>>3407805
>Ivan Dhovochesky, a pilot serving in the People’s Union of Socialist Democracies offensive air arm. The Not!USSR to the NC’s Not!USA, their air forces are comprised of cheap planes with an emphasis on numbers and ease of maintenance or replacement.

Voting closed! Winning vote: the not!Russkie.

A bit more info: this takes place at about real-world early/mid 1980s levels of technology. 4th generation aircraft are the pinnacle of fighter technology.

>>3407805
>Iain Whitt, a pilot in serving in the Free States of Northern Colonia Air Force. The FSNC (or NC, for short) is one of two world superpowers. Basically Not!America, their air force generally focuses on expensive, high-tech gear that gives them an edge in combat.

>>3407852
So sort of tail end of the Cold War. Neat.

>>3407874
Yeah, the mid 80s is kino for cold war aviation. Nearly done with the next post.
>>3407871
Good to have you here, anon.

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>>3407805
You jolt awake, breathing heavily as sweat rolls down your face onto your shabby, military-issue bedsheets. As you rub the sleep from your eyes, you realize this is the same nightmare you’ve had for weeks. Then, an alarm sounds. Fuuuuck. It’s the klaxon scream of a scramble alert. “LAUNCH FIGHTERS. THREAT VECTOR ZERO THREE ZERO. PROBABLE NUCLEAR THREAT. LAUNCH FIGHTERS. THREAT VECTOR ZERO THREE ZERO. PROBABLE NUCLEAR THREAT.” You grab your gear, hastily pull it on, and sprint out of your room, jostling into the hall. The clock in the hall reads 0400. The footsteps of you and the steadily growing crowd of pilots around you pound on the barracks floor in time with the alert, and soon, you’re slamming open the door to the outside. The sky is black as pitch and the Nordistanian wind is freezing your balls off, but adrenaline keeps you warm as you sprint towards your jet waiting on the tarmac, under the base’s guiding lights.

As soon as you make it outside, you hear a familiar voice calling from behind you. “Dhovochesky! Comrade! Looks like the Westerners are coming tonight.” It’s your flight lead, Mikhail Nikulina. You turn around as the voice catches up with you, and you see his tanned, weatherbeaten veteran face scowling back at you from under his scratched and pitted helmet. “Stick with me up there. We’ll make it through, just like in training. Now, where’s Gulayev and Popov… Gulayev! Popov!” He barks into the darkness. Another pair of faces come up from behind to join your squad. Aleksi Gulayev is young pale, tall and lanky, jogging with a relaxed gait and a cocky grin. Aleksey Popov, a full head shorter than Gulayev and dark-haired, is deep in thought, his fingers twitching in time with some unseen mental calculation.

Nikulina’s scowl deepens as he smacks Gulayev on the head. “Get your helmet on. I will never understand why you ALWAYS have that dumb-ass look on your face.” In response, Gulayev grins, slinging on his helmet. Just like the rest of your flight, it’s white, with a green stripe down the center and a curved sword emblazoned on the right side, with your squadron’s name, SABER, in all caps on the left. “Well, we’re the best in the business, comrade. No reason to think today’s gonna be any big deal.” he replies. Popov’s eyes refocus as he leaves his thoughts, and his clinical tone cuts in a moment later. “That stupid attitude will get you killed today, Saber Three. The radar is calling a bomber strike. Targets can’t be more than seventy miles out, given local radar capabilities. If we incorporate the likely airspeed the briefings have given and our average scramble time, the targets will be within sixty miles when we’re airborne. That puts us in range of any escort’s long range missiles immediately.”

(Cont'd in next post)

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>>3407922

Taking off straight into a shootout, huh? You like a challenge, after all, you got your pilots’ license before you learned to drive a car. You shake off the memories. Focus. It’s time to get serious. You keep up your steady pace, and soon, the silhouettes of your flight’s aircraft start to emerge from the darkness. You take a deep breath, and prepare to climb into the cockpit.

>Choose your aircraft (for this sortie. This is an intro to the quest, so you won’t be stuck in it forever unless you want it.)
>MiG-21 Bis
>A highly modernized older airframe, the MiG-21 was originally designed as a cheap and reliable interception craft. Its short range and fuel balance issues have been solved, and it sports an impressive climb rate, though its maneuverability and low weapons load leave something to be desired.
>Weapons: 4x R-73 Infrared missiles or 2x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing missiles. 1x 23mm cannon.
>Avionics: Short Range Radar

>MiG-23 MLD
>Somewhat sluggish and with awkward avionics, this fighter nonetheless formed the backbone of Union air forces for the better part of two decades. Now being phased out in favor of fourth generation aircraft, its latest upgrade fixes many of its teething issues.
>Weapons: 4x R-73 infrared missiles, 4x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing Missiles, or 2 of each. 1x 23mm cannon.
>Avionics: Medium Range Radar

>MiG-29S
>The cutting edge of Union fighter development, this aircraft features incredible dogfight performance and a helmet mounted targeting sight. Despite its high performance, its engines were designed with a low lifespan in mind, and the radar functionality leaves all but the very best pilots reliant on ground control.
>Weapons: 6x R-73 infrared missiles, 6x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing Missiles, 2x R-77 Active Radar Homing Missiles, or some combination of 6 of any of them. 1x 30mm cannon.
>Avionics: Medium Range Radar

>>3407927
>>MiG-29S
>>The cutting edge of Union fighter development, this aircraft features incredible dogfight performance and a helmet mounted targeting sight. Despite its high performance, its engines were designed with a low lifespan in mind, and the radar functionality leaves all but the very best pilots reliant on ground control.
>>Weapons: 6x R-73 infrared missiles, 6x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing Missiles, 2x R-77 Active Radar Homing Missiles, or some combination of 6 of any of them. 1x 30mm cannon.
>>Avionics: Medium Range Radar

Seems like a straight forward choice. I'm gonna say 2 Infra, 4 Semi-Active Radar.

>>3407927
>>MiG-29S
>>The cutting edge of Union fighter development, this aircraft features incredible dogfight performance and a helmet mounted targeting sight. Despite its high performance, its engines were designed with a low lifespan in mind, and the radar functionality leaves all but the very best pilots reliant on ground control.
>>Weapons: 6x R-73 infrared missiles, 6x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing Missiles, 2x R-77 Active Radar Homing Missiles, or some combination of 6 of any of them. 1x 30mm cannon.
>>Avionics: Medium Range Radar
3x R-73 infrared missiles
2x R-27R Semi-Active Radar Homing Missiles
1x R-77 Active Radar Homing Missiles

>>3407927
For those who don't know, there are three primary types of air to air missiles:
Infrared Homing, Semi-Active Radar Homing, and Active Radar Homing.

Infrared missiles are heatseekers. They use some form of infrared sensor to detect the heat signature of an aircraft (friction heats aircraft skins to a high degree) or its engine, and follow it.

They are generally short range, highly maneuverable, and useful in dogfights.

Semi-Active Radar Homing missiles rely on the launching aircraft's radar to illuminate the target. Think of it like shining a flashlight on the enemy; the missile "sees" the radar reflection and homes in on it. These missiles tend to be used at medium to long ranges, and usually mount hefty warheads.

Active Radar Homing missiles are the new kids on the block, in terms of this setting. Once the launching aircraft has locked onto an enemy, they can be fired. In flight, they either use an inertial navigation system, or receive mid course updates from the launch platform's radar. But at the end of their flight, close to the target, they turn on their own small radar, enabling the launching platform to break lock, instead of having to continually face the target.

>>3407939
I'm also fine with this setup.

>>3407936
>>3407939
>>3407945
The Fulcrums have it! Writing the next post. Sorry if the pace is a little slow, this is my first quest.

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>>3407927
Up the ladder. Okay, time to preflight. Canopy. Harness. Engine Control… c’mon, you piece of shit… You give the console a whack. Good. It’s green. CAS. Seat. Flaps. ADI. Radar. TACAN. Trim. Pitot heat. IFF. Circuit breakers. Landing light. In seconds, your muscle memory has worked its magic, and you’re rolling down the tarmac, ready to get in the airborne ASAP. As you head to take off, Gulayev’s voice crackles over the radio on your flight’s frequency. “Saber One, what’s up? Your plane hasn’t moved.”

“Saber Three, it looks like my engine’s out. I’m troubleshooting, but if this is as real as I think it is, you will have to manage without your old man. Dhovochesky, I know you don’t think you’re up to it, but you have to take command.” You laugh humorlessly into the comms, and force some confidence into your voice. “Alright, old man. I’ll take the lead.” You settle back into your seat, hands shaking slightly. Your first combat lead, on what looks like the beginning of the end of the world? You like a challenge, but… You shake your head. “Three, Four, fall in behind me.”

“You got it, 2.” comes the reply from Saber Three. Popov’s response is a curt “Affirmative.”

The trio of MiG-29s rolls down the taxiway, and soon, it’s time to take off. “Saber Two to tower, requesting takeoff clearance.” The response is almost instant. “Tower to Saber Two. Cleared for takeoff. Targets are at vector zero three zero, twenty thousand feet. Good luck up there, we’re counting on you.” You slowly walk the throttle forward, feeling the sheer power of your twin engines force you back into your seat. As you steadily pull back the stick and climb to altitude, you hear the rest of your flight obtain takeoff clearance behind you. Suddenly, a flash lights up the base. What the fuck was that? Then, a trio more bright explosions light up the night. Saber Four calls over the radio. “Cruise missiles. Has to be.” Three, for his part, simple lets out a long whistle into his microphone.

Okay, let’s take stock of the situation. You’ve got cruise missiles flattening the base. Bombers 60 miles out, though you haven’t picked them up on your radar yet. You’ve all got 3 R-73s, 2 R-27s, and 1 R-77 apiece, and plenty of fuel. So what’s the call?
>radio Ground Control Intercept for the enemy bomber location
>continue towards your target
>turn and look for more incoming cruise missiles
>other (write-in, combination of above)

>>3407993
Ah the engine trouble does bite us in the ass! Tricky QM I like it. Also don't sweat the pace too much, just enjoy it :)

>radio Ground Control Intercept for the enemy bomber location

I'm assuming the bombers are likely nuclear bombers given the klaxon so they seem the priority.

>>3407993
>>continue towards your target
The missiles are a distraction.

>>3407993
>continue towards your target

>>3408006
>>3408014
>>3408021
Brb grabbing some taco bell. Will tally the votes when I get back.

Fun game mechanic fact of the day: if you switch off your radar, enemy radar warning systems won't register you as a threat, enabling you to sneak up on them with careful planning.

>>3408027
Nifty.

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>>3408027
>continue towards your target
Locked in, got my chalupas, get ready for your first fight!

>shooting mechanics:
When prompted, you guys each roll 3d10. I'll set a DC, and then take a look at the first 3 people's rolls to determine if it makes it or not.

Prompts to roll will appear for:
Shooting
Spotting difficult targets on radar
Evading incoming missiles
QM Discretion

>>3408083
Sounds good. That's irony by the way.

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>>3407993
“We need to focus on those bombers. If they have nukes, and they deliver them, that’s it for us. Three, Four, have you picked up anything on your radar yet?” You try not to think about your flight lead, stuck on the tarmac while the western pigs blast it into smithereens. They can go to—no, you’re gonna send them to hell yourself. You toggle your radar’s longest ranged scan setting. A minute passes, feeling like an hour and a second at the same time, but then Saber Four responds. “Saber Four to Saber Lead. Hostiles on the scope. Looks like… five targets. Two small signatures and three large. Likely a bomber and escorts.” Sure enough, the targets appear 50 kilometers away on your own radar screen. It doesn’t look like they know you’re there yet, since they haven’t set off your own radar warning receiver…

You do a mental check. Your R-73s are effective out to 10 kilometers. The R-27s out to 40, and the R-77s out to 40 as well. You’ll need to make a tactical call in the next few seconds. What’s the plan?
>FOX ONE! Close to 40km and open fire with SARH R-27s
>FOX TWO! Close to 10km and open fire with IR R-73s
>FOX THREE! Close to 40km and open fire with ARH R-77s
>Other (write-in)

>>3408140
>>FOX ONE! Close to 40km and open fire with SARH R-27s

we are far away enough that we can continue facing them for targetting and they havent picked us up yet

>>3408145
Backing don't have much time to read and I gtg a bit before I'll be back.

Brevity Codes:
Different missile types are announced by using different brevity codes when launching them. In NATO countries (and for ease of use, this quest), SARH missiles are indicated with the phrase "FOX ONE," IR missiles with "FOX TWO," and ARH missiles with "FOX THREE." This has nothing to do with the number of missiles being launched at the same time.

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>>3408145
>>3408158
FOX ONE! It's SARH time, baby!

So, what's the plan? A pilot can only lock onto one enemy aircraft at a time with SARH missiles, though they can fire as many as they would like once they have locked on.

You have 3 aircraft, each with 2x R-27. You are facing 3 bomber targets and two escort fighters.

>Target 3 bombers
>Target 2 bombers and 1 fighter
>Target 1 bomber and 2 fighters
>other (????)

>>3408193
if we take the escorts by surprise the bombers are easy pickings

>>3408193
Focus on the escorts now while we have the element of surprise, we can take down the bombers with leisure afterwards.

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>>3408140
You radio back to 3 and 4. “Alright, R-27s armed. 3, you take the lead bomber. 4, you target the left escort. I’ll take the one on the right.” Gulayev returns “Affirmativo, boss. Target locked, firing on your order.” Before long, Popov responds with his own “Engaging on your mark.” You toggle your weapons to select the pair of semi-active missiles slung under your wings, and attempt to lock up the fighter on the right. 'Here goes nothing' you think to yourself. Suddenly, your radar goes a little fuzzy. "What the hell?" you hear Saber Three shout over the radio. Of course it couldn't be that easy. Popov is next on the comms. "Jamming. Re-acquiring target."

>roll 3d10 to lock on and shoot

Rolled 9, 10, 3 = 22 (3d10)

>>3408237

Rolled 10, 6, 8 = 24 (3d10)

>>3408237

>>3408240
>>3408269
Locked on, time to fire away. (writing)

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>>3408237
You deftly play with the settings on your radar, and quickly manage to get a solid lock through the bombers’ best attempts to jam you. “FOX ONE!”

The hefty R-27 departs from its space beneath your wing, its bright motor blazing off into the night sky. You hear a calm “Fox one.” from Popov, and a “FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT” from your number 3. Long range fighting is not Gulayev’s strong suit. Popov’s missile races towards its targets moments after yours. On your scope, you can your mark begin to accelerate and dip towards the ground. It must finally be getting radar warnings about the incoming missile—too little, too late. By the time you’re within 30 kilometers of the target, it and the other escort have disappeared from your radar. Scratch two. You continue to close head-on with the bombers. You’re not close enough for R-73s, but you seem to have a good enough lock to keep shooting, for the moment. As you ready to launch your last R-27, suddenly, your radar warning receiver lights up and starts screeching in your ear. “INCOMING. INCOMING. INCOMING. INCOMING.” it incessantly squawks. Who the fuck is shooting at you?! They have to be outside your radar cone.

>go defensive
>shoot the R-27
>switch to another weapon
>other (write-in)

QM note: I'm getting kinda sleepy. I'll keep posting for now, but I plan to pick up this thread tomorrow, since I have the day off, and run it throughout the day to gauge interest. Mostly, I plan to run this thread Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6PM, GMT-5.

Awesome stuff!

> go defensive!
Do we have Chaff, Flares etc?

>>3408461
>>3408468
Yo, glad you’re interested! Sorry that you came in when I started dozing off.

For the purposes of keeping it simple, chaff and flares are labelled as “countermeasures.” Timing countermeasure launches is a skill check.

In addition, Radar Warning Receivers in this quest do not detect infrared missile launches, which makes them SUPER lethal unless your target has very good eyes.

In addition, the MiG-29S has an IRST. However, it is very short ranged, only good out to 15km, unlike the radar which is good out to 50km.

IRST stands for Infra-Red Search and Track. It is essentially a souped up infrared camera that can track threats passively. Unlike radar, it does not have to emit energy to see its targets, giving the user an additional stealthy engagement option.

>>3408371
>go defensive

>>3408489

Does our IRST show any sign of where our attacker is coming from?

>>3408489
what aircraft are we up against, if it isn't too much to ask?

Morning, dweebosaurs, time to get back at it!
>>3408490
>>3408620
>>3408663
>go defensive, try to figure out what the fuck is shooting at you, use your IRST, etc.

Your questions will be answered in the next story post.

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>>3408489
When you notice the incoming missile, about sixty things happen at the same time. Your heart rate rises. Your hands start sweating. Your arms shake. You say a quick prayer. And most importantly you snap the stick to the left. You immediately go into a downward turn to put the missile on your 3 o clock as you trade altitude for energy. Straining, you grunt into your mic. “Saber One, I’ve got incoming. Evading!”

Identifying the targets you are engaging is a key part of surviving aerial combat. Mostly, though, you just want to figure out where the missiles are coming from so you can make them stop doing that. While the G-forces from your turn slam you back into your seat and your stomach drops out from under you, you force your eyes onto your Radar Warning Receiver’s display. It indicates two radars active at vector 060. Right off your nose. Your radar immediately picks them up, as a pair of boxes appear low to the ground on your HUD. A moment later, your turn takes them out of your radar cone, and you’re back in the dark. With the RWR’s beeping becoming more and more frequent, you know you have mere seconds before missile impact. It’s time to evade.

>roll 3d10 for evasion and countermeasure deployment

It's been 3 hours, so I'll push this along for you.

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>>3409304
No worries, most people are at work right now. I'm just waiting til the evening and occasionally checking back in.
In the mean time, might as well take this time to talk a little about the MiG-29's helmet mounted sight.

Pilots often complained of limited seeker fields and difficulty lining up shots on enemy aircraft. The first attempt to solve this issue was the introduction of all-aspect infrared missiles, which, as the name implies, could lock onto their targets and have a good chance of hitting them from any angle, instead of being reliant on the pilot to get in a tailing position to fire. However, the seeker heads in these missiles were still limited to either facing straight forward or being slaved to the aircraft's radar through the fire control system. Obviously, you can expand the range of the seeker head, but engineers in the US and the USSR independently designed a solution: the helmet mounted sight.

Essentially, a helmet sight makes the seeker head of the selected infrared missile follow the gaze of the pilot. When a pilot gets within visual range, the ability to look at a target, hear the lock tone, and pull the trigger is invaluable. Thus, USSR engineers developed the Shchel-3UM HMD system, in order to give their Su-27 and MiG-29 pilots a huge edge in close combat. It was deployed in 1982, and when the western powers learned of its existence, it spurred them to develop the modern Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) that is currently deployed in various airframes.

The USA had deployed the VTAS (Visual Targeting Acquisition Sight) on the F-4J a decade earlier than the Soviets in 1972. Despite its initial success, the system failed to catch on in later fighters, and remains largely unknown to this day.

Rolled 9, 5, 1 = 15 (3d10)

>>3408920

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>3409304
Thanks, mobile. Let's try this with one.

Rolled 6, 2, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>3409304

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>>3409327
>>3409330
>>3409341
That's a pass, nice! Writing Dhovochesky avoiding getting bagged by a capitalist pig.

Have a VTAS helmet in the meantime.

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>>3408920
A blinding flash streaks past your canopy. Right afterwards, you see a muted flash through the trees in the woods, and your RWR stops screaming at you, instead opting to continue informing you of the pair of radars that are now to your 5 o'clock. You crank the nose around, catching two low and fast fighters on the scope. When did they get so close? At 15 kilometers, even your IRST system has a solid lock on them. You rack your brain---what could these guys possibly be? The briefings said the only fighters in range of your base are some old F-4Es and a handful of F-16As.

>The F-4E is an airframe of the same vintage as the venerable MiG-21. It is roughly analogous to the MiG-23: fast, armed with up to six radar guided missiles, but sluggish in a dogfight, its enormous power and large airframe have lent itself to numerous upgrades over time.
>The F-16A is a relative newcomer to the air combat arena. Designed as the "low" of the latest western "high-low mix", it is meant to accompany the F-15, providing close range dogfighting power to accompany the larger jet's long range firepower. Very few F-16As have been updated to carry radar guided missiles, instead being designed primarily around infrared missiles and the gun.

"Saber One, missile evaded." you bark into your helmet. Now, you've got another choice to make--- which wingmen do you assign to which targets? The base is closer behind you than you'd like, but you can't go straight for the bombers without exposing yourself to the fighters. Time to make another decision.

>"Three and Four, on me. We take these bastards out together and then get onto the bombers."
>"Gulayev, with me. I know you love fighting in the phone booth. Popov, take the bombers."
>"Popov, back me up. Gulayev, ignore the fighters. Go get the bombers."
>"I'll handle the two fighters. Three, Four, go bag those bombers."
>other (write-in)

>>3409408
>"Gulayev, with me. I know you love fighting in the phone booth. Popov, take the bombers."
Is the jamming having much of an adverse affect on the radar at the moment?

>>3409460
There is no jamming on the two fighters. The bombers still have SOME jamming, but most of it cleared away when the two escorts were shot down.

Your IRST cannot be jammed electronically, so even if you were having trouble acquiring on radar, you have a backup system.

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While we wait for a couple more responses, what do you guys think of this as a title card format for future threads?

>>3409560
Looks good

>>3409408
>>Gulayev, with me. I know you love fighting in the phone booth. Popov, take the bombers
Let's make ace boys

>>3407805
What is meant by 'Not!Something'? I can't find this meme anywhere, yet I see it often enough.

>>3409460
>>3409600
That's two for fighting the jets up close with Gulayev, sending Popov to clean up the bombers. Writing!

>>3409662
Not!Something is shorthand for "this thing is a very close analog to something from reality"

In this case, the NC is basically the USA, but slightly different for story and world reasons, and the Union is the USSR, again, slightly different for story reasons.

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>>3409408
You make the call in the seconds you have before you're merged with the new contacts. "Saber Three, form up on my wing and take the trailing plane. I'll tangle with the lead. Saber Four, split off and handle the bombers. Weapons free." To confirm your message, Saber Three laughs into the radio. "HAH! Let's see these bastards try us up close. Target locked!" Popov, for his part, simply says "Solid copy." and breaks off from your two ship element.

You check your HUD. It's displaying the enemy target at 10 kilometers away and closing rapidly, rising to meet you as you slice through the night sky like a knife. Without even thinking, reach for the weapon selection switch and grin. There's no way this guy is getting away from you. It's time to pull the trigger.

>Remaining Weapons: 1x R-27R SARH, 1x R-77 ARH, 3x R-73 IR, 150 30mm rounds
>Select and roll 3d10 for your weapon launch
>FOX ONE!
>FOX TWO!
>FOX THREE!
>other (write-in)

>>3409751
>FOX TWO!

Rolled 10, 5, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>3409774
whoops

Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d10)

>>3409751
>Fox Two!
Too far away for the ole cannon I imagine

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The second you toggle to the R-73, the telltale lock tone plays in your ear. You depress the trigger, and the missile’s radiant rocket motor streaks into the void towards the aggressor. “Saber Two, Fox Two!”

Meanwhile, Popov replies “Fox one on the lead bomber.” Gulayev calls out his own shots. “Giving them the one-two punch, boss! Saber three, Fox Three! Saber three, Fox Two.”

Dirty bastard, that one. The enemy seems to have no idea you’ve fired on them as you close to seven kilometers. Then, a bright flash lights up the sky from over the horizon. Squinting into the split second of daylight, you take a better look at your surroundings.

Roll 3d10 to see the enemy aircraft, and anything interesting in the area.

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Man, I really need to format my quest responses better. I keep pasting my text into the post box at the top, instead of responding to my previous post.

Anyway, here’s Gulayev’s “one-two punch” explained: Since infrared missiles tend to be slower than ARH or SARH missiles, and do not set off radar warning receivers, firing a two-missile volley is a good way to trick you opponents into burning their energy on the first missile, while the second one sneaks up on them unannounced.

Rolled 3, 7, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>3409810
uh oh

>>3409809
Yeah, the cannon is only good for use in dogfights and strafing. If everything goes according to plan, your R-73 will waste this sucker and you won't have to get into a dogfight in the dark.

>>3409819
So I take it Fox 3 is the Cannon?
And Fox one and two are our missiles?

>>3409834
Refer to
>>3408163
for info on brevity codes.

Generally the phrase for guns is “GUNS GUNS GUNS!”

In fact, here’s a song sung by F-16C pilots about using the gun: https://youtu.be/gQAmvKMGUko

Rolled 7, 9, 3 = 19 (3d10)

>>3409810
Oh shit thats a big boom

>>3409822
>>3409850
Good eyes, Dhovochesky, brb making lunch, then writing.

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FUCK WASPS

JESUS CHRIST. Asshole tried to sting me when I went onto the porch. Usually they're not even supposed to be aggressive.

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>>3409810
Instantly, your mind goes back to your nightmares. No. It can't be real. Nobody is stupid enough to actually start using nukes. You instantly snap out of it, and scan the sky. Another flash--tally ho on the enemy formation. It's a pair of F-4s, and... SHIT, that's a smoke trail! They must have switched to infrareds! There's no time for callouts, evasive action, now!

>SELECT YOUR EVASIVE MANEUVER
>HIGH SPEED BARREL ROLL
>HIGH-G TURN
>SPLIT S

>ALSO ROLL 3D10 TO NOT GET BLASTED OUT OF THE SKY

Rolled 10, 10, 10 = 30 (3d10)

>>3410016
>>SPLIT S
Never forget this day Comrades. The western dogs will pay double for every life.

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>>3410032
Oh my god, Split S was the troll option that would get you hit. But. That's a nat 30. Which is what I set the Split S DC at.

Basic Fighter Maneuvering (BFM) lesson of the day--- A split S looks like pic related; it's a simple move, used to run away from enemy fire that you catch at long distances.

I think we'll have Ivan do a creative interpretation of the Split S here.

Rolled 7, 10, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>3410016
>SPLIT S
cant wait to fuck up previous anons roll

>>3410055
Ahahahah!
Red Storm yankees!
Red Storm!

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>>3410016
You grin with the complete confidence of a consummate professional as you roll your plane upside down. Mentally imagining the incoming missile's location in the now-dark skies, you haul back on the stick, pointing your nose straight down. Your altimeter flashes by at an astonishing rate. 1400, 800, 200! You pull the stick to the side, rolling the aircraft, and then haul back with all your might. As your aircraft screams over the treetops, mere meters above the ground, your afterburners brighten the landscape below you. You'll be coming home with a few branches somewhere in you, you're sure, but as the missile tries to follow the maneuver, it steers itself straight into the ground. As you pull up, you're greeted with a third flash, but even without it, the unmistakable blast of a fragmentation warhead striking an F-4 is clearly visible. Two jets down. You keep this up, and you'll be an ace in a day! A few seconds later, you get a hail from your wingman. "Saber Three to Saber Two. Where are you? I saw you drop, what happened?"

>"Worry about that later. We have imperialist scum to stop."
>"Nothing unusual, just defeated a missile with the terrain."
>boastfully tell the story (write-in)
>other (write-in)

>>3410080
>>"Worry about that later. We have imperialist scum to stop."
We can brag later.
Death to the Invaders

>>3410088
Just so you know, you memesters literally did the aircraft equivalent of casually donning sunglasses while you walk away from an explosion.

>"Worry about that later. We have imperialist scum to stop."

>>3410080
>"Worry about that later. We have imperialist scum to stop."

>>3410093
Wait till we do even more.
Char and Amuro got nothing on us.

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>>3410080
You respond. "I'm at... 60 meters above the ground." You thumb through your radar settings, acquiring your buddy at the altitude of 1200 meters To your rear. "Sixty meters?! What the fuck happened?" he asks, incredulous.

"Worry about that later. We have imperialist scum to stop." As if on cue, Popov checks in. "Splash one bomber. Acquiring new target... Saber Four, fox three."

Well, with only one target unaccounted for, you might not make ace in a day. But you're within 20 kilometers of the bomber formation, and you have easy shots on the last one.

>target it with your last R-27R
>target it with your R-77
>close in to 10 km and target it with an R-73
>close in to point blank and gun it down
>let Popov deal with it
>laugh at Gulayev trying to do BVR combat again
>other (write-in)

>>3410117
>>close in to point blank and gun it down
Let's end this in style

>target it with your last R-27R
rather not deal with any nuclear cargo blowing up at close range

>>3410131
Oh shit yeh I forgot the nukes
Switching my vote to
>>target it with your last R-27R

>>3410120
>>3410136
Forgot, whenever you want to target something, roll for lock-on. 3d10. It's a formality in this case, but it'll be a good habit later.

Rolled 9, 1, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3410159
rolling then

Rolled 8, 2, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>3410159
Take this Freebie scum!

Rolled 8, 5, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>3410159

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>>3410117
>>3410117
Despite your low altitude, the bomber is close enough, and you have enough raw speed, that your R-27s easily have enough energy to fight gravity and make it to the lumbering behemoth. You put the contact in your radar's targeting reticle, and, for what is hopefully the last time tonight, call your shot. "Saber One, Fox One."

The seconds pass in a strange calm, as you focus on guiding the missile to its target. It vanishes from your radar, and Popov, who is by this point a mere 5km from the bombers confirms "Two explosions. All bombers down. Radar is clear."

You finally relax in your seat. You've got three quarters of a tank of fuel left, and you've successfully fended off the bombers heading towards your base. The clock reads 0500. Sunrise will be within the hour. You radio back to confirm the elimination of the enemy. "Airbase 8824, Saber Team confirming elimination of enemy bombers and strike craft inbound to the base."

Nothing but static.

"...Airbase 8824, do you copy?" The hairs on the back of your neck stand up. What the hell is going on?

>return to base
>consult your map, head to a nearby base
>look for more bombers and fighters to shoot down

>>3410212
>return to base
we should at least make a pass before writing the base off

>>3410212
You inject the same confidence into your voice that you did when your flight lead handed the reigns to you back at base. "Saber flight, form up on me. We're going home." You may not know if you've got a home to go back to, but someone has to put up a brave face in this shitshow.

As you form up and plot your vector back, Popov toggles through the usual military channels, sending out hails. A steady drone of "Ground radar, this is Saber Flight. Come in. Ground radar, this is Saber Flight. Come in. Ground radar..." forms the background noise for your flight home. You notice a small light blinking on your radio. It's Gulayev, on a private channel. You answer. "Dhovochesky. What just happened? Will we have a base to go back to?" Gulayev sounds shaken. You reply, “Odds are decent. We stopped the bombers, so nothing too big got through. We need to get back on the ground to figure out what the situation is. AB 8842 is somewhat isolated, anyway, so if it's standing when we get back, it should be safe." you reassure him, and yourself. He sighs into the channel, and closes it with a simple “Roger, boss.”

As you near home, the clock reads 0520, and the first rays of light are starting to peek over the horizon. Then, you get to the base. Multiple clouds of smoke billow up from the ground. The primary runway is cratered and pockmarked. Most of the hangars look like they were flattened and torn open by an angry giant. The control tower, once standing tall over the base, has been reduced to rubble, and the communications and radar building is gone as well. No wonder they weren’t responding.

>Roll 3d10 to look for a viable landing spot through the smoke.

Rolled 7, 7, 7 = 21 (3d10)

>>3410300
*seethes in PUSD*

>>3410374
>10/10/10
>7/7/7
You can be my wingman anytime.

Threadly reminder to do the reddit thing and upvote in the archive. Looks like the posting rate has gone down from where it was a few hours ago, but the latest rolls were good. Writing.

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>>3410300
What goes up must come down, much to the chagrin of every pilot in the business. However, this unfortunate fact is complicated by the haze over the base. After a close inspection, the secondary landing strip looks mostly okay to you. Unfortunately, you can’t tell whether it’s completely clear of debris or not. Not like the base keeps its runways impeccably clean in the first place. “Three, four. Looks like the secondary runway’s alright. We’ll be setting down there. I’ll land first, then guide the two of you down.”

“Affirmative.” “Roger.” Well. At least your wingmen don’t seem too concerned about landing. Maybe that’s because you’re doing it first. As you swing around the smoking ruin, you steel yourself, lowering your landing gear. “Saber One, beginning final approach.”

>Roll 3d10 to not smear yourself all over the tarmac

Rolled 4, 2, 10 = 16 (3d10)

>>3410490

Rolled 10, 7, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>3410490

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>>3410600
>>3410606
I’ll be gone for a while tonight, watching There Will be Blood. Responses noted.

>>3410032
>>3410055
>>3410080
>>3410093
>>3410374
>>3410397
Did Anons basically do a Pugachev Cobra at 60 meters AGL to trash that missile shot?

Soundtrack related.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xd6ltKo8JA

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>>3410806
Btw, this is what a MiG-29's radar warning receiver looks like, have fun making sense of the Christmas tree lights.

>>3410806
Da Comrade! We are the Crimson Eagle!

>>3410821
>>3410806
>>3410859
>did anons basically did a low-altitude cobra?
Yes. I have the impression that Ivan would have been a stunt pilot in another reality, and an ace combat protagonist in all the rest.

And about the RWR, do you have any screencaps of the various panels and sensors from the DCS MiG-21bis cockpit?

>>3411095
>And about the RWR, do you have any screencaps of the various panels and sensors from the DCS MiG-21bis cockpit?
I see that you are a QM of culture. Unfortunately I don't own the MiG-21 module, but I gather that you should be able to pull them from the online manual.

>an ace combat protagonist in all the rest.
We have enough Ace Combat quests, both with and without pantsless planelegs. I'd like to see something somewhat more grounded in reality.

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>>3410490
As you descend towards the relatively unmarred surface of Runway 2, you start to see the devastation wrought by the cruise missile attack. Small fires burn what little vegetation grows on the slab, and a thick smoke obscures vision on your left. A split second before you set down, you realize that one of the clouds of smoke hides a massive crater halfway down the left side of the runway. "Shit. C'mon, c'mon, work with me here." you grunt, working the pedals. At the last moment, you ease the rudder to guide yourself to the right, and an instant later, you feel the airframe slam into the hardened surface. The airframe blasts straight down the runway as it gradually loses momentum, eventually coming to a stop near a smoke-clouded taxiway. You breathe a sigh of relief, and undo your oxygen mask. As you pop your canopy and prepare to radio your squadron, a gust of icy wind splits the cloud just long enough for you to see the ramp. Piled up are a half dozen planes: all of Rapier squadron's MiG-21s are unrecognizable. Something... a body, hangs from the cockpit of the rear plane, arm outstretched as though reaching for something. Two of Gladius' MiG-23s are ruined, and as you watch, flames leap up to consume the fuselage of the closer one. As the breeze ceases, the smoke rolls back in, but the carnage has already been burned into your mind’s eye.

It's one thing to die fighting in the air, but to burn alive on the runway, stuck waiting for a takeoff order you'll never receive... You shudder. You can think later. Right now, you need to get your wingmen home safe. Who do you guide in first?

>Gulayev
>Popov

>>3411155
Yeah, hopefully you can tell that I've tried to ground this one in a little more reality than the rest. Don't expect any tunnel runs or ravine chases. Or monologuing enemy aces. Or dancing with angels.

I'm not massively knowledgeable about planes though, so I may toss some questions your way on occasion.

>>3411190

>Gulayev

>>3411190
>Popov

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Ooh, looks like we’re tied! Gonna have to wait for that to break.

Anyway, I’m heading to sleep now. Will be periodically updating the thread tomorrow, but I’ll be here all day sunday.

P.S: There’s a lewd F-22 daki pic floating around there somewhere, but I haven’t been able to find it recently. It has yellow tape on it and there’s oil leaking everywhere. If anyone in the thread finds it, please post it for me.

Goodnight /qst/!

> Popov

Thanks for running QM!

>>3411190
Popov
>>3411195
You're doing well so far, thanks for running.

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Good morning, not-quite-aces-yet!

Let’s start the day off with a quick question for anyone stopping by: what improvements would you like to see in the story? I’m thinking of making today and tomorrow largely take place on the ground, focusing on character interactions and plot development with a small handful of faces. Since this is my first quest, I’d like to make it as much of a blast for you guys as possible, so your opinions matter a lot to me.

>>3411984
Hey, you're doing a great job man. The technical aspects, as well as trivia, really brings the quest to life.

>>3411984
I think during combat having a list of active identified hostiles, remaining armaments and then anything thats affecting us might be a good way to make combat accessible to people who might not have read previous update.
Maybe something like

>Hostiles
2 FSNC F-4E
1 FSNC F-16A
3 UNKNOWNS

>Armaments
3/3 R-73 IR Missiles, 10km
1/2 R-27 Semi-Active Missiles, 40km
0/1 R-77 Active Radar Missiles, 40km

>Conditions
Nighttime
Light radar jamming

All in all the quest is going great so far and its nice to see a much more grounded take on air combat

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>>3411999
Thanks!
>>3412004
Ooh, perfect idea. My combat posts tend to be WAY shorter than the story posts, so there’s totally room for that.

I plan for target identification to be a major part of combat. Not necessarily IFF shenanigans, but “what the fuck am I shooting at?” What do you think of that? I like to think it adds an element of mystery, and gives the players opportunities to make interesting tactical decisions based on limited information.

Anyway. Right now target ID might be rough. Unless you get a more advanced radar or RWR installed that can tell you what you’re looking at, your best bet is probably to acquire an electronic-optical sensor of some sort, like how the F-14 has that high power camera, and slave it to your radar for target IDing purposes. Like pic related, I guess?

Dunno, that’s just one idea, but the radars on the Union planes that are currently available are not as advanced as the NC planes, in general. Maybe you could steal a PESA from somewhere, but that’d be its own adventure.

I also plan to do some chargen in the upcoming days. We’ll be picking pilot specialization, a perk or two, and a permanent airframe. The stats of the airframe and the Ivan will be available in a pastebin posted at the start of each thread.

>>3412014
Agree with the suggestions of the guy above.
I appreciate your technical approach.
We'll get that Hero of the People's Democracy Medal soon.
How can Freebies even compete?

>>3411213
>>3411231
>>3411262
>>3411373
>Popov first, then Gulayev
Writing!

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>>3411190
You look up at the blinking landing lights of your wingmen circling your base. “Popov, you’re coming down first. Watch the final approach, there’s a large crater on the left side of the runway.” One of the sets of lights moves in front of the other, and it draws closer, the unmistakable silhouette of Popov’s Fulcrum wobbles down out of the blackness. Thanks to your directions, it hits the tarmac smoothly, rolling to a stop a dozen meters up the runway from your location. Immediately, he pulls forwards onto your taxiway, and as he raises his canopy to give you a salute, you call down Gulayev. “Good landing, Popov. Gulayev, it’s time.” You wait for a response. None comes. “Gulayev, prepare for final approach. Gulayev?”

Eventually, you hear him on the comms. “…Saber Three. Landing.” Shit, what’s wrong with him? “Focus, Gulayev. Be careful. Look out for the left hand side of the runway.”

Just like before, the distinctive shape of the fighter emerges from the night, settling on a smooth arc towards the ground. As the fighter’s approach path becomes clear, you realize that he’s going to be on a collision course with the torn up asphalt within seconds. “GULAYEV!” you yell into the radio. “CORRECT YOUR COURSE!” Silence. “FUCK!” You slam your hand onto the console. Gulayev hits the ground, hard. The MiG-29 bounces on its wheels as it blazes down the runway, straight towards a messy end. Moments later, the front wheel of the MiG-29’s landing gear is shorn off, and the airframe’s nose crumples as it skids off the runway into the grass. “GULAYEV!” You bellow. The smoke quickly obscures the wreck, but you think you can see flames starting to glint at the rear of the airframe.

>Ignore him. Prioritize saving who you can.
>Tear out of your cockpit, and get to your wingman.
>Try to find ground crew to help you.
>other (write-in)

>>3412485
>Tear out of your cockpit, and get to your wingman

>Have Popov get the ground crew

>>3412485
>>Tear out of your cockpit, and get to your wingman.
Guli no!

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>>3412496
Waiting on a couple more responses. You new to the quest? Good to have you.

While we wait, let's take a look at one of our standard air to ground munitions: The S-8 rocket.

Throughout the cold war, the Soviets primarily utilized the S-5 rocket on various airframes, from strike helicopters to attack aircraft. However, experiences in Afghanistan revealed a need for a superior weapon, with a larger warhead and more effective range. In 1976, the S-8 entered widespread service as the successor to the older S-5. Its main improvements came as requested, in terms of accuracy and warhead size, considerably increasing its lethality against tanks, runways, and even infantry.

The S-8 sports a massive variety of different warheads for assorted uses, though the main ones relevant to our campaign are as follows:

The standard S-8 and S-8K series utilize High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped-charge warheads in order to defeat enemy armor.
The S-8B series has excellent concrete penetration characteristics for use against fortified positions.
And lastly, the S-8D utilize fuel-air explosive warheads, rendering them massively destructive against soft targets.

>>3412622
I'm a big fan of the Frogfoot myself. Ugly but functional. Like a pitbull

>>3412622
New to aircraft, but not to the quest. My knowledge of Russian aircraft is limited to what Bad Company 2 and BF3 taught me.

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>>3412638
Well, if the thread votes for it and you can figure out how to steal one, there's a possibility of ending up in a Su-25TM, AKA Su-39.

A modernization, produced in extremely small numbers, it possesses a moderate range air-to-air podded radar system and provisions for R-77 deployment, in addition to the usual ground attack technology. While it can't stand up to a real fighter in air to air combat, the radar capability offered by the aircraft makes it a usable multirole.

>>3412638
>>3412649
Ah, looks like it's been quite some time since the votes and nobody else has shown up. Writing!

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>>3412485
Instantly, you rip off your dangling flight mask, undoing your straps as you leap out of your aircraft. You hit the ground hard, tripping and nearly spraining your ankle. As you roll onto your side and force yourself up, you see base personnel starting to emerge from hiding inside one of the few standing structures, jogging over to your craft. You yell back at Popov “GET THE GROUND CREW TO GULAYEV! NOW!” Before propping yourself up and sprinting towards the smoke. From his cockpit, Popov starts motioning and shouting at the ground crew swarming his aircraft. A few of them sprint back to one of the few intact hangars, presumably to retrieve firefighting gear.

As you dash along the slab, you feel the oppressive heat from dozens of fires. You burst into sweat, and as you draw within a dozen meters of the crashed MiG-29, the smoke is thick enough to sting your eyes and fill your nostrils. You cough and gag, but you can finally see the where aircraft plowed into the dirt. The left wing has snapped in two, and the airframe is nearly on its side, belly facing you. You sprint around to the front of the aircraft, and you see Gulayev inside. He looks unconscious, but there doesn’t seem to be any blood. As you hammer your fist onto the canopy in hopes of waking him, a fire springs up on the side of the craft, creeping towards the cockpit. Damn! There’s no way you’re letting him die in there, but with the cockpit shut, what are you supposed to do? You look back across the field, but the smoke obscures your vision. Where the hell is the ground crew?

>wait for the ground crew to arrive
>keep pounding on the window with your fists to wake Gulayev
>get away from the plane before the fire gets any worse
>other (write-in)

>>3412790
>grab a piece of debris for the crash and use that to pound on the window
would it be possible to detonate the explosive cord in the windows from the exterior?

>>3412790
>>other. Grab a chunk of debris and try to break the glass
We gotta do something.

>>3412810
>>3412816
support

Triggering the Canopy charges seems a good idea but a Rock or Metal is good too

>>3412810
>>3412816
>>3412957
>>3413139
Rock, meet glass. Writing!

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>>3412790
There has to be something you can do, NOW. Think. Nikulina always told you to examine your surroundings… There! You spot a hefty chunk of rock blown out of the runway, maybe six meters behind you. Seconds later, you’ve retrieved it, and are prepared to bash in the canopy. You heft the rock, and slam it down on the glass. You barely make a dent. “Come on!” you yell. You haul back with all your might again, crashing the asphalt into the windshield. This time, a tiny crack appears. Then, extremely thick smoke starts pouring out of Gulayev’s MiG. The acrid stench burns in your nostrils. You nearly vomit on the spot—there’s no way you can keep this up for much longer. The fire crawls closer to your buddy, hanging helplessly in his seat. You reel back and hurl the rock forward again, this time sending a tiny chunk of the glass caving inwards. Gulayev stirs a bit in his straps, but he still hasn’t come to, and smoke is starting to fill the cockpit. You grit your teeth. ‘Hang in there, just a little longer my friend.’ You don’t know whether you’re saying that to yourself or your wingman.

>Roll 3d10 to keep going without passing out from smoke inhalation
>give up and get away before you pass out
>other (write-in)

Rolled 2, 6, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>3413497
>Roll 3d10 to keep going without passing out from smoke inhalation

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>>3413535
>11

Rolled 1, 7, 9 = 17 (3d10)

>>3413497
We are coming for you Comrade!

>>3413497
>Roll 3d10 to keep going without passing out from smoke inhalation

Rolled 7, 5, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>3413764
Haha no dice

Rolled 5, 10, 4 = 19 (3d10)

We will save you Tovarisch!!

>>3413835
If he dies we will bathe the land in Freebie blood

>>3413535
>>3413570
>>3413764
>>3413773
>>3413835
Good evening, gents. I'm done with my responsibilities for the day, and ready to get cracking. We've got a buddy to save. Writing now!

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>>3413497
You take another deep breath. You’d rather have your lungs burned to nothing than let Gulayev die. You envision the nuclear flashes and the burning pileup on the taxiway, and sheer hatred rips out of you in an animalistic scream. You lift the rock one final time, and use your rage to propel it through the canopy. The glass shatters, reflecting a million glittering points of light as it falls to the ground. Smoke flows from the cockpit, giving you a closer look at your friend. Not good. He looks incredibly pale, and blood is dripping down from beneath his helmet. The skin on your hands has been torn to shreds by hefting the rough asphalt chunk, and as you reach into the cockpit to undo Gulayev’s straps, the a point of sharp glass scores your right arm. You shake off the pain, fumbling to hit the latches holding your wingman into his burning coffin. Flames start to lick at the rear of the cockpit, but you finally tear off the last latch, and haul the massive deadweight out of the cockpit. You sling him over your shoulder in a fireman’s carry, and begin the trek back to safety.

As you break through the smoke, you see Popov at the head of a column of ground crew, firetruck in tow. As they close in on the wreck, Popov shouts something you can’t make out, pointing to the burning MiG-29, as the flames wildly climb into the smog over the base. He peels off from the support troops as they begin to hose down the flaming wreck with fire retardant, and jogs over to give you a hand with Gulayev. After propping him up between your shoulders, Popov speaks before you can. “He looks bad.” As you use your newly freed hand to peel off Gulayev’s helmet, Popov slaps it away. “Leave it. It may be the only thing stabilizing his skull. We have to get him to triage. I saw Major Nikonov’s truck carrying wounded from the rubble of Hangar 3 to Hangar 6. We’ll take him there.” You attempt to reply, but your throat, cracked and parched from the heat, only musters a grunt in response. You cough into your sleeve. Is that blood on your uniform? Like so many other of the night’s horrors, you have no choice but to think about it later. You choose to survey your surroundings instead.

The base looked completely fucked from the air. At least on the ground you can get an accurate read on the level of destruction. Half the buildings have been flattened, but through some divine intervention, fuel storage and the ammo dumb survived intact. If they’d been hit, there would be no base left to speak of. As you drag your buddy across the pavement, you see bodies strewn around massive craters, people running with equipment, forklifts and trucks salvaging equipment from shattered bunkers and hangars, and the only active lights on the base, illuminating the area around and interior of the massive Hangar Six. Inside, you can see half the hangar covered in row after row of cots, medical gear, and medical specialists making rounds.

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>>3414116
The other half of the hangar is dominated by airframes, engines, spare parts, barrels of hydraulic fluid, and the other life juices of a military airbase. In the center of the chaos is a woman in an officer’s uniform, surrounded by tables with portable radios and her orderlies. A bloodied bandage covers half her face, but she still wears her Major’s rank on her sleeves. Once she sees the three of you, she puts down the radio she’s speaking into and bellows something to a subordinate. The soldier grabs a friend and sprints over to you, taking the burden of Gulayev on your shoulders and saying “The Major needs to speak to you. She wants a briefing on what you saw up there.” You reply “The Major wants a debriefing? What happened to the Colonel?”

“He’s dead.” is the only response you get, as the grim-faced troops haul your buddy off to the already-overworked medic teams. So, Major Alana Nikonov is in charge now. Well, she did most of the day-to-day work of running this base anyway, you figure. You approach her, catching her haranguing a recovery team through the radio.

“Dammit! What did I tell you about prioritizing safety over speed when loading heavy munitions? Bring Kolayev to Hangar Six for immediate medical treatment. A broken leg could go bad faster than you think. And on the way back I want you to repeat the Airbase 8842 mantra. Major Nikonov is always right. I will NOT ignore Major Nikonov’s recommendations. Major Nikonov is GOD. And if this EVER happens again, Major Nikonov will PERSONALLY rip your lungs out!” She slams the radio down onto the table, crossing her arms and turning to speak to you.

“Tell me what you saw. Don’t dress it up in any of that patriotic state bullshit, either. You know I don’t give a shit about that.” Her brow furrows as she awaits your response.

>give her the patriotic state bullshit response
>tell her the minimum necessary details
>give her the full story
>other(write-in)

>>3414138
>give her the full story

>>3414138
>>give her the patriotic state bullshit response
The enemy has just attacked us on our soil. Our commanding officer is dead. Our friend is Critical and we pulled him from the wreckage. We are gonna damn well give a patriotic account. For the motherland.

>>3414138
>tell her the minimum necessary details

Waiting for a tiebreaker. If not, in 12 minutes i’ll post what we’re going with and start writing another update.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>3414271
Rolling

>>3414345
Patriotic bullshit response. You’re pissed off, and she needs to know.

Ooooo.... This will be interesting....

>>3414462
Indeed.
Give it to her Dovy

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>>3414138
“With all due respect, Major, the enemy has just attacked us on our soil. My number three is bleeding out on a cot. You know as well as I do that this, THIS, is the result of the class struggle.” You gesture around to the chaos. In the distance, a soldier screams. “THIS is the last card the capitalists can play against the working class. THIS is what the last seventy years of struggle were leading to!”

“You’re trying my patience, Dhovochesky. Get to the point.” The major replies, tapping her foot. “You think I care why those bombers came in? Report your kills, tell me what you saw, and let me get on with my goddamn evening. -I- am the one that has to play 52 pickup when all the politicians play their hands.”

You’re still smoldering with cold fury, and the venomous edge in your voice is not lost on the Major. “Fine. We engaged and destroyed three bombers and four fighters. Nothing else was detected inbound to the base. We observed multiple, likely nuclear, flashes. Two to the north, one to the south.”

The Major nods. “If there’s anyone left, I’ll commend you for all the medals your little true believer heart desires.” She turns back to her radio, and waves you off.

Popov looks at you. “We don’t really have any orders, do we?” You suppose you don’t.

>Go check up on Gulayev
>Figure out what happened to Nikulina
>Look at the other side of Hangar Six, inventory weapons and airframes
>Go outside and help with repair and rescue operations
>You’ve had enough today, you need some sleep
>Other (Write-in)

>Figure out what happened to Nikulina
>Look at the other side of Hangar Six, inventory weapons and airframes

>>3414551
>Go check up on Gulayev
>Figure out what happened to Nikulina
Dedicated Soviet our CO is not it seems.

Whoops, forgot to put on the name for the last post. Thank fuck for IDs.

So, just to make sure this is what you guys like, are we playing Ivan as a hardcore communist true believer? Would you rather play more of a patriot type? Or is he just temporarily freaking out right now?

>>3414686
Well I cant speak for anyone else. And I'm certainly not a communist. But I think it would be fun to make our MC a true believer. At the very least it would be something different and could lead to interesting shit later on I feel.
The whole "oh no see I hate the gubment but I'm fighting anyways" is really overdone imo. So if we are taking a vote then yes, I would like Ivan to be a true believer/patriot.

>>3414551
>Go check up on Gulayev
>Figure out what happened to Nikulina
>Go outside and help with repair and rescue operations

>>3414710
I agree. If this is approximate to the late Soviet Union, we can play Dhovochesky as a young man who truly believes in the past greatness of the People's Union, and despairs at its seeming decline in the recent years. Maybe, just maybe, we can turn things around?

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>>3414729
Well before we think of any grand schemes, we have Freebies to kill.
Bastards need to learn to sit still and let us get ace :)

>>3414606
>>3414667
>>3414717
>Go check up on Gulayev
>Figure out what happened to Nikulina
There will be time to inventory planes later.

Actually I just fell asleep on the keyboard, update tomorrow morning! Sleep well, anons.

>>3414820
good night

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Any chance we can get our hands on a Yak 41 "Freestyle" or a Sukhoi "Shkvall"?

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>>3415007
The Yak-141 is a naval fighter, of which only four were built. The Shkvall was a theoretical project that never left the wind tunnel, so it’s off the table. On the off chance that any of the Yak-41M airframes survived the nuclear exchange, you’d still face several obstacles getting into one.

Sadly, Ivan is not a naval aviator. With some time and training under an expert test pilot, you could master the Yak’s VTOL capacity. But that would require finding such a trainer, and then an extensive training, an opportunity that is unlikely to appear in this campaign.

On the subject of the Yak-141 (known internally to the Soviets as the Yal-41M), it was a very interesting aircraft. Despite a limited weapons load, it has relatively good speed and maneuverability. It is supersonic capable, which is rare for a VTOL craft, and mounts R-77, R-27, and R-73, alongside a heavy 30mm cannon. It is a full-fledged fighter, and not to be trifled with.

>>3415325
It was known internally as the Yak-41M. Yal was a typo.

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>>3414551
“Well, I guess I’m giving the orders now, comrade.” You chuckle darkly. Maybe one of these days you’ll get to laugh normally again. Maybe after every single one of those imperialist bastards are dead. “Let’s go see where they dragged Gulayev off to.” Popov nods, and you depart into the maze of beds and white surgical tents. Orderlies swarm around you, pushing carts of drugs, bloodstained rags, and oxygen tanks to and fro. Moaning fills the air; most of the screamers are either passed out or dead by this point. Something in the distance catches your eye: a pair of soldiers hauling a cot into a tent. Even from this distance, the helmet is unmistakable: it’s Gulayev. As the soldiers carry your wingman into the tent, another pair of troops hauls a body bag out of the back. Right after they leave, an unmistakably-garbed surgeon walks out. He pulls down his surgical mask, throwing his bloodied sterile gloves into a nearby biohazard waste box. He opens a box of cigarettes, clenching one in his teeth as he lights it and takes a drag. A few moments later, he exhales a small cloud, staring at it as it floats away into the ether. He shakes his head, pulls up his mask, and heads back into the tent.

>Head to the surgical tent, see if you can talk to anyone about Gulayev’s condition
>You’ve found Gulayev, now you need to figure out what happened to Nikulina
>Other (Write-in)

>>3415381
>>Head to the surgical tent, see if you can talk to anyone about Gulayev’s condition
I actually have a feeling that body bag is not for Guly, but I'd like to know for sure.

>>3415406
Yeah, that body bag had someone else in it. Not Gulayev. They were just clearing out the last casualty so the surgeon can look at the next guy.

>>3415410
Well in that case I'd like to modify my vote
>Write in
>We will check in on Gulayev. Send Popov to ask about Nukalina
We have a responsibility to make sure he isnt gonna die in there. Nukalina is a vet, I'm sure he knew what to do.

>>3415422
this sounds good

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>>3415381
“Popov,” You tap your companion on the shoulder to get his attention, “I’m going to go make sure they don’t butcher Guly in that tent. In the meantime, I need you to figure out what happened to our flight lead.” Popov shakes his head. “I think I already found him, Ivan.” He points you towards a row of tightly packed cots. The uniforms of base personnel recovering on the cots have been replaced with surgical gowns. Most of the occupants rest on their backs, clutching their injuries or sleeping. One, however, is sitting up, his back to the two of you. Even from this distance, you recognize your flight lead. You start to tell Popov to go, but before you can speak, he’s threading his way through the mess to Nikulina. You’ll catch up with him later.

As you walk to the tent, you hear the whirr of an electric saw. What the hell are they doing in there?! You break out into a jog, narrowly avoiding a collision with an exhausted nurse as you beeline your objective. Outside the tent, there is a single guard, seated in a folding chair at the front of a long line of patients on stretchers. He seems to be keeping track of the surgeon’s patients. You approach him. “Comrade. That’s my wingman in there. What’s happening to him?” You hear the saw’s pitch deepen as it bites into something. The bleary-eyed guard looks up from his notepad at you. “You must be pilots that saved the base. The Major said to give pilots priority among the wounded.” The whirring stops, and you hear something thunk to the ground inside the tent. The guard shifts slightly in his seat and yawns. “Your friend in there is alright, but they have to cut off the helmet before they can look at his head. It won’t be long before they’ve finished the examination.” You look up at the tent, and as if on cue, the surgeon from before pushes open the door flap to speak to the guard. “Looks like the pilot is fine. He’s still unresponsive. Get Aaron and Valentine, move him to the recovery area.” He notices your flight suit and patches, and gives a quick salute. “You were the only squadron to get off the runway before we got hit. Thanks for saving my ass.” You don’t have time to thank him before he cuts you off, motioning for the next stretcher to be brought into his tent and vanishing inside.

>Offer to help with Gulayev’s stretcher
>Immediately head over to Popov and Nikulina
>Other (Write-in)

>>3415533
>>Immediately head over to Popov and Nikulina
Let's let the doctors do there job. At least Nikulina can talk. Not much we can do tbqh but wait for good news.

>>3415533
>Immediately head over to Popov and Nikulina

>>3415547
>>3415550
Took a lunch break, writing now. This one is probably going to take a while, Nikulina has some plans for you guys, and an interesting past, to say the least.

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>>3415533
You rub your eyes. The stop-and-go shocks of adrenaline of the last few hours have worn you to the bone, but before you can sleep, you have one last conversation in you. Nikulina. By now, the din of activity around you has subsided to background noise, and you stumble your way over to the bed where your flight lead sits. He sees you coming from a few meters away, and motions Popov to step aside to make room for you. As Popov obliges, you see for the first time the high-school-teacher-turned-flight-lead. You can make out bandages festooning his chest, and as your gaze pans down, you realize his right leg is gone from the knee down. When Nikulina sees your face contort in shock, his expression wavers for a moment, before hardening up into his trademark scowl. “Good job on the interception, Dhovochesky. I am briefing Popov on the situation here at base. I assume you, too, would like to know what’s going on.” You simply stare at the bloody bandages swathing what used to be his leg. How is he still lucid with an injury like that? “Dhovochesky. Eyes up here.” He says, pointing to his face before continuing. “The base has lost the majority of its communications equipment. The radar, satellite comlink, and main radio building have all been destroyed. Base personnel are attempting to establish communications with headquarters, but have yet to succeed. Not even point-to-point laser communications with our sister bases are working, which leads me to conclude that no other bases in our vicinity retain communications capabilities. As far as we know, we’re on our own. Our only long-range intelligence gathering assets are you.”

He takes a break to cough into his arm, then wheezes in pain. “Cracked a rib getting out of that deathtrap on the runway. Hurts almost as bad as knowing I’ll never fly again.” He looks down at his leg and shakes his head.

>Reassure him. The state ALWAYS has use for brilliant instructors and leaders like him.
>Comfort him. Tell him he’s had your back for years, and now its time for the squad to have his.
>Other (Write-in)

>>3415803
>Comfort him. Tell him he’s had your back for years, and now its time for the squad to have his.

>>3415803
>>Comfort him. Tell him he’s had your back for years, and now its time for the squad to have his.
We'll pay those bastards back ten fold.

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>>3415803
You kneel down, and make eye contact with your flight lead. “Lieutenant Nikulina.” you say, taking his hand in yours, “You made us pilots. You kept us safe from the purges. You had our backs every step of the way to here. Now, let us repay you. We’ll handle things from here on out.” Nikulina looks down at you, then speaks again. “Dhovochesky. Popov. I have something important to tell you. Do you know who I am?”

Your brow furrows. The blood loss must be getting to him.

>“You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.”
>”Your injuries must be affecting you. Are you okay?”
>”Popov, do you understand what he’s asking?”
>Other (Write-in)

>>3415870
>“You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.”
Wait did Ivan do something in his past that would have meant he would be threatened by the purges?

>>3415882
Nope, but you know how terrified everyone was of the secret police. Ivan would take that over wage slavery from birth to death, though. Vigilance is the price of freedom and all.

>>3415870
>>“You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.”
>>3415886
Indeed Comrade. One never knows where the capitalists have infiltrated. Pay raise for NKVD when?

>>3415882
>>3415893
While I write, which posts were you two's first? I've seen a couple people coming through this quest, but only a handful have stuck with it so far.

>>3415919
Well I've been with it from the start.
I got that nat 20 for the super move

>>3415919
Some time during the first combat. Timezones and the like probably mean you have various players cycling through the day

I've been along from the start but was not always able to vote in time, as other distractions and fucked up sleep patterns etc.

>>3415870
>“You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.”
Whelp. Its gonna turn out that Nikulina is/was some KGB spook or is connected with the higher ups in the Party.

>>3416339
Well if he's KGB but still saved us from the purges that's gonna encourage our respect him even more.

> You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.”

>>3415882
>>3415893
>>3416170
>>3416339
>>3417141
SPEAKING of fucked up sleep schedules, good morning! Post incoming.

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>>3415870
“You’re our flight lead. Mikhail Nikulina. You were a high school teacher before you joined the air force.” You respond. “Before that, you immigrated to Rouskkya from Afghania when the war broke out. You said it was because you knew your country should have joined the Union long before.” He nods, and replies “Most of that is true. I actually taught college in Afghania and Rouskkya. Polvinska, the Golden Islands, even in the NC for a while.” At this, your eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. Lieutenant Nikulina, a world traveling teacher?

As you try to make sense of this new information, he reaches into his helmet and opens a small pouch. Out of it, he extracts a tiny, reddish-brown, leather-bound notebook. The unmistakable all-hearing ear of the Democratic Peoples’ Intelligence Bureau insignia is emblazoned in full view on the front of the book. Nikulina hands it to you. “Go ahead. Open it.” You do. Inside is page after page after page of contact information, country of origin, favorite foods and vices, family, favors owed, rank, and a dozen other factors. Each page reads like a spy’s balance spreadsheet, with a short summary capping off each subject. As you thumb through the pages, Nikulina speaks up again. “The NPIB scouted me in my late teens, after I successfully campaigned for closer economic ties to the Union. I won’t bore you with the details, but if you can go from a backwards nomad to a university-educated teacher, and if you can scare the bourgeoisie dogs enough to send killers after you, you tend to attract the attention of the right people. From there, it was a whirlwind. Since I was nominally not a citizen of the Union, I was free to travel all around the world, acting as an undercover recruiter, soft power creator, and even technical espionage operative from time to time.”

You take a breath. This is a lot to take in, but at least it’s not endangering your life. Yet. “Why tell us now?” Popov interjects. “Because,” responds Nikulina, “We need to get out of this country to somewhere safe. And I have a plan to do it.” He looks you dead in the eyes, as he asks “I -have- had your back for years. I pulled some strings when the NKVD came knocking. I got you stationed in this freezing shithole, far out of the way of enemy fire. And now, I need you to help me.”

>”Anything you need, friend. No questions asked.” Well, maybe SOME questions asked.
>”Leave the Union? In her hour of greatest need?”
>”I don’t know if I can trust you after all these years of lying.”
>Other (Write-in)

>>3417640
>"But, why do we need to leave the country now? The war is heating up and the Union needs us now more than ever,"

>>3417679
+1

>>3417640
>"But, why do we need to leave the country now? The war is heating up and the Union needs us now more than ever"
the plot thickens

>>3417679
>>3417697
>>3417700
I'm really loving all the write-in options. How would you guys feel about wrapping up this first chapter in the next few posts, sending Ivan to bed, and doing some character generation?

>>3417706
sounds good, I'm sure Ivan could do with some rest

>>3417706
sure

>>3417706
sounds great QM.
I'm really enjoying this quest desu. Tutorial stage or no.

>>3417708
>>3417712
>>3417728
Sweet. This one is taking me a bit longer to write, because this is the moment that's starting to put the "Rogue" in "Rogue Pilot Quest."

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>>3417640
“Why do we need to leave now? Shouldn’t we be staying? This is war! The Union needs us now more than ever!” This time, it’s your face that crumples into a scowl. “Nikulina. What else do you know that you’re not telling us?” Popov sighs. “He’s not saying we should abandon our countrymen. With the wind and rain conditions as heavy as the last reports, we should be clear of fallout for a few days. But after that, this place is going to kill anyone left behind. What I want to know is, how will you get the Major in on this, Nikulina?”

The spy takes a deep breath, exhaling through his nostrils. “Let’s just say she… shares my views on the issue of survival. Before I tell you more, I need to know that you’re with us. No reservations. I don’t ask this as a Union citizen. I don’t ask this as your superior. I ask this as your friend.” After a long silence, you look around at the mayhem. There must be something you can do. Some way to save more people. But… Dying here isn’t going to help you rescue your countrymen from this nightmare. In an instant, your mind is made up. You close your eyes, turning your head towards the ceiling. The smell of smoke and blood fills your nostrils. Somewhere outside, you hear the hum of generators and the din of footsteps. When you look back down, it is with new purpose. “I will do whatever I can.”

Nikulina nods. “I always knew you would do what is necessary, Dhovochesky. Thank you.” He collapses back onto the bed. Popov exclaims “Lieutenant!” and rushes over to his side, pulling him into a more comfortable position. He gestures to you for help, and you swing Nikulina’s good leg onto the bed. Popov gently slaps your flight lead’s face, before standing back up and shaking his head. “He’s passed out. That must have taken all his strength to put on a brave face for us.” Up close, you can see that the Lieutenant was covered in sweat. He really must have been in pain. At least his face looks peaceful now, and his breathing is regular. Popov looks to you for orders.

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>>3417747
“Popov, tomorrow will probably be the most important day of our lives. We need to get some sleep.” You say, rubbing your eyes with your wrists. He nods in affirmation, and the two of you find your way out of the hangar. The pair of you cross the base in silence, retracing the steps you had sprinted through just a few hours ago. It felt like a different world. As the sun peeks over the horizon, beginning to illuminate the carnage around you, you suppose it might as well have been. Soon, you’ve made it to your goal. You bring your gaze forward to the pilots’ barracks. Despite the wreckage of the rest of the base, the only visible damage to the building is the glass of the door, blown inside by the pressure waves from a cruise missile strike far across the base. You push open the door, but when it won’t budge, you give it a shoulder slam. It falls inwards onto the ground, and Popov shrugs as you head back to your respective rooms. Partway down the hall, he disappears into his own. “Goodnight, Dhovochesky. Rest well, if you can.”

Eventually, you make your way to your own room. A cold breeze wraps its way around you as you open the door. Of course the blast had to blow in your window as well. You console yourself with the observation that none of the glass landed on your bed, whose steel frame is still in remarkably good shape, despite the wreckage of your dresser and bedside table. Your alarm clock lies on the floor next to your bed. It shows 5:53AM. You set it for 10AM. Four hours of sleep will have to do for now, you suppose. You don’t even bother pulling your boots off before crashing onto the sheets. For what feels like the millionth time, you tell yourself not to think about the events of the night, and just get to sleep. Eventually, you feel consciousness slipping away, and fall back into your dreams.

END CHAPTER ONE

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So, while we wait for the next dream sequence and kickoff for chapter two, does anyone have thoughts, questions, or comments on this first chapter?

>>3417755
in regards to how hot the war is were there large retaliatory strikes after the ones in the first post or are nukes mainly just used tactically?

>>3417761
Next chapter will focus on intelligence gathering and planning. Since Airbase 8842 has basically no comms or surveillance equipment, your squadron will have to act as its eyes and ears. So, to dodge your question, you'll be the ones finding out. But expect more along the lines of a full out atomic blitz. Fortunately for this setting, a series of disastrous spy satellite collisions has filled space with debris, which causes ICBMs a lot of trouble when it comes to getting to their targets, so most nuclear payload delivery is done with bombers.

>>3417769
was it a major city that got nuked or are we in the middle of nowhere?

>>3417782
You're in a Union satellite state, Nordistan, far off the beaten path for NC bombers and away from the heartland. The base itself is in a remote and desolate area, with little around but empty mesas and tiny clumps of forest. All you know so far about what has been nuked is that you saw some flashes that could only have been nukes, way off to the side of your interception path, towards another friendly airbase.

Will we see more AU elements and Tech that never was in our Timeline?

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SORTIE ALERT
NEW THREAD
>>3417865
>>3417865

>>3417860
Not very much. The weirdest stuff that's likely to show up is prototype gear, but even that is very, very unlikely. 'fraid it's mostly mookshit for us here.