At long last, the second mission in the critically acclaimed arcade flight sim “Ace Airplanes” has arrived! This was originally supposed to be a quick story I could put out in the month after NaNoWriMo to get me back into the screenplay vibes, but life events really slowed down work.
I changed up the formatting a bit, the previous mission was quite linear, whereas this one had some differences depending on what the player does.
Remember, these are only the plot relevant lines that are spoken during gameplay, not everything. Also, I wanted to make berry names, so now we have Berry March for some reason. Does it fit? Not really. But I did it anyway.
[[Also also, text in double brackets like this are comments I make in the script writing software.]]
For some reason, I don’t write much or well when tired.
I’d tell you to get enough sleep, but then I’d be a hypocrite.
Also, I’m not sure if it even shows up anywhere, but I used WordPress’s (Or a plugin?) fancy AI generated post excerpt thing. It handled the screenplay decently, although it didn’t pick up on some things. Hopefully it doesn’t keep that stuff afterwards. You never really know with these kinds of things.
INT. MISSION TWO: BORDER DEFENSE #1#
Overview:
The second mission is a simple dogfight mission with a wholly predictable twist – bombers show up. It introduces fighter drones, a common chaff enemy that the UCI employ to try and even the odds in the air. While the mission is nominally meant to be covering ground forces, neither the objectives or the friendly aircraft make any attempt to actually do so.
BRIEFING:
[[Patrol 6:
1: BRN Tomas “Crescent” Jackson, ACE
2: NGB Rose “Skylight” DePerr
3: NGB York “Eagleeye” Von Glassemeyer
4: NGE Haley “Lace” Marlena [Wounded Reserve]
5: NGE Kegan “Fencer” DeLassner
6: PRS Wisca “Aeronaut” Worey
7: NGE Gavin “Heavy” Gortam III [Transferred]
8: Player of Location “Star”/”Five Stars”/”Serf”]]:
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
There’s not much time, but before I begin, I must make myself clear:
(annoyed)
Lace suffered a concussion defending the Queen and, by my order, is not allowed within fifty feet of any airplane. If you see her outside her rooms, alert security and do not let her fly anything!
The pilots CHUCKLE at Gagallan’s misery.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Commander.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
Yes, Baron?
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
With both Lace and Heavy unable to fly with us, will we have replacements?
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
No.
(reluctant)
And to keep your flight at three wing pairs, the Serf will be flying with you again.
Minor GRUMBLING.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Understood.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
Wait. Does that mean I’m the one flying with the Serf?
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
Yes[[Current wing pairs:
Crescent/Skylight
Eagleeye/Aeronaut
Fencer/Serf]].
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
Of course. Why not?
(trails into unhappy mumbling)
The map of the continent zooms into the border of the Kingdom where NATO style symbols denote troop positions and movements. The UCI ground forces are making three main thrusts, each one driving straight for a major airbase.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
Moving on...
(briefing voice)
The Border marches are under heavy attack. Intel believes they are trying to hit Atlantic, Laurinberg, and us before the Lords can muster their retinues and deploy.
Zoom into the fighting heading for Magibur base, in a region labeled ‘Berry March’. Arrows show the Kingdom units retreating to a defensive line. The symbol for Patrol-4 is shown defending against multiple fighter squadron symbols.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
With respect to us, the Marquess’s forces are falling back to a secondary defensive line. I know you’ve all received recall orders from your respective nobles, but the Queen has more work for you. We are to relieve Patrol Four and keep the skies over Berry March out of the hands of the UCI.
More enemy squadron symbols appear: air superiority and drone squadrons in desaturated red; Ground attack and a single bomber symbol in normal color.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
Patrols Two and Four have reported at least three different enemy squadrons supporting the ground advance, but not their bombers. UCI doctrine prefers using low altitude bombers to harass and destroy retreating ground units, yet they have neglected to commit them so far.
(MORE)
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
(bomber symbol flashes)
The ground forces have lost their primary AA, so they can’t protect themselves.
Haughty LAUGHTER from the younger pilots.
EAGLEEYE [PATROL 6-3]
Those Boots couldn’t protect themselves against air if they were a mile underground!
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
Thus, bombers and other ground attack units are your priority targets. Otherwise, any UCI aircraft in the skies must be repelled. Let’s get to it, Knights!
END BRIEFING
EXT. BEGIN BATTLE: #2#
Patrol 6 approaches a battle over a lightly forested area. A large number of drone fightercraft are swarming Patrol 4, while on the ground, Berry March infantry and vehicles are retreating to a line of defensive emplacements that Patrol 6 has just flown over. There are also a few standard UCI fighters in the air, the scattered remnants of an attack.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Patrol 6, entering operational area. Patrol 4, disengage as able.
BROADSWORD [PATROL 4-1]
About time, Crescent. Another minute and I’d have to start shooting down these drones with my sidearm.
AWACS BLUE [BERRY MARCH]
Patrol 6, this is AWACS Blue,
(aside)
although right now it’s GWACS.
(end aside)
Marquess Berry’s Retinue and I are landed at Castle Corymbossom for rearm and repair. Don’t worry, I can still keep an eye on you from down here.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Acknowledged, Blue. Patrol 6, engaging. Serf, watch out for the drones. There may not be a true pilot behind them, but bullets and missiles don’t care who fired them.
Objective: Destroy UCI aircraft.
EXT. RBC #3#
– Note: While AWACS Blue is on the ground, some AWACS duty is performed by Skylight.
– Early[[Of course, some of this would need tweaking depending on what the player does – especially if they go straight for ground targets.]] Ground Forces
BERRY SGT. LOGRTHM [SQUAD 9]
Hurry up! They’ve got serfs on those guns and I don’t want to find out if they learned to aim yet!
–
UCI ASSAULT GUN [GOLD 4]
I don’t like being so far ahead of our air cover, but I suppose it’s unavoidable.
UCI INF SUPPORT [AU 1]
At least the rumors are true. The Knights haven’t been targeting ground units at all.
UCI ASSAULT GUN [GOLD 4]
Not yet.
–
BERRY SRF SGT K [PLT 2]
Fall back! We’ve delayed them all we can!
– If Player destroys a UCI ground target.
BERRY SRF G [PLT. 3]
Who hit that [target type]?
BERRY SRF J [PLT. 3]
It came from the sky! I saw it!
BERRY SRF G [PLT. 3]
No way! One of the Knights bothered to look down?
– Early combat. Any manned UCI craft are quickly taken down by the knights.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
UGH! Fighting drones is so boring! Where’s the real pilots?
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Stay alert, Fencer. They may be easy, but they are still dangerous.
–
UCI LOCAL DRONE OBSERVER
This new squad is downing drones like a senator on election night!
CMDR. HILDENI [5TH DRONE]
Every weapon those knights send against one of our drones is one that isn’t targeting a real pilot. We’re saving lives!
– Serf shoots down five drones.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Good job, Six. You’re performing admirably.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
Even a serf could- Well, I suppose you’re proving that saying is true.
– If Serf is hit by drone fire.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
Seriously?
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Stay calm, Six. It’s only superficial damage.
SKYLIGHT [PATROL 6-2]
How could you tell? I can barely see the plane at this distance.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Drones are nothing if not predictable. Unless Six performed an unorthodox maneuver, I was able to guess the outcome from their positions on my radar – a glancing hit at best.
EAGLEEYE [PATROL 6-3]
(sigh)
With Lace absent, I am obligated to say that Crescent’s tac[[Should be a cooler knight name for this – like the Knight’s tac name is actual title or something?
Or chosen from their titles? The Knights should choose their own name, but maybe there should be some sort of ritual about it.]] name should be Mentor.
EXT. MID MISSION #4#
AWACS BLUE [BERRY MARCH]
Patrol 6, be advised: The Marquess Berry and retinue are on the runway and will be joining you in three minutes.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Thank you, Blue.
AWACS BLUE [BERRY MARCH]
I will be taking to the air shortly after.
SKYLIGHT [PATROL 6-2]
And here I was worried I was saying too much.
– Enemy Squadron arrives, but they’re flying tangent to the battle.
AWACS BLUE [BERRY MARCH]
Enemy fighters on radar. I need eyes: are they ground attack or air superiority?
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
About time! Let’s get some real kills.
EAGLEEYE [PATROL 6-3]
They don’t look like ground attack craft.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
I don’t like those fighters. They aren’t doing what I think they should be doing.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
So they aren’t good pilots. Maybe I’ll go easy on them.
– If Serf destroys more ground targets.
BERRY SGT E [PLT 1]
Command, do we have a Levy squadron up there?
BERRY CMD [PLT 1]
Negative. At present, we have a Queen’s Patrol squadron operating in the area.
BERRY SGT E [PLT 1]
Well, one of the knights is blasting targets down here.
BERRY CMD [PLT 1]
I think they only have drones to fight. Probably just boredom.
BERRY SGT E [PLT 1]
Well, I ain’t complainin’.
– While engaged with Enemy Squadron. The enemy fighters are spreading out and primarily defending – They’re just trying to watch Castle Corymbossom’s airstrip for AWACS Blue to take off.
SKYLIGHT [PATROL 6-2]
(unsure)
Uh... Yeah, something’s not right here.
FENCER [PATROL 6-5]
Fight properly, you pancakes![[Short for Flip-flopping voters.]]
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
This is a delaying action, but why? Stay alert, Patrol 6.
EXT. FINAL PHASE #5#
On the ground, most of the Berry units have reached the defensive line. Those that aren’t are cut off or surrounded. In the air, the Marquess Berry and retinue have arrived – five planes, with the Marquess himself flying an advanced plane with Mk. 1 shields.
AWACS BLUE [BERRY MARCH]
The Marquess Berry has entered the operational area.
@MARQUESS BERRY[[The Marquess Berry’s Retinue:
Straw
Marion
Elder
Dew]] [BERRY 1]
Patrol 6, I extend my thanks for defending my skies in my absence.
(MORE)
MARQUESS BERRY [BERRY 1] (CONT’D)
And please extend the same thanks to Patrol 4 when you return to Magibur.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Of course, My Lord.
– Berry Ground Forces
BERRY LT. LORRE [PLT 2]
We’re cut off! Command, we need fire support if we are to break through.
BERRY CMD [PLT 2]
Negative on fire support. You aren’t the only unit in trouble; do what you can, we’ll get to you when we are able.
–
BERRY CMD [PLT 1]
Those voters are advancing faster than anticipated. How were they able to agree on this course of action?
–
BERRY SRF E [PLT 1]
Where’s squad two? They were right behind us!
– If Serf destroys a ground target.
BERRY SGT S [PLT 1]
Yeah! Great shooting! Right on target!
BERRY CMD [PLT 1]
Say again Solikne? There are no fire missions in your area.
BERRY SGT S [PLT 1]
(deflated)
Oh, it was one of those Knights, wasn’t it.
BERRY CMD [PLT 1]
They have been striking ground targets today, yes.
BERRY SGT S [PLT 1]
Probably didn’t even notice we were trapped.
– If Serf destroys many ground targets.
BERRY SRF SGT N [PLT 3]
The Knights have been uncharacteristically present in this engagement.
BERRY SRF E2 [PLT 3]
I don’t think it’s a Knight! I saw it, I did! Followed the missile trail and it was a blank plane!
BERRY SGT N [PLT 3]
Are you sure you didn’t see a coat of arms?
BERRY SGT C [PLT 2]
I’ve seen that plane! Thought it was an enemy at first.
BERRY SGT E2 [PLT 2]
So, there’s a blank plane flying with the Knights?
BERRY SGT C [PLT 2]
Seems so.
BERRY SGT E2 [PLT 2]
Lucky for us.
– Enemy bombers arrive, but aren’t marked by IFF yet.
EAGLEEYE [PATROL 6-3]
New contacts, 095 for 4 angels 2, large aircraft. It’s probably the bombers. Blue, do you see them? They’re not on radar yet.
STRAW [BERRY 2]
Blue probably turned the lights out for takeoff.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
That’s what they were waiting for! They were timing the bombing run with Blue’s takeoff.
SKYLIGHT [PATROL 6-2]
Looks like I’m on the job again. Could have used a warning, Blue.
(the bombers are marked)
Bombers IFF’d and tagged. Let’s get[[How much modern fighter pilot jargon should be used here?
I feel like the knights are too formal to really do it, but there should be at least some. The other nations using jargon way more would be a pretty nice contrast, I guess.]] ’em.
Objective: Destroy UCI bombers.
– Bombers under attack.
UCI BOMBER [GRASSHOPPER 4]
I’m spiked!
UCI BOMBER [GRASSHOPPER 5]
Me too!
UCI BOMBER [GRASSHOPPER 1]
They’ve found us already? Keep the throttles open, boys! The troops need those defenses gone!
– Half of bombers shot down.
BLUE [BERRY MARCH AWACS]
AWACS Blue is in the air, lights are on and...
(surprised)
Oh, those are bombers. Looks like you’re already on them though.
EAGLEEYE [PATROL 6-3]
I spotted them before they could get too close.
BLUE [BERRY MARCH AWACS]
All’s well that ends well, then.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
We’ll have to warn the other bases. I did not expect such creative tactics from the UCI.
– All bombers shot down.
BERRY LT. LORRE [PLT 2]
The line is holding. If we keep this up, Magibur airbase won’t be in any danger.
–
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
That’s the last of the bombers. Blue, do we have the munitions to last until Patrol 1 arrives?
BLUE [BERRY MARCH AWACS]
You... Do. Patrol 1 is one minute out.
SKYLIGHT [PATROL 6-2]
(disapproving)
Ahead of schedule. Like always.
MARQUESS BERRY [BERRY 1]
We can deal with what is here. Return to base.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
Thank you, my Lord. Patrol 6 disengaging.
-- End of battle.
INT. DEBRIEFING #6#
The debriefing map shows that the UCI attacks towards the three airbases has been blunted, though the center push made it the furthest.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
Welcome back. Taking out those bombers likely stopped the UCI advance towards this base.
CRESCENT [PATROL 6-1]
The Marquess sends his thanks to the patrol squadrons assisting his defense.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN
Of course.
(reluctant)
Now, I know I can’t keep you here any longer; so your planes are being refueled as we speak.You’ve been everything your reputations suggested you were, and your presence will be sorely missed.
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
The Queen thanks you for your service.
(MORE)
NGT CMDR GAGALLAN (CONT’D)
May your skies be ever clear.
(beat)
Serf, you were adequate. Whichever squadron you are assigned to will gain a... Competent flyer.