§ ≡ A section of The Pilot's Saga { Chapter 0.1 « Chapter 0.2 » Chapter 1.1 }
He was always going to be an air force pilot. Though not well known individually, they were the mystic heroes. The celebrated heroes, like the magnificent Jonathan Netanyahu, were the commanders in the field, the warriors using conventional weapons exclusively.
His ultra visual acuity was the earliest clue. As he matured, his exceptional hand-eye coordination became apparent, as did his high intelligence. But what clinched his admission to the program was his unflinching loyalty to his people.
The selection regimen was a 3-tier process of elimination: those who survived the first elimination became pilots; surviving the second elimination constituted admission to the special operations squadron; the third elimination anointed the "chosen". Though the numerical size of the special-ops squadron has never been revealed, it was thought to equal the number of special weapons in the stockpile. Of these specialists, the top two were chosen for the ultimate mission.
After surviving the first two eliminations, he was one of a handful who were favored to survive the third. And so it came to pass. The select commission made the final designation. His colleague became the designated "Striker", who would be shielded from all other operations, and trained exclusively for the doomsday mission.
He would also train for that mission, which everyone hoped would never be launched. But he would be allowed to participate in operations whose significance was deemed grave enough. His role became that of deputy striker, code named "Avenger".
He was always going to be an air force pilot. Though not well known individually, they were the mystic heroes. The celebrated heroes, like the magnificent Jonathan Netanyahu, were the commanders in the field, the warriors using conventional weapons exclusively.
His ultra visual acuity was the earliest clue. As he matured, his exceptional hand-eye coordination became apparent, as did his high intelligence. But what clinched his admission to the program was his unflinching loyalty to his people.
The selection regimen was a 3-tier process of elimination: those who survived the first elimination became pilots; surviving the second elimination constituted admission to the special operations squadron; the third elimination anointed the "chosen". Though the numerical size of the special-ops squadron has never been revealed, it was thought to equal the number of special weapons in the stockpile. Of these specialists, the top two were chosen for the ultimate mission.
After surviving the first two eliminations, he was one of a handful who were favored to survive the third. And so it came to pass. The select commission made the final designation. His colleague became the designated "Striker", who would be shielded from all other operations, and trained exclusively for the doomsday mission.
He would also train for that mission, which everyone hoped would never be launched. But he would be allowed to participate in operations whose significance was deemed grave enough. His role became that of deputy striker, code named "Avenger".
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