Ace Combat: Skies of Unity, Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Airs Of War


Interrogation room, Building C, Valais Air Base

Tyrann Mountains, Ustio

2159 Hrs. December 26^th, 2007

Snowy

As the land crew got the pilots, they soon took them to Valais main building, into the interrogation room. However, the young female was in critical state and was sent to the clinical station to be taken care of. Lieutenant Colonel William Schmidt, commander in chief of Valais, ordered Larry Foulke, Galm Team's lead to go interrogate the one in better shape, personally. Even when he was ordered to go, Larry felt that he had to go himself and find out the truth, so the request was more than welcome.

The man entered the room, holding two cups of coffee, one in each hand. He looked a bit aged, but that was to be expected from a man that was in his early fourties... His hair was rather short, combed backwards, and the fringes in front upwards, making a soft mohican. His eyes were colored in a darker tone. His uniform, a common olive green, was also covered by a long winter coat, colored in black. He soon put the cups down  on the table and pulled a chair, sitting in front of the unconscious male pilot…


     Larry: --Examined his uniform for a bit and noticed the red and white winged pentagon-- Unes…

     ???: --He looked quite tired. His skin was pale, and had small scratches over his face. He, however, started to wake up, looking quite disorientated--  … Where… Where am I? --His dark green eyes stared at the room in confusion. The cold soon stung his body, gripping the fleece blanket onto him tightly, covering himself-- I-It’s cold…!

     Larry: Hey, chill out. You just got rescued by the land crew. --Tried to calm down the young man, leaning over to pat his shoulder-- They said you and your partner nearly reach hypothermia. Just calm down and arrange your thoughts…

     ???: --Shaking, already, just nodded, blowing air into his hands and shaking them rapidly-- …

     Larry: Here --Pushed one of the coffee cups closer to him-- It will help for the cold. Take a sip. --Rested his back on the chair and took a sip of his cup-- I would have brought some hot whiskey, but I don't know if you like liquor...

     ???: --Slowly grabbed his cup and held it, feeling the warm flowing slowly over his hands, letting the steam reach his face-- Th-thanks… Coffee will be fine...

     Larry: You feeling good? I bet that aimless roaming around the mountains was pretty tough. --Keeping a very relaxed demeanor toward the Unean pilot--

     ???: --He nodded slowly, looking at him, feeling slightly intimidated--

     Larry: Well, anyway... They ordered me to ask you some questions... You might know already the situation you're into. Are you ready?

     ???: --Hesitantly nodded at him, after a few seconds of thought--

     Larry: First of all… What’s your name and rank? Squadron number, air division… Anything you remember about that.

     Jared: … 2nd L-Lieutenant Jared Farrelle… Unean 5th Air Force Branch, 5th Tactical Fighter Wing… Mister...

     Larry: --Sighed quietly to himself, rubbing his face slightly-- Gee… Ok… Your airbase…? Should I assume... Artemis…? --Threw at him the name just like that, assuming that Jared came from that base--

     Jared: --Eyes got a bit wider as he heard the name-- Y-You know what happened at Artemis…? Wh-Who are you…? Where am I?

     Larry: Take it easy. You’re in Valais Air Base. Valais Air Base, Ustio. I am Captain Larry Foulke from Galm Team, 6th Air Division. But they call me Solo Wing or Pixy. And yes, we all know. Since Unes got attacked, emergency transmissions were coming like crazy, so we’re on maximum alert.

     Jared: U-Ustio…? W-we made it…? --Gazed down at his cup a bit in surprise--

     Larry: Were you escaping from the blitz? We managed to shoot down your pursuers. Or they seemed to be, at least... Mind telling me what happened? --Leaned over the table to rest his hands onto it interlocking his fingers in a reflexive manner as he held his own hands together-- How was the attack? Or you probably don't want to bring that up, just yet...

     Jared: … --He remained silent for some seconds, hanging his head in sorrow-- … I don’t know… Alisson, Captain Barlow and I were on a patrol routine… We were going back home when control tower alerted us about bogeys incoming… The last thing I remember was… C-captain getting shot down and we trying to lose them flying over the valleys all the way here… Then the rest is gone…

     Pixy: I see... So that is what happened... I'm not surprised. Unes military was simply too small... And you were all caught off-guard. They didn't give you any chance...

     Jared: … I was very scared… I thought for a second we were not gonna make it… --His hands soon started shaking a bit and lets the cup down to avoid dropping it-- I’ve… Never been so scared in my life… --He soon grit teeth a bit, trying to stay calm-- I wish I could have been a better pilot to shoot them down and- --He was soon interrupted by Larry--

     Larry: Hey... Don't let it get to you, Jared. We pilots have been rookies at some point... Some of us have lost companions in battle. Is hard for a rookie to lose his captain, but the least you can do for him is to go on... Honour his memory, live up to his expectations to their fullest. Fear is natural for us humans... As much as grief... It might be hard for you, but you also need to realize how far you've come... Hm? --He soon leaned over to pat Jared's shoulder, trying to give the guy some moral support--

     Jared: --He went quiet for some minutes, trying to arrange his thought, getting strenghts from what Larry had told to him. After letting some faint tears down, he calmed down, then faced back at Larry-- … It is really hard for me... But... You're right, sir...

     Larry: Nice. Now I feel I should tell you some bad news...

     Jared: Bad news…? What do you mean…? --He straightened his torso a bit, fearing something else might happen--

     Larry: ... --He looked at his cup for some seconds, rubbing his neck due the stress that this day has caused-- To put it bluntly... Unes is at war, and it's losing. We've just confirmed that the Rectan Military had invaded Unean territory. We don’t know their motives, though, but Rectans are heading to Point Grace… The news and intelligence say that the country might be taken over next morning.

     Jared: --His irises get a bit smaller by the news. He was in shock-- I-In… War…!? It can’t be…! Unes… But Unes is a peaceful country...! They have no reason to attack, why…!? --He tried to stand up, wishing to walk out of the room out in angst-- Why Unes...!?

     Larry: I’m sorry to be the bringer of this kind of news. I- --He soon got interrupted by someone knocking on the door from outside--

     Valais Crew: Captain Foulke. We've got more information update coming from Unes.

     Larry: Ah… Hang on a second, Jared. --He soon stood up and turned to the door, walking out--

     Jared: … --Trying to digest the news, just grabbed his head in disbelief-- Dammit...! It just can't be... What have we done to deserve this!? First Artemis, now... Why is this happening!? Why now...?

     Larry: --About half a minute later, comes back inside to sit down again-- … Ok, Unes government just made an emergency call to the international community. They’re requesting support to all members of the Assembly of Nations. Ustio is also in risk of being attacked within the next days, I'm afraid... Looks like Recta is going balls out on the world, now...

     Jared: This can’t be happening… Unes… My country is full of innocent people… Why would they attack…?

     Larry: I've made the same question countless times, once I was younger… Wars always have no reason to begin, in the first place… I don’t know why, and yet… There’s nothing much that can be done, so far. The Belkan War was nothing different from this…

     Jared: --Gasped a bit in surprise, realizing that he was talking with a Belkan War veteran-- … You… You fought back in The Belkan War? 13 years ago…

     Larry: --He simply nodded, looking back at him-- Can't say I was a fine soldier, but yeah, I did… I wish I could have been anything else than a pilot, back then. But, that`s another story… Anyways, you and your partner will be moved to the barracks until the Lieutenant Colonel decides what to do with you.

     Jared: What do you mean…? Am… Are you going to take us as refugees until this war ends…?

     Larry: It seems like it. I don't think the guy will ask your support in this after what happened with your planes.

     Jared: Th-there must be something I can do! --He slowly stood up and walked closer to Larry, clenching his hands tightly-- My country is at war! I can’t let innocent people suffer! My people! My family is there! Please, there must be something! I cannot allow Rectans take what Unes has worked so hard to achieve! I was born in Unes… That is why I joined the Air Force… There must be something, Captain...

     Larry: --Looked at him, slightly surprised by his reaction, but ended up chuckling faintly. He then stood up and placed his hands into the coat's pockets-- It's been a while since I heard someone willing to do so much for his country... A friend of mine was just like that... --He turned his back to him and glanced at the door-- You need to rest, first… I’ll go talk to Lieutenant Colonel and tell him about your request, tomorrow.

     Jared: You must help me, Captain… --Frowned a bit, as he couldn't stand feeling so useless--

     Larry: I’m hoping there’s a solution to your dilemma... For now, let’s go see how your partner is going.

     Jared: … Alisson… Ok, lead the way, sir... --He slowly turned to pick up his cup, ready to follow Larry out of the room--

They got out the interrogation room and headed toward the clinical station where Alisson, Jared’s wingman, was being treated. They walked over the halls of the main building, soon heading out to what seemed to be a small courtyard in the open. Once they crossed it, they reached the dormitories, where the clinical station was. It was right next to the entrance, so they didn't walk that much once they were inside... They entered the place and went straight to go check Jared's partner, having the permission of the nurse that was on shift.

     Jared: --Walked over one of the stretchers, the one where Alisson was lying down, very well covered, putting his cup on the stand next to her stretcher--

There she was. The red haired girl was lying down in deep slumber. Some of her fringes barely covered her peaceful and kind, yet anguished and fatigued expression on her scratched and somewhat pale face. She looked pretty young to be involved in such tragic situation...

     Larry: --Walked over to see how the girl was doing-- So this is your partner, eh...?

     Jared: … Yes. Alisson De’Blanc. My wingmen since we joined Unes Air Force. --Moved his hand to gently caress hers soothingly-- A really good friend...

     Larry: ... She's beautiful... A shame such wonderful lady got caught up in all this... I'll give you some time, alright? It's getting late...

     Jared: Ah… Sure, Captain… Wait… Wait! --He quickly turned back, glancing over Larry, as something had crossed his mind--

     Larry: Huh? --Turned over to Jared-- What is it?

     Jared: … Thanks for all the support, sir... --He slowly stood up and faced at him, saluting him out in respect--

     Larry: --Slowly smiled and turned his back to him-- Keep the formalities for later... I'm just an old geezer trying to do some good for this country... --He just smiled to himself and waved back at him as he left the room--

     Jared: --Watched silently how Larry left the room, then turned back to sit down onto Alisson’s stretcher-- Captain Larry Foulke... A peculiar man, I've got to say...

     Nurse: Huh? --A young looking woman came in, wearing the average air base uniform, holding a notepad in hands. Her hair was black, tied in a ponytail-- Ohh, you must be the guy the land crew rescued not so long ago! --She smiled at him, actually glad to see him awake and standing-- You guys were lucky. You both were reaching hypothermia.

     Jared: Now you tell me... It has been the worst day of my life, but... I'm here, and that is what counts. --He then gazed upon Alisson, worrying a bit for her-- Will she be ok?

     Nurse: We took care of her, don’t worry. She reached her limits, so she's just fatigued... --She explained to him as she examined the notepad-- She’ll be waking up the next morning, hopefully. Now, as for you... --She soon walked over, picking his chin rather gently, looking into his eyes-- You look pretty well... How do you feel?

     Jared: I think I’m fine… Just very cold, and I have a terrible headache...

     Nurse: Hm... Everything seems normal... I'll give you some pills so you can sleep without troubles, okay?

     Jared: Thanks... Some sleep might do some wonders on me, right now... --He smiled at her lightly, then glanced down at the floor for some seconds-- Maybe all this is just a horrible nightmare...

     Nurse: ... I see... --She nodded to him, handing him the pills and a bottle of water from one of the cabinets-- Now, if you could help me taking your friend to her room...

     Jared: Wait... What? --He glanced at her questioningly-- Can't she stay in here?

     Nurse: It gets unbearably cold in here, since the heating system in the clinic is getting repaired... It'll be a good idea if you guys shared a room for tonight --She laughed a bit at him as he unlocked the stretcher's brakes, slowly moving her out of the room-- I trust you guys won't do something crazy in there, eh?

     Jared: --Helping her with the brakes, begins pushing her carefully, simply rolls his eyes while cracking an embarrassement smile-- Oh shush... I might be young, but I'm adult enough to know how to behave... Besides... That would be the least of my worries, right now.

     Nurse: --She chuckled back at him-- That's the spirit... Just make sure to cheer up, will you?

The nurse led him to the dorms building. A single, 4-stories building only made of dorms that were connected with the main building by long corridors and gardens between each. These parts of the base seemed to be recently built.

     
     Nurse: Thank God the administrative building and the dormitories are connected by corridors and not only sidewalks… There’s a pretty bad snowstorm out there. Tyrann mountains are know for the constant snowy climate. The only warm place here are the hangars, when the planes are starting their engines.

     Jared: Whoa… --Looking at the building-- The dorms here seem really big. I bet the rooms are just as big… Artemis didn't have many buildings like these...

     Nurse: A bit, yeah. For the number of people living at the base, yes. Valais has been quite modernized for the past couple of years.

They finally reach one room at the end of the dorms corridor. It seems the first floor was exclusively reserved for pilots and air crews.

     Nurse:  This room will be fine. I’ll leave you on your own. Now I need to go. You can leave the stretcher in the corridor, if you feel like it. Now rest well and cover your friend for me. --Bowed to him politely and quietly left back to the medical station--

     Jared: Ah, but, wait…! Are you really sure about this?

All of the sudden, another guy got out the room behind Jared. He seemed a bit too young to be a pilot in service. He looked like he was around 19 years old. His hair was a a bit longer than average, reaching down his nape. It was messy, with a dark brown color. His eyes were as dark as his hair. At first look, he seemed to be a temperamental person. He had a frowning expression, though it wasn’t as obvious.

     Owen: Huh? --Looked at Jared, then at his uniform-- Ohh… So you’re the Unean pilot.

     Jared: And... Who might you be, pray tell? --Looking at him a bit surprised--

     Owen:  2nd Lieutenant Owen Rutger. Galm’s second pilot and Captain Foulke’s wingman at your service --Says without any emotion, cleaning one of his ears with his little finger--

     Jared: What…? --Looks at him questioningly-- Aren’t you… A bit… Too young to be here…?

     Owen: --Sighs and scratches head, a bit irritated-- Can't a 19 year old be a seasoned pilot without being pestered due his age? Sheesh... You don't look that old, neither, you know that?

     Jared: … Ah… I'm sorry? I'm just not used to see people of my age... --He looked at Owen a bit questioningly, but shook the thought out of his mind and opened the room's door, pushing Alisson's stretcher in--

     Owen: --Walks over and opens the door fully-- There you go, Romeo. It might have been quite a day, so I won't talk much... Just go sleep, already. Take care of your lady friend.

     Jared: --He stopped suddenly, staying quiet for a while, before looking back at Owen-- What... Are you talking about…?

     Owen: ... Let's not assume things and let's say that she's your partner, then... Sorry! You two looked like you were in a relationship of some sort.

     Jared: No! --His cheeks got a faint red tone after hearing Owen's assumption-- Can't a guy and a lady be friends just like that? --He scowled irritated and pulled the stretcher further into the room-- First time someone assumes that right off the bat...

     Owen: Don't blame me! --He simply shrugged his shoulders and took out a pait of blankets from one of the bunk bed's drawers-- Can't deny you look worried as hell for her.

     Jared: I am, I will be honest on that aspect... --Once the stretcher was close enough, he took the girl in arms, with the few strenghts he had, and tried to put her down onto the bed--

     Owen: --Walked over and helped Jared by lifting Alisson's legs-- Alright, I think she'll be fine, in here...

     Jared: Okay, thanks… --Nodded at him, then pulled the stretcher out of the room-- All I want is this to end, already...

     Owen: ... Needless to say, it must have been hell on earth for you, eh...?

     Jared: --Without turning back to him, sighed quite loudly and nodded in silence--

     Owen: --Crossing his arms, he walked out the room, heading back to his-- You'll have payback time sooner or later... Don't let the sadness get the best of you...

     Jared: ... I will have it, you can count on it... --He simply replied, sounding rather grim-- ... Owen... Thanks, by the way. For the little help... You seem like a nice pal, so far.

     Owen: Just don't let that hatred go up to your head, though. Vengeance is a dish that's served cold... You seem like a really gentle man. You don't want to become a killing machine... No one does --He said as he walked in, then turned back at him-- Sleep well, buddy. We'll talk tomorrow.

     Jared: --He quietly nodded and went back to his room, closing the door slowly--