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 119
“Christmastime is Here”
December seemed to have flown by. Business at both Kentiger and Helipro had ramped up considerably as the month went on. Corrie was hot-seating the birds, especially over the weekends when sight-seeing flights added to the schedule. Alex was busy both at Kentiger and seeing to the final touches on the hangar/garage at his home. Mid-month saw him flying the white and black MD-520N home for the first time. The weather promptly fell into a pattern of rain and gloom, with a couple of rounds of snow flurries thrown in for good measure.
As usual, Kentiger had flights booked through almost midnight Christmas Eve. The difference was, so did Helipro. It was becoming more and more common for someone to fly into Bluegrass on a Kentiger charter, walk off that aircraft and right onto a Helipro flight.
“We may as well start offering a package deal,” Billy had stated. Corrie and Alex were fine with the idea, and it was sent off to the lawyers to negotiate the details between the two businesses.
Alex had his reserve weekend, also around mid-month. It had consisted of making sure all his shots, paperwork, and passport were ready for a possible deployment. The rumors and speculation at Langley about what the new year would bring ran the gamut from absolutely nothing to World War Three.
Now it was Christmas Eve. Helipro’s last Angel of the day was Farrah, who put her Jetranger away at 1800 and bid Corrie Merry Christmas and goodbye for now. Alex would be at Kentiger until past 2300 waiting for the last Citation to come in. Tomorrow afternoon there was to be a party at the Panelli’s. All the friends and family were expected, as well as most of the crew from both businesses. The majority of Kentiger’s pilots had respectfully declined, citing family get togethers or prior commitments.
The tiger sat in his office, contemplating what the passing year had brought to his life. The greatest change, and the best thing, had been his relationship with Corrie. She was bright, fun, funny, beautiful, and sexy. He couldn’t imagine being without her now. Despite all the problems and mayhem Mastifson had tried to cause, it had been a good year. Jack, Jenna, Tia, and Andrew were all thriving. Kentiger was doing very well, with he and Billy contemplating hiring another round of six pilots to cover when they had aircraft but no crew. They were also in early discussion of adding more aircraft.
Corrie and Billy were working hard on Helipro. The business had begun well and was charging forward. Considering the initial plan was to start flying by February, as it was they might be hiring more pilots and getting another helicopter by then.
The tiger’s thoughts returned to Corrie. He had been delighted to find she was a voracious reader. After her announcement of faith, he’d suggested she start reading the Bible. She didn’t go at it like some boring, dusty old tome. She read, and analyzed, and cross referenced. She was keeping Alex and Brother Ronnie very much on their toes. Things they could confidently explain, they did. What they couldn’t, mostly in the occasional grey area, Brother Ronnie would point her to two or three commentaries on the passage or subject. The lioness had a wonderful, analytical mind that he was sure had been developed and sharpened by her years of flying helicopters.
The sound of a crew coming in from the ramp interrupted Alex’s musings. He stood and went out to the admin area, where he met Ken Dole and Georgie Spangler.
“Hello Colonel O’Whitt, Merry Christmas,” Ken greeted, his eyes looking tired in his black raccoon mask.
“Hi M, ah, Colonel O’Whitt, Christmas Blessings to you,” Georgie added, the Springer Spaniel’s tail wagging merrily.
“Hello and Merry Christmas to you both,” Alex replied. “How was your flight?”
Georgie rolled her eyes as Ken answered. “Cleveland in Winter, yeesh! Fortunately, we got between layers at fourteen thou and stayed out of the ice. Wasn’t bad going into Huntington, but that system is coming on in.”
“Yeah, did you know it’s snowing?” Georgie added, the wonder of a Christmas Eve snow not lost on her.
Alex smiled. “Sounds like the weather folks hit it this time. They’re calling for two to four inches by morning. Any problem with the aircraft?”
“Nope,” Georgie replied. “We turned in a clean ding list to Bluegrass.”
Alex now smiled broadly. “Great. ‘S what I like to hear. You two better get going before the roads get bad. Will you be at Billy’s tomorrow?”
“Yep, wouldn’t miss it!” Georgie nearly bounced as she spoke.
“Sorry, I’ll miss it. Big Procyonid family, big Procyonid family gathering,” Ken grinned.
Alex grinned in return. “Then Merry Christmas Ken, see you after. Georgie, see you tomorrow.”
The two called their farewells and left. Alex heard their vehicles start up in the parking lot and leave. With a sigh he went back to his office. One more crew left.
# # #
It was mid-afternoon when Alex and Corrie arrived at Billy and Penny’s. There were a couple of vehicles besides Billy and Penny’s already there, including Jenna’s minivan. Knowing how much space it would take up, they’d come in Corrie’s Jeep instead of Alex’s truck. The six inches of snow the area had received also suggested the Jeep. The road crews had sacrificed their holiday so that everyone else could have theirs, so by mid-morning the main roads were passible. One of the things Alex had purchased for the new helipad and garage was a good small tractor. Along with the mower and bucket, he’d bought a snow blade. He’d gotten up that morning and cleared his driveway, along with Jack and Jenna’s, long before Corrie arrived. The two were talking as they walked up to the Panelli’s door.
“Don’t get too used to this, Love. We don’t get white Christmases all that often,” Alex was telling her.
“Luv, I’ve lived in Maine since I was seventeen. I’ve seen more than my share of snow,” she replied.
Alex grinned at her as he rang the doorbell. “I can well imagine. Still, it was very pretty coming down.”
Before Corrie could respond, Penny answered the door, looking pretty and festive in a Christmas sweater and slacks.
“Alex! Corrie! Welcome and Merry Christmas!” the ti-fox exclaimed as she wrapped each of them in a big hug.
“Hello Penny, Merry Christmas,” each said as they were hugged. She turned and led the way into the house.
“C’mon in, your Angels are already here, Corrie.”
Corrie smiled, recalling when Penny had come in with Billy to meet the Angels. Kath had been there too, watching with her tail stilled for once. In the first minute, tension had been a little high. Then Penny had fixed them all with a steely-eyed look.
“He’s mine. Alex is hers. Rich is Kath’s. Any questions?”
The three felids and one now-startled canid meekly answered, “No.”
After another minute, Penny was laughing and talking with them all like nothing had ever been said and had hugged them all soundly. The same hug was given anytime she saw them now.
“Hi Jaqi, Farrah, Kate. Merry Christmas!” Corrie called as she and Alex moved on into the living room. The three femmes stood and hugged the lioness and her tiger as well. Billy was sitting in a recliner, the picture of a kindly grandfather as he entertained his grandcubs with the story of the first Christmas. After greeting Alex and Corrie, the three young femmes went back and sat down, their attention becoming caught up in the story as Billy continued. Alex turned to Penny and grinned.
“Looks like you’ve picked up another round of cubs.”
Penny wrinkled her nose merrily. “I know. I was never worried that he would think of them as anything but employees and daughters. I just made sure they know that, too.”
“Coo, does that make me the den mothah?” Corrie asked, laughing.
Alex laughed along. “Well, if Billy’s the father and you’re the mother, what does that make me?”
“Our crazy uncle!” Farrah quipped. She had been sitting close enough to follow Billy’s story and their conversation. Everyone laughed, and before Billy got started again the doorbell rang. Penny went to answer it as everyone waited to see who was arriving. Shortly she ushered in Georgie Spangler and Rita Jarvis.
“Hi Georgie, Rita, welcome and Merry Christmas!” Billy called as the two femmes looked a bit bewildered. “I think you know everyone except my family and these three ladies. The two little ‘ens here at my knee are Felicity and Carrie. Their dad is my son Rusty, the tiger there. His wife Callie is the Calico femme. These three ladies are Jaqi, Kate, and Farrah. They’re our new pilots at Helipro.”
Greetings were exchanged all around just as Jack, and Jenna, followed by Tia and Andrew, stepped in from the kitchen. Introductions were repeated. Georgie, Rita, and the Angels were all amazed when Tia announced that her application for the Air Force Academy had been accepted for review.
“So, what does that mean?” Georgie asked.
“It’s a step in the process. It’ll probably be Summer before I know if I’m in, but Senator Randall said it was one of the strongest packages he’d ever seen. I’m the daughter of an officer who died in the line of duty. I have letters from Mr. Panelli, who was an Academy graduate, and Uncle Alex, who is an Ace fighter pilot. What really surprised me was a letter of recommendation in there from Lt. General Lance Mastifson. Apparently, he got word I was applying and sent the letter to be included.”
Even Alex was impressed by that. “Wish his nephew would learn from him. Anyway, that’s fantastic, TC.”
Tia grinned at the use of her “call sign.” The conversation continued as Billy finally got to finish the story. Penny then announced that dinner was ready. The Panellis had managed to find a table big enough for everyone to sit together. It was arranged in a u-shape, with all the seats on the outside so no one had to sit with their back to anyone. Billy and Penny sat at the apex, and everyone found seats down the sides. Billy smiled at everyone.
“Thank you all for coming. This has been quite a year. Now, as we gather to remember Christ’s birth, let’s recall His message. Love one another. Do good for and to each other. I am honored to have all of you here. Dear Lord, bless these friends and family, bless this food, and continue to bless our lives, amen. Let’s eat!”
Everyone sat down and began to fill their plates and cups. The meal seemed to last a long time as everyone talked, shared stories and thoughts, and ate. With such a varied group, the conversation was lively and lasted long into the evening. The Angels and Georgie and Rita were the first to take their leave. Flights began early the next morning as furs who’d traveled for Christmas began making their way back to business and work locations. Alex and Corrie, Jack, Jenna, Tia, and Andrew were next. As Rusty and Callie began to help Penny and Billy with the cleanup, Billy had a moment to reflect on the year nearly at an end. He felt he was as truly blessed as a fur could be. Business old and new were thriving. He’d come through a health scare and surgery. Penny’s health was good. His son and family were well. No one had even noticed Carrie’s deafness. Frank, his younger son, was absent as usual. Billy was afraid the junior Panelli, who was a junior partner in a law firm in Denver, would work himself to death before he ever took time to have a life. There was nothing Billy could do about it. In all though, it was a very Merry Christmas.
# # #
Jefferson Mastifson sat in his apartment with only a bottle of scotch for company. Only partaking in religious activities when it had suited his career, to him Christmas was the noisy, pushy, nasty secular season of excess and greed. He was certain O’Whitt and all his friends and family were having a quite jolly old time. The Rottweiler sneered to himself.
“So happy happy joy joy I could puke,” he muttered to himself.
He got up and poured another drink, contemplating the past year. At his work, he was becoming more and more of a success. The ins and outs, rules and regulations suited him. They were clear-cut and steadfast. You were either in compliance or you weren’t. There was not much call for vague judgments or out-of-the-box thinking.
His love life was widely varied and satisfying for him. He had no femme at home complaining or demanding. The ladies he found were like him. Free to seek fun and adventure, not interested in being tied down. It actually brought a smile to his muzzle. There seemed to be no end to the number of femmes, single or married, who sought an hour or three of passion, and then gladly went on their way. He never asked marital status. They never told.
The only disruption to what he almost considered an idyllic existence was O’Whitt. Mastifson knew his vendetta of vengeance was most likely well past insane, but he also knew that once the tiger was gone, he’d be fine. While much of the year had been good, it had been very frustrating in that one thing. Plan after plan had fallen apart or been thwarted by the tiger or his cohorts.
“No matter,” the Rottweiler mused to himself. O’Whitt’s end was coming. It was almost like a dream, when he was hunting. Like it wasn’t actually him, but a spirit of vengeance unleashed on the streets to hunt the weak and unwary, working on his behalf. All to the goal of making sure O’Whitt went away.
That thought made him smile wider. It was a nasty, evil grin to be sure. The flames behind his eyes didn’t seem to care.
# # #
Aramis and Diana had let the GPS tracker take the afternoon and evening, choosing to spend Christmas resting. They had gotten together in the hotel lobby to eat carry-out for dinner. It was the first break they’d taken in three weeks. The court had authorized the continuation of surveillance, and the FBI had assigned Diana to the case not only as Aramis’ aerial ride, but a co-investigator. She was passing information to the Bureau’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, which was working the case as a potential serial killer profile at the request of AFOSI.
“So,” Diana began, picking the conversation up. “We’ve spent a huge amount of time with each other, but I don’t know a lot about you, other than you’re single and almost painfully shy. Girlfriend?”
“No,” Aramis answered truthfully. “Too busy, and I haven’t found the right femme. How about you?”
“Same. Married to the Bureau and the sky. Family?” she replied.
“Dad’s a retired fighter pilot. He left the Pentagon about two years ago. Mom was always a dutiful military wife. They still live around D.C.” Aramis had a faraway look in his eyes as he answered. Diana answered without him asking.
“My dad passed away about three years ago. Mom lives in Findlay, Ohio. I see her every couple of months. So, here we are. It’s Christmas, we’re tracking a possible serial killer, eating takeout. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s to us!”
She lifted her soda in a toast. Aramis gave a genuine smile and clinked cans with her. He then answered a bit tentatively.
“Ah, who’s like us?”
Diana grinned at him. The old Scottish toast had gotten popular thanks to its inclusion in a movie. She went on with the last phrase of it.
“Damn few, and they’re all dead.”
They drank and continued their relaxing meal. It might be Christmas. They might be eating takeout in a hotel lobby far from home. They might be hunting a deadly foe, but they both felt like kindred spirits on a common mission.
# # #
Jon and Tasha were cuddled up on the sofa in her apartment’s living room. They’d eaten dinner and were now watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“Do you ever wonder if your life means anything? If anyone would miss you if you weren’t here?” Jon mused, half to himself.
“I think meaning is what we all search for. I’d miss you if you weren’t here,” Tasha replied.
Jon looked at her thoughtfully. “If I was never here, you would never have met me. How could you miss me?”
Tasha smiled. “I would know something, someone, was missing.”
Jon gave a tilt of his head, conceding the point. He continued with a serious look.
“You probably know more than I, but the Tigerkahts will likely be involved if things get hot in Iraq.”
Without giving anything away, Tasha nodded. “Yes, if that were to happen, you would likely be gone for a while. Yes, I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Good to know,” Jon replied with a smile.
Tasha looked at him inquiringly. “That I’ll wait for you?”
“Yes, but also that you think I’ll make it back,” Jon answered.
Tasha narrowed her eyes, but her tail waving belied her humor.
“Oh, you better! I don’t want to have to come hunting you.”
“How would you get a license for that? I’m half this and half that and a third something else.” He had picked up on her jest, his innocent look not quite passing for innocent.
“Don’t need one. It’s open-season on smart-ass boyfriends,” she replied, grinning at him and waiting to see what the next round would be.
“True, but once you marry one, that’s your limit,” Jon replied nonchalantly.
Tasha stopped short as the male realized what he’d said. Unsure how to proceed, he began to stammer.
“Ah, er, that is, if and when you ever decide to marry one.”
She looked at him archly for a moment and then let him off the hook for now. “Relax Jon, I won’t take that as a proposal unless you meant it as such. Even if you did, my answer would be to wait a while more. We’re doing great, but I don’t think we’re there yet. Also, I wouldn’t want to rush into it just because you might be leaving for a while.”
Jon nodded solemnly. “I agree. I was…sort of getting caught up in the banter.”
“So, the Tigerkahts may be going to Iraq. Will Alex be going with you?” Tasha asked to restart the conversation.
Jon grinned. “OPSEC, my dear. I can’t discuss personnel moves. Off the record, I doubt it. He’s a reservist, and the squadron is at full strength. He might be called up to backfill a position at Langley while we’re gone. Shame, in a way. He’s the best pilot I know, including me.”
There was a moment’s silence and then Tasha looked earnestly into Jon’s eyes.
“Jedi, you be careful. I want you to come home to me. How does that go again? May the Force be with you?”
Jedi swallowed hard, lost in those lovely blue eyes. “Yea, er, yes, that’s how it goes. I will.”
The end of the movie was playing, with the familiar tinkling of a bell. It was lost on the two felids, lost in each other’s eyes and soon in each other’s kiss.
# # #
“I now pronounce you male and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
The county Judge Executive made the final pronouncement. The couple was standing before him in his office. It was early on the day after Christmas. The pair he’d just married had been waiting at the courthouse door to get their license when it opened. Both had stated they needed to get back to work as soon as possible.
The pair kissed passionately, but briefly. Rich now looked deeply into his new wife’s lovely brown eyes.
“I love you Kathleen Farraday.”
Kath blushed and murmured, “I love you, too.”
A moment’s pause later the tall grey fox todd who’d just officiated spoke.
“I hate to break the moment, but we have others waiting. Congratulations and God Bless.”
“Thank you,” both Rich and Kath replied. They hurried out to their separate cars to get back to work. They kissed again and went on their way. They’d decided to go ahead and get married, mostly for tax reasons. Kath had called Corrie and Penny the evening before, promising a more formal ceremony later. She’d gotten a nicer apartment with her new Helipro salary. Rich was going to move his things there over the next weekend. The Honeymoon would wait as well. For now, Kath headed for work, where Corrie was covering for her until she got back. Rich was headed across town to work on a glitch in the system at a doctor’s office. Both couldn’t wait to see each other that evening.
End of Chapter 119