Screw Pile Developments

Autumn — Headwall Station: Year Two

A full year had now flown by since twelve frightened and traumatised boys from a collapsed, hostile Earth, walked down the ramp of a Hundeerde shuttle into a new world and a new life. Twelve boys taken into a Hunde family and who were shown complete and unconditional love, acceptance and belonging. Each one, on a unique journey, carrying their own personal loss and grief.

Notebook. Telescope. Necklace. Cooking. Engineering. Gardening. Sewing.

The station was at full harvest pace, in the gardens, the orchard and workshops. All hands and paws busy, with Marta directing with her usual economy and precision. Daan busy from early in the morning till dusk, just before dinner. When Seb pulled out his overalls from last year he immediately encountered a problem — not the tail hole, that particular detail had never worried Seb — but it now seemed that they had shrunk in size, and the legs were six inches too short. Daan had just laughed and threw Seb a larger pair.

Grandma Bella had already organised more than one clothes shopping expeditions with various groups of boys and pups over the summer. Much to Rupert’s steadfast approval, Veldmeer Outfitters now stocked pants suitable for human behinds, that is, without tail holes.

Raven’s injured hand had healed well over the last few weeks; however the scar was still a little tender for heavier tasks. He’d been delegated to the kitchen to help Charlie with a mountain of preserving coming in daily from Harry’s garden — fruit and vegetables destined for the Headwall cellars for use over winter. Charlie had diplomatically pointed out, with a completely straight face, that he should keep his fingers and fleshy bits away from the sharp bits of the knives. Raven had accepted the advice with sage equanimity, nodding solemnly in agreement. During his convalescence, he’d been able to finish the bracelet. Now it sat on his wrist alongside the necklace — the stones representing all his new friends beyond his Headwall family.

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Veldmeer Airfield

By the end of summer, Seb and Raven had completed several flying lessons with Daan. When Toby, Timo, and Hans heard about them taking up flying, their interest had been immediately piqued, and it was arranged for them to come out to the airfield, meet the instructors, and take a first flight to see if flying really was for them.

It was the day of the Harvest Dinner planned for later that evening at Headwall, and Toby, Timo and Hans had been invited to join everyone there for dinner after their afternoon of flying. The day itself was cool with just enough clouds to provide the lift needed to carry them up to the ridge of the Headwall Valley. Seb and Raven now knew the drill at the airfield, the more hands and paws to help get things ready, the sooner everyone could get in the air and fly. They all helped to ready the gliders on the apron, assisting with the daily checks of each craft.

Not all the gliders self-launched with an engine; some used the traditional method of a very fast winch, with a rope attached to the front of the glider which propelled the glider smartly upwards at 45 degrees to a height of around 1000 to 1500 feet. Quite the kick in the pants introduction for a potential pilot’s first flight. One of the tasks that the boys particularly enjoyed was driving the small side-by-side up and down the airfield to retrieve the winch rope after each glider launched. Time spent between flights was still well used. For pilots wanting more altitude than the winch could provide, the airfield also had an engine-powered tug to aero-tow them up to their desired altitude.

Seb and Raven were busy explaining the parts and functions of the twin seat training glider to Toby, Timo and Hans. The instructor would sit in the back and the student in the front. This was not a hardship, as the front seat afforded a perfect view. Timo was keenly inspecting the cockpit when a voice sounded behind him, his tail buzzing with excitement.

Timo’s tail instantly froze in mid oscillation. He knew that voice, but what was it doing here on the airfield? He slowly turned. His suspicions were immediately confirmed.

Miss Vera Weimaraner.

His teacher from school.

Miss Vera motioned her paw towards the twin glider sitting ready on the apron.

Miss Vera still had her arms firmly folded.

Timo climbed into the front seat of the glider, wiggling his butt firmly back into the seat, Miss Vera helped him to sort out the harness, which required significant adjustment.

Timo reached down to the floor and pulled up the locking handle of the pedals. The pedals needed to be slid all the way up to the last stop to reach his feet.

Timo wiggled his feet back and forth and the rudder reciprocated obligingly behind him.

In truth, Timo was a little sensitive about his height and in this particular situation no amount of bravado was going to change the stubby length of his legs. Miss Vera then climbed into the back seat and lowered the canopy.

With Raven taking a wing tip and Toby pushing the main fuselage, they wheeled the glider out on to the runway. Seb on cable duty reached under the glider with the eye of the cable ready to attach to the cable hook. With his free hand, he held all his fingers out.

Miss Vera then radioed the winch driver.

The glider rolled down the runway picking up speed. Pulling back firmly on the stick, the glider lifted off the ground — 45 degrees — straight up. All Timo could see through the canopy was the dark blue of the sky changing to indigo where a few of the daytime stars were visible. For all he knew, the glider could have been heading to space itself. It was quite a ride.

At just over 1000 feet, Miss Vera eased the nose downward and released the cable. The glider leveled off, and the full view of the town of Veldmeer, the lake and the mountains beyond came into view. For a rare moment, Timo was almost speechless.

With that, Miss Vera pulled the glider tightly into a turn, found a thermal and continued their climb. The lesson was underway.

Returning to the airfield the glider swooped in and made a clean landing, the boys on the ground ready to assist the glider back to the apron and safely off the runway. The canopy popped open. The look on Timo’s face said it all.

Both Toby and Hans then had their turns with Miss Vera while Daan took Seb and then Raven up for their flights.

During the afternoon, two identical dark green SUVs with the Hundeerde Space Defence and Communications Network logo and three stars on the side, pulled up on the airfield. A stocky French Bulldog with a dark navy turtleneck jumper and smartly pressed navy trousers stepped out.

Seb clocked the familiar turtleneck jumper immediately. The General was on the apron. With efficient strides Huxley soon crossed the grass, and came over to greet the boys and their instructors, approaching Seb first.

Seb, now having met the General a few times already, was sufficiently composed and confident to meet his eye.

Before continuing over to meet Toby, Timo, and Hans, Huxley paused and spoke quietly with Raven.

Huxley answered with a single nod.

Meanwhile, Toby was having an urgent hushed conversation with Timo, as the General and Seb approached.

Toby and Hans stepped forward — Toby with a polite sniff, Hans with his heels together, extending his paw for precisely one shake.

Timo, in his excitement, however, blurted out the first thing that entered his head.

Dead silence and a hard stare from the General followed.

SWACK!

Toby’s logbook made firm contact with the back of Timo’s head.

Just the faintest trace of a smile crossed Huxley’s muzzle.

Good enough. Huxley nodded once.

As the boys melted away to their various ground tasks, Huxley exchanged perfectly composed greetings with Miss Vera and Daan.

Daan, forewarned by Jake that morning, was ready for the General’s arrival.

Huxley nodded once in approval.