Pilot Quest: Thread 27

>>1299879

"So we're heading to a finger-dish party, which will be full of generals and Jap royalty. And we'll have to talk with them and not make tits of ourselves in front of the press?" Zeus summarised eloquently, his disgruntled tone of voice eloquently summing up your opinion.

>"So is it too late to not go? I'm pretty sure I can break something before we have to go."
>"Are you fucking with us boss?"
>Other (write in)

>>1299883
>"So is it too late to not go? I'm pretty sure I can break something before we have to go."
Crying intensifies.

>>1299883
>"Are you fucking with us boss?"
Hopefully we won't fuck up in front of the Emperor.

>>1299883
>>"So is it too late to not go? I'm pretty sure I can break something before we have to go."

>>1299883
>"So is it too late to not go? I'm pretty sure I can break something before we have to go."

"So is it too late to not go? I'm pretty sure I can break something before we have to go." You moaned, the brace of ribbons on your chest mocking you.

"Too late. You're stuck with this, just like the rest of us." Dredd replied, sounding more and more fed up.

"C'est pas si mal. It's not that bad, at least we get to relax a bit after the non-stop patrols." Durendal relented as she climbed down the stairs, wearing her Marine nationale dress uniform. The navy blue colour of the dress uniform being a staple of many western navies.

"Speak for yourself. We've been taking the last few days off." You replied with a grunt. Your one minute of misfortune netting you a few days of rest. You couldn't fly CAP without an aircraft.

"Yes, and dear sweet Svetlana was so very lonely while you were away~" Durendal began to mewl lewdly as a couple more of your squadmates came down the stairs.

"Considering what you've been muttering in your bunk, I'm pretty sure that you've been the loneliest out of all of us." Bats replied as she came down the stairs, her uniform adorned with a few more ribbons than that of her pilot.

"Ladies, please, He's taken." Zeus cautioned jokingly, bringing a smile to your face because of the irony. They'd be meeting her soon enough.

God, that would be awkward. You just hoped that things would work out well.

After around half an hour, your rides to the palace arrived, a convoy of armoured SUVs rolled up in front of the barracks. The passenger doors being opened up automatically. Revealing that the fist two SUVs were occupied.

In the first SUV, sat Princess Sakamoto. Her SUV only occupied by her and her RIO. The Princess smiling out at you as you left the building. Her RIO and bodyguard instead gave you a disapproving glare, as if she was trying to ward you away without saying a word.

The second SUV however was occupied by the smiling form of Admiral Harris. The commander in chief of the US navy in the Pacific giving you and the rest of your comrades a broad smile, the seat next to him occupied by a woman who seemed just a bit younger than him, but not by much. If you had to guess, you would say that she was his wife.

Alternately, you could just take one of the unoccupied SUVs and leave the chit chat for the party. Thus saving you from having to talk to the other people who you didn't know.

>Join the Princess in the first SUV. You feel like a scandal.
>Join Admiral Harris in the second SUV. He might want to know how the unit is doing.
>Take one of the empty SUVs, leave the chit chat for the ball.

>>1300155
>>Join the Princess in the first SUV. You feel like a scandal.
As much as I want to catch up with Admiral Harris, it'll be priceless to see that Yakuza lady's reaction when we show up with the princess.

>>1300155
>>Take one of the empty SUVs, leave the chit chat for the ball.

>>1300155
>Join Admiral Harris in the second SUV. He might want to know how the unit is doing.

Need a tiebreaker.

>>1300198
Can you roll for it?

>>1300198
I'll switch my vote to:
>Join Admiral Harris in the second SUV. He might want to know how the unit is doing.

>>1300199
I only tend to roll for tiebreakers after an hour, just to give people time. Unless it's a slow day in general.

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Looking over to Princess Sakamoto's SUV, you noticed the member of the Japanese royal family looking at you with a smile that could melt ice. The kind of award winningly innocent smile that seemed to be a staple of royalty.

It's just a shame then that you didn't feel like causing a diplomatic incident today. That probably wouldn't go over well with the military equivalent of god riding in an SUV just a few scant meters away. You weren't a complete chucklefuck.

That being said however, you also knew that most people who were defiantly not chukklefucks would probably not choose to ride with their direct superior and his wife. Especially considering that you were going in alone. Most of the time, it was normal for a soldier to avoid high ranking officers like the plague. But on the other hand, you felt a certain affinity with the old admiral. After all, without him you'd still be flying aggressor duty in busted phantoms and tigersharks.

As such, you made your way over to the SUV while the rest of your squadron wisely chose to hoof it in the empty SUVs behind you. Each SUV was laid out in a manner similar to the kinds of taxis you'd see in London. With all of the seats in the rear facing each other so that the passengers could look at one-another while talking.

"Son, good to see that your still in one piece." Admiral Harris greeted you as you entered the SUV, offering you his hand as you sat down. You leaned over and shook his hand as soon as your ass was planted.

"Not for lack of reds trying to, sir." You replied as you finished shaking his hand, you sitting position made even more awkward by having to both sit with a sword on your hip, and keep your uniform immaculate.

"As I've heard son." The admiral nodded, before glacning to the woman next to him as something blue appeared in the corner of your vision. You already knew who it was.

"Well where have my manners gone son, allow me to introduce you to my wife. Rachel Harris. Rachel, this is Lieutenent Commander Bradly Poole. The one who brought that Russian girl back." The admiral introduced you to his wife, not even stopping when he realised that your little group had grown by one. His wife gave you a warm smile as she offerd you her hand, which you shook politely.

"Ah, so you're the young man who's got the news network in a tussle. Robbert certainly knows his tallent." She greeted you as you let go of her hand, and returned to trying to sit comfortably with the swords on your belt.

"That he does ma'am, but I would never have been able to do half of what I've done without my unit. And speaking of, I'd like to introduce you to our newest menber." You brushed off the praise before diverting the conversation away from you. A tactic that had always served you well.

>CONT

>>1300813

"Admiral, Miss Harris. I'd like for you both to meet Senior Lieutenant of Aviation Svetlana Vaikinov. The newest member of VF twenty one." You introduced you blue dressed companion, who seemed startled for a few seconds, like a deer caught in someone's headlights as you mentioned her Soviet rank.

"Miss Vaikinov, It's nice to finally be able to put a name to a face." Admiral Harris greeted your newest wingmate as the door to the SUV was closed automatically, causing your comrade to quickly yank her dress deeper into the vehicle to avoid it being marked.

"It is good to finally meet you sir. I owe you a great amount for bringing my saviours together." Svetlana replied calmly as she shook his offered hand.

"Think nothing of it, I only wish we could better equip them." The admiral admitted as he shook your comrade's gloved hand.

"You're still flying?" Miss Harris asked, disbeleif heavy in her voice. "I would have thought that something like that, you'd want a quiet life away from reprisal."

The question seemed to take Svetlana off guard as the SUV began to move off, beginning along it's route towards the Imperial Palace.

>Answer the question for Svetlana.
>Let Svetlana answer the question.
>Change the topic (to what?)

>>1300815
>Let Svetlana answer the question.

>>1300815
>>Let Svetlana answer the question.

>>1300815
>>Let Svetlana answer the question.

You briefly considered answering for your friend and ally, but you knew that it would be a bad idea. Not just because it would show Svetlana up, and make you look like a dick. Besides, it would look better if she was the one to answer.

"With all due respect Miss Harris. I know very little of western life, aside from what I learned from stolen magazines in Afghanistan and state documentaries. But I do know that everybody in the west needs a job. If I wasn't flying with this unit I would be flying in part of a training unit. Either way, I would probably end up flying aircraft either way. At least this way, I can make a difference and repay the favour to those that saved me." Svetlana explained, starting slowly and quietly. But quickly returning to the calm and firm voice that you knew her for. Miss Harris listened in intently, the entire vehicle quiet as everybody let the ladies speak.

"But don't you fear what will happen if you get shot down? The Soviets aren't kind to defectors." Miss Harris asked again, wondering still what caused Svetlana to risk her life for a country and people that weren't her own.

"Of course not. I don't worry about being shot down as I know that my comrades will not let that happen. I've seen what they can do, how then can make their aircraft dance like hummingbirds over the steppes. I am sure that they could even take on Moscow Academy pilots." Svetlana explained, before suddenly going quiet. Pausing for a bit to gather her breath, and then cutting to the chase.

"I don't fear reprisals because I know that my comrades will stop at nothing to defend me. They risked their lives to save me from hell once before. It is only fair and just that I aid them, and I am willing to lay down my life to defend them." Svetlana finished confidently, the devotion in her voice slightly unsettling you. It sounded like the voice of someone who believed what they were saying with every fibre of their being.

Miss Harris was quiet for a few seconds longer, before smiling and leaning back in her chair. "Well, it would seen that Mr Poole is a very lucky man to have you flying on his wing."

"Just as I am lucky that I fly on his wing." Svetlana replied calmly, before shuffling a bit closer to you.

"Well, it seems that you have a keeper on your wing. Your a lucky man Poole." The admiral began, calling your attention to him. "It's a shame what happened to your bird."

>"Yeah, but thems the breaks."
>"It was just bad luck, even I suffer from it on rare occasions."
>"Honestly sir? Those engines were due for replacement either way, part of me expected to loose them regardless."
>"Those engines actually held together quite well, all things considered."
>Other (write in)

>>1301047
>"Those engines actually held together quite well, all things considered."

>>1301047
>"Those engines actually held together quite well, all things considered."

>>1301047
>"Those engines actually held together quite well, all things considered."

>>1301047
>"Honestly sir? Those engines were due for replacement either way, part of me expected to loose them regardless."

"If I'm completely honest sir, those engines actually held together quite well, all things considered." You replied with a shrug, your shoulders rolling underneath the dress blues.

"As I've heard. Though according to the reports from your crew chief, the engines should have been replaced before you even went up. But due to soviet attacks on supply convoys the last batch of replacement engines were lost." Admiral Harris explained as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a cigar from his pocket.

"Do we have any set time for replacement engines?" You asked as the Admiral offered the cigar to you. You declined however, you didn't smoke.

"They're already on their way to Yokota, we've been forced to fly in your unit's replacement equipment on air force C thirty-threes under armed escort. Unfortunately, in spite of the recent re-activation of the reserve fleet, the reds are hounding supply convoys with their submarines." The admiral explained as he returned the cigar to his pocket. The flashes of the empty city streets passing by as the emptied streets allowed your convoy to pass in peace.

>"Speaking of which sir, I couldn't help but notice that some old Essex class ships were reactivated. I saw one escorting a convoy into Tokyo harbour."
>"What about the boneyard sir? It shouldn't take a genius to know that the old phantoms won't hold a candle to the birds that the reds are fielding."
>Other (write in)

>>1302015
>"Speaking of which sir, I couldn't help but notice that some old Essex class ships were reactivated. I saw one escorting a convoy into Tokyo harbour."

>>1302015
>>"Speaking of which sir, I couldn't help but notice that some old Essex class ships were reactivated. I saw one escorting a convoy into Tokyo harbour."

""""""old phantoms won't hold a candle to the birds that the reds are fielding"""""

Daily reminder combat retirement was in 1992 for the UK, US in 1996, Germany in 2013.

>>1302015
>"Speaking of which sir, I couldn't help but notice that some old Essex class ships were reactivated. I saw one escorting a convoy into Tokyo harbour."

"Speaking of which sir, I couldn't help but notice that some old Essex class ships were reactivated. Hell, I saw the Midway escorting a convoy into Tokyo harbour a couple of days back." You attempted to change the topic to something you were more comfortable talking about. Believe it or not, an incident that could have almost lead to your death wasn't the best of topics to discuss.

"Yep, and we've been scouring the country for some of their old crewmen. Thankfully, most of them were kept around since the last world war as anti-sub or training carriers. Most of the ones still in reserve were still in good enough condition for us to put them back into fleet service. The old helicopter carrier converts that the marines used until they got the Iwo Jima class have been doing the best though. Say what you like about the marines, but they know how to maintain their gear." Harris replied as the convoy of SUVs slowed down for a couple of seconds. Your vehicle being passed by an armed and armoured HUMVEE as it raced to the front of the convoy. It's mounted machine gun pointed skywards.

"I imagine that the Soviet Navy is doing something similar. Soviet equipment is always built to last." Svetlana piped up from next to you. The gently ruffle of her dress noticeable in the otherwise quiet car.

"I'm sure they are, I wouldn't expect any less." Admiral Harris agreed, before then asking a question.

"Say, have you ever flown off Soviet carriers?" He asked curiously, before giving his reasoning. "I only ask as I helped train the West German Navy back when the Graf Zeppelin was in service. And ONI keeps saying how the old Soviet carriers are based off it."

"Da, the Leningrad class, I flew off them a while back." Svetlana nodded, a small smile on her face as she recounted the memory.

"And how was it? Back in my day, we were flying corsairs. The old second world war ones, not the jet powered birds that the fleet has now." Harris asked, his little confession taking you slightly off guard. You had pegged him for pilot, sure. But you hadn't realised that he flew corsairs.

"It was very unforgiving. Those older carriers were designed to operate propeller driven aircraft. Avia S ninety-nines and the likes. It was not a very forgiving kind of ship to jet pilots." Svetlana reported, her smile slowly dropping as she remembered her past life.

"I see. Were you ever deployed to other carriers?" The admiral asked, attempting to move away from the subject of the older carriers.

"Nyet... I made some landings on the Moskova a couple of times. But that was it. The Navy is paranoid about it's pilots." Svetlana replied, her smile twisting into a smirk.

"It is... what is the word... ironic? Yes, ironic, that the navy would be so paranoid about the pilots they deploy to their carriers, and yet the one that defects was posted to the land bases..." Svetlana trailed off as she glanced out of the window. Watching the city lights go by.

>CONT

>>1303964

>"Why are they so paranoid? Surely experience would be more important than loyalty?"
>"What about their other ships? Wouldn't they just leave their old wartime frigates out?"
>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"
>Other (write in)

>>1303969
>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"

>>1303969
>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"

>>1303969
>>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"

>>1303969
>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"

>>1303969
>"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?"

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"Did you ever qualify for other aircraft?" You changed the subject slightly. Hoping to push the conversation along.

"Do you mean front line aircraft? Or do want me to include trainers?" Svetlana asked for clarification, looking over as the Admiral and his wife looked on.

"Just front line aircraft. I think we can leave out the trainers." You replied, you didn't really count trainers and the likes as useful. But hey, you never knew when the info would be useful.

"Well... aside from the old naval flanker, I was trained to fly Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG twenty ones and twenty sevens." She paused for a couple of seconds, before grimacing. "I also flew a Sukhoi SU twenty four back in Afganistan."

"You were deployed to Afghanistan?" Miss Harris asked curiously, taking a renewed interest in your wingmate.

"My unit was assigned to fly close air support against Mujaheddin strongholds." Svetlana nodded, but the frown never left her face.

"Touchy subject?" You asked, reading your comrade's expression. Your comrade was quiet for a few seconds, before shaking her head.

"No, it's fine. It's just wasn't a very... nice deployment." Svetlana explained, here eyes glazing over slightly as she remembered back.

"Hey, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." You reminded your troubled comrade. You didn't blame her either way, if the rumours were to be believed the fighting out there was brutal. The Afghan fighters were brutal in their treatment of captured Soviets, and the Soviets weren't the kind to fuck about.

"Heads up son, we're here." Harris pointed out as the convoy of SUVs rolled to a stop. You peeked out of the window to see the gate to the imperial palace decked out to the nines with imperial regalia, royal guards and armoured vehicles sitting nearby. The pathway to the entrance was adorned with a long white and gold carpet, and either side of the carpet was a hoard of assorted press. It wasn't something that soothed you.

"Nervous son?" Miss Harris asked as she caught your outward stare.

"Hard not to be." You replied as the press turned towards the first SUV as it pulled up to the carpet, Princess Sakamoto and her guard exiting and walking down the carpet, without worrying about the constant flashes of the cameras.

"You want us to head out first son?" Admiral Harris asked as the SUV in front of yours pulled away, and the one you were in began to pull into position. "Oh, and are you planning on going along with Miss Vaikinov or not? It might not seem like much but some people might think that the pair of you are a package."

>Have Admiral Harris go first, you'll take your cues off him.
>You'll go first, you have no fear of the press! Not one that you'd really admit to.
ALSO
>Take Svetlana with you. You might as well fuck with the Soviets.
>Stay separate from Svetlana for now. You don't want to imply a non existent relationship.

>>1305632
>Have Admiral Harris go first, you'll take your cues off him.

Higher rank, seems simple enough

>Stay separate from Svetlana for now. You don't want to imply a non existent relationship.

A) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is going to be showing up soon
B) Wouldn't want there to be too many rumors surrounding the whole defection

>>1305632
This guys speaks sense: >>1305673

>>1305632
>Have Admiral Harris go first, you'll take your cues off him.
>Stay separate from Svetlana for now. You don't want to imply a non existent relationship.

>>1305632
>>Have Admiral Harris go first, you'll take your cues off him.
>Stay separate from Svetlana for now. You don't want to imply a non existent relationship.

"After you then sir. I'll follow your lead." You replied as you slumped back into your seat.

"Good, now listen in. You're going to get out first and wait for me and Rachel to get out. Once we're a respectable distance away you can follow on after us. Miss Vaikinov, I want you to bring up the rear. We'll wait for you just past the gate house." The Admiral instructed as the SUV came to a halt, the mechanically operated door opening on it's own and allowing you to step out.

Almost as soon as you poked your head out of the door, you were blinded but the consecutive barrage of camera bulbs going off. This didn't stop you as you climbed out of the SUV and took a position off to the side. Giving your commanding officer ample room to exit, and then help his wife out of the vehicle.

As the Admiral and his wife made their way towards the gate, you turned back towards the SUV and reached in to help your wingmate out. Svetlana took your hand and you levered her out and onto her feet. She gave you a smile and a nod as she raised to her feet, before making her way towards the gate. You paused for a few seconds, giving time for the press to train their attention on her before you made your way after them. Your paces normal and measured, your back straight and your eyes forwards as you continued on. Your posture and presentable look having been gleamed from months of training. One of the many skills that the military invested in it's soldiers.

As you made your way past the gatehouse, you wound yourself on a long pathway, leading up towards the imperial palace itself. Where the Admiral, his wife and Svetlana were both waiting.

"Not the way I had planned son, but you made it work so what the hell." The admiral stated as you joined their little group. And together you made your way towards the palace proper.

>"Just to ask sir, are we expected to meet with the Emperor?"
>"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me."
>"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for sir?"
>Other (write in)

>>1306577
>>"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me."
>>"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for sir?"

>>1306577
>>>"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me."
>>"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for sir?"

>>1306577
>"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me."
>"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for sir?"

>>1306577
>"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me."
>"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for sir?"

"Do you have any more advice sir? You've probably been to more of these things than me." You asked as the group made it's way up the nearly empty path. Your way forwards illuminated by artfully crafted lamps.

"Just make small talk, keep relaxed and try not to make an ass of yourself. Some of the people here might sneer at you and the rest of your squad, but don't worry too much about it. These events are usually for high ranking members of the civilian government and the Japnese military. Since the war the military side has been mostly dominated by IJN, with us occasionally being invited. They aren't used to seeing either Americans or people who are below OF-six." The Admiral explained, the continuing conversation cutting over the crisp sound of dress uniform shoes and high heels.

"Is there anybody or anything I should be looking out for in particular sir?" You asked, making ready to commit the names to your memory.

"Well aside from the Emperor and Princess Sakamoto, there is also a number of Japanese generals and the likes there. I'll be one of the few people there that you'll actually know. There are rumours that some of the people there have links to the Yakuza. But it's nothing substantial." The Admiral replied as you finally arrived at the entrance to the imperial palace. The Royal Guards outside wearing old ornate armour. Unlike the guards that had accompanied Princess Sakamoto at Chitose, these suits seemed older and more historic. Though it could just be that they were designed with form in greater mind than function. One of the guards stepped forwards as your group approached.

"Admiral Harris, Miss Harris, Lieutenant Poole, Lieutenant Vaikinov. It is good that you all made it today." The guard greeted you all with a bow. You slowly began to recognise him as the leader of the guard group from Chitose.

"We wouldn't miss this for the world." The admiral replied as he returned the bow to the guard. "Is there anything that we should know about?"

"Indeed. The Emperor would like to talk to you and a few members of Freelancer flight. I will personally collect each of you when required. In addition, the planned medal ceremony has been cancelled, the Emperor did not think that this was the time." The guard replied, before standing up straight and stepping off to the side, allowing your group to pass.

"Thank you chief." The admiral thanked the guard officer as your group passed, before turning to you. "I don't like it. We weren't told about a meeting before hand."

"Does it really matter sir? It's probably just so that he can better understand the unit that has been guarding his daughter for so long." You replied as you both entered into the party.The sound of traditional Japanese music wafting over the sound of casual conversation. Men and women standing around in formal wear. Discussing topics in groups.

For some reason, the back of your neck kept itching. And you're sure that it's not your collar causing that.

>CONT

>>1309176

>Go around with Admiral Harris and his wife.
>Go around with Svetlana.
>Wait for Zeus and co.
>Look for Princess Sakamoto, maybe your sister is here?
>Other (write in)

>>1309177
>Wait for Zeus and co.

>>1309177
>Wait for Zeus and co.

Safety in groups

>>1309177
>>Wait for Zeus and co.

"Of course it matters son, usually when we have meetings with country leaders, we have status reports ready should they need them. This has us with our pants down." Admiral Harris explained as a waiter approached your group with a platter of drinks. You nodded to him as both you and the admiral took two drinks, each of you passing a drink to your companions.

"Maybe it's squadron related? Could it be that he wants stronger links between Mr Poole's flight and the princess's flight?" Miss Harris asked as you sipped your drink, and subsequently hid your displeasure at it not being alcoholic.

"Maybe, we'll just have to wait and see." The Admiral replied as he turned to lead his wife further into the building, before stopping and turning to look at you as you stood in place.

"Sorry sir, I was planning on waiting for my RIO." You explained as the admiral took a sip of his drink, and seemed to nod approvingly.

"If that's what you want, then sure. Miss Vaikinov, will you be joining us?" The admiral offered to your blue-dressed comrade, who was already catching a few glances from some people nearby.

"Thank you admiral, but someone needs to make sure that this dolt doesn't run off back to base." Svetlana replied with a small chuckle. Netting her a chuckle from the admiral and a few more glances from the people nearby, her Russian accent marking her out as something special.

"Then I wish you the best of luck. Miss Vaikinov, Mr Poole." The Admiral replied with a smile, before turning away and leading his wife away into the crowd. Leaving you and your wing mate alone by the door.

It's strange, in spite of this being a party of some kind, you weren't having fun. You had felt more comfortable

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I'M going to call the thread here, As college work is ramping up, we may not run for a few weeks. In that case, I'll probably switch us over to WWFTT so that we can start something fresh.

>>1325831
Aight. Hope to see you soon, Thunderhead!

>>1325831
Thanks for the thread. See ya later, boss.