September 29
06:48 AM
The sun crept over the horizon, painting Petrichor Air Force Base in long streaks of gold. The sky was a rare shade of calm blue, dotted with wispy clouds that seemed almost peaceful—belying the chaos that had ripped through the base just two days prior.
Though the enemy bombers and fighters had vanished, their scars remained. Craters pockmarked the tarmac, twisted fuselages and shattered canopies littered the perimeter, and burnt patches of asphalt glimmered in the morning light. The smell of scorched metal still lingered faintly, mixing with the early morning scent of dew and machinery. The cleanup crews were already at work, moving with practiced efficiency.
Inside the barracks, the smell of fresh breakfast—eggs, bacon, and strong coffee—wafted through the halls, rousing pilots and personnel from their slumber.
But Emilie remained fast asleep.
Wrapped in her blanket, she shifted onto her left side, face pressed into the pillow. Then—
BZZT. BZZT.
Her phone alarm shattered the silence, vibrating violently on the bedside table. With a groggy groan, she reached out blindly and smacked the screen, silencing it.
Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ceiling, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep. Her hand rubbed over her eyes as she exhaled sharply.
"Man… this downtime is so worth it," she muttered to herself. "But who knows how long it'll last…"
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she sighed again.
"Ugh… what a morning already…"
Her eyes fell on her phone again. Scrolling through her notes, one entry caught her attention:
September 29 – Meet the Captain at the Hangar with the Squadron.
Her eyes widened, and she facepalmed.
"Shit… I forgot."
A chuckle escaped her lips. "Heh… can't wait to see these planes. Anything's better than the damn F-5 Tiger II."
She rubbed her eyes, shook her head, and pushed herself fully awake.
"Right… time to get ready."
Zipping up her flight suit, she ran a quick hand through her hair and stepped out of her quarters.
The mess hall was already bustling. Pilots, engineers, and ground crew moved in clusters, talking over trays stacked with breakfast. The smell of eggs, bacon, and coffee hung thick in the air—a small comfort amidst the lingering tension of the base.
Emilie spotted a familiar figure in line: Ayaka, standing quietly with a tray. She fell in step beside her.
"Morning, Ayaka," Emilie greeted, her voice still tinged with sleepiness.
Ayaka nearly jumped, startled. "Oh! Good morning, Emilie!"
Emilie smirked. "Didn't mean to scare you."
Ayaka shook her head, smiling softly. They moved up the line, collecting their food before taking a vacant table.
Emilie barely had time to take a bite before noticing Ayaka glancing at her, hesitant, as if she had something on her mind.
"So, um… Emilie?" Ayaka finally spoke, fidgeting slightly.
"Mhm?" Emilie responded, fork in hand.
"I… uh… I wanted to thank you for two days ago," Ayaka said, bowing her head slightly.
Emilie blinked, then chuckled lightly. "You don't have to thank me, Ayaka. You held your own out there."
Ayaka nodded, though uncertainty lingered in her expression. "I-I know that, Emilie… but if it weren't for your words, I wouldn't have had the courage to join Wolfsbane."
Emilie shook her head. "The higher-ups would've promoted you anyway. The way you flew that night proved you deserved it."
Ayaka leaned forward slightly. "R-Really?"
Before Emilie could respond, another voice cut in.
"Oh really! For your first combat sortie, you actually did better than most rookies."
Emilie turned to see Mona and Teppei walking up, trays in hand.
"Oh, glad you two could finally join us," Emilie quipped, smirking.
Teppei laughed as he sat down. "Had to get a little stretching in before heading up here."
Mona chuckled. "Come on, Teppei, I saw you. Barely even stretched."
Teppei scoffed, shaking his head. "Hey, come on! I stretched enough, okay?"
Emilie shook her head, laughing. "Alright, alright, you two. Eat your food." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "We've got a meeting with the Captain and Kaeya at Hangar One later."
The trio nodded, digging in. Conversation drifted naturally—maintenance schedules from yesterday, the remaining wrecks being cleared from the airstrip, and, of course, speculation about their new aircraft.
"I still can't believe we're finally getting rid of the Tigers," Teppei muttered, sipping his coffee.
"Yeah," Mona agreed. "They've served their purpose, but damn… they felt like they belonged in a museum, not on the front lines."
Ayaka, who had been quiet until now, spoke softly. "I've only flown in the F-5 for training. This will be my first time piloting something different."
Emilie leaned back slightly, a small grin forming. "Well, we're in for a treat. The new planes we're getting is a whole different beast."
Teppei grinned. "Yeah, it might have some weight, but it might have the power to match. And if you handle it just right… man, it'll move like a dream."
Mona smirked. "You saying that like you know what we're recieving."
Teppei shrugged. "Who gives? It's anyone's guess."
Emilie chuckled, finishing her last bite. "Guess we'll see how well those 'thoughts' hold up in the actual plane we're recieving."
With that, they finished their meal, gathered their trays, and headed toward Hangar One.
The moment of truth was coming.
The F-5 Tiger II was being retired from their hands.
And today, they would finally lay eyes on the aircraft that would carry them through the battles ahead.
Hours later…
The four pilots walked across the vast apron, their boots crunching softly against the tarmac. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, the golden light reflecting off puddles of jet wash and the faint sheen of lingering oil. The sharp tang of jet fuel and hydraulic fluid hung in the air, mixing with the hum of distant engines and the occasional clang of maintenance crews at work.
Breaking the silence, Teppei grinned sideways at the others.
"Say, what plane do you think they have in store for us?"
Mona shrugged, adjusting her flight suit. "I don't know. Hopefully something modern."
Ayaka tapped her chin thoughtfully. "How about a Dassault Rafale? Those are pretty common with the Armée de l'Air."
Mona shook her head. "I don't think so. Captain said it was surplus planes, so it must be something a bit older than that."
She turned to Emilie. "What about you? Any guesses?"
Emilie tilted her head, running a hand along her chin.
"Hmm… Something not too old, but not too new either. I'd say maybe an F-15 or an F-16."
Teppei's eyes lit up. He pumped a fist slightly. "Ooh! Good guesses, Emilie! I hope it's an F-16! Always loved the way they look!"
Ayaka chuckled softly. "I actually hope it's the F-15."
Mona smirked. "Me too. Pretty sure you've all heard of the Demon of Nod-Krai, right?"
All three nodded.
"Yeah, I've heard about her," Emilie said.
"She's a mercenary pilot from Snezhnaya. They call her the Knave," Mona explained.
Emilie nodded. "Reports say she was Snezhnaya's ace during the Khaenri'ahn War… fifteen years ago."
Their conversation hung in the air as the massive hangar loomed into view. Standing outside, Kaeya and Captain Maksim waited, their silhouettes outlined by the sun.
Maksim nodded as the four approached. "Right on time. Here come our Wolfsbane aces."
The pilots snapped a crisp salute.
Maksim waved them down. "At ease, folks."
They relaxed slightly, but the tension in their shoulders remained—anticipation buzzing just beneath the surface.
"Alright," Maksim continued. "As of today, you're no longer flying F-5 Tiger IIs. A squadron from Mondstadt sent these over—donated them for you four."
Teppei nearly bounced in place. "What is it, Captain? F-16s?"
Maksim smirked. "You'll see."
He and Kaeya led them inside the dimly lit hangar. As they stepped in, their eyes adjusted to the shadows—and what they saw made their breath hitch.
Four aircraft gleamed under the overhead lights, their polished fuselages reflecting the warm glow like liquid metal.
Twin engines.
Variable-sweep wings.
A legend in air superiority, interception, and multi-role dominance.
Emilie's eyes went wide. "Holy shit…"
Ayaka's breath hitched. "Are these… F-14s?"
Teppei let out a sharp gasp. "Like… those F-14s Maverick flew!?"
Kaeya chuckled. "That's right, young ones. And they're in top condition."
Maksim continued, voice calm but firm. "The Mondstadt Air Force kept them meticulously maintained. Engines overhauled a few months ago. They've also been extensively upgraded."
He gestured toward the aircraft. "No need for a RIO anymore. Your radar's been replaced with a modern system that eliminates the second seat for operational purposes. But it's still there if you need a passenger."
Mona's eyes scanned the sleek lines of her assigned Tomcat. "We'll actually be flying them today?"
Maksim nodded. "Of course. Familiarization flights around Petrichor. Take your time, learn the systems. Get comfortable with the swing-wing operation, engine response, and avionics."
Right on cue, the hangar doors began to rise. The golden glow of the setting sun flooded in, illuminating the Tomcats' polished fuselages. Shadows danced across the tarmac, highlighting every rivet, every panel line, every cockpit canopy gleaming like glass.
Maksim added, "Your pilot numbers have been transferred from the F-5s, so whatever numbers you had before will remain. Go on… get ready."
Without hesitation, the four pilots split up, heading toward their respective aircraft.
The sound of boots striking the tarmac echoed in the cavernous hangar. The smell of jet fuel sharpened as they approached, mixed with the warm scent of polished metal. Each step brought their hearts higher, excitement and adrenaline building as they took in every detail:
The swing wings, swept fully back in the hangar for storage, the sleek fuselage stretching from nose to tail, the twin TF30 engines glinting under the lights, and the cockpit—lined with switches, dials, and HUDs that promised power, precision, and control.
Emilie ran her fingers along the fuselage, feeling the cold metal vibrate faintly under her touch. "Damn… this is real," she whispered.
Ayaka carefully inspected the canopy, lifting her hand as if to touch the glass. "It's… beautiful."
Teppei practically bounced on the balls of his feet. "I'm not gonna lie… I think I'm in love."
Mona rolled her shoulders, smirking. "Don't get distracted, rookie. These planes will bite if you screw up."
Kaeya's voice carried across the hangar. "Take your time. Run through preflight checks, test the systems, and don't forget—you're flying a legend now. Respect it."
Each pilot nodded, anticipation coiling tight in their chests. The air was alive with it. The F-14s weren't just aircraft—they were a promise of power, speed, and a new chapter for Wolfsbane Squadron.
Emilie's F-14 was the second from the left. She approached it deliberately, eyes sweeping over the fuselage—the sharp, pointed nose, the massive twin vertical stabilizers, the iconic variable-sweep wings. Every surface gleamed under the hangar lights, each panel line a promise of speed and firepower. She walked around the jet, running her hand along the cold, polished metal, feeling the subtle vibrations through the airframe as if the aircraft were already alive.
Her gaze lingered near the exhaust nozzles.
Her expression hardened.
"F-14As…" she muttered, almost to herself. "These engines… TF30s. The infamous ones."
She exhaled sharply, pushing aside the apprehension.
"Known for compressor stalls at high angles of attack… but better than nothing," she murmured.
Climbing the boarding ladder, she slid into the cockpit, the leather seat creaking faintly under her weight. The familiar scent of aged leather, lubricants, and electronics filled her senses. Her hands brushed over the control stick, throttle, and instrument panels. Each toggle, each switch, felt deliberate, precise—ready for action.
"Alright… this is where your sim training pays off, Emilie," she thought.
Flicking the canopy switch, the glass lowered with a smooth hum, locking firmly. A ground crew member gave a thumbs-up, signaling all clear. Emilie returned the gesture before sliding on her helmet.
She reached down, flicking the engine start switch for the right TF30. The engine responded with a deep, resonant whine, gradually building into a steady hum. Her eyes scanned the instrumentation:
20% RPM… 35… 50.
She pushed the throttle to Idle. A few seconds passed, then the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) stabilized. She repeated the process for the left engine. Within moments, both engines hummed a low, powerful tone, vibrating through the cockpit floor.
Clicking her radio, she keyed the mic.
"Wolfsbane, can you hear me?"
Responses came quickly:
"Starseer, loud and clear."
"Herring, loud and clear."
"Soumetsu, I hear you."
Emilie nodded. "Alright. Let's fly—get to know these birds."
Disengaging the parking brake, she guided the Tomcat forward, leading the formation. Mona followed on her left, Teppei to the right, and Ayaka bringing up the rear.
Glancing at the instrument panel, Emilie noted the layout. "Liking this so far… straightforward… all labeled nicely."
She adjusted the control stick. "And the switch to toggle between Sidewinders and Sparrows is right here… flick of the thumb. Perfect."
Reaching the runway threshold, she held the toe brakes and checked her wingtips. They were fully swept back. She lifted the yellow wing sweep lever, moving it carefully to extend the wings. Thirty tense seconds passed as the hydraulics strained against the weight. Fully extended, she pressed the Master Reset, setting the wing sweep to automatic.
She keyed the radio. "Raven is departing."
Pushing the throttles to 80%, she held the brakes, then slammed them forward to full afterburner and released. The Tomcat surged forward, thrust pressing her into the seat.
The tarmac blurred beneath her. Airspeed rose rapidly. "Looking good so far…"
The radio crackled. "Starseer is departing."
140 knots… 150… 157.
Emilie eased back on the stick. The F-14 lifted effortlessly. She retracted the landing gear with a satisfying clunk and rolled into a smooth right-hand climb, adjusting throttle to maintain energy.
"Power-to-weight ratio's better than expected," she muttered, a small grin forming.
Kaeya's voice came through the radio. "Hey, Emilie. How's the F-14 so far?"
Emilie smirked. "I like it… I'm gonna try some combat maneuvers—see how she handles."
Leveling out, she pushed the speed higher. 280 knots.
She yanked the stick hard into a vertical climb, rolling the aircraft as she ascended. At the apex, she pulled back sharply, nose diving in a steep vertical descent before leveling out. The F-14 responded with precise control, every g-force press against her body a reminder of the machine's raw power.
She began a series of aggressive maneuvers: hard left, hard right, jinks, and barrel rolls. The Tomcat leaned into each turn with confidence, wings flexing under aerodynamic load.
A grin spread across her face. "Woo! Now this is what I'm talking about!"
Teppei's voice crackled over the radio, exhilarated. "I'm loving this! This plane has power! I feel like I'm the king of the skies!"
Mona joined in, analytical but excited. "Cockpit's spacious, very comfortable… maneuverability's impressive. The Tomcat really lives up to the hype."
Ayaka's voice followed, controlled yet tinged with excitement. "I love the power… I can push myself even harder."
Emilie pushed the throttles slightly more, testing acceleration. The F-14 responded instantly, thrust vectoring through her fingers as she lined up for another high-speed turn.
This was only familiarization—but already, Wolfsbane felt the Tomcat coursing through their veins.
Then Teppei's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint.
"Hey! What about a simulated dogfight?"
Mona raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Dogfight?"
Kaeya's voice crackled over the radio, amused. "I don't see why not. Sounds like a great way to test if you really know the plane's limits."
Mona hesitated. "I… I don't know, Teppei…"
Ayaka's calm, composed tone chimed in, tinged with excitement. "Come on! It's a test to see who's the best pilot in equal machinery!"
Teppei grinned, slapping his throttle lightly. "Yeah! And whoever gets the most locks gets to be flight lead!"
He turned toward Emilie, expectant. "It's your call, Emilie!"
Emilie's eyes narrowed, a determined gleam forming.
Then—without warning—she yanked her F-14 into a sharp 180-degree turn, banking hard and cutting toward her squadmates.
"Game on!" she shouted into the radio.
Teppei pumped his fist. "Alright! Herring, engaging!"
Mona exhaled sharply. "Starseer, engaging."
Ayaka's voice was steady but eager. "Soumetsu, engaging."
The Dogfight Begins
Emilie immediately locked onto her first target—Teppei.
Sliding into his six o'clock, she grinned. "Whoa, whoa! You're chasing me already!?"
Teppei yelped. "Hey! You suggested this, Emilie! Let's see if you can keep up!"
He jinked left, then right, executing rapid, low-level rolls. Emilie mirrored every move flawlessly, her F-14 responding instantly to every input, wings flexing under aerodynamic load.
Then—a sharp tone in her headset.
"Lock acquired on Herring! Target locked!"
Teppei slumped slightly in his seat. "Damn it!"
He tried a sudden break to the left, but Emilie's IFF warning blared almost immediately.
She glanced over her shoulder.
Ayaka.
"I've got you, Emilie! You're not getting away!" Ayaka's voice was calm, but firm.
Emilie gritted her teeth, scanning rapidly for a way out. Then her hand darted to the variable-sweep wing lever.
Flicking the protective cover, she shoved it forward.
The wings extended fully. The extra lift yanked the F-14 into an abrupt high-G climb, forcing Ayaka into a rapid pitch-up to keep up.
Emilie slammed the throttles to idle, then pitched the nose sharply downward into a steep dive. She felt the weightlessness for a moment, stomach lurching, before she pulled back hard into a vertical climb.
A sharp tone blared in her headset.
"Target down!"
Emilie smiled. "That's another one!"
Ayaka sighed audibly, peeling off to join Teppei in the cooldown zone.
Only Mona remained.
Emilie scanned her radar, but her eyes caught Mona first—slipping onto her six from the left wing.
"Not on my watch!" Emilie muttered.
Mona jinked sharply to the right. Emilie mirrored, and the two locked into a lethal aerial chess match—rolling, weaving, and juking, neither gaining a definitive advantage.
Each twist and turn sent shivers of wind over the canopy, G-forces pressing their bodies into the seats. The sound of airflow roaring past the F-14s mingled with the hum of afterburners.
"She's good," Emilie admitted quietly.
"So are you," Mona replied over the radio, her tone almost teasing.
The jets danced across the sky, wings flexing, flaps adjusting, engines whining under sudden load changes. Sparks of pure adrenaline coursed through both pilots, the thrill of the simulated hunt pushing them to explore the F-14s' limits.
Emilie forced a hard left, then a snap roll to the right, trying to shake Mona's persistent lock. Mona responded with equal ferocity, countering with a barrel roll into a vertical climb.
The formation behind them—Teppei and Ayaka—watched, ready to rejoin, giving each other tactical advice over the radio.
Teppei couldn't help but shout, half-laughing, half-excited: "Man, Raven and Starseer are insane! Look at those moves!"
Ayaka added, more measured: "Their timing is impeccable… I need to learn from this."
The duel continued, each pilot pushing the F-14s harder than before, exploring pitch rates, roll responsiveness, and engine spool behavior at extreme angles of attack.
Emilie's grin widened. "This is exactly what I needed. This plane… it lives when you push it."
Mona's voice was sharp, competitive, yet amused. "Then don't hold back, Raven! I'll see if I can teach you a lesson or two!"
The sky over Petrichor became their private arena—a symphony of speed, precision, and raw aerial skill. Each maneuver, each jink, each lock tone echoed in their minds, cementing the bond between pilot and plane.
On the Ground
Kaeya and Maksim watched from below, coffee in hand.
Maksim took a sip. "So… who are you betting on?"
Kaeya smirked, eyes tracking the aerial duel. "I'll put my money on Starseer. She's the type to pull something sneaky."
Back in the air, Emilie made a split-second decision.
She yanked the stick back, throwing her F-14 into a steep 60-degree climb.
Then, an idea struck.
She snapped the left throttle to idle and stomped the left rudder pedal.
The Tomcat snapped into a tight, near-flat spin, plummeting sharply toward the tarmac.
Mona tried to follow—but misjudged the maneuver and overshot.
"Holy crap, Emilie!"
Emilie slammed the throttle back to full, stabilizing the jet just as Mona completed her turn. She swooped in—
Lock tone.
"Target down! That's a kill, Starseer!"
Mona shook her head, then laughed. "Damn… but this is fun!"
Teppei and Ayaka rejoined, grinning, ready for another round.
On the ground, Maksim chuckled. "Looks like you owe me twenty Mora, Kaeya."
Kaeya waved it off. "Yeah, yeah. I'll get it to you sooner or later."
He glanced back at the sky, watching the F-14s streak across the afternoon horizon.
"Look at them go…"
Maksim nodded, admiration in his eyes. "They're damn good pilots."
Kaeya stayed quiet for a moment longer. "Maybe… they're the ones who'll turn the tide of this war…"
The Day Ends
By 2:45 PM, the familiarization flight and simulated dogfight came to a close.
The final scoreboard read:
Emilie: 16 kills, 2 deaths
Mona: 9 kills, 4 deaths
Ayaka: 4 kills, 6 deaths
Teppei: 2 kills, 10 deaths
The F-14s now sat silently on the apron, engines cooling, wings folded neatly back.
Teppei groaned. "Man! That was a bummer! More deaths than kills!"
Emilie chuckled. "Looks like you've got some improving to do, Herring."
Laughter followed as they approached Kaeya.
He crossed his arms, eyes scanning the squadron. "So, Aces… what do you think of the F-14s?"
Emilie spoke first. "Love the layout. Maneuverability is great. Thrust-to-weight ratio? Fantastic. And the cockpit? Surprisingly spacious."
Ayaka nodded. "I agree. The power is incredible."
Kaeya smiled. "Good to hear."
"Because," he continued, gesturing toward the silent F-14s, "starting today, these are your new assigned aircraft. Go get some rest—you've earned it."
Emilie nodded. "Thanks, Kaeya. See you around."
The four pilots headed back to the main building, their laughter trailing behind them.
Kaeya shook his head, smiling, letting his gaze linger on the Tomcats of Wolfsbane Squadron.
"Watching them fly… reminds me of what I was fifteen years ago."
He exhaled slowly. "But… that's in the past now."
Turning toward the hangar, he walked away, letting the sun glint off the sleek fuselages.
That day ended.
Two days of downtime had been worth it.
New aircraft—Grumman F-14A Tomcats.
And something else…
The awakening of Emberhowl.