Silent Questions

I scroll through Lucky's stories, chuckling at his daily interactions. This girl named Alice keeps appearing in these stories. A crush maybe? No, then why'd he ask for those pictures? I'll just ask him later I guess. I glance out the window with the bright blue skies of earlier today slightly faded. Lucky's 3 AM story continues echoing in my mind. I return my eyes to the laptop's screen, checking the bottom right for the time, 6:47. Ah, did Lucky change the timezones for me already? Wait... IT'S ALMOST 7 ALREADY?!? I throw on my jacket as I fly out the door. I got too invested in Lucky's stories. If I wait too long it'd be too late to find him! I bounce around the halls and staff, pushing my way through the current of people. Being overcome by the tide, I spot a right-side exit of the accommodation building. I revert my path towards the door, leaping outside as the wave stampedes through the hall. I push myself to my feet, finding myself between Yurei's wall and the accommodation building. Down the narrow ally way, I spot a chain-linked door. finding myself curious I walk myself to it, peering through it.

Behind the gate laid a balcony overviewing the cliffside. I never realized this was here due to it being too offset for my room to see. Looking out towards the sharp cliffs and orange dunes, was Lucky. Leaned up against the chain fence, hat nowhere to be seen, his usually hidden green-red hair fluttered in the wind. I slowly open the door as it creeks and clatters, Luckys view remains unhindered. I close it behind me as gently as possible before placing myself beside Lucky. I lean on the fence, taking a flashing glance at Lucky. His eyes stare into the desert as if glossy pearls. I notice a little rash circling his neck, I decide not to mention it. I look out into the endless desert below. letting the cool breeze flutter through my clothes as the sandy hills mimic the flowing winds.

Jax: "I was reading a few of your stories on the laptop."

Lucky: "Oh? How were they? I decided to turn it into a sort of mini dairy since I got it for you."

Jax: "They were pretty funny, I mean, the amount of detail you put into how you put spoons and straws on your face to mimicked a dragon. And that time you got caught writing "that" sort of book."

We both share a little chuckle as we stare out into the diminishing sunlight.

Lucky: "I'm pretty sure I slide that book into the Good Stuff folder for you. It turned out pretty nice in my opinion, you should give it a read."

He throws me a little wink as he turns over leaning backside against the rails. He looks up the walls, into the blue skies above.

Lucky: "Hey Jax, how is it up there? In the skies."

Jax: "It's... calming to me. It's kind of like a bird soaring high in the skies looking down on the earth below, unshackled. I like being in the sky."

Lucky: "Is that so... Would you like to marry the sky?"

Jax: "Hehe, is that how we're playing now? Mind if I ask you something then?"

Lucky: "Mmm, depends if you'll answer my question first."

Jax: "Fine, MAYBE I would. But I don't think it likes me back, so I think ill stay its friend for now. As for my question, Whos Alice huh? I thought you had a thing for Diana, but she kept popping up in your stories."

Lucky: "First off. I DONT have a thing for Diana...."

Lucky adverts his gaze further away from me. but it's no use, his red cheeks still show through his petty attempts to hide them. I wonder why he likes Diana so much. they've barely talked from what I know. He regains his composure once more, reverting his gaze onto the fluttering dunes.

"Second off. Alice is the lead engineer of Phantom. The aircraft carrier im based on."

Jax: "Phantom? If I'm not mistaken, that's where Doc said his wife was."

Lucky: "Doc?.. Is his name Pack? I heard Alice talk about him a few times."

Jax: "Yeah him! That's pretty cool that you know Doc's wife."

Lucky: "Is it?"

Jax: "Well isn't she the lead developer for our AeroCords?"

Lucky: "I've never seen her wording before but I think so. maybe ill introduce you to her someday!"

A crackling voice shoots to life from my watch.

Spirit: "Pilot, an urgent mission has been recently assigned. We are to fly out immediately for a strike mission."

Base Yurei sitting behind us springs to life as sirens and shouts start echoing from afar. The AeroCords distinct howl whining over as they're called to life.

Jax: "Affirm, pick me up at position two. I won't be inside my room so be prepared to make minor adjustments to the procedure."

Spirit: "Understood, ETA 45 seconds."

Jax: "Well, you heard her, seems a mission popped up suddenly."

Lucky: "Don't worry about it. I'll be here to talk next time I drop by."

Jax: "Right, one last question."

Lucky: "Shoot."

Jax: "...Earlier today when we made that trade.... Who were you looking at in the tower?"

His smile wavers as he drops his head.

Lucky: "It's... A long story... Maybe... I'll tell you about it next time..."

Spirit shoots over the wall before flipping over into the sharp cliffs below. Her engines letting out a screeching howl as she flies overhead. Lucky pulls out his hat from his pocket, sliding it onto his head before walking towards the gate. He pauses with his hand on the latch as Spirit begins her climb directly below us. I climb on top of the rail preparing myself for Spirit to catch me.

Lucky: "There are many things you don't know yet Jax. But all will come to light... Eventually."

Lucky steps out of the gate, shutting it behind him as I call out for him. I look back as Spirit is about to arrive. I can't run after him for answers. I close my eyes as I fall backward off the cliff. landing inside Spirits canopy as I shoot into the sky. I look down below as Lucky looks back up at me. His usual smile faintly diluted from the building downcast shadow.

Jax: "Spirit... Give me a quick briefing."

Spirit: "You and Smoked Barrage will take place in a strike mission. The target is an arms factory south of our current position. Our objective is to partially escort Smoked Barrage to target before returning to base. From this point on the operation will be referred to Operation Lit Fuse."

Jax: "We won't be escorting him fully to target?"

Spirit: "Correct."

Jax: "We never fully escort him to target. I mean, I can't really help him on his portion of the mission. But why does he not have any cover during the mission? I need to ask Chloe after. It's a matter of time before he gets ambushed without me"

Spirit: "Would you like me to send in a request?"

Jax: "Ah, no, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I'll ask her myself when after I finish my portion of the mission."

I flip back over from my verticle climb, spotting Boss mid-takeoff. I drop to Stage One as I follow him into the air. I connect my comm's to Boss as he lifts into the air

Jax: "As usual, lead us to target Boss, ill be your escort"

I look off to my right, spotting Lucky one last time as he hops into his truck. His smile was nowhere to be seen.

Lucky, what could you have possibly meant?