QCore: /* Chapter 9 */

2025-01-17T00:49:33Z

Chapter 9

Arczyx at 12:09, 2 March 2012

2012-03-02T12:09:58Z

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Arczyx: Created page with "=Chapter 9= "I don't remember what happened yesterday," Fana said in a grudging tone. She stood on sand dunes covered with the morning mist, a flush on her face. "Really, I don..."

2012-03-02T09:42:24Z

Created page with "=Chapter 9= "I don't remember what happened yesterday," Fana said in a grudging tone. She stood on sand dunes covered with the morning mist, a flush on her face. "Really, I don..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 17 January 2025
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	He decided.		He decided.

	As he'd seen in the previous exchange, the Amatsukami air fleet favored using tight formations to raise the likelihood of taking down their target. Even on the ~~Levahm~~ side, the days of relying on bravado, skill, and mental fortitude was beginning to fade into a thing of the past, but they were still not even close to being as modern in combat as the Amatsukami.		As he'd seen in the previous exchange, the Amatsukami air fleet favored using tight formations to raise the likelihood of taking down their target. Even on the Levamme side, the days of relying on bravado, skill, and mental fortitude was beginning to fade into a thing of the past, but they were still not even close to being as modern in combat as the Amatsukami.

	What was going to start wasn't a chivalrous fight of wills, but an escape from a mechanical strategy to eliminate Charles from the sky. Two, three steps were nothing; he'd have to think five, six steps ahead to avoid being trapped.		What was going to start wasn't a chivalrous fight of wills, but an escape from a mechanical strategy to eliminate Charles from the sky. Two, three steps were nothing; he'd have to think five, six steps ahead to avoid being trapped.
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	The Shinden pilots in turn were vexed by Charles' skill.		The Shinden pilots in turn were vexed by Charles' skill.

	The Amatsukami pilots knew, because of the radio telegraph code, that the empress-to-be of the ~~Levahm~~ Empire was seated in the rear seat of the Santa Cruz. It was obvious to everyone that shooting down the enemy's light of hope in the middle of the ocean would lead to a promotion and endless glory, so they secretly gave chase. However, the enemy pilot was unbelievably good. It took a tremendous amount of skill to continue evading attacks whilst being surrounded by so many enemy planes.		The Amatsukami pilots knew, because of the radio telegraph code, that the empress-to-be of the Levamme Empire was seated in the rear seat of the Santa Cruz. It was obvious to everyone that shooting down the enemy's light of hope in the middle of the ocean would lead to a promotion and endless glory, so they secretly gave chase. However, the enemy pilot was unbelievably good. It took a tremendous amount of skill to continue evading attacks whilst being surrounded by so many enemy planes.

	All of the Shinden pilots knew they wouldn't be able to replicate such a feat – except for one.		All of the Shinden pilots knew they wouldn't be able to replicate such a feat – except for one.

	And the formation leader was excited at meeting someone of equal skill. He didn't think someone this good was part of the ~~Levahm~~ Empire. It wasn't out of the question to believe he was the top pilot of the ~~Levahm~~ Empire, considering he was entrusted with the empress' life.		And the formation leader was excited at meeting someone of equal skill. He didn't think someone this good was part of the Levamme Empire. It wasn't out of the question to believe he was the top pilot of the Levamme Empire, considering he was entrusted with the empress' life.

	His heart began racing. He wanted to shoot this pilot down. This childish feeling made his neck crooked, like a preying mantis. He wanted to take this pilot on, one on one, using the fullest of his skills, instead of being restricted by the tight formation.		His heart began racing. He wanted to shoot this pilot down. This childish feeling made his neck crooked, like a preying mantis. He wanted to take this pilot on, one on one, using the fullest of his skills, instead of being restricted by the tight formation.
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	After all, as he was thinking, the Shinden's propeller groaned. It was rising in the air. The black light, with its silent guns, felt even creepier than before.		After all, as he was thinking, the Shinden's propeller groaned. It was rising in the air. The black light, with its silent guns, felt even creepier than before.

	Where would he run? It was time for Charles to decide, again. And he mustn't mess up that decision. The future of ~~Levahm~~ was seated behind him. Each and every move would change the face of the central ocean war.		Where would he run? It was time for Charles to decide, again. And he mustn't mess up that decision. The future of Levamme was seated behind him. Each and every move would change the face of the central ocean war.

	If he tried to evade sideways, it'd become close-ranged combat. If that happened, the Santa Cruz, with inferior turning speed, would instantly be riddled with 20mm bullets and dropped into the ocean. The Shinden's forte was in close-ranged combat, so he couldn't let that happen.		If he tried to evade sideways, it'd become close-ranged combat. If that happened, the Santa Cruz, with inferior turning speed, would instantly be riddled with 20mm bullets and dropped into the ocean. The Shinden's forte was in close-ranged combat, so he couldn't let that happen.
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	He'd avoided all sorts of tricks, but he finally bit on this trap. Charles could finally take the initiative.		He'd avoided all sorts of tricks, but he finally bit on this trap. Charles could finally take the initiative.

	What Charles challenged him to do was the S-class ~~Levahm~~ Empire piloting trick, the "Ishmael Turn", considered the most difficult maneuver regardless of whether you were from the east or west of the ocean.		What Charles challenged him to do was the S-class Levamme Empire piloting trick, the "Ishmael Turn", considered the most difficult maneuver regardless of whether you were from the east or west of the ocean.


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	The first-class flight skill known among the Amatsukami as the "Left Screw" – it involved doing a half-roll at the peak of the somersault, to cause the pursuing plane to overshoot past you.		The first-class flight skill known among the Amatsukami as the "Left Screw" – it involved doing a half-roll at the peak of the somersault, to cause the pursuing plane to overshoot past you.

	And see, the Santa Cruz, doing a reverse, began to slide to its left. He vaguely remembered the ~~Levahm~~ Empire calling it the "Ishmael Turn," after its originating pilot.		And see, the Santa Cruz, doing a reverse, began to slide to its left. He vaguely remembered the Levamme Empire calling it the "Ishmael Turn," after its originating pilot.

	This was the first time Chijiwa would see it being used in combat. Because there was the risk of losing speed and falling, pilots never attempted it.		This was the first time Chijiwa would see it being used in combat. Because there was the risk of losing speed and falling, pilots never attempted it.
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	Only the blue sky was left in front of Charles.		Only the blue sky was left in front of Charles.

	Nothing would obstruct them now. All he had to do was fly until sunset, and they'd reach Cyon island. And to the west of Cyon island was ~~Levahm~~-dominated airspace.		Nothing would obstruct them now. All he had to do was fly until sunset, and they'd reach Cyon island. And to the west of Cyon island was Levamme-dominated airspace.

	Charles simply flew.		Charles simply flew.

Remembrances for a Certain Pilot:Chapter9 - Revision history

QCore: /* Chapter 9 */

Arczyx at 12:09, 2 March 2012

Arczyx: Created page with "=Chapter 9= "I don't remember what happened yesterday," Fana said in a grudging tone. She stood on sand dunes covered with the morning mist, a flush on her face. "Really, I don..."