It’s easy to get wrapped up in the technology and the complexity of it all, but we must remember the reason we're in this business to fight and win wars – Chuck Yeager

Operation Grand Slam (D UNKNOWN)

The man then slowly opened his bloodshot eyes.

“You looked prettier when I first saw you. How much did I drink?” the man asked, staring up at Triumph from his alcohol-stained couch.

The stench of alcohol caused Triumph to recoil.

“Rise and shine, Crimson Devil,” Whisper said.

“How did you know my name?” he asked as he attempted to sit up.

Whisper pointed to his leather jacket with the patch on the side—a devil woman with red horns and a burning city in the background. He rubbed his temples as T.C. handed him a wet towel which he placed on his forehead. Whisper dragged a chair across the floor and sat down.

“The Crimson Devil, the ace with over 78 confirmed kills and 39 assists, graces us with his presence,” Whisper said. “What exactly are you doing here besides stinking up the couch?”

“75 kills, three crashed due to mechanical failures,” he corrected as he tried to stand.

Triumph placed his paw on his chest, forcing him back down. T.C. pulled up a chair and sat next to Whisper.

"Is this old geezer our prisoner or something?" asked T.C.

"From the smell of him," Whisper said, waving her hand. "He's a POW from whatever the hell this is. What happened to you, old man?"

Whisper tapped an empty bottle with the side of her boot.

"Nuttin’ happened," Crimson said as he rolled around to the other side.

Sidedragon entered the room, crunching on some popcorn from a bag he had in his hand. He offered the bag to T.C., Whisper, and Triumph while his eyes changed color.

"Looks like Red screwed him over pretty badly," Sidedragon said.

"How so?" asked T.C., who began to shovel the popcorn into his mouth.

Sidedragon explained that the Blood Council planned on using the fighters at the airfield for combat but realized the futility when it was revealed that Battle City only had one airport. Thus with no competition, the idea was shelved.

"But not before they made all these promises to the Crimson Devil and then left him to rust here with everything else," Sidedragon said finally.

The Crimson Devil grumbled, "Typical civilians, can’t even make good on one promise. Now that you three know my story, see your way out and leave me to my airfield."

"Your airfield?" T.C. snapped back. "We got this place fair and square!"

"Fair and square, my pale white ass," he said, rolling over on the couch. "I don’t remember surrendering it to you, Blue twat waffles."

Whisper stood up and pulled out a glove tucked under her belt. She glared at him, her face tightening up, then slapped him across the face with the glove and held it out.

"Crimson Devil, in accordance with the Rules of War set by General Ebanos, I hereby challenge you to single combat at dawn."

The Crimson Devil sat up and took the glove from Whisper.

"I’m too old to fight hand-to-hand, besides, what're we fighting for anyway?" he asked.

"The airfield, of course, and as the challenger, I choose a duel by plane. Do you accept?" asked Whisper.

He stood up on shaky legs and locked eyes with her.

"I accept the challenge," he said, slapping her across the face with the glove and throwing it on the ground. "Tomorrow at first light, we dance. jus' cause you're prettier then the dog, doesn't mean I'm going to take it easy on you."

Whisper smirked.

T.C. and Sidedragon started to get up from their chairs, but Whisper held out her hand for them to stand down. She picked up the glove, made an about-face, and walked out of the room.

T.C. jumped to his feet and caught up with her in the hangar.

"Are you sure that’s wise? We already got the base, and it’s official," he said, looking up at her. "Besides, what'll Boss Kitty say, gambling the airport like that, for what?"

Whisper ran her fingers through her long black hair and cast a sidelong glance towards the sky.

"Boss Kitty is a traditionalist; she’ll understand," Whisper said. “Just help Ferrucio with the repair work. Because I want the Valkyrie ready by tomorrow.”

"That’s fine, but you can tell her," he muttered.

***

The sun's rays pierced through the clouds as the sun settled between the saddle of two mountains. Whisper stood beside the Valkyrie biplane, running her fingers across the canvas material that covered the frame. It felt cold and still wet, and as she checked her fingers, she discovered a bit of blue paint. She promptly wiped it off on her Skyfall heavy wool coat.

Flicking her blue knit scarf over her shoulder, Whisper reached into the pocket of her coat and found a thermos filled with murky brown coffee. Taking a long sip, she embraced the bitterness that intermingled with the chill of the morning. T.C., Sidedragon, and Triumph emerged from the hangar, marching towards her.

“I like your artwork,” Sidedragon said, pointing to the plane.

Whisper turned to look at the nose art of a white dog wearing aviator goggles, painted on the side of her plane.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Oh, that?” Whisper replied. “It was supposed to be Triumph, but I ran out of brown paint.”

Triumph barked and wagged his tail, but he suddenly stopped as the Crimson Devil emerged from the hangar. Approaching, he fiddled with the goggles on his head.

“Oh, that reminds me,” T.C. said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a set of goggles and a leather cap. “I relocated this, just for you. Please be careful.”

Whisper leaned closer and kissed T.C. on the lips.

"I won't let our family down," she said, and then turned to face her opponent. "Your bird is on the other side of the field, Devil."

He nodded toward his plane, painted blood red, in the distance. Ferrucio, who stood by the propeller, waved hello.

"I see you decided to go with agility over speed," he said. "Are you prepared to die today?"

"Only after I send you back to hell, Devil," Whisper said as she began to put on her aviator cap.

The Crimson Devil moved closer, his eyes examining the cap and goggles.

"Those look familiar, aren't those..." he started to say, but Triumph stepped between them and began to growl. "Looking good on you."

He took a step back, holding his hands up. Then the Devil unzipped his leather coat and pulled out a revolver tucked under his belt.

"What's this for?" Whisper asked as she took the weapon.

"It's a tradition from a long-ago era," the Crimson Devil said after a long sigh. "These birds carry high octane JP8 fuel. If that juice catches fire, you'll want to punch out with the suicide gun then burn to death."

Whisper checked the revolver; it contained only one bullet.

"Thank you," she said, tucking it into her jacket. "If it's Red, it's dead."

"Yup, hate you too, Blue," he replied, saluting.

"Please be safe, that fuel is really..." T.C. started to say.

Turning to see that they were alone, Whisper leaned over and pressed her lips to T.C.'s. His cheeks turned red, but refused to shrink away. Whisper pulled back, and gave T.C. a warm smile.

She climbed into the plane and buckled in. T.C., who was still red cheeked, stood by the propeller, giving her a thumbs up.

"Come on, buddy," Sidedragon said.

He and Triumph walked back to the hangar.

"Contact!" T.C. yelled and pulled the propeller down.

The engine grumbled as it turned over.

After a few attempts, the engine sprayed out black smoke and roared to life. The rumble of the Valkyrie shook the ground. Whisper revved the engine, and T.C. pulled back the yellow chalk blocks under the wheels. He waved to Whisper, who gave him a thumbs up.

The Valkyrie Triad lurched forward.

The Duel – by Whisper Thornewood

The morning sun began my day,

As its golden light kissed Ordos Bay.

The Devil, jaded & old, still had the hunter’s eye,

That Red was my target – he needed to die!

Kára the Valkyrie roared & flew oh-so high,

As the old war bird climbed into the sky.

I’m leavin’ the earth, cause this is my fight,

I’m scared, but I know this is right.

There’s no way for me to say goodbye,

The smile on your face is the only reply.

I’ll be back & you’ll be mine,

Fear not T.C., I’ll be fine.

Eyes from the city below,

Gazed up to the heavens when Red made the first blow.

His Lewis barked, like a hound from hell,

The weapon spat fire as Kára dove and fell.

The Devil was on my tail & comin’ in fast,

I know if I didn’t escape, I wouldn’t last.

Zipping left & duckin’ really fast,

Rounds continued to fly and nipped at my ass.

You want to chase me, you greasy old man?

I dove towards the city; I had a plan!

We flew through the city, shattering glass,

The Crimson Devil was hot on my...rear.

The proverbial fat lady stepped on the stage,

I saw the old man, his eyes filled with rage.

Hey fat lady, the fight wasn’t over, not this damn quick.

Turning between two buildings, I thought I was slick.

The Crimson Devil failed to make that turn,

Kára got behind him, now watch that devil burn!

Kára the Valkyrie, a wild and stormy one,

Bu-bye devil, now my finger's on the gun.

Lewis spurted hot lead and burning death,

I shot the body and tail, there soon will be nothing left.

I had the Devil dead in my sights,

The gun clicked empty, yo’ this shit ain’t right!

My fingers ripped at the ammo pan in a pouch,

The Crimson Devil banked & escaped south.

Pulling the throttle I flew into the air.

Then asked the ammo gods to answer my prayer.

Inching the ammo closer to save the day,

But the Crimson Devil flew in to blow me away.

The Aetherwing flew by, a round hit me in the side,

Shot through the wings, fuck…there goes my ride.

I climbed higher into the sky & he gave chase,

The ammo pan fell loose, bullets now...all over the place.

He fired more rounds, and got my thigh,

This wasn’t how I wanted to die.

Pulling Kára into a loop, the engine did choke,

Kára spewed…thick black smoke.

The Crimson Devil looped around but dove too fast,

Kára fell behind, but I had him at last.

Last I saw he had a glint in his eye,

Pressing my gun to the spyglass I let out a sigh.

The Devil turned pale, cause I shot him dead,

One shot with a 44, right through his head.

Kára limped home, the Valkyrie of old,

Somehow, I landed, that’s what I was told.

The battle was over & I had won,

W/ a single shot, from the suicide gun.

A message was sent from purgatory hell,

Not bad Blue Baroness, you did well…

***