Captain Destiny's Adventure

Chapter 8: On Edge

A couple hours later

"Officer, I saw a flash in the distance. Please check it out."

"Yes, Captain."

"There's a pair of bino–"

Hakku looked to grab a pair of binoculars from a nearby hook. Instead, he saw a pair come out of her arm! She put them up to her eyes and began searching.

"What exactly did you see, Captain?" she asked.

Hakku shook his head and refaced the sky.

"It was red. I hope you're not colorblind."

"I'm not."

"Excellent. The only red-winged birds I know of are Crimson Vultures."

"Did it have gold on its feather tips?"

"The flash? Umm, I don't think so. Why?"

"Because I do see a pair of bright red wings now with gold tips. But they belong to a Birdman with golden blond hair."

Hakku's eyes lit up.

"Ooh! That's interesting!"

"He's dropping altitude. Increase Destiny's throttle."

Hakku pushed up the throttle knob.

"Is he injured? Or is he diving?"

"Judging that his left wing is stiffer with each movement, I bet an injury."

Hakku gritted his teeth.

"Poachers are nearby."

The Officer put away the binoculars and looked at her Captain.

"What's next?" she asked.

"We're approaching him. But I doubt he'll want to come inside willingly."

"Are you proposing we force him inside?"

"No. I'm going to convince him to come."

"He'll claw your eyes out before he agrees."

"He can do that. Officer, keep Destiny steady."

The Captain unbuckled his seatbelt.

"What are you going to do?!" the Officer shrieked. She snatched the yoke.

"Secure the equipment and open the passenger door."

"And then?"

"I'll explain more later."

"Roger that, Captain."

Captain Hakku slid off his headset and crawled to the back. Using a slew of securing ropes in the back, he managed to tie up all of the gear against the tail wall. He climbed into a harness and attached it to a spare rope and a metal bar along the inside wall. Once he was secured, the young man exchanged his sunglasses and hat for a pair of goggles and an aviator hat that tied around his chin.

He heaved open the cargo door behind the left front seat. Air rushed in pushing him back. The officer looked back. She lowered the throttle knob on her side and increased the fuel mixture slightly. Then she eased Destiny until they were slightly above the Birdman.

His bright red feathers with golden tips were easily visible amongst the white and sky blue surroundings. They proudly held up his human body. His stiff, golden locks flew back in the wind. The gray bird feet on his human legs were extended back like a real bird would in flight.

Hakku was fascinated how his gray t-shirt and cream shorts hadn't flown off.

The Birdman twisted his neck around.