CH. 12: LETTERS

-05 Oct. 2010

The next day, although in the shadow of a crucial victory over the enemy, was somber for Blaze. Sure, they had crippled the enemy invasion force, and destroyed their most powerful weapons system. But, even as east coast squadrons were transferred to Henderson, Jackson City and McNealy, Wardog Squadron was back down to just four pilots. Two of the nuggets survived the Scinfaxi's attack and were plucked from the ocean. But they could never fly again.

One had a broken spine and was paralyzed from the waist down. The other was a psychological casualty. He had seemed to have locked up; said he was afraid to set foot on another plane. An Air Force psychiatrist examined him and diagnosed it as a combination of severe shell shock and aerophobia. He was transferred to the mainland as a supply colonel's aide.

When Nagase entered the crew room she found Blaze absent. Chopper and Grimm were at the foosball table enjoying themselves. 'That's odd,' Nagase said to herself. 'I wonder where he is.' "Chopper," she walked over to the buff pilot. "Have you seen Blaze?"

"No," Chopper rubbed his head. "Can't say I have."

"I think he's in his quarters," Grimm spoke up. Nagase could only smile as she noticed the 'honorary' Second Lieutenant bars on his shoulders. She nodded and headed out in search of their captain.

'I wonder why Blaze is hiding out in his quarters.' Nagase theorized as she walked along the halls. 'He never sleeps in and he doesn't retreat there if embarrassed.' She reached his door and knocked.

"Come in," he sounded wide awake. Nagase opened and stepped inside. "Oh, hi, Edge." Blaze waved to her. He was huddled over his desk typing away on his computer. His printer had already printed out about half a dozen pages.

"Is there a reason why you're hiding in here, Blaze?" Nagase asked.

"I'm writing letters to some families," Blaze replied.

"The nuggets?" Nagase got a nod in response. "Isn't that Perault's responsibility?"

"He 'respectfully requested' that I write the letters," Blaze responded.

"Why that uptight-!" Nagase began growling.

"Actually I think this is best," Blaze interrupted her. "If he wrote the letters he'd probably write just one vague and impersonal letter and cut and paste each nugget's name on to it." Nagase pulled up a chair and sat down behind him. "This way, each family member gets a letter that was meant for them. And not one that reads like it was meant for mass production. A personal touch, so to speak." Nagase picked up the printed letters and briefly looked them over. Sure enough, each one was a little different than the others. He even included information on a few of the nuggets that proved that he personally knew them. "Also, I think they'd prefer to hear from the man who led their loved ones into battle."

"You shouldn't blame yourself, Blaze," Nagase re-informed him.

"I don't," he replied. "If I blame anyone I blame the officials who decided to send unseasoned, unprepared nuggets into battle instead of expediting the transfer of the east coast squadrons." The truth was, High Command wanted to transfer the squadrons in full; every support technician, every piece of equipment, every officer and logistics personnel to their new air bases. Getting all that equipment and people transferred at once took time. And by the time the first squadron was transferred and settled in it would've been two days after the invasion attempt on Sand Island. It would've been much quicker if they sent the planes and pilots first and bring up their logistics base later.

"Well," Nagase said standing up. "I'm sure these families will be left with some hope after reading your letters." She said warmly.

"I hope you're right," Blaze said as he printed out another letter and signed it.

'I hope so too,' Nagase said as she left his room. 'Then, some people outside the military will know that you're a stand up guy, Blaze.'

XXXXX

-05 Oct. 2010

Surprisingly, there hadn't been any noticeable actions made by Yuktobania since the destruction of the Scinfaxi. "Maybe our power play drove home the fact that they don't want to go to war with us," Blaze commented that night at dinner.

"I just want to know what the big deal was about," Chopper spoke up. "I mean, what did we or even they do?'

"That is a good question." Blaze was surprised that Chopper had picked up on that as well. 'There hasn't been any economic, political or otherwise notable tension between Osea and Yuktobania,' Blaze went over pre-war events in his head. 'It couldn't be because they feared we were going to attack them. Hell, the President was cutting the defense budget.' Although Blaze didn't care for cutting the defense budget he still knew that Vincent Harling was one of the few good and honest politicians still around. "Maybe once this is over both sides will sit down and talk things out in a civilized fashion."

"I hope so," Nagase whispered. "I don't want to see anymore young men and women lose their lives."

"Anyone who does," Blaze added, "is a sociopath of a maniac.

XXXXX

-09 Oct. 2010

A week later, Blaze received the first response from one of his letters to the nuggets' families. Nagase was in the crew room, with her red book as usual when Blaze received the ever rare bit of mail. Being an orphan/semi-outcast he rarely got any unofficial mail outside of the magazines he subscribed to. "Who's it from?" Nagase asked sitting upright.

"A 'Nancy Higgins'," Blaze replied. "The mother of 2nd Lt. Jake Higgins." Both held their breath as he opened the letter. It was hand written on lined paper in a very smooth and motherly manner.

Dear Capt. Ingram,

I received your letter regarding the death of my son Jake in a recent battle under your command. At first, I was angry towards you for letting my precious child die. But, as I read your letter I got the instinct that if it was in your power you would've done everything you could to save my son. My husband, Jake's father, is very upset with you. But I believe he will come around.

From what I read in your letter, and what I heard on the news, it sounds like my son died a heroic death defending our country. I also got the sense that you are an intelligent and passionate young man. I'd like to inform you that I spoke with my son on the phone the day before he died. He told me all about you, Capt. Ingram. He told me that you were a strong man, and a great leader; and that you looked out for your 'nuggets' as he called himself and his comrades. He also told me he was proud to be serving with you.

I would also like you to know that I am proud my son served under your command in the last days of his life. Do I blame you for my son's death? No. I blame those who took evil action against his life. And if anyone says otherwise you tell them to write to me.

Thank you, and God Bless you.

-signed- Nancy Catherine Higgins

"I…I don't know…," Blaze stuttered as he reread the letter to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "I certainly wasn't expecting this."

"You see, Blaze," Nagase patted him on the shoulder. "Not everyone is a prejudiced bastard who'll blame you for every sin ever conceived. Truly honest people like Mrs. Higgins see that you are a good guy. So don't let this be a surprise to you." She looked at the opened envelope on the end table. "In fact, don't be surprised if you get more letters like that."

He did get more letters from families and friends the next few days; there was at least one response to every letter he wrote. Two-thirds of the responses were positive and offered thanks and wishes of good will to Blaze and his wingmen. The minority that were spiteful were anonymous and vulgar.

Through it all, Blaze felt that he had made distant and brief friends of Mrs. Higgins and other families who wrote warmly to him.