Chapter 129: What Are We Waiting For?

[Chapter 129: What Are We Waiting For?]

The plane taxied down the runway, climbing into the sky.

Amid the massive roar of the engines, the changing air pressure caused his eardrums to throb, bringing a strange sensation.

Ian gently rubbed his ears and said, "Can I get a coffee? I'd like a latte, please."

Flight attendant Shawna quickly brought him a cup of coffee and gently asked, "Would you like a snack with that?"

"Thanks, but no thanks," Ian replied casually.

As he stirred the coffee, watching the plane soar through the clouds, Ian's mood shifted to a strange haze.

He instinctively used his X-ray vision around the cabin, noticing nothing out of the ordinary, he turned back to chat with Shani.

After discussing some work-related matters, Ian planned to take a nap when his phone suddenly rang.

...

Ian checked the number -- it was Leyso.

Finally, he had called.

Ian answered, "It's me."

Leyso responded, "We got on the plane."

"What did you say?" Ian sat up abruptly. "When?"

"Twenty minutes ago," Leyso replied.

Ian's expression darkened, "What's the situation now?"

"They've already made their move; the plane has been taken over. I don't know their specific plans, but I'm recording. I'll send it to your email in the last three minutes of the flight."

Ian sucked in a breath, a cold feeling creeping up inside him.

They made their move now?

He thought, This couldn't be happening.

Not hearing a response from Ian, Leyso hesitated, asking, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, so... good luck."

"No luck, only success!" Leyso replied calmly.

...

After the call ended, Ian sat in shock for a moment.

Suddenly reminded of something, he stood up and walked toward the back of the cabin.

Just a few steps in, he saw a burly man approaching, looking menacing. Their eyes locked, and in an instant, the man threw a punch, slamming it into Ian's face.

Everything went black, and as he fell to the ground, the burly man pulled out a knife and, along with another man, rushed toward the cockpit.

At the same time, three more stood up -- two with knives, one brandishing a gun, shouting, "Everyone, stay still!"

Chaos erupted in the cabin.

Shawna, just stepping out, was pushed aside by the burly man as he barreled into the cockpit, prompting cries from inside, "What are you doing?"

Then the cockpit door slammed shut.

...

"Ah!" Ian shook his head, struggling to regain his composure.

Shawna rushed to his side, asking, "Mr. Carr, are you okay?"

Ian shouted, "There's a hijacking!"

"I know, Mr. Carr, just stay calm; everything will be fine," Shawna reassured him.

She still had the presence of mind to comfort him.

Ian shook his head repeatedly, "No, you don't understand, this isn't a routine hijacking!"

"What do you mean?" Shawna looked puzzled.

The man with the gun pointed it at Ian and barked, "Sit down and don't move!"

Ian stared hard at the gun.

Damn it, this is a disassembled gun brought here, with no safety!

More importantly, these weren't all the hijackers; others were already in the cockpit!

...

Everyone on board was in a state of terror. Ian stared at the gun's barrel, his mind racing.

In a steady voice, he said, "Don't panic. I'm Ian Carr from the Los Angeles Herald; I'd like to interview you soon."

Everyone paused in surprise.

The armed hijacker exclaimed, "You're Ian Carr?"

Did you know Butterfly is on another plane?

Ian pointed to the overhead bin, "I'd like to grab my camera; would you be willing to accept my interview?"

Shawna looked at him in shock, "Mr. Carr."

The hijacker shouted, "No way!"

Ian insisted, "It's just a recorded segment, not a live broadcast!"

He understood their concern -- it was about not revealing their plans too soon.

"Is that so?" The hijacker nodded, "That's acceptable."

They had already allowed Butterfly on board, so one more wouldn't be an issue. Ian was the boss of Butterfly, and thus, he didn't mind at all; he might even be looking forward to it.

...

Ian slowly took out his bag, pulled out the camera, and handed it to a trembling Shani beside him. "Hold this steady, point it at us; we're about to conduct a live interview."

Shani trembled, saying, "I... I can't!"

"I already set it up for you," Ian said. "Don't worry; just aim it right, keep it on the seat back, and it won't shake much. Remember, no matter what happens, keep the camera rolling. If you do it right, I'll reward you hundred grand; if you can't handle it, you're gone! Got it?"

Shani nodded frantically, but her hands shook uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, sir, I can't keep it steady!" she sobbed.

"Useless!" Ian snapped.

It was Shawna who bravely stepped up, "Let me do it!"

She grabbed the camera, aiming it at Ian.

Ian watched her in surprise as Shawna smiled, "You're my idol, so... I'll learn from you!"

...

Nodding lightly, Ian took the microphone and walked towards the armed hijacker. "Would you be willing to accept my interview, sir?"

The hijacker looked at Ian in disbelief, "You're really not afraid of dying?"

Ian replied, surprised, "Are you going to kill us? Isn't the purpose of your hijacking to make demands? You can tell the U.S. government what you need; we're just hostages here."

The hijacker scoffed, nodding slightly, "Ah, of course."

To avoid anything slipping out that could ruin their plan, they wouldn't say they were taking them to meet Allah, so Ian's words aligned perfectly with everyone's thoughts.

Thus, Ian held the microphone and said, "This is reporter Ian Carr from Carr Media, reporting live. Just five minutes ago, we experienced a hijacking incident. With consent from the hijackers, we will conduct a live interview with them."

As he spoke, he turned the microphone toward the hijacker, "Hello, sir, what's your name?"

The hijacker chuckled, "Sayyid."

"Mr. Sayyid, could you tell us why you're doing this?"

"Why?" Sayyid shouted at the camera, "Because all you Americans are bastards, you've brought too much harm to this world. The great Allah will not forgive you; this is our great jihad against you!"

He shouted loudly, condemning the various crimes committed by America.

The passengers remained silent, soaking it all in.

...

After some time, Ian checked his phone and his expression suddenly changed. "My friend's message says two planes just crashed into the Twin Towers!"

What?

Everyone gasped in horror.

Ian yelled, "You're not negotiating with the U.S. government; you plan to crash this plane!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned in disbelief.

Ian shouted, "What are we waiting for? Take them down!"

He charged at Sayyid.

Sayyid aimed the gun at Ian.

However, to his surprise, he found he couldn't pull the trigger; Ian had ingeniously wedged a stick inside the mechanism, preventing him from firing.

At that moment, Ian charged forward, landing a powerful punch to Sayyid's hand, sending the gun flying.

Finally, the other passengers realized they were being targeted for their lives.

Even in the face of knives and guns, they screamed, "Let's fight back!"

Everyone rushed forward, tackling the three hijackers and a brawl ensued.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.