Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

I - Trade Winds

Steady winds which blow on the side of the sub-tropical highs nearest to the equator; reliably blow east to west just north and south of the equator.
In the Philippines, Amihan refers to the season dominated by the trade winds.

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December 1st, 0800Z (1600LCL)
Aircraft registration: Airbus A321-231 | RP-C9918¹
Departure: RPLC | Clark International Airport, Pampanga, Philippines
Arrival: RPMD | Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao, Philippines
Flight route: RPLC - OLIV2E - OLIVA - W16 - MIA - W11 - MCT - W8- JOFER - JOFER1 - RPMD
(RPLC - OLIVA 2E - OLIVA - VOTAS - MIA - BANOS - PABLO - CONDE - SAGRA - MOLOC - MANOK - MCT - DAHOY - BOHOL - YAYIN - BALIN - GONIL - JOFER - JOFER 1 - RPMD)²

"(Y/N), sigurado ka ba na secured and ready for shoot 'yong mga installed na GoPro sa flight deck? Alam mo naman na ikaw ang assigned para sa mga iyon," Kathleen, the head of our promotion department, inquires for the nth time. I know that she only wanted things to be smooth-sailing, given that the vibes might be equated to that of a vacation of twelve days to tourist destinations in countless parts of the country; for us, it is still work.

"Yes, ma'am," I answer at once as I connect the last of the cables for the six GoPros present in the flight deck alone—three of such views are focused on the view outside, and three are directed to the happenings inside the cockpit. "Kailangan ko lang, ma'am, hintayin sila capt para sa connection ng GoPros sa kanilang mga headsets; then, hit the record at once bago maupo sa pwesto ko."

She nods in response before leaving me behind in the presence of Robert, Cirila and Marius, the chief mechanic, the flight dispatcher, and the ramp agent assigned for this flight, respectively. Despite not having to work in the same field as theirs, being on the happenings of the industry itself, it is only common for us to be courteous with one another; and I suddenly feel out of place being in their presence, and in a location I definitely seldom visit compared to them.

"Mukhang star-studded ang crew nito ngayon, ha?" I heard Robert whispering to Marius, and he winces when the latter elbows him slightly.

"Masisisi ba natin, eh para ito sa anniversary promotion next year," Cirila remarks before checking her papers once more. She turns to me with a smile and asks, "Miss (L/N), right? Talagang magaling mamili 'yong team niyo ngayon ng mga dapat mapasama sa promotional shoot. Pero himala na nagawa niyong mapilit si 'Face of the Airline' para sa ganito."

"'Face of the Airline' talaga, Cirila?" inquires Marius. "Every time na nalalaman ng mga passengers na siya 'yong FO, madalas nagkakagulo."

"Bakit? Kasalanan ba talaga niya na mas pinili niya mag-piloto kaysa manatiling superstar? And now, for the first time, nagawa siyang mapilit ng airlines para sa promotional shoot na ito. 'Di ba ayaw niya nga ng publicity tulad nito aside sa mga photoshoots na pinahintulutan niya?" Cirila asks another time.

It is obvious that they know one another for a long time already; and also the subject of their conversation. To begin with, I am just a new member of the promotional team that I don't know much about how the choosing of desired actors before had been. But I'll be honest to say that during the initial stage of the planning, I already have the same person in mind to be part of this shoot.

Back then, I remember the team doubting if they should extend the invitation to him once more to join the promotion. And since I am the newest member, I've been made the scapegoat to send the e-mail. Everyone didn't have much hope as they've tried doing so for years ever since he became part of the airlines, and all they managed to set compromise with him were pictorials and nothing as almost as trivial as this. However, for some reasons, the 'Face of the Airline' agreed.