Variable Geometry: Frame Of Reference (please delete)

[Tsushima Masaki]

A Timeless Enigma Production
Original Concept and Story by Tsushima Masaki

Variable Geometry: Frame Of Reference
Prologue

“The test phase of the XVF Project has commenced! All of you have been chosen for a reason! Every one of you is here for a reason!” the commander declared, eyeing all of her subordinates with her intense blue orbs. “Lieutenants Oogami, Takato, Kayashi, Alundres; you are the experimental combat pilots of the four craft. Your mandate is to make this phase a success. You will ensure that these craft are 100% functional by utilizing their power in combat if the situation ever arises. The ultimate goal of this project is to prove that the mass production and utilization of hybrid fighter aircraft/Arm Slave is feasible, beneficial, and sound. You have been pulled out of your regular squadrons because we the project staff have confidence in your skill, and your outstanding potential.

“You will be putting your lives at a greater risk than you would be piloting standard aircraft. Trust your ground crew. Be sensible, and complete this project with your lives and careers intact. That is all.”


Several Months Later
6:43 am
25º N, 138º E
Aquileia (Mithril Naval and Air Force Base), Aquila Islands Chain


An undersized transport aircraft departed from one of the many runways of Aquila Islands Chain just after the solar star crept over the horizon. The plane adjusted its heading northward and while gaining both airspeed and altitude. The cold radiance of the morning sun basked the chain of islands, but did nothing to warm the disheartened VIP passenger on her way back home. The aqua-haired woman sat quietly in her seat in the cabin. She slowly chewed on a stick of bubblegum to keep her ear pressure stable. She wore a pale yellow t-shirt and a pair of faded blue flared jeans, accompanied by pair of red sandals. She supported her head with both her palms with her elbows resting on her thighs. Part of her was angry, another was worried, and the final part was simply sad. Her anger stemmed from the fact that once again, a visit to Mithril had turned into yet another mission for Sousuke. Her other feelings had their roots in this fact as well. She knew Sousuke was not invincible. She knew one of these days he would never return. This mission had the possibility of marking that point of no return, and she didn’t think she would be able to ever bear hearing that he was “killed in action.” She would be alone again. This would be another instance when she returned to Japan alone. Her only companions were the pilot and co-pilot, and the faint thrum of the engines.

The woman with mixed emotions sighed and she shifted her gaze from the cabin ceiling to the floor. Just then, a short rumbling sound swept over the sounds cape, and it was accompanied by some agitation of the passenger plane She stole a gaze to her right, where the porthole was, and scanned the morning sky to locate the source. ‘It can’t be a thunderstorm.’ she reason.

With time, she managed to locate the source. What looked like a jet fighter had flown underneath in a near perpendicular course. Her expression of mild interest transformed into one of shock rather quickly and her brown eyes widened. It looked to her as if the plane was on a steep descent, and it wouldn’t be long until it collided into the ocean. “The pilot… what happened to him?” she whispered softly. Perhaps he was simply pulling a stunt.

“Uh, this is your captain, we apologise for the brief turbulence. A fighter travelling at supersonic speeds unexpectedly moved into our airspace. Please do not worry, and enjoy the rest of the flight,” assured the soothing voice of Captain London.

The blue-haired passenger, grasping the edges of the porthole, was compelled to see it through until the end, but the other aircraft fell out of visual range all too soon. She said a silent prayer for the unknown pilot’s welfare, and then reluctantly shifted back to facing the front. Now her mind was in turmoil, she could no longer focus her thoughts. The lone passenger buried her face into her palms and let out a choked sob.


Aquileia Tertiary Airfield


The fighter aircraft in question had landed safely on reserved runway 3. Emergency crews wasted no time in getting to the fighter to analyse the problem. “Aircraft Control, this is the medical team. The pilot is currently in a semi-conscious state. We’ve found no external injuries.”

“Copy that, transportation to the medical facility is en route. Inform the ground team to report on the status of the aircraft ASAP,” was the reply.

“This is the ground team; we’ve found nothing immediately wrong with the cockpit. The auto-pilot landing sequence seems to have been activated. We won’t know more until we compare the flight data to the radar data.”

“Can you shortlist some causes for this event?”

“Right now it would have to be engine failure, flameout or spatial disorientation. We also can’t rule out high stress from the Gs. We can’t say for sure until we’ve done a full investigation. Naturally we’ll also need some information from the pilot himself.”

“We appreciate the insight. We’ll inform the team staff, over and out.”

In another area of the third airfield, both organic and mechanic aviators launched and landed. The sun crept slowly to its 7 o’clock position and continued to wash the earth with more radiation. On the aprons surrounding the hangars, technicians crowded around the midnight blue fighter. One group inspected the intake and engines while others looked over the landing gear. Another team extracted the flight recorder and other data from the onboard systems. While all this commotion went on, other aircraft taxied into their own hangars, completely oblivious of what had just occurred. More jet noise polluted the sounds cape because a blue-grey multifunctional aircraft had activated the landing thrusters and performed a vertical landing onto a modified helicopter pad. The volume decreases steadily as its pilot performed the final checks and deactivated all systems. “What happened to him? Ruining my morning flight…” she grumbled sourly. Inside she was worried, though she refused to show it.


Just outside of Aquila Airspace


Another multifunctional fighter had received an RTB notice and was in the process of complying. The runway would be in sight within a few moments, and the pilot took the time to descend to landing altitude. “Control this is XVF-03, runway in sight, gear down.” The pilot pulled back on the flight stick to raise her nose while decreasing her throttle. “Approaching minimum. 200, 180, 160, 140, 120, 100, minimum. 50,” she continued to count. Finally her landing gear made contact with the tarmac. At that moment she eased the nose down and applied the brakes. Something was definitely wrong…

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So you thought it was dead huh... so did I actually. I finally decided to get off my ass and do something. This is basically a remake, so if you're busy, you might as well not read this until I get past where I left off from the original. Well, maybe not, this fic might go in a different direction, not that you can see that right now.

That was it for the prologue. Shorter than part 1 of the original, but I just wanted to finish it because I'm getting sleepy. Tell me what you think, and maybe what you'd like changed There's gonna be some name changes as well, so be aware of that.

[Taurec]

i have this strange feeling of deja vu ... but it's been a while ..

[HELLFIRE]

The words 'dizzy' and 'confused' come to mind (re)reading this.
Idunno, maybe I just don't warm too much to the 'remake' idea...
you can thank Hollywood for that

My suggestion always stands that have fun with the military stuff, but
ALWAYS keep in mind it's about the FMP! crew we're familiar with...













Regards