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 2003-2008 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, 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 © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page.
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 52
Home Again
Alex deftly settled the MD-500 onto its spot on the Old North ramp. Daniel Prescott, the turbine helicopter instructor for the business, was waiting by the building as Alex went through the checklist to shut down the aircraft and secure it. It was Friday afternoon, and the only thing Alex had left to do at Old North was sign off on the paperwork for his turbine endorsement and for Old North to bill his time there to Kentiger.
“Great job Alex I’ll sign off the turbine endorsement in your logbook and you’ll be all set.” The cheetah spoke in his usual rapid-fire manner, without a pause or breath in the whole sentence.
“Thanks Daniel. Hmmm, the ramp seems pretty empty. The only other bird here is the Robinson I trained in,” Alex replied in a conversational tone.
“Yeah the weekend is booked up. As the weather gets warmer we get really active here. Between the paper companies up north the tourists and leasing out aircraft and pilots for spray operations we’re entering our busiest season.” Again the cheetah managed to fit the whole string of sentences into one breath.
Alex nodded as they went in the door to Old North’s office area. He’d almost expected a cheer to go up and another party to start since it was his last day there, but the only one to greet them was Ben. The bristly terrier was working feverishly with a notepad and his computer as they walked up.
“Hello Ben just gotta sign Alex’s logbook and I’ll be off. The charter’s at eighteen hundred right?”
Ben spared one eye for the cheetah. “Ayuh. Be back heah by seventeen to prep yoah aihcraft. Yoah the last one out.”
Daniel gave a nod and turned to Alex. Quickly shaking paws, he headed out. He was halfway to the door and accelerating when he spoke in reply.
“You got it Ben later Alex safe trip home!”
Alex waved his goodbye and then turned back to Ben. “Do you have all the paperwork ready for me to sign? If so I’ll sit down over here to look it over. Looks like you’re very busy, so I’ll save you babysitting me through it unless I have a question.”
Ben spared him a grin. “Thanks Alex. I’ve got moah flights than aihcraft right at this second.”
The terrier passed a small bundle of papers to Alex, but as he turned to go sit down Ben put a paw on his arm. Alex looked back over his shoulder at him.
“Alex . . . ah, I’m sorry ‘bout this, but I had to send Corray on a run. She’s flyin’ a rush supply shipment up to the othah side of Millinocket, and she won’t get back until late tomorrow. Yoah leavin’ first thing in the morning, if I recall.”
Alex all but growled in reply. “Yes, and I can’t delay. I’m expected in Columbus to have lunch with my cousin, and Billy will want to see me as soon as I can get in so we can work on an FAA problem that’s come up and get the information I have on helicopters so he can start crunching numbers.”
Ben acted as though Alex’s tone of voice was nothing out of the ordinary as he replied. “Ayuh. Told Corray that’d likely be the case. She left you a note to read, afore you decide to rearrange the world. It’s in yoah paperwork theah.”
Alex gave a curt nod and went to find a seat in the pilot’s lounge area. Ben went back to work on his schedule, but kept a corner of his eye on the tiger. Alex sat down and put the pages of itemized charges off to the side as he picked up a plain white envelope. Inside it he found a paw-written note with Corrie’s name at the bottom. He held it a little away and began to read.
Hi Jet Jockey. Ben just called me in for a St.Regis run to a supply camp up north. I won’t get back until late afternoon tomorrow, and I know you have commitments to keep. Save the goodbye hug and kiss, and give them to me when you come back up in a few weeks. I’ll call your cell phone when I get in. I miss you already.
Bye Luv,
Chopper Gal Corrie.
Alex had a smile on his muzzle as he refolded the note, put it back in its envelope and tucked it away. Ben smiled to himself and went back to concentrating fully on the scheduling. He cocked an ear back as he heard Alex begin shuffling through the papers in the bundle he’d received.
# # #
“AUGH! None of this is working out right!” Jenna exclaimed in frustration. She was on her computer at work, and the email she’d just opened told her that a convention in town had booked all the caterers for the weekend she’d inquired about. At every turn, every date she and Jack had open for the next year had some kind of conflict with some vendor or another. If it wasn’t the caterers, it was the florists, or the venue, or the photographer.
She put a paw to her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She was sitting just like that when Penny Panelli walked in.
“Hard day, Jenna? It’s Friday, why don’t we knock off early and go relax until you have to pick up Tia and Andrew?”
Jenna didn’t move from the position she was in, but her shoulders seemed to sag just a bit. “God bless you, Penny Panelli.”
Penny smiled. “I take it that’s a yes. Let me call Jeremy and tell him, and then we’ll get going.”
Jenna roused herself and got her jacket and purse while Penny picked up the phone and informed their boss of their plans. After a few “Uh-huh’s” and “Okay’s” Penny put the pawset down and gave a nod toward the door.
“Jeremy says it’s fine by him. He’s thinking of taking off, too.”
“Good, he works too hard,” Jenna muttered as she walked out after Penny. When they got to the parking lot, Penny offered to drive. The traffic at midday was already a little thick, but considering it was Friday, it wasn’t too bad. Penny drove on; attempting to start up some small talk, but Jenna was still lost in thought. Finally, the tiger-fox gave an exasperated snort.
“So Billy and I have decided to date other folks. You interested?”
“Uh-huh, that sounds fine,” Jenna replied absently. A couple of seconds later, she looked sharply at Penny.
“Wait . . . what?”
Penny nearly lost control of the car, she laughed so hard. After a couple of minutes, she recovered enough to both drive and talk at the same time.
“Oh Jenna, I’m sorry. You were just so gone, I had to do something to bring your attention back here.”
Jenna blinked and looked blank for a second, but then a smile crept across her muzzle and she gave a short laugh.
“I guess it was funny. Yes, I’ve got a lot on my mind, but it isn’t work-related.”
Penny took on a concerned look. “We’re where I was heading. Let’s get a cup and a table and we’ll talk.”
Jenna nodded as Penny pulled into the parking lot of Beanbuck’s. After finding a spot and parking, they got out and went inside. A bored-looking young marmot behind the counter took their order. In a minute she set two cups down and took payment for the coffee. Penny and Jenna found a quiet corner table and, after an initial sip from their cups, met eyes.
“Okay Jenna O’Whitt, out with it. What’s got you so preoccupied?”
Jenna took several seconds to answer. “I’m just frustrated, I guess. Things just aren’t working out. I don’t know if we’ll ever get married.”
“Oh Jenna!” Penny exclaimed, an incredulous look on her face. “You and Jack seemed so well-suited to each other. What’s gone wrong?”
Jenna looked at Penny askance, and then dissolved into laughter. Penny cocked her head to the side and tried to look like she hadn’t just stepped on her own tail as she waited for Jenna to finish. When she could speak again, the tigress shook her head and put a paw on Penny’s paw.
“Penny, no! Jack and I are fine. It’s planning the wedding that’s not working out. None of it will come together. Every date the two of us have open, somebody seems to have cornered all the caterers, or florists, or photographers, or you name it!”
Penny sat back, her look of relief hidden a bit by the dilemma Jenna was expressing. “Well, take it easy now. I’m sure it can be solved. Do you have the things for planning with you? We’ll go over it and see if we can get the picture a bit clearer.”
Jenna reached for her purse and pulled out an agenda and a folder. “Yes, I have what I’ve been working on right here.”
“Then let’s start with the basics. I take it your pastor will perform the ceremony?”
Jenna nodded. “Yes. Brother Ronnie has been the easiest part. He said to just let him know when. He has some dates booked farther out, but I think he’d work with whenever we choose.”
“Good. That’s one,” Penny said with a nod. “Now, what about your church?”
“You see, Penny, That’s just it! It’s too small if we have the size of wedding we expect, so I –”
“Now stop right there. First, what does Jack say, not just you. Second, do you both want a big wedding? I know you both know a lot of furs, but since you’ve both been married before, maybe you don’t need the big wedding. I’m sure most of the extended friends would be just as happy to send a card.”
Jenna blinked again and her brow knitted in thought for several minutes. Penny sipped her coffee and waited patiently for her friend to process the idea. Jenna finally refocused on the tiger-fox, and a smile lit her face.
“Penny, what would I do without you? That’s brilliant! If we have just a small ceremony with just close friends and family, we could do this in less than three months. In fact we could probably do it in two weeks, but I don’t want Jack to have a heart attack on me.”
Penny gave a smile and a wink. “Sometimes simpler is best. I know a couple of friends who’ll help me do the flowers. We’ll make it a nice, intimate wedding. Again, only if Jack likes the idea too.”
Jenna giggled. “Oh, I think he will. He’s been really great about everything, but he basically said that the wedding is for me and that whatever I want is fine, he’ll be there.”
Penny grinned, a slightly wicked gleam in her eye. “Well, that’s a better way of putting it than the old saying Billy and I heard before our wedding. It says the wedding is for the bride, but the honeymoon is for the groom.”
Jenna rolled her eyes, but then had to giggle again. “Oh Penny, that’s awful! True though. Yep, Jack’ll go for smaller and moving the date up. He doesn’t say anything, and he’s always a perfect gentlefur, but I think he’s feeling the frustration, both mental and physical, too.”
“Probably true. Anyway, you talk to Jack about it and figure a date. Let me know so I can start working on the flowers and such. Just not next weekend. Billy and I have to get ready to go to Columbus early the next week.”
“Aww, and I was set on that date,” Jenna teased. She felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her. She sat back and relaxed. Sipping her coffee as Penny began talking about flowers and their meanings, she felt at ease for the first time in weeks. Things finally looked like they would come together for her wedding.
“And Jack’s honeymoon,” she giggled to herself.
# # #
Alex settled the last of his gear into the center pod under the belly of Stripes One. He’d arranged for the pickup of his rental SUV after stopping by Old North to tell Ben goodbye. All he’d found there was a note on the door with a cell phone number to call if you were interested in a tourist charter. Looking around, Alex had noted that the ramp was devoid of helicopters. Even the Robinson he’d seen the day before was now gone. The main hangar door had been open, and inside he’d seen an older model Huey with access panels either open or removed. The helicopter had been surrounded by several tool boxes and work stands. The mechanics had already been at work on it, but were nowhere to be seen at that moment.
“Probably grabbing some breakfast,” Alex had mused to himself. Now he was ready to do his preflight and depart. Before startin, he took a few steps back and let his eyes wander over the airfield. Much had happened in his short time there. He then shook off the introspection.
“Settle it down, ol’ tiger. You’ll be back up here before you know it.”
Alex went back and closed up the pod and began his preflight. He caught his thoughts attempting to wander off toward a certain lioness a couple of times, but he snapped himself back to the present. Soon he was aboard and signaling for the ground crewfur to pull the chocks.
“Lewiston Tower, November Charlie Four Niner Niner Sierra Tango, request taxi from the Silver Wings ramp to the active,” Alex called over the radio when everything was ready.
“Niner Sierra Tango, say aircraft type,” the tower controller replied.
“Lewiston, Niner Sierra Tango is a Tee Thirty-Eight.”
“Copy Niner Sierra Tango, you are clear to taxi. Hold short Runway Two Two for takeoff clearance.”
“Niner Sierra Tango,” Alex replied as he nudged the throttles forward. He taxied out to the runway and stopped to call for takeoff clearance.
“Niner Sierra Tango, hold for an arriving Robinson R-Twenty Two,” the controller replied. Alex looked out on the approach and saw the landing light for the little helo. A moment later, as the chopper passed, he could see the bristly fur of Ben Stevens under a headset at the controls. The terrier waved, and Alex returned the gesture. The little Robinson transitioned to a smooth hover-taxi and left the runway at the first turnoff.
“One Two Tango, cleah of the active, taxiing to the Old North ramp. See you ‘round, Stripes,” Alex heard over the radio.
The tower acknowledged Ben’s callout and gave Alex clearance for takeoff.
“Niner Sierra Tango copies clear for takeoff. See you in a few weeks, Old North.”
Alex then rolled Stripes One into position and pushed into afterburner without stopping. He lifted off and pulled up the gear, and pulled back out of ‘burner as soon as he cleared the obstacles near the end of the runway. He did a rather sedate climb, recalling Billy’s warning against anything that might be considered aerobatics. It was just as well, as Columbus was a long way, even with the drop tanks on, so it was prudent to conserve fuel. Several minutes and radio calls later, Stripes One reached her assigned cruising altitude of twenty eight thousand feet. Alex set the autopilot and relaxed into his normal scan of instruments and sky. Above his canopy was a brilliant dome of blue. There were buildups and thunderstorms forecast for farther south later in the day, but for now the patchwork land far below stretched unobstructed to the horizon. Far to the southeast, he could see the contrails of the morning traffic around Boston. To the west were higher contrails as the early flights out of
The serenity and familiar routine allowed Alex to think clearly about Corrie and their relationship. He found himself feeling very excited about her, but also very content. The mixture struck him as odd at first. It had been a very long time since he’d felt anything like it, if ever. Then the realization struck him. Love was supposed to be like that. The elusive spark he’d been searching for was glowing brightly for him now.
“Huh, poetry now ol’ tiger? You really do have it bad,” he thought to himself with a grin.
The time passed quickly enough, and soon his rump, ATC, and the fuel gauges were telling him it was time to begin his letdown into Columbus. After several turns and fifteen minutes in a holding pattern, Stripes One’s main gear chirped onto the pavement at Port Columbus International. Alex taxied to the now-familiar general aviation ramp and followed the directions of the ramp fur.
As he went through the shutdown checklist and signaled for the wheels to be chocked, Alex felt and heard the boarding steps bump gently against the side of the fuselage to his left. He glanced over and saw a familiar black-furred lapine grinning up at him. He opened the canopy and removed his helmet.
“Hey! Max, isn’t it? How are you?” Alex asked as he returned the grin.
“Doin’ fine, Mister O’Whitt. Zig Zag is waiting for you inside. She said to make sure I brought you in as soon as you’re ready.”
“Great! I’ve just got me to unload,” Alex stated as he unfolded himself from the T-38’s cockpit and made his way down the steps. He stooped under the bottom of the aircraft and put his parachute, harness, G-suit, and helmet in the front bay of the cargo pod. He then followed Max to the ramp cart. They small-talked about things at the airport as Max drove to the FBO’s office. When they arrived, Alex thanked the lapine and went inside to pay for the fuel and LOX he’d ordered.
As he turned away from the counter, Alex found himself face to face with his cousin. She wrapped him in a warm hug, which after a second he returned.
“Alex! Welcome back from the far north!”
“Thanks T—ah, Zig. How are you?”
They released the embrace and Zig Zag locked Alex’s arm in hers. “Doing great. Let’s get going, we have reservations for lunch.”
Alex balked a bit. He was wearing a standard sage green flight suit. “Uh, I’m hardly dressed for somewhere that requires reservations.”
“Nonsense,” she replied as she tugged on his arm. “This is a quiet little place, and I want to hear all about this girlfriend of yours. Assuming you didn’t break up or anything.”
Zig Zag was looking up at him with a neutral expression. Alex quickly shook his head.
“Oh no. We didn’t even actually say goodbye when I left this morning. She got sent on a flight by her boss, and is probably just now heading back into Lewiston.”
“Aww, that’s too bad! I’m sorry you missed her,” Zig Zag replied, her smile returning.
Alex nodded as they reached the parking lot and Zig Zag’s car. They small-talked in snippets about Zig’s studio or the things Alex had seen in Maine. Soon they pulled into a parking lot next to a shop with Greek-style lettering on the front glass. Upon entering, they were greeted by a tall, dark-furred lion who spoke in lightly accented English.
“Hallo, welcome to Heraklion. Do you have a table reserved?”
“Yes,” Zig Zag replied. “Zig Zag, plus one.”
The lion’s face lit up. “Ah! Zig Zag! Right this way, please. I am Stefan.”
Stefan led the way to a small table in the corner, where Alex held the chair for his cousin. She blinked a second, but then gracefully took her seat. Alex sat down and Stefan pulled out an order pad.
“Ah, that’s nice. I like to see a lady treated like a lady. What may I get you today?”
The two cousins looked through the menus laid out on the table and made their drink and meal choices. Stefan then gave a polite nod and left.
“Nice place for lunch,” Alex commented. Zig Zag smiled and gave him a wink.
“I met the owner at a convention a while back. He’s not here today, but this is always a good spot for a quiet lunch. Now, tell me all about this femme who finally broke through the ice.”
Alex smirked and gave a chuckle as he replied, “Quite literally. As I told you on the phone, she laid a kiss on me that curled my toes and tail. Her name is Corinne Patterson, or Corrie, spelled with an i-e ending. I went there expecting a male instructor named Cee-Oh-Ar-Wye. She was quite a surprise. We battled a bit at first because I demanded so much from myself and my flying. Finally she planted that kiss to try to loosen me up.”
“Hah, I recall doing that to someone once. Did it work?” Zig Zag had a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
“Oh yes, it worked, but it also made us realize we were attracted to each other. You know about the foul-up after that. I want to thank you again for your help. That flight went wonderfully. We’ve been dating ever since, and I plan on going back up there to see her in a few weeks.”
Zig Zag smiled, but her eyes narrowed. “Great! That tells me all about what I already know. Now tell me about her.”
Alex blinked, and then gave a sheepish grin. “Guess I’m just pretty private about some things, sorry. Corrie is a lioness, about your height and build, with blonde hair and beautiful green eyes. She’s originally from
Zig Zag winked at him teasingly. “Oh really? I didn’t think you took notice of my build. Shame on you, cousin.”
Alex momentarily looked like a deer in the headlights, but then he shook his head with a grin. “That’s at least the second or third time you’ve pulled that on me, and I’ve fallen for it. I’ve got to start reading your teasing better. I noticed the similarity because of the G-suit. We used the same one you wore for her flight in Stripes One. When she put it on, there was very little adjustment needed.”
“I’ll just bet. Okay, go on.” Zig Zag waved a paw at him encouragingly.
“Let’s see. She has a great sense of humor. She likes the outdoors and fishing. She’s very intelligent, too. Very motivated, as well. If Billy and I don’t end up hiring her, she’ll probably have her own business within five years.”
“Does she seem to have a head for business?” Zig Zag asked casually. She’d met many furs over the years that were very bright and adept at their chosen profession, but flat out couldn’t run a business.
Alex didn’t hesitate. “We talked quite a bit about the business end of helicopter aviation. After all, that was part of the reason I was there. She showed me the business model and plan she’d worked out. She just hadn’t quite built up the personal capital needed to make sure it will be her business and not a group of investors’. She said, quote ‘If I wanted to keep having bosses, I’d just keep me job here.’ She’s very independent.”
Zig Zag smiled warmly. “It certainly sounds that way. It’s a very serious thing for someone intent on starting their own business to show someone their business plan. It usually means they either trust you very much, or they’re looking for an investor. Alex, I wish you great happiness with Corrie. When’s the wedding?”
Alex was so startled he nearly jumped, and choked for a moment on his drink. It took a couple of minutes before he could speak.
“Whoa! Hey, it’s much too soon for that. I, uh, that is we haven’t talked at all about that yet.”
“Yet?” Zig Zag asked, arching her eyebrow and giving him her best kaht-on-a-canary-diet look. “So you do plan to, eh?”
Alex realized he’d just been thoroughly and expertly had. “Yeesh, and they say I’m smooth. Touché, Cousin. Yes, the idea is well established in my mind, and my heart. I don’t want to rush her, though. It’s just way too soon to be talking about it with Corrie, isn’t it?”
Zig Zag shrugged. “That’s entirely up to you two. Sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind, and I’ve seen some small example of how stubborn you can be. Talk it over with her. If you both feel the same, why waste time? Don’t rush, but don’t hold back just for time if you’re both sure.”
Alex nodded thoughtfully as Stefan brought their drinks and food. With a brief nod, the lion departed toward a group of guests who’d just walked in. As they ate, Alex picked the conversation back up.
“I’m a bit stumped about something, though. Corrie comes across as strong as they come, but there’s something I noticed that concerns me.”
Zig Zag had just placed a forkful of salad in her mouth, but her eyes widened inquiringly. She motioned for Alex to continue.
“Corrie has . . . nightmares from time to time. Don’t give me that look, Cousin. I don’t know that from firstpaw experience. Her boss told me about it when she was in a really foul mood one day. After she has one of them, being male within thirty feet of her is hazardous. She seems okay with Ben, her boss. With me she was a little distant, but not bad. Any other male did well to stay clear when Ben saw the signs that she’d had a nightmare the night before. I asked her one day if she hadn’t slept well, and she’d just muttered ‘bad dream’ and went on.”
Zig Zag showed a quick flash of a nervous expression before settling into a more neutral look. “Okay . . . what’s your take on it then?”
The subject struck a little too close to home for the tiger-striped skunk. Alex knew about a lot of what she’d gone through, but nobody knew everything. She realized it was because of her experience that he was telling her about it, but she didn’t care to have her personal demons injected into the discussion.
After a brief pause, Alex replied. “Well, I haven’t asked her anymore about it. It . . . doesn’t seem to be the right time yet. My opinion is that sometime in her past, a male did something to her that causes the nightmares. Both her parents are deceased, but she speaks very highly of her father and of her uncle, who still lives in Australia, so I don’t think it was any male in her close family. She also thinks the world of Ben Stevens, the owner of Old North Helicopters where she works. Other males, she just becomes a tomboy around. Comes across as just one of the gang. She keeps them all at arm’s length, though. One male lion tried to put a pressure move on her, and he ended up nearly, ah, coughing up his testicles.”
Zig Zag went wide-eyed and let out a hearty laugh, glad to release the tension she’d felt. The talk of nightmares was definitely too close to home. The laugh subsided and Zig was able to speak again.
“Good girl! You do know you’ll eventually have to talk this out with her, but I agree with your assessment. I wouldn’t press her about it, though, not unless it becomes a sticking point. Eventually, you’ll talk about it, but . . . don’t waste your chance because of it.”
Alex noted the brief flash of pain behind his cousin’s eyes as she spoke. It told him volumes about her struggles with her past, and how difficult it might be for Corrie to open up about hers. Nothing more needed to be said. Alex’s course in that matter was clear, so he deftly shifted the subject.
“I’m going to talk to Billy about hiring her as chief helicopter pilot if we go with the idea of adding helicopters at Kentiger.”
Zig Zag gave a small, grateful nod. “Great! Wait, hold on, do you think he’ll go for that? Will he think you’re just trying to get your girlfriend a job?”
Alex shrugged a bit sheepishly. “Billy knows me better than that, and her résumé will stand for itself. As to the helicopter idea, I honestly don’t know. I have lots of info, but I haven’t sat down and actually crunched the numbers enough to see if it’ll fit in at Kentiger.”
“Tsk, shame on you, Cousin. Letting a pretty face distract you so badly. I think it’s wonderful.”
Alex returned the grin she was giving him. “In this case, I have to agree.”
They continued their conversation, drifting on to things at Zig’s studio, and with Jenna and her family. Soon, they’d finished their lunch. They paid their tab and left. At the airport, Zig Zag had to quickly drop Alex off and go after a call from the studio that something demanded her presence. Alex gave her a quick goodbye hug and a promise to keep his cousin informed about his and Corrie’s progress. Max had gone home for the day, so Alex didn’t tarry in his planning or preflight. Within thirty minutes, he was back in the air and heading south to Lexington.
The buildups promised in the forecast had turned into isolated springtime thunderstorms. Alex had to dodge around several of these as he made for Bluegrass Field. He had barely gotten Stripes One parked and buttoned up and walked into Kentiger’s hangar when the skies opened up and the wind whipped spray onto the floor behind him. All his luggage and materials were still in the cargo pod under the T-38’s belly. Those would wait until the storm passed. After looking at the rain for a moment, he turned to go on into the office area, but he didn’t get to take a step. Billy Panelli was standing at the door waiting for him.
“Welcome home, Alex! Thought I’d hang around here and meet you when you came in. How was Maine?”
Alex smiled. A little too broadly, Billy noticed, but he just filed that away for later follow-up as his friend responded. “It was great! Helicopters are really amazing machines, and very versatile. I learned a lot.”
Billy smirked at him, and then grinned. “You better have. It cost enough.”
Alex returned the smirk. “Hey, it was your idea, remember? How are things here?”
Billy held up a paw and waggled it side to side. “Some good, some bad. Looks like we got a good deal on that Gulfstream and Citation. Then, yesterday Fred Bostick called to say he had a line on a Beech Starship if we were interested. That might be worth it just for the ‘Ooo’ factor.
Alex grinned. The sleek Beechcraft, with its swept wings, canard configuration and twin pusher props, certainly had an exotic appearance worthy of its name. “Sounds all good so far. What’s the bad?”
Billy gave a snort. “Mastifson the Turd, what else? Loni and I have been working with our legal group to make sure all the paperwork is together. Barry Whitlock at the FAA called to say he’d received and reviewed statements from the ATC furs on duty at the locations and times in question. It looks like you’re in the clear. I think we’ll still take our aviation law expert from the law group just in case the rotten rotty tries to pull some legal stunt.”
“Billy, species epithets are beneath you,” Alex chided. The nickname wasn’t a strong slur, but some found it distasteful. “Still, having a lawyer present would be a good idea.”
They opened the door and made their way into the office area. Alex led the way in the direction of his office. Billy continued as they walked.
“Trouble is, now that he’s in a position with the FAA, he’ll keep, ah, hounding you until he makes something stick. I —”
Billy got cut off as Alex’s cell phone rang. Alex pulled it off his belt and flipped it open to read the caller’s number. Another broad smile spread across his muzzle as he held a paw up for Billy to stop while he answered.
“Hi Corrie, how are you?”
Billy cocked his head in curiosity as Alex continued his side of the conversation.
“Good. My flight was fine, and so was lunch. . . . I just got in the hangar. It’s raining with thunderstorms here. . . . Yes. . . . Yes, the FAA hearing is Monday. . . . I’ll be careful. He won’t get his way this time. . . . I miss you too, Love. . . . Okay, you get some supper and a good night’s rest. I’ll call you when I get home from church tomorrow. . . . I love you, too. Bye.”
Billy was nearly cross-eyed with curiosity and confusion as Alex put the cell phone back on his belt. “Ah, uh, Alex, was that—?”
“Yes,” Alex replied. He could see his partner trying to strip several mental gears. He’d never told anyone in Lexington about the gender mixup, so Billy still thought Corrie was a male. “That was Corrie, my instructor in Maine.”
Alex then just waited for Billy’s curiosity to win out over his respect for Alex’s privacy. The wait wasn’t too long.
“Oh, well, uh, no wonder Penny and I never had any luck fixing you up with anyone. I . . . didn’t know you went that way. Does, ah, does anyone in the Air Force know?”
Alex did a comic double-take, and then nearly fell over laughing. Billy’s fur fluffed out in embarrassment, but he was very confused and uncertain as to which of the things he’d said that was so funny. After a couple of minutes, Alex recovered enough to be able to speak.
“Billy, that look was priceless! I forgot you didn’t know. Corrie Patterson, helicopter flight instructor for Old North helicopters, is a beautiful blonde lioness. Her name is Corinne, but she goes by Corrie.”
Billy blinked after several seconds, and then let out a deep sigh of relief. “Oh good! You had me really rattled there for a minute.”
Alex just smiled and silently counted the seconds, waiting for the dime to fall in Billy’s head. After several had passed, Billy got a puzzled look on his face, quickly followed by widening eyes and a spreading grin.
“She! And you said! So that means . . .”
“Gee Billy, I didn’t know you were so articulate,” Alex said with a wink. “Yes, that means I have a girlfriend.”
“YAH! Finally! Penny will just be thrilled. Tell me all about her,” Billy enthused. As they entered Alex’s office he took the chair beside the desk. All thoughts of the FAA hearing were gone for the moment. Alex spent the next half-hour filling his friend in on Corrie and all the events in Maine. At the end, Billy leaned back in his chair, a big smile on his muzzle.
“Well old friend, I’d say you have it really bad for her. Penny always said when you fell you’d fall very hard. I wish you the best. How soon can we meet her?”
“Hopefully within a few weeks. I’m going to fly back up to see her in a couple of weeks. They’re in a busy time right now, and I don’t think she’d have time off to come down right away. In fact, she was gone on a run when I left this morning. She called just now because she just got back.”
“Hmm, busy lady. Dedicated too, sounds like. Hey, in all the excitement, did you remember to bring back the operational cost estimates and maintenance and fuel usage stats I asked Ben to give you?”
Alex arched an eyebrow. “Of course. It sounds like the rain has let up outside. All that info is with my things in Stripes One. Let’s go get it and then you can have at the numbers.”
“Sounds good,” Billy stated as he stood up. “What do you think of them?”
Alex looked sheepishly at his friend and shrugged. “I’ve had the same question asked earlier today. The honest answer is, I don’t know. I got the info, but I never actually had time to look at it. Corrie and I talked a lot about the business part of helicopters, so I’m not lost about the particulars, but I never sat down and worked the numbers.”
Billy looked at Alex a moment, and then broke down laughing. He had to stop where he was and put a paw on the wall, taking several minutes to recover. When he finally did, he shook his head.
“The stone-cold Ice, turned into a slacker by a pretty face.” Billy sputtered the last part out as he laughed again. Alex gave a rueful grin.
“Yeah, yeah. Zig Zag said much the same thing earlier. Listen Billy, and I’m serious about this, if we do decide to go with adding helicopters, we’ll need a chief pilot. I’d like to recommend Corrie for the job.”
Billy’s laughter immediately ceased and he looked sharply at Alex, who waved a paw to hold any argument and went on.
“I know, I know. We always go with the best applicant, and no nepotism. But Corrie knows her stuff, both on the operational and business end. She’ll likely have her own business within five years if we don’t hire her. She may very well still do that, but we’d get the use of her skill and expertise while we start up, if we do.”
Billy looked at his friend long and hard. Finally he decided that Alex wasn’t letting his feelings for the lady override his judgment, at least not too much. He smiled and motioned for them to go on out to the ramp.
“We’ll see, Alex. No promises, but we’ll see.”
End of Chapter 52