Painted Faces

Schemes and Remembrance

Three months later
(November 14, 1939)
Nazi Germany

Rudie's POV
"We have a set date, Sir." I told Eric in a clear voice. His green eyes glinted in the half light.

"We will head out on the 20th of June at 3:00 pm. And wait until 11:45: pm.

"And the exact location?"

"Three miles up river in the Eastwood National Forest,  our starting point is at  Bärensee Lake."

"Thank you, Rudie."

"Of course."

Eric's POV
Sitting in the old chair, I watched Rudie limp away into the shadows of the other room. I smiled to myself. He had shown me kindness when no one else had. Suddenly a memory flashed into my mind.

(Flash back begins)
A chorus of plane engines hummed all around Eric. The click of his radio surprised him.
"56, this is Laceen. We are approaching target. Fire at will."
Eric exhaled slowly and thumbed the red buttons on top of the steering console. Instantaneously, rapid gun fire drowned out any other sound. Although he couldn't hear it, Eric screamed at the top of his lungs. Adrenaline raced through his vains, exhilarating him. Rage, pride, and courage flooded through Eric. A bright flash made Eric turn his head. His radio clicked again- "I'm hit! I'm going down! I-" KERPOW!
Eric saw that the plane next to him had burst Ito flames and exploded.  "NO!!!!" He yelled, fury and hatred blistered inside him. He fired again.
"56, swing low, fire and pull up." Colonel Laceen's voice sounded over the gunfire. Eric nodded and dived down to where he could see the pain stricken faces of his victims as he shot at the Nazi ground troops. Eric looked to the left and saw that the others where starting to pull up, so he did as well. He saw the shells wiz by and he laughed arrogantly "NOTHING CAN TAKE THIS WARHAWK DOWN!" Eric yelled to him self. Climbing higher and higher in the sky, Eric felt as if nothing could harm him. Once the fleet of planes settled into their positions, Eric noticed that many of the others where missing. They had started out with 16 pilots and they where left, including Eric, with 7 pilots.
When Eric was finally calming down, a horrid sound blasted and his aircraft shook with such great force that he lost control of the craft. "DAMNIT" he yelled frantically as he descended down. He pulled up on the console, yelling. Smoke was billowing from the right wing but he climbed in elevation once again.
Click- "Brickman, this is Laceen, is there a problem?"
"I've seen to have been hit. I think I can make it thought." -click.
"Try to hold out Brickman. Our options are limited, and we've lost enough men today."
Colonel Laceen's voice was hard with emotion.

After 30 minutes of somewhat smooth flying, Eric's Warhawk lurched forward and a loud clanking sound made Eric panic. He reached over to his left shoulder and snatched his radio.
-click- "56, this is Sergeant Brickman, my right engine is malfunctioning, and I'm losing altitude." He paused, and took a jagged breath of air as his plane started descending quickly.
"Men, it's been a great pleasure serving with you all. I wish you well."
"BRICKMAN!" Private Jack Scott yelled. He and Eric had been friends through out high school and they joined the military together. His plane had been descending slowly, by now he could see the tops of the trees below. Wild terror flooded through Eric as he plummeted towards the ground below.
Eric frantically  pressed each button he could, but nothing worked. In the short seconds between air in ground, Eric thought that this was the end. There was nothing he could do to keep his plane in the air.
(Flash back ends)

I wiped tears from my cheeks, and a gentle touch on my shoulder made me jump. I turned to see Rudie's sister, Annalise.

Annalise's POV
I stood across the room washing dishes. The sound of Eric's voice caught my attention. I didn't like him. He was too arrogant and just plain American; always being dramatic, and eating way too much.
Despite how I felt about him he sometimes worried me. He'd zone out and he would look really scared almost as if he where remembering something horrible. I did know he was in the army before coming to Germany, but I wasn't sure how he got here and I was secretly afraid to ask.
I put down the dish rag and looked at him, tears where running down his face as he stared into nothing. I walked over to him and I placed my hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked at me.
"Oh, hello..." He murmured.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh... Yeah... I'm fine."

"No you aren't. You are sweating and it's 40 degrees outside."

"I'm okay, really. I am. But... I thought you hated me." He smirked.

"I don't hate anyone." I scowled.

"You're cute when you're frustrated."