Chapter 42

I do not own claymore

The following week was spent in packing up many of Roger's research materials and taking them up to the budding library to be filed and shelved.

His artifact collection was also being transferred from the house display cases and placed in the display cases arrayed along the large hallways of the new library and identifying plaques installed next to each object.

The making up and installing of these plaques was undertaken by Anna during her off time as she was 'between story ideas' as she put it.

Naturally, Anita faithfully showed up after school and helped her with this seemingly boring task.

Unbeknownst to her, she was getting the education in library science she had not expected, as the Dewey decimal system was still the world standard for research libraries.

Before long, the in house display cases looked fairly sparse as many of the artifacts were now up at the library above their house.

Roger now found himself having to trudge up to the library to look at one of his books, instead of simply toddling into his study and perusing the book cases there.

The email in his inbox was a welcome distraction.

It read: Martin Mariner ready to be picked up at your earliest convenience.

To Roger it read: The plane is finished and we want our hangar back, don't dawdle.

Roger grinned, the big Martin Mariner was finished, all he had to do was go pick it up.

He called Rachel, "It's ready!" he said, "I just got the email telling me to come get it. Now I've got to find a co-pilot."

"Why not take Freya, doesn't she have a pilot's license now?" Asked Rachel.

Roger smiled and replied, "She does, but she's not rated for multiple engines. I could take her but I can't let her take the controls, not officially at least."

"I won't tell anybody!"

Roger laughed and replied, "I wouldn't either but if anything goes haywire...The FAA would flip!"

Rachel said quietly, "See if you can get her rated for multiple engines. Doesn't that flight school have one or two planes like that?"

Roger thought for a few moments and replied, "Let me ask around and I'll let you know."

Hanging up the phone, he called Robert's flight school.

Freya had gotten her license through him and maybe he could help out.

"Robert's flight school, Robert speaking."

"Robert, this is Roger Tate, I need a favor."

Roger heard a chuckling on Robert's end and he heard him say, "Let me guess, they've finished that seaplane of yours and you need a co-pilot."

"Yeah, something like that. They want their hangar back and I need to get it out of there, my buddy Henri is back in France and can't get away on such short notice."

Replied Roger

Robert said, "I'm kinda busy here myself, can't that big girl of yours help out?"

Roger sighed and said. "I wish, she's not multiple engine rated."

"I can rush her through a certification course this Saturday and she can solo that same week end." remarked Robert.

"You can do that on such short notice?" asked a mildly surprised Roger.

"For you and your girl, I can do it!"

"Great! I'll see you Saturday morning."

Roger smiled as he hung up, Freya had planned on going shopping Saturday but this took precedence.

He'd make it up to her later on.

Saturday morning right after breakfast, the two of them drove to the airport where Robert's Flight School was situated.

Freya was looking out the window at the various airplanes parked along the airstrip and smiled when she saw the familiar Cessna 195 Businessliner she had soloed in.

Parked next to it was a considerably larger Grumman Albatross.

Roger wondered if that would be the plane Freya would end up training in.

It was certainly big enough to accommodate her towering frame he mused.

Freya wondered aloud, "Wull that be th' plane Ah'll be flyin'?"

"Most likely." Commented Roger.

She grinned at him and said cheerfully, "Thes is better than gang shoppin' wi' me friends. Ef it's clase they be lookin at, naethin' wull fit me an' thaur's nae point in me gang alang, if Ah cannae buy anything."

Roger smiled at his giant companion and said amiably, "It isn't so much shopping with your friends, it's more about learning social skills. It's how to be sociable when you really feel like telling everyone off. Think of it as a survival skill my dear."

Her grin in return was all the reply he needed, Freya was learning.

Robert smiled as they entered his small building.

There were a couple of other students already seated at their desks and they all tried not to stare at Freya.

She said pleasantly, "Guid morrow everyone!" and found a seat, her long legs tucked carefully under her too small a desk.

Robert smiled at his students and said, "Today we're going to go over the differences between single engine and multiple engine aircraft. We'll have three hours of classroom instruction, then we'll go up in the Albatross outside for the remainder of the day.

"Mind you, you'll learn just enough to be dangerous but you'll learn enough to be a co-pilot in an emergency. If any of you are wondering at the choice of an Albatross over a twin Beechcraft it's because Freya, our last minute addition will be co-piloting a Martin Mariner next week and I want her to have some experience in a similar aircraft."

He looked around at his students and said firmly, "Don't let her looks and her size fool you, she's a quick study and takes her flying seriously. She's a good pilot, one that I wouldn't hesitate to fly with."

Robert grinned at Roger and said, "We're going to be here until six, no sense in you hanging around. Unless of course you feel like sweeping out that hangar for your Martin Mariner?"

Roger grinned at him and said cheerfully, "Show me where the coffee pot is and where you keep the brooms, unless you have a leaf blower!"

A few minutes later and Roger found himself with a coffee cup in one hand, a broom in the other and his eyes looking over the large hangar.

One half of it was taken up by a long term B-17 bomber restoration project.

The venerable warbird had sat atop a filling station for many years and was now being restored to flyable condition by a dedicated coterie of old plane buffs.

The other half was mostly empty and had some dust here and there.

Glumly, Roger realized that he wouldn't be able to use a leaf blower to simply blow the dust outside.

Some of it would get on the B-17 being restored and he saw no sense in annoying his neighbors.

Shrugging, he began straightening up the place.

The sweeping and dusting went nicely, it was the where to put the boxes full of 'stuff' that Roger muttered about.

A couple of the B-17 volunteers saw him working and came over to ask what he was doing.

"Trying to find a place for these things. I've got a plane coming in here next week and want to tidy up a bit." He replied.

"What sort of a plane?" Came the question from Ted, the older of the two volunteers.

"A Martin Mariner PBM-5A." Replied Roger.

Ted laughed and said, "Damn, that's a big bird, where did you find that one?"

Roger smiled and said, "Brazil."

Ted briefly gaped and exclaimed, "Brazil? That must be the one that was rescued last year and flown up to Texas, it's the only flyable one I can think of!"

"The one and the same."Said Roger with a grin.

Ted grinned and said, to his younger companion, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's give him a hand! We're gonna have a new neighbor!"

Two hours later, the three of them were looking at a freshly swept and mopped hangar floor.

Ted chuckled and said, "It's gonna be nice having another big bird in here to help out with the hangar fees and all."

They paused as they heard the distinct sounds of a radial aircraft engine being started up. Alex, the younger volunteer said, "I'll bet that's the Albatross getting ready for take off!"

Ted smiled and said, "Shall we watch?"

Soon, Roger and the two volunteers were standing outside the hangar and watching the Albatross being put through its pre-flight checks.

Ted hollered over the roar of the engines, "I never get tired of hearing a radial engine, my dad was an engine mechanic for Lockheed and he worked on all the bigger airliners.

His favorites were the Connies, he said they were like a beautiful woman to him with curves in all the right places and in all the right proportions!"

Roger smiled at his remark, he'd seen a Lockheed Constellation and yes, it was a beautiful airplane with curves just like he said.

The Albatross taxied by them and Roger grinned, Freya was at the controls, she was going to fly it first and knowing Robert, she would likely be landing it again.

Ted chuckled and said, "If these old eyes haven't betrayed me, I'd say there was a girl flying that bird and a pretty one at that!"

Roger laughed and said, "That girl is my companion and she's going to help me get that big seaplane back here to Portland."

He smiled at the two and said, "I asked Robert to rush her through multiple engine certification in time for next week. She's already a good pilot and really just needed some time behind the controls of a bigger plane.

"The Albatross is just the ticket as it's close to a Martin Mariner in size. We'll work on her water landings and take offs later."

Minutes later and with a steady roar, the Albatross soared into the air over Portland and began its flight with Freya at the controls.

Ted said quietly, "She's got a light touch, I like that in a pilot! Flying with her will be smooth sailing."

For the next four hours the Albatross was flown in a series of 'touch and goes', each time a different student was at the controls and each student had a different way of flying the bulky aircraft.

In Roger's opinion, Freya did it the most smoothly.

Then again, he was biased in her favor, having lived with her for several years now.

Finally the Albatross came in for its final landing of the day and like Roger had predicted, Freya was at the controls.

Roger and his new neighbors, Ted and Alex watched as the Albatross was taxied into place next to the flight school offices and the engines shut off.

Minutes later, a door on the side of the fuselage opened up and the flight students clambered out one by one.

Finally, Freya emerged and was soon standing next to the rest of the students towering over them by about a foot and a half.

Her red gold hair readily apparent in the soft light of late afternoon.

Alex whistled softly and said, "My god, do you see how tall she is? She's making those men look like kids standing next to her."

He looked at Roger and asked, "You said you live with her, right?" Roger nodded a yes.

"Just how tall is she, if I may ask?"

Roger smiled and replied, "She was seven foot six and a half last month, I'm sure she's just over seven seven by now."

Alex's next comment was silenced by the arrival of a very happy Freya Sigurdsdottir carrying her newly minted multiple engine certification card.

He gaped as she glomped onto Roger and cried, "Ah did it! Ah passed th' written test wi' a perfect score an' th' flyin' part was easy peasy!"

Letting go of Roger, she stood there beaming with pride while Roger turned to Ted and Alex and said, "Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Freya, my co pilot and companion. Freya, this is Ted and Alex his grandson, they're our new neighbors."

Freya smiled at the two and said happily, "Ah'm pleased tae meit ye!"

Shaking their hands, she asked Roger, "How're they uir neighbors?"

Roger grinned and replied, "Come inside the hangar and you'll see what I mean."

Stepping into the brightly lit interior, Freya saw the faded B-17 carefully propped up on stands while it is being worked on.

She smiled and said, "That's th' Lacey lady, Ah've read aboot her. She sat atop a fillin' station fer mony years an' is noo bein' restored. Ah didnae know it was right haur!"

Roger glanced over at the two men and burst out laughing, the look of astonishment on their faces was simply too precious.

Ted smiled and bowed low to her then straightened up and said, "You my dear, are a rare commodity. A young woman of many talents and stunning beauty...Would you be interested in marrying my grandson?"

Alex all but howled, "Grandpa! What're you doing to me?"

Freya smiled and said graciously, "Ah'm but a lass of twelve and a half summers. Ah cannae marry jist yet."

"You mean you're still growing? How tall will you get?" Blurted out Alex.

"About nine feet tall judging by her parents." Replied Roger.

Ted at that point began chuckling, he finally smiled and said, "I know who you are now, you're the Freya I've been hearing about who plays with the Portland U. Women's volleyball team."

He grinned, "I can't believe I looked right at you, saw all the salient points in your description and completely missed it!"

He looked at his grandson and said, "This is that really tall girl your cousin plays volleyball with. Who knew she also had a pilot's license!"

Ted grinned at them and said, "The rest of our volunteer group is gonna be over the moon when I tell them about you two...You Freya, are going to be our first guest to get a ride in our girl when she is flyable. I promise!"

Freya broke out into a dazzling smile and happily replied, "Ah'd loove tae ride in yer airplane!"

Friday right after school, Roger picked up Freya and they headed to the airport.

She was smiling at the prospect of their whirlwind trip to Addison, Texas to fetch their Martin Mariner after getting a lengthy tour of the Commemorative Flight Museum and their facilities.

Roger had told her of the collection of planes they had and how impressive it was.

Now she was going to see it in person.

The airport was the usual collection of interesting types and the two quickly threaded their way through the masses and got to the check in counter.

The clerk behind the counter barely concealed her amazement at Freya's height and kept glancing at her while they were checking in.

When they were finished and handed their boarding passes, Roger leaned close to the young woman and said softly, "She's seven foot seven."

Then they walked hand in hand towards the boarding gate.

Freya said quietly, "Did ye tell 'er me height?"

Roger chuckled, "You know that was what she was wondering, so I answered the question she couldn't ask."

Freya just sighed and muttered, "Ah think we need tae get maur ay my fowk oot intae th' warld sae Ah won't be sae unusual anymaur."

Roger squeezed her hand and replied, "Someday my dear, someday."

They were on their way to the boarding gate when Freya was accosted by a small group of the faithful passing out biblical tracts and chatting up their faith to anyone who'd listen.

The most eloquent of the bunch mistook her innate politeness for an interest in their faith and so she said to Freya, " We believe that our Lord watches over all living things and protects us from those who would do us evil and keeps us safe from harm.

"If you would like to join us, we have meetings at our church on Wednesday's and Sunday's and we have lots of fun single's events so we can meet others who also believe and perhaps, meet a future husband!"

The speaker politely ignored Roger's grin and after a few moments, Freya replied testily,"Whaur was yer laird when mah fowk waur fleein' fur their lifes athwart th' brine an' sae mony ay us disappeared beneath th' waves?

"Ah'm nae nearly auld enaw tae hink ay marriage as Ah'm only twalv an' a half summers auld. Guid day tae ye!"

Before the speaker could reply, Freya took Roger's hand and they hurried on to the passenger loading gate.

Leaving the small group standing there wondering at what she had just said.

Freya looked at him and asked, " Ur all airports loch thes, with fowks pesterin' others about their beliefs?"

Roger smiled slightly and replied, "I'm afraid so, solicitors are kind of a fixture at airports, railroad stations and bus terminals."

Freya muttered, "Ah wouldnae min' them sae much if they left me be oan my way instead ay makin' me late."

Boarding the plane was somewhat routine, finding legroom for Freya was a little more difficult.

She ended up semi crunched up in her seat until they finished boarding and luckily, the little row they were sitting in wound up with an empty seat.

Once the plane was airborne she would sit sideways in relative comfort.

Shortly after takeoff, the cabin safety light went out and Freya quickly rearranged herself for the trip.

Roger was sitting quietly next to his young companion when a woman's voice said, "Roger?... Is that you?"

Looking up Roger found himself looking right at a woman with flaxen hair cut in a page boy bob.

Her silvery gray eyes twinkled in merriment and a crooked smile graced her well formed lips.

She was standing in the aisle dressed in snug fitting jeans hung low on her trim hips with a tailored western style shirt tied just below her firm breasts, revealing her taut, flat stomach.

Roger gaped and blurted out, "Helen?! What're you doing here?"

He quickly stood up and they hugged each other warmly.

After a brief kiss exchange, Roger grinned at his one time lover and said, "What a surprise seeing you here!"

He gestured at Freya who was eyeing Helen curiously, "We're heading down to Addison, Texas ourselves. Freya and I."

He smiled at her and said, "Freya, I want you to meet Helen, Helen Larsen...She's a good friend of Sheila's and a good person to know...Helen, this is Freya Sigurdsdottir, we are living together while she goes to school. I'm kinda like her foster parent."

Helen smiled at Freya and said cheerfully, "Roger's a good man, he'll take very good care of you while you're learning about the wide world."

Freya smiled and replied, "Sae Ah've heard."

Moments later, came the inevitable question. "Hoo well did ye know Roger?"

Helen grinned and said cheerfully, "We met during a rescue mission in Algeria and became good friends."

Freya smiled and said cheerfully, "Yoo're th' Helen who helped Natalie's family get oot ay Algeria! Ah'm happy tae make yer acquaintance!"

Helen laughed and said, "Small world time! I guess there is a truth about that six degrees of separation thingy I've heard so much about."

Helen looked thoughtful and asked, "So how do you guys know Sheila?"

Roger replied, "She knows the author who wrote that book "Escape from Old Algeria" the one that was based partly on what we did down there to rescue the lamia family George Bryce and I had found."

Helen smiled and said, "Yeah that was pretty fun wasn't it?"

Roger chuckled and remarked, "You have an interesting interpretation of the word, 'fun'. We were retrieving a family and you were raising hell on the local jihadi population."

"It was a fair fight, they had AK's, I had a Katana."

"They were still outnumbered dear, I watched Sheila cut down some trees like they were ripe wheat, then she chopped them into firewood before they even hit the ground. Not a fair fight."

Helen muttered "A Katana won't cut through things like one of our old blades could, I broke my Katana on a metal pipe that got in the way and finished the job with my knife."

"Still not a fair fight." remarked Roger with a wink and a toothy grin.

"So, where in Addison are you two headed?" Asked Helen.

"We're headed to the Commemorative Flight Museum to pick up a plane we had refurbished down there."

She grinned and remarked, "I'm going there too. I've got a plane to fly back to its owner. A restored P-38 Lightning with all the trimmings!"

Roger raised one eyebrow and said, "You are going to take it easy in that bird aren't you? I've heard about your flying and well remember your driving."

Helen pouted briefly and said sullenly, "How was I to know that old Romanian air force jets had crummy engines that are hard to restart in mid air!"

Roger merely smiled at her "My point exactly."

Helen glanced at her watch and said, "I need to get back to my seat."

She smiled at Roger and they exchanged another hug and a brief kiss before separating.

"See you around big guy!" And she sauntered back to her seat.

The rest of the flight was mostly boring and the two of them napped for much of the time.

Waking up in time for the landing, Freya once again folded herself into the too small seat and simply put up with the discomfort.

Leaving the airport, Roger hailed a taxi and was about to climb in when a familiar voice called out, "Hey sailor, can we hitch a ride? We're goin' the same way."

Roger held the door to the minivan while Helen and another woman also with silvery gray eyes, hopped inside.

He and Freya joined them and soon they were headed over to the Flight museum's airport.

Roger smiled at Helen and said, "Meeting up with the Colonel?"

She grinned and replied, "Not this time, I'm meeting up with the owner of the P-38 I'm delivering, then we'll go from there."

Helen did a facepalm and said, "Tch! Where're my manners? Roger, Freya, this is Deneve, we go back quite a ways."

As Roger shook hands with the slender woman with the lithe dancers build, he smiled at her and said quietly, "I see you also know Sheila Ericcson."

He grinned at her expression of surprise and said, "The eyes are the giveaway, that and the level of your conditioning."

Deneve merely smiled and replied, "Yes, I do know Sheila quite well along with a few other survivors."

Roger smiled and remarked, "If ever you wish to tell us your story, we'd love to hear and record it."

Deneve smiled slightly and replied, "I'll keep that in mind when I feel like talking."

She glanced over at Freya who was kind of scrunched up so she could fit inside the minivan and remarked, "I haven't seen anyone like you in quite a while, didn't know any of your people still lived. Glad to see Jotuns are still with us."

Freya smiled and replied, "Thaur's quite a few ay us, oop in Canada, livin' in wee groups aw athwart th' land."

A few minutes later, their conversation was interrupted by the stopping of the minivan in front of the Commemorative Flight Museum offices.

They paid the driver and as he sped off, he flipped his meter to the off position for the next fare.

Roger hugged and kissed Helen good bye, shook hands with Deneve and they entered the office building while the two former claymore warriors went to meet the owner of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning Helen was to deliver.