Prime Chance

Operation Prime Chance

June 2nd, 1995
South Belka
Range - Short
Difficulty - Easy
Payout - 150,000


With Hoffnung destroyed, the main supply of munitions to the Belkan frontline is from the City of Sudentor, a heavily fortified fortress of a city. So far, missions to strike directly at it have been met with failure and high loss of life. However, in order for the munitions to reach the Waldreich mountains, they must be shipped by rail or river towards the front lines. It is impossible for Belkan forces, spread thin as they are, to adequately defend these supply lines. Our target for today is a railbridge central to these efforts. Destroying this bridge will both interrupt the transport by rail, as well as hopefully cause navigation hazards with the riverine transport. Expect light resistance, but maintain your guard.

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14[18:52] <~Valetni> Following the ordeal of sitting in the briefing room (with broken AC) on an abnormally hot June day, it's almost a relief as you step outside. At the very least, now there's a breeze. The airbase is as busy as it always is, even early as it is. Your planes, well prepped by your groundcrews, sit waiting for you outside their respective hangars.

[18:54] <Cleansweep> "Don't worry, people. So long as I survive, we will stand victorious!" Vogler exclaimed with a supremely encouraging voice to those he already considered his lowly underlings as he made his way towards his craft.
[18:57] <GhostRider_3-2> "Good to know, hon. Nice to see some enthusiasm 'round these parts; folks've been awful glum so far." Rogers laughs as she slips on her helmet and swings herself up into the cockpit. She gives her ground crew a friendly wave and starts running through her pre-flight checklist in her head.
[18:58] <EverGreen> "Well that works for me, if we run out of bombs and you are still alive feel free to do a kamikaze run against the bridge and take one for the team, now, were are the planes?"

14[19:00] <~Valetni> The three planes, two F-105Ds and a Mirage are clearly visible in front of their hangars. Behind the Large F-105s, the small mirage is somewhat hidden.

[19:03] <Cleansweep> "Work harder, minions! I must get into the air to carry the day to victory!" the disgraced noble commanded the groundcrew of his hangar as he seated himself in his cockpit.

14[19:04] <~Valetni> A collection of dirty looks is the response as the groundcrew nevertheless hurries through prepping the F-105 for flight.

[19:04] <GhostRider_3-2> "Might wanna be a little nicer to the fine folks keeping you flyin', fella. Just so you know."
06[19:07] * EverGreen sits on his plane after doing the pre flight check ups "Uh yeah looks fine, now where is the Mirage manual..."
[19:09] <Cleansweep> "Feh, in Belka, we would have already whipped them into proper shape."
[19:12] <GhostRider_3-2> Amy just laughs into her radio as the other planes come online. "Where I come from we keep that kinda thing to ourselves. Kinda weird to talk about it in polite company, ain't it?"
[19:13] <Cleansweep_3-3> "I am being polite! I let them know that they can be improved if only they allow a proper hand to guide them!"
[19:32] <GhostRider_3-2> "Well, hows about you just let me guide you for now and you can sort it out with them when we get back down? This is Ghost Rider, Apogee 2, taking off." The Thunderchief's engine rumbles as it pushes the plane forward onto the runway, and roars as it rockets into the sky.
[19:36] <Cleansweep_3-3> "So long as you remain in front to take most of the incoming fire, I am quite fine with that." came the reply with a generous smile before Vogler's own craft was kicked into gear and took off.
06[19:37] * Evergreen_3-4 taxis his plane to the runway while cramming the last pages of the manual "Apogee 4, read to take off"

14[19:40] <~Valetni> With the three of you in the air, you form up into a loose, shaky formation as you head north. For this mission, you will be assisted and directed by the AEW&C aircraft 'Huntmaster', which had taken off much earlier in deference to its much lower top speed. You should meet up just priot to arriving at the target area.


[19:46] <GhostRider_3-2> "Gonna have to have a word with our boss about leaving me to do all the work," Amy mutters under her breath as she checks her instruments. "Looks like we're all in the air alright for now though. Evergreen, you holding out alright back there? Sounded like you were having some trouble."
[19:48] <Evergreen_3-4> "Uhm yeah I think, I don't see any red light so I should be fine. I'm not used to these jet planes, props are much better we should buy a couple"
[19:48] <Cleansweep_3-3> "When it comes to the acquisition of monetary funds for the greater cause of mine, rest assured that you will be honored for taking the brunt of the gruntwork, woman!"
[19:51] <Evergreen_3-4> "Are you sure this is the best way to make money Cleansweep, aren't you a noble why don't you, don't know, take the money of some peasants, flying is a dangerous job"
[19:54] <Cleansweep_3-3> "I do have SOME standards still, you know. It is a poor landlord that robs his own underlings. It also comes with an even poorer amassing of fame, which leads to a disproportionally higher acquisition of riches, I will have you know." came the slightly miffed reply of the belkan.
[19:55] <GhostRider_3-2> "We're... We're not buyin' any prop fighters, hon. For one thing, I don't think you'd even make it to the battlefield that way." Rogers shakes her head at the discussion taking place behind her. "I'm a little more interested in what YOU'RE doin' here, Evergreen. Seems to me you didn't even wanna come on this little hootenanny we got here."
[19:59] <Evergreen_3-4> "Oh no is fine, much better than back in the farms, flying over the same plantations every week, I like the sights up here more also the extra money is always welcome"

14[20:02] <~Valetni> "Apogee flight, this is Huntmaster. I have you on radar, 3 planes, approaching from 180 relative. Confirm please."
14[20:02] <~Valetni> A voice breaks over your radios, interrupting you.

[20:03] <GhostRider_3-2> "I copy you, Huntmaster, this is Apogee here. How can we help you out today?"

14[20:04] <~Valetni> "I understand we are going for a bridge today." Huntmaster replies. "Belkans haven't quite figured out they've been beat, so we're here to prevent any surprise parties." Is the reply.

[20:08] <GhostRider_3-2> "Never known a Belkan who could throw a party right," Amy replies chipperly, knowing full well that Cleansweep can hear her. "I don't guess they'll have left that bridge all neat and undefended for us, though, huh?"

14[20:09] <~Valetni> "Aww, well you know how those belkans are, always making us work for things...Hold one." There's a moment of silence.

[20:09] <Cleansweep_3-3> "As is only proper..." came a slight, nigh-unhearable mumbling.

14[20:10] <~Valetni> "Did you send out the invitations already, Apogee? We're picking up two interceptors, closing in at high speed from dead ahead." Huntermaster informs you.

[20:12] <GhostRider_3-2> "Ah, hell. Looks like we're gonna be fashionably late to this one. All planes, eyes up, we're about to have company."
[20:13] <Cleansweep_3-3> "Lowly mongrels, no doubt. Flying funds, I like it!"
[20:14] <Evergreen_3-4> "Aye GhostRider" jorge checks his radar "I'll try to intercept them with my missiles before they get too close"

14[20:21] <~Valetni> "We mark them at 40 klicks from you, high rate of speed, medium altitude. Looks like someone kicked the hornets nest." Hunstmaster says. "One second... Looks like these are F-5s." He says.

[20:24] <GhostRider_3-2> "Yeesh. Well, they say the best way to fend off a tiger is by getting face-to-face with them. Moving in to engage," Rogers replies as moves her plane forth to close the distance to their enemies.
06[20:27] * Evergreen_3-4 follows her while keeping an eye on his radar "Well that was fast, I hope they don't have AAs too"
[20:28] <Cleansweep_3-3> "If it has to be..." came a grunt from Vogler as he got in line.

14[20:34] <~Valetni> Thundering ahead, you cut through the midday skies, still below the clouds. Soon enough, two blips appear at the very edge of your radar scopes. Simultaneously, your Radar Homing and Warning gear alerts you to the fact that you are in enemy radar range.

[20:47] <GhostRider_3-2> "We're being targeted. Time for a shootout!" Ghost Rider fiddles with her controls, punching them in frustration. "Ah, damn cheap piece of- can't get a lock! Evergreen, Cleansweep, fire at will, take 'em down!"
06[20:54] * Evergreen_3-4 tries to keep his distance "I-I'm trying I can't get a lock, let me try to...Oh no that didn't work. Where did you guys got these planes?"
[20:55] <Cleansweep_3-3> Using all his overflowingly perceived air-superiority and perception skills, Vogler successfully manages to utterly fail at locking onto any discernible foe. "Just as I have planned, for certain the foe is now intimidated and confused before our might!"

14[20:57] <~Valetni> The two F-5s continue to bore in, armed with only close range air to air IR missiles, they intend to merge. The twin cannons in the nose make them formidable fighters in the merge, best taken care of from longer range.

[21:08] <GhostRider_3-2> The utterly obsolete radar suite installed in Ghost Rider's F-105D continues to fail even at this range. "Damn thing! Just fire something!" In frustration, she fires the machine gun at the incoming enemy planes, but the shot goes wide and misses.
06[21:12] * Evergreen_3-4 after seeing the uther failure that these knock off missiles are decide to use his plane's guns and still misses "Damn this is tricky, let me...let me try again..."
[21:13] <GhostRider_3-2> "Get ready to evade, this is going to be close!"
[21:19] <Cleansweep_3-3> "Witness me, mongrels, and be amazed." Vogler exclaims with vigor as he gains the lock-on, firing away the missile with grace and elegance as only a belkan of his caliber could.

14[21:21] <~Valetni> The standard missile rolls off the rail of the heavy strike aircraft, shooting towards the nimble point defense fighter. The lead F-5E hauls back on the stick, ejecting a trail of flares and chaff, but is unable to evade the missile that slams into the belly of his plane. The small plane erupts into a black and orange fireball against the blue sky.
14[21:22] <~Valetni> "We have a confirmed kill on radar." Huntmaster adds, as if the visual evidence on the enemy pilots demise was not enough.

[21:22] <Cleansweep_3-3> "As is proper." chuckles the Cleansweep, leaning back in his pilot-seat.
[21:23] <GhostRider_3-2> "Criminey!" Ghost Rider exclaims at the hit. She... honestly wasn't expecting competence from either of the other two pilots.
[21:24] <Evergreen_3-4> "Well that was...something, well done Cleansweep"
[21:24] <Cleansweep_3-3> "Try to keep up, minions."

14[21:27] <~Valetni> The remaining F-5 pulls a hard turn, trying to get lined up on the tail of the F-105D piloted by Ghost Rider. It bleeds energy, as the more maneuverable plane attempts to get nose to tail for a gunshot or a heatseeker kill.

[21:30] <GhostRider_3-2> "Not gonna get me, damn you!" Amy grumbles as she pulls her plane around to one side, then twists it back to the other side to feint the enemy plane. The heavy workhorse of the F-105D isn't exactly a ballerina in the skies but at this range it's good enough to get away from the other plane... and stall out into a nosedive. The F-105 plummets toward the ground as Amy fights it to bring it
[21:30] <GhostRider_3-2> out of the spin.
06[21:37] * Evergreen_3-4 tries to tail the F-5 but his guns can't align and all his rounds miss the target "Argh I'll get it next time"
[21:39] <Cleansweep_3-3> Deciding that it was again time to show his superior understanding of diversive tactics, Vogler haphazardly launched every weapon at his disposal with the clear goal of never hitting anything. No enemy would ever expected such a course of action, no doubt.
[21:43] <Cleansweep_3-3> Stroking his moustache, he calmly commented for the intercom "Everything is going as planned."

14[21:44] <~Valetni> With Ghost Rider out of the picture for now, the F-5E attempts to turn in on the most dangerous foe, Cleansweep. However, the F-105D is not so easy a target as it seems, and the pilot seems to nearly depart from controlled flight.

[21:49] <GhostRider_3-2> Ghost Rider pulls at her controls, fighting to get her nose back up. Finally, the plane starts to steady out, and it starts to slowly climb back up again. "Phew! Damn, think I prefer my rodeos on the ground!"
[21:50] <Cleansweep_3-3> "I am certain you are used to rough rides, woman." came the arrogant laughter of Konrad.
06[21:54] * Evergreen_3-4 continues with his little circus "Well...This isn't working"
[21:54] <GhostRider_3-2> "Remind me to introduce you to some of the carival folks I used to run with, Cleansweep. Think they'd take a shine to that attitude of yours," she responds with an only slightly forced cheerful attitude.
[21:57] <Cleansweep_3-3> Grin broadening to a gleeful smirk, Vogler turned to take another volley at the enemy. Having initiated a diversive maneuver prior to breathtaking success, he decided it was now time to reap the benefits of his impeccable masterplan.
[21:58] <Cleansweep_3-3> Locking onto the remaining plane with ease befitting one of his lofty status, he let lose two perfectly aimed missiles.
[21:58] <Cleansweep_3-3> "You can thank me later, minions."

14[21:58] <~Valetni> The two IR missiles lock onto the biggest source of heat in front of their little seeker heads. The F-5A engines. Ignoring the line of flares the belkan plane spits out, both missiles home in on the tailpipe. With a one-two punch, the F-5A is ripped apart.
14[21:59] <~Valetni> "Radar scope is clear, all interceptors confirmed down." Huntmaster lets you down. "That bridge'll be a walk in the park after this, Apogee."

[22:02] <Cleansweep_3-3> "Now then, let us finish this, my slighty-incompetent-if-goodwilling compatriots."
[22:05] <GhostRider_3-2> "Yep, reckon we've got us a bridge to sink. All planes form up, we're on our way."
[22:05] <GhostRider_3-2> Finally back up in the air and flying steady, Ghost Rider's F-105D turns back in the direction of the target zone.
[22:06] <Cleansweep_3-3> Arrogant smile never leaving his visage, Cleansweep took into the formation beside her.

14[22:07] <~Valetni> With the interceptors dealt with, it's only a short time until you're in sight of the target area. A broad, swift moving river leads you to your target. The span is maybe 100ft across, but narrow, with only two sets of tracks. It'll be difficult to damage the bridge with only near misses. A direct hit will be necessary.

[22:07] <Evergreen_3-4> "Uh sorry GhostRider I got his tail but couldn't take him down, I'll try to do better next time"
[22:19] <GhostRider_3-2> "Hey, don't sweat it kiddo. So long as we all make it back that's all that matters, ain't it?" Amy laughs as they approach the bridge. "Now, let me take care of this one so we can all go home, yeah? Starting my run." The plane dips to low altitude, and as soon as she nears the site, Amy pulls the release for the 750lb unguided bombs on her plane's underside, and three of them release toward
[22:19] <GhostRider_3-2> the structure below.

14[22:20] <~Valetni> The first two bombs make nice, ballistic arcs towards the bridge, slamming into the span and causing it to shudder, blowing large holes that allow you to see the water below, but failing to drop the bridge. The 3rd bomb bumps one of the unreleased 3 and wobbles, cleanly missing the target.

[22:29] <Evergreen_3-4> after seeing GhostRaider aproach Evergreen decides to try his luck and do as her "Ok let me try this" he slow downs his plane and get as close as posible and drop his two 1000kg bombs "Ok I'm letting them go" after that he pulls up and try to run as far as posible from the blast

14[22:35] <~Valetni> The two 1000kg bombs whistle through the air as they drop towards the bridge. The twin direct impacts result in not only large clouds of concrete dust, but waterspouts as well. The blast wave can be clearly felt, as it buffets the plane even as it climbs away. When the smoke and dust finally clears, the entire center section of the bridge is gone, presumably drooped into the waters below.

[22:36] <GhostRider_3-2> "Yeehaw, nice hit, kid!" Ghost Rider pumps her fist in the air and laughs. "Great work!"
[22:37] <Cleansweep_3-3> "About time you made yourself useful."
[22:38] <Evergreen_3-4> "Yeah that should do for now" he looks at his radar "Looks like we are safe, should we return to the base?"
[22:39] <GhostRider_3-2> "Hows about it, Huntmaster? Are we good to go?" Amy calls over the radio to their support unit.

14[22:40] <~Valetni> "Huntmaster here," The radio crackles back to life. "I'm willing to call that a mission complete. You guys head on home.
[22:43] <GhostRider_3-2> "Roger that, Huntmaster, this is Apogee, returning to base. Let's get on back home, boys."