Aviator

Scramble

How could he have possibly become this out of shape within a few months?

This thought ran through Nimbus’s mind on an endless loop as he stopped in front of his squadron commander. Cloudsplitter raised an eyebrow at the panting Lieutenant, but said nothing. In the short distance between the squadron building and the runway, Nimbus felt like he’d flown across the length of Equestria.

“Feeling alright, Lieutenant?” Cloudsplitter asked with a very slight hint of playful mockery in her tone.

“Yes ma’am,” Nimbus said, gathering himself as Storm Runner joined them, “not used to the heat, that’s all.”

“Visors down, then. Again, our callsign from here on out is ‘Windigo.’ Nimbus, you are Windigo Two, Storm Runner you will be Three. You will refer to me as Windigo One. How copy?”

“Solid copy,” the new Lieutenants responded, lowering their visors. Nimbus’s HUD flickered to life in front of him, green figures and lines crisscrossing here and there as his artificial horizon adjusted itself. The three Pegasi assembled in an arrowhead formation on the runway with Cloudsplitter at the tip.

“Typhoons remain choked unless I say otherwise, clear?” Cloudsplitter said. She was met by confused radio silence from the two. The mare sighed.

“Look, the CAL-2s- you know, the little lightning-spitting death buzzers over your right shoulder- were just given the designation ‘Typhoon’ by the royal armory. Try to keep up. When I say I want them choked, I want the intake ports closed. Weapons safe.”

“Right,” Storm Runner said, “I mean affirmative.”

Cloudsplitter turned her attention back to the runway. “Bayside Tower, Windigo One request clearance for formation takeoff, rapid departure.”

“Roger, Windigo One,” the tower controller responded, “cleared for takeoff. Celestia’s light guide you.”

“Let’s go,” Cloudsplitter said, launching herself forward. Nimbus followed, building momentum as he galloped down the runway’s length. He transitioned smoothly to level flight just off Cloudsplitter’s right wing. The three Pegasi floated above the runway for a moment, then Cloudsplitter pulled up sharply, going almost vertical. Nimbus and Storm Runner followed, doing their best to align themselves with their squad leader as she called the tower to confirm their departure and distance to target.

“Tower, Windigo One. I’d like a sitrep please.”

“Windigo, a merchant vessel spotted a flight of two Griffons off the coast of Manehatten at three thousand feet MSL, heading west to the coast at around one hundred and ten knots. Looks like a routine patrol. Harbor authority just wanted us to check it out.”

“Understood, waiting for coordinates.”

Moments later, two small triangles appeared on Nimbus’s MADAR display. He blinked in amazement. They’d never had the chance to use anything like this in training.

“Coordinates received,” Cloudsplitter called back, “we are en route. Windigo out.”

The flight of ponies leveled off just beneath the layer of scattered clouds dotting the sky. From here, Nimbus could see the Manehattan coast, as well as the watercraft that lined it. Calling it the busiest harbor in Equestria was not an exaggeration. He couldn’t help but imagine himself deftly weaving through the city’s skyscrapers as they flew past as well. Perhaps some other time.

“Eyes sharp,” Cloudsplitter called out, “we’re about three miles to the target.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Storm Runner responded, then as what Nimbus could only assume was an attempt at an icebreaker added, “it’s really great weather for flying today, isn’t it ma’am?”

Nimbus cringed, awaiting what he felt was inevitable backlash, but the backlash never came. Instead, Cloudsplitter seemed to welcome the conversation.

“Actually, it is,” she said, “you two will find that the weather up here doesn’t always like to cooperate. We have weather mod Pegasi, of course, but they can only do so much. To have a day like this is truly rare.”

“Is this a hotspot for turbulence?” Nimbus asked.

Cloudsplitter nodded, “on summer days like today, yes. In the winter the air stabilizes a bit, but then you have blowing snow and the occasional blizzard to worry about. Oh, hang on- is that- yes, contact two o’ clock.”

Nimbus checked to the front right sector of his vision. At first, he saw nothing, but as his vision adjusted for the distance, he could make out two faint specks traveling towards them: Griffons. They were clothed in streamlined armor, and their helmets did not cover their full faces, instead terminating at the beak line. They were nothing if not intimidating.

“Keep your calm,” Cloudsplitter said, “remember- keep weapons safe. We don’t want to start a war.”

The Griffons passed by, not altering direction. It was as if they weren’t even acknowledging the Aviators’ presence. Cloudsplitter led the formation up in a slow half-loop as they passed, rolling level just behind the Griffons. Slowly, they picked up speed, falling into a kind of formation with the Griffons.

“Switch to frequency 127.5, that’s our international one. If the Griffons want to talk, that’s where they’ll be.”

“Switching,” Nimbus said, activating the respective frequency. Almost instantly, the Griffons acknowledged.

“New ponies?” one said, voice tinted with the typical Griffon accent, “don’t rattle them now, Colonel. Wouldn’t want to be responsible for the next war, would we?”

To Nimbus’s utmost surprise, Cloudsplitter chuckled, “good to see you again, Arthaz. Yes, these are my new Aviators. I roped ‘em into the mission since none of the rest of Windigo was around.”

The other Griffon shook his head. “Windigo’s not getting lazy, is it?”

“Ha,” Storm Runner piped up, “lazy? We’re Aviators. We’re always ready.”

Cloudsplitter shot Storm Runner a scathing glare and the blue pony immediately shut up. “Apologies, Gelred. Like I said, they’re new.”

Gelred shook it off. “It’s not a problem. We just came out under orders to fly around the docks a little bit until we were intercepted by you guys. Looks like we’ve been intercepted.”

“How long?” Cloudsplitter said.

“By my timer, you were up in the air and on our tails within ten minutes. Not bad.”

“But certainly not a record,” Cloudsplitter cut in. The Griffon Nimbus identified as Gelred turned to him.

“You’ve been awfully quiet. In fact, I’d say you look as if you’ve never seen a Griffon before.”

“I- I haven’t,” Nimbus stuttered, “and… no offense… I thought you’d be a bit-“

“Meaner?” Arthaz said, finishing his sentence for him. “That’s understandable. Thing is- we don’t want a war any more than you do.”

“I guess I can see that,” Nimbus said. The group banked into a shallow right turn, cruising along the Manehattan coast. Several ponies on the beaches looked up and pointed in awe at the Griffons, no doubt praising the actions of the heroic Aviators above as they escorted the “terrible” Griffons back towards their homeland.

“New Aviators,” Arthaz continued as he banked his wings and turned for the Griffon coast, “remember- it will serve you well to keep in mind that all the preconceived notions you may have about the world around you are not necessarily true. Perhaps one day we will meet above the field of battle, but it will not be by my choosing. Colonel-“ he nodded to Cloudsplitter, “-it was a pleasure seeing you again. Until the next interception, then.”

“Goodbye, my friend,” Cloudsplitter said, veering away with Nimbus and Storm Runner as the Griffons flew back out to sea. Some loud cheers could be heard from the beaches below, but Nimbus wasn’t so sure he felt like celebrating. The Griffons didn’t fit what he’d expected of them at all. Where was the bloodthirsty rage? The lust for dominance? All he saw was fellow fliers enjoying a warm summer day. What was so wrong about that? Catching movement on his HUD, Nimbus focused his attention to the MADAR display. Two more blips were approaching from Manehattan.

“Two unknowns inbound from heading zero one five,” he radioed to his squadmates. Cloudsplitter looked at him, confused, then chuckled, shaking her head.

“No threat, Two. They’re squawking Windigo identification. Prepare to meet the squad.”

Both Nimbus and Storm Runner turned their heads to the approaching signals just in time to see two Pegasi shoot past the formation- one directly above and the other below. Slowly, with an almost lazy grace, they formed up off Nimbus’s and Storm Runner’s wings, making a large “v” in the sky.

“Four and Five requesting permission to join the squadron,” one of the ponies called.

“Granted,” Cloudsplitter radioed back, “would you like to introduce yourselves to these new gentlecolts?”

The stallion next to Nimbus nodded slowly, speaking with a rather soft voice, “yes, ma’am. I can do that. My name is Star Burst. I’m from Ponyville originally.”

“And I’m Cyclone Sprint from Cloudsdale,” the stallion by Storm Runner added with a touch more bravado. “You two seem to have already met Mom.”

“Mom?” Storm Runner asked.

Cloudsplitter sighed as the group turned back towards the base, putting the slowly setting sun and lights of Manehattan behind them. “Yes, they’ve taken to calling me Mom. It’s hardly professional, but a callsign’s a callsign and I suppose I’m stuck with it as long as I’m with this squadron.”

“Which at the rate things are going,” Cyclone said, “should only be for another month or so.”

“Really?” Nimbus said, “are you deploying somewhere else?”

“We all are,” Star Burst said, “Windigo’s a temporary squadron. We escort the Sol until she’s airworthy and under the control of the Canterlot Transportation Department. Then we all go our separate ways. Weren’t you briefed?”

“No…” Nimbus said softly. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It all felt like the biggest slap in the face he’d received since disenrollment from the Wonderbolt Academy. He’d graduated the Royal Equestrian Air College with high marks, practically helped save Canterlot, and won last year’s Cloudsdale Meet. Now here he was, finally on top of his game and in the career of his dreams with a pony who was turning out to be a great squadron commander, when all of a sudden he was supposed to believe he’d be leaving in just over a month. He liked his squadron, from what he could tell so far. They all seemed like decent ponies. It simply wasn’t fair that he was being asked to leave practically just after saying hello.

The runway lights of the airbase shone brightly ahead of them as Cloudsplitter radioed for clearance to land. The ponies took their turns in the pattern. Nimbus let everypony else get down first before he finally descended. It was a good landing, but he felt contact with the ground in every bone of his body. He felt heavier now, burdened with the injustice of the situation. He only half paid attention while Cloudsplitter debriefed on the runway.

“Good flight today, everypony. We’ve got a few briefings tomorrow, so I want you all here no later than 0930. We’ve got about two weeks until the Sol’s maiden flight, so start prepping your flight suits. We need to look sharp when she rolls out. Don’t forget to pack up, and have a good night. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Nimbus started to walk away, but Storm Runner caught up to him.

“Hey,” the Pegasus said, “would you mind if I tagged along? I’ve got some of my stuff in your apartment, I think.”

“Sure,” Nimbus said simply, “let’s go.” Nimbus nodded one final time to his squadron commander and turned back towards the squadron building with Storm Runner. One day down, and only a scant few more to go.

…

Cloudsplitter sighed as she watched the two new Aviators slowly trot away. She’d meant to tell them about the squadron’s temporary status, of course. Things had just gotten in the way. The military was known for demanding flexibility, and this situation was no different. Still, she couldn’t help but feel she’d personally disappointed them. They seemed like fine Lieutenants. They’d been respectful and, courteous, yet still with enough personality to avoid being brick walls. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the five of them would make an excellent squadron.

“But that’s not for me to decide,” she breathed, taking off her helmet and heading back to the squadron building. It wasn’t the first time she’d been disappointed, and it probably wasn’t going to be the last. The newbies would find that out soon, and eventually, perhaps, they’d come to accept it. Until then, she decided, she would at least try to make their month in Manehattan worthwhile.