FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2018 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page. Aramis Dagaz is© his player and appears here with his permission.
Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.
Chapter 109
Choppers
Andrew, Dan, and Sal had been waiting for pickup in their usual place. Harry, Ralph, and Alan were sizing them up, working up the courage to make a run on them before they got picked up.
“Little Indian ferret,” Harry groused. They’d gotten a week’s in-school detention for their attempt in the hallway, and Harry was of a mind to take it out on the fur. They were just about to step out when a voice came from behind them, gruff and baritone.
“Ah wouldn’t, if’ns Ah wuz you.”
They turned to see Mr. Bailey, the school Janitor. He was leaning on the edge of the loading dock right behind them.
“Ah, it’s only ol’ Bailey,” Harry said of the bear. “Ain’t nobody gotta listen to you, ol’ fur.”
“T’ain’t me ya gotta worry about, if’ns ya were thinkin’ a goin’ after doze tree. Doncha know who dat is?” the bear said, standing up and sticking his paws in his coverall pockets.
“Yeah,” Harry said defiantly. “A lil’ Indian ferret an’ his two queer muscle buddies. Everbody knows those two are all show.”
The bear shrugged. “You ever seen ‘em fight?”
Harry hesitated. “Naw, but they don’t push on nobody, so they gotta be yella to fight.”
The bear looked down sadly. “Now ya sound like ol’ Carl Branson an’ his daddy. Y’ever hear o’ Tia O’Whitt?”
Harry looked uncertain for a moment. “Naw, should I?”
Alan the beagle now spoke up. “I heard o’ her. My brother talked about her a lot last year. The guy ya just said, Carl, tried t’ jump her an’ she cleaned his clock good. He spent a year goin’ ta Tonemaine. Word is he just got back in regular high school last week. Said his daddy tried to attack her house an’ her momma and she broke his paw. S’posed to be some kinda kung-fu babe.”
“Close ‘nuff,” the bear replied. “Now, dat dere white tiger kid is her little brother. He trains the same place she does. Plus, ‘at dere’s a mongoose, not a ferret. Dey’re hella fast by nature. Dey used ta fight dem cobras in India. Da terrier? Well, ya see how muscled he is. As far as dat other bit, well, I seen ‘em eyein’ da femmes plenty, an’ da femmes eyein’ ‘em back. Now, ya really sure ya wanna mess wit’ dat?”
The three would-be bullies looked uncertain. It was academic now, as a minivan was picking them up. The three looked at each other, and quickly decided maybe that bunch was best left alone.
# # #
“Tia’s going to bring you home and drop you off,” Jenna stated as she dropped them at Izzy Quai’s dojo.
“What?” Andrew asked, wondering if he’d actually heard right.
“Oh, that’s right. She and Jack were gone before we got home. They went to buy Tia a car. Jack will change everything over tomorrow, but it’s insured, and Tia is driving you all home, so I don’t have to drive back over here. I’m going grocery shopping and then head home. Izzy already knows, and your parents have given permission for you to go and to ride back with Tia, Sal and Dan.”
The two nodded, wide-eyed at the prospect of riding with Tia, and at being allowed to watch Andrew’s class. Andrew took a deep breath and nodded.
“Okay Mom. If you say so.”
Jenna pecked him on the cheek and the three friends went inside. Sal and Dan were taking everything in. Andrew shouldered his gear bag and pointed.
“That’s Sensei Quai. Let me put my gear down and I’ll introduce you.”
Andrew took his gear bag and put it with the other students, along with his shoes, socks, and jacket. He then approached Izzy.
“Sensei Quai,” he said with a bow. Izzy returned it.
“Andrew, and I see you have two friends. I have spoken by phone with their parents. They will be allowed to observe, with an eye toward training here. Have them come and speak with me. Now, join your class.”
Andrew bowed. “Yes Sensei.”
Izzy returned the bow, and Andrew turned and ran over to join his class, waving Sal and Dan toward Izzy. Tia was leading the stretches, and Andrew had to admit she looked impressive. She had competed in a tournament a month ago and had won a black gi like their uncle wore. There were stylized dragon and tiger appliques on it and patches for their martial arts association. Most impressive to Andrew was the black belt with the Panjitsu Apprentice emblem embroidered on it.
Meanwhile, Sal and Dan had tentatively approached Izzy. He looked down at them, his paws in his robe sleeves. Neither spoke, simply looked at him and waited to be acknowledged. Finally, he spoke.
“Greetings, young friends of Andrew O’Whitt.”
The two were unsure how to address the elder snow leopard. Realizing this, he gave a slight smile.
“Mr. Quai, and no bow unless and until you become my students.”
Looking relieved, they both addressed him.
“Mr. Quai it is an honor to meet you,” Sal said in his rapid-fire manner.
“Mr. Quai, Andrew talks a lot about you and his uncle and Tia. All good things,” Dan stated.
Izzy smiled in earnest. “Very good. I would expect friends of Andrew to be polite. I am not disappointed. You are welcome to observe, but please, no noise or distractions. At the end of class, I will speak with you again. You may sit in the chairs or stand.”
Both answered with a firm, “Yes sir.” They then went and sat in the visitor’s chairs.
Andrew was now working with Tyler, and Tia was teaching another group a kata. Both young males were impressed as they watched Tia teach. Tyler and Andrew had set up a stand with boards on it. Now, Tyler was leading an exercise routine that everyone participated in. There was a brief testing at the end, where Andrew went through a brief kata, responded to and repeated commands in Korean, and broke two boards set in the stand. Izzy then presented him a new belt. Still yellow, but with two hash bands on it, indicating his third Geup.
The class was called to attention, and then dismissed. Andrew accepted everyone’s congratulations and then gathered his things, before meeting up with Sal and Dan.
“Hey guys, what’d you think?” the tiger asked as he walked up to them.
“It was very good! Very instructive and I like the strength and stamina building exercises. I would like to learn this. What my father teaches me is a form of Grav Maga which is an Israeli form. I can see how I could combine it with this to be really effective,” Sal answered all in one breath.
Dan nodded his head. “I’ve got muscles now. I could pick someone up or throw a punch, but that was just so smooth. I want to learn, too, only…”
“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.
“Well, I don’t know that my folks can afford it.”
All three were looking downcast when Tia and Izzy joined them.
“Hey guys, how’s it…what’s wrong?” Tia asked. Andrew, mindful of where they were, bowed to her and Izzy. The tigress and the snow leopard returned the bow. Before they could answer Tia, Izzy spoke.
“They are sad, Tia. Your family does well financially, and pays for your and Andrew’s lessons, fees, and uniforms and equipment without a problem. Sal Idiri’s the same. Daniel Westland, not so much. They are not poor, but their budget is much tighter. However, I have been on a conference call to all three families, and we have come to a solution. I am combining the lesson cost for three into a discount package. No discussion is needed, as all have agreed. The package includes uniforms, but individual gear will be your responsibility. Bring a parent, Sal and Daniel, next Tuesday at five thirty to register and get your gi. Be prepared to stay for the class. Is that satisfactory?”
The two glanced at Andrew and followed his lead as he bowed.
“Yes, Sensei Quai,” they all said together. Izzy bowed in return.
“Dismissed, then.”
The three went off together, chattering away. Izzy turned to see Tia smiling at the retreating trio.
“Tia, what have I gotten myself into?” the snow leopard inquired. Turning to face him, she bowed.
“Three very good students who will likely drive you crazy. I’m very proud of them.”
Izzy bowed in return. “It would seem so. Goodnight, Tia.”
“Sensei,” she replied as she headed for her gear bag. Now she had to herd her brother and his friends to the car and drive them home. She hoped her ears were up to it.
# # #
“So, we’re settled on these three?” Billy asked. He, Corrie, and Kathleen were meeting to finalize their bid choices for the airframes Fred was going to try to acquire for them.
“Yeah, I like it,” Corrie stated. “The silver and white Longrangah is good to have in case we get a biggah group. The blue and silvah Jetrangahs are just about perfect for the demand we see for heah.”
Kathleen gathered up the three info sheets. “I like the mix. Even the color schemes fit well with customers coming from the University. Also, I’ve got the maintenance agreement ready to go with Bluegrass Aviation. They have two techs who are A&P rated for turbine helicopters, and Mr. McCrory said he’d hire another two when we get a delivery date. Says he knows a bunch of good helicopter techs from the Marines.”
Billy and Corrie just looked at the collie for a moment, to the point she began to fidget and blush. Finally, Corrie shook her head.
“Whatevah we’re paying you, we should raise it.”
Billy agreed. “I think we should and can do that. Anything else, Kath?”
The collie femme blushed further as she prepared to answer. She’d finally gotten to the point where she’d use their first names regularly, and had insisted they call her Kath, as it was shorter. She beamed proudly at them through the blush and continued.
“Thank you, I appreciate it. Well, the hiring notice you approved will hit the internet sites and newsletters Monday, and the magazines and trade papers by the end of the week. From what I can tell, we should start getting resumés in within a couple of days. The ads will run for two weeks, so that should give us a cra, ah, a big load of applicants. Do you want me to screen them for qualifications and try to weed out fake stuff before I send them on to you?”
Billy looked at Corrie inquiringly. “Up to you, you’re the chopper expert.”
Corrie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll provide you a list of qualifications and houahs required. I’ll go ovah how to spot if something’s crook or if someone’s big-noting their self, enough to keep from being dudded.”
Kath looked at Corrie blankly. “I know that was English, but come again?”
Billy laughed as Corrie gave a sardonic look. “She lapses into ‘Strine, or Australian slang when she’s excited. You’ll be able to tell if somethings wrong or exaggerated, so we don’t get conned.”
Kath smiled broadly. “I gotcha. Is there anything more?”
Billy looked at Corrie, who thought a moment and then shrugged.
“Until the resumés start coming in, it’ll just be a matter of picking up the choppahs and delivering them to Allaistor for initial inspection and maintenance.”
“Which reminds me,” Billy stated. “We need to contract Alex to help get them here. We may need two of them in the air coming here at the same time. If so, we’ll contract him through Helipro.”
“That’s good Billy,” Corrie responded, “But can we do that for every bird? Ferrying a choppah you just acquired is always best done with two pilots in case of trouble.”
Billy arched an eyebrow. “Wanting some travel alone time with your fiancé, eh?”
Kath stifled an involuntary giggle as Corrie blushed. Billy laughed and went on.
“I know, safer that way. Sounds good.”
Kath excused herself and went to go get the bid sheets faxed. Corrie also excused herself, leaving Billy alone.
“So, airframes are coming,” Billy mused to himself. “Building almost done, and the pilot hiring process has begun. Looks like Helipro is on the rise.”
# # #
Friday afternoon had finally come. Jefferson Mastifson was working up a report on his last ramp checks, now looking forward to the end of the day. Despite the rough start to the week, he’d maintained his three days ahead of schedule. Finishing the report, he saved it on the computer, printed it, and prepared to go get it from the copy room. The stretch did him some good, so when he came back he felt more awake. It was too late to start anything new, so he sat down and looked through the newspaper he’d bought at lunch.
There were articles on downtown street construction, the lessening crime rate, interspecies relations, and the usual political pandering. He turned over to the business section and noted an article on the new business starting up at Bluegrass Field. Helipro would be a helicopter charter operation, offering luxury executive transport, photography support, survey support, and air taxi from the airport throughout the Lexington area. Also to be offered were sight-seeing and expedited small item delivery.
“Good idea,” he mused to himself. He recalled he’d recently signed off on a heliport location for the business.
He nearly choked when he read the owner’s names. His mind raced, trying to think of some way to throw a wrench in the startup, only to realize he’d signed away his one chance weeks before. He read on as the owner thanked the community for its support, and for the grants that allowed a rapid beginning. They hoped to begin flight operations by January.
The Rottweiler put the paper down, staring into space. Deep inside, the last restraint snapped. The voice deep down suddenly came to the fore, loud and clear. Anyone looking at the canid would have thought he was simply lost in thought or reverie. They wouldn’t be able to see the flames that now danced behind his eyes.
# # #
Alex and Corrie were at dinner, enjoying a Friday evening out. They were at Rip’s, which had become one of their favorite places on a date. The band was Lop Ears, the slow, melodious jazz group that had played at Jack and Jenna’s first date. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere relaxed and romantic. After eating they had gone to the dance floor and just did a prom-shuffle, enjoying being in each other’s arms.
“Love.” Alex began. Corrie lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eye.
“Yes?” she replied.
“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”
She smiled, looking at him a moment before answering. “Not really, no. I’ve always been single, so unless the Sheilas or the pilots had a get-togethah I’d usually eithah work or just grab a bite out and call it an early night, why?”
“Thanksgiving is for what you are thankful for. I’ve always been here or there as well. This year I want to do something special. Billy’s family is coming in to visit he and Penny. Jack and Jenna and the cubs will be together. I think it would be wonderful for you and me to host your friends. We can do it at my place, even have it catered if you don’t want to help me be domestic.”
Alex finished his idea up about the same time Lop Ears called a break, so he and Corrie sat back down at their table. The lioness grinned at him.
“Help you be domestic, eh? Nothing against your skills, but I think I like the idea of having it catered. That way we can enjoy ouah guests and not having to worry ovah cooking or dishes.”
Alex smiled. “My thoughts, too. I think I’ll invite Rich and Kathleen as well, if they don’t have family to go to. Rich’s parents live over in Knoxville. I don’t know where Kathleen is from.”
Corrie thought a moment and then shook her head. “Nice idea, but I think she said something about them going to Virginia to meet her parents.”
Alex’s eyebrows went up. “That serious already?”
Corrie grinned. “As you said, they may beat us to the altah. Anyway, I like the idea, as long as the Sheilas don’t have plans with their boyfriends.”
Alex smiled. “In that case, they can either bring them along, or it’d be just the two of us. That would be fine, too.”
Corrie smiled, almost shyly. “So, you’re thankful for me?”
Alex’s smile broadened in return. “You bet I am. Shall we go?”
“We shall,” the lioness replied.
They left Rip’s and Alex drove Corrie to her duplex. Once there, she invited him in to continue talking. They enjoyed each other’s company, and before they knew it the conversation had turned into a passionate hug and kiss fest. After a particularly long and intense kiss, Corrie put a paw on Alex’s chest and leaned back. They were both breathing fast.
“Luv…Oh Lord I want you so bad right now, but I know the standards ouah faith holds. I’m…also kinda scared.”
“*whew!* Yeah, we got a little carried away there. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Alex replied, trying to keep his physical reactions under control as much as he could.
“Wasn’t you,” she said, still breathing a bit fast and looking down. “I’m afraid when we do, we’ll get in the middle of it and I’ll freak out or something. I don’t want to hurt you or make things worse by having a flashback or something.”
Alex took her paws in his. “Love, no rush. Not now, not when we’re married. We have the rest of our lives, we don’t have to hurry.”
Corrie was still looking down. Alex lifted her chin and gently kissed her.
“You okay?”
She gave him a sideways smirk. “I’m so horny I feel like me nethahs could explode, but ouah faith and my feahs won’t let me do anything about it. I’m just apples, thank you.”
Alex stood up. Corrie could plainly see that he was struggling with his physical reaction, too. He gave a sigh.
“Right there with you, Chopper Gal. As I said, easy to say, hard to live out. I’d better go. What’s on tap for tomorrow?”
Corrie stood as well. She put her paws on his shoulders and looked steadily into his eyes.
“Tomorrow is one day closah. One day soonah that we don’t have to say goodnight and paht company.”
Then she wrinkled her nose mischievously. “And also, laundry day. Call me in the afternoon and we’ll make plans.”
He kissed her again. “As you wish. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you.”
She grabbed around his chest and fiercely kissed him, pressing the memory of him into herself like she’d never let go. Finally, she put him back at arm’s length.
“I love you, too. Be careful driving home. G’night.”
“Night, Love,” he said as he took a breath and stepped out and shut the door. He took another deep breath and blew it out, then got in his truck and drove. As he drove, he thought. Tonight had been as close as they’d come, but even as their passion had risen, he’d felt her apprehension. It would take a lot of time and patience to allow her to work through what had happened to her. He just hoped she didn’t rush herself.
Back in her duplex, Corrie had already gotten in the shower, needing to wash the aftereffects of her excitement off. She was afraid that the scent would bring the nightmare, and that was the last thing she wanted. It had felt so good in his arms, and what she’d felt and seen told her that when they finally were able to release their passion, it would be wonderful.
She finished up her shower and got ready for bed. Something assured her the nightmare wouldn’t come tonight. She felt content and at peace, and very, very loved. With that thought in her mind, she drifted off to a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
End of Chapter 109