006 | video

[dracobin]

[It is well past nightfall when Temeraire appears on the network, his expression exhausted and his posture hunched.

He has spent the bulk of the day flying, trying to dull his--well, it cannot be called grief, when he did not know the Emperor well enough for that, but it must be something close, surely. One cannot win wars without a few losses of one's own, but this is a price unfairly paid: something stolen and not captured on the field of combat. It is the gravest offense imaginable, for a dragon, and there is as much rumbling anger in his voice as there is sorrow when he speaks.]

Given recent events, there is little point in delaying the matter any longer. I do not know what form our enemy will take when it comes to us, but we must be prepared for any possibility, especially now that Eshai's power can no longer keep it at bay.

To that end, I am announcing the formation of the Keeliai Aerial Corps. There is little point in formation-flying when we cannot predict our enemy's movements, but at the very least those of us who can fly must grow used to flying together, and those of us who can fight must be prepared to do so under any circumstances.

Pray provide your name if you are interested; we will meet once a week at the very least, for target-practice and drills, and we might discuss tactics, and new technologies, as well.

If it brings an army with it, we will at least not be caught unawares.

[corresponding OOC signup thread here!]

Comments

[dracobin]

Of course, Miss Persson; we should be very happy to have you. Pray, have you any idea what you might like to do? What sort of combat experience do you have?

[una_persson]

[There's a small, not entirely humourless laugh.]

Quite a lot, really—both guerrilla warfare and battlefield. Some experience with aeroplanes and such. Anywhere you and Iskierka can use me, I'm happy to help.

[dracobin]

Oh, yes, aeroplanes, I have heard of those, but only from some of the books here: pray, what are they like?

[una_persson]

Well ... rather like large enclosed boats, you might say, only with wings. They come in different sizes, with different strengths—some are small and nimble, others large and capable of carrying large amounts of cargo.

[dracobin]

[Not unlike dragons, he thinks; it is very interesting that people have managed to build replacements for dragons in worlds where there are none, even if those replacements are not nearly as good.]

And one fights from the inside, does one not, instead of sitting atop them, so there is no risk of falling out? How does that work?

[una_persson]

That's right. For 'planes built for fighting, there are guns mounted on the outside that are controlled from within, and some are built to drop explosive ordnance from a great height.

[dracobin]

[Pause as Temeraire takes it in, nodding intently.]

So it is not terribly different from our sort of combat, then--or at least, it should be easy enough for you to adapt to dragonback, at least in a fight. The harnesses may be another matter entirely: have you done much climbing, before?

[una_persson]

The odd bit of mountaineering, mostly hiking up steep hills, occasionally with ropes to help? I'm not sure if that counts.

[dracobin]

It is a start, certainly, though I am given to understand it is somewhat difficult to stand upright on dragonback. But your experience elsewhere makes up for it, I think, and there is always time to train, otherwise.

[una_persson]

Good. Well, in that case, I'm glad to help in any capacity that you and Iskierka see fit.