Chronicles of Two Powers

Chapter 18 - Battle of Eagle Reach

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December 8th, 1774 | 2300 HOURS

Eagle's Reach Airbase – ATCT Tower

The stars danced in the dark abyss of the night sky, and a cold breeze drifted in from the distant beach. The moon hung low, just a sliver in the sky, a half-quarter. All she could think of was home. If only the situation weren't so grim.

Inside the ATCT tower, the atmosphere was subdued. A handful of radio operators quietly monitored their stations. The soft hum of radar and the chatter of radio signals filled the space, background noise that etched itself into memory.

Colonel Ayla McStandley stood beside the consoles, listening intently to her portable radio, which rested atop the ATCT controls. Classical music drifted through the speaker, occasionally interrupted by news bulletins from Aetesian Radio News.

Smooth jazz flowed from Florian Radio, a station back in the Republic of Jylon. The saxophone's mellow notes and steady percussion reminded her of sipping five-year-old whisky in a quiet bar.

Then, the music cut abruptly. A news report began to play.

// We interrupt this broadcast for breaking news. Chaos continues to unfold within the Aetesian Empire, as bombings are now confirmed in the capital of the Alervon Kingdom. President Ron Riverine of the Jylon Republic has issued an urgent statement regarding his nation's involvement. //

The crew in the tower fell silent, their attention locked on the words coming through the speaker.

// Good day, honourable representatives of the United States and Japan. I am President Ron Riverine of the Jylon Republic. I wish to address and clarify the deeply unfortunate events that have unfolded and the role, if any, of our forces.

Earlier today, a number of our Jylon Army Air Corps bombers were commandeered without authorisation by elements within the Aetesian Empire. These aircraft, launched without sanction, were used in a reckless and unilateral attack on the Alervon capital. I repeat: these bombers were not flown by Jylon personnel. They were stolen.

While this represents a catastrophic breach of protocol, the situation has been worsened by the Aetesian government's impulsive and aggressive escalation. Bench officials had approved only limited operations in coordination with us, operations that have now been grossly violated.

There will be consequences for this breach of trust. We are dismayed by the Aetesian actions and are treating this matter with the utmost gravity. Immediate orders have been issued to Jylon Army Air Corps fighters to intercept and neutralise any unauthorised aircraft. Ground-based anti-aircraft systems have also been activated to engage any Jylon-labelled aircraft operating outside the proper chain of command.

Thank you. //

"What a fucking waste of breath," Colonel Ayla McStandley muttered.

"Our goddamn ambassadors get arrested in Alervon, and now our president's bowing down to these superpowers? How shameful."

She clenched her fists. Her anger wasn't just aimed at the president; it was directed at the entire failure of diplomacy.

"If I had been in Sollan, I would've stopped that damn house arrest. We've worked too hard to build influence in the Aetesian Empire, and now it's all unravelling for nothing."