//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Tensions Rising // Story: On a Wing and a Prayer // by White Comet //------------------------------// The weather had taken a turn for the worse today. Heavy cloud cover coupled with a slight drizzle. Not ideal for flying, but it was suitable for navigation practice. Which is precisely why the squadron was airborne, to give their navigators a chance to practice and to give their pilots experience in bad weather. Sparky was slowly getting more confident in foul weather flying. Of course, it wasn’t his first time flying a plane or flying a plane in bad weather, but it was his first time flying a massive plane with four engines in lousy weather. Luckily they were above the clouds, but only just. They seemed to be maintaining formation fine. “And if you look to the right, you’ll see the small town of Hedgewards on the border of the Crystal Empire,” Barber guided over the radio, jokingly imitating the voice of a tour guide. “When I was a young colt, it was so small it wasn’t even on the map. It’s grown now, though.” “Everythings grown to you, Gramps,” Snapshot jested over the radio. Barber chuckled, “Well, consider yourself lucky if we ever get lost.” “Seventh squadron, this is Bomber Command, do you copy?” A voice suddenly interrupted on the radio. “Seventh squadron leader, receiving,” The voice of Hailstorm replied. “Moments ago, several Changeling divisions simultaneously moved across the border to engage our forces. I’m afraid to tell you that we are now at war.” It wasn’t like anypony wasn’t expecting it, but at the same time, to hear it actually become a reality...it sent a chill down everyone’s spine. Spark felt himself grip the flight yoke harder at the news. “Luftwaffe fighters have been spotted in the area. Consider all training exercises cancelled and return to base immediately.” “Roger Command,” Hailstorm replied over the radio. “All units maintain formation and bank to port, steer course two-zero-zero. Descend to five thousand feet.” On the return flight, the radio chatter was unusually silent. Given the news, it was expected. Spark had no doubt that everypony in his squadron was in shock. Even he wasn’t sure how to take the news. Nevertheless, they had a duty to protect Equestria. “Hey Melody, can you tune us into EBC Radio?” “I think so, gimme a moment,” Melody replied, getting to work on her console. She twisted a few knobs and flicked a few switches. Of course, nopony could actually see what she was doing from their stations, so they just trusted that she was doing some radio wizardry to make it work. “Got it, patching it through,” she said, flicking a switch to put it through to everypony’s headphones. “In breaking news, today the Changeling war machine finally unleashes an attack that has been anticipated for several months. Tensions at the border have finally escalated into all-out war as Changeling tanks drove into Equestria. Reports say that Princess Celestia is beginning to address Equestria as we speak. More updates will follow once we know more.” Sparky still didn’t really know how to react, but he didn’t like the silence. He had to say something. “Well...I guess we all knew that was coming…” “Still feels strange to hear,” Astute replied. “We’re really doing this?” “I’ll keep an eye out for those pesky one-O’nines,” Snapshot called out enthusiastically, “I’ll swat them down like the bugs they are!” “One-O’nines don’t have the range to reach this far, we’re more likely to see one-tens out here,” Kobalt piped up. “Well that’s reassuring,” Astute replied sarcastically. “Don’t they carry more guns?” “I’m sure he just has confidence in our gunners,” Sparky replied. When they returned to the airbase, it was apparent that something was different. Sections of fighter squadrons were flying patrols around the area. At least it was a reassuring sight if anything. Spark landed the plane and parked it up, eager to get out knowing that he would have plenty of preparation to do. The airport was bustling like a Manehatten high street. Ponies and equipment everywhere, trying to get the bombers ready to fly at a moment's notice. At least a dozen mechanics came over to the Mystic Mare after they touched down, to which Kobalt made his usual demands as if he was some sort of general. Spark ignored it for the most part because, despite his questionable attitude, he seemed to do a good job. Now if only he could play his role as well… Spark tossed and turned in his bed. He was feeling tired, but he just couldn’t get himself to doze off. He had already gone to bed way too late, all he wanted to do now was get some rest while he still could. But maybe that was the reason he was struggling. He knew that his life from this point onwards wouldn’t be as normal as it once was. Things were about to change...and there was no denying it; it was stressing him out. But being the CO of the plane, he had to control it. He lifted himself up and twisted his head around. The only noises he heard was the gentle rise and fall of his bunkmates breathing. He had no doubt that he was the only pony awake. Although thinking about it, he could think of somepony that might be up… He gently lowered himself to the floor, trying not to twitch as his hooves touched the cold wood floor in contrast with his warm bed. He used his wing to sling his flight jacket on, then picked something else up he had wrapped up on the table and slid it into his pocket. Confirming he had everything he needed, he crept out of the door, trying his best not to wake anypony. Despite being early in the morning, there were still a couple of ponies out and about. Mainly keeping watch and performing maintenance. It was cold out, but his jacket did an excellent job of keeping him warm. A dim light came from the hangers he was walking towards. He wandered around the front of the hangers, taking a peek inside each one until he found his plane along with the particular blue pony he was looking for. He trotted into the hangar and walked over to the workbench where Kobalt was tinkering with a particular part of the plane. He had several tools suspended in his magic while concentrating hard on what he was doing. Spark cleared his throat to announce his presence as he approached. Kobalt took a quick glance at him before returning to what he was doing. “Hey Kobalt…” Spark greeted. Kobalt released the tools from his magic. “Morning,” he replied. “Early?” Spark shrugged, “I couldn’t sleep, I figured I’d find you here…” Sparky looked at the cylindrical part he was working on. “What you up to?” “Repairing this fuel pump,” Kobalt explained, “Chief Engineer wouldn’t let me have another one, so I’m fixing this one instead,” As he explained, he picked up his tools again and continued working. “They wouldn’t replace a broken part?” Spark raised an eyebrow. “It’s not technically broken, but it was almost starved of fuel during the flight. That fuel lubricates these bearings,” he used his magic to make the metal see-through again, pointing with his hoof to the parts he was talking about. “Without it, they wear out. I don’t want a fuel pump dying on us mid-flight,” He explained, picking up his well-stained mug of coffee with his magic and taking a few big glugs before resting it back down. “Damn Equestrian quad-engine designs…” ...Well, if Spark ever doubted his ability, he certainly didn’t now. “So...you’ve always loved planes and flying then?” Spark tried to make conversation, but Kobalt was already back to being engrossed in his work. “...Kobalt?” Kobalt dropped his tools again, “What’s it to you, anyway?” He snapped back. “Well, I--” “I’m doing my job and doing it well. That’s all that’s asked of me. I’m not here to make friends, so stop trying.” Spark just about managed to withhold a growl forming in his throat and furrowed his brow. “Maybe not...but it sounds like you need one.” Kobalt chuffed in a mocking tone, “I don’t know why you Equestrians believe in this ‘magic of friendship’-” he made air-quotes with his hooves “-but where I come from, friendship is earned. I respect you as my superior, but nothing more, SIR.” He made his stance clear. Spark gritted his teeth. “You’re right…” he began slowly, trying to contain his anger. “Friendship is something to be earned. But that’s a two pony show to work at, and you’re sure as hell not playing your part!” Spark said his words then spun around to face away from Kobalt and release a frustrated sigh. “Whatever, I’m ready when you are…” He reached into his inner jacket pocket with his wing and dropped a small envelope on the workbench. “You’re welcome,” he said before trotting away. Kobalt raised an eyebrow as he watched Spark trot out of the hanger. When he was out of eyeshot, Kobalt looked at the envelope he had left for him. He picked it up with his magic and tore one end off, gently pulling out what was inside… ...Some replacement name badges...with his name spelt in Ponish; Kobalt Stardust. This would save a lot of confusion with his comrades and also no awkward attempts to pronounce his last name. How...thoughtful... Spark made sure the door to the mess was shut to keep the warmth in. The fire was out, but the lights were still on dimly for the hoof-full of ponies that were in there taking a break from their nightly duties. Spark sat down on one of the couches and reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a flask. He unscrewed the top and took a tipple of the smooth oakey liquid inside. When cider didn’t cut it, whiskey was always there to fill in and calm him down. “Trouble sleeping?” Spark almost jumped at the voice of Barber creeping up behind him. “Nope, nothing stressing me out. We’re only gonna be flying deep into the Changeling lands under intense flak fire and trying to make it out alive. No biggie, right?” He answered sarcastically. Barber nodded, “Yeah, not that,” he took a seat on the couch opposite Spark. “How did your chat with our friend go?” He asked while fiddling around with his pack of cigarettes and lighter. Spark shook his head, “I don’t think he’s our friend. Or rather, wants to be. I think he needs one, he doesn’t want to talk though. And I just don’t know how to get through to him,” He rambled, rubbing his forehead. Barber blew smoke out the corner of his mouth so he didn’t blow it into Spark’s face. “You sound frustrated…” “Because I am,” Spark rolled his eyes, taking another swig of whiskey. “I just tried to get to know him, and he told me to back off…” “...And?” Barber raised an eyebrow. “And I kinda...yelled at him...and stormed off…” Spark sighed, his ears flopping down as he recognised his mistakes. He didn’t doubt that Barber would point them out just to add insult to injury. “Did you not drive home your authority and tell him to cut it out?” Barber asked. “No…” Sparky whined. Barber sighed, “Sparky, you’re a CO now. You need to start acting like it. Because if you don’t sort this out quickly, the rest of the crew is gonna start losing respect for you.” “Spare me the lecture for tonight, I’m too tired for this shit…” Sparky rubbed his forehead again before taking one final swig of whiskey from his flask and screwing the top back on. “I’m going back to bed…” he stood up and stretched, leaning onto his front legs then hind legs before starting to walk towards the door. “Goodnight,” Barber bidded farewell, continuing to smoke. As he trotted to bed, Spark had a moment to think about Barbers words. ‘If you don’t sort this out quickly, the rest of the crew is gonna start losing respect for you.’ Maybe that was Kobalt’s plan all the long? Overthrow him? Spark scoffed and immediately dismissed the ridiculous idea. His tired, stressed brain was obviously blowing things way out of proportion. Barber was right about one thing though, he needed to sort this out quickly. What would the crew think if Kobalt suddenly became the one bossing him around? For now, though, all he cared about was trying to get at least some sleep. Which he found much easier now that he had got a few things off his chest...