Cologne or Luxembourg. Or Amsterdam.
The voice crackled over the speaker again.“ Special Flight one-oh-nine, would you give us your flight plan, please?”
Larry snapped down the transmitting key.“ Special Flight one-oh-nine to Munich Tower. We’ re going to Amsterdam.” He flicked the switch up and was aware of Metaxas watching him.
“ Jesus, maybe I should have doubled my life insurance,” Metaxas said.“ You really think we’ re going to make it?”
“ Do you want to know the truth?” Larry said, bitterly.“ I don’ t give a shit.”“ Fantastic! I’ m up in a plane with two fucking maniacs!” Metaxas moaned.
For the next hour Larry was wholly absorbed in flying the aircraft, listening to the frequent weather reports without comment. He was still hoping for a wind change, but thirty minutes out of Amsterdam the report was still the same. Heavy fog. The field was closed to all air traffic except for emergencies. Larry made contact with the control tower at Amsterdam.“ Special Flight one-oh-nine to Amsterdam Tower. Approaching airport from 75 miles east of Cologne, ETA nineteen hundred hours.”
Almost instantly a voice on the radio crackled back,“ Amsterdam Tower to Special Flight one-oh-nine. Our field is closed down. We suggest you return to Cologne or land at Brussels.”
Larry spoke into the handmike.“ Special Flight one-oh-nine to Amsterdam Tower. Negative. We have an emergency.”
Metaxas turned to stare at him in surprise.
A new voice came over the speaker.“ Special Flight one-oh-nine, this is Chief of Operations at Amsterdam Airport. We are completely fogged in here. Visibility zero. Repeat: visibility zero. What is the nature of your emergency?”
“ We’ re running out of fuel,” Larry said.“ I have barely enough to reach you.”
Metaxas’ eyes went to the fuel gauges, which registered half full.“ For Christ’ s sakes,” Metaxas exploded.“ We could fly to China!”
The radio was silent. Suddenly it exploded into life again.
“ Amsterdam Tower to Special Flight one-oh-nine. You have an emergency clearance. We’ ll bring you in.”
“ Roger.” Larry flicked off the switch and turned to Metaxas.“ Jettison the fuel,” he ordered.
Metaxas swallowed and said in a choked voice,“ J— jettison the fuel?”“ You heard me, Paul. Leave just enough to bring us in.”