Hello, I know this has taken a while to come out, but here it is. It is short, but remember, this is a collection of short stories, rather than one long story. Yes, it seems like it is but hey, if you read them separately, they would make sense too I hope. Anyway, yes, I'm continuing this story and just never mind the complications... just go with the flow please. Thank you for all your reviews. :)
Christine317~ I'm glad you've been enjoying this, and, luckily, I'm going to try to continue.
MovieGirl44~ Yeah, I thought that Dusty would get his spirit from Skipper and his looks from Linayah. It was actually just a thought that I had one day. My friend and I worked out some of the difficulties and came up with this. Like I said, I'm glad everyone's enjoying this.
Anon (Guest)~ I've sort of used your idea, thank you for it. The next chapter especially will be going off of your idea.
Sergant Fix-It~ Yeah, I loved writing that part of the story. It was just too adorable of an idea to pass up. And now you have it, what happens next.
Grumman Tomcat~ I'm glad you're looking forward to this story's completion. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll be able to continue for much longer. As for Linayah, you'll have to find out.
Leanne (Guest)~ I'm saying that Skipper, whose real name is Riley if that's what's confusing you, is Dusty's father. I hope that clears things up for you and I'm glad you like the story.
Skipper Riley, leader of the proud Jolly Wrenches, squadron VF-17 was now floating on an inflatable raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, helpless. All he could think about was how had this happened? His entire squadron could have died, as it was he knew that both Lucas and Burn were dead. He thought back to the last time he had seen them…
"Skipper, help!" it was Burn, bleeding oil and hydraulic fluid, hardly recognizable, and riddled with flak wounds across his fuselage. All Riley could do was watch as Burn took on water. In just a few minutes his pitiful cries for help were nothing more than a memory and bubbling water as he took his last breaths. Skipper could not turn his eyes away from his dying comrade. Lucas had been found flailing to try to keep up and out of the water. He might have survived if the inflatable emergency raft all Corsairs had equipped to them hadn't malfunctioned.
The Skipper was jerked from his thoughts by something wrapping rubber around his wing. The Corsair was momentarily confused as to what was happening. He tried to turn around to see who was there. It was none other than the Flysenhower. The ship wore a grim face, one darkened by the clouds above that threatened to spew lightning but not a single raindrop fell from them.
In no time at all, Skipper was heaved aboard the aircraft carrier. Sparky, his loyal tug, was staring sadly at the Corsair. "They… are there any survivors?"
Sparky looked down, "No." That single word was enough to make my entire life flash in front of his eyes. All Riley wanted to do was have Linayah stroke her propeller against his nose like she had only a month ago. It seemed as if that month was now years.
The Corsair couldn't believe it… his first patrol and it cost his entire squadron's lives. "It can't be… no, is it positive, completely positive?"
Sparky helped Skipper down below deck to be repaired. He knew he was to be sent home from war after being at least somewhat mended. Sparky then, and only then, answered Skipper's question, "Only you have been found alive. The USS Midway said they found both Blair and Rush. They said that…" Sparky shook his head, "never mind."
Skipper narrowed his eyes but didn't press further. He had a feeling he didn't want to know…
It was a week later, and Riley was going home. It was only a few miles further on this horrible army plane and he'd be back with Linayah. Sparky patted Riley's wing, which still throbbed slightly from my crash into the sea. It was a painful reminder of his shame.
"And we have touchdown," the plane they were riding in said as they felt the brakes applied and they came to a stop.
For once in what seemed like forever, Skipper smiled. He was back home. But things were not to go as smoothly as he had hoped…
