Tessera
Trilogy Blog
Post 211
The
process –
Here is another segment of my latest published novel – Kashan Kashmeeri – for your holiday
enjoyment. The segments are selected to progressively go through the novel,
giving you a flavor of its compelling story and tension. Enjoy!
Chapter - 32
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C
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all STROBE if your gadgets detect any radar.” Yeddim saw one
pilot in the Ready Room wasn’t listening and put him on the spot. “Handle, did
you get that?”
First Lieutenant Peled, AKA
Handle, responded, “Yup. Got it!”
“Showtime in twenty. THREE ZERO, as mission commander
you fly tail end with the assault team. Make sure they SAFE all weapons in
flight.” Yeddim breathed deeply; his reminder was a lesson from an assault team
which shot up a helo in flight. The major muttered a verse from Psalm 118 under
his breath, “The Lord is
with me. I will not be afraid. What can anybody do to me?” It was a
prayer for safe return.
THREE ZERO
grinned, rolled his eyes, “I hope all birds are ready to fly; I get tired
flapping my wings.” One of the commandos waved his arms up and down like he was
flying; muted but universal snickering followed.
“Doubt it very
much.” Handle countered. Some
damn thing always comes up to spoil the ball.
The
Squadron Operations Officer
shook his head. He motioned for the tech watching the antics to give a mission
reminder. The senior ordnance specialist walked to the front of the room, his
face somber. “Pull all safety arming pins before you lift off.”
The three
pilots slammed their helmets together, “Roger.”
Yeddim added,
“Bring back our pilots,” as he motioned to the door.
The pilots grabbed helmets and headed to the door. Their exit was interrupted by a crew chief
entering, breathing hard. He held up his hands. “Wait. One bird didn’t
check out. There was a glitch.” The tech explained that the final pre-flight of
a Blackhawk found a hydraulic pump failure.
“Captain Avigdor, hate to spoil your day, but I had to
down your helo. We’re prepping FIVE FOUR for you. There’ll be a ten minute
delay in liftoff. We need to fuel it. But there is news,” the tech said.
Avigdor tensed, “What is it? It better be good.”
“Your new bird has a retrofit armor package. The
engine cowlings are armored, stray bullets can’t take out your turbines. You’ll
also have a Kevlar seat and underbody. Your jewels will be safe.”
“Thanks,” the captain grinned, “my wife will
appreciate that.”
“Your new bird will be a bit slower,” the crew chief
advised, “and your laser warning
system didn’t respond to our pre-flight test. Do we still launch with it?”
“Damn straight,” First Lieutenant Eshel, Mission Commander
barked, “As soon as all birds are gassed up.” He looked around, glanced at
other pilots, and nodded.
“Everyone take a pit stop. Recheck your weapons, ammo,
and protective gear. You lift off in ten; any questions?” Yeddim asked. There
were none, and he saw prayers being mouthed, buddies fingering checkered
scarves with tassels.
Nine
minutes later the pilots and rescue team walked in the dark to their helos. The
walk arounds verified that all arming pins were pulled, the weapons armed and
safe from stray voltages. Shotgun, THREE ZERO, and FIVE FOUR stepped up into
their cockpits, and buckled up. The
pilots spun up the turbines and applied power. The helos rose in the air, hovered, then moved off.
*********************************************
I’ve been very, very distracted by the news, trying to sort out the real,
actual news versus the alternative, emanating
from Washington. The conflict raises my anxiety for this country and our
values. I’ve spent numerous hours reading and being depressed by the news. My
reactions appear in another blog – please FOLLOW.
*********************************************
BAM 30 Jan 2017 critique comments
BAM member –
1.
Liked this
addition - thanks
2.
Minor editorial
suggestions – agree, working
3.
Saw the changes
you made – thanks
4.
Liked the scene
where Bai was trailed – thanks
5.
Describe the evasion
maneuver – agree, working
6.
Increase emphasis
on George’s lack of appreciation for Bai’s fears – agree, working
BAM member –
1.
Didn’t understand
about parking meter experiment – disagree, explained in prior segments
2.
Interesting, but
confusing – disagree, explained in prior segments
3.
Watch for shifts
in POV – agree, working
4.
Missed the
transition from talking about parking ticket to being followed - working
5.
Incorporate
narrative, dialogue of Bai being followed – agree, working
6.
Very descriptive
- thanks
BAM member –
1.
No written
comments –
2.
Thought it flowed
well, understood dialogue - thanks
3.
Increase George’s
paranoia about Bai being followed – agree, working
4.
Need clearer view
of how she was being followed - disagree
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