Only For You

XLII) Marion: The Essence of it All

I walked around my plane once more before declaring it safe to complete the check. I figured out that I must have messed up the check before I took off the last time. As a pilot this mistake was huge, it was a gutting one. When I realized the kind of mistake I made and how it could have impacted the other pilots as well as myself, I quickly made sure to correct what I did wrong last time. It was so petty and all, but so worth seeking further information for. When I looked over I noticed the guys were lined up waiting for instruction. Man, they sure did know how to obey me, and it was so odd. I stood up from my crouched position next to the landing gear. They all gave me blank stares as I stood there trying to make eye contact. The young pilot that hugged me stood out front. "So, this appears to be it, flyboys. However, none of us are going to die. Through faith, determination, and perseverance we are going to get this job done. "Lieutenant Marelli, come here please." I mumbled and signaled for him to stand next to me. "If all of you could give him a round of applause, that would be great. This man is shy, but he doesn't let that get in his way. Lieutenant Dougherty, you are short, but you do not let that get in your way. We cannot let small little weaknesses get in our way. Gentlemen, we are the best squadron this country has got. That is why the President chose us to fight in the direct frontlines on this mission. No one else can fly as well as us, we are the nation's pilots. We cannot let that title down. If we come back all successful, we will end up on the wall of fame. Don't you want that?" I looked around and scanned each pilot's face. They all shook their heads yes. "The radiation is going to be horrible, so try to avoid any western territories past 300 nautical miles east of the border. By border I mean the one that goes through the city. Fall out boys, let's do this."

We all ran to our designated aircraft ready to fight. "Mike November Kilo Lynx requesting departure, runway heading 14 left. Do I have clearance?" I asked in the tower. As the guy spoke through frequency I could tell that he was deeply angry. "Taxiway full, hold short at five." I moved my plane down the taxiway, beginning to head off towards the heading point. "Taxiway full, hold short at five, Lynx." I repeated the instructions back. I waited for about 10 minutes before getting the request backed up and finalized. "Lynx, you're clear for departure." That was the final countdown, the countdown for me to go and win this war. During this time they temporarily changed how the pilot communicates with the control centers. They wanted rapid responses and confirmations. It has taken a lot of time to switch my knowledge of air traffic control lingo. I think I am finally getting used to this.

The engines roared deeply as the plane inched down the runway. An inch became a quick foot, a foot became a rapid 2,456 feet. The plane roared as I completed a vertical take off. "Lynx reporting in, maintaining 15,000, VFR approach heading indicator 25." I said in a strict manner over frequency. "Affirmative. Maintaining 15,000, VFR approach heading indicator 25." Lieutenant Marelli repeated. "Bomb when I say 'pull heavy on heart!'" My mouth moved very rapidly as I continued to speak over the headset. "VFR approach, but no landing. VFR through class Echo airspace. Maintain 3,000."

Time seemed to be moving very rapidly as the plane moved very fast through the sky. It was only a matter of time before we would swoop down and bomb. My heart ached knowing what this squadron had to do. I hate interfering with people, but this had to be done. I immediately remembered what my parents used to tell me when I was younger. In life it is so important to try, just try your best. I know it's so hard, but staying on the right path is the heart of life. When I think back on everything I've learned, I know I truly know I have no one to come home to. I'm done with the whole situation of war, everyone is. I'll hopefully live through this moment, but as of now I have no idea. The point I have come to is not sacrificial.

Tears buckled through my eyes and seared my cheeks. There was no sense of urgency here. I thought deeply before regaining my mentality. Something clicked over... or so I thought. When I maneuvered the plane over the final flight path towards the end target it was about 45 nautical miles away. "Alright, the map indicates that the final destination is about 45 nautical miles away. Weather is rainy and heavy. Be aware of flight pattern changes due to the wind. Further instruction will be given here shortly." I repeated, but knew those instructions would be out of date very soon.

As we approached the target the sun was on the rise and it was still dark. I assure you that 10 hours of flying, planning, and stopping to refuel is not exactly on the agenda. Time slowed as if the armageddon was approaching. The sounds through the headset seemed as if they were getting more and more distorted. As we made the final approach I was the one to call it -to call the death of thousands. My eyes teared up, but I knew this was it. If I timed this correctly this war would end in a very rapid manner. "Drop 'em! Signal and pull red now!" My voice shot through into the other pilot's ears. My plane turned as it flew 650 miles per hour through the brazen colored sky that put off zero light. I saw the lights from the bombs dropping from the sky. At that specific moment I remember saying a quick prayer. "Retreat! Flee!" Our squadron rapidly flew out of the smoke.

Each second seemed as if it was a million years that passed by. I would rather not be here fighting for everything like that. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye on the left side, flares flew through the sky. The heavens became lit up by several red and orange flares that shot up. It increasingly became hard to see as the light inhibited the ability to see. The heart in my chest pounded as if it was going to explode just as if the bombs were going off in my heart. The missles flew by causing a ruckus. I dodged planes that were falling out of the sky on fire. The pain was too much and I was ready to go home -this time to heaven. I only wanted to be woken up when it's all over. It wasn't my heart that hurt, it was my dignity. I no longer felt worthy for anything because of what I had done. My eyes shut trying to survive the bombs bursting in the air. Each time they batted open they saw the brazen colored sky with flares of fire. It was at the final moment that my soul really realized the end is truly near. All of this time, all of this time, was a sincere struggle. I felt no emotion besides anger, terror, and hate. It was all instilled in me, and I would never be the same. "It's time to go home, Marion." is what I said right as the plane shook. The flares hit the cockpit window causing a breakout. The breaths were shallow, but heavy all at the same time. My body slumped over as the ground came too quickly... lights dimmed and finally went out. No breathing, just pain. Suddenly there was nothing... absolutely nothing.