Abandoned

Abandoned (Part Two - Chapter 10)

*Please note that several easy-to-follow stories are being told at the same time.

Chapter 10: The Saga Continues ...... (Your Review Here)

Getting from Washington, D.C. to Hanoi and then back again is not as difficult as you might expect. This more than surprised Blake when he found out. When the proposal to accompany Sutton and the JPAC team was first introduced to him, the exact details were never explained—and it was a good two weeks before Blake and Sutton had the opportunity to sit down to discuss all the intricacies, leaving him with all sorts of wild notions going through his young head. The average person back then wouldn't have known that all it took was $1,341.00 and two days each way, all flown on a large, modern airline. This hardly matched the visions and intrigue that Blake had imagined. But that misconception had been rectified many months ago.

With a sweep of his hand, Sutton gracefully motioned for Blake to take the window seat. Because Bangkok Airway only flew out of Hanoi on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays—the flight to Bangkok was full of passengers.

Exactly like traveling by air anywhere in the world, everyone was pressing in, shuffling to find a good seat. Once inside the narrow fuselage there wasn't a person on board who failed to notice that the aircraft's air conditioner was doing a miserable job of defeating the 90 degree-plus heat outside. Blake commented how it almost felt a 100 degrees inside. Not even the morning flight could beat the scorching temperatures.

After a futile attempt to get something cold to come out of the little silver nozzle above him, Sutton turned and said, "Well, Blake, in a couple of days we'll be back in the States. I can't wait to relax."

"Yes Sir, this has completely exceeded my wildest expectations. Plus I think I've lost about ten pounds."

"I think we all have!" That comment came from Pete.

Tracy, Pete, and Scott all sat grinning across the aisle, amused by Blake's comment. Yes, they were all eager to get back home—and yes, they all looked about ten pounds lighter.

Hanoi to Bangkok to London to Washington, D.C.—that was their return route, matching exactly how they had gotten there. For the men, this is where it would end for them. Blake also thought that this was the end of the line for him. How little did he know! Actually, Blake was about to enter one of those pivotal points in a person's life that can be looked back upon years later and recognized as nothing but monumental. A story certainly worth telling.

Many hours later, the sleek Boeing 767 made a perfect landing at Dulles International Airport. It was 3 p.m. on a Thursday.

A few minutes later, exactly as promised, just as the team exited the long ramp leading into the terminal, all the wives and children and family members that you would normally expect to be there gave the men a well-deserved greeting. Some of Blake's rock climbing buddies were there, too, along with his parents. This was when airport security used to let the waiting public greet their friends right as they exited the aircraft.

"Blake," Sutton said, "I've got some debriefing to take care of but I've been doing some thinking and I've got something important to discuss with you. Something really important. I'll call you in a couple of days."

"Sure, Mr. Sutton, I'll be home."

"Good, you'll be hearing from me soon. Hey, watch out for that crew of yours. They look more dangerous than Lt. Ngo's men."

While the rest of Sutton's team made their way home, because he didn't have a family waiting to greet him, Sutton decided to make his way toward the Pentagon. General Samm was expecting his report and after getting a hotel room he planned to call for an appointment. Outside, trying to flag down a taxi, it was just as hot as it had been in Hanoi. There are some things you can never escape.