Consigliere's Aviatrice

Quattro| Hijacked

AVIATRICE

After what happened yesterday, I don't know if I could work properly without being paranoid. It was said that there was a mass shooting near the location, and I was lucky enough to avoid the bullet. But the side of my brain is still suspicious, and I am sure there was more to it. 

"Cha?" I cleared my throat and faced Greece. 

"Hmm. . there seemed to be a subtle abnormal vibration from the engine," I commented after the engine ran up. Dumapo ang tingin ko kay Greece na pinapakinggan din nang maigi.

"I hear nothing, though," He scratched his forehead before glancing at his wristwatch. "We only have twenty-five minutes before boarding." Tumango naman ako. 

"Better be safe, right?" Greece took his phone from his pocket while fixing his curtain bangs while I checked the flight management systems/computer. 

"Yes, we detected a minor problem in the engine. We have twenty minutes before boarding. Are you around?" I continued scanning the instruments in the cockpit. He must be talking to Kato, the mechanic assigned to our aircraft. 

Maya maya ay hindi ko na siya narinig magsalita. He ended the call and dialed another one. It only lasted a few seconds before I heard Italian curses from his mouth. I faced him. He looks like he was in a deep shit or something. 

"What's wrong?" 

"Kato is on leave due to personal reasons. The spare mechanic's certification is for an Airbus, not Boeing. He is only assigned to narrowbody jets." I click my tongue. Now that's gonna be a problem. 

You see, we're flying a Boeing- 777. The mechanic for our aircraft must be certified for Boeing, not Airbus. Because clearly, there is a huge difference between them. 

"How long does it take to fix it?" Tanong ko sa kanya. 

"Taping the turbine casing of the aircraft would take forty minutes or so." Tumango-tango na lang ako. Yes, you heard it right, taping the engine. 

Sa ngalan na ite-tape baka naman iisipin niyo ducktape lang gagamitin. There's a specific tape used in a plane called a speed tape. It can withstand intense wind pressure and is also applicable for minimal repairs. It costs around 16,000- 22,000 per roll; that's enough to ensure it's safe. 

Yun nga lang, considering it'll take forty minutes or so, baka makita pa ng mga pasaherong nagbo-boarding na tini-tape yung engine. Kung ako sa kanila mag o-overthink na ako nang malala. Imagine yung eroplanong sasakyan mo tini-tape lang? 

"Cha?" I snapped my fingers when Greece called for my attention. 

"Oh, yes. Contact my brother if there is an available aircraft mechanic; if there is none, look for an aeronautical engineer." I turned off the engine and stood up from the seat. 

"I'll do the 360 check, tell Nat he's the pilot flying for this flight." Kamot ulo itong tumango habang nagtitipa ng number na tatawagan. 

I went on and grabbed a reflectorized vest. I tied my hair into a ponytail and put on my ear protection before taking a small flashlight with me to check the external condition of the aircraft. The pilot flying will be the First Officer, Nat. So, we might as well do the external check.