The f22 came in at an angle the wheels hit the cement with a large squeel and two parachutes ejected from the back of the plane to slow it down. It came to a stop at one of the hangars. The pilot hopped out of the plane with his hands in plain site.

(OOC: Meep...long post >.> )

The door to the control room crashed open, nearly falling off it's hinges as Ivan's massive form strode in! The General looked up, his face angry.

"What's the meaning of this? Firstly only you come back out of the entire wing, refusing to give an explination, and now you barge in here unnanounced, and start..." His speech was cut off as Ivan strode up to him and grabbed him by the lapels of his army shirt!

"I'm asking the questions, you're answering." retorted Ivan coldly. "Those were real weapons out there, and we were in real danger...Tyree was almost killed. Now you're going to explain and you're going to do it now."

The General's face was black as thunder. "You will stand down Condor! That's an order!"

"I don't take orders from murderers." growled Ivan. Talk...now!"

"And I don't take kindly to threats!" retorted The General, pulling a gun out of his belt and holding it up to Ivan's head. "You will release me or I will be the last..."

"What the...???" Both men looked round to see Captain Riverne stood in the doorway, jaw agape at the scene. Quickly Riverne pulled out his own gun and aimed at the two. "Put The General down, Condor...now!"

"Perhaps you know something about our missions, Captain...how we're using live weapons and risking our lives." replied Ivan over his shoulder.

Riverne caught his breath. The General seemed unfazed though. "Captain, take Condor down to the detention camp and keep him there."

Riverne sighed. "Okay, but aren't you going to tell him first?"

The General fixed him with a cold stare. "Silence! Carry out my orders!"

"They found out General...they have a right to know!"

The General raised his gun again, this time aimed at the Captain! "Carry out my orders...right now!"

Ivan saw his chance! He swung his massive fist, and The General dropped like a stone. The Russian turned to face Riverne, his face scowling. "What's this all about???"

============================================================

Nikki brought her plane down on the abandoned airstrip, taxiing into an old, dilapidated hangar. Hopefully the plane would be safe here while she looked for Tyree.

She jumped out, removing her helmet and placing it on the floor next to the plane. There was a pistol that had come with her flight suit, which she had initially thought was just for show. Now she wasn't so sure! She pulled it out of it's holster and looked it over.

She didn't know how to use it, but she managed to figure out the basics.

She stepped outside the hangar, looking around at the snow covered mountains nearby. It was bitterly cold! Fortunately her more-than-Human body was better able to cope with the temperatures than a normal Human would. She had specifically requested that, thinking of the time she wanted to spend high in the mountains searching for her parents. Now she was in mountains searching for one of the only two others who ment anything to her!

She checked her compass and set off running across the airfield and into the barren, snow covered hills. She had to find him...she had too!

============================================================

Tyree was wondering a little aimlessly. He didn't really know what to do now he was stuck here. His compass had been damaged in the ejection, and he had no idea where he was!

The cold was starting to get to him...the wind-chill was nasty! He was shivvering as he walked, clambering over rocks and around boulders.

The planes high above had gone...what fate had befallen Ivan and Nikki??? He hoped to goodness they were ok! There was simply no way to tell...he had no radio.

Suddenly a voice behind him made him jump! The words were in Russian! He spun round to see a small group of soldiers, dressed up in thick coats and balaclavas, stood in the valley below him. They held powerful looking rifles, which were leveled at him menacingly!

Tyree grinned. The General didn't half like to do things realisticly! These must be the guards that were there to pick them up should anything go wrong.

He started to step down the rocks towards them, waving as he did. "Boy am I glad to see you guys!"

One of the soldiers pulled the trigger on his gun, sending a bullet skimming off the rocks next to Tyree and making him jump back in shock! Snakes...that thing's REAL???

The soldiers spoke again, but Tyree couldn't tell what they were saying. He had picked up a little Russian from Ivan, but not nearly enough to get by with.

The commander of the group pointed to him, then motioned with his gun, telling him to start walking. Numbly, Tyree clambered down the rocks and stood next to the group.

One of them stepped over to him and took his pistol, checking him over for any other weapons, then he was forceably pushed out in front of the soldiers as they began to move.

His head was spinning...just what's going on here????

OOC: The longer the better. ^^

IC:
The patrol leader held his rifle, aiming straight at Tyree's neck. "Move it," he commanded in slightly accented English. "We will not kill you. We have orders to take you alive."

Tyree nodded, relieved that at least one person spoke English. The more distrusting eyes of the other soldiers were trained on him, as well as their rifles. He sighed as he marched forth through the extreme cold, hoping he would not meet with trouble later on.

One of the Sky Warriors' many bases, edge of Area00
The entire Second Division had taken off, and were laden with all sorts of weapons. They were not expecting any air resistance, and hence carried mostly bombs. MiGs, Su-25s and all sorts of other planes from all over the world were being operated by pilots of various nationalities.

Ordnance rained on the invaders, who were not stopping at all. Their advance indeed seemed to be much faster than the blitzkriegs of World War II!

"BOSS, they aren't stopping! Those hundreds of tanks just keep moving no matter what we do!" exclaimed the base commander over the phone.

"Do whatever it takes to stall their advance! Send troops out if you must!"

"But... All right, BOSS," replied the base commander, hanging up and sighing. "Captain! Lead two platoons out there, and stop their advance! Bring a tank column if you must! Go!"

The captain in the room immediately saluted, then left the room and broke into a run, heading for the barracks...

Back at the base...

Three security officers escorted the F-22 pilot to meet BOSS, who was in the CO's room.

"And who might you be?"

"I'm... with the United States Air Force."

SX sighed. "So, I'm heading to Germany? In an old '25 squadron? With a bunch of Commies? What a world..." SX jumped in his seat as the radio beeped. "This is Foxboy One." "This is the main base. We have captured the pilot. Didn't you ask to speak to him?" "Affirmative." "Very well. We'll hold him here for now." "I copy. Foxboy Out." Switching requencies, he spoke again. "What are we expecting to face? Mechanized only, full-blown tank batallions, infantry, any air threats? Hello?"

"...and it's not a test...these are real weapons, and real battles!"

Ivan stared down at the Captain, his eyes narrow. "You lied to us!"

"I...I had no choice!" Rivern hung his head. "I know it was wrong."

Ivan looked for a moment like he was going to hit Riverne too, but he turned and strode out of the room. Rivern quickly raised his gun, pointing it at the receding figure.

"W...wait! You're...under arrest, forattacking The General!"

Ivan spun round, fixing Riverne with a glare. "Shoot me." he growled.

Riverne sighed and let the gun drop to his side. Ivan set off again, heading for the hanger and his plane.

At that point a message came over the radio in command, about an attack taking place...

"Actually, no. BOSS has given us orders to go up in our Sukhois with those KAB-1500L bombs we have sitting around in the ammo dumps underground," Zach said to SX. "We're leaving soon. See you in the air in about ten minutes."

With that said, Zach stood up and left the briefing room with the rest of the Taigas. The room was still full of chatter about the one and only thing possible - the invasion.

The Second Guards Tank Army had been mobilised to combat the German infantry and armour, as well as the Russian Air Force.

Artillery was also being brought along to support the defenders and route the invaders before their reinforcements arrived. Already, the Second Division of the Sky Warriors had initiated their aerial bombing runs. Like a gigantic duralumin storm cloud, they rained their ordnance upon their targets below, which were advancing through the snow.

A cacophony of explosions was the result, and the battle raged on as more of the Russian armies were sent to the front lines. The Second Guards Tank Army met the advancing tanks, and artillery shells rained upon them like hail, without much effect. The troops were too far spread out, as well as the tanks.

So far, less than 40 tanks had been destroyed, and not even a hundred troops had been lost. Also, from what the spy satellites had found out, more tanks and infantry were on their way from the Ukraine, which had been obliterated. Evidently, this army was not one to be underestimated.

------------------------------------------------------

"Let's go!" Olga ordered as she dashed for her plane, as did the other Taigas.

Talietzin clambered into his cockpit, adjusting his position and helmet as the cockpit closed and the elevator brought his plane to the surface. He breathed in deeply as he reached the surface, and watched as Olga and SX took off.

"Here we go..."

SX loved the feeling of the G force on takeoff. "This is Foxboy one, we're clear of the runway. What are we supposed to do against possible air threats again? Am I the only one worried about that here?"

"You won't have to worry about air threats," replied Olga. "We have two R-60s and our guns, and there are six of us. Besides that, the entire Second Division is airborne. They work like a huge storm system when they're carrying out their bombing runs."

"You sure? I don't see how they can send in their troops without air support of any kind..."

"That's exactly why we're carrying air-to-air weapons! Now quit talking about possible air threats and we'll see if there really ARE any air threats!"

Tyree sat in the dimly lit room, silently contemplating his situation. Whatever was going on here, this was DEFINITELY bigger than a simple weapons test!

He listened as he heard muffled noises coming through the walls...aircraft engines. Planes were taking off...lots of them too! He wondered if SX was with them...

The freak. He'd get him back for that bomb! What the hey was he thinking pulling a stunt like that??? His days were numbered, that was for sure!

He looked around the room slowly. Nothing but a small chair in the center, which he was sat on, and a small bed, uncomfortable looking, with a horribly thin matress. Apparently his captors weren't too bothered about his comfort.

And just who were his captors anyway??? They spoke in Russian...they didn't sem to be aphilliated with The General in any way...

Could this be some kind of private little war??? Himself and the other two had been drafted in under the false pretense of testing weapons...and had unwittingly become pawns in a deadly aireal game of chess??? Surely that couldn't happen...something like this would be all over the news, and even if it wasn't, the UN would have gotten involved by now, surely!

He sighed, putting his head in his hands. So many questions, so few answers. There was nothing he could do for now.

Slowly he stood up and wondered over to the bed, lying down and actually managing to get into some slight comfort on the rock hard construction. He wasn't tired, but he wanted to keep his strength up, incase...

...incase what? He could escape? He was a civillian, he couldn't play a soldier! Besides, by the look of the security on the way in even if he were Arnold Swarchneggar he wouldn't be able to get out!

Suddenly he heard the key turning in the lock of the door! He quickly sat up and looked over at the doorway as the door swung open...

The guard spoke in broken English. "You are the one they call 'Eagle', no? Good. That new pilot, the fox, he will speak with you, personally. After that you are to be interrogated, and then we will negotiate with your wing for your fate. The fox is flying out now, he is not expected to return for three hours."

----------------------------

"Foxboy One to Taiga One, I'm picking up surface targets on that FLIR I had installed. Looks like about 400 armored units. What's the order of operational importance here? What do we target first?"

"Destroy the armoured units. Hit tanks and artillery first, then attack any other vehicles. We'll leave the infantry to be chewed up by the tanks," replied Olga.

"Nice way to put it, Taiga One," commented Zach.

"Enough talk. Let's move! Break in pairs, and support the Second Division as well as the army below!"

"Affirmative. Breaking formation with Taiga Two," replied Talietzin.

"Taiga Four, breaking with Foxboy One."

The six planes broke into three flights and joined the Second Division in raining bombs upon the invasion forces. It was an exhilirating feeling, being invulnerable to your enemies! All that the invaders could do was to run and weave between the bombs, which were largely inaccurate due to the fact that not all their bombs were "smart" bombs.

===========================================================

"What the hell? He attacked without my orders? Damn him! Damn that man! Send the rest of the 6th Tank Corps and the 3rd Army in! Deploy the Luftwaffe as well! Now is the time to push forth!"

"At once, Sir!"

(Here it is, 7k of Wraith and I yelling at each other.)

SX walked in the door. "Didn't think I'd see you so soon."

Tyree slowly stood up from the bed, staring at him venomously. "Just what were you trying with that bomb stunt of yours, freak???" he growled through gritted teeth. "You could have killed me!"

"I could've. But I didn't, did I? I coulda easily not told you about the bomb. And, Freak? now we're at petty insults? The General knew about the bomb. You know that? I told him there was a bomb. In the hangar. He decided it was more important to kill me than to make sure YOU live."

"That doesn't negate the fact that you planted the bomb in the first place!" Tyree retorted, shouting at the top of his voice. "I'm gonna see The General about his part in this later, but you're the one who planted it on my plane in the first place!!!" He began to step towards SX menacingly, his face black as thunder. "So if you weren't going after me, just who were you going after, huh??? The General??? Well then why did you plant it on my set of wings???"

His fist was clenched tightly by his side, and his arm was tensed, ready to lash forward and strike SX in the face! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't, punk...ONE GOOD REASON!

SX sighed. They were polar opposites. SX was eerily calm, and he was concerned Tyree might burst a blood vessel. "Lemme set a few things straight. One, you're a captive. Two, I personally asked for them not to...ah...interrogate and torture you. Three, Chill or you'll never see the outside of this building again. Four, I'm pretty much the only one keeping you alive right now. Need I go on? Good." SX sat down on the bed and looked up at Tyree. "You look hungry. Want some popcorn?"

Tyree just stood staring at him venomously, saying nothing...

SX stood. "I'm serous. Popcorn?"

"Don't try to patronise me, Foxboy. You owe me some answers!"

"You're in such a great postion to give orders."

Tyree's anger was blazing, but he took a deep breath and slowly brought it under control. "I
thought we were friends man." he muttered. "Just what caused you to leave the wing and pull a stupid stunt like that? If I hadn't ejected I'd be killed...from what you say about my captors I still might!!!"

"You will be brought to no harm without a good reason."

"For goodness sake man give me some answers!!! You owe me that much!!!"

"Fine. Answers to what."

Was he purposefully toying with him...trying to get him angry??? "Answers to the questions I just asked!" retorted Tyree testily.

"Please, relax. Leaving the wing was my own choice. The General ordering you into an aircraft he knew could have a bomb on it was his. Also, did you know he ordered the preflighters to 'overlook' anything like that found? He just wanted you in the air immediately.

Tyree's eyes narrowed. "Just how are you supposed to know that? I seem to recall you weren't on the base at the time."

SX smirked. "I have my ways. It's of no further use to me, just tell him I have a bug in his office when you see him again."

Tyree thought for a moment. There was no doubt now that The General had lied to them, and Tyree would make sure to let him know he didn't approve. That wasn't all though...he looked up at SX again. "The General is gonna get a peace of my mind when I next see him, but the fact remains that you were the one that planted the bomb...you endangered the lives of everyone on the base, including Ivan, Nikki and myself." His forehead dropped into a glare. "I don't take kindly to that sort of treatment, SX. Like I said, I thought we were friends, but it seems I may have been wrong..."

SX leaned down by Tyree and patted him. "I was counting on him sending you out. That way I could at least tell you to eject. See, I planned all of this out ahead. The General is actually quite predictible."

"You endangered our lives as part of some kind of plan?" replied Tyree, still glaring at SX angrily. "A plan for what?"

"To send a clear message: Leave me be. I knew he'd go after me. I don't blame him. However, I'm not gonna let him bomb this whole wing to hell on some sorta vendetta."

Tyree nodded slowly. "To send a message." he echoed. "That's just great...you endanger my life and the lives of Nikki and Ivan just to send a message." He stepped forward, putting his face close to SX's. "That how much the lives of your friends mean to you?" he muttered. "It looks like my trust was sadly misplaced...you're a traitor, and your selfish...I have nothing more to say to you."

"Traitor? If that's what you want to call it. Selfish? Never. See, I knew, for a fact, that they would send you out. There was no danger. I knew I could tell you to eject."

Tyree stepped backward and sat down on the bed, leaning his back against the wall. "And supposing I hadn't believed you?" he retorted through gritted teeth. "Or say the bomb had malfunctioned and gone off early?"

"Malfunctioned? Eh, not likely enough to take that into account. One in a thousand chance. and if you didn't believe me? Well according to radio tapes you didn't. Nikki saw the device."

He was playing with him! "That's exactly my point." he replied angrily. "If she hadn't seen it I would have been dead by now, and the other two for flying so close!"

"Tyree...I counted on her too, y'know. I knew she cared too much to not at least look." SX stood. "I'll offer again. Food? You look starved. Have they been feeding you?"

Tyree suddenly lunged off the bed, grabbing SX by the collar of his shirt and ramming him against the wall. "There was no way you could have predicted all that you freak!" he spat through clenched teeth. "You were playing with our lives, throwing us away like garbage! You didn't care what happened to us one bit!" His face darkened. "Mark my words if anything had happened to Nikki I would have torn you apart the second you walked through the door! Now if you know what's good for you you'll get your butt out of that door this second or you'll be headed out in a bodybag!"

SX didn't even move to counter that. He instead simply sighed. "Are you finished?"

Tyree held him for another moment, then let go, pushing him roughly against the wall again as he did so. "That's up to you." he replied in little more than a whisper. He turned and moved back over to the bed, sitting down and leaning back again. His eyes were still fixed in a glare at SX.

SX sat next to him. "Part of me tells me to stop playing mister niceguy. I don't much appreciate being slammed. But I won't. There's a reason for that." SX stood. "Figure out the reason and we'll set you back to your wing. Goodbye, Tyree." And SX left without even letting him reply...

(OOC: @ SX)

IC:

Nikki was looking carefully at her compass. It was somewhere round here that Tyree went down, but there was no evidence as yet. She sighed as she looked around the bleak expance. It was like finding a needle in a haystack!

What would Ty have done...? Find shelter? Or maybe try to make it to somewhere safe, or get back to base. Did he know about the airfield to the north?

For now all she could do was just keep circling this area looking for clues.

Speaking of which...!

She ran up the rocky slope she was climbing as she saw the color at the top. A parachute!

(OOC: If poss don't cart Nikki in to the base just yet (if we do at all that is) I have another plan for her yet.)

From the CCTV room, Talietzin had been watching the events take place in Wraith's cell. He sighed and shook his head, then turned to Olga, who shrugged. SX seemed to possess an innate ability to stay calm throughout, and worked well under pressure. That much, Talietzin could tell just by looking at how he behaved.

"Oh, yeah... I noticed the other Sukhoi flying due north... Remember that old airfield?" said Talietzin. Olga nodded.

"What would that pilot be going to the airfield for?" Olga wondered aloud. "Couldn't be simply to land... Must have been to put down the plane so he or she could find this... Tyree fellow."

"There are still two patrols around the mountains. They've been ordered to capture anyone on sight, and bring them back here for questioning. I just hope they don't shoot up that pilot," Zachary added. Talietzin nodded, looking back at the CCTV screens.

SX burst into the CCTV room holding several bags of popcorn. "Hey guys. Tyree didn't want any, you guys want these?" SX grinned. "Aww, watching my back for me? I'm honored. Didn't catch your name though." SX walked up to Talietzin. "'Names SX. You, Taiga [summin]?"

"That would be Taiga Three," corrected Talietzin. "And my name is Alferei Talietzin, but most call me either Talietzin or Nikita. There's quite a story behind 'Nikita', and it's best left for another time."

"Popcorn?" asked SX, thrusting a bag in Talietzin's face. Ugh. Capitalist, fattening, sweet food. Tasty indeed, but it was CAPITALIST. All his life he had despised the money-loving ways of the American Capitalists, and here he was, talking to a fluke of the universe with popcorn in his hands.

"No, no, thank you. I don't eat such food."

"Awww. What a shame," SX said. "Oh, well. More for me."

Olga chuckled slightly, and sat on a nearby table. "So what's the story behind your appearance? In all manners the way the word is used, of course. Why did you come to us, and why do you look the way you do?"

SX blinked. "Got sick of all the crap at that wing. And I heard this place was quite the wing. Your reputation precedes you. Hell, I even tried to talk my friend into coming! And as for the fox thing? Long story, but...Well, it started about fifty years ago, in the now-defunct G.U.N. I was artificially created as the ultimate warrior, or some such. I betrayed them when they started torturing a friend of mine. was captured not too long after that and frozen for fifty years." SX shrugged. "Nothing special."

"Hmm, I see."

"Well, what'll we do about Tyree?" asked SX.

"We'll leave that to BOSS. I don't think his old wing's going to want him back."

"What's the story about this BOSS of yours, anyway?"

"He left us a few years ago, supposedly on a solo mission, which broke the golden rule of flying - never fly without your wingman. In his place we put the Vice-CO, but the Sky Warriors just weren't the same without him," answered Zach. "We asked him about it not too long ago, and it turns out he was in Germany investigating rumours of the return of the Nazis. The rumours were false, but he found out about this guy's plans to start the Fourth Reich, conquering all of Europe once again. So, he returned to base while we were flying up there, gunning away at each other."

SX nodded in response. "Fourth Reich..."

"I can't see why anyone would want to start a Fourth Reich. Hitler failed miserably at his Third Reich; I don't see how anyone can succeed."

"Times have changed, Zach. People are getting smarter, and technology is improving rapidly. For all we know, the modern blitzkrieg might take over all of Europe in under a month if unstopped!" Olga answered.

"Yeah. Maybe..."

Sha had located the parachute and ejector seat of the plane, but was still no nearer to locating Tyree himself.

Nikki sighed wearily as she sat down on a rock for a breather. It wasn't like Tyree to go wondering off at random...okay, actually it WAS, but surely he'd have the sence to stay in the general area!

Unless he had some kind of plan. Maybe he was using his compass to find his way...somewhere. Where would he go? Would he know about the airfield to the north?

She sighed as she stood up again. There had to be some way to make contact...!

She stopped as her sensitive ears picked up a sound over the howling of the wind. Carefully she ducked down behind a large rock, pulling out her gun...not that she really expected to use it. She had never fired a weapon in her life, but maybe it could come in handy if some wild animal, like a bear, had picked up her trail.

The cause of the noise stepped over the ridge a short way away, and Nikki blinked in supprise. It wasn't an animal...it was another Human! What on Earth was a Human doing alone out here???

He was huge and wore a long fawn colored mac, the collar turned up against the wind. Unfortunately this ment his face was invisable too, hidden behind the collar of the coat. His hands were in his pockets and he stepped with a powerful, purposeful stride, head bent low against the wind.

On the course he was going he would see Nikki soon! Her hand tightened slightly around her gun. She didn't want to shoot anyone, but maybe she could use it to intimmidate the person.

Suddenly the man stopped, looking about him as though surveying the landscape for something, and as he turned, Nikki recognised the thick brown beard and black shades of Ivan! She sighed in relief and stood up, attracting his attention.

Ivan spotted her and strode over. "Glad I found you. I knew you'd be somewhere around here."

"I'm glad too!" exclaimed Nikki, grinning. "How did the meeting with The General go?"

Ivan shook his head. "Not good." he rumbled. "I take it you haven't found Ty yet. Let's keep looking. I'll tell you on the way."

SX blinked. "Nikita, what's that on the monitor? I saw movement in the snow, I swear!"

"You sure about that?" Talietzin asked. Surveillance cameras were all around the compound and in the mountains, and it took several personnel in the room to monitor every single screen. "Which one?"

"This one," replied SX, pointing to the one he'd been looking at. "Just a few moments ago I saw some movement!"

"That's where Tyree was captured... And where two patrols are right now. If they find whoever might be there, they'll bring them in here. Though I doubt it'd be that easy..."

"I've got a gut feeling that it's Tyree's friends, Nikki and Ivan."

"Hmm... We'll have to wait and see, then."

SX sighed. "If it's those two, they're just looking for Ty. Tell the patrols not to shoot them, just tell them to get the hell offa our land. And for the blitzkreig thing: Ah well. Guess we'll get to test out nuclear weapons on Japan again?" Everyone just stared at him. "Whaaat?" SX mumbled something obscene about foregin senses of humor, and got about the same.

"You can't be serious!!!"

Ivan just nodded slowly in response to Nikki's exclamation, narrowing his eyes behind his shades. Nikki was staring at him open mouthed. "We were being used...? All this time we were fighting a real war???"

"That's right." replied the Russian. "And right now we're in enemy terretory, and I'm betting Ty has been captured by them."

Nikki put her hand to her head. "I don't believe it...what do we do now then???"

"Going back to base is out of the question." muttered Ivan. "The General would have our heads. Staying out here isn't a good idea either. The way I see it, we either go back to our planes and get out of here, or turn ourselves in to whoever our enemy is and hope for their mercy."

Nikki looked up at him wide eyed. "Go back to our planes??? We can't leave Ty here alone!"

"I thought you'd say that, but we can't be sure of the reception we'll get."

Nikki fixed him with a stare.

Ivan nodded, grinning slightly. "I agree. I had to check though. Come on, let's go find their base."

The guard held the leather leash on the Siberian husky as they patrolled the perimeter in the winter snow, typical Russian weather this time of year.

The dog paused and lifted its nose to the air, as if searching for something through the thick snow. It barked suddenly, and the guard restrained the dog as he saw two figures approaching.

"Freeze!" he commanded in Russian. "Do not move or you will be fired upon!"

"We mean you no harm. I am unarmed, and I am here to speak to the prisoner you have captured," declared Ivan.

With one hand holding his AKS-74U, he grabbed his radio and spoke to the security department, which immediately sent two more guards to assist him. "Stay where you are and I will not fire. One false move, and you will never walk again."

Ivan nodded, waiting for the guards to arrive.

"What did he say?" Nikki asked.

"He wants us to stay where we are, so just listen to him and don't do anything."

SX was asleep in the chair in his new favorite hangout, the security room, when Nikita ran up to him. "SX, we've found- ...SX? Damn lazy Americans...WAKE UP!!!"

SX just looked up at him and mumbled something about coffee, until Nikita thwacked him. "Ow! Damnit, what was that for?!" "SX, we've found the other two pilots."

"Seriously? Hmm. Tell the guards to not harm them. Give the POW to them, and offer them a ride back to their base. Mmkay?"

"What? Are you sure, Sir? All right..." the guard replied into the radio as Ivan and Nikki were led into the base. "Wait here." He ran towards the base, leaving the duo in the care of the other two guards.

"What's he doing?" wondered Nikki aloud.

"I don't know, Nikki, but whatever it is, we don't want to agitate them. I think they've had enough as it is."

"Okay..."

Shortly, the guard returned, Talietzin at his left and Tyree in front of him.

"Ty!" exclaimed Nikki, her eyes aflame with the surge of relief that came to her.

They ran toward each other, their arms opened wide, then flung them around each other as they embraced. Walking past the two lovebirds, Talietzin faced Ivan, who was half a head taller than he.

"I believe that you have come for the prisoner... Take him. I am here to make a proposition... Join us, and fight for our country. I'm sure you are as ardent a patriot as myself; surely you would not abandon our Motherland?"

Ivan contemplated the possibilities. They could fight alongside each other for a common good, to eliminate threats to the world's peace. Nikki would not easily agree, but persuasion might be possible.

"It is entirely your choice. You may join the Sky Warriors, or ride back to your base in one of our trucks."

"No... We can't go back. It's suicidal," Ivan stated. "I don't think we have much of a choice."

"Okay hold on a second..." Ty looked round at the gathering, his eyes coming to rest on Ivan. "Beef, just what's going on here man?"

"The General tricked us Ty." replied Ivan briskly. "This is a real war, with real weapons and real dangers."

Tyree blinked in shock. "So all this time we were fighting...killing...real people???" For a moment he was stunned into immobillity, but he suddenly span round and kicked a pile of old missile crates piled nearby, shouting angrily. The guards raised their weapons at him, but Ivan quickly covered him with a word in Russian.

Ty sank to his knees, hands either side of his head. "I don't believe it." he muttered. "Those people...I'm not a soldier!"

Nikki knelt down beside him, grabbing him round the shoulders and placing her own reptillian head next to his. It looked like they were both going to cry!

Talietzin simply stared at themwith distaste, before turning back to Ivan. "So what do you say?"

"We're stunt pilots, not soldiers." Ivan replied, narrowing his eyes. For a moment he was silent, thinking, then he looked down at the pilot in front of him. "What will happen to them if I join?" he asked, nodding to Tyree and Nikki.

By this time the two had stood up again, and Tyree was watching the conversation unfold, although he couldn't understand it. "Beef, what are they saying?"

"One moment Ty." Ivan fixed Talietzin with a questioning gaze...

"Hmm. If you fight, they can stay as part of the Sky Warriors. The need not fight if they choose not to, but we will need all the help we can get," he replied. "They will be given the accomodation that everyone else has, and there will be no discrimination."

"I see. Can I trust you?"

"I don't think you're left with any other choice."

Ivan nodded, then faced Tyree.

"He says that if I fight with them, they will provide accomodation for us, and you don't have to fight if you don't want to," came the reply.

Finally, something in English, Tyree thought.

Ivan looked into Tyree's eyes as the latter considered his options, or rather, the lack of them.

"Well, Beef, I don't think we have any choice. If we go back, we're going to die."

Ivan nodded, then faced Talietzin.

SX was leaning on the wall, talking to Nikki and listening to Ivan, Nikita and Tyree with half an ear when he spoke up, causing Ivan and Tyree to turn. "I'd love to fly with you again, Ty."

(OOC: Just a little note Vic...

Should I fight? Hmm...

Ivan looked into Tyree's eyes as the latter considered his options, or rather, the lack of them...

That bit is somewhat out of character for Ty...he's a very emotional person when he gets onto a subject he believes in, and he would think Ivan going along with this would be completely wrong.

Ivan himself would have severe reservations about it, but it's conciveable he'd go along with it to ensure Ty and Nikki's safety, so that's plausible.

But yeah, if Ivan said that to him he wouldn't simply sit back and consider his options. He'd become quite vocal lol)

"I suppose it's settled, then?" asked Talietzin. Ivan nodded. "Good... We'll have a few of our spare rooms ready for your use. In the meantime, you should get some rest until we're called for battle. We might need you guys up there."

"Great! So we get to fly with each other again, right?" asked SX. "Then we can go nuke Japan..."

His comment was met with several skeptical looks. "Whaaaaat?! Can't I even crack a joke?"

Talietzin slapped his forehead, then turned and walked away.

SX sighed as they all left. "Noone has a damn sense of humor anymore. Hmph, at least I can still get Ty to get all PO'd when I muss his hair! I missed that!" SX snickered and walked off, pulling a thick paperback out of his flight suit pocket.

(OOC: Ok I'm aftaid I'm not too sure where to go from here...Ty simply wouldn't have reacted like that, but the situation is now past, and I'm not sure I can work it into his character. I can't come up with a reason why he didn't explode...

Any ideas that would be in keeping with his character...?)

(Easy. Mistrust. He's not used to that base and there's probably a bunch of twitchy guards with AK-47's o.o)

(OOC: That's true SX, and that's how he would react, but I'm talking about before, when Ivan was asked to fly. He would have gone ballistic, and the fact that he didn't would have to be explained.

I'll try to carry on as best I can. It just feels wierd, kinda out of place, know what I mean?)

IC:

Ivan had followed the Russian pilots, and Tyree and Nikki were shown to quaters elsewhere on the base. They were only small, but they were reasonably comfortable.

Comfort wasn't on Tyree's mind at the moment though. He sat down on the bed angrily, sending the sheets flying. "He's insane! What propaganda have they been feeding him???"

"He has to do what he thinks is right Ty." muttered Nikki. "He is Russian after all, and his father is a General." Her mind was on other things...she was still just glad to see Tyree alive!

"But he's a civillian!" Ty retorted. "He's only a stunt pilot! What does he know about combat flying???"

"we were all doing pretty well when we were flying those missions for The General."

"But it's a war!" Ty looked up at her wide-eyed. "Nik, you can't seriously agree with this can you???"

"No, I don't." she replied quietly, sitting down on the bed next to him. "But it's his choice to make, just like it's ours. We choose not to, and he respects that. Shouldn't we respect his choice to go?"

Ty was silent for a moment, thinking. She was right, but he didn't have to like it.

"I'm glad you're okay!" Nikki continued, resting her head on his shoulder. "I was worried about you!"

Ty nodded slowly, leaning his head on hers. "Yeah...yeah I'm okay..." He paused for a moment, thinking through all the revelations they had just experienced...a real war...The General tricking them...captured by the enemy...

"...I think."

(XD)

SX knocked on the door to the room Nikki and Ty were in. "It's me. Can I come in?"

Both ot them scowled as they heard the voice, especially Ty. "What does this trator want?" he muttered, too quietly to be heard through the door, then, louder, he called: "You can come in, but don't think you're welcome! What're you after now?"

SX walked in and looked at Ty, who was turning red again. "Please, I'm just here to talk...Look, I'm sorry I had to put a bomb on your plane to get you to see through the General's lies. I understand this is all a shock for you. I just want to say, I'm glad you'll be flying with us, Ty. You're making a good choice...And I'm glad you ejected when I said."

"I'm not flying with you, freak." muttered Ty venomously. "I'll never fly with you again! Ivan's the one who's flying. We're just here as guests, apparently."

Nikki was staring up at SX wide eyed. Slawly she stood up, her cold yellow eyes burning into him. "You were the one that planted that bomb...?" she asked coldly.

"Yes, Nikki. You do know why you're not going back, right? Did they tell you anything at all?"

"No..."

SX blinked. "Damn, you got a lot to catch up on...First off, Yes, I planted the bomb. I told the General about the bomb, too. He specifically ordered the mechanics NOT to search the planes, despite this knowledge. Apparently your lives aren' worth the time. Were you told this?"

SX was interrupted by a sarcastic chuckle from Ty. "Is this guy for real?" he muttered as he stood up from the bed and turned towards a cupboard beside it.

"I'm stating the facts, Ty." retorted SX sourly.

Tyree spun round suddenly, pointing a finger at SX's head, his face black as thunder. "WETHER THE GENERAL CHECKED THE PLANES OR NOT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE FREAK! IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOU PLANTED THE BOMB IN THE FIRST PLACE!" he roared. "NOW IF I EVER SEE THE GENERAL AGAIN I'LL SETTLE HIS HASH TOO, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S ONLY YOUR BEING BEDFELLOWS WITH OUR CAPTORS THAT'S STOPPING ME TEARING YOUR HEAD OFF, YOU BRAIN DEAD LUMP OF FLUFF!!!"

SX simply blinked, his expression unreadable.

Tyree gritted his teeth and moved his outstreached finger to the door. "Now you gett your furry butt out of this room before I skin you alive!" he growled menacingly.

SX just sighed, becoming eerily calm. "Noone is forcing you to stay here. You are free to leave..."

"Yeah, leave...that's what you're gonna do right now!" retorted Ty venomously.

Nikki was just staring at SX wide eyed, a look of amazement on her face. Something was running through her mind, but the others hadn't noticed...

SX sighed again, becoming clamer as Ty got angrier. "Ty, I'm sorry your so hateful sddenly. I miss your former, smarter self. Nikki, may I talk to you...in private?"

"Yes..." replied Nikki quietly. "Yes, I'd like that..."

Tyree glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, but turned and started rifling through the cupboard next to the bed, causing a lot of banging as he moved things around.

Nikki moved out into the corridor outside, SX following her. He closed the door behind him as Nikki turned to face him...

"First off. What's on your mind. I know that look on your face. And before that, number two..." SX hugged Nikki tightly. "I'm glad to see you two are staying. I look forward to flying with you...Anyway, what's on your mind?"

For a moment she just stared at him, unmoving, then, suddenly, her hand lashed out, catching SX across the face, her long claws leaving three nasty slashes on his cheek that immeadeately began to bleed!

SX turned his face back to her, raising a hand to his cheek, but suddenly found himself looking down the barrel of a gun touching the bridge of his nose!

"Let's get one thing straight, Foxboy." hissed Nikki sourly. "Tyree isn't a killer...it takes a whole lot to get him annoyed enough to attack anyone...but I don't have that problem, and Tyree is closer than a brother to me." She gritted her teeth and glared right into his eyes. "If you ever threaten his life again in any way, you'll wish you were never even born, is that clear?"

Her finger tightened on the trigger. They stood there for a moment, unmoving, then Nikki replaced the gun in the holster on her belt, and stepped back into the room where Ty was, slamming the door behind her.

SX stood for a second, stunned. "I guess they'll never even beleive me if I tell them the bomb was actually remotely activated. Ah well, they can think of me what they want...Funny though, Nikki should know that I know to look in the chamber. The gun wasn't loaded...Although I highly doubt that was intentional..." SX sighed and walked off, wound starting to heal...

EDIT: i'm sorry Wraith. Is this better? It's truely what I meant, but I guess it wouldn't read that way.

(OOC: SX, please forgive me for this, but I feel I have to say something...it feels like at every turn all my ideas are being twisted and warped away from what they were supposed to be, simply to suit SX. One or two differences, like the bomb on the plane and the defect, etc, ok, but it seems to happen every time I try to get in character, like just then, saying the gun wasn't loaded.

I accept that everyone has their own ideas and would like to put them forward, but there does have to be a little give and take, and some ideas have to be given up to allow others to RP well as well. I'm afraid at the moment it feels like I'm trying to RP in a world that keeps changing against my characters...it feels like it's boardering on powerplaying.

Now your ideas are good, like the defection etc, but I like to think I have some good ideas myself. Might I ask that I occasionally be allowed to bring them in? Please don't think I am getting at you here...that is not my intent, but it is getting rather fraustrating and I'm finding sticking with this RP tough going because of it...

Just something to consider...)

Talietzin sighed, and sat outside BOSS's office as a foreigner left. Strange fellow, he thought as he walked inside.

"Sir!"

"At ease. I called you so you can get reorganised. We're going into battle," BOSS began. "First, to the Ukraine. We must assist the Ukranians in resisting the German forces coming from the west! We will not have another Stalingrad!"

Talietzin shuddered at the thought of Stalingrad. If there was ever a cold hell on earth, that place would be it. Many had perished there, leaving behind so much. Never before had so much been owed to so many...

"Yes, Sir."

"Make sure the guests get our message, too."

"Affirmative."