Transcript:Homeward

Homeward
Game Order
Previous	Tyler Island
Next	Harling's mirror
Historical Info
Date	October 10, 2019
Time	1002
Location	Tyler Island

This page includes a transcript of "Homeward", the seventeenth campaign mission of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.

Briefing

Jaeger: Okay, enough talk. Your opinions have all been taken into consideration. Beyond the seizure of Farbanti, which is important, and supporting the Erusean officer... ...at this point, I just don't know what our strategy is or what our mission will be. Radio communication is still patchy for both the military and civilians, so we're getting zip from mission command about our orders. Still, with countless Erusean forces in the area, it's too dangerous for us to stay around here waiting for a miracle. Now, regarding Count's suggestion to think about self-defense... Uh... I think we should make a break for Tyler Island. It was a large Osean base before the start of the war. Count says his previous squadron took part in an operation to seize control of the island. It has the only base that will get us to the space elevator without refueling. It's also a transport facility for supply ships that provide drones and ammo for Arsenal Birds. For the Osean that are looking to reclaim the space elevator, those are two great reason in its favor. If everything went according to plan, the base may already be in allied hands when we get there. Though based on what Count told me about the island operation, it won't be easy to seize control.

Fencer: If the ground troops have managed to open the bridgehead, the transport route to Osea for supply ships should be available.

Tailor: With so much at stake, I can't imagine Erusea just giving it up without a fight. Things could have really gone bad.

Count: Even if there are enemies left, they should be pretty easy to suppress.

Fencer: I just wanna go home, man.

Lanza: Me too.

Jaeger: With that look on your face, Trigger, I know exactly what you want to do.

Húxiān: If Trigger's ready to kick ass, then so am I.

Skald: Damn straight. We're with you, Trigger.

Jaeger: It's decided, then. Let's get all the aircraft and haul ass to Tyler Island. Although we can avoid the Arsenal Bird's anti-air network, there's still remnants from the Erusean Forces. I want to get to the island without getting into any unnecessary combat. Pick a fast craft and fix it how you want. Pack for a long trip, but remember; if you drag your ass, you'll get left behind.

Mission Script

Mission Start

• Osean Ground Unit: This is Tango 2-3! Pursued by multiple tanks and APCs!
• Osean Landing Ship: They'll all go down if we don't pull back the landing craft.
• Osean Landing Ship: And what, abandon Tango 2-3?!
• Strider 4 Húxiān: Something's not right...
• Osean Landing Ship: Tango 2-3, we don't have the firepower to assist you. You're on your own!
• Osean Ground Unit: Please! We need help!
• Strider 3 Jaeger: Wagtail is an Osean landing ship... What's going on?!
• Strider 2 Count: What did you say?

When the player approaches the allied ships

• Osean Landing Ship: Multiple bogeys inbound!
• Osean Landing Ship: Damn it! Prepare for anti-air combat!
• AWACS Long Caster: This is the AWACS Long Caster. The aircrafts in your area belong to the LRSSG.
• Osean Landing Ship: Allied aircraft?! Our retreating vehicle is taking fire! Requesting assistance!
• AWACS Long Caster: Roger.

• AWACS Long Caster: ID complete.
• Strider 3 Jaeger: Unknown successfully identified.

• Erusean Ground Unit: Shit, these are Osean!

When one enemy unit is destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: Update us on Tyler Island.
• Osean Landing Ship: Couldn't be worse. Our forces are scattered and on the run.
• Cyclops 1 Fencer: They're on the run?
• Osean Landing Ship: We were waiting for retreating units here to carry them out to safety.

When all enemy units are destroyed

• Osean Landing Ship: Do me a favor, Long Caster. Many of our allies are cut off. They need support and an escape route.
• AWACS Long Caster: Understood. We'll do what we can.

Checkpoint 17-1

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: Let's help retreating Osean forces. Take out any hostiles in their area.
• ! AWACS Long Caster !: Don't engage till targets are ID'd.
• Strider 4 Húxiān: The boots on the ground don't need more people shooting at 'em.
• Osean Landing Ship: Thanks. It's absolute chaos out there. The Eruseans are even starting to fight amongst themselves.
• Strider 2 Count: Well now we know what's going on, but...shit.

• AWACS Long Caster: All aircraft, search every nook of the island. We're not leaving anyone behind.

• AWACS Long Caster: Pick up the speed with your search. The faster you find 'em, the more people we can save.

• Osean Ground Unit: There's more over here. The bodies of dead civilians. I don't think they were part of the fighting. Look at that, they're all lined up.
• Osean Ground Unit: No, they are not combatants. Some of 'em aren't even wearing shoes. I can guess what happened here, but I really don't want to think about it.
• Osean Ground Unit: Damn those Erusean bastards. These are blatant war crimes.
• Osean Ground Unit: Take photos for evidence.

• Erusean Ground Unit: Don't pursue too deep. We just need to buy some time.
• Erusean Ground Unit: Hold them at bay until Operation Feeding Time.
• Erusean Ground Unit: Lure them away from the mass driver.

• Osean Ground Unit: I just got the photographs. We'll head back to HQ soon. Just give us another 30 minutes. The men say they want to at least give the children a proper burial.

• Osean Ground Unit: I count twelve dead bodies here. They seem to be upper middle class. The spaceport is nearby, so they could be researchers and their families. Most likely, they were involved with Belka.

• Mass driver Staff: An explosion inside!
• Erusean Flight Director: Continue the countdown! The enemy's not stupid. They're after the supply ship.
• Mass driver Staff: Do the countdown!
• Erusean Controller: There's still on Arsenal Bird left. If we can fill it full of bombs, then Erusea will have a fighting chance.
• Erusean Flight Director: Use cameras to track the supply ships.
• Erusean Ground Unit: Don't fight with your backs to the supply ship! If it's hit, we're done for.

• Osean Ground Unit: Get in the landing craft!
• Osean Landing Ship: Many thanks, Long Caster. We didn't have to leave our boys to die.
• AWACS Long Caster: Understood.

When units are identified

• AWACS Long Caster: ID complete.

• AWACS Long Caster: Strider 1, we've identified the unknown targets.

if the player attacks many enemy units before identifying them

• AWACS Long Caster: Check their ID before firing, Trigger!

• AWACS Long Caster: Trigger, we can't afford friendly fire!

If the player attacks a friendly unit

• Osean Ground Unit: Taking fire from Erusean aircraft!
• AWACS Long Caster: Trigger! That was an ally! Identify then attack!
• Strider 2 Count: The hell?! You're killing your own men!

If the player attacks two friendly units

MISSION FAILED

• Osean Ground Unit: They bombed us hard! We've taken heavy casualties!
• AWACS Long Caster: Confirmed casualties from friendly fire! Our mission is to assist the retreat.

When the player approaches a friendly unit besieged in a neighborhood

• Osean Ground Unit: Calling friendly birds! Take out the hostiles in our area! Get us out of this hellhole! We need help while we're still up and running!

When the enemy units attacking the besieged unit are destroyed

• Osean Ground Unit: If you see Three Strikes, count to three, and the enemy's gone!
• Erusean Ground Unit: Our last vehicle has been destroyed! Let's get out of here!
• Osean Ground Unit: Let's get moving! Hit the gas and don't let up till we reach the extraction point!
• Osean Ground Unit: I don't wanna see anyone, hostile or friendly!

When enemy units fighting around the mass driver are identified

• Strider 2 Count: They're Erusean! Jesus, they're firing at each other.
• Cyclops 1 Fencer: Is this the norm around here?
• Cyclops 3 Tailor: It's all crazy people.

• Erusean Ground Unit: We are in the middle of a mission to take back the mass driver.
• Erusean Ground Unit: The supply ship is a munitions depot. It's highly combustible.

When the player approaches a friendly unit being pursued

• Osean Ground Unit: You're with us! Can you see the enemy APC from there?!

When the pursuing enemy units are destroyed

• Osean Ground Unit: They did it! We're moving out! Leave the dead behind!
• Osean Ground Unit: We'll come back to this island one day and send them off properly.

When the player approaches friendly units on top of hill

• Osean Ground Unit: Can you hear us? We're taking fire from multiple enemy tanks!

When the enemy units and choppers on the hill are destroyed

• Osean Ground Unit: Thanks! But will we make it in time?
• AWACS Long Caster: A landing ship is waiting for you.
• Osean Ground Unit: Right. We leave the wounded... This'll guarantee us a one-way ticket to hell.
• Osean Ground Unit: Pretty sure we're there already.

When friendly units firing at each other are identified

• AWACS Long Caster: It's the Osean military.
• Strider 4 Húxiān: Don't they know they're on the same side?!
• Strider 2 Count: We'll be firing at each other!
• AWACS Long Caster: This is AWACS "Long Caster." We are uploading the latest ID data. Check your TAC terminal.
• Osean Ground Unit: Hold your fire! I repeat, hold your fire!
• Osean Ground Unit: Confirmed! The info is from an allied AWACS. Hold your fire!
• Osean Ground Unit: Whoa! Hold your fire! It's a friendly!
• Osean Ground Unit: Roger. But what are we supposed to believe? Who should we follow?
• AWACS Long Caster: You guys got out alive. You have time to figure it out.

When the player approaches friendly units at the airport

• Osean Ground Unit: This is Echo 13! Two tanks left, but they're running on fumes and low on ammo!

When all TGTs attacking the friendlies at the airport are destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: Echo 13, all hostiles are down.
• Osean Ground Unit: Understood! This is our last chance, we'll see how far we can go!

When all unknowns are identified and all TGTs are destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: We've destroyed all of the targets. All bogeys should be ID'd now. Mission complete.

When seven minutes have elapsed or when all unknowns are identified and all TGTs are destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: Wait, multiple bogies from the east!
• Strider 2 Count: Their timing tells me they're not here to bring good news.
• ! AWACS Long Caster !: We need to ID the bogies. Take them down if they're hostile.
• Strider 3 Jaeger: Understood.

• Erusean Bomber: Bogies inbound. Escort fighters, we're counting on you.
• Erusean Fighter: Should we fire even if we're not fired upon?
• Erusean Fighter: Of course.
• Erusean Fighter: Chase off the bogies! There's no way they're ours!
• Erusean Fighter: Almost there! Commence Operation No Return!
• Erusean Fighter: These are unguided. Stay on course.

If all ground TGTs have been destroyed before the bogies appear

• Cyclops 1 Fencer: Cyclops 3! Stop fluttering about and stay glued to my ass!
• Strider 2 Count: I've heard that line before.
• Cyclops 3 Tailor: Damnit! In this crazy mess, I've got plenty to pay attention to other than your dirty ass!

When the player approaches the bogies

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: Strider Squadron, you're near an armada of bogies. Identify them.

When a bogey is identified

• Strider 4 Húxiān: Visual.
• Strider 2 Count: Like an eagle.

When a Tu-160 is identified

• Strider 3 Jaeger: Identification complete. It's Erusean bombers and their escorts!
• ! AWACS Long Caster !: Count's prophecy has come true. Take out all bombers!
• AWACS Long Caster: Or they'll flatten our allies.
• Strider 2 Count: Plenty of civilian casualties as well. Precision bombing is impossible in these conditions.
• Strider 3 Jaeger: Maybe they know they can't.
• Strider 2 Count: We're gonna drop 'em all!

• Erusean Fighter: They fly with such skill and precision! Don't tell me this is the infamous Snowbirds?!

• Erusean Fighter: They've taken our many of our aircraft. Use extreme caution.

• Erusean Fighter: So these are the enemy reinforcements.

• Erusean Fighter: If you're wavering; remember the faces of those who pushed for war.

• Erusean Fighter: We are well past the point of no return.

• Erusean Fighter: Destroy the mass driver completely. We're signaling our break with Belka.

• Erusean Fighter: Don't aim. We're doing strategic bombing.

• Erusean Fighter: Belka-related co-conspirators also have much to answer for.

• Erusean Flight Director: Launch control, this is Flight Leader. All systems ready. We are a go for launch.
• Erusean Controller: This is launch control. The enemy is closing. Confirm launch readiness.
• Erusean Controller: Affirmative. This is our last chance for Operation Feeding Time.
• Erusean Controller: Launch control. Roger that.

If a bomber gets close to the island

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: The bombers are nearing the island. We're running out of time.

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: More bombers approaching! Intercept them now!

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: Intercept those bombers!

• ! AWACS Long Caster !: The bombers are about to reach the island! Shoot them down, now!

If a bomber reaches the island

MISSION FAILED

• Erusean Bomber: Bombs away! Bombs away! Radicals and Oseans can burn in hell!
• AWACS Long Caster: Carpet bombing?! They can't be serious! How many do they think they'll kill?! We've lost contact with the Oseans on the island. We've failed.

If all escorts are shot down before the bombers

• Strider 4 Húxiān: That gets those guys out of our hair!

When three bombers are shot down

• AWACS Long Caster: Only half the bombers remain! We can't let even one get away.

When all bombers are shot down

• AWACS Long Caster: All enemy bombers have been destroyed!
• Strider 3 Jaeger: We did it.

If all TGTs have not yet been destroyed after all bombers are shot down

• AWACS Long Caster: Continue with your mission.

When two TGTs remain or when one bomber remains if all other TGTs are destroyed

• Scrap Queen: Hey, you. Dumbass with the scratches on his tail. Y'hear me? I need you to help some people. There's a group of refugees surrounded by Erusean tanks right here. Needless to say, their future's not looking too bright.
• AWACS Long Caster: This is a secure military line. Who is this?
• Scrap Queen: Me? You can call me... the Scrap Queen.
• Strider 2 Count: Ha. ha! Long Caster, she's an ally. Trigger and I'd know that voice anywhere!
• Scrap Queen: That voice... So you're still breathing, Sir Count.
• Spare 11 Tabloid: Here, let me have a word... Hey, it's been a while. I had a feeling the two of you were still alive. Remember, "Stick with Trigger and you'll make it."
• Scrap Queen: We have a bit of intel for you. We'll share it if you can help those refugees.
• Strider 4 Húxiān: Count me in.
• Strider 2 Count: That's right.

When all TGTs are destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: Okay, Scrap Queen. Send us the target coordinates.
• Scrap Queen: I was thinking about how I'd do that.
• AWACS Long Caster: Don't you have a laser target indicator?
• Strider 2 Count: Why would she–?
• Cossette: Use a smoke canister.
• Scrap Queen: And who's taking this to the enemy's doorstep? Not me.
• Scrap Queen: ...Wait, you moron!
• Scrap Queen: Wait! What are you doing, dumbass?!
• Cossette: [panting] Here! Attack right here!

Random

• Erusean Ground Unit: Rendezvous? We don't even know where we are!

• Erusean Ground Unit: Three strikes in the sky. They say if you see them, you're a goner.

• Erusean Ground Unit: Our tank commander's down!

• Erusean Ground Unit: Where's our damn air support?!

• Erusean Ground Unit: If you lose your legs then crawl. You can surrender when you lose your hands.

• Erusean Ground Unit: Three striked craft? Hi, shit. Meet fan.

• Erusean Ground Unit: If we can just defend the mass driver today, our army can turn this thing around!

• Erusean Ground Unit: The rebels are here. Let the first one go by and detonate on the second.

• Erusean Ground Unit: Try to save your ammo. Lure them in and then fire at once.

• Erusean Ground Unit: It's no use. Work to the right! Fire at that supply ship!
• Erusean Ground Unit: It's the Radicals that shot us in the back. I'll make them pay for this.

• Erusean Ground Unit: No use hailing them! They know they're shooting at friendlies!

• Erusean Ground Unit: Get closer! You'll never hit them from here!

• Erusean Ground Unit: This whole operation is crazy!
• Erusean Ground Unit: Stop whining!

• Erusean Ground Unit: We only need an hour, tops! We need the advantage to pin the enemy down.

• Erusean Aerospace Forces: Don't let anyone other than Erusean aerospace units into the base.

• Erusean Aerospace Forces: They use the lack of contact with superiors to do whatever they want.

• Erusean Aerospace Forces: Don't let them in. Send them away!

• Osean Ground Unit: Give me the enemy's position!
• Osean Ground Unit: Speak up! The artillery fire's done a number on my hearing!

• Osean Ground Unit: Bring the anti-tank missile! Hit that heavy armor at the front lines! Don't stop!

• Osean Ground Unit: We can't afford to take any more damage! Get out there and do something!

• Osean Ground Unit: Get the wounded out of here. Hurry! If you let them through, we're as good as dead!

• Osean Ground Unit: We're outnumbered. Taking heavy losses.
• Osean Ground Unit: We can't even run! The enemy will shoot us in the back!

• Osean Ground Unit: Push 'em back! Fire! Fire at will!
• Osean Ground Unit: We need more ammo!

• Osean Ground Unit: We're down to less than half our vehicles! This isn't looking good. We need help!
• Osean Ground Unit: Bring all the injured!

• Osean Ground Unit: Our guys even took our the enemy's air support. What do we do now?
• Osean Ground Unit: Send in the tanks!

• Osean Ground Unit: The Erusean ground forces show no sign of letting up! We're taking heavy damage!

• Cyclops 4 Lanza: It's a big maze.

• AWACS Long Caster: Allied retreat looks good.

Mid-Mission Cutscene

• Strider 3 Jaeger: Long Caster, we've confirmed the location of the flare.

Checkpoint 17-2

• AWACS Long Caster: That's them!
• ! AWACS Long Caster !: All aircraft, we've just updated your threat matrix via data link. Take out those targets.
• Strider 3 Jaeger: Don't miss. We don't wanna hit the pretty ladies down there.
• AWACS Long Caster: Hurry!

• Cossette: [panting]

• Erusean Ground Unit: Why do they sing that song?
• Erusean Ground Unit: Cause everyone knows it. No other reason.

• AWACS Long Caster: Hurry!
• Strider 2 Count: Get moving!

• Erusean Ground Unit: They're not refugees. They're criminals.

If time runs out

MISSION FAILED

• Cossette: [panting]
• Erusean Ground Unit: Roger that. Make them stop singing!
• Cossette: ...........
• Strider 2 Count: Damn it!

When all TGTs are destroyed

• Scrap Queen: Nice job! The enemy tanks are toast! I don't think I could even do anything with that scrap.
• [cheering]
• Scrap Queen: That takes care of them. No civilian casualties. Nice going.
• [singing] [fireworks]
• Scrap Queen: Do you hear the singing?
• Erusean Controller: Beginning terminal countdown.
• Mass driver Staff: Pressure stable. Cooling system is on.
• Scrap Queen: Long Caster, a promise is a promise. Here's the intel. I heard it from an Erusean soldier that defected.
• Scrap Queen: "The supply ships will be launched soon."
• AWACS Long Caster: Hmm. Yeah that is valuable information.
• Strider 2 Count: That doesn't sound good.
• AWACS Long Caster: But can it be trusted?
• Scrap Queen: Not sure. I heard it from a man who said he wanted to atone for his sins. Up to you to trust him or not.
• AWACS Long Caster: Understood. Good luck.
• Mass driver Staff: Releasing safety.
• Erusean Controller: 10... 9... 8... 7... 6...

Mid-Mission Cutscene

• Erusean Controller: 5... 4... 3... 2.. 1...
• Erusean Controller: Launch!
• Erusean Controller: 1... 2... 3...
• Erusean Controller: The mass driver is accelerating.

Checkpoint 17-3

• AWACS Long Caster: The supply ships have been launched from the mass driver!
• AWACS Long Caster: If the supply ships make it to the Arsenal Bird, they'll be able to resupply it. They may be loaded with new weaponry that we don't even know about.
• ! AWACS Long Caster !: We have no choice but to take down the supply ships before they can get within the Arsenal Bird's air defense network.
• AWACS Long Caster: You got to hurry or you're not going to make it!

MISSION UPDATED

• AWACS Long Caster: All aircraft, remain on high alert. We got bandits incoming on radar. You're gonna have to forget about them for now and focus on destroying that supply ship first.
• Strider 4 Húxiān: We're sitting ducks like this!
• Strider 3 Jaeger: If we let the supply ship get too far away, we'll never be able to catch it.

• Strider 2 Count: That sucker's hiding in the clouds. Trigger, don't let it get away.

• Cyclops 2 Skald: The supply ship's in the clouds. We can't find it.

• AWACS Long Caster: Trigger, you're gonna lose it! Fly at full speed!

• AWACS Long Caster: 90 seconds to the enemy's air defense network!
• Strider 2 Count: Don't lose 'em!

• AWACS Long Caster: 60 seconds remain!

• AWACS Long Caster: We're almost out of time!
• Strider 4 Huxian: We do it?!

Random

• Erusean Controller: You think the mother hen really wants them?
• Erusean Flight Director: Trust the plan from before the loss of communication.

• Erusean Fighter: All we need to do is slow them down.

• Strider 4 Húxiān: I was expecting this to be easy if all they could do was fly fast.

• Erusean Flight Director: If the operation fails, we have failed everyone who helped.

• Strider 2 Count: I'm usually pretty good at playing tag, but these guys have a head start.

• Erusean Fighter: Victory is ours as long as the supply ship gets away.

• Erusean Fighter: They're forced to turn their backs on us. How unlucky for them.

• Erusean Fighter: All right, let's move in behind them and take 'em down.

• Strider 3 Jaeger: So they're trying to feed that giant monster of a bird. We can't let them complete their mission.

• Cyclops 4 Lanza: They're faster than I expected.

• Erusean Fighter: The Osean pilots are chasing the supply ship hard.

If a supply ship escapes

MISSION FAILED

• Mass driver Staff: Supply ship has reached the Arsenal Bird's air defense network.
• Erusean Flight Director: All right! Erusea can still win this fight!

When a supply ship is hit

• AWACS Long Caster: The missile hit the supply ship dead on!

When one supply ship is destroyed

• Strider 2 Count: Did you see that explosion? Looks like that's one of 'em down.
• AWACS Long Caster: Remember, there are two supply ships out there. Hurry up and shoot the other one down!

• AWACS Long Caster: We've recalculated the remaining time.

When both supply ships are destroyed

• AWACS Long Caster: Hope you're all enjoying the pretty fireworks. If this thing had any windows, we could've seen it for ourselves. Nice work, team.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

• Scrap Queen: We're going to find ourselves a boat and leave this island. We'll be taking the refugees, along with any deserters from the Erusean military.
• Strider 2 Count: Who's the girl that ran at the tanks with the smoke canister? A few more crazies like her and life down there may have been a tad bit easier.
• Scrap Queen: What do you think would've happened to those refugees if you hadn't intervened? The princess saw what happened. There were little kids.
• Strider 2 Count: That's why I like the sky. You don't have to see those types of things.
• Strider 4 Húxiān: Does this mean we're that much closer to ending the war?
• Strider 2 Count: No, we just basically prevented it from going on forever.
• AWACS Long Caster: Count's right. We have no choice but to return to our original base. Our base that is nearly out of food and fuel... We need to do something.

Debriefing

Jaeger: Good, take a seat. Everyone's here. All right. Good work in sinking the supply ships. Not to mention saving the refugees. However, we're in no position to start celebrating. Even the commander here is starting to fray from the stress. Can't say I blame him. Now Tyler Island is in a state of complete anarchy. This base isn't safe either. The faces you see around you are the only friends we've got. Take a good look.

Enemy units marked as TGT usually must be destroyed to advance the mission. The TGT text is always in red, except if the player changes this in Ace Combat 7.