"How interesting. I did not know that it varied that much. It seems that I do not understand your biology as well as I though. Perhaps Rex shall have to inform me."
"Rex got the date wrong when Lilya was due, so I don't think he really knows us as well as you think he does Princess."
"That is true, but he does know your internal workings extremely well. You must admit that."
"That he does, and he's darn good at making sure we function properly." Lightning said as Lilya was stirring a little prompting him to take her so Sasha could sleep.
"She's rather large for a newborn."
"Uh Princess, size relation, she's tiny to us, and big to you. This isn't her final size you know that right?"
"Ah, yes, she is as big as an earth pony."
"Which is tiny to us."
"Perhaps I should have done some research before coming here." Luna said with a slight laugh at how horribly wrong she was in figuring out sizes. Though from her perspective she was right, Lilya was big. Then again perspective is everything, and Luna's at the moment isn't the accepted one.
In Lightning's mind, he's happy that Raptor isn't here, though probably on her way back if Nora hasn't begged to extend the vacation which she probably has, and this gives him a little more time to prepare to tell his sister to fuck off and leave his family alone, even though Mobius is in the hangar with them. He's about the only one that he'll let see or visit with Lilya, as he's a decent role model for her. Well, at least one that shows the Lockheed values of shut up do your part and don't fuck up. Whereas Lightning's adopted the Yakovlev values of we don't give a dam as long as there's some sort of result, oh and have a drink while you're at it.
 
1200 Hrs. Hornet.
"Well, Eagle said we can stay a couple more days if you want, but I think I already know the answer to that."
"We're staying. Besides, we've got too many groceries as it is, and I really don't want to leave a bunch of stuff for your friend to deal with." Nora said smiling
"Well, I can't argue with that logic. I guess we're here for a couple more days."
"Agreed. So what are we going to do tomorrow?"
"Well, there's supposed to be an island out in lake Hornet."
"You mean Sand Island?"
"Yea, that place."
"I wouldn't. If they find out we were there."
"Who's going to know?"
"Radar will show us going there. Any AWAC in the area could question why we're going. We might be stealthy, but our IFFs will ping us." Nora said knowing even if they manage to go dark, the two of them in formation could potentially show up on radar, or if the Sand Island squadron is home, send them away in a god awful hurry.
"Oh you're not being any fun."
"Raptor, that's not our home, we weren't invited to go there."
"So? Where's your adventurous side?"
"There's a difference between adventurous and suicidal. What you want to do is near suicidal." Nora said arguing slightly Raptor.
"Well, if you're not coming along I'll just go alone then."
"That's fine with me, but I'm not going to help you if you get into trouble. There's times where you've got to learn to clean up your own mess." Nora said as she went out to go and sit on the beach. Raptor of course followed out after her, even though she thought just sitting there was boring and uneventful, she at least wanted to show Nora that she could think of others for a change, primarily thinking of Nora, and how to make her happy. So there they sit until the sun sets and this time Nora makes dinner.
"I can't believe you sat there with me. I thought for sure you would have been flying off somewhere and trying to have an adventure."
"Well, somepony told me that I should think of others sometimes too. Not just for myself like I usually do."
"Whoever told you that was pretty smart."
"Yea she is." Raptor said as she got up to help Nora.
Some time later the two of them just talked over dinner about what they could do tomorrow that was approved by both of them. Turns out they would go for another walk around Hornet
2000 Hrs. VTOL Hangar.
The crowds outside have cleared away, leaving only those invited in left inside, and even then they are heading back home. Now it's Lightning's turn to rest as Luna leaves and heads off to talk to you. Though Sasha is now awake.
"How are you feeling Sasha?"
"I'm really sore. Who knew that she could take so much out of me. Such a sweet little foal."
"Yes, she's been very quiet all day. Anytime she cried, Lightning soothed her crying."
"And he doubted himself. Shows what good doubt does. Rex was right though, now that she's here we know what to do." Sasha said as Lilya began crying, and now it was Sasha's turn to comfort her.
"Hush my little Lilya, mommy's here to make thing all right. Oh you poor thing, daddy didn't feed you did he? Don't worry I'll take care of you my little Lilya." Sasha said softly as she began to feed Lilya.
"See? Mommy's here to take care of you." Sasha said as she began to sing a nursery rhyme, which got Sergei to smile, he would have joined in too, if he did't think that Lilya would confuse his voice for Lightnings. Though Lightning did stir just a little, because of Sasha's singing, and opened his eyes just a tiny bit, and smiled before falling back asleep.
 
2200 hrs. Your hangar.
Luna is over and asking all you know about foals of plane ponies.
"Luna, this is the first one I've ever seen. Yes I understand that Falken is basically a foal, but I built him full sized and poof he came to life, I can't explain that, and I certainly don't know how long Lilya is going to stay small."
"But you know how they work don't you?"
"Mechanically yes, biologically no. I'm smart, but I'm not that smart Luna. You'd need like thirty biotech engineers to figure these ponies out, and no that is not permission to track down biotech engineers"
"Compared to me, Lilya is almost as big as me.
"And there's a problem with that how?"
"I was expecting her to be the size of an average foal" Luna said as you only sigh and bring a hoof up to your face
"We're bigger than you, even the Cessnas are bigger than you. Seriously Luna, did you think on this one?"
"Very slightly."
"Ugh, well you're welcome stay the night here, I'm sure Morgan won't mind. if you bunk with her as usual." You say as you're a little disappointed in Luna.
"Thank you Rex, but my duties are at this time. I must watch over the night in Equestria."
"You're welcome, well, you know you can stay here if you want. I'm sure Celestia won't care." You say getting a smile out of Luna though you're rather tired.
"One question though."
"Oh?"
"It's about my mom, what does she dream of?"
"She dreams of another pony, much smaller, and a fighter. It has a white lily on her."
"And the other, do you know of one with a white lily on her?"
"Yes, but her dreams as depressing. Very sad for somepony who has survived so much."
"Have you heard a name in the one with the white lily?" You ask more awake than before, and intent on finding out all Luna knows.
"One and it sounds like Patches. She is called Litvyak."
"Thank you. You've provided me with a great deal of knowledge. I owe you for that." You say rather relieved and slightly excited.
"You're welcome, though I do not understand your inquiry."
"In time you will, all in time." You say as you head off to bed, as you needed to rest.
 
2300 Hrs. VTOL hangar.
Everyone's asleep, Sasha, Lightning, Sergei and Ludmila. Lilya is asleep in her crib which is right next to Sasha and Lightning's bed. Any time she starts to cry, both Lightning and Sasha get up and calm their child, though they are doing this with a fair bit of enthusiasm, they don't know how long Lilya will be like this, and it could be months or years.
0830 hrs. Ponyville.
Lately Falken has been spending a near excessive amount of time with Twilight, as his most recent attempt to out think you shows. That and he stays at her home quite frequently, and though you and Thunder don't mind sometimes there's a point to where even this is excessive.
"Good morning Purple."
"Morning Copper, I was wondering when you'd get up."
"It is barely eight thirty in the morning, do you really think I sleep later than nine?"
"Sometimes you do."
"Well, whatever you're making smells rather good." Falken said as he was walking towards the kitchen.
"Oh it's not me, it's Spike, he's making us breakfast."
"Ah yes the little purple one. What is he making?"
"Well, you're getting what fuel is appropriate for you and he's making me a souffle."
"And why do you get the good things when he cooks?"
"Because he thinks you're trying to steal me from him."
"Which is an absurd thought." Falken said as he just sat down and began to sip at the drum of fuel set before him.
"Well, is there anything you want to do today?"
"No, what is on your schedule, I shall accompany you on your tasks."
"So it's just a normal day for us. Oh, we're supposed to be staying in Avalon's Shadow for a little while, just so your parents know you're alright." Twilight said as she went through her calender to see what she needed to do.
"Ah return home. I doubt mom and dad care that I've practically moved out, though I have left a fair amount of my things there."
"Falken they're your parents, they care about you."
"Yes I understand that Twilight but I do have a very long leash and they aren't pulling it back any time soon." Falken said acknowledging the fact that you and Thunderbolt let him get away with much more than he should, as most of what he does should have gotten him into some form of legal trouble long ago, but it's mostly overlooked by all parties involved.
"Well we're still visiting them."
"Fine, if you insist then we shall go." Falken said
"Falken, why are you so moody about going home?"
"Because the last time I was my father gave me shit for you."
"He's your dad, of course he's going to tease you. You don't think my parents don't tease me or wonder why I'm dating a thirteen foot tall pony they can't see because you don't fit through normal doors?"
"Well, when you put things that way why don't we visit your parents before going back to mine."
"That's actually a good idea, they're still in Canterlot, you mind flying me out there?"
"Of course not Purple." Falken said as he finished off his breakfast as Spike brought out Twilight's.
 
1000 Hrs. Avalon's Shadow.
You, Morgan, Thunderbolt and Patches are off visiting Sasha, Lilya and Lightning.
"She's such a little cutie."
"Thank you Thunderbolt, she's pretty cooperative."
"Well, it's probably because her parents spoil her. Yes it is, yes it is." Thunderbolt said and turned her full attention to Lilya who was sitting in a playpen well playing with the toys in it. Lilya only babbled at Thunderbolt's cooing.
"Well how are you feeling Sasha?"
"Much better. Spasiba."
"Well, once you've got energy again you should try to get back into flying. You've been down for months, and with how much I've poked and prodded you over those months, you're fit to fly."
"Da, would be good get back into air." Sasha said with a bit of a laugh as now both Morgan and Thunderbolt are cooing to Lilya.
"Let them Rex, unless you want to have another child."
"Pass, Thunder might actually kill me if we've got three, and I don't want to know what it would be." You say as both you and Patches let out a laugh.
"She is a little cutie though Rex, you do have to agree."
"Yea, she is a little cutie. Bet Sasha looked like that when she was little, of course without the green eyes of course." You say as all the attention is turned to Lilya who is sitting down babbling for her mother, who of course picked her up and tried to figure out what she wanted.
"Are you hungry my little one?" Sasha said
"Sasha could you stop talking to her in Russian?"
"Nyet, you speakings only in English. Why she not learn both?"
"Well, I guess, but I don't like the idea of the two of you speaking a language I don't understand."
"Lightning you thinkings my English good enough to understand you all time?"
"You do know what I'm saying like 80% of the time." Lightning said a bit embarrassed.
"Morgan, hold Lilya, Lightning and I need have talk. Elsewhere." Sasha said as she let Morgan hold Lilya, and both Lilya and Morgan were excited for this event.
So those of you standing in their living room let them go off and have their chat, which there is some yelling, though Lilya doesn't hear it as she's occupied by Morgan who's completely transfixed on the foal.
"Well it sounds like there might be some language barriers involved here." You say breaking the awkward silence in the room you're in.
"REX!"
"What it broke the silence didn't it?"
"Couldn't you have thought of something else?"
"Probably, but that was the first thing to... is that Falken's blip on radar?" You say as you've got Falken's IFF on the search radar.
"Yup that's Falken's IFF, oh ewww he modified it so that it would show when he's got Twilight with him." Morgan said as she set Lilya back down in the playpen.
"He is warning us at least."
"I'll give him that, your son is pretty smart."
"Borderline insane, but yes he's a smart cookie." You say laughing a little as Sasha and Lightning come back out after their little argument.
"Uh Rex can we have a decision on something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"We can't safely decide on a language to teach Lilya."
"Bilingual."
"What?"
"She'll be bilingual, I wouldn't be surprised if she is now. I guess we'll find out when she first speaks." You say getting both Lightning and Sasha to look at you in utter confusion.
"From external looks it seems like she's got American software running Russian hardware. I guess the bigger question is what language is she going to prefer?" You say
That does clear up some confusion, but now you've got to go and see Falken, and try not to give him so much shit for bringing Twilight here. Those two are practically attached at the brain. Though if they were, you would have killed one of them by now.
"Well, look who's here." You say as Twilight is riding exposed on Falken's back.
"Yes, I thought it would be a good idea to stop at home for a while. I've had an awfully awkward day and think being here is going to help."
"Well alright buddy. I'm just glad you're home for a change." You say as you go and hug Falken and do your best not to stare at Twilight.
"You missed Lilya being born yesterday."
"Eh, big event for adults and fillies. I kind of don't really care." Falken said only to be stared at a little by Twilight.
"Falken, do you think it's possible if I can see the foal?"
"Of course you have my permission but I don't think that's the permission you need right dad?" Falken said as you only smile a little and nod.
"Need Sasha or Lightning's permission. Good luck trying to convince either of them to let you in." You say as you shrug and walk off, back towards home.
"Falken, what's he talking about?"
"Oh many of us don't like letting ponies into our homes, as we have difficulties seeing them. You and Princess Luna are lucky mostly."
"I'm able to get out of the way. I should be able to go and see her." Twilight said as Falken was thinking of a counter.
"Look I'm going to guess that Sasha is on the lighter end of 30000lbs, and Lightning is 55000 lbs meaning that Lilya who is most likely the size of you weighs about oh I don't know about 10500 lbs. Meaning she can severely hurt you without trying and she's a newborn so she won't know what she's doing if she does, I'm not taking that risk."
"Well couldn't I ride on your back? Up and away from her?"
"No, I do not know if she is already airborne. Like I said I'm not taking risks with you Purple." Falken said as he projected his eyes on the back of his head to acknowledge Twilight who was on his back.
"Why are you making this so difficult."
"For your safety. I'm not going to risk you getting crushed by Sasha, Sergei, Lightning or Ludmila."
"I can take care of myself. I can avoid you."
"I have sensors that alert me to your presence." Falken said very unamused as Lightning, Sasha and Lilya were leaving their home to go and grab lunch.
"Wait where are they going?"
"Lunch I assume. It is noon."
"Oh follow them."
"If I must." Falken said with a almost condescending vibe as he set out after Lightning.
"Hey Lightning, you mind holding for a moment?"
"Huh?"
"Purple wants to see Lilya."
"Seriously? That's why you've asked me to stop?"
"Yes."
"Ugh, Sasha, Twilight wants to see Lilya." Lightning said in a little bit of an annoyed manner.
"Visit time over. Try later."
"You heard her. Sorry Twilight, but what she says goes." Lightning said shrugging and then continued on his way to Edge of Space.
"Well, that's frustrating."
"Yes, and I ask that you pursue it no longer." Falken said as he walked home.
1500 hrs. Hornet.
Well more precisely the skies over Lake Hornet.
"Hey do you mind if I take a detour?"
"Yea, but if you get in trouble don't come running to me for help."
"Oh quit worrying I'm not going there."
"Right, just don't do anything stupid." Nora said as she let Raptor bank away and head further towards the center of the lake.
"Totally called it." Nora said under her breath as she noticed Raptor's IFF going offline and all things that did not make her stealthy were removed.
Of course, Raptor is dumb enough to go and prod Sand Island. Meaning that she's probably going to get intercepted by one pony or another. Hopefully not the Sand Island squadron themselves, but oh well, Raptor is heading over to the absolute dead center of the lake to go and see the island.
"Huh? A radar spike?" Raptor said to herself as she circled around the island wondering where it came from.
"Now where did that come from?" Raptor asked as she began to search around for who was picking her up on radar.
 
10000ft above Raptor.
"Thunderhead, is that a lone F-22 you're picking up around Blaze's island?"
"Yea 13, just a lonely F-22. That's our home she's circling. Yellow Squadron, go say hi, get her outta our airspace."
"We cleared hot Thunderhead?"
"Only if she doesn't leave. Besides I think that's Raptor, you know Nora's little puppy of a F-22."
"Too easy, let's go Yellow." Thirteen said as he twisted his formation down and away from Thunderhead, who only laughed a little to himself and watched his radar display.
"Alright Yellow, stay on me, we're going to chase her from the area."
"Copy Thirteen"
"Four, just stay with me, and don't fire." Thirteen said as they were getting into position behind Raptor just as she checked her six and high.
"Oh fuck!"
"Well, the trespasser knows she's not supposed to be here. How charming. You better get moving."
"FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCK!" Raptor yelled as she banked hard trying to evade them and adding as much power as she could heading into full afterburn
"Oh come on Raptor we just want to play."
"Nope! fuck you guys! You give Mobius a hell of a time dealing with you, Like fucking hell I'm sticking around!"
"Oh just for five minutes. I need to see how good his prissy sister is." Thirteen said trying to prod Raptor into sticking around and getting into a dogfight with Yellow Squadron, of which she was much too wary and was in a tone avoidance dance with them.
"She's holding her own against us getting tone Thirteen."
"Then let's step up the game a little." Thirteen said as Yellow Squadron split up into flights of two and went high, low, left and right all for the purpose of trying to box Raptor in, but she's at full power leaving nothing but contrails and a rather heavy smell.
"Thirteen, what does it smell like here to you?"
"It smells a hell of a lot like piss."
"Yea, you don't think?"
"I don't doubt it Eight, knowing her she probably did."
"So we're? Ugh that's gnarly." Eight said as half the squadron realized they were flying through a cloud of Raptor's piss.
"And that's why they call us Yellow."
"Alright she's past the boundary, let her go, She's making a beeline to Hornet anyways."
"Alright coming back up to meet you Thunderhead."
"Yea, and what was that I heard about you flying through piss?"
"We were chasing Raptor, you know the fighter with the absolute weakest bladder of us all." Thirteen said as they punched through a few clouds as they climbed back up towards Thunderhead.
 
1700 Hrs. Skies over Hornet.
Raptor is coming in hot, like mach 2.3 hot, she bypasses Nora who already knows what went on and can only sigh as there's a very faint smell of pee in the air.
"I'm going to have to get Rex to check that." Nora said as she banked towards Hornet's Runway while Raptor was now trying to bleed off as much speed as possible without ripping her wings off in the process.
 
On the ground, just off the runway
"Raptor when are you going to learn to respect boundaries?"
"I dunno." Raptor said a little ashamed