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South America is becoming a graveyard to Federal patrols. In the past month, no less than three patrols were nearly wiped off the Federal Force's roster. Their deaths have a major impact on the morale of the daily flights of aircraft that form a rough barrier between Zeon and the hidden super base of Jaburo. But deaths are hard lessons and the Earth Federal Ground Force pilots take lessons very seriously. As a result, the 198th Fighter Division took a different tactic for their patrol. Three of the terrestrial Tin Cods flew at low altitude, skimming the landscape for normal close ground support missions. The remaining three Tin Cods kept station several thousand feet up in an orbiting stance. It is the shouted warning from one of the orbiting Tin Cods that announces the arrival of the missile attack. Out of sight from Federal eyes, the enormous U-936 had risen to missile launch depth. With a great rumbling from the vertical launch tubes came three waves of eight missiles. To the horror of the Tin Cod pilots, these missiles soon split into many more. Although unnecessary, the orbiting Tin Cods broke into evasive maneuvers. Their comrades below are already in s-turns and banking maneuvers when Kalila Darwesh broke cover. The lower set of Tin Cods is two far away for her sword but Darwesh learn much from her years with the rebel forces in Somalia. Breaking out in a mad run, she sprayed her 5-barrel 75mm machinegun mounted on her left fingers. The heavy bullets wound a Tin Cod, causing it to stumble through the air. Darwesh leaps and her heat sword flashes in the South American sunlight as the blade jerks right up the aircraft's fuselage. That makes two kills by the sword. Missiles explode in mid-air around the remaining Tin Cods as three of them did a vengeful dive-bombing run on Darwesh. One unfortunate pilot receives a direct hit from missiles launch from the U-936. Two bombs explode off the Goufs shield as the pilots pulled up from the dive. Darwesh spun and fires off the rest of her 75mm ammunition but the rounds fall short as the Tin Cod retreat into the clouds. Kalila Darwesh 2 VP, no damage Along the relatively flat plains of North Africa, mirages were forming everywhere as the the clear skies offered the ground very little cover from the onslaught of the Sun's rays. Fortunately, the relative proximity of the Mediterranean Sea offered some reprieve to those confined to the area as the large body of water helped moderate the temperature, but it was still noticeably warmer than the previous weeks. For the four desert Zakus, however, the higher thermometer reading was of little problem, and they continued to glide across the flat plains on their jet skis, ever so keen on looking for Federation units attempting to leave or enter the Rock. Their labored search fortunately took a turn for the better when one of the Zaku's picked up a radar anomaly in the near vicinity of the patrol. "Radar picked up something, sir. Looks like a large aircraft leaving Gibraltar and headed straight for us. I can barely make out a second smaller plane too." The four mobile suits slowed to a halt before the patrol's leader informed the rest of his men, "They're heading straight for us. Prepare to intercept, and get me a line with Alexandria." Moments later, the Zakus were moving into a defensive position as they each aimed their weapons skyward, waiting pensively for the Federation craft to enter into their gun sights. Another short while later, a the Pink Panther's commander received a message from his team, "Uh, Alexandria said that the closest patrol is over 5000 kilometers away." "What? Why the hell wouldn't they patrol the area around the rock?!" he shot back, attempting to understand the logic behind command's patrol grids. Unsure, the subordinate replied, "Well, they've been worried about the increased Federation activity in Europe, so they moved the patrols further east." The stupefied officer dismissed the man's explanation and instead told his team to get ready. However, just as the Alab II was coming into view, it began to begin a sharp ascent into the sky, quickly placing itself out of the Zaku's weapon range. Completely dumbfounded as to how the Medea could have located the Zaku patrol's position so quickly, the experienced soldier began to heave heavy breathes in and out in anger until a second aircraft came into view. "Well I'll be damned," he said matter of factly, taking note of the Dish reconnaissance aircraft. Hector Lagrama: 1/2 VP gained |