Some more introduction to main hero's family and how he fell in love with Evelyn, his fellow pilot. Hope you like it!

Song title: Berlin - Take My Breath Away.

Dedicated to and

Iskandar Airport, a 3.000-acre civilian airport but mainly used as the Air Force Base. It was named after the commander of parachutists first inserted into Kalimantan during Indonesia's War of Independence, on October 17th, 1947. Expanded and upgraded in late 2020s as part of a massive modernization program, it's one of the country's important linchpin of defense in the island of Kalimantan alongside Supadio AFB in Pontianak, West Kalimantan Province.

Home of the 7th Fighter Wing, it's three squadrons were equipped with Su-65 multirole air superiority fighter and S-80 multirole combat UAV. The city of Pangkalan Bun was itself one of the heavily militarized area of the state, with the presence of the element of the 61st Mechanized Brigade, itself part of the 6th Tanjungpura Infantry Division.

Upon conclusion of Sunday service in the base's Christian chapel, it's time to get myself outside; after a quick change I head for the base' parking lot where I put my used Toyota Rush, with destination, my parents holiday home six kilometers away from the base, near the Arut River. Luckily Evy was free.

Oh, did I forget to tell you that one day after the exercise I have been promoted? Now I am a Major while Evy a Captain along with some other pilots.

Just another peaceful weekend in the sleepy town of Pangkalan Bun. While driving, I found myself rewinding my past memory on how I grow to love the girl on my side today, back at my time in the Academy.

Out of curiosity, I had decided to take aeromodelling extra soon after finishing basic military training as an Air Cadet Private - prajurit karbol in Indonesian - in the Military Academy in Tidar Valley, Magelang alongside cadets from the Army, Navy, Police, Cyber, and the Coast Guard, along with my favorite sport, swimming.

It was a surprise when I encountered her once more at the field used for the class, with the fact that she was assigned to a different squadron than me. I was in the 4th Squadron while she was in the 2nd, but the thing we had in common is the fact that both of us were majoring in Aeronautical Engineering.

To my surprise, the instructor paired me with her for my first aeromodelling class.

"What we are going to make?" I asked her first.

"Let's make something easy for the first time, shall we?" her reply. Without hesitation I answered "F-16"

I must be grateful that I am with one of the known experts of this field in the academy. As we worked together with the woods and glues and the motors to build the Falcon.

"Do you want to know where I got my love of flying and model aircraft?"

"Go on." I answered.

"It's simple. My dad. If he's not flying or not have anything to do, he will spent his time making those things."

"That's wonderful." That's when I learned that his father was also a pilot, flying Garuda Indonesia Boeing 777 both prior to the airline's death and rebirth and afterwards.

It's time to fly it, and I looked with unprecedented focus as I remotely manipulated it's altitude and speed while Evy directs me. As the RC plane fly, I experienced a very different, unusual sensation on my stomach which troubled me greatly, thankfully, I could still concentrate on the controls.

Soon I know what is it. It must be love.

My train of thinking continued to the time when I declared my feelings to her, now with us in the second year with the rank Air Cadet Corporal.

"I think... I think.. I like you, Evy" I slowly faced her and put everything out as we were going to the academy's library.

I could already feel her soft, pale face making contact at me. Eye to eye. That very moment, it looked like a tip of Paskhas (2) commando knife was about to be plunged into my heart. Even that smile of hers did not assure me about the answer until she went closer, and her answer came straight on my ears, in a whisper.

"Did you know that I actually like you too, Air Cadet Corporal Paulus Hutapea??"

"So, we are dating?" My eyes went wide, and I had nothing to filter my reply other than this frank question.

"The answer is yes, Paulus. You are brilliant, you are full of potential, and I know how much you worked hard over the years to be accepted here in the Academy. That's why I admire you. I can see that you are in a need of a loving companion. I could feel it already ever since basic. And therefore, allow me to support you more as the said companion and your date. But let's not be too much lovey-dovey including kissing in public, as our education is the main priority, okay?"

"I will do our best to be one day fly with you in a fighter. I promise!" I said to her as we entered the library.

Her lips curved, and soon it turned into a grin. "I promise you that one day, we'll served together. In the same fighter squadron!"

And luckily our parents are soon approving our choice to date each other. Praise God!

Knock, knock. "Mom, Dad, everyone, I'm home!"

"Paulus!"

"How are you, father?" I asked.

"Well, healthy as always, together with your mother. Well, looks like you brought your date to us. Come in, both of you!" Stefanus beamed. Both pilots were seated in the guest room.

"Where are Daniel, Gloria, and Petrus?"

"Daniel is on the way here too with his kids" My mum, Febriana Hutabarat, replied. Daniel, the eldest sibling, is already a married man in the age of 35 with two kids and working as a lawyer while he also proclaimed his interest in farming if he one day wants to change his career. During the civil war, he served in the volunteer force as a sergeant.

"Gloria and Petrus were unable to come today, but they sent us their hugs to you."

My younger siblings were still undertaking their higher education; 24 years-old Gloria is currently a postgraduate civil engineering student at the University of Trisakti, Jakarta. 21 years-old Petrus is doing his undergraduate management study at Pelita Harapan University. I know his brain is entrepreneurial one. In fact, in campus, he worked part-time via online with two of his friends with me become one of his endorsers back at my Academy days.

And I am the only one who joined the military.

"I think your little sis had known many of us? I think I know one of the 41st that maybe good for her. Same faith too." Evy asked me.

"Well, she's taken. Remember Yoel? The aircraft carrier pilot who shot me down back then." I replied while sipping a cup of green tea from my mum. The naval aviator I referred to was 1st Lieutenant Yoel Pramudya Angsana.

Cross-training with the Air Force were common for this newly raised community of aviators. The Navy's carrier aviation was one of the newest capability obtained by the Indonesian Armed Forces with CATOBAR (1) capability gained in 2038 upon the commissioning of supercarrier KRI Majapahit (CVN-02). Their pilots, mostly flying IF-34s, were eager to prove their capability was worth the taxpayer's money, and in fact, in a joint exercise off the West Coast of Sumatera, I played OPFOR simulating an attack against aircraft carrier, and he shot me down.

I know him well way back to our teenage days, as him and I once lived in Makassar due to my father was his father's superior in the agribusiness company they worked for. In fact, he attended the same school as my little sister and soon, like normal teenagers, realized their love for each other. High school sweetheart.

One hour later, Daniel arrived with his own family and embraced me. "How are you, Dan?".

"All is well, brother, how about you?"the lawyer asked.

"As always, on a tip-top shape like my plane,"

Daniel laughed, along with his wife, Paula Heldisani, a local Dayaknese. He also brought his two kids, Berliana, the eldest, 6 years old, and Ludwig, a year younger than his sister. "Brother, this is one of my fellow pilots, Capt. Evelyn."

When the time is for Paula and Evelyn to shake hands, both women faced each other with an intense gaze.

Later, another knock interrupts the friendly conversation. It's Uncle Abraham. "Tulang (Bataknese term for uncle from the mother's side)"

"Long time no see, Paul. How's life? And it seems you bring me one of your wingman, too. And both of your uniforms are in line with regulations, excellent." said the balding man, now working for a chemical and pharmaceutical company as one of their human resources managers.

"Good, yesterday we had a good air combat exercise. They absolutely give us a bloody nose, indeed." I said."In fact, if he isn't come to me in time, I might get shot down. "Evelyn added."While three days ago, we practiced close air support in Siabu Air Weapons Range with people from Roesmin Noerjadin. As you know yourself, uncle, The Flywheel is a pure-bred fighter, but with some practice, we can do CAS too."

"You two need to remember, there's no place for arrogance in our community (fighter pilot); inside or outside missions, watch each other's back." The retired Colonel advised both pilots.

"Anyway, do they have you on alert on situation in the former Indo-Pak border?" My uncle asked us again.

"Since last week four clashes had been reported by the Indians. As the result our alert status were increased. But for now, there were no imminent threats to either us or our allies. In fact, Paul and I might not be able to come here if there was otherwise." Evelyn replied.

"Everyone, lunch is ready" said my mother. Lighter conversation accompanied the rest of the day.

At 15.00 CIT (Central Indonesia Time), we returned to the base, due to the scheduled capital security Combat Air Patrol that I am assigned for tomorrow.

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(1). Abbreviation for Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Assisted Recovery - a method used to launch and recover aircraft in an aircraft carrier using a catapult to assist take off and land on the ship (recovery phase) using arrestor wires.

(2). Abbreviation for or Special Forces Corps, the ground combat and special operations unit of the Indonesian Air Force.