/ACEG/ RPG Session 5(1) Round Tablin'

Mission 3:
April 17th 1995
B7R Patrol
Operation Clean Sweep.

Penetration/Combat Air Patrol of the B7R Airspace



14[19:02] <Valetni> "Remember Clover, Basilisk, we're a long way from home so try not to get shot down! Be careful!" The worried voice of Spirit Guide rings in your ears as you fly above the ruddy red and brown terrain of B7R. The Round Table. Your two flights have split up, with Clover approaching from the West, and Basilisk from the East.

[19:03] <Frostbite_1-1> "I have no plans of being shot down again. Clover team do you hear me?"
[19:04] <Patchwork_2-3> "Not my first time flying here, Spirit Guide. Although it will be interesting seeing the Round Table from the other side, so to speak."
[19:04] <Drider_1-4> "Loud and clear, Clover 1... the Round Table..."
[19:04] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Same here, Spirit Guide. Basilisk isn't losing anyone today. Everyone stick to your wingman and watch your backs."
[19:05] <Avalanche_1-2> "I don't remember Arthur's knights fighting at the table, strangely enough."
[19:05] <Bayshiftermobile> "Roger that!"

14[19:05] <Valetni> "I'll be providing Radar Support and e-enemy communication intercepts, just like last time. You guys can count on me!" Spirit Guide continues.

[19:06] <Drider_1-4> "You mean don't remember the tales of Lancelot firing peas from his spoon beyond visual range?"
[19:06] <Patchwork_2-3> "Just pray that we do not run into any of the Knights. And if we do, don't bother engaging. Just try to get out alive. Well a suggestion, not an order. Lead gives the orders."
[19:08] <Drider_1-4> "Well thanks for the support, Spirit Guide, I don't know where we'd be without you."
[19:09] <Patchwork_2-3> "Knowing you Dave, probably lost and flying over some Sapin vineyard."
[19:10] <Drider_1-4> "Eh, if I'm not in a heap on the runway that's probably pretty accurate..."
[19:10] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha exhales slowly at Spirit Guide's promise, but steels her resolve. This won't be a pretty fight. There's no such thing in a war. But at the end of the day, this fight will push one step further to the end of it all. And for now, her mission is to make sure her team makes it to that point. She's seen what happens when you lose sight of yourself in the air - Ivan's episode showed her
[19:10] <BabaYaga_2-1> that. That can't happen when other lives are in her hands. Not today. "Affirmative, Patch. I don't want anyone falling down on the job. I can't afford another visit from Crow to save us again."

14[19:10] <Valetni> "Basilisk, it looks like the F-4Es are paired up and patrolling, you're about seventy klicks out. They should be picking you up on radar momentarily." Spirit Guide says.

[19:11] <Avalanche_1-2> "Thanks, Spirit Guide. You know what to do, Basilisk."

14[19:11] <Valetni> "Clover, the MiGs are sticking together, they're probably going to swarm you as soon as they detect you. You should be picking them up on radar shortly."

[19:12] <Frostbite_1-1> "Roger that Spirit Guide. Drider, Avalanche you know the plan."
[19:12] <Drider_1-4> "Roger that."
[19:12] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Roger that, Spirit Guide. Everyone, be on watch. Keep your wits about you and stay together. Patch, make sure you take advantage of that ECM. Bay, stick with me. We do this right, we'll put Clover to shame."
[19:17] <Bayshiftermobile> "You got that right. Come o- I mean, standing by Baba"
[19:19] <Patchwork_2-3> "Understood lead, although I would be happy with surviving this, and less shaming Clover. Pick and choose our battles, yes?"

14[19:24] <Valetni> "Basilisk, t-the F-4Es have picked you up! Two F-4Es heading for e-element one, two F-4Es heading for element two!"
14[19:25] <Valetni> "The MiG-21s are in a holding pattern, they don't seem to have taken the bait." Spirit Guide elaborates.

[19:25] <Frostbite_1-1> "Well we can't always be lucky."

14[19:29] <Valetni> The medium range radars of Clover flight pick up four blips on Radar as you approach to medium range. Unaware of your presence, the four MiGs continue to fly in formation.

[19:29] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Understood, Spirit Guide. On your toes, Basilisk. Let's not disappoint our dance partners." She smirks to herself as she adds, "Eagleclaw, be sure not to hurt your back this time. I won't be as nice about it a second time." Her hands stay steady on the control, and she keeps an eye on her sensors to keep track of the incoming planes.
[19:30] <Frostbite_1-1> "Avalanche, Drider. The MiGs are still here but they haven't picked us up yet. Make your shots count."
[19:30] <Drider_1-3> "Roger that, you ready Avalanche?"
[19:30] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Laughing Ivan responds, "Won't need to flight lead we all know Belkans can't dance. Isn't that right, Patch?"
[19:31] <Patchwork_2-3> "Ever hear of blue on blue fire, Ivan?"
[19:31] <Avalanche_1-2> "Roger, let's drop em before they can react!"
[19:31] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Judging by your Air Combat top score I'd like to see you try, Patch."
[19:42] <Avalanche_1-2> "If the next time I talk to those grease monkeys at base, if they tell me these are the best missiles they can strap onto this thing, I'm mounting them to my hardpoints instead."
[19:44] <Drider_1-3> "This is where the fun begins..." states Drider, as he locks on to an unsuspecting MiG
[19:45] <Drider_1-3> "This is Drider, Fox 1."
06[19:46] * Drider_1-3 focuses on the target as the Sparrow streaks across the Table to his target

[19:51] <Frostbite_1-1> "Let's move in Clover!"
[19:52] <Bayshiftermobile> Quentin gets pretty nervous as he's headed toward the battle. Since training back home, he's never been in a dogfight.
[19:53] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki keeps the throttle up, speeding into engagement range.
[19:55] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Remember, Bay, don't fight the controls. Steady hands, calm mind. Wait for my command to fire. If we're lucky, we won't even need to get close enough for you to do anything." Sascha's hands remain firm on the throttle as she closes distance to her targets.
[19:56] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch follows Ivan once more, matching speed deftly -  slightly amused at being the wingman to the Yuktobanian once more, otherwise calm and prepared for combat.

14[19:57] <Valetni> "Clover, t-the MiGs finally clued in that they're being locked onto, they're breaking and diving!"

[20:03] <Avalanche_1-4_> "I'm going to throttle the quartermaster for lying to me about these missiles."
06[20:05] * Drider_1-3 carefully manuevers to keep his target centered in front of him, guiding his ordnance home

14[20:06] <Valetni> Despite the best attempts of the MiG-21, by the time he begins evading, it's already too late. The Sparrow missile slams into the cylindrical plane just behind the trailing edge of the wing, splitting it into two as the pieces tumble out of the skin in a fireball. There's no chute.

14[20:06] <Valetni> "Confirmed kill for Drider!" Spirit Guide cheers.
[20:06] <Frostbite_1-1> "Nice kill!"
[20:07] <Drider_1-3> "Ooh, tough luck for that guy, thanks for the confirmation Spirit Guide."
[20:07] <Drider_1-3> "That's sure to stir up the hornet's nest..."
[20:08] <Avalanche_1-4_> Yuki pushes forward again, growing restless to engage.
[20:08] <Frostbite_1-1> "Avalanche it's time to get our kills too." Gerald said as his MiG moved towards the enemy fighters
[20:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Shit, they're sharp, these ones." Sascha keeps a close eye on her sensors, readying herself for evasive actions. "They're locked on me. Stay alert and get ready to move, Bay!"
[20:16] <Patchwork_2-3> "Alright Eagle, I can see them and they can see us. I hope you can take them out before they get any closer. Maintaining speed with you."
[20:30] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sweat beads on Sascha's forehead as she gets tone on the enemy plane targeting her, her finger instantly pulling the trigger. It'll be a contest of will - if she maintains the lock, she won't be able to evade. But the other pilot might blink first. And that's a chance she's going to take.
[20:37] <BabaYaga_2-1> In the meantime, she ejects her drop tank, just in case.

[20:44] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Ivan radios back to Patch, "Leave it to me, Patch just let me get a lock." Ivan's radar drones. "Okay I have a lock on one. Stay close with that ECM, friend." Ivan pulls the trigger. "Basilisk-2 engaging!" Ivan sends out an R-23 from his MiG to one of the targets.
[20:45] <Patchwork_2-3> "I'll stay close, but I've been locked on to. Still, my priority is seeing the flight safe. You will have your ECM cover Ivan. Make it worth it."

[20:57] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki launches all 4 missiles, but they proceed to ignore the massive group of MiG's in favor of the ground.
[20:57] <Avalanche_1-2> "These missiles fucking blow!"
[20:58] <Frostbite_1-1> "You should've saved a few of them. Now the MiGs are all mine!"

14[20:59] <Valetni> The solitary AIM-4G that tracks homes in on the hot tailpipe of the MiG-21 and explodes, sending the enemy plane down towards the ground, trailing a thick stream of black smoke. After a few minutes, a white canopy appears as the pilot ejects from his stricken aircraft.

[21:00] <Frostbite_1-1> "Well at least you got one Avalanche."
[21:02] <Avalanche_1-2> "Well, I don't want let people down. But I don't wanna see anyone going for ejected pilots."
[21:22] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Patch keep me covered I gotta hold this lock." Ivan's missile warning increases its frequency. "This is no good. It's too risky I have to break off." Ivan breaks off trashing his R-23.
[21:44] <Patchwork_2-3> "Patchwork, Fox Two." Patch is calm as he gets his lock, two missiles leaving smoke trails, his craft slightly shuddering as they launched.

14[21:45] <Valetni> Streaking towards the offending F-4E, they collide with its nose, knocking it out of the sky with a one-two punch. The warning alarms in Patchwork's cockpit suddenly cut out as the Radar guiding the missile to its target is destroyed.
14[21:54] <Valetni> Despite Eagle's cowardly flight from the game of chicken, his maneuvers are not enough to shake his attacker. The Sparrow Missile that had been guided for the last few seconds slams into him, followed shortly by another, fortunately smaller missile.

[21:57] <Bayshiftermobile> "Damn! Eagles been hit!" Quentin shouts into the radio
[21:57] <Patchwork_2-3> "Hit twice, actually."
[21:58] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Dammit, Patch. What are you doing back there? I can't hold it together."
[21:59] <Patchwork_2-3> "We successfully eliminated one target. If need be, I can attempt to engage the other and draw attention from you, Ivan. As it is you are alive, try to hold on- no panic, just focus and contain any fear you might have."
[22:00] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "How did this happen?! Our jets are better than theirs!"
[22:02] <Patchwork_2-3> "Dwelling on it will not help you focus. Your plane is still flying and you are still alive. Focus on that and you may survive the Round Table."
[22:09] <Bayshiftermobile> "Come on old man, you can do this."

[22:09] <BabaYaga_2-1> Any witty quip about the quality of Eagleclaw's MiG are lost as Sascha realizes her opponent isn't going to break off - the fact that they fired first gave them the advantage from the start after all. "Shit! Evading!" She pulls the controls back harshly, twisting the plane so hard she can almost feel it wanting to give out on her, to stall. But she pushes the thrust out as far as she can
[22:09] <BabaYaga_2-1> and levels it out just in time to avoid a stall, just as the enemy missile streaks past her.  Unfortunately, her own shot is trashed. "Damn it... Eagle, you're still alive in there, right?"
[22:11] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Y-yeah... don't worry. You know how they make jets in the m-motherland. Like tanks I tell y-you!"

14[22:13] <Valetni> "Eagleclaw, are you Alright?" Spirit Guide asks worriedly.

[22:14] <Frostbite_1-1> "Just die already!" Gerald said pursuing the enemy MiG. He couldn't lock on with his regular missile, he ended up firing both of his R-3s and the bastard have managed to shake him off before he could hit him with his guns.
[22:14] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Ivan sweating looking around at his instruments responds nervously, "Y-yeah don't worry about me. This old man has lived through worse..."
[22:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Eagleclaw," Sascha says, her heart still racing from that close call. "I'm serious. If you don't think you can keep flying safely, return to base."
[22:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "We'll cover your escape"
[22:16] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "And leave your rookies out here alone? I couldn't live with myself if something happened to all of you."
[22:17] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Fine. But I'm not helping you up if you fall down this time, old man. Take them out, and take them out fast. Don't let them get you again."
[22:18] <Avalanche_1-2> "I'll take down as many as I can!"
[22:18] <Avalanche_1-2> Yuki holds the weasel steady, locking onto firing after one of the planes

14[22:22] <Valetni> The MiG explodes in a shower of metal parts as Yuki and his F-4 live up to their title as the leading distributor of MiG parts.

[22:34] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Son of a bitch I have one on my six. I've already taken too much damage I can't shake him."
[22:35] <Bayshiftermobile> Meanwhile, Quentin is being pursued by an enemy F-4. The F-4 fires a sparrow, Quentin braces, and evades the Missile. He succeds. "Holy shit!" However, another missile is fired and it hits him. "I'm hit" he exclaims, as his plane buckles wildly.
[22:37] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch takes a slight breath, getting the confirmation tone of a lock on and firing, his aircraft shuddering once again as his remaining missiles fly out in a plume of smoke.
[22:37] <Patchwork_2-3> "Patchwork, Fox Two."
[22:40] <Bayshiftermobile> "Hit on target, but that fucker's still up."

14[22:41] <Valetni> The missile homes in on the rear of the F-4E as it swoops in on Eagleclaw's defenceless and crippled plane. When the smoke clears, the F-4E has one engine out and most of the tail gone. Laboriously, it breaks off and begins a slow and careful descent, disengaging from the fight.
14[22:48] <Valetni> Bayshifter's two missile shots are trashed as the F-4E easily evades them, a clear contrast between the original Phantom and the upgraded air to air one.

[22:56] <BabaYaga_2-1> Meanwhile, Sascha pulls her plane back around to get aimed at the plane taking shots at Bayshifter. As soon as she gets tone, she looses two missiles, aiming to disable to plane as quickly as possible. "Fox 2! Fox 2!"
[22:56] <BabaYaga_2-1> Two missiles loose from the plane at the F-4E.

14[22:57] <Valetni> The sole missile that tracks manages to clip the wings of the F-4E, blowing off 2/3rds of the left wing. The plane, leaking fuel, goes into a spin that takes the pilot several thousand feet to recover from, putting him out of the fight for the time being as he attempts to keep his craft in the air.

[23:02] <Bayshiftermobile> Quentin sees the tailing f4 break off. He says "Thanks for the support Sascha"
[23:05] <Frostbite_1-1> Gerald was frustrated. This MiG was proving to be more trouble than what he ended up using on it. Maybe the last mission took more of a toll on him then he realised. I just need to calm down, Gerald thought to himself. He took a deep breath. He almost had the lock. Just a little close, closer. He got the lock. "Now! Gerald said firing his last missile at the MiG.
[23:06] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Don't relax yet, one more to go!"

14[23:06] <Valetni> Finally, a good lock. Although the MiG pilot spots the missile at the last moment, he's too late to prevent the inevitable. His MiG is consumed in a fireball that trails to the rocky ground below.

[23:08] <Patchwork_2-3> "This is Patchwork, I am bingo on missiles. Requesting permission to RTB, lead."
[23:08] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Roger that. Take Eagleclaw with you. That's an order."
[23:09] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Are you crazy?! And leave you out here?"
[23:09] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Me and Bay can handle one plane. Go. You'll have a hard enough time landing that wreck as it is."
[23:09] <Patchwork_2-3> "Understood lead. Eagle, on me - I'll keep an eye on the radar."
[23:10] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Ivan takes a deep breath "...okay just stay alert. Roger that, Patch. I'm on your six."
[23:11] <Patchwork_2-3> "Eagle, bad goes to worse you should dump the plane. No need to have you survive this, only to die in a burning heap of metal."
[23:11] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Not with the debt I'm in. I need to bring this thing back in one piece."

14[23:13] <Valetni> The final F-4E pulls up, rolling out over the top as it comes in, missiles Racks empty and gun blazing as it goes in for the head on with BabaYaga.

[23:14] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha rolls her plane to try and deflect most of the damage as she closes in, aiming for a tone, but a few bullets still clip her wings.
[23:20] <Bayshiftermobile> Quentin looks quietly at the duel taking place, ready to dive in. "Come on you can do it..."
[23:21] <BabaYaga_2-1> The tone rings out, her finger pulls the trigger, and a missile streaks out of her plane as it races toward her opponent. The guns light up, but the shots go wide.

14[23:23] <Valetni> The F-4E shudders as the missile explodes ahead of it. The plane runs through the black and orange explosion, emerging on the other side streaming smoke from multiple holes in the fuselage. The shattered canopy is ejected, and a single chute emerges from the rear of the cockpit. The F-4E turns once more, Leading edge slats extending to grab air, as the Pilot brings it around once more, determined to finish this matter of honor.

[23:27] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha pulls her plane around as the scenario sinks in. This is a matter of pride for the other pilot, that's the only explanation. There's a sort of instinctual understanding as she closes in on him one more time. This has to be it. This has to finish it. "Bay. Start your return. I'll be right after you." Her voice is calm, and her hands are steady. "Go."
[23:29] <Bayshiftermobile> With a deep exhale, Quentin says "Roger that", but instead, flies to the side, wanting to see the action unfold.
[23:33] <BabaYaga_2-1> "FOX TWO!" One more missile, one more to end it. Sascha's missed gunshots are met with return fire that hits true, and Sascha swears as she pulls her plane out of the way of a dumbfired Sparrow.
[23:34] <Avalanche_1-2> "They're not scrambling Mace flight?"
[23:35] <Bayshiftermobile> "Hey Sascha, you alright?"

14[23:36] <Valetni> The F-4E comes around, cannon already blazing as the Enemy Ace empties the last of his ammo in a long pull of the trigger, pumping out round after round of ammo into the F-16. The Big Fighter rolls as it approaches, and with belly to the sky, releases the two remaining sparrows recessed there on a ballistic path towards BabaYaga, sending them streaking by either side of her cockpit.
14[23:37] <Valetni> The price of course, for this maneuver, is the inability to evade the missile launched by Sascha. Having forgone his earlier opportunity to bail out, the foolishly brave pilot rides his burning plane down to the ground below, where a column of smoke marks his grave.

[23:38] <Drider_1-3> "I dunno Avalanche, I guess we got off lucky today, wish I could say the same about Basilsk"

14[23:39] <Valetni> "This is Spirit Guide, I show scope clear." Spirit Guide cuts in.

[23:40] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha pulls her plane around in time to see the other plane fall, and she watches its trajectory with grim silence. After a moment, she pulls around to follow the others out. "Confirmed, Spirit Guide. All clear. Returning to base."
[23:41] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Let's go home, Bay."

[23:44] <Drider_1-3> "Hey flight lead, we didn't do too bad, did we?
[23:46] <Frostbite_1-1> "Yeah Drider. Let's get out of here Clover."
[23:53] <Frostbite_1-1> Gerald relaxed a bit after getting back to base. The landing was smooth and there wasn't anything wrong with his plane. Aside for the poor dogfight he had, he felt that things went well today.
06[23:59] * Drider_1-3 feels his heart start to race as the runway comes into view, trusting his skills he gently lands "Arachne" without incident. The adrenaline begins to wear off and Dave wipes the sweat from his brow. Grinning, he pops open the canopy and glances at the F-14 painted on the hull of his plane, "Not so alone now are ya?". One step closer to being an ace, Dave dismounts Arachne and heads
06[23:59] * Drider_1-3 off for the debriefing...

[00:01] <Avalanche_1-4> Avalanche gingerly guides his pristine plane onto the runway
[00:02] <BabaYaga_2-1> There's holes in places that shouldn't have holes, and maybe a little more smoke than anyone would like to see coming from the side of a fighter jet, but Sascha's plane still lands without incident, and she limps it to the hangar without further issue. Once it's settled, she takes a moment to process that final duel. Too risky. Shouldn't have done it. Too many people depending on you now.
[00:02] <BabaYaga_2-1> But... there was an undeniable rush of adrenaline. The other pilot must have felt it, too. There's no guilt in her heart as she exits the plane and walks out into the open air. She does cringe at the damage to her plane, but her heart isn't heavy this time.
[00:04] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Ivan lands his damaged MiG and taxis it to the hangar. He slides down the ladder and takes a look at the damage. "You have got to be kidding..." Ivan feels his reaction time slowing down with age. He's not sure how much longer he can avoid being shot down. "...I don't know how much longer I can do this."
[00:05] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch lands gracefully, rolling deftly into the hanger. He stretches lazily, removing his helmet and assisting his WSO out of the EF-4C before patting the side of his plane as one would do to a favorite horse.

[00:07] <Bayshiftermobile> Another day, and his Squad members are still alive, including himself, Quentin thought. He lands his plane with no issue, disembarks it, and starts headed his way.
[00:12] <Avvie> Yuki finally allows himself to get excited that he managed to take down an Ace.
[00:14] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch enters the barracks, returning sometime later, looking rather fresher than before as he slips on his bomber jacket and hits the O Club.
[00:16] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha stays with her ground crew for a few minutes, apologizing profusely for the state of her plane, and discussing what repairs need to happen. Once everything is finally straight, she heads off for the barracks to decompress, sparing a glance at Ivan's plane on the way. The sight is about as far from pretty as the backside of a Yuktobanian cow.
[00:16] * Cavalier_3-4 shall find his way (and potentially not force) into the hangars of the recently arrived flights, wearing a brown winter jacket with a large ammount of fuzz along it's collar, piping up in a cheerful tone "Eeey!"
[00:16] * Cavalier_3-4 briefly looks around "Boy, I sure hope I didn't come in when it's just the repair crew here."

[00:17] <Avvie> Yuki jokingly chews out the ground crew about the Super Falcons
[00:17] <Avvie> "Hey, might as well just have me shoot the opponents with a pistol!"
[00:18] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch returns from the O Club with a bucket full of ice and brews, heading into the hangar and offering free drinks to the ground crew members and his fellow pilots. "We did good today. Drink up and pray for the enemies that did not survive the battle."
[00:20] * Cavalier_3-4 rests his hands inside his jacket's pockets, glancing at Patchwork as he walks in with a bucket "Heard you guys made it off the Round Table without a single loss. That's pretty impressive."
[00:22] <Patchwork_2-3> "Went better than I expected. No deaths or major injuries. Must have been a quiet patrol for the Belkans." Patch offers Cav a chilled beer. "I'm proud of Basilisk and Clover. Exceptional work was done today."
[00:22] <Bayshiftermobile> "Thanks patchy, good flying out there."
[00:22] * Cavalier_3-4 takes it, nodding at Patch "Sure seems like it. Couple planes seem beat up, but like I'm one to talk...."
[00:22] <Cavalier_3-4> "Cheers mate."
[00:23] <Patchwork_2-3> "Aye, cheers. And as long as you survive and live by your morals every return home is a victory."
[00:23] * Cavalier_3-4 nods in agreement with him, popping open the beer, and sipping from it.

[00:25] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch takes a sip from his own beer, before looking over at Cav. "I heard something about Apogee and Nadir being put through the gauntlet. Everyone survived, I hope?"
[00:25] <Bayshiftermobile> "You got that right. Even though I do feel for my shot up plane ha"
[00:26] <Cavalier_3-4> "...Well, more like Nadir and Me. But, yeah. We made it. Cosmo and I got a few nasty hits, but we're alive."
[00:26] <Cavalier_3-4> "It was mostly just ground support, so."
[00:26] <BabaYaga_2-1> After a little while, Sascha returns from the barracks, wearing simple jeans and a padded winter jacket, classic Yuktobanian make - probably from home. "Hey, you're the new guy, right?" She plucks a drink from Magpie's bucket, "I heard something about that. Were you the guy who had to fly out there alone?"
[00:27] * Cavalier_3-4 glances at Sascha "Well , I still flew by Nadir's side, but yeah."
[00:27] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch nods, offering a beer to Bay. "You did good today, Quentin. Keep it up and you will be a damn fine wingman."

[00:28] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Hey, it's hard out there with a full team. You did good just making it back." She nods to Magpie and Quentin as she says that. "Same goes to you guys. Good work up there."
[00:28] * Cavalier_3-4 chuckles "Making it back on a busted Mig-21."
[00:29] <Cavalier_3-4> "Good to see everyone made it well from this sortie, too."
[00:30] <Patchwork_2-3> Patch nods at Sascha's words. "It's true, Cav. And it's not the plane that matters, it is the pilot. And congratulations on the rather incredible furball you got yourself into, Lead. You've proven yourself a skilled pilot and a skilled leader."

[00:31] * Cavalier_3-4 glances at Sascha "Oh? What'd she get herself into?"
[00:31] <Drider_1-3> "Ah! There you guys are!" exclaims Dave as he bursts in, grabbing a beer, "I could use one of these..."
[00:31] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha cringes. "My condolences, Cavalier. Nobody should have to fly those damn metal coffins." She laughs off Magpie's comment, though she still feels a little grim about it. "Ah, bit of a dogfight with the lead of the enemy flight."
[00:32] <Cavalier_3-4> "Sounds heart-pumping!"
[00:33] <Patchwork_2-3> "Good to see you Dave. Clover doing alright?"
[00:34] <Drider_1-3> "Not a scratch on our planes, surprisingly enough, but that's what you get when you're dealing with Fishbeds."
[00:34] * Cavalier_3-4 grumbles in discontent for a moment, sipping from his beer.
[00:34] * Drider_1-3 takes a swig of his drink, "I think I'm cursed though, not a single pilot I've shot down has lived to tell the tale..."
[00:35] <Patchwork_2-3> "Still, never hurts to be careful. Underestimating an enemy just because of their plane can get you into a coffin, fast."
[00:35] * Cavalier_3-4 glances at Drider "Why'd you want that?"
[00:35] <Bayshiftermobile> "Like you said patch, it's the pilot, you know."
[00:36] <Drider_1-3> "Anyway," he continues, "I'm a bit jealous I couldn't do battle with the enemy's finest, but I'm alive and that's what matters."

[00:36] * Patchwork_2-3 glances over at Sascha. "From what I heard you gave that Ace a warriors demise. Dying to what could be the first non-Belkan knight of the Round Table. And in furious combat no less, yes?"
[00:37] * Drider_1-3 finishes off the bottle, "But man that takes a lot out of you, you're a brave woman, Baba, I'm gonna turn in for now, congrats on the successful mission."
[00:37] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha narrows her eyes at Drider a bit, but keeps civil about it. No reason to bring up their last disussion. "Come on, you're just exaggerating it. There's no reason to turn a frantic scramble into some tall tale."
[00:38] <Bayshiftermobile> "Oh, and thanks for taking that guy off my tail Sascha. Almost forgot to mention it." Quentin yawns once more. "Well, I'll see you guys later. Gonna take a nap before our debrief."
[00:38] * Drider_1-3 waves them goodbye as he heads to the barracks, not before snatching another beer.

[00:38] <Patchwork_2-3> "Take care Dave. I'll see you around. And quite true Quentin, I'll be happy to have you as my wingman. Has to beat saving Ivan every sortie."
[00:38] * Cavalier_3-4 waves at both of the exiting pilots "See you folks."
[00:38] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Alright, guys. Turn in and get some rest. I'll head in soon too. Just gotta check on the crews one more time. Thanks again, everyone."
[00:40] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Cav, nice talking to you. Good luck in your next mission, alright?" She gives him a wave and a nod, then heads off to talk to the maintenance crews.
[00:40] <Cavalier_3-4> "Thanks, Baba. You stay safe and get some rest."
[00:40] <Patchwork_2-3> Catch you later Lead. Rest well and I'll see you at the debrief.
[00:40] * Cavalier_3-4 nods at her, giving her a brief wave, glancing at Patchwork "Well. Suppose you'll be off too, then?"

[00:42] * Patchwork_2-3 sets the bucket of drinks down on the nearest oil drum, as well as a bag full of tasty, if unhealthy snacks. "Afraid so, not as young as I use to be. Just wanted to check with the pilots and give the ground crew their due for the hard work they will be doing."
[00:42] <Cavalier_3-4> "Fair enough. Good to meet you nonetheless."
[00:42] * Cavalier_3-4 holds his hand out towards Patchwork "See you aroud, eh?"
[00:44] * Patchwork_2-3 shakes the hand. "Take care of yourself Cav, and yeah hopefully we can chat again. Just after this old man gets some badly needed rest."
[00:44] <Cavalier_3-4> "Heh. Fair enough. Maybe tomorrow at the O."
[00:44] * Cavalier_3-4 shakes it firmly, nodding at Patchwork, afore slowly releasing the handshake.