The Offworld Saga: The Rise of the Survivalist Federation Force

Ch. 12: The Liberation of Kittyopolis, part 2

The Hangars

Fantine HQ

0:44

"The time has come. Launch your birds."

Ari, Strygar, Adlan, and the rest of the air crew were watching as the fitters prepared their aircraft for the major operation to dislodge their mortal enemy from Kithar territory when Mikhail's message came through. Each exchanged a glance with one another confirming one thing: It was time to get airborne and spearhead the attack. After all, Fantine's trademark air force was renown for their brave pilots and honoring their commitments to the nations and kingdoms of the Offworld. 

"It's about time! I was getting restless sitting there while the Survies oppress the Kithan and the whole world watches on. "Strygar puts on his flight jacket, orange and brown with green patches bearing the double eagle clutching lightning in its talons that served as Fantine's Air Emblem. "Why can't any of the Great Kingdoms or even the Capitol send forces to assist us? "

"It's the bureaucratic nonsense with all those self-serving senators sitting on their arses and sucking their thumbs as the Survies extend their grip," Adlan retorted as he took a swig of his drink in a metal canteen. As he adjusted his flight suit, the Prefontainian turned to Ari. "So what will our formations be?"

"Just like the simulations, I will lead Eagle flight, you lead Liberty flight, and Strygar will lead Thunder flight. We will fly in the Migration Pattern formation to our destination. I will lead the strikes deep into Kithan while Adlan, you handle the ground forces simultaneously as Strygar takes out what is left of the enemy air fleet. "

"It's time to move out! Move along!"

Ari turned to see one of the fitters of his Double Eagle, a Botroug with dark brown fur reminiscent of Honeywood barks,  motioning to him.  As he made his way to his aircraft, shining a sea-green color amid the glowing green and blue headlights in the hangar, he was offered a drink by a tech. Taking the flask, he took a quick swig of the sweet-tasting nectar before riding up the ramp to take his seat in the Double Eagle's cockpit. Once the flask was taken , the head aviator of the Air Corps watched as the tops of the hatches were closed and the hangar's metallic doors, marked by the Air Corps' sigil, gradually slid open. Glancing to his right, he saw Adlan seated in his Thunderbolt while Strygar was seated in his Comet toward the aviator's left. The three exchanged thumbs up signs and prepared to exit the hangar with their dozen wingmen at their tail as one of the flight controllers waved red and black flares to signal the planes on where to taxi to. Ari gradually gripped the control stick of his plane and lead the way out into the chilly night.  

Well, the skies seem clear to me. That's a start. Although, some cloud cover would have been welcome as well. Our attack would be potentially more shattering. 

The velvet sky above shone bright with the stars and galaxies of distant worlds, even outdoing the bright hangar lights or the colorful indicators lining the runways. Once he positioned his aircraft facing close to North, he felt the rest of his squadron line up beside him or behind him. On his left and right , Ludwig and Wolfgang , the Ausland-Britannican brothers, perched in their Thunder aircraft, awaiting the moment they were to take off to the skies. His Squad, Eagle flight, would fly out first to lead the dozens of aircraft to the strike site before being joined by Liberty and Thunder flight respectively.  The moment the lights lining the side of the runway turned bright green, lighting the grasslands and the thick woods of the Djennar forest ahead, Ari knew it was time to take to the brilliant skies.

It's time to fly.

Soon, the nose of his bird was flying toward the velvet.

---