Mobius Squadron: Operation Katina

Chapter 8: S.O.A.R

Bravo 1

The transport had touched down on Megalith quickly, and the Bravo Team members were out even faster. There was a new addition to their crowd. A new Bravo 4, Private Paulson. Wilson had been giving him a stare down since he boarded the plane. Now, they were all walking along the tarmac towards the base. All had the black fatigues back on after nearly a year without them. Andrews took the lead as they entered the hangar space. Each member of the team had a duffel bag slung over their head as a ground crew member directed to them where they would store their equipment and would also bunk. The PA then called them to the briefing room. Andrews checked that all of them had stored their gear correctly, then led them towards the room.

Mobius 1

The room was more populated than earlier sorties. Sky Eye and the AWACS crew, Mobius 3, the rotor-heads and Bravo Team. The screen flashed up, and the briefing began. "There are three areas that Free Erusea has dominance in. We are going to destroy each of them, one by one" the screen displayed three options, and the middle one was selected. The map then changed to show the mission. "Our first goal will be striking logistics centres close to the front line. We have identified the distribution centre that supplies all of the Free Erusean forces on their southern line. Take it out, and the line will weaken significantly. So here's how we'll do it. Two fighters, Mobius 3 and myself, will fly escort for a helo containing Bravo Team. Oh, that reminds me. Meet our new resident rotor-head leader" Mobius cut himself off and motioned for the helicopter pilot to speak. "Delta 1-1. D Troop, 1st Squadron, Special Operations Aviation Regiment. My troop contains myself, another transport bird and two gunships". He then quieted down as Mobius resumed. "D Troop will deposit Bravo Team, who will then move and destroy marked load bearing areas that will bring down the centre. To get to the site, we'll need to fly through some radar arrays. The Raptors can get through on their own, but we need to stick with our helos. Once we get there, it's not a stealth mission anymore. Be ready, we take off at sunset". With that, Bravo Team went to discuss with D Troop and the AWACS and fighter crews went to prepare their craft.

Mobius stood in the hangar right beside his F-22 with his crew chief. Rebecca had joined Mobius as they looked out towards the sunset. Along the hangar, D Troop sat on pads that would be extended through retractable panels when they took off. Bravo Team sat on the skid mounted benches of their MH-6M Little Birds. The two gunships were a pair of AH-1Z Vipers. Mobius stood looking out at the sunset when he remembered something. "Say Rebbeca, next week my family has invited me to an event they're having in San Salvacion. I was wondering if you would come along?" he questions hesitantly. Rebecca smiles. "Of course. Why wouldn't I want to spend some time with my big, brave ace" she chuckles at the last part. Mobius nods, then notices the time. 2 minutes. He turns and signals to 3. He hops in his F-22 and the two Raptors spool up. The helicopters are lifted up on their pads, as corresponding panels retract from the roof. The E-767 thundered down the runway followed by Mobius 1 and 3. The D Troop helicopters then lifted off and headed towards their target.

Bravo 5

Wilson feels the wind rush past his face as the Little Bird pulls away from the tanker craft. All of the aircraft had to hit a tanker before starting their approach to the target. He looked to his side, and saw Paulson looking at him. "What are you looking at rookie?" he grunted over the intercom. Paulson responded quickly. "First time going into combat, I'm excited". Wilson held back his disdain at that. The kid was going to get himself killed. "Well, you won't be afterwards" Jameson, the other member of Bravo Team on their helo, responded. Paulson nodded, and Wilson muttered a silent thanks. Having a replacement for Daniels felt off. But, the feeling would have to be put off in order for the team to work effectively together.

Mobius 1

<<All craft, this is Sky Eye. You're approaching the radar network. Highlighting now>> the AWACS called. Mobius checked as several large red circles appeared on an MFD. <<Data received. They really want this thing to stay up>> 3 responded. <<Initiating operation. Make it through the radar and strike the distribution centre. Nearest Free Erusean ground QRF is 30 minutes away, so once you're through you need to work fast. Out>> Sky Eye ended the transmission as Mobius guided his Raptor through the first gap in their network. <<Delta 1-1 to Mobius 1. Passing checkpoint 1, entering the course>> the lead MH-6M called. The two Vipers were flying escort at the lead and rear of the formation of helicopters. The troop would make it at the same time as the Raptors. The two fighters had loaded AMRAAMs because the AH-1Zs could deal with any ground threats. The next layer of radar spheres loomed and both Mobius and 3 banked the Raptors to avoid them. D Troop followed suit in their helicopters. <<How many layers?>> 3 asked Sky Eye as the F-22s continued through the gap. <<We've got about three more after this one. They aren't making it easy>> the AWACS responded. <<Now I'm wishing you had taken that ECM package offer>> Mobius called while watching the MFD intently for the next turn. <<Hey, the package was flawed and wouldn't work. Besides, we have more pressing matters>> Sky Eye retorted. <<And what's that?>> Delta 1-1 asks from his MH-6M. <<Don't you even start>> 3 warned, but it was too late. Sky Eye had started, and wouldn't shut up. So, as the next layer was passed, he continued talking. <<Well my dear little sister, you and 4 might be interested in this place I found a while ago>> the AWACS said. Mobius felt a grin appear on his face. It was well known that 3 and 4 had been looking to get some leave to go on a 'date night', but had been stuck on lack of a location. Everyone had tried to find them a place, because it was the 2nd most popular ship in all of Megalith, only being surpassed by Mobius and Rebbeca. Which was confusing for Mobius, but he didn't concern himself with it. <<Alright, where is it?>> 3 asked while manoeuvring through another layer. <<3 layers to go. Anyway, it's a nice place in St Ark that I went to back when I was studying there. Pretty small, but the food is great and it's out of the way>> Sky Eye went on with the details. <<Delta 1-1 to Mobius 1, are they always like this?>> the helicopter pilot asked. <<You'll get used to it Delta 1-1. Gives life a little more flavour than just flying and fighting>> the ace responded while Sky Eye and 3 continued to discuss it in the background. <<All right, all right. If we get the leave, then we'll check it out>> 3 relented while making it through the gap in the next layer. Mobius grunted as he pulled a high-g turn to make it through the increasingly narrower gaps. <<That won't be a problem 3. Consider it done once we make it back>>. 3 called out a thank you as The Ribbon Fighter and herself passed through the 2nd last gap. <<1 more to go. It's a narrow one, but will put you right over the distribution centre>> Sky Eye said. The MFD confirmed Sky Eye's news. The gap was small. Really small. The helicopters would get through without a problem, but the comparatively bulky stealth fighters would find it somewhat difficult. <<3, follow my tail>> Mobius called out, while his airbrakes opened and the Raptor decelerated. 3 opened her own airbrakes, and the pair of ISAF fighters slowly made their way into the gap. Sweat poured down Mobius' forehead as the Raptor moved forward very slowly. Then, the worst possible thing happened. The F-22's nose pointed straight down as several computerised voices screamed warnings in his ears. He had decelerated too far, and was now stalling. In addition, the altitude warning had started up. <<Mobius 1, pull up!>> 3 called. Mobius opened the throttle, and the Raptor accelerated enough for him to gain control, skimming the ground and making it out the other side of the gap. <<All craft, Sky Eye. You've made it through their air defence system. Commence attack. We aren't pulling out until this facility is destroyed>>. Delta 1-1 radioed an affirmative, and Mobius saw his troop commence their dives.