The First SaR Mission Ch. 01

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The Big Deal.
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3.93
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Part 1 of the 12 part series

Updated 06/08/2023
Created 12/06/2016
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-The Full Moon Retreat-

Episode: The First Search and Rescue Mission

To the reader:

I have been a reader of Literotica for many years, but this is my first submission. I have chosen a genre and story line that may spawn further episodes for The Full Moon Retreat. This episode takes place, mostly in the wilderness and the sexual content is rather soft. I don't tend to load a story with fluff if it is not necessary to the story line.

I've included a feature in the text that is not usual for the stories on Literotica, and I will be very interested in feedback regarding this. Each paragraph of monologue is attributed to the character speaking or thinking. In my reading I have noted that, often, discerning which character is speaking requires that I stop, parse and analyze the text. This breaks the flow of the telling of the story and makes the story less real, and therefore, less enjoyable. At any rate, I will be interested in your feedback.

This is the first chapter of thirty-one chapters in the story. After this chapter, we will get to the Werewolves, but the reason for the story begins here. For the most part, it does not set the tone for the chapters that follow. This chapter is full of "jargon" and clipped phrasing that you may not understand. It is not important that you do. For a moment, try to imagine that you are Aaron, (the pilot), sitting in the left seat of this aircraft, or, maybe you are Anna, with a phobic fear of high places.

Either way, the purpose of this chapter is to make Anna and Aaron real for you. They represent real people, which every day, find that they must "play the hand that they are dealt." So, sit back and learn what it feels like to be a good pilot who is just fresh out of options or a passenger who is overwhelmed by the complexity of flying and with a strong fear of seeing a significant gap between the bottoms of your feet and solid ground. Heaped on top of both people, is the fear for the safety of their family.

Ok, yes, you could skip this chapter if it makes your head hurt and the following chapters would still be understandable. I will try to submit chapters about once per week. The complete "novella" is written, but I am having to, go back and revise and re-edit it, for submission. The entire story is somewhere around eighty-thousand words in length and is cut into thirty-one chapters. Some chapters are quite short some are rather long.

I have provided a glossary at the end of this chapter to help readers interpret some of the terms and phrases used. I have, also posted a map of the Devil's Claw Marks search area with points of interest related to this episode of the Full Moon Retreat.

One further note:

-Text that appears within square brackets [ ] is, basically, narration.

-Text within quotes usually denotes the monolog of a character talking on the radio, though I sometimes use it to indicate a trite word or phrase.

-Text within parenthesis ( ) generally is an aside to the reader.

-Text that is the monolog of a Were, using telepathy, or the 'bond,' will appear in italics.

-Finally, I intentionally capitalize Were, Werewolf, Werecat, etc., so as to reduce the confusion with the verb 'were,' while reading.

Special thanks to my Wife, Diane for proofreading for me. I keep finding places where MS Word knew what I really meant to say and fixed it for me. Sorry about that.

Enjoy.

*****

CHAPTER 1:

Prolog: The big deal...

[23:10. Monday, Santa Fe Municipal Airport]

[Aaron Dawson, 42, successful electrical engineer, private pilot, (single / multi-engine, land, instrument qualified), Anna Dawson, 37, wife and mother to Suzan, 4 and Robert, 6, arrive at the parking ramp of Santa Fe Municipal Airport. Aaron's pride and joy, a 1972 Skytwin 310Q, Registration Number N7683Q, sits tied down in its usual spot, bonnet over the windscreen. By far, not the newest model, no 'glass cockpit,' though Aaron had managed to finally get an older weather radar unit, with a green CRT display. It wouldn't compete with some movie star's Citation, but it was all his and it beat the hell out of the old rattletrap 150 he used to bounce around in on weekends.]

...

[Anna had finally relented and agreed to let him fly her and the kids up to Rock Springs to see her parents, instead of going commercial. He had been planning the trip for a couple of months, now. He had even bought two pair of lesser David-Clarks, re-wired, and re-cabled them to operate as stereo headphones. The mics still worked and he had re-worked an old Flight-Comm portable intercom box to play the stereo sound from the kids DVD player. They could sit and watch Roger "Wa-bit" and talk or argue back and forth between them selves, but Aaron could hit one of the AUX buttons on his audio panel and squelch their audio to tell them to stop fighting, sit up in their seats and put their seat belts on. Hell, he was a good engineer, might as well use it to make his own life a little better.]

[This trip, really, was a big deal to him. Anna didn't fly with him very often. It was not her gig. She didn't like it when the plane got "tippy."]

[Reliving the time that he convinced her to go out with him in his old 150, put a knot in his stomach. Aaron would have really enjoyed giving her a tour of the countryside, if he could have gotten her to peek over the door rail, more often. The one time that she did, she then sat back in the seat, staring straight ahead. Aaron would have sworn that her face actually looked a bit green.]

[Aaron had always had a vague dream of having a flying family. Flitting off on vacations in distant locations; business travel in his own plane. Oh, life would be good.]

[Aaron, finally realized that this joyride was over, before it began. By then he saw that they were about 40 DME from the airport. So, he set up a standard two-minute turn to port to head back. About half way through the turn, he looked over to see Anna holding on to her door with both hands in a death grip. Yes, it was truly over...NOT!]

[Paddling along in his 150 could be a pleasant and relatively unhurried ride... Unless, you had forgotten about the convectives rising, from the hot desert floor. For Anna, it became the Disneyland Matterhorn, at five thousand feet, while ridding in a rust bucket and sitting on a water pail. Between the jostling and jolting and the stall horn bleating every few seconds Aaron was seriously worried that Anna might just pass-out.]

[Finally, drifting smoothly over the end of the runway, Anna seemed to be breathing again... Until, Aaron had to grab a wing low crab to fight a sudden crosswind gust.]

[Aaron watched Anna, surreptitiously, out the corner of his eye, not knowing what she was going to do. He was absolutely sure that, when he braked smoothly at the tie down pad and cut the mags, he saw the seat cushion expand back to full size. Aaron played every possible scenario to present an apology.]

[The ride home was dead silent. Anna immediately went to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. Aaron though this a good sign. Maybe they could sit down and talk it over quietly. But, when Anna poured herself half a cup of coffee and then tipped in a full jigger of J.B., tossed it back and stalked off to the bedroom, the realization hit Aaron hard, that his co-pilot in life, had just "punched-out." He had a mental image of his dreams, shot full of holes, on fire and going down in a flat spin. So, yeah, this trip was a big deal.]

...

[Aaron had dropped Anna and the kids off at the plane, taken the car around, and parked it. Walking back, he leaned into the door and had Anna pull the control lock and hand it to him. He stepped around and pulled off the pitot boots, pulled the covers from both engine nacelles, went to the rear most cargo door, opened it removed the cloth bag shoved all of the protective devices into it and tossed it back in the cargo area and closed the door, checking that it seated properly and latched. Aaron did the standard walk around, (for the tenth time in a week), making sure that everything was ready and perfect for this flight.]

[Aaron had insisted that they make it a midnight departure. He never mentioned it was to avoid being vectored all over the sky, avoiding traffic. He thought that, though it made for a long day, it was worth it for Anna not to think that they were playing doge ball for their lives and when she looked down all that she would see would be "pretty, twinkling lights."]

[He checked that all six tanks were topped off up to the filler necks. 'Lots of fuel and no condensation.' You can never have too much fuel or too much altitude. They were traveling light, anyway, so the extra fuel load wasn't a problem. He checked the oil in both engines; full to the mark. Lockers closed, vents clear, no dings, dents or bullet holes, (that was reassuring). All is well...]

[Aaron had Anna step out onto the wing and, then slid around her, and from the left seat, waved her back in. Aaron hands her the plastic sleeves on a ring, Saying that she is his copilot and explaining that these were the checklists, that when not in use they lived 'right here,' where he could get to them in a hurry. Flipping to the 'before engine start' list he instructs that she should read each line, one at a time and wait until he says "check" before reading the next line. He instructs her that she will need to wear a headset and mic. He tells her that he understands that she doesn't like them, because they mess-up her hair, but, that sacrifices must be made. He says that he and she will be able to talk to one another and if she will tell him, he will turn on the switch that will let her talk to the kids in the back seat.]

[Aaron sets the COMM 1 radio to the ATIS, and copies the pertinent information. Aaron then tells her to start with the third item on the list, because he has already done the first two. After turning on the navigation lights, he tells her to go to the 'Engine Start' list... the one that says "left engine, no external power." He says that she will read that list twice. "No he's not too dumb to get it right the first time, the plane, just has two engines." He then tells her to go to the 'before taxiing' list. Wings are clean, avionics on and set; the COMM-2 radio to S-A-F ground control, and the COMM-1 radio to the expected departure frequency, he set the NAV-1 radio to the Albuquerque vortac, and VOR-1 OBS to 316, the NAV-2 radio to the S-A-F vortac, and VOR-2 OBS to 255, and everybody is bitching about being cold... (all systems are nominal).]

Aaron: "It'll warm up in a minute."

[And, with that, he presses the mic button on the yoke...]

Aaron: "Ground, Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec would like to taxi to the run-up area for the active"

Ground control: "Eight-three-Quebec taxi to the run-up pad for two zero when ready, hold short, tower one-one-nine point five."

Aaron: "Hold short, tower nineteen-five"

[Aaron follows the taxi-lines to the run-up ramp, kicks the nose around to line up with the compass rose, and uncages his gyros]

Aaron: "Ok, Anna, read me the 'Before takeoff' list."

[After completing that list and everything is working and set, Aaron pivots the plane and taxies to the entrance of runway two-zero and stops. He sets COMM-2 to the control tower frequency, and...]

[23:58. Monday, holding at the threshold entrance to SAF rny 20]

Aaron: "Tower, November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec is holding short for takeoff on two-zero"

Tower: "Eight-Three-Quebec, you are cleared for takeoff"

[Aaron pushes the throttles up to start the taxi. As he approaches the centerline, he bumps up his starboard engine and applies a bit of toe pressure to the port break. The plane swings smoothly on to the runway centerline, and he retards both throttles to idle. Intending to do a max performance takeoff, he tweaked his gyros, dropped the flaps to 15 degrees, toed the breaks pushed the throttle levers full forward, adjusted prop pitch to 2700 RPM, mixtures to 116 pounds pre hour and released the brakes. When he hit 70 knots, he eased the nose gear up, off the runway. As the airspeed indicator passed 82 knots, he lifted the plane off of the runway.]

[As he passed over the end of the runway, he tapped the toe brakes and flipped the three landing gear switches up and a moment later the three matching green lights went dark. Having no obstructions he raises the flaps, adjusts the backpressure on the yoke and trims for 107 knots, then he turns off his auxiliary fuel pumps.]

[As Aaron cleared the tower's "air space," they "hand him off" to departure control...]

Tower: "maintain runway heading, expect twelve thousand, departure, one-thirty-two point eight."

Aaron: [reads back]: "runway heading, expect twelve thousand, one-three-two point eight, Good night, S-A-F."

[00:05, Tuesday, Handoff: SAF - Albuquerque ARTCC, (Air Route Traffic Control Center)]

[Aaron switches the active radio to COMM-1, and...]

Aaron: "S-A-F departure, Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec is with you off the end of two-zero. Request IFR to Rock Springs, as filed"

Albuquerque: "Good evening eight-three-Quebec. Turn right to two-five-five degrees, climb, and maintain twelve thousand. Proceed to the 'CABZO' intersection, I'll turn you onto Victor-one-eighty-seven when you get there. Then direct RATTLESNAKE, direct GRAND JUNCTION, direct ROCK SPRINGS."

[Aaron tips the plane to the right and smoothly rolls wings level as the VOR-2 needle centers]

Aaron: "CABZO, RATTLESNAKE, GRAND JUNCTION, ROCK SPRINGS, eight-three-Quebec"

Albuquerque: "eight-three-Quebec, good read back."

[00:09, Tuesday, 12,000 MSL, Aux Fuel Pumps-on, Cowlings-open, Cruise 185 kts]

[00:21, Tuesday, approaching the CABZO airway intersection]

Albuquerque: "Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec, Turn right now to intercept the Albuquerque three-sixteen radial."

Aaron: "Right turn to ABQ-three-sixteen, eight-three-Quebec."

[Aaron dips the starboard wing and then rolls wings level as the VOR-1 needle centers. Aaron sets NAV-2 to the "RattleSnake" VOR frequency, and adjusts VOR-2 OBS to 316 degrees], (Omni Bearing Selector)

[00:35, Tuesday, handoff to Denver ARTCC]

Albuquerque: "Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec, You are forty-four south-east of the RATTLESNAKE VOR. Contact Denver Center on one-one-eight point five-seven-five. Goodnight."

Aaron: "Denver center on one-one-eight point five-seven-five, goodnight Albuquerque."

[Aaron sets COMM-1 to Denver Center's frequency and...]

Aaron: "Denver Center, Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec, is with you forty-three DME on the RATTLESNAKE-one-thirty-four radial, IFR to Rock Springs"

Denver: "Good evening, Eight-three-Quebec, Maintain twelve-thousand on course for the RATTLESNAKE VOR."

[00:49, Tuesday, heading change over the "RattleSnake" VOR]

Denver: "Eight-three-Quebec, come right to a heading of three-three-three degrees to intercept Victor one-eighty-seven, maintain twelve-thousand."

Aaron: "right to three-three-three degrees, maintain twelve-thousand, eight-three-Quebec."

[Aaron adjusts VOR-2 OBS to 333 degrees and makes a shallow right turn and then centers the VOR-2 needle, then sets NAV1 to the Grand Junction VOR frequency, and adjusts VOR-1 OBS to 333 degrees]

[00:58, Tuesday, Traffic]

Denver: "Eight-three-Quebec, Traffic eleven-o-clock, five miles

[Aaron has been watching the strobe from an aircraft off to his left for a minute or two]

Aaron: "Denver, Eight-three-Quebec, We have our traffic. Looks to be a little below me."

Denver: "Eight-three-Quebec, traffic is a Cessna one-eighty-two on a one-zero-one heading and should be at eleven-thousand."

Aaron: "Denver, Eight-three-Quebec, Thanks. We'll keep our traffic in sight."

[01:18. Tuesday, Frequency change]

Denver: "Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec, I have a Frequency change for you. Contact Denver Center on one-three-four point five, Goodnight."

[Aaron resets the COMM-1 radio to the new frequency]

Aaron: "Denver Center, Skytwin November-seven-six-eight-three-Quebec is with you at fifty-two D-M-E, (Distance Measuring Equipment), on the Grand Junction one-five-one radial, IFR for Rock Springs."

Denver: "Good evening, Skytwin Eight-three-Quebec, Maintain twelve-thousand on course for the GRAND JUNCTION VOR."

[01:21, Tuesday, Traffic]

Denver: "Eight-three-Quebec, Traffic two-o-clock, ten miles. He is at twelve thousand, but should pass well in front of you."

Aaron: "Denver, Eight-three-Quebec, We're looking."

[01:23, Tuesday, Traffic]

Denver: "Eight-three-Quebec, Your traffic twelve-o-clock, 4 miles on a two-three-five heading, caution, wake turbulence."

Aaron: "Denver, Eight-three-Quebec, We have the traffic."

Aaron: [to Anna, over the intercom]: "Anna, we might hit a little bump here in a minute.'

[01:35, Tuesday, course change]

Denver: Skytwin Eight-three-Quebec, come right to three-four-one degrees to intercept victor-one-eighty-seven direct Rock Springs.

Aaron: Right to three-four-one degrees, eight-three-Quebec."

[Aaron notes that he is carrying the port wing on the aileron. Apparently, he has been getting a slightly uneven fuel burn. He knows that he will need to transfer fuel, soon, but wants to get the tanks balanced, first. He moves the fuel selector for the port engine from cross-feed to the port main tank so that both engines are drawing fuel from the port main tank. When the quantities in both main tanks are equal, he will switch the fuel back to cross-feed.]

[01:37, Tuesday, Fumes!]

[Aaron suddenly senses the strong smell of raw fuel; he opens the cabin air vents. Anna obviously smells it too and Aaron knows that she is trying to show calm. He checks the fuel quantity gauges and they still show the imbalance. The fuel flow gauge indicates that both engines are drawing at the previously set rate. Not knowing what else to do he set the port fuel selector back to cross feed. He guesses that there must be a leak

in something in the sub-floor compartment. Aaron grabs his clipboard with the map. He has to find somewhere to land. NOW! ]

[01:38, Tuesday, Fire!]

[There is a sudden 'FUMPH!' He feels the heat on the back of his neck. He knows what it is! Anna turns in her seat and begins to scream. He reaches down and flips the port fuel selector to 'OFF," knowing that it means that he will lose his port engine, shortly. He reaches forward, and unsnaps the strap holding the fire extinguisher. He hopes that Anna will have the presence of mind to use it. He holds it up between the seats. Anna turns around still screaming, but grabs the extinguisher and, unleashes it on the rear seat area. Aaron prays that it will be sufficient to extinguish the fire, but is doubtful.]

[A moment later, there is a loud backfire as the port engine dies from fuel starvation. Aaron feathers the port prop, pulls the port throttle to idle, and the mixture to idle cutoff and closes the cowl flaps. He throttles up the starboard engine and starts rolling in trim to correct for the asymmetrical thrust.]

[Aaron notices that starboard engine's RPMs are starting to fall off. He is now off course and loosing altitude fast. It's time to start talking to someone. Still on the Denver Center frequency, Aaron stabs the mic button on the yoke: "Mayday"...]

[Aaron has to abort the call because just then the starboard engine coughs and dies. Aaron is now a glider pilot and he has to make the best of it. He feathers the starboard propeller and pulls the throttle and mixture levers all the way back, closes the cowl flaps, then starts trimming up for best glide.]

12