Welcome WINDSONG BLONDELLE PHOENIX better known as Blondie, our new Companion fur baby. She will never replace my unique Quetzal, who remains irreplaceable and I’m still mourning her. Blondie is full of energy and tries so hard to play with Treeky. But the old man only wants to bark and bark. As for this old man, I’d love our new fur baby to share my bed – without stepping on my catheter – but the three times she’s been on the bed, her visits have been brief. She prefers getting Juanita’s attention by chewing her shoes. Luckily new toys are on order.
2. One minor problem is chewing through my computer cable, which left me unable to check my emails, write this post until Tuesday, or keep up to date on Ukraine. So, I’m being briefer than usual.
3. Health continues to plague me. I’m meant to be going on respite at the end of the month so Juanita and the dogs can go camping. Should be interesting… if I can take my laptop to write.
For now, Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. The next episode is due around August 16th to 18th 2023.
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
July 5 question – 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?
Remember, the question is optional!
I must be brief this month, but I can start by saying as a teenager and in my twenties, dreams were often my inspiration.
But that gradually changed to echoing real-life events as with my two current projects. My Snowdon Shadows police procedural series reflects Welsh issues with touches of the history and folklore. Likewise, my Ukraine Night Witches historical shorts are fiction set against ongoing events… not forgetting the initial short echoing the Firebird legend.
I’ve even used Norse mythology for some WEP/IWSG flash shorts.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
As there have been several crucial events concerning Ukraine over the last month, ‘Inception’ picks up from the last outing of the Night Witches in the WEP/IWSG April Challenge.
Watch out for the next episode ‘Shaped Encounters’ due at the end of next week. Perhaps by then some of my Witches will be ready to fly in Ukraine skies again. Finally, my apologies for again running too long to make this episode work.
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.
Watch out for Part 11, Shaped Encounters, the WEP/IWSG June Challenge due next week.
***
PART 10
Inception
Wednesday April 19th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Mariyka was amazed at the size of the gathering drawn to the hanger used for aircraft maintenance by the Aviation Engineering Training Centre. All the squadron’s chief mechanics had realized the urgency of the situation, as had the flight leaders. The three cadets encouraged some aviation engineering students to attend, and crucially their senior trainer, Master Engineer Krakarth.
A MiG-29 Fulcrum takes off from Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 9 as part of the Clear Sky 2018 exercise.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)
He turned to the students, “Our brave guests are inviting us to help them rebuild these three MiG-29s,” he gestured behind him. “They were recovered after a costly night raid near the Kherson front, when six heroic Witches gave their lives for freedom. With their resources and ours, we can ensure Ukraine has three more MiG-29s to drive the Russians out.” He gestured towards Mariyka, “I will let Kapitan Shevchuk take command of this operation.”
Daria, Maja, and Nadzieja each went and stood by a MiG as Mariyka said, “We need three teams made up of our combat trained mechanics. So, Daria with Gold Flight’s Chief mechanic, Larisa Kovalyov. Maja with Sable Flight’s Chief mechanic, Bohdana Shvets. And Nadzieja with Green Flight’s Chief mechanic, Dariya Boyko.”
Mariyka noticed the teams coming together, and added, “plus the best students.” She glanced towards Krakarth, who added, “The University will be pleased to not only supply our facilities, but this will give invaluable experience to all our aviation engineering students, especially as you intend these MiGs to be using NATO tactics and missile systems.”
Mariyka’s chief mechanic Dariya Boyko chuckled, then said, “We’ve learnt a lot about reverse engineering – even in sub-zero temperatures, albeit on Hornets. But adapting a MiG to use JDAMS missiles will be easier.”
The Chayka majors who were quietly helping allocate crew to MiG teams, nodded to each other, then said in unison, “From the present ‘mutual air denial’, we can achieve Ukrainian air supremacy… when we receive the requested air defence systems and NATO jets.”
“Of course,” said Krakath, “Some of you have managed to source the requisite jets.”
Kalyna and Vasy hurriedly whispered to Mariyka.
“Great plan,” said Mariyka. “But can Chayka Air spare more resources to train Witches?”
“Whatever it takes to drive the enemy out,” said Kalyna. “First fast-jet training for our Polish comrades and anyone who needs it. Then we train as many as we can on an F-16 or the next available NATO-compatible platform…whichever we have permission to train on.”
“Fortunately, as Chayka Air’s qualified trainers, we have the company’s authorization to train on most fourth-generation fighter aircraft. We will double check with our legal expert…my father,” said Vasy, grinning. “When we are totally covered, our hard-acquired two-seater F-16 jet trainer will be flown here.”
“Although most Ukrainian pilots want F-16s, our newest recruits liked the Gripens,” said Vasy, “as did our mechanics, which we told our Swedish contact-“
“-in that message I delivered?” asked Anzhela Havrylyuk. “Gripens would make this squadron more flexible in terms of being able to effectively operate from dispersed locations.”
“Viable solution, but long term,” said Vasy. “We mustn’t forget it though. Join us upstairs if you’re free.”
As the trio were about to leave through the rear hanger door, Kalyna turned to Mariyka.
“We know you and Master Engineer Krakarth have this in hand. Just let us know your MiG-29 rebuild teams later today. Slava Ukrayini.”
When the two Majors and Anzhela left, Mariyka and Krakarth checked they had three balanced teams, without too many experienced engineers on one.
“We ought to record their names. I’ll ask the first three cadets who volunteered, to compile lists, sir.”
“Please call me Anatol. Sir is what the cadets use.”
“Anatol then. Please keep calling me Mariyka.”
A few minutes later, she returned with three rosters, “Real initiative – already done.”
“I’m not surprised. They’re our fastest learners. But the others will soon catch up. Most of them feel threatened by the Russian invasion… and many know people dying on the front. It’s going to be difficult stopping more volunteers… especially when they have Ukrainian ancestry.”
“Like me… you realize I graduated from here. Also, the majors are Canadian-Ukrainians.”
“Explains a lot.”
Mariyka headed for the rear door. “I better deliver these rosters, and report in.”
Once her flight leader had left, Dariya Boyko asked Krakarth, “Master Engineer, are there enough MiG-29 air frames and parts to build another plane for Mariyka? It would be great if we can create a flight of MiG-29s.”
“I’ll investigate that as I suspect there could be, even on another base. We could be starting an invaluable service here.”
**
F-16 jets in March over Poland. Training for Ukrainian pilots could take place there. Credit: Lukasz Glowala/Reuters
Despite the eight-hour time difference between Lublin and Cold Lake, the majors were still finalizing arrangements with Chayka Air. Kalyna was on phone, while Vasy was taking notes,
“Okay, so we’ll expect our two-seater F-16 trainer in five days, with an intelligence gathering stopover in Sweden.” She paused, then continued, “Polish air traffic control will need more than the pilots’ names and serial numbers …at least a secure military call sign when they reach NATO airspace, please.”
“Why the mystery, Kalyna?” asked Anzhela as Mariyka walked in. “We don’t have any pilots we’ve grounded.”
Mariyka handed the MiG repair team lists to Vasy. “Our teams are so keen we’ll have the 29s rebuilt faster than we expected. Anatol… I mean Krakarth, feels we won’t be short of volunteers to fight the Russians soon. But I wonder if enough of us speak sufficient Polish to instruct-“
“-in American cockpits,” added Kalyna.
“Luckily the University’s Foreign Languages Centre,” said Mariyka, “has extensive English Language courses with NATO and related technical jargon.”
“Would they be able to help our Ukrainian pilots who might struggle with NATO-speak on the frontlines?” asked Vasy. “Any Ukrainian troops trained on NATO equipment might expect us to use the same terms and phrases. Tanks work best with infantry and air cover that is operating on the same page.”
“I’ll go and ask the Centre as soon as you’ve finished with me.”
“Just one thing, but you need to talk to your aunt for the details. There were survivors from the Lviv restaurant bombing. We don’t know more so ask her… and if you have to move there, just ensure you report for duty regularly.”
Mariyka was tempted to run straight to the Zvenigora Restaurant, but her mission to the Foreign Languages Centre was crucial.
It proved well-timed as one of the senior NATO tutors with sufficient authority approved a special program for officers on active duty.
“This program will have its roots in past conflicts, but the innovative use of weapons means I must integrate new terminology into the program, a relatively straightforward task for me. Call it another inception requiring dinner sometime.”
**
Gripen taking off from a from a forest road/runway.
Meanwhile, back at the squadron’s office, Vasy and Kalyna had written all the flights on the roster board.
“We need to identify those pilots we’ve already given an advantage in adapting to F-16s through the Western jets they fly in their Flight, and doing the course in Canada,” said Kalyna, “especially where the instrumentation is in English. Or when we were the trainers in charge.”
“I remember all the Gripens were bi-lingual for the RCAF – English and French,” said Vasy. “And we were changing the French instructions to Ukrainian. Looking at all these pilots, I feel the Witches will have an advantage when we start training them on F-16s.”
Kalyna carefully wiped all the obvious names off the board leaving just the cadets.
“Even though the six cadets have been flying Gripens and have that invaluable head start, we should give them extra hours in our F-16… unless we attempt to think long-term with them and create one or two flexible deployment flights. The original Night Witches were able to deploy”
“That would be a lateral approach to encouraging Saab’s renewed interest,” said Anzhela. “And one Maksym and Air Command West could endorse.”
“We’ll update our Swedish contact and see if there’s a positive response,” said Vasy. “As for the three Polish volunteers they’ll start on the MiG-29s when they are rebuilt, but eventually they will need to be trained on our F-16.”
Vasy went back to the board and began writing as she said, “We need a MiG-29 Flight Team, which can grow as more volunteers emerge in the area. These will be the future F-16 pilots, the ones who keep the skies of Ukraine and Poland free after the peace is secured. Some will fly with us as Witches, while others will join the Polish Air Force flying F-16s and F-35s. All we can do is ensure we train them so well, they’re amongst our finest survivors.”
‘Violet Flight (MiG-29): Kapitan Mariyka Shevchuk*, Cadet Daria Jankowski, Cadet Maja Andrysiak, and Cadet Nadzieja Chlebek (4). Chief mechanic: Dariya Boyko* (until Cadet trained for role?)’
Kalyna studied the names. “Clever… Violet blends Polish and Ukrainian colors. Mariyka will be a strong leader with her three enthusiastic cadets. She would choose her faithful chief mechanic. I just wonder how the news from Lviv will impact their lives here though?”
**
Saturday, April 22nd – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
It had been three long days since Aunt Agnieszka had tearfully embraced Mariyka and told her that her mother Danuta had been killed in the bombing attack on March 4th.
Her sister Sabina pulled Mariyka closer to her and their orphaned nephew Tomas’s whose mother Gaja had also died in the raid. His face was streaked with dried tears, but he was being brave.
“Our mothers are together fighting with my father, and St George. One day we’ll join them and his army of saints driving the monster out.”
Sabina smiled. “It’s faith like his that will win this war.” She paused then continued, “You know our mother never gave up… nor Aunt Gaja. When we were buried, they kept digging, creating safe zones with air pockets… until…”
She subsided in choking.
Agnieszka continued. “There was another explosion. The rescuers said a second rocket killed them but cleared a path to your sister and Tomas.”
“We were in a temporary medical shelter for over a month,” said Sabina, “before we were allowed to come here.”
“And you are all three welcome to make this home.”
“Thank you, Aunt Agnieszka.”
Together they all settled into the family routine of Zvenigora Restaurant, tinged with memories, love, and tears.
**
Slava Ukrayini
Lviv Fountain: Bright Emotions in the Heart of the City. Ukraine 2023
As our health costs spiral, living off two pensions is a struggle, requiring careful budget savings. Sometimes harsh reality catches us out. We are now having to pay $860 p.m as our monthly ground rent has been increased by $65 p.m. Fortunately, my brilliant wife made a major grocery saving by getting us accepted for meals on wheels.
Our house move plans are progressing slowly.
My care team are still aiming to get me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips. But now they intend to avoid depending on commercial therapists, by us all learning simple massage techniques to help straighten my knees.
I’m now planning with my wife, for when I move on/pass. When we lived in Wales, we found a woodland cemetery, where we wanted to be buried. In Idaho, there is no such green option. So, I’ve been dreaming of being in Sussex again with my wife, somehow.
Restaall Peaceful Forest Cremation Urns
Probably. two cremations, one urn shared with our fur-babies. Wakes in Idaho and Sussex so everyone who wants to entertain with memories is welcome.
On to the writing… well, briefly as this month’s question is a departure from scribbling.
For now, Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. The next episode is due in three weeks around June 21st – prompt ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’
So much has happened over the last few weeks, notably the announcement about Western jets, relevant to my 2022 Night Witches as they face returning to Ukraine,and now on June 6th the destruction of Nova Kakhovka Dam .
The post should be up next week.
Slava Ukrayini
**
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
June 7 question – If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?
Clue: Before reading more, decipher my photo clue and mention your thoughts in a comment. Please. Then read my answer.
June Answer: When I stopped photography, I found time to write. Therefore, photography might be my replacement for writing.
I gave up professional photography when my Canon pro-camera became too heavy to use due to my declining health. My wife agreed especially as all my lenses made the equipment too bulky to carry around.
Lumix FZ100
We bought a lighter Lumix, which my wife still uses. The photo from our office window in North Wales of the view towards Snowdon is hers, and I asked her if I could use it for ‘Writing Wings’.
Snowdon above Portmeirion by Juanita Clarke
However, I still struggle to lift some things – like the Lumix.
Solution: 4K Digital Camera for Photography and Video Autofocus 48MP Vlogging Camera for YouTube with SD Card 3” Flip Screen Flash 16x Zoom Anti-Shake Travel Camera for Beginner.
However, this small camera offers possibilities beyond stills. So, prepare for videos and vlogging. Will this get me out of my bedroom into the wider world? First though, I have transfer photos off the camera successfully.
Then decide how to target Sussex into my plans…remotely. I need to find a UK base unit.
Clue Answer: Selfie taken in family graveyard, at All Saints, Highbrook, near where we plan to rest forever, with a view over the Sussex countryside… once we’ve finished vlogging.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
First, I must remember to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary on May 14th.
Second, our house move may take longer than hoped. Some of the houses we were interested in, we can’t view yet as they are not ‘active’ in the market. Our realtor explained he gets fined $1,000 for each ‘inactive’ property he shows prospective buyers around. Maybe all our funds will be in place when we find the perfect home.
At least a delay gives my care team more time to get me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips… and then outside with trees and grass in a gated, over 55 community with amenities.
Until the move happens, gaming and writing keep my brain active and alive. Tomorrow, May the Force be with you.
Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. Next episode is due around June 21st – prompt ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’ However, first I’m working on another Ukraine piece to build on my April entry: https://rolandclarke.com/2023/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-life-is-beautiful/
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
May 3 question – When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
Interesting question with at least two answers, depending on which story I’m working on:
Snowdon Shadows: Characters have inspired me as I wrote the various stories within my Snowdon Shadows world, especially my crime-fighting duo, Sparkle Anwyl and Kama Pillai. However, other characters involved in their cases have proved inspirational in their own way.
Fevered Fuse, the first Snowdon Shadows novel, has seen this trend continue. Furthermore, I note another inspiring element – the setting, notably North Wales. In many ways, Snowdonia is another character. Therefore, I chose ‘setting’ as another ‘inspirer’.
2. Freedom Flights: Events inspired my ongoing Ukraine saga, initially real-life events. Then those inspired the fictional events to develop the episodes within the saga. Again, the characters proved inspirational. However, when I come to link the present-day stories back to my initial World War II story, ‘Feathered Fire’, I will use real events woven within fictional ones… and characters. My intention is to work on these pre-2022 episodes during NaNoWriMo 2023.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Plus. February’s WEP-IWSG’s Challenge entry will happen.
Slava Ukrayini
**
Every month, IWSG announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
February 1 question – If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?
I’ve only has one publication requiring a cover, as shorts have a collection cover.
Spiral of Hooves was released as an e-book on Monday, December 9th, 2013, by Spectacle Publishing. The cover was designed in-house. Although, I made some initial suggestions, the final product was not as expected. I had envisaged bloody hoofprints in snow, not hoofprints at night in sand or snow. Some say it works.
Cover credit: Danielle Sands
When I got the rights back, I corrected the text in a few places. I found Jonathan Temples, a cover designer in Northern Ireland, who did designs for one of my favourite thriller writers. He worked closely with me and a photographer friend. Jonathan produced a front & back cover I’m extremely pleased with… as well as matching bookmarks. So, I published this second edition with CreateSpace on Monday, August 7th, 2017, in paperback and on Kindle.
Whenever, if ever. Fevered Fuse, my police procedural set in Snowdonia, gets published I want to work with Jonathan Temples again. Of course, that depends on the publisher. At least, I can recommend him, and submit the initial drawing he did for the graphic novel concept.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
My 2022 WEP-IWSG Challenges entries, bar February’s, were my ongoing Ukraine stories, so I resolve to continue them until there is a just conclusion to the horrendous war.
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.
I’ve been working on my February Challenge entry and made some crucial corrections.
First, a plot event I foreshadowed in Part 6 had to occur in late Jan/early Feb before the key romantic event of the month. Hence, I’m posting that event here as Part 7 with both Ukraine and Russia probably preparing winter offensives.
Second, I noted some errors in my air force terminology. Specifically, when calling a group of three or four jets, a wing. I sensed I was wrong. I’ve now done my research. Apologies to all who knew a wing consisted of a number of squadrons, which are sub-divided into flights of around four jets.
I will be more accurate in future. Here’s a clearer explanation:
Blurb: Night Witches resolve to make Winter their friend.
Part 7
Winter Resolution
2023
Friday, February 10th – CFB Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The six elite Witches walked into the de-brief, stamping snow off their flying boots.
“Not quite what was intended, trainees,” said the Royal Canadian Air Force instructor waiting for them. “But effective although unconventional… as you have proved every day.”
“Is that a pass then, sir?” asked Anzhela Havrylyuk on behalf of her sisters designated as Silver Flight.
Even if they’d played by their own rules and with Night Witch style, they must have completed their five-week low-level flying and extreme weather training to a reasonable level of proficiency. Or had their approach to the last challenge failed to impress their RCAF trainers?
Hopefully their chief mechanics had succeeded at their tests.
“We were tempted to fail you all,” said the senior instructor, nodding at his colleagues. “But we won’t as we were impressed at your ability to adapt and improvise. It was a chance for us to glimpse that Ukrainian resilience, which has Russia struggling.”
Another Canadian continued. “We’re amazed how this afternoon you dealt with the mock ‘hostile’ raid. Perhaps against a Russian ‘Bear’ bomber your tactic might have failed. But you forced our Aurora maritime patrol aircraft to land—”
“—So, your ground crews could overpower the Aurora’s personnel… who have agreed to stay for the evening. Time to celebrate your success, pilots.”
Outside they were joined by the embarrassed twelve-person Aurora crew, escorted by six Ukrainian chief mechanics.
“They were worried what we were going to do with them,” said Anzhela’s partner Larisa.
“Make them dance all night for us,” shouted the Witches.
A roar of jet engines.
Everyone turned towards the main runway as another four Hornets in Ukrainian markings and the squadron’s distinctive midnight blue camouflage landed.
Ground crew guided the fighters into temporary hangers.
The pilots joined the watchers and saluted Anzhela.
“I’m Kapitan Maryna Sobol,” said the wiry blond leading the group. “We’re Sable Flight from Cold Lake. I’ll explain more in the warmth.”
As they approached the mess, Maryna stopped, glowing inside as she watched a swarthy mechanic spontaneously make a snow angel and giggle.
The mechanic grinned and jumped up. “I’m Bohdana Shvets. The angel’s for our protection. Let me get you a beer and whatever else you desire.”
After she’d eaten, Maryna told everyone, “We’re all Canadian-Ukrainians, inspired by the defense of our ancestral home, especially by you Night Witches.”
Once the shouts of Slava Ukrayini ended, she continued, “We originally trained with the RCAF. Chayka Air obtained our Hornets, then repainted them.”
“So, you volunteered like our Majors?” asked Anzhela.
“Yes. We’ve all changed nationality to fight. But please help us adapt our dialect to standard Ukrainian. If you need to know more, chat to any of us.”
Maryna nodded as the enticing groom pointed at their empty glasses. Her sensual musing was interrupted by Anzhela and the Garrison Commander, who asked a question many had posited.
“Since February 24th, we’ve all worried about provoking the Russians and escalating this war. Fortunately, the gradual increase in weaponry, like HIMARS, hasn’t. But do you think equipping a squadron with NATO jets will trigger that reaction?”
“I pray we can fly ten Hornets into Ukraine via Poland, low-level at night… without the Russians noticing,” said Maryna, crossing herself. “As for combat, how did the Witches avoid enemy escalation before?”
“Witches luck,” said Anzhela. “Guess a few NATO jets with Ukrainian markings on night sorties were misidentified. But a squadron of 20 won’t remain hidden.”
The Commander advised caution. “Timing is crucial. Other NATO deployments like Leopard 2 tanks might distract attention from your next sorties.”
Bohdana returned with refills for the table and asked Maryna, “Can we expect others like you from Cold Lake?”
The blonde smiled. “Like me… or more volunteers?” She paused, staring intently at the mechanic. “I’m unique… but other recruits – sure. Chayka Air has set up a training program for pilot and mechanic Night Witch volunteers, especially from Ukraine, as well as Canadians.”
“Privately funded?” asked Anzhela.
“Donations and Chayka staff giving their time. Plus, decommissioned RCAF jets will be available at discounts.”
The Commander added, “A few avenues remain, so our Canadian MOD doesn’t officially step outside current policy on Ukraine.”
Recognizing the distracted couple, Anzhela stood. “Sir, we must finalize tomorrow’s departures.”
When the other two had left, Bohdana asked Maryna, “Can I be your chief mechanic… please? I haven’t been properly assigned. I have unique—”
“—qualities I need to satisfy. Let’s slip away before we’re missed.”
**
Sunday, February 12th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
Anzhela led the six Hornets of Silver Flight in silent low-level approach towards Kalyniv airfield. As dusk fell, she cleared the familiar treetops at the snow-ploughed runway’s end, then lowered her landing gear. Her wing-sisters followed, and when the ground crews taxied away the last plane, Maryna led the four jets of Sable Flight down.
Larisa embraced Anzhela as she climbed onto the ground.
“Even that was too long being apart. At least I got to see how Hornets are refueled mid-Atlantic by an air tanker. Impressive Chayka maintaining their retired RCAF Boeing CC-137. It was comfortable too… more than the truck from Kraków.”
“Or a Hornet for hours?” Both laughed, then Anzhela added, “But our refuel stopover with Chayka’s Swedish military friends was a relief.” As her flight-sisters gathered, she said, “Time to debrief.”
Writing Wings 