Mobius Squadron: Operation Katina

Chapter 15: Rearguard

Mobius 1

The Su-47s blew right past the F-22 and started circling around Mobius. One of the Berkuts dove in towards him, firing off two missiles as it did. Magnesium flares fired off and deceived the missiles as the Warlock fighter resumed circling. A second one then dove, firing off its cannon at Mobius who barely managed to avoid the fire. They were diving in, one after the other in an attempt to wear Mobius out before dealing a killing blow. Mobius wasn't going to let them get a chance. Once the third Berkut had made its attack he shifted his nose downwards and dove directly into the clouds. The three Free Erusean aces followed, each tracking him. But they weren't ready for some of the tricks ISAF's premier ace had up his sleeve.

Warlock 1

<<He's in the cloud bank>> Warlock 3 announced. Warlock 1 flew right alongside the clouds. <<I lost him on radar, anyone got him?>> Warlock 2 queried. Warlock 1 checked his own radar display and saw that the contact had indeed vanished. <<He can't have gotten away that easily!>> Warlock 1 exclaimed. He was about to give orders to continue to search, but his missile alert sounded.

Mobius 1

The Raptor banked sharply out of the clouds in response to the hard pull of the joystick. Mobius ejected two AIM-9Xs from the side weapons bays against the Su-47 flying alongside where he had been hiding in the bank. The F-22's stealth capability made disappearing from radar an easy feat. Now, the Free Erusean was the one with a pursuer. The Berkut dived down, seeming to think that low altitude would be difficult for the ISAF ace. Mobius smirked at that. Warlock Squadron seemed to have complete faith in their skills with disregard for the capabilities of their opponents. It would be their downfall. Mobius was quick to give chase in the dive. The Su-47 pilot was good, using every single crevice and gap as room to manoeuvre. But Mobius gave chase through all of them. The other two Su-47s were unable to follow through with the dogfight between the two squadron leaders. Mobius pulled off a snap burst with the M61 cannon. The rock face they were flying near was impacted by the staccato burst of 20 mm rounds as neither fighter slowed down. <<Mobius 1, rest of the strike package has left the combat airspace. You might want to get out of there too>> Sky Eye advised. Mobius was going to oblige, but decided one last nail in the pride of this pilot was necessary.

Warlock 1

The missile and lock on warning hadn't stopped sounding since the dogfight had begun. No amount of sharp turns could shake this pilot. He was beginning to see why they called him The Grim Reaper. He was relentless in his pursuit. Suddenly, there was a rush of air and the alert finally stopped. Warlock 1 quickly glanced around. To his left, right and back there was nothing. But when he looked up, he saw the F-22 directly over him. It was inverted so the cockpits were right next to each other. Mobius 1 was looking him directly in the eye. Death himself was having a stare off with him. It terrified Warlock 1. All the ISAF ace did was wave, then the F-22 decelerated. By the time that Warlock 1 had brought the Berkut around, Mobius 1 had disappeared. <<Bandit's disengaged. Warlock Squadron, RTB>> he sighed over the radio. He had allowed The Ribbon Fighter to use fear and theatricality against him. That wouldn't happen again.

Mobius 1

The F-22 glided down onto the runway of Megalith, flaps extended and air brakes slowing down the fighter. The landing gear touched the tarmac and the screech of rubber coincided with the Raptor rolling to a slow taxi. By the time he got to the hangar area, the sound of his engines were the only ones present in Megalith. The canopy popped open at the same time as the engines spooled down. Removing his helmet, Mobius scaled down the ladder. His legs nearly gave way as they planted on solid ground for the first time in hours. That dogfight had done a number on him. He had to give Warlock credit, they were some skilled pilots. Mobius feels a supporting hand hold him up, and turns to see Rebecca looking at him with concern written all over her face. "4 told me you got caught up in a dogfight with Warlock. You ok?" she asks while they walk over towards the elevator. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just the stress of g-force. How's 4?" he responds. There is a genuine edge to his voice as he wonders about his squadron member. "Pretty bad. He took some really heavy shrapnel wounds and passed out once he had parked up the Raptor. ISAF is sending out a transport to medevac him". Mobius nodded, the blood now recirculating to his limbs removing the need for him to lean on Rebecca. Once the elevator had stopped, Mobius walked out and started removing all his flight gear. Once his helmet had been tossed to the side, he just headed off to his quarters. The day's flying had exhausted him, and the Ribbon Fighter slipped into unconsciousness quickly.