Page 18 of Fire and Rain
Kodiak Crab Festival was where Eden and Justin had met.
He understood. “I’d be happy to. And Eden? When I’m around, you can talk about Justin as much as you like, okay?”
She smiled. “Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
* * *
May 4
Sean got up earlyto take the SWE—the Servicewide Examination. He’d been a little nervous going in, but once he’d gotten into it, time had passed quickly. After he turned in his exam, he made his way to the Avionics Shop, where he’d been working for the past week.
There’d been an early morning SAR flight for a boat taking on water. The helo had just returned when Sean started his watch.
James, who’d piloted the helo, walked up to Sean, helmet in his hand. “It’s good to see you back, man.”
“Dalton Leavitt is about to take paternity leave. I’ll be filling in for him while my arm and shoulder finish healing.”
“Look at these guys. Is it my imagination, or are the AETs getting younger every year? They look like kids, man.”
Sean chuckled. “I had the same thought.”
Spurrier glanced over his shoulder to the helo the new AETs were towing into the shop. “The radio was spotty toward the end of this flight.”
“Might be electrical noise. Any trouble with any of the displays?”
Spurrier shook his head. “Just the radio.”
“We’ll isolate the problem and get it fixed.”
“I knew you would.” Spurrier headed toward the lockers to change.
Sean got some tools together and walked over to the new guys. “Listen up. Today, we’re going to get some practice troubleshooting. The pilot reported problems with the radio on this last flight. That can be caused by electrical noise. Who can tell me what electrical noise is?”
When no one spoke up, Sean chose someone. “Rock, what is electrical noise?”
Rock shifted uncomfortably, his gaze on the floor. “Electrical noise is when electrical signals get into circuits where they don’t belong.”
“That’s essentially correct.” Sean gave the group a more detailed explanation and got to work, showing them how to use an oscilloscope.
He let them find the problem and then helped them fix it, giving everyone a chance to get hands-on experience. When the repair was completed, he inspected their work, answering their questions and stressing how important it was for them to do their jobs perfectly.
“Samantha, what happens if you make a mistake and the instruments fail in flight?”
“Someone could get hurt.”
“Someone coulddie—not just that helicopter’s flight crew, but also the people they’ve been sent to rescue.”
Samantha’s expression softened. “You were on the helo that crashed, weren’t you?”
He felt every gaze on him, waiting for his answer. “I was, and I’m damned lucky to be alive. Two good men died that night. One of them was my best friend. His wife and child will never see him again. You donotwant to be the reason a member of a flight crew doesn’t come home to his family.”
Leavitt, who’d been at a prenatal appointment with his wife, walked up behind Sean. “Listen to Petty Officer McKenna. When that SAR alarm goes off, you need to know you’re sending the flight crew out in an aircraft that’s in perfect working order. If that’s too much responsibility, you don’t belong in avionics.”
They finished the repairs, and then it was time for lunch.
Dalton walked with Sean to the galley. “How did they do this morning?”
“They have a lot to learn. Were we ever this green?”
