Chapter Text
This story all started with a beautiful morning, as Chikn and Chee woke up in their dorm, Chee noticed that the alarm clock was already ringing, declaring it was past their wake-up call. It's very important that they clock into work on time, or else they'll be fired for being late. They have just passed their training to fly fighter jets within the IUN Peacekeeping force, so they can finally fight alongside their fellow pilots. Each time Chikn and Chee flew in training and flight drills, they were always paired together because they worked with each other so well, higher command let them have their own two-seater fighter jet when they get to fly during sorties and expeditions in the skies. As they rushed to the briefing center, both Chikn and Chee quickly grabbed their gear to make sure they were fully prepared in case they'll need to fly their jet ad assist any Peacekeeping force. Recently, there have been several attacks from an unknown military force, so the whole base was kept on full alert. They finally arrived at the briefing center where they'll be, well, briefed on any recent or ongoing activities. As Chikn and Chee sat down, they could still hear their teammates chattering about the recent attacks on the other bases near the edge of the continent, but they were quickly silenced by the commander of the base before showing a holographic map projecting the whole continent of Usea, displaying several countries and separate bases for the Peacekeepers
Commander: Is everyone here? Good. You've all been instrumental in helping to maintain peace in Usea as members of the International Union Peacekeeping Force. Until today. Earlier, our radar site informed us that a group of unidentified aircraft was approaching. Communications systems went down immediately afterwards. We are ed to conclude that they have attacked the site. Here's your mission. It's possible that the Usean ceasefire agreement has been broken for the first time in over a decade. As of today, the Fort Grays Air Base Squadron of the IUPF has been put on high alert. All members who have been ordered to sortie, fly there immediately. Find the unidentified aircraft, then use your weapons to round them up and force them to land. If the hostiles counterattack, then you will-.
The commander was cut short by several explosions in the distance, numerous reports by guards and surveillance cameras all say that there were several bombers who were attacking their base, triggering the alarms and alerting everyone that they were being attacked.
Commander: We have multiple bombers! Scramble all units, take off and eliminate the unidentified aircraft attacking the base! This is not a drill
As Chikn and Chee rushed to their hangars, they quickly put on their gear and rushed towards their F-14D, due to some delays from the logistical team, they could only equip their "Super Tomcat" with Long Anti-Air Missiles. Once they were ready, Chikn took the main Pilot seat and Chee took the co-pilot seat where she would be able to control the weapons system. Once they were ready, they quickly started the jet's engines and prepared to take off. Taxiing near the runway, they waited their turn to take off, but before they could take off, their commander contacts them about their position in the squad.
Commander: Hold it! Chikn, Chee, your promotion to real pilots was just recent, so the higher command couldn't find the right Tacname and squad to assign you to, so I'll do it for them, You're now designated as Gemini, you'll be sticking with your trainer, Mage 1 "Clown". Now go take off!
Control Tower: Gemini, your callsign is Mage 2. Verify and read back.
Chikn: Mage 2 here, we're ready.
CT: Mage 2, cleared for takeoff. But the situation is tight. It's a hell of a welcoming party, but we have faith in you guys. Good luck.
Golem 1: Control, do me a favour and get that bird in the air ASAP.
CT: Hear that Gemini? Golem squadron and your wingman are airborne. Take off and form up with Mage 1.
As their F-14D took off, Chikn and Chee could hear the panicked chatter of the ground forces trying to defend the base from the ground. There was no time to waste, they needed to regroup as fast as possible to avoid any major damage dealt to their base. The opposing force has already dealt heavy damage to the base's aircraft carrier, disabling their catapults and obliterating any equipment left outside.
As they regrouped with Mage 1, they were contacted by the base's assigned Airborne Warning And Control System plane, named "Sky Keeper".
AWACS Sky Keeper: Gemini, this is Sky Keeper, take down all unidentified bombers, fortunately, they don't have many escorts. They hit our radars in the last attack. Expect the worst, and stay sharp.
Mage 1: Gemini, I'm your wingman, fly with me now. That's what it means to be in an element. You gotta keep an eye out for enemy bombers.
As the duo flew in the skies, they see a stray bomber, flying in the distance, to prevent alarming the enemy force, they switch to their long-range missiles.
Chee: Yo Chikn! I got a radar lock on a bomber, should I go for it?
Chikn: Of course! It's our job to take down the bombers, go for it!
And boom goes their first bomber, their first kill of their career too, no troubles so far, and completing their mission looks promising. Chee looked at her radar and zoomed out to see the whole combat area, so far, there are several enemy bombers further away to the northwest. Chikn quickly maneuvered towards the enemy bombers, joining up with an allied squadron named Golem. Once they were able to take down their fifth bomber, they could hear their AWACS warn them about several reinforcements comprised of more bombers and escorts. As they moved toward the enemy, Golem's squad leader, "Knocker", saw that they were ahead of the rest of his team.
Knocker: Woah Mage 2! Maintain your element with Mage 1, do not break off! Mage 1, make sure Mage 2 doesn't do anything stupid!
Clown: Wilco!
Knocker: Golem 2, maintain element!
Golem 2 "Brownie": Copy that, Commander, I've got your six covered, sir.
Chikn and Chee were flying through the clouds to mask their position from the enemy radar in an attempt to flank the enemy bombers, but their wings started to ice up and they were losing control of their plane. But they broke through the clouds and the ice immediately melted off, giving them the chance for Chikn to regain control of their jet. Once he could control the jet again, he proceeded to obliterate any enemy fighter that he could see. Several bombers were shot down shortly after and Chee could finally rest after a not-so-long mission.
Chee: Finally! I thought that we would run out of ammo. And can you PLEASE fly in a way that I won't pass out from you spinning at each turn?
Chikn: Sorry, evasive maneuvers. Didn't want to scratch the new paint job.
Chee: Seriously?
AWACS: To Golem and Mage, job well done. All bombers are down. Our radar shows no sign of bandits. You're in the clear.
Clown: Good going Mage 2! Flight commander, it looks like Gemini have got what it takes.
Knocker: Come on, let's slow down. It's just one sortie. Don't try to be a hero. I want you to stay in one piece.
Brownie: Yeah I gotta side with the bossman on this.
Chikn and Chee were being debriefed alongside their squad mates back at base, so far, the damage dealt to the base was heavy but repairable. However, the base's aircraft carrier, the Albatross, was destroyed and sunk. Intel reported that the attacking force was sent from the Kingdom of Erusea. The other IUN bases stationed around Erusea were also attacked by Erusian bombers, all were heavily damaged too according to friendly reports.
Chikn: So, this means war?
Commander: Yes Chikn, this is war. Everyone, stand by for a new mission to counter-strike the enemy!