The Razgriz Aces [Book 2]

Lit Fuse

"I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in."
~George McGovern
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Chopper

November 1, 2010

The following two weeks after rescuing Mother Goose One had been relatively uneventful. HQ was currently planning a counterattack on Yuktobania, and it appeared they were taking their sweet time in doing so. Because of that, we pilots could essentially sit back and relax until we were called to fight. Thankfully, the Yukes didn't try and attack us again. They were probably still reeling from their awful defeat trying to take over Sand Island by just four planes because, let's face it, the nuggets barely did anything other than draw fire away from us. 

I woke up to a knock on my door, but rather than getting up and answering it, I ignored it, hoping whoever it was would go away. Well, unless it was Blaze. If I didn't answer, she knew she could just come on in. 

When a follow-up knock didn't sound, I assumed whoever it was had simply been looking for me. Content, I closed my eyes again. I thought I heard shuffling from inside my room but figured it was people moving about in the hallway. That is, until, I felt a presence next to my bed. Opening my eyes, I found Blaze kneeling next to me. Her hair looked a little disheveled, and her eyeliner was slightly smudged, but she still looked perfect to me.

She smiled tiredly at me. "Morning, sleepyhead."

"If only I always woke up to your beautiful face." I rolled over and kissed her. She smiled into it, eagerly returning the affection.

"As much as I would love to continue this," she whispered against my lips, "we have a briefing in five minutes."

I groaned. "Damn it."

"I know." Blaze gave me a peck on the lips. "I'll meet you there."

My girlfriend left. I hurriedly put on my flight suit and rushed to the briefing room. My squadron and Genette were waiting for me. I sat next to Blaze, discreetly taking her hand in mine. Out of my peripheral, I saw her bite back a smile. Meanwhile, the lights dimmed as Perrault stepped into the room and cleared his throat. "Our Army is finally ready to conduct a large-scale counterattack against Yuktobania. If we succeed, we'll never have to face the humiliation of those Yukes trampling on our homeland again. The goal of this operation is simple: to invade and occupy the Yuktobanian mainland."

Perrault stepped away, and the lights dimmed. We turned our heads to the computer. Our briefer systematically cleared his throat before beginning. "We're going to conduct a large-scale amphibious assault against Yuktobania on the Bastok Peninsula. This mission will be called 'Operation Footprint.' The landing force will be selected from the 1st and 2nd Osean Army Battalions. They will be divided into four companies- A, B, C, and D- and transported to the area via landing craft. Upon landing, each division will fan out and destroy the enemy bases scattered throughout the area, then rendezvous and reform into a single large force unit to assault the final target, the fortress. The Yuktobanian defense positions along the coast are tightly dug in, and we have concluded that air attacks alone will not be enough to destroy them. Therefore, Operation Footprint will be a synchronized air and ground attack to neutralize these positions. It is critical that you follow the specific targeting instructions of the ground commander to maximize the effects of your attacks. We are expecting poor weather conditions and fierce resistance from the Yuktobanian defense forces. The fortress is protected by pillboxes and a defensive wall. Provide close air support for the ground forces, and get as many soldiers as possible inside."