This time it comes with a story, I was originally planning on posting it with the story but it wasn't finished when I did the first one and I kinda just wanted to get it out as I had the picture ready since about August of 2019, yeah that's how bad I am about posting

One of the most successful fighter pilots of the Ku’Jil, the “Gem Ve’Lor” or Blue Lady/ Belle/ Damsel/ etc. was one of the most skilled Aces in Mai’No’Tian history, downing no less than 271 enemy fighters in her time in the skies, and damaging countless more. Though extremely famous, she is just as unknown and mysterious, most that can be found is about her career in the war and a broad overview of her life before. Growing up on a farm near Fr’Neo she spent her days mainly as a crop duster pilot and general farm hand keeping things like tractors and the cars running. When Fr’Neo was absorbed into the then expanding Ko’Jan Royal Sovereignty, life didn’t change all too much, however when word that war had broken out between the K.R.S. and E’Fo’Nan Empire she heeded the call to arms and tried to join the Ko’Jan Royal Sovereign Air Fleetas a pilot, however she was denied on account of her being underweight and was assigned as an AA Gunner.

In the early days of 1946 BCE, the KRSAF began sending mass amounts of air units over the Elb Channel (The body of water that separates Yn’Ko from Mo’Gu) in order to secure air superiority and attack and secure airfields in Mo’Gu. At one of these airfields, a large scale counter attack caused havoc and disorder, in this chaos could be spotted a new prototype aircraft there for combat testing, the Br’Wok BK-130, a single engine, low wing, fighter similar to the then developing KN-19. With it sitting in a hanger with no pilot (the test pilot was airborne in their own fighter) she ran over to the bright blue fighter and started it up. With in minutes of getting airborne the 103 shot down 2 KN-18s and heavily damaged another 4, of which 3 later crashed making her the only pilot to become an Ace in her first combat mission in the whole war. After the attack had been driven off and all planes landed her C.O. instead of yelling and punishing her for leaving her post instantly promoted her and submitted a request for her to be sent back home for pilot training (mainly for more tactical operational purposes, such as communication and formation flying). After passing and being assigned to a squadron her career quickly advanced with her downing plane after plane of all types from fighters, bombers, artillery spotters, transports, and more.

In 1932, years after the invasion of Mo’Gu by the E’Fo’Nan Empire, the K.S.R.A.F. was on the defensive for the first time in the war. During this the Gem Ve’Lor and her squadron engaged in one of the most intense aerial battles of the war, The Battle of the Sky Columns. In central Mo’Gu, tectonic activity has created massive pillars of dirt and rock that can be up to 30 meters wide and over 300 meters tall and in an extreme vicinity to each other. In extreme fog and cloud conditions her squadron engaged the 283rd Fighter squadron of the E.I.A.F. which had been sent to Mo’Gu to specifically deal with her and her squadron. At some point in the fight, she pursued the squadron leader of the 283rd (Squadron Leader Fek’Jin Hun’An) into the clouds, to never be seen again. After the battle both sides did extensive searches of the area and interviewed their pilots to find out what happened and concluded that they either must’ve flown far enough and crashed into the ocean, went A.W.O.L, or destroyed each other. Years later in 1895 BCE, SL Hun’An was found to be living in Rek’Bev in Northern Mo’Gu and was extensively interviewed by both the E’Fo’Nan and Ko’Jan governments and reporters for answers, how ever he never discussed what happened that day or its repercussions and kept it as a secret until his death in 1870. Here is what happened on that fateful day.

Kel’Po’Lar 2nd, 4263 (*March 19th, 1932 BCE)

Early in the waking hours of the 2nd, the fighters of the 17th Royal Fighter Squadron partake in their normal schedule of Combat Air Patrol of central Mo’Gu. The engines of their fighters purr as their metallic marvels glide through the air, the stars’ warmth and light are blocked today by intense fog and heavy clouds. Their wingtips make distinct trails through the thick soup of greys and whites. The Ko’Jan Royal Sovereignty has been on the defensive since the E’Fo’Nan Empire invaded Mo’Gu in 4268, forcing the KRS to devote resources to the defense of the island. In the time since the KRS’s own take over of the island, it has been the forefront of the war aside from the Battle of T’Chong. The 17th R.F.S. is made of the most elite fighter pilots from the entire Sovereignty, all equipped with the best aircraft their engineers can manage with their own personal mods. Leading the flight was none other than the Gem Ve’Lor herself, her BK-130 (Mod. 1) cutting effortlessly through the foggy pool, moisture that had built up on her canopy made her steed sparkle in what little light got through the clouds. The quiet humming of a squad mate was fed through her headset as she and the pack soared over the pillars of rock below, normally she could handle this little act of A.D.D. as all pilots tried to do something to keep themselves busy on long tenuous flights like this, however the weather of the past few days had soured her mood.

“Ret’Jas I swear, if you don’t knock off that humming I will shoot you down myself.” He quickly stopped the rhythmic vocalizations as he gulped in embarrassment, the mic on his throat picking up the noise and causing a chuckle through the flight.

“Come on Blue, don’t be like that, he sounds just like… like… Fuck what’s his name? The guy who wrote Petals of the Night. Mes… Hel’Or I want to say. That’s wrong, I know it’s wrong but I’m sticking with it because I can’t remember his name right now.” Hon’Muz, Gem Ve’Lor’s wingman was a music nerd and a bit of an overall goofy fellow. He and another squad member began to debate the musical number that Ret’Jas put on, in everyone’s distraction over the squabble they passed through the clouds into open skies. The stars’ light bringing warmth into the cockpits of the group. “No no no no, his voice range is only 3 octives, while Fet…”


“Guys shut it. We got 19’s at 10 o’clock high, 400 meters.” Gem barked on the radio. The conversation cut like construction paper as they all looked out at the flight of enemy fighters passing them by. The Khan’Nings were an unmistakable aircraft with their sleek and narrow frame with large rudder, the paint job only made it easier with uneven patterns of hard green and dark brown on the sides and top with a sky blue underbelly with white control surfaces and cockpit door.

“Boss you think it’s them?” For the past few months the 17th has been mercilessly hunted by the EIAF who have sent hundreds of their best to face them. A few weeks ago however, the EIAF sent arguably their best Aces to take care of them, the Imperial 283rd Fighter Hunter Squadron. Tasked with destroying enemy fighters through head-to-head combat, the Fighter Hunter Squads boasted hundreds of kills from over the years. They were usually held back in reserves as trainers or for defensive and counter attack use, this however was a special occasion with specific circumstances.

“I don’t know but be ready, I’ll check them out. Muz, with me.”

“Roger.” Pulling up and away the 2 lead aircraft broke off from formation while the rest stayed back and closed the distance with their wigman. Staying under and behind the 19s Gem slowly inched closer, her breathing slow and heart racing she slowly put more and more pressure on her plane’s throttle. The 17th was Ko’Ja’s best, they always knew that any foe could end them, one mistake could end their lives in an instant. As she approached she lowered the plane’s nose ever so slightly as Hon’Muz popped up on her headset

“Hey Boss, shouldn’t there be more planes. I only count 10.'' In that instant as her canopy’s bracing moved out of her line of sight she noticed the infamous bright red noses of the 283rd as 2 19’s popped out of the clouds and charged at them head on guns blazing. The E’Fo’Nan flight broke formation as the pulled away towards the Ko’Jan fighters. With barely enough time to react she and Hon’Muz jinked hard right as tracers flew by the underside of their fuselages and slammed the throttle against the firewall as their engines roared. Pulling an immense amount of force she was still able to warn her flight of the danger among them.

“It’s them!” Instantly scattering all Ko’Jan fighters disappeared into the clouds and were quickly pursued by their foe. Pulling hard on their stick Gem and Muz leveled off at the lower clouds as they checked their mirrors for their foes. Tracers came raining down on them from above as their radios were alive with yelling and updates, slamming her throttle back she rolled over and pulled down into the clouds leaving behind an outline of her craft. Noticing her move Hon’Muz quickly followed and tried his best to keep up, after years of combat together each pair operated as a well oiled machine as each could determine the others move before they committed to it. With the fog blocking vision to less than 5 meters in some cases, it made it near impossible to navigate before the blistering speed of air combat was involved giving you only seconds or less to react to your environment. With the ever present sight of the 19s massive 30mm cannon in her mirror, the 19s were never less than 20 meters behind her, making even a slight deceleration deadly without evasion. Bright yellow flashes flew by her canopy as her plane swayed side-to-side, trying to prevent her foe from getting a bead on her. Pulling up she was slammed back into her seat as her plane shuddered and rocked as metallic scraping pierced her ears, the plane’s Gas’Mev V-14 howled as it sucked down the muggy humid cloud. Leveling off in an Immelman she quickly caught her breath and could feel her heart throbbing in her throat. “Muz is my tail good?”

“Yeah it looks fine… Why?”

“Just felt something shake. We should head North, weather’s clearer up there.”

“Got it.” Rolling on a left knife edge the 2 planes turned North. Pulling back on the throttle they scanned the skies looking for their foe as Vo’Ler radioed in the situation.

“Stormcloud this is Lightning 1, we are engaged with an enemy squadron confirmed to be Javelin. We are heading North towards clear weather at max speed and 3000 meters.” Switching channels to communicate with the rest of her squad she noticed a 19 trailing a squadmate below her. “All units head north at max speed now. Muz I’m breaking.”

“Got it.” Hon’Muz stayed level as Gom pulled down and began to open fire on the trailing 19 which had already damaged the allied craft. With a firm squeeze her guns opened up and quickly dealt with the 19 as it spewed fire and smoke before disappearing in the haze.

“Thanks, I couldn’t shake them.”

“No worries, now go North, I’ll catch up.” Once again trailing off on her own she pulled back on the throttle, and letting the engine cool down. Checking her fuel reserves she determined she had 4 hours left at cruising, more than a good amount for a fight before returning to base. Calling out on the radio still alive with chatter of combat she tried with no avail to communicate with some of her comrades. Soon as they separated in distance and the weather around her worsened she decided to turn North and rejoin the fight. Suddenly the unforgettable sound of the Model 58 30mm cannon thumped her chest as she pulled immediate evasives without knowing the direction of its origin. As she found herself in another clearing she found herself surrounded by the massive columns of rock that stretch into the sky like a stone clad city. As she passed by one a plane flew directly in front of her nose causing it to shudder and shake with ferocity. Watching as it pulled away, she felt something was off, the plane flew like a sightseeing tour, slow deliberate turns with a fluid motion to its actions. Turning to follow, everytime she closed the gap it went out ahead of her, but never tried to actually run away or retaliate even after some short bursts, scanning the area she saw no other planes. Suddenly it pulled into a cart wheel, circling in with no other apparent goal. With her blood cooling down she joined in the break of action trying to feel out the enemy pilot. Breaking her attention from the foe, the radio began to crackle her ear.

“So, is it really you, the Blue Damsel?” Originally surprised she didn’t respond at first, this is her enemy, the greatest threat to the Sovereignty, why should she engage with idle chatter with them. “If not I guess I have to take you down without a spectacle, just like a common rookie.” Deciding that it might make for a great and memorable story she decided to amuse him.

“You know of any other plane like this? I Thought it was unique.” Made a pouting voice she decided to see where this went, not like it would end the war any sooner.

“Oh it is, but let me tell you this, it took us a very long time to find you. You and your squad are always changing airfields and taking different routes, like trying to find a single fish in the ocean.” He spoke like how he flew, it was elegant and yet induced a primal feeling of anxiety and confusion.

“So? I’m here now, so what?” closing the circle both planes got closer and closer until they could see each other as clear as day. “Are we just going to talk all day or are you going to make a move?”

“I thought we might take this a bit slow, get to know each other a bit first, and then get to the fun stuff, seeing how we might never see each other again after today.” Undoing his mask and letting it hang on his left side, they kept constant eye contact with each other as they got ever more and more flirtatious.

“What, you just expect to hook up with me for the night before going on your merry little way like I’m some common bimbo? Please Hun, you won’t get far with that attitude.”

“Maybe not, but it’s not all attitude, it’s also grace, style, and most importantly substance. We both know that you are just a little curious and interested, because if not, we wouldn’t be having this little face-to-face, now would we.”

“Just because you hooked the fish, doesn’t mean you’ve landed it yet.” With both craft separated by mere meters they could almost turn off their radios and still make out what they were saying.

“True, but the more you struggle and more you play ‘hard-to-get’, the easier it is for me to reel you in.” Deciding to finally make her move, his last words proved perfect for her in the moment.

“‘Hard-to-Get’? You mean, like this?” Leveling off she pulled out of the cart wheel and slammed her throttle forward and pressed her deep into the seat. The howl of the plane’s radiator faded as the E’Fo’Nan Ace smiled and resecured his oxygen mask.

“Ok, let’s play” Opening up his engine he pulled hard right into a pursuit as Gem soared away towards the horizon. Looking down at the dials he flips the switches to arm his 6 20mm Mod 59 Automatic Cannons, lights turning on as they indicate their status to fire. “Come on, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. I’m just trying to do my job.” Putting pressure on the yolk she pulls her steed into the sky as she spins up the supercharger forcing the unburnt hydro-cardons to ignite in the exhaust, shooting flames out the side of the nose.

“Well maybe if you can do your job, I’ll give you a special holiday bonus.” Her altimeter spun like a wind-up toy as the plane shot higher and higher into the sky. Leveling off she rolls over and looks below her to see her competition following up behind her before pointing straight down and firing a small burst before beginning her descent.

Seeing the deadly lights scream down on him he kicks his rudder as they slam into the airframe like rain on a tin roof. With his plane on its edge Gem dives by him like he did before, reacting in the moment he taps his yolk and fires a quick burst in a futile move to score a hit.

Escaping that game of chicken unscathed she spots a small supply road running through the endless thicket of trees below. Easing off the throttle her plane enters the small space left available to her. The trees enter her field of view and rush by at a million miles an hour leaving nothing but a brown and green blur in her sight. Not one to be out down, Fek’Jin smirks as he trails her by mere meters, the prop wash of her plane shakes the KN-19 and its pilot to the core as unstable air passes over its wings.

For hours, a flirtatious game of back and forth between two apex predators fills the skies of a war torn world. Passing over battles where the fate of their world is being decided. Thick columns of black smoke rise into the sky among the pillars of rock they reside next to. Engines howl as they get low on the dance floor and zoom by the ever present skyscrapers of rock, up high in the sky they take to a slower ballroom waltz as they glide across the heavens with slower, more sultry deliberate moves.

Passing over the nearby Dill'Er Mountain range the 2 dancers ran away to a clear area of farm land and wilderness. The two aircraft climb, then dive, and climb again as they spin around each other as if gravitationally locked like the stars of their system in the void above. In a risky move to drop out of His gunsight Gem pulls her 103 into a flat spin and immediately descends towards the ground, with the altimeter spinning as the plane losing altitude She counters the spin and pushes Her nose down and opens up the planes throttle as it revs back up to speed. Pulling out of the dive She sees tracers slam into the ground behind Her as she zooms off and into a slight climb.

Looking at Her fuel gauge She comes to a horrible realization, neither of them are going back to base, and if either of them are to survive, it must end soon or they both run the risk of dying.

“Hey Pretty Boy what’s your fuel status?” She asks over the radio. Keeping Her head on a swivel she looks towards Her foe, the KN-19 pulling up to her left wing, bullet holes noticeable in both planes they both use the time as a breather to rest and talk.

“Getting Low, definitely not making it home, you?” He looks at Her and her plane, the blue metal stained with black oil and brown and grey exhaust fumes creating a streak of color over the wing from the exhaust pipes.

“Yeah, same. Shall we continue?” She smirks at the Imperial pilot as he nods back at her.

“After you M’Lady.” He motions with his hand out towards the front of them in a sarcastic mark of chivalry.

“How thoughtful, thank you my good Sir.” Putting her hand to her chest she slightly bows Her head with the same snarkiness in Her voice. She pulls back on the yolk as the 103 noses up in a near vertical climb as She is quickly followed by Her pursuer into the sky. Turning over to level out tracers streak by Her wings for a flash before they stop.

“Oh come on.” Fek’Jin exclaimed, His voice filled with annoyance and disappointment.

“Run out of ammo? That’s what happens when you get too excited and don't take it slow and thoughtfully.” With an obvious euphemistic tone in Her voice She teased her opponent about His trigger discipline.

“Oh don’t worry, I still got more.” Switching over the safety from the wings guns to those mounted in the engine cowling the lights for the wings go dark while the nose ones light up, pulling up to Her altitude Fek’Jin continues His pursuit.

Noticing Him in Her mirrors She rolls the plane over and dives towards the ground, the golden plains of wheat filling Her vision She levels out and quickly pulls into a right knife edge and pulls on the stick causing the 19 to overshoot. Both planes on the deck, they can easily reach out and touch the ground as the turn around each other, the aircraft groan under the strain of the excessive G’s as the 103 drops its flaps and slowly starts getting on Fek’Jin’s tail before letting a stream of tracers out of Her guns. Cutting His throttle to undershoot the tracers, the lead rattles against His airframe and causes a large stream of grey mist to streak from the fuselage knowing that what little fuel is left will soon be gone.

“Okay okay you win, you win.” His voice has changed, it’s less energetic and filled with concern. Pulling up next to Her wounded foe she undoes Her mask and looks over to Her right.

“Are you hurt?” She examines the aircraft for any more damage that could be worse.

“Yeah just… that last one was too close.”

“Yeah, you're not staying in the air for much longer, you're leaking fuel heavily and if you were telling the truth on your fuel status you have only a few minutes at most. Follow me. I saw a dirt road not far from here.” Slowly pulling a wide turn the two aircraft flew side-by-side as they headed Southeast over the fields. The sound of their engines filling the still air for miles they both looked around at the peaceful scenery, blue skies, and endless horizon in front of them. Both of their breathing came down as they flew, Fek’s was still shakier than Gem’s. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Huh? Yeah I’m fine.”

“Just your breathing is pretty hard, I just want to be sure that you can land your plane.”

“Yeah, I can easily land.” Approaching the dirt road the aircraft entered an approach pattern and circled overhead.

“You take it, you need it more.”

“Thanks.” Lining up with the road Fek continued lowering his throttle and speed. Flipping the gear switch the doors covering the wheels opened up as the legs dropped down and locked in place, the hydraulics heard from inside the cockpit along with a solid “chunk” let Him know the landing gear was good and locked along with 3 indicator lights, one for each wheel. With flaps lowered dust was soon being kicked up from the propeller and hid the aircraft in a large cloud. Small rocks and pebbles could be heard clinking against the plane as it rolled down the road using only its momentum to stop with a few light taps on the brakes. “Alright, I’m good, you can come in, SHIT!”

“What’s wrong?” Gem circled the 19 and looked down as the dust cloud cleared away.

“So, it turns out I am hurt.”

“Is it bad?”

“I don’t know, just my leg hurts and is bleeding.”

“Don’t worry I’m on my way down.” Coming out of the circle the 103 begins its descent and landing procedures. Going through nearly the same process as the 19 the plane touches down and rolls to a halt behind the KN-19. “Okay hang tight be right there.” Hitting the fuel cut-off before disconnecting Her headset and unbuckling Her harness She slides back the canopy and jumps out onto the wing before jumping down onto the road. Trotting over the to 19 She steps up onto the right wing and knocks on the bullet riddled glass. “Can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Can you open the canopy?” Unlocking the latches Fek slid the canopy back and unbuckled His harness he took off his helmet and mask. Looking down at his blood soaked leg still on the rudder pedal held by the leather strap.

“Can you reach down and get that?”

“Let me see.” Reaching down and into the gap She fumbled with the strap on the pedal for a bit but managed to get it undone. Holding his hand out She helped lift him up and out of His seat and slung His arm on Her shoulder, as they slowly walked down the wing root. Gently coming down to the ground Gem set Fek down to tend to his leg. “At least it looks like it went clean through, how your leg is still attached though is beyond me.” Trotting back to Her 103 and getting the first aid kit out She took out the series of bandages and tourniquet. Rolling up the pant leg She applied the tourniquet and rolled the pant leg back down over it.

“So. What now?” Fek panted as He recovered from the pain and shock of the tourniquet.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Leaning up against the tail of the KN-19 they looked up to the sky as Gem took off her mask and helmet. Taking in a breath of fresh air, they sat in silence for a few minutes just taking in the peace of the seemingly untouched area that had yet to see the war until they arrived. The clouds light and wispy slowly moving across the sky, the breeze rustling the crops they simply took in the peace, the peace they haven’t had in well over 15 years, kids born after the war were being brought up in a time where their future holds only war, some lie about their age and are already fighting on the front lines that have been shifting since they were born. Some soldiers only have a slim memory of the time before the war, the war that has already taken millions and has seen battles on 4 continents, cities turned to rubble, towns and villages raised to the ground, and geography changed eternally. For though their war is over, for millions of citizens across Mai’No’Tia, it still is raging, and for some has yet to start, and will not end until millions of more die, and and even more are left without a home, food, water, loved ones, and will leave lasting scars on their society for millennia to come.