Young Skies: The Black Acts

Prologue

July 2005, time unknown.

Everything was black. Around me in the distance, crickets chirped and frogs croaked. I looked up and saw a motionless starry night sky. It then occurred to me that I was laying on my back. "Huff, huff, huff," I breathed heavily as I tried to sit up, but fell back down. My body felt weak. I looked left and right and made out thick bushes in the darkness.

Again I tried to sit up, this time with difficulty but success. I studied myself, and realized that my back and face was bleeding. Most of the bleeding had lessened. There was a small pool of blood under me. The sight of it sent a shiver down my spine.

I stood up through the pain and started walking off. I had no idea where I was headed. No particular direction made sense to me, but I knew I needed medical attention. Before long, I came to a highway. It wasn't very busy apparently. Soon a vehicle appeared and I waved my hand. When the driver stopped by, rose up a flashlight and looked at me, the sight my bloody face making him cringe, he said, "my word! You lost, son?"

"Very," I replied weakly. "I need help."

"Like high noon, you do! Hop in, son!" He replied kindly and opened the door let me in and drove us off to his destination. I, feeling very exhausted, wiped out basically, fell asleep on the ride. He was kind enough to take me to a hospital. I can't remember much about my stay, other than receiving a lot of shots... and that the food was delicious!

When I recovered two weeks later, I met the man again outside of the hospital.

"Hey kid, you feeling any better?" he asked sympathetically.

"I'm just great. Thanks for your help, mister." I looked around the street, but remembered that I had no place to go.

"You're homeless, aren't you?" He asked.

"You could say I'm in bit of a bind," I sighed. "By the way, I'm Jamo."

"My name is Simon. Tell you what, kid. You're welcome stay with me for as long as you want."

"Really? Are you sure that's okay?" I lit up. "I don't really want to bother you too much..."

"Nonsense! I could use some company. It's pretty lonely where I live."

"Well, okay. I do need a place to crash for the time being. At least until I can find my bearings."

"Glad to have you, Jamo. Let's be on our away." With that, we drove out of the small town and into the countryside.

Since Simon was a farmer, I helped out at his large farm in return for my stay. I fed the animals, collected eggs, milked cows and did many other farm related jobs. There was a river half a mile away which the farmer would take me to with him to do fishing. I always caught the small millet though. Overall, I enjoyed my time on the farm. My father was a farmer too, so I felt a sense of belonging.

August 29, 2005.

"Are you really sure about this, Jamo? You're awfully young to be going to a flight school."

"I know, but my dream is to be a pilot. Such a wonderful opportunity like this may not shine upon me again. It's now or never for me."

"Well, if you feel so strongly about it, then I won't stop you. I also still can't believe you met up with General Bailey himself. For a legend like him to take a liking to you is nothing short of amazing. Good luck, son."

"Thanks Mr. Simon." I shook his hand, said my goodbyes and left on the awaiting bus, for I had a mission. It couldn't be completed if I stayed here. It might take me years but, I had to do it... I had to find my friends.

January 28, 2006. 10:32 a.m.

There I was, standing tall, with my head held high, beaming with excitement. For miles around, all I could see was nothing but desert. A few small bushes and cactus plants were scattered around. The skies above were a cloudless, infinite blue. The sun was blazing hot. Between me and destiny lay barbed-wired fences and a big grey double gate. Two armed men stood on guard, and one lieutenant (I could tell by his badge) with clipboard and pen sat behind a desk. A wave of fear whooshed through me as I studied his tense expression. But it didn't last long, for today, I would make history.

Gathering my courage, I stepped forward, briskly making my way over to them. "Halt citizen! State your business here or go away!" The lieutenant bellowed loudly, freezing me with apprehension.

"Sir Lieutenant Sir! My name is Jamo Ernest, sir!" I replied just as loudly, "I am here to sign up for the U.S. Air Force special flight program, sir! I am 17years old and have already had-" I was cut off.

"WHAT!!?? SOME YOUNG PUNK LIKE YOU THINKS THAT YOU CAN JUST WALTZ IN HERE AND BE A MEMBER OF THE AIRFORCE!!!?? RUN home kid, this isn't the place for YOU!" was the harsh reply.

"But, sir!" I tried to argue.

"I SAID, GET LOST KID!!" He screamed at me. At this, I took out a piece of paper and gave it to him. He grabbed it rather roughly and scanned through it. "T-t-this can't be! It's JUST not possible! This is a letter from General Bailey himself! And it's granting this kid permission to enter the program!" Turning to me he continued, "Kid, you're one lucky son of a gun! Welcome aboard!" He changed attitude so quickly that I never would have imagined that a few seconds ago he was tossing me away.

"Glad to be aboard, lieutenant! Thank you for your time!" I took his now outstretched, callous hand and shook it.

He then turned to one of the privates, "open the gate so the lad can enter!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The private obeyed with no hesitation. He and the other one on the left pulled the big gates opened, and I went inside, waving back as I passed.

"This is it! I'm finally in! This is gonna be the bomb!" I thought to myself. I skipped happily along, till I got to a huge camouflage painted warehouse. In front of the single doorway stood General Bailey. He was dressed in gray camo clothes and looked about 6'5 in height. He had steel gray eyes, a full head of white hair and a short white beard to match.

"Hey sport! Glad to see you made it. I trust you had no problems getting in?"

"Well the lieutenant was a bit stingy, but he let me through without much trouble, Sir Bailey," I replied.

"Hahaha! Very good. Now before we step inside to start your training, can you please enlighten me again why a young man such as yourself wants to join the Air Force?"

"Sir, ever since at a very young age, I've always wanted to fly. It's been my dream. I think of nothing but being with the clouds," I answered. "Also I have a very important personal mission to take care of."

"I see. A kid with a one track mind huh. Not sure if we need more of those. But I like your style and bravery. You're in son!"

"Really? That's awesome!" I flung myself self upon him with glee.

"Hey, hey, hey, watch the badges!"

I instantly let go of him and became serious, "Sorry sir, won't happen again."

"Ahem, yes well, shall we step inside?" he gestured to the warehouse.

"Right on, let's go!" I raised up my fist and nimbly followed the General inside. What I saw made my heart melt.

"This, my young friend, is where the magic happens," General Bailey spoke.