three-zero, bearing 1-6-R.”
“Engaging.”
Medium-range air-to-air missiles set to attack mode. Auto intercept system, activated. The intercept computer automatically acquired the two approaching targets. After releasing two missiles simultaneously, Yukikaze rolled away from them.
Switching the throttle control to auto mode, the computer opened up the throttles to MAX. Analyzing the situation, it calculated the optimal withdrawal course, then automatically cancelled the intercept system as the threats were terminated.
“Main enemy force passing directly below us…Flip Knights, launching!”
Gun mode didn’t activate the auto intercept system, and Rei wondered whether he would have been able to beat the Knights if he’d used it. Maybe, but in a way, it would have only confirmed the colonel’s theory. There was no time to think about it now. He pursued the moving battle line of the JAM invasion. The Knight’s carrier plane retreated before them.
The JAM had lost close to a third of their number at the Early Warning Line, but the main formation penetrated C-zone unscathed. Command and control passed from AC-4 to AC-3. Faery Base’s intercept control computer was probably working at full capacity.
Yukikaze was flying at high altitude, looking down on the targets from thirty thousand meters, using its powerful pulse Doppler radar to monitor the JAM flying ahead and below at a line-of-sight distance of seventy klicks. Rei maintained this distance as they flew. The JAM were on a straight-line course for Faery Base. The invasion was on.
The multidisplay was lit up like a Christmas tree. The interceptors launched by the frontline division bases were fighting hard. The JAM reassumed their V-shaped battle formation, with the main force splitting into smaller formations on the left and right. They seemed to be headed for frontline bases TAB-15 and 16. Rei adjusted his own course to starboard. MK-1, the Flip Knight’s carrier plane, was on course for TAB-15, the JAM’s main objective.
“Enemy, increasing speed,” said Lieutenant Burgadish. “Speed of one-point-seven. Just under four minutes out from TAB-15.”
“B-3 to MK-1. Withdraw.”
On the display, the JAM were quickly closing in on MK-1. Five Flip Knights prepared to intercept them. The symbols on the display were so close together now that they were almost merged. But Rei decided that it was all right. The JAM were slipping past the carrier plane two klicks to its side—
“EMP, confirmed! Nuclear detonation!” Burgadish shouted. “Looks like the Knights destroyed a JAM missile in the middle of the formation.”
A warning tone sounded and a readout suddenly appeared on the stores control panel. RDY FK I II V.
“The carrier plane’s gone. I estimate that nuke was in the fifty kiloton range. Eight targets now closing on TAB-15.”
“MK-1. Colonel.” There was no reply. “MK-1, this is B-3. AC-3, respond.”
“This is AC-3. MK-1 has been destroyed. B-3, provide guidance for K-I, II, and V. K-III and IV have been shot down.”
“How much longer can the Knights stay in the air?”
“About three-zero more minutes. Indicating attack targets. B-3, don’t get too close to the JAM.”
“B-3, roger.”
Rei flipped the Knight guidance switch on the stores control panel, establishing a command link between Yukikaze and the Knights independent of the other planes. He pushed the missile release button and Yukikaze’s fire control system sent the Knights toward the targets indicated by the control plane.
There were eight large JAM aircraft flying in formations of two, three, and three. They kept at a distance of about five klicks from each other, never drawing any closer, and from this Burgadish reckoned the one unit in the center was carrying a nuclear missile.
“They’re maintaining a space cushion so that they aren’t all destroyed in case that missile detonates.”
The three Flip Knights were nipping at the heels of one of the three-ship
“Engaging.”
Medium-range air-to-air missiles set to attack mode. Auto intercept system, activated. The intercept computer automatically acquired the two approaching targets. After releasing two missiles simultaneously, Yukikaze rolled away from them.
Switching the throttle control to auto mode, the computer opened up the throttles to MAX. Analyzing the situation, it calculated the optimal withdrawal course, then automatically cancelled the intercept system as the threats were terminated.
“Main enemy force passing directly below us…Flip Knights, launching!”
Gun mode didn’t activate the auto intercept system, and Rei wondered whether he would have been able to beat the Knights if he’d used it. Maybe, but in a way, it would have only confirmed the colonel’s theory. There was no time to think about it now. He pursued the moving battle line of the JAM invasion. The Knight’s carrier plane retreated before them.
The JAM had lost close to a third of their number at the Early Warning Line, but the main formation penetrated C-zone unscathed. Command and control passed from AC-4 to AC-3. Faery Base’s intercept control computer was probably working at full capacity.
Yukikaze was flying at high altitude, looking down on the targets from thirty thousand meters, using its powerful pulse Doppler radar to monitor the JAM flying ahead and below at a line-of-sight distance of seventy klicks. Rei maintained this distance as they flew. The JAM were on a straight-line course for Faery Base. The invasion was on.
The multidisplay was lit up like a Christmas tree. The interceptors launched by the frontline division bases were fighting hard. The JAM reassumed their V-shaped battle formation, with the main force splitting into smaller formations on the left and right. They seemed to be headed for frontline bases TAB-15 and 16. Rei adjusted his own course to starboard. MK-1, the Flip Knight’s carrier plane, was on course for TAB-15, the JAM’s main objective.
“Enemy, increasing speed,” said Lieutenant Burgadish. “Speed of one-point-seven. Just under four minutes out from TAB-15.”
“B-3 to MK-1. Withdraw.”
On the display, the JAM were quickly closing in on MK-1. Five Flip Knights prepared to intercept them. The symbols on the display were so close together now that they were almost merged. But Rei decided that it was all right. The JAM were slipping past the carrier plane two klicks to its side—
“EMP, confirmed! Nuclear detonation!” Burgadish shouted. “Looks like the Knights destroyed a JAM missile in the middle of the formation.”
A warning tone sounded and a readout suddenly appeared on the stores control panel. RDY FK I II V.
“The carrier plane’s gone. I estimate that nuke was in the fifty kiloton range. Eight targets now closing on TAB-15.”
“MK-1. Colonel.” There was no reply. “MK-1, this is B-3. AC-3, respond.”
“This is AC-3. MK-1 has been destroyed. B-3, provide guidance for K-I, II, and V. K-III and IV have been shot down.”
“How much longer can the Knights stay in the air?”
“About three-zero more minutes. Indicating attack targets. B-3, don’t get too close to the JAM.”
“B-3, roger.”
Rei flipped the Knight guidance switch on the stores control panel, establishing a command link between Yukikaze and the Knights independent of the other planes. He pushed the missile release button and Yukikaze’s fire control system sent the Knights toward the targets indicated by the control plane.
There were eight large JAM aircraft flying in formations of two, three, and three. They kept at a distance of about five klicks from each other, never drawing any closer, and from this Burgadish reckoned the one unit in the center was carrying a nuclear missile.
“They’re maintaining a space cushion so that they aren’t all destroyed in case that missile detonates.”
The three Flip Knights were nipping at the heels of one of the three-ship
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