Raid on Wensleydale Range

This article is about an in-universe event. For the in-game mission, see Stepping Stone.

We are still combing through records, but it's thin.
This article's title is a conjecture. There is no official name for the article's subject slthough it contains canon information.

Any changes to the article's title should reflect consensus.

"You hear that?"
"Ah, it’s probably just one of our patrol squadrons."

― Federation air defense units unaware of the raid

In preparation for Operation Blackout, the destruction of the Solana Communications Array, the Cascadian Independence Force deployed their best pilot, Monarch, for a lone sortie to the Wensleydale Range to soften up defenses leading to the array.

Prelude

"...you're capable. More capable than most, getting this far in, and because of that, we need you on deck for a one-man mission."

― J. Griffiths

The Solana Communications Array was a joint venture between Cascadia and the Pacific Federation meant to expand its networking capabilities against thermal interference across the North American continent. During the Cascadian Conflict, the Federation used the array to smoothen Federation comms, disrupt CIF ones, and impose countrywide censorship to minimize the scale of the war in the international eye. Due to its distance from the frontlines, it had been outside striking distance previously.

However, protecting the array was the Chaohord Defense Region, a powerful AA defense system originally setup by the Cascadian National Guard to prevent freelancer incursions from the Dustlands, which was in close proximity to the mountain range. There was not enough fuel for a one-way trip to circle around this defense grid. Fortunately for the rebels, the system was calibrated for swarming attacks, not small-scale ones.

J. Griffiths, despite his hangups with mercenaries in general, personally selected Monarch for the raid. He reasoned that after seeing how much he accomplished, he had to admit mercenary pilots, especially him, were some of the best in the world. For his capabilities, he was deployed alone to the Wensleydale Range. Should Monarch be shot down, the rest of Hitman Team would remain on standby to conduct SAR.

Crimson Team sent out part of a Regional HQ bulletin warning allies to take the mercenaries seriously, although some within the defense units would at first dismiss them.

Raid

"Monarch, the radar defenses are pretty hidden away on the mountain range, but your pal Galaxy got them all marked out. After this mission, don’t tell me I never do anything for you."

― Dominic Zaitsev

Once he infiltrated Wensleydale airspace, Monarch began picking off the defense clusters one by one, initially mistaken for another patrol squadron and then an entire flight. Because of his progress, the air defense units woke up their commander, who then calmly recalled all of their patrols to intercept.

The Commander soon deduced it to be a mercenary based on engine burn sounds, and the defense units became dumbfounded at the CIF sending only one fighter. The Commander himself correctly suspected based on word of mouth from the Federation Peacekeepers that it was Monarch himself.

Aftermath

"Evacuate the area and raise Regional HQ. Tell them the mercs have one hell of a pilot around."

― Federation Air Defense Commander after the raid

With the defenses pacified, Monarch returned to base, his feat impressing his allies. He was considered important for the upcoming operation.

The airspace to the Aitor Desert was open, and Sicario had enough fuel for the flight. Monarch was ordered to get enough rest before next morning's mass mobilization.