Athens, Greece. Kestrel is walking along the docks, the carrier Colin Powell docked nearby. Her captain walks up to her.

"Good day Miss Kestrel. Captain Dale Wilson of the Colin Powell. I've got a little proposition for you and your crew."

"Certainly captain. What can we do for you?"

"Our ship is nearly repaired and our replacement pilots have arrived. However we're short on crew. If you would be willing to help us, we'd be most grateful."

"All of us?"

"Volunteers only."

"Thank you captain, I'll take it up with my crew."

*****

Unknown location, Crimea Peninsula. Alura is watching her werewolves swarm over a construction rig underground.

"I want it ready for deployment within the week!" says Alura

"We're working as fast as we can my Queen." replies a werewolf next to her.

"Work faster, then! We haven't done enough to Bengal and his fleet. I want him to suffer!"

"Yes my queen."

*****

Retriever, Bengal's office. He is currently talking to Captain Bayou of the Barrage.

"It's too bad we had to take out our shields." says Bengal "But after the incident with the Rising Sun, international law said that starship shielding on naval vessels is illegal. Chief Kenai might still be alive today. Anyway, how are the repairs to your ship going?"

"Badly. Our engines are shot. And if Alura decides to hit us, we'll be an easy target."

"You want to evacuate?"

Affirmative. Get a rescue chopper over here and some cover for defense. We'll fire off most of our ordance, though against Alura's were's I doubt it'll do any good."

"Roads, bridges, air bases, jets, you name it. It could be a big help to the defense of Turkey. The Georgia coast has fallen and Turkey is on the defensive. I'll set the operation up immedatly."

*****

Pilots briefing lounge. Katrina, a female Rottwieller, of Sirius Flight (F-14's) and Toby, a Malinois, of Tiger Flight (Harriers) and they're respective squadrons listen in as CAG Akira, Raven and Rajah brief them on the mission.

"The Barrage has become hopelessly disabled and her captain has ordered abandon ship." says Rajah

"Tailspin will fly in with rescue choppers to recover the crew, Toby's flight will fly cover in case Alura's youngsters decide to intervene." says Raven "Katrina, your squadron will fly cover over the fleet."

"Shortly before the rescue" says Akira "The Barrage will launch everything it has and then be scuttled. Turkey is about to come under Alura's influence; I'll be going up with Toby and his crew."

"Are you sure that's wise, sir?" says Toby

"No. But I've been dyin to get back in the air. So I'm going. Any questions?"

"Dismissed!" says Raven

*****

Open sea. The Barrage launches dozens of missiles all headed north to the Crimea and Ukraine. Tailspins' choppers move in and pick up the crew as Captain Bayou sets the ship up for scuttling.

"Tiger Four to Tiger Leader, incoming bogeys from the east!"

"Got 'em Tiger Four." says Akira "Looks like they captured airfields in Georgia too. Toby, your in charge here, Tiger Three, your on my wing."

"Copy that."

"Looks like four total. Let's get a lock on."

"Yes sir."

"Steady.....good tone! Fox Three!"

"Fox Three!"

Their missiles streak out towards the horizon and merge with the blips on their radar screen.

"Two down, two to go, Commander!"

"Roger. These guys aren't so tough it seems. They're coming right by us."

"Copy that, one's going right between us."

As the werewolf flown MiG flies between them, the base of the wing starts to blink. Tiger Three notices.

"What the...? He's firing guns at point blank! Commander get out of---"

But he's too late. Akira's canopy blows out and belches fire and his Harriers makes a nosedive into the ocean.

"Mayday, mayday! This is Tiger Three to Doghouse, Akira's down. MiGs turning towards me!"

"Hightail it out of there Tiger Three, pronto!"

"Too late." says Tiger Three with resignation as a steady tone rings though his cockpit and his jet explodes.

*****

Retriever CIC.

"Where are they headed?" says Bengal

"Enemy MiGs turning south towards Turkey." says Patton

"Katrina, intercept and destroy!"

"On it captain."

*****

With Katrina's flight, Katrina with her navigator, Fatima, a Kangal, and their wingmate try to intercept the remaining MiGs.

"Sirius Leader to Sirius Two, got a lock on 'em Cajun?"

"Roger that, boss."

"Fox Three!"

A missiles leaps from Katrina's jet and streaks on.

"What the..?" says Fatima "They have radar jammers! Our missile's going by them!"

"Guess we'll be doing this the old fashioned way. Let's get in there with 'em Cajun!"

"Right behind you boss."

"MiG One's got a lock on us!" says Cajun's navigator.

"Evasive, Cajun!" says Katrina "Fatima, you got a lock?"

"Roger, heat-seeker's got the tone...Fox One!

The missile streak off and hits their target.

"Splash one!"

"Get this guy off me!" shouts Cajun.

"Sirius Two, this is Shogun on the Ruegger We got your bandit locked on. Break hard right on my signal. And....break!"

The remaining MiG is destroyed by the Ruegger's missile. Cajun sighs in relief.

"Much obliged Shogun."

A light on the horizon appears and a small mushroom cloud rises up.

"That'll be the Barrage blowing up." says Katrina.

"Shame we had to destroy her." says Fatima.

"All pilots return to base."

"Time to paint a kill on our fuselage, Fatima."

"Ohh, goody, I've been dying to put a kill on our plane."

"Headin' home!"

to be continued.....