"Yo, Lightie!"

Pilot Lightwinger turned around at the hail. He had just returned from a short sweep flight, checking the surrounding terrain near the Air Force Base he was stationed at in Sweden. He grinned when he saw the person hailing him. "Heya, Wild Stripe! What’s up?"

Rogue grinned up at him, her green eyes dancing mischievously. "Been lookin’ for ya, Mightie Fightie. Yer needed at the moment."

Lightwinger reached out and ruffled his "sister’s" hair, playfully messing up her white stripe, and grinned at her snort of annoyance as she settled it back into place. "When aren’t I needed?" he sighed in mock-resignedness. "What’s up this time?"

Rogue shrugged. "Dunno. Yer needed in the commissary, though."

Lightwinger gave a mocking sigh and then he offered her his arm as he said, "Care to accompany me, Wild-brain?"

Giving him a sassy grin, she took his arm and said, "Why, certainly, Lightie-Brightie-Mightie-Fightie-Wing-Ding-Dong! Ah’d be delighted to."

He rolled his eyes in despair and then they made their way toward the commissary. Before they got there, though, Rogue suddenly stopped them both and stared at the door gravely.

"What’s up?" Lightie asked softly, his nerves readying for a fight.

"Listen."

He did. "I don’t hear anything."

"Exactly. The place should be jumpin’ by now. But it ain’t. And there’s no light on under the doors. Somethin’s up," Rogue replied quietly as she moved backwards a few steps.

Lightwinger took up position in front of the door, tensed, ready for a fight, when the doors were suddenly yanked open inward, revealing a pitch blackness. His eyes narrowed and his teeth bared, and then he was surprised as he was suddenly body-checked from behind by Rogue. "Rogue, what --?!"

The doors swung shut, concealing him in pitch-blackness. He stayed crouched on the floor, his breathing shallow. All around him he could feel the heat of many other bodies; could hear their compressed breathing. And through it all, he could smell --

"CAKE?!"

Suddenly, the lights came on dimly, and most of the glow was from candles on a rather large cake. The room erupted into deafening noise as people laughed and clapped and cheered. Lightwinger stood in somewhat dazed confusion. "What the hell is going on?!"

His gaze took in the room. There was MG, and Danya, and MP. Over there was Jumpstart, Redspot, and Lisbeth. Behind him were Gangland Elf King, Rogue, Wolvespaw, Saphire, and Blaze. And scattered about the room were Gabby, Felicia Tabby, Ylla, Navy, Stoker and Stoker1439. Priest7 and Jelena. Pyrobob and Shrielanka and Fuzzy Soldier! Crystal and Hayden and Nikata. Danya’s mother was there as well. As were Camilia and Kethry and DT.

"What’s going on?!" he demanded of all his friends. And then DG walked forward and the room quieted down.

DG grinned at her best friend. "This is a two part celebration, bro. First is the fact that you turned 23. So, Happy Birthday from all of us here!"

The room erupted into congratulatory shouts and well-wishes and good-natured teasing. Then DG waved for silence and it descended again.

"But anyone can turn 23. No, the second part is what really makes it special. Because while anyone can turn 23, not everyone can earn a degree that promotes them as a Master of Science! Congratulations from all your friends, Pilot Lightwinger, on a JOB WELL DONE!!!"

Again the room erupted into congratulatory shouting, louder than before. And this time, gradually, the song of "Jolly Good Fellow" was struck up amongst the partygoers.

FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD BRO-O!

FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD BRO-O!

FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD BRO-OOOO!!

THAT NOBODY CAN DENY!

OR WOULD WANT TO!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS,