"This is Maru to Nick, over."
"I'm all ears Maru."
It was early in the morning as Nick flew around Piston Peak National Park. For anyone else it would be too early, but not for him. This was just how he liked it. Not too hot, not too cold, and for the most part, was quiet.
"So I hear we're getting a new recruit eh?" Maru chuckled, sounding like he was working on something as he spoke through the radio.
"Yeah, he's only temporary though, so he won't be a permanent stay. Just doing a favor for Maday. Apparently his partner got blinded due to a fire and they needed a new firefighter ASAP and they found someone who could do the job. So, it's up to us to certify him."
An evil laugh escaped Maru's mouth. "Oh this will be VERY fun."
"Maru, murder is illegal."
"You never let me have ANY fun."
"Ahem, Duct Tape Crown."
Maru went quiet as Nick grinned.
"That's what I thought."
"Oh just get back to your patrol, Fire Lord."
"Yes Duct Tape King, Nick over and out."
Nick shut off his radio, putting his focus back on his patrol.
No spot fires yet… But can't be too careful… Especially with Idiot Spinner around.
Nick narrowed his eyes as he saw a lodge come into view. The Fusal Lodge to be more precise. Even from up high he could see the place bustling with new comers, all being greeted by a well dressed man at the front door.
Pheh… Nice to everyone else but us. That's Cad Spinner in a nutshell.
Nick turned away, looping around trees, shaking his mind of the man. Focusing back on his task…. and thinking about the new trainee.
Mayday said he'd be a hard worker… and that he's nice… but we'll see how he does when he gets here.
Nick smirked a little.
Dusty Crophopper… I've heard that name somewhere… Well, maybe I'll remember when I meet him.
It had been a long flight for Dusty. It took him about a day or two to finally make it to his destination. He sighed in relief, holding his duffle bag close as he saw the sign for Piston Peak National Park It was quite the sight to see too. Beautiful rock formations, lots of trees… all of it was just beautiful.
And this is where I'm gonna be trained… Amazing…
As he banked around an area he found what he was looking for… or least he hoped, as he landed, he found himself at what appeared to be a rather run down base of operations. He took note that a few of the hangars near by had ductape holding together little patches that had been added to the roofs… and everything seemed like it hadn't been fixed up in quite sometime.
There were some people around. There was a young woman cleaning the windows of a tower who looked rather exhausted, and another young woman who was sprawled out on a chair with tanning mirrors, enjoying herself, humming a bit to some music that was playing on a radio.
Thud!
Dusty jumped a little at the sound. He looked to the source to see a rather large man lifting logs on some kind of contraption, probably him just keeping in shape.
Am I at the right place…? Kind of… laid back for a firefighter team… Not to mention rundown…
"REVVVVAAA!"
Dusty ducked as a man jumped over him, sliding into a landing before hopping back on to his feet, striking a pose.
"YEAH!"
"DRIP!"
Dusty looked to see a woman come running out, another man following her, and two others appearing on the little hill that Drip had jumped off of.
"What's the matter with you? You nearly took the guy's head off!" the woman yelled at him, putting her hands on her hips.
"Well Blackout said it was okay to go dude!" Drip said, pointing to the man next to the woman.
"I did?" Blackout asked.
The woman shook her head. "He did?"
"Yeah, "It's okay to go dude!" Drip mimicked a talking motion with his hands.
Dusty cleared his throat, walking up to them.
"Um, excuse me. I know you're busy, but I'm looking for Piston Peak Air Attack?"
"You are there!" Drip cheered.
"Copy that Drippie!" Blackout offered him a fist bump, Drip happily returning it.
The woman walked around Dusty, looking him over.
"Serving beautiful V-8 Valley since 1958. Hm… You must be the trainee, we heard you were comin." She rejoined Drip and Blackout, pointing to herself. "I'm Dynamite." She pointed to Blackout. "This is Blackout." She pointed to the two people on the hill. "Pinecone and Avalanche." She rolled her eyes as she gestured to Drip. "And the evil-kanevil numskull right here is Drip."
Drip did a handstand, grinning. "You guys see that?"
Dusty shook his head, giving his best smile.
"I'm Dusty Crophopper."
"Dusty Crophopper? DUSTY CROPHOPPER?!"
Dynmite, Drip and Blackout ran out of the way as the woman Dusty had seen earlier that was tanning herself came running over, her eyes wide as she stood before Dusty.
Whoa she's tall! Dusty thought, looking at her in surprise.
"The air racer?!" She squealed.
"Uh hi… and yes…" Dusty gave a sheepish look.
"Oh my gosh! Shut the hangar door! I'm your biggest fan! I've seen every last one of your races on RSN!" She looked him over, a somewhat disappointed look coming her face. "Hm.. You're smaller than I thought, but that's okay!"
"Um… Thanks…?"
I'm not THAT short! I'm 5'6 for crying out loud! Not my fault you're taller than me!
"Okay Dipper calm down." Dynamite put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's not terrify the poor guy… also, your inner fangirl is showing."
Dipper straightened up, giving an embarrassed look.
"S-Sorry just… wow. One of the greatest Wings Around the Globe champs of our time."
"Yeah, let's just remember he's mechanid too."
Dipper nodded, looking back to Dusty.
"Sorry about the outburst… I'm Dipper by the way."
"Nice to meet you Dipper… Um… Is Nick Lopez here?"
"Chief?" Dynamite shook her head. "He's out scouting for spotfires, but he'll be back in a few."
"Great."
"So may I ask why you're here?" Dipper had a curious look. "Just… seems just so rare for a racer to suddenly just show up at our base."
"Well… I'm between races as it were and I'm helping some friends out with a situation so… I'm here to get certified."
"EEEE! Awesome! So you'll be staying with us!"
Dusty grinned sheepishly again.
"Ehehe… Yeah…"
"The one the Lakota call Hayoka beats his drum with the wind to make thunder… and with thunder comes lightning… and with lightning… comes fire."
Dusty blinked, looking to see the guy he saw lifting logs earlier was now present, his eyes solemn as he looked at Dusty.
"Um… Okay…? That was… very nice…"
Dipper walked over to him, giving a sheepish smile to Dusty.
"Windlifter, don't scare our guest I don't hear any drums-"
"Shh…"
Windlifter looked to the tower and as did everyone else. Just a second later an alarm sounded off as a young woman spoke over an intercom.
"All firefighters, we have a report of a wild fire!"
"Come on boys let's load up!" a man said as he ran around grabbing tools. "Patch! Drop the needle!"
Dusty watched in amazement as the base came alive with activity as rock and roll music started to play. He moved out the way as the firefighters got on various different equipments, quickly making their way for the runway and taking off.
"Oh… I gotta see this."
Dusty set down his bag before following after them. Wasn't long before a large smoke stack came into view. Dusty could see someone not too far from it, but couldn't really make out who it was. Then the figure moved through the smokestack, emerging as he dived down, dropping retardant on the flames. He had a black, white and blue fire suit on and was dark skinned.
Due the fact it seems like was here before everyone else… That's probably Nick.
Nick finished dropping his load, looking to the others, shouting orders. Dusty watched in amazement as they got to work. It wasn't all new to him since he had seen David and Mayday do similar acts but there were some things that were new, like it was a bigger team, and on top of that different equipment. He watched as Nick swooped down, using grappling like devices to pick up a deer before it got hit by falling debris.
Whoa… AWESOME! These guys are really cool!
Dusty was just captivated… Then something caught his attention. He could see another person present, perched on a tree top. Seemed like he was just a spectator… yet he had an attire that was similar to Nick's but instead of blue it was red.
Is he a firefighter…? He looks like one… But why is he just standing there…?
WHOOSH!
"WAH!"
Dusty hadn't been paying attention to where was flying and found himself flying right past Nick, who got an annoyed look on his face.
"Get out of this air space!" he shouted.
"S-Sorry!" Dusty shouted, going wide eyed as he saw fire retardant coming right at him… and getting completely covered in it. "Ooph!"
"Oh boy…" Dipper grinned sheepishly.
Dusty looked to Nick, seeing the man's eyes narrowed at him. A look just spelled DOOM.
And first impression with the guy who's gonna be training me… Ya nailed it Dusty… Dusty thought sarcastically, scolding himself. Nailed it.