RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: High-profile reinforcement?

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: High-profile reinforcement?

When Agent notifies Bryn about the munition issue of the Rigel and Knight Squadrons, the Valkyrie's first thought has been to sortie more air assets from the nearest Carrier Strike Group. However, when Bryn has signed off on that order, she receives an inbound communication request. Taking a look at the caller's ID, Bryn sighs lightly with a tinge of regret in her voice. Nevertheless, she accepts the video call and greets.

"Yuki, it would seem you have decided to cut your break short." Bryn said while taking a look at her lover's attire and surroundings. "... And you're inside the Morgan, great."

Yuki can be seen smirking while fixing her gloves. "With an issue this big happening outside our doorstep, I can't really stay put. Using Morgan, I will be able to get to Warsaw even faster than the CAS you have just sortied."

Putting on her flight helmet, Yuki starts to perform a pre-flight check. "By the end of today, there will be waves of military and political tensions all over Europe. I will have to trouble you to alert our military garrisons in my stead, Bryn."

Bryn nods. "I understand. I guess you will be going with a full air-to-ground loadout?"

"Gonna kick Morgan up to Mach 4, yeah." Yuki answered chippily.

"In that case, I wish you happy hunting and a swift return, Yuki." The Valkyrie blessed her lover with a small smile. "I will relay a data package to AWACS Long Caster upon your arrival at the AO. Likewise, Agent and I will handle the situation back home."

Yuki grins, giving Bryn a two-finger salute. "Thanks, love. Be seeing you tonight! Over and out." The transmission thus ended on a light-hearted note.

Moments later, Agent shows Bryn a low-priority alert on the holotable. "The Marshal has just taken off, she's going out there alone."

Bryn is then shown a recording of Yuki's aircraft, her customized Aria named Morgan, lifting off and climbing vertically at maximum thrust. Agent then pulls up the representation of the airspace around Berlin, highlighting a bright blue arrow that is now flying past the edge of the city's radar installations.

"It would seem Master is excited to finally fly again." Agent commented with a hint of a smile.

To this date, only Belka has ever attained mastery in supersonic development, culminating in their crown jewel which is the Phantom aircraft. Yet, to see something that's able to make a Phantom eat the dirt is bone-chilling. The only reason Long Caster hasn't screamed for Rigel and Knight Squadron to stand by for interception is one thing.

"Data transmission from Berlin...! Sir, it's an update on the incoming bogey!"

"Show me!" Long Caster nearly screamed that command, only to pause when he saw the new data on his screen.

"IFF identifies the bogey as friendly, designated as Avalon 1, callsign Empress...?"

Long Caster quickly pulls up the rest of the data package. It's not much, but the credentials check out and the data gives him just enough to work with.

"The aircraft used the new designation system... YF/A-404 Aria. Is this something the government cooked up in secret?" It sure checks the box for weird and freaky programs that's for sure. "And its affiliation?"

Long Caster checks. "8492... 8492... That squadron doesn't exist in mainstream service! So another black-ops-only unit? 8492nd 'Avalon' Squadron, one known member who is also the squadron leader, callsign Empress. This Empress person is..."

The curious man pulls up the attached profile only to nearly jump away from his seat when he sees the portrait of Avalon 1.

The Reich Marshal is an idol in the hearts of many. Known for her many talents, one may find it easier to count what she couldn't do rather than what she could do. Nevertheless, when the pilot of the incoming aircraft is shown to be the Marshal herself in a flight suit, Long Caster is still spooked. It's one thing for the Marshal to direct the battlefield from afar these days, it's another thing altogether for her to join the fray atop a veritable war machine. There are many things that Long Caster would like to say, but for now, the man would have to settle for just this.

"No wonder those female pilots were denied of taking the moniker 'Empress', there's already a certified badass flying its color. We better pray because shit's about to come down hard...