Chapter 13
13
ORION
Dearest Cherry,
Today, well tonight, is the moment that my squadron looks forward to each deployment. We’re doing night flights and drills – and it’s intense. Flying is a big thrill, but this just adds an element to it. Imagine pulling into the driveway with no headlights, at eighty miles an hour, chasing a firefly that is bobbing and moving slowly, and you can’t run off the pavement, or else you’re in the water. That’s pretty much it.
The only thing more thrilling than throwing my aircraft bodily at a glimmer of light is knowing that I’ll be home with you and Jeremy in two months. I’m glad you both are keeping busy. Time is dragging by for me here, and I look forward to getting off the ship in Alexandria, Egypt. After that, it’s Naples, Italy, and then we’re heading home.
I seriously cannot wait.
Thank you for the walnut fudge you sent – it was well received, that’s for sure! I thought that I might be able to keep it to myself for a little bit, you know, making my ‘stash’ stretch out as long as possible, but some of the guys saw me grabbing a square and immediately started begging for some. How do you say ‘no’ when we’re all on edge and ready to be done, you know?
Your thoughtfulness made several wretched guys very happy for a brief time – and I am so proud that you married me. Every time I get an email, a letter with some crayon drawings, or something else, it hits me once again at just how blessed I am to have you both in my life.
“Hey, Orion!”
Evan looked up from the computer monitor to see Shellac leaning in the doorway, grinning.
“We’re up shortly, brother. Are you coming?”
“Yep. Just getting ready to send this off in a second, and I’ll be right there.”
“I can’t wait for this night flight. Are you at ‘Centurion’ yet?”
“Not yet,” Evan chuckled, smiling. “I’m getting closer every day, though. Lemme tell you, when I hit a hundred takeoffs and landings on the ship – everyone will know it.”
“Won’t be able to fit your big ol’ ego in the doors – eh?”
“Nope,” Evan laughed as Shellac shook his head, walking off. Turning back to the screen, he quickly typed.
I’ve gotta go – we’re about to take off. Wish me luck!
Love,
Evan
Clicking send, he smiled – and hesitated not a second later, realizing that he’d signed the email with ‘love, Evan’ instead of ‘yours truly.’ That easy, comfortable smile spread as a rush of warmth filled him. This was the strangest thing, falling for Cherry yet here he was, tumbling headfirst into something more beautiful and wonderful than anything he’d ever experienced before in his life.
What he and Kristie had had, was nice, passionate, but nothing tender or loving… not like this. It was like being away had given them a chance to grow instead of burning wildly out of control, and it felt good.
“What are you smiling about?” Memphis teased, nearly colliding with him as he started down the hallway toward the flight decks. His buddy wrapped an arm around his neck, wrestling with him, and obviously thrilled about the upcoming flight, just like the rest of them.
“I’m just happy,” Evan admitted. “I think I’m really happy for the first time in forever…”
“Not to get sappy,” Memphis chuckled. “But good for you, brother. Everyone deserves a little happiness in their soul.”
“Yeah, I really think we do – and I might have found mine.”
“Well, lemme know if you happen to spot mine,” Memphis grinned. “I like the brainy-type – or as Trophy says, ‘boardroom to bedroom’…”
“Yeah, don’t repeat that if you ever meet your dream girl.”
“Nope. I’m a little smarter than that.”
“Shellac and Trophy aren’t,” Ohio chimed in, nearly hopping on both of their backs as he surprised the two of them in the hallway. “LET’S DO THIS, BABY!” he screamed excitedly, hearing laughter all around them.
Memphis and Evan shared a glance, grabbed Ohio’s forearms, and hung on, dragging the man almost in a piggy-back fashion down the crowded halls in a rush to get to the flight deck where the action was already beginning.
Evan could hear the jets firing up, the catapults building pressure and his teeth shook as someone took off. He high-fived his friends as they all took off to their perspective planes. The adrenaline was pumping as time passed, moving him into the lineup and launching him forward into the blackness. Takeoff wasn’t so bad, but the landing was nerve-racking. He’d done this several times over his career, but he never lost that feeling of respect for what this job entailed.
And now it was his turn to land his jet.
Precision was key, and his target was constantly moving. If it wasn’t the swells of the ocean, it was the ship turning into the wind, giving them the best odds for a successful landing. Nobody wanted to get down to ‘bingo-fuel’ having made repeated failed attempts to touch down. Bingo fuel meant you were almost out, adding yet another level of stress.
“Coming around,” Evan said simply, staring at his display that was glowing green around him in the darkness. The gyro was moving slightly as he wobbled in the air to keep it straight, steadying himself. Engines rpms at .70, he noted and listened to the conversations coming in through his helmet.
We’ve had three miss the arresters and are coming around again.
Captain’s turning the ship slightly, check your gauges
ILS and ACLS have you locked, Orion…
“Eight miles,” Evan confirmed, listening to the beeping amidst their voices. Communication was key, and timing was everything. Now, moving the ship slightly wasn’t ideal, but necessary. His tach and display, running through the landing checklist, extending his flaps, landing gear, and arrest hook.
Two minutes until the first pass, he thought.
The I.L.S. system would pick up his signal, guiding him to a good centerline. A.C.L.S. would lock him onto the aircraft so he could get into a good position for touch down.
“I’m reading 360 feet above the water and descending…”
I’ve got you, Orion. Move slightly to your right. I read you at 3.2 miles out.
The runway was a moving target – a black target on a black background on a very dark night. The clouds were covering the moon, preventing reflection off the water, and while it was intimidating, this is where your training came into play. A good start gave him better odds of landing successfully. The ship was huge but moving with the swells of the ocean. It was like trying to hop onto a carousel at breakneck speed with a go-kart.
A very expensive go-kart…
You can lock on. I see you and verify you’re on approach
Orion, call your ball
You’re a little low
Evan broke out in a sweat hearing the corrections coming at him rapid-fire and made the adjustments. His helmet was beeping, and things were starting to move so fast that he wasn’t sure his eyes could move quick enough to register what was happening with his mind and make the adjustments. It was sheer training and instinct now.
And he saw it.
“I’ve got the ball,” Evan radioed in, his heart racing in his chest.
Twenty seconds until touch down…
Come left…
Listening to the landing officer, Evan readied himself. Precision was key; peripheral vision started to pick up part of the ship and let out his breath quickly before sucking it in again.
There’s the deck , he thought wildly as he saw three lines of faint lights coming up fast before him. There was no hesitation, no easing into this. He was landing… now !
Ping, ping…
“Got it!” Evan called excitedly as his plane’s hook snagged the arresting cables, slowing the jet immediately. He felt the deceleration in his shoulder harness, his head, and his whole body as he came forward in his seat to a very welcomed stop.
He did it!
Evan looked out on the flight deck to see a faint glow of yellow as the landing crew took over, waving and guiding him out of the landing area, clearing the way for the next pilot. His knees were trembling, and his hands were shaking, but not because he was scared, but what a rush it was!
Maneuvers were done, two more port visits, and then he was going to be facing the next adrenaline rush: coming home.
Bring it. I’m ready.