Chapter 10 - Captain Carter
Four years later.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Gate C17.
The boarding lounge was packed with passengers waiting for Northstar Air Flight 108, nonstop service to San Francisco.
Rain pattered softly against the massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the tarmac, where a massive, pristine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was parked, being loaded with baggage and fuel.
Near the boarding desk sat a young girl, about twelve years old, holding a small model airplane in her lap. She looked nervous, clutching her mother’s hand as she watched the storm outside.
"Is it going to be bumpy, Mommy?" the girl asked quietly.
Before her mother could answer, the sound of rhythmic, polished footsteps echoed down the carpeted terminal aisle.
Walking toward the gate was a flight crew of four.
At the front of the formation walked a twenty-three-year-old woman in a immaculate, crisp navy blue uniform. On her shoulders were four bright, golden stripes. On her chest was a shining silver captain’s badge. Her brown hair was neatly styled, and her eyes were bright, clear, and focused.
Captain Emma Carter.
Beside her, walking proudly, was her First Officer, along with Sarah Jenkins, who was now the Senior Director of Inflight Safety for Northstar Air.
Emma stopped near Gate C17, her eyes catching the seat where she had sat four years earlier with her systems manual open across her knees.
She smiled faintly, remembering the silver-haired man who had told her that dreams were just hobbies.
Suddenly, a voice called out behind her.
"Captain Carter!"
Emma turned around.
Walking toward her was Grant Holloway, carrying a small travel briefcase. Standing beside him was a twenty-year-old young woman wearing a University of Minnesota flight student jacket.
"Mr. Holloway!" Emma said, her face lighting up as she shook his hand. "And this must be Maya."
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Captain," Maya said, her eyes shining with admiration. "I just completed my instrument rating through your foundation scholarship last week."
"She passed with a perfect score on her checkride," Grant added, his voice overflowing with immense, unbridled fatherly pride. "I told you she'd surprise me."
"I never had a doubt," Emma smiled warmly. "Are you both on my flight to San Francisco today?"
"Row one," Grant said proudly. "I promised you four years ago I'd be on your first command flight. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
The boarding announcement chimed over the terminal speakers:
“Northstar Air Flight 108 to San Francisco is now ready for priority boarding at Gate C17...”
Emma turned to walk down the jet bridge, but stopped as she saw the nervous twelve-year-old girl holding the model airplane.
Emma stepped over to the little girl, kneeling down so they were at eye level.
She took off her gold-trimmed pilot's hat and gently placed it on the little girl's head.
"Are you going to fly with us today?" Emma asked gently.
The little girl nodded shyly, adjusting the oversized hat. "Is the weather going to be bad?"
Emma smiled, her voice carrying the same unshakable, tranquil confidence that had once guided three hundred lives through a storm over Denver.
"The sky doesn't care about the storm, sweetheart," Emma whispered, pointing out toward the rain-soaked tarmac. "It only cares whether you're ready to fly through it. And I promise you, we are completely ready."
The little girl smiled brightly, holding her model airplane tight. "I want to be a pilot like you when I grow up."
Emma stood up, adjusting her gold four-stripe epaulets.
"You won't have to wait long," Emma said softly.
She turned and walked down the jet bridge into the cockpit of the flagship jetliner.
May you like
Outside the terminal windows, a break in the storm clouds revealed a brilliant shaft of golden sunlight beaming down onto the runway.
And high above the earth, the endless sky opened wide, waiting for Captain Emma Carter to take flight.
