The Wolf and the Pilot

By Nolan Wright

In an alternative
Earth in 1941 there are humans and anthropomorphic wolves called
Wolvians. On a military base preparing for a growing war, a young man
named Peter dreams of becoming a fighter pilot like his father. On the
same base a young Wolvian woman named Arya aspires to become an aircraft
mechanic in the face of the misogynist and xenophobic culture. Peter
and Arya are assigned together, and Peter is confronted with his
prejudice. Will they learn to look past their species to become an
unstoppable team and perhaps even friends...or will they let the hatred
between species prevent them from working together? They might have all
the time in the world...or none when war engulfs their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781957262987

Nolan Wright

Nolan Wright has been an aviation and military history enthusiast his whole life and is an avid pilot. He has spent his entire career in aviation from passenger and cargo airlines to general aviation and has been around airplanes since he was fifteen. When he is not at the airport working or flying his vintage Cessna Skyhawk you will find him at home relaxing with his German Shepard, Arya.

Book preview

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ISBN: 978-1-957262-64-2 Paperback

978-1-957262-98-7 Ebook

The Wolf and the Pilot

Copyright © 2022 by Nolan Wright.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.

Yorkshire Publishing

1425 E 41st Pl

Tulsa, OK 74105

www.YorkshirePublishing.com

918.394.2665

Published in the USA

Thanks to these amazing individuals, this story would never have been told...

Pappaw for always cultivating my imagination with those creative stories when I was younger along with being my ‘flying buddy’ once I got older.

Meemaw for being honest and supportive throughout my life.

Mom and Dad for always pushing me to pursue my dreams.

Laura for her insight that only an experienced pilot of WWII airplanes would know.

Chris for introducing me to the wonderful world of anthropomorphic characters.

Lastly thanks to CJ, Bob and the countless numbers of people who taught me about airplanes, flying and life.

Thanks to all of these individuals who are here...and those who have soared off into the sunset.

Chapter 1

The Wolf Babysitter

Two boys tumbled around on the ground, wrestling. Upon hearing a loud buzzing in the sky they stopped and looked up excitedly at the source. Flying low over the house was a two-seat military propeller plane. Frantically waving, they were further excited to see the plane rock its wings in a wave back. They were so focused on the plane that they missed their mother calling them. Unbeknownst to them, she had sent a more fierce messenger who was standing behind them.

Boys!

Upon turning around, they were met by their female babysitter and tutor. Unlike them, she was not a human but a Wolvian, an anthropomorphic wolf. The short sleeve shirt and long shorts showed her mainly light grey fur extended out to the tips of her ears and bushy tail, which were white. Her arms were crossed displaying her white hands with trimmed black claws. Her face had a white mask of sorts surrounded by light grey with her baby blue eyes surrounded by black making it look like she was wearing eye shadow. She had short grey hair bundled into a ponytail that stopped just below her shoulders. Seeing she finally had the boys’ attention she thumbed behind her to the kitchen.

Your mother has been calling you for lunch, she said. We also have to get your lessons done

But Miss Arya-

"You see your father flying all the time, Arya said. He would also be very upset if he learned you not only missed lunch but your lessons."

With sighs of defeat, both human boys walked back inside. She couldn’t help but smirk at their enthusiasm for what their father did. In a way, she felt the same pride for the human man who had taken her in. Looking up, she watched the military propeller plane circle the house one more time before turning off into the distance. With a smile, she went back inside to enjoy the delicious-smelling lunch.

Chapter 2

Graduation Flight

In the skies over the ocean by the island of Kilaway, the same two-seat military plane rolled out from a loop with expert efficiency. At the controls up front was a young man with a look of concentration on his face. Behind him was a man in his late 30s observing each maneuver. The last maneuver of the transition flight was done beautifully, and with a smile, he checked the last box on the checklist strapped to his right leg.

Alright, Peter that does it; let’s head on back to the base, the man said

How did I do? the young man in front of him asked nervously as he turned back toward the island

I’d say you’re ready to fly the F-30, the man said. Congrats on graduating

The joyous laughter from Peter was like music to Kirk’s ears. The young man had truly earned his way into the fighter. His training was not over though a dream of his was so much closer to becoming true. As they flew by the harbor, Kirk took in the massive fleet at anchor. The United Continental Navy though a rival to the Army, was one that never ceased to impress him. The massive battleships were the pride of the service, with the much less numerous aircraft carriers being a new weapon in the fleet’s arsenal. As they got closer to the Army airfield beside the harbor, he noticed Peter kept his speed up.

Hey Kirk, I know it’s my eval flight, but do you mind if I do a-

Feel free to do a victory roll, Kirk said. You know everyone wants to know how you did.

Without further comment, Peter pulled the nose up slightly and did a complete roll over the center of the field. After completion of the roll, they circled back around and landed. After taxiing to the parking area and shutting down, Peter excitedly unbuckled and removed his helmet. He couldn’t believe it; he was finally going to fly Sparrows! Climbing out on the wing, he checked on Kirk and found he had already gotten out and was waiting at the bottom of the wing with a big smile on his face. Climbing down, he received a half hug from his instructor through this entire process. As they separated, he saw they had been joined by a man a bit older than Kirk. The proud smile on his face was one Peter had been looking forward to seeing. They both walked up and embraced each other in a tight hug slapping each other on the back.

So I take it you passed, the man said as they separated

He passed with flying colors, sir Kirk said, slapping Peter on the back. Your son has become quite the pilot.

He had a great instructor, Peter’s father Richard said, holding out his hand to Kirk. I can’t thank you enough for teaching him

It was my pleasure, Kirk said. Are you going to be joining us at the Pilot Hut? The rest of the guys will be there to congratulate Peter. I know they will want to compliment you on how well you taught him yourself.

Unfortunately, I have a lot of paperwork that still needs to be done pertaining to last week’s exercise, Richard sighed. I will try to swing by later.

It’s fine Dad, we can go out later and have our own celebration, Peter said with a smile.

I’m so proud of you, Richard said, laying his hand on his son’s shoulder before starting to walk away. I’ll see you later, bud

Come on, the rest of the pilots will want to congratulate you, Kirk said, leading him toward the pilot hangout.

Chapter 3

The Pilot Shack

L ooks like the kid passed! a short blond-haired man said as Peter entered. Give him the traditional greeting, Tim!

Welcome to the club, kid! a tall brown-haired man said, slapping Peter hard on the back, causing him to stumble. Gotta give you the traditional dousing too!

That won’t be necessary, Tim, Kirk said, addressing the tall brown haired man. You know he’s underage.

We aren’t suggesting he drink it, just that he gets a nice shower, the short blond-haired man said, motioning to the other pilots sitting at the bar. I think the rest of the boys agree that we need to follow the tradition.

I doubt anyone wants to be scrubbing every plane on this base for the next month either, Andy Kirk said, folding his arms. You know how his father is

Copy that, boss Andy said with a two-finger salute before looking at Peter with a wide grin. Seriously kid, great job. We all look forward to you flying with us. If you have any questions or problems with the F-30s, just come to any of us and ask.

Thanks, Andy Peter said, feeling quite ecstatic that he was finally a part of the group even though he was still technically a trainee.

Here, kid Tim said, giving Peter a clear glass with ice in it. Drink up.

Thanks, Peter said quickly, drinking the water. He had been so concentrated on the flight and such that he hadn’t realized how thirsty he was. Tim looked a little surprised when he handed back the empty glass.

Dang kid didn’t know you were that thirsty, Tim said

Neither was I, Peter said with a slightly embarrassed smile

Well, in that case, Tim said, inching away. Have some more.

Before Peter could process why he was inching away like that, a torrent of cold water slammed onto the top of his head and soaked him completely. The entire room roared with laughter and cheers. Looking up, he saw Andy high-fiving Tim before turning to Peter and bending over in a new torrent of laughter. Despite the cold water, it actually felt quite refreshing.

Who said the soaking had to be alcohol? Tim said laughing

Peter couldn’t help but smile despite being pranked in a way. Before he could think of something else to say, he felt a towel drape around his shoulders and his street clothes placed in his hands.

Go on and take a shower and change out of the rest of your flying gear after you’re done, Kirk said. Your dad told me earlier that his work would most likely keep him from returning home until nearly midnight. If you would like you could join my family for dinner. I know the boys would be ecstatic to see you again.

I’d be happy to join you for dinner, Peter said with a smile

I’ll be waiting for you outside the barracks then, Kirk noted walking out of the shack

After circling the room and accepting the various congratulations from the other pilots, he went off towards the barracks.

Chapter 4

Awkward Introduction

W elcome, Peter and congratulations on passing your flight, Kirk’s wife Donna said as she hugged him upon entering the house with Kirk. Dinner should be ready shortly.

Thanks, Mrs. Larish Peter said to the blond-haired woman before separating from the hug and looking around. Where are the boys at?

They should be upstairs Donna said walking over to the stairs before yelling up Boys! Peter and your father are here!

The sudden burst of activity above them quickly made its way towards the stairs. At the top of the stairs, two young boys scrambled down the stairs with large smiles on their faces.

Dad, Peter! both boys yelled as they both hugged Peter then their father

How did your scenic flight go? the older asked Peter after pulling away from his father

Very well Ethan Peter told the older boy before turning to the younger Are you still struggling at math Oliver?

I’m a lot better! the younger boy said happily .All thanks to Miss Arya.

Ah the mysterious Miss Arya, Peter said with a roll of his eyes in Kirk’s direction The one I never seem to run into

I should say the same about you, Mr. Peter a new voice said from the stairs.

Peter turned his attention to the stairs and saw a young female Wolvian walking down the stairs. If he had to guess, she was close to his age. He had heard a ‘Miss Arya’ mentioned by the boys from time to time, and all Kirk and Donna told him about her was that she was their tutor and babysat for them from time to time. They had not mentioned her being a Wolvian which, in a way, he understood their caution. Wolvians were disliked by many in their world. If Peter was perfectly honest, he didn’t like them despite his father’s efforts to open his mind to them. Not after the grief one of their kind caused him. He was slightly horrified to learn that a Wolvian was not only tutoring but babysitting them. When he looked to Kirk to protest he simply shook his head and gave him a warning look. Kirk became aware early on of his dislike of Wolvians. This would become a subject of discussion later; for now, he watched as the wolf girl in front of him finished descending the stairs. There was a little bit of awkward silence before he saw Kirk and Donna exchange a quick, silent look. It was almost like they had a non-verbal exchange.

Ah, Peter, I must apologize for not trying to arrange a meeting earlier, Donna said quickly as she motioned toward the wolf girl. This is Arya Holfson, our live-in tutor and babysitter for the boys. She also helps around the house when she isn’t busy with her own studies or activities outside of the house. Arya, this is Peter Clark, who I am sure you are aware of from the boys.

Yes, they talk quite a bit about you, Arya said, stopping in front of Peter and holding out her hand. It’s nice to finally meet you.

Peter looked at her hand, unsure if he wanted to shake hands with a Wolvian. Though she was a female, he knew they had claws. Hearing someone clear their throat, he looked and saw Kirk mouth for him to shake her hand. Knowing his father would hear about this, he figured he would rather risk her claws scratching him rather than his father’s lecture. As he took her hand, he noticed a couple of things. First of all, her claws were trimmed down to nearly nothing. The other was that the fur on her hand was soft, but the pads on her fingertips, by some unusual contrast, felt slightly rough, like she worked with her hands often.

Now that introductions are out of the way, I think it’s time I go finish up dinner, Donna said, turning to Arya. Would you mind giving me a hand in the kitchen Arya?

Sure, Arya said, following Donna into the kitchen.

Boys, before you play with Peter, I need to talk to him about something important, Kirk said to his sons. Go wait in the living room. We will be just outside for a short time.

Sure, Dad, Ethan said as he and his younger brother headed into the room opposite the kitchen.

Without an additional word, Peter followed Kirk through a hallway out the back of the house. They walked past the backyard and up a hill to a view overlooking the coast off in the distance. As they stood side by side, watching the ocean in the fading light, Kirk turned to Peter.

I know you don’t like a Wolvian being around the boys, but I want to make something clear to you, Kirk said sternly. Donna and I took in Arya, and since then, I’ve come to view her as my daughter. I will not tolerate any specist behavior you direct towards her in public or private. Do I make myself clear?

Kirk-

"Do I make myself clear?" Kirk elaborated with a glare

Catching the warning, Peter nodded.

I understand the current attitude of many towards her species, but I don’t find it necessary, Kirk said, his tone softening a little Quite honestly, I was that way until I met Arya. Once you spend time with her kind, you understand they are so much like us. I know your father is against the negative treatment of Wolvians, and you have been resistant to his attempts to show you what I have seen in my time with Arya. That is why Donna and I didn’t tell you about her before. We don’t want Ethan and Oliver to see specist hatred between two people they love. With that being said, I want you to promise me something.

What is it? Peter asked

Promise me you won’t let that hatred prevent a friendship from forming between you two, Kirk said, looking Peter in the eye. If not for me, do it for Ethan and Oliver. It is only a matter of time before they will ask you both to play with them, and I want such moments to be filled with happiness and not hate.

I...I promise, Peter said quietly, barely able to maintain eye contact.

You know as well as I do that war is on the horizon, and when it does break out, your father and I will leave, Kirk said, looking out to the ocean with what little light they had left .I want to ensure that nothing between you and Arya will cause my family grief while I’m gone. In part, the reason for me inviting you was to introduce you two now rather than later.

Do you really think I will just stand by while you and my Dad go to war? Peter asked, Why do you think I want to get trained so fast?

You’re still underage, Kirk reminded the teenager

In another year, I’ll be old enough to enlist with permission, Peter said. With my training, I should be able to quickly advance through flight training.

Then who will look after my family? Kirk asked, looking at Peter

I- Peter started to protest when he saw the look on Kirk’s face. It was clear that despite their relatively short time together, Kirk had come to trust Peter. Being asked to look after his family was an incredible responsibility and a humbling sign of the amount of trust Kirk had in him. That didn’t fully nullify his desire to fight, though. With a sigh, he decided to answer.

I...I’ll think about it, Peter said quietly.

Good, Kirk said with a small smile as he started heading back toward the house. Now, let’s go check on Donna’s progress on dinner.

Chapter 5

Dinner With Secrets for Desert

Peter sat down between the two boys for a delicious-smelling meal. To his right at the head of the table sat Kirk, who looked to be salivating over the meal as much as Peter and the boys. To Kirk’s right sat Donna, who looked quite happy to see everyone there. On their walk there, Kirk had shared with him that despite her nervousness over Peter’s reaction to Arya, she was also quite excited to introduce the two. After all she was now able to get the two beings her boys adored nearly as much as their parents to finally meet. The Wolvian in question sat to Donna’s right, which was directly across from Peter. Though she looked happy, he noticed when her gaze fell on him her expression was one of distrust. To his understanding of Wolvians it took a bit to earn their trust. He was sure she was aware of his dislike of her kind as well, despite Donna and Kirk’s best efforts. Before he could think about the issue much more, the conversational silence was broken.

So, how was work today? Kirk asked Donna

Pretty calm as always, though. With it being spring, we’re expecting an uptick in the usual tourists with severe sunburns, Donna said, looking at Arya. How did Ethan and Oliver do on their lessons?

Once I was able to drag them in from watching Kirk circling the house, they did well, Arya said with a smirk towards Kirk. Ethan made some great progress on his grammar and Oliver on his spelling.

Great job, boys, Kirk said with a proud smile. I can’t wait to see the results show on your report cards.

So, how was the training flight? Arya asked, Did you pass?

Peter’s sudden coughing caused most at the table to jump. He waved off the worried looks as he took a drink from his water. His training at the base was knowledge restricted to the base. Very few outside the base knew, and among them was Donna. How did she...

It was a pass, Kirk said, looking at Peter with a similarly proud smile he had for his sons.

I’m glad to hear you passed your recurrency flight Kirk, Arya said with a small smile.

Peter couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. It was clear that Kirk hadn’t shared the information.

Your job in the maintenance shop should be easy now, though, Kirk said with a smirk.

This time it was Arya who suddenly started coughing. Peter now looked between Kirk and Arya with confusion. The dirty look Arya was giving Kirk only added to it.

Kirk, that’s-

I’m sure you’ve noticed the abnormal increase in repairs to the trainers has started to decrease, Kirk said, nodding to Peter. The kid’s gotten pretty good.

Peter looked at Kirk, horrified. He could only pray that Arya didn’t notice the nod and that she thought he was referring to someone else. Looking at her, though, he saw the same look of confusion on her face that he had moments earlier.

Mom, can Oliver and I be excused? Ethan asked. We were going to go upstairs and play

Sure, Donna said, seeing they were done and happy with the coincidence

As the boys left the table, Kirk and Donna exchanged a long look before Donna stood up and walked over to stand beside him. They waited for the door to shut before starting their coversation.

I think it’s time you both became aware of each other’s secrets involving on base activities, Kirk said, his face serious. Honestly, I’m surprised neither of you have ever seen each other before today.

Kirk and I have been keeping it a secret from the boys, and it’s only fair you both found out now, Donna said

Peter, shortly before you started your training Arya started her own as an aircraft mechanic on base Kirk said, looking to Peter and then to Arya. Arya the reason for the increase in repairs on the training planes is that Peter has been learning the military way of flying. Today he graduated from the T-9s to the F-30s.

So that T-9 circling the house this afternoon wasn’t you? Arya asked, looking shocked

No, I was in it as well, Kirk said. Peter was the one who wanted to circle and did the wing wag

"Wait, so the main one doing the repairs on the T-9 was her?" Peter asked, looking slightly horrified

Yes, it was seen as great training for her, Kirk said, giving Arya a similarly prideful look he had given Peter and the boys earlier. Frank has told me that you have been doing incredibly well adapting to the increased workload.

But she’s a Wolvian-

And you are just a boy, Arya growled. A boy who does nothing but break things.

Says the walking furball, Peter snapped back. Aren’t you just a dog-girl?

You-

"Enough!" Kirk snapped, ending the quarreling.

Peter and Arya were silent as Kirk never raised his voice like that. He was always calm and collected around them. Looking at Donna, they saw that the normally happy and proud expression was replaced by one of sadness and disappointment.

I have a proposition for you both, Kirk said sternly. Learn to work together despite your disdain for each other. You don’t have to like each other, but don’t let your disdain affect how you do your duties. Do that, and you can continue your respective training on base.

And if one of us refuses? Peter asked, glaring at Arya, who growled quietly

Training for both of you will be suspended, Kirk said

"What?" Peter and Arya said, surprised

Teamwork is something that is critical in what we do, Kirk said. "Those that don’t learn to work together despite their differences