Although this WEP/IWSG August Challenge entry attempts to echo ongoing events, I’ve had to stray down the fictional path more than usual. Also, it’s hard to know what’s actually happening as much of the military information is restricted. However, it’s clear that there is much more bloody fighting to come, and more sacrifices

For those new to this ongoing creation, please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

The current stories open with Part 1, Rainbow Firebreak, for the WEP/IWSG April: Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-a-hard-rains-a-gonna-fall/.

Part 2, Winged Woes, for the WEP/IWSG June Challenge:     https://rolandclarke.com/2022/06/15/wep-iwsg-june-challenge-please-read-the-letter/

Part 3, Moonbeam Magic, for the WEP/IWSG August Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/08/17/wep-iwsg-august-challenge-moonlight-sonata/

Part 4, Winged Death, for the WEP/IWSG October Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/10/19/wep-iwsg-october-challenge-thriller/

Part 5, Soul Seeds, for the WEP/IWSG December Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/12/01/wep-iwsg-december-challenge-first-time-ever/ 

Part 6, Swords to Ploughshares, to conclude the WEP/IWSG December Challenge and close 2022: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/12/10/swords-to-ploughshares/

Part 7, Winter Resolution https://rolandclarke.com/2023/01/31/wep-iwsg-challenge-resolve/  This extra post leads into this month’s Challenge entry and included a plot event I foreshadowed in Part 6.

Part 8, Winds of Change https://rolandclarke.com/2023/02/15/wep-iwsg-february-challenge-gone-with-the-wind/

Part 9, Precious Relations, https://rolandclarke.com/2023/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-life-is-beautiful/  

Part 10, Inception, https://rolandclarke.com/2023/06/12/freedom-flights-part-10-inception/ .

Part 11, Shaped Encounters, https://rolandclarke.com/2023/06/23/wep-iwsg-june-challenge-close-encounters/ .

Blurb: The Night Witches taste from the past and discover new delights

Part 12 Chocolate Pots

2023

Friday, August 4^th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

The six Sukhoi Su-24 landed in quick succession and were then parked in the last vacant revetments.

As the male pilots marched towards the waiting officers, Vasy Chayka said, “They’re wearing 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade patches like us. Were any disrespectful of our Witches?”

Colonel Maksym Bondarenko smiled, then said, “Maybe before being assigned to protect your airfield near Lviv.” He stopped as the Sukhoi flight commander approached and saluted.

“Kapitan Andriy Pavlenko reporting for F-16 training of the first flight from the 41st Tactical Aviation Brigade. We are honored to be at the Polish School of Eagles.”

“Although the University are our host,” said Maksym, “the F-16 trainers were all obtained by the 2022 Night Witches. We also have permission from the Polish Air Force to train in their air space with other NATO air units.”

Kapitan Pavlenko blushed as he overtly stared when a tall blonde Polish officer stepped towards him.

“I am Major Klaudia Smolak. I will be your flight’s F-16 trainer. We start at 14.00. Don’t be late.”

**

Andriy knew the stern major was testing him and probably knew he had insulted some Witches in that Lviv restaurant. She’d left before telling him where to meet, but he’d chanced talking to one of the Night Witch commanders.

“Major Chayka, my apologies for any past indiscretion towards your pilots.”

“Forgiven. I presume you need directions, so you make the right impression on your deceptive trainer.”

Armed with information on their quarters and the locations of all the planes, Andriy earned his first nod of recognition from Klaudia.

And the flight made an impressive start on F-16s.

**

Tuesday, August 8^th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

Mariyka Shevchuk was amazed at how full the family restaurant had become, not just with the usual students and cadets, but also civilians, Witches and trainers. Even the Sukhoi flight had braved coming.

“Have you noted their Polish trainers?” asked Sergei. “Is romance melting hearts tonight?”

“Not just there. Agnieszka’s Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème were popular with everyone—”

“—I had to acknowledge our new movie poster,” said her aunt, “especially as extra supplies were delivered yesterday for the restaurant’s twelfth anniversary on Saturday.”

“Then that’s the crucial celebration,” said Mariyka.

**

Friday, August 11^th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeiship, Poland

Maksym Bondarenko returned a week later with a convoy of four grounded MiG-29s, which his team began unloading by the hangar of the Aviation Engineering Training Centre.

Master Engineer Anatol Krakarth glanced out and smiled, then said, “Kapitan Shevchuk hoped you’d send a few more rebuilds when you could.”

As Mariyka and some mechanics came to help, Maksym said, “I didn’t expect to find any so quickly. How soon before you needed these?”

“We’re due to finish our current rebuilds,” said Mariyka, “in ten days. On average, we can rebuild a flight of four in two months… depending on how damaged the planes are.”

“Impressive,” said Maksym, turning to Anatol. “How dependent are you on the Witches mechanics?”

“Less and less as they train cadets to replace them. We know the Witches must return to Ukraine. But how soon?” Anatol gestured towards Mariyka, “I will regret losing Kapitan Shevchuk as she’s essential to this operation.”

“I must discuss what must occur next with the commanders. However, long term I hope the School of Eagles will be involved in rebuilding Ukraine’s defence industry.”

**

The Witches leadership had gathered in their office with Maksym Bondarenko, who announced.

“Master Engineer Krakarth and Kapitan Shevchuk say we will have two flights of four MiG-29s by August 21^st, so we can consider the first step in returning to Airfield “Kalyniv”, and supporting Lviv’s air defence.”

“My cousin and I,” said Kalyna, “will identify the fourteen most proficient MiG-29 pilots, although not at the expense of the F-16 training program. We’ll post a list on Friday.”

**

Saturday, August 12^th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

Andriy Pavlenko embraced Klaudia Smolak when the major came into the restaurant with her colleague Kapitan Zuzia Czajka. Arm around Klaudia’s waist, he guided the two ladies through the crowded room to the table where his colleagues had gathered.

“Rumors of our romance are now confirmed,” said Klaudia, then sealed their relationship with a passionate kiss.

“Guess we should do the same,” said his friend Tomas, kissing Zuzia as she sat beside him.

**

Mariyka and Sergei finished serving every customer with champagne, then joined her aunt beside the ‘Chocolat’ poster. Agnieszka raised her glass.  

“Tonight, we are pleased so many of you are here to celebrate Zvenigora Restaurant’s twelfth anniversary. Raise your glasses for another twelve years.”

After the toast she added, “Since 2011, students from the School of Eagles have been our mainstay, although now many of you are Ukrainian defenders. We wish you strength and success in the defense of your homeland. Slava Ukrayini.”

**

Wednesday, August 23^rd – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.

It was dawn when the Witches of Green and Sable flights landed back at Airfield “Kalyniv” in the eight refurbished MiG-29s. Their ground crews, who had travelled ahead overnight, directed the jets into their newly fortified revetments.

In the briefing room, Maksym Bondarenko addressed the pilots and their chief mechanics.

“Air Command West welcome you back to the Lviv region. Russian attacks in west have increased recently, with greater civilian casualties. Notably on Monday, August 14^th the severe attacks included those apartments in Lviv.”

Aftermath of russia’s barbaric attack on Lviv region: at least 15 injured, 40 buildings damaged. It is a pure terrorism.

Video: Serhiy Kruk pic.twitter.com/HEpEY9DMHS

— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) August 15, 2023

He paused, letting his words take effect.

“We have good ground defenses, but additional air cover could prove crucial. Major Vasy Chayka’s Green Flight have the combat expertise to lead our anti-missile night patrol, but Kapitan Maryna Sobol’s Sable Wing are equipped with more advanced NATO missile. So, work to your strengths tonight. Slava Ukrayini.”

FCA 979 words

Slava Ukrayini

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