Chapter 3
Lift off

The day after the team was preparing for take-off, Chief at the Bridge ready to take Control. Crash monitoring internal systems like temperature of the engines, the stress on the wings, ammo reserves and overall logistics.
“Hey Chief. Where’s the fuel gauge?” He called across the Bridge.
“The Garuda runs on hydro electric power so the condensation on the wingtips keeps us flying. We’re running on theoretical endless fuel.” Chief explained
“Oh that’s right. Now that is the Idea of a true Genius.” Crash thought out loud.
Blondie was monitoring the radar keeping an eye out for any inbound aircraft, or birds as the case the first few times was.
“Hey, uh chief? Why are there four radar screens?” he asked
“They each function as a separate style of radar. From left to right they’re air radar, land radar, sea radar and stealth radar.” Chief explained.
“Oh, ok I’ll have to mark them so I remember.” He said as he looked over to CC.
“Hey CC how’s the radio functioning?” Blondie asked
“Not too badly. I’ve still got to fine tune it so we can pick up the right frequency. But aside from that I’m picking up everything and anything.”
“I was listening in on a baby monitor and phone before” she said slyly with a scary grin
“Ohmigawd rape face!” Suzie screamed out as she ran some weapons diagnostics while stoner was trying to eat an orange without chewing.
“Anyway things look good for take off chief.” Crash said as Chief revved up the engines and the Garuda gathered speed down the runway. As the speed increased Crash felt himself being pushed into the seat, he looked over and saw Suzie holding on the handrail to keep from falling over, CC was throwing darts into the roof; Blondie was clicking a pen out of boredom. Until he got hit by the back end of one of CC’s darts
“Ouch, wha-. What would you do if that stabbed me?” He asked slightly annoyed to which CC replied playfully
“Laugh.” And she threw a sticky cup dart at him
“How wude.” Blondie said as he pulled off the dart from his forehead and lay back again as the wheels left the ground.
“We’re airborne and climbing at a rate of 15,000 feet per minute.” Crash said
“Thanks Crash.” Chief said as she activated the auto pilot.
“Well, it fly’s pretty good for a chunk of metal this big.” Suzie said
“Hey why are my chicken legs outside?” Came Stoner’s voice from the window.
“You couldn’t have made it mach 0.1 faster so he wouldn’t be such an idiot?” Blondie asked
“We’ll talk about it later. You guys have some tests to run for now.”
“Such as Leo enquired”
“Well, can we actually take off the runway? Or do we glide off and then pull up?” Chief answered
“Oh well I’ll be gliding I can tell you that right now. My Warthog doesn’t have the speed.” Leo said as he looked to the hanger.
“Well CC, Blondie and I can do max performance take-offs so we should be able to just take off.” Crash said
“I want mah Chicken laegs” Stoner started whining.
“Can it stoner.” CC snapped as she flicked her fringe briefly exposing her covered eye
“Well, stoner can just lift off, straight up. And since we’re just under the speed of sound he accelerates and then voila. One serious stoner.” Blondie pointed out as the Garuda levelled out and slowed down slightly and stoner began singing
“This is a bong. La la, la la. Stoner bong.” And he began to leap around after Leo.
“Dude, leave me alone.”
“I’m gonna get you. Mreeh.”
“Anyway. Test time everyone, get ready to mobilise.” Chief said as she sat down in the commanding chair of the Garuda.
“Ok, let’s fly.” CC said as she bolted for the hanger.
“Is she always this hyper?” Crash asked
“Yeah, it’s one of the reasons I like her.” Blondie said as he followed
Soon after stoner chased Leo in and Crash walked in behind them. As he approached his Wyvern he thought
‘I really need to get around to painting you, don’t I?’ And he casually climbed into the cockpit.
Blondie, CC and Leo were all waiting for the green light to begin the tests and stoner was just chilling in his harrier.
“This is control. All call signs check in.” Chief said over the radio
“Hector 141 ready.” Blondie acknowledged
“Lima 012 on standby” CC Replied
“Bravo 067 standing by” Leo responded
“Delta 261 just give the word”
“I’m a coming for you chicken legs” Stoner yelled as he hovered into the air.
“Jump the gun why don’t you stoner.” CC sighed
“Lima 012. You are clear for take off.” Chief said as CC gunned the engines and shot straight off the runway and was airborne.
“C’mon CC you can do better than that.” Blondie said as he went full throttle off the runway and barrel rolled for a dynamic effect.
“I hate that show off sometimes.” Leo said as he rolled off the edge and glided off.
“Well, let’s get this over and done with.” Crash said as he eased the throttle in and flew off without a hitch.
“Delta 261 Airborne and ready for next orders”
“Lima 012, all systems are in the green.”
“Hector 141. Awaiting further orders.”
“Bravo 067. Returning to base, excess pressures on wings after take off.”
“Ok Guys RTB. We’ll check the aircraft for any significant stresses and then we’ve got our first mission.” Chief informed them as everyone returned to the Garuda.
“so what do you reckon the mission is?” CC asked
“Well, it’s early in the war so there shouldn’t be any mass ground engagements. So we’re probably either (A.) attacking enemy supply lines or (B.) escorting transports. So let’s find out what we can get up to.” Blondie replied. Soon after everyone was waiting for the briefing as Chief walked in with an angry look on her face.
“Everything ok Chief?” Crash asked and Chief replied
“You’ll know soon enough.” As she began the briefing.