“Is there anyone who can fly a plane?” I asked but no one replied.

This was up to me again. I pointed to a few people to help me fly flight 217 to Karagandy Airport. I held the radio and said a few words.

“Mayday, mayday! This is Austin Thokoane speaking, on-board flight 217. Respond over!”

Captain Solomon replied.

“Roger that Mr Austin. Where is commander Zero?”

“They are all captured. Both pilots and a single passenger are dead. We have no one behind the wheel and we have less than 50 minutes before the fuel gauge drops. The good news is that we have two passengers on-board who have been delivered a few minutes ago. We request flight assistance.”

“You have two new born? So what’s your destination?”

“We are going to Karagandy in Russia.”

“Do you have any flight experience?” came the dreaded question over the radio. Now everyone’s eyes were fixed on me.

“Uh, well, only on my video games,” I said sheepishly.

“Mr Austin, you actually have two hours to reach the airport and you probably won’t make it, especially with a low tank. Perhaps you can perform an emergency landing. Your nearest airport is on your north-western side; the T’bilisi Airport.”

“Thank you Sir, Solomon.” I said as I sat down to take over the flight. I was grateful that my partners had removed the dead bodies for me. I read the instruction booklet which was in the cabinet. I had no time to read the whole booklet so I skimmed through a few emergency landing instructions.

I turned the wings and pressed and pushed a few gears and buttons. The steel-made bird went nose first down, so I had to control it to ensure a safe landing especially for the sake of our new passengers. I told one of the guys to instruct every passenger to fasten their seat belts and make sure that all bags are locked in the cabinets.

“Flight 217, do you read me? Repeat, do you copy?” I heard a voice coming over from the radio.

“Flight 217, roger that.” I replied.

“Sir you are flying through the Turkish air space under whose authority? You have thirty seconds to state your agenda.” He said.

At first I thought he was rude. But then I saw that he was trying to keep his country safe. I had invaded into their territory.

“Sir this is Austin. We have been hijacked. Both our pilots are dead including a male passenger and we are running out of fuel.” I said.

“So what is your destination?” He asked.

“Russia, Sir. We were advised to perform an emergency landing so we are asking for your permission.”

“How many passengers do you have?”

“It’s a full house, Sir plus two new born babies.”

“Okay Mr Austin, fly along the east and enter the airport from the left hand side. It is smooth and you will have a long runway.”

“Roger that, Sir. Thank you.” I said.

The bird flew, breaking every cloud and wrestling against the Turkish atmosphere. I let out the wheels and made sure that she would land straight. According to how I flew this plane from Syria, no one could tell that I can’t fly. No one could tell that I learnt how to fly on a video game and from some instructions from the booklet.

Flight 217 began to lose altitude.My mind turned backwards as I saw the black and smooth runway. On the other side the city was filled with motorists and pedestrians including vendors on every side of the road.

“What if this landing thing becomes a mess? Even on my TV game, my landing skills are always very bad.” I said to myself.

Even though it was an emergency landing, that didn’t mean that I should just throw the aircraft to the ground, though it was what I often did on my TV game. Perhaps this could be a chance to prove to myself that I can do it.

As the airbus was a few feet above the ground, I saw a flight control officer waving his red and white flags. I didn’t know what he was signalling for, but from what I noticed I thought he meant that the runway was safely clear.

“Flight 217 welcome to Turkey.”

I bent the steering and pushed a few buttons. CREEEEK! The sound of the wheels was heard as they stumped the ground then followed by a nasty scream from the passengers. The airbus ran free on the long runway as I tried to pull the breaks.

“What! No breaks. I repeat no brakes. No breaks.” I called out. I then tried to turn all engines to reverse, perhaps she might stop.

The left engine was stuck as the right engine was pulling on reverse. I had to switch off the left engine and just leave the reverse engine to perform its duty. Gradually, the speed began to decrease until flight 217 was at a standstill with its nose tip on the razor fence.

“HOO! YEAH!” The passengers and everyone in the airport cheered.

“Congratulations pilot. Is everyone okay?” asked the guy in the airport control building via the radio.

“Thanks, everyone is perfect.” I said courageously. I started struggling trying to find a button which opens the exit. Thanks to the help of the lady who was a hostess who knew where the button was and opened the door.

“Ladies and gentlemen please unlock your seat belts. Welcome to Turkey. Even though it’s not where our destination is but perhaps they could help us. Feel free to exit.” I announced.

There was frantic excitement, until there were no passenger on-board except for me, the two thugs and three corpses. When I made my exit I was startled to see the Turkish flight commander in chief with his crew. All in black. I took few steps with my head held up high to show courage.

“Sir. All victims must be physical checked for any sign of injury,” said the guy in a paramedic outfit.

“I feel relieved, thank you. In fact I have no sign of injuries.” I said.

“Hey pilot! Step over here.” Said the commander.

“Afternoon sir.” I greeted him.

“Same to you too. I am commander Rockey. Where are the hijackers?”

“In the bathroom sir, all tied up.” I said. I was taken back on-board.

“Sir, on behalf of the International Flight Industry, we would like to thank you for the kind of bravery which you showed us. We really appreciate that.” Commander Rockey said as we got in the bathroom and found both commander Zero and his partner lying on the floor tied hands back.

“Gentlemen, welcome to Turkey. You are both under arrest for smuggling weapons, hijacking and three charges of murder. We have the right to hold you behind bars for as long as we like. Arrest them.” He commanded. The two thugs were hand cruft and thrown behind a military truck.

“So, Mr Austin, is there anything you wish as a reward from the Turkish government. Anything, perhaps a wish?” Asked Commander Rockey. “Before you answer that. How old are you and where did you learn to fly?” Commander Rockey asked again.

“Twenty-two-years old sir and to be honest, I learned flying on one of my TV games.” I replied. They all laughed.

“A TV game. Okay perhaps you could join the Turkish flight crew. You will receive all the basic training you need. The world needs people more like you.” He stopped. So are you in or what?” Commander Rockey said. Before I could answer him I heard a familiar sound ringing in my ears…

My six o’clock alarm was ringing, invading my sweet ending nightmare. I switched it off and jumped out of bed. I had to get ready for my flight. I took a quick bath and had breakfast before I went to the airport.

“Austin! Your taxi is here.” Called my mom in the veranda. Before I went to my bedroom to get my bags, I thought of the dream I had had this morning.

“I won’t let a stupid dream ruin my first time of flying.” I said as I grabbed my bags and made my way to the gate.

The End

***

Tell us what you think: Do you ever have anxiety dreams that seem real like Austin’s? When do you get them and how do they affect you?