Does the color of the sky mean anything special to you?
It does to me; a hell of a lot.
When I close my eyes, the sky in my dreams is a deep, dark blue.
"A Call to Arms"
1300 15 May 2019
Farbanti, Kingdom of Erusea
18º02'34"N 76º34'55"W
"To all in attendance, to all with keen ears, I am Princess Rosa Cossette D'Elise of the Kingdom of Erusea."
Despite the simmering tension of all who watched, the address drew much applause. Despite herself, the princess smiled, warmed by the love of her people. She kept the smile on her face as she continued.
"Citizens of Erusea, as I look out to the beautiful emerald south sea water at Gunther Bay, I see only the shining heart and brilliant potential of our people. For too long, we have been constrained and controlled.
"You asked my father to be your king, to guide our country in the wake of so much strife. You asked me, a common school girl, to be your princess, and fulfilled a childish dream so many imagine."
She paused.
"It is time now for us to fulfill your dreams. It is time now for us, as a people, to rise to our full potential."
The roar of applause was deafening. She smiled brightly, and waited patiently to continue.
"We do not seek war, we seek liberty. We do not seek death, we seek justice. I ask you all to find it in your hearts, to take courage, and fight for the future of our people, that we may prosper once more!"
-\oo/-
"This is OBC Breaking News, live with the latest reports on the attack today that left widespread destruction in all of the Federation's ports.
"As of 1 PM today, the Kingdom of Erusea declared war on the Osean Federation, citing a violation of sovereignty and self-determination. It is believed this statement is directed at the space elevator constructed in Gunther bay, a historical territory of Erusea that is currently under International Union control. It is also believed that the statement indicates resentment and blame directed towards IUN and Osean influences, who have directed organization of the Erusean government up to this point."
"The office of the President released a statement immediately following the declaration, stating that Erusean talks with the IUN had fallen apart when it became clear the Erusea government refused to cooperate with IUN advisement, even as IUN officials had considered granting further autonomy and aid to the struggling nation.
"We reached out to former president Vincent Harling regarding the attacks and Erusean declarations, but received no comment. Former president Harling was the one who pushed for the construction of the Space Elevator…"
"The fate of former president Vincent Harling is unknown after the Erusean military seized control of the Space Elevator earlier this evening. Incoming reports tell us that Mr. Harling was touring the recently completed facility, but it is currently unknown if he was able to escape. Our sources within the Department of Defense have told us that Mr. Harling had a Secret Service and military guard, but with speculation that the Erusean military now controls the Arsenal Birds alongside the Space Elevator, it is impossible to be certain of his safety."
-\oo/-
"Father!"
She ran towards him through the entrance hall of the palace, more bubbly schoolgirl than graceful princess. The king interrupted what appeared to be a rather heated conversation with a military advisor, and turned to embrace her. A smile could be seen on the face of many who watched the two. Many who, despite their duties and priorities given the state of war, took the time to watch the pair as they embraced, and were entranced by the enthusiasm and joy of the royal daughter, and the loving smile of her regal father, who despite his weariness and stress, radiated pride.
"You were wonderful, my little rose," he said. "I do not know that we would have the support of our entire people, had it not been for the rousing call this afternoon from their heart to fight for a better future for us all."
She laughed her musical laugh, just one more aspect beloved by her people, her cheeks tinted the same shade as her name.
"Thank you, father, but there is no need for flattery," she pushed him playfully. "You played a much larger part than I did. Our strategy worked! No one was hurt, and we have already made so much progress towards our goals!"
The king's smile this time did not quite reach his eyes, though he embraced his daughter once more.
"We have made progress, but there is still much to be done, Cossette," he said. "But leave that to me and our generals. For now, I believe that our chef has prepared a celebratory dinner for you, then off to your studies."
"Alright, Father," she said, kissing his cheek. "I love you."
"And I you, little Rosa," he said, his voice wavering for but a moment. "Your mother would have been proud."
-\oo/- -\oo/-
1630 15 April 2016
November City, Osean Federation
02º40'32"S 172º36'22"W
"Spell your name out there so I don't make any mistakes."
The recruitment officer tapped the paperwork in front of him, before resuming typing at his keyboard.
"Age?"
"Twenty."
More typing.
"Put your date of birth next to your name. Birth place?"
"Wesson."
A pause. "Lake country?"
"Five miles from the shore, yes," he answered quietly.
"Huh. Did they ever rebuild the old city hall?"
"It was too expensive to restore the original foundations." At the look of inquiry, he continued. "They moved the location further downtown. Pretty sure the old one is a strip mall, now."
The man snorted. "A strip mall, huh? I remember when they told us to leave the night the Belkans attacked. Gathered the whole town in front of city hall, 'course it was smaller then, the town, that is."
He nodded politely, but said nothing, as the officer spent a moment more lost in thought before returning to his task.
"Highest education level?"
"Baccalaureate."
"Field of study?"
"Nursing."
Another pause. The officer took the paperwork he had been filling out and scrutinized it.
"James Marietta Beckett, born tenth of May, 1998," he read aloud. "Tell me something, Beckett. Why is a nurse applying for a pilot rating?"
"There's been growing unrest, and I have my private pilot's license," he replied. "I figured maybe I could work as a nurse here, and help in the Air Defense Forces in the Air National Guard."
The officer stared for a moment, before returning his gaze to the papers in his hand.
"Beckett. Any relation to Patrick Beckett?"
"Distant."
The officer stared another moment before shaking his head.
"Look, kid, if I put you in for a pilot rating with a nursing degree, they'll take one look at you and toss you into the nearest hospital. And with a name like Beckett, sure it's common enough, but still recognizable, and someone might think-"
"My mother was a fighter pilot. Ten years."
Despite the softness of his words, they managed to cut off the officer's sentence and replace it with a pregnant pause.
"...was?"
An almost imperceptible nod, followed by silence.
"...ah, to hell with it," the officer sighed. "I'm low on quota anyways."
He stood, before offering his hand. James took it, his grip and his eyes expressing the gratitude his lack of words could not.
"Good luck, son, I'm sure she'd be proud."
-\oo/-
0825 15 April 2018
Whiteman Air Force Base, Osean Federation
02º41'56"S 172º51'23"W
"Cadets, attennn-shun!"
They rose together, Second Lieutenant James Beckett standing tall at the front. One by one, they crossed the outdoor stage, saluting the training Wing Commander and shaking hands before having their wings pinned to their chest.
"For someone with a degree in saving lives," the commander said, as he pinned the wings to his chest, "you managed to earn a nickname for having the potential to take a lot of them."
"With all due respect, sir," he said quietly, seemingly surprising the commander for speaking up. "The way I see it, I'll still be saving lives."
The commander paused a moment, before patting his shoulder.
"That you will, son. Make us proud."
In the gathering that followed, a few acquaintances from training introduced him to their families, but he quickly found himself alone, relegated to the side to watch as others celebrated with their loved ones.
"Mind if I join you?"
Startled, he head quickly turned to the familiar appearance approaching him.
"Nurse, my ass, son. You were born to fly."
"Lieutenant Colonel Bullard?"
"Second Lieutenant Beckett," he said, standing beside him to look out at the families. "If I hadn't disobeyed regs to get you a rate, I'm pretty sure I'd have gotten a medal for approving your recruitment paperwork."
James smiled, but his expression became pensive once more as he saw a family pass in front of him. Bullard turned towards him and grabbed his shoulder.
"They'd be proud, son," he said. "I know it. You're one of the few little hatchlings I won't have to worry about come deployment to the field."
Bullard paused a moment, releasing his shoulder and turning back to the gathering. Then laughed.
"Man, I don't think I've ever actually looked forward to raising new chicks," he said, still chuckling. "But damn if I wasn't a bit excited when they asked me to return to the sky."
He clapped James on the shoulder once more.
"See you in the sky, Trigger." He paused. "And try not to get in over your head, you hear? I want to see you wearing my shoes someday."
James smiled, before snapping a salute, which the colonel quickly returned, smiling once more before leaving.
The smile grew smaller, but this time it remained, as he looked up to the sky. He imagined his mom would be proud that her son had followed her to the skies, even if in part only to be closer to her.
He sighed a little. And his dad, too. Ever the pacifist, he would have chewed him out but hugged him in the end.
Wiping the sheen from his eyes, he kept his gaze to the skies, wondering what unknown adventure they held for him.