Blue Fields
July 1916 – One year after Captain Conall's fateful visit to Dr. Akari's Labs.
Conall sighed and dropped the morning newspaper on to his desk. The paper always seemed to carry bad news lately. The enemy had found a new trump card, a dangerous fighter pilot who seemed to evade bullets like a fly evades swatting. He was already famously annoying and now was glorified more so by being called "The Baron". He muttered a curse and smoke rose from his pipe as he puffed.
“That damn Baron. He's killed too many of my finest...”
Rolling up the paper he tossed into the trash. As he picked up a pen and went to dip into the ink he paused; he had noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned in his chair, and watched the door open and close softly. He smiled; only one person could brighten his gruff exterior.
“Good morning Dusti. *hem*”
“Good morning sir. I've brought you some breakfast”
Dusti, a strange little creature, was not human. She came from the strange cabbage that Dr. Akari had given him. Her resemblence to humans was tenuous at best as she had canine ears and teeth and a fluffy tail. Her eyes, deep turquoise and twinkling, smiled as she floated up with the tea and breakfast. She placed the tray deftly on the desk and buzzed around to the front of the desk to report, standing at attention. Or rather, floating.
“I've repaired two of the Camels for you, they're ready for a pilot
whenever you're ready”
Dusti smiled as she mentioned the planes.
Conall nodded. It was amazing how this little person was able to repair anything she set her mind to. It had saved him so much time for it enabled him to get his pilots back in the air, and quickly too.
Right into the skies of the Baron he thought bitterly.
Dusti, having finished placing the breakfast and tea, began to make her way for the door.
“Dustianna...”
She turned to look at Conall. A look of suspicion crossing her face.
“Sir?”
He took a deep breath. This was a long shot but he had to try.
“Do you want to fly one of the planes? *hem*”
She looked at him sternly. Conall waited, poker-faced. He knew that she was no fool. She hated conflicts, and was livid when she discovered what her planes were being used for. It took many days of trying to convince her that they had no choice, it was to protect their home. It took much convincing but eventually she returned to fixing the planes.
“Is it so I will fight in your war?”
He took a deep breath from his pipe slowly letting the smoke out. He had a hunch about her skills but knew he needed to tread lightly. Patience.
“Dusti, its not my war. I am simply fighting for what I believe in.”
“Then why do you want me to fly?”
“I thought maybe you would like to experience the planes flight rather
then always watching from below after you repaired them.”
Mulling it over, Dusti floated towards the window of the office.
“Can I?”
Conall smiled.
“Of course you can.”
Twirling around she smiled.
“Alright...”
Then her face screwed up in a look of determination.
“...but no tricks.”
“Of course not. *hem*”
Turning she flew out the door, gently closing it behind her with a small click. Conall smiled as he picked up his cup of tea. He would have his secret weapon yet.
Reply
