SimHQ.com - Air Combat Zone - A LOMAC Mission Report "Double Feature"

"My right engine has a serious fault. Major Grachev said it would take two weeks to get a new engine. That is why you are carrying mission packets, and I am not."

Pain is a serious thing, especially to a pilot who cannot fly.

"I asked him if he could take it from one of the other aircraft, but he flatly denied me that option."

He shrugged, looked at the flightline, took a long stare and a drag at the time, wishing he was back on the tarmac, rather than doing TOC duty, or more pointedly, secretary duty. Granted there weren't many missions, but knowing you can relax and do practically as you please? It is priceless.

"So you are doing what now?"

"CQ, though I hear Sacha is no longer on it, so now I will not enjoy it."

He smiled slightly. I cannot blame a friend for his attraction. I do hope we do not lose our friendship over this woman. I chuckled. It was good to see him smile though.

"Comrade, you are not qualified for a woman such as her, she is looking for a man."

Then his playfulness broke, he was good to talk to, especially joke around with.

"Alexseyev please spare me about your manhood, last time I was told, I am bigger than you."

He smiled bigger, the age old taunts never got old.

"Well comrade, when I am waking up with her, and you are cleaning your hangar, do not be angry da?"

He made a face, then shrugged.

"That is okay, I appreciate the company, perhaps I can assist you in planning?"

Sometimes he also knew when he was beat in verbal sparring.
Why not? He needed to keep busy, and I had nothing better to do but plan and plan. Besides, he's part of the team, so it is natural to include your wingman. He may have to fly the mission anyways. We finished our cigarettes at our leisure, the mission ahead running through my mind, while Dimitri stood there, impassive. I do hope they do not break him, it would be a shame.

The CQ office was nondescript, pictures of Russian aircraft with sales pitches adorned most of the walls, along with maps of the region and a small phone. Somebody thoughtfully provided a TV, an American more likely, due to the quality of it. It was a Sony, and while it didn't get many channels, there are certain other channels supposedly they watch after hours.

Such is the vice of pilots who are removed from their wives and girlfriends, or those who do not have such an opportunity. Which brought me to Sacha. Damnit! I'm supposed to be thinking of the mission. But the lunch we had didn't remove her from my mind, and I was standing like a little kid as Dimitri nonchalantly opened the door, and cleared off the table, except for the TV, which was within arms reach of the tallest pilots, and a chair you can lean back in, and use the remote if you leaned back, which was often the case on duty at night, when it was "slow".

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