Terminator: Return of the Fallen
Part XXII
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved air shows. It was the only chance I had to see the latest military aircraft flying in formation. This morning, I decided to take everyone to the air show in Los Angeles. Catherine and I can't wait to see the A-10s again; it has been so long since we have flown in one. John Henry, cautious as always, is bringing along a new type of shoulder mounted missile launcher that he designed and built for the Resistance. That Terminator is a one man weapons factory.
"I honestly don't know what you are so worried about, J.H. After all, we already nuked the Hunter Killer factory".
"There have been many occasions when SkyNet was believed to have been destroyed. One thing I have learned since joining the Resistance is that you should never, ever underestimate your opponent. Mark my words; we will see the enemy in the skies again".
"I don't doubt it. But, we should be pretty safe today. I mean, come on, there are military aircraft everywhere! Do you really think your brother will try something around this much firepower?"
"That is assuming these aircraft are actually armed".
"The A-10s are. Brings back memories, doesn't it Catherine?"
"Reminds me of daring, yet stubborn young pilot who sacrificed himself to save me". We start to make out like a couple of teenagers. God, I love this woman.
Savannah asks us a lot of questions about our lives as jet pilots. We answer them, leaving out the adult details. I would rather not traumatize the poor kid by telling her that her mom and I were riding each other when we weren't riding A-10s. Meanwhile, Reese is trying to impress Sarah by telling her stories about his adventures as a machine gunner on a Blackhawk helicopter. Coming to the air show has evoked many fond memories of hours spent in the skies. I miss my old plane. Well, speak of the devil!
"Good God!"
"What is it?"
"That A-10 on the runway, does it look familiar to you?"
"My God, you are right".
"What are you two talking about?"
"I'd know that pin-up anywhere. That is my plane! I've got to get closer". I break through the chain link fence and run towards my old machine. Everyone is yelling at me to come back, but I can't. I have to see that plane, one more time.
As I run towards the plane, some people try to stop me. I politely tell them to get away from me and let me see my plane. Eventually I lose my temper and threaten to break the legs of anyone that gets between me and my old A-10. When I reach the plane, I climb into the cockpit. Everything is just as I remembered it. It is amazing how little has changed over nine years.
Without warning, a pair of Hunter Killers fly over the airfield. John Henry was right! SkyNet must have outsourced its production needs. The Hunter Killers begin to strafe the airfield, we are under attack! With no time to lose, I slam down the canopy and head down the runway. With a little luck, I get off the ground before the Hunter Killers can bomb me.
Once in the air, I head towards the Hunter Killers at full throttle. Firing my nose cannon, I attract their attention and trick them into following me. The bastards try to lock missiles onto me, but they have no idea who they are dealing with. At full speed, I bank hard right and swing around the two Hunter Killers. As they stop to come about and continue pursuit, I fire a Sidewinder missile at the first Hunter Killer and bank hard left. Over my shoulder, I can see the missile score a direct hit on the Hunter Killer's engine, causing it to slam into the ground. One down, one to go.
The second Hunter Killer has missile lock on me. I deploy flares and climb, avoiding the first missile. I climb as steadily as possible, but it still has missile lock. I roll right and try to shake it by going into a steep dive. No good, it is still on my tail. It fires again, but I dodge the missile through evasive manoeuvres. Cutting back on the throttle, I bank right and attempt an inside sweep to get behind the Hunter Killer. It just matches my course and speed.
Two more missiles are fired at me, but I manage to evade them using flares and my excellent piloting skills. Desperate, I try my oldest trick: hit the breaks and let him fly by. Oddly enough, it works. The problem is, I'm too close for missile lock. The engagement turns into a dogfight, as I struggle to hit him with my nose gun. I become so focused on shooting him down, that he manages to use my own trick against me. Flying right by him, I go to full throttle and hope that I have enough time to avoid his cannons.
Once out of cannon range, the Hunter Killer reverts to missiles. I had better think of something fast, or I am going to run out of flares. Then it hits me; John Henry's missile launcher. If he has it with him, he could blast this bastard out of the sky while he is still focused on me. Turning back towards the airfield, I pray that John Henry has his missile ready. Otherwise, I am screwed.
Flying close to the ground with the Hunter Killer slightly behind and above me, I reduce speed in the hopes that it will as well. It fires and I turn away from it, sending the missile into one of the planes on the runway. This thing is really doing a lot of damage. I begin to climb, hoping to draw it away from the crowds and parked aircraft. As we both climb, a missile flies up from the ground and strikes the Hunter Killer in the engine, sending it crashing into the ground.
"I was wondering when he would shoot that thing! WAAHOO!" I did not expect a response. Surprisingly, John Henry has hacked into the communications system and is contacting me while I am in the air.
"Sorry about the delay, Lieutenant. It's not easy to hit a target when it is zigzagging all across the skies".
"Tell me about it! Thanks for the assist, J.H. I owe you one".
I fly low over the crowd and perform a victory roll. The song "Up we go into the wild blue yonder" is blaring over the speakers, which means that John Henry has hacked into the sound system. The crowd cheers as I perform numerous aerobatic stunts, singing my favourite tune. Unknown to me, my voice is now blaring over the speakers. Every Resistance soldier in the crowd, and there are many, begins to bare their tattoos and sing along with me. When I finally land and pop the canopy, the Resistance soldiers all stand up and in a single voice cry out: "LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE! LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE!"
John Henry runs onto the runway and climbs onto the wing of my A-10. I stand up in the cockpit and we both join in with the crowd: "LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE!" We continue to chant right up until the moment that the military police vehicles begin to swarm the runway. Time to go! John Henry and I leap from the plane and make our escape, congratulating each other as we go. That's one more kill a piece! My guess is that the air show is now over, so we head to the car and wait for everyone else.
"Just like old times, eh Catherine?"
"Splendid flying, Charley. I think we had better leave before the MPs arrest you for stealing that A-10". She raises a good point, even though I did save everybody at the airfield today. As we drive home, we listen to the news coverage of the event over the radio.
"Today, a pair of unidentified aircraft descended upon the Los Angeles air show and opened fire. Though numerous aircraft were damaged or destroyed, no casualties have been reported. This is mainly due to a young pilot that stole an A-10 from the air show and engaged the enemy above the skies of Los Angeles. One aircraft was destroyed by an air to air missile, while the second was destroyed by a shoulder mounted, surface to air missile. Currently, there is no information on the identity of the pilot or on the man on the ground. The United States Air Force is examining the debris for any clues to those responsible for this attack on American soil. Stay tuned for further updates on this story as it develops". I love it when SkyNet makes the news. It's hard to avoid the obvious when it is starring at you from the front page. This is not some delusion, it is not a fantasy, and it is not a nightmare. This is war, plain and simple.
At any moment, I expect someone to chew me out for stealing a plane at an air show. The scalding never comes; everyone seems too shocked by today's events. Attacking a public gathering that was loaded with military personnel and equipment; that was a gutsy move by SkyNet! Cameron is the first to speak, though she does not mention the attack.
"What's on your mind, John?"
"Did anyone else find that unusual? I mean, I don't think I have ever seen that many Resistance members? What was that, a convention?"
"They were pilots".
"What was that, Lieutenant?"
"I recognized them when I flew over the crowd. They were pilots".
"You recognized them flying over the crowd in a jet?"
"You'd be surprised at what you can see with Terminator eyes. At some point, all pilots are drawn back to their old aircraft. We are like moths to a flame. We all know where we belong, and that is in the air". As quietly as possible, I whisper: "I belong in the air". Catherine heard me, of course, but she doesn't say anything about it.
"So, what was it like to be back behind the controls of an A-10?"
"Catherine, it was like I never stopped flying. I wish you could have been there with me, together in the skies like in the old days". She starts laughing.
"You do realize that the old days will not happen for another nine years". I shrug my shoulders.
"Time travel gives me a headache".
"Of course, you do realize what SkyNet was after, right? A chance to kill as many Resistance pilots as possible".
"I wonder how he knew that so many Resistance pilots would be at the air show?"
"Charley, how did you find out about this air show?"
"I read about it...on the internet! Son of a bitch! That bastard set a trap and I walked right into it!"
"CHARLEY! Could you not swear when Savannah is in the car?"
"What's a bastard?" Uh oh! I am in so much trouble right now.
"That's a word that you can not use until you are an adult, sweetheart".
"Ok. That air show was very exciting. Can we go again sometime?" She liked being shot at? Savannah is definitely her mother's daughter.
"Sweetie, I don't think your mother is going to let me get near an airfield for a very, very long time".
