"On Blazing Wings" by L. Ron Hubbard

"On Blazing Wings"
By L. Ron Hubbard
Multi-cast performance
Produced by Galaxy Audio
Approx 2 hours.

Galaxy Audio and Galaxy Press continue to release L. Ron Hubbard's short stories written during the Golden age of Stories, back in the pulp fiction days of the mid-20th century. This January starts another round for the year and the first one out of the archives is this gem of a story,listed under the Air Adventure category, but mixes in a little science-fiction and fantasy. Originally published in May of 1940, this story combines destiny and war heroes at a time when war heroes were the popular read.

David Duane, artist, adventurer and air ace learns his destiny in the mystery-shrouded city of golden minarets, Puhjola. Duane, is an American fighting for the Democratic People's Government of Finland, only because he found himself in the country when the war started and knew he could make some money in their air force. After all he's been an air ace for several wars.

When David Duane goes after a group of Russian Bombers he sees a city in the clouds. This city turns out to be the mythical land of heroes, Puhjola. There he is reuinited with his other air team that have been shot down in this recent raid. Not only that but he meets up with buddies from previous wars who died in action, he also meets up with the Russians he shot down. When he apologizes for shooting them down, one of the Russians says "No big deal, it is war." The strange being that runs the city of Puhjola, tells Duane that was his last chance that no matter how many times he returns he cannot change his destiny. Duane is told that he will meet up with a Russian Woman and fall in love and then lose his life while trying to protect her, instead of saving the thousands of others he should be protecting.

Duane says he can change it this time, just give him one more chance. The leader says no and tells him he can no longer return to Puhjola. Duane is determined to change his destiny, but when he wakes up his plane is buried in the snow and burning and Russian soldiers are beating him. He cannot recall his time in Puhjola, but something about his destiny is buzzing in his brain. He is then rescued by a female Russian intelligence officer and falls in love. But he knows he needs to change something.

Can David Duane become a hero again and change his destiny or is his destiny unchangeable? As with all of L. Ron Hubbard pulp fiction stories not only is a dame involved, but you can expect twists and turns until the very end.

One of the best ways to enjoy these stories is in the audiobook form produced by Galaxy Audio. Galaxy Audio, a division of Galaxy Press, combines superb voice actors, stunning sound effects and mood enhancing incidental music that keeps you locked in to this story from The Golden Age.