Tides Rising: Operation Prometheus Part VII

Operation Prometheus. August 26, 2084. Local Time: 4:45 AM. Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Status: [REDACTED]

I drag myself across the asphalt of the runway, coughing up salt water and shivering as the icy tide slashes across my back. Who had the bright idea to build a runway that was partially submerged in the ocean? This part of the airfield is pretty dark, save for the dim red approach lights and touchdown lights which are a couple hundred feet ahead of us. 

"Thought we lost you there for a minute," Kelly says as she crouches over me. She brushes a strand of blond hair off her forehead with one hand as she helps me up with the other. "Might wanna get going," she says, nodding at the lights in the distance. About one mile away, on the opposite end of the runway, I see a large airplane taxiing into the hold short position. It's probably an AWACS aircraft; it'll be the first aircraft they send out for the day. On the adjacent taxiway, two more aircraft are lined up. It's still dark out, but the runway lights, searchlights, and lights from the hangars do a solid job of illuminating the airfield. 

Kelly signals to a hostile watchtower that's pretty close to us. For now, its searchlights are pointed away from us, and into the forest. We are safely concealed in the dark. "Pedersen, that's our ticket outta here." I look up at the tower in confusion. 

"Elaborate on that," I ask, trying to see what she sees. 

"The third hangar is where our prize is, right?" Kelly explains, racking her pistol. 

"Yes..." I concur, still not sure where she's going with this.

"Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not going to be able to sneak around this base, nighttime or not, unless I have a proper disguise," Kelly continues explaining this as she begins moving towards the hangar.

"Sure-so you want to get into the watchtower, whack the guys in there, and take their disguises?" I ask. Kelly nods in acknowledgment. 

 "Bingo, boss." She twists a silencer onto her pistol. "They're probably so occupied with the helicopter crash we caused in the forest, that they won't even notice us!" I nod slowly. It's a great plan. What could go wrong? 

We keep walking towards the watchtower, careful to avoid the runway lights as much as possible. We could stand up freely around the approach lights since those were a dark red, but the touchdown lights and PAPIs both do a far better job of illuminating us for them to see. Because if they see us... well, we're toast.

We make sure to drop on the dirt as the first airplane comes roaring down the runway. We're pretty close to the base of the watchtower now, and pretty far from the runway at this point, but just in case any extra-eager airman is peering out the window, we make sure to conceal ourselves in the tall grass next to the runway. I can't help but notice that oddity. It's not common for tall grass to be prevalent on large asphalt runways. 

Once I sense the first plane has fully taken off, I take a quick look around my shoulder. The large dish on top of the aircraft confirms that it is an AWACS. I look back down the runway. The second aircraft in line is already taxiing into the hold-short position. I tap Kelly on the shoulder before making my way to the base of the watchtower. 

"Take point," I quietly murmur. She scales the ladder first. I quickly follow suit, taking one last scan for anything out of the ordinary before I start moving up. 

About halfway up the ladder, I pause to watch the second plane in the pattern take off. This one is a fighter jet, one with forward swept wings and canards. While it bears an almost uncanny resemblance to the pre-Balkan Su-47, the outline of the aircraft is just... off. I clutch the ladder more aggressively as I hear the roar of its afterburners. "They're getting into a rhythm with their rotation," I note, looking back at the airfield. I count at least six, maybe seven more aircraft on the taxiway, and yet another aircraft is already accelerating down the runway.

"Must be getting closer to sunrise..." Kelly whispers. "We've gotta get in and out of here, fast." We make it to the trapdoor that will give us access to the platform, but before Kelly can open it, the door swings open, revealing the barrel of a gun pointed directly at Kelly's forehead.

"In the name of the Iberian Royal Guard, I am placing you under arrest. Don't make any sudden moves. You will be shot."