Consequence

Kaihi

The airbase commander’s office is strangely comforting. A familiar place - one I used to dread back when I was a fresh recruit. Now, though, I can relax in its red armchair as the commander leans forward across his desk, interviewing me.

I tell him everything. The crash. The Karikogans. The experimental aircraft. The carriers. The Axis missiles. I talk about Zyla - her sickness, her father, all of it.
Well, almost all.
I leave out the parts about our relationship. That can remain private, for now.

The commander twirls a pencil between his fingers.

“Not gonna lie, Kaihi - we thought you were dead. Hit squad morale pretty hard. But when we got the news that you were flying a special mission back, we couldn't believe our ears. Then they announced the hostile takeover of Karikoga, the destruction of the carriers… and you failed to show up for a day. We lost hope all over again.”

He chuckles.

“But I see I didn’t need to worry. You were in control the whole time.”

I laugh - dry and disbelieving. Me, in control? When we almost died a dozen times? I shake my head.

“I wish I could see it that way too.”

He laughs with me. Short, quick, warm. The kind that fills a room like sunlight.

“Anyway - what’s the story with that bird of yours? She’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Contra-rotating propellers? That’s old tech. But from what the boys are saying, you were nearly outrunning the Axis’s most advanced missiles.”

I grin.

“That, sir, is the Feiwen Mark Seven. Experimental aircraft. I named her Mazel - Zyla’s suggestion.”

He snaps his fingers.

“Right! I almost forgot - you’re an ace now.”

He smirks.

“Congratulations. I’ll see to it you get the proper rewards and promotions.”

He pauses, then adds casually:

“Oh, that reminds me. Two hundred million’s been transferred to your account. Try not to spend it all in one place.”

My heart leaps. My future flares open in front of me.
With that kind of money… I can do almost anything. Live anywhere. Fly anywhere. Be anyone.

The commander stands and offers his hand.

“Well, that’s all I need from you. We’re glad to have you back.”

Still stunned, I rise and shake his hand. He sits back down, waving his pencil toward the door.

“You’re dismissed. Go say hello to the boys. They should be in the mess right now.”

I salute, heels clicking, and turn to leave.

But as I open the door, he clicks his fingers again.

“Oh! Right. Kaihi - hold on a minute.”

I turn back.

“Sir?”

He grins.

“I’m supposed to let you request something. Whether I can grant it depends on what it is, of course. So…”

He spins the pencil again - it’s almost hypnotic.

“What would you like? Ask for whatever you want.”

My mind races. My pulse quickens. Anything?

What do I really want?

“Sir… if it’s possible, I’d like to keep Mazel. She’s a beautiful bird. I wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s saved my life more than once already.”

The commander winces.

“Knew you’d ask for that. But getting it cleared through Feiwen… that’s going to be tricky. They’re not exactly your biggest fans.”

I offer a small smile.

“What if I buy the blueprint? That would make the aircraft mine, right?”

He nods slowly.

“Technically, yes. But it’d cost you a fortune. They usually go for upwards of five hundred million - and that’s just for a basic transport model.”

He smirks.

“Or what they call a basic transport.”

I nod, the flicker of hope dimming.

But then he shakes his head.

“I’ll see what I can do. They might - might - let you keep her if you do something for them in return. I’ll get back to you.”

A wide grin breaks across my face.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Alright. Off you go. They’re waiting.”

I salute again, and step out of the office - heart still pounding.

As I walk through the halls, my mind races.

What will the boys think of me?
After everything that’s happened - will they welcome me back?
Or am I something different now? A secret agent? A specialist?
Someone foreign?

The double doors to the mess loom ahead. My heart pounds.

Breathe.
In. Out.
Relax.
It’ll be fine.
Just… don’t do anything stupid.

In. Out.

I place my hands on the left door, take a deep breath-
-and push it open.

The mess is packed.
Rows of pilots and mechanics crowd the long tables, chattering under the sterile glow of hanging fluorescent lights. The moment I step inside, the noise dies.

Everyone turns to stare.

I freeze.

For a heartbeat - maybe two - the whole room holds its breath.
Their gazes pin me in place. The air thickens.
Sweat beads on my neck and sticks to my hair.

Then someone stands.

He leaves his table and walks toward me, weaving through the still crowd. As he opens his arms, I recognize him instantly.

“Arkar! Kaihi! Welcome back! And congratulations on achieving ace status!”

A sudden cheer erupts - applause, whooping, shouting. The tension breaks like a dam. The mess hall is alive again.

I can’t help grinning.

The man reaches me and throws an arm around my shoulder.

“Idris! Kaea! I’m so glad. I thought-”

I laugh, shaking my head.

“I was worried you’d all… I don’t know. Despise me or something.”

He laughs with me.

“Despise you? Why? You old worrywart. Come on - you’re telling us everything.”

He leads me toward the mob of standing men, and I let him.

It feels good to be back.

Maybe…
Maybe I won’t leave the military just yet.

It’s three days before I hear anything about Zyla.

I was granted a rest period, but my hands soon started itching for the controls again. Eventually, I was cleared to take Mazel up on a routine patrol. Nothing exciting - just circling friendly skies - but after everything that’s happened, the calm is welcome. A change of pace. A chance to breathe.

I’m still allowed to fly Mazel - for now.
Feiwen’s dragging their feet on the matter. Seems they’re in no rush to decide whether I’m allowed to keep their precious Mark Seven.

I’m in the mess with the others, halfway through dinner, swapping stories and cracking jokes only we’d understand, when I feel a tap on my shoulder.

I turn.

An unfamiliar officer stands behind me, perfectly straight in a freshly pressed uniform.

“Ace Pilot Kaihi Lahav, your presence has been requested at the Saman National Hospital. Please come now. A car is waiting outside.”

He salutes crisply, then walks off without another word.

My stomach drops.

Zyla?

Is she awake?

Is she-?

My heart thuds. I rise, mumbling apologies to my squadmates, and follow the officer out-
-barely hearing the whispers that ripple in my wake.

The car ride is short. The sun sits high, too bright for what I’m feeling.

I thank the driver and step out, walking toward the wide glass doors of the hospital. As I enter, it hits me - I have no idea where to go.

I glance around and spot a help desk. A nurse sits behind it, typing.

I approach and offer a small smile.

“Excuse me. I’m Kaihi Lahav. Someone here requested my presence?”

She smiles back, polite, and taps at her keyboard.

“Kaihi? Let me check.”

She scans her screen, types something - probably my name. Then her face shifts: recognition... and then a subtle darkening, like a light going out.

“Do you know Eliza Doman?”

I nod slowly.

She gestures to another nurse nearby, currently helping a patient into a wheelchair.

“When she’s finished with that, ask her. She’ll take you there.”

I thank her and wait, pulse ticking in my ears. The other nurse gives the patient some final instructions before they wheel themselves away. Then she turns to me.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Eliza Doman,” I say. “I was told you can take me to her?”

Her face brightens - briefly. But then something shifts. A quiet sadness creeps in behind her eyes.

“Yes, I can,” she says. “She’s upstairs. Ward Five. Follow me.”

We walk.

The hospital is immaculate - white walls, polished floors, the smell of antiseptic in the air. We climb two flights of stairs, then walk another long hallway. I try to think of what I’ll say when I see her, but nothing comes. Words escape me. I’ll just have to improvise.

We reach Ward Five. The nurse slows as we pass a few rooms. Then she stops.

Ahead of us, a doctor and a nurse are speaking quietly outside a door.

They look up when we approach.

“Is this him?” the doctor asks.

The nurse nods. Everyone’s expression turns grim.

My chest tightens.

The doctor bows his head slightly.

“Sir… from the bottom of my heart - I'm sorry.”

Sorry?

Before I can ask, the nurse beside him gently opens the door and motions me in.

Inside, the room is quiet. A single bed sits at its center, surrounded by softly beeping machines.

In the bed, tucked beneath a white blanket with only her head showing, is Zyla.

Her eyes are closed.

My heart lurches. My blood goes cold.

She looks so pale. So still.

I step forward slowly, each breath tighter than the last.

Then - her eyelids flutter open.

She takes a moment to focus, then sees me.

Her soft green eyes light up.

That same deep red hair, brushed and tucked under her head, catches the light just enough to glow faintly. She smiles.

Warmly.

“Kaihi,” she whispers. “I’ve missed you.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes.

“Zyla… what’s going on? I thought they were going to cure you.”

I feel a shift behind me. The doctor and nurses have entered. The doctor speaks..

“We’re so sorry. We tried everything we could. But the illness was too far along. She… she got here too late. There’s nothing more we can do. She has a day or two left. Maybe.”

The world caves in.

I turn back to Zyla, who still hasn’t stopped smiling.

Tears break free, running hot down my face. I can barely hold back a sob.

Is this my fault?

We were delayed. Two days longer than planned. Maybe if we’d moved faster-

But somehow, she already knows.

“Don’t worry,” she says, voice soft.

“It’s not your fault. I knew… before we met. I knew I wasn’t going to make it.”

The words hit like a slap.

She knew?

She flew with me - fought beside me, loved me - knowing she wouldn't survive?

Still, that gentle smile stays on her lips.

She reaches out from under the blanket, her hand trembling, and takes mine.

Her skin is ice-cold. Damp.

With her other hand, she reaches up and lays it on my cheek.

My tears flow over her fingers.

“Kaihi,” she whispers, “don’t cry. I’ve had a great time with you.”

She’s made peace with it.
She knew. And still she smiles.

My heart hammers against my ribs.
This isn’t fair.

“Zyla…” My voice cracks.
“I-I can’t live without you. We didn’t even…”

A sob claws out of me.

The heart monitor stutters.

Still, she smiles.

“It’s alright,” she murmurs.
“We’ll see each other again. In heaven. Then you’ll see me healthy again.”

I squeeze her hand tighter, my other hand still on hers where it cups my face. My body trembles.

None of this is fair.

“But,” she says gently, “there’s one more thing I’d like to do.”

Behind me, the doctor and nurses stir.

I blink away tears.

“What is it?”

Her eyes shine, full of resolve.

“I want to fly in Mazel one last time. I want to fly high. I want to see the earth… just once.”

A fresh wave of tears hits me.

Of course.

She wants that to be the last thing she sees - the earth curving below, clouds rushing past, the hum of the machine she named, that saved our lives again and again.

She smiles one more time.

“I want to fly with you one last time. Nothing would make me happier.”