Wings of Fire Ch. 07 - Teaser (Patreon)

“They’re running! Let’s chase them down!!” Bullet squawked, rallying the men to go after them.

“Negative! Hold position over this ranch! Don’t want to go running headlong into some sort of ambush!” Swoop ordered.

“But, sir…” Bullet protested.

“No buts! We can’t go chase them down just yet, as we have no idea what we would be up against! We need solid intel on what the Flintlocks have before we go after them,” Swoop reasoned.

While the rest of the squad didn’t like enemy planes getting away, they agreed that the safety of the people on the ground was their priority. The lawmen were already at the scene, guns blazing as they took down the Flintlocks. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes and Nadine shouted in victory as she heard the news over her frequency.

“We got the people down there freed! The bastards, or… what’s left of them, surrendered!” Nadine crowed triumphantly. Whoops of victory sounded over the radio, as everyone celebrated this win. Everyone except James, as he had a feeling that something wasn’t right.

“Hey, Jimmy! Lighten up, man! We won this engagement!” Ernie cried out from his seat.

“It’s not that I’m not happy about taking these bastards down! I’m really glad we did!” James replied.

“Then why the sour face? And why are you so quiet?” his friend queried.

“Because something doesn’t add up. How in the name of God did these bastards get their hands on planes like that? They didn’t have them back in the States,” James told him.

“I have an answer for that, but in order to hear it, you and yours will have to accompany me to the nearest Air Force base,” the Pathfinder said over the radio.

“Which is something we were thinking about doing anyway, ma’am. If those Flintlocks got the drop on you while out on patrol, then any lingering planes or other gangers might also be out there,” Swoop replied.

“A pragmatic view, which is why you are my wing commander,” said a sultry voice over the radio that the Crimson Sky were more than familiar with.

“Who is this? Identify yourself!” Nadine demanded.

“Captain Michelle Greyheart. I lead the Crimson Sky mercenary group,” she replied, almost lazily.

“Oh! Apologies, ma’am!” Nadine apologized, not thinking that it could well be the captain who led these men and women.

“No apology necessary, Pathfinder. Since we are going to escort you to your Air force base, and you’ve likely been on patrol for a while, would you care to land on the Vengeance and rest for a bit before we arrive?” Michelle offered.

“I would very much like that, thank you! On patrolling for a while, you’re not wrong. Been in the air since at least six AM,” the Pathfinder said by way of acceptance.

“Very good! Crimson Sky, land your planes, but keep them toasty. Some of the others are going up to keep watch on the skies,” the captain told them.

“Aye, Captain Greyheart! We are forming up just now and Tex is on his way down,” Swoop said as the planes approached the airship.

One by one, the squad landed and killed their engines, which allowed the old pilot to get out while the fresh one hopped in. The planes were then brought over to the catapults, then started once more so they could launch. James was the last of the Crimson Sky planes to land, but no one would be flying his plane. In the agreement struck with Captain Greyheart, it was agreed that no one but him would fly his plane.