/ACEG/ RPG Session 5.5 Combined Everything's Fucked.

Valais Air Force Base
April 19th, 1995.



[18:30] <@Valetni> A long, lonesome wail suddenly erupts from pole mounted speakers throughout the airbase. Mechanics, pilots, ground troops and mess cooks all stop wha they're doing, frozen in the moment as the Air Raid siren continues to wail. "Emergency Scramble, Emergency Scramble. Incoming aircraft, all available defense forces take off immediately. This is not a drill, This is not a drill." It's only with this proclamation that people are driven to action, breaking the stillness as the Air Raid siren's paralyzing spell is broken.

[18:32] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki leaps off of his bed, allowing his book to unceremoniously fly onto the floor. He throws on his flight suit, grabs a plush, and runs towards the hangar.
[18:32] * BlindSighter_4-3 scrambles from his place throwing darts and moves to the hangar.
[18:33] * BlindSighter_4-3 realizing he doesn't have his flight suit on, he returns and prepares to take to the skies.
[18:33] <Frostbite_1-1> "Shit!" Gerald exclaimed running to his aircraft. "Yuki we need to get into the air now!"

[18:34] <@Valetni> Already the ground crews are frantically fueling aircraft, loading bullets and missiles into position, and maneuvering start carts around. In clear violations of health and safety regulations, the aircraft are being started up, engines rumbling to life before the pilots have even appeared, to say nothing of thousands of pounds of thrust potentially being ignited in an enclosed space full of fuel and weapons.

[18:34] <Bayshifter> Quentin stops trying to force the soda machine and runs to his planes hangar. "Where's my crew come on!"
[18:35] * Cosmo_4-1 stands from her seated position in the cafeteria, recklessly tossing her food to the side as she does. Quickly making her way to her flight suit and gearing up.
[18:35] <Avalanche_1-2> "Ah, nothing brings me back home like having to scramble desperately to an aircraft. Except I hopefully won't be jumping out of this one."
[18:38] * Strix_4-2 put down his fork, dodging Cosmo's plate as he gets up from his seat and jogs to get a flightsuit on.
[18:39] * Cosmo_4-1 finishes gearing rather quickly, making her way onto the scene and into her craft.
[18:40] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch casually jogs to the hangar, his patched and worn flightsuit on already, waving to his WSO as they get into the EF-4C.
[18:40] <BlindSighter_4-3> "You know what's going on, Cosmo?"
[18:41] <Frostbite_1-1> Gerald quicky got his aircraft on the runway and prepared himself for what was ahead. "Frostbite taking off!"
[18:41] * Strix_4-2 finishes getting his gear on, now jogging to the hangar, catching up to Cosmo and BlindSighter.
[18:41] <Cosmo_4-1> "Well, if you didn't hear the voice of god, we're being scrambled to combat incoming enemy aircraft. How bad's your damage, Blindsighter?"
[18:42] <BlindSighter_4-3> "You know what I mean. I'"
[18:42] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I'll deal with the damage."
[18:42] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki taxis, and swiftly brings the plane into the sky
[18:42] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Thought maybe flight leads got some sort of special info, but I guess it's really that sudden, then."
[18:43] <Cosmo_4-1> "Yeah, well, my craft's still all kinds of fucked, so I can't stand to take too much damage here. Let's not be too reckless."

[18:43] <Cosmo_4-1> "Sorry, Belka doesn't usually send advanced intelligence on these kinds of things, you know?"
[18:43] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Loud and clear. Strix, how are you doing?"
[18:44] <Patchwork_2-3> "Patchwork to tower, on deck and off I go." Patch lifts off, making sure to leave plenty of clearance for the next plane coming up.
[18:45] <Strix_4-2> "Fine, considering I have to be dodging bullets in a bit."
[18:46] <Avalanche_1-2> "This is Clover 2 to tower, what're we up against?"
[18:46] <Patchwork_2-3> "Clover, Apogee, Nadir - good to see you all up here."

[18:47] <@Valetni> "Clover 2, this is tower. Enemy bombers with fighter escort inbound, clear this channel over." Is the curt reply from the tower, sounds of barely controlled chaos apparent in the background.

[18:49] * Cosmo_4-1 rests in her cockpit, preparing as the canopy descends. She fumbles with the controls a moment, before staring back at her wings. With a sigh, she quickly stands, the canopy opening. "I've got some wing trouble, get 'em up there without me, Strix."
[18:49] * Strix_4-2 gets into his cockpit, starting his jet and moving to the runway. "All ready here, command."
[18:53] * Strix_4-2 thrusts forward on the runway, pulling up for a smooth takeoff, breathing a sigh of relief once he's in the sky.
[18:53] <BlindSighter_4-3> Lifts off as soon as Strix is clear. "4-3 in the air, ready"
[18:54] * Cosmo_4-1 quickly moves back to her cockpit, making her way onto the runway finally. She lifts into the air. "4-1's in the air, on me, Nadir."
[18:54] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Got it, flight lead."

[18:55] <@Valetni> The large and familiar shape of an E-767 orbits the airbase, apparently having been on final approach before being waved off.

[18:56] <Avalanche_1-2> "Spirit Guide, that you"
[18:57] <BlindSighter_4-3> "That's one of ours, I assume?"
[18:58] <Bayshifter> "Our beloved AWACS actually"

[19:00] <@Valetni> "Ah, Hello there." Spirit Guide's voice comes on over the radio, quite flustered. "W-we're quite low on fuel, but ah, we'll support you any way we can!"

[19:04] <Avalanche_1-2> "Don't worry, if they come after you guys, we'll be right on em!"

[19:04] <@Valetni> "We're picking up contacts... looks like 6 escorts and 4 large returns, bombers. Bombers are terrain masking, fighters at higher altitudes giving top cover."

[19:04] <Patchwork_2-3> "How low on fuel are you, Spirit Guide? Last thing we need is to have you go down on us."

[19:05] <@Valetni> "A-ah, well don't worry about us." Spirit Guide nervously laughs off the question.

[19:07] <Drider_1-3> "This is Clover Three here, what's the situation?"
[19:07] <BlindSighter_4-3> "How could we not?"
[19:07] <Cosmo_4-1> "Strix, what's the status of your craft? If you've got anything beeping angrily at you,  now would be the time to let it all out."
[19:09] <Strix_4-2> "Nothing beeping, this coffin is in fine condition."
[19:17] <Bayshiftere> Quentin drives his damaged plane, and takes off, ready to engage any hostiles.
[19:18] <Patchwork_2-3> "Bay, on my six until temp lead gives us new orders."
[19:19] <Bayshifter> "Roger that patch, let's do this"
[19:20] * Cosmo_4-1 pulls up, moving to gain altitude. "Nadir, on my tail in Vic, we're going up high."
[19:23] <Patchwork_2-3> "All planes, how are we looking with damaged craft? Anyone unable to safely fly, let alone engage bogies?"
[19:24] <Bayshifter> "I'm damaged, but can take out some bombers,"
[19:24] <Cosmo_4-1> "My aircraft isn't doing too hot, not sure if she'll be able to survive another hit."
[19:25] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I can tolerate light fire but not heavy."



[19:33] <@Valetni> Having taken it upon yourselves, Frostbite, Patchwork, Strix, and Avalanche gain altitude to meet the escorts, even as your buddies plunge for the deck. While your mission will certainly be the harder one, it'll be up to the other team to win this one for you.

[19:34] <Patchwork_2-3> "Alright gentlemen, time for us to save our comrades, yes?"

[19:35] <@Valetni> "Enemy escorts are currently seventy klicks out and radar active, tentatively ID'd as F-15As." Spirit Guide informs you.

[19:36] <Frostbite_1-1> "Alright everyone let's keep these Eagles off of the others so they can finish off those bombers."
[19:37] <Strix_4-2> "Roger that, Frostbite. Got a game plan?"
[19:37] <Patchwork_2-3> "Roger that Frosty."

[19:39] <@Valetni> Across all four of your planes, your radar warning recievers begin beeping as they inform you that the enemy radars have switched from scan to track mode, and are currently illuminating you.

[19:43] <Patchwork_2-3> "May I make a suggestion, Frostbite?"
[19:44] <Frostbite_1-1> "Go ahead Patch."
[19:46] <Patchwork_2-3> "We attempt to identify the lead. Cut the head off the hydra, so to speak. We should be able to make decent work of anyone that falters when their command is gone."
[19:47] <Frostbite_1-1> "I agree. We'll need any advantage we can get."
[19:47] <Strix_4-2> "Not sure if that's a great analogy, since two more will grow back..."
[19:48] <Avalanche_1-2> "Frostbite, my Super Falcons are IR missiles. If the F-15's don't have ECM... they might be better on the bombers."
[19:48] <Patchwork_2-3> "Not if we use fire, Strix. Besides, chain of command is a bitch, no? Break the chain and all you have is chaos and confusion."
[19:51] <Strix_4-2> "Yeah, alright. Good luck finding him though. Frostbite, got any orders, or should I fire a missile at anything that flies?"
[19:52] <Frostbite_1-1> "Focus on any that are trying to attack our guys on the bombers."
[19:53] <Strix_4-2> Copy that. What if we tried leading them away from the bombers?
[19:54] <Avalanche_1-2> "If they're flying F-15's they're not that dumb"
[19:54] <Frostbite_1-1> "We don't have the numbers to lead them all away from the bombers."
[19:54] <Patchwork_2-3> "All we have to do is keep them busy. Without the bombers they are without an objective, and outnumbered."
[19:55] <Strix_4-2> "Yeah, suppose that makes sense."
[19:56] <Patchwork_2-3> "Being a Belkan sometimes helps when fighting your own kinsmen."

[20:03] <@Valetni> "Ah!" Spirit Guide exclaims. "Two of the escorts at moving down to lower altitude, they're going for the other group!" Spirit Guide informs you, as you fly outside of weapons range, currently locked up and presumably with missiles already racing towards you.

[20:03] <Frostbite_1-1> "Take them down!"
[20:14] <Patchwork_2-3> "Roger one one."

[20:19] <@Valetni> "Bombers are over halfway to the Airbase!" Spirit Guide exclaims.
[20:24] <@Valetni> The Radar Warning Receivers in the cockpits of Frostbite and Patchwork suddenly cease. Those in the cockpit's of Strix and Avalanche do not, continuing their frantic beeping as they implore you to do something, soon, before it's too late.

[20:26] <Avalanche_1-2> "Oh, of course these assholes have decent missiles."

[20:42] <@Valetni> The Radar Warning reciever in Avalanche's cockpit dims slightly, as the targeting energies diminishes. Meanwhile, Strix's cuts out entirely.

[20:47] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki manages to somehow duck under one missile, while the other clips the underside of the fuselage, making a sickening crack on the inside of the aircraft. He flips over to the public channel.
[20:48] <Avalanche_1-2> "You know what happens when you try to shoot a snow pack above you? It buries you alive."
[20:57] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki quickly targets the leading F-15 and fires

[20:57] <@Valetni> One missile is easily evaded, but the other flies true and clips the wing of the large fighter, shearing it off at the root and sending it into a spiral.
[21:00] <@Valetni> "Two bombers left!" Spirit Guide Exclaims. "They're going to be over the base any second now!" She says worriedly.
[21:04] <Frostbite_1-1> "Fox 2!" Gerald exclaims as he fires a missile at one of the eagles, but unfortunately the missile failed to lock on.
[21:16] <Frostbite_1-1> "Incoming missiles. Break!"

[21:17] <@Valetni> The four Eagles that remained to engage you each let off a missile, before jettisonning their fuel tanks as they prepare to turn and burn.

[21:22] <Frostbite_1-1> Gerald immediately takes evasive maneuvers against the missile fired at him. But it seemed that the missile fired at his was as poorly aimed as the one he had fired.

[21:29] <@Valetni> "THE BOMBER GOT THROUGH!" Spirit guide wails over the radio.

[21:40] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki's voice finally sound strained, rather than just angry. "Spirit Guide, hang in there, I'm sure they're still on it!"
[21:40] <Frostbite_1-1> "Dammit! Don't let any of these Eagles leave! Shoot them all down!"

[21:44] <@Valetni> The two eagles that had descended veer off as the last bomber is cut down, going supersonic on the deck rather than avenging the crew of the bomber.

[21:44] * Strix_4-2 pulls out of the way of the missile, flying upwards to evade it. The missile hits him, but his plane is mostly okay. "That didn't sound good."
[21:44] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki grins as he easily gets two locks on one of the F-15s, firing two missiles.
[21:45] <Avalanche_1-2> "You thought you could just walk in here and kill my friends?"

[21:45] <@Valetni> Catching the F-15A in a low energy situation as it attempts to turn in on Frostbite, the two missiles destroy the F-15 in a shower of metal and fuel, no chute emerges.

[21:46] * Strix_4-2 's  engine stalls, his plane starting to lose velocity. "This is 4-2, I may have to eject, engine's stalling." He noses down, trying to at least glide. After falling for ten thousand feet, his engine kicks in. "I'm-- I'm alright!"
[21:51] * Strix_4-2 rolls around, locking to one jet with two of his missiles. He lets off the missiles and pulls down, watching the missiles fly to their target.

[21:56] <@Valetni> One of the missiles flies true, burying itself in the the stomach of the large jet fighter, exploding it.
[21:56] <@Valetni> Another of the air superiority fighters, the final one still engaged, spits off three IR missiles in rapid succession at Frostbite's MiG-21. All three of the track and home in on the small single engined plane.

[22:00] <Frostbite_1-1> Once again death was coming right at Gerald. He couldn't even think, but instinct took over again. He managed to eject just as the missiles slammed right into his MiG. Another aircraft lost, but another day he managed to survive by pure luck.
[22:04] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki sees Gerald manage to eject as his MiG fireballs across the sky. Noticing the last F-15 coming at him, he grits his teeth, locking his last missile onto the enemy. "Alright, let's dance."

[22:05] <@Valetni> The final missile streaks in, actually hitting the left intake and shattering blades before exploding and taking the entire side out of the plane. Fuel detonates in a sympathetic explosion as a single chute emerges ahead of the fireball. With that, the last of the Eagles bug out, leaving the airspace clear and in control of Ustian forces.







[19:32] <@Valetni> The three of you, Blindsighter, Bayshifter, and Cosmo, head for the deck. Trading altitude for speed you attempt to reach the bombers and intercept them before they can destroy your airbase. You'll have to trust in your comrades to prevent the escorts from bouncing you from above.

[19:33] <BlindSighter_4-3> "All right, Cosmo. Your orders?"
[19:34] <Bayshifter> "Yeah, I'm listening"
[19:34] <Cosmo_4-1> "Keep it low n' fast, we want to avoid getting intercepted by those escorts, so we'll let the clean-up crew engage befoer we move in. What're our loadouts lookin' like?"
[19:34] <Cosmo_4-1> *before
[19:35] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Two medium-range missiles and three regulars."
[19:36] <Bayshifter> "8 short range missiles in total"

[19:36] <@Valetni> "I have a tentative ID on the bombers based on ground speed and stray navigation radar returns, They're B-1 bombers, they'll outrun you if you let them!" Spirit Guide warns you.

[19:37] <Cosmo_4-1> "Right-on, I've got two AIM-9s and two short range. Blindsighter, you'll be spearheading this little engagement, followed by me, and then our guest."
[19:37] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I'll have you know I don"
[19:37] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that, Spirit Guide. Let's get a move on then."
[19:38] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Just between me and you, Spirit Guide, the only people I let do anything are my superiors. These bombers are as good as gone."

[19:38] <@Valetni> "A-ah, at their current rate of speed... you'll be in medium range weapons range in 30 seconds."

[19:39] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that. Blindsighter, you're up. Take 'em out for us if you can, our guest and I will follow up with short range fire."
[19:40] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Thanks, Spirit Guide, and copy that, Cosmo. Let's see how they like this."
[19:46] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Son of a bitch, their jammer's not letting me lock on."
[19:47] <Bayshifter> "Need to get closer"

[19:50] <@Valetni> The three of you continue to head for the bombers, the jamming intensifying as you approach their formation, all but washing out your scope and making flying by instruments nearly impossible.

[19:55] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Cosmo, I can turn around now and clean up if you can't kill them all during contact. Your orders, though."
[19:56] <Cosmo_4-1> "Go for it, Blindsighter. We'll need you to be on your A-game here, I don't think I'll be able to maneuver to their rear."
[19:56] <Bayshifter> "But I can give chase directly, give me permission cos?"
[19:57] <Cosmo_4-1> "Go for it, we'll need you to match their speed and take 'em out. Our contact with them will be too sporadic."
[19:57] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Loud and clear then. Don't die until then."
[20:00] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that, Blindsighter, I'm turning with you, we'll need to pull of something pretty slick here if we want to have a chance."

[20:00] <@Valetni> The three of you swing out wide, mindful of the fact that with their insane acceleration and low level speed, it'd be impossible to chase down a B-1 once you pass them in the merge. You manage to time it well, popping out behind them at min range, and only slightly slower than they are.

[20:12] * Cosmo_4-1 brings herself into range, attempting to let loose two missiles from their hardpoints. "Missiles away," she says, staring forward in anticipation. As they absolutely fail to hit their targets, she lets out an audible sigh, "And, they're off."
[20:12] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Dammit..."

[20:19] <@Valetni> "Bombers are over halfway to the Airbase!" Spirit Guide exclaims.

[20:24] <Bayshifter> "Bayshifter takes aim, locks on and shoots 2 missiles at a bomber. Only one of them hits however. "Target hit"

[20:26] <@Valetni> The solitary missile tucks in behind the tail of the large, sleek, blended body of the Bomber, detonating in the wake of it's engine. The bomber continues on, spewing out bucket loads of chaff and flares, redoubling their ECM assault.

[20:27] <Bayshifter> "Those bastards won't go down" Quentin exclaims
[20:34] <BlindSighter_4-3> "No fucking way am I letting you walk away from that..." Blind began to unload his guns on the damaged bombers, scoring enough of a hit for some serious damage.

[20:35] <@Valetni> First one engine flames out, and then the second, followed by the vertical stabilizer as BlindSighter's twin 30mm guns chew away the tail of the bomber, sending it tumbling out of control into the side of a mountain.

[20:35] <BlindSighter_4-3> "That's one! Finally!"
[20:37] <Cosmo_4-1> "Let's not celebrate too quickly here, Blindsighter. Good hit, but we've got more to go."
[20:39] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I know. We're running out of time."
[20:49] <Bayshifter> Quentin moves on to the other bomber and locks on to the bomber in his sights. He exclaims "Fox 2" and fires one missile, which hits.

[20:52] <@Valetni> The pilot of the stricken bomber pulls up on the stick, gaining altitude and losing speed as he gains distance from the craggy peaks below.

[20:55] * Cosmo_4-1 fires her own two missiles, which are found lacking. They fail to hit the target, sailing past. "Shit, that's the last of my missiles, boys." She says, flexing her hands.
[20:58] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Fox 2, meet Hound 2." He levels his guns again, driving a stream of fire over the back of the bomber as it rises into his line of sight.

[20:59] <@Valetni> Once again, the streams of 30mm fighter savage the Bomber, eating into skin and detonating a fuel tank.
[21:00] <@Valetni> "Two bombers left!" Spirit Guide Exclaims. "They're going to be over the base any second now!" She says worriedly.

[21:00] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Doing everything we can, Spirit Guide."
[21:11] <Bayshifter> Quentin attempts to concentrate. Air to air combat is definitely not his specialty, how he managed to get in the air is a miracle in itself, but he made it, he locked on to the two remaining bombers, 2 missiles each. "Firing Falcons!" He yelled into the radio, hoping his missiles connect.

[21:14] <@Valetni> Of the four missiles launched, the AIM-4 Falcon, (world renowned for it's reliability) one hangs on the rail, the coolant wasted and the warhead inert. Of the three that actually make it off the rails, two of them take great delight in appearing to be straight, hot, and true, before suddenly veering off to chase a fresh batch of flares. The final missile actually does swerve towards the flares, but fortunately there is a bomber in the way, lending you a single hit.

[21:17] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Spirit Guide, how much more time do we have?" The mirage lets go of a third burst, hammering away at the Falcon-damaged bomber like before.

[21:18] <@Valetni> "This is it!" Spirit Guide all but yells. "You should be able to see the base!"

[21:19] <BlindSighter_4-3> "It's all you, Cosmo!"
[21:20] <@Valetni> The 3rd bomber to be targeted in such a way by BlindSighter goes into a steep climb, elevators shot away as the pilot struggles to control the aircraft.

[21:20] <Bayshifter> "Those missile makers better have a damn warranty for not working!" Quentin says. "Finish it Cosmo!" Quentin yells once more.
[21:21] * Cosmo_4-1 leans forward in the cockpit, clearly now in the zone after not hitting anything for the entire mission. Without any missiles left, she's forced to buzz the bomber with her F-105's cannon, aiming true.

[21:24] <@Valetni> Compared to the twin 30mms of Blindsighter, that previously mauled the bombers, the single 20mm cannon does little more than chip away at the bomber, it continues on.
[21:28] <@Valetni> The three bomb bays on the underbelly of the Massive B-1 open, and along with the racks on the wings, dozens of bombs are ejected as the bomber overflies the base. The retarder deploys, slowing them as their caught in the jets slipstream and whipped out behind it. Mixed in with the load of 500lb bombs is a medley of cluster bombs, and airborne mine dispensers as the base is liberally seeded with over 100,000lbs of explosive ordnance.

[21:29] * BlindSighter_4-3 's line devolves into angry cursing.
[21:33] <Bayshifter> "Oh shit" Quentin says as he sees the bombs deployed.
[21:33] <Cosmo_4-1> "Hey, uh, that's not any fuckin' good."
[21:34] <BlindSighter_4-3> "FUUUUUUUUUCK!"
[21:35] <Bayshifter> Knowing his next statement sounds stupid, he says "hope everyone down there is ok."
[21:35] * BlindSighter_4-3 suddenly stops yelling and goes silent at that statement.
[21:39] * Cosmo_4-1 grates her teeth, firing her 20mm cannon towards the bomber. Unfortunately, without something more high-powered, she merely messes up the paint job a bit.
[21:40] * BlindSighter_4-3 goes silent for a few seconds, before suddenly swerving into firing position and butchering the bomber with the Mirage's powerful guns.
[21:41] <BlindSighter_4-3> "We should get the black boxes once we land."
[21:42] <BlindSighter_4-3> "So we can find out who exactly called for the run."
[21:44] <Cosmo_4-1> "I imagine that they've got ground crews on that. I mean, it's not like we don't know who did it. Probably the Belkans. Always up to somethin'."
[21:44] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I meant who specifically. A name."
[21:47] <Cosmo_4-1> "I mean, what're you gonna do, go all Hitman on him?"
[21:47] * BlindSighter_4-3 angrily replies, "Maybe I will."
[21:48] <BlindSighter_4-3> After a few seconds, he sighs. "Sorry, Cosmo. Just... I have to get a better plane after this flight."
[21:49] <Bayshifter> "Same. I hope glad this oldie has managed to hold up for me"
[21:51] * Cosmo_4-1 lets out a sigh, rolling her neck. "Yeah, 'yer forgiven. We all need a bit of an upgrade, huh? I can't stand this hunk of junk. Wonder how I'm gonna land it."





[22:11] <@Valetni> With the Bomber downed, and the last of the Eagles neutralized, your impromptu flight forms up, doing a slow orbit of the airbase.
[22:12] <@Valetni> Of those who went up, not all of you will be returning in such a way, of those who went up to intercept the escorts, only two form up to return.

[22:14] <Avalanche_1-2> "Spirit Guide, what's your status?"
[22:14] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki manages out, still trying to bring himself down from the dogfight.

[22:15] <@Valetni> "Ah, we are critically low on fuel. Pilot will attempt landing immediately." Spirit Guide responds slowly. "I've notified CSAR of where Frostbite went down... It'll be a while before they can get anyone out."
[22:17] <@Valetni> As you watch, the E-767 drops by you, full flaps and gear extended as it attempts to land in the shortest distance possible to avoid the damaged sections of the runway.
[22:18] <@Valetni> The Large aircraft hits the runway, bounces once, and then erupts into a fireball as it strikes one of the air dropped mines with the nose wheel.

[22:19] * Cosmo_4-1 glances down the canopy and towards the ground, looking at the E-767 as it passes. "Oh, shit," she says at first, looking at the craft as it goes up in flames.
[22:19] <Bayshifter> "Oh God" Quentin looks on, in terror.
[22:20] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki screams incoherently for a few seconds, in a blind rage,  before having the presence of mind to turn off his radio.

[22:22] <@Valetni> The hulk of the plane, deprived of the front wheels and most of the forward cockpit, slides sideways down the runway, left wing scraping along the ground before exploding another mine. Broken in two pieces, the E-767 comes to a halt off to the side of the runway. Emergency crews, already busy with fires on base, are slow to respond. It's almost a full minute before the first firetruck begins hosing down the smouldering aircraft.

[22:22] * Strix_4-2 grabs his microphone, turning it off and staring at the fireball in confusion and anger.
[22:23] * Cosmo_4-1 remains mostlysilent, returning to her gaze to her controls after a moment of staring.
[22:25] * Strix_4-2 turns his microphone back on, clearing his throat. "Hey, uh. Quick check, is everyone damaged?"
[22:26] <Bayshifter> "....Yes"
[22:26] <Bayshifter> "I am at least"
[22:26] <Avalanche_1-2> "Took a missile to the face, yeah. Nothing critical though."
[22:27] <Cosmo_4-1> "I've been damaged since our last sortie, didn't take anything this time."
[22:27] <Strix_4-2> "I think eh, I have the least problems with my plane, it's probably best for me to head down first... They've probably found most mines."
[22:30] <Strix_4-2> "Yeah, I'll head down. See you guys on the ground."
[22:32] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki goes to radio his squadron about landing order, only to realize he's the only one left.
[22:33] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'll head down, they need emergency medical responders. Brass can save the debriefing for later."
[22:35] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki manages to deftly avoid mines and holes, taxiing his damaged plane to the runway.
[22:35] * Strix_4-2 dips down, gently gliding towards the runway, landing and sliding across. Boris' shaky voice comes back on the radio. "Hey, yeah, I-I'm good down here."
[22:37] * Cosmo_4-1 dips down, following after the two. Unfortunately, her landing is not so graceful, making her way down onto the ground. Her landing gear gives out, leaving her to skid forward onto the ground.
[22:44] <Bayshifter> Quentin quietly, but succesfully, lands his plane.

[22:48] <Valetni> What remains of Valais Airbase is a smoldering wreck. Planes, fuel, and ammunition all burn, contributing to a heavy cloud of soot and ash that hangs nearby. That what doesn't burn was destroyed by the concussive force of the bombs. Half the barracks are destroyed, and from where you stand near the sole surviving hangar you can see into the O-club, missing an entire wall as it is. It's there that the surviving members of Clover, Basilisk, Apogee, and Nadir are gathered to take in the terrible destruction that has been wrought.

[22:52] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki frantically starts looking for survivors, trying to use his rescue skills as best he can.
[22:52] <Bayshifter_2-4> Bayshifter helps out his WSO, and gets out, sitting next to the plane, in guilt.
[22:52] <Bayshifter_2-4> Lookin on to see if anything is needed
[22:52] * Cavalier_3-4 would, due to his inability to take off during the most recent sortie due to damage suffered to his Mig-21M in his first one, be providing assistance to the emergency response crews, currently putting out a fire that had come close and around the broken section of the O-Club.
[22:53] <Avalanche_1-2> "Is there anyone in there? Do you need assistance?"

[22:53] <Valetni> Emergency crews rush back and forth, while the EOD teams do their very best to contain the area, repeatedly shouting for people to stay still lest they trigger more mines. In the distance, one of the rescue vehicles explodes as it drives over another mine, emphasizing the lethal risk inherent in wandering around the bombed out base.

[22:54] * Strix_4-2 runs towards Cosmo's plane, seeing it blow it's gear out.
[22:55] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki reluctantly hangs back, clenching his fists repeatedly as he moves to put out fires near the O-Club.
[22:55] * Cavalier_3-4 hoses down the remnants of the fire he was tending to, daring not to run out into the currently mined and afire airstrip, looking over at Yuki as they join him "Avalanche, what the *fuck* happened?"
[22:56] <Avalanche_1-2> "Our CO sent a bunch of crippled planes to intercept the bombers... They didn't take them out until one had gotten here."
[22:57] * Australis_3-1 is standing next to Cavalier, having been grounded due to engine issues with her MIG. She scans the skies quickly for any remaining enemy craft.
[22:57] * Cosmo_4-1 glances down at the side of her plane, seemingly surprised that she survived the belly landing. With an audible sigh of relief, she pops open the canopy and quickly takes off her helmet, letting out a sigh of relief. She glanced from one side to the other, looking at Strix. "Jesus fucking Christ, Strix."

[22:57] <Cavalier_3-4> "God damnit..."
[22:58] <Avalanche_1-2> "If you're looking for the enemy, I didn't let them leave. Not after this."
[22:58] <Avalanche_1-2> "Unless they send in a second wave."
[22:58] <Cavalier_3-4> "...Did they hit our hangar!?"
[22:58] * Cavalier_3-4 glances over at the cluster, before pausing "...Fucking - thank god."
[22:59] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha sits at the ruined remains of the bar, head in her hands. After a few frantic hours rushing around the hangar to help the maintenance crews minimize what damage they could, she was urged to step back and let the rescue workers operate. It's shocking - moments ago she was arguing with her crew about how long the repairs to her plane were taking, and now half the base sits like a
[22:59] <BabaYaga_2-1> toddler's tower of blocks kicked across the room by an errant bully. After a moment, the sound of voices outside that she actually recognizes draws her attention, and she wanders over to the entrance of the bar. She's covered in grease and dust, but uninjured. "Hey! Whoever can walk, make your way here! The roof's still intact."

[23:00] * Patchwork_2-3 slowly limps over to the other pilots, looking dazed and covered in lacerations, sporting a dew rather ugly bruises to his face. "I... the bombers got here?"
[23:00] * Cavalier_3-4 sets down the mostly empty extinguisher as he spots Patchwork, jogging over to him "Crap - Patch!? You alright?"
[23:02] <Patchwork_2-3> "I have no idea. Last thing I remember was a rough landing a mile or so from here. Hobbled in the direction of the noises until I got here."
[23:02] <Strix_4-2> "God damn, you're lucky that didn't blow you sky high, Cosmo."
[23:02] <Cavalier_3-4> "Dude - sit down. You look like you got put through a cheese grater."
[23:03] * Cavalier_3-4 without missing a beat, would offer asistance to Patchwork in moving, clearly aming to get him to sit somewhere, instead of straining his wounded body.
[23:04] * Cosmo_4-1 glances back to her cockpit, before quickly rising out of it and exiting her craft. She does a once-over of the side of her aircraft, leaning forward. "Fuck me," she says, wiping her forehead. "Did our barracks get blown out?"
[23:04] * Patchwork_2-3 would do his best to tell Cav he was fine, but eventually weariness and pain would overcome him as he is led away, glassy eyes and limping.
[23:04] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki continues to crawl through the compound, working to try and find survivors inside the rubble. After all, that's his specialty.
[23:05] * Cavalier_3-4 is about as insistent as a stubborn nurse, not backing down until he can set Patchwork somewhere more comfortable, looking around the bar for a moment. "...Right. Medical teams should be here shortly. They've gotta."
[23:06] <Patchwork_2-3> "Yeah. thanks Cav."
[23:06] <Cavalier_3-4> "Has anyone seen Fuentes or Francis around?"
[23:06] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Patch!" Sascha spots her flight member limping alongside Cav, and tentatively makes her way out to help him over to the bar, toward one of the remaining tables.
[23:07] <Strix_4-2> "Half of it, it seems. There's still bombs down here, we should probably get out of the way."
[23:08] * Australis_3-1 continues to scan the skies,  more to avoid looking at the smoldering base than any type of security. "W-hat did they hit?  Where do we go?"  Phebe glances at the other pilots just long enough to speak before looking back to the sky.
[23:08] * Patchwork_2-3 Patch is pretty much a fleshy doll at this point, limping with whoever helps him along, leaving a trail of blood behind him as he wheezes and limps.
[23:08] <Cavalier_3-4> "I think they got the fucking *barracks*, Phebe."
[23:09] * Cosmo_4-1 glances back towards the runway, and then nods. "Yeah, uh, we should probably get out of here. This hunk 'a junk isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it looks like." She turns to Strix, "What about the hangars, eh?"
[23:10] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Take it easy, Patch, just hang in there." Sascha hurries over to the bar, looking for something to give the man to drink. It's not much, but the alternative is sitting through this without a drink.
[23:10] * Cavalier_3-4 would remain beside Patch, pinching the bridge of his nose. Cavalier would have no wounds to speak of, sans some ammount of grime and dust from putting out fires.
[23:11] <Patchwork_2-3> "I'll live. Should be out there giving the emergency crews a hand." But for all his tale, Patch seems barely able to sit, wobbling like a weeble.
[23:13] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki comes back around, still in his flight suit and helmet, holding a spent extinguisher and a burnt metal rod
[23:13] <Avalanche_1-2> "You guys okay?," he manages to huff out between breaths.
[23:13] <Strix_4-2> "Most hangars seem to be completely fucked."
[23:13] * Australis_3-1 shakes her head and sighs at Babayaga. "Figures the explosion took all the booze. Shit.." She chuckles nervously.
[23:14] * Cavalier_3-4 folds his arms, frowning. "I think Apogee's hangar was spared but...I couldn't spot anyone else's."
[23:16] <Australis_3-1> "So there then...?  I... Are we sure it's safe to go anywhere?"
[23:16] <Cavalier_3-4> "Crews are telling us to not run around. Stay where we are. Mines everywhere."
[23:16] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Don't be a fool, Magpie. You'd just make more work for them. Stay there and wait for them to get here." She kicks what's left of the booze cabinet and curses in Yuke. "I was in the hangar during the attack. Most of the damage there is minimal, but I've been told we need to stay inside."

[23:17] <Valetni> As you watch, the burning E-767 is finally extinguished, the flames smothered under hundreds of gallons of fires suppressant foam.

[23:19] <Patchwork_2-3> Wait, we lost Spirit?
[23:19] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha glances out of the hole in the wall, looking through the crowd of rescue workers and dust and smoke. "Is... Is that the AWACS?"
[23:20] * Australis_3-1 sighs and falls to the ground,  sitting next to the splintered remains of a bar stool. She mutters something that sounds like a prayer and then looks around to the other pilots. Having never flown with spirit she decides it's best to keep quiet.
[23:20] * Cavalier_3-4 looks over towards what Sascha is looking at, taking in the sight for a few seconds, before speaking in a dry, deadpan tone. "...Oh. Oh. Great. Yeah. I think that's the AWACS' plane. You've gotta be shitting me."
[23:21] <Avalanche_1-2> "It was AWACS. And she was counting on us to land safely," Yuki says with disgust
[23:23] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha hangs at the hole for a moment, before punching what's left of it and spitting out curses. "Чертовы ублюдки! How did this happen?! How did they even get this far?!""
[23:24] <Patchwork_2-3> "The base damage can be repaired. Did we lose any pilots? Any of the ground crews or people assigned here?" Patch slurs a bit as he asks this.
[23:24] <Avalanche_1-2> "Like I said before, our flight lead decided who tackled the escorts, and who went after the bombers. The pilots, from there, decided who got here."
[23:25] <Avalanche_1-2> "Magpie, are you injured or have you just been drinking?"
[23:25] <Australis_3-1> "Fuentes...?"  Phebe looks around the group,  taking count.
[23:25] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha massages her forehead, trying not to wonder how things could have gone if she'd made it into the air in time. "Your lead... Where's Frost? Did he make it back?"
[23:26] * Cavalier_3-4 sighs, eyeing Phebe "...I don't know. I haven't seen Francis either."
[23:26] <Patchwork_2-3> "Bad landing. Cracked my flight helmet. Maybe a concussion. I'll live."
[23:27] <Avalanche_1-2> "No, he took three missiles to the face. But I saw him eject. Hopefully the F-15 pilots left him alone."

[23:27] <Valetni> "You guys all right over there? We're coming to you!" An emergency worker yells to you as he and another make painstakingly mark out a clear and minefree path towards your location from the remaining section of the barracks.

[23:28] * Cavalier_3-4 waves towards the worker "We have a wounded pilot!"

[23:29] <Valetni> "Is he dying?" Is the shouted response.

[23:29] * Cavalier_3-4 looks over towards Patchwork, for a moment. He does not look fatally injured, does he?
[23:29] <Avalanche_1-2> "No, he's concussed!"
[23:30] <Avalanche_1-2> Magpie, I'm a trained medic, I'll give it a look over
[23:30] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki abruptly grabs Magpie's head, looking over the base and back for breaks or bruising

[23:31] <Valetni> The man shrugs and continues methodically clearing the way, placing down small flags to mark unexploded ordnance and laying out a clear path for foot traffic.

[23:31] * Cavalier_3-4 just kind of shoots a mildly awkward look at Avalance, shrugging to himself as he waits for the rescue team.
[23:32] * Patchwork_2-3 is clean of any skull damage, just a few facial bruised and some deep lacerations. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Not my first bad landing."
[23:33] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha keeps watching the base, as if half expecting ground troops to show up at any moment. "Do we have to worry about any of them coming back? Did you shoot them all down?"
[23:34] <Avalanche_1-2> "Well, your helmet did it's job. Make sure to get it replaced before you go up again, it's done for. And like I said earlier, I wasn't going to let any of them leave."
[23:37] <Patchwork_2-3> "Thanks Yuki. More worried about the people that actually were up fighting, or down here when the bombing happened. A stupid old man who crashed his plane should be the least of your worried."
[23:37] <Australis_3-1> "I think they said they got 'em all.
[23:38] <BabaYaga_2-1> "What, did Ivan go out too," Sascha asks in genuine confusion before realizing his meaning
[23:39] <Patchwork_2-3> "Just Quentin and I."
[23:41] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Oh, you meant... Aha... Sorry, Magpie." She smiles awkwardly, holding her forehead. "... Shit, Quentin! Hey, did anyone see Bayshifter land?"
[23:43] * Australis_3-1 looks down at her hands for a moment and then stands up,  as if abruptly remembering she's got something to do. She speaks with a faux confidence.  "Cav, is your plane ready to fly yet? If we're the only hanger left... " her voice trails off,  losing any command it would've had.  "They hit the runway didn't they..."
[23:43] <Patchwork_2-3> "I think Ivan was off base, not sure."
[23:44] <Bayshifter> Quentin awakens from his nap beside the plane, hearing his name and finally walking towards the group. "Don't worry, I'm here Captain!"
[23:44] <Cavalier_3-4> "No. Not yet, Phebe. I tried to scramble when they got the bomber warnings, but the crews said I couldn't. They're still fixing up my MIG."
[23:45] <Patchwork_2-3> "Fucks sake Quentin, watch your step. Mines everywhere!"
[23:45] <Avalanche_1-2> "You landed your plane... and took a nap?"
[23:47] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha looks equally nonplussed. "Quentin, are you alright? Did you hit your head too?"
[23:48] <Bayshifter> He realises the area is still a danger and walks more carefully, "Yeah, I'm ok, just, you know,"
[23:49] <Bayshifter> "If my two other missiles would've hit, this probably wouldn't have happened."

[23:50] <Valetni> Finally, the two workers manage to clear out a path to the O-club, making a clear path to where you could return to what was left of the barracks. "You the group that went up today?" One of them asks when they reach you.

[23:51] <Avalanche_1-2> "Yeah, some of us are. I'm sorry."
[23:51] <Australis_3-1> "Well they didn't bay, No feeling all... getting hung up."
[23:51] <Patchwork_2-3> "Anything we can do to help?"
[23:51] <Bayshifter> "I guess so."
[23:52] <Bayshifter> "Yeah, I went up too"

[23:52] <Valetni> "Probably would have been a lot worse if more of them had got through..." He muses, taking the hard hat off and wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve. "There any booze left in here?" He asks conversationally, stepping into the remains of the O-club.

[23:53] * Australis_3-1 shakes her head. "Damn Belks have gin seeking missiles."
[23:53] <Avalanche_1-2> "Don't think so, or one these guys would've found it."
[23:53] <Patchwork_2-3> "Should be a few bottles of the hard stuff behind the Air Combat cabinet."
[23:53] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha shakes her head. "Don't blame yourself, Qeuntin. Yuki, ease up." She turns to the team once they make it into the building. "I was in the hangar next door. I'm fine, but they got the bar."
[23:54] <Cavalier_3-4> "These are the times I'm glad I'm not that much into hard liquor..."

[23:55] <Valetni> He shakes his head in disappointment. "Well, maybe another time. You guys should get some rest, in case they come back... I'm not sure about whose rooms got wrecked, but you might have to revise your sleeping arrangements." He says, donning his hat and walking back towards his partner.

[23:55] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Yeah. Thanks for your help. Good luck out there."
[23:55] * Australis_3-1 straightens up and tries to put her command voice on again and looking to the crew. "Did they get the runway?" She asks, her voice cracking again halfway through.
[23:56] <Avalanche_1-2> "Any word on the crew of the 767?"
[23:57] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'll go ask the burning 767 and rescue truck if they got the runway."

[23:58] <Valetni> "Runway is down to about two-thirds the useable length." He states. "Pilot and Co-pilot didn't make it. I think there were one or two survivors from the crashed plane. For now at least." He says.

[23:58] * Cavalier_3-4 bites his lip, folding his arms "Shite."
[00:01] <Avalanche_1-2> "Are they in the medical building now?"
[00:02] * Australis_3-1 sighs and sits back down on the ground. "Fuck... Well,"
[00:03] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha gives Yuki a glare at his comment toward Phebe, but the news of the AWACS casualties casts a somber shade on the room.
[00:04] <Bayshifter> "I'll see you guys later, gonna take a stroll around the 'safe' areas."

[00:04] <Valetni> The man shrugs. "I think they're getting airlifted out, don't have the facilities here." He says with a wear sigh, before getting back to work.

[00:05] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Stay safe, Quentin. I'm not losing any of my pilots to a goddamn land mine, alright? Check the barracks and figure out your sleeping situation. We'll be there later."
[00:05] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'd offer to escort, but there's no way I can get my beat-up rust bucket into the air the way things are."
[00:06] * Patchwork_2-3 stands, still a bit unsteady, right leg bleeding. "No time to be sitting around, I'm going to help however I can. The rest of you should get some rest."
[00:07] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Goddamnit, Magpie, what did I just say? You need to rest. Let the rescue workers do their jobs."
[00:09] <Patchwork_2-3> "I failed in my duty as a pilot. I will not fail the people here." And with that, Patch limps off carefully, looking for the nearest rescue crew to assist.
[00:10] * Australis_3-1 looks up to Sascha from her seat on the ground. "Well, worst case they send him to the real medics..."
[00:11] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha heaves a heavy sigh, slumping back into the nearest chair. "This is ridiculous."
[00:11] <Avalanche_1-2> "If he's a pilot, he should know at least basic first aid. With the triage situation the way it is, they'll find something for him to do."
[00:12] <Australis_3-1> "I mean, I don't really know how I'm supposed to help."
[00:13] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Not stepping on a land mine sounds like a good start."
[00:14] <Avalanche_1-2> "Shit, has anyone seen Drider?"
[00:14] <Cavalier_3-4> "I've done what I personally can putting out the fires here, but..."
[00:14] <Australis_3-1> "Heh." Phebe kicks a charred piece of wood away from herself and inhales sharply.

[00:15] <Bayshifter> Quentin walked around the base, toward the food area. How strange it was that an hour or 2 ago he was standing here, trying to battle the soda machi-. He looks amongst the rubble. He spots the machine. He kicks it as hard as he can. A can pops out. "Guess I end on a good note huh?" He says as he picks up the can and opens it. It sprays in his face. "Well..."
[00:16] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Haven't seen Drider since the last mission." She pushes up out of her seat and starts rooting around behind what's left of the air combat cabinet. "Well shit, he really did stow them over here." She pulls up a couple of bottles of hard liquor, a dull satisfaction on her face. "Any takers?"
[00:17] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'm gonna hold off until we're certain there's no second wave."
[00:17] * Australis_3-1 extends her arm toward sascha. "I'll -" She chokes up and forces herself to cough once. "I'll take some."
[00:18] <Cavalier_3-4> "I'm good, thanks, Baba."

[00:23] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha hands the other flight lead a bottle, popping open the other one for herself. "Here you go." She takes a swig of her own bottle and winces at the taste. "Hell of a way to pay respects... Ugh, Belkan booze."
[00:24] * Australis_3-1 looks at the label and squints. "Not the kind they export either..." she croaks, smiling weakly, before taking a swig.
[00:26] * Australis_3-1 holds the open bottle at arms length, offering it to the rest of the group.
[00:27] <Cavalier_3-4> "I really can't. I want to be razor sharp if we need to sortie soon. Sorry, lead."
[00:27] <Avalanche_1-2> "Oh, and Sascha, don't worry about not making it up there. Your plane isn't airworthy, and these interceptors weren't fucking around."
[00:27] <Avalanche_1-2> "This way you're still here to fly next time, yeah?"
[00:28] <Australis_3-1> "I've seen you land that MiG, kid, you could use the shot. It'd loosen you up."
[00:30] * Cavalier_3-4 sighs "Alright, fine. Just one, then."
[00:30] * Cavalier_3-4 pushes himself off of the dusty counter, walking over towards Phebe.
[00:30] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha's mood doesn't really improve much at the reassurance, but she just shakes her head. "I know, Yuki. Thanks. But with the runway the way it is, I'm not sure when that's gonna be." She takes another begrudging swig, then leans back in her seat. "Ugly business."
[00:31] * Australis_3-1 hands Cav the bottle and goes back to looking at the ground, sniffing and coughing again.

[00:33] * Cavalier_3-4 takes it, sighing and pondering for a moment, before taking a short swig from it, scrunching up his face for a moment, and then shaking his head "Fuck me, that's fiery."
[00:33] * Cavalier_3-4 holds it back out towards Baba.
[00:35] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha eyes Phebe's coughing and sniffing. "Feeling alright?" She shakes her head at Cav, holding up the other bottle she already has for herself.
[00:37] <Cavalier_3-4> "Hm."
[00:37] * Cavalier_3-4 keeps his for now, then, taking a brief look towards the runway.

[00:41] <Australis_3-1> "Yeah I-- I'll be fine." Phebe says quietly, and sniffs sharply again while still looking at the ground. She forces out another cough and tosses a rock across the carcass of the bar.
[00:43] * Australis_3-1 extends her hand toward Cavalier and beckons for the liqour.
[00:43] * Cavalier_3-4 holds it out, piping up at the same time "Boss?"

[00:47] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha remains quiet for a moment, taking another drink as she does so. Everything about her behavior reminds Sascha of how she felt when she got back from her second mission, after listening to the radio intercepts as the enemy planes dropped out of the sky one by one. Her hand on the bottle starts shaking just a bit, but she puts the bottle on the table to steady it.
[00:48] * Cavalier_3-4 would take a brief second to consider, before speaking again. "We're still here. It ain't over. We'll get them back for this, yeah?"
[00:52] * Australis_3-1 takes the bottle and clears her throat before taking a long swig and grunting. She looks around, realizing peopleare staring at her. Phebe clears her throat and screws the lid back onto the bottle. "Sure Cav. Just wish I'd hit the air once before all this."
[00:54] * Cavalier_3-4 answers, with a rather dissonant subtle, yet cheerful tone to his voice. "Hey. I made it, and I'm a washout. You're a veteran, Boss. You'll do fine. I got your back."
[00:55] <BabaYaga_2-1> "There's no telling what'll happen after this. All we can do is ride the wind and move forward." Sascha turns to look back outside, to stop staring.
[01:03] * Australis_3-1 picks up the blackened splinter of abar stool and rolls it around in her hand before dropping it and examining the layer of charcoal left on her hand. "Fucking Mines..." she mutters.

[01:08] <Avalanche_1-2> "Well, I'm gonna go check on my shit, if anyone wants to come."
[01:12] <Australis_3-1> "They have the path to the barracks cleared?" Phebe asks, clearing her throat firmly again and wiping tears from here cheeks and leaning agains the remains of the bar.
[01:13] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Might as well look. I think those workers came from that way."
[01:14] <Australis_3-1> "Cav... You coming along?"
[01:15] * Australis_3-1 looks awkwardly at the half full bottle of Belkan whiskey in her left hand. She sniffs again, and rubs her eye again with her right.
[01:18] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha pulls herself up and over to the others, clapping a hand on Phebe's shoulder. "C'mon. Time for some recon. Maybe there's still some beds worth sleeping in."

[01:20] <Valetni> Carefully following the marked out lines, and avoiding the unexploded bomblets, you make your way to what remains of the Barracks.

[01:23] <Cavalier_3-4> "Yeah...sure, Boss."
[01:30] <Australis_3-1> "So, sascha..." Phebe trails off, as if she had a question but forgot as she looked over the ruined barracks.
[01:32] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki finds no doujins, but only his lockbox remains
[01:33] <Avalanche_1-2> containing some outdoors gear, a laptop, and some trinkets from home.
[01:33] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Hrm?" Sascha looks up at Phebe, eyebrow raised. "What is it?"
[01:38] <Australis_3-1> "Nothing..." Phebe says quietly. Her cheeks a birght red hue; the result of her earlier crying and the alcohol which has begun to have it's effect. "Assholes. The explosions always look so small."
[01:41] <Australis_3-1> "You three okay...?" She asks as she begins walking numbly along the cleared line to the barracks.
[01:43] * Cavalier_3-4 follos along, glancing at Phebe, speaking in a distinctly calmer voice "...Yeah. I'm fine. Just...not a whole lot to talk about now."
[01:45] <Avalanche_1-2> "Yeah, by reading collection's fucked though. Good thing I left most of it with a friend back at college."
[01:46] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha nods grimly. In contrast to Phebe, her face looks almost blank, pale. "Just one of those times you hate being stuck on the ground." She covers her mouth as she looks through the rubble. "Just got used to sleeping in that bed too, damn it," she mutters.

[01:49] <Cavalier_3-4> "Shit...what about my quarters?"
[01:51] * Cavalier_3-4 pauses for a moment, as he noticied another broken, smoldering section of the barracks, furrowing his eyebrows "...Of *course* they don't take my plane, but they take the rest of my stuff. Fuck's sakes, it's not like I had much there, but....rrngh."
[01:53] * Australis_3-1 follows Gabriels eyes and curses loudly.
[01:54] <Australis_3-1> "Fucking Belkans..."
[01:55] * Cavalier_3-4 sighs and shakes his head. "...Well. No use crying over spilled milk, anyway. Guess we'll have to check with the people that didn't have their stuff totaled."
[01:56] * Australis_3-1 turns away from the collapsed wing that held her room and faces Gabriel directly. "You want help digging what you can out, kid?" she asks dully.
[01:57] * Cavalier_3-4 pauses for a moment, before shaking his head again "...No. Don't bother. I'd rather we all got some much needed rest at this point, Boss."
[01:58] <BabaYaga_2-1> Half expecting to return to a rock pile, Sascha's surprised to find most of her room is still intact. The room itself looks livable, though it looks like one of the nearby explosions was enough to knock the legs off the foot of the bed, setting it askew. Still, mostly usable. Also on the ground, a picture of her and her grandfather. She picks it up and stares at it for a moment before setting
[01:58] <BabaYaga_2-1> it down on the dresser and heads back to the hallway. "What's your status, guys? Talk to me."
[01:59] <Cavalier_3-4> "Apogee quarters seem to have been totaled, Baba."
[02:00] * Australis_3-1 puts a hand on the wall and takes a short swig from the bottle in her left hand to steady herself before nodding in agreement with Cav.

[02:02] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Shit. Well, my room's still here. If you can salvage a bed, or something close enough, there's enough room to fit one or two more in there if you don't mind the company. Not that I think we're gonna have a choice, looking at all this."
[02:03] <Cavalier_3-4> "Doubt we'll have one, yeah."
[02:04] <Australis_3-1> "You gunna bunk with Av' then Kid?" Phebe asks while still looking at the ground and leaning on the wall with her right hand.
[02:05] <Cavalier_3-4> "Not sure. Was thinking of asking Patch about it, actually. Someone needs to keep an eye on that suicidal bastard."
[02:06] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'm assuming Frostbite and Drider'll be fighting over me when they turn up," Yuki chuckles
[02:06] <BabaYaga_2-1> "I'd appreciate it if you did, Cav. I don't know what he's thinking. He usually has more sense than that."
[02:07] * Australis_3-1 seals the bottle in her left hand back up and stands up straight. "You just make sure you're not up all night looking for him, we need you at your best." She says, her slurred Rs serving to highlight the hypocrisy of the statement.
[02:09] <Australis_3-1> "I'm gonna check out my bunk, see what I can salvage. Wont be more than 20 minutes."
[02:11] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Keep your wits about you. No telling if the structure's totally secure until we can get inspectors in here." Sascha glances at her hands, still covered in grime from the hangar, and she grimaces. "God, I hope we still have water."

[02:14] * Cavalier_3-4 gives Baba a nod "Well..I'll go look for him right now, then. You folk take care for a bit. I'll try not to be *too* long, Boss."
[02:15] * Cavalier_3-4 would give Australis, Baba and Avalanche a brief wave, before jogging on over outside the barracks to drag a suicidal Belkan bastard around.
[02:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Good luck, Cav. Stay safe."
[02:18] * Australis_3-1 hands Sascha her bottle of whiskey and wanders off toward her bunk, swaying in the wind as she does so.
[02:18] * Drider_1-3 crawls out from a pile of rubble
[02:19] <Drider_1-3> "What'd I miss guys?"
[02:21] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha just stares at David for a moment before handing him the bottle. "Just take this, and watch your step." She sighs, then goes back to her room to try and get some rest.
[02:21] * Australis_3-1 screams and trips over the emerging pilot. "Jesus fuck crap aah!" She slurs from the ground.
[02:25] <Australis_3-1> "God damn zombie..." Phebe rolls over and kicks lightly at Drider. She pauses for a second, and looks at the ground. "...You, urr, you okay?"
[02:34] * Australis_3-1 nudges drider with her foot again, and looks in the direction of her bombed out bunk. "Ah, fuck it..." she says quietly, and stands up to head back to Sascha's bunk.
[02:38] * Australis_3-1 makes it three steps before pausing. "Nope, blankets..." she whispers sadly before turning around and heading toward the ruins instead.