Aboard Die Himmelstadt, 47th of Ash, 124
Flashes of lightning illuminated the menacing silhouette of Die Himmelstadt, one of the three pride of the Imperium’s airforce, suspended by an intricate network of dragonshards and engines. Torrential rain lashed against its reinforced steel hull, pooling in rivulets that streamed off the sides into the endless abyss below. The storm had shown no signs of relenting since dawn, and now, as evening approached, its fury only intensified.
On the drenched flight deck, the 175th Squadron stood resolute, their aeroplanes lined up in a precise formation. Each pilot braced against the tempest, their oilskin flight gear repelling the relentless rain as they prepared for the most grueling mission of their careers.
Standing at the forefront of the formation, Axel adjusted the harness securing him inside the cockpit of the PX1-567, one of the Imperium’s newest experimental prototype and the lovechild of the infamous Dr. Neumark. Unlike the other PX1 models used by the squadron, the PX1-567 featured cutting-edge enhancements crafted by Dr. Neumark, whose genius straddled the line between brilliance and madness. The prototype’s sleek frame was adorned with glimmering dragonshard conduits, faintly pulsating with energy that powered the advanced systems embedded within.
A sudden burst of static hissed through the small lorestone relay embedded in Axel’s helmet. “Lieutenant, ca… can you hea… hear me?” Dr. Neumark’s crackling voice barely broke through the interference.
Axel twisted a knob on the relay, adjusting for clarity. “Yes, Doc, I hear you. Slight interference. Probably the storm. Nothing to worry about, geezer.” His voice calm, although his fingers absently drummed against the flight panel. He glanced at the dragonshard diagnostic display, it showed steady green across the board. A good sign, he hoped.
He checked the logbook strapped to his thigh, mentally crossing off each item on the pre-flight checklist. This was his twentieth flight in the PX1-567. Axel patted the flight panel, “You’ve got this, girl. Just a little lightning and rain. Nothing you haven’t handled before.” murmuring under his breath.
Axel's eyes drifted upward, scanning the glass canopy. The enchantments kept it crystal clear despite the downpour, a detail he couldn’t help but admire. That geezer's improvements weren’t just functional, they bordered on miraculous. He thought to himself.
A familiar voice crackled in his helmet. “Axel, Axel, come in.” Claudia’s voice sounded crisp despite the storm’s interference.
“Yes, what's up?” he replied, suppressing the tension he felt.
“Everything ready on your end? Weather's a bit shitty and visibility down to barely two hundred meters, and the wind shear is already pushing forty knots.” Her tone was sharp but calm. “A bit fiercer than I might imagined. Just like that time huh? We’ll need to rely on tight formation flying and proper communication. One wrong move, and it's end of the line.” She continued
Axel smirked, though his heart tightened. “Ready or not, I got to be ready, besides the PX1-567’s in top shape. Claudia, you’ll take point, Captain.” He chuckled lightly.
A sharp whistle signaled the final check-in. Claudia’s voice rose above the storm. “Alrighty shitheads, 175th, listen up! Stick to the plan. We start it off with formation Alpha, then switch to Beta once we’re over the mountain range. We’ve got around five hours of hard flying ahead. Keep comms clear, and yes that includes you Benji. No fucking serenading the storm. And remember, it’s the PX1-567’s final trial. If we do good, we might get a shiny new toy from that geezer. Alright boys and gals, let’s make it count.”
A resounding “Yes, Captain!” echoed through the squadron, their voices carried by the lorestone relays. Axel tightened his grip on the control stick, his knuckles whitening. He could feel the collective weight of the moment. Then the signal came. Engines roared to life as the PX1s taxied into position on the flight deck, their wheels slipping slightly on the rain-slicked surface. A cacophony of mechanical growls and magical hums filled the air as propellers spun into action. Axel's PX1-567 emitted a deeper, more resonant thrum as its enhanced engine awakened, the dragonshards glowing brighter in response.
One by one, the squadron’s fighters launched into the tempest, each aircraft veering sharply upward to clear the deck. The moment Axel’s turn arrived, the PX1-567 surged forward with a raw power that made the base PX1s seem ancient in comparison. The reinforced frame cut through the wind as if the storm itself parted in deference.
The initial climb was harrowing. Sheets of rain pounded against the canopy, and crosswinds threatened to wrench the aircraft from its path. Axel wrestled with the controls, testing the PX1-567’s responsiveness. To his relief, the enhanced stabilizers kicked in, compensating for the turbulence with an elegance that felt almost intuitive.
“The PX1-567 is airborne. Systems are stable,” Axel reported.
“Good. Fall into position. We’re at six hundred meters and holding,” Claudia replied.
The squadron assembled in formation Alpha, a staggered V that allowed each aircraft to shield the one behind it from the worst of the wind. Axel took his position near the center, his prototype standing out with its glowing dragonshards and sleeker design.
As they approached the first waypoint, the storm’s fury redoubled. Forked lightning danced across the sky, illuminating the jagged peaks below.
“Alright, 175th, keep it tight! We’ve got a wind shear warning dead ahead. Adjust altitude by two hundred meters and switch to formation Beta on my mark.” Claudia’s voice cut through the relay.
Axel watched as the squadron shifted seamlessly, their precision honed through countless drills. Formation Beta brought the aircraft closer together, a tight diamond that prioritized mutual protection over speed.
A sudden updraft slammed into the PX1-567, jolting Axel in his seat. “Shit!” he exclaimed, gripping the controls. The prototype held steady, the advanced stabilizers compensating almost immediately. Axel glanced at his instruments, still green.
“Axel, how’s she holding up?” Claudia’s voice carried an edge of concern.
“She holding good. Like a dream. Stabilizers are handling the turbulence better than expected. I’ll relay the data to the geezer once we’re back.”
“Good. Let’s hope it stays that way,” Claudia replied. “We’re approaching the mountain pass. Vivi, take point. Axel, stick close to her.”
“Got it,” Axel replied, nudging the PX1-567 into position behind Vivi’s aircraft.
Flashes of lightning illuminated the menacing silhouette of Die Himmelstadt, one of the three pride of the Imperium’s airforce, suspended by an intricate network of dragonshards and engines. Torrential rain lashed against its reinforced steel hull, pooling in rivulets that streamed off the sides into the endless abyss below. The storm had shown no signs of relenting since dawn, and now, as evening approached, its fury only intensified.
On the drenched flight deck, the 175th Squadron stood resolute, their aeroplanes lined up in a precise formation. Each pilot braced against the tempest, their oilskin flight gear repelling the relentless rain as they prepared for the most grueling mission of their careers.
Standing at the forefront of the formation, Axel adjusted the harness securing him inside the cockpit of the PX1-567, one of the Imperium’s newest experimental prototype and the lovechild of the infamous Dr. Neumark. Unlike the other PX1 models used by the squadron, the PX1-567 featured cutting-edge enhancements crafted by Dr. Neumark, whose genius straddled the line between brilliance and madness. The prototype’s sleek frame was adorned with glimmering dragonshard conduits, faintly pulsating with energy that powered the advanced systems embedded within.
A sudden burst of static hissed through the small lorestone relay embedded in Axel’s helmet. “Lieutenant, ca… can you hea… hear me?” Dr. Neumark’s crackling voice barely broke through the interference.
Axel twisted a knob on the relay, adjusting for clarity. “Yes, Doc, I hear you. Slight interference. Probably the storm. Nothing to worry about, geezer.” His voice calm, although his fingers absently drummed against the flight panel. He glanced at the dragonshard diagnostic display, it showed steady green across the board. A good sign, he hoped.
He checked the logbook strapped to his thigh, mentally crossing off each item on the pre-flight checklist. This was his twentieth flight in the PX1-567. Axel patted the flight panel, “You’ve got this, girl. Just a little lightning and rain. Nothing you haven’t handled before.” murmuring under his breath.
Axel's eyes drifted upward, scanning the glass canopy. The enchantments kept it crystal clear despite the downpour, a detail he couldn’t help but admire. That geezer's improvements weren’t just functional, they bordered on miraculous. He thought to himself.
A familiar voice crackled in his helmet. “Axel, Axel, come in.” Claudia’s voice sounded crisp despite the storm’s interference.
“Yes, what's up?” he replied, suppressing the tension he felt.
“Everything ready on your end? Weather's a bit shitty and visibility down to barely two hundred meters, and the wind shear is already pushing forty knots.” Her tone was sharp but calm. “A bit fiercer than I might imagined. Just like that time huh? We’ll need to rely on tight formation flying and proper communication. One wrong move, and it's end of the line.” She continued
Axel smirked, though his heart tightened. “Ready or not, I got to be ready, besides the PX1-567’s in top shape. Claudia, you’ll take point, Captain.” He chuckled lightly.
A sharp whistle signaled the final check-in. Claudia’s voice rose above the storm. “Alrighty shitheads, 175th, listen up! Stick to the plan. We start it off with formation Alpha, then switch to Beta once we’re over the mountain range. We’ve got around five hours of hard flying ahead. Keep comms clear, and yes that includes you Benji. No fucking serenading the storm. And remember, it’s the PX1-567’s final trial. If we do good, we might get a shiny new toy from that geezer. Alright boys and gals, let’s make it count.”
A resounding “Yes, Captain!” echoed through the squadron, their voices carried by the lorestone relays. Axel tightened his grip on the control stick, his knuckles whitening. He could feel the collective weight of the moment. Then the signal came. Engines roared to life as the PX1s taxied into position on the flight deck, their wheels slipping slightly on the rain-slicked surface. A cacophony of mechanical growls and magical hums filled the air as propellers spun into action. Axel's PX1-567 emitted a deeper, more resonant thrum as its enhanced engine awakened, the dragonshards glowing brighter in response.
One by one, the squadron’s fighters launched into the tempest, each aircraft veering sharply upward to clear the deck. The moment Axel’s turn arrived, the PX1-567 surged forward with a raw power that made the base PX1s seem ancient in comparison. The reinforced frame cut through the wind as if the storm itself parted in deference.
The initial climb was harrowing. Sheets of rain pounded against the canopy, and crosswinds threatened to wrench the aircraft from its path. Axel wrestled with the controls, testing the PX1-567’s responsiveness. To his relief, the enhanced stabilizers kicked in, compensating for the turbulence with an elegance that felt almost intuitive.
“The PX1-567 is airborne. Systems are stable,” Axel reported.
“Good. Fall into position. We’re at six hundred meters and holding,” Claudia replied.
The squadron assembled in formation Alpha, a staggered V that allowed each aircraft to shield the one behind it from the worst of the wind. Axel took his position near the center, his prototype standing out with its glowing dragonshards and sleeker design.
As they approached the first waypoint, the storm’s fury redoubled. Forked lightning danced across the sky, illuminating the jagged peaks below.
“Alright, 175th, keep it tight! We’ve got a wind shear warning dead ahead. Adjust altitude by two hundred meters and switch to formation Beta on my mark.” Claudia’s voice cut through the relay.
Axel watched as the squadron shifted seamlessly, their precision honed through countless drills. Formation Beta brought the aircraft closer together, a tight diamond that prioritized mutual protection over speed.
A sudden updraft slammed into the PX1-567, jolting Axel in his seat. “Shit!” he exclaimed, gripping the controls. The prototype held steady, the advanced stabilizers compensating almost immediately. Axel glanced at his instruments, still green.
“Axel, how’s she holding up?” Claudia’s voice carried an edge of concern.
“She holding good. Like a dream. Stabilizers are handling the turbulence better than expected. I’ll relay the data to the geezer once we’re back.”
“Good. Let’s hope it stays that way,” Claudia replied. “We’re approaching the mountain pass. Vivi, take point. Axel, stick close to her.”
“Got it,” Axel replied, nudging the PX1-567 into position behind Vivi’s aircraft.
