Wheeled Migration

After much anticipation, Iron Cog Eagletard has reached her 51st rotation around the Daystar! So obviously, SCUL had to celebrate? in style. She declared that we would flap, flutter, fly to the Pear in ornithological grace, and demonstrate our prowess in the night sky by performing a “Flying V” formation. Pilots were warned to feather at their own peril, should they need mechanical aid, it would ruffle others.

At the Launch nest, Bird Max presented Suspension of Disbelief, to our collective gasps. A Harv interpretation of re:Flex, we were alternately fascinated and horrified. Then each hatchling was issued a worm to protect in flight. They were admonished to snatch more out from the beaks of others, and remember each time they had two, whether by gain or loss. When we returned to roost at adventures end, they would add up to “poontz" of unspecified nature. Feeling peckish, certain birdlets took more advantage of this than others, and there was much flitting about.

Alas, as Dr. Birdclaw led our winged migration, the air currents were too much for some. First, Bird Max alighted homeward, followed by Joybird, who was suffering from high gravity. Then, just as we soared across the Charles Asteroid Belt, disaster struck. We perched in a cluster, just over the far side as Owlpoxy’s rear outer plasma casing chose to retire for the evening. ShadowCat lent his paws, alongside ThreeBeak. Repairs took ages, as the first replacement? plasma casing had been inadvertently pecked apart, and a second needed securing. Meantime, the flock stretched their wings to the sound of “uptown funk,” and went in search of birdseed. With everyone flitting about, eXtrich and Pastrysauras removed everyone's worms and affixed them all to the perch of infamous poontz-collector ChickenFuzz.

Owlpoxy’s perch was declared fit for flight, and the murder alighted once more. The air streams in our favor, and radiation at Bay, we made haste to the Pear. Along the way, it was discovered that SCUL is BIG in the Dorchester-System, to the point that many neighborhood night dwellers hooted and howled in delight, in some places halting transports to gander at our procession.

At long last, we spotted the giant fruit! First order of business, Eagletard informed the assembled that our journey honored pilot of old, Bird, whose featherprints shaped the bronze magnificence in our midst. ShadowCat and Pastrysauras presented life day cake to 'Tard to raucous singing, while earthworm EyLoon attempted to cajole chalky decorations.

Second, ThreeBeak went back to work on Owlpoxy's perch. It was decided to swap his primary thruster’s outer plasma casing with that of Red Swan’s navigational thruster, as the earlier boot had failed, and she being a smaller creature, had a higher chance of success.
Third, to the knightings! Eagletard performed the ritual for the overripe Cheep-cheep. As eXtrich prepared to similarly anoint ShadowCat, DreadFlamingo halted the proceedings to make space on his pocket Droid. It was made very clear that new pilots should expect waiting, and lots of it, during space flight. Additionally, and to much chirping, chafing was repeatedly acknowledged. And thus, ShadowCat also gained his wings. Both newly minted birdlets were surrounded by feathers and claws and love.

The night was growing long, and the henhouse sounded restless. Dr. Birdclaw took wing, and the rest followed. We wheeled and soared through salty air, sighting heavy nebulae. There was renewed interest in acquiring worms as their numbers dwindled and they were lost to space. Tard repeatedly called for traditional flying v, but the wind had a mind of its own, and kept us from aligning. Finally, as we were rounding the nest-stretch, our wingtips touched. V achieved!

With our wings at rest, we bared our chests to receive shiny objects from ChickenFuzz. Dani-bee received a feather of chic for their wings and Red Swan one for bravery in the face of thrusters. Dr Birdclaw presented baby earthworm Cybird to our collective heckling, and was welcomed to the flock. The shushing and ruffling of feathers heralded that it was time to fold our necks into wings, and we each soared off into the night.