Chapter 2: Arrival
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport stood in the shadow of the Las Vegas strip. A stark area of roadways that seemed to go nowhere and a desert that seemed almost desolate were it not for the sprawling city all around them, the newly arrived British team would think they had been swept up into a vast wasteland. Commodore Flynn still couldn't believe their team was required to fly commercial from London to this desolate area rather than fly their own Tornadoes. Unlike the American team, the Tommies had to fly the aircraft the Royal Air Force had. Their country simply didn't have the wherewithal to create new weaponry for a handful of elite soldiers. Let alone new aircraft. But, at least the United States was transporting their beloved tornadoes on their massive C-5 galaxy aircraft.
As soon as they stepped into the cavernous terminal, the Tommies knew they were going to be in trouble with their teammate. O'Leary's eyes lit up at the sight of the various video poker and slot machines lined up like soldiers waiting for orders. It didn't take long before the RAF pilot was seated at one of the terminals feeding a one armed bandit American money.
"Blimey, would you look at this place?" Leading Seaman Caitlin O'Malley whispered almost imperceptibly.
"I know? And Bloody hell, Ole' Lucky O'Leary's found a slot machine. Great, just bloody great. Now, we'll never get the blighter outta the airport." Corporal Thaddeus McIntosh said simply.
"Well, we'll hafta find a way, Taddy ole' boy." Thaddeus's older brother, Brian said simply. "Now, the bigger problem is getting her away from the machine before Flynnie finds her."
"Let me handle that." Group Captain William "The Conqueror" Forsythe stated firmly as he walked over to the errant Squadron Leader. A short whisper in the Irish pilot's ears and she was off the stool and collecting her winnings.
"Would you look at this? I started with five U.S. dollars and now, I've got two hundred. This place is better than Monte Carlo." O'Leary said excitedly.
"What did you say to her?" Thaddeus asked the older man.
"Nothing I wish to repeat, Corporal". The Group Captain replied as he walked away catching up with the Irish pilot.
"Ya know, we're not dollsies[i] anamore. Ya don't hafta look out fer me." Megan blew out. "Sometimes yer lik a blue arsed fly."[ii]
"Yeah, well, Wee doll[iii], you are going to get yourself thrown out on yer ear if Flynnie catches you gambling." Forsythe said simply.
"Playin' a poker machine ain't really gambling. No way to watch me opponents." O'Leary replied.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that ain't gonna satisfy the Commodore." Forsythe replied.
"Not much would that Aul git"[iv]
"Meggie, yer one a da best pilots the RAF has, don't blow it on poker." Forsythe said simply.
"Fine, I'll try. Now, go feck off back ta the group. I think I found something better anyway. Would ya look at that Quare half[v] man ova der."
"Hey, Flint, I think that's them." Ace said watching the blue and olive green uniformed group headed their way as he stood from the poker machine he'd been playing himself.
"Yep, that's them." Flint and Ace started heading towards the group and immediately, Ace noticed the slight woman with coal black hair and eyes as green as the grass in spring wearing the uniform of the Royal Air Force. Damn, she was gorgeous, he thought simply.
"Hello, I'm Captain Brad Armbruster, United States Air Force, and you are?" Ace stuck his hand out to the angel in blue.
"Squadron Leader Megan O'Leary." Her Irish lilt was music to Ace's ears. "Pleasure to make yer acquaintance, Captain." She stuck out her hands to the other pilot. "This place is amazin. Slot machines and poker machines evraware."
"Yeah, welcome to Vegas." Ace smiled.
"Well, what a place? Tell me, do ya know where a gal can get a good poker game?" She smiled.
"Just about anywhere here. " Ace caught Flint's glare along with the glare of the tall blonde man standing just behind the petite pilot and his smile dropped from sterling to dull at Mach 2. "But, I've been through Red Flag once before, we won't have time to go to any casinos around here."
"Dat's alright, luv. I'm sure we can find a game somewhere nearby." He smiled at her. Damn, she's gonna be fun. Ace thought.
"I think we can make that happen, Green eyes." Ace whispered in the RAF pilot's ear as she grinned.
"Good lord, I do believe we're in trouble now." Forsythe said rolling his eyes heavenward as he followed the two Americans and one of his pilots out of the terminal doors to an awaiting U.S. Army truck.
Three gates down:
Lady Jaye, Dusty and Gung Ho stood waiting for the Russian contingent outside an Aeroflot gate. Lady Jaye could tell the two men with her were antsy. But, for different reasons. Dusty, from what Scarlett had told her had a bit of a crush on the woman Oktober Guard member and Gung Ho, well, he just wasn't happy about working with the Russians.
"Guys, will you settle down? You're driving me crazy." She finally said rolling her eyes at the two.
"Ya think she remembers me?" Dusty said simply.
"My guess would be yes." Gung Ho growled. "You darn near fell all over the Russkie girl."
"You're just jealous 'cause she didn't notice you." Dusty chided.
"What would I want with a commie?"
"Boys, can it."
"Damn, Jaye, you've been around Flint too long, yer startin to sound like him." Gung Ho responded.
"Funny. Now, be nice to the Oktober Guard, Hawk's orders!" She threw him a half-hearted smile that clearly said, "You've got to be kidding me."
"So, Lady Jaye, while yer out here, you and Flint gonna finally tie the knot? You could just get it done by a preacher man dressed like Elvis."
"Doubt it. He hasn't asked anyway." She signed briefly.
"You want him to?" Dusty asked quietly. She didn't make a sound, but the look in her eyes gave him the answer. "Hey, there they are!" He turned away from the woman next to him and turned to see Daina coming through the gate followed by Colonel Brekhov and the rest of the Oktober Guard. Daina headed straight towards Dusty and he gathered her in his arms. "Howdy Gorgeous!" He smiled and heard Lady Jaye giggle just a little.
"Colonel Brekhov?" Lady Jaye stepped forward to the young officer. "Добро пожаловать в Америке и красный флаг, мы надеемся узнать от вас. Я леди Jaye и вы знаете пыльных и гостевое присутствие Эллена Гинсберга Хо. "[vi] She watched as Brekhov's eyes widened in surprise followed by a wide smile.
"Ah, you speak Russian! How refreshing. But, no need, I speak English." Brekhov replied. "And thank you, ve too hope to learn from you as vell."
"I apologize for General Hawk not being able to meet you, he was called into a meeting with the commander of the Red Flag training school. He does, however, hope you will join him at the Officer's club tonight with the commander of the British team as well."
"Tell him, I vill be honored. And It is pleasure to meet you Lady Jaye. How does a beautiful voman such as you become soldier in America?" He took Lady Jaye's hand and kissed the back of it causing Lady Jaye to blush. Dusty just raised an eyebrow in question.
"Well, I think we'd better go, we have to meet the other team at the truck to transport everyone to the base." She finally said after a few seconds and led the Russian team towards the front of the airport.
"Vould you look at dees place? No vonder Amerika is not as good as Mother Russia. Dey play all day." Horrow show said.
"Listen, you dumb Russkie. At least we don't have to worry about getting shot." Gung Ho ground out.
"Dat is because your Generals are veeklinks."
"I'll match my General with yours and I guarantee Hawk'll beat him everytime."
"Gentlemen. Let's act like civilized people." Lady Jaye whirled around and stared down both Horror Show and Gung Ho. Both of whom were silenced by the look she gave them.
Brekhov laughed. He'd never seen a woman silence Horror Show. Yes, this lady was going to be an interesting lady to get to know, he thought to himself.
[i] Dollsies: A newbry term for going with someone ( ).
[ii] yer Lik a blue arsed fly: settle down
[iii] Wee Doll: An Irish term for a young woman, usually of an uncouth nature. ( ).
[iv] an aul git: not a very nice person "the aul git" ( )
[v] Quare half: Irish for good looking. ( )
[vi] Welcome to America and Red Flag, we look forward to learning from you. I'm Lady Jaye and you know Dusty and Gung Ho. (The translation of what Lady Jaye says to Brekhov.)