felt content but in a slightly different way than we would know or understand.
Island Paradise
Leveling the aircraft off at flight level 200, I set a course back to the Azores and turn on the autopilot. I am exhausted from the complete lack of sleep getting over to Kuwait but exhilarated at the same time. Against all odds, Lynn was alive; we had found and rescued her along with a small group of surviving military soldiers. We have enough personnel and weapons to be able to defend ourselves against most chance encounters with the things — we will definitely have to come up with a name for them as they don’t seem to be going away like disco or some other bad fad; I also plan to see that we don’t go away either — however, when they locate us and we are close to a populated zone, we can be overwhelmed easily if we are not properly prepared as Lynn and her group almost found out. Even with a secure location, their numbers and tenacity will eventually overcome us unless we can prepare some form of impregnable fortress.
I am worried about what our arrival back in the Azores will be like seeing how we left it. There is one very irritated general we will have to deal with, but I did say we would head back and will feel guilty if I bypass them over a little unease. Leaving them stranded on the island with no hope of leaving and without supplies would not be cool. Especially after they did help us out with fuel, and Colonel Wilson did stick his neck out for us. No, I will go back for that alone.
But first it is time to compare notes with those we found in Kuwait and let them know what may be in store for us on our arrival into Lajes. I also feel that Bannerman and I need to have a little conversation about the leadership aspect. I do know where he is coming from with regards to rank and all of them being soldiers, but frankly, I am not feeling a tremendous amount of confidence in his leadership ability. Not that I truly have anything to base it on; it is really more of a feeling. Perhaps it was him trying to force his rank the way he did. Maybe we just started off on the wrong foot and he is really a pretty good guy. He may be a great leader — after all, they did get out of there alive against a tremendous horde besieging them. I think I need a little more information and will talk it over with Lynn first. I cannot tell you just how happy and relieved I am to see her and that she is, well, alive.
“You have it for a little bit. Are you okay with that?” I ask Robert looking in his direction.
He startles out of whatever reverie he was in, perhaps just him being as tired as I am, and looks over. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Disconnecting my shoulder restraints and lap belt, Brianna pipes in before I unhook from the intercom, “Dad, do you really think that’s a good idea?”
I look back at her, seeing her eyes a touch wider than normal and glancing between Robert, the instrument panels, and me. “Shut up Bri! I said I got it,” Robert chimes in before I can answer.
“Easy now,” I say running a last check on the instruments. “It’s on autopilot Bri and I’ll be up quickly if anything happens. Besides, Robert’s a pretty good stick and he’s just monitoring the systems. Michelle, come get me if anything goes wrong.”
“Okay, Jack,” Michelle answers. Bri remains silent in her engineer seat, obviously a little perturbed over being told to shut up by Robert.
“Bri, make sure you watch the fuel tanks and switch them to prevent an imbalance,” she responds with a thumbs up.
I cover what instrument readings to watch for with Robert, disconnect from the intercom, and set my helmet in the seat. With a last look at the Mediterranean flowing along underneath the nose, I rise, stretch the small of my back to work out the kinks, and walk down the stairs to the cargo compartment. I think of how strange it is that I just left the cockpit in complete charge of my kids and feel completely comfortable with that.
The soldiers are all strapped in and sitting on the red nylon, pull-down seats along the fuselage; most have their heads down and rifles pointed upward between their legs. I catch Lynn’s eye and motion her over. Seeing her walk over, I realize just how lucky I am. Her short blond hair hangs limply down from being under her helmet for so long and her tired, blue eyes look up at me as she comes to stand before me. I reach out and give her a hug. Her initial response is to stiffen in my embrace because of the professionalism she carries in front of other soldiers but then she succumbs and relaxes, returning my hug and nestling her head on my shoulder.
The drone and vibrations of the engines are louder and stronger here making it difficult to talk without yelling. On the other hand, it also makes it more difficult for others to hear — and that’s a good thing considering the thoughts that come up feeling her pressed against me. We just stand there hugging each other for a moment as time stands still.
“It’s too bad we can’t find a private place for a moment or two. It’s, well, uh, been a while,” I whisper into her ear.
She chuckles in my ear before whispering back, “I know!”
“Perhaps when we land, we can go find a shipping container or something to duck around behind. I’m pretty sure we won’t need more than a couple of minutes. At least, I know I won’t.” It has been almost a year since we have seen each other in person and we have been faithful to each other in the interim.
“I may just tackle you the moment everyone is out of sight,” Lynn whispers.
“I could just kick everyone out of the cockpit and close the curtains. Although that may be a bit too obvious eh?”
She just answers with a soft sigh and nestles closer into my shoulder.
“Come sit with me a moment if you don’t mind. I want to talk a few things over with you before we bring the group together,” I say.
“God, it is so good to see you, babe! I really missed you!” I say once we are seated on the bunk and I am still thinking some alone time would be nice.
“You too! I’m so glad you made it and are okay. You have no idea just how worried I was and how much I missed you.”
“So tell me about Bannerman. I have a feeling there’s going to be some dissension about the ‘who’s in charge’ thing. Can he handle himself and lead this group?” I ask.
“Well, he doesn’t have any real combat experience. I’ve been leading for the most part. I think he’s okay with the logistics end of things, but I’m not sure about his ability to lead troops in combat.”
“Do you think he’ll do the ‘I’m in charge and outrank you’ thing? I mean, I’ll follow anyone who knows what they’re doing and I have confidence in, but I have my kids to think about. And, well, you.”
Lynn flashes me a quick look. “I know you can handle yourself and very well,” I say before she can carry that look into words. “I just want to make sure we all have our best chance at survival.”
“I know, hon,” she replies. “And he may try to remain in charge. In his mind, he thinks we’re still a government military force. How are things back in the states? For real.”
“It’s not pretty. Most everything and everyone are gone. We had our own run-ins with those things on the way here everywhere we went. Not in the numbers it looked like you had to deal with, but enough to know that this is everywhere.”
Lynn nods and I see her fold inward to her own thoughts. I imagine her thoughts are leading her to think about her friends and family.
“Oh, dang, I almost forgot,” I say watching her eyes track back to mine. “I actually spoke with Craig and your mom.”
“What!? You’re kidding! When?” She asks, suddenly sitting more erect and alert.
“A couple of days ago. It was the weirdest thing. We were just past Chicago calling on the radio when out of the blue, we get a response. He was flying with your mom from Florida heading to, let me try and remember, somewhere in Ohio if I remember correctly.”
“He must be heading to my dad and sister,” she says with tears beginning to well in her eyes.
“Oh, and your cats were okay and with them. He’s going to try and meet us at McChord,” I say watching a single tear leak out and run down her cheek.
