Reich Marshal of the Belkan Reich

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: High-profile reinforcement?

When Agent notifies Bryn about the munition issue of the Rigel and Knight Squadrons, the Valkyrie's first thought has been to sortie more air assets from the nearest Carrier Strike Group. However, when Bryn has signed off on that order, she receives an inbound communication request. Taking a look at the caller's ID, Bryn sighs lightly with a tinge of regret in her voice. Nevertheless, she accepts the video call and greets.

"Yuki, it would seem you have decided to cut your break short." Bryn said while taking a look at her lover's attire and surroundings. "... And you're inside the Morgan, great."

Yuki can be seen smirking while fixing her gloves. "With an issue this big happening outside our doorstep, I can't really stay put. Using Morgan, I will be able to get to Warsaw even faster than the CAS you have just sortied."

Putting on her flight helmet, Yuki starts to perform a pre-flight check. "By the end of today, there will be waves of military and political tensions all over Europe. I will have to trouble you to alert our military garrisons in my stead, Bryn."

Bryn nods. "I understand. I guess you will be going with a full air-to-ground loadout?"

"Gonna kick Morgan up to Mach 4, yeah." Yuki answered chippily.

"In that case, I wish you happy hunting and a swift return, Yuki." The Valkyrie blessed her lover with a small smile. "I will relay a data package to AWACS Long Caster upon your arrival at the AO. Likewise, Agent and I will handle the situation back home."

Yuki grins, giving Bryn a two-finger salute. "Thanks, love. Be seeing you tonight! Over and out." The transmission thus ended on a light-hearted note.

Moments later, Agent shows Bryn a low-priority alert on the holotable. "The Marshal has just taken off, she's going out there alone."

Bryn is then shown a recording of Yuki's aircraft, her customized Aria named Morgan, lifting off and climbing vertically at maximum thrust. Agent then pulls up the representation of the airspace around Berlin, highlighting a bright blue arrow that is now flying past the edge of the city's radar installations.

"It would seem Master is excited to finally fly again." Agent commented with a hint of a smile.

Bryn chuckles lightly. "It has been a while since she has taken her baby, as she has called the Morgan so affectionately, for a spin. While a part of the reason has been to help the stranded unit and VIP, another part must be because Yuki is itching for some actions on the field."

"Master has been cooped up behind the desk for too long. This should be a good chance for Master to vent any frustration she has on our unexpected enemy." Agent offered her opinion. "I will make sure to prepare something suitable for the dinner tonight in anticipation of Master's strenuous activities."

"That will be lovely, Agent. Nonetheless, we must focus on the present for now. Sends out a nationwide alert to our military districts. Tell them to be prepared for potential border conflicts and internal sabotage from Polanian elements in our nation." Bryn ordered. "And get the Navy to park a Strike Group just shy of Polanian territorial water. If need be, they will be the tip of the spear for what's about to come."

"Understood, General." Agent complied, moving away to carry out the orders.

Bryn, now left alone with many things going through her mind all at once, mutters to herself. "Now that we have enemies in both the East and the West, what should we do to achieve the best possible outcome?"

A most profitable victory is achieved with the least investment possible. It's what Bryn is formulating in her mind, already having a few ideas of her own. Nevertheless, it will be something to mull over later after today.

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Long Caster looks on grimly at the screens, feeling as if he could just burn those Polanians with his eyes alone. The situation has deteriorated faster than he could even blink. When the Polanian mountain gun struck Alpha's location, Long Caster had been fearing the worst. Things look even bleaker when the man's repeated hails fail to garner any reply whatsoever. Are they injured? Is their radio broken? Could they be dead? Such thoughts swirl in Long Caster's mind, the fact that he can't see what's going on down there is also not soothing his worries whatsoever.

The man's mulling is only interrupted when the radar operator shouts. "Inbound contact! Bearing 190, high! Goddess, what the Hell is that speed!?"

Long Caster snaps back to focus. "Talk to me!" The man quickly changed his MFD screen to a radar screen.

"Bogey on a direct course to Warsaw at Mach 4! It's twice as fast as a Phantom!"

"What the fuck is that thing!?" Long Caster cursed.

To this date, only Belka has ever attained mastery in supersonic development, culminating in their crown jewel which is the Phantom aircraft. Yet, to see something that's able to make a Phantom eat the dirt is bone-chilling. The only reason Long Caster hasn't screamed for Rigel and Knight Squadron to stand by for interception is one thing.

"Data transmission from Berlin...! Sir, it's an update on the incoming bogey!"

"Show me!" Long Caster nearly screamed that command, only to pause when he saw the new data on his screen.

"IFF identifies the bogey as friendly, designated as Avalon 1, callsign Empress...?"

Long Caster quickly pulls up the rest of the data package. It's not much, but the credentials check out and the data gives him just enough to work with.

"The aircraft used the new designation system... YF/A-404 Aria. Is this something the government cooked up in secret?" It sure checks the box for weird and freaky programs that's for sure. "And its affiliation?"

Long Caster checks. "8492... 8492... That squadron doesn't exist in mainstream service! So another black-ops-only unit? 8492nd 'Avalon' Squadron, one known member who is also the squadron leader, callsign Empress. This Empress person is..."

The curious man pulls up the attached profile only to nearly jump away from his seat when he sees the portrait of Avalon 1.

The Reich Marshal is an idol in the hearts of many. Known for her many talents, one may find it easier to count what she couldn't do rather than what she could do. Nevertheless, when the pilot of the incoming aircraft is shown to be the Marshal herself in a flight suit, Long Caster is still spooked. It's one thing for the Marshal to direct the battlefield from afar these days, it's another thing altogether for her to join the fray atop a veritable war machine. There are many things that Long Caster would like to say, but for now, the man would have to settle for just this.

"No wonder those female pilots were denied of taking the moniker 'Empress', there's already a certified badass flying its color. We better pray because shit's about to come down hard...