John O'Brien - Return

“Close the ramp,” I say as we continue our wide circle around the red flares. “If anyone would like to say a silent prayer in whatever fashion is fitting for you, now would be the time.”

The ramp door light extinguishes and I move the throttles up to begin our climb back into the night. This little moment of our trek back home over. There’s really not much to say and the aircraft remains silent. Minds trying to wrap around all that has come about and does not ever seem to cease. There will be other tragedies like this one. Our job is to make sure we are not written into that same book. Survive. That is and should be our single focus.

The mental aspect of survival and comprehension will be our greatest difficulty. The ability to last in any survival situation depends primarily on the will to survive. Knowledge is important but the mental remains the single greatest contributing factor to surviving or not. A lot of people end up dying when faced with a survival situation because they simply give up. They reach the end of what they can mentally handle. We have to stick together and watch each other. Console at the right times and be harsh in others. It is just knowing which the more effective method is given the mindset of another.

The remaining flight over the pond is conducted mostly in silence. Time is spent with more in-depth aircraft systems knowledge for anyone wanting to listen to me and letting folks try their hand at flying. The flying time is primarily spent with Robert until he feels comfortable maneuvering to an extent. We also go through various emergencies but with our limited time, I keep those to the most important ones. I would like to take the time to do some takeoffs and landings when we get to Brunswick to round off his flying skills and then we will have someone else on board who can get everyone home in the event of my untimely demise, but we just will not have the time. We need to get down to Atlanta with a lot of daylight left. We also take turns resting so we can feel somewhat refreshed with the long day ahead of us.

Nothing spectacular on the rest of the ride over; the weather behaves and gives us a clear flight; the aircraft also behaves itself and performs beautifully. The sky behind us begins to lighten with the approach of a new day. A dark line appears on the horizon, land ho! We have journeyed back to what used to be the United States. It seems so long ago since we watched those shores disappear behind us but the sun has only risen and set a couple of times since. We begin the arrival checklists and I let Lynn know to get everyone belted in as the dark smudge ahead begins to take on a more defined shape and details begin to emerge.

I start our descent into the airfield, eventually turning onto final with the gray runway stretching out ahead of us, doing a low flyby to check the runway for condition and obstructions. My goal is to not get stuck somewhere, especially if it can be prevented. The wind sock, hanging limply on the pole, passes by the left window, its long shadow stretching to the west. The runway looks clear as I bring the aircraft up and around for a landing. The landing is another marvel of perfection. Okay, not so much. I rather thump it in. I turn the intercom to the overhead speakers as we slow down on the runway.

“Please remain seated as our pilot taxis what’s left of our aircraft to the ramp. Then feel free to make your way through the wreckage and onto the tarmac,” I say. They are oldies but goodies.

As I taxi by midfield making my way to the end of the runway, I can still see some evidence of our previous visit. There are some articles and pieces of clothing spread on the ramp where wind has not carried them away. Some are strewn in the grass field to our right, caught by the blades of grass. Others yet seem to be attached to what is left of the bodies, the bones visible where birds and other wildlife feasted. I still wonder if this affects any other creatures; whether they can become infected by the blood or secretions of the night runners. I also notice paper and other material scattered across the ramp, some being picked up and blown slightly along in the light morning breeze. Evidence of mankind’s demise and the earth perhaps cleansing itself. Seeing this, I still feel like I am caught up in a dream. The sudden change in the world around us; our mind filtering the surreal aspect.

I taxi onto the ramp and park out from the buildings, letting the engines idle, pausing for a few minutes. Waiting for any indication of life or what to expect when we exit. I leave the engines running in case of trouble. We would at least have some head start on getting away. The buildings and area around remain still. The dream continues on.

Shutting the engines down and opening the ramp, we all exit and stretch our legs. Lynn and I stand together looking out over to the building ahead, the climbing sun warm on our shoulders, our fingers finding each other and clasping. She turns her head around toward the partial corpses lying on the ramp.

“Your work?” She asks nodding toward them.

“Yeah, a moment of frustration you might say,” I answer. “Probably not the wisest move but what’s a person to do?”

“Hmmm, looks like you took care of the situation though.”

“Well, we had ‘em running but we could’ve also found ourselves stuck.”

The conversation dies away and I see Robert and Michelle standing a short distance away, standing in much the same manner as Lynn and I. Holding hands and staring off into the distance.

“Robert,” I call out. His answer is to turn toward me.

“Go get the fuel truck and start fueling up,” I say. “Take Red Team with you.”

“Okay,” he says, absently adjusting the M-4 slung over his shoulder.

We have taken to carrying our weapons on us at all times; becoming second nature. Michelle ventures off to the back of the aircraft only to emerge a minute later with Nic; both of them wheeling the start-up cart into position and hooking it up. The routine we are developing into is a comfort of sorts. But I also know that our routine will change shortly. I plan to be back at McChord by tomorrow. I would love to explore around, well, explore outside, but we just don’t have time. We need to be off as soon as we fuel up. Daylight is our friend.

“Let’s gather everyone around and talk about what we’re going to do when we get back,” I say to Lynn, breaking our morning reverie and bringing our thoughts back to the moment.

“Shouldn’t we talk about this amongst the team leaders first?” She asks.

“With some things, yes, but I think in this case we should talk about it with all of us together. We’re all in this together and I think everyone should have a say or hear it right off. I don’t want anyone to feel like they are just a cog. We need to all work as equals with regards to our overall survival,” I answer.

“Okay, you’re the boss,” she says turning to gather everyone. Yep, there is that ‘I don’t agree with you’ statement. My payments are adding up by the minute, although I cannot wait to be able to pay up.

“Everyone on me,” she yells out. A circle forms with the sound of weapons shifting and boots on the pavement interrupting the still air.

The sound of a truck starting in the distance and coming our way adds to the noise. Everyone stands, kneels, or sits in a semi-circle around Lynn and me as we wait for the fuel truck to approach and hook up. Red Team approaches from the distance and joins in.

“Someone grab the others,” I say nodding toward Robert, Michelle, and Nic. “I think Brianna is in the cockpit if you would be so kind as to get her as well.”

Two soldiers rise and head off bringing back the rest of our merry band. The sun climbs higher into the bright blue sky shining its warmth down on us. The morning breeze has settled down bringing even more stillness to an already still area. The only movement is that of the occasional bird swooping over the grass field across the runway from us. The flags hang limply from their poles on the buildings we can see, imitating the way I feel. The calm before the storm. As if what we are about to venture forth on this day is still far away but coming toward us at a tremendous pace.