"Doesn't look good." Dottie shook her head as she examined David's eyes. "One more time… How many fingers do you see?"
David squinted his eyes, trying to see, but everything was just flat out blurry.
"... I give up… I can't tell. It looks like three, but for all I know it's two."
Dottie sighed. "Three… Everything is blurry?"
"Yes… I can make out shapes but not clear ones.. Just say it Dottie… just say it… I'm blind."
"David…" Mayday held his partner's hand, giving it a squeeze. "There's still a chance she could fix you. Right Dottie?"
Dottie lowered her head a little as she started to put away her tools.
"I can try some things to help improve his vision… but it would only be enough for him to get by with a normal life. But as for firefighting… That, I think is out of reach… I'm sorry."
David was quiet as he lowered his head… He wasn't sure how to respond.
"... I guess that's it then… I'm useless."
"Don't say that." Dottie said, growling a little. "Just cause you're partially blind doesn't mean you're useless. You just can't fight fires, we'll find you a new job. Don't go giving up on us now."
David flinched at the tone of Dottie's voice.
"I-I'm sorry… That was foolish… This is just a lot to take in… Fire fighting has been my whole life… and now… that's gone…"
Dusty was off to the side, empathy in his eyes as he watched the exchange.
I understand completely how you feel David…
"I know David… and I'm sorry." Dottie frowned, squeezing his shoulder. "But we'll get you as fixed up as much as possible and… we'll find something for you. You're part of this town and are by proxy family. We're not gonna give up on you."
David smiled, placing his hand over Dottie's.
"Thank you…" The smile soon faded though as a thought crossed his mind. "But that does raise one problem Dottie… Propwash Junction only has one firefighter now… and not that Mayday here can't handle himself… but with all the fires we get, he's going to need a new partner ASAP… and considering the fact it's fire season, that will not be an easy task."
Mayday sighed. "He's right… I'll try calling around… but I doubt it will be as fast as we'll prefer."
"We have to try… especially before flags are raised. One slip and TMST is going to shut down the air port for not being properly equipped for emergencies."
Everyone in the room cringed.
"Then let's not let that happen." Dusty said, walking over to them. "We'll look around and we'll find a firefighter."
They nodded… David kept his half blind eyes trained on Dusty.
"Or… there could be one other way to get a firefighter."
"Huh?"
David looked to Mayday.
"Mayday, does that old friend of yours still certify firefighters?"
"You mean Nick? Yeah. Why?"
"Well… I think one other solution… could be to send someone from here to get trained… and I think I know a good candidate."
Didn't take Dusty long for it to click in his mind what David meant.
"W-Wait a second David… Um… I know a put fire out but I don't think I…"
David had a serious look.
"Let me tell you something… Not just any Mechanid can be a firefighter. You have to be the right type that can carry heavy loads of water and retardant… and need to have the right build to do the job in the first place… Did you know the first aerial fire fighters were crop dusters?"
Dusty shook his head. "No… I didn't…"
"I remember." Mayaday chuckled. "I was there to witness it… Quite the mark in history… considering it was something the machine ancestors did too long ago. Just took Mechanids awhile before we figured it out again."
"I see…" Dusty had an unsure look. "I don't know… this is a lot to take in… and… I'm not sure if this is something I could do." He looked to Dottie, who had a worried look in her eyes.
"I won't force you." David started. "I'm just saying it's an option. If you consider it… I suggest sitting on it for a little bit. Fire fighting isn't something to be taken lightly… If you're sure, we'll contact Nick and send you his way."
"He's one of the best fire fighters I know." Mayday smiled gently. "Can take any Mechanid and make them into great fire fighters… Take your time Dusty… and like David said, it's an option, not something we'll force you to do."
Dusty nodded. "Thank you… I'll consider it."
Dottie cleared her throat.
"For now… just rest everyone… We've had enough excitement for one day."
A few days passed as Dusty considered what David had offered. He… really wasn't sure of himself.
Would I be able to do it despite the gear box problem? And would I even be able to learn everything in a quick enough time?
Dusty was sprawled out on the bed in his hangar, pondering everything. He glanced over at his trophy case… feeling some pain in his heart looking at them, reminding him of his situation.
… I won't let this beat me… I may never race again… but I'm not gonna just let my life be this way… I'll find a new dream…
"Dusty?"
Dusty sat up, seeing Dottie peering in from the entrance.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Dottie made her way over, sitting beside him.
"Doing some thinking?"
"Yeah… David's offer hasn't really left my mind…" Dusty looked to her. "Dottie… would it be wrong if I took it?"
Dottie was quiet for a moment before she sighed.
"I don't know a lot about fire fighting… I don't know what limitations there would be for you… But if there's anything I've hated seeing, is seeing you miserable." She took one of Dusty's hands, giving it a squeeze. "I've seen it in your eyes… You want to be out in the sky, ripping through clouds at lightning speeds again… I don't know if you'll ever be able to do that again… But if something can bring that life back in your eyes… to feel you have a purpose in your life again… Then I say do it."
Dusty's eyes got wide. "Dottie…"
Dottie smiled gently. "I want you happy again Dusty… and something I've been meaning to tell you… Sparky, Chug and Skipper and I got your name out there. We're gonna try to find you a new gearbox. So if you do need one… We'll get it to you."
Dusty was stunned for a moment before a grateful smile came across his face, bringing Dottie into an embrace.
"Thank you Dottie… You really are a great friend… You've put up with so much concerning me… I'm glad I have you."
Dottie smiled, hugging him back.
"Someone needs to keep you in line." She tightened her hug a little. "But Dusty… promise you'll be safe."
Dusty nodded, holding her close.
"I will…" He pulled back, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm taking back control… I'm not letting this gearbox problem beat me."