Chapter 2

His parents were already up when Kevin had gotten out of the shower his corps uniform was on the bed ironed and ready to go, the uniform had since changed although the British still kept the traditional coloring bottle green with white pants. The United States was a green vest over a white t-shirt with long pants; his corps leather jacket was lying on a desk chair nearby the badges on it shining from a fresh polishing.

Getting dressed he headed down stairs, Emily was already eating at the table and just outside he spotted Charlie who was eating a barrel of meat they'd brought with him although he would need more when they returned to the covert.

His mother was still cooking when she spotted him "Good morning.'' She smiled and shoved a plate towering with pancakes, sausage and eggs with two slices of bacon into his hand. "Go on eat I'm sure you'll need all your strength.'' She said turning off the stove and joined them at the table.

" You're going back I assume?'' she asked already knowing the answer as she sipped her coffee, Kevin toyed with his food before answering " Yes I'm afraid I'm needed by the Admiral and Emily is needed back at her station since this is her last day of leave.'' Emily who was finishing her milk snorted "I'm sure they wouldn't have missed me anyways.'' And she walked out through the back door to get Charlie ready to leave.

Kevin returned to his plate and started eating his mother smiling the whole time, his dad had already left he was needed at work and left with a quick hug and goodbye. His mom sipped at her coffee as he finished and then said "Are you happy in this service Kevin?'' she asked and he smiled "Yes mom I am I couldn't have asked for anything better.''

She didn't seem at all comforted she had wanted him to be a doctor and be married with children on the way but that dream was cut away long ago when he joined the corps after graduation. "Well I guess if you like working with that sort of kind.'' And with that she got up and walked upstairs, he watched her go even after all the years the Aerial Corps was still looked down on, people just couldn't understand why people would want to be subservient to a beast, but Kevin new it wasn't so and the aviators in their own right didn't make things better keeping to their own society didn't strengthen the link between them and the outside society but Kevin thought it was probably for the best. "Would she ever let it go?'' he said to himself and not wanting to open an old wound he had bandaged over he went out the back door.

Charlie was ready to take off Emily was putting her goggles on, and stared first at him then towards the house and then sighed " She'll never understand.'' And he joined Emily on Charlie with a quick wing warm up; he took off and headed back to the covert.

The trip was rather quick on Charlie who took only two hours to reach the covert, he circled around the whole Covert all one hundred acres of it bought by the government for the corps to use as they pleased it was far off from cities and highways and one could say was far out in the wilderness. Charlie quickly tired himself out and with a little scolding from Emily , he took one more quick circle around looking below at the vast trees and clearings below before he landed in his clearing on the west side of the Covert.

His pavilion was waiting for him freshly swept and cleaned he strolled over to it clumsily tripping over his own feet and leaped over the large steps nearly tripping himself over his wing and took a long drink from his fountain . The pavilion was a fine sight made out of strong walnut wood the brown to purple coloring of the wood matched perfectly with his coloring, the roof was painted a lovely dark purple, the flooring was of strong hardwood, and a small fountain for him to drink from had been built in the corner, the pavilion looked quite large compared to his current size but Charlie would grow into it soon enough.

All the dragons in the coverts had pavilions built for them by their captains, and a few had been built for those who didn't wish to spend money on such a thing. Some were lying empty and would be vacant until a new pair picked it. Each pavilion was built to match the size of the dragon that would live in it as well as house any treasures he might win or receive.

Kevin smiled as Emily got him unharnessed and settled in, "I so missed my pavilion.'' Charlie said happily sticking out his tongue to taste air around his clearing. " I'm hungry can I eat now?'' he said and Emily walked over to a small booth next to the pavilion and rang the bell inside for the feeders, paid men who looked after the feeding and cleaning of the pavilions of the dragons. It didn't take long for a feeder to appear with a sheep and Charlie all but knocked the man down to grab the squealing sheep and dragged it away to feed in the open field next to the pavilion.

"Greedy little creature.'' Emily said helping the man up who quickly laughed it off "Shouldn't have kept him waiting so long.'' Emily laughed and turned to say her goodbyes to Charlie who was too deep into his meal to pay attention. She told the feeder to give him another if he was still hungry the man nodded his head and turned to watch as the hungry beast slurped up the intestines like spaghetti, they left the clearing and headed into the main building following the dusty trail to it, the large building was actually a castle which was built years ago by a few early colonist and was then preserved to be used by the corps. Walking up the stone steps that lead into the giant courtyard dragons were there mostly Winchesters and other courier breeds all waiting to be set off on their rounds.

Kevin and Emily walked passed them and went through the revolving door, "I'm off I'll see you around cuz.'' She said and they hugged and she headed down a different hall and disappeared. Kevin went straight to the office which was in the back of the building, the receptionist was typing away on her computer when she spotted him " Yes may I help you sir?'' she asked looking at him with weary eyes, " I was called in my Admiral Omar he's expecting me, my name is Kevin Heart.'' She looked him over once more "Hold on a minute sir.'' And she pushed a small button and spoke into it "Mr. Omar there's a Kevin Heart here to see you.'' She waited a moment before a voice answered "Good send him in right away.'' And she got up from the desk and pointed to a large door way in the back of the room "His office is in there.'' She said and returned to her work without giving him a second glance. "Thank you.'' He said but she had already turned her full attention to the computer.

Heading down the hall he knocked on the office door, and waited " Come in.'' a voice called and Kevin opened the door and was greeted by a smiling Admiral the man was tall and rather round but still in fine health his hair had turned gray in places and he was well shaven. " Ah good Kevin please have a seat.'' He said pointing to the chair in front of the desk. Kevin bowed his head "Thank you sir.'' And took a seat the Admiral Omar looked him over and smiled " Well you sure are a fine young man lot better than the usually rough bunch we get in here now a days.'' And he opened a drawer and pulled out a file, "Now to business, I've been going over your file and I must say you've got quite a good record.''

Kevin felt his face turn red "Your too kind sir.'' And Omar simple smiled " Yes but it is true, after your rescue in the Twin Towers you've been leading a lot of rescue missions after your wingmen leader was killed and Captain Aimee has nothing but good things to say about you.'' And then he stood up and looked Kevin dead in the eye, "Which is why I've decided to give you a chance at harnessing a dragon of your own.''

Kevin nearly fainted and had to grab the arm of the chair to steady himself "Sir you mean I'm to be a captain.'' He said his voice shaky, the Admiral nodded his head "Yes you've been proving your worth and have earned this.'' And then he handed him a glass of champagne from a freshly opened bottle, "Here to celebrate, of course you now the risks I assume but I'm quite sure you'll triumph.'' And he filled his own glass; while Kevin took a long swig from his class forgetting all professional etiquette his chance had come he'd get his dragon and be a captain.

The Admiral handed him the paper work and gave him the go ahead to head to the breeding grounds or dragon sanctuary as they were now called where his egg was being kept. He shook Admiral Omar's hand and thanked him a million times before rushing out into the courtyard. Emily was there with Charlie ready to go on their rounds and she was wide mouth when he told her the news. "See I told you so didn't I, good work cuz.'' Kevin smiled at her and patted Charlie who was just as happy for him, Emily agreed to give him a lift since their flight route was in the direction of the sanctuary.

"And I'll get to see mother and father too.'' Charlie added happily his egg had been laid at the Key Dragon sanctuary his parents were retired beast who lost their captains and so there duty now was to reproduce and train any Winchesters that didn't go into harness or refused to. Charlie was quite ready to go when Emily stated that they should hurry or they'd be late. And with a great brush of wings they were off heading towards the sanctuary and his new future.