Chapter 6: Fighting Back

The hostile aircraft suddenly swooped closer, forcing the airliner to shake violently. Panic rippled through the cabin.

“They’re trying to intimidate us,” Mara said.

The first officer looked terrified.

“We can’t outrun them. We’re unarmed.”

Mara’s mind raced.

“Then we don’t run,” she said firmly.

“Do you have full manual control?” she asked the captain.

“Yes—but I’ve never dealt with something like this.”

“I have.”

She slid into the co-pilot seat.

Chapter 7: The Maneuver

The mysterious aircraft continued making aggressive passes.

“They’re testing our reactions,” Mara explained. “Every time we panic, they gain control.”

Over the radio, the threatening voice returned.

“You have one minute to comply.”

Mara ignored it.

Instead she watched the radar carefully.

“They’re about to pass us again,” she said.

“When they do, I’m going to change altitude and speed unexpectedly.”

The captain looked horrified.

“This plane carries 300 passengers. We can’t perform fighter maneuvers.”

“We won’t,” Mara replied calmly.

“We’re simply flying smarter.”

The hostile aircraft moved closer.

“Now!” Mara shouted.

She pushed the controls forward, dropping the aircraft sharply. The sudden descent sent objects flying through the cabin.

The enemy aircraft overshot them completely.

Immediately she pulled the plane back up and changed course.

“That buys us a little time,” she said.

“But they’ll come back.”

“We need to be visible,” she added.

She activated every transponder and signal system onboard.

“That will alert air traffic control,” the captain said.

“Exactly.”

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