First flight

On the 25. November, Ben woke up at 5 am. He breakfasted with his parent. There was a slightly tense atmosphere, everyone seemed to be nervous.

Following that Ben took his suitcase and his backpack, which he readied in the last three days, to the car trunk.

His parents drove him to the airport. His parents couldn't stop worrying, their son was going to a chaotic state, where it was legal to own a gun. Which parents wouldn't worry?

As they exited the car at terminal 2, they exchanged their goodbyes.

„Son, I know that you want to become a man by learning how to live in the jungle, but in truth only by building and protecting your family, did you become a true man." His father said in a proud voice.

„Your father is right, don't push yourself too hard. Finding a job and a girlfriend will be your true goal." His mother said, full of motherly love.

„I never said that he shouldn't push hard. A man has to make his own decision and then give his best until the end." Tilo commented, feeling misunderstood by Karo.

„Mother! Father! I am happy to be able to widen my horizon. I know that my decision was a bit insurgent, but there isn't as much danger as you think in California. I will call you when I arrive there. I need to go through the strict security check, so... Love You!" Ben kissed his parents on their check.

„We love you too. Come back safely!" They said full of love with slight anxiousness.

His parents kissed him back and hugged him a last time before he left.

Ben walked to the baggage drop off desk and simply dropped off his baggage.

Ben readied his ID and boarding pass and went in the waiting line of the security check. He swiftly picked the shorter line, readied his laptop and carry-on liquids for inspection, he followed with taking his jacket, belt and watch, off in advance.

As it was finally his turn, Ben went through the x-ray machine. As they weren't any problem thanks to his preparation, Ben walked steadily to his departure gate.

On the way, his phone rang with his important rhythm, Ben accepted the call.

„Hey Ben, how are you?" Efron asked friendly. Since the last months his relation with Ben became much friendlier, Ben already informed him that he would go to a survival school in Amerika.

„Morning Efron, I am fine! Are you already working?" Ben asked curiously.

„Yes, I am. Right now, I am registering our company."

„You already checked the commercial register?" Ben questioned.

„Yes, I have. I contacted a notary and made an appointment for today." Efron said excitedly.

„Don't forget the Articles of association, Shareholder's list, and the Founding documents needed to open the bank account!" Ben calmly warned.

„No need to worry, I have everything under control. We perfected NuHealth 1.0 and decided to make a more expensive version named NuHealth 2.0. What do you think about the idea?"

„A good one. I presume NuHealth 2.0 is made of better materials and works more detailed!?"

„You are right, but we also made a cooler design. I feel like we will become rich and famous after selling our products." Efron said while imagining to swim in money.

„Don't lose focus. We might become rich, but we will also become bigger targets. When I come back, I hope NuHealth 1.0 is ready to be mass-produced."

„I will give my best! Have fun in your holidays, Ben."

„Thanks, I will. See you."

With the last word spoken, Ben ended the call. He still had 1 hour before he could go on board of his plane. Ben sat down on a chair next to gate 4, he opened his laptop and watched videos about survival camps.

....

„Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Santa Ana. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you." A feminine voice announced.

Ben locked up at the line of passengers. He put away everything in his small backpack and went a last time before flying in the bathroom.

Afterward, he went in the line and boarded like everyone else through the jetways.

----

Airlines these days have 4 different travel classes, First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

First Class is the most expensive and most comfortable accommodations available. It has a 4K resolution television with passive 3D and other cool gadgets.

Business Class is of high quality but has just an HD television and fewer advantages than FC.

Premium Economy, has slightly better Economy Class seating (greater distance between rows of seats; the seats themselves may or may not be wider than regular economy class) and has an old tv.

The Economy Class has only basic accommodation and doesn't have any other features.

-----

„This is the final boarding call for passengers Erin and Fred Collins booked on flight 89B to Santa Ana. Please proceed to gate 4 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes time. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Erin and Fred Collins. Thank you." The same voice announced.

Ben became slightly angry about the fact that latecomers delayed his flight.

Ben went along the track until he saw his number and sat on his aisle seat. He wanted to wait for the take-off to sleep peacefully. The seat at the window was unused.

Ben hoped that he wouldn't have to stand up for a passenger coming later.

In the meantime, the siblings, Erin and Fred Collins were running to gate 4.

„Can't you run faster, you fat pig." Erin said to her brother.

The girl ran with her wheeled suitcase at high speed through the airport. Her brother on the other side tried his best to keep up with her, but he had only enough strength to jog.

„Erin, please wait, I have a stitch!" Fred shouted. He slowed down and held one's side from pain.

„Give your best! I don't sit with you. So see you in the USA!" Erin tried to sound encouraging, but in truth, she didn't care if he missed the flight.

She speeded up and did the boarding in record time. She continued to walk fastly while searching her seat and then finally found it.

„Excuse me, my seat is at the window." Eris said gently while being sweaty from the running.

Ben cursed innerly every God he knew, but from the outside, he stood up and with a smile let the brunet pass.

Erin Collins then sat down by the window.

„Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 89B with service from Stuttgart to Santa Ana, USA. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts 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 Star Alliance. Enjoy your flight."

„Cabin Crew. Prepare for take-off" The captain said, followed by the actual take-off.

While the plane flew higher and higher, Ben and Eris were evaluating each other.

´Why did I have to be seated next to a latecomer, just as I was thanking my ancestor. My luck is as bad as always! She even sweats a lot. I can't say that she stinks. But I planned to sleep here. To tell the truth she is damn hot. Hopefully, I won't dream about her. How embarrassing would it be to wake up with a boner? Calm down. She isn't worth it. She probably thinks highly of herself. But before a muscular millionaire like myself, she is just a wastrel.´ Ben assured himself to elevate his confidence. Women would always lower his self-esteem, which was quite ironic if you picture 2 paths with an angry woman in one and a dangerous monster in the second.

Which path would you choose? (pl. comment ;)

´It is already uncomfortable to be in the economic class, but I am now sweating next to a poor stranger. This is so embarrassing. How will I survive these whole 12 hours?

At least, he isn't acting weird or always looking at me. Still... He is not badly shaped. His face is not bad. I wouldn't be against having a one night stand with him.´ Erin changed the direction of her head and looked outside off the window while having a predaceous smile.

„Good morning passengers. This is your captain speaking. First I'd like to welcome everyone on Rightwing Flight 89B. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 48,000 feet at an airspeed of 500 miles per hour. The time is 10:11 pm. The weather looks good and with the tailwind on our side, we are expecting to land in Santa Ana approximately fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. The weather in Santa Ana is clear and sunny, with a high of 32 degrees for this afternoon. If the weather cooperates we should get a great view of the city as we arrive. The cabin crew will be coming around in about twenty minutes time to offer you a light snack and beverage. I'll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight."

„Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors before you as we review the emergency procedures. There are six emergency exits on this aircraft. Take a minute to locate the exit closest to you. Note that the nearest exit may be behind you. Count the number of rows to this exit. Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm, and listen for instructions from the cabin crew. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, like this. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children. In the unlikely event of an emergency landing and evacuation, leave your carry-on items behind. Life rafts are located below your seats and emergency lighting will lead you to your closest exit and slide. We ask that you make sure that all carry-on luggage is stowed away safely during the flight. While we wait for take-off, please take a moment to review the safety data card in the seat pocket in front of you."

While everyone from the economic class listened to the crew, the rest was watching a safety video on their screens. Ben was quite attentive, it was his first flight after his rebirth.

To die without fighting back was Ben's biggest worry.

Eris on the other hand was relaxed as she took flights very often thanks to her family.

She was on her way to see her paternal grandparents at Santa Ana.

After the safety announcement, Ben fought that it was quite funny. He wasn't often in a plane, but he knew that the safety procedure didn't change much in comparison to the movie of 2000. That was what Ben fought was funny, almost everything changed, but not this procedure.

After listening to the announcement, Ben put a sleeping pill in his mouth, put earplugs on, and wore a sleep mask. He planned to create the survival skill now. A skill creation wasn't that straining for the mind that he had to sleep, but it felt uncomfortable so Ben planned to sleep in the meantime.

´Create Skill Survival.´

´Yes.´

While Ben was sleeping, Eris was killing time with music, E-books, and mobile games.

At 8 pm, Ben woke up with a light headache and was feeling slightly hungry.

´Nothing is better than finally sawing what you reaped after waking up.

Open Skill list.´

Knowledge Skills:

-Science

-Parkour

-Survival

Special Skills:

-HSAM (highly superior autobiographical memory)

Ben put away his earplugs and his sleep mask.

"Excuse me, I'm in a hurry," Erin said shakingly. She was really in a hurry and could not hold it in any longer. Right then, she was really worried that Ben would never wake up and she had to wake him up. Economy seats didn't have enough place to just pass between seats while somebody sat on it. She was too embarrassed to wake him up, but now if she couldn't go to the bathroom, she would definitely cry.

Fortunately, Ben was quick-witted. He politely moved away for her to leave.

Not long after, she was back from the toilet. Her expression was calmer than before and her attitude much friendlier as she greeted Ben with a nod.

Ben Lupus smiled friendly and took a look at the time. It was approximately 2 hours until landing. He was surprised about this girl.

´This girl could hold it in for at least 8 hours. Well done! Now that I think about it. I also have to piss.´ Ben thought.

He ate some peanuts and drunk water.

Afterward, he went to the bathroom and eased the pressure of his urinary bladder.

Sitting back on his place, Ben was thinking about the progress he made.

As I won't improve any stats in the holidays, I can at least take a look at my current stats. Status open.´

<0/10>

´Now, this is an unexpected pleasure! Like I estimated Agility increased the most. Followed by Strength and even one more Intelligence point. Each time I see my stat I always become happy. What a great day!

But It becomes also shows that increasing the stats even higher won't work without special training. When I come back I should look for a building and the equipment I need. But for now, let's enjoy my holidays.´

In the meantime, Eris was waiting for Ben to strike a conversation. She had interrupted the silence first, so she fought it was now Ben's turn.

In the last hours, both whiled away the time in silence by reading books.

Finally, the plane landed at the airport in Santa Ana.

Eris sat in her seat, occasionally stealing glances at Ben from the corner of her eyes. Her inner thoughts were going wild.

'This fella must be playing hard to get. Till now, he didn't even give occasional glances to me. He'll surely try to get my contact. If that happens, I must reject him first. Only when he begs me will I begrudgingly accept. I mean It would be too easy. Otherwise, It would mean that every sportif guy can have my number.'

With the script planned in her heart, she looked up at Ben, just to see that he paid her no heed and started walking off. He went further and further away until…he was gone…

Ben was oblivious about her thoughts, he was not confident about his charm and even less interested in a relationship. But who knows if he didn't want to experience sex with her as a virgin?