Wicked Comet 2, part 1
8 years after the events of Wicked Comet
Oz, a land of great mystery and magic. Its peoples equally so. Its history in recent years had been troublesome, what with what was known as the Wicked Years, the five years in which the Wicked Witch of the west and her companion, the Wicked Comet Pilot had terrorised Oz. You and I all know the truth behind this.
Richmond "Rich" Thropp, cousin to Elphaba Thropp and Nessarose Thropp, known as the Wicked Witch of the West and the Wicked Witch of the East respectively, was currently taking a well-earned holiday from working on his Comet aircraft. This aircraft was the first powered aircraft in all of Oz and had served Rich well for many years including the years when he had fought for freedom for all Ozians alongside Elphaba. That was until, when he was trying to intercept Dorothy's house in the Comet, whilst both were inside a tornado, the Comet had been severely damaged and Rich had been forced to make a wheels up landing in Munchkinland which had damaged the Comet even further.
He had been working on restoring "Oscar Zulu 1" to flight ever since. But still, 8 years later, the Comet was still in the Emerald City workshops and still in bits for repairs, albeit those repairs were almost done.
Currently, Rich and Glinda were on-board a private Steam cruiser, floating on the lake of Restwater, near to Glinda's country estate of Mockbeggar hall. The two were on holiday from all of the work that they had accomplished over the last 8 years. It was also their 7th year anniversary.
Since the events of 8 years ago, Rich and Glinda had fallen deeply in love and had been dating ever since.
Glinda was wearing a bright pink bikini, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses and lounging in the sun on the Cruiser's foredeck. Rich was sitting next to her, dressed in shorts, a shirt, sandals, sunglasses and a black Stetson hat, the same one he had worn during the "Wicked Years".
(A.N the steam cruiser that Glinda and Rich are on-board is identical to the ship Tern which is based on Lake Windermere)
"Ah, this is the life" Rich said in a peaceful tone as he lay with his eyes closed, feeling the gentle rocking of the steam cruiser.
"Can't help but agree with you my love" Glinda replied, also in the same tone.
The two relaxed for a long moment, taking in the bright and warm summer sun. Everything was peaceful, or so they thought.
Just as Rich and Glinda were about to get up and get changed in their cabin for lunch, they heard the sound of Jet engines.
It would normally not be surprising, Rich had inaugurated commercial passenger and freight services using Comet Aircraft, which the full scale production of had only just begun, 5 years ago and Restwater had one of the busiest airports, apart from the Emerald city, in all of Oz. But these jet engines were much closer than they ought to be and they seemed to be under sustained high power.
Normally, flights into Restwater airport had a very easy approach with a long approach over mostly flat terrain and flights normally came in with their engines at almost idle power so they wouldn't disturb the holidaymakers and residents below.
"Can you see where the Aircraft is coming from?" Glinda asked Rich as they both stood up.
Rich looked around in the direction he thought the sound of Jet engines was coming from. Sure enough there was the bright silver glow of a Comet's polished metal skin as it flew along in the sun.
There seemed to be something off with this plane, for one there was a bright orange glow coming from the port side.
As the aircraft descended and got closer, Rich, Glinda and everyone on the cruiser noticed that 1. The aircraft was on fire and 2. Was that it was heading straight for them!
"GET US OUT OF HERE!" Rich shouted to the Steam Cruiser's captain.
The Captain immediately shouted at his crew to get the ship moving, the sound of the engine room telegraphs were heard and the deck quivered and lurched as the Cruiser's powerful Triple Expansion steam engines driving twin propellers kicked into action. Smoke poured out of the funnel as the ship made its desperate attempt to get of the way of the Crashing Comet. Faster and faster the ship gained speed, but still the out of control airliner sped towards them!
"BRACE YOURSELVES!" the Captain shouted.
Everyone took cover; Glinda took cover underneath a set of stairs which lead to the bow lounging area of the ship. Rich held her protectively.
The sound of jet engines grew louder and louder until the noise became an ear-splitting screech! The burning jet flew overhead at such a low level, everyone on-board the steamer could feel the heat from the flames.
Everyone on the ship turned and looked towards the burning airliner as it slammed into the water with such force, it sent spray extremely high into the air and pieces of Aircraft were thrown even higher!
Everyone slowly, hesitantly got up from their hiding places and stared at the still burning wreckage of the Crashed Comet. Glinda and Rich both stood on the bow, feeling the heat of the flames upon their skin. Everyone on-board the Steamer had tears in their eyes, there was no way that anyone on-board the Flight had survived.
"Do you think…?" Glinda asked in a saddened tone, trailing off when she couldn't complete her sentence.
"No, I don't think so" Was Rich's grim reply.
Glinda then turned to the captain, whilst gesturing to the Flaming Comet wreck and said,
"Bring this ship to the wreck of the crashed plane. We'll search for possible survivors and bring ashore what we can for the investigation"
The Captain nodded and soon the steamer had turned around, ready for those on-board to begin the grim task of recovering what was left of the aircraft and those on-board.