The entirety of Beartrap Flight's survival cleared any doubt out of Lieutenant Doni's mind that Colonel Purnama would act nicer than usual to show off for the regular forces upon they land and could also give those who've done the most increased privileges, like more time for visiting the library as well as communication to the outside world, both accessing the Internet and most importantly to call their loved ones. But he also know that those who retreated earlier face risk for yet another time in the "rat cell", the Indonesian terminology for solitary confinement.

Furthermore, in the worst case scenario Genesis was just as harsh towards the prisoners as the Colonel was. Although she's unlikely to be such in his opinion.

As he and his leader finally parked their aircraft in front of the hangar that housed it, Doni saw that Full House seemed to have landed only a short while before them, as the latter was disembarking from his plane along with Scale, which he spotted was looking over his plane while he took off his flight gear. The 15th Sqn pilots, nominally based in Iswahyudi AFB, East Java State, were just now climbing out of their own planes as well. Doni sighed but then his lips curved in a slight smile as he unstrapped herself and climbed out of the cockpit.

The mission was a complete success. However, the stress from the long fight has taken it's toll. Emotionally, he's happy, but physically, his back and shoulders were burning, same with his lungs. The heat and sweat that began to form made matters worse. His adrenaline from the dogfight was fading and it was fading fast. Pain wracked his entire body and soon he feels that he wanted to just drop dead right there. He staggered into the hangar for some relief from the hot Pakistani sun, unbuckled his harness with one hand and holding his helmet with the other.

He soon feel slightly better after a couple of minutes and a bottle of water from a sympathetic guard-technician that said to him the following.

"I heard that you were in a very exciting dogfight and you made it alive. You might be the first to be out of here, you know?"

"Yeah, thank you." he muttered as he drink the entire content with all his heart. And then he head into the locker to took off the heavy flight gear and stowed it properly. He then looked back and saw Sonny, Joseph, and Indra behind him.

"Well" said Sonny. "Put yourself together, Charge.. Sipir had just gave us the word that Reformer's expecting us for a debriefing. It seems he's happy, but don't get me wrong, he can still throw our asses to the rat cell on his whim, thanks to those SOBs who retreated." Indra and Joseph nodded in agreement, then Joseph looked at him, a little sign of concern. "You don't look so good, Charge, You're alright?"

"Whatever I gonna get into, the first thing I need to is a good amount of rest in my cell." He sighed, then slowly rose to his feet and started towards HQ with the rest.

"You're right, Charge" It was Full House that replied to the younger Sundanese pilot. "I think you should go back to your cell and get more rest before you throw up or fall over or something."

"Well, no thanks. As crap as my body is right now I don't want the extra trip to solitary, and you know it." he said.

"Still, we could just tell the guards you were sick. Reformer won't let 'em near us if they think we've got something contagious. One guy got a cold about a month back and they didn't touch him until he stopped sniffling, as doctors confirmed he had a particularly bad case of flu." Full House went on.

"Yeah, people. I'm a little better now anyway. And after all this stuff were done, I'm going to be back in my cell and have a sleep."

...

When they reached the briefing room, the guards looked at them with their usual unfriendly stare as the pilots entered the room, slamming the door shut behind them. The seats at the front that the four of them usually occupied were filled by the officers of the 15th Sqn, forcing them to find other seats behind that row. The second Doni sat down for the second time, in the air conditioning and darkness of the room, he felt much better physically. More of the soreness of his body began to ebb away and his breathing is more relaxed than before. Who knew these chairs would ever feel this comfortable?

After a short wait and little conversation among the convicts, Purnama finally entered the room with Sipir right behind him, clearing his throat as he entered. Everyone paid their attention to the commander and the screen displaying the same holographic map of Zagros Mountains from before. Leaflet, sat behind the quartet chuckled as the commander took his place at the front of the room.

"Well, I suppose you're here to congratulate us on a job well done," he said confidently and Doni had a feeling he had a different idea of what constitute a 'job well done'. "After all, the destruction of the anti-aircraft weaponry and escort through the valley was a success."

Purnama glared at him. "I have a good news and bad news for you lot. The good news first. Yes, you're right, Leaflet. The mission's outcome went better than I was expected from you people. However, and this is the bad news, not all of you stay and fight until the very end like those real pilots that Sipir had given to me as well as the testimony from the strike team. All names that I mentioned won't be in the rat cell; First Lieutenant Doni Heryawan, Captain Sonny Kuncoro, Captain Indra Lesmana, First Lieutenant Joseph Limanto, Captain Lukman Syarif, First Lieutenant Arie Lumbantoruan..."

The list of "worthy names" went on. Then he looked at the rest of the convicts. "The others, including you, Leaflet, had returned without authorization. And so you will got what you deserve. A week in solitary, and only two meals per day. Rethink what your value is while you are inside. Guards.. take them away. While those of you that were worthy will stay here for a while."

"All right!" Doni said to himself, as he look at his fellow pilot who also earned their recognition after all the time they are in the 13th.

As the MPs hauled the rest of the convict, a woman from the regular unit raised her hand. "I request permission to speak"

"Granted"

"To be honest, Colonel, we don't need you to suck up to us and give us special treatment," the only female pilot in the squadron along with Genesis, "Caddy", said in an irritated tone. Genesis, and an slightly younger fellow that Doni assumed was her wingman Sumpit, and their respective Weapon Systems Officers with callsigns Cobra, Kanjeng, and Fury gave their younger fellow a stern look. She frowned and crossed her arms, adding with a look of disgust, "With all due respect..." Sumpit cleared his throat.

Purnama narrowed his eyes on Caddy. "Now listen, Captain. I think you should try to appreciate my men here a little bit more. I can't discern their motivation so far, but things that matter here and now, were the fact that they did what it needs to be done beyond what is necessary. And you'd seen the outcome already. You went out of that shit storm and none of your people died today."

The other pilots and wizzos were on ears. Some chuckled a little as they, and the convicts, saw Purnama's annoyed expression and smile on Sipir's face. He turned around to face Genesis, still maintaining a friendly demeanor with Reformer, which technically outranked her but with the same command responsibility. "As for you, I can arrange for Sipir or one of the other guards to show you around base. Our mechanics will take a look at your planes and tell you how long the repairs should take. We'll have you back on your feet in no time."

As if the previous interaction by her fellow pilots had never happened, Genesis reached forward and held out her hand for Purnama. The older man glanced down and then forced a smile as he took the woman's hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Appreciate the help," the squadron leader said with a grin, glancing at Doni and the other worthy convicts as she did. "I think we'll head down to the hangars for now. I'd like to take a look at our planes, if that's alright?"

"Whatever you'd like," Purnama replied calmly. He really was planning on kissing their ass. "Sipir will go with you. You can head to the mess hall whenever you get hungry and we'll set up some quarters for you, too." He said nothing else, and motioned this time for the guards to turn on the lights and open the doors. Then he left the room and made for his office as if they weren't there, calling to Genesis over his shoulder, "Just make yourselves comfortable. Unfortunately, you're probably going to be stuck here for a while... I saw some of your planes in a really bad shape when you landed."

They all watched him and the remaining guards and MPs exit the room before all looking at one another and managing a couple of smiles.

"Guys, you think we could stick around for a while?" Joseph grinned.

"Idiot.. it's our orders!" Indra corrected his wingman.

"Alright then." Doni stood up and told Genesis. The Colonel took a step forward and held out his hand. "I guess official introductions are in order. I'm Lieutenant Doni Heryawan, callsign "Charge", the scrawny guy's Lieutenant Limanto, callsign "Scale", the guy who's drinking a guava juice right there is Captain Lesmana "Full House" and last but not least, this is my leader in that flight, Captain Kuncoro "Red Cap", and you've already met Sipir."

Genesis looked them over, then looked to Sipir. "Y'know, you've all got some pretty cool names, but did your parents hate you or something?"

"I can't speak for the others, but no," Sipir replied, glancing over at them. "Around here all that matters is your crimes. They here have the Colonel's written permission, here, to mention their name and current ranks as a little appreciation for their work saving you people. In fact, he mentioned their name and ranks when calling out them as worthy means an appreciation by itself. Otherwise, your name and rank all goes away. Unless you're me or Colonel Purnama, then you get no status. He makes it clear that your real identity don't matter the second you get transferred here. I think it makes it easier whenever one of them goes down. It's an instant rehabilitation with it's associated benefits for the next of kin, but as far as he's concerned, they're just numbers on a spreadsheet."

After the rest of the worthy convicts introduced themselves, Beartrap 1-3, callsign "Boxcar" was the one who answered the pilots.

"Damn shame right there," he said, offering a friendly smile. "I don't know how all of you ended up here. From what I saw, you were pretty skilled. And you had everyone's back. We really owe you." Boxcar looked around, then held out his hand for them to shake. "Well, I guess we should return the favor with the introductions. I'm Captain Andhika Sutrisno. And oh, Scale.. as you tell me back then that you don't smoke, how about two cans of Coca Cola?"

"It's better than cig, so you're welcome. Boxcar. Here we don't have any soda, so it would be a welcome change."

"I'm Lt. Colonel Yessy Kurniasih. Commanding Officer of the 15th Squadron. Genesis said, holding out the convicts' hand as well. "This is the WSO of me, Major Dimas Rizky, callsign Kanjeng, while this lady here is Boxcar's WSO. Major Windy Triana, callsign Drumstick."

"My name is Captain Fauzi Bowo, callsign Sumpit. Then, we have my wizzo Cobra, real name, Captain Hussein Satyanegara."

"Whoever you are, I am impressed of your flying today." Cobra told Sonny and Doni.

"And I am Captain Patricia Devina, They call me "Caddy" as I played golf during my time in the Academy. And then this is Major Marcel Liwinata, my wizzo. callsign "Fury". Everyone exchanged a few awkward handshakes before they fell into silence. Caddy glanced towards the door, placing a hand on her hips. At last, she broke the silence, "So, why don't we all head out to the hangar and take a look at our planes. I wanna ask your mechanics how long the repairs are supposed to take."

To Doni's surprise, it was Sipir who took charge. "Of course, Captain," he said, brushing Scale and Red Cap aside to reach the door. He opened it and gestured for the Boramae ace with 25-kills on her belt to step through. "Ladies first"

As Scale passed Sipir he grinned and lowered his voice, "You wouldn't happen to have taken a liking to Captain Patricia, would you?"

"You best keep it for yourself and escort our guests, Scale. And all of you." Sipir groaned, neither confirming nor denying his question while looking at the present convicts. "As if you've never date a woman in your life."

Scale and Doni followed the regular pilots followed by the remaining convicts. Doni then decided that a few conversation with the ace is worth it. "I hope this is not offensive to you, what do you feel about being a few female in your squadron?" His new friend gave him a quizzical look. "Hey, I just trying to get to know you. Nothing personal."

Patricia shrugged. "In the squadron, there are only four females, both pilots and wizzos, which are me, Colonel Kurniasih, Major Triana, and finally First Lieutenant Diana Simamora. But she wasn't part in the mission," she replied. "It took the guys almost six months to get comfortable around us especially the Colonel, and around the same time for me to get to trust them. In case of Colonel Kurniasih, she is quick to trust people, on the other hand. After this, everyone began to get well with each other, Genesis is tough, but she's amazing, though." There was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips as she added, "Of course, sometimes it takes meeting people like Colonel Purnama to get to fully appreciate how lucky we were to get her as a leader."

"It seems like he looks out for other people, and to be honest, he's harsh but somehow I began to like him somewhat. Don't know why." Joseph commented, glancing back at where Genesis and Kanjeng were speaking with Sipir and Full House while Red Cap was talking with a pair of Rinjani Squadron officers that the convicts later learned as Beartrap 2-1, Major Samuel Simorangkir "Nighthawk" and his WSO Major Firman Lukito "Cadik".

"I'm amazed he stuck up for any of us. He didn't have to."

"You earned our trust today" Genesis, tallest among the regular pilots, pointed out to the present convicts. "Your commander is hard, but he still know how to appreciate your effort. No wonder he was nicknamed Reformer. Remind me of my own father, a prison officer and rose up to be a warden in Surabaya." Doni took note of all the guards, which intensively looked after them, some already released the safety of their Pindad SS4 assault rifles. Meanwhile Caddy cleared her throat and speaks again "Now, I mostly will talk about you, Charge. I can say that you have impressive skill. How you can fly like that? There are few Coalition pilots managed to survive an encounter with 'Saladin in the Air' or "Aulia" and last as long as you did against him."

"Ummm.. Caddy, what about Wise?"

"Oh, yes. I was not present when Major Hutapea shot down Rizieq for the first time, in which he still flew a Typhoon. And so it's a rude awakening for many of us. I mean the entire Coalition, when his squadron was upgraded to TF-25. Even while I and my wizzo are already aces. I know that I am in a disadvantage against Aulia. I think only Wise who can defeat him, or maybe some PPDU, NATO, Pact, or Israeli pilots that I don't know for sure, until I see you."

Doni wasn't sure how to feel about the comment, and decided to let Caddy to slowdown and talk to Sipir. He still had a bit of soreness and queasiness, so upon reached the hangar and then put away his flight gear, while the rest focus on the IF-21Ds in the hangar, as well as the convict's own earlier mark IF-Xs before heading for the hangar's toilet. He then sat in an empty crate nearby and unzipped his flight suit, tying the sleeves around his waist. When he was done with it, he saw Genesis in front of him.

"I think you need to drink more, Lieutenant. This is a little gratitude from me for what you have done for us."

"Thank you very much, Colonel." as he accepted the bottle of Pocari Sweat, a Japanese-origined isotonic drink from the female squadron leader before he drank its entire content, and he then stood up and rejoined his fellow convicts talking with the 19th Squadron pilots.

"...That face-off with Aulia was just a little... overwhelming." Sumpit told him.

"I'm actually curious about that myself," Red Cap said as Doni pulled his flight suit back up. "What was your deal out there today. Those maneuvers you were pulling... I'm amazed you aren't in worse condition, y'know."

"Everyone, listen, if no one engaged him, I doubt Genesis and the rest of the 19th will be here, alive, and ready to fight another day, that's all." Doni replied, leaning forward and looking ahead at his fellow cons and the regulars. fighting the exhaustion he felt. "Besides, he once our countrymen, but now a traitor. Who doesn't want to punish such people?"

They nodded in agreement. "Even here in this prison, we know who he really is, and everyone wants to take him out."

Scale took a seat beside him. "So... did you get what you were after now that you've actually faced him? Charge?"

"It gives him something to rethink about. In fact, even Israelis, whatever your stance on their country right to exist, fear him, but now he should know that there are people who don't fear him. Wise showed us first, and I just follow his example. In fact, he doesn't deserve the mercy I showed him today...the mercy that he didn't give my wingman. Sorry, Wise, if I met him again I am going to take him down first."

"Hear, Hear!" Full House called.

Scale gave him a firm pat on the back, a surprisingly friendly gesture from him. "Well, it should've come easy to you, after what you did to get sent here." Doni glared at him, the latter only smiled. Meanwhile, Red Cap discarded his cigarette, exhaling the last of the smoke from it. "You, and us, already know that he was an actual ace, Charge. It's not your fault you couldn't take him down. We are lucky to made it out alive. Also, their presence is our chance to be updated about that guy."

"I guess you're right, Red Cap," Doni said. They then watched as the mechanics began their assessment on the IF-21Ds, while outside, the roar of turboprop engines indicated that the base is being resupplied by a couple of A400Ms from a friendly regular base.

"Oh, look at them," Full House said, standing near a currently-being inspected IF-21D.

Mechanics and ground crew working within the 131st Technical Squadron, the penal maintenance squadron, were a mix of both convicts and regular and the latter were all volunteers, drawn by higher pay and benefits thanks to its inherent risks. The guards, both Air Force military police and Pasgat commandos were also all-volunteer and not conscripts, to keep eyes on the group's convict-mechanics as well as pilots.

...

"Sipir, come here" called Colonel Purnama, as all the prisoners have returned to their cells to sleep.

"Sipir reporting, Colonel, what's the matter?"