章 13: Skyfire over Yuktobania
The mountains receded behind us, jagged peaks disappearing into the distance as the sun broke through the clouds. The Yuktobanian AI core was down, but the sense of urgency only grew as Rook and I flew low over the snowy expanse in the battered old helicopter. I couldn't shake the feeling that the calm wouldn't last long. We were deep in hostile territory, and the moment Yuktobania realized we'd sabotaged one of their most sensitive sites, there'd be hell to pay.
Rook's eyes were sharp as she piloted the chopper, scanning the horizon. "We've got to get out of their airspace fast," she said, her voice tight with tension. "It's only a matter of time before they scramble fighters."
As if on cue, the system's voice stirred in my mind.
"Enemy aircraft detected. Four hostiles closing in from the northeast."
I glanced at Rook, but she was already way ahead of me. "Hold on!" she shouted as she pulled the helicopter into a steep dive, banking hard to the left. The horizon tilted violently as the chopper careened toward the trees below.
New Objective: Evade enemy aircraft and return to friendly airspace
Enemy Threat: Yuktobanian Air Force (4 x MiG-29s)
Reward: XP: 3000, ???
Failure Penalty: Capture or Death
The radio crackled to life, a cold, authoritative voice cutting through the static. "Unidentified aircraft, you are entering restricted Yuktobanian airspace. Surrender immediately or be shot down."
Rook gritted her teeth. "We're not surrendering." She switched frequencies. "Wells, strap in. We're about to have company."
I didn't need any more encouragement. My hands tightened on the seat's edge, the adrenaline kicking in as the first blip appeared on the radar screen. The MiGs were fast, cutting through the air like sharks closing in for the kill. We were in no condition to fight back, not in this old bird. But I had another plan.
"We can't outrun them in this chopper," I said, my mind racing. "But we can lure them into the open, buy ourselves some time."
Rook didn't take her eyes off the instruments. "What's the play?"
I tapped into the system, feeling the familiar hum as it responded. "There is a nearby airstrip to the south. You will need to engage the enemy in the air."
My heart skipped a beat. "We've got to reach that airstrip. I'll take them out in the air."
Rook gave me a sharp look. "You're planning to take on four MiGs by yourself?"
I nodded, the determination settling in. "I've got a shot. The system's already helping me. I just need to get to the airstrip and into a proper fighter."
Rook didn't argue. She knew the stakes as well as I did. "Hang on. I'll get us there."
We weaved through the trees, the helicopter's engines screaming as Rook pushed it to its limits. Behind us, the MiG-29s were closing in fast, their afterburners streaking like arrows across the sky. The radar pinged again—too close now.
"Missile lock!" Rook shouted.
My pulse quickened. "Disengage! Evasive maneuvers!"
Rook yanked the chopper into a sharp bank, narrowly dodging the first missile. It streaked past us, disappearing into the forest below in a violent explosion that shook the air around us. But the MiGs weren't giving up. Another missile warning blared.
"Tactical Disruption available," the system whispered. "Activating now."
The hum of interference buzzed in my ears as the system disrupted the MiGs' targeting systems, causing their missile locks to falter. For a brief moment, the enemy jets lost their bearings, giving us just enough time to reach the airstrip.
"There!" Rook shouted, pointing ahead. "The airstrip's in sight!"
Through the snow and treetops, I saw it—a small, forgotten military airfield, its runway barely visible under the layers of frost and ice. But sitting there, like a relic from a different era, was a single F-16. It wasn't in pristine condition, but it was armed and fueled.
I had no time to question our luck. "Put us down!" I shouted.
Rook didn't hesitate, bringing the helicopter down in a controlled crash near the edge of the runway. The moment the skids hit the ground, I was out of the chopper, sprinting toward the waiting F-16.
New Skill Unlocked: Combat Awareness
Combat Awareness: Enhances pilot's spatial awareness and target tracking in dogfights. Improves missile lock speed and reaction time. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
The system's new skill kicked in just as I strapped into the cockpit of the F-16. My vision sharpened, every movement of the enemy jets becoming clearer, every detail of the controls more intuitive. This was what I needed—this was where I belonged.
The F-16's engine roared to life, its HUD lighting up as I powered it up and taxied onto the runway. The MiGs were still circling above, but they had lost track of us for the moment.
I toggled the comms. "Rook, get clear. I'm taking this fight to the air."
She didn't argue. "Good luck, Wells. Don't get yourself killed."
The F-16's afterburners ignited, and I was off, racing down the frost-covered runway as the MiGs turned, spotting me as I lifted off into the sky. The sudden burst of speed hit me like a shockwave, the force pressing me back into my seat as I climbed higher and higher.
The MiGs spotted me, and the lead pilot wasn't wasting any time. Two of the jets broke off, diving straight at me, their missile locks already flashing on my HUD.
"Engage," the system whispered, its voice steady.
I banked hard to the right, rolling into a high-G turn as the first missile streaked past me. The MiGs were fast, but the F-16 was agile, and I had the system guiding me now. My HUD pinged as I locked onto the nearest MiG, my fingers tight on the trigger.
Skill Activated: Combat Awareness
Skill Activated: Precision Strike
The world seemed to slow as the system enhanced my reflexes, every movement of the enemy jet calculated in milliseconds. I squeezed the trigger, unleashing a missile that streaked through the sky, locking onto the MiG with deadly precision. The explosion lit up the clouds as the jet disintegrated, fire and debris raining down over the forest below.
Enemy Aircraft Destroyed. XP Gained: 1000
New Objective: Eliminate remaining enemy aircraft
But there was no time to celebrate. The second MiG was already behind me, its missile lock blaring in my ears. I rolled into another evasive maneuver, dodging the missile by mere inches as it exploded harmlessly in the distance.
My heart pounded in my chest as I pulled up into a steep climb, the MiG staying right on my tail. The system fed me real-time data, tracking the enemy's movements with pinpoint accuracy.
I pulled into a vertical loop, rolling over and diving down behind the MiG in one fluid motion. The jet was caught off guard, and I fired again—two Sidewinders streaking through the sky. One missile struck its target, and the MiG exploded in a brilliant flash of fire and smoke.
Enemy Aircraft Destroyed. XP Gained: 1000
I was already banking hard to engage the remaining two MiGs. They had seen their wingmen fall and were closing in together, trying to pin me in a crossfire. But I wasn't about to let them have the advantage.
The system's voice remained calm. "Two hostiles remaining. Maneuver to high altitude."
I pulled back on the throttle, climbing higher into the sky, drawing the MiGs after me. At the peak of the climb, I cut the engines for a brief second, letting my speed drop. The MiGs shot past me, their momentum carrying them forward.
With the system's guidance, I reengaged the afterburners, dropping down behind them in a perfect pursuit. Both jets were now in my sights.
"Now."
I fired. Two missiles streaked forward, one after the other, striking both MiGs in rapid succession. The sky lit up with twin explosions, and I pulled up just in time to avoid the debris as it scattered through the air.
All Enemy Aircraft Destroyed. XP Gained: 2000
Objective Complete: Evade enemy aircraft and return to friendly airspace
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly on the controls. The sky was clear now, the enemy jets reduced to fire and smoke far below. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end.
"Wells, you still with me?" Rook's voice crackled over the comms.
I nodded, wiping the sweat from my forehead. "Yeah. All hostiles are down. We're clear."
"Good," she said. "Because I've got more bad news. We've got reports coming in—more enemy jets inbound from the capital. They know what we did. We need to get out of Yuktobanian airspace now."
I clenched my fists, glancing at the radar. There was no time to celebrate this victory. The hunt wasn't over yet.
"Roger that," I said, banking the F-16 toward the southern horizon. "Let's go."
As we flew away from the battlefield, I couldn't help but feel the system's presence stirring again, growing more aware, more active. The AI network was down, but something told me this was far from over.
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