[quote]"Then don't fall behind Romeo"[/quote]
"Roger, Mirage," grunted Scott as he coaxed the wounded and limping Corsair into another attack profile. "I might have to get out and push, though, over".
As he steered the jet toward the bombers, he saw the arrowhead shape of the Draken overtake him, and angle toward the bombers. Discretion was the better part of valour, and he'd gathered enough feathers for his cap today. Fighting the wounded A-7 into another attack wouldn't bring him back to his wife and son alive, so he nosed up for altitude and to plot his next move. Then the AWACS call came in, and he strained an ear as he listened.
[QUOTE][I]<< Based on the bearing and altitude of the bomber, we have been able to confirm that it is most likely armed with a nuclear weapon. None of your planes or allies in our airspace are capable of intercepting the bomber. You are all required to evacuate the airspace immediately! It seems the Yukes and Stovies are doing the same, so don't pay any mind to them and leave as quickly as possible!>>[/I][/QUOTE]
His blood turned to ice-water in his veins as he heard the words and he gulped, throat suddenly dry. He, like all of them most likely, had read the reports from the veterans of the Belkan War of flying in the Nuclear Environment. It hadn't been something he'd ever anticipated, but then what sane person would? But then, this likely wasn't the actions of a sane mind.
Uttering a tight-voice 'roger' at the command to reverse direction and escape from the area, he coaxed the Corsair, trailing black smoke, into a shuddering turn, fighting the plane to gain as much altitude as possible - if the engine gave out, and the blast was nuclear, maybe he could ride the wave and glide part of the way back. Either way, he didn't want to be too close to the ground if the plane was tossed about like a leaf, or his systems gave out through sheer abuse from the forces unleashed.
"This is Romeo," he reported nervously. "Aircraft isn't looking so good, those hits really did some damage. I'm trying to get altitude to keep it clear of the ground. Bracing for shocks, over".
Making sure his course was away from the predicted impact point, he slid the shaded visor of his helmet down into place, locking it. He didn't want to be blinded by the flash, either. Grimacing against the bile in his throat, he gripped the stick tight and prepared for the worst.