Laura unfastened her seat belt.
“I used to fly F-16s in the Air Force.”
The passenger sitting beside her stared.
The flight attendant’s expression changed immediately.
“Please come with me.”
Laura stood.
As she walked toward the cockpit, she felt eighteen months of memories returning all at once.
She had no idea that what was happening aboard this aircraft was about to connect directly to the tragedy that had caused her to leave aviation.
The Emergency in the Cockpit
The cockpit door opened.
Laura immediately noticed the atmosphere.
The smell of electronics and coffee filled the cramped space.
But what stood out most was the tension.
The captain was gripping the controls tightly.
The first officer was slumped in his seat with an oxygen mask over his face.
The captain looked at Laura.
“You have military flight experience?”
“Yes.”
“What aircraft?”
“F-16.”
“When was the last time you flew?”
Laura paused.
“About eighteen months ago.”
The captain frowned.
“That is a long time. I need someone with current experience.”
“I understand.”
Before they could say anything else, the aircraft suddenly began vibrating.
Laura immediately focused on the instruments.
This wasn’t ordinary turbulence.
The movement was rhythmic.
Mechanical.
Something wasn’t right.
“How long has that vibration been happening?” she asked.
