"My having mild autism does not mean I experience my autism mildly, it means experience my autism mildly" - Chris Packham, a BBC wildlife broadcaster with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

No one had any idea of the visit from the UCC's overall Quds Legion commander, General Said al-Shazli.

Not a single soul. I personally never met him before and when he finally visits us, I decided to keep my mouth shut and be "business as usual" as the base began to bustle with activity at the start of the day.

All crew and researchers got to work doing whatever I or the General asked them to, those unauthorized stayed out of the way. I saw Rizieq's wingmen all tended to their aircraft and spoke of the recovery of their commander after been shot down and ejected in combat with Wise.

A fact very disturbing to me as a whole when he first heard it and confirmed by my superiors.

However I saw Rizieq, his expression didn't seem to be bothered by anything, though, even as he had just been shot down in the Caliphate' newest aircraft in which hopes and expectations are high to at least slow down the Coalition's advance.

I turned my attention to the weather; even while it's summer the sky is unusually cloudy; I wouldn't mind a little rain either. With it would certainly come, some cooler air and relief from the godforsaken heat I've been used to endure for years.

I missed Japan each time our facility is fortunate enough to enjoy any rain when it comes. Unfortunately, being cooped up in a hangar with my work meant very little time to enjoy it. None of the pilots would get much of an opportunity either since the command begin sending them out more frequently before long. The suits are improving and were well received by Rizieq and his men. But I know the Coalition, even considering their fragile alliance improved their stuff several times faster. I only had to wait for the arrival of the new and improved suit. Hopefully, this would be the last one which is better than those infidels have.

I looked over at Rizieq again. Suddenly I felt something that I never thought I will confront since that day I pledged allegiance to the UCC.

Guilt.

He's letting down his guard for sake of his children who are currently visiting the base with their mum, even played with them.

A realization struck at me; if we scientists failed to do our utmost duty, an order envisioned by the UCC will go crashing down and with it, the end of our dream of better world order, and Rizieq's family will lose their patriarch and will have very tough times. I illustrated a lot of worse scenarios...

"Earth to Doc." The sound of one of my assistants brought me back to reality. "Striker called you". Without any minute to waste, I took the tablet and answer the call.

The man, real name Major Umar Andrew Fitzgerald, is one of my contacts. He is an American convert to Islam and a Quds Legion officer stationed in Aswan, Egyptian Wilayat working to ward off Coalition threat of the region especially it's strategic Aswan Dam.

Umar had been instrumental in their drone production; he is one of the designers of technologies the UCC had used to fake IFF designations and declare their mock Coalition fighters as allies.

"Dr. Uwais... I glad I was able to reach you. Signal out here is pretty good and the dam had just been repaired after some of its generators had been hit by American bombers.. those people know that destroying all of this will be bad for post war.. but with all the airstrikes and shelling... I didn't know how good."

"We read you loud and clear, Major. Has something come up?"

Umar took a deep breath. "Yes and no. Two minutes ago we just repelled another drone raid; this time from the Russians.. but reinforcements for us, land and air, won't be arriving any time soon."

"I did want to talk to you about these orders from you...we've just got two squadrons of modified, captured Allied aircraft equipped with the newest A.I. and the flight data from Aulia and several more.. like Sulejmani, all on standby for the time being. And they have the remote access to all our drones... even with the fact that we lost a lot of it in India and elsewhere. I just want to tell you that sending them for future offensives won't make things any good unless it's a last resort."

"I'm not asking you to send them in, I just want two flights transferred out here as a precaution. The General on behalf of the Caliph had told us that this place needs defenses we can muster while we're rushing production on the new drones. And we shall expect attacks here targeting this place" I paused and noticed the American tense up at the mention of the Caliph before he gave a slow nod in confirmation. "General al-Shazli and Colonel Rizieq want to push themselves to the limit.. well, it's their duty and I can't refuse, but honestly, I don't know how long we can hold up. Speaking of...you looked over the new flight suit design, right?"

He nodded. "I did. It looks like you've accounted for everything with it, but let me tell you this. I believe that Wise, Charge, and many more out there, especially with the fact that they got their own specialized gear are really as good as everyone's been saying and so... I don't think those things are going to be much help. They can behead me if they wish, but my position stands." Typical American, vocal with his doubts and opinions.

On the projection, I can saw Umar looked around again, then seemed to take a moment to examine everything behind me as if trying to find signs that someone might be listening in.

At last, he spoke up again, lowering his voice slightly, "You should know that what I just said is about the entire war, by the way. General al-Shazli contacted us not too long ago, as well as the commander of the 9th Army, General Gülan. I think something bad is on the way; al-Shazli ordered us not to let up on the fighting and they'd ship us some fresh supplies within the next few days, but Gülan said to try negotiating a withdrawal from the area. Our own forces had mixed opinions, and some junior officers think we should keep fighting. But majority rules and the 98th Brigade CO, which I am attached to, is working to negotiate a ceasefire to the Americans at least until we can both get some soldiers that aren't exhausted from fighting. At least we're not dealing with the Pact.. especially Chinese. I am willing to face anything the West will impose to me or my men, but I know, at least they will be more humane compared to those Pact folks."

"You mean that there's some doubt among the ranks?" I asked. He furrowed his brow, thoughtfully. "That's...interesting. It could be that either of the generals is trying to create division. I've heard that even the Caliph's inner circle is even starting to turn on one another, but you can never trust rumors, can you?"

"No, I suppose you can't. I just don't know how much longer I can put up with everything." Umar said with a huff. The blurry holographic figure of a soldier appeared at the entrance of the barracks that the American resided in, calling out something in Arabic. Not long he turned back and gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but duty calls. I'll see what I can do about sending the drones out there, but I can't make any promises."

"I understand completely," I replied with a nod. "I'll tell you if something else comes up."

As we went back to our work, revulsion crept at me as I am looking at the schematics of the new drones using complete flight data of Aulia as well as several Allied aces recorded in the process.

The HA450 based craft was nicknamed as "Darussalam" or the "Place/House of Peace"

An ironic twist, I thought, as their purpose is to prolong the war. However, I looked at the other side and came with the following conclusion.

Maybe those things will at least allow a more favorable term with the Coalition by shooting down their best aces or a deep nuclear strike into Tel Aviv, especially with the fact that those Zionists had given up its nukes like everyone else... the following word from late Yusuf Abdallah Al-Qaradawi from Qatar is why.

"The international community must learn to recognize the Muslims' right to live their religion and, if they choose, to incorporate the Islamic ideal in their polity (a.k.a. Caliphate)"

And so I did understand the reasoning behind the name "Darussalam" for this craft.

......

We fly top cover above V-24 Kestrels carrying Green Berets. Above desert, its a typical cold and cloudless night there.

As the operation was largely American brainchild the designated mission commander of today is Lt. Col. Dubois with his 44th Fighter Squadron.

I checked my AI avionics and the rest of the squadron before addressing them.

"Thunder 1 to all Thunder elements.. we are going to fight outnumbered here. So we got to hit them hard and fast with our allies. Everyone ready?"

All answered "Ready." Then I saw it; they were closing in fast. Several squadrons of enemy fighters, including unmanned types and drone swarms, appeared on the radar and on our HMDs.

"Alright everyone, it looks like we've got a furball on our hands. Get ready," said Colonel Dubois.

"Hey, I can feel something.." Evy told me.

Her answer came with the fact that we had to hold off on their attack for a minute. The enemy was right in front of us and the assault force, and it wouldn't be long before they were within range to attack, but the order to engage had to come from HQ and then likely through the AWACS assigned to us today; an American one with callsign "Union".

I was pretty sure that General Kim and Bergman were actually aboard the AWACS plane, but that E-12 had taken off long before all of us didn't see who got aboard.

Within just a second, Kim's voice came over the radio, "What do you mean?!"

Everybody got confused by the Korean general's apparent anger and ready for a fight, As we continued on our way, a Singaporean F-35 of the 160 Squadron quickly asked, "Union, come in! Is something wrong?"

It was the American operator that answered the question. "Afraid so, Kestrel 1. We've just got words that additional assets including drone carriers will arrive seven minutes late."

"What?!" Evy demanded, and her aircraft slowed a little, trailing behind the squadron as if she wasn't sure about engaging any longer. Her wingman Ramrod followed; Andik and I also did the same to keep distance with the oncoming contacts.

"Retreat and wait for backup!" Kim ordered quickly.

We hadn't even started the fight yet and now we were being told to just abandon the assault force? And our backup was late? Something wasn't right about this.

"To all 808 elements, High command not authorized any retreats! I repeat. Retreat is not authorized! Engage the enemy at once! Disobedience will be punished!"

"Colonel. We might not get a second chance to shorten this war, like this or not the way is forward..." Andik piped on.

"Forget this..." I muttered as allied squadron left and right set off into attack formation. Retreating now, when we got plenty of ammunition and no damage, would make us nothing more than cowards. Still, something wasn't right. The support should have been there. Why was it going to be late?

I picked up speed, ready to fire at the lead plane in a squadron of Typhoons, knowing that facing mostly 6th gens, their only options are to get close. I pulled a vertical climb after a roll and then twisting around to level out behind the enemy. "Time for a big show everybody! Thunders Engage!" I ordered, firing a pair of missiles at the lead plane as soon as I got a lock. The Diamondbacks hit the engine, and the pilot was forced to eject as the fighter spiral out of control and then burst into flames. "Thunder 1, splash one hostile!"

"Rinjani squadron, engaging... Rinjani 2-1 splash one! Looking good!" I listened to allied squadron's conversations.

"Follow Charge!" Said another Rinjani pilot.

"Fox 4!"

Missile and laser warnings began to go off in my ear as drones and aircraft began to converge on us.

I downed two more Typhoons and then moving on to JF-20s heading straight into the assault force, only for the Singaporeans to shot them all down, some with TLPs.

Other pilots executed hunter-killer strategy; corralling UCC planes and drones, including 8 Sofreh Mahis, to their wingmen which took the shot.

Our AI is helping us tracking each aircraft the task force shot down. Everyone was finally starting to get the hang of things.

......

"General Bergman, you didn't tell us that the plan has been changed. Sure we have to expect that but if you already know this beforehand you better told us before we reach the AO" I can hear Kim commented on the situation.

The American general let up a scoff. "Are you telling me that even our best won't even last for let's say, six minutes?? Let me tell you, that if they are as good as everyone says, they won't complain too much and just do their job." I can feel this general is indeed up to no good, but even Scale, the hacker guy in the 19th were not yet able to figure it out in time...

I went back to the tactical situation, as two missiles are closing towards me. Had evaded it all, then my wingman hollered. "I have two 450s on my tail!"

"I have you on my link, dead ahead!" I told Andik.

Still over the open desert near the AO, I piped him again. "Badak, stay on your current heading. the AI and me got an idea to bring the missile."

"Umm.. roger that sir."

"Trust me," I reassured him.

"Copy that, Wise"

"In visual.." my HMD detected the Helwans chasing Andik's plane; a risky maneuver as they might simply shot us with TLPs.

"NOW!"

A passing maneuver, with my jet's belly facing his own; I banked left while he went right. The missile, a copy to the Meteor, passed through and hit one HA450.

"Bullseye!" Exclaimed Andik.

"Yeah, Caliphate's gift went back to the sender!" I replied to him.

With all the rolling, climbing, diving, evading, firing, and so on and so forth, even with AI, we were barely able to keep track of everything at once.

For people like me, these barrage of information are not our friend, and the end results are either a tantrum, often called meltdown, or self-harm in more extreme cases.

However, I am basically an exception if it pertains to combat. Furthermore, no two autistics got the exact same stuff.

Man and machine were supporting and helping each other.

"Anti-semites got more drones coming at us," Col. Dubois observed.

I acknowledged the American, had just splashed three more drones with pulsed laser cannon.

"Fox two!" Andik called for another shot of Diamondback; downing one out of two JF-20s that tries to approach one of the F-35s that I cannot recognize but the AI indicated that the said JSF was one of the Singaporean bird.

On the other side, Raden reported she'd evaded being hit by a missile from a JF-20; with its pilot know that as he is facing a sixth-generation his only option is a close-quarter pursuit. It glued to her tail for a while before Ramrod put the chase to an end by diving at the bird, 25mm blazing.

"Thanks, Ramrod, I owe you one Luwak." She looked around for a new target as Siregar broke away from her to do the same. As she did, she observed both by the naked eye as well as the aircraft's system, "This is not a target-rich environment, this is overabundance!"

We also got a little update from the AEW in the meantime; the Pact's TF301 is also heavily engaged.

"Warning, Laser strike imminent!" warned my AI.

Everyone scattered when the city's laser defense turrets opened fire, no hits, but I know that eventually, a few will eat its victims. Especially the helos.

"Thunder 3 to all units.. show the Colonel that we worth the name..!" commanded Kiehl, leading the flight, before breaking into pair.

"This is Oliphant leader, how long we can hold?"

The question from the JSOC operators increased tension, added by Union's update over the radio, warning them of a new enemy making an approach. "We've got more uninvited guests. J-20Cs and more Helwans. Keep your eyes peeled!

Indeed, two new enemy squadrons were approaching them fast, likely there to directly attack the assault force. Helwans on one side and Finflashes on the other. They hadn't been detected until the last minute, apparently. I then ordered all 11th to regroup on me, and I knew that they had to handle the enemies differently than they had been before they ran out of ammunition or power charges for the laser.

"Incoming!" A few J-20s and Helwans fired their TLPs.

"Kingpin is down!"

"We lost Robin!"

The British accented voice indicated that two of our allies were hit in place of us; it won't be the last. The Americans also reported two losses as well. And also some drones will be as well...

I grunted and then drew a deep breath to calm my nerves. We have to focus on weakening the threat in front of us so they cannot fight back. Like what I just told my pilots. "The UCC even with their inbreeding got many good pilots and cornered animal fight harder."

We split to flights again and follow the pre-briefed plan, Second flight of Thunders led by Major Nana engaged and took out two leading J-20s, My flight provides overwatch, meanwhile, the Chukars were being engaged by allied flights, with radio chatters the AI identified as elements of the Filipino 25th "Lobos" Squadron downed three JF-20s.

One or two drones and some stray fighters lost it's bearing after engaging our allies were still targeting my flight and paid accordingly. From the chatters and AI, the Chukars were more relentless than expected despite being heavily outgunned and hampered by our EW measures.

"Fire EMP Missiles!" ordered one Filipino, his KF-25 did the job and took down a school of micro-drones threatening the assault force.

I somehow began to understand more how the Jihadists had no fear to die; even with a lot of allies covering us, they're still determined to single me out as two more Chukars broke away to engage me and the other two kept going for the assault force.

Somehow General Bergman decided to not speaking much as we continue engaging, for now.