Chapter Fifty-Four
Helios
Thirteen minutes after takeoff, nothing but ocean under us, the sun just above the horizon, the glare intense, I double and triple-checked all systems.
Then I cut fuel and forced a double-engine flameout.
The warning alarms immediately went off, and Haven’s panicked gaze shot to mine.
I tapped my headset mic. “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Embraer Niner-three-hundred-Papa-Oscar-One. Engine failure. One hundred miles northwest of GGT. Altitude fifteen thousand feet.” I recited our geo position. “Attempting blue water ditching. Two souls on board.”
“Helios! What’s happening?”
I switched to a VHF frequency the Paragon used.
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. Embraer Niner-three-hundred-Papa-Oscar-One. Critical fuel loss. Altitude thirteen thousand feet. Two souls on board. Bailing out. Requesting immediate recovery. Repeat, Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” I recited a different geo location.
Then I tossed my headset, depressurized the cabin, unbuckled my five-point harness, and reached for hers.
“Helios!” She tried to push my hands away. “Fly the plane!”
“Past that. We’re bailing. You’re gonna have to trust me.” Yanking her out of the second chair and setting her in front of me as the Phenom started to pitch and the air in the cabin went to shit, I issued orders. “Move, move, move!”
“We can’t jump out of the plane!” Pivoting mid-aisle, she gripped the front of my shirt. “We’ll die!”
Shoving her aft cabin, I grabbed the rigs.
“I’m not gonna let that happen.” Quickly donning my parachute harness, then squatting in front of her as the plane pitched further, I forcibly stepped her legs into her rig before throwing a life vest on her.
Feeding her arms through the chute harness, I secured the chest strap behind the life preserver.
Then I turned her around and fucking hooked her to me.
“What are you doing? Stop. STOP.”
“Listen up.” Strapping the altimeter from my rig to my left wrist, I checked our altitude. Ten thousand feet. “We’re chuted up and bailing out tandem-style. I’ll do all the work. Just follow my lead.”
“No. No!”
Grabbing the life raft I’d set out preflight, ignoring her protests, I barked out orders as I moved us to the modified cargo hold.
“Maintain a horizontal-to-earth position during freefall. Arch your back. Don’t fight me or the wind.
When I make the pull, follow my instructions.
” I kicked through the cargo bulkhead. “Before we hit the water, point your feet and hold your breath. I’ll cutaway last minute to bring us down easy, but pinch your nose on impact. Copy?”
“NO!” In a complete fucking panic, she tried to turn and yank my straps as I angled us into the cargo area. “Stop this! Fix the plane! PLEASE.”
“No fuel, no engines. We’re out of time.” I didn’t give her another fucking second to think. “Wear these.” I shoved my sunglasses over her face, then checked the altimeter. Eight thousand feet.
I kicked out the cargo door, and we jumped.