Inferno

Inferno

June 1st, 1995
Hoffnung, South Belka
Range - Short
Difficulty - Medium
Payout - Variable

Map: http://imgur.com/a/yZT9J

"The Belkan forces are beginning to take flight. The industrial city of Hoffnung is crucial to the enemy's industrial strategy and the heart of it's war productions. The allied forces has decided that all Belkan war production must be stopped to expedite the end of the war, and has requested our participation in this operation. The operation will primarily involve the bombing of ground facilities by the Allied forces' bombers. Your mission is to support those bombers and attack enemy defenses. We have achieved near total air supremacy over the target area, but don't let your guard down. There may still be sporadic resistance. Basilisk flight will go in ahead of the strike force to suppress any enemy air defenses. Galm and Crow Flights will handle any enemy air forces. Good luck.”

Friendly Forces:
9x B-52D
1x OA-10
2x F-15C
3x F-16C

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14[18:36] <~Valetni> Already, the sun is sinking low on the mountains surrounding Valais airbase, casting a red and orange pall over the flightline. Your aircraft stand ready outside the hangars, casting long shadows as the ground crew scurry around the large warbirds, finishing up any final preparations for your sortie. For this mission, you'll be unaccompanied by AWACs support, instead relying on Forward Air Controllers to designate targets in addition to your duties to suppress enemy defences. According to the briefing, the bomber stream won't be far behind once you reach the AO. You'll have to work quickly.

[18:39] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki gently taxis ""55 degrees" over, and takes the familiar plane up into the sky.
[18:46] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha stares at the controls of her new Tornado as she taxis onto the runway, heart still heavy from the loss of her wingman. Her WSO offers her a short reassurance, and she offers him a weak forced smile that he can't even see. "Basilisk 1, launching." The plane takes off, and she proceeds toward the mission area.
06[18:47] * Cavalier_2-3 finishes preparing his F-16XL for takeoff. He's remained mostly quiet after their return from the round table - also affected by yet another loss of a flight member - despite not knowing Ivan as well as his Flight Lead. He's start up the engines, simply giving his RIO a knowing nod. No real conversation between the two, as his craft speeds through the-
[18:47] <Cavalier_2-3> Runway and lifts off "Basilisk Three, taking off."

14[18:56] <~Valetni> The three of you form up, soaring through the glacial skies surrounding Valais. The setting sun paints the ground the color of fire as your ragtag formation heads north, towards Hoffnung. It's a long flight, as your aircraft eat up the kilometers, leaving you for the most part alone in your cockpit with your thoughts, or a backseater for company. Flying over belkan lands, you're only a scant 100km from Hoffnung when Avalanche suddenly picks up a contact approaching from behind.

[18:56] <Eagleclaw_2-2> The unknown aircraft is a new Su-24 loaded to the teeth with bombs clearly ready for an air to ground fight. Traveling quickly the radio comes on. A brief moment of silence goes over the air when suddenly two men are talking back and forth in Yuktobanian. Their tone is serious to seemingly angry at each other to joking around and back to angry at each other. The Yuktobanian banter stops suddenly. A familiar voice curses in Yuktobanian. "Oh looks like I was transmitting all of that," the familiar voice says now in English. He clears his throat. "Greetings comrades! You didn't wait for me? I hope you were planning on saving some bounties for-" His introduction is cut short by an angry sounding older man yelling in Yuktobanian. "Shut up, Viktor!" The voice on the radio is  clear. It is Ivan and he is yelling at his new Yuktobanian WSO Viktor. "Now where was I?" Viktor continues to shout Yuktobanian in the background. "I hope you were planning on saving me some bounties." Ivan laughs. "No wingman, Sascha? Well I guess you never were one for sharing, kid."

[19:04] <BabaYaga_2-1> Baba Yaga's hands stiffen on the controls of her plane as the voice pierces her ears. "What-... B-... You ублюдку! Y-You, you damned old fool! Вы знаете, как я волновалась о тебе !? Я должен снимать тебя прямо здесь и сейчас ! AHHH! So help me I will murder you with my bare hands, old man!"
06[19:04] * Cavalier_2-3 looks up from his controls, briefly arching one eyebrow for a moment. He processes for voice for a few scant seconds, before acknowledging it with a simple, dry and deadpan tone in his voice. "Well. I'm glad I didn't take the mantle of two. Or painted it on my craft. That'd have been awkward, you know." The dryness is further supplemented by Sascha's yelling during it.
[19:06] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "What you all didn't know? I was beginning to wonder why no one came to visit me during my recovery!" The Yuktobanian yelling continues in the background. "Shut up Viktor!" Ivan clears his throat. "I'll make it all up to you kids later. Let's get this job done."
[19:07] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki turns over to his WSO and off-handedly remarks "This is why you don't fake your death and show back up."
[19:09] <Cavalier_2-3> "Well, at least the radio's not going to be dead silent anymore."
[19:11] <BabaYaga_2-1> "My hands and your face will be bleeding by the end of the day, Ivan, mark my words. Damn it!" Sascha takes a few breaths to steady herself, quickly wiping away at her eyes, before focusing back on the mission at hand and trying to keep her voice level. "Right! We have business to attend to. Personal matters will have to wait."

[19:11] <Avalanche_1-1> "Let's focus on the mission for now guys. When we get back, we'll lock you two in a room for a few hours until it's all taken care of."
[19:11] <Cavalier_2-3> "That sounds...err - right, nevermind. Copy that, lead."
[19:15] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Copy that, flight lead. Falling in on your position. I'll make it up to you later, kid." Realizing what he might have put them through Ivan sheds a few tears only to be mocked by Viktor. Ivan turns and hits Viktor and curses him off in Yuktobanian before bringing his Su-24 into formation.

14[19:17] <~Valetni> "Basilisk 1, this is Bonfire, Do you read, over?" A voice crackles onto your radio frequency.

[19:18] <BabaYaga_2-1> "This is Basilisk 1, I copy, Bonfire," Sascha calls out, pointedly refusing to comment further toward Ivan.

14[19:21] <~Valetni> "Basilisk 1, your priority for this engagement is to suppress enemy surface to air defenses. We have bombers coming in hot and heavy on your tail, and we need those SAMs down before they arrive. Don't worry about the triple A, it won't be able to reach them. Over." The Forward Air Controller instructs you.

[19:24] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Understood, Bonfire, we'll cut you a path," Sascha responds before addressing her comrades. "Alright, you heard the man. We're prioritizing the SAMs. Once we clear them out, we can circle back to clear out any remaining weapons."
[19:25] <Cavalier_2-3> "Roger that, flight lead. Just say the word."
[19:26] <Avalanche_1-1> "Roger, thank god for that. Guys, I can take out the SAM's easy, just try and clear some AA if you can. "
[19:27] <Cavalier_2-3> "I'm packing plenty of short ranged misiles - I can take out AA's rather reliably."
[19:28] <BabaYaga_2-1> "I've got four ALARMs. Once I'm in range I'll start picking off SAMs with you, Clover Lead."

14[19:34] <~Valetni> Following the River, your flight descends down, the city lights ahead of you are all you need to know you're heading towards your target.

[19:47] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Alright, let's get started. Pick off what AA you can, but prioritize the SAMs, our bombers need clear skies." As she says this, Sascha lines up a shot on the closest AA unit, and fires one of her Brimstone II missiles at it.

14[19:47] <~Valetni> The Brimstone missile's millimeter wave seeker is apparently distracted as it approaches the Industrial sector of the city. Perhaps mistaking some sort of construction equipment for its target, it sails past the intended target to detonate deeper in the city.

[19:49] <Cavalier_2-3> "Careful there, Basilisk 1. We're not trying to blow up the city itself."
[19:51] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Damn it," Baba Yaga curses under her breath. "I hope they thought to evacuate the factories..." A cold chill at the back of her spine reminds her of that terrible fire from the sky, the sight of a Belkan plane evaporating under that light in front of her eyes. "Keep moving. Work fast. We have to clear a path." Sascha pulls her plane over to the east, heading toward the closest bundle of SAMs and AA units all huddled togther. "I'm moving to the east side. It won't do me any good to waste more missiles on the same AA unit. Avalanche, Cavalier, can you handle the west side?"
06[20:00] * Cavalier_2-3 glances at the sprawling city one more time, before punching in his afterburners and raising his altitude to avoid anti-aircraft fire, mantaining course towards the industrial bank crawling with AA guns and SAMs "Already on it, flight lead."
[20:01] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Don't worry lead I brought enough bombs for the two of us. I'm on you."
[20:01] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki mildly adjusts the throttle, raising his altitude in tandem.

14[20:02] <~Valetni> As you raise altitude, the two of you are suddenly once more exposed to the thread of surface to air missiles. Already well within range of its engagement envelope, your RWR shrieks at you as missiles lift off from racks, heading towards you.

[20:03] <Cavalier_2-3> "Ah - SAMs are onto us. Engaging evasive maneuvers."
[20:08] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Another AA gun, firing brimstone!" Sascha lines up another shot on the eastern bank's closes AA weapon, confirming the details with her WSO, and then launches another missile.

14[20:10] <~Valetni> The small missile streaks towards its target, black body all but invisible in the dusk of the city. Following the preprogrammed course to the target, it activates its active homing radar as it scans for the target. The AA gun is right where it's supposed to be, and the missile homes in, the 10kg explosive destroying the weapon and leaving most of the crew alive.

06[20:11] * Cavalier_2-3 briefly zones out mid-flight as he observes the city from below - being snapped out of it by his RIO rather eloquently telling him to dodge the incoming missile he just mentioned a few seconds ago. Gabriel does a rather sudden, mildly nausearing hard turn to the right, barely avoiding the missile, which explodes off sending shrapnel and dust towards the-
[20:11] <Cavalier_2-3> Craft's white side. This does no real damage, apart from staining the paintjob "...Err. I'm okay."
[20:12] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki barely touches the stick, and the missiles flies past wide right.
[20:21] <BabaYaga_2-1> As soon as the two nearest SAM encampments come into range, Taro lets Sascha know, and she fires off an ALARM anti-radiation missile from each wing to target them.

14[20:22] <~Valetni> The two small anti-radiation missiles leap off the wings, climbing into the sky as they head towards your targets.

06[20:32] * Cavalier_2-3 finally slows down his craft for ease of aim - his RIO proceeds to guide the missile towards an AA gun a few ways past the industrial warehouse. The accurate missile flies off from his right wing, headed towards his target.
[20:33] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki quickly picks out the AA gun and easily lobs a snake eye at it, dropping the plane in.

14[20:35] <~Valetni> The 500lb bomb seemingly homes in on the targeted site. The AA gun, and the surround industrial area, explode into a fireball.

[20:37] <BabaYaga_2-1> As she and her wingman approach the southeastern cluster of AA guns, Baba Yaga launches three more brimstone missiles to try and clear the area.

14[20:37] <~Valetni> Cav's missile manages to discreetly destroy the AA gun, without any collateral damage.
14[20:38] <~Valetni> His RWR warns him, with only a few seconds of reaction time, of another missile approaching.

[20:39] <Cavalier_2-3> "Clover One - SAM's clear. He's all yours-"
[20:39] <Cavalier_2-3> "...Another missile on me - evading!"

14[20:40] <~Valetni> BabaYaga's trio of Brimstones bore in on their intended targets. However, the expensive missiles seem to be experiencing a high failure rate, as one of them hits the target and its two companions merely eat dirt.

06[20:40] * Cavalier_2-3 smoothly rolls out of the path of the missile in contrast to his previous, shoddy evasion.

14[20:41] <~Valetni> In choosing to fire on Cav, that SAM seals its own fate. The ALARM missile launched by BabaYaga homes in on the directed radio energies it uses to guide its weapons, and destroy the site completely.

[20:41] <Cavalier_2-3> "...Uhhh. Score one SAM for Basilisk 1. You got them, lead."

14[20:43] <~Valetni> The other SAM site shuts down its radar, rather than serve as a target for the other ALARM. Without its designated target, BabaYaga's second Alarm deploys its parachute. The missile slowly descends from the air, content to wait in case its intended should power up once more.

06[21:02] * Cavalier_2-3 accelerates forward towards the cluster of SAMS and AA right infront of him, dropping his altitude so that he is out of the range of enemy radar. As he does so, however, he gets a closer look at the formation "Is that...ah, damnit. This isn't good."
[21:03] <Cavalier_2-3> "Are those hou-...Basilisk, Clover. They've mounted some defenses bordering on residential districts. Watch your fire."
[21:03] <BabaYaga_2-1> "At least I hit something," she grumbles, even as the one AA gun goes offline. "Going to be conserving my Brimstones for now." As the other SAM site goes dark to avoid her missile, she grimaces and starts to climb, trying to bait it out by getting into range. At the same time, she falls into range of two more SAM sites, and fires the two remaining ALARM missiles in an attempt to take them out in the process.

14[21:04] <~Valetni> The two missiles spread out, climbing into the sky as they hunt for the radar emissions that will guide them to their targets.
14[21:05] <~Valetni> In response, two missiles erupt from the ground, one targeted at Eagleclaw, and the other at BabaYaga. Your Backseaters and RHAW equipment both immediately notify you of this new development.
14[21:09] <~Valetni> "Basilisk 1, this is Bonfire," A voice once again intrudes over the radio. "Bomber stream is Inbound, are those airdefenses suppressed yet?"

[21:09] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Yes yes Viktor I hear you dammit! I can handle it. Do I need to remind you I've been to B7R twice?! Basilisk-1 I have a missile inbound on me. Continuing to move until in range for bomb run. SHUT UP VIKTOR"
[21:11] <Avalanche_1-1> Yuki hold the plane steady as the plane takes some minor AA fire.
[21:14] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Working on it, Bonfire!" Sascha calls with no small degree of aggravation.
6[21:15] * Cavalier_2-3 looks over to his side again, jerked into a nervous state as he sees Avalanche being hit. At the same time, Bonfire coming on the radio requesting the job to be huried works to pump adrenaline into his body even more. This coupled with the fact that he's attempting to precision bomb  targets right next to a residential area. Gabriel takes a deep breath-
[21:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "We'll have it clear. Don't worry."
[21:16] <Cavalier_2-3> Remembering back as to what Ivan said at their ravine run in Excalibur. He speaks to his RIO "Sig, hold on. We're going in low - mark and fire them once you see it." - he then proceeds to drop his plane dangerously slow, cutting across the streets, close to buildings - too close for the SAMS and too close for the AAs to track him properly.
[21:16] <Cavalier_2-3> As he makes a circular pass along the cluster, four AGM-65's are released from under his wing, headed straight towards their targets - two SAM sites, and two AA guns.
[21:22] <BabaYaga_2-1> The Tornado's wings turn with relative grace for a plane of a caliber far below the Super Tomcat Sascha flew in the last mission. Perhaps it's just the skill of the pilot, but the plane dodges the incoming missile with artistic ease.

14[21:23] <~Valetni> All four missiles fly hot straight and true from the underside of Cav's F-16XL. 4 hits, 4 kills, and not even any civilian casualties. Perfect attack, if you have the guts for it.

06[21:24] * Cavalier_2-3 watches the impact for the briefest of moments, coming in the radio with a cool, collected voice "Enemy SAMs and AA's neutralized." - the last part, however, betrays a faint tinge of pride "No damage observed to the residential sector."
[21:29] <Avalanche_1-1> "With the AA guns taken care of, Yuki flies unhindered straight to the lone SAM.

14[21:30] <~Valetni> The two Alarm missiles descend on the SAM sites along the riverbank. Men, launchers, and radar are all caught by the blast that rips through the surface to air emplacements, snuffing out both sites.

[21:33] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Missiles incoming preparing to evade. Viktor! I need you to lase the northwestern AA of that site. We'll try and take out the whole area with one bomb got it? Just hold on comrade." Ivan's Su-24 barely evades the incoming missile and tries to level out to designate the target. "Come on Viktor what are you doing we are going to miss our window?" A stream of Yuktobanian curses flows between
[21:33] <Eagleclaw_2-2> the two as they pass over the cluster. "Dammit Viktor. Get it together!"

14[21:39] <~Valetni> "Basilisk 1, Bonfire, this is Sledgehammer, Over." An older woman's voice comes over your headsets, the sound of turbulence and Eight P&W TF33 Turbofans leaks onto the channel. "We'll begin bombing shortly, hope you cleaned up for us."

[21:45] <Avalanche_1-1> "This is bandit to westernmost SAM site, evacuate immediately!" Yuki lazily swings down and places a single snake eye onto the below SAM.
06[21:46] * Cavalier_2-3 does not give his engines a time of rest, swiftly swinging his craft back up as he zooms over towards the northeast SAM, nestled by the residential district. During this, he begins crossing the river that splits the city of Hoffnung.

14[21:46] <~Valetni> The site doesn't even stand a chance. The 500lb bomb, placed with all the precision as if it was laser guided, disappears in a gout of secondary explosions.

[21:47] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Just finishing up, Sledgehammer! One or two last bits of dust to clear out and you'll have it free and clear."

14[21:48] <~Valetni> "Roger that, we're dropping the hammer in 30 seconds." Comes the calm, almost bored tone of Sledgehammer.

[21:53] <BabaYaga_2-1> Feeling the pressure on the back of her neck, Sascha pulls the plane around to return to the SAM she thought had already been dealt with. "Cleaning up your messes, just like old times, old man!" With that, two more Brimstone missiles fly off from her plane's underbelly.

14[21:54] <~Valetni> The first one flies straight and true, destroying the SAM. The other brimstone, deprived of a target, sails off into the night, to wreak unknown havoc amongst the civilian structures along the river. Fortunately, it seems like you and your WSO are the only ones who'll know about what you just did.

[22:01] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Ah don't get ahead of yourself kid. You got one but left behind two and just trashed that second shot. Viktor target what's left down there." A short conversation in Yuktobanian takes place. "Ok targets are lased. Bombs away bombs away. Stay on target, Viktor."

14[22:02] <~Valetni> The two bombs docilely follow the laser pointer to the ground, destroying the target, and breaking the SAM into smaller pieces. A building in the industrial sector collapses from the shockwaves.

6[22:03] * Cavalier_2-3 continues speeding on along, out of range of the SAM and AAs both, as he slightly lowers his altitude - as Basilisk's efforts clear out the AA. He briefly turns to his RIO, exchanging a quick set of words, before speaking into his radio in an open frequency, with broken - yet still understandeable Belkan.
[22:03] <Cavalier_2-3> "Enemy SAM site at the residential district. Evacuate your posts."
[22:06] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Tch, don't lecture me after a shot like that, придурок," Baba Yaga mutters under her breath while offering her WSO an apologetic look for the quality of that last shot, silently swearing him and herself to secrecy forever. "Take the shot, Cav! We have bombers incoming and they need safe passage."
[22:07] <Cavalier_2-3> "Just need to get...a little bit closer."

14[22:08] <~Valetni> Inside the bomb bay of each B-52 overflying hoffnung, there is the capacity for nearly 35 tons of high explosive death. The equivalent of two empty Tornado IDS. With the SAM threat eliminated over the southern section of the city, the bombers are free to drop this deadly load with impunity. The first stream of bombs lands short of the industrial sector on the east bank, south of the harbor, but the combination of high explosive weapons and incendiaries walk their way north, each explosion shockwave merging with the one before, creating something more poweful than the mere sum of its parts as the fierce winds distribute burning debris even farther afield. With that, the first of twelve bombers has left its mark on Hoffnung.

06[22:09] * Cavalier_2-3 briefly shakes in his seat as he noticies the bombs have begun dropping. He mantains his altitude low, calmly locating the SAM site within sight - and with practiced ease, squeezes out a controlled burst from his dual gunpods when in range.

14[22:10] <~Valetni> The first rounds spark off the gun emplacement, so accurate is the attack that it's unneccessary to even adjust your aim. Belkans throw down their arms and flee, cowering in the dirt as you pass.

06[22:11] * Cavalier_2-3 swings his craft back up, speaking into his radio "Last SAM site eliminated, flight lead."
[22:17] <BabaYaga_2-1> As the bombers start bombarding the city, Basilisk-1, Baba Yaga pulls her plane out of the path of destruction. From here, she can see the fires that spark up from below. The scattered lights of the city become roaring flames, and that sinking feeling returns to Sascha's heart. Did they put the defenses there to discourage attacks? Or was it the only way to defend the city's inhabitants?
[22:17] <BabaYaga_2-1> She'd probably never know, but it no longer mattered. "Good work everyone. Once the bombers are done let's do another pass to check for any remaining targets, then clear out." Even as she says it though, the feeling that things are never that simple lingers.
[22:18] <Eagleclaw_2-2> For the first time that sortie the cockpit of the Su-24 was silent as Ivan watches over the bombing. "Uh copy that flight lead."
06[22:23] * Cavalier_2-3 starts opening his mouth to talk about something, before shutting it as he brings his craft to ber to the side to rejoin the flight. He furrows his eyebrows, mumbling to himself, away from the radio "...Oseans."

14[19:57] <~Valetni> With the SAMs defending the industrial city of Hoffnung destroyed, it's no trouble at all for the Osean bombers to begin their destruction by fire. Bomb after bomb rains down onto the city, the Oseans prioritizing destructive power over accuracy. On the open frequency, pilots are quick to express their respective opinions of the event. But your task is not yet done here. With the B-52s safe, it falls to you to destroy targets as designated by the FAC Bonfire, in the OA-10. You take up a position out of AA range, circling over the burning city, as you wait for further instructions.

[19:58] <BabaYaga_2-1> Baba Yaga grimaces as she stares at the fires. "They're... just burning it all to the ground, aren't they... They're just destroying all of it."
06[19:59] * Cavalier_2-3 speaks without the coolness from just a few minutes ago, as he gains some altitude along his flight, if only to escape the excessive smoke "What the hell!? I thought this was supposed to be a precision bombing mission!"
[20:05] <Avalanche_1-4> "Precision B-52's?"
06[20:06] * Cavalier_2-3 replies rather quicly and harshly to Avalanche "They didn't say they were going to blow up the whole fucking town!"
[20:08] <Avalanche_1-4> "I mean, it's not like they're painting targets on all of the warehouses and machinery. It's not good, but it's not new."
[20:11] <BabaYaga_2-1> "They were putting anti-air emplacements on top of residential buildings. It... stands to reason that they wouldn't want to take any chances. But this..." The flight lead's voice drifts off as she watches the smoke. There's no honor in this. No victory. Just a slow and deliberate march of destruction.
06[20:12] * Cavalier_2-3 starts to reply to avalanche "Like that's a-" , however, Gabriel proceeds to catch himself, letting out a weak groan as he glances down at the city. "...God damnit."
[20:15] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Ivan turns away from what is happening below. "I'm not the one who asked the enemy to hide behind their own people. This is how war works" he says to himself.

14[20:22] <~Valetni> "Basilisk, Bonfire." The OA-10 pilot radios you, a dull thumping sound in the background of the radio. "Bombers failed to destroy the central holding tanks. We are receiving light AA fire and small arms fire from the area, marking targets with phosporous." The FAC reports.

[20:24] <Avalanche_1-4> "Alright, this is clover 1, keeping an eye outfit the flares."
[20:27] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Small arms fire...?  Are they just firing into the air?" Sascha shakes her head, but responds to the OA-10, "Roger that. Basilisk is standing by."

14[20:31] <~Valetni> Even among the darkness and fires, the plume of thick white smoke is still easily visible. While most of the buildings set off large plumes of dark smoke, this has the telltale mark of WP. 3 large, multithousand gallon tanks of oil are marked. A single AA gun tracks and fires on the A-10 as it banks away.

[20:33] <Avalanche_1-4> "Okay, who's going in on this one?"
[20:34] <Cavalier_2-3> "I'm running low on guided ordnance."
[20:41] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Step aside, kid, let me handle this one."
[20:42] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Are you sure you're up for this?" Sascha glances over toward her wingman. "Or have all of these vacations made you too slow?"
[20:43] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Those vacations made me very relaxed so I'll be able to easily hit the mark. Maybe I'll take another when we get back. Plenty of girls out there."
[20:46] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Focus, Basilisk 2. Make the run."
[20:48] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Okay, Viktor, get me a laser on that AA down there. Let's try to take it out before the fire gets to it." A Yuktobanian response acknowledging the order comes from Viktor followed by a confirmation of the laser designation.
[20:50] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Basilisk 2 bombs away." Ivan lets loose one guided bomb towards the target. "Not gonna waste too on the son of a bitch. These guidance kits are expensive."
[20:51] <Avalanche_1-4> "Only will need one for this."

14[20:54] <~Valetni> The 250kg bomb smoothly drops off the rack, heading down through the air. The glide bomb slams into the side of the middle tank, before detonating. The shockwave is enough to rupture the two sister tanks next too it, spilling thousands of gallons of oil onto the street. The black wave rushes through the streets with enough force to knock the crew of the AA gun off their feet as it flows towards the river. Soon, the ash choked river is itself ablaze.
14[20:56] <~Valetni> "Confirmed destruction of target, good work Basilisk." Bonfire reports. "Next target is the central bridge. Belkans could be moving supplies out before the fire gets it. Drop the bridge."

6[20:59] * Cavalier_2-3 pipes up on the radio, sounding already worn out. "I'll handle it."
[21:00] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha touches her face, trying to keep her mind from the magnitude and repurcussions of all this destruction. "Roger that," she responds joylessly.
06[21:02] * Cavalier_2-3 brings his craft at a lower altitude, close to the burning river, directing his WSO. "...Alright, Sig. Let's get the supports and be done with this mess already." - the craft continues onwards, as all three supports of the bridge are targetted  -and then fired upon, each by an AGM missile
.
14[21:08] <~Valetni> The three missiles drop off their racks, heading for the pilings that keep the bridge above the ash choked waters. One half of the bridge is choked with civilian traffic attempting to escape the fires, while the other half sees a slow but steady flow of belkan trucks crawling north. Each support is struck within a second of the last, a sharp staccato sound of cracks and explosions drowning out the screams of those on the bridge (and those trapped with no escape from the encroaching fires) as the bridge plummets into the water.

[21:09] <Avalanche_1-4> "Shit, they didn't let these guys evacuate earlier?"
06[21:10] * Cavalier_2-3 rejoins the formation without further response.

14[21:14] <~Valetni> "Confirmed destruction of bridge. That was good shooting. Flames will get everything on the central area, not worth the ordnace. We're moving north." Bonfire reports.

[21:17] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Understood," Sascha responds, trying to keep her voice level. "Damn this all," she mutters under her breath.
[21:18] <BabaYaga_2-1> At this point the FAC's callsign makes all too much sense.

14[21:20] <~Valetni> "We have increased resistance once we cross the river branch." Bonfire cautions you. "One of the AA guns is adjacent to civilian housing complexes, it should be abandonned by now if those civvies have any sense." Bonfire says. "Targets are the two east-west bridges. Both of them are heavy defended. If you have wide area munitions, now's the time to use 'em."

[21:28] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha takes mental inventory of her team's weaponry. "I've only got the Brimstones. I... can try for the AA guns on the east side." She hesitates as she remembers missing those previous shots. "Avalanche, Eagleclaw, either of you think you can take the bridges?"
[21:31] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Let me do it. Just get it over with and go home."
[21:31] <Avalanche_1-4> "I guess I can take the left bridge. Only have snake eyes though."
[21:33] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Roger that, Basilisk 2. I'll try to clear some of the AA on the east bank and give you room to work. Hopefully we can at least give these people more time to get out."
[21:34] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Clover, if you can, clear the west bank and support Eagleclaw on the bridges."
[21:38] <Avalanche_1-4> "Roger"
[21:39] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "Cover me I'll go in from East to West. Viktor get me a laser on the Eastern bridge. Cav I need a laser on the Western bridge waiting for me when I get there."
06[21:40] * Cavalier_2-3 lets out a single, dry "Copy." as he flies on beside Eagleclaw for a moment, properly lining up a targetting laser onto the western bridge, as requested by Eagleclaw.
[21:44] <BabaYaga_2-1> Meanwhile, Sascha takes aim at the three AA guns lining the eastern bank of the river. Her WSO handles the acquisition of the targets, and when ready, she fires them off into the smoke-filled darkness.
[21:44] <Eagleclaw_2-2> Flying North up the river Ivan has the Southern bridge targeted with his bombs. "Okay this is going to cost a pretty penny." Ivan lets out 5 bombs towards the Southern bridge. "Okay moving on. Cav I hope you're ready for me on that Northern bridge. Ah I see it. Let's get this over with." 5 more bombs falls from Ivan's Su-24.

14[21:47] <~Valetni> Whether by proper planning from the flight lead, or mere happenstance, the brimstone missiles all impact their targets at the exact same time that the first 5 bombs impact the southern bridge. A tight ground that pounds the span into rubble. The northern bridge, and those on it, meet the same fate only seconds later.
14[21:49] <~Valetni> An appreciative whistle comes over the radio. "Bonfire here, that was slick Basilisk. Set em up and knock em down like dominoes. Got those Belkan bastards good!"

[21:50] <Avalanche_1-4> Yukon cruises low, dropping his remaining snake eyes on the northern bridge, placing their impact points on the bridge supports
06[21:52] * Cavalier_2-3 maneuvers his craft away from the now broken bridges, straying a touch off the formation, simply observing the city without further confirmation.
[21:53] <BabaYaga_2-1> Sascha manages to keep herself from groaning into the radio. She just keeps her voice tight as she responds, "Any other targets, Bonfire?"
[21:54] <BabaYaga_2-1> It's already hard to keep her hands steady at the casual indifference to the people below, and Magpie's face hangs at the back of Sascha's memories as she watches the fires burn.
06[21:57] * Cavalier_2-3 does a short sweep around the skies, afore finally returning to formation with Basilisk.

14[22:00] <~Valetni> "I think that should be all. Feel free to dump any extra ordnance. Not much left down there." Bonfire replies in a bored tone.

[22:01] <Eagleclaw_2-2> "What is he crazy? Does he realize what this all costs?"
[22:02] <Avalanche_1-4> "In dollar terms yes, in life terms no."
[22:03] <BabaYaga_2-1> "We're getting low on fuel, Bonfire. I think we're done here. Basilisk flight, returning to base." Baba Yaga pulls her plane around and starts heading back south. She's silent for a long, painful moment. "... His daughter." Her voice is quiet. "The letter Patchwork left behind when he was shot down... I think the address was somewhere in this city." She stares out at the fires, the glass reflecting the pained expression on her face.

06[22:06] * Cavalier_2-3 looks to it's side, towards Sascha's craft, shaking his head as he follows her maneuvering. After a few seconds, all he really manages is a dejected "So, he had a daughter", adding nothing else to it as his Falcon cruises along.
[22:11] <BabaYaga_2-1> "Yeah. I didn't know much about it. I never really... thought to ask him much about his past." She pauses for a moment. "... I hope she got out."
[22:14] <Avalanche_1-4> "We tried warning them over radio. We did what we could."
[22:15] <BabaYaga_2-1> "... Let's just get the hell out of here," Sascha says as she puts thrust to her engines.
06[22:15] * Cavalier_2-3 throws his thrust up as well, cruising along the sky. "Understood, 2-1."

14[22:28] <~Valetni> It's a somewhat rare event that every plane that went up is now coming home. No missing man formation, no planes trailing smoke and struggling to keep up. It's the small victories that matter most, even if it does ring ever so slightly hollow. At least now you can still go home. For the people of Hoffnung, there is no home.