Chapter Nine - part four

   The weekend was gone almost before they knew it. They had sworn everyone to silence about their engagement. James wanted them to be the ones who told their parents. Since they couldn't wear the rings on duty anyway they should be able to keep it a secret long enough to do that. They actually slipped them onto the chains that held their dog tags for safe keeping. James had made a point of calling her father earlier, when he had decided that he would eventually ask her to be his wife. He had told him that he wasn't totally sure he could ask her yet. James had explained that he wouldn't ask unless he was sure he could be the kind of husband that Sarah deserved. James had apologized for not asking him in person, but that would have been all but impossible without Sarah finding out. Her father hadn't been happy, but he said he had expected this. In fact her parents had discussed the possibility of this at length after they had first met James. James had been given their permission. They weren't sure it could ever work, but they had seen that it was likely to happen. Sarah had laughed and told James that her mother had talked to her about James, though she thought it was before he had asked for permission. She had told Sarah that if she was certain that she loved James then she had to marry him. A lot of people no longer considered marriage to be a requirement in a relationship. Her mother had made it very clear that for Sarah and James it was a requirement... for better or worse! James and Sarah made plans to see her parents as soon as possible. James would find a way to let his folks know after they did that.

   They hadn't made any plans beyond that. They really couldn't until they had told their parents. Then they would have to try to work out the details from long distance. It wasn't the easiest way to start a lifetime commitment, but it was the only way they had. It was harder to say goodbye this time. They might not be officially married, but they had made an official commitment to each other to be married. Their lives were no longer separated. Oh there were still many miles and many months separating them, but now they couldn't do anything without first thinking about the other. That alone made things harder and more frightening. Another year was still standing between them and making their vows to each other a reality. James and Sarah both knew that this might well become the longest and most difficult year of their young lives. That did nothing to lessen the joy that now filled their hearts.

   James had spent the first period of his summer testing for a possible pilot slot. He was all but guaranteed a pilot slot at some point, because of his scores and standing at the Academy. But this testing was something new and different. The new plane the Air Force would be getting very soon was radically different from anything they currently had in the air. That was what they were testing for, slots in the training of the first pilots for these planes. James had passed the physical and psychological tests easily enough. Then after a very brief training class they had him do some flight tests in special simulators at the base where the planes were currently undergoing final testing by the military. That had been a shocking experience for many of the cadets tested. The new planes were in many ways almost reverse engineered as far as flying them was concerned. A lot of the cadets who dreamed of flying real jets instead of drones had spent a lot of time in the flight simulators and on computer simulations in an effort to gain an advantage. That seemed to hurt them far more than it helped where the new plane was concerned. They each got five practice flights before they took the final test flight in the main simulator. Those five flights gave all of the cadets a chance to learn the plane controls and prove their skills. They received debriefings and further instruction after each flight too.

   The last test flight was totally different though. The first flights had been simple flight training missions with no live fire simulations. Each mission had required a little more or a little something different than the last one had required, but they were all basically just letting them learn to fly the plane. This last mission was a simulated live combat situation. They had a mission objective, but there were numerous unknown and unexpected complications thrown into the mix. How they handled those complications during the mission was a major part of the testing, but how they flew the plane counted for just as much. The pilot had to be in far more control of not only the combat, but also the plane than was required in any of the jets currently flying. After you completed your test you could watch the remaining tests or even review those tests that had happened before you. James saw a lot of very good pilots literally go down in flames. He didn't get away without damage, but he did bring his plane home. Several others managed to do that as well, but only three of the forty plus who had made it this far managed to complete even a part of their mission. James was one of those and he was the one who came closest to accomplishing the entire mission who made it back with the plane too.

   Several cadets had achieved the entire mission, but it had cost them dearly. They had all gone down in flames. The three who had managed to get part of the mission done and get back home all earned an automatic slot in the new training program.  All of the rest were still being considered, but they wouldn't know for a while.  A maximum of ten cadets would be selected for the special training to begin upon graduation. James knew that he had a slot... if he wanted it. There was a major catch though. If you took any pilot slots you automatically extended your commitment to serve in the Air Force another five years to ten years total. This pilot slot made that extension eight more years, not just five more. You would be committing to a total of 13 years of service in the Air Force after graduating. James would be 22 years old when he graduated. If he took this slot he would be 35 before he could leave the Air Force without paying a very hefty penalty and losing all benefits to boot. That was enough to make anyone hesitate.

    It wasn't only the number of years that made the real difference though. There were other factors to think about. The officers in charge of the testing had spent a lot of time and effort trying to make it very clear that this was a huge decision.  They had spent hours each day going over the future requirements and the restrictions the select few would be living with for thirteen years. These new planes were to become the frontline fighter aircraft for America. They would be deployed where the action was. That likely meant being away from home and family for most of those thirteen years. Not to mention being deployed in combat zones most of your duty time. Almost every mission would be flown in or near an active combat zone. A pilot in one of these new planes would be risking their life far more than most other pilots. The constant deployments and restrictions because of the secret nature of this plane would make it hard to have a family life. They would rarely be able to talk about their missions or even where they were stationed. That wasn't exactly something to help build a relationship and it might keep him away from Sarah most of the time he had to serve too.

       James only had two periods left in his summer break. He wasn't getting to go home this year. It just wasn't possible for him to make the trip. His first summer period had been largely consumed by the testing for the new training program on the aircraft. Then he had been locked in as an instructor pilot for the gliders as well as working on a special research project. This project actually dealt with something being used on the new aircraft he hoped to be flying after graduation. The last summer period he was back at Jack's Valley again. James had many of the same duties as last year, but he also had added responsibilities due to his increased rank and his position on the Honor Committee. Normally things should ease up a little during the last year at the Academy, but they didn't seem to be doing that for James.