Chapter 8 - The Wingman
Laura stared intently at the deadly missiles hanging threateningly from the belly of the F-22 Raptor outside her window.
The aggressive interceptor pilot had absolutely no idea their commercial engines were completely dead.
He only saw a massive, unresponsive civilian jet seemingly ignoring direct, lethal military orders.
Grab the emergency waterproof flashlight from the yellow survival kit, Laura yelled loudly to the First Officer.
He fumbled clumsily with the bright orange plastic box and handed her the heavy, black tactical flashlight.
What are you possibly going to do with a flashlight? he asked in total, utter confusion.
I am going to talk to him directly in a language only we truly understand, she replied confidently.
Laura pressed her face aggressively against the thick, cold glass of the side window.
She aimed the incredibly bright beam of the flashlight directly at the glass canopy of the fighter jet.
She began actively clicking the power button in a rapid, highly specific visual sequence.
It was definitely not standard civilian Morse code, which any ordinary sailor or pilot would easily know.
It was a highly classified visual communication code used exclusively by USAF fighter squadrons during complete radio silence.
The precise code translated to: Viper Actual. Engines Dead. Hostiles Neutralized. Require Immediate Escort.
She repeated the flashing sequence three desperate times, praying the young pilot over there had actually paid attention in training.
The F-22 Raptor maintained its highly aggressive position, the deadly missiles still actively locked onto them.
Come on, kid, read the damn light, Laura muttered anxiously under her breath.
For ten incredibly agonizing seconds, absolutely nothing happened in the dark sky.
Then, the fighter jet suddenly dipped its sleek wings in a universal, unmistakable gesture of acknowledgment.
The radio crackled loudly again, but this time the highly aggressive tone was entirely gone.
Copy that, Viper Actual, the fighter pilot said, his voice now filled with profound, newfound respect.
This is military callsign Ghost-Rider.
I can clearly see you are currently operating without any engine power.
I am aggressively moving in to provide an emergency aerodynamic tow maneuver.
The First Officer stared at the radio speaker in sheer, unparalleled disbelief.
What in the world is an aerodynamic tow? he asked nervously.
Laura let out a small, incredibly breathless laugh of pure relief.
He is going to intentionally fly directly beneath our nose, she explained quickly.
The massive thrust from his military engines will create a powerful updraft, giving us just enough lift to glide slightly further.
The F-22 smoothly and expertly slid underneath the belly of the massive commercial airliner.
Laura immediately felt the heavy plane stop dropping so violently, resting safely on the invisible cushion of air provided by the fighter jet.
It will generously give us the extra airspeed we desperately need to force-start our own frozen turbines, she said.
Hit the primary ignition switches immediately on my exact mark.
She watched the mechanical airspeed indicator slowly climb as they dangerously surfed the fighter jet's wake.
Three, two, one, mark! she shouted at the top of her lungs.
The First Officer slammed the heavy ignition switches completely forward.
The entire plane shuddered violently as a massive surge of fuel ignited brightly in the cold engines.
A loud, beautiful, roaring sound echoed through the cabin as both turbines successfully spun back to glorious life.
We have full power! the First Officer cheered loudly, pumping his fist.
Laura immediately grabbed the radio microphone with a triumphant smile.
Thanks for the incredible lift, Ghost-Rider, we officially have our engines back, she broadcasted.
The fighter jet swiftly pulled away from their belly and moved safely back to their wing.
Glad to help, Viper, but you are absolutely not out of the woods yet, the pilot warned grimly.
I am looking closely at your undercarriage right now.
May you like
Your main landing gear doors were heavily and catastrophically damaged during your extreme dive.
They are completely jammed shut, and you absolutely cannot land this massive plane on a normal runway.
