Historical Initiative Teaser: the Crusaders

[gavin]

Introducing the Crusaders.



Inspired by Tobias, I am also a visual writer and frequently "cast" my characters with actors who I believe would work them well.



Jamie Bamber as James Hale (Captain Wings), Rupert Penry-Jones as Roger Aubrey (Dyna-Mite), Sophia Bush as Julia Watson (Ghost Girl), Chris Evans as William Naslund (Spirit of '76), Tom Hardy as Richard Brand (Thunderfist), and Robert Knepper as Thomas Sullivan (Tommy Lightning).

Also our two supporting characters:



Stephen Tobolowsky as Alfie, and Dianna Agron as Charlotte Watson.

Finally,

a Sneak Peek at the Crusaders #1 (which I thought I had posted before but that may have been on the YahooGroups)

March 1942
RAF Northolt

James Hale was a man proud to be in his uniform. He came from a world of alcoholics and likeminded debauchery. Nothing pleased him more than the softly regimental hum of the engines that now landed around him. It was almost as if it was in his blood. Behemoths of the skies, they had given the man an advantage and taken flight from the birds. James was glad to consider himself amongst their ranks. It was a long way for the young man to have come. Having been a member of a proud aristocratic family that had fallen from grace had certainly taken its toll on the young man – there were expectations placed heavily upon. His father was even honoured in the hallowed halls of the Royal Air Force Headquarters at Northolt. Without shame, James would admit that he found more comfort in the hollow airplane hangar than he had ever found in a church.

He had the brisk appearance of a soldier. Brown hair was cut short at the front, back and sides only to be adequately matched to the stiff upper lip of his father. James was not a man who easily expressed emotion across his taut features. Beady-eyed, there was an aspect of the ever watchful to him and it was something that unnerved more of his colleagues than it comforted. James did not belong with them – not any longer. Conscription and new laws meant that the once great Royal Air Force had become tarnished by the increase of commoners amongst their rank. Britain had never judged people on their merit, only their standing and it was common knowledge that the Hale’s had fallen too far. Still, James soldiered on with all the determination he held refreshed anew every morning.

It was routine to be called into the offices of the main facility at a moment’s notice but there was always that tinkling of fear that shivered through his body. Confrontation had never been his forte, which may seem weird for a man of his profession, but the divisiveness of an aircraft allowed him to focus on something more than his opponent. He was not to be shooting at people, at the Nazis, but at enemy vessels. Yet, James had not been deployed into the air but he was certain he would be successful in ridding the skies of many a Nazi before/if he were to fall burning. James had never been afraid of death. He had seen too much of it to feel much fear.

His commanding officer had summoned him. James had never been on the receiving end of such a demand but he had known the man previously. Arthur Hale, his father, had served alongside Marshal of the Royal Air Force Kellerman in the years when the Royal Air Force was first formed – but Hale had found the love of a good wife and retired to raise his family whilst Kellerman had moved swiftly through the ranks. It was clear who had more of a success story to tell. Arthur Hale had known three sons in his lifetime and only one still lived. It was a sad tale and one that James was reluctant to tell. His heart race as he moved into the rooms before Kellerman’s office. Auxiliary staff busied themselves as if they had the most urgent news possible, but in a world where news constantly changed it was hard to imagine the urgency lasted long.

“Officer Cadet James Hale here to speak to Marshal of the Royal Air Force Kellerman, sir,” James addressed his senior officers with all the respect and traditions that decorum asked of him. He had been attentive and his patriotism was the only thing he cared for more than his own family. Flying meant the world to him; it was why he had fought so hard to stand where he now did. Northolt’s hangars were old and worn, and even in the mild March day they were colder than reasonable. Still, it was something easily overlooked when lives were rising across on the mainland.

“Marshal of the Royal Air Force Kellerman will see you now, cadet.”

James entered the room and took a seat as his commanding officer indicated. Kellerman smoked a pipe in such a way to suggest he was a man displaced from time. James had always been reminded of some archaic portrayal of early man when he had witnessed the overly hairy officer. His skin was as pale as hair had become and with James in the room, his appearance only worsened. Any youth seemed to bring out the worst in the senior man, and not only in his appearance. Kellerman had a reputation for being a fowl-tempered man who was quick to anger and even quicker to strike. He had become known as “the Viper” but those were words that James had never uttered. His respect for Kellerman overlooked the man’s eccentricities.

“Cadet,” hissed the man in a way similar to his namesake. It was not anger that was now presence in the man’s voice, although the exact intention was indiscernible. “I am sorry to have called you here on such short notice. I hope it hasn’t interrupted in your plans for this evening too much. I know you had requested leave of the base for London tonight.”

James nodded. “Nothing matters more than meeting with you, sir.”

Kellerman coughed out an uneven laugh. He sounded as if he was choking, it disturbed James to hear it but his father had been much of the same. “There is no need to maintain the formalities from this point, son. I know you have been well trained. Your file speaks for itself. However, this is a most urgent matter that needs to be discussed. There is no easy way of approaching the subject so I will just speak frankly if you don’t mind.”

It took James a moment to realise the statement posed a question but he gave a rough nod.

“You will remember that in light of recent events of the mainland, we imposed a medical inspection on all of the cadets to be deployed for Europe in the coming months. Your results have posed some concern.” Kellerman’s words tore through him as the fear rose to James’ throat. “There are standards that must be met in order for the continuation of this process. War is a messy subject, and protocol cannot be abandoned when the lives of your fellow soldiers and the local civilians are at risk. This is of course a monitored conversation, Mrs Hester Trevelyan joins us.”

Hester Trevelyan had sat in the darkness unnoticed scribbling in the mysterious language of shorthand that was common amongst secretaries and shorthand of the day. Her basic suit showed no sign of stripes so James assumed her to be a civilian aide. It was no secret why such a woman would be drafted into a meeting such as this. James tugged hard at his fingers as he listened silently, his face becoming paler and the skin more taut as the seconds ticked by. Even the grandfather clock in the corner echoed around his head. James forgot his manners, he failed to address Hester cordially but neither she nor the commanding officer picked up on it as Kellerman continued.

“Hester is making notes that you will then hear dictated. My hands are tied here, son. When a soldier presents a risk for any reason we must act in the interests of the majority. After a meeting with a panel of senior officers we have come to the decision that you cannot be deployed to the battles of mainland Europe where the risk of duress on this particular condition would become all the higher.” Kellerman’s frustration in what he said was obvious. James was top of his particular set of cadets – it was a loss to the armed forces but it was a necessary loss. “You have a heart murmur that has increased since joining the forces. Initially it was small and unnoticed but now that it’s suddenly present, the army medics are concerned.”

James was not above begging as he looked into the wizened face of his senior officer. “You can’t do this, sir. I have nothing else. I want nothing else.”

“I’m sorry, son.”

“I’m the best damn pilot you have!” His temper flared until he actually screamed the words he spoke. Kellerman remained stoic but Hester shuffled uneasily in her seat. Her eyes bore into him like a reproachful mother and it only angered him further. Months of training now died away to nothing as he was forced back into the cold existence he had hoped to run from. His life had been nothing but dead brothers and mourning parents. James’ temper turned into a heavy panting as he fell back into the chair he had bolted from. “I need this, sir.”

“You’re emotions are understanding but I cannot think only of you. I have to think of the men I would be sending out with you. You may be one of our best, son, but the benefits do not outweigh the risks.” Kellerman seemed genuinely sympathetic. “You haven’t been stripped of your position and you can continue to serve your time as one of our auxiliary staff. I know this is hard, but there is life after this James. You’ll just have to readjust to it. I myself know what it’s like to be grounded.” Kellerman’s retirement from flying held many stark contrasts to James’ current predicament.

“There has to be something I can do.” Desperation reached an all-time high but he was met only with the same cold gaze as before. Kellerman’s hands were tied, and his decision made as he pushed the yellow paper across the wooden desk before reaching out a pen. An honourable discharge was the best that could be offered under the circumstances. James was conflicted between his sense of duty and his sense of pride. His heart threatened to burst from his chest as he scrawled his name across the official document – literally signing an end to his life as he had known it. He wanted to be a soldier and a patriot, but he couldn’t settle for a life as little more than a courier with an army rank.

“I’m sorry to say that I cannot change my decision. We have to ground you, permanently.”