Freedom Flights: Episode 42. No Cards Game. Part 1.

#IWSG – Using AI Freedom Flights: Episode 42. No Cards...

Freedom Flights: Episode 42. No Cards Game. Part 1.

Episode 42 of Freedom Flights is set in February 2025 and will be released in two parts, making it easier to absorb. Can you guess what world-stunning event occurs in Part 2? As always, some events foreshadowed in this episode will take a few months to play out.

I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen later in 2025… although they might fear what could happen. Also, I want each episode to tackle just crucial incidents in a specific month, so I hope to reach the present quickly. I don’t want to be stuck writing about earlier months when the last shot is fired.

Therefore, until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, thus addressing the essential rebuilding. I must finish writing the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air, but that will be posted elsewhere.

We must never forget the brave people fighting for freedom, with too many losing their lives. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons continue to reach Ukraine, despite how some leaders vacillate. Assistance must arrive on time to change their fortunes and prepare for the genuine peace that must come soon.

Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page via the left-hand sidebar.

Episode 42. No Cards Game

2025

Friday, February 7th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

Commandant Raphaëlle Balode allowed Sergeant Adélie Levchenko to land the two-seater Mirage 2000B trainer at Dęblin. Behind them, Capitaine Éliane Nowicki led the flight of five Mirage 2000-5Fs onto the Polish Air Force University runway, and all six craft taxied to where their maintainers could take responsibility for their charges.

“Anything to report?” asked Adjudant Léana Melnik. Her combined French and Canadian team were ready to inspect and, where necessary, repair the Mirages.

Raphaëlle gave the other pilots time to respond. None did.

“Another routine flight, Léana. You gals are keeping these precious birds in top form. As of yesterday, we officially became an active part of the UAF. These jets will be flown to Ukraine once we get our orders. Léana, can your team please inspect, arm, and fully refuel the five 2000-5Fs?”

The first clear photo of a Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F. (Image credit: Ukrainian Air Force)

As the maintainers began their inspection, the pilots went up to their control room, where the other French and Canadian pilots were waiting.

After greeting them, Raphaëlle checked the time and then called Chayka Field. Kalyna answered.

“Perfect timing, Raphaëlle. After President Zelensky welcomed the Ukrainian-piloted Mirages from France yesterday, you asked Vasy and me to remind Colonel Bondarenko about your Mirage flight in Poland. As expected, Maksym hadn’t forgotten. His UAF superiors have granted permission for your three best pilots to fly into Ukraine today. You also need to send a maintainer team to support them. However, the destination will be transmitted via talker after our conversation.”

Raphaëlle nodded to the Dęblin code talker, Tayanita Brave Beaver, before responding.

“I’ll supply the three names and call signs using the same method.” When Captain Lyana Rudenko gestured, Raphaëlle continued. “Are the Hornets required, or do we continue the training programmes?”

“As yet, the UAF is being advised by our NATO allies to only use two NATO 4th generation fighters, which rules out our Hornets, except for any exercise outside Ukrainian airspace.”

“However, our Gripen C is a 4th-generation fighter,” said Vasy. “Except unofficially, the UAF realises that a single squadron, ourselves, has a flight and is training on the E & F variants in Poland. Officially, the ongoing plan to transfer Swedish Gripen C/D jets is still on the table. Let’s hope a keen jet-spotter doesn’t expose our subterfuge.”

“If they do, we can claim we are saving money,” said Lyana. “The UAF knows the Mirage 2000-5F is cheaper to operate than the F-16, but we’ve proved the Gripen is easily the most cost-efficient 4th generation fighter.”

Half an hour later, Chayka Field’s code talker, Nauja Tall Gull, sent the encrypted instructions to her colleague, Tayanita Brave Beaver, who deciphered the message for Raphaëlle to read aloud.

“Night Witch Mirage flight to proceed to Kalyniv Airfield. Then await further orders.” Raphaëlle destroyed the message, then continued. “We need to discuss which of you will fly this first mission. I know we all want to fight for real.”

“Haven’t your original flight the most experience?” asked Lyana. “Although two of us Canadians, Tatiana and I, had flight time at Chayka.”

Raphaëlle checked her training notes on the computer.

“We have all notched up excellent flight times and done Dissimilar Air Combat Training. But almost nobody has real combat experience. However, in April 2018, Éliane Nowicki was one of four Cigognes selected for the attacks against illegal chemical weapon sites during the Syrian Civil War. The Mirage 2000-5Fs were supporting five SCALP missile-armed Rafale-Bs.”

“I was the most junior pilot in the flight,” said Éliane. “Not sure that makes me combat-hardened.”

“However,” said Raphaëlle. “Our trio will be Capitaine Éliane Nowicki, call sign Soleil, Capitaine Marielle Simonova, call sign Amant, and Captain Lyana Rudenko, call sign Red Cardinal.”

Thursday, February 13th – Recreation Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

[image error] Tributes placed beneath the taped over seal of the US Agency for International Development (USAid) in Washington, DC, on 7 February. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/20/how-will-trump-and-musk-freeze-on-usaid-affect-millions-around-world

Kalyna and her cousin Vasy sat in a group of Night Witches personnel watching a disturbing news report.

“What more can this US administration do to disrupt the world?” said Vasy. “They’ve turned so much upside down in just a few weeks.”

“I’m worried now about the peace deal,” said Kalyna. “Does Trump expect dictating terms to work? This weekend’s Munich Security Conference could go either way.”

The group went silent for a moment, failing to ignore the images on the television.

“Judging by last week’s sudden dismantling of USAid,” said Adriana Pavlenko. “More unexpected announcements by his team are likely. As that TV report shows,177 recipient countries are already struggling without USAid.”

“If the Trump team can be that callous,” added Tamila Medved. “What hope have we of a just peace for Ukraine. My father, Illya, fears our people and land in the east will be sacrificed to make Putin stop.”

“Only for him to invade again in a few years,” said Vasy. “Even before Trump’s inauguration, US military aid was being held up by the Republican-controlled Congress. Uncertainty about supplies of ammunition, spare parts, and armoured vehicles is critical, especially at the front.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Tamila concluded, “The doubt over our continued fight is worse with Trump’s return to power. His regime can halt shipments anytime, even those initiated by Biden’s administration. When Trump froze foreign aid, that included Ukraine.”

Doctor Sacha Proulx and Chief Paramedic Osinniy joined them from another table.

“Seems you were also shocked by that USAid report,” said Sacha. “We’ve been assessing what it means for Ukraine, already struggling with vital shortages of critical supplies.”

“At the front, they’re just holding on. There’s no other choice,” Osinniy said, shaking her head. “When I was a medic there, armoured cars were a lifeline. Not just for getting troops and equipment to their positions, but also for getting the injured out. Otherwise, without the means to rescue them, the wounded die alone beyond our lines.”

Sunday, February 16th – Kalyniv Airfield near the Polish border

Éliane Nowicki was talking with her colleagues, Marielle Simonova, and Lyana Rudenko in French after their night sortie over Lviv and Zakarpattia Oblasts, patrolling the border with Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

“They’re moving us to another airfield tonight,” said Éliane. “Our three maintainers told me when we landed. After preparing our Mirages, they’re going ahead of us in the Puszczyk.”

“When will we know our destination?” asked Lyana. “I know we can’t land at Chayka Field yet. We don’t want a repeat of last year’s incident with a Sukhoi Su-24.”

A Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 lifts off at a 2017 airshow in the U.K. The Su-27 is Ukraine’s long arm, an offensive fighter with great range and the capacity to carry nearly 10,000 pounds of bombs, rockets, and missiles.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/fighter-jet-fights-both-sides-180975834/

“That must be the reason we’re hopping around bases,” said Marielle, shaking her auburn hair loose. “And UAF policy of evading the Russian attacks.”

“Where do you feel safest?” asked a male pilot, slicking back his black hair. “Kalyniv is my squadron’s base. I’m guessing you beauties are Night Witches from Chayka Field. Haven’t seen you around… and you’re not speaking our language.”

Éliane laughed.

“Witches, yes. Chayka Field, not yet… until our runway is extended.”

“Same reason we can’t land our F-16s there,” said another pilot, dragging up another chair. “Our last visit was… memorable.”

Lyana chuckled.

“You were the two Sukhoi Su-24 pilots who blocked our runway.”

“Kapitan Andriy Oliynyk,” said the first pilot.” My friend is Lieutenant Fedir Kravets. You lovely trio must be Mirage 2000-5F trainers from France. Except, weren’t you training Ukrainian pilots in your country?”

“We were training Ukrainian Canadians in Poland,” said Éliane. “We also volunteered as Night Witches, but we’re not the official flight… so, you never met us.”

Then the women introduced themselves.

“Do you have call signs in case we encounter you in the air attacking orcs?” asked Andriy.

“Soleil, Cardinal Rouge and Amante,” said Marielle, winking. “You’ll have to guess which is which Witch when we use them.”

Andriy chortled.

“Easy. You’re Cardinal Rouge,” he said, pointing at Marielle. “I know what rouge means. One of the few French words I know. I guess Soleil might be Éliane, and Lyana is Amante.”

As he concluded, the Base Commander appeared and handed Éliane a message, which she glanced at.

“Our flight’s next haven.”

“Why the secrecy?” asked Fedir. “Or can you tell us?”

The three Witches all shook their hands.

“Like you, we’re all under orders,” said Lyana. “We all have to keep the Russians guessing. For now, they know from the media that there are two, maybe three Mirage 2000-5F in Ukraine. But no one is sure where those ones are. We don’t. Our presence confuses things. We never know where we might be deployed next.

“And there are more crucial events happening,” added Marielle. “Like what JD Vance stirred up at the Munich Security Conference. Has he shaken up the transatlantic partnership?”

Everyone nodded.

“You’re not just an ace pilot,” said Andriy. “You’re politically astute. You saw through his attack on Europeans. His version of democracy means pandering to the far-right and Putin, not genuinely helping us. Meanwhile, you’re fighting alongside us.” He glanced at her colleagues and added, “All three of you are with us.”

“Our President, Zelenskyy, was correct in saying the time had come for a European army,” added Fedir. “As we’re doing, Europe must join together.”

“Canada as well,” said Lyana. “We’re with you… and Europe. Like the modern Night Witches. Forget us being the 51st state… Trump’s lackey.”

English: Flag of Canada introduced in 1965, using Pantone colours. This design replaced the Canadian Red Ensign design.

“Don’t forget Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, also added ‘Europeans can’t make an assumption that America’s presence will last forever’, pointedly,” said Éliane. “Yet, our countries are expected to buy US weapons, gas, and goods. Or they can be like France and other nations developing our home-grown defence industry.”

They all paused for thought until Marielle concluded, “We need to see this move by the Trump regime as a challenge to our sense of freedom. I may be taking a political stance when, as a servicewoman I should remain neutral, but I agree with those who say we should speak out more forcefully about building inclusive societies and against the hate-mongers.”

Andriy stared at her and smiled.

“As I said, you have a perceptive mind. And I believe establishing a European security regime crafted and owned by us Europeans would be less vulnerable to the whims and tides of US policy and beneficial.”

“Before you two resolve every political crisis, some of us need rest”, said Éliane, and she winked, adding, “That includes you, Captain Simonova.”

As they all rose, Andriy embraced Marielle.

“Yes, you need your beauty sleep, Amante.”

She eagerly returned his kiss.