Chapter Ninety-Nine: Invasion(Stewart/ Aura Astralis)
Alula Australis, December 4th, 3019
"Listen up, we jumped in at a pirate point in order to decrease the time it took to get down to the planet." Stone informed his officers. "We're going in hard and fast, I want to loot and then scoot, I know that Hull only wanted us to hit this world." Stone paused. "But I want revenge against the Stewart Fuckers who decided that us not killing them was an insult." He grinned, "After we loot the Gladiatorfactories from this world, we're moving on to Stewart itself, and when we leave Stewart, we're taking the Trebuchet 'mech factory and the Gotha Aerospace fighter factory with us."
"Now, if any of you want us to simply stick to what our assigned mission is, then let me know now." Stone said, "But if the rest of you want to kick some teeth in just as much as I do, then this is how we're going to do it."
"We're all in Colonel." Stone's XO, Major Richard Vance spoke for the entirety of the unit. "Let's get some payback."
"We only managed to cut down the time by two weeks using the pirate point." The Jumpship captain informed Stone.
"We still have around fourteen days before we hit the atmosphere, that means they'll be ready for us." Stone said, "We need to get our plan absolutely ready so that we can get our main objective done ASAP."
December 20th, 3019
"Wardog and Stings, Stone commed. "I need that aerospace section gone ASAP."
"We finally found their location after their last run." Blaze reported. "We're sending the Sting's in for grid square removal."
"They're isolated enough for that?" Stone asked for clarification.
"Yes sir, hidden base in the hills, infantry found and confirmed it."
"Then you have my authorization for grid square removal. We'll have packed up the factory and be ready to leave in about a week. But we might lose all of it if enough of the fighters remain." Stone replied.
"Escorting Stings to pick up the ordinance and refuel now." Blaze responded.
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"Alright Drifter and Casting Shadows, Wardog is going to escort you on this run, you got the grid locked in?"
"Yes sir, the grid is locked in. We are ready to deploy when over the location." Drifterreplied.
"Then let's get these birds in the air, Stone wants these enemy fighters gone." Blaze responded.
"Lifting off now." The duo of Stings took off with Wardog squadron close behind. "We're going to have to keep an eye out for any enemy fighters launching to try and stop us."
"We've got you covered either way." Blaze responded. "Let's go kill some stuff."
The two Stings had their bomb bays filled to the brim, and when they neared the drop zone, they were met by a solid portion of the enemy aerospace wing. Twelve of the eighteen fighters met the full wing that Wardog had brought with them in order to escort the Stings.
"Thanks for the cover Wardog, we've got people manning our guns as well, if they get too much for a pilot then send them our way."
"I don't think we'll have to worry about that." Blaze smirked as he took his Royal Stuka into the enemy formation, utterly shredding two light Aerospace fighters with a flash of his ERPPC's and his AC/20 before flipping his Stuka around and moving onto the rear of a Marik Eagle. Shredding the tail armor until it diverted away from the Drifter.
"Edge, try to stay on my tail." He told his wingmate. "I know we're playing escorts, but I need you to keep up."
"I'm trying Blaze." She grit her teeth as the G-Forces impacted her. "But you're better at tanking G-Forces than I am."
"Well, keep up, we've got bogeys trying to stop our mission." Blaze teased, knowing that she was as good a pilot as any they might be up against.
"Just keep flying." Edge retorted. "I'll keep up."
The Wing that Wardog was in charge of had managed to cover the Stings long enough to let them drop their bombs. And what a sight it was. Everything that might have been the smallest part of the base going up in a massive plume of smoke and explosions. There was the equivalent of 2-3 MOAB's dropped on the hidden base and once the Sting's bombing run was finished, they turned their attention onto the remaining Aerospace fighters. Which signaled the end of any potential resistance on the planet."
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"Remind me to never piss our Sting pilots off." Stone told Major Vance as they looked at the explosions in the distance. "The last thing we need is to have them angry at us."
January 30th, 3020
"We're having the Mules that are loaded down with the Gladiator factory head back to Kentares with one of our InvaderJumpships and a Sting for an escort." Stone told his troops. "We're going to be moving on to Stewart, and it'll take us a little over a month to get there."
"Copy that sir." Major Vance replied. "We've got enough to send an escort, but do we have enough capacity to take the Gotha and Trebuchet lines off of Stewart?" Vance asked.
"We're going to be able to take one of them at the minimum according to what the engineers tell me." Stone replied. "If we manage to capture some enemy dropships we should be able to take the second one as well, but we're going to prioritize taking the aerospace fighter lines over the 'mech lines"
"Aye sir." The responses came in.
"Now, let's go show these Stewart SOB's that we're not to be trifled with." Stone rallied his overstrength regiment.
Stewart Jump point, March 7th, 3020
"Launch." Blaze told his wing of Aerospace fighters. "I want the void cleared for our Stings to uncouple and render assistance."
"Copy Blaze/Copy lead" Came back to him on his Royal Stuka's comms systems.
"This is where it gets real people," Blaze informed some of his newer pilots. "We're probably up against a Veteran or Elite unit that has been waiting for us. Stick by your wingmen and make sure to move close to a Sting if you've taken extra armor damage."
"Yessir." They responded and began ensuring that the space for their Dropships was clear before moving into escort positions.
"Blaze, get us on the ground safe, we'll do the rest." Stone told him over the command channel.
"I'll do the best I can." Blaze responded. "We've got enough birds to do some heavy damage here."
"That's what we're here for Blaze, heavy damage." Stone chuckled. "See you on the ground."
"See you on the ground." Blaze agreed.