Jette Hawke
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
The intrepid readiness, the terrible eyes.
The wild God of the world is sometimes merciful to those
That ask mercy, not often to the arrogant.
You do not know him, you communal people, or you have forgotten him;
Intemperate and savage, the hawk remembers him;
Beautiful and wild, the hawks, and men that are dying, remember him.
From Hurt Hawks by Robinson Jeffers
They say things skip a generation. Maybe that's true. My Dad was nice responsible man. Good father. My grandfather on the other hand was a piece of work. A drunk, a brawler, a hell raiser, and a genuine badass superhero. Skyhawk, King of the Air. He was also the kindest, funniest man in the world - to me anyway. I can't tell you how much I loved him.
By the time the Rikti War started he should have been collecting social security and romancing little old ladies on the shuffleboard court, but he suited up one more time and headed out with Omega Team. The one that went to the Rikti homeworld. The one that didn't come back. He left everything to me. It took a while to put together another suit from the old plans and spare parts, but I think I've got it now.
You know I really couldn't care less if Lord Repulsive builds a death ray on the moon. It's just... as long as there's a hawk in the sky, it's like he's not really gone. Queen of the Air, old man. Miss you.
Excerpted from Rocketmen, A History of Powered Airborne Infantry by Wilson Shay
The Mercury Airborne Attack Suit was developed for the US Marine Corps by Hawkins Aircraft Company beginning in 1955. The chief engineer on the project was Erwin Adler, who had done similar work for the German Storm Korps during WWII. Following the war he was brought to the United States by the OSS as part of Operation Paperclip...
The final model, the XJA-5B, incorporated the best elements of the earlier versions: high altitude subsonic flight capability, light flexible armor, and a micro-hydraulic strength-enhancing exoskeleton.
...but Hawkins Aircraft's history of brilliant engineering and chaotic management would continue. Project delays and cost overruns were rampant, fueled by the animosity between [founder] Edward Hawkins and his son, and chief test pilot, William. Despite the impressive performance of the prototype units the program was canceled in 1960...
Notwithstanding it's failure to ever reach production, the XJA-5B remains a legend of air infantry. One of the three prototypes is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. The other two, much to the chagrin of aerospace enthusiasts, were apparently scrapped....
Excerpt, Letter, Erwin Adler to William Hawkins, November 17, 1960
What have you been doing with yourself since your father so colorfully dismissed us? Aside from drinking and wenching. Do you ever see your son...
Come see me William. I have a proposal for you, but we must discuss it in person... I've done terrible things in my life, been involved in terrible things. I loved my work so much that I turned a blind eye to who my masters were and what they planned. I can never be forgiven, but I think I have a way to make up for it just a little. But I need a partner, a champion. I've taken this as far as I can on my own. What needs to be done next isn't for an old man.
You're a fine pilot William and a born fighter. You weren't meant to spend your life in the gutter. I have a job for you. Maybe the only job in the world you're really suited for...
Excerpt, Letter, Beth Hawkins to William Hawkins, August 3, 1984
I wish you'd come visit. We haven't seen you since the wedding. I know you think that John doesn't want to see you but it's never too lake to change things. Jane is growing like a weed and she should know her grandpa. Don't miss the chance with her that you missed with John. You could even stay a while. It isn't like there isn't a lot of “your kind” of work here in Paragon. I mean you can fly for God's sake. You wouldn't even need a ticket :)
