Sitting Duck

Sitting Duck is the first mission of Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.

Mission Script
[NOTE: Given the circumstances of the mission, the briefing shall be displayed in dialog format.]

Prelude - Opening
''Cue a white light, followed by a close-up shot of a rotating crank, with a background filled with light. A male voice speaks as the orchestral piece "ISAF" plays.'' The camera cuts to the rope of the crank. Cut to a shot of several flags of nations of the Usean Continent waving high in the air. A flock of white birds flies behind the flags, and the screen fades to white. Over a black background reads THE USEA CONTINENT/NORTH POINT/SEP.19.2004/1405hrs/CLOUDY.
 * ISAF Commander: Four years after the planetfall of the Ulysses 1994XF04 asteroids (The camera zooms in to the rotating crank), Stonehenge, the Erusian weapon of mass destruction, was originally built to shoot down asteroids.
 * ISAF Commander: Upon discovering its potential as an anti-aircraft weapon, the Erusians ruled the skies over the mainland.
 * ISAF Commander: The ISAF's (Independent State Allied Forces) attempts to destroy Stonehenge through airstrikes failed. As a result, strategic positions on the mainland were lost. This in turn forced the ISAF to evacuate from the East Coast to North Point. ISAF GHQ (General Headquarters) is regrouping its remaining forces at North Point. However, the Erusians control most parts of the mainland, and they have forward deployed bombers to Rigley Air Base, a former ISAF facility. This bomber force will attempt to deal a lethal blow to the ISAF at North Point from this strategic position.

''Cut to a black screen. Messages flash as a computer system screen powrers on, featuring the "Three Arrowheads" ISAF emblem. As the commander speaks, the background changes to a map of the Usean Continent. In the eastern sector the names "Farbanti", Stonehenge & San Salvacion can be seen, while Rigley AFB can be seen in the western area. A massive circle is located in the central-western area, indicating Stonehenge's effective range.''

As the commander speaks, the screen shifts to "satellital mode", showing a basic, birds-eye view of the mission area.
 * ISAF Commander: Here is the current sitrep and your orders for deployment, effective immediately. Enemy agents destroyed our early warning radar network, allowing several Bear bombers to penetrate our air space. In fifteen minutes, we expect this bomber formation to strike Allenfort Air Base, and then move on to targets at North Point.
 * ISAF Commander: Our air defence forces are extremely weak at this point and time. Hence our GHQ is a sitting duck. It is mission critical that you destroy the bombers and neutralize the threat before they get past Newfield Island. Remember, you are the first line of defense for North Point, and the fate of ISAF lies in your hands.

(Cutscene)
''The camera looks up at the clear skies, with a flock of seagulls being the only thing in sight. An aircraft engine roars as the camera pans down to the deck of an ISAF aircraft carrier, the CV-04 Fort Grace. The camera is placed in front of a blue F-4E Phantom II, belonging to recruit Mobius One. We can see several crew members far behind the Phantom.'' ''Cut to an overhead shot of Mobius One slowly moving towards the take-off catapult. Four ISAF crewmen' guide Mobius One, while a fifth one runs from off-screen. '''The camera briefly focuses on the "Mobius strip" logo of the 118th Tactical Fighter Wing, then moves to the aircraft's rear. A group of crewmen are around Mobius One.''
 * Carrier Controller: Mobius 1, prepare for take off.

''The camera cuts to the front of the Phantom. One individual signals M1, while other two run a quick check of his wheels. Then trio then scatters as Mobius One prepares for take off. Cue a rear shot of the F-4E as it's engines expand as a powerful flame comes from the inside. The camera pans to Mobius One's front for a few seconds, then pans to the side as the Phantom takes off. We can see the aircraft taking off from Fort Grace in first person. Fade to black.''
 * Carrier Controller: Mobius One, takeoff permission granted.

Part I: Mobius
[MISSION START] The two first Bears are shot down. A third Bear goes down in flames. The fourth Bear is destroyed. The remaining bombers are soon destroyed by ISAF aircraft. [MISSION END]
 * AWACS Sky Eye: AWACS here. Callsign SkyEye. Do you read? Your callsign is Mobius 1. We'll refer to you by this name at all times. You are now under my command. Six bombers on vector 360 confirmed. Continue north to intercept. Today's my birthday! A victory sure would be nice.
 * ISAF Aircraft: Allenfort was only a secondary target because it was along their flight path.
 * SkyEye: Mobius 1, engage. Bandit at 12 o'clock.
 * Erusean Pilot: (as the ISAF contingent approaches) Protect the bombers!
 * ISAF Aircraft: Omega 11, engage.
 * Erusean Bomber: There's our welcoming party. Let your escorts handle them.
 * Erusean Bomber #2: Maintain your course.
 * SkyEye: Target is bombing the city.
 * Erusean Bomber #3: Where are the escort fighters?
 * SkyEye: Three targets remaining.
 * Erusean Bomber #4: We'll make it.
 * Erusean Bomber: We're going down! Everyone abandon the bomber!
 * SkyEye: Two targets remaining.
 * SkyEye: (as the player approaches Newfield Island) Mobius 1 currently over city airspace.
 * Erusean Bomber: 6 miles to the target.
 * ISAF Aircraft: Don't let them escape or else it's game over.
 * Erusean Bomber: 5 miles out from first target. Line up. Open bomb bay doors.
 * SkyEye: Good job Mobius 1!
 * Allenfort Air Base Controller: SkyEye, this is Allenfort. Got visual on the downed bombers. Whose kill was that? Make sure to thank him.
 * ISAF Aircraft: That's a round up! Let's go on home!

Debriefing
''Thanks to your efforts, the bomber strike was averted. However, our victory will be meaningless should you fail the next mission.''