Over by the striker stands, Ice sits, quietly watching the smaller crew of striker techs complete their own final checks, as armorers go over the witches' weapons, looking for any small defects that could prove disastrous in combat. Interestingly, the only weapon they seem to avoid is Slider's shotgun. Your own ordinance crews are just waiting for you to sign off on your loading, then they'll get your weapons squared away- but you're not scheduled to go wheels-up for another couple of hours.

Your squadron's mission today is simple- fly top cover for the strike package going in at Galena. A former forward base for the units here at Elmendorf, it's since been identified as the major soviet hub for the forces keeping the troops in the Tanana pocket in place. Perhaps not coincidentally it's also the primary target for the army push from the pocket and most of the tactical air assets that aren't providing direct support for the troops on the ground.

Well, it's never too early to get your bird's load sorted out, but you've got plenty of time. You could also talk to Ice, since everyone seems a little nervous. Merlin's about the only one still sleeping, you think. Everybody else was up before you were.

[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.
[] Sooner you get your bird loaded, the less you have to worry about.
[] Other (write in)

>>21658592
oh god what fresh cuteness is this

[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.
Beware of thin Ice

>>21658605

[x] Talk to Ice.

Damn, someone already made the "thin ice" pun.

>>21658605
Talk to Ice. She's probably pretty thin right now.

>>21658605
>[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

Breaking weapons are bad, Breaking COs are just as bad.

>>21658605
[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

needs more icepoints

>>21658621

Wait, what if we give her a sandwich! She won't be as thin!

>>21658592
>get off work an hour ago
>eat food
>have rum and coke
>strikers 89
it is a good day
>>21658605
[] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

>>21658605
[x] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

>>21658605
[x] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

>>21658691

[x] Get Ice a sammich.

File: 1353367118794.jpg-(23 KB, 418x322, 19154.jpg)

>>21658691

File: 1353367876670.jpg-(181 KB, 338x800, Is that the only uniform (...).jpg)

[x] Talk to Ice. See if she's holding up Ok.

You're never really sure what Ice is thinking. Never have been, either. She's always been kind of aloof- holding herself separate from the rest of the squadron's antics. Not necessarily because she didn't want to join in, but because, apparently, she agrees with leadership texts that dictate that a commander should be aloof and somewhat distant- caring, but still removed from their troops.

Your folks always held that style of command was incredibly shitty, and that only a commander who was one of the troops could really effectively lead- but Ice apparently disagrees. Or would, if she was told.

It's easy to forget sometimes that, for all the military doctrine and tactics instilled in her, she's still an 18 year old kid. Most girls her age are worrying about how they're going to look at the prom, or if their dads are getting them a car, or if their boyfriend was really kissing Suzie behind the bleachers. Ice has the rigors of a combat command in a war no one wanted with the very real possibility of violent death looming over everyone who's even close to being her friend. Tends to put things in perspective.

“How ya holding up boss?” You ask, walking up behind her. She starts, then looks over her shoulder at you.

“F-fine. I didn't hear you come in, Bishop.” she says, standing up.

“Coffee?” You offer- rattling your thermos at her. She nods.

“Big push today.” You observe, standing next to her seat. She nods, holding the little tin cup of coffee in both hands.

“Is that what you're worried about?” You ask, tilting your head and looking down at her.

“I'm not worried.” she says quietly.

[] You're a worse liar than Merlin.
[] I admire that, then. I sure am.
[] Other (write in)

>>21658951

[x] I admire that, then. I sure am.

I'm not sure how to vote. I don't want to risk a breakdown right before a major mission.

>>21658951
[x] You're a worse liar than Merlin

Sometimes you just gotta be blunt with your CO.

>>21658951
[X] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

"And Merlin starts giggling or looks in a completely different direction when she tries to lie.

You'd have to be insane not to be worried. You can talk to me about it if you want, or not. Up to you."

>>21658951
>[] You're a worse liar than Merlin.
and she lies bad

>>21658983
Seconded. We sure as fuck are worried.

>>21658951
Wait wait wait. Is that a 63'd witch'd version of Iceman from Top Gun?

>>21659015
You just realized that?

[x] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

also

“F-fine. I didn't hear you come in, Bishop.”
SHE GOING TSUNDERE

>>21659002
And sometimes you respect that they ARE our CO

[x] I admire that, then. I sure am.

>>21659015

WELCOME TO STRIKERS '89

Here is your complimentary briefing:
-We are a pilot
-We fly with witches
-Many of these witches (Ice, Goose, Maverick, etc.) are from Top Gun!
-We were at top gun previously, but then THINGS HAPPENED
-Currently, we are in Alaska, defending from the Russian's attempts to start WWIII.

-We have an awesome plane.
-No srsly. Our plane is awesome.
-As is our sparkly RIO, Merlin.

That is all.

>>21658951
>[] I admire that, then. I sure am.

File: 1353368388830.jpg-(124 KB, 800x533, HooyahTimeforSW89.jpg)

>>21658951

Voting for this >>21659006

>>21658951

[x] I admire that, then. I sure am.
[x] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

>>21659006
This. Let's get her to open up a bit.

>>21659054
>defending from the Russian's attempts to start WWIII.
>Attempts to start World War III
>Attempts
>World War III

Got some bad news for ya, buddy....

also a question: Since facism didnt get roflstomped during WWII, are the german, italian, and japanese governments still dictatorships or what?

File: 1353369948120.png-(192 KB, 1000x700, 1253434-0P8ZI8V.png)

[x] Merlin

File: 1353370017897.png-(16 KB, 250x332, Lewd.png)

>>21659462

>>21659462
NO! BAD! OUR RIO IS NOT LEWD SHE IS AS PURE AS THE SNOWS OF THE ARCTIC!

Katya on the other hand....

>>21659449
Pretty sure they're democratic. During the Alium invasion, Europe was the hardest hit and got mostly occupied, so pretty much all the dictatorships collapsed as a result. Since Russia didn't have a chance to push into Eastern Europe, the Warsaw Pact never got formed either.

File: 1353370091714.png-(54 KB, 296x260, chihaya is embarrassed.png)

>>21659462
How lewd.

>>21659449
Japan is still an Empire. Not sure about the rest.

>>21658951
[x] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

File: 1353370168728.jpg-(56 KB, 450x281, You can only wish.jpg)

[x] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

“Boss, all due respect, but you're a worse liar than Merlin, and she starts giggling and looks away the second she lies.” You point out.

Ice laughs weakly. “That transparent, huh? I'll have to work on that.” She says.

She sighs. “It's just- we've been lucky. We're the only ones who haven't lost a single person yet, and we've been in most of the big ones. And we know this is going to be huge, they can't just let us have Galena. What if- what if some of us don't come home?”

You shrug. “I guess you've got a point, boss. But we're all pros at this- hell, even little Goose is damn close to being an ace now.”

Ice sighs. “What if I screw up? What if one of you gets hurt because I screwed up?”

“I seem to recall having this conversation.” you mutter under your breath.

“What?” Ice asks, looking up.

“With Maverick, before we scrambled to pull your skittles out of the fire over Nikolai.” You say. “She was having the same thoughts about being element lead with Goose.”

“What did she do?” Ice says. “She's gotten over it, she's done great. Both of them have.”

“I don't think she's done anything, boss.” you say. “Same as with me and Merlin... and Katya. Shit, Katya seems to trust me to do everything right just because I had incredible luck against bad opponents with amazing support. What if I fuck up and she gets hurt because of it? And that's not even mentioning Merlin, who's stuck in that bird with me and would go down right with me if I made the wrong move.”

You refill her cup of coffee without really thinking about it.

“That really didn't answer my question, though.” Ice says, taking the cup back. “What if I screw up and one of us gets hurt?”

[] Shit happens in war, boss. Gotta drive on.
[] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.
[] other (write in)

>>21658951
>[] You're a worse liar than Merlin.

>>21659488
Hitler got his ass masered, yeah. But isn't like half Poland occupied by the soviets anyway?

>>21659449
As for Japan, they're probably still the militaristic Imperial government, since the Aliums struck before Pearl Harbor took off. Since their current system was never dismantled by the US Japan is probably just a modernized version of the Showa period.

File: 1353370263619.png-(327 KB, 2499x2641, Lewd.png)

>>21659462

>>21659517
Don't think so. Either way, after the Alium war, I doubt Russia would have had the clout they had post WWII, so it's possible the other Allies badgered them into giving up their portion of Poland.

>>21659507
>[] other (write in)
Well, we lose a member, the navy loses a soldier, the war goes on and the world keeps turning. If we dont get hit, the russians keep losing birds, the war goes on, and the world keeps turning.

Dont let the what-ifs bother you.

>>21659462

<GhostDivision> goddommot fron
<GhostDivision> k
<GhostDivision> who posted it
<Harrstein> anon
<GhostDivision> MERLIN IS NOT FOR LEWD

>>21659507
>[x] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that, but if it happens, it happens. No point on dwelling on it.

[] Shit happens in war, boss. Gotta drive on.
"We all know what we could get wen we booked this ticket."

>>21659557
but shes a big girl now, and its just us in that COCK pit....~

>>21659507

[X] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.

>>21659507
[] Shit happens in war, boss. Gotta drive on.
[] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.
[] other (write in)

Uh, we tell her whatever we told Maverick.

>>21659507

[x] Shit happens in war, boss. Gotta drive on.
[x] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.

>>21659507
>[x] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.

>>21659507
"Most likely scenario is that you'll feel like shit, blame yourself for everything and become an obsessive workaholic. And that just sounds depressing.

Ice, every one of us signed up knowing that there was danger. You can't hold yourself accountable for people getting hurt in a war. You do what you can to prevent it, do your best, and when things go south you have to roll with the punches."

>>21659557
But is Ice lewd?

Just saiyan.
>toxpaye Psychologie

File: 1353370520474.jpg-(118 KB, 443x359, no.jpg)

>>21659565
Stopit!

>>21659587
>, blame yourself for everything and become an obsessive workaholic.
so she'd become minna?

>>21659594
you know she wants to fiddle with our joystick.

File: 1353370600899.jpg-(69 KB, 590x532, untitled135.jpg)

>>21659597

File: 1353370644071.png-(155 KB, 1000x700, 1348610873495.png)

>>21659602

>>21659621
who draws these anyways?

>>21659630
deculture. He's very lewd

>star citizen funded
>friend gifted me all the wing commander games from GoG
>Made ace in WoWP
>strikers 89

Dear diary. today has been a piloting day...

>>21659639

Deculture is not for lewds! ;_;

>>21659630
deculture does

>>21659653
>>21659639
think hed be willing to do some art of either katya or slider *teasing* merlin?

>>21659664
Or one of the girls doing Kharn's tongue trick?

File: 1353371092518.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

>>21659664
He's currently working commission.

>>21659698
>>21659664
whynotboth,png

>>21659597
Huh, makes sense I suppose.

>>21659698

Slider can do that easily, I bet.

>>21659719
that picture is only lewd in Kota's mind.

>>21659462 however is LEWD.

>>21659832
Why don't you ask her?

>>21659507
[] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.
We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.

>>21659507
[x] Shit happens in war, boss. Gotta drive on.

>>21659646
Congratulations on having a PILOT day.

Also, condolences, because you're probably going to be irresistibly compelled to go barhopping and starting fights with marines due to PILOT, on a weeknight.

>>21659941
Thanksgiving weekend bro. I dont have to deal with any...of... fuck, uncle is a marine

>>21659959
UNCLE FIGHTAN TIME

>>21659646
>star citizen funded
>6.2 MILLION DOLLARS
'Funded' is an understatement.

File: 1353372144400.jpg-(47 KB, 500x281, Proper use of a shortrang(...).jpg)

[x] Hasn't happened so far, Ice. Let's just be thankful for that.

“Hasn't happened yet boss. And we've been in some shit, so it's not all just luck.” You point out.

“But what if-” She starts.

“Boss, you'll drive yourself crazy playing the what if game. We all knew the risks- well, ok, maybe Merlin didn't since she didn't know she'd be assigned as my RIO. We've already gotten through some of the biggest furballs in the theater. We'll be fine.” You say, cutting her off.

She sighs and stands up, handing you back the drained coffee cup. “I guess you're right, Bishop.” She gives you a weak smile. “Thanks for the coffee. I gotta go get the girls up and ready to go. You should see about getting your own load squared away.”

You grin back. “Don't go trying to bury it in work, Ice. That shit never works.”

She laughs a little more fully. “Duly noted, Bishop. Get yourself sorted.”

The ordinance crews are waiting, lounging against missile trolleys and a drum of 25mm ammo. Their chief, a younger enlisted guy with a fondness for playing Queen over a stereo while his crew works, looks on at you.

“Damn, sir.” He says with a low whistle. “Now I see why they called this the best posting on base. What kinda load you want? Oh, heads up, we don't have any 152s anymore- they got recalled. Issues with the proximity fuze could set them off while they were armed on the rails. Got lucky it didn't already happen. We do have some 54s though.”

[] Long range! (4x AIM-54, 4x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)
[] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)
[] Shortrange! (4x AIM-120, 12x AIM-95)
[] Fuck it! I'll build my own! (you have 2 AIM-95 rails, 4 rails that can handle 3x AIM-95s, 2x AIM-120s, or 1x AIM-54 each, and a pair of rails that can handle either 2 AIM-95s or one 54 or 120. plus a pair of Fuel tanks.)

File: 1353372146811.png-(Spoiler Image, 150 KB, 600x999)

>>21659649
No?

File: 1353372157303.jpg-(30 KB, 300x424, F-22 witch.jpg)

>>21659959
UNCLE FIGHTING TIME.

SUPREME INTERSERVICE FIGHT GO!

[x] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

>>21659981
[]whatchooseicannotintoplanewearealldoomed

>>21659982

No. ;________;

>>21659981
I'd say long range loadout. Our sparkly RIO gives us hideous standoff capability.

>>21659981
>[] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

>>21659981
>rocketsVSdroptanks.gif

>>21659981
[] Fuck it! I'll build my own!
5 AIM-95s
6 AIM-120s
2 AIM-54s

>>21659981
midrange, Merlin can make us long range in a pinch

Also, place yer bets on suddenly encountering a team of be-I mean russian aces

>>21659981
>[x] Long range! (4x AIM-54, 4x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

Let's hit them before they have a chance to dogfight.

>>21659981
>[x]Long range!
Let's BVR this shit.

>>21659981
[x] Long range! (4x AIM-54, 4x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)
As always, we can rely on gun for closeup shit. Missiles probably won't hit witches anyway, even with Merlin's cheating.
>Issues with the proximity fuze
Damn, Merlin would have helped with that, we could have used them safely.

>>21659981

[x] Long range

With Merlin, our ranged capabilities are downright... magical.

And we'll still have 2 close in missiles.

Honestly, just looking at totals, it's either 10 shots for longrange, 10 shots for midrange, and 16 shots for shortrange. I'm thinking that if we get THAT close, it's not exactly safe for anyone involved, and we're less likely to be able to effectively utilize our loadout.

[] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

>>21659981
[x] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

>>21659462
Santa keeps giving her free cake because she makes that face whenever she eats it.

>>21659981

[X] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

File: 1353372734243.gif-(2.2 MB, 337x268, GTFO.gif)

>>21660103
MERLIN IS LEETLE SEESTER NOT LEWD PANTY SNIFFER

>>21659639
>>21659649
>>21659982
>>21660021
Regardless of lewd status: does he have a site or is there some other site with his stuff?

[x] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

>>21660015
my guess will be
[]midrange

>>21660145
He's got a pivix, you can find it from the mgnq twitter.

Apology sage, sorry for derail, Ghost.

>>21660138
you are now imagining merlin sneaking into our clothes at night to smell our underwear

Since katya became part of the squadron, they have to fight for them

File: 1353373076593.jpg-(10 KB, 196x251, StopIt.jpg)

>>21660174

>>21660172
Appreciate it.

Merlin secretly writes very lewd stuff.

>>21660297
GET THE FUCK OUT.

Merlin is lil sis. She is not lewd for Fronk and us.

>>21660297
But its not shipper herself with anyone, but rather frank with half the squadron.

Slider edits

[x] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95

stick with the AMRAAMs

>>21660326
...I'm firmly in the 'lil sis' camp, and I have to admit, I like this idea.

I say we shouldn't pidgeonhole her into a role without knowing her feelings about it. For all we know she might like Frank.

>>21660374
Not with GhostDivision writing. He's firmly against Merlin x Fronk.

>feeding the trolls
Guys, really.

>>21660389
Oh ho? That's not what he said; he's against Merlin being in lewd things, nothing about chaste romances.

>>21660421
He's from day one been influencing the audience. He wants Fronk to end up with Slider or even Katya.

Not Merlin.

>>21660430
Maybe Ice.

>>21660041
I wonder if Merlin can do anything sparkly with the gun cameras.

>>21660430
Keep telling yourself that and maybe it might come true.

>>21660452
Either way, the only thing that would make him write Fronk x Merlin at this point is if Anon went batshit about Merlin. Maybe not even then.

>>21660473
And there's too many Anons who like Merlin as little sister for that to happen, I think.

>>21659981
[X] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)
Little of column A, little of column B. Still have a hell of a standoff range here.

I hope to see more of that A-10 Witch from last time. She was cute and Slider seems to know her.

File: 1353374122622.jpg-(209 KB, 1920x1080, USAF weapons loading has (...).jpg)

[x] Midrange! (2x AIM-54, 6x AIM-120, 2x AIM-95)

Thinking it over, you're torn between the long and mid range loads. In all honesty, the shortrange loads are awesome to play with, very fun, but they leave you very vulnerable to BVR weapons- and besides, you're in a squadron with witches, who are probably the last group of people who'd need additional short range firepower.

The long range load has the disadvantage of being heavy, though- 54s are big missiles, and kind of lousy for anything smaller than a medium bomber, so after some thought you settle on the medium range load- AMRAAMS have always served you well, and it's got a pair of phoenixes just in case. Plus the agiles, which really live up to their name.

They're about halfway through loading when Merlin walks into the hangar, and stands next to you, sipping a glass of orange juice.

“Good morning, Frank!” She says happily. “Ice asked me to come get you. We're having an informal meeting back at the house.”

[] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.
[] What about? You know what, nevermind. Not going.

>>21660531
>[] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

>>21660531

[x] Let's go!

Which, given the two choices means:

[x] Oh joy.

>>21660531
[] Oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.
Also, y'know, good morning.

>>21660531
>[x] Oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

[x] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

>>21660500
Hard to tell as there hasn't been a real show of numbers.

It's pretty funny though as some of those same anon are crazy about Katya mainly because she's a legal girl throwing herself at Frank. That and she isn't different from Merlin in cuteness.

>>21660531
[X] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

Let her finish her orange juice and then pick her up and head to the meeting, making plane noises while doing so.

>>21660531
[x] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

what else could we do, yerk our dick?

[X] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

>>21660500
Ghost told them she was little sister.

>>21660531

[X] Oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

Let's go. Needs moar Ice-defrosting.

>>21660531

[x] What about?

>>21660589
You. I like you.

[] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.
Always know your crew.

>>21660588
No he didn't, Anon decided that on their own because they're stupid about ages. If Katya wasn't legal, they'd be pidgeon holing her too.

>>21660531
[x] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

Got bored. Have GhostDivision anagrams.
>http://pastebin.com/4cUqV61W

My personal favorites so far:
-Voids Go Shit In
-Ovoid Insights
-Diving Hoot Sis
-God Ho Visit Sin
-Ovoid Gin Shits

>>21660531
[x] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.
then ask her what about on the way

>>21660713
You're delusional. He didn't want Merlin to be an option.

He made sure of it.

This verse this hasn't seen the JDAMs right?

Seeing that Merlin can talk well to electronics, isn't is possible she could program the bolt on kits?

Grab mechanic staff, spare parts from malfunctioning munitions, build and program bolt on kit to turn the dumb bombs into guided munitions.

Then Russkie tanks won't know what hit them.

>>21660738
>Voids Go Shit In

Fuck you I nearly snorted out my drink.

>>21660848
We're about four years early for JDAMs. Of course, they made the JDAM in response to bombing in Desert Storm, so we might see it sooner in Strikersverse.

>>21660848

You don't use JDAMs on tanks.

Also, I'm pretty sure the GPS system was still pretty new in 1989, as in they'd only just started launching the first Block II satellites.

>>21660898
They work just fine on surface ships, so why not tanks?

File: 1353375533605.jpg-(77 KB, 614x612, 1307301472254.jpg)

>>21660883
Love you too, bro.

File: 1353375585717.png-(34 KB, 716x693, BroFist2.png)

>>21660612

>>21660738
>Ovoid Gin Shits
I now have a new term for newborns.

>>21660531
[x] oh joy.

>>21660799
give proof of this as Ghost has yet to make an official statement on either matter.

File: 1353375888926.jpg-(151 KB, 309x800, the other A10 witch.jpg)

[x] oh joy. Well, guess we should get going, then.

“Sounds like fun! Let's go!” You say, wishing Merlin didn't have a half full glass of orange juice to dump on you. If she didn't, she'd have gotten an airplane ride.

Inside, your squadron, along with the A-10 witches, are all gathered in the rec room. If you were claustrophobic, you'd be in trouble- 11 people fills the little room just about to bursting.

“Frank, good.” Ice says as you and Merlin enter the room. “Ok, listen up. We're assigned to fly top cover for the conventional strike package, and to help Rand and Rudel here do their jobs. The colonel and her wingmate will be out over the northern edge, we're in the southern side.” She looks around. “Rand, Rudel, I know you two are new to this, but no heroics. If you're getting strung out, get out of the fight, understood?”

“What kind of yellow bitch do I look l-” Ice cuts Rand's protest off. “Understood, lieutenant?”

The two glare at each other for a few seconds. “Tch. Fine.” Rand- the loudmouthed A-10 witch from a few days ago- says.

“Frank, how are you loaded?” Ice asks, switching her piercing gaze to you.

You shrug the look off. “Midrange. Buncha scorpions, pair of phoenixes, pair of agiles. Guns. The usual.”

1/2

Ice nods. “Good. Ok, look. When we get into contact we're going to scramble them up. Frank, you run interdiction- don't let them get enough birds in to swamp us. Katya, you'd fly his wing even if I told you not to, wouldn't you?”

Katya just smiles.

“I thought so.' Ice continues. “Ok. Stick with him, help him keep them off us. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.”

“Of course comrade Ice.” Katya says.

Ice looks at her for a second. “No heroics from you either. Don't burn yourself out just to stay with Them, clear?”

Katya nods. “Yes, comrade Ice.”

“Ok. We've got about two hours before kickoff, so go relax some. If you haven't checked your gear, make sure you do, we don't need any stupid preventable mistakes. Get some sleep if you can, read if you can't. Watch TV. Whatever. Just don't leave this building or the hangar without telling me or Slider.”

you've got two hours. How would you like to spend them?

[] Write in.

>>21661061
Strip poker game with the greener witches

[x]Drop in and chat some with Maverick and Goose.

It's been a while since Frank talked with either seriously

>>21661061
We talk to Ice.

>>21660738
New favorite: Hos I Dong Visit

>>21661061
Chat with Ice, make sure everyone's okay for the mission (nobody's freaking out), maybe get to know our new A-10 friends.

>>21661080
This guy knows what's up...actually, scratch that, save it for after the mission.

>>21661118
Someone did mention the need for some more Ice-defrosting, so let's roll with that.

>>21661061
talk to katya

>>21661061
[x] Bet Slider she can't take Rand in an arm wrestle.

>>21661109
This

>>21661109

>>21661138

This. Ice first, then hang with our old friend Maverick. Ask Katya to go with; Patty can tell her funny stories about the good ol' days before Merlin came along and civilized Frank.

>>21661061
Check our gear, make sure everything's chill on that end.

Put Katya and Merlin in the same room together, see if it explodes from too much adorableness. Make sure both of them are holding up alright.

>>21661177
I was tempted to do that, but seriously Maverick and Goose haven't had much time on the page recently and thus hardly any chances to show characterization.

>>21661061
[x] Catch the latest on the other theaters on CNN
What's happening in Europe at the moment? Does the tension between NATO and the the japs look like its going to escalate?

And then play cards or some boardgame or >>21661080
in the recrom with the other witches, the A-10 witches included.
Might as well ease tension, get to know them better.

>>21661061
Call our folks. See if there's any word on Jake or Rex.

>>21661051
Talk to the chicks we are running topcover for.

>>21661061

This, watch CNN.

>>21661217

>>21661217

I'm also gonna shoot for this.

>>21661217

For the card game, play Spades. We can pick one of the squad as our partner vs. the two A-10 Witches.

dead

Got a bad feeling about this push.

Gonna have to watch for Nimbus or Burst Missile.

>>21661719

No it's not. Just give Ghost some time to write.

>>21661721
>implying we wont run into an ace squadron

Fortunately, I think our pilot level is knight or soldier so it should be fairly simple

>SW '89 thread
goddamnit, I've got a paper to write. OP's huge, slow update style is messing with my ability to concentrate on anything else

also this
>>21661217

>>21661753
Seconded. Damn it Ghost, why is SWQ '89 so badass?

>>21661721
If I was a grimderp realism faggot, I'd say it's about time in the story that somebody died. Goose maybe? We've barely had any interactions with her and she's been more of a foil for Mav's development, and her dying would make Mav dealing with it interedasting. Also topgun canon.

>now that I mentioned it, she aint gonna die

>>21661802
One of the SWQU quests has to be.

>>21661934
I miss the ww2 one

File: 1353379184667.jpg-(114 KB, 600x1000, Cooks a hell of a breakfa(...).jpg)

[looks like talk to Ice is tied with talk to maverick and goose.]

As the witches all exit the little room, you stay in, with Ice, who sets to making herself some eggs.

“Everybody doing alright, boss?” You ask, setting the folding table back up.

Without looking at you, she nods. “So far, so good. I'm worried about Rand and Rudel, they're really too new to us to be risking this with them, but we don't have a choice, and the colonel's right, for once. We've got the main body to cover and support, we'll need the pair of them more.”

“Looking forward to working with them, then? It makes us true multirole.” You say.

“Not really.” You can practically hear the grimace in her voice. “Rand's too bullheaded to listen to orders, and rudel is just a kid. God knows she has a hell of a reputation to live up to, but she's not got that much flight time.”

“But they can help out the ground pounders a hell of a lot better than we can.” You say. Ice nods again.

“Yes, and even in those strikers, they're surprisingly good in a dogfight. But if it comes down to speed, they're in trouble.” She says. “A-10s have excellent shield focuses. They also have a really lousy top speed.”

“Welp, learn something new everyday.” You say, shrugging. “I guess if I come back as a witch in the next life, I'm set.”

Ice laughs. Finally turning enough to look at you over her shoulder. “Want some eggs? I can make another couple.”

1/2

>>21661934
And planefag fell off the face of the planet again.

“Hell yes he does! And so do we!” Maverick says, strolling in the room and sitting down at the table.

“Oh, hello Patty, Nicole.” Ice says. “Wasn't expecting you two.”

Maverick grins. “It's ok, Ice. Hey, I can help ya with those eggs if ya-”

“No!” You, Ice, and Goose all say at the same time. Maverick just laughs.

“How are you two doing? Haven't had a chance to talk to you much.” You say as the three of you sit around the table.

“Not bad.” Maverick says, and Goose nods along. “Need to go see to our weapons, but other than that, we're ready to go.”

“You should have done that first.” Ice says. Maverick looks at you, and you nod in agreement.

“She's right you know. Should have taken care of that first.” You say. “Hell, even I do a walkaround before I take off.”

Maverick laughs. “Eh, it'll all be fine anyway.” she says. “Strikers aren't like those picky jets of yours.”

“Picky, she says.” you look at goose and jerk a thumb at Maverick. “Get a load of her. Huh?” You say, laughing. Goose laughs nervously along.

“Patty, I still remember when you had one leg quit on you on approach to the Sara, remember?” You say, still chuckling.

Mav's face goes red. “H-hey!” She says. “That wasn't my fault!”

you lean closer to goose. “she was thinking about a certain ensign from a HEY DON'T THROW THAT AT ME!” your story is cut off by a flying spoon.

“Well.” you say, brushing yourself off in mock outrage. “I see when I'm not wanted!”

“What about these eggs?” Ice asks, indicating a plate.

[] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.
[] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

>>21661965
[X] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

[x] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

She's a growing witch after all.

>>21661965
>[] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

You can't fight on an empty stomach.

I found out today iran is still using the f-14

>>21661965
[x] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

Remind them again that checking and doublechecking is fucking important. Don't want an engine blowing out over Red territory.

>>21661965
[] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

>>21662007
Technically, they are since they're holdovers from the Shah days, but realistically, they're rusting hulks because they can't get the parts to keep them in flying condition.

>>21661965
[] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is way too skinny!
Make sure we thank Ice anyway, though. She made 'em for us, after all.

>>21661965
[x] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

>>21661965
[X] Eh, give 'em to goose. She is too skinny!

heres looking at you kids!

>>21661965
[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

It'd be rude not to eat 'em. Ice could be some sort of surprise egg chef or something for all we know.

>>21661965
>[] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

>>21661965

[X] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

Ice will make some for Goose.

>>21661965

[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

Need chow.

>>21661952
The good one, right?

>>21662039
there trying to reverse engineer the parts for them

>>21662065
Actually, you're right. Changing my vote to this.

>>21661965
[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.
I want to know what Ice's cooking is like.

>>21661965
[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

Be nice to Ice.

>>21661965
[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

>>21661965
EAT ZE EGGS

>>21661965

[X] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

Be nice to our CO...she's beginning to thaw.

>>21661965
Grab eggs, shovel forkful into mouth as you leave, muffled "fanks, boss" on your way out.

Try to look as disgustingly cute about it as possible. If that doesn't break up preflight jitters, ain't nothing will.

>>21662106
Either way, it's already an obsolete plane, and they don't even have the missiles the F-14 was designed to carry anyways.

>>21662267

They had a program at one point to fit the Hawk SAM on to the F-14 as a replacement for the AIM-54, I don't think it went anywhere though.

File: 1353381056203.jpg-(31 KB, 500x407, This is what merlin does (...).jpg)

[x] Grab 'em on the way out, eat 'em on the way to the hangar.

You grab the plate on your way out to the room, wolfing down the eggs- they're damn good. You manage to get out a garbled “Fanks, bozz” around a mouthfull, favoring her with your most disgustingly cute grin. She just kind of laughs at you. She must have a knack for cooking eggs, too- you don't have much in the way of spices or anything, and it's not like she was cooking them in a gourmet kitchen.

You've cleaned your plate entirely as you enter the hangar. Your crew chief is chatting amicably with the crew chief for the striker units, and everybody seems to be just kind of lounging, or doing light work.

“We ready to go, chief?” You ask, strolling up next to them. He nods. “Yep. Good to go sir. Hell, everything in here's in better shape than when it rolled off the factory line. We've got a hell of a crew here.”

You nod in agreement, looking at your watch.

“Guess it's about that time. Merlin up there?” You ask, indicating your bird's cockpit. Your crew chief laughs.

“Yeah. She spends more time in and around that bird than anyone else I know.” He says. “She must really love jets.”

“Yeah, I think so.” you say, nodding. “Hey Merlin! 'cmon, we gotta go hit up the shops!”

1/2

She peeks her head over the lip of the cockpit wall. “Oh, ok Frank!” she says. “I'm coming, wait for me!”

Your trip through the shops doesn't take that long- less time than usual, honestly.

Your ground crew helps you strap into your fighter after your walk around inspection. A short while later, you're taxiing to the runway, in the lead of the formation this time. First off the ground.

“Is.... Frank, is our marshal doing the thriller?” Merlin asks over the intercom, causing you to pay more attention.

“Yes, Merlin.” you say after a short second, laughing. “Yes he is.”

Man, enlisted are weird.

It doesn't take long to form up- the entire formation is huge, a glittering metal cloud, flying across the serene, snow-covered Alaskan landscape. The weather is clear, oddly enough, and visibility is great. The only issue is AWACS- Typhoon is available, but they're only acting as an early warning platform.

Down below, you can see the tiny clouds thrown up by moving tanks, and a few lonely pillars of smoke rising from dead armor. Down there, CAS aircraft strafe and bank, reaping a major tally in Soviet armor and letting the army punch through with almost no speed lost.

“Heads up, Spellcaster.” Typhoon calls. “You have a hot group, unknown numbers and composition. 80 Miles out and closing fast.”

[] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em
[] Keep the set cold, Merlin. Let's let them get a bit closer.

>>21662267

Iran does have plenty of Russian-built fighter craft though: MiG-29's and Sukhois mainly. Plus some old Northrop F-5's and their home-built fighters developed from the F-5.

>>21662424
>[] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

>>21662424
>“Is.... Frank, is our marshal doing the thriller?”
I like the cut of this man's jib.

[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em
Better safe than strafed.

>>21662424

[X] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

80 miles out is way too close for comfort.

>>21662424
>[] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

>>21662424
[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

Unfair advantage

>>21662424
>[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

[X] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

>>21662431
>>F-5's
Wait, someone actually bought those?

Still, last gen fighters that couldn't stand against F-15's against F-22's would be amusing if it weren't so lethal.

>>21662424

[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em.

We need to see what's coming at us.

>>21662424
[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em
Let's get rid of these stupid missiles that are just weighing us down.

>>21662424
[] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em.

>>21662497

Bah. Our soul is not weighed down by mere MISSILES.

>>21662424
>[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

File: 1353382559418.jpg-(146 KB, 1024x768, If you were Wardog squadr(...).jpg)

[x] Alright Merlin, fire up the set and see if you can get 'em

“Alright Merlin. Warm up the set and let's see what we've got.” You say, looking out the canopy roughly in the direction of the incoming fighters. You don't see anything- not that you expected to.

It takes a couple seconds, but soon enough, Merlin has a fix. “Big group.” She says, sending you a radar track on one of the MFDs in your cockpit. Scrolling alphanumerics along one side tell the tale- at least twenty targets, maybe more. Really low airspeed though- no more than two hundred knots, maybe less.”

At the same time, a call for CAS goes up- army units are pinned down by a large concentration of soviet armor nearby.

“Frank, I can't get a fix on types, I don't know what those planes are out there.” Merlin says, after a second.

[] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.
[] Let's see if we can't get a bit closer

>>21662732
[] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.
getting flying aircraft carrier vibes here

>>21662732
[] Doesn't matter. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.

If our 'Hogs are going in, we don't want whatever the hell those are breathing down their backs.

>>21662732
[x] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.

Time to get some.

>>21662732
>[] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.

'ERE WE GO LADZ

>>[X] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.
Wait, shouldn't we have a radar plane for this?

>>21662732

[x] Let's see if we can get a bit closer.

Though I REALLY don't want to get any closer to that mess than necessary.

Maybe only knock out one or two first. They've got a low airspeed for something violating our territory. I'm concerned about just what the hell they are.

>>21662829
We have an AWACS bird, but we have the second-best radar in the area. Hell, the Iranians actually used their Tomcats as AWACS birds in the Iran-Iraq War because their radar was that good.

>>21662829
We do but...
>>21662424
>The only issue is AWACS- Typhoon is available, but they're only acting as an early warning platform.
Yeah.

[x] Let's see if we can't get a bit closer
I, personally, would like a wee bit more info on what we're about to pounce on here.

>>21662755

Oh god. That... that could be a problem.

Wait. What if the Soviets went stupid and built witch carriers. Every missile we send in is going to result in dozens of flaming corpses raining from the sky. But every missile we DON'T send in is going to result in a swarm of sparkly death erupting from those... things.

>>21662732
[x] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.
We'll identify them as we close.

>>21662732
[x] Doesn't mater. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.

Inb4 radar decoys.

>>21662883
better them then us I say

>>21662887
The "kill them now and let God decide what we kill" approach. I like it.

Except I want to know what we're shooting.

>[x] Let's see if we can't get a bit closer

>>21662883
Christ...it's them or us!

Ready an AIR-2 Genie and take that thing out as soon as we spot it!

>>21662883

Welcome to war, bitch.

>>21662732

>[] Let's see if we can't get a bit closer

Know getting out voted but really we don't know what the hell those are and to waste missiles on something that might not need one...

>>21662883
>Wait. What if the Soviets went stupid and built witch carriers.
Pretty sure the Sovs were established as not trusting witches any farther than they can throw them. Not unless they're brainwashed anyway.

>>21662901

Hm. If I recall, real-world Soviet electronic warfare capabilities were focused on disrupting enemy command, control and communications. Neutralizing the enemy command structure, broadband disruption across the em spectrum, that type of thing.

That said, I only have vague recollections of their real-world capabilities, and this isn't the real world. So could be?

>>21662732

LEt's go in for a closer look

>>21662927

No Genies in this timeline, mate. Nukes are pretty much nonexistent, especially as far as we're concerned (til the soviet superweapons arrive on the scene).

Fraid that means no nuclear air to air capabilities. Which would, I admit, make our job a lot easier.

>>21662732
Confirm target first. We don't want to shoot blind, hit a cruise liner.

File: 1353383914181.jpg-(21 KB, 504x301, Fox 3.jpg)

[x] Doesn't matter. Designate a couple of them and let's knock them out.

“Doesn't matter what they are. We gotta make 'em dead. Lock up a pair of the slower ones, we'll see how they like 54s I don't want to get too close just yet.” You say.

“Got it. Got the two in the center of the pack. Maybe we'll get some of them to fly into each other!” Merlin says. “On your trigger, Frank.”

“Spellcaster three, Fox three! Fox three!” You call, dropping both phoenix missiles into the air and watching them take off to arc high into the sky on their ballistic trajectory.

“Go, baby, go!” You hear Merlin say over the intercom, clearly guiding both missiles using her talents.

Seconds later, one target track disappears, and the rest begin to scatter. A group of twelve is coming straight in at you, while another group, this one of eleven, makes for the CAS birds.

“Spellcaster elements, Break and engage!” Ice yells, clearly excited now.

[] Engage the ones coming after the squadron!
[] Cover the CAS birds!

File: 1353383945187.jpg-(85 KB, 800x800, 1273700967795.jpg)

>>21663024

>>21662991
Well, there goes that idea...maybe some support from a Prowler and a few tacit rainbows(they were being tested through 91') if we just want to screw over their radar.

>>21663072
[x] Cover the CAS birds!
They're already pre-occupied providing CAS, let's remove one thing they have to worry about.

>>21663072
[] Cover the CAS birds!
We've got a job to do here.

>>21663072
[X] Cover the CAS birds!

The CAS birds are vulnerable as hell to something like this. We need to let them do their job.

>>21663072
>[] Cover the CAS birds!

Mission first.

>>21663072

[x] Cover the CAS birds!

>>21662732

I don't like that screenie... Rookiess....

[x] Cover the CAS birds!

I think the squadron would have less issue than the planes.

File: 1353384103854.jpg-(110 KB, 717x650, 1276021166901.jpg)

>>21663082
>>21663024

>>21663072

[x] Cover the CAS birds!

The witchen can cover the squadron, we can help the CAS.

>>21663072
[x] Cover the CAS birds!
It was the whole purpose for the mission. All we have to do is drive off them off and then we're free to move back to support our girls.

In before someone dies no matter what wins.

File: 1353384428689.gif-(394 KB, 300x220, 1298437698594.gif)

>>21663150
>In before someone dies no matter what wins.

War's hell, aint it?

>>21663189
Indeedily-doodily-doo.

>>21663072
[x] Cover the CAS birds!
the army fighting out of the pocket is the primary objetive and they need that CAS to make it

>>21663189
gb 2 /k/

>>21663189

More like we lose ALL the cas birds because they cannot climb to a safe altitude intime.

File: 1353384946739.jpg-(91 KB, 850x499, Reaper and Hog over twent(...).jpg)

[x] Cover the CAS birds!

“I'm going with the mudhens! They'll need some cover!” You call, breaking hard right and rapidly plotting an intercept in your head. Assuming your bogies don't speed up, you should be able to get your first AMRAAMs in before they're in their own medium range.

You intercept angle's far from great- you're abeam of them, so your missiles are really going to have to work to hit them, but you've got a height advantage, so it helps balance it out.

“Frank! We've got more bogies inbound, same approach angle! Very large group- thirty plus!” Merlin says.

“See if you can't call in some more fighters, Merlin. We're gonna need some help, here.” You say, still working on your shots. You're just inside your maximum range, but out here, you'd practically have to designate 2 missiles per target to get a kill on it, especially at this angle.

You can probably also try and get in closer and engage with guns and your agiles, but doing that is a hell of a lot more risky and could let them shoot any medium range Air-to-air missiles of their own at the CAS birds.
[] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMS- that's what they're for
[] Get close and gun them down.

>>21663323

[x] Loose missile, burn rubber

>>21663323
[x] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMS- that's what they're for

We protect those CAS elements as best we can.

[x] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMS- that's what they're for

>>[] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMS- that's what they're for
This isn't WWII, FIRE!

>>21663323
[] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMs- that's what they're for.

>>21663323
[x] go with the AMRAAMS, have Merlin do whatever sparkly juju she can pull up to make them hit

>>21663323
[] Hit 'em with the AMRAAMS- that's what they're for

dump the missiles then hit 'em with guns.