CHAPTER 1 - AN UNPLEASANT MEETING

It was a bright and sunny day with a very clear sky, waiting for an airplane to take off. A few moments later, a raspy but gentle voice of a woman can be heard from the cabin's speakers.

"This is Xi Capitol International Airlines Flight QR1211, with the service from Ye State to Xi State. We are expected to be in the air in approximately 8 minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seat belts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Xi Capitol International Airlines. Enjoy your flight." announced the flight attendant, Nuala(Noo-lah) Kawolski.

All of the passengers listen to the woman's instructions and do what they are being told. They all buckled their seat belts, turned the electronic devices off, and secured their items of baggage.

Slowly, the airplane started to move forward, and a recorded voice prompt and video of safety briefing can be heard in the background, probably to keep the passenger from looking outside the window. "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors above as we review the emergency procedures. There are six emergency exits on this aircraft…"

Before the plane could fly high steadily, a man from the coach cabin stood up but Nuala was quick to speak, "Sir, you need to sit still with your seat belt fastened during the plane take off for your safety." Then her eyes landed on the man in an army uniform next to the anxious man.

The anxious man reluctantly nodded his head and slowly returned to his seat. Nuala's eyes never leave the anxious man, feeling a little uneasy.

As the safety instruction video is played on the monitor in front of the passengers, you will see some of them are praying while the others are listening attentively. And the safety instruction continued, "...While we wait for take-off, please take a moment to review the safety data card in the seat pocket in front of you." then ended.

In about 10 minutes, the aircraft is already above the clouds and bright sun rays are visible to the naked eye. The pilot started talking. "Good afternoon passengers. This is your captain speaking. First I'd like to welcome everyone on Flight QR1211. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 23, 000 feet moving up to 28, 000 feet at an airspeed of 400 miles per hour. The time is 1:25 pm. The weather looks good and with the tailwind on our side, we are expecting to land in the Capitol of Xi State approximately 45 minutes ahead of schedule..."

The pilot added, "...The weather in Capitol, Xi State is cold and windy, with a high of 15 degrees for this afternoon. If the weather cooperates, we should get a great view of the city as we descend. The cabin crew will be coming around in about 20 minutes to offer you a light snack and beverage, and the inflight movie will begin shortly after that. I'll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight."

When the plane reached the right level and steadied in the air, the cabin crew started to attend and serve the passengers the in-flight food.

Nuala, with an uneasy feeling, kept her eyes from the anxious man who tried to stand up during the take-off, so she decided to go to him. Leaning forward to meet the man's eyes, she asked, "Good day sir, how are you feeling? Do you need a blanket or beverages?"

The man with worried eyes said, "No, thank you. I just need to go to the bathroom."

Nuala nodded her head and stood up to show the man the way to the comfort room with a smile on her face, hiding the doubts she feels toward the nervous man. Her eyes met another man's gaze, a man in an army uniform sitting next to the bothered man. "Do you need anything, sir?" she asked, still smiling.

Enoch shook his head with a faint smile on his lips, still looking intently at her. "I'll buzz if I need anything. Thank you." Then he put on his earbuds and closed his eyes. He felt a little relieved when he realized that at least one of the plane crew is aware of the man’s troubled action.

A few minutes after, the disturbed man returned to his seat and wiped his forehead. Enoch felt the movement, so he opened his eyes and said, "Is this your first time flying?" while putting the earbuds away.

The man nodded and intensely rubbed his sweaty palms to his pants. Enoch did not miss the man's nervous action, so he patted the man's shoulder, "It'll be fine. Just close your eyes. Breath in, breath out; next thing you know we're landing already."

But Enoch, trained to be observant knew that there is something wrong, the man's been acting peculiar. He stood up, but before going to the comfort room, he went straight to Nuala who was standing out of sight of the man. "The man is acting strange. Something is wrong. Keep an eye on him." When Nuala confirmed her doubts, she immediately advised the crew and the pilot.

Just after giving the cabin crew a heads up, a commotion in the coach cabin happens. Other passengers are shouting in fear and others are crying from shock. It was the distraught man who started the commotion. "Make a turn and land in Ha State or I will cut my neck!" he shouted.

Nuala and two more male flight attendants tried to stop him, "Sir, you need to calm yourself and put the knife down." said one of the male attendants.

"No! Make a call and land in Ha State! I need to see my son! He's dying!" he shouted with tears.

His reason made Nuala's heart go soft, but she needed to shrug it off. Not showing the pity she feels, with her raspy voice she tried to speak as gentle as cotton, "Sir, how old is your son?" She asked, trying to make the man put down his guards. "Three." He said with pain in his voice as he said the word.

Nuala took a small step forward, "Is your son sick? Why is he in Ha State?"

"My wife died in an accident and my in-laws took my son away because I have no job." the distraught man answered. Not knowing that Enoch is right behind him, ready to jump on him to stop him from doing something far more sinister.

Enoch sneaking behind the man, signaling Nuala to continue negotiating.

She continued, "Sir, your son will not be happy if he found out that you tried to hijack an airplane just to see him. Why not put the knife down and let's talk about this rationally and calmly?"

Unknown to all the people inside the coach cabin, the pilots already contacted the nearest airport for an emergency landing.

"No! You don't understand!" the man shouted at her with a tear-filled face. He was about to attack Nuala, but Enoch is quick to respond.

He targeted the man's knee-pit to get him down. Enoch quickly pulls the man's arms behind with his shin on the neck of the man, while tying the man's hand behind his back with a towel given by another crew.

"Please, I'm sorry. I can't go to jail without seeing my child. Please." the man pleaded, crying his heart out.

Nuala turned her eyes away not wanting to show her tears because she is a very sympathetic person.

As the drama ended, an announcement could be heard. "May I have your attention, please. This is the captain speaking. Due to the unfortunate event that happened, we will be having an emergency landing at Fi City International Airport, Eff State. I request that all passengers keep seated with seat belts fastened and remain calmed. I repeat, I request that all passengers keep seated with seat belts fastened and remain calmed."