ABS FIESTA REDUX

[Gojira]

"...oh. I- god damn. I'm so sorry."

[Ad Bot]

[Mr. Hurricane]

There is a long silence.

"It's not your fault," I say.

My voice echoes in the hanger.

[Operator¹]

Bell continues working on getting the PAK-FA into combat condition.

[Mr. Hurricane]

I hear sporadic sounds of maintenance.

"Hey, Bell?"

[Operator¹]

Bell cannot hear him while she is using a power tool to screw a panel back into place.

[Gojira]

I continue painting my aircraft.

[Mr. Hurricane]

I barely get 'hey' out of my mouth before Bell, or someone, uses a power tool.

I wait a moment.

"Hey, Bell!" I shout.

[Operator¹]

She peeks out from under the PAK-FA.

"What's up?"

[Mr. Hurricane]

"Since we are down four or five maintenance crews, you think you could show me how to do scab patches and replace panels? You know, we lost our most indistrious technician, and I don't think I've seen replacements for those lost on the sky-carrier," I say, "I just want to help them out."

[Operator¹]

"You can ask one of the techs to show you while they're repairing the other aircraft on the base, there shouldn't be a shortage of repair work being done."

Bell points to the engines.

"I don't really have time to show you how to do superficial repairs, you'll be able to figure out panel replacement with the manuals for your aircraft."

[Mr. Hurricane]

"Well, you see, it's in Kintharian, and I don't exactly speak Kintharian, and the manuals to my old Eurofighter and MiG are in the desert and at the bottom of the ocean respectively," I say.

[Gojira]

"I can help with that!" I exclaim a bit too eagerly.
"I can translate for you."
I walk over to where Kissinger is working on his J-10.
"What's your name, anyways?"

[Mr. Hurricane]

The short Kintharian approaches the side of the aircraft. I look over. I kind of wish I could be left to my own devices, because of the immense feeling of loss sitting in my lap.

"My name is Cassius Kissinger. Captain- but don't worry about formalities, I get treated like it's only a brevet rank anyway," I reply.

I take a breath.

"The instructions are in Kintharian, and the airframe is of Kintharian origin. I would suspect that replacement of skin panels varies from country to country, manufacturer to manufacturer. I had- uh, Takamichi, our industrious Kintharian ground crew member translate the roosterpit, but, uh-. You know…"

[Gojira]

"Yeah, I understand, sir. Just tell me what you need translated and I'll take care of it."
I wait for a response.
"My name's Lieutenant Akemi Yui by the way. Last-first."

[blockguy™]

I stand in the ATC tower.
Idle.
Immobile.
Just standing.
Trying to deal with the fact that we have lost two pilots within a span of three days.