07-12-2022, 02:04 AM
(A Joint Post with Xiomera)
The Coalition was counting on its air power to defeat the Aurian coup forces.
Xiomera was counting on its missiles.
The first Xiomeran surface to air missile systems had been deployed in 1954. During the Great War, Xiomeran SAMs came of age. The increasingly mobile and portable missiles accounted for almost as many downed enemy planes as Xiomeran warplanes did. In the later Bjeorg conflict, Xiomeran missiles also took a heavy toll on enemy fighters.
Today, in Auria, the missiles were facing a serious challenge in the form of Shuellian-supplied mortars. The mortars were being used to disrupt the ability of the vehicle-mounted SAMs that CSSC deployed. The mounted SAMs kept having to move to avoid counter-fire.
But CSSC also possessed deadly portable missiles. Capable of a flight ceiling of 7 km and a maximum speed of Mach 4, the Xiomeran MANPADS were among the toughest in the IDU. And since a single person carrying a missile is a lot tougher to pin down than a vehicle, these missiles were destined to cause havoc with the Coalition’s air power.
Off of the coast of southern Auria
May 15th, 2022, 9:06 AM
And said air power was quickly incoming. Four elite Zēben-1 and Zēben-2 fighters, the prime of Eiria's naval air force, quickly approached Auria's southern coast, flying in tight formation. Behind them flew two Brazim-class transport planes, carrying rations and munitions for the struggling Coalition soldiers and rebels below them. Although securing a landing zone was a pain (there's not exactly a proper runway in the middle of the countryside), preparations had been made to ensure a stable landing area.
First Lieutenant Natalija Petrova sat alone in the cockpit of her Zēben-1, examining her control panels subconsciously as she hurdled toward the Côte-Verte area.
"Shield Wing, please report in." The crackly voice of the EIS Arion's radio operator echoed in Petrova's headset. She wasted no time, flipping on her receiver. "Shield One, standing by."
On her right, the two-seater Zēben-2 adjusted its wing angle. "Shield Two, standing by, even more dedicated than Shield One, over." Petrova rolled her eyes at her fellow pilot's remarks. "You sure about that, Beck? I wouldn't want to be strapped to Simmons for the entire mission..."
An indignant "Hey!" indicated that Lieutenant John Simmons was, in fact, on this channel. "Well, at least I don't have-"
"Pilots, please keep your minds on the mission. There will be plenty of time for witty commentary back on the Arion." The irritated tone of a Major brought the entire wing back to the task ahead of them, and the other two fighters called in without extra remark.
"Alright, Pilots, let's go over this again. The landing area is five miles southwest of Côte-Verte, demarcated by ground troops as much as possible. Patrol while the transports land and unload, and then escort our Brazimei home. Mobile SAM batteries are a large threat in the area, so be advised." The Major blandly recapped their mission briefing, not revealing any kind of emotion.
The golden beaches of Auria were quicky approaching in Petrova's view, increasing her adrenaline rush. Here we go. "Look alive, my friends." The large transport planes slowed down as they descended, beginning their landing approaches.
A blinking red dot lit up on Petrova's radar display, immediately alerting her. "Missile incoming! Fall back, protect the transports!" As if they could read each others' minds, the pilots pulled back, one of them deploying their deterrent flares in order to safely detonate the missile.
Almost immediately, another missile launched from the ground, this one targeting Petrova. "Deploying flares." She pressed a button on her console. A large grinding noise was heard, but no flares were deployed. The missile flew closer and closer to Petrova, who had increased her speed to break away from the pack.
"Metdi!"
In a split second decision, she pulled the ejector handle above her, flying out of the cockpit only a few moments before the missile struck. The burning remains of Petrova's Zēben-1 crashed into a field below, detonating with an ear-splitting BOOM.
Petrova clung to the straps on her ejector seat, slowly drifting towards the ground thanks to her parachute. Her adrenaline had kicked in her survival training, and she examined the terrain below her. With a start, she realized one key issue:
I'm on the wrong side of the river. I'm above enemy territory.
---
Chancellor's Manor, Geminus
Chancellor Leah Stendē sat at the head of the briefing room table, examining the reports in front of her. "So, the supply drop was successful, correct?" She flipped a page, biting her lip once she noticed a small note at the bottom of the last page.
Lutena Unaš Natalija Petrova. May 15th, 2022, Outside Côte-Verte, Auria. Missing In Action. The picture of a smiling brunette in Air Force fatigues stared back up at her. The Chancellor glanced away and closed the page, looking back up at her advisors. "Only missing in action, not killed?"
General Dufour, an Air Force high officer, nodded. "Lieutenant Petrova ejected before her fighter was struck, and was, as far as we can tell, alive until she hit the ground. We have no further information."
Stendē grimaced. "So, she's either dead, in hiding, or captured by the enemy. None of those are particularly ideal." She sighed. "But, the supply line to the front is now more secure. Now that we can fly resources to our troops, and that we're having better luck clearing ocean mines, we can take advantage of the current instability in Auria."
She stood, giving a nod to her gathered security advisors. "Thank you all. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Her face shifted into a stone façade, and she looked back down at the report's final page. "I've got a family to call."
The Coalition was counting on its air power to defeat the Aurian coup forces.
Xiomera was counting on its missiles.
The first Xiomeran surface to air missile systems had been deployed in 1954. During the Great War, Xiomeran SAMs came of age. The increasingly mobile and portable missiles accounted for almost as many downed enemy planes as Xiomeran warplanes did. In the later Bjeorg conflict, Xiomeran missiles also took a heavy toll on enemy fighters.
Today, in Auria, the missiles were facing a serious challenge in the form of Shuellian-supplied mortars. The mortars were being used to disrupt the ability of the vehicle-mounted SAMs that CSSC deployed. The mounted SAMs kept having to move to avoid counter-fire.
But CSSC also possessed deadly portable missiles. Capable of a flight ceiling of 7 km and a maximum speed of Mach 4, the Xiomeran MANPADS were among the toughest in the IDU. And since a single person carrying a missile is a lot tougher to pin down than a vehicle, these missiles were destined to cause havoc with the Coalition’s air power.
Off of the coast of southern Auria
May 15th, 2022, 9:06 AM
And said air power was quickly incoming. Four elite Zēben-1 and Zēben-2 fighters, the prime of Eiria's naval air force, quickly approached Auria's southern coast, flying in tight formation. Behind them flew two Brazim-class transport planes, carrying rations and munitions for the struggling Coalition soldiers and rebels below them. Although securing a landing zone was a pain (there's not exactly a proper runway in the middle of the countryside), preparations had been made to ensure a stable landing area.
First Lieutenant Natalija Petrova sat alone in the cockpit of her Zēben-1, examining her control panels subconsciously as she hurdled toward the Côte-Verte area.
"Shield Wing, please report in." The crackly voice of the EIS Arion's radio operator echoed in Petrova's headset. She wasted no time, flipping on her receiver. "Shield One, standing by."
On her right, the two-seater Zēben-2 adjusted its wing angle. "Shield Two, standing by, even more dedicated than Shield One, over." Petrova rolled her eyes at her fellow pilot's remarks. "You sure about that, Beck? I wouldn't want to be strapped to Simmons for the entire mission..."
An indignant "Hey!" indicated that Lieutenant John Simmons was, in fact, on this channel. "Well, at least I don't have-"
"Pilots, please keep your minds on the mission. There will be plenty of time for witty commentary back on the Arion." The irritated tone of a Major brought the entire wing back to the task ahead of them, and the other two fighters called in without extra remark.
"Alright, Pilots, let's go over this again. The landing area is five miles southwest of Côte-Verte, demarcated by ground troops as much as possible. Patrol while the transports land and unload, and then escort our Brazimei home. Mobile SAM batteries are a large threat in the area, so be advised." The Major blandly recapped their mission briefing, not revealing any kind of emotion.
The golden beaches of Auria were quicky approaching in Petrova's view, increasing her adrenaline rush. Here we go. "Look alive, my friends." The large transport planes slowed down as they descended, beginning their landing approaches.
A blinking red dot lit up on Petrova's radar display, immediately alerting her. "Missile incoming! Fall back, protect the transports!" As if they could read each others' minds, the pilots pulled back, one of them deploying their deterrent flares in order to safely detonate the missile.
Almost immediately, another missile launched from the ground, this one targeting Petrova. "Deploying flares." She pressed a button on her console. A large grinding noise was heard, but no flares were deployed. The missile flew closer and closer to Petrova, who had increased her speed to break away from the pack.
"Metdi!"
In a split second decision, she pulled the ejector handle above her, flying out of the cockpit only a few moments before the missile struck. The burning remains of Petrova's Zēben-1 crashed into a field below, detonating with an ear-splitting BOOM.
Petrova clung to the straps on her ejector seat, slowly drifting towards the ground thanks to her parachute. Her adrenaline had kicked in her survival training, and she examined the terrain below her. With a start, she realized one key issue:
I'm on the wrong side of the river. I'm above enemy territory.
---
Chancellor's Manor, Geminus
Chancellor Leah Stendē sat at the head of the briefing room table, examining the reports in front of her. "So, the supply drop was successful, correct?" She flipped a page, biting her lip once she noticed a small note at the bottom of the last page.
Lutena Unaš Natalija Petrova. May 15th, 2022, Outside Côte-Verte, Auria. Missing In Action. The picture of a smiling brunette in Air Force fatigues stared back up at her. The Chancellor glanced away and closed the page, looking back up at her advisors. "Only missing in action, not killed?"
General Dufour, an Air Force high officer, nodded. "Lieutenant Petrova ejected before her fighter was struck, and was, as far as we can tell, alive until she hit the ground. We have no further information."
Stendē grimaced. "So, she's either dead, in hiding, or captured by the enemy. None of those are particularly ideal." She sighed. "But, the supply line to the front is now more secure. Now that we can fly resources to our troops, and that we're having better luck clearing ocean mines, we can take advantage of the current instability in Auria."
She stood, giving a nod to her gathered security advisors. "Thank you all. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Her face shifted into a stone façade, and she looked back down at the report's final page. "I've got a family to call."
<t></t>