Fantine Conference Room
Fantine HQ
1:07 Local Time
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, are we all seated?"
Mikhail was seated in the brown leather chair in the middle of the tan, but brightly light room as his eyes flitted from the attendees that consisted of the representatives from the different branches of the Air Corps ranging from the Intelligence Division to the Air crew as well as the Shocktrooper Division and the Infantry Core. Running a hand through his greying dark hair the same color as his salt and pepper mustache, Mikhail adjusted his reading glasses, glancing across the table at his guest, the Kithar Bartleby. To the Director of Operations right sat his right-hand man Calhoun while to his left was the Head of Security Tarkhun, who belonged to a large and furry race known as the Mayhans. Clearing his throat, the Director of Operation rose to address the attendees as if they hadn't just returned from a dangerous extraction within close proximity to enemy territory.
"Our friend Bartleby here as presented us with valuable intel regarding our Survivalist foes inside the Kithan homeland. Information including logistics like how many foot soldiers, armored vehicles, infantry, and aircraft they possess. We know where their bases are located and where their weapons are stored. Thanks to Bartleby, we can launch a successful counterattack to drive our mortal enemies from his lands and we will make a second strike that will erase them from the Offworld!"
There was much applause and cheers for the 27 year veteran of Fantine. As Mikhail waited for the fanfare to die down, he then turned and motioned for Calhoun to start the projection. Upon the snap of the assistant director's fingers, the projector overhead shot out a hologram of the Kithan Map. Red dots included key locations while blue ones revealed SFF troops positions.
"Alright, let's get to work on an attack plan. By sunrise, we will have flushed out an evil force from Kithan territory. Now, is there any-"
The howling drones of the air raid sirens cut him off. As red lights flashed on the room, illuminating the baffled or terrified faces of the attendees. Thinking quickly, Mikhail turned to address Calhoun.
"Contact the radar technician and ask him if the air raid sirens are malfunctioning again. The same thing happened over a month again."
"I am one step ahead of you, but you may want to see this."
The assistant director handed a tablet to Mikhail.
---
Several Miles northwest of Fantine HQ
Above the LeFontaine Forest
"Vengeance Flight to Devastation flight, do you copy?"
As she attempted to touch bases with Targon's flight, Purhaena couldn't help , but notice the lovely scenery a few hundred feet beneath her flashing by at several hundred kilometers per hour. The darkness was lit by a few glowing plants. She recognized a few from her time at the Empire's Academy for Young Cadets during a class in botany. The brightly growing neon blue Felicaceae mixed with the mint green Floraceae gave quite colorful hue to the dark forest. The SFF fighter pilot had no doubts that the wildlife nestled among the flora were just as intriguing as the radiant plants.
"Vengeance Flight, this is Devastation Flight, copy."
Targon's voice cut her out of her reverie.
"Oh, I just wanted to inform you of a slight change in plans."
Targon grunted."Let's hear it."
"I was thinking that rather than attacking from one place at once, we could split our forces and attack from two blind spots. That way we will minimize the risk of losing more aircraft than we must."
There was a bit of silence as the Devastation Flight leader considered his options. "Very well, proceed."
That was when the bright white lights in the distance caught their attention. A massive W-shaped building in the distance appeared as a dark shadow looming over the dark green of the forest ringing around it. That was their target. Eager to strike at the embodiment of evil, Purhaena gripped the controls and banked the plane to left hard.
"Vengeance flight, take the southwest corridor! Devastation will go for the right flank!"
---
"It appears we have two squadrons of enemy bombers heading our way!"
Mikhail clenched his fist in anticipation and took several breaths to calm himself. He had survived worse and he needed to level his head before he could take control and minimize the losses they were about to face.
"Should we scramble out planes to face them?" Ari asked amid the confusion.
"No, there is very little time left. Go for the shelters! We are going to ride this one out and then we'll retaliate with what we have left."
Expecting to receive intense objection for his game plan, Mikhail braced himself for hundreds of dissenting voices, but much to his surprise, everyone scurried to the shelters, Ari included.
"This way!" One of his bodyguards, a large grays-kinned Mayhan, escorted the Director of Operations to the nearest shelter.
"Are the Hand Missile Defense systems activated?" Mikhail asked.
"I believe so," Tarkhun, the Head of Security , stated. "My men are securing the perimeter in case the enemy has sent an infiltration force in addition to the attacking aircraft."
"Excellent." Mikhail then saw several female staffers frantically searching for a shelter as the bright red lights flashed. He surveyed the small shelter he was in, hidden underneath the floor of the conference room. It was only him, his security detail, and Calhoun. He motioned to Tarkhun to open the doors.
"What for, sir?"
"We must let those young women into our hideout. After all, Fantine looks out for its staff."
Nodding, Tarkhun pressed a blue button on the side of the small area and the door located to the left of the women. Grateful to find shelter from the incoming bombs and projectiles, the ladies scurried inside like cats trying to get of the rain and not a minute too soon. The base started rattling like a giant was playing hopscotch, resulting in desks and other furniture to teeter and totter. The attack had begun.
---
Purhaena brought her Bat to a quick descent as a few other escorts of her squadron spread out to provide cover fire in case enemy planes or missiles joined the fray. Surprisingly, no Thunderbolts or Comets came to intercept them as the Devastator bombers unleashed their load on the Fantine Headquarters. Purhaena decided to contribute to the ambush by firing two side missiles, one at the nearest control tower and a second at the hangar to her 1 o'clock. She smirked as she saw bright red flames blossom on the tower where her first missile made a mark. Despite how smoothly the attack was going, the leader of Vengeance Flight felt that it was odd and out of character for their foes to not put up any sort of resistance.
Something's not right. This seems a bit too easy. Do they have hidden defenses unseen to our radars?
"Vengeance Flight, our side of the attack is going according to plan with no resistance. Report your progress."
Purhaena skirted close by the glass windows of a second Fantine tower as she responded to her colleague. "Likewise. Don't you find it odd that not one single plane or surface to air missile is- Look out! Bogeys inbound at our 6!"
Her radar showed several blips appear behind them as they rounded their target. The rate at which they were bearing down on her squadron revealed them to be missiles. Well , it was about time they put up a fight.
"We have missiles coming from both sides!" Targon responded. "I think they wanted us to lower our guard and make us think we'd have an easy run before they fired their missiles."
"Keep your eyes peeled for enemy aircraft as well!"
Purhaena pressed down on the throttle, causing the plane to accelerate into the midnight sky, dotted with several wispy clouds.
---
"All clear! All clear!"
As soon as the signal was given throughout the base, the members of the Fantine Air Corps crawled out from their holes and started to survey the damage. The results of the SFF sneak attack didn't seem to be extensive. The worst damage seemed to be the fire in the south control tower. Here and there, windows were shattered and furniture topped, but they had dodged a bullet with this one.
"Report!" Tarkhun ordered the two MechanoBots that rolled over to them. "What did you learn from your survey?"
"Damage is limited to the southern sector and hangars. Fires are being contained," The first MechanoBot responded.
"Any losses of vehicles or aircraft?" The Mayhan inquired.
"Just a few, sir!" The mechanized mechanic beeped.
"Any losses or injuries from our troops?"
"Negative on deaths, but dozens are injured and need medical attention fast."
Mikhail, standing beside Calhoun and Tarkhun, breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared that this would have ended up worse. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, eager to ask a question.
"May I ask if we were successful in downing a few aircraft with either our turrets or Hand missiles?"
One of the bots rotated on its wheels to face him."Positive, I have uploaded the images to my memory banks. Shall I upload them to the main computer?"
"Please." Mikhail wrung his hands.
The bot immediately set to uploading images of a burned-out bat and two downed Devastators. Mikhail couldn't help, but feel a sense of pride at the enemy taking losses as well, but deep inside, he felt they should have downed more SFF planes. Peering closely, he saw the sneering skull plastered on the mangled wing of the first Devastator, identifying it as belonging to SFF. The munitions it had stored on board seem to have exploded, according to the incinerated body of the sleek bomber. The crew on board had a snowball's chance in an inferno of surviving.
"Very good. We can now make a case against SFF. Let's get the teams drafting counter-strike plans pronto!"
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