Novel Square
Chapter 56
Chapter 56
This was Madison’s very first time as a captain, in charge of a passenger airplane. The importance was palpable.
After engaging the autopilot, as per protocol, Madison was allowed to switch with her co-pilot and rest in the lounge. However, given the excitement of the inaugural flight, she felt as if she had never seen the blue sky before, remaining in the cockpit gazing out at the cotton candy clouds.
Like a majestic castle painted across the heavens, their curving lines left her in awe, pierced by the sun, the lantern of the earth.
“Captain Madison, why did you decide to become a pilot in the first place?” the co-pilot, Jack, asked.
Their plane was cruising smoothly, so they could afford some idle
chatter.
Landu, the second officer, was also listening attentively in the back.
Madison, gazing out at the clouds, said, “My grandfather was a pilot. I
grew un
nded by model airplanes and stories of his flights. Ever le, I wanted to be like him. I thought carrying people sky, and safely getting them to their destinations was an le deed.”
Her tone was gentle and measured. It belied her young age of only
twenty-five or twenty-six.
“Captain, if I may ask…” Even though Jack was older than Madison, she was still his superior.
Madison glanced over at him: “Go ahead.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Jack asked, grinning cheekily.
That made Landu, sitting behind them, perk up his ears.
The image of her freshly issued divorce certificate flashed through Madison’s mind, and she chuckled: “No.”
“Whaaat?!” Jack’s exclamation carried a tone of disbelief and
perhaps some joy, “How is that possible? A woman of your capability, and your beauty… you should not
be single!”
Landu chimed in unexpectedly. “Jack, the captain said she has no boyfriend, but she didn’t say she doesn’t have suitors.”
And that was spot on.
Jack blinked, taken aback.
Landu added, “I suggest you behave.
Otherwise, he might find himself out of a job without even knowing
why.
Jack and Landu had worked together before under different captains, so they were quite familiar with each other and didn’t hold back their words.
Madison was a bit surprised by Landu’s insightful remark and gave him a second look.
Landu noticed and gave her a big smile.
When Madison went to the lounge to take a short break, Jack took over the captain’s seat, and Landu moved to the co-pilot’s. That’s when they started gossiping.
“Hey, what did you mean by what you said earlier?” Jack asked.
Landu was checking equipment as per routine, “I’m amazed that someone with your intellect made it to first officer.”
“No need to wonder. If I were smarter, I would have been a captain by
now.” Jack retorted, unfazed by Landu’s jab.
Landu nodded seriously, “Fair point.”
“So spill it!”
Landu checked the back row before whispering, “Haven’t you heard about the female helicopter pilot who has been seen with President Grant?”
“Uh,” Jack paused, taken aback. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“And about a month ago during the earthquake in Cleansville, when President Grant and some crew members got trapped, a female pilot led a helicopter team to rescue them.”
Jack nodded, “Uh.”
Landu was frustrated, “Still not catching on? I’m saying Captain Madison might be President Grant’s rumored girlfriend!”
Jack was slow on the uptake, “Rumored girlfriend…”
“Which in essence means girlfriend.” Landu said gravely.
Jack frowned, “Your speculation is a bit over the top, isn’t it?”
“It’s not. Didn’t you see President Grant personally attend this
morning’s
?That should speak volumes about our captain’s
to me, we should support our captain
either way we can’t go wrong. Even if I am
g, we won’t offend anyone, get it?”
don’t. If you are so smart, why are you still second officer?” Jack was skeptical of his conjectures, it seemed too much like a fairy tale.
Their captain was indeed exceptional in every way, a standout among her peers, but their company president…
He was the crème de la crème, a bachelor at the top of the pyramid.
The whole scenario sounded too much like a Cinderella story, it couldn’t be true, could it?
“I lack ambition, I don’t have your drive, I’m engaged, I just want to earn a steady income, buy a nice house, secure a stable job, and settle down in Slandon harbor.” Landu was content with his life.
Jack scoffed at him, “A man should be ambitious, how can you…”
Landu cut him off, “Our company is highly competitive, look at the envy in the eyes of others when our captain took over. It seems like she is the only one who can handle it, she acts as if those envious. glances don’t exist and carries on with her job. So don’t underestimate our captain. Despite her young age and seemingly harmless demeanor, she might actually be a fierce tigress.”
When Madison returned from her break, Jack stood up and said, ” Captain, Landu called you a tigress.”
Landu nearly kicked him.
Madison laughed, “Really? This is the first time someone compared me to that animal. Quite intriguing and nice.”
They all laughed and talked, and safely arrived over Tang City after more than three hours.
wer: “Mukino Airlines 3131, descend and prepare for
adison guided the plane to descend, preparing for landing.
Jack and Landu beside her were fully focused on assisting Madison’s first landing as captain.
They all remained silent.”
Until Mukino Airlines 3131’s Airbus 330 smoothly touched down at
the Tang City Airport, and during the brief taxi down the runway,
Madison finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Madison reported to the tower-
“Mukino Airlines 3131 has concluded its flight.”
The Tower: “Good job.”
Barely had Madison stood up when she heard Jack and Landu in unison: “Captain, congratulations.”
She gently adjusted her tie, smiling as brightly as the Tang City’s sunshine, “You guys worked hard too, thank you for looking after me.”
Her humility was always comforting
Once all the passengers and the crew had left, Madison, as the captain, had to inspect the aircraft with the ground crew to ensure there were no problems before she could leave.
When Madison entered the flight building, hundreds of queued passengers outside the boarding gate turned to look at her.
Perhaps it was the first time they had seen a woman in such a uniform, they looked on in curiosity, admiration, and awe.
ssica had been waiting for her: “Here, goddess!”
From a distance, Jessica watched as the woman in a white blouse, black pants, and boots, carrying a black carry-on case, strolled leisurely toward her.
Her aura, with that faint smile on her face, was as intimidating as a
cold blade.
“We don’t fly back until tomorrow morning, so we can stay here for the night.” Jessica linked arms with her as they walked out.
Their appearances and outfits drew many eyes.
Just as they were passing the third floor on the way to the escalator,
a shocked voice came from behind-
“Sister… Sister-in-law?!!”
Madison turned her head at the familiar voice.
From three or four meters away, her ex-husband’s sister- Amelia
Brooks, was staring at her, suitcase in hand.