ABS FIESTA REDUX

[Operator¹]

: It shouldn't be an issue if it's just this mission, besides, I'll be able to fly a Terminator or Flatline better than any rookie pilot we can put in them.

[Ad Bot]

[Mr. Hurricane]

Jaakko does as Jaakko always does and finds Tippy. He does his best to contain his anxiousness, but Tippy can likely detect it.

"Taylor, good luck, stay safe, yeah?"

[Qwepir]

So here's what the loadout cards look like so far, obviously in need of some work.

[Qwepir]

Reflecting Array Approach
The interceptor group launches first and proceeds across the ocean alongside everyone else at a relatively standard altitude to rendezvous with a very nervous Aesthian tanker aircraft flying within Palisade's firing range. One quick refueling later and the prototype engines are put to the test as the four planes ascend higher and higher until even the highest clouds are to their backs and the bright blue midday skies have given way to the darkness of space. For what feels like hours, the four planes travel in complete solitude along the upper layers of the stratosphere until they finally make contact with friendly forces.
: Mjolnir, this is Mercanan SWACS Watchtower, we're picking you up on our scopes now. Patching you through to Starviper sensor feeds now.

Though you aren't in range to assist (yet) the data link at least gives you an idea of what the Mercanans are currently dealing with.


: Reflecting platform at vector 330, thirty miles. Adjust heading and prepare to enter combat.

Palisade Phase 1
The groundpounders get a much less glamorous journey after their refueling, being ordered in on a low flight path that takes them through what one would be forgiven for mistaking for a tropical storm as they approach the Gothic coastline. Upon finally sighting land, you find yourself in an environment that is just as dour and miserable as those native to it. Harsh cliff faces drop off into a sea seemingly determined to batter the islands down one wave at a time, the forest stretching across their surfaces appear desaturated to the point of almost looking grey, and there's nothing but darkened skies overhead as far as you can see. Finally, you see your target ahead as the site comes in range of your radar and contacts start popping up. With how much activity is going on below, it's enough to make you wonder if they saw you coming and were already able to prepare a defense, but if that was the case surely there'd be more than a handful of Typhoons between you and the tower.
: Alright, I'm sure it went without saying in the briefing room, but just in case I'd like to remind everyone this is a very time-sensitive mission we're on. We stick around too long, and they're going to drown us in reinforcements.


Structures have been labeled to make it easier to call targets (i.e. "i fire a missile at the LAMS to the right of structure G")

[Operator¹]

"Alright.. we've got six thunderbolts, hopefully the Goths haven't rolled out a countermeasure for them yet."

Ellie maintains her heading towards the platform.

"Scorch and I should probably hang back, since we've got the ordinance to neutralize the levitation plates on the array."


: Alright, it's going to be nasty if we don't clear out those SAMs and PPCs on the tower. Four of us can engage those Typhoons to give the others some room to hit the PPCs and SAMs, then the Shikras can move in and take care of the remaining AAA.

[Tayasaurus]

[NoZoner]

Palisade, Phase 1

: Alright, I'm sure it went without saying in the briefing room, but just in case I'd like to remind everyone this is a very time-sensitive mission we're on. We stick around too long, and they're going to drown us in reinforcements.

"Yeah. We forget up, it's a done deal. No pressure," Lorens chimes.

Two sabot rounds enter their respective chambers as the capacitors build charge. "Snowman, guns armed, radar off. Ready to engage."


Reflecting Array Approach

Ash levels the Corsair. The curvature of the horizon commands his gaze, "Man, I wish my folks could see this."

He eventually catches himself and returns his attention to the mission. "Letterman and I can handle some of the drones, we'll stay forward."

[Mr. Hurricane]

"I have full confidence in all of you that we will get our job done. Cleared to engage,"

Jaakko reattaches his mask and arms his weapons. At the least, as long as the reflector was brought down the mission would be a partial success.

[Qwepir]

Reflecting Array Approach

"Alright.. we've got six thunderbolts, hopefully the Goths haven't rolled out a countermeasure for them yet."

Ellie maintains her heading towards the platform.

"Scorch and I should probably hang back, since we've got the ordinance to neutralize the levitation plates on the array."

"Letterman and I can handle some of the drones, we'll stay forward."

: Attention all aircraft, detecting buildup from Palisade. Watch for incoming.
: [stuff!] Break! Break!

Sure enough, you spot a flash directly ahead.


Palisade Phase 1

Alright, it's going to be nasty if we don't clear out those SAMs and PPCs on the tower. Four of us can engage those Typhoons to give the others some room to hit the PPCs and SAMs, then the Shikras can move in and take care of the remaining AAA.

"Yeah. We forget up, it's a done deal. No pressure," Lorens chimes.
Two sabot rounds enter their respective chambers as the capacitors build charge. "Snowman, guns armed, radar off. Ready to engage."

"I have full confidence in all of you that we will get our job done. Cleared to engage,"
Jaakko reattaches his mask and arms his weapons. At the least, as long as the reflector was brought down the mission would be a partial success.

: Virvel and I will take on the Typhoons. Frisk, you cover Pansar. Coma, Fang, disperse and engage targets of opportunity.
: [Steinschwert Norden to Weizh Maniple. We briefly picked up a contact in alpha quadrant. You see anything from where you are?]
: [Negative, we'll check it out.]
: Uh, Kommandant? Did the batteries run out on that ESAM thing? Those fighters are heading our way now.

In addition to the Typhoons diverting course, the ground attack unit spots a brilliant beam of light streak upwards from the weapon tower.

[Gojira]

"...oh stuff."
Markus breaks from the path to avoid getting fried by the massive particle cannon.

[Operator¹]

Ellie breaks away to get out of the way of the blast.

"Ah forget, it is a shock cannon.." she mutters to herself.


: Gladiator, you're with me, we'll help Virvel and Kommandmant take out those Typhoons.

Bell starts working on a gun solution for Typhoon 3 by lining her craft up with the incoming squadron.

[NoZoner]

Reflecting Array Approach "Blackeye, breaking!" Though the extremely low atmospheric pressure makes for clumsy handling, Ash manages to roll the Corsair and turn away. He breaks off opposite from Markus.

Palisade, Phase 1 The Shiva's RWR whines as it picks up scans from the Typhoon radars. Lorens preemptively readies his missiles. The Stirling cryocoolers installed in the all-aspect missiles quickly drain all heat away from the seekers, raising the roosterpit feedback tone's pitch to the signature growl. "Nails 12 o'clock, fight's on!"

[Mr. Hurricane]

"Gods, they're firing on the high altitude squadron," Jaakko gawks briefly.

 His amazement is shattered by the RWR.

"Let's do it. When they pick us up they're going to start launching drones. Snowman, think you can handle the ground based launchers?"

[Qwepir]

Reflecting Array Approach

"...oh stuff."
Markus breaks from the path to avoid getting fried by the massive particle cannon.

Ellie breaks away to get out of the way of the blast.
"Ah forget, it is a shock cannon.." she mutters to herself.

"Blackeye, breaking!"

Though the extremely low atmospheric pressure makes for clumsy handling,
Ash manages to roll the Corsair and turn away. He breaks off opposite from Markus.

The three of you scatter in separate directions. Letterman apparently thought the advice from Watchtower was meant for someone else, and is vaporized by the shot reflected off the mirror emplacement.
: Detecting rocket launches from the surface, at least two bogeys inbound at mach 4.6.
: I hope they're not going for Mjolnir. We've got our hands full as it is.

: Trajectory indicates one headed for Mjolnir, one for you.
: [Damn it.]

Now in radar range of the drones and reflecting platform.

Palisade Phase 1

Gladiator, you're with me, we'll help Virvel and Kommandmant take out those Typhoons.
Bell starts working on a gun solution for Typhoon 3 by lining her craft up with the incoming squadron.

"Gods, they're firing on the high altitude squadron," Jaakko gawks briefly.

 His amazement is shattered by the RWR.

"Let's do it. When they pick us up they're going to start launching drones. Snowman, think you can handle the ground based launchers?"

The Shiva's RWR whines as it picks up scans from the Typhoon radars. Lorens preemptively readies his missiles. The Stirling cryocoolers installed in the all-aspect missiles quickly drain all heat away from the seekers, raising the roosterpit feedback tone's pitch to the signature growl.

"Nails 12 o'clock, fight's on!"

As the glimmer of the shock cannon's beam fades away, you are able to spot two very large thrust plumes headed straight upwards. Radar returns identify their sources as a pair of very large missiles.

[Mr. Hurricane]

"Whatever that is its heading this way, too fast to be a fighter. Think its a big burst missile?"

A rising sense of urgency is in Jaakko's voice.