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 98
Reputation
Billy, Penny, and Jenna all sat in the pilot’s lounge area at Kentiger, talking with Kathleen Killian. The young collie had come in, been told about her Co-Boss, and had nearly fainted. Rich Faraday had caught her and revived her, but now he was hard at work on Helipro’s new computer plan. Loni worked at her desk as Duncan sat nearby. Several of the pilots drifted in and out. Those on the schedule came and went, but there were only a few midweek flights. The others would stop in and see if there was any news, and then go back out. Kathleen was now eyeing the poster on the wall.
“So…Col. O’Whitt’s cousin owns a porn studio. If I didn’t see that poster myself, I wouldn’t believe it. I’ve heard about ZZ Studios and seen things about Zig Zag in the supermarket tabloids, but I never thought I’d meet anyone who knew her.”
Jenna replied gently, “She’s…not quite like many would think. Alex has flown her actors several places, and my cubs have met her. She’s a beautiful lady, smart, actually pretty polite.”
The collie was quiet a moment. The talking helped keep everyone’s mind off the waiting. She spoke again, very tentatively.
“Do…do you think we might be working with her too?”
Billy started to reply, “If I have anything to say about it, yes,” but decided on a simple, “I think it would be okay.”
Penny gave his paw a squeeze. “Perhaps, but Columbus is a long way off in a helicopter.”
Billy tilted his head and gave a nod. Jenna grinned and added, “If you do, don’t be surprised if she asks you to act for her. It seems to be a standard thing, whether she means it or not.”
The collie fluffed out in a blush, all the way to the tips of her ears. Jenna went on.
“I darn near wrecked my minivan when she asked me. I don’t think she was serious, it’s just something she does.”
“You feel free to say no,” Penny and Billy both said together, causing everyone to laugh.
Just then, Billy’s cell phone rang out with a “Holdin’ Out For A Hero” ringtone. He snatched it out and answered after checking the number.
“Alex! How’s it going?”
Every eye in the place was on Billy as he listened. The grin that spread across his muzzle told the story as he gave a thumbs-up.
“He found her!” he mouthed, and then to the phone.
“So, she’s okay? Not hurt or anything?”
The room let out a collective breath as they waited for the full news.
“Great! You hug her for us and tell her we all send our love…Yep, take care driving…Okay, bye.”
Billy clicked off the call and sat back smiling. Then he noticed all the eyes focused on him and the anticipatory expressions.
“What?”
Penny smacked his arm and he grimaced and then laughed.
“Ow! Okay, okay. They found her about an hour ago, but it’s taken this long for them to walk out and get back in the air. She’s fine. A little cold, but fine. They’ll tell us the whole story when they see us.”
A cheer went up from around the room. Pilots who’d been hanging around to hear if she was found smiled, waved, and departed to finish their day off.
Billy looked around and declared, “Okay, I’m calling it. At three we’re all leaving and meeting up for dinner at Rip’s, my treat. Cubs too, Jenna. We’ll eat in the family dining room. That includes Dylan, Loni, and you and Rich, Kathleen.”
The collie blinked. “Wow, thank you M, ah, Billy.”
Everyone began to chat excitedly about the good news. Billy, for his part, found himself sitting back and saying a prayer of thanks for both his partners.
# # #
Rex waved as he lifted the Sikorski back off. He and Steve had just dropped the three stranded furs off by a gas station on the outskirts of Monson, where one said he worked. They would be able to get warm and call for rides from there.
Steve climbed back up to the copilot’s seat as they gained altitude. He’d went down to make sure the door was secured.
“They said thank you half a dozen times, Rex. You didn’t have to do that, we could have just called it in.”
Rex glanced over. “Yeah, I know, but they were quite a ways from anywhere close to some help, and the snow’s supposed to start just after dark. It was safer this way. Let’s head for home.”
The lion didn’t say much as they flew on toward Lewiston. Even with their stop, they would likely be one of the first back in. Soon they were talking to Portland Approach, which still had the SAR controller working.
“Loglifter One, cleared straight in to Lewiston for Runway One Seven. Contact tower at five out on one one eight point five, congrats on the good hunt.”
Rex grinned and replied, “Copy straight in for One Seven, will contact Tower at five out, Loglifter One, thank you.”
At five miles from the airport, they contacted the tower and were cleared on in. In a few short minutes, Rex set the big chopper down in front of his hangar. They made short work of folding back the main rotor blades and rolling it inside. Rex shut and locked the doors, and they walked over to Old North. Mrs. Pater was still there, beaming a huge smile.
“They found her! They found her, ja?”
“Yes, they did. Alex did,” Rex replied. He was very surprised when the stout German Shepherd femme grabbed him in a hug that lifted him off the ground. She set him back down and hugged Steve the same way. Apparently all who came in got a rib-bending hug from the femme.
Ben was already sitting at his desk. When Rex and Steve looked surprised, he grinned.
“I went up in the Robinson to check Grid Thirteen and coordinate my crews. Steve, I need to talk to you privately, please.”
Steve just nodded, wondering what was up. Rex moved over and grabbed a cup of coffee, contemplating what he’d say to Corrinne when he saw her.
# # #
Several aircraft, a mix of helicopters and fixed-wing, were ahead of them as the Portland SAR controller worked them in to Lewiston and several other small airports between there and Seboomook Lake. The other CAP Cessna was two aircraft ahead, with the MD-500 from Old North flown by Daniel Prescott and a local in a Cessna 150 in between them. The Portland fur had them lined up, and the tower was having no trouble bringing them in. Finally, their turn came.
“Pine Air Five One, cleared straight in on Runway One Seven. Contact Lewiston Tower on one one eight point five, congrats.”
Mo replied, “Copy straight in for One Seven, contact Lewiston on one one eight point five, thank you.”
They called the tower and were cleared on in, ending with a, “Welcome home, Miss Corrie.”
They touched down and made the turnoff onto the Old North ramp. A whole collection of furs waited out front for Corrie to arrive. Captain Morris pulled to a stop and pushed the engine to idle.
“Miss Corrie, a pleasure. Ice, great flying with you. Grab all your stuff and I’ll let you out here. I have to go tie the aircraft down and I’ll be right in.”
They both said thanks and collected their bags. Corrie got out, and Alex put the headphones he’d used on the seat and shut the door.
As they turned to walk in, a huge cheer and a round of applause broke out. Corrie was blushing furiously as the Cessna behind them throttled up and taxied back over toward the other side of the airport. As soon as the applause settled down, they were ushered inside.
As soon as they stepped in, they heard a loud, “Danke’ Gott!”
Corrie was immediately swept up in one of Eva Pater’s hugs.
“Oh Miss Corrie! They found you! They found you!”
“Yes, Erf! Eva, I’m fine,” Corrie managed. The femme put the lioness down and turned to grab Alex the same way. He laughed almost to tears as she lifted him off the ground as well.
“Danke’ Alex, danke’ sehr!”
“Bitte’, Eva,” Alex replied.
Everyone took their turn greeting and hugging Corrie and shaking paws with Alex. Captain Morris had walked in by the time the general uproar settled down. Corrie put her bag in the corner and walked up to Ben’s desk.
“Ben, ol’ Numbah Twelve is down again. I made the delivery, but she’s down in a clearing South of Seboomook Lake. Alex has the coordinates. Sorry I couldn’t get her back heah.”
Ben eyed her, then stood up and came around his desk to hug her. Alex was sure he saw tears in the terrier’s eyes.
“Ayuh, just so glad youah safe. Quite a spectaculah last run. What happened?”
She repeated the events for Ben, including why the ELT didn’t work. When she finished, he nodded his head.
“Sounds about right. I had a talk with Steve, but he says they nevah had the battery lose, just the cable off. We’ll investigate more when we get a crew in to staht recovering her.”
Corrie nodded, and then noticed everyone had gone silent. As she turned to see why, she first met eyes with Alex. She saw encouragement and reassurance there. She turned the rest of the way and met eyes with Rex Richardson. He was standing about ten feet away. His eyes held…regret? Yes, regret and sorrow. To Corrie’s utter surprise he fell to his knees and bared his throat.
“Corrinne, I submit to you. I owe you a huge apology. I’m an ass and a total idiot. What I’m about to say might send me to prison, but I have to square things with you before you go. After I acted like such a jerk last time, I wanted to get you back. I … became kinda obsessed with you. The Pride dissolved. No other lioness has wanted anything to do with me, and I didn’t really go looking. When I heard you were leaving, I kinda lost it. I…I snuck in here Sunday and loosened the hold-down nuts and the throttle cable on old Number Twelve. I was hoping you’d have to make an emergency landing here, but the winds bouncing around got everything going sooner. I did not want to hurt you, I swear. I was going to tell you, but you left Monday before I could. I’d hoped you’d make it back, and then I’d have told Steve and he could have fixed it before anyone else flew it. Ben, I’ll pay the cost of any damage and recovery. Mo, I’ll reimburse CAP for the search if I need to. I…I might even look at joining you guys if I get through this.”
Here the lion fell silent, looking away to the side with his eyes shut. He looked absolutely miserable. Corrie had gone from unsure to dubious to mad as a wet kaht, but now she paused. This was not the Rex she knew. This was more like the Rex from her dream. She glanced back at Alex. He didn’t look very happy with this admission either, but he gave her a nod. As she thought about it, she realized that forgiving Rex would release her of any more concern. She was leaving. Tomorrow, she and Alex would be Southbound in her Jeep. To withhold forgiveness now would be more cruel and self-destructive than Rex had ever shown any sign of being. She took a quick breath, and then spoke.
“Rex, you drongo, that has to be the dumbest thing I’ve evah heard. I know you, you’re normally cunning as a dunny rat, but I see a difference in you. If you’re dudding me, well, that’ll be on you. I forgive you. Theah’s no charge I’ll press. It’s up to Ben if he takes you up on your offah, Or gives you to the Feds.”
She stepped forward, put her claws briefly on the lion’s throat, and then turned away to Alex.
“Help me cleah me lockah and we’ll go. Oh, and I need to call me landlady. Last night was supposed to be me last one theah.”
As they went to step away, they noted that Rex had slumped forward. They heard him say, “Thank you, Miss Corrie.”
They went on toward the locker room. On the way they saw the lion get to his feet and walk over to Ben’s desk, where Captain Morris also stood. Eva Pater had stepped over and was admonishing him in German again, but that ceased when Franz Pater walked in from out on the ramp. The German Shepherd femme ran over and practically scooped the dachshund up in a hug.
That left both Alex and Corrie smiling as the locker room door closed behind them.
# # #
“Oh, well…Okay, thank you deah…Yes, I’ll call when we get to Kentucky…you, too, and thank you so much…okay, bye.”
Corrie clicked off the call and looked at Alex askance.
“Nobody cancelled them, so the movahs picked up all my stuff at the apahtment this morning. Me landlady let them in since it had been scheduled, hoping I’d turn up and go on with me plans. Good thing I’d already packed up what I’ll need for the trip in me Jeep.”
Alex looked at her neutrally for a moment. “So, you have nowhere to stay tonight?”
“Oh, I’ll just put a bedroll down heah. Shouldn’t be a problem.”
He arched an eyebrow at her and wrinkled his nose playfully. “If I’m going to be in a Jeep with you all day tomorrow it is. Let me make a call.”
Corrie looked on curiously as Alex pulled out his cell phone, pulled up a number, and made a call. In a moment he began speaking.
“Yes, Alex O’Whitt, I have a reservation…Yes, that’s it, can I add a second room? … Really? That’s it? …Okay, yes, do that. …Okay, I’ll see you in a few, bye.”
He put the phone away and answered the lioness’ quizzical look.
“All the hotels are full of travelers putting in for the night ahead of the snow. I couldn’t get another room, but I could trade my single king for a double full. And don’t say a word about my reputation. I’m a gentlefur. You are a lady, and we’re both adults. There is no problem.”
Corrie looked at him askance. Then, thinking of the night and day she’d just had, she surrendered any objections.
“I’m too tired, and smelly, to argue with you, Luv. I’ll keep me paws to meself if you will.”
Alex helped her carry her few things out of the locker room. As they walked out into the office/lounge area, a great shout of “SURPRISE!” went up. Corrie and Alex both looked wide-eyed at a cake, drinks, and a large banner that said, “Goodbye Corrie, We’ll Miss You!”
Corrie and Alex walked over, and Eva cut them a piece of cake, and everyone lined up to get some cake and something to drink. Apparently, they’d also surprised Ben, Rex, and Mo, as Ben and Rex were caught in mid-pawshake and Mo was smiling at them.
Everyone took a turn to hug and tell Corrie goodbye, and tell Alex to make sure she came back up to see them. He watched her closely, as she was already tired and a bit emotional. Before too long he eased her out of the crowd.
“Time to go, Love.”
She nodded to him but turned and gave a sharp whistle. The room fell silent.
“Thank you everyone, for everything. This isn’t goodbye, only see you latah. I’ll miss you all!”
Shouts of congratulations and even a few bon voyages went up, and then the two gathered Corrie’s things and headed for her Jeep. A room, a nap, and a shower were just what was needed before dinner.
# # #
Billy tapped on a glass to get everyone’s attention. They’d been enjoying dinner and lively conversation at their table in Rip’s. The Basque bulldog had taken one look at Kathleen and shook his head.
“Jack, Mssr. Panelli, ‘ow do you keep finding dees beautiful femmes? It is unfair, ‘oo must save some for the rest, no?”
Kathleen had blushed, and Rich had looked both uncomfortable and proud at the same time. They all discussed Alex’s adventure, and now Corrie’s. Kathleen had marveled at that.
“It certainly isn’t boring around you furs, that’s for sure!”
Now Billy had called for everyone’s attention.
“This is just what we needed after last night and today. We’re celebrating old friends, new business, new friends, and friends that are safe that we worried over. I can’t think of a better group, save if Alex and Corrie were here, that I’d rather celebrate with. A toast, my friends! There are fair ships, there are airships, but the best ships, are friendships!”
Everyone raised their glasses and toasted the group. Billy sat back down, and the animated conversation continued.
# # #
Corrie came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her hair, wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants. She had to agree she felt and smelled much better.
“Next!” she called to Alex, who was rummaging through his toiletry bag at the moment.
“Thank you,” he said as he stood up and fetched his own change of clothes. Before he went into the bathroom, Corrie touched his shoulder. He looked at her inquiringly.
“First off, Luv, thank you for coming to find me, and supporting me through Rex’s apology, and for being a gentlefur. Second, I don’t feel like going back out. I think I can convince DaVinci’s to delivah a killah pizza. You game?”
He smiled and snuck in a quick kiss. “You are very welcome, on all counts, and DaVinci’s pizza sounds great! My card is in my wallet, in the flight suit, go—”
“Nothing doing! You paid for the room, I’ll get dinnah. I won’t go through a male’s wallet.”
Corrie stuck her chin up defiantly. With a rueful grin, Alex replied, “Okay, I’m too tired to argue. See you in a bit.”
He shut the door behind him as Corrie used the hotel phone to call in the pizza order. She then used the hotel’s small hair dryer to dry and fluff her hair. The femme taking her order had recognized her voice and wished her a safe journey South. Corrie had thanked her and put the pawset back in its cradle.
For about 15 minutes, the lioness watched the weather on the TV. The snow had begun shortly after they’d arrived at the hotel, and now there were reports of several accidents on the interstate. A knock on the door roused her, and she grabbed some cash from her purse for the pizza and a tip as she walked over to answer. Opening it, she was greeted by a young grey fox todd. She recognized him from previous visits to the restaurant.
“Pizza from DaVinci’s,” he said, looking a bit bored at first. Then he perked up. “Oh! Hello Miss Corrie! We’d heard you were leaving, and then you were missing! It’s good to see you.”
“G’day Kevin, right on both,” she replied. “I’m moving to Kentucky to staht a business, and I had to put down in the woods on me last flight yesterday. Just got back in this afternoon.”
Corrie was smiling, but she couldn’t help taking in the young todd looking her over. She dipped her head to meet his eyes and bring them back up. He stammered a second.
“Ah, er, wow, quite a day then. Sorry you’re leaving us. Oh, here’s the pizza.”
The todd gave her the box, and she gave him the cash for the pizza and tip. He then went to take his leave.
“Well, be safe going South, Miss Corrie. Come back and see us sometime.”
The lioness was about to reply when the bathroom door opened, and Alex stepped out. He was also dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants. Kevin’s eyes went wide as he grinned and actually giggled.
“Okay have fun Miss Corrie bye!”
Before she could protest or explain, the todd disappeared down the hall and around the corner. She shut the door and turned back to Alex, a helpless look on her face. She found him holding his sides and trying his best not to let the laugh he was fighting out. She smirked at him and crossed her arms.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. It’s not your reputation this time. Ah well, by the time it gets all ovah town, we’ll be gone. Let’s eat, I’m stahving.”
Alex simply grinned and made an ‘after you’ gesture. The two sat down to eat. They small talked about the trip and quickly finished off the meal.
“Oh Love, that was a great idea. And sorry I seem to have sullied your reputation.”
Alex looked truly downcast. Corrie just grinned.
“Yeah, my rep isn’t that pristine anyway. The crew at DaVinci’s has seen me at my most down. They’ll be glad that I found someone. We’ve been in there enough.”
Alex nodded and stood up to help clear the box and napkins. Corrie stood, too, and in a moment, she was in Alex’s arms. She kissed him long and passionately, and then leaned back.
“Luv, again, thank you. Are you ready for bed now?”
“I think so,” the tiger replied. “It’s been a day, and tomorrow could be interesting, too. The roads could be a bit treacherous.”
Corrie looked at him with her head cocked. “It’s a Jeep, Alex. I think we’ll be fine.”
“Not us I’m worried about. It’s all the others trying to drive in snow. Not all of them will know how to handle it.” Alex smiled, enjoying conversing while holding his love.
“Okay, I’ll grant you that one. Give me anothah kiss, and let’s get to bed. I’m done in,” the lioness replied.
They kissed again and got in their separate beds. Alex turned out the lights, and soon both fell into a contented sleep.
End of Chapter 98