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ladydancing · 10 months ago

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Chapter 9: The Temple

The Dancing Lady sat on the hot desert planet of Arda I. Aola and Tara were out surveying the planet. While they were gone, they were unaware of what was taking place in the starboard cargo bay. Former Jedi Rania Chera sat with her legs folded sitting across her Jedi starfighter, which had been there since she first met Aola Beck. In the center of the bay a small cargo container floated in air. Anyone who knew Rania would assume Rania was using the force to levitate the container. Be that as it may, they would be wrong, standing near the container with her eyes closed and her arm outstretched was Tizz Uuram. Rania believed that Tizz was force sensitive and confirmed it on the ice world of Tokmia. Although Rania had kept Tizz’s secret from the others, she had talked her into allowing her to train her when the other’s were not around.

The container started to shake. “Stay calm, Tizz” Rania said quietly.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Tizz replied.

“Your abilities could be helpful to us. If not for you we wouldn’t have saved Tara on Tokmia. But you need to learn to control them.” Rania commented.

Tizz lowered the box wiping the sweat off her browe. She asked “What do you think Aola and Tara will find out there?”

“I don’t know, you never can tell with Aola.” Rania said as she sighed.

Just then they could hear footsteps coming up the boarding ramp. “Speak of the devil, Aola and Tara must be back. Let’s go see.” Rania said to Tizz.

As Tizz and Rania left the cargo bay and entered the main corridor, they saw Aola and Tara with a Nautolan female, an amphibious humanoid just like Master Kit Fitso. However, her skin was blue unlike Master Fitso’s green. She was wearing a long brown professional dress and looked very formal. She carried a piece of luggage and a small case.

“Ah there you are.” Aola said. “Let me introduce Dr. Nia Fonar. Dr. Nia Fonar, this is the rest of my crew, Rania Chera and Tizz Uuram. Dr. Nia Fonar is our next job. She is an archeologist that would like us to take her to Dantooine."

“That’s it. Transport her to Dantooine?” Tizz asked.

“Well not exactly.” Dr. Fonar responded. “I’m interested in looking at a temple on Dantooine, but I afraid it might be dangerous there, maybe pirates. I am archeologist and don’t really know how to protect myself, so I would like you to keep me safe while I’m there. We won’t be long and as I explained to Aola I pay well.”

“Tizz, you and Tara will have to double up to provide Dr. Fonar with a cabin. Tara will you take Dr. Fonar to your cabin.” Aola told her.

As Tara led Dr. Fonar away, Aola turned to see both Rania and Tizz with their arms folded and annoyed looks on their faces.

“What?” Aola replied to their looks.

Tizz spoke first “You don’t find this strange, that you found a lone archeologist on this almost empty world, far off the beaten track."

Rania continued “Why is she here? How did she get here? Why does she need us as bodyguards?”

“She came to this planet to survey an area called the Gauntlet and was attacked by pirates and crashed. Tara looked over her ship and even she couldn't fix it. After being shot down by pirates, she is probably afraid and that's why she needs us as protection. All I know is it’s good money and I also know there’s nothing dangerous on Dantooine.” Aola repling to their questions. “Now I have to get ready for takeoff.” as she turned and headed for the cockpit.

"I don't like this." Tizz said.

"Neither do I." Rania replied.

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Aola, Rania, Tizz, and Tara sat in The Dancing Lady’s cockpit as it came out of hyperspace over Dantooine. It was a green planet, mostly grassy plains and forests. It had a very small population, only a few farmers. Aola brought The Dancing Lady down in one of these grassy fields not far from the temple, that Dr. Fonar wanted to view.

“Well we’re here. Let’s go inform Dr. Fonar.” Aola said to the others. They all rose from their seats and headed towards Tara’s cabin, which Dr. Fonar was currently using.

Aola knocked on the door “Dr. Fonar, we’re here.”

The door slid open and the crew were astonished. Dr. Fonar stood in front of them wearing a long black leather skirt slit down the sides showing knee high boots, a short brown leather jacket like Rania’s and a tan shirt similar to Aola’s. She looked more like a smuggler than the archeologist that had come onboard earlier. However, it was the DH-17 blaster hanging on her hip that really caught them by surprise.

Fonar saw the crew looking at her and looked down at herself. "Oh, you must be surprised by my outfit." Fonar said "One of my co-workers suggested I dress like this so I fit in."

"And the blaster?" Tizz asked.

"Oh, the same. I barely know how to use it. But I was told it would be a good deterrent." Fonar stated naively. "You said we’re here?"

"Yes, the temple is several klicks from here. We'll leave whenever you’re ready." Aola stated.

"I just have to get my survey case and we can leave." Fonar said.

Several seconds later, they were outside The Dancing Lady, on the grassy plain. "Tizz and Rania take point. Tara you stay with Dr. Fonar and I take rearguard." Aola ordered.

They had to pass through a forest to get to the temple on it’s other side. As they began their journey through the forest Rania whispered to Tizz "I still don't like this."

Tizz whispered back "I know. From what Tara told me last night about Fonar's ship, it was covered with scorch marks."

"Well wouldn't you expect that from a pirate attack." Rania answered.

"Yes, by why didn't they land and finish the job. Take all they could get from her ship and kill her or at least take her as a slave?" Tizz asked back.

They had walked about half way through the forest and Rania raised her arm to signal a stop. As the rest of the group caught up with Rania and Tizz, Rania said "Were about half way there. I suggest we stop and allow Dr. Fonar a break."

"I'm fine. We can keep going." Fonar responded.

"No we should all take a break." Aola stated.

Rania walked over to Aola and was telling Aola about her and Tizz's worries. Tizz was leaning against a tree when a red shot of blaster fire just missing her. A creature behind the tree that had been sneaking up on Tizz fell dead. Tizz turned to see the dead stalking lizard on the ground. Everyone turned to see who had shot the creature and saved Tizz. The only one with a blaster drawn was Dr. Fonar.

"I'm sorry, I saw that creature behind Tizz and I shot at it. I could have killed you." Fonar said naively the blaster shaking in her hand.

"No that thing could have killed me." Tizz said thanking Fonar.

"Well I suggest we continue." Aola said. "Rania and Tara take point now, I'll stay with Dr. Fonar and Tizz take the rear."

"Rania" Tara whispered, "I was behind Dr. Fonar when she killed that lizard. I never saw anyone draw and fire so fast."

"I know, Tizz and me have our worries about who she really is?" Rania whispered back.

Soon they were at the temple entrance. "You can stay here. I just need to look around inside." Dr. Fonar said "I won't be long." as she entered the temple.

After a long period of time had passed, Rania stated "I'm going in to check on Dr. Fonar and maybe I can learn who she really is."

Rania walked into the temple and the further she got the darker it became. She pulled out her lightsaber from it's pouch and activated it to provide light. Eventually, she heard Fonar's voice, but it wasn't the shy, naïve voice she had heard when they had first met. She could just make out Fonar saying "...I have checked Arda I and Dantooine, both seem good for bases."

"Who was this woman?" Rania thought to herself. "I need to get closer and find out."

"I believe I have company. I speak with you later, Fulcrum." Fonar said as Rania approached. “You shouldn’t have come in here. I didn’t want to kill anybody.” Fonar said with her back to Rania, who could now see that the case was a sub space transmitter.

“Who are you?” a confused Rania asked.

Fonar rose from the crouching position she was in and turned on Rania with her blaster drawn only to be startled by what she saw.

“You have a lightsaber. Are you a Jedi?” Fonar asked.

“I was a former Jedi Knight before Order 66.” Rania responded angrily as she used the force to rip Fonar’s blaster out of her hand. “And you still haven’t answered my question. Who are you? You obviously aren’t an archaeologist.”

A bit startled her blaster now in Rania’s hand, Fonar replied “I am actually an archaeologist, but I am also a member of an alliance being formed to overthrow the Emperor and the Empire.”

“I don’t understand, what are you doing?” Rania asked again.

“This alliance is using my archaeological knowledge to locate places to use as hidden bases until we can bolster our strength.” Fonar explained. “And it also allowed me to travel the galaxy without the Empire getting suspicious.”

“But they did didn’t they? It was them that shot you down on Arda I wasn’t it?” Rania replied

“Yes it was. Luckily for me, the Empire isn’t very efficient and didn’t check the crash site to make sure I was dead and then your friends showed up, who were perfect for my needs to get off Arda I.” Fonar said. “You know we could use some good fighters, why don’t you and your friends join our alliance.”

“The four of us hate the Empire, but each of us just recently escaped from them. I doubt the others would wish to risk their lives so soon after just escaping, but I’ll ask them.” Rania said.

“What about you? You’re a Jedi. You fought for the Republic.” Fonar stated.

“I still have to think things through. I know it was the Emperor who branded the Jedi traitors, but the Galactic Senate stands with him.” Rania said shaking her head.

“Not all the Senate backs him, some are the ones putting together this alliance. If you change your mind I’ll give you the frequency and codes to speak with Fulcrum. She’s the leader of one these rebel cells.” Fonar suggested.

As they started towards the entrance to the temple. Rania mentioned “Um, I hope you still realize Aola is expecting to be paid.”

“Not a problem drop me off on Alderaan and you will receive your payment. Can I have my blaster back now.” Fonar asked as they exited the temple into the daylight and the waiting crew of The Dancing Lady.

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georgemcginn · 11 months ago

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Marine Marksman Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Robert Price conducts live-fire range training aboard the amphibious assault… Photo Details > View All Photos ABOUT NEWS HELP CENTER PRESS PRODUCTS Unsubscribe | Contact Us

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whatisonthemoon · 2 years ago

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U.S., Philippines Kick off Largest-ever Balikatan Exercise as Defense, Foreign Affairs Leaders Meet in Washington (April 11, 2023)

▲ U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Army Soldiers, Navy Sailors, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines listen during a rehearsal of concept brief in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Camp Agnew, Casigueran, Philippines on April 4, 2023.

from USNI news by Rene Acosta and John Grady

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States began the largest iteration of Balikatan, the annual military exercise involving Filipino and American troops, during a Tuesday ceremony at the Philippine military’s general headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino opened the exercise on Tuesday as defense and foreign affairs officials also met for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington D.C., to discuss the direction of the alliance between the two countries.

“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in particular, this year’s Balikatan Exercise is most timely as we fast-track the enhancement of our capabilities for maritime security and domain awareness, as well as our employment concept of newly acquired equipment and weapon systems under our modernization program and application of newly developed doctrines – with the end-in-view of projecting a credible defense posture,” Centino said.

More than 17,600 American, Filipino and Australian sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen will participate in the exercise, Enrique Manolo, secretary of foreign affairs, said in Washington, D.C., on Monday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The exercise illustrates the importance Manila places on internal security, Manolo said, and signifies another step in modernizing the more than 70-year-old alliance between the United States and the Philippines.

The increased emphasis on interoperability required to address new security challenges, primarily coming from Beijing, facing the alliance allows Manila “to shore up our defensive posture.”

“Balikatan provides unparalleled opportunities to demonstrate the strength and readiness of the Philippine-U.S. security alliance,” Lt. Col. Daniel Huvane, Balikatan Combined Joint Information Director, said in a news release from the American embassy in Manila.

Last year’s drills saw about 9,000 military participants in the annual exercise that began in 1991.

Philippine military public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said the 38th iteration of the bilateral exercise highlights four major events – a command post exercise, cyber defense exercise, field training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance.

Weeks before the exercise, the Philippine military said that this year’s phase would be the biggest, as U.S. armaments will even be in full use, including the Patriot and Avenger missiles and HIMARS.

This coming Thursday, U.S. and Filipino troops will also conduct a live firing of the U.S. anti-tank weapon Javelin, still as part of the recently concluded phase one of the U.S.-Philippines “Salaknib” exercise, which involved the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army in the Indo-Pacific, according to Philippine Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad.

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Figther, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits parked on the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a scheduled port visit at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo April 5, 2023. US Navy PhotoOn the eve of Balikatan’s opening, Filipino and American soldiers trained together in “bunker and room-clearing” operations as part of the opening salvo at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

“This year’s Balikatan will be the biggest ever, an indication of the growth of our alliance and how it continues to evolve to meet our shared goals,” Heather Variava, U.S. Chargé d’affaires in Manilla said on Tuesday. Baclor said the participating forces will enhance their joint and combined capabilities in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercise, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The Philippines emphasized the importance of Balikatan to both U.S. and the Philippine forces, as Licudine said it builds “interoperability, enhances capabilities, and demonstrates mutual defense of the Philippine sovereign territory.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared: “Balikatan is an important opportunity to train shoulder-to-shoulder and build trust and confidence that enable our forces to respond to crises and contingencies as a team.” In Washington D.C., Filipino Department of National Defense Officer in Charge Carlito Galvez and Enrique Manolo held the 2+2 meeting with Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The U.S. State Department in a statement issued ahead of the meeting said Blinken and Austin would reaffirm Washington’s ironclad commitment to its alliance with the Philippines, which it said has “contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

Speaking at CSIS on Monday, Manalo reiterated the distance between the Philippines and Taiwan – about 90 miles – where tensions have been rapidly rising between the United States and China over the future of the self-governing island.

Chinese naval militia continue to harass and ram Filipino fishermen working in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, he said. Beijing warships and coast guard vessels are ignoring a 2016 international tribunal’s ruling dismissing its claims to much of the South China Sea. The Chinese are treating the region as its sovereign territory.

Beijing has built at least seven artificial islands on coral reefs that are capable of supporting maritime operations and military airfields. One of those man-made islands is in the Spratlys, off the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Manolo added, “we feel the United States is an important partner” militarily and economically. He noted several times at the CSIS event the importance of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington in keeping the Indo-Pacific a safe and secure environment for maritime commerce. He indicated that the United States and other nations, possibly Japan and Australia, may soon begin conducting joint maritime patrol operations with the Philippines to secure its expansive ocean borders.

Manolo added that the Philippines has the fourth largest coastline in the world, and it’s hard to secure but vital to economic development. The secretary added that Manila also looks to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, as a forum to resolve differences peacefully. The association is developing guidelines on acceptable international behavior and mechanisms to avoid conflict in territorial and trade disputes. China is a member.

Included in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)were arrangements for the United States to establish nine facilities for future American operations. He said he will discuss what activities will be allowed at the last four added in the arrangement during the meeting in Washington with his counterpart, Blinken, and the two nations’ secretaries of defense.

The “2 Plus 2” meetings had been shelved for seven years when then-President Rodrigo Duerte promised he��d shift security priorities away from the United States and more toward China to bolster Manila’s sovereignty in regional politics.

A September meeting in New York between President Joe Biden and newly installed President Ferdinand Marcos that led to the new defense agreement clearly demonstrated the shift back toward the United States.

“We obviously have to work [WITH?] them,” Manolo said, referring to China. “Equity in the maritime commons” is a foreign policy goal as Manila is “on the threshold” of becoming a regional economic power. He welcomed public and private assistance in filling infrastructure needs for future development and growth. He pointed to how important Manila can be in delivering clean energy renewables with investments made to explore its deposits of important raw earth and other green minerals.

“Multilateralism must thrive” to avoid conflict, said Manolo.

But “we want to make [discussions with China] compatible with the U.S. alliance.”

Notes and links below

Japan to join Salaknib drills between PH, US armies - “Japan is joining a large-scale joint exercise between the Philippine and US armies for the first time, a top military official said, in the latest of the emerging trilateral defense partnership of the three nations.A handful of observers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will participate in Salaknib (shield in the Ilocano dialect) — an annual exercise led by the Philippine Army to strengthen the readiness and interoperability with its counterparts from the United States — which will kick off next week.”

Stop US and Chinese aggression in the Philippines! Turn imperialist wars into wars against imperialism! The US is complicit in war crimes

The WACL and CAUSA’s Role in the Ruthless Violence of US-Philippines Counterinsurgency

Death Squads in the Philippines by Doug Cunningham

Those Spared in Duterte’s “War on Drugs” May Go to Moonie Rehabilitation

#imperialism #inter-imperialism #china #u.s.a.#united states of america #the philippines #philippines #ecda #enhanced defense cooperation agreement #military #u.s. military #armed forces of the philippines #afp #balikatan

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cress-meadowforge · 2 years ago

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Cress opened her mouth to assuage any apprehension, but laughter tumbled out instead, more endeared than the exasperated she should have been (and originally was). "I--that was him?" she blinked, temporarily slack-jawed as the pieces fell into place. Something between amusement and annoyance passed through her expression as she recalled the entire morning that had been spent ridding the training center of the amphibious onslaught. Cress hadn't paid much attention to the details then; she'd only been frustrated by the delay, by her talents and effort being wasted on cleaning up a childish prank. "No, no, he hasn't done anything," which was a blatant lie, so she specified. "The training center was, thankfully, spared this time around. I was just going to say that we met before Launch when he came by the center. He's lovely, Hestia." And then, a softened truth. "I was quite charmed."

Hestia's suspicions were raised immediately, and her eyes narrowed very slightly at the mention of her son. She loved Slate, more than anything, but his name coming from someone else in the Tower, especially someone from the upper districts... well, the odds were not great that something positive was about to follow. She sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose briefly to preemptively stave off a headache, then asking, "Yes. He's mine. What did he do this time? I am so sorry if he did something to the training center again, I don't know where he found those frogs."

#hetia #p: hestia #132 #lmaoooooo

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lonestarbattleship · 3 years ago

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State Ship Series: USS New York

There have been four ships commissioned named after the state of New York in the US Navy. The state of New York was admitted into the United States on July 26, 1788.

USS New York (1800), New York class, three masted 36 gun frigate, commissioned from 1800 until she was burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812.

[no image or photo]

USS New York (1820), North Carolina Class, 74 gun ship of the line. "One of the nine ships to rate not less than 74 guns each authorized by Congress on April 29, 1816." Never launched, burned on the slipways at the Norfolk Navy Yard to prevent capture by the Confederates.

[no photo or image]

USS New York (1863), Guerriere class, screw sloop-of-war, laid down in 1863, never completed. Originally named Ontario but was renamed New York in 1869. Scrapped in 1888. One of the eight wooden steam frigates authorized by the United States Navy during the American Civil War to provide a postwar general purpose fleet.

USS New York (ACR-2/CA-2), armored cruiser, in commission from 1893 to 1933. Renamed USS Saratoga in 1911 to free the name for BB-34, and again in 1917 to USS Rochester to free the name CC-3, later CV-3. Fought in the Spanish–American War and escorted convoys during WWI. She was moored at the Olongapo Shipyard at Subic Bay, Philippines and later scuttled on December 24, 1941 to prevent her capture by the Japanese.

USS New York (BB-34), New York Class, Dreadnought Battleship, nickname was "The Old Lady of the Sea" or just "Grand Old Lady", in commission from 1914 to 1946. Served in World War I with the 6th Battle Squadron and accidentally hit a U-boat with her propeller. Modernization in the 1920's. During WWII, she escorted convoys in 1941 and 1942. She fought in Operation Torch, invasion of Iwo Jima and invasion of Okinawa. Used as a training ship in 1943 and 1944. Took a kamikaze hit in 1945. Survived both atomic bomb tests in Bikini atoll, later sunk from live fire practice off of Hawaii in 1948. She earned three battle stars during WWII.

USS New York (LPD-21), San Antonio Class, amphibious transport dock, in commission from 2009 to present. Part of her hull came from the steel of the World Trade Center. She came about from the letter from the Governor of New York asking the Navy to name a surface vessel be named after New York following the 9/11 attacks.

Ships named New York but not named after the state.

USS New York (1776), gundalow, in service from 1777 to 1778. Found in the Battle of Valcour Island. Possibly named after the city rather than the colony. Note: her exact design is unknown, possibly looked similar to USS Philadelphia (1776) as pictured above.

source, source, source

LOC: det 4a04864

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usafphantom2 · 3 years ago

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VIDEO: "Retired" F-117 fighter arrives for ANG's Sentry Savannah exercise

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 05/11/22 - 12:00 PM in Military

F-117 Nighthawk jet arrives in Georgia for ANG's Sentry Savannah exercise. (Photo: Mike Killian)

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the "stealth fighter" that was developed under the utmost secrecy before being driven to almost "legendary status" because of its combat role during Operation Desert Storm, had its military career interrupted when it was officially retired in 2008. But some still perform an important task with the USAF.

Currently, the best chance to see an F-117 is in museums, where about 12 jets are exposed. Occasionally some lucky people may still be able to see one of these jets in flight. An example was photographer Mike Killian who recorded an F-117 jet landing in Georgia for the Sentry Savannah exercise of the U.S. National Air Guard.

This is what happened last month, on April 5, when an F-35B Lightning II aircraft attached to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 carried out flight operations with an F-117 Nighthawk during a "flight" above the newly commissioned amphibious attack ship USS Tripoli. The aircraft was seen over Los Angeles, as it was probably returning to the Tonopah Test Range complex.

“Tell me about a #AvGeek Spotting!!! Here is a KC-135 tanker from #USAF w/s COPPER04 HEAVY with a connected #F117NightHawk #USAF #StealthFighter (yes the "retired") passing today on a mission south of #LosAngeles #StealthFighter #F117 04-05-22

Another F-117 was seen in March and was possibly used to test new stealth or anti-steal technologies. Scott Mantegani of Aircraft Spots (@AircraftSpots) posted an image of the Nighthawk in flight, with the caption: "NIGHT01 (F-117A) from Tonopah sighted near Edwards Air Base inside the R-2508 complex using a chrome finish in March 2022".

In January 2021, the United States Air Force had forty-eight F-117 remaining in its inventory. According to Insider, the service has discarded approximately four Nighthawks annually, suggesting that about forty-four are still operational.

These F-117 aircraft are often employed in an opponent stealth role, allowing U.S. squadrons to perform DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) against a stealthy aggressor and also simulate evasive radar cruise missiles during various exercises.

One of the forty-some Nighthawk aircraft still operational arrived in Georgia this month as part of the "Sentry Savannah" exercise, the largest fourth and fifth generation air force exercise of the National Air Guard, which is held annually at the Air Domain Center at Savannah National Air Guard Base (ANG), Georgia.

The Savannah National Air Guard is one of the four Combat Preparation Training Centers in the United States, and its Air Domain Center (ADC) conducts air-to-air combat training missions for fourth- and fifth generation reservists and active fighter pilots.

TheAviationist.com reported that an F-117, which is believed to be part of a unit known as the "Dark Knights", was sent to Georgia. This is the first time that the stealth jet has been sent to the East Coast to participate in such a military exercise.

youtube

Tags: ANG - Air National Guard / U.S. National Air GuardMilitary AviationLockheed F-117A NighthawkUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air Force

Fernando Valdua

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in a specialized aviation magazine in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation

HOME Main Page Editorials Information Events Collaborate SPECIALS Advertise About

Cavok Brasil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

#Youtube

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therealvagabird · 3 years ago

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Ava Knightly Weaponry

The Ava are known for their many unique crafts, stemming from their nature as an amphibious people. Among the most impressive are their aquatic works such as sea-chariots and diving bridges, as well as coral adornments and aqueducts which have far exceeded Vasileian equivalents in scale and efficiency even since the ancient times. However few symbols showcasing the uniqueness of seafolk artisanry are as emblematic as their signature weapons – their polearms and blades.

Knighthood has its roots in Ava culture, even before its adoption by humanity in the latter years of the First Empire. Along with this tradition comes the practice of certain weapons deemed necessary for knightly honor and ability.

The lance and spear feature in many Ava songs. The lance is a symbol of knighthood and is often used in mounted combat either on the field or under the waves. Its power and heft when coupled with the grace and acuity of a trained Ava warrior make it a fearsome if simple weapon much dreaded by all opponents. Heroes of great renown were often gifted unbreakable or un-losable lances or spears in the old sagas, given that such polearms are not often expected to last in open combat under normal circumstances.

However, unique to the seafolk are the bident and trident, which are not as often used among other races or cultures. These are the two-pronged and three-pronged spears, each of which has its roots in aquatic hunting and are associated with the Ava mastery of water. Bidents come in many shapes and sizes, though their two-headed form makes them ideal for “catching” enemy blades as well as for causing greater harm to a soft target when piercing. The bident is a symbol of power in Ava tradition, and is still as popular with the Antilhians as with the Lindathi, and many war-mages may take a bident as an arcane focus. Tridents are less seen in open warfare, being considered hunting tools not unlike the common spear, and are overall associated with naval actions either above or below the waves. Such is the cultural legacy of the trident than many Ava believe the form itself is more conductive towards oceanic magics than other polearms.

Most alien to non-seafolk is the härkil, the Ava sword. Though the seafolk are not opposed to using various other forms of hand-blade, the härkil is unique to them and emblematic of their history. Härkil are defined by their hollow form, being composed of two single-sided blades fused together at the hilt, leaving a gap in the middle. Sometimes this is accomplished by forming and tempering one long blade into a bent form, while other times two blades are welded at their bases. The hollow center and quirks of the highly attentive Ava forging process means that the härkil is as swift beneath water as it is on land, and few but the Ava themselves have the skill to craft or wield true härkil. Tradition dictates that only a blade forged by sea-vent and formed of a single rod can be called a härkil, though many similar blades of lesser quality are still crafted by other smiths, even if Ava cultural pride will not let them admit it so readily.

Härkil come in one-prong and two-prong variants, with differences in overall blade silhouette and size as befitting their role. Some feature a dramatic “teardrop” shape with curves designed to aid in slicing motions, while others are more akin to typical thrusting swords. Larger two-hander härkil or “La-Härkil” are also found, taking the roles of claymores or other greatswords. The differences in prong number mark the greatest disparity in härkil usage, however. In one-prong variants, the tips of the two blades are fused as like to their bases, making the sword more suited for stabbing and thrusting, while the two-pronged swords are left separated so as to either do more damage when thrusting into a soft target, or to allow for the catching of enemy blades or hooking around defences.

Such is the place of prominence that the härkil holds in the Ava songs that few other peoples have tried to emulate it, both out of practical limitations, and also for the fact that most warriors outside the seafolk do not believe themselves capable of outstripping the deeds of the greatest Ava blademasters in their own domain.

#unbridled #arius #ava #worldbuilding #fantasy

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tanukinuts · 1 year ago

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Van Riper had participated in previous war games for JFCOM, including the previous year’s Unified Vision 2001 exercise in which he played the role of a landlocked regional power. At one crucial engagement during Unified Vision 2001, Van Riper was informed by the white cell, or “control,” overseeing the game that the United States had destroyed all 21 of the red team’s deeply buried ballistic missiles, even though the blue team commander never actually knew where they were located. It was simply assumed that in the future the United States would have the real-time radar and sensor capabilities to eliminate them. After the Unified Vision 2001 exercise, JFCOM provided a report to Congress that claimed that the exercise had corroborated the effects-based operations concepts. When Van Riper complained that that was untrue, he was promised, regarding MC ’02, that “next year will be a free play and honest exercise.”

Lol

While the OPFOR was supposed to use only a limited set of military capabilities that it was projected to have in 2007, the blue forces were allowed to have command-and-control relationships, communication networks, and military capabilities that the Pentagon did not plan to field until well beyond 2007

Lmao even

At the start of MC ’02, to fulfill the forced-entry requirement, blue issued red an eight-point ultimatum, of which the final point was surrender. Red team leader Van Riper knew his country’s political leadership could not accept this, which he believed would lead the blue forces to directly intervene. Since the George W. Bush administration had recently announced the “preemption doctrine,” Van Riper decided that as soon as a U.S. Navy carrier battle group steamed into the Gulf, he would “preempt the preemptors” and strike first. Once U.S. forces were within range, Van Riper’s forces unleashed a barrage of missiles from ground-based launchers, commercial ships, and planes flying low and without radio communications to reduce their radar signature. Simultaneously, swarms of speedboats loaded with explosives launched kamikaze attacks. The carrier battle group’s Aegis radar system — which tracks and attempts to intercept incoming missiles — was quickly overwhelmed, and 19 U.S. ships were sunk, including the carrier, several cruisers, and five amphibious ships. “The whole thing was over in five, maybe ten minutes,” Van Riper said.

[...]

The actual forces were awaiting orders at Fort Bragg, off the coast of San Diego, and at the Fort Irwin National Training Center. Kernan recalled, “I didn’t have a lot of choice. I had to do the forcible entry piece.” He directed the white cell to simply refloat the virtual ships to the surface.

[...]

Van Riper’s red team prepared itself for an amphibious assault by the Marines. He knew that the first wave would include the V-22 Osprey, a multi-mission, tilt-rotor aircraft that the Marines had in the pipeline but would not actually field for another five years. The V-22’s twin 38-foot propellers gave the transport aircraft a notoriously large identifiable radar signature that could easily be identified and tracked with crude radars and surface-to-air missiles. The red team was ready to begin shooting down the V-22s when Van Riper’s chief of staff received a message from the white cell. Hostile fire against the V-22s or blue’s C-130 troop transport planes was forbidden. Even after some were not destroyed, the red team was forbidden to fire upon blue forces as they conducted a live airborne drop. Van Riper asked the white cell if his forces could at least deploy the chemical weapons that he possessed, but he was again denied.

[...]

When Van Riper went to Kernan to complain, he was told: “You are playing out of character. The OPFOR would never have done what you did.”

"Our enemies are violent radicals that have access to WMDs and may strike out at Americans without warning at any moment, thus we need to be willing to grind them into dust with overwhelming terror bombings at any moment. But also when confronted with losing a simulation against a competent enemy with chemical weapons, then that's not realistic because the Pentagon knows that none of our targets actually pose a real threat to them or will use chemical weapons and should just act like ants waiting to be squashed."

The tremendous, horrible firepower at the hands of the US military is capable of extreme violence and destruction but for what it's worth take comfort in the fact that it is also made up of extremely incompetent crybabies that only knows how to fight when they can attack with no fear of retaliation and have been demonstrably proven to fail in this exact scenario. It's my sincere hope that one of the idiots making the decisions remembers that before they get countless people killed and just to get their asses beat.

I know they're going to say it's a "deterrent" or but the way they've been just openly announcing troop movements it's starting to feel like they really are just banging the dinner bell for Iranian suicide boats as a pretext for war or a USS Liberty 2 where they blame it on Syria.

Thinking about that time the US military did a naval training exercise about a prospective invasion of Iran and the OPFOR general won by sending remote detonated RHIB drones to simulate detonating the American flagship carrier first so their entire formation fell apart. Then the Pentagon had an meltdown about it so they made them run the exercise again but explicitly forbid the OPFOR commander from using any of the tactics that he used to counter them. They even had basically the exact same combat force they're amassing today of two American carriers supported by marine assault ships and their escorts. Could you even begin to imagine the meltdown that would happen if we lost the Gerald Ford to a glorified jet ski?

#iran #gaza #palestine #us imperialism #us military #imperialism #syria

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historicalfirearms · 4 years ago

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The M1 Carbine Holster

The other day my co-host on the Fighting On Film podcast, Robbie McGuire, shared an interesting video of some US troops rehearsing embarkation and debarkation of a landing craft. Not only is the video interesting as the practice landing craft is made of concrete but also because it features an accoutrement that I’d never seen before.

The footage shows what appears to be a US artillery battery practicing for amphibious operations, possibly Operation Overlord. The battery is equipped with M101 105mm Howitzers, while their GMC trucks are mounted with M2 .50 calibre Brownings. Most of the men are armed with M1 carbines. The carbines aren’t slung but holstered.

youtube

Below are some more still from the footage that show how the men have their carbines holstered:

The holsters are worn on the right side and appear to clip into their M1936 pistol belts. While similar in concept to the M1 Carbine canvas jump holsters which could hold a paratrooper’s M1A1 with a folding stock these are designed for full-size, fully-stocked M1 Carbines.

The holsters appear to allow the carbine to move with the wearer’s body quite well, with the stock fitting under the armpit. Most of the enlisted men of the battery appear to be wearing them and are carrying out tasks such as manhandling the howitzers and running on and off the ‘landing craft’ with little hinderance.

Some, however, do have their holster’s slung as seen in these images below:

It appears that at least one full gun team have their carbines and holsters more conventionally slung with muzzles up. Perhaps the various gun teams were testing and experimenting with the new holsters. The official manual, FM 23-7 - US Carbine, Caliber 30, M1, for the carbine makes no mention of a holster for the weapon - even if it was designed initially as a sidearm for rear echelon troops. However, in summer 1942, the Field Artillery Replacement Training Center did mention it in a unit-authored appendix which noted:

“For dismounted marches or field exercises, the carbine may be slung over either shoulder, slung on the back with sling over left shoulder with muzzle down, or carried in the holster.”

Illustration of the holster in the Appendix to FARTC Pamphlet on Carbine

I’ve never seen footage of the M1 Carbine holsters before and have been able to find little written about them in either primary or secondary sources - some refer to it as experimental. They’re an interesting accoutrement for support troops who had manual roles to play that made carrying a weapon difficult.

Source:

World War 2 D-Day Training Braunton Burrows (source)

M1 Carbine Manual of Arms (source)

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indynerdgirl · 3 years ago

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For my fellow Top Gun fanfic writers: A Captain in the Navy/Coast Guard is NOT the equivalent of a Captain in the Army/Air Force/Marines.

A Captain in the Navy/Coast Guard is the equivalent of a Colonel in the other branches. A Lieutenant in the Navy/Coast Guard though, IS the equivalent of a Captain in the other branches.

So, for example, if you're writing a fic and you want one of the new pilots (or even an OC) to have a parent or sibling in another branch that outranks them, they'd need to be at least a Major. Because making them a Captain just makes them the same rank as the Lieutenant.

Also, there are two other ranks between Navy/Coast Guard Lieutenant and Captain: Lieutenant Commander and Commander. So if you're writing a fic where one of our new pilots gets a promotion for some kind of heroic deed, it is highly unlikely they would get jumped straight to Captain.

(more random & interesting officer information under the cut)

Another thing to keep in mind for both Navy & Air Force pilots, once you go so high in the ranks, you really no longer fly because you have more administrative responsibilities.

Captains/Colonels eligible for promotion to the next rank are screened by a promotion board consisting of flag/general officers from their branch of service. This promotion board then generates a list of officers it recommends for promotion. This list is then sent to the service secretary and the Joint Chiefs for review before it can be sent to the President, through the Defense Secretary, for consideration. The Senate must then confirm the nominee by a majority vote before the officer can be promoted.

U.S. law explicitly limits the total number of flag/general officers who may be on active duty. The President or Secretary of Defense may increase the number of slots for one branch, so long as they subtract an equal number from another.

The maximum for each branch is as follows: 231 for the Army, 162 for the Navy, 198 for the Air Force, and 62 for the Marines.

There's also a minimum for each branch: 85 for Army, 61 for Navy, 73 for Air Force, and 21 for Marines.

You can really have some AU fun with Maverick due to his current rank of Captain - he could be a commanding officer on an aircraft carrier or a large-deck air-capable amphibious assault ship, or a commander of a carrier air wing. He could also serve as an astronaut on loan to NASA.

"Navy captains who are line officers may also fill senior command and staff positions ashore as Chiefs of Staff/Executive Assistants or senior operations officers to flag officers, or they may hold shore command assignments such as commanding officers of naval bases, naval stations, naval air stations, naval air facilities, naval support activities, logistics groups, specialized centers or schools, or commanders of test wings or training air wings. They may also occupy senior leadership positions on fleet staffs, naval component commands staffs, the staffs of the joint Unified Combatant Commands, the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), or the Joint Staff." [X]

#top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick #top gun #pete maverick mitchell #maverick #GOOGLE IS FREE #PLEASE USE IT #HELL YOU CAN EVEN USE BING #JUST PLEASE DO A LITTLE RESEARCH BEFORE WRITING A MILITARY BASED FIC #SIGNED SOMEONE WHO KNOWS JUST ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TO GET ANNOYED WHEN SOMETHING IS INCORRECT IN A FIC #my post

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alexboehm55144 · 4 years ago

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 37 - Priority Objective

"Our intelligence from ZIA assets indicates the coastal fortress is heavily guarded," Jack said. He pointed to a projected picture of massive concrete Chinese fortifications on a steep cliffside. There was also a map of the Yellow Sea and Bohai sea between China and Korea. "It's located on the Shandong Peninsula in eastern China, near Korea. You can see here, there's a lot of guns and barriers in place. Now moving on to the next slide... Haida, next slide, please."

"Zzz.... huh? Oh, sorry!" The hyena said, sitting up in his chair at a table in the briefing room. He pressed a key on the laptop in front of him. The slide on the projector advanced towards a picture of Chinese troopers clad in unique faded light green / gray camouflage uniforms, along with face paint.

"As you can see, the fortress is partly guarded by an elite detachment of Chinese oriental swords. Special forces soldiers, highly trained and well equipped. There's also rumors of an elite Chinese operative on sight."

"Well, we've fought well-equipped forces before and came out on top!" Laval said, sparking a few chuckles from the assembled heroes. "Elite soldiers, they're no match for us!"

"Don't get cocky, Laval. You got a blood lust or something." Toothdee said before Jack continued.

"We will be assaulting the fortress with US navy elements. The priority objective is to break through the outer defenses, get inside the fortress, and disable its gun emplacements. This will not only neuter the fortress but also protect our ships in the bay. Those guns are our priority objectives. Alex, I understand you managed to secure some reinforcements for us that could help?"

"That's correct." The captain said, standing up. "The US's ally of Canada has generously donated 2 squadrons of CF-18 Hornet fighters to the operation. Along with a team of JTF-2 commandos."

"Alright, that should be of great help. After our strike, we will fall back to a helicopter extraction outside the fortress, leaving the structure broken. This is a large attack to knock out a key Chinese facility before falling back. However, also have a secondary objective."

Alex sat back down while Jack once again woke up Haida to advance to the next slide.

"As you can see here..." the ZIA agent said, highlighting a picture of what appeared to be files, charts, diagrams, and maps labeled as top secret. "There are vital Chinese war plans on-site that would be of great use to the ZIA and the US military. However, we must move quickly. No doubt Chinese personnel will try to destroy the plans."

Captain Boehm once again took over speaking.

"Kion, Nick, and Judy, you are with me. Jasiri, Toothdee, Laval, Eris, JayJay, you'll be providing support to US forces. Haida, Retsuko, Jack, and Skye will be providing overwatch and comms support. Fabienne, I presume you will be filming from a relatively safe distance?"

"That's correct." The snow leopard responded. "Also, would some of you guys mind doing an interview with me about the war effort at some point?"

"Alright, if anyone here is interested, set up a time to meet with Fabienne. Then, back to the mission, please refer to the printed packets if you have any questions."

There were a few shuffling noises as some of the heroes in the room looked through the paper packets they had received in the briefing room. Each bundle of papers contained pictures of the fortress, along with related intelligence and tactics.

"In the event, resistance is too strong, the marines have assured me they have elite units on standby that we can call in if such a situation arises. Including flame troopers and close combat units. They will assist if we can't punch through defenses. This is a vital strike on Chinese soil, the coast of China itself. Let's make sure we don't disappoint."

000

"You think the typhoon will be safe?" Judy asked.

"I mean, it's not exactly at the center of the battle," Kion said. "It's in the back providing support."

"Yeah, there's plenty of US forces between it and the Chinese," Alex said.

"But there is nothing between the US and the Chinese right now," Nick said, as the amphibious APC they were in shook when an artillery shell landed in the water nearby.

"This is a cut above normal ZPD operations."

"Yep, this is more action than most officers normally see." Judy chimed in.

"Well, sometimes protecting Zootopia means going beyond the city."

"Let me just say it's an honor to be your ZPD liaison."

"You've taught Toothdee and I a lot about working in urban environments, handling prisoners, investigation. The honor is all ours."

The APC shook again as it rolled up on a beach near the Chinese fortress.

"Alright, let's do this!" Kion said as Captain Boehm opened the back door to the APC and the warriors inside exited.

The sky was peppered by a few clouds, and more amphibious vehicles rolled onto the beach, along with hovercraft that deployed tanks. Offshore, US warships battled it out with Chinese warships and land-based gun positions. The sounds of gunfire and artillery were a constant ambiance. Chinese forces were dug behind defensive barricades on the beach, with US APCs deploying troops and providing cover.

The team of mammals took cover behind one of the APCs and engaged the dug-in enemy soldiers.

"Alex, Canadian special forces are in support!" Retsuko said, monitoring friendly enemy positions.

Another APC opened up, and troopers with gray/light blue uniforms & a Canadian flag patch on their uniforms piled out and engaged Chinese forces.

However, the enemy troops were still engaging with mounted machine guns.

"Eris could use a bit of support here!" The captain requested.

"On it!" The eagle responded, strafing the Chinese positions with machine-gun fire from her jet, allowing Heroes and their allies to advance.

Kion cut down some PLA troops with his sword, while the lion's friends used their firearms or bow.

Heroes and their Canadian allies entered a bunker on the beach, leading into the fortress. They were met with another squad of Chinese troops moving to defend their position. However, this squad was immediately gunned down with a hail of bullets from the attacking forces.

"Those cannons should be around here somewhere...." Nick said as the team advanced further into the fortress.

"Away team, those guns are hitting our ships hard," Skye said through the radio. "Judging from your insertion point and the emplacement locations, you should head northeast."

"Affirmative." The captain responded.

Heroes and the special forces checked corridors and kept their weapons leveled as they proceeded through the Chinese structure. Sometimes the Canadians tossed an MTN-55 motion sensor, which would detect any PLA forces in the area.

"No hostiles." One of the Canadians said before the team advanced.

Eventually, just as Nick predicted, they came upon the room where the batteries were located, embedded in the side of the fortress. The floors, ceiling, and three walls of the elongated room were made of metal and concrete. The fourth wall was nonexistent. Instead, the fortress exterior was open to the outside. This allowed the artillery guns in the room a pristine view of the sea and warships outside. Only support pillars and safety railings blocked the line of sight for the canons attached to the floor a few feet away from the open wall.

The gun crews were unprepared for enemies forces to appear, allowing the US and CA troops to quickly take down most of the enemy forces.

Kion instantly sliced through a bear that was carrying an ammo crate to one of the cannons.

Nick fired an arrow that was tipped with flammable material, burning a pair of red panda soldiers. Judy, Alex, and the Canadians opened fire with a hail of lead, putting down the gunners and support personnel before they could react.

"Clear!" One of the Canadians yelled, and the team moved upon the guns. Nick fired an arrow tipped with explosives at one of the canons, rendering it inoperable. Alex detonated an ammunition cache near one of the guns. At the same time, the Canadians placed a thermite grenade in the breach of the third canon. By the time they were done, all 3 artillery pieces were down.

Heroes stacked up on the door to the next room and the next group of artillery guns.

"They might have heard us. Throw a flash grenade." Judy noted, prompting one of the Canadians to toss a flashbang into the next room.

Friendly forces breached the room. Just as expected, the Chinese troops were prepared. Defensive positions taken, weapons aimed at the door, even wild unevolved attack dogs at the ready. But the Flashbang had disoriented everyone, allowing Heroes to sweep in and take out almost the entire Chinese force.

Kion deflected some incoming fire with his sword before charging forward and cutting down a pair of PLA soldiers. Captain Boehm used expert marksmanship to dispatch 2 enemy troopers and 1 attack dog with well-placed headshots. Meanwhile, Judy and the Canadians took down more enemy forces with a hail of gunfire.

Another force of Chinese troopers burst into the room. But their uniforms were faded green in color, rather than the standard dark grey of Chinese uniforms. Some soldiers also had facepaint and headbands on, while everyone carried a weapon that boasted more attachments than average.

"Oriental swords!" Captain Boehm yelled, engaging the incoming special forces troopers, who tossed grenades at the US troops.

Friendly soldiers were instantly fired upon when coming out of cover, making it hard to engage the enemy troopers.

"Ok, these guys are on another level," Nick said.

"They're elite special forces, Nick. What did you think?" The captain said, returning fire.

Kion, filled with confidence and possibly arrogance, charged at one of the enemy troopers with his blade. But the human soldier managed to parry the attack and get into a weapon lock with the young hero.

Kion didn't expect this much resistance, but with a head butt, he stunned the Solider and then ran his blade through her.

Meanwhile, the other heroes and their allies were striking back at the oriental swords. Then, Captain Boehm tossed a grenade that forced the enemies out of cover behind some supply crates, allowing friendly troops to gun them down.

"Clear!"

However, before Heroes could move to disable the guns, a group of Chinese rushers troopers armed with shotguns burst into the room, weapons ready. The US and CA troops prepared themselves, but suddenly a stray shell entered the room via the opening on one wall. It impacted near the incoming shotgunners, reducing them to nothing before they could attack.

"Well, that takes care of that," Nick said, looking at what was left of the rushers. "Yuck."

"Hey uh guys, I just got a report about a ship requesting backup from some enemy boats and other ships around it," Haida said via the radio.

"We're on it." Captain Boehm said. "Kion, you load, Nick, you fire, I'll aim. Judy, you keep watch with some of the commandos. The rest of you, man, those other guns!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The Canadian commandos said before some took up positions guarding the room entrances. At the same time, the remaining troopers operated some of the artillery guns.

The captain jumped on one of the canons and looked through the sights out onto the sea. CN and US forces battled it out in the rough seas in front of the fortress.

Warships engaged each other with massive cannons. Small escort vessels darted and weaved around the larger ships like small creatures. Airplanes engaged other aircraft and boats alike as they blazed through the sky.

"Uh... I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to work this thing..." Nick said, looking over the metal machine.

"Just pull that cord there when I tell you too," Alex said, pointing to the object in question.

"This one?"

"Yeah, pull it when I say 'fire.'"

Kion picked up a shell from a nearby ammo crate and loaded it into the breach before closing it. Meanwhile, the captain sighted a US destroyer set upon by a few smaller escort craft and targeted one of the smaller vessels.

"FIRE!"

Nick pulled the cord, but nothing happened.

"You have to pull it harder!" Kion noted.

The fox obliged, and the gun fired with a deafening blast, knocking Nick off his feet.

"WHOA! Ok, that was something!" Nick said, getting back up.

Captain Boehm watched the shot fly through the air and impact the escort vessel. The small boat exploded in a fireball and shower of debris.

"Direct hit! Get back in position, Nick! We've got a battle to win here!" The captain ordered.

"Well, you don't have to be so rude about it...." Nick teased, taking the firing cord in his paws again as Kion loaded another shell.

The captain targeted another Chinese escort vessel, and it was reduced to rubble by the subsequent shot.

The captain then turned his attention to a small enemy warship and bombarded it with multiple shells. The naval vessel shrugged off the first shot, but it started to show more damage with subsequent strikes. Cracks and indents showed on the vessel's surface, and fire belched from damaged areas. Finally, crewmammals jumped overboard into the sea with life jackets.

"PLAN vessel eliminated. Haida, the destroyer is safe." The captain said into his radio, getting off the artillery piece.

"You know, this reminds me." Kion said, "I've never seen a mouse-sized artillery gun. It must just be a standard-sized gun, right?"

"I've never seen one either. Be ready on the guns in case another ship needs support. Jack, do you read me?"

"Affirmative, go ahead."

"Chinese gun crews are down. Are there any US ships in the bay that require support?"

"That aircraft carrier is taking a bit more of a pounding than it should, but I'm directing friendly forces to assist it. You're clear to go ahead with your secondary objective."

"Roger that. Heroes, Commandos, destroy those guns, and let's move out!"

000

"Come on! Come on! Push up!" Toothdee yelled.

The US troops she was with followed her command and charged towards CN defensive positions on a grassy outcropping near the fortress.

Just like the beach on the other side of the fortress, PLA troops were dug in with machine guns, guarding a vital supply stash on this side of the citadel.

"Toothdee, I'm here!" JayJay yelled, and the Heroes commander turned to see JayJay approaching her. She was wearing a muted gray and green dress, along with her fur being dyed a very muted shade of blue to reduce its visual impact.

"We need to get you some better gear," Toothdee said, looking over the wolf's not precisely regulation-compliant outfit.

"What? It's camouflaged... I have a bulletproof vest..." JayJay said, tugging on her vest to show it was there "...and Alex always says he likes fashion as well as function."

"Well, he doesn't exactly know what he's talking about in that regard."

"What, you guys wear gold armor half the time. Although now I see that you've put gray camouflage paint over it."

Toothdee looked down at her own chest and shoulder armor. Usually, it was gold in color, but now that color was extremely muted and covered with a gray camouflage pattern painted on.

"That gold color is by design," Toothdee said. "The gold is more recognizable, meaning enemies will fire upon the gold area, as opposed to other less vibrant parts of the body. But that gold section is where the armor is strongest. It's like saying 'shoot me here where my armor is thickest' "

"Oooohhhh..... well, like I said, fashion and function."

"Enough chit-chat. We have to assault this side of the fortress and destroy enemy supplies!"

The pair of mammals moved ahead to where enemy soldiers were engaging US forces. A wolf soldier was struck down by shots from PLA troopers in cover.

"JayJay! Keep them bottled up!" Toothdee yelled, prompting her companion to open fire on the enemy positions, giving Toothdee time to pull the wounded trooper to cover.

A medic checked out the injured wolf while the pair of Heroes advanced on enemy positions. They gunned down any hostile trooper that attempted to return fire.

US troops advanced with them, but the pair of Heroes were leading the charge. As a result, all the PLA soldiers were killed, and the attacking mammals went further through enemy lines. Nevertheless, enemy machine gunners and snipers continued to engage, putting out a hail of bullets.

"Skye, we need some artillery support. Can you get a warship to assist? Sending enemy coordinates."

"I'm on it! One second."

There was a slight delay. The American troops continuing to take cover and return fire at the enemy.

"Get down, strike incoming."

JayJay and Toothdee took cover as shells rained down from above, obliterating the hostile Chinese troops. Dirt and debris flew into the air as PLA troops screamed before being torn to shreds.

The barrage ceased, and Heroes advanced with their US marines, gunning down a few Chinese soldiers who had survived the bombardment and were left disoriented.

"Secure the area! Plant charges on those supplies!" Toothdee yelled, the force moving up to a flattened dirt area that contained a large stockpile of crates and drums underneath camouflage netting.

However, People's Liberation Army reinforcements arrived, attacking prepared positions behind the fortress, located far from the main defensive line.

The large group of enemy troops charged towards the US forces with bayonets. Screaming battle cries, striking with extreme fanaticism and ferocity.

Many American troops were impaled by the furious blades, even as they opened fire on the attacking mammals, gunning down dozens of the attackers.

A Chinese trooper charged towards Toothdee with a bayonet, but she managed to parry and strike the soldier with the butt of her own rifle.

JayJay simply used her expert agility to doge two incoming mammals and land hard melee strikes that knocked them out.

The PLA troops lay dead, their desperate last assault blunted.

"See!" JayJay said, "my outfit didn't hinder me at all, Toothdee!"

"Ugh.." Toothdee said, rolling her eyes. "Troopers! Ready your demolition charges!"

000

"Is the planning room this way?" Kion asked, slicing through a PLA trooper with his sword.

"According to Jack's ZIA asset, yes," Alex said, plunging his blade into another trooper.

The pair charged forward with their sword, cutting down Chinese troopers in close quarters and deflecting incoming bullets as they cleared the way for their team and advanced through the fortress.

"Shotgunners!" Kion yelled.

The pair of swordsmen ducked, allowing the Canadian soldiers and ZPD members to fire over their heads and down the hostile troopers. Shotguns were nigh impossible to deflect against.

"Away team, based on footage from your body cams, you're nearing the HQ room," Jack said through the radio. "Next door on the left."

"Affirmative Jack," captain Boehm said, "Heroes, JTF-2, stack up on that door."

The allied forces took up ready positions on the door before Kion kicked it open, and they charged into the war room.

Chinese commanding officers and personnel were busy going over maps on a central table and computer screens displaying tactical information. The officers in the room drew pistols and attempted to fire back at the incoming Heroes but were quickly downed.

Kion parried and cut down an oriental sword on guard near the door before turning his attention to another advancing trooper with an assault rifle.

Nick fired a precise trio of arrow shots, taking down 3 of the officers in the room who were trying to abscond with the items on the war table.

Captain Boehm sliced through an oriental sword on guard before advancing on a Chinese commanding officer. He knocked away her pistol and slammed her face into a computer monitor on a desk.

But then the captain noticed something on another computer monitor on a desk. A human with a sword, cutting through what appeared to be US soldiers holding a position outside the fortress. It only took a few seconds to realize that it was his counterpart.

Anger built inside the captain, seeing the last villain they had to defeat, the being that shared his name and face and was wreaking so much destruction. Nothing would stop him from putting an end to his counterpart's rampage.

While Alex was distracted, an enemy soldier charged at him, but Judy performed a dropkick, knocking the attacker out.

"Clear! Secure those plans!" One of the commandos said before another commando moved over to the war table and started to grab all the maps and documents on it, stuffing them into a secure, watertight, and armored case.

"Alex? What is it?" Judy asked.

The captain gestured to the computer screen and slid a chair over to Judy. The rabbit hopped up on the chair and took a look at the screen.

"Oh... I see now." The bunny said, her ears drooping.

"We have to go after my counterpart. He's the last dark version of us that's still out there."

"Yes!" Kion said, agreeing with his friend. "Let's go get him and finish those dark heroes off once and for all!"

The lion banged his knuckles together.

"What? Kion, Alex, we're here for the war maps and papers. Not to chase down your counterpart."

"Come on, Judy, Alex's counterpart is the last villain we need to defeat! So we have to go get him! He's a vital target!"

"I'm with carrots," Nick said, "knowledge is power. Let's complete our assignment and then go find tall, dark, and evil another day."

"Then let's split up." Alex said, "Kion and I will give chase. You two secure the plans."

"I wouldn't recommend that, sir." One of the Canadians said, "This is a dangerous Chinese facility swarming with hostiles. Splitting up could be disastrous, and there's no guarantee you would be able to extract."

"Look, Alex...." Judy said. "You are our leader, Nick, and I will gladly follow you, but our mission was to get those documents. We have them. Let's make sure we get them somewhere safe."

"As a leader, I can't ignore the sensibilities of those I lead. I'm not gonna force you to follow me."

"Well, then it looks like we're tied," Nick said.

The captain turned to the commandos.

"You guys are the tie-breaking votes."

There was a few moments of discussion between the commandos.

"Our mission is to secure the war plans, sir. We side with the rabbit." The Canadian leader said.

"Alright, we're outvoted, Kion. Reload and prepare to move to the extraction point."

Nick and Judy took up point this time, starting to lead the group back outside the fortress. Alex and Kion serving as rear guards.

The lion turned off his body camera and radio microphone and gestured for captain Boehm to do the same, which he did.

"If you ask me, I say we should be going after your counterpart right now. I mean, who's more of a threat than that!"

"I'm with you." The captain said, "Out of respect for Nick and Judy, we'll get the intelligence out of here. But if I had my way, we would be pursuing my counterpart right now."

11 notes · View notes