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Sue Lee was woken by the sounds of an airplane engine; Jesus was already standing, looking up at the sky. They were camping in a forested area on a hillside above a village. The small plane was circling above them, dropping lower in a jerky motion. The pilot seemed to have trouble controlling the craft. Sue Lee recognized the aircraft, a Tiger Moth with British markings.
“Jesus, it looks like he is in trouble trying to land on the mesa below.” Sue Lee said, pointing to the open field to the right of them.
“Si, he is coming down now.” He threw the saddle blanket on his horse. Sue Lee too quickly saddled her horse. They were sure the Moth had attracted the attention of the villagers below. Jesus told her last night, he wanted to avoid this village. The mayor was in collaboration with Franco’s fascist pigs.
They rode down to the clearing, watching as the pilot landed the Moth on the field in a series of jerky movements. It came to a halt just short of the trees where they were; the engine shut off, and the pilot slumped forward.
“He looks hurt.” Sue Lee shouted as she rode up to the plane, jumping off her horse to climb quickly up on the wing. “What happened, sir,” She asked, touching the aviator’s shoulder. The head came up, Sue Lee reached into the cockpit, gently lifting the goggles up. She found herself looking into the blue eyes of a stunning woman.
“I say. I do hope you are Sue Lee. I came to rescue you. You see, but I’m in a bit of difficulty. Can you fly?” She said, pressing down on her leg. Sue Lee then saw the blood-soaked leg. “I took a bullet in my bum, some Yahoo on the ground with a rifle. I’ve tightened my seat belt to add more pressure to stop the bleeding, but my leg is numbing. I can’t handle the controls. I’m afraid I’ll pass out. I do hope you can fly? I hate to lose my plane to the fascist,” she said with rasping breaths.
“Yes, I have flown a Moth before, but it’s been a while. Jesus, help me turn the plane around,” Sue Lee said, jumping down pushing on the wing.
“The flying doctor,” Jesus stated as they pushed together.
“Jesus, is that you? How is your mother feeling?”
“Si, she is good, please don’t worry. We need to take care of you now.”
“Do you have a blanket you can place under me to add more pressure to stop the bleeding?”
“Yes, we can use my bedroll. Sue Lee pulled the blanket from her horse, climbing back on the plane. Help me lift her, Jesus.”
The pilot almost passed out from the pain.
“Hang on, Doctor, we will be airborne soon. Do you have a map aboard? I need a compass heading for Gibraltar,” Sue Lee asked as she climbed aboard, opening the small door before lowering herself into the cockpit. She was now in the front cockpit, where usually her instructor would sit.
The flying lessons had been taught to Sue Lee at the Presidio in San Francisco before the war while working for the intelligence agency.
She signaled Jesus to prop her. She shouted out, “Clear!” He spun the prop, the engine started. Sue Lee waved, threw him a kiss as she taxied into position. The Doctor handed up her goggles that Sue Lee secured on the boy’s cap she was wearing. Sue Lee lined up the little aircraft on the grass field. She eased the thrust lever forward that started the acceleration as the Moth gently lifted off the grass, not a takeoff, but a real lift-off.
That’s what she loved about this little aircraft. The takeoff was so gentle. However, the landing was another story. Sue Lee always had trouble with that. She put that thought out of her mind, banking the plane looking down to see Jesus wave from the edge of the woods before he disappeared into the trees. She also could see into the valley towards the village where a group of men rode up the hill. Sue Lee turned away, out of sight of them. “No need for another stray bullet capturing this airplane would be a big feather in the mayor’s cap. Not to mention the capturing of a captain in army intelligence, but not today.”
She circled, pointing the craft to her compass heading. Her hand was on the stick, knowing she had set the direction, but she knew this little Moth moved on her own in an unhurried manner. If circumstances were different, she thoroughly would have enjoyed the ride, but today she wished she had more speed. She turned, looking back at the Doctor. She could only see the top of her helmet.
Sue Lee hung her head to one side to look forward. She could see the ocean far ahead on the horizon, wondering about the injured Doctor. Should She land to look for help or go on? The crackling in her earphones decided for her as the radio came alive.
“Tower, this is Gee Delta Charlie, requesting emergency landing, over,” the Doctor said with a weak voice.
“Gee Delta Charlie, what is your emergency?”
“Tower, this is Delta Charlie; I’m badly wounded, in need of attention. Sober up the Scott; on the hospital ship Elsie tell him if he wants to see my bloody bum get his arse over to the emergency room. Now I’m going to pass out, an elegant young lady, who is flying my plane, will take over the mike,” the Doctor went silent.
“Tower to Gee Delta Charlie, pilot, please respond.”
“Tower, this is Gee Delta Charlie, requesting permission to land. I have you in sight approaching from the Northeast.” Sue Lee responded.
“Roger, Delta Charlie, we have you on visual, permission granted, medical help will stand by.”