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MidReal Story
Skyline
Scenario:In 1941, after Britain demonstrates the de Havilland Mosquito’s capabilities, the US Army Air Forces decides to pursue licensed production of the type by Beech Aircraft. The Mosquito then enters service with the USAAF in late 1942.
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James Carter
American pilot, friends with Sarah and Henry, rugged with a strong sense of duty, skilled and brave
Sarah Jennings
British intelligence officer, friend of James and mentor to Henry, elegant with sharp wit, intelligent and resourceful
Henry Lee
American mechanic, mentee of Sarah and friend to James, youthful with a curious nature, inventive and loyal
I was in the middle of a poker game with Sarah and Henry when the call came.
Sarah and I had been playing for a while, but Henry had only joined us after the first hour.
It was his day off, so he’d been working on his own project in the garage when he heard us laughing and joking in the kitchen.
He’d come in to see what we were doing, and Sarah had invited him to join us.
He’d been a little hesitant at first, but after a few hands, he was hooked.
Now he was sitting on a straight flush, and I could see the excitement in his eyes as he looked back and forth between Sarah and me.
I knew that look all too well.
Henry's grin stretched wider as he laid down his cards, revealing the straight flush.
"Read 'em and weep," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
Sarah groaned, tossing her cards onto the table.
"You're too lucky for your own good," she muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips.
I glanced at my own hand and sighed.
"Guess you got us this time, Henry."
The kitchen was dimly lit, the only light coming from a single bulb hanging above the table.
The air was thick with cigarette smoke, curling lazily towards the ceiling.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to shake off the weight of the day.
We were supposed to be relaxing, but I couldn't help feeling a sense of duty gnawing at me.
Henry reached for the pot of chips in the center of the table, his fingers brushing against Sarah's.
She pulled her hand back quickly, her eyes darting to mine before settling on Henry.
"You always know how to make an entrance," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
He chuckled.
"What can I say? I have a knack for timing."
Just as I was about to respond, the phone rang, its shrill tone cutting through the smoky haze.
We all froze for a moment, exchanging glances.
Sarah was the first to move, pushing back her chair and walking over to the wall-mounted phone.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.
I watched as her expression shifted from curiosity to seriousness.
She nodded a few times before hanging up and turning back to us.
"We've been called in," she announced, her voice low but firm.
"It's about the new Mosquito aircraft."
The room fell silent as we absorbed her words.
The Mosquito was a top-secret project we'd been working on for months.
If we were being called in now, it could only mean one thing: something had gone wrong.
Henry's grin disappeared, replaced by a look of concern.
"What's happened?" he asked, his earlier excitement forgotten.
Sarah shook her head.
"They didn't give details over the phone. Just that we need to get there immediately."
I stood up, my mind racing with possibilities.
"Let's not waste any time then."
We gathered our things quickly, leaving the poker game forgotten on the table.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a sense of urgency settle over me like a heavy cloak.
The drive to the base was tense and silent.
Each of us lost in our thoughts about what awaited us.
When we finally arrived, we were met by Captain Reynolds at the gate.
"Good to see you all," he said briskly. "Follow me."
We trailed behind him as he led us through a series of security checkpoints and into a large hangar.
Inside, engineers and technicians were bustling around the sleek form of the Mosquito aircraft.
Captain Reynolds turned to face us, his expression grave.
"We've encountered an issue with the new navigation system," he began. "And we need your expertise to fix it before tomorrow's test flight."
Sarah stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"What kind of issue?"
Reynolds sighed. "It's causing interference with other onboard systems. We can't pinpoint why."
Henry exchanged a glance with me before speaking up. "We'll need access to all diagnostic data and system logs."
Reynolds nodded and gestured towards a nearby workstation. "Everything you need is there."
As we moved towards the workstation, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than any of us had anticipated.
Suddenly, an alarm blared through the hangar, red lights flashing ominously overhead.
Reynolds' face paled as he grabbed his radio.
"This is not a drill," he barked into it. "All personnel to emergency stations!"
My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at Sarah and Henry.
Whatever was happening now could change everything.
I scanned the area, my eyes narrowing as I spotted a group of enemy saboteurs planting more explosives near the Mosquito.
"We need to stop them," I whispered urgently.
Sarah nodded, her eyes narrowing with determination.
Henry grabbed a wrench from a nearby tool cart, his knuckles turning white around the handle.
"We can't let them destroy it," he muttered.
We moved stealthily, using the chaos and smoke as cover.
I could hear the distant shouts of personnel scrambling to their emergency stations, but our focus was solely on the saboteurs.
As we crept closer, I counted four of them, each busy setting charges around the aircraft.
I signaled to Sarah and Henry, indicating our plan of attack.
They nodded in understanding.
With a deep breath, I lunged forward and tackled one of the saboteurs to the ground.
He struggled beneath me, but I managed to pin him down, twisting his arm behind his back.
"Not today," I growled.
Sarah moved with swift precision, disarming another saboteur before he even had a chance to react.
She kicked his legs out from under him and yanked the detonator from his grasp.
"You're not blowing anything up," she hissed.
Henry was already at work disabling the remaining explosives.
His hands moved quickly and confidently as he cut wires and removed detonators.
"Almost got it," he called out.
The saboteur beneath me managed to free one arm and swung at my face.
I dodged just in time, feeling his fist graze my cheek.
I tightened my grip on him and slammed his head against the concrete floor, knocking him out cold.
Sarah had her saboteur in a chokehold, her eyes blazing with intensity.
He struggled for a moment before going limp in her arms.
She let him drop to the ground and turned to check on Henry.
"Done!" Henry shouted triumphantly as he disabled the last explosive device.
He wiped sweat from his brow and looked over at us. "All clear."
We regrouped near the Mosquito, our breaths coming in heavy pants as we surveyed the scene.
The dust began to settle, revealing the extent of the chaos around us.
Engineers and technicians were cautiously emerging from their hiding spots, their faces pale with fear.
Captain Reynolds rushed over to us, his expression a mix of relief and anger. "What happened here?" he demanded.
"Saboteurs," I replied grimly. "They were trying to plant explosives on the Mosquito."
Reynolds' face darkened. "This is part of a larger plot. They're trying to cripple our operations."
Sarah nodded. "We need to tighten security. If they got this far, who knows what else they have planned?"
Henry glanced at the unconscious saboteurs on the ground. "We should interrogate them. Find out who they're working for."
Reynolds agreed. "I'll have them taken into custody immediately. Good work, all of you."
As we stood there amidst the aftermath, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than any of us had anticipated.
Suddenly, another alarm blared through the hangar, louder and more urgent than before.
Reynolds' radio crackled to life with frantic voices. "Intruders in Sector B! All available units respond!"
My heart skipped a beat as I exchanged glances with Sarah and Henry.
Captain Reynolds motioned for us to follow him.
Sarah, Henry, and I arrived to inspect the production line. We were met by Mr. Thompson, the factory manager, whose face was lined with worry.
"Welcome," he said, shaking our hands firmly. "I'm afraid we've had some recent sabotage attempts."
"Sector B is this way," he said, his voice tense.
I exchanged a glance with Sarah and Henry. "What kind of sabotage?" I asked.
The corridors were dimly lit, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the walls.
The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat.
"Someone's been tampering with the assembly process," Thompson explained. "We've found damaged parts and tools left out of place."
We followed him through the bustling factory floor. Workers in coveralls moved with purpose, their faces set in concentration as they riveted panels and wired electrical systems. The overhead lights cast long shadows, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
We moved swiftly but cautiously, our footsteps echoing in the narrow passageways.
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted ahead of us.
I raised my hand, signaling for silence.
We pressed ourselves against the walls, inching forward with bated breath.
As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. My eyes scanned the workers, looking for anything unusual. Then I saw him—a man near a critical assembly area, his movements too deliberate, too cautious.
I signaled to Sarah and Henry with a subtle nod. They caught on immediately, their expressions hardening with resolve.
As we rounded a corner, the scene before us came into view.
We discreetly followed the suspicious worker as he moved towards a less populated section of the factory. He glanced around nervously before slipping behind a stack of crates.
Enemy soldiers were attempting to breach the command center, their weapons trained on the reinforced door.
I motioned for Sarah and Henry to spread out and cover different angles. We approached quietly, our footsteps muffled by the din of the factory.
Sarah took aim, her eyes narrowing as she focused on her targets.
She fired precise shots, each one finding its mark.
The worker crouched down and began to pull something from behind the crates. My heart pounded as I realized what it was—a stash of explosives.
Two soldiers fell instantly, their bodies crumpling to the ground.
"Hey!" I shouted, stepping forward.
Henry provided cover fire, his rifle spitting bullets at any enemy who dared to advance.
The man whipped around, his eyes wide with panic. He bolted, but Henry was faster. He tackled the saboteur to the ground, pinning him down.
I charged forward, my heart pounding in my chest.
Sarah quickly moved to secure the explosives, her hands steady despite the tension in the air.
An enemy soldier turned to face me, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Who are you working for?" I demanded, kneeling beside Henry and the captured saboteur.
The man struggled but said nothing, his jaw clenched tight.
"We don't have time for this," Sarah said urgently. "We need to get these explosives out of here."
Henry nodded, hauling the saboteur to his feet. "Let's take him to Thompson," he suggested.
I swung my rifle like a club, striking him across the jaw and sending him sprawling.
Another soldier lunged at me with a knife.
I sidestepped his attack and grabbed his wrist, twisting it until he dropped the blade with a pained cry.
We marched our captive back through the factory floor, drawing curious glances from workers who quickly returned to their tasks when they saw our grim expressions.
I delivered a swift punch to his gut, doubling him over before finishing him off with a knee to the face.
Thompson's eyes widened when he saw us approaching with the saboteur in tow. "What's going on?" he asked.
Sarah and Henry continued their assault, their movements synchronized like a well-oiled machine.
Sarah's shots were deadly accurate, while Henry's cover fire kept the enemies at bay.
"We caught this man with explosives," I explained tersely. "We need to secure them immediately."
Thompson's face paled. "I'll call security," he said, reaching for a phone on his desk.
One of the enemy soldiers managed to get close enough to grab Sarah's arm.
She twisted free and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs, followed by a quick jab to his throat.
As we waited for security to arrive, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency gnawing at me. This was more than just a random act of sabotage—this was part of a larger plot to cripple our operations.
He staggered back, gasping for air before collapsing.
Security arrived quickly, taking custody of the saboteur and securing the explosives. Thompson turned to us, his expression grave.
"Thank you for your quick action," he said sincerely. "We'll tighten security measures immediately."
Henry's rifle clicked empty just as an enemy soldier charged at him.
I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to stay vigilant," I said. "There could be more saboteurs."
Without missing a beat, Henry swung his weapon like a bat, connecting with the soldier's head and knocking him out cold.
The last enemy soldier stood between me and the command center door.
Sarah and Henry agreed, their faces set with determination.
His eyes darted around frantically as he realized he was outnumbered.
Just then, another alarm blared through the factory, louder and more urgent than before. Workers froze in place, their eyes wide with fear.
With a desperate yell, he rushed at me.
"What's happening now?" Thompson shouted over the noise.
I stood next to our Mosquito, the sleek lines of its fuselage gleaming under the overcast sky. Lieutenant Mark Davis, my co-pilot, was already checking our gear.
"Everything looks good here," Mark said, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of engines.
I nodded, adjusting my flight helmet. "Let's double-check the navigation system. After those sabotage attempts, we can't be too careful."
Mark's eyes narrowed as he glanced around the airfield. "You think they'll try something again?"
"Wouldn't put it past them," I replied grimly.
We moved to the cockpit, running through our pre-flight checklist with meticulous care. The tension was palpable, each click and switch a reminder of the stakes.
Sarah's voice crackled through the radio from the control tower. "James, Mark, how's it looking down there?"
"All systems go," I responded. "We're ready for takeoff."
Henry's voice joined in. "Keep an eye out for anything unusual. We've had reports of enemy activity in the area."
"Roger that," Mark said, giving me a thumbs-up.
We climbed into the cockpit, strapping ourselves in as the engines roared to life. The vibrations coursed through the aircraft, a powerful reminder of the machine's capabilities.
"Ready?" I asked, glancing at Mark.
He nodded. "Let's do this."
We taxied to the runway, the ground crew signaling us forward. The control tower loomed above us, Sarah and Henry visible through the glass as they coordinated with other crews.
"Cleared for takeoff," Sarah's voice came through our headsets.
I pushed the throttle forward, feeling the surge of power as we accelerated down the runway. The wheels lifted off the ground, and we soared into the cloudy sky.
The landscape below quickly became a patchwork of fields and forests as we climbed to cruising altitude. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders like a leaden cloak.
"How's she handling?" Mark asked, his eyes scanning the instruments.
"Smooth so far," I replied. "Let's hope it stays that way."
Just then, an unexpected radio message crackled through our headsets. "Unidentified aircraft approaching from your six o'clock. Possible hostile intent."
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at Mark. "Did you catch that?"
He nodded, his expression tense. "What do we do?"
"We stay sharp," I said firmly. "And we prepare for anything."
I adjusted our heading slightly, trying to get a visual on the approaching aircraft. The clouds obscured much of our view, adding to the sense of unease.
"Control tower, this is Mosquito One," I radioed in. "We have a possible hostile on our tail. Requesting instructions."
Sarah's voice came back immediately. "Maintain current course and altitude. We'll try to identify them from here."
Mark scanned the skies behind us, his eyes narrowing as he spotted something in the distance. "There! Two o'clock low!"
I followed his gaze and saw it—a dark shape moving rapidly towards us.
"Looks like a fighter," Mark said grimly.
"Hang on," I muttered, banking sharply to evade any potential attack.
The enemy aircraft closed in fast, its silhouette becoming clearer against the gray sky.
"They're not backing off," Mark said urgently.
"Prepare for evasive maneuvers," I ordered.
Suddenly, tracer rounds zipped past us, narrowly missing our wings.
"Damn it!" I cursed, pulling into a steep climb to throw off their aim.
Mark grabbed the radio again. "Control tower! We're under fire! Repeat, we're under fire!"
Sarah's voice was strained but steady. "Hold tight! Reinforcements are on their way!"
The enemy fighter stayed on our tail, relentless in its pursuit. My hands gripped the controls tightly as I executed another sharp turn.
"We can't keep this up forever," Mark warned.
"We just need to buy some time," I replied through gritted teeth.
Another burst of gunfire rattled our aircraft, but we managed to stay ahead of their shots.
Then, out of nowhere, two friendly fighters appeared from above us, diving towards our attacker with guns blazing.
"They're here!" Mark shouted with relief.
The enemy fighter broke off its pursuit, trying to evade our reinforcements' assault.
I leveled out our flight path and took a deep breath. "That was too close."
Mark nodded in agreement. "Let's get back on course and complete this mission."
As we resumed our original heading, I couldn't shake off the lingering tension. This was just one skirmish in a much larger conflict—and we had to stay vigilant every step of the way.
Sarah grabbed a nearby radio and called for an update.
A voice crackled back, "Enemy aircraft approaching! All personnel to defensive positions!"
My heart raced as I exchanged a quick glance with Henry and Sarah.
"Let's go!" I yelled, sprinting towards our Mosquito.
We dashed through the factory, weaving between startled workers and machinery.
The hangar doors loomed ahead, already opening to reveal the darkening sky outside.
Engines roared to life as we reached our aircraft.
Henry climbed into the rear gunner position while Sarah took her place at the navigation console.
I strapped myself into the pilot's seat, my hands moving swiftly over the controls.
"Ready?" I called out, my voice barely audible over the engine's roar.
"Ready!" Henry and Sarah replied in unison.
I pushed the throttle forward, feeling the powerful surge as we accelerated down the runway.
The wheels lifted off the ground, and we soared into the sky, leaving the chaos of the factory behind us.
"Coordinates coming in," Sarah said, her eyes fixed on her console. "Heading 270 degrees."
I adjusted our course, my eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of enemy aircraft.
"There!" Henry shouted from his position. "Three o'clock high!"
I spotted them—a formation of enemy fighters cutting through the clouds like dark arrows.
Adrenaline surged through me as I tightened my grip on the controls.
"Hold on tight," I warned, banking sharply to bring us into position.
The first enemy fighter appeared in our sights, its sleek form glinting ominously in the fading light.
I squeezed the trigger, feeling the recoil as bullets tore through the air towards our target.
The enemy plane shuddered under the impact, smoke trailing from its damaged engine.
"Good hit!" Henry cheered from behind me.
But there was no time to celebrate. More enemy fighters were closing in fast.
Sarah relayed their positions with calm precision while Henry prepared our weapons for another assault.
"Two more coming in at six o'clock," Sarah reported. "Watch your tail!"
I pulled into a tight loop, trying to shake off our pursuers. Tracer rounds zipped past us, narrowly missing our wings.
Henry returned fire, his shots forcing one of the enemy planes to break off its attack.
"Keep them off us!" I shouted, diving to avoid another burst of gunfire.
The sky was a chaotic dance of planes and bullets. The roar of engines and staccato bursts of gunfire filled my ears.
Every maneuver was a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of our enemies.
"Incoming at twelve o'clock!" Sarah warned.
I leveled out just in time to see another fighter bearing down on us. I fired again, but this pilot was skilled—he dodged my shots with ease.
Henry's guns blazed from behind me, forcing the enemy plane into a defensive roll.
"We can't keep this up forever," Henry called out. "We need reinforcements!"
As if in answer to his plea, two friendly fighters appeared on our radar, diving towards us from above.
"They're here!" Sarah exclaimed with relief.
Our allies engaged the remaining enemy planes with fierce determination. The sky lit up with tracer fire as they drove our attackers back.
One by one, the enemy fighters broke off their assault and retreated into the clouds.
"We did it," I breathed, my body trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline.
Sarah's voice crackled through my headset. "Let's head back to base."
I nodded, adjusting our course for home. The battle was over—for now—but I knew this was just one skirmish in a much larger war.