The jarring sound of assault cannons expending thousands of rounds as battle commenced, echoing the pleading of pilots for someone to save them as the BETA ripped into their TSFs like a chew toy. Carnage and bloodshed littered the battlefield, and cannon fire lit the sky like fireworks. Victory was all that mattered, and it would certainly come at a great cost of lives to defend what was left of humanity.

Yet for the multinational 231st UN Tactical Armored Battalion, the "Grey Wolves," such a reality was certain to be theirs. Some had faced the BETA before, and some had not. Some had lost friends, while others were unknown to grief. Nevertheless, they stood together in the small quarters allotted to them within the assault ship carrying their TSFs towards the northern coast of Spain. It had been a long and silent journey for the ship's crew; the sailors' faces all sharing a grim expression as the occasional reconnaissance TSF roared in the sky, reminding them of their mission to save the world from the BETA.

"I don't like the look of this," A sailor muttered, his eyes forward to the cloudy yet foggy sky. "The weather conditions are terrible, yet command still wants us to go forward. What were they thinking? They're not the ones that are going to die out here." He continued to rant, grumbling under his breath while most of the sailors echoed his points. There was nothing but sea and fog for miles, leaving the entire force relatively blind as they approached the Spanish coast.

Still, the elderly captain stood stern, gaze fixed forward. His arms were folded behind his back, yet the captain of the ship said naught a word. "Captain?" Another sailor asked, conflicted by their superior's silence, yet no answer would come--only the same old silence. It had left the sailors wondering, engulfing the bridge in an awkward stillness. Did their captain share the same views, or was he fueling with anger, ready to reprimand them at a moment's notice?

Little did they know that the captain had been fixated on a pack of TSFs, their element flying over the various naval craft that floated beneath them. Then, as if the captain knew what was to come, a bright laser cut through the fog, absorbing the TSF in a massive explosion of fire and black smoke as the laser struck it.

"I believe we are at war, gentlemen." Was all the captain spoke; his reaction clearly jaded in comparison to his cowering underlings. With the slightest movement of the captain's hand, the sailors began to scramble to their positions. Some slid on their headsets, attempting to establish radio connection with the rest of the fleet, while others clambered to alert their own ship. Booming cannon fire was exchanged with high-pitched lasers, coating the sky in a fiery abyss.

And when the emergency red lights flicked on, hell on earth had truly begun once more for humanity.



Colonel Fabel, Commanding Officer of the 231st, had been standing at the back of the bridge as the Sailors had gone about expressing their fears to the Captain, and had almost spoken up to try and ease their minds but found himself cut off by the sudden light that cut through the fog and took out a TSF as it flew past the ship, lighting the foggy sky in red and orange as pieces of the TSF splashed down in the water just off the port side of the transport ship. Immediately the Captain had his Sailors at their stations and carrying out their duties as they were trained to and a moment later the lights switched from the welcoming white of standard operations to the blood red emergency lighting, bathing the interior of the ship in the eerie dark light of General Quarters.

The warning klaxon blared loud across the ship, and could be heard coming off of the nearby TSF transports as well, followed by a pause in the klaxon as a young man of the bridge crew picked up a microphone, "General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations. TSF Pilots make ready for immediate launch." Despite the sailors young age he managed to hold his composure well, declaring the change in readiness of the ship with a sort of cold confidence befit to someone who was sure it was all over for them.

Colonel Fabel moved from his spot against the wall to an empty station that had been set out for him to monitor the Battalion. With the flick of a button the screen pulled up a view of the interior of the transport bay, it was a flurry of action, considering the fact that they weren't due to make landfall for another hour it was odd that there still seemed things that needed to be finished by maintenance workers. He sighed to himself, finding his forefinger and thumb pressed against the bridge of his nose as a wave of stress began to wash over him, he'd sent many pilots to their deaths in the past, but never had it been for such a massive cause as the retaking of Earth. As he rubbed the bridge of his nose he took a look at the status of the sixteen TSFs that the ship housed. Eleven had pilots in them and were signaling green and ready to launch, the other five seemed to be lagging behind as the pilots got into their fortified suits or helped the maintenance crews with last minute checks or fixes.

"Just great..." He said to himself before picking up a headset that had been hung on a small hook at his station. It was keyed into the general frequency for the 231st, a means for the Colonel to communicate with the Squadron as a whole or with a select few pilots at once. He keyed the microphone on the headset and began to speak, "Grey Wolves, we're less than an hour from the Northern Coast of Spain, we've unfortunately just confirmed that there are Heavy-Laser Class BETA present in the landing area, despite what we know from satellite reconnaissance. You're going to be launching in the next few minutes t--" There was a bright flash as a laser emerged from the fog and struck a transport ship bow-on to the right of the 231st's ship. The ensuing explosion was enough to shatter glass on the bridge and shake the entirety of the ship, bits and pieces of flaming debris peppering the nearby ships and landing on the decks of the transports still ablaze.

"THEY JUST GOT THE CARDOBA!" A yell from a sailor on the bridge snapped Fabel back into reality.

"Scratch that, Grey Wolves, launch immediately!" The Colonel stated over the comm-line to a chorus of yes sirs and other assorted affirmations. Ahead of him the deck of the TSF transport began to open and from the individual slots rose the TSFs of the Grey Wolves. Armed to the teeth and ready for combat, but even if they took off, there'd be no guarantee they'd even make it to the shore line. "Be advised Command is stating there has been no heavy metal chaff deployment, that means stick low and move as quickly as you can to the coast, the cliff edges of the coast will provide safety from the Laser-Class, new orders will be relayed once you have made it to shore. Good luck." The Colonel stated before ending the connection. He then keyed into the larger battle net of the operation to retake Spain, and swallowed as the casualty reports began to stream in over the screen in front of him, and not yet had a single TSF stepped foot on land.

---

Verena Ellmenreich

---

A series of explosion rocked the ship, as she moved her hands in front of her, examining the new colors she now wore. Different colors, same suit, she thought. Her grin grew slightly wider as the comms blared to life, barking orders for them to get off now.

"Immer im Einsatz.." She spoke to herself, before responding. "Affirmative!"

Verena boarded her TSF, looking over the familiar controls as she readied herself for launch. For a moment panic gripped her, the feeling of claustrophobia, the feeling that she was stepping into a coffin, growing intense.

"Nngh.. hmmgfh.." The moment passed quickly, as she breathed slowly, eyes closed to control herself. "Wolf 9, launching off!"

Once more, into the fray, piloting a 1st generation TSF. There was a time when she would have protested, asking for better TSF, one that wasn't as outdated. But now, like the fortified suit she used to be rather embarrassed to wear, Verena couldn't bring herself to care anymore. She was envious of those who were in the cutting edge machines, but still, it was just the way things goes. Normal recruits like her gets shoved onto the cheapest stuff to be the cannon fodder.

Up ahead one of the flying TSF exploded, spraying debris all over her TSF's hull, and bringing her out of her reverie.

"Ah, jeez!" Her heart felt like it was gripped by an icy claw as she brought her machine lower, heading towards whatever beachhead they were heading to.

No, 'hell' would be more apt considering what awaits them.

Rath had been doing last-minute check-ups and adjustments inside his Su-27SM but was otherwise ready to deploy as soon as the command was given. While the Su-37M2 was a much fancier TSf, he felt more comfortable with his current model not that he would have gotten a terminator anyway. Rath made sure the three photos that accompanied him in every mission were secure in their fixtures, he had the maintenance crew put something together on the trip here so that he put them in a proper place. He picked his head up a little at the distant sound of an explosion from the outside, so the party was already kicking off? Through his display he could see the red lights turn on and moments later the obnoxious sound of the warning klaxon "Trzy..dwa..jeden..." he counted to himself in his thick accent, right before the message rang out across the ship "General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations. TSF Pilots make ready for immediate launch."

The statement was hardly jarring to the veteran pilot but the anticipation was what got him, those few moments between the alarm and the order to take-off always made his heart race just a bit faster. His hands gripped the controls of his TSF moving onto the platform elevator, their time would soon come to join the fight. Normally he wasn't so quiet in the pre-op but this was all too familiar to him, the scars of Opertion Ouka were still fresh. Who is your Father? My great motherland, the Soviet Union! Who is your mother? My beloved motherland, the land of Eurasia! What is your task? To slay my hated foe, the BETA! Who fights with you? My trusted allies, the Grey Wolves! He could still hear the faint voice of Captain Ivanova asking each question to his comrades, though he had to respond this time for them. We are a single sword forged in the fires of hell! His comrades even in death continued to support him and give him strength. Without it...he did not know if he would be alive right now. He finally decided to smile, at least for them. If they ever knew how sentimental he was being, they would never let him hear the end of it.

Colonel Faber's voice came through the communications link, Rath's eyes fixed on his name that had come up on the display. His smile did not falter at this new information about Heavy-Laser class BETA, it was not going to change their objective nor their orders. Rath and his TSF were ready to launch once more into hell on earth and once more he would climb back out. "You're going to be launching in the next few minutes t--" An explosion rocked the ship causing several of the maintenance personnel to stumble. That was too loud to be a TSF...Rath gritted his teeth as the realization washed over him that the explosion had to have come from a transport "Scratch that, Grey Wolves, launch immediately!" They needed to take the beach-head and neutralize those laser-class immediately or the whole operation was at jeopardy "Roger!" He did not make any jokes at this time, smiles and laughter would be for their victory.

The platform rose and with it his vision of the battlefield. Twisted, burning metal of the Cardoba immediately got his attention, that must have been the cause of the explosion he heard just moments ago. Faber was counting on them for this mission's succes and his own survival. The dispersed wreckage of other TSFs did not lower his composure as the platform finished rising and he got his TSF ready for surface-to-air launch. A last order from their CO informed them further of the situation. Luck? He didn't know that the Commander had such a great sense of humor. He smirked for a moment "Time to put your money where your mouth is Anders." His voice entered over the squad's comms, knowing that the green-horn has never been in a fight like this. "Just watch and learn, Red." Rath let out a little laugh, even though he hated being called 'Red' it was worth it to hear her pissed. He immediately began powering his boosters while she replied, and once his thrust was guaranteed he stated "Wolf-5, launching!" He activated his boosters and the Su-27SM lurched forward at incredible speed from the transport vessel to engage in NOE flight, this was hardly enough room for a proper launch but they didn't have the time to complain.

Rath skimmed the surface of the water on his approach, the feet of of his TSF only a few meters above it. His muscles were tense as he performed his maneuvers to avoid getting shot down by a Laser-class, he was not about to be shot down before he even got to the beach. A TSF from a different squadron followed suit though he was riding the maximum height pretty close. Idiot, Lower your altitude bef...a bright flash and a eruption of flames filled his vision. He had to make it to the beach. Just a few more meters...He raised his right arm holding his assault cannon and laid fire down on the beach, taking out several tank-class before reaching the shore. Quickly reversing his boosters to slow himself down for a softer landing, his TSF touched down on the same beaches the allies landed on in 1944 "This is Wolf-5, I have made land-fall." He wasted no time clearing a path to the cliff-side as his left arm deployed its blade motor, knowing that his squad would be soon following close behind. Years on the front-line had taught him his role very well, there was no where he felt more comfortable than at the front of the formation. Squad unity was something that was crucial to Rath but Major Kochenkov...he didn't trust her at all. He would need to wait for them to arrive however, the BETA were already moving on his position.



Haley couldn't help but think what a patch-work set-up of a squad this was as she waited in the pilot's seat of her F-15E Strike Eagle, awaiting the order to begin deployment. What was this unit supposed to even be? She had given the time to read up her squad-mates, something that red-haired bastard made fun of her for. Was this the UN's attempt to have all the nation's play nice for once? Now that was a joke. This battalion was completely unnecessary for the purpose of this operation, the fact that she was assigned to this unit was even more frustrating. The sound of a soft explosion ripped her from her thoughts, startling her just before the red hue of the emergency lights flooded the hangar and the near-deafening sound of the warning klaxon. Could that explosion have been a TSF? Suddenly her grievances with the squad were forgotten and replaced with the jarring realization that her mission was about to start.

"General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations. TSF Pilots make ready for immediate launch." Somehow those words made the situation all the more surreal, her eyes watching the maintenance crew scattered off the platform that would raise her onto the ship's deck. The mission couldn't possibly be starting already! She figured it would only further her goal of proving herself in combat, and being assigned a F-22 Raptor, the best US TSF in service, instead of this F-15E. Once she was piloting that, it would only serve as further testament to her abilities as a TSF pilot. Dominic would be somewhere observing her during this battle, so there was no way she could afford to fail him. She only hoped that the other members of her squad wouldn't slow her down too much.

"Grey Wolves, we're less than an hour from the Northern Coast of Spain, we've unfortunately just confirmed that there are Heavy-Laser Class BETA present in the landing area, despite what we know from satellite reconnaissance. You're going to be launching in the next few minutes t--" The second explosion cut off Colonel Fabel, the sound much sharper than the previous one. That was way too loud to be just another TSF...could that have been? Violently she shook her head free of these thoughts, she had yet to take-off and already she felt shaken. It was completely unacceptable of someone of her caliber. She could already see that smug smile on his face, she wouldn't give him any ammunition for his jokes. Adrenaline was already seeping into her bloodstream, if they waited any longer on this tin can they would all be dead!

"Scratch that, Grey Wolves, launch immediately!" The command came immediately after the explosion settled, at least the CO understood how to control a situation "Yes sir!" She stated firmly through the TSF's comms though she felt her heart beginning to race. A couple deep breath as the platform began to rise allowed for Haley to steady herself. There were other pilots with few missions under their belt like her but they were both rather unremarkable in their reports, according to her. As her F-15E rose up to the deck, the sight of the fresh war-zone around her clenched her chest once more at the scattered remains of several TSFs. Upon hearing the Colonel's newest intel, she made a mental acknowledgment of the information. A quick scoff sounded at the idea of 'luck', she didn't need such a superstitious thing when she had skill. A quick glance over to the right confirmed her early suspicion but she just didn't want to believe it...a whole transport gone. A sick feeling arose in her stomach, everytime she thought she had gotten over her nerves something new opened them up fresh "Time to put your money where your mouth is Anders." That pathetic soviet dog was already challenging her? The boiling of her blood took away the shock from what she just saw "Just watch and learn, Red." She barely contained her anger, even she knew this wasn't the time. It was only seconds after she said that he darted off towards the beach, she was not about to let him off that easily.

"Wolf-7, launching!" Her announcement carrying a bit of her previous anger as her booster ignited sending her towards the beach. Watching the Soviet pilot maneuver so well frustrated her, every turn and strafe was nearly flawless in execution. Was this the ability of a pilot on the front-line? She refused to admit that Red was anywhere close to being better. Her talent would need to make up for her lack of experience or she would not make it through. Her arms raised the AMWS-21 Combat Systems mounted to the F-15E, it was time to show-case her marksmanship. Every pull of the trigger resulted in a dead BETA as she approached the shore, her mind focused not only on survival but victory. A few moments after Rath touched down on the sand, Haley did so as well her heart-racing faster than it ever has "Wolf-7 here, I have landed. Proceeding to assist Wolf-5." So this was life-or-death on the front-lines?

Regrettably, she would have to rely on Red until the rest of the squad touched down on the beach and stayed close to him, providing support fire while dealing with BETA that came after her. Grappler-class and tank-class were their current targets, they were just so many of them...and yet Red seemed to be keeping his composure through it all. She was not about to let a lousy commie show her up, she would be stronger than him. Put her money where her mouth was? She was going to make him regret ever saying those words to her. No other squads seemed to have made it onto the beach yet, that meant the 231st would have to pick up their slack

Kwan’s Type-97 was like any other which bore the designation only its interior varied due to her personal adjustments, some even to accommodate her unusual height. She had slid into the cockpit the first time a couple of years ago and she felt more at home in her seat then she felt anywhere else and her suit fit like her skin. She checked her Support cannon’s ammo clip remembering when her instructor once trapped her in a launch with an empty clip that could only be noticed in a visual. Sure it was unlikely she’d have the cascade of faults he’d set up but it was the small things that killed a pilot.

Next she checked her scope and verified it was functioning and as she braced for launch checked out the focus setting and the twitch setting that were the difference between a tight grouping and exposing herself to return fire.

Grace was her Unit’s name and she was named after Sgt Grace of the 4th Georgia rifles who was the legendary American sniper who killed the highest ranking soldier. Grace was calibrated by her mistress and her need to do her job to the best of her ability and was an extension of the Amazon that sat at her controls. Once all systems were checked Kwan announced ”Wolf - 11 Launch”

Soon she was skimming NOE so closely that leaves and other loose debris spun in her slipstream behind her tumbling in the TSF’s wake. She knew she was entering a combat zone the clues abundantly furnished by the fragments of a nearby unit raining down around her.

Soon she was coming to a stop in a good position to support her teammates and hide 3/4s of her Fubuki from return fire as she began a sweep of the area seeking her first target while keeping an eye on Wolf-5-9- and 7 for any change in position or status.

Water, water, everywhere. But not a drop to drink.

A jolt tore Kseniya from her trance like state as the explosion of the nearby Cardoba sent a powerful blast in all directions. She quickly linked into her TSF, the dark cockpit suddenly transitioning to the well lit interior of the 231st's own transport. Above her the bay doors began to give way, sliding conveniently out of the way as some of the other TSFs began their launches at the behest of the Colonel. She flipped a key at her side, the weapons loadout showing green across the board, two completey loaded 120mm magazines and four full 36mm magazines were stored internally inside her Terminator while both of her A-97 Assault Cannons showed they were loaded and ready to go. She grinned to herself as she ran a test diagnostic of her chain motor mounts and they came back green as well.

With another flip of a switch and a short pause her Terminators engines roared to life, only barely audible through the frame of the TSF itself but more than easily felt through the machine. She watched the display inlaid over her own line of sight as both power plants quickly moved up to operating levels. With that she keyed into the maintenance frequency for her own TSF bay, "Wolf 12, ready to launch." she stated quickly, a mechanic quickly confirming that he had heard it from his end. The TSF shook for a moment as the elevator raised it up to the main deck of the transport.

Kseniya would have taken in the view for a moment, as there was something oddly enthralling about the burning and mangled wreck of the Cardoba as it sank off to her right, but a laser tearing through the fog farther off in the distance told her she had no time for such trivial pursuits. Keying into the main frequency of the 231st she would open her line to them, "Wolf 12, launching." she stated flatly as the Terminator roared off the deck and quickly hugged the water line. She had only a few minutes of flight time to arrive at the shores of Spain, but even that few minutes could prove deadly. Skimming over the water Kseniya had to keep her mind focused on something other than the fact she was currently surrounded by water, choosing to focus on her breathing as she flew along she would notice many smaller craft being launched by other transports in the massive invasion fleet. LCACs slid out the back of landing ships, tanks spotting their decks, while other smaller craft and amphibious armored personnel carriers splashed into the water from the well-decks of their own troop carriers, each one likely loaded to the brim with infantry ready to face the BETA, but whether they were ready to die was another question.

Noticing that the beach was fast approaching, Kseniya turned her jump units to the front and ratcheted the power to 100%, the quick bleed of forward momentum pulling Kseniya forward where she sat and throwing dust and sand up on the beach. She would land, taking only a few steps before coming to a complete stop. Relief overwhelmed her as she left the ocean behind her and a new sense of purpose would find its way into her mind as her heads up display began to register thousands of red blips on the radar, each of them a BETA. Her line to the squadron still open she would broadcast to them all, "Wolves! Hold the beach head, we need to be alive when the troops land or there's no chance of this operation being a success!" she would say while at the same time squeezing off a burst of 36mm rounds into a group of Tank Class that had decided to try and venture over the top of the hill at the end of the beach, "Move up to the hills edge, keep the BETA advance back long enough for reinforcements to begin landing." she ordered, unsure of where exactly the Squadron leader was Kseniya began to take command.

Moving up the edge of the hill Kseniya's Terminator would begin to register more TSFs from other units as they began landing on the beach and moving up as well, and not far behind were the tanks and infantry that would make up the majority of the force being deployed today.


"General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations. TSF Pilots make ready for immediate launch."

First Lieutenant Tanizaki Kosuke found himself sprinting from the ready room to his Type-94, His suit still not completely fitted as he made his way up the steep stairs that led to the platform which allowed him to enter his TSFs cockpit. The technician at the top of the stairs rendered a quick salute as he glanced by and jumped into his cockpit. Kosuke took a seat while with his left hand reaching behind his neck to press the button that would cause the suit to become form fitting and with his opposite hand raised and quickly dropped a salute to the technician he had just passed.

The simple formality over he sat back into his seat and welcomed the familiar feeling of the TSFs bolts locking him in place. He threw a few switches and grabbed hold of the controls as the cockpit began sliding back into place. As his link with the TSF was established Kosuke was barely able to hear the explosion outside of the passing TSF, but he knew from experience that whatever it was spelled trouble. He threw another set of switches and keyed in a command, his Shiranui coming to life at his fingertips as he did. His vision blurred for a moment as he transitioned between his own sight and that of the Shiranui's sensors. He grinned to himself as he quickly went over his pre-flight checklist, everything appearing green as he did.

Keyed into the general frequency of the 231st he listened intently as the Colonel began to tell them of the situation, only to be cut off by the explosion of the Cardoba to their starboard side. With that it was every man for himself, the 231st began their launches out of sequence and Kosuke watched as they scattered for the shore line they couldn't see but knew was there through the fog, each and every one of them practically alone for their flight to land. "Wolf 3, Launching!" he called over the comms before his Shiranui took to the sky. As he flew along the water he couldn't help but take in the sight, even with the dense fog it was clear that there were other burning transports through it by the tell tale orange glow emanating from somewhere within, and every so often he would spot another transport of TSFs being launched along with a few lone elements as they made for the shore with only a single TSF at their wing.

He passed along the side of a transport ship as its front seemed to spit out smaller infantry transport vehicles also headed for the shore. He waved to them from within his cockpit before his radiation alarm began to blare loud and his vision went slightly red as his TSF tried to alert him to the impending danger, instinctively he brought his Shiranui as close to the water as he could without hitting it, only a meter of space separating it from the deep blue abyss, but it didn't matter as he wasn't the target of the incoming laser fire. Two bolts would appear from the mist ahead of Kosuke and some thirty meters to his right, landing direct hits on the transport he had just passed, one passing through the open front gates of the ship and another grazing the bridge at its rear. Kosuke watched for a moment in horror of the spectacle as burning amphibious vehicles rolled off the ramp to be swallowed whole by the waves below and sailors that had survived the hit scrambled about in what appeared to be utter chaos.

He turned off his rear-view camera at the sight and pressed on for land. Just a few minutes later, and after hearing the Majors orders to hold the beach, he too would land on the beaches of Spain, not far from where the second Storm Vanguard of the Grey Wolves had landed. "Wolf 5, this is Wolf 3 I'm moving to assist you." he stated over the comms just as he landed to the side of the Su-27SM of Lieutenant Drazkowski. He squeezed off a burst of his assault cannon at a group of Tank Class that seemed to be trying to make their way around the main force of currently landed TSFs to move to another part of the shoreline, pulverizing them into an assortment of chunks of red strewn across the hill.

"We hold until the rest land or we get new orders from Wolf 1, everyone watch your ammo, no telling when we'll be getting resupplied with the state the fleet is in right now." he hoped that his words were motivating but the Japanese man was pretty sure they were anything but.

The sirens blared from each ship, and the soldiers had been readied for combat, yet the invasion was already collapsing before it began. Transports and TSFs alike burned in a fury of ash and cinders--the unlucky to be hit by one of the numerous Laser-Class BETA. The invasion was beginning to unfold in to disaster... save if it wasn't for the 231st.

"Mes amis," A familiar voice spoke as twin Rafales landed on the Spanish coastline, along with the rest of the battalion. One of the Rafales coated a group of Tank-Class with an insane amount of firepower; Each round taking another BETA life. "We will be leaving the beachhead to the other battalions, as we have our own mission to accomplish." Their squadron leader, Mina, explained to her fellow pilots. Her eyes had darted between the faces shown on the projected screen as part of her link to her TSF. She needed to remember them--she had to. They were the faces Mina and the battalion may lose today.

Another voice had begun to speak, their accent undoubtedly marking themselves as French. "Those in charge have decided on to fire AL warheads deep within BETA territory, and so communications may experience some difficulties." Elise explained to the rest of the squadron. She had hoped Mina wouldn't scare the less experienced pilots with their new orders, but Elise also had enough trust in her friend to bring them all home in one piece.

"Which leaves us with our orders. Unlike the rest of the battalions, we will be heading far into the BETA's ranks to preform a laserjagd against the Laser-Class BETA." The squadron leader continued, ignoring the sound of gunfire and death around herself. "Second Lieutenants Drazkowski, Ellmenreich, First Lieutenant Tanizaki and Major Kochenkov will be the front of Arrowhead One. The middle will consist of Second Lieutenants Anders and Poulsen, First Lieutenant Allaire and myself."

"Finally, those in the rear will be Second Lieutenants Yu, Lundell, Kasteler, Holland, Gonzalez and First Lieutenant Guerrini." Mina ordered, giving people short time to get into place. The sound of cannon fire began, coating the sky with a gray metallic cloud. The warheads that were shot down by the Laser-Class exploded, yet only added to the effect the particles would have by diffusing the strength of the lasers. "Make sure to establish NOE flight, and as always, good luck."

Once Mina established the squadron's orders, the flight began their mission. It was dangerous to skim so close to the ground, perhaps even nerve-wracking, but it was needed to avoid detection from the Laser-Class. Still, one faulty mistake and a TSF could easily become a burning heap on the ground, and being so far deep into BETA territory meant rescue was almost deemed impossible. A TSF pilot was invaluable, even more so than a normal soldier that many cast off as cannon fodder, but one so far within the BETA's ranks was surely a lost cause.

"Mina," Elise spoke while the squadron glided into the depths of hell. "How about we go stargazing once this over? I heard the skies over Spain are beautiful at night." She continued, waiting for a response from her friend, but Mina had simply smiled. Someone had to tell Elise that she was still on open comms, rather than a private connection, but before Mina could reply, Lundell beat the squadron leader to the punch. "Everyone can hear you, Elise." Lundell jested, bringing forth a chorus of laughter from his fellow pilots.

"E-Eh!?" Elise exclaimed, her face coated in a blush as she realized her mistake. Her cheeks puffed in a pout, and Elise felt more than embarrassed that someone had overheard such words. Nonetheless, the moment was quickly extinguished as fast as it began. "Laser-Class spotted... guarded by a number of Grappler-Class and more Tank-Class than I can count! We won't be able to deal with the Laser-Class unless we take the rest out of the equation!" Holland was quick to exclaim, as the roar of the TSF engines alerted the BETA of their presence. Despite being weakened by the particle cloud, the Laser-Class were more than ready to fire onto the TSFs that had hunted them.

Gripping her controls tightly, Mina hastily issued orders to the squadron. "Clear a path to the Laser-Class! We can't allow them to fire!" The squadron leader commanded, her FWGS-G1 Assault Cannon expending ammunition alongside the rest of squadron. With luck, perhaps Mina would only have to count ammuntion levels rather than faces.

---

Like ants pouring out of their dirt hill, the BETA never ceased to keep coming. He could see the other members of his battalion make their way on the beach, which was quickly coming under their control. That was a temporary relief, the other parts of this operation were not going so smoothly. Gore splashed and blanketed the ground as his blade motor tore into the tank-class wishing to climb onto his TSF and tear it apart, his gunfire keep the approaching enemy away. 36mm rounds tore into countless enemies around him as fire from his other teammates came into play, they just couldn't keep out of the fun could they? Subconsciously he kept a monitor on the more green members of the battalion, just like the older members of the 211 did for him. On his radar, he could see two more friendly identifiers coming onto the beach. The heat of battle had left him ignoring the sound of the other members launching. Carnage had already been wrought on sea and now on land, the way of life under the threat of the BETA.

Major Kochenkov. He had avoided her like deadly disease since he arrived to join the 231st mostly for the benefit of them both. Zykova...that woman had distilled such hatred for Russians in him that he could hardly control it himself. However here on the battlefield, he could push that aside to complete their objective and listen to the Major, at least until the Captain arrived "You got it Major, a few thousand skewered BETA coming up." He lightly spoke just as his blade motor sank into the side of a grappler-class after making a side-wards dash, rending its flesh asunder. A glimpse of a Type-94 Shiranui came into view along with a message from its pilot before landing next to him, clearing a swath of tank-class. Rath smirked at the skill of his storm vanguard counter-part, at least he wouldn't have to worry about him falling behind "Roger, Wolf-3. Let's hope you are as skilled with a blade as your are with a gun." A light chuckle escaped him as he moved for the hill under Kseniya's orders.

He had been managing his ammo supply since he touched down on this beach. If that was an attempt at motivation, the 1st lieutenant failed greatly. As round after round was sent into the BETA mass, the laser-class continued their own battery assault. Suddenly a group of Tank-class were obliterated leaving Rath's momentarily stunned before he saw the designations on his radar. Wolf-1 and Wolf-2. The French-speaking angels, as he liked to think of them. Everyone's face appeared on his display as the captain relayed her orders, leaving the beachhead already? That could only mean one course of action and hearing those french accents was much preferred to the grating sound of the american, who had stayed silent thanks to his luck.

A laserjagd in these conditions? Well even with the increase in the metal cloud density, it was gonna be a wild ride "Roger." he confirmed his orders, moving into position. As expected, he was named for the front of the formation along with three others. Fighting alongside Kseniya did not bother him but he was concerned for Verena piloting a older model TSF, fighting up close required every edge you could get. The initial fighting had already covered his blade motor in a new coat of red. How many times had he engaged in operations like this on the front-lines? "Looks like we're gonna get to see what you can do in that Tornado, Wolf-9." He was surprised that such outdated TSFs hadn't been fully replaced yet, but if she was here then he expected she could hold her own.

The formation began its push towards the laser-class, Rath moving along the right side of Tanizaki. Zykova, I hope to see you in hell That thought warmed his heart as they came closer to their objective. His lungs exploded with laughter as Elise's mistake was broadcast over their comms, it was too golden to miss "Oh was that meant for private? Kochasz ptaki." he chuckled, hoping that they wouldn't understand him. They wouldn't get a moment to translate it anyway, as Holland called out the enemy. On Mina's orders, Rath moved forwards to engage the BETA blocking the path to the laser-class. 36mm rounds burst into the tank-class, then snapping to a grappler-class as it approached counting on his allies to reinforce him as the formation carved forward. This was not going to be the end for him.



Haley could only watch from the shore as transports erupted in explosions and flames, killing many soldiers along with them. She felt loss, she felt fear...she felt anger. These three emotions tore at each other while she continued to fire the two AMWS-21 cannons mounted on both her arms. Often she found her-self firing a couple more rounds than necessary into targets that were already dead. Dominic would never shown any kind of fear, she couldn't disgrace him by losing her nerves now. This beach would be taken by her efforts above anyone else, that was just how it had to be! That was why she kept maneuvering behind Rath, letting him death with fighting up close while she coated the BETA around him with hot lead.

Another set of TSFs from their battalion landed on the beach, the Russian Major and the Japanese 1st lieutenant. Kseniya didn't waste anytime issuing orders with the Captain yet to reach the beach, she would never take orders for a Russian! That didn't mean the others would follow her, no they were all moving on the hill to hold off the BETA's advance. Dammit! She grimaced and followed suit blowing apart a grappler-class as it tried to get close to Wolf-5 and Wolf-3. The captain was sure taking her sweet old time getting here, she hoped she wasn't getting all romantic with 1st lieutenant Allaire. The people of France did know how to attack, right? It seemed like her question would be answer with a loud, thunderous yes as twin Rafales made their appearance on the shore killing a multitude of BETA in the process.

The accuracy of the one was absolutely unacceptable, she would not have some Frenchie out-shoot her. Wait, did that order come through right? They had only just gotten the beachhead under control and now she wanted to abandon it. If they were firing AL warheads, then that meant they were going to be diving into the BETA's lines to perform a...laserjagd, her mind coming to the conclusion just as Mina announced it. She had only studied such an operation but had never been part of one, but it mattered not "Roger." Her part would be executed with precision and expertise flying low to the ground to move into position. "Don't fall apart before we get to the laser-class, Wolf-9." She spoke out, wondering why such a old model was even allowed on the field. Once more she was wished good luck by a commanding officer, what was with these UN forces?

The F-15C Eagle sped next to Elise's Rafale, weapon systems fully loaded and doing her best to maintain the strict altitude NOE flight required. It was no issue for a pilot of her talent, of course. She would not allow herself to crash and become food for those...monsters. The audacity of making romantic plans during a battle with the captain, was she so daft that she forgot to switch to a private line? Even she laughed a little along with the group, resisting the urge to smile. The battlefield was not someplace for such foolery, it would just get them killed. Her mind was taken off it by the massive horde of tank and grappler-class BETA ahead, one they need to cut through. The power of her F-15C was made to bear as all four guns fired, the initial shock of combat fading to allow her shot to hit to constantly connect and litter the ground with bits of BETA. The heavy rounds would be saved for the laser-class, they would taste her rage.

Verena Ellmenreich

---

The entire frame jolted as she landed on the beach, guns blazing. Her chest felt like it was constricting, the walls of the cockpit pressing down upon her, as she tracked several targets at once, her eyes darting here and there on her screen. BETA after BETA was shot down, yet still their numbers seemed limitless. Already there were people dead and dying upon the beach, and more was falling.

Her breath was starting to catch in her throat, her hands shaking, on the verge of-

"Second Lieutenants Drazkowski, Ellmenreich, First Lieutenant Tanizaki and Major Kochenkov will be the front of Arrowhead One. The middle will consist of Second Lieutenants Anders and Poulsen, First Lieutenant Allaire and myself."

"I got it!" Reloading, Verena moved quickly into position and into transit, flying dangerously low to the ground at high speed. Already she was shaking off that oppressive feeling crushing her just moments ago. All she needed to do was keep moving, to keep fighting, and think of nothing else but survival.

"Looks like we're gonna get to see what you can do in that Tornado, Wolf-9."\
"Don't fall apart before we get to the laser-class, Wolf-9."

A wry grin stretched her features as she sank back into her seat. It was to be expected for the others to have that kind of reaction. After all, they were here, in the front lines, and she was issued an old TSF like she was part of a ragtag guerilla team in the ass end of nowhere.

"Ahaha.. don't expect anything much. I'm just a normal rookie." She transmitted before silencing her comms.

The other two being lovey dovey on the comms wasn't something she needed to hear; it made her heart feel like thin wires were wrapped around it, constricting it as old memories came back uninvited.

Kwan was sorting through all the data she was receiving

::Wolf-12:: "Move up to the hills edge, keep the BETA advance back long enough for reinforcements to begin landing."

::Wolf-3:: "We hold until the rest land or we get new orders from Wolf 1, everyone watch your ammo, no telling when we'll be getting resupplied with the state the fleet is in right now."

::???:: "Laser-Class spotted... guarded by a number of Grappler-Class and more Tank-Class than I can count! We won't be able to deal with the Laser-Class unless we take the rest out of the equation!"

By the dearth of data and comms chatter the tall pilot had to assume that they were in a deep position with little chance of support facing the typical Beta assault force and numbers so she positioned herself for accuracy and began lobbing indirect fire on a mass of the crablike Beta Grapplers and and big mouthed Tanks. Her accuracy was 67% destroyed by her own mental estimates as she methodically began sweeping a path clean for the Vanguards in their advanced positions.

She was calm as she kept track of the enemy movements and Wolf Unit’s advance. She knew some believed adrenalin a good thing but they had never devoted themselves to the study of this archaic biochemical response to danger so she used TACT (Tactical Arousal Control Technique) which helped her to stay calm and in control as her life was held in the balance. She did this to control the less desirable effects of secondary arousal which ruined control using the scan and focus skills she had learned in martial arts that centered her awareness on her center of gravity. This helped her to steady the twitch response that could cause her to fire too quickly or delay her shot and ruin her timing. She added to this her control over her own ego offering or creating excuses for any missed shots accepting them as a fact of combat which she could only take the time to observe for correctable training and self reflection knowing to do so in combat a waste of tactical awareness which could result in the loss of a teammate or her own life.

She banished all thought outside of what was required for her combat performance entering what her former instructors called the “Machine State” and helped her to control and become one with her Fubuki. Her assault cannon spit shells in what might seem as staggered and irregular intervals form an outside point of view but was a result of target, movement, and temperature control in her weapon. She didn’t need to look at the counter as it displayed the depletion of her supply because she had an internal counter that warned her moments before the machine’s alarms.

In her position she also needed to be aware that the enemy had a history of ambushing the Guard force by tunneling beneath and behind knowing as she did that this was how many units were overwhelmed and killed. It was the little considered thought of nearly 42% of those engaged in combat if the figures gathered by the tactical debriefs of past encounters because of the tunnel vision.

Despite the odds that were heavily stacked against the 231st, the kill count continued to rapidly increase. Their ragtag team of TSF and pilots was showing to be more than enough to combat the BETA, whom had begun to splatter across the ground as bullets rained down on the aliens. A number of heroics were done on that battlefield; the 231st's teamwork proving the better over the thick claws of the Grappler-Class or even the nearly limitless numbers of the Tank-Class.

Once a path had been cleared to the Laser-Class as Mina ordered, the battalion turned their firepower immediately towards the Laser-Class BETA. There had been a few Tank-Class still running about, but it was important to keep the Laser-Class from firing, and so the massive guns the TSFs held fired upon the BETA, turning them into a mess akin to tomato paste stained on Spanish soil. "Press on!" Mina ordered once the Laser-Class had been dealt with. Even with the most dangerous target out of the way, the other BETA were still dangerous, and they needed to finish off the alien creatures before they got the best of one of the pilots and killing them in the process.

The twin Rafales moved forward with the cleanup operation; Their French ammunition shredding through the ranks of what had been left of the BETA in an almost sophisticated manner similar to a ballerina. Their movements were fluid, just like any other TSF pilot, yet the skill of an elite pilot was obvious. Elise had purposely fallen into a trap, and allowed numerous Tank-Class to swarm her TSF... until her assault cannons were ablaze and left a circle of freshly slain BETA. Even Mina, despite her leadership role, had managed to balance both defense and offense in a perfect blend, using her shield to block a laser as it melted the protective coating on top of the large hunk of metal before raining down shells from her assault cannon.

Soon enough, the battle was deemed won when any sign of BETA disappeared from the TSF radars, depicting only friendlies standing in the nearby area. "Spread out and watch the perimeter. I'll inform Colonel Fabel of our success and see about our next orders." Mina explained, sending the battalion into a circle formation while she radioed in.

However, on the battlefield, even the unexpected could happen, no matter whether you were an elite pilot or a simple recruit. The ground began to rumble, but the radars failed to pick up anything. "Does anyone have ey-" Kasteler spoke before a wounded Grappler-Class moved like lightning from underneath a pile of fallen BETA, clawing through his Mirage 2000. A series of curses and screaming occurred, yet nothing would save Kasteler before someone moved in and shot down the Grappler-Class.

"Merde!" Mina shouted as half of Kasteler's TSF crashed to the ground after being sliced into two. Ordering Poulsen to force open Kasteler's TSF, Mina left her TSF while the remaining members of the battalion. With the help of Poulsen, Mina was witness to a nasty sight as she was raised to where the cockpit was. "Kasteler is dead." Mina explained on an open frequency between the battalion as she gazed at a bloody mess of what once was a human.

A moment passed by before Mina spoke again. "Second Lieutenants Anders and Yu will see Kasteler's body back to Fabel and safely behind the front lines. As for everyone else, there won't be any time for mourning right now. We've been requested as reinforcements to aid another battalion against a Fort-Class."

---

Verena Ellmenreich

---

Eyes on target, pull the trigger.

Eyes on target, pull the trigger..

Eyes on target, pull the trigger...

The gun barrels flared and flared again, firing shot after shot into the enemy, even as she repeated those words like a mantra. Old as the frame was, Verena still piloted the TSF well enough to be out of the way of any of the BETA. The little ones were barely more than a nuisance, and the larger ones were too obvious to be able to approach her. She tracked two targets at once, firing the first gun into the Laser class BETAs while spraying the second in the general direction of anything that came near her.

Just as quick as the battle begun, so too did it seem to end. The BETA seemed to have all been dealt with, but with the BETA one could never be sure. The swiftness of a BETA attack had seared itself into her mind after all, along with other, more gruesome memories of that day.

Almost as if affirming her fears, one launched itself under a pile of the dead, grappling onto one of the TSFs. Her hands had automatically raised her TSF's right gun, aiming to intercept it as it jumped. However, instead of the sharp report of her gun firing, there was only the dry click of the firing pin hammering an empty chamber. Inhaling sharply, she raised the other gun, firing off what was left in the magazine, but by then it was already too late.

"Ah... What a waste..." She looked up towards her screen as Mina spoke.

"Second Lieutenants Anders and Yu will see Kasteler's body back to Fabel and safely behind the front lines. As for everyone else, there won't be any time for mourning right now. We've been requested as reinforcements to aid another battalion against a Fort-Class."

"Understood." Verena replied simply.

Moving back into formation, she reloaded the guns, looking as nonchalant as one would while drinking tea in the library.

"Hold on a minute, we can't just leave when there is a Fort-class approaching!"

Mina closed her eyes as she begun to hear Haley's refusal to her orders.

"Captain, surely we need everyone we can!"

The captain opened her eyes, looking in the direction of Haley's TSF. Whilst Mina admired her comrade's desire to fight the good fight, it was also a quality that she knew that she needed to break from Haley. If Mina didn't break Haley's eagerness, she knew it was only a matter of time before the American became Kasteler, or another lost soul like those that were dying on the beaches here or those that died during the culling operations the captain participated in across the Strait of Gibraltar.

"I happen to be well aware that 'we can't just leave when there is a Fort-class approaching,' but you--and Yu--will be." Mina replied with rather the official tone. What gentle remarks that may have remained were now replaced with serious and almost strict replies as Mina was forced to deal with Haley. "However, I do not need a child, especially a hotheaded one, on the battlefield with a Fort-Class. You'll be dead before any of us can save you. Tell me, do you wish to die just as your brother did?"

Perhaps it was a cold remark, as the rest listened mostly in silence. Mina meant well, but a hotheaded recruit could easily snap like a twig within a fire. Regardless, the captain didn't wait for Haley's reply, glancing in the direction of Yu's TSF as Mina returned to her own. Out of all those within the flight, Yu was likely the only one who was extremely strict on controlling their emotions. If anything, Yu would (hopefully) be able to balance out what raging fire existed inside Haley. If not, then it was just as likely that Haley would find herself in the stomach of a BETA or in a black body bag shipped back home.

"231st Grey Wolves will be enroute shortly to respond to the reinforcement request." Mina replied to Fabel over open comms, and begun to power her TSF's thrusters for lift off.



"...D-Does anyone copy?! This is the 154th--"

The flight towards where the reinforcement request had not long at all thanks to the speed of which a TSF could fly at. Since the Laser threat had been cleared in the immediate area, the battalion could quickly skim over the Spanish soil without worry. However, despite their speed, they could not undo the damage that had already happened, as the battalion arrived just in time to watch a TSF be split in half by the massive tentacle the Fort-Class BETA sprouted. Another TSF was ambushed by a lone Tank-Class, the BETA leaping from the chopstick-like legs of the Fort-Class onto the TSF.

"Captain!" An unfamillar voice spoke, yet clearly one of the 154th as they went--perhaps out of dumb rage--to fire upon the BETA that spewed out of the Fort-Class like maggots. Any form or semblance of a battalion or training that the 154th might've had was melting away like snow on a hot day, and the unit began to falter into a mess... a mess that the 231st were neede to fix.

"Leave the lesser strains to the 154th. Only fire upon them if need to in order to conserve ammo." Mina explained, biting her lip as she took unofficial command of what remained of the faltering battalion. "Assume Arrowhead One. We need to get close, and the Fort-Class will likely lash out at us. Therefore, I expect you all to break formation when I say so." Mina continued as the battalion began to charge forth towards the Fort-Class like bull towards a red cloth-waving Spaniard.

Anticipating the attack, Mina waited until the 231st were as close as the captain desired. "BREAK!" The captain exclaimed, ordering the battalion to break formation. Mina hadn't seen anyone that had made it outside of Elise as the Fort-Class lashed downwards with its tentacle, but she had no time to worry about her comrades. Split second decisions needed to be made, and the French pilots began to stress their TSFs as they used the legs of the Fort-Class in order to accomplish an allbright turn.

The danger of doing an allbright turn was clear even for a veteran or elite pilot. However, gliding safely underneath the Fort-Class was honestly safer than being in front of it, especially when you had the freedom to unleash hell fire directly underneath the Fort-Class. Dumping what remained in their weaponry, the massive shells that fed the assault cannons blasted in the Fort-Class' soft underbelly, along with any other ammunition fired upon the BETA.

---

The intensity in Haley's eyes did not diminish as she awaited an answer from the Captain, Anderson felt that she needed to be in this upcoming fight. It was true that she had spoken out of line but it did not make sense to her to take out two operational TSFs for the sake of one, dead man. She sat there defiantly with her hands tightly gripped around the controls, isolated beads of sweat dripping down the edges of her face.

"I happen to be well aware that 'we can't just leave when there is a Fort-class approaching,' but you--and Yu--will be."

Her brows furrowed together as the corners of her lips tiled downwards, the official tone infuriated her more for some reason. Haley was the most distinguished pilot of her class and she would damned if she would sit on the side-lines for this operation. The young pilot however was not ready for Mina to bring up her brother in all of this.

"However, I do not need a child, especially a hotheaded one, on the battlefield with a Fort-Class. You'll be dead before any of us can save you. Tell me, do you wish to die just as your brother did?"

Haley's face was replaced with complete and utter shock at the ice-cold remark that was thrown at her. It wasn't long before that shock turned into absolute resentment and anger as she clenched her teeth with a tight grimace, hands with a death-like grip on her controls. If Captain Mina had said such a thing to her on the ship, she would not have hesitated to punch her square in the face right there "Understood." She spoke harshly, clearly keeping in far more obscene responses. Haley even knew that this was not the place for struggle with command. She hated the order and now really disliked her captain, but the order was final. Mina's remark was not something that she would soon forget.

With bitter hesitation, she lifted the remains of Kasteler in the unarmed left hand of her TSF. The only bright side was now that the laser-class had been mostly dealt with, the flight back home would be rather non-eventful. Her comms opened up to the other pilot "Let's get going Yu." She spoke with bitterness still in her voice. The booster jets powered up as she pressed forward, back to the transport ship with a new darkness in her heart. Haley's desire to prove herself on the battlefield only grew, so much that she failed to notice how her hands shook despite her tight grip. Tanks rolled onto the beaches that only moments ago were crawling with Beta and as she passed them, she could have sworn one of the tank-commanders had waved at her. Before long, She was flying low along the water-line even though the beams of light from the laser-class had been dealt with. All around her were wrecks of TSFs and ships that did not make it through the initial assault, thought it did not hit her that one of those could have been her. Carefully she navigated back to the grey wovlves' designated ship and set her TSF down on the same platform she had taken off of. It did come as a relief that the ship was still mostly intact and with it, their CO Fabel.



Rath had focused himself on maintaining the perimeter but upon hearing the captain's remark, his attention was now grabbed. Captain Mina had certainly not held anything back in her address to Haley, the method was brutal but it seemed to prove effective in getting the rambunctious wolf to heel. There was nothing wrong with fighting with passion he believed but it was important not to let it cloud your judgement. Haley was still green and the mind-set she was in now would put her and the battalion at risk against a perilous foe like a fort-class. As he watched her and Yu fly away through his view-screen, he found himself in complete agreement with Mina's orders to send them back.

His focused back on the task at hand as he flew in formation alongside Mina, his Su-27SM's engines roaring with life as they moved closer to their target destination. Despite the lack of laser-class now, Rath was still un-easy flying at this speed and altitude knowing that the BETA really liked their surprises. Once they arrived, the dire situation of the 154th became very clear to the polish pilot as two TSFs went down in twisted balls of metal. A confident smile overtook him as they made their approach, the captain's words ringing in his ears beautifully as he stared down the monstrous creature. This? This was nothing compared to the laser-fort class that took his family away.

"Roger!" He firmly stated at her orders and took his position in the front of the formation along with the other heavy hitters, playing chicken with a BETA that could end your life with one solid hit. The moment he heard Mina's order he pushed his TSF out of the whip's way just enough and used his well-trained reaction speed to force his blade motor into the tenacle as he boosted forward, slicing upwards. He quickly abandoned the action by boosting forward underneath the Fort-class as it reacted to his strike, just in time to see the two officers pull off an incredible manuever using the BETA's own legs. It was something magnificent to behold at the very least.

There was not much time to admire it as he engaged the creature as he pushed the limits of his machine. Rath flew directly underneath the underside of the Fort-class, twisting his TSF until it was upside-down and shoved his blade motor into the flesh as his jet boosters propelled him forward. While his blade tore into the body, he fired the heavier 120mm rounds into the surface and finally disengaged as the ammunition for the 120mm was expended. The Su-27SM fell towards the ground as Rath corrected the orientation of the machine to be level with the ground once more "Ha! We sting like wasp and strike like dragonfly!" He exclaimed cheerfully at the their assault falling victim to his native accent for the moment

Rath groaned in pain, his body had gone mostly limp in the cockpit of his TSF. The exterior display flicked on and off at irregular intervals, but he didn't need to see it anymore. The destroyed TSFs of his comrades was burned into his memory...although not for much longer if the blood covering him indicated. This time....this time he would joining his team...whether in heaven or hell he didn't know. Countless bodies of BETA covered the ground around them, to the point they were almost buried by it all. They made it all the way to the hive but...it was too much. Incredible heroics could only carry one so far it seemed.

A blip appeared on his map "Ah...must be the strike team..." A violent cough brought up more blood. If god was still watching, he prayed that for once he would watch over them. Mustering what strength he had left, he zoomed in on the incoming TSFs. A weak smile brought to bear on his lips as the spotted a F-15E Strike Eagle in the formation, its number the same as hers. Slowly, he opened up the comms.

"H-hey kid..." He opened up with, struggling to stay awake.

It took only a moment to get a reply "Rath?!? I thought everyone was gone...Where are you?!?" Haley nearly screamed in his ear with her loud mouth.

Rath took a deep breath, well as deep as he could get at this point "Listen. Keep your-" He coughed hard again "Keep your head in there, alright?"

"I will! But stay on the line, I will come get you! I will-" She didn't get a chance to finish before Rath interjected.

Lauhging hurt, but he did so anyways "No you won't...You got mission to do. Stay alive for us....okay?"

"Stay with me, Rath! You bastard! Stay wit-" Rath shut down his communications with the last of his strength.

Haley must have gotten the message because she kept in formation, probably crying in her cockpit right now. Rath rested his head all the way back against the hard seat "Not much longer now..." He said out loud, watching the viewscreen until the last moment when Haley's squadron disappeared out of his visible range. "All..up...to you. Don't...be...a..hot-head..no-" He breathed out the last words as his body full slumped, the last vestiges of his life gone.

At the cost of many lives, Victory had been won in Europe largely in thanks to the daring efforts of the 231st Armored Battalion otherwise known as the "Grey Wolves". The hive was destroyed marking the first major victory in Humanity's war against the BETA. In the coming five years, Humanity would proceed to evict the invaders who once nearly destroyed all life on the Planet. A large monument was dedicated to the 231st in the now reclaimed territory of France, to honor the heroes who gave Humanity their first fighting chance.

===============================

"Major Anders? The rest of your squadron is waiting on the spacecraft for you." It was the voice of a young, male pilot. She slowly turned around with a gentle smile on her lips "My apologies, I was just visiting some old companions. I will head there immediately. For them, for humanity...let's take back Mars." She said proudly as she walked towards the vehicle waiting for her, leaving the graves of the 231st behind.

(A tribute to a great RP, gone before its time...)