In our formation of four, we coast to the aforementioned island. Armed to the teeth with an abundance of missiles, Royal sakura flutters up and down off my right-wing. To my left side, The reborn Ignited Barrage asserts its presence. With its new upgrade package, it's almost like an entirely different aircraft... The aircraft's wing entire profile, length or width, can be changed nearly at will. Even the wing's shape can be modified to a minor degree. Allowing the plane to both slightly reduce its radar cross-section, and greatly enhance flight performance on the dime. On top of that, Ignited Barrage also got its hands on a brand new flight computer, rivaling even the Royal Sakura's brain. To maximize the newly found enhanced structural integrity and reduce surface drag. Ignited Barrage also got two brand new pylons at the end of its wings. Allowing another 5 missiles on each wing. And the thing that made it all possible? The nanomachines picked up from those F22 months back. Doc finally sorted them out, implementing them in our oldest bird. With all these upgrades, the reborn Ignited Barrage can rival its direct predecessor, Royal Sakura. On the farthest left side of the formation, Violet Vertex lightly banks left and right, fluttering around in her loose position.
Boss: "Diana, would you behave yourself?"
Diana: "But I'm booooored! We've been flying for almost two hours!"
Boss: *sigh* "Jax, how far off are we from the island?"
I look into the creasing horizon, spotting the medium-sized landmass slowly growing into view. The relatively small island stands being no bigger than a handful of miles across. Despite the small size, the tiny island has its own miniature mountain climbed above its trees.
Jax: "That's it right over there."
We dive down to the stagnate sleeping island, circling for possible threats in the brush. After making our loops around the island, spotting no apparent danger. We hunt for a possible landing strip, noticing one on a flat long beach. Although the beach itself is pretty long, it's not very wide at all, only having enough space for one of us to land at a time.
Jax: "I'll make the first landing solo to see if possible. Spirit's the most likely to be able to abort if something goes wrong after all. Sit on standby until I give the go-ahead."
Boss: "Right kiddo... Watch yourself down there, we don't know what's waitin' for us on the island."
Jax: "Will do, lining up for final approach..."
As signaled, I align myself with the narrow beach. Avoiding the trees with as much space as possible, the tip of my wing fluttered over the ocean-drenched sands. The treetops on my right sat with only a couple dozen feet in distance. My gear touches down as my wheels dig into the sand. Spirit's nose suddenly spikes down as the soft beach sand yanks on Spirit's back tires. I jostle around in Spirit's cockpit as the wheels sink under further for every lost MPH. Our landing gear should be able to support this kind of rough airstrip due to our bases conditions... But take-off may prove a little difficult, taxing might be even harder... My seat's straps slam into my chest as I suddenly jolt forward. the remainder of Spirit's speed vanishing without a trace. Being pulled away the second Spirit's momentum proved too weak.
Jax: "Ow, damn it..."
I slowly lift my head, raising my throttle to around 10% of 1st stage, Spirit's normally maximum taxi speed. As the engines spool up, I find myself motionless in the sand. I slowly raise the throttle further and further, and not before long, I find 1st stage topped out while moving nowhere. This sand is tougher than I estimated... I pull back the throttle before calling out for the second stage.
Jax: "Stage Two."
Once again I slowly raise my throttle. This time being powered by Stage Two, I finally begin to roll passing 70% throttle. Will the other Aerocords be alright?... Sakura and Barrage should be fine. But with Vertex's weight... No, they'll be just fine. I slowly taxi off into an open spot in the tree line, being thrown around in my seat by each passing inch of sand. Finally making it to the open tree line's dirt, I swing Spirits nose back out towards the makeshift runway. At my command, the canopy slides back, allowing me to exit as Spirit's engines begin their wind down. I look into the deeply forested island, poking my head around Spirits fuselage. Sensing no danger, I return my focus to the screaming jets, circling above.
Jax: "Island looks good, come in for your landings. Come in slow and as gentle as possible. This strip isn't very user friendly..."
Boss: "Roger that. Comin' in for the approach."
Boss and Clover touch down with little issue. Both taxing down the beach and lining up beside me in order. All that's left is Diana... Violet Vertex comes in for her gentle approach. She skims the soft sand mounds, flicking up bits of sand as her wheels spin.
Diana: "Nice and eas-"
Vertex's nose violently spikes down into the sand as her speed is violently ripped from beneath her. Under the sudden break, Vertex's rear-end begins to lift off the ground as her spiked nose makes a line in the sand. Finally coming to a stop, Vertex's tail flops back on its rear wheels. Each wheel sinking its rubber fangs into the soft sand.
Clover: "Diana, are you ok!?..."
The shaken war jet sits in a motionless trance as the engine's hum for a couple of seconds. Out of breath, she mutters underneath her voice.
Diana: "... I'm fine... Your the last person I want 'worried' about me..."
Diana's voice just barely being loud enough for the radio to pick up scrambled sounds.
Jax: "Say agai-"
Vertex's engines begin to whine louder as she spools up to taxi. Before long, Vertex is screaming at the top of her lungs, gaining not even an inch of land. My worst fear came true, Vertex is too heavy to taxi on this beach...
Diana: "Cmon... Move damn it!"
We plug our ears as the screaming jet soon evolves into a raging banshee with its tailing being yanked from its behind. Rings of blazing fire begin to shoot from behind the aircraft. Finally allowing it to crawl up to speed as it jostles down the sand runway. Vertex coasters over to us, engines still in full screech as Diana gets rocked around inside her cockpit. Finally crossing in front of us, the flamethrower shooting out of Vertex's exhaust sinks back into its home. Eventually reaching the grassy treeline, she whips Vertex's nose around, falling in line with the rest of our Aerocords. We unplug our ears as the raged engines begin their smoldering cries of silence. The ruffled Diana jumps out of her cockpit. Landing on all fours before staggering to her feet. Boss jogs over, aiding Diana to her feet as me and Clover watch from the sidelines.
Boss: "Are ya alright?"
Diana: "I'm fine..."
Diana shoves Boss away from her, standing with her hands crutched over her knees for support.
Diana: "More importantly, can you check over Vertex... I'm not sure how her gear held up against that..."
Boss: "Right, right..."
Boss scans over Vertex, checking the wheels, gear, and sand sunken nose.
Boss: "She's all good. A damn miracle considerin' what she just went through. But when we get goin', you should prolly get her checked out by the mechanics to be safe."
Boss looks out to the beach. Several lines coat the sand from where our wheels once rolled on. Vertex's, being the deepest by far.
Boss: "Say, Jax. You think Vertex will even make it off this beach?.."
Jax: "... I think it'll be alright. It took a while, but Vertex was able to gain speed..."
I look down the narrow beach as the angry waves roll up the coast.
Jax: "And the beach looks long enough that she'll be able to get enough speed for lift-off. Though, getting to that speed will take ages... But enough of that for now. Boss, I challenge you to a duel!"
I throw my hand out, pointing to the crouching man. He stands, meeting me eye to eye.
Boss: "Ohho? Kid, I don't think you know what you're gettin' into with Ignited Barrage."
Jax: "I know exactly what I'm 'Gittin'' into. I'm getting into kicking your ass!"
Boss flinches, being taken aback before re-engaging with his retort.
Boss: "Your all bark and no bite kid. Always have been."
Diana: *sigh* "You two don't do anything but have your stupid little duels. Couldn't you have done that back over at the training site? We didn't have to fly two hours just for this."
Jax: "You just don't get it, Diana! We're here it's our own mini-vacation! This isn't training, this is for our own fun!"
Boss: "Damn right it is! You're just a little too young to understand our passion, Diana. You two girls go run off now while me and Jax have a little 'fun'"
Jax: "Oh yea, I'll have a ton of fun counting down the three seconds with my sight on your ass!"
We race over to our dignified Aerocords, unlocking their canopies.
Boss: "You wish kid!"
We jump in, spooling up our engines as I hear a voice cry out behind us.
Diana: "Wait!"
We ignore her, forcing our Aerocords up as fast as we can make them. Not far behind me, Boss too begins his take-off run as I circle back over the ocean. I look down at the two girls that suddenly found by themselves alone on the beach. Me and Boss engage in a little spar, closely watching as Diana sinks into the unexplored wooded land. Shortly after, Clover meekly follows Diana into the trees. As they fade from view, me and Boss enter into a little formation. Circling over the ocean as we watch the treeline.
Jax: "You think this will work Boss?"
Boss: "I don't know kid... I don't know."
Jax: "... Guess we'll just have to hope for the best..."
I suddenly pull up hard, forcing Boss underneath me as I throw Spirit's nose back down behind him.
Jax: "Now then... PREPARE TO GET YOUR ASS KICKED! STAGE 3!"
Boss: "OH YOU LITTLE SHI-"
We dance around in the sky, letting time do its work.