Authors note: I'm going to use modern day jets, rather than the ones seen in the game. I don't think many people recall the jets such as the R-201 or R-501

The Strangereal Journal: Saturday, March 1, 2040.

Neucom Inc. and General Resources are bitter rivals in the competition for economic domination of the world. A defection of key scientist from General Resources to Neucom is the latest tactical coup in this atmosphere of rising tensions. UPEO Command believes the Neucoms recent acquisitions of advanced technology and researchers in emerging technologies are part of a master plan to surpass General Resources in all critical economic sectors. Moreover Neucoms recent show of force against General Resources indicates Neucoms willingness to use violence to achieve their corporate objectives. In response to increasing hostilities between the two corporations, UPEO has increased its presence in active hot spots around the globe in hopes to quell any acts of aggression.

Monday, March 3, 2040 11:15 am UPEO Forward Operations Base

The trip to the airbase seemed to take an eternity for the jeep driver wasn't much for conversation, whenever I attempted to make small talk with him he'd deflect with a simple mhmm or huh. The only thing that helped pass the time was some of the scenery on the way to the FOB.

I began to get nervous as I could hear UPEO pilots doing combat maneuvers in the airspace above. I could begin to see the FOB in the distance. It was out in plain sight with no trees or any type of landscaping around it. Just a base surrounded by grass with one road leading up to its main gate.

"The base must have a nice view from those watch towers." I said to the driver as I took in the view of the base. The driver gave me an uninspired "meh." I pictured what that strip of land would look like if there were no base there. I could see it then, and there nothing but grass for miles and it would be beautiful. I reclined back, relaxing my head on the back of the seat while taking in the early spring breeze. "I'm so happy spring came early this year, aren't you?" I asked the driver as a warm breeze blew.

He didn't respond he just continued driving towards the base. He's so damn boring I thought to myself as I continued to enjoy the warm breeze. "Don't get to comfortable." The driver spoke as he began to slow the jeep down to a stop. I opened my eyes to see what he was complaining about. Apparently he drove faster than I realized, for we had made it to the base's front gate within minutes of being able to see it.

The front gate was lightly guarded with 2 sentries; one was of average build while the other was tall and muscular. "May I see your papers please?" asked the average looking guard. The driver hunched sideways pulling some small pamphlet out of his left pocket. The guard paused looking back and forth between the driver and his pamphlet. It felt like an hour before the guard nodded, and made a gesture to the other guard to let us pass. The gate began to lift, as the nameless driver pocketed his information and drove through.

The base was fairly quiet except for the 3 pilots that were in the air. "So where do I go to report?" I asked the driver as he parked the jeep next to the front gate. He eyed me up giving me an annoyed look, "Go all the way down this road and it's the last building on the right. The Commander will be expecting you." I swung my duffle bag over my shoulder and nodded at him. "Thanks." I made my way towards the building he mentioned, on my way there I tried mapping out the base during the process. From what I was able to gather from my short walk to the commander's office, it seemed crew living quarters and accommodation's where on the west side of the base. Were as things like the communications, and radar where on the east side. The commanders' office was combined with the briefing room, and the intelligence gathering room. The main hallway was shaped like an "L" with there being a young oriental girl as a greeter/secretary. My eyes focused on her as I made my way to her, "Excuse me I'm looking for Commander Gilbert Park."

She looked down at some of her files, "And you are?"

"Uhh Cody Itzler, I just transferred here fresh from flight school." I said as I admired her beauty.

She continued to go through her files, "Ah yes here you are Cody Itzler. It says here that you just finished flight school like you said, and that your 23 correct?" she paused looking up at me. "Yeah that's me." I responded "Well let me be the first to welcome you to UPEO Mr. Itzler." She said extending her hand to me.

"Cody's fine" I stated shaking her hand

"Well the Commanders office is just the down that way." She said pointing over her left shoulder with her pen.

"Thank you miss…uhh" I hesitated I didn't get her name. "Miko Zhan"

I nodded and made my way to the commander's office. The door was made of a nice cherry wood, pretty old school I thought to myself. I gently knocked on the door. "Enter." Called a deep voice. I took a slow breath as I slowly opened the door.

The commander was somewhat bulky and had broad shoulders. He was balding and was rocking a mustache that screamed midlife crisis. "Ah Mr. Itzler I've been expecting you, take a seat." He gestured to the seat in front of him with a cigar in his hand. "Thank you sir." I said trying to be respectful. He nodded and took a drag from his cigar. "I'll get right to the point. We here at UPEO have one purpose, to prevent an all our war between General Resources (GR) and Neucom Incorporated (NEU). As you are no doubt aware that tensions between these 2 are at an all-time high. That's where we come in. We are to keep them from tearing each other apart." He took another drag from his cigar.

"When do I start?" I asked interrupting him.

He grinned at me with yellow teeth, "Eager are we?" He puffed out smoke." As soon I come up with some orders"

"Anything else I should know?" I asked as I waved my hand across my face attempting to get the cigar smoke out of my face.

His face twisted in thought as he tried to think. "Would you like a tour of the base?"

"No thanks I'll figure it out on my own sir. If it's ok with you I'd like to get settled in." He shook his head in agreeance. "But of course, I'll have Miko show you to your quarters." He pressed a button on his desk, "Miko please show our new friend were he may rest." There was a short pause. "Yes sir." She said responding to him. He gestured with an open hand, "Let me know if you need anything."

I sat up making my way back to the door. "Have fun." The commander mumbled to me as he went back to what he was doing before I interrupted him. Miko was at the front door to greet me. She led me out the door and pointed to the building across the road. "That building is where we house our pilots." I felt dumbstruck. "That tiny building?" She giggled, "No silly that's were one of our pilots live. This whole row of buildings is where our pilots live. Here I'll show you to your new home."

She led me across the road showing me were the other pilots lived. Rina lived in the building closest to the briefing room, Fiona lived in the one next to her, Erich lived in the one next to her, and now I'd live in the one next to him. Miko unlocked the door and handed me the cardkey. "Here you go Hun let me know if you need anything." She smiled at me then left for her office. I opened up the door which revealed my new home. It was a tiny home, immediately after opening the door you were greeted by a small couch with a TV, which was separated by half a wall were you could see the bed and dresser. The bathroom door was next to the bed. "Huh fancy living…" I mumbled to myself throwing my duffle bag on the couch. "You have 2 new messages" chimed an automated voice. Messages already but who? I slowly walked over to the Monitor that was next to my bed. "Show messages." I commanded

The monitor came to life. A young man with black hair and blue eyes appeared on the monitor, he was about my age. "Uh…aren't you there? Eh, whatever… I don't know what you intend to do, but if you wanna keep an interest in aviation at UPEO, don't go against Commander Park. Mm if we were able to protect this world through the peaceful solutions those Clarksonist are talking about, UPEO and stuff'd have no need of Generals. Whatever you do, all that really has nothing to do with just getting in a plane. Oh I'm Erich Jager by the way. I'll be your supporting wing man whenever we go out on sorties. Try not to worry about Rena, and Fiona they can take care of themselves." The message ended. "What the hell was he rambling on about? He sounds to idealistic." I mumbled to myself

The monitor began to play the second message. A young girl with brown hair and green eyes appeared. She had her hair put up into a ponytail, with her bangs in her face. From what I could tell she was about my age, maybe younger but not by much. "Transmitting duty correspondence verbally. Formal document to follow via electronic transmission. It is an order dated today for indefinite standby for UPEO affiliated crewmen. Well, simply put, things are looking pretty dicey in the clouds. Later!" the message ended abruptly. "Uh…ok" I plopped myself face first on my bed, and let out a sigh. "What now?"

Later…1:32pm

There was a gentle knock at my door. "Yeah one second." I hollered at the person knocking on my door. I picked myself up from the hard bed and slowly made my way to the door. "Yes?" I said as I opened the door revealing my visitor. It was the girl from the second message. "Hello?" was all my brain could manage to think of. "So you're the new guy? Huh, you're cuter than I expected. Anyway we've got a briefing so let's go!" she began to charge off. "Uh, hey wait! What's your name?" she pivoted on one foot, "Fiona Fitzgerald, you?" She began eyeing me up, "Its Cody Itzler." She smiled at me, "Nice to meet you, well shall we go to the briefing?" I nodded as she led the way to the briefing room.

The others in the squadron were in the briefing room waiting for Fiona, and myself. I looked around the briefing room and took a seat in the very back. "Glad you could join us Mr. Itzler." Mocked the Commander, as he cleared his throat. "Sorry sir" I said trying to sound apologetic. "I trust you've met everyone?" I shook my head in disagreement. The commander gave me a quick introduction to everyone. "That's Erich to your right, Fiona was the one who brought you here, and that's Rena to your left she's our ace pilot here." Rena had pale skin with dark blue eyes, and hair, and was a woman of few words. I nodded at each person as he called off each of their names.

The monitor in front of the room became animated as the commander gave the briefing. "At about 7:50 this morning, Neucom initiated a large-scale military action against General Resources. We at UPEO, in order to avoid involvement on either side escalating any further, we have no choice but to stem this action. Furthermore, in the case that Neucom disregards our warning, use of force will be inevitable. We put our hopes in you work…. Dismissed." The commander left the room leaving us alone.

"An armed intervention huh?" I thought aloud.

"What's wrong FNG nervous?" Rena mumbled as she excused herself from the briefing room. I shook my head in annoyance at her insult. "Don't mind her she's always like that." Erich said as he gestured for me to follow him. "So this your first time flying a jet?" he asked as we left the briefing room. "No I flew an F-15 Eagle training model before." Erich smiled at my reply.

He led me to the hangers on the North end of the base. There wasn't much of a selection to choose from it was either the EF-2000 Typhoon, Or Mig-33 Fulcrum. Rina had taken the only Su-37 because she was an ace so she got special treatment. I chose the Mig-33 to be different, because Erich and Fiona took Typhoon's.

"Alright let's see if I remember how to do this." I mumbled to myself as I began to start up the Mig."Aha it works!" The Migs engines roared to life as I did my final checks on my equipment. I began to taxi the Mig onto the runway, "This is Nemo request permission for takeoff."

"This is Commander Park; you are all cleared for takeoff." I pushed the throttle to maximum power, and jerked backwards in my seat as I began to lift off the runway.

"Yo, hurry up!" Erich yelled at me through the microphone.

Expo City, 2:36 pm

"You getting nervous over there?" Erich asked me as he barrel rolled over to my left wing.

I looked over at Erich confused, "What makes you say that?" I asked as I readjusted myself in my seat.

"You've been quiet ever since we left the base, figured you were getting cold feet." He began to laugh at his insult.

"Shut up" I sighed as I tried not to humor him. "Just been thinking that's all."

"What about?" Fiona asked me as Erich was still laughing at his dull humor. "About Neucom" I started. "I've been thinking about what's been motivating them; I mean come on it can't just simply be about greed can it? That doesn't make sense."

"I have a sister in Neucom you know." I felt stunned to hear that "Really I-"

"Cut the chatter." Rena complained cutting me off. "We got bogeys incoming, Fiona cover my tail. Erich, Cody you two break through the first formation and engage the bogeys behind the oncoming formation.

"Roger that. Alright Erich lets Rock n' Roll!" I exclaimed as I did a rolling nose dive to lower my altitude.

I punched the throttle to max power as I flew rite by the first formation. I looked over my shoulder to check and see if any enemy fighters turned around in an attempt to purse Erich and myself. From what I could see they continued to maintain their current course.

"Erich can you see the 2nd formation?" I asked him as I looked down at my short range radar. "Roger that 3 high!" I scanned the horizon making out 3 jet shaped objects; they were too far away to make out what type they were. I ascended higher to engage the unknown aircraft. The jet engines roared as I began to peak 850mph. Finally I was able to make out the unknown aircraft, it was an arrow formation of 3 F-16's. The one on the right peeled off from the formation and proceeded to engage us. "Erich you get his attention so we can perform a Thach Weave. " Erich flew out in front garnering the enemies attention. The F-16 took the bait and began chasing Erich. I waited until Erich flew out in front of me before I cut the stick right to intercept the enemy pilot. Fox2! I yelled as I painted the enemy with a lock on.

The F-16's left wing blew off, and it went into a downward spiral, exploding when it hit the ground. "Bagged one!" I cheered as I turned to engage the last two F-16's. "You got one on your tail!" Erich cried out. I began looking around for the bogey that had snuck up on my six.

"I'll get him off you!"

"Negative Erich take care of his wingman I'll be fine!" I yanked the stick left, and cut back on the throttle, then dove downward performing a split s to avoid his lock. The missle alert went off, "Damn!" I cursed as I attempted to out maneuver the missle. I threw the stick forward diving, attempting to do a reverse loop, so I could get my chaser in my sights. The lock on alert wouldn't shut up as I continued to do evasive maneuvers to lose it. Then it hit me, flares! Why didn't I think of that sooner? I unleashed the flares as I attempted to get an angle on my rival. Within seconds I was able to out maneuver him and get on their tail. "C'mon C'mon!" I begged my lock on as I closed in closer to my target. The HUD came to life, "You're mine!" I yelled as I fired my missle into his six. The hit was dead on causing the plane to explode in the air. I checked my radar for my next engagement, and proceeded to head towards Erich he was still engaging the other F-16. I gave it max power as I easily caught up to the other F-16 and unloaded my guns into its underbelly as Erich lead it into my fire.

"Hey that was mine!" Erich complained.

"I didn't see your name on it!" I countered as I felt confident in abilities.

"Heads up there's another formation heading this way!" Rena spoke "Let's go Erich!" I said feeling boastful as we left Rena and Fiona behind us.

The second formation was a pack of 3 F-14's, and an AWACS. "Don't stray off too far!" Rena demanded. I ignored her and continued to engage the formation regardless. I went for the AWACS first thinking it would be best to get it first. "Radar lock!" I cheered as I fired 2 missles into it bringing it down. "Cody get out of there!" Fiona screamed at me. I was so caught up in the moment that I wasn't paying attention to the 2 F-14's that were on my tail. I began to ascend while barrel rolling to make it hard to get a lock. My cockpit began to beep as the F-14's attempted to get a lock. I threw the stick left hitting the breaks, and flaps to slow me down in hopes of having them over shoot me.

"Stall!" cried out my cockpit as I felt myself fall rapidly. "AH CRAP!" I hit the throttle with max power with the stick pulled back the whole way. The ground came rushing at my canopy fast. "Work damn you!" If things couldn't get any worse the lock-on alert went off. I felt myself damning my luck and cockiness. I prepared for the worst thinking it was all over. But then finally I pulled out of my stall, but that was short lived with the missle lock on me. "I've got him!" exclaimed Fiona. I could hear the jet behind me explode as Fiona's missle impacted. "Thanks, I owe you." I told her, "Don't let it happen again." she retorted. "Likewise."

The last two F-14's began to bug out. Rena gave the order to pursue the fleeing bandits. Rena bagged one with her guns, and Erich got the other from above with a missle the poor guy never got the chance to bail out.

"Mission Accomplished all aircraft RTB." Commander Park spoke with a muse in his voice.

"Alright let's head on home!" Erich cheered.

"Yeah…"Fiona said with a sigh

Rena and myself remained silent.

"You ok over there?" Erich asked as he flew up to my side.

"Yeah I'm fine, just disappointed in myself that's all." I mumbled.

"What why's that?" Fiona asked with interest in her voice.

"What happened a few minutes ago, me getting cocky and you having to save me I'm ashamed." I scoffed

"You will get better with time, just consider today a lesson." I looked over at Fiona "Yeah I guess."

"Hey any day you come home alive is a good day!" Erich snapped.

"True…" I trailed off vowing I wouldn't mess up again.

To be continued.

Well what did you think? Did I do ok or do I need to improve a bit? Please let me know.