The First Sortie [Voice]

[yellowthirteen]

[There’s a brief sound of static, and a gust of wind.]

…This is a priority two distress call. I am extra-vehicular and need an extraction immediately. Repeating, this is Yellow 13 sending a priority two distress call. I’m without my gear in the snow. No sign of my plane anywhere. Presence of the enemy is unknown at this time.

[Another gust of wind tears through the recording, followed by a very audible shiver.]

Can anyone read me? …Just where am I?

Comments

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Not as far as I know, there hasn't. I've been here for the good part of a year now, so if they'd been here anywhere in that span, I'm fairly certain I'd know. If you'd like, the Center can keep an eye out for them? Yellow 4, you said?

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

Yes. But if she hasn't shown up by now... I doubt she will.

[A pause.]

...I've been rude. I'm sorry. I'm Yellow 13, of the Federal Erusian Air Force.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Pleasure to meet you. Might I ask, though: What's an 'Air Force'?

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

[Thank goodness he read the guide before she asked that question, otherwise she'd get a look as though her head was screwed on backwards.]

An air force is a military organization that primarily operates aircraft and helicopters. During times of war, we take control of the skies to protect those that are on the ground or at sea.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[She processes this a bit, then chuckles, shaking her head.] I can't imagine.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

[Thirteen pauses to think how to explain this.]

Think of aircraft as large, metal birds. The type of airplane I flew are like the small, agile birds. Like swallows.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, that much I could assume. Or close enough, at least.

I meant spending so much time in the air. Our world has Rhieards, which are... I'm not sure how to describe one, to be honest. A bit like a wide log with handlebars and footholds, generally a light blue, on which you sit. You don't have to pedal as you would with a bicycle... It propels itself?

[A slight laugh, and she shakes her head again.]

But I've never ridden one. They came into creation years after my time.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

[Thirteen smiles.]

Once you really get a chance to fly, it's... unlike anything else. You may never want to leave the sky.

...But, Miss Martel, how could you know about an invention that came after your time?

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[She knows what it's like to fly. She actually has wings of her own, real ones, all she had to do was summon them with the power of the crystal at the base of her throat, but... she never did spend all too much time using them. She'd always felt wrong, using them needlessly when others didn't have them to begin with. Plus, it sapped her mana, to use them for too long. So at his description of flying, she just nods appreciatively, not wanting to really explain all that at this point. Especially because the next question is kinda loaded.

After he asks, she thinks of the best way to explain.]

When I was killed, my brother ensured that my soul be fused to a great and powerful tree. When said tree was reborn thousands of years later, I awoke as the guardian of said tree.

[That wasn't entirely accurate, but it was close enough, and 100% fact would take tons more explaining.]

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

[Thirteen reclines back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest.]

I must say, that is difficult to believe.

But, I'm in no place to disbelieve it. ...Because I'm dead. Or I should be.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

As should many, here.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. This is... all very confusing. There's nothing like this back home. All of this is like it jumped from the pages of a fairy tale.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry as well. I suppose telling tales of my world isn't too helpful. Have you any questions I might answer? To clear some of the confusion.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

Do not be sorry. You simply answered a question I asked. And you've been very generous to me as well. Thank you.

...Though I do have to ask one thing. Are there truly many people here of fantastic origin?

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

And many of modest origin as well. It's a very mixed group.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

Seems I'll have a lot to learn here.

[Thirteen reclines back, looking more relaxed than he ever has so far.]

...But I'll have plenty of time for that.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Indeed. If I can help in any way, you'll let me know?

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

Of course. Thank you, Miss Martel. You're very kind.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, muchly so. If you'd like, you're free to stay until you've found somewhere to stay. We've sleeping quarters in the back.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

That would be perfect. While I'm here, if you need me for something, make sure to ask.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Unless you'd like to go rest now, pleasant conversation is always welcome.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

[He nods, but closes his eyes.]

I've never been much of a conversationalist. ...But for you, I'll try.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Tell me about your world, then. If it's no trouble, I mean.

[yellowthirteen.livejournal.com]

It's a world of many countries. And many wars. Though so many of us hate them, it seems an inevitable tragedy of our nature.

...And then there was Ulysses.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Ulysses?