//------------------------------// // Secondary Front // Story: One Last Flight // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// Luna was not in a good mood. Between numerous calls with NWS New Orleans, three debriefing teleconferences with the National Hurricane Center, and having to put New Orleans under a Tropical Storm Watch she was exhausted. The head of the New Orleans branch, an old woman named Eris, who had the attitude to match, had argued that dry air would kill off Tropical Storm Alan but the NHC had dismissed it. The official track was due northwest, making landfall about fifteen miles southeast of the city before moving inland as a strong tropical storm. With those ends tied up, Luna turned to the more daunting task at hand. It was no small secret of the rivalry between the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel, with TWC claiming the NWS misread atmospheric signals, and the NWS slamming TWC forecasts as byproducts of “homebrewed” models that praised the unreliable GFS and shamed the more accurate EURO. What the public, and most employees, didn't know was the rivalry was deeper on a more personal level for Luna. Her sister Celestia was in charge of The Weather Channel, and ever since they both took the same path into the weather field their relationship had soured tremendously. Luna remembered fondly of when they both were kids, feeling as if nothing could split the two of them apart, but when the awards started to roll in things changed. Celestia, due to being three years older, got her degrees first, so in her parents’ eyes Luna was always the second to get everything. She didn't get the pride Celestia did, often left with a simple “good job on following Tia” or “your sister is already working on her next BA”. Those things deeply hurt her, and the wedge was finally driven when Celestia didn't have her back when she confronted her parents. A few years ago, she had to attend her parents’ funeral after they were killed in the flooding from Hurricane Harvey, and to her surprise Celestia had offered her the role of giving the eulogy. Afterwards, the two had dinner, and came to agreement that they needed to work on repairing the relationship they had as children. Now on opposite sides of the Weather Wars fence, negotiations were often difficult unless it was a natural disaster. Swallowing her six cup of coffee, Luna dialed the teleconference number for Celestia's office. “Director Celestia of The Weather Channel,” The older woman, whose hair often reminded Luna of a tie-dye job gone wrong, greeted as her face popped up on the screen. “How may I help you of assistance to you Director Luna?” “Drop the professionalism for once Tia, I've been dealing with it all day and need a break from it.” Luna’s tone was edged, like a rattlesnake warning it was about to strike.”A few birdies told me through the grapevine that you are planning on doing away with the Wonderbolt Mobile Unit, I was wondering how much their buyout was.” Celestia's stoic face lost all complexion, pure shock filling in its place. “Guess Pinkamena told you that?” After Luna shook her head, she continued. “Well then, sooner or later the one responsible for that will be caught and handled accordingly. Yes, it is true that I am doing away with them, but it is written in their contracts that they can't sign anywhere for six months after their release. That being said, the price tag stands at $8.5 million.” Luna dryly swallowed, the price being way higher than her initial estimate, but she was determined to try and do whatever it took for her most valuable employees. “Tia, I am your sister, and we both swore on our parents’ graves to try and be more cooperative. That price is way outside this center’s budget, surely a more reasonable price can be reached.” “That may be so Lulu,” Celestia’s heavy sigh was an indication that she knew the situation she was in, but also had to handle it fitting for her position. “That is their salary for the rest of the year, plus the vehicles, and the instruments inside them. I wish I could help, I really do, but that is the bottom line.” “What about just their salaries?” Luna’s hail mary was a long one, but one she hoped would score. “It should be less than half that.” “Well under it actually,” Like a cat watching a canary, Celestia knew she had her sister trapped. For some reason, Luna was fully determined to get the outdated group, and she was going to get the maximum trade off as possible. “Their salaries come to $1.3 million, but it will be $1.9 due to early termination on our end.” Luna bit her lip, something was off about her sister’s composure, but she couldn't place what. She had been granted a special budget of only $1.5 million to seal the deal, and anything over would be taken from the Houston branch’s budget for the following quarter, and $300,000 was no pretty penny. “Can we do an installment? The budget only allows for $1.2 million, or some other arrangements be made?” “$1.2 huh…” Celestia leaned up in her seat and furrowed her brow. In truth, that would net a $450,000 profit, but wanted to milk every penny out of spite for Rainbow betraying her trust. “$1.25… what's fifty grand among sisters?” “A lot when it isn't my money I'm dealing with,” Luna sneered, but relaxed when she realized it was that or nothing. “Fine, $1.25 million… I will send the proper paperwork over when this call is finished, should be ready within the next two hours.” “Splendid, I shall be waiting for the email.” Not giving Luna a chance to tell her bye, she disconnected the call and slung the nearest item on her desk. The gold plated model of a hurricane flew through the air like a heavy set frisbee, embedding itself in the wall by the door. “She is getting better Celestia,” Platinum Stevens, a woman with long iron straight hair the same color as her name, said as she sat up on the couch. She was a legend in the meteorological community, and owned the National Weather Service itself, Luna’s direct boss. “I thought she was going to make you crack like a hailstone hitting concrete.” “I know better than that Mrs. Stevens, and is it true you only have her $1.2 million to work with?” Celestia had questioned that figure from the start, considering Luna’s position she should have been approved for more. “Or did you do it as a test in which we both were unknowing guinea pigs?” “It was a test of her skills Celestia,” Platinum said, her old bones popping as she stood and stretched. “I am not getting any younger, and need a strong, determined individual to take my place eventually.” “Lulu…” Celestia couldn't believe her ears, and if she had wings they would have been straight stiff from shock. “You used me to test her composure in a difficult situation, didn't you?” “I did, and she handled herself marvelously,” Platinum's smile seemed to brighten the room, like forty-two supernovae going off at once. “As for the difference needed, send me the bill. I must be off to talk to the Board of Directors for my choice of successor, and remember not to tell anyone of this meeting nor the contents thereof… understood?” “Yes ma’m,” Celestia stood up and offered her hand, sealing the meeting into secrecy. “I do wish you could visit more Aunt Platinum, but with this rivalry and everything it makes it difficult.” “Trust me I know,” Platinum's tired chuckle was one of a woman wise beyond her years, wore down by the daily hussle and bussle of life. “That's another reason why I want Lulu to eventually take over, because I think the two of you can out an end to it. We are on opposite sides, but share a common goal, and it was our ancestors of days long past that divided it. We have a chance to change that, to cooperate, and ensure the safety of every citizen.” Platinum walked past Celestia, gazing out to the horizon through the full sized lookout window overlooking the city before continuing. “The winds are already shifting Celestia, in ways none of us can understand yet. Now, it is up to you if you soar like an eagle…” “Or crash like a dodo.”