Strike Witches: The Wandering Ace

Chapter 11: First Contact

With a deafening roar, an F-22 Raptor streaked out of the missile silo, narrowly escaping the fiery eruption that consumed the structure moments later. The silo collapsed into a pile of debris as flames licked at the sky, and the pilot, with adrenaline coursing through their veins, yanked the control stick to swiftly steer clear of the blast radius.

"Target destroyed!" one of the other pilots exclaimed jubilantly over the radio, the excitement palpable in their voice.

"There she is! We've got Mobius 1 on radar!" the AWACS operator announced, their tone filled with celebration as they tracked the F-22. With a sigh of relief, the F-22 pilot leveled out their aircraft, easing into formation beside the AWACS. "Good work, everyone," the pilot acknowledged, the words carrying a mix of gratitude and pride as the rest of the squadron fell into formation.

"That was some great flying there, Tia," one of the younger pilots commented, admiration evident in their voice.

"Thank God, I can't wait to go home and fall into bed," Constantia, the F-22 pilot, said wearily, rubbing her shoulder to ease the tension built up from the intense mission.

"How are we looking on radar, Sky Eye?" Constantia asked, her eyes flicking to her radar screen for confirmation.

"We're clear across the board Tia," Sky Eye, the AWACS operator, responded reassuringly.

"That's good," Constantia murmured, her gaze shifting from the dashboard to the night sky. As she relaxed into her seat, the heavens were suddenly filled with a dazzling display of meteors, streaking across the sky in a breathtaking spectacle. With the war finally over, Constantia allowed herself a rare moment of tranquility, her mind wandering to thoughts of the future.

She began to brainstorm ideas for her retirement, considering the multitude of possibilities that lay ahead. Maybe she would travel, explore the world beyond the conflict zones she had known for so long. Perhaps she would settle down somewhere peaceful, take up hobbies she had long neglected, or reconnect with family and friends. The meteors continued to cascade across the sky, each one a silent herald of new beginnings and the promise of a life unburdened by the shadows of war.

Constantia was lost in thought, her mind drifting through the possibilities of a peaceful future, when something unusual in the distance caught her eye. Snapping out of her daydream, she sat up straight, her senses suddenly on high alert. Her gaze flicked to the radar screen, but it showed nothing out of the ordinary.

A knot of unease began to form in her stomach. "Sky Eye, are you sure we're clear?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern and urgency.

The AWACS operator responded promptly, "Affirmative, Tia. We're not picking up any contacts. Everything looks clear from our end."

Despite the reassurance, Constantia's instincts told her something was off. She leaned forward, straining to get a better look at the distant horizon. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she spotted a bright red flash of light, followed by the unmistakable streak of a red laser beam cutting through the night sky.

"BREAK!" Constantia yelled into the radio, her voice sharp and commanding. Without hesitation, she yanked the control stick, pulling her jet into a steep climb to evade the impending threat. Her squadron followed suit, each pilot reacting instinctively to the urgent command.

The formation scattered as the pilots executed evasive maneuvers, the once calm and orderly sky erupting into a chaotic dance of aircraft. The laser beam sliced through the space they had just occupied, narrowly missing the squadron by mere seconds.

"Sky Eye, we have incoming fire! Unknown origin!" Constantia reported, her voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through her veins.

"Roger that, Tia. We'll try to pinpoint the source. Stay evasive," Sky Eye responded, their tone now matching the heightened alert of the situation.