FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Steady on, lad! Don't forget to compensate for the angular drag when you dip the wings!" The Professor shouted over the roar of rushing wind, "Easy now, not so fast!"

But as much as the old hound tried to maintain an irritated tone as he coached Jim during the flight, he knew that his apprentice had a natural feel for aviation. He couldn't keep from uttering a barking laugh as his apprentice swayed gracefully through the air, feeling the pull of centrifugal force tugging his loose, wrinkled skin taught against his skull.

"If only you could see us now, "Emma," he thought to himself, "If only you could see us now..."

Jim's paws were taught with concentration on the steering wheel as he piloted the Clockwork Falcon and tried to keep all of the principles of flight in his mind, but his face was alight as he watched the horizon dip and bend with his maneuvers. It was like the earth itself was rolling in frustration, twisting around to see the metal bird that had broken free from its grasp.

The city limits rushed at them like a wave on the shore, and Jim began to slow the aircraft as he navigated back towards their workshop. Ambling pedestrians who had just finished gossiping to each other about seeing that batty old Professor take off in some mad contraption fell silent as they saw the undulating wings of the Clockwork Falcon soar overhead on it's return journey. Most had seen the ponderous crawl of an imperial dirigible at some point, but this zippy new machine was unlike anything they would have believed.

"Okay, lad. Set her down gently or I'll have you scrubbing my table-saw for a year," the Professor shouted in Jim's ear as the ornithopter eased into a rolling hover over their yard.

Jim nodded and said a silent prayer as he pushed the brake to gently ease the machine lower. The pit of his stomach dropped out as he accidentally forgot to counterbalance the power when he shifted to a lower gearbox setting, dropping them a couple feet unexpectedly.

Surprisingly, the Professor didn't start raving at Jim's mistake, and instead reached forward to place a paw on the back of his seat, "It's okay, lad," he said as gently as possible over the sound of the wings, "You can do this."

Jim nodded while keeping his eyes straight ahead, and his paws flew over the controls with new confidence. He switched between releasing the clutch and changing the gears, allowing progressively slower cogs to drive the wings' motion. He released a long slow breath as he felt the Falcon's legs press against the ground and and ease them to a stop. With the machine finally settled, he pulled out the clutch all the way and closed the furnace vents, which soon doused the generator and allowed the whirring machinery beneath them come to a rest as well.

"Spot on, lad," The Professor said as he shrugged off his restraints, "And we'll forget about that little dip at the end considering I did the same thing myself," he finished with a small smile.

"I didn't even notice it when you landed, sir," Jim replied as he sat back in his seat, running a paw over the shiny rivets of the control panel's face.

"Well, that's because you were too busy gallivanting with your head in the clouds," the Professor said with a small chuckle as he climbed out of their machine,

"But listen, Jim--"

The young husky froze midway through stepping out of the vehicle. The Professor almost never used his given name.

"--I just wanted to say that I couldn't have managed this project without your help," the old inventor's steely facade cracking as emotion crept into his voice again, "you've grown into fine young man over these years, and I wanted to say...how proud of you I am."

Jim hopped the rest of the way out of the Clockwork Falcon and rushed over to his mentor, wrapping the surprised hound in a tight hug as hot tears bubbled through the fur of his face.

"There, there, lad," the Professor said softly as he patted Jim's back, wiping his own eyes with the other paw.

"Thank you, Professor, for...everything," Jim finally managed to say as he stood back and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

The old hound's mouth opened as if he was going to say something while Jim dried his eyes, but eventually he just sighed and shook his head. However, the inventor was set smiling again when he finally did speak, "You've pulled your weight around here and then some. And although frequently tardy," the Professor tried unsuccessfully to harden his look, "you have become a top-notch mechanic, and I'm proud to call you my apprentice."

Jim's narrow shoulders thrust back confidently as the Professor used the word "proud" again, unfamiliar and heartening coming from his gruff mentor, "Thank you, sir."

The hound cleared his throat and his grouchy countenance was finally able to retake him, "Ahem. Right then. Now, for the rest of this week I want to make some minor adjustments to the landing mechansim, and don't forget about fixing that clock. I also want you to study some of the physics of principal aviation from my library; I'll give you the appropriate texts tomorrow.

"But tonight," The hound continued with a knowing twinkle in his eye, "I think you've earned an early reprieve," the inventor turned brusquely and began hobbling towards the back door of the workshop, "And it'll take me some time to find those books so I won't need you till late afternoon tomorrow, in case you have some...other engagements."

Jim couldn't hold the elation out of his voice as he shouted back, "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"

The hound just waggled his cane in farewell as he stepped into his shop and closed the door behind him, leaving a confused but happy Jim to take in what he'd said.

"Wow," Jim thought aloud as he started the long walk to Jenny's bakery, "That old dog's just full of surprises today."

As Jim scurried away into the reddening dusk, a black hooded figure watched from around a building with narrow, luminous eyes. The mysterious stranger drew out a small, wooden box and pointed it's darkened lens at the uncovered _Clockwork Falcon, _depressing a button on its side.

A hollow click sounded from inside the device, and the figure replaced it within the folds of his cloak. With a low snort of laughter the figure turned and sped off into the approaching night, eager to report what he'd seen...