A bad news is the least thing I expected as we're storming the Peninsula and winning with the 11th were given some downtime thanks to our part in Dubai.

"Maulana 'Pustaka' Yusuf has escaped from his custody in India in a mass breakout and his whereabouts are currently unknown. There were leads of possible collusion between the guards and prisoners."

"I supposed to shoot him in the instant we know he's spying at us!"

An exclamation that is woefully less than adequate to describe my mood as we confirmed the report of that said escape.

I then took out one of the traitor's photo that I printed myself and stick it into a dartboard.

"Bulls-eye" I whispered as my first dart hit the photo, then the second. However, a knock interrupted my fun. Well, back to work.

"Come in!" This time a routine report from my operations officer Major Gunawan; the main point of interest was the new guy brought in to replace Maulana, a combat-proven ace just like all of us with 9-kills in the IF-21 by the name of Captain Muhammad Adrian Siregar.

His callsign is "Ramrod" and is fresh from conversion training.

He'd quickly show his worth according to his flight leaders so far; Evy and Major Hendri Angkawijaya, callsign Cigar, a transferee from the 3rd Squadron like Major Gunawan.

Then my desk' intercom went off and I picked up the receiver. It's Colonel Sahilatua.

The main point of the message; Get your pilots ready. We have an urgent mission!

Pretty soon I called the rest, all down and gathered in the briefing room including newcomers like Ramrod. I looked at the 19th Squadron pilots and among with the youngest, that I know as Charge, noticed Scale was trailing behind, looking uncharacteristically depressed, which was even odder since I saw he'd done well during the practice dogfight we and the 19th did earlier that day pitting our IF-36s against their -21Fs.

While everyone else was talking, he was surprisingly quiet. Charge later mentioned something about him being a little left out with Genesis largely kept him on base, especially as I then recalled that he and his CSO were shot down and bailed out in their foray to former Yemen-Saudi border area in a counter-drone sortie.

Nothing I can do and so right now, I wondered what had been so important that it required their immediate attention. Especially after they were promised a day off after spending several days covering the buildup of the regular forces; raiding POW camps, offensive combat air patrol which often means "drone baiting".

"So, Leaflet still hasn't recovered?" I listen to one 19th pilot asked his comrades.

"Actually, he has," Red Cap answered the man, Capt. David Watanabe's question with a shrug as they drew closer to the door. "A lot faster than expected, too. But the doctor won't let him fly."

Evy asked me "Colonel, if those people really mean urgent, why they don't come yet online or some sort?"

"To be honest, Colonel" Major Gunawan huffed as my operations officer looked around. "And here we're all hoping that just one day more..." To be fair, we had been warned to be on high alert in case something came up. But right now I just wanted to enjoy the rest of our downtime, like watching some movies with the rest. A rare treat, and here were the plans we had, going to complete and total waste. I noticed the unexpected visitor standing next to me, Colonel Billy, and Major Gunawan.

The man was Caucasian in appearance. He was at least in his mid to late forties, with blond hair that was quite obviously gelled in order to stay in place. And his uniform showed that he is a US Air Force Major General, and a rather short-fused one compared to calm and collected Kim or Bannister. The newcomer wearing a cross look on his face and checking his watch as he roughly tapped his foot on the floor. "How much longer are you going to make me wait?!" demanded him.

All of the present 808 pilots in the base exchanged confused and annoyed looks with one another before taking their seats. Andrea leaned towards the others to ask what just about everyone was wondering.

"Anybody got a bead about what importance he is?" All of them smiled and had to stop themselves from laughing at the stranger's expense. Even me or Genesis that supposed to be the final say of them feel the same, confused but also an urge to laugh. Or the sulking Leaflet, which slightly cheered up at her comment.

Any other jokes and comments were silenced with that as the 808 pilots in the Maldives and other bases, connected by several screens in front of them, gave the three men standing upfront their full attention. I pressed some keys on the computer and a live video feed popped up. It was a surprisingly high-quality display, and there wasn't any lag at all as the man in the video adjusted something. He glanced over at me and their guest and nodded. "We're connected. Ready now, sir."

The video shrunk away as the screen zoomed in on the Arabian Peninsula. The general straightened his dress uniform as he looked at the Task Force 808 pilots present in the room and cameras connecting him with other of its squadrons in Maldives and India with an irritated sigh. "Well, now that you're all here, I suppose that I can get on to introductions," he said to the entire squadron. 

"I am Major General Timothy Bergman, United States Air Force. The Supreme Coalition Command - Indian Ocean Theater had given me the honor of being in charge of this upcoming operation." Something told me that he wasn't too impressed by what he saw, which was a change of pace from everyone, even the highest rank officers, usually piling praise on top of the entire task force. I can feel that this man here, old enough to be my wing CO, is either has political ambitions upon retirement, which is not necessarily bad of itself, or an ass-kisser. However, there was definitely something off about him. And I believe my American comrades in arms in the Vampire Squadron also can feel it too, being more familiar with the system.

"Our objective is to capture a UCC scientist holed up in Kordofan, Sudan Wilayat. His name.. is Kasem Prela, part of the United Caliphate Aerospace Bureau. The city has been bypassed by the main African Union forces, but NATO forces are closing in the city as we speak. Our intelligence says that he has knowledge about advanced UCC drone projects and other types of mass-destructive weaponry, and we want him alive."

"This is going to be fun," I told myself as we never once got an operation in Africa.

Bergman cleared his throat "The city had long being subjected to our bombardments, but the UCC, with their resiliency, managed to keep up with the repairs and now fortified it, that's why AU decided to bypass it in entirely."

The video feed man, who had been quiet all this time, spoke up and the screen expanded slightly so that they could see his face.

"Here's a question. How well-fortified do you think this city is?" Everyone paused and looked around in confusion. We were fighter pilots, and estimating the size of a target should be something we supposed to be good at but caught off guard by the question, and without a proper reference to go off of they were all drawing a blank. He didn't seem to mind, though, and eagerly answered his own question as if he was the host of some television game show.

"If you guessed "dense" you're right, people!"

The screen displayed a bright, light blue model of the city itself, rotating it so they could get a good look at its appearance while general information popped up. Their new friend went on, "Anti-aircraft laser, container concealed autonomous combat drones including micro ones and a lot of AA gun as a final line of defense towards oncoming helicopters."

I crossed my arms. "Interesting, micro drones. Like our own. We are going to need strong EW and even EMP weaponry." Everyone present murmured in agreement. After a short pause, Evy raised her hands into the man who've just explained the city on the screen. "So who's the host?"

They looked to the screen as he answered her question, almost excitedly. "Kevin Dunbar, ma'am. Working for the Central Intelligence Agency. It's a privilege to be speaking to your squadron right now. I've heard a lot about your leader, Wise."

Bergman, on the other hand, was not impressed and began to impatiently tap his foot again. I noticed the general's annoyance, as he quickly nodded toward Kevin and ordered in a more serious tone, "Back to the topic."

And so the CIA analyst explained about the main threat from the city, a similar laser turret system we encountered in Dubai, but with a greater peak power which means increased range, complemented with tank-mounted Medina mobile laser AA system plus pillboxes, gun emplacements, anti-helicopter rocket-mines, and IEDs ready to impede the attacking any assault force who managed to land. The location of the VIP was also heavily ringed by AA and bee-like drone swarms.

"Let's not make this thing too long, people... Our mission will be securing air superiority and destroy all enemy defenses to allow a joint team of Delta Force and SAS to be sent to his location by helicopter. As so, you will also protect this assault-and-capture task force at any cost. If we take too long we might lose his whereabouts and or he will kill himself either than being captured." said Bergman.

Honestly, looking at his mannerism, Colonel Purnama in the 13th Squadron, something that Charge told me as part of his story about the now legit Padlock Squadron, is way much better than this guy, even while the latter is currently not flying; being assigned a desk job in the Air Force HQ in Nusantara.

"This scientist must be taken alive, don't make me repeat myself." the American emphasized. "We're also racing against time as the Pact is also interested with him and it has been confirmed that a joint Spetsnaz and PLA Special Operations Forces team has been deployed supported by their TF301 to the same AO, and if we can seize the opportunity, this could be our advantage in post-war conferences."

The screen now showed several allied and hostile blips facing one another head-on in the arid region, marking the city among the cluster. To me, it looked like that we barely outnumber them, as the city has a large airbase with enough fifth and perhaps sixth-generation fighters to seriously impede our operations, not including the drones. "Before I forget, the assault team will commence its actions while we seize the skies."

"Sir, wouldn't it be risky to send the force in before we've secured air superiority?" One American officer of the 44th FS based in India asked him, seeming genuinely concerned by it.

"That is none of your concern, Captain Petrucci." Bergman glared at the Mustang pilot on camera, but the American didn't shrink under the cold stare that seems went beyond the screen and instead returned it in kind.

"Actually, since we're the ones providing this cover, it is our concern," Charge challenged, keeping an even tone but adopting a rigid, tense, and defensive posture. "We barely outnumber them, and there are a lot of drones to be dealt with. We might be spread out too thin over a large battlefield. There's no way that we can guarantee the entire force's safety."

"If you aren't good enough to do that, then you should rethink your career and stop bitching around, Captain Heryawan. Remember, your country has the right to forfeit your and some of your friends' pardon and sent you straight into the slammer. I have no direct authority for that, but I will sure to report any disobedience in this mission to your own high command which will take appropriate action for your fuckups." Bergman answered. I can see Charge gritted his teeth.

Another American, 1st Lieutenant Josefina Perez, spoke out next, doing a worse job of keeping her cool than the Indonesian had shown. "With all due respect, General. I understand our grand strategy in Eurasia about the containment of the Pact after all of this. However, I can see that you're basically putting our men in danger for your own take on it. You can't expect us to just roll over and take that lying down, can you?"

The general sighed, temporarily lost words he needs to reply at the F-38 ace with his score of 14.5 kills before glared at the rest of us in the room as well via camera into the 808 pilots in the other bases as he said. "And this is what our best pilots in this Coalition act... they should be taught humility" with a small smirk that played at his lips as he added with a sneer, his eyes went to Charge and his three friends. "Or in the penal unit, wish those politicians didn't demand us to reduce it or even shutter it down in some cases."

Scale tensed at that and just about to stand up and march over to the American officer to give him a piece of his mind, but Leaflet quickly grabbed his forearm to stop him. Red Cap grabbed his other arm just in case he still tried to make a move for Bergman. He looked around at them, for a moment before reluctantly plopping back into his seat and grumbling an apology. Colonel Kurniasih immediately went in and giving them another 'watch yourself' look, then sending a more apologetic look towards the American general. 

"Er - To reinforce your own organic electronic warfare we will deploy an EW squadron and two drone carriers. It will be a valuable asset. The ETA for our EW assets is the same as H-hour."

"Squadrons that will sortie on the first wave will be Indonesian 11th and 19th Squadron, British No. 87 Squadron, American 44th FS and 389th Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS), Filipino 25th TFS, Singaporean 140 Squadron, and Australian No. 451 Squadron. The rest will be in alert 5 and forward deployed to Nairobi in Kenya."

Nobody tries to answer the general back, and so he rolled his eyes as the system began to shut down. "This is by no means a difficult mission. The fact that we're on a race against the Pact shouldn't change that." The computer shut off and the lights came back on. "That's all. Dismissed." The major general himself marched out just as he said goodbye to Kevin and ended the video call to the rest of the 808 pilots both in Asia and in Europe.

It soon confirmed that I wasn't the only one with doubts about General Bergman.

"Colonel?"

"Yes?" I looked at Major Kiehl, his face clearly showed concern about the upcoming mission. 

"Do you think the general seems... off?" he asked me quietly so that Colonel Sahilatua, which will assist Bergman at the HQ alongside General Kim, wouldn't overhear it.

"We're going to need a safe room here" I whispered to him. "But if you want me to give you my opinion now, Goldwing.. here it is. I don't trust him completely. And I am no fan of his reference about the penal units, though. I could tell you, people, that Charge and some of the pilots in the 19th and 13th weren't either."

"Now I can imagine how they will feel, I mean... if I was in their shoes, sir," said Pandu, behind me.

"You're right, everyone" Evy added. "Well, I suggest we should not rub that fact straight to their faces either. Too depressing. Even with the fact that they deserved to be there back then, because of their fault, sir."

"Agree with you, Raden," I replied. "Let's get ourselves ready. I want the entire 11th to gather in our hangar NOW. We got our orders and we must prevail, after this, we'll discuss our guest."

"Sir, yes sir!"

...

"You know," said Charge to Leaflet, who sat behind him during all the briefings. "Maybe I'm just paranoid. Prison's had probably...warped my brain or something..."

"No shit, Charge. I can feel that he's really not what it seems to be, but I can't figure what is it. Reformer is much better than him, and I mean it. And oh, by the way, I just got the news that I've been cleared for combat duty and will be part of this." From his wearable tablet, we can see the result of the said medical review.

"Good news... and I hope Scale, our hacker could give us some light upon him." It's Red Cap, walked beside the two men.

"Sadly I doubt it, the safest course.. is to do the mission and in the process, figure out where his loyalty truly lays." Scale told his friends.

"Excuse me, Colonel Kurniasih has called the 19th for pre-flight checks." said a sergeant.

"Gotta go now. I wish you could fly with us again, just like in Dubai." Charge told Leaflet before followed Red Cap and the sergeant to the hangar where Genesis and the rest of the squadron waiting for them.

"What's our plan for tomorrow, Colonel?"

"Alright people," the woman answered Scale. "The general wants us to fly in full force, like all the squadrons of the 808."

Twenty planes and Charge know that the entire task force will basically be going in blind, and he can see the nervousness compounded by the newcomer's attitude towards the task force. Furthermore, the fact that their planes are two-seaters means their role will be one of the most dangerous; taking out enemy air defenses and assist in the counter-drone engagements. There was no telling what could happen out there and they had no idea just what might be in store for them.

......

"What is it, Charge?" Joseph found Doni knocking on his quarter.

"A little distraction from the mission here, especially I got some question, Scale.. and personal. About our commander in chief."

"PM Latuperissa?"

"No, President Tanudjaja."

"That man. Hmmm. What do you want to talk about him?"

"Do you think he actually deserves that honor; street names, a school building in Medan, some government buildings as well as the main building of Pertamina... even a submarine?"

"Well, this won't be popular even after you and I were gone, but sadly he might be the least deserving, compared to some others. I know no one is perfect, but for Christians like me, divorce is something that we abhor. And a lot of our people despite respecting his honesty and governance success into the level we never thought possible, still regard that factor to be a stumbling block. And please, no whataboutism using President Soekarno with his womanizing tendencies back in the day."

A frank admission from the normally soft speaking Chinese Indonesian was a shocking occurrence.

"Yeah, no shit, No wonder our divorce rate is the highest in ASEAN and 4th in Asia... Even with the fact that normally I don't want to talk bad things about a dead man."

"I got it, just to know each other's opinion."

"Yes, now, I gonna need sleep. Tomorrow is a big day." Joseph told him.

"Good night, see you in the sky."