Page 47 - SAFFER 07

A Short Story

the glare of impending disaster. To be bewildered expression encouraging the replace the fear in Tim’s eyes. The lad
washed off the course would be the end colonel to continue. wasn’t going to go easily.
of his dreams, a disgrace he couldn’t even “You’ll understand, if you want to do so.” “Colonel, this is just a scare tactic. I’m not
begin to fathom. General Roe took up the story, going to sabotage my own career… just
“Sir, I don’t understand what’s happen- “Major Young flew his aircraft into the to please you and your myth. You want
ing… I’m convinced I saw that plane ground… some 67 years ago. He was me off the course, you boot me off.”
heading straight at me. I almost flew my killed instantly, his ejection failed.” The colonel sighed. He didn’t want the
aircraft into the ground and only man- Tim’s shocked groan startled the men. young airman to force his hand. He
aged to evade crashing at the last second. “Noooo… it can’t be… if he crashed that hoped Tim would make the choice.
I don’t yet understand where I found the long ago then what did I see?” “Tim… I don’t want to boot you, as you
strength to pull up in time.” Colonel Richards held up his hand, put it. I don’t want to end your course
“Son, I’ll say this one more time… I remaining silent until Tim was ready for now, or ever. I want you to get to grips
believe every word you say. I want you him to continue. The men allowed him to with the situation. It is your life we’re
accept that what you saw was real. I want calm down again. Only when Tim indi- discussing here. Please understand that. I
you to take a week off. Go home, go to cated that he was ready to hear the rest of want you to see the sense in withdrawing
the beach… chase skirt, do whatever you the story did the colonel speak. from the course yourself.”
want to do but do come back refreshed. “Tim… there’s a myth, a legend… if you “Colonel, there is no sense. I withdraw,
Yes, I know my suggestion is unusual. see Major Young and the Vampire head- my flying career is over. What then?”
However, as the officer commanding of ing for you, you have been warned.” “We’re here to advise. You’ve already
this flying school, I make the decisions.” “Warned of what? What did I see?” successfully completed the management
“I want you back in my office at eight on General Roe answered, section of the course, there are other roles
the thirtieth, no sooner, no later. Push off “Warned to stop flying… immediately!” you can step straight into… ops officer,
to your mess now, all drinks in your bar “Stop flying? No… flying is my dream… personnel, aid de camp… intelligence,
for the evening are on me, for you that is. all I’ve ever wanted to do!” you name it, we’ll assist.”
Don’t overdo it, sleep it off tomorrow and The men watched. Tim was visibly “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t want any
then get off the base, sober. Get that?” shaking, the fear in his eyes clear to see. of that. I want to fly. End of story.”
“Yes sir, I’ll leave now, if I may. Thank Colonel Richards spoke as gently as he “Well son, we’re not going to allow you to
you, sir.” possibly could. continue. We cannot have your blood on
“Off you go young man… go and un- “Calm Tim… rational… take it easy. Re- our hands. This is our last offer, withdraw
scramble your brain and enjoy your off lax, we’re here to support you… whatever from the course or we will be obliged to
days. See if you can work out what hap- you choose!” suspend you. No further negotiation, I’m
pened. Dismissed CO, dismissed.” They watched patiently… and waited for afraid.”
*** Tim to regain control Tim rose… slowly. He stood to attention,
At one minute to eight on the thirtieth, “The choice is yours… you have wit- hesitating a few moments while contem-
CO Tim McNally knocked gently on nessed the warning. Stop flying. You have plating his next and final response.
Colonel Richards’ door. seen Major Young and his Vampire.” “Gentleman, with all due respect, I
“Enter Tim.” “Colonel, I still don’t see why I should cannot volunteer to withdraw from the
“Thank you, sir, good morning sir.” stop flying. How does seeing an appari- course… so, I guess you’ll have to boot
Tim came to attention in front of the tion affect my career?” me off. If I cannot fly, I don’t want to con-
desk and saluted. He waited for the colo- “It’s simple really, those who see Major tinue in the air corps so I suppose you’ll
nel to put him at ease. It was a different, Young and don’t heed his warning are have to relieve me of all duty, please.”
unknown voice who gave the ‘at ease’ usually dead within a year… and always He turned slowly, no longer waiting.
command. From behind. in a plane crash.” The lowest ranking member in the room
“At ease Tim, at ease and do take a seat The colonel paused for effect. He needed deciding without any further debate or
over there.” Tim to grasp the severity of his words. discussion. Candidate Officer Tim Mc-
Tim turned; he saw an elderly man in Tim wasn’t having any of this, he stub- Nally to become Mister Tim McNally, no
civilian clothes looking intently at him. bornly refused to believe that he must longer a member for the flying corps.
He made his way to the designated chair. stop flying. Quiet resolution followed, a young man
He seated himself, cap on his lap. The “Why did he choose me? Surely, he left to his own devices, no longer answer-
colonel spoke, could’ve placed his jinx on someone able to any authority, all ties with the
“Tim, let me introduce General Roe. We else?” military flying fraternity severed.
took it upon ourselves to meet with you “You were lucky to see him. He only Gradually, the stir subsided… until seven
to clarify the event you witnessed last appears to warn pilots. It is my duty, as months later, when Colonel Richards no-
week.” officer commanding this flying school, to ticed an obituary in the local newspaper.
“I’ll repeat, what you witnessed was real. maintain the trust he has placed in us… He was saddened by the circumstances,
That was a de Havilland Vampire, flown so, I am strongly advising you to end wishing young Tim had heeded their
by Major Neil Young. We have one thing your flying career voluntarily, because pleading.
in common… he has flown directly at we don’t want to wash you off the course. “Twenty-year-old Tim McNally, under-
us too. Yes, we’ve witnessed what you However, we will do so against your going a civilian pilot training course,
have… a virtual near miss.” wishes, to save your life.” died tragically in an aircraft accident. The
Tim looked from man to man… his Colonel Richards could see a defiant stare cause is unknown at present.”

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