The Kaga Saga

Part 7: Sakura 0

Angry at what the robots did, Kaga ordered all her fighters as well as Enterprise's to engage the Amerika Bomber. The Sakura Squadron took off with bombs underneath for extra damage. Enterprise launched her fighter squadron of Corsairs and equipped them with rockets. This went against the wishes of both Prinz Eugen and Tirpitz who did not want to risk losing any aircraft that could be used later in the campaign. Kaga however convinced them that this mission was needed in order to regain air superiority. Reluctantly, Tirpitz agreed and initiated Operation Hresvelgr.

"This is Sakura 0. I have taken off and will pursue the enemy, over."

"Roger Sakura 0. Lead all allied aircraft and pursue the Amerika Bomber. I've just launched the D3As of Momiji Squadron. Escort them if you can." Kaga reported to the ace.

A radio message was received from Tirpitz. "To all the aircraft in the air, our radar has tracked down the target. According to intel, the robots are in possession of an autonomous drone bomber codenamed 'Valkyrie.' You are ordered to shoot it down before it escapes from radar range."

Sakura, Eagle and Momiji Squadrons pursued the Valkyrie and were able to catch up to it. Despite its engines, the aircraft was too massive to gain any speed. The craft launched 6 Fi 103 Reichenbergs from its rear and the fighters were ordered to intercept before they reach the ships. The Sakura and Eagle Squadrons were able to destroy them head on but one slipped past them. It was time to pursue them, but since they have jet engines, they would be really hard to catch up to them. Sakura 0 gained as much speed as he could and chased it down the fjords. It was narrow and dangerous but the piloted missile had advanced computer systems that it could fly with such precision. However, the evasive maneuvers of this aircraft was no match for Sakura 0 and was destroyed.

When Sakura 0 tried to regroup, the Valkyrie was now flying over the mountains. His allies were in trouble as the 4 escorting Me 262s were harassing his squadron. Zeros started falling out of the sky one by one as they got picked off by their speed.

"This is Sakura 4, I've been hit."

"Sakura 27 here. I'm being pursued!"

"Sakura 0, I need your help. The Momiji Squadron is about to take losses." Sakura 8 reported to him.

"Roger that. I'll take down the closest jet fighter." Sakura 0 assured. He went over to the jet that shot down Sakura 4 and engaged. His intercept was successful and he shot it out of the sky. "Sakura 0 splashed a bandit." Momiji 10 confirmed. Next the ace took out the 262 that was distracted in trying to knock down Momiji 13. Finally, the A6M8 went on a head on attack against the third Me 262. With enough evasive maneuvers and luck, he won the joust. "Good work Sakura 0." Sakura 2 congratulated. "Weren't there 4 Me 262s escorting the Valkyrie?" The ace asked. Then out of the clouds appeared the fourth and final jet fighter. It went for the boom and zoom and narrowly grazed Sakura 0 with a few bullets. With no way do outmaneuver it, Sakura 0 was now the victim of an superior aircraft chasing him down.

The last escort fighter was chasing Sakura 0 because they saw him as a threat. Under their terminator vision, the put their priorities on shooting him down and their database could instantly recognize him due to the bright pink Cherry Blossom emblem on his fuselage. Sakura 0 dipped and dodged the cannon gun but the jet was slowly gaining ground on him. He was in big trouble and any closer he would get shot down. He had to do something quick, but what and how? Then something came to his mind. It was risky and was thought to be impossible. He had no choice and he had to do it. Suddenly, he felt a quick burst of energy in him. It must be connected to Kaga's special powers.

"Here goes." He thought before performing a post stall maneuver on the jet. When he did it, a flash of bright light emitted from him blinding the sensors of the Me 262. The jet flew past him from below and now Sakura 0 was giving chase. Everyone who witnessed him was shocked. Even the robots were surprised as their interface displayed calculation errors. Not giving up the window of opportunity, the ace fired his machine guns and ripped the jet apart.