Here There Be Tigers - Open

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck Two]

Ian walked Addams through the over primed engine start sequence, and this time the P-40's Allison engines roared to life. A sound that Ian had grown to adore with its raw power it represented, which was so unlike anything that was part of his own time. He listened to the engine even out as it warmed up. He let the engine run for a few minutes and then made the signal for Addams to cut the engine. When the roaring stopped, he was grinning broadly and asked.

"What do you think of the Tomahawk now lad?

[Holodeck Two]

"They seem to be armor monsters for the sky," he replied. "I even have to admit this... flying this in the sky with bullets flying at you is pretty gutsy."

Then he looked up at as he saw one of the ace pilots do a dive to the surface and yanked itself up to the air and done a barrel roll. "Amazing...can't wait to do that," he shared.

[Ian Galloway]

[Holodeck Two]

"They seem to be armor monsters for the sky," he replied. "I even have to admit this... flying this in the sky with bullets flying at you is pretty gutsy."

Then he looked up at as he saw one of the ace pilots do a dive to the surface and yanked itself up to the air and done a barrel roll. "Amazing...can't wait to do that," he shared.

[Holodeck Two]

Hopping down from the tomahawk's wing with a huge smile.

"It's even more amazin' than you can imagine. We will call it a day fer now, but same time tomorrow, we will go from startin' ta take off. We'll go through some basic maneuvers and the most challengin' part, landin' without cockin' the whole thing up."

[Don Damien Addams]

[holodeck two]

Don nodded his head. He was so looking for it. The one thing he would not want to admit was how nervous he was about landing it. He saw how. But he was not sure he was able to do so.

"Yeah I study my heart out," he said getting out and down the ladder.

"But before we go. What do these chaps do stay in fit?" He asked. It was real foreign to use the word "chap" but he decided to attempt to speak the time line. "I so need I need to know. Why did you choose this time? Your folks?Mentor?"

[Ian Galloway]

[holodeck two]

Don nodded his head. He was so looking for it. The one thing he would not want to admit was how nervous he was about landing it. He saw how. But he was not sure he was able to do so.

"Yeah I study my heart out," he said getting out and down the ladder.

"But before we go. What do these chaps do stay in fit?" He asked. It was real foreign to use the word "chap" but he decided to attempt to speak the time line. "I so need I need to know. Why did you choose this time? Your folks?Mentor?"

Ian smiled as Addams attempted period speech, he wasn't even remotely close, but he was trying and that was all that mattered.

"Here Lad they don't use 'chaps', right era term, wrong area of the world though. Here, they use buddy, mook, mac, or Joe."

Ian had to pause to consider Addams' question as to why he was interested in this era as he wasn't sure he had a solid grasp as to why he did.

"Best answer I can give you Ensign is that I've always been fascinated by flyin' and this era was before computers did all the work. Here, it was the pilot that did the work. True, some planes outclassed others, for example, the Japanese aircraft you will face once we are sure you can handle the basics of he P-40 can out turn you at low speeds. However, the Tomahawk can out dive, out climb, and out turn at speeds above 300 miles per hour, so it's about knowin' your plane and the plane of your enemy to make the most of what you have.

"In 1941, most of the American planes were inferior to those of the Germans and the Japanese, but the designers learned quick and later in the war, develop some of the finest piston engine aircraft ever made. I chose this early era, because winnin' or losin' all comes down ta skill, not the plane.

"When I mentioned the difference between flyin' and drivin', this era, these planes will determine which one you are very quickly. Fortunately, this is only a simulation as I crashed on take off four times and nine times on landin' before I got the hang of it. I was also shot down three times while learnin' how ta dogfight. I seriously doubt I would have survived my trainin' if'n this was real as the planes of this era were unforgivin' and a single mistake could be your last.

"Masterin' flyin' here will make you ten times the pilot you are in our time, so it's the ability ta challenge and hone my skills and just the feel of bein' on the cusp of the wave of technology that eventually resulted in the Discovery is why I love this era so completely.

"I hope that makes sense as I tend ta ramble when I get ta talk about the Flyin' Tigers, especially with someone that truly 'gets' flyin'."

[Don Damien Addams]

[holodeck 2]

Don was fascinated with Ian's passion of this time frame. The man stood gave lecture on it. The Ensign had not minded. It was nice to hear it. The over all Don felt he has confidence because his supervisor had done a lot of crashes.

The terminology of choice of words weird. "So joe, after I ace this stimulation. You want to go along with me with the first aircraft that was made. You ever tried that?" He asked. That would be daring as hell too he figured too.

[Ian Galloway]

[holodeck 2]

Don was fascinated with Ian's passion of this time frame. The man stood gave lecture on it. The Ensign had not minded. It was nice to hear it. The over all Don felt he has confidence because his supervisor had done a lot of crashes.

The terminology of choice of words weird. "So joe, after I ace this stimulation. You want to go along with me with the first aircraft that was made. You ever tried that?" He asked. That would be daring as hell too he figured too.

Ian blinked in surprise at the question, as, to be honest, he'd never put much thought into the very first days of flight.

"You mean a bloody Wright Flyer? You are a suicidal one aren't you? One of the reasons I gravitated ta this era is, while the planes are primitive, they aren't bleedin' kites with a windup toy fer a motor. However, if'n you think you can get a Wright Flyer off the ground, and land the bloody thing. I'm willin' ta give it a try, but be prepared ta end up standin' in the yellow grid of the holodeck when the safeties kick in ta save your fool neck."

[Don Damien Addams]

Ian blinked in surprise at the question, as, to be honest, he'd never put much thought into the very first days of flight.

"You mean a bloody Wright Flyer? You are a suicidal one aren't you?

Don smirked as he raised an eye brow. Some say that, thought to himself.

One of the reasons I gravitated ta this era is, while the planes are primitive, they aren't bleedin' kites with a windup toy fer a motor. However, if'n you think you can get a Wright Flyer off the ground, and land the bloody thing. I'm willin' ta give it a try, but be prepared ta end up standin' in the yellow grid of the holodeck when the safeties kick in ta save your fool neck."[/b]

"Well, if they they did not create kites, planes and space shuttles. We hell would not be here, sir," Don replied. "Cause it be a great experience..." then he let that sink. "Good thing for safeties.... hahaha you would be dead from a tiger that never took off."

[Ian Galloway]

Don smirked as he raised an eye brow. Some say that, thought to himself.

"Well, if they they did not create kites, planes and space shuttles. We hell would not be here, sir," Don replied. "Cause it be a great experience..." then he let that sink. "Good thing for safeties.... hahaha you would be dead from a tiger that never took off."

[Holodeck Two]

Ian nodded in agreement with acknowledging the pioneers of flight.

"I completely agree with givin' respect where respect is due, but if'n you think a Tomahawk is difficult to fly, the Wright Flyer was controlled by warpin' the bloody wings. Thing almost killed one of the inventors before they changed ta ailerons and elevators. However, what say we stick ta P-40s fer now?"

[Ian Galloway]

[Holodeck Two]

Ian walked up to the panel in the corridor in full Flying Tiger regalia.

"Computer, load Galloway Tiger One."

"Program ready."

The doors opened onto the dusty fields of Kunming and Ian strolled over to the Highland Gal and waited for Addams to arrive. As he did, he thought about the Tempest and wondered if Hrafn or Ozu ever continued with the program. He doubted it, but one never knew.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck Two]

Ian walked up to the panel in the corridor in full Flying Tiger regalia.

"Computer, load Galloway Tiger One."

"Program ready."

The doors opened onto the dusty fields of Kunming and Ian strolled over to the Highland Gal and waited for Addams to arrive. As he did, he thought about the Tempest and wondered if Hrafn or Ozu ever continued with the program. He doubted it, but one never knew.

[holodeck 2]

Don saw that Ian Galloway's holodeck program was up and running. He was wearing a Air Force army green flight suit as he walked in. It was the simple plain looking one. Nothing cool like the head cheese.

"Hey, sir," Don replied as he ran after behind Ian. He stood at the air craft and saluted to Ian. He was indeed playing the part. Perhaps a good way to gain points for discipline after he screwed up. The future screws up too. He knows he was going to crash or screw up.

The brown eyes of the student was showing his nervousness which was inside his jumpsuit. He had done his studies. Practiced the controls in his quarters. His room mate had complained it was to much. His room mate stated he should marry a shuttle and go away and be happy. Even his room mate had request to transfer to another quarter. It seem that his room mate had missed the thrill of flying an vintage aircraft.

Then Don had not understand studying slime and goo. That his room mate was a scientist. The two were not made for each other, but they do try to joke to override the lack of space.

[Ian Galloway]

[holodeck 2]

Don saw that Ian Galloway's holodeck program was up and running. He was wearing a Air Force army green flight suit as he walked in. It was the simple plain looking one. Nothing cool like the head cheese.

"Hey, sir," Don replied as he ran after behind Ian. He stood at the air craft and saluted to Ian. He was indeed playing the part. Perhaps a good way to gain points for discipline after he screwed up. The future screws up too. He knows he was going to crash or screw up.

The brown eyes of the student was showing his nervousness which was inside his jumpsuit. He had done his studies. Practiced the controls in his quarters. His room mate had complained it was to much. His room mate stated he should marry a shuttle and go away and be happy. Even his room mate had request to transfer to another quarter. It seem that his room mate had missed the thrill of flying an vintage aircraft.

Then Don had not understand studying slime and goo. That his room mate was a scientist. The two were not made for each other, but they do try to joke to override the lack of space.

[Holodeck Two]

Ian returned the salute and steered the ensign to the P-40 parked next to the Highland Gal, and indicated for him to climb in.

"Okay Lad, today we move past the simple tasks ta your first real challenge, takin' off and landin' the Tomahawk. First off, the forward view of the P-40 while taxiin' is horrible. So bad in fact, that one of the ground crew will ride on your wing and guide you into place. Once ready, you will have ta bring the engine ta full power, release the brakes, build speed until the tail lifts, then ease back on the stuck until she unsticks and you are airborne. I'll be right behind you, if'n you don't prang the take off that is, so climb ta 5,000 feet and we'll go over a few basic maneuvers. You have any questions?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck Two]

Ian returned the salute and steered the ensign to the P-40 parked next to the Highland Gal, and indicated for him to climb in.

Don climbed the ladder. Inside his emotions was flying upward with excitement. He had wondered will his mom be impress with him?

"Okay Lad, today we move past the simple tasks ta your first real challenge, takin' off and landin' the Tomahawk. First off, the forward view of the P-40 while taxiin' is horrible.

The Ensign felt that rush as he had throw his body up into the cockpit cause he was a few feet off the ground. Be placed himself in the pilot seat. The one thing he had not liked was the view was limited.

" So bad in fact, that one of the ground crew will ride on your wing and guide you into place. Once ready, you will have ta bring the engine ta full power, release the brakes, build speed until the tail lifts, then ease back on the stuck until she unsticks and you are airborne. I'll be right behind you, if'n you don't prang the take off that is, so climb ta 5,000 feet and we'll go over a few basic maneuvers. You have any questions?"[/b]

Don buckled himself up. "Yeah, will they give me the clear to move when you are ready?" He asked.

[Ian Galloway]

Don climbed the ladder. Inside his emotions was flying upward with excitement. He had wondered will his mom be impress with him?

The Ensign felt that rush as he had throw his body up into the cockpit cause he was a few feet off the ground. Be placed himself in the pilot seat. The one thing he had not liked was the view was limited.

Don buckled himself up. "Yeah, will they give me the clear to move when you are ready?" He asked.

[Holodeck]

Ian waved to one of the ground crew, who jogged over and hopped up on the leading edge of the wing.

"Don, this is Peanut. He'll be your eyes until he's got you spotted on the end of the runway.

Peanut waved and settled in place and waited for Don to start the P-40. Ian in turn headed for the Highland Gal, trusting the ensign to make it through the start up sequence on his own. Climbing deftly into the cockpit, ian, with practiced ease, began his own start up and soon had his plane roaring at idle as he waited for Don to begin moving.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck]

Ian waved to one of the ground crew, who jogged over and hopped up on the leading edge of the wing.

"Don, this is Peanut. He'll be your eyes until he's got you spotted on the end of the runway.

That was a funny name. The newbie had to give out a good laugh. "Well, Peanut I try not to be your butter," he replied. It was funny.

Peanut waved and settled in place and waited for Don to start the P-40.

"Come on my lady let's go," Don said to the plane fighter. The rookie started the plane in the sequence Ian had told him. The plane started to rattle of vibration of the engine. The smell of the fuel was taking over his nose. Stung a bit, but this was easy to pass aside. Here he was in a P-40. A very, very old plane. Which was new in the era. Well not all new, but close to it. Sheesh. He would love to see how they would assemble it. How would Ian think of that.

It was starting to feel good to have a buddy. Someone who liked what he liked. Galloway might be younger but he had reminded him of his mentor. Which was an android a machine like Data.

Don pulled down the goggles. Turned to look at Peanut to aid him. Plus he had to wait on Peanut to signal him for the go. The way of the design of cockpit he was unable to see Ian. That was something he had to remember when in air combat. A perfect spot to be an enemy plane.

Ian in turn headed for the Highland Gal, trusting the ensign to make it through the start up sequence on his own. Climbing deftly into the cockpit, ian, with practiced ease, began his own start up and soon had his plane roaring at idle as he waited for Don to begin moving.

Peanuts gave the wave to head out. So Don accelerated the plane. He was focusing on the take off. As he was running the controls and feeling the plane. It was not his space racer. Where he felt every thing. He would know hear something which tell something wrong with his ship. It was like part of him. Then he missed her. The money from his mom went into that ship. She was fast too. He won races too. It was in the past.

His brown eyes darting up and down from the runway to his controls. The one thing he knew which was going mess his timing the flappers on the wings and the tail. The tail was the part he did not like.

He even dreamed crashing too. Ian said he crashed a few times. "I can do this. I can do this....." then he felt engine roaring as saying let go. Go.

Then Don started pulling the joystick back. Then next thing he heard a loud screech. The back wheel bounced and snapped under the pressure of the tail. Then the rear tapped to the ground to start to tear the tail. Don was grunting, "NO!!!!!" Then he had to slow the plane down. He was gritting his teeth as he can feel the plane itself yell from the scar.

The plane came to halt. Don ripped off the goggles and unstrap himself. He stood up. Turned to see the damage. "Blasting diamonds!!!!! I am butter"

[Ian Galloway]

That was a funny name. The newbie had to give out a good laugh. "Well, Peanut I try not to be your butter," he replied. It was funny.

"Come on my lady let's go," Don said to the plane fighter. The rookie started the plane in the sequence Ian had told him. The plane started to rattle of vibration of the engine. The smell of the fuel was taking over his nose. Stung a bit, but this was easy to pass aside. Here he was in a P-40. A very, very old plane. Which was new in the era. Well not all new, but close to it. Sheesh. He would love to see how they would assemble it. How would Ian think of that.

It was starting to feel good to have a buddy. Someone who liked what he liked. Galloway might be younger but he had reminded him of his mentor. Which was an android a machine like Data.

Don pulled down the goggles. Turned to look at Peanut to aid him. Plus he had to wait on Peanut to signal him for the go. The way of the design of cockpit he was unable to see Ian. That was something he had to remember when in air combat. A perfect spot to be an enemy plane.

Peanuts gave the wave to head out. So Don accelerated the plane. He was focusing on the take off. As he was running the controls and feeling the plane. It was not his space racer. Where he felt every thing. He would know hear something which tell something wrong with his ship. It was like part of him. Then he missed her. The money from his mom went into that ship. She was fast too. He won races too. It was in the past.

His brown eyes darting up and down from the runway to his controls. The one thing he knew which was going mess his timing the flappers on the wings and the tail. The tail was the part he did not like.

He even dreamed crashing too. Ian said he crashed a few times. "I can do this. I can do this....." then he felt engine roaring as saying let go. Go.

Then Don started pulling the joystick back. Then next thing he heard a loud screech. The back wheel bounced and snapped under the pressure of the tail. Then the rear tapped to the ground to start to tear the tail. Don was grunting, "NO!!!!!" Then he had to slow the plane down. He was gritting his teeth as he can feel the plane itself yell from the scar.

The plane came to halt. Don ripped off the goggles and unstrap himself. He stood up. Turned to see the damage. "Blasting diamonds!!!!! I am butter"

[Holodeck Two]

Ian watched Addams' take off run and yelped as he saw him pull back too soon and too sharply to the inevitable result. He cut the engine on the Highland Gal and hopped out of the cockpit. As his feet hit the ground, a truck pulled up with Flip in the passenger seat already cursing an ultraviolet streak that caused Ian to wince again as he boarded and the truck roared down the runway to the stricken Tomahawk.

Ian jumped from the back of the truck as it slowed and he ran over to the cockpit, not because he was worried Addams was hurt, he couldn't be, the safety protocols would have prevented that, but to get between him and Flip who stormed toward the plane is full rut.

"Easy now Flip, damage isn't too bad, it was his first try, cut him some slack!"

"Cut him some slack? Cut him some slack? Why in the he'll should I cut him some slack! Everyone who signed on to be here swore they had experience in P-40s and less than one in ten of you do and you're not the one that has to fix the mistakes of you idiot so called pilots!

Ian stood his ground and yelled back at the angry mechanic.

"Flip, you can get as angry you want, blow a valve if you want, but what's done is done. You deal with the plane, I'll deal with Addams. Now you got a plane to fix!"

Ian turned and helped Addams out of and away from the plane to keep him as far from the line of sight of Flip as he could. Once they were out of earshot, he added.

"You have just discovered the biggest design flaws of this entire generation of aircraft, the tail dragger landin' gear. You have ta wait until the front wheels unstick before you pull back or you end up lookin' like a ruptured duck."

Ian paused as a devilish smile spread across his face he chuckled as he continued.

"Lad, you have just earned your nickname. From this day forward, you are now 'Duck'."

Ian then laughed and hoped Addams could see the humor in the situation, which was, actually fairly funny from an onlooker's perspective.