Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Inside a large reinforced hangar near the waterfront, the AC-130 gunship loomed like a metallic beast, matte black paint gleaming under the high-powered floodlights. Ground crews buzzed around it, cables snaking across the floor, tools clanking, and engineers shouting over the low drone of generators.
"Fuel levels topped up. Seals checked. Oxygen systems green," one technician called out from under the wing.
At the side of the bird, Staff Sergeant Ethan Vega pulled off his gloves, wiping sweat from his brow with a patch on his uniform sleeve. "Bird's ready, boys. First flight since we tore her from the grave."
Captain Rochelle "Roach" Alano, the aircraft commander, stood with her helmet under one arm, eyes scanning the checklist tablet in her hand. Her voice was calm but clipped.
"Copy. Final preflight. Loadout status?"
