Chapter 21
September 14, 1923 P.D. Kreskin Field Javelin Hangar
Commander Patel stood by as Lieutenants Weston and Lee inspected the formation of the cadet squadron and ground crew. When they finished, the Commander told them to stand easy and gather around him.
"I'm pleased to see that you've worn your best flight suits this morning. You'll want look your best when the Queen reviews you after the flight."
He cleared his throat and continued.
"I'm sure all of you know today's mission, but we'll go over it one more time. Lieutenant Lee and I will remain here at flight control, and Lieutenant Weston is today's mission leader. Alpha Flight leader is Cadet Yardley, and Bravo Flight leader is Cadet Mayhew. The most important aspect of today's maneuvers is the hard deck, I cannot emphasize it enough. For years, Landing City Flight Control and Palace Security have trusted that the academy's foremost concern is the safety and enjoyment of the thousands of spectators who come to watch the maneuvers. Do not fly below the assigned minimum elevation."
He paused when an air lorry from the dining hall arrived at the pilot house.
"When you've placed your aircraft in their designated area after the flight, Lieutenant Weston will form you up on the tarmac for the Queen's inspection. After, your roles as academy ambassadors kick in. For an hour, people will come to look at the Javelins, talk to you, and take photos. The ground crew will have brochures for academy potentials and flight caps for the kiddos. At nine a.m. you will board your aircraft and return to Kreskin Field. I trust everything is clear?"
"Aye sir!"
"Good. Now fall out, breakfast is waiting in the pilot house."
#
Rachel took a bite of pancake, placed her earbud in her ear, and called up Matt's number from her chrono.
"Hey sweetheart, you didn't show for breakfast!"
"They're feeding us here at the field."
"Ready to fly?"
"Always."
"I talked to my dad this morning. He said thanks for the offer of the house, but he's staying at the Royal Hilton Arms, because that's where the conference is. However, he looks forward to meeting you."
"So do I."
"I have to go, they've announced the transports for Landing are loading up. Stay safe!"
The call terminated and she returned to her breakfast.
#
"What do you think?" Matt asked his dad.
"I've never seen so much green grass in all my life, and I keep wantin' to reach for my mask," he replied.
Thousands of people gathered in Landing City's parks, green belts, and apartment and hotel balconies to watch the maneuvers. Those who couldn't would be able to watch could do so on their home HD viewers for networks who covered the event. From his hotel room balcony, Mr. Goodson and his son heard thundering in the distance and Mr. Goodson looked up at the sky.
"Doesn't look like a thunderstorm," he said.
"That's not thunder, it's the Javelins," Matt said.
The thundering sound grew louder, people started pointing at the sky, and the Javelins appeared. They flew over in four rows of seven to the far side of Landing, then broke off into two formations, one left and the other right. Both formations performed simultaneous barrel rolls as a group, then broke apart to line up one after the other.
"That's your girlfriend up there?"
"Yep, she's a flight leader today," he said proudly.
As each plane broke from the line, each Alpha Flight Javelin performed a Cuban Eight. Each Bravo Flight performed an Immelman, and then both flights performed inside loops before they grouped together once more. They paired off and performed a series of scissors, Alpha flight doing horizontal scissors, while Bravo flight performed rolling ones. When the scissors were done, they shot off into the distance, causing the crowds to wonder if the show was over. Thundering was heard and the planes reappeared. The squadron performed lazy eights, while Yardley and Rachel flew vertical at full power until their craft lost momentum and fell backwards, tail first. The crowds gasped at the daring maneuver. The noses dropped through the horizon to a vertical down position, did a 1/4 loop push to recover to level flight, and then rejoined the rest of the squadron who had returned to their formation of four rows of seven. The crowds clapped and cheered at the performance and watched as they slowed and prepped for landing at the Landing City runway.
"That was a sight," Mr. Goodson said and watched the crowd from his seventh-floor balcony.
"I'm going to the airfield, want to go?" Matt asked.
Mr. Goodson shook his head. "The conference starts at nine. I'll see you for lunch."
"Okay dad, see you later."
#
The cadets placed their helmets on their port wings and donned their flights caps and congratulated each other for a successful mission. Lt. Weston approached and shook their hands as well.
"Great flying, everyone. You've done the academy proud today. Her majesty will be here in a few minutes, so let's form up."
They lined up in two squads of fourteen, with Yardley and Rachel at the head of their squad. The Landing City Police kept the curious on-lookers on the other side of the field that separated them from the tarmac. The blue and silver air car with royal pennants crossed the field with a Palace Security follow car. The car lowered to the ground, and Queen Elizabeth exited her car, along with President Eloise Pritchard. Colonel Shemais and Eloise's guard followed and met with Lt. Weston. He stood at attention and executed a sharp salute.
"Your Majesty and Madame President, the cadets await your inspection," he said.
"Thank you, lieutenant. Shall we?"
They walked and stopped at Cadet Yardley.
"Your Majesty, I present Midshipman Yardley, Alpha flight leader for today," Lt. Weston said.
"That was excellent flying this morning, Mr. Yardley," Elizabeth said.
Lt. Weston nodded at him, indicating for him to reply. "Thank you, your majesty."
"Yardley… would that be the Yardley chain of shopping centers?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"They must be proud of you. Are they here today?"
"They are, your majesty."
"Then I won't be too long, I'm sure you want to spend some time with them. Good day, Mr. Yardley."
She moved down the squad and spoke to each cadet briefly before she moved to the second squad. She stopped at Rachel, who executed a sharp salute.
"Your Majesty, I present Midshipwoman Mayhew, Bravo flight leader for today," Lt. Weston said.
"Mayhew?" Eloise asked.
"That's right, Eloise, this is Ben's oldest," Elizabeth confirmed. "How are you today, sweetheart?"
Rachel felt the blush on her cheeks at being called sweetheart by the Empress of the Star Empire, standing next to the President of Haven, while in front of her classmates. She was going to be twitted to no end.
She can call me anything she wants, I suppose, she is the empress after all.
"I'm well, your majesty."
"I see by the E on your shoulder board that you intend to be an engineer?" Eloise asked.
"Yes, Madame President."
"Impressive display today, Miss Mayhew," Eloise said.
"Indeed. Good day, Miss Mayhew," Elizabeth said.
Rachel saluted and waited while the rest of the squad was inspected.
#
Matt looked at his chrono and the door again. He and his father were in the Royal Hilton Arms lobby, waiting for Rachel so that they could go to lunch.
"She'll be here when she gets here, son. There's an important thing you should know: you'll always be waitin' on a woman."
She strolled through the glass double doors, Hipper in her arms, in what she had taken to wearing instead of a dress: a pale blue pant suit with a crisp white satin shirt and matching shoes. Nate and Noah followed behind.
Matt got to his feet. "There she is."
His dad slapped his back. "She's as pretty as a picture, well done."
He held out his hands for her and she gave him a quick kiss.
"That was some display today. Sometimes I can hardly believe that you're up there flying those things," he said. "Rachel, may I present my father, Doctor Stephen Goodson. Dad, meet Rachel Mayhew."
"It's wonderful to finally meet you. Matt has told me so much about you. This is Hipper," Rachel said and held out her hand.
Mr. Goodson kissed her hand, shook Hipper's extended one, and indicated for them to take seats.
"Would Spring Street Kitchen be alright for lunch?" Matt asked.
"You know this place better than me."
"Sounds great," Rachel answered.
"This is dad's first time on Manticore," Matt said.
"What do you think?" Rachel asked.
"I can see why you like it. Sunlight, green grass everywhere, fresh air, and I can smell the bay when I'm outside," Stephen replied. "I went to Masada on a relief mission a few years back, but it was nowhere as pleasant as this."
"My sister Theresa is here at Queen's College, she's thinking of living here after graduation," Rachel said.
"What does your father think of that?" Stephen asked.
She shrugged. "We're free to do as we please, but he'd rather have all of his family on Grayson."
Stephen nodded. "Understandable."
Matt's chrono chimed. "Hungry?"
"Famished," Rachel answered.
Outside, Rachel offered the use of a car, which Stephen accepted. "Is there usually so many people millin' about?"
"No, but it's a holiday weekend. The air show, the sting ship race, and the concerts bring in more people from around the planet," Rachel explained, and they got into the car.
Nate got into the driver's seat and set the safety and navigational controls, with Rachel and Hipper beside him. Noah and the Goodsons took the back seat and they headed for Spring Street Kitchen. When they arrived, all the sidewalk tables were full and there was a line waiting at the door.
"Um, Matt…" Rachel said.
"Don't worry, we'll get a table, trust me," he assured her.
When they approached the café's doors, Nate went inside to perform a security sweep while Noah stayed outside with her. A few minutes later, he returned. "The manager said that he's held a table for you."
"See?" Matt said and held the door for the group to pass through.
Inside, a waiter signaled to them and indicated a table. There was some grumbling from people waiting for seating, but what did they expect from one of the busiest weekends on Manticore? Three chairs and a high chair were waiting for them. When they sat, Nate and Noah stood at the wall behind them. The waiter removed the tray from the high chair, as Hipper didn't really need it.
"Hi Greg," Rachel said to the waiter.
"How as your flight?" he asked Rachel.
"It went well," she replied. "Were you able to watch?"
He shook his head. "No, we had to prepare for this lunch rush, and the dinner crowd that's going to arrive as well."
He activated the holo-menu on the table top and asked about drinks.
"Raspberry lemonade," from Greg.
"Iced tea," from Rachel.
"I'll have a tea as well," Stephen said.
"Very good," Greg said and left to get their drinks.
"I saw the Queen and President Pritchard reviewing your group," Matt said.
Rachel groaned and covered her face with her hands.
"What?" Matt asked
"There we were waiting for the Queen, when none other than President Pritchard arrived with her. Then she said, that's right, Eloise, this is Ben's oldest, and how are you today, sweetheart? I wanted to dig a hole right there and crawl into it."
"Isn't your father a friend of the queen? You know her, don't you?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, he is. Our family has met with hers a few times, but I wouldn't say I know her. It's just that I had the flight of my life today, and to have my team mates hear that… I'm going to be twitted to no end, I just know it."
"It won't be that bad," Matt assured her.
"Oh? I've already learned that Logan can do an uncanny imitation of the queen," Rachel replied.
"Who's Logan?" Stephen asked.
"She would have been the bravo flight leader had I not been able to fly today," Rachel said.
Greg returned with their drinks and a small plate of celery chunks. "Are you ready to order?"
"Dad?"
"Yes, the spaghetti sounds good."
Greg nodded and looked to Rachel. "The beef stew."
"And I'll have the shrimp fried rice," Matt said.
#
When they returned to the hotel, Stephen returned to the conference room.
"Dad got a suite with two rooms, he wanted us to spend time together. It's really fancy, want to see it?"
"Sure."
So Rachel, Matt, two armsmen, and a treecat took the elevator to the seventh floor. Matt took a wristband from his pocket and swiped it over the door lock. When the door opened, they stepped inside and admired the splendor of the suite. Noah and Nate took places on either side of the door outside. Matt closed the door and Hipper made for the balcony.
"They're staying outside?" he asked.
"They generally don't come into private spaces unless they need to," she said.
"Well, I'm no security concern, all I want is some kissin' and neckin'," he said, mimicking his dad.
She giggled and took hold of his tie to pull him closer. "Some kissin and neckin' sounds great," she murmured.
#