Roland was already covered in grease, he almost forgot how messy mechanics work was, but with only a few able bodied AA staff in the hangar he had to make himself useful, they didn't need to be here any longer than they had to be. Roland sympathised with the anxious energy in the room, a bunch of young strangers all roped into a mission they know almost nothing about and now sitting in a half destroyed hangar waiting to make a hasty trip to Iceland with no ground control whatsoever. They were in the dark, flying blind metaphorically and literally, and it wasn't their faults. They did more than what was asked in the contract for the mission, they weren't the Albion Avenger's security force, they could have all left the battle, but they stayed and fought like real pilots would.

Answering their questions was the very least he could do, he started with [b]Izabelle's Question.[/b]

[i]I'll be honest Ms Votyakov, Iceland is one of the countries that is kind of 'off the radar' in terms of occupation or  faction activity, as far as I know, its mainly a supply nation for the West European Coalition, not really having a true army or militia of its own apart from security out posts for a few cargo bases, but If I were to take a guess, I would think it would be an attractive spot for some low level bandit groups to scurry around in, but no major factions from what I can tell. Even the Broken Birds haven't been spotted there, so hopefully it should be a fairly smooth ride.[/i]

Roland took his pilot hat off and saluted Izabelle.

[i]You really did good today, pilot. You and Ava make a great team too, I'm glad you are watching our backs.[/i]

Roland then turned his attention to [b]Nishizawa[/b]who asked a similar question

[i]Well I've covered the possible enemies but, expect a lot of supply bases, factories, storage units, docks and  even a fair few cities once we get to Iceland. The Country is one of the more less effected places by the wars of recent years, so its still a fairly nice place for normal folks to pass through, on our fuel stops we wont have to worry too much about dangerous groups. However the trip across the sea will be more unpredictable, and at the rate these staff are working, we probably will be crossing the ocean around night time. So we will still have to be on high alert. But we can make it, stay focused [color=00a651]Scanner[/color]. [/i]

Roland gave her the same nod as he did when he first met her, this time in appreciation for her efforts in the sky. He then turned to Reggie and acknowledged his sympathy for Hobbes.

[i]Thanks Reggie, and youre right it was Bullshit, I have no idea why the Broken Birds came all the way out to scotland just to bomb one base, it almost doesn't make sense, but they are bloody and dead now, and that is probably the only thing bringing me comfort. Nice bait and hook with Alfonse by the way, might have to remember that tactic in the future if we have another ace to fight. As for your question there are no AA bases in Iceland, but most refuelling stations will be owned by legitamate Icelandic businesses and contracters from the [b]Western Euro Coalition[/b]......now I wouldnt say the WEC are our allies but they arent our enemies either, they are mainly focused on economic growth so by keeping civil they stand to make more money instead of acting like [b]China[/b] and blasting everything that comes into their airspace. But essentially in terms of loyal support for our mission, we only really have each other.....but we can do it![/i]

Next was [b]Alfonse[/b] who was guzzling coffee and giving Roland a stern tone about the reality about what just happened, and the expectations of him the group. Roland's back stiffened and he responded to Afonse with subtle respect.


[i]I'm not going to sugar coat it, Alfonse, I'm not half the pilot I used to be, too many injuries, possible long term brain damage, and this war has taken a LOT out of me, everytime I get in that cockpit, I'm expecting to be too slow, too beaten up, to make the razor sharp reactions I need for this campaign. I'm no ace, I'm just a chewed up Canadian ex-soldier who refuses to go to waste in some military retirement residence, like most of my army buddies are going to do. I'm not even 40 but I feel a LOT older and I know that Beautiful Iron Jackson is going to be my coffin, but the only question is, [b]how much of my life can I make worth something before I'm killed in battle?[/b][/i]

Roland's tone went icy, and cynical, his eyes were flashing the psychological damage from his time in the North American War. He walked closer to Alfonse and squinted his eyes to search for any hint of an expression under the bandages that covered his face. He took a deep shivering breath and and continued.

[i]The strong survive, Alfonse, and in the context of this fucking global situation, that's how it should be goddamnit! Good pilots live to tell the tale of their adventures, sloppy pilots, end up like those Broken Bird psychos we just splattered. They are spared the embarrassment of having to find an excuse. Luck them, I dont have an excuse! I was the worst pilot in the [b]Original Sky Warriors[/b] I was a terrified scanner, who would freeze up in mid combat, my teammates: [b]Donnie, Ajay, Phillip, and Li [/b] were always saving my ass, I had potential but I would never take responsibility because I knew my team would always save me, they were very invincible to me......life....was good....until they.....and well. Its nothing I need to go into now, but they aren't with us now. Someone killed them all in combat. But you guys, you wont make the same mistakes we did, you will all be each others Ace, each other's protectors, I can see it in the way you all fight together.[/i]

Roland's voice was now hushed and introverted, the layers of his psyche were now starting to show, and he realised this so he returned to his Iron Jackson and continued the repairs.

[i]We will leave in 2 hours, we should all have our aircraft at 100% by then.[/i]

***************************************************************************************************************************

[hider=Off To Iceland!]
[youtube=Lhv_yFMuwxs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5FhFEY3mM[/youtube]
[/hider]

[img]http://wallbasehq.net/images/medium/a-calm_seas-207790.jpg[/img]

It was 7:12PM, the planes had taken off and been flying for about an hour now and all in fighting fit condition. They were in a loose formation with Roland slightly ahead leading the way, the sky was beginning to darken but the sea was nice an calm and it has been a fairly pleasant flight since leaving scotland. Some of the Sky Warriors were now talking to each other and spirits seemed high.

Roland opened the intercom channel to all craft flying with him.

[i]Roland Shaw here, All aircraft report![/i]