I'm pretty certain the newcomer isn't my other Aviatik. But on an impulse, I climb up towards him. What I'll do if he turns out to be an Englishman, I'll decide at the time. Say hello, perhaps, since we're unarmed.
I can't make it to the other aircraft's height, but as he runs in over us, I notice the German markings - and from the cut of his wings and tailplane, he's another Aviatik.
I watch him go. He's definitely not my number two, and makes no effort to formate on me. If nothing else, he's drawing some of the flak away from me.
I tootle around for a while longer while issuing the recall command, and my other aircraft finally turns up.
I set course for our side of the Lines and proceed at full throttle. The Tommies aren't going to let us go without a further effort, however. The flak suddenly increases in ferocity.
One of the shells seems to burst noisily right next to us. I'm wounded and my machine is damaged. It's a miracle we weren't blown to kingdom come, there and then.
Thank goodness we're just across No Man's Land. I push down the nose for home and turn off the engine, fearing a fire. I need to get down quickly, before I pass out or something else bad happens.
Just as I'm levelling out for a forced landing amidst the shell holes, something odd happens. The mission ends and I'm taken to the results screen, as if I'd quit the mission. There, for the second time of late, I find I haven't been wounded after all, just shaken up. We didn't hit anything and my number two seems to have brought his firecrackers home, but I don't much care. I'm lucky to be still alive!
For all that they are a different kettle of fish, these two-seater missions in Recon Wars I'm finding every bit as immersive as any flown in scouts - great stuff!