08:31 AM57.2 FSep 25, 1940

  David is at his p top, a news tab talking about Alicorn is present along with a few research tabs.

  Alex pops onto the screen. "David. I've built a model of Alicorn and Enterprise, based on your hypothesis and mission parameters from the past. I ran a precision combat simution. But it failed."

  "Bummer. Why didn't it work?" David asks.

  "Reasons in sensuous order are: 1. Your hypothesis is trash. 2. The parameters you gave me are trash."

  "Um... Did I do something to tick you off?"

  "3. Alicorn is a singurity." Alex suggests.

  "So the values diverge... But what about this one? 4. Enterprise is a singurity."

  "That's outside the confidence interval. The possibility that it's 1, 2, or 3 is 99%." Alex states.

  "What?" David questions.

  "Significance is high."

  "Hmm." David drags a file into another table and uploads it. "This is Enterprise's data before the Siren incident on Nanquet Cay." *The name of the isnd Alicorn was living on before the sirens attacked.*

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  Enterprise is leaning in the corner of a room as the pilot sit in chairs in front of a rge monitor with Brigadier General Clemens beside it.

  "The Iron Blood military is gathering most of its HO navel force at Anchorhead Bay. Apparently, they're even bringing in ships from the mothball fleet. We have intel that they're reinforcing their navel power in preparation to attack this navel base. We've also received intel that Alicorn will also be joining in."

  "From which source Brigadier General?" David's voice comes through the monitor. There's a possibility that the former crew that worked on Alicorn's sub have been tasked with sabotage."

  "Your job is to analyze the enemy's weaponry. From now on, speak only when authorized. ... I don't hear a response."

  "May I be authorized to speak first, sir?" David asks.

  "When we're done, I'll be talking to your superiors." Clemens threatens. "LRSSG (Long Range Strategic Strike Group) is to raid Anchorhead. Carry out air strikes on Anchor Bay to the north and Dakiouk Bay to the south, inflicting all possible damage. If we can strip the port of its naval function, we can also prevent the submarine from joining forces."

  Wiseman speaks up. "The area around Anchorhead is Iron Blood territory. To dey hostile detection, you will sortie in small numbers. And make your way in at super-low altitudes."

  "Small sortie, huh? Who's going?" Jaeger asks.

  "Count, Lanza, Húxiān, and Enterprise. Three aircraft from Strider Squadron will be deployed."

  "Woah! Alright, I got this!" Lanza cheers.

  To cover our ck of numbers, we're giving you plenty of opportunities to resupply. Look here. We've set up multiple return lines. Make full use of them to resupply and change armaments. Also note that the enemy will not be able to mount a defense immediately after detecting you. Use this window to destroy high-threat targets. That should make things much easier for you."

  "It should also raise the survival rate." Clemens states.

  "Survival rate, huh?" Count questions.

  "The element of surprise and resupplying are the key. Beyond that, I just need a couple of pilots who will stick to my orders. We don't need an ace to succeed. You got anything to say? Good. That is all."

  "It'll be a difficult mission to carry out with four aircraft." Wiseman states. "Still, I'd like to add one more to the mission conditions."

  "What, you wanna make it even harder?" Count asks.

  "I want a 100% survival rate for the sortie. Any other number and the mission will be considered a failure!"

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  Anchorhead Raid25.Sep.1940 1400 Anchorhead Bay 8* 20'44'N 61* 57'32''W Cloud Cover: Broken Operation: Domino

  Baxterbro

  Enterprise, on top of her SBD Dougce with bombs, is flying just above the water. The other three pnes SBD-3s with bombs.

  <> Count comments

  Wiseman's voice comes through the radio. <>

  Enterprise and her group swiftly move to Dakiouk bay as they start to gain small altitude.

  <> AWACS Long Caster comes over the radio. <

  >

  <> Húxiān says.

  <>

  <>

  The group flies over the bay dropping bombs over targets.

  Enterprise blows up a couple of tanks an a few AA instaltions.

  <>

  Enterprise flies over a few more AA instaltions and she uses her bow to take them out.

  <>

  Enterprise's pne guns down a few light tanks.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <> Lanza asks. <>

  Enterprise blows up a few container trucks.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <> Count agrees.

  Enterprise flies over a destroyer and drops a bomb down the smoke stake, blowing the ship up from within.

  Enterprise flips around and avoids AA fire from a second destroyer as she makes her way around for another gun run.

  <>

  <>

  Enterprise's pne takes out the AA guns on the ship and she flies towards it, aiming her bow just bellow on of it's main guns and she fires the arrow. The arrow pierces the hull and after a few seconds the ship is blown apart.

  <>

  <> Count states.

  <> Lanza states.

  Enterprise and her group of after some tanks and AA instaltions, and other ships.

  A conversation happens between Clemens and Lt Gen, Shepherd, that can't be heard by our ship-girl and pilots. *I had fsh backs to MW2 when I saw General Shepherd.*

  <

  > Shepherd asks.

  <> Clemens replies. <>

  <>

  Enterprise sends a bomb onto the deck of a ship and it blows up the guns and soon the ship along with it.

  <>

  Enterprise flies up and then flies back and dives bomb down onto a Destoryer.

  <>

  Enterprise's gun run manages to sink the destroyer.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <>

  Enterprise and her group slowly make their way toward Anchor Bay as they take out any ground, air and sea targets on their way.

  <>

  <>

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  Enterprise blows up a Yak-3 that was harassing Count.

  <> Count says as he flies past Enterprise.

  Enterprise rolls her eyes.

  AA shells blow up near Enterprise as she dives down towards an AA instaltion.

  <> Count says.

  Enterprise drops some bombs over the AA instaltion and it blows up in a rge fireball.

  <> Húxiān says. <>

  A Bf-109 tails behind Enterprise and she dives down as bullets fly over her, she quickly aims her bow back and lets an arrow lose.

  The arrow strikes the pne and goes through it's engine, sending the pne crashing towards the ground in a rge fire.

  Enterprise and her group take out the st of the ground and navel targets in Dakiouk Bay and they aim towards Anchor Bay.

  <> Lanza informs.

  <> Húxiān says.

  <>

  <>

  <> Húxiān informs.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  Enterprise dives bombs a cruiser, her pne taking out it's AA guns. She drops three bombs onto the ship, blowing it up and she aims her pne up as maneuvers as she takes fire from AA instaltions on the bay.

  <> Húxiān asks.

  <> Count states.

  Enterprise and her group bomb the AA instaltions throughout the bay.

  <> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

  <> Count cheers.

  <> Húxiān says.

  Enterprise engages a couple of ships trying to make their way out of the bay.

  <>

  Enterprise goes around the port, taking out ground forces.

  <>

  <>

  <> Count says.

  Then Lt Gen, Shepherd talks to Clemens. <>

  <
  Enterprise takes out a couple of light tanks.

  <> Count states.

  <> Húxiān says.

  Enterprise engages a cruiser.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  Enterprise takes out the cruiser and moves onto a nearby destroyer.

  <> Count says.

  <>

  <>

  Enterprise blows up the destroyer with the help of Count and Húxiān. They moves onto a cruiser.

  <>

  The cruiser blows up and Enterprise moves onto the next ship.

  <>

  Enterprise takes out a ship and she flips her pne to the side as a spitfire flies after her.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  Enterprise uses her bow to take down the spitifre.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs. <>

  <>

  Enterprise takes out a Yak-3 that flew past her.

  <>

  A Me 309 ties to gun for Enterprise, but she fires her arrow and it sticks into the engine.

  <>

  <> AWCS Long Caster informs.

  Enterprise takes out a couple AA trucks that are moving through the port.

  <>

  Enterprise flies over a cruiser, dropping her bombs over it and blowing it up.

  <>

  <>

  Enterprise manages to blow up another destroyer as a couple of Yak-1s chase her.

  <>

  <>

  A bullet from one of the Yak-1s grazes Enterprise's arm and she grunts in pain and swiftly aims her bow back and fires an arrow right into the cockpit of one of the pnes, blowing it up.

  Húxiān comes in and takes out the second Yak.

  <> Húxiān flies alongside Enterprise and gives her a thumbs up. Enterprise nods back and Húxiān dives bombs a ship below them.

  <>

  Enterprise then dives bombs a Cruiser and fires her bow at the ship and it blows up along the water line as her pne guns the decks.

  <>

  Enterprise engages a Yak and a Me 309.

  AWACS Long Caster comes over the radio. <>

  Enterprise turns her pne towards the fleet sailing towards the port.

  <> Húxiān asks.

  <> Count says.

  Count and Húxiān follow after Enterprise.

  <

  >

  <>

  Enterprise drops her bombs over a destroyer and blows up it's main guns, but the ship is still afloat.

  <> A submarine crew member says.

  <> Alicorn's CDO informs her.

  Enterprise blows up the damaged destroyer while avoiding massive amounts of AA fire.

  Húxiān and Count blow up a cruiser and move onto a destroyer.

  <> Alicorn asks. <>

  Enterprise blows up another cruiser along side with Count and Húxiān, then they blow up a destroyer.

  <> Alicorn's CDO orders.

  Lanza's in the distance, keeping all the Iron Blood fighters busy. <>

  <> Count asks.

  Enterprise avoids air fire from a Me 309 and she flips back behind it and uses her pne to gun burn the pne down.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  Enterprise sinks another destroyer.

  <> Count says.

  <> Wiseman congratutes.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says. <>

  Húxiān, Enterprise, and Count take down the Battleship.

  <> Count cims.

  <>

  <>

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  <

  > Lanza states.

  <> Húxiān states.

  Enterprise and Húxiān managed to take down a battle cruiser. Then they move onto a destroyer.

  <>

  <> AWACS Long Caster warns.

  <

  > Lanza question.

  David's voice comes over the radio. <>

  Enterprise blows up a destroyer and looks around for the UAV.

  <> Count asks.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  <> Alicorn yells.

  A massive explosion goes of at the UAV and Húxiān grunts.

  <> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

  Húxiān's pne's smoking heavily. <>

  <> Count yells.

  <> AWACS Long Caster Informs.

  <> Húxiān questions.

  <> Count asks.

  Enterprise bombs another battle cruiser and she flies up into the sky.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs. <>

  Enterprise notices a UAV flying near her. "Oh no."

  <> Húxiān yells.

  Enterprise turns up the throttle on her pne and starts to fly away from the UAV and it begins to chase her.

  <> AWACS Long Caster Informs. <>

  Enterprise dives down as a massive explosion goes off where the UAV was. The force shakes the air and Enterprise stumbles on her pne.

  <> Count asks.

  "Just barley." Enterprise says into her radio and she engages a Yak-1.

  <

  > Alicorn yells. <> She gives a psychotic ugh. <>

  Enterprise guns down the Yak-1 and follows after another.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says. <>

  David's voice comes over the radio. <>

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  Enterprise makes it back to Anchor Bay and starts to engage ground forces.

  <> Húxiān asks.

  <> Wiseman orders.

  Húxiān sighs. <<...Roger that, I'm pulling out.>>

  <> Count states.

  <> Húxiān flies out of the AO.

  Clemens then comes over the radio. <>

  <> Count says.

  Enterprise and Count engage Iron Blood fighters.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs. <>

  Enterprise takes out a couple of AA trucks as he flies over the port, chasing a Yak-1.

  <>

  a SLUAV flies into the area and Alicorn ughs.

  <

  > AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

  The SLUAV flies towards Enterprise and she flies away.

  After ten seconds a massive explosion goes of where the SLUAV is, nearly shaking Enterprise off her pne as she was out of the radius.

  Enterprise then chases after Bf-109.

  <> Count compins.

  Alicorn ughs. <> Another SLUAV appears in the AO.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

  The UAV chases after Enterprise.

  Alicorn ughs. <

  >

  Enterprise growls in annoyance and she aims her bow at the UAV and fires. The arrow manages to strike the UAV and it blows up.

  <

  > AWACS Long Caster Informs. <>

  <> Lanza says.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <> Count says.

  <> Alicorn ughs.

  Another SLUAV comes into the area and Enterprise chases after it. Her pne guns it down and a massive explosion goes off in the distance.

  <

  > AWACS Long Caster Informs.

  Enterprise goes after a couple of Spitfires and she takes them down.

  <>

  Alicorn ughs as another SLUAV enters the AO. Enterprise engages the UAV and manages to shoot it down.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  Alicorn ughs.

  Enterprise goes after a Yak-1 and her pne shoots it down.

  <> His pne blows up.

  A few Bf-109s chases after Enterprise.

  Alicorn ughs again.

  Count comes in and chases off two of the three Bf-109s and Enterprise aims her bow back at the one chasing her and let the arrow fly. It goes through one of its wings, sending the pne spiraling down towards the ocean.

  <> An Iron Blood agent says.

  <> Alicorn states.

  <>

  <> An SLUAV Enters the AO. <>

  A massive explosion goes off where the UAV is.

  Enterprise engages a couple of Yak-3s and she takes them down.

  Wiseman lets out a breath. <>

  Lanza ughs. <>

  <> Wiseman says. <>

  <> Count states.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says. <>

  <> Count yells.

  Lanza grunts as he dives down and tries to avoid the missile, but it blows up next to his wing. Ripping part of it off and causing an setting the rest of it on fire.

  <> AWACS Long Caster informs.

  <> Rage states. <>

  <> Scream shouts.

  <> Count yells.

  <> Wiseman orders. <>

  Rage and Scream chase after Enterprise.

  <> Lanza says.

  Enterprise grunts as she dives down hard as a couple missiles fly over head.

  Clemens comes over the radio. "...Calling out to unidentified aircraft! Cease combat immediately and withdraw!>>

  <> Count questions.

  Rage flies behind Enterprise and manages to clip her wings with his guns a little as she flies up.

  <

  > AWACS Long Caster states.

  Enterprise aims her bow at Rage as he flies by and fires, her arrow grazes off his wing.

  <> Count informs.

  <> Clemens orders Rage and Scream.

  <> Rage states.

  <> Count says.

  "What's going on?" Enterprise questions as she avoids a missile from Scream.

  <> Clemens insults.

  <> Scream yells.

  <>

  <

  > Count questions.

  Enterprise manages to get behind Rage.

  <> Count says.

  <> Scream states.

  Enterprise hits Rage with her pnes guns, but then Rage goes into the clouds, with Enterprise chasing him.

  <> Count yells.

  Rage and Enterprise exit the clouds.

  <> Scream says.

  An SLUAV enters the AO.

  Rage pulls back the throttle and his pne and flies behind Enterprise. Then he fires a couple missiles, which Enterprise flies into the clouds and it confuses the missiles and they miss their target.

  <> Rage says.

  <> Count informs.

  Enterprise comes out of the clouds near Scream and she fires her bow, the arrow hitting the wing, blowing a small hole through it, but in a noncritical area.

  Scream growls in anger.

  <

  > AWACS Long Caster informs. <<10 seconds to contact!>>

  The UAV flies near Enterprise and her pne shoots it down.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says. <>

  Another UAV flies into the area and Enterprise deals with it then she follows after Rage.

  <> Rage asks.

  Enterprise's pne guns managed to get a few good hits into Rage.

  <> Count says and they both change frequency. <>

  Enterprise dives down and does a barrel roll as a missile flies past her.

  <> Count says. <>

  Count flies in front of Rage and practically taunts her.

  <>

  <>

  Count and Enterprise change back to the original frequency. Enterprise fires her bow at Rage and the arrow hits his engine, bck smoke starts to spew from it.

  <> Scream says.

  <> Count yells.

  <> Rage shouts as Enterprise follows his ass.

  Enterprise's pne nds some hits on Rage.

  <> Clemens orders.

  <

  > Count says.

  Enterprise avoids a missile from Scream.

  <> Rage cims.

  Enterprise aims her bow up at Rage and she takes a deep breath as she pulls the string back. Then she lets out a breath and lets the arrow loose.

  The arrow flies through the air and right into the engine of Rage's pne, blowing up the engine and sending the pne towards the ocean.

  <> Count cheer.

  <> Scream shouts in despair.

  <> Rage orders as beeps are heard from his pne. <> His pne blows up.

  Scream cries. <>

  <> Count says. <>

  Scream cries into the radio as Enterprise chases after he.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <> Count says.

  <> Scream yells as Enterprise's pne nds some shots. <>

  <> Count says.

  Scream tries to lose Enterprise, she doesn't even try to fight back.

  <> Scream states.

  Enterprise chases Scream though some clouds as her pne hits a few more shots.

  <> Scream begs.

  Enterprise brings up her bow and aims at Scream. She lets out a breath as she lets go of the string, the arrow flies through the sky and goes right through Scream's fusege.

  Parts of Scream's pne blow off as it catches fire and drops towards the ocean.

  <> AWACS Long Caster cheers.

  <> Count says.

  Enterprise watches Scream's pne dive towards the ocean.

  Scream cries into the radio as her pne gives off warning sounds, then she starts to ugh.

  <> AWACS Long Caster orders.

  <> Scream says.

  <>

  <> Her transmission gets cut off as her pne blows up.

  <> AWACS Long Caster says.

  <> Count says.

  Count and Enterprise head back towards home.

  Clemens talks to someone on the radio, a conversation not heard by our pilots. <>

  <>

  <> A Iron Blood Agent says.

  <>

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  The pilots and Enterprise walk into the debriefing room and Húxiān tires to punch Clemens, But Count and Jaeger stop her.

  "Húxiān, no!" Jaeger yells.

  "Stop it" Count yells.

  "You bastard...!" Húxiān yells at Clemens.

  "Hey, chill." Lanza says

  "Stop!" Skald yells.

  Skald, Jaeger and Lanza get Húxiān into a chair, not without knocking back Lanza and he spills his co.

  "Húxiān, stand down! Sit!" Wiseman orders.

  "Shit, my co..." Lanza says.

  Clemens then starts the Debriefing. "The fleet at Anchorhead was eliminated and we've prevented the submarine from joining forces. The unidentified aircraft were shot down too. The mission was a complete success."

  "Complete success, my ass!" Húxiān yells.

  "Brigadier General, it sure seemed to me like the bats knew you pretty damn well." Count says.

  "You seem to be confused. Report in for a medical check. We'll decide if you're still fit for service based on the examinations." Clemens orders.

  Count stands up in anger and goes to punch Clemens.

  "Cut it!" Skald yells

  "That's enough!" Jaeger yells.

  "Get the MP!" Clemens orders.

  "He's right. Get the MP." Vice Chairman Edwards enters teh room.

  "Vice Chairman Edwards of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!" Clemens gives a quick salute.

  "Alicorn slipped into Anchorhead Bay after the mission was completed, using the confusion for cover. It resupplied quickly and escaped unharmed. Their goal was not to join forces. It was to resupply using the window we created by chasing away the Iron Blood. forces. We did their bidding, albeit unknowingly. But the problem runs deeper than our ck of tactical acumen. Analyst North, expin for us."

  David's voice comes over the monitor. "Of the crew caught in the submarine accident, 330 men made it back alive. Of them, 300 are still on the sub today. Our intel has led us to believe that some or all of the thirty men who left the sub are now working as agents for Alicorn. Sabotage, espionage, cyber propaganda, dissemination of false intel... Brigadier General, do you recognize the name Edgar Saxon—or Zul, as he used to go by? He is a former member of Alicorn's crew. And your source of intel."

  "You are a fool, Brigadier General Clemens. Not only that, the radio communications during the mission suggest you are a traitor."

  "Sir, if you check with Lieutenant General Shepherd, you'll understand that this is all just a misunderstanding." Clemens says.

  "The Lieutenant General cims you were responsible for handling all aspects of the mission. ...Now, let me say that again. Get the MP."

  "No need for that." Húxiān walks up to Clemens. "Piece of shit." She punches Clemens, knocking him out.

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  The pilots and Enterprise are still in the room after MP's dragged Clemens out of there.

  On the monitor is a map of Anchorhead Bay.

  David is expining stuff to them. "We've acquired important intel from the mission. For example..." The map zooms out and shows where Alicorn could have been firing from. "The shells from long-range anti-air fire came in on depressed trajectories. Look."

  An image of Alicorn's Large railgun pops up on screen.

  David continues. "The estimated energy output of the railgun is 500 megajoules at least. Fired at minimum-energy trajectory, range is over 3,000. They hid a powerful rail cannon aside from their main guns. And Also... this."

  "Alicorn was in harbor at Anchorhead for approximately ten minutes. They couldn't have loaded SLBMs. They loaded something smaller." David states.

  "Smaller?" Húxiān questions.

  "What is smaller and yet a powerful weapon?"

  "Uh... Tactical nukes." Skald says.

  "Close! The answer is tactical nuclear shells."

  "Nuclear shells?!" Húxiān shouts.

  "No way." Count mutters.

  "Hey, hey, he got that question right." Lanza points out.

  "Nah, I missed the 'shell' part." Skald says.

  "Quiet!" Jaeger orders.

  "She'll likely attack our bases on the east coast." Wiseman says.

  "Her target's D.C. the Eagle Union capital." David states.

  "She wants a nuclear war?" Lanza asks.

  "Here's a question. What's a situation where nuclear deterrence doesn't work?"

  "Quiz guy, I've had enough of this!" Húxiān says.

  "Oh! Only if terrorist have nukes." Skald says.

  "Correct!" David says.

  "Damn, Skald." Lanza grunts.

  "Hey, I'm good at trivia games."

  "But, we're after an Iron Blood submarine, not terrorists." Count says.

  "No, he's right." Wiseman says. "HQ tells me, Iron Blood's justification is that Alicorn mutinied. 'As such, the Iron Blood military cannot be held responsible for the submarine's actions.'"

  "Damn." Húxiān mutters.

  "So they intend on dropping a nuke on the Eagle Union capital of D.C." David says.

  "Here's a question for you, analyst." Jaeger says. "Just exactly who are we fighting?"

  A picture of Alicorn's human form appears on the screen."Correct term is 'terrorist' or 'irregur military,' but I have a different name for her. 'An enemy to be stopped at all costs.'"

  "Correct." Wiseman agrees.

  Enterprise stares at Alicorn's picture. 'Why must you do this Alicorn?'

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  Deep within the ocean, Alicorn is cruising along.

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  02-02-2023

  6261 words