Mobius Squadron: Operation Katina

Chapter 24: Lead Rain

Mobius 1

The planning for this sortie was more detailed than any other before. Mobius and Sky Eye were pouring over all the available information. "Port Icebreaker. Apparently named because during winter ships aren't able to pass without the aid of an icebreaker. Free Erusea coopted it early in their existence, and with its capture they acquired the Sealion which was in port at the time" Sky Eye said after reading from a document. "Check this out" Mobius said while handing an intelligence summary over to the AWACS. "The Sealion just left Icebreaker". Sky Eye nodded. "With a full load of Orion shells in the armoury". Mobius then looked at the map of the port. "Whether it has Orion or not, destroying Icebreaker will remove the ability of the Sealion to resupply. We're still sortieing" he announced. Sky Eye nodded. "When?". "Tomorrow". "Weather conditions?". "Meant to be a nice, clear, sunny day". "Enemy forces?". "Sizeable AA presence, some vessels in dock at the time, naval aviation elements present, and Free Erusea's Mobile Strike Fleet, with the carrier Broadside as its flagship". The rapid fire exchange covered most of the details. There was only one left to consider. "Who's going?" Sky Eye asked. Mobius pondered for a bit, then gave an answer. Sky Eye responded with an affirmative, and the two of them departed to get some rest before tomorrow.

The briefing system came alive. The technicians had worked fast to input the data that Mobius needed to present. Ever since becoming a squadron leader in practice instead of just in name, Mobius had gained a newfound appreciation for the technicians. Mobius 2 sat front and centre, along with Mobius 3 and Mobius 4 off on the side discussing something. It had been a while since they launched a four ship flight, but the situation called for it. "Free Erusea has acquired a powerful new chemical weapon called Orion. It is lethal within 10 seconds of exposure. Thanks to the efforts of various ISAF intelligence assets, we've tracked every single shipment of Orion. They're loaded into shells which are fired by the Free Erusean's super-heavy battleship: the Sealion. There is only one port that Free Erusea has access to that can support the Sealion's operations. Port Icebreaker. Now, if you didn't guess this next bit, then I have serious doubts about your common sense". That elicited a few laughs. Mobius smiled. "We're attacking Icebreaker. Taking out all the facilities we can, and then getting out. This is gonna be a long operation, so the 45th CSG has set up a resupply base for us just outside the AO. We have some naval aviation units based at Icebreaker, and the Free Erusean Mobile Strike Fleet is within response range with its carrier, the Broadside. Any questions?". No one had any. Of course. For the fliers of the 118th, it was SSDD. This kind of mission was eerily reminiscent of the Comberth Harbour raid for Mobius, 2 and 4. But no one said anything as they left to go prepare their F-22s and one E-767.

"So, Comberth 2, rebellion boogaloo it is" 2 said as he and Mobius got out of the elevator and started walking across the hangar. 3 and 4 had gone off earlier, chatting between themselves as they did. "I swear, you and 6 need to stop with these names" Mobius sighed. "Well, it should be a piece of cake" 2 said while running off to his plane. "Try not to get shot down this time!" Mobius called. "Not with you watching my back!" 2 shouted back from the cockpit of the F-22. The roar of engines prevented any response. "Classic King Bailout" Rebecca said as the Raptor taxied off. "Yep" Mobius responded before they walked over to the F-22 with the light blue '01' daubed onto the nose. "Welp, you're all set. Go have some fun" Rebecca said. Mobius nodded, giving a slight peck on the cheek before climbing in. The red face of his crew chief was worth it, Mobius thought as he taxied and took off. It didn't take long before all the Mobius Squadron fighters were airborne and off towards the objective.

<<Well well, if it isn't Mobius 1. Welcome, have your customer loyalty card ready for checkout>> the tanker crew quipped. The flight was making a detour to the Crossroads in order to refuel before attacking. <<You know us Lima-3. Don't trust any other tanker crew>> Mobius responded as 3 and 4 started their refuelling process. <<Well shucks, you know how to make a boom operator feel special>> came the reply followed by the universal laughter all across the net. <<Alright, Sky Eye you're on Lima-9. Mobius 3 and 4, you're topped up. Mobius 1 and 2, tankers Lima-3 and Lima-8 are ready to receive you>>. The E-767 moved first. It needed all the space it could get because of its bulky frame compared with the fighters. It was extremely similar to the KC-10, which it docked with and started receiving a top up from. Mobius then slowly banked towards Lima-3. It was routine by now, but that didn't lessen the need for complete focus by both the pilots and boom operators. One mistake, and a rather large fireball fills up the sky. But that didn't occur this time. Mobius expertly guided the F-22 into dock. <<Smooth as always. Just what I'd expect from The Ribbon Fighter. Commencing fueling>> Lima-3 said. It took a bit, but the four-ship flight and AWACS were underway after some farewells to the tanker crews. Now, it was the actual hard part. And the fun part as well.