It was August 30th, two days before leaving on the war with Germany. I was sitting on a chair in my room, preparing everything I wanted to take with me on the trip. I was going to be piloting the ''Daedalus'', a ''The Great War Era'', 1920-1940, German Army Airship. We were going to seize the remains of a German auxiliary base, which had been built for their war operations in England.
It was four o'clock in the evening, I had just finished preparing everything and was ready to go downstairs, when I heard the door open.
"You're going?"
I looked around to see my roommate, James, standing behind me. I shook my head, the time we spent at the military academy wasn't enough to become good friends, although we were much closer than most.
"Yeah. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 5:20 on the train. I just wanted to tell you good luck, and hope you make it back safe." I said.
"Alright. Don't get yourself killed," James said.
I finished packing up my things and headed downstairs. There was one more thing to do before leaving, and that was tell my parents. I walked to the living room, where my mom was sitting on the sofa knitting.
"Mom! I'm leaving for the war in the morning."
She looked up at me startled and gasping.
"Oh, my son! How did this happen so suddenly! And you're leaving without your father? Okay, let's go down to the dining room and talk it over."
My dad walked into the room, from the kitchen, a bacon sandwich in his hand.
"Hey son! You weren't kidding about being back here this soon right?" he asked.
"No. They're waiting for a new barge in the docks, and it's the last one," I replied.
My brother, Alan, walked down the stairs from his room.
"You're really going?" he asked me.
"Yes. Sorry. I didn't really know how to explain it to you," I said and looked into the eyes of my mom and dad.
"No. It's okay. We're proud of you." they both said in one voice.
I ran up to my room and gathered my things, putting them in my backpack, and then went on the porch to sit on the steps. There were a few people out there, but most of the crowd left when the sun was. The two people who remained were two sisters who lived close.
"Hi Colton. I was in your school last week," a girl's voice called out.
I looked up and saw her waving to me. I got up and walked over to her.
"Hi, Amity. It's been a while since you last talked with me," I said.
"Yes, it has, how have you been?" she inquired.
We talked for a minute, and then I noticed something peculiar. It was the way she was sitting, leaning up on the step, with one leg resting on the other. There weren't any seating options for this girl, so I asked her if she was okay.
"Yeah. It's nothing. Just a cramp," she said.
I nodded and sat down and continued to talk with her. She talked about everyone in school, her parents and her younger brother. Then she asked me about why I was leaving. I told her it was for the war. I was the top ranking cadet in the airship pilot program, so my father chose that for me.
"I'm coming too!" she blurted out.
I looked up at her and registered the shock of her words. I thought I misunderstood what she just said. I was surprised. It was probably because it wasn't exactly the first thing in the morning in which I expected someone to say, and it was her age, although I could barely believe what I heard.
"You? You're coming with me?" I asked, almost sure I was still dreaming.
"Yes! I want to be a pilot! To take down the enemy!" she commented. "Why are you leaving so soon? You could have told me!"
I told her the story, and she looked bewildered.
"You're an amazing person for helping a girl with a broken foot. Do you know father would probably kill me if I tried going?" she asked.
"Good then. You can bring your mother and your brother with you!" I told her.
She was a little taken back by the idea she would have a small army with her, but didn't really take no for an answer.
The bells in the tower began ringing, signaling the beginning of the Christmas Eve service in the Cathedral. Amity and I both got up on our feet and waved at the people who had gathered around us. We headed back toward the station. I told her to meet me at the front of the station and to wait for me.
As I walked up to the station, I saw Amity standing there, standing with her arms crossed. I approached her and she smiled at me.
"I was waiting a little. I was not sure you would follow-through," she commented.
"Yes. I'm here. Are you ready to head to the base?" I inquired.
"Yes! I just have to get the stuff from my house. Would you like to come with me?" she questioned.
"Actually, I'd love to go get the stuff and meet your brother!" I said.
She accepted and we ran to her house. She called out to her mom to let her know we had gotten a little lost on the way back. We knocked at the door and her younger brother answered. We walked in and we were greeted by five more people. All the people seemed to be related to her.
"Hey Michael," Amity said to the child.
"Hey Amity. You're here," he replied.
"Yeah. Yeah. I have a surprise for you so we can go to the base." Amity told him.
"Alright. What is it?" he asked, as we prepared to leave.
We walked out as the family began to follow. We made our way to the dock and boarded the train to London. We sat down in a compartment and chatted. A few minutes later, we arrived to the dock.
My eyes began to adjust to the light coming in the windows. I noticed a man walking towards me, with a large hat. This was the man who was coming to collect the train.
"Colton!" he exclaimed and got closer, "Where did you go?"
"I went to get the things we needed to get, I also got to meet your family." I said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Yes, you got to meet my little brother," the man replied.
"Did you not send a letter?" the man started to ask.
"No. I'm here now. That's all you need to know," I said to him.
He looked at me and realized I was serious.
"Fine. Come with me. I have some preparations to do," he said.
We walked down to a room several meters away and shortly after we arrived, he told me to get into the suit, and he would give me the helmet. He then grabbed the rest of my stuff and handed it to me.
Now listen to me Colton, and do not leave this base until you are sure you are done with everything you need to do. Also, be careful. Do not open the helmet until you get into the plane. We will meet again," he said and turned to walk out of the room.
He then walked out of the room and I got into the suit. When I was done and the suit was closed, I opened my mask, and that's where I found the little quirk of this story that I'm going to tell.
I looked into the empty helmet, and then at the man, who seemed to be waiting for me by the door. He motioned for me to come out. I walked out, and he guided me to the other end of the room.
I looked around and took in where I was. A hum began to vibrate from the room, but I wasn't sure what it was. The man took off his hat and I saw him for what he was. He wore a red uniform, like the British Air Force. He was no man, but a scientist.
"Colton. I believe you have quite a tale to tell," he addressed.
"Yes. That is the truth. I am a cadet in the Air Force," I explained.
"The Empire as well?" he asked, curious.
"Yes. I come from London, to train as a pilot for the Empire Air Force," I said and began to talk.
"Well, I just received word from our base in France that the enemy has infiltrated our base in France. I have to make my decisions quickly here. We will need to mobilize the entire base, but I have to speak with you first before they leave. You seem like you can speak English, so I am taking a chance on you," he suggested.
I nodded my head.
"Alright. My name is Colton, as you've already guessed. I am not from any of your bases. I came here because I am up for promotion to cadet in the Air Force, and no one said anything on how long I have to stay," I said.
"You're a long way from England. Why didn't they speak with you?" he asked.
"They just shut the door. I heard that someone was going to come get me." I answered.
He began to move towards the door and looked outside. He came back a few minutes later and escorted me outside. He showed me to a building near the docks.
We arrived at the building and he motioned for me to follow him.
"This is one of our towns. You will be staying here tonight, and the only way you are getting back to London will be this morning. You are just in time for our Christmas Eve dinner in the morning. The rest of the crew will be here for that, so it is worth it," he suggested.
"I hope I will remember that," I replied.
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