The
sirens began to scream, that could only mean one thing, he is returning.
Quickly
I gulp down the warm dark brew that remained in my hard glass mug. Slamming it down on the table, I wiped away
the residue from my mouth as I ran toward the door. The other lads, coming from whatever they
were just doing, were running toward the same place I was.
I
jumped up quickly, kicking my feet out in front of me, my right foot, then my
left, testing the rudders. I grabbed the
stick in front of me, swinging it round in a circle in front of me, making sure
it was free of obstruction.
“Contact,”
I yell, letting my mechanic know I’m ready for him to cranky my propeller.
With
a hard yank down, the magnetos catch on the first try, causing my whole craft
to shake as the engine sputters roughly before I push the throttle forward
slowly, trying not to flood the engine.
The wind generated by my propeller is slapping me in the face with cool
air.
I
push the throttle forward all the way and away I go. I pull back on the stick just in time to see
a silhouette of three wings flying high overhead. My comrades and I bank to the left, giving
chase.
In
a matter of minutes we are within reach, anger building as he taunts us, flying
in a circle, waiting for us to catch up.
I
hear the sounds of guns firing as the first pilot engages. He fired too quickly and our joint enemy
pulls up into a loop, firing as he reaches the top, smoke puffing out of the
engine. We have sustained our first casualty
of the day.
One
by one I witness my fellow lads fall from the sky. I am not afraid. This time things will be different.
Round
and round we fly, circling each other, but unable to hit him as I fire my
guns. I know he is toying with me as I
can hear him laughing at me as he passes over me.
Circling
back around, he fires on me. Direct hit. I bail out, floating down to the ground as he
salutes before rolling a barrel roll and flying off into the sun.
“Someday
I’ll get you, Red Baron!”
