, why are you here?" Andrews asked. Mobius just looked at the five of them. "I assume you've all heard of what's going on on the mainland?". The five nodded. "ISAF has assigned the 118th Tactical Fighter Wing to stop it, and we recently discovered we need some ground assistance". Andrews looked to know where that was going, and held up a hand to stop The Ribbon Fighter before he continued. "Sorry, we all left that game after Megalith" the captain said. "To become interior decorators?!" Mobius asked sarcastically. "We let Jameson pick" Samson explained. The medic looked at his squad sergeant incredulously. "Besides, we've seen too many dead friends" Wilson added. Mobius looked at him. The spotter was still going through the grief of knowing his best friend had died on his watch. "Look, I get that. But I need some people I can trust. If we don't stop Free Erusea, then there are going to be hundreds more like Daniels by the end of the month!" Mobius slightly raised his voice. That may have gotten through to them. The collective guilt of Daniels' death had made Bravo Team retire. The collective promise they had made for never another like him, was going to get them back. After a brief non-verbal conversation among the team, Andrews gave Mobius a nod. The ace gave him a slip with contact details then headed out. It wasn't a bad day's work, so The Ribbon Fighter headed back towards Megalith.