Trees Hold Up the Sky 29 William James Johnson

Two hours into the flight, the steady hum of the Severski had a calming effect on everyone, lulling them into a light sleep. Below was the winding Orinoco River which Jess used as a navigational aid heading for Caracas. One of the major rivers in south America, the Orinoco whose name is derived from Guarano, meaning "a place to paddle," originates in the Guiana Highlands and travels north west, and returns east, a distance of approximately 1400 miles, to empty into the Atlantic ocean.

The brilliant morning sun had completely disappeared, giving way to the westerly movement of a low pressure system which provided intermittent showers, and large streaks of lightening and roars of thunder which drowned out the monotonous drone of the engine. The turbulence alerted the passengers to confirm nothing had broken loose during the surging up and down with the passage of the frontal system.

"Sorry folks. Not much I can do about this weather. Our forecast said there would be possible storms on this route, but it should clear up before Puerto Ayacucho, which is about 100 miles north. Make sure you tighten your seat belts. I sure don't want any of you injured in this turbulence."

"We're all okay Jess," said Hank. "Any problem maintaining this altitude?"

"The Russians sure built a good machine. It doesn't have all the refinements we had in our yankee whirlybirds, but it feels like it was made to last," said Jess reassuringly. Suddenly the huge craft felt like it was dropping out of the sky, plunging toward the drenched greenery below.

"Whoa! Give me more power Tomaso. We better get back up where we belong. Turn on the radar and see if we have any traffic in the area."

Tomaso had been well trained and was confident that Jess, with his many years in combat where he had to make rapid decisions, could control the Severski. Hank noticed a recurring banging sound outside the aircraft after its last drop in altitiude.

"Is it my imagination, or can you hear it too?" asked Hank.

"Hear what? Just the storm and the engine. What are you talking about?" asked Jess.

"There it is again. Sounds like something might be loose and is crashing against the bottom of the plane."

"Take control Tomaso. I'm going back to have a look."

Not only could he hear the sound, but he felt there was something striking against the bottom. Carefully he opened the sliding side door far enough to lean outside to check what caused the banging. The connector cable for one of the missiles had become detached from the aircraft socket, and the cable was swinging below the plane, occasionally coming upwards into the bottom of the aircraft. Jess came back inside to tell everyone what had happened.

"The power cable to our hot bird has come loose and I've got to fix it."

"How are you going to do that?" asked Hank.

"I'll need a couple of you to sit on me while I lean out as far as I can to reattach the plug. I can use the landing gear as a support for my free arm, but this is going to be quite a reach. Let's give it a go."

"Is it absolutely necessary to plug it in again?" asked Hank.

"If we don't, it might come loose and if it pulls away from us, the electronics on board could make it turn around and fly at us seeking our heat source. Sorry guys, but there's no other way."

"Why not just release it by firing it from your panel up front?" suggested Gonzalo.

"Same problem. When it is released, since it is not fastened securely, it might drop away from the Severski and it could end up searching for us and it would be game over. As a matter of fact, in the condition it is in now, we would not be permitted to land at Caracas. It's called a bomb hangup. Can you imagine what would happen if the weapon dropped on landing, and fired off at a commercial airport? Let's quit this stalling, and get it done."

He opened the side door of the Severski and slowly extended himself out into the cold drizzle, with Hank and Gonzalo bearing down on his legs. Struggling to grasp the swinging electrical cable, trying to fasten it into its socket, the lower half of his body felt pinned to the floor of the aircraft. A tremendous gust of wind struck the port side of the helicopter causing it to veer violently to the starboard. Both Hank and Gonzalo reacting instinctively to the change of the plane's position, rose up from Jess' legs momentarily, giving him a weightless sensation.

"Christ Tomaso! Fly the sonovabitch. Don't let it fly you," screamed Jess over the thrashing sound of the wind that was intensifying as they continued northward. "Okay guys, lets give it another try."

"Sorry Jess. It won't happen again," said Hank, relieved they grabbed him on time.

Stretched outside the aircraft beyond his waist, his arms trembling in the buffeting wind, he patiently made the connection. The biggest problem now was trying to screw in the locking housing which had not been properly fastened when the weapon was loaded the first time. Jess didn't want to strip the thread, which would prevent him from securing the device, essential for a successful firing of the missile if the need should arise. Seconds felt like minutes enduring the heavy rain, and blasting squall. At last it was done and they pulled him back inside the helicopter.

Estrelle was waiting with a large towel she had unpacked, while Laura pulled off his soaken clothing. Together they had him dry and smiling within minutes.

"Who was the guy who said we shouldn't leave home without them?" His sense of humour discharged the tremendous tension they had just endured.

"Fantastic Jess. You never cease to amaze me," said Hank.

"I'm okay guys. Just let me get up there and relieve Tomaso. Oh by the way, I don't have to tell you what I was thinking when you both lost contact with my legs do I?"

Within several minutes they passed through the northern edge of the storm, and were visually on track above the Orinoco. Radar confirmed they were within 70 miles of the airport at Ayacucho. Also on the radar Jess saw a blip from the south near Atabapo, rapidly proceeding in their direction. A few minutes later, a high pitched signal came from one of the black boxes on the control panel, followed by a flashing orange number.

"What's happening now captain?" asked Tomaso.

"IFF signal has been challenged."

"I don't understand. What is IFF?"

"It means Identification Friend or Foe. It was used during the air war in Europe, and it looks like the Russians have included that old code method of verifying radar contacts in their gunship."

"Could this signal be coming from the tower at Ayacucho?"

"IFF is normally used between airborne craft to determine who the radar contact is so that no mistakes are made shooting at friendly aircraft."

Their conversation was interrupted by the clear sound of a Spanish American accent on the aircraft radio.

"Severski Atabapo this is Executive Jet 1000, do you read over?"

"One thousand...loud and clear."

"Is this Captain Jess Martin speaking? Over."

"Yes it is. May I ask who wants to know?"

"This is General Cervantes. I was expecting to take all of you back to Bogota, as I was commanded by General Obispo. I was disappointed when I was told by the radio operator at San Fernando de Atabapo that you left at dawn this morning."

"That is correct. When we got word of the tragic events in Bogota, we were ordered to return to the United States as soon as possible, and that's what we're doing."

"But Captain Martin, you cannot just disappear like this without getting approval from the Colombian government first."

"From what we have heard on the radio, there is no government of Colombia at this time," said Jess, sarcastically.

"You are correct Captain. We have suffered a temporary disruption in our administration because of the cowardly assassination of General Obispo. Before his murder, the Secretary of State promoted me to the position of Chief of Defense. It is in that capacity that I am carrying out the General's commands. I am ordering you to land at Puerto Ayacucho, and return with me to Bogota."

"Thank you, but no thanks. You have no authority over us."

"The Severski is the property of the government of Colombia, and I am prepared to charge you with grand theft. If you do not cooperate, I will have to use force to bring you down."

"You're just bluffing Pablo. What kind of force do you have on an executive jet?"

"Have you forgotten we have had all our DEA aircraft outfitted with wing mounted 50mm cannons. Land at Ayacucho and let's put an end to this senseless killing."

"You realize General, we have three of your countrymen with us?"

"Even more reason why we should settle this without violence. I'm sure Professor de Quesada would want to return to Bogota with me. We need this wonderful man to help us end this revolt."

"They urged us to let them come to the U.S. to continue our scientific work and we need their expertise. I'm sure your cultural secretary would understand the importance of keeping this team together. They are with us, and I can assure you, they will remain with us."

"Are you saying that Professor de Quesada has agreed to flee his country with you? This I find very hard to believe. Gonzalo is a true patriot, and his country needs him at this tragic time. Please let me speak to him for a moment."

"Pablo, this is Gonzalo. Dr. Martin has clearly explained my wishes. I will be going back with them to Washington. Please look after my family, and tell them I love them."

"Are you mad? We need you to help us bring stability to our government, and all you can say is 'tell your family you love them.' I cannot guarantee their safety during this zambo uprising. You've got to land at Puerto Ayacucho and come back with me."

"General, this is Jess Martin again. You heard Gonzalo. I urge you, don't start doing something you will regret."

Cervantes realized he was getting nowhere, and switched his approach. "Ayacucho tower, this is Executive Jet 1000, do you read over?"

"Five square 1000. Over."

"This is General Cervantes speaking. I must know now how many DEA aircraft you have at your location, over."

"Sorry General. All DEA aircraft left for Bogota when they heard about the uprising in your capital."

"When did they leave?"

"At first light this morning General."

"Damn. We have to force down our Severski aircraft which was stolen by an American crew with three hostages on board."

"Please note General, we have the Severski on radar. May I remind you, this would be a violation of Venezuelan air space. If you use force to capture your craft, this could be seen as an act of war."

"Goddamn it. It is an act of war. Severski, this is your last chance. Land at Ayacucho and surrender, or be shot down."

Hank looked at Jess' poker face, trying desperately to get an indication of what he would do.

"That little bastard is going to try to shoot us down," said Jess. "Lucky for us he doesn't know about our missiles. I'm going to try to stall him for a few minutes."

"General Cervantes, could you give me fifteen minutes to discuss your offer with my associates."

"You've got ten minutes. Then I will fly directly at you, and fire my 50MMs. The shells will be directed above you to confirm I can blast you out of the sky. The second pass will not be a warning. Is that understood?"

"Acknowledged. Thank you General. I will get back to you as soon as we have a decision."

Jess turned and faced his passengers. "Well there it is gang. The bastard is going to shoot us down. He doesn't want us to land and surrender. He wants to solve this problem his way, which is to destroy us, and fabricate whatever scenario he can sell to the powers back in Bogota."

"So what do you think Jess"? asked Hank.

"I say we wait until he makes his threatening pass, and as he flys over I immediately turn in his direction and blast the hell out of Jet 1000. I hope to hell these smokers are serviceable. I don't see we have any other choice."

In a few minutes, Tomaso saw the sleek outline of the jet, nose to nose, bearing down on them. Jess had decided not to speak to Cervantes again. A few thousand feet away, the General pointed the nose upward and began firing his cannon. Trails of smoke descended on the Severski. Following his plan, Jess rapidly deployed the helicopter to align it with the jet pulling away in front of them. Without delay, he activated the firing buttons on the missiles. A loud exhaust noise and powerful wind on each side of the Severski confirmed the firing was successful. Two smoky jet trails behind the missiles tracked directly onto Jet 1000. A huge fire ball and metal shards sprayed across the distant horizon.

"Wow! Now that's what I call insurance," said Jess.

"We circled the Severski above the burning debris, confirming there were no survivors. Massive clouds of smoke obliterated any recognizable shape.

"Puerto Ayacucho, this is Severski Atabapo, reporting the crash of Jet 1000, approximately 65 miles south of your position."

"Acknowledged Severski. Can you confirm if there are any survivors?"

"Negative. Wreckage is blazing, and the surrounding jungle appears to have been ignited by the crash."

"Severski, have you been damaged?"

"Negative Ayacucho. We are proceeding to Caracas. Severski over and out."

Jess removed his headset and indicated to Tomaso what heading to steer. He got out of the cockpit and came back with the others.

"Can you believe this?"

"He didn't give you any choice," said Gonzalo. "Pablo has always been an opportunist. You were right when you said he had no intention of taking us back to Bogota. Destroying us would eliminate a serious problem for the one who seizes power now that Obispo is dead. And I have no doubt Pablo thought he would be that leader."

"The tower at Ayacucho has all our transmissions. If they passed them on to Bogota, that might give the Colombian government a basis for charging us with air piracy," said Hank.

"But no one knew we were carrying missiles. There is no way our transmissions gave any indication we were armed. I suggest we maintain radio silence until we refuel in Caracas."

Tomaso called Jess to come forward. "The operator at Puerto Ayacucho wants to speak with you Captain." Jess returned to the flight deck, and put his headset in position.

"This is Severski, you wanted to speak to me?"

"Affirmative. Air Control would like to know what you saw before the crash of Jet 1000."

"Roger tower. The aircraft appeared to be out of control, rising up and down as it flew towards us, then it went overhead, and it had a flame out. I turned towards the jet and saw the pilot was attempting a restart, when there was a sudden explosion, followed by a large ball of fire, and pieces of metal going in all directions. That's it control. Sorry we couldn't be of more help."

"Thank you Severski. Ayacucho over and out."

The remainder of the flight to Caracas was uneventful. The US government credit card was accepted in payment for the full fuel load, and the Russian helicopter headed for the Marine base at Guantanamo. In Cuba, Colonel Percy Hawkins met the plane with his staff car, and took them to his office for a debriefing.

"Have you heard the latest from Bogota?" asked the Colonel.

"Can't say that we have," replied Hank.

"Apparently there's an all out drug war going on, including aircraft bombing. Seems as though Obispo was deep into the cartel business, and had amassed a fortune. Apparently he planned to take over the country by force and set up a Castro-style government. Now the revolution is going to be between the rebel zambos and the Medellin forces. You're lucky you got out of there alive. Obispo's chosen successor, General Cervantes crashed in the jungle. As far as we know, he had engine trouble on his jet, and when he tried to restart it after a flame out, the damn thing blew up. Now while my chef is getting us something to eat, tell me about this great discovery you have made."

Hank told him about the mural and the fact that the significance of it all still had to be determined when they returned to their labs in Washington. No one mentioned about the creatures they had seen on the far side of the sacred mountain of Ahuntipec.