The Green Abyss

“Preflight checklist is good up here how are you guys back there?” I called over my shoulder.

“Radio, good.” Harry called back.

“Navigation, good” Michael said tapping me on the shoulder. “Everything checks out.”

I threw a thumbs up at the crane operator and the Long Sparrow was lifted onto the catapult. With a jerk we were picked up and loaded onto the catapult. With a lurch the Long Sparrow was locked into the catapult. The catapult was then swung out pointed towards the open sky. Instead of the usual crew chief Princess Zakharovna’s face appeared in the window. “Princess” I snapped a hasty salute.

She laughed her ginger hair threatened to escape the bun she’d forced it into. “At ease Lieutenant Brenden” Her eyes were almost as green as the forest we were flying though. “I simply wanted to wish you well on this trip. As it is a momentous trip, the first scouting flight since we entered the forest proper. Make sure you come back, we are far enough out that pilots and planes are more important than any kind of information you could gather.” Her tone shifted from a genuinely friendly one to that of a worried friend.

“Worry not your highness.” Michael said pushing his window open. “We are the best crew in the entire kingdom. Not to mention we have the floats so if anything happens Rudy here will put us on the water and you guys come pick us up.”

An icy glare cracked though the princess’ face, sending Michael into retreat. “While that may be true I’d rather not see a live demonstration of the search and rescue capacity of The Hopewell this soon.” Princess Zakharovna turned back to me. “Regardless Lieutenant Brenden this should be the first of hundreds if not thousands of flights. We need you and the plane to come back safe and sound. Let us know what you find out there.” Her tone had returned as if the outburst had never happened.

“Certainly your highness. We will take as much caution as we can. Hopefully it’s an easy out and back, I’m hoping we get some good photos for you and the scientists.” I responded trying to keep from being disarmed by the Princess.

“Well I’ll be waiting for your return.” Princess Zakharovna said flashing a brilliant smile before dropping of the side of the plane and taking the stairs up to the observation platform.

“I think you may have a chance.” Harry said over the intercom. “At least a lot more of one than anyone else in the crew.” I could feel Michel’s jealousy burning into my back. Yet the crew chief appeared in the window before the topic could dwell.

“Alright Raven, you’re good to go. Any last comments?” He said. I shook my head and the crew chief dropped off took his position. I, gunned the engines and then returned his salute and we were catapulted off The Hopewell. Bursting out into the twilight of the canopy. The Long Sparrow dropped away as we picked up speed. Looping around we flew by the bridge, a wing waggle and we were off.