Merlon is the eighth mission in Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
Briefing
"Belka's second line of defence stretches across the Schayne Plains in the central region of southern Belka. Centred on two antiaircraft camps, this line blocks our refuelling unit's air route, and is already delaying our military plans. This operation will consist of attacks on enemy ground troops, and engagements with enemy fighters. There will be three squadrons in total. You can decide which one to accompany."
"Alpha Team will be responsible for destroying enemy ground ordnance."
"Beta Team's job will be to eliminate air resistance, and destroying enemy ground ordnance."
"Theta Team will eliminate air resistance."
"Escort Allied transport craft after each mission is completed. That is all."
Objectives-Alpha Team
In this mission, there is a huge anti-air cluster in the northwest of the map. Along the way there will be gunboats on the river. Bombs will be effective here due to the large amount of ground targets being close to each other, there are yellow targets however, something that players with the Knight style should be vary of. Once the targets are eliminated, head southwest and protect the allied transports.
Objectives-Beta Team
In this mission, you will have to pass over a lake and attack an enemy base. There will be enemy aircraft on the way to the base and gunboats in the lake. Once the targets are eliminated, head southwest and protect the allied transports.
Objectives-Theta Team
This mission is purely air targets, so use a fighter or anything with good air-to-air capabilities. You must shoot down every single enemy fighter here, they are spread out and in pairs. Halfway, an allied fighter will call for help from enemy fighters pursuing him. Once the targets are eliminated, head southwest and protect the allied transports.
Mission Update
After destroying all targets in the mission and protecting the allied transports, a laser will shoot down 3 of them and you will be ordered to escape the mission area. You'll have to fly past the return line at the bottom edge of the map. Aces will generally appear here, so take them out quickly before the laser comes. The laser after the first one will destroy the allied fighters first. It is recommended not to go full throttle, as you may not have enough time to turn and you'll get caught in the laser. When you reach the return line, the mission mission is complete.
Debriefing
"The mission objectives were achieved, but only after sustaining heavy losses from enemy air ordnance. A war without honour can only result in massacre. You have fought nobly and deserve to be praised."
Aces
Alpha
- F-2A "Strom