The Freaks Come Out At Night
The Southernmost of the Twin Suns was beginning to set when the crew stepped onto the hard surface of the flight line. The four men walked without ceremony toward the large, sleek shape that loomed in front of them at a distance. They wore flying suits comprised of synthetic weaves which were designed to be lightweight and fire-resistant, and flying helmets which carried a visor that was coated with FibroDiamond dust which would whiten instantly and protect the eyes of the wearer in the event of an explosion. On their bodies they carried a utility vest and maps, charts, lunchboxes, and other personal effects in their tanned Synthleather flying bags. Most carried the latest Holonews cassettes or InfoTablet books as well, they knew it was going to be a long flight. As they came closer to the craft, they could read the text displayed upon the starboard tail fin. Night Freakers. Hull Number XYB46. Accompanying their unit name was a stylized, cartoonish rendering of a ghoul emerging from behind a crescent moon. The craft carried an odd paint scheme of black for the bottom part of the hull, and Three Fin Shark Grey for the top. While the paint scheme would do them no favors in the event of an encounter with an adversary in the air, it was well suited for their current mission. The sole purpose of the existence of the 37TH Royal Reconnaissance Aerial Wing Regiment was not to launch armed incursions into enemy territory, or to engage in brutal combat against light and nimble fighters. Their mission was to watch over what remained of the Kingdom, their former adversary. The remnants of the various city-states that were the heart and soul of the Kingdom were now in what were termed Dead Zones Located on the most spinward part of their continent and the site of 286 simultaneous Thermofusion attacks which decisively ended the last Regal Genocide War over two decades ago. They were to observe and record, to speak for those still in the Zones.
