RED: Valor In Flight

My First Bit of Action

It has now been 3 days since arriving here. I've gotten to fly every plane on the field at least once. I've learned that even though the basics are the same, flying a cargo plane can be quite different. It’s cumbersome once in the air, and even when it’s on the ground honestly. But boy is it fun to fly. Red has taught me all the preflight checks I'll need and some aerial maneuvers that'll definitely come in handy. And through this, I've learned just how right fox was. She is a fantastic pilot. Her movements are smooth, as if the controls are just an extension of her own body. She can make the plane dance. Just watching her fly from the co-pilots position was astounding.

"You're doing pretty well. For a crop-duster." she said smiling, as I imitated one of her moves.

And aside from that, she herself was wonderful. A personality to match her skills. She was sweet and kind, yet strong and passionate. I hope I'm not falling for her as quickly as I think I am. But if she feels the same way, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. But really, for now, concentrating on learning this job would be of most benefit. So I don't get myself killed. 

Red wouldn't be the only pilot I would fly with either. Though I was assigned to her, I spent some time flying medical with Fox. We would take people from hospital to hospital. But when there was an emergency, we may have to drop everything and head to the middle of nowhere.

It was thrilling. I remember one flight with him very vividly: We were having lunch, when our alarm went off. We rushed out of the building, running for our small plane, two flight nurses closely following. Apparently, a car was about to travel between provinces, when it was taken by highwaymen. The sheriff found the driver on the side of the road beaten badly. It was not far away from my old home. The sheriff prepared the road by blocking it and setting flares and we landed.

 I try to be aware of everything to keep everyone safe. Even though I stay in the plane, Fox leaves to help. The engines continue to roar, as I prepare us to leave again. As the group rushes back toward the plane, Fox falls to the ground, grabbing at his leg.

"What's wrong?" I try to yell over the engine noise. Then I see him jerk, then clutch his arm. Suddenly, men burst from a row of bushes on the side of the road and run toward them. How long were they there. They must be trying to ambush us. I press my right foot down, sending the wing of the plane at the men. It knocks them down, knocking several out. I hope his stupid gun doesn't go off. The fuel tanks of a plane are in the wings. They'll probably be careful though. The plane is probably the whole reason they did this. Pirates.

Once the nurses board with the victim, the sheriff throws Fox over his shoulder and boards. Some pirates are getting a hold of themselves and are heading for us. With another press from my foot I flip the plane around and face the way we came. I can hear bullets ping around the aircraft. They must've given up on the whole "save the plane" plan. So I press the throttle down full, as they desperately attempt to shoot us down. Down the road I see more pirates driving at us. I know they're pirates because they're shooting at us too. 

"Hold on!" I yell, as we take off straight up, into the air. Into the sky and away. Once we're At the hospital, I check on Fox. He is fine. It was only his arm and leg, but he's still pretty angry.

"I can't believe they did that!" he yells pacing back and forth, as an increasingly irritated doctor tries finishing up on his arm. "Beating people in the road? This is ridiculous!"

"Its gonna be fine man." I say. "But the doc here might stab you with a needle if you don't calm down." I add. The doc smiles as Fox finally sits down. "Just take it easy. I'm going to go check on the victim."

"Thanks Supe, for saving my life." he says.

"Anytime." I say, leaving the room. Once I get to the victims room, I finally see her. Jackie. She looks up at me in tears. But smiles when she sees its me. They say she'll be okay, eventually, but she doesn't look good at all.

"I asked them to call you since you live here now, imagine my surprise when they said you were the pilot. she says.