Date: 09-17 1850 hrs
Coordinates: Classified
Area: UEAS Neighagra
Weather: Few Clouds
Lucky "Phoenix" Seven, one of the few remaining United Equestria Aces, sat near a window of the massive airship that the princesses had bought from Dimtec at the beginning of this dreaded war. He looked out at the land below and the numerous ponies and others that would probably never know what he and the other pilots of Wonderbolt Squadron had done to save them. Soarin walked up behind him and gently placed a hand on Lucky Seven's shoulder "Come on Lucky, we both know that she wouldn't want you to carry on like this."
Lucky glared at Soarin before saying "It's my fault that she's dead." The navy blue stallion then stood up and shrugged Soarin's hand off his shoulder, he then turned and started to walk out of the room saying "I'm sorry Soarin, but I need to clear my head." Soarin watched the young pilot leave, as Spitfire walked in. She briefly watched Lucky leave before turning to her second in command and asked "Is the kid still beating himself up over Surprise?" Soarin replied with a silent nod and they both turned to look out the window and watched a MIG-31 Foxhound that had a dark red and gray paint job start to fly off from the UEAS Neighagra.
Lucky had left in his MIG-31 and was pushing the thrust as much as he could swiftly reaching 4,300 km/h as he flew toward Celestia's setting sun. The radio then turned on and he heard the voice of his CO Bookslot, "Would you like to explain why your out on an unscheduled flight?"
"I'm just trying to clear my head "Librarian"." Lucky responded using the old unicorn's call-sign. "I am also aware that I have my own wings sir."
"I'm not going to try stopping you Phoenix," Bookalot said "I actually understand how you are feeling about what happened with Surprise."
"You don't understand anything Gramps, it's my fault she's dead anyway."
"There was nothing you could do and we both know it son."
"I SHOULD HAVE SAVED HER!" Lucky cried out back through his mic, a single tear falling down his cheek as he watched the sun finish falling over the horizon. He could see the lights of Los Pegasus below him. Lucky put his plane on autopilot and started to openly cry "I... I let her down, I had promised her she would be safe." he managed to say through his sobs.
"The same thing happened with my fiance a long time ago, before this war." Booksalot said over the radio trying to comfort him. "I had promised her that she would be forever safe and happy in my arms, and she was, until one day I found out she had been fillynapped. I rushed to find her as fast as I could but I arrived to late to save her. Phoenix, I saw the one I love die a gruesome death at the hands of some evil ponies and in a fit of rage and sorrow I burned them all without mercy. The pain of my regret from doing that is much worse than the pain of losing somepony that you love." Lucky Seven kept crying in self pity as Booksalot talked. "So, how about you and me recall every moment you and Surprise shared and think about how she would want you to be acting right now."
Lucky nodded in agreement before wiping his tears away and replying, "I never knew how similar we were Books."
"Not many do."
Lucky then sighed and looked at a picture of him and Surprise happily smiling with an arm around each other's waists. It had been taken shortly after Surprise had surprised Lucky and asked him out before he could ask her. "The first time I had ever seen surprise was the day of my first mission her and Misty Fly where starting to fly off in the new F-16 Fighting Flacon's."
"And that's when our world fell into more of a hell hole than it currently was." Booksalot said
Date: 03-20 0900 hrs.
Coordinates: 110 Degrees S 120 Degrees W
Area: UEAF Base Palomino
Weather: Scattered Clouds
Lucky gave himself a double check before heading toward the mission briefing room. As he approached he then saw two senior mares of Wonderbolt Squadron leaving, the one that had a golden mane smiled and gave him a wink as they passed. Lucky Seven then went inside the room and took his seat near the magical holographic table. On the other side of the table sat an elderly unicorn stallion. He smiled and then spoke as the table lit up displaying a simple map and points for fighters. "We'll start the mission briefing. Your TAC name is Phoenix, correct? I'm Booksloat, Lead Tactician of this squadron." As he spoke Lucky noticed how the table threw up new images and labeled the different fighters. "You'll be leading fighter squadron 37-18, AKA Wonderbolt Squadron Beta. Your mission will be to engage in battle against the Legion of Discord Forces. The normal United Equestria Forces are in shambles due to the sudden uprising of this chaotic rebellion. As part of the UEAF, we are to suppress the LoD Forces by any means and return peace to the world. Now for your first mission. LoD bombers are headed for an UE front-line base located on the Shimmering Islands. You are to intercept the bombers and take them out before they reach the base. We assume that the bombers will be accompanied by several escort fighters. I'll be giving strategic directions during battle under the call-sign Librarian. Keep your ears open for my transmissions. I've heard what you can do, Phoenix. I'm eager to see it."
"I will do, Sir!" Lucky said quickly snapping a salute and then heading for the hanger bay. "Things sure are different ever since those humans from Dimtec first showed up. The Princesses sure have made quite a few business deals with them, and one can only hope that they're trying to get them to be allied with us." Lucky thought to himself as he reached his F-16C Fighting Falcon, it was still its stock silvery color with only the insignias of the UE and Wonderbolt Squadron upon it. He circled around it before jumping inside the cockpit and starting the engine, "This is Phoenix, I have done my preflight check and am ready for take off."
"I read you loud and clear Phoenix, Wonderbolts Beta, move out!" Booksalot called out over the radio head set, as he did Lucky pushed down on the thrust and got his plane into the air.
Date: 03-20 1100 hrs.
Coordinates: 200 Degrees S 250 Degrees W
Area: Shimmering Islands
Weather: Scattered Clouds
(Mission Music)
"Okay Phoenix, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear, Librarian."
"Good I will be relaying mission directives to you on this channel so keep it clear. Now, the LoD bombers are almost in position over our base, the first one should be within your eyesight."
"I see him, increasing speed so I can get a lock on him." Phoenix closed in the distance between himself and the B-52, his missiles locked on but he wanted to gun it down so he flew in closer. Once Phoenix saw his gun reticle appear in his HUD his pulled back on the trigger and smirked under his flight mask at the sound of the M61 Vulcan firing its 20mm rounds. The rounds quickly tore through the B-52 hitting fuel lines, engines, and the bombs themselves. In a matter of seconds the LoD bomber was but a burning husk falling toward the ocean below as Phoenix kept flying forward. "First bomber is down."
"Good! Now continue head and use one of your LRAA to take down the next B-52."
Phoenix nodded to himself and then switched to his LRAA missile lock and watched as it quickly locked onto the slowly growing dot that was his next target. He waited a second before letting the missile fly, so as to make sure it was locked. Phoenix then pushed down the throttle and speed his F-16 along trusting in the technology that was within the LRAA to destroy the B-52. As he flew past the bomber slightly ahead of his shot Phoenix then heard the voice of its pilot call out "Attention I see a UE Aaargh.... " on the open channel right when the missile hit the B-52's payload. "Its nothing personal." Lucky muttered to himself with his mic off.
"Okay the next bomber has a fighter escort. Priority on the bomber but, don't let the fighter get away Phoenix"
"Roger that Librarian." Phoenix then spotted the next B-52 and quickly read the label next to the second ping on his radar. The escort was a F-4E, which he quickly got a lock on and fired off two normal missiles, before they hit Phoenix changed targets and shot a second LRAA at the B-52. They both turned into ball of fire as they exploded and Lucky flew his plane past them quickly catching sight of another B-52 with two F-4E as its escorts. He then speed his plane up to get the fighters in range and saw them starting to break away from the bomber, quickly locking onto the first he fired a third LRAA then switched targets to the other and shot of two more normal missiles. Then while waiting for both his missile type salvos to change out Lucky pushed the plane forward at top speed and let the last bomber taste his M61 Vulcan's 20mm rounds.
"I'm reading that all the bombers are down. Good job, because that just leaves the frontal fighters take them out then come on home."
"Roger that. Two MiG-21-93s are in sight. Engaging" Phoenix relayed to the Librarian. He watched as the MiGs flew closer and his systems got a lock on to one of them he shot two missiles and then heard the droning wail of gunfire. Knowing it wasn't his gun Lucky quickly pulled his plane into a roll and went under the MiG he targeted as it exploded and the bullets missed.
"Damn this pilot is good." Lucky heard the last pilot call out over the open channel as he pulled a quick G-Turn and pulled back on the trigger for his gun. The 20mm rounds quickly tore through the wings and a few punctured the fuel line and sparked forcing it to blow.
"This is Wonderbolts Beta One. Mission accomplished and headed home."
Date: 03-20 1220 hrs.
Coordinates: 110 Degrees S 120 Degrees W
Area: UEAF Base Palomino
Weather: Cloudy
Lucky landed his F-16 and cruised it back to its hanger along side the other planes for the Wonderbolts. He let out a content sigh as he took a look around and saw all the human and pony engineers scurrying around to make sure the planes stayed in top shape. "You should go on and head up for your debriefing Lucky!" one of the human engineers called out with a chuckle.
"I'm headed that way Jim." Lucky Seven calls back as he then headed over to the Briefing room to find Booksalot in there smiling and watching a few things on the holographic map in front of him. Lucky then saluted and went to sit down saying "Sir."
"It's good to see you back Lucky Seven." Booksalot said as the Holo table changed to show the combat he had just finished, "Now, getting right to the point, the LoD bombing squadron has been destroyed. This was your first mission as part of Wonderbolts Beta. You did well. Presently, Discord has control more than half of the Northern Mountains, as well as all of the Griffin and Dragon kingdoms, but the tide turns now, with us. It's the Wonderbolts duty to lead Operation Fighter's Honor. I'm eager to see what more you can do, Lucky." Booksalot came around the table and shook Lucky's hand before winking at him.
"What is it, Sir?" Lucky asks noticing the wink.
"Just enjoy your next few days off and be sure to make friends with your teammates. I know this isn't a show group anymore but, you guys can still be friendly with each other." Booksalot then started to leave the Briefing Room "Just don't get too friendly with the golden heads."
Lucky blushed deeply as he heard his superiors lasts words before heading toward the cafeteria.
Date: 03-26 0500 hrs.
Coordinates: 110 Degrees S 120 Degrees W
Area: UEAF Base Palomino
Weather: Light Rain
Lucky Seven normally always woke up before the sun. As he woke up, feeling slightly sore from yesterday, the first thing he noticed was the overwhelming and welcoming warmth at his back in the bed. Not wanting to get up just yet Lucky moved closer to the heat source when he felt an arm wrap around him and pull him even closer. His eyes shot wide as he scrambled out of the grasp "What the fuck!" As Lucky landed in a heap on the floor next to his bed he heard a giggling from on top of it as the face of the white coated and golden maned mare he saw from yesterday looked down at him smiling.
"Its just me you silly filly!" She then jumped down on top of him where Lucky realized she was only wearing a bra and panties. "I'm Surprise, what's your name?" she asked as Lucky's cheeks started to turn crimson and he was trying with all his will power to keep his eyes on hers.
"I.... I'm Lucky Seven," he tried to get out from under Surprise but found himself pinned tightly. "Could you get off please?"
"Sure!" Surprise then got off of Lucky and as she turned to step back from him she had her tail teasingly stroke down his bare chest. "Anyways I actually came here to tell you that if you want some of us senior members are going to Las Pegasus for some Fun!" She then giggled and looked down at Lucky and saw his golden colored shorts were slightly tented, "I'll take that has a yes your coming with. Get on some Civies and meet the rest of us by hanger three." At that the white mare walked out of Lucky's room and back toward hers. Lucky Seven released a breath he didn't know he had been holding and laid his head back against the floor.
Date: 03-26 0545 hrs.
Coordinates: 110 Degrees S 120 Degrees W
Area: UEAF Base Palomino
Weather: Light Rain
Lucky Seven had gotten dressed and was wearing his navy blue rain coat as he walked toward the shapes of three of his team mates standing near hanger three. When he got closer Lucky noticed that it was Spitfire, Soarin, and Surprise. "Good you're here now we can go!" Surprise stated happily ignoring the rain that was falling upon her.
"Uh... Where's your coat Surprise?" Lucky asked curiously.
"I don't need one" she replied quickly "Now come on!" She then took to the sky flying with her wings and heading toward Las Pegasus. Spitfire and Soarin chuckled at Lucky's confusion before following after.
Date: 03-26 1300hrs.
Coordinates: 90 Degrees S 150 Degrees W
Area: Las Pegasus
Weather: Clear Skys
The four Wonderbolts had been having fun all day, they had played a few poker games at one of the casinos. After having lunch at an all you could eat buffet they all went to a pool side bar and were sitting in the sun enjoying some shots. Lucky smiled and then looked over at the others "Thanks for bringing me along guys."
"Hey when your the only newbie to make it as far in our ranks as you have you deserve a small prize." Spitfire tells him with a chuckle and a wink. Lucky blushed as she did "Don't worry kid things are going to turn out fine."
"I hope so." Lucky responds as he looks toward the sky.
