Tomorrow will be the first day Snake is to fly with the Neucom's Cougar squadron. The EAF was currently in a cease-fire with the forces of Launtern. After fighting each other for a few months they came to terms. Snake had been a fighter pilot when he was on Earth, but he had no hopes of ever going back. Though he has never met them he knew his squadron mates: Captain Spitfire; the leader who went by the call sign Cougar, Soarin' call sign Crossbow, Gilda call sign Slowhand, Big Macintosh call sign Jackpot, and Applejack call sign Castling.
He went to sleep early hoping to get a quick start on the day ahead, and maybe see what kind of aircraft he would fly. But, he found sleep hard to come by that night. He tried all he could to get to sleep, but nothing worked. When he finally fell asleep it was 23:52.
The next morning he awoke to a knock on the door. "Wake up, we have a mission. Report to the briefing room immediately." came the voice from the other side.
'A mission?' he thought to himself 'I thought there was a cease-fire.'
As if reading his mind the voice said "Launtern has just declared war."
At this Snake got out of the bed and moved over to the closet to his World War II style flight suit.
He stumbled into the briefing room, it had a projector in the middle of the room and several seats. In the front of the room was a purple unicorn, her mane was a faded blue with brighter but also faded purple and pink streaks. This was Twilight Sparkle, commander at Hoofward Air Base. She had turned down promotions to stay on the front lines. Just then the projector came alive projecting a map of Equestria. A blue circle appeared around where Hoofward was at and an arrow coming from it that ended at a coast. The more Snake looked at the map, the more it appeared to be the same as Earth's Europe. The circle was in what looked like Czech Republic and the point at Italy. Before he could study it some more an inset came up. This was bordered by pictures showing the coastline. Then came a red circle and line, this also was tipped with an arrow, which went around the circle. On the line was a red aircraft mark, this obviously represnted the enemy aircraft, also coming on was a few pictures of the aircraft.
"Pilots, this is your mission." She spoke in a profressional tone "Launtern aircraft have been spotted near Trottingham, off the coast of Rudakai. It is believed that those planes are used to jam our radio communications. We don't know much more than that, but regardless your mission is simple," as she said this the blue arrow to represent the group that would intercept the jammers appeared from the top right of the inset. "stop them by any means." There was a good few second pause to let what she said sink in before continuing, "We have intell that they have air support," again as she spoke two more red aircraft showed up on the map. "but I have faith that our Cougar squad will be able to neutralize them." another pause "One more thing, a new pilot Snake will be joining the mission by the call sign Lynx. Spitfire is the squadron's ace. She is one of the best. I'm sure you can learn much from her. That will be all pilots, happy hunting."
When she finished the briefing a new view came up, this one showing terrain and other psychical features. In a box in the left corner of the screen showed the number and types of enemies and the weather. In the right corner shown the number of allied planes. After everyone got a good look at the terrain map, they got up and left the briefing room.
In the hangar Snake looked at his aircraft, it was a prop-plane with slightly bent gull-wings and a large engine they called it the Suiga, but it looked like a F2G Super Corsair. It was painted in what looked like a cheetah's spots along the side of the fuselage, with black paint stretching from the nose to just behind the cockpit, the rest of it was gray with a light black in camouflage coloring.
"I'll need to talk to them about changing the paint scheme later." Snake said to himself. Just then a mechanic pony walked up to him and said "Sir, are you ready for your first mission?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. But, aren't we at peace." He replied dryly.
"We were, but some pony thought it would be fun for the civilians to see a war. So they called in Launtern to declare war."
"Well that doesn't sound right. Why would... oh nevermind, I have a mission." Snake said confused.
"Good luck."
They were still several miles out when a conversation started up. "So Lynx, how ya feeling?" Soarin' asked.
He was about to answer when Applejack cut in, "Wait a minute. This can't actually be his first sortie, can it?"
"Yeah, well I'll vouch for his skill."
Snake was listening to the conversation intently, the aircraft seemed to be flying with the group by itself. When heard what Soarin' had said he blushed 'I can't possibly be that good could I?' He thought to himself. A new voice knocked him out of his thoughts.
"Castling, how's it looking?" this was the voice of none other than the Captain.
"Enemy targets past point 2, right on schedule."
"Hm, excellent..." a pause "Jackpot, Castling, Crossbow. Take care of their escorts."
One by one each of them replied smartly, "Roger"
"Alright, Lynx, go ahead and take out the targets. I'll be covering you. Happy hunting, everyone."
After Spitfire was finished,the sign to begin the mission, a red box with the white words 'MISSION START' appeared on the windscreen of the aircraft. The planes might have looked like WWII planes and had no missiles but they were very advanced compared to the second World Wars fighters.
Right off the bat there were two enemy aircraft off the nose. One was surrounded by a triangle and the other a square on the HUD. The one surrounded by the triangle was the first to be identified, next to it were the words 'AB Radar'.
"We're still a ways off. Hey AJ by the way-" spoke up Big Mac.
"Use code names in battle." Applejack cut him off.
"Oh right."
"Incoming."
"In range, all wings fire." this time it was Spitfire.
"Time to show us what you've got there." came Mac.
At this time the enemy started to come on the radio. "Bandits on our six." said one in a deep voice. Then another came on the air, "Give 'em a warm welcome."
'Here we go.' Snake thought as he sped up to catch up to the target. On the nose was an escorts and the target. He moved in and the escort turned to face him. The fighters called Fissions had a tail-boom, not unlike the P-38's, it also had a tractor and pusher propeller and the fuselage was situated in the middle of the booms. At this he spun the plane and did a roll onto the lead escorts six. All six of his machine guns opened up and shredded the fighter.
"How did he do that." one of the other enemy pilots said frantically.
Then he barrel rolled onto the tail of a second that had been escorting another radar plane and again opened up.
After dispatching the two escorts he moved onto the target. He switched to his secondary weapon, a large gun fixed to the belly. He came into range and fired. The shot exploded next to the target aircraft and obliterated it. 'This is too easy' He thought. Just then a Fission latched onto his six. 'Damn how did he-' his thought was cut short by several rounds impacting his aircraft. "Shit." He said to himself craning his neck to try and follow the enemy. He found him heading in fast, 'That's it big guy keep coming.' the whole time he was slowing down to cause an overshoot. 'NOW.' with that he poped the breakes and caused the Fission to wiz by. Then he pounced firing his main guns into the rear engine, shredding the prop. With that there were three escorts down and an AB Radar.
"Look at you go, not bad for a newbie." AppleJack said in a joking voice.
"Can't slack off now." came the more stern response from Big Mac.
He again switched to the big gun and fired on the second target. Like the first one it was ahnillated by the shot and explosive power of the shell.
"Not bad." Spitfire complemented.
"Hey, ya hear that?" AppleJack reatorically asked.
"Sounds like you pass." said Mac
"Hey, some for me." said Soarin'.
"Jackpot ya there?" Soarin' asked.
"What's up?"
"Just wondering, what exactly is it that the enemy's trying to jam?"
"Don't worry 'bout it. No, point tryin' to figure 'em out. We just do our duty and keep quiet."
"It's all business with you."
"That's how it goes."
Just then they passed by several buildings.
"Look at the town below." Soarin' called out, "They got things peaceful over there."
"Wanna land and go fishing?" AJ asked back.
"Well, we don't have any bait."
"You could always crash."
"Hey, the mission...?" Big Mac interrupted.
"Okay."
"Roger."
While listening to the conversation Snake kept on maneuvering onto the tails of the enemy.
After destroying the last Radar plane, Spitfire came over the radio, "Mission accomplished. Castling, any damage?"
"Negative." came the short reply.
"Well done, everyone. Lynx, you did well."
"Good job." said Soarin' in an overly enthusiastic voice.
"Guess the new generation's taking over." added AppleJack
"The life of a pilot is short as it is." Macintosh said. 'Man is this guy always so negative.' Snake thought.
"Alright, pull out." Spitfire commanded.
After an uneventful flight back, the pilots prepared to land. 'I must've done pretty well, Spitfire is a great leader, kind of reminds me of my own leader on...' his thoughts were interrupted by a "You are cleared to land." call from the tower.
"Roger tower." He responded in a raspy and nervous voice. It had been a while since he had landed on such a small strip. Despite his fears he landed safely and lept out of the cockpit and proceeded to the briefing room.
After a few moments every pilot was in the room and waiting for Twilight. She came in and immediately began
"Well do everyone. You stopped them from jamming our signal." as she talked blue arrows representing the flight started moving.
"Lynx, fine job today. A lot of ponies are looking forward to seeing what your full potential is." As she finished this line a light blue arrow sped away from the others, which were slightly behind. Then all but one of the darker blue ones split off. Soon red arrows appeared on screen. The arrows danced on the screen.
At the end of the screen, a stat sheet appeared and showed the results.
Kills-11
TMC Kills-3
Grade-S
InterMission 1 (Part 1 of 2): Blue and White
Author's Note:I will try it this way, cutscenes from the game will be seperate from the missions. Also included in each may or may not be a few things not from the game and I come up with myself. Anyway, in the game this cutscene has a breif little introduction by Orishina. It moves to a different scene and then background information on the war.
Blue and white stretches out before me forever. I am engulfed in light. I fly in the sky. Beyond this, I know nothing. That is why I'm in this war.
A lone fighter flies in the sky. As it dives, so too does a nearby falcon. It swoops to catch its' prey and then climbs.
On the road approaches a car, it had a tan body and soft convertable top. Its' radio was speaking of the days action.
"As a result, six Neucom planes, including their latest model..." came the female newscaster.
"That makes seven wins and fifteen losses." said Soarin'.
"They've been on a winning streak for awhile now. Doesn't look so good for us Neucom pilots." Gilda said.
"Ha heh, I guess it is up to us to pick up the slack, huh?!"
There are those who need war and those who supply it. As for me, the only reason that I can fly is because I'm part of that system.
They arrive at a small bar. In the front is a blackboard with the specials for the week.
"By the way, how do you think I did out there today Captain?" Soarin' asked.
Captain Spitfire took a swig of the hot coffee before replying "Well, not too bad." At this Soarin' got a cocky smile and nudged Gilda with an elbow before striking a pose with his arm out, showing off his muscles.
"But..." Spitfire began again. "I've noticed your left turns are a little slow compared to your right ones. You need to fix that before the enemy figures it out."
"Yes ma'am."
On a stand was a TV set with signs out protesting the war.
"Today, the anti-war demonstration in Ponysama, attracted more than 200 participants who joined in a march in the streets." Said the Newscaster.
"Bunch of idealists, aren't they?" Asked Soarin'
"It's just free publicity." Gilda replied
"Huh?"
"When the sponsors get attention like this the company profits. And that in turn makes us happy campers. Am I right?"
"Yeah, I suppose. But I know if Snake caught sight of those protesters he would have a fit. But still..." Soarin' trailed off.
"It's payin' for the night club I've been dreaming of."
Soarin' then looked out the window at a lone aircraft.
A war between rival companies. A battle between hired hands, it had stopped for a few months. When they see us, people always think, good thing it's peaceful here. The war has no cause, so we make up our own, so we have a chance to fly. Add a lot of extra baggage, and it'll only way us down.
The lone aircraft outside the window was doing loops, it continued to multiple times.
"You're just as hard-nosed as you ever were. Ya know that? Don't you feel anything at all when you look up at the sky, huh Captain? Wha, Captain?" Soarin' was at a lost as, while he was rambling, Spitfire had got up. Gilda began to chuckle at Soarin's confusion.
Behind the two Spitfire was finishing up a conversation with a gray mail-mare.
"Thanks." Spitfire said, walking towards Gilda and Soarin'. "Sorry, I gotta head back early." She said, picking up her flight jacket and the bill.
"What's the matter captain?" Soarin' asked concerned.
"Don't worry." She replied, "You two take your time, there's no hurry."
"Yes ma'am..." Soarin' said.
"Sure, don't mind if we do!" Gilda added.
Spitfire had put on her jacket by the time she was out the door. She then stopped and looked up at the sky for a second before continuing to her red car and drives away.
But, I'm afraid that cause will one day disappear. The sky is just too big for that. We fly because...
