Players had gathered at an airfield in an otherwise empty arena to honor a fallen friend. The arena was set up so that the setting sun was sinking slowly towards the horizon to the west and a low cloud base settled over the field like a mist.
On the runway a row of seven tanks with their main guns at full elevation poised and waited in silence while off in the distance a formation of P-51s in a tight fingertip strong right formation formed up and aligned themselves with the runway.
As the gathering of friends waited and told each other stories about Bentnail and his past glory the approaching P-51s triggered the base alert-siren which had been replaced by the sound of a lone bugler playing taps. As the sound of Taps faded, the formation emerged from the mist at low altitude and high speed. As they drew level with the tower one of the aircraft began trailing smoke, then gently pulled up and split off to the west and faded into the setting sun. At that moment the seven tanks fired three volleys into the air as the remaining P-51s held their course leaving the open position where Bentnail, their friend and wingman, would have been. The final shots fell silent as the sun dropped below the horizon and the arena fell into darkness at the end of a fitting tribute.
This simple aerial salute is an expression of respect for the departure of a fellow gamer and warrior spirit who had shared countless hours enjoying virtual aerial combat and who had forever departed the flight line… It is the highest honor an Aces High Pilot can bestow upon a fellow player and a moving experience.
While some of those in attendance began leaving the arena, some lingered as a last sign of respect and reluctance to say that final goodbye.
Sorry I missed it Bentnail, but that is how I imagine it
Badboy
