Mission to Warsong Hold
Some Straight-Up Disclaimers:
I don't own WoW. (I know I know, already old, but for sake of legal issues...) However, I own all OC's.
The tech used in this mission is based on actual gnome-tech found in the Borean Tundra, which I have slightly modified for story purposes.
And the most important one: - This story is based on an actual mission flown in the Second World War, and detailed in the account "Mission to Bremen" by John Comer, a US Air Force Turret Gunner on B-17 FF's. Most of it was imported and modified for Fanfic purposes.
Please read and review!
Original Characters:
Hagin - Turret gunner (Gnome) (Main Character)
Grobnick - Radio and Observer (Gnome)
Ames - Bombardier (Human)
Korah - Tail gunner (Draenei)
Tarkus - Copilot (Dwarf)
Sorassa - Pilot (Gnome)
NPC's:
Kara Thricestar
Mistie Flitterdawn
Chief Engineeer Galpen Rolltie
Fizzcrank Fullthrottle
Fizzcrank Airstrip (Fourth Month, 15th Day, 35 ADP - Anno Dark Portal)
"Ok! Wake up! Showtime! Roster is: Grobnick, Hagin, Ames, Korah and Tarkus flying Fizzcrank Mega-Bomber 755 with Sorassa..."
"Wait, you mean 765 don't you?" I asked in disbelief.
"No, 755 like I said." Insisted Kara Thricestar, the air traffic controller and the one giving the mission.
"But 765 is our ship."
"Not today, some other crew is flying it. Anyhow, good luck." And in a flash, she was gone. Probably to brief other pilots.
"DAMN!" exploded Tarkus from his corner. "Giving our ship to some other crew an' makin' us fly un' we've never seen before! Damned clerks!"
"It's a typing error probably, but it's too late to do anything about it. Korah, could you go and rouse Ames - the guy is probably in the tent down near the steam pools. Me and Grobnick are gonna go check the aircraft a bit early - I don't remember seeing aircraft 755." I said, with a sigh. "And, oh, one last thing...Tarkus, go and see what's the briefing about - discreetly."
Everyone nodded and ran off on their tasks. Then I set out to the runway to check the aircraft. As Tarkus said, it was a bit of a blow being assigned to an unknown craft, but hey, this was war - anything could happen.
The bomber, fortunately, was in great shape. Essentially, they had chained two ordinary bombers together with extra space for gunners and a bombardier to make this. It could kick some serious butt, and we knew it. What we didn't know was where we were going - that would be known only after Sorassa the pilot - who was as tough as they come - showed up. The only disturbing thing about her was that she was about as warm as an ice-cube. In contrast, Korah was a lot more cheerful, though you'd expect being a tail gunner should have kept her pessimistic about her life expectancy - meh, details.
But I was a bit apprehensive. Things were going well - too well in my opinion. For this was Northrend, where a hundred little things can go wrong very fast and make the situation look very ugly in a matter of moments. I had a feeling I was overlooking something. When I said this to Grob, he waved it off. "You're paranoid, that's all. Never think something's too good to be true."
Tarkus came runnning up. "Not too bad, I'd say. 'Bout medium tough this one."
"Any idea where we headed?"
Tarkus shook his head. "Talking all gibberish, codes an' crud. Never did know 'bout 'em."
Just then a mechanostrider came up and the Reagent Vendor for the Airstrip, Mistie Flitterdawn stepped down. She handed us each a vial of some ointment. "Try this one. Rub it where your goggles and helms don't cover. I hope it cuts down on frostbite."
I took the vial, grinning. Mistie was a good one. She never succeeded in finding an ointment to prevent frostbite, but to her credit, she kept trying.
The mechanic who'd been working on the plane drew me aside and asked, "How long you blokes been flying?"
"Since we got here - that makes a year."
He looked relieved. "Who's your pilot?"
"Sorassa."
"Oh, good one. She's tough, that one."
The mechanics put in long hours to fix these craft, and they took pride in their work. They expected damage when they returned, of course, but they would get incensed if an inexerienced crew abused a craft by unnecessary wear and tear on the brakes and engines. Sorassa was one who had a reputation for respecting a craft and the crews who used them who kept the planes in good condidtion.
When the pilot arrived, I began sounding off about how our craft had been assigned to some other crew, but she cut me off with a wave of her hand. "Some stupid clerk made an error. Now quit your bitching and get ready to start engines." She waited until the crew assembled, with a particularly disheveled looking Ames standing next to Korah. "Alright, here's the deal. We're going to bomb Warsong Hold today."
There were some gasps from the crew, including myself. "The Wywern opposition isn't too tough around the base. However, there are some tanks they captured from the steam pools and refitted them for use against air targets - very accurate ones also, unfortunately. Roughly 150 chimeras too, so watch yourselves. Gryphon Riders from the Wildhammer detachment at Valiance Keep will come with us till the I.P. Our objective is to maximise damage on their harbour infrastructure and their battlements. Any questions?"
I raised my hand. "Why Warsong Hold?"
Sorassa shrugged. "Don't exactly know why, but it seems that King Wrynn has a bit of a score to settle. Also, some Wyvern riders bombed the frontline outside Valiance Keep, with heavy casualties to the 4th Ironforge Rifle Company. Could be one of the two. Don't care really. Anything else." Everybody shook their heads. "Right, saddle up then!"
As I went to my seat near the top turret, I had a feeling this would be somewhat different from the other missions I'd flown.
I had no idea.