And my long-suffering wife brought me Apple Orchard tea, despite her bad knees and other ailments. I wish our family did more… but they try given their own problems.
The usual single key tapping continues, but my new pain-med regimen helps ease the intermittent pain, improving my concentration.
My Snowdonia police procedural still depends on my desktop appearing… within another three months, perhaps.
My October WEP-IWSG Challenge – ‘Thriller’ theme – is written but needs honing. I’ve even started creating ‘Freedom Flights’, which will be a collation/collection of all my Ukraine stories.
Part 1 will be ‘Feathered Fire’, my historical fantasy which appeared in the IWSG Anthology ‘The Third Ghost’ and introduced the Cheyka family from Ukraine. However, there may be complications using a published piece.
Part II will be my Challenge pieces on the current conflict in Ukraine.
Anyway IWSG.Remember, the question is optional!
October 5 question – What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?
I hesitate over ‘favorite genre’ as my current writing for the WEP-IWSG Challenge could be classed as ‘contemporary’ or will become ‘historical’ in a few decades.
My current audio read, ‘The Last Restaurant in Paris’ by Lily Graham, is classed as Historical, as it’s set in WW2… and present day.
OK… so best characteristics of Historical: seamless blend of fact and fiction.
Does that make ‘Freedom Flight’ historical? Eastern Front WW2 and present-day Russian invasion?
As in ‘Fevered Fuse’ my police procedural novel, undergoing revision, well, awaiting that desktop appearance. Plus, all my other Sparkle stories set in Snowdonia are police procedurals.
And my wife and I are avidly watching ‘The Brokenwood Mysteries” on Acorn TV, a New Zealand series with a great mix of quirky characters.
That’s not quite the Crime genre’s best characteristics… almost.
Twists
Whether red herrings, misleading information, false trails, or any crafty plot coils, a devious writer uses.
Used craftily, these keep our little grey cells firing and our minds entertained.
Single key tapping is hard amidst intermittent pain… and morphine doesn’t aid concentration.
The book still depends on my desktop appearing… and an upturn in my health.
I have sketched out my October WEP-IWSG Challenge – Thriller theme – but there are massive holes.
Anyway IWSG.Remember, the question is optional!
September 7 question – What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?
I’ve tackled/attempted quite a few genres and judging by a few failures…
Well, my written humour doesn’t stand up… to anything. Flat jokes are not red herrings. I laugh at comedy, whether Monty Python or Robin Williams or Terry Pratchett, but I never slap a key in jest.
As the war in Ukraine continues, so will my tale of two Canadian-Ukrainian aviatrix cousins unfold to merge reality and inspiration from the WEP/IWSG bi-monthly challenges.
Once again Putin provided the grist – his clampdown on gay rights banning at the end of June “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.”
Wasn’t Beethoven unable to marry Countess Guicciardi due to the strict social conventions at the time? Not the same but… echoes/ripples. Social conventions evolve but never let up.
On the war front, I had to address the shortage of Ukrainian fighter jets and the consequences. My solution might be fictional, but mirrors what is happening.
The ending is intentionally jarring, and a foreshadowing of October’s thrilling prompt.
On the life front: Although we moved into our new mobile home in June, we are not settled in yet. My stepson, his partner and baby are still with us. Finally, their brand new mobile home is ready – two months late. So, they’ve begun moving stuff over, but it may be next week before we can make use of two more rooms. The plan is for my wife to sleep in one and have her office in the other.
I will stay in the master but move from my wheelchair into a new hospital bed. It will be far better for me and my care team, as will a new wheelchair they’ve arranged – a swop for my dead machines. Also, my brother was over briefly from the UK to help, mainly with funding. Also, he suggested putting my desktop in the office and linking it to my laptop I can use in bed.
Blurb: As relationships are rekindled, an all-women squadron reforms in Ukraine
Part 3
Moonbeam Magic
2022
Friday, July 1st – Kulbakino Airbase, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine.
A MiG-29 Fulcrum takes off from Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 9 as part of the Clear Sky 2018 exercise. The exercise promotes regional stability and security, while strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)
Kalyna counted the jets landing after their daily patrol of Ukrainian airspace. She noted the most experienced male flyers deplane, then stride towards the debriefing room.
“When will they let women fly again?” asked Vasy. “Are we on guard duty indefinitely?”
“The men get the choice missions,” responded Ksenia. “We might get a tough night mission…”
Assessing the squadron’s serviceable jets, Kalyna added, “when we get more planes. We have keen pilots joining the unit every month.”
Three young women approached, armed with assault rifles.
“Perimeter secure and guard changed as ordered, Major Zelenko,” said one of the trio, a wiry brunette.
Anzhela Havrylyuk was a recent recruit with flying experience at Motor Sich Airlines in south-eastern Ukraine.
She remained, hands clasped, nodding to her colleagues to leave.
“Majors… I need your advice… but it’s difficult—”
“Relax. We’re friends first… and women. Then officers,” said Ksenia. “What’s the problem?”
“My identity. I was born speaking Russian first… but here in Ukraine. I naively believed Putin wanted the best…” She stared at the three older women, then dropped her head.
“Continue,” said Vasy. “We guessed and understand. But everything changed, so you volunteered.”
“Yes. The invasion was not as expected… and the wanton destruction isn’t liberation. Now Putin expects us to renounce our citizenship… and become Russian—” The next words were lost as a whisper.
“Take your time if there’s more.”
Tears formed as she said, “My Russian friend. Larisa… Larisa Kovalyov has disappeared… in Moscow… after Putin banned the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.” But our son…”
As the moon rose over the airfield. The friends understood. Then hugged their distraught sister.
A Canadian CF-18A Hornet from the 409th Squadron at Cold Lake, Alberta (Canada), launches a laser-guided bomb at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (USA), on 5 December 2006. U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Tim Pfeifer
Moonbeams flickered on the wingtips of the three CF-18A Hornets as they landed at the repurposed airfield in Western Ukraine – the Night Witches’ new home.
Once the jets had taxied onto the grass near the hangers, their pilots jumped down, then ran to embrace the cousins.
“How was the flight from Cold Lake?” Vasy asked Chayka Air’s lead instructor. “Any problems crossing foreign airspace?”
The woman smiled. “No problems. Total approval for this unofficial scheme. With the US dragging its feet, a private Canadian solution was necessary and welcome.”
“We knew the Chayka team would make everything work,” said Kalyna. “Are the others coming via Sweden as planned?”
“With the three Gripen Cs we acquired when the RCAF chose other replacements. Hopefully our colleagues get the armaments our trio require.”
“Will the Swedish Airforce send more Gripens?” asked Ksenia. “I’ve heard the Gripens can operate from every rough field we find—”
“–and be rearmed, serviced and refueled in 10-20 minutes by 5 untrained volunteer mechanics and a single trained crew chief,” added Chayka’s deputy mechanic. “Wasn’t that why I was coerced into this… and my Ukrainian heritage.”
“It’s why we’re all here… and why the millions of Canadian dollars raised for the Night Witches revival was possible.”
The six Ukrainian recruits stood beside the three Canadian jets they would fly soon.
The third Canadian aviatrix added, “We painted the planes midnight blue for night missions… presuming that’s best for witch magic.”
Saturday, July 23rd – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
Dniester River at twilight
Anzhela sat beside the meandering upper reaches of the Dniester River, watching the sun set to the west and praying her partner Larisa and their son Maks were safe somewhere.
“Travel safe my loves wherever the just path leads. We’ll make the zealots run.”
“Zealots are creating difficulties everywhere,” said Kalyna approaching from the base to the north. “There may be news soon. We’re expecting a truck from Poland tonight, bringing supplies and messages from abroad.”
As dusk fell, they reached the edge of the airfield. Headlights glistened on the tarmac and six military vehicles approached, guarded by an armored personnel carrier. The lead truck pulled up. The driver grinned as he saw Kalyna.
“I felt my wife would forgive me coming this far if I had gifts… like Polish alcohol, food, us-time and—”
“—perfect… as long as you have something for my friend Anzhela… plus, our munitions.”
“Of course, in the back with Vasy’s husband Marko.”
Anzhela slowly walked to the rear of the truck, where Larisa and Maks hugged and kissed her.
Beaming, she said, “So soon… how?”
“Others fleeing Putin’s clampdown… and they want to help.”
“Of course. I’m sure the majors will be pleased… welcome friends.”
Volunteers and crew unloaded the vehicles, while the armored personnel carrier patrolled the perimeter.
“No more foot patrols,” said Anzhela. “I won’t miss those.”
The sound of jet engines made everyone turn to watch three Gripen Cs clear the trees washed by the moonlight.
“But I’d love to fly one of those Swedish beauties, Larisa.”
Sunday, July 24th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
JAS 39 Gripen of The Swedish Air Force taking off from a short runway located on public road. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Before dawn, the aircrew were gathered in the main hanger, where Chayka Air’s deputy mechanic was briefing the ground crew.
“…the Gripen is NATO compatible with weapons and avionics. It uses its own and link-16 datalink.”
“When the Gripen E is supplied to the Swedish Air Force, will they send us more Gripens?” asked Ksenia.
“We don’t know that yet,” replied Kalyna. “But they sent spare parts and munitions. They’ll monitor our progress.”
“Which jets will we train on, please?” asked a recruit.
“All of you will eventually fly all three models,” said Ksenia. “We’ll form three wings rotating planes. Maybe we’ll receive more to master. For now, it’s three MiG-29s. three Hornets, and three Gripens.”
”The wings are as follows,” said Vasy. “Gold: Ksenia Zelenko, Anzhela Havrylyuk. Mariyka Shevchuk. Blue: Vasy Chayka, Dariya Kravchenko, Tamila Medved. Red: Kalyna Chayka, Olha Tkachuk, Raisa Bondarenko.”
Saturday, July 30th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
Moon over Kyrkevik in Lysek by W.carter
Clouds covered the moon, and a chill gripped Ksenia. Were any of the Ukrainian prisoners killed in Russia’s massacre at Olenivka captured at the Azovstal steel mill?
Our house is still in chaos, although my wife’s son and his girlfriend move out next week. So, then our office will get set up, and I can stop writing one-fingered on a laptop barely in reach. The flash-drive with my current novel did appear, but revision is postponed until the office makes writing easier.
My health is declining, but we have hopefully found a way to afford care using insurance and a family trust. My brother, who controls the purse strings visiti on Sunday – my 69th birthday – so I’ll have to behave 😉
However, I must reassure the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh that this announcement is not ‘ffarwel’.
Anyway IWSG.Remember, the question is optional!
August 3 question – When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original, or do you try to give readers what they want?
Initially my stories are original in inspiration, even if there’s a prompt, as with the WEP/IWSG Challenges.
However, there comes a point where the favourable responses mean re-visiting places and characters. That’s why I keep writing my Snowdon Shadows stories set in North Wales and starring Sparkle & Kama.
Do my Ukrainian stories fit this pattern? Originally written to an IWSG Anthology prompt, continued due to the current war, I’m now working on one for the next WEP/IWSG Challenge as readers wanted to know what happens next.
Good question, which real events will decide.
Slava Ukrayini.
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Finally, don’t forget to visit more active writers via the IWSG site:
Our move has proved a nightmare with no disabled features to the house like wide doors or wheelchair ramp, a low toilet I have to be transferred onto by a trained carer, plus weeks without internet. My desktop is still in storage as no office imminent, so I’m writing this one-fingered on a laptop barely in reach.
And the new wheelchair keeps dying on me at inconvenient moments.
The flash-drive with my current novel went AWOL during the move, and other backups are proving elusive.
My health is suffering and paying for carers will cripple us… unless my brother acts out of character.
However, I must reassure the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh that this announcement is not ‘ffarwel’.
Anyway IWSG.Remember, the question is optional!
July 6 question – If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?
A few come to mind from Narnia to Earthsea to a galaxy far, far away. But as Tolkien is my early writing inspiration, I choose Middle Earth… well, a safer region, The Shire.
Is that my yearning for rural England on which The Shire was modelled? Home?
Except my heart is in North Wales, where my Sparkle stories are set. Can I live there, please?
+++
Finally, don’t forget to visit more active writers via the IWSG site:
This month’s WEP/IWSG Challenge was as inevitable as the dreadful and ongoing tragedy in Ukraine. I’ve attempted to continue my tale of two aviatrix cousins from April, using the suggested approach of ‘correspondence’ – nowadays emails etc.
However, I was unable to catch the emotions involved as others did so well last Challenge. Also, I failed to edit down to 1,000 words.
My excuse… tomorrow, June 1st, we complete on our new mobile home, and we move the following day. So, I’m scheduling this in advance of the Challenge deadline and may be offline for some of June, while we await internet connection.
I’ve prayed for you since the steelworks defence became desperate though brave. Can I believe in a miracle with help and consultation from the angels of the deep?
Please believe dearest brother. Mariupol will be liberated. We will be together.
With my winged sisters Vasy & Kalyna, I helped retain control over most of our airspace. Now Russian air activity focuses on southern and eastern Ukraine. We will harass then drive them back across the border.
Love, blessings, and prayers.
Ksenia
We will have a good day when we win.
Slava Ukrayini.
One of the Ukrainian soldiers under siege in the Azovstal steelworks. Photograph: Dmytro Kozatsky/Azov Special Forces Regiment
Saturday, April 30th – Cold Lake, Canada
Leonid Sokol lsokol@chaykair.ca
To: ksokol@chaykair.ca
Darling Kalyna,
May this find you fighting fit. The kids share the family’s concerns for you both. Dispel our anxiety as news from Ukraine feels unclear. You must be on the Eastern front, halting renewed Russian attacks.
We watch President Zelenskiy’s addresses, hoping the war ends soon. We read the Ukraine’s Armed Forces report on nine Russian attacks repelled in the last 24 hours. Guess the reborn witches were somehow involved in the destruction of multiple enemy ground and air units.
I know you cannot reveal military secrets, but we have to know you’re safe. Please answer, lyuba.
Chayka Air thrives, despite your absence. Seems our eldest, Aliona has your PR talent, making the most of pro-Ukrainian sentiment. Chayka Air displays are raising funds for humanitarian aid.
Promise you’ll keep the secrets and the memories we cherish in the deep.
We didn’t mean our silence to feed your fears. Yes, we maintain some military secrecy when another victory is being devised. The welfare of defenceless and innocent civilians must be paramount.
We are well and love you all. Stay safe and secure yourselves.
Today, the Ukrainian government confirmed the last civilians trapped in the Azovstal plant were evacuated. But our remaining brave defenders appear unlikely to surrender as they vowed to stand until the end – even if many are severely wounded, some crippled. We fear the Russians will capture any who survive and surrender. With their Azov association, they could be imprisoned or worse… executed.
If that happens, please ask my father if he can legally help defend at least one of them: Kyrylo Zelenko, the younger brother of our wing-sister Ksenia. He is not a member of Asov, nor does he share the beliefs of comrades with far right views. Our own clashes with neo-Nazis in Canada has been a warning of irrational reactions. Too late, too late. A fool could read the signs.
We must arrange a virtual meeting. Is tomorrow too soon?
Our hearts are with you all. Mine is yours forever.
Vasy.
Slava Ukrayini.
Women evacuated from Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol stand next to service members of pro-Russian troops at a temporary accommodation centre in the village of Bezimenne. Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
Sunday, May 8th – Chayka Air Virtual Meeting
Cold Lake, Canada (15.00) and Luhansk, Ukraine (00.00)
Vasy Holub: Apologies for making the family wait while we honoured the Fallen.
Leonid Sokol: No problem. The time difference means we were running fund-raising aerobatics in aid of Ukraine.
Marko Holub: For our Motherland. Which is why your father will assist Ksenia’s brother and comrades. But he warns there are risks. The far right here in Canada could misuse this support.
Ksenia Zelenko: We’re still grateful. Kyrylo wanted to join us, but the siege hardly pauses. Life is dire. Starvation, infected wounds, and when their water runs out the inevitable end.
Marko Holub: A desperate crisis so our government must act. We hear Zelenskiy’s pleas but feel powerless. You three… night witches are fighting for everyone. We’re relieved our prime minister Trudeau visited Kyiv today—
Leonid Sokol: — and agreed to expand economic and defence cooperation.
Kalyna Sokol: We’re proud to be Canadian and Ukrainian. Especially on this Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation marking the end of World War II. Let’s hope Putin doesn’t escalate this war in his Victory Day speech tomorrow.
Vasy Holub: Which could play into far right hands. Ironic this invasion has strengthened their influence. I fear what lies ahead. More death and devastation.
Ksenia Zelenko: And a false peace if Putin is allowed to seize our eastern provinces. We will only have a good day when we win outright. Slava Ukrayini.
1944 Polikarpov Po-2 of The Shuttleworth Collection, United Kingdom
Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 at the RIAT 2018 airshow
Thursday, May 12th – Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine
Kalyna Sokolksokol@chaykair.ca
To: lsokol@chaykair.ca
Darling Leonid,
News services will show footage of our latest blow to the invaders. You gotta reap just what you sow. I know you all fear for our safety, but rest assured we’re safe.
Today, we flew a dawn raid to help our ground forces repel multiple enemy attempts to cross a strategic river here in the Donbas. Our forces inflicted heavy losses, but the Russians will retaliate. Sievierodonetsk may be targeted. So, we’ll move to another temporary airstrip. Witches keep flying.
My love forever. I miss your arms around me.
Kalyna.
Slava Ukrayini.
Friday, May20th – Mariupol, Ukraine
Kyrylo Zelenko kzelenko97@psu1.ua
To: k.zelenko99@psu2.ua
Lyuba Ksenia,
This may be a farewell message. I dread never seeing you again, dearest sister.
We have orders to surrender our positions to the enemy.
Inevitable as we’re struggling in unsanitary conditions, wounds bandaged with non-sterile rags, no essential medicine or water.
Our fate might be worse.
I dread being executed for war crimes… as a ‘neo-Nazi’. You know I’ve never been one. But I must stand and die with my friends, some holding views I ignore. First we fight for freedom and Ukraine. Only when we prevail can we argue politics.
Will they herd us to prison, stage a show trial, then death? Or a bullet as we surrender beside a mass grave?
This is a final plea for help. Is it too late to pray for that miracle?
It’s crazy how it all turned out. We needed so much more.
Love, regrets, and hope.
Kyrylo
You will have a good day when our people win.
Slava Ukrayini.
Ukrainian servicemen carry a wounded comrade as they are being evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, 17 May 2022.
1,012 words FCA
As with the April Challenge, I’ve slipped a few lines of Please Read the Letter lyrics into my digital interactions.
Invasion of Ukraine
Events have moved on since the date when my flash ends, and it’s been difficult to write this as the horrors Putin unleashed continue every day. I keep the live update from The Guardian open on my PC but feel powerless. All I can do is use my writing to express my support.
May I plead for donations to Medecins Sans Frontieres, who work worldwide and are often the first charity in and last out: https://www.msf.org/
How this terrible crisis ends is hard to foresee, especially with the daily threat of escalation as Ukrainians find the will to resist, but the Russian attacks continue to wreak destruction on another Motherland. Somehow, I will attempt to find the positive conclusion to my Ukrainian story that mirrors reality.
A resident stands next to debris of an open market destroyed by a military strike in Sievierodonetsk. Photograph: Serhii Nuzhnenko/Reuters
Writing Wings 