"Ok, when you said you started to prepare…I didn't think you meant this much," Suzy says, seeing the twenty blueprints for possible modifications and designs for making the Tailwind atmosphere capable.
Dustin blushes as he looks embarrassed while Suzy closes the door. However, Dustin sees both Daria and Viper noticing them as the door slides closed. "Yeah. Sorry. My mind works overtime," he admits, trying to ignore the mess he has left and heads for his much-needed rest on the bed. "Let's talk about Cyclonis, shall we?" Dustin asks.
Suzy smiles and sits beside him before frowning as they see her legs are a little longer than expected. "We might need a bigger blanket," she jokes as she leans on her legs to face him. "You start. What about Cyclonis?"
"She is smart enough to realize how terrible of a state her nation is in and already has had many of her enemies put to death. That last part is mostly thanks to me saving her when she was a child," Dustin points out,
Suzy hums, still watching him and smiling. "Go on."
"She realized how bad it would be if Cyclonia also got my technology at this point. She is covering for me, so I wasn't pressed into service. She is also reasonable, flexible, and resourceful. If she takes over and gains full control, I will have to recalculate my estimates…and the last part of the war I told you about may not come to pass depending on her actions," Dustin informs, sounding like he respected her.
Suzy sighs and wraps an arm around his shoulder. "Was all the ambition there when you saved her?" she asks, leaning against him.
"No, or maybe it was, and I didn't notice…or did my views of what we talked about and not being a Cyclonian awaken these?" Dustin ponders.
Suzy hums. "And what do you think happened?"
"…if it is that third one, then I woke her to reality and not some foolish notion she was fed as part of her groom to be empress," Dustin says.
Suzy nods, pulling him down onto the bed beside her before sighing. "So she would be the most ruthless leader that Atmos will have to deal with? Or the kindest in terms of being a Cyclonian to us?" she ponders herself and giggles. "Makes us look like idiots on hoping, eh?"
"I think more tactically personally. She knows full well the squadrons' weakness is their unity, which is non-existent at this point. She will use that most likely and…divide and conquer. She will divide us amongst each other and pick us off one by one. She will use diplomacy for those intimidated by them and don't want to fight," Dustin theorizes.
Suzy nods as she looks up and sees more plans on the ceiling. She smiles at his endeavor to make the best stuff available. "Yeah, that's the most likely thing. Or try to find great weapons, armor, ships, whatever that can be used against us."
"Why do that when the squadrons can be their own worst enemies? We need to worry about most, for that is the one amongst them I hate the most. The only living member of the storm hawks left," Dustin spits out in some annoyance and anger.
Suzy notices the rising rage and slowly pulls him against her. She sighs as she hugs him tightly, letting him wrap his arms around her. "Him, yes. There are reports he is the strongest of all the forces. Most recommend staying away from him and only make surprise attacks. But you please stop worrying about him just for this night, okay?" Suzy asks, looking down at him.
"Setting him aside. Most of their leadership, I would say, is…incompetent is the right word amongst the talons. Their greatest strengths are their superior battleships and their swarm tactics with their skimmers. They are in a prime position for the war of attrition, which will doom Atmosia," Dustin points at, making Suzy think of a swarm of gnats.
Suzy hums. "That would be troubling for us. If not for handling it, the ways we have done and then adapt from. Worry less, Dustin," she says, running a hand over his back.
"Yes…let's talk about skimmers. That is less stressful," Dustin says.
Suzy giggles and nuzzles her chin against his head. "Yeah. What about them?"
"The reason I said skimmers are at their zenith is not from a mechanical standpoint, but a biological one," Dustin says, confusing her.
Suzy hums, wondering what he means. "Well? Explain it to me, or I might never get it," she partially teases.
"Organic bodies can not take the increasing speed and pressure. It's at best they will fall unconscious. At worst, they will die," Dustin informs.
"And we know that part," Suzy points out. "Tell me the bad news."
"The only way I can think of making this a non-issue is to create a canopy-like thing to encapsulate the pilot, but doing so takes away what skimmers are mostly used for. Can you figure out what that is?" Dustin asks.
"Sky fu, of course. The idea of fighting on skimmers, even while flying," Suzy recites by heart and smiles as he pets her ears as some form of praise.
"Think about what you just said and think about why the canopy would be needed," Dustin says.
Suzy keeps smiling, brushing a hand across his head softly. "I am. But, a way to handle it is to both train and slow down. Fighting both through skimmers filled with weapons and slowing down when needed against a personal confrontation might be both needed."
"But that goes against the idea, to begin with. For the canopy to work, it needs to seal in the pilot and keep a certain pressure. If not, then it's all cosmetic and fixes nothing," Dustin points out, making her think.
Suzy sighs. "Redo then? How did this ship start?" she asks, wrapping her legs around his to keep him still.
"I theorized as an offshoot of the original skimmers when they wanted to travel farther and carry more," Dustin says.
Suzy hums and keeps brushing a hand against his head. "And how about your Tailwind? What was the purpose, and why did you make it?"
"Mostly…I couldn't stand how our tech hasn't advanced in the last few centuries. Condor doesn't count as only one of them, and the tech behind it didn't spread to all our cruisers. So I wanted to push the limits and discard the tightly held beliefs about cruiser design and force advancement," Dustin comments.
Suzy smiles as she hears that old passion in his voice. But doesn't figure in saying much about figuring out skimmers as he seems to have his hands full now—the plans and blueprints all over his room attest to that.
"…yes…that might be the future of skimmers," Dustin considers something.
Suzy sighs, pulling him closer. "What else?"
"I don't see a real future for sky fu and skimmers because of the biological limitations of the pilot, but maybe redesigned with the idea around it being more like a mini-cruiser would work. Will have to shelf that idea for another day," Dustin says.
Suzy nods against him. "There could be even a day where battleships go the way of the older skimmers," she admits and smirks a little as she feels him wrap his arms around her tighter.
"Yes, I won't deny that, but that is the way of all things. The truth is, I would applaud anyone who can surpass the ships I build one day," Dustin says.
Suzy grins. "So you can be lazy, eh?" she jokes.
"No, because it means we won't stagnate again," Dustin corrects.
Suzy nuzzles her head against his. "But it also means you can relax more."
"I will probably be long dead by then," Dustin points out.
Suzy giggles and smirks. "Then what I said is correct."
"You will be helping us pick out who we will be hiring, right?" Dustin asks.
Suzy hums, lightly running a hand down his back. "Yeah. You would be lost around here without me."
"So, Suzy, how many did you find amongst your people?" Dustin asks.
Suzy smiles as he walks up to her. She grins and steps aside, letting him see a small gaggle of Blizzarians talking together. "Take your pick," she nudges, wrapping a hand around his shoulder as they look at the four.
"I got a better idea. Let's put them to the test. Let them try and pilot the Tailwind," Dustin says.
Suzy raises an eyebrow and looks at him, concerned. "Ya sure? This is a new pilot for you we are talking about," she points out as the group notices and waves at them. Suzy smiles and waves back, with Dustin doing the same. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. Let's see who can handle her the best as this is no ordinary cruiser," Dustin informs.
Suzy shakes her head and sighs. "Nope. Can't talk you out of it. Fine. But you are not bringing me aboard," she warns, poking his chest with a finger.
"You already have been onboard," Dustin says, signaling Rorack.
Suzy rolls her eyes. "Not for what might be a nauseating ride."
"Thought you were into extreme rides?" Dustin teases.
Suzy scoffs, amused. "Not if it means I keep hitting the walls in there. I would rather land in the snow as my pillow."
"Suit yourself," Dustin says, getting out of her grip and heading for the Tailwind.
Suzy sputters as she watches the new pilots climb aboard with Dustin. She taps her foot in the snow before sighing as they ride up the cargo lift. "I might regret this one time," she mutters before rushing up and climbing onto the lift. "Not a word," she warns at the smirking Dustin.
"Daria, you are in charge of administering the test," Dustin informs, taking a seat on the bridge.
Daria looks up from the pile of skimmer trash and rubs her forehead. "Yeah. Sure, boss."
"Alright, all four of you are going to pilot the Tailwind as your test," Rorack informs.
All four chatter excited and cheer as Suzy shakes her head amused. Dustin leans over and smirks at her. "At least they will bring more fun on this ship," he offers in a whisper as Daria goes over the basics of how to fly the Tailwind.
Suzy hums and leans against his side. "And giving you a chance and distraction when you need it."
"Depending on how they do, we might hire them all as shift changes," Dustin says.
Suzy shrugs before letting him lead her to the bridge so they can watch. "Best idea. Especially if you are attacked."
"Here we go," Dustin says, feeling the engine's turn on.
Suzy jerks in her seat and grips it as the airship lifts off. "Damn. Do I need to know anything to enjoy it more?" she asks as everyone grips something to hang on for this test.
"Daria, keep the engine power at fifteen percent. Twenty at max," Dustin calls.
"Got it," she calls, holding a thumbs up before they hear the engine whine down. "Ready. Let's get this show on the road, people!" she calls as she claps her hands while walking back to the front.
Suzy smiles and looks over at Dustin. "Your crew members, eh?"
"We got raptors, Aquanos, humans, a Merp, and a Wallop already," Dustin informs.
Suzy gives a mock sad look on her face as her ears fall behind her head. "Aw. No room for little old me or other cute blizzardians?" she teases.
"I will include when officially hired. You get a VIP room," Dustin teases back.
Suzy grins. "Let me guess. Full of carrots, snow, and a freezing bed," she lists off on her hands with the same teasing tone.
"I can get the first one," Dustin informs, sweat dropping.
Suzy bumps her shoulder against his. "Kidding. Hoosier, take a joke," she chides and smiles at him.
"Also, brace," Dustin says, smirking as the ship suddenly speeds up.
Suzy is thrown back into her seat as the airship flies off with a sudden burst of energy. "What the heck?" she complains as the testing pilot almost loses his footing and tries to correct their direction by turning the wheel to steer them away from the incoming rocks. However, what the testing pilot fails to realize is that even though he turns enough to get a regular ship almost turning straight to the right side, he didn't account that the Tailwind has the ability for more turning radius because of her large size and power.
Suzy grunts as she is almost thrown off her seat from the banking turn before Dustin grabs her arm and pulls her right back up. "Can give a clear warning to those guys next time," she scolds as the pilot corrects himself and gets out of the turn. But he then realizes they made a full turn around and pointed back where they came from.
"Fifteen to twenty percent of engine power is equivalent to almost all cruisers on the market's cruising speed," Dustin informs as he rights himself and fixes his clothing.
Suzy looks at him in shock at the potential for what he is making before wondering now. "Dustin…who are you going to sell this too?" she asks, wondering if it will be kept to cargo ships only. "I doubt you can survive on just making this stuff without some funding."
"No one. I funded this myself. We made this ship ourselves, and now you realize why sky knights tried to steal her," Dusting finishes as he pats himself down.
"But those funds can't last forever," Suzy points out as now they have a smoother ride after getting used to the controls and ship.
"The ship isn't finished, and we just managed to get out of the red," Dustin informs.
Suzy frowns and grabs his shoulder. "Dustin, you know that isn't going to last forever," she repeats.
"After this and painting. We will be going back to work. Plus…come with me," Dustin says, getting up and patting his pants before walking away.
Suzy raises an eyebrow before getting up and following him. "What is it?"
"You know princess Cyclonis is acting as a shield, so the empress and nobles don't press me into service, right?" Dustin asks.
Suzy shrugs. "What about it?"
Dustin opens the door to his room and lets Suzy inside. In it, she can see the mess of books and papers lying around the room, with even his desk and a bed covered in it. Suzy even sees the depression on his ground, where he usually sleeps. "It came with a few hooks. One is she is sponsoring my crew and me. Second, she supplied us with crew members for the R&D, but they were sent here to learn from me. Third, I have to sell her inventions, but I was firm on that part: no weapons, engines, or anything else for war. Now stuff for the economy which was going to sell to both sides anyway, is on the table. I get royalties from these inventions as well," Dustin informs as he holds up a few papers to her.
Suzy keeps looking around the room, reading some papers, but mostly trying to imagine his state of living. "So, this is your room?" she asks before crying out as the ship tilts, and they are sent against the wall for a few seconds. "And this is every day?" she asks, somewhat annoyed at being interrupted.
"No, I say that this is the result of pilots unfamiliar with the handling of the ship. Our handling of the ship is much better than any other cruiser's handling to go along with the power of our engines," Dustin informs.
Suzy groans and rubs her head before looking at the messy bed. "You ever take a random bed and just sleep for once?"
"Sometimes, but this is what I sold Cyclonis. It is a sewing machine," he explains, holding up a blueprint for the device. "One worker can do what takes many seamstresses all day to do. If used, it will boost the textile industry, making better quality clothes cheaper and available for all," Dustin points out.
Suzy slowly looks at her clothing and pulls at a stitch. "Hope that wasn't a jab at me, hoosier," she then smiles a little. "Unless you want to see me in better clothes like rich girls."
"If you want, we are about to start making new uniforms for our people. We can do the same for yours if you provide the materials, or we will do it at production cost," Dustin offers.
Suzy shakes her head before sighing. "Maybe you can make stuff like this. Simple things."
"Yeah, so I recently got the first installment of royalties for the machine from Cyclonia. The payment had the word royalties on it, so I know it is working over there," Dustin says.
Suzy hums before smiling. "You could make a simple living with inventions like those."
"The second cabinet from the door, there will be a case on the top shelf. Can you get that down?" Dustin asks.
Suzy looks around before seeing the cabinet and opens the door. "Is this because I am tall?" she asks humorously while grabbing the case.
"That and last time I struggled to get it down…if it weren't for the fact it's partially hidden up there, I would have put anywhere else," Dustin comments.
Suzy hums as she opens the case after placing it on his table. "So, what is this thing?" she asks, looking inside the case.
"Those are all plans similar to the sewing machine here. I forgot about them until Cyclonis reminded me of them," Dustin informs.
Suzy reaches in and pulls out the blueprints. "So, what do we have here?"
Dustin looks over and reads what is written on the blueprints. "Let's see…oh, that is for a vehicle that is smaller than a skimmer but was designed to lift and carry a lot of weight around," Dustin informs.
Suzy hums as she looks it over. "For cargo? We can use some of that. Have a lot of pies to deliver," she winks, smiling.
"Yeah, need to design a motor for it, though," Dustin says.
Suzy taps her chin. "Maybe something smaller? Like your engine?"
"Ahahaha, no. That is far too powerful," Dustin says, half-jokingly and half-serious.
Suzy smiles and looks at the diagram again. "If anyone knows how to do this and make one, it's you."
"Yea, so please put it back and lock it before all of them go flying everywhere," Dustin says.
"Flying?" Suzy asks, confused before crying out as she is sent flying and tilting around. Dustin quickly catches her and falls with her as the papers and books go everywhere. "Dustin?" Suzy speaks up, pushing a heavy book on her off of her body, and hears a grunt from Dustin as it lands on top of him. "Sorry. But really," she says, turning her head and sees him holding onto her while lying on top of him. "Maybe invent a shock absorber or maybe a ship that tilts with all the flying."
"We do, but from the looks of it, we are now at an angle," Dustin says, calling her attention to the terra out the porthole.
Suzy turns her gaze to look as well and groans. "Maybe one less," she jokes before crying out as the ship tilts—Dustin groans again as they slide across the ground before stopping as they bump into the wall. Suzy moans in some annoyance before noticing that she is now sitting on his lap and smirks. "So, I guess you haven't had anyone personal besides your crew to work with."
"No…why?" Dustin asks.
Suzy sighs and relaxes against him, placing her head beside his. "Starling and I are still a radio call away. Don't hesitate anytime you are angry or need someone to talk to."
"Alright. Now we need to pick up all these blueprints," Dustin reminds.
Suzy smiles. "Maybe we can wait for a while? They are still testing, and we are lopsided," she says, gesturing to their position.
"Now, Suzy. No lazy bunny routine for you," Dustin informs.
Suzy waves him off. "Enjoy the moment, slow down, and relax. Now relax, okay?" she says, snuggling into him to relax more.
Dustin frowns at her as she does this.
Suzy smirks. "We have time, Dustin. The test is still happening, and I don't want to clean up another mess that my idiots made," she points out before looking at him. "So how about letting loose for once?"
"Fine," Dustin caves.
"Great!" Suzy cheers and leans back into him more. "And you make a nice seat. Even if you are a little smaller."
"You are already making me regret this," Dustin informs.
Suzy giggles and wraps an arm around his shoulder. "I told you. Relax. We have plenty of time still to enjoy ourselves. Remember what I said?" she asks, poking his chest.
Dustin sighs and leans his head back, annoyed. "Yes. But I still have work to do," he complains before noticing the stare Suzy is giving him. "This one time. But only because the others got this test handled easily without me," he relents, and she smiles before leaning her head into his shoulder.