TF Amethyst

TFA1 7.16 - Air Raid

To ensure that the defenders at Castle Lagra did not have time to catch their breath, the 53rd Regiment was ordered to fly 15 minutes behind the 71st Regiment. Therefore, Brigadier Asai and the rest of the 53rd Regiment had no idea how the opposing side wiped out Riders from 71st Regiment to the last man.

As he saw a huge numbers of bonfire were scattered around Castle Lagra, Brigadier Asai thought the defenders were trying to produce smoke that would disrupt the Riders' vision. Unfortunately, his conclusion was wrong. As soon as he inspected the bonfire by using his telescope, a shock instantly hit Brigadier Asai’s mind. For a while, he could only stare in horror the bodies of Riders and Cloud Hawks that were burning violently and billowing thick black smoke.

'There seems to be a barrier preventing Riders from 71st Regiment to fly directly to Castle Lagra, and while they were circling the castle looking for an entrance, the defender took them down simultaneously.'

After a single glance, Brigadier Asai deduced what had happened to the 71st Regiment. Even so, he still had a trouble imagining what kind of weapons that able to wipe out a Rider Regiment in one go. Wasting no time, he immediately activated his crystal communicator.

---   

Overall, Buriek Air Corps had strength of 1200 active Riders, 300 reserve Riders, and 500 Riders who were in their final year of training. In the invasion on Sandhur Region, they deployed 400 active Riders. Of those numbers, 84 Riders died with their Cloud Hawk. The other 20 had to be withdrawn for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the remaining Riders were then wiped out to the last man when they were sleeping in their barracks.

Of the remaining 800 active Riders, 200 would be deployed to attack Castle Lagra, while another 400 would secure domestic airspace. So, the total Riders that Marshal Ducie could muster to attack the foreigner strongholds was 200 Active Riders, 300 Reserve Riders, and 500 Riders who were in their final year of training.

At exactly eight o'clock in the morning, the Rider Formation that was about to attack the foreigner stronghold took off and flew north at full speed. In the leading position, with an expression that was difficult to describe, Marshal Ducie looked at Kingdom Buriek's residents who were cheering on the formation he led.

At first glance, the formation was full of awe and thrill for everyone who saw it. However, Marshal Ducie was fully aware that the battle he would face was the most difficult battle in his entire career as a Rider, as this battle was full of unknown factors.

However, Marshal Ducie was a veteran full of death and life combat experience. So, once he crossed the north coastline, restlessness in his heart faded away and all that was left was the determination to win the battle.

In this attack, Marshal Ducie decided to use the simplest possible tactic. Considering there were a thousand Riders who had to coordinate their attack. In short, the Rider Formation was divided into four groups. Each group would attack on different target and was supported by different group of supply ships.

The group of supply ships had already departed and would take a position 50 km from the south coastline of Amstell Continent. That way, Riders could refill oil lamps in the shortest amount of time, and after performing three sorties of air raid all Riders would withdraw.

It didn't take long before Marshal Ducie saw the cluster of supply ships and escort ships that protecting them. A smile instantly spread across Marshal Ducie's lips. 'They let the supply ships take a position so close to the coastline. This could be a good sign for our offensive.'

Then, Marshal Ducie was just about to order each attacking group to split up, when his crystal communicator suddenly lit up. While frowning, Marshal Ducie opened communication. "Marshal Ducie is here, come in."

[Ducie, Keraz speaking here, I just got a report from Asai that 71st Regiment was being wiped out to the last man with an unknown weapon.]

"Are you sure they were got wiped out to the last man?"

[Yes, and therefore we have to make some adjustments.]

Marshal Ducie knew very well that Grand Commander Keraz was a calculating person. So he never doubted his judgment. In a steady tone Marshal Ducie answered, "Understood."

---  

Operations Control Room, Davy Jones MOB

In the air defense doctrine adopted by most western countries, the defensive zone was divided into three layers. Point Defense with a radius of 20 km from the protected site. Area Defense with a radius of 20-300 km, and Long Range Defense with a radius of over 300 km. TF Amethyst also held the same air defense doctrine, although so far only to the level of Area Defense. 

As soon as Operation Crystal was launched, the Point Defense and Area Defense elements deployed around Davy Jones immediately entered high alert. The Point Defense elements consisted of M2HB Team, Stinger Team, M1151 Ripper, and LAV Shorad. Meanwhile, the Area Defense elements only consisted of Tamir ADS networks.

For Area Defense, fighters also had to be deployed to reduce the number of opposing force before they entered into Point Defense. Unfortunately, currently all Super Hornet and Poseidon in Davy Jones could not be flown because they were undergoing total maintenance.

Meanwhile, the four Super Hornets and four Poseidons from Harley Quinn were almost finished their configuration for the airstrike on Makai Royal City. Therefore, Vex and Nate could only sigh in silence when the radar operator informed them that a large number of Riders had just taken off from Kingdom Buriek and were flying straight to the north.

Vex and Nate never expected that Kingdom of Buriek would launch a counterattack in such a short time, without trying to find out how their elements in Sandhur Region were being wiped out.

With a serious expression Vex looked at the radar operator and asked, "Are you sure our radar detects 1000 Riders?"

The Radar Operator firmly answered, "Absolutely, Sir, there is even a possibility that their number is a little higher."

Vex nodded slightly before making calculations. A Tamir ADS launcher vehicle carries 16 ready-to-fire missiles, and currently Davy Jones and the surrounding area were protected by 24 launcher vehicles. So, for the first salvo a total of 384 missiles would be fired and it would take nine minutes to reload and fire the second salvo.

Taking into account the range of a Tamir missile which reaches 70 km and the speed of the Cloud Hawk which reached 360 km/h, the Buriek Riders would arrive before the third salvo could be fired.

'Hopefully, the point defense elements can finish off the remaining Buriek Riders in the shortest possible time,' muttered Vex before turning to the radar operator. "How far are they?"

"90 km from the coastline and approaching fast."

Without delay Vex turned to one of the communications officers. "Spread my orders to all air defense elements, Weapons at Discretion."

"Understood, Weapons at Discretion to all air defense elements."

Without delay the communications officer spread out the orders. Vex and Nate were then anxiously awaiting the launch of Tamir ADS' first salvo.

However, just before Buriek Riders entered Tamir ADS’ range, the radar operator suddenly shouted, "Opposing Raiders lowered their altitude and made a sharp turn. Repeat, the incoming Riders lowered their altitude and made a sharp turn."

"Where are they headed?"

The radar operator scanned the radar display before speaking somewhat hesitantly, "They circled back to Kingdom of Buriek."

Silence instantly enveloped every corner of the operations control room. Then, the radar operator spoke one more time, this time with a firm tone, "Sir, they indeed returned to Kingdom of Buriek."

Vex nodded slightly before turning to the communications officer. "Cancel the Weapons at Discretion, and send four Reapers to perform a simultaneous four-way sweep."

"Sir."

Without delay the communications officer spread out the orders, while Vex and Nate stared at each other for a moment. Relief was clearly visible on their eyes.

*****