Chereads / Spectres of the Past: Prince of Spectres / Chapter 7 - Kintsugi Soldier: part 1

Chapter 7 - Kintsugi Soldier: part 1

Prince and Wade are sitting in silence in the car as they're aboard a small plane

Wade looks over at Prince who's fiddling around with all the features of the plane

Wade

Prince, is now a good time to talk?

Prince

Hm? Sure, what's up?

Wade

Back in the Oval Office, when you were in front of the president, you were being pretty suspicious of him

It just seemed so out of character for you, so I was wondering why that was?

Prince

Well, if I had to say, I guess you could call it my intuition?

I'm not really sure, but the second I walked into that room, I could feel that the presence around him was more dangerous than anything I had felt before.

He appeared really kind and aloof at first, but the longer I talked with him and I was around him, the more uneasy I felt…

Wade

Then why did you agree to the mission?

You even signed that contract

Prince

To be honest, I still don't really trust him, but I trust you, and you seem to trust him.

So that's good enough for me.

If it becomes a problem later, we can deal with it, together, right?

Wade nods

Wade

Right.

Pilot

Pardon the interruption, the aircraft will be landing at our destination soon.

Please buckle your seats and prepare for landing.

Prince

Oh yeah, where were we supposed to go first?

The president told you, didn't he?

Wade

That's right, we're supposed to be going to an internation airport in Newfound, Canada.

Prince

Why Canada?

Why can't we leave from an airport here?

Wade

Apparently, there's a Canadian pilot that owes the president a favour there.

He holds multiple records for his aviation feats, such as various tests of experimental planes or being able to quickly adapt to any kind of vehicle, whether air, sea, or land.

That's why the president wants us to bring him.

He's already been informed and is expecting us.

Prince

But that wasn't the only reason he was chosen, right?

Wade

That's right, the president says he has a Manifesto too.

So we just need to go and meet him, then leave for Europe.

Given his talent for handling aircrafts, and Anemoi's ability to control wind, lowering wind resistance, we'll be able to have a safe and smooth flight all the way to Europe.

Prince

Wow, this sounds great!

Let's go and recruit the first of three members for out secret mission!

A musician, a talented secret agent, and now a legendary pilot, this is so exciting, isn't it?!

Wade

Yes, well, it stops being a secret mission when you announce that part aloud.

So I'd maybe think about not mentioning that part aloud when we're in public.

Prince

Oh, right.

Smart thinking.

Wade and Prince disembark from the small American plane as they set foot in a large airport, bustling with noise and people scrambling to find their flights.

Prince

Woah, this place is huge, how are we supposed to find our pilot in this large building?

Wade

Well that's easy enough, we just ask a staff member.

Excuse me, miss, do you know where we could find a man named Ford Caine?

Flight attendant

Ah…you want that one?

Wade

Yes?

Why, is there a problem?

Flight attendant

Well, it's just that even though people hail him as a great pilot, he can be a bit too moody to make any real use of those talents.

I'm sure I can find you a better pilot if you want–

Prince

No thanks.

We want the moody one.

Wade

Prince?

Flight attendant

Well then, he can be found with his plane, he should be out in the hangar.

Prince starts to walk towards the hangars

Wade

Oh, thank you very much.

Wade turns around in a hurry and starts chasing after Prince

Wade

Prince, what's going on?

Prince

After hearing what she said, I decided something.

We'll definitely be bringing this pilot with us on the trip!

Wade

Right!

He came specially recommended, so he has to be talented, despite what people say!

Prince walks into a hangar

Prince

Ford Caine!

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?!

Prince smiles full of confidence

A balding middle aged mechanic looks at him confused and covered in sweat

Mechanic

Wrong hangar, bud.

Prince

Oh, I'm sorry…

Some time passes, as Prince once again steps into a hangar

Prince

Ford Caine, are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime!?

Silence

Prince

Ugh, please tell me this is the right one, we've tried like four hangars already…

Wade

I told you we should've asked one of those mechanics…

Prince

I'd feel bad, we already interrupted them, if we started asking a ton of questions I'd feel so guilty.

Wade

Fine, then I'll just ask the questions–

???

Can you two keep it down?

I was trying to take a nap…

Prince and Wade turn towards the sleek plane in the hangar, more specifically, the man lying in the hammock hanging between the plane's wing and its cockpit

Wade

Uh, are you Ford Caine?

???

That's right, can you please be quiet now?

Especially the yellow guy, his voice is way louder than it should be.

Inside the hangar, a man with long blonde hair sits up in the hammock, with a sleeping mask lifted slightly above his eyes. The man has large, dark eyebags as his face is buried underneath his long unkempt hair.

Wade

Sorry, mr. Caine.

We were sent by the president with a mission to–

Prince

How come you're still sleeping?

It's already the afternoon?

Ford

I had a long morning, just let me sleep already…

Prince

C'mon, just hear us out!

We have something really cool to say!

Ford

No thanks.

I'm happy enough with my life here.

I get to work as much or as little as I want, I get to sleep, and I don't have to deal with many annoying passengers.

My plane is my home, it's where I feel the most at ease.

Prince

Really?

It seems kinda dangerous being that high up.

Ford

Ha, I don't expect people to understand, but flying is something that makes me feel like I'm free from the judgement of others, like the only person I need to make happy is myself…

Prince starts to smile

Prince

I totally get that feeling!

Ford

Really?

Prince

That's right, music brings me joy like nothing else!

When I'm playing or listening to it, I can't help but smile!

So why don't you come with us?

We'll be as free as we want and able to smile all day long!

Everyday will be loads of fun!

Doesn't that sound great!?

Ford

No thanks.

Prince

What?!

But I thought that was a perfect sales pitch…

Ford

Your pitch was fine, I'm just not sure about people like you…

Prince

What does that mean?

Ford

Bubbly, happy, aloof, optimistic, short…

Prince

Aw, thank you.

Ford

…iditoic, short, muscle head, small…

Prince

Hey wait, that last got a lot more negative in the second half!

And why do you keep saying 'short'?!

Ford

Our personalities just don't go well together

Prince

No, wait, are we just going to ignore what you said?

Ford

You, the tall guy in the back, you said you had business with the president, right?

Wade

That's right, before my friend started talking, I wanted to tell you, the President of the United States, Jonathan Stone, recommended you and told us you had already signed a contract to join us in Europe.

Ford

Well, it's true that I decided to accompany the passengers in Europe and help them…

…however I don't want the musical munchkin as my passenger.

Prince

Who're you calling a musical munchkin?!

Ford

I'll take you to Europe, but I don't want to let this guy inside my precious plane.

Wade

Sorry, but I can't do that.

Prince here is essential to the plan.

Ford

Fine then, I guess you're gonna need a different pilot–

Prince

Wait!

Ford

?

Prince

How about we make a deal?

Or, more accurately, a test.

Ford

A test?

Why?

What's there to prove?

Prince

Fight me, you don't seem to believe that I'm worth bringing on this trip, so let me prove to you that I'm strong enough for this!

Wade

Wait, Prince, what are you saying?

Ford

Ha, I like it.

Fine, if I win, you stay behind…

Prince

…And if I win, then you join us on our mission!

Ford

I guess a little post-nap exercise will be good for me!

Wade

Why can't we just talk this out?