?”
“Affirm, four-zero-six.”
With alarm, Wilson shouted from the back row. “Sir! Commander O’Shaunessy!”
Half expecting a vocal blast from the Commander, Wilson noticed that O’Shaunessy was shaken as he put down the receiver. He turned to Wilson as if to a friend who has a solution to his dilemma. “Yeah?”
“Sir, Departure told just told four-oh-six to take angels eight. Recommend you keep him down low so he doesn’t chew up gas in the climb.”
“Concur… because we’re gonna barricade him.”
Wilson stared at O’Shaunessy, not comprehending what he had heard. “Sir?”
“He’s at barricade fuel. We’re gonna catch the tankers and rig the barricade.” O’Shaunessy saw the look of astonishment on Wilson’s face and added, “Captain just made the call.” His eyes remained locked on Wilson, as if to convey he understood but was powerless to overrule the Captain.
Wilson took a breath. “Sir, this is a night pitching deck barricade with a nugget pilot. My recommendation is to bring him aboard. He’s got two more looks right now.”
“What if we don’t catch him?”
“Then a controlled ejection alongside.”
“I thought you said he was good behind the boat.”
“He is for a nugget, but why take the risk in these conditions?”
The Big Unit interjected, “Marty, I would recommend that for any pilot in these conditions.”
O’Shaunessy studied both of their faces. “It’s from the bridge. As soon as we get this Bloodhound aboard, we rig the barricade.” He turned to Metz and gave more orders. “Get four-oh-six ten miles aft, max conserve.”
“Yes, sir,” Metz answered and picked up the phone.
Wilson got up and went to a J-dial phone circuit to call the CAG office. The Ops officer, known as Bucket, answered.
“Yes sir, Flip here in Air Ops. Four-zero-six is low state and the tankers are dry or sour. They’re riggin’ the barricade.”
“Yeah, we just got the word. I’m tryin’ to find CAG… We’ll be right there.”
“I’m tryin’ to find my XO.”
“Is your skipper airborne?”
“Yes, sir… my recommendation is to trap Sponge now or fly alongside and eject.”
“OK, Flip, got it, thanks,” Bucket said as he hung up. Wilson went back to his place next to XO Johnson, aware that the eyes of the other aviators were on him. Wilson dialed Ready 7 and Prince Charming answered. “Ready Seven, Lieutenant Howard.”
“Prince, Flip, where’s the XO?”
“He hasn’t come in yet.”
“Find him and get him to Air Ops now!” Wilson ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell him they’re gonna barricade Sponge.”
