- "Markov and Warwolf One are lost from radar! It's a battle between aces!"
- ― AWACS Magic
Akula is the last mission of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. It takes place approximately 2 hours after the events of Hurricane where Warwolf 1 arrives at Washington DC, having to protect it from the waves of attacks from the remnants of NRF.
Protecting the USS Anzio
Washington D.C. is littered with anti-air defenses, from units such as Jericho 1 to battle cruisers such as the USS Anzio. The rebel fighters engage the United States aircraft at high altitudes to avoid gunfire from the Anzio, which can shoot down low-flying aircraft. However, rebels with very damaged planes start pummeling into the Anzio itself, causing heavy damage. Warwolf and Viper attempt to shoot them down before they crash into the Anzio, but can't take them all. Once the third plane strikes the Anzio, the commander orders it to abandon ship, as it is very close to sinking.
Protecting the White House
After the Anzio's defenses are disabled, five bombers approach Washington D.C. at high altitude. Magic informs Bishop that the bombers need to be shot down before they reach the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, else their weapons will reach the White House area. Bishop, with support from Jericho 1 and 2, shoots down all five bombers, but as Guts mentioned during Aftermath, the Russians always had a sixth bomber. Bishop engages the sixth bomber, who is flying at low altitude. He destroys it, but the pilot tilts the bomber down on a crash course for the Woodrow Wilson bridge, causing heavy damage to Jericho and disabling all anti-air defenses.
Bishop vs. Markov
With both the Anzio and Jericho disabled, there are no anti-air defenses remaining. Markov appears, with a clear and empty path to the White House to drop Trinity. Bishop had nicked the tail of the Trinity missile back in Miami, so it can't be fired at range. Bishop and Markov engage each other back-and-forth for miles, each one getting damaged by the other. Markov then gets dangerously close to the White House, and suddenly points the nose of his plane up, allowing Bishop to destroy his plane and kill Markov.
"Trinity's still alive!"
What Bishop didn't realize is that Markov had pointed his nose upwards to drop the Trinity missile. He sees the missile and attempts to shoot it down. He manages to destroy the missile, which explodes above the water. The only damage to the White House is some splashed water. Bishop nearly loses control of his aircraft from the explosion, but stablizes it as best as he could, and lands on the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Trivia
- This is the second time that the player has to shoot down a Trinity missile. However, this missile is notably more agile than the one at Derbent.
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