Earth Warriors (Undergoing Revision)

Chapter 63 - Split Wings of Fate

3 hours later, San Bernardino Mountains. 

There is a safe-haven for many, and then there is the unexpected swing of fate for many who dare to cross it.

On the high and rugged mountain range, a place with a name as common as the people who settled in the area for many years. A lush wilderness of diverse variety as far as the sunlight can show for many. The chaparral and the handful of pines like the yellow and Jeffrey, as well as plenty of rivers, enough to fill many fishermen to go on their daily routines, as well as the best sight to accompany the mountains with all the hikers who stumble upon this green land in the otherwise arid state of California. And like most forests, it remains untouched by the scorch of warfare and conquest, both Human and Zlocu alike. 

The sun shines brightly upon every inch of these pristine hillsides, giving the land a bright glow in which its beauty is unmarred by the grime that covered many other places. The trees are tall and full of fruit that would be ready to fall from their boughs after much work to keep them alive in the harsh conditions.

And yet, like many places, it can be changed in the most drastic and unexpected ways possible, for better or worse.

On the southside, four F-16 planes fly overheard in the mountains, maintaining a steady formation as the sun rays reflected on some of the canopies. All wear the emblem of the globe of the UEF. Yet as many who dared to cross the zone like before, it is shown they were met with terrible fates, in both a simple way or even in the most terrifying way.

"This is Scarab 1 to Base Gamma, we're proceeding with the flight reconnaissance as ordered, do you copy?" says the lead pilot. The response comes in a form of garbled static, with only a few coherent sounds to be heard on its end.

"This damn jamming is gonna clog us up anywhere, but we've memorized the flight path of this mountain range. Shouldn't be too bad after all. Do you copy, team?" Scarab 1 asks.

"Affirmative," the others reply in unison. 

"Copy that. You'll start picking up radio waves from a radio station soon enough. Just don't let it get to you, okay? This mountain range may look small now, but trust me, it's not." They continue on their flight as they scout the imagery of the range. So far, nothing too suspicious for the pilots to take note of, other than the widespread jamming that's affecting the specific area. What could be the surprise of this encounter?

At the same time, to the north, two silhouettes appear, flying in synchronized maneuvers with each other as they approach the four F-16s at high speed. Their figures get clearer as they head closer, forming the distinct forms of Hornets. And the two canards in the front craft.

"Wait, we've got incoming bogeys heading on our twelve." Scarab 1 looks at his wingmen, "I think I know what those are now."

"What?"

"They look like Hornets...but their colors and that shape...could they be?" It is then when they realize who they're fighting against, as one plane tries to turn around

"Cygnus! Looks like they're trying to intercept us!" Both Luke and Linda split up to take one fighter after another. Linda pursues the escaping F-16 from behind. She launches a long-range missile from her left wing and heads straight toward the fighter, aiming for the right wing of his aircraft.

And just as the missile approaches the fighter, it's when the alert of the fighter starts to sound, not enough time to deploy some flares to deflect the missile, as it hits the right wing of the plane.

"Scarab 3 is hit!" says the flight lead as he takes the pursuit of Luke, who is heading for the second F-16. But before he makes any moves, he sees the lone pilot firing on the wingman's canopy. A quick move, unlike any other ace, could pull something like that.