6. The Air Raider

{The Past-- April, 1942, Oregon, United States}

(*this chapter is re-written and edited in September*)

Robert B. Smith had returned to the United States now. The U.S. now had a plan to exact a revenge on Japan. They were going to fly across the Pacific Ocean and drop a few bombs on Japan.

At the time, everyone thought it was a good idea.

But only Robert thought it was not a good idea at all 

"Why don't you think it's a good idea?" A fellow pilot asked, appalled. Robert now regretted saying anything.

Another pilot also questioned Robert, "Yeah, why would you say that? We are only going to drop the bombs on Japan's military facilities. We are not targeting the civilians. Are you saying we shouldn't do anything? You must think about all the brothers died on all the ships in Pearl Harbor!"

"Yes.  I know Japanese's sneak attack killed our people. But, we must think about the situation after we land in China. Once we land, Japanese would know. They would come after us and they would come after the Chinese civilians who helped us land." Robert said and then tried to think what he should say next.

But he couldn't say too much, could he?  Robert now had ghosts in his head. He now had multiple life experiences from others added on to his mind. And all of them had gone through Japanese's occupation in China. They could tell from their experiences, if the Americans flew over Japan and then landed in China, there would only be retaliation. 

But Robert could not tell anyone he knew that from many Chinese ghosts.

"I'm just speaking from my past experience. Someone helped me in China, and he ended up dead." Robert settled on that, which was true. Duan helped him, but he died from Japanese officer's retaliation.

"Just ignore Robert. He is such a naysayer."

"I'm not always telling people not to do things." Robert protested.

No one ever listened to Robert. At the time, Robert felt frustrated and even angry that no one believed him. As time went on, and after he actually participated the air raid, he realized that he should start keeping quiet.

The Doolittle Raiders continue their practices and training on sea. They needed to be familiar with very difficult take off and landing. Mostly the take off, because they would not have enough distance to increase their speed and fly. So they had to keep trying. During one test runs, a plane almost failed and almost crashed into the ocean.

Despite the fact that Robert was only voicing his little warning among his fellow pilots, there were other people who caught wind of what he said during their training. One by one, they came and asked Robert to step down so they could go instead.

"If you really don't want to go, let me go." A guy who was also recruited but was placed on stand-by. He very much wanted Robert's assignment. And then several other men offered to pay Robert so they could fly over and conduct the Doolittle Raid for Robert.

The Doolittle Raid was a highly-sought-after mission. Every man in the military wanted to go, even people who were not in Air Corps.

Everyone desperately wanted to bomb the military facilities in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, and Kobe -- these facilities all provided the ammunition to harm their fellow brothers in Pearl Harbor.  These facilities helped take away young lives that had never done anything to Japan. They were not even at war at the time! 

Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle warned all these young men that this was a high-risk, extremely dangerous mission-- It was almost a suicide mission, because no one could be so sure if they could safely drop the bomb and safely land in a friendly zone.

Their aim was to land in China. But wind and other factors could take them elsewhere. China was occupied by their enemies, for God's sake.

Still, young men kept offering Robert money, wanting to take his spot.

Robert actually wouldn't mind letting someone take his place. He could also take the money offer and just step aside. But, he thought about it, and decided, he should go. If anything, he could help others survive the landing. He had some secret powers now and he should use it to help people. 

Before their mission began, each crew took a group photo. Robert was trying to smile, but the picture was taken when he blinked. Oh well.

On that windy day, he flew out with all the fellow pilots, co-pilots, navigators, bombardier, engineer gunner. He was on the 8th plane to take off.

The ocean looked quiet in the darkness, because they couldn't see anything except the radars on their dashboard. They flew over to their target, which was in Nagoya. All the crew members were quiet. Because they felt alone. They were the only crew flying to Nagoya right now. Most of other crews were flying to Tokyo.

"Synchronizing. Time minus, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4....," All the crew members started to count out loud, and Robert counted with them.

"...3, 2, 1!"

The bombardier dropped the bomb successfully.

They heard faint sound of explosion as they were flying away from the site already.

"Woo hoo!" The bombardier cheered lightly.

That part was over.

Later, the people would learn from the history that the bombing itself brought very little impact to Japan's Imperial Military. Not much of a harm. The history would also say, it was a much needed boost of morale for the U.S. military.

But not many people knew what went on next after these men conducted this temporary boost of morale.

And that would be when Robert started using his superpowers more.

Starting from when they landed in a friendly zone in China but immediately being discovered by the enemy.

= = =

P.S. The Doolittle Raid is also real in history.  Robert Smith's background story really is based on true historical events.