The Gentle Sniper

Chapter 16: Unexpected Sting Part 1

A/N: For anyone who likes to listen to music while reading, I recommend Ken Ashcorp - Hunter, as I feel some of its lyrics sum up what Hiccup is feeling in this fic, as well as being a great song in general.

Give it a listen at some point guys.

Here we go now.

...

"So this is your first real day as part of the Jaeger Corps," Nora wiped away an invisible tear. "Oh, they grow up so fast!"

"Seriously? Nora, I'm not a kid. There's at most a ten year age gap between us."

"February 29 has only come around eight times since you were born, so there's technically a thirty-year age gap between us, young 'un."

The sudden din of an approaching helicopter drew their attention then, as they stood in the hangar. "Well, I guess that's my ride. Go easy on Snotlout if he chooses to show up today. Or, better yet, record his training. I want to see if he improves."

"Will do. See you on the flip side, Captain Haddock, and good luck out there."

"Likewise, Nora," Hiccup returned, just before the noise of the helicopter became too loud to speak over, and the craft - a deep green Eurocopter Fennec - came in for a landing, stopping just beyond the hangar's entrance.

At last, the duo bid each other farewell, and Hiccup set off. As he walked, he spotted Gruffnut approaching the hangar, so he waved at the pilot. After the action was reciprocated, Hiccup entered the waiting helicopter.

"Captain Haddock?" The redheaded female pilot checked, standing in the doorway of the cockpit.

"Yes, that's me."

"Good. Strap in and let's go," she instructed, pointing at a seat by the door Hiccup had just entered.

He did so, and she passed him to pull the door shut.

...

If you or Fishlegs find anything on Drago from that information Bertha is sending us, I want to know. Send me a text ASAP.

Hiccup sent the text, then sat back in his seat to watch a fog-covered Sølvbånd base, and by extension Berk, get smaller and smaller in the view of the rear windows of the helicopter he was in.

"Have a nice night, sir?" asked the pilot.

Hiccup blinked and turned, staring into the hazel eyes of the pilot, her short red hair visible beneath the grey headset she was wearing. "What?"

She turned and looked ahead before speaking again. "That hickey you have on your neck, sir. It's quite noticeable."

"Kinda guessed, since now three people have pointed it out. I'd appreciate it if you could pretend it isn't there, please. Better yet, don't say anything. Pretend I'm not here."

"No can do, sir," she replied. "Or won't do, to be more precise. What's your name?"

"Captain Haddock."

"I mean your full name."

"Can't and won't say. It's in the rules if you don't already know that."

"Well you're not stupid like my first, and only partner was. Good. This day looks like it'll be interesting."

"First and only partner?" asked Hiccup, but the pilot didn't respond, leaving him staring after her with his mouth slightly ajar.

'They let you stay without a partner? How?'