As the sun reached its peak, the ground crews worked tirelessly, swarming over Emilie, Mona, and Teppei's F-5E Tiger II fighters like bees over a hive. The faint scent of fuel and the acrid tang of gunpowder filled the air, mixing with the warm heat rising off the tarmac. Armament teams secured live missiles to the underwing pylons, fueling crews topped off the tanks, and maintenance specialists double-checked every system for peak performance. Every switch, every lever, every bolt mattered. It was war now, and mistakes could be fatal.
The sound of hurried footsteps on concrete drew the pilots' attention. An officer jogged toward them, slightly winded from rushing across the airfield. His cap was crooked, sleeves rolled up, a sheen of sweat on his brow.
"Lieutenant Emilie! Starseer! Rock n' Roller!" he called out, struggling for breath. "The Base Commander has a message for you."
Emilie folded her arms, waiting, her eyes narrowing. "Let's hear it."
The officer inhaled sharply. "You are being deployed to Lumidouce Naval Port. Captain Maksim says AWACS Thunderspike will brief you once all mission details are confirmed."
Emilie's gaze darkened. Her mind worked through the implications like a flight computer running a dozen calculations in a second. "Understood. We'll launch as soon as our birds are ready."
The officer gave a curt nod and jogged off toward the command post, leaving the trio in a tense silence.
Emilie turned to her wingmen. "Well… this changes things."
Mona exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Lumidouce Naval Port… That's where The Arkhe is stationed. One of Fontaine's—and Teyvat's—most powerful carriers." Her voice carried a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Teppei crossed his arms, jaw tight. "Yeah. Saw action in the Khaenri'ahn War fifteen years ago. That thing's a legend—never thought we'd be flying out there in the middle of a real fight."
Emilie tapped her chin, her fingers brushing against her flight gloves. "If we're being scrambled there, it can only mean one thing—they're under attack."
The distant roar of jet engines answered her silent thought. From the flight line, a crew chief shouted over the commotion, his voice carrying above the hum of the base:
"Pilots! Your birds are fueled, armed, and ready to fly! Let's get you airborne ASAP!"
Emilie's jaw set. "No time to waste. We're at war now."
With synchronized precision, the trio sprinted toward their fighters. The ground crew was already pulling the boarding ladders away as Emilie climbed into her cockpit. She settled into the ejection seat with the practiced ease of countless sorties. Fingers moved with mechanical precision—harness secured, oxygen mask locked, helmet clicked into place. The canopy whined as it sealed shut, the cockpit alive with the soft hum of avionics coming online. Her instruments glowed a calm green, a stark contrast to the storm of uncertainty in her mind.
One by one, their fighters rolled onto the taxiway. Mona led, Teppei followed, and Emilie brought up the rear, forming a tight V as they awaited clearance.
The tower crackled to life over the radio.
"Wolfsbane Squadron, you are cleared for immediate takeoff. Proceed southeast to Lumidouce. AWACS Thunderspike will contact you en route. Good hunting."
"Wilco, Petrichor Tower. Wolfsbane is rolling," Emilie responded, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach.
The Tiger IIs roared down the runway, afterburners igniting in brilliant orange trails. They lifted into the sky, banking southeast toward the embattled naval port, leaving the chaos of Petrichor far behind.
Chaos at Petrichor Air Base
Back on the ground, Petrichor Air Base was a flurry of controlled panic. Mechanics dashed between aircraft, sirens blared intermittently, and officers barked orders into handheld radios. Captain Maksim had just finished a tense call with Teyvat's central command in Marcotte City. He set the handset down slowly, running a hand through his hair, eyes narrowed in thought.
Across from him, Houallet observed the scene quietly. "Bad news, I take it?"
Maksim let out a slow, measured breath. "There's no point in sugarcoating it, Houallet… Natlan has declared war on us."
Houallet's eyes widened slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm. "...Confirmed?"
Maksim nodded. "HQ relayed the official statement. And as we speak… Lumidouce Naval Port is under attack."
A chill ran down Houallet's spine, but he remained rooted in place, absorbing the weight of the situation. Maksim adjusted his naval officer's cap, eyes sharp. "I need to speak with the base commander immediately." He left the room, footsteps fading into the corridor.
Houallet exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. He turned toward the windows overlooking the flight line. Outside, the thunderous roar of jet engines split the air. Three F-5 Tiger IIs streaked into the sky, cutting southeast across the horizon.
His eyes narrowed, tension knotting his gut. "...Three planes only? Where's Captain Candace's Phantom?"
The jets vanished into the distance, leaving only the faint vapor trails of their afterburners. Houallet's unease deepened.
The war had begun.
1:32 PM – Over Lumidouce Naval Port
Thirty minutes had passed since takeoff. Wolfsbane Squadron's three F-5E Tiger IIs streaked over the sparkling waters of Fontaine's coastline, the sprawling naval harbor of Lumidouce sprawling below like a painted miniature. Smoke spiraled from multiple points across the docks, punctuated by explosions that bloomed and flickered beneath the afternoon sun.
Mona, leading the formation, called out decisively.
"Everyone, drop your external tanks!"
Emilie's gloved hand pressed the jettison switch. The centerline fuel tank detached with a small jolt, tumbling toward the waves. Seconds later, the wing tanks dropped away, leaving the Tigers lean, light, and ready for combat. Glancing to the side, Emilie saw Mona and Teppei doing the same, shedding weight and inertia alike.
The radio crackled sharply, slicing through the tense silence.
"Wolfsbane, this is AWACS Thunderspike. Listen up. I'll make this quick."
The voice was razor-edged, no room for hesitation.
"Natlan aircraft have launched a surprise strike on Lumidouce Naval Port," Thunderspike continued. "Situation critical—fires and explosions throughout the harbor. Ships from the 2nd Fontaine Naval Fleet are under heavy attack. Casualties and damage reports incoming."
Emilie's teeth clenched as she scanned the port below. This was no minor skirmish; this was full-scale war.
"Your mission: provide aerial support for the fleet, allow ships to evacuate the bay. Among them is the Fontaine Ousia-Class Carrier—The Arkhe."
Mona's breath caught. "The flagship… the third flagship of Teyvat. We can't lose it."
Thunderspike's voice weighed every word. "Protect The Arkhe at all costs."
"Wolfsbane Four, roger," Emilie responded, determination sharp in her tone. Teppei followed with, "Wolfsbane Three, affirmative." Mona's voice was steady, though tight. "Understood, Wolfsbane Two."
The next directive hit immediately. "Starseer, lead the formation."
Mona exhaled, her fingers gripping the stick. "Negative, Thunderspike."
Before anyone could argue, she banked left smoothly, throttling back just enough to let Emilie surge ahead.
"Mona? What are you doing?" Emilie's voice was sharp over the comms.
"You take the lead, Raven," Mona said firmly. "I'll cover your six. I promised I wouldn't lose another lead flight."
AWACS Thunderspike's exasperation crackled back. "Second Lieutenant Megistus! Listen to orders! This is war!"
Mona didn't flinch. "No. Emilie leads. I'll protect her. That's final."
Teppei shifted nervously. "I… I'll stick to Emilie's tail… thanks."
Then a blur streaked past them—a sleek F-14A Tomcat, wings glinting in the sun.
"This is Captain Mualani of VFA-28, callsign Tempest," the pilot's voice came firm and authoritative. "Enemies are everywhere. Move fast, move smart."
Emilie's jaw tightened. She nodded to herself, gripping her stick.
The radio erupted with chaos as ships transmitted their plight.
"This is the AA cruiser Souverain! Move the ship ahead!"
"Fire spreading—where is the firefighting boat?"
"Wolfsbane, you are cleared to engage!"
Emilie slammed the throttle forward. Her F-5E surged into a steep dive, nose pointed at the nearest Intruders.
"Raven, engaging!"
Mona and Teppei followed, voices crisp and determined. "Starseer, engaging!" "Herring, engaging!"
The three Tigers tore into the fray.
Emilie's HUD flickered as she acquired her first targets: two A-6E Intruders flying in tight formation. The familiar beep of the missile tone pulsed in her headset.
"Fox Two! Fox Two!"
The Sidewinders streaked from her rails. The lead Intruder erupted in flames, scattering debris. The second's right wing sheared off, sending it into a wild spin before it plunged into the ocean.
The allied comms were a tangle of chaos and panic.
"The tanker ship just exploded!"
"Where is the fire boat?!"
"This is not a drill!"
Emilie barely processed it before spotting another Intruder, already being pursued by a friendly. She lined up the shot.
"Guns!"
Tracer rounds shredded the cockpit and wings. Within seconds, the left wing tore off, sending the jet spiraling into the water.
"Raven's got the target!" she called over the radio.
"Thanks! But more incoming! West of the bridge!"
"Copy! Heading there now!"
She yanked the stick hard left, rolling low beneath the bridge. Water sprayed in her wake as the afterburners screamed.
Lock. Tone.
"Fox Two! Fox Two!"
Two missiles streaked off the rails. Emilie pulled hard on the stick, rocketing into a near-vertical climb. Seconds later, explosions confirmed her hits.
"Splash two, Raven! Good work!" Thunderspike's voice reported.
Teppei chuckled. "Hey, Emilie, you know how to give orders, right?"
She leveled out, scanning for more targets. "Yeah. And I say—disperse!"
"Cool! Following orders! Herring breaking away!"
The battle for Lumidouce Naval Port had erupted in full fury. Wolfsbane Squadron dove deeper into the chaos, missiles armed, guns blazing, the roar of jets and explosions blending into a deadly symphony of fire and steel.
The enemy radio crackled through the static, sharp and threatening.
"Don't let the vessels escape! Sink them all!"
Then the allied frequency responded, calm but unyielding.
"It's time for our AEGIS ship to live up to its name."
"Wolfsbane, we need cover until we break out of the port!"
Emilie's fingers tightened around the stick. Her voice cut through the comms, sharp and steady.
"Understood! We'll handle it!"
Mona's voice followed almost immediately.
"Starseer, splash confirmed!"
Teppei chimed in, a note of grim satisfaction in his tone.
"Herring's got a target!"
Mona stole a quick glance down at the harbor below. The inferno stretched across the docks like a living, breathing thing.
Her eyes widened. "The whole damn harbor's in flames!"
Teppei exhaled sharply, the sound cutting through the roar of his engines.
"What the fuck happened here? This is worse than I thought."
The radio flared again. The port captain's voice rang with urgency.
"All vessels—depart immediately!"
Another officer snapped over the line, frantic.
"I don't care if we take hull damage! Clear the port now!"
"Escape the port and take evasive action! No mistakes—we can't afford any!"
From above, the Arkhe's crew spoke up.
"This is the carrier Arkhe! We're approaching the port exit!"
Instantly, the port captain responded.
"Roger, Arkhe! You take top priority!"
The sky above the harbor was a warzone—missiles streaking, tracer trails cutting through smoke, and explosions blooming like deadly fireworks.
Emilie's HUD blinked furiously. In the chaos, she had already scored six confirmed kills. Mona had bagged three. Teppei had secured two.
Mona keyed her mic, calm but tense.
"Emilie, you got eyes on The Arkhe?"
"Affirmative," Emilie replied. "It's near the bridge."
"Good," Mona breathed out. "Looks like we're still in this fight."
An A-6 Intruder streaked past Emilie, climbing sharply. Her instincts kicked in. She snapped the F-5 Tiger II into a hard left bank, pulling back on the stick to chase the bomber.
The throttles slammed forward to full military power. The twin J85 engines screamed as the aircraft clawed for altitude. The speed pushed her against the harness, every vibration and tone amplified.
Lock. Tone.
"Fox Two!"
Two Sidewinders streaked from the rails. Emilie immediately rolled left to avoid debris from the first impact. Seconds later, the A-6 disintegrated in a fiery explosion, wreckage tumbling toward the waves.
The comms erupted again with frantic voices.
"Thunderspike! We need an update!"
AWACS responded, calm but firm.
"Four more bogeys inbound! Bearing 174! Expect more contacts—remain alert!"
Groans and panicked voices echoed.
"Oh, come on! We need radar! We're blind out here!"
"I'm abandoning ship! We're sitting ducks!"
A furious reply cut through.
"COME BACK HERE, YOU FUCKING CHICKEN!"
Then, the update they'd been waiting for.
"The Arkhe has cleared the port! She's in open waters!"
A cheer ran through the frequency.
"Bon voyage, Arkhe! Stay safe out there!"
Mona's voice cut back in, tense and precise.
"Starseer's got another target!"
Emilie keyed her mic, grim determination in her voice.
"Raven's got three more!"
Teppei added, with a teasing edge despite the chaos.
"Two more down for the motormouth!"
Then, another voice cut through—a smooth, commanding presence.
"That's my carrier! Moving in to defend!"
AWACS Thunderspike countered sharply.
"Negative! Tempest, remain in the southern sector. Defend our territory—do not engage The Arkhe directly!"
"But that's my carrier!" Mualani protested, frustration ringing in every word.
Thunderspike's tone was firm and unwavering.
"Wolfsbane, defend and provide cover for The Arkhe. That is your order."
Mualani exhaled, frustration giving way to reluctant acceptance.
"God you pig headed son of a..... Damn it… fine. I'm fine."
Her voice softened slightly, tension still simmering beneath the surface.
"Don't let me down, Wolfsbane. We're counting on you."
Emilie keyed the mic, voice steady and resolute.
"You can bet on us, Tempest."
The three F-5Es surged forward, engines screaming, missiles armed, ready to meet the next wave of attackers. Above the harbor, the sky had become a storm of fire and steel—the first true test of Wolfsbane Squadron under fire.
Another A-6 Intruder dove straight for The Arkhe.
Emilie didn't hesitate. She yanked her F-5 into a hard roll, throttles pinned to max military power. The J85 engines screamed as the nose tracked the incoming bomber.
Her HUD lit up with a lock—tail section of the A-6 highlighted in bright magenta.
"Fox One!" she barked. The cockpit echoed with the rattling of the 20mm cannon.
Tracer rounds shredded the Intruder's tail. The rear empennage ripped free, the fuselage pitching violently upward. At near-supersonic speed, the jet violently disintegrated, chunks of fuselage and wing sections tumbling into a fireball that lit the water below.
Over the comms, Mona whistled.
"Nice kill, Raven!"
Chaos erupted around them. Explosions rocked the port, fires blooming across moored ships. Through the static, someone shouted:
"ENEMY ANTI-SHIP MISSILES INBOUND! BEGIN PHALANX FIRE!"
The background filled with the staccato brrrrt of CIWS guns spitting rounds at incoming missiles.
Then—yelling, panicked:
"NO, STOP! YOU'RE FIRING INTO THE DOCKS, YOU IDIOT!"
AWACS Thunderspike cut through the din.
"The fleet is leaving the port area! Good work! Fly along The Arkhe, Wolfsbane! Provide cover and exit the area!"
The three F-5s adjusted course, banking west away from the burning harbor. Below, chaos reigned—wrecked planes floating, ships ablaze, survivors thrashing in the waves. Their cries barely audible over the cockpit roar and comm chatter.
Mona's voice trembled slightly.
"Th-Those people… on the waves…"
Teppei's usual banter dropped into hushed shock.
"E-Emilie… did you see that?"
Emilie exhaled, tightening her grip on the stick.
"Yeah… I saw it."
The calm but firm voice of The Arkhe's captain cut through the static.
"This is the captain of the aircraft vessel Arkhe. My congratulations to all vessels that made it out! I am establishing a provisional battle fleet. There are still enemy attack vessels blocking our path. Requesting aerial support to clear them for safe exit."
Emilie's fingers danced across her stick.
"Of course, Captain. Raven's on it."
Thunderspike chimed in.
"Looks like you understand the objective. Commence the operation!"
Emilie nodded, scanning the water below.
"Raven, engaging!"
She barked orders, precise and sharp.
"Herring, Starseer—break formation! Spread out and neutralize all attack vessels!"
Teppei keyed in immediately.
"Wilco. Herring, dispersing!"
Mona followed, voice tense but steady.
"Roger. Starseer, dispersing!"
The trio peeled off, banks tight, F-5s twisting over the raging sea.
Emilie spotted the first target—a fast-moving attack vessel steaming straight for the carrier. She shoved the stick forward, diving toward the ship as the UGB reticle centered.
The crosshairs aligned perfectly.
"Bombs away!"
A single unguided bomb plummeted from her underbelly. Seconds later, a massive explosion engulfed the vessel, water and debris erupting skyward. She yanked the F-5 into a steep climb, narrowly threading through smoke and flame.
Another vessel—moving, heading straight for The Arkhe. Not on her watch.
She rolled hard, banked over the ship's path, and yanked into a steep climb. Altimeter spun: 3,000… 4,000… 5,000 feet. A swift push forward inverted her into a dive. Nose locked on the vessel. She adjusted for lead, anticipating its speed.
"Bombs away! Bombs away!"
Two UGBs dropped in succession, tearing through the hull. A massive explosion hurled steel and water into the sky.
Over the comms:
"That's a kill, Raven!"—Thunderspike.
"Starseer's got two!"—Mona.
"Herring's got one more!"—Teppei.
Then… silence.
Weighty, eerie.
Thunderspike finally broke it.
"All enemy attack vessels neutralized. Battle fleet is now in open waters. Good work."
Emilie eased back on the throttle, letting her wingmen reform.
Teppei broke the quiet, grinning over the mic.
"Say, Emilie—how's it feel to lead a flight?"
She let out a small laugh, tension draining slightly.
"Feels good… not gonna lie."
Teppei whooped, voice bouncing in excitement.
"Awesome! Glad to hear it, Emilie!"
Emilie shook her head, smirking.
"Alright, people. Let's head back to Petrichor."
Teppei started counting, voice light.
"One… two… three…"
"One, two, three!"
"One, two, three planes!"
His tone softened, slightly somber.
"Can't wait to tell Candace about this once they pluck her out of the water."
For the first time, Mona chuckled.
"Can't wait to tell her that too, Teppei."
Emilie nodded.
"You got that right. Come on. Let's go home."
The three F-5s banked left in unison, engines screaming, heading southwest—back toward Petrichor, leaving the smoke and chaos of Lumidouce behind.
Hours later…
The trio touched down at Petrichor Air Force Base, wheels screaming against the tarmac, braking hard as the afterburners roared down to idle. Dust and jet wash swirled around them, kicked up by the lingering heat of the engines.
Unscathed.
Unharmed.
And for the first time since the Natlan attack, genuinely relieved.
They had secured the fleet's retreat. They had fought through waves of enemy aircraft and surface targets. And, miraculously, they were all alive. That alone was a victory. A small one—but one that mattered.
The adrenaline was still thick in their veins, hands shaking from the long hours of combat, eyes still scanning for threats that weren't there.
But the moment they climbed out of their F-5s, the sense of victory began to fade.
Something felt… wrong.
The base seemed quieter than usual. Too quiet. Even the usual din of mechanics and refueling crews seemed muted, hushed almost in anticipation.
The trio made their way to the base commander's office, boots clicking against the polished floors, helmets dangling from their shoulders.
Emilie knocked lightly, then pushed the door open.
The air inside was heavy, oppressive.
The base commander sat slumped in his chair, shoulders drooped, eyes fixed somewhere beyond the room. The grim set of his mouth told them all they needed to know.
Emilie stepped forward first.
"Commander?"
The man's eyes lifted, dull and tired.
"Emilie… Teppei… Mona…"
The weight in his voice pressed down like gravity itself.
Emilie frowned, stepping closer.
"What's happening? Where's Captain Candace?"
The commander exhaled sharply, rubbing the bridge of his nose before speaking.
"She's… missing."
The words hit them like shrapnel.
"Wh-What!?" the three chorused, voices rising together, disbelief breaking through the remnants of their adrenaline.
He stood, shoulders heavy, running a hand down his face.
"The Sea Monster rescue team reached the location where Candace ejected." His tone was calm, clinical, but there was no hiding the tension underneath. "But all they recovered… was her parachute. And fragments of her F-4 Phantom."
A silence fell, thick and suffocating.
"We suspect… the spy vessel we didn't manage to destroy this morning may have taken her. A prisoner of war."
Candace… Their mentor. Their leader. Their constant anchor in every mission.
The trio exchanged glances, the room suddenly feeling impossibly small.
No words came. None could.
The commander let out a weary sigh, rubbing at his temples before collapsing back into his chair.
"You three are dismissed. Stand by for further orders."
The three stiffened, giving a slow, deliberate salute. Emilie's eyes lingered on the man's face for a heartbeat longer than required, searching for… hope. Anything. But found only grim reality.
They turned and left.
No chatter. No laughter. No joking to shake off the tension.
They didn't go to the mess hall, didn't linger in the hangars. They walked in silence, side by side but worlds apart, back to their quarters.
Emilie closed her door behind her with a soft click. Helmet placed carefully on the desk, glasses set beside it. Her fingers lingered on the edge of the helmet, tracing the contours absentmindedly before letting go.
She ran a hand through her hair, exhaling sharply, sliding onto the edge of the bed. Slowly, deliberately, she fell back, letting the mattress absorb her weight.
Her eyes traced the ceiling, unseeing, mind spinning through the day's events. The explosions. The fires. The chaos. And Candace…
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
"Great… just… fucking great…"
Teppei's door creaked open quietly down the hall, a soft curse escaping him as he collapsed onto his own bed. Mona was likely doing the same somewhere, quietly letting the storm inside her settle, though none of them would admit it.
The victory at Lumidouce was theirs—but the war had only just begun.
And one piece of their hearts, one crucial piece, had been ripped away.