The Road to (Outer) Nowhere (Space)

Chapter 27: Separate Ways

Kate was looking out the plane's window when Jack approached her.
- We are about to land, are you sure about what you said?
She looked at him, two enormous tears started rolling down her cheeks.
- Yes... Yeas I am.
- It's for the best.
Ahmed, called Jack from the cockpit, as the plane started to lose height. Jack walked over to Ahmed and sat down in the pilot seat.
- OK, let's get this plane on the floor as slowly as possible.
Jack instructed Ahmed on the procedures to land the plane, but with the landing gear very weak it was a disaster. As soon as the wheels touched the ground they burst, and the plane hit stomach down on the tarmac of the old abandoned airport near Durban. The whole plane was rattling and falling apart as is dragged itself until coming to a stop in the trees around the track.
- Kate, Ahmed, are you OK?
- Yes!
- Yes, Jack, Where are you?
Jack had been thrown out of the cockpit and was now between two seats. When he got up he saw Ahmed bleeding from his arm, it was just a flesh wound.
When they exited the plane, some 4x4 had approached the plane. Jack saw about 5 people dressed in Rd Cross uniforms. The quickly walked up to them and tried to help.
One of the Red Cross workers walked up to them as they jumped out of the plane.
- Dr. Kate, it is an honor, I am Steven Ratiff, vice president of the South African red Cross.
Kate shook Steven's hand.
-We have arranged what you asked for. Are you OK, do you need any assistance?
Jack interrupted the conversation, he opened the briefcase and gave 5000 dollars to Ahmed.
- Ahmed, go to this address in Cape Town, say that I sent you, ask for a fake ID and go back to your country. Here is some cash, the ID will be for free. It's a token for your help.
-Mr. Steve, here is the money. We should make haste, the cops might have detected us on the radars.
Steve took the money and gave Jack a set of keys and a pack of Benson and Hedges Special Mild cigarettes.
Jack turned to Kate to kiss her, but she took a step backwards and started weeping. The blocked her face with her arm and walked back for a few steps to begin running to the Wrangler with a big Red Cross logo. Just before closing the door, the looked at Jack a last time and banged the door.
Jack lit a cigarette as he watched everyone clear the area, Ahmed waved before entering another Red Cross Jeep. It took some minutes before he was drawn back to reality. He looked at the keys and started walking to the Land Rover. It as a blue Defender 110.
- This 9 seater will give perfectly, now, let me get to Johannesburg.